As Bruce carried her, he didn't bother with towels yet. The air was warm, the distance short. Bruce carried her through the open bathroom door, down the quiet hallway, and into the bedroom where soft lamplight waited. Water dripped steadily from them both, leaving a faint trail across the floor, but he moved with unhurried care, as though she weighed nothing.
At the edge of the wide bed, he lowered her gently onto the cool sheets. Sophie sighed at the softness beneath her, sinking into the mattress, eyes half-lidded and heavy with sleep. Bruce brushed a strand of wet hair from her cheek, thumb lingering there for a moment.
He straightened, glancing toward the door, the clean clothes she'd ordered earlier would have arrived by now. He turned to fetch them, but a soft hand caught his wrist.
"Don't go…" Sophie whispered, voice drowsy, almost pleading. Her fingers curled loosely around him, tugging with what little strength she had left.
