Eventually the woman started to calm down, and she lay there in Aki’s arms with an exasperated expression. “Thank you,” she croaked. “I didn’t expect you’d ever see me like that.” She glanced at the window and couldn’t see the light from outside; she hadn’t even been asleep that long before the nightmares had hit her. “Well I feel gross… I’m going to take a shower.”
The scientist slowly eyed her expression before he nodded gently. “Take your time,” he spoke softly, gently running his fingers through her hair. There was something about her that made his blood run cold. It was a sense, perhaps from his curious side, that had caused him to feel the hot and cold stir inside his body and heart. Without much further thought, he leaned forward and gently kissed Iris on the forehead. “I’m here for you, alright, Iris…?”