Sheâd only meant to close her eyes for a little while. Just to rest them and then sheâd be okay to move again. But of course her body had other plans and before Juno knew it, she was slowly falling asleep. The past couple of hours had involved fighting to stay awake but it seemed it was all a little too much for her and at the first sign of safety she was out like a light. Â
The cold should have been an issue but if anything as she drifted off, she heard the unmistakeable signs of a fire being lit, and then a prolonged warmth that pressed against her body. Without even realising it, she curled in closer, her arms wrapping around the source of heat as she finally lost consciousness.
The fire had long gone out by the time Juno opened her eyes again. It took a moment for her to remember what had happened, but then it all came rushing back to her. The fight. The mortal wound sheâd sustained. Kaia finding her. The thought of Kaia made Juno shift backwards, finally noticing the position sheâd been sleeping in. Legs intertwined and arms resting gently over torsos. We mustâve both fallen asleep. Her cheeks were flushed, and her hand automatically went to press on her wound. Or she tried to. But instead all Juno found was soft, if a little tender, new skin where thereâd once been a gaping hole. She saved me? Her eyebrows knitted together and she couldnât help but continue to stroke over the area, not sure how she felt that she was only alive through magical intervention. Why would she save me when IâŚ? And why are we still here.
Now completely aware of her surroundings, Juno wrapped her arms around herself to fend off the cold that had previously been kept at bay by the sleeping blonde. The sun was setting and it was only going to get colder. They needed to return to town. Juno squatted down next to Kaia, and carefully shook her shoulder, not wanting to jostle her too much in case she was injured, but enough to wake most people. âCome on Sleeping Beauty. Weâve got to get outta here.â She could have just left, but that wasnât an option for Juno anymore. Not when Kaia had saved her life.Â
"Why did you do that sweetheart?"
Kaia roused awake at the sound of her motherâs voice. How did she get here? Sheâd left her in the house, trapped by magic and--Wait, where was she? Looking around she noticed that she was sleeping on the freezing ground with a smaller girl in her arms. Junoâs head was tucked under her chin and Kaiaâs arms were wrapped around the Hunter, as if she was trying to keep her safe and warm. Clearing her throat, Kaia looked away from the sight towards her mother who was standing over her with a sly yet loving smile. âI uh... I donât know. I had to make sure she was okay.â
Jane smirked, shaking her head. âShe did try to kill you, Kai. But I see that the pull is a bit strong on this one.â Kaia frowned at this, her head tilting. There was no pull, she liked Nora who was actually Elle and-- âKaia, Iâm in your head I can hear your thoughts. What you had with Elle, you canât have with Nora. And deep down, you know that. So thereâs no shame in liking someone new. Even though she did try to kill you.â Kaia shook her head at this. She didnât like Juno, far fucking from it, actually. But all she could hear was her motherâs giggles before she felt a warm kiss pressed to her forehead, her eyes closing at the action. âYou need to wake up, sweetheart. I donât need both of us to be dead.â
And with that, Kaia startled awake at the shake to her shoulder, blue eyes snapping awake. âWhat?! Who?? Oh... Juno.. Sorry, you scared me. I must have just... Fallen asleep. Healing is kind of tiring I think.â Kaia slowly sat up, rubbing at her head, already having lost a hold on any memory of the odd dream sheâd had of her mother. Within minutes, Kaia was standing to her feet, looking a little worse for wear. âMy car is on the edge of the woods. We can just--Get back to it and go into town.â She offered, not knowing if Juno would take up the offer.