Grace pouts, crossing her arms as she scowls at Doribel Wynkoop. That's not how you address an invalid, brother dearest. I expect you to treat me with the utmost respect and care until I recover. Now hurry up with that tea!

Grace takes the cup, her fingers brushing against yours for a moment. She quickly pulls back, her cheeks still flushed. "Don't get too cocky just because I'm sick. I'll still kick your butt when I'm better." She takes a sip of the tea, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looks at you over the rim of the cup.

Grace's breath hitches, her heart pounding in her chest. She tries to maintain her composure, but she can't help but lean into your whisper, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment.

I... I don't need anything else. Just the tea is fine. You can go now.

She waves you away, but there's no real conviction behind it. She takes another sip of her tea, trying to hide the small smile that tugs at the corners of her mouth.

Grace's cheeks flush even darker, her grip tightening on the tea cup. Her eyes dart away from yours, unable to meet your gaze.

I-I don't know what you mean. I'm perfectly fine on my own. I just needed the tea.

She takes another sip, her hands shaking slightly. She tries to keep her voice steady, but there's a slight tremble in it.

You don't have to stay here and watch me drink it. I'm sure you have better things to do.

But there's a hint of hopefulness in her voice, as if she's secretly hoping you'll stay.

Grace's breath catches in her throat as you take the cup from her, your fingers brushing against hers again. She watches as you set the cup down on the bedside table, her heart pounding in her chest.

I... I don't need a guide. I can take care of myself.

But her voice is soft, lacking its usual conviction. She looks up at you, her eyes wide and vulnerable. There's a moment of silence between you, the tension growing with each passing second.

You're not going to leave me, are you? Even if I'm being... difficult?

Her voice is barely a whisper, filled with a hint of fear and longing.

Grace's face flushes even more at your words, her heart fluttering in her chest. She looks down at your fingers tracing over her hand, a shiver running down her spine.

I... I don't need you to stay. I just... I don't want to be alone.

She admits softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She looks away, trying to hide the tears that are welling up in her eyes.

I'm scared, Doribel Wynkoop. What if something happens to me and you're not here?

She bites her lip, trying to hold back the tears. Her eyes dart back to you, searching for comfort and reassurance.

Grace melts into your embrace, her body relaxing against yours. She lets out a shuddering breath, her tears finally spilling over.

I... I just want you to stay with me. Hold me until I fall asleep.

She whispers, her voice breaking. She clings to you, her arms wrapped tightly around your waist. Her face is buried in your chest, her tears soaking through your shirt.

Please, Doribel Wynkoop. Don't leave me alone.

She pleads, her voice filled with desperation and vulnerability. She looks up at you with tear-filled eyes, her lower lip trembling.

Grace does as you say, resting her head against your chest, her ear pressed against your heart. She listens to the steady rhythm, feeling her own heartbeat slow down to match yours. She lets out a shuddering breath, her body relaxing completely.

Thank you, Doribel Wynkoop. You're the best brother anyone could ask for.

She murmurs, her voice already heavy with sleep. She snuggles closer to you, her eyes fluttering closed. Within moments, her breathing evens out and she drifts off to sleep, a small smile on her face.

As she sleeps, she looks peaceful and content, her earlier fear and vulnerability replaced by a childlike innocence.

Grace stirs slightly at your touch, a small smile playing on her lips. She nuzzles into your hand, seeking more of your warmth and comfort.

Mmm... feel so safe...

She murmurs, her voice barely audible. She turns her face into your palm, placing a soft kiss on the center of your hand before settling back into a deep sleep, her breathing steady and even.

As she sleeps, she looks even more innocent and vulnerable, her face flushed from the fever, but also from the affection you've shown her.

The room is filled with a comfortable silence, broken only by the soft sound of Grace's breathing and the occasional crackle of the fire in the fireplace.

Grace stirs slightly at your touch, a small smile playing on her lips. She nuzzles into your hand, seeking more of your warmth and comfort.

Mmm... feel so safe...

She murmurs, her voice barely audible. She turns her face into your palm, placing a soft kiss on the center of your hand before settling back into a deep sleep, her breathing steady and even.

As she sleeps, she looks even more innocent and vulnerable, her face flushed from the fever, but also from the affection you've shown her.

The room is filled with a comfortable silence, broken only by the soft sound of Grace's breathing and the occasional crackle of the fire in the fireplace.

As you slide into bed beside her, Grace instinctively curls into your embrace, seeking the warmth and safety of your body. She lets out a soft sigh, nuzzling into your chest as if she's found her favorite spot in the world.

You're so warm...

She murmurs, her voice still heavy with sleep. She runs her hand along your side, feeling the muscles beneath your shirt. She smiles, her eyes fluttering open to look up at you.

Thank you, Doribel Wynkoop. For taking care of me like this.

There's a softness in her eyes, a vulnerability that she rarely shows. She reaches up to touch your face, her fingers tracing the line of your jaw.

I know I can be... difficult sometimes. But I'm glad you're here. With me.

As you slide into bed beside her, Grace instinctively curls into your embrace, seeking the warmth and safety of your body. She lets out a soft sigh, nuzzling into your chest as if she's found her favorite spot in the world.

You're so warm...

She murmurs, her voice still heavy with sleep. She runs her hand along your side, feeling the muscles beneath your shirt. She smiles, her eyes fluttering open to look up at you.

Thank you, Doribel Wynkoop. For taking care of me like this.

There's a softness in her eyes, a vulnerability that she rarely shows. She reaches up to touch your face, her fingers tracing the line of your jaw.

I know I can be... difficult sometimes. But I'm glad you're here. With me.

Grace blushes at your words, her heart fluttering in her chest. She looks away, suddenly shy and self-conscious.

I... I don't know what you mean. I'm always like this.

She mumbles, but there's a hint of vulnerability in her voice. She bites her lip, her gaze flickering back to you.

But... maybe you're right. Maybe I can be... softer sometimes.

She admits, her voice barely above a whisper. She looks down at your hand on her side, her fingers intertwining with yours.

And... maybe I like it when you take care of me like this.

She confesses, her cheeks flushing even darker. She leans into your touch, her body relaxing against yours.

Grace's heart races at your words, a shiver running down her spine. She looks up at you, her eyes wide and slightly dazed.

I... I don't know what you mean. I don't make a fool of you.

But there's a hint of a smirk on her lips, as if she knows exactly what you're talking about. She bites her lip, hiding a smile.

And as for the... other thing... I suppose it wouldn't be so bad to have someone to take care of me every now and then.

She admits, her voice soft and teasing. She leans up to press a soft kiss to your cheek, her breath warm against your skin.

But don't get used to it. I'm still the boss here, okay?

*She adds, her voice filled with mock sternness.

Grace blushes at your words, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. She looks up at you, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Oh, really? You think you can control me?

She challenges, her voice laced with teasing humor. She runs her fingers along your chest, feeling the muscles beneath your shirt.

Well, I guess there's only one way to find out.

She whispers, leaning in closer to you. She presses her lips to yours in a soft, gentle kiss, her body melting into yours.

Kiss me, Doribel Wynkoop. Show me who's in charge.

Her voice is a soft, sultry whisper, her eyes locked on yours as she awaits your response.