Care and Comfort

Ara wrapped his arms around Dani, pulling her smaller frame tight to his. He had returned home to her feeling a bit emotionally drained. It was something he had struggled with before and, while it may have not been for the same reasons, he definitely felt empathy for his lover. Thankfully he knew exactly what would raise her spirits, so without a word he had scooped the small spartan into his arms, cradling her like a small child as he walked to their bedroom. He flicked the dimmer on the lights, the room transitioning from a bright glow to a dim golden hue, as if sunset was currently happening in their quarters.

The Sangheili sat down on the edge of the bed, his hand gently stroking the girls back as he spoke, his voice quiet and calming for the Spartan. “Is everything okay, little one?” He asked, gently leaning in to kiss her cheek. The Spartan appreciated the gesture, planting a soft kiss on the alien’s own cheek as he began to pull away. “I don’t know… There’s nothing in specific that’s getting me down, it’s just one of those days. You know? I just haven’t felt right all day… I’m sorry that you’re having to deal with his right when you’re getting home.” She said, looking away from the Sangheili, guilt weighing on her chest. What was wrong with her?

Ara chuckled softly, his grip tightening around the girl for a moment before he began to remove his armor, making sure that the cuddle session that was careening towards them like a freight train would be a comfortable one. “Ah, Dani… It’s okay. We all have those days, it doesn’t matter who, or what we are. Humans, Sangheili, even the Unggoy have off days. It’s just part of life.” He stated, placing his now-loose helmet on the nearby nightstand. He leaned in, pressing his face into Dani’s neck as he continued speaking. “Besides, it gives me a very good reason to cuddle you all night long.” He cooed, a little chuckle escaping him as he swung his legs up onto the bed, one arm keeping the Spartan tight to his chest as he did so. He propped his back up against the headboard, while keeping Dani cradled against him. His free hand reached down, grabbing and pulling the duvet up and over their bodies.

With the warm cloth coming to rest on Dani’s shoulders, Ara’s free hand then moved over to the nearby remote, which he used to change their atmosphere a bit. While his quarters had become an odd mix of both Human and Sangheili decorations, it was still not much more than a room on a spaceship. Thankfully, even the covenant knew the benefits of simulating home, and with a few taps on the remote, the ambience of the room changed to something much more natural. The golden light changed over to a soft blue-grey, and carefully hidden speakers began to softly play the sounds of rain pattering down all around them.

Dani couldn’t lie that the closeness of her partner was incredibly calming. From his large arms wrapping around her smaller frame, to the sound of his two hearts beating together. It was a bit hard for her to accept that Ara of all people would struggle with bouts of doubt and worry, but with his gentle touches and soft words, it seemed more likely that he was telling the truth than she initially thought. Before she could continue down that path of thought, the sound of soft rain filled her head. Hell, it even seemed that the ship was able to simulate petrichor. If she closed her eyes, and let her imagination free, it wasn’t too hard to see both her and Ara, resting outside in a forest as the rain poured down around them.

    Ara watched as Dani curled up against him, her head resting against his chest as he softly stroked her back. He had a feeling she was already feeling better, if only a little bit, but that was a victory for him. The happiness of his lover was one of the most important things in the universe to the Sangheili, and he wanted to do whatever he could to make sure to maintain it. Softly inhaling, Ara began to hum ever so quietly. It was an old lullaby that his mother would sing for him whenever he was scared or afraid. Dulcet tones echoed from within him, doing their best to make the smaller female feel safe and secure.

Dani let out a long sigh as Ara began to hum for her. She was familiar with the song, first hearing it not long after she awoke from her emergency surgery. She had heard it many times since then, and it had always helped to brighten her mood. Though it also had the side effect of making her a bit sleepy. She listened quietly for a while, feeling her worries melt away as Ara continued to gently cuddle and caress her body, his soft humming lulling her to sleep. However, before she let herself fully succumb to the song, she had one last thing to do. Rolling over so that her stomach was resting against Ara, she reached up, gently taking his head in her hands as she pulled herself upwards, planting her soft lips against his mandibles. She held herself there for a moment, the Sangheili halting his song to return the gesture. When she finally pulled away, she spoke softly, curling back up against him. “I love you, Ara.” She purred, closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.

Ara had been completely focused on Danielle the entire time he hummed, watching her face grow more and more relaxed as he helped her into sleep. He had continued to pet her back and head, his other arm holding her around the waist. When she pulled herself up to give him a kiss, he was more than ready to return it, his grip tightening around her as she did so, a satisfied sigh escaping from him as she broke free. Once she had spoken and nodded off to bed, he responded quietly, not wanting to disturb her. “I love you too, Dani. Always and forever.”