[ There she shakes her head, getting him settled and catching his face in the cup of her palm. ]

The opposite could not be more true. I care for you, and what good is caring for someone if you are not there for them? It should be a half measure, and words with no heart are not worth their breath, that is what my father always told me.

And if you try to tell me not to, I must inform you I am the sensible one of six siblings, and I have heard all excuses and begging under the sun to get out of prescribed rest and comfort, and you shall find me in this, immovable.

[ There is a fond kiss, pressed against his forehead, then she eases a breath out and straightens. ]

First, you need to clean all this blood off, a decent meal, clean sheets and all this rubbish out of your rooms.