After it looked like Isabella drifted off to sleep, Violet stayed awake a little longer to ponder the day. Especially the bath the two had shared. That experience was certainly…different. Come to think of it. She had never done anything like that with Cattleya, Iris, or Erica. Perhaps that was because the boarding house had showers for everyone to use? Princess Charlotte had a tub large enough, but she was royalty. That probably had something to do with why they didn’t bathe together “like friends.” She was also aware Leiden had a few public baths, but was that something people did for fun? Maybe she would ask Cattleya when this assignment was complete.

The whole ordeal had felt a little strange, but Isabella seemed excited by it. At least in part. Which was much better in comparison to how she had been acting towards Violet since she’d arrived. It would be nice if they could enjoy their time together and yes, even become friends. Only time would tell but tonight gave her a little hope such a thing could happen. Now though, it was time to sleep. So, Violet sat up and leaned over Isabella to blow out the remaining candle, casting the room into darkness. It didn’t take long after she settled back down to fall into the gentle embrace of sleep.

When she awoke the next morning, Violet found that Isabella had reached out at some point during the night and was now holding her hand. Her other arm wrapped around the teddy bear she kept in her bed, drawing it close to her chest in a tight embrace. Violet couldn’t help but notice the other woman’s expression looked peaceful. A stark contrast to most of the other mornings when she caught a glimpse. Was it truly due to something as simple as her presence in the bed? Or was Isabella just so worn out from the activities of the prior day that this sleep had been deeper than most?

Either way, Violet chose not to try and free herself yet for fear that she might cause Isabella to wake. No need for that just yet. There was still time for her to rest before the day needed to start. Of course, Violet was always up first and spent the time waiting doing small chores here and there or reading. She would’ve practiced her typing but the noise of the keys would’ve definitely been too loud. Some days she did have to wake the student to keep them from being late, so she would just have to be mindful. However, it wasn’t long before she felt Isabella stir and this time when she opened her eyes, Violet found a green pair staring back at her.

“Good morning, Violet.”

“Good morning, Miss York. It’s early, did you sleep well?”

In response, Isabella offered a sleepy groan and continued to shift in the bed until her eyes dropped to their interconnected hands. “Oh!” She exclaimed, before letting go. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even realize…” The hand that retreated came to wrap around the teddy bear with its twin, raising the stuffed animal higher in her embrace, partially obstructing Violet’s view of her face. “That’s alright, I don’t mind.” It wasn’t like it was the first time they held hands all night. Besides, it wasn’t like it could cause Violet discomfort. She hadn’t even realized it until morning.

Now that they were both awake, and her hand was her own once again, Violet sat up and gently stretched to help banish any remaining sleepiness. She then pulled back the blanket and swung her feet out to slip from the bed. Early or not, they could still get ready for the day. Upright, she walked around to the windows and opened the curtains so more light could stream in. Which caused a groan to spring up behind her. Paying it no mind, Violet walked over to Isabella’s side of the bed and offered her hand.

“Let’s get ready, Miss York.”

Isabella’s eyes dropped to the hand but, after only a moment of hesitation, she moved one from her stuffed animal and took it. Letting herself be drawn from the warmth of the blankets. Violet had half expected some kind of protest but none came. No mention of extra time to lay in bed or do anything else. Since they started so early, the two women not only made it through their morning preparations without having to rush, but they were some of the first to start the long walk to the school building. Which occurred mostly in silence still.

It wasn’t just the start of the day that passed pleasantly either. Violet noticed Isabella seemed to pay more attention in class. Their meals were eaten without difficulty apart from the typical confusion with the utensils. Confusion that appeared to be honest this time. Even the afternoon review of the day’s lessons was mostly undertaken with minimal grumbling and griping. Better yet, Isabella had clearly retained more of the lesson than she normally did.

When it came time for bed, Isabella once again called for Violet to join her and she complied without a second thought. Of course, she didn’t mind either way. If this is what Isabella wanted then it was fine with her. Especially if today’s success could be replicated as a result. This became their new routine then. The two would sleep together, rise early, and the days began to pass smoother and smoother as Isabella applied herself in earnest to her lessons. It may have been Violet’s imagination, but she thought she noticed a slight change in the woman’s attitude towards her as well. At least she hoped so.

A few days later Isabella had even managed to memorize which utensils to use during different parts of a meal. A fact she demonstrated by raising the fork and knife from her plate while eating lunch before looking up to Violet. Seeing that she had chosen the right set brought a hint of a smile to Violet’s lips as she nodded her affirmation. Which grew slightly larger at the wink she received in response.

There was one particular item that did not hold firm in their routine. Both women sharing a bath. However, Isabella did ask Violet to wash her hair while sitting next to the tub most nights. She also didn’t intrude on Violet’s bathing routine and the doll didn’t invite her to do so. Which was slightly puzzling. Perhaps Isabella was waiting for an invitation? It was what friends did, right? Like she had said. Maybe not something frequently done, then?

Things did not progress fully without incident though and one night Violet was again awoken by fierce coughing from beside her. The fit had Isabella immediately sitting up in the bed and trying her best to clear her lungs and throat. Concerned for such an eventuality, Violet began keeping water on the bedside table nearest to her. So, she hastily scooped up the glass from where it sat and prepared to offer it to Isabella when she was ready. While she waited, a single metal hand came up to start gently stroking Isabella’s back. Just like that first night. Isabella took the offered water once she settled down and slowly began to sip at the cool relief in between deep breaths.

While Isabella recovered, Violet looked over towards her own bed and the extra pillows that still sat atop it. Stacking them had worked well before. Presumably, because it kept Isabella somewhat upright instead of lying flat on the mattress. They should probably do the same thing here but, before she could move to do so, more coughing broke out. This latest fit caused a few droplets of water to escape the cup and Violet had to take the water away before it spilled all over the blankets.

As soon as the glass was back on the table, she felt the press of another body against her own. Turning back, she found that Isabella had closed the distance between them and was trying to lean against her side. Without any hesitation, or exchange of words, Violet lifted her arm and placed it around the other woman’s shoulder. Squeezing to encourage her to come closer and lay as she pleased. Isabella continued to move and eventually came to rest with her head almost in the crook of Violet’s neck. One of her arms wrapped around the lower part of the doll’s abdomen while the other hand balled into a fist and went to her mouth to try and stifle the next round of coughing.

With Isabella pressed to her, Violet could feel how much her whole body shuddered from the effort. How it shook her torso and caused nearly every muscle to clench tight. Of course, this only made Violet worry more. This was no joke, not that she had suspected Isabella of deceit the other times it had happened. “It’s alright, Miss York. I’m here.” Still hugging her close, Violet brought her other hand up to gently stroke her hair. Hoping to provide at least some comfort. As much as cold, metal prosthesis could. At least the nightgown covered her arms.

After the latest fit passed, neither woman moved to separate. However, Violet did look down to find closed eyes and a somewhat pained expression on Isabella’s face. One that slowly began to soften as time passed. Well, she was no stack of pillows but if the student was content, and the position helped, Violet left her undisturbed. In the stillness, she took the opportunity to use the arm that wrapped around Isabella to reach over and grab the woman’s stuffed animal and one of her pillows. The latter went behind Violet’s head and the former was hastily taken by Isabella to rest under the arm that lay across Violet’s body.

“Thank you.” Came a low, hoarse response before the woman settled in and closed her eyes once more.

“You’re welcome, Miss York. Now, try to get some rest.” The hand that had been stroking the wine-colored hair continued softly, even as Violet closed her eyes too. Though she didn’t feel anything of her companion in her arms, there was a pleasant warmth where their bodies did come together. Hopefully, that was enough for Isabella even if Violet wished she could provide more comfort. A soft, warm embrace to wrap her in.

After a few minutes of silence, Violet opened her eyes again and tilted her head down in observation. The expression on Isabella’s face had now relaxed to the point that it looked like she’d fallen asleep. Good. Violet shifted gently and pulled the blanket further up the two women so they were covered. Settled, she leaned back and rested her head on the pillows before closing her eyes and surrendering herself to sleep as well. All with a small smile gracing her lips.

It wasn’t until Violet felt a weight stir on her chest that she woke up the next morning. Past when she normally did, if the amount of light coming in through the windows was any indication. When she opened her eyes, she found that Isabella hadn’t fully risen yet and only shifted slightly where she still lay huddled up to Violet’s chest. Her nose rubbed against the doll’s sternum and she soon brought a hand up to try and rub sleep away from her eyes. Which caused her to finally open them to meet Violet’s gaze.

“Good morning, Miss York.”

“Good morning, Violet.”

She half expected Isabella to abruptly jerk away now that she was awake. Like she had when she discovered their hands were linked earlier in the week. However, she only rose slowly with a sheepish look on her face and a light tint of red to her cheeks. Well, it had been quite warm pressed together under the blankets. Once Isabella sat up, so did Violet. But without the intention of leaving the bed just yet.

“How are you feeling?” She asked in an even tone, doing her best to keep the concern out of her voice.

“Alright, I guess.” Isabella paused for a moment to clear her throat and finally turned back to Violet where she sat. “Thank you for last night. It was…it really helped.”

“I’m glad.” Violet nodded and a brief smile formed on her lips before it faded away under the weight of the topic at hand. “Those fits must be exhausting. I could really feel how powerful your coughing was.”

Isabella nibbled at her lips for a moment before looking down at her teddy bear. “Yeah, they’ve been getting worse for a while now.”

“Getting worse?” Isabella’s family was wealthy, right? Had she not been to see doctors about this mysterious illness? Surely, she would have so Violet didn’t press lest she uncover more unpleasant memories.

“It’s awful…” Isabella shook her head and began to fidget with the bear. Like she was trying to distract herself. “My chest feels like it’s on fire. I can’t breathe no matter how hard I try. I’m never sure what will set it off.”

Violet nodded throughout and her own gaze eventually dropped to her hands. Naturally, Violet had often experienced shortness of breath after being pushed to the limit for long periods. However, it must’ve been awful to experience such a thing doing nothing more than lying in bed or after mundane physical effort. And to suffer that alone in this room? Terrible. A feeling that Violet herself was all too familiar with. “While I can’t say I understand exactly how it feels, I know how something like that can change everything. How it flips your life on its head and forever alters its course.” As she finished, Violet turned her head again and found Isabella looking back at her. Eyes slightly widened.

“Exactly! As if it always gets a say. Like I have to factor it into everything I do. Everything I still can do.” As Isabella spoke, her eyes shifted to the mechanical hands that peeked out from the sleeves of Violet’s nightgown. At which point she practically winced. “I’m sorry, that probably sounds like nothing in comparison.”

 “No.” Violet followed the single word with a shake of her head. Prompting Isabella to look up and meet her eyes again. “Your pain is just as real, Isabella.” If anything, Violet’s injuries and experiences meant she understood better than most.

Isabella’s lips formed into the barest hint of a smile and she nodded silently to herself for a few moments. “Thank you, Violet. Truly.” With a deep breath, she pulled back her side of the blanket and stretched her arms high. “Now, shall we get ready?”