Your Love Is But a Dream (Clara and Wren)

Clara instinctively reached out to catch Alexander as he collapsed. The moment her hands touched his skin, she realized something was wrong he was burning up, his body radiating a beat that was far from normal

"You have a fever," she said, her voice tinged with worry.

Alexander heard her, her voice clear and frantic, but his body refused to cooperate. He wanted to get up, to tell her not to worry, but he couldn't even lift his hand. When he tried to speak, a sharp pain tore through his throat, the taste of metal flooding his mouth. Even his breath felt scorching hot.

Clara felt his labored breathing against her neck, and despite her tising embarrassment at the close proximity, she knew she couldn't leave him like this. A faint blush dusted her cheeks, but she shook it off.

Let me help you inside," she said firmly.

Biting her lip, she braced herself and used her foot to nudge the door open completely. Alexander's tall, muscular frame was no small feat for her to support. It took every ounce of her strength to maneuver him into the living room and onto the couch. Finally, she managed to settle him down and sank into a nearby chair, utterly exhausted. Her arms and legs felt like jelly, and for a moment, she thought she might collapse, too.

Alexander cracked his eyes open, his vision swimming. Clara's figure wavered before him, and he could barely make out her face. His dry, cracked lips parted. "What Are you doing here?"

His voice-hoarse and faint-made Clara whip her head toward him. Relief flooded her when she saw that he was conscious.

"I was here to invite you to lunch," she explained quickly. "I knocked, but you didn't answer. Something felt off, so I came in. Don't be mad-I didn't mean to

She hesitated, glancing at his pale face. "Good thing I did, though. Who knows how long you've been like this?"

Alexander slips twitched into a faint smile despite the pain. Her words were eerily familiar they mirrored what he'd thought the night before when he'd climbed over her balcony to check on her

"Are you okay?" she asked, noticing his faint smile and furrowing her brow. "You're not delirious, are you?"

He rasped out a laugh that quickly turned into a painful cough. "I'm fine," he replied. His voice was gravelly and strained. "Can you get me some water?

"Of course." Clara sprang to her feet, hurrying into the kitchen.

When she retumed with a glass, Alexander tried-and tailed-to sit up 3 drank

She hesitated for a moment before placing the glass in his hand and steadying it as he

The cool liquid seemed to bring him some relief. He downed it in a few gulps, handing the glass back with a quiet "Thanks."

Clara milled faintly and set the glass aside. "Do you have any medicine?"

Alexander shook his head weakly. "No... I thought I'd sleep it off'

H

Cera frowned. "Clearly, that's not working" She thought for a moment, then brightened. "I have some medicine at my place. I'll grab it. Stay put." Before Alexander could protest, she was already out the door. He watched her go, her hurried footsteps echoing in the quiet house. Something stirred in his chest, not the feverish ache, but something else something softer.

True to her word, Clara returned quickly with a small bag of medication. She lonelt beside him, carefully sorting through the pills. These are for the lever, and these are for your sore throat," she explained as she handed him the pills and a fresh glass of water. Alexandertook the medicine without complaint, leaning back against the couch as he swallowed. The burning in his throat dulled slightly, and he exhaled in relict.

Clara glanced at the darkening sky through the window. Leaving Alexander on the couch all night didn't seem like a good idea-he could get worse it he didn't rest properlynoveldrama