Xia Ya Asleep

Jiliang's hair gently brushed across Xia Ya's cheek, its fresh fragrance softly curling into his nostrils and making the tip of her nose itch.

Her sweet voice was as light as a feather at that moment, carrying a tenderness and focus he had never felt from her before as she softly asked by his ear, "Have you... been maintaining the mobile suit this whole time?"

Her breath was warm and damp against his ear, bringing a strange tingling sensation that made the roots of his ears itch.

Xia Ya was pulled back from his confusion and embarrassment by her gentle question. Her voice carried an irresistible sweetness and attentiveness, wrapping his heart in an inexplicable warmth.

He answered instinctively, his voice slightly hoarse with fatigue, though surrounded by their warmth, even that weary voice seemed to soften. "Huh?... Yeah, I have."

His voice sounded somewhat dazed. This intimacy had made him forget that only moments ago, he had still been tense over the coming battle.

Upon hearing Xia Ya's affirmative reply, Jiliang pressed herself closer to him, almost dependently.

Seeing this, Lacus Clyne also spoke softly. Her voice was even gentler than Jiliang's, carrying an innate clarity and a soothing power that seemed almost hypnotic.

In a nearly doting tone, she said to Xia Ya with words just as gentle as Jiliang's, "You've worked hard, Xia Ya. Although there isn't much time left, please rest peacefully now. We'll wake you when the time comes."

Lacus Clyne's fingertips gently brushed Xia Ya's forehead. That tender touch, along with her warm words, seemed to instantly dispel all the gloom and weariness from his brow, bringing him a strange sense of relaxation.

"..." Xia Ya did not answer. He only felt as though an invisible force had gently struck his chest.

Lacus Clyne's