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Carina was halfway through folding laundry when she heard noises from beyond the door and the familiar jingle of keys.
Maya.
The door opened slower than usual, as if it had gotten heavier overnight. There was a pause, like Maya had to gather herself before convincing herself to walk inside.
“Maya?” Carina was already frozen, hands half-way through folding a T-shirt.
“Hi,” came the reply, short, rough around the edges, yet barely louder than the click of the door closing.
Maya walked into the living room with none of her usual energy. Her shoulders hunched, jacket still zipped up with the collar tugged high. Her movements were careful, measured, as if each step required conscious effort she didn’t have.
She leaned against the wall for a second, briefly closing her eyes before pushing herself upright again.
Carina was with her in seconds, crossing the room in quick steps. Up close, the signs were impossible to miss. Her eyes were glassy, unfocused and rimmed red with fatigue, her cheeks were flushed, but not in a way that would make her tease her. Not in a post-shift flush. Something heavier, deeper.
“Oh, amore…” She murmured, reaching up instinctively, pressing the back of her hand to Maya’s forehead. Not hot, but still warmer than Maya normally got.
The blonde leaned into the touch without thinking, blue eyes fluttering shut like her body had simply been waiting for permission to stop holding itself together. “I’m fine.” The words came out automatically, her voice hoarse. But almost immediately she was overcome by a sniffle and a poor attempt at suppressing a cough.
The doctor arched a brow. “You are many wonderful things,” she said gently, pulling Maya’s jacket off her shoulders. “But ‘fine’ isn’t one of them right now.”
She helped her out of her boots, steadying her while she wobbled slightly. Maya’s movements lacked their usual sharp confidence, everything was slower, seemingly dulled by exhaustion and what Carina suspected was the beginning of a fever. The firefighters' hands fumbled with the zipper, frustration taking over. “Stupid-”
“Hey, I got you, take a breath.”
“Sorry- I’m sorry. It’s- I feel cold, and hot. I’m really nauseous and my head it… it’s like pressure. Like it’s wrapped too tight?”
Carina sighed softly, concern clear on her face. “Oh amore…”
She guided Maya over to the couch, gently pressing her down before disappearing into their bedroom. Maya immediately slumped backward, exhaustion winning the second Carina’s hands left her.
She curled inward with one arm wrapped around her middle. When Carina returned her eyes were already drooping, too heavy with exhaustion to notice the thermometer in her wife’s hand, the extra soft, thin, blanket in the other. Maya gave her a weak, crooked smile. “You’re doing the thing.”
“The thing?” She paused.
“The… doctor-wife thing,” Maya clarified, her voice is still scratchy, but it’s fond too.
Carina draped the blanket over her wife’s shoulders, huffing quietly as she tucked it around her sides with practiced care. “I have always done the thing.”
She slipped the thermometer in Maya’s ear and crouched down in front of her to be at eye level, resting one of her hands on the firefighter’s knee. Maya shifted her leg without thinking, bumping into Carina’s shoulder in a small attempt to get closer.
Carina didn’t move, just stayed there, thumb rubbing slow circles. Maya’s eyes drifted close, then opened again, fighting sleep out of stubbornness. They didn’t speak, the only sounds being Maya’s uneven breathing and the occasional sniffle.
The thermometer beeped. Carina read it, lips pressed together just slightly. “You have a fever, bambina.”
Maya’s head tipped back against the couch as she groaned. “Of course I do. That tracks. What did I do to deserve this.”
A small smile grew on Carina’s face as she reached up to smooth Maya’s hair back from her forehead. “Well… maybe you should have worn something warmer?”
4 days earlier.
Maya was packing like she was preparing for something to go wrong. Checking off every box of her clipboard. Her clothes were neatly folded, toiletries laid out. She’d checked the weather app twice, the comfort of the routine weighed comfortably on her as she moved through the apartment to get everything ready.
Carina watched from the doorway before crossing the room to her own pile, less organized, and while her stack of clothes seemed to be around the same height, there was a noticeable difference in warmth of clothes.
Most of her clothes were for summer, t-shirts, shorts and flowy dresses. While Maya had a mix, a hoodie clearly stacked on top of her shirts. She noticed the difference, of course she had.
Maya didn’t say anything about it first.
She reached for another sweater, adding it to her pile. She grabbed her thicker jacket she’d set aside earlier and put it with her scarf.
Carina hummed softly, folding a dress with careful hands. “You know,” she says almost amused, “we are not moving there, bambina.”
“It’s supposed to be cold.” She laughed, barely looking up. “You should really pack some warmer clothes too.”
“It’ll be fine, Maya. I can handle some cold.” The OB shrugged.
Maya paused for a second, glancing over, her eyes flickered over the coat her wife had chosen, sleek, neat, and one that looked warmer than it was.
An issue they had experienced a few weeks back when they went to dinner. Something that ended with Maya taking off her coat so Carina could wear both of them.
She kept her voice light in a failed attempt to make it seem like a casual suggestion. “Maybe pack a heavier jacket, babe. Just in case.”
Carina smiled at her, soft and familiar. Yet still confident. “I don’t get cold like you.”
The blonde pressed her lips together, something tight settled behind her ribs as she watched her wife fold another short dress, smooth the fabric, and place it carefully into a bag with a complete lack of concern for the weather.
“Okay,” she says after a beat, making Carina look up in confusion.
“Okay?”
“Yeah.” Maya shrugged, moving her neat piles into her bag. “Okay.”
Carina had a point, she did stay warmer. But she also married someone impossibly stubborn, and the odds of convincing Carina to take something warmer with her were… low. So instead she grabbed another hoodie without mentioning it, silently packing a handful of warmer clothes her wife could use when she turned out to be right about the weather. .
She hated feeling this way, hated letting it go despite knowing it was better not to push. She caught Carina’s eyes, her brown eyes warm and fond. “You worry too much, bella.”
“Someone has to.” Maya laughed hesitantly.
Carina stepped closer, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. “I promise, I will be fine.”
They’d arrived at the hotel after a two hour drive, after quickly checking in and putting their bags in the room, they went back outside, ready to explore. Maya paused for a moment, taking it all in. It was still bright enough, though a dark cloud could be seen in the distance. The air was cool, not biting.
Maybe slightly too warm still for the scarf she was wearing.
Carina was already grinning. “See?” the brunette said, light and smug. “Completely fine.”
“We’ve been outside for thirty seconds.”
“And in those thirty seconds,” Carina assured her with a smile. “I have not frozen to death.”
“Yet.” Maya muttered, rolling her eyes.
Carina crossed the distance between them, grabbing her by the waist before kissing her. “Thank you for this, we deserve this vacation. And see,” her voice turning smug, “the weather is completely fine.”
“We just got here.” she huffed quietly.
Her wife pulled at her hips again before turning and grabbing Maya’s hand as they started walking, clearly pleased with herself, her coat swinging open as if to prove a point. And throughout it all she looked relaxed, energized.
Maya didn’t say anything else, instead focusing on the town around them, and once in a while on her wife.
She was aware though. Of the risk that the weather might change. The clouds were low, moving faster than she would have liked. Somewhere down the street, flags snapped sharply in the wind, short, impatient sounds. The firefighter tucked her hands into her pockets without thinking, Carina’s hand now around her arm.
The town was quiet, in the way that came from off-season days, shops were closed or half-lit, the streets empty but for the occasional person. Their footsteps fell into an easy rhythm.
“It’s nice here,” Carina said after a moment, her tone softer now. “Quiet.
“It really is.” Her wife agreed easily.
The doctor smiled smugly. “And, just like I told you. Perfect weather.”
Maya hummed noncommittal. “Mm.”
“You don’t believe me.”
“I believe that you believe you.” She said, barely containing her laugh.
Carina tilted her head amusingly. “Are you sure?”
“I have experience in trusting you by now, don’t I?”
She squeezed the firefighters arm a little tighter, a grin on her face. “Relax, bambina. If I get cold, I steal your jacket which means you get cold. So… maybe we don’t worry about it. Sì?”
Maya glanced at her, lifting a brow, but ultimately chooses not to reply, dragging her wife along instead. Carina continued to talk about everything and nothing. The drive, something she read in a medical journal that also featured in the latest fictional book she read. She mentioned a place she wanted to try later this week for dinner, a place where they would definitely have to dress up for.
Maya listened, nodded and hummed in the right places, her eyes drifting to the sky and their surroundings. She replied to all the questions, jumped in with questions of her own as well. But mostly she was content just listening to her wife. She let herself enjoy it, the quiet, the comfort, the love.
It’s a cozy feeling that settled in her chest, something she told herself not to overthink. Because, at least for now, Carina was right. For now, it really did seem completely fine.
The weather changed without warning, one moment the air was cool, manageable. The next thing she knew the wind was cutting through the street. It was sharper and more purposeful.
Carina’s body reacted before she said anything, her fingers disappearing into the ends of her sleeves, her shoulders lifting ever so slightly while she pulled her coat closer around her with her free hand. She barely noticed the action as she kept talking, voice still steady and determined.
Maya noticed though. She adjusted her own jacket before angling her body a little closer without a comment. The wind was harsher around them, a plastic bag rustling across the street. The cold cut straight through their coats.
Her wife laughed at something, softer than before, before she cleared her throat. She shoved her hands deeper into her sleeves, chin dipping as another gust barreled through them.
“I’m fine.” Carina exclaimed after a particularly harsh wind. It seemed automatic; more reflex than belief.
Maya didn’t argue, just watched as her wife continued to shift her weight.
“Okay.” She smiled, hand moving to once again hold Carina’s, softly squeezing while they continued their walk. Carina blinked, surprised, and lasted maybe another block before she drifted closer, close enough for her arm to brush Maya’s again, close enough to lean against her.
And then, after a few more steps…
“Okay,” Carina muttered, almost to herself. “It is a little cold.”
Maya paused, biting her cheek to stop herself from smirking, and when she turned back to her, her expression was calm, gentle.
No triumph.
“Do you want to go back?”
“Hm, no.” She reached for the zipper of Maya’s jacket, quickly opening it.
“Hey!” Maya exclaimed, though she didn’t try to stop her as she continued to pull her jacket off.
Blue eyes watched carefully as she draped the coat over her shoulder before reaching out to the hem of her hoodie. “What are you doing?”
“Warming my hands.” She replied without looking up.
“You’re stealing my clothes, love.”
“I am… borrowing.” She corrected, tugging on the hem for Maya to take it off properly.
The firefighter rolled her eyes, a smile on her face, already pulling the hoodie over her head and handing it over. “Unbelievable.”
Carina didn’t hesitate, slipping it on. The sleeves a little short, but nonetheless comforting. She exhaled, deep and content, as if Maya’s hoodie alone is enough to be warm.
Maya watched for a beat too long. “You’re ruthless.” She said as she pulled off her scarf, draping it around her wife’s neck as well.
She huffed, almost a laugh, possibly surrender, while accepting the scarf, looping it around her neck with ease. “You can survive, bambina. Besides, you should have told me it was going to be this cold.”
The blonde’s mouth fell open, mock hurt clear on her face. “I believe someone told me I worry too much!”
“Sì… and now you are cooling down, and I’m warming up. We can share.”
“Yeah,” she replied dryly. “Because you steal my layers.”
Carina hummed, satisfied, hands hidden in her pockets. She leaned in, briefly kissing Maya’s cheek. The cold seemed more prominent now, Maya felt it especially on her neck and hands, but she simply tightened her arm around her wife, pulling her closer as they walked.
It wasn’t even five minutes when Maya knew they should’ve turned around.
The wind had shifted again, impossibly colder now, laced with something damp. She considered saying something, or simply turning them in the other direction. But Carina looked comfortable enough, bundled in Maya’s clothes, cheeks a little pink, but eyes bright in a way that made it clear she was enjoying this.
“You want to turn around, bambina?” Carina asked when Maya hesitated at another corner.
“I think so, maybe. We can go for a little longer? But I think the weather is only getting worse.” She bit the inside of her cheek, she wasn’t sure if this was the right decision, but it did seem like they would have to go back soon.
Not a second after she said that, the rain started. Barely enough to matter at first, but rain nonetheless. It settled on their coats, in their hair, cool against their skin. The pavement slowly darkened beneath their feet.
A slightly guilty look appeared on Carina’s face. “Maybe we do go back.”
Carina leaned more into Maya as the rain grew heavier. Maya’s arm adjusted around her waist, thumb rubbing small circles, as if to ground both herself and Carina.
It set into their shoes first. The slow, unpleasant chill seeping through. Maya noticed it first, she shifted her weight with a grimace on her face, but kept going. Carina didn’t say anything about it, though her earlier rambles calmed down.
By the time the hotel got back into view, the rain had worked its way into everything. Clothes felt heavier. The cold sunk deeper, not sharp but dull and persistent.
Carina’s steps slowed down halfway through, her head tipped slightly toward Maya’s shoulder. Her breathing had turned uneven, fogging the air between them.
“You okay?” Maya asked, carefully trying to keep her voice light.
Carina replied just a fraction too quickly. “Yes,” but that was immediately followed by a softer, “just tired.”
Maya’s jaw tightened, and while she didn’t say anything, she did pull her closer. Matching her pace before quickening it just slightly. Her mind was already running, Carina would need dry clothes, heat, maybe a shower? She’d spotted a kettle in their room earlier, tea would help too.
The door closed behind them and the warmth hit them all at once. The difference was so stark Maya froze on the spot for a moment.
Carina meanwhile, let out an exhale, a soft sound that was a mix of a sigh and a laugh. Her shoulder fell, tension unspooling like a rope slowly unwinding.
Maya shook her head, trying to focus on the tasks at hand. She kicked off her shoes, placing them neatly on the side. Her movements were stiff, and her damp socks clung uncomfortably on her feet. Her fingers fumbled with the zipper of her jacket, but as soon as she got it open and off she crossed her arms over herself, every breath a little sharper than she would like it to be.
“Right, okay.” She said, voice tight as she turned towards Carina. “You need a shower, it will help you warm up. And I will-”
“No.”
It was quiet, low, but it halted her completely. A flash of confusion crossed her features. “Carina-”
But Carina was already closer, eyes scanning Maya with quick, instinctive assessment. The slight tremor in her hands, the faint discoloration and the subtle shiver of which she wasn’t sure Maya had even admitted that to herself yet.
Carina saw it. She saw her.
“You’re freezing,” she said softly.
Maya exhaled, defensive instinct rising. “I’m fine. You need to warm up first.”
Carina shook her head, expression calm but firm. “I am a little cold,” she said carefully, her voice measured. “But you are very cold.”
“That’s dramatic, babe.” A humourless laugh followed, but she couldn’t deny the fact that she was cold.
Her wife didn’t smile though.
She reached out, hands gentle but firm on Maya’s wrists. She was guiding her, anchoring her. “Come on.” She kept her hold, leading her toward the bathroom.
The simplicity of the motion, the ease of authority left Maya almost breathless, and she let herself be steered.
The shower hissed to life. Steam curled almost immediately, warmth spread through the bathroom while the mirror started to fog up. Maya wanted to protest, she did. But her words faltered as Carina’s hands moved to her shirt. She peeled it off slowly, each layer following, lingering just long enough to remind Maya of how cold she’d gotten. Every piece of clothing that got removed was replaced inch by inch, albeit slowly, with warmth.
Carina didn’t rush, placing a soft, lingering, kiss on Maya’s lips before taking off her own clothes. Smiling when Maya’s trembling fingers reached out to help take her hoodie off. The cold air nudged at them before being replaced by the steam rising around them.
“You took everything off for me, Maya.” She said softly, “Your hoodie, your scarf. You had to take your jacket off for a moment to even give me your hoodie.”
The firefighter swallowed, her chest tightening. “I didn’t think- it doesn’t- you were cold. I thought I’d be fine-”
“I know,” Carina interrupted gently, her words staying soft. This wasn’t about making Maya feel bad, this was about taking care of her, about making it clear she was appreciated, loved. “You still did it, you still gave me the warmth, Maya.”
The water hit Maya’s shoulders first, hot enough that she flinched before leaning into it.
Carina noticed, immediately adjusting the temperature. “Stupid hotel showers.” One hand stayed on the dial, the other resting on Maya’s hip.
“And now?”
She shook her head, barely noticeable, eyes already closed. “This is fine, it’s good.”
Carina stepped in fully then, shutting the shower door behind her. The world narrowed to tiled walls and rushing water. It narrowed to the way Maya’s breathing started to even out. To the way Carina pressed closer, chest to her back, hands sliding up Maya’s arms, rubbing warmth back into skin that was still fighting the cold.
“I don’t know how I’m so cold.” Maya muttered, teeth clicking faintly.
“I told you to wear something warm.” Carina replied with a smirk on her face.
“Hey! I did wear something warm and I did do that. You just stole my warmth.”
Carina let out a laugh, the sound vibrating against Maya’s back. “Temporarily, I’m giving it back to you now.”
Maya shivered once, sharply.
“I’ve got you.” Carina’s mouth was close to her ear, it seemed like a promise more than a statement.
She nudged Maya to turn around, letting the water hit her spine directly while Maya’s forehead rested against her shoulder. Her hands kept moving, from her shoulders, down her arms, back up, repeat. It wasn’t hurried. Nothing about this was hurried.
Carina took her time, like she was reminding Maya’s body to warm up.
“I really thought I’d be fine.” Maya’s voice was rough, almost embarrassed.
She pressed a kiss to the blonde’s forehead, lingering. “I know.”
Her hands kept moving, slow circles, grounding pressure. And with each exhale Maya relaxed more and more.
“I hate being wrong.” She muttered, half a joke, half not.
“You are not wrong.” The brunette replied gently. “You were kind.”
Maya looked up at that, tired blue eyes, lashes dark from the water.
“Oh.”
Something in her chest gave way to that and Carina cupped her face, briefly. “Just stay right here for now, sì?”
Maya nodded. “Sì.” Before letting her head rest against Carina’s shoulder again.
The heat started to settle properly then, deep, real. The shivering faded, and Maya’s shoulders dropped. She let herself be held, let the water do the work.
Carina wrapped a towel around Maya’s shoulders, grabbing another to wrap her hair in. She rubbed firm circles on her arms, coaxing extra warmth into her skin. The last thing she wanted was for her to get cold now that they stepped out of the shower.
Only when she was sure Maya was warm and would stay warm, did Carina grab a towel for herself. She kept glancing at Maya, just to be sure, just to be safe. It was instinctive, barely harder than breathing.
Maya had taken care of her when they were outside.
Now it was her turn.
They moved slowly, fully drying off before pulling on dry, soft clothes. They didn’t need words, Carina was already holding up Maya’s long sleeve shirt before Maya had finished putting on her sweatpants.
Every motion stayed deliberate, heavy with a shared exhaustion that was slowly setting in. And by the time they reached the bed, which looked impossibly inviting, neither of them had any other plans than staying there.
Warm.
But the blonde was barely sitting or Carina was already fussing, rearranging pillows, tugging covers, smoothing edges and checking the warmth.
“Hey,” Maya murmured, a faint smile tugging at her lips, “you know I can do this myself, right?”
Carina ignored her, continuing to get the bed ready enough, adding a water bottle on each of their bedside tables before climbing in beside her wife. She pulled her closer, tucking Maya’s head to her chest. She sighed when Maya settled and pulled the blanket higher over them.
Her hands were warm on Maya’s back, drawing slow, comforting circles, their legs tangling. Carina was warm, solid, and a gentle anchor. Maya exhaled the last tension slipping free.
“I’m sorry,” Carina murmured, resting her forehead against Maya’s hair, her voice stayed soft, apologetic. “I should have listened.”
Maya turned her head, enough to look her wife in the eyes and reach up to kiss her. “Yeah.” A soft smile on her face, her next words a whisper. “Thank you.”
Carina hummed, satisfied, her hands tracing slow patterns on Maya’s shirt. Each move was unhurried, just movement. Care.
And for now, Maya allowed herself to be taken care of. She surrendered to the warmth, the care, the quiet intimacy and the comfort of being close. She nuzzled in closer, letting the soft breathing settle her.
4 days later
Maya tried to laugh but immediately regretted it, coughing into her elbow, the sound deep and uncomfortable. Her shoulders shook with it, her breathing catching halfway through.
But Carina was already there, she slid closer on the couch, one hand on Maya’s back, rubbing slow circles between her shoulderblades. She kept murmuring soft words in Italian, words meant more for comfort than meaning, no pressure, no rush.
Just there.
“Easy,” Carina whispered. “I’ve got you.”
Maya sagged back when she could breathe properly again, head dropping on the couch. Her voice came out rough, scraped thin by the cough. “Why did you have to make me sick?”
The brunette pulled back just enough to look at her, brows knitting together. “Maya,” voice soft but firm. “I didn’t make you sick, you probably had the stupido virus already. The cold just gave it a chance.”
“And who is the reason I got cold in the first place..?” She countered with a weak huff.
She opened her mouth to reply, to argue. But her hand stilled on Maya’s back instead, her thumb pressing a little harder as if it could take the guilt away. “I’m sorry, bambina.” She said quietly. “I never wanted this for you.”
The blonde’s head turned just enough to look at her, blue eyes tired and glassy. “I know, I’m not mad at you. I would do it again in a heartbeat.” She had to stop herself from leaning in and kissing her wife, closing her eyes instead.
Carina exhaled slowly, tension easing from her shoulders as she brushed her knuckles along Maya’s jaw. “I’m going to make you tea, and soup. You just rest, you’re not allowed to move for the rest of the evening.”
Maya hummed in agreement, already curling further into the couch, blanket pulled up to her chin. “Bossy.”
“Correct.” She replied automatically, already halfway to the kitchen.
As the kettle filled, Carina ran through the checklist in her head like muscle memory. Fluids first, something warm, not too heavy. Medicine, in the hopes that Maya’s stomach could handle it. She wanted to keep her warm, not overheated. She had to watch the fever. And later, bed. Definitely bed.
She chopped vegetables slowly. Keeping an eye on the couch, on Maya, who stayed perfectly still until she jumped up, wobbly on her feet as she rushed towards the bathroom.
“Maya?”
The bathroom door slamming shut was all the answers she got.
Carina was there a second later, stove off, food forgotten. She’d crossed the space just in time to pull her wife’s hair back gently as she retched over the toilet, her body folding in on itself, shaking with the effort. Maya kept one hand braced weakly against the porcelain, the other on her stomach.
Carina quickly grabbed a washcloth, using one hand to run it under cool water before putting it to the side. As soon as she’d done that, she knelt beside her wife without hesitation, still holding Maya’s hair. She took a moment to ground herself, then Maya. One hand moving to her shoulder, steady and solid, her thumb tracing small circles. Leaning in close, her voice was low and calm, murmuring steady reassurances.
It’s just another symptom.
“I know. It’s okay, I’ve got you. Breathe, my love. Just breathe.”
Maya gagged again, weaker this time, her body trembling as it passed. And when it finally eased, she sagged backward, all resistance gone. Carina caught her easily, pulling her back against her chest.
She shifted them carefully so Maya could lean fully into her, holding her upright while the dizziness washed through and then slowly receded.
When Maya settled a little she reached for the still cool washcloth, pressing it gently to Maya’s mouth, then her forehead. “Take it easy.” She murmured. “There’s no rush.”
After a couple of minutes she moved to get a glass of water, coaxing small sips, yet pulling it away the second Maya’s stomach protested. Patiently waiting until she nodded for more.
Eventually, Maya’s breathing evened out. Each breath a little less shaky than the last. Her head tipped back against Carina’s shoulders, eyes closed.
“Stupid virus.” Her words barely more than a breath.
“Sì.” She agreed easily, pressing a kiss into blonde hair. “Molto stupido.”
They stayed there longer than necessary, just until they were sure Maya’s stomach felt a bit better, her muscles stopped protesting and at least some colour returned to her face. Only then did Carina help Maya rinse her mouth again, stand, and shuffle to the bedroom. One arm firm around her waist.
Not long later, Maya found herself comfortably tucked into bed, a sick bowl and water within reach. Carina sat beside her, fingers tracing slow lines over Maya’s arm.
Maya watched her through heavy-lidded eyes, words slow and soft as her head sunk into her pillow. “You’re so good at taking care of me.”
Carina met her gaze, gentle and fierce all at once. “You took care of me,” she said quietly. “You gave me all the warmth, Maya. Now it’s my turn.”
The blonde reached out, catching her wife’s wrist, letting her thumb brush weakly over her skin. “Next time.” She murmured, still drifting closer to sleep. “I’ll bring double of everything. We can both be warm.”
A soft laugh escaped Carina’s lips, she bent down to kiss her temple, careful not to disturb her too much. “Next time, I’m listening to my wife.”