"I'm fine, dammit!" Flare practically yelled out, her tone hoarse and weak despite the volume. "And stop acting smug. It's not funny"
"I'm just being a professional, Flare," I smirked as I pushed her down to the bed, forcing her to lie down. "So long as you're my patient, I'll care about your well-being. Besides, you're a part of me. Of course, I care."
The phoenix woman shook her head on the pillow; the utter disdain she was trying to portray thoroughly lost to the immense pity-energy that her state was making her exude. It was kind of weird, to be honest; seeing someone that I somewhat considered to be stronger than me be reduced to something that I'd only see in a hospital ward. Thankfully, she was recovering, but I still didn't know why this even happened to her.
"Hey," I began, taking my usual seat at her bedside. "How did this even happen? You said this was my fault, but I still find that hard to believe."