The mission went bad the moment the snowstorm hit. You and Yelena had been moving through the woods for hours, and the cold was getting sharper with every step. Yelena stayed close beside you, always watching, always making sure you didn’t fall behind.

“Stay with me,” she warned. “This cold is no joke.”

You tried. But the wind cut through your jacket like knives, and your body felt heavier and heavier until the safehouse finally appeared through the blur of white.

The moment you stepped inside, the warmth barely touched you. You sat down for “just a minute,” and then everything went dark.

When you opened your eyes again, the room was quiet. The air felt frozen, but your skin was burning. Your throat hurt, your head ached, and you could barely breathe without coughing.

Yelena was right next to you.

Her jacket was wrapped around your shoulders, leaving her in just her undershirt. Her face looked tired, eyes red around the edges like she hadn’t slept at all.

“Hey,” she whispered the second you tried to move. “Don’t. You’re burning up.”

You blinked at her, confused and a little dizzy. “I’m… sick?”

“You got too cold,” she said softly. “Your body couldn’t handle it. You passed out on me.”

You swallowed, your throat rough. “How long was I out?”

“All night.” Her voice dropped, almost to a whisper. “I was scared you wouldn’t wake up.”

You stared at her. She wasn’t usually like this — not open, not vulnerable. But the worry on her face was real.

“You stayed with me?” you asked.

Yelena hesitated. Then she nodded once.

“Of course. I’m not leaving you alone when you’re like this.” She pulled the jacket tighter around you, her hands lingering at your shoulders. “You’re my partner. And… you’re important to me.”

Your breathing slowed, the fever making your eyes heavy, but her voice stayed clear.

“Sleep,” she murmured. “I’ve got you.”