Karin shook her head but gave him a small smile. "I'm ok, don't worry about me. I'm sorry you had to grow up in an environment like that."

"It's not your fault." He looked back at her, locking his eyes with hers. "He started beating me when my mother died. I managed to save my sisters from that."

Karin's eyes widened in horror and she reached a hot hand up to lightly cup his cheek. "He did...?" She looked down and slowly sat up, she turned her back to him and pulled off her shirt, her back was covered in scars and bruises.

Tarvo's eyes widened. His hand instinctively reached up and traced multiple scars and lightly touched blue-black bruises. "Who did this to you?" He say a little too close for his liking but his voice was barely a whisper.

Karin shivered softly at his touch and looks down shamefully. "M-My father..."

Tarvo shook his head. His growing hair tickling Karin's neck. "That isn't right."

Karin shivered at his hair and blushed through her fever. "I-It's not as bad as you think... plus I'm used to it so..."

"That doesn't make it right," he said sternly. He was furious. How could anyone do something like that to someone like her?

Karin looked down shamefully as she pulled her shirt back on. She turned back and laid down. "Oh well, I'm never going back." She smiled at him. "I have you now."

Tarvo smiled slightly. He lay down beside her and put a cool cloth on her forehead. "I'll always be here for you."

Karin's eyes widened and she looked at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You will...?"

He stared at the ceiling. "Always."

Karin felt her eyes tear up and she turned over and hugged him as she started to cry.

Tarvo's eyes widened, surprised by what Karin just did. He hugged her back, smiling, and closed his eyes. He rubbed her back lightly, aware of the bruises that coated her body, soothingly.

Karin cried into his chest. "Thank you... Thank you Tarvo..."

Tarvo stroked Karin's hair. "You're welcome. It's like you said, we have to look out for each other now."

Karin nodded and continued to cling to him, sniffling a little.

Tarvo lifted her face a little and wiped away her tears. "You can be so fragile when you cry." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I'll look after you. I promise."

Karin's eyes widen slightly and she would be blushing if it wasn't for her fever, she nodded timidly and gave him a small smile. "Thank you..."

"No need to thank me." He let her so what she wanted for a bit but rested his hand on her back. He put his head back and stared at the ceiling again.

Karin sighed and was soon fast asleep, still being sick and crying wearing her out.

Tarvo hugged her while she slept. She was still lying on top of him for one and he didn't want to move her in case she woke. He turned onto his side, easing her to the ground and continued to hold her, fearing she would wake when rest was so important.

Karin sighed happily in her sleep and she gently held onto his shirt, after a while she began to dream. She mumbled softly in her sleep and he'd be able to hear his name.

Tarvo smiled when he heard her say his name in her sleep. He brushed a stray hair away from her face and watched her closely. She was like his mother in so many ways. Right down to the colour of her skin and eyes.

Karin sighed again in her sleep, a small smile on her face as she slept deeply.