A Bond Stronger Than Blood
The medical device was the machine that had captured The Doctor's deepest interest during her second collapse. Examining it in detail, she felt as though she were opening her eyes to the world anew. It was unmistakably a masterpiece, the very pinnacle of future science distilled into physical form. Who could have created something like this? It stood two or three generations ahead of the equipment used at headquarters.
As The Doctor inspected every inch of the device, Sehwa's words left her mouth hanging open in disbelief.
"This was made by Marcela."
"M-Marcela made this...?"
"Yes."
To think someone so young could produce technology of this caliber. If she was that brilliant, why had she asked The Doctor questions about future science? To mock her? To test the limits of her knowledge? No—most of Marcela's questions had revolved around future weapons. It was obvious she lacked expertise in that particular field.
The Doctor and Sehwa continued examining the various instruments. Nearly everything here was of such exceptional quality that it would have been perfectly at home in a proper laboratory. All of it had been built by Marcela, especially her camouflage and jamming technologies, which were on a level no one else could match.
So that's how they stayed hidden...
The Doctor pictured a future working alongside Marcela. If she handled the weapons development while Marcela managed everything else, exchanging ideas and debating theories... The mere thought sent a thrill through her. Collaboration with a truly gifted scientist was exciting enough to transcend allegiance or enmity.
After spending a long time studying the machines with her eyes alone, The Doctor finally spoke.
"I should stop looking... If I keep going, I'll start wanting to work on them."
"Then work on them."
"Huh...?"
"I'd like you to work for us. No—for me."
"For... me...?"
The idea of working for Sehwa made her heart flutter unexpectedly. She couldn't yet tell whether the excitement was positive or negative.
Sehwa gently stroked the cheek of the hesitant Doctor and smiled sweetly.
"I'm not forcing you at all. I have no intention of trying to indoctrinate you with strange words. I'm simply saying it would be nice if you did."
"Ah... yes..."
"Now, shall we go for that walk? The weather is better than yesterday, so we should be able to enjoy the fresh air for quite a while. You'll need to dress warmly, though."
"Don't leave me behind again using some test as an excuse like last time."
"I won't. I felt so guilty afterward... I truly regretted it. I still do."
Sehwa's voice softened with genuine remorse as she began gently caressing The Doctor's waist. The Doctor's face flushed instantly, her legs trembling. The embarrassing memory from the room flashed through her mind.
Sehwa leaned close, lips brushing her ear, and asked softly.
"You were quite angry, weren't you?"
"J-just a little..."
"And now?"
"Now... it's all resolved..."
Satisfied with the answer, Sehwa withdrew her hand. The Doctor's legs gave out and she nearly crumpled to the floor, but Sehwa caught her, sparing her from an undignified collapse.
Why was she—someone who wasn't even a lesbian—becoming sexually aroused by Sehwa's touch? It had to be because of her blood. She didn't understand the mechanism, but it wasn't unpleasant. Her sense of identity wasn't thrown into confusion either. It was simply... one more joy added to her life.
That's what The Doctor told herself.
"I'm glad it's resolved. Shall we go?"
"Yes..."
The Doctor was about to follow Sehwa with her head bowed in embarrassment when a sudden thought struck her. Did Sehwa know that the child in her womb belonged to Jihyeok?
The medical equipment in the lab couldn't yet detect genetic information from a fetus that hadn't even taken form. Would the devices here be any different? Probably not. If Sehwa had known who the father was, she wouldn't be treating her with such tenderness.
If... if Sehwa ever learned the truth, how would she react?
The thought terrified her. Perhaps it was better to speak first. Better to take the hit early, and if she was honest, perhaps forgiveness would follow.
"Um... Sehwa."
"Yes?"
"I have something to tell you."
"Go ahead."
"It might be a long story... Could we talk in the room?"
"A long story...? Then shall we postpone the walk?"
"Yes. I'd like that."
Sehwa agreed without hesitation.
"Alright."
The two returned to the room. When The Doctor saw how neatly it had been arranged, a bright smile spread across her face. The hated camera on the ceiling was gone. The relief was immense. But she had to restrain any display of joy for now. A serious conversation lay ahead.
She watched Sehwa sit naturally in a chair, then took the seat opposite her. Choosing her words carefully, she began.
"Sehwa. About... my child..."
"Yes."
"Do you know who the father is?"
The Doctor had expected her to say she didn't know. But Sehwa's answer shattered that assumption completely.
"Stop talking about it."
"What?"
Confusion clouded The Doctor's mind at Sehwa's interruption. Then her heart plummeted. Sehwa was wearing the gentlest expression. Seeing that face, The Doctor knew with absolute certainty that Sehwa knew who the father was.
Her pupils trembled violently. Cold sweat broke out across her face, and she couldn't hold her gaze steady. The atmosphere grew unbearably tense in an instant. She wished Sehwa would say something—anything—but the other woman simply continued to gaze at her with loving affection.
While The Doctor fidgeted helplessly, Sehwa rose from her seat, approached, and offered a warm smile. She placed her hand gently over The Doctor's.
"Say nothing. Think nothing. I will never harm you or your child in any way."
"....."
"I truly love you, Doctor. Not in the sense of homosexuality—I simply love you as a person. That's why I can overlook this. I don't want you to suffer."
The heavy weight that had been crushing The Doctor's heart lifted the moment she heard those words. Sincerity filled Sehwa's eyes. She wasn't lying. How could anyone be so merciful? If she'd known it would be like this, she would have spoken much sooner. And with someone like Sehwa, she felt she could safely entrust her child.
Crack—!
At that moment, a grinding sound came from near The Doctor's shoulder blades. Not only that—her tailbone felt strange, and her eyes and lower abdomen began to itch.
"...?"
It didn't hurt. It was simply a peculiar sensation. As The Doctor tilted her head, examining her body, Sehwa's voice reached her, bright with excitement.
"Let's skip the walk today. You should rest properly."
"Rest...?"
"Yes. Take a nap. You're tired right now, aren't you, Doctor?"
Tired? Was she? Now that Sehwa mentioned it, fatigue did seem to be washing over her. Her thoughts felt muddled, as though she couldn't form proper judgments. Yes, she was sleepy. She should follow Sehwa's advice and rest.
"Yes... I do feel sleepy..."
"Go to bed quickly. I'll help you."
"Mmm..."
The Doctor opened her eyes with a refreshed expression and sat up. How long had she slept? The usual grogginess upon waking was absent, suggesting it had been a short nap. It felt as though she'd merely closed her eyes for a moment.
She rose naturally and headed to the bathroom. While washing her face, she caught sight of her reflection and froze.
"Huh...?"
Her face had become noticeably younger. She'd thought so before, but the difference was undeniable now. It was as if she'd returned to the prime of her early twenties—only far more beautiful than she had been then. Her skin was pure white, her lips carried a healthy red tint, and her flesh was firm and vibrant, radiating an unmistakable sensuality.
The Doctor examined her arms, legs, and abdomen. Her skin had turned so pale that faint blood vessels showed beneath it. There were no other visible changes.
Swallowing hard, she recalled the recurring dream. The version of herself who had dropped Edward into the abyss and then shared a passionate kiss with Jihyeok looked remarkably similar to how she appeared now.
That meant...
It's happening. I'm changing.
The cause was clearly Sehwa's blood. Continuous consumption of the blood from a being who had become a monster was transforming her body. Did that mean she was turning into a monster too? A creature that could kill humans without hesitation, one that craved blood and flesh? Would her child be affected and become the same?
No... No...!
Overcome with terror, The Doctor burst out of the bathroom. She was searching for the pager when she spotted Sehwa standing by the door and jumped in surprise. How long had she been there? She hadn't made a sound...
But that wasn't important right now. Her fear of what was happening to her body was far greater.
She strode quickly toward Sehwa, tears welling in her eyes.
"Sehwa... Am I turning into a monster? Have you been feeding me your blood to transform me...?"
It was the kind of situation that should have made her angry. Yet The Doctor couldn't even consider that. She simply wanted the truth from the woman who cherished her so deeply, and she wanted comfort.
Sehwa shook her head with a gentle smile.
"You are still human, Doctor."
"R-really...? Not a monster...?"
"Of course not. Did you think I would turn you into some hideous creature driven only by instinct? Even if my Master ordered me to, I would refuse without hesitation. I would never allow it. You believe me, don't you?"
Sehwa's confident assurance brought The Doctor a wave of relief. This was exactly what she had needed to hear. Sehwa truly was the best.
"Yes... I believe you... I believe you completely..."
"All that happened is that consuming my blood has reversed your aging. You're incredibly beautiful right now. Do you realize that?"
The Doctor's face turned scarlet as she lowered her head in embarrassment.
Sehwa carefully brushed the bangs from The Doctor's face as she continued.
"I think of you as my family."
"F-family...?"
Why did that word make her heart race so violently? The joy surpassed even what she'd felt when marrying Edward. It was equal to the overwhelming emotion she'd experienced upon learning she carried Jihyeok's child.
Looking up at Sehwa with glistening eyes, The Doctor asked.
"You really think of me as family?"
"Of course. And I hope you'll think of me the same way. Just as I would do anything for you, I hope you would do anything for me."
Of course she would. She had already decided she could entrust her child to Sehwa—what else could she possibly refuse? Sehwa was already family to her, bound by something deeper than blood. But she couldn't say it aloud. Some instinct made her hesitate. It felt as though speaking those words would change everything.
Had Sehwa sensed her inner conflict? She pulled The Doctor into a tight embrace.
"I want to hear it from your own lips... but I know you're not ready yet. I'll give you all the time you need. When you've decided, just tell me one thing—that you want to become family like me."
Family like Sehwa? Analyzing everything Sehwa had said, she seemed to be an existence entirely different from a monster. After all, retaining a human appearance made the term "monster" inappropriate. Then what exactly was Sehwa?
She didn't know. For now, she wouldn't think about it. Being held in Sehwa's arms was far too comforting for such heavy thoughts.
"Okay... I'll do that..."
"That's enough. Shall we return to bed?"
"Can you stay like this a little longer? I was scared..."
"Of course. As long as you want."
As Sehwa stroked her hair, The Doctor twisted slightly when the itching returned to her shoulder blades and tailbone. It had felt the same before her nap... Perhaps her body had grown stiff from lack of movement lately.