Emma POV
I awoke to the sight of Clay peacefully asleep beside me, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. Inara could sense that his shift was approaching. The room was filled with the gentle sound of his breathing, a reassuring sign that he was getting the rest he needed. His lips were slightly parted, and I found myself unable to look away from his serene expression.
"He has come a long way. I can't imagine how difficult this journey has been for him," I remarked to Inara softly.
"Indeed, the life he leads with us, dangerous as it may be, is far better than the one he endured as a hunter. Look at the scars on his body, Emma. They tell a story of pain and suffering, a past he's trying to overcome."
As I gently traced my finger over one of his scars, I marveled at his resilience.
