𝓦𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓼𝓮𝓮 𝓶𝓮~

𝓘𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓪𝓻𝓶𝓼-10

Before she can say anything else, I suddenly step closer.

“Wait, what are you—?”

Without warning, I slip one arm under her legs and the other around her back, lifting her effortlessly into my arms.

“O-Oliver!”

Her voice is panicked, her face instantly heating up.

“You can’t walk, so I’ll carry you,” I say calmly, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

Unfazed, I adjust my grip like she weighs nothing, and start walking as if this is completely normal. Luna, on the other hand, looks like she’s trying very hard not to die of embarrassment. Her hands clutch my jacket tightly, her face slightly hidden against my chest.

“You can put me down if I’m heavy…”

“You’re not.”

“Still… you didn’t have to.”

“Of course I did.”

Luna presses her lips together, suddenly feeling shy. She sneaks a glance up at me, noticing the way my jaw is set and my eyes focused ahead—like I’m on a mission to get her home safely.

“You’re really warm…”

Caught off guard, I clear my throat, adjusting my grip.

“You’re cold?”

“Not anymore.”

“Good.”

I don’t really know what to say after that.

“Do you… not mind this?” she asks softly.

“Mind what?”

“Carrying me like this.”

“No. I don’t mind.”

“Oh…”

“Do you… mind?”

She shakes her head. “No. I don’t mind either.”

“…Good.”

She rests her head gently against my chest. My heart pounds. I don’t say anything, but my grip tightens just a little—like I don’t want to let go.

“I-I really can walk, you know…” Luna mumbles.

“No.”

“No?”

“No. Not letting you get hurt more.”

A sudden chilly breeze brushes past us. Luna shivers slightly, and I notice it right away.

“Cold?”

“N-No, I—”

But I already know. I sigh, pulling her even closer to my chest, making sure my jacket covers her completely.

“Just stay warm.”

“You’re really warm…”

“Good. Don’t want you freezing.”

“You’re really not tired?” she asks, her voice soft.

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

“…Just take a break. Let’s sit on that bench over there.”

“If you say so.”

I gently lower her onto the bench, then sit beside her.

“…Your jacket smells nice.”

“Thanks. You can keep it.”

“But it’s yours.”

“It’s yours now,” I say, my voice holding something more than just the words.

“Thank you… for the jacket.”

“You’re welcome,” I say, glancing around quietly.

“Are you hungry?”

“No.”

I don’t listen. I pull something from my pocket and place a small packet of cookies into her hands.

“You always carry snacks?” Luna asks with a tiny smile as she nibbles one.

“For Chloe. Mostly.”

She giggles softly, then leans her head on my shoulder, her eyelids starting to droop. I don’t move. Just glance at her, my heart thudding fast.

I gently brush a few stray strands of hair away from her face. My touch is slow, careful, like I don’t want to disturb the calm that's settled between us.

“I didn’t mean to fall asleep…” she whispers groggily.

“It’s okay. Rest.”

“I didn’t mean to be such a bother.”

“You’re not a bother… you’re important to me.”

She looks at me for a second, something quiet in her eyes.

“Thank you for taking care of me.”

“You don’t need to thank me… it’s the bare minimum someone should do for you.”

My hand finds its way back to her hair, fingers moving slowly through it—like I’m trying to memorize her. As Luna relaxes in my lap, the world goes quiet around us. I lean back slightly on the bench, still holding her close.

Her hand, which was resting gently on my leg, slides closer to mine. An accidental touch—but it feels natural. Like something that was always meant to happen.

Then, she mumbles something in her sleep.

“…Oliver.”

My eyes widen.

Did she just…? Was she—? No, she’s still asleep.

My heart beats louder, faster. Carefully, I move her hand so it rests in my palm, our fingers loosely intertwined. It’s gentle—like I’m afraid I’ll break the moment.

I close my eyes, leaning back against the bench. Her warmth, her soft breathing, it settles over me like a blanket. Before I know it, I’m fast asleep too.

The minutes pass. The night deepens. Until finally, Luna stirs.

Her eyes flutter open slowly. She lifts her head just slightly and realizes how long we’ve been sitting. She turns her head to look at me—still asleep, my head resting against the back of the bench.

A soft wave of concern washes over her.

She gently nudges me.

“Oliver… hey, Oliver. We should probably go home.”

At the sound of her voice, I blink awake, my gaze still sleepy, quiet. I don’t say anything at first—just watch her for a second.

“…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” I say, sitting up.

“It’s okay. It’s just… getting late.”

“Yeah. You’re right.”

After a few more moments of walking, I spot a taxi coming down the street. I raise my hand, waving it down.

The taxi pulls up, and I open the door, letting her slide in first before joining her.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You still look like you’re in pain.”

“I’m fine. Really. Just… tired, I guess.”

“You sure? You don’t look fine,” I say teasingly. “You look like you’re about to pass out.”

“I’m not passing out!” she laughs. “You make it sound like I’m going to faint or something.”

“Luna, I just want to make sure you’re okay. You don’t have to hide it from me, you know. If you’re hurting… tell me.”

“I’m really fine, Oliver.”

“…Okay. If you say so. But if you need something, tell me.”