When Walls Begin to Break
946 Words
The night felt… too quiet.
The wind brushed softly against the trees, carrying a chill that lingered against my skin.
Too quiet.
Too still.
“…You should head back,” I said.
Taika didn’t move.
“…In a minute.”
I frowned. “…You’ve been saying that.”
“And you’ve been standing there.”
I clicked my tongue, looking away.
“…Tch.”
He’s right..
This is dangerous… you’re getting too comfortable. Stop it.
“…I just didn’t feel like going back yet,” I muttered.
“…Same.”
Silence settled between us again.
But this time, it wasn’t empty.
It was heavy.
“…About earlier,” Taika said.
I stiffened. “…What about it?”
“When you said you were being practical,” he continued, “you weren’t lying.”
My fingers curled slightly.
“I wasn’t—”
“Luna.”.
My voice died in my throat.
There was something in the way he said my name.
Not teasing.
Not distant.
Certain.
“…Fine,” I muttered. “…Maybe I was worried.”
“That’s enough.”
“…What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means you don’t have to pretend.”
I froze.
You don’t have to pretend.
Don’t fall for that.
“…I’m not pretending,” I said, though it sounded weaker this time.
Taika didn’t argue.
That made it worse.
“…Why do you care?” I asked suddenly.
He blinked. “…What?”
“About me,” I said, avoiding his gaze. “Why do you care?”
There was a pause.
“…Because you’re ours.”
My brain stopped.
“…I’m sorry, what?”
Taika frowned. “…What?”
“No—say that again.”
“You’re ours.”
“…That doesn’t sound any better.”
“What’s wrong with it?”
Everything.
You used to be a man. This shouldn’t feel normal.
“…Nothing,” I muttered.
“You’re acting strange again.”
“…I always act strange.”
“…Fair.”
Silence returned.
But this time—it pressed down harder.
“…You’re scared.”
“I’m not.”
“…You are.”
“…Of what?”
Taika met my gaze.
“…This.”
My chest tightened.
“…This?” I repeated.
“…Us.”
I didn’t answer.
Because I couldn’t.
You don’t understand this. You’re not supposed to.
“…I just don’t get it,” I admitted quietly.
“…You don’t have to.”
“…That doesn’t help.”
“It’s not supposed to.”
I exhaled sharply.
“…You’re really bad at comforting people.”
“…I’m trying.”
That caught me off guard.
“…You are?”
“…Yeah.”
I stared at him.
For a brief moment—
Something softened.
Stop letting your guard down.
“…You’re doing a terrible job,” I said.
“…Wow. Thanks.”
“…You’re welcome.”
For a split second—
He almost smiled.
“…Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked.
“…Like what?”
“…Like you’re trying to figure me out.”
“…Maybe I am.”
“…Don’t.”
“…Too late.”
I clicked my tongue.
“…You’re annoying.”
“…You’re not leaving.”
I froze.
“…What?”
“You’re still here.”
Silence.
“…I should go,” I said.
But I didn’t move.
Neither did he.
And the space between us—
Felt smaller.
Walk away.
Now..
“…Luna.”
My heart skipped.,
“…What?”
“…Look at me.”
I hesitated.
Then slowly—
I did.
And everything else faded.
No war.
No clans.
No expectations.
Just—
Him.
“…You don’t have to run,” Taika said quietly.
“I’m not running.”
“…Then stay.”
The word hit deeper than it should have.
Stay? Seriously? This is exactly what you should avoid.
“…This is a bad idea,” I muttered.
“…Probably.”
“…You’re not stopping me.”
“…Do you want me to?”
I froze.
“…No.”
The answer slipped out before I could stop it.
Silence fell again.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
You’re crossing a line.
But my feet moved anyway.
One step closer.
Stop..
I didn’t.
Taika didn’t move either.
But his gaze changed—
More careful.
More aware.
“…You can still walk away,” he said quietly.
I should have.
I really should have.
But when his hand reached for mine—
I didn’t pull back.
It wasn’t forceful.
Not demanding.
Just… there.
Waiting.
My fingers trembled slightly—
Then slowly curled around his.
What are you doing…?
His grip tightened just a little, as if afraid I would disappear.
My heart pounded violently against my chest.
Too loud.
Too fast.
This isn’t right…
But when he stepped closer—
I didn’t move away.
When his other hand steadied me—
I didn’t stop him.
And when the distance between us finally disappeared—
I closed my eyes.
Everything felt overwhelming.
The warmth.
The closeness.
The unfamiliar feeling of being held instead of holding.
It was confusing.
Wrong.
And yet—
I didn’t stop it.
Time blurred.
The world faded into nothing but warmth and breath and the steady rhythm of something I couldn’t name.
When it was over—
Reality came crashing back.
My breathing was uneven.
My thoughts—worse.
“…What did I just do?” I whispered.
Silence answered me.
Beside me—
Taika was still there.
Close.
Warm.
Real.
You crossed the line.
“…I didn’t mean to…”
But even as the words left my mouth—
I knew.
That wasn’t entirely true.
And that terrified me more than anything.
- Writer
