The cabin was their sanctuary, but a sanctuary, by its very nature, cannot hold the world at bay forever. The first foray beyond the forest path was to a small, local market in the nearest village. To Yuna, it was a mundane errand. To Jun, it was a moon landing.
He stood at the edge of the dirt parking lot, his hand a vise around hers. The sounds were a cacophony—the sputter of a scooter, the chatter of old women bargaining over vegetables, the cheerful jingle from a shop door. His eyes darted, scanning for threats, his body coiled like a spring. This wasn't the controlled chaos of a military base; this was sprawling, unpredictable life.
"Just breathe," Yuna murmured, her thumb stroking the back of his hand. "We can go back whenever you want. There's no mission here. Just… apples. We nee
