By the time Dareth returned to the couch with two steaming mugs, Elara was already sitting up. She had tidied her hair a little but was still clutching the blanket. When she took the coffee, her hand brushed his for a brief moment. On any other day, the touch would have meant nothing. But now... it was a spark.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
"Anytime," he replied, trying not to look into her eyes for too long-but failing.
They sat next to each other. Not too close, but not far either. Their bodies were turned just enough that anyone could tell this wasn't purely friendly. They didn't kiss. They didn't whisper confessions.
But they didn't have to.
Their quiet presence said everything.
"Are they still asleep?" Elara asked, taking a sip.
"Kael will be down soon," Dareth replied. "I hea
