Rain Doesn’t Ask
929 Words
It was already past six when Isolde stepped out, the evening sky dim and heavy. A soft drizzle met her, cool against her skin, and she paused at the entrance, tilting her head slightly as she watched the rain fall.
“…It’s fine,” she murmured to herself, adjusting her bag.
Without thinking much of it, she stepped forward.
The rain changed instantly.
What had been light turned heavy in seconds, pouring down like it had been waiting for her to take that step.
“…Oh—!”
Before she could move back—
She was pulled.
A firm tug at the back of her collar dragged her a step backward under shelter.
Isolde stumbled slightly, her hand flying up as she turned, her brows drawn in surprise.
“…Thank you, I—”
She stopped.
Lucian stood behind her.
For a second, she just looked at him.
Then her eyes widened slightly, and something softer replaced the surprise.
“…You.”
He released her collar, his gaze steady.
“You were about to walk into that.”
She blinked, glancing at the rain, then back at him.
“…It was drizzling.”
“It isn’t now.”
A small pause.
Isolde let out a quiet breath—and then, unexpectedly, a faint smile touched her lips.
“…You always show up at the right time,” she said lightly, her tone warmer than before.
Lucian watched her.
“…I came to see you.”
The words were simple.
Direct.
Isolde froze.
Her fingers tightened slightly around her bag as the meaning settled in, her eyes flickering up to his before quickly looking away.
“…Oh.”
A faint warmth crept up her cheeks.
“…You could’ve just said that normally,” she muttered under her breath, not quite meeting his eyes again.
“I did.”
That made her press her lips together, trying not to smile.
“…You’re really…” she started, then stopped, shaking her head softly.
“…never mind.”
The rain continued to fall heavily, the air growing colder as the wind shifted. Isolde rubbed her arm lightly without thinking, her shoulders tensing just a little.
Lucian noticed.
He removed his coat and draped it over her shoulders before she could react.
Isolde stiffened.
Her hands came up instinctively to hold it, her eyes widening slightly as she looked up at him.
“…Lucian—”
“I’m fine,” she added quickly, already trying to take it off.
His hand caught her wrist.
Firm.
“Wear it.”
She paused, her fingers tightening slightly as she looked at him, her brows knitting in mild protest.
“…But you’ll be cold.”
“I won’t.”
“…You’re lying.”
“I’m not.”
A small silence followed.
Isolde hesitated… then slowly let her hands fall.
“…Thank you,” she said softly.
Lucian released her wrist.
The coat stayed.
The rain didn’t ease.
If anything, it grew worse.
Lucian glanced toward the street, then back at her.
“I’ll take you home.”
Isolde blinked.
“…It’s fine, I can go.”
“No.”
“…It’s really not far—”
“No.”
She stared at him.
Then let out a small breath.
“…You don’t even listen.”
“I do.”
“…Then let me go on my own.”
“No.”
Her lips parted slightly, then pressed together again, her brows drawing as she looked away.
“…You’re treating me like I don’t know how to walk,” she muttered.
Lucian’s gaze rested on her.
“You were about to run into heavy rain.”
“…That was one time.”
“Just now.”
She paused—then, unexpectedly, let out a small laugh.
“…Okay, that’s fair.”
Lucian watched her, something quieter settling in his expression.
“…You’re still the same,” he said.
She tilted her head slightly.
“…What does that mean?”
“A little careless.”
A pause.
“…And clumsy.”
Isolde’s eyes widened slightly.
“…Hey—”
But instead of sounding offended—
She laughed.
“…That’s rude,” she said, though there was no weight to it.
Without thinking, she reached up—
Trying to lightly shuffle his hair.
Her hand stopped mid-air.
“…Wait.”
She looked up at him.
Then at her own hand.
“…You’re too tall.”
A small silence followed.
Lucian looked at her.
Then—
He bent down slightly.
Just enough.
Isolde blinked.
Surprised.
For a moment, she didn’t move.
Then, slowly—
She reached out and gently ruffled his hair.
A soft, almost satisfied smile crossed her face.
“…Better.”
Lucian straightened.
His expression didn’t change much—
But his gaze lingered on her just a second longer.
The rain continued.
“…Come,” he said again, this time already reaching for her wrist.
Isolde barely had time to react before he pulled her forward.
“Lucian—wait—!”
She stumbled slightly, trying to keep up as he stepped out into the rain with her.
“…I said I can go—”
“No.”
“…You’re impossible,” she said, breath catching slightly between protest and laughter.
“And you’re not listening.”
“I am!”
“Then walk.”
She let out a soft, defeated breath—
But didn’t pull away again.
The rain soaked around them, the coat shielding her just enough, his grip steady but not harsh.
And for some reason—
She didn’t feel like resisting anymore.
- Writer
