Page 117 of Eternal
Kat and Vik… They’ve always been family. I never had to let them in when I closed the door on everything else. They were already there, back when I was a kid, but since then no one's tried hard enough to get through, to actually see what’s behind all those walls.
Maybe… maybe that’s what this is. Maybe this feeling is a crack, one I’m too tired to ignore. But will I let it stay open, or will I slam it shut, like I always do?
You’re overthinking, Azra.
A long sigh escapes me, my shoulders slumping slightly as I try to shake off the thoughts clawing at my mind. But even now, as his fingers slide through my hair so gently, I’m still wondering: what’s the deal with him? When will the moment come that I’m reminded why I never let anyone close?
His fingers pause in my hair, a flicker of hesitation, the soft sound of my damp strands shifting is the only noise in the room now.
“You’re quiet,” he murmurs, his voice hushed, like he's not sure whether to push me further or stop now.
“You wouldn’t understand,” I mutter, the words barely more than a whisper.
He doesn’t answer immediately, and for a moment, I think he’ll leave it alone. But then, his breath brushes my neck, and his voice is lower, closer, “Try me.”
I shake my head, “You really need to stop trying to flirt with me,” I say.
Damir doesn’t respond right away, instead, he finishes drying my hair, his movements still gentle, almost reverent. And when he’s done, he pulls me up, guiding me carefully out of the bathroom, like he’s afraid of breaking something.
“No protests,” he says, his grip firm on my arm. “I’m not letting you walk to the couch by yourself.”
“I can walk just fine,” I protest, kicking my feet at the floor, trying to push myself away, but he pulls me back with an arm that’s too strong, too secure. I’m not ready for this kind of closeness, especially not when I’m feeling like a damn wreck.
“Your wound reopened, and you stitched it back yourself,” he says, his voice firm, eyes sharp. “You’re not in a position toask me anything. You’re pale, and you’re still sweating from the pain, Voron.”
“I’m not in pain at all,” I mutter, but I let him guide me to the couch.
We both sit, and for a moment, it’s too quiet. He doesn’t say anything, he focuses on my hair, his hands fumbling slightly as he tries to braid it. The clumsy movements make me want to pull away, but I don’t. I let him work, even if it feels reallyreallystrange. The warmth of his hands, the way they hold my hair a little too tightly, a little too gently, it’s disorienting.
I can’t help the small laugh that escapes me, despite everything. It’s soridiculous.
“You’re terrible at this,” I say, the words slipping out before I can stop them. A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth and turns my head lightly to see him.
He grumbles something under his breath, but the frustration in his voice is softened by the way his hands work, slowly and carefully. It’s a mess, the braid uneven and barely holding together, but there’s something... almostadorableabout how seriously he’s trying.
Something so strange about it, like he's trying to do something for me without thinking about the why.
It feels different, and I don’t know why, but I don’t want to push him away for once.
He smirks, looking at the disaster of a braid. “This was my first try.”
I smile, genuinely smile, but feel the warmth creeping into my cheeks. “Please. I don’t need another failure tonight.”
“No failure allowed. Got it.” He keeps working on the braid again, slower this time, like he's determined to get it right.
He tries again and again, and I can feel his frustration building with each failed attempt.
“Let me show you how it’s done,” I say suddenly. I turn around, meeting his surprised gaze.
“What?”
“Okay... let me. I'll show you,” I reply, my tone firm now. “Follow my fingers and you’ll get it.”
He steps back, letting me take over. I catch his reflective look, the focus on his face, and for a moment, he looks almost like a child learning something new. I untangle his messy attempt, the strands slipping through my fingers and I bring all my hair at the front so I can show him clearly what I’m doing, before I begin braiding my hair the way I know it should be.
Don’t fall for this, Azra. You still need to be cautious.
Yeah, the little voice is right, even if he looks completely adorable, it doesn’t mean he’s harmless.
