Page 175 of Eternal
But my house wasn’t like that, it was always quiet. I remember thinking about Mischka and Notch because I knew how much they hated the cold. My dogs, I missed them a lot back then, I was secretly hoping that Vik had found some way to keep them warm. It was strange, though. That feeling in my bones, like something was off. Not with them, but with me. Like the way I was surviving wasn’t really living anymore.
I had this stupid habit of pressing my cheek against the cold and small glass, wishing I could disappear, or be anywhere but there.
Open your eyes, Azra. Open them, you’re not there anymore.
I blink, forcing myself back to the present. The bench creaks beneath me and the streetlamp as I pull my coat tighter.
My thoughts drift to the files I found last week, reports on a girl who disappeared. No family, no witnesses, no real leads.
It’s the kind of case the world quickly forgets, like the child never existed.
But I know it could help to follow this girl’s traces because the last step, the cleansing one was missing from my board.
It’s complicated, and fuckinghard. Focusing on my mission when all I want to do is stay here and never think about it again.
But maybe it means something, maybe it means I’m doing more than just surviving.
The familiar rumble of a bike engine comes closer. I’d recognize that bike everywhere.
My heart picks up immediately.
Stop being so stupid.
But the smile I feel on my lips is screaming that it’s not stupid. Being excited to see him again. Creating memories with someone who makes them all happy.
Itcan’tbe stupid.
He parks behind me, helmet tucked under his arm, wearing that warm oversized sweatshirt I love to steal after our training sessions, layered under his jacket. There’s a paper bag in one hand and something else, something hidden.
“Close your eyes, partner,” he calls, already grinning.
“You’re late, idiot.”
He laughs and comes closer to me. “So impatient. It’s Christmas!”
I shut my eyes, and feel his hands brushing through my hair, light and careful. Then something soft and a little too big settles on top of my head.
“Fuck, that’s perfect,” he murmurs, adjusting it. “Okay, open those pretty eyes for me.”
I open them slowly, and his phone is already in front of me. A flash, then he grins like a kid caught doing something he loves.
He flips the screen to me, all proud, and what a surprise.Me, in a giant red Santa hat, looking half-annoyed, half-caught off guard.
“First the cat ears on Halloween, now this?” I sigh, shaking my head. “Are you making this a thing?”
“Absolutely,” he says with a lazy smile. “It’s my emotional support tradition from now on.”
He’s already pulling containers from the bag, miso soup, sushi rolls, and everything I love.
We eat quietly, the cold air making the warm broth taste even better.
He glances at me mid-bite, eyes soft.
“Your nose is all red.”
I glare playfully. “Your cheek’s gonna be red too if you keep flirting.”
He laughs, the kind of laugh that shakes his whole body. “No violence tonight. Oh yeah,also…" He reaches into his jacket pocket this time slower, like he’s unsure.
