Page 93 of Eternal
I let the silence sit there between us for a moment. Then I casually nudged her with my elbow. “So... if you don’t care about anything, what do you do when you’re not working?”
She looked at me, eyes narrowing again, but this time, there was no hostility in it, curiosity, maybe even a hint of amusement. “Why do you care?”
I shrugged. “I’m making conversation.”
She leaned back, her gaze still on me, but it was different now. Less guarded. “I don’t know… I train, listen to some music and watch movies.”
She was opening up a little, but it was enough to make me wonder about her more, about why she was like this.
“And you still do what you do,” I said, after a beat.
Her eyes softened slightly, and for a split second, I caught a glimpse of her past in a way. She quickly masked it again, but it was there.
“Of course. I don’t know how to stop feeling rage,” she said, voice quieter this time. “Guess that’s the problem.”
I didn’t reply immediately. Instead, I watched her, letting the quiet settle over us again. She didn’t say much, but I could tell she wasn’t as closed off as she tried to make herself seem.
After a moment, I leaned forward slightly. “Well, if you ever need to get away from all this... you call me, and I’ll train and watch movies with you”
She met my eyes then, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Yeah? You’d keep me company?”
I was caught off guard by how easy she made it sound; how casual she was about something that felt a little more... personal than it probably should.
I nodded, still holding her gaze. “Yeah. I’d be fine with that.”
She tilted her head, clearly trying to figure me out. Then, as if deciding it wasn’t a big deal, she looked back at the city. “I would appreciate it.”
I froze for a second, and then I laughed, mostly to cover up the strange feeling creeping up on me. “I didn’t think you’d say that."
She smirked, but it was different this time. A little softer, almost... warmer. “Stop being surprised.”
I think I’ve been misled by her reputation. I expected someone cold, distant. But she’s not that at all. Her warmth isn’t intimidating; it’s the kind that softens you, gently, without you even realizing.
There’s something in the way she carries herself, like she’s waiting quietly, unconsciously for someone to show her tenderness. But deep down, she doesn’t believe she deserves it.
I wish I knew her name. I wish I knew her whole story. Maybe then, it’d be easier to sit beside her and not feel like I’m trespassing. “One day I’ll call you by your real name.”
She smiled and tossed her garbage into the bag, stretching quickly as she stood. I did the same thing, then stood up to follow her, noticing the smile that curved at my lips.
Why? I wasn’t sure. But I knew it wasn’t supposed to feel like this.
I grabbed her waist, pulling her back toward me.
Funny, how adorable she looks when her stomach is full.
She met my gaze as I stood over her, and for a brief second, she raised her chin, her eyes killing me. My fingers moved before I even thought about it, lightly brushing over the scar on her skin. “I’ll take you home now. You need rest. You did well today.”
She half-opened her mouth, her gaze softening before snapping back to guard. “I need to get my stuff back from the HQ, my bag and my bike too.”
“I’ll bring you everything tonight. Katarina’s waiting for you at your apartment. You’ll rest. End of story.”
She sighed but didn’t protest, she looked tired. “Fine.”
I followed her as she headed for the bike. She was already putting on her helmet when I caught up.
“Don’t try to take your hands off my waist this time,” I said, “I don’t like it.”
I really don’t. Why? I don’t know.
