After that small, passionate kiss, Lia's cheeks flared with a soft, blooming red. Flustered, she gently pushed Aether away with both hands, her shy reaction doing nothing but feeding his ego even more. She looked adorably helpless, and he couldn't help but smile to himself.
But he didn't press her.
She was sweet... fragile in her emotions, like Helena. He couldn't scare her away by being too aggressive.
So he held himself back and simply sat beside her, quietly. She settled on the edge of the river, her bare legs still submerged in the cool water. The current gently flowed around her ankles, sending ripples across the surface.
Neither of them said anything for a while. They just sat close—so close their arms lightly brushed, and their warmth intertwined. The only sound was the steady hum of the flowing river, calm and soothing.
"...How are the others doing?" Lia murmured softly, resting her head against his shoulder.
