Morning passed without incident.
Then late morning.
Then the sun climbed higher, warmth spilling through the wide windows, painting the wooden floors gold. The waterfall outside roared steadily, unconcerned with the tension trapped inside the house.
Ash sat on the edge of his bed, elbows on his knees, staring at the floor.
I can't hide forever.
The thought had been circling his mind for hours. He had replayed the night over and over—every word, every breath, the way Lunaria had flushed so deeply it felt unreal. The kiss. The way Lunaria had answered him without hesitation.
And the way he had run.
Ash exhaled slowly and stood.
"Enough," he muttered to himself.
He ran a hand through his hair, straightened his clothes, and opened the door.
The hallway was quiet.
Too quiet.
He walked toward the main room, heart pounding harder with every step, half-expecting—half-hoping—to see silver hair at the corner of his vision.
Nothing.
The living space was already occupied. Kael sat sprawled on the couch, boots kicked off. Riven leaned against the counter, arms crossed. Juno stood by the window, watching the valley below.
They all looked up.
"Oh," Kael said, blinking. "He lives."
Ash ignored him. His eyes scanned the room again.
"Lunaria?" he asked.
Juno shook her head slowly. "Hasn't come out."
Ash frowned. "Still?"
Riven checked the time display on the wall. "It's almost noon."
That sent a tight ache through Ash's chest.
He's really avoiding me.
He nodded once, trying not to let it show. "I'll… get some water."
He moved toward the kitchen, but his attention stayed locked on the hallway.
That was when a door opened.
Soft. Careful.
Ash's head snapped up instantly.
Lunaria stepped out.
He looked… composed—almost.
Silver hair fell freely around his face, slightly tousled, catching the light. He wore comfortable clothes, loose and soft, but his posture betrayed him. Shoulders tense. Steps cautious. Eyes lowered, as if the floor itself demanded his full attention.
The moment he entered the main room—
He saw Ash.
Time froze.
Lunaria stopped mid-step.
His eyes widened just slightly before snapping away. Color bloomed instantly across his face, spreading from cheeks to ears to the tips of his nose. For a heartbeat, he stood there like a startled animal caught in open ground.
The room went silent.
Kael slowly leaned forward.
"…Oh?"
Lunaria moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
He bolted straight for the fridge, nearly tripping over his own feet. He yanked it open, grabbed the first juice bottle he could reach, shoved a handful of wrapped snacks into his arms without looking, and slammed the door shut.
Still not looking at Ash.
Not looking at anyone.
Then he turned sharply—
—and rushed back toward the hallway, head down, hair swinging wildly.
"I'm fine!" he blurted, far too loudly, to absolutely no one.
Ash reacted on instinct.
"Lunaria—wait!"
He took off after him.
The rest of them stared.
Juno's mouth hung open.
Riven raised an eyebrow.
Kael slowly sat up straighter.
"…Did we miss something?" Kael asked.
Ash caught up just as Lunaria reached his door.
"Lunaria," Ash said, breathless—not from the run, but from nerves. "Please."
Lunaria froze again, one hand gripping the doorframe, the other clutching juice and snacks to his chest like a shield. His face was so red it looked like he might combust.
"I— I told you goodnight," he said weakly, not turning around.
"I know," Ash replied gently. "I'm not here to push you."
Lunaria swallowed.
Silence stretched between them, thick and awkward and fragile.
Ash lowered his voice. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay."
"…I didn't sleep," Lunaria admitted quietly.
Ash's chest tightened. "Neither did I."
That made Lunaria flinch.
He turned his head just enough for Ash to see his profile—flushed cheeks, conflicted eyes, lips pressed together like he was holding back too much at once.
"I don't know what to do," Lunaria whispered.
Ash took a step closer—but stopped himself before crossing the line. "Then we'll not know together," he said simply.
Lunaria's grip on the doorframe loosened slightly.
Behind them, from the main room, the others watched in stunned silence.
Juno leaned closer to Kael and whispered, "They're acting like teenagers."
Kael nodded slowly. "Dangerous ones."
Riven smirked faintly. "I knew it."
In the hallway, Lunaria finally turned fully toward Ash.
He didn't meet his eyes.
But he didn't run again either.
"I'm… going to stay inside for a bit," Lunaria said softly.
Ash smiled—small, relieved, sincere. "Okay."
Lunaria hesitated, then added, "You don't… have to avoid me."
"I won't," Ash replied. "Unless you ask me to."
Lunaria nodded once.
Then he slipped into his room and closed the door—slowly this time.
Ash stood there for a moment longer, heart lighter than it had been all morning.
When he turned back toward the main room, four pairs of eyes were waiting for him.
Kael grinned. "So."
Ash sighed. "Don't."
Juno clasped her hands together. "Oh, I absolutely will."
And somewhere behind a closed door, Lunaria leaned against the wood, face still burning—clutching juice and snacks he hadn't even wanted—wondering how something so terrifying could also feel so warm.