Chapter 38

The morning moved forward gently after that slow, warm start.

By the time they had freshened up, the apartment felt alive again, sunlight fully pouring in, the balcony door slightly open, the faint scent of mint still lingering in the air from last night.

Eraya sat curled on the couch.

A book rested in her hands, her fingers lightly holding the edges of the page as her eyes moved slowly across the lines.

But she wasn’t reading as deeply as she usually did.

Because every now and then,
her lips curved.

Softly.
Unconsciously.

Because somewhere between the lines,
her mind kept slipping back to one thing.

Zivi.

The way she had said it.
The way it had felt.

Her fingers paused mid-page.

“…what did I even do,” she whispered to herself, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Before she could spiral deeper,
the bedroom door opened.

Zivah stepped out.

Fresh.
Bright.

And smiling in a way that immediately told Eraya something was about to happen.

Zivah walked toward her slowly.

Too slowly.
Too deliberately.

Eraya narrowed her eyes slightly, watching her approach.

“…what happened?”

Zivah didn’t answer immediately.

She just stood in front of her.
Looking down at Eraya.
That smile still there.

“Do you remember what you said last night?”

Eraya blinked once.

Of course she remembered.

Very clearly.

But,
something in her shifted.

A playful spark.

She tilted her head slightly.

“…what did I say?”

Zivah’s smile faltered.

“…what?”

Eraya shrugged lightly.

“I don’t remember.”

Zivah stared at her.

“You don’t remember?”

Eraya shook her head, turning a page like it was the most normal thing in the world.

“No.”

Zivah blinked.

“…you’re joking.”

Eraya didn’t even look at her.

“I’m not.”

Zivah’s lips parted slightly.

“You actually don’t remember?”

Eraya hummed softly.

“Nope.”

Zivah’s face slowly fell into a pout.

“…wow.”

Eraya bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from smiling too widely.

“You really forgot?”

“Mhm.”

Zivah crossed her arms.

“…I’m hurt.”

Eraya glanced up now,
just for a second,
and saw the pout.

She almost broke.

Almost.

But she held it in.

“…what did I say?” she asked again, pretending innocence.

Zivah stared at her for a moment longer.

Then,
she turned away dramatically.

“Nothing.”

Eraya blinked.

“…nothing?”

Zivah shook her head.

“Yeah. Nothing.”

She walked away.

Just like that.

Eraya stared at her back for a second,
and then,

she laughed.

Soft at first.

Then louder.

Because she knew.

And the moment that laugh echoed,
Zivah stopped.

Slowly turned back.

Eyes narrowing.

“…you’re teasing me.”

Eraya grinned now.

“Maybe.”

Zivah pointed at her.

“You do remember.”

Eraya shut her book and stood up.

“Catch me and I’ll tell you.”

A pause.

Zivah blinked.

“…what?”

But Eraya was already moving.

She slipped off the couch,
light on her feet,
and ran.

“Eraya-!”

Zivah took off after her instantly.

And just like that,
the apartment turned into chaos.

Eraya laughed,
that bright, unfiltered sound echoing through the rooms as she ran past the dining table, slipping slightly as she turned toward the hallway.

Zivah followed,
fast.
Determined.

“Stop running!”

“No!”

“You started this Eraya!”

“I know!”

Eraya glanced back,
and saw how close Zivah was,
and laughed even harder.

Her heart was racing.

But not from fear.

From something else entirely.

Something light.
Something free.
Soemthing playful.

She darted into the bedroom,
trying to shut the door,

But Zivah caught it.

Pushed it open.

And before Eraya could react,
Zivah grabbed her wrist.

“Got you.”

They both stumbled,

And fell onto the bed.

A soft thud.

A burst of laughter.

Zivah above her.

Eraya beneath.

Their breaths uneven.

Their faces too close.

Eraya smiled.

Wide.
Unapologetic.

Zivah stared down at her,
trying to stay serious,
but failing.

“Tell me.”

Eraya shook her head slightly.

“No.”

Zivah leaned closer.

” Eraya Tell me.”

“No.”

“Eraya.”

“Zivah.”

Zivah narrowed her eyes.

“You’re testing me.”

Eraya grinned.

“Yes.”

Zivah exhaled slowly.

“…fine.”

And then,
without warning,

she started tickling her.

Eraya gasped.

“Zivah-!”

Too late.

Zivah’s fingers moved mercilessly across her sides.

Eraya burst into laughter.

“Stop-!”

“Say it.”

“I- I won’t-!”

“Say it.”

Eraya twisted beneath her, trying to escape,
but Zivah had her pinned.

Her laughter grew louder.

“Zivah- stop-!”

“Say it first.”

“I — don’t-!”

Zivah leaned closer.

“Say it.”

Eraya shook her head, laughing uncontrollably,

“…Zivi- stop!”

Zivah froze.

Everything stopped.

The movement.
The teasing.

Just,
that word.

Zivi.

Soft.
Breathless.

Zivah stared at her.

Eraya’s laughter faded slowly,
replaced by something softer.

Their eyes met.

“…say it again,” Zivah whispered.

Eraya’s cheeks flushed slightly.

“…Zivi.”

Zivah’s breath hitched.

“…again.”

Eraya let out a small, shy laugh.

“…Zivi.”

Zivah smiled.

Softly.
Deeply.

“…one more time.”

Eraya shook her head, smiling now.

“You’re impossible.”

“Please.”

A pause.

Eraya looked at her,
really looked,

“…Zivi.”

Zivah closed her eyes for a second.

Letting it settle.

“…I think I’m in danger.”

Eraya blinked.

“What?”

Zivah opened her eyes again.

“…if I get used to this name.”

Eraya tilted her head.

“Why?”

“Because I’ll never let you stop saying it.”

Eraya laughed softly.

“…maybe.”

Zivah leaned closer.

“…call me that again.”

Eraya smiled.

“You like it that much?”

Zivah didn’t hesitate.

“It’s perfect.”

A pause.

“Better than Brownie.”

Eraya laughed.

“Hey-“

“And definitely better than Kiki.”

Eraya laughed harder now.

“Don’t insult Kiki.”

“I’m not. I’m just stating facts.”

Eraya shook her head, still smiling.

“You’re unbelievable.”

Zivah leaned in,
and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.

“Call me that again.”

Eraya’s smile softened.

“…Zivi.”

Zivah exhaled slowly.

“…yeah. That’s it.”

Her forehead rested lightly against Eraya’s.

And for a moment,
everything stilled again.

Not from panic.
Not from fear.

But from something warm.
Something growing.

Eraya laughed softly again.

“You’re really obsessed now.”

Zivah didn’t deny it.

“I am.”

And somehow,

that made Eraya laugh even more.

The moment didn’t end when they stopped laughing.

That was the thing about them now,
nothing really ended.

It just… softened, stretched, and melted into the next feeling.

Zivah was still hovering above Eraya.

Their faces inches apart.

Her hand still loosely holding Eraya’s wrist from when she had caught her.

And Eraya,
she was still smiling.

Breath uneven from laughter.

Eyes shining in a way Zivah hadn’t seen before all this.

Not guarded.
Not distant.

Open.

Zivah swallowed slowly.

“…you laugh a lot now.”

The words came out quieter than she expected.

Eraya blinked, her smile softening just a little.

“…is that a bad thing?”

Zivah shook her head immediately.

“No.”

A pause.

“It’s my favorite thing.”

Eraya’s breath hitched slightly.

Not dramatically.

Just enough for Zivah to notice.

“…really?” she asked softly.

Zivah nodded.

“When you laugh… everything else just-“

She gestured vaguely with her free hand.

“…stops mattering.”

Silence.

Not awkward.
Not heavy.

Just… full.

Eraya looked at her,
really looked,
and something shifted in her chest again.
That quiet ache.
That warm pull.

“…Zivi.”

Zivah froze again.

It still did that to her.
Every single time.

“…don’t,” she whispered.

Eraya frowned slightly.

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t say it like that.”

“…like what?”

Zivah leaned closer.

“…like you know it ruins me.”

Eraya’s lips parted slightly.

And then,
she laughed again.

Soft.
Light.

“You’re dramatic.”

Zivah didn’t deny it.

“For you? Always.”

And before Eraya could respond,
Zivah shifted her weight slightly,
and rolled them over.

Now,
Eraya was on top.

She gasped lightly at the sudden movement, her hands instinctively pressing against Zivah’s shoulders.

“Zivah-!”

Zivah grinned.

“Now it’s fair.”

Eraya shook her head, trying to sit up,
but Zivah’s hands found her waist,
holding her there.

“Stay.”

The word was soft.
But it held.

Eraya stilled.

Her fingers curled slightly against Zivah’s shirt.

“…okay.”

Neither of them moved after that.

Just stayed there,
in that strange, new closeness.

Zivah’s hands resting at her waist.

Eraya’s weight pressed gently against her.
Their breaths slowly syncing.

“…this is dangerous,” Eraya murmured after a moment.

Zivah raised a brow.

“How?”

“…because I might get used to this.”

Zivah’s expression softened.

“…I hope you do.”

A pause.

“…because I’m not planning to stop.”

Eraya looked away slightly.

Not pulling back.
Just… shy.

And Zivah noticed.

She always noticed.

“…hey.”

Eraya glanced back.

Zivah reached up,
tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“You’re doing that thing again.”

“What thing?”

“Where you look away when you feel too much.”

Eraya’s breath caught.

“…I don’t-“

“You do.”

Zivah smiled softly.

“And it’s okay.”

A pause.

“You don’t have to hide it from me.”

Something in Eraya’s chest loosened.

Just a little.

“…I’m trying,” she whispered.

Zivah nodded.

“I know.”

Her thumb brushed lightly against Eraya’s wrist.

“And you’re doing so well.”

Eraya blinked.

“…no one’s ever said that to me.”

Zivah frowned slightly.

“Then they were blind.”

Eraya laughed softly again.

And Zivah smiled.

There it was again.

That sound.

“…say my name again,” Zivah said suddenly.

Eraya rolled her eyes.

“You’re obsessed.”

“Yes.”

“Zivi.”

Zivah closed her eyes for a second.
“…yeah.”

Her hands tightened slightly at Eraya’s waist.

“Again.”

Eraya laughed.

“No.”

“Please.”

“No.”

Zivah narrowed her eyes.

“I will tickle you again.”

Eraya gasped.

“You wouldn’t.”

“I definitely would.”

A pause.

“…Zivi.”

Zivah grinned instantly.

“See? That wasn’t so hard.”

Eraya shook her head.

“You’re impossible.”

“And you love me.”

Eraya didn’t respond immediately.

Just looked at her.

Then,
very softly,

“…I do.”

Zivah stilled.

Even though she had heard it before,
it still felt new.

Still felt like something fragile and precious.

“…say it again.”

Eraya smiled.

“No.”

Zivah groaned.

“Why do you do this to me?”

“Because you deserve it.”

“I don’t deserve suffering.”

Eraya leaned down slightly,
closer,

“You do.”

Zivah narrowed her eyes.

“…you’re evil.”

“Only with you.”

“And I like it.”

That made Eraya laugh again.

Zivah’s hands moved slightly,
tracing small, absent patterns against her waist.

“…stay like this a little longer.”

Eraya didn’t argue.

She just… stayed.

Resting there.

Feeling the steady rise and fall of Zivah’s chest beneath her.

For a moment,
everything was quiet again.

Then,
Eraya spoke softly.

“…Zivi?”

Zivah hummed.

“…hmm?”

“…thank you.”

Zivah frowned slightly.

“For what?”

Eraya hesitated.

Then,
very carefully,

“For… not letting me stay the same.”

Silence.

Zivah’s expression changed.

Softened.
Deepened.

“…you were never meant to stay the same.”

Her hand moved to cup Eraya’s cheek.

“You were just waiting for someone to show you that you didn’t have to.”

Eraya’s eyes glistened slightly.

“…and you did.”

Zivah shook her head.

“No.”

A pause.

“You did…I just stayed.”

That,
that broke something gently inside Eraya.

Not painfully.

Just… quietly.

“…Zivi.”

Zivah smiled.

“…yeah?”

“…don’t ever stop staying.”

Zivah didn’t hesitate.

“I won’t.”

And this time,
when Eraya leaned down,

she didn’t stop halfway.

She pressed a soft kiss to Zivah’s cheek.

Gentle.

Careful.

But intentional.

Zivah froze.

Completely.

And when Eraya pulled back,

Zivah just stared at her.

“…you did that.”

Eraya smiled shyly.

“…I did.”

Zivah blinked.

“…again.”

Eraya laughed.

“No.”

“Eraya-“

“No.”

Zivah groaned.

“I’m being tortured in my own house.”

“You deserve it.”

Zivah narrowed her eyes again,
but she was smiling.

Always smiling now.

“…Zivi.”

She melted again.

“…you’re dangerous.”

Eraya tilted her head.

“Why?”

“Because you know exactly what you’re doing.”

Eraya smiled.

“…maybe.”

And Zivah,

for the first time in a long time,

felt something incredibly simple.

Not overwhelming.
Not chaotic.

Just,

happy.

Pure.
Quiet.

And entirely because of the girl still sitting on top of her,

laughing like she had never been broken before.

And maybe,

just maybe,

she wasn’t anymore.

The laughter didn’t leave the room.

It lingered,
soft, warm, almost stitched into the walls now.

Even after they finally moved.

Eraya had rolled off her with a quiet, breathless laugh, pushing Zivah lightly on the shoulder as she sat up on the bed, trying to steady herself.

Zivah, on the other hand, stayed where she was for a few seconds longer.

Just staring at the ceiling.

Not because she was tired.

But because her heart hadn’t slowed down yet.

“…I think you’re trying to kill me,” she muttered under her breath.

Eraya glanced at her, amused.

“Why?”

Zivah turned her head slightly, eyes narrowing playfully.

“Because no human being should be allowed to laugh like that and then just… walk away.”

Eraya raised a brow.

“I didn’t walk away.”

“You emotionally walked away.”

That made Eraya laugh again.

Zivah groaned, covering her face with her arm.

“See? There it is again. I’m suffering.”

“You’re dramatic.”

“For you? Yes.”

Eraya shook her head, smiling, and got up from the bed.

“I’m getting water.”

Zivah immediately sat up.

“I’m coming.”

Eraya turned halfway to look at her.

“…why?”

Zivah blinked like the answer was obvious.

“Because you’re going.”

Eraya paused.

And then
softly,

“…okay.”

The kitchen was quieter than the bedroom.

Less chaotic.

Less… charged.

But the air between them?

Still buzzing.

Eraya moved toward the counter, grabbing a glass.

Zivah leaned against the doorway for a second,
watching her.

Just watching.

The way her movements had softened.

The way she no longer hesitated in spaces.

The way she existed now,
like she belonged.

Zivah’s chest tightened slightly.

“…you’ve changed.”

The words slipped out before she could stop them.

Eraya paused mid-motion.

“…is that a bad thing?”

Zivah shook her head immediately.

“No.”

She pushed herself off the wall and walked closer.

“It’s… beautiful.”

Eraya looked down at the glass in her hands.

“…I don’t feel like I’ve changed.”

Zivah stepped beside her now.

“You have.”

A pause.

“You just don’t notice it yet.”

Eraya exhaled slowly.

“…I feel like I’m still the same person.”

Zivah smiled faintly.

“You are.”

She reached out,
lightly tapping the rim of the glass.

“But now… you’re not hiding.”

Silence.

Not uncomfortable.

Just… honest.

Eraya took a sip of water.

“…Zivi.”

Zivah closed her eyes briefly.

“…you keep doing that.”

Eraya glanced at her.

“Doing what?”

“Ruining me.”

Eraya laughed softly.

“You’re exaggerating.”

“I’m not.”

A pause.

Zivah leaned slightly closer.

“…say it again.”

Eraya shook her head.

“No.”

“Eraya-“

“No.”

Zivah sighed dramatically.

“This is emotional abuse.”

Eraya smiled, placing the glass down.

“You’ll survive.”

“Barely.”

They moved back slowly.

Not rushing.

Not thinking too much about where they were going,
just… going together.

Eraya sat back on the couch.

Zivah followed.

Too close.

Always too close now.

“…you sit very close,” Eraya murmured.

Zivah didn’t move.

“I know.”

“…why?”

Zivah shrugged slightly.

“I like it and…”

A pause.

“…and?”

“…and I also like that you don’t move away anymore.”

Eraya stilled slightly.

Then,
very softly,

“…I don’t want to.”

That was it.

That one sentence.

Zivah’s breath caught.

“…say that again.”

Eraya looked at her.

“No.”

Zivah groaned.

“You’re impossible.”

“And you love me.”

“…No choice.”

Eraya laughed.

There was a moment,
small, almost invisible,
where the energy changed again.

Not playful.
Not chaotic.

Just… softer.

Eraya leaned back into the couch.

Zivah’s arm naturally slipped behind her,
not forcing.
Not pulling.

Just… there.

Eraya noticed.

But she didn’t say anything.

She just,
leaned slightly.

And that was enough.

Zivah smiled to herself.

“…you trust me now.”

Eraya didn’t answer immediately.

She stared ahead.

Then,
quietly,

“I’m learning.”

Zivah nodded.

“That’s enough.”

Time passed without them noticing.

The sunlight shifted.
The room dimmed slightly.

And somehow,
they ended up closer again.

Not intentionally.

Just… naturally.

Eraya had turned slightly toward Zivah.
Zivah had leaned in slightly.

And now,
they were just,

there.

“…Zivi.”

Zivah hummed.

“…hmm?”

Eraya hesitated.

“…do you ever feel like this is too much?”

Zivah frowned slightly.

“Too much?”

“…like… what if it changes again?”

Zivah’s expression softened.

She reached out,
taking Eraya’s hand gently.

“It will.”

Eraya blinked.

“…that’s not comforting.”

Zivah smiled.

“It is.”

A pause.

“Because this time… it’s changing into something better.”

Eraya’s fingers curled slightly in her hand.

“…and what if I mess it up?”

Zivah shook her head.

“You won’t.”

“How do you know?”

“Because you care.”

A pause.

“And people who care… don’t destroy things they love.”

Eraya looked at her,
really looked.

“…Zivi.”

Zivah smiled softly.

“…yeah?”

“…I’m scared.”

Zivah’s grip tightened slightly.

“I know.”

She leaned closer.

“But you’re not alone in it.”

Silence.

Deep.

And then,

Eraya moved.

Just slightly.

Leaning in.

Zivah stilled.

Not moving.
Not rushing.

Just… waiting.

Eraya hesitated.

Her breath uneven.

Their faces close again.

Too close.

Almost.

And then,

Eraya pulled back.

Just a little.

Flustered.

“…I-“

Zivah didn’t say anything.

Didn’t push.

Just smiled softly.

“It’s okay.”

Eraya exhaled.

“…Zivi.”

Zivah closed her eyes briefly.

“…yeah.”

“…don’t rush me.”

Zivah opened her eyes.

“I won’t, Not even a little.”

They didn’t move away completely.

They didn’t close the distance either.

They just,
stayed there.

In that space between almosts.
Between laughter and silence.
Between teasing and truth.

And for once,

that was enough.

Next Morning didn’t arrive loudly.

It never did in their apartment anymore.

It slipped in,
soft sunlight brushing against the curtains, a quiet warmth settling into the room, the faint hum of the city waking up somewhere far away.

And right in the middle of all that stillness,
Eraya stirred.

Not because of an alarm.
Not because of noise.

But because of warmth.

A very specific kind.

She blinked slowly.

Her vision still hazy with sleep as she became aware of something,
no,
someone.

Zivah.

Her arm was wrapped securely around Eraya’s waist.

Not loosely.
Not accidentally.

Firm.
Protective.

Like even in her sleep, she had decided,
you’re not going anywhere.

Eraya stayed still for a moment.

Just… feeling it.

The steady rise and fall of Zivah’s chest behind her.

The warmth pressed against her back.

The way her fingers rested lightly at her side,
not gripping,
but holding.

Her lips curved.

“…Zivi,” she whispered softly.

Zivah didn’t move.

Of course she didn’t.

Eraya exhaled slowly, shifting just slightly so she could turn her head enough to glance at the clock on the bedside table.

And then,
she froze.

“…oh no.”

Her eyes widened slightly.

It was late.

Not too late.
But late enough.

“Zivi,” she said a little louder this time, gently tapping her arm.

No response.

She tried again, nudging her shoulder.

“Zivi, wake up… we’re going to be late for college.”

Zivah stirred slightly.

Not waking.

Just,
tightening her hold.

Pulling Eraya closer.

“…five minutes,” she mumbled, voice thick with sleep.

Eraya blinked.

“…Zivah.”

“Mmm.”

“It’s not five minutes time.”

“…it can be.”

Eraya tried to turn more, but Zivah’s arm made it impossible.

“Zivi-“

“Shh.”

Eraya stared at nothing for a second.

“…Anu and Shivi will be waiting.”

Zivah shifted slightly, her face pressing into Eraya’s shoulder.

“Let them.”

Eraya gasped softly.

“Let them??”

Zivah nodded faintly against her.

“They can experience character development.”

Eraya blinked.

“…How?”

“Patience builds personality.”

There was a pause.

And then,
Eraya laughed.

Soft at first.
Then brighter.

Zivah smiled slightly against her shoulder.

“…there it is.”

Eraya shook her head.

“You’re impossible.”

“And you love me.”

“…No choice.”

Zivah tightened her hold again.

“Then suffer quietly.”

Eraya laughed again.

But this time,
she didn’t try to move immediately.

Because honestly?

This,
this moment,
was worth being late for.

Still.

Responsibility.

“…Zivi, wake up please,” she said again, softer now.

Zivah hummed.

“…on one condition.”

Eraya frowned slightly.

“What condition?”

Zivah shifted just enough to turn her face slightly toward Eraya.

And then,
she tapped her cheek.

“…kiss me here.”

Eraya froze.

“…what?”

Zivah’s eyes were still half closed.

“You heard me.”

Eraya blinked.

“…you’re bargaining now?”

“Yes.”

“…for a kiss?”

“Yes.”

A pause.

Eraya shook her head, smiling.

“You’re unbelievable.”

Zivah didn’t respond.

Just waited.

Patient.

Too patient.

Eraya sighed softly.

“…fine.”

She leaned in slightly,
hesitated for a second,
and then pressed a soft kiss to Zivah’s cheek.

Light.
Quick.

Zivah smiled instantly.

“…again.”

Eraya pulled back.

“No.”

“Again.”

“You said one condition.”

“I changed the terms.”

Eraya laughed.

“That’s not how deals work.”

“It is when I’m involved.”

A pause.

Eraya rolled her eyes.

“…Zivi.”

Zivah melted slightly at the name.

“…again.”

Eraya sighed dramatically,
but leaned in again.

Another kiss.

Softer this time.

Zivah opened her eyes slightly.

“…one more.”

Eraya stared at her.

“You’re doing this on purpose.”

“Yes.”

“…Zivi-“

“One more. I promise last.”

Eraya narrowed her eyes,
but there was no real resistance left.

She leaned in again
this time lingering just a little longer.

And when she pulled back,
Zivah finally sat up.

Stretching lazily.

“…worth it.”

Eraya stared at her.

“You’re insane.”

Zivah grinned.

“But I’m awake.”

Eraya shook her head, getting out of bed.

“Go freshen up.”

Zivah saluted lazily.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Twenty minutes later,

Chaos.

Absolute chaos.

Zivah was running around the apartment.

“…where are the keys- where are the keys- we are going to be late- Shivi is going to kill me- no, worse, she’s going to lecture me- that’s worse- Anu will just stand there and judge- silently- which is also worse-“

She threw a pillow aside.

Checked under the couch.

Opened a drawer.

“…who hides keys- why are keys always hiding- this is a conspiracy-“

Eraya stood near the door.

Watching.

Arms crossed.

Trying very hard,
very hard,
not to laugh.

“…Zivah.”

“No time- I’m busy- we’re going to die-“

“We’re not going to die.”

“We are socially going to die-“

Eraya bit her lip.

“…Zivi.”

Zivah paused.

Just for a second.

“…don’t say my name like that right now, I’m stressed.”

Eraya walked calmly toward the TV unit.

Reached out.

Picked something up.

Turned.

“…looking for this?”

Zivah froze.

Completely.

Her eyes locked onto the keys in Eraya’s hand.

“…Wait.”

Eraya tilted her head slightly.

“They were in the bowl.”

A pause.

Zivah blinked.

“…the bowl?”

“Yes.”

“…the bowl I checked?”

“You didn’t check it.”

“I did-“

“You threw a pillow on it.”

Zivah stared at her.

“…I’m being sabotaged.”

Eraya laughed.

“No, you’re being dramatic.”

Zivah walked toward her slowly.

“…give me that.”

Eraya held the keys behind her back.

“No.”

Zivah narrowed her eyes.

“Eraya.”

“Say please.”

Zivah gasped.

“You’re blackmailing me now?”

“Yes. Just the way you did in the morning.”

“…this relationship is toxic.”

Eraya laughed again.

“Say please.”

Zivah sighed dramatically.

“…please.”

Eraya handed her the keys.

“Good.”

Zivah took them,
but instead of stepping away,

she leaned closer.

“…you enjoyed that.”

Eraya smiled.

“…a little.”

Zivah shook her head.

“You’re evil.”

“Only with you.”

“…and I love it.”

A pause.

“…I know.”

And just like that,

they walked out together.

Late.

Laughing.

And completely,

in their own world.
_____________