"Do we really have to leave right now...?"

Sera’s fingers caught the fabric of my shirt. Just her index finger and thumb, holding on gently. She looked down, her expression sad, her eyes glancing sideways.

In the kitchen, Lydia and Serena were doing dishes, the sound of water running and plates clinking filling the background.

The kids were getting sleepy. Some had already dozed off, while others still lingered. Emily was guiding them upstairs, still holding Gin’s hand in one of hers.

Will she ever leave that poor guy alone?

He looked at me like I am the reason. What did I do!?

With her other hand, Emily caught a smaller kid’s hand, leading him up the stairs as he rubbed his eyes sleepily.

"They’re all going to sleep too. What will we do here?" I asked, placing my hand gently against Sera’s cheek.

"You know..." She leaned into my palm, her skin warm and soft. "Bedtime stories and stuff. Sister Seraphina would always do that every night. They won’t sleep otherwise."

Who told them those bedtime stories these past few weeks? Huh?

Her eyes looked up at me, those puppy-like eyes that were impossible to say no to.

I glanced toward the kitchen. I knew Lydia, with her vampiric hearing, could hear everything in this orphanage. Sure enough, she was already looking at me, her hands cleaning a plate with a cloth as she side-glanced in my direction.

She nodded once, understanding.

I smiled and turned back to Sera, who was eagerly waiting for me to say the word.

"Alright..."

Her eyes lit up instantly, like I’d just given her the best gift in the world.

"But we leave first thing in the morning," I added quickly, my tone a bit scolding. "I won’t be waiting for every kid to wake up. Just Emily and Serena. Is that alright?"

Sera didn’t even seem to register my scolding tone. She grabbed my arm, pressing it against her cheek, and started dragging me toward the stairs.

"Wait, wait," I said, coming to a halt. "I won’t be sleeping with the kids."

She stopped and turned back, those puppy eyes returning. "Why not...?"

Her hand was still holding mine, warm and persistent.

Don’t fall for it again, Rune! You have work to do!

"You know I’m not good with kids, right?" I scratched the back of my head with my free hand, trying to sound reasonable.

"But you were fine until just now!" Sera protested, her cherry-colored lips pushing outward in a small pout.

"Come on... you know how awkward I feel visiting the orphanage, right?" I patted her head gently, hoping that would be enough.

I mean.. Rune rarely visited the orphanage. So my point holds.

"Fine..." She sulked under my palm, her head drooping slightly.

Finally...

But then she moved closer. Much closer.

She lifted her head, and suddenly her chest was brushing against my body, soft and warm even through our clothes. The contact sent a jolt through me.

"I want a goodnight kiss," she said, her cheeks flushing pink but her eyes locked directly onto mine, unwavering. The light from the ceiling lamp reflected in them, making them shimmer.

I smiled, my chest tightening with something warm and aching at the same time.

Looking at her eyes... the ones shining now was full of tears earlier this morning. I left her with the kids in that state.

"I’m sorry I left you alone here," I said softly, my hands moving to cup her face on either side, my thumbs brushing against her cheeks.

Her skin was impossibly soft beneath my palms.

I leaned down slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted. She didn’t.

Instead, she rose up on her toes, closing the distance between us.

"Rune..." she whispered, her breath warm against my lips.

Our lips met. Soft and Gentle.

Her hands moved from my shirt to my chest, fingers curling into the fabric as she pressed closer. I could feel her heart racing, or maybe that was mine.

I tilted my head slightly, deepening the kiss just a little. Her lips parted beneath mine, responding, welcoming. She tasted faintly of the dinner we’d just shared.

Time seemed to slow down. The sounds of the orphanage faded into nothing, the running water, the distant giggles of children, all of it disappeared. There was only her. Only this moment.

My thumb traced along her cheekbone as I kissed her, slow and tender, trying to pour all the apology and affection I felt into that single connection.

When we finally pulled apart, it was gradual, reluctant. Our foreheads rested together, Sera was breathing a little harder than before.

Sera’s eyes fluttered open, her cheeks now fully flushed, her lips slightly swollen from the kiss. A soft, genuine smile spread across her face.

"Thank you," she whispered.

I smiled back, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Anytime."

She bit her lower lip, her eyes still sparkling. Then, without warning, she threw her arms around my neck and hugged me tight, burying her face in my shoulder.

I wrapped my arms around her waist, holding her close, feeling her warmth seep into me.

"I missed you," she murmured against my neck, her voice muffled but clear.

"I missed you too," I admitted quietly.

[In like 7 hours apart?]

’...You wake up at strange times..’

We stood there for a moment longer, just holding each other in the dimly lit hallway.

Finally, she pulled back just enough to look up at me, her smile softer now, more content.

"Goodnight, Rune."

"Goodnight."

She reluctantly let go and started heading up the stairs, glancing back at me once more before disappearing around the corner.

[Time to get to work.]

’Yeah, you don’t have to remind me!’

Cleck

From the kitchen, I heard a plate clatter slightly.

I moved to see Lydia quickly looking away, focusing very intently on drying that same plate again. But I caught the faint pink tinge on her cheeks, the way her jaw was set just a little too tight.

She’d definitely been listening

I scratched the back of my head, suddenly feeling awkward.

This was going to be complicated.