May Every Wound Be Fatal - vanish into fiction

Maybe it was just her imagination, but he definitely felt a little different from usual—almost as if he were being a bit clingy.

Reyna willingly wrapped her arms around him, pulling his head closer as he leaned into her, and gently rested her cheek against the crown of his head.

Before long, the strength gradually left the arms that had been clinging to her so desperately, and soon she could hear his breathing grow steadier, more at ease.

A long silence followed. Stroking his hair softly, Reyna blinked slowly, as if she might fall asleep at any moment.

She liked the stillness—it felt as though they were the only two people in the world. That was why she realized it a little too late.

“Oh, right. This isn’t what I meant to do.”

In truth, Reyna hadn’t planned to let him fall asleep today. Now that Thales had given permission, she had intended for tonight to finally be the night between them…

So how had it turned out like this?

She had been looking forward to it all day, so she did feel a bit disappointed. But she also liked simply holding him like this, so she didn’t really feel the urge to wake him.

Rather, wishing this peaceful moment wouldn’t end, Reyna quietly lowered her eyelids.

That was when—

“…I wish time would just stop like this.”

Elizer, whom she thought had fallen asleep, murmured as if talking to himself.

Startled by his sudden voice, Reyna blinked a few times and lifted her head.

Just then, he raised his gaze as well, and their eyes met.

“I was just thinking the same thing,” she said, sounding faintly amazed.

At that, his eyes widened slightly, as if he were genuinely surprised.

Reyna liked that rare, honest, almost innocent reaction of his. Perhaps that was why—even if it wasn’t such a remarkable coincidence—she was suddenly overcome with a sense that it was something fated.

Her heart lifted uncontrollably. The feelings overflowing inside her were too much to bear. Unable to help herself, she closed her eyes and pressed a brief kiss to his lips.

Elizer blinked, as if unsure what had just happened.

Seeing his dazed expression made Reyna laugh softly, and she closed her eyes again. This time, she placed light kisses on his cheek, then the tip of his nose.

When she pulled back slightly to look at him, he already had his eyes closed. Just like the first time she had kissed him in the garden, his brows were faintly drawn together, his golden lashes trembling delicately.

After a moment, his throat bobbed, and his pale eyelids slowly lifted. Their eyes met again at a distance close enough to feel each other’s breath. In the dim surroundings, his dark eyes shimmered with moisture, and Reyna couldn’t look away.

A few seconds passed like that.

“Reyna.”
“Yes?”
“…May I kiss you?”

Reyna blinked a few times, then smiled, her eyes curving.

“Isn’t that a bit late to ask?”

And she lowered her eyelids.

“……”

Elizer was so overwhelmed with an emotion he couldn’t quite explain that he couldn’t move for a moment.

His body trembled foolishly. With a shaking hand, he carefully traced her face.

Dozens of words swirled in his mouth, but only one finally escaped.

“…I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

I still don’t know how to let you go…

Tilting his head, he gently pressed his lips against hers. As though he wouldn’t dare wish for anything more, he stayed like that for a while, simply touching them together.

Reyna, unaware of his thoughts, let out a quiet laugh, saying it tickled.

Elizer felt tears quickly gathering behind his eyelids. Trying to hide it, he tightened the arm around her—and then, without warning, deepened the kiss.

Reyna flinched slightly in surprise, but only for a moment. The kiss continued, long and unbroken, leaving no room for even the slightest gap. Only when they were nearly out of breath did their lips part.

Still catching her breath, she whispered,

“Why are you apologizing, Elizer?”

When she lifted her head, through her hazy vision she saw his deep green eyes. As their gazes met, the corners of his eyes curved into a soft smile.

“At times like this, you should say you love me.”

Ah.

Truly, Elizer could not bring himself to let go of this sweet heaven.