After the simple kiss, Maelona fell quiet. Their foreheads rested together, breaths mingling in the small space between them.
Aether watched her closely, the way her eyes refused to meet his and instead lingered on the petals, the way her fingers kept rubbing against each other as though she could knead her confusion away through her skin.
"Do you love me?" Aether asked softly.
Maelona swallowed hard. It felt as though something thick and fragile was stuck in her throat, something desperate to spill but too frightened to take shape. She stayed there, forehead pressed to his, fingers still moving restlessly, focusing on that small motion as if it mattered more than the question echoing between them.
When no answer came, Aether leaned in again and kissed her. It was gentle, brief, almost hesitant, as if he were asking permission with his lips instead of his words.
"Hmm~"
