As I walked, she kept her arms wrapped tightly around my neck, her face buried in the crook of my shoulder.
"Thank you... thank you so much..." She whispered, voice muffled but full of sincere gratitude. "I promise I'll be good... I'll be the best daughter ever..."
I raised a brow.
Good daughter? Oh yea. right. That's... what I am now.
I shivered. "Haha… it's so cold. We should rest a little or we'll both catch a cold."
She nodded immediately.
Damn... didn't think it'd be this cold tonight. raining, wind... Even freezing air...what a perfect combo.
I sat her down and held her hand. "Is there like... any shelter or protection here?" I muttered to myself.
But she answered. "I-I think there's a bus stop around here."
She squeezed my hand and tugged me along, guiding me to the nearest bus stop.
When we reached the bus stop, I shook my head, and just wished myself a good luck. "Should we stay here for now? The rain's getting stronger" I said, still shivering.
She nodded rapidly, teeth chattering.
"Y-y-yes please…"
As soon as I sat, she climbed onto my lap, without hesitation she pressed herself against me, trying to steal as much warmth as possible.
"Is this okay?" she asks softly, looking up at me with those big green eyes. "I-I'm sorry if I'm heavy..."
I shook my head. "Nah, don't worry. You're pretty light"
She relaxed slightly, a small smile appeared on her face. "R-really?"
I leaned back against the bench and sighed. "Why is the rain so strong? I swear the news said it wouldn't rain today."
She leaned closer, her small head resting against my chest. "The rain... it's like it's crying..." she murmured, looking at the rain outside the bus stop "Maybe it's sad too... like me..."
Her voice was Tiny... too sad for a kid at her age.
"But now..." She pressed closer. "I'm not so sad anymore. Because I have you." She giggled softly.
Something warm hit my chest... I don't know what was that but, I know that something cold is hitting my skin.
I grinned. "Heh-heh."
She blinked. "W-why are you laughing?" She asked, while a small giggle slipped from her lips.
But little did she know it was the first time she laughed in what feels like forever.
"D-did I say something silly? What's with that smug look?" Smiling she asked, while tilting her head curiously.
"Guess" I said, still smirking.
She pouted, but still smiled. "But hey... you have a nice smile." she whispered.
She reached out a small dirty hand and touched my cheek. "It makes me feel warm inside..." She looked away, shy.
OH...?
Didn't expect her to say THAT much.
YES! That's a Good sign.
I patted her head. "Well, looks like you get comfortable a little too fast."
She flinched, pulling her head back.
"O-oh! I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to be rude..."
But then when she saw me smiling, she relaxed again.
"It's just... it's been so long since someone was nice to me..." she murmured, fidgeting with her finger and snuggling closer. "And you're so warm... and so kind..." Her eyes started to drop, exhaustion showing.
"Can I... sleep for a bit? Just until the rain stops?"
I ruffled her head, not realizing I was smiling too. "I don't mind. Go ahead. I'll look after you." And her eyes slowly shut as she felt my hand in her hair.
"Mm... thanks..." she mumbled, already drifting of to sleep.
But then the cold rain and the wind still cut through the shelter. "Didn't know... it'd be THIS cold…" I muttered.
Then— I...
Then I!!!!
"A-Achoo!" I sneezed...
Ivy's eyes snapped open. "You okay?" she asked, worried.
"Nooo, I'm sweating in the freezing rain. Obviously," I answered back.
She giggled softly. "Yea, it is cold..."
Without hesitation, Ivy wriggled out of her ragged, half wet jacket and tried handing it to me.
"H-here… take this… it's not enough, but…" She looked determined, even though she was already shivering badly."I-I don't need it..."
I shook my head. "Don't worry. You can have it."
Yea... No way am I wearing that. It's soaked. And useless... Won't even fit on me, but at least she tried too.
I then patted her head. "Really, I'm fine.
She hesitated debating whether to keep it or force it onto me.
And her desire to take care of me battled her own needs.
Then without hesitation, she crawled back into my arms, and wrapped the jacket around both of us as best as she could.
Ah... Haha... Damn. This feels colder...
"O-okay... But.. but we have to share... alright?" she whispered.
I forcefully smile. "Ha... ha... ha... Okay..."
She looked up at me seriously, gripping the jacket. "We'll keep each other warm..."
I sighed. "Yes yes, alright."
With a content sigh, her eyes drooped again. "Promise me..." she murmured. "Promise you won't leave..."
I laughed softly. "Sure, and why would I leave you?" Then I glanced outside, the rain was somehow getting worse. "Oh... It's getting stronger?"
Her eyes slowly open. "What is it?" She slowly looked out as well. "It's... it's getting worse..." she whispered.
"Yeah. Looks like it."
"Is it mad?" She whispered, clutching my shirt. She then pressed herself closer, scared."M-maybe it's angry... maybe it's jealous because we're happy..."
T-that's so cringe...
"PFFT!" I choked.
She glared. "Wah!!! What was that for!?"
"I— I pfft— I'm sorry," I said, barely holding back laughter. "PFFT!"
"W-what are you doing...? Now I'm covered in your spit!"
"Yeah..." I chuckled, then cleared my throat. "Anyways if we want a real shelter, it looks like we gotta run for it."
I then stood up, lifting her into my arms again and her eyes widened as she stared at the rain with a mix of fear and determination.
"O-okay..." she whispered, wrapping her arms around my neck.
"Yea, we're going home," I said. "My home. Our home. Eh— whatever."
"Our home..." she repeated softly.
"Ready?" I asked.
"Hehe... yes. I'm ready." She took a deep breath.
"Just... don't let go... please." Then thunder Cracked, and Her voice trembled as she immediately buried her face into my shoulder.
KABOOM!