Scarlett watched Andrew with a mix of amusement and lingering worry. "Are you really not afraid anymore? Or maybe…"
"I'm not afraid anymore, Scar. I'm going to sleep first. You should rest early too," Andrew said confidently and turned to head toward his bedroom.
Just then, another bright flash of lightning lit up the sky outside, followed by a loud crack of thunder.
Andrew shivered violently from head to toe. Without thinking, he spun around and practically threw himself into Scarlett's embrace, burying his face against her chest.
"Scar… bring me to my room," he mumbled, voice trembling.
Scarlett looked down at him, one eyebrow raised. She let out a soft sigh, half-exasperated, half-affectionate.
"You're clearly scared to death, but you still insist on being stubborn," she said, gently raising her hand to stroke the back of his head. "And you even interrupted me."
Andrew clung to her tighter, his body still shaking slightly with every rumble of thunder.
