(Later in the Night)
Neva and Rhett nap beneath the warmth of a kotatsu, curled up against the creeping chill of fall.
November in the capital of Erriador is always wintry, even with autumn still clinging to the air.
Rhett is deeply asleep, his face nestled in his folded arms resting atop the white-clothed table.
Neva stirs, her sleepy, blurry eyes blinking open. She glances around through narrow slits, her gaze resting on Rhett's peaceful, smiling features beside her.
"He's dreaming," she giggles softly.
Laying her head back on her arm, she sighs, smiling.
Her life has changed beyond recognition. In just a couple of months, it feels as though her entire world has shifted.
She battles this strange feeling that fate has twisted—like she's wandered into an alternate universe.
Back in late September, she made a bold decision. She left Aunt May behind and returned to her homeland, Erriador—the country where she was born and raised. Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined that her life would unfold this way.
After the accident, when she lost her memory, her father's only sister and her husband took her in.
From then on, Neva was homeschooled, isolated from the outside world.
Aunt May had loved and protected her, but she never understood why May insisted on hiding her, why she was so against Neva being seen, being known.
May only allowed her return under one condition: she change her name.
So, Neva Evara Noe became Neva Mae.
She never questioned it—she trusted her.
Now, Neva smiles, grateful. She made peace with her past and chose a fresh beginning. She wants to discover the world, to understand herself, to taste the sweetness of freedom beyond the walls she once called home.
She may not have a wide circle of friends, but she cherishes the few connections she's made—especially the man sleeping beside her.
She checks the time on her phone: 11:00 p.m.
She decides to wake him. He'll end up with a sore neck if he keeps sleeping like that.
"Rhett, wake up. Go sleep in your bed," she whispers gently.
No reaction. She clicks her tongue.
"Rhett, wake up." She shakes him lightly, but still, nothing.
"Rhett?" she tries again, a hint of worry in her voice. He's still as a rock.
"Mmm~ be mine…" Rhett grins suddenly, eyes still closed.
Neva stiffens. Then she grits her teeth.
Who is he dreaming about? Such a flirt! He flirts with everyone, doesn't he?! she fumes internally.
"Rhett! Leave my apartment!" she blurts.
Rhett jolts awake, blinking in confusion.
"Huh? Angel?" he mutters, dazed.
"Why are we here? Weren't we stargazing?"
'Oh… he was dreaming of me?'
Neva flushes.
She can't believe she got upset over a dream. Was that jealousy? No way.
She immediately pushes the thought away, flustered.
"Go to bed. Don't sleep here," she says, a little too quickly.
"I fell asleep here?" Rhett murmurs, rubbing the back of his neck.
He's disappointed, grieving it was just a dream.
Neva hums in reply.
She remembers—before the nap, she had told him how much she wanted to stargaze in a flower field, surrounded by fireflies.
She chuckles, patting his head. Rhett blinks up at her, the touch melting something deep inside him.
The dream lingers, furthermore intensifying his devotion for her. Stimulating his adamant longing for her.
His heart desiring affection from her.
And then, without warning, Rhett pulls her into a hug.
He buries his face in the crook of her neck.
"Neva, I'm in love with you," Rhett whispers.
Neva's heart skips.
Time moves suspiciously obtuse.
Rhett pulls back when she doesn't react.
He scans her beautiful face, blank and unreadable.
He feels a pang in his chest.
Could she ever feel the same? Will this dream remain an illusion?
He smiles sadly and looks down at his hands in his lap, defeated.
He should leave. He shouldn't fall apart in front of her.
But he can't move. His legs are numb.
It hurts too much. He did this to himself—falling for her. So deeply, so helplessly.
Tears prick his eyes. The intensity catches him off guard. He doesn't know what to do.
Then—two arms wrap around him, halting his spiral. Neva embraces him.
She holds him close, whispering, "You know… love is patient and kind. It doesn't envy or boast. It's not arrogant or rude." She smiles, grounding him in her warmth.
Her voice is warm, soft. Quoting one of her favorite Bible verses.
"Are you willing to abide by those virtues?" she asks.
"I am," Rhett breathes, stunned. His mind spins, heart racing out of control.
"Never betray me, Rhett," she murmurs.
"I never could, Neva. I'd rather die," he swears.
Neva chuckles. "Don't you want to live with me? Read the air, Mr. Rhett Lei."
Rhett just beams, overwhelmed with joy.
She leans against his shoulder, muffling her voice. "I can't believe my lover has such terrible humor."
Rhett freezes.
Lover?
He pulls back, blinking, stunned.
Neva laughs at his wide eyes and flushed cheeks.
She pokes his nose. "Still dreaming, are we?"
"I'm conscious?" he croaks.
"You are," she giggles, curling back under the kotatsu's futon.
Rhett nearly cries with happiness.
"Wait—are we lovers now? Not just neighbors?" he asks, eyes sparkling.
Neva hides beneath the futon, embarrassed. "Mnmm~"
He suddenly turns serious. "You can't escape now! You're stuck with me 24/7! Okay?"
"Hah? That's too cruel!" Neva huffs.
"How dare you say that to your husband?" he gasps.
"H-Husband?" she stammers, stunned.
"Mm-hmm," he nods, deadly serious.
"You're so stupid, Rhett!!" she groans, burying her face under the duvet.
He laughs and flops onto her, squashing her under him.
She collapses with a giggle. They laugh freely, joyfully. Rhett snuggles up beside her, the duvet their only barrier.
"I'm scared, Neva. I'm so happy it frightens me," he whispers.
They can hear each other's hearts, beating wildly in sync.
Rhett lifts his head to look at her.
She's glowing—so beautiful, it stuns him.
Her cheeks are rosy.
Eyes starry. Lips like spring blossoms. Skin soft, brows gently curved.
He never knew he is so favoured by the divine being that He made her.
And now he gets to love her. That she's here, so close with him.
He's found in love.
And he has never been this alive.
"Can I… kiss you?" he asks gently.
'He asked for permission?' Neva thinks, startled.
She swallows. "You don't have to ask."
With that he leans in.
Without wasting a second Rhett captures her lips—gentle, tender, full of awe.
He kisses her as though she's a fragile flower he's afraid to bruise.
Neva's breath catches. Rhett is the thief stealing her air, her sense, her calm.
She feels the tides colliding with the wildfires.
Sacred, feverish and warm.
The tingling sensations in each inch of her skin dizzying her blissfully.
They are both—
Burning in love.