I don't know

Luna’s POV

The dawn light filtered into the cave, turning the moss and stone walls a soft golden hue. I stirred, blinking slowly as the chill in the air tugged at me.

At first I thought I was alone - but then heat pressed against the side of my face, and steady breathing soothed my ears. I was wrapped in warmth - and a heartbeat.

I turned my head slightly and saw Kael. His chest rose and fell in a slow, even rhythm. My head rested on him, curled against the weight of his body, his arm draped protectively over me. In that moment, vulnerable and quiet, everything felt… right.

I wanted to move, to slip away before he woke. But something deeper held me there- something fierce and soft. I let my eyes stay closed a little longer, savoring the gentle thump under my ear.

Even with the memory of last night’s chaos, this simple closeness grounded me.

Finally, I opened my eyes fully. I stared at the rough woven blanket above us, and then I turned slightly, looking across at him.

As realization washed over me - that we had crossed a line I didn’t think we could ever cross - I froze.

Kael stirred, shifting his arm just slightly. I panicked on the inside. I should say something.

I should apologize. Strike a balance. But any words stuck before I even tried.

He pushed himself onto one elbow and looked down at me, his expression unreadable for a moment.

Then he blinked, his lips curling into a small, barely there smile. “Morning,” he murmured, voice rough with sleep.

I swallowed, nodding once. “Morning.”

We stayed that way for a heartbeat before he brushed a lock of damp hair from my forehead. “We should get moving,” he said gently, as though even the tenderness had to step aside for the day ahead.

I nodded again, sitting up and brushing off my shift. I tried not to meet his eyes as I did, though my gaze kept flicking toward those strong shoulders.

Words I didn’t want to say crowded in my chest. Instead, I pushed them down and pulled on my pants.

Later, as Kael gathered our minimal gear, my heart thudded too loud for comfort.

We stood to leave the cave, but before moving along the narrow ledge, Kael slipped his hand to the small of my back. I inhaled sharply, expecting him to pull away - but instead he kept it. Solid.

Reassuring. Until my heart leapt and his touch lingered just a fraction too long.

I didn’t step away. I didn’t say anything, only lowered my head, trying to focus on packing.

He pulled back smoothly, crossing his arms. “You okay?”

I looked up, startled by the question, and then the unexpected softness beneath it. The distance was still there - something fragile was hanging in the air - but I nodded. “Yeah. Just… tired.”

“I’m sorry this happened,” he said quietly. “To both of us.”

I shook my head. “You saved me.”

“I almost lost us both in the process.” He gathered his pack. “We should go.”

I followed him outside the cave, rolling my shoulders to loosen the unease.

As we walked, I tried to keep it casual, conversational. “We should head north. There's an old hollow the rogues use - safe spot.”

He hummed. “Lead on.”

I poured myself into planning our route, scanning for danger signs. Beneath everything though was the tension - between us - and both of us pretending it didn’t exist.

At midday we paused by a stream, crouching to drink. Kael’s reflection glared back at me - dark eyes far away. I held the cup in my hands longer than necessary, struggling for any kind of normal.

“Luna, you're quiet today,” he observed softly.

I lifted my gaze, surprised. “Sorry. Just thinking.”

“Can I ask you something?” His tone was cautious.

I nodded.

“What do you want from this?” He meant us, the whole dangerous path we walked. “What do you want from me?”

My heart hollowed, and the doubt flooded through me - why did I want anything?

I looked away, hands tightening on the water cup. “I… don’t know.”

He watched me, patience softening his normally guarded expression. “You don’t have to pretend.”

I forced a small breath. “I just… I don’t want to pretend I don’t care.”

His eyes met mine, startled, then softer. Without warning he lifted my hand and pressed it into his chest.

Beneath his wool shirt I felt the hard beat of his heart and realized how small my trembling palm looked there.

“Don’t be sorry for that,” he said fiercely. “Not for saying it.”

The tension between us hummed - something spoke louder than danger. My chest tightened under his steady gaze.

I swallowed. “I… thank you,” I whispered.

Kael offered one small, tentative smile, just long enough to reach my soul. And then it was gone. He let go of my hand and started walking again.

We trekked in silence the rest of the afternoon. The light on the forest glimmered gold and green as we passed.

Every now and then, I glanced his way, and caught him looking at me in return - just as quickly turning away.

When night came we made camp under a large pine. Kael shifted the fire coals, exhaling smoke into the air. I sat across from him, turning a small stick between my fingers.

“I’ll sleep near the entrance,” he said quietly. “I don’t sleep well when I’m not on guard.”

“Okay,” I replied softly, though loneliness edged through me.

As I lay on the moss bedding, I thought of the ache that last night had opened. The fear in his eyes, the softness in his kiss.

How he trusted me - or maybe he just hoped I’d keep showing up. And how fragile everything might be if I let it.

I stared into the dark shapes of the woods, trying to decide: Should I trust myself with him?

Sneaky moment revisited: As I shifted to lie back, I felt him brush my waist with his fingertips. Light. Fleeting.

Hesitant. I wasn’t sure he meant to - but it felt like an unspoken promise. I didn’t move, choosing instead to let that small feeling linger on my skin.

With the crackling fire and the hush of night around us, I closed my eyes - wondering how much distance we'd cross before one of us fell too far.