The drive was quiet yet indecent. Iven wasn't trying to show it, but he was mad at Seb for being so reckless on herself. He drove like a maniac. As if he was releasing his fury on the drive.
Quite a few times they encountered wild bumps and Seb jolted. She wanted to aware Iven, but held back seeing his mood. She held onto her seat to avoid crashing herself. She had been looking at Iven often but withdrew each time. His face was raged up and his eyes were icy. She didn't admire that look at all.
It was getting out of control. Seb finally let go of her seat, and gathered enough courage to take on a brave step.
As Iven placed his hand on the gear to increment the pace further, Seb placed her hand on his softly.
Her hand was rough and all scratched from continuous involvement in sports and games. It was rough, but it appeared soothing to Iven based on the fact it was Seb. She could feel his nerve calm down. The cold and roughness startled him as well as made his face relax.
"Iven", Seb spoke with her husky voice,"You're hurting me as well as you, you know it right?". None of them looked at each other.
Iven sighed once and removed his leg from the accelerator slowly.
"Sorry", he whispered apologetically. Seb nodded once.
She was about to remove her hand from his when came a short request, "A while longer.....please...".
Seb was startled at first. But then she understood. Her heart skipped beats. The sensation was very warm. She didn't find the reason of feeling so safe with him all of a sudden. As if she could do anything to be with him. Did their relationship just upgrade for good? What was this feeling?
She kept it intact on Iven's hand. Both of them felt at ease.
Iven was in confusion himself. Why did he ask her to do that? He didn't do that on purpose, it came out automatically. As if he wanted from deep inside, but instead of his brain, his heart reacted. He felt so contented about it.
He started feeling so protective about her. He longed for her company for long.
He tried to divert himself from his thoughts, calm down Iven, calm down. Belle's just a friend, a friend.....is she?....Is this feeling friendship?.....Is friendship this intense?.....
Iven unknowingly flipped his hand as his palm faced Seb's. He clasped her in his softly and held, waiting for the response. Seb didn't object. Iven's fingers covered up her hand and back, as he rubbed them on her fingers. Seb responded the same. She tightened her grab a bit more, untangling and releasing her fingers with his, continuously.
None of them exchanged any looks. Iven had his eyes constantly on the road. Seb stared out of the window motionlessly. Though their focus and mind were indulged somewhere else and on what they were doing.
There was an invisible smile on their lips, which was hidden well.
They wished if the moment and the road could go on forever...
Seb took back her hand when she realized that the Dock was near. Iven didn't say anything. He parked the car without any word. Both of them sat motionless even when the car was at a stop.
"We waiting for something?", Seb decided to break the awkward silence.
Iven broke from his daze,"Uh...no...let's go...", saying he literally jumped out of the car. He banged close the door and before Seb could take her step out, he was in front in a second.
"Can you walk?", and that was his real motive.
Seb looked at him blank and got out of the car. Closing the door she patted softly on Iven's shoulder," Iven, we already talked about this", she walked by past him,"I don't get swayed by mere things, don't make me look like the weak one here".
Iven stood for a moment, thought on her words, and quickly followed her. He cannot win her physically, nor on wits. He caught up to her and took a quick look at her wound. It has worsened. The cut had spread and it is bruised around.
"Let's meet the boys, are they here?", Seb suggested suddenly.
"No!", Iven firmly declined,"They're on a task"
"All of them? Noah too?", Seb suspected as there were at least 15 of them last time when she saw.
"Few of them", Iven replied annoyed,"Others are on their business, Noah went to get supplies".
"Really?", Seb doubted because Iven sometime fussed over her meeting them. He said that he doesn't want her to turn more wild in their company. Seb sensed the irritation in his voice too.
"You're getting on my nerves", he looked at her and said,"I brought you here, so listen to me and follow me!".
Seb made a disappointing face,"Where to?".
"In my room", saying Iven started leading the way.
His room? Seb knew she had been there. That's where she was left under the influence of her terrible trauma!!!
She trailed behind Iven without a word. Her head bent down. Oven took a turn and paused in front of a door. He turned the knob open and gestured Seb to enter.
Seb did enter, but found herself trapped in a living nightmare. The room was cozy, but it appeared like a asylum cell to her. It was indeed the same room after all. Things have changed now, but memories were very strong. She gasped and took a step back. Her heart beat increased. An unknown dark aura engulfed her in. She didn't want to experience it again. She tried to say herself numerous times that things were different now, but nervousness didn't let go of her.
She took one more step and tripped on her own feet. They had grown weaker.
She stumbled and was about to fall on her back when suddenly a pair of strong arms caught under her arms.
One hand clasped her arm and another looped tightly around her waist and pulled. Seb found herself clinging on to his chest for support.
"Hey!!! Pull yourself together. What's wrong?", Iven had worry in his voice,"Are you alright?"
"Uh...I....", Seb had her words twirled,".....I feel dizzy".
Iven suddenly felt her heartbeat. It was abnormally fast. She was scared to the extent level. He understood what was wrong wit her. She's not able to bear it. The room is haunting her. He shifted the position of his hands and wrapped them around her protectively. He pulled her more closer and rested her head on his shoulder.
Seb was too nervous to even react. But she didn't rebel. In fact, it eased her more. It felt warm and nice. She put aside the fact that those were the same hands, which caused her trauma.
She closed her eyes and savored his care. Things now really seemed changed. Iven was really changed now. She preferred this Iven more.
5 minutes went by in silence.
Iven showed no signs of letting her free. Seb had returned back to her normal self already. Her trauma was overcome. She didn't feel weak anymore. She opened her eyes and found Iven in the same position. Now she started feeling awkward at her conduct. It doesn't make any sense to do such a thing.
"Uh...Iven?", she called softly. He still had his arms wrapped around her waist.
In response to Seb. he tightened them even more around her.
"Iven....", Seb had no idea of his state. She felt a bit smothered,"...I'm fine". She tapped on his chest with her 2 fingers.
Iven's attention was brought back. He opened his eyes,"Huh?",realizing what he has been doing, he leaped and backed off. His ears turned red.
"Oh sorry....I didn't...", he looked for words but was lost for it. He turned away, hiding his face as he rubbed the back of his head.
To escape from the embarrassing situation he said,"I'll go get the first aid kit"., and exited the room fast.