(Later in the Night)
Neva and Rhett were napping, cozied up under the heat of a kotatsu table, fighting against the cold fall.
November in capital of Erriador had always been wintry, despite autumn still persistent.
Rhett was deeply asleep, his face snuggled up in his folded arms, resting on the surface of the white clothed table.
Bearing sleepy, blurry eyes, Neva slowly raised her head, she looked around through thin slitted eyes, her glance landing on Rhett's peaceful, smiling features beside her.
'He's dreaming,' Neva giggled.
Laying down on her folded arm again, she sighed, smiling sweetly at him.
She couldn't fathom how her life changed beyond belief. Within a span of a couple months, she observed as though her whole world differed. She had an altercation within herself, even going as far to perceive, perhaps she had a twist of fate. Fortuitously stuck in an alternate universe.
The passed late september, she decided to leave aunt May behind, to be back in her paternal country 'Erriador', where she was born and raised. She couldn't even had imagined, her life would come to light this way.
After she got into an accident and suffered amnesia, her father's only sister and her husband took her in.
From then on, she was homeschooled for the rest of her life. Neva was shut off from the world. She wouldn't be in contact with humans outside her abode. Aunt May loved her and protected her.
Neva had no idea why May was persistent in keeping her hidden, and disapproved of her being so visible to the outside world.
May initially disagreed Neva returning to her hometown, and only assented if she changed her name.
Neva Evara Noe swapped to Neva Mae.
She didn't interrogate further; trusting her.
Neva smiled, feeling blessed. She made a fair resolve, leaving her past behind to start pristine.
She wanted to explore the world, to know herself better.
To see the beauty of the earth, the sweetness of freedom outside her crammed abode.
Regardless of not making a huge circle of friends, she felt gratified for the few people she connected with.
Especially, for the man dozing off close by her.
She studied the time on her phone: indicating 11 p.m.
She opted to awake him, worrying he would wake up with sore muscles.
"Rhett wake up. Go sleep on your bed."
Neva uttered in a whispery voice.
Rhett didn't budge a bit. She clicked her tongue.
"Rhett, wake up," she lightly shook his body, but he refused to move a muscle still.
"Rhett?" She called, a little scared. He seemed like a dead log.
"Mmm~ be mine..." The guy grinned mad, eyes still closed. Neva gritted her teeth, agitated.
'Whom is he hallucinating?
Such a Playboy! He flirts with everyone doesn't he?!' Neva rage inside her mind.
"Rhett! Leave My Apartment!" Neva suddenly yelled.
Rhett jolted awake. Half–open dizzy eyes looking around in startled.
"Huh! Angel?" He stupidly kept scanning the surroundings.
"Why are we here?" He trailed off, glancing at her stunned. "Weren't we stargazing?"
'Oh... He was dreaming of me?'
Neva realised how stupidly she felt and behaved. Was she frustrated because she was jealous? Hah! As if, she panicked, hurriedly dismissing the thoughts.
She inhaled deeply, and exhaled slowly.
"Go to your bed, don't sleep here."
"Was I napping here?" Rhett rub the back of his neck, grieving he stargazed with Neva in his fantasy.
Neva hummed in response.
She wondered if he dreamed about it because, before the nap—she confessed her wish to stargaze laying on a flower field with fireflies adorning.
Chuckling at his cuteness, she patted his head. Rhett blinked at her—her soft touches melting him.
The dream furthermore intensified his compassionate and devoted love; stimulating his adamant longing for her.
His being, desiring affection from her.
Neva sat their stiff. Taken aback by Rhett for he suddenly embraced her.
Rhett nestled his face in the crook of her neck.
"Neva, I'm in love with you." He confessed.
Neva felt her heart skip a beat.
Time moved suspiciously obtuse.
Rhett pulled away, for Neva did not hint any reaction.
He stared at her beautiful face, bearing a vacant expression. He felt a pang in his heart.
Could Neva, ever feel anything for him?
Will the dream on remain an illusion?
He smiled sadly and looke down at his hands deafeatedly—placed on his lap, enduring an acidic taste in his mouth.
He should leave. Before he broke down before her moronically.
But he couldn't move.
The pain was unbearable. He did it to himself. Fallen for her. Fallen deeply for her.
He felt tears prickling the corner of his eyes. This feeling even surprising him, ramming so hard on him. He didn't know what to do anymore.
Then suddenly, out of nowhere, two pairs of slim arms wrapped around his brittled frame, leaving him perflexed.
Neva secured him in her warm embrace; finally taking Rhett home.
"You know; love is patient and kind; love doesn't envy or boast; love isn't arrogant or rude." She smiled, snuggling up to him. Phrasing one of the favourite verses she loved in the Bible.
"Are you willing to abide by those virtuous principles?" Neva queried softly.
"I am." Rhett said, pulled out of his trance. Almost abruptly. Still smoke of bewilderment wafting in his brain. His heart pounding insanely inside his ribs.
"Never betray me Rhett." Neva carefully mumbled.
"I could never Neva. I'd rather die." Rhett assured, strongly shaking his head.
Neva chuckled. "Tsk, don't you wish to live with me? Read the air Mr. Rhett Lei."
Rhett just smiled, happy that she would even give him a chance. An euphoric sensation, peace and passion swirling in his chest.
Neva sighed, her face against his broad shoulder, muffling her speech. "I can't believe my lover's sense of humour's so bad."
Rhett pulled away from Neva, feeling an electrocution of striking amount within the neurons of his brain at her naming him as her lover.
Neva laughed at his bulging eyes, hint of red in his bewildered features.
She poked his nose with her index finger.
"I'm still fantasizing ain't I?" Rhett complained. "You are fully conscious." Neva adjusted, curling beneath her kotatsu's warm futon. Rhett almost sobbed in delight.
It was the happiest day in his whole life.
"Are we lovers now, not only neighbours?"
He asked excitedly. Neva hid inside the futon, shy and in amusement by his dramatic self. "Mnmm~"
Rhett swiftly switched to seriousness. "You can't ever get away from me now!! You are stuck with me 24/7 okay?"
"Hah? That's too cruel!" Neva huffed. Rhett gasped in shock.
"How dare you say that to your husband?"
Neva's eyes widened in surprise. "Hus–husband?"
She sat there stiff, how did he trade from lover to husband within two seconds? Rhett nodded in reply, "Mm-hmm."
"You are so stupid Rhett!!" Neva covered her face with the duvet. Rhett laughed, throwing himself on Neva crushing her under. Not being able to handle his weight, she fell on her back.
Having giggled to their hearts content. Rhett embraced her softly, cuddling up to her. Duvet the only thing that separated them.
"What do I do? I'm so happy Neva. It frightens me." Rhett exclaimed, his blood hurling. His bones crashing with unworded and unwavering sensations.
They were able to make out each of their heartbeats. Comparing the way they were so close, hearing how blaring and messily brisk it was thumping.
Neva's heartbeat synchronising with Rhett's own.
Rhett raised his head to gaze at his woman.
This realisation, this feeling taking him the heaven.
She indeed had a beauty so heavenly. Surface so fair and soft. Her cheeks pulsing blood red.
Starry enchanting eyes, cherry water coloured lips that unveiled him a glimpse of blooming sakuras.
Dusky, lean slightly curved eyebrows.
Long, fluttering butterfly lashes. Her tiny perfect nose.
He never knew he was so favoured by the divine being named God, capable of feeling a whirlwind amount of emotions.
He was found in love.
He had never been this alive.
"Can I—kiss you?" Rhett carefully asked.
'He asked for a permission this time?' The girl under him pondered. She didn't expect him to say that.
She gulped timidly. "You don't have to ask."
With that...
Without wasting a second Rhett captured her lips meekly.
Tasting her brims so gently and passionately.
Treating her like a fragile flower; fearing she might wither had he applied a meagre force.
Neva's breath stopped. She was the prey.
Rhett being the trespasser stealing her breath.
She felt tides colliding wildfires, feverish and warm.
The tingling sensations, numbing her whole.
Embarking on a journey of romance and bliss.
They were both,
Burning in Love.