The kiss lingered in the air between them, electric and intoxicating, yet it was suffocating, too. Just as she began to lose herself in the moment, surrendering to the heat and the undeniable pull of desire, a sudden rustle in the bushes broke the spell.
Seventeen's eyes shot open, panic flooding her senses as she pulled away from Draco. "What was that?" she whispered, her heart pounding furiously in her chest.
Draco's expression shifted, his brows furrowing in confusion as he scanned their surroundings. "I don't know—"
But before he could finish, the sound of laughter cut through the tension. Hunter and Light emerged from the trees, their playful banter echoing into the night. Seventeen felt her stomach drop as they stepped into the clearing, their faces lit up with surprise.
"What the hell?" Hunter exclaimed, his eyes widening at the sight before him. "You two are seriously getting into it over here?"
Seventeen's heart raced as embarrassment flooded her. She quickly turned away, her face burning with guilt and shame. "This isn't what it looks like!" she stammered, backing away from Draco as if burned. The moment shattered, leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable.
Light's expression shifted from surprise to amusement, but the laughter faded as she noticed the tension in the air. "We didn't mean to interrupt," she said, her tone softer now. "But we were looking for you guys. We thought you were… lost."
"Yeah, lost in a different kind of way," Hunter teased, though his eyes were serious as he studied Seventeen's face, concern creeping in.
The guilt surged within her, overwhelming and suffocating. She couldn't shake the memories of her younger siblings—their laughter, their innocence, and the brutal way they were stolen from her. How could she betray their memory like this? How could she want someone whose family had caused her so much pain?
"I… I need to go," she said, the words rushing out before she could stop them. Panic clawed at her throat, and she turned, fleeing into the woods, desperate to escape the weight of her own emotions.
"Serena, wait!" Draco called after her, but she didn't look back. She could feel their eyes on her, the laughter and teasing gone, replaced by confusion and concern.
※※※
Draco watched Serena bolt into the woods, confusion clouding his mind. ["What just happened?"] One moment, they had been lost in the heat of passion, and the next, she was running away as if he had burned her.
"What was that?" Hunter asked, still staring after her, his expression shifting to concern. "Did we interrupt something?"
"Yeah, something," Draco muttered, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He felt a mix of anger and confusion coursing through him. He had finally gotten closer to Serena, only for it to come crashing down in an instant.
"She just freaked out," Light observed quietly, crossing her arms. "She seemed… distant. Like she was battling something inside her."
Draco's mind raced as he processed her words. He had sensed it, too—the way she fought against the feelings brewing between them. It was as if a wall had suddenly gone up, a barrier she refused to let him cross. "She's hiding something," he said, his voice low. "I can feel it."
"Then you should go after her," Hunter suggested, glancing back toward the trees. "Whatever it is, she needs you."
But the thought of chasing after her sent a wave of frustration through him. "What if I'm the problem?" he replied, running a hand through his wavy raven black hair. "What if I'm the one making things worse?"
"Or maybe you're the one she needs," Light said softly, her gaze unwavering. "You can't let her shut you out, Draco. You've built something real here. Don't let it slip away."
He knew she was right, but the guilt weighed heavily on him. He thought of his family, of the legacy they carried—their power, their influence. His parents had done terrible things, and he could feel the weight of their actions pressing down on him. How could he even think about being with Seventeen when he knew the truth of his lineage?
"Aaaaaand that was her first kiss," Hunter dropped with a mischievous grin.
"She's 25 years old," Light cried.
"She was probably too busy studying to become such a renowned doctor," Hunter said, suddenly protective of her.
"How do you know it was her first kiss?" Draco asked, unable not to glare at his friend.
"Blondie told me she never kissed anyone when I poked her about you and her," he raised his hands in peace. "Relax, mate, Blondie is not my type, I know you're into her, you don't seem to be able to hide it, or to want to hide it. Quite the first kiss you gave her, uh?"
"More like full make out session," Light chuckled. "Go after her, idiot. Why are you still here?"
"Fine," he said, determination settling over him. "I'll find her."
["First kiss,"] a proud grin curled his lips. ["I'm her first,"] heat painted his pale skin red. ["First and only. She's mine. She may be in denial, but she's mine. Mine. I'm hers. I don't care if she's keeping secrets or if her real name is Seven, what we feel is real, I know it. She knows it. I'm not giving up on her. Seven allowed me a taste of her, but just one taste is not fucking enough, I want her entirely, even if it takes her some time."]
As he moved into the woods, a sense of urgency propelled him forward. He couldn't lose her—not when he felt this connection, not when he had just begun to uncover the truth behind her walls. He would do whatever it took to break through and show her that he was more than just a product of his family's legacy.
※※※
Seventeen ran through the trees, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The night was cool against her skin, but inside, she burned with guilt and shame. Every step felt like a betrayal, the weight of her emotions pressing down on her.
Why did she let herself get lost in that moment? Why did she allow herself to feel something for him when the stakes were so high?
The memory of her younger siblings flashed before her eyes, their smiles haunting her. She had failed them once; she couldn't do it again. Not now, when the possibility of losing everything loomed over her.
She stumbled to a halt near the edge of the clearing, pressing her back against a tree as tears pricked her eyes. "What am I doing?" she whispered to herself. "How could I let this happen?"
Footsteps approached, and her heart raced as she realized who it was. Draco appeared, his expression fierce and determined as he stepped into the clearing.
"Seven," he said, breathless. "I'm here. Just talk to me."
She shook her head, pushing away the urge to pull him closer. "I can't, Draco. You don't understand what's at stake. I'm not who you think I am."
"What do you mean?" His brows knitted in concern. "You're Seven. You're brave, strong. You've proven that to me."
"No," she replied, her voice breaking. "This is Serena D'Angelo. I've lied to you all. I can't let you get hurt because of my past—because of my family's history. You don't know what your parents have done."
His expression softened, but the confusion remained. "Then tell me. Help me understand. I want to be here for you."
The sincerity in his voice tugged at her heart, but the pain of her past threatened to swallow her whole. "Draco, you don't know what you're asking for. I can't—"
"Can't what?" he pressed, frustration creeping into his tone. "Can't let me in? Can't trust me? I've shown you who I am."
"You don't know who I am!" she shouted, the words spilling from her lips like poison. "I'm not just some girl you can kiss under the stars. I'm a reminder of everything your family has taken from me."
Draco stepped back, the hurt flashing in his eyes. "That's not fair, Seven. I'm not my parents. I'm trying to be different, to break free from their shadow. I thought you understood that."
Seventeen felt the walls around her heart begin to crack, but the fear held her back. "You don't know the truth," she whispered, her voice trembling. "And I can't bear to see you hurt because of me."
The distance between them felt insurmountable, a chasm filled with the ghosts of their pasts. And as the weight of her decision pressed down on her, she realized that no matter how much she wanted him, some things were simply too dangerous to pursue.
"I need time," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't do this right now."
With that, she turned away, fleeing deeper into the darkness, leaving Draco standing alone, his heart heavy with the weight of her pain.