The forest was quieter now, the earlier threat feeling like a distant memory. The stillness was a relief, and Elara seemed to be regaining some strength. Her breathing had steadied, her fever subsiding after our brief rest. The moonlight spilled through the trees, casting silvery patterns on the ground as we moved forward in search of the next cave.
Elara walked a few paces behind me, her steps hesitant. I glanced back at her now and then, making sure she was keeping up. Her silence was unusual; she was usually filled with nervous chatter or questions about our plans.
"Everything okay?" I asked, slowing my pace so she could catch up.
She nodded quickly, though her face was flushed. It wasn't the fever this time—it was something else entirely.
"Y-yeah," she stammered, not meeting my eyes.
I raised an eyebrow, curious but deciding not to press her yet. We trudged on in silence, the crunch of leaves beneath our boots the only sound.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she cleared her throat softly. "Orion…"
"Hmm?"
She hesitated, her gaze flickering between me and the ground. "W-why… why didn't you g-go through with it?"
I stopped in my tracks, turning to face her fully. She was looking anywhere but at me, her fingers nervously tugging at the hem of her shirt. The question caught me off guard, but her sudden shyness made it clear what she was referring to.
"Elara…" I started, stepping closer to her.
Her blush deepened, and she took a step back, her eyes wide as I closed the distance between us. I tilted her chin up gently, forcing her to look at me.
"Because," I said, my voice low, "you've been a bad girl."
Her eyes widened even more, and her blush turned crimson. She stammered incoherently, stepping back so quickly she nearly tripped over a root.
"I-I—" she squeaked, pressing her hands to her cheeks.
I couldn't help but laugh at her reaction, the sound echoing softly in the quiet forest. "Relax, Elara. I was teasing you."
Her flustered expression was priceless, but I decided not to push her too far. I leaned against a nearby tree, letting the moment settle.
"The real reason?" I said after a pause. "It's because of the situation we're in. We don't exactly have the luxury of... distractions."
She didn't respond right away, her eyes still avoiding mine. Her fingers fidgeted nervously as she processed my words.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Look, Elara. You're beautiful, of course you are. But survival comes first. That's what matters right now."
Her blush deepened, but she managed a small nod.
As we started walking again, the silence between us was more comfortable this time. She seemed lost in thought, and so was I.
I realized then that I'd never really had the chance to be with someone like her. My past relationships had all ended in failure, most of them before they'd even had a chance to begin. Maybe that was why I hadn't let myself get closer to her. It wasn't just about survival—it was about me not knowing how to let someone in.
"Orion…" Her voice broke through my thoughts.
"Yeah?"
"Y-you've never…" She hesitated, then tried again. "H-have you ever been with someone before?"
I glanced at her, surprised by the question. "Not really. I mean, I've tried, but… things never worked out."
She looked at me then, her usual nervousness replaced by curiosity. "W-why not?"
I shrugged, keeping my eyes on the path ahead. "Guess I wasn't good at it. Relationships, I mean. Either I chose the wrong person, or they gave up on me. After a while, I stopped trying."
She was quiet for a moment, her gaze thoughtful. "I-I think you're wrong," she said softly.
"About what?"
"You're not bad at relationships. You just… haven't found the right person yet."
Her words caught me off guard, and I turned to look at her. She was blushing again, but there was sincerity in her eyes.
I didn't know what to say to that. For once, I was the one caught off guard, unsure of how to respond.
"Thanks," I said finally, my voice quieter than I intended.
We walked in silence after that, the forest around us darkening as the night deepened. The moonlight barely reached us now, the canopy overhead thick and shadowed.
"We should stop here for the night," I said, spotting a clearing that looked relatively safe.
Elara nodded, sinking down onto a patch of grass. She looked exhausted but better than she had earlier. I settled down beside her, leaning back against a tree as I kept an eye on our surroundings.
The conversation lingered in my mind as I watched her drift off to sleep, her breathing even and calm. Maybe she was right—maybe I just hadn't found the right person yet.
As the night stretched on, I couldn't help but wonder if, somehow, that person might be her.