After finally calming her tears, Mio quickly found her fan and hid her flushed face behind it, peeking bashfully at Lykos, who watched her with gentle amusement.
"What's the point in hiding your tears now? It's not like I don't already know you're a crybaby."
"I-I'm not a crybaby!" Mio protested from behind the fan.
He laughed softly, a warm, comforting sound.
"Very well, you're not a crybaby."
Suddenly, he stepped forward. Mio instinctively backed away, heart fluttering wildly, but Lykos's strides were longer, easily closing the distance. Gently yet firmly, he took her hand, guiding her closer as his other arm wrapped protectively around her back. Mio slowly lowered her fan, heart pounding against her ribs.
"I wish nothing more than to take you away from here at once," he murmured softly. "But there's still something we must do tonight."
"What… what is it?" Mio asked hesitantly.
