For the first time in a long while, I felt at peace. It was strange and comforting all at once. As we walked back to my place, her hand occasionally brushed against mine, sending a surge of warmth through me.
When we reached the door, I hesitated, not wanting the night to end. Scarlet glanced at me, her eyes reflecting the streetlights, soft and inviting. "You okay?" she asked, her voice a gentle whisper.
"Yeah," I replied, trying to ignore the rapid thumping in my chest. "Just... thinking."
She gave me a small smile, and for a moment, I wanted to say something—anything—that would make her stay longer. But before I could find the words, she squeezed my hand lightly. It was such a small gesture, but it felt like she was grounding me, reminding me I wasn't alone.
Impulsively, I pulled her closer, just enough that I could feel her breath against my neck. I expected her to back off, but she didn't. Instead, her fingers curled around the fabric of my jacket, and her eyes softened.
"Scarlet..." I murmured, unsure of where I was going with this.
She leaned in a little more, her lips just inches from mine. "Max," she whispered, her voice carrying a vulnerability that made my chest ache.
I hesitated, caught between wanting to close the distance and fearing I might ruin this fragile moment. "You know... you're different," I said, my voice low.
She arched an eyebrow, teasing. "Different how?"
I smirked, trying to mask how nervous I was. "You don't run away from me. Most people either avoid me or fear me. Trouble always seems to follow me, and I've made more enemies than friends. But with you... I feel like I don't have to keep fighting."
Scarlet smiled, her hand slowly moving from my jacket to rest against my chest. "Maybe you just needed someone to remind you that not everything's a battle."
My fingers brushed her cheek, my heart racing as I whispered, "Maybe you're right."
We were so close now that I could see every tiny detail of her face, from the way her eyelashes fluttered to how her lips curved in a soft smile. I swallowed, my gaze dropping to her lips. As we slowly leaned in, the world seemed to shrink around us, leaving just the two of us in that small space.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and Chris barged in, looking around with a confused expression. "Hey, I forgot my charger—" He froze, seeing us practically nose to nose. His eyes widened. "Oh... uh... sorry!" He grabbed the charger off the table and awkwardly retreated, muttering something about forgetting he even came in.
Scarlet and I pulled back, both of us laughing nervously. The spell was broken, but the warmth of the moment lingered. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, cheeks flushed.
I scratched the back of my neck, trying to play it cool. "So... where were we?"
She laughed, shaking her head. "Maybe somewhere less interrupted next time."
I couldn't help but grin. "Yeah... I'd like that".