Aselia woke up with a scream, her nightmare was back and for a few seconds she couldn’t breathe, her heart thumped like a mad drum. Xiran awakened to her screams and she was almost desperate to breathe.

Quickly moving he rubbed her stiff back and instructed: "Breathe, I got you," his forehead creased and tension rose in every muscle he possessed. Why did she have to suffer like this? He hated seeing her go through these nightmares.

Aselia did as he guided her and her body began to relax, she let her head fall on his shoulder while he gently kept rubbing her back and arms. "It’s alright, you are safe," he whispered gently kissing her temple where beads of perspiration were forming.

She turned to him and hid away in his chest, her hands clasped his back. He had seen her in her most vulnerable state. She hardly ever showed this side of her to anyone, and yet she didn’t care and just wanted to hide away from this cruel world for a short period.

"What did you see?" Xiran asked slowly.

"A woman, she was trying to say something but I couldn’t comprehend what, and then your father appeared and...," he tensed while holding her, and she left the rest of the words unsaid.

"I am sorry," he gently spoke and they stayed like this for a long time.

"Why was this week so short?" she finally groaned in his chest making him smile. Today was the day of the meeting and the day she would be returning to Tetrios City.

"You don’t have to return if you don’t want to," he whispered in her hair, which he was entangling with his lithe fingers.

"You and I both know I can’t stay here," no matter how much she wanted to stay with him, she knew she couldn’t but she wanted to sleep and wake up in his arms for a few more days. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible and it burdened her heart.

The whole week had been an adventure for Aselia with its ups and downs. Though she had succeeded in talking to all the people she had betrayed and asked for their forgiveness. She was left with insecurities and uncertainties when it came down to him.

"At least, let’s stay in this moment for a while before we have to head out. Just you and me, forget the world and its worries," every nerve in his body seemed to be tensed thinking that she will be leaving him, with uncertainty surrounding him of when he would be able to see her again. He buried his face in her hair.

"Please, just hold me Xiran," she whimpered, for some reason, her heart was not at ease. Darkness clouded her heart and she couldn’t shake the feeling of being ripped away from him. He held her face above his heart.

Silence prevailed in the room, only the thudding of their heartbeats and the small snores of Rony from his tiny basket could be heard.

"Aselia, promise me you will take care of yourself and not go seeking dangers on your own," he knew he was asking for the impossible from her but he had to try.

"I can’t make a promise I can’t keep," she lifted her head to finally meet his troubled gaze. The Phalanx of his thumb grazed the soft spot under her eye and she held her hand to her face, feeling its warmth seep into her.

"You are going to keep me worried, have some mercy on me. Will you?" He pleaded with anguish-filled orbs.

"I will try," she sighed. The atmosphere around them had become too gloomy, afflictions of their hearts were suffocating them both. Then he had an idea, he wanted to make these moments lighthearted and not troublesome.

He picked her up in his arms and stepped down from the bed. Picking up his phone from the nightstand he turned on soft music and took her left hand in his right. His left hand grabbed her waist and he instructed her to place her right over his shoulder.

"Dance with me, will you?" Aselia was astonished at his request but she wanted to dance with him. She was familiar with the steps but hadn’t danced with anyone before. She smiled and replied:

"Guide me," and he did exactly that with a warm smile of his own.

The dim light of the room and the melodious music provided the perfect atmosphere for them to create their waltz. They swayed, glided, and twirled to the music and soon Aselia was giggling.

Her laughter filled him with a warmth he never knew could exist. Every time he twirled her in an opposite direction, Xiran would let her go and before she could reach the destination point, he will reach there first and catch her. Lifting her from her waist he whirled around and she spread her arms in the air, throwing her head back she laughed wholeheartedly and he felt complete. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Woah!" this is fun, she squealed and taking his face in her hands, planted a needy passionate kiss on his curvy lips. Demanding all of his affection and all of his love, which he gladly gave her.

Kissing her back with her body pressed against his. He wanted nothing else but to own her in these moments together.

She finally parted her lips and steadied her breathing before gazing down at him and saying with her mischievous eyes shining at him: "You wanted to dance with me and I want to spar with you. It’s long due and I want to kick your butt before I go."

"Huh? Kick my butt? Don’t forget Leia last we sparred I was the one who kicked your soft butt not the other way around," he smirked before shifting his hands and squeezing her ass cheeks to prove his point.

"My dear, I went easy on you. At that point, I didn’t want you to know I was a pro hunter. I won’t go easy on you today so bring your A-game," she didn’t dare tell him that she was also distracted by his touches that day. The intensity her gaze held had him smirking some more as he said:

"Nor will I, no mercy during sparring. Loser gets punished and they will carry out the punishment without any excuses. Deal?"

"Deal, I will meet you downstairs in ten minutes."