The door clicked shut behind Manav, and the house fell into a quiet that seemed to thicken the air.
Arina stood near the entrance, steadying her breath. She heard Reyansh lock the door, each small sound echoing through the hallway.
When he turned, his gaze found her instantly.
Something unspoken simmered there.
"Did he say anything unnecessary?" Reyansh asked, stepping toward her.
Arina shook her head. "No… he was friendly. A little bold, but nothing uncomfortable."
A muscle in his jaw flexed. "He tests people. Especially the ones I care about."
Arina's heart stuttered.
The ones he cared about.
She stepped closer, her fingers brushing the sleeve of his shirt — soft, almost hesitant. "I'm okay," she whispered. "Really."
Reyansh didn't answer, but his hand lifted, slowly, until his fingers grazed a loose strand of hair near her cheek. He tucked it behind her ear with a tenderness that felt almost fragile.
He touched her — unplanned, unguarded.
Arina's breath caught.
"You look ..." he murmured. "Calmer… happier."
"It's because you came home early," she said softly.
His lips curved just slightly — not quite a smile, but the warmth of one.
He didn't move away.
The space between them tightened, thickened.
"Come," he said quietly.
They walked to the sofa, and as soon as she sat, he reached out — almost instinctively — and pulled her closer by her wrist. Not forcefully, just enough that their bodies were gently pressed side-by-side.
Arina's heart fluttered at the closeness.
Reyansh rested his arm along the back of the sofa, creating a loose circle around her. His fingers brushed her shoulder lightly.
She leaned into him slowly, giving him time to move away if he wanted.
He didn't.
Instead, he shifted — just a subtle movement — pulling her closer until her head rested against his chest.
Arina stilled, breath catching.
Warmth wasn't something Reyansh ever gave.
Touch wasn't something he ever shared.
At least, not until her.
But his arm tightened around her now, firm and protective, his thumb brushing slow circles on her upper arm — a gesture that felt intimate enough to steal her breath.
"Is this okay?" he asked, voice low against her hair.
She nodded, her voice lost for a moment. "Yes… very."
Silence wrapped around them, thick and warm.
Arina closed her eyes, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat under her ear. She felt him relax, just slightly, as if her closeness was something he'd been unconsciously craving.
After a moment, she lifted her hand and rested it gently against his chest, fingers splayed lightly over the fabric of his shirt. He inhaled sharply — barely noticeable, but she felt it.
Reyansh looked down at her, his eyes darker now, the depth in them new.
"Arina," he murmured, her name leaving his lips like something he was now used to saying softly.
She looked up — and their faces were suddenly too close, breaths mingling in the quiet room.
He lifted his hand and touched her cheek — the barest brush of his knuckles. She leaned into the touch, eyes closed.
Reyansh's gaze dropped to her lips for one long, slow second.
Not with hunger. Not with impulse.
With emotion — quiet, overwhelming, almost fearful in its sincerity.
He didn't kiss her. He simply pressed his forehead to hers, closing his eyes.
That single gesture felt more intimate than any kiss.
Arina let out a shaky breath and placed her hand on the side of his neck, her thumb brushing gently behind his ear.
Neither moved. Neither spoke.
They stayed like that — foreheads touching, breaths mingling, hearts syncing — wrapped in a silence that felt like a vow neither of them said aloud.
When Reyansh finally opened his eyes, they were softer than she had ever seen.
"Stay like this… for a little longer," he whispered.
Arina's heart melted.
She nodded, resting against him again as his arm circled her protectively.
Tonight didn't need passion.
It didn't need words.
Just this closeness.
Quiet, raw, and undeniably theirs.
---
"Even darkness softens… when it chooses its obsession."