The next day dawned heavy and grey, the kind of morning that hinted at a coming storm. Thick clouds rolled over the city, winds gathering in low howls between buildings. By late afternoon, rain began falling in thick sheets, drenching the streets and soaking anyone unfortunate enough to be caught without cover.
Eira was one of them.
She stood under a narrow awning outside a bookstore, clutching her bag to her chest, her hoodie already damp. She had forgotten her umbrella in a rush, distracted by deadlines and half-edited chapters.
Just as she considered making a run for it, a familiar voice called out.
"You always get caught in storms, or is this a special occasion?"
She turned.
Auren stood there, an umbrella tilted over his head, his hair slightly damp, a playful smirk on his face.
Relief bloomed on hers. "You're a sight for sore eyes."
He stepped closer, holding the umbrella to cover them both. "Come on, I know a shortcut."
They walked close, shoulders nearly brushing as the storm howled around them. The silence between them wasn't awkward—it was charged, warm despite the cold drizzle.
Auren glanced at her. "Where are you headed?"
"Home," she replied. "Didn't expect the weather to turn so fast."
He hesitated, then offered, "Want to take shelter for a bit? You can wait it out somewhere dry."
Eira blinked, smiled slowly. "Actually… want to come to my place? It's nearby."
Auren hesitated only for a second. "Sure."
---
When the door swung open, Eira's family was gathered in the living room, sipping tea and watching the storm outside. The moment they saw Auren step in behind her, conversation ceased.
Her mother's eyes widened. "Eira, dear… who is this?"
Eira laughed nervously. "Everyone, this is Auren. A friend."
Her father raised a brow over his glasses. "A friend, huh?"
Just then, her phone buzzed with a video call.
Her older brother, Elias, calling from abroad.
She picked it up. "Hey, bro."
"Why do you look nervous?" he asked suspiciously, then narrowed his eyes at the boy in the background. "Wait. Is that a guy in the house? That's the first shock I get today?"
Eira rolled her eyes. "Chill. He just helped me during the storm."
Her brother grinned through the screen. "He's decent-looking. Okay, approved. For now."
Auren laughed awkwardly. "Thanks… I think."
The ice was broken.
Auren chatted with her parents, helped dry Luna's fur when she came running out, and by the end of the evening, her family seemed quite charmed. Her mother even offered him some hot soup, which he politely accepted, though he snuck glances at Eira when he thought no one noticed. And she noticed every time.
Later that night, when Auren left, Eira found herself leaning against the door with a soft sigh, her heart beating just a little faster.
---
The next day, the skies had cleared. Eira decided to do some shopping in town, enjoying the fresh air after the storm.
She was browsing a bookstore aisle when she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"Planning to restock your entire collection?"
She turned and smiled. "Auren. You following me now?"
"Maybe the universe ships us," he replied with a grin.
They walked around a bit, laughing and teasing, then agreed to grab lunch at a cozy nearby restaurant.
The meal was warm, the mood light. Eira found herself staring at him more than once—at the way he tucked his hair behind his ear, or how he laughed quietly at her jokes.
Then a voice interrupted.
"Auren?"
They both looked up.
It was Nurse Leya—the same nurse Eira had seen with Auren at the hospital days ago.
Leya approached their table, holding a bag of takeout. "Oh! You're the girl who was watching us at the hospital, right?" she said teasingly.
Eira turned red. "Excuse me?"
Leya chuckled. "Don't worry, you just looked curious that day. I didn't mean it in a bad way."
Auren coughed, clearly uncomfortable. "Leya, this is Eira."
Leya smiled warmly. "Nice to officially meet you, Eira. You're the writer, right? Auren talks about your book more than he admits."
Eira blinked. "He does?"
Auren looked away. "Leya…"
They chatted briefly—Leya was warm and friendly, but something about her tone made Eira feel like she knew more than she let on. When Eira asked, half-teasing, "So how's Auren's allergy doing?"
Leya paused. Her eyes flicked to Auren.
Then she leaned in closer to Eira and smiled gently. "He's got more going on than he lets people see. But he's strong."
Eira blinked. "What do you mean?"
Leya straightened and gave Auren a knowing look. "That's for him to share when he's ready."
Auren gave a tight smile. "Thanks, Leya."
She winked. "You two take care."
Eira watched her go, then turned to Auren. "She's… interesting."
He nodded, visibly tense.
Eira nudged him. "You know, this kind of feels like a date."
Auren chuckled, though there was a nervous edge to it. "Yeah... kinda does."
They stepped out of the restaurant into the golden afternoon. The streets were busy but calm, the air carrying that sweet scent after rain.
Suddenly, a group of guys standing near a shop started catcalling Eira.
One of them whistled and said, "Hey, pretty thing, ditch the nerd and come talk to a real man."
Eira's face turned cold. Before she could react, Auren stepped forward.
"Back off," he said sharply, standing between her and the group.
One of them laughed mockingly. "Who's this? Her boyfriend?"
Auren didn't blink. "Walk away. Now."
The group hesitated, sensing his seriousness, and after a few more muttered insults, they moved on.
Eira looked at him, both startled and touched. "You didn't have to—"
"I did," he said quietly, still tense.
She stepped beside him. "Thanks. Again."
He finally looked her in the eyes, and this time, didn't look away. "Always."
Their gaze lingered.
Something shifted in that moment—stronger, deeper, a fragile but undeniable thread of something more.
And in that stillness, with the storm behind them and secrets between them, their story inched closer to something neither of them was ready to name yet but both could feel.