05
Evening. Sera walks home from work, earbuds in, hoodie pulled up. The streets are crowded, but she feels alone. Her phone buzzes with a message. It’s Adrian.
Adrian Blackwood
*Text*
Did the phoenix behave today?
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*Typing fast*
It’s a tattoo, not a pet.
Adrian Blackwood
You’d be surprised. They have personalities. Some scream, some sulk, some glow.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
… Mine just aches.
Adrian Blackwood
Means it’s healing. Like you.
She stops walking, staring at the screen. The words dig under her skin in ways she doesn’t want to admit. She doesn’t reply. Instead, she shoves the phone in her pocket. But the thought lingers, echoing.
Sera’s apartment later that night. The storm outside rattles her window. She tries to write in her notebook but scratches the page out in frustration. A knock at her door startles her.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*calling through the door*
Who...?
Adrian Blackwood
*Muffled voice*
It’s me.
Her chest seizes. She yanks the door open, glaring.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
What the hell are you doing here?
Adrian Blackwood
*Calm, holding a small bag*
Relax. I live two blocks away. Thought I’d drop this off.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*suspicious*
..... Drop what off?
Adrian Blackwood
*Holds up ointment*
For your tattoo. Better than the cheap stuff. Less chance of infection.
She stares at him. He’s dripping rainwater, leather jacket slick, hair damp. Something about the sight sends heat to her chest. She steps aside reluctantly.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
.... Fine. But don't get comfortable.
Adrian Blackwood
*smirking lightly as he steps in*
I wouldn't dare.
He sets the bag on her table, looking around casually. The apartment is small, dim, cluttered with notebooks. He doesn’t comment...just notices.
Adrian Blackwood
You write a lot.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*snapping*
Don't snoop.
Adrian Blackwood
*Raising his hands in surrender*
Not snooping. Just observing.
She grabs the ointment, shoving it in a drawer. He leans against the counter, easy, not pushing. Finally, she mutters.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
Why....do you care so much?
Adrian Blackwood
*Meeting her gaze steadily*
Because people usually don’t. And I know what that feels like.
Her stomach twists. She looks away, voice sharp.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
You think you get me? You don’t.
Adrian Blackwood
*Quietly*
I don’t have to get you to care.
Her throat closes. She hates the way his calmness disarms her. Suddenly, without thinking, she blurts:
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
My dad left when I was 10.
The silence after is deafening. Her chest heaves....she didn’t mean to say that. She grips her arm, trembling slightly.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*WhIspers*
.... Forget i said that.
Adrian Blackwood
*Voice steady, gentle*
No. I won’t forget. But I won’t use it against you either.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*bitter laugh*
That's what they all say.
Adrian Blackwood
*Quietly, firm*
I'm not them.
She looks at him then, really looks. His eyes don’t flinch, don’t pity. Just steady. Grounded. For a moment, she feels like maybe she’s not drowning.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*muttering, retreating to the couch*
You are to much.
Adrian Blackwood
*sitting on the edge of the chair across from her*
Too much what?
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*shrugs*
Too calm. Too patient. Too.... good.
Adrian Blackwood
*small smile*
Too good isn't usually an insult.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
Feels like one when you've only know bad.
He leans forward slightly, elbows on his knees, voice low.
Adrian Blackwood
Then maybe it's time you knew different.
Her pulse stutters. She looks away quickly, pretending to focus on the rain outside. The storm beats against the glass, but inside, everything feels still. Too still. She grips her notebook in her lap, fingers trembling.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*whispering*
.... What if I can't?
Adrian Blackwood
*gentle but firm*
Then I'll wait. You don't have to be ready tonight.
The simplicity of it knocks the air from her lungs. No demands. No conditions. Just… patience. It terrifies her.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*mutters*
You're dangerous.
Adrian Blackwood
*smirking softly*
You keep saying that.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
*whispering*
Because it's true.
Adrian Blackwood
*voice steady, eyes locked on hers*
Or maybe I'm safe and that's what scares you.
Her heart slams against her ribs. She can’t answer. Instead, she opens her notebook and scribbles something quickly, shoving it toward him before she can stop herself. It’s a half-written line: I don’t know how to let anyone stay.
Adrian reads it quietly, then looks up. No judgment. No pity. Just calm.
Adrian Blackwood
Then we'll start small. I'll stay for five minutes. If that's too much, I'll leave. You set the rules.
Her lips part. Nobody’s ever given her that choice before. She swallows hard, whispering.
Seraphina Hale (Sera)
..... Five minutes.
Adrian leans back, nodding. He doesn’t talk, doesn’t push. He just stays, letting the storm outside fill the silence. For the first time in years, she feels… almost safe.
See you in next Chapter (✿^‿^)
Comments