"Alright..."
Furina suddenly stood up, brushing off the dust from her skirt.
"We should head back. If we don't sleep soon, the sun will be up."
She turned to leave as she spoke. Luo Qing followed silently, his mind still dwelling on her earlier words.
What did she an by "I can't trust anyone else"?
Does she have so plan to save Fontaine on her own?
The two walked quietly back to Furina's room. Luo Qing settled beside his makeshift bedding on the floor, ready to lie down and continue sleeping.
"Hey..."
Furina, sitting on the bed, suddenly patted the space next to her and spoke softly.
"You don't have to sleep on the floor anymore."
"What?" Luo Qing blinked, not imdiately understanding.
"..."
Furina's expression turned slightly annoyed, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. She pouted, glancing away as she lightly patted the spot beside her again.
"I said, you don't need to sleep on the floor."
"Uh...?"
Luo Qing looked at her, confused.
"Are you saying... I can sleep on the bed again?"
"..."
Furina was silent for a few seconds before letting out a soft huff and flopping onto the bed, turning her back to him.
"Forget it! Go sleep on your precious floor, then!"
"..."
"Wait, no—"
Luo Qing finally realized she was inviting him to share the bed. While he didn't understand why, he felt a small thrill as he eagerly grabbed his bedding and climbed onto the bed.
"Thank you, Lady Furina," he said with a soft smile.
He picked up his pillow and, as before, began to draw an imaginary dividing line between them.
Just as he raised his hand, Furina turned around, her expression puzzled.
"What are you doing?"
"Uh... just drawing a line—"
"..."
Furina was silent for a few monts.
"There's no need," she said abruptly.
Luo Qing hesitated. "What do you an—"
"I said there's no need for a line!"
Her voice rose sharply, but she quickly realized her tone was too forceful. Her cheeks flushed deeper as she softened her stance, muttering with a hint of irritation.
"Besides, throw that bedding away. It's been on the floor all this ti—how dirty must it be?"
"Uh..." Luo Qing froze, unsure of how to respond.
Wasn't she the sa person who used to act like a chaste maiden, making a fuss if I so much as hugged her?
And now, not only does she invite onto the bed, but there's no line, and we're sharing the sa blanket?
What's going on in her head...
"What are you standing there for?" Furina snapped. "If you're not tossing it, go back to the floor!"
"..."
"I'll toss it, I'll toss it..."
Luo Qing quickly threw his bedding back onto the floor and glanced at the light-blue duvet Furina was using. Swallowing hard, he carefully lifted a corner and slipped under.
"..."
"..."
Without the dividing line and without the unconscious movents of sleep as an excuse, the two lay back-to-back, sharing the sa blanket.
From Furina's side, a faint fragrance drifted over—like the scent of Fontaine's unique dewflowers mixed with water. It was a soothing scent that made Luo Qing want to lean in and breathe it in.
Though he had hugged Furina tightly several tis before, this mont felt strangely serene.
Their backs were pressed together.
The quiet room was bathed in the soft glow of moonlight streaming through the window.
The only sound was their steady breathing.
"Luo Qing..."
After a while, Furina's voice broke the silence.
"What is it?"
"Could you..." Furina hesitated for a few seconds before speaking in a low voice.
"Could you hold ... like before?"
"..."
"Alright."
Luo Qing exhaled softly, turning to face her. His right arm gently circled her waist, pulling her into his embrace.
Her petite fra fit perfectly against his chest, like the inner and outer arcs of a rainbow.
This ti, Luo Qing didn't overstep—he kept his hand outside her clothing, simply holding her and feeling the warmth of their shared presence.
"Thank you, Luo Qing..."
Furina's voice ca from his arms, trembling slightly, as if on the verge of tears.
"Thank ?" Luo Qing was confused, but before he could say more, she continued.
"I know... you've been staying by my side these past few days because you were worried about my safety. Isn't that right?"
"..."
"Sothing like that," Luo Qing admitted, feeling a pang of guilt.
In truth, his primary concern was losing her and, along with her, the Gnosis. That's why he had insisted on staying so close.
"Thank you..."
In the darkness, Furina let out a soft laugh.
"Now I finally understand why Lady Makoto and the others are so determined to stand by your side."
"Why?"
"Because you're utterly shaless," she said, giggling.
"Even with so many wives, you still have the nerve to care for other girls."
"..."
Luo Qing remained silent, thinking Furina might have misunderstood sothing about his past.
"But..." Furina's voice softened. "I don't dislike it."
She placed her right hand over his, which rested on her waist, gently pulling it away and interlocking their fingers.
For centuries, she had watched countless young couples holding hands as they strolled through the streets of Fontaine.
She had always wondered why sothing so simple as holding hands could bring such joy, lighting up their faces with smiles as if they were the happiest people in the world.
Her curiosity had remained unfulfilled, hidden deep in her heart—after all, a god could not fall in love with mortals.
Even if she had wanted to, who would dare bear the weight of her divine status?
Only now did she finally understand.
Why falling for soone could bring happiness.
"..."
"Are you alright tonight?" Luo Qing asked quietly.
Since waking Furina earlier, he had noticed sothing was off about her—she wasn't acting like the naive and playful girl he knew.
"Nothing's wrong." Furina chuckled softly, her tone teasing.
"You're getting all this and still asking questions?"
"..."
"I..." Luo Qing began, but Furina suddenly shifted again, turning to face him.
She pressed her forehead against his chest, burying her face in his embrace.
"Luo Qing..."
"Now what..."
"I..."
"What...?"
"It's nothing," she whispered. "Let's sleep."
---
T/N: made a discord server sdiscord.gg/ZJsEjAHH
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