I woke slowly, rubbing my eyes as sleep reluctantly let go. Clementine was resting against my chest, curled into me as if I were the only solid thing left in the world. Her breathing was soft and even, each rise and fall gentle and unhurried. In her sleep, her face had softened completely, no tension, no fear. A few loose curls had fallen across her forehead and eyes, hiding them from view.
Carefully, I lifted my hand and brushed one strand behind her ear. My fingers lingered for just a moment. Seeing her face fully, so calm and unguarded, made my chest tighten. I smiled without meaning to. I hoped quietly, selfishly, that her face would always look like this, untouched by worry or loss.
I tried to shift without waking her, easing my shoulder back an inch at a time. She stirred immediately. Her hand tightened around my shirt, fingers curling as if she sensed me slipping away even in her sleep. I paused, holding my breath. Slowly, I pried her grip loose, one finger at a time, until I could finally slide out from beneath her arm.
The moment I moved away, her eyes snapped open.
Her hands reached out blindly at first, grasping at empty space. She pushed herself up, her gaze darting across the bed, then the room, panic flickering across her face as her breathing quickened. When her eyes landed on me, the tension drained from her shoulders almost instantly. She exhaled shakily, relief washing over her expression.
"Sorry," I said quietly, lifting my hands a little. "Didn't mean to wake you. You can go back to sleep."
She studied my face for a second, still groggy. "No, I'm fine," she said, rubbing one eye with the back of her hand. Then she tilted her head. "Max… do you want to sleep more?"
I shook my head. "I'm good." I glanced at the scattered supplies on the floor. "You hungry? I can make something. There's food down there."
I picked up a cup of ramen and held it up. "Do you like ramen?"
Her eyes brightened immediately. "Yeah. I'd really like some," she said, a small smile forming. Seeing it made my own smile come easier.
She looked from the cup to me, then frowned slightly. "But… how are you going to cook it?"
I opened my mouth, then stopped. My brows knit together as I realized I hadn't thought that far. After a moment, my fingers snapped lightly. "How about this—can you gather some wood? Or cardboard. Anything we can burn. I'll figure out the fire."
She straightened, nodding eagerly. "Leave it to me." She hopped off the bed and immediately began searching the room, humming quietly as she worked.
While she searched, I scanned the area until my eyes landed on a flashlight and a broken radio. I crouched beside them, turning them over in my hands as an idea formed.
I pulled the battery from the flashlight and tugged loose a couple of wires from the radio. My movements were careful, deliberate. When I touched the wires to the battery, the tips glowed faintly red. I tore a bit of cotton from the mattress and held it close. The skill Amir had once taught me was proving useful now.
"Max?"
I looked up. Clementine stood behind me, arms full of cardboard, paper, and a few sticks. She was smiling proudly, chest slightly puffed out.
"I found stuff for the fire," she said, holding it up like a trophy.
"That's perfect," I said warmly. "Nice work."
Her eyes sparkled at praise, and she shifted her weight shyly from one foot to the other.
She leaned closer, peering at my hands. "What's that?" she asked, pointing.
"Oh—this?" I lifted the battery and wires. "It's a makeshift lighter." I demonstrated briefly the glow reflecting in her eyes.
Her mouth fell open. "Wow, Max! That means we can make a fire." She grinned. "You're a genius."
I chuckled under my breath and set everything up. As the fire caught, warm light flickered across the walls. Clementine sat nearby, knees drawn to her chest, watching the flames dance. Her face glowed with an orange and gold hue, her eyes wide with fascination.
For a moment, I just stared at the fire too. The crackling sound pulled me back to childhood when my grandfather taught me how to build a campfire during our camping trips, one of my happiest memories.
Clementine nudged the pot of water toward me. "Here."
"Thanks," I said, taking it. "You're a great help."
She beamed. "Hurry, please cook the ramen."
When the noodles were ready, we sat close together, cups steaming between our hands. She leaned forward eagerly, blowing on the noodles before taking a bite.
At first, she ate happily, then her movements slowed. Her smile faded. She stared down into the cup, chopsticks hovering uselessly in her hand.
"There's something wrong with the ramen," I said, recognizing that sad look immediately.
"No… the ramen is fine," she said, her voice trembling. Her shoulders slumped. "I just remembered Lee… and the others. We used to eat together all the time." Her grip tightened on the cup. "I miss them."
Her eyes shimmered, tears threatening to spill.
"Molly told me to tell you something," I said quickly, hoping it would distract her, leaning forward. "Do you wanna hear it?"
She nodded, wiping at her eyes with her sleeve.
"She mentioned your… incurable blood disease."
Clementine stiffened. Her face flushed red as she looked away. "Why would she tell you that?" she asked, panic creeping into her voice. "I told her not to tell anyone."
I shook my head gently. "It's okay. She also said it's not actually a blood disease."
She looked back at me, confused. "Then what is it?"
I sighed softly. "It's called a period. Every girl has one once a month."
Her eyes widened. "Why?" She asked quickly. "Why does it hurt so bad? And why don't boys get it?"
I rubbed the back of my neck. "Girls have periods because their bodies are preparing to have a baby someday. Boys can't, so we don't."
She froze completely. "…Does that mean I'm ready to have a baby?"
I nearly choked on the ramen. "No—no, not like that." I forced an awkward smile. "I think you should ask another woman. They'll explain it better."
She studied my expression, then said faintly. "Are you embarrassed?"
"…Yeah."
She smiled softly, amused, then even she was getting embarrassed, realizing what she just said.
After a moment of awkward silence, she spoke again, face still red. "Do you still have Mr. Lucky Cat?"
I blinked, then reached for the necklace. "Yeah." I held it out. "Do you want it?"
She shook her head and gently pushed my hand back. "No. You keep it." Her voice softened. "It'll protect you."
We sat quietly, watching the fire. Then she shifted closer, almost touching our shoulders.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "For saving me… again."
Before I could respond, she leaned in. Her face was flushing, her hands trembling slightly as she rested them on my arm.
My breath caught as she kissed me—soft, hesitant. She pulled back almost immediately, eyes wide with uncertainty and shame.
I didn't let her go. I leaned in and kissed her back.
She relaxed, her shoulders dropping as she returned it, more confident this time. When we finally pulled away, we were both breathing fast.
She looked down, cheeks burning red.
"That... was my first time, so… are we, like… together now?" She asked softly.
I met her eyes. "Yes," I said honestly. Even if I had wanted to lie, I couldn't. We both knew how we felt.
Her face lit up. She threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly, so tightly it almost hurt. I wrapped my arms around her in return, feeling the warmth and joy radiating from her like the fire beside us.