"Ready?" I asked.
"Hehe... yes. I'm ready." She took a deep breath.
"Just... don't let go... please." Then thunder Cracked, and Her voice trembled as she immediately buried her face into my shoulder.
KABOOM!
I tightened my hold.
"I won't."
And then— I ran.
The rain fell like a bullets, slamming against my face and blinding my vision. Ivy squealed against my chest, half laughing, half terrified as she clung to me for dear life
Meanwhile, I was getting assaulted directly through my eyeballs.
I couldn't see a damn thing!!!
"W-whoa this is crazy!" she cried out, squeezing her eyes shut against the stinging rain.
"Crazy… yea I know."
"But I trust you," her voice was small but steady.
That one line hit harder than the rain ever could.
And!!! That's why I kept running.
She then tugged at me, "right? We're going home."
"Oh? Yes sure, yea we're going home."
"Hehehe... our home..." She giggled softly, warm badump, badump in her chest. "We're going home!" she shouted.
***
After what felt like an hour, warm yellow lights finally broke through the storm.
"We're here—!" I shouted.
I skidaddled at the gate, both of us drenched.
"Ah, crap… We're completely soaked."
Ivy stared at the house with wide, frozen eyes.
"It's… so big… and beautiful…"
I smirked. "Surprised?"
"…Is this really our home?"
"Yeah."
She grabbed my shirt. "Then hurry!"
We skidadledo inside.
Warm air wrapped around us like a living Blankets.
This is the kind of steady, luxurious heat that seped into your skin and refused to let go. Like the kind of money only one could buy.
She melted into my arms.
"W-warm…" she whispered.
She slowly lifted her head from my shoulder.
Her eyes widened.
The interior stretched open before her soft amber lights lining the ceiling, polished wooden floors. Walls painted deep white. A massive living space that felt more like a private hotel suite than a normal house.
A chandelier glowed dimly above, crystal droplets catching the light like frozen stars. Shelves lined with neatly arranged books. A wide couch that looked like it could swallow three people whole.
Even the air smelled clean. Like… Aircon… New shoes…?
"Wow, it's so big…" she muttered.
I scratched my neck, suddenly shy. "Yeah, but… I live alone."
I don't even know why… I felt shy.
"You live here all alone?" she asked softly. "But... but it's so big… You don't have a family?"
"I do," I sighed. "But let's not talk about that."
We stood there dripping water onto the floor, like a soaked KITTIES.
"Bath time!" I declared.
She nodded eagerly, teeth chattering. "Yes! Yes please..." her teeth chattered.
"Yes yes, chillax."
Then she hesitated. "Sorry... but I've never had a real bath before."
"What…?" I blinked. "...For real?"
She nodded shyly, looking down at her dirty clothes, as she gripped the hem of her— Dirty-yuck-disgusting-ripped-jacket. Then she looked at me through her bangs."Will you... help me? I don't know how..."
"Of course," I said.
Her tense shoulders loosened immediately
A genuine smile spread across her face. "Okay," she said happily, wrapping her arms around my neck as I carried her to the bathroom.
"A bath... hehe, I'm kind of excited" she murmured.
"You'll love it. Luxury treatment."
"Thank you," she said, as she pressed a quick kiss to my cheek before burying her face in my shoulder.
"I wonder... why are you so nice to me?"
I laughed...
She giggled…
I'm bored.
But obviously I couldn't say that to her...
"Cus why not."
***
Inside Steam filled the bathroom as warm water flowed.
She stared at everything with shining eyes.
"It's like a… Palace."
"Sure. Lower your expectations." I muttered.
She watched as I started to undress her, I could notice that her cheeks were turning pink.
"Oh— I'm not taking a bath with you, okay?"
"O-okay..."
I washed her gently, careful, respectful, and most of all... Nonchalantly. Cus you know I'm just him.
First, I grabbed the shower head and let warm water run down her back first. She let out a tiny squeak, then giggled.
"H-hey... that tickles..." she said, shoulders shaking as I scrubbed her back with soap.
"Hold still!!!"
"I-I'm trying!" she giggled again, twisting away as I scrubbed the back of her neck. "Ah...! hahaha W-wait,"
"What? Is this tickling you or something?"
"N-nooo..." Which, judging by how red she is, yea… it definitely is.
I moved to her arms, gently scrubbing from shoulder to wrist.
And this time. She wriggled like a worm…
"WHAHAHAHA mister... that...! It's tickling! Stop— no, wait stop AHHAHAHAHAHHAHA"
"You are literally impossible to wash," I said,
Then she calmed down a bit. "By the way, can I ask mister?"
"Sure," I answered.
"Will you not leave my side?"
"Yea sure,"
"Promise?"
"Yes, sure, I promise there. Now will you stop wiggling like a worm!"
She giggled.
Then I crouched. It only got worse when I touched her feet.
"WAAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!!! N-not my feet!!! I can't— I can't!!!! mister!!! I'm gonna fall!"
"Then, hold the wall!" I screamed. Nonchalantly… of course.
She then slapped her palms against the tiles, laughing so hard her knees almost... gave out.
"You're so bad! You're bullying me!"
"I'm cleaning you… potato..?."
She kept giggling breathlessly.
But when I finished showering her, she broke into the softest smile.
"Thank you..." she whispered. "No one has ever done something like this for me..."
Her voice was small.
Fragile.
Heart-punching.
Didn't work on me tho… Okay, just a little.
"...Yeah," I muttered. "Whatever,"
But she looked up at me with warm, bright eyes, the eyes that genuinely trust me.
Then she hit me with a combo.
She sighed softly, closing her eyes. "Thank you..."
I… I swear it didn't work.
***
After I finished washing her, I dried her off, wrapped the towel around her, and patted her head. Afterward, she refused to leave my side.
"Go wait in the living room. I'll take mine."
"No."
"Good, Huh…? What do you mean 'no'?"
She then hugged my leg tightly. "I'm not leaving your side! You promised! You won't leave me, You'll disappear if I leave!"
"I'm not going to disappear" I groaned.
"No."
I then tried to push her but instead she clung tighter.
"I'm not disappearing. I'm just taking a bath."
"No."
I pinched her cheek.
"Ow!"
"I promise," I said firmly.
She finally let go.
I ruffled her hair. "I PROMISE."
She pouted... but let go.
"O-okay…"
She hesitates for a moment then she stands on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek. "Thank you. And sorry."
"Go"
With a final smile, she padded downstairs to the living room.
Downstairs, she curled up on the couch, hugging her knees
"It's so warm here… I'm so lucky, I finally have a home, and someone that cared for me."
Her eyes began to droop.
"I will take a nap for a bit..."
***
Aftwr taking a bath I skidaddled toward my room, dressed myself and almost collapsed into bed.
Then I froze...
Did I… did I forget something…?
"The kid!!!"
I sprinted downstairs. She was asleep, curled up like a tiny cat.
"She fell asleep…"
I lifted her. And she immediately wrapped her arms around my neck and rested her head on my shoulder.
"Thanks..." she murmured.
"You're welcome."
***
In my room, her eyes widened, "I— I don't want to break anything..."
"You won't. Cause you can't."
She nodded seriously.
I gave her one of my oversized shirts.
"We'll buy clothes tomorrow."
"O-okay, I understand."
Then—
She blinked, "turn around?"
"Embarrassed?"
"Y-yes"
I chuckled. Turning around.
Soon, she was dressed.
We slid under the blanket.
"I'm tired…"
"Tired..." she repeated softly, snuggling closer.
"Me too."
She hugged me.
"Goodnight"
"Yea goodnight"
***
I closed my eyes.
Darkness swallowed me.
"Boo."
"A-ACK!?" I straightened myself, or at least tried to, since I was stuck in a dark void.
"Who— who are you?! Where the hell are we?!"
"Good evening, young man," said by the floating woman with long dark hair, her voice calm and faintly echoing.
"It appears we find ourselves within the realm of your dreams."
"Dream?"
"Most certainly."
———
GUYS WHAT is 6 + 7