I strode to Adam, who had already rushed to his girlfriend''s side. His hands trembled as he fumbled with the silk scarf binding her wrists, the fabric knotted tightly against her pale skin. Her face was a mask of fear, streaked with dried tears that stood out starkly against her ashen complexion.


    "Let me help," I said softly, kneeling beside them. The silk came loose with a gentle tug, and Adam immediately pulled her into his arms, "Emma."


    He whispered something into her hair – probably apologies, probably promises.


    Louvel approached with unusually quiet steps, "She okay?"


    "Yeah," Adam managed, "Yeah, I think so. Just..." He didn''t finish, but he didn''t need to. The word ''shaken'' hung in the air unspoken.


    Knox moved through the room like a shadow, pausing to study Darren''s unconscious form.


    Meanwhile, the remaining students scrambled to collect their fallen leader, their earlier bravado replaced by something closer to fear. They struggled under Darren''s weight, their movements clumsy with panic as they dragged him toward the door. The rest followed in silence, their footsteps hurried on the stairs.


    As the last of them disappeared, the room seemed to exhale.


    Louvel clapped his hands, breaking the lingering silence. “Well, that was fun,” he said, his trademark grin slipping back into place. His swagger was fully restored now that the fight was over.


    My phone buzzed against my leg. I pulled it out, and my heart skipped a beat. It was Jade. She’d sent a selfie, standing in front of a mirror, her expression adorably pouty. Beneath it, she’d written Miss You, followed by a bright red heart.


    My heart swelled with happiness. A smile tugged at my lips. How could she be this effortlessly cute? It defied all logic, a mystery I didn’t want to solve.


    I typed back quickly: Miss you too with three hearts, because sometimes more is more. After a moment''s consideration, I added a crying face: Too bad I won''t have time to see you today. I''m stuck!!!


    Sent!


    Even from afar, Jade had a way of making everything better.


    With Adam’s problem resolved, we stepped out of the house, the high tension from earlier finally washed.


    "Well, that''s my cue to leave," I said, already thinking about my bed and how good it would feel to finally crash.


    Louvel walked forward with a smile, extending his hand. “Thanks for your help, North.”


    I took his hand, finding myself reassessing my opinion of him. Maybe I''d been too quick to judge – sure, he was richer than most small countries, but money wasn''t everything. Well, except when he literally used it as a weapon. "No problem. While you''re under my care, I''ve got to make sure you all stay out of trouble." I meant it too. Despite my initial reluctance about this whole community service thing, I''d actually step in to protect these three if things went south.


    I glanced at all three of them, meaning every word. If things had taken a turn for the worse during the fight, I wouldn’t have hesitated to step in and protect them.


    I still had three hours left on my community service shift, but honestly, who was counting? The academy might check in, but I had a feeling these three would back me up if anyone started asking questions. Not that I particularly cared – my conscience was clear, and that was what mattered. Sometimes doing the right thing meant bending a few rules.


    By the time I got home, the day was already turning dark. December was creeping in, bringing with it that distinct pre-snow chill that never failed to lift my spirits. I''d always loved snow – the crisp cold, the perfect conditions for snowboarding, the way it made everything feel fresh and new. I found myself wondering if Jade had ever seen snow, if she''d want to learn how to snowboard. The thought made me smile despite my exhaustion. It was strange how often my thoughts drifted to her lately, how natural it felt to include her in my future plans.


    I was still lost in that daydream when I pushed open my front door, already imagining the comfort of my bed. My body felt like it was ready to give out – playing mentor to three meta-powered students was apparently more exhausting than I''d anticipated. I hadn''t even made it to Jade''s place, too drained to properly enjoy spending time with her.


    "North?" Aunt Grace''s voice cut through my plans of immediate unconsciousness. "Perfect timing. We need groceries."


    I turned to find her in the kitchen doorway, empty milk carton in hand. Great. Just great.


    "Aunt Grace," I started, gesturing vaguely at myself, "I''ve been running around all day. I''m pretty sure my legs are about to go on strike."


    She softened slightly, coming over to pat my cheek in that way that always made me feel like I was still ten years old. "I know you''re tired, sweetheart. But we need actual food in this house, and I''ve got a deadline in..." she checked her watch, "three hours. I''ll make it up to you with pancakes tomorrow?"


    Aunt Grace pressed the shopping list into my hand and nudged me toward the door, planting a quick kiss on my cheek. I almost told her that unlike Jade''s kisses, hers didn''t come with magical energy-restoring properties – but I valued my life too much to voice that particular thought.


    The night air had gotten cooler, and I found myself staring at the long list with growing dread. No way was I hauling all this stuff alone. Then I remembered – Leo''s place was on the way to the store. The kid wanted to be a hero, right? Well, here was his chance for some good old-fashioned heroic grocery carrying.


    I walked the short distance to his house, rehearsing my pitch about the noble art of helping others. The porch light flickered as I knocked, and what opened the door wasn''t Leo – it was a mountain that had somehow learned to wear clothes.


    My neck actually hurt from looking up at the man.


    Oh… Leo’s father, I recognized him. Though I had never met him before, Leo had shown me his picture.


    He filled the doorframe like someone had built the house around him, his shoulders practically brushing both sides. The shirt he wore looked like it was fighting a losing battle against his biceps, and his expression suggested the shirt wasn''t the only thing that should be worried.


    "Can I help you?" His voice rumbled out like an avalanche deciding to be polite.


    "Uh, is Leo home?" I aimed for casual and landed somewhere between squeaky and terrified. Great job, North. Very smooth.


    The human mountain studied me with the kind of look usually reserved for analyzing particularly suspicious insects. After what felt like several years, he turned his head slightly and called out, "Leo! Some kid''s here for you!"


    Kid? I bit back the urge to point out that I was practically ancient compared to most people in the entire world. Something told me correcting the man who could probably bench press my car wasn''t the wisest move.


    A familiar face appeared behind Mount Dad, peering around what little doorframe space remained. Leo''s eyes widened in recognition.


    "North?" He slipped past his father with the practiced ease of someone used to navigating around giants. "What are you doing here?"


    "Dad," Leo hissed in a stage whisper, mortification written all over his face. "He''s North, from Beyonder''s Academy."


    The transformation in Mr. Conrad was instant and almost comical – like watching a grizzly bear turn into an excited puppy. His stern expression melted into a grin that threatened to take over his entire face.


    "North!" His hand came down on my shoulder with enough force to make my knees buckle. "The famous North! Leo here won''t shut up about you. It''s always ''North showed me this technique'' or ''North says that''s not how you do it.''"


    I shot Leo a surprised look, and he seemed to be trying very hard to disappear into the wallpaper. "Dad..." he groaned, his face turning the color of a fire truck.


    "What? It''s true!" Mr. Conrad was already ushering me inside with the unstoppable force of an enthusiastic bulldozer. "Come in, come in! Can''t have Leo''s friend standing out in the cold. What''s your poison – tea? Coffee? Coke?"


    "Dad, please," Leo looked like he was contemplating if his meta nature could help him sink through the floor. "He probably just needed something—"


    "Nonsense!" Mr. Conrad''s voice boomed through the house. "Your friend''s taking time out of his busy schedule to visit, and you want to rush him off? That’s not how we do things in this house.”


    Leo shot me a desperate look that clearly said save me, but I just shrugged helplessly. When a man built like a friendly mountain wants you to stay for a drink, you stay for a drink.


    The living room was exactly what you''d expect from a family home – well-worn furniture that invited you to sink into it, family photos covering the walls in cheerful disarray. A glass-fronted cabinet caught my eye, displaying an impressive collection of police awards. It seemed Leo’s dad liked to show his accomplishments. Overall, It was the kind of house that felt lived-in, warm, and inviting.


    Mr. Conrad returned with two cans of Coke, handing one to me with a broad smile that seemed permanently etched onto his face. "So, North," he said, settling into a chair and motioning for me to do the same. "Leo''s told me you''ve been helping him prepare for the academy."


    I accepted the can and popped it open. "It''s nothing, really. He''s already very capable. I just teach him a thing or two when I have the time."


    The smile stayed, but something in his presence shifted – the friendly giant replaced by the authority figure. "Just make sure Leo doesn''t get himself tangled up with the wrong people—or the wrong things," he said, his voice firm but not harsh.


    I nodded, choosing my words carefully. "Don''t worry, Mr. Conrad. I''ll make sure Leo knows what he''s doing," I said earnestly.


    His expression softened at my response. "Good," he said firmly, his deep voice resonating in the cozy living room. "Leo''s a good kid, but sometimes he''s a little... impulsive."


    I glanced at Leo, who sat stiffly on the couch, avoiding his dad''s gaze. "I''ll keep an eye on him," I said with a small smile. "But honestly, he''s got a good head on his shoulders. I don''t think you need to worry too much."


    Mr. Conrad leaned back in his chair,and let out a short laugh “You’ve got the kind of steadiness I like to see in young people. Just make sure you keep him out of trouble—and don’t let him drag you into any, either.”


    “Dad!” Leo groaned, slumping further into the couch. “I’m not some reckless kid.”


    Mr. Conrad raised an eyebrow. “Oh really? What about that time you tried to climb the water tower just to prove you could?”


    “That was years ago!” Leo shot back, his face turning red.


    I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Sounds like you’ve got some stories to tell, Mr. Conrad.”


    “Oh, I’ve got plenty,” Mr. Conrad said, grinning. “But I won’t embarrass him too much today.”


    Leo rolled his eyes and muttered, “Too late.”


    The tension eased as Mr. Conrad’s laughter filled the room, and for a moment, I saw where Leo got his good nature. Despite his stern exterior, Mr. Conrad clearly cared deeply for his son, and that warmth was hard to miss.


    “Well,” I said, finishing the last sip of my Coke, “I should probably get going if we’re going to tackle that shopping list. Aunt Grace doesn’t tolerate delays.”


    “Smart woman,” Mr. Conrad said, standing up. “All right, you two get going before it gets too dark. And North?” He met my gaze, his expression turning serious again. “Thanks for looking out for Leo. It means a lot.”


    I nodded, meeting his gaze. “Of course. I’ve got his back.”


    With that, Leo and I stepped outside. As the door closed behind us, Leo let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair. “Why does he always have to do this?”


    I chuckled, shoving my hands in my pockets. "Because he''s your dad. It''s literally in the job description."


    <hr>


    Late at night, Jade and I made plans to go on a hike the next day.


    The following morning was weekend so, we booked a ride to Central Park. Unlike most cities where the central area was a financial hub, a superhero headquarters, or home to some wealthy elite, the heart of Wyster State was a massive, artificially created park simply known as Central Park.


    On the map, it appeared as a small dot, but in reality, it was sprawling and vast, almost too huge to map out in one day. There were rumors about its origin—stories suggesting that two centuries ago, it was nothing more than a small patch of forest. During a battle between superheroes and villains, however, a time-warping supervillain organization had been defeated and buried there by the heroes. The clash caused immense changes in the area, isolating it from the rest of the world in ways no one fully understood. Some even claimed that if the conditions were just right, you might catch a glimpse of dinosaurs from eras long past. I couldn’t completely dismiss the idea—there was some truth to it. I’d read an old news story about dinosaurs suddenly appearing decades before I was born. It had reportedly taken the city quite some time to contain the situation.


    Interestingly enough, there was a dinosaur park in the country, and I wondered if it housed the very same creatures.


    To be honest, before the creatures that existed on the earth now, they were nothing but ants.


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    Jade was effortlessly striding through a muddy path surrounded by dense plants and weeds. While I found the overgrowth irritating, Jade didn’t seem to mind much. She moved with ease, her athletic body navigating the uneven terrain with practiced confidence. She jumped here and then there. She wore a white collared shirt layered under a brown diamond-patterned sweater vest, paired with a high-waisted plaid mini skirt and knee-high white socks. Her chunky boots, now thoroughly coated in mud, didn’t slow her down. A brown baseball cap rested snugly on her head, shielding her face from stray branches, while a small brown leather crossbody purse hung securely across her chest. She had grumbled once about her blazer slipping off her shoulders and her shoes getting dirty, but after that, she stayed quiet, as if deciding it wasn’t worth the fuss and she could buy new ones from lottery winnings. I had joked initially that what she was wearing wasn''t exactly an outing outfit, to which she had replied what I know about fashion. So, I shut my mouth, not willing to argue.


    The constant walking was exhausting. Worse still, Jade kept stopping whenever she found a spot she deemed perfect for a photo.


    When she did, I had to step up as her designated cameraman. She would rattle off a list of complaints: the lighting wasn’t right, I didn’t know how to focus, or, her favorite, “You’re the worst—I’ve never seen anyone take pictures this bad.” But then, once I managed to take one she liked, her face would light up with a satisfied smile. If she was feeling particularly generous, I might even get a kiss on the cheek as a reward.


    Fifteen minutes later, the path wound upward through a patch of dense forest, where sunlight filtered through the canopy in scattered beams. The air was thick with the scent of wet earth and pine, and somewhere nearby, a stream gurgled over rocks.


    Ahead of me, Jade effortlessly balanced along a fallen log, arms outstretched like she was on a balance beam.


    "Show off," I called out, watching her cartwheel off the end.


    She landed perfectly, turning to bow with a flourish. "Thank you, thank you. I''ll be here all week."


    "Where''d you learn to move like that anyway?"


    "Competitive gymnastics." She fell into step beside me, nudging my shoulder. "I did it for a few years. Parents'' idea – they thought it would help with discipline. I definitely did not enjoy it."


    I raised an eyebrow, watching her easily hop over a muddy patch. "That explains why you''re so..." I gestured vaguely at her.


    "So what?" Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Graceful? Athletic? Amazing?"


    "I was going to say flexible, but sure, let''s go with amazing."


    A slight blush colored her cheeks. "Careful there," she teased. "Comments like that might make me think you''ve been paying attention to how flexible I am."


    "Maybe I have been," I admitted, feeling my own face warm.


    "Oh my god, North!" She suddenly stopped, making me almost bump into her. "Look at that view!"


    Through a break in the trees, the city sprawled out below us like a living map. Sunlight caught the glass buildings, turning them into mirrors that reflected the clouds. The whole city seemed to shimmer, modern towers rising between patches of green parks.


    "We have to get a picture here," she declared, eyes lighting up with that familiar spark that usually meant I was about to become her personal photographer.


    "Jade, wait—" I started, eyeing the ground warily. Recent rain had turned the hillside treacherous, mud barely held in place by sparse grass. Water still trickled down in tiny rivulets. "That slope doesn''t look stable."


    "You worry too much," she called back, already picking her way up the incline. Her former gymnast''s grace was on full display as she navigated the slippery terrain. "It''s totally fine! This is going to be perfect – look, you can see the whole skyline!"


    "There are probably safer spots—"


    "Just take the picture!" She positioned herself at the edge, the city spread out behind her like a postcard. The wind caught her silky straight hair under the cap, making them dance. "Quick, before we lose this light! It''s perfect!"


    "Jade—"


    Her triumphant pose turned into a startled yelp as the mud gave way. I lunged forward, heart in my throat, managing to catch her before she hit the ground. But her ankle twisted with a sound that made my stomach lurch.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Ow, it hurts" she muttered, face pressed against my chest. Her fingers gripped my jacket tightly.


    "Don''t you dare say it," she added quickly, but I could hear the pain beneath her attempted bravado.


    "Say what?" I kept my voice light despite my racing heart. "That maybe you should listen when I say something''s not safe? That this could have been avoided? That—"


    "Okay, okay!" She tried to put weight on her foot and immediately paled. "You were right. Happy now?"


    "Can you still climb?" I asked, watching her wobble.


    She attempted another step and winced, biting her lip. Then she looked up at me, eyes wide and pleading, arms stretched out like a child asking to be picked up. The expression was so deliberately pitiful it was almost comical.


    I narrowed my eyes, suddenly suspicious. For someone who''d just hurt herself, that pose looked awfully well-practiced. "You know, for an ex-gymnast, that was a pretty amateur fall."


    Her innocent expression cracked slightly, a hint of mischief showing through. "Are you suggesting I''d hurt myself on purpose just to get you to carry me?"


    "Would you?"


    She batted her eyelashes. "Maybe? Is it working?"


    I shook my head, already kneeling in front of her. "You could have just asked, you know."


    "What? No, I can walk! I''m not some damsel in distress."


    I gave her a look. "Really? Show me."


    She took one defiant step and nearly collapsed. I caught her again, and this time she didn''t protest. "Okay, fine," she grumbled. "But just because I''m letting you carry me doesn''t mean you were right."


    "Of course not," I said, helping her onto my back. Her arms wrapped around my neck. Her warmth pressed against my back, her breath tickling my ear.


    "It''s good to have a boyfriend," she murmured, the words only half sincere. "Coming to my rescue again."


    "More like your personal ambulance service." But I was smiling as I adjusted her weight. "Next time, maybe we find a spot with actual solid ground?"


    She hummed, resting her chin on my shoulder. Her hair brushed against my cheek, carrying the faint scent of lavender. "But then what excuse would I have to make you carry me?"


    "You could just ask," I said before I could stop myself.


    Her surprised laugh was warm against my neck. "Really?" Her arms tightened slightly around me. "Just ask?"


    "Sure. Though maybe with less dramatic build-up next time."


    "Where''s the fun in that?" She shifted slightly, getting more comfortable. "Besides, I like that you''re always there to catch me."


    The sincerity in her voice made my heart skip. "Always will be," I promised, meaning it more than she could know.


    "Even when I''m being stubborn?"


    "Especially then." I started carefully picking our way back down the slope. "Though maybe we could work on your self-preservation instincts?"


    She laughed again, the sound echoing through the trees. "But then what would you do with all your free time?"


    "I don''t know, maybe actually enjoy a hike without having a heart attack?"


    "Boring," she declared, but her voice was soft with affection. We fell into comfortable silence as I carried her back to the main path, her head resting against my shoulder, the city view forgotten behind us.


    Somewhere on the way, she started pressing tiny kisses along my neck and jaw, each one deliberate and feather-light, making me nearly lose my footing. My skin tingled where her lips touched, sending shivers down my spine.


    "Jade," I warned, trying to keep my balance on the uneven ground. "I''m going to drop you."


    "No, you won''t," she murmured against my skin, continuing her assault. "You''re too careful with me."


    "I''m trying to walk here," I protested weakly, already tilting my head despite myself.


    She giggled but didn''t stop, peppering more kisses up to my ear. "Can''t help it. You''re too cute when you''re being all responsible." Another kiss. "Makes me want to eat you up."


    "I''m not food," I grumbled.


    "Mmm, but you''re delicious." She nuzzled against my neck, making me stumble slightly. Her arms tightened around me, secure and possessive. "My favorite food. My perfect, grumpy, handsome snack."


    I sighed, but adjusted my grip to give her better access. She knew exactly how to push my buttons—and how to reel me back in.


    After what felt like an eternity of walking, the dense foliage finally opened up to reveal our destination. The spot was like something out of a fairy tale – a small clearing nestled between old, tall trees, with a natural pond fed by a modest waterfall that tumbled down moss-covered rocks. The water caught the filtered sunlight, scattering it in tiny rainbows.


    "Oh wow. This is perfect," Jade said against my neck. "How is this even real?"


    "Wait till you hear how I found it," I said, picking my way carefully toward a thick tree trunk. "Got completely lost on a tour first time. Ended up here by accident."


    "Best getting-lost story ever."


    She grabbed onto the tree trunk while I helped her down, both of us wobbling a bit. My back was killing me, though I tried not to show it as I rolled my shoulders.


    "Stop pretending you''re not tired," she said, catching my grimace. "I''m not that light, you know."


    "Are you calling yourself heavy?"


    "Try it and die," she threatened, but she was grinning.


    "Sit," she ordered, already lowering herself to the grass. "I''ll set up. Just hand me the stuff."


    I started to protest,


    "You can barely walk—"


    "Which is why I''ll crawl. Just sit quietly." she fixed me with a look that brooked no argument.


    I knew that tone. Fighting her would be pointless, so I dropped down onto the grass, pulling off the backpack. "Blanket''s in the side pocket."


    She started rummaging through the bag, then began the entertaining process of trying to spread out a blanket while scooting around on her butt. The whole thing kept bunching up under her.


    "This is harder than it looks," she muttered, blowing hair out of her face as she wrestled with a corner.


    "Want help?"


    "Nope." She determinedly crawled to the next corner. "You carried me all the way here. I can handle a blanket."


    I leaned back on my hands, watching her wage war with the blanket. Her nose scrunched up in concentration, reminding me of when she was taking photos. Even with a bum ankle, she was determined to do her part. The waterfall made this peaceful background noise, not too loud but enough to make it feel private. A few birds called from somewhere nearby, and the air smelled like wet stone and forest.


    "Food time," she announced once she''d finally won the blanket battle. She dragged the backpack closer, then started pulling everything out.


    "The fruit might have gotten squished when I was carrying you—"


    She began arranging everything with the same intensity she brought to her photography – the fruit salad placed just so, sandwiches arranged at the perfect angle, the tea thermos lined up like soldier. Her injured leg was stretched out carefully, but she worked around it like it was merely an inconvenience rather than a real hindrance.


    The late afternoon sun filtering through the leaves cast dappled shadows that danced across our makeshift dining area. It was peaceful, secluded – the kind of place that felt removed from the rest of the world.


    "Ta-da!" She sat back, gesturing at her setup. "Not too shabby for someone with a war injury, right?"


    I reached over to pick a leaf out of her hair. "Pretty impressive. Though you really didn''t have to—"


    She clapped a hand over my mouth. "Yes, I did. You can''t be the hero all the time, you know." Her hand dropped, and her expression went soft. "Let me take care of you sometimes too."


    "Even with a sprained ankle?"


    "Especially with a sprained ankle. Now shut up and appreciate my amazing picnic skills."


    A dragonfly zipped past us, skimming over the pond''s surface.


    "This really is perfect," she said quietly, scooting closer until she could lean against my shoulder. "Even if I had to nearly break my ankle to get here."


    "You didn''t have to do that either."


    She bumped me with her shoulder. "Maybe I just wanted an excuse to be close to you."


    "You never need an excuse for that."


    "Aww," she cooed, turning to press a kiss to my cheek. "Look who''s being sweet."


    "I take it back. Stay on your side of the blanket."


    Her laugh echoed off the rocks, mixing with the sound of falling water. "Too late. You''re stuck with me now."


    "Alright," I said, shifting to face her. "Let me see your ankle."


    Jade narrowed her eyes, already wary. "I told you, it''s fine."


    "Yeah, and I don’t believe you." I reached for her leg, gently pulling it across my lap. She huffed but didn’t resist, though her pout was a little too exaggerated to be genuine.


    "Do you always manhandle injured people?" she grumbled as I started unlacing her knee high boots. They were really a struggle to pull.


    "Only the stubborn ones who think they''re invincible," I shot back, sliding the shoe off carefully. Her sock followed, and I was met with the sight of her bare foot and slightly swollen ankle. It wasn’t too bad—nothing a little care wouldn’t fix. "Does this hurt?" I asked, pressing lightly around the area.


    "A bit," she admitted, wincing slightly.


    "You know, for someone with superpowers to shift all odds in her favor, you’ve managed to sprain your ankle twice in the last two months. Impressive track record."


    She rolled her eyes, a grin tugging at her lips. "Maybe I like giving you something to fuss over. Ever think of that?"


    "Looks like a mild sprain." I dug into my backpack for the small can of spray I always carried. "Lucky for you, I come prepared."


    "Of course you do," she said.


    As I pulled out the spray, she fidgeted, her other foot brushing against my thigh. "Uh, just saying, my feet are probably sweaty. Sorry if they smell."


    I replied without thinking, "They never smell bad."


    Her eyebrows shot up. "Oh? And how do you know that? Have you been sniffing them when I’m not looking?"


    I froze for a second too long, trying to process her words, and she burst into laughter, clearly delighted at catching me off guard. "Seriously. If you’ve got a thing for my feet, just say so. I won’t judge."


    With a sigh, I reached over, grabbed her discarded sock, and tossed it square at her face. It landed perfectly, covering her nose and mouth.


    "Gross!" she shrieked, yanking it off and throwing it aside. "That’s foul play!”


    “‘Wow, her pretty feet are the highlight of my day.’ Is that what you think is going through my head right now?” I stared at her, deadpan.


    "See, you’re not denying it," she pointed, and then leaned forward to whisper in my ear, "Just saying, you could just share your deep secrets with me. I won’t judge. Much."


    I shook my head, as I started applying the spray. The cool mist made her flinch slightly, but I held her foot steady. "Hold still. This’ll soon fix it."


    "Sure thing, Doc," she said, settling back onto her elbows. I could feel her eyes on me as I worked, my fingers careful around the tender area. "There. Should be good as new by dinner."


    She flexed her toes experimentally, “Thanks. I don’t feel any pain anymore.”


    "You don’t have to thank me for this," I said, returning her foot and shoes. "Just try not to fall off any cliffs or something for the rest of the day."


    She grinned, her teasing edge returning. "No promises."


    I groaned, "I can’t win against you. Can I?"


    She tucked her foot protectively under her leg as if I’d make another move. "That’s because I’m smarter, faster, and better looking. It’s science."


    “Sure.”


    "Oh!" Then she suddenly sat up straight, nearly knocking over her tea. "I almost forgot!" She scrambled through her bag, movements excited but careful with her injured ankle.


    I watched her rummaging around, wondering what she''d forgotten that could make her this animated. Then she pulled out her camera with a triumphant "Aha!"


    "What are you doing?" I asked, though I had a pretty good idea.


    She spun around, hobbling those few steps back to me with an eagerness that made me worry about her ankle. "I''m going to record our picnic!" she announced, her voice going soft and cute like it did when she was trying to be extra convincing. She held up her camera like it was a trophy.


    Looking at her face, all lit up with enthusiasm, any thought of protesting died in my throat. "Sure," I managed, smoothing out the blanket to give my hands something to do.


    Meanwhile, I focused on unpacking our food – the fruit salad and sandwiches, the thermos of green tea she''d insisted on because it had "better picnic vibes" than my suggested soda. She''d been very specific about the whole aesthetic, vetoing half my snack choices with dramatic eye rolls. She fiddled with the camera settings, tongue poking out slightly in concentration. "Perfect," she murmured, adjusting the angle one last time before flopping down next to me. Her knee brushed against mine as she settled.


    "Here, try this combination," she said after we''d settled in, carefully balancing a piece of mango with a blueberry on her fork. "It''s life-changing."


    "You said that about the last three combinations."


    "Because they were! Now open up." She held the fork to my lips, her other hand cupped underneath to catch any drips. "Trust me."


    Her face lit up as I took the bite.


    "Well?" She leaned in closer, eyes sparkling.


    "Life-changing," I admitted, and her triumphant smile was worth the admission.


    "See? I told you!" She was already preparing another combination. "Okay, now try strawberry with—"


    "My turn," I interrupted, picking up my own fork.


    Jade blinked in surprise, "Feeding me now?"


    "Fair''s fair." I carefully selected a perfect strawberry. "Plus, you look cute when you''re excited about food."


    A light blush colored her cheeks, but she opened her mouth obediently, eyes never leaving mine.


    "Now," she said after swallowing, scooting even closer until she was practically in my lap. "Tell the camera something special. It doesn''t have to be dark-dark. Just something future-us would want to know."


    "Future-us knows everything current-us knows," I pointed out. "That''s how time works."


    "Ugh, stop being logical!" She poked my side. "Fine, then... tell me when you first realized you liked me."


    That caught me off guard. What should I tell? "Well..."


    "Oh?" She perked up, sensing a story. "This should be good."


    I thought carefully about how to answer. Honestly, there were too many instances, she had grown in my heart from a drop of hate to ocean of love, it was hard to chose specifically, so I picked a random stream from the thousands, "Remember that day in class when you fell asleep?"


    "Which time?" she asked, grinning sheepishly.


    "The time you drooled on your notebook and then tried to play it off as an artistic choice."


    She gasped in mock outrage. "I did not drool!"


    "You absolutely did. And when you woke up, you had this pencil mark on your cheek, but you were so confident about it that Gina and Lore thought it was some new makeup trend."


    "That''s not..." she started, then paused. "Wait, that''s when you knew?"


    "I grew to like you more at the moment," I said, remembering how she''d turned what could have been an embarrassing moment into something endearing through sheer force of personality. "You were just so... you about it.”


    She was quiet for a moment, then buried her face in my shoulder. "That''s such a weird moment to fall for someone," she mumbled.


    “It''s just one of many, I have more.”


    “Tell me, tell me.”


    “No,” I pushed her face away. "Leave them for some other time."


    Later, as the afternoon light softened we had finished all our food and even had gone through a couple of games.


    "Next game?" Jade eyes sparkled.


    "No more cards."


    "No, something better." She tugged me back down to the blanket, arranging us so she was sitting between my legs, her back to my chest. "Cloud watching."


    I wrapped my arms around her waist, resting my chin on her shoulder. "Really?"


    "Really. Look – that one looks like a rabbit."


    "It looks like a cloud."


    She elbowed me gently. "Use your imagination! Oh, that one''s definitely a dragon."


    "Still looks like a cloud."


    "Ugh! Don’t," she complained, but she snuggled deeper into my embrace. "Fine, you tell me what you see."


    I pretended to think about it, mostly just enjoying how soft she felt in my arms. "I see... a beautiful girl who''s terrible at describing clouds."


    She turned her head to bite my shoulder. "Smooth talker." But her hand found mine, fingers intertwining. "Tell me more about what you see."


    "Well," I pressed a kiss to her necks, causing her shiver "I see someone whose eyes light up when she''s excited about something. Who scrunches her nose when she''s concentrating too hard. A fragile girl beneath the tough bravado who would start to cry when she’s overwhelmed, but would never let a single tear spills outside. Someone who somehow manages to look cute even with a sprained ankle..."


    "Keep going," she whispered, running her fingers through my hair.


    "I see future," I said softly, honestly. Her hands stilled, eyes meeting mine. "Even if she''s probably going to make me lose my sleep for the rest of our lives."


    Instead of responding, she kissed me – deep and slow, like we had all the time in the world. Maybe, just for this moment, we did."Actually," Jade said, shifting to face me properly, "want to know when I first liked you?"


    "When I dazzled you with my amazing personality?”


    She went quiet for a moment, her fingers tightening around mine. "It wasn''t one moment," she said softly, "It was everything. All these little pieces that kept adding up until I couldn''t ignore them anymore and they began to overflow."


    "Yeah?"


    "Mhmm." She shifted closer, as if sharing a secret. "Remember our meta resonance in the beginning , I was freaking out about it secretly. I didn’t know what was going on, it was so new and scary? I was like you want to harm me." Her thumb traced patterns on my palm. "Then, you just... approached and listened. Found ways to help me understand it better. You didn''t try to fix everything – you just helped me find my own way."


    "Then that night at the party," her voice quieted, but she pressed on. "When those guys... "I was so scared, so ashamed. But you didn''t ask questions, despite I had supposedly erased four guys life . You just got me out of there, made me feel safe again. Protected." Her fingers curled into my sweater. "The whole time you helped me reach home, I kept thinking about how right it felt in your arms. How I never wanted you to let go."


    I pulled her closer, feeling her heart racing against my chest.


    "And when I told you about wanting to be a hero..." She pulled back just enough to meet my eyes. "You explained everything to me. And despite the dangers, you didn’t let me do it alone because you were worried I would hurt myself. You spent your own money, your time, just to help me achieve my silly dream."


    Out of nowhere, tears spilled down her cheeks now. I wasn’t good with emotional stuff and suddenly I found mountain waying on my shoulders. Still, I tried my bes. I reached up to wipe them away, but she caught my hand, pressing it to her face.


    "But it''s more than that," she whispered. "It''s how you see me. Really see me. All the parts I try to hide, the things I''m ashamed of, the ways I mess up... you see it all and you''re still here. Still looking at me like I''m something precious."


    Her voice broke completely. "And now I can''t... I can''t imagine not having this. Not having you. Sometimes when you''re not here, it physically hurts. I''ll be doing something completely normal and suddenly miss you so much I can''t breathe."


    She pressed herself closer, as if trying to eliminate any space between us. "I''ll be lying in bed at night, thinking about how your arms feel around me, or the way you smile when you think I''m not looking, or how you always know exactly what I need... and it terrifies me how much I need you. How completely you''ve become part of me."


    Her hands framed my face, thumbs brushing my cheeks. "I''ve never needed anyone like this before," she confessed, voice barely above a whisper. "Never wanted to. But with you... with you, I want everything. Every moment, every touch, every stupid little detail of your life. And it scares me how much I want it, but I can''t stop. Don''t want to stop."


    I could feel her trembling as she pressed soft, desperate kisses to my face – my forehead, my cheeks, the corner of my mouth. "I love you," she breathed against my skin. "I love you so much it feels like my heart might burst sometimes. And I don''t know what to do with all of it except tell you, show you, hope you understand..."


    I wrapped my arms around her, cradling her. "I''m very sorry for making you feel sad and being so awful."


    "You should be," she mumbled against my skin. "Making me fall in love with you. How dare you...."


    She cried harder. "How am I supposed to hate you when you keep caring about me?"


    Was it also a problem now?


    Honestly, I hadn’t seen her cry like this before. Hell, not even when she’d been on the brink of collapse, her body practically burning from the inside out after overdrawing her meta. Not a single tear then. Her strength had seemed unshakable. But now? Now, she was falling apart right in front of me, her shoulders shaking. What had gotten into her?


    I pressed my face into her hair, breathing in her familiar scent, trying to find words for the emotion threatening to overwhelm me.


    "You know," I said softly, "every morning when I wake up, my first thought is you. Whether you slept well, if you''re already awake, what you might be doing." My hand moved slowly up and down her back. "Sometimes I catch myself smiling at nothing, just because I remembered something you said or did."


    She pressed closer, if that was even possible. "Yeah?"


    "Yeah." I kissed her temple, feeling her gradually relax against me. "And every time something good happens, you''re the first person I want to tell. When something bad happens, you''re the one I want to see. It''s like... like my whole world has rearranged itself around you without me even noticing."


    Her breath hitched. "North..."


    "So maybe we''re both awful," I continued, "Because I can''t imagine my life without you either. Don''t want to."


    She kissed me then – soft and slow and thorough, like she was trying to pour everything she couldn''t say into the gesture. When she pulled back, her eyes were half-closed, a small smile playing at her lips.


    "I like this," she murmured, "Just us, here. Like nothing else exists. Maybe we should buy this mountain and build a house here. We''ll maybe have two three kids, if you want? if not, I think you''re alone enough for me for the rest of my life."


    “Yeah?” I was speechless. She really did not make it easy for me to handle her. House? On a government mountain? Three kids?


    The camera was still recording somewhere behind us, capturing this quiet aftermath of confessions and promises. Future evidence of a perfect moment that I desperately hoped would last beyond the next reset.


    We sat like that for a while until it was time to go back as the sun started to hide behind the clouds.


    "North?" Her voice was drowsy now, content.


    "Hmm?"


    "Thank you."


    "For what?"


    She nuzzled closer, her words warm against my neck. "For making it so easy to love you."


    I watched her, my heart tightened—not with joy, but with a dull ache that spread like cracks in glass. The thought of another reset, of this world and everything in it slipping away, plagued me silently. Her laugh, her words, her very presence—they didn''t just bring joy; they made me painfully aware of how fleeting happiness could be.


    I wish I could hold back time.