I’m your fiancé now

His lips settled on hers, bidding farewell with silent gratitude. Leonid wrapped his arm around Charlotte's waist and gently pulled her close, his fingers tenderly tracing her back through the fabric.

With his free hand, he tilted her chin softly and deepened the kiss with warm passion shameless and unrestrained. He drowned in it until he finally managed to rein himself in and slowly pulled away.

Both of them gasped quietly. Leonid inhaled, then exhaled deeply, his eyes searching hers, now shimmering with unshed tears.

He smiled gently and leaned his forehead against her chest, immersing himself in the warmth of her curves. He could hear her racing heartbeat, but said nothing.

After the sudden embrace, Charlotte's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she puffed her full lips in a shy, childlike motion.

Silence fell around them. Over time, she felt Leonid's weight growing heavier against her chest, his arms drawing her in tighter.

She closed her eyes for a moment, then looked away, unable to calm her erratic heartbeat. Her hands trembled in her lap, trapped in the narrow space between their pressed bodies.

Her fingers reached for the ring on her fourth finger, as if searching for balance or confirmation of what had just happened.

Was it over?

She wondered, glancing at the top of his head. She could feel his steady breath against her shirt, tickling her skin gently.

Wasn't he going to say something? Wasn't there supposed to be a final line?!

But Leonid remained wrapped in silence, as if lost in another world.

Charlotte furrowed her brows and thought quickly.

Asleep? On her chest? Impossible but maybe not.

Her eyes widened as she focused on his stillness, the air gently playing with his silver strands like a lullaby.

For a moment, Charlotte closed her eyes again, then slowly moved her hands, slipping out of the narrow space smoothly.

"Leonid…"

She whispered his name shyly, raising her hands until her fingertips cautiously touched his skin. Leonid felt the coolness of her fingers but didn't respond he had nothing left to say after already getting what he wanted.

"Leonid…?"

He finally stirred, making Charlotte stiffen as if she'd made a mistake, though she was relieved to know he was awake.

"Mm…"

Leonid let out a soft sound, more of a disgruntled moan, then turned his head slightly, resting his cheek on her chest instead of his forehead.

He didn't open his eyes right away. Instead, he murmured in a low, husky voice:

"Leonid? Just like that?"

Charlotte blinked, confused.

"What… do you mean?"

Leonid sighed in clear displeasure at her confused question, then grumbled:

"We're engaged now, aren't we? And after everything that just happened… you call me the same way the rest of the world does? No darling, no my love, not even a little nickname you made up for me?"

He blinked slowly and looked up at her, his eyes half-lidded but sharp.

"I'm your fiancé now."

He said it with a crooked smile that didn't hide the teasing in his voice he knew exactly how easily she could be provoked.

"F— Fiancé?!"

Charlotte repeated the word, blushing furiously, while he nodded with mock nonchalance. He then pulled slightly away from the embrace, letting the warmth of his body fade from hers.

"You're serious?"

"And is that ring on your finger a joke?"

He slowly stood up, brushing off his trousers, while Charlotte stared at the shining ring, as if seeing it for the first time.

A moment ago, it felt light. Now, it felt heavy carrying the weight of his promises.

"I thought engagements needed legal procedures…"

"No. It's a moral and social commitment."

Leonid stopped brushing his trousers and looked up at her, his voice holding a hidden challenge:

"Don't like the truth? Fine. Forget it… and give me the ring back. Now."

"No!"

Charlotte shouted instinctively, clutching the ring and hiding it behind her palm as if someone were trying to steal it.

"I do like the truth… I'm just surprised."

She blinked, sat up straighter, and looked at him with shy hesitation and a soft, stubborn gaze.

"Fine. You're my fiancé!… But I won't call you any affectionate nicknames unless we're alone. Deal?"

She extended her right hand quickly, as if sealing an official agreement.

Leonid raised an eyebrow in mild surprise before letting out a short, genuine laugh.

"We're negotiating nicknames now? God… you're more than I expected."

"You're not going to shake on it?!"

Charlotte said in a half-serious, half-nervous tone, like she wasn't sure if she'd regret her boldness.

For a moment, Leonid said nothing. He looked at her outstretched hand, then into her uneasy eyes.

"Alright, alright…"

He muttered with a smirk, then slowly extended his hand, as if the handshake meant more than it appeared.

When his fingers touched hers, he didn't grip tightly, but let his fingers gently curl around her palm.

"I'll always look forward… to our private moments."

Charlotte blinked in surprise and whispered:

"You're confusing me right now."

"That makes me happy."

The corner of his lips curled into a confident smile. Suddenly, he tightened his grip on her hand and pulled her up from the chair with ease. Her hair swung and her eyes widened until she found herself in his arms.

"Leonid!"

Charlotte gasped his name as he gazed into her eyes, resting her hand on his chest and pulling her closer.

"Aren't we… in a private moment now?"

Leonid wrapped his arms tighter around her waist, pressing her body against his, the distance between their faces nearly gone.

"Leonid…"

Charlotte murmured again, her voice faint, flustered, and a little annoyed.

Leonid pursed his lips, then leaned his head toward her ear and whispered softly, but clearly:

"This isn't what we agreed on earlier, is it?"

Charlotte froze, staring at his mischievous eyes in shock.

"We agreed you wouldn't call me by my name when we're alone."

"B—! but…"

She stammered, trying to wriggle away gently without breaking the agreement she had initiated.

Leonid raised an eyebrow and said in calm seriousness:

"I won't let go until you do."

"Leonid…"

She tried again, her voice almost pleading.

"Try again."

Leonid ordered gently, his voice warm and teasing, his eyes fixed on her flustered features.

Charlotte swallowed hard, her fingers trembling as they clutched his shirt.

Then, finally, she whispered barely audible:

"…Darling."

Her cheeks turned scarlet, and she looked away in embarrassment.

Her voice echoed in Leonid's chest, and a victorious yet tender smile spread on his face. He murmured near her lips:

"Yes… now everything feels in place."

Then he pulled her closer and rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes for a brief moment before saying playfully:

"Can you say it again?"

"D— Darling…"

Charlotte's face turned redder as she looked away, trying to escape his gaze, which had reopened with playful mischief.

"Again."

She scowled, then thrust her head forward and buried it in his chest, her hands clinging to him. Her muffled voice came:

"This is the last time… darling."

Leonid was surprised by her sudden move, leaning his head back slightly. His smile widened quickly, then he held her tighter, his right hand gently patting her back.

"Alright then… my sweetheart."

Charlotte relaxed in his arms, as if the word he had just whispered had drained her of all resistance. She didn't respond, nor did she lift her head, but she didn't pull away either.

He could feel her body calming little by little. He smiled slowly and whispered as he ran his fingers through her swaying hair, gently caressing it:

"You know… it's amazing how shy you are about emotional things, and yet how bold and cheeky you become during our quarrels."

Charlotte suddenly lifted her head, her eyes slightly wide. Leonid continued mischievously, his eyes gleaming:

"But for me… that contradiction is delightful. The way you shape yourself like that never lets me get bored."

Charlotte pursed her lips and quickly replied:

"Since when did I become cheeky?!"

She objected, adding with a light grumble:

"For your information… I'm just matching your behavior. Or rather, imitating you!"

"Imitating me? Me?"

Leonid raised his eyebrows, then lowered them lightly, a sideways smile appearing on his lips:

"That's the spirit. I was just telling you I like your behavior. No need to get so sensitive."

Then he leaned toward her a little and winked, his voice growing warmer:

"And honestly? You haven't yet reached my level of cheekiness… Your imitation is weak, low quality."

"H- How dare you…!"

Charlotte muttered as she shrank in place, trying to hide her blushing face behind a forced look of annoyance. Seeing Leonid wink at her like that was more than she could handle.

Her heart pounded fiercely; she almost felt it was reaching him, since they stood so close to each other.

"That's enough… let's forget it."

She looked away, trying to catch her breath, then gestured toward the cabin:

"Come on, let's go inside."

But Leonid didn't move. Instead, he stared at the cabin for a moment, as if thinking.

"Going back now? It hasn't even been half an hour since we left."

His smile gradually faded, and he bent toward her slowly, closing the distance until his lips almost touched hers.

"Or are you afraid to stay with me longer… scared I'll make you call me 'darling' again?"

"I'm not afraid to stay with you for that reason!"

Charlotte answered quickly, her voice rising without her realizing it.

Leonid raised his eyebrows lightly:

"So… you're afraid to stay with me?"

"No!"

She shouted, her tone full of tension, before closing her eyes and sighing deeply, as if surrendering to the whirlpool.

Then, without thinking, she buried her face in his chest again, hiding from him and herself.

"What's wrong now? I was just joking with you."

Leonid whispered, lightly patting her back.

"Hmm…"

Charlotte mumbled a faint grumble before freeing her hands and hugging him with some stubbornness:

"Today… you exceed my limit."

He raised his eyebrows lightly, looking at the top of her head.

"What do you mean? Am I acting differently?"

Before she could answer, he slid his arm under her thighs, then lifted her gently to his chest, tightening his grip around her waist as he headed toward the cabin.

"You… talk too much today."

She sighed, resting her head on his shoulder, breathing slowly as if trying to calm her heart.

Leonid chuckled softly, his warm voice flowing into her ear:

"I guess I am… you can't blame me, I'm just… excited."

Charlotte lifted her head a little as Leonid stopped walking.

She looked at his face for a moment, then whispered with a small, trembling smile:

"Is this how you look when you get excited?"

She looked at him as if seeing him for the first time, her eyes shining with something she couldn't explain.

Leonid returned a charming smile and asked,

"Do I look bad?"

Heat rose to her cheeks, so she quickly lowered her head, then hugged him tightly.

Her words slipped lightly between her breaths:

"No… you're just more handsome."

Leonid silently stifled his laughter, as if her compliment left a small mark on his heart, then continued walking toward the cabin while a comfortable silence settled between them.