The Responsibility

Eryx smiled, never letting it slip as Lunara placed her hand in his. The short walk back to the car passed in silence, but not the heavy kind. He found himself wishing it lasted longer.

Everything about being with her felt unfamiliar, like he was starting from the beginning with someone he'd known only in fragments.

Inside the car, Lunara settled into her seat while he started the engine. She turned toward the window but then her profile caught the light.

Eryx was holding onto the phone, facing it toward Lunara.

She noticed. "What are you doing?"

"I just thought…" he paused, then offered a half-smile. "You looked cute."

She raised an eyebrow, not expecting his action.

Eryx chuckled softly, lowering the phone. "Sorry, I couldn't resist." He looked out the windshield, trying to act nonchalant but his grin still lingered.

Lunara stared at him for a beat before rolling her eyes, "I almost thought there was a paparazzi earlier."