Chapter 9 – Something We Can’t Name

(Astria's POV)

I woke up to the smell of coffee.

For a second, I forgot where I was. The couch under me wasn't my bed, the oversized hoodie I was drowning in wasn't mine, and the blanket draped over me smelled like…

Morana.

The memory of last night hit me all at once.

The alley. The rain. The way she held me, even just for a second.

My face heated.

I sat up quickly, pushing the blanket aside, just as Morana walked into the room.

Her hair was damp, messy like she'd just towel-dried it, and she was wearing an old band tee that was definitely too big for her.

"Morning, princess," she said, voice still a little rough from sleep.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't call me that."

She smirked. "You were mumbling in your sleep. Thought I heard you say 'thank you, my hero.'"

I grabbed the closest pillow and threw it at her face.

She caught it—barely—laughing. "Okay, okay. You're welcome, though."

I huffed, crossing my arms. "I didn't say it."

"But you thought it."

I opened my mouth—stopped.

Because… maybe I had.

And maybe, just maybe, it wasn't the worst thought in the world.

---

Breakfast – An Unspoken Truce

I wasn't supposed to be here this long.

But somehow, I was sitting at Morana's tiny kitchen table, eating slightly burnt toast and drinking coffee that was way too bitter.

And somehow…

It wasn't awful.

"So," she said after a few minutes of silence. "You okay?"

I blinked. "What?"

"After last night," she clarified, her gaze steady. "You seemed shaken up."

I hesitated.

Because no one ever asked me that.

People always assumed I was fine. Always expected me to be fine.

Even when I wasn't.

"...I'm okay," I said finally, even though I wasn't sure if it was the truth.

Morana didn't look convinced.

But she didn't push.

She just took a sip of her awful coffee and said, "Good."

And for some reason, that meant something.

---

The Goodbye That Feels Like Something Else

When we finally left, the sky was clear, the streets still damp from last night's storm.

Morana walked me to my dorm.

She didn't have to.

But she did.

And when we reached my door, she shoved her hands in her pockets, shifting awkwardly.

"So," she said.

I tilted my head. "So."

Her lips quirked up. "Guess you owe me one now, huh?"

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, please."

She smirked, stepping back. "I'll let you know when I want payback."

And just like that, she turned to leave.

I watched her go.

And, for the first time…

I didn't know if I hated her at all.