Mrs. Emerin lay back on her bed, the gentle hum of the cooling system filling the silence around her. She let out a slow sigh, feeling the weight of the day drift from her shoulders. Her thoughts wandered briefly to Dragan, to Aurelia, to the unanswered questions swirling quietly in her heart. But fatigue pressed in stronger than curiosity, and before long, her eyes closed, pulling her into a gentle, dreamless sleep.
Meanwhile, in Aurelia's room, the atmosphere was thick with warmth and the scent of her lavender sheets. Aurelia pressed closer to Dragan, her cheek brushing his chest as she drew in a shaky breath. Her fingers rested just below his collarbone, tracing slow, invisible lines as if trying to memorize every part of him.
Dragan looked down at her, his eyes filled with a mix of longing and conflict. He hesitated, his hand hovering in her hair, then moving to gently cup her face.
"Aurelia…," he murmured, his voice low and rough, almost pleading.
She tilted her head up, her eyes shimmering in the soft light, searching his face for an answer she wasn't sure she wanted to hear.
"I… I'm not here for this," he whispered suddenly, his words cracking under the weight of his emotion. "Please… forgive me."
His hand dropped from her face as he began to pull away, trying to retreat, as though he could fold himself out of the moment. His body tensed, his jaw tightening as he shifted to sit up.
But Aurelia didn't let him go.
Her arms tightened around his waist, pulling him back down, her fingers gripping his shirt desperately.
"Don't," she breathed, her voice trembling but firm. "Please… don't leave me like this."
Dragan's eyes widened as she pressed forward, her lips catching his in a sudden, hungry kiss that stole the breath right out of his lungs.
He froze at first, shocked by the intensity. But her lips moved against his with a sweet, irresistible urgency, her fingers slipping up to cradle his neck.
She kissed him again, deeper this time, her body pressing into his as if she wanted to dissolve into him completely. Her warmth, her trembling breaths, her scent · all of it flooded his senses, breaking down every wall he had left.
Dragan's hand hovered in the air for a moment, as if he still wanted to escape. But then, slowly, it fell to her waist, fingers digging lightly into her side as he finally gave in.
Their kiss grew more heated, each movement laced with unspoken apologies and confessions neither of them knew how to say aloud. Aurelia shifted her weight, pressing him gently back into the bed, her hair falling around his face like a soft curtain.
Her lips left his only to brush along his jawline, her breath hot against his skin. "I don't want to be alone anymore," she whispered. "I don't want to push you away. Not again."
He looked up at her, his eyes wide and vulnerable. For a moment, he seemed to search her face for any sign of hesitation — but there was none. Only the quiet, burning plea of someone who had chosen him fully, despite the fear.
Dragan's fingers tangled into her hair, pulling her back down into another kiss. This time, he didn't hold back.
The world outside their room might as well have not existed.
Aurelia's hands slid along his shoulders, her touch both gentle and demanding. She broke the kiss only to meet his eyes again, her forehead pressing against his as she struggled to catch her breath.
"Stay," she whispered, her voice breaking softly. "Stay here… with me."
Dragan closed his eyes, his chest rising and falling rapidly beneath her touch. "I tried to stop," he said, his voice raw. "But I can't. Not with you."
Aurelia kissed him again, slower this time, as if to say, It's okay. I want this too.
They stayed like that, tangled together, sharing quiet kisses and soft words only they could hear.
Inside the room, everything was still and silent. Aurelia's bot, which usually scanned and monitored every movement, had been shut down by Aurelia herself because of what she and Dragan were enjoying together. Its single glass eye remained dark and lifeless, completely unaware of the rising heat and pounding heartbeats just beyond its reach.
.....
Hours slipped by unnoticed as the late afternoon turned into the deep blue hush of early evening.
In the dim room, illuminated only by the gentle glow of the panels, they found something beyond words ; a warmth neither of them had dared to claim before.
Outside, Mrs. Emerin still slept peacefully, unaware of the new, fragile bond unfolding just across the hall.
And in that silent space, every heartbeat, every breath, every whispered promise stitched them closer together ..an unspoken vow that, at least for tonight, they would not run.
They would hold on.
They would stay.
Dr. Emerin arrived home after a long, draining day at the Psychological Unit. He felt the weight of a dozen minds still clinging to him as he stepped into the warm glow of the hallway lights.
He set down his case, loosened his collar, and moved straight to the bathroom. The hot water washed over his skin, melting away the knots of tension and the fatigue that pressed at his bones.
Feeling refreshed, he changed into a simple lounge suit, then stepped into the bedroom. Mrs. Emerin was resting lightly. He bent down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
She stirred a little and smiled without opening her eyes, comforted by his presence.
Dr. Emerin straightened and sighed, glancing toward the upper floor. Something tugged at him ; that quiet father's instinct.
He decided to check on Dragan first. He walked up, scanned his face, and the high-tech door slid open. The room was empty. Perfectly organized, untouched.
His brow furrowed.
Next, he turned toward Aurelia's room. Since the bot assistant was turned off, the door opened gently and silently when he placed his hand on the panel.
As soon as the door shifted open, Dr. Emerin froze in place.
In the soft glow of the control lights, he saw them ;Aurelia leaning into Dragan, her lips pressed firmly against his, her hands tangled in his hair. Dragan's arms were wrapped tightly around her waist, pulling her closer, their bodies melting into each other as if they'd forgotten the world existed.Aurelia gasped when she saw the door crack open, her eyes widening in horror.
Dragan stiffened instantly, his mind racing a thousand miles per second.
Dr. Emerin stepped inside slowly, his face a hard, unreadable mask.
"Dragan. Aurelia," he said, his voice low and sharp like a blade drawn in the dark.
Aurelia's breath caught, her hands trembling.
There Caught ....