I reached out to Boss. My crude hand touched her cheek and I could feel her softness. A bitterness rose within me as I saw my calluses from nocking the crossbow. I had grown used to this world more than I imagined. The urge within me disappeared and an unknown heaviness replaced it.

However, Boss moved this time instead. Her cold, yet warm hand grasped mine and kept it from shaking. We looked at each other while holding hands. Neither of us said a word in this strange atmosphere.

I slowly approached her. Close enough for our bodies to fully touch. My heart grew louder and I could also hear another heartbeat. Did she feel just as nervous? I felt a little embarrassed and happy at the same time.

Just as our breath mixed and our lips almost touched…

“Cough.”

An intentional cough rang out and the romantic mood disappeared. We widened our eyes in surprise. Gulp— I swallowed hard and stared at the corner of the tent. Harin took up two people’s worth of space and only then did I realize how close Boss and I became.

“…”

I scooched away with a bitter smile. Boss remained expressionless,...