Chapter 40: Luna Lacus (3)
[ AN: Music Recommendation: Hoy Como Ayer by Hermanos Gutiérrez]
Yoa’s jaw clenched after reading the emotion shimmering in Nova’s eyes. Of course, she was upset. The only way home they could think of didn’t work. He’d been so attuned to his own greediness, his own selfishness, that he did not consider how Nova might be feeling right now.
"I’m sorry-"
"No!" Nova rushed out, her wet hands pressing against his lips as they hovered in the water, Yoa’s legs idly kicking to keep them afloat. She was aware of what Yoa may be thinking. It was why he was apologising. But it couldn’t be further from the truth, and she didn’t know if that made her a bad person or not.
"I... I’m a little confused..." She looked away, her voice dropping, the emotion building behind her eyes again. Her hands slid down to his chest, the wild beat of his heart comforting. "I’m sort of... relieved."
Yoa’s eyes widened at her confession, searching her face, a grin spreading on his glistening lips. "Why’s that then?" He asked innocently, yet his voice rumbled in a purr.
"Oh!" Nova swatted his chest, water splashing over them from the impact. Yoa chuckled, and Nova couldn’t help but wobble her lips, which formed into a smile, her eyes creasing as she stared up at him.
Yoa leaned his face closer to hers, capturing her gaze in his, imprisoning her. "Say it," Yoa growled, his beast surfacing, eyes shimmering against his dark skin.
Nova melted under that molten stare and felt compelled to be utterly truthful. "Because of you," she whispered, unable to look away, so exposed and vulnerable to him. Her heart raced, and she shivered as his hands pressed her closer to him, those ethereal eyes burning into hers.