Chapter 34: A Hug Is All I Need
For Mika, something like a slap, he would’ve been fine with that...Truly.
Even if she had hurled that dagger straight through his stomach, tearing out his guts, he would’ve taken it without complaint. After all, his body would heal, the pain would fade, and life would move on as always.
...But this?
This trembling woman in his arms, her soft, warm body pressed against his, her fingers gripping his shirt like he might disappear again, this was infinitely harder to endure. He didn’t know where to put his hands, what expression to wear, or how in the world he was supposed to handle her tears.
Mika’s throat bobbed as he looked down at her carefully, his voice soft, hesitant.
"I...honestly, I was totally expecting to get slapped after hearing all that." He murmured.
Her shoulders shook faintly, but she didn’t pull away.
"You really seemed like you wanted to choke me out for all the things I’ve done..." Mika chuckled awkwardly, scratching his neck. "...But I never, never, expected you to do something like this."
At that, Yelena finally lifted her head, pulling back just enough for her luminous green eyes, now glistening with tears, to meet his. The sight made his heart stutter, his words catching in his throat.
She smiled ruefully, her voice low and almost breaking. "So I really seemed like someone so cold-hearted...that I’d slap my beloved boy after not seeing him for so long?"
Mika’s eyes widened, and before she could say anything else, he shook his head furiously, nearly knocking her with his chin.
"N-No! Not at all! You’re..." He raised his hands dramatically, almost like a kid caught in trouble. "You’re the most gentle, the most loving person in the world! There’s no way, no way, you’d ever do something like that! Never in a million years!"