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"She's asleep..." Zeke observed Kiana, resting his cheek on one hand, his gaze gradually softening.
Clad in her white uniform, light blue denim shorts, and long white socks enveloping her shapely legs, with the compact black armored band fastened around her right thigh. Her silvery-white hair reached down to her waist, as simulated sunlight illuminated her slender figure from the side, accentuating the porcelain smoothness of her neck.
In tranquil slumber, she resembled a blooming haitang bathed in fragrant air.
Zeke took a deep breath, catching a hint of sweetness—whether it came from Kiana, just inches away, or the cake on the table was unclear.
He decided to finish off the cake.
"Mm..."
The sounds of Zeke eating roused Kiana from her nap.
Rubbing her eyes, upon regaining full consciousness, she noticed the empty plate and Zeke wiping his mouth.
"Ah! My cake! It's one-of-a-kind moon strawberry flavor!" Kiana wailed, clutching her head, her melodious voice tinged with despair.
Unfazed, Zeke crossed his legs, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
"Weren't you trying to resist temptations?"
"I'm practicing self-control, not saying I won't eat!"
"The best practice is simply abstaining."
"...Compensate me!" Kiana glared at Zeke, tears welling up in accusation.
Zeke interlaced his fingers, resting them on his leg, and spoke leisurely:
"Come clean now, what were you up to causing so much fuss while I was working?"
Kiana paused, and her teary eyes quickly dried up.
After a moment, she hesitantly responded while fidgeting with her fingers:
"It's just...just that I wanted to become more considerate and mature, you know?"
"Give it up," Zeke advised firmly.
Such traits were incompatible with Kiana; if she could achieve them, Zeke might as well propose to the Book of Fuxi tomorrow.
"Hey!" Kiana angrily pounded the table, glaring at Zeke with dissatisfaction.
"So, why the sudden desire for change? Weren't you always dismissive of my etiquette lessons, barely engaging no matter how much I tried?"
"Well, isn't it...because I'm still young and didn't fully understand before?" Kiana stammered.
"I want the truth."
"Uh...didn't Zeke say he hopes his future partner would be thoughtful and easygoing?" Kiana continued twiddling her fingers, her gaze shifting nervously, a blush creeping across her face. After a brief moment, she shyly covered her cheeks.
During their confession in the consciousness domain, extreme emotional shifts had made her abandon all inhibitions. Now, admitting these feelings directly to Zeke left Kiana quite embarrassed—except when teasing him, as being bashful then wouldn't get anything done.
Zeke studied her intently for a long moment before shaking his head with a smile.
"You, ah..." It seemed that after those heartfelt confessions, both he and Kiana found themselves somewhat at a loss.
The old Kiana never would have pondered such matters.
With amusement evident in his deep voice, Zeke reached out and gently tousled her hair.
"Come here," he said while patting his thigh invitingly.
Kiana's eyes sparkled as she promptly nestled against him, shifting her petite bottom onto Zeke's lap and leaning back with a delighted smile that curved her eyes.
Zeke wrapped one arm around her slender waist, feeling its softness, while his other hand brushed through Kiana's smooth silver locks, lifting a strand to catch a faint, pleasant scent.
This was their daily routine, always like this. Previously, Zeke hadn't fully realized they had crossed beyond the boundaries of mere flirtation. Or perhaps he did realize but couldn't resist Kiana's affectionate closeness.
"Sigh..."
Zeke let out a breath.
If he were truly indifferent, he should distance himself from Kiana immediately, clearly defining the space between them instead of allowing her continued intimacy as before.
However, he could envision how heartbroken it would make Kiana—how could he bear to see her tears?
This predicament truly left him torn.
"Don't sigh... Did I put you on the spot?" Kiana tilted her head up, her large, expressive eyes shimmering with soft light like still water.
Zeke nodded honestly. "A little."
"Oh..." Kiana's gaze dropped dejectedly.
"It's not your fault," Zeke reassured her, patting her head gently.
After a moment of silence, Kiana looked up again, her dazzling smile belied by tear-filled eyes. As if she had made a decision, she said firmly:
"Then let's pretend nothing happened, okay? Let's go back to how things were before—no confessions, no feelings. You're just Zeke, and I'm just me."
"...What kind of nonsense is that?"
"It's not nonsense. I know Zeke has important work to do and many people to take care of. So, if my confession causes you trouble, then let's forget it ever happened. That way, you won't feel so conflicted!"
Zeke was taken aback.
Given Kiana's determined nature, she usually wouldn't give up so easily.
"I...I don't want Zeke to be unhappy. I hope you can find joy; everything else doesn't matter." Kiana gently took Zeke's hand, intertwining their fingers, and gazed at their joined hands with an incredibly sweet smile.
Zeke also looked down at their clasped hands. Kiana's were small but warm, with a soft texture akin to holding a cotton candy, yet distinctly different in its own enchanting way.
"You're silly," Zeke sighed affectionately.
Kiana chuckled softly, leaning against Zeke without saying more. She wasn't truly silly, just perhaps a bit more naive than him.
"Do you remember Mondstadt?"
"Of course! That's where we first met! Thinking back now, it feels like just yesterday. You were so thin and weak then, unlike today when nothing seems to faze you anymore."
Kiana smiled nostalgically, her words filled with admiration for Zeke.
"I'm not that invincible; there are still many challenges ahead." Zeke tightened his grip on Kiana's hand, warmth shining in his eyes.
Indeed, there were many challenges awaiting him—like saving the world, and then there was the girl currently nestled in his arms.
Oh, Kiana, what am I to do with you?
Zeke felt both exasperated yet contentedly troubled. After a moment, he gently suggested:
"In a few days, let's visit Mondstadt together. We still have that stash of charcoal buried there, remember? You mentioned wanting to dig it up someday. So, why don't we go give it a try? Maybe it's still there...just the two of us."
Kiana froze, her eyes flickering.
Just the two of us?
Could she be misunderstanding the meaning behind these words?
"I've never been in love, nor did I ever imagine what it would feel like. Admittedly, your confession left me bewildered, leading to all sorts of wild thoughts, which ultimately resulted in drafting that adoption agreement. But upon reflection, who else could I entrust you to, other than myself... Let's give this a chance. Perhaps, deep down, I already knew I couldn't bear to let go of you," Zeke said slowly, initially sounding resigned but gradually gaining clarity as he expressed his true feelings.
Indeed, Kiana was playful, gluttonous, lazy, impatient, mischievous, unpredictable, disinclined to think deeply, and prone to bottling up her emotions... With such traits, Zeke couldn't entrust her care to anyone but himself.
Zeke knew nothing of love, but that didn't matter; he simply couldn't let go of Kiana, plain and simple.
As for the standards for a lifelong partner—none of it mattered. Compared to Kiana, truly none of it held any significance.
"Hic...hic...hic..."
The sound of Kiana sniffing came from below him, indicating she might be crying.
Zeke's heart clenched.
"What's wrong?"
"N-nothing! It's just, I'm so happy, really, very happy... Sob!"
She began to weep earnestly, one hand still tightly clasped with Zeke's while the other wiped futilely at her tears, unable to stem their flow.
Zeke sighed in relief; as long as she wasn't sad or upset, everything was fine.
"You're acting like a little kid."
"I-I can't help it..."
"It's not a criticism. Cry when you want to cry, laugh when you feel like laughing—that's all I ask of you."
"Zeke..."
"Yes?"
"I love you so much, I really, truly adore you...more than this whole world! Nobody could ever love you more than I do! Honest!"
Unbeknownst to Zeke, his lips curved gently upward as he tenderly stroked Kiana's hair and responded, "Saying that might make Siegfried cry."
"It's different... But even though I can leave my stinky dad behind, there's absolutely no way I could ever part with you, Zeke!" Kiana lifted her head, her tear-filled eyes gazing earnestly at him, her tone filled with complete sincerity.
Zeke opened his mouth but found himself speechless. He had to admit, these words and her teary yet radiant face momentarily rendered his mind blank.
Why hadn't he realized before how profoundly powerful Kiana's words could be?
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