Page 117 of A Lab Rat's Guide to Fated Love
They crushed his fragile heart with their weight, and the walls he’d held together with his flimsy resolve came crashing down around him.
No.He couldn’t let her go. He wasn’t ready. Not yet.Not again.
The lump in his throat grew till he couldn’t swallow anymore, and he finally let his arms wrap around her, pulling her to him. Closer. Tighter.
It was a while before either of them let go. Stepping away, Vir opened his mouth at the same time as Nori did, but before either of them could speak, a low grumbling sound beat them to it.
“Would you like some ramen?” Nori asked sheepishly, wrappingher arms around her middle.
Vir started to reply, but then settled for a nod instead. He didn’t fully trust his words yet.
“You look like hell, by the way,” she observed with a watery smile.
It made him chuckle. “Ido?” He blinked, and it took some effort to open his eyes again.
“Please go sit.” She nudged him towards the couch. “Give me ten minutes.”
“I’ll cook. You’re not—”
“I’m fine. Really. Go.”
Nori dug what she needed out of the pantry while Vir reluctantly settled on the couch. She joined him there a few minutes later, with two steaming bowls of spicy instant noodles. She handed him the soupy one with a bit of ketchup and roasted sesame seeds on the side.
He sighed. “You remember.”
“Yes.”
“We need to talk.”
“We do.” She handed him a fork. “But not right now. Eat first.”
He opened his mouth and closed it without a word.
Nori took their empty dishes to the kitchen once they were done.
“Do you really want to sleep on the couch?” she asked, reappearing at his side.
“Couch works.” It was even harder to stay awake on a full stomach.
“Come on.” Her fingers closed around his wrist. “I wish I could just carry you inside. But you’re not as skinny as you were before.”
He laughed.
“Look at you.” She grabbed his arm and tugged. “Did you start working out? Do you have abs now?”
He chuckled at her genuinely curious expression. And a little familiar spark of—
“Are youannoyedyou can’t carry me?” he asked, amused, while he let her drag him to the bed.
“Maybe. A little. I could give it a try—”
“No, thank you.” He laughed again as his head hit the pillow. “Nori?” he asked sleepily, his eyes fully closed.
“Vir?”
He sat up in alarm at how far away her voice sounded. “Don’t leave!”
“I’m not leaving,” she said, her hand hovering over the door’s handle. “I’ll be right outside.”
