The Last Survivors

Chapter 20: feelings?

It had been two months since Seraphina had found refuge with Alex and Mia in their secluded cottage, and in that time, their bond had grown stronger with each passing day. But as they sat together one evening, savoring the warmth of the crackling fire, Alex found himself wrestling with unfamiliar emotions.

"Mia, can I talk to you about something?" Alex began, his voice hesitant as he glanced at his sister, he then looked at seraphina who was sound asleep on a couch.

Mia looked up from the book she was reading, concern furrowing her brow. "Of course, Alex. What's on your mind?" she asked, setting the book aside to give him her full attention.

Alex hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to put his thoughts into words. "It's... it's about Seraphina," he admitted, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Mia's eyes widened in surprise, her curiosity piqued. "What about her?" she asked gently, sensing that there was more to her brother's words than he was letting on.

Alex shifted uncomfortably, his gaze flickering towards Seraphina, who sat across the room lost in thought. "I don't know... I just... I feel weird around her," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mia studied him for a moment, a knowing smile playing at her lips. "Weird how?" she asked, her tone teasing.

Alex flushed even deeper, his cheeks turning crimson. "I don't know, it's just... whenever she's around, I... I can't seem to focus," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration.

Mia's smile widened, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Sounds like someone has a crush," she teased, nudging him playfully.

Alex's eyes widened in alarm, a look of panic crossing his face. "What? No, that's not... I mean, she's just... she's a friend," he stammered, his words trailing off awkwardly.

Mia laughed, her laughter ringing out like music in the cozy confines of the cottage. "Relax, Alex," she said, her tone gentle. "It's okay to have feelings for someone, you know."

Alex sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I know," he admitted quietly. "But... what if she doesn't feel the same way?"

Mia reached out and squeezed his hand reassuringly. "You won't know unless you tell her," she said softly. "And no matter what happens, you'll always have me and Seraphina by your side."

Mia's playful demeanor softened as she studied her brother's troubled expression. "Tell me more, Alex. What exactly makes you feel this way around Seraphina?"

Alex shifted uncomfortably, his gaze flickering towards Seraphina's sleeping form on the couch. "I don't know... it's like... whenever she's near, my heart starts racing, and I can't seem to form coherent thoughts," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mia nodded understandingly, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "Sounds like you're smitten, bro," she teased gently, nudging him with her elbow.

Alex groaned in exasperation, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Come on, Mia, this isn't funny," he protested, his tone defensive.

Mia's smile softened, her teasing demeanor giving way to genuine concern. "I'm sorry, Alex, I didn't mean to make light of it," she said sincerely, reaching out to squeeze his hand. "But have you considered that maybe these feelings are more than just a passing fancy?"

Alex's brow furrowed in confusion as he pondered his sister's words. "I... I don't know," he admitted quietly. "I've never felt like this before."

Mia nodded in understanding, her eyes filled with empathy. "It's okay, Alex. Just take your time and listen to your heart," she advised gently. "And remember, no matter what happens, I'll always be here for you."

Alex offered her a grateful smile, his heart lighter knowing that he had his sister's unwavering support. And as they sat together, bathed in the soft glow of the fire, Alex couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for Mia's unwavering presence in his life – a presence that gave him the courage to explore the unfamiliar territory of his heart, with Seraphina by his side.

Alex soon fell asleep to the thought of seraphina, smiling softly as he drifted into deep sleep. As for Mia she found herself smiling at her brother knowing that seraphina and him will end up together one way or another.

As Seraphina stirred from her slumber, she found herself gazing at Alex's sleeping form across the room. The flickering firelight cast gentle shadows across his features, highlighting the curve of his cheekbones and the tousled strands of his dirty blonde hair. A soft smile graced his lips, and Seraphina couldn't help but feel a flutter in her chest as she admired his peaceful expression.

Her gaze drifted over his features, taking in every detail with an intensity she couldn't explain. His soft, youthful features, his tanned skin kissed by the sun, and the faint freckles scattered across his nose. But it was his eyes that held her captive – deep, mesmerizing pools of emerald green that seemed to hold a world of untold stories within them.

As she continued to watch him, a warmth spread through Seraphina's chest, and she realized with a start that she was growing a crush on him. She tried to tear her gaze away, to shake off the feeling that had taken root in her heart, but she found herself drawn back to him, unable to look away.

With a soft sigh, Seraphina finally tore her eyes away from Alex's sleeping form, a blush creeping across her cheeks as she realized the depth of her feelings. She knew that she couldn't deny them any longer – she was falling for him, and there was no turning back. And as she sat there in the quiet of the room, bathed in the soft glow of the firelight, Seraphina couldn't help but wonder what the future held for her and Alex, and whether he felt the same way.

Mia's eyes fluttered open to the soft light filtering through the windows, her gaze drifting around the room as she stretched languidly. As she sat up, she noticed the sound of movement coming from the kitchen and turned to see Seraphina bustling about, a look of concentration on her face as she prepared breakfast. A warm smile tugged at Mia's lips as she watched her friend, admiring the way Seraphina moved with purpose and determination.

Quietly slipping out of bed, Mia made her way over to the kitchen, her footsteps light on the wooden floorboards. "Good morning, Seraphina," she greeted with a cheerful smile, her voice filled with warmth. "What's cooking?"

Seraphina turned to face Mia, a bright smile lighting up her features. "Good morning, Mia," she replied, her voice soft but filled with enthusiasm. "I'm making pancakes – I hope you and Alex like them." As they worked together to finish preparing breakfast, Mia couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for Seraphina's presence in their lives.