Nebula of Hearts

Chapter 7: Chiang Mai

Arriving in Chiang Mai, Faye and Yoko were immediately struck by the city's charm. The blend of ancient temples, bustling markets, and lush green landscapes was captivating. They spent their first day exploring the Old City, visiting temples, and tasting local delicacies.

In the evenings, they would return to their villa, where they would sit outside, enjoying the tranquil surroundings. Faye felt more at ease than she had in weeks. The worries about Yoko's past seemed to fade away in the face of their shared joy.

One night, as they sat under the stars, Faye turned to Yoko. "I feel like this place is magical. It's like we can leave everything behind and just be ourselves."

Faye leaned in, resting her head on Yoko's shoulder from the back. "and I'm so glad we did this. It's exactly what we needed."

Yoko nodded, her eyes reflecting the starlight. "I feel the same way."

Yoko glanced at Faye, a playful glint in her eye. "You know," she began, her tone mischievous, there are still so many things we haven't tried yet."

Faye raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Like what?"

Yoko grinned, leaning back and stretching her arms. "Well, for starters, have you ever tried traditional Lanna dancing? I heard it's quite the experience."

Faye laughed. "Dancing? I'm not sure I have the coordination for that."

"Oh, come on," Yoko teased, nudging Faye with her elbow. " We already danced and I bet you'd look adorable trying to keep up Lanna's dance."

Faye blushed, shaking her head. "I think I'd end up stepping on everyone's toes."

Yoko leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Or maybe just mine," she said, her breath warm against Faye's ear.

Faye felt a shiver run down her spine. "Is that a challenge?"

Yoko's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Maybe it is. Are you up for it?"

Before Faye could respond, Yoko stood up and extended her hand. "Come on, let's give it a try. Who knows, you might surprise yourself."

Faye hesitated for a moment, then took Yoko's hand. They moved to a small clearing by the river, the moonlight casting a soft glow over the scene. Yoko positioned herself in front of Faye, demonstrating a few simple steps.

"Just follow my lead," Yoko instructed, her voice gentle but firm.

Faye tried to mimic Yoko's movements, stumbling a little at first. Yoko's laughter filled the air, light and carefree. "You're doing great. Just relax and let the music guide you."

As they danced, Faye couldn't help but notice how graceful and fluid Yoko's movements were. She found herself getting lost in the rhythm, her initial awkwardness giving way to a growing sense of confidence.

Yoko's teasing continued, her comments playful and encouraging. "See? I told you you could do it. Now, try this spin."

Faye attempted the spin, nearly losing her balance in the process. Yoko caught her arm, steadying her. "Easy there, don't want you falling for me just yet."

Faye laughed, her cheeks flushed with exertion and excitement. "Too late for that," she said, her eyes locking with Yoko's.

Yoko smirked, her gaze intense. "Good to know. Now, let's see if you can keep up with this next move."

The night continued in a blur of laughter and dancing, Yoko's playful teasing making Faye feel more alive than she had in a long time. Despite her initial reservations, Faye found herself enjoying the experience, the bond between them growing stronger with each passing moment.