Timeless | rorasa

Chapter 10: The Smile and The Promise

It was evening when Asa finally woke up. Rora, having just finished preparing a steaming cup of tea, noticed the mixture of fear and relief in Asa's eyes. She walked over and gently handed the tea to her.

Asa's hands trembled slightly as she wrapped her fingers around the warm cup. The day's events had left their mark, and now, nestled in the coziness of Rora's living room, she felt the tension slowly ebbing away.

Rora sat down beside her, the usual sharpness in her eyes softened by concern. She didn't say anything at first, just let the quiet comfort of her presence fill the room. For a moment, Asa expected Rora's usual bluntness, a comment about how she needed to toughen up or how she should have handled things differently. But instead, Rora's expression was calm, almost tender, as she watched Asa sip her tea.

"Feeling better now?" Rora asked, her voice low, devoid of its usual edge. It was a simple question, but there was a depth to it, a genuine care that Rora rarely let show.

Asa nodded, though the tightness in her chest hadn't fully eased. "I am now," she said softly. She looked up at Rora, surprised by the lack of judgment in her gaze. There was no harshness, no expectation-just a quiet understanding.

Rora leaned back on the couch, her posture relaxed, though her eyes remained fixed on Asa. She wanted to say something, to reassure Asa in a way she wasn't entirely used to. It was new for her, this gentle side, but something about Asa brought it out naturally.

"You don't have to worry anymore," Rora said, her voice softer than usual. "I'm here. You're safe."

Asa felt a wave of relief wash over her at those words. Rora's calm demeanor, her unexpectedly soft tone-it was exactly what she needed. The strength that Rora exuded was still there, but it was tempered by a warmth that Asa had only glimpsed before.

"Thank you, Rora," Asa whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She reached out, hesitating for just a moment before placing her hand over Rora's.

Rora looked down at their hands, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She didn't pull away; instead, she turned her hand over to intertwine their fingers gently. The simple act of holding Asa's hand felt right, like a quiet promise that she would always be there for her.

"You don't need to thank me," Rora said, her voice still soft. "I'll always be here when you need me."

Asa squeezed Rora's hand, a small, grateful smile playing on her lips. The comfort she found in Rora's presence was undeniable, and it made her realize just how much she had come to rely on Rora, not just for protection but for the sense of security she provided.

Rora didn't say anything else, but she didn't need to. The silence between them was peaceful, filled with an unspoken understanding. Asa leaned into the moment, finding solace in Rora's calm presence, feeling a little less alone with each passing second.

For Rora, this was new territory. Being soft, being calm-it wasn't something she was accustomed to. But with Asa, it felt natural. And as she sat there, holding Asa's hand, she realized that maybe, just maybe, she was okay with letting her guard down a little, as long as it was for Asa.

---

Rora awoke the next morning with a plan. Asa had been through so much the previous day, and Rora was determined to make her smile again, to help her forget-if only for a little while-what Jeongwoo had done. The idea of an amusement park popped into her head; it was the perfect place to bring a bit of joy and excitement back into Asa's life.

After some quick preparations, Rora gently woke Asa. "Get dressed," she whispered, her tone light, a soft smile on her lips. "I'm taking you somewhere fun today."