Ripples of Fate

Chapter 62: Private Christmas

Mailin’s POV

As the party begins to wind down and everyone helps clean up, I can’t help but steal glances at Shota across the room. He’s making sure everything is in order, his usual stern expression in place, but there’s a softness in his eyes tonight. It’s a rare sight, something he only lets slip in moments like this—when everything feels just a little lighter.

I catch his eye, and he raises an eyebrow at me, a small smirk tugging at his lips. It’s an unspoken understanding between us—when the night is over, there’s still our own private celebration waiting. A little time away from the chaos of the dorms and the constant responsibilities. Just us.

“Mailin, you should head up,” he murmurs as he approaches me, his voice low so no one else can hear. “I’ll finish up down here.”

I nod, giving him a knowing smile. “Don’t take too long.”

With that, I make my way upstairs, my heart already beating a little faster at the thought of having some quiet time with him. We rarely get moments like this, between the students, the hero work, and everything else. But tonight, for once, we can just enjoy each other.

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Shota’s POV

By the time I finish clearing up and make my way upstairs, the dorm is quiet. Most of the students have gone to bed, and the rest are tucked away in their rooms, exhausted from the day’s excitement. I slip into our room, shutting the door softly behind me.

Mailin is already waiting for me by the window, her silhouette framed by the moonlight filtering through the curtains. She looks peaceful, her gaze distant as she watches the snow gently falling outside. For a moment, I just watch her, letting myself savor the sight of her like this—calm, beautiful, and mine.

“Hey,” I say softly, walking up behind her. My hands rest on her waist, pulling her back against me.

She leans into me with a content sigh, her hand coming up to rest over mine. “You’re late.”

I smirk, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Had to make sure the kids didn’t burn the place down.”

She laughs softly, and the sound is like music to my ears. For a moment, we just stand there, watching the snow fall in silence, our breaths mingling in the stillness of the room. There’s something magical about nights like this—when the world feels quiet and it’s just the two of us.

“You know,” she starts, turning in my arms to face me, “we haven’t had a Christmas like this in… I can’t even remember.”

I tilt my head, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Then we should make the most of it.”

She smiles, and there’s a softness in her eyes that makes my chest tighten. I lean down, pressing my lips to hers in a slow, gentle kiss. It’s not hurried or frantic like some of our stolen moments—it’s deliberate, lingering, as if we’re both trying to hold onto this time we’ve carved out for ourselves.

Her arms wrap around my neck, pulling me closer, and I deepen the kiss, my hands sliding up her back. There’s a warmth between us that has nothing to do with the heat of the room—it’s something deeper, something that’s always been there between us, even when we’re surrounded by the chaos of hero life.

When we finally pull away, we’re both breathing a little heavier, but neither of us lets go.

“I have a gift for you,” she says softly, her forehead resting against mine.

I raise an eyebrow, smirking. “I thought we weren’t doing gifts.”

She shrugs, her smile playful. “I changed my mind.”

Before I can respond, she pulls back and grabs something from the nightstand. It’s a small, wrapped box, and she hands it to me with a shy smile.

I take it, my curiosity piqued. Unwrapping it, I find a sleek, black leather band inside—simple, but elegant. It’s engraved with a small star on the inside, something only I would see when wearing it.

“Mailin…” I start, but she shakes her head, cutting me off.

“I wanted you to have something that reminds you that, no matter what, I’m always with you,” she says softly. “Even when things get tough.”

I look at her, and for a moment, I’m not sure what to say. I’m not used to this kind of sentimentality, but with Mailin, it feels right. I slip the band onto my wrist, and it fits perfectly.

“Thank you,” I say quietly, pulling her back into my arms. “I’ll never take it off.”

She smiles, but there’s a mischievous glint in her eyes as she leans up to kiss me again. “Good. Now, about that gift you owe me…”

I chuckle, leaning down to capture her lips once more. “I think I can manage that.”

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Mailin’s POV

The night stretches on, and for once, there’s no rush. No urgency. Just the two of us, tangled up in each other, sharing soft kisses and whispered words. It’s the kind of quiet, intimate moment we rarely get to have, and I find myself wishing we could stay like this forever.

Outside, the snow continues to fall, blanketing the world in a soft, white stillness. But in here, with Shota’s arms around me and his steady heartbeat beneath my ear, everything feels warm and right.

We may not get nights like this often, but when we do, they’re everything I need.