WOULD YOU RESCUE ME?

2. You stayed till A.M.

As Astra and Vanessa stepped out into the cool, misty Dublin night, the air felt electric between them, like the city itself was holding its breath. Vanessa walked beside Astra, their shoulders brushing occasionally as they made their way down quieter streets, away from the bustling Halloween crowd. Astra led them confidently, as if she knew these streets like the back of her hand, turning down a narrow lane that seemed almost hidden between old brick buildings.Eventually, they arrived at a secluded spot near the River Liffey, where the water flowed quietly under the soft glow of the moon. It was an old, cobblestone pier that jutted out into the river, flanked by a line of tall trees that swayed gently in the night breeze. Here, the city seemed distant, its noise replaced by the gentle lapping of water against the stones and the occasional rustling of leaves. It was a place of solitude, untouched by the revelry that pulsed through the streets just a few blocks away.Astra leaned against a worn, weathered railing overlooking the water, glancing at Vanessa with a small, knowing smile. "Not many people know about this place. It's my little escape when things get too... loud."Vanessa took in their surroundings, the peacefulness of it all, feeling a sense of gratitude for being shown something so private. "It's beautiful," she said softly, stepping closer to Astra, who seemed to be watching her with a hint of curiosity. "Thank you for bringing me here."Astra shrugged lightly, but her expression was sincere. "You seemed like you might appreciate it. And maybe, I just didn't want the night to end yet."Vanessa smiled at that, a gentle warmth spreading in her chest. She leaned beside Astra, their arms brushing, and let the quiet settle between them for a moment before turning her attention back to Astra. There were so many questions she had, the kind that only came when you felt like you might actually want to know someone. She hesitated for a second, then decided to take the plunge. "So, you seem close to Niko," Vanessa began, nodding back in the direction of the bar. "The bass player, I mean. How did you two meet?"
Astra's face softened at the mention of Niko, but at the same time confused "Wait how did you found out his name? I never mentioned him." she said letting out a small chuckle. "Detective tricks you know..." Vanessa replied laughing a bit before giving a real answer to the question, "I red the name on his bracelet when he hugged you to say bye. What can I say, my curiosity always wins over me." She said turning her head to Astra waiting for the answer to her first question.

"We've been friends since we were kids. Grew up in the same neighborhood. He's always been a bit of a wild card, even before... you know, the accident. But he's a good guy. We've been through a lot together. He's got this tough exterior, but deep down, he's got a heart of gold." Astra said giving a brief description of her best friend.

Vanessa nodded, listening intently, absorbing the fondness in Astra's voice. "I could tell you care about him. He's lucky to have you around."Astra tilted her head, meeting Vanessa's eyes with a thoughtful look. "He's like a brother to me, really. He needed someone after the accident, and... I guess I needed him too, in a different way. We've always looked out for each other."Vanessa tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, the curiosity still burning within her. She studied Astra's face for a moment, then decided to dig a little deeper. "You know, I never would have guessed you were a law student at Trinity. I mean, you seem so... at ease behind the bar, like you were born to run the place."Astra let out a soft laugh, a little embarrassed but clearly pleased by the observation. "Yeah, most people don't connect the two. It's funny, though. I actually like studying law, well, most of the time, anyway. But working at the bar gives me a different kind of freedom. It's like... a balance between the two worlds, I guess. And it pays the bills, which helps since I like having my own money."Vanessa raised an eyebrow at that. "You don't rely on your parents? It's not every day you hear about someone turning down a safety net."Astra glanced out at the river, her expression thoughtful. "Well, my parents are well off more than well off, actually. But I've always wanted to do things my way, you know? Earn my own way, make my own decisions. It's not about the money, really. It's about... proving to myself that I can stand on my own. Plus, I've never left Ireland, so there's this part of me that wants to feel like I can be independent before I think about exploring beyond this place."Vanessa found herself admiring the quiet strength behind Astra's words, the determination that hid beneath her easygoing charm. She felt a connection growing between them, a sense that they understood each other in ways that went beyond surface-level attraction. "That's brave," Vanessa said sincerely, turning to face Astra more directly. "Not everyone's willing to step out of their comfort zone like that."Astra looked at her, a small, wistful smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah, well, it's easier when you've got people like Niko around to remind you that you're not alone in it." She paused, then gave Vanessa a teasing look. "And maybe it's nice to have someone new who gets it, too. Even if she's still figuring out Dublin."Vanessa felt the subtle shift in the air again, the way Astra's gaze seemed to linger just a little longer, her expression open and vulnerable in a way that made Vanessa's heart race. "Maybe I am still figuring it out," Vanessa replied softly, letting the distance between them narrow just a bit more, "but I think I'm starting to find my way."Astra's smile softened, and she held Vanessa's gaze, letting the unspoken words hang between them like a fragile thread. The moonlight glinted off the river, casting silver reflections across their faces, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade into the background.They stood like that for a while, neither one needing to fill the silence, until Astra finally let out a quiet breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "You know, Vanessa, I don't usually bring people here. But I'm glad I did tonight."Vanessa's heart skipped a beat, and she reached out, lightly brushing her fingers against Astra's. "Yeah, me too."They shared another look, one that held a promise of something more, as the night stretched on around them, wrapping them in its quiet embrace. For once, neither of them felt the need to rush, content to let the moment unfold at its own pace. And Vanessa, for the first time since she'd arrived in Dublin, felt like she might just be finding a place where she belonged.