obsession

Chapter 6: When things get better

Over the next few days, something changed between Fearin and Kira. It wasn’t a sudden shift, but a gradual softening of the tension that had once filled the air between them. Fearin, who had always been strict and cold, started to let his guard down. He found himself enjoying her company more than he expected. Her laughter, her gentle teasing, even the way she spoke about the simplest things—it all began to draw him in.

Kira, on the other hand, noticed the small changes in him. He wasn’t as rigid, not as distant. He would stay at the breakfast table longer, engaging her in light conversation, and he began to ask her about her day in a way that felt genuine. She hadn’t expected this warmth from him, and every day, her heart raced a little more when she saw him.

Fearin, despite his best efforts to remain in control, realized that Kira was slowly breaking down the walls he had built. He found himself watching her when she wasn’t looking, noticing the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about her designs, the way she smiled shyly when he complimented her. It was a feeling he wasn’t used to—vulnerability, attraction, and something deeper that he was reluctant to name. Love.

One morning, as they sat together over breakfast, Fearin reached for the sugar and handed it to her without her asking. “Here you go, darling,” he said, his voice casual.

Kira froze, her cheeks instantly flushing pink. The nickname slipped from his lips so naturally, but it caught her off guard. She looked up at him, her heart skipping a beat. “D-darling?” she stammered, her eyes wide.

Fearin simply smirked, amused by her reaction. “Yes, darling,” he repeated, leaning back in his chair with a self-satisfied look.

Kira’s face grew even redder. She wasn’t used to him being so… affectionate. The nickname, the teasing tone—it was new, and it flustered her every time. But she couldn’t deny the flutter in her stomach each time he said it. She lowered her gaze, too shy to meet his eyes.

Over the next few days, the nickname stuck. Fearin seemed to enjoy watching her blush whenever he called her “darling.” Whether it was in passing or during quiet moments, the word slipped from his mouth easily, and each time, Kira’s heart would race. She tried to act unaffected, but the warmth that spread through her chest every time he called her that made it impossible to hide her feelings.

One evening, as they were sitting in the living room after dinner, Fearin called her over. “Kira, come here for a moment.”

She approached, curious but still shy. “What is it?”

Fearin gave her a small smile. “I need your opinion on something, darling.”

There it was again. Kira’s face heated up as she looked away, trying to keep her composure. “Y-you could just call me by my name, you know,” she muttered, flustered.

Fearin chuckled softly, clearly enjoying how flustered she became every time. “But where’s the fun in that?” he teased.

Kira shook her head, but she couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips. Despite how much it embarrassed her, there was a part of her that loved hearing him call her that. It made her feel special, like she was someone important to him.

One day, as they were working side by side—Kira on her fashion sketches, and Fearin reviewing business reports—he leaned over her shoulder, glancing at her designs. “That one’s beautiful,” he remarked, his voice low.

Kira looked up at him, surprised by the compliment. “You think so?”

He nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. “Of course, darling.”

Her heart skipped a beat again, and she quickly looked back down at her sketch, her face turning pink. She was getting used to the nickname, but it still made her shy every time he said it. Fearin seemed to notice, and he smirked, clearly pleased with how easily he could fluster her.