Chasing Starlight

Chapter Six: Unexpected Closeness

Y/N couldn't shake the feeling that tonight was different. The café, the familiar comfort of her meetings with Martinus—it all felt charged with something new. When she walked in, her breath hitched at the sight of him. Martinus sat at their usual table, his hoodie pulled over his head, but the easy grin on his face couldn't hide the intensity in his eyes.

"You're right on time," he said, as Y/N slid into the chair across from him.

"You know me," she replied with a smile, though her heart raced. She couldn't tell if it was excitement or nerves, but something in the air felt different. 

As they talked, Y/N found herself more drawn in by him than usual. Maybe it was the way his gaze lingered when she spoke or the way his smile seemed softer, more personal. The tension between them was no longer just a simmer—it was electric, buzzing in the small space between their words.

"Honestly," Martinus said suddenly, his voice lower now, "I've been thinking about you a lot."

Y/N blinked, her breath catching. She hadn't expected that. Not so direct.

"You have?" she asked, her pulse quickening.

Martinus leaned in slightly, his eyes locking onto hers, more serious than ever before. "Yeah. There's just something about you... I can't explain it. But I feel it."

Her heart pounded, the café around them fading into the background. Was he really saying this? She could feel her own emotions mirrored in his, the same pull that had been building since they first met. Only now, it was undeniable.

Y/N swallowed, trying to find the words. "I feel it too."

The admission hung in the air, heavy with anticipation. Martinus' eyes darkened, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips as if he'd been waiting for her to say it.

Before either of them could speak again, he reached across the table, his hand brushing against hers. It was a small gesture, but it sent a shock through her.

"We should get out of here," Martinus murmured. "Somewhere quieter."

Y/N nodded, barely able to breathe as she followed him outside. The cool night air hit her, but it did nothing to calm the heat coursing through her.

They walked in silence, their steps in sync, until they reached a quiet street corner under the glow of a streetlamp. Martinus stopped, turning to face her, his expression serious but full of something raw, unspoken.

"I don't know what this is," he said quietly, "but I'm not pretending it's just nothing."

Y/N felt her heart race again, the tension between them almost unbearable now. "Me neither."

For a moment, they just stood there, the weight of everything unsaid hanging between them. Then, slowly, Martinus reached for her hand again, this time not letting go. His thumb brushed against her skin, sending a rush of warmth through her.

"Y/N," he whispered, his voice thick with meaning, "there's something here. And I don't want to waste any more time."

Y/N's breath caught in her throat. This was it—the moment everything changed. And as she stood there, her hand in his, she realized she didn't want to waste time either.