Dawn Of Twilight

Chapter 9 : With You (Part 2)

Dawn found herself smiling more and more as they walked. "You know, I talk too much. I should let you say something for a change," she said, pausing.

Erevin simply shook his head, his tone calm as he said, "I don't mind. I like listening."

Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt her cheeks flush. He likes listening to me? she thought, a warm feeling blooming in her chest.

She shook it off and continued, "Anyway, where was I? Oh, right! So, I also like dancing. Not like professionally or anything, but it's fun, you know? Just twirling around and feeling free. Though, I probably look silly when I do it."

"I'm sure you don't," Erevin said quietly.

Dawn glanced at him, her heart doing another little flip. He's so kind, she thought. Why is he so kind?

She kept talking, moving from one topic to another, her words flowing like a gentle stream, and Erevin just listened, the faint smile never leaving his face.

Dawn's voice softened, "My father is a police officer. He doesn't really let me go out much," she said, stealing a quick glance at Erevin. "Not because he doesn't trust me or anything-he's just... protective. I guess he worries too much sometimes."

Erevin listened, his gaze steady on the path ahead.

"But I guess he just wants what's best for me," she continued, her tone carrying a mix of affection and exasperation. She glanced at him again, her dark eyes soft and curious. "What about you? Does your family worry too much?"

"Sometimes," he said simply, his response short but not dismissive.

Dawn's eyes lingered on him, as if waiting for him to elaborate. But Erevin remained quiet, his face calm but unreadable.

Before she could say anything else, a sharp sound caught her attention-a loud honk, like a vehicle dangerously close. She blinked in confusion but didn't have time to process it.

"Dawn!" Erevin's voice was sharp and commanding, cutting through the moment like a knife.

Before she understood what was happening, his hand shot out, catching her arm in a vice-like grip. He yanked her toward him with surprising force, pulling her straight into his chest. The world blurred, as a truck sped past, its honk ringing in her ears.

For a moment, everything froze.

Her face was pressed against his chest, and she could hear his heartbeat-steady, firm, like a calming rhythm in the chaos. He smelled clean, with a faint hint of something woody and warm, and his embrace was secure, protective, and... strangely comforting.

"Erevin..." she said, her voice muffled in the fabric of his shirt.

He loosened his grip, just enough to let her step back a little. "You're okay," he said, his voice steady, though there was an undertone of something-worry, relief, or maybe both. "You're safe now."

Dawn lifted her head, meeting his gaze. His usually calm expression was slightly furrowed, and his hand lingered on her arm, as if he wasn't quite ready to let go.

Erevin quickly released her, stepping back slightly as if realizing the intensity of the moment. "Let's... let's keep walking," he said, his voice steady but quieter than usual.

Dawn nodded, brushing her hair behind her ear to hide her flushed cheeks. As they started moving again, her steps felt a little lighter. Despite the abruptness of it all, she couldn't stop smiling. There was something oddly comforting-sweet, even-about how tightly he had held her, how fiercely protective he'd been.