WOULD YOU RESCUE ME?

59.Promises in the Cold

The morning light of the second day of the year crept through the curtains of Astra's apartment, casting a soft glow over the room. The golden rays spilled across the bed, illuminating the tangle of sheets and the two bodies intertwined beneath them. Astra woke first, her emerald-green eyes fluttering open as her senses slowly adjusted to the stillness of the morning.

Her gaze fell on Vanessa, who was lying next to her, one arm draped protectively around Astra's waist. Vanessa's face was relaxed in sleep, her honey-brown eyes hidden beneath long lashes, her breathing slow and rhythmic. Astra's heart swelled at the sight of her girlfriend so at peace. For a long moment, she simply lay there, watching Vanessa's chest rise and fall with each steady breath.

Astra's thoughts drifted as she absently traced her fingers along Vanessa's skin. The contrast between the smooth, soft surface and the raised scars she encountered reminded her of the depth of Vanessa's strength. Her mind wandered back to the first time Vanessa had stayed over. It felt like a lifetime ago, yet every detail was etched in Astra's memory with perfect clarity.

It was Halloween, the night they met. Astra had been working her shift at the bar, busy with orders and the chaotic energy of the crowd. Yet, amidst the noise, Vanessa had stood out like a beacon. Astra could still see her clearly: standing at the bar, sipping a beer, her demeanor calm and self-assured, as though she didn't need to participate in the revelry to own the room. Astra remembered how Vanessa had waited patiently for her shift to end, offering quiet conversation and a warm smile whenever Astra passed by.

After her shift, Vanessa had walked Astra home, a simple gesture that somehow felt more intimate than it should have. Astra hadn't wanted her to leave, not just because it was late, but because the thought of being alone after meeting someone so magnetic felt unbearable. For reasons she still couldn't fully explain, Astra had invited Vanessa in. She never invited anyone over after just a few hours of knowing them, but with Vanessa, it had felt natural, inevitable.

Thinking about it now, Astra's lips curled into a soft smile. That night had been amazing, though not without its moments of humor. After they had slept together for the first time, Vanessa had tried to sneak out, as though slipping away unnoticed would undo the connection they'd already formed. Astra had caught her before she reached the door, pulling her back into bed with a laugh and an unspoken promise that she wasn't letting Vanessa go that easily.

Astra's hand continued to move over Vanessa's scars, her touch featherlight as though afraid to wake her. But Vanessa was deeply asleep, her body completely still, a rare occurrence. Astra knew how restless Vanessa could be in her sleep, often shifting and murmuring when her mind wasn't at ease. Today, though, she was utterly at peace, and Astra intended to savor the moment.

Her fingers paused on the left side of Vanessa's torso, where the scars from the accident were still healing. The skin was uneven under her fingertips, the faint ridges of unpolished scar tissue a reminder of how close she'd come to losing Vanessa. Astra gently shifted the sheet that was draped over them both, uncovering the area to check the healing process. Her emerald eyes softened as she leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to the delicate skin.

The act brought back a flood of memories. That morning had been one of the scariest of Astra's life. She remembered waking up beside Vanessa, after their real first date, the way she always loved to, only for the peace to be shattered by a phone call. Vanessa had answered it quickly, her voice low and tense, her movements brisk as she got dressed. Astra had watched her leave, the click of the door followed by Vanessa's voice rising in frustration as she yelled into the phone.

Astra had peeked through the window, her chest tightening as she saw Vanessa lock her phone into her helmet and rev up her bike. She sped off, the roar of the engine cutting through the quiet morning air. Astra had watched her go, a strange feeling of unease settling in her stomach. Hours passed with no word from Vanessa, no calls, no texts. The silence was deafening, and then, it was shattered.