Falling for them (love and deepspace X OC )

Heart's Crossing

When I wake up the next day, my head feels foggy, and my throat is itchy. Maybe it's because I got caught in the rain yesterday.

"What are these... for?" I asked

As soon as I enter the living room, I stop in my tracks. Boxes of various sizes that weren't there before are now here.Caleb rolls up his sleeves. He sits down on the floor and pieces something together from the scattered parts around him.

"This place has been empty for too long. So I bought some stuff. Take a look. Do you need anything else?"

"It's okay. I'll only be staying here for a few days. Anyway, I need to go."

"Why? You don't plan to visit me anymore?"

"No, of course not!"I rub my stuffy nose. Content, Caleb smiles, wipes his hands, and gives the assembled robot a pat on the head.
OTTO-SHDHello, Master!The little robot's screen forms a smile as its movements produce a series of clink-clanks.

"When you're on the bed and glued to your phone, it can bring you snacks and drinks."

"Sure."The warmth in Caleb's smile makes me feel even more guilty.
I'm sorry... If the Fleet is just trying to protect Kevi, then I'll make it up to you once he's safe. I promise.I sit next to him and attempt to mask my nervousness with a pleading look. "Caleb, I agreed to have dinner and watch a movie with some classmates in Skyhaven tonight. Can you give me a ride?It's not that far. You can take me there since your plane can just zoom -Cough, cough cough."

Kevi agreed to meet at midnight. But after careful consideration, I decided to head out early to avoid any problems.I made that suggestion to Caleb so he wouldn't overthink things.You shouldn't go out. I can tell you're coming down with a cold based on your voice alone.

"Focus on resting today so you can recover"Caleb opens another box and busies himself again. "There's a weird energy fluctuation in the Deepspace Tunnel. All the Wanderers in Skyhaven are riled up because of it.To ensure everyone's safe, Skyhaven will be under lockdown tonight. We'll be doing a cleanup.

"Isn't eliminating Wanderers supposed to be a hunter's job? What kind of threat could possibly warrant a large-scale response from the Fleet?"

"Doesn't matter. Since the Fleet is in charge of Skyhaven, safety is our highest priority."He pauses and looks up.I won't be around tonight, so don't even think about going out. Got it?

"But-Cough, cough!"This isn't good. I need to get Kevi out of there.
Meeting Caleb's gaze, I pretend to give in and purposefully let a bit of reproach tinge my voice. "Fine, I'll stay here. I can't exactly disobey the Colonel's orders, huh?"

"You also can't lock yourself in your room so that you can sneak out through the window later."

"This isn't our old house. And even if I did climb out of the window, I wouldn't get very far."

Seemingly uninterested in arguing, he ruffles my hair. "I'll take you to meet your classmates tomorrow."He responds with a smile. It's the same one I've always seen, but his gaze is a little too cheerful.He's hiding something."Caleb, be honest with me. Is the clean-up tonight related to the explosion?"

"You're overthinking it."He looks away and pretends to study the sketch. I grab his chin, forcing him to look at me.

"You're lying."

"What about you, then?"
He calmly grabs my right hand and reveals the gun I had put on my waist "Why do you need a gun at a friendly get-together?"

"That's because I'm... worried about encountering a Wanderer."His grip on my wrist tightens.

"Silver, don't forget about the Aether Core in your body. You're not a normal hunter.And the whole explosion incident is complicated. One wrong move, and you'll be trapped here forever."

"The Fleet isn't just here to investigate the explosion, right? Are you hiding something?"

"In the tense silence, the small OTTO is oblivious as it continues making noise."After what seems like an eternity, he suddenly lets go. "Sorry.Do you remember what I said Leave it to me. I won't break my promise to you."My lips tighten into a thin line, and the increase in body temperature that l've been fighting hits me. I slowly lean back and sink into the sofa.I'm sorry. I shouldn't have upset you."
Caleb kneels. He takes my wrist that he had grasped earlier and massages it with his thumb. "But tonight's operation isn't just a normal patrol. You're unaware of the dangers here."
His earnest gaze follows mine when I try to look away. For some reason, this version of Caleb feels like a stranger.

"Do you really mean it?"

"Cross my heart."

"You made a promise to me. Don't forget about it."

As the day draws to a close, I still haven't found an opportunity to leave. I hope the round-the-clock shuttle service won't be affected by thecleanup.Only when my phone gives me a "No Service" message do I realize how thorough Skyhaven's lockdown is.
Outside, darkness cloaks the scenery with the trees' shadows. When it's 11:00 P.M., I hear the faint creak of a door opening outside.
After silently counting to thirty, I quietly get out of bed and go to the living room.No one's here. Only a single wall lamp illuminates the room, and the furniture's shadows are plastered on the house's white walls.I let out a sigh of relief and try to find my gun that Caleb put away.

"Lookin' for something?"

"Caleb! You're still here..."

Caleb stands behind me, his arms crossed. The light casts irregular patterns on the floor.

"I was about to leave."

"Go ahead... I'm getting something to drink."A cup that's filled with water floats over to my side along with two white pills.

"You were coughing a lot during the day.Did you catch a cold because of yesterday's rain?"

"It's just a small cough."

"Take some meds before you go back to sleep."
His gaze is calm and gentle, showing no signs of discontent. It's as if my pitiful lie fooled him.

"Okay."I won't let him worry about me tonight at least.I put the pills in my mouth and wash it down with the water. I have emptied the cup in one go.The ticking of the clock's second hand echoes in the dimly lit room, emphasizing the silence between us and our mingling breaths.
Without thinking, I avoid his gaze. I hesitate for a moment before heading back to the bedroom. "Good night."

"Good night."

Caleb's pov

I went to silvers room to se where sleeping. I sat down on to get a closer look. She looked so beautiful when she sleeps I could watch her all night. I touched her hand "silver, If I kept you here with me like this...Would you think I'm being too selfish? But it's only us now." I puller her hand to my face lucky she was still asleep "Let's say I had noticed these threats that were lurking around you earlier... Knowing then what I know now... none of this would've happened. Right?" I kissed her hand and stood up to walk away "Don't worry. This nightmare will come to an end. I promise."

No matter what I will protect her from anyone who harms her. I will protect her even if it means burning the world.