His name was Nathaniel

79

Nathaniel had barely finished getting dressed when his phone vibrated on the nightstand.

Adaliya, still curled up under the blankets, watched as he checked the screen. His brows furrowed slightly, and she already knew what was coming.

"You have to go," she murmured, her voice still groggy from sleep.

Nathaniel exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah." He looked at her, clearly reluctant to leave. "I wanted to stay longer, but—"

"I know," she interrupted gently, offering him a small, understanding smile.

Nathaniel sighed, leaning down to press a slow kiss against her forehead. "I'll call you when I land."

She nodded, watching as he grabbed his jacket. A part of her wanted to ask him to stay, just a little longer, but she knew better. This was his life—constant movement, responsibilities pulling him away before he could ever settle.

He moved toward the door, about to leave, when something suddenly clicked in his mind.

His steps slowed.

Then stopped.

Adaliya frowned as she watched him, noticing how his expression suddenly shifted from calm to something closer to distressed.

Nathaniel slowly turned back toward her, running a hand down his face, looking increasingly flustered.

"...Adaliya."

She blinked. "What?"

His gaze met hers, sharp yet hesitant. "Last night... we didn't—" He exhaled sharply. "I mean, I didn't..."

At first, Adaliya didn't understand what he was getting at. Then, realization hit her.

She sat up, biting her lip to stop herself from laughing. "Oh my God."

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes. "This isn't funny."

Adaliya shook her head, barely holding back her amusement. "You look like you're about to have a stroke."

"Because I just realized we didn't use anything," he snapped, visibly distressed.

Adaliya couldn't hold it in anymore—she burst out laughing.

Nathaniel scowled. "Adaliya."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she gasped between giggles, wiping at her eyes. "It's just—you look so shook right now."

Nathaniel groaned, dragging a hand through his hair. "Because this is serious!"

Still smiling, Adaliya reached for his wrist and tugged him closer. "Relax, Nathaniel. I'm on birth control."

His eyes flickered with uncertainty. "Are you sure?"

She rolled her eyes playfully. "What, do you want me to show you my prescription?"

Nathaniel let out a slow breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You could have told me before I spent the last thirty seconds internally spiraling."

Adaliya smirked. "Where would the fun be in that?"

Nathaniel shot her a glare, but the tension in his shoulders had eased slightly. He leaned down, pressing one last kiss against her lips before exhaling.

"Alright," he muttered, shaking his head. "I have to go before I lose my mind any further."

Adaliya grinned. "Safe flight, Papa Donovan."

Nathaniel groaned again. "Goodbye, Adaliya."

He left, muttering under his breath as she collapsed back onto the bed, still giggling to herself.