Page 352 of Eternal

The rain falls heavily on us. So I drive carefully, but all I want to do is hug her and ask her how it went.

I can feel her hands tighten around me, her fingers digging into the leather of my jacket like she’s holding on to something I can’t see.

Her breath is shallow against my back, the rhythm of it barely audible over the sound of the bike and the rain. But it’s strangely reassuring to hear her breathe.

I don’t ask what she’s holding onto.

Maybe she doesn’t know.

When we finally pull up in front of her apartment, the rain eases into a soft drizzle around us. I kill the engine, and exhale, she doesn’t move at first, still holding on like she’s afraid to let go.

I turn in the seat, resting my helmet gently against hers.

“We’re home,partner,” I say.

She nods, voice barely a whisper. “Yeah.Home.”

We step inside the building and quickly we’re inside, I drop my helmet on the table and peel off my damp jacket, the soaked fabric clinging to my skin.

The place looks different this time, it’s cleaner. Last time I was here, it was a mess. Broken things scattered everywhere, we had our first kiss that night. I was bleeding then, but the real pain came from hearing her story. It was only a few days ago, but it feels much longer.

She must’ve cleaned up yesterday when we came back from Vesper.

Didn’t get much sleep, I guess.

Azra catches the look on my face and, without a word, gets on her tiptoes and leaves a small kiss on my cheek like she knows exactly what I’m thinking, then she slips into her room and comes back a few minutes later, already in her pajamas looking beautiful as ever.

I unzip my sports bag, grab some shorts and the food, and change quickly.

Then, we settle onto the sofa as I place the food on the coffee table between us.

“How was your meeting?” I ask, keeping my voice low.

She picks at the edge of her sleeve, eyes distant. “She gave me an address... and some names. The event’s next week.”

I nod slowly, trying to read her face. “You sure you’re okay?” I ask.

She stops moving, stops breathing like she’s holding back more than simple words.

Then, almost without thinking, she leans in closer.

I open my arms and she rests against me, breathing softly.

“Hey,” I whisper. “Tell me what’s going on.”

She closes her eyes, voice barely above a breath. “They did horrible things to these kids, Damir.Horriblethings.”

I tighten my hold. “I’m here, you know. I’m here now.”

She stays close, silent for a long moment.

Finally, I ask gently, “Would you want to… maybe take some of your stuff and stay with me for a few days until you feel a little bit better?”

Her head lifts slowly, eyes searching mine, a flicker of surprise, and maybe relief.

“I mean, no pressure. I just… you don’t have to carry all this alone. Not here.”

She bites her lip, looking down at her hands shaking. “Okay,” she says quietly, “I’d love to.”