Chapter 16: Temporary Parting

Though confused, Jash ignored her inquisitive gaze and inched closer, pointing his index finger at her.

Looking at the golden ring on his finger, he said, "Pour mana into the storage ring, there are some mattresses inside."

Ziva touched the ring and circulated the mana from her glass-like transparent mana core to her finger.

The storage ring directly absorbed a small amount of mana as she willed to take out two mattresses, a pillow, and a comforter.

The items tumbled out a meter in front of them, Ziva's eyes widening in astonishment. 'Just how many sets does he have?'

Glimpsing into his storage ring, all she saw were mattresses, pillows, comforters, silk and linen pajamas along with some food.

'Most of it was even brand-new!'

'Others splurge on clothes, weapons, and jewelry, but you on pillows and mattresses!' Ziva screamed inwardly, glaring at Jash as he tucked Amelia into a makeshift bed.

"Ziva, can you put the second mattress perpendicular to this one," requested Jash before pointing toward his left hand held by Amelia using his free hand.

...

After a few moments of setting up, Ziva sat on Jash's right some distance away.

Jash's shoes and her matching dark blue heels, similar to their matching attire, lay behind them as they sat barefoot on the mattress.

Turning to face Ziva after a few moments of silence, he asked, "Where is my gift?"

A vein throbbed on Ziva's forehead. 'Of all the things he could ask, he chose this!'

'What's up with her today?' Jash wondered, unable to understand her at all today.

Despite his confusion, he didn't ask, just wanting his gift instead of stepping on a landmine. 'It's not like I am greedy or anything...'

Ziva took a deep breath, steadying herself before replying, "...You already get your gift."

"Huh? When? Where? What?"

"ME!" Ziva proclaimed proudly, her thumb pointing at her chest, her voice ringing with a hint of defiance.

'Eh?'

The only response he could form after her haughty "ME!" was confusion. 'How are you my gift?'

It seemed she read his mind as she puffed out her chest in pride before stating, "You get to meet me when I wasn't allowed to leave my house. Isn't that the best gift?"

Jash deadpanned in respone to her haughty tone, making her avert her gaze and cough awkwardly.

"Ahem. You aren't awakening, so it's not..."

Jash caught her sneaking glances at him and smiled wryly, understanding the unspoken words.

'I should at least tease her, no?' It felt only fair to him after he didn't get any presents from her.

Deciding to lighten the mood and tease her simultaneously, Jash smirked, "What? Enamored by my handsomeness? Can't help but want to steal glances?"

"Oh, come on," Jash waved his hand before adding, "I am your future fiancé! No need to steal glances! You gonna get the whole deal, girl!"

Hearing his taunting words and noticing the cheeky smile on his face, Ziva's lips twitched, "Just how narcissistic have you become?"

She unconsciously voiced it out, stiffening the moment she realized her actions.

However, Jash, on the receiving side, didn't seem to mind and even acted more prideful.

"If a man can satisfy his woman with his figure... That's also a source of honor." Jash nodded to himself at his words.

Hearing his righteous tone, Ziva couldn't help but cringe and directly smacked his head.

"Ouch. What was that for?" Jash spat, filled with indignation.

Ziva shivered from the cringe, "Just why the hell do you see movies with such cheesy dialogues..."

"...And don't you dare use them on me ever again," she added with dangerously narrowed eyes.

Jash gulped in slight fear as he felt a chill run down his spine. 'Damn! She really means it!'

Shirking off the awkwardness, he said seriously, "Wasn't it you who said my gift was you? How come I am wrong when we change perspectives?"

Ziva tried to answer but couldn't find the correct words to retort, causing her to shut up in the end.

However, she couldn't stand his smug smile, "Hmph! You made me want to puke at your words! That's your fault!"

'What the hell?' Jash was dumbfounded by how confidently she spouted nonsense.

'Nevermind, it's better to not talk anymore.'

...

Silence, broken only by the occasional chirp of insects and the twinkling of stars overhead, enveloped them.

Jash had his eyes closed. Her presence was like a serene lake, making him not want to escape.

Unknown to him, Ziva crept closer to his side ever so slowly before she slowly placed her head on his shoulder with her neck reddening, jolting him out of his peaceful state.

'What?' Jash barely turned his neck to see her face but a pang of pain made him wince as he turned to look ahead.

'She is so damn close!'

Jash felt his heart pound faster and faster as her body heat transferred to him due to their intimate contact yet he resisted the urge to meet her gaze.

'My sides ache and I can't even rub them!' Jash thought, distraught, realizing his right hand was behind her back.

"...D-do you really not want to awaken…?" Ziva muttered in a low voice, distracting him from the close distance.

Her feelings weren't different from Jash, her heart thumping loudly against her ribcage, her face heated up with a visible blush and her legs felt momentarily weak.

Jash gulped his saliva before answering, "...y-yes."

Ziva remained silent for a few moments, only humming once, which spiked Jash's anxiety uncontrollably.

"I can't force you," Ziva broke the silence softly, yet her voice tinged with reluctance. "But you know it's gonna happen... right?"

Instead of replying, Jash muttered, "I-I… I am sorry," in a low voice before he put his hand on her waist, making her flinch, feeling the cold of his fingers through her dress.

Her abdomen was the thinnest part of her dress, allowing her to feel his trembling fingers.

"I don't know why you even stay friends with me…" Jash continued in an almost inaudible tone.

Even Ziva missed his words as her focus was on his hand, making her brows furrowed as she felt she missed something important.

Yet she didn't ask and clasped his hand between her hands, moving it to her stomach and firming her grip. She guessed 'He needs to be comforted,' before continuing the conversation.

"...W-we won't be seeing each other till the academy…"

Taking note of her cracked voice and her attempt to change the topic, alongside her firm grip, Jash didn't mind and just put his head on top of hers.

His thumb rubbed against her palm, giving a sense of comfort as he fell quiet, their small actions providing each other the sense of security much needed by the young couple.

At their age, it was much too hard to figure out their feelings between friendship and more, especially with their backgrounds when others only befriended them for benefits or on their parent's orders.

Unbeknownst to them, there was another lingering presence sitting in the staircase, the red-haired girl didn't linger for long though, leaving after all she could hear was silence for five long minutes.

Back to the heartwarming sight of Amelia, Jash and Ziva.

"She fell asleep, huh?" Jash let out inadvertently as he could feel the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest on his side.

Not minding it one bit, he heaved a deep breath of relief, 'It feels good to have someone you can trust fully…'

Jash had no idea that this would be the last time he could be so free with Ziva…

***

{A/N}

I know the story is going super slow, but that ends now! The next chapter will start the main plot, and I will also try to upload more chapters from tomorrow!

Don't forget to give power stones and comment! Comment a lot, please!

Also, I put up a few pictures in the previous chapter, so go check them out and join my Discord for more!