Chapter 24: Love

PoV Nera

I sighed as I brought the laundry inside the house. Hopefully, Goerld was fine.

He had left early in the morning, his eyes filled with a determination I had rarely seen in him.

As I folded the clothes, my mind kept drifting back to him. I knew he wasn't a child anymore, that he could take care of himself. But still, I worried.

I moved on to preparing dinner, opting to make his favorite dish - a simple stew with fresh vegetables from the garden. It was quiet without him around.

As the stew simmered, I found myself wandering to the window, my gaze scanning the horizon for any sign of Goerld. The sun was beginning to set, casting an orange glow over the fields.

Suddenly, I spotted a figure in the distance. As it neared, I could make out Goerld's familiar form. Relief washed over me. He was okay.

I hurried to meet him at the door, my heart light. "Goerld!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around him. He was sweaty and smelled of earth and exertion, but I didn't care. He was home.

He gave a tired smile, returning my hug. "Hey, Nera. Didn't expect you to be in my place," he said. His voice was hoarse, but there was a strange excitement in his eyes.

"How was it?" I asked, pulling away and looking at him.

"It was... intense," he admitted. "But I'm learning so much. I feel like... like I'm finally doing something important."

I smiled. He was changing, growing into the man he wanted to be. And while I missed the carefree boy he used to be, I couldn't help but admire his determination.

"Come on," I said, taking his hand. "I made your favorite stew. You must be starving."

As we sat down to eat, I listened to him talk about his training - the obstacle courses, the energy weapons, the strategy lessons. I could see the spark in his eyes, the passion in his voice.

While I was still worried, I knew that Goerld was exactly where he needed to be. He was fighting for our home, for our world. And I couldn't be prouder.

As the night fell, I found myself looking at the stars, silently praying for Goerld's safety. He had a long journey ahead, but I knew he was strong enough to face it. He was a fighter. And I would be there to support him, however I could.

"Nera," Goerld said, putting his coat on ny shoulders. "Why are you out? It's still chilly at night. Also, shouldn't you go home?"

I smiled. "Sorry, I was just feeling sentimental."

He laughed. "You're acting like an old lady."

I blushed. "D-dummy! If you just know, I wasn't sure if you were coming home. So I told my parents I would be watching over your house."

He smiled and kissed my forehead. "Thank you, Nera."

My face heated up. His smile was so dashing today. I wished we were married already.

"Goerld," I ventured, my voice barely above a whisper. "When all of this is over... I mean, after the training and the war... do you think we could..."

I trailed off, unable to finish the question. My heart was thundering in my chest, my mind filled with images of a future that seemed so uncertain.

He cupped my face gently and kissed me deeply. The fresh scent of his soap mingled with the earthy aroma of outside.

"Nera," he said softly when he pulled away, his eyes meeting mine. "There's nothing I want more than to spend the rest of my life with you."

I wrapped and arms around him and buried my head in his chest. "Thanks, Goerld."

"Now, let's get some sleep."

I gasped as he pulled me inside the house. My heart thumped in my chest. Would he make a move? We just started dating and now got our ourselves engaged. Were we moving too fast?

However, Goerld was always a gentleman. I guess that's why I was attracted to him in the first place. He was sweet and kind and he treated me like I was someone important. Not that other guys treated me poorly, it was just a different dynamic between us.

I let out a squeal as he suddenly pinned me against the door and kissed me. He broke away from my lips to kiss down my neck, then my shoulder, and back up again.

His hand slid down my side, leaving a trail of goosebumps. My skin was so soft beneath his fingertips.

My eyes widened as his hands brushed against the hem of my shirt.

"G-Goerld! What are you doing?"

He gasped as if realizing what he had just done.

"Oh shit!" He jumped away from me, his face flushed. "Sorry, Nera. I got carried away."

I blinked. "I-It's fine. I just wasn't expecting it, that's all."

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine, really. I'm just surprised. It's not every day a guy pins you to a door and tries to take your shirt off."

His face turned redder. "Sorry."

I laughed. "It's fine, really. I was just caught off guard."

We stood there, an awkward silence filling the air between us.

He took my hands into his, holding them gently and kissed them.

I smiled. "You, know, this is the first time I see this side of you. You've always been such a shy boy."

He looked away. "Yeah, sorry."

"I'm not complaining."

"Thanks. It's just... I've liked you since we were kids. I don't want to scare you off."

My cheeks flushed. I'd never had a guy admit they liked me so bluntly. And especially not a guy as good-looking and nice as Goerld.

I squeezed his hand, meeting his gaze. "You're not scaring me off."

"Promise?"

"Promise. That said, you liked the tomboy me?"

He laughed. "Well, I was kind of shy when we were kids. And you were so outgoing. Plus, I kinda liked your hair. I've always been a fan of red."

I laughed. "That's true. I never understood why you let your hair grow so long, though. Most guys are embarrassed to have long hair. I figured you would have cut it off by now."

"No, I like it longish. Makes me look like a hero, don't you think?"

I giggled. "Yeah." All the heroes in our legends hand longish hair like his.

"Anyway, we should probably get to bed."

"Yeah, probably."

I gave him another hug.

He sighed as I leaned in and kissed me again, but this time softer and sweeter.

My body pressed against him as I deepened the kiss. "Say, can I sleep with you. I-I don't mean in the lewd way."

He blushed. "You want to sleep together?"

I nodded.

"Sure, we can share a bed. You don't snore, do you?"

"No."

He smiled. "Good."

I smiled back and hugged him tighter. I loved being with him, and I was glad he felt the same.

As we headed for the bedroom, my heart thumped at the idea of sleeping with him.

It wasn't the first time we'd shared a bed, but it would be the first time we'd do it as a young adult couple. It was exciting and scary all at once.

Goerld and I laid down in his bed at the same time. I hugged him tightly. His arms made me feel safe and secure.

As I drifted off to sleep, I felt like I could do anything, as long as he was by my side.

"Nera."

His voice broke me from my thoughts as he snuggled into my chest.

I smiled and kissed his cheek. "I'm glad you're back safe, Goerld. I love you."

His breath slowed and he let out a contented sigh. "Love you too, Nera. Always will."

Blushing, I buried my face into his large chest. If only I could help him somehow other than just be his cheerleader.

I lay awake for a while longer, listening to the steady rhythm of Goerld's heartbeat, feeling his chest rise and fall with every breath. A soothing lullaby that eased my troubling thoughts.

My mind kept wandering back to the invasion, the training, the possible danger he was putting himself in. I felt a pang of anxiety at the thought of him getting hurt, or worse. But I quickly pushed those thoughts away. I had to believe that he would be okay, that he would come back to me.

But I couldn't shake off the feeling of helplessness. I wished I could do more for him, be more for him. But what could I do? I was no warrior, no strategist. I had no knowledge of energy weapons or battle formations. I could use a sword and heal, but that was it...

"Nera," Goerld murmured in his sleep, his arms tightening around me.

My heartbeat sped up. Even in sleep, he was thinking of me.

"Rest well, Goerld," I whispered, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. "I'll be here when you wake up."

As I drifted off to sleep, I made a silent promise to myself and to Goerld. No matter what, I would stand by his side, supporting him. I would be his rock, his safe haven, his love. And together, we would weather any storm that came our way.