Kisses and Goodbyes

'Being in the medical field is a glorious job, but there are so many things she doesn't want me to be, and putting myself in danger is one of them.' 

She decided to dispose of Thanatos's soiled clothes, deeming them beyond repair.

'But even so, I have already gotten my doctor's license. Geniuses are born to suffer in a world full of ordinary.'

Her second brother's newly bought clothes seemed like the most practical solution for the young man's attire. 'He needs a spare for tomorrow. He can't go home wearing my clothes. They're too girly for his face.'

As Lucienna left the room to gather fresh clothing, Thanatos's unconscious state gave way to consciousness.

His eyes opened. 'So this is what her room smelled like.' With a faint smile gracing his lips, he observed the room, the girl who had helped him, and the unfamiliar but comforting surroundings.

'It's great that she doesn't like pink.' Thanatos captured sight of the photo frame on the bedside table of Lucienna's room. 'Little girl, you've grown enough...'

"She's still as cute as ever," he murmured softly, his eyes flickering with gratitude.

'She's truly hard-working and sincere when work knocks on her door.' As he touched his wounds, he noted their slow but unmistakable healing.

A thought crossed his mind, and his brow furrowed with intrigue. 'Will she help every injured man on the street like this?'

Unbeknownst to him, his right hand clenched into a subtle fist, proof that he must have felt something for her, as thousands of questions swirled in his mind.

When Lucienna returned to the room, she checked on Thanatos's temperature and was relieved to find it stable. Her own fatigue was catching up to her, and a yawn escaped her lips as she contemplated the events of the night. 'He looks fine...'

'I should also rest for a while,' she decided, recognizing the need to recharge herself physically and mentally.

She settled on a nearby couch, her gaze occasionally drifting to the sleeping young man. 'He's really as sickly as I could remember.'

When Lucienna drifted into a deep and restful sleep, she remained unaware of the man's presence. Little did she know that he had silently covered her with a warm blanket, tucking her in as though ensuring her comfort was his sole concern.

With a quiet and almost tender atmosphere, he moved a strand of hair that had fallen across her face, revealing her peaceful expression.

His voice, a soft and contemplative whisper, echoed in the room. "I want to be close to you, but I'm already at my wit's end," he admitted with a touch of openness, his gaze fixed on the sleeping girl who had offered him kindness and care since he could remember.

Gently, he lifted one of Lucienna's hands and placed it against his chest, his heartbeat steady and strong beneath her touch.

"You will always have a place here," he promised, his words carrying a sense of gratitude and a hint of longing.

With a sigh, he continued, "I hope you can forget about me." And with that, Thanatos leaned down and pressed a soft, almost feathery kiss on the back of Lucienna's hand, a gesture that seemed to hold the significance of his unspoken emotions and an uncertain future.

"I hope you keep yourself safe at all times, Cien."

Morning arrived, heaving a soft glimmer through the room's windows, and when Lucienna stirred and opened her eyes, she saw no shadow of Thanatos.

'Where could he be?' The perplexing young man had vanished as quietly as he had appeared, leaving behind only the memory of a night filled with mysteries and unspoken links.

Lucienna made her way to the dining area for breakfast. Her second brother, typically untouchable and distant, surprised her by accompanying her. The siblings shared a rare moment of contact.

"The sun must be shining from the west today. It's been a long time since I've seen a shadow of you, third brother," Lucienna remarked, a hint of playful banter lacing her words.

Her second brother responded with a faint but genuine smile, a rare sight that brought warmth to her heart. "That's right! I will drop you to school today, so eat fast."

His unexpected offer took Lucienna aback, and she inquired, "What? Why?"

His response was straightforward, though tinged with a sense of duty and responsibility. "Dad says each of us will take turns to drop you at school for safety purposes."

A knowing look passed between them, and Lucienna understood the underlying truth.

'Oh... You mean, each of you needs to investigate. I understand.'

Her thoughts, however, painted a slightly different picture.

'As if they would care about my well-being. I don't even see any of them at home regularly.'

Despite the complex dynamics that defined their family relationships, this brief moment of togetherness hinted at a deeper connection that remained just out of reach. With a shared understanding, they continued their meal, each harboring their own thoughts and tacit opinions.

When Lucienna reached the academy, she was surprised by the news that the class president had filed for a week's leave of absence. 'Should I visit him? His wounds must have been hurting.'

'I wanted to text him, but I did not have his number. I should just visit him. I doubt I couldn't enter if I brought the identity of a worrying classmate in his residence.'

After class, she brought some fruits for Thanatos and drove her car to his home address. When she arrived, she was surprised that the mansion was dark. 'Was he not at home? He can't change his address immediately. Nor must he want to have a vacation!'

She got out of her car and rang the doorbell, but no one answered. 'He must have gone somewhere.' When she was about to return to her car, something caught her eye. 

The house next to Thanatos was massive, built with a higher fence. Then, she noticed the little black cat she had cared for the last few days jumping on the wall.

'What is he here for? That house couldn't be his home, right?' 

Suddenly, there was a woman's scream inside.

'This is bad!'

Lucienna hurriedly followed the cat and climbed the fence. 

She thought, 'I can't even see anything in here.'

It was dark all over the place. Lucienna relied on her luck to navigate the area without accidents. But a hand pulled her over.

She fell on top of someone.

'My first kiss...'

'It's gone!'

In a sudden and unanticipated turn of circumstances, Lucienna found herself pushed away by the man who had kissed her just moments before.

'My first...'

Her body, still tingling with the imprint of their encounter, instinctively moved to stand, but the mysterious figure was quick to react, steadying her unsteady form with a firm grasp.