"You scared me!"
Arthur heard Natalia's voice ,distant, like it was coming through water, but tight with worry.
He blinked, once… twice.
The world slowly pulled back into focus. The dim light, the quiet hum of the room, the warmth of her hand still resting over his. He hadn't realized how still he'd gone, how his breath had nearly stopped in his chest, how for a moment, everything inside him had simply… shut down.
"I… I'm fine," he managed, though his voice came out rough, unconvincing, barely more than a strained whisper.
Natalia didn't move her hand away. If anything, her fingers pressed down a little more firmly, grounding him, like she was making sure he stayed right there, with her.
"No, you're not," she said softly.
There was no anger in her tone. Just quiet certainty.
Arthur swallowed, his throat dry. His gaze dropped to where their hands were touching, hers steady, warm, reassuring… his slightly trembling, betraying everything he was trying to hide.
