"It’ll be ready soon."

"You just said it wouldn’t be quick."

Hannah opened her eyes, looking at the shadows on the ground.

The firelight cast shadows surrounded by a golden warm light.

Feeling sleepy and unable to sustain herself, she leaned back into Arnold Simmons’s embrace.

Arnold Simmons had to stop what he was doing, wrapped her slightly damp hair ends with a soft cloth, and asked, "Feeling sleepy?"

In the firelight, his voice was gentler than the night, the stream, and the moonlight combined.

Hannah nodded and snuggled back further, almost burying herself entirely in his embrace.

His embrace was warm, like a duvet fluffed and warmed by the winter sun.

"Arnold Simmons." She suddenly opened her eyes again.

Arnold Simmons looked down, pulled the blanket around her, and asked, "Yes, what is it?"

"You haven’t said goodnight to me yet."

Arnold Simmons paused, his voice deep and gentle, "Goodnight."

She leaned in his arms, "And a goodnight kiss."

Arnold Simmons smiled, leaned down, and gently kissed the corner of her lips.

Just like the kiss she gave him during the day.

Satisfied, she stretched her hand out from the blanket, grabbed his clothes, then found a comfortable position, closed her eyes, and softly said, "Goodnight."

Soon, a soft and regular breathing sound came from her.

Arnold Simmons’s body gradually relaxed.

...

In the middle of the night, Hannah opened her eyes.

She was still leaning in Arnold Simmons’s arms, the fire in front still burning, but the flames flickered under the wind’s influence.

Trying to move, she found herself wrapped even tighter by Arnold Simmons the next second.

"Where to?"

His voice, still a bit hoarse, emanated close to her ear.

Hannah’s face reddened slightly, warmed by the fire.

Her voice was soft, whispering into Arnold Simmons’s ear, "I want to drink."

"Don’t move, I’ll get it for you," Arnold Simmons stood up.

Hannah obediently sat still, wrapping herself tightly with the blanket, her gaze following Arnold Simmons’s figure.

Watching him walk there and back again with a cup of warm water.

Before entering the Black Forest, they had prepared only simple luggage, all packed in a backpack. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Gregory Lawrence was usually the one carrying the backpack.

He always complained, claiming he felt like a laborer and was overloaded with dog food.

Hannah took the cup of water from Arnold Simmons, warming her palms, "You sleep lightly at night."

Every movement of hers awakened him.

Arnold Simmons sat beside her, draped the blanket over Hannah, "Be a bit more cautious outside."

According to their schedule, Gregory Lawrence should have been on watch.

But he slept too deeply, less useful than Daybai.

Daybai was a goose—a long ago, geese were also used for watch duties at the borders.

"Have you always been like this?" Hannah took a few sips of the warm water, lips glistening with a layer of moisture.

Not referring to the past on Blue Star.

Arnold Simmons’s expression flickered briefly before returning to normal, "I don’t remember."

The past...

Hannah didn’t ask further, finished the water, and handed the cup back.

Arnold Simmons washed the cup before returning.

Hannah hadn’t slept; she was waiting for him.

Arnold Simmons came back and sat down, pulling her into his embrace as before, gently massaged her head, "Sleep now."

Hannah nodded but didn’t close her eyes.

She kept looking into his eyes, "Did you ever like anyone before me?"

Before her.

Arnold Simmons said no.

He leaned down and gently kissed her cheek, "I have only ever liked you."

From the beginning, till now, and the future being uncertain, he wanted to entrust his future to her hands.