I WAS The Rank–1 Hero-Chapter 116: Warmth [1]

[Zane's POV]

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"You. It's always been you."

"..."

"..."

Hm?

…Wait.

I blinked.

Did i really just said that?!

'W-wow. How bold of you.' Sera was surprised too.

I hesitated.

My hands on her shoulders trembled sightly—No…it wasn't my hand, it was her body which was shaking.

My eyes slowly moved to her face. And what greeted me was her face with a shade of red so intense, that it could even rival her hair color.

Her mouth opened slightly, her lips trembling, like she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.

Oh no!

I said something really embarrassing!

The realization hit me like a truck.

Why did I have to say it like that?! Couldn't I have just say something like, "You are important to me," or something less dramatic?

My gaze were fixed on her.

She was still staring at me.

No, wait—she wasn't just staring. She was frozen.

Like someone had pressed pause on her body.

And I…

M-my heart was pounding against my ribcage.

I was literally sweating in the middle of cold winter.

I'm such an idiot.

She is definitely going to be awkward… or worse… cry again.

I opened my mouth tried to say something—anything, to smooth this awkward silence over.

But nothing came out.

I was to late.

But either way…

Staring at her red face, those ruby red eyes, and that cherry lips, those slow breathing of hers brushing past my nose— my mind went insane.

I completely lost all my senses.

Never in my life I had experienced something like this before.

It has been more than three years, I had been watching her.

But today—she looked too beautiful. Too precious.

And I don't want to ruine this moment with somes stupid ass excuse.

***

[Ruby's POV]

You. It's been always been you.

I felt my heart stop.

No. No, wait.

Did he—?

My face burned. My knees wobbled. I felt like I had just been hit by a bolt of lightning straight to my chest.

He said that!

He really said that!

I wasn't imagining it, was I?

I felt his hands gripping my shoulders trembling, but each touch from him sends an electric spark through my whole body.

I looked up at him, trying to confirm what I just heard—

But Zane wasn't saying anything anymore, he looked completely unaware of what he'd just done to me.

My eyes met his.

And God…

His eyes—those calm, silver eyes were fixed on mine.

My whole face was reflecting on his.

And for a moment, I couldn't look away.

They weren't just beautiful…

They held something…raw. Something soft. Something honest.

Was this love?

My heartbeat raced.

No—wait—did he just confess?

I blinked, this time my gaze falling to his lips.

The very lips that had just said that.

They were slightly parted, as if he was also trying to process what had come out of his mouth.

His breath was warm, brushing gently against my face, and I swear to gods, my knees almost gave out right then.

Zane…

I wanted to say something. Ask him. Laugh with him. Cry.

But my body wouldn't move.

Everything inside me gone warm.

My chest fell full—It was overflowing.

And gods, my heart.

It just wouldn't stop pounding.

It was so loud, I thought may be he could hear it too.

I've never felt this kind of warmth before.

Not even when he held me.

Not even when he called me his best friend.

This was something else…

Something sweeter.

Like I was the only person in his world.

Like, for once, I wasn't chasing him. But, he was the one reaching out to me.

I pressed my fingers into his shirt a little too harder, trying to ground myself.

Is this real?

Or… a dream?

I glanced up at him again, this time slower.

He looked like he was panicking too. His expression was awkward, nervous even, like he was the one flustered now.

That made me smile.

A real one. The kind of smile I couldn't hide even if I wanted to.

I let out a small breath and quietly leaned into him, resting my forehead just below his chin.

He didn't move.

Good.

Because I didn't want this moment to end.

I wanted to stay right here.

In his warmth.

In his scent.

In this awkward silence between us.

It wasn't roo much to ask, right?

Because for me, this wasn't just any moment.

It was all mine.

It was ours.

I don't care if he didn't fully realize what he said.

I'll remember it for both of us.

You. It's always been you, he said.

And right now, that's all I needed.

Just… me.

In in eyes,

In his voice,

In his heart.

I bit my bottom lip, my cheeks still framing the smile against his chest.

He had no idea what he'd just done to me.

Because for once.

I felt like the luckiest girl alive.

***

My heart dropped, as she rested her head on my chest.

I was supposed to comfort her. Reassure her. May be joke around a little.

But confess?

I didn't even mean to—

No, that's a lie.

I did mean it. My every words. I just didn't meant to say it out loud.

I watched her lower her head, burying it quietly into my chest, her grip tightening like I was the only thing keeping her grounded.

And suddenly… I forgot how to breath.

Her soft hair brushed against my chin, it felt soft and warm.

And her sent, it was little like wildflower and soap.

I swallowed hard.

My heart was thudding now, right alongside hers.

Damn it, Zane!

She wasn't saying anything, but I could feel everything through her gestures.

Warmth. Relief. Shyness. May be even—

No. Don't get your hopes up.

I wanted to lift her chin and look at her in the eyes.

But I couldn't move.

What if I ruined it?

To my eyes, she was… glowing.

It felt like I was holding something too precious for my rough hands.

My fingers, almost on their own, lifted and gently rested against her head.

She didn't flinch.

Instead, she leaned in more.

…Ruby.

Was it possible for someone's silence to be louder than their voice?

Because right now, hers was screaming through every inch of me.

She didn't say yes.

She didn't say no.

But I knew it.

I closed my eyes for a second.

Just for a second.

And allowed my self to feel it.

The way her heart thumping against mine.

The warmpth of her arms.

The softness of her breath against my chest.

I've faced monsters.

I've died and come back.

I've touched powers that don't belong to mortals.

But nothing—nothing—has ever scared me more that loosing this girl in my arms.

Because she…

She's mine.

…If I'm allowed to have her.

A slow, quiet smile tugged at my lips.

I didn't need to say anything.

Right now, I just wanted to hold her like this.

May be for a minute.

Maybe for a lifetime.

Whatever time the world gave me—

I'd spend it with her.

The silence between us stretched, as we both enjoying each other's warmth.

And then—

—Grrrrrr.

My stomach betrayed me.