“So, sharing a room?” Alder said, smirking. Leah glared. “Only because you were cheap and thought this room had two beds.” She pulled out her laptop and began typing aggressively.

Alder flopped down in front of her. “Whatcha doin'?” “Work,” Leah replied, not looking up from her computer. Alder sighed dramatically. “You’re so boringggg. Come on, let's do something. I was thinking we sneak into the hotel kitchen and-“ “Shut. Up.” Leah said, shoving him away.

Alder rolled his eyes and walked into the bathroom. “You’re no fun!” He yelled. “Maybe I’m just more mature than you,” Leah yelled back.

They were so going to get a noise complaint.

Alder stepped out of the bathroom and grabbed his coat. “I’m going out, this is your last chance,” he said, his voice singsong. Leah continued to stare at her laptop.

“Ugh, you’re such a workaholic, you’re going to miss out on everything if you just stare at a computer all day. Life is more than just work.” And then he walked out.

“I am so fun! People are always begging me to hang out with them! I’m just DEDICATED!” Leah screamed at the closed door.

Then she looked back at her computer.

Work schedules.

Applicants.

Finances.

“Life is more than just work.”

Leah had always enjoyed it, but now she just felt… empty. Maybe it was because Alder wasn’t there to bother her like he normally was.

Or maybe she was just tired.

That was it, she was just tired. Leah closed the computer and set it on the nightstand. She looked out the window into the glowing lights of the city.

Dark blue, with hues of pink, outlined in gold and purple. There was no moon tonight. Leah yawned and lay down on the plush pillow. She pulled the blanket around her waist, leaving her upper torso uncovered.

She liked it like that.

And then she closed her eyes.

A door closed, and Leah’s eyes barely fluttered open. Was Alder just now getting back? The room was dark, but she could barely make out a dark figure scurrying around the room.

She knew it was him when he cursed a little too loudly after hitting his foot. He walked to Leah’s side of the bed and used the plug-in to charge his phone.

But he paused before he moved.

Leah quickly closed her eyes, though she didn’t know if he could see them in the dark. She opened them just a crack. Alder was crouched next to her on the floor, just staring at her face.

“If only you knew,” he whispered, brushing a piece of hair out of her face. His hand lingered there just a moment too long, before he moved away.

What on earth?

_ _She felt him climb into bed next to her. What should she do?

“Alder,” she heard herself whisper as she lay on her back. “Mmm?” He mumbled sleepily. “What did you mean by ‘If only you knew’?”

He paused.

Then he cleared his throat. “I’m not sure.”

She turned to him. “Alder?” “Yes?” He asked, still not turning to face her. “Do you care about me?” She asked, surprising herself.

There was a long hesitation before he answered. “Yes.”

“Oh.”

Then he finally looked at her. They stayed there for a while, just gazing into each other’s eyes like a cheesy rom-com.

He reached forward and brushed her hair back again, but this time his fingers trailed down her face to her jawline. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, soft and slow.

Leah’s heart was racing. She hadn’t known she needed that until now. Then a tear slipped down her face. Before she knew it, Leah was sobbing. Not loud, but slowly heartbreaking.

Alder just reached for her and pulled her to him. He wrapped his arms around her, slowly letting her unravel.

Once the sobs had calmed Leah looked up at him. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, barely audible. Alder just kissed her forehead again. “I’ll always be here,” he whispered. “Always.”