“Even at the end of the world, a single person can make it feel a little less empty.”

Iris burst out laughing.

“Who do you think you are?” she asked between chuckles. “Some kind of edgelord?”

“Again,” Licht said without looking at her, “saving you was optional.”

His voice carried the same cold, detached tone it always did.

The rooftop of the abandoned mall was quiet except for the distant groans echoing from the city below. While Iris sat cross-legged on the concrete, Licht finished arranging his small camp. A sleeping bag. A water bottle. A backpack.

Everything was organized.

Everything was prepared.

And everything was very clearly meant for one person.

“Yeah, yeah.”

Iris waved her hand dismissively.

“So what’s gonna happen now?”

Licht glanced up.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean…” She gestured between them. “What’s next? Are we partners now?”

Licht tightened the last knot securing a tarp against the wind.

“No.”

Iris blinked.

“…What?”

“No.”

“WHAT?!”

Her voice echoed across the rooftop.

“Why not?”

“I don’t do partners.”

“Why?”

“They get in the way.”

Iris stared at him for a second before pointing accusingly.

“You really love the edgelord act.”

A vein twitched in Licht’s forehead.

“I’m really regretting saving you.”

“Too late. Can’t take it back now.”

Licht just stared at her, visibly annoyed.

As Iris grinned triumphantly, he finally got a proper look at her face.

And froze.

The smile.

The eyes.

For just a second…

His chest tightened.

Why does she look so much like her?

The thought appeared before he could stop it.

A memory tried to surface.

He crushed it immediately.

“You like what you see?”

Licht looked away so fast it was almost impressive.

“No.”

“Wow, that was quick.”

“I’d advise you to go to sleep.”

His voice was noticeably flatter now.

“You don’t want to be awake at night.”

Iris stretched her arms behind her head.

“Yeah, yeah. I know. I’m not dumb.”

“Couldn’t tell.”

“You little brat.”

Ignoring her glare, Licht slid into his sleeping bag and turned onto his side.

A few seconds passed.

Then—

“Where do I sleep?”

“The ground.”

He said it with complete sincerity.

Iris stared at him in disbelief.

“I’m a woman, you know.”

“And?”

“You should be giving me the sleeping bag.”

“Hell no.”

“You brat.”

The rooftop fell silent.

The wind drifted across the city.

Far below, distant howls echoed through the streets.

Neither of them slept.

Not because of the creatures.

Not because of the danger.

Not because of the horrible day they’d survived.

But because for the first time in a long time, neither of them was alone.

The realization sat quietly between them.

Awkward.

Strange.

Comforting.

“…Hey.”

Licht groaned.

“You awake, edgelord?”

“Go to sleep.”

“How old are you?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Come on.”

“No.”

“Just answer, and I’ll go to sleep.”

Licht considered throwing something at her.

“Fine, you insufferable woman.”

“Say that again and I’ll launch you off this roof.”

“I’m seventeen.”

There was silence.

Then—

“Seven—”

A pause.

“WHAT?!”

Licht immediately sat upright.

“Shut the hell up!”

His hiss was louder than a shout.

“Do you want the howlers to hear us?”

“Sorry! Sorry!”

Iris lowered her voice, though she was still staring at him like he’d just revealed he was secretly royalty.

“I’m twenty-seven.”

Licht stared.

Then sighed.

“To think someone an entire decade older than me can be so foolish.”

“I’m not—”

“Silence.”

Iris opened her mouth.

Then closed it.

“…Fine.”

Licht laid back down.

The city remained quiet.

The stars hung above them.

For a long time, neither spoke.

Neither slept.

And though neither of them would ever admit it—

For the first time in a very long while…

The world felt just a little less lonely.

TYSM FOR READING