+++++
Still wearing that smile on her lips, Leah teased, "Did I disturb you by any chance?"
Zed composed himself and stepped closer—until only a breath separated them. Reaching out with his right hand, he gently brushed the hair covering Leah's forehead and left eye.
"Since when were you standing there?" he asked with a straight face, though the tips of his ears were clearly tinged pink.
Leah looked into his eyes, trying hard not to glance at his ears, which were now turning from pink to red.
"Since you started pulling out that bulky phone," she replied, her smile still warm and understanding.
"Sigh… So you heard everything?" Zed asked, exhaling in resignation.
"What are you sighing for? I only heard 'status update' and 'return safely,'" Leah said, mimicking his tone.
"It's nothing. What are you doing down here? Looking for a midnight snack?"
It was already past eleven, and Zed had just finished in the kitchen. He thought Leah was asleep in her room.
