time. ― ????x

― ten.

"shouldn't we get you home, you must still be cold from the ice water." felix questioned, his voice full of concern. izumi groaned, laying her head on his shoulder.

"i don't want to go home right now, i just want to stay here a little longer." izumi sighed. the two were sat across from one another so izumi's face was buried in his shoulder. felix cleared his throat, turning his head away as he could feel it burn up. 

he had never been in a situation like this before so it made him flustered. however, izumi's soft breathing calmed him down. mustering up his courage, he brought his hand up to her head, stroking his hand through her hair softly in a calming manner. 

izumi released a relaxed sigh, closing her eyes. she scooted closer to the boy so she was more comfortable. "i like this a lot." she mumbled, barely loud enough for felix to hear.

"what?" he questioned, wondering what was so good about tonight at all.

"being in your arms." felix froze, visibly gulping. izumi noticed how rigid he had become. she slowly pulled her head back, looking up at him. "was that too far?" izumi questioned, a nervous chuckle escaping her lips as she avoided his eyes.

"no, it was just right." he responded, his answer taking izumi by surprise. her eyes widened as she looked up at him, their eyes meeting. their close proximity was enough to make the both of them nervous, their hearts racing at an unusual pace.

"oh, it was too cheesy." izumi cringed and turned away from him, sitting up straight to distance herself from him. felix blinked, coming back to reality. he couldn't help but think that there was something there.

"come on, let's go. my dad must be worried too, i said i'd be home an hour ago." izumi stood up, taking felix by surprise.

"yah! why didn't you say that sooner?!" izumi grinned, sticking her tongue out at him.

"oops."

-

"thank you for tonight, felix." izumi smiled, turning to face him. the two had reached her house after silently walking side by side through the dark streets with only the lamp posts to guide them.

"you must've suffered a lot tonight." felix sighed, his gaze falling to the floor. "it's okay to say you're having a hard time, you know? if you're angry, or want to cry then do it. i'll stay by your side and listen." izumi nibbled on her lower lip as their gazes met.

"what about you then?" izumi questioned. "the night we met, you still haven't told me why you were on that bridge." felix didn't know how to respond, she had never brought it up ever since they had met again, which he was grateful for. however, she did deserve an explanation. 

"i'm sorry." he apologised. izumi sighed, turning her gaze away from him. 

"i don't accept your apology." felix nodded, knowing that he deserved it. "i can't help you if i don't know what's wrong."

"you can't help someone who doesn't want it." felix responded, causing izumi to look over at him. she scoffed, shaking her head.

"no one ever wants help, felix. and those who are desperate for it, don't always get it." izumi crossed her arms, closing her eyes. images of her mother passed through her mind, causing her to exhale loudly. "i'm not asking for much, i just want to understand you."

felix nodded, pursing his lips. he was about to open his mouth to speak, but another voice cut him off.

"izumi." the two turned to the source of the voice to find izumi's father stood by the doorway, looking between the two kids. izumi noticed how her father's gaze lingered on felix, more specifically, above his head. 

before izumi could comment on it, her father turned to her. "it's already late. come in now." he commanded. izumi; not wanting to fight with her father, nodded her head. she gave one last look to felix before heading into her house. 

izumi entered the house, however her father couldn't tear his gaze away from felix. felix who felt uncomfortable under his gaze, simply bowed before leaving to his own house. her father sighed, looking at the boy before he disappeared around the corner.

"it must be him."