Nora's POV:

      "Ren, I am sorry we fought."

     "I am too, N-Nora," Ren stutters.

       Nora continues to hug him. Ren (the blushing mess by now) hugs her. He pulls away and she bops his nose. Ren smiles. Nora smiles too.

          "Nora, I know we can make this work out," Ren says.

         "Make what work out?" I ask.

          "You and I," Ren answers.

           "I think so too," I reply. 

              I feel him grab my hand. I do not pull away. I missed him. I sigh. Why do I feel so awkward now? It is only Ren. We are best friends.

               I see him blush more. So cute. I blush at where my thoughts take me. Nora, he is your best friend, you must not think such things about him. I try to convince myself, but I find it difficult with him holding my hand.  

           I hear a loud noise and frown. A grime, now?  Ugh, why does that grime have to interfere? 

          "Ren, a grime is here," I tell him.

          "Yes, I can see it, darling," Ren answers. I think did he call me darling? If so, then, why?

               I did not have time to respond. I let go of his hand already missing how it felt. 

              I ran towards the ghastly grim. It stood nearly six feet tall. Agh! It was much stronger than the others we had fought before now. I jumped until I landed on its back.

             Ren's look of horror signaled to me that I better be careful. I yelled, "Don't worry, Ren, I can take care of it!" I did not say a thing about what he had said earlier. I did not think now was the best time for such things.

           I attacked and the grim weakened. Ren attacked its legs and the creature fell. I watched in terror as it stood up injured and tried to bite Ren. "Not on my watch you don't!" I  screamed. I attacked the grim with my hammer. It fell with a wham to the ground. I heard no more peeps out of it.

         Ren watched me retrieve my hammer and I heard him sigh in relief. I know we were glad it hadn't taken either of us out. There was still much for us to discuss. 

            Before I could say anything, Ren pulled me close and I could see tears in his eyes. Tears I believe I had put there. He was crying for me. "Ren, it is alright, shh, I-I didn't mean to scare you," I said. "Nora, I d-don't know what  I would do if something were to happen to you. I love you!" Ren replied. It was then I heard his voice shake. I did not know how to respond. He had confessed he loved me.

            Ren lifted my chin and whispered, "I have the pink highlight because you are precious to me, and I know you like pink."    I could feel my heart race. What could it mean?  Could I be in love with him? Was that even possible? 

           "N-Nora,  love, say something," I heard Ren plead with me. I felt bad that I did not have a response. I grabbed his other hand. I saw the wounds on it and felt my eyes water.  Could it be he had taken a risk for me?  "N-Nora, please..." Ren spoke pleadingly. 

             Ren let go of my hand and kissed it. He heard my gasp. He leaned in and kissed my forehead. "Nora?" He whispered. "Dear, sweet, Nora," He whispered. Then, he lay down exhausted.  I laid my head on his shoulder as he slept. "Sweet dreams, Ren," I whispered. I thought why can't I say it? Why?  I am such a bad friend, I thought.

           I fell asleep.

    Ren's POV:

    I woke up with Nora beside me. I felt her head on my shoulder. I sighed. Why could not she answer?  Did my love for her, disgust her that much? Is that why she could not return my love for her?  I took off my jacket and draped it around her. I held her close. 

     "Good night, love," I whispered. Soon, I drifted back to sleep with one arm around her shoulders and the other around her waist.  

       The next day, I stood up. Nora was already awake. She had fixed breakfast.

      "Here, Ren, have some nourishment,"  She said.

       "I will.  After breakfast, I expect an answer from you. Don't even think about sparing my feelings," I said.

       I ate and Nora did as well. I caught her glancing at me when she thought I was not looking and felt my face turn red. Couldn't she see what effect she had on me?

    After breakfast, I cleaned the dishes and dried them. Nora packed them without another word. She held out her hand and I took it. I felt her trace the line of my chin with her other hand.

     I  looked away. How could she act all romantic toward me without telling me how she felt? I had to know, if my love was one-sided or not. 

    "Nora?" I began.

   Nora's POV:

   I could tell Ren was unsure of my feelings. It was not like I told him.

    How does one go about speaking about feelings to a guy? Let alone to the handsome hunk beside me.

    I blush. 

    I hear him say my name softly. I know then he is serious. He seeks an answer today.

     "Ren, I have never felt this way about anyone before and it scares me. What if we hate each other in a few years from now and..."  I began to say.

      "Nora, it is worth the risk. You and I, I want to give us a chance." Ren said.

        "The thing is, do you want to give us a chance?" Ren asked. I could feel his breath on me. He was now facing me.

            "Y-yes, Ren, I would like to give us a chance," I replied. I could see the hope in his eyes. I hoped I would not be the one to dash it in pieces. 

              "Does this mean, you love me?" He asked.

                "Y-yes, Ren, I love you with all my heart," I replied. 

          Ren smiled. He leaned in and kissed me. This time the kiss was slow but sweet. It was not on the forehead this time either. This time he kissed me on the lips. I could taste the scent of honeysuckle, mint, and thyme. I could feel him about to pull away. I did not let him. I put a hand around his waist and the other on his chin. 

       I returned his kiss with one of my own. I felt my legs shake. I did not know why I had such a reaction. 

    Ren held me close. Soon, he pulled away and whispered, " Nora, I love you!"  I grinned. "Good, because I love you too, Li Ren!" I exclaimed.

     He picked me up and I squealed. "Nora," he whispered. "Yes, Ren, darling?" I whispered.

     "I like it when you kiss me." He said. I smirked. "Well, I like your kisses too," I answered.

      Ren carried me in his arms a few miles down the road. He had his weapons in their sheaves by his side, and the sack on his back. I had my hammer behind me. I felt bad that he carried most of the weight but He did not seem to mind.

     He was right, we could make this work, him and I.

  The story continues in Chapter 7

   Until then,

bye-bye,

little owlets!

Summer out!