Chapter 19: A Quiet Afternoon
The Library was unusually calm that afternoon, a quiet lull settling over its labyrinthine halls. After weeks of intense missions and deciphering ancient artifacts, the team finally had a free afternoon, and everyone seemed content to unwind. Emmie leaned back in her chair, flipping through a collection of ancient Egyptian folk tales she had been meaning to study.
Nearby, Cassandra and Evelyn sat together, sipping tea as they glanced around the room. Ezekiel was lounging on a nearby couch, engrossed in a novel he would never admit to actually enjoying, while Flynn and Baird were engrossed in a spirited debate over the origins of a particular artifact in the collection.
Cassandra nudged Evelyn gently, giving her a knowing look. "Do you see what I see?"
Evelyn followed her gaze, and her eyes settled on Emmie, sitting a little distance from Ardeth. Both were seemingly engrossed in their own books, but Cassandra noticed how Emmie's gaze drifted occasionally, just for a split second, in Ardeth's direction.
"It's a perfect setup, isn't it?" Cassandra whispered with a grin. "A quiet afternoon, everyone relaxed… We'd be wasting a golden opportunity if we didn't nudge them a little closer."
Evelyn's smile grew. "Agreed. Subtlety is key, though."
"Of course, subtlety," Cassandra agreed with a mischievous wink.
With practiced nonchalance, Cassandra stood up and drifted over to Emmie's side, casually setting her teacup down on the table. "Mind if I join you, Emmie?" she asked, already sliding into the chair next to her.
Emmie looked up, mildly surprised. "Oh, sure, Cassandra. I was just—"
Before she could finish, Cassandra had shifted her stack of books slightly, pushing Emmie's things aside just enough to encroach into her personal space. Emmie, needing room, instinctively scooted over to the empty seat directly beside Ardeth.
"There," Cassandra said brightly. "Much cozier, isn't it?"
Emmie shot her a bemused look, though Cassandra's innocent smile didn't waver. Emmie could feel the warmth of Ardeth's presence now much closer than before. She kept her gaze focused on her book, hoping her cheeks weren't giving her away.
Evelyn then approached, holding a tray with cups of tea and some snacks. She offered one to Emmie first, bending down slightly. "I brought some tea for everyone," she said, her tone casual, though she made a point of setting Emmie's cup on the table beside Ardeth.
Emmie reached for her tea, her fingers brushing his as he reached for his own. She gave him a quick, apologetic smile. "Sorry, Ardeth."
"No need to apologize," he replied, his eyes warm and calm.
Across the room, Cassandra and Evelyn exchanged a quick, gleeful look, clearly pleased with their "subtle" progress.
Not long after, Jake wandered into the room, casually snacking on a bag of chips. He noticed Emmie and Ardeth sitting closer than usual, and, catching the knowing looks from Cassandra and Evelyn, quickly put two and two together. Deciding to play along, he walked over, deliberately stopping right next to Emmie and Ardeth.
"Oh, hey, Emmie," he said, his voice overly casual as he offered her a handful of chips. "Mind grabbing a glass of water from the kitchen for me?"
Emmie arched an eyebrow. "Jake, the kitchen is right there. You could get it yourself."
He shrugged, giving her a lopsided grin. "Yeah, but I'm comfortable here, you know?"
She rolled her eyes but set her book down and got up, not noticing Jake's smirk as she turned away. She didn't even make it a few steps before Ardeth rose from his seat as well.
"I'll come with you, Emmie," he said, his tone steady as always. "I could use a break from reading."
Jake's smirk grew as they walked away together, leaving him to exchange a satisfied nod with Cassandra and Evelyn.
As Emmie and Ardeth walked through the quiet hallway toward the kitchen, she felt a subtle thrill in the comfortable silence between them. Glancing up at him, she found herself smiling at his calm expression.
"Jake can be incredibly lazy sometimes," she murmured, shaking her head in amusement.
Ardeth's eyes softened with a hint of humor. "Perhaps it's less about the water and more about letting him… observe," he replied quietly.
Emmie glanced at him, surprised by the playful tone. She knew he'd noticed the others' antics, yet his calm acceptance of it—if not enjoyment—surprised her.
"You noticed too, huh?" she asked, her voice low.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "It is difficult not to," he replied, his gaze warm as he met hers. "Though I cannot say I mind the arrangements."
She felt a blush creeping up her cheeks, and when they reached the kitchen, Ardeth placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, holding her gaze with quiet affection. For a moment, words felt unnecessary. Emmie's heart fluttered as she returned his warm gaze, reaching up to rest her hand over his in a brief, comforting touch. They stood there for a few seconds, the gentle press of his hand steadying her.
With a soft smile, she squeezed his hand before letting go, moving to get the water. As she returned, she let her shoulder brush against his, her gaze meeting his once more with a hint of a smile.
The small gestures were grounding, reassuring, and filled with a quiet understanding. Emmie felt a warmth settle over her, knowing that they didn't need to say a word for the connection to be understood.
Emmie and Ardeth returned from the kitchen with Jake's water, the quiet, warm connection lingering between them. They handed him the glass, which he took with a cheeky grin.
"Thanks, Emmie, you're the best," Jake said, shooting her a wink before glancing at Ardeth. "And, Ardeth, you're, uh… also helpful."
Emmie rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips as she settled back into her spot beside Ardeth. Cassandra and Evelyn, meanwhile, had observed everything with thinly veiled delight, clearly satisfied with the small nudge they'd managed to orchestrate.
As the afternoon wore on, Evelyn found a new excuse to keep Emmie and Ardeth close. She placed a stack of books right next to Emmie and casually walked over.
"Emmie," Evelyn said, gesturing toward the books, "could you help me sort these out? Some of them need to go back to the restricted section."
"Of course, Evelyn." Emmie moved to stand up, glancing at Ardeth. "I'll be right back."
Before Emmie could even take a step, Evelyn put on her best innocent expression and added, "Ardeth, why don't you go along? Some of these volumes can be quite heavy."
Ardeth looked at Emmie, his expression unreadable save for a flicker of humor in his eyes. "I would be glad to assist," he replied, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Evelyn gave a cheerful nod. "Wonderful. It'll be quicker with the two of you."
Emmie glanced back at Cassandra, who had her face buried in a book but was clearly failing to hide her grin. Emmie and Ardeth exchanged a look, both fully aware of what was happening but willing to play along.
As they walked toward the restricted section, Emmie carried a stack of books with Ardeth beside her, close enough that she could feel his steady presence. They navigated the quiet halls in companionable silence, and Emmie felt a strange comfort in the simplicity of the task. No missions, no artifacts—just the quiet rhythm of walking side by side.
When they reached the restricted section, Emmie set her books down on one of the tables, glancing at Ardeth. He leaned over to help her with the stack, their hands brushing as they arranged the volumes on the table. Emmie felt a familiar warmth at the contact, her gaze lingering on his fingers as they moved over the worn leather bindings.
"Thank you for helping me," she said softly, her voice almost a whisper.
Ardeth looked up, his dark eyes meeting hers with a calm but intense focus. "It is my pleasure, Emmie," he replied, his voice gentle.
In the quiet of the room, with only the soft hum of the Library's magic around them, Emmie felt herself lean just a little closer to him. She could sense the depth of his presence, his steady calm, and a hint of something deeper that he rarely let surface.
Unable to resist, she lifted a hand and gently touched his arm, a simple gesture that somehow carried the weight of all their unspoken understanding. Ardeth didn't pull away. Instead, his gaze softened, and he placed a warm hand over hers, letting his thumb graze her fingers in a gentle, reassuring motion.
A quiet warmth passed between them, the stillness around them amplifying the quiet affection they shared. Emmie felt her heartbeat quicken, yet a calmness settled over her as Ardeth's presence anchored her, filling her with a sense of quiet contentment.
Their gaze held for a moment longer, neither of them moving to break the silence. Just as she felt herself lost in the moment, the sound of voices drifted down the hall, snapping them back to reality. Emmie withdrew her hand, a soft, almost shy smile on her lips as she straightened up, feeling the slightest blush warm her cheeks.
As they walked back toward the others, Emmie caught herself thinking that the subtle touches, the quiet shared glances—all these small moments between them—felt like a secret language only they understood.
When they returned to the common area, Cassandra and Evelyn looked up, each trying (and failing) to hide their satisfied smiles.
"Did everything get sorted?" Cassandra asked, far too casually.
"Yes," Emmie replied, setting the remaining books down. "Thank you for the help, Ardeth."
"It was no trouble at all," he replied, his gaze steady as he met hers.
They both took their seats once again, but this time, Emmie felt a slight shift. She found herself leaning a little closer to Ardeth than before, their shoulders brushing as they both returned to their respective books.
As the afternoon wore on, the team settled into a comfortable rhythm. Jake and Ezekiel were now fully aware of Cassandra and Evelyn's plan and had begun to throw in their own occasional nudges, each delighted by how flustered Emmie sometimes got.
Cassandra, determined to go one step further, decided to make a round of tea for everyone. She made her way to the kitchen, where she quickly found Evelyn and pulled her aside to whisper the final part of her plan.
"Evelyn, I have an idea," Cassandra said, eyes gleaming. "Let's accidentally run out of cups so that Emmie and Ardeth have to share one."
Evelyn stifled a laugh, nodding. "Oh, that's perfect. We'll call it a 'bonding moment.'"
With all cups but one mysteriously removed from the counter, Cassandra returned to the common area, tray in hand. She handed each person a cup until she reached Emmie and Ardeth, stopping dramatically and giving an exaggerated sigh.
"Oh, shoot," Cassandra said, feigning surprise. "Looks like we're one cup short. But that's okay. Emmie, Ardeth, you don't mind sharing, do you?"
Emmie blinked, clearly flustered, but trying not to show it. Ardeth, as calm as ever, nodded graciously and held out his hand to take the cup. "Of course. I don't mind at all," he replied, his gaze shifting to Emmie with a hint of a smile.
Emmie took a quick breath, trying to steady her heartbeat. "Alright, then," she murmured, casting a look at Cassandra that said she saw right through the ploy. She took the cup from Ardeth's hand, her fingers brushing his briefly, and brought it to her lips.
Cassandra and Evelyn exchanged glances of barely contained delight as Emmie handed the cup to Ardeth. The casual exchange felt unreasonably intimate under their watchful eyes, and Emmie felt a soft blush warm her cheeks as Ardeth's fingers brushed hers once more when he took the cup.
Watching the scene unfold, Ezekiel couldn't resist a smirk. "Wow, so much coordination for a simple cup of tea. You two are quite the team."
Jake chuckled, adding, "Yeah, look at them. Like they've been doing this forever." He gave a playful nudge to Cassandra and Evelyn, who both stifled giggles.
Ardeth, aware of the attention but unfazed, took a sip from the cup and handed it back to Emmie with an easy grace. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the noise of the room faded, the rest of the group momentarily forgotten.
She accepted the cup, giving him a soft smile that held a quiet gratitude, as if saying, Thank you for going along with this. And when their hands brushed once again, it felt almost like a silent promise between them, a reassurance that even in the midst of their friends' playful meddling, they were perfectly in sync.
The others, still observing, broke into amused laughter. Emmie and Ardeth exchanged a glance, each suppressing a smile.
"Alright, you two," Baird finally said, clearly entertained, "I think you've successfully passed the 'sharing is caring' test. You're free to drink solo now."
Emmie shook her head, laughing softly, while Ardeth merely inclined his head, as calm as ever. As the group's laughter died down, Cassandra leaned over to Emmie, grinning.
"See? Sometimes, all it takes is a little nudge to bring two people closer," she said, winking.
Emmie tried to look unbothered, though she felt her heart skip as she glanced at Ardeth. "I'll keep that in mind, Cassandra," she replied, her voice light, though the glance she shared with Ardeth spoke volumes more than words ever could.
As the night wound down, the team gradually dispersed, their laughter and good-natured teasing still echoing in the quiet of the Library. Emmie and Ardeth lingered, exchanging a few amused glances over the remains of tea and snacks.
Once the others were out of sight, Ardeth gestured to the hallway leading toward Emmie's quarters. "Shall we?" he asked, his voice low, his gaze holding a warmth that sent a thrill through her.
Emmie nodded, falling into step beside him, their footsteps soft against the marble floors. A comfortable silence settled between them, but the memory of their friends' antics lingered, sparking a shared amusement.
"They're not exactly subtle, are they?" Emmie murmured, a smile tugging at her lips as she glanced up at Ardeth.
He chuckled softly, his eyes glinting with humor. "Not at all. It seems they're determined to bring us together, though I doubt they realize how unnecessary it is."
Emmie laughed, shaking her head. "I think Cassandra and Evelyn have made us their personal project. If only they knew…"
"Perhaps we should let them continue," Ardeth said, a rare smile curving on his usually serious face. "It's rather entertaining."
Emmie's smile softened as she looked up at him. "True. And at least it gives us more time together without them suspecting anything."
*********Nothing it explicit but very implied so if you don't like don't read from this point in the chapter**********
The dim lamplight cast soft shadows along the walls of Emmie's quarters, wrapping the room in a warm, golden glow. As Emmie turned to face him, Ardeth was already watching her with an intensity that sent a delicious thrill down her spine.
"Thank you for humoring them tonight," she whispered, stepping closer, feeling her pulse quicken in the quiet. "I know they can be relentless."
"It was no trouble," Ardeth replied, his voice gentle as he lifted a hand, his fingers brushing along her cheek. "Any excuse to be by your side is a welcome one."
Emmie's breath hitched as his hand lingered, his touch both tender and grounding. She raised her own hand, resting it over his as her gaze held his, a silent invitation in her eyes.
In the quiet of the room, with nothing between them but shared affection and unspoken promises, Ardeth leaned in, his lips brushing softly against hers. The kiss started gentle, but as her hand slid to the back of his neck, pulling him closer, it deepened, their closeness igniting a fervor that had long been simmering between them.
Ardeth's hands settled at her waist, drawing her against him as their kiss grew more intense, each touch sending sparks through her. Emmie's fingers threaded through his hair, feeling him shudder at her touch, his low sigh against her lips stirring a heat that coursed through her. She felt the restraint they'd both held break as he pressed her back, his kisses trailing down her neck, sending shivers across her skin.
She guided him toward the bed, her heart pounding as she moved backward, his hands steady at her waist. When the back of her legs met the edge of the bed, she sat down, looking up at him with a gaze that left nothing hidden. Ardeth knelt before her, his hands sliding up her thighs, the warmth of his touch a promise that made her breath catch.
His fingers moved slowly, exploring, as though savoring every inch. Emmie's hands found their way to the clasp of his clothes, unfastening it and slipping the fabric from his shoulders, revealing the hard lines of his chest beneath. She let her hands trail over him, feeling the strength that radiated beneath her fingers, and Ardeth let out a low groan as her touch moved over his skin.
He lowered himself over her, pressing her gently back against the sheets as he kissed her again, his hand slipping beneath the hem of her shirt, finding the warmth of her skin. Emmie arched into his touch, her own hands exploring, her fingers mapping out the familiar yet exhilarating terrain of his body. They moved together in perfect rhythm, each kiss, each touch deepening the connection between them, their bodies moving in harmony as they gave themselves fully to one another.
The world outside faded, leaving only the warmth of his embrace and the intensity of their shared passion. They moved in sync, their breaths mingling, their heartbeats echoing one another's as the night unfolded in a quiet, intimate symphony that was both tender and electrifying. Ardeth's touch, his presence, his love—all of it filled her completely, and as dawn approached, they lay together, entwined and at peace, knowing that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them side by side, bound by a love that had stood the test of time.