Night.
The same city.
But now… quieter.
As if the world itself had grown weary of breathing.
---
The room was lit by the soft glow of a lamp.
Outside the window — lights.
Distant.
Strange.
And here…
it's warm.
---
Maria stood by the window.
Calm.
As always.
---
— Maria.
Quietly.
Right next to her.
---
She didn't even turn round.
'You're too quiet. It's suspicious.'
---
…
---
'I'm just… thinking.'
---
A pause.
---
'That's even worse.'
---
He smiled.
And moved closer.
---
Slowly.
Without any pretence.
Without his usual boldness.
---
And…
he embraced her from behind.
---
Gently.
But firmly.
As if he were afraid she might vanish.
---
Maria froze for a second.
---
— …What are you doing?
---
— Checking.
---
— What?
---
— That you're real.
---
Silence.
---
She didn't push him away.
---
She just relaxed a little.
Just a tiny bit.
---
He buried his forehead in her shoulder.
---
— With you…
Pause.
— it's too calm.
---
— Is that bad?
---
— It's… unusual.
---
His arms tightened slightly.
But not roughly.
Just… a desire not to let go.
---
Maria slowly turned towards him.
Now they were very close.
---
— You're strange.
---
— I know.
---
— Very.
---
— Especially with you.
---
…
---
She looked into his eyes.
For a long time.
Intently.
---
As if she were looking for something there…
or checking.
---
'Do you really… calm down when you're with me?'
---
'No.'
Pause.
'I become… myself.'
---
…
---
Her gaze softened slightly.
Barely noticeably.
---
He gently touched her cheek.
As if afraid to make a single unnecessary movement.
---
"May I?"
---
"You already have."
---
— But you didn't stop me.
---
…
---
She didn't reply.
---
And that was enough.
---
He leaned closer.
Slowly.
Without haste.
---
And touched her lips.
---
Quietly.
Gently.
Without pressure.
---
As if it weren't a kiss…
but a promise.
---
The world outside the window vanished.
Noise.
Light.
People.
Everything became… unnecessary.
---
Only warmth remained.
---
He wasn't in a hurry.
He didn't press deeper.
He simply… stayed close.
---
And when he pulled away —
he didn't let go.
---
Forehead to forehead.
Breathing close by.
---
'I'm glad…'
he said quietly.
---
— About what?
---
— That you exist.
---
…
---
Maria closed her eyes for a second.
---
— Don't say that too often.
---
— Why?
---
— I might get used to it.
---
He smiled.
---
— It's too late.
---
…
---
She gave him a light tap on the shoulder.
But…
not too hard.
---
And she stayed close.
---
Alikantios hugged her again.
He was calmer now.
More confident.
---
And this time…
he said nothing.
---
Because for the first time in a long while…
he didn't need to.
---
End of Extra Chapter 2