11. Lux

11

LUX

L ux looked up at the sky, noting how the orange hue of the setting sun mixed with the darkening clouds above. They had spent the entire afternoon waiting for a rescue team that never came. Her hopes had slowly faded with each passing hour, and now, it was almost evening. The cold started to creep in.

"I keep thinking about the station," Lux said after a while. "I wonder if they're worried about us."

"They probably are," Zoey said. "People don't just disappear without anyone noticing."

"I hope they're looking for us."

The night had settled in around them, and the forest was alive with the sounds of crickets and distant rustling in the bushes.

Zoey shifted uncomfortably, her eyes flickering open in the dim light of the fire. Lux, who had been lying close to her, noticed the movement immediately.

"You okay?" Lux asked softly.

Zoey nodded, rubbing her arms as she tried to find a more comfortable position. "Just can't get warm. It's colder than I expected."

Lux reached over, her hand resting lightly on Zoey's arm. The contact sent a jolt through her, something warm and electric that she hadn't expected. "We should share the blanket," she suggested, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest.

Zoey hesitated, glancing at the blanket, which was barely big enough for one person. "It's okay. You should use it. You need the warmth more."

Lux shook her head. "We both do. Come on, we'll be warmer together."

Zoey finally relented, shifting closer as Lux draped it over both of them, their bodies pressing together under the thin cover. Lux's heart quickened, the closeness making her hyper-aware of every detail—the warmth of Zoey's skin against hers, the steady rise and fall of her breathing, the smokey scent of her hair, and the way their legs brushed together.

"You're shivering," Zoey said after a while, her voice low.

Lux hadn't realized she was until Zoey pointed it out. "Yeah, I guess I am."

Zoey shifted, pulling the blanket tighter around them. "I'm sorry about earlier. I know I can be a bit…intense."

Lux shook her head, even though Zoey couldn't see it in the darkness. "Don't apologize. You're just trying to do what you think is best."

Zoey sighed. "It's just this whole situation is so messed up. I hate feeling powerless."

Lux could relate to that. She was used to being in control and knowing what to do in a crisis. But here, stranded in the middle of nowhere with nothing but each other and the remnants of the helicopter, she felt just as lost.

"My dad is a firefighter too. He's the strongest person I know, and he seems to always know what to do, no matter how bad things get" Lux said suddenly, the words spilling out before she could stop them.

Zoey was quiet for a moment before she reached out and brushed her fingers against Lux's cheek. The touch was gentle, almost hesitant. "You're strong too, Lux. You're still here, still fighting."

Lux's breath hitched at the contact, her heart skipping a beat. Zoey's words were warm and comforting, but it was the way she looked at her that made Lux's chest tighten with something more. There was an intensity in Zoey's brown eyes and a softness that Lux hadn't expected.

"Thanks," Lux said.

Zoey pulled back slightly, the moment between them lingering. She reached down to remove her jacket, the fabric rustling as she pulled it off and tossed it aside. The movement revealed a strip of bare skin at her waist, and Lux couldn't help but stare, her eyes tracing her curves.

The sight made Lux's mouth go dry and her pulse quicken. She felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to close the distance between them, to press her lips against Zoey's skin and taste the warmth there. But she held back, unsure if she should, unsure if Zoey would welcome it.

Instead, Lux shifted closer, their bodies now fully aligned under the blanket. Zoey didn't move away, and Lux took that as a good sign. The fire crackled softly beside them, the only sound in the otherwise silent night.

"Is this okay?" Lux asked.

Zoey nodded, her breath brushing against Lux's ear. "Yeah. It's okay."

The both settled in, the fire blanket doing little to keep out the cold, but the shared body heat made up for it. Lux couldn't stop her thoughts from wandering back to Zoey's body, her eyes drawn to the smooth lines of Zoey's exposed skin. The attraction she felt was undeniable, a pull she didn't want to resist.

But she did. She knew now wasn't the time. They needed to focus on staying safe and surviving. Still, the desire lingered, a quiet hum beneath the surface.

Zoey shifted again, and she wrapped around Lux's waist. The gesture was simple, almost casual, but it sent a thrill through Lux, a warmth that had nothing to do with the fire.

"Let's try to get some sleep," Zoey murmured, half asleep already.

Lux closed her eyes, even as she was acutely aware of every point of contact between them. "Goodnight, Zoey."

"Goodnight, Lux."

They lay there in the darkness as the fire cast shadows around them. Lux's mind raced with thoughts of what could be and what she wanted.

But she kept those thoughts to herself, letting the comfort of Zoey's presence lull her into a restless, but contented, sleep.