chapter 28 - power shift 🤍

Content Warning: This chapter contains implied intimacy and romantic themes. Nothing explicit tho! if you're uncomfortable with suggestive content, feel free to skip !

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Zahn's exams had ended, but Amy wasn't as lucky. She still had to retake her back-subjects, the only one among her friends who hadn't passed. It was embarrassing, sure, but at least it was over.

When she finally stepped into their apartment, a mix of relief and pride swirled within her. Relief that the nightmare of exams was over, pride because-for once-she had actually studied hard. For Zahn.

But beneath that, a quieter thought lingered. College was over. The carefree days of skipping class and goofing off were behind her. Adulthood wasn't just creeping in-it was here. Soon, she'd have to figure out what came next. Work? Further studies? The uncertainty made her stomach twist.

Amy shoved those thoughts aside. No way was she ruining her well-earned freedom by overthinking the future.

She kicked off her shoes, tossing her bag onto the couch. "Finally done with exams! I can relax now." Excitement glinted in her eyes, her usual bright smile returning after weeks of exhaustion.

Zahn stood near the table, arms crossed, watching her.

"That's a first-you actually sound relieved instead of complaining." His voice carried a teasing warmth.

Amy wasted no time wrapping her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek against his chest like she always did. "Of course! Now I'm free!" She fit against him so naturally, the rise and fall of his breath familiar and steady.

"I studied so hard for you, y'know," she mumbled against his shirt, fishing for praise.

Zahn chuckled, his fingers brushing lightly against her back. "I know."

Amy closed her eyes, breathing in his scent. It was comforting, grounding. She'd done this a million times before-but something felt different.

Zahn tilted her chin up, his thumb skimming her cheek. His usual amused gaze wasn't there. Instead, his dark blue eyes held something deeper.

Amy's breath caught in her throat.

Then, he kissed her.

Soft at first-just like always. But then, Zahn's grip on her waist tightened. His lips pressed harder against hers, his other hand sliding up to cradle the back of her head.

Amy's heart skipped.

Her fingers curled into his shirt as the kiss deepened. Zahn pressed closer, heat radiating from his body. Before she could fully process it, he effortlessly lifted her onto the table.

He stood between her legs, his lips tracing fire against hers. Their tongues met, slow but eager. Amy's arms found their way around his neck, pulling him closer until their breaths tangled. A soft whimper slipped from her throat-something desperate and unfamiliar.

Amy swallowed hard, her face burning. "Zahn...?"

He didn't answer. But the look in his eyes said everything. Hunger. Need. A silent question.

Then, his lips brushed the curve of her neck.

Amy let out a small yelp, startled by the sudden sensation. She wasn't used to this. Not from him.

Her heart pounded as she felt him hesitate. Zahn's fingers trembled slightly as they traced her back, and when he finally spoke, his voice was low, thick with something nervous yet firm.

"Do you...want to?"

A heavy silence fell between them.

Amy's face went up in flames. Her pulse hammered in her ears. She had waited so long for him to make the first move, and he finally did-

Wait.

She blinked, reality hitting her like a truck.

Does... does he even know what to do?

"Zahn... you know what to do, right?" she asked, her voice hesitant.

There was a brief silence before he answered, just as honestly.

"Not really... did you expect me to?"

Amy stared at him. Does she even know any better? Not really. The realization made her face heat up.

At some point, they had moved to the bed, but neither of them dared to break the silence. They just sat there, stiff and unsure.

Finally, in a desperate attempt to break the awkwardness, Amy blurted, "Let's, uh... learn? We could-um-watch something?"

Zahn's face immediately turned red. "What..?" He coughed, looking away. "Why don't we just... go with the flow?"

" Yeah, no," Amy said quickly, grabbing her laptop. "We're watching something first."

Before he could protest, she clicked on a video.

Seconds later-

Zahn choked. "What the-?!" His eyes widened in pure horror as he turned his head, ears burning.

Amy tried to keep a straight face, but even she felt the secondhand embarrassment of watching this with him. "Huh. You were acting all bold before, and now you're shy?"

Zahn shot her a look, his face still red. "And why are you so casual about this?!"

Amy hesitated. Then, without thinking, she muttered, "I mean... it's not the first time. I've seen stuff before."

Silence.

Zahn froze mid-breath.

Amy blinked, realizing what she just said.

Slowly, Zahn turned to her, his expression blank-but his ears were visibly red. "...You what?"

"What..?"

Zahn's voice cracked. "Not the first time?!"

Amy's stomach dropped. Oh no.

"Uhh I mean..!" She quickly shoved a pillow at him, her face burning. "I was just curious, okay?! It was just-research! Just watching videos!"

Zahn caught the pillow but didn't let it go. His fingers clenched around it as if trying to grasp onto reality. "Research?" His voice was thin. "Did you write a full report too?"

Amy groaned. "I glanced, okay?! It's not like I-"

She paused.

Somewhere in the chaos of defending herself, her pride took over.

She crossed her arms and huffed. "Yeah, maybe I know a little. I can teach you-"

Silence.

Oh no.

Realization hit her like a truck.

Amy froze.

Zahn had gone completely still.

Click.

He shut the laptop.

Amy swallowed. "Uh-Zahn?"

He turned to her, his expression unreadable.

Then, in a low, unreadable voice, he murmured, "You were saying you can teach me?"

Amy stared.

Oh god.

Did she really just say that?!

Her mind screamed at her to take it back, but her body was too frozen to react.

Zahn tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing as if studying her. "So?"

Amy opened her mouth, then immediately closed it.

Her whole face burned. "I-I meant in theory!"

Zahn's lips twitched. "Theory, huh?"

Amy swallowed hard. "...Yeah."

His smirk grew. "I see. So all that confidence just now... was nothing but theory?"

Crap.

Why did it sound like he was challenging her?!

Zahn leaned in slightly. "Wanna test that theory?"

OH. NO.

Amy's heart slammed against her ribs.

This wasn't how she imagined this moment to go.

They had no idea what they were doing. But somehow, that made everything worse.

Or maybe... just a little better.

Yet, despite the hesitation, despite the awkwardness-they somehow, somehow ended up doing something. Even if it took them hours to figure out how...

Amy, who had always been a menace, suddenly fell silent. No teasing, no playful remarks-just quiet, uneven breaths. Her fingers twitched slightly against his, her warmth seeping into his skin.

Zahn swallowed hard, heat creeping up his neck. His forehead felt warm-maybe from embarrassment, maybe from how close they were now. He tried to act calm, but his body wasn't exactly cooperating. His grip on her tightened, his own breaths growing heavier.

He looked down at her, his gaze tracing every detail of her face. Amy's flushed cheeks, her damp hair sticking to her skin, and-those eyes. Teary, glossy, still lost in the haze of what had just happened. A sight that sent heat rushing through him all over again.

Amy blinked up at him, her lips slightly parted, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. She felt like she was melting into the sheets, her body still tingling, her mind floating somewhere between bliss and disbelief.

But the way her fingers curled into the sheets, the way she still looked at him-as if he was the only thing keeping her grounded-made something tighten in his chest.

Her expression... the way her gaze darted away, how she shifted ever so subtly beneath him..

His heart slammed against his ribs.

And then, almost instinctively, his lips curled into a smirk.

Ah... so that's how it is.

His nerves didn't disappear, but seeing Amy this flustered? Watching the girl who always teased him suddenly at a loss for words? It made things feel... different.

Zahn leaned in, his lips brushing against her forehead, his breath warm against her skin. His fingers intertwined with hers, squeezing tighter.

Amy swallowed, her chest rising and falling a little faster. "Z-Zahn..."

"Mm?" His voice came out lower than intended.

Her grip on his hand tightened, but she didn't say anything. Didn't need to say anything.

He exhaled, his heartbeat pounding against his ribs, loud enough that he wondered if she could hear it too.

This was completely new. Overwhelming.

And yet... the warmth between them was something he didn't want to let go of.

A deep chuckle rumbled in his throat as he leaned down, his lips brushing against hers. "No backing out now, Amy."

Amy's breath hitched, her fingers trembling slightly in his hold. But she didn't pull away.

Instead, she squeezed his hand, a silent answer.

Zahn smirked against her lips.

Yeah... he definitely had the upper hand now.

And as the hours slipped by, neither of them thought about stopping.

Later, when Amy opened her eyes, embarrassment hit her like a tidal wave. Zahn's arms were wrapped around her, holding her close, his warmth still lingering against her skin. Just thinking about what had happened earlier made her want to disappear into thin air.

With a quiet groan, she buried herself deeper into the blanket, refusing to face reality. She didn't dare peek at him-but when she finally did, her heart nearly stopped.

He was awake. Watching her.

Not just watching-smirking.

His expression was far from his usual unreadable one. His eyes held a teasing glint, and his amusement was painfully obvious.

Amy scowled. "Enjoying yourself, huh?"

His arms tightened around her, pulling her in. "I didn't know you could be this shy, Amy." He chuckled, his voice low and teasing, his laughter only making the heat in her face worse.

"Shut up. You were shy too."

"Maybe," he admitted, his smirk deepening, " but you always love annoying me. Why so shy now, hmm?" His tone was playful, but there was something else in his gaze-satisfaction. Amusement. Like he was enjoying the rare moment where he had the upper hand.

Amy groaned, sinking further into the blanket. "Ugh."

He just chuckled again, clearly entertained.

Well, whatever. As mortifying as it was, what happened earlier had been... a new experience for both of them, one that had drawn them even closer.

For now, life was warm, easy, and sweet.

But in the back of her mind, Amy knew-peace never lasted forever.

At least... not for now.