Chapter 485:Closer than ever.

Chapter 485: 485:Closer than ever.

When Silver finally pulled back, Ravenna’s eyes remained closed for another moment before she opened them.

A small smile appeared.

"Again," she quietly said.

He laughed softly.

"Demanding."

"Very."

He kissed her again.

This time she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he held her closer, enjoying the warmth of her body against his and the quiet absence of everything that usually demanded his attention.

Eventually, they separated.

Ravenna rested her forehead against his.

"Silver?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

He smiled.

"I love you too."

She closed her eyes.

For a while, they remained like that, then Silver glanced toward the time displayed on his communicator.

It was getting late.

He knew Ravenna would need to return to her dormitory eventually but he wasn’t ready for the evening to end.

He looked toward her.

"Ravenna ," he called.

She raised her head.

"Hmm?"

"Would you like to stay with me tonight?"

Her eyes slightly widened.

Silver watched her expression carefully.

He hadn’t asked the question casually and he wasn’t referring to simply sitting together until morning.

Ravenna seemed to understand that immediately and cheeks gradually turned pink.

"Silver..." she whispered.

He smiled faintly.

"We don’t have to."

She looked at him.

"I know."

He brushed his thumb gently across the back of her hand.

"I just..."

He paused, then laughed quietly at himself.

She smiled.

"What?"

"I’m trying to find a clever way to say this."

She laughed softly.

"Since when do you need to be clever with me?" She fondly said.

He looked toward her, then his expression became serious.

"I want to spend the night with you, Ravenna. Properly. I’m not doing this because we might go on another dangerous mission, or because we’re afraid something might happen tomorrow," he softly said.

Her expression softened.

"Then why?" She asked.

Silver smiled.

"Because I love you and I want to be closer to you."

Ravenna stared at him.

For several seconds, she didn’t answer, then she looked down at their joined hands.

Her fingers tightened around his. When she finally raised her eyes, there was a nervousness in them that Silver rarely saw.

"Are you sure?" She quietly asked.

He nodded.

"Completely."

Ravenna swallowed, then smiled.

"Me too."

His expression softened as he leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

"Then we’ll take our time."

She laughed quietly.

"You sound nervous."

Silver smiled.

"I am."

She blinked, then laughed.

"Really?"

"Very."

She wrapped her arms around him.

"That’s good, I thought I was the only one," she whispered.

Silver raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, you’re right."

He laughed and held her closer.

The academy maintained several private residential suites near the eastern gardens, primarily intended for visiting family members, authorized guests, and students who required temporary accommodation away from the main dormitories. Silver had reserved one earlier in the day, although he’d deliberately kept the arrangement flexible, knowing that Ravenna might prefer to return to her own room.

When they reached the building, she glanced toward him.

"You planned this too?"

He smiled.

"Maybe."

She narrowed her eyes.

"Silver."

"I reserved it. That doesn’t mean we had to use it."

She looked at him for a moment before smiling.

"You’re becoming dangerous."

He laughed.

"I thought I already was."

"Different kind."

Silver shook his head.

They entered the building.

After confirming their reservation at the reception desk, they were given access to a private suite on the upper floor.

The room was spacious but comfortable, with a small sitting area, a kitchenette, a private bathroom, and a bedroom separated from the main lounge by a sliding door. Large windows overlooked the eastern gardens, where the lights reflected softly against the glass.

Ravenna stepped inside and slowly looked around.

"It’s nice."

Silver closed the door behind him.

"Glad you like it."

She turned toward him.

"Expensive?"

He shrugged.

"Not too bad."

Ravenna gave him a look.

Silver laughed.

"All right. A little."

She shook her head before placing her handbag on the table.

For a moment, neither moved. The quiet felt different now, not uncomfortable,but expectant.

He noticed her glancing toward the bedroom before quickly looking away.

He smiled faintly, then approached her.

"Ravenna."

She looked up.

"Yes?"

He reached for her hand and she accepted it.

"Still okay?" He asked.

She nodded.

"Yes."

Silver smiled.

"Thank goodness."

She looked toward him, then laughed nervously.

"You’re being very careful."

"Shouldn’t I be?"

She considered and shook her head.

"No. I like it."

Silver brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

Ravenna stepped closer.

He lowered his head and kissed her. She responded, wrapping her arms around his neck as he slipped his hands around her waist.

The kiss deepened gradually, neither of them rushing, and Silver found himself smiling against her lips when Ravenna briefly pulled away only to kiss him again.

Eventually, he rested his forehead against hers.

"Ravenna."

"Hmm?"

"Can I?"

She looked at him, then smiled.

"Yes."

He kissed her again.

This time, when he drew her closer, she followed willingly, her fingers tightening around his hand as they moved toward the bedroom.

At the doorway, she stopped.

Silver immediately stopped kissing her and looked at her.

"Something wrong?" He asked.

Ravenna shook her head, then laughed softly.

"No."

She looked down.

"It’s just..."

He waited.

She raised her eyes, her lips pursued.

"This is my first time."

His expression softened.

He gently squeezed her hand.

"Mine too, with you."

She laughed at the phrasing.

"That’s not what I meant."

"I know." He smiled. "We don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with."

Ravenna looked at him, then stepped forward and kissed him. When she pulled back, her cheeks were flushed.

"I want this, Silver."

He nodded.

"So do I."

She smiled.

"Then stop worrying so much."

He laughed softly.

"All right."

He lifted her hand and kissed her fingers, then guided her into the bedroom.

The door slid closed behind them, and for the first time in a long while, neither the academy nor the dangerous world beyond its walls mattered.

There was only the quiet intimacy of two people who’d chosen each other, the nervous laughter that accompanied unfamiliar moments, and the trust that allowed them to move forward together.