A Foggy Night on the Highway

The highway was eerily silent - no cars, no movement, just an endless stretch of asphalt disappearing into the thick fog. The only thing breaking the emptiness was the rhythmic glow of yellow streetlights, flickering through the mist.

Jade's hands were tight on the steering wheel, his chest feeling constricted as his eyes flicked to the glowing dot on his phone screen.

Maeva's location hadn't moved.

His jaw clenched. She had been out here for over an hour, and she wasn't answering. His calls had gone to voicemail. His texts sat unread.

Something was wrong.

The thought made his pulse spike as he pressed harder on the gas, weaving through the fog with only one thought in mind - finding her.

Then - he saw it.

A lone motorcycle parked on the shoulder of the highway, barely visible under the streetlights.

And her.

Slumped forward, motionless, still wearing her helmet.

His stomach dropped.

Jade barely stopped the car before throwing the door open. His boots hit the pavement hard as he ran, the cold air biting his face, his heart hammering.

"Maeva!"

No response.

His chest tightened as he reached her, hands gripping her arms. She wasn't moving. Shit.

He pressed a hand to the side of her helmet, trying to tilt it slightly. "Maeva," his voice was rough, urgent. "Hey, wake up."

Nothing.

His breath came faster as his fingers brushed against her jacket. She was cold. Too cold.

Without thinking, he pulled off his own jacket, throwing it around her shoulders as he gripped her arms, rubbing warmth into them.

"Come on," he muttered, voice almost pleading. "Maeva, wake up."

A soft breath escaped her lips, barely audible - but he felt it.

Relief slammed into his chest when her fingers twitched slightly, her head tilting just a fraction.

Her voice was weak. "Jade??"

His forehead nearly dropped to hers, exhaling sharply.

"Yeah," he breathed, still rubbing her arms. "I'm here."

Her eyelashes fluttered before she slowly, sluggishly opened her eyes. Unfocused. Dazed.

"You scared the hell out of me," he muttered, his brows still furrowed deeply, though the tension in his jaw had eased slightly.

She blinked, trying to gather herself. "M-my bike?"

Jade glanced at it before looking back at her. "It stopped?"

She gave a weak nod. "And my phone? wet." She managed to lift it slightly - screen completely ruined. Useless.

Jaid exhaled; frustration evident in the way his fingers tightened slightly on her arms. She had been stuck here, alone, in the cold, with no way to call for help.

"You're not staying out here," he said firmly, his grip steady. "My car's a little behind us. Come on."

She barely had the strength to argue.

Jade kept his arm around her as they walked, slow and steady, making sure she wouldn't collapse.

Inside the Car

The second the doors shut, warmth rushed over them, the heater blasting against the bitter cold.

Jade didn't hesitate. He reached into the backseat, grabbed an extra hoodie, and pulled it over her. She was still cold. Too cold.

His brows furrowed, frustration flickering in his expression as he leaned closer.

Without thinking, he reached for her hands, rubbing firmly, trying to get any warmth back into them.

Maeva stiffened slightly at the contact, but didn't pull away.

Jade exhaled sharply, his focus still on warming her up. "You should've called earlier." His voice was quiet, almost strained. "I could've come sooner."

"I thought? I could fix it myself." Her voice was soft, slightly hoarse from the cold.

Jade's jaw clenched.

She was too stubborn for her own good.

But he didn't say anything. He just kept warming her hands, slowly, steadily, his fingers firm against hers.

Maeva swallowed, watching him. His grip was strong, warm. The pads of his fingers brushed her knuckles, absentmindedly tracing small circles as he worked to bring the heat back into them.

Her heart skipped, just slightly.

Jade didn't seem to notice. Or if he did, he didn't react.

Instead, after a long moment, he sighed and finally let go, leaning back in his seat.

"You should sleep," he murmured. "You're exhausted."

She hesitated but gave in, resting her head against the seat, her eyes slowly drifting shut.

She was warm now. Safe.

That was all she needed.

The Morning & The Tension

Maeva woke up to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the fogged-up windows.

For a second, she didn't move - just breathed, warmth still lingering around her.

Then she realized -

Her helmet was off.

Her heart stuttered slightly as her fingers brushed her hair. Jade must've removed it while she was sleeping.

She swallowed, turning slightly -

He was still asleep.

The sight made something strange twist in her chest. His arms were crossed, his head tilted slightly toward her, his breathing deep and steady.

She watched him for a moment, hesitant.

Then, carefully, she leaned forward, reaching for the door button near the driver's side.

Just as her fingers brushed it -

An arm wrapped around her waist.

Her breath caught.

Jade's grip was firm, warm, his voice still husky with sleep when he murmured, "Where are you going?"

Maeva froze.

Her heart slammed against her ribs as his fingers flexed slightly, securing his hold on her waist.

"I - I wasn't supposed to stay here," she breathed.

Jade's lips barely curved - half-asleep, but still aware.

"Well, you did." His voice was deep, slightly raspy. "And you're still half-asleep."

Maeva swallowed, her body stiff against the seat.

His fingers lingered a second longer before he finally let go, his hand dropping to the seat beside him.

She should've left immediately.

But she hesitated.

Instead, she turned back - just slightly - and softly pressed a kiss to his cheek.

Jade stilled.

Maeva swallowed, her heart hammering as she pulled back -

But before she could move too far -

A hand caught her wrist.

Her breath hitched.

Jaid's fingers curled around her wrist gently, but his grip was firm. His eyes were still half-lidded, but there was something deeper in them now.

Something undeniable.

Before she could say anything -

He pulled her back.

And when their lips met.