Fragile

Chapter 2 - Number Swap

She nodded, watching me. "That must be an incredible feeling."

"It is." I hesitated, then added, "But there's pressure too. Sometimes it's a lot."

She didn't look surprised. "You carry a lot on your shoulders."

I shrugged, gripping the bottom of my shirt. "Comes with the job."

"That's the second time you've said that," she pointed out, tilting her head.

I smirked. "And it's still true."

She shook her head, smiling, then leaned back against the bench, looking up at the branches above us. "You know, this is nice."

"What is?"

"This. Sitting here. Talking." She glanced at me, a small, genuine smile playing on her lips. "I don't do this often."

"Talk?" I teased.

She nudged me with her knee. "No, idiot. I mean... just sit and enjoy the moment. Life's usually too hectic."

I nodded, understanding. "Yeah. I get that."

She looked at me then, really looked at me, like she was trying to figure something out. And for a second, I thought she might say something else, something big, but instead, she just smiled.

"Thanks for this," she said simply.

I felt my chest tighten, just a little, at the softness in her voice. "Anytime," I murmured.

And as we sat there, the conversation flowing easily between us, the warmth of the day settling into something more comfortable, I realized something—maybe I was still awkward, still nervous, still feeling like a bit of an idiot around her.

But I didn't mind. Not one bit.

Evelyn tapped her fingers against her coffee cup, tilting her head slightly as she studied me. "Okay, tell me something random about yourself." She had moved onto the bench more, so her whole body was facing me. One leg was on the bench, bent up, while the other was on the ground.

I raised an eyebrow. "Random?"

"Yeah, like something I wouldn't guess."

I thought for a second, then smirked. "I'm so plain with my food that my fridge is basically empty."

She blinked. "Really?"

"Yes." I wrinkled my nose. "A loaf of bread, some milk, some snacks I like, and that's basically all I have."

Evelyn laughed, shaking her head. "I don't think I've ever met someone with such a small food pallet."

"Well, now you have."

She grinned. "Noted. I'll make you try some of my favorite foods one day."

I chuckled, "We'll see about that."

She laid her chin on her knee. "Your turn. What's something random about me that you've noticed?"

I hummed, pretending to think. "Well, based on today, I'd say you have a habit of torturing people who are just trying to exist."

She laughed. "Come on, a real one that doesn't involve food."

I bit my lip, considering her. "You like your coffee strong. That's a drink, not a food."

She lifted her cup, tilting it toward me slightly. "Guilty."

"Knew it," I said, leaning in just a little. "You seem like the type who runs on caffeine and sheer determination."

Evelyn smirked. "Am I that obvious?"

"Very." I grinned. "But it suits you."

She rolled her eyes but didn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips. "Alright, then. What else do you think you know about me, Captain?"