Chapter 8: You Can Do Anything To Me!

The air crackled with tension, her words hanging like a dare. Mika froze, his brow twitching as her boldness sent a jolt through him.

For a split second, his mind betrayed him, a flash of her pressed against him under that tree, her lips trailing fire across his skin. But he shoved the thought down, his resolve hardening.

He couldn’t let her derail him, not when he’d just vowed to navigate the Impossible maze of winning ten hearts with precision.

"Access denied." He said flatly, stepping back and brushing grass off his jacket as he got up like he was shaking off her spell.

And without another word, he turned and strode. toward the park’s edge, his boots crunching against the scattered debris from the crash. He didn’t look back, his shoulders set with a stubborn determination to put distance between him and her chaos.

Charlotte’s pout was immediate and theatrical as she saw him go away.

"Mika!" She yelped, scrambling to her feet like a puppy abandoned by its owner. She dusted off her skirt and bolted after him, her hair bouncing as she closed the gap. "Don’t leave me like that! Come on, wait up!"

Her voice was a full of needless whining and pleading, her relentless energy undimmed. She even reached for his arm, but he kept walking, his pace steady, ignoring her flailing attempts to catch him.

Taking advantage of her distress, Mika let a dramatic edge creep into his voice, like he was starring in his own tragedy.

"You know, I actually don’t need a girl like you, Charlotte." He called over his shoulder, his tone heavy with betrayal. "Taking advantage of me at my lowest? When I was sensitive?"

"I mean, I was about to open up, you know, spill my heart out, talk about why I was feeling down. And what do you do? You try to undress me and pull some shameless stunt!"

He glanced back, his dark eyes glinting with accusation and sly amusement.

"You’re always complaining I never share my true feelings, that I’m a sour grump who keeps everything locked up...But the one time I’m ready to try, you pull this? What am I supposed to do with you?"

Charlotte’s steps faltered, her cheeky grin fading as his words hit home. She slowed, her hands twisting together, and for a moment, she looked genuinely chastened.

"Mika..." She murmured, her voice softer now. tinged with guilt. She caught up to him, her fingers brushing his sleeve hesitantly. "I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to mess things up. It’s just...I never get chances to be bold with you since you always avoid me like the plague. And even when we meet up, you’re always pushing me away, keeping me at arm’s length, and I—" She bit her lip, her eyes flicking up to meet his, wide and earnest. "You were just so irresistible, Mika. When I saw you lying there, all heroic and sweaty, I just...lost it. I got carried away. I’m really, really sorry."

Her hand found his, her grip gentle but insistent, and she tugged him to a stop and hearing this, Mika turned, looking down at her, and his resolve wavered.

Her face was a picture of remorse those striking eyes shimmering with a pitiful plea, her lips trembling just enough to sell the act. She looked adorable, damn her, like a scolded kitten begging for forgiveness, and it took every ounce of his willpower not to crack a smile.

He wanted to brush her off, to keep up the act of indignation, but her sincerity, however wrapped in her usual theatrics chipped away at him.

"Tch." He muttered, sighing heavily as he started walking again, slower this time. "I don’t know what to do with you, Charlotte."

Her face lit up like a firework, her guilt vanishing as she realized he’d forgiven her. "Anything!" She chirped, latching onto his arm with a giddy bounce. She pressed herself against him, her massive chest squishing against his side, her voice bubbling with joy. "You can do whatever you want with me, Mika. I’m all yours, completely, totally, forever!" Her eyes sparkled, her pout replaced by a radiant, smug grin, like she’d just won a prize.

Mika sighed again, but this time, a small, reluctant smile tugged at his lips. Her contentment, her sheer, unfiltered delight was infectious, and as much as he grumbled, he couldn’t deny the warmth her antics stirred in him.

Deep down, he loved these moments, their banter, her relentless affection, the way she barreled through his walls like they were paper.

If it weren’t for the tangled mess of his feelings, the battle angels, the daughters, the impossible plan he’d just hatched, he’d have let himself lean into it.

Hell, he wouldn’t mind getting ’hot and stuffy’ under that tree with her, her lips on his, her hands wandering.

But he couldn’t act out on a whim...Not yet.

The circumstances demanded restraint, and pushing her away was the only way to keep his head clear.

They walked in sync, her steps light and bouncy, his steady and relaxed and the silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable, but it carried a hum of unspoken thoughts, hers likely scheming new ways to tease him, his grappling with the audacity of his plan.

And just as he was thinking of how to seduce the maternal figures in his life, his stomach growled, a low rumble that broke his focus, and he realized he was starving. The crash, the drama, the revelations, it had all burned through him, leaving a hollow ache.

"Hey, Charlotte." He said, glancing down at her. "I’m hungry. Wanna grab something to eat?"

He braced for her usual response, a sly grin, a suggestion of some candlelit couples restaurant where she’d drape herself over him, asserting her claim in front of waiters and diners alike. It was her favorite move, dragging him to places with heart-shaped menus just to watch him squirm.

But to his surprise, her expression shifted, her eyes glazing over with a distant, almost calculating look, like she was puzzling something out.

"Hmm..." She murmured, tapping her chin. "The food at the hospital’s gonna be awful, you know. Bland mush, overcooked veggies, probably tastes like cardboard." She tilted her head, her voice oddly matter-of-fact. "So, there’s no need to eat there. I’ll pop out and grab something while you’re getting checked out since you said you’re hungry...Can’t have you eating disgusting food on my watch."

Mika’s steps slowed, his brow furrowing.

"Hospital?" He echoed, confusion lacing his tone. He turned to face her, his eyes searching her face. "Why are you bringing up the hospital again? It’s not like we’re going there right now."

His gaze then sharpened as he thought of something, a flicker of concern cutting through his skepticism. He scanned her, her flawless skin, her steady posture, the way she bounced on her toes.

No limps, no bruises, nothing. But doubt nagged him so he asked, "Wait, are you hurt? Do you need the hospital?" His voice softened, his hand hovering near her shoulder, ready to steady her if she faltered.

Charlotte’s eyes flicked up to meet his, and the playful glint was gone, replaced by a raw, unguarded worry that made his chest tighten.

"It’s not for me, Mika." She said quietly, her voice trembling just enough to betray her. "It’s for you. I want you to get a proper check-up after...everything that happened."

He opened his mouth to protest, his instinct to brush it off already forming, I’m fine, you know I’m tougher than that, but Charlotte didn’t give him the chance. She stepped closer, her hands balling into fists at her sides, her words spilling out in a rush.

"I know you don’t wanna do this, okay? You’re gonna say you’re not hurt, that you’re invincible, and yeah, I know that’s probably true. But, Mika..." Her voice cracked, and she looked away, her hair falling over her face like a curtain. "I was so scared back there, you know. You were lying against that tree, not moving, for so long. I’ve never seen you like that. My legs...they wouldn’t even move. I was frozen, thinking..." She swallowed hard, her eyes glistening as she forced herself to meet his gaze again. "I was terrified you were gone."

Mika’s defiance fizzled, guilt twisting in his gut. Her face, pale, earnest, stripped of her usual theatrics, made him feel like he’d punched her instead of a tree. He hadn’t meant to scare her, hadn’t even thought about how his stillness must’ve looked to her.

"Charlotte..." He started, his voice low, but she pressed on, her words gaining strength.

"I just need to know you’re okay." She said, her tone pleading now. "Not just because you say you are, but because a doctor checks you out and proves it. I need to stop worrying, Mika. I need to know nothing’s wrong, for my sake, so I can breathe again." Her eyes locked onto his, wide and shimmering, a silent beg that hit him harder than the truck ever could. "Please...Do this for me."

He wanted to argue, to insist it was a waste of time, but her gaze pinned him in place. Her worry was a living thing, wrapping around him, and he couldn’t shake the Image of her frozen in fear, her legs betraying her as she watched him lie still.

"Fine." He muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, his voice gruff but resigned. "But it’s just a quick check-up, got it? Nothing extensive. Knowing you, you’d probably drag every doctor in the hospital to scan me head to toe."

Charlotte’s face lit up, her worry melting into a triumphant grin. "Of course!" She chirped, bouncing on her toes. "Only the best for my Mika! You deserve top-tier care, every scan, every test, the whole VIP treatment!" She clapped her hands, her enthusiasm Infectious, and Mika groaned, already regretting his surrender.

"Don’t get any ideas." He warned, pointing a finger at her. "I’m not letting you turn this into a circus. And don’t even think about using your influence to pull strings." He knew she could, her status as the Blade Maiden’s daughter, meant she could probably commandeer an entire hospital wing with a smile. "One doctor, one check-up, that’s it."

"Yes, sir! Whatever you say, my hero." She saluted mockingly, her grin widening.

But her eyes sparkled with mischief, and he didn’t trust her to keep it simple.