"As long as I don't fall in Love..." // OxO // Romance // OPEN

He kept walking, heading deeper into the aquarium.

Astra finally turned around and saw that Winter was missing. Oh no. She quickly looked around the area, trying to find him

He kept walking, looking around curiously.

"Winter?" She looked around corners, trying to find the pretty white-haired man. Christ, he probably got angry and left.

He stopped, looking into a large aquarium full of tropical fish.

Astra eventually found him staring at some fish. "What a dingus…" she mumbled under her breath as she ran towards him.

Winter closed his eyes, leaning his head on the aquarium. Oh boy…

Astra stood right behind him and crossed her arms, waiting for him to turn around. How dare he? Making worry about him like that!

He was quiet, opening his eyes and looking into the tank again.

"Winter." Astra spoke with an accusatory tone, and was frowning. But she didn't mean to. She was just upset that she could've lost him in the crowd.

He turned, and saw her. "Oh. Hello." He said.

"Idiot," she gritted her teeth, trying not to yell at him. "Why'd you run off?"

"I didn't. I just kept walking." He replied evenly.

Astra sighed and mumbled, "I thought I lost you, dummy." She wasn't really sure if he could her hear or not what with the oncoming crowd

He shrugged. "Well, you didn't." He replied, and turned back to the tank to look at the fish.

She crossed her arms and waited for him to finish looking at the fish. What an oddball. Just staring at fish. Although… I guess I did the same, huh?

He was quiet as he watched. Which emperor or king had similar fish? Hmmm…

What's so interesting about these fish anyway? They don't even have a personality. She stepped up next to him, trying to figure out what was so captivating about the fish. Maybe I should turn into one of these guys. Then he'd be interested about me. She shook her head, erasing the thought. What the hell are you thinking?

He closed his eyes. Who was it…not Hadrian or Caligula, for sure. Those guys were batshit crazy. One of the Julius's? Or no, wait…it was an English king. He frowned.

She noticed his slight movement and turned her head to stare at him. What is he thinking about? He looks like he's in deep thought. She felt the urge to tug on his sleeve and ask, but she was a bit fascinated with his current expression.

Winter sighed softly. Damn it. I can't remember. He thought. Probably a George. Or a James. Possibly a Henry, though I doubt it.

Astra rolled her eyes. Is he going to stay like this forever? She lightly tugged on his sleeve. "You're aware that there are better places to sleep than in aquariums, right?"

(oh my God I'm so sorry I thought I replied to this!)

Winter opened his eyes, looking at her. "Hmm? Oh. I know. I was just thinking."

(lmao you're good!)

"Mm. 'Bout what?" She raised an eyebrow at him, clearly genuinely curious about his response. There's no way he could just be thinking about some dumb fish.

He shrugged. "Nothing important." He replied.

Astra rolled her eyes. "nOtHiNg ImPoRtAnT," she mocked, slightly annoyed. "Answer my question, please."
Her annoying, mean side was starting to show more and more. But, that's only because she was beginning to trust Winter a little bit.

"People I met once." He shrugged. I don't have to answer your questions, Astra. You aren't entitled to my thoughts.

See? That wasn't so hard. "Thank you." She smiled again and tried to stick close to him.

He nodded. "Mm." He walked over to the next tank.

Jesus. Aquariums are boring. She sighed and followed Winter, despite her urge to just run out of the place and go home. "Have you been here before?"