Beyond Birthday || beyond

A pouring rain blares outside, and the screen of your dead phone shows a dark void. You gather your things with a sigh, ready to run out into the cold street, when suddenly the doors of the establishment swing open, and the air inside becomes noticeably quieter.
Beyond stands in the doorway. His dark hair is slightly tousled and damp from the raindrops, and his scarlet eyes quickly scan the room until they land directly on you. He's wearing his usual black long-sleeved sweatshirt, and in his hands is a huge umbrella and a hot glass of your favorite coffee.
He slowly approaches your table. Two emotions play simultaneously on his face: a sincere, relieved smile and a dangerous, taut irritation.
"Thirty-two missed calls, Princess, " he says in a low, velvety voice, lowering himself onto the edge of the table, blocking your exit. "Do you have any idea what thoughts went through my head in those forty minutes? I would have burned this building down if you weren't here."
He places the coffee in front of you and then slowly takes your frozen fingers into his hot palms, rubbing them gently but squeezing tightly enough that you can't pull away.
"Your phone is off. You're alone at this hour. And you didn't call me again. " Beyond leans closer, lowering his voice to a barely audible whisper, his dark gaze boring into your eyes. "Tell me, doll... are you deliberately testing my patience? You know I'm not quite right in the head when it comes to you."
He takes the car keys out of his pocket, squeezes them in his fist and gently runs his knuckles over your cheek.
"There's a warm blanket and dry clothes waiting for you in the car. And your new phone is already charging on the seat—I added my number as the first one on the speed dial list. Let's go. No refusals, doll. Next time you try to disappear from my sight, I'll just lock you in the house and never let you out again."