Even though Julie had distanced herself from Cassius earlier, sitting upright and keeping a firm grip on her composure, she still couldn't shake the comfort she'd felt when leaning against him.

There was a certain warmth that radiated from him, a warmth that wrapped around her like a heavy blanket on a cold night, grounding and relaxing her in a way she hadn't expected.

She found herself glancing back at him a few times, as if silently wondering if it would be alright to return to that comfort.

And finally, without saying a word, she let herself slowly ease backward, subtly inching toward him until her back met his chest again.

She let out a soft sigh, tilting her head just slightly and letting it rest under his chin as she gently snuggled herself in with a satisfied little smile on her face, almost like she'd found the perfect spot on a sofa and didn't intend to move for a while.

Cassius blinked at the sudden shift, clearly surprised by the change in her behavior.

"Well, look who's getting cozy." He murmured with a teasing lilt. "I didn't expect you to get this comfortable already."

Julie glanced over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "Should I not?" She asked coolly, though there was a playful edge in her voice. "Should I sit up straight again like before?"

"No, no! Not at all!" Cassius immediately waved his hand in frantic refusal. "You're free to use me as your personal chair whenever you want. In fact." He added with a grin. "I'm honored. If someone like you chooses to seat herself on me like this...I must be doing something right."

Julie gave a small scoff and settled in deeper with a faint smirk curling her lips.

But then Cassius slowly lifted his hands and looked at them as if they were an inconvenience.

"It's just...I don't really know how to keep my hands straight like this." He said, clearly trying to sound innocent. "If you sit on me like this, it's hard for me to support you properly. So...can I...I mean, is it alright if I wrap my hands around your waist? Just for support. You know, stability."

He gave her the most innocent expression he could muster, looking at her like he was truly and genuinely asking for permission to help.

Julie stared at him for a moment like she was analyzing whether this was another one of his tactics or if he was genuinely asking. She remembered how he had held her waist gently before, but now this was different.

If she said yes, it meant letting him fully wrap his arms around her, his entire chest pressed against her back, his touch surrounding her. It would be much more intimate.

But as she sat there, considering, she realized something inside her didn't mind at all.

So, with a perfectly neutral expression, she finally gave a slow nod. "Sure." She said simply.

Cassius blinked in surprise. "Really?"

Julie nodded again, then added, "But if your hands go anywhere they shouldn't, or if I feel anything that I shouldn't…" She gave him a knowing sideways glance. "I'll give you an elbow straight in the gut. Understand?"

Cassius chuckled and raised his hands in surrender before slowly, carefully wrapping them around her waist, pulling her just a little closer.

"Of course, of course." He said lightly. "I wouldn't dare try anything like that with the great Commander, Captain Julie. I value my life."

His arms encircled her gently at first, then tightened slightly as he settled into the embrace. She could feel his hands resting just beneath her ribs, the way his fingers spanned across her abdomen and waist made it feel less like a friendly hold and more like a genuine lover's hug.

She felt his warmth spread over her, his breath near her ear, and the firmness of his body behind hers, holding her steady.

It felt so intimate, so deeply close, that Julie suddenly felt a flush rise to her cheeks.

Even though she was acting composed on the outside, on the inside she was melting. She wasn't used to this, wasn't used to being held like this in such a vulnerable yet secure way.

Cassius, on the other hand, didn't stop there. As his palm rested on her stomach, he subtly shifted his fingers, almost like he was gently feeling her abdomen, appreciating every contour.

Then, his voice came close, low and smooth, right against her ear.

"You really are a warrior, you know that?" He whispered. "Even with that big butt of yours." He said teasingly. "You don't have a trace of unnecessary fat on your belly. In fact...you've got abs. Like, actual abs. How hard have you been training to get a body like this?"

Julie's eyebrows arched and a teasing grin curved across her lips. She raised her head slightly and looked back at him.

"It's only natural that I'd have some muscles here and there since I've been training ever since I can hold onto a sword...But what is it that you prefer, Cassius?" She asked playfully. "A soft girl with a little belly you can squish...or a girl like me who's got actual muscles?"

Cassius smiled, his voice still soft as he leaned even closer.

"I think girls like you are rare." He said honestly. "There's something about a woman who's strong, who's trained her body to this point...It's beautiful."

"And I mean that. It's not just admiration. It's…" He paused, giving a sheepish smile. "Honestly, when I see feel those little muscles on you, I can't help but want to admire them. Touch them. Like right now."

As he spoke, his fingers slowly and sneakily began sliding up her waist, moving under her top, gently lifting the fabric.

Julie blinked. "Oi—"

But before he could even get halfway up, she swiftly slapped his hand with a loud smack and Cassius yelped slightly, pulling his hand back in defeat as she looked at him with a sharp glare.

"Don't get cheeky." She warned.

He slumped slightly, his expression showing reluctant frustration. "Aww, come on, I was just appreciating. "

"You were appreciating too much." She cut in sharply.

But deep inside, as she turned away with a huff, she found herself biting her lip with a smile she didn't let him see.

He really was getting worked up...and for some reason, seeing him pout like that was kind of cute.

Cassius then ignored his attempt and picked up the knitting needles and the balls of yarn she had set aside earlier.

"Alright. Enough flirting. I think it's about time we actually start doing the thing we sat like this for."

Julie blinked. "Huh?"

"If we stay like this any longer, Aisha and Skadi are both going to wake up and go searching for us." He added, matter-of-factly. "And as much as I wouldn't mind them seeing you like this..." He gave her a cheeky glance. "...I'm guessing you would."

Julie frowned a little. She actually didn't want to move just yet. She'd found this casual, comfortable conversation oddly...enjoyable. It wasn't often she got to just sit like this, in nature, wrapped up with someone she trusted.

And while she'd never admit it out loud, because he'd absolutely get too cocky, she could honestly fall asleep in his arms right now and not regret a thing.

Still, she cleared her throat and nodded. "Yeah, makes sense."

But before he could say anything more, she glanced at him again, her brow rising with curiosity.

"Wait...you said you were gonna teach me how to integrate knitting with...sword play. You said that. How exactly are you planning to do that? They're two completely different things."

Cassius simply smiled at that and shook his head with a knowing grin. "Don't worry about the 'how,' Julie. I've already got it mostly figured out. You just need to follow my lead, and you'll learn everything."

She narrowed her eyes, suspicious now. "You say that like you're some kind of yarn master."

"I am." He said instantly, like he was deeply offended she even questioned it.

Julie huffed. "Really? You sure you're not just saying all this just to get close to me? 'Cause from where I'm sitting, this sounds suspiciously like a setup."

"Julie..." Cassius said, placing a hand over his chest in mock offense. "Do you really think I'd lie just to sit with you?"

"Yes."

He grinned. "Okay, fair. But I do know how to knit."

"That's usually a girl's thing." She shot back, arms folding. "Knitting was done by noblewomen or housewives. Not...you."

"Oh, really? Cooking is a girl's thing too, isn't it?" He challenged, a glint in his eye.

Julie rolled her eyes. "Cooking can be done by men too. That's not the same. Knitting is a very specific kind of hobby."

He leaned in just a little. "So is fighting with swords, but you don't see me saying that's not a girl's thing, do you?"

"Tch."

"I wouldn't have said I could teach you if I didn't know how." He continued, confidently. "In fact…" He held up the knitting needles dramatically. "Give me a challenge. I'll knit something for you. Anything. Right now."

Julie blinked. "What?"

"Anything." He repeated, cocky now. "Pick an object. I'll make it."

"But, wait. I thought knitting was for making clothes or scarves or fabricy stuff?"

Cassius gave her a look. "Only beginners think like that. An advanced guy like me can knit anything."

Julie gave him a long stare. "You know, you're a little too arrogant sometimes.."

"Maybe." He said, grinning. "But I'm also serious. Just give me the challenge. I'll prove it."

"Fine..." She said, folding her arms again. "But don't disappoint me. I'm a harsh judge, you know."

He chuckled. "Wouldn't expect anything less."

But despite her words, her eyes sparkled with excitement. She immediately began looking around for inspiration.

It had to be something meaningful.

If he was going to make something for her, she didn't want to just blurt out boot or a mug. She wanted it to be something special. Something small, but still precious.

That's when her eyes landed on it.

A tiny ladybug, nestled on top of a yellow wildflower just a few feet away. Her eyes lit up.

"A ladybug." She said suddenly, pointing.

Cassius followed her gaze. "A ladybug?"

She smiled softly, her voice turning gentler, a little nostalgic.

"I don't really have any memories of my mom. It's all so far back. But...I do remember we used to play in the garden together. Around the flowers. There was a time I was terrified of ladybugs. I'd scream and run if one landed on me." She laughed quietly. "But my mother taught me not to be scared. Said they were gentle creatures. Said they helped the garden bloom."

Cassius listened without interrupting, his gaze never leaving her.

Julie inhaled softly. "Ever since then...I've always liked them. I know it's silly, but they make me feel safe."

"Then that's what I'll make." He said easily. "Got any black and red yarn?"

She nodded quickly, reaching into the satchel she kept by her side and pulling out two spools, one red, one black, and handed them over.

He took them with a small, approving nod. "Then as long as I've got this, I can make it."

Julie's eyes sparkled with anticipation, her heart fluttering in the strangest way.

She didn't know why, but this felt like more than a lesson.

It felt like something else entirely...