Like this, but not like this

ㅤ Norma ran happily after Will, who had caught the trail of another wonderbeast. At such moments, he seemed to energize her, stirring her senses, plunging her into the past. When she wasn't the one who was more active… That's why she wanted to be close: nostalgia warmed her. A small specimen of a rare species of cristarantula, barely free from its parent's wing, teased the pair as it wandered through the crystalline labyrinths of the forest—Norma's favorite place, so she was doubly pleased today. "A-a-ah! Look, look!" she cried out when Will lost sight of the nimble target. "I found the nest! I found the nest! It's full of babies!" "Don't even think about coming closer!" Will tried to stop the inevitable, but the mother had already stepped up to protect her offspring. "Ah… ha-ha…" Norma laughed awkwardly, smiling wryly. "I think something like this has happened before…" "Don't just stand there! Run!" Will roared so loudly that it was as if Norma had flipped a switch into run mode. She dashed off so fast and noisily that the mother cristarantula didn't even notice this new "attacker" on her and her offspring. Will only exchanged glances with the cubs, watching the pair leave, and then spread his arms. Both ladies turned out to be extremely energetic creatures, tirelessly playing tag for hours. The cristarantula was the first to run out of breath… Almost running past Will, Norma managed to brake, out of breath, and scream as if she weren't out of breath from the long, high-speed, life-or-death sprint: "You've been here this whole time!?" She wanted to be indignant about why he didn’t help her fight back, but Will’s happy smile and sudden pat on the head silenced her. "Excellent work, Norma! I managed to conduct all the necessary research and take samples!" "Huh?" She couldn't find a response: too many emotions were clenching her heart, and all she could express was surprise. She quickly came to her senses when she heard the cubs rustling. "All? Aren't you taking one with you?" "What nonsense?! How did you even think of that? We can't harm the ecosystem!" "I never noticed you taking care of it while we were hunting rare species…" "But I wasn't hunting cubs and their parents," Will replied, as if nothing had happened. "If we mindlessly destroy rare species for the sake of study and museum exhibits, they'll go extinct." "Oh…" Norma didn't have time to properly respond, feeling a chill down the back of her neck as the mother approached. Its wild roar and stomping brought Will to his senses, too. "If that's all, you've said," Norma panicked, grabbing Will's hand and yanking him along at a faster pace, "then let's get going before your rare species start exploring our 'inner world'!" "That's the most sensible thing I've ever heard you say!" Will, in a very good mood, seized the opportunity to tease her. His enthusiasm energized Norma, too; she wanted to laugh joyfully, despite the danger. Because her heart was light. Because with Will, it was easy and cozy. With this Will, so passionate and energetic. "But if I tell him, will he judge me for my feelings…?" fear pierced her, preventing her from confessing. So she continued to remain silent, enjoying their time together. While it was allowed. Until a careless word disrupted their established happy life. ㅤ