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James and I lay entwined on my bed, our bodies pressed close together. His hand gently caressed my bare waist, sending little shivers of delight up my spine, while my fingers traced lazy patterns across his cheek.
The intimacy of the moment felt sacred, a cocoon of warmth and connection that I never wanted to leave.
"I never want to leave," James murmured, his voice soft and filled with a depth of emotion that made my heart flutter. He looked at me with a gaze l'd never seen before, his eyes full of tenderness and determination. "Not today, not tomorrow, never."
I chuckled, the sound light and airy in the quiet room. "You didn't even want to go to Oxford," I teased, my fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead.
A mischievous smile spread across his face, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I didn't say l'd leave this room," he replied, his tone playful. He pinched my waist lightly, pulling me even closer to him. I couldn't help but laugh at his antics, the sound of our shared joy filling the space around us.
"You're impossible," I said, shaking my head in mock exasperation.
"And yet, here we are," he countered, his smile widening. "You can't seem to get rid of me." "Maybe I don't want to," I admitted softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
His expression softened, and he leaned in to press a tender kiss to my forehead. "Good," he whispered against my skin. "Because I'm not going anywhere."
"You have just as many opportunities as everyone else," I said, my voice soft yet firm. "Take advantage of them, James." I wiped away the tears that began to form at the corners of his eyes, feeling a pang of sadness mixed with determination.
I picked up his shirt from the floor and slipped it on, the fabric warm from his body heat, and walked over to grab the first notebook I saw.
"Ruby told me whenever she feels lost or unhappy, she makes a list. She says it helps her feel motivated and clears her head." I smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
James looked up at me, a hint of curiosity replacing the sorrow in his eyes. "Are you making my list?"
I nodded, flipping open the notebook to a blank page. "What would be the first item?"
James paused, thinking for a moment. "I like sports, music...oh and I love spicy asian food..."
⋅˚₊‧ ★ ‧₊˚ ⋅
The night was calm as James and I walked through the quiet streets, hand in hand. The soft glow of the streetlights cast long shadows on the cobblestone path, and the distant hum of the city created a gentle soundtrack for our evening. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of blooming flowers from the nearby gardens.
We wandered aimlessly, enjoying the tranquility that surrounded us. The historic buildings of Oxford loomed around us, their grandeur amplified by the stillness of the night. James squeezed my hand, and I looked up to find him gazing at me with a content smile.
"This place feels different at night," he said, his voice soft and reflective.
"It does," I agreed, leaning into him. "It feels like we're in our own little world."
We walked along the narrow lanes, the cobblestones uneven beneath our feet. The streets were empty, save for the occasional cat darting across our path or the rustle of leaves in the trees. James pulled me closer, his arm slipping around my waist.
"Do you ever think about how far we've come?" he asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
I nodded, memories of our journey together flooding my mind. "All the time. It's amazing to think about everything we've been through."
James stopped walking and turned to face me, his expression serious. "Iris, I don't tell you enough how much you mean to me. You're my anchor, my reason for everything."
My heart swelled at his words. I reached up, cupping his face in my hands. "And you're mine, James. I wouldn't be here without you."
For a moment, we stood there, lost in each other's eyes. The world seemed to hold its breath, the night enveloping us in its quiet embrace. Then, as if drawn by an invisible force, we started walking again, our steps synchronized.
James led me to a small park, its entrance marked by an ornate iron gate. The park was deserted, the trees casting long shadows on the grass. We found a secluded bench beneath a sprawling oak tree, its branches forming a canopy above us.
"It's beautiful here," I said, taking in the serene surroundings.
James nodded, his gaze fixed on the stars above. "I found this place a few days ago. I wanted to share it with you."
We sat down, the cool wood of the bench a contrast to the warmth of James's hand in mine. He turned to face me, his eyes reflecting the moonlight.
"I've been thinking a lot about us," he began, his voice steady. "About everything we've been through and everything that's still ahead of us."
I squeezed his hand, encouraging him to continue.
"I know things haven't always been easy," he said, his gaze unwavering. "But I want you to know that I'm in this for the long haul. I want to make this work."
A lump formed in my throat, and I blinked back tears. "I feel the same way, James. I want us to have a future together, no matter what."
He smiled, a look of determination crossing his face. "Then let's promise each other something. No more running, no more hiding. We face everything together, as a team."
I nodded, my heart full. "Together," I whispered, sealing the promise with a kiss.
As we pulled away, James rested his forehead against mine. "I never want to let you go," he said softly.
"You won't have to," I replied, my voice equally gentle. "We're in this together."
We sat in the park for a while longer, talking about our hopes and dreams, the future that lay ahead. The stars above twinkled in silent approval, and in that moment, everything felt right. The night was ours, a perfect beginning to the next chapter of our journey together.
