The sun peeked through the dense foliage as J.D. and Elliot trudged up the winding trail. Their sneakers crunched on fallen leaves, and the air smelled of pine and adventure.
"Remind me why we're doing this?" J.D. huffed, wiping sweat from his forehead.
Elliot grinned, her ponytail bouncing. "Because life's too short to stay in the hospital all the time. Plus, fresh air is good for the soul."
He chuckled. "Says the woman who once diagnosed a tree with seasonal affective disorder."
Elliot nudged him. "Hey, it was a sad-looking tree!"
They'd been through so much—their relationship a rollercoaster of breakups, makeups, and awkward hallway encounters. But here, surrounded by nature, it felt different. Maybe it was the absence of fluorescent lights or the lack of beeping monitors.
"Remember our first hike?" J.D. asked, glancing at her.
Elliot's eyes softened. "Yeah, that muddy trail in the pouring rain. You slipped and fell on your face."
"And you laughed," he said. "But then you helped me up."
She bumped his shoulder. "I've always been there to catch you."
They reached a clearing—a breathtaking view of the valley below. The trees whispered secrets, and the wind tousled their hair.
"Elliot," J.D. said, "why did we keep coming back to each other?"
She traced a heart shape on a nearby rock. "Maybe because we're like these trails—twisting, challenging, but leading to something beautiful."
He took her hand. "Or maybe because we're both a little lost, and we find our way back to each other."
They sat on a fallen log, legs dangling over the edge. The world seemed smaller up here, their problems fading into insignificance.
"Remember when you left for that fellowship?" J.D. said. "I thought I'd lost you."
Elliot leaned her head on his shoulder. "I missed you too. But distance made me realize—I want my happy ending."
He turned to her. "With me?"
She met his gaze. "Always."
And so, on that sun-dappled hillside, J.D. and Elliot's hike became a metaphor—a journey of love, missteps, and breathtaking vistas. They'd stumbled, but they'd found their way.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, J.D. kissed her—a promise etched in the soft light.
"Elliot," he whispered, "let's keep hiking. Together."
