The longer their secret relationship continued, the more Brielle and Dimitri craved time alone together. Sneaking around the university grounds and exchanging rushed, stolen kisses had become a routine, but both of them wanted something more—something normal, something real.
It was Dimitri who finally broke the cycle of their hidden meetings, suggesting something different, something that made Brielle's heart race with excitement.
"A picnic?" she asked, her eyes widening in surprise. They were in his office again, late in the afternoon when most of the faculty had gone home and the campus was all but deserted.
"Yes," Dimitri replied, a smile tugging at his lips. "Away from here. Somewhere quiet, where we don't have to look over our shoulders every minute."
Brielle's heart fluttered at the thought. A real date—something she hadn't dared to imagine. "I'd love that," she said softly, her cheeks flushing with anticipation. "When?"
Dimitri glanced at his watch, then back at her, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "How about now?"
Her surprise quickly turned to joy. "Now? But—"
"We won't go far," he reassured her. "Just to the park by the lake. It's secluded enough, and we'll be back before anyone even notices we're gone."
Brielle grinned, her excitement bubbling over. "Okay, let's do it."
They made a quick stop at a small bakery near campus, picking up fresh pastries, fruit, and a bottle of sparkling water. Dimitri even managed to charm the shopkeeper into giving them a little blanket, with a wink and a sly smile that made Brielle's heart skip. It was such a simple gesture, yet it filled her with a warm, giddy feeling. He was trying—trying to give them something ordinary and beautiful amidst the extraordinary mess of their circumstances.
When they reached the park, the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in soft hues of orange and pink. Dimitri led Brielle to a quiet spot by the lake, shaded by a cluster of willow trees whose branches dipped into the water like delicate green fingers. It was perfect, secluded and serene, with the soft rustling of leaves and the gentle lapping of the lake creating a tranquil backdrop for their stolen afternoon.
They spread out the blanket, and Dimitri set down the food, his movements unhurried and deliberate. Brielle watched him, her heart swelling with affection. In these moments, away from the prying eyes and the expectations, he seemed lighter, more at ease. She loved seeing this side of him, the man who could set aside his burdens, even if just for a little while, to enjoy a simple picnic by the lake.
As they sat down, Brielle took in the view, her eyes drifting over the calm water and the vibrant colors of the setting sun. She leaned back on her hands, feeling the cool grass beneath her palms and the gentle breeze brushing against her skin. "This is perfect," she whispered, her voice filled with awe. "Thank you, Dimitri."
He looked at her, his eyes softening. "I'm glad you like it." He reached over, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. His touch was light, but it sent a shiver down her spine. "I wanted to give us something... something that feels real."
Brielle's heart ached with the truth of his words. This felt real, more real than anything she had experienced in a long time. She leaned closer, resting her head on his shoulder. "It is real," she murmured. "As real as it gets."
They ate in comfortable silence, sharing bites of sweet pastries and juicy strawberries. Brielle laughed as Dimitri tried to juggle a few grapes, dropping one onto his lap and making a dramatic show of pretending to be offended by the fruit's disobedience. It was moments like these that made her fall for him even harder—the little glimpses of his playful side that he kept hidden from the rest of the world.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, they lay back on the blanket, staring up at the first stars that peeked through the twilight sky. Brielle turned her head, watching Dimitri's profile as he gazed upwards, lost in thought. She reached out, her fingers finding his, and he turned to her with a soft smile.
"Brielle," he said, his voice low and filled with something she couldn't quite place. "I want you to know that whatever happens, I care about you. More than I've ever cared about anyone."
Her breath hitched, and she squeezed his hand, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I care about you too, Dimitri. So much."
He shifted closer, his hand cupping her cheek as he leaned in, their lips meeting in a kiss that was slow and tender, deeper than the chaste kisses they had shared before. This kiss was filled with everything they couldn't say out loud—the longing, the fear, the hope that maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to make this work.
As the kiss deepened, Dimitri's hands moved to her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them. Brielle's fingers tangled in his hair, and she felt the warmth of his body against hers, the steady thump of his heartbeat echoing in her own chest. It was intoxicating, being so close to him, feeling the full weight of his affection in every touch, every sigh, every soft murmur of her name against her lips.
They pulled away just enough to breathe, their foreheads resting together as they caught their breath. Dimitri's thumb traced her lower lip, his eyes dark with an intensity that sent a thrill through her entire being. "Are you okay?" he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.
Brielle nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "More than okay."
Dimitri smiled, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead before pulling her into his arms. They lay there, wrapped in each other, as the stars above them began to twinkle in the night sky. For the first time in what felt like forever, Brielle felt at peace. Here, in Dimitri's arms, with the quiet hum of the night around them, everything else faded away. The risks, the secrets, the uncertainty—they were still there, lurking in the shadows, but for now, in this moment, they didn't matter.
They spent the rest of the evening talking about everything and nothing, sharing stories, dreams, and stolen kisses. Dimitri told her about his favorite books, the ones he'd read over and over as a child, and Brielle shared her own dreams of traveling the world, of seeing places she'd only read about in stories.
"Maybe one day, we can go together," Dimitri said softly, his fingers brushing against hers.
Brielle smiled, her heart swelling with hope. "I'd like that."
As the night grew colder, they reluctantly packed up their things, folding the blanket and gathering the remnants of their picnic. Dimitri took her hand as they walked back to his car, the quiet companionship between them feeling as natural as breathing. They drove back to campus in comfortable silence, Brielle's head resting against the window, her mind still replaying the magic of their evening together.
When they reached the university, Dimitri walked her to the dorms, lingering just a moment longer than was safe, his hand squeezing hers one last time before they parted ways. As Brielle climbed the stairs to her room, she felt a sense of contentment settle over her.
They were still navigating uncharted waters, still fighting against the odds that seemed stacked against them. But tonight had been a reminder that amidst the secrecy and the complications, there was something beautiful between them—something worth fighting for.
And as Brielle lay in bed that night, staring up at the ceiling, she made a silent promise to herself: whatever came next, whatever challenges they faced, she would hold on to these moments, these small, perfect pieces of happiness that they had carved out of a world that didn't understand. Because in the end, love wasn't just about grand gestures or perfect timing. It was about finding joy in the quiet, unexpected moments and holding on tight, even when everything else felt uncertain.
And with Dimitri, she knew she had found something worth holding on to.
