𝙱𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝙸𝚗 𝚂𝚑𝚊𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚜

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟷𝟹: 𝙵𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚑 𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛

---
In the weeks that followed, the tension between them

eased. Elara found herself growing more comfortable

around Darius, and he, in turn, seemed to open up in

ways she hadn't expected. They spent quiet evenings

together-reading, talking, sometimes just sitting in

silence, enjoying each other's presence.

One evening, after a particularly stressful day, Elara

found herself curled up on the couch in the living room,

a soft blanket draped over her legs. Darius appeared at

the doorway, watching her with a soft expression.

"You look tired," he said, walking over and sitting beside

her.

"I am," she admitted, leaning into his side. "But this... this

feels nice."

Darius wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close.

For a man who was once so cold and distant, his

embrace was warm and comforting. Elara let out a

small sigh, closing her eyes as she rested her head on his

shoulder.

"Is this really happening?" she asked, her voice soft and

full of wonder. "Us?"

Darius pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "It is."

And in that moment, as they sat together, the world felt

far away. No shadows, no danger-just them.

---