The ones who live hidden in plain sight (A discovery of witches story)

Can't take my eyes of you (part 2)

In the darkness of the room, their bodies still warm and entwined, Camille turned slightly to look at Andrew. His smile floated on his lips, illuminated by the faint moonlight filtering through the curtains. He seemed so relaxed, so happy, and the sight melted away the rest of her resistance.

- I never thought that one day you and I would be together again... he began softly, his voice tinged with astonishment.

- Together, Camille added, the word slipping in naturally, as if it were obvious.

She had imagined this moment for a long time, but now that it was real, everything seemed perfectly in place, as if the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle were finally coming together. They remained silent for a few moments, savouring the closeness. Camille felt Andrew's reassuring warmth against her, and the tranquility of the moment calmed her deeply.

- What are we going to do now?' she murmured, gently breaking the silence.

Andrew turned his head towards her, his eyes sparkling with affection and amusement.

- We do everything out of order,' he laughed softly, the shadow of a smile in his voice. Normally, it's together, baby. But for us, together, friends, baby, then together.

Camille couldn't help but smile at this remark. It was true. There was nothing classic about their journey. They'd taken a step backwards and plunged into their friendship with Celeste.

- No, indeed,' she replied, an amused smile lighting up her lips.

They were a couple in reverse. But it had never seemed so right, so natural. And come to think of it, maybe that was what made their story special.

Andrew admired her, his eyes searching hers as if to read her thoughts. Then he murmured, with infinite tenderness in his voice:

- Now, together, for real.

Camille nodded, her heart beating gently against her chest, this time without the anguish that had often accompanied her before. Andrew took her hand gently, holding it tightly in his.

- All I want is this. You, Celeste... us.

She was silent for a moment, savouring the weight of those words. She'd never thought she could find such happiness, especially after everything they'd been through. But now, everything was different.

Andrew quietly tucked a lock of hair back behind Camille's ear, his heart racing. His smile widened.

- I want this too. And we're going to do everything we can to make it work, for real,' he said before kissing her tenderly.

In the intimacy of this room, everything seemed to be in its place. There was nothing ordinary about their lives, but that was precisely what made their story so precious. Camille closed her eyes, letting herself be carried away by the simple happiness of this moment. No matter what happened next, she knew that as long as they were together, they would always find a way to move forward, hand in hand.

The next morning, Camille woke slowly, stretching her legs under the sheets. She instantly knew that she was wearing one of Andrew's T-shirts, the soft fabric against her skin. The familiar smell of him reassured her, but what drew her attention the most was another scent. She sniffed the still sleepy air, and her stomach knotted with anticipation: pancakes. She salivated in anticipation.

A smile appeared on her lips as a memory flashed through her mind. The first night she'd had at his place, long before everything changed between them, he'd made pancakes in the morning too. The same smell, the same feeling of comfort. Had he done it on purpose? Smiling, she stood up, wrapping the sheets around her shoulders to keep warm. She quickly pulled on a jumper before stepping slowly out of the bedroom, barefoot on the wooden floor.