𝙴𝚛𝚒𝚌 𝙲𝚊𝚛𝚛 𝚡 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛 ★ 𝙾𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚝 𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 ★

𝒟𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝒩𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉

The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting an amber glow over the city as you leaned against the counter, finishing up the last few touches to your makeup. The hum of anticipation filled the air, and butterflies fluttered in your stomach. It was Friday, date night—a tradition you and Eric had kept alive no matter how busy life got.

Tonight felt special. Maybe it was the way he kissed your forehead earlier that morning before heading out, promising a surprise. Or maybe it was the warm buzz of excitement that came from simply spending time together, knowing every moment would feel like home.

You heard the familiar creak of the front door and Eric's soft footsteps approaching the hallway. Smiling, you gave yourself one last look in the mirror and stepped out of the bathroom.

"There she is," Eric greeted, his eyes lighting up as soon as they met yours. He looked effortlessly cool, wearing his signature leather jacket over a fitted black shirt. His curly hair framed his face perfectly, and his smile was enough to send a wave of warmth through your chest.

"You look amazing," he said, stepping closer to you, his hands finding your waist. He bent down slightly, placing a kiss on your cheek before pulling back to look into your eyes. "You ready for tonight?"

"I've been ready all day. What's the plan?" you asked, wrapping your arms around his neck, playfully tugging on the ends of his curls.

Eric grinned, the kind that made his eyes crinkle at the corners. "Now that's a surprise. But trust me, you'll love it."

Your heart skipped a beat, as it always did when Eric was around. Even after months of being together, he still had this effect on you.

"Come on," he said, taking your hand and leading you out of the house. "I've got everything set up."

The drive was filled with soft music playing in the background, and Eric's hand resting comfortably on your knee. The two of you chatted about your day, laughing over little stories. It was the kind of easy conversation that came naturally with him—no need to force anything, no awkward pauses.

After a while, you realized he was heading out of the city, the streetlights giving way to the open sky. You looked over at him, curiosity piquing.

"Are we going to the middle of nowhere?" you teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Patience," he chuckled. "You'll see."

A few minutes later, Eric pulled the car off the main road onto a secluded area surrounded by trees. The sky was a deep navy now, speckled with stars. You stepped out of the car, taking in the surroundings as Eric came around to your side.

"You brought me to the woods?" you asked, feigning suspicion. "Should I be worried?"

He laughed, his deep voice echoing in the quiet night. "Trust me, it's worth it."

Eric opened the trunk and pulled out a picnic basket and a blanket, and everything clicked into place. He had planned a night under the stars.

Your heart melted as you watched him set everything up, his focused expression making you smile. He laid out the blanket and gestured for you to sit before handing you a glass of wine. The two of you sat side by side, leaning back against the blanket as the sky stretched out above you.

"I figured we could use a little break from all the noise," he said, glancing over at you.

"You couldn't have picked a better spot," you replied, feeling a wave of gratitude for how thoughtful he always was. "This is perfect."

For a while, the two of you sat in comfortable silence, watching the stars twinkle above. The only sound was the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze. You rested your head on his shoulder, feeling the gentle rise and fall of his breathing.

"I've always loved being outside like this," Eric said quietly, his voice carrying a soft nostalgia. "Reminds me of simpler times, back before the band and everything."

You nodded, understanding what he meant. Life had changed so much for him since joining KISS, but moments like this brought things back to what really mattered.

"I'm glad we get to share this," you whispered, lifting your head to meet his gaze. His dark eyes softened as they looked into yours, and he reached up to cup your cheek, his thumb brushing gently over your skin.

"You mean everything to me," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.

The world seemed to fade away as you leaned in, your lips meeting his in a soft, lingering kiss. It was slow, tender, full of the quiet understanding that came with knowing each other so deeply. When you pulled back, your forehead rested against his, and you smiled.

"I love you," you said, the words slipping out effortlessly.

"I love you too," Eric whispered back, his hand finding yours, fingers intertwining.

The night continued in that same peaceful rhythm. You shared stories, laughed about old memories, and talked about dreams for the future. It was the kind of night that left no room for worry—just the two of you, wrapped up in the warmth of each other's company.

At one point, Eric stood up and pulled you to your feet, his hand resting on your waist as he began to sway gently, guiding you into a slow, impromptu dance. There was no music, just the sound of the night around you. But that was enough.

"I'm not much of a dancer," you laughed softly, but Eric shook his head, grinning.

"You're perfect," he said, pulling you a little closer.

You rested your head against his chest, letting the quiet moment stretch on, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath your ear. In that moment, everything felt right. The world outside didn't matter—it was just you and Eric, dancing under the stars.

As the night grew cooler, you both wrapped up in the blanket, lying side by side and watching the sky. Eric's arm draped over you protectively, and you felt safe, content, like you could stay there forever.

Eventually, as the chill of the night deepened, you turned to him with a smile.

"Let's go home," you whispered.

He nodded, kissing your forehead before helping you gather the picnic remains. As you walked hand in hand back to the car, the night air filled with the quiet comfort of love.

Back home, after changing into something more comfortable, you snuggled up together in bed. The date had been perfect, a reminder of why you cherished every moment with Eric. And as you drifted off to sleep, your head resting on his chest, you felt nothing but peace, knowing that no matter what, you'd always have nights like this—full of love, laughter, and the simple joy of being together.