Crimson

Chapter 8

Seraphina

I step out of the elevator and onto the roof, shivering as the wind bites through my dress. Konner's already there, sitting on a bench with his back to me, gazing up at the stars, completely absorbed. The sight of him—calm, serene—makes my heart ache. Part of me wants to turn around, to retreat back into the elevator, but I force myself to step forward.

Quietly, I sit down beside him, feeling the cold settle deeper into my bones. "Hi," I whisper, hoping he doesn't hear me, yet needing him to notice all the same.

But he does. He turns, and his blue eyes find mine, their warmth dissolving the chill in an instant. His lips curve into a gentle smile, and I feel my own insecurities flare, raw and sharp. Those beautiful eyes, that perfect smile... what could he possibly see in me?

I look away, fidgeting with my hands, forcing myself to breathe. But suddenly he's there, sitting on the ground in front of me, his wind-tossed hair framing his face as he studies me, a gentle concern filling his gaze.

"Are you okay?" he asks softly, and the tenderness in his voice almost breaks me.

I nod, though my throat feels tight, the words stuck, tangled inside me. I'm determined not to cry, not in front of him. But it's too late; tears spill over, falling before I can stop them. I don't even resist when he takes my hands and guides me down to the ground beside him. I bury my face in his chest, feeling the warmth of his heartbeat as he strokes my hair.

"I'm sorry," I manage to choke out, the words spilling in broken gasps. "I'm sorry for being like this... for being ugly... for making you my friend..."

"Shhh," he murmurs, his hand moving in slow, comforting circles across my back. "It's okay, Sera. You don't have to apologize for anything."

"But I do," I protest, my voice shaking. "I made you put up with me, and now... now I'm crying in front of you. It's pathetic."

"Stop," he says gently, the firmness in his voice stopping me mid-sentence. But instead of pushing me away, he pulls me closer, his embrace warm, grounding. I feel safe, like I'm finally somewhere I belong, like I could stay here forever.

"You're lying to yourself, Sera," he whispers, his hand brushing a tear from my cheek. His touch is so tender, it makes my heart ache.

I look down, ashamed, my fingers trembling. How could he see me as anything other than a burden?

His fingers gently tilt my chin up, forcing me to meet his perfect gaze. "You are beautiful," he says softly, his voice filled with a sincerity that makes my heart skip. "You're the prettiest person I've ever met. Tonight, when I saw you in that dress, you were so stunning... I felt like I was standing before a goddess. I wanted to treat you like a queen, Sera."

The way he says my name, with such warmth, such conviction, pulls me from the shadows of doubt.

"But," I murmur, struggling to believe, "that's only after they fixed me up. Without all that, I'm just... plain."

He shakes his head slowly, his gaze never wavering. "No. You're not plain, Sera. They didn't make you beautiful—you already were. They just highlighted what was already there. You're not just beautiful tonight; you're beautiful every day."

"And I wanted to be your friend, Sera," he adds, his voice gentle but sure. "You didn't force me into anything. I care about you—not some polished version of you, but the real you. And I don't care if you cry. Everyone does. It doesn't change how I feel about you."

I look up at him, seeing only kindness in his eyes. "Really?" I whisper, feeling hope stir within me.

"Yes," he says simply, as though it's the most obvious thing in the world. And suddenly, I can't hold back anymore—I throw my arms around him, holding on as if he's my lifeline.

Konner

Holding her like this, feeling the quiet tremors of her shoulders, it breaks my heart. She doesn't realize how much I care, how much I admire her strength. How could she think she's anything less than perfect?

She's still wearing the lavender gown, her head resting on my shoulder as we watch the stars, the world feeling small and intimate. She shivers slightly, and without a word, I slip off my jacket, wrapping it around her shoulders. I can feel her melt against me, her shivering easing as she settles into my arms.

I wish she could see herself the way I see her: strong, courageous, beautiful beyond words.

Seraphina settles against me, her breathing slowing as she stares up at the stars. I can feel her heartbeat calming, matching the quiet rhythm of mine, and for a moment, it feels like we're the only two people in the world.

"Thank you, Konner," she whispers. Her voice is so soft, I almost miss it.

"For what?" I ask, genuinely curious. I can't imagine what I've done to deserve her gratitude.

"For... for just being here," she says, her voice breaking slightly. "For making me feel... like I matter."

My chest tightens, and I look down at her, wishing I could take away every ounce of self-doubt she carries. "Sera, you matter more than you know. You don't have to be anything other than yourself for me to care about you."

She glances up at me, her eyes shining in the moonlight. "But you're... you. And I'm just... me. How could you possibly..." She trails off, as though she's too afraid to finish the sentence.

I smile, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You're not 'just' anything. I know it's hard to see it sometimes, but to me, you're... you're everything, Sera. When I saw you tonight, I couldn't believe it was real. But it wasn't just the dress or the makeup—it was you. You're incredible, and I don't know how to make you believe that, but... I'll spend as long as it takes trying."

Her lips part, surprise flickering across her face. She's quiet for a moment, and then she lets out a shaky breath. "You... you really mean that?"

I nod, trying to pour everything I feel into that single look. "Every word."

Her gaze softens, and for a brief second, I see a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "I've never... no one's ever said anything like that to me before."

"Well, they should have," I murmur, my hand still gently resting against her cheek. "And if they didn't, then they were all blind."

She laughs, a soft, hesitant sound, and I can feel the tension easing from her shoulders. I can't stop myself—I brush my thumb along her cheek, marveling at how she seems to fit so perfectly here with me.

She smiles, her gaze dropping to my hand still resting against her cheek. And I don't know what comes over me, but I lean forward, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. She closes her eyes, leaning into it, and for a moment, everything feels... right.

We sit in silence for a while, watching the stars, neither of us wanting to let go of the moment. And as I hold her, I know one thing for certain: I would do anything to keep her safe, to make sure she never doubts her worth again.