blurred lines in a forbidden fairytale

{23} christmas: dream or nightmare?

Taylor's POV:

The early morning light filters through my apartment window as I blink awake, momentarily disoriented. I don't even know how we managed to fall asleep again after this night's break down.
Then I remember Aurora, curled up beside me, her breathing soft and even. She's still asleep, her arm draped over my waist, grounding me in a way I didn't realize I needed. I glance at the clock on my nightstand. I don't want to move, but my flight to Nashville won't wait.

Gently, I whisper, "Aurora... I have to get up." My fingers lightly brush her shoulder. She stirs, eyes slowly opening, meeting mine with a sleepy, confused look.

"Already?" she mumbles, her voice husky with sleep as she sits up, rubbing her eyes.

"Yeah," I nod, giving her a soft smile. "But... I have something for you before I go."

She blinks, surprise flashing across her face. I reach over to my bedside table, grabbing the small wrapped box I'd tucked away, hoping for a moment like this. I hand it to her, feeling a strange mix of excitement and nerves. She looks down at it, then up at me, brow slightly raised.

"You got me a present?" She says, the beginnings of a smile playing at her lips.

I nod. "Just... a little something."

"I have something for you too but I forgot it at home," she pouts, a guilty expression on her face.

"Don't worry about it, babe."

Carefully, she unwraps it, her fingers lifting the lid to reveal a silver bracelet, simple but beautiful, with a small charm engraved with a tiny, meaningful "A." Her eyes go wide, and she looks up at me, her expression a mixture of awe and something even deeper.

"It's... beautiful," she whispers. "You didn't have to..."

"I wanted to," I cut in softly. "I wanted you to have something... to remember me by while I'm gone. It's not much, but it's yours. I hope it makes you feel... I don't know, close to me, even if I'm halfway across the country."

Aurora's lips press together, her hand reaching out to touch mine. "Taylor, this is... thank you. Really. I love it." She clasps it around her wrist, admiring it before glancing back up at me, eyes full of gratitude—and something else, something deep and raw that makes my chest feel tight.

Neither of us wants to move, to break whatever fragile thing is hanging between us in the stillness. But I know I have to get going. Reluctantly, I stand and get ready before grabbing my bag and pulling on my coat as Aurora rises with me. We head to the door, our footsteps almost reluctant as we make our way out of the apartment and into the hallway, both of us moving slowly, savoring these last moments.

I turn to her, words suddenly stuck in my throat. I want to say so many things, but I just manage, "Take care of yourself, okay?" My hand reaches out, brushing her cheek, my thumb lingering against her skin.

She nods, blinking rapidly, as if holding back a wave of emotions. "You too. Don't forget... about us."

"I couldn't, even if I tried," I murmur, voice low.

"Merry Christmas, Tay," Aurora mumbles.

"Merry Christmas, Aurora."

We stand there in silence, our gazes locked, the weight of everything unsaid hanging between us. Finally, I lean forward, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, feeling her hand squeeze mine one last time before we descend the stairs and I slip into the waiting cab. As it pulls away, I catch one final glimpse of her standing on the curb, clutching her wrist where the bracelet now gleams, her figure growing smaller until she disappears from view.