Love song

chapter six

The next day, after a late start and a few aspirin to handle the aftermath of last night, Aurelia and Arthur set off to explore New York with a little less adrenaline and a lot more curiosity. The chilly winter air seemed to revive them as they walked through the bustling streets, stopping at famous landmarks and small local spots. Aurelia took the lead as their impromptu tour guide, animatedly telling stories about the city she'd heard from friends or read online, while Arthur listened, his gaze lingering on her with quiet amusement.

By midday, they found themselves in front of an old-school pizza joint with a delicious smell wafting out the door. Arthur stopped in his tracks, grinning as he looked at her.

"We're getting pizza," he said, as if it were a done deal.

Aurelia shook her head, laughing. "My trainer would have a heart attack if he knew, but... fine. But if this gets back to him, I'll blame you!"

They ducked inside, warming up as they ordered the biggest slices they could find, then headed back outside to eat on a nearby bench. Aurelia bit into her slice, a satisfied grin crossing her face. "Totally worth the guilt," she declared.

Arthur laughed, taking a bite of his own slice. "It's winter break — we're basically obligated to eat pizza."

They spent the afternoon wandering around Central Park, checking out quirky shops in SoHo, and snapping a few photos in Times Square, laughing as they tried out their most ridiculous poses. The chemistry between them was effortless, and Aurelia was relieved to be able to simply be herself without the pressure of flirting or impressing him.

As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, Aurelia checked her watch. "Alright, I have a surprise for you."

Arthur raised an eyebrow, curious. "Another exclusive connection of yours?"

"Something like that," she said with a mysterious smile.

She led him through a maze of streets until they reached a tall building with a discreet entrance. She flashed a quick smile at the attendant, who waved them up to the top floor. When they stepped onto the rooftop, Arthur's eyes widened. The view was breathtaking. The sprawling city stretched out before them, bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun. Aurelia watched as the look of surprise and wonder on Arthur's face softened, and he turned to her with a genuine smile.

"Alright," he admitted, "this might be the best spot you've taken me to yet."

They leaned against the railing, gazing out over the city as the sun dipped lower, casting everything in a golden light. For a while, they stood in companionable silence, just taking it all in.

"Sometimes I think about how weird life is," Aurelia said, breaking the silence. "I mean, just a few years ago, I never imagined I'd be doing what I'm doing now... traveling all over, competing. And yet, here I am. And somehow, so are you."

Arthur looked over at her, his gaze thoughtful. "It's funny, isn't it? Sometimes I feel like my life was always mapped out for me. Like, it was always about following in my brother's footsteps. Racing was a big part of our family, so it felt... inevitable."

Aurelia nodded. "I get that. My life's been so fast-paced since I started racing that sometimes I feel like I barely have time to stop and think. But coming to places like this, slowing down, it reminds me why I started — because I loved it. I didn't want a normal life, you know?"

Arthur's expression softened as he listened. "I know what you mean. Sometimes I think about what life would be like if I'd chosen something else... something less demanding, maybe more ordinary." He paused, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "But then I think about all the things I'd miss. The thrill, the travel... meeting people I'd never meet otherwise."

Aurelia turned to him, their faces close as the sky deepened into shades of pink and purple. "Yeah. Like, if we weren't both in this world, would I even have met you?"

The words hung in the air between them, weighty and sincere. Arthur's gaze held hers, his playful expression replaced by something more serious, more intimate. "Probably not," he said softly. "But I'm glad we did."

For a moment, there was no need to fill the silence with jokes or awkward flirtations. They simply looked at each other, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Aurelia felt a warmth in her chest she hadn't expected, and she knew that for once, she didn't need to try so hard. Just being here with him, sharing this moment, was enough.

As the sun disappeared completely, the lights of the city flickered on, casting a glow over their faces. She leaned against him, her shoulder brushing his, and they stood there together, watching as New York came alive beneath them.

"You know," she said after a while, her voice barely above a whisper, "I think this might be one of my favorite nights."

Arthur glanced down at her, his expression soft. "Mine too."As the final hues of twilight faded, Aurelia turned to Arthur with a small smile. "So... you up for one last surprise?"

Arthur looked at her, a hint of excitement in his eyes. "Lead the way."

She guided him down from the rooftop and into a quiet, tucked-away restaurant she had reserved in advance. Inside, the tables were set with flickering candles, the atmosphere warm and intimate, with soft music playing in the background. The dim lighting cast a gentle glow over everything, giving the place an almost magical feel.

Arthur glanced around, visibly impressed. "You really went all out for this, didn't you?"

Aurelia shrugged, trying to hide the nervous flutter in her chest. "I told you, I'm here to make you fall in love with me. Figured I'd give it my best shot."

They sat down across from each other, and as the meal began, their conversation flowed naturally. They talked about everything and anything — funny moments from their travels, stories about their brothers, and even their dreams outside of their high-speed worlds. The usual banter between them softened, replaced with sincere laughter and lingering glances that neither could ignore.

By the time dessert arrived, there was a comfortable warmth between them, something deeper and unspoken. Aurelia looked across the table, her heart pounding just a little faster than usual. She hadn't planned to feel this way. What had started as a playful bet, a little game, now felt undeniably real.

As they stepped outside into the brisk New York night, Arthur reached for her hand, pulling her close as they walked. The city lights reflected in his eyes, giving him an almost dreamlike quality as he looked at her.

"Aurelia..." he began, his voice softer than usual.

"Yeah?" she replied, meeting his gaze.

He didn't say anything more. Instead, he leaned in, closing the distance between them until his lips brushed hers in a tender, lingering kiss. She melted into him, her heart racing as she felt his warmth, his steady presence grounding her in that moment.

When they finally pulled back, she looked up at him, breathless. "So, was that part of your plan to make me fall for you?" he teased.

She laughed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It might have been, yeah."

They walked back to the hotel hand-in-hand, the connection between them palpable. Once inside their room, their laughter softened, replaced by a charged silence. Standing close, Arthur reached up, gently tucking her hair behind her ear, his eyes tracing her face.

Before she could overthink it, she closed the distance between them, pulling him into a kiss that deepened with every passing second. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her close, their connection turning into something powerful and undeniable.

They spent the rest of the night together, wrapped up in each other's arms, sharing soft laughter and whispered secrets, the line between friendship and something deeper completely blurred.