AEAO

twenty-three

Shi and Luca were sitting on the balcony of her apartment, the city lights of Los Angeles twinkling in the distance. The evening air was cool, a welcome contrast to the warm rush of conversation they'd been having all night. The topic of the evening had shifted several times—from Luca's recent matches to Shi's ongoing struggles with school. But now, it had landed on something neither of them had expected to talk about.

Their future.

"So," Luca said, his voice quiet as he leaned back in his chair, the sound of the city humming beneath them, "I've been thinking a lot about... well, about us." He glanced over at Shi, his expression serious.

Shi raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in tone. "What about us?" she asked, her voice more curious than anything.

"I don't know. I mean... we've been together for a while now, right? And things are good, but..." He trailed off, unsure of how to say what he was feeling.

Shi leaned forward, resting her arms on the railing. "But what?"

Luca hesitated. "But I guess I'm starting to wonder where we're headed. Like, I know we're still young, and there's a lot to figure out. But sometimes I can't help but think about the future. About us. You know?"

Shi's chest tightened a little, a mix of excitement and nerves creeping up. This conversation was one she had been avoiding, in a way. She'd never been one to rush into things—especially something as serious as commitment. And while things with Luca were undeniably good, the pressure of the future was a weight she didn't always know how to handle.

"Do you mean... marriage?" Shi asked cautiously, not sure how to approach the topic.

Luca nodded slowly, his eyes searching hers for a reaction. "Yeah. I mean, I've seen my teammates settle down, start families, and it's made me think a lot about what I want long-term. I know we've been taking it slow, but I want to know how you feel about all that. Marriage. Commitment. What does that look like for you, Shi?"

Shi's mind spun for a moment. Marriage? The word felt so final, so permanent. She wasn't sure if she was ready to think about that step—especially not with everything that had happened in her life, the constant media attention, and the complex relationship with her past. But then again, Luca's steady presence made her believe that something deeper was possible between them.

"I think..." She paused, collecting her thoughts. "I think I'm just not sure. You know?" She turned to face him fully. "I've had this whole life—this whole journey—where I didn't really get to choose a lot of things. My past was messy, and even though I'm in a better place now, I've learned to be cautious. Not everyone who says they love you stays. Not everyone who says they'll be there actually is."

Luca's expression softened, his hand reaching across the table to take hers. "I get that, Shi. I really do. And I'm not trying to pressure you into anything you're not ready for. I just want to know what you want, what you're thinking. We've got time to figure it out, but I need to understand what I'm working with here."

Shi swallowed hard. His honesty hit her harder than she expected. "I want you. I want this. I want us. But I also want to make sure we're making the right decision, not just because it's what people expect. I've seen what happens when relationships go too fast, and I don't want us to rush into something we're not ready for. Not yet. I think we both need to figure out who we are individually before we think about how we fit together long-term."

Luca took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving hers. "I get it, Shi. I respect that. I just want to know you're not holding back out of fear. I want to be with you, however that looks. Whether it's taking things slow or jumping in—just as long as it's what you want."

Shi felt a wave of warmth flood over her, and for the first time that evening, she felt a deep sense of relief. She wasn't alone in her uncertainty. Luca wasn't pushing her; he was meeting her where she was. The bond they shared wasn't just about the future—it was about the present, about being honest with each other and learning to navigate life together, even if they didn't have all the answers.

"I'm not holding back because of fear," Shi said softly. "I just need to know that whatever we decide, it's something we're both ready for. I want to build something real with you, Luca. Not something rushed or based on expectations."

Luca's thumb gently traced the back of her hand. "And we will, Shi. We will. We'll figure this out, whatever 'this' is."

Shi smiled, the tension in her chest easing. She wasn't sure what the future held, but for the first time in a long while, she felt like she didn't need to have it all figured out right now. They had time. Time to grow, to explore, to figure out what they both wanted.

And with Luca by her side, she knew they could face whatever came next.

The next few days were filled with conversations—small ones, big ones, and everything in between. They talked about careers, dreams, and what the future might look like, both together and apart. It wasn't easy, but it was real. And that was the most important thing.

As they lay on the couch that night, Luca pulling her close, Shi couldn't help but feel that they were on the right path. They were taking their time, but they were in it together.

And for now, that was enough.