Secret in the Heart ||Descendants|| (♡Ben)

9

Ben slowed the scooter to a stop at the beginning of a narrow path that led into the forest. "You can let go now," he said gently, turning his head slightly to glance back at Kara.

"Huh?" Kara responded, only then realizing that her arms were still tightly wrapped around his torso. "Yeah, right," she muttered, quickly letting her arms drop to her sides before sliding off the scooter. She removed her helmet and placed it on the seat, taking a deep breath of the fresh air around her.

"It's kinda hot out here," Kara remarked as she unzipped her leather jacket and unwound the scarf from around her neck. She shrugged off the jacket, folding it over her arm, and took a moment to absorb the scenery. Tall trees surrounded them, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. There were bushes with vibrant flowers scattered throughout the underbrush, and the late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over everything, giving the scene an almost ethereal quality.

Ben chuckled softly, drawing her attention. "What?" Kara asked, turning to face him, her brow furrowing slightly.

"Nothing, nothing," Ben said, trying to hide his grin.

"No, tell me," Kara insisted, stepping closer with a playful challenge in her eyes.

"I've just never seen anybody look at a forest with such admiration," Ben admitted, shaking his head in amusement.

"Well, this is the first time I'm seeing one, so give me a break," Kara retorted with a small smile, her tone teasing. Ben laughed, the sound rich and warm, and Kara couldn't help but chuckle along with him.

"Come on. This way," Ben said, gesturing for her to follow as he began walking down the path. Kara trailed behind him, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the beauty of the forest. Everything was so lush, so alive, and so utterly different from the barren landscapes she was used to.

After they had walked for a while, Ben suddenly turned to her and said, "Okay, close your eyes."

"What?" Kara asked, blinking in surprise.

"Just trust me," Ben replied, his tone playful but reassuring.

"Okay," Kara agreed hesitantly, closing her eyes and allowing Ben to take her hands. He began to guide her forward, carefully navigating the uneven ground.

"Watch your foot," Ben warned, and Kara felt her foot hit the edge of a step. She hesitated before stepping down, and Ben's grip on her hands tightened, guiding her safely.

"Yeah," Ben said as she took another two steps down. "You good?"

"Mm-hmm," Kara hummed, a nervous laugh escaping her lips.

"Now, step up," Ben instructed, and Kara followed his lead, stepping up onto what felt like a stone ledge.

"There you go," Ben said as he moved behind her, letting go of her hands. Kara's back pressed gently into his chest, and she felt a comforting warmth radiating from him. His hands came to rest on her arms, rubbing them softly. The closeness made her heart flutter, a strange but not unwelcome sensation.

"You ready?" Ben's voice was soft, his breath warm against her ear.

"Mm..." Kara murmured, nodding her head slowly, feeling a mix of anticipation and something else she couldn't quite name—a sense of magic in the air, as if something extraordinary was just beyond her reach.

"Open," Ben whispered, and Kara slowly opened her eyes.

She gasped, her breath catching in her throat as she took in the scene before her. They were standing at the edge of a small clearing, and in the center of it was a beautiful ruin, consisting of five ancient pillars. Around them, wildflowers bloomed in a riot of colors, adding a touch of life to the crumbling stone. A blanket had been spread out on the stone floor, with a picnic basket resting in the middle of it. Nearby, a small, round white table with two chairs stood, creating a cozy, intimate setting.