The sun was already slipping higher by the time Kara finally rolled out of bed, her hair a sleepy mess and Avery's shirt draped loosely over her shoulders. She blinked against the light and glanced toward the couch, where Avery sat cross-legged, scrolling through her phone with a lazy smile.
"Morning," Kara said, her voice still husky from sleep.
Avery looked up, her smile deepening. "Morning, sleepyhead. You look like you lost a fight with the pillow."
Kara groaned, ruffling her hair as she padded toward the small kitchenette. "It was a tough match, but I think I won."She turned on the coffee maker, humming softly under her breath, the same tune Avery had heard her sing the first night they rode together on the Vespa. The sound was soft, grounding. Familiar.
Avery got up, grabbing her tote from the floor. "I'm gonna grab us breakfast, yeah? Don't you dare start the new episode without me."
Kara turned, mock-offended. "Do I look like a monster?"
"Yes," Avery teased, already slipping on her shoes. "A very cute one."
Kara laughed, shaking her head. "Go. I'll make the coffee."
When Avery returned fifteen minutes later, the room smelled of roasted beans and sunlight. Two steaming mugs sat on the counter, one already customized with Avery's favorite sugar-to-cream ratio, Kara knew it by heart now. Avery set down two paper bags on the table: toasted sandwiches and a small box of banana pancakes.
"Breakfast of champions," she said.
They ate side by side on the couch, bare feet brushing under the small table, shoulders touching. The TV played softly in front of them, a new series they'd just started bingeing together. Between bites, they kept exchanging little comments, laughing at ridiculous plot twists, sharing knowing glances every time a scene reminded them of each other.
Kara leaned sideways after a while, resting her head on Avery's shoulder. "You always pick the best shows," she murmured.
Avery smiled, sipping her coffee. "That's why you keep me around."
Kara tilted her face upward, lips curving into a grin. "That's not the only reason."
Avery glanced down at her, teasing. "Oh? What else, then?"
Kara didn't answer, not with words, anyway. She just leaned closer and pressed a soft kiss to the corner of Avery's mouth, tasting faint traces of coffee and warmth. Avery chuckled quietly, turning her head to meet Kara halfway, deepening the kiss. It was unhurried, soft at first, but it carried that same quiet electricity that always lived between them.
When they pulled apart, Kara sighed happily and tucked herself against Avery's side again."This," she said softly, "I could get used to this."
Avery's arm came around her shoulders, pulling her close. "You already have."
Kara laughed under her breath, but didn't deny it. The episode kept playing, half-forgotten, the room filled with the rhythm of soft dialogue and their occasional laughter.
A stray crumb fell onto Avery's thigh, and Kara brushed it away absentmindedly, her touch lingering a second too long. Avery turned, and their eyes met again. Another kiss, slower this time, deeper. Kara's hand slipped to Avery's jaw, thumb tracing small circles, while Avery's fingers curled around the back of her neck.
The screen kept flashing light across their faces, forgotten entirely now.
When they broke apart, breath mingling, Kara rested her forehead against Avery's. "You taste like coffee," she whispered.
Avery smiled. "You taste like trouble."
"Fair trade," Kara murmured, and kissed her again.
Then Avery turned on her side to face her."Hey," she said softly, brushing her thumb along Kara's cheek. "We're still going to Nyang Nyang today, right?"
Kara's eyes lit up. "You still want to?"
"Of course I do," Avery said, smiling. "You've been talking about it for weeks. I want to see it with you."
Kara bit her lip, trying not to look too excited, but she failed miserably. "Okay, but we have to match. White shirts, beach day style. I already planned it."
Avery groaned playfully. "You planned our outfits?"
Kara laughed, sitting up and reaching for her phone on the bedside table. "Obviously. You think I'd let you show up without coordinating? It's our first trip."
Avery leaned back against the headboard, watching Kara's energy come alive with a mix of fondness and something deeper. "You're unbelievable," she said softly.
"Admit it," Kara teased, scrolling through her messages, "you love it."
Avery didn't answer right away. Instead, she reached out, caught Kara's hand mid-motion, and tugged her closer until their foreheads touched. "Yeah," she murmured. "I really do."
For a moment, neither moved. It was one of those small, quiet spaces that felt infinite, the kind that made both of them forget the rest of the world existed.
Kara smiled against Avery's skin. "So it's settled. White outfits. Nyang Nyang. Just us."
Avery nodded, her voice low and warm. "Just us."
They stayed like that for a while, sunlight pooling around them, both knowing this trip would be more than just another weekend. It was the start of something steadier, something that made them both want to keep choosing each other, again and again.
***
The road to Nyang Nyang twisted through the southern cliffs, the golden hour sun spilling across the asphalt. Avery rode carefully, her focus steady as the wind pressed against them. Kara sat behind her, arms snug around Avery's waist, the faint hum of the engine vibrating through them both. It should have felt simple—perfect, even. But Kara's phone buzzed in her hand, pulling her gaze down from the road ahead to the glow of the screen.
Willow.
Her chest tightened. The name alone felt like a weight she'd been pretending didn't exist. She unlocked her phone and read the messages: small talk at first, questions about work, about Bali, about the weather on the island. And then...
I've been thinking about you a lot lately. I hope you're okay out there.
Kara's breath caught. For a moment, she didn't reply. The scenery blurred past, and Avery's laughter from a few minutes earlier still lingered in her head. But guilt crept in like a slow ache. She told herself Willow was just reaching out as a friend, someone lost in the middle of the ocean with too much time to think.
So Kara answered, softly, carefully.
I'm fine. Hope you're taking care of yourself too.
Then more messages followed. Short exchanges, light and polite. Harmless on the surface, but heavy underneath. Every vibration in her hand felt louder than it should have.
Avery's hand reached back mid-ride, resting on Kara's knee, a small gesture, steady and grounding. "You good back there?" she called over her shoulder, her voice muffled by the wind.
Kara startled slightly, the phone slipping from her fingers onto her lap. "Yeah!" she shouted back. "Just checking something!"
But Avery must have sensed something, her touch lingered a moment longer, thumb brushing lightly before returning to the handlebars.
Kara locked her screen, exhaled shakily, and slid the phone into her pocket. She told herself it didn't mean anything, that she was only being kind. Still, the old ache twisted inside her chest, mixing with the warmth that Avery stirred in her every time she smiled.
When Avery reached over again at a stoplight, Kara caught her hand this time, holding it tight. "I'm okay," she said softly, though she wasn't sure if it was true.
Avery turned slightly, her helmet catching the sunset. "You sure?"
Kara nodded, forcing a small smile. "Just happy to be here with you."
And as the light turned green, they took off again... wind rushing past them, laughter spilling into the warm air. The city thinned into open cliffs and sea breeze, the ocean coming into view like a slow unfolding secret.
Avery talked over her shoulder, her voice bright and teasing, about snacks they'd packed, about the beach, about how she was going to make Kara face her fear of swimming in open water.
Kara laughed, but the sound was fragile. "You're lucky I like you," she called out. "Because I'm definitely not swimming with anything that has fins."
"Then you can stay close to me," Avery shouted back. "I'll keep you safe."
Kara's chest tightened at that. The sincerity in Avery's voice, the easy way she said it... felt like sunlight breaking through everything heavy she'd been carrying.
She leaned forward, resting her head lightly against Avery's back, and for a moment, she let herself forget the noise in her pocket, the guilt, the confusion.
Right here, on this road, with the wind in her hair and Avery's laughter in her ears, she decided she wanted to fight for this for them.
***
Finally, they arrived at the entrance, the road flattened out, and Avery carefully eased the scooter to a stop under the looming limestone cliffs. The air was thick with salt and heat, the distant sound of waves crashing below echoing faintly up the hill. Kara swung her leg off the bike, stretching her arms wide and laughing, her helmet still slightly crooked on her head.
"God, my legs are jelly," she said, half-laughing, half-panting. "You weren't kidding about this road being extreme."
Avery chuckled, taking off her own helmet and shaking her hair free. "You were holding on like we were on a roller coaster."
"Because it felt like one!" Kara exclaimed, eyes bright. "That drop, Avery, I thought we were going to slide straight into the ocean."
Avery smiled and reached over, unclipping Kara's helmet strap. "You worry too much."
"Oh really?" Kara raised an eyebrow. "You didn't see your face at that one sharp turn. You looked like you were praying."
Avery laughed, low and warm. "Maybe I was... just not to crash with you behind me."
Kara tilted her head. "Sweet. Terrifying, but sweet."
They both laughed, the sound bouncing lightly off the cliff walls. Then Kara's gaze shifted toward the path ahead. "Come on," she said, excitement bubbling in her voice. "We didn't come all this way just to stand here."
The narrow trail wound down between thick bushes and uneven stone steps. The air grew cooler, the scent of salt stronger with each step. Kara went ahead, barefoot now, her sandals dangling from her hand. She kept turning back to grin at Avery, who followed a few paces behind, her heart swelling at how light Kara seemed, her hair catching sunlight, her laughter spilling freely.
And then, suddenly, the view opened up.
The beach stretched endlessly before them, white and untouched, glowing against the deep turquoise water. The cliffs rose like guardians behind, covered in green, and the sound, the crash and pull of waves filled everything.
Kara stopped dead, breath caught in her throat.
"Oh my god," she whispered, almost reverently. Then louder, almost a laugh, "Oh my god."
Avery came up beside her, but didn't say anything yet. She was too busy watching Kara, the way her lips parted slightly in awe, how her eyes softened, reflecting the shimmer of the sea. She looked alive in a way Avery had never seen before.
Kara dropped her sandals, running a few steps ahead, and then turned back, her hair flying wildly around her. "This is… ridiculous. How have we never done this before?"
Avery couldn't help but laugh. "Because now's the right time," she said softly, stepping close tucking a few loose strands of Kara's hair behind her ear. The sunlight hit her skin, warm and golden, and Avery found herself lost for a second, in that smile, in the salt air clinging to Kara's lashes.
Kara grinned. "You're staring."
"Am I not allowed to?" Avery teased, voice quiet.
Kara shrugged, pretending to think. "Depends. Are you going to take pictures too? Because this..." she spread her arms wide toward the beach, "this deserves evidence."
Avery chuckled and lifted her phone. "Fine. Don't move."
She snapped one photo, then another as Kara spun in the sand, her white shirt billowing. "Stop posing like a music video," Avery laughed.
"I can't help it!" Kara shouted over the wind. "It's too perfect!"
Avery took more pictures, candid ones, catching Kara mid-laugh, her head thrown back, hair whipping across her face. She didn't say it out loud, but her heart ached with affection.
God, look at her, Avery thought. She's never looked so free.
Kara stooped down, running her fingers through the fine sand. "You have to feel this," she said, holding her hand out so the grains trickled through her fingers. "It's softer than flour."
Avery knelt beside her, pressing her palm into the ground. "You're right," she murmured. "It feels unreal."
Kara looked up, eyes glowing. "Everything about this feels unreal."
Avery smiled, the corners of her mouth tugging upward. So do you, she thought, but didn't say it.
They walked together, sandals in hand, feet sinking lightly into the warm sand as they moved closer to the shoreline. The water lapped at their ankles, cool and clear, leaving shimmering trails around their footprints.
Kara shouted into the wind, "Can you believe this?!"
Avery shook her head, laughing. "You sound like you're trying to scare away the seagulls."
"I'm trying to tell the universe it did something right for once!" Kara called back, grinning wide.
Avery watched her... the way Kara twirled once, the hem of her shirt catching the breeze, her laughter louder than the ocean for just a heartbeat.
This is what happiness looks like, she thought. It's her. It's always been her.
Kara came running back, breathless. "Take pictures with me."
Avery held the phone out, snapping a few selfies, then lowering it so she could look at Kara properly, flushed cheeks, messy hair, that endless smile.
"God, you're beautiful," she said before she could stop herself.
Kara blinked, then smiled softer this time. "So are you," she said.
They stood there for a long while, just watching the waves crash and retreat, their fingers brushing occasionally, every touch carrying that quiet electricity. Avery felt it with every heartbeat, that mix of awe, peace, and something deeper she was almost afraid to name.
For now, she just let herself feel it, the sea breeze, the warmth of Kara's hand, the sound of her laughter carried by the wind.
And in that moment, surrounded by ocean and sky, Avery knew: she could spend forever chasing sunsets with this woman.
***
They found a shaded spot near the cliffs to leave their things, sandals, phones, a half-open tote bag with a towel peeking out. The afternoon sun was golden now, spilling warmth across the beach, turning the ocean a rich turquoise that shimmered under the light.
Kara squatted down and brushed her fingers through the sand again, grinning. "I don't think I ever want to leave this place."
Avery dropped down beside her, stretching her legs out. "We can stay till sunset," she offered, already knowing that Kara would say yes.
Kara turned, eyes bright. "Then we're making memories. You have to record us."
Avery laughed. "Record us doing what?"
Kara gestured to the waves. "Running around. Being idiots. You know—timelapse. Like those travel reels you always send me at 2 a.m. when you can't sleep."
They both laughed, and Avery finally gave in. She placed her phone against a rock, set the timer, and angled it toward the shoreline. "Okay, ready? You said 'running around,' so don't you dare stop halfway and start posing."
"I make no promises!" Kara shouted, already sprinting toward the water.
The camera captured everything, their laughter as Kara splashed Avery first, Avery's mock outrage as she chased her, the two of them tumbling near the surf, soaked to the knees and screaming from the shock of cold water.
"Okay, okay, stop!" Kara gasped, holding up her hands as a wave crashed around them. "It's freezing!"
Avery waded closer, water swirling around her legs. "Come on, you said you wanted to feel the ocean."
"I didn't say I wanted to swim in it," Kara said, backing up a little, though her grin betrayed her. "You know I can't swim."
Avery softened her tone. "Hey. You don't have to swim. Just… feel it."
She reached out her hand, and after a hesitant pause, Kara took it. Avery guided her forward slowly, step by step, until the water was just Kara's waist. Kara's breath hitched as the waves pushed gently against them.
"See? Not so bad," Avery murmured.
Kara clung to her arm. "You're saying that because you're not terrified of drowning."
Avery chuckled. "You're with me. You're safe."
Kara glanced up, meeting Avery's eyes, and something in her eased. She nodded. "Okay. I trust you."
"Good." Avery adjusted her stance, one foot braced in the sand. "Hold onto me."
She slipped her arms around Kara's waist, steadying her as another wave rolled in. Kara squealed, then laughed so hard it echoed over the waves. "This is insane!"
"You're doing great," Avery said, smiling. "You're basically swimming."
"I'm basically surviving," Kara said between laughs, but she relaxed more with every second, her hands gripping Avery's shoulders as she started to move her legs, just barely floating.
Avery adjusted again, half-squatting in the water, keeping her steady in her lap. "There you go," she said softly. "Just lean back. I've got you."
Kara tilted her head, eyes half-closed as the water brushed her skin. "You've got me," she repeated, voice barely above the sound of the waves.
The words hung in the air, weightless but real.
Avery felt Kara's heartbeat against her chest, the rhythm syncing with the sea's pull. She brushed a wet strand of hair from Kara's face, her thumb tracing lightly along her jaw. "You're beautiful, you know that?" she murmured.
Kara's lips curved into a small, trembling smile. "You always say that."
"Because it's always true."
Kara laughed softly, turning her face away for a second before looking back at Avery again. "Thank you," she said quietly. "For not making fun of me right now."
"Are you kidding? You're amazing," Avery said, and she meant it. "You're facing your fear and still smiling."
"Because you're here," Kara said simply, without thinking and the moment it left her lips, she blinked, realizing how honest it was.
Avery's chest tightened, the warmth spreading through her even as the ocean water cooled her skin. "I'm glad I am," she whispered.
They stayed like that for a while, Avery holding Kara steady, Kara daring herself to float a little longer each time. Their laughter softened into quiet moments, into shared glances and small smiles that said more than words ever could.
Finally, Kara splashed at Avery's shoulder. "Okay, okay, I think I've proven my bravery. Can we go back before my legs give out?"
Avery laughed, helping her up. "Deal."
They walked back toward the sand, dripping and breathless, still holding hands as the waves chased at their feet. Kara looked over her shoulder at the water, shaking her head with a grin. "You realize you just made me fall in love with the ocean, right?"
Avery smiled, brushing her thumb across Kara's wet hand. "Maybe not just the ocean," she said quietly.
Kara didn't answer, she just smiled, soft and shy, and leaned in to press a quick kiss to Avery's cheek before running ahead to stop the timelapse.
Behind her, Avery stood for a second longer, the sound of the sea still rushing in her ears, her heart thrumming. If I could freeze this moment, she thought, I'd live in it forever.