It was well past midnight when Ariana left the library, her steps slow from exhaustion. The moon hung low over Silvercrest, casting silvery light on the empty pathways.
She didn't expect anyone to be awake
until she saw Kian leaning against a lamppost, waiting. đ
"You're out late," she said gently.
"So are you," he replied.
They fell into step together, walking slowly across the quiet campus. The silence wasn't awkwardâit was filled with growing warmth, awareness, unspoken truths.
Ariana glanced at him.
"You're thinking about something."
"I'm thinking about you," he admitted softly, eyes on the ground.
Her heart fluttered.
"What about me?" đČ
He exhaled, almost frustrated with himself.
"How you look when you're tired. How you always push yourself. How you make me feel like I want to stay in the world a little longer than I planned."
Ariana stopped walking.
"Kian⊠what does that mean?"
He turned toward her, moonlight catching the emotion he tried so hard to hide.
"It means I care more than I should."
Ariana stepped closer.
"How much is 'more'?"
He looked at her;really looked and his voice came out raw.
"Enough that being near you feels like breathing for the first time."
Ariana felt her chest tighten, her breath catching.
She reached out, lightly touching his arm.
Kian closed his eyes at the warmthâlike her touch anchored him.
And for a moment, they stood in the moonlit silence, hearts beating too fast, too close, too hopeful. âș