Sera’s face flushed a deep shade of crimson as Zoya’s words hung in the air, her teasing tone making Sera feel exposed. She wasn’t used to having her relationship with Finn dissected so openly, especially not by someone like Zoya, who had no filter.

She glanced over at Finn, his hand resting on hers, providing a comforting anchor in the midst of Zoya's interrogation. His gentle touch helped to ease some of the tension coiling in her chest. Zoya was relentless, but Sera couldn't help but smile nervously, her fingers curling slightly around Finn's.

"S-Sorry," she stammered, her voice soft but firm. "We’re just... figuring things out." She shot Zoya a playful glare, though it was a little shy. "Maybe lay off the questions a little?"

Her heart raced as she tried to push back the embarrassing thoughts Zoya's words had stirred. The idea of all those questions was overwhelming, and for a moment, she wished they could just enjoy their quiet dinner. But with Finn's hand in hers, she felt a warmth that made it easier to face Zoya's teasing.

Sera glanced at Finn, her expression softening as she heard the apology. She knew Zoya could be a bit much at times, but she also understood that the girl often didn't know when to stop. Sera gave a small, reassuring smile, shaking her head lightly.

"It's alright," she whispered back, her voice low enough not to catch Zoya's attention. Sera's tone was understanding, calm. "Besides," she added quietly with a small chuckle, "she’s just a little... curious."

Sera felt a lump form in her throat as Finn spoke. She could hear the worry in his voice, and it made her heart ache. She had never wanted to cause him any distress, but now it seemed like she had.

Her fingers twitched, wanting to reach out and comfort him, to tell him everything was okay, but the words felt stuck. She knew he was upset about what had happened, but she couldn’t help the tight knot in her chest at the mention of their plans. The idea of it felt distant now, not because she didn’t want him, but because everything had suddenly felt so complicated.

"No, Finn," she finally whispered, her voice trembling. "It's not that... I just... I need a moment." She looked at him, her eyes soft with uncertainty. "It’s not about not wanting to... I just... I don't know what to feel right now."

She wanted to say more, but the silence between them felt so heavy. She hoped he understood.

Sera's heart fluttered at Finn's words, a mix of warmth and vulnerability filling her chest. She could feel his unwavering patience, his willingness to wait for her, and it made her feel both comforted and conflicted. It wasn't that she didn’t want to be with him in the way he seemed to desire, but there were parts of her that weren’t ready to give in, parts she needed to protect for herself first.

She glanced at him, meeting his gaze, trying to find the words that would express everything she was feeling. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice a little shaky, unsure if he truly understood how much it meant. "I just... need time."

She knew he was patient, but her heart still ached with the thought of keeping him waiting. It wasn’t about him—it was about her, about learning to trust, to be whole in herself first. And Finn was offering her the space to do just that. His quiet promise to wait made her feel both cherished and deeply understood, even if the path ahead was unclear.

Sera’s body slammed into Finn as the explosion rocked the tent, the force of it throwing them both backward. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breath stolen by the impact. Finn’s arms wrapped around her instinctively, holding her close as they tumbled through the air. When they finally hit the ground, she landed on top of him, her head spinning.

The world around them was a blur of smoke and flames, the far side of the mess tent engulfed in fire. The sound of enemy soldiers marching forward cut through the chaos, and Sera’s stomach twisted with fear.

Finn’s grip on her tightened as he quickly scrambled to his feet. His eyes were wide, his face set in determination, but Sera could see the worry there. "Run, get to the jump point, and get to safety," he urged, voice urgent. "I have to help my friends. I'll meet you at the jump location."

Sera's heart thudded painfully in her chest, but she didn’t hesitate. Finn needed to help them. She needed to survive. His words echoed in her mind, and she forced herself to move. But before she could even take a step, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his voice barely above a whisper. "I love you, sunshine."

The world seemed to pause for a moment as she looked down at him, her breath catching in her throat. His words were a lifeline in the madness, a promise in the midst of all the destruction. But there was no time.

“Run!” Finn’s voice broke through her daze, and with a final look, she turned and sprinted toward the jump point, her legs carrying her away from the scene that was quickly descending into chaos.

The sound of Finn calling out to Michael and Zoya, the desperate urgency in his voice, echoed in her ears. She wanted to stop, to turn back, to help him—but she couldn’t. Not yet. She had to trust him, had to believe he would be okay, that they would both make it through this.

But as she ran, every step felt like it was pulling her further away from him. And even though she told herself she had to focus, a part of her couldn’t shake the fear that gnawed at her, the fear of what might happen if she didn’t get to the jump point in time.