Sera laughed under her breath, eyes still half-lidded from sleep, heart already wide awake. That soft blush on his cheeks—it made her chest ache in the best way. Even now, after everything, he could still be shy with her. Still sweet.

She turned in his arms so she could face him properly, brushing her fingers through his messy hair. Her voice was gentle, teasing. “You’re asking me on a date, huh? Bold move for a guy who’s already got a fiancée.”

But then her smile softened, her eyes locking with his. There was something so sincere in his voice—like he needed this, like it mattered more than just a simple outing. And she got it. She got him.

She leaned in and kissed the tip of his nose. “I’d love to.”

It wasn’t just about getting dressed up or eating at some little place downtown. It was about healing, about reclaiming something normal, something tender. A little piece of joy, something they chose together.

Her hand found his, fingers lacing through like second nature. “Anywhere you want to go,” she added, voice barely above a whisper. “As long as it’s with you.”

Sera felt her heart swell, warmth blooming in her chest at the sight of his smile. A real one. It wasn’t forced or fleeting—it was his, and it lit up everything inside her.

She closed her eyes as he kissed her nose, her smile soft and full of something deep and quiet and whole.

"Together, forever and always."

God, she never wanted to forget the sound of those words in his voice.

She opened her eyes again, resting her forehead gently against his. “Dinner and a beach picnic?” she murmured, already picturing it. The sand, the salt air, the quiet sound of the waves, his hand in hers as the sky turned gold. “That sounds perfect.”

Her thumb brushed over the back of his hand as she whispered, “You’re perfect.”

And in that moment—sunlight pouring through the window, his arms around her, their hearts still healing but beating as one—she truly believed they had forever.

Sera melted into the kiss, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt like she never wanted to let him go. His words brushed against her lips more than her ears, soft and reverent—you’re so perfect.

She felt her breath catch just a little, overwhelmed by how gentle he was with her, how much weight was packed into something so quiet.

When he pulled back just slightly, she looked up at him, eyes shining with something deeper than love—trust. Safety. That fragile, beautiful thing they’d fought so hard to rebuild.

“You’re one to talk,” she whispered with a crooked smile, her voice thick with emotion. “But I’ll take the compliment.”

Sera's smile deepened, soft and sleepy, her nose brushing gently against his. His words—you’re definitely the perfect one—settled in her chest like warmth spreading through cold fingers. She didn’t need perfection, but the way he saw her… it made her feel like maybe she didn’t have to keep earning love to deserve it.

She nuzzled into him, letting the quiet stretch a little longer, hearts beating in sync under the covers. If she could bottle this feeling, she would’ve—this simple, safe peace.

When he finally spoke again, her eyes fluttered open at the word pancakes, and her stomach betrayed her with a soft growl.

She laughed, biting her bottom lip. “Only if you let me help,” she murmured, running a hand down his arm. “We make a pretty good team, remember?”

There was a flicker of something mischievous in her gaze now—still soft, still sleepy, but playful.

She leaned up and kissed the corner of his mouth. “Pancakes sound perfect, darling.”