“I don’t like quick intimacy. Tell me… how beautiful would it be if we sat for hours, chatting under the moonlight?”
---
— Malisa —
“Will you be staying overnight?” I asked as we ate dinner.
“Sure,” he replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He paused, his glass of mango juice halfway to his lips, and studied me. “Is there a problem?”
“No… nothing.” I shook my head quickly, though even I wasn’t entirely convinced.
“Alright.” He returned to his meal, and silence settled between us.
---
The weight of the situation didn’t fully hit me until it was time for bed.
“I’ll take a shower,” he announced, grabbing a towel. I watched as he disappeared into the bathroom, my hands busy making the bed—my bed. Wait… were we supposed to share it?
Before I could say anything, he was back. Thankfully, he wore a bathrobe instead of just a towel, sparing me the awkwardness I had dreaded.
“Wanna shower too?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I already did after my lectures. It helped me cool down.”
“Alright.” He made his way to my walk-in closet and, to my surprise, pulled out a set of pajamas—his pajamas. My brows furrowed. How did they even get there? I stared at him questioningly as he disappeared back into the bathroom to change.
When he returned, his next words made my heart stop.
“I was wondering if you could sleep on the couch, Mali.”
I blinked. “What?”
“I’d like to take the bed.”
“And?” I stood up defensively, arms crossed.
He smirked. “Not sure if you’d want to share a bed with me just yet.” His tone was casual, as if we were discussing the weather.
“No… I mean, I will sleep with you,” I blurted out before I could stop myself.
His expression shifted, amusement flickering in his eyes. “You do know what you’re hinting at, femme.”
He took a slow step toward me, and I instinctively backed up—until I fell onto the bed. A subconscious déjà vu whispered, again.
This time, he hovered only briefly before pressing a soft kiss to my lips. It was fleeting, but it left a warmth lingering in my chest, an unfamiliar longing stirring within me.
Gosh, when did I become like this?
“Let’s sleep,” he murmured, settling onto the bed. I hesitated before following suit.
I tried to keep a respectable distance, but he pulled me into his arms with ease. “This is better,” he whispered, his fingers grazing my hair in a soothing motion.
“Goodnight, Mali.”
“Bonne nuit, Aiden,” I whispered back, letting my eyes drift shut.
And then it dawned on me—just how grateful I was to have him here tonight. My first night on campus, my first time living alone… I had dreaded the loneliness. But Aiden had been there, like a knight in shining armor, without me even asking.
I opened my eyes slightly, relieved to find his were closed. Slowly, carefully, I leaned in and placed a soft kiss on each of his eyelids.
“Thank you for showing me what it means to be loved… to be truly chosen, Mari…” The last word left my lips in a whisper, and I blushed. That was something I would never dare say if he were awake.
“You are priceless,” I murmured, tracing his features with the tips of my fingers. When I reached his jawline, his day-old stubble tickled my touch. “And you’re beautiful too,” I added softly, finally pulling my hand away and closing my eyes with a contented sigh.
I thought I saw the faintest ghost of a smile on his lips before sleep claimed me.
But that was impossible… right?
Or so I thought.
---
— Aiden —
As her breathing slowed, I slowly opened my eyes.
A smile tugged at my lips as I watched her, her face peaceful in sleep. She had no idea how often I caught myself marveling at her—this girl who made me feel like the luckiest man alive.
What had I done to deserve someone like her?
Her whispered words from earlier replayed in my mind, making my chest tighten with something indescribable.
They say women fall in love slowly, while men fall at first sight.
For someone like her, whose childhood had been shadowed by pain, love must feel new—maybe even strange.
That’s why I would give her time. Time to understand her feelings, to embrace them wholly.
I could have demanded she fulfill her wifely duties from the very first night. After all, that was what marriage traditionally dictated.
But that would be unfair.
I didn’t just want her body—I wanted her heart.
And something told me… I wouldn’t have to wait too long.
“I love you, femme,” I whispered, pressing a featherlight kiss to her cheek.
She stirred slightly, murmuring in her sleep, and I couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
And then, once again, it struck me—I had fallen in love with a girl who was still growing, still blossoming.
And I would have the privilege of watching her become the woman she was meant to be.
It was the most beautiful feeling in the world.
And I couldn’t wait.
---
A/N: Awn… this chapter is beautiful. What do you guys think?