The morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, spilling across Kaein's apartment in golden threads that kissed the edges of every object. The faint aroma of gardenia lingered in the air—a leftover whisper of Lior's presence from the night before. Kaein moved slowly, almost ritualistically, folding the clothes he had packed for their short coastal getaway. Each fold, each careful placement in the suitcase, felt like a small act of devotion.
The apartment was quiet except for the occasional hum of the refrigerator and the rhythmic tapping of Kaein's fingers against the suitcase. His mind drifted back to last night—Lior's low, seductive whispers, the gentle dominance that had both grounded and stirred him. A shiver ran down his spine, and he shook it off with a quiet laugh. Lior's scent was still on his clothes, a lingering warmth that made him press a hand to his cheek, inhaling the faint trace of gardenia and something uniquely Lior.
The phone buzzed sharply on the coffee table, cutting through the calm. Kaein's hand went to it instinctively. He picked it up, smiling as he recognized his mother's familiar voice.
"Kaein! Darling! We've been meaning to ask—when are you two finally making it official? The engagement has been lovely, but we're dying to know when the marriage certificate is coming!"
Kaein chuckled softly, running a hand through his hair. "We're planning it, Mom. Actually, I was about to talk to Lior about choosing a place today. We want it somewhere… peaceful. Not too crowded. Something intimate and scenic."
Lior, leaning against the counter in the kitchen with a steaming cup of tea, looked up and caught Kaein's gaze. His amber eyes softened, but there was that familiar gleam of possessiveness, subtle and irresistible. His fingers twitched slightly against the edge of the mug, betraying the excitement he felt even at the mention of planning their official union.
"I thought a coastal town would be perfect," Kaein continued, unfolding a brochure he had saved on his tablet. "Quiet, scenic… Ventara. It has that small-town charm by the cliffs, a little town hall by the waterfront, and cozy inns that would be perfect for a private weekend. It feels… like us."
"Oh, Ventara!" his mother exclaimed. "I can already imagine you two standing by the ocean, the waves crashing below the cliffs. But—make sure it's a day we can all attend! The whole family together!"
Kaein smiled, glancing at Lior. "We will, Mom. I promise. We're just finalizing the date, and I wanted Lior's opinion too."
Lior's gaze softened, tracing Kaein's jawline, his thumb brushing lightly along the back of Kaein's hand. "Any day with you is perfect," he murmured, voice low and rich. "But let's pick a day where we can enjoy calm. I want to walk along the cliffs with you without any distractions… just us."
Kaein's chest warmed, the words making his heart flutter. "You always make it sound like a scene from a movie, my Lunar."
"And you make every scene worth living," Lior countered, pressing a soft kiss to Kaein's temple.
Kaein chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "And what about your family? Are they… going to be invited?"
Lior's hand tightened slightly over Kaein's, a subtle mark of possessive affection. His amber eyes were steady, unwavering. "You are the only one I need, Kaein. They are only blood—some happy, some… complicated. I don't want unhappy people in my happiest occasion. This day is ours, and I want it full of warmth, laughter, and love, not judgment. You, me, and the people who truly love you—that's enough."
Kaein pressed a finger to Lior's lips, smiling softly. "Always so protective."
"Always yours," Lior whispered, letting a faint smirk tug at his lips, the intimacy of the moment making the apartment feel smaller, warmer, more theirs.
After the call ended, Kaein leaned back against the counter, resting his forehead against Lior's shoulder. Lior's fingers traced idle circles on the back of his hand. "We should pick our exact travel dates today," Kaein said, a soft, almost shy smile brushing his lips. "Pack lightly, maybe stay two nights, enjoy the town… just us."
Lior nodded, eyes gleaming with that quiet hunger that made Kaein's pulse quicken. "Two nights sound perfect. I want to wake up with your hand in mine, smell the ocean, and have no one else around but you… and Witty."
At the mention of their white cat, a soft meow echoed from the corner, and Witty padded across the room, tail curling around Kaein's ankles. Lior bent down to scratch behind Witty's ears, murmuring to the little creature, "Our little family grows, doesn't it?"
Kaein's lips brushed against Lior's shoulder, just lightly, teasing, and whispered, "Yes… and soon, we'll be officially ours in every way."
The morning stretched lazily as the couple moved around the apartment in perfect, comfortable synchronization. Kaein packed and repacked the suitcase, double-checking small items, while Lior moved with quiet authority, organizing their travel documents and making mental notes of the small, intimate details that would make the trip perfect. Each glance, each touch, carried that subtle electricity—playful, possessive, and tender all at once.
When the afternoon sun slanted through the windows, Kaein unfurled a large map of Ventara on the coffee table. He traced the path from the town hall to the beach, then the café across the street. "After the ceremony, we could walk down here," he said, pointing to the small stretch of sand. "Take pictures, maybe have a picnic. Just you, me, and the sound of the ocean."
Lior's fingers found Kaein's on the map, squeezing gently. "And I can already see Witty chasing the waves, you laughing, me… stealing kisses when no one's looking." He tilted his head, letting his lips brush Kaein's ear as he spoke, sending a shiver down Kaein's spine.
"I… I can picture it too," Kaein murmured, the warmth pooling in his chest. "You make everything… feel alive."
Lior pressed a soft kiss to the side of Kaein's neck, letting the moment linger. "You're alive for me," he whispered. "And I for you."
The evening came, painting the apartment in soft oranges and dusky purples. Kaein and Lior curled up on the couch, Witty kneading the soft blanket between them, purring as if in approval of their closeness. Lior's arms wrapped around Kaein, holding him with possessive care, his thumb brushing lightly over Kaein's hand.
"I can't wait," Kaein murmured against Lior's chest. "Ventara, the cliffs… it'll be perfect."
"It already is," Lior said, lips brushing the top of Kaein's head. "Because it's us. Because it's you. Because I'll have you entirely, officially, and no one else matters."
Kaein tilted his head back, smiling faintly, brushing a hand along Lior's jaw. "I love you… even planning a wedding feels like a stolen moment with you, and it's perfect."
"You love me?" Lior teased softly, voice low, a velvety growl hidden beneath the warmth. "I might need to remind you… I love you more. And I plan to show you, every day, every hour… until the cliffs, the ocean, and all of Ventara remember us."
The night stretched around them, a cocoon of shared warmth, laughter, and intimate glances. Witty nestled into their laps, tail curling around both of them, and the faint scent of Lior's gardenia mingled with the quiet calm of their apartment.
When Kaein finally rose to check the packed suitcase one last time, Lior followed closely behind, wrapping an arm around his waist from behind. "Don't forget," Lior whispered, lips grazing the sensitive spot just under Kaein's ear, "I'm coming too. Always. And if anyone tries to get between us… they'll answer to me."
Kaein laughed softly, the shiver running down his spine from the whisper, the teasing dominance, the warmth of Lior pressed to him. "You really are impossible to resist, my Lunar."
"Good," Lior replied, voice low, smooth, and seductive. "I want you to be mine. Completely. And soon… officially, entirely."
The final moments before nightfall were spent in comfortable, intimate silence. They moved through the apartment with casual touches, light kisses, whispered promises, and soft murmurs that made their hearts beat in sync. By the time they settled into bed, the city outside had grown quiet, leaving only the warmth, laughter, and low, seductive murmurs of two people in love.
As sleep pulled them toward dreams, Kaein pressed a soft kiss to Lior's chest, inhaling deeply. "Ventara will be perfect," he whispered, voice heavy with affection and anticipation.
"Because it's us," Lior murmured, arms tightening around him. "Always us."
And in that small apartment, lit by fading sunlight and filled with the scent of gardenia and their shared memories, their hearts rested, tethered by love, desire, and the promise of tomorrow.