Amara woke suddenly.
Her room was dark, quiet, still. The blanket was pulled neatly over her, but the warmth beside her was gone. The space where Adrian had been felt cold.
Her heart tightened.
She sat up quickly, looking around the room. Nothing moved. Nothing made a sound. But she felt it — the emptiness, the absence, the missing presence she didn't realize she had grown used to.
She hugged her knees, staring at the window where he had come in earlier.
She didn't expect him to return.
But then—
A soft click.
The window slid open.
Adrian climbed inside, landing silently on the floor. His hair was slightly messy, his shirt wrinkled, his expression unreadable — but his eyes softened the moment he saw her awake.
"You're… awake," he said quietly.
Amara swallowed. "I woke up and you weren't here."
Adrian froze.
Guilt flickered across his face. "I didn't mean to leave you alone. I thought you were deeply asleep."
She shook her head. "I felt it. When you left."
That stopped him completely.
He took a slow step toward her. "You… felt it?"
She nodded, eyes dropping. "I don't know why. I just… woke up and knew you weren't here."
Adrian exhaled shakily, like her words hit him somewhere he wasn't prepared for.
He walked closer — slowly, carefully — until he was standing right in front of her bed.
"Amara," he said softly, "why does it matter that I left?"
Her breath caught. "I… I don't know."
"Then look at me," he whispered.
She lifted her eyes.
He reached out, hesitating for a second — giving her time to pull away — then placed his hand on her waist.
She froze.
Her breath hitched.
He pulled her closer, just enough that she could feel the warmth of him, the tension in his body, the way he was barely holding himself together.
"Why are you breathing so fast?" he murmured.
She didn't answer.
She couldn't.
Adrian leaned down slightly, his forehead almost touching hers. "Ask me," he whispered. "Ask me why I left."
Her voice trembled. "Why… did you leave?"
His eyes closed for a moment, like the truth hurt.
"Because I was scared," he whispered. "Terrified."
Amara blinked. "Of what?"
"You," he breathed. "Losing you."
Her heart stopped.
Adrian's hand tightened on her waist, pulling her closer until their bodies almost touched.
"When I heard you scream," he said, voice low and shaking, "I thought— I thought I was too late. I thought he—"
He broke off, jaw clenching.
Amara stared at him, stunned.
He wasn't confessing with romance. He was confessing with fear. Fear of losing her. Fear of what she meant to him.
"Adrian…" she whispered.
He leaned even closer, his lips near her ear, his voice trembling.
"I can't lose you, Amara. I can't. I don't know what that means for you… but for me—"
He swallowed hard.
"It means everything."
Amara's breath caught, her heart pounding so loudly she could feel it in her throat.
She pulled back just enough to see his face.
"You… care about me?" she whispered.
He let out a shaky breath — half a laugh, half a confession he couldn't hide anymore.
"Care?" he repeated softly. "Amara, I— I care about you more than I should. More than I ever planned to. More than I can control."
Her lips parted, stunned.
She lifted her hand and placed it gently on his chest — right over his heartbeat.
"Adrian…" she whispered, voice trembling. "I was scared too."
His eyes widened slightly.
She took a breath, gathering courage she didn't know she had.
"When Julian grabbed me… I didn't think about anything except—" She swallowed. "Except wanting you to come."
Adrian froze.
Amara continued, her voice soft but steady.
"And when you did… when you pulled him away… I felt safe. I felt… relieved. Because it was you."
His grip on her waist tightened.
She looked up at him, eyes shining.
"I care about you too," she whispered. "More than I should."
For a moment, Adrian didn't move.
He just stared at her — stunned, breathless, like her words had knocked the air out of him.
Then—
He pulled her into a tight hug.
Not gentle. Not careful. Just raw, overwhelming relief.
Amara melted into him, her arms sliding around his back, her cheek pressed against his chest. His heartbeat was fast, strong, unsteady.
He held her like he'd been waiting months for this moment.
When they finally parted, they were still close — too close.
Adrian's eyes dropped to her lips.
Slowly.
Then lifted back to her eyes.
He didn't move.
He didn't rush.
He just looked at her, silently asking.
Amara's breath trembled.
She nodded.
Yes.
Adrian cupped her face with one hand, his thumb brushing her cheek, and leaned in.
The kiss was soft at first — warm, gentle, careful.
Then deeper.
His other hand slid to her waist, pulling her closer as if he couldn't help it. Amara's fingers curled into his shirt, holding onto him like she didn't want the moment to end.
Her heart raced.
His breath mingled with hers.
The world outside was silent — everyone asleep, everything still — except for them.
After a few seconds, Amara tapped his shoulder lightly, breathless.
Adrian pulled back immediately, eyes wide, worried. "Did I—?"
She shook her head quickly, cheeks flushed. "No… I just needed air."
A slow smile tugged at his lips — soft, relieved, impossibly tender.
He rested his forehead against hers.
"Amara," he whispered, "I'm not letting anything happen to you. Not ever."
She closed her eyes, breathing him in.
And for the first time… she felt peace in someone's arms.