The city has quieted down.
The celebration ended hours ago.
Laura went home first.
Theo claimed exhaustion.
Axel lingered longer than necessary.
Amelia hugged me three more times before finally leaving.
Now it's just us.
The park is silver under the moonlight.
The same park.
The same paths.
But everything feels different.
Our fingers are intertwined.
The air is cool, but not cold.
"You're quiet," he says softly.
"I'm thinking."
"Dangerous."
I smile faintly.
The fountain near the center of the park hums quietly. The water catches the moonlight, turning it into something softer.
We stop walking without deciding to.
He turns toward me fully.
The night wraps around us like privacy.
"I've been meaning to say something," I admit.
"That's usually my line."
I take a breath.
"When you look at me like that…"
He tilts his head slightly.
"Like what?"
"Like tonight. On stage. In the restaurant. Just now."
My heart is steady this time.
Not racing.
Just clear.
"I feel braver."
The words hang between us.
Honest.
Simple.
No performance.
He doesn't laugh.
Doesn't deflect.
"You are," he says quietly.
Not reassurance.
Not flattery.
Fact.
I step closer.
"I don't want this to be vague," I continue softly. "Or unspoken."
"Me neither."
His hand moves to my waist slowly.
Carefully.
"I'm not good at casual," I admit.
"I know."
"I don't want to be."
His jaw tightens slightly.
"You won't be," he says.
Not dramatic.
Not grand.
Certain.
"So what are we doing?" he asks.
I meet his eyes.
"Choosing."
A faint smile curves at the edge of his mouth.
"Officially?"
"Yes."
The word feels bigger than it should.
But right.
"Okay," he murmurs.
He brushes his thumb along my cheek gently.
No rush.
No fear.
Just warmth.
"And sunshine?"
"Yes?"
"I'm not going anywhere."
The kiss isn't desperate.
It isn't heated.
It's steady.
Intentional.
Moonlight catching in his hair.
My hands resting against his chest.
When we pull back, we don't step away.
We stay close.
Official.
Not because of a declaration.
But because we both said yes.
The fountain hums behind us.
The trees sway lightly.
And for the first time since this began—
There's no uncertainty in it.
Just forward.