EASY,FOR ONCE
For the first time in a long while—
Nothing urgent was waiting for them.
No meetings.
No threats.
No sudden shifts.
Just… a normal day.
Aria walked through the camp slowly, taking everything in.
The sound of laughter.
Voices overlapping.
The smell of food cooking.
It felt almost unfamiliar.
But not in a bad way.
In a way that made her pause.
Appreciate it.
“Careful.”
Lucian’s voice came from behind her.
“If you keep looking around like that, people will think you’ve never seen a peaceful day before.”
She glanced at him.
“I haven’t.”
He smirked.
“Fair point.”
They walked side by side.
Not rushed.
Not tense.
Just… together.
And this time—
It felt natural.
Not something either of them had to think about.
Rowan passed by them, carrying food.
He stopped mid-step, looking between them.
“…You two are very calm.”
Lucian raised a brow.
“That’s a problem?”
Rowan shrugged.
“No. It’s just suspicious.”
Aria rolled her eyes.
“Go eat your food.”
“I will.”
He pointed at them as he walked away.
“But I’m watching.”
Lucian shook his head.
“He’s never going to let this go.”
“Unfortunately.”
They kept walking.
The noise of the camp faded slightly as they moved toward the edge of the forest.
Quieter.
More private.
Lucian glanced at her.
“You seem… lighter.”
Aria thought about it.
Then nodded.
“I feel lighter.”
He smiled faintly.
“Good.”
A pause.
Then she spoke again.
“I didn’t think it would be like this.”
“Like what?”
She gestured vaguely around them.
“Normal.”
Lucian let out a quiet breath.
“Yeah.”
He looked ahead.
“I didn’t think we’d get this either.”
Aria’s voice softened.
“But we did.”
He glanced at her.
“…We did.”
They stopped near a large tree, the shade cool and calm around them.
Aria leaned lightly against it.
Lucian stood close.
Not crowding her.
Just there.
She tilted her head slightly.
“You’re quiet.”
He smirked.
“Just thinking.”
“That’s dangerous.”
“Very.”
A small silence passed.
Then—
Lucian spoke.
“…Last night wasn’t a one-time thing.”
Aria raised a brow.
“I know.”
“I just want to be clear.”
He met her gaze.
“I’m not going back to how things were.”
Her expression softened slightly.
“Neither am I.”
That was enough.
More than enough.
Lucian stepped closer.
His hand brushed lightly against hers.
Not by accident.
She didn’t pull away.
Instead—
She laced her fingers with his.
Simple.
Natural.
And somehow—
More meaningful than anything else.
Lucian looked down at their hands briefly.
Then back at her.
“…You’re making this very easy.”
Aria smirked faintly.
“Don’t get used to it.”
He laughed quietly.
“Too late.”
She shook her head.
But she was smiling.
And she didn’t try to hide it.
A breeze passed through the trees.
Soft.
Warm.
Peaceful.
Lucian leaned slightly closer.
“Can I ask you something?”
Aria nodded.
“Depends on the question.”
He tilted his head.
“Were you ever going to say it?”
She pretended to think.
“Eventually.”
“Eventually?”
She shrugged.
“I had a lot going on.”
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Excuses.”
She laughed softly.
“Maybe.”
Then her expression shifted.
Just a little.
More honest.
“I didn’t want to lose it.”
Lucian’s gaze softened.
“Lose what?”
She held his eyes.
“This.”
The word hung between them.
Real.
Unfiltered.
Lucian didn’t hesitate.
“You won’t.”
Her breath slowed slightly.
“You don’t know that.”
“I do.”
His voice was steady.
Certain.
Aria studied him.
Looking for doubt.
For hesitation.
But there was none.
Just him.
Just truth.
“…You’re very sure.”
He nodded.
“I am.”
A pause.
Then—
Aria leaned forward slightly.
Closing the small distance between them.
Her voice dropped.
“Then don’t prove me wrong.”
Lucian smirked faintly.
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
He kissed her again.
This time—
Easier.
More familiar.
Less hesitation.
More certainty.
And when they pulled back—
Neither of them stepped away.
Because this—
Wasn’t fragile anymore.
It wasn’t something they were afraid of.
It was something they were choosing.
And for once—
That was enough.