CHOOSING YOU
The days passed… quietly.
Not empty.
Not boring.
Just steady.
The camp was slowly turning into something more than a place to survive—it was becoming a place to live again.
And somehow—
Aria found herself getting used to it.
Getting used to waking up without tension in her chest.
Getting used to laughter instead of warnings.
Getting used to…
Him.
Lucian leaned against a wooden post, arms crossed as he watched her argue with Rowan over something completely unnecessary.
“I’m telling you, that’s not how it works.”
Rowan shook his head.
“It is. You just don’t want to admit I’m right.”
“I don’t want to admit something that’s wrong.”
Lucian pushed himself off the post, walking toward them.
“She’s right.”
Rowan turned to him, betrayed.
“You didn’t even hear what we were talking about.”
“I don’t need to.”
Aria smirked.
“See?”
Rowan pointed between them.
“This is exactly what I mean. You’re both teaming up now.”
Lucian shrugged.
“Smart move.”
Rowan sighed dramatically.
“I’ve lost both of you.”
Aria rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile on her lips.
And that was the difference.
Everything felt… lighter.
Even the teasing.
Even the chaos.
Because underneath it—
There was something steady.
Something real.
—
Later that evening, the camp quieted again.
The sky turned soft shades of orange and gold as the sun dipped lower.
Aria stood near the edge of the clearing, watching the horizon.
She didn’t hear Lucian approach this time.
But she felt him.
“You disappear a lot.”
She glanced at him.
“I like quiet.”
He nodded.
“Me too.”
A pause.
Then—
“Especially when it’s with you.”
Aria raised a brow.
“That was smooth.”
He smirked.
“I try.”
She shook her head slightly.
But she didn’t look away.
They stood side by side.
Comfortable.
Familiar.
The silence between them wasn’t empty anymore.
It was full of things they didn’t need to say.
Lucian spoke again.
“…Things are settling.”
Aria nodded.
“They are.”
He looked at her.
“Feels strange.”
“Everything does.”
A small pause.
Then—
“What happens next?”
Aria didn’t answer immediately.
She watched the sun dip lower.
The sky shifting.
“…We build.”
Lucian tilted his head slightly.
“Build what?”
She looked at him now.
Something softer in her eyes.
“Something that lasts.”
The words weren’t just about the camp.
Or the packs.
He knew that.
Lucian stepped closer.
Not rushed.
Not hesitant.
Just… sure.
“And where do I fit in that?”
Aria didn’t hesitate this time.
“You’re already in it.”
That was enough to still him for a moment.
Then—
He smiled.
Not teasing.
Not guarded.
Real.
“…Good.”
A breeze passed between them, carrying the warmth of the fading day.
Aria’s voice dropped slightly.
“I don’t want this to be temporary.”
Lucian’s expression didn’t change.
“It’s not.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do.”
He held her gaze.
Steady.
Unmoving.
“I’m not leaving.”
The words landed deeper this time.
Because now—
She believed him.
Aria stepped closer.
Closing the space between them completely.
Her hand rested lightly against his chest.
“I’m serious, Lucian.”
“So am I.”
“No running.”
“I don’t run.”
“No pushing me away when things get hard.”
“I won’t.”
A pause.
Then she added quietly—
“No pretending this doesn’t matter.”
Lucian’s hand moved to her waist, pulling her just slightly closer.
“That’s the one thing I won’t ever pretend about.”
Her breath slowed.
Her guard—what little was left—dropped completely.
“…Good.”
Lucian leaned down slightly.
But this time—
He didn’t kiss her immediately.
He stayed close.
Close enough for her to feel his breath.
His presence.
His certainty.
“You’re choosing this?”
His voice was low.
Serious.
Aria didn’t hesitate.
“I’m choosing you.”
That was all he needed.
He closed the distance, kissing her slowly—
Not rushed.
Not uncertain.
But grounded.
Like a promise.
And this time—
It felt deeper.
Stronger.
Like something had shifted from new…
To real.
When they pulled apart, Aria didn’t move away.
Neither did he.
Because now—
There was no doubt left.
No hesitation.
Just choice.
And for the first time—
They both knew exactly what they were choosing.