The world shifted in a flash of violet light, and we landed softly in my room.
Aeliana's hand was still warm in mine, and I gave her a quick glance to make sure the teleportation hadn't unsettled her. She seemed perfectly fine, though a small smile played on her lips as she looked around my room.
The familiar surroundings felt like a comforting hug the deep purple walls, soft velvet curtains, and the wide bed covered in a plush duvet. Everything about it screamed home, especially with Aeliana standing there, her hair slightly messy from the teleportation.
"Back to the chaos-free zone," I teased, brushing a lock of her hair behind her ear.
Aeliana laughed softly. "Chaos-free? You sure about that?"
"Okay, maybe semi-chaos-free," I conceded with a grin.
Her eyes sparkled, and I leaned down, brushing my lips lightly against her forehead. The simple touch felt grounding after the evening we'd had. "Why don't we freshen up?" I suggested, nodding toward the bathroom. "It's been a long day."
She nodded, her cheeks tinting pink. "Yeah, that sounds good."
I led her to the bathroom, turning on the light to reveal the spacious room lined with dark tiles and gold accents. Steam began to rise almost instantly as I turned on the shower, setting it to the perfect temperature.
"You go first," I said, stepping back and gesturing toward the shower.
Her cheeks flushed deeper. "You're not… joining me?"
I raised a teasing brow. "Would you like me to?"
"Maybe," she replied, her voice soft but laced with mischief.
I laughed, stepping closer to her. "Aeliana, you are far too good at getting me flustered, you know that?"
"I try," she quipped, her smile turning shy.
Without waiting for another word, I tugged her gently by the hand and stepped into the shower with her.
The warm water cascaded over us, washing away the tension of the day. Aeliana tilted her head back, letting the water soak her hair, and for a moment, I simply watched her.
The way the droplets clung to her skin, her lashes dark and damp, her cheeks flushed from the heat it was mesmerizing. I reached for the shampoo, lathering some into my hands before stepping behind her.
"Let me," I said softly.
She didn't protest, leaning into me as I worked the shampoo through her hair. My fingers massaged her scalp gently, and she let out a small sigh of contentment.
"This is nice," she murmured.
"Yeah," I agreed, my voice barely above a whisper. "It is."
Once we were clean and dried off, I grabbed a pair of fresh clothes for each of us. I handed Aeliana one of my shirts a soft, oversized thing that nearly swallowed her whole. She gave me a mock glare.
"Really? This?" she asked, holding up the shirt.
"You look adorable in my clothes," I replied with a grin.
She rolled her eyes but didn't argue, slipping it over her head. The shirt hung off her shoulders, the hem brushing just above her knees. It was endearing in a way that made my chest ache with affection.
"Okay, you win," she said, turning to face me. "It's comfy."
"Told you," I teased, grabbing a pair of sweatpants and a tank top for myself.
Back in my room, we climbed onto the bed, settling into the familiar comfort of the plush duvet. Aeliana snuggled close to me, her head resting on my chest. My arm wrapped around her waist, holding her securely against me.
The silence between us wasn't awkward; it was warm and comforting. I stroked her hair gently, my fingers threading through the soft strands as we lay there.
"Tonight was… a lot," she said softly, her voice muffled against my chest.
"Seraphine does have a way of turning any situation into chaos," I replied with a chuckle.
"She does," Aeliana agreed, lifting her head slightly to look at me. "But I think I needed it. The teasing, the laughter—it reminded me of how lucky we are to have people like that in our lives."
I smiled, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "I feel the same way. But you're what makes me feel luckiest of all."
Her cheeks turned pink, and she buried her face against my chest again. "You're so cheesy."
"Only for you," I said, my tone teasing.
She laughed softly, her breath warm against my skin.
The minutes passed in quiet conversation, our words weaving a tapestry of dreams and hopes for the future. We talked about the wedding, about the little details that excited us—the flowers, the food, the people we'd invite.
"I can't wait to see you in your dress," I said, my voice full of anticipation.
She looked up at me, her eyes shining. "And I can't wait to see you in your suit. You'll look amazing."
"You think so?"
"I know so," she replied firmly, her smile soft and genuine.
I leaned down, capturing her lips in a gentle kiss. It wasn't rushed or frantic—it was tender, full of the love I felt for her. Her hands slid up to cup my face, and I deepened the kiss, letting the world fade away until there was only her.
When we finally pulled back, I rested my forehead against hers, my breathing slightly uneven. "I can't wait to marry you," I whispered, my voice filled with certainty.
Her eyes met mine, and her smile was radiant. "Me neither," she replied, her voice just as sure.
In that moment, everything felt perfect.
The warmth of Aeliana's body nestled against mine felt like the perfect antidote to everything that had been chaotic about the day. She shifted slightly, her head still resting on my chest, and let out a contented sigh.
I tightened my arm around her waist, drawing her closer as we both settled further into the soft embrace of the duvet.
The faint glow of moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting gentle patterns across the walls. The room was silent, save for the sound of our breathing and the occasional rustle of the sheets as we adjusted to find the most comfortable position.
Aeliana tilted her head up to meet my eyes, her lips curving into a lazy smile that made my chest tighten.
"You're staring," she said softly, teasing.
"Can you blame me?" I replied, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "You're beautiful."
Her cheeks flushed, and she ducked her head, hiding her face against my neck. "You're too much, you know that?"
"Only for you," I murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple.
She shifted again, her hand lazily tracing small patterns on my arm. "Do you think this is what forever will feel like?"
"Peaceful and perfect?" I asked.
She nodded, her fingers pausing in their movements.
I smiled, resting my cheek against the top of her head. "I think forever with you will feel even better than this. But if it's anything like right now, I'll count myself lucky every single day."
Aeliana tilted her head back again, her eyes sparkling in the dim light. "You really don't hold back, do you?"
"Not when it comes to you," I said, my voice firm but soft.
She leaned up to kiss me, her lips pressing gently against mine. The kiss was slow, unhurried, and full of emotion.
My hand slid up to cup her cheek, deepening the kiss slightly as I savored the feel of her so close to me. Her fingers tangled in my hair, her touch light but deliberate.
When we finally pulled back, her breathing was as uneven as mine. "You have a way of making me feel like the most important person in the world," she whispered.
"You are," I said, brushing my thumb across her cheek. "To me, you are."
She smiled, her eyes glimmering with unspoken emotions, and settled back against my chest. "You're impossible, Ciara."
"Yet you're still here," I teased, running my fingers through her hair.
Her laughter was soft, almost sleepy. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
We lapsed into a comfortable silence again, the kind that only comes when two people feel completely at ease with one another. Her breathing began to slow, her body relaxing entirely against mine.
I glanced down, watching as her eyelids fluttered shut and her features softened in sleep. My own exhaustion began to catch up with me, and I closed my eyes, the sound of her even breathing lulling me closer to the edge of unconsciousness.
Just before I drifted off, I pressed a final kiss to her hair, whispering, "Goodnight, Aeliana. I love you."
The only response was the steady rhythm of her breathing, and I smiled to myself, letting sleep pull me under.
The night embraced us in its peaceful silence, with Aeliana's warmth melting into mine. Her soft breaths tickled my neck as I held her closer, my heart steadying in perfect rhythm with hers. In this stillness, I felt the weight of happiness settle over me.
Nothing else mattered just her, just us, wrapped in this perfect moment. With a contented sigh, I let sleep take over, knowing my world was right here.