A tear slipped down her cheek, surprising her. She hadn't cried in so long, hadn't let herself feel this deeply. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words were lost, buried under the weight of her emotions.
"Hey…" he murmured, reaching to gently wipe away the tear. "You don't have to hide, Avery. Not from me."
She bit her lip, feeling the vulnerability bloom. "I don't know if I can give you what you deserve."
Ethan shook his head, a soft smile on his face. "You don't have to be perfect. I'm not asking for that. Just let me in."
Avery's hand tightened around his as she finally allowed herself to nod. "Okay. I'll try… I'll try to believe in this. In us."
He leaned closer, his forehead resting against hers. "That's all I ask."
They sat there, holding each other in the quiet, a warmth between them that felt both fragile and unbreakable.
