Salviana's heart swelled at his words, and she lifted her head to look at him. "You are human in all the ways that matter, Alaric. You care, you love, and you make me feel like I belong."
His gaze darkened slightly, but it was with emotion, not sorrow. "You do belong, Salviana. With me, always."
She smiled, leaning up to kiss him—a soft, lingering kiss on his forehead that spoke more than words ever could he did the same and when they parted, she rested her head against his chest again, her fingers tracing absent patterns over his arm.
The night passed in gentle conversation and quiet laughter, punctuated by his occasional teasing remarks and her playful swats at his chest. They spoke of their dreams for the future, promises made in the glow of the firelight.
"We'll make this work," Alaric said at one point, his voice firm. "For us. For whatever future we build together."
