The rooftop was quiet except for the soft hum of the city far below. Riven could still feel the warmth of Eli's promise lingering on his skin — Always.
A word so simple, but it held the weight of everything he had ever wished someone would say to him.
Riven leaned more fully into Eli's chest, his fingers curling around the fabric of his shirt as though anchoring himself to reality. He could feel Eli's heartbeat — steady, calm, grounding.
It made him realize just how fast his own heart was racing.
Maybe Eli noticed too, because he whispered, "You're shaking."
Riven tried to laugh, but it came out as a breathy stumble. "I'm… overwhelmed."
"Is it too much?" Eli asked softly, pulling back just enough to look him in the eyes. "Tell me and I'll stop. I don't ever want you to feel pressured."
Riven shook his head quickly — too quickly.
"No. Don't stop. Please."
Eli felt something in him melt. He cupped Riven's cheeks gently, brushing his thumbs across the traces of tears. "Then come here," he whispered.
Riven didn't hesitate.
This time, he was the one who leaned in — and when their lips met again, it was slower, deeper, filled with everything they hadn't been able to say.
Eli's hands moved to Riven's waist, pulling him closer. Riven gasped softly at the contact, his breath catching, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he gripped Eli's shoulders, letting himself be held, letting himself feel safe for the first time in years.
The kiss wasn't rushed.
It wasn't reckless.
It was two souls learning each other's language — soft breaths, trembling fingers, quiet gasps that filled the darkened rooftop with something warmer than the night air.
When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads touched again, breaths mingling between them.
Riven's voice was quiet.
"Why does it feel like I've been waiting my whole life for this?"
"Because you have," Eli murmured. "And so have I."
They stayed like that for a long moment, basking in the closeness neither of them wanted to break. But eventually, Riven let out a shaky exhale.
"Eli… can we… sit down? I feel like my knees are gonna give out."
Eli let out a gentle laugh — the kind he only showed Riven.
"Of course."
They settled onto the cold rooftop floor, Eli's back against the railing, Riven curled beside him. Eli wrapped an arm around him, letting Riven rest his head on his shoulder.
The silence wasn't heavy anymore.
It was comforting, understanding — a quiet made for two.
After a moment, Eli broke it with a whisper.
"I meant what I said, you know. I'm not letting go."
Riven traced small circles on Eli's hand, his voice barely audible.
"Then I won't run anymore."
Eli's chest tightened with something warm — pride, relief, love.
He tilted Riven's chin gently.
"Look at me."
Riven did.
The stars reflected in his eyes, fragile and bright.
Eli kissed his forehead, lingering there.
"Whatever happens after tonight—whatever the world says, whatever they try to do—remember this. Remember us. Remember that you're not alone."
Riven swallowed, emotion rising again.
"I'm scared," he confessed. "Of losing this. Of losing you."
Eli tightened his hold.
"Then hold on to me," he whispered. "And I'll hold on to you. That's all we need tonight."
Riven didn't reply with words.
He simply leaned in, pushing himself into Eli's arms, letting the warmth, the promise, the closeness wrap around him like a blanket he had yearned for all his life.
Above them, the stars watched.
Below them, the world continued — unaware of the quiet miracle happening on a rooftop.
But for Eli and Riven, the universe had shrunk into a single moment, a single breath, a single heartbeat shared between two trembling souls learning what love felt like for the very first time.
And it was perfect.