The evening stretched long after their confessions. Dav and Ruth sat on the bench near the library, the glow of the campus lights wrapping them in a quiet cocoon. Students passed by occasionally, but neither of them noticed; their world had shrunk to just the two of them, their joined hands, and the silence that carried a thousand unsaid things.
Ruth shifted slightly, her thumb brushing against Dav's. She hadn't let go since he first held her hand, and that alone told her something something she had been too afraid to admit.
Dav studied her face, the way the dim light caught in her eyes, the way her lips pressed together as though she was still holding back. He felt an ache to reach for her, but fear still lingered. Was this the right time? Was she ready to hear it, to feel it, to know just how deeply she lived inside him?
"Ruth," he said softly, his voice breaking the silence.
She turned, her heart skipping. "Yes?"
He swallowed hard. "You don't know how long I've wanted to tell you this. How many nights I stayed awake, thinking about you, and wishing I could just say it out loud. But I was scared. Scared of ruining what we have. Scared you'd never look at me the same."
Ruth's chest tightened. "And now?"
Dav leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "Now I don't care about the risks. Because losing you to someone else watching you slip away that would ruin me far more than telling you how I feel ever could."
Her breath caught. The honesty in his tone disarmed her, left her defenseless against the swell of emotions rising in her. "Dav…" she began, but the words tangled on her tongue.
He lifted his hand and brushed a stray curl of hair from her face, his fingers lingering against her cheek. The touch was gentle, almost hesitant, but it sent shivers down her spine. Her eyes closed instinctively at the warmth of his palm.
When she opened them again, his face was closer so close she could feel his breath, so close her pulse quickened in her ears.
"I love you, Ruth," he whispered. The words fell like a confession and a vow all at once. "I've loved you for longer than I can admit. And I can't hide it anymore."
The world seemed to still. For a moment, all Ruth could do was stare, her lips parted in shock. Then, slowly, she smiled a small, trembling smile that carried all the emotions she had buried.
"I love you too, Dav," she whispered back. "I think I always have."
That was all he needed.
Dav leaned in, closing the fragile space between them, and his lips met hers. The kiss was not rushed or fiery, but tender filled with every unspoken word, every stolen glance, every sleepless night they had endured in silence. Ruth melted into him, her hands instinctively reaching for his shoulders, anchoring herself in the reality of the moment.
It was their first kiss, but it felt timeless, inevitable, as though the universe had been holding its breath, waiting for this very instant.
When they finally pulled apart, Ruth rested her forehead against his, her eyes closed, her lips still tingling. She laughed softly, almost shyly. "I can't believe this is real."
Dav chuckled too, his thumb caressing her cheek. "It's real. More real than anything I've ever felt."
Without thinking, he drew her into his arms. She slid against his chest, her books forgotten on the bench, and he wrapped his arms around her tightly. For the first time, they weren't just best friends they were something more, something fragile yet powerful.
Ruth closed her eyes, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her ear. Safe. That was the only word her mind could muster. In Dav's arms, she felt safe, seen, loved.
Minutes passed in silence as they held onto each other, afraid that letting go would break the spell.
Finally, Ruth spoke, her voice muffled against his chest. "You really mean it, don't you? You really love me."
Dav pulled back just enough to meet her gaze again. "More than I can ever explain. More than I thought I was capable of."
Her eyes softened, glistening under the light. "Then promise me something."
"Anything."
"Promise me this won't ruin us. Promise me we won't lose what we had before… even if this is new, even if it's scary."
Dav smiled, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "We're not losing anything, Ruth. We're only gaining more."
Tears prickled at the corners of her eyes, but they were tears of relief, of joy. For so long she had feared this moment, feared that acknowledging her feelings would tear their friendship apart. But here they were closer than ever, finally honest, finally free.
The night deepened around them, the campus lights flickering as the air grew cooler. Neither of them moved to leave. They simply sat together, cuddled on the bench, speaking in whispers about everything and nothing memories of their gym sessions, debates in class, silly inside jokes. But now, every laugh, every glance carried a new meaning.
It wasn't just friendship anymore. It was love.
And though they didn't know what challenges lay ahead Brown's persistence, the whispers of classmates, the fear of change they knew one thing for certain: they belonged to each other now.
For the first time, Ruth leaned into Dav willingly, her head on his shoulder, her fingers entwined with his. She sighed, a smile playing on her lips. "You have no idea how happy I am right now."
Dav kissed the top of her head and whispered, "Then let's never let this go."
And under the canopy of stars, they sealed a promise neither would ever forget.