The last of the fireworks fizzled out, leaving the sky streaked with smoke and stars. Kara's laughter softened into a sigh, her shoulders still brushing against Avery's. She turned, a mischievous glint lighting up her tired but glowing eyes.
"So," Kara said, tilting her head. "Now that you've dragged me running through malls and gardens… how about dessert?"
Avery chuckled. "Dessert? You're still hungry?"
"It's not about hungry," Kara replied with a playful smirk. "It's about balance. A perfect night deserves a sweet ending."
Avery pretended to think. "Hmm. I think I know the place. Remember that café in Seminyak we kept saying we'd go to?"
Kara's smile widened instantly. "The one with the tiramisu everyone posts about?"
"That's the one." Avery winked. "You're driving."
Kara raised a brow. "Are you sure you trust me?"
"Completely," Avery said without hesitation.
And that was how, minutes later, they were on Kara's motorcycle, weaving through the city lights. Avery sat behind her at first but couldn't resist leaning forward, her voice close to Kara's ear.
"Mind if I try?" she asked, fingers brushing Kara's hands lightly on the handle.
Kara stiffened, half laughing, half horrified. "Avery... no. This is new. My parents will kill me if..."
But then Avery had already gently taken control, guiding the bike into a smoother, slightly faster pace. The wind whipped past them, Kara clutching tighter at Avery's arm.
"Ave!" Kara squealed, half-scolding, half laughing. "We're going to crash!"
"We're not," Avery said calmly, confidence threading through her voice. "I promise, you're safe. With me, you're always safe."
Kara groaned, but her laughter spilled out anyway, carried away by the night air. And though she muttered complaints, she leaned into Avery's back, secretly comforted by the certainty in her tone.
By the time they rolled up to the café, both of them were flushed from wind and laughter. The soft jazz spilling out from inside was a perfect contrast to the lively energy of their ride. They found a table tucked in the corner, dimly lit but cozy, across from one another.
The server brought out the café's famous tiramisu and two tall glasses of iced coffee. The dessert looked almost too perfect to touch layers of cream and espresso soaked cake dusted with cocoa.
Kara scooped the first bite, curious. The second it touched her tongue, her eyes went wide.
"Oh my god," she breathed. "This… this is much better than any tiramisu I've ever had."
Avery smirked, amused by her expression. "Is it really that good, or are you just being dramatic?"
"Here, try it yourself." Kara leaned forward, holding out the spoon with a piece already waiting.
Avery froze, staring at her like the spoon was something far more dangerous. "You're serious?"
Kara's grin widened. "What, you're shy now? Come on."
Heat crept up Avery's neck, but she opened her mouth slowly, letting Kara feed her the bite. The sweetness hit her tongue, but what froze her wasn't the tiramisu, it was the fact Kara was watching her so closely, expectant, smiling.
"Well?" Kara asked.
Avery swallowed hard, then nodded. "Okay… fine. You're right. That's ridiculously good."
Kara looked smug, leaning back with satisfaction. "Told you."
They slipped easily into conversation after that, laughter and small stories threading between bites of dessert and sips of coffee. Avery teased Kara about her sparkling eyes watching fireworks, Kara teased Avery about her terrible habit of take her running around mall, and for a while, everything was light.
But then, as the plates grew empty and the café quieted, the mood shifted. Kara traced the rim of her glass absentmindedly, her smile faltering.
"I can't wait for our trip to NyangNyang next weekend," Kara said softly. "It'll be good… to escape."
Avery tilted her head. "Escape from what?"
Kara hesitated, her eyes flicking down to the table. "From… people. My class. My so-called friends." Her voice cracked faintly on the word. "They treat me like an outsider. Like I don't belong here just because I'm from Jakarta. No matter what I do, it's never enough to… fit in."
Her eyes shimmered, her throat tightening as she forced herself to continue. "I try to laugh it off, I try to be okay, but sometimes I just… feel so lonely. Like I'll never be enough for them. Like I don't… compromise right, you know?"
Her words trembled at the edges, and for a moment she looked like she might cry.
Avery didn't hesitate. She pushed back her chair, moving to Kara's side. Without asking, she slid into the seat next to her and wrapped her arms around Kara from behind.
Kara stiffened, then melted, her body shaking just slightly as Avery pulled her close.
"I'm listening," Avery murmured into her hair, her voice steady, grounding. "I'm right here. Let it out if you need to. You don't have to hide with me."
Kara closed her eyes, the warmth of Avery's arms anchoring her, holding together the parts she usually kept hidden. For once, she let herself lean. Let herself be held.
The tiramisu sat half-finished on the table, forgotten. Outside, the hum of Seminyak carried on, but in that corner of the café, there was only the sound of Kara's quiet breaths, and Avery's presence... steady, unshaken, safe.
***
Kara didn't answer right away. Her breath hitched, shallow at first, then steadied little by little as Avery's arms stayed around her. The weight of Avery's chin resting lightly on her shoulder, the warmth of her hand pressing gently against her arm, it was enough to remind her she wasn't floating alone.
"I hate this," Kara whispered finally, voice raw. "I hate that I care so much about what they think. That I let them make me feel like I don't belong here. Like I'm always on the outside of a joke, always too different to ever fit."
Avery tightened her hold just slightly, her voice low. "Karr… you don't need to fit into their version of belonging. You're already more than enough. Anyone who can't see that..." Avery paused, the words catching in her throat, then came softer, more certain. "they're the ones missing out. Not you, plus its better to have 1 or 2 good friends that you trust and can rely on than lots of friends but they're treating you based on their mood"
Kara bit her lip, her chest squeezing. A quiet laugh slipped out, bitter at first. "You always know what to say."
"Not always," Avery admitted. "But I know this much: the Kara sitting next to me right now? She's worth knowing. She's worth being loved. And she doesn't have to twist herself to prove it."
Kara blinked rapidly, the tears threatening again, but she smiled through them, a small, shaky curve of her lips. "You make it sound so simple."
Avery's arm brushed up to her shoulder, giving a reassuring squeeze. "Maybe it is. Maybe because I've been there, Maybe you just need the right people."
Silence stretched between them, but it wasn't empty. Kara leaned into Avery's hold, her cheek brushing Avery's sleeve. Her chest still ached, but it was softer now, cushioned by something she couldn't quite name.
Finally, she whispered, "When I'm with you… I don't feel like I'm on the outside. It's like… I actually belong somewhere. With someone. Even if the rest of the world doesn't get me."
Avery's breath caught at the confession. She didn't rush to fill the silence, didn't push for more. She just rested her forehead gently against Kara's temple, letting the words sink in.
"That's because you do belong," Avery murmured, almost reverent. "With me."
Kara's eyes fluttered shut, and for a moment, the tightness in her chest eased completely. She didn't have to hide. She didn't have to pretend. With Avery, she could be the messy, uncertain, bruised version of herself... and still be seen.
The café buzzed faintly around them, the low hum of conversations, the clink of cutlery. Their table sat quiet, but it felt like the safest place in the world.
Kara turned her head just slightly, enough to glimpse Avery's profile close beside her. "Ave…" she said softly, the nickname almost trembling on her lips. "Thank you."
Avery gave her the kind of smile that reached her eyes, the kind that steadied everything it touched. "Always."
Kara let out a long breath, leaning her head against Avery's shoulder. For the first time in a long time, she didn't feel the weight of being an outsider. She just felt… home.
***
They lingered over the last bites of tiramisu, the café's hum soft around them. Kara pushed her spoon through the cream, stealing another taste, while Avery leaned back, sipping her iced coffee with a lazy grin.
"Best tiramisu you've ever had?" Avery asked, already knowing the answer.
Kara nodded solemnly. "It's not even a competition." She took another spoonful and then, with a sudden tilt of her head, asked, "Ave… do you want to sleep over tonight?"
Avery choked lightly on her coffee, setting the glass down fast before she could embarrass herself. "Sleep over?"
Kara's cheeks flushed pink, but she held her ground. "Yeah. I mean… it's late, you've had a long day. My place isn't far. And…" her voice softened, almost shy, "…I just don't want this night to end yet."
Avery's chest tightened. She wanted to say yes without thinking, but disbelief made her stall. She covered her nervous flutter with a crooked grin. "As long as you know I'm taking the sofa."
Kara rolled her eyes, smirking. "We'll see about that."
The ride back was quieter, but not empty. Kara hugged Avery tightly from behind, her arms firm around her waist, cheek pressed against her shoulder. She didn't say much, but Avery felt it... the way Kara clung, as if every second of closeness mattered.
It reminded her of something Kara had once said on the phone to Alec and Alva: That someone makes me feel like I'm home. Being with her makes me feel alive, recharged after everything.
When they finally pulled up to the guest house, Kara hopped off first, fumbling for her keys. "Come in," she said, almost too quickly, like she was afraid Avery might change her mind.
Inside, the space was warm, lived-in. Kara immediately started fussing, rushing to her dresser to pull out clean clothes an oversized shirt, soft shorts, anything Avery could sleep in.
Avery set down her bag and helmet, settling onto the carpet. She leaned back against the sofa, watching Kara dart around the room with a fond smile tugging at her lips. The sight, the care, the comfort of it... was almost too much. It felt like coming home after a long day to someone waiting, someone who thought of you without being asked.
Her grin widened, too obvious to hide.
Kara turned, arms full of clothes, and caught her staring. "What?" she asked, eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"Nothing," Avery said, her voice soft but teasing. "Just… you."
Kara frowned, flustered, and quickly tossed the pile of clothes at her. "Take these. And go shower before you get sentimental on me."
Avery caught the shirt, laughing. "Yes, ma'am. Bossy." She stood, stepping close enough to brush her lips against Kara's cheek before heading to the bathroom. "You're cute when you're like this, you know."
Kara froze, her face heating at the kiss, her hand flying up to touch the spot where Avery's lips had been. She opened her mouth to respond, but Avery had already slipped into the bathroom, leaving her stunned, flustered, and smiling despite herself.
***
Steam hissed faintly behind the bathroom door once Kara slipped inside, leaving Avery alone in the small guest house. She use the clothes Kara had picked for her, smiling at the thought of Kara fussing so much.
Avery wandered. The place was quiet, lit by a warm lamp in the corner. She padded toward the bedroom, curiosity tugging at her.
The last time she'd been here, she realized, she hadn't let herself look. Everything had felt rushed, blurred by the circumstances of Kara's accident and her own tangled feelings. But now, standing in the doorway, she let herself really see.
The bed was neatly made, though a sweater was draped carelessly across the footboard. Books stacked unevenly on the nightstand. A faint scent of Kara's shampoo clung to the air.
Her eyes drifted to the shelf against the on top of bookshelf.
Photos, a few knickknacks, textbooks. Avery stepped closer, fingertips ghosting over the wooden frame of one photo in particular. Kara with another girl. They stood close, shoulders pressed, both of them laughing mid-shot like the picture had caught them in motion. The girl's arm was looped around Kara's waist, their closeness obvious.
Something tugged in Avery's chest. A quiet ache she hadn't expected. She told herself it wasn't her place to wonder, but she couldn't stop staring for a beat too long before forcing her eyes away.
The bathroom door clicked open, and Kara emerged in loose shorts and a soft tee, toweling her damp hair. She froze when she saw Avery standing near the shelf.
"Hey," Kara said gently, almost tentative. "You okay?"
Avery turned, managing a small smile. "Yeah. Just… looking around. You've made this place really feel like yours."
Kara tilted her head, studying her for a second, but didn't press. Instead, she padded over and dropped onto the sofa, patting the spot beside her. "Come sit. Let's watch something, I've been hooked on this series lately. Might as well get you addicted too."
Avery chuckled, setting the borrowed clothes down before sliding next to her. Kara picked up the remote, scrolling through Netflix until she found the title.
As the opening credits rolled, Kara leaned sideways, settling against Avery like it was the most natural thing in the world. Her damp hair brushed Avery's shoulder, cool against her skin, and Kara exhaled softly, as if her whole body had been waiting for this moment to relax.
"You're comfortable, right?" Kara asked, her voice low, almost sleepy.
"Mm." Avery shifted just enough to tuck Kara closer, her arm brushing Kara's. "More than comfortable."
The screen lit up with the first scene, but Avery hardly saw it. Her attention was pulled instead to the warmth pressed against her side, the weight of Kara leaning in so easily, like she belonged there.
And as Kara's focus stayed glued to the show, Avery let herself watch her instead, the curve of her lashes catching the light, the way her lips twitched when something funny happened onscreen, how at ease she looked here, in this small space, with Avery beside her.
It was nothing extraordinary. Just two girls on a sofa, watching a series. But to Avery, it felt quietly monumental.
Like the beginning of something she wasn't ready to name, but already knew she couldn't walk away from.
***
Kara leaned back into Avery, the curve of her shoulders fitting perfectly against Avery's chest. The glow of the TV lit the room in soft flashes, the familiar opening song of Nevertheless drifting like background music to their warmth. Kara had watched this series before, but tonight it felt different, lighter, safer... with Avery's presence wrapping her like a second blanket.
They tossed playful remarks back and forth, snickering at the main character's indecision.
"She's going to regret that," Avery muttered, shaking her head.
Kara tilted her head just enough to catch her expression. "You're way too invested for someone who swore she doesn't watch K-dramas."
Avery smirked. "I didn't say I don't watch them. I just said I don't cry at them."
"Mm-hm. Sure," Kara teased, elbowing her lightly.
Their laughter rippled, easy and warm. Kara reached absently for the chips, crunching without looking, her gaze drifting to the bookshelf across the room.
And then she stilled.
Her breath hitched when her eyes caught the photograph sitting there, framed but half-hidden between stacked novels.
Her and Willow. Their last day together in Jakarta. Arms slung tight around each other, smiles stretched wide, hiding the cracks they already knew were there.
Kara's stomach twisted.
She shouldn't have left it out. She should've tucked it away like the pieces of herself she was trying not to bring into this room, this moment.
Her chest ached with guilt. Avery was right here... steady, focused, genuine. And Kara… Kara wasn't being completely honest. Not yet.
Because Willow still lived in her phone. In late-night calls when the distance felt unbearable, in texts that slipped in like ghosts of what they used to be. Kara wasn't in love with her anymore, not really... but she hadn't let go either.
And now… Avery. Avery, who made her feel at home just by laughing too loudly at a drama, who reached across tables to steal her chicken, who made Kara feel seen in a way she hadn't thought possible.
Her throat tightened, eyes softening as she turned her head slightly, studying Avery's profile. Avery was focused on the screen, brows furrowed in mock-serious concentration, lips parted in that way she had when she was caught up in a story.
Kara gave a small, sad smile. Almost to herself, she whispered in her mind: What are you doing, Kara? Holding onto one hand while reaching for another? You can't keep both. You know you can't.
The noise of the show blurred, her thoughts circling, Willow's voice, Avery's laughter, the heaviness of memory against the lightness of now.
She wanted to tell Avery everything. She wanted to be brave enough. But her mouth stayed shut.
And then Avery's voice broke through the fog.
"You know," Avery said, still looking at the screen but her tone suddenly softer, "Archie and Oakley used to call me Sol."
Kara blinked, startled back into the room, into the warmth of Avery's body against hers.
"Sol?" she asked, her voice catching a little.
Avery finally glanced down at her, a shy curve to her lips. "Yeah. Short for 'solar.' They said I was too stubborn to be anything but the sun."
Kara's chest tightened again, but differently this time, less guilt, more awe. She stared at Avery, this woman who didn't even realize how much light she carried, and for a fleeting moment Kara wished she could silence all the ghosts and just let herself fall fully, honestly, into the orbit of Sol.
***
The room had gone still except for the hum of the air conditioner and the faint, muffled sounds of the night outside. They're laying on Kara's bed now and Avery was out cold, her breaths slow and steady, her face softened in a way Kara had never seen before. Peaceful. Vulnerable. Safe.
Kara lay on her side, propped just enough on her elbow to watch. She couldn't help herself. Every line of Avery's face, every tiny shift of her chest as she breathed, it pulled Kara deeper and deeper into a feeling she wasn't sure she deserved.
And that was where the guilt returned.
Her eyes flicked toward the bookshelf. The photo frame, her and Willow, arms linked, smiles too bright to be fake, sat like a ghost in the corner of her vision. Kara's throat tightened.
What was she doing? How could she hold Avery like this, kiss her like she had tonight, when part of her still clung to pieces of a past she hadn't let go of? Willow's name, Willow's voice, they still lingered. They weren't gone, not fully. She hadn't been honest.
Her gaze returned to Avery, who shifted slightly, mumbling something incoherent before nestling closer into the crook of Kara's arm. The gesture almost broke her.
"Ave…" Kara whispered so softly the word barely existed. "You make me feel… whole. Like I've found something I didn't know I was missing."
Her fingers brushed lightly across Avery's hand resting on her stomach. Avery didn't stir.
"But I'm still carrying her," Kara admitted into the dark, her eyes stinging. "Still answering. Still pretending it means nothing. And it's not fair to you."
Avery's lips twitched in sleep, almost like she was smiling at some dream. Kara swallowed hard, her chest tightening at the innocence of it.
She hated herself in that moment for the lies she hadn't spoken, for the fear of what would happen if she did.
And yet, there was also this truth, undeniable: when Avery laughed, Kara's world lit up. When Avery hugged her, the loneliness vanished. And right now, lying in this bed, with Avery's warmth pressed against her side, Kara felt something she hadn't in a long time.
Home.
Her eyes blurred as she blinked hard against tears. She leaned down once more, kissed Avery's temple gently, and whispered into the strands of her hair:
"I'll figure it out. I promise. Because you… you're worth being honest for."
Kara lay frozen for a long time, her thoughts circling like restless birds. Her own silence. It pressed heavy on her chest, but then Avery stirred beside her, rolling slightly closer, her arm tightening unconsciously around Kara's waist.
That single movement cracked something open.
Kara's breath hitched. She let her body soften, finally, and slowly shifted until she could slip her arm around Avery too. Their legs brushed, tangled just enough, and suddenly Kara wasn't on the edge of the bed anymore... she was enveloped.
She buried her face against Avery's shoulder, breathing in the faint trace of her perfume still clinging to her shirt. It was warm, grounding, real.
"I shouldn't…" she whispered into the fabric, but her body betrayed her, holding tighter.
Avery let out a tiny sigh in her sleep, as if answering. Her hand twitched once against Kara's back, then stilled again.
Kara closed her eyes, letting the rhythm of Avery's breathing steady her own.
The guilt didn't vanish... it never did, but for the first time in months, maybe years, Kara felt like she could rest. Safe. Anchored.
Her last conscious thought before sleep claimed her was simple, quiet, and frightening in its honesty:
If this is love… I don't ever want to let it go.
And with that, Kara drifted off, hugging Avery close as if she could protect both of them from the weight of her own secrets.