Eternal.
I wouldalwaysfind her.
Deep in the pit of my soul, I’d always known that. It’s why I couldn’t let her go after that first night.
Why she hadn’t been able to let me go either.
The hike back to the cabin was accompanied by a sweet silence, interrupted only by an occasional murmur of contentment. The sun had just begun to dip toward the horizon, the light of day dimmer now than it had been on our trip out. As we walked, I couldn’t help but sneak glances at her, my heart still bursting with the weight of our exchanged “I love you’s.” I wanted to grab her hand and say it again and again, but I held back, not wanting to overwhelm her with the affection I most definitely felt for her.
God, she was fucking everything.
I wasn’t looking forward to popping the bubble we were encased in out here away from our everyday lives, but something told me that when we returned, our everyday would be just a little more satisfying now that our feelings had been thrown outthere–which was exactly what I’d intended when I’d planned this trip.
INDIE
Our trip was nothing short of amazing, and I was feeling more in love with Kiernan upon returning home than I ever thought I would feel about anyone.
I’d left my car at his place before we headed to the mountains, and driving away from him to go back to my apartment after having spent the weekend together was downright painful. I guessed Owen was more on the nose about me potentially moving outthan I’d realized at the time.
Things were probably moving too fast, but it was getting harder to remind myself of that because things felt so natural with him. He made me feel safe and loved.
Coming home to an empty apartment was weird. I was so used to Owen being there, and I felt a pang of sadness lugging my shit up the stairs when I thought about how our days living together were probably numbered. We’d been spending more time apart than we ever had over the last few weeks since Kiernan came into the picture, and I missed my bestie but ‘tis life, I supposed.
All good things must come to an end and all that.
I was glad he and Kiernan seemed to have formed some semblance of a blooming bromance. And it’s not like we wouldneversee each other after I moved out, it would just be less frequent.
I reached our level, breathing out a sigh of relief as I approached the apartment door. I was looking forward to a hot shower and sleeping in my own bed. The cabin had been comfortable, but traveling even a short distance was always exhausting to me, and coming home was usually the best part.
My fingers fumbled as I dug through my bag, searching for my keys. Finally, my hand closed around the familiar metal lump and I rifled through the multiple keys, finding the right one and bringing it up to the keyhole. Just as I was about to insert it, the door slipped open, revealing the dark interior of my apartment.
It was very unlike Owen to not lock up, or to not even make sure the door was closed for that matter. He was the responsible one in this relationship, and I would already be calling to give him shit for it if I hadn’t felt such a lead weight in my gut.
I knew better than to go inside. It was always possible that someone had broken in. Not unheard of in Fate Trace, that was for sure.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket to call Kiernan, but he didn’t pick up. He was already back at the office and I was sure he’d found something to busy himself with after being away for a few days, even if nothing had come up while we were gone for him to deal with.
As the door opened the rest of the way, I sighed, flicking on the light switch and closing it behind me. Nothing seemed out of place and as far as I could tell, it was empty.
I let my bag fall to the floor and made myself relax. Walking over to the fridge and pulling it open, I hoped that Owen hadn’t drunk the last of the beer before he left for his trip. Blessedly, there were two left.
It was barely noon, but sometimes a gal just needs to unwind, and it’s always five o’clock somewhere, isn’t it?
With a satisfying hiss, I cracked open the cold beer and let the fridge door slam shut. As I crossed the room to the couch, I couldn’t help but flop down onto it with a heavy sigh. The cushions welcomed me in and I took a long swig of my drink before closing my eyes, basking in the quiet relaxation of my own home.
I must have been moretired than I’d thought—thanks to Kiernan fucking me senseless at all hours of the day for the last 48 hours, no doubt.
I’d nodded off with my beer in my hand, jerking awake to the sound of my apartment door opening.
Had I forgotten to lock it? I guessed I couldn’t give Owen too much shit, if so. Not that I would ever have to admit it to him.
I sat upright, excited to see Kiernan already popping by for a visit.
He took two steps inside before stopping dead in his tracks, the smile fading from his face causing mine to subsequently do the same.
“What?” I scrunched my face in confusion.
His eyes flicked from me, to the television, and back to me several times before my sleep-hazed brain caught up and told me I should probably look too.
