Page 297 of Eternal
But then… The thought hits me like a hard slap.
Because she’s here.My Azrais right here. Right now, in this room, and against every rule of this fucked-up world, I'm the one she’s with.
The scent of pizza fills the air, Azra is barefoot, wearing my shirt, her curly hair messy yet perfect. She’s talking about Viktor and Kat, but honestly, I'm not listening. Not really.
I’m too busy watching her.
She stayed.
She stayed when I asked her to, and she never stays, she’s scared of this.
When we sit down to eat, I can't help but keep my eyes on her, like my soul has left my body, floating and witnessing this. The way she grabs my plate, even though I told her to stay on her side of the table to piss her off. How she rolls her eyes at mebut still smiles...fuck, that smile. It’s the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
She keeps it as I feed her a slice of my pizza, like I didn't argue with her for five minutes about not sharing just to see her pissed off, because she looks adorable when she’s angry.
I listen to her voice, the soft gasp she makes when she leans into my kiss, letting me taste the sauce still lingering on her lips, and then there’s the heat, the passion, the way her breath catches when my hands slide up her thighs slowly appreciating the way she’s so responsive while lifting her onto the counter.
The way her back arches inviting me in even deeper while her fingers tangle in my hair, as if this moment, this simple, quiet chaos, could go on forever and ever.
And it hits me harder.
This isn't some unreachable dream and for once.
It’sreal.
And somehow, I’m living it.
It’s the little things that hit hardest, because it is hitting.
She’s mine for tonight, at least, maybe longer. But for now, she’s letting me pretend that I belong in this moment. Even though I know I never will entirely, I’ll try though, for her.
I think… I think I’ll do anything for her.
And when we sit on the sofa, she cuddles up to me, letting the sound of the TV blend with the sound of her voice as she stretches lazily across my lap.
She picked the movie and threatened me to never talk as long as it was on.
Casablancaplays softly in the background, but I can’t stop playing with her hair. I love her curls.
“You’re ruining this movie. Focus. And stop playing with my haaaaiiir!” she mutters, her eyes sparkling with affection I probably don’t deserve as she looks up at me.
I raise an eyebrow, half-watching the screen. “Not gonna lie, I can’t stop looking at you,partner. The movie can fuck off or be background while I fuck you up.”
She scoffs, a lazy smirk pulling at her lips. “You’re lucky you got to touch me yesterday. Don’t push your luck.”
I lean down, my fingers brushing her hip. “Yesterday?” I murmur. “Pretty sure I touched you tonight, too.”
She rolls her eyes, laughing softly. “Fucking hell… just watch the movie.”
I chuckle. “What? Okay, let me focus and see if it’s more interesting than looking at you.”
She shifts again, her head resting against my chest. “It’s my favorite,” she whispers. “If you don’t like this movie, you probably don’t understand what love really looks like.”
I stare at her for a long moment.
Maybe I do, maybe I know exactly whatmyversion of love looks like. “It’s not all about dramatic goodbyes and sacrifice,partner.” And then the words slip before I can stop them when I catch her smile. “What are you smiling for? If you ever leave me, I’ll find you.” A beat. “Maybe kill you. Then haunt myself to death. Very romantic in my humble opinion.”
She laughs and elbows me in the ribs. “Right. And they say romance is dead.”
