Liana and Damien had been watching from a distance, their usual banter temporarily silenced as they took in the raw, undeniable connection between Romeo and Venecia. It was a moment so charged, so filled with unspoken emotions, that it resonated deep within them—forcing them to acknowledge what they had been dancing around for far too long.
The night air was crisp, the stars scattered above like diamonds on black velvet. The safe house stood quiet behind them, sheltering the two lovers they had risked so much to protect.
Now, with their mission complete, there was nothing left to distract them from this.
From each other.
Damien exhaled, his breath visible in the cool night. "You're thinking too hard," he murmured, hands tucked in his jacket pockets as he turned to Liana.
She huffed. "You don't even know what I'm thinking."
"I do, actually," he said, smirking. "You're wondering why we're still standing here when we could just go inside and pretend this whole night didn't happen."
Liana's jaw clenched, because—damn it—he was right.
That had always been their unspoken rule, hadn't it? Push, pull. Taunt, retreat. Build up the tension only to walk away before it could explode into something neither of them could control.
But tonight felt different.
Maybe it was the way the moonlight softened Damien's usually sharp features, making him look almost... vulnerable.
Maybe it was the fact that for once, there were no excuses left between them.
Or maybe it was just that Liana was tired of pretending.
She took a step forward, crossing the invisible line that had always kept them apart. Damien straightened, the smirk slipping from his face.
For a long moment, neither of them moved. The air between them was thick with everything they hadn't said, everything they had ignored for years.
Damien's throat bobbed. "Liana," he warned, his voice husky.
"What?" she whispered, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. "Tell me to walk away."
His lips parted slightly, but he didn't speak.
Didn't move.
Didn't push her away like he should have.
Instead, his hand came up, hesitating for only a second before his fingers brushed against her cheek—barely a touch, but it sent a shiver down her spine. His palm was warm despite the cold, his touch rough yet somehow unbearably gentle.
"You drive me insane," he murmured, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw.
Liana swallowed. "Right back at you."
Damien let out a breathless chuckle, but there was no humor in it. Just frustration. Longing.
His eyes searched hers, as if giving her one last chance to stop this, to turn away before they crossed a line they could never uncross.
But Liana wasn't going anywhere.
Not this time.
And neither was he.
His hand slid to the back of her neck, fingers tangling in her hair as he finally—finally—closed the distance between them.
The kiss wasn't gentle.
It was years of built-up tension, of stolen glances and hidden smiles, of insults that meant I care and arguments that meant I want you.
It was messy and desperate and perfect.
Liana gasped softly as Damien pulled her closer, his other hand gripping her waist like he was afraid she might disappear if he let go. She felt herself melting into him, her fingers twisting into the fabric of his jacket as he angled his head, deepening the kiss.
He tasted like cinnamon gum and the cold night air, like every reckless decision she had ever made and didn't regret.
Liana broke away just enough to take in a shaky breath, but Damien wasn't done. His lips brushed against hers again, slower this time, lingering—like he was memorizing the shape of her mouth, like he never wanted to forget this moment.
Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it.
His forehead rested against hers, their breaths mingling in the space between them.
"Well," she said, her lips tingling. "That took long enough."
Damien chuckled, low and rough. His thumb traced absent patterns against her cheek, and she hated how much she already craved his touch.
"I think we both knew it was always going to end up like this," he admitted.
Liana smirked, despite the rapid beat of her heart. "Maybe. But I still blame you."
"Blame me all you want," Damien murmured, brushing another soft kiss against the corner of her mouth. "Just don't ask me to walk away again."
She didn't.
Because this time, neither of them wanted to.
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YAYYY!!! Liana and Damien are together now. Any fan name for them? Don't forget to like and comment my loves.