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The sky had already begun to melt into soft shades of orange and pink as Ethan and Alice strolled through the park just outside the city center. The air carried the scent of grass and late summer, and the rustling leaves above offered occasional patches of shade from the setting sun.
Alice had just finished her shift at the café, and despite her usual energy, she looked a little worn out now—though Ethan noticed she hadn't complained once about her sore legs.
They'd been walking for over an hour. A slow, lazy kind of walk. The kind that didn't need a destination.
Eventually, they came upon a quiet bench tucked beneath an old oak tree, slightly removed from the winding path. Without a word, Ethan took a seat. Alice followed, plopping down beside him with a tired sigh, stretching her legs out.
"Remind me why we walked so much?" she muttered, head tilting toward him.
"You said you wanted fresh air."
"Yeah, but I didn't say 'let's hike the entire park.'"
Ethan smirked. "I didn't hear any complaints until now."
Alice glanced at him, then chuckled softly. "Touché."
For a few moments, they sat in peaceful silence, the sounds of the park drifting around them—children laughing in the distance, the distant bark of a dog, the rustle of birds flitting between branches overhead.
Ethan leaned back, stretching his arms out on the bench. Alice, meanwhile, shifted a little closer.
And then—without saying anything—she leaned her head against his shoulder.
He glanced at her. Her eyes were closed, a calm expression on her face. But then her hand slid through the crook of his arm, pulling it close and pressing it gently to her chest.
Tight enough that he felt the soft warmth of her body.
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"…You good?" he asked quietly.
"Mhm," she replied, not moving.
Then, more quietly, she added, "I saw them."
"Saw who?"
"Those women," Alice muttered. "Across the path. Three of them. Staring at you like you were some kind of dessert."
Ethan chuckled.
"Not funny," she said, eyes still closed but clearly pouting. "They were whispering, too. You really don't notice this stuff?"
He looked across the park, and sure enough—three women were gathered near a fountain, glancing his way now and then, giggling between themselves.
"…You know, I think they were staring at you."
Alice scoffed. "Nice try."
She pressed a little closer, holding his arm more firmly. The move wasn't subtle. It wasn't just comfort—it was a quiet declaration.
Mine.
Ethan didn't pull away. In fact, a small smile curved his lips as he watched her pretend she wasn't doing anything at all.
"You've always been like this," he said suddenly.
Alice blinked, opening one eye. "Like what?"
"Possessive. Protective. Even when we were kids."
She went quiet at that, then smiled faintly. "Yeah, well. Some things don't change."
"I remember," Ethan added, his voice softer now. "That one summer, when that older girl kept trying to talk to me at the playground… and you threw a juice box at her?"
Alice covered her face with one hand. "Oh my god, don't bring that up…"
"You missed," Ethan said, grinning now. "By like three feet."
"I panicked!"
"You shouted, 'Back off, he's mine!' I think everyone heard it."
"I was eight!" she said, groaning.
He laughed. "Still makes me laugh."
Alice peeked at him through her fingers. "You remember a lot."
"I remember you."
That quiet line hung between them. Alice's smile slowly faded into something softer—gentler.
"I didn't think you did," she murmured. "It's been so long since then."
Ethan looked away toward the horizon, where the sun was dipping lower, painting the park in amber light. "I remember more than you think."
She rested her head fully against his shoulder now, her voice barely above a whisper.
"…Then maybe I won't have to keep throwing juice boxes anymore."
Ethan chuckled under his breath. "I don't mind either way."
Alice smiled. And for a while, they just sat there—shoulder to shoulder, heartbeats quiet, as the world moved gently around them.
---
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