The next morning, Sky awoke before Ayana.
She slipped out of bed quietly, pulling on the hoodie from the night before, and wandered into the living room. Morning light streamed in through the windows, catching dust in the air and turning it gold.
She stared out at the trees for a long time.
Then, almost without thinking, she picked up her phone and texted Kairo.
I'm okay. Thanks for checking in. Coffee sounds nice. Just… not yet.
He replied within minutes.
No pressure. Whenever you're ready, I'm here.
Sky stared at the message, then set the phone down with a soft breath.
Ayana found her standing at the window a while later, barefoot, her arms crossed loosely.
"Couldn't sleep?" she asked, wrapping her arms around Sky's waist from behind.
Sky leaned into her. "Too many thoughts."
"Want to share them?"
Sky turned to face her. "I'm scared of breaking something before we even get a chance to build it."
Ayana brushed a kiss against her forehead. "Then let's build slow. Like we're learning a new language."
Sky tilted her head. "A language?"
Ayana nodded. "The language of trust. Of choosing. Of staying."
Sky smiled. "You always say things like that."
"I'm a poet with a day job," Ayana teased.
Sky laughed, but then grew quiet. "What if the university finds out?"
Ayana's face sobered. "Then I'll take responsibility. You're a student, yes. But you're also a person I care about deeply. And if they ask me to choose between safety and truth, I'll choose you."
Sky's throat tightened. "That's a big risk."
Ayana nodded. "But you're worth it."
They spent the weekend in soft rhythms—meals cooked together, pages read in silence, stolen kisses in doorways.
But even in peace, Sky could feel the world waiting just outside.
By Sunday evening, as Ayana graded papers at her desk, Sky sat curled on the couch, her journal open but untouched.
"I should go back to my dorm tonight," Sky said quietly.
Ayana didn't look up right away. "If that's what you need."
"It's not that I want to leave," Sky added. "I just… I need to remember who I am when I'm not near you."
Ayana finally turned. "That makes sense."
Sky hesitated. "You're not mad?"
"Of course not." Ayana stood, crossing to her. "I love that you want to stay. But I'd never ask you to lose yourself just to be near me."
Sky nodded, her heart aching in a way that was new—not from rejection, but from being understood.
When she packed her bag an hour later, Ayana didn't hover.
She helped fold Sky's clothes, slipped a wrapped muffin into her tote bag, and kissed her hand as she zipped it closed.
"You'll come back?" Ayana asked.
Sky met her eyes. "Yes. But more than that—I'll show up. Not just in your apartment. In this."
Ayana nodded, pulling her close. "Then we're okay."