Six years had passed.
Aki blinked against the morning sunlight streaming through their bedroom window. The familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee and toast filled the air. She stretched lazily, the soft warmth of the blanket still clinging to her skin, and felt the comforting weight of Lua sleeping beside her. His white hair was slightly mussed, a faint smirk playing on his lips even in slumber, and for a brief moment, she allowed herself to just watch him.
It was quiet. Peaceful. Perfect.
Lua's hand shifted slightly, brushing against hers, and she squeezed it gently. He stirred, eyes fluttering open, and then smiled lazily, red irises catching the morning light.
"Morning," he murmured, voice deep and soft, still drowsy.
"Morning," Aki replied, a small smile forming on her lips. Her heart swelled at the simplicity of the moment. No storms, no misunderstandings, no chaotic confessions. Just them, together, in the calm of their shared world.
Lua yawned and rolled closer, draping an arm over her shoulder. "Did you sleep well?"
Aki nodded, resting her head against his chest. "Like always… as long as I'm next to you."
He chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "And I… I can't imagine sleeping any other way."
Their life had changed in so many ways over the years, yet some things had remained constant: the warmth of their touch, the laughter shared in quiet corners, the undeniable bond that had started in childhood and survived every storm.
Lua worked from home now, his office just a few steps away from their shared living room. It was a small apartment with large windows that overlooked a quiet street lined with cherry blossom trees. The morning sun made the room glow with a golden warmth, and Aki watched as he settled into his work, laptop open, glasses perched on his nose, completely absorbed in his tasks.
She smiled, pouring herself a cup of tea and moving about the kitchen, preparing breakfast. The aroma of eggs, toast, and brewed coffee mingled with the soft chatter of birds outside. It was domestic bliss in its simplest, most perfect form.
Lua glanced up from his laptop, catching her gaze. His smile was soft, intimate, full of unspoken love. "You're spoiling me again," he said, voice warm.
Aki laughed softly, placing the cup in front of him. "You deserve it," she replied, brushing past him to steal a quick peck on his cheek. The warmth of the kiss lingered, a small spark in the gentle rhythm of their morning.
After breakfast, they moved to the living room, where sunlight streamed across the hardwood floors. Lua pulled Aki into his lap, her back resting against his chest, arms entwined. The world outside could wait; here, in this small apartment, they had everything.
"I still can't believe we got here," Aki whispered, tracing patterns on his arm. "Six years… it feels like it all happened in a blink."
Lua pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head. "And yet it feels like we've always been like this. You and me… it's always been us."
Aki closed her eyes, letting herself absorb the words, the warmth, the love that radiated from him. She had loved him for so long, through years of hesitation, fear, and uncertainty. Now, their love was undeniable, complete, a quiet force that shaped every part of her life.
He tightened his hold, resting his chin against her shoulder. "I love you, Aki. Every single day, in every way. And I always will."
Her heart swelled. "I love you too, Lua. More than anything. You're my world, my everything."
The rest of the day unfolded in gentle rhythms: cooking together, sharing quiet laughter over trivial things, holding hands while reading on the sofa. Lua occasionally brushed a strand of hair from her face, or pressed a kiss to her forehead, and Aki would melt into him every single time. Their life had become a series of small, perfect moments—simple gestures imbued with deep affection.
Evenings were their favorite. They would sit on the balcony, sipping tea, watching the city lights flicker like tiny stars. Lua would rest his arm around her shoulders, and Aki would lean into him, feeling the steady beat of his heart.
"Remember the rain that night… six years ago?" Lua asked softly, voice tinged with amusement and fondness.
Aki's heart skipped a beat. "How could I forget? You ran through the storm looking for me… and I was crying in the park like a fool."
He chuckled, pressing a kiss to her temple. "You were not a fool. You were brave. You admitted your feelings. That was the start of everything."
She smiled through tears she didn't even realize had formed. "I never thought it could be like this. So calm… so full of love… so… perfect."
Lua hugged her closer, resting his cheek against hers. "Because we built it together. Every day, every little thing. You, me… us."
Aki tilted her head, brushing her lips against his. The kiss was slow, soft, lingering—the kind that carried a lifetime of emotion, of shared memories, of all the storms they had weathered together. When they parted, she rested her forehead against his, feeling the rhythm of their hearts, perfectly synchronized.
"Lua…" she whispered. "No matter what happens… no matter the years… I'll always choose you."
"And I'll always choose you," he replied, voice low, certain, unshakable.
They stayed like that for a long time, wrapped in each other, listening to the faint hum of the city and the gentle night breeze. Outside, the world went on, bright and indifferent. Inside, they had built their universe, a small, perfect world where love was unquestioned, unwavering, undeniable.
Aki let herself close her eyes, pressing her lips to his chest, inhaling the familiar scent that had always calmed her, warmed her, and grounded her. In this life, in this time, she was safe, loved, cherished, and complete.
Lua kissed the top of her head once more, tightening his arms. "You're my everything," he murmured.
"And you're mine," she replied, voice soft but full of conviction.
For the first time in her life, Aki felt the kind of happiness that was quiet, constant, and unshakable. No storms, no fears, no running away. Just Lua, her love, her world, and the life they had built together.
As the night deepened and the lights of the city sparkled like stars below, they sat in silence, holding each other, letting the world fade away. They had crossed every storm, embraced every fear, confessed every hidden emotion. And now, six years later, they were exactly where they belonged: together, always, undeniably, happily.
The rain, the tears, the kisses, the stolen moments of vulnerability—all of it had led to this life, this love, this perfect, ordinary, extraordinary world that belonged only to them.
And in that quiet apartment, with the city sprawling endlessly outside, Aki rested her head against Lua's chest and whispered, almost to herself, "Forever… it really can be forever."
Lua tightened his arms, pressing a gentle kiss to her hair. "Forever," he agreed. "With you, Aki. Always."
They closed their eyes together, letting the comfort, the love, and the peace of their shared life wash over them. Outside, the world continued. Inside, their hearts beat as one, unwavering, undeniable, and full of a love that would last a lifetime.