“I meant what I said, Lily. I won’t push you into anything you’re not clearly ready for. But if you’re asking whether it meant something to me-then yes. It did. It was a distraction for your sake, not mine.” Lily’s breath caught, her hazel eyes wide as she stared up at him. With that Aaron got up and made his way out the door.Lily sat still, the warmth of the blankets wrapped around her shoulders, her gaze lingering on the spot where Aaron had sat just moments ago.His words echoed in her mind: "If you're asking whether it meant something to me-then yes. It did."Her chest tightened, and her fingers clutched the fabric of the blanket as if it could anchor her to the moment. The vulnerability in his voice, the honesty in his eyes-it all lingered, pulling her deeper into emotions she wasn’t ready to name, it should feel like too much-too much happening too fast, but it didnt. It felt like what was happening should happen.But even now, her mind waged war with itself. One voice remin
Aaron led Lily through a narrow hallway, up a metal staircase, and finally to a door with faded paint. He pushed it open and stepped aside, his hand lightly touching her lower back as he guided her forward. Lily froze in the doorway as her breath caught slightly. The rooftop garden stretched before her, wild and unkempt but undeniably beautiful. Overgrown ivy clung to the railings, and clusters of flowers-violets, daisies, roses, peonies, sunflowers and something yellow she couldn’t name-poked through cracks in the stone floor. In one corner hung a double seater swing, sun-bleached and inviting. Beyond the edge of the roof, the sprawling city skyline glittered in the sunlight, a sea of glass and steel shimmering under the morning glow. “It’s…” Lily trailed off, words failing her as she stepped closer. “Peaceful?” Aaron offered, his voice low but steady. She nodded faintly. “Yeah.” Aaron’s lips twitched into a faint smile as he stepped forward. “Come on.” They walke
"Aaron Knight can." He replied. "It's your's now."Her throat tightened again, but this time, she didn’t look away. “Thank you, Aaron,” she said softly. Aaron pushed himself up from the swing and held out his hand to her. “Come on. There’s one more thing I want to show you.” Lily hesitated for just a second before slipping her hand into his. His grip was firm, warm, and steady-the kind of touch that felt safe. Maybe it really was the truth-she was safe with him.As they walked across the rooftop, side by side, Lily realized something; the storm in her mind hadn’t disappeared, but for the first time in a long while, it felt… quieter, like the voices had gone for a power nap.And maybe, just maybe, that was enough for now and she was grateful for it.Lily’s hand stayed tucked in Aaron’s as he led her across the rooftop. His grip was firm and warm. They walked in silence, their footsteps soft against the weathered stone floor, the faint sound of distant traffic blending with the breez
Lily ran her fingers over the worn cover, the leather warm under her touch. “Thank you, it means a lot.” she whispered. Aaron nodded once before leaning back against the alcove wall, his eyes drifting closed as the sunlight warmed his face. Lily stayed where she was, clutching the journal tightly in her hands. For the first time in what felt like forever, the storm inside her didn’t feel so suffocating. Aaron saw her worthy of this journal-last gift from his grandmother. And as she glanced sideways at Aaron-this man who carried his own scars but still found ways to help her breathe-she realized something. Maybe healing wasn’t about finding a cure. Maybe it was about finding someone who made the weight a little easier to carry. Here’s the next chapter, continuing the emotional depth and exploring the growing connection between Lily and Aaron. The rooftop had become a fragile cocoon, shielding them from the noise of the world below. Time felt suspended, the morning sun rising high
Aaron’s expression sobered slightly as his silver eyes locked onto hers. “You learn because you’ve had to. Because no one was there to do it for you, so you want to do it for someone else." The weight of his words hung between them, heavy but honest. "Empathy." Lily said before sipping the hot chocolate. "Yes, but this is not empathy...it's not just empathy." Aaron's eyes bore into Lily's and she held them for two seconds before dropping her gaze to the mug of hot chocolate in her hand. They sat there for a while, sipping their hot chocolate and letting the warmth settle into their bones. Lily found herself studying Aaron-his sharp jawline, the faint crease between his brows, the way his lips curled ever so slightly when he caught her staring, how he sipped his hot chocolate and how his adam's apple moved when he swallowed it. “Thank you,” she said softly. Aaron looked up, tilting his head slightly. “For looking charming?” Lily's lips curled slightly "Shut up." “For… e
The walk to the bookstore was shorter than she expected. Nestled between two larger buildings, its faded sign read "Willow’s Nook.” A small bell chimed as they stepped inside, and the scent of old paper and polished wood greeted them. The librarian was a small lady with a bob cut and cat eyed glasses, probably in her fifties.The space was cozy, with narrow aisles lined with overflowing shelves and dim lamps casting a warm glow. It felt like stepping into another world, one untouched by time.Aaron guided her to a section near the back, where mismatched armchairs sat tucked in a corner. “This is the best spot,” he said with a grin. Lily wandered over to a nearby shelf, running her fingers along the spines of old books. Aaron watched her. Minutes passed, but the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. Lily finally pulled a worn poetry book from the shelf, her eyes scanning the faded gold lettering on the cover. When she looked up, Aaron was watching her from across the aisle, a faint smile pl
Clara rolled her eyes. “If he hasn’t already reorganized the spice rack alphabetically, I’ll be shocked.”A soft chuckle escaped Lily’s lips despite the heaviness in her chest, and Aaron offered his hand to help her up. She took it hesitantly, her smaller hand fitting into his larger one."Dont you think he's a bit robot like?" Clara asked scrunching her nose."A bit?" Lily asked raising her brows at Clara.In the kitchen, Damian was leaning against the counter, a steaming mug of coffee in hand. He glanced up when they entered, his usual stoic expression softening just slightly. Clara marched in ahead of them, opening the refrigerator door. “Alright, chef Aaron, what’s on the menu?”Aaron walked over to the stove, his tie slightly loosened now. “Damian, did you cook anything or just stand there intimidating the toaster?” Damian raised an unimpressed brow. “I made coffee. You’re welcome.”Clara let out a snort, pulling out a carton of eggs. “Alright, coffee king, move aside. Aaron, y
"Chocolate." He showed her, his now chcolate covered thumb."Thanks." She said before breaking the eye contact."It was a pleasure." when Lily looked up at him, he was already staring at her-like he was piercing his gaze into her's. There was something about it.Clara began clearing some of the mess, humming softly to herself.For a brief moment, everything felt...simple. Like the outside world and its looming threats couldn’t reach them here.But outside the window, hidden beneath the overcast sky, a car rolled slowly past the building. Its tinted windows concealed whoever sat inside, watching.And just as quietly as it had appeared, it disappeared down the street.But not unnoticed.Damian’s sharp eyes followed it until it was out of sight, his hand tightening subtly around the edge of the counter.The peace was temporary-a fragile bubble on the edge of bursting.But for now, inside the warmth of the kitchen, laughter still lingered in the air. Not for long though.The sun dipped lo
"Chocolate." He showed her, his now chcolate covered thumb."Thanks." She said before breaking the eye contact."It was a pleasure." when Lily looked up at him, he was already staring at her-like he was piercing his gaze into her's. There was something about it.Clara began clearing some of the mess, humming softly to herself.For a brief moment, everything felt...simple. Like the outside world and its looming threats couldn’t reach them here.But outside the window, hidden beneath the overcast sky, a car rolled slowly past the building. Its tinted windows concealed whoever sat inside, watching.And just as quietly as it had appeared, it disappeared down the street.But not unnoticed.Damian’s sharp eyes followed it until it was out of sight, his hand tightening subtly around the edge of the counter.The peace was temporary-a fragile bubble on the edge of bursting.But for now, inside the warmth of the kitchen, laughter still lingered in the air. Not for long though.The sun dipped lo
Clara rolled her eyes. “If he hasn’t already reorganized the spice rack alphabetically, I’ll be shocked.”A soft chuckle escaped Lily’s lips despite the heaviness in her chest, and Aaron offered his hand to help her up. She took it hesitantly, her smaller hand fitting into his larger one."Dont you think he's a bit robot like?" Clara asked scrunching her nose."A bit?" Lily asked raising her brows at Clara.In the kitchen, Damian was leaning against the counter, a steaming mug of coffee in hand. He glanced up when they entered, his usual stoic expression softening just slightly. Clara marched in ahead of them, opening the refrigerator door. “Alright, chef Aaron, what’s on the menu?”Aaron walked over to the stove, his tie slightly loosened now. “Damian, did you cook anything or just stand there intimidating the toaster?” Damian raised an unimpressed brow. “I made coffee. You’re welcome.”Clara let out a snort, pulling out a carton of eggs. “Alright, coffee king, move aside. Aaron, y
The walk to the bookstore was shorter than she expected. Nestled between two larger buildings, its faded sign read "Willow’s Nook.” A small bell chimed as they stepped inside, and the scent of old paper and polished wood greeted them. The librarian was a small lady with a bob cut and cat eyed glasses, probably in her fifties.The space was cozy, with narrow aisles lined with overflowing shelves and dim lamps casting a warm glow. It felt like stepping into another world, one untouched by time.Aaron guided her to a section near the back, where mismatched armchairs sat tucked in a corner. “This is the best spot,” he said with a grin. Lily wandered over to a nearby shelf, running her fingers along the spines of old books. Aaron watched her. Minutes passed, but the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. Lily finally pulled a worn poetry book from the shelf, her eyes scanning the faded gold lettering on the cover. When she looked up, Aaron was watching her from across the aisle, a faint smile pl
Aaron’s expression sobered slightly as his silver eyes locked onto hers. “You learn because you’ve had to. Because no one was there to do it for you, so you want to do it for someone else." The weight of his words hung between them, heavy but honest. "Empathy." Lily said before sipping the hot chocolate. "Yes, but this is not empathy...it's not just empathy." Aaron's eyes bore into Lily's and she held them for two seconds before dropping her gaze to the mug of hot chocolate in her hand. They sat there for a while, sipping their hot chocolate and letting the warmth settle into their bones. Lily found herself studying Aaron-his sharp jawline, the faint crease between his brows, the way his lips curled ever so slightly when he caught her staring, how he sipped his hot chocolate and how his adam's apple moved when he swallowed it. “Thank you,” she said softly. Aaron looked up, tilting his head slightly. “For looking charming?” Lily's lips curled slightly "Shut up." “For… e
Lily ran her fingers over the worn cover, the leather warm under her touch. “Thank you, it means a lot.” she whispered. Aaron nodded once before leaning back against the alcove wall, his eyes drifting closed as the sunlight warmed his face. Lily stayed where she was, clutching the journal tightly in her hands. For the first time in what felt like forever, the storm inside her didn’t feel so suffocating. Aaron saw her worthy of this journal-last gift from his grandmother. And as she glanced sideways at Aaron-this man who carried his own scars but still found ways to help her breathe-she realized something. Maybe healing wasn’t about finding a cure. Maybe it was about finding someone who made the weight a little easier to carry. Here’s the next chapter, continuing the emotional depth and exploring the growing connection between Lily and Aaron. The rooftop had become a fragile cocoon, shielding them from the noise of the world below. Time felt suspended, the morning sun rising high
"Aaron Knight can." He replied. "It's your's now."Her throat tightened again, but this time, she didn’t look away. “Thank you, Aaron,” she said softly. Aaron pushed himself up from the swing and held out his hand to her. “Come on. There’s one more thing I want to show you.” Lily hesitated for just a second before slipping her hand into his. His grip was firm, warm, and steady-the kind of touch that felt safe. Maybe it really was the truth-she was safe with him.As they walked across the rooftop, side by side, Lily realized something; the storm in her mind hadn’t disappeared, but for the first time in a long while, it felt… quieter, like the voices had gone for a power nap.And maybe, just maybe, that was enough for now and she was grateful for it.Lily’s hand stayed tucked in Aaron’s as he led her across the rooftop. His grip was firm and warm. They walked in silence, their footsteps soft against the weathered stone floor, the faint sound of distant traffic blending with the breez
Aaron led Lily through a narrow hallway, up a metal staircase, and finally to a door with faded paint. He pushed it open and stepped aside, his hand lightly touching her lower back as he guided her forward. Lily froze in the doorway as her breath caught slightly. The rooftop garden stretched before her, wild and unkempt but undeniably beautiful. Overgrown ivy clung to the railings, and clusters of flowers-violets, daisies, roses, peonies, sunflowers and something yellow she couldn’t name-poked through cracks in the stone floor. In one corner hung a double seater swing, sun-bleached and inviting. Beyond the edge of the roof, the sprawling city skyline glittered in the sunlight, a sea of glass and steel shimmering under the morning glow. “It’s…” Lily trailed off, words failing her as she stepped closer. “Peaceful?” Aaron offered, his voice low but steady. She nodded faintly. “Yeah.” Aaron’s lips twitched into a faint smile as he stepped forward. “Come on.” They walke
“I meant what I said, Lily. I won’t push you into anything you’re not clearly ready for. But if you’re asking whether it meant something to me-then yes. It did. It was a distraction for your sake, not mine.” Lily’s breath caught, her hazel eyes wide as she stared up at him. With that Aaron got up and made his way out the door.Lily sat still, the warmth of the blankets wrapped around her shoulders, her gaze lingering on the spot where Aaron had sat just moments ago.His words echoed in her mind: "If you're asking whether it meant something to me-then yes. It did."Her chest tightened, and her fingers clutched the fabric of the blanket as if it could anchor her to the moment. The vulnerability in his voice, the honesty in his eyes-it all lingered, pulling her deeper into emotions she wasn’t ready to name, it should feel like too much-too much happening too fast, but it didnt. It felt like what was happening should happen.But even now, her mind waged war with itself. One voice remin
It wasn’t just a distraction. It couldn’t be. At least not for her. Maybe she should wait till her mind cleared, she told herself, maybe she was too high on stress and emotions. But then she closed her eyes for a brief second, swallowing the pang of disappointment that threatened to rise. It was just a distraction, she told herself again, trying to convince her heart to accept the truth. But no matter how hard she tried, the feeling that there was something more-something deeper between them-lingered. Yet, she didn’t say a word. She only nodded again, trying to mask the confusion and longing stirring within her. The room had settled into a fragile silence, the air still charged with the remnants of everything that had passed between them. Lily sat on the edge of the bed, her knees pulled up to her chest, arms wrapped tightly around them. Aaron had stepped away, giving her space, but he lingered nearby, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest, he got up s