He held her close, letting the silence stretch for a moment longer as if he needed the stillness to make sure he was sure. When he finally looked up then down, his eyes stayed locked on hers—steady, serious, and soft all at once.

“I don’t want to make this weird,” he said quietly, voice low and honest. “But I can’t pretend I don’t feel this.”

He brushed his thumb over her hand, then let his gaze settle on her face. “I love you,” he said, like it was something he’d been meaning to say for a while, not just something that happened in the moment.

He waited, not pushing, not rushing, just staying there with her, letting the words sit between them. Then, after a breath, he added softly, “So… will you be my girlfriend?”

He felt his chest loosen the moment she said yes, like a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding finally released. Her smile hit him like a warm wave, and he couldn’t stop the small, relieved laugh that slipped out.

“Good,” he said quietly, voice low and steady, still holding her close. His thumb traced a slow circle on the back of her hand, as if he was memorizing the feeling of her there.

He leaned down just enough to press a gentle kiss to her forehead, careful and tender, like he was sealing the moment without needing to rush anything else.

“Okay,” he murmured, pulling back slightly to look at her. His eyes stayed locked on hers, soft and warm. “So… this is real, huh?”

He smiled again, a little shy now, like he was surprised by how much he wanted this. “I’m not going to mess this up,” he added, tone serious but gentle. “Not if I can help it.”

He squeezed her hand once more, then rested his forehead against hers. “I love you,” he whispered again, softer this time, like he wanted her to know it was true in every way.

He felt his shoulders loosen at her words, a quiet laugh escaping him again as he listened. “Yeah,” he said softly, letting his breath warm the top of her head. “No going back.” His voice stayed low, but there was a grin in it now, like he was actually enjoying the weight of what they’d just made real.

When she teased him about staying mad, he couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips. “That’s because I’m impossible to hate,” he replied, leaning down to kiss her forehead. “It’s my greatest talent.”

She pecked his lips again, and he responded with a softer kiss, one that wasn’t about passion—just the kind that said I’m here. I’m yours.

Then she said it.

The part about his voice.

He paused, his hand tightening around her just slightly as if he was trying to keep his composure. A slow smile spread across his face, amused and a little shy all at once. He lifted his head just enough to look down at her, eyes half-lidded.

“Is that so?” he murmured, voice dropping even lower, just to tease her. “Good. Because I can do that on purpose.”

He let out a quiet laugh, the kind that was warm and easy. “I love you,” he said again, softer this time, like he was saying it just for her, not for the moment.

Then he added, almost whispering, “And if you’re going to keep saying things like that, I’m going to have to keep talking like this.”

He leaned in, brushing his lips against hers one last time before resting his forehead against hers, letting the silence settle around them again—comfortable, full, and completely theirs.

The air shifted suddenly, a cool breeze sweeping over the rooftop like it was reminding them it wasn’t just their little world up here. He felt it hit his skin and instinctively tightened his grip around her, pulling her closer without thinking.

He glanced down at her, noticing the way she shivered just slightly against his chest. His thumb rubbed her hand again, quick and reassuring.

“Yeah,” he murmured, voice still low. “It’s getting cold.”

He shifted, letting his jacket settle more fully around her shoulders, like he was trying to shield her from the chill. Then he looked back up at the sky for a second, watching another firework bloom in the distance before turning his attention back to her.

“I can take you home,” he said quietly, “or… if you want me to stay—” His gaze softened, steady. “I can stay over. No pressure. Just… I don’t want you to be cold.”

He held her closer, waiting, letting her feel how serious he was without pushing. The city lights below them glowed like tiny stars, but all he could focus on was the warmth of her against him.

Her grin made his chest tighten, and he couldn’t stop the quiet laugh that slipped out. “World’s luckiest talent, huh?” he murmured, voice low, still holding her close.

She shut her eyes for a moment, and he felt her relax into him. His hand tightened around her, just enough to keep her steady. When he lowered his voice again, he felt her shiver—not from the cold this time. He didn’t pull away. He didn’t move. He just stayed there, letting her feel him.

When she opened her eyes, her gaze locked onto his, and he felt it again—the way she made him feel like he was the only thing that mattered. When she said, I love you too, his heart did something stupid and soft.

He couldn’t help but smile. “Well then,” he murmured, eyes still on hers, “looks like you’re stuck saying that for the rest of your life.”

She pressed her lips to his again, and he kissed her back without thinking, his arm pulling her fully against him until their chests were pressed together. She didn’t say anything after that—just let herself be held as he shifted his jacket more onto her shoulders, keeping her warm like it was the most natural thing in the world.

When she finally spoke, it was soft. “I agree. We should get going.”

He nodded, already moving to step away—until he almost said the words he didn’t want to regret. “If you want me to stay—”

She cut him off before he could finish, firm and sure.

“You’re staying.”

He froze for a beat, then let out a quiet laugh, the kind that was half relief and half happiness. His gaze softened, eyes warm. “Good,” he said, voice low. “Because I was hoping you’d say that.”

He pulled her closer again, forehead resting against hers for a second. “Come on,” he murmured, “let’s go before the cold ruins the night.”

And with her in his arms, he led them down from the rooftop—still smiling, still holding her like he never wanted to let her go.

He adjusted his hold on her as they moved, slowing his pace so she never had to hurry, like there was nowhere else in the world he needed to be. The night was quiet except for the distant hum of cars and the soft sound of their footsteps in sync. He kept her tucked into his side, arm draped around her shoulders, fingers absently brushing against her upper arm as if checking she was still there.

“Cold?” he asked under his breath, though he was already tugging the jacket a little tighter around her. When the wind picked up, he angled his body just slightly in front of her, shielding her without making a show of it.

The parking lot lights cast a warm glow over her face as they walked, and he glanced down at her more than once, a faint smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
“You know,” he said quietly, voice teasing but low, “if you keep clinging to me like this, people are gonna get ideas.”

His fingers slipped into hers naturally, like it was the most obvious thing in the world, and he gave her hand a gentle squeeze as they reached his car. He stopped there instead of opening the door right away, turning toward her, the space between them shrinking until she was backed lightly against the side of the car.

For a moment, he just looked at her—really looked—eyes softer now, teasing replaced with something warmer.
“Stay right here,” he murmured, brushing his thumb along her jaw, slow and deliberate. “I’ll get you settled.”

He opened the passenger door, the interior light flicking on, and guided her forward with a hand at her lower back, careful and unhurried. Before she climbed in, he paused, leaning in just enough that his voice was meant only for her.

“Don’t get too comfortable,” he added with a quiet smile. “I still need that jacket back… eventually.”

But even as he said it, his hand lingered at her waist a second longer, like neither of them was quite ready to let go yet.