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The back yard is quiet, wrapped in the soft glow of string lights draped across the trees. The air is cool, crisp, carrying the scents of pine and earth. The old wooden swing, the one she once mentioned, the one she spent summers on as a kid, sways gently in the breeze.

Ava sighs, running a hand through her hair. "This feels weird."

I tilt my head. "Weird?"

She smiles, turning toward me. "Good weird. Like… I don't know. Like I can finally breathe."

I step closer, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "So breathe, Bennett."

She does.

I watch her close her eyes, tilt her face up toward the sky, take a slow inhale like she's finally letting go of everything that's weighed her down.

When she opens her eyes again, they shine.

I take her hand, guiding her to the swing. She sits, and I stay in front of her, hands bracing the ropes on either side of her.

"For the past week," I say, my voice steady, "I've been thinking about everything that happened."

I exhale, tightening my grip on the rope. "You know, for a long time, I thought I was better off alone. That if I didn't let anyone in, if I didn't get attached, then no one could hurt me."

Her smile softens, her fingers brushing against my arm.

"But you?" I murmur, watching her, watching the way she looks at me like I'm something worth holding onto. "You ruined that."

Ava tilts her head, teasing. "Wow. Romantic."

I laugh. "Shut up."

Then, softer, "I mean it."

I cup her face, my thumb tracing her cheekbone. "You're not just my partner, Ava. You're my everything."

Her breath catches.

I can feel the way her heartbeat picks up, the way her hands tighten around mine, the way her entire body melts into mine like it knows. Like it's always known.

And then, she's kissing me.

Slow, deep, sure.

There's no hesitation anymore. No fear.

Just us.

When we finally pull apart, she leans her forehead against mine, exhaling a quiet, breathy laugh.

"You know," she murmurs, "falling for you was the biggest risk I've ever taken."

I grin, brushing a kiss to her forehead.

"Good thing I'm worth it."

Ava laughs, wrapping her arms around my neck, and I know this is it.

This is home.

And I'm never letting it go.