The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the vast mansion Jin had purchased. The night was silent, save for the faint rustling of the wind against the windows. Inside the dimly lit bedroom, Jin stood by the window, his gaze lost in the endless sky. The past few days had been a whirlwind, and despite the battles, the bloodshed, and the weight of his past, tonight felt different.
Lia entered the room quietly, dressed in a silk nightgown that shimmered under the soft candlelight. Her silver hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her amethyst eyes held a warmth that melted away the barriers Jin had unknowingly built around himself.
"You're thinking too much again," Lia said, stepping closer. Her voice was soft, teasing, but laced with concern.
Jin exhaled, shaking his head with a smirk. "And you always know when I am."
She smiled, placing a hand on his chest. "It's because I know you, Jin. More than anyone."
For a moment, neither spoke. The air between them grew thick with unspoken words, emotions that had been buried beneath duty, battle, and responsibility. Lia's fingers traced the scars on Jin's arm, her touch featherlight.
"Every scar tells a story," she murmured, her eyes never leaving his.
Jin chuckled. "Some stories aren't worth remembering."
Lia shook her head. "That's not true. Every moment, every wound, every battle… it brought you here, to me."
Jin met her gaze, and in that instant, the tension broke. He pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her waist. Lia's breath hitched as she rested her forehead against his chest, her fingers clutching his shirt.
"You're trembling," Jin noted, tilting her chin up to meet his eyes.
Lia let out a small laugh, her cheeks flushed. "Maybe I am."
"Why?"
"Because…" she hesitated, searching for the words. "Because this moment feels… real."
Jin studied her, his thumb gently brushing against her cheek. "It is real."
Lia's lips parted slightly, her eyes searching his for any hesitation, any doubt. But there was none. Slowly, he leaned in, capturing her lips in a soft, lingering kiss. It was gentle at first, uncertain, as if they were both afraid this was just another dream that would shatter upon waking.
But when Lia responded, the hesitation melted away. The kiss deepened, emotions flooding in—love, longing, the silent promise that had always existed between them. Jin's hands slid to her waist, pulling her flush against him, feeling the rapid beat of her heart against his own.
Lia's fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, as if afraid he would disappear. The warmth of her touch, the way she fit perfectly against him—it was overwhelming. They had fought alongside each other, bled together, survived together. But this… this was different.
Time lost meaning as they moved together, exploring emotions neither had put into words before. The barriers between them crumbled, and for the first time, there was nothing but them—no wars, no responsibilities, no looming threats. Just Jin and Lia, lost in each other.
The night stretched on, the world outside forgotten. And as they lay together, wrapped in each other's warmth, Jin realized something profound.
He was simply living.