Comfort

"Nope, it's not," Dante reassured, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I think I fell for the responsible you on New Year's Day, then I fell for the kind, strong, brave, kickass you," Aurora laughed at his words, and Dante continued, "Then it was the smart you, then the beautiful you, then the caring and thoughtful you, and last but not least, my favorite—the wild you."

Aurora, moved by his words, smiled back at him. "I guess both of us fell in love with different versions of each other."

Hearing her confession, Dante leaned down to meet her gaze. Aurora, in an attempt to avoid him, shyly stepped back, but Dante was persistent.

"You serious?" he asked, eyes twinkling with anticipation. "Hey, answer me! Do you like me too?" he pressed, not backing down.

After several failed attempts, Aurora finally laughed at his persistence and gave in. She locked her eyes with his, her heart racing. "Right," she said, her voice soft yet sincere, "I like the person you are. I have a lot of shortcomings, and I'm not sure if you'd be able to tolerate me, but let's give this a try."

Hearing her say it filled him with overwhelming joy.

"I promise to never let you cry and to be the source of your happiness and comfort, Aurora," he thought to himself, a vow silently made in his heart.

"I promise to give you all the love and trust you've missed and be your place of comfort, Dante," she vowed to herself.