???????? ???? ??? ??? | Aiden Clark x Reader

2 updates in one night! sorry, I cooked so hard on this one that I couldn't wait!

I hop down the steep path leading to the docks. The solar-powered lanterns lined up along each side of the trail seem to be working great. I had my doubts when Emery mentioned investing in some, but they looked really nice.

I play with the ends of my braid as I walk past the last batch of trees, finally catching a glimpse of the lit-up dock ahead. At the end of it, I spot a figure sitting on the edge of it, with his legs hanging off of it.

"I didn't make you wait too long, did I?" I call out as I step foot onto the thick planks.

Aiden turns his head, my voice startling him for a second. He relaxes when he spots me and stands up to meet me halfway, "Not at all, sunshine."

He reaches me and greets me with a yearning kiss, warming enough to make me melt right into him. My hands travel up his arms to rest on his shoulder, a silent acceptance of his affection.

Once we pull away, he takes my hand and guides me to where he was sitting before I arrived. I watch him sit down as close to the edge as possible, pulling me down to join him.

I slip off my sandals, not wanting them to accidentally plunge into the lake water. I set them down beside me and perch my hands behind me to lean back comfortably.

I expected him to talk my ear off the way he usually does, but this mutual silence was just as welcoming. It was definitely odd of him to be this quiet, yet something about it was as comforting as listening to him talk about whatever comes to mind.

I admire the way the moonlight reflects on the calm ripples of water before us. The lake's gentle sway offered a pleasing sound slowly melting into the natural ambiance of the forest. Lanterns on the wooden posts gave off a warm glow, a stark contrast to the cool tones of the night.

"It's so beautiful..." I catch myself saying aloud, the breathlessness in my tone giving away my astonishment.

"It is."

I turn to meet his eyes already looking in my direction. It seemed he had not once spared the view a glance.

My eyes roam over his features being highlighted by the artificial lighting behind us. Maybe it was the way the light was directly hitting his face, but I'm just now noticing that he is no longer wearing his crimson eye contacts.

And, God...

Brown eyes were made for him. He's never looked so soft, so kind. They were as warm and as dark as a cup of steaming coffee, providing a sense of familiarity that tempted me to never look away.

And his hair.

He hadn't had a chance to maintain it or keep up with what I assumed was his typical dying routine. His natural, rich-brown roots now took over most of his hair. Only the tips remained that blonde shade I was met with the day I arrived at Solstice Summit.

Something about seeing him with brown hair made me appreciate the color a whole lot more. This was Aiden Clark. The real him. There was nothing artificial about the boy sitting by my side now.

I reach up to brush a strand of his thick, wavy hair now reaching below his ears.

"What're you doing...?" He asks warily, though I don't miss the hint of curious amusement in his chocolate-brown irises.

"Why do you dye it?" I ask genuinely, keeping my eyes glued to his hair.

I can hear a faint gulp, a sign of hesitance to answer honestly. Perhaps this subject should have remained unscathed.