Two pages of the same book

"He kissed her like the storm outside was nothing compared to the one she stirred inside him."

---

It started with a single message.

Kalix: 7:00. Wear something you feel beautiful in. I'll do the rest.

Rose stared at the text, heart skipping. Her fingers hovered over a reply, but all she could do was smile, cheeks warm.

---

7:00 PM

The knock on her door came soft. Gentle. Like him.

When she opened it, he was standing there-black button-down, sleeves rolled, curls just messy enough, and a bouquet of wildflowers in his hand.

"You're unreal," he said the moment he saw her.

Rose rolled her eyes, trying to stay cool even as her stomach somersaulted. "You clean up well."

Kalix smirked. Wait till you see the view.

He drove her to a quiet rooftop above an old art building near campus. String lights overhead. Candles flickering along the edges. A table for two with her favorite pasta and desserts he totally pretended to cook (he absolutely did not).

The city below sparkled. But Kalix only looked at her.

Rose spun slowly, eyes wide. "You did all this?"

Kalix shrugged, like his heart wasn't racing. "You deserve more. But this'll do for now."

She walked up, wrapped her arms around his neck. "Kalix... this is-"

"Just the beginning."

They talked about everything.

Childhood dreams. Favorite books. Their most embarrassing moments (Kalix once cried during a dog food commercial-"It was emotional, okay?").

He listened like she was the only voice he'd ever need.

She watched him like she was memorizing his soul.

He fed her dessert.

She stole bites from his plate.

They laughed too loud. Took pictures that would never make it to Instagram. Danced barefoot under the string lights to a playlist he made just for her. (Track 4: Can't Help Falling in Love. She noticed.)

It started as a drizzle. Light. Almost teasing.

They didn't move. Didn't care.

Kalix pulled her into his arms, spinning her slowly in the middle of the rooftop, water soaking into their clothes.

"You're getting wet," she giggled, brushing curls off his forehead.

"So are you," he whispered, voice low.

She bit her lip. "I love you, Kalix."

And the way he looked at her in that moment? Like those three words unlocked something buried deep. Something fragile. Something fierce.

"I love you too, Rose," he breathed. "God, I love you."

And then he kissed her.

Under the stars.

Under the rain.

Like he was anchoring himself to her. Like she was his religion and he was worshipping.

---

After

They sat, wrapped in a blanket he brought, rain still misting around them.

"I'm scared sometimes," Rose whispered. "That we'll crash. That something will take this away."

Kalix kissed her forehead. "Then we hold tighter. We build walls if we have to. But we don't let go. Ever."

She looked at him. "Promise?"

He reached for her pinky.

"Forever, Rose."

Their fingers curled.

And that was it.
No fireworks. No chaos.
Just love. Real, quiet, earth-shaking love.

"Maybe love wasn't loud. Maybe it didn't always come with a script. Maybe it was soft hands in the rain, whispered promises, and the feeling that no matter how messy the world got-you had someone who'd choose you. Again and again."

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