"I almost kissed her. Almost."— Elias
A kiss as light as the butterfly. But it turned my world upside down.
The night was cool when they stepped out of the restaurant.
Not cold.
Just enough wind to lift a few strands of her hair, to make her reach up and tuck them behind her ear—
and make him wish, for a split second, that he could be the one to do it for her.
Elias walked beside her.
Not touching.
But every step in sync.
They didn't speak much.
Didn't need to.
Something had shifted back at the table—
Something subtle, but certain.
Like a door had quietly clicked open between them.
And now the air between their hands felt electric.
Every glance carried weight.
Every second stretched.
When they reached Alex's apartment, they both paused at the front steps.
Liana turned to face him.
She looked up, that same softness in her eyes from earlier still there—shy, searching, a little uncertain.
But not afraid.
Never afraid of him.
"Thank you," she said.
"For dinner?"
"For… everything."
Elias swallowed.
He wanted to say something back.
But his mind was full of static.
Of the way her hair caught the light.
Of the way she'd leaned in when he said her name.
Of the words she whispered in the restaurant that were still burning somewhere under his ribs.
He took a breath.
Stepped a little closer.
Not enough to cross the line.
Just enough for her to feel it.
His voice was low. Rough.
"You didn't eat your dessert."
She blinked, lips twitching. "I was full."
"You ordered it."
"You told me to."
"I didn't think you'd listen."
"I usually don't."
They were both smiling now.
Barely.
But it was real.
Elias exhaled.
Lifted a hand—slow, careful, watching her the whole time.
And when she didn't flinch, didn't step back, didn't do anything but look up at him like he was the only person in the world—
He leaned in.
And pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Not rushed.
Not casual.
A quiet, deliberate promise.
Liana closed her eyes.
Just for a second.
When she looked up again, he was still there.
Still close.
And for a moment—
She almost said it.
Almost.
But instead, she whispered,
"Good night, Elias."
His name never sounded like that before.
Not like a question.
Not like a wish.
He nodded, voice low.
"Good night, Liana."
She turned and walked up the steps.
He didn't leave until the door clicked shut behind her.
Didn't move.
Just stood there on the sidewalk, staring at the door like something sacred had just happened.
Because maybe—
It had.
💬 Was that a kiss... or the calm before everything breaks?
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