Serafina's POV

The walk was a much-needed break from the chaos that sometimes filled her mind. The soft rustling of leaves in the trees, the scent of fresh earth in the air—it was calming. Aiden walked beside her, the space between them not uncomfortable, but still too far for her liking. She wanted to feel the warmth of his presence, to remind herself that he was there, that she wasn't alone in this journey.

She glanced up at him, catching the way he seemed lost in thought, his brow furrowed in concentration.

Without thinking, Serafina reached out, her hand brushing against his. It was light, tentative, almost like she wasn't sure if it was okay.

But Aiden didn't hesitate. He closed the space between them, his hand slipping into hers with a quiet, reassuring grip.

Her heart skipped a beat. The simple act of holding hands felt like an anchor in the storm of emotions she'd been battling lately. His fingers were warm against her cold skin, and for a moment, the rest of the world faded away.

Aiden glanced at her, his smile soft, understanding. "You okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.

"I think so," Serafina whispered, squeezing his hand slightly. "I just... I didn't want to let go."

Aiden didn't say anything, but he didn't let go either. They walked together in silence, the air around them heavy with the unspoken connection they shared. Serafina felt safer than she had in a long time. The feeling of his hand in hers, the simple act of being with someone who didn't judge her, who didn't make her feel broken—it was healing in a way she couldn't describe.

As they reached the park, Aiden stopped, pulling her gently to a bench beneath a large oak tree. He sat first, patting the space beside him.

Serafina hesitated for a moment, but then sat down next to him, still holding his hand. The world around them seemed to slow, the chatter of people in the distance blending into the soft hum of nature.

"You're quiet today," Aiden observed, turning his head slightly to look at her.

Serafina shrugged, her free hand twisting the fabric of her jeans nervously. "Just thinking."

"About what?"

Her thoughts were a jumble, too many things fighting for attention in her mind. But one thought kept circling, a truth she hadn't yet shared with him. She glanced up at him, meeting his eyes.

"Aiden," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "I've never had anyone like you in my life before."

He raised an eyebrow in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, someone who's willing to be here for me. Someone who... doesn't look at me like I'm broken or something to fix."

His expression softened, and he squeezed her hand. "You're not broken, Fina. You've been through a lot, but that doesn't make you broken. It makes you strong."

Serafina's chest tightened, the words resonating deeply within her. She hadn't realized how much she'd longed for someone to say that until now.

"I'm still scared," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Scared of messing things up, scared of feeling things I'm not ready for. But... I think I'm ready to try, with you."

Aiden's smile was warm, his eyes holding something unreadable, something deep. "You don't have to be ready, Fina. You don't have to know what comes next. I'm here, and that's all that matters."

Serafina felt the weight of his words settle in her chest, grounding her. For the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, she could be enough.

She turned her hand slightly in his, her fingers tangling with his as she leaned her head against his shoulder.

And for the first time in her life, Serafina didn't feel so alone.