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A week had passed since they found refuge in a small, secluded spot that Cataleya had arranged through an old friend. The cabin was modest but comfortable, nestled deep in the woods with just enough space for them to breathe and lay low.

That morning, sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of the bedroom, casting a soft glow across the room. Cataleya stirred awake, reaching instinctively to the spot beside her, only to find it empty. A faint sense of awareness told her Armando was up already.

Stretching lazily, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and slipped on a loose T-shirt and a blank pair of shorts, her mind still heavy with sleep. Tugging her long hair into a messy bun, she shuffled to the restroom, where she brushed her teeth and splashed cold water on her face. The coolness jolted her fully awake.

As she stepped into the living room, her eyes immediately landed on him. Armando was seated on the couch, one arm draped casually across the back, his focus on the muted news playing on the small television. The morning light caught the angles of his face, highlighting his sharp jawline and the faint scar near his temple.

He glanced up as her presence broke his attention. His dark eyes softened ever so slightly, though his usual guarded demeanor remained intact.

Cataleya smirked, her own walls intact but thinner around him. She moved to sit down beside him, angling herself so she faced him, her elbow resting on the back of the couch.

"You're up early." She remarked, her voice still low with sleep.

"You're up late." He replied, his tone dry but not unkind.

She arched an eyebrow, letting the quiet stretch between them for a moment. "What's got you glued to the news?"

He hesitated, his gaze flicking briefly to the screen before settling back on her. "Just making sure nothing's changed." He said simply.

Cataleya's smirk softened into something almost vulnerable. "We're clear for now. You don't have to carry it all, you know."

Armando tilted his head slightly, his lips pressing into a faint smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "You don't let anything go either. Don't tell me you sleep easy at night."

She couldn't deny it, so she didn't try. Instead, she leaned back, stretching her legs out on the couch and settling into the quiet comfort of the moment.

"Hungry?" She asked after a pause, glancing at him.

Armando nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer. "Starving."

Cataleya rolled her eyes but stood up. "Guess I'll fix us something. Don't get too comfortable while I do all the work."

"Never." He said with a ghost of a smirk, watching her as she walked toward the small kitchen.

For the first time in days, there was a sliver of peace between them—a fragile but real reprieve from the chaos they'd been running from.

Cataleya moved into the tiny kitchen, the warm wooden counters cluttered with mismatched plates and utensils. The cabin was no luxury, but it had everything they needed, and that was enough. She rummaged through the fridge, pulling out eggs and some leftover tortillas.

As she cracked the eggs into a bowl, she glanced back toward the living room. Armando hadn't moved, still sitting on the couch with that quiet intensity about him. He always seemed lost in his thoughts, carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"Don't just sit there," she called out, her voice cutting through the stillness. "You could make yourself useful."

Armando turned his head slightly, his dark eyes locking on her with faint amusement. "You're the one who offered." He said, leaning back into the couch like a king.

Cataleya shook her head, a small laugh escaping her. "You're lucky I don't throw this pan at you."

"Wouldn't be the first time." He muttered under his breath, just loud enough for her to hear.

She shot him a mock glare, then focused back on the stove. In a few minutes, she'd whipped up a simple but hearty breakfast—scrambled eggs with tortillas, avocado slices, and a bit of salsa she found tucked away in the fridge. She plated the food and carried it over to the living room.

"Here." She said, handing him a plate as she sat beside him.

Armando took the plate with a nod of thanks, his expression softening as the smell hit him. "Not bad, chef."

"Don't push it." She teased, biting into her own food.

For a while, they ate in companionable silence, the muted sounds of the news filling the space. It wasn't until they'd nearly finished that Armando broke the quiet.

"You ever think about what's next?" He asked, his voice low but steady.

Cataleya paused, her fork hovering over her plate. "Next?"

"Yeah." He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. "All of this. Running, hiding, fighting. It can't be it, right?"

She sighed, setting her plate down on the coffee table. "I stopped thinking about 'next' a long time ago."

Armando glanced at her, his eyes searching hers. "You can't just live like that forever, Cat."

"And what about you?" She countered, meeting his gaze head-on. "You think you're any different? You've been looking over your shoulder just as much as I have."

He didn't answer right away, but his jaw tightened. "Maybe. But I'd like to think there's something else out there—something better. For both of us."

Cataleya's chest tightened at his words. She wanted to believe him, to let herself imagine a life that wasn't defined by survival. But hope was a dangerous thing.

"We'll see." She said finally, her voice softer than she intended.

Armando gave her a small nod, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he leaned back into the couch again.

For now, they were safe. And for now, that was enough.

Cataleya leaned back into the couch, her legs tucked under her as she stretched lazily. The empty plates were forgotten on the coffee table, and the news droned on in the background. Armando had shifted closer, his arm draped casually along the back of the couch, his fingers brushing the edge of her shoulder.

The touch was so light, it was almost imperceptible, but Cataleya felt it. It sent a small jolt through her, a reminder of how aware she always was of him, even in the quiet moments like this.

She turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting his. "You keep doing that, or is it an accident?" she teased, a sly smile curving her lips.

Armando's lips twitched in a smirk, his dark eyes glinting. "What if I said both?"

Cataleya rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her cheeks betrayed her. She leaned her shoulder into his hand, daring him to follow through.

"I don't think you have it in you." She said, her voice low, a playful challenge laced in her tone.

That was all it took. Armando's fingers traced along her shoulder, his touch deliberate now. His hand slid down her arm slowly, his fingertips grazing her skin as if testing her reaction.

Cataleya's breath hitched, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she shifted closer, closing the distance between them until their knees brushed.

"You're playing with fire." She murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Armando's smirk deepened, his free hand moving to rest on her thigh, his thumb brushing over the soft fabric of her shorts. "And you're not stopping me." He replied, his tone teasing but edged with something heavier.

Cataleya's eyes softened, her guard slipping for a moment. She leaned into him, her hand reaching up to lightly rest on his chest. She could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her palm, a grounding presence amidst the tension simmering between them.

"Maybe I don't want to." She admitted softly.

Armando's expression shifted, his teasing demeanor fading as something more serious took its place. He tilted his head, his gaze flicking between her eyes and her lips. "Say the word, Cat." He murmured.

She didn't say anything, but the way she leaned in, her forehead brushing against his, was all the answer he needed.

Slowly, as if testing the waters, Armando tilted his head and pressed his lips against hers. The kiss was soft at first, a tentative exploration, but it didn't take long for the heat to build.

Cataleya's hand slid up to curl around the back of his neck, pulling him closer. His grip on her thigh tightened as he leaned into her, his other hand coming up to cradle her face.

The world around them faded—the cabin, the news, the weight of everything they'd been through. For just a moment, it was only them. Only this.

When they finally pulled apart, their breaths were uneven, and Cataleya found herself smiling despite the fluttering in her chest. "You think you're so smooth, don't you?"

Armando chuckled, his forehead resting against hers. "Not smooth," he said. "Just lucky."

This comes to an end Happy birthday to our special Papi (I always call him that bcs why not?) 32 already & still young asf>>>> ━━━━━━━ This was the end of Bad Boys 4! Hope you liked it & I also hope for a fifth movie, do y'all know something about it maybe? Hope it comes true. We don't want our Papi hiding around the world ;)