The cold Icelandic air wrapped around them as they stepped onto the snow-covered ground. The sky was dark, painted with stars, and the air was crisp with the scent of pine from the distant forests.
Mirshad tightened his grip on Sophia's hand as they walked toward a secluded open field, away from any city lights. The silence of the landscape was profound, broken only by the crunch of their boots against the fresh snow.
Sophia exhaled, watching her breath turn to mist in the freezing air. "It's beautiful," she whispered.
Mirshad glanced at her. "Not yet."
She frowned slightly, confused, but before she could question him, the first wave of colors danced across the sky.
A ribbon of green stretched across the horizon, followed by a deep shade of blue, then purple, and finally streaks of pink and gold. The Aurora Borealis had arrived.
Sophia's breath hitched as she stared up, completely mesmerized.
Her fingers tightened around Mirshad's hand as tears welled in her eyes. "I... I never thought I'd see this in my life."
Mirshad stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her close. "You should know by now—if you dream it, I'll make it happen."
A tear slipped down her cheek as she leaned into his warmth. "You make everything feel possible."
Mirshad rested his chin lightly on her shoulder. "That's because, with you, everything is."
They stood there for a long time, just watching. The sky above them shifted like a living painting, colors blending and swirling in ways that seemed unreal.
Sophia turned slightly in his embrace, resting her forehead against his chest. "I could stay like this forever."
Mirshad chuckled softly, his fingers tracing circles against her back. "Then forever it is."
She looked up at him, her eyes searching his. "Do you ever wonder about the future?"
His gaze softened. "All the time."
Sophia hesitated for a moment, then asked the question that had been in her heart. "What do you see?"
Mirshad was silent for a moment, his grip on her tightening slightly. "I see a life where I don't have to fight anymore. A life where the only thing I have to protect… is you."
Sophia swallowed hard, her heart aching at the honesty in his voice. "You've spent your whole life fighting, haven't you?"
He nodded, his jaw tightening. "Ever since I was a child."
She reached up, cupping his face gently. "Then let this be your last battle, Mirshad. Let this be the life where you finally get to rest."
His lips twitched slightly. "Resting is not in my nature."
She smiled softly. "Then at least… let me be the place where you don't have to be strong."
Mirshad exhaled, leaning down to press a gentle kiss against her forehead. "You already are."
As they sat down on a blanket spread over the snow, Sophia leaned her head against Mirshad's shoulder. "Tell me something," she murmured.
"Anything."
She hesitated. "Do you ever think about… family?"
Mirshad turned his head slightly to look at her. "You mean… children?"
Sophia nodded, playing with the edge of her scarf. "Yeah."
A long pause stretched between them before Mirshad finally answered, his voice softer than usual. "I never thought I'd live long enough to have one."
Sophia's heart clenched. "But you will," she whispered fiercely. "You will, Mirshad. You'll have a family, a home… everything you've never had."
Mirshad watched her for a moment, then reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Do you want that? With me?"
Sophia blinked, her heart racing. "Of course I do."
Mirshad's gaze darkened slightly, something deep and unreadable swirling in his eyes. "Then one day… I promise, I'll give you that."
Sophia smiled, a single tear slipping down her cheek. "I'll hold you to that promise."
He leaned in, brushing his lips softly against hers. "You don't have to. It's already yours."
They lay on the blanket, staring up at the sky, fingers intertwined.
Sophia sighed contently. "This is the most peaceful night of my life."
Mirshad smirked. "That's because I haven't given you a reason to scream yet."
She turned to him with a playful glare. "Mirshad!"
He laughed, shaking his head. "Relax, love. I meant out of excitement."
Sophia rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "I swear, one day I'll beat you at your own game."
He raised an eyebrow. "You can try."
She huffed, crossing her arms. "You always have the last word."
Mirshad smirked, pulling her closer. "Because I'm always right."
Sophia groaned, hiding her face in his chest. "I can't stand you."
He kissed the top of her head. "Good. That means you'll never leave."
She lifted her head, eyes softening. "Never."
They stayed like that, the cold no longer bothering them, the night stretching endlessly before them.
Above them, the Northern Lights continued their dance.
And in that moment, nothing else in the world mattered.