Chapter 17 – The Quiet Moments
The days had turned into weeks, and Steven had settled into a rhythm. In his mind, the workshop was where he felt the most at home designing, tinkering, learning, and creating. But outside the workshop, his thoughts were starting to focus on something else entirely.
Sera.
He couldn't help but notice how much they'd changed since the early days when she was just another friendly face in the academy. She was no longer just a colleague, or someone he saw between projects and tests. There was something about the way they worked together, shared quiet moments, and exchanged glances that made his chest tighten in a way he hadn't expected.
The transformation had been gradual, but now it was undeniable. Steven found himself thinking about her more than the projects he was crafting more than the technology, the weapons, the dreams he was chasing.
He noticed the way she smiled when they talked, the soft laughter that lingered in the air long after the joke had passed. Her small gestures, the way her eyes softened when she looked at him it all meant something. She was no longer just a friend. She was his closest companion in this unfamiliar world.
The two of them had grown closer, sharing lunch breaks, taking walks together, and even jogging alongside one another after training sessions. Sometimes, they'd sit in silence, just enjoying each other's company, or they'd talk about the future, the things they wanted to achieve.
It was during one of those quiet moments that Steven felt a change in the air an energy that hadn't been there before.
He stood at the edge of a small park near the workshop, the sun dipping below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the city. Sera was beside him, her breath steady after their jog, a slight sheen of sweat glistening on her brow. They had stopped to catch their breath, but neither of them had made a move to leave.
Sera turned to face him, a small, knowing smile on her lips. "You know, I've never met someone who could get lost in their thoughts so easily. You've been quiet for the last few minutes. What's going on in that head of yours?"
Steven chuckled, looking down at the ground. His heart was racing, but he couldn't bring himself to say the words aloud not yet. So he simply shrugged, not sure if he was ready to share the truth.
Sera's eyes softened as she took a step closer, placing a hand gently on his arm. "Hey, you know you can talk to me about anything, right?"
He glanced up at her, meeting her gaze. The air between them seemed to shift, tension building in the space they shared. It wasn't just the weight of the day or the fatigue from their workout. No, this felt different.
He had been afraid to admit it, even to himself, but now it was undeniable. He cared for her. More than he should. More than just a friend.
...
...
"I…" Steven started, his voice a little hoarse. "I don't know how to put it into words."
Sera's smile faded slightly, but there was no judgment in her eyes only understanding. "You don't have to rush it, Steven. I'm not going anywhere."
That was all the encouragement he needed. He took a step closer to her, his heart pounding in his chest. The space between them closed, and before he could overthink it, he reached out, his hand gently cupping her cheek.
Sera's breath caught in her throat, her eyes flickering between his eyes and his lips. She didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned in ever so slightly, her own hand moving to rest against his chest.
It was a moment suspended in time. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in this quiet space. The uncertainty, the fear of what this meant, all seemed irrelevant now. They were just two people connected by something deeper than words.
And then, without any further hesitation, Steven closed the distance between them, kissing her gently.
It wasn't a grand gesture. It wasn't filled with the passion of a storm. It was simple. Quiet. Honest. A kiss that spoke volumes without saying anything at all.
Sera's lips were soft against his, and for a brief moment, everything else in the world disappeared. It was just the two of them, standing in the fading light of day, feeling the warmth between them grow.
When they finally pulled away, both were breathless. Steven's hand still lingered on her cheek, and Sera's forehead rested against his for a moment.
"That…" Steven started, his voice barely above a whisper. "That was… I've wanted to do that for a while."
Sera smiled, her eyes sparkling with something Steven couldn't quite name. "I'm glad you did."
He laughed softly, his fingers brushing against her hair as he pulled back, giving her some space. "You're amazing, Sera. I just… I can't imagine doing any of this without you."
Sera chuckled, looking down for a moment before meeting his gaze again. "Same here, Steven. Same here."
The moment passed, but the connection between them had changed forever. They were no longer just friends, no longer just companions in this strange new world. They were something more something that neither of them had expected, but both had come to cherish.
For the first time in a long while, Steven felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be. And with Sera by his side, he knew that whatever came next whatever challenges the world threw at them they would face it together.