Eli's POV
He didn't want the night to end.
They sat there—legs touching, arms brushing—on the rooftop where so much had begun, where so much had nearly ended.
The city hummed beneath them. Riven's jacket was around Eli's shoulders now. Neither of them said a word for a long time.
Then finally—
"Why did you choose me?" Riven asked, voice low, almost scared.
Eli didn't answer right away. He looked at the sky instead.
"You didn't ask me to," he said. "But somehow, my heart did anyway."
Riven let out a shaky breath. "I don't deserve that."
Eli turned to him, eyes softer than the night air.
"No. You don't. But I don't love people because they deserve it. I love them because I do."
Riven's fingers tightened around his.
And in that small gesture—like a silent apology, a quiet plea—they found peace.
---
Riven's POV
He had spent so long being afraid of love.
Afraid it would ruin everything. Afraid it would make him weak.
But right now—with Eli by his side, his heartbeat slower than usual, his breaths gentler—Riven realized something.
Love hadn't ruined him.
It had revealed him.
And for once, he didn't want to hide.
"I'm scared of being found out," Riven admitted. "Of people seeing me with you. Not because I'm ashamed. But because I know how cruel the world can be."
Eli nodded, resting his head on Riven's shoulder.
"I'm scared too," he whispered. "But I'd rather be scared with you than safe without you."
---
But peace never lasts.
The metal door to the rooftop slammed open.
They jumped apart—too late.
Standing in the doorway was Riven's older brother.
Drenched in rain.
Eyes wide. Face frozen.
Time paused.
"Riven," he said slowly, his voice quiet but sharp, "what the hell are you doing?"
Eli took a step back.
Riven stepped in front of him.
Protective. Instinctive.
"I'm not hiding anymore," Riven said.
His brother laughed—a sharp, bitter sound.
"You think our parents will let this go? You think this won't ruin everything for you?"
"Let them," Riven growled. "Let them be ruined."
A silence fell like a thunderclap.
Eli couldn't speak.
Riven was shaking. But not from fear—from fury.
And conviction.
"Get out of my way," his brother hissed. "This isn't over."
Then he left, the door slamming shut behind him.
Eli stood frozen, breath caught in his throat.
"Riven…"
Riven turned around, eyes stormy but steady.
"I'm done running."
---