The sun had barely begun to climb over the horizon when Elise slipped quietly out of her dorm. The world still felt asleep — soft light spilling through the mist, birds barely stirring. Her heart raced, faster with every step toward Davon's room.
She didn't know what she'd say.
She just knew she had to see him.
Her hands trembled slightly as she reached his door. It wasn't locked. She hesitated for a second — then pushed it open.
The room was dim, curtains drawn halfway. Davon lay on his bed, one arm behind his head, the other resting over his chest. Even in sleep, he looked effortlessly calm — almost unreal. His dark hair fell over his forehead, and in that quiet, Elise could hear the steady rhythm of his breathing.
For a moment, she just stood there, watching.
He looked... peaceful. Like the storms between them had never happened.
A faint smile touched her lips. "You're beautiful," she whispered under her breath, not even realizing the words had escaped.
She took a small step closer, kneeling beside the bed. "I'm sorry," she murmured softly. "For calling you a monster. For running away. I was scared… but I shouldn't have been. You've only ever protected me."
Davon stirred — his lashes flickered, and his lips curved into the faintest smile.
"Elise…" he whispered drowsily, voice low and rough from sleep. His eyes were still closed. "Since you can't be mine in the real world… I'll take my chance with the dream you."
Before she could even process the words, his hand reached out, gentle but sure, and pulled her closer. His lips brushed hers — slow, warm, heartbreakingly tender.
Elise froze, eyes wide, breath catching. It was soft — careful — like he was afraid she'd disappear.
Her heart thundered in her chest. And before she could stop herself, she whispered against his lips, "I like you too, Davon."
That was the moment his eyes opened — silver meeting brown — realization dawning on his face.
His hand dropped instantly. "Elise—" he started, sitting up too fast. "You're real?"
Elise nodded shyly, cheeks flushed. "Yeah," she breathed, voice barely a whisper. "And that… really happened."
Davon blinked, running a hand through his hair, flustered for the first time in his life. "I thought I was dreaming."
"You weren't." Elise smiled faintly, still blushing. "But… it was a nice dream, right?"
Davon looked at her for a long moment, then smiled softly — a mix of awe and disbelief. "It was perfect," he said quietly. "Just like you."
The air between them grew thick with tension again — warm, charged, and real. Elise's heart felt like it was finally in the right place.
After a long silence, she added, "You don't have to hide from me anymore. I'm not afraid, Davon."
He exhaled shakily, eyes softening. "You have no idea what those words mean to me."
For the first time since the truth had shattered their world, everything felt right again — fragile, but right.
The vampire and the girl.
The dream and the real.
Meeting somewhere in between