The sun had slipped behind the horizon, leaving Maple Hollow bathed in the soft glow of streetlamps and fading twilight. The air smelled faintly of damp leaves and warm bread from the café, a comforting mix that always seemed to mark the end of a day well spent.
Hannah closed up the café, the last of the chairs stacked neatly on the tables. Emma lingered by the door, a warm smile tugging at her lips. "You're always so efficient," she said, watching Hannah move with practiced ease.
"I've had practice," Hannah replied, setting the keys in her pocket. She paused, then added lightly, "And moral support helps."
Emma laughed, shaking her head. "You make it sound like I actually contributed."
"You did. By being here," Hannah said softly.
Outside, the evening air was cool but welcoming. They walked together down the familiar streets, side by side, their steps unhurried, shoulders occasionally brushing.
"Do you ever think about how much we've changed since… well, since all of this started?" Emma asked, her voice low.
Hannah glanced at her, a quiet smile on her face. "Every day. But it feels good, doesn't it? Even the small stuff — the walks, the coffee, the quiet nights."
Emma nodded. "Yeah. It feels… right."
They stopped at the corner near Hannah's apartment. The street was nearly empty, the lights casting soft shadows that danced across the pavement. Neither of them moved to say goodbye immediately — the night felt suspended, the moment theirs.
Hannah's hand found Emma's, fingers intertwining naturally. "I like that we can just be like this," she murmured.
Emma squeezed gently. "Me too. It's enough."
They stood there for a while, the quiet of the evening wrapping around them like a blanket, and the world outside faded to nothing more than light, warmth, and the steady certainty of each other's presence.
Finally, Hannah whispered, "Goodnight, Emma."
"Goodnight," Emma replied, a soft smile lingering as she stepped toward her own door.
Hannah watched her go, feeling the same calm certainty settle in her chest — a quiet reminder that what they had was real, steady, and growing stronger every day.