"Surreal." He paused. Considering. "But good. Right. Like this is how it should be."
"The comments are getting better."
"Because people see we're real. Not strategic. Not manufactured. Not fake. Just... us. Being us."
"You think that's enough?"
"I think it's everything. Authenticity. People can feel it. When something's real versus when it's performance. That's what we learned over the past decade. That being real matters more than being perfect."
She leaned her head on his shoulder. Content. Safe.
"I like this. Being here with you. Just existing together."
"Me too. More than I thought I would."
"What does that mean?"
"I was scared. Of this. Of us being public. Of ruining it. But now... I'm not scared anymore."
"Really?"
"Really. Because you're you. And we're us. And I love you. And that's enough."
Her heart. Completely full.
They sat like that. Comfortable. Safe. Together.
Then voices approached. Hesitant. Nervous.
