The zoo was louder than Athena expected.
Children laughed, parents called out warnings, and somewhere in the distance an animal cried—a raw, echoing sound that made her pause mid-step. She turned slowly, eyes wide, taking everything in as if afraid it might vanish if she blinked.
"I've never been to a place like this before," she admitted, her voice softer than usual.
Stephan glanced at her, surprised, then smiled. "You and me both."
That earned him a quiet laugh. "Then I guess we're both tourists."
They drifted deeper inside, stopping too long at every enclosure. Lions stretched lazily behind thick glass, flamingos stood on one leg like living art, and an elephant lifted its trunk, majestic and unbothered by the crowd. Athena watched everything with unguarded wonder, the sharp edges she usually carried nowhere to be found.
"It's… beautiful," she murmured.
Stephan studied her instead of the animals. "Want to come again sometime?"
Her answer came too fast. "Yes."
He chuckled and reached out, ruffling her hair without thinking. "Then I'll bring you back."
She ducked her head, smiling despite herself. "I'll hold you to that."
They had barely taken a few more steps when her foot caught on a stone. The world tilted, breath caught—and then arms closed around her, firm and steady. She fell against his chest, warmth replacing panic.
"Hey—are you okay?" His voice was low, close.
She stiffened instantly, pulling back as if startled by her own heartbeat. "I'm fine. Really."
He laughed under his breath. "Why do you freeze up like that?"
"It's nothing," she said too quickly.
He tilted his head, mischief creeping into his eyes. "Can I hug you again?"
Her words tangled over each other. "No—yes—wait—"
He didn't wait. He drew her in gently, careful, as if afraid she might disappear. Before she could protest, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
She let out a small, helpless sound. "Hey…"
He didn't pull away right away. When he finally did, his gaze lingered on her face, serious now.
"You won't leave me," he said—not a question, but not quite a statement either.
She swallowed. "I won't."
"No matter what?"
She nodded, meeting his eyes. "No matter what."
"Promise."
"I promise."
Something eased in his expression, though something else—unspoken—settled in its place. He kissed her forehead once more and stepped back, offering her an easy smile, as if the moment hadn't just carved itself into both of them.
"So," he said lightly, "keep exploring, or head back?"
"Let's go," she replied softly.
They turned toward the exit, walking side by side in comfortable silence until he spoke again, almost as an afterthought.
"Oh—by the way. That parcel you asked me to get… whose is it?"
She didn't hesitate. "Edward's grandson. It's his birthday tomorrow. Can you help me deliver it?"
"Of course," he said instantly. "Anything for you."
She smiled, and this time it reached her eyes.
Their hands brushed as they walked. Neither pulled away. Fingers slipped together naturally, as if they'd always belonged there.
Two hearts moved forward, unaware that the promise just made—so simple, so sincere—was already being tested by fate gathering its strength in the distance.