Chapter Text
The truck rumbled beneath them, old engine low like a heartbeat in the night. The windows were rolled down, and the breeze that swept through smelled of pine needles and lakewater — sharp, clean, familiar.
They didn’t speak.
Swann watched Dylan drive — her fingers loose on the wheel, her eyes distant. The kind of silence that asked not for answers, but for presence. The kind that said just stay .
Music played low from the speakers, some old folk song with voices like ghosts, the kind Dylan once said helped her fall asleep when she was a kid. It wrapped around them like a hush.
They crested a hill, then pulled off at a clearing Dylan remembered from years ago — one of her old haunts, the place she used to sneak off to when the house got too loud, or too quiet. The town of Velvet Cove glimmered far below, scattered like spilled stardust across the curve of the earth.
Swann stepped out first.
The air was cool, kissed with salt and the whisper of far-off waves. The grass was dewy underfoot. Dylan climbed out slowly, hoodie drawn up to her jaw, shoulders tense — as if she could shrink from view by willing herself into her seams.
But Swann was already turning to look at her.
And the moon — high and full and endlessly tender — caught the bruise like a secret someone failed to hide. A bloom of violet brushed across her collarbone. A faint smear of darkness near her jaw, shaped like fingers that never deserved to touch.
Swann didn’t speak.
She simply stepped forward. Reached up. Let her hand cup Dylan’s cheek the way the breeze does: softly, reverently, like the world owed her gentleness.
Dylan’s breath caught.
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” she whispered, voice barely there. “I didn’t know where else to go.”
Swann brushed a curl behind Dylan’s ear. “You came to the right place.”
They sat down in the grass — shoulder to shoulder, knees touching, the world opening up around them. Below, Velvet Cove shimmered like a dream in a snow globe: golden streetlights, blinking festival signs, the soft static hum of a town trying to forget its secrets for one night.
Above them, the sky unfolded. Ink-blue. Endless.
A meteor crossed suddenly, quick and blinding — a stitch of silver through the heavens.
Swann tilted her head toward Dylan. “I hate that he gets to breathe the same air as you.”
Dylan let out a bitter sound that could’ve been a laugh or a sob. “I didn’t think it would get this far. But Corey… he knows how to make it look like love. He knows how to bruise without leaving a mark you can name.”
Swann didn’t try to fix it. She just reached for Dylan’s hand. Held it like a vow.
“I should go,” Dylan said after a long silence. “I shouldn’t have brought this into your life. You didn’t ask for this.”
But Swann only shook her head, eyes steady. “You didn’t bring it. You brought you . That’s all I ever wanted.”
The stars blinked above — constellations aching to tell old stories.
Dylan turned toward her. And for the first time all night, there was something in her gaze — not sharp or closed-off — but cracked open. Uncertain. Soft.
“I feel safe with you,” she said. “Even when I don’t feel safe with myself.”
Swann leaned forward.
And in the light of moon and meteor, she kissed the bruise on Dylan’s neck — feather-soft, like she could undo it with her lips. Like she could press something broken back into place with enough love.
“You are not what he did to you,” Swann murmured. “You’re still here. You’re still yours.”
Dylan’s eyes welled, but no tears fell.
And in that moment — sitting in the grass above the town that held all their secrets — Dylan believed her.
Not because it was easy.
But because it was Swann who said it.
The wind curled over the landscape like a whisper, brushing through the pick-up truck where they lay side by side. A second meteor blazed overhead — quieter, slower — before dissolving into the sky like a sigh.
Dylan’s breath caught.
“I feel like a succubus,” she said, the words torn from somewhere deep. “Like I just… take from people. And leave them emptier.”
Swann turned her head to face her. “Dylan—”
“No,” Dylan interrupted, voice hoarse. “You don’t get it. You think I’m this good girl with bruises and sad eyes. But sometimes I’m not. I make choices. I ruin things.”
Her fingers trembled on the roof of the car.
“I don’t even know how to be loved without earning it. Without doing something for it. Like… if I’m not perfect, I disappear.”
Swann said nothing — just stayed.
Dylan stared up at the stars, tears lining her lashes.
“Is it true?” Swann asked gently. “The rumor. About college.”
Dylan flinched.
For a long moment, she didn’t answer.
Then, in a breath, cheeks flushing with shame, “Yeah.”
Silence pressed in around them, and then Dylan continued.
“She was my professor. Married. Brilliant. Her lectures made me feel like I was waking up after years of sleepwalking. And then she asked if I wanted to stay after class.”
Her laugh was hollow. “I thought it was harmless at first. I think she did too. But then we kissed. Just once. And then again. And… we talked. Every day. For weeks.”
She covered her eyes with the back of her arm, swallowing hard.
“It wasn’t a big affair. It wasn’t dramatic. I knew she was just lonely and or at least wanted me too. And I let myself believe that. Because for once I felt… chosen.”
Swann blinked slowly, watching her with soft, unreadable eyes.
“They found out,” Dylan said. “The department. My parents. Her husband. It was over before it really began. She didn’t fight it. And I—I took the fall.”
“Did you love her?” Swann asked.
“No,” Dylan whispered. “I wanted to be her favorite. I wanted someone to look at me and see more than grades, more than obedience, more than Corey’s girl. And she did. Even for a moment.”
Swann leaned in. Pressed her forehead gently to Dylan’s.
“You weren’t a monster for wanting to be seen,” she said. “You weren’t wrong for needing softness.”
Dylan sobbed once — sharp, sudden — like something broke open.
And Swann, steady as ever, stayed right there. Hands cupping Dylan’s cheeks, grounding her in the moment.
“You don’t need to be perfect with me,” Swann said. “You just need to be real.”
They were still in the back of Dylan’s truck, wrapped in a spare blanket Swann had stashed in her camera bag, their bodies close beneath the cooling air. The metal of the truck bed pressed into Dylan’s spine, but she didn’t care. Not when Swann was curled beside her, head resting gently on her shoulder, drawing invisible shapes on her arm.
The stars above blinked softer now, tired from their own brief flare of light.
Dylan exhaled slowly, the warmth of Swann’s skin anchoring her to the present.
“I feel…” Dylan’s voice was hoarse, worn out from crying, from needing, from feeling . “Like I finally exhaled something I’ve been holding in for years.”
Swann hummed softly. “You did.”
Dylan turned to her, barely brushing their noses. “Does it scare you? That I’m like this? All broken and… messy?”
Swann’s fingers found Dylan’s knuckles beneath the blanket. She laced their hands together.
“No,” she said. “Because you’re honest. And you fight every day just to feel something real. That’s not weakness. That’s power.”
Dylan laughed once — barely a sound. “You always say things like that.”
“It’s the filmmaker in me,” Swann teased, eyes soft in the starlight. “I see stories where people only see silence.”
They went quiet again. The kind of quiet that didn’t demand to be filled.
Somewhere far off, a bird called out — not quite night, not quite morning.
Dylan blinked up at the stars. “Do you think we’ll ever be okay?”
Swann rested her chin gently on Dylan’s chest. “Not right away. But this?” She nudged Dylan’s hand to her own heart. “This is a start.”
Dylan smiled, small and tired but true.
She tilted her head, brushing her lips against Swann’s hair, then stared up at the thinning stars.
They lay quiet for a while, the weight of Dylan’s confession settling into the night around them.
The stars above blinked like distant Morse code, scattered across an indigo canvas as if the universe was trying to send a message just for them.
Swann, always tuned to the quiet language of the world, spoke softly.
“Some say the blinking stars are souls,” she murmured. “Dead lovers trying to find their way back to each other. Across galaxies, across time. Reuniting through light.”
Dylan turned to her, eyes glassy.
“And the meteors?”
Swann smiled faintly. “Those are the moments they finally meet. All that burning — not for destruction, but recognition. For love. For collision.”
And as if summoned, a meteor sliced the sky in two — a silver ribbon falling fast and fierce.
Dylan stared at her. “Do you remember our first kiss?”
Swann’s breath caught.
“In the broken-down bus?” Dylan continued, voice low, eyes never leaving her. “In the forest. During that dare game. You were supposed to find me and report me then I—I forgot how to stop.”
“I remember,” Swann whispered. “It was during another meteor shower, too. I remember thinking… I had been praying for a sign. And there you were. A little reckless. A little scared. And so alive.”
Dylan’s voice was a tremor of breath.
“I could still taste pine needles and mint gum on your mouth,” she said. “I remember the sound of the forest going quiet. Like it was listening.”
Swann turned her head. “I remember thinking… if I could go back to that moment again and again, like a reel in a cinema, I would. Just press replay. Forever.”
Their fingers intertwined again, tighter this time.
And Dylan, voice barely audible, breath warm in the dark:
“I need you tonight,” she said. “Not just to hold me. Not just to stay. I need to forget the pain. Forget him. Forget this whole damn world.”
She turned toward Swann fully now, their knees brushing, their hands between them like an offering.
“Please,” Dylan whispered. “Take me somewhere else. Make it feel like the sky does right now — full of fire, full of falling, full of something bigger than pain.”
Swann didn’t answer with words.
She sat up gently. Reached out. Brushed Dylan’s hair behind her ear, then kissed her — slowly, reverently, with the care of someone who knew bruises weren’t always visible.
It wasn’t lust. It was longing. It was sanctuary.
And as the meteors rained above them, the world blurred into something almost holy — like they weren’t two broken girls in a small town but twin stars finally colliding in their own constellation.
By the time they returned to the lakehouse, the meteor shower had softened into stardust, and the moonlight scattered across the dock like a spill of milk.
Swann unlocked the door, wordless. Dylan followed, holding her shoes in one hand, keys in the other. The house smelled like pine and faint lavender. A light rain had come earlier — the windows still shimmered with droplets, and the air hummed with hush.
Inside, the bathroom - Swann turned on the taps in the deep, clawfoot tub, steam rising as hot water poured in.
Dylan stood nearby, slowly removing her hoodie and tank top, her hands trembling slightly — not from cold, but from something more delicate. More exposed.
Swann glanced over and gave her a small smile. “Come on. Let’s warm up.”
They slipped into the bath together, facing each other, knees touching beneath the surface. The water lapped against their shoulders, scented faintly with lavender from a sachet Swann bought couple weeks ago in the complimentary spa kit. The warmth soaked into Dylan’s skin, and her shoulders slowly unknotted.
Rain tapped rhythmically against the window.
Swann reached for a sponge, soaked it, and gently began to run it along Dylan’s arms, then her collarbone, as if washing away the weight of the world.
Dylan’s eyes fluttered closed. “You make everything feel slow,” she murmured.
“In a good way?”
“In a perfect way.”
Swann smiled, leaned in, and kissed Dylan’s shoulder — then her neck. She lingered there, kissing a mark that Corey had left, now yellowing with time. But the moment Swann’s lips brushed it, Dylan hissed quietly.
Swann immediately pulled back. “Shit—sorry—”
But Dylan laughed, soft and surprised. “It’s okay. It’s just... sensitive.”
Swann cradled her face gently, her thumbs stroking Dylan’s cheeks. “You’re safe now.”
“I know,” Dylan whispered. “Because you’re here.”
They stayed like that a while — forehead to forehead, water cooling slowly around them as the storm continued outside, wrapping the world in hush.
Later, they lay across the bed inside Swann's room— clean, dry, soft-skinned and warm beneath fresh sheets. The room smelled like saffron and rain.
Dylan kissed Swann slowly, deeply, the kind of kiss that didn’t ask for anything, only offered. But when she pulled back, her eyes were uncertain.
“Can I ask you something?” Dylan said, voice shy, almost sheepish.
Swann nodded, brushing hair from Dylan’s face.
“I brought something,” Dylan admitted. “In my bag. I wasn’t sure if… I mean, I didn’t want to make anything weird, but I just… thought maybe...”
Swann blinked, her expression flickering with curiosity — until Dylan reached over the edge of the bed, rummaged through her bag, and pulled out a small black box.
She opened it.
Swann flushed instantly, her face a stunning mix of shock and crimson, eyes darting from the object to Dylan and back again.
“You planned this?” she whispered.
Dylan’s ears were red now too. “I—maybe. I didn’t think we had to use it, but I thought... if you wanted to try something more... fun. I mean—only if you’re okay with it.”
Swann blinked slowly, caught between awe and laughter.
“Dylan,” she said, voice trembling with fondness, “you bought a size .”
Dylan buried her face in the pillow. “I did research!”
Swann laughed — real and bright, still blushing furiously, but with stars in her eyes. She gently tilted Dylan’s face back toward her.
“I want to try,” she said. “With you.”
Dylan looked stunned. “Really?”
Swann nodded. “Really. It’s you. I trust you.”
-A QUICK COMMERCIAL BREAK - AGAIN - EXPLICIT SCENES START HERE -
The air was thick with anticipation, a delicate tension that hung between the two souls like a promise.
Dylan stood by the bed, her tall frame exuding a quiet confidence, her hair cascading in loose waves down her back.
She wore a t-shirt, the deep burgundy fabric clinging to her curves, and in her hands, she held a strap-on, its sleek design a testament to the intimacy they were about to explore.
Swann, lay on the bed, her heart pounding in her chest, her breath coming in short, nervous gasps. She was clad in a simple white camisole and matching panties, her body a canvas of soft curves and delicate skin. This was their second time together, but the first time Dylan would take the lead in this way.
Her nerves were palpable, her fingers twisting in the sheets as she stared up at Dylan with a mix of fear and desire.
“You’re sure about this? ” Dylan’s voice was a low murmur, gentle yet commanding, as she approached the bed.
Her eyes scanned Swann’s face, searching for any sign of hesitation.
She knew Swann had never experienced this before, and the thought of causing her pain made Dylan’s stomach twist. But Swann’s eagerness to please her, to explore this new territory together, was a gift Dylan didn’t want to squander.
Swann nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line. “I’m sure,” she whispered, though her voice trembled slightly. “I want this. I want you.”
Dylan’s heart swelled at the words, and she smiled softly, setting the strap-on aside for a moment.
She climbed onto the bed, her movements deliberate and slow, as if approaching a skittish animal.
Kneeling beside Swann, she cupped the younger woman’s face in her hands, her thumbs brushing over Swann’s cheeks. “You’re so brave, ” she whispered, her lips brushing Swann’s forehead. “And so beautiful.”
Swann closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of Dylan’s touch, the reassurance in her words. She felt Dylan’s hands slide down her body, tracing the curves of her breasts, her stomach, her hips. Every touch was a promise, a prelude to what was to come, and Swann’s nerves began to unravel, replaced by a growing anticipation.
Dylan retrieved the strap-on, holding it up for Swann to see. The harness fit snugly against Dylan’s hips, the dildo protruding boldly, its size both intimidating and arousing.
Swann’s eyes widened as she took it in, her breath catching in her throat.
Dylan noticed her reaction and leaned in, her lips brushing Swann’s ear. “It’s okay to be scared,” she whispered. “But I’m here with you, every step of the way.”
Swann nodded, her hands reaching out to touch the strap-on, her fingers tracing its contours. It felt foreign, yet strangely intimate, a bridge between them. Dylan guided Swann’s hand to her own chest, letting her feel the steady beat of her heart. “We’ll go slow,” she promised. “And if it hurts, you tell me, okay?”
Swann swallowed hard, her throat dry. “Okay,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Dylan positioned herself between Swann’s legs, her hands gently spreading the younger woman’s thighs. Swann’s breath quickened as she felt the cool air on her exposed skin, her body flushing with heat.
Dylan’s eyes locked onto Swann’s, her gaze intense yet tender, as she reached down to guide the dildo to Swann’s entrance. Swann’s muscles tensed instinctively, her body bracing for the unknown.
“Relax for me,” Dylan murmured, her voice a soothing balm. She leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Swann’s abdomen, her breath warm against the sensitive skin.
Her hands moved to Swann’s breasts, cupping them gently, her thumbs brushing over the tight peaks. Swann gasped at the sensation, her body arching slightly into the touch, her nerves momentarily forgotten.
Dylan’s fingers drifted lower, her touch light and teasing as she traced circles around Swann’s clit. Swann moaned softly, her hips shifting restlessly, her body responding to the familiar pleasure. Dylan smiled, her lips curving in satisfaction as she watched Swann’s tension melt away.
“ That’s it,” she whispered.“Let go for me.”
With slow, deliberate movements, Dylan pressed the tip of the dildo against Swann’s entrance.
Swann’s breath hitched as she felt the pressure, her body instinctively tightening. Dylan paused, her eyes searching Swann’s face for any sign of discomfort. “Tell me if it hurts,” she said again, her voice firm yet gentle.
Swann nodded, her lips parted in a silent gasp as Dylan began to push forward. The sensation was overwhelming—a stretch, a fullness she had never experienced before.
She winced slightly, her hands gripping the sheets, her nails digging into the fabric.
Dylan’s heart raced at the sound, her instincts kicking into overdrive. She froze, her hands immediately moving to Swann’s hips, her touch soothing.
“Baby, look at me,” she urged, her voice trembling with concern.
Swann’s eyes fluttered open, meeting Dylan’s worried gaze. Tears welled in her eyes, but she shook her head, her breath coming in short gasps.
“I’m okay,” She whispered, though her voice betrayed her uncertainty. “ It’s just… a lot.”
Dylan’s relief was palpable, but she didn’t move forward just yet. Instead, she leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Swann’s forehead, her lips lingering against her skin.
“You’re doing amazing,” she murmured, her hands caressing Swann’s hips, her thighs. “Let’s take a moment, okay?”
Swann nodded, her body slowly relaxing under Dylan’s touch. Dylan’s fingers drifted back to Swann’s breasts, her touch gentle yet firm as she massaged the soft flesh.
Swann moaned softly, her head falling back against the pillow, her body surrendering to the pleasure.
Dylan’s other hand moved to Swann’s clit, her touch light and teasing, her fingers circling the sensitive bud.
Swann’s hips bucked involuntarily, her breath coming in sharp gasps as pleasure coiled low in her belly.
“That’s it,” Dylan whispered, her voice thick with desire. “ Let yourself feel it.”
Swann’s eyes drifted closed as Dylan’s fingers worked their magic, her body arching into the touch, her nerves forgotten in the face of overwhelming pleasure.
Dylan watched her with a mixture of awe and adoration, her heart swelling with love for this woman who trusted her so completely.
Slowly, she began to move again, the dildo sliding deeper into Swann’s body. Swann gasped, her eyes flying open as she felt the fullness, the stretch.
But this time, there was no pain, only a deep, aching pleasure that left her breathless.
“Dylan,” she whispered, her voice a plea, her body trembling on the edge of release.
Dylan smiled, her lips curving in satisfaction as she began to move in earnest, her hips rocking gently against Swann’s.
The rhythm was slow, deliberate, each thrust sending waves of pleasure through Swann’s body.
Swann’s hands reached out, grasping Dylan’s shoulders, her nails digging into the soft skin as she clung to her anchor. “More,” she gasped, her voice desperate. “Please, more.”
Dylan obliged, her movements growing bolder, her hips snapping forward with a rhythm that was both primal and tender.
Swann’s body responded eagerly, her hips lifting to meet each thrust, her breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps.
The room was filled with the sounds of their passion—the soft slap of skin against skin, Swann’s moans, Dylan’s whispered encouragements.
Swann’s climax built slowly, a crescendo of pleasure that left her trembling, her body taut with anticipation.
Stars exploded behind her eyelids as she came, her vision swirling with color, her body convulsing with the force of her release. “Dylan,” she cried, her voice a hoarse whisper, her hands clutching at Dylan’s shoulders.
Dylan held her through the storm, her movements slowing as Swann’s body shook with the aftermath of her orgasm. She pressed soft kisses to Swann’s forehead, her cheeks, her lips, her touch gentle and reassuring. “You did so good,” she murmured, her voice thick with pride. “So, so good.”
Swann’s breath was still ragged as she opened her eyes, her gaze meeting Dylan’s. Her lips curved into a dazed smile, her body still buzzing with the remnants of her climax. “That was…” she started, her voice trailing off as she searched for the words.
“ Incredible,” Dylan finished for her, her lips brushing Swann’s in a tender kiss. “You were incredible.”
Swann’s smile widened, her heart swelling with a mixture of love and desire.
She reached up, her hands cupping Dylan’s face, her touch gentle yet firm. “You're safe here,” she whispered, her voice a soft declaration.
Dylan’s heart skipped a beat at the words, her eyes softening as she leaned into Swann’s touch. “I know, thank you.” she murmured, her lips pressing against Swann’s in a deep, passionate kiss.
Their lips moved in sync, their tongues tangling in a dance that was both familiar and new.
Swann’s body was still buzzing with the aftermath of her orgasm, her senses heightened as she savored the taste of Dylan, the feel of her skin against her own.
Dylan’s hands moved to Swann’s hips, her touch possessive yet tender as she pulled the younger woman closer, their bodies pressing together in a silent promise of more to come.
But for now, they lingered in the aftermath, their kisses growing softer, more tender. Swann’s body relaxed into the mattress, her limbs heavy with satisfaction, her mind still reeling from the intensity of what they had shared.
Dylan’s hands moved to Swann’s hair, her fingers threading through the soft strands as she pulled back slightly, her gaze locking onto Swann’s.
“Ready for round two?” she whispered, her voice a low, seductive murmur.
Swann’s lips curved into a lazy smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Hold on, let me take a second." she replied, her voice a soft challenge.
Dylan chuckled, her heart light with joy as she leaned in for another kiss. But before their lips could meet, Swann’s gaze drifted to the strap-on, her eyebrows raising in silent question.
Dylan followed her gaze, her lips curving into a mischievous smile. “Oh, we’re not done yet,” she promised, her voice thick with anticipation.
Swann’s breath caught in her throat, her body tingling with excitement as Dylan shifted her position, moving to lie beside her.
The strap-on was still in place, the dildo protruding boldly, a silent promise of what was to come.
Dylan’s hands moved to Swann’s hips, her touch guiding the younger woman onto her side, their bodies pressing together in a new, intimate position.
Swann’s heart raced as she felt Dylan’s body against hers, the strap-on nestled between them, a bridge between their desires.
Dylan’s lips brushed Swann’s ear, her breath warm against the sensitive skin. "This time,” she whispered,“I’m going to fuck you sideways.”
Swann’s breath hitched at the words, her body flushing with heat as Dylan’s hands moved to her entrance, her touch guiding the dildo into position.
The angle was different, the sensation new, and Swann’s breath quickened as Dylan began to move, her hips rocking gently against Swann’s.
The rhythm was slow at first, a teasing prelude to what was to come, but Swann’s body responded eagerly, her hips shifting to meet each thrust.
Dylan’s lips moved to Swann’s neck, her kisses trailing down the sensitive skin as her movements grew bolder, her hips snapping forward with a rhythm that was both primal and tender.
Swann’s breath came in sharp gasps, her body arching into the touch, her hands grasping at the sheets as pleasure coiled low in her belly.
“Dylan,” she gasped, her voice a plea, her body trembling on the edge of release. “I’m close.”
Dylan’s heart raced at the words, her own body tightening with anticipation. She leaned in, her lips brushing Swann’s ear as she whispered, “Come with me, baby. Let go.”
Their bodies moved in sync, their breaths mingling as they climbed toward the peak together. Swann’s climax hit her like a wave, her body convulsing with the force of her release, her vision swirling with stars.
Dylan’s own orgasm followed close behind, her body shaking as she came, her hips stuttering against Swann’s.
Their cries mingled in the air, a symphony of pleasure that left them both breathless, their bodies tangled in the aftermath.
Dylan held Swann close, her touch gentle as she eased the younger woman onto the bed, their bodies still pressed together in a silent embrace.
Swann’s breath was still ragged, her heart pounding in her chest as she stared up at Dylan, her eyes shining with a mixture of love and desire.
“That was…” Swann started, her voice trailing off as she searched for the words.
“Perfect,” Dylan finished for her, her lips brushing Swann’s in a tender kiss. “Absolutely perfect.”
Swann smiled, her heart swelling with a love that was both overwhelming and beautiful.
When she finally stilled, her body sated, Dylan collapsed beside her, their breaths syncing as they lay entangled in the aftermath.
Swann turned to face Dylan, her eyes soft and filled with affection.
“You’re amazing,” Swann murmured, her hand brushing Dylan’s cheek. Dylan smiled, her heart full as she pulled Swann into a tender kiss.
The moment lingered, the air between them charged with unspoken emotions and the promise of more. As their lips parted, Dylan’s gaze met Swann’s, her eyes reflecting the depth of their connection.
They were still tangled in the sheets, bodies curved into one quiet shape. The lake breathed gently beyond the open window. A moth tapped the screen once, twice, then disappeared into the hush of night.
Dylan slept soundly, her face pressed into the crook of Swann’s neck, one hand curled loosely at Swann’s waist — soft, possessive, like she was still half-afraid Swann might vanish in the dark.
Swann didn’t move. She only watched.
The moonlight painted Dylan in silver — soft on the cheekbones, tender along the scar above her collarbone. Her braid had half-unraveled, a strand caught at the edge of her lips. Her skin was warm beneath the covers, breathing steady, and for once… for once, there was peace.
Dylan looked so young like this. Not in age, but in softness — in the way she breathed deep, unguarded. No mask. No performance. Just skin and sleep and the quiet hum of safety.
Swann raised a hand and brushed a strand of hair from Dylan’s cheek. Her fingers moved slow, reverent. Then gently, she traced the fading bruise along Dylan’s neck, the skin cool under her touch.
She hated it. That mark. What it meant.
But she kissed it anyway — a soft press of lips, like a salve. Like a spell.
And then, slowly, she let her fingertip draw across Dylan’s bare shoulder.
A star. A wave. A shaky little heart.
She whispered — not for Dylan to hear, but for the night to keep,
“You reflect the best parts of me.
I might not be who you thought.
And perhaps you don’t notice the beauty you hold within.”
The lines hung there like smoke.
Swann’s voice cracked with the last word, but she didn’t stop. She held Dylan closer, heart aching with how delicate it all felt — like love you could cup in your palms, like something you were terrified to drop.
Outside, the trees rustled like lullabies. Somewhere, an owl cried. The stars were still. No meteor tonight. And still — the sky felt holy.
Swann swore something silent into the dark:
I won’t let him touch you again.
Not now. Not ever.
She pressed another kiss to Dylan’s forehead, lingering there. Let her breathe. Let her rest.
“You’re safe,” she murmured again. “You’re loved.”
And she meant it.
Because even though the meteor shower had passed and the sky above them now was nothing but velvet black, that night still shimmered. A late hope, stitched in starlight.
Swann held her closer, tucking Dylan’s head beneath her chin, arms wrapped gently around her.
She closed her eyes—
And then opened them again.
A shadow, a flicker, a face from the ache of memory.
Corey.
Swann froze, the warmth in her limbs replaced by ice. Her hand trembled where it rested on Dylan’s back. Her jaw clenched.
Not again.
She held Dylan tighter, as if love could be armor.
And in the stillness, in the breath before fury, Swann made herself a vow.