Both of them stood up at the same time, brushing off the quiet that had fallen over them.
Damon glanced at her with a small smile. "We should probably head back," he said softly, glancing at the darkening sky. "It's getting late."
Svetlana nodded, and without a word, fell in step beside him as they walked out of the park.
Even though it was cooler outside now, there was a pleasant silence between them that was filled with everything they had said and not said.
As Damon's mind wandered, he kept playing back parts of their talk. He felt a little lighter, like the weight of his past wasn't as heavy.
Beside him, Svetlana looked just as thoughtful, her eyes reflecting the glow of the streetlights.
Damon paused and slowed down as they got closer to the corner. He wasn't quite ready for the night to end.
He turned to look at her and noticed how calm she looked.
As they continued their quiet walk back, Svetlana smiled and looked up at him. She put her hand on his and they went on their way.
Damon broke the silence, remembering her farmhouse dream, "So, you really want to leave in a farmhouse, huh?"
Svetlana rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Not exactly," she said, glancing away. "But maybe I just miss somewhere that feels like home."
He shot her a curious look. "Mmh? You lived in a farm?"
She nodded, her gaze distant. "It wasn't a full-blown farm, but it had that vibe, quiet, peaceful."
Damon couldn't help the grin spreading across his face. "I don't know... something about that makes you even cooler."
Stay updated through мѵʟ
She raised an eyebrow, amused. "And why is that?"
He shrugged, trying to keep it casual. "I don't know, just feels real, you know? I guess I always thought girls who like the simple life have something special."
They walked in silence for a moment, her words replaying in his mind, and he caught himself thinking more deeply than he expected.
As the man pulled the woman closer, his hands moved down her back and his fingers dug into her waist, as if he couldn't bear to let go.
She responded eagerly, her fingers gripping his shoulders for balance before sliding down to explore his chest.
With a soft gasp, she leaned back slightly, catching his eyes with a playful, daring smile before he lifted her off the ground.
Her legs wrapped around his waist, securing her against him as they found each other's lips again, her fingers threading through his hair while his hands held her steady.
There was laughter coming from around the corner from a group of club-goers who were telling jokes and stories while their voices mixed with the bass of the music.
But the couple in the corner didn't seem to notice, or care as they stayed lost in their moment, wrapped up in each other.
Ash strolled through the crowd with a wide grin, his arm slung around one of his old friends from New York, whom he'd met up with for yet another night of drinking.
As they walked to the bathroom, they were laughing and stumbling a little because they were drunk and excited.
"Man, this place hasn't changed a bit," Ash's friend said, chuckling. "Still as loud and crowded as ever."
Ash laughed, "Exactly why I love it here. Just give me a sec—I gotta make some room for more drinks!" He patted his friend on the shoulder and veered toward the restroom, ready to empty his tank before heading back for round two.
As he walked past the couple in the corner, he barely gave them a second glance.
Ash froze mid-step, squinting as he looked closer. His vision was a bit hazy from the drinks, but something was nagging at him about the couple tangled up near the bathroom.
He rubbed his eyes, blinking hard, hoping it was just the booze messing with him.
But no.
Those clothes...that jacket...it looked eerily familiar.
He tilted his head, leaning in slightly, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. "No way..." he mumbled, trying to shake off the fog of alcohol.
For a second, he even thought about just ignoring it and moving on, but curiosity gnawed at him.
He took a step closer, focusing on the guy's face. And that's when it hit him, all at once.
"Yo...Joey?" he blurted, half in disbelief, his voice louder than he intended.