Page 98 of Freestyle
It’s not calculated. Not tender.
It’s desperate.Fierce.
Because he’s here. Because I almost didn’t get to say anything.
Because I love him, and I didn’t know how loud that truth was until I almost lost the chance to say it.
When I pull back, his eyes are wide, but not surprised.
He just exhales, shaky and stunned, and murmurs, “Took you long enough.”
I can’t help but laugh against his lips.
“Never thought you’d be ready,” I admit.
“It took Rowyn coming into our lives for me to know it wasn’t just about us with her but about me and you, too. She showed us what we were missing by neverlooking.”
I huff out a shaky laugh. “I think I was scared I’d ruin everything if I let myself want both.”
He shrugs, lips tugging upward even as blood stains his collar. “Then you clearly underestimated our ability to survive literallyanything.”
I’m still holding his face in my hands, Nix’s blood warm on my fingers, breath catching between us like it’s hanging on the same edge I am when I hear her voice from behind me.
Rowyn.
She saw.
For one heartbeat, I wonder if this changes everything, but she doesn’t flinch.
She just watches us like she already knew, like some part of her’s been waiting to see it, too. And maybe that’s what makes this real. Messy. Raw.Ours.
Nix winces, shifting his arm. “Gonna need stitches.”
“You’ll live,” I murmur, not letting go. “I need you to live.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he breathes.
Good.
Because none of us are walking away clean from this.
The sirens haven’t arrived yet. The cleanup team’s probably already closing in but in this small, bloodstained circle around the fountain, everything feels quiet. Like the worst already came, and we’re still standing.
Just barely.
Rowyn’s curled tight against the cold pavement, arms wrapped around herself, staring at the spot where Alberto fell like she’s afraid to blink. The light from the streetlamp cuts across her face, painting her in ghostlight.
She shouldn’t have to be alone now, not even for a breath.
“Nix,” I say quietly, hand still resting against his jaw. “Stay awake.”
He nods faintly, eyelids heavy but focused. “Not going anywhere.”
I push up and cross the distance between me and Rowyn in three strides.
“Hey,” I whisper, crouching. “I’ve got you.”
She looks up. Her body’s trembling from shock or pain or both, and her eyes are wide, wet, and too quiet.
