That weekend, Nathan invited Leia out for a relaxing day together. They decided on something simple—a walk in the nearby park, where they could enjoy the beauty of nature and escape the rush of daily life. The air was crisp, the scent of fresh grass mingling with the soft floral fragrance carried by the wind. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting golden streaks across the paved paths as they strolled side by side.
Nathan walked at a steady pace, hands tucked into his pockets, glancing at Leia every now and then. She, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease, her fingers occasionally brushing against the leaves of nearby bushes, her eyes lighting up at the sight of butterflies flitting around a flower bed. She looked happy. And for some reason, that simple realization made something warm settle in his chest.
After a while, they found themselves near a small lake, where ducks floated lazily across the water. The peaceful atmosphere, the cool breeze, and the gentle rustling of the leaves made everything feel so effortlessly right.
—
After lunch, they stumbled upon a children's amusement park within the park and, on a whim, decided to take a look around. The sounds of laughter and excited chatter surrounded them as kids ran past, their joy contagious.
Nathan raised an eyebrow when Leia insisted they try the carousel first. "Really?" he asked, amused.
Leia grinned. "It's a classic. Come on, don't be boring."
With an indulgent shake of his head, Nathan let her drag him to the ride. As the carousel spun, Leia laughed as she held onto the pole of the white horse she had chosen, the wind teasing her hair. Nathan, seated beside her, found himself watching her more than enjoying the ride.
She looked so carefree, so bright, so… beautiful.
When the ride slowed to a stop, Leia turned to him, her eyes sparkling. "See? That wasn't so bad, was it?"
Nathan chuckled. "I suppose I'll survive."
—
As night fell, they returned to Leia's home for dinner. Instead of ordering takeout, they decided to cook together—something neither of them had done in a long time.
Nathan rolled up his sleeves, taking charge of chopping the vegetables while Leia handled the seasoning. The kitchen was filled with soft laughter and the sound of sizzling ingredients, the warm glow of the lights making the atmosphere even cozier.
At one point, Leia tried reaching for something on the top shelf, but before she could stretch too far, Nathan stepped behind her, easily grabbing the item. Their fingers brushed as he handed it to her, and for a moment, neither of them moved.
Leia swallowed, trying to ignore the sudden quickening of her heartbeat.
"Thanks," she mumbled, turning away quickly, but Nathan's quiet chuckle told her he had definitely noticed her flustered reaction.
By the time dinner was ready, the cozy atmosphere only deepened. They ate together, chatting about small things, enjoying the simple comfort of each other's presence.
After dinner, they curled up on the couch, flipping through TV channels before settling on a random movie. Nathan stretched his arm along the back of the couch, and before she knew it, Leia found herself leaning into him, her head resting lightly against his shoulder. It felt natural.
Halfway through the movie, Leia spoke, her voice quiet. "Nathan, did you know… I really worked hard back then to try and get into the same university as you?"
Nathan turned to her, surprised. "You did?"
Leia nodded, a faint, nostalgic smile on her lips. "I tried so hard, but in the end, I still fell short by a few points."
Nathan let out a low chuckle, reaching out to gently pinch her cheek. "If you had just asked me for tutoring, I would have helped."
Leia pouted, lightly swatting his hand away. "I was shy! Otherwise, we wouldn't have gone three whole years in the same class without ever talking." She sighed dramatically. "Even when I first saw you at the company, I nearly had a heart attack when you said my name. I didn't think you'd even remember me."
Nathan's gaze softened as he studied her, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "So you really had a crush on me for three years?"
Leia felt her face instantly heat up, the embarrassment creeping up her neck. She hesitated, then shyly nodded, her cheeks burning.
Nathan smirked. "Leia, you're blushing."
She groaned, burying her face in his shoulder to hide. "Don't look at me!"
Nathan let out a soft chuckle, his fingers grazing against Leia's cheek with a touch so gentle it sent shivers down her spine. His gaze, warm and filled with undeniable affection, locked onto hers. "Leia, thank you," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "For liking me, for staying by my side even when I never knew."
Leia's heart pounded, her breath catching in her throat. The way he looked at her… it was almost too much.
Before she could gather her thoughts, Nathan leaned in, his lips brushing lightly against hers, testing, waiting. Leia's eyes fluttered shut, her heartbeat quickening as she melted into the kiss. His warmth, his presence—it was intoxicating.
The kiss deepened, slow at first, then growing more intense, more desperate—as if they were both making up for lost time. Nathan's arms slid around her waist, pulling her closer, molding her against him. Leia responded instinctively, her hands finding their way to the nape of his neck, fingers threading into his soft hair.
Nathan's lips parted slightly, his tongue brushing against hers in a way that sent a heated shiver down her spine. Leia gasped softly at the sensation, feeling her whole body grow warm, her senses completely consumed by him.
Without breaking the kiss, Nathan gently guided her backward until she was beneath him on the sofa. His weight, his warmth, the way his fingertips traced along the curve of her waist—it all felt surreal, like something out of a dream.
Leia's fingers tightened around his shirt, pulling him closer as their kiss grew deeper, more urgent. His lips traveled slowly, teasingly back to hers, and the moment they met again, a spark ignited between them.
"Leia," Nathan whispered against her lips, his voice husky, filled with raw honesty. "I like you. I've wanted this for longer than I can admit."
Leia let out a breathless laugh, her cheeks flushed, her heart racing. "I feel like I'm dreaming."
Nathan smiled, his fingers brushing against her cheek as he studied her face, as if trying to memorize every little detail. "If this is a dream, I don't ever want to wake up."
Unable to hold back any longer, he leaned in for another kiss—slow, deep, filled with emotion. Leia responded without hesitation, her arms wrapping around his neck as she let herself fall completely into the moment.
Their hearts raced in sync, their breaths mingling in the quiet intimacy of the dimly lit room.
When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested against each other, both of them smiling softly, their eyes filled with nothing but warmth.
Nathan's hand cradled her face, his thumb gently brushing against her lips as he whispered, "Leia, being with you feels like the best decision I've ever made."
Leia's chest swelled with warmth, and with a bright, genuine smile, she whispered back, "Me too."
And for the first time in their lives, they weren't just holding onto a long-lost crush.
They were finally holding onto each other.