Slowly, things between Sara and Kairo were beginning to heal. The cracks were still visible, and there was still a line drawn between them, but the resistance in Sara's heart had started to fade.
That night, the house was quiet. Zayn was already tucked into bed, breathing softly in his little cocoon of blankets. Sara stood by the window, the faint glow of the city reflecting in her eyes. The night air brushed against her skin as she stared out, lost in thoughts she couldn't quite name.
Kairo entered silently, his gaze softening when he saw her. For a moment, he simply watched the woman who still had his heart standing under the silver moonlight. Then, his eyes moved to Zayn, sleeping peacefully. He bent down, pressed a gentle kiss on the boy's forehead, and then walked up behind her.
Without a word, he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, pulling her close, cuddling her too tightly. His lips brushed her shoulder, and he murmured, "What are you thinking, baby?"
Sara didn't turn. "Nothing. Just watching nature."
He smiled against her skin. "At night?"
She smiled faintly. "Yeah. It's peaceful."
He kissed her cheek softly. "You okay?"
She nodded, "Yes."
Her hands slid over his, caressing them lightly where they rested on her waist. Kairo looked at her, then leaned closer, brushing his nose along her cheek, inhaling her scent as if it steadied him.
She chuckled. "What are you doing?"
"Holding my wife," he murmured.
Sara smiled, whispering teasingly, "Stay in your limits, asshole."
He laughed under his breath. "Why? When this asshole happens to be your husband?"
"You're not promoted for a permanent role yet," she said, turning her head.
He pecked her lips gently. "I'm sure I'll earn it soon. I've been performing well so far."
Sara laughed softly, looking at him. "So confident."
His green eyes shimmered in the dim light. "Of course. I know I'm capable."
She smiled, and he couldn't look away. There was something about her smile that always felt like home, soft, unguarded, and heartbreakingly beautiful. He leaned in, captured her lips, and kissed her, pouring everything he felt into that one kiss
Sara smiled against his lips, kissing him back, slow and deep, her fingers brushing against his jaw. When he pulled away, their breaths tangled in the silence between them, his forehead resting against hers.
"I love you," he whispered softly.
She didn't respond, just smiled faintly, her eyes flickering away as if afraid to let him see too much.
He frowned playfully, his voice dipping low. "Say it back, Soda glass."
She raised an eyebrow, teasing him with that stubborn little smirk that drove him insane. He groaned and squeezed her waist, making her gasp.
"Kairo!" she hissed, slapping his hand away, but he only chuckled, bratty and shameless.
He leaned in again, but she dodged, laughing softly. He turned her around, pinning her gently against the wall near the window. Her back hit the cool surface, his warmth closing in around her. The sudden nearness made her heartbeat skip, her hands resting against his chest to keep some distance, but he only leaned in, eyes dark and soft at once.
"You still make it hard for me, Soda glass," he whispered against her ear, voice low and rough with affection.
She looked into his eyes, green and burning softly under the dim glow of the night. "Just like you used to do three years ago…" he murmured, his lips ghosting over hers, his breath heavy, the words trembling between them like a secret he'd held too long.
"Do I…?" she teased lightly, her eyes glinting despite the heat rising in her stomach.
A quiet groan escaped his throat, and he pressed a kiss near the corner of her mouth, his voice turning into a whisper that felt like a confession.
"Allow me, darling… I'll show you how much I crave you… how much I ache for you…"
His hands slid slowly under her top, fingers brushing the warmth of her skin with a reverence that sent a shiver up her spine. Her breath caught with memories and desire, but before he could go further, she gently caught his wrists, her palms pressing against his skin.
"Not now…" she whispered, her voice barely a breath, "not here… Zayn is sleeping."
For a moment, Kairo stilled. He drew in a deep breath, exhaling against her forehead, then planted a soft kiss, lingering longer than usual. His hands retreated from her waist and cupped her face with surprising tenderness.
"Whenever you say," he whispered back, his lips brushing her temple, "wherever you say." Then his voice dropped lower, rougher, "I'm always ready. But remember… the day I get you, I might go reckless. Don't complain then…"
She chuckled, her palm landing lightly on his chest in a playful hit. "Stop it… Don't scare me. You're acting like you've been starving for years."
"I'm…" his voice dropped, deeper, rougher. He held her gaze. "I'm starving for years…" he whispered.
Her smile faltered. She blinked at him, the joking smile still lingering on her lips, but her eyes were slowly searching his face.
"Oh, come on, don't give me this crap," she tried to tease again, her voice softer this time, "you… The great Playboy of the college… who might skip a meal but not sex… starving for years? You were like a whore, my boy."
"I'm not joking." His words were low, steady. No hint of teasing this time.
Something in his tone made her still. She stared at him again, her brows knitting slightly.
"I'm serious, Sara," he said again, and this time his voice carried a quiet weight that sank straight into her chest. He leaned closer, resting his forehead gently against hers, his thumb brushing her jaw as if he needed the touch to keep himself grounded.
"After you…" His throat worked as he swallowed, "I didn't touch anyone else."
Her breath caught. "What?" she gasped, the word coming out sharper than she intended.
"Yes." His voice didn't waver. His eyes locked with hers, vulnerable and intense all at once. "Because nobody was you. I didn't feel the urge to touch anybody else… unless it was you. The feeling with you is…" he exhaled slowly, as if pulling the words from his soul, " was different. Euphoric. Like Heaven. And I don't get to feel that with a few minutes of meaningless pleasure with others."
Her heart skipped a beat, her fingers unconsciously tightening on his shirt. How… how could he? She stared at him, stunned, the weight of his confession pressing down on her ribcage.
"What if you never get to have me again?" she whispered, almost afraid of the answer.
He drew in a long breath, his nose brushing hers. "Then…" he whispered back, his voice so soft she almost didn't hear it, "I'll keep longing for you."
His words hung between them, heavy and trembling, like a vow made without expecting anything in return.
She didn't know how to react. Her heart was still pounding from his confession, her mind a mess of questions and disbelief. The only thing she could think to do was lift her hand and give his cheek a small, gentle slap.
He blinked, then chuckled, surprised. "Ouch… why? Why did you slap me now?"
"Don't be too much of a gentleman…" she muttered, her eyes darting away from his, "…it scares me."
His lips curved into a tender smile. "I want to be one for my wife. She's my world… my queen." He leaned closer, his breath brushing her face.
She shoved him away lightly, flustered. "Stop saying things like that…"
He laughed, catching her wrist and pulling her back in with ease. He pressed an exaggeratedly hard kiss to her cheek as though overflowing with affection.
"Umm, stop it…" she squirmed, trying to wriggle out of his arms.
But he only grinned wider. Smoothly, he lifted her off her feet and carried her to the bed, collapsing onto it with her still in his arms. Their bodies bounced softly against the mattress, and both of them giggled despite themselves, the sound light, almost domestic.
He began peppering her face and neck with kisses, small, fast, playful pecks, his hair brushing her skin. She wiggled under him, laughing. "Ummm, stop it… idiot."
"Let me kiss you at least…" he whined, his voice playful and needy. "If that little man wakes up, he won't even let me touch you…"
She smiled at him, her cheeks warming despite herself. "You already bribed him with toys…"
He smirked, nuzzling her nose. "Yet… he's still your biggest protector. It's hard to bribe him when it comes to you…" He said it softly, his tone dipping into something warm and proud.
She smiled softly, her gaze drifting to her baby boy.
"He's been protective since the moment he was born," she said, warmth coating her voice. "You know… when he came into this world, it was just a few hours after delivery, and he already refused to be away from me. I had to go to another ward for some check-ups, and the moment he realized I wasn't there, he started crying his little heart out. But as soon as I held him again, he stopped, just like that." Her tone turned tender, lost in the memory.
Kairo's face fell. The guilt that had been quietly buried inside him began to surface, twisting in his chest. His eyes glossed with tears before he could stop them.
Sara noticed immediately. "Hey… what's wrong?" she asked softly.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely holding steady. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you both… when you needed me the most." His voice broke, the regret raw and heavy.
Sara's chest tightened as he lowered his head and nestled into her embrace, his arms winding around her waist like he was afraid to lose her again.
"I'm sorry for everything," he murmured again, the words trembling against her skin.
Sara gently ran her fingers over his back, soothing him as his breathing hitched. "Shh… that's enough," she whispered softly. "Forget it. You're here now, with us. Protecting us, loving us, taking care of us. That matters."
Kairo's shoulders trembled as another quiet sob escaped him. She leaned in and pressed a kiss to his hair, murmuring against it, "Don't cry, Kairo… tears don't suit assholes."
That pulled a small chuckle out of him. He lifted his head, his eyes still glassy but his lips curving faintly. "I'm not that old asshole anymore," he said, voice warm and fragile.
Sara smiled and kissed the tip of his nose. "For me, you'll always be one," she teased gently. "Because that asshole was my first love."
He laughed quietly at that, the sound muffled against her skin. She cupped his face, her thumb tracing the faint lines near his jaw. "I don't know why you hurt me back then," she said softly. "I don't know what you went through all these years, either… but it's done. We lived through it, both of us. And now, we can't change the past, Kairo. All we can do is make our present and future better, with whatever we have, right now."
He looked at her for a long moment before leaning forward and capturing her lips in a slow, grateful kiss. When he pulled back. "I love you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "And I promise to keep loving you, with everything I have."
She smiled, brushing her thumb along his cheekbone. "You better."
He giggled before wrapping his arms tightly around her, then hiding his face in the crook of her neck as if she was the only safe place he knew. She stroked his back gently, feeling his breathing slow, his body relaxing into hers.
Just like that, wrapped in each other's warmth, they drifted into sleep, peaceful, together, and finally at home in each other's arms.