The chirping of birds filled the morning air around the cabin as golden sunlight spilled through the forest canopy. The group had gathered on the wooden deck outside, mugs of hot cocoa in hand, still basking in the warmth of the unforgettable night they'd shared around the bonfire.
Eira sat on the edge of the porch, petting her cat, who was lazily stretching in a patch of sun. Auren leaned against the railing nearby, quietly watching the trees sway.
Ryan and Loira emerged from the cabin next, their usual playful banter oddly absent. Loira kept her gaze low, her lips pressed in a thin line.
"Morning," Ryan said, trying for cheerfulness.
"Morning," Auren replied. "Everything okay?"
Loira didn't respond. Instead, she walked off toward the woods alone, arms crossed.
Eira watched her go, frowning. "I'll go check on her."
She caught up with Loira a little way down the path.
"What's wrong?" Eira asked softly.
Loira sighed, kicking at a pinecone. "Ryan made a joke last night. About me being too serious, too controlling. He laughed, but... it hurt more than I expected."
Eira touched her arm gently. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Loira hesitated, then nodded. "I guess I've always been scared I'd never be enough for anyone. Like people get close but eventually get tired of me. Ryan... he's different. But I keep wondering if he's really serious, or if I'm just another distraction."
Eira hugged her. "Ryan's never looked at anyone the way he looks at you. Maybe he just doesn't know how to say things the right way."
Loira smiled faintly. "Maybe."
They returned to the cabin to find Auren and Ryan waiting. Ryan looked sheepish.
"I messed up, didn't I?" he asked Loira.
Loira folded her arms. "You can be an idiot sometimes."
He stepped forward, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're right. I joke too much. But I wasn't joking about what I feel. I like you, Loira. A lot. I'm just not always good at showing it."
She softened. "Then show it better."
He grinned and offered his hand. "Let me start over?"
She took it, rolling her eyes playfully. "Fine. But no more jokes about me being a tyrant."
Ryan raised a brow. "So I should cancel the crown I ordered?"
Loira groaned, but laughed anyway. Peace restored.
---
Later that afternoon, Eira and Auren decided to go for a hike. The trail behind the cabin curved up into the hills, weaving between trees thick with moss and filtered light.
"Let's go a little farther," Eira suggested.
Auren nodded. "Lead the way."
They walked in comfortable silence at first, the rustle of the leaves and chirps of birds their only company. But Eira could feel the tension in Auren—subtle but present.
"You've been quiet today," she said gently.
Auren looked ahead. "Just... thinking."
"About what?"
He hesitated, then smiled faintly. "About how much everything's changed. A few months ago, I didn't know any of you. And now, it feels like I've always had you in my life."
Her heart fluttered. She wanted to say something, something meaningful—but before she could, Auren suddenly stopped.
"Wait... where are we?"
They both turned around. The trail behind them was gone, swallowed by trees.
Eira blinked. "I thought we were following the path."
Auren scanned the woods, concern tightening his jaw. "We might be a little lost."
A breeze rustled the branches above. The sky, once bright, had dulled to a cloudy gray.
Eira pulled her hoodie tighter. "Do you have signal?"
Auren checked his phone. "Nope. Nothing."
They started walking again, trying to retrace their steps. But the forest seemed to twist around them. After twenty minutes of wandering, the anxiety crept in.
"Let's rest for a bit," Auren said, leading her to a flat boulder. "You okay?"
Eira nodded, though her heart raced. "Yeah... just a little shaken."
They sat side by side. The silence was deeper now, more fragile.
Auren exhaled slowly. "I'm sorry. I should've paid more attention."
"It's not your fault," Eira replied. "We both got carried away."
She looked at him then, really looked. The way his shoulders slouched ever so slightly. The tiredness in his eyes. The moments when he seemed far away even when right beside her.
"Auren," she whispered. "Are you okay? Really?"
He didn't respond immediately. Then he smiled, soft but distant.
"Some days are harder than others. That's all."
Eira reached out and placed her hand over his.
He looked at her, and their eyes locked.
"You don't have to carry it alone," she said.
Auren's eyes shimmered with something unspoken. He opened his mouth, as if to finally speak, but the distant sound of Ryan shouting broke the moment.
"EIRA! AUREN!"
They both stood.
"Over here!" Auren called.
Moments later, Ryan and Loira burst through the trees, panting.
"You two okay?" Loira asked.
"Yeah," Eira said, relieved. "We got a little lost."
Ryan smirked. "Next time, leave a trail like breadcrumbs."
They all laughed, the tension easing. But Eira couldn't shake the lingering feeling in her chest—the almost-confession that had hovered in the air.
---
Back at the cabin, the group gathered for dinner. They laughed over grilled fish and roasted vegetables, shared embarrassing stories, and played card games.
Later that night, Eira stood alone on the balcony, gazing at the stars.
Auren stepped beside her.
"Thanks for earlier," he said.
She looked up at him. "You were going to tell me something, weren't you?"
He looked away. "Soon. Just... not yet."
She nodded slowly. "I'll wait. But not forever."
He met her eyes again. This time, there was no flinching. Just a quiet promise in his gaze.
And though the night was cool, the space between them was warm.
The trip wasn't over.
And neither was their story.
---