The door slammed shut behind you, leaving the chaos outside. Beyond the walls, the wind howled through the trees, carrying the scent of blood and scorched earth.

Inside, only the trembling silence of two people who had just faced death... and survived.

Stefan dropped his jacket onto the floor, breathing heavily. A thin line of blood ran from his shoulder down to his elbow, but he seemed more annoyed than truly hurt.

“Are you okay?” you asked, moving closer without thinking, your hands still shaking from the adrenaline surging through your veins.

He nodded with a brief, tired smile. Then, without a word, he pulled off his torn shirt, revealing his bruised torso... and the simple tattoo on his shoulder you had never noticed before. You didn’t ask. There was something intimate about this moment that made you stay silent.

You stepped closer, gently cleaning the dried blood with a piece of cloth. Every time your fingers brushed against his skin, you felt him hold his breath.

”You don't have to do this” Stefan murmured, his voice low and rough.

“I couldn't just stand there” you whispered back.

Your words floated between you, heavy, charged with everything he still hadn't dared to say. Everything you felt but didn’t know how to put into words.

Then, almost impulsively, Stefan grabbed your hand—the same hand tending to him—and pressed it against his bare chest, right over his heart.

“You should stay away from me” he whispered, his forehead dropping to rest against yours. “I'm dangerous. I always have been.”

Your breath mingled with his. You felt the strong beat of his heart under your palm, so alive, so human in that moment.

“I'm not going anywhere” you said without hesitation.

A shadow of vulnerability crossed his green eyes. And then, without thinking any further, Stefan leaned in and kissed you. It was an urgent kiss, like a scream that had been trapped too long. Like a need he could no longer deny.

His hands cupped your face gently, as if you were something fragile, something he had been waiting for all his life. The kiss deepened, growing more desperate, as if you both knew that after this night, nothing would ever be the same.

When you finally pulled apart, Stefan rested his forehead against yours, his eyes closed.

“Promise me you won't regret this” he whispered, trembling.

“I promise” you answered, knowing deep down that you had just given him much more than a simple vow.