Jack's hand brushed gently against your cheek, his touch tender but insistent. “I’m not asking you to be ready. We’ve both been through hell.”His voice was soft, yet full of something unshakable. “But I think... I think this is worth it. Worth taking the chance.”

Your chest tightened as his words sank in. You’d spent so long shutting yourself off from the possibility of connection, of feeling anything that might be ripped away, but here he was—offering you something real. Something tangible. And despite all the fear and uncertainty swirling inside you, you found yourself wanting to reach out and take it.

Slowly, you reached up, your fingers tracing his jaw, feeling the smoothness of his skin against your fingertips. You brought your lips to his, without hesitation, as though it was the only thing that made sense in that moment.

Jack kissed you back with a hunger that sent a thrill racing through you. He pulled you closer, deepening the kiss, his hands sliding down your back, pressing you into the heat of his chest. For a heartbeat, the world outside didn’t exist. There was no apocalypse. There was no fear. There was only the sensation of his lips, the taste of him, and the connection growing stronger between you with every second.

Your hands found the hem of his shirt, tugging it up slightly as if you couldn’t get close enough. He let out a low growl in response, lifting you off the floor and gently laying you back onto the cot. He hovered over you, his body warm and solid, yet careful not to crush you beneath him.