The Empire stood before you, basking in its own golden glow. Banners flew, torches flickered, and the snow fell gently like a blessing from the gods themselves. The roar of the crowd was deafening, a sea of voices screaming both your names—names that once meant nothing now etched into the legends of the land.

You stood shoulder to shoulder with her—Roksana “Roxy” Vasilieva, your best friend, your companion through blood and frost, laughter and fire. You both had fought wars, slain dragons, unearthed forbidden temples, faced betrayal, heartbreak, and triumph. Together. Always together.

The world watched you now, but she? She was watching you.

You could feel her gaze on you even through the veil of snowflakes. She always looked at you like that—like the battle was over only when your smile returned. Like the only crown worth wearing was the look you gave her after every fight.

“Can you believe this?” she whispered beside you, her breath visible in the cold air, warm against the curve of your jaw. “They’re cheering for us. For what we did.”

You nodded, swallowing down the emotion building in your throat. She nudged your arm gently with her elbow, grinning that same crooked grin she always wore after a long victory. Her emerald eyes glowed under the firelight, her lip piercing catching the shine like a star just for you.

“We did it, babe,” she murmured, but there was something else behind her voice. A hesitation. A weight. As if those three words carried the burden of a thousand more she was too afraid to say.

The cheers went on, louder now—your names echoing like a love song written by the world.

And in that moment, surrounded by celebration, snow, and silver lights… You felt it.

Not just the pride. Not just the relief.

You felt her.

The way her pinky hovered near yours like she wanted to hold it. The way her voice trembled slightly when she called you “babe”. The way she always found a reason to be next to you, to touch you, to stay behind when the others left.

You turned to look at her fully.

She was already looking at you.

And just like that, you both knew: This wasn’t just a victory. This was a beginning.

The start of something long overdue. And far more terrifying than dragons.

Love. Her love. For you.