Bette covered Tina’s hand with her own, her fingers curling lightly around it. “I’m not trying to play hero. I just want to make sure we’re not the ones cornered when he makes his next move.”

Tina nodded, resting her forehead against Bette’s shoulder for a long, quiet moment. “Just don’t lose yourself in the fight.”

“I won’t.” Bette’s voice softened as she turned to face Tina, her hands wrapping around the small of her back.

For a while they stood there, wrapped in the stillness of the kitchen, the soft ticking of the old wall clock and the distant calls of birds filtering in through the open window.

The world outside was full of threats and shadows, but here, in this moment, it was just the two of them and the quiet strength that had always lived between their hearts.

Bette tilted her head, brushing the tip of her nose lightly against Tina’s temple, then her cheek, and finally her lips. The kiss was unhurried, featherlight at first, as if asking permission rather than taking. Tina’s hands slid down Bette’s arms, her fingers curling into the fabric of her shirt, holding on as if the contact could anchor them both.

The kiss deepened, slowly, with a quiet hunger borne of more than just longing; it was the ache of distance closed, of hearts remembering the shape of each other.

When Bette’s hand lifted, fingers tracing the line of Tina’s jaw, her thumb brushing across her lips, Tina leaned into her, her breath warm and steady against Bette’s skin.

Neither spoke, not yet. The words weren’t necessary. Their bodies knew the conversation by heart, the apology, the hope, the quiet promise that no matter the distance or the danger, they would find their way back to this.

Bette’s hand slid to the back of Tina’s neck, cradling it gently as she kissed her again, slower this time, savouring the way Tina melted into her. When they finally parted, Tina rested her head against Bette’s shoulder once more, her arms wrapped around her waist.

They lingered for a moment longer in their embrace, their bodies slowly swaying. Then, without a word, Tina eased back just enough to meet Bette’s eyes, a soft, knowing look passing between them. She reached for Bette’s hand, threading their fingers together, and gave the faintest tug.