Sage

The shelter door creaks closed behind me as I step into the quiet afternoon light. The tension from the morning’s mess still lingers in my chest, but at least the shouting has stopped, and Rick is someone else’s problem for now.

I spot Mara leaning against one of the supply crates nearby, watching me with raised eyebrows and that familiar knowing smirk. I sigh, already bracing myself.

“Okay,” she says, crossing her arms as I approach. “You’re doing that thing again where you get all pensive and broody. Let me guess—Dash?”

I can’t help the tired laugh that escapes me. “Is it that obvious?”

“Only because it’s always Dash.” She steps closer, her voice dropping into something conspiratorial. “Alright, what happened this time? Did he linger again? Give you one of those soft, meaningful looks? Or let me guess—he touched your hand for, like, three whole seconds.”

“Mara,” I groan, running a hand through my hair. “It’s not like that.”

“It’s exactly like that,” she counters, grinning. “You’re just mad because you’re as stuck as he is.”

I roll my eyes but can’t deny the truth of it. “Fine. Maybe he did linger. Maybe he touched my hand. And yeah, he gave me a look. But you know what he didn’t do? Make a move. Again.”

Mara lets out an exaggerated groan, throwing her head back like the drama is too much to bear. “This man is killing me,” she says. “And you! He’s killing you! What is he waiting for, a written invitation?”

I can’t stop myself from laughing, the frustration bubbling up and spilling out. “At this point, I don’t even know if I’d send one,” I admit, my voice wry. “It’s like every time we get close—really close—he just stops. Like he’s overthinking it or waiting for… I don’t know, a sign from the universe.”

Mara narrows her eyes, mock serious. “Or maybe he’s waiting for you to stop overthinking and just go for it.”

The teasing lands, but it also sticks in a way that makes me pause. She’s not wrong. “I thought about it,” I admit, quieter now. “Just… saying something. Or doing something. But what if it messes things up? What if he’s not ready?”

Mara tilts her head, her expression softening. “And what if you’re both ready, but you’re too scared to find out?”

I shake my head, trying to shove the idea aside. “Mara, come on. We’ve talked about this. There’s so much going on with the camp, the Accord, everything. It’s not exactly the right time for… whatever this is.”

She steps closer, her voice dropping into something more serious. “Sage, I love you, but you’ve got to stop using the camp as an excuse. Life doesn’t stop just because things are hard. If you wait for the ‘right time,’ you’re going to be waiting forever.”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Her words hit harder than I expect, and I let out a breath, crossing my arms. “And if I screw it up?”

“You won’t,” she says simply. “Because it’s Dash. He’s not going anywhere. But if you’re this tied up in knots about it now, imagine how much worse it’s going to get if you keep pretending it doesn’t matter.”

I chew on my lip, her words sinking in. She’s right, of course. She’s always right about these things.

After a moment, Mara grins, the teasing glint back in her eyes. “Besides, I’m getting real tired of hearing about how close he got without actually doing anything. One of you has to break the cycle, and I vote you.”

I laugh despite myself, shaking my head. “Fine. Maybe I’ll… think about it.”

“Don’t think. Do,” she says, poking me in the arm before stepping back. “And when you do, I want details. Lots of details.”

I roll my eyes, but there’s a warmth in my chest now that wasn’t there before. As I watch Mara walk off, I glance toward the direction Dash went, the resolve building slowly in my gut.

She’s right. It’s time to stop waiting.

Dash

The lean-to is quieter than usual tonight, the camp sounds muffled by the thick canopy above. Sage is stretched out beside me, her head resting on the crook of her elbow, and I can feel her presence like a steady hum beneath the surface of my thoughts.

I’m hyper-aware of every detail: the way her hair falls across her shoulder, the slow rhythm of her breath, the way her fingers idly brush the edge of the blanket like she’s lost in her own world.

I need to do it. Tonight.

My heart thumps a little harder at the thought. It’s not like I haven’t been thinking about this—hell, it’s all I’ve thought about whenever I have a spare moment. Every second I’m near her, the pull is there, stronger than I’ve ever felt before.

I run through the scenarios in my head. I’ll lean in slowly, make sure she knows it’s coming. Give her the chance to pull away if she wants to. Not that I think she will, but I don’t want to take any chances.

The timing has to be perfect, too. Not too abrupt, not too hesitant. Just smooth and steady. Like me. Except for the part where my nerves are currently betraying me.

I clear my throat, subtly shifting closer. Sage glances at me, her brow lifting slightly, and I can feel the heat rise to my face.

“Everything okay?” she asks, her tone casual but her eyes curious.

“Yeah. Fine,” I manage, trying not to sound like I’m choking on my own words.

This is ridiculous. I’m not some teenager fumbling over his first crush. I’ve faced down marauders, coordinated raids, and survived disasters. Kissing Sage should not feel like the most intimidating thing I’ve ever done.

I lean in, testing the waters, my hand brushing hers lightly under the blanket. Her fingers still, and she glances at me, her expression shifting to something I can’t quite read.

“Dash,” she says, her voice soft but pointed, “are you gonna kiss me or not?”

I freeze, caught completely off guard. “What?”

She rolls onto her side, propping herself up on her elbow and pinning me with a look that’s equal parts amused and exasperated. “You’ve been psyching yourself up for ten minutes. Just… do it already.”

I stare at her, momentarily at a loss for words. “Well, that’s what I was about to do!” I protest, hearing the defensiveness in my own voice.

Her lips quirk up into a sly smile, and she leans in, her gaze steady. “Then stop stalling.”

And just like that, the moment snaps into focus. I close the distance, my hand sliding to the back of her neck as I press my lips to hers.

It’s warm, soft, and everything I didn’t know I needed until now. She leans into me, her hand finding its way to my chest, and I can feel the tension I’ve been carrying melt away, replaced by something infinitely better.

When we finally pull back, I can’t help but grin at her, my forehead resting against hers. “Happy now?”

She smirks, her fingers tugging lightly at the collar of my shirt. “Took you long enough.”

I chuckle, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “Worth the wait?”

She hums, her eyes half-lidded as she settles against me. “We’ll see if you keep it up.”

Challenge accepted.