The relentless heavy rain had finally eased into a quiet drizzle overnight, leaving the morning air heavy and the clouds clinging in the sky.

  Theo moved through the undergrowth with quiet ease, his boots leaving faint impressions in the softened ground. Ferns brushed against his legs, and droplets slid from low-hanging branches as he passed beneath them. His hand rose occasionally from the warmth of his jacket pockets, brushing the branches away with fingers heavily decorated in silver rings.

  It was hard to see anything past him and his broad shoulders, but Jasmine found she didn't mind. She let her eyes stay glued on the rhythm of his stride.

  "I haven't been to the lake since the end of summer," Theo's voice cut through the quiet.

  Jasmine jumped slightly, feeling as though he’d caught her staring. "Me neither," she said, her breath hitching. She stepped over a fallen log, trying to match his pace. "At least today's weather isn't too bad."

  Theo stopped short without warning. "Here we are."

  Jasmine, unable to react in time, bumped into him, her hand shooting out instinctively to grip the rough fabric of his jacket. She steadied herself, the unexpected closeness of his body lingering between her fingers.

  "Sorry, Jasmine," Theo said, looking back over his shoulder, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. “I didn’t realise you were so close.”

  Usually, this was the part where Jasmine would flush and stammer an apology. But this time she thought, what if… Letting a mischievous smile tug at her lips instead, she met his gaze head on. "Is that a complaint, Theo? Because I can get closer."

  The forest seemed to be holding its breath.

  Theo’s smirk faltered, replaced by a genuine, creeping heat in his cheeks. It was the first time she had ever seen him lose his footing.

  "Did you just... flirt with me?" he asked, turning fully to face her. He towered over her like one of the many trees surrounding them.

  "I might have," she said, tilting her head. She watched the effect of her blue eyes on him; his focus darted from her eyes to her lips and back again, his confident posture momentarily dissolving into a daze.

  With a soft, knowing smile lingering on her lips, she stepped past him.

  The path down to the water was a narrow ribbon of mud, decaying leaves, and stubborn roots. Careful not to slip, she took her time until the foot of the hill.

  Soon standing shoulder to shoulder with Theo at the lake's edge, the reality settled back over them. "Did you get the map from Jake?" Jasmine asked, her eyes scanning the gray water for anything out of place.

  "Mhm," he murmured while opening his jacket and reaching into the inner pocket. The fabric rustled as he unfolded the map, offering her a corner to hold. Their fingers brushed—a brief, searing contact that Jasmine pretended not to notice, even as a jolt raced up her arm.

  "We should check where the evidence was found," Theo suggested, though his voice sounded lower than usual. "The police only see what's on the surface."

  Jasmine agreed with a quiet nod.

  The search that followed was an odd mix of grim duty and lighthearted distraction. They talked about Jake’s tanning routine and Theo’s taste in music, which Jasmine insisted was "just as tragic." Although the looming shadow of the fifth case sat in the back of her mind, for an hour, the forest felt safe. With him, she always felt safe.

  They searched the dying grass for anything out of place, though Theo made Jasmine feel rather useless. He was capable of seeing and feeling much more than her human eyes and senses ever could.

  Theo lowered himself to the ground where the second body had disappeared. Jasmine tried her best not to make a sound.

  “You know, I don’t mind if you breathe. It’s much more distracting if I have to worry about you suffocating,” Theo said out of the blue.

  His words made Jasmine realise that she had been holding her breath.

  “You could never be as loud as the forest is,” Theo explained.

  Jasmine hesitated, but asked anyway, “What do you hear?”

  He stayed quiet for a while. “Everything,” he said. “I hear the sound of rain sliding on the grass, the sound of wind, the nest of spiders right next to your foot, the worms in the ground, the birds chirping in the trees, the fish in the water, and the way your heart races a bit louder when you stare at me, thinking I won’t notice.”

  Jasmine stood a little taller, strangely embarrassed for being caught, yet flattered that he had noticed.

  Theo stood up and sighed. “But I don’t smell blood or any other scent belonging to someone other than us.”

  “Maybe on the last two spots?" Jasmine offered, stepping closer, trying hard to forget about the pink colour that definitely painted her cheeks.

  “Mhm,” Theo muttered.

  But as time passed, they realised that there was nothing else to find and what might once have been there had possibly been washed away by the relentless rain of the past few days.

  As they reached a clearing on the way back, Theo’s hand caught her arm—firm, but careful.

  "Hey, Jasmine." His voice was softer now, almost hesitant. "I was thinking… when we aren't chasing patterns and possible crime... maybe we could just be the two of us. On a date."

  Jasmine blinked, caught off guard. For a moment, she simply stared at him, her heart skipping a beat as his words sank in. Then, a smile broke across her face, warm and genuine, as a swirl of butterflies erupted in her stomach. "I would love that," she said, her voice steady despite the rush of emotions.

  Theo’s grin returned, his blue eyes regaining their usual spark. "Good," he exhaled, his shoulders dropping in relief. "I was starting to think I’d read that 'flirting' bit all wrong."

  Jasmine started down the path, glancing back at him over her shoulder. "So, where are you taking me?"

  Theo moved to her side, his stride matching hers perfectly. "You'll have to wait until tonight and see. But I promise," he nudged her shoulder with his, "it’ll be better than a rainy lake."

  ***

  It was already turning dark outside when the doorbell rang.

  Theo appeared in the doorway, the gentle wind tugging at his hair. In his hand, he held a single red rose, its delicate petals vivid against the muted tones of the evening and his silver rings.

  Jasmine froze, her gaze fixed on his outstretched hand.

  Slowly, she reached for the rose, careful not to hurt herself on the thorns as her fingertips grazed the stem. She took it from his hand and lifted it slightly, bringing it closer. The petals brushed against her skin. The fragrance was faint, but undoubtedly present.

  Without a word, she stepped forward, her arms embracing him while holding the rose away from him, careful not to hurt him with the thorns. Her cheek rested gently against his shoulder as her fingers swept against the fabric of his jacket. His hand found its place on her lower back, his touch gentle.

  "Thank you," she murmured with a soft smile. Slowly, she withdrew just enough to meet his gaze, her arms loosening but lingering before she turned away.

  She placed the rose on the windowsill, its vibrant petals catching the last rays of the fading light, before closing the door behind her.

  Outside, the air hung with the scent of wet leaves and distant rain, the wind threading its cool fingers through Jasmine's raven curls. The sky overhead was a canvas of deepening blue, the first stars too shy to emerge just yet.

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  As they stepped off the porch, gravel crunching beneath their shoes, Theo glanced at her. A spark lit his expression, boyish energy barely contained behind the quiet curve of his smile. "Let's take my car," he said. "There's a place I’ve been meaning to show you."

  They drove through narrow roads flanked by trees still dripping with rain. The dashboard glowed a soft green, casting a gentle light across Theo's face as music poured from the speakers—songs she didn't know, but liked anyway.

  Between tracks, he shared fragments of his past, stories that tumbled easily from his lips, laced with the kind of quiet laughs that only come from old memories. Jasmine listened, absorbing his words, letting them paint pictures in her mind. Listening to Theo was easy. He had a way of making her laugh, of pulling her into his world.

  “What about you? Where did you grow up?” Theo asked.

  “I moved around a lot as a child,” Jasmine said. “Emma and I both.”

  “Because of their job?” he asked, his fingers drumming to the music on the steering wheel. “Or did your folks just like the change of scenery?”

  Jasmine felt her heartbeat spike at just the mention of them, her fingers clenching into her palm, knuckles turning white. “Actually, it was always just Emma and me.” It wasn’t a lie, but it was just a deflection from the truth.

  Theo didn’t pry. Instead, he changed the subject. She liked to hope he hadn't noticed the way her heart jumped, just as she preferred to think her childhood had never happened the way it did. Some memories were meant to be kept locked away, deep enough that no one could reach them.

  But the truth was, the past still happened. And judging by the softening of Theo’s expression and the sudden steadiness of his hands, he knew it, too.

  The car slowed to a stop, and Theo's voice cut through the hum of the engine, brimming with excitement. "We're here... and I want you to close your eyes."

  "What?" Jasmine laughed, her curiosity piqued.

  "Please, I'm begging you to close your eyes." His trademark grin surfaced as he turned off the car and looked at her, the mischievous glint in his gaze unmistakable. "Have some trust in me... Please."

  Jasmine rolled her eyes playfully. "Okay, fine," she said, and closed them.

  She heard the car door creak open and Theo's footsteps crunching against the gravel as he rounded to her side. The door opened with a soft click, and his hand guided her out.

  "Eyes closed," he reminded her, as he led the way up a hill.

  She obeyed, allowing him to guide her. The ground beneath her shifted between patches of gravel and dirt, softened by layers of fallen leaves. Twigs cracked underfoot, the faint rustling of nearby trees whispering in the wind.

  They climbed along a forgotten path, the incline gentle but persistent. The journey had a few subtle twists that had her holding tighter to Theo's arm, steadying herself against the unseen turns. Surely, this had been part of his plan. Clever, she thought.

  Theo came to a slow stop, his voice breaking the silence. "You can open your eyes now."

  Jasmine's lashes fluttered open, her breath catching.

  On the quiet hilltop stood a small wooden cabin, its rustic charm softened by the delicate glow of twinkling lights tracing its frame. Beyond it, the city stretched out beneath them, an endless sea of stars, scattered across the earth.

  "What do you think?" he asked, his voice softer than she'd ever heard it. Theo watched her carefully, the glow of the cabin lights casting a warmth over her features. Watching and waiting.

  Jasmine whispered, the words barely more than a breath. "No one has ever done anything like this for me."

  Theo let out a quiet laugh, exhaling as if releasing some unseen weight. His hand lifted, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm glad you like it," he admitted, his voice softer than usual. "Honestly, I was worried I was going overboard."

  He let her admire the cabin for a few minutes. Then, with a subtle tilt of his head, he gestured toward the door. "Come inside with me.”

  He made it up the small stairs and opened the door, letting Jasmine go first.

  The cabin was small, but cozy. It had a fireplace, beside which Theo crouched the second he closed the door behind them. He added a few logs and watched the crackling flames slowly coming back to life. The fire crackled, sending warmth into the cabin, its glow carving shadows across his sharp features.

  Jasmine took in the cabin—the way he had gathered an assortment of blankets and soft furs, layering them on the floor, creating a makeshift nest for them to sink into. The effort he had put into it made her feel warm to her core.

  Soon, the faint scent of tea filled the air. By the time Theo finished tending to the fire, she had already poured them each a cup and had snuggled into the furs. He eased down beside her.

  He smiled, his fingers brushing against hers for a fleeting second as he took it. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice low, sincere. Then, after a pause, he glanced at her, something softer beneath his usual confidence. "I'm glad you agreed to come on a date with me. I've been wanting to ask you for a while."

  "And I've been hoping for quite some time for you to ask." Her voice was soft, as though confessing a secret. Her gaze flickered away, momentarily retreating from the intensity of his attention.

  Theo's quiet laughter cut through the hum of the fireplace. "Wait, are you saying I could have asked months ago?" he asked, setting his cup down in front of him.

  Jasmine tilted her head slightly, her smile growing as she met his eyes. "Oh, Emma and I had bets on how long it'd take you," she teased, her voice light but tinged with a subtle challenge.

  She held his stare for a fraction longer than before, lingering in the moment, before letting her gaze slip away, as if his attention was something she could only handle in fleeting doses.

  Theo's smile deepened, mischief sparking in his eyes. "Oh, did you now?" he murmured, his tone playful.

  Slowly, he leaned in, closing the space between them inch by inch. "Don't look away from me," he whispered, his voice dipping into something darker, something meant only for her. The words slid across her skin, sending shivers racing down her spine. "I like your eyes far too much not to see them."

  Before Jasmine could react, his hand reached out, his fingers brushing her chin with an almost reverent tenderness, unhurried. His fingertips lingered just long enough to tilt her face toward his, drawing her gaze back to his own.

  "You're nervous," Theo murmured.

  Her eyes locked onto his, the flames reflecting in the deep blue of her eyes like they belonged there. Her heart stumbled under the weight of his stare, afraid it would skip a beat if he came any closer.

  His voice was soft and tender. "Don't be. It's just me."

  Jasmine's breath hitched, her fingers trembling slightly as she set her cup down beside his, the ceramic barely making a sound against the wooden floor.

  Theo had drawn so close now that the warmth of his presence was undeniable, a force pulling her in. "You have no idea how much I like you, Jasmine. I've been thinking about you every day for God knows how long."

  Her breath was uneven. "You have?" she whispered, barely recognizing the sound of her own voice. "What have you thought about?"

  His focus never wavered, never hesitated. "Your beautiful hair, your pretty blue eyes. I've been thinking about your pink lips, that cherry-flavoured chapstick you're always putting on…" His eyes flickered downward, lingering. "And whether or not your lips taste the same."

  He leaned closer, his movements slow, until their lips were barely inches apart. Jasmine's breath hitched, her lips parting unconsciously, her eyes fluttering shut in anticipation.

  But the kiss never came.

  ??And she swore she felt him smile.

  Instead, his breath brushed against her ear, warm and teasing, making her heart race.

  "I’ve wondered if your skin is as soft as it looks," he murmured. His fingers ghosted over her side, just barely there. "I've imagined my hands here, at your waist.”

  "About kissing you here…" His lips grazed the curve of her cheek. A fleeting whisper of warmth, leaving her skin aching.

  "And here." The heat of his mouth hovered near the pulse at her throat, his presence overwhelming

  Jasmine's eyes opened slowly, her breath uneven as she turned her head slightly to meet his gaze. "What else?” she asked, her voice barely audible, her curiosity and vulnerability laid bare.

  Theo pulled slightly back, his gaze locking onto hers, his fingers trailing softly against her cheek.

  "I've been thinking about holding you close," he said, his voice steady, though there was a slight roughness to his words. "About hearing your heartbeat against mine, about the way your laugh sounds like music to my ears."

  Her lips parted slightly, trembling as she tried to summon a response, but it was as though her thoughts had escaped her entirely, slipping through her grasp like sand.

  Theo’s forehead came to rest gently against hers.

  His breath ghosted over her lips, lingering in the charged air between them. "I think about kissing you every time I see you," he whispered, voice barely more than a breath. "Every single time."

  He paused for a moment before he let the last words slip between them, unrushed, as if tasting them himself. "I've been thinking about how much I want you to kiss me back."

  Jasmine's breath faltered and her eyes fluttered shut. "Then what are you waiting for? Kiss me."

  And Theo didn't need to be told twice.

  In an instant, his lips found hers.

  They were soft and tentative at first, as though savouring the moment he had dreamed of for so long. But the kiss quickly deepened, the tenderness giving way to a sudden, frantic hunger.

  His hand slid to the small of her back, pulling her closer, while her fingers tangled in his hair. In that moment, neither of them had to say anything more—their kiss said it all.

  The longing in their kiss bled into their touch. Their hands traced the unspoken desires they had long kept hidden and mapped every emotion they had never dared voice, finishing what their lips had so desperately begun.