Rain pattered softly against the city skylights, casting shimmering ripples through the garage's cracked upper windows. The storm outside mirrored the stillness inside—calm, warm, and humming with unspoken emotion.
Reyna and Avery had spent the entire morning repairing Reyna's vintage racer—an old machine that had never touched the illegal circuits. It wasn't for war. It wasn't for speed. It was hers. Personal.
Now, it sat fully restored, its chrome polished to a shine, and its seat wide enough for two.
"You kept this all these years," Avery said, brushing her hand along the leather seat.
Reyna stood beside her, hands in her pockets, watching Avery instead of the bike. "I didn't have much that was mine. But I held onto this. For the day I'd have something—or someone—worth taking for a real ride."
Avery turned, her gaze soft. "And now?"
Reyna stepped closer, close enough that the electricity between them sparked like a live wire. "Now, I think I found her."
Avery's breath caught.
Neither moved for a moment. Then, Reyna reached up and tucked a lock of Avery's hair behind her ear. Her hand lingered, fingers grazing Avery's cheek.
"I used to think love was just another risk. Like racing," Reyna said, voice low. "But this… this is different. It's not about the fall. It's about who you fall with."
Avery leaned in, her voice a whisper. "And I'd fall with you. Every time."
Their lips met—slow at first, then deeper, fueled by weeks of tension, fights, and flame that had finally given way to trust. The kiss was unhurried, full of promise rather than possession.
When they pulled apart, their foreheads rested together, breath mingling.
Outside, the rain began to stop.
Inside, something bloomed.
But peace never lasted long in 3025.
The door buzzed with a security alert. Nova's voice crackled through the intercom.
"We've got a visitor. Claims to be a sponsor from The Spire League."
Reyna's brow furrowed. "That's high circuit. Too high."
Avery squeezed her hand. "Then let's hear them out. Together."
With hearts newly opened and eyes forward, they stepped out to face the next curve on their road.