60.

Aeryn woke before the first rays of dawn kissed the horizon. Her body was still entangled in the sheets, and her mind drifted between the serenity of sleep and the stirrings of her consciousness. The room was dim, with a soft glow filtering through the curtains. She blinked a few times, adjusting to the quiet stillness that enveloped her.

Careful not to disturb Alex, who lay beside her, she gently disentangled herself from his arm and stood, wrapping the sheet around her bare body. She padded silently toward the balcony, her eyes drawn to the soft pink hues of the impending sunrise. A deep breath filled her lungs as the cool morning air brushed against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

The view was breathtaking, far different from anything she had ever seen on Earth. The sun in Alex’s world didn’t rise as she was used to—it seemed to creep over the horizon as if savoring its approach, bathing the world in rich, golden light. The sky, rather than shifting from darkness to light, burst into vibrant shades of purple, blue, and gold, creating a canvas that defied her earthly understanding. It was mesmerizing.

But despite the beauty of the scene before her, Aeryn couldn’t stop the pang of longing that echoed in her chest. She missed her world—her simple, human life. The hustle and bustle, the familiar smells and sounds, the freedom of being an ordinary woman. The thought of her old life left her feeling unmoored, as if part of her was still tethered to a world that no longer belonged to her. She had been taken from it, thrust into this alien reality, and while it had been difficult to adjust, Alex’s presence had made it bearable, even comforting.

She glanced back at the bed, at the man—no, the alien—that had come to mean everything to her. Alex lay there, his chest rising and falling steadily with each breath, his face peaceful in sleep. There was something striking about him, something she hadn’t fully understood until now. His presence grounded her, like a force of nature that balanced the chaos in her soul. Despite the differences between their worlds, he made her feel… safe.

Aeryn leaned against the balcony railing, her fingers gripping the cold metal as she tried to process her thoughts. Her life had changed so drastically, so quickly, and she wasn’t sure where it would take her next. But for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t afraid. She was beginning to understand that perhaps her life had brought her here for a reason.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t hear Alex stir behind her. She only became aware of him when she felt the warmth of his body behind her, his arm slipping around her waist and pulling her close. His lips brushed her cheek, a soft, lingering kiss that sent a flush of heat through her.

“Good morning,” he murmured against her skin, his voice still thick with sleep.

Aeryn blushed, her heart fluttering at his touch. She turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze, and found herself smiling despite the storm of emotions within her. “Good morning,” she whispered back.

Alex’s eyes searched hers, and for a moment, neither of them said anything. He tightened his hold on her, pressing his forehead against hers, and let out a long sigh. “You’re here,” he said softly, relief coloring his tone. “You’re still here.”

Aeryn’s heart squeezed at the vulnerability in his voice. She leaned into him, resting her head against his chest as she wrapped her arms around him. “I’m not going anywhere,” she assured him, her voice quiet but firm.

He kissed the top of her head, his breath warm against her hair. “I don’t want to lose you,” he admitted. “Not after everything.”

Her grip tightened around him, and for a moment, they stood like that, wrapped in each other’s warmth as the alien sun continued to rise. The weight of Alex’s confession settled in her chest, and Aeryn realized just how much he meant to her. She had been through so much—kidnapped, held captive, torn between two worlds—and yet here she was, standing in the arms of someone she had come to love in ways she hadn’t thought possible.

“I’m yours, Alex,” she whispered, her words soft but sincere. “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know I’m not leaving your side.”

Alex pulled back slightly to look at her, his intense gaze locking onto hers. His expression softened, a hint of a smile curving his lips. “I don’t deserve you,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Aeryn shook her head, her fingers reaching up to trace the lines of his face. “You deserve everything, Alex,” she said firmly. “You’ve done nothing but protect me, care for me… You’ve given me something I didn’t even realize I needed.”

He caught her hand in his, kissing her fingertips. “And I’ll continue to do so, as long as you’ll have me.”

Aeryn smiled, her heart swelling with emotions she hadn’t expected to feel. “I’ll always have you.”

They stood in silence for a while, watching the sun inch its way higher into the sky. Aeryn rested her head against Alex’s chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt a sense of peace. Despite the uncertainties that still loomed over her, despite the distance between her and the human world she had once known, she had found something here—something real, something worth holding onto.

After a while, Alex broke the silence. “What were you thinking about when I woke up?” he asked, his voice gentle as he played with a strand of her hair.

Aeryn hesitated for a moment before answering. “I was thinking about my old life,” she admitted quietly. “About Earth, my friends, the things I left behind…”

Alex’s grip on her tightened slightly, but he remained quiet, waiting for her to continue.

“But I was also thinking about… you,” she added, her voice soft. “About how, despite everything, I’m glad I’m here. With you.”

Alex exhaled softly, his lips brushing the top of her head again. “I know this world is strange to you,” he said quietly. “I know it must be hard, being so far from everything you’ve ever known.”

Aeryn nodded, her throat tightening with the weight of his words. “It is,” she whispered. “But it’s also… freeing, in a way. I never would have experienced any of this if I hadn’t been brought here.”

She felt Alex’s chest rise and fall beneath her as he took a deep breath. “I don’t want you to feel trapped,” he said, his voice laced with concern. “If you ever want to leave, if you ever want to go back…”

“No,” Aeryn interrupted, pulling back slightly to look up at him. “I don’t want to go back. Not without you.”

Alex’s eyes softened, and he cupped her cheek in his hand, his thumb brushing gently against her skin. “Then we’ll face whatever comes next together.”

Aeryn smiled, leaning into his touch. “Together.”

And as the sun continued its ascent, casting the world in golden light, they stood together on the balcony, wrapped in the warmth of each other’s presence, ready to face whatever the future had in store.