Morning came slowly in Marivelle, stretching across the town like warm honey poured over cobblestones. Sunlight spilled through the windows of Liana and Eren's modest apartment, illuminating the soft hum of a world waking gently. Birds chirped outside, the faint scent of baked bread drifted from the bakery downstairs, and the distant ring of church bells echoed across the quiet streets.
Liana stirred first, blinking sleep from her eyes as sunlight warmed her face. She stretched, savoring the simple luxury of morning—the smell of Eren's shirt, the gentle press of his body beside hers, the comfort of a life claimed fully, freely, and without fear.
Eren, still half-asleep, murmured her name and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. "Morning, my heart," he whispered. His voice was low, warm, tender—the sound that had always made her pulse race, even in the safest of times.
"Morning," she replied, nuzzling against him. "Did you sleep well?"
"Better than I ever have," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Because you're here."
The two lay together for a few more minutes, wrapped in the quiet intimacy of morning. Every breath, every heartbeat, every stolen glance reinforced what they already knew: the world could frown, the past could haunt, but their love was unbreakable, radiant, and endlessly forgiving.
---
Breakfast was a ritual now, something they shared daily. Eren took pride in brewing fresh coffee while Liana prepared eggs, bread, and fruit. On weekends, they took their breakfast to the park bench outside, watching children play and neighbors go about their routines, soaking in the mundane magic of a calm life.
One Saturday morning, as Liana spread fresh butter on toast, Eren leaned against the counter, watching her with that intensity that made her heart flutter.
"You know," he said, voice teasing, "I still can't believe we get to do this every day. Just… exist, together, without running or hiding. It's… unreal."
Liana laughed softly, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "It is unreal. But it's perfect. And I want to make every single day perfect, with you."
Eren crossed the kitchen, catching her in a playful hug from behind. "Then we'll do it. Every day. Perfect or messy, it's ours, and that's what matters."
Her laughter filled the apartment, bright, free, and utterly infectious.
---
Days passed in a rhythm of gentle discovery. They explored the small shops of Marivelle, tasting exotic teas, browsing hand-crafted goods, and sometimes lingering too long at art galleries that reminded Liana of the forest, of sunlight on leaves, and of the stolen moments she and Eren had shared in the shadows of danger.
One afternoon, Eren surprised her with a picnic by the river that ran through the outskirts of town. A soft blanket spread under a willow tree, baskets filled with fresh bread, fruit, and wine. Liana gasped at the sight.
"You did all this?" she asked, eyes wide.
"I did," Eren said with a grin, taking her hand. "Because you deserve it. Because you're mine. Because… I want every moment with you to feel like a gift."
Tears prickled at the corners of her eyes. "You always know how to make me feel… cherished. Safe. Loved."
He pulled her into his arms, forehead pressed to hers. "And you always make me feel alive, hopeful, and… like I've finally found home."
The picnic stretched into hours. They lay on the blanket, legs intertwined, hands brushing, sharing whispered thoughts, silly jokes, and quiet confessions. The world outside the willow tree ceased to exist; there was only them, only their laughter, only their hearts beating in tandem.
---
Evenings were often spent cooking together, sometimes attempting dishes that failed spectacularly, often resulting in laughter and playful food fights that ended in long, lingering kisses. One particular night, while trying to bake a cake, flour dusted the air and stuck to their hair and clothes.
"Look at you," Liana laughed, wiping a smear of flour from his cheek, "you're a disaster."
"And you love it," he replied, pulling her into a messy, flour-covered hug. "Because nothing is perfect… except this moment."
She leaned up on tiptoe, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that tasted faintly of sugar and warmth, electricity and comfort all at once. "This moment," she whispered, "is perfect."
---
Months continued to unfold like a gentle dream. Liana's art studio grew, filled with sunlight, brushes, and the scent of paint. Her works reflected her love, her past, and the forest that had once hidden her and Eren. Eren stood quietly in the corner of the studio on most days, supporting her, admiring her creations, and sometimes teasing her when she got too caught up in perfection.
One evening, Liana stepped back from a nearly finished painting—a sunlit forest scene—and sighed. "It's missing something," she murmured.
Eren walked over, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's not missing anything," he said softly. "It has everything it needs. Just like us… we're perfect, just as we are, messy flour and all."
She laughed, pressing her forehead to his chest. "You always know what to say."
"And I always will," he replied, voice low, full of promise.
---
Spring arrived, painting Marivelle with color. Blossoms of pink and white filled the streets, petals drifting through the air. Liana and Eren spent afternoons walking beneath the trees, hand in hand, talking about dreams, fears, and hopes. Every shared glance was a reminder of the love they had fought for, the life they had claimed, and the endless days still ahead.
One afternoon, as they rested beneath a cherry blossom tree, petals falling like gentle rain, Liana whispered, "Do you think… one day, people will see us and understand?"
Eren shook his head, dark eyes softening. "Perhaps not. But it doesn't matter. Our happiness isn't for anyone else. It's ours, and that's enough."
She smiled, pressing her head against his shoulder. "You're right. It's more than enough."
---
The months turned into a year, and with it, their love grew deeper, steadier, more radiant. Liana and Eren had built not just a home, but a life—a life of laughter, playfulness, creativity, tender moments, quiet courage, and endless love. Every day was a chance to cherish, to grow, to explore, and to love each other more fiercely than the day before.
One quiet evening, as they watched the sunset over Marivelle from their balcony, Eren pulled Liana close, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. "We've made it," he said softly. "All the darkness, all the fear… it's behind us. This is our forever."
Liana smiled, tears brimming in her eyes, heart swelling. "Our forever," she echoed.
And as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in gold and rose, they kissed—a long, tender, electric kiss that sealed every moment of fear, longing, adventure, and passion into one perfect lifetime.
A love forbidden… yet fully realized, radiant, joyous, eternal.