It had been a week since Mira and Jace's game night, and as the days slipped by, their relationship continued to blossom. They'd grown used to the rhythm of their daily exchanges — good mornings, random texts throughout the day, and late-night calls that stretched on until sleep claimed them both. Despite the busy schedules and looming responsibilities, it felt like they were always finding ways to stay connected.
Mira, however, was beginning to notice something. A quiet shift in herself. She had always prided herself on her independence, but when it came to Jace, she was starting to feel… different. Not in a way that made her feel weak, but more like she was softening around the edges. She didn't mind it, not really. In fact, she liked it.
They were close, but with each passing day, Mira couldn't help but wonder if they were truly growing together, or if they were simply coasting on the surface, keeping things light and easy. The deeper thoughts and conversations hadn't come yet, and a part of her was unsure if they were ready for that.
It was Friday evening when it happened again. Jace texted her — just like he always did.
"My love, you up for a quick chat?"
She smiled, tapping out a quick response.
"Always for you."
They started their usual chat. School, life, and little snippets of their day. But as the conversation continued, Mira's thoughts kept circling back to one thing: how easy this was. And yet, she wanted more. She wanted to know more about him, to dive deeper into the things that weren't just surface-level.
At the same time, she didn't want to rush it. This was the kind of relationship she could get used to. The kind that felt comfortable and warm. But what if they were missing something by not going deeper?
She couldn't ignore the feeling for much longer.
When Jace asked if she wanted to video call, she agreed without hesitation. Within minutes, her phone screen lit up with his face — still half-distracted, as if he hadn't even realized how good it felt to simply look at each other.
"Hey, beautiful," he greeted her with a soft smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Mira grinned, leaning forward slightly. "Hey, handsome. How's your day?"
"Busy, but better now." Jace ran a hand through his hair, clearly tired but still looking at her like he'd just walked into a room full of sunlight. "I was thinking about something."
"Oh? What's on your mind?"
He paused, the usual playfulness in his voice gone for a moment.
"I've been wondering… do you think we're getting to know each other? I mean, we've spent a lot of time talking about our days and playing games and all, but have we really opened up?"
Mira blinked, taken aback for a second. She wasn't expecting him to ask such a direct question. But a warm feeling spread through her chest. This was exactly what she had been thinking about, and now he was giving voice to it.
"I think… maybe we haven't," she admitted, glancing down at her hands. "I mean, I like how we've been, Jace. But yeah, I've been wondering if we're just staying in our comfort zones."
"Yeah, I get that." He leaned back in his chair, looking thoughtful. "I don't want to just coast along. I want to know more about you — the stuff that matters."
Mira's heart fluttered. She'd wanted to hear him say that. "Same here," she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of her sincerity. "I think it's time we talk about the things that matter to us. Not just surface stuff."
"Like what?"
Mira hesitated for a moment, the vulnerability of it all making her pause. But she knew this was the moment. The moment where they could either stay on the easy path, or take the leap and explore something deeper.
"Like what we want for the future. Not just... now, but beyond that. What's really important to us in the long run?" she asked quietly, her eyes meeting his.
Jace was quiet for a moment, considering her words.
"I've been thinking about that too," he said slowly, his voice serious now. "I want to make sure we're both on the same page, not just with what's going on right now, but with where we see ourselves, you know?"
Mira nodded. "I don't want to rush anything, but I think we should talk about things that might get in the way later. If we want this to be something real, we need to know what we're both working toward."
He smiled softly at her, his eyes filled with a mix of admiration and affection. "I like how you think. I don't want to waste any time. So… let's do it. Let's talk about what matters to us."
They spent the next hour discussing their hopes, their dreams, and the kind of future they imagined for themselves. They shared their insecurities, their fears, and the things that made them feel alive. It was deep, personal, and somehow, it felt right.
For the first time, they really saw each other — not just as the fun, carefree people they had been when they first met, but as two individuals who were learning to navigate the complexity of their lives together. They weren't perfect, but they were willing to try.
And that was enough.
As the call ended and Mira sat back, a smile tugged at her lips. She was glad they had this conversation. She was glad they were finally growing together. It was the beginning of something real, something that felt like it could last.
"Goodnight, my love," Jace whispered as the call ended.
"Goodnight, Jace."