Chapter 10: Growing Feelings
The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue over the Notre Dame cathedral. Inside, the choir was finishing up their evening practice, their voices harmonizing beautifully under Sariah's guidance. Lyon watched from the back of the room, his guitar resting on his knee. He couldn't help but be captivated by Sariah's voice, which seemed to have a calming, almost magical effect on everyone present.
"Great job, everyone," Sariah said, her voice ringing with encouragement.
"Let's call it a night. See you all tomorrow."
As the choir members began to file out, Sariah caught sight of Lyon and waved him over.
"Hey, you. What did you think?"
Lyon grinned, standing up and slinging his guitar over his shoulder.
"As always, you were amazing. Your voice... it's something else."
Sariah blushed slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Thanks, Lyon. You weren't too bad yourself with those harmonies."
They walked out of the cathedral together, the cool evening air a welcome relief after the warm, stuffy practice room. They had been spending more time together recently, both in practice and outside of it, and a comfortable rhythm had developed between them.
"Want to grab some dinner?" Lyon asked, his tone casual but his eyes hopeful.
"Sure, sounds good," Sariah replied, her heart fluttering a little at the prospect of spending more time with him.
They headed to a nearby café, a quaint little place with outdoor seating and a view of the Seine. They chose a table by the water and ordered their meals, the conversation flowing easily between them.
"You know," Sariah said, swirling her drink absentmindedly,
"I never thought I'd be here, doing this—fighting aliens, leading a choir, and... making a new friend."
Lyon chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah, it's been a wild ride, hasn't it? But I'm glad we're in this together. I don't think I could do it alone."
Sariah smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest.
"Me too. You've been a great partner, Lyon."
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away. It was just the two of them, sharing a connection that went beyond their mission and their powers.
"Do you ever think about what happens after this?" Lyon asked, breaking the silence.
"I mean, if we win—when we win—what then?"
Sariah looked out over the river, her thoughts drifting.
"I don't know. I guess we'll go back to our normal lives, but... things will be different. We’ll be different."
Lyon reached across the table, his hand covering hers.
"I hope we still have each other, though."
Sariah's breath caught in her throat, the intensity of his gaze making her heart race. "Me too, Lyon. Me too."
Their moment was interrupted by the arrival of their food, but the atmosphere between them had shifted. There was an unspoken understanding, a mutual acknowledgment of the feelings that were growing between them.
As they ate, their conversation turned to lighter topics—music, their favorite songs, and funny stories from their past. They laughed and shared anecdotes, the bond between them strengthening with each passing minute.
After dinner, they walked along the river, the city lights reflecting off the water. Lyon played a soft melody on his guitar, the notes blending with the sounds of the city. Sariah hummed along, her voice adding a sweet harmony to the tune.
"You know," Lyon said, stopping to face her, "I never imagined I'd find someone like you. You're special, Sariah."
Sariah felt her cheeks heat up, her heart pounding in her chest. "Lyon, I..."
Before she could finish, Lyon leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, tentative kiss. Sariah's eyes fluttered closed, and she kissed him back, the world around them dissolving into a blur of lights and music.
When they finally pulled apart, Lyon's eyes were filled with uncertainty and hope. "Was that okay?"
Sariah smiled, her hand resting on his cheek. "More than okay."
As they continued their walk, hand in hand, they knew that their relationship had changed. Their feelings for each other were no longer hidden, and while their mission was still their top priority, they couldn't deny the love that was blossoming between them.
The following days were a whirlwind of training, missions, and stolen moments together. They balanced their responsibilities with their growing romance, finding comfort and strength in each other.
One evening, after a particularly grueling training session, they found themselves alone in the music room. Lyon was tinkering with a new electronic setup, while Sariah practiced a new song.
"That sounds beautiful," Lyon said, looking up from his work. "What's it called?"
"It's a song I wrote," Sariah replied, a hint of shyness in her voice. "It's about... finding hope in the darkest times."
Lyon set down his equipment and walked over to her, his eyes softening. "I'd love to hear the whole thing."
Sariah took a deep breath and began to sing, her voice filling the room with a haunting, emotional melody. Lyon listened, captivated by the raw emotion in her performance. When she finished, he pulled her into a tight embrace.
"That was incredible," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You're incredible."
Sariah looked up at him, her eyes shining. "Thank you, Lyon. You have no idea how much that means to me."
They shared a tender kiss, their connection deepening with each passing day. But amidst the joy of their budding romance, there was always the shadow of their mission looming over them.
One night, as they lay on the roof of the cathedral, gazing up at the stars, Sariah voiced her fears. "What if we fail? What if we can't stop the aliens?"
Lyon squeezed her hand, his voice steady and reassuring. "We won't fail, Sariah. We've come too far, and we're too strong together. We'll find a way."
Sariah nodded, taking comfort in his words. "I believe in us, Lyon. As long as we have each other, we can face anything."
Their time together was filled with moments of laughter, love, and determination. They trained hard, fought bravely, and cherished the rare moments of peace they found in each other's company.
One afternoon, after a particularly successful mission, they celebrated with a picnic in the park. Lyon had brought his guitar, and as they sat on a blanket under a tree, he played a soft, romantic melody.
Sariah leaned against him, her head resting on his shoulder. "This is perfect," she sighed. "I wish we could stay like this forever."
Lyon kissed the top of her head. "Me too. But no matter what happens, we'll always have this. We'll always have us."
Their relationship became a source of strength and motivation, driving them to fight harder and push through the toughest challenges. They knew that their love was a beacon of hope in the midst of the chaos and that together, they could overcome anything.
As the battle against the aliens raged on, Sariah and Lyon's feelings for each other continued to grow. They found solace in their love, and it fueled their determination to protect the world and each other.
In the quiet moments between missions, they dreamed of a future where they could be together without fear or danger. They talked about the places they wanted to visit, the songs they wanted to write, and the life they wanted to build.
One evening, as they sat by the fire, Lyon took Sariah's hand. "When this is all over, I want to take you somewhere special. Just the two of us. No aliens, no missions. Just us."
Sariah smiled, her heart swelling with love. "I’d like that. A lot."
Their love story was woven into the fabric of their mission, a bright thread of hope and joy that kept them going through the darkest times. They knew that no matter what happened, their love would endure, and it would be the strength they needed to save the world.
And as they faced each new challenge, they did so with the knowledge that they had each other, and that was enough to light their way through the darkest nights.