Under the starry sky, their new, shared story began.

~•~

Alira sat in a chair in the garden, tired but satisfied. They had returned an hour ago from a demanding rescue mission during which they found fifteen injured animals. All were taken to Perth Zoo for treatment. They carefully recorded the locations of the finds because after their recovery, they wanted to return them to familiar and safe places.

She considered today exceptionally successful. She was most surprised by Daniel, who participated with enthusiasm and a smile. Even though his knee was not in the best condition and he couldn't help with the transport of larger animals, he eagerly took care of the smaller ones. Alira was especially pleased with his interest in a sick echidna she had found. The animal that had caused a disagreement between them weeks ago had now become a symbol of their friendship and connection.

The echidna held a special place in their hearts. For Alira, it had been her favorite animal since childhood. For Daniel, the echidna had become a symbol of his transformation and a new beginning. His whole change in attitude towards animals had started with echidnas, which had gotten under his skin, both literally and figuratively.

Alira watched as Daniel came from the house, having washed his hands and changed from his sweaty clothes into clean ones. His movements still showed a slight limp, but his face bore an expression of satisfaction. He sat down next to her, and they both immersed themselves in the tranquility of the garden, surrounded by the sounds of nature.

"Today went well," Daniel said, his voice full of contentment. "I thought it would be tougher, but it ended up being really great."

"I'm glad you joined me. Your mom will be proud when I tell her on Monday about everything you accomplished," Alira nodded.

"I hope so. I feel like I've finally found something that makes sense," Daniel smiled and looked at the sky, which was beginning to turn orange.

"You have the right spirit. And the animals can feel it," Alira gently patted his shoulder.

They sat there, surrounded by the calm of the evening nature, both knowing that today was the beginning of something new. The adventure, which had started with an unexpected awakening at five in the morning, had led them to new understanding and deeper friendship. And the echidna, the small injured animal that had once divided them, had now become a bridge between them, a symbol of their joint effort and hope for better days.

As they sat side by side in quiet harmony, Alira suddenly broke the peaceful silence with a soft cough. Daniel looked at her and noticed a mixture of determination and uncertainty in her eyes.

"Daniel," Alira began, her voice slightly trembling. "I want to confide something in you."

Daniel nodded, his expression full of interest and support. "What's going on, Al?"

Alira took a deep breath, looking at the sky as if seeking courage there. "You know, we've never talked about my family."

Daniel frowned. "That's true. You've always skillfully avoided the topic, but I never pushed you on it. Obviously, you didn't want to talk about them, and I respected that. Is there something I should know about them?"

Alira sighed. "You know I'm from Albania; I told you that already. My family... well, let's say they have very traditional views on what their daughter should do and who she should be. When I was twenty, my parents wanted to marry me off to an older doctor they visited for checkups. He was a creepy old doctor who made me feel uneasy, and I wouldn't be surprised if he did weird things behind those closed clinic doors. Luckily, I didn't go to him, so I never found out. But that's beside the point. He was supposed to provide me with a better future, but they never listened to what I wanted."

"Don't tell me you..." Daniel was stunned.

"Yes. I couldn't stay there," Alira nodded, "I felt like a prisoner in my own home. I love my family, but I couldn't live the life they planned for me. I wanted to rescue animals, I wanted to be independent, to make my own decisions."

Daniel suddenly understood why she couldn't finish the university she loved so much. She wanted to study veterinary medicine. She wanted to rescue animals. She wanted to care for animals. But all that had to end because her parents only cared about themselves and not what she wanted. He felt sorry for her. Alira was the best girl he had ever met, and she had to go through all of this.

Daniel took her hand, his touch gentle and supportive. "That must have been terrible. I'm sorry you had to go through all that."

Brunette looked at him, tears in her eyes but also determination. "It was hard, but I don't regret it. I found my own path. But it always haunts me a bit. That's why I never talked about it. But now... now I feel like I should share it. With you." Others at the zoo only knew that her family was in Albania and she simply didn't have time to visit them. No one at the zoo knew what she had gone through.

Daniel squeezed her hand tighter. "Al, you are incredibly strong. Your decisions, your courage... I admire you for it. And I'm glad you confided in me. It means you trust me."

The girl smiled, her face full of relief and gratitude. "I trust you, Daniel. Thank you for being here for me."

Daniel leaned closer, their eyes meeting. "We are here for each other. No matter what happens."

They then immersed themselves in silence, now filled with new understanding and closeness. Alira felt relieved that she could finally share what had been weighing on her. And Daniel knew that their friendship had just become even stronger.

Daniel held Alira's hand, their gazes locked. He felt his heart speed up. Alira was a beautiful, strong, and determined woman who had fascinated him from the first moment they met. Now, as she opened up to him and shared such personal experiences, he felt even closer to her.

He considered taking the next step. A kiss. The thought hit him with such intensity that he hesitated for a moment. What if it ruined everything? What if she wasn't ready? But then he realized that life was full of uncertainties and risks. And right now, he felt that this moment was the right one.

Alira looked at him with anticipation and a slight smile. Maybe she felt the same. Daniel leaned closer, his gaze fixed on her dark eyes, searching for an answer. Alira didn't hesitate; her expression turned into a gentle, calm smile.

"Al," Daniel whispered, "you mean a lot to me."

Alira smiled and gently nodded. "You mean a lot to me too, Danny."

This was the moment. Daniel leaned in even closer, their faces now just a few centimeters apart. Alira didn't look away; on the contrary, her eyes encouraged him. Daniel made his decision and pressed his lips to hers.

The kiss was gentle and cautious, full of tenderness and respect. Alira responded with the same gentleness, their lips connecting in a harmonious dance. It was as if time had stopped, and they both immersed themselves in a moment that meant much more than just a physical touch.

When they slowly pulled away from each other, both had a sparkle in their eyes and smiles on their faces. Daniel felt he had done the right thing. Alira snuggled closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder, which was another sign for him that his feelings were reciprocated.

"Thank you for telling me," Alira whispered.

Daniel hugged her tighter. "Thank you for letting me."

They sat there, nestled in the garden chairs, surrounded by the calm of the evening nature, when Daniel decided he had to say everything he felt. Their kiss had given him courage, and he felt that now was the right moment.

"Al," he began quietly but firmly, "I need to tell you something important."

Alira looked at him, her eyes full of expectation and tenderness. "Yes, Daniel?"

Daniel took a deep breath. "I care about you. No, more than that. I love you. For a long time. And now, having gotten to know you even better, hearing about your past and seeing your courage, I am more certain than ever."

Alira smiled at him, her eyes shining and her cheeks slightly blushing. "Daniel, I care about you too. I love you too. I've kept it a secret for a long time because I didn't know how you felt, but now I know you feel the same."

Daniel felt his heart pounding with joy. He leaned closer to Alira and gently took her hand. "Al, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I know this might sound like something that should be said at a different moment, but that's how I feel. You are the one I want by my side, no matter what we face."

Alira was moved by his words, her eyes filling with tears of happiness. "Daniel, that's the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me. I want to be with you too, no matter where life takes us. You are the one I've been looking for. This adventure with you is just the beginning of our story together."

They both leaned closer, and their lips met again in a kiss, this time full of deep commitment and love. They sat there, embracing and enjoying the quiet evening filled with the promise of the future.

When they finally pulled away, Alira looked at him with a smile. "So, what's our next step?"

Daniel smiled and hugged her tightly. "Our next step is simply to be together. Whatever that means. And trust me, I'm ready for any adventure that comes our way. With you."

Alira contentedly rested her head on his shoulder, knowing that she had found not only love but a lifelong partner. Under the starry sky, their new, shared story began.

~•~