As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the waterfall and the surrounding forest, Ariana felt a warmth spreading through her chest. The beauty of the moment, coupled with the intimacy they had shared throughout the day, created a perfect backdrop for what she needed to say.

Ariana looked at Tae, who was lounging on the picnic blanket, his head tilted back as he basked in the evening sun. The way his hair glinted in the light made her heart flutter. She wanted to express just how much he meant to her—how he had transformed her life since he stepped into it.

“Tae,” she started, her voice soft and tentative. He turned his head, fixing her with an attentive gaze. “Can we talk about something a bit more serious?”

“Of course,” he replied, sitting up straight, his expression shifting from relaxed to concerned. “What’s on your mind?”

Ariana took a deep breath, her heart racing as she prepared to bare her soul. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking today, and I want you to know just how much you mean to me.”

He frowned slightly, an almost imperceptible crease forming between his brows. “Ari, you don’t have to—”

“No, please let me finish,” she interrupted gently. “You’ve been there for me in ways I never expected. After everything that happened with the Italians, I was scared and broken. I thought I would never feel whole again.”

Tae’s expression softened, and he leaned in slightly closer, his eyes locked onto hers. “You’re already whole, Ariana. You’re stronger than you think.”

“I appreciate you saying that,” she replied, her heart swelling with emotion. “But it’s more than that. You’ve made me feel safe again. You’ve been my rock during a time when I felt like I was drowning. Every moment we’ve spent together—whether it was laughing, crying, or just being in silence—has helped me heal.”

She could see him processing her words, the sincerity in her voice causing him to lean closer, his expression shifting to one of intense focus. “You don’t have to thank me, Ari. I just want you to be happy.”

“But I need to,” she insisted, her voice shaking slightly. “You don’t understand. I was so lost. I was terrified of letting anyone in after what happened, but you… you’ve broken down those walls without even trying. You showed me that love doesn’t have to hurt. You showed me that it’s okay to feel again.”

A soft smile spread across his face, and he reached out, taking her hands in his. “Ariana, I—”

“No, let me finish,” she urged again, her heart racing. “I want you to know how much I value you. You have this way of making everything feel lighter. You make me laugh when I feel like crying. You listen when I need to talk, and you support me in ways that no one ever has before.”

Tae’s eyes glistened with something profound, a mixture of admiration and tenderness that made her heart skip. “You deserve all of that and more. I would do anything for you.”

She smiled, her emotions swirling as she gazed into his eyes. “And that’s what makes you so special to me. It’s not just about love; it’s about trust and friendship. I’ve realized that I need you in my life, not just as a boyfriend but as my partner. I want to build a future with you.”

His grip tightened around her hands, and she could feel the intensity of his gaze as he searched her face for sincerity. “Ariana, I want that too. More than anything.”

Tears pricked at her eyes, and she felt overwhelmed by the depth of her feelings. “I love you, Tae. I really do. But it’s more than just love. It’s gratitude. It’s appreciation for the person you are and how you’ve helped me find my way back to myself.”

He leaned in closer, his expression softening. “You have no idea how much that means to me. I’ve fallen for you in ways I never thought I could fall for anyone. You’re everything I didn’t know I needed.”

Ariana felt a rush of happiness at his words, and her heart swelled as she realized they were both on the same page. “You’ve been so patient with me, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. I want to be the best version of myself for you, for us.”

Tae smiled, his eyes shining with warmth. “You don’t have to be perfect, Ari. You’re already amazing just as you are. We’ll figure everything out together, I promise.”

She nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. “Thank you for understanding. I just want you to know that I’m here, and I’m ready to move forward. I want to take this journey together, hand in hand.”

He leaned closer, brushing his lips against hers softly. The kiss was tender and filled with unspoken promises, and Ariana melted into it, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. “We’ll take it one day at a time, together,” Tae murmured against her lips.

“Together,” she echoed, her heart swelling with warmth. They shared another kiss, deeper this time, pouring all of their feelings into the embrace. It felt like a promise—one of love, support, and partnership.

As they pulled away, they both laughed softly, the tension of the moment dissipating into lightheartedness. Ariana felt giddy, her heart racing with joy. “So, what do we do now?”

“Now?” Tae grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “We celebrate. Let’s finish this picnic and then go for a swim again. We can enjoy the sunset from the water.”

Ariana beamed at his enthusiasm. “That sounds perfect!”

They settled back on the blanket, finishing their food and sharing stories about their dreams and aspirations. With each laugh and shared moment, Ariana felt more and more at ease. The walls that had once surrounded her heart felt like they were crumbling away, and in their place, a beautiful connection with Tae was blooming.

After the last remnants of their picnic were packed away, they stood together, hand in hand, before plunging back into the cool water. The sunset painted the sky with hues of pink and orange, reflecting off the water's surface as they swam and splashed around, laughter echoing in the air.

As they floated on their backs, gazing up at the vibrant sky, Ariana felt a sense of contentment settle over her. “I can’t remember the last time I felt this happy,” she admitted, turning her head to look at Tae.

He smiled, the glow of the sunset illuminating his features. “Neither can I. I want to make every moment count with you, Ariana.”

“I want that too,” she whispered, her heart full.

They shared another kiss, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the warmth of their budding love. In that moment, nothing else mattered but the two of them, their connection stronger than ever.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving a trail of shimmering colors in the sky, Ariana felt a sense of hope and happiness that she had thought was lost forever. With Tae by her side, she knew they could face anything together.