Bleeding Summer

Severa's POV

The drive stretched longer than I expected, winding through narrow roads lined with coconut trees and glimpses of the coast. Eugene had his windows down, letting the salty breeze filter through, mixing with the faint hum of the indie rock playlist he had chosen for the trip. It was a peaceful silence between us—comfortable, as if neither of us needed to fill the space with unnecessary words.

"You're quiet," Eugene said, his fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel.

I glanced at him. "So are you."

He smirked. "I'm just making sure you're not overthinking things again."

I rolled my eyes but didn't deny it. My mind had been restless since the moment I agreed to this trip. I wasn't used to spending time with someone like this—not just as coworkers, not as casual friends grabbing a drink after work, but as something… else. Something undefined.

"You sure this place is worth the drive?" I asked, shifting in my seat.

Eugene shot me a sideways glance. "Trust me. You'll like it."

His confidence was annoying. But as we finally pulled into the parking lot of a quiet beachfront resort, I had to admit—he wasn't wrong.

"Welcome to La Isla Cove."

The resort wasn't overly luxurious, but it had a charm that made it feel like a hidden sanctuary. Wooden cottages stood by the shore, their balconies overlooking the crystalline water. The air smelled of salt and grilled seafood, and in the distance, the sound of waves rolling onto the shore filled the quiet spaces between conversations.

I inhaled deeply, letting the scent of the ocean settle inside me.

Eugene stretched as he stepped out of the SUV, his shirt riding up slightly, revealing a sliver of tanned skin. I looked away, scolding myself internally.

"Come on," he said, nodding toward the resort's reception. "Let's get registered."

We walked inside, the cool air-conditioning a brief relief from the midday heat. A friendly receptionist greeted us, handing over the day-use forms.

"You'll have full access to the beach, the pool, and our lunch buffet," she explained. "Snorkeling gear is available for rent if you need it."

"I brought my own," I replied, signing my name on the form.

Eugene grinned. "Of course you did."

I raised a brow. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

"Not at all. Just means I don't have to carry your stuff."

The receptionist chuckled as she handed us our wristbands. "You two seem close."

Something about the way she said it made my stomach twist. I glanced at Eugene, expecting him to correct her, to say something nonchalant like we're just coworkers.

Instead, he just smiled. "Something like that."

The ocean felt like home.

The moment I stepped into the water, all the tension I didn't even realize I had been holding melted away. The coolness wrapped around me as I adjusted my mask, breathing slowly through my snorkel.

I ducked under, and the world transformed.

Coral reefs stretched below me in vibrant hues—deep purples, bright oranges, soft greens. Schools of fish darted between them, glinting like scattered gemstones beneath the sunlight filtering through the water.

I swam forward, effortlessly moving through the currents. I had always loved the ocean—the way it swallowed sound, how it made everything above the surface seem distant and insignificant.

Then I sensed movement beside me.

Eugene.

I turned my head slightly, watching as he struggled to adjust his snorkel. He wasn't terrible, but he definitely wasn't as natural in the water as I was. He was trying, though.

I smirked through my mask.

He caught me staring and lifted a hand, gesturing something vaguely. What?

I shook my head and pointed toward a school of tiny fish swirling near the coral.

He followed my gaze, his expression shifting from mild frustration to quiet awe.

I didn't know how long we stayed like that, just floating, just watching.

Maybe longer than I realized.

By the time we made it back to shore, our skin was warm from the sun, our hair salty from the ocean.

"That was…" Eugene exhaled, running a hand through his wet hair. "I get it now. Why you like this so much."

I smirked. "Told you."

"Yeah, yeah." He shot me a look before tilting his head toward the resort. "Come on. I'm starving."

The buffet was set up in an open-air restaurant overlooking the sea. The scent of grilled seafood filled the air, mingling with the distant laughter of other guests.

Eugene wasted no time piling his plate with shrimp, grilled fish, and fresh fruit. I went for a mix of everything, not wanting to admit how hungry I actually was.

We found a table by the railing, where the ocean stretched endlessly before us.

"You gonna admit this was a good idea now?" Eugene asked between bites.

I chewed slowly, pretending to consider. "It wasn't… a bad idea."

He laughed, shaking his head. "That's as close to a compliment as I'm getting, huh?"

"Probably."

--

The sunset painted the horizon in hues of orange and pink, casting a golden glow over the ocean. The soft sound of waves kissing the shore mixed with the distant chatter of tourists, but I barely heard any of it. My focus was on Eugene—on the way he looked at me as if he had waited forever to say those words.

"I've liked you since the moment I met you," he had confessed, voice steady yet vulnerable. "Even when we were just kids that summer… even when things fell apart, I never stopped."

His words lingered in the air between us, intertwining with the salty breeze. My chest felt tight, my heart hammering against my ribs as I stared at him.

Because the truth was—I felt the same way.

Even though that summer ended in pain, even though I convinced myself that it was just a fleeting moment of teenage foolishness, my feelings for him had never faded.

"I…" I swallowed, suddenly feeling a lump in my throat. "I've always liked you too, Eugene."

His breath hitched.

"Even after everything?" he asked softly, as if he couldn't believe it.

I gave a small nod, my lips curling into a bittersweet smile. "Even after everything."

His shoulders relaxed, and the next thing I knew, he was pulling me into his arms. It wasn't just a hug—it was something deeper, something that held years of longing and emotions we had never spoken about.

When we finally pulled back, Eugene cupped my cheek, his thumb gently grazing my skin. "Then be mine, Sev," he whispered. "For real this time."

I let out a soft laugh, though my heart was pounding. "I thought I already was?"

A grin spread across his face. "Yeah, but I want to hear you say it."

I bit my lip, playfully rolling my eyes before looking straight into his. "Okay… I'm yours, Eugene."

His entire face lit up, his eyes gleaming with something I couldn't quite put into words. Before I could say anything else, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, then my cheek, then finally—my lips.

It was slow, unhurried, as if we had all the time in the world. And maybe, just maybe, we did.