The park path narrows between the hedges as Buster and Mara reach the small bench area. The note lies on the wood behind them, and for a breath, the morning is almost quiet.
Then a distant engine note fades by on the street, and both of them freeze. Nothing follows it. No boots, no drone buzz, no shouted orders.
Mara
It could have been them. It is not. We do not get peace by accident.
Buster Jones
The hedges are thick enough to hide movement.
Mara steps closer, keeping her hands open, not reaching for the note. Her face is tight with old fear, but she holds Buster's gaze instead of flinching away.
Mara
If you want to walk away, I understand. If you stay, I stay honest, no handlers, no masks.
Buster stands at the edge of the bench, scarred hand low at his side, strong enough to break the world and still careful with her. The path beyond them remains empty, waiting.
“I take Mara's hand”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Buster reaches for Mara’s open hand, and she lets him. Her fingers curl around his with a careful, grateful pressure, like she is learning the shape of trust again.
Mara
Her breath catches, then eases. No orders. No script. Just this.
The bench sits between them like a quiet witness. The note stays flat on the wood, unmoved, while Mara angles her body toward Buster instead of the path.
Mara
Thank you. For staying, and for not making me earn this.
Buster Jones
Her hand is warm. The grip is steady.
Mara glances once toward the hedges, then back to him. The old alertness is still there, but it no longer drives her away.
Mara
I know I gave you reasons not to trust me. I will keep giving you the truth, even when it makes me look worse.
Buster’s injured hand stays joined with hers, quiet and unforced. The path beyond the hedges remains empty, and for once the silence feels earned.
The park stayed still. No footsteps. No alarms. Just the bench, the trees, and the small space between them closing at last.
Mara
Thank you for staying. No masks, Buster. Not with me.
Buster Jones
I can do honest. I can do steady.
Mara
That is enough.
Their hands found each other and did not let go.
No pursuers came. No hidden danger stepped out of the trees. In the quiet, Buster Jones and Mara chose the fragile safety they had fought to earn, and for one still moment, it held. The chapter closed with trust unmasked and the world letting them breathe.