Chapter Text
Sophia had never liked airports this much before.
Maybe it was the lack of sleep after finals, or the way her hands still felt restless without notes to flip through—but mostly, it was because of who was waiting on the other side.
Daniela, on the other hand, was having a perfectly normal day.
Which was exactly why Sophia smiled to herself as she checked her boarding pass.
She was planning to surprise Daniela after almost a year apart, keeping her promise of kissing her in person after that call last week.
She couldn’t help but look out the window, smiling like a complete maniac in love as her seatmate stared at her in confusion.
In just a few more hours, I’ll see her again.
Her curls. Her smile. Her dimples.
Sophia smiled at the thought, missing everything about her.
She didn’t care that she barely slept on the plane because of the turbulence. Her mind was too full of Dani.
It would all be worth it anyway.
—
As soon as she landed, she rushed out with her luggage—some of it filled with gifts for her girlfriend.
Sometimes, it amused her how much she was willing to do for Daniela. How love could drive her to cross cities just for a kiss. Just to feel her warmth again.
—
Daniela, meanwhile, was busy helping choreograph a new dance for a competition she had joined.
She was the busy one now.
By the time Daniela got home, she was sweaty and exhausted. She glanced around her apartment, immediately noticing the mess she had left behind.
Keep everything clean and tidy, alright? I don’t wanna see any mess around here, got it?
Sophia’s voice echoed in her head.
Daniela let out a small laugh.
That was something Sophia used to say back in high school, when Daniela would carefully clean their classroom just to get her approval. Most of their classmates would skip out on cleaning duties, leaving Daniela to do it alone—though Sophia would sometimes stay and help.
Daniela pulled out her phone and played some music.
“Sky” by Playboi Carti.
She smiled, remembering how Sophia’s face would scrunch up in disgust whenever she played rap.
Turn it off, or I’ll play my playlist. It’s better than yours anyway.
Always followed by that affectionate eye roll.
Daniela shook her head, smiling as she started cleaning the living room. Her eyes landed on a painting hanging on the wall—one Sophia had made back in high school.
Her apartment felt like a museum.
Everywhere she looked, there was something that reminded her of the past. Of them.
A loud sound suddenly snapped her out of her thoughts.
Knock. Knock.
She frowned, slowly walking toward the door.
Who would even be here at this hour?
It was already getting late.
She opened it—
And froze.
Standing there, holding her luggage in one hand and a bouquet in the other, was Sophia.
“Hey…” Sophia smiled softly.
Daniela blinked.
“What are you doing here…?” she finally managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.
It’s actually her.
“I missed you,” Sophia said simply. “And I promised I’d come after finals. You know I don’t break promises—especially when it comes to you.”
She winked.
Daniela huffed out a quiet laugh, rolling her eyes, though her chest felt tight.
Sophia stepped closer, setting her luggage down before gently handing her the bouquet.
“I think…” she started, her voice softer now, “it’s better to kiss you in person than pretending through a screen.”
She hesitated for just a second.
“…Can I?”
Daniela looked down at the flowers, then back at her.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then—
She closed the distance.
Her hands found Sophia’s shirt, gripping it slightly as she pulled her in.
The kiss was soft at first.
Careful.
Like they were both trying to make sure the other was real.
Then it deepened—weeks, months of distance melting into something warm and overwhelming.
When they finally pulled away, Daniela let out a breathless laugh, resting her forehead against Sophia’s.
“…Yeah,” she murmured. “Way better than the phone.”
Sophia smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from Daniela’s face.
“Told you.”
There was a quiet pause before Sophia glanced past her shoulder.
“…Wait.”
Daniela blinked. “What?”
Sophia stepped inside, looking around the apartment.
It was clean.
Really clean.
She turned back to Daniela, clearly surprised.
“You cleaned?”
Daniela crossed her arms, suddenly a little shy. “What? I can be responsible.”
Sophia let out a soft laugh, shaking her head.
“You used to clean the entire classroom just to impress me.”
“And it worked, didn’t it?” Daniela shot back.
Sophia stepped closer again, her expression softening.
“It still does.”
Daniela’s breath hitched slightly.
Sophia reached out, gently intertwining their fingers.
“…You kept everything,” she said quietly, glancing at the painting, the little pieces of their past scattered around.
Daniela shrugged, though her voice softened.
“Yeah. I didn’t really want to forget anything.”
Sophia squeezed her hand.
“Good,” she whispered.
“Because I’m not going anywhere anymore.”
Daniela smiled.
“Good.”
And this time, when they kissed again—
There was no distance left between them.