Chapter Twenty-Eight: Unspoken Truths

As the morning sun cast its warm embrace over the campsite, Alex and Lily decided to venture into the forest. Their footsteps echoed through the trees, leaving Ethan and Mia alone at the camp. Ethan sat beside Mia, a sense of calm settling over them as they tended to her wounds sustained during the battle with Aria.

Mia's gaze met Ethan's with gratitude. "Thank you for taking care of me, Ethan."

Ethan's smile was warm, his touch gentle as he treated her injuries. "Of course, Mia. We're a team, after all."

As the moments passed, a comfortable silence enveloped them. The forest seemed to hold its breath, as if giving them a moment of respite. Mia's voice broke the stillness, her words carrying a mix of curiosity and vulnerability.

"Ethan, can I ask you something?"

Ethan's attention shifted to her, his eyes meeting hers with a gentle nod. "Of course, Mia. You can ask me anything."

Mia's fingers played with the edges of her bandages, her voice soft. "Back when we were still fighting Aria, why didn't you tell Lily and Alex about how I confessed my feelings to you?"

Ethan's expression was thoughtful, his gaze steady. "I guess… I wanted to keep things between us for a while. It felt personal, and I wasn't sure how to explain it to them just yet."

Mia's eyes held a mixture of understanding and a hint of playfulness. "You know, they're going to find out eventually."

Ethan chuckled, his voice light. "Yeah, I know. But I wanted to give us some time to figure things out before involving everyone else."

Mia's smile was gentle, her gaze unwavering. "I appreciate that, Ethan. It's just… I wanted to be honest with them, you know? I didn't want to keep secrets."

Ethan's fingers brushed against hers, his touch reassuring. "I understand, Mia. And when the time is right, we can let them know."

Mia's expression softened, her eyes filled with a mixture of emotions. "I'm glad we're on the same page. And I'm grateful for you being here, for everything."

Ethan's smile was warm, his voice sincere. "I'm grateful for you too, Mia. We've been through so much together, and I'm glad we have each other."

As their conversation continued, their bond deepened, unspoken truths finding their way into the open. The forest seemed to hold its breath a little longer, as if embracing the connection that had formed between them.