I didn't mean for this to have a happy ending.

It started off as pain-for-sport: one-sided love, late-night sex, no promises, no names.
Gawin was supposed to run.
Joss was supposed to stay and suffer quietly.
And I was just here for the angst.

But somewhere along the way, they changed.
Gawin looked back.
Joss didn't stop waiting.
And somehow, they found a rhythm — soft, steady, stupidly tender.

So I gave them a sunrise.
As a treat.
For surviving each other's damage without turning it into war.

Gawin learned how to stay without flinching.
Joss never asked for anything but still gave everything.
And me?
I wrote the whole thing with a hand over my face like,
"God, these two are so dumb and so in love."

If you've read this far, thank you.
They didn't know how to say I love you,
so thank you for staying long enough to understand what they meant.

— KC (silent third wheel, emotional support narrator)
[Every Mark I Couldn't Claim]