By the time they had locked up the garage, Erin and Dax were both starving. Their clothes were streaked with grease, Erin had a smudge of oil on her cheek, and Dax's knuckles were scuffed from tightening one last stubborn bolt. But neither of them cared, because for the first time in weeks, they weren't thinking about big contract jobs, Kane, Ghost, or anything else that had been pulling them in different directions. Tonight was just them.

Dax had picked a casual spot, one of those underground places only car guys and night drivers knew about, a little mix of American diner and street racer hangout.

Neon lights lined the bar, the faint hum of engines could be heard from outside, and the walls were covered in framed photos of past street legends. It was the kind of place where you could talk cars for hours without judgment.

Erin loved it immediately.

Dax smirked as they slid into a booth, flipping through the menu. "Knew you'd like it."

Erin glanced around. "Yeah, I'm impressed. Didn't think you had good taste."

Dax scoffed. "Says the girl who almost picked fast food."

Erin smirked. "Hey, I was starving. Desperate times."

Dax shook his head, setting down the menu. "So what are we thinking? Burgers? Steak? Or are you about to prove you're not actually tough and order a salad?"

Erin scoffed. "If I ever order a salad in a place like this, just assume I've been kidnapped."

Dax chuckled. "Noted."

The waitress came by, and they placed their orders: two burgers, loaded fries, and drinks.

Once she left, Dax leaned back, smirking. "So, let's talk about the real issue."

Erin raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what's that?"

Dax grinned. "Who's gonna win when we take the Porsche and the R34 to the track?"

Erin rolled her eyes. "You're still on this?"

Dax nodded. "Oh, absolutely. Because I want you to know, right here, right now, that you're gonna lose."

Erin leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. "Carter, listen to me real close. I will embarrass you on that track."

Dax chuckled. "Oh yeah? And what happens when I beat you?"

Erin smirked. "Then I'll know you were cheating."

Dax laughed, shaking his head. "Unbelievable."

Erin grinned, stealing a fry from his plate. "Better get used to it."

For a while, they just ate, the hunger finally catching up to them.

The background noise of faint music, car conversations, and street racers coming and going filled the air, but Erin wasn't paying attention to any of it.

For the first time in a long time, there was no rush, no stress, no distractions. Just Dax, a good meal, and the promise of an upcoming track race neither of them planned on losing.

Halfway through, Dax tapped his glass against hers. "To the Porsche finally being drivable."

Erin smirked. "To me kicking your ass in my R34."

Dax shook his head. "You just can't let me have this moment, can you?"

Erin grinned. "Nope."

Dax sighed dramatically. "I really should've seen that coming."

Their weekend project was done.

But the real fun, the race, the competition, the bragging rights, that was still yet to come.

The night was calm, the kind of rare quiet that didn't come often with their lives.

The TV flickered softly in Dax's living room, casting warm light across the space. The faint hum of some late-night action flick filled the air, but neither of them were really watching it.

Erin was curled up against Dax, her legs stretched out over his, one arm lazily draped around his waist.

Dax had his hand resting on her thigh, thumb brushing absently over the fabric of her sweats, his attention half on the screen, half on her.

The coffee table had two half-empty glasses, bourbon for Dax, something lighter for Erin. They were full from dinner, slightly buzzed, and completely comfortable.

Then Dax casually, like it was the simplest thing in the world, dropped the question. "So... when are you moving in?"

Erin froze. Not dramatically, not noticeably. Just enough for Dax to feel it. To know he'd caught her off guard. She slowly tilted her head up, eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him. "You really just gonna drop that on me mid-movie?"

Dax shrugged, smirking. "Seemed like a good time."

Erin scoffed. "You are unbelievable."

Dax chuckled, squeezing her thigh gently. "Yeah, yeah. Answer the question, Calloway."

Erin exhaled, looking away for a second, it wasn't like she hadn't thought about it. She had. A lot. Especially since she already spent half her nights here anyway. But moving in? Officially? That was different. She wasn't used to staying in one place for too long. Didn't know what it meant to have something permanent.

Dax, of course, saw right through her. "You overthinking it already?"

Erin shot him a look. "I am not overthinking."

Dax grinned. "Calloway, you have that face. The 'I'm running every possible scenario in my head' face."

"Do not."

"Do too."

Erin huffed. "I hate you."

Dax smirked. "No, you don't."

Erin sighed, letting her head drop against his shoulder. "It's not that I don't want to."

Dax stayed quiet, letting her get there on her own.

She ran a hand through her hair, fingers tugging slightly at the ends. "I just... I don't wanna screw this up."

Dax frowned, shifting slightly to look at her. "What makes you think you will?"

Erin exhaled, voice quieter. "Because I don't do... this."

Dax nodded slowly. "You mean staying?"

Erin hesitated, then nodded.

Dax was quiet for a beat. Then, his voice low, steady, just like always. "You don't have to run from this, Ace."

Erin stayed quiet. Part of her still didn't know how to believe that. Still didn't know what it meant to not run.

Dax, being Dax, just sighed and pulled her closer. "Look, I'm not asking for a grand declaration. Just... I like waking up with you here. I like knowing you're coming back. So if you wanna take your time? Fine. But don't talk yourself out of it just because you're scared."

Erin let out a slow breath, letting the words sink in. Finally, she nodded. "Okay."

Dax raised an eyebrow. "Okay? That's it?"

Erin smirked, tilting her head up. "What, you want me to throw confetti?"

Dax chuckled. "I mean, it'd be nice."

Erin rolled her eyes, then pressed a slow, lingering kiss to his jaw. "I'll start moving my stuff in next week."

Dax grinned. "Damn right you will."

Erin chuckled, settling back into his chest, letting herself finally breathe.

The weight of her answer settled between them, but it wasn't heavy. It wasn't overwhelming. It was just... right.

Dax didn't press the issue further. He didn't tease, didn't make a big deal of it. He just let Erin curl back into his chest, let his fingers trace lazy circles on her back, and let the moment be what it was.

For once, she wasn't thinking about Ghost, Kane, or the next big job. She wasn't even thinking about the track race they'd inevitably have. She was just here. With him.

At some point, Dax reached for his drink, taking a slow sip before passing it to Erin.

She took it without question, sipping the whiskey and letting the warmth settle in her chest. "You sure you're okay with this?" she asked eventually, keeping her voice light.

Dax glanced at her. "With what?"

She gestured vaguely. "Me. Moving in. Taking over your space. Leaving car parts everywhere."

Dax smirked. "Oh, you mean like you already do?"

Erin huffed. "That's different."

Dax raised an eyebrow. "How?"

"Because it wasn't official."

Dax chuckled, setting his drink down. "Ace, you've basically been living here for months. I think the only thing missing is your name on the damn lease."

Erin sighed, stretching her legs out along the sofa. "You're not worried I'll get on your nerves?"

Dax smirked. "Nah. I like having you around."

Erin glanced up at him. "Even when I annoy you?"

"Especially when you annoy me."

Erin chuckled, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous."

Dax grinned. "And you love it."

She rolled her eyes, but didn't deny it.

Somewhere between their lazy conversation and the next round of drinks, Dax got an idea.

Which, Erin quickly realised, was probably a bad thing.

"Alright, Calloway," he said, setting his glass down, eyes glinting with amusement.

"Oh no, what now?" Erin sighed dramatically, sitting up a little.

Dax smirked. "Bet you can't hold a staring contest longer than me."

Erin blinked. Then laughed. "Are you five?"

Dax grinned. "What's wrong, scared you'll lose?"

Erin scoffed. "I will wipe the floor with you, Carter."

Dax leaned forward slightly, challenging. "Prove it."

It was on.

Two minutes later, they were sat facing each other, legs tangled under the blanket, both refusing to blink.

Dax was grinning slightly, but Erin could tell he was starting to struggle. She was cool as hell. Stone-faced. Unmoving.

"Damn, you're good at this," Dax muttered.

Erin smirked. "I grew up dealing with Jamie. You think you can out-stubborn me?"

Dax scoffed. "I have Jinx and Rev. I know stubborn when I see it."

Another ten seconds passed.

Dax's eye twitched.

Erin leaned in slightly. "You gonna break first?"

Dax gritted his teeth. "Not a chance."

Erin smirked, tilting her head. "You sure about that?"

Dax exhaled slowly, clearly trying to fight the urge to blink.

Then Erin reached out and lightly dragged her fingers under his jaw.

Dax flinched. And blinked. "Damn it."

Erin grinned victoriously, leaning back. "Told you."

Dax groaned, rubbing his face. "That was cheating."

"Nope. That was strategy."

Dax scoffed. "You're insufferable."

Erin smirked. "And yet, you asked me to move in."

Dax chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah. Guess I like suffering."

By the time the movie ended, Erin had slowly shifted back into Dax's arms. Her head was tucked under his chin, her legs draped over his, their warmth melded together. The whiskey had kicked in, leaving her feeling warm and comfortable.

Dax absentmindedly ran his fingers along her arm, the motion soothing.

"Hey, Ace?"

Erin hummed in response, already halfway to sleep.

"You happy?"

She smiled, eyes still closed. "Yeah. I am."

Dax sighed contently, pressing a lazy kiss to the top of her head. "Good."

They fell asleep. It was just right.