SHIP — LaraxManon.

Written by — @Minaliter (Me!)

Lara sat on the edge of the couch, guitar in hand, softly strumming a melody. The evening light filtered through the window, casting a warm glow over the room, and the air was filled with the sweet hum of the song she was playing. Manon, curled up on the armchair nearby, watched her with a smile, her eyes soft and affectionate.

It had been a long week, and this quiet moment together felt like a breath of fresh air. Lara's voice, warm and rich, had always had a way of making even the most ordinary moments feel special. Tonight, the song was one they'd both loved for years—something comforting and familiar. But as the last chord rang out, Manon looked up at her, eyes twinkling with a playful spark.

"Lara," she said, her voice low and teasing, "I need a favor."

Lara raised an eyebrow, setting her guitar aside. "Oh? What's that?"

Manon leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "I want you to sing something... just for me."

Lara's heart skipped a beat. Manon had always been her biggest supporter, her most devoted listener. They'd shared countless songs together, but there was something different about this request. Something that felt... personal.

"What do you have in mind?" Lara asked, her voice soft.

Manon smiled, leaning closer, her eyes locking with Lara's. "A solo. A love song. One that's just for me."

Lara's breath caught in her chest. It was a small request, but the weight of it—the intimacy, the tenderness in Manon's voice—made it feel monumental. She nodded, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Okay," Lara said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just for you."

Manon sat back in the chair, her eyes never leaving Lara. She could feel her heartbeat in her throat as Lara picked up the guitar again, tuning it for a moment before beginning a gentle, soft introduction. The first few notes seemed to fill the space between them, and then Lara's voice—so raw, so full of love—started to spill into the room.

*"I found my way, in the quiet of your gaze, 
In every word, in every touch, 
You showed me love in ways I never knew, 
I'm not the same since I met you."*

Manon's chest tightened, the words sinking deep into her heart. She had always known that Lara could sing, but hearing her sing like this, for her, made it feel like the world had stopped just for this moment. It was like every word was a promise, a truth they had both lived but had never said aloud.

Lara's voice continued, soft but powerful, every note carrying the weight of a thousand unspoken emotions.

*"And when the world turns away, 
You're the one who stays, 
You're the reason I wake, 
The reason I breathe, 
With you, there's nothing I need."*

Manon's eyes welled up, her lips trembling as she tried to hold back the flood of emotion. This song, this moment, was everything they had shared. It was the quiet mornings, the laughter that echoed in their apartment, the stolen kisses, the late-night talks about everything and nothing. It was the love that had grown in the space between them—steadfast and unwavering.

As Lara reached the final line, she let the last word hang in the air.

*"With you, I'm home."*

The room was silent for a moment, the weight of the song settling around them. Manon couldn't find the words, not right away. Instead, she stood up and crossed the room, her hands reaching for Lara's. She cupped Lara's face gently, her eyes glistening with emotion.

"That... that was beautiful," Manon whispered, her voice thick with feeling. "I love you so much, Lara."

Lara smiled, a quiet, content smile that spoke volumes. She leaned in, resting her forehead against Manon's.

"I love you, too," she murmured, her voice soft. "I always will."

And in that moment, as they stood there together, wrapped in the echo of the song they'd just shared, everything felt perfect—just the two of them, their hearts beating in rhythm.