Poppy Clarke sits at the kitchen table, cradling a mug of tea, and watches the window. Outside, the first flakes of snow drift lazily down onto the pavement. The flat smells of freshly brewed coffee and something homely, the kind of scent that, over time, becomes the aroma of real life. Oliver Hughes stands at the stove, stirring a pan, glancing over his shoulder with that easy smile that still makes Poppys chest feel warm.
They do not speak, but the silence between them is not awkward or heavy. It feels warm, alive, like a shared breath. As if words are unnecessaryeverything is already understood.
How it began
Poppy could never have imagined that love could feel this light, like this quiet morning.
She once feared love. In previous relationships she found herself constantly checking his phone, hunting for hidden meanings in his words, guessing what he was really feeling. It was like living inside a besieged fortressalways on guard, always waiting for an attack.
After a particularly painful breakup, she told a friend, Sophie:
Maybe I just dont know how to love without fear.
Or maybe you havent met the right person yet, Sophie replied.
Poppy didnt believe her then.
Then Oliver appeared, and everything changed.
The unexpected meeting
They meet in the most ordinary placea bookshop on Covent Garden. Poppy is hunting for a new novel for the evening, and Oliver is standing at the same shelf, flipping through a book but not quite deciding.
If youre not sure, just take it, Poppy says suddenly.
What if I dont like it? Oliver smiles.
What if you do?
He laughs, and theres something in that laugh that feels instantly familiar.
They chat, then head for a coffee. They wander through the streets until dusk, even though both should be at work in a couple of hours.
From the start, its simple.
Simple doesnt mean boring
Two years later, Poppy sometimes catches herself thinking back to the old belief that love must be a storm of passion, jealousy, makeups, and more jealousy. With Oliver, its different.
He never makes scenes over her coworkers. She doesnt panic when he stays out with friends. They never play silent games to teach each other a lesson.
One day she asks, Do you ever get bored with me?
He looks at her with genuine surprise. Bored? No. Youre not an amusement park. Youre my person. And that is the whole point.
Love without fear
Love without fear isnt the absence of problems. It isnt a perpetual holiday or a flawless picture.
Its when:
You dont check his phone because you know theres nothing to hide.
You arent scared of looking foolish, tired, or imperfect.
You can be silent, angry, laughing, or even missing him, and he still gets you.
You dont expect a trick, because you trust.
Even on the most ordinary dayslike this one, with an underseasoned dinner, snow falling outside, and the soft glow of a lampyou feel happiness already present. It isnt loud or flashy. Its quiet, warm, and reliable.
Just together
Oliver comes over and puts his arms around her shoulders. Youre deep in thought? he asks.
Just happy, Poppy replies.
Happy about what?
Happy that youre here.
He smiles, kisses the top of her head. Shall we eat?
Lets.
She leans her cheek against his shoulder as they walk to the table. Theres no theatrical flourish, no forced tendernessher body simply reaches for him like a flower turning toward the sun. Oliver, without looking, rests his hand over herswarm, a little rough from his work, utterly familiar.
They sit opposite each other. Today belongs to them.
Oliver meets her gaze, holds it for a breath. What? Poppy laughs.
Nothing. Just looking. He says that oftenjust lookingno hidden agenda, no extra meaning. As if, in those moments, simply knowing she exists in his world is enough.
Later, after the dishes are washed (Oliver washes, Poppy dries, as always), they flop onto the sofa. Oliver scrolls on his phone, Poppy swipes through her feed, occasionally reading funny quotes aloud. He rests his head on her lap, and she automatically runs her fingers through his haira habit older than their relationship.
Maybe well go to the movies tomorrow? he asks, eyes still closed.
Whats on?
I dont know. But we dont really care, do we?
She giggles. Right. They truly dont care.
Poppy leans in, kisses his forehead. Oliver opens his eyesdark, warm, hers.
What? he chuckles now.
Nothing, she smiles. Just love.
Their love doesnt explode in fireworks. Its like the house they sharewarm, sturdy, unbreakable. A place you can always return to.
Day after day. Kiss after kiss. Silence after silence.
Just. Together. Forever.
