Shadows Heart

The days have been quieter. The tension between Oriel and me isn't gone, not completely, but it's softened into something manageable, like an ache that lingers after a wound starts to heal.

We've fallen into a rhythm—morning walks, quiet dinners, nights spent talking or watching documentaries. It's not perfect, but it feels... normal. And for the first time in a long while, I feel like I can breathe again.

It's after one of our walks, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows on the streets, that Oriel turns to me, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.

"I have something to show you," he says, his tone carrying that familiar edge of mystery.

I raise an eyebrow, adjusting the strap of my portable IV pack. "Should I be worried?"

"No," he says with a small smile. "Come on."

We head back to the apartment, and I sit on the couch while he rummages through a drawer. When he turns back to me, he's holding a small envelope.

"What's this?" I ask, taking it from him cautiously.

"Open it," he says, his voice softer now.

I glance at him, then tear the envelope open, pulling out two plane tickets. My eyes widen as I read the destination.

"New York City?" I whisper, looking up at him.

He nods, his smile growing. "I figured it was time."

"Time for what?"

"To see Janus," he says simply.

The words hit me like a wave, and for a moment, I can't speak. My fingers tremble as I hold the tickets, my mind racing with a mix of emotions—excitement, disbelief, and a flicker of fear.

"When?" I finally ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

"A few months from now," he says, sitting down beside me. "I wanted to give you time to prepare, and... to make sure you were okay with it."

I stare at the tickets, my chest tightening. "You mean it? We're really going?"

"Yes," he says, his tone firm but kind. "I promised you that you'd see him again, Sao. And I'm going to keep that promise."

I glance at him, my eyes searching his face for any hint of hesitation. But all I see is determination, and something else—something softer, almost vulnerable.

"Thank you," I say quietly, my voice trembling.

He nods, his hand resting lightly on mine. "You don't have to thank me. You deserve this."

The weeks that follow feel lighter somehow. Knowing that I'll see Janus again, that I'll finally have the chance to talk to him face-to-face, gives me a sense of hope I haven't felt in years.

And Oriel... he surprises me.

We start going on more walks, exploring the parks and quiet streets near the apartment. He's careful with me, always watching to make sure I'm not overexerting myself, but he doesn't hover the way he used to.

We cook together most nights now, the kitchen becoming a space where the tension between us melts away. He's a terrible cook—always burning something or forgetting an ingredient—but it makes me laugh, and that's something I hadn't realized I needed.

One night, as I'm stirring a pot of soup, I glance at him and find him watching me, a soft smile on his face.

"What?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing," he says, shaking his head. "You just... you seem happier lately."

I pause, my chest tightening. "I think I am."

His smile widens slightly, and he reaches for the cutting board. "Good. You deserve to be."

Our evenings are quieter now, more comfortable. We've started watching documentaries together, his idea of relaxing after dinner. I tease him about it, but secretly, I've started to enjoy the way he gets invested in the stories, his quiet commentary filling the room.

One night, as we're sitting on the couch, his arm draped lightly over the backrest, I find myself leaning against him without thinking. He stiffens for a moment, then relaxes, his hand brushing against my shoulder.

"You're warm," I murmur, half-asleep.

He chuckles softly. "That's a first."

I smile faintly, my eyes closing. For the first time in what feels like forever, I feel safe.

The tickets sit on the coffee table, a constant reminder of what's to come. Every time I look at them, my heart races with anticipation.

I still don't know what I'll say to Janus when I see him, but for now, it's enough to know that it's happening. That the promise he made so long ago is finally coming true.

And maybe, just maybe, things will keep getting better.