The city felt different when he walked through it with her.
Not because the people stopped staring, they still did.
Not because the distance disappeared, it didn't.
But because for the first time, it didn't feel like he was walking alone.
Mira moved ahead of him slightly, not slowing down for the whispers or the space that people created.
She didn't acknowledge it.
Didn't care.
"You're doing it again," she said.
"…what?"
"Thinking too much."
He exhaled lightly.
"…you say that a lot."
"Because you do it a lot."
A small pause.
"…what are you thinking about now?"
He looked ahead.
People were moving out of their path.
Eyes were lowering.
Silence formed wherever he stepped.
"…that I don't belong here."
Mira didn't stop walking.
"…then leave."
He frowned slightly.
"…that's not helpful."
She shrugged.
"It is. If you don't belong, go somewhere you do."
"…and if that place doesn't exist?"
This time she stopped.
Turned.
Looked at him directly.
"Then you make one."
The answer came without hesitation.
Simple.
Clear.
And somehow, it settled deeper than anything else he had heard.
They stood there for a moment.
People carefully moved around them.
Avoiding.
Watching.
"…you really think it's that easy?"
"No," she said.
"…but it's still the only option."
A faint breath escaped him.
Not frustration.
Something lighter.
"…you talk like you've already decided everything."
"I usually do."
"…and you're always right?"
She smirked slightly.
"No."
A pause.
"…but I'm always honest."
That, he believed.
They started walking again.
Slower this time.
The streets grew quieter as they moved further away from the palace.
Fewer people.
Less pressure.
For the first time since stepping outside, the distance around him shrank.
Mira noticed.
But didn't point it out.
Instead, "…what did you mean earlier?"
He glanced at her.
"…about what?"
"You said everything started after you died."
The words lingered heavier this time.
"…I remember it."
"…dying?"
He nodded slightly.
"…a battlefield."
"…war."
"…and then nothing."
He paused.
"…and then this."
Mira didn't interrupt.
Didn't question.
"…does it scare you?" she asked quietly.
He thought about it.
Actually thought.
"…no."
A pause.
"…but it feels unfinished."
She nodded slowly.
"That's worse."
"…why?"
"Because it means you'll go back."
He looked at her again.
"…you're sure about that?"
She met his gaze.
"Yes."
No doubt.
"…and you're okay with that?"
Mira didn't answer immediately.
They kept walking.
"…no," she said finally.
The honesty hit differently.
"…but that doesn't mean I get to stop you."
Something shifted in his chest.
Subtle.
Unfamiliar.
"…you wouldn't try?"
She looked ahead.
"No."
A pause.
"…but I'd want you to come back."
The words were quiet.
But they stayed.
He slowed slightly.
"…why?"
Mira stopped again.
Turned to face him fully.
Closer this time.
"…because you're not just fixing things anymore."
A small step forward.
"…you're part of them."
Another step.
Now, there was no distance.
"…and I don't want that to disappear."
Aditya didn't move.
Didn't step back.
For the first time, someone stood this close without hesitation.
Without fear.
The space between them felt real.
His hand shifted slightly.
Almost unconsciously.
Then, hers moved first.
She reached out, lightly, and held his hand.
No hesitation.
No fear.
Just warmth.
Aditya froze for a moment.
Not from discomfort.
From unfamiliarity.
Then, slowly, his fingers closed around hers.
Careful.
As if afraid it might break.
Mira smiled faintly.
"…see?"
"…what?"
"You're still human."
He looked at their hands.
Then at her.
"…I think I forgot that."
She squeezed his hand slightly.
"Then don't forget again."
They stood there in the middle of a quiet street, with the world still keeping its distance.
But for once, that distance didn't matter.
Because between them, there was none.