Aria didn't try to pretend anymore.
By the time night came, she wasn't questioning it, wasn't analyzing it, wasn't even afraid of it.
She needed to see him.
That was the truth now.
Simple.
Clear.
And a little terrifying.
---
The moment she closed her eyes—
She was there.
No delay.
No darkness.
Just the cold air wrapping around her like something familiar.
Aria exhaled softly, already looking for him.
"Ethan."
"I'm here."
Her heart lifted instantly.
He was closer than usual again—only a few steps away, like the distance between them kept shrinking every night.
Like something was pulling them together.
She didn't hesitate this time.
She walked straight to him.
And stopped just in front of him, her eyes searching his face.
"You remember?" she asked quietly.
Ethan nodded.
"Everything."
Relief washed through her so quickly it almost made her dizzy.
"Good," she whispered.
Because she didn't think she could handle losing that again.
Not now.
---
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
They just stood there.
Close.
Too aware of each other.
Like the silence itself meant something.
Ethan studied her face, softer than before.
"You found me," he said.
Aria let out a small breath. "Barely."
"I didn't make it easy."
"No," she said, a faint smile forming, "you didn't."
He almost smiled back.
But it faded quickly.
Because they both knew—
Nothing about this was easy.
---
The wind moved gently around them, quieter tonight.
The park felt calmer.
Less unstable.
Like it was giving them space.
Aria stepped a little closer.
Then, without overthinking it—
She leaned into him.
Not dramatic.
Not rushed.
Just… natural.
Like she had done it before.
Ethan went still for a second.
Then slowly—
He relaxed.
One arm came around her, hesitant at first, then more certain.
Holding her.
Aria let out a quiet breath against him, her head resting lightly against his shoulder.
"You feel real," she murmured.
"You keep saying that."
"Because I keep needing to."
His hand shifted slightly against her arm, like he was grounding himself in the same way.
"I feel it too," he admitted.
Her chest tightened.
Not painfully.
Just… full.
---
They stayed like that for a while.
Not talking.
Not moving.
Just existing in the same space.
Together.
And for once—
Nothing flickered.
---
"Tell me something about you," Aria said softly after a while.
Ethan hesitated.
"Like what?"
"Anything," she replied. "Something real. Something that doesn't disappear when I wake up."
He thought about it.
Really thought.
Then—
"I like quiet places," he said. "Not empty. Just… calm. Like this."
Aria smiled slightly against him. "That makes sense."
"What about you?"
She shifted just enough to look up at him.
"I overthink everything," she said. "Except this."
Ethan's gaze softened. "Yeah. I noticed."
She huffed a small laugh. "But this—" she glanced around slightly, then back at him, "—this feels like the only thing that isn't confusing."
"That's ironic."
"Why?"
"Because this is the most confusing thing I've ever been part of."
Aria smiled faintly.
"Maybe," she said. "But it doesn't feel wrong."
He didn't argue.
Because he knew.
---
She shifted again, turning slightly so she was facing him more directly now, still close—still within his arms.
"Do you ever think about what happens if this stops?" she asked quietly.
Ethan didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"Yeah," he said.
Her chest tightened. "And?"
His eyes held hers.
"I don't like the answer."
She swallowed.
"Me neither."
---
The streetlight flickered.
Soft.
Almost gentle.
A warning.
Not an interruption.
Aria noticed.
Of course she did.
But this time—
She didn't pull away.
Instead, she moved closer.
Closing whatever little space was left between them.
Ethan exhaled slightly, his hand tightening just a little.
"We don't have much time," he said quietly.
"I know."
"Then why aren't you—"
"Because I don't want to spend it preparing to leave," she said softly. "I want to spend it… here."
With you.
She didn't say the last part.
She didn't have to.
---
His forehead rested lightly against hers.
Close enough that her breath caught.
"You're making this harder," he murmured.
"I know."
"But you're not stopping."
"No."
A quiet pause.
Then—
"Neither are you."
He didn't deny it.
---
The air stilled again.
That same fragile calm.
Like the world was holding its breath for them.
Aria's fingers lightly curled into his shirt, grounding herself.
"Next time," she said softly, "don't disappear."
Ethan's voice was just as quiet.
"I'll try."
"Not good enough."
A faint smile.
"Then I won't."
Her heart skipped.
---
The flickering grew stronger.
Faster now.
Time running out.
Aria didn't wait this time.
She lifted her hand, brushing it lightly against his cheek, memorizing the feeling.
Just in case.
Ethan leaned into it slightly, his eyes closing for a brief second.
"Aria…"
She shook her head softly.
"Don't say goodbye like that."
"Like what?"
"Like you're already gone."
His chest rose slowly.
Then fell.
"Okay."
---
She closed the distance.
Again.
But this time—
Slower.
More certain.
Her lips met his—
And everything else disappeared.
No rush.
No hesitation.
Just warmth.
Familiar now.
Like something they both understood without needing to say it.
Ethan responded just as strongly, his hand steady against her, holding her there like he didn't want the moment to end either.
The world stilled one last time around them.
Perfect.
Fragile.
Temporary.
---
And then—
It broke.
---
Aria woke slowly, her heart still beating fast, her body still warm from something that shouldn't have followed her back.
Her room felt too quiet.
Too empty.
She stared at the ceiling, her fingers curling slightly into her blanket.
But this time—
She wasn't scared of losing him.
Not completely.
Because now—
There was something more between them.
Something stronger than confusion.
Stronger than distance.
Stronger than whatever was trying to pull them apart.
---
And as she closed her eyes again, just for a moment—
One thought stayed with her.
Next time.