Run: 2026-02-19-01KHSYYZFXMN54P5418T2WN5SP

Aurora Carter stood in front of Eva's flat, her breath visible in the cold night air. She hesitated, her hand hovering over the door. The three deadbolts stared back at her, a reminder of the security Eva always insisted on. She took a deep breath and knocked. The door creaked open, revealing Lucien Moreau. His heterochromatic eyes widened in surprise, the amber one catching the dim light from the hallway. He leaned on his ivory-handled cane, his tailored charcoal suit immaculate as always. "Rory," he said, his voice a mix of surprise and something else she couldn't quite place. "Lucien," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "I didn't expect to see you here." He stepped aside, allowing her to enter. "Eva's out. I'm watching Ptolemy for her." Aurora stepped into the cramped flat, the familiar scent of old books and curry filling her nostrils. Ptolemy, the tabby cat, meowed from his perch on a stack of books. She reached out to scratch his head, her fingers brushing against the soft fur. "Why are you here, Rory?" Lucien's voice was soft, but there was an edge to it. She turned to face him, her bright blue eyes meeting his mismatched ones. "I needed to talk to Eva. I didn't know you'd be here." He nodded, his expression unreadable. "It's been a while." "Yeah," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It has." They stood in silence, the weight of their shared history hanging between them. The last time they had seen each other, things had ended on complicated terms. There had been attraction, hurt, and too many things left unsaid. Lucien broke the silence first. "You look well." "Thanks," she replied, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the small crescent-shaped scar on her left wrist. "You too." He gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "Would you like some tea? Eva has a new blend she’s been raving about." "Sure," she said, grateful for the distraction. He moved to the tiny kitchen, his movements graceful despite the cane. She watched him, memories flooding back. The way he had always seemed so composed, so in control. It had been one of the things that had drawn her to him, and one of the things that had driven her away. He handed her a steaming cup of tea, their fingers brushing for a moment. She felt a jolt, like an electric current passing between them. She took a sip, the warmth spreading through her. "How's work?" he asked, leaning against the counter. "Busy," she replied. "Yu-Fei's been keeping me on my toes." He smiled, a genuine smile that reached his eyes. "I can imagine." They lapsed into silence again, the unspoken words hanging in the air. She took another sip of tea, gathering her thoughts. "Lucien," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "About what happened between us..." He held up a hand, stopping her. "Rory, you don't have to—" "No," she interrupted, her voice firmer now. "I need to say this. I left because I was scared. Scared of what I felt for you, scared of getting hurt again. But running away didn't solve anything. It just left things unfinished." He looked at her, his eyes searching her face. "I understand," he said quietly. "I was scared too. Scared of losing control, of letting someone in." She took a step closer, her heart pounding in her chest. "I never stopped thinking about you, Lucien. Even when I tried to convince myself otherwise." He reached out, his hand gently cupping her cheek. "I never stopped thinking about you either, Rory." She closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. The warmth of his hand, the familiar scent of his cologne, it all felt so right. She opened her eyes, meeting his gaze. "Can we try again?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I'd like that." She smiled, a genuine smile that reached her eyes. "Me too." They stood there, the weight of their past slowly lifting. It wouldn't be easy, but they were willing to try. And for now, that was enough. Ptolemy meowed, breaking the moment. They both laughed, the tension easing. "Looks like someone wants attention," Lucien said, scratching the cat's head. Aurora watched him, her heart full. For the first time in a long time, she felt hopeful. They had a long road ahead of them, but they were ready to face it together. And that was all that mattered.