Run: 2026-02-19-01KHSYYZG09CVHR5EAJQ4F5RDW

The door creaked open, revealing Aurora standing on the other side, her bright blue eyes widening with surprise. "Lucien?" Lucien Moreau leaned against the doorframe, his platinum blond hair neatly slicked back and his heterochromatic eyes - one amber, one black - regarding her coolly. "Hello, Laila." A shiver ran down Aurora's spine at the sound of that name. It had been years since anyone had called her that. The two of them had parted on such complicated terms, and now here he was, on her doorstep. "What are you doing here?" She asked, her voice sharper than she intended. Lucien's lips curled into a faint, wry smile. "I was in the neighborhood. Thought I'd drop by." He paused, his gaze raking over her, taking in the sight of her. "You look well." Aurora felt suddenly self-conscious, aware of the way her black hair fell across her face, the small scar on her wrist that she usually kept hidden. "I... what do you want, Lucien?" His amber eye glinted with something she couldn't quite place. "Can't I simply visit an old friend?" "We're not friends," Aurora said quickly, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. "Not anymore." Lucien's expression darkened, just for a moment, before the mask of nonchalance slid back into place. "Fair enough." He shifted his weight, the ivory-handled cane in his hand catching the light. "May I come in?" Aurora hesitated, her fingers tightening on the doorframe. Part of her wanted to slam the door in his face, to shut him out and pretend this encounter had never happened. But another part, a part she'd long tried to ignore, _ached_ to see him again. "I... I suppose." She stepped aside, allowing him to enter. Lucien swept past her, his tailored charcoal suit fitting him like a second skin. Aurora couldn't help but notice the way it accentuated the lean lines of his body, the way he carried himself with such effortless grace. As Lucien stepped into the cramped flat, his gaze immediately landed on the tabby cat curled up on the couch. "Hello, Ptolemy," he murmured, reaching out to give the cat a gentle scratch under the chin. Ptolemy responded with a soft purr, leaning into the touch. Aurora watched the interaction, feeling a strange pang in her chest. Lucien had always had a way with animals - it was one of the things she'd admired about him. She cleared her throat, drawing his attention back to her. "What do you want, Lucien?" He straightened, his fingers leaving Ptolemy's soft fur. "I told you, Laila. I was simply in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by." His gaze swept the room, taking in the stacks of books and scrolls that covered every surface. "It seems you've been keeping busy." "Don't call me that," Aurora snapped, the old name striking a nerve. "My name is Aurora." Lucien quirked a brow. "Ah, yes. Forgive me. _Aurora_." He said the name slowly, as if savoring the sound of it. "I suppose I've grown used to the name I gave you." Aurora felt a flush creep up her neck. "That was a long time ago," she said quietly, her voice tinged with a hint of regret. Lucien's expression softened, just for a moment. "Yes, it was." He took a step closer to her, and Aurora found herself frozen in place, unable to look away from those mesmerizing eyes. "A lot has changed since then." "I..." Aurora's throat felt suddenly dry. "I don't know what you want from me, Lucien." He reached out, his fingers brushing against the small scar on her wrist. "Perhaps I simply wanted to see you again." His voice was low, barely above a whisper. Aurora's pulse quickened at his touch, memories of their past rushing back to her. The way he'd held her, the way his lips had felt against hers... She swallowed hard, trying to push those thoughts aside. "Well, you've seen me. Now what?" Lucien's gaze searched her face, as if he were trying to read her thoughts. "I've missed you, Laila." The words were spoken so softly, so sincerely, that Aurora felt her heart skip a beat. "I..." She faltered, unsure of how to respond. "I don't know what to say." "Then don't say anything." Lucien's hand slid up her arm, his fingers tracing the curve of her shoulder. "Just let me look at you." Aurora's breath caught in her throat as he drew closer, his scent - a subtle blend of spice and leather - enveloping her. She could feel the warmth of his body, the intensity of his gaze, and it stirred something deep within her that she'd tried so hard to bury. Slowly, tentatively, she lifted her hand, her fingertips brushing against the sharp line of his jaw. Lucien's eyes fluttered closed at her touch, and Aurora felt a surge of something akin to power. She'd always had a certain effect on him, a way of making him lose his composure. "Lucien..." Her voice was barely above a whisper, laced with a hint of uncertainty. "Why are you here?" His eyes opened, and Aurora was struck by the raw emotion she saw there. "Because I couldn't stay away," he murmured. "Not from you." Before Aurora could respond, Lucien's hand slid around the back of her neck, pulling her closer. His lips met hers in a searing kiss, and Aurora felt all the air leave her lungs. It was familiar, yet somehow different - a lifetime of unspoken feelings poured into a single moment. Aurora's fingers tangled in Lucien's hair, holding him close as she returned the kiss with a desperation she couldn't quite explain. All the hurt, the anger, the _longing_ she'd felt for him over the years seemed to melt away, leaving behind only a burning need to be close to him again. When they finally parted, both of them breathless, Aurora searched Lucien's face, her mind racing. "Lucien, I..." He silenced her with a gentle brush of his thumb against her lips. "Shh," he murmured, his eyes filled with a tenderness she'd rarely seen from him. "Not yet. Just... let me hold you." Without another word, he pulled her into his arms, enveloping her in a warm embrace. Aurora felt herself melting against him, her heart pounding in her chest as she rested her head on his shoulder. For now, she didn't need to say anything - she simply allowed herself to be lost in the comfort of his familiar touch, the scent of his skin, the gentle rhythm of his heartbeat. Whatever happened next, Aurora knew that in this moment, she was exactly where she was meant to be.