Run: 2026-02-19-01KHSZ1GV2V0W8G2NS01WBN9VY

The sharp rapping at the door made Eva jump, spilling tea down the front of her blouse. She cursed under her breath as she hurried to the entryway, fingers fumbling with the deadbolts. When she finally pulled the door open, the sight of Rory Carter standing on her doorstep stole the breath from her lungs. "Rory?" Eva breathed, eyes wide. She hadn't seen her best friend in nearly six months, not since that disastrous night when everything had fallen apart between them. Rory stood there, clutching the strap of her messenger bag, her brilliant blue eyes filled with a guarded uncertainty. "Hi, Eva. I, um... I'm sorry to just show up like this." She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, chewing on her lower lip. "Can I come in?" For a long moment, Eva simply stared at her, a maelstrom of emotions swirling inside her. Part of her wanted to slam the door in Rory's face, to shut out the memories and the hurt that her presence stirred up. But a much larger part ached to pull her in, to hold her close and never let go. "Of course," she finally managed, stepping aside to allow Rory to enter. As Rory brushed past her, Eva caught a whiff of her familiar scent — vanilla and jasmine — and felt her heart clench painfully. The flat was as cluttered as ever, books and scrolls and arcane trinkets covering every available surface. Rory's gaze swept over the familiar surroundings, a small, almost nostalgic smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "It's... it's good to see you, Rory," Eva murmured, closing the door and leaning back against it, arms folded protectively across her chest. Rory turned to face her, eyes searching Eva's face. "It's good to see you too." Her voice was soft, laced with a hint of vulnerability that Eva hadn't heard in a long time. "I... I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Eva shook her head, unwilling to admit that Rory's sudden reappearance had shattered the fragile peace she'd been clinging to. "No, no, it's fine. I was just... just having a cup of tea." She gestured vaguely toward the kitchen. An awkward silence stretched between them, the air thick with unspoken words and unresolved tension. Eva's gaze kept getting drawn to Rory's wrist, to the small crescent-shaped scar that she'd always found so endearing. How many times had she traced that scar with her fingertips, marveling at the delicate vulnerability of Rory's skin? "How have you been?" Rory asked, breaking the silence. Her voice was gentle, almost tentative. Eva shrugged, forcing a smile. "Oh, you know, just... just plugging along. Busy with work, mostly." She hesitated, then added, "And you? How have you been?" Rory's expression darkened slightly, a shadow passing over her features. "I, uh... I've been better, to be honest." She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Things have been a bit... complicated, lately." Eva felt a familiar pang of concern, the kind she'd always felt for Rory. "Complicated how?" she asked, uncrossing her arms and taking a step forward. Rory's gaze met hers, and Eva was struck by the raw emotion she saw there. "I..." She faltered, then shook her head. "It's a long story. I... I didn't mean to just show up like this, I just..." She trailed off, looking lost and uncertain. Before Eva could respond, a loud meow interrupted them. Ptolemy, Eva's tabby cat, padded into the room, his tail swishing back and forth as he eyed Rory with a wary curiosity. Rory's face lit up in a genuine smile, and she crouched down, holding out a hand for Ptolemy to sniff. "Hello, there," she murmured, and the cat cautiously approached, sniffing her fingers before butting his head against her palm. Eva felt her heart swell at the sight, at the gentle tenderness in Rory's movements. It was a reminder of the Rory she knew and loved, the one who had always had a soft spot for animals. "He remembers you," she said softly, unable to keep the fondness from her voice. Rory looked up at her, her blue eyes shining with a mixture of relief and something else that Eva couldn't quite place. "I... I'm glad." She straightened up, her gaze never leaving Eva's face. "I've missed this place. And I've missed you." The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning, and Eva felt her heart flutter in her chest. She took a step closer, close enough to reach out and touch Rory if she dared. "I've missed you too," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I've thought about you a lot, you know." Rory's lips curved into a small, bittersweet smile. "I've thought about you too. More times than I can count." The tension between them was palpable, the air charged with unspoken desires and regrets. Eva could feel the pull of Rory's gaze, the magnetic attraction that had always drawn them together. Slowly, almost unconsciously, she reached out and brushed her fingertips along the scar on Rory's wrist, tracing the familiar curve. Rory shivered at the contact, her eyes darkening with emotion. "Rory, I..." Eva began, but the words caught in her throat, tangled up in the decades of history between them. Rory's hand came up to cover Eva's, her touch gentle but sure. "I know," she murmured, her voice low and intimate. "I know." And then, without another word, she leaned in and kissed Eva, pouring all of the longing and regret and unspoken love into that single, searing moment. Eva felt herself melt into the kiss, every atom of her being attuned to the familiar warmth of Rory's lips, the soft caress of her breath. It was like coming home, a homecoming she hadn't realized she'd been aching for. When they finally broke apart, both of them breathless, Eva felt a sense of something fragile and precious being restored, like a cherished vase that had been shattered and painstakingly pieced back together. Rory's eyes were shining with a raw vulnerability, and Eva reached up to cup her face, gently tracing the contours of her cheekbones. "I've missed you so much, Rory," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "I never stopped... I never stopped loving you." Rory's expression softened, and she turned her head to press a tender kiss to the palm of Eva's hand. "And I you, my darling. Always."