Run: 2026-02-19-01KHTRHGYKCK8ZFWCRY663VWSD

The door creaked open, revealing Rory's startled face. Her eyes widened at the sight of Lucien, his lean frame filling the doorway. A flicker of emotions crossed her face - surprise, confusion, a hint of anger. She hadn't seen him since that fateful night in Marseille, the memories of which still made her chest tighten. "Lucien?" Rory's voice wavered slightly. "What are you doing here?" He stepped into the flat without waiting for an invitation, his heterochromatic eyes studying her intently. Rory couldn't help but notice how he still exuded that same effortless charm, his platinum hair slicked back, the charcoal suit draping elegantly over his lean muscles. She fought the urge to either slap him or hug him. "I had to see you," Lucien replied simply, his French accent rolling the words off his tongue. Rory frowned, her defenses going up. "Well, you could have called first. I don't appreciate you just showing up like this, Luc." He had the grace to look sheepish, the amber eye almost seeming to glow. "I realized it was foolish of me to come unannounced. I just...I had to talk to you in person." "Yeah, well, I'm not sure what we have to talk about after everything." Rory's voice hardened as the hurts of the past bubbled up. "You made your choice very clear." Lucien reached out to take her hand, but Rory pulled away, crossing her arms. Hurt flashed in his eyes. "Rory, I made a mistake. I should never have let you go." She laughed bitterly. "Well, my mistake was ever trusting a half-demon fixer who would sacrifice anything, even love, for his precious deals." His jaw clenched. "You don't know what you're talking about. You think I wanted that life? I did what I had to in order to survive in my world." "Right, and I was just another part of that world to you," Rory spat. "Nothing more than a useful connection." "No!" Lucien spread his hands in exasperation. "You were the one good thing in my life. The one pure thing I had. I pushed you away to protect you." "Protect me?" Rory's voice rose to a shout. "I didn't need your protection! I needed you!" Her angry words echoed in the small flat. Lucien was silent for a moment, his mixed eyes searching hers. "I know," he said quietly. "And I've been a bloody fool without you." Rory stared at him in shock as he closed the distance between them. His hand reached up to cup her cheek. She could feel the warmth of his skin against hers. "Rory," his voice was hoarse with emotion, "I love you. I've always loved you. And I'll regret losing you every day for the rest of my life if you don't give me another chance." She could see the anguish in his eyes, the uncertainty. It was such a stark contrast to the unflappable, confident Lucien she'd always known. Unable to resist, she lifted her own hand to cover his. "I love you too," she whispered. "But we can't just pick up where we left off. Too much has happened." "I know." He leaned his forehead against hers. "But I'll do whatever it takes to be with you. I'll face whatever demons - quite literally - come our way. As long as I have you." Their lips met in a kiss that was equal parts desperation and relief. Rory felt tears prick her eyes as she pulled him closer. She didn't know what the future held for them, but she knew she would face it with him by her side. The tabby cat, Ptolemy, twined around their legs, meowing at the intrusion. Rory and Lucien broke apart, laughing. They had a long road ahead of them, but they would face it together. Whatever darkness the future held, they would face it united.