Run: 2026-02-20-01KHXQF537HF483RQQVRZBS7F6

The door creaked open, revealing a sliver of warm, cluttered life within. Aurora Carter, her bright blue eyes wide with surprise, stood in the doorway of her flat above Silas' bar. She had been expecting anyone but him. The sight of Lucien Moreau, the Frenchman with heterochromatic eyes and a tailored charcoal suit, sent a jolt through her, a mix of nostalgia and something far more complicated. "Lucien," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. She clutched the door handle tighter, her fingers brushing against the small crescent-shaped scar on her left wrist, a habit she had when nervous. Lucien's gaze met hers, his amber and black eyes unreadable. He stood there, his ivory-handled cane tapping lightly against the worn wooden floor of the hallway. "Aurora," he acknowledged, his voice smooth, accented. "May I come in?" Aurora hesitated, her mind racing. She had left London, left him, over a year ago. She had fled to Cardiff, to her parents, to escape the mess she had made of her life. And now, here he was, standing in her doorway, looking as impeccable as ever, as if no time had passed at all. "Rory?" Eva's voice called from inside the flat, followed by the soft patter of paws. Ptolemy, Eva's tabby cat, poked his head out from behind Aurora's legs, his green eyes curious. Aurora stepped aside, her heart pounding. "It's fine, Eva," she called back, her voice steadier now. "It's just... an old friend." Lucien stepped inside, his presence filling the small space immediately. He looked around, taking in the cramped one-bedroom flat, the books and scrolls covering every surface. His eyes lingered on the three deadbolts on the front door, a silent acknowledgment of the past. "You've made a home here," he commented, his voice neutral. Aurora closed the door behind him, leaning against it. "It's not much, but it's mine," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. "What are you doing here, Lucien?" Lucien turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "I needed to see you, Aurora," he said, using her full name, the way he used to when he was serious. "There are things we need to discuss." Aurora pushed off the door, walking further into the flat. She needed space, needed to put distance between them. "We said everything that needed to be said, Lucien," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. Lucien followed her, his cane tapping lightly against the floor. "Did we?" he asked, his voice soft. "Because I don't remember leaving things unsaid between us, Aurora." Aurora turned to face him, her eyes flashing. "You left me, Lucien," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You left me when I needed you the most." Lucien's expression softened, his eyes filled with a pain she remembered all too well. "I didn't leave you, Aurora," he said, his voice gentle. "I gave you space. I thought that's what you wanted." Aurora looked away, her eyes burning. She remembered that time, remembered the pain, the confusion. She had pushed him away, had told him she needed space. And he had given it to her, had given her the distance she thought she wanted. But it had hurt, oh, how it had hurt. "I didn't know what I wanted," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was confused, Lucien. I was hurt. I didn't know what to do." Lucien reached out, his hand cupping her cheek. She leaned into his touch, her eyes closing. "I know, Aurora," he said, his voice soft. "I know. And I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not being there, for not fighting for you." Aurora opened her eyes, looking up at him. "Why are you here, Lucien?" she asked, her voice steady. "What do you want from me?" Lucien's hand dropped, his expression serious. "I need your help, Aurora," he said. "There are things happening in the underworld, things that need to be stopped. And I need your quick thinking, your intelligence. I need you." Aurora looked at him, really looked at him. She saw the exhaustion in his eyes, the tension in his shoulders. She saw the man she had fallen for, the man she had pushed away. And she made her decision. "Okay, Lucien," she said, her voice steady. "I'll help you. But on one condition." Lucien raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips. "And what's that?" Aurora stepped closer, her hand reaching up to cup his cheek. "We talk, Lucien," she said, her voice soft. "We talk about everything. No more secrets, no more lies. Just the truth." Lucien's hand covered hers, his eyes warm. "Deal," he said, his voice soft. And just like that, the ice between them began to thaw, the past beginning to fade away. They had a long road ahead of them, a road filled with danger and uncertainty. But for the first time in a long time, Aurora felt hopeful. She felt like maybe, just maybe, they could make it work. Together. Lucien's gaze softened, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "You have no idea how much I've missed you, Aurora," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. Aurora smiled, her heart swelling. "I've missed you too, Lucien," she said, her voice soft. "More than you know." They stood there, in the middle of the cluttered flat, their eyes locked, their hearts beating in sync. The past was behind them, the future uncertain. But in that moment, they were together. And that was enough. Eva's voice called from the other room, breaking the spell. "Rory? Everything okay in there?" Aurora pulled away, her cheeks flushed. "Everything's fine, Eva," she called back, her voice steady. She turned back to Lucien, her eyes serious. "We should talk, Lucien," she said. "About everything." Lucien nodded, his expression serious. "I agree," he said. "But first, perhaps we should order some food. I'm starving." Aurora laughed, the sound light and carefree. "I know just the place," she said, grabbing her phone. "Yu-Fei's?" Lucien smiled, his eyes warm. "Perfect," he said. And as Aurora ordered their food, as they settled down on the couch, as they began to talk, to really talk, Aurora felt a sense of peace wash over her. She didn't know what the future held, didn't know what dangers lay ahead. But she knew one thing for certain. She was ready to face them, ready to face anything, as long as she had Lucien by her side. The evening passed in a blur of conversation and laughter, of shared memories and promises for the future. And as the night deepened, as they sat side by side on the couch, their hands entwined, Aurora knew that she had made the right decision. She had chosen to fight for their love, to fight for their future. And she wouldn't have it any other way. Lucien's thumb traced circles on the back of her hand, his touch gentle, comforting. "I'm glad you're back, Aurora," he said, his voice soft. "I'm glad we're together again." Aurora looked up at him, her eyes bright. "Me too, Lucien," she said, her voice steady. "Me too." And as the night deepened, as the city lights twinkled outside the window, Aurora and Lucien sat together, their hearts beating in sync, their love stronger than ever. They had a long road ahead of them, a road filled with danger and uncertainty. But they were ready to face it, ready to face anything, as long as they had each other. And that was enough. That was more than enough.