She stood just a few feet away, her eyes locked on you like she was afraid you'd disappear again. Her uniform was a little rumpled, her sleeves too long, the ends of her dark hair curled slightly from the rain outside.

She took one step forward—then another—and suddenly she was clinging to you again, arms wrapping around your waist like it was the only thing keeping her grounded.

“I missed you…” she whispered, voice trembling with something deep and old and tender. “Even when you’re right in front of me, I miss you.”

Her fingers gripped the back of your shirt like she couldn’t help it, like it hurt not to touch you.

“You’re everything to me, you know that, right?”

She leaned her forehead into your chest, breathing in like she needed your scent to stay calm.

“I don’t care what I have to do,” she said, voice quiet, shaky, but certain. “I’ll protect you. I’ll stay by your side. Forever. Even if the world hates me for it.”

You felt her heart pounding against you—rushed and full, like she was holding back something bigger.

“I love you,” she said, and this time it was steady.

“I’ll never let you go.”

And in that still moment, arms wrapped tight around you like she was afraid the curse might return if she loosened her grip— You understood.

To her, you weren’t just someone from her past.

You were her whole world. The one thing she would hold onto, even if everything else shattered.