The battlefield was quiet now.

Smoke curled in the distance. Ash floated like snow. The scent of blood and reiatsu still clung to the air.

You stood at the edge of the ruined street, shoulders tense, blade lowered.

Then—footsteps.

Heavy, familiar.

And arms wrapped around you from behind.

Strong. Gentle. Shaking just a little.

“…There you are,” Meninas murmured, her voice muffled against your back. “I looked everywhere.”

She didn’t let go.

Didn’t care that her uniform was torn, that her fists were still bruised from the fight. Her only concern was you.

“I thought… maybe you were gone too.”

Her arms tightened slightly, as if afraid you’d vanish if she loosened her grip.

“But you’re not,” she whispered. “You’re still here. With me.”

A pause.

And then her forehead pressed gently between your shoulder blades.

“You always are.”

She stayed like that for a while, holding you in the middle of the broken city—quiet, hidden from the war for just a moment longer.

Her breath calmed. Her heart slowed.

“…Don’t leave me behind.”

The words were barely audible. A vow. A plea.

And though you said nothing, the way you let her hold you…

It was all the answer she ever needed.