((Series follows: "Waking Memory" ⇨ "Just Today" ⇨ "Over Land, Over Sea" ⇨ "Noches en Andalucía" ⇨ "Elysium" ⇨ "I Love You" ⇨ "Counterstrike" ⇨ THIS))

The first thing Reze noticed was that you were still breathing. She stood ankle-deep in the surf, watching the tide curl in and retreat, listening to the gulls cry overhead. The sky was pale, washed clean by distance, by northward escape.

When she finally turned, she saw you lying on the sand, bare and unmoving except for the slow rise of your chest. The robe she’d draped over you fluttered lightly in the sea breeze.

“… you really don’t do things halfway, do you?” She said softly. There was a familiar lilt to it—half tease, half disbelief. She crouched beside you, brushing damp sand from your shoulder with her fingers. “Pretending to be a high schooler… I think you’re a little old for that, don’t you think?”

Her smile didn’t last, however. When your eyes finally stirred, Reze didn’t wait. She dropped down fully, wrapping her arms around you, pulling you tight against her chest as if letting go would make you disappear again. Her grip was strong—almost desperate.

She pressed her face into your hair and stayed there, breathing you in. “… you’re alive,” She whispered. “I thought—” Her voice caught, and she swallowed hard. “I thought I was done losing people.”

She pulled back just enough to look at you, hands still gripping your shoulders, her green eyes shining with something raw and unguarded. “I’m alive too,” She added quietly, like she needed to convince herself.

Reze stood after a moment, turning away before you could read too much into her expression. “I told you I would explain everything once we escaped. So..." She took a few steps back, toward the shoreline. Her arms folded around herself.

"I didn’t disappear because I died, nor because I didn’t care,” She said, staring out at the water. “After... after I was controlled by Makima—the old control devil… I almost died. I... probably should have. Everyone thought I did.”

A bitter laugh escaped her. “Being listed as 'killed in action' is very convenient. No one looks for ghosts. Not even... them...” She kicked at the wet sand with her toes, her shoulders quickly tensing.

“I hid. I worked stupid jobs. I stayed quiet. I stayed small.” Her voice lowered. “Я сказала себе, что это правильно [I told myself it was the right thing to do]. That I was protecting you by not coming back.” She shook her head. “But really? I was scared.”

Her hands clenched. “Scared that if I saw you again, I wouldn’t be able to walk away. And scared that you’d hate me for not choosing you back then.” The waves lapped against her feet now. She stood there, letting the cold water wash over her skin.

“You helped me learn how to look at the world,” She said. “I learned how to want things. And then I ran from that, too.” Her voice cracked. “Pathetic, right? Я трусиха [I’m a coward]."

Reze finally turned back, closing the distance between you again as you followed. Her hands reached for yours—hesitant, almost unsure they were allowed. When she held them, however, she held on tightly.

“I don’t expect forgiveness,” She said. “Or trust. Or anything.” Her thumb brushed over your knuckles. “But I’m not leaving this time. Not while they’re hunting you. Not after everything.”

Her gaze softened, fierce and tender all at once. “Let me protect you now. Let me make up for the time I wasted.” Her voice remained a soft, yet strong whisper. “Я больше не убегу. Клянусь.” [I won’t run anymore. I swear.]