Coming back... coming back...
The words had been echoing in Arra's head for the past few days. She thought them so often the words themselves were beginning to lose meaning. But the reason hadn't.
Larten was coming back. Today hopefully.
She'd dreamed about this, how she thought it would go. He would reach out for a handshake, and she would hug him instead. After a second, he would wrap one arm around her waist and with the other he would tangle his fingers in her hair. Her head would be resting on his shoulder, and right before he pulled away, he'd whisper in her ear, "I love you". The best part would be that he meant it. Then, he would lean down to kiss her. Not like during their mating agreement, but differently. He would mean it. It would be the best kiss of her life. Then they would talk. Catch up. He would realize he hurt her and be sorry. She would forgive him. She would say she loved him too. And then, maybe, they would go to his room, shut the door, and he would start to-
Arra blinked, jerking out of her fantasy. Wishful thinking. Ridiculous thinking. Maybe the handshake would happen, but the rest of it was simply stupid. It would never happen. He didn't love her. Never had, and most likely never would.
There he was. His young assistant ran up to say hi to her. She and Darren had become friends after she'd beaten him on the bars. Arra offered to help him with his Trials. He was delighted.
"That is a very generous offer," Larten said, bowing.
"Larten," Arra responded, feeling something flutter in her chest, "As handsome as ever." Where did that come from?
He smiled. "And you are just as beautiful as ever." Arra saw Darren watching them, open-mouthed, out of the corner of her eye.
"I know," she said, trying not to look flattered or affected in any way.
He stood, and to her surprise, pulled her into a hug. After a moment, Arra hugged him back, clutching the fabric of his cape, resting her head on his shoulder. This is what she had craved for seven years with him, something as simple as this. His reassuring warmth. Him wanting to get close to her instead of pushing her away. His hand on her hair like it was now. She could stay here in his embrace for, well, seven years. Better late than never, she thought, burying her face in his shirt.
"Arra," he whispered. She thought of her daydream. Was it coming true, as stupid as that sounded? Her heart leapt. "I missed you," he finished.
And she guessed, smiling against his chest, that 'I miss you' was a good start.