Epilogue
Today was a grey day, as Ruva liked to call them, the days where everything felt heavier. As she walked through the streets—half of them nothing but ash—that weight settled in her chest. She tried not to let it bother her, and instead focused on the houses being rebuilt, even better than they had been before the war.
She was meeting Leo in Sacrifice Square, just outside the hospital. They renamed it after the hospital was fixed, dedicating it to the doctors, the search and rescue teams, the shelter volunteers, everyone who had put others before themselves.
There was a sculpture in the middle, people from all walks of life standing in solidarity. A doctor, a soldier, a child, and a dog.
The statue gleamed a sad bronze as Ruva entered the square, finding Leo staring at one of the stone-engraved plaques. There were four pillars, all of them engraved with hundreds of names, all the volunteers in Tryllin. The one Leo was staring at was for independent shelters, ones that accepted people just because they could. Leo's name was on here, and Ruva's two, underneath the heading Wendyl Shelter.
Leo turned, smiling when he saw her.
She really loved that smile, the way it made his face soften.
They sat down on the bench, Leo wrapping an arm around her.
'Just a few more days until we go back,' said Leo, resting his head on Ruva's shoulder.
"I know," breathed Ruva. "Do you think Akarnae will be different, now?"
'After all that's happened? I don't think it will ever be the same.'
Ruva stayed silent, looking at the paving.
Leo pulled back. 'I know you're nervous, but I'll be there with you, okay? And not just me, Arra and Harry too. We're all still here.' Leo kissed Ruva on the cheek, and she smiled.
Then, she turned and gave him a proper kiss, one that tasted like hope.
…
Thank youuuuu to everyone who's read this far, I know it's long, and I know it's not the normal kind of fanfiction ;)
To everyone who left a review, know that I read them all, and also I would die for you. Special thanks to BM15, , Medoraisnmyworld, kitkat, Frederick, and countless other guest.
Special thanks for Guest (you know who you are) and Cs.
Thanks to all my friends who are supportive of me wasting two years on this, even if they never read it ;)
Anyway, this story is FINALLY finished, and guest, you'll be happy to know I have plans on starting a new story :) on here, but first I'll try to finish the other ones.
Anyway, thank yooooouuuuuu everyone!