In the last muggy days of August, they make a pact: to stay as they are, forever, or until they both change their minds. It goes as well as one would expect: Sabrina opens every letter and package he sends with extreme caution, or otherwise falls prey to sludge that leaves a weeklong stench in her skin. Likewise, on Sabrina's weekends off or even on a random day, she'll arbitrarily step through a portal and deliver to Puck a well-deserved smack upside the head.
It continues. Why mess with perfection, anyways?
Back and forth. Give and take. Push and pull.
One day, he walks out from behind the statue of Hans Christian Andersen. One day, Sabrina and a friend from college sit down on a bench next to a statue, studiously reading.
When Sabrina registers the shadow in front of her, she rolls her eyes. How dare she!
"I'll be right back," Sabrina says, and her study buddy nods.
As soon as they're out of earshot, he grins, spreads his hands and closes his eyes, waiting for his fanfare.
"Why are you back here?"
Well...he had high expectations, he'll admit it. But 'hi' is always nice.
He inhales. "Faerie."
"There are other Faeries?"
"Yes, if you can get that through your tiny skull. They've asked me to be a consul––I don't even remember what that means anymore, but apparently it lines up with me and Jake looking for magical stuff."
"Guess you're not going to be coming back too often."
"Guess not."
The letters and packages still come; randomly, to keep the other on their toes. They pretend there's malice in each insult traded over video call. It continues, and they're okay with it. They always have been.
Back and forth. Give and take. Push and pull.
Goodbye.
Hello.
this picks up where 'center of gravity' leaves off! i didn't intend for it to be continued (hence why it is not a second chapter in the original work), but anonymous reviewer D, i hope this is a satisfactory short epilogue :) it's a little vague just to allow you some imagination, but hopefully you get the picture.