"So, this is Dun Bolt, Zaliama Cudell, Bemmo Kaett, and Meirdik Azin. Guys, this is Yukino Agria, Sting Eucliffe, and Rogue Cheney of Sabertooth. I worked with them last year while I was still with the Stonevale Rangers." Ayva said, introducing everyone to each other as they sat at their table.
Dun, Zaliama, Bemmo, and Meirdik bowed and offered them smiles.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
Bemmo leaned in to Ayva. "Is Rogue the guy you were seeing before that business with that dark guild happened?"
Ayva blushed and nodded, then tried to change the subject. "S-So, what's been going on with the guild? How is everyone?"
"We're good, trying to stay busy. It's been nice to take on normal jobs again, though." Sting said. "We have you to thank for that, though, Ayva."
Ayva tried to smile at that, but it faded as she thought back on what happened a year ago. "You guys were a big help, too, though. If you hadn't come, I would have completely lost control."
"We're just glad we could get to you as soon as we had." Yukino said, hoping to lighten the mood. "So, tell us about your travels this past year. I'm curious to hear about everything you did and saw."
During their meal, Ayva and her friends exchanged stories- laughing, smiling, and just really enjoying a night together. As it got later, the Masters of Twilight decided to turn in for the night and Ayva stood with her friends from Sabertooth as they waved goodbye to the musicians, telling Bemmo she'd be by later in the night and not to wait up for her.
"We should find a place to crash tonight, too." Sting said.
"I can take you to the local inn, if you'd like?" Ayva offered.
"That'd be great, thanks!"
Ayva led them to the local inn, going with them and paying for their rooms. When they protested, she simply smiled and told her it was her treat. When they finally accepted, Ayva bid them a goodnight and left the inn- promising to stop by before they headed back home in the morning. She walked around town, just wanting to clear her head.
Eventually, she found her way to a large field where a giant willow tree stood in the center of a circle of white lilies.
"Ayva?"
She turned to find Rogue standing there behind her. "Rogue?"
Rogue opened his mouth to speak, but he thought better of it and simply looked away as he sighed.
Ayva sensed what he was going to say and sighed, looking up at the moon. "I'm sorry I left the way I did. It wasn't fair to everyone, especially you."
Rogue looked at her, seeing what Sting was talking about. Ayva seemed happier, more confident, more extroverted. There was a more peaceful energy about her, not clouded with self doubt, fear, shame, or anger like it was before.
"Honestly, I'm surprised that you guys would take the time to come find me." Ayva said, smiling sadly. "I left you without a single word of gratitude or farewell. I can't imagine what that did to you." She looked down, her hands in her pockets. "I wouldn't blame you if you hated me and never wanted anything to do with me again. What I did was cruel, especially after everything you had done for me. You looked passed my lack of a soul and pushed to help me accept that I could be happy again, even without my soul. You made me feel whole, alive, happy, loved, wanted. And I practically threw that back in your face by leaving like that." She looked at him. "I'm sorry."
Rogue stood there, unsure of what to say. Sure he was a bit angry that she left like that, but he was more worried sick about her- wondering every single second of every single day if she was alright. He never stopped thinking about her, never stopped looking for her.
"You don't have to say anything, but I knew I had to." Ayva started to walk passed him. "I left because I was afraid I would hurt you guys if the restoration process backfired. I wasn't in a good place, not after what happened." She reached up and squeezed his shoulder, leaning forward to plant a kiss on his cheek. "I never stopped thinking of you, Rogue. Not for a single second. I'm sorry for any heartache I caused you."
Ayva started making her way back to the road, turning towards Bemmo's house, but she stopped when Rogue grabbed her hand. Turning back to look at him, her eyes widened as he pulled her into his arms and held her close. "R-Rogue?"
When he pulled back, Rogue pressed his forehead to hers. "I could never hate you, Ayva. I may have been a bit angry at first, hurt that you didn't even say goodbye, but I could never hate you. You had just lost your brother and just had your soul restored. I understood that you were scared and left to protect us. And I never once stopped looking for you. You had me so worried and I thought of you every day, wondering if you were safe, if you were alright."
Tears that had formed in her eyes slipped down Ayva's cheeks. "Rogue..."
Rogue looked at her, reaching up to wipe away her tears. "I can't begin to describe the amount of joy I felt when Yukino brought news that you had come back. We all hoped it was you. I'm glad that it was." He leaned down and kissed her gently for a moment before pulling back and searching her eyes. "Please come back with us, Ayva. Come back to Sabertooth, to your family, to me."
Ayva searched his eyes, then threw her arms around him and kissed him back- this time deepening it as her longing for him took hold.