Sofia's view

I take a deep breath and try to comprehend what is happening. I was released from the infirmary a few hours ago. And now she lies next to me, her arm stretched out under me, while my head rests on her shoulder, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine. I can't believe this is really happening.

All I can think about is how perfectly we fit together in this moment. I can't help but smile. The world feels distant and unimportant, as if it's just the two of us in our own little universe. I run my fingers gently through her hair, and the content sigh she lets out is enough to make my heart swell. This is all I need—just her, just us.

Her hand finds mine, our fingers intertwining as naturally as if they were always meant to. I glance at her, catching that mischievous little smile that's always made my chest tighten. – Do you remember that time we played hide-and-seek in your cottage? – she asks, her voice soft with nostalgia.

I laugh, the memory rushing back. – How could I forget? You thought hiding under my fathers desk was a brilliant idea – she grins, her thumb brushing over the back of my hand.

– It was – she says with a smile – until he sat down and almost caught me – I chuckle, shaking my head. – You were so proud of yourself, too. I had to pull you out by your ankle –

She giggles, the sound as warm and familiar as the way she squeezes my hand. – Well, at least I didn't get caught.

– No, you just got both of us stuck in there for hours while we waited for him to leave – I tease, leaning down to kiss her forehead, unable to stop smiling.

She laughs and kisses me on the lips, then pulls me even closer. The room feels warm, a comfortable stillness settling between us. I feel the gentle rhythm of her breath against me, each exhale a soothing echo. There's a quiet intimacy in the way her hand holds mine, as though we've always been like this, like there's nowhere else we're meant to be but here, together. It's like time has slowed, and all that matters is this moment, with her by my side. The world outside could be crashing down, but I wouldn't even notice. In her presence, everything is just right. The weight of the past and whatever may come seems to vanish, replaced by the simplicity of us, of the unspoken understanding between us.

Suddenly, the door creaks open, and I turn my head to see Elara standing in the doorway. She pauses for a moment, eyes flicking from us to the way we're sitting, before a surprised but soft smile tugs at the corners of her lips. – Well, I wasn't expecting this – she says, her tone teasing but warm. I feel a little self-conscious, shifting slightly, but the smile never leaves my face. There's something comforting about the way Elara looks at us, like she's always known this was coming. – Now, remember that you really have to stay together forever now, because I can't survive a drama!

- That's the plan - Pansy continues smiling, and all three of us start laughing.

As the laughter fades, Elara steps further into the room, flopping onto the armchair across from us. She tucks her legs under herself, watching us with a knowing glint in her eyes. – So… how did we get here? – she asks, propping her chin on her hand. – Because last time I checked, you two were still doing the whole will-they-won't-they dance, and now…it's a completely different situation – She gestures between us with a smirk.

I glance at Pansy, feeling the warmth of her hand still resting lightly against mine. It's ridiculous how much that tiny touch steadies me. – It just… happened – I admit, though the words feel too small for what this really is.

Pansy rolls her eyes, but there's a softness to it.- You make it sound like we tripped and fell into this."

– Well, didn't we? – I tease, nudging her shoulder. She huffs, but her lips curl into a smirk.

Elara watches this exchange like it's the most entertaining thing she's seen in weeks. – Oh, you two are so insufferable already – she groans dramatically. – I love it.

Pansy scoffs. – Well, you'll have to deal with it. Forever, apparently.

Elara grins. – Damn right.

Elara watches us with that same amused curiosity, and I know she's waiting—giving us the space to tell her without needing to ask. I glance at Pansy, and for a second, it feels surreal that we're even here, together like this. But then the words start coming, slow at first, then spilling out like they've been waiting for this moment. I tell her about the tension, the distance, the way it felt like something was always pulling us back no matter how hard we tried to stay apart. I talk about the anger, the hurt, the silence that stretched too long between us—until it finally snapped. Until we stopped running from what had been inevitable all along. As I speak, I see the way Elara's expression softens, the knowing smile tugging at her lips.

There's no judgment in her expression—just quiet satisfaction, like she's watching a story unfold exactly as it was always meant to. As I finish, a breath I didn't realize I was holding slips from my lips, and for the first time in what feels like forever, the weight of everything lifts just a little. Pansy's hand brushes against mine, a fleeting touch, but enough to ground me. The room feels warmer, safer, like a space where the past can't reach us anymore. And in Elara's knowing smile, in the way she nods as if this was the only possible ending, I realize something—I don't need to brace for what comes next. For once, I can just be here.

Elara claps her hands together, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she straightens up. – Well, this calls for a celebration – she declares, already reaching for her bag as if she had planned this all along. I barely have time to exchange a glance with Pansy before Elara is on her feet, rattling off ideas—face masks, ridiculous rom-coms, snacks that are objectively terrible for us. I laugh, shaking my head, but there's something infectious about her excitement. Pansy sighs in mock exasperation, but I catch the small, amused smile on her face.

Sometime deep into the night, when the laughter has faded into soft whispers and the glow of the fairy lights casts flickering shadows on the walls, Pansy and I lie curled up under the same blanket, our legs tangled loosely beneath the sheets. Her arm rests against mine, warm and steady, and when she shifts slightly, the tip of her nose brushes my shoulder. Elara is sprawled out on the other side of the bed, motionless, her breathing slow and even. I stifle a giggle as Pansy nudges me, her lips brushing against my ear as she whispers. – I swear, I've never seen her this excited. She was like a hurricane.

I bite my lip, nodding. – I thought she was going to make us do a full skincare routine and a dramatic reading of bad romance novels – we both shake with silent laughter, convinced Elara is deep asleep.

Until her voice cuts through the darkness, flat and unimpressed. – I hear you – Pansy freezes. I slap a hand over my mouth, but it's useless—within seconds, we're both shaking with suppressed laughter, and when Elara groans in exasperation, even she can't hold back a chuckle. The sound of it fills the room, light and unguarded, until eventually, exhaustion wins, and we drift off, still holding on to each other.