The third law [Terzo x Reader]

Epilogue

The high morning sun illuminated the ripples on the lake as she got out of the car; the sound of the water and the animals enjoying it gave her a sense of peace, but also of nostalgia.
She had almost forgotten how beautiful this place was in the morning light.

Terzo was on the porch, sitting in a rocking chair, with his hands gripping the elaborate handle of a walking cane. His lips stretched into a modest smile when he saw her approaching.

"Cirice, welcome back," he said, his voice low and soft as always. Cirice reached him, feeling a strange mix of emotions.

"Hi, Terzo. How are you?"

"Making progress," he replied nonchalantly, then the woman's attention shifted to the cane. "Nice, much better than crutches."

"Do you like it?" he asked, lifting the cane and turning it in front of his eyes as if it was the first time he himself had seen it. "A gift from Primo. How are you?"

She nodded, looking around, enjoying the peace. "Good, now. It's always nice to be here."

He stood up, using the cane for support, and with now more confident and agile steps, made his way into the house. "I'm glad you're here; you loved this place more than I did. I think you've been missed enough by this house. By the way..." he continued, now his voice almost coming from the kitchen, "What were you saying about those medicinal herbs? I spoke with Primo, he was here a few days ago, he said the best place to plant is where the sun—" but he soon realized, turning around, that he was talking to himself.

Cirice was still at the threshold, where something moving on the wooden door frame with its long legs had fascinated her, and she was now intent on observing the small creature moving cautiously. Gently, she extended a hand towards the spider, allowing it to crawl onto her fingers. Not far, starting from her wrist, deep scars decorated the skin of her forearm.

Terzo watched the scene; her kindness still struck him. "Always taking on others' problems," he commented affectionately.

Cirice smiled, carrying the spider towards a nearby bush. "Nothing is a problem if you want to solve it." she said simply, before following him inside.

**

"Father Lucio, this is the third time this month I've told you to rest your wrist," you say firmly while checking the old priest's right wrist. He looks at you with a guilty smile. "At least wait until the tendinitis fully heals before straining it again."

"I'm sorry, sister, but I can't help... working in the garden. The potatoes don't harvest themselves, you know?" Father Lucio responds, trying to justify himself, but his trembling voice doesn't convince you at all.

You exchange a brief, knowing glance with the nun who is preparing what you requested, and she responds with an amused expression that makes you smile too.

"Sure... the potatoes." You indulge him, even though you don't believe that story at all. "Father, this time your impatient potatoes will have to wait, okay? A month should do it."

You bid farewell to the priest, your last task before ending your shift, and after organizing the papers and tools for the next nun, you head to the garden with a tense heart.

Upon returning to the Abbey, you were practically besieged by your Sisters, but you hadn't felt much like talking. The first days seemed empty and painfully endless, and it took all the effort you could muster to get back into your normal routine. You let the gossip speak for you, not even bothering to deny it.

Four months had passed, and you hadn't heard anything from Terzo.

You often thought back to those days, wondering if they were real or just an absurd dream, and occasionally the emotions you felt then resurface, mingling with a sense of nostalgia.