Echoes of you

Finding Their Place

The next few weeks were a strange mix of wonder and uncertainty. Riven's presence in Sophie's world had quickly become a new kind of normal, but their bond—one that had once been ethereal and rooted in mystery—was now something tangible, something real. It was as if the fabric of reality had shifted to make room for the impossible, and yet, every time Sophie looked at him, she felt a surge of disbelief.

Riven was here. Really here.

But as much as Sophie wanted to savor their newfound connection, she couldn't ignore the tension that lingered just beneath the surface. There were questions neither of them could fully answer, shadows of doubt that crept into her thoughts late at night. How long could this last? Was their bond truly stable, or had they only delayed the inevitable collapse?

These thoughts gnawed at her, even as she tried to push them aside.

One evening, they sat together on the couch in Sophie's apartment, the soft glow of the city lights filtering through the window. It had become their ritual—long, quiet evenings spent in each other's company, talking about everything and nothing. But tonight, the silence between them felt heavier.

Sophie shifted slightly, her hands resting in her lap. She glanced at Riven, who was staring out the window, his expression thoughtful, almost distant. The sight made her heart tighten.

"Riven," she said quietly, drawing his attention. His gaze softened as he turned to her, his dark eyes meeting hers with that familiar warmth.

"Yeah?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Sophie hesitated, unsure how to put her thoughts into words. "Do you ever... wonder how long this will last?"

Riven blinked, clearly surprised by the question. "What do you mean?"

"I mean..." She bit her lip, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap. "You're here now. But how long can it really last? You came from another world, and even though we stabilized the connection, I keep wondering... what if something goes wrong? What if the bond between our worlds isn't as strong as we think?"

Riven was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. Sophie's heart pounded as she waited for him to speak, afraid she had voiced the very fear they were both trying to avoid.

Finally, Riven reached out, gently taking her hand in his. "I've thought about it too," he admitted, his voice quiet but steady. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried. My world... it's not like yours. It was falling apart long before we met, and I don't know if being here is something permanent or temporary." He paused, his thumb brushing softly over the back of her hand. "But the truth is, I don't care how long it lasts. I'm here now. With you. And that's what matters to me."

Sophie's chest tightened as she listened to his words. She wanted to believe that it was enough—that the present moment was all that mattered—but the uncertainty still gnawed at her. She didn't want to lose him, not after everything they had been through.

"But what if—" she began, her voice trembling.

Riven shook his head, cutting her off with a soft, reassuring smile. "Sophie, I spent years—decades, maybe—trapped in a world that was dying. I was fading. I thought I would disappear without ever feeling anything real again." His grip on her hand tightened, his gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. "But you changed that. You brought me here. You gave me a chance to live. And whether it lasts a week, a month, or a lifetime, I'll take whatever time we have."

Sophie's heart swelled at his words, a mixture of relief and emotion washing over her. She had been so focused on the future, on the possibility of losing him, that she hadn't stopped to fully appreciate what they had now. Riven was right—they had fought for this, and whatever time they had together, it was worth it.