into the sun

glimpse of forever

Lada knocked, waiting, but there was no answer. She tried again, and still nothing. She took a step back, glancing down the empty hallway. Earn wasn't home. The hallway was quiet, and Lada's heartbeat was the only sound echoing in her ears. She stood there, her body tense, her eyes locked on the door.

She waited, slumped against the wall outside Earn's door, the hours stretching on like a silent reminder of all the moments they had wasted apart. The dim light from the hallway flickered, shadows shifting around her, but she stayed still, her mind replaying every word from the courtroom, the sorrow in Earn's eyes, the weight of her apology.

A soft click echoed from the elevator at the far end of the corridor, and Lada's heart tightened in her chest. She heard footsteps approaching—slow, familiar. Lada closed her eyes for a second, steadying herself. She knew those footsteps anywhere.

Earn appeared from the dim light of the hallway, her hair pulled back, her face pale and exhausted. Her eyes were downcast, the fatigue weighing heavily on her, until she finally noticed Lada. She froze, her gaze locking with Lada's, her eyes widening in surprise. They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity—Lada taking in the exhaustion etched across Earn's features, Earn blinking as if unsure if Lada was real.

"P'Mor..." Earn's voice came out in a whisper, her lips parting in disbelief, her eyes glistening as she struggled to contain her emotions. Lada saw her shoulders tense, her body hesitant—like she was bracing herself for another rejection.

But Lada didn't let her finish. She took two steps forward, closing the distance between them, and without a word, wrapped her arms around Earn, pulling her close. Earn stiffened, her breath catching, but it took only a heartbeat before she melted into Lada's embrace, her body trembling as she let herself fall into Lada.

The world around them seemed to disappear, the walls of the hallway fading into nothing, leaving just the two of them. Lada tightened her hold, her fingers brushing through Earn's hair, her voice soft as she whispered, "It's okay. I'm here."

Earn took in a shaky breath, her forehead resting against Lada's for a moment longer before she pulled back slightly. She reached behind her, her hand fumbling for the lock, her eyes never leaving Lada's. The connection between them felt delicate, like both were afraid that even the smallest movement might shatter this fragile moment.

The door clicked open, and they stepped inside. Earn pushed it closed behind her, her eyes still searching Lada's, hesitant and unsure. The space was dim, the evening light filtering in through the window, and for a moment, they simply stood there in the silence of the apartment, the weight of everything they had gone through settling between them.

Lada reached up first, her fingers trembling as they brushed against Earn's cheek, tracing the faint line of a dimple that appeared when Earn's lips twitched into a small, almost nervous smile. Lada's thumb moved slowly, gently caressing Earn's skin, and she found herself drawn closer—closer to the woman who had broken her heart and somehow, at the same time, was the only one who could mend it.

Earn closed her eyes, her breath hitching as Lada's touch sent a shiver through her. She leaned into the warmth of Lada's hand, her own fingers moving to rest against Lada's waist. Slowly, Earn raised her other hand, her fingertips brushing against Lada's jaw, her palm cupping her cheek as if she needed to feel her, to make sure she was really there.

Lada looked at Earn, her eyes searching, the unshed tears from before still glistening. Her gaze was full of longing—of all the years they had lost, of all the things left unsaid. She leaned in, her forehead pressing against Earn's, her lips just a breath away from hers, and she let her hand slide up into Earn's hair, cradling the back of her head.