The café smelled like roasted coffee beans and sugar. Aeris stepped in, brushing a bit of lingering dampness from her dress as she looked around. The place hadn't changed much, same soft music, same mismatched chairs, same comforting warmth that made it feel like time slowed down inside.
Only thing that seemed different was a familiar presence in the building. She saw him Seated near the window, Ronald Whichez. He looked up at just about the same time and smiled immediately, recognizing her.
"Well," he said, standing up slightly, "if it isn't the girl who almost got herself run over."
Aeris laughed, walking over.
"I said I was sorry."
"And I said you should be more careful," he replied lightly.
They both smiled as she took the seat across from him.
"You made it safely, I see."
"I did," she said. "Thanks to you."
Ronald waved it off casually. "It was nothing."
There was something easy about him. Familiar, even though they'd only met once.
"How have you been?" he asked.
"Good," she nodded. "Work's been… work."
He chuckled. "I understand that."
A waiter passed and Aeris ordered something simple before turning back to him. "And your family?" she asked. "Your daughters?"
His face lit up instantly.
"Ah, those two," he said with a soft shake of his head. "They're well. Loud. Full of opinions."
Aeris smiled.
"How old did you say they were again?"
"Four and thirteen."
"That's such a gap."
"Yes," he laughed. "One is trying to figure out the world, and the other thinks she already has."
Aeris laughed softly. "And your wife?"
"Karen is still winning every argument in the house," he said proudly.
Aeris tilted her head.
"You say that like it's a good thing."
"It is," he replied. "Keeps me humble."
She smiled, resting her chin lightly on her hand. There was something about listening to him talk about family, about small everyday things that made her chest feel… calm, Grounded. Like the world wasn't always complicated. Like it could just be… this. The café door opened again. Aeris glanced up. Nyra walked in. And of course, she made an entrance. Dark sunglasses. Effortless stride. A quick scan of the room before her eyes landed on Aeris. She walked over, pulling off her glasses as she approached.
"Wow," Nyra said, looking between them. "I leave for a honeymoon and you start collecting new people?"
Aeris laughed, standing. "Nyra, this is Ronald." She turned to him. "The one I told you about…the traffic day."
Ronald stood, offering a polite nod.
"Nice to meet you."
Nyra smiled, shaking his hand. "The famous rescuer," she said playfully. "I've heard about you."
Ronald raised a brow slightly.
"Oh?"
"Apparently, you save careless pedestrians."
Aeris groaned. "I was not careless."
"You were almost roadkill," Nyra shot back.
Ronald chuckled. "I think I'll stay neutral on that."
Nyra sat down, already settling in like she owned the space.
"So," she said, glancing at Aeris, "this is why you came early?"
Aeris rolled her eyes.
"No."
Nyra smirked.
"Mhm."
But her tone wasn't sharp, It was curious. Slightly Observant. The conversation flowed easily after that, Surprisingly so. Ronald fit into their rhythm without effort, laughing when they laughed, adding stories of his own, occasionally shaking his head at their banter. Nyra warmed up to him faster than expected.
"Wait," she said at some point, leaning forward. "Your four-year-old told her teacher she doesn't believe in homework?"
Ronald nodded. "Her exact words were, 'I don't think this aligns with my personal goals.'"
Aeris burst out laughing.
Nyra clutched her chest. "I love her already."
"Don't encourage her," Ronald sighed.
They stayed longer than planned. Coffee turned into food. Food turned into stories. Stories turned into hours. At some point, the sun had shifted across the windows without them noticing. The world outside kept moving, But inside, time stretched. By the time they finally stood to leave, the sky had begun to dim slightly.
Nyra stretched. "That was actually really nice."
Aeris smiled.
"Yeah."
Ronald glanced between them. "I'm glad I ran into you again," he said to Aeris.
She nodded.
"Me too."
They stepped outside together. The air was cooler now. Ronald reached into his pocket, pulling out his keys. "Let me drop you both off."
Aeris immediately shook her head.
"You don't have to"
"I know," he said, smiling gently. "But I'd like to."
Nyra didn't even pretend to resist.
"I accept."
Aeris laughed softly. "Of course you do."
They eventually got into the car. The drive was calm. Quiet in a comfortable way. Nyra sat in the back, occasionally humming to herself while scrolling through her phone. Ronald drove steadily, one hand on the wheel. Aeris sat beside him, watching the passing streets. When they reached Nyra's place, she stepped out, leaning slightly into the front window.
"Ronald," she said, smiling, "you're officially approved."
He chuckled. "I'll take that as an honor."
She turned to Aeris. "I'll call you later."
"Okay."
Nyra paused. Then added with a knowing look, "And don't forget… we still have things to discuss."
Aeris sighed.
"I know."
Nyra grinned, Then walked off. The car pulled away again. Just Aeris and Ronald now. The city quieter. The night softer. The car also felt different after Nyra stepped out, Quieter but not awkward. The kind of silence that didn't demand to be filled. Ronald kept his eyes on the road, one hand steady on the wheel, the other resting loosely by his side. Aeris watched the passing lights through the window, her fingers loosely intertwined in her lap.
"Your friend is… lively," he said after a while.
Aeris smiled faintly. "That's one way to put it."
"She's good for you."
Aeris turned slightly, surprised. "You think so?"
"I know so," he said simply. "People like her… they pull you out of your head."
Aeris looked away again. That hit closer than she expected. "I guess," she murmured.
A small pause followed.
"Are you in a hurry to get home?"
She blinked, turning back to him. "Not really… why?"
Ronald glanced at her briefly, then back to the road. "I need to stop by the mall," he said. "The girls will riot if I go home empty-handed."
Aeris let out a small laugh. "That serious?"
"You have no idea."
She hesitated for only a second.
"Okay."
The mall was bright, Alive. A complete contrast to the calm they had just left behind. They walked side by side, not too close, not too far, just comfortable. Ronald moved with purpose, occasionally scanning store windows. "I usually get them something small," he said. "It's not about the price. It's about the ritual."
Aeris tilted her head. "Ritual?"
"Yeah," he nodded. "They expect me to come home with something after a long day. Makes them feel… remembered."
That word lingered.
Remembered.
Aeris swallowed lightly. "I like that," she said quietly.
They stepped into a small toy and gift store, Filled with tiny things that carried quiet joy. Ronald moved toward a shelf, picking up items with careful attention like each choice mattered.
"For the little one," he said, holding up a plush toy. "She likes things she can talk to."
Aeris smiled. "And the older one?"
He paused, then picked up something else. "She pretends she doesn't care… but she does."
Aeris watched him. The way he thought. The way he chose. The way he loved. It wasn't loud. It wasn't dramatic. But it was… steady and real.
"Here."
She looked up. Ronald was holding something out to her. A small figurine.
"A fairy."
Delicate wings. Soft colors. Light caught in its tiny details like it held its own kind of magic.
Aeris blinked. "Oh- no, I can't…"
"You can," he said gently, placing it in her hand. "It's just a little thing."
She looked down at it. It felt… oddly personal. "Why?" she asked softly.
Ronald shrugged lightly. "You seem like someone who forgets to keep a little magic for herself."
Aeris looked up at him. Caught off guard. He smiled, just a little.
"And every now and then," he added, a hint of playful corniness in his tone, "even the ones who see the world through a lens deserve to be part of it."
She let out a quiet laugh. "That was… very corny."
"I have daughters," he replied. "It's part of the job."
But she didn't miss it. The meaning behind it. She held the fairy a little tighter. "Thank you," she said.
And this time, She meant it deeper. The drive to her place felt shorter. Or maybe she just didn't want to think about it ending. The car slowed in front of her building. Ronald parked, turning slightly toward her.
"Alright," he said. "Safely delivered. No traffic incidents this time."
Aeris smiled. "Progress." She reached for the door, Then paused. Turning back. "Thank you… for today. Really."
He nodded.
"You're welcome." Then, after a brief pause, "You still haven't called."
Aeris blinked.
"Oh"
His business card. She had it. Somewhere. "I know," she admitted. "I just… haven't gotten around to it."
Ronald raised a brow slightly. "I'll pretend I believe that."
She laughed softly.
"I will," she said. "I promise."
He studied her for a second not doubting, just… noting. "Alright," he said finally. "I'll hold you to that."
She nodded.
"You should."
Aeris stepped out of the car, closing the door gently behind her. She leaned down slightly toward the window. "Goodnight, Ronald."
"Goodnight, Aeris."
She turned, walking toward her building. The fairy still in her hand. And for a brief moment, She didn't feel as heavy as she usually did. Behind her, the car stayed parked for a second longer than necessary.
Then It finally drove off.
The door clicked shut behind her. Aeris leaned against it for a second, exhaling softly as though she was just now returning to herself after the long day. The house was quiet. It was always quiet. She slipped off her shoes absentmindedly and walked further in, the faint echo of her steps filling the space. Then she remembered. The fairy. Still in her hand, She walked over to the small table near her couch and gently placed it down, adjusting it slightly so it faced outward, like it belonged there. Like it had always been there. Her fingers lingered on it for a moment and His voice echoed in her mind.
"They expect me to come home with something after a long day. Makes them feel… remembered."
Aeris stilled. Something about that word again. Remembered. It settled deep. Heavy in a way that wasn't painful… just real. Her eyes drifted slightly, unfocused. Another face filled her thoughts. Caelum. The way he had stood in the rain with her. The way he had tried, awkwardly, imperfectly, to step into her world. The way he had eaten her food… even when it clearly wasn't for him. A small smile tugged at her lips. He didn't belong there. Not really. And yet, He had stayed. For her. Aeris straightened slowly. A thought forming.
"If it makes people feel remembered…" She glanced at the fairy again. Then toward the door. "…then maybe I should too."
The decision came quietly. But once it did, it didn't leave room for hesitation. She grabbed her jacket again, slipping it on quickly. The night air met her as she stepped outside once more, cooler now, wrapping around her like a second skin. The shops nearby were still open: dim lights, half-closing shutters, lingering customers. Aeris walked into one. Then another. Then paused in front of a shelf. Her eyes scanned slowly. Too many options. Too many things that didn't feel… right. She picked something up but Put it back down. Moved again. Paused, Sighed softly.
"This shouldn't be this hard," she muttered under her breath.
But it was. Because it wasn't just a gift. It was… intention. It had meaning, It was her, trying. Her fingers hovered over a row of plush toys, then, She saw it. A small unicorn. Soft. Almost ridiculously so. With tiny stitched eyes and a faint shimmer running through its horn. It looked… gentle. Aeris picked it up slowly. Holding it in both hands. A small laugh escaped her.
"He's going to hate this," she whispered.
But she didn't put it back. Instead, She nodded, almost to herself.
"This one."
By the time she got home again, the night had settled deeper. She placed the small bag on her table, beside the fairy.
Her phone sat nearby. She stared at it for a moment. Then picked it up. Typed, deleted, Typed again. Hesitantly, then finally She pressed send.
Hey…
Are you free tomorrow?
I'd like to see you.
I have something for you.
She stared at the message after it sent. Her heart doing something unfamiliar in her chest. Not quite anxiety nor excitement. Something softer. Hope, maybe. Aeris placed her phone down slowly. Her eyes drifting once more to the fairy. Then to the bag beside it.
And for the first time in a while, Her home didn't feel entirely empty.