The next morning Catherine awoke before Luffy.
She listened to the steady rhythm of his breathing as she lay there motionless for a long minute. Shadow was curled at the foot of the bed, her eyes already open and fixed on the bedroom door. Mochi and Matcha were in a tangle on the rug at the foot of the bed, asleep.
Catherine slid out of bed and went to the kitchen in Luffy's hoodie. She made the water boil in the kettle and measured out Luffy's pill. She put the pill on the counter with a glass of water. When the water was boiling, she made a couple of mugs of chai as Luffy liked it. She carried everything back to the bedroom on a tray.
Luffy came awake as she was putting the tray down on the bed.
"Wifey?" His voice was hoarse with sleep.
"Morning, Hubby." Catherine sat on the edge of the bed and smoothed the hair back from Luffy's forehead. "Chai and your tiny anchor. Time to wake up. We're going to the café today."
Luffy opened his eyes slowly and reached out for Catherine's hand. "You sure? You don't have to"
"I want to." She pressed the pill into his palm. "We face shadows together now. No exceptions."
Luffy took the pill, swallowing it down without argument, washing it down with a cup of chai. Then, he pulled her down beside him for a moment, holding her close, his face buried in her neck.
"I love you," he whispered. "Even when I'm scared."
"I love you more," she whispered back. "Especially when you're scared."
Together, they got dressed in quiet tandem, both wearing black hoodies, their silver rings glinting in the weak winter sunlight. Shadow was watching every move they made, her tail flicking once when Luffy shrugged into his coat.
It took them a little longer to get to Brewed Promises than usual. Luffy's pace was measured, but Catherine kept pace with him without comment. Their hands remained linked the entire way, their gloves off so their skin was in contact.
When they arrived, Rohan was already inside, flipping chairs off tables. He looked up when the bell above the door rang out.
"Morning, boss. Catherine." His gaze flicked between the two of them. "Everything okay?"
Luffy nodded slightly. "We're good. Catherine's working from the window seat today."
Rohan's shoulders eased a fraction. "Good. Guy hasn't shown yet. But if he does…" "We'll handle it." Catherine said the words softly.
She took her usual spot with the laptop open on the table, the sketchpad nearby, the fresh decaf latte waiting. Luffy went behind the counter, their hands moving with careful intent as they tied their apron around their waist. Every so often, their gazes met across the room – silent communications, small smiles – anchors in the increasing tension.
The morning went on as usual. People came and went. Holiday music played from the speakers. Catherine doodled Shadow's silhouette in the window at home, Luffy worked their hands tamping the grounds in the coffee maker, their silver rings touching as they shared a mug.
At eleven, the bell over the door rang out again.
A man in a long charcoal coat came in.
He brushed the snow from his shoulders, his gaze scanning the room before locking onto Luffy behind the counter, then Catherine at the window before finally approaching the former.
Catherine's pencil froze in mid-air.
He stood at the register. The same pale gray eyes. The same expressionless face.
"Americano," he said. "Black."
Luffy nodded, and went to work on the shot. His hands were still, but Catherine could see the slight tremble in his fingers as he went to grab the portafilter.
The man did not retreat, though, not after he paid. He leaned against the counter, his voice low so only Luffy could hear.
"You look good," he said. "Considering."
Luffy's jaw clenched. "Considering what?" he snapped.
His eyes, Catherine noticed, flicked over to her, and then away.
"Considering everything you've been through," the man said. "Considering the heart, the move, the new pet."
Luffy's heart beat slowly, the medication dulling the beat. He set the cup down a bit too hard.
"Who are you?" Luffy demanded.
The man's smile was thin and cold. "Someone who remembers promises," he said. "Someone who knows promises aren't always kept."
Catherine got up, the chair scraping on the tile. She walked over to Luffy, her boots quiet on the hardwood.
She put a hand on the back of his, a claim, and then looked the man straight in the face.
"If you have something to say," she said, "say it to both of us."
He looked at her, a long time, almost curiously.
"You're the wife," he said. Not mocking, but almost... impressed. "Catherine."
She didn't flinch at the use of her name. "And you are?" she said.
He leaned in a little, tilting his head. "A collector of unfinished business."
Luffy shifted slightly in front of her. "We don't have any business with you," he said.
The man's smile disappeared. "You will. Sooner than you think," he said.
He put a hand into his coat pocket, and Catherine tensed, and Luffy's hand went to shield her.
But the man only pulled out a small, folded piece of paper, yellowed, the edges worn. He put it down on the counter between them.
"Read it when you're ready," he said. "Don't read it. Either way... the past doesn't stay buried forever."
He spun, the coat swirling, and went out. The bell rang once, sharp and final.
Silence closed over the café.
Rohan emerged from the back, his eyes wide. "What the hell was that?" he asked.
Catherine picked up the paper, her hands shaking. Luffy put his over hers.
"Don't open it here," he said, his voice low. "Not yet."
She nodded, and put it in her pocket, folded.
She and Luffy looked at each other, silver rings shining, their hearts beating in time.
"Home?" she said.
"Home," he said.
They closed early.
Locked the door.
Walked out into the snow-dusted streets, hands held, Shadow waiting at the yellow door as if he knew the shift in the air, miles away.
And inside, they didn't say anything.
Just sat together on the couch, Catherine in Luffy's lap, his arms wrapped around her, Shadow sandwiched between them, a living, breathing armor.
And only then did Catherine take the piece of paper from her pocket.
And only then did she unfold it.
And only then did she read the words scrawled on it in faded black ink:
He never really left you. He just changed shape.
And Catherine's breath caught.
And Luffy looked at the words, read them, until they ran together.
And Shadow looked up, his golden eyes meeting theirs, calm, ancient, knowing.
And in that moment, the room seemed to shrink.
And the past seemed to close in.
And the promise they'd made, brick by brick, latte by latte, heartbeat by heartbeat, seemed to have a shadow looming at its edge.