The idea didn't come from one person.
It wasn't planned far in advance, and it didn't carry any special significance beyond being something different from their usual routine. It started simply, like most things did, from a passing suggestion that no one immediately rejected.
And because no one rejected it—
it became real.
There was a small gathering happening near the edge of the forest.
Not large.
Not important enough to draw attention from far away.
But enough to bring people together from both sides.
"…we should go."
Aira said it first.
Not as a question.
Not as a suggestion she expected to be turned down.
Just something obvious.
Selene didn't respond immediately.
But she didn't disagree either.
Kael nodded slightly.
That was enough.
On the other side, Riven reacted differently.
"…why not."
Casual.
Unconcerned.
Darin shrugged.
"…it's something."
Arin didn't say anything at first.
But he went anyway.
They didn't arrive all at once.
Not as a single group.
But separately, from their own sides, moving toward the same place without needing to coordinate it.
The gathering itself was simple.
Small stalls.
Voices layered over each other.
Movement that felt natural, not crowded.
Nothing stood out individually.
But together—
it created something different from their usual days.
Liora noticed them first.
Not because they stood out—
but because she was looking.
"…they're here."
Her voice was quiet, but certain.
Aira turned immediately.
Selene followed more slowly.
Kael observed.
On the other side, Riven saw them next.
"…there."
He didn't need to say more.
And just like that—
the distance between the two sides disappeared.
They met in the middle.
Not formally.
Not with repeated introductions.
Because those had already happened long before this moment.
This time—
it was different.
Because this wasn't a meeting between two sides anymore.
It was a group arriving together.
They moved through the gathering without structure.
Breaking into smaller conversations.
Reforming without effort.
No one led.
No one followed.
Aira moved the most, pulling others into conversations, pointing out small things that didn't matter but made the moment feel alive.
Riven responded naturally, matching her pace without forcing it.
Darin stayed closer to Selene, their quiet presence forming its own space within the movement around them.
Kael remained steady, shifting between them without losing that grounded calm.
And Arin—
stood with Liora.
Not separate.
Not isolated.
Just… there.
"…it's different like this."
Liora said it quietly.
Arin nodded once.
"…yeah."
He didn't need to explain it.
Because she already understood.
This wasn't about the gathering.
Not really.
It was about them.
All of them.
Existing in the same place—
not by chance,
not by interference,
but by choice.
And for now—
that was enough.