The cottage hadn't changed much, but the people inside it had.
Kyle was twenty-two now. His hair was a little longer, his shoulders broader. The sharp edge in his gaze had softened—not gone, but tempered by the years that had followed the war.
Gia's hair was longer too, often tied back as she worked in the village clinic she'd started. There were laugh lines around her eyes now, proof of a peace she'd fought hard for.
Felix… well, Felix claimed he was "more handsome than ever," though the streak of silver in his hair told a different story. He had taken over the blacksmith's shop in town and, to everyone's shock, was actually good at it.
An Ordinary Evening
The three of them sat around the table in the cottage, dinner long finished, mugs of tea steaming in front of them.
Felix tapped his cup. "You realize this is the longest we've gone without anyone trying to stab us?"
Kyle smirked. "What's it been now? Two years?"
"Two years, four months, and nine days," Felix said without hesitation. "Not that I'm counting."
Gia laughed, shaking her head. "You are absolutely counting."
The Porch Again
Later that night, Kyle and Gia stood on the porch, just like they had so many years ago. The garden had grown lush, the hills glowing gold under the moonlight.
Kyle slipped an arm around her waist. "Remember when we didn't think we'd make it to the next day?"
Gia leaned into him. "I remember. And I remember you kept fighting for tomorrow anyway."
He kissed her forehead. "Guess tomorrow was worth it after all."
The Last Look
Inside, Felix was loudly complaining to himself about running out of tea leaves, but the sound was comforting—familiar.
Kyle looked out over the hills one last time before heading in. He knew there would always be danger somewhere in the world.
But here, in this small corner, they had carved out a life that was theirs.
And for Kyle, Gia, and Felix… that was enough.
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