Chapter 26: Reconnection.

As the night deepened, the festival in Green Arbor was alive with music, laughter, and flickering lanterns. Ava and Eli moved together slowly, swaying gently under the soft glow of hanging lights. Their dance was a quiet conversation of understanding, their bodies relaxed and in tune with each other for the first time in months.

The festive crowd moved around them, some joining in the dancing while others gathered in groups, sharing stories, laughter, and drinks. The cold winter air nipped at their skin, but the warmth of the festival—the bonfires, the mulled wine, and the close-knit feeling of community—wrapped everyone in a comfortable embrace.

Ava rested her head on Eli’s shoulder, her arms gently wrapped around his neck. She could feel the rise and fall of his chest, steady and reassuring, as if nothing else in the world mattered. This moment, this quiet togetherness, was a balm to her troubled mind. For the first time in weeks, she felt truly present.

Eli tightened his hold on her, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. "I’ve missed this," he whispered, his voice a soft hum against her hair.

Ava lifted her head slightly, meeting his gaze. "Me too," she murmured. There was no need for more words—everything was spoken in their embrace, their shared rhythm as they swayed to the music.

Across the way, Talon was in full tall-tale mode, recounting one of their many adventures. "So there we were, surrounded by 20 motorbikes, and what does Ava do? She drives us right off a cliff to escape!" His arms flailed dramatically as he painted the scene, his voice full of excitement.

Miko, leaning casually against a nearby post, grinned. "I thought it was 30 motorbikes, Talon. Get the story straight," he teased, earning laughs from the group gathered around them.

Sarah, seated next to Jess, leaned forward, intrigued. "Did that really happen?" she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Jess chuckled and nodded. "Well, maybe not exactly as he tells it, but yes, something like that happened. Ava always finds a way to get them out of trouble."

Sarah glanced back at Talon, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You certainly know how to keep things interesting," she said with a smile.

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Talon, not missing a beat, winked. "Well, I had to let Ava kick my ass earlier just to get her to open up. Maybe I should have been a medic," he quipped.

Sarah laughed, playfully nudging him. "If you were a medic, we’d all be in trouble! But it’s good to see her smiling again. You did good, Talon."

Talon grinned, a bit embarrassed by the compliment, but shrugged it off in his usual playful manner. "Well, someone has to keep things interesting around here."

As the music shifted to a slower, more intimate tune, Ava took Eli’s hand in hers. "Come on," she whispered, leading him away from the crowd, past the warm glow of the bonfires, and toward a quieter part of the village.

They found a small bench near the edge of the festival, where the sounds of celebration faded into the background. They sat down together, the cool night air swirling around them. Eli looked over at Ava, his heart full as he took in the sight of her—the warmth of her smile, the strength she radiated even in her quiet moments.

"You know, I was worried," Eli began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I thought I’d lost you, not just to the battle, but to whatever was going on inside you."

Ava looked down, her fingers tracing the lines of his hand. "I know. I’m sorry, Eli. I didn’t mean to push you away. I just... I didn’t know how to deal with everything. Almost dying... it was too much."

Eli lifted her chin gently, his eyes full of understanding. "I don’t need you to be okay all the time, Ava. I just need you to let me in. You don’t have to face everything alone."

Ava smiled softly, feeling the weight of those words settle into her. "I’m trying," she admitted, her voice filled with vulnerability. "But I’m scared. What if I can’t get back to how I was?"

Eli leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "You don’t have to get back to anything. We’ll move forward, together."

Ava’s heart swelled, and in that moment, she felt lighter, more grounded. She leaned in, closing the space between them, and their lips met in a slow, tender kiss. It wasn’t rushed or filled with passion—it was gentle, filled with love and reassurance, the kind of kiss that promised new beginnings.

From a short distance away, Jess, Talon, and Sarah watched them, their faces lit up with smiles. "Look at them," Jess whispered, her eyes bright with happiness.

Miko, standing next to Talon, raised an eyebrow. "You sure you didn’t hit her too hard during that sparring session?" he joked, nudging Talon with his elbow.

Talon laughed, shaking his head. "Nope, just gave her the push she needed. Looks like they’re finding their way back to each other."

Sarah, her arm looped through Talon’s, smiled warmly at him. "You did good, Talon. You’re a better friend than you let on."

Talon shrugged with a playful smirk. "Well, it's my job to make sure things don’t get boring around here."

As the night continued, the festival's energy surged, but for Ava and Eli, the world had quieted. They sat together on the bench, wrapped in each other’s warmth, knowing that the hardest part was over. They had found their way back to each other, and whatever came next, they would face it—hand in hand, heart to heart.