Hildebrand found herself standing before a campfire where Hugo sat alone, tending to the dying flame. Everyone else had already turned in for the night. And she was back in her in old skin.

“Hugo?” Hildebrand asked, throwing back her flowing golden hair.

“Hilde,” he quietly exclaimed. His eyes seemed to fill with life whenever he called that name. And this time, hearing him call that name filled Hildebrand's eyes with life, too. “…Did I wake you?” he asked.

Hildebrand shook her head. “No. I was just a little restless. You know.”

“That’s no good,” he said. “You should try to get some rest.”

“I should be saying that to you, Mister Hero,” she said, smiling.

She touched her face. Was she smiling now, or had she been smiling back then? This was a memory. When they were inside the World’s End, venturing towards the spiral tower that stood in the heart of the ancient empire.

“Mister Hero?” Hugo repeated, putting a finger to his lips. “Well, Miss—” He smirked. He smirked like he thought of something clever. “—Little Miss Saintess, I’m keeping watch for the night.”

Hildebrand scoffed, trying to hide her amusement with a hand. She missed his little teases.

“What for?” she asked. “I already sanctified the area. You don’t have to keep watch all night. Nothing’s going to come out.”

“Mmm,” Hugo murmured. “You never know.”

“You’re making me worry,” Hildebrand said.

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He smirked again. “Sorry,” he said. He had a habit of apologizing when he didn’t mean it. “I’ll be sure to turn in soon.”

“I should hope so,” Hildebrand said.

But Hugo turned an uncertain gaze into the darkness that surrounded them and continued watching. His face was haggard and worn. The dark bags under his eye were visible even in the dim light of the fire.

“I think you’re worrying about nothing,” Hildebrand said.

Hugo put on a smile, the one he gave to reassure people. But it was half-hearted and filled with doubt. It was as weary as he was. “I’m not worried,” he said.

“Then don’t stay up for no reason. Aren’t you tired?” Hildebrand asked.

Hugo’s eyelids lowered heavy on his green eyes that were shaded a dull orange by the dying fire. He shut his eyes for a moment, and he opened them again. They were green again. “I’m fine,” he said.

He wasn’t fine. Hildebrand only noticed just now, in her memories, in her dreams. She had believed his words back then. She realized for the first time that Hugo was a terrible liar.

“How are you holding up?” Hugo asked.

Hildebrand sat by his side and opened her mouth to speak brave words of hope and optimism, but nothing came out. The only words that would come out were, “I’m afraid.”

Hugo’s steady hand covered hers. She had been shaking without even realizing it.

“I’m afraid,” Hildebrand whispered again.

Back then, Hugo had told her, “I’ll protect you.” Hildebrand had pulled away from him and returned to her tent alone, leaving him alone by the fire. Back then, Hildebrand hadn’t seen the sincerity of his words. She hadn’t seen the fear and doubt in his eyes. She hadn’t seen the courage he summoned to reassure her. She had taken his words lightly. She foolishly believed she had seen through a clever lie.

She wanted to hear those words again. So, she didn’t pull away. She pulled closer.

Hildebrand buried her face in Hugo’s coat to ward off the cold, frigid air. She leaned her head against his chest. An arm draped gently around her. And a firm hand rubbed her back. Its warmth melted away her fears and doubts. It melted away her wild emotions and even her childishness.

All he had to do was speak those honest words again.

“Hildebrand,” Hugo said. That wasn’t right. He never said that. “Be strong.”

Hildebrand looked up at him, her lips parting in surprise. And she held him close. So, she could convince herself she wasn’t holding an ephemeral memory. She held him until the sun shone in her eyes, peeking between the drapes of her dorm room.