Chapter 18 — Growing Closer

Dual POV (Regina & Aldric)

Regina

The afternoon light softened the edges of everything, spilling golden warmth across the living room as Regina and Rebecca sat curled at opposite ends of the couch, cups of tea forgotten on the coffee table between them.

Aldric had stepped into the kitchen a few minutes earlier, giving them space without making it obvious — something Regina appreciated more than she could put into words.

Rebecca traced the rim of her mug absently, her expression thoughtful but calm. There was a quiet strength in her now that hadn’t been there years ago — not hardened, but steady, like a tree that had weathered storms and grown deeper roots because of them.

“I used to hate nights,” Rebecca said softly, her voice breaking the comfortable silence. “For a long time after… everything.”

Regina nodded slowly, understanding immediately. “Me too.”

Rebecca glanced up, offering a small, knowing smile. “I figured.”

There was no need to explain what everything meant. The shared memory of darkness and fear lingered between them, but it no longer felt suffocating — just acknowledged.

“I still get nightmares sometimes,” Rebecca admitted. “Not as often. But enough.”

Regina exhaled quietly. “I had one last night.”

Rebecca’s gaze softened. “It gets easier,” she said gently. “Not because you forget… but because you learn you survived.”

The words settled deep in Regina’s chest, warm and steady.

“I think I spent a long time trying to pretend I wasn’t affected,” Regina said. “Like if I ignored it, it would just disappear.”

Rebecca nodded. “I tried that too. Didn’t work.”

They shared a small, rueful laugh.

The bond pulsed softly beneath Regina’s ribs, warm and comforting, like a quiet reassurance she wasn’t alone — not in the past, not now.

“I think meeting Aldric again helped,” Regina admitted quietly. “More than I expected.”

Rebecca’s smile turned knowing but gentle. “He has that effect.”

Regina’s cheeks warmed slightly. “He’s… steady.”

“That’s the perfect word,” Rebecca said. “He always has been.”

Regina leaned back into the couch, letting herself relax fully in a way she hadn’t realized she’d been holding back.

For the first time in years, talking about the past didn’t feel like reopening a wound.

It felt like letting fresh air in.

—

Aldric

From the kitchen doorway, Aldric watched them quietly, leaning lightly against the counter as he listened to the soft cadence of their voices.

Seeing Regina and Rebecca together — relaxed, laughing softly — eased something deep inside his chest he hadn’t realized was still tight.

They understood each other in a way few people could.

Survivors.

The bond hummed warmly beneath his ribs, content and steady, and he felt a quiet sense of rightness settle over him.

Regina looked lighter today — more at ease than he’d ever seen her — and it filled him with a quiet satisfaction he couldn’t fully explain.

She caught his gaze across the room, offering a small smile that warmed the bond instantly.

He returned it, pushing off the counter and walking back toward the living room.

“Am I interrupting?” he asked lightly.

Rebecca grinned. “Not at all.”

He sat in the armchair across from them, the easy familiarity of the moment settling around them like a soft blanket.

They talked about lighter things after that — pack updates, funny childhood stories Rebecca insisted on sharing at Aldric’s expense, Regina laughing in a way that made his chest feel unexpectedly full.

The sound was warm and bright, like sunlight breaking through clouds.

And he realized he wanted to hear it as often as possible.

—

Regina

By early evening, the atmosphere had shifted into something warm and comfortable, like the three of them had slipped into a natural rhythm without trying.

Rebecca stood, stretching lightly. “I should head back. Dad will start wondering where I disappeared to.”

Aldric chuckled. “Probably.”

Rebecca hugged Regina tightly, her voice soft near her ear. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

“Me too,” Regina whispered.

They pulled apart, and Rebecca gave Aldric a quick hug before heading toward the door.

As it closed behind her, the apartment fell quiet again — but not empty.

Just peaceful.

Regina turned back toward Aldric, the bond pulsing softly between them.

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

“For what?”

“For giving us space,” she said. “And for… everything.”

His expression softened. “You don’t have to thank me.”

The warmth in his voice sent a soft ripple through the bond.

They stood there for a moment, the air between them comfortable and warm, the connection steady and undeniable.

And for the first time, Regina didn’t feel the urge to step back.

She just stood there, letting the quiet settle around them.

Letting the bond breathe.

—

Outside, the sun dipped below the horizon, the first stars appearing in the deepening twilight.

Inside, something gentle and steady continued to grow between them — not rushed, not overwhelming.

Just real.

And for now…

That was enough.