Waking up in her own bed, Keela grasped her head and winced at the crippling headache that followed her awakening. The air felt sharp, like razor blades entering her lungs. The light felt like scalding flames on her eyes, causing her to squint. Sitting up, the pain shot up from her side again, like a sore reminder. Lifting up her shirt, a wide scar sprawled around her stomach where she had made a regrettable choice while stuck. Painfully so, she kicked her legs to the side of the bed, slowly preparing to get up. Her legs were as painful as the rest of her body, screaming in agony with each step she took. Holding on to the walls and objects, she made her way to the door. Opening it, she scared the guard that stood outside. Seeing her, the guard quickly ran in the corridor, leaving her alone with no answers, frowning.

A few minutes later, a figure came running down the hallway at full speed. As it came closer, Keela recognized Velka who she had never seen run with such dedication. Leaving the door slightly ajar, Keela went back in the room, removing any source of light from her sight save for a small candle on her nightstand which she made the utmost effort to avoid looking at. After a few seconds, Velka opened the door hurriedly, immediately showering her with questions.

“How are you? Are you hurt? Is everything okay? What happened?” she asked, fidgeting with her hands.

After a second look, Keela noticed she was in her training attire -- a simple tank top and baggy pants -- and most definitely was in the middle of a workout considering the amount of sweat.

“C-come in and sh-shut up f-for a sec-c”, replied Keela, still struggling with the weight of her tongue.

Velka quickly obliged shutting the door softly and sitting down at the edge of the bed, cross legged.

“I w-would s-say I’m fine b-but that-t would b-be a lie. Everything hurt-ts”, said Keela, sitting back in her bed, trying to find comfort in her predicament.

“Could you answer yes or no questions? Like with a nod or shaking your head?” asked Velka, looking more worried than Keela had ever seen her.

Keela shook her head yes, still failing to find a comfortable position.

“So, do you know what was in that portal?”

Keela shook her head slowly.

“That stomach wound, was it an enemy?”

Keela shook her head once more, her expression sagging as she remembered.

“Then… was it yourself?”

Keela nodded, tears building up in her tired eyes.

“It… I saw the marks on your clothes… Were you counting days?”

Keela shook her head ever so slowly, trying to hold back the tears.

“Then was it… almost a year in there?”

“T-the marks on m-my pants were months, n-not d-days. I was st-stuck for s-six years, five months and t-twenty f-four d-days”, replied Keela, melting into tears.

Reeling from shock, Velka came closer, hugging Keela, rubbing her back softly.

“It’s okay, you’re back now. And I’m never leaving your side so you don’t have to be alone ever again”, said Velka quietly, keeping her hug light to avoid hurting Keela.

“S-six f-fucking y-years. I wouldn’t-t die, I couldn’t d-die… I tried…”

“No wonder you slept for a whole week…”

“A w-week? W-what about the p-papers and t-the--”

“Don’t strain yourself, I took care of it with Saphielle.”

“T-thanks. Y-you’re the best.”

“Don’t mention it. You can go back to sleep if you’d like, I’ll be here the whole time.”

“I s-slept e-enough. I n-need to g-get used t-to walking again.”

Following her words, Keela tried to get up, only to fall forward, her sense of balance still in recovery. Fortunately, Velka was there to catch her; and she did, falling with her and catching her fall. Keela looked up at Velka and shakily grabbed her hand.

“I m-missed you”, she said, basking in the warmth.

“You made me really worried too, you know?” replied Velka, squeezing her hand.

“I p-probably need a bath. F-from the smell, you p-probably d-do too.”

“That’s your fault for waking up in the middle of my training.”

“C-could you h-help me g-get there? I n-need warm water and t-the lights off.”

“Sure.”

After a few minutes of preparation and taking too long to walk there, Keela finally managed to slip into the warm water, her aching muscles sighing in relief as she did in the dark empty room. A perk of the castle was the wide bath she could have to herself; which in this instance, was very much appreciated. She could feel the knots and tensions releasing in the healing magic infused water, providing her with the energy she needed to keep going most days. After a few minutes, the sound of footsteps reached her ears, making their way all around the bath and getting in the water on the opposite side, gracefully so. Thinking on it, she concluded it could only be one person.

“V-Velka?” she stuttered, rolling her shoulders nervously.

“Yes?” calmly replied Velka, seemingly unbothered.

“I underst-stand the lights are off but-t…”

“But?”

“W-well I t-thought it w-was obvious t-that I w-was into y-you so t-this feels rather f-forward.”

Velka mumbled a reply but Keela couldn’t catch her. Wanting to hear, she moved closer in the bath, stubbing her toe on the wall on which Velka was probably sitting on. The bath had benches made into the walls, which made for easy relaxation in the warm waters; although it hadn’t played in her favor this time.

“C-care t-to repeat?” said Keela, having no sense of direction.

“I said: then it makes two of us”, mumbled back Velka, slightly louder now, making Keela turn her head towards the sound.

“Oh g-good.”

Keela simply walked towards Velka and unapologetically sat on top of her, her hand feeling around in the dark for her face. As she found it, she leaned in closer.

“K-Keela?” stuttered Velka, whose face probably had taken a shade of red brighter than ever seen.

“M-may I? I w-waited s-six y-years for t-this”, replied Keela, her head swimming from the sheer gall of her course of action.

“S-sure…”

Following the last statement, Keela leaned in, kissing her softly. She was a bit clumsy after all her isolation, but still hadn’t had such a feeling of home before. It felt so right to be right there, in Velka’s arms. Giving in to the embrace, she nestled closer, the water letting her take back control of her senses. Breaking the kiss, she put her head on Velka’s shoulder. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to.