Chapter Text
The third time Ava woke up, she found herself outside of a bedroom, a hopeful sign that this could be her reality.
Night had fallen, enveloping her in a sense of desolation as she stood on the street, utterly miserable.
Her head spun, and she leaned against the nearest wall, fighting the urge to vomit. It dawned on her that she hadn't eaten since leaving Reya's realm.
Surveying her surroundings, the street seemed hauntingly familiar. She had walked down this street countless times, commuting to work and returning home. Yet somehow, she had ended up in the Alps.
Without hesitation, she began walking, almost running, towards the bar. Beatrice would be there—she just knew it. She had to be there.
"Ava?" Hans' voice echoed as she stepped into the bar.
He rushed to her side, embracing her warmly. "It's so wonderful to see you again," he exclaimed, his arms encircling her.
Ava returned the sentiment with a smile, grateful for Hans' presence, but she couldn't help but blurt out, "Is Beatrice here?"
Hans chuckled and shook his head. "She's upstairs," he replied, gesturing towards the staircase.
"Thank you," Ava said, her face lighting up with joy. She could no longer contain her excitement.
Ascending the stairs in a hurry, she found Beatrice seated at their usual table. At the sound of approaching footsteps, Beatrice looked up, freezing in place.
Time seemed to stand still.
"Bea," Ava whispered, afraid to shatter the delicate reality.
"Ava," Beatrice responded, and in that moment, Ava knew she had found the real Beatrice.
As Ava dashed toward her, throwing herself into Beatrice's arms, she could feel the stiffness in her body gradually melt away. Being in Beatrice's embrace once more was an indescribable comfort. Yet, Ava's heart felt constricted—it still didn't feel entirely right. She pulled back, gazing into Beatrice's eyes.
"Bea?"
"How did you get here?" Beatrice's face paled, her widened eyes fixed on Ava, her mouth slightly open.
"I've come back," Ava said, her happiness beginning to wane as anxiety took hold.
"But how? You died."
Now it was Ava's turn to be shocked.
"What? How?"
"You died, bringing Adriel down with you. You died. I buried you eight years ago."
"No," Ava couldn't bear any more of this. This had to be the correct reality. She was here, with Beatrice in the Alps.
A wave of nausea washed over Ava, her vision blurring. Beatrice helped her to a seat and offered a cup of water. As Ava took the first sip, her stomach rumbled audibly.
Beatrice excused herself briefly and returned with a sandwich and a soda in hand.
"Sorry, this is all I could manage. The kitchen is already closed. Can you wait here while I help Hans close up the bar?" she asked.
Ava nodded, unsure of how to respond, and within moments, she found herself alone.
Sitting with the sandwich in her hands, feeling the chill of the soda can, she listened to the distant conversation between Beatrice and Hans. Lost in her thoughts, she stared into nothingness, unaware of the passing time.
Reya had told her that she couldn't enter realities where she had previously died, so how could she come here? Perhaps the halo could break that rule. Maybe Reya wasn't as knowledgeable as they had assumed before. Either way, it didn't seem promising for her to return home.
The unsettling realization began to sink in—she might never find her way back home. What was she supposed to do? Continually wander from one reality to another, never having a place to call her own? Maybe she should have heeded Reay's advice and stayed in her realm.
Fatigue washed over her. She had trained, fought, and learned. All she wanted now was to return home.
When Beatrice returned, she reached out, taking Ava's hand and squeezing it. As Ava glanced at Beatrice's finger, she noticed a small silver ring.
Her stomach twisted, the sandwich forgotten. It felt as if she might vomit.
"You're married," she stated, the words not forming a question.
Beatrice withdrew her hand, looking embarrassed. "It's been two years. One night, after I came back here, I ran into Lucia again, and we started talking. One thing led to another, and we've been together for five years now, married for two," she explained.
Ava let out a small, sad laugh. This wasn't her reality, and this wasn't her Beatrice once again.
But there was nothing she could do now. Exhaustion consumed her. Her body craved rest.
Beatrice offered to take her to her place. They walked in silence until they reached their destination. Without the rush, Ava could feel the biting cold of the weather.
Lucia greeted them with a smile, but it faded as soon as she noticed Ava. Ava's heart tightened as she observed Beatrice and Lucia standing too close while Beatrice spoke to Lucia in hushed tones, beyond Ava's hearing.
Beatrice arranged some pillows on the couch, placing a folded blanket beside them. She bid Ava a quiet good night before disappearing through the door. Ava stared at the sliver of light peeking through the crack behind the door, hearing no voices.
As the light extinguished, she lay down on the couch, pulling the blanket over herself. Exhaustion weighed heavily upon her.
Beatrice hadn't waited for her, but how could she? In this world, Ava had died. Beatrice had mourned her and moved on. That's what Ava wanted, right? For Beatrice to live her life.
Ava wondered if her Beatrice had moved on as well. Had she waited for Ava? How long had she waited?
Unaware of when she slipped into slumber, Ava abruptly awoke, feeling herself being dragged away. This time, the force was stronger. It wasn't just her mind being pulled; her entire body was being yanked away from this dimension. When Beatrice woke up the next morning, there would be no trace that Ava had ever been there.
[...]
The fourth time Ava awoke in their small flat, but it was no ordinary flat; it was the one she and Beatrice shared.
Even in the dim light, she recognized this place. The sun was setting, casting a gentle glow through the windows. It seemed to be evening.
Ava was grateful for the chance to eat and rest in her previous stop. The constant dimensional jumps had taken a toll on her. She could still feel the hum of the halo on her back.
Walking through the flat, she observed the remnants of their life together.
Portraits adorned the walls and the furniture, capturing moments of Beatrice's life, both with her sisters and alone. As the photos progressed, Ava noticed Beatrice's age subtly etched into her face, and the frequency of her sisters' presence decreased.
Just as Ava absorbed the atmosphere, she heard the door unlock, and it swung open.
Beatrice stood there, but she appeared different from Ava's memories.
Lines of expression marked Beatrice's face, and her once-black hair had turned gray. Yet, she still held the same essence.
Beatrice let her bags fall to the floor and hurried toward Ava, enveloping her in an embrace. It was the first time Beatrice had reached out for her, and it felt good. Ava accepted the hug, resting her head on Beatrice's shoulder.
"I knew you would come back to me. Everyone said you wouldn't, that it had been too long, but I always believed you would come back," Beatrice whispered, her words carrying the weight of their shared history.
Ava felt the gravity of those words. How many years had Beatrice waited? How long had she remained here, hoping for Ava's reappearance?
Beatrice was eager to hear about Ava's experiences, her training, and everything she had been through. In turn, Ava inquired about Beatrice's journey during their separation.
However, despite their conversation, Ava couldn't shake the persistent hum of the halo on her back. Something felt off, like a piece of the puzzle was missing, yet she couldn't pinpoint what it was.
It was as if this reality was almost right, but not quite.
After hours of sharing and exchanging stories, exhaustion settled upon Ava. She had barely slept in recent days. Beatrice insisted that Ava take the bed, but she declined, opting for the couch instead.
Sleep eluded her, the persistent hum of the halo keeping her awake. She shifted positions to find comfort, but without success. Eventually, she succumbed to sleep, though it was far from restful.
A jolt awakened her, the halo pushing against her. This time, Ava resisted. She grounded herself in the present, focusing on the tangible. She thought of Beatrice, who had waited faithfully. She needed to remain here.
Perspiration covered her skin, and her breath came in ragged gasps. It felt as if she had fought a physical battle, though it was against the halo itself.
In the midst of the night, her body exhausted, yet her mind restless, Ava realized that this wasn't her reality. The Beatrice sleeping in the adjacent room, the one she had shared heartfelt conversations with, wasn't her Beatrice.
This Beatrice had never crossed paths with Ava again. This Ava hadn't returned, for reasons unknown. She couldn't judge her alternate self; she understood the struggle of returning to one's own reality. Still, her heart ached for the Beatrice who had waited so patiently.
Thoughts of her Beatrice lingered. Was she still waiting? Had she moved forward, finding solace with someone else? How much time had passed? Reya's realm and her interdimensional travels blurred the concept of time further. Was it linear?
A pang of longing tugged at Ava's heart, the notion that her Beatrice might still be waiting. Yet, she couldn't abandon this Beatrice, who had waited diligently.
She couldn't reduce this to just one night. She had to stay, at least for a while.
The hum of the halo intensified as days passed. At times, Ava felt disconnected from this reality, as if observing it through a haze.
Aware that her time here was limited, on the sixth day in this dimension, Ava resolved to discuss it with Beatrice.
Love for Beatrice transcended realities. She would always cherish her, irrespective of the world they inhabited. Ava couldn't let Beatrice feel the absence, especially after enduring years of waiting.
She knew she couldn't solve everything, but she would try to make the transition as painless as possible.
"Bea," Ava called, entering Beatrice's room where she was reading.
"Yes?" Beatrice replied, raising her gaze. Ava couldn't help but notice Beatrice's reading glasses. Would her Beatrice wear them in the future?
Taking a seat on the edge of Beatrice's bed, Ava reached out for her hand. When she first beheld this Beatrice, shock had coursed through her. She had never envisioned how Beatrice would age, yet she remained undeniably beautiful. Ava longed to grow old alongside her.
"I shared the stories of my dimensional travels to reach you," Ava began, observing Beatrice purse her lips, a crease forming on her forehead.
"But the truth is, I don't think this is my reality yet. The halo keeps pulling at me. This isn't where I'm meant to be."
Beatrice lowered her head, her hand squeezing Ava's in understanding.
"I've felt it too," Beatrice confessed. "Having you here has been wonderful, but it feels like you're not entirely present. Like you're a mirage that could vanish at any moment. I'll reach out to touch you, and my hand will pass through."
"I'm sorry," Ava murmured, her voice quivering.
"Don't apologize," Beatrice replied, releasing one hand to cup Ava's cheek, gently wiping away tears.
"You've done more than enough for me. These days with you have been precious, even if you're not my Ava."
"I'm certain that I love you in every reality where I've encountered you," Ava's voice wavered as tears streamed down her face. "I know your Ava must have had a reason for not returning to you."
At this point, tears welled in Beatrice's eyes too. They held each other, seeking solace until night's embrace enveloped them.
"Ava," Beatrice whispered, as Ava rose to retreat to the couch.
"I know I shouldn't ask for more. You've already given so much, but... could you stay with me tonight?"
Beatrice's hopeful, gleaming eyes met Ava's gaze. She couldn't deny her that request. It might be the last time this Beatrice would have Ava by her side, whichever Ava might be.
So Ava settled onto the bed, allowing Beatrice to rest her head against her chest, running her fingers through her hair until sleep claimed them.
When the halo tugged again, Ava didn't resist. She pressed a tender kiss to Beatrice's forehead, whispering, "I'll find you in the next life."
Ava closed her eyes, surrendering herself to be pulled away.
[...]
Ava saw herself standing outside Cat's Cradle. She stood there, trying to comprehend this reality. She spotted Beatrice walking out, wearing a black shirt and carrying a bag in her hand. Beatrice's initial expression was one of shock, quickly replaced by soft eyes and the most beautiful smile Ava had ever seen.
When their eyes met, Ava knew deep in her heart that this was where she belonged.
She was finally back home.oft eyes and the most beautiful smile Ava had ever seen.
When their eyes met, Ava knew deep in her heart that this was where she belonged.
She was finally back home.