Ivan and Lydia were still hugging. Their breaths were unsteady, their arms locked around each other like they were afraid to let go. After a long moment, Ivan gently pulled back just enough to look at her face. He wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumb, and she did the same for him.
"I was scared," he whispered. "I thought I wouldn't see you again."
Lydia nodded, her voice shaking. "Me too."
They hugged again, tighter this time. Like they were trying to put each other's hearts back together. Like something had shattered and this was the only way to keep the pieces from falling apart.
Neither spoke for a while. Their silence was heavy but comforting. Their fingers clung to each other's clothes like children afraid of being left behind. Ivan's cheek rested against her head, his hand brushing soothingly over her back, and Lydia's eyes closed, trying to memorize the sound of his heartbeat. That steady, quiet rhythm. That was home now.
A soft knock came on the door.
