You're not leaving this time.

“Got it. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Connor’s voice was heavy. Ian noticed, of course, but he chose not to point it out.

He silently turned to look out the window, remaining quiet for a long time until they arrived back at Calyx Hall.

Ian Sterling stood at the entrance, turning to wave at Connor. “Goodbye, Connor.”

“Goodbye, Finn.”

Watching Ian walk into the house, Connor couldn’t hold it in any longer. The moment he was back in his car, he broke down completely, sobbing aloud.

He knew this was the last time they’d see each other. Or rather, everyone knew.

Their Finn loved too deeply. They couldn’t stand in his way, couldn’t selfishly condemn him to a lifetime of suffering.

They didn’t even know if what Jared Sterling had said about “returning to one’s original place” was even true…

Ian pushed open the door to the house and stood in the foyer. Everything was silent. He could hear nothing but the sound of his own breath.

“Babe, what took you so long?”

He snapped his head up. His vision was dim, with only a faint light shining from the top of the stairs. The person he longed for was standing there, arms crossed, her brow furrowed as she questioned him in a soft, chiding tone.

Ian slowly started up the stairs. “But you’re…” he asked in disbelief.

“What about me? Don’t change the subject. I waited for you all night. Why are you just getting back now?”

Lynn came down to stand one step above him. “And what was that message about?” she said, displeased. “You ran out after I fell asleep, then tried to explain it to me later. What good does that do?”

Ian suddenly pulled her into a fierce embrace, pressing his ear against her chest. He listened to the steady thump, thump of her heart and began to weep with joy. “Babe… Babe, I missed you so much. You’re back. You’re finally back.”

“Oh, you’re crying again? I called you a crybaby, and you really are one.” Lynn patted Ian’s back with pitying affection. She was smiling as she said, “Stop crying, or your eyes will get all puffy.”

Ian choked back a sob and wiped his tears away, staring at the Lynn before him as if trying to confirm she was real.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Lynn asked, amused.

“Are you really back?” Ian murmured, raising a hand to trace Lynn’s features. “This isn’t a dream, is it?” he asked softly.

“It’s real.” Lynn took his hand in hers and pressed a kiss to his palm. Her lips were warm. The moment Ian felt her warmth, he burst into tears again.

He clung to Lynn tightly. “I was going crazy. I felt like I was dying from the pain, you know? These past three days… I thought I was going to die.”

He was crying like a child. Lynn’s own eyes reddened and grew moist. She hugged him back, her voice thick with emotion as she comforted him, “Don’t cry. I’m back with you now, aren’t I? Don’t cry.”

His crying gradually subsided in Lynn’s arms, but he still refused to let her go. It took a good deal of coaxing from Lynn before he finally agreed to just hold her hand instead.

She led him to the living room, and they sat on the sofa. Ian’s arms immediately wrapped around her again, and this time, no amount of pleading or coaxing could make him let go.

“I’m not going to disappear. Don’t be afraid.”

Ian shook his head, burying his face in the crook of Lynn’s neck. The tears he’d just managed to stop began to fall again. “I’m so scared,” he said, his voice full of pain. “Pinch me, will you? I’m afraid this is a dream.”

Lynn sighed and gave him a sharp pinch. He hissed. “Now do you know it’s not a dream?” she asked with a small laugh.

“Still scared,” Ian said, lifting his head to capture her lips with his. Only when he felt the solid, real press of her mouth against his did some of his anxiety subside.

He released her lips and frantically started looking for his phone. “I have to tell my parents,” he said, patting his pockets. “I have to tell them you’re not dead.”

Lynn stopped him. “Wait until tomorrow,” she persuaded gently. “You don’t want to disturb their rest.”

Ian looked up at her and nodded obediently.

Lynn held his hand, and they walked slowly upstairs together. Instead of going to the bedroom, they went to the balcony off the second-floor living area. They didn’t turn on any lights. Starlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the room with a dim glow, but it was enough to see each other.

They sat on the balcony sofa, Lynn nestled in Ian’s arms, quietly gazing out at the view.

Ian held her, his lips pressed to the crown of her head. “What’s really going on?” he asked.

But Lynn didn’t explain. “I don’t know either,” she said. “All I remember is falling asleep, and when I woke up, I was back here.”

Ian hummed in response, his arms tightening around her.

“Did anything happen after that?”

“Not much. Jared Sterling was arrested. He said there was never any machine. The reason you… It was because he’d been secretly putting poison in your water.”

“No wonder. Heaven must have taken pity on you and let me come back.” Lynn caressed his face, her lips curving into a smile even as tears rolled down her cheeks. “How did you get so thin?” she chided. “It’s only been three days.”

Ian laughed through his tears. “Now that you’re back, I promise I’ll eat properly.”

Lynn shot him a glare. Unable to sit still, she pulled him up and led him downstairs. “I learned how to make noodles from Mrs. Sterling,” she said as they went. “I’ll make you some. You haven’t eaten in ages, have you?”

Ian’s eyes never left her. He gave a muffled “mm-hmm,” which only earned him another glare from Lynn.

They entered the kitchen together. Ian went to turn on the light, but Lynn stopped him. “It’ll ruin the mood,” she said. “Leave it off for now. I can see just fine.”

Ian’s hand froze in mid-air. The light in his eyes darkened, and then darkened again. Finally, his hand dropped heavily to his side. “Okay,” he replied meekly.

As if sensing his unease, Lynn turned and explained with a helpless shrug, “I just woke up. I’m not really a fan of bright lights right now.”

He accepted her explanation, smiling faintly as he stepped forward to wrap his arms around her waist. Together, they watched the noodles bubbling in the pot.

He hadn’t eaten in so long that the aroma made his stomach rumble loudly. Lynn turned to look at him, amused. Seeing his embarrassment, she teased, “See what happens when you don’t eat? I’m back now, so you starved yourself for nothing, didn’t you?”

Ian rubbed his nose and let out a small, disgruntled noise.

When the noodles were done, he took the initiative to ladle them into a bowl. They sat at the dining table, and he tried to feed Lynn a bite, but she just shook her head. “I just woke up. I’m not hungry yet.”

“Okay.” He lowered his head and ate the noodles slowly.

Lynn propped her chin on her hand, watching him. “You can’t be like this,” she said.

“Like what?” Ian looked up, confused.

“If I were really gone, you’d have to take care of yourself. You can’t just stop eating. You have to take care of your parents, and my grandfathers, too. You can’t only think about yourself.”

Ian’s face was already streaked with tears by the time he looked up.

Lynn moved to sit beside him, leaning her head on his shoulder. “You can’t go back to how you were after we broke up,” she said slowly. “Your parents would be heartbroken. And so would I.”

Ian didn’t answer. He just kept his head down, eating his noodles, listening to the sound of Lynn’s voice beside him.