Epilogue
Basuin bounds into the ocean, cool water splashing against his legs as he turns back to smile at Ren. “C’mon,” he says, reaching out a hand to her. “I’ve got you.” Beyond the rolling waves, he can hear Yaelic chasing Qia back toward Gyeosi after he shooed them off to go play with Haaman.
Ren shifts from foot to foot on the pebbled sand, eyes glancing between him and the water. “I trust you,” she says.
“It doesn’t seem like it.”
“I trust you!” she repeats herself, louder. “I’m just…”
A breeze blows through the shore, whipping through her hair as much as it musses his.
The sun is hot on his bare shoulders, a quick contrast to the cold waters climbing up his legs.
Ren is beautiful, even with that look of apprehension she wears.
It mars her lips, turns them downward in a frown. He considers kissing it away.
“You don’t need to fear anything,” he tells her. “I’m right here. And I’ll always protect you.”
That brings a smile back to her face and a little light to her eyes. Ren slowly moves toward the water and he strides forward to take her hand. She grips it tight, like a lifeline, teeth biting into her lip in fear.
“Be still,” he says. “Just wait.”
Then, the water rushes up the shore and rolls over their feet. Ren flinches at first, but it draws a laugh from her as the foam bubbles against her skin.
“It’s cold!” she cries, nose scrunched in the way he loves so dearly.
But Ren lets Basuin guide her further into the water, one tiny step at a time, until the water meets her knees. Then, a little further, not far out enough for the waves to crash into her but he blocks her with his body anyway.
“You did it.” Basuin smiles down at her, all fondness and all heart racing because even after all this time, his heart goes off like a wild horse when he’s near her.
“I’m scared,” she admits, squeezing his hands to keep her balance. “The waves might drag me away.”
“Not with me.” Basuin wraps an arm around her and kisses the top of her head. “I’ve got you, Ren.”
Basuin looks out beyond the water, into the horizon where he came from by ship. There’s nothing out there anymore. And no one will come either—he’ll make sure of it. But there’s a certain tug on his heart he feels when he looks out there, where it all began and where it all ended.
“Thank you,” he says, to no one in particular but Ithika. “Be well.”