With all the procrastination, the dig in Cairo ends up only being a week away. Cleo will have to upend her life, and leave London behind to embark on a journey back to her homeland with her puzzle pieces. The journey between her flat and the shared one belonging to Steven and Marc gets a little tiresome, and brings up the idea of genuinely moving in together. Though it sits in the back of Cleo's mind, for she is quite preoccupied.

Throughout their relationship, Cleo has been the grounded one. She has been the one to offer support with a kind head on her shoulders, but as of late, her head is the one going off into space.

Whether it be previous trauma resurfacing or grappling with her newfound powers, Cleo's mind is fractured. It exists only to torment her at times, and remind her of all the darkness that exists within the world. She finds some comfort with her boys and with Ana, but it's only a bandaid being placed over a bullet wound.

As the days draw closer to their departure for Cairo, Cleo, Marc, and Steven find themselves engrossed in the task of packing their bags. The flat is filled with a mix of anticipation and bittersweet nostalgia as they prepare to leave London behind. Cleo's mind, burdened by a mixture of emotions, struggles to find solace amidst the chaos. And as they sort through their belongings, Cleo discovers an old photo album tucked away in a forgotten corner of her closet. Curiosity piqued, she opens it, revealing a collection of cherished memories captured in faded photographs. The weight of impending danger momentarily fades into the background as she delves into the memories preserved in those faded photographs.

It isn't until she comes across a family photo, one that contains herself sitting between her mother and father does her smile slowly fade away till it's nonexistent. Her fingers trace the contours of the photograph, her touch gentle as she caresses the faded faces frozen in time. Cleo vividly remembers the photo being taken. She was forced to put down her tarot cards and join her parents to have a photo taken, which they left as soon as the flash went off. Cleo was left all by herself, a young girl no older than 9. She remembers the tears that stung her eyes that day, for they're the same tears stinging her eyes now.

Part of Cleo never wants to forgive her parents for the emotional torment and neglect they put her through, and the other part longs for her parents. Two varying sides of the same coin.

Part of her wishes she never listened to her mother that day in Cairo, and that same part can't help but miss the warmth that came from her mother's embrace after decades of cold.

Lost in her thoughts, Cleo is momentarily unaware of Steven's presence beside her. He watches her silently, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and love. Sensing her turmoil, he musters the courage to reach out, his hand gently resting on her shoulder. His touch, as tender as a whisper, sends a shiver down her spine, grounding her in the present moment.

"Are you okay?" Steven's voice, a gentle melody, breaks the silence, laced with genuine concern.

Cleo turns to face him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, her vulnerability laid bare. Understanding flickers in Steven's eyes, a reflection of the love and empathy he holds for her. He pulls her into a warm embrace, his arms enveloping her in a cocoon of safety and comfort. In that moment, the turmoil within her finds a temporary respite, replaced by the gentle rhythm of their shared heartbeat.

Cleo's tears spill forth, a release of pent-up emotions that have plagued her for far too long. She clings to him, finding solace in his unwavering presence, in the unspoken promise of unconditional love. In this embrace, the walls she has built around her heart begin to crumble, brick by brick, making room for healing and growth.

In the midst of their embrace, Steven feels a flicker of inspiration ignites within him—a glimmer of hope to lift Cleo's spirits. With a gentle smile, he pulls away slightly, keeping his hands on her shoulders, his eyes locked with hers.

"Love," He starts, "I have an idea."

Curiosity sparks in Cleo's eyes, a flicker of intrigue mingling with her lingering sadness. She leans in closer, silently urging him to continue.

"What are you thinking, Steven?" She asks.

His cheeks heat up and paint themselves pink. He's temporarily unable to meet her gaze, and so mutters his words with his head tilted down.

" Dance with me."

Cleo's eyes widen with surprise, a mixture of laughter and disbelief bubbling up within her.

"Are you serious?"

Steve's face heats up even more, feeling entirely embarrassed for even suggesting such a thing, which pulls on Cleo's heartstrings as she gently cups his face in her hands and forces him to look up and meet her gaze.

" I would love to."

Steven smiles madly as his eyes light up. Cleo then takes his hand, allowing herself to be led into the center of the room. The air becomes charged with anticipation as a soft melody fills the space, a melodic dance echoing through the corridors of their shared existence. They sway in rhythm, their bodies gracefully moving together, each step a testament to their connection. As they twirl, laughter spills from Cleo's lips, lifting the weight that has burdened her soul. In this moment, the darkness retreats, replaced by the radiant light of joy and possibility. With every turn, every dip and rise, Cleo feels the burdens of the past slipping away. The music envelops them, caressing their beings, and igniting a renewed sense of hope within their intertwined spirits. In this shared dance, they find solace, healing, and a renewed strength to face the trials that await. Their steps become lighter, their movements filled with grace and abandon. In this whimsical dance, time ceases to exist, and the world outside their embrace fades into insignificance. There is only Cleo and Steven, two souls connected by love and the shared desire to weave a tapestry of happiness amidst the shadows.

As the music draws to a close, they come to a gentle stop, their breaths intermingling, their eyes locked with unwavering devotion. Cleo's face, once marred by traces of sorrow, now radiates with a newfound serenity, a spark of light born from the depths of their shared dance.

They stand there for a moment, their hands still intertwined, their hearts beating in sync. In the tranquility of the room, a newfound sense of peace settles upon them, like a gentle breeze carrying away the remnants of their worries. The weight of the world feels lighter, and in this shared moment, Cleo realizes the power of their connection—the unwavering support and love that Steven brings to her life.

" Someone's here."

But Steven pays no attention to the man that exists inside his head.

" Steven? Did you hear me?"

The Britt attempts to drown out the noise by continuing to look his Cleo in the eyes, but she's anything if not aware.

" What's Marc saying?" She ponders as her eyes flicker and examine his.

" He thinks someone's here," Steven mumbles.

Once her attention is brought to it, Cleo then realizes that Marc may be right. Since their visit from the stranger, the air hasn't felt quite right. Their bodies always feel on edge, as if being watched. As if a dark cloud looms over their flat.

But Cleo wants to pretend like it doesn't exist, or at least prolong thinking about it for a while. And so, she resumes her place on her piano bench whilst Steven is still packing downstairs in his flat, and places her fingers along the cool keys, where she begins to play a song.

Steven's ears perk up as they fill with a heavenly sound, his head tilting up as he smiles and revels in the noise. It brings a warm and fuzzy feeling to the body as he remembers all those nights he fell asleep to her music and all those times she brought him calm just from the piano. She's truly gifted in her craft, and even brings Marc a sense of peace as he sits in the back of the mind, unable to control the shared body, but still able to feel everything.

As the song reaches its crescendo, Cleo closes her eyes, surrendering herself to the music. Every ounce of pain, doubt, and fear is channeled into the keys, transformed into a cathartic release. The room becomes a sanctuary of healing, the melodies washing over them like a gentle rain, cleansing their souls.

The song comes to a close, and Steven's eyes are closed as well. They slowly peel open as he takes a breath of fresh air. His peace certainly lasts longer than Marc's, who's already on high alert, appearing in the mirror as Steven bends down to pick up a box. Inside of it lay the little figurine he got for Cleo from the museum... when he used to work there. It gives him a slight smile as he carefully holds it, for it brings him memories of a truly strange time when he had just learned about his default servitude to the Egyptian God of the Moon, which has fortunately expired.

Steven decides to bring the doll upstairs to Cleo, where he's greeted by Ana hissing as he enters the threshold. No matter how many times they see each other or how many treats Steven buys her, Ana never likes him nor Marc.

The Brit makes sure to knock on the door to Cleo's music room before he enters, as though not to disturb her.

" Got something for you," He utters with a gentle smile as he hands her the doll, " Do you like it? I-I got it from the museum. You know... when I used to work there."

" I love it," Cleo chuckles as she holds the doll and examines it.

The intricate details of the figurine captivate Cleo's attention. She runs her fingers delicately over the smooth surface, tracing the etchings that depict ancient Egyptian symbols and mythology. A sense of wonder fills her, appreciating the connection between her past and the rich history of her homeland.

"Thank you, Steven," She whispers, her voice filled with genuine gratitude, " It's beautiful."

Steven's eyes light up at her response, a sense of contentment washing over him. He takes a step closer, his gaze fixed on Cleo's radiant face. In that moment, he sees the weight of the world momentarily lift from her shoulders, replaced by a spark of joy. His heart swells with affection, and he reaches out to gently brush a strand of hair behind her ear.

Cleo's eyes meet his, a mixture of vulnerability and gratitude shining within them. She feels the warmth of his touch, the sincerity in his words, and the depth of his love. In that moment, she realizes that, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, she is not alone. Steven's smile deepens, his heart overflowing with love for the remarkable woman before him. He leans in, his lips gently brushing against hers in a tender kiss, a silent affirmation of their connection. In that fleeting moment, everything else fades away—the doubts, the fears, the looming shadows. All that exists is the profound bond they share, their souls intertwined in a dance of love and resilience.

They pull away from the kiss just the slightest, then lean toward one another and rest their foreheads together. Their eyes are still shut, but their hearts are wide open. They share the moment together, unspoken and unbroken, synching their breathing and soothing the racing thoughts that dwell between them both.

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[ y'all got any feedback? 😅 ]