Lewis said his goodbye to the guide once more, and as she fell, he caught her. The resonance sparked to life, and Lewis felt his connection with Simone solidify. They were one again. It was a feeling that he was surprised to find comforting. It was sorely missed, and he felt more at ease than ever. When she kissed him, it was almost like the first time again, and he felt a heightened awareness of their closeness.

“I missed you,” he said as he pulled her in for a second kiss. When they broke apart, Lewis was panting, breathless. “Sorry…I just…” His face flushed. “I really missed you.” It was really that simple, and he couldn’t think of anything else to say. Despite their renewed resonance, though, Lewis was feeling a bit woozy himself. Perhaps it was the sudden linking, or perhaps the exhaustion of the past three days of worry combined with keeping up with the guide…or perhaps he was finally able to fully relax with Simone back to normal. Regardless of the reason, Lewis felt himself going in and out of consciousness.

“I think…” Simone steadied him as he started to sway. “I think it’s….time…we went…” He closed his eyes, and started to drift off while still being supported by Simone.

Simone was smiling up at him as they kissed. It worried her how breathless he was but once he told her he missed her she let her face flush as well. “I missed you too and I didn’t want to worry you.” She caught him easily enough and got some help taking him upstairs. The staff was glad she was back to herself and she apologized for the guide. They didn’t overall seem to mind her she was just new to them which she understood quite well.

Once they were upstairs she got him changed and changed herself. Tucking him into bed she braided her hair before climbing in after blowing out the candles in the room. Simone wasn’t tired though as she pulled him close and laid him in her chest. Her back was against the headboard of the bed as she sang a soft low tune. Her fingers gently ran through his hair. She had the time and it wasn’t like she needed to sleep any time soon.

She only fell asleep once she ran out of songs to sing and stayed put where she was. Her fingers still idly playing with his hair. In the morning she kissed the top of his head when she felt his stir and she pulled the blankets up a bit more. “Stay awhile. You were exhausted~ Things around the castle can wait today.”

For most of the morning they lazed about, Lewis taking his time to enjoy having his Simone back. When they finally did descend into the dining hall, Lewis and Simone finally had an opportunity to discuss the time he had shared with the Guide. It started out slightly awkward, and Lewis didn’t really know how to bring it up, but Simone had to have known it was coming from the resonance.

“So…” Lewis said, unsure of what to really say. “Guide wants a date…” Direct as usual. It was easiest that way, and while it may have lacked tact in most situations, Simone had grown accustomed to it from Lewis, and knew how to navigate his abrupt communication method. Still, even for him this was rather…blunt.

“We did a lot of things, but mostly it was just her exploring the castle and the shore next to the pier. She was…happy…” Lewis said. “Will she be back sometime? It was…different. It was you…but not you…” He was struggling to explain it.

Simone was taken back a bit and she started to chuckle, “I can let her out more if that’s what you want. All you have to do is tell me.”

As for the other thing she was quiet for a moment and gave him a smile, “Lewis, she is me. She is a part of me. I don’t care what you do with her. After all, it was the Guide who fell in love with you first. She is the one who made the younger Simone love you and in turn, show me. It was the Guide who influenced all of this to happen,” she motioned to the castle.

“It is perfectly fine if you want to spend time with her. I encourage it since it is different from me. I technically owe her everything we have even if she doesn’t realize it.” Simone reached over and took his hand. “Besides I don’t get to have a monopoly over you. You are free to do as you wish. Besides, I think a part of you missed and loved her too.”

Lewis was a little surprised at her answer, but from a logical perspective it made complete sense. He smiled at her. “I love you for all of you…including the guide and your other self. I could never not love you all…you’re Simone.” Despite his overcomplication of the whole thought process before, it really did just boil down to the fact that Simone was Simone in his mind, no matter which one she was at the time. They were all her, different aspects of her that presented themselves different. The innocent Guide, the naive but wholesome younger self, and the mature and loving form that was here with him today.

“You’re amazing, you know?” he said. “In a single sentence you managed to clear up a problem I’ve been confused about for the past two days. You’re really something else…” He stood up and walked over to her, kissing her on the cheek. “Then let her know it’s a date.”