The hospital room was quiet, save for the steady beeping of machines and the faint patter of rain against the windows. Regina stood by the window, arms wrapped tightly around herself, like she could physically hold everything together.
Connor leaned against the wall, hands jammed in his jacket pockets, silent.
Finally, Regina turned.
"I time-traveled for you," she said, voice trembling. "Twice. You know that?"
Connor's eyes widened. He pushed off the wall, eyes locked on hers. "What?"
"I don't even know how it works. Just that it happens when I listen to certain songs and… feel too much." She gave a short, bitter laugh. "You. I always feel too much around you."
He crossed the room in three strides, took her face in his hands.
Then he kissed her. Not like someone claiming, or apologizing, or even hoping.
Like someone remembering how to breathe.
The door creaked.
Julian.
Bandaged, pale, confused—until his eyes landed on them.
Regina pulled away too late. Julian staggered back, nearly losing balance.
"J—" she started.
He raised a hand. "No. Don't."
His voice was cracked open, hollow. Then, in one swift movement, he walked to Connor and slapped him across the face with everything he had left.
"You damn werewolf," Julian spat. "Can't you leave human love stories alone?"
Regina stepped forward. "I'm sorry."
He turned to her. "So that's it? After everything?"
Tears filled her eyes. "I wish I could say it's not about love. That it's about fate, or timing, or the full moon. But it's just… it's always been him."
Julian looked at her for a long moment. Then he nodded, the saddest smile ghosting his lips.
"I always knew," he whispered. "I just hoped you didn't."
He walked past them, slow and quiet.
Murmured one last thing before disappearing down the corridor:
"The one who isn't loved… is the true outsider."
The door shut.
And Regina stood there, chest heavy, heart finally spoken for.