INVISIBLE STRINGS ~ Scoups [C]

🎀 epilogue

Months had passed since the summer camp, and life had taken Y/N and Scoups on different paths. University classes, part-time jobs and new responsibilities filled their days, but the bond they rekindled remained strong.

One crisp autumn afternoon, Y/N sat in a quaint café near campus, her fingers wrapped around a warm cup of tea. The door chimed, and she looked up to see Scoups entering, a familiar smile spreading across his face as he spotted her.

"Hey" he greeted, taking the seat across from her.

"Hey yourself" she replied, a playful glint in her eyes.

They chatted about their days, shared stories about new friends, and laughed over shared memories. The ease between them was palpable, a testament to the growth and understanding they had achieved together.

As the conversation lulled, Y/N absentmindedly spun her cup between her hands before suddenly saying, "Let's make a deal."

Scoups raised an eyebrow. "A deal?"

She nodded, leaning slightly forward. "If, in the next two days, we bump into each other again—completely by chance—we start over. No more what-ifs, no more waiting."

Scoups blinked, taking a moment to process her words before a slow smirk curved his lips. "Two days?"

"Two days" Y/N confirmed, trying to keep her tone casual, but her heart was racing.

His gaze softened. "And if we don’t?"

She hesitated, then shrugged. "Then maybe it wasn’t meant to be."

Scoups exhaled through his nose, amused yet thoughtful. "Alright. Two days."

They clinked their cups together in an unspoken agreement before parting ways, neither voicing the hope that lingered between them.

DAY ONE

Y/N found herself unconsciously glancing around campus, at the library, in the cafeteria, even during her evening walk home. But no sign of him.

Scoups, on the other hand, wasn’t actively searching—but his heart skipped a beat every time he thought he might catch a glimpse of her.

DAY TWO

Y/N sighed, shoving her hands into her coat pockets as she walked down a familiar street. Maybe this was stupid. Maybe she had been reaching for something that wasn’t meant to be.

And then—

"Y/N!"

Her head snapped up at the familiar voice.

There he was, across the street, looking just as surprised as she felt. They both stood frozen for a moment, processing the sheer improbability of it all, before Scoups broke into a grin and jogged toward her.

Y/N bit her lip, trying to suppress a smile. "Guess fate really wants us together, huh?"

Scoups stopped in front of her, slightly out of breath. "Guess so." Then, with a teasing tilt of his head, he added, "So… does this mean we’re dating now?"

Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the warmth in her expression. "A deal’s a deal, isn’t it?"

He laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're unbelievable."

"You're persistent" she countered, nudging his arm.

Scoups grinned, reaching for her hand. "Only when it comes to you."

As the conversation lulled, Scoups reached into his bag and pulled out a small, wrapped package.

"What's this?" Y/N asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Just a little something," he said, sliding it over to her.

Curious, she unwrapped it to find a delicate bracelet with a single charm—a tiny compass.

"A compass?" she questioned, looking up at him.

He nodded. "To remind you that no matter where life takes us, we'll always find our way back to each other."

Y/N felt a warmth spread through her chest. "

Scoups chuckled. "Take good care of it."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the world outside bustling with activity, but inside, it was just the two of them.

Then, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, Y/N leaned forward. "Waitt? be honest... you didn't secretly follow me around, did you? Just to make sure we bumped into each other?"

Scoups gasped in mock offense. "What? You think I'd cheat our deal?"

Y/N narrowed her eyes playfully. "Hmm… suspicious."

He smirked, taking a sip of his drink. "I’ll have you know I was just as surprised as you were. But if I had known where you’d be, I wouldn't have left it up to fate."

Y/N rolled her eyes, laughing. "Unbelievable."

Scoups grinned, reaching for her hand. "You love it."

She didn't deny it.

"Here's to new beginnings" Y/N said, raising her cup.

"And to the invisible strings that tie us together" Scoups added, clinking his cup against hers.

As they sipped their drinks, both knew that while the future was uncertain, they were ready to face it together, their bond stronger than ever.