#i've felt aglow like this never before and never since

[wewontbesleeping]

the eras tour was a living, breathing, masterpiece. it grew, it changed, it shifted, it moved, it was alive. we, the fans, took part in it and it shifted with us. not to mention the fact that taylor wrote and recorded an entire album while on the tour and then incorporated that album into said tour is nothing short of legendary. who's doing it like her? no-fucking-body.

[munchmemes]

taylor swift lyrics, the tortured poets department edition, part two

guilty as sin?

▸ my boredom's bone-deep. ▸ am i allowed to cry? ▸ i'm seeing visions, am i bad? or mad? or wise? ▸ one slip and i'm falling back into the hedge maze. ▸ oh, what a way to die. ▸ i keep recalling things we never did. ▸ how i long for our trysts. ▸ how can i be guilty as sin? ▸ i keep these longings locked inside a vault. ▸ someone told me there's no such things as bad thoughts, only your actions talk. ▸ they're gonna crucify me anway. ▸ what if they way you hold me is actually what's holy? ▸ i choose you and me religiously.

who's afraid of little old me?

▸ the "who's who?`" of "who's that?" is poised for the attack. ▸ you don't get to tell me about 'sad'. ▸ if you wanted me dead, you should've just said. nothing makes me feel more alive. ▸ who's afraid of little old me? you should be. ▸ the scandal was contained, the bullet had just grazed. ▸ at all costs, keep your good name. ▸ you don't get to tell me you feel bad. ▸ is it a wonder i broke? ▸ let's hear one more joke. then we could all just laugh until i cry. ▸ i was tame, i was gentle till the circus life made me mean. ▸ they say they didn't do it to hurt me but what if they did? ▸ i want to snarl and show you just how disturbed this has made me. ▸ you wouldn't last an hour in the asylum where they raised me. ▸ isn't that what they all said? that i'm fearsome and i'm wretched and i'm wrong. ▸ you lured me and you hurt me and you taught me. ▸ you caged me and then you called me crazy. ▸ i am what i am 'cause you trained me.

i can fix him (no really i can)

▸ the jokes that [you/they] told across the bar were revolting and far too loud. ▸ they shake their heads, saying "god help [them]" when i tell 'em you're the one. ▸ i can fix him, no really i can. and only i can. ▸ i could see it from a mile away. ▸ you had a halo of the highest grade, you just hadn't met met yet. ▸ come close, i'll show you heaven if you'll be an angel all night. ▸ trust me, i can handle me a dangerous [man/woman].

loml

▸ we were just kids, babe. ▸ i don't mind, it takes time. ▸ i thought i was better safe than starry-eyed. ▸ i felt aglow like this. never before and never since. ▸ you and i went from one kiss to getting married. ▸ you said i'm the love of your life about a million times. ▸ a conman sells a fool a get-love-quick scheme. ▸ i felt a hole like this never before and ever since. ▸ what we thought was for all time was momentary. ▸ i wish i could un-recall how we almost had it all. ▸ the coward claimed he was a lion. ▸ i'll still see it until i die. you're the loss of my life.

i can do it with a broken heart

▸ i can show you lies. ▸ i'm a real tough kid, i can handle my shit. ▸ they said 'you gotta fake it 'til you make it' and i did. ▸ you said you'd love me all your life but that life was too short. ▸ i can do it with a broken heart. ▸ i'm so depressed, i act like it's my birthday every day. ▸ i cry a lot but i am so productive, it's an art. ▸ you know you're good when you can even do it with a broken heart. ▸ i can hold my breath, i've been doing it since [you/they] left. ▸ i'm miserable and nobody even knows!

the smallest man who ever lived

▸ was any of it true? ▸ now you know what it feels like. ▸ i don't miss what we had. ▸ in public, you showed me off then sank in stoned oblivion. ▸ you didn't measure up in any measure of a man. ▸ were you sent by someone who wanted me dead? ▸ good riddance 'cause it wasn't sexy once it wasn't forbidden. ▸ i would've died for your sins. instead i just died inside. ▸ in plain sight you hid but you are what you did. ▸ i'll forget you but i'll never forgive.

the alchemy

▸ this happens once every few lifetimes. ▸ these chemicals hit me like white wine. ▸ what if i told you i'm back? ▸ the hospital was a drag. worst sleep i ever had. ▸ ditch the clowns, get the crown. ▸ what if i told you we're cool? ▸ honestly, who are we to fight the alchemy? ▸ where's the trophy?

clara bow

▸ all your life, did you know you'd be picked like a rose? ▸ i'm not trying to exaggerate but i think i might die. ▸ this town is fake but you're the real thing. ▸ take the glory, give everything. ▸ promise to be dazzling. ▸ you're the new god we're worshipping. ▸ beauty is a beast that roars down on all fours, demanding more. ▸ it's hell on earth to be heavenly. ▸ them's the breaks, they don't come gently.

[schrodingersgirlboss]

you taught me a secret language i can't speak with anyone else you painted all my nights a color i've searched for since show me that this world was bigger than us then sent me back where i came from i felt aglow like this never before and never since

[spectres-fulcrum]

loml hit me as a Lams song last night with the loss of Alex's life being the death of John. The coming back to each other, how often war forced them to be long distance.

"I thought I was better safe(Marrying Eliza) than starry eyed(Being just in love with Laurens with how risky it was back then. But he never felt quite like he did with him with her. "I felt aglow like this/never before and never since" and after the loss shut off some of his emotions.

"If you know it in one glimpse it's legendary...Still alive killing time at the cemetery/never quite buried" It was so quick, so deep, but it lingered, every separation they always came back to each other. Even after Alex fell for Eliza, their love were never quite buried. "You said I'm the love of your life/about a million times"

Verse 2 switches to John's pov after finding out Alex is getting married for love(Not just for protection) while he's a POW and it's not pretty. "Who's going to tell me the truth when you blew in with the winds of fate...When your impressionist paintings of heaven turned out to be fakes/and you took me to be hell too." There's a reason history doesn't grant us John's reaction to the wedding. "But I've felt a hole like this/never before and ever since." And yes I KNOW Laurens encouraged Hamilton finding a bride and them growing apart romantically but I don't think it was truly meant, I think it was reality in his eyes to protect them and it was done with agony. And he most certainly didn't mean find a girl you're in love with. And real life emotions are not logical.

"What a valiant roar/what a bland good-bye" They had said good-bye a hundred times, it was a normal thing. The valiant roars of war was mostly over. A hello was almost guaranteed. "I'm combing through the braids of lies/"I'll never leave", "Never mind."" It was him and John, until Alex got the letter that John was dead. And all their hopes and dreams for a future together-politics, law, building a new country- A braid of lies, nevermind. "Our field of dreams engulfed in fire/your arson's match, your somber eyes" The battlefields where they fought for their future now engulfed in the battle that took John from him. "And I'll still see it until I die/you're the loss of my life"

And then Hamilton throws himself into work to ignore the pain in I Can Do It With a Broken Heart and breaks Eliza's heart in The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived. I could see Lams in Guilty As Sin. And/or Washette. Same with Down Bad. I kinda wanna do a full album listen through or 2 with the Hamilton crew on my mind.

[mistressoftheelderitchwhorehouse]

Coming Home and Being Home

A/N: It's technically fluff. Technically. Angst if you tilt your head.

_____________________________

God when was the last time he got a shower? Chuuya shut his eyes as cold water cascaded on his head, down his back, and onto the tile below. The white was still stained red, nothing a bit of elbow grease and patience couldn't fix. He was just glad the blood hadn't gotten all over his wood floors. That would be harder to get out, and then he'd have to explain the stains to his wife.

He could just see her now. Eyes narrowed, hands on her hips, and teeth worrying her bottom lip like it was her job.

He shut off the water, and went over to the rack, grabbing a towel and drying himself off, before wrapping the towel around his hips. Next came his hair, and he looked through the longer strands in front of the mirror, ready to grab more wash to clean any unwanted blood that may have been left behind.

His grumbling came to a stop when he heard the click of the bedroom door. He reached for his gun from the mirror shelf, only to halt when he heard his wife's excited squeal.

"Chuuya, baby you're home?"

"Yeah, gimme a sec."

She probably found his gun holster. He'd tossed it off when he'd come inside, one of the straps broken and needing repair. Honestly, it was the only thing other than the shower that indicated he was in the apartment at all.

When he went into the bedroom, there she sat cross legged on the bed. She had already changed into a pajama top, and had poured two glasses of wine. One was held in her hand, and another sat on the bedside table.

She looked like a goddess.

Dark curls poised like a cloud, the wine looking like gold in her hands, her dark skin aglow with the moonlight pouring in through the open window.

The most welcome sight after nearly two straight days on the street.

"Welcome home!"

"My girl and wine? Isn't that crazy."

He discarded the towel and put on a comfortable pair of night pants, before crawling into the bed beside her. She held out the glass of wine, and he gently took it as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. The way her body relaxed and the soft sigh she gave made his heart warm.

"Missed you." Her words were soft and warm. "Been a minute since I've seen you."

"Too long."

She reached for her own glass, and he looked her over with a more discerning eye now. Her movements were the same as always, her body unscathed, her movements gentle and unhurried. As she chattered about this or that he couldn't hear any underlying-

"Baby?"

"Hm?" He snapped out of his thoughts, and felt just a pinprick of guilt for the road his mind had gone... or perhaps never left.

His wife studied him a long moment, before she set her half full glass aside, she never finished a glass of wine in her life but he was too tired to tease her on it, before she leaned over and kissed him.

It was soft, almost chaste, and helped pull him further from the foggy streets and cold docks of the port.

When she pulled back, she did so with the wine glass in hand, and it too was returned to the table.

When she turned back around once again, she shifted herself from the odd seating position to climb under the blankets with him, and in one swift movement, she pulled him down beside her.

He snorted out a laugh and untangled his limbs from hers. "Need to cut you off."

"Me? Sir, I'm surprised you're still sober." She rolled away from him, leaving space between their bodies. "Well, it's better this way. Heard you get better sleep when you're sober."

"You're not wrong."

"Baby?"

"Hm."

"I'm glad you're home."

He watched her shut her eyes, and when her breathing finally fell into a steady rhythm and her snores filled the room, he finally shut his own. Peace sank into his bones and filled his head as he took comfort in having his wife close by. "You're not wrong, but..."

Well, what did it matter. He loved her either way.

[rriavian]

And now you get another prompt from me! Lol

14, the drunken new years kiss. Corintheus or Hobrinthian, whichwver you would prefer. ;)

I've had this in drafts for ages and the full thing is almost done! But here is a snippet <3 it's Hobrinthian and I hope you enjoy!

-

To be fair getting dreamkin drunk was just asking for trouble. 

Though this was a party so the Corinthian supposed that was the obvious outcome if not the intention. It was the first New Years celebration the Dreaming had thrown in over a century so suffice to say they were going a little overboard. Dream was keeping a close eye, of course; a vigilant presence looming large for all he kept almost entirely to himself, a figure stood at the edge of the festivities, watching with a small, fond smile. He might be so apart but Dream was obviously so well loved—still, after everything, after the freedom the Corinthian’s brethren had taught themselves and then so easily given up—his return toasted, a dream approaching to shyly ask if he wanted a glass of wine.

They had brought one already filled for him to take.

Dream’s rejection of it was soft, his eyes gentle, a murmur the Corinthian wasn’t able to overhear but definitely saw the results of. Matthew had been a permanent fixture on his shoulder since before the celebrations even began, the bird now eagerly shoving his beak into the offered glass, oblivious to the dreams slightly baffled expression in response.

Or Dream’s indulgent one.

The Corinthian had also been keeping to himself, although for vastly different reasons, sidestepping any and all attempts to draw him into conversation. The shining beauty of the Dreaming felt chipped, felt false, the dreams and nightmares he’d known reduced to scurrying sycophants in his eyes. Even those the Corinthian had been fond of now inspired a feeling of disgust. His gaze kept being drawn to Gault, the dream now stood chattering to Lucienne, a smile never far from her lips, glittering wings aglow in the soft light of the hall. Part of him wished he’d not attended the party at all, but the alternative was a far more pathetic scenario he was disgruntled enough to only contemplate.

At least the alcohol was good.

Enough that the Corinthian soon managed to slip right past tipsy and was now making his sauntering way towards flat out drunk.

It brought with it a spontaneous lean into rebellion, a wish to have a little bit of fun, to liven things up a little more. The Corinthian glanced slyly at his creator—entirely sober, if he could even get drunk at all—pale face tilted away, so very distracted by the proceedings.

Matthew was now preening at Dream’s hair with the abundant affection of the absolutely wasted. 

Hmm. The Corinthian might actually be able to get away with making things a little more interesting then. Still, when he stumbled away from the festivities and into a human mind he half expected to be pulled back immediately, caught like he’d merely toddled too far from Dream’s watchful eye. Ushered back firmly. Luck held out when he managed to leave the Dreaming unhindered, but there was no way that would last forever so this would need to be quick.

The Corinthian better use the time to make this good. 

He turned his attention to the mind he’d stumbled into, careened towards the dreamers mental representation of themselves, squinting through the haze of alcohol—

Ooh it was the pet immortal. 

Herbert? Harold? The Corinthian didn’t remember his name—didn’t care to tease the knowledge free from this mind either—slapped away the offered up knowledge before it could take root. He was sure it was something stupid though. A stupid name for Dream’s stupid little experiment. The test subject who was at least aware enough to know this was no ordinary dream, already beginning to frown.

Though it appeared he was drunk too.

Either just in the dream or in the waking world it didn’t matter. 

The human stared at him; slightly dazed, a little flushed, rosy cheeks to match the brightness of soft brown eyes. A hint of something sharp too. He was confused but not alarmed, not afraid and ooh the Corinthian used to eat men like this up in the waking, used to cut out their eyes after tasting their skin, gorging on how their last memory was seeing his face before they died. That might be off limits right now but he was still here, and this was Dream’s special little human, so he could definitely indulge.

The Corinthian stumbled over, delightfully off balance, grabbed the human by the lapels and pulled him in close. Breathed the greeting across his lips.

“Heya handsome.”

Then he pulled him even closer for a kiss.

[xcleanx]

i felt aglow like this, never before and never since…. if you know it in one glimpse, it's legendary…… you and i go from one kiss to getting married….. you told me i'm the love of your life…… you said I'm the love of your life….. who's gonna tell me the truth when you blew in with the winds of fate and told me i reformed you?…. but i've felt a hole like this….. never before and ever since…………….. you shit-talked me under the table talkin' rings and talkin' cradles, I WISH I COULD UNRECALL HOW WE ALMOST HAD IT ALL. dancing phantoms on the terrace, are they second-hand embarrassed that i can't get out of bed 'cause something counterfeit's dead?…. what a bland goodbye, the coward claimed he was a lion….. and I'll still see it until i die……… you're the loss of my life.

[rainswhenyourehere]

twelve (12) 29th of april 2024

loml the tortured poets department | taylor swift

who's gonna stop us from waltzing back into rekindled flames / if we know the steps anyway? / we embroidered the memories of the time i was away / stitching, "we were just kids, babe" / i said, "i don't mind, it takes time" / i thought i was better safe than starry-eyed / i felt aglow like this / never before, and never since

if you know it in one glimpse, it's legendary / you and i go from one kiss to getting married / still alive, killing time at the cemetery / never quite buried

you holy ghost, you told me i'm the love of your life / you said i'm the love of your life / about a million times

who's gonna tell me the truth when you blew in with the winds of fate / and told me i reformed you? / when your impressionist paintings of heaven turned out to be fakes / well, you took me to hell too / and all at once, the ink bleeds

but i've felt a hole like this / never before and ever since

i wish i could un-recall / how we almost had it all / dancing phantoms on the terrace / are they second-hand embarrassed / that i can't get out of bed / 'cause something counterfeit's dead? / it was legendary / it was momentary / it was unnecessary / should've let it stay buried

i'm combing through the braids of lies / "i'll never leave," "never mind" / our field of dreams engulfed in fire / your arson's match, your somber eyes / and i'll still see it until i die / you're the loss of my life

03:12 ━━━━━●─── 04:37

◁ㅤ ❚❚ ㅤ▷ ㅤㅤ↻ ♡

[vidyaverse]

hazardous materials — a new horror short story i’m drafting!

It all started with that goddamn dinner party. That's where the problem started. First of all, Sila wasn't sure how she got there, but she remembered trailing behind Prue, face aglow at the idea of following someone so beautiful.

She wasn't usually someone who would accompany people to dinners, but Prue made it possible, and for that she was forever thankful. Prue was glittering in an elegant dress and a faux fur shawl, and Sila was dressed in mourning, just like usual, looking the part of the humble secretary, her eyes glancing everywhere, trying to figure out who hated whom and what secrets everyone was hiding.

Sila herself never had any secrets. That was the whole point of a secretary, right? But this time, the universe was determined to give her a secret. And so, at the first half of the dinner party, Sila left for the restroom.

She felt a little out of sorts and was convinced that “powdering her nose” would make her feel better. Then she coughed up some blood in the sink, which was not normal. She was usually very careful about not getting sick. That was another benefit of being a secretary.

But here she was, standing in the mirror, blood running down her chin, blood in the sink, blood on her hands, and she was kind of worried. Not even Prue had dealt with something this scary before, and Sila didn't know what to do about a problem that even Prue had not faced.

But anyway, this was someone's glittering mansion, and there was a queue outside the bathroom that had formed while Sila was coughing out her blood. Someone knocked. “Ma'am,” he asked, “are you okay?”

He had a honey -sweet tenor, and, from Sila's guess, a very inquisitive mind. This was a bad combination. But Sila also knew that if Prue was there, she would be all over him. Like honey to skin. Or a bee to honey. Sila wasn't sure which metaphor was more appropriate.

While she was pondering the nature of bees, she coughed up some more blood.

“Ma 'am,” said the voice at the door. “If you don't answer again, I'm afraid I'll have to come in. I'm an inspector.”

Fuck. Sila didn't know what else she would expect. Naturally an inspector was now involved with their problems. The man knocked once again, and Sila coughed once again.

The sink was very red by now, and Sila's face was very red too. It was very embarrassing to be caught throwing up blood in the sink. She hadn't done that since she was a little child.

Meanwhile, the doorknob was rustling, and suddenly the man popped in. His hair was black. He was also dressed in dark gray clothes that matched Sila's own. They looked like twins in the dim light of the bathroom chandelier. “Ma 'am,” he said, “I'm afraid that you've been exposed to a nasty little parasite.”

Sila played dumb. “Infected? Why would you think that?”

The inspector pointed at the sink. “We can all see that there is something wriggling in the blood”—all because they had amassed an audience of curious partygoers eavesdropping by now—“because you're clearly infected,” he said. He smiled. Nice to meet you. “I'm Inspector Esri Argentran. From Shanty Street. And you are?”

Sila coughed again, and then said, “Uh, I'm no one, just a secretary.”

“Well,” said Esri, a smile on his face despite the grisly scene. “Miss No-one? I'll have to ask you some questions now. Like, how long have you been handling hazardous materials? And do you know that woman that you came to the party with? How well do you know her?”

“Miss Sayahori, and I haven't been her secretary for that long,” said Sila, cursing to herself for revealing anything to the nice private investigator ingesting her privacy. But the cursing was naturally just about the blood. I'm pretty sure that that was a plausible lie, Sila thought to herself.

Esri looked impatient for the first time. “Take your time,” he said, meaning something completely different.

“Um,” said Sila. Well, her voice was small. “I've only known Prue for a little while.”

“Prue? He asked. Yeah, Prudai Something.”

[iwanthermidnightz]

the recap:

TLDR: she really went there

I've been looking sad in all the nicest places, I’m gonna get you back / I see you around in all these empty faces, and I’m gonna get you back / I've been looking sad in all the nicest places, and I’m gonna get you back / Now I'm in a cab, I tell 'em where your place is

I don't wanna live forever, 'cause I know I'll be living in vain / And I don't wanna fit wherever / I just wanna keep calling your name until you come back home

Whether I'm gonna be your wife or / Gonna smash up your bike, I haven't decided yet / But I'm gonna get you back / Whether I'm gonna curse you out or / Take you back to my house, I haven't decided yet / But I'm gonna get you back

I, I hear the whispers in your eyes / I'll make you wanna think twice / You'll find that you were never not mine / i’m gonna get you back, i’m gonna get you back, i’m gonna get you back

AND THEN

Who's gonna stop us from waltzing / Back into rekindled flames? / If we know the steps anyway / We embroidered the memories / Of the time I was away /Stitching, "We were just kids, babe"/ I said, "I don't mind, it takes time" / I thought I was better safe than starry-eyed / I felt aglow like this / Never before and never since

If you know it in one glimpse, it's legendary / You and I go from one kiss to gettin married / Still alive, killing time at the cemetery / Never quite buried / In your suit and tie, in the nick of time / You lowdown boy, you stand up guy / Holy Ghost, you told me I'm / The love of your life

You said I'm the love of your life about a million times

Hey, I knew I'd run into you somewhere / It's been a while, I didn't mean to stare / I heard she's nothin' like me / I'm sure she'll make you happy

But don't you / Don't you smile at me and ask me how I've been / Don't you say you've missed me if you don't want me again / You don't know how much I feel I love you still / So why don't you, don't you?

You shit-talked me under the table / Talking rings and talking cradles / I wish I could un-recall / How we almost had it all / Dancing phantoms on the terrace / Are they second-hand embarrassed / That I can't get out of bed? / Cause something counterfeit's dead

It was legendary / It was momentary / It was unnecessary / Should've let it stay buried

Oh, what a valiant roar / What a bland goodbye / The coward claimed he was a lion / I'm combing through the braids of lies / "I'll never leave" …"Never mind" / Our field of dreams, engulfed in fire / Your arson's match your somber eyes / And I'll still see it until I die / You're the loss of my life

So don't you / don't you smile at me and ask me how I've been / Don't you say you've missed me if you don't want me again / You don't know how much I feel I love you still / So why don't you, don't you?

Why dont you? You said i’m the love of your life / you were the loss of my life

😭

it’s just necessary to see laid out

munich night 2

i don’t wanna live forever x imgonnagetyouback

this woman 🤌

[whysodelirious08]

Loop - [E.M] - [Any Reader]

A/N: don't ask me how many words but please read it! There's a twist. Also, I started writing this at 7:25 am.

Pairing: Eddie x best friend reader. [No gender. Not that I remember putting-]

Tags: Friends, unsaid feelings, very very slight romance, stormy weather, cosy vibes.

Warnings: slight kissing. That's it.

________

Your eyes rested upon Eddie's hunched frame, his figure barely aglow in the dim lighting that sat in front of him. He was hoarding almost all the light in the basement of your house while the two of you waited out the storm. You weren't unused to seeing this familiar position, Eddie often sat at your desk. He had shoved your neatly stacked and organised homework to the side, not to complete his own. No. But to sit there meticulously painting a new figure for his D&D campaign. He'd steal a glance toward you now and then when you'd finally shift in your beanbag seat, a hardcover copy of IT in your hands but you had stopped reading a while ago, you found its contents a little sickening, especially upon reading Beverly's storyline. You felt so bad for her and you knew from this book alone that King's work was twisted and sickening. Eddie had gifted you the book for your birthday, he knew enough of what you liked when it came to reading and this book had just been released too.

Still, you needed the break from the book. Needed something...lighter. Eddie seemed to be working for you at that moment, your eyes focusing in the darkness, you could admire Eddie from a distance and never grow tired. His frizzy mane-like hair was messier than usual, implying he had woken up late before getting to your house. His eyes, big yet soft were focused intently on his paint strokes, tongue poking out which only confirmed his attention was none on you. You had noticed how his rings would clink against the paint-water-filled glass, barely caring if he knocked it though he'd look over to see if you had noticed, not wanting a telling off. His boots were kicked off under the table, and his jacket slung over the back of the old dusty pink couch. Aka Eddie's second bed. You had known Eddie your entire life, well, it seemed that way. Since you were small kids, from when you gained consciousness. You and Eddie against the world. But...he'd been hanging out with some new people lately, he'd met them at a concert and they'd travel into town to hang out more frequently than you'd like. Though you wouldn't ever admit it. You were conflicted in that regard; you wanted Eddie to be happy but you wanted him to be happy entirely in your company alone. You hated thinking such a way but Eddie was so charming he could practically make friends with anyone if he wanted, in some ways you were jealous of that. You, for the most part, only had Eddie. The fear of him being taken away made sure you kept him close. His words upon arrival suddenly rung in your mind.

"Should I just move in? Seems like you're wanting all of my attention, huh?" You remembered that grin plastered on his face as he chucked his set of keys down and opened your mini fridge.

Though your string of thoughts leading back to this afternoon didn't last long as present time Eddie's voice called out.

"Hey there, dreamer. Come look. I've finished it. I think it's going to be great for my next campaign" his voice was enthusiastic as he urged you over. You finally obliged but groaned as your aching muscles moved from their set position. You made your way over, stopping for mere moments as a loud clash of thunder rang out above, catching the attention of both of you and Eddie. A frown sunk into your features but a hand pulled you over to the desk. Eddie explained, in great detail, his painted figurine, though you couldn't help but notice it looked like you. Your usual go-to clothes and backpack. You said nothing about it. You knew how long this had taken him, from carving the character out from wood to the sanding and the drawing and finally the painting.

As you stood beside him you could smell the cigarette smoke and cologne mixture, you'd always complain about how you hated it yet it was a comfort to you. His words broke you from your trance-like state.

"So, apparently you made friends with that Johnathan? Do you think it could work out? See any potential?" He teased as he stood, finally, getting something to drink.

"Jonathan? Potential? What do you mean? I could ask you the same thing with that rock chick you've been hanging out with" You countered, though some jealousy slipped out without intending to.

"Well, I've never seen you interested in anyone. Not even when it comes to friends. And for the record, she's a friend. That's all." His words made you violently roll your eyes and walk to the couch where you plopped down with a huff.

"Okay and "for the record"-" You mocked as you closed your eyes, leaning your head back against the cushion.

"I am interested in someone. Not that I'd tell you. You'd only tease. And I have enough friends." You stated before Eddie's scent suddenly and strongly filled your nose.

"Mhm. Okay. Tell me, who is the mystery person?"

"Not gunna happen."

"Why?"

"You don't need to know."

"Yes, I do."

"No. You don't."

"Do."

"Don't."

"Do!"

"Don't!"

"I do."

"You don't."

"Is it me?"

"What?"

You knew by the way he had asked if it was him that he was completely joking but it had caught you so off guard. There was a longer pause than you had liked. The tense silence seemed to have risen faster than the drinks dispenser at Ahoys. God, you had to be quick or Steve would make you clean the mess up.

"So, it is me...?"

"No. Of course not. Why would you think it was you?"

"Well...with the way you reacted to my question I just-"

"It's not you! You just caught me off, guard. Jesus, don't you have literally anything else to do?" The words came out harsher than you had meant. You noticed how he didn't say anything back, just a shared silence that grew thicker. You finally let out a breath that had been stuck for longer than you'd like.

"Sorry...I'm...not good with admitting to things or questions or..."

"I know. I know you. I was just teasing...I didn't mean to antagonise" his voice softer than usual.

The silence remained but it became soft, more so when Eddie joined you on the couch.

"Is it me?" His voice was softer this time. Hopeful even. Your eyes drifted over to his lap where his hands rested, toying with his rings.

"And if it was? If. Eddie. If." You ask back, glancing over for not more than a second before your eyes tried to find something else to look at in the dark-ish room.

"Then...I'd probably kiss you. And hold you. And..." he trailed off, tiptoeing just as you were.

"And...?" You urged as your hands became a little sweaty, your breathing quicker through you tried your damn hardest to hide it.

"And I'd admit the same. Feelings I mean. But I- uh don't really expect it to be me" he half chuckled out, leaving you in surprise.

"Why...wouldn't it be you?" You frowned softly and turned toward him. Worriedly scanning his features.

"Because I'm the freak-"

"You are not. Don't you dare say that. You used it at school and you can use it with your band but don't you dare. For one minute. Actually believe it." You scolded now.

And for a moment your eyes locked, even if Eddie had only been joking, you were suddenly willing to take that chance, leaning in until your lips barely touched, grazing as you felt his hitched breath release slightly before pressing your lips to his, your hands cupping his cheeks. You felt his hands slip from your arms to your waist, pulling you in even as you tried to pull away for a moment. A soft frown started to contort your face as your felt tears prickle in your eyes, the autopilot of all this slowly fading and realisation kicking in.

You didn't want this. You felt the pull kick in, you didn't want this moment to end. You never did. You always only became aware of the truth the moment you kissed him.

As you opened your eyes your focus settled on Eddie's hunched frame, carefully painting his figurine.

[ificouldhelpyouforget]

My Light in a Dark Place—BONUS: Aiko and Mirai Part Two

MASTERLIST | MLDP MASTERLIST

A/N: And this is it! This whole story is done! I hope you look forward to whatever comes next out of my silly brain! Thanks so much for reading!

Chapter warnings: bullying (verbal more than physical), mention of underage sex, angst, mentions of sex, some language

Words: 10.4k

Aiko is in deep shit. Well, she thinks so. But maybe she's just being dramatic. Dreaming about her best friend is normal. Aiko can't count how many dreams she's had about him. Something tells her dreaming about kissing her best friend is not so normal.

It's so abnormal that Aiko has a hard time looking at Mirai in the morning. Out of desperation, Aiko goes to her mom for help.

"Mom? Can we talk?"

Yuki immediately smiles, skin aglow, despite the curious eyes looking between them. "Of course, sweetie."

"Can we walk on the beach?"

"Yes! Let's go." Yuki can tell this will be a serious conversation with the anxiety riddled fidgeting she recognizes all too well. She looks at her husband and kisses his cheek. "Don't wait for us to eat. We'll be back soon."

Mirai looks at Aiko. "Are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah." Flashes of her dream cross her mind. "I just need to talk to my mom."

"Come on, honey," Yuki says while taking Aiko's hand and leading her toward the ocean. She waits until they're strolling by the water's edge to say something. "What's wrong, Aiko?"

"Have you ever had dreams where you… kiss someone you know?"

"Of course. I think most of us have dreams like that."

"But what if you never thought of that person in that way?"

Yuki's lips turn up. "Do you have feelings for this person?"

"No, no. Definitely not… Well… I don't know." Aiko looks at her feet. "I've felt weird around them lately."

"What do you mean?"

'I feel kinda sick, but not really sick. But, like, I really look forward to seeing them even if I feel a little sick when I do."

"Is this person cute?"

"Yes? I mean, I'd go as far as calling them… well, hot. I've never thought that before."

Yuki touches Aiko's head and brushes back her pretty hair. "It sounds like you may have a crush on this person."

"A crush? There's no way. I've known Mirai for my whole life and-—oh, my God." Aiko covers her mouth, eyes wide.

"So, you had a dream about Mirai and don't know how to feel about it since he's your best friend?" Yuki raises her eyebrows at Aiko's flub.

"You weren't supposed to know it's him," Aiko says quietly.

"I knew it was Mirai already. And I know you." Yuki stops walking to hold her daughter's face in her hands. "Friends fall in love all the time, you know."

"I didn't say anything about love. I only had a dream about him. That doesn't mean I love him like that."

"Yet he makes you feel anxious and excited when he's around. You think he's attractive, too. It could be love!"

"Mom," she whines. "Be serious."

"I am. You've been interested in watching Mirai this vacation and you're gravitating more toward him than usual. All signs lead to you feeling something special for him. Trust me. I've seen all of this from the outside."

"But… But it's Mirai! I've never thought of him like this or had a dream where I kissed him. It doesn't make sense why I'm suddenly feeling like this around him."

"Mirai is a sweet boy and treats you well. You're growing up, and your body is creating new feelings for you to figure out. They're making you see Mirai in a new light. And that's okay."

Aiko sighs. "What if… What if he thinks it's weird that I might have… feelings for him?"

"Oh, sweetie, Mirai won't think that at all. You know how he is. He'll be your friend and hey, maybe he feels the same way about you."

"No way," Aiko says. "He is way out of my league have any sort of crush on me."

"You never know unless you talk to him about it."

"I guess… Do you think I should? Talk to him, I mean."

Yuki takes her daughter's hand again and starts walking. "I encourage you to talk with Mirai about your feelings. The two of you are open with each other about everything, right? This should be no different. You don't have to do it today, but talk to him soon. Okay?"

"I think I have to talk to him today, Mom. I can't be normal around him with that dream in my head."

"Will you be okay if your friendship changes then? Who's to say what he feels? If he likes you and you're liking him that way, too, you might start dating. Are you okay with that?"

She thinks on it for a second, kicking a broken shell with her toes. "I don't want him to feel like something with me will be like what he had with Yue."

"He will never think that about you, Aiko. You're the one who helped him get away from that. If anything, he trusts you completely."

The memory of Mirai telling her that their first night at the beach reiterates what her mom says. "You're probably right."

Suddenly, Yuki wraps her arms around Aiko and holds her close. "I know this will be hard to figure out since you two are such close friends, but I think you'll be okay. Always be open and honest no matter what."

"I know, Mama," Aiko mutters. "I know. Um, thanks for talking it out with me. I hope it helps."

"It will. I'm sure of it."

Aiko steps out of her mom's hug and awkwardly rubs her arm. "I guess… I guess I'm going to go talk to Mirai now."

"Go ahead. I'm sure he's curious why you called me out here."

She smiles a little. "Probably," she says, before she jogs back toward the condos.

Once more, all eyes are on her when she walks in slightly out of breath. Aiko sits next Mirai. She quietly thanks Nejire after she gives her a plate of food before digging in.

"Are you really okay?" Mirai asks, watching her shove her breakfast into her mouth.

Nodding, Aiko glances at him. But she quickly goes back to eating, trying to catch up to how much he's eaten. She wants to get the talk over with or else she might explode from all the things her mom explained to her. A crush on her best friend? She looks at him again. Well, he looks pretty handsome with his messy hair and casual clothes for a day of doing nothing. Her food no longer appeals to her as her stomach flips a few times. Aiko sets her utensils down and forces herself to swallow what's in her mouth.

Mirai's eyebrow raises at the sudden change. "You're not acting yourself."

Hana sighs loudly, eyes not drifting away from her phone as she eats. "Maybe she likes you, Mirai. You're making her nervous."

"Hana," Aiko warns. "Don't say things like that. You don't know anything. You're always looking at your stupid phone."

"Aiko," Mirai says quietly, hand touching her shoulder.

Hana's eyes shoot up and meet her sister's hard stare. "I don't need to look up from it to know you have a stupid crush."

"Hana," Tamaki says, voice stern. "Aiko. Don't fight during breakfast."

Aiko drops her fork and stands up. "I'm finished." And she walks back outside, past her mom who is confused to see Aiko stomping away.

"What's wrong?"

"Ask my stupid sister!" Aiko doesn't stop walking away, barely looking at Yuki to answer her.

Mirai rushes out of the door next, nearly running into Yuki.

"What happened, Mirai?"

"Aiko and Hana started arguing and Aiko left."

"What about?"

He glances at Aiko's retreating figure. "It doesn't matter."

"It looks like it does to you," Yuki says. "Go follow her and make sure she's okay. I'll talk with Hana."

Mirai nods and jogs after Aiko, catching up to her fast. He doesn't expect to see tears rolling down her cheeks when she looks at him.

"Aiko," he says, reaching out to wipe the tears away, but she steps back. "I'm sorry."

Aiko scoffs and rolls her eyes. "Why are you sorry for something you didn't do? It's my sister's fault for being annoying."

"I'm sorry because you're upset." Mirai goes to wipe her tears again, and she doesn't dodge him this time. "I hate seeing you like this."

"Yeah, well, maybe I wouldn't be upset if I didn't have a sister."

"Don't say that. You love Hana and she loves you. You'd be sad without her."

Her eyes study Mirai's face as he clears the last of her tears away and smiles at her. Predictably, her stomach flips. 

"So, what's going on in your head, hm? You seem closed off or something. Is it because of what you talked to your mom about?"

"S-Sorta."

"Okay… Sorta doesn't explain anything, but if that's all you can get out, that's okay. But know that I'm here for you and will listen to anything you need to say."

That damned smile he gives her every time he's trying to be helpful but is sad he won't truly understand what's going on makes Aiko panic. She rarely keeps anything from him and this really should be no different.

"I want you to know, Mir. I just don't know how to talk about it."

"Okay, um, when did you start thinking about it?"

She looks down and then at the condos in the distance. "When we were all at the beach on our first day."

"Really?" he says.

A nod when she looks at him again. "It sorta came out of nowhere. I'm honestly trying to understand it and figure out where I stand with it."

"What is it?"

"Well… I'm having feelings I've never had before."

Mirai blinks a few times, heart beating faster. "What kind of feelings?"

"Possibly… romantic. Mom thinks they are and I'm not sure if I disagree with her… I even had a dream about it…"

"Can I ask who you think you have feelings for?"

Instantly, Aiko looks away from Mirai, closing her eyes and taking a slow deep breath. "Um… there's a possibility that I… that I might have some feelings for, well, for you, Mirai. I don't know what to do about it…"

"Aiko." His voice is soft and silently asking her to look at him, but Mirai doesn't force her. He's content knowing that she's listening. It's enough. "It's okay if you feel that way about me because… I've felt that way about you for a long time."

Eyes wide, Aiko's gaze shoots to meet his. "W-What?"

"I like you, Aiko. I have for as long as I can remember."

"But… you're you and I'm… I'm me."

He chuckles. "So?"

"There is no way you like me. You're so… perfect. I'm not at all."

"Maybe you don't think you are, but I think so."

Aiko covers her mouth as it hangs open the longer she looks at her best friend. The flipping of her stomach has only gotten worse and her heart is seconds from exploding out of her chest. "There's no way… You were with Yue—“

"Not for any reason other than I found her cute, and she was interested in me. Was it smart? No, not when I didn't really like her. I liked the idea of dating her though. It's different with you, Aiko."

"But you've… you've never said anything about it to me!"

"If I had, would you share my feelings, genuinely, if you had them?"

"I-I… I don't know," she says.

Mirai smiles at her. "I wanted you to find those feelings on your own."

"And if I hadn't?"

"You never would have known I had any for you," he says shrugging. "I wasn't about to burden you with my feelings if you had none."

It's such a Mirai thing to say and all it does is make Aiko feel so heartbroken for her best friend. No one should have to hide what they feel because they don't want someone else to feel burdened by it. Would it have been easy to deal with? No, but at least his feelings would be out there.

"So… what do we do now?"

"What do you mean?"

That you like me and I, well, I clearly feel something for you."

His smile widens. "Nothing has to happen. You're not completely sure, right? You need time. Take that time. We'll just be who we always have been."

"It won't be awkward?"

"Nah. Not unless we make it. Seriously, we're still best friends no matter what and we'll keep being this way. When and if you figure out your feelings, we can go from there."

Aiko looks up at Mirai, both hands now tucked in the pockets of her shorts. "I don't deserve you, Mir."

"You deserve a whole hell of a lot more than me, Aiko."

—

Aiko sighs as she and Mirai walk up to U.A.'s entrance for the first time that school year. "I can't believe this is our last year coming to this school together," she says.

The two years they get together isn't enough knowing that for an entire year, Mirai will start hero work and she'll still be stuck in school. Of course, they'll see each other after work and school, but it'll be so different from before.

"Maybe you'll get to do patrols your third year with the agency I end up at," Mirai says. "Then we'll be around each other as often as we are now."

She stares up at him. "Do you think I'm good enough to do patrols with an agency that wants you?"

"Definitely. Your Quirk is a lot more powerful than mine. You harness the power of the fucking sun. Any agency will want you working with them."

Neither of them have discussed what happened during vacation since returning home, acting as if nothing happened at all. Mirai treats Aiko just like he always has and Aiko does as well. The month Aiko had to understand exactly what she feels for Mirai proved to be helpful.

She absolutely has feelings for him.

But she has yet to mention it. It's not because she's afraid, but because she can't form the right words to tell him. Mirai hasn't pushed for a response either and she couldn't be more thankful for that.

"Thanks for the confidence boost, Mir."

"Anytime, Sunshine," he says. "We have a little time before classes start… Wanna grab some breakfast from the cafeteria?"

"Sure. I bet Hiroto is there, so we can say hi to him."

Mirai smiles despite the sense of dread that tries creeping up his spine. He knows Aiko has never liked Hiroto as more than a friend, but sometimes he wonders.

Unlucky for him, Aiko notices the slight change in his expression and knows exactly what he's thinking.

"I don't like him," she says quietly, not quite meeting Mirai's eyes. "He's just a friend."

Her words weirdly help and remind him she harbors some feelings for him even if they haven't spoken of them since she shyly told him what her dream was about that triggered her panic that day they talked. 

"I know," he smiles. "Come on."

Their walk is peaceful, no need for talking until Mirai holds the door open for her and she thanks him. Everything shatters when there's the familiar screech of Mirai's name from Yue's lips.

He sighs. "I forgot she's back this year."

Aiko doesn't hesitate to stand in front of Mirai when Yue comes bounding over to him intending to hug her ex.

"Aw, little Aiko is being all protective over you," Yue coos.

"It's okay, Aiko," Mirai says, hand on her shoulder.

"How was your summer, Mirai?"

"Um, good. I spent a lot of time with Aiko and our families. We went to an island together for a few weeks. It was nice."

Yue glances at Aiko for a split second. "That sounds like fun. Find any cute guys out there, Aiko?"

"Just one," she says without missing a beat.

Mirai's face instantly gets hot.

"Ooh, did anything happen or did you chicken out?"

"Nothing happened then. Dunno about now though."

Yue tilts her head, one cat ear twitching. "What do you mean? Is he here? He goes to UA?"

"Yeah, but you and I are not really friends, so I don't see why it's your business."

"I'm just curious. It's not that Midoriya guy is it?"

Aiko frowns. "Why do people think I like Hiroto like that? We're friends."

"Doesn't stop most people."

"Yue, we were really hoping to enjoy some breakfast alone, so if you'll excuse us, we're gonna go eat."

"Ugh, really? Okay, fine. I guess I'll see you in class, Mirai. Good luck with that boy, Aiko!" Yue walks out with her head held high.

"She still wants to date you," Aiko says. "It's the only reason she's being bearable."

"Doesn't matter if she does. I don't want to date her again. I was told by someone really important to me that Yue doesn't deserve me."

"I mean… your friend is not wrong."

His lips pull back to show off his teeth. "Yeah… I sure as hell don't deserve someone like my friend."

She shrugs and sends him a half smile. "She says the same thing about you."

"I guess we’re made for each other then."

A laugh. "You're such a flirt, Mir."

"Only when you're around, Sunshine."

Faces reddened and smiles wide, the two look at each other as if there's no one else around. That's the moment Aiko accepts she likes her best friend very much.

—

Rarely does Aiko visit Mirai at his dorm simply because he's always dropping her off or picking her up from hers. He's always there. But Aiko decided that morning to spend time with him at his place.

In the lobby of his floor, the two friends sit beside each other watching a TV show they're catching up on. Aiko is snug against his side with her head on his shoulder while Mirai has his arm around her waist. Sitting together like that isn't new for them, but the feelings between them make it feel like a new territory of their relationship.

Aiko's barely watching the show, her attention solely on Mirai's thumb making gentle circles against her side. Each circle he completes, her belly turns over. She has to tell him.

"Hey, Mirai?" Her voice is quiet, and she doesn't lift her head to look at him.

"Hmm? What's up?"

A pause. Aiko hides her face against his chest and mutters what's on her mind.

He laughs lightly. "How about you try again because I didn't catch that, Sunshine."

She does and only a couple of words register.

"What?" By then, his smile has slipped away at the realization of her sudden shy demeanor.

Aiko groans and lifts her head just enough for her to say, "I think I really like you." Then she hides against him once more.

"You think?"

She nods.

"Really?"

Another nod.

Mirai hugs her to himself and kisses the top of her head ever so softly. "That makes me so happy, Aiko. You're sure?"

"Y-Yeah…" she says, pressing her ear to his chest to hear his heart racing. "Is that… okay?"

A laugh tumbles from his lips as he hugs her again. "Of course, it is. It's… It's all I've ever wanted."

"That can't be true," Aiko says, finally looking up at Mirai. "There are plenty of things you'd want before me."

"No," Mirai says, slowly brushing some of Aiko's hair behind her ear. "Maybe I thought that when I was younger, but now… I can't imagine having a good life without you in it."

Much to her disgust, her skin glows from his sweet words, a slight pink hue incorporated within the light. She groans at her lack of control and immediately shuts down her Quirk. "Stupid Quirk…"

Her best friend chuckles and pokes the end of her nose. "It's nothing to be ashamed about, Aiko. Actually, it helps me know you liked what I said because I was so nervous to say that."

"You're never nervous."

"Only when I'm with you."

Despite her stomach flip flopping, Aiko smiles. "You're so cheesy, Mir."

Mirai returns her smile, eyes glancing at her lips for a split second. "I can't help it. You're just so… cute."

"Stop," she whines, covering her face with one of her hands.

"Hey." Mirai gently pulls her hand from her face, a soft smile settled on his lips when Aiko shyly looks at him. "So, what do you want to do?"

"About?"

"About this. Us."

Her face flushes. "W-What do you want to do?"

He laughs a little. "Well, to be honest with you… I think going on a date with you is a good start. If that's something you want to do, too."

"Um, sure."

"You're so shy now," Mirai laughs. "It's just me."

"Yeah, I know, but… I've never dated anyone before."

"It's not too different from how we are now, actually. Just a few more things added in."

"Like kissing, right?"

Now Mirai blushes. "I mean, that's just one, um, perk."

"Do you want to do that, too?"

Again, his eyes go to her lips, but that time, Aiko feels her face heat fast.

"Only if you're okay with it."

"No, don't… don't say that. What do you want, Mir?"

He watches her gaze jump between his eyes. "I want to kiss you."

Aiko hums for a second before hiding against him once more.

"Eventually, Aiko. I want to kiss you, eventually. I don't have to right this second." Mirai glances around the empty lobby. "Anyone can walk in anyway."

She nods, still not lifting her head. 

"Wanna go get some coffee or something as our first official date?"

"Right now?" Aiko says, turning her head just enough to peek at him.

"Why not? It'll be fun."

"Okay. But I need to make myself look prettier."

Mirai makes Aiko look at him, both hands cupping her facing. "That's impossible. You're stunning just as you are, Sunshine."

"But—“

"Nope." He makes them both stand and take her hand. "Let's go then."

Aiko has nothing more to say as she's tugged behind Mirai, a bright grin lighting up his face every time he looks back at her. That moment is when she realizes how happy she has made her best friend with her admittance of the feelings churning in her chest. She swells with pride.

—

"Mom?"

Yuki looks up from her phone to see Aiko standing in the hall outside her bedroom. "What's wrong, sweet pea?"

Aiko shuffles over and sits at the other end of the couch, pulling her knees to her chin. "So… Mirai and I went on some dates recently and… and I don't know when I can call him my boyfriend."

The day Aiko came home for the weekend and announced that she and Mirai started dating, Yuki kept a glow about her skin the rest of the day. Poor Tamaki could barely sleep with the way she latched onto him when she finally drifted off after they had a sweet night together once they were alone. Her oldest is falling in love with someone she approves of for Aiko. What mother wouldn't be happy?

"Has he asked you to be his girlfriend yet?"

She shakes her head.

"Bring it up to him if you want to be together. You do, right?"

"Yeah… Mirai's really sweet. Well, sweeter than usual."

Yuki turns to face her daughter, tucking her feet under her. "So, you really like Mirai, huh?"

"I thought it would be harder to accept liking my best friend… but he makes it really easy to like him more. And he's still my best friend."

"Mirai is a respectful young man, and he is so in love with you. He won't do anything to ruin your friendship. He's one of the good ones."

"I know…"

Suddenly, Yuki's phone goes off and she picks it up, a curious look on her face when she looks at the caller ID. "It's a bit late to be calling, isn't it?"

Aiko tilts her head to one side, only hearing her mom's side of the conversation. It is extremely late for a phone call. Aiko wonders who it is.

"I don't mind as long as you behave." Yuki pauses and then hums. "Hurry up then, sweetie." She ends the call.

"Who was that?" Aiko asks.

"Someone trying to reach you. Maybe you should go let him in."

Her heart lurches, but Aiko gets up and rushes over to the front door. As soon as she opens it, Mirai stops pacing in front of her, looking up at her with a shy smile.

"Hey."

"H-Hi. What are you doing here so late?" She peeks behind her to find her mom disappearing into her bedroom where Tamaki is already sleeping.

"Can we talk?"

"Um, yeah. Come on. We can talk in my room."

The two meander into Aiko's room where she shuts the door behind them and waits for Mirai to speak. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. I just can't sleep."

She chuckles. "I think that would be considered 'something wrong,' Mirai."

"Do you want to be my girlfriend?" It's rushed, but Aiko's reddening face tells Mirai that she still heard him.

But she laughs instead of answering.

"Ouch?"

"No, no! I'm not laughing at you, Mir. I just… I just talked to my mom about when it's okay to call you my boyfriend."

"Really?!"

"Yeah."

Mirai smiles. "I guess we should have talked to each other earlier, huh?"

"I guess so," Aiko says, hugging herself. "Okay, so… is this happening then?"

"I want it to. Do you?"

"Yeah."

"Great!"

"Should we do something or are we just… together now?"

He laughs and shrugs. "Yue kissed me when we made it official. But… we don't need to do that. We can just be us and—“

"But what if we do?"

Mirai blinks. And then it clicks. "You really don't like her, do you?"

"She made you have sex with her when you didn’t want to. Of course, I don't like her."

"Are you suggesting we kiss because I mentioned her?"

"No," Aiko says, gaze hard. "I don't care about her."

"So, you want to kiss me then?"

"I guess…"

Mirai smiles at Aiko who is making herself small in front of him. "It's okay to admit it, you know. I want to kiss you, too."

"I've never… never kissed someone before."

"It's no different from kissing someone's cheek. Well, other than the other person kissing you back at the same time."

"M-Maybe I'm asking too much then…"

"There's no pressure, Aiko. I'm happy to show up at school on Monday and tell everyone that you're my girlfriend. No kissing needed."

Aiko's eyes are wide and watery, lips turned down. She looks a bit like a puppy begging to him.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought up kissing if I wasn't ready…"

There's no hesitation when Mirai steps forward to wrap Aiko up in a hug. "Don't apologize for that. I'm excited and happy to call you my girlfriend. Kissing can wait however long you need."

She nods against his chest. "Okay. Thanks, Mirai."

"It's my pleasure. Think you can get some sleep now?"

"Only if you stay with me."

 "Whatever you want, Sunshine. I'm here."

—

As Aiko is finishing up her Quirk practice hours after school ended, a furious shout sounds across the field. Unsurprisingly, she finds Yue sprinting at her, cat ears lying flat, with more shouts spilling from her mouth.

"You bitch!" Yue screams in Aiko's face.

She sighs. "What is it now, Yue?"

"You're dating Mirai! What the hell?!"

"So?"

"He's not supposed to like you."

Aiko huffs. "Joke's on you, Yue. He's apparently liked me since we were little."

"Of course," Yue says, cat-like eyes taking in Aiko's sweaty figure. "I can't believe he wants someone so… plain. He could do so much better."

 "There's no reason you should be so nasty to me, Yue. You pressured him into something he didn't want and he broke up with you. That's on you. Not me. I don't decide things for him."

"But you influence them. He didn't want to break up until you took him away for some party or whatever. It was your fault he didn't want to be with me anymore."

Aiko rolls her eyes and begins walking toward the locker room. "Did you ever notice how uncomfortable he was around you? Because my best friend was shutting down when you were around him and I noticed. I only helped him get away from a bad situation, a situation that you kept him in. Everything that happened is on you."

Yue growls and suddenly tackles Aiko to the ground, one hand holding her ponytail in the dirt so Aiko can't lift her head. Yue's knees pin Aiko's hands as she leans over Aiko with her pointed fangs showing.

"Get off me!" Aiko shouts, kicking her feet and trying to lift her waist to knock Yue off her. It doesn't work.

"You are going to stop dating Mirai or I'm gonna make something bad happen to him." Yue takes the long nail of her index finger and traces one side of Aiko's face before pressing it into her cheek and dragging it down her throat, blood slowly seeping into the fine cut. "That is only a taste of what I'll do to him, Little Aiko."

"You're not going to touch him," Aiko growls, unbothered by the sting on her skin. "Over my dead body."

A sick look crosses her face as she grins down at Aiko. "That can be arranged."

"Get. Off. Me. Or you'll regret it."

"Aw. Are you gonna start shining to blind me? It won't work."

At that point, using the energy she has left, Aiko focuses an intense heat in her body. "You know nothing of what I can do, Yue."

Suddenly, Yue shrieks and leaps off Aiko. "What the fuck?!" There are holes in the knees of her leggings. "What did you do?"

"I asked you to get off of me and you didn't. I can do a whole lot more than glow."

"You burned me!"

"You attacked me."

"And I'll do it again!"

Aiko stands, ready to defend herself if she has to, but knowing she's too exhausted to last. There's no way she can manifest any balls of light, but she has enough energy to block any hits from Yue and burn her more. All Yue has to do is make contact with Aiko and she can singe something else on Yue.

"Are you trying to get expelled now?" Aiko asks, hoping she can avoid a fight.

"I don't care as long as I take you out with me."

"Don't do this, Yue."

"Break up with Mirai."

"I'm not going to do that."

"Then you're going to regret it."

Aiko's stance widens as Yue brings out her claws. They are seconds from a fight when Aiko's name is called across the way.

Mirai waves for a second before realizing that Yue is there and what was about to happen. He runs over to Yue, immediately noticing the long scratch down her face and neck.

"What the hell, Yue?"

Yue stands straight, clasping her hands behind her. "She started it, Mirai. I only wanted to talk to her, but she flipped out and told me to stay away from you."

"She's lying," Aiko states, eyes steady on Yue. "She wants me to break up with you."

"Liar!"

Mirai frowns. "Stop acting this way, Yue. You're going to get in trouble."

"You immediately take her side?"

"Well… she is my best friend and my girlfriend. I know Aiko."

"What about me?" she whines. "You really know me, right?"

"Shut up, Yue!"

Mirai touches Aiko's shoulder to keep her from running toward Yue. "Let's just go, Aiko. Please. Don't fight her."

"I don't want to fight her, but she won't leave me alone. I need to get my stuff from the locker room."

"Go get what you need. I'll keep her from bothering you."

"Be careful. I won't take long."

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Yue," Mirai says, "don't do this. I'm not worth fighting over. We're over and you don't have a claim on me. You need to move on, Yue. You're only hurting yourself."

Yue looks away from Aiko as she rushes inside to pout at Mirai. "But we should still be together. I miss you."

"I'm sorry you feel that way, but we're not together anymore and won’t be again. You need to accept that."

"I won't. She stole you from me."

"Aiko didn't do anything except get me out of an unpleasant situation. You… You can't treat people like how you treated me. I didn't… want to sleep with you. I didn’t love you and couldn’t keep stringing you along. That's why we broke up."

"Because you're in love with her. 

It's what you told me!"

He sighs. "Not quite. I didn't know how to tell you I felt… useless after that night. Maybe if I didn't come over, we wouldn't be here."

"But you'd still love her."

"I won't ever stop loving Aiko. Even if she breaks up with me and falls in love with someone else, I won't stop loving her." Mirai ruffles his hair and glances at the ground. "Aiko is my world and always has been. Honestly, I expect any relationship I end up in that isn't with her won't last because she comes first. Always."

Yue scowls. "That's unhealthy."

He scoffs. "And what you're doing isn't? Here's the difference between us, Yue: I will let her go no matter how hard it is just so she is happy. I don't care if I wind up alone as long as Aiko is happy and is taken care of. Why can't you be happy for me?"

"Because I should be with you! We looked so good together. I was finally being noticed."

"Yue, I don't want to be with someone who uses me to boost their status. I deserve better than that."

"You think she's better than me?"

"Yes," Mirai says. "Aiko doesn't care about that kind of stuff. She cares about me."

"But I do care about you!" By then, Yue is on her knees with big pouty eyes and lips. "I do, Mirai. Please."

"Go home, Yue, and leave Aiko alone. If you care about me, you'll stop acting like this and let me be happy."

Aiko comes running out of the lock room with her civilian clothes haphazardly thrown onto her body. Her eyes are wide and determined, but soften seeing the sad state of Yue.

"Go home," Mirai repeats to the girl at his feet, her bottom lip trembling. "If you don't leave us alone, I'll make sure you get transferred to another school and never see us again. I'd like to be friends one day, but not until you leave us alone." He reaches for Aiko's hand when she comes near, eyes meeting her curious ones. "Come on. We're late for dinner."

The last look Aiko takes of Yue almost makes her feel bad. The girl curls in on herself and sobs into her hands, all sense of confidence and worth shattered by what Mirai said. But the watery glare she gets a second later reminds Aiko that Yue won’t let it go easily.

—

Sitting on the toilet lid in Mirai's bathroom at his parents' house, Aiko winces when his gentle fingers dab a peroxide-soaked first-aid pad against the welted scratch down her neck.

"I'm sorry she did this to you," Mirai says again, brow furrowed. "I can't believe she attacked you."

Aiko lets out a deep exhale, chin up to let Mirai clean the scratch. "Stop apologizing, Mir. It's not your fault."

"It's because of me she came after you."

"She's mad at me for 'taking you away from her.' Just because you two dated doesn't make this your fault. I'm okay."

He's quiet for a moment as he carefully rubs a salve along the scratch. "Were you going to fight her?"

"Not if I could avoid it. She attacked when I used too much of my Quirk after training, so there wouldn't have been much fighting on my part. I was going to defend myself though."

"I'm glad I showed up when I did then." Mirai finishes up and starts cleaning up the trash. "I'm going to talk to the headmaster about this. She's putting you in danger."

"I'm okay, I swear. I'm not worried about her."

"If I didn't get there in time, what would she have done to you?"

"It doesn't matter now," Aiko says as she stands and leaves the room to curl up on Mirai's bed. His hoodie she's borrowing makes her look smaller than normal.

"Your neck—!" Mirai stops himself when he notices her shoulders shake. "Aiko…" he coos before crawling in behind her to hug her close to his front. "Tell me what's wrong."

"I-I-I don't know," she says, voice hitching.

"You're upset."

Aiko pulls the hood over her head and curls up more.

Mirai squeezes her tighter. “I’m sorry,” he says softly, his face pressed against her shoulder blade. "What happened was a lot, yeah?"

She shrugs and sniffles.

"Is it more than Yue bothering you?"

A pause.

"I was… exhausted, and she wanted to fight," Aiko says with a quiet voice. "I felt helpless when she tackled me… and then I heard what you were saying… about me before I came back outside..."

"It overwhelmed you."

"It was a lot to take in."

"I’m sorry, Aiko,” he says, tucking his chin atop her shoulder. 

She sniffles again, but clutches his arms around her. “You hold me too high in your life, Mir… I would hate for you to be unhappy because of me.”

“Aiko,” he starts, taking a deep breath before continuing, “you would have never known how I felt if your feelings hadn’t changed. I was completely okay to stay as best friends. I might have been upset if you chose to be with someone who isn’t me, but I honestly expected it. Even now, if you decide that this, us, isn’t what you want, I’ll accept it.”

“But… why, Mirai?”

"Well… you have been my everything for as long as I can remember. I've always wanted to protect you when you need it or comfort you when you're hurting. It feels like I've had feelings for you ever since I was old enough to understand how special you are to me."

"That sounds really… serious." Throwing out the big l-word seems too much.

"Yeah… I've known how I felt for a long time and it's been several years of me really understanding just how important you are in my life and I never want to lose you. But… I always remind myself that I can't make you share my feelings. I don't want to make you do anything. Even now, I know you might find someone who suits you a hell of a lot better than me. Because I can't bear to lose you, I'll let you go and still be a friend."

"What if we don't work out and it's a nasty breakup?"

"We won't let it end badly. We'll talk and be on the same page," Mirai says, kissing the back of her head. "You don't want our friendship to end, right?"

She shakes her head vigorously. "Never."

"Then we'll be okay no matter what."

Aiko awkwardly turns around to face Mirai, closing her eyes for the few seconds he wipes away her tears.

"Hey, Sunshine," he says with a gentle smile. "You don't need to worry. You are my world and I'll do so much just to see you happy. I want to make you happy even if it's at the expense of my happiness."

"Mir," Aiko says, a soft exhalation from her lips, seconds before she closes the gap between them and kisses Mirai.

Her inexperience makes it short, but Mirai's heart still finds its way up into his throat.

"I want to make you happy, too." The way her lips brush against his as she speaks has them both shaking. "You are too good for me, but I'm glad we're here. Right now. I… I don't want to be with anyone else."

This time, Mirai presses his lips to hers and cups one side of her face. He pulls away to look her in the eyes. "You are too good for me, you know. I'm going to be the kind of man who will be everything you need and then some. You deserve that. I'm in this until you don't want me anymore."

"Oh, Mirai," Aiko says, one corner of her mouth lifting. "I will always want you."

"Like this? Together?"

She nods, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. "Who knows… one day I might even love you."

Mirai chuckles, relieved to see a smile back on her face. "You already do. Don't deny it."

"I guess you are my best friend…"

"Ouch," he laughs. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You hardly reacted after you kissed me."

She blinks. "Oh, right."

Another laugh. "Did you even realize it?"

"Yes! It just seemed… normal. Like we always have."

"That's a good sign," Mirai says, cheeks turning pink.

"Did it feel that way for you?"

"Um… I kinda felt like my heart was gonna explode. That's pretty embarrassing to admit."

"Aw, really?" Aiko grins and bites her bottom lip again. "I guess we should kiss more often, so your heart gets used to it."

"You're going to kill me," he says, hiding his face in her pillow. "I'm never going to recover."

Aiko pokes the top of his ear. "You don't think it's too soon, do you? I don't want you to feel pressured into it."

"I don't," he says, turning to look at her again. "I think it's perfect timing for us."

"Yeah… I'm relieved it doesn't feel awkward."

"I'm glad it doesn't. That would be really sad." Mirai brushes some of Aiko's hair from her face. "But I'd suggest doing it more often to make it less awkward."

"Cheeky," Aiko says, before she plants a loud kiss on his lips. She giggles at the goofy smile on his face and how his ears are turning red to match his face.

"I hope you know I will not stop kissing you every chance I get."

"What's stopping you now?"

He laughs again and takes the invitation to meet her lips with his, leaving several quick kisses just to hear her giggle. 

"Thank you, Mirai, for making me feel better," Aiko says when he stops making her laugh.

"I'm always here for you, Sunshine."

—

To say Mirai and Aiko stayed together the rest of their lives is sadly a lie.

The day after graduation, Mirai was asked to travel to Europe for an unknown amount of time, part of his first big assignment at his agency. He took it after a lot of thought.

But the couple didn't give up on each other.

He moved. They talked daily. Then weekly… monthly… every now and then. A year in and they couldn't keep up with being so far apart. Both of them cried over it, but they agreed it was for the best. Communication between each other became next to nothing, both busy with their respective agencies.

Aiko dated here and there for a few years until she ultimately decided that her heart wasn't in it. Although she and Mirai agreed to live their lives as they wanted, she sent her heart off with him. Little did she know, Mirai did the same, also having little success in his dating life.

Years went by and the void slowly filled in their hearts, but never felt complete. So often, Aiko would lie in the middle of her living room floor and cry over the years lost. 

Far too often, Hana or Yuki would come over to find her in such a state, never truly realizing how broken her heart was. Aiko wasn't aware of it either. Not until the day her family and Mirai's family met up to celebrate Mirai's birthday like every year even though he wasn't there.

"Aiko!" Nejire says, pulling her into a tight hug. "You get more and more beautiful every day."

"Thanks," she says. "It's nice to see you guys again. It's been too long."

"Since last year, I think."

Yuki walks over. "It's been that long? We need to fix that. We used to see each other almost daily when we first met."

"Why don't we try weekly dinners?"

"I think we can do that. We can make plans after we call Mirai."

Aiko swallows. 

At the last celebration, Aiko was late because of hero work and missed the video call with Mirai. It devastated her. It had been too long since she got to see him last or hear his voice. For being best friends, they rarely get time to catch up.

"Ah! He should call soon! Let's get the phone set up so we can all see him."

With a heavy heart, Aiko sits beside Tamaki and rests her cheek on his shoulder. Her favorite thing about her dad is how they don't need to speak for him to understand what's going on. In her growth, Aiko found the reason her mom fell so in love with him. He always knows what those around him need by observing.

Tamaki rubs Aiko's back and presses a soft kiss to her head. Since the day Mirai left, he's felt his eldest daughter's pain. He's watched the light in her eyes diminish, worsening when she and Mirai broke up. It's not a sight a parent wants to see in their child when there used to be so much happiness.

Mirio comes over and places the tripod with his phone in front of Aiko with a smile. "Let's get this birthday party started."

Aiko doesn't like the camera being in front of her. It reflects all her sadness. Hana sits beside Aiko and looks a thousand times happier. Her mom and Nejire both touch her shoulders as if comforting Aiko. She hates it. Has it been obvious all these years?

The phone rings and Aiko jumps, staring at Mirai's name. Mirio answers the video call before Aiko has the chance to prepare herself.

A chorus of "happy birthday" surrounds Aiko, her lips barely moving to wish her best friend good fortune for the next year.

Mirai laughs. "Thank you guys!"

"I cannot believe my handsome son is 30 years old now," Nejire says as she fakes her tears. "When did you get so old?"

"That's the beauty of time, I guess." Mirai's smile softens. "Hey, Sunshine. It's been too long."

Aiko's heart aches from the nickname. She hasn't heard it in so long. "It has," she says. "You look… exhausted."

He laughs. "I've had a ton to do and I haven't been sleeping well lately."

Yuki leans in. "You need your sleep, sweetie! You better get yourself into bed as soon as you get home."

"I will, once I get my bed set up."

"Did you get a new one?" Mirio asks.

"No. Work had me move somewhere else this week, so I'm still trying to get settled."

Aiko tilts her head. "You moved again? Were you in the last place for even a year?"

"Work always has me moving, and I moved at least twice since we last talked." The heavy unsaid length of time hangs between them, a reminder that time passes way too fast.

For a few more minutes, they chatter on, Aiko getting quieter as time goes on. How is she supposed to talk to her best friend who became her first love, first kiss, first lover, first everything, when it's been at least two years since they last spoke? Any second she feels like all of her pent-up emotions will burst through the walls she's built and with it will come the truth of how destroyed she's been since their break up will come to light. It's almost too much.

"I'm gonna have to let you guys go," Mirai says as he clearly parks his car that he was driving. "I have something going on today and I just got here."

Nejire pouts. "Call us after?"

"It'll be pretty late, I think."

“That’s okay. We’ll wait up for you.”

“Okay. Call you later, Mom.”

The screen goes dark.

Aiko feels her whole body key up and then hot tears start rolling down her cheeks. That’s when she remembers why she and Mirai hardly talk anymore. Each time the conversation ends, her entire world starts collapsing all over again. But never has it happened in front of her family.

“Oh, honey,” Yuki says, immediately wrapping her daughter in her arms and letting Aiko sob into her. “It’ll be okay, Aiko. It’ll be okay.”

Hana reaches out to take Aiko’s hand, almost jumping from the grip her sister has, as if she’s going to fall from a great height.

Nejire immediately tears up and pets Aiko’s head. “I’m so sorry, sweetie. I didn’t know it was still so hard for you…”

“I… I miss him so much,” Aiko says into her mom’s shoulder before looking up at Yuki. “Why is there still a hole in my chest when it’s been years? Why?”

Even Tamaki and Mirio are getting choked up; Tamaki more so being that his daughter is breaking down over a lost love.

Yuki calmly wipes away Aiko’s tears knowing that more are going to fall in their place. “Because he’s been with you since the beginning and became the love of your life. I’d even say he’s your soulmate, Aiko.”

Nejire and Hana nod vigorously, but don’t speak.

“If he’s my soulmate, then why did he have to leave me?”

“No amount of distance or time can keep soulmates from each other. Your daddy and I found each other. We’re soulmates, too. He’ll come back to you, honey. Or you’ll go to him.”

“I don’t want my heart to hurt anymore, Mom…” Aiko closes her eyes as another bout of sobs fill her chest. “I never asked to be in this much pain.”

"It won't be forever, sweetie. I promise. Sometimes you can't be with who you love all the time, but when it's meant to be, love finds a way."

"I… I need to leave. I'm sorry." Aiko quickly wipes her face and stands, getting out of the hold of her mom. "I really am sorry. I didn't know I'd react this way."

"Aiko," Nejire starts, "does Mirai know how much you're hurting?"

"It doesn't matter, not when he's living the dream he wants. I can't take him away from that. I'll just have to ignore how I feel." Aiko takes a few steps backward, intending to say a last goodbye, but she's stopped when she backs into something. 

She completely misses the little smiles that grow on everyone's face when she turns her head to see what she ran into. Her brain doesn't quite register who she backed into.

"You know, hiding how you feel doesn't end well most of the time, Sunshine," Mirai says, lips turned up and eyes glassy from what he overheard.

"M-M… Mirai?"

"Yeah. Surprise!"

"But you… just moved somewhere else?”

“Here. For good. I’m not moving anymore. I’m home again.”

Aiko blinks back more tears, but it doesn’t work. “You’re really back? I’m not hallucinating?”

“You’re not,” Mirai says, taking a step closer to wipe her tears away for her. “I’m here. I missed you so much, Aiko.”

“I missed you, too,” she says, her chest getting tight and face scrunching up as yet another round of sobs start. “I’m sorry we stopped talking for so long. I didn’t mean for it to happen.”

“It’s not your fault. We both got busy.”

With tears pouring down her face no matter how many times Mirai tries wiping them away, Aiko’s lips turn up just slightly. “I love you so much, Mir. It hurt so bad being so far away from you.”

“I know. I felt the same way.”

Aiko cradles one of his hands on her face. She closes her eyes. The warmth from his hands is proof he’s really there, standing in front of her and not thousands of miles away anymore. The moment she’s dreamt of far too often is happening right in front of her. Mirai is home again.

“Aiko?”

She hums, eyes opening to stare into Mirai’s eyes.

“Let’s go somewhere. Maybe we can get dinner. Just us.”

“But your birthday—”

“I want to spend the rest of my birthday with you. To catch up.”

“Okay,” Aiko says in a breathless whisper. “You’re sure?”

Mirai glances over at their family watching. They’re silent with anticipation. “Yes, let’s just go,” he whispers. “They’ll be fine. It’s my birthday.” Mirai leans in close to her, his breath fanning across her lips, but he doesn't kiss her. “And I only want to be with you, Aiko.”

Her lips part, the feeling of him so close after so much time apart is intoxicating. It's almost too much for her heart to handle. "Let's order in."

His eyes darken, and his cheeks turn a little pink. "If that's what you want."

"Are you moved in yet?" Aiko is almost embarrassed by the erratic beating of her heart. This feels so impulsive for their relationship, whatever it may be now.

"No," he says. "My stuff is still on its way here."

"You can stay with… with me if you want… after we eat."

"I'd like that." Mirai's eyes shift to her lips, but he nods toward their families. "Let's go." 

They get halfway to his car before Aiko stops him.

"Mirai."

He looks at Aiko seriously.

"Can we go back to how we were? Before you left?"

Mirai smiles as if he's the sun. "I'd like that, but we're not the kids we were back then."

"I-I know. I don't care if it'll be different from high school. I just can't go on another second without you, Mir. I can't do it."

"We don't have to be apart anymore, Sunshine. I'm here to stay."

"Kiss me. Please."

"In front of them?" Mirai nods toward the others watching.

"Please."

So, he does. A hand cradles the back of her head, fingers tangling in her hair. His smiling lips crash upon hers and immediately work her lips open to deepen their kiss. Aiko presses herself against him with a satisfied moan the moment his tongue enters her mouth. Mirai grunts for her ears only when her hands sneak under his shirt just so she can dig her nails into his lower back, causing him to press closer to her.

Mirai has to pull away, but not without a few gentle kisses to her already puffy lips. "We need to go before something happens in front of everyone in this park."

She nods vigorously. "Please. Let's go."

The two hardly see the knowing smiles on their mothers' faces, the mortified gaze on her father's face, the proud look on his father's face, and the fake gag her sister acts out as they climb into Mirio's car and head to her apartment.

Yuki watches them go. "It seems like they're going to be just fine now."

"He's going to… to sleep with our daughter," Tamaki says, appalled at his wife's calm demeanor.

"I'm pretty sure that happened before he left."

"What?!"

Nejire laughs. "You didn't know?"

"They were… too young."

"They were in love, Tama," Yuki says. "Just like you and me. Like Mirio and Nejire. It's okay."

"I swear if I become an aunt…" Hana groans.

"We're leaving," Tamaki says, standing and walking away. Hana quickly gets up to follow.

"He really hates the idea of his eldest daughter growing up, huh?" Mirio chuckles. "I've never seen him act like this."

"He just wants to keep our first baby safe even though she's old enough to take care of herself." Yuki gathers up a few things to head out. "He fears she'll end up in a situation like the one I was in. Mirai will take care of her well, and he knows that, but it still worries him. It'll be no different when Hana finds herself in a relationship."

"Mirai loves Aiko more than anything," Nejire says. "She's the reason he came home. They're meant to be."

—

Mirai walks out of Aiko's bathroom and sees her sitting cross-legged on her bed in his shirt, scrolling through her social media. He watches her go to her profile and pause on the photo she posted after they parked at her place, his lips pressed to her temple. She looked so happy when they took it.

He plops down next to her, his lips instantly attaching to the soft exposed skin of her shoulder. A grin slides onto his face when she leans into him.

"Do you need to shower?"

"No. I'll be fine." Aiko sets her phone aside and turns to him. "I'm glad you're home, Mir."

"I am, too. Being with you is the best birthday and welcome home gift I could ask for."

"It has nothing to do with sex, right?"

His cheeks turn a deep red as the memory of what happened as soon as they got to her apartment clouds his mind. "I didn't come back here for that, although it's certainly a perk. I love you… and missed you."

"I missed you, too. So much."

"But I'm home now." Mirai wraps his arms around her. "I'm not leaving again. Being without you for that long was the worst time of my life."

"They'll ask you to travel again, though. That's what your agency does."

"Not if I marry you."

A long pause.

"You want to… but you just got back? We've barely gotten back together."

"Do you not want to? I won't ask you if you aren't interested. I know a lot of people aren't getting married anymore. That's okay with me if that's what you want."

Aiko suddenly laughs. "Mirai, I'm only saying we haven't gotten to know each other as we are now." Her lips meet his shortly. "I'd be crazy to not marry you, but can we wait long enough to relearn who we are together? I don't… I don't want us to fall apart."

"No, no, I understand and that's a good idea. I love how smart you are about this stuff. I'm hopeless without you."

"I'm hopeless without you," she says. 

Mirai scratches his neck and looks at the bedspread. "Do you want to pause having sex then?"

"No. Definitely not. Not after… that." Aiko licks her lips, biting down on her bottom one, and puts some hair behind her ear. "No one's ever made me do that."

"It was pretty sexy." Mirai glances down at himself and flushes. "Maybe we shouldn't talk about this right now."

Aiko also looks down at him and shrugs. "Or we could do something about it."

He feels it and she sees it.

"Okay, but I need a few minutes," he says. "I might look ready, but… but I'm not."

Aiko nods before curling up against Mirai, gazing up at him sweetly. "Cuddle with me then? I've missed your hugs."

"Happily." Mirai lies down with her held in his arms. "What did you do to recharge while I was gone?"

"I hugged Dad a lot, or I went over to see Uncle Kiri's son and cuddled him until he whined to be let go. I managed, but nothing worked as well as this right here."

Mirai's lips connect with the top of her head. "I love you. I'm sorry I had to leave you for so long."

"It's okay. I understood why you had to go."

"I almost quit right there in the airport when I heard you crying into your dad. I didn't want to leave you."

"You needed to though. I would have been more upset if you turned down something that good just for me."

"There's a lot I would do for you, you know. I would have said I couldn't go anymore if you asked me to stay."

"I know. It's why I never asked because I knew you'd listen."

With a sigh, Mirai squeezes Aiko. "Well, I'm home now. We don't have to worry about it again."

"If we get married though, right?"

"I mean, yeah. I'm not accepting anymore jobs that take me away from you no matter how long it takes for us to get married."

Aiko looks at Mirai, eyes wide and curious. "If you were going to ask… do you have a ring?"

He kisses her before standing and digging through his pants tossed onto the floor. He comes back with a small velvet box and passes it to Aiko.

Carefully, she opens it to find a gorgeous teardrop-shaped sapphire ring on a silver band. Aiko looks up at him to see the gem matches his eyes perfectly.

"It's beautiful, Mir."

"You can have it. It's meant for you. You can wear it like any other ring if you want. I don't mind. It's yours."

"When did you get it?" Aiko slowly takes it out of the box and slips it onto her left ring finger.

"A few weeks before we broke up. I wanted to fly you out to me. I was going to take you around the city, take you to dinner… all of it. Then I was going to ask you to marry me. I knew the distance was hard, but I wanted to reassure you that there was no one else. But… I got busier and then we broke up. I couldn't let it go though. I hoped you'd wait for me."

"Yes."

"What?" Mirai raises an eyebrow.

"I said yes."

"To…?"

Aiko rolls her eyes before pressing her lips to his. "Yes, I'll marry you." She spoke against his lips and then pulled him into a passionate open-mouthed kiss, her hand with the ring sliding into his hair at the back of his head.

Mirai wastes no time turning her onto her back, leaning over her with glittering eyes. "God, I love you so much, Aiko."

"I love you, too, Mirai."

[ever-winter]

How!? How was it that this worm knew all the right words to throw at him? It was as though he dug straight into all his deepest insecurities, as though he was somehow able to see through him, a feeling that he hated more than anything else. Wrenn knew him best? Wrenn didn't know the first thing about him! All Wrenn was, was a collection of memories, a doll that was there to withstand everything in...his...

Shut up. Shut up! SHUT UP! The more that Evan talked, the wore that he wished to scream, but for the first time since arriving there, it felt as though his voice had grown stuck to the back of his throat, lips parting from time to time, as though he wished to speak, as though desperate to make Evan just stop talking, just stop striking him with all these lies! Cause that's what it had to be, it had to be lies, it had to be...

But, why had the Archon come here? Why was she connected with Wrenn - a fake...who just so happened to be outside the labs. Why was he outside, when Seiko was stuck here? Why? WHY? None of this had mattered before now, why was it all..making sense? No. Evan was just lying. He was just trying to get into his head. He was just trying to play with his fears. He knew Wrenn, that allowed him to know how best to strike at Seiko too...

But what about Nahida. He couldn't shake that from his mind. Why would an Archon risk their safety to rescue a doll? How would the 'fake' have connections with the divine? How had Wrenn first escaped? How had he never seen Wrenn before? He groaned, holding a hand against the side of his head.

"For one thing, he remembers already becoming a god"

Became a God. That worm? That fake? That bag of memories? He was to believe that Wrenn had managed to achieve that goal he'd been reaching for, for the entire length of his life? And then what? He'd fallen straight back into the jaws of hell itself? A God? He was supposed to believe that Wrenn was a fucking GOD!? Even's voice was becoming like static in his ears as electro started to buzz around Seiko's outline, though some words got through - why make a clone at all?

"Evan...Evan I think you should step away", Kazuha hurried over to the others side, watching with wide eyes as the form before them burst out into another fit of manic laughter, electro buzzing from the edges of his skin, snapping at the air, at the bars of their cell, Kazuha gently trying to tug Evan away from the bars, though honestly, it wasn't as though there was anywhere they could actually run to hide, was there?

"A GOD!?", Seiko suddenly screamed, eyes snapping open, crazed and aglow, lightning seeming to dance within, "You're saying - that waste of space - is the end result of everything I've been through!? HA!HAHAHAHAHA! You are so darn pathetic! I'll show you! I'll show all of you! The strength I've gained, the power I control! I'll prove I'm much better than that FALSE GOD you wish to claim is real!".

"Evan!", Kazuha glanced around the cell in a rather desperate manner, his hair already beginning to stand on edge. They were standing in a death sentence, his gaze falling to Nene and Collei - the other humans stuck in this impossible situation. He'd listened enough to Wrenn and Evan both state about how much more durable they were in comparison to them - and like it or not - he had to trust in that, "Collei, Nene! Make yourself as small as possible!".

He'd ran across to the opposite side of the cell, just as the initial blast of lightning hit the side of metal bars, Kazuha yelping at the heat to hit his back, spreading his arms wide as he threw himself over the two younger girls, arms wrapping tightly around them, protecting them with as much of his own body as he possibly could, the maniacal laughter becoming louder and louder behind him, Kazuha terrified of looking behind him, terrified to see what must be happening to Evan, all his energy instead being poured into protecting the two girls between his arms - having not realised that when the lightning had struck into his back, a thin shield of his own electro had formed around them, though there were cracks starting to slowly spread across it's surface as the intensity of the energy grew around them.

The bars before Evan had proven to be little protection for the fist that had flown for Evan's chest, Seiko's fist ripping through metal and tissue alight, a ball of electro striking the boy from the inside out, Seiko wrapping his fingers around any bone he could find, focusing all his anger into his fist, electro continuing to grow in the air, sparks and bolts flying harpharzdly around the room, wrapping around the metal of the bars of the cells, turning the cells into a death trap of their own, screams breaking through the laughter that continued to bounce off the walls, the horrid smell of burnt flesh, hair and metal filling the air, Seiko's skin slowly beginning to crack, though he didn't seem to notice, of if he did, he didn't care. "Let your GOD save you FROM THIS! HAHAHAHAHA!".

All Kazuha could so was cling to the girls and hope that his shield would hold for longer than Seiko's energy would, though that wasn't looking very likely, the man trying also block the sounds of the screams as best as he could, only to cry out in shock as the shield finally snapped like glass around them, red eyes wide in alarm, desperately throwing himself forwards in some hope of somehow protecting them from harm - a sharp pain the last thing felt as he finally passed out, wings having torn out from his back, wrapping around Collei and Nene, protecting them from the last of the lightning that continued to fall around them - until the laughter finally stopped. Seiko dropped Evan, slowly stepping away from the carnage he'd just caused, eyes lazily taking in the damage before him, a weak laugh passing his lips before he fell to the ground. Could a 'fake' do all this? Could a 'fake' hope to hold even half this power? Wren was nothing! Nothing! And he certainty he hadn't... If that was his future he was better off dead anyway...

Oh? Had Evan struck a nerve?

He didn't miss the way Scaramouche's demeanor changed, the lightening on his fingertips. That manic laughter was nothing more than a mask, wasn't it?

Then maybe Evan had to keep pushing.

"It does not make me 'feel better' to consider you a prisoner," he admitted. "In fact, the very idea is baffling to me. Wrenn is the one convinced that there's some good in you--maybe it's because he's born from your memories and knows you best of all, whether you both like it or not. Yet, something still bothers me..."

Evan's grip on the iron bars tightened with his jaw, eyes glancing over Scaramouche before he turned away.

"The whole thing regarding Wrenn being the 'fake.' Something about that isn't lining up with everything I know," he began. "For one thing, he remembers already becoming a god, and being thwarted by the Traveler and Nahida. Then, Nahida took him in and tried to rehabilitate him... only for them both to end up in this place. Don't you think there's something strange about that?"

His eyes went back to Scaramouche, gaze piercing. Like that of a poisonous dagger, just about to inject its victim with a toxin that wouldn't so easily be shaken.

"Had Dottore made Wrenn himself, these memories would be false. However, if that is the case... How in the world did Dottore get his hands on the Archon of Wisdom? If she has nothing to do with Wrenn in reality, only appearing in his false memory, Dottore would have no connections to her. So tell me--how did Dottore manage to capture her? Especially with how her entire nation came to know her name and face. Out of all of the Archons to pick, why her? Why not an Archon who is not known to their people, like the Anemo Archon? Why take the risk of kidnapping a god who's people will surely notice her absence? And that's not even the most confusing thing."

"If there's one thing I know about this hellhole, it's to never trust Dottore at his word. So if Dottore says Wrenn is the clone and you are the real one--well, of course I'm not going to believe that blindly... and if you think about it, you not being on that table doesn't make sense if you're the original." Despite his confidence, Evan ended up tensing. "Why would Dottore experiment and dissect a body of a clone he built himself? That doesn't make sense. He supposedly built Wrenn from the ground up using you as a base, no? Then why bother cutting him open like he isn't fully aware of what makes Wrenn function? Why is he pushing Wrenn to his limits and beyond when he should already be aware of those limitations. In fact... why make a clone at all, aside from making it as a proof of concept? When you really think about it... things are just not lining up. Something is wrong with the information--it's contradicting itself."

"... So forgive me for say it, but I don't think I'll be 'alive' to witness the birth of a new god--in fact... I'm pretty damn sure I already missed it."