The group stood around the graves after clearing the weeds and planting fresh flowers. It was warm out, despite the sun only just cresting the horizon.

"Does anyone have any words?" a sweet voice spoke. Her companions' throats all clenched despite it being a year since the battle. 

"I'll go first if that's okay..." Her lover squeezed her hand three times, and she reciprocated. 

"I just want to say thank you to Ivy, Joel, and Ash for all the amazing things you did that saved us. All of us." She leaned against her soulmate and spoke again. 

"If it weren't for you, I would have never found my favourite person in the universe. Sweet Jean."

"Red," Jean grumbled, bumping into her shoulder, embarrassed. Her friends smiled and a few snickers reached her ears. She spun on them and snarled, "Hera, respectfully. Shut up."

Hera simply leaned in and whispered, "I told you so," before snuggling back against the most perfect love of her life. He sighed and nudged her, hearing the thought easily. She rolled her eyes and grinned."Not my fault you're basically telepathic now."

Only with you. His voice caressed her mind.

"I'll go next." Hera rocked on her feet nervously. "I haven't come here often, because it hurts so much. I didn't know Ash well, but if it weren't for him, we would never have had a chance. He saved us twice, and I'm eternally grateful for him." She heard Sages sniffle behind her and quiet, retreating feet. 

"Ivy was so wonderful to me. She made me feel at home before I knew I could belong to somewhere as amazing as this." Her throat clenched, and she fought back the burn in her eyes. "I miss her so much, especially when I get my ass kicked in training." A few chuckles sounded in the small meadow. 

"And Joel..." Grief surged in her chest before she gingerly pushed it down. Juno curled up inside Hera's mind with a soft cry of despair.

"Joel was my first friend, then my first enemy. He tried to kill me, then he saved me, so many times. He was a good man, just like his dad and I'm so thankful that I got to have him in my life, even if it was only for a little while." She sniffled and wiped the tears that escaped. Juno was mostly quiet now but Hera could feel their sorrow whenever Hera thought of Joel. She believed in her heart that Joel could have been Juno's soulmate, but now it could never be confirmed. Theo hugged her closer and kissed the top of her head. He knew her internal struggle completely and loved her regardless. 

She smiled up at him, "I love you." She whispered aloud. His smile eased the ache. She felt such guilt that she hadn't said it before almost losing Theo forever, so now she wouldn't stop. And Theo loved her more every time.

"Your dad invited us all to dinner," Jean broke the silence and her soulmate grinned, squeezing her hands and bouncing on her toes. Hera was so surprised when Jean told her she had found her soulmate. Especially in the sweetest Evolved who could simultaneously kick ass. Red could create visual illusions like Joel but she was exceptionally trained. She could make dozens of different-looking people that were tangible. Hera always found it hard watching Red train as she was reminded of Joel.

"There's some special news so please come tonight." Reds eyes shimmered and a blush flecked her cheeks. 

Hera nodded at the invitation. "We'll be there Red, thank you."

They said their goodbyes and walked home.

...

"What do you think the news is?" Hera shoulder bumped Theo and he smiled down at her knowingly.

"Someone's getting hitched."

"No way," she scoffed. "Why would you guess that?" Theo shrugged before posing a question of his own.

"What do you think it will be about?"

A few pebbles scuffed underfoot, "I don't know. Maybe there's news about Monroe, or settlements are getting an upgrade or maybe someone's having a baby."

Theo shook his head in amusement as she continued, "Maybe dad has finally decided who will be on the team to destroy the ships." Hera was excited about the prospect. She had begged him to consider prioritizing saving more of their people and destroying every last harvest site. 

There wasn't enough interest in forming the team. Everyone was just starting to feel settled and no one wanted to risk their lives anymore. She completely understood but she couldn't stop the guilt rising when she thought of all the Evolved still suffering, being tortured, experimented on, and killed. She would've just gone off on her own if it weren't for her friends and family, and not knowing where to start.

Theo's warm hand in hers calmed her racing mind and she leaned into him, breathing his delicious scent. She didn't know how she got so lucky.

"Better calm those thoughts my love if we're going to make it to dinner." Theo's low grumble had her stomach flipping.

"We have two hours until dinner." She replied giggling lightly.

"I know," was all he said in response. They crossed the threshold and Theo headed to the kitchen to grab a snack while Hera sauntered to the bedroom.

What are you doing? His eyes followed her across the room until she disappeared.

"Cold shower!" She shouted from the room. He chuckled devilishly throwing the orange he grabbed from hand to hand.

After very brief contemplation, he followed her in and climbed into the ice-cold shower. He turned the dial to a steamier temperature and peeled the orange. 

"Why did you bring food in our shower?" Hera looked quizzically over her shoulder. He appreciated the view he had and leaned in kissing her nape. She shuddered beneath his lips and inhaled the strong citrus fumes that were amplified by the room's humidity. Hera turned to face him and he broke off a piece, holding it to her lips. She looked from his face to the orange, to the purple scar on his chest. She was so lucky to still have him after the battle. He was only moments from bleeding out and was bedridden for weeks. The only consolation was they got to heal in beds opposite each other. 

Just close enough to hold hands.  

The fruit was still brushing against her mouth and she wrapped her lips around it, as well as his finger, and gently sucked the juices. Its sweet nectar trickled down her chin and onto her chest. She realized why he had brought the orange as he dipped his head to her stomach and licked from her navel to breast. His touch was too gentle and she giggled at the ticklish sensation. Her thoughts drifted to more rough ways of handling and Theo stiffened. 

She snatched half of the orange and ate it. It was too big for her mouth so more of the juices streamed from her mouth making her sticky. Just as she swallowed, she was spun dizzyingly fast and pushed against the shower wall. Her heart raced as his hand caressed her back and lower and gasped as a hard slap made contact. She knew his handprint would be visible on her ass for hours."What was that for?" She panted as his hand rubbed the tender spot.

"Do you remember that day when I said I would get you back for teasing me about Jean?"

She tried to wrack her mind for the memory but his hand moving in circular motions was increasingly distracting.

"I believe you said something along the lines of me being embarrassed to be bested by Jean..." He hummed, confirming his own words, "Yeah, that was it. And I do recall you threatened to kill me."

Hera's mouth opened and closed as she remembered the encounter, "But, I was only joking." She stammered trying to turn against his firm hold. She felt him press against her opening and moaned, "Now what?"

"You are still owed one more punishment, my love." She could hear the smile in his voice as she tried to squirm. 

"Don't you dare, Theo."

He slapped again on the other cheek and her back arched with need. She couldn't believe how wet he could make her. I can. He thought to her as he thrust inside her warm entrance. Her breath left her as he rocked back and forth from behind. His hand looped under her arms and took her breast into it, squeezing gently. He turned her so the spray of the showerhead could rinse her orange-soaked chest as he continued his steady movements. She leaned her head back against his chest and he kissed along her jaw. 

He was so perfect. 

Even after a year, he would still surprise her with his skilful touch. He chuckled and moved his hand down to her core, circling to the rhythm of his thrusts.

"Stop reading my mind." She panted out. He nibbled her earlobe and breathed out his reply.

"Stop thinking about me." Her eyes rolled back at his throaty command.

"Never."

He took her to the bedroom and finished what they had started. Nothing could have been more perfect if not for the looming dinner invitation they were definitely going to be late for.

They dressed with smiles plastered on their faces and only got distracted by each other twice. She still felt the traces of his kisses across her body as she locked up the cottage. 

Theo winked at his love as they walked the short distance to her father's house.