It was four more days until our... invasion? infiltration?–whatever you wanted to call it–of Zavlon Academia.

   The effects of the preceding days of consistent training– with the weapons and suits this time, going over and over the plan was becoming more and more evident in my aching muscles, the dark circles developing around my eyes, exhaustion, the anxiety that came with the anxiety felt from the anxiety over the thought of entering Zavlon once again, overthinking (you had to have seen that coming) and with regard to the situation i was currently in, pretending to listen to Landon as i waited outside the motel with him for his Ride go on about... about...

"Beth? Did you hear me?" The snapping of Landon's fingers over my face as he asked brought me back to earth.

"Sorry, sorry." I sighed into my palms, rubbing them over my face before looking up once more. "I'm all ears now, promise."

"I just..." As he trailed off was when I then noticed the seriousness that his features assumed. "I just wanted to say thanks for our walks."

   Landon's presence while I was working on my creations in the motel's basement was company I didn't know I needed. Once we got past his flirting (well, more like i got used to it), I found myself looking forward to working in the basement with him around to talk to, have his honest opinion and help when I was having trouble with my designs and the actual creations. And how could I forget that it was his connections that helped me get access to the materials and equipment I couldn't get on my own? That was why I made it a point to walk him to his ride everyday. But even with that, he had never acted in a way which made me feel like I was obligated to do so. To be honest, it felt like no obligation whatsoever. Especially since I was never bored with our conversations.

   Unless you count today. But wait, I was not bored, just tired.

"Oh, you're welcome?" My reply ended up sounding like a question since his straight face still hadn't wavered. I wasn't sure of the tone I should've used to respond.

"And thanks for trusting me when I came around when no one else will. That couldn't have been easy for you."

"You're right," I admitted. "But I'm glad I did."

"Thanks."

"I want to thank you too," I said, after we stood in silence for a while, proceeding to acknowledge our time in the basement, his help and everything else that had crossed my mind some seconds ago. "Talise couldn't have chosen a better friend. And I'm sure I'm not the only one who agrees."

"Well, Rav doesn't stare at me like he's ever ready to hire a mercenary to give me one of those 'accidental' deaths just for breathing...not anymore anyway."

"See? Progress." I chuckled. "We're all friends now."

   The serene, evening wind picked up, bringing with it a new chill that caused me to wrap my arms around my shivering frame. My eyes closed shut as I created friction between my hands and body, trying to savour the slight warm feeling that travelled through me.

   Suddenly, enveloped around me was a warmth that couldn't possibly be from my hands. A tightness made its way to my throat as my mind struggled to come to terms with Landon's arms around me.

   Okay, maybe I was jumping into silly conclusions too fast. It wasn't like I'd done anything to hide the fact that I was cold. He was just helping out like he always does.

   But then again, he could have just given me the jacket he was wearing.

"Beth?" His voice was so soft, almost inaudible.

"Yeah?" For mysterious reasons, I held my breath after replying.

"I don't want to be just your friend."

   That was my cue to pull away. "Landon..."

   I couldn't meet his eyes. I just couldn't. The coldness that the wind brought moments ago never left but every inch of my skin was on fire. I can't say that I never thought this moment would come, but it seemed as though the countless times I'd attempted to convince myself that his flirting was shallow had succeeded in having that effect on me. For a while anyway.

   But we had already gone through this during one of our first days in the basement. I'd made it clear that what was between us was to remain in the past. At least I thought I had.

   Inasmuch as I didn't want to hurt Landon's feelings, not addressing this was probably going to have a much worse impact on the both of us. In the few days we had to ourselves before an uncertain future trying to save everyone at Zavlon, I owed it to him and me to tell the bitter truth once and for all.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about you when you returned to Germany. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a lot. I thought it was for the best that we didn't torture ourselves with the agony of a long distance relationship or whatever, which was why i never called or texted you back when you left." I sighed, feeling the gut wrenching effect of those last three words stronger than ever. "When you left, I was angry, but mostly with myself because I knew from the getgo how this was going to end and still felt so down when you did. But that doesn't mean I regret anything that happened. I wouldn't trade it for the world."

   Looking for the first time after a while, I was relieved to see that though his eyes were red and glistening with unfallen tears, they looked distant as his lips lifted to a slight smile. That was what made me know that he was reminiscing too.

"That's the thing though,'' I continued, swallowing the lump in my throat right before getting to the hard part. "I love the memories, I love the conversations, the laughs we shared, the many, many kisses," where was the familiar part of me that would cringe their way out of this monologue that seemed to be getting too long? "And other incredible things we once shared and get to keep between us. But that was then. Eventually, as expected, I grew up. I got enough time to feel less worse everyday and soon enough, I didn't think and overthink about what could have been. And I find it hard to believe that for the many years you spent away, the same thing didn't happen to you."

"You're right, it did," Landon gave a slow nod while replying. "But when I saw you again, at Esi's party with Talise and the others, I just... what awoke within me weren't just old, 13 year or however old we were feelings. They were way, way beyond that. More mature, stronger, and I..." he inhaled a sharp breath. "I know I said before that it was probably the memories that had something to do with how I was feeling and that's not a lie, but I also know that their contribution was less than a fraction. I like you, Beth. again. I like you again. Not only because of memories but because I've gotten to hang out with the older version of brilliant, funny, beautiful you and I've loved every minute of it."

"So have I." I smiled. Until I realised how it sounded. "I mean I've loved hanging out with you, not me! Oh God, that probably sounded so self-centered, I'm not in love with myself or anything–"

   The loud laugh that escaped Landon broke my anxious rant. I would've cursed him out for finding my misery hilarious if I didn't notice how genuine it sounded.

"Don't worry, Beth, no one'll know what you're really into. And here I was thinking the problem was me." he grinned.

"Oh, shut up," I mumbled, almost failing to notice how one of my hands reached out to shove him since I'd done it a hundred times during our times in the basement and it felt natural at this point.

   Even though it had to take him laughing at me, I was glad Landon sounded like his old, playful self again.

   I managed to catch him off guard by putting my arms around his frame which stiffened with hesitation at first, until his arms loosened enough to return the gesture. This time, it didn't feel weird as we stood in the silent night hugging each other.

"Beth?" his lower jaw which was currently resting on my head moved as he said my name.

"Yeah?'' I asked with a small voice, not sure what to make of his sudden gruff tone and the slight but noticeable tightening of his grip around me.

"If Dorian hurts you... he and I gon' have a problem."

"I'll let him know."

***

"Hey, sorry I'm late," I said to Dorian while shutting his room's door behind me. "Landon's car arrived really late for some reason and I–

   The look on his face when I turned and we made eye contact cut my words short. Before I could say anything, however, Dorian moved from his stance near the room's window. In less than a second, I was already immersed in the sensation that came with his lips pressed against my neck, only coming up for air when necessary, jumbling whatever words I could have come up with. By the time his lips finally found mine, those dishevelled words transitioned to non-existence.

   It took me a few seconds to realise when we'd made it to his bed. And that was only because he pulled away.

   Wearing the biggest smile I'd ever seen on him, Dorian's stare stayed glued onto me. It was at first amusing to see him in such a giddy state, but my brows began to raise at this unprecedented behaviour.

"Hi," he eventually said.

   Umm... "Hey?"

"What will you..." I looked down at my hands as he paused to entangle his with them. "..be doing tomorrow?"

"Everything you and everyone else will be doing? Working out, training with the weapons and..." although my eyes followed Dorian as he moved to stand behind me, I was helpless to the fact that my next words at the tip of my tongue melted from the feel of his hands encircling my hips and his lips returning to my neck.

"Do you remember when you came to me in the basement at dawn?" he asked after lifting his head and resting it on my shoulder.

   I was glad to hear that I wasn't the only one finding it a bit hard to breathe at the moment.

"Yeah," my reply came out as a whisper.

   That time in the basement was the most vulnerable I'd ever seen Dorian. It was also one of the rare times he'd sort of opened up to me about his personal side, something I couldn't or wanted to ever forget.

"You said you'd love to go out with me."

   I craned my neck to stare at him. Oddly enough that was something that had slipped my mind. Now that he mentioned it, I just realised that he had practically quoted me on what I'd said that day.

"Are you sure that was me?" I squinted my eyes his way as my fingers stroked my chin in a gesture suggesting mockery.

"Very funny." Dorian rolled his eyes, his gaze, however, softening when they met mine again. "If you, like me, have been counting, – which I know you have–then you'd know that we have four days left until we get into Zavlon. As optimistic as we are with Rav and Camila's incredible plan and the weapons and armour and everything else, anything could happen when we do. One wrong move and any of us could be–"

"Don't finish that sentence," I said, letting out a sigh as I looked away. "That is the last thing anyone should be thinking about right now."

   And I, as a thinker and overthinker of what the possible horrors we could face upon our entry into Zavlon, would know that.

"You're right." He nodded. "But I have. I've thought about it a lot. And the one thing that lingers anytime I do is regret."

"Regret?"

"Regret." he confirmed. "The regret I'll feel for not going out with you before this battle we eventually have to face. Which is why I'd like to officially ask: Beth–sorry I don't know your middle name–Simmons, will you make me the luckiest boy in the world by going out with me tomorrow night?"

   I had never been more glad to be already sitting down because the weakness that had suddenly overcome my lower limbs was bound to make them forget the simple act of standing. Sitting down, unfortunately, could not save me from the wild thumps that my heart assumed. The longer I stayed quiet, staring at him like an idiot, the more I began to fear the disappearance of my ability to speak. I couldn't keep acting–or rather not acting??– like this. I had to do something.

   So I did.

   Shoving away any more dampening thoughts, I threw my hands around his neck, throwing him off guard as I dragged his face toward mine and gave him–at the risk of sounding cocky– the best kiss I'd ever given anyone.

   To my relief, I received an equal amount of fierceness and passion from Dorian as he returned the kiss.

   Even when we finally pulled away, our remaining body parts did seem to–or want to– get the hint. One of Dorian's hands stayed on my back as I remained pressed up against him.

   It suddenly hit me that I still hadn't answered him.

"I don't know your middle name either," I said, referring to his earlier comment while reaching for his other hand resting under my shirt. "Thankfully, we both have tomorrow night to find out."

A/N: FINALLY!!! I think we're all excited for their first date than they are lol. 

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