"She's like an angry chihuahua, god damn"- A quote from a reader XD 

I've gotten mixed reactions from this scene, some saying it was right for  Val to explode, others saying she is being too immature, let me know what you think :) Either way, this was fun to write

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Laughter bubbles from Tessa's lips, filling the hall as she doubles over, her hand on the wall for support. Once she composes herself, Tessa stands upright, wiping a tear from her laughing eye. She places a palm on Valery's cheek, her expression gentle.

"Oh, my sweet girl," Tessa says, her tone warm and reassuring. "You two are adults and you've been through so much together. It's fine. Do you honestly think your parents' first time was after marriage? Ash and mine?" Tessa chuckles. "Honey, we go on missions together. Working like this is bound to make people close. There's a reason we make sure people are mature enough before we send them out. Our only concern is everyone's safety, not prying into your private lives. If you were thirteen, we'd be having a different conversation. You're fine. Just be safe and be smart."

Valery looks at Tessa, a mixture of relief and gratitude washing over her, leaving her momentarily speechless.

"And here's a little secret for you," Tessa continues, giving Valery a playful bump with her elbow. "You were a year old when your parents finally tied the knot. They'd been together forever, just like you and Trent, inseparable since training. They never prioritized rings on their fingers. I thank you for your honesty but there are a thousand and one things to worry about right now. Your romantic life should not be one of them. This is one rule you're perfectly okay breaking." Tessa turns away, still chuckling. "And don't forget those herbs!" she calls over her shoulder, leaving Valery standing there, a newfound lightness in her heart.

Herbs, right. Valery shakes her head to clear away the shock, rerouting her mind to what was asked of her. Looking at the doorway, the hall appears to be free of visitors. She meanders down the hall, hoping she can find Trent before he settles down to sleep, hoping to find some private time to talk.

Valery's footsteps echo down the hallway as she approaches the kitchen. Laughter greets her ears, and as she steps inside, she sees Trent and Cora sitting at the table, a plate of assorted cakes between them. The two of them are engrossed in conversation, their laughter filling the room. Cora's face is alight with delight, her eyes sparkling as she takes tentative bites of the treats.

"Come on, try this." Trent chuckles, his eyes bright with genuine happiness.

"No way," Cora laughs as she pushes his hand holding a fork out of the way. "Nothing good can ever come from something called a Devil's Cake."

Valery's jaw tightens, her gaze flickering between Trent and Cora. She can feel the anger bubbling up inside her. Valery's voice rises, the frustration and hurt evident in her tone.

"You'll be waiting for me, huh, Trent? We couldn't make up from our fight and you're with her already?" She demands. Both Cora and Trent look up at her. Cora shifts in her seat. Trent's eyes widen, a mixture of surprise and guilt flashing across his face. "That sure as hell didn't take long! What, we get into a fight and you run right to her?" Valery's tone is sharp, accusing. He opens his mouth to speak, but Valery's anger is a tidal wave, sweeping over him, her anger burning hotter than anything he has ever felt before. "Do you have any idea how this looks? At least the little mouse beside you has the guts to look guilty." Cora's discomfort deepens. She averts her eyes, focusing on her hands, hoping for some respite from the intensity of the moment. "You assure me nothing is going on, yet, I find you here, sharing a moment with her. The two of you with your heads close, laughing. If you think by now that I don't know what love and adoration looks like on your face, you're dead wrong." Her voice wavers with a mix of anger and pain. "After everything we've been through, Trent. How could you?" He stumbles out of the chair, it falling to the floor behind him as he motions for Cora to stay sitting and makes his way towards Valery.

"Come on!" Trent complains, motioning towards the table, his voice tinged with desperation. "I was sitting there sulking, a pack of ice pressed to my mouth, no thanks to you by the way, and she came in to sit down with a plate of treats looking confused. Why are you reading so much into everything? What on earth did I do to break the trust you had in me?" He attempts to grasp one of her hands in his. "Can you just talk to me, please?"

She yanks them away, holding them behind her back. He growls, and ruffles his hair. "Why do you do this? Get upset at me and pull away? This is just like when I tried to propose and you hid from me! You lash out at Angela, but at least she is a mind reader, she can get to the point quickly and easy! Oh-ho! A smack to the head is all you seem to need from her. You lash out at Matt, well, he doesn't have a single angry bone in his body, it's not worth it with him. But me...I fight back. I fight back with everyone except you. Is that what you want? Someone to roll over and take this shit? Or is it a fight you want? Cause right now, I SWEAR I want nothing more than to knock those two loose flint stones in your head together to see if it lights up ANYTHING in your mind at all! You should know that NO ONE ELSE is going to mean more to me then you by now. If you don't know that, I don't know what else to tell you." He pauses. Takes a deep breath, lowers his forehead down to hers, ignoring the heat radiating from her, making beads of sweat scatter across his forehead. The pain he sees in her eyes is like a dagger to his heart. He lowers his voice, racking his mind for anything that can help take away the pain he sees. "All that poor woman over there needs is a friend. She has been through hell, and needs someone on her side. That is all, I swear to you. She hasn't even had a sweet before. From a butterfinger to an ice cream cake. Nothing. She is incredibly overwhelmed being here."

Valery's eyes narrow, her skepticism unwavering. "And why does that someone have to be you? Why is she the one you're sharing laughs and treats with? Did you even consider to invite me, since you swear she needs friends so bad?"

Trent's frustration grows, his attempts to explain falling on deaf ears. "Val, you know I love you, but she tried to open up to you and you didn't give her much. She's alone, scared, and she needs someone to show her some kindness. Right now, I'm the one she trusts."

Valery's voice is laced with frustration and hurt. "Oh, you're blaming me now? Really? Because I didn't want to open up to the encroaching roach? This isn't about kindness, Trent. It's about me knowing you well enough to know the look on your face you get when you are with her. You look at me the same way. You need to figure out what you want, I won't let you string me along." Valery takes another step back, now standing in the middle of the hall.

Trent's eyes plead with Valery, a mixture of concern and exasperation. "I've taken trips with Savannah, Anastasia has shadowed me before, copying my every move when your mom couldn't work with her, Sandra, even when Angela was new to our friend group you never cared if I went on missions with anyone of them. I would have never thought that you were a jealous person. And frankly, I don't like this part of you. It's not attractive in the slightest."

Valery shakes her head, her resolve unwavering. Without another word, Valery turns on her heel and storms away from the kitchen, her footsteps echoing down the hallway. She can feel Trent following behind her.. He takes quick strides to catch up, his heart pounding in his chest.

Trent's temper flares as he watches Valery storm away, his jaw clenched tightly in frustration. He quickens his pace to catch up, his heart racing with a mix of anger and concern.

"Valery, stop!" he calls out, his voice edged with irritation. "Don't you dare walk away from me!" His strides become longer as he closes the gap between them, his anger mounting with every step. "You can't just ignore me like this," he snaps, his tone laced with hostility. "You think you can just walk away whenever you want? That's not how this works!"

Valery doesn't slow down, her steps purposeful and determined.

"Guess I should just ignore human decency, right? Sure, trust is overrated anyway!" Trent rants. Valery stops in her tracks, her back still turned to Trent. She takes a deep breath, torn between her own fears and the love she feels for him. "Trent, I..." Valery's voice wavers, she turns slowly to face him, her eyes searching his for some sign of understanding.

She looks into his eyes intently. "You don't see it, do you?" Valery's whisper cuts through the air, carrying with it a sense of resignation. She pulls away from his touch, her determination unwavering. Without a word, she breaks from his grasp and flees up the stairs.

He follows her up the stairs, the urgency in his steps matching hers.She reaches the top of the stairs and bolts into the first bedroom she comes across. In her haste, she leans against the door, her breathing heavy and her heart pounding.

"Um, hello. What's going on?" Savannah demands startled as she plops her newest box of hair dye on her desk.

Trent reaches the top of the stairs, his chest heaving with exertion. "Seriously? This is what your doing? Fine, go ahead and ignore me. But you can't avoid your feelings forever!"

"Seriously, what was I just thrown into?" Savannah mutters, crossing her arms as she watches Valery roll her eyes and then squeeze them shut.

He heaves a heavy sigh. "Here we go again with the damn hidding," he mutters, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. "Fine, go ahead and ignore me. But you can't avoid this forever!I have a date with the punching bag." he calls as he storms away. Valery takes a deep breath, roughly rubs her hands across her face and lifts her head look at Savannah.