(_your name_) stared at the setting sun. She stood on the edge of the ship, not looking back at me as I approached her. "It doesn't seem like it's moving. It should be though, shouldn't it?"

I smiled. "We are moving quickly towards it." I wrapped my arms around her waist from behind her. "The good thing is we're not affected by the strong wind that should be pushing us back."

She held my arms tightly against her. "Yeah. I wouldn't want to fall back unless we were going to stay in this position the whole time."

I pressed her body against mine and kissed her forehead.

Her touch dimmed. "Pitch, it's hard to believe I'm here at all."

I rested my chin on her shoulder. "Why's that?"

"Well before you were always pushing me away because of something about crushing my light."

"I'm still having trouble with that."

"What?"

I sighed. "I dislike the hopes and dreams people have. Even though you're here with me I'm irritated." I gently squeezed her hand.

She glanced at me.

I faintly smiled. "Not by your presence, but by the light in your eyes."

"Oh." She looked back at the water. "My happiness."

I nodded. "It's my nature, but I hope to get over it for us. That's really the only reason I trust Cupid, because I hope that you stay by my side forever for this war."

She turned around, our eyes locking. Smiling, she placed a hand on my cheek. "I'll always be with you."

It became difficult to breathe, so I looked away. "Forgive me."

She lowered her head, sighing. "It'd be better if I didn't have this stupid light."

I shook my head. "It's best you stay the way you are." I kissed her forehead. "After all, that would be like asking me to stop being the Boogieman."

She smiled. "I wouldn't want that."

"As I don't want you to change." I lightly lifted her chin. "Now, I have something prepared for us." I turned to the giant shadow on the deck behind us.

"What is it?"

I smiled, lifting up the shadow to reveal a small, round table with two plates of food, a wine bottle, and a candle. Two hand fulls of fireflies worked together to pick up a guitar. They took turns plucking a smooth melody with the guitar.

I took (_your name_)'s hand and led her to the table.

"This is amazing. Smooth sailings to an island for just us?" She smiled as I poured her some of the grape juice. It didn't smell like wine at all, but it smelled wonderful.

"A beautiful girl deserves a beautiful night." My hand caressed her neck as she sat down. I pushed her chair in and sat in my own chair.

We ate the food as she told me more about herself, why she enjoyed this evening, how she loved dark things, how she really disliked some of the people in her town. I listened to every word, noting every beautiful expression. 

She smiled at me. "Pitch? Are you all right?"

I stood up and took her by the hand, leading her to the center of the deck. I took her into my arms. "I've never been better."

We began to sway and dance to the song played by the strange fireflies. She got closer to me with every step and wrapped my arms tighter around her with every twirl. With her arms wrapped around my neck, I placed my hand on the small of her back and kissed her.

This moment was all I cared for. The fearlings were quiet. The war within me was calm. We were in each other's arms and that was all that mattered.

Suddenly the ship came to a stop, and we looked to the right at the island. It looked like the sun was rising or maybe setting. I couldn't remember what it was supposed to be, but there was some small blotches of darkness around it, like if a painter accidentally spilled some paint near the sun.

I got off the ship, taking (_your name_) by the hand. My eyes narrowed at the shadow of the palm trees, for when I traveled the shadows I never saw an opening to come here. The smell of fruit danced in the wind, and I noticed there were fireflies flying throughout the island.

I stared at the some the big, red flowers.

"The guardians really won't find us here?" (_your name_) looked at me.

I shrugged. "I didn't know of this place. They most likely don't even know about this place." My eyes followed shimmering, golden specks that led to (_your name_). I smiled. "This island is all ours."

She grinned and jumped into my arms. I kissed her forehead, caressing the small of her back. She wrapped her arms around me and kissed me. I kissed the nape of her neck and then her ear. She pulled me onto her and I knelt onto one knee, kissing her neck and caressing her side.

I gently kissed her lips as I picked her up and carried her to the center of the island.

"Where are we going?" She kissed my cheek.

"Somewhere you can rest comfortably." I spotted a waterfall with a small opening under it. But it looked strange. There were lights coming out of it in circular and square shapes.

"Is that a house?" She pointed. "It's kind of hard to see because of the water but..."

I nodded. "I see it." I walked towards the water fall as the color of the water began to change. It change to yellow, then a light blue, then to a deep purple.

"I think there's a door here." I let (_your name_) down and she walked to the side of the water. She grinned. "There is one." She opened the door and gestured for me to follow her.

I stepped into the dimly-lit house and noticed the dark tile floor and the fruits on the table. They look perfect and vivid. There wasn't a fridge for other or any electric appliances. Simply fire flies in jars to light the place.

"Think this place is trapped?" (_your name_) looked around as she spoke.

"No. I don't Cupid would destroy her own home. Besides, if the guardians truly don't know about this place then she wouldn't have to put traps."

She nodded and opened one of the two doors. A cool air hit our faces and we entered the dark room. The dark marble floor looked cold and smooth.

(_your name_) yawned at the dark bed with carmine pillows. "They're so smooth." She touched the pillow and looked back at me. "Do you think she planned this all? Find this place, I mean."

I shrugged. "Maybe. Cupid is still quite a mystery to me." I poked one of the pillows. "But, I think she did want us to find this place, so we could rest." I sat on the bed.

(_your name_) smiled and lied onto the bed.

I looked down at her. "Lonely?"

She laughed as I lied next to her. Our eyes locked as she placed a hand on her cheek. I kissed her while caressing her neck and slowly pushing every inch of my body to her. Her arms wrapped around me and I began kissing her neck with lingering kisses, slowly working my way to her elbow. I kissed her cheeks and stroked her hair as my lips started caressing her neck again.

I kissed her. "I would say sorry to respect you, but as you know I am an awful man." I kissed her neck.

"No. You're a wonderful King of Nightmares. The Boogieman." She grinned.

I faced her. "Yes, I am." I grinned.

"And one day I'll be your queen?"

"Of cour..." I tried to imagine it.

(_your name_) being my queen. The problem that froze me was her aging. She was still getting older and it hurt me. It was gripping my heart tighter as I saw her aging in my eyes. She'd eventually whither away to dust and out of my arms.

"What is it?" Her face came closer to mine.

I shuddered. 

 "You... don't want..."

I pulled her closer to me. "I do, sweetheart. I simply don't want to lose you. I don't want you to be ripped away from me. But..."

She stared at me with concerned eyes.

I swallowed. "You will be ripped from me."

"No. I'll always be with you. I won't choose anyone else." She clung unto me. "There is no one else. I'm yours Pitch."

"And time's."

Her eyes widened. "I age... and you don't."

We were silent for a moment, simply staring at each other. Time froze as long as our gazes were locked. We didn't dare look away, but we didn't dare to move either, not even breathe. I took a deep breathe, wrapped my arms tightly around her, and caressed her. I kissed her forehead over and over.

Her grip on my arms felt wonderful, as if time really wouldn't rip her away. Her breath on my neck comforted me more and more, but it also tore me apart more and more. It was the very essence that reminded me she hadn't been ripped away, but that she still could be.

"Pitch," she said faintly as her breathing slowed.

Closing my eyes, I kissed her forehead, stroking her hair as she fell to unconsciousness. "Don't worry, my future queen. There is no way I'm letting time rip you away from me."