2020

Mira sat on her bed. 

Just thinking.

She wanted to go see Anti but today wouldn't be a good day for it since Dark wasn't too busy.

Or at least, he pretended he wasn't busy. Was he on to her?

She had nostalgia, memories running through her head.

Every time she was away from Anti, she still couldn't help but think about him. He consumed her whole life.

And what if Jackie found him? And she wasn't there?

She knew this amount of obsession with her friend was unhealthy but she couldn't help it. She had been the strongest all her life and always felt the need to protect others. 

Was that all her relationship with Anti was on her end? The need to protect him?

A fear rose up inside of her, screaming and she started to feel faint.

'Knock, knock'

Mira looked up towards her door and saw Host standing there leaning on the door frame with his arms crossed.

It was unusual for him to not say anything, though so she cleared her throat, "H-host? What is it?"

"The Host normally wasn't at a loss for words . . . . . he always knew Mira's feelings inside and out. He knew everyone's feelings but what stumped Host was that with Mira's emotions so strong, she always refused to act on them. Curious . . ."

Mira stared at him, confused, "I . . . I don't understand. I mean you NORMALLY don't make sense anyway but-"

"The Host would roll his eyes if he had any. His Iplier sibling was so dumb sometimes"

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!?"

"The Host smirked. She had just the same amount of fire in her as Antisepticeye. Perhaps that was how they got along so well.  . .  GET along so well. It was a wonder all these years how they've only remained friends. Quite peculiar since the Host had seen and knew of everyone's true feelings. After all, nothing can be hidden from the Host"

"H-host . . . I-" Mira blushed red, "Y-you don't understand-"

"The Host felt tired now and stretched out the kink in his back. He must take his leave now for the afternoon to prepare for Darkiplier's big meeting with everyone about the new video. They'd all be in that meeting the entire day with no breaks if Dark had anything to say about it"

With that, Host walked out of the room without another word.

Sometimes, she really didn't understand Host or what he ever wanted out of anyone or . . life in general.

She sort of KNEW what he was saying, though, this time.

And she actually feared what he was insinuating.

'No, he's wrong. Anti and I are perfectly happy as best friends. Nothing more. Host is just pushing something onto me to mess with me is all'

And yet . . . the more she thought about it, the more she imagined her and Anti as something more.

Her face went red, "Fucking . . . bastard, Host"

Anti sighed heavily. The day had just started and already he wanted it to end.

But he had finally resolved in this thing. He was finally leaving this cramped apartment and moving into a new house where no one would know where he lived.

Except for Mira, of course.

She'd always find him no matter what he did.

He smirked at the thought.

'Almost as if she couldn't live without me or something. . . .'

He froze in that thought and shook it away, 'Not that I couldn't move on without her, either. We're inseparable. Strange realization, I suppose. I wonder what the fucking Septic egos would think. Assholes would probably never believe it'

Yes, he was still cross with them and Sean. He figured he always would be no matter what Mira tried to fix their relationship. She could talk to Sean all she liked, he'd never speak back to him or the others.

Packing a box of pictures Mira had printed for him, he sighed with a smirk but full of exasperation, 'She runs my life better than I ever could . . . . this was when she snuck that picture at the park . . . and here's the one at the photo booth.'

He found himself staring, lost in her smile. How could she always be so happy when so many of her own family despised and feared her?

'Makes me actually believe sometimes I could do the same . . . until I remember how much it actually hurts her on the inside'

'Knock, Knock!'

He flinched but knew who it was already.

"Come on in, bitch!"

"You know that's rude as fuck!" she opened the door but she wasn't angry just as he thought.

She closed the door behind her and just stood there, though. Looking . . . awkward.

Anti looked up from packing, "What?"

"I just . . . it's weird seeing you actually doing something responsible such as packing. You're blowing my mind right now"

"Very funny" he snorted, "How'd you get away from Mr. Overprotective THIS time?"

She shrugged and came a bit closer, "Doesn't matter . . . .. hey, you wanna go somewhere!?" she bounced excitedly.

Anti snickered, "And here I thought you were the sensible one. I have to pack! I move in the the new place soon and-"

"Which is why we gotta go now! Come on! You can't honestly sit there and lie to my face that you actually WANT to pack!" she put her hands on her hips with that know-it-all look in her eyes.

She right, though.

He groaned and glitched to stand in front of her, crossing his arms.

Mira flinched, not expecting it and her face went red, thinking back to what Host had insinuated earlier.

Anti noticed her red face, of course, but was oblivious to what it meant and placed a hand on her cheek, "Is it hot in here? I mean my electricity's out so there's no air, but . . . .  you good?"

"Oh! I uh  . . yeah! Of course I'm good! No heat's gonna bother me! Now come on! Let's GO!"

"Go where?! Aah!!" but he didn't get an answer, letting her drag him off and out of the apartment.

It was all a blur, really.

They went to the arcade and played games together. 

They saw each other smile and laugh at each other's jokes and teasings.

Mira was having trouble shooting a ball into a hoop to get points so Anti, just to mess with her, went up behind her and led her movements. It was just a jab, right? Anti thought so until he felt her goosebumps. And then he felt his own shiver onto his own skin. He broke away quickly, laughing.

They went to the theater to watch a scary movie they've been wanting to see.

Anti was unprepared for her to grab at his hand but he held onto it. She smiled at the movie, though, and it made him wonder why she went for his hand. Truth be told, she didn't even realize what she did, herself, until the movie was over.

Her face went red again.

'It's cold in here, though' Anti thought to himself.

They went to an ice cream shop nearby and indulged in their sweet treats.

Mira enjoyed her fudge sundae in a cup and Anti just stared at her. Her smile. Her face full of content. It was so different from when he visited her at Raspy Hill. She was happier.

She was happier with him, wasn't she?

He shot out of his musings suddenly and feared the worst. That couldn't happen. It couldn't. He couldn't do that. He'd ruin everything!

Mira was alerted to Anti's change in mood, however, "What's up?"

Anti thought as quickly as he could and suddenly dipped the top of his cone onto her nose, "Chicken butt! That's what!"

He thought it'd make her roll her eyes at his immaturity. Or swat him.

But she was always full of surprises and just laughed at his answer, wiping away the ice cream from her nose.

He was so entranced. She was always just so unexpected.

And that's when he finally realized. The deeper down the rabbit hole they went into this relationship, the more he realized his feelings. Growing and growing like wildflowers and weeds.

'Oh shit.'

They then went to the park. It was late now but the air was nice and cool and lovely. There wasn't anyone else around in the park, just as Anti liked it. He hated people and it took all he had to just go to the arcade and theater without growling or hitting someone.

This was nice.

"So tell me about your new place again!"

Anti groaned with a smile, "I've told you a million times! You even came WITH me to see it before!"

"SO?! It's cool! I'd move in WITH you if I could!"

He snorted, "No, you wouldn't"

"Yes, I would!"  her heart was more in it this time and Anti looked back at her to see she was serious.

"Mira . . ..  you can't."

She crossed her arms, "And why not?"

"Dark would disown you. Remember? You don't want that"

"That was two years ago, Anti. I've had a lot more time to think since then. A lot more time to realize just how little I care about ever seeing any of them again"

"Nah, you don't mean that. You like some of them."

She shrugged, "Some of them can be nicer than others. But it's the others I can't stand. Anyway, why are you trying to talk me out of it? You wouldn't want me as a roommate?"

"I didn't say that. It's just . . ." Anti couldn't find the words, "Dark would kill me"

"Oh do NOT use that as an excuse, Anti, you know perfectly well I'm more than capable of putting Dark in his place if he came after you"

"That's the point, Mira. You shouldn't have to! He's your brother and HE loves you! He-"

"He loves and misses Celine" she argued, "He mentions her more and more nowadays. Just like Mark did. It's agonizing. Don't you understand? . . ." she stopped walking and Anti followed suit, " . . .  . I'm constantly being reminded of the person I was derived from. As if I have to live up to something bigger than myself. I have to endure fear and hate every day. And then when I get a smile from someone, I have to second guess it all the time. Is it a real smile? Or are they trying to make sure that if I snap, I don't kill THEM? . . . None of them know me. None of them CARE to know me . . . Not like you do"

Anti swallowed hard, "I uh . . . . I know . . . . I'm sorry, Mira. I shouldn't have. . .it's just . ..  I don't know if moving in together would be good for us, you know? Being together all the time might cause us to drift apart and I don't want that!"

She rolled her eyes, "Now that's a lie and I know it. When you were at Raspy Hill, we were ALWAYS around each other no matter what. I'd never get sick of you, Anti"

"You're right. ..  me neither"

"So what's REALLY bothering you?"

He shrugged, "It's just  . . . . okay, maybe you COULD stay sometimes but perhaps we could take that slow so Dark doesn't suspect anything right away?"

"You're such a chicken" she giggled and shoved his shoulder lightly.

"Am not" he countered but he couldn't smile. He couldn't bring himself to tell her the real reason.

"It got dark, didn't it?" she commented.

"Yeah . . . I guess it did"

He watched as she looked around for people and made herself glow. The light moved to her hand and glittered in her palm. Anti watched mesmerized as she let it go from her. Like a small lantern.

She glowed again and let another ball of light float in the air with it, "There . . . now it has a friend, doesn't it. . . . just like us"

Anti stared in awe as the balls of light gently swirled around each other like an orbit. Like two suns.

Looking back at Mira, her skin still had that soft glow on her. Sparkling in the moonlight. Her lights shining like jewels and the tips of her hair shimmering like sand by the ocean.

" . . . . beautiful"

She heard him and went red again, "Wh . . .what?"

Anti more than realized his mistake and cleared his throat, "I mean . .. the balls . . . they're pretty. . . uh. yeah"

But even if it was night, he saw her face go red. Just like all day it's been. 

'She thought I . . ..  she thought I said . . . . but she's . . . I can't. I  . . . but . . .'

Mira looked as if she was waving it off already, if even a little disappointed.

'Why would she be disappointed? . . . she's not .. she can't . . can she?'

"Mira?"

She felt her heart jump, 'I'm so screwed. I know he doesn't  . .. he can't. Right? I'm so silly. So stupid. Of course we're just . . . right?'

But she looked back at him and saw this strange look in his eyes. The same kind of look he'd give her when she was cooking something for him or like back when she saved him from Jackie.

'It's because of what I did just now though. It has to be. He doesn't. . .'

"Yeah?" she answered him.

Anti breathed in deep. 

He was either about to ruin everything or make everything better. He wasn't sure which.

The air stilled around them. 

Complete silence with the balls of light still floating around them.

"Beautiful . . . .. YOU'RE. . . .. . beautiful"

Mira thought she'd panic. Or faint. Or make a fool out of herself or SOMETHING.

But she just stilled and muttered, "I . . . . huh?"

Anti had enough of it. All the tension. All the muttering and foolish words and games.

It was enough.

He stepped closer to her, somewhat relieved when she didn't move away.

But he found. . . he found he couldn't do anymore. He was done with all the fumbling around. And yet he couldn't . . move forward!

Mira's eyes softened and she smiled slowly, 'I. . .Anti. You . . . do you?'

"Anti . . ." she stepped closer to him, meeting him a bit more. She was surprised by the blush on his face, too, but it gave her confidence.

The distance was closed and fireworks lit up around and inside their bodies, vibrating and moving all around.

It wasn't long but it felt like all night. 

Just a mere few seconds.

'This is . . .' she thought, 'What. . .'

Anti felt caught up in a pool, whirling him away. He felt so dazed yet so . . .lovely.

'So this is . . .'

Mira rubbed her thumb on his cheek, her breathe still on his lips.

"I love you"

2022

Anti screamed in pure rage and agony. 

His very soul felt like it was being torn away in shreds.

But he was aware of everyone else in the room. 

He saw their scared eyes. Their worried movements.

Dark's most of all. He looked so . . . . confused, most of all.

But Anti found he didn't care.

All that was coursing through him was the memories he shared with Mira.

All they went through together. All that could just be ending now.

Electricity snapped off of him like a plasma ball, shooting every which way and destroying his room, burning the walls and breaking through furniture.

Jackie looked like he'd intervene for a moment but stopped.

They all heard something.

Something so odd. They would have never imagined it.

But the agony in his voice only affirmed it.

It was only then that Anti realized he had said it out loud.

And like a tidal wave, a warmth overwhelmed him suddenly.

His anger and sorrow dimmed and the electricity fiddled into mere sparks crackling off his skin.

This feeling washed over him and in the corner of his eye, he could see a bright glow.

Even contained as she was, she was still helping him.

Dark was the first to break out of the trance and his face started to contort in rage again, "WHAT DID YOU JUST-"

Anti couldn't take it anymore.

"I. LOVE. HER!!!!!!" he screamed at Dark.

Anti shuddered and the sparks dissipated.

He just stared into Dark's eyes, willing his emotions to be read clearly and concisely.

He took a final deep breathe and gripped Dark's arms in his own hands.

"I . . . . . LOVE. . .. . . HER . . . . .  And I'll be damned if I let you  . .. . or ANYONE take her away from me . . . . you can count on that, Dark."

It was so guttural.

So forceful and and rough and yet  . . . so real.

Dark breathed out and with his breathe, tears ran down his eyes. He started to sob.

Anti started to let him go only for Dark to lunge at him. No one expected this, though.

For Dark to hold Anti in his arms in a hug, crying into his shoulder.

Anti felt all of Dark's pain. His sorrow and cracked sanity. He just . . held him back.

What else could he do in this moment?

Dark held onto him tightly, "I . . . I know . . . . I'm . . . I'm . . .. I just want her back  . . . I just want her back"

Anti started to cry again, as well. Even though this was the last ideal for him, he just whispered back to Dark, "Me too . . . . . . . . and we'll GET her back . . . . . . . no matter what it takes  . . . . . We'll fuck this demon up together and save her."

It took a few moments to gather themselves.

They tried to ignore the others in the room having seen them display weakness to each other.

But neither cared.

She mattered more than their weaknesses.

Dark nodded, wiping away the salty tears, "You're right. . . . . . we need a new plan, then . . . . . . are you with me?"

He held out his hand.

Anti glanced back at the ball, the light fading quickly.

He didn't need to think on it, "Of course. . . . .let's kill this fucking demon bastard"

And so it seems . .. Anti and Dark have finally come to terms with each other.

It was about damn time.

Those of you who expected Mira and Anti just remain friends, I'm sorry, but I had this all planned out from the very beginning. Sometimes, I like a little romance. It's not often but this is the story. Hope you guys still enjoy it and watch to the end!