When the sun set and the moon made her way up into the night sky, Louis had told me he had one more place to show me in the Rift. His eyes were bright and sparkling as he had rubbed our noses together in an Eskimo kiss before he had lead the way.

We had gotten into one of the telebuses, riding to a stop near the Sanctuary of Spirits, which happened to be what looked like a huge gated apartment complex. Louis had taken my hand and thanked the telekinetic bus driver, handing him a few blue Luxien dollars before helping me off.

My eyes took in the huge building, the golden gate seeming intimidating. Louis had held my hand and led me up the steps towards the gates, pressing his thumb to a computer sensor in the wall. The gates opened easily when the computer recognized his fingerprint, Louis telling me I would need to get my thumbprint in the computer system.

I was led up more steps to the fancy apartments, my eyes taking in a swimming pool and garden around the yard. Louis held the apartment door open for me, making me smile. Once I stepped into the doors, I was surprised to hear Niall and Liam arguing over something in what must have been the apartment recreation room.

"You cheated! That's not fair, Ni!" Liam bellowed, Niall's laughter the only thing being heard as I stepped closer to them. They were sat on a huge couch, game controllers in hand and eyes focused on some sort of football video game on a huge flat screen television. Bags of chips and junk food wrappers were scattered around the floor, along with some empty beer bottles.

"Don't be a sore loser, Liam. Kaguya already said she saw Niall winning." Imani had laughed from where she was lounging next to Liam, a half-empty beer bottle in her hand. Her eyes flickered up to Louis and I when she heard the door close, a bright smile on her face as she got up from the couch.

"Mira! Lou-Lou told us you were here. My lesbian lover, I've been waiting for you." Imani winked at me as she walked over to us, slinging her arm over my shoulders. I caught the heavy smell of alcohol on her, so this couldn't have been her first drink. Deciding to play along, I put both of my hands on her cheeks and stared into her glassy eyes.

"Imani, my darling, I'm sorry to leave you waiting." I cooed to my drunken friend, who pouted, sticking her plump bottom lip out at me. "But I'm here now, my love."

"I'll be waiting for you in my bed, my sexy kitten." Imani winked before bursting out into laughter and nearly dropping her beer. I had only rolled my eyes and helped Imani back onto the couch with her shaky legs. She couldn't stop laughing even when I had sat her back on the couch, her hands gripping my jacket collar and her lips planting a sloppy kiss on my cheek before continuing her delirious laughter.

My hand had wiped away her slobbery kiss, Imani's laughter still going strong.

"Are you jealous yet, Lou-Lou?" Imani poked fun at Louis, who had rolled his eyes before taking my hand again and tugging me towards the elevator.

The button for the top floor was pressed once we entered, my head leaning against Louis' shoulder and my hand holding his tightly. Once the doors opened, I was tugged down the short hallway. Louis' floor looked like the inside of a fancy hotel, a single door to the right our destination. I noticed my luggage was placed next to the door, Louis telling me he had Liam bring them up while we visited Minerva. Louis pulled a key out of his pocket, unlocking the door with ease. He hesitated to open it, tucking the key back in his pocket and turning to me.

"Close your eyes, I want it to be a surprise." He told me. I closed my eyes, covering them with my hands so Louis wouldn't think I was peeking. I heard the door opening, Louis' hands on my back gently urging me forward into his apartment. I stood there for a bit while I heard Louis close and lock the door, giggling when I felt him return to my side and kiss my cheek.

"Welcome to our home." Louis whispered, taking my hands from my eyes. My eyes fluttered, adjusting to the brighter light before taking in my surroundings.

"Our home?" I turned around, seeing Louis carrying my bags inside and setting them on the floor. I walked over to him, standing on my toes to kiss the hard line of Louis' jaw.

"I asked your father if he would be alright with you staying with me, and he was fine with it. So this place is your new home, if you want to stay here." He told me, an overjoyed smile bursting across my face as I couldn't contain my excitement, hugging Louis tight.

"Of course I want to stay with you. You're my home, Lou." I said softly, watching as his lips curled into an amused grin.

"Now give me the grand tour!" I demanded, Louis laughing and leading me around the apartment. It was a nice and cozy place, with a living room and kitchen and a tiny table for two. There were a few bathrooms scattered about and a balcony that led to a grand view of the city and the stars. I could tell this place was Louis' just from the clothes and two dirty footballs that littered the ground, the fridge empty with the exception of some takeout containers and a gallon of milk.

I was shown the bedroom last, Louis taking my bags and setting them beside the closet. There was a bathroom we would share and a bookshelf on one wall that didn't seem to be filled with many books. Louis' bed was covered in pillows and comfy blankets, promising endless lazy mornings and late nights together.

My fingertips had traced over the soft blankets, and almost on cue, I yawned.

"That's right, you didn't get much sleep last night." Louis remembered, coming up behind me and hugging me. "Why don't we shower and then get you to bed?"

Our shower had taken much longer than we planned, Louis helping me get rid of my clothes and me doing the same to him slowly as we waited for the cold water to warm up. Louis had apologized for not getting me any of what he called 'girly soap' once we both stepped into the water, but I didn't really mind. I delighted in Louis' fingers massaging his shampoo through my locks, and he relished in my fingertips tracing over his toned chest and the sharp lines of his hips.

Heavy kisses had been shared and intimate touches made, Louis becoming particularly fond of my body as he sucked lovebites on my collarbones and stole my breath away. I was in heaven as Louis' lips and fingers made pleasure course through my body with every touch. I had a feeling Louis was surprised when the tables were turned, my body pressing him against the shower wall as I left a mark of my own on the base of his neck. Louis had completely surrendered himself to me as I touched him, eyes screwed shut and mouth releasing my name in desperate moans before he had flipped our positions around. Needless to say, we took a while to get clean.

We had both dried off in our towels and prepared for bed, Louis handing me a t-shirt and a pair of his boxers to wear so I wouldn't have to bother with going through my luggage. I had turned off the lights and practically jumped in bed next to Louis, who had chosen to only wear his boxers as pajamas. Louis had snickered a bit before pulling me close and adjusting the blankets over us until we were both comfortable.

Despite my lack of sleep the night before, I couldn't find it in me to close my eyes. Instead, I stared at my soul mate, taking in every feature. Louis was doing the same before his lips pressed to my forehead in a kiss, and for a while we just laid like that: in total silence, completely content with just being with each other.

"Mira?" Louis had whispered after a long silence.

"Yeah?"

"I have to tell you something." Louis whispered, making me look up at his face. Even in the dim light of the moon and stars that shone through the window, Louis' eyes still sparkled. He seemed a bit anxious, and I was quick to kiss his neck, right over the affectionate bruise I had given him only a bit earlier that night. He seemed to relax, taking a deep breath.

"What is it?" I gently urged. He could tell me anything.

"I think I'm in love with you." He whispered before going silent.

I swore I could hear his heart racing, feel his palm growing sweaty pressed to my back, sense his stress. This was big for Louis, I could tell just from the way he was acting. I pried his hand away from where it nervously held the bedding, my fingers curling in the spaces between his before I looked up to him.

"I have to tell you something too." I told him, Louis' breath hitching. I leaned up to kiss him, Louis understanding and tilting his head down to catch my lips with his.

"What?"

"I know I'm in love with you." I whispered to him, seeing relief overtake Louis as he relaxed and buried his face in the crook of my neck. I took his face in my hands, gently guiding his face up so I could look him in the eyes. "I've known since I was in the hospital the second time, when you were released from the healing center to see me. I've loved you ever since then, and I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

"Really?" Louis mumbled, making me nod. "I just...everyone I love gets hurt...I didn't-" I silenced him with another kiss.

"I love you. I would take a bullet for you, no barrier at all. I may get hurt, but I'm strong. Don't worry about me." I assured Louis, who sighed and hugged me tight, his head returning to rest in the crook of my neck, his legs curling around my shorter ones, his arms wrapped around me. I was his strength, I was the one holding him when he got scared.

"And if you're still not sure, take your time." I whispered, my fingers combing through Louis' hair to ease his stress even more. "I'll wait as long as it takes for you to know if you're in love, so just take your time."

I didn't hear a sound from Louis for a few minutes, making me think he had fallen asleep. It wasn't until I heard the softest of voices whispering that I faintly smiled and closed my eyes.

"Thank you, Mira."

A/N: Kind of a short but very important chapter...all Lira shippers rejoice now that they love each other! Yay! Also, very excited to announce I am entering this book in the WATTYS this year!

Dedication goes to @OAngelicaO for her hilarious comments on the last chapter, they were great!

Vote and comment! -Maddie