I love this video so much! I do not own the song You Are The Reason by Calum Scott and I did not make this video! Love you all!

💧

Aquaria gagged as she swallowed the concoction Varian gave her.

"Sorry. I didn't say it would taste the greatest," Varian apologized. "I don't know how long it'll take to work, but hopefully it does actually work."

"Fank you, Barian." Aqua took a sip of water, desperately wanting to get the foul taste out of her mouth.

The concoction was supposed to help clear up her congestion.

"I hope it works. I really want you to feel better," Varian said and he hugged the princess he held dear.

Aqua smiled before she rested her head on Varian's chest.

They both started to get back to work on Project: Obsidian, well, Varian worked on it while Aqua helped where she could.

"Aqua, can you grab the beaker?" Varian asked and Aquaria nodded before she stood up, grabbing the beaker for Varian.

'Aquaria... I need your help...'

Aqua stumbled slightly and Varian quickly went to her side.

The voice sounded so familiar.

"Are you alright?" Varian asked with worry as he took the beaker from her hands, setting it on the table.

"I'm okay. I just keep hearig this voice in my head. It started after our last battle with Cassandra. It sounds familiar, but I can't put my figer on who it is," Aqua explained, not wanting to keep it from him.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" Varian looked at her with concern.

"Well I honestly just thought that I was just hearig thigs. Now I'm positive that it's not just me goig crazy," Aqua said, her voice sounded a lot more normal, and Varian hummed softly.

"I've felt like someone has been talking to me too, but I thought it was nothing," Varian admitted. "It sounded like my mom so I thought maybe I was just hearing her voice from memory."

Aquaria thought about it and replayed the voice in her mind.

"You're right... it did sound exactly like your mom." Aqua looked up at Varian.

"Maybe we're just hearing her because we're stressed," Varian reasoned and Aqua hummed softly.

"You're probably right." Aqua sighed softly and kissed Varian's cheek gently.

Varian smiled as he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "Let's get back to work."

"Yeah," Aqua agreed with a small smile.

Varian let go of Aquarian and grabbed the beaker off the table before getting back to work.

💧

Aquaria had dozed off at her desk and Varian decided not to bother her. He carefully took her quill from her hand before he moved her papers and journal out from under her head.

Each time he got frustrated because his experiments didn't work, he looked over at the sleeping form of his girlfriend.

Cute little snores left her lips since she still couldn't fully breath from her nose. Her hair laid across her back and over her desk as a peaceful expression graced her features.

He calmed down and turned back to his work each time until he looked one time and saw tears trickling from her eyes.

Varian frowned as he saw Aqua flinch in her sleep and her face scrunched up. He quickly stood up and made his way over to her, gently rubbing her back.

"Aqua," he whispered as he carefully tried to wake her up. "Wake up, blue."

Aquaria woke with a start and she looked around before her eyes locked with Varian's. No sooner, she buried her face in his chest as her arms wrapped around him tight.

Varian felt his heart clench when he heard her muffled sobs as he held her close.

"Hey, it's okay," he murmured before he gently kissed the top of her head, rubbing her back in a soothing manner. "It was just a dream. I've got you."

Aquaria was afraid to let go, not wanting to lose him ever again.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Varian asked softly as he gently ran a hand through her hair but she quickly shook her head.

"No... I just wanna forget about it... it was just a nightmare..." Aqua looked up at him slowly and he gave her a warm smile.

"I'm always gonna be here for you. Don't think that you can't tell me things, but I get it," Varian comforted as he gently took his hand from her hair, swiping his thumb across her creek to wipe away her tears. "If you decide you wanna talk about it, I'll listen. I promise."

Aqua couldn't help the smile that spread across her lips. She leaned up and pressed her lips to his.

Varian quickly kissed her back gently, keeping her close to him as he savored the feeling.

She was precious to him and he never planned on letting go.

💧

Days passed and Aquaria kept having that same nightmare.

She didn't want to tell Varian because she was afraid to. She didn't want to make him feel bad because of her nightmare.

She was slipping into Varian's bed happily though as she waited for him.

"Come on, Var! I want snuggles!" Aqua reached for him playfully with grabby hands. "Ruddiger is already snuggled up."

Ruddiger was curled up against the crook of Aquaria's knees, happily asleep. He was under his own special little blanket that Aqua had made for him.

Varian chuckled lightly and slipped under the covers, wrapping his scrawny arms around Aquaria's waist.

"Goodnight, princess," he murmured before he pressed a gentle kiss to Aquaria's forehead.

Aqua smiled bright as she snuggled into his chest happily. "Goodnight, freckles."

She slipped into a peaceful slumber, Varian following suit.

💧

Late in the night, Aquaria started to squirm in Varian's arms.

Her breathing became heavy and Varian groaned as he woke up to the movement.

Varian frowned when he saw Aquaria crying in her sleep, her face looking pained. He rubbed her back gently to try and soothe her slumber, pained at the sight of her being in such distress.

Aqua woke up suddenly and a cry left her lips.

"Aqua? Hey, it's alright," Varian comforted, but she sat up and cried as she pulled her knees to her chest, burying her face in her knees. "Aqua, please talk to me. This is the second time this has happened..."

"No... it happens almost every night... I..." Aquaria couldn't look at him as she sobbed softly.

"Why didn't you tell me? I could've helped? Please just tell what you keep dreaming about," Varian begged as he sat up and put a hand on her shoulder.

"You..." Aqua looked up at him, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Me?" Varian was so confused. "If you're worried about me dying then you don't have to fear that. I promise."

"No... i-it's about you hating me..." Aquaria saw his face pale in the light of the moon.

Varian felt his heart shatter. He had tried so hard to make up for everything he had done, but she was still afraid that he would hate her.

"W-what if I mess up again and you never forgive me and you leave me and I lose you forever and I-"

Varian pulled her in tight, kissing her softly to cut her off.

Aquaria kissed him back as tears streamed down her cheeks. She clung to him desperately, not wanting to let go of him.

Varian pulled away and held her close. "I will never, ever, ever hate you. You are the girl I love and I will always love you."

"I just..." Aqua let out a sob and buried her face in his chest.

"There goes my heart beating. 'Cause you are the reason. I'm losing my sleep
Please come back now," Varian started to sing as he swayed with her slightly.

Aquaria quieted her sobs slightly to hear his soothing voice.

"There goes my mind racing and you are the reason. That I'm still breathing. I'm hopeless now," Varian continued softly, not letting go of his beautiful girlfriend.

"I'd climb every mountain and swim every ocean. Just to be with you and fix what I've broken. Oh, 'cause I need you to see." Varian looked into Aquaria's eyes and smiled. "That you are the reason."

Aquaria listened to him and she couldn't help but smile as he wiped her tears for her gently.

"There goes my hands shaking and you are the reason my heart keeps bleeding. I need you now, oh," Varian sang as he caressed her cheek with a gentle touch.

"If I could turn back the clock, I'd make sure the light defeated the dark. I'd spend every hour, of every day keeping you safe." Varian kept his eyes locked with Aquaria's, feeling a pull in his heart.

Aquaria felt that same pull, almost as if their hearts were trying to combine to keep them as one.

"I'd climb every mountain and swim every ocean just to be with you and fix what I've broken. Oh, 'cause I need you to see, that you are the reason," Varian continued softly before he gently kissed Aquaria.

Aqua immediately melted into the kiss and returned it without a second thought. she felt her worries washing away. She was in Varian's arms and he loved her. That was all that mattered to her at that moment.

Varian playfully pushed her down and she yelped before laughing into the kiss. He started to tickle her and her giggles filled the air.

Aqua squirmed before she felt Varian's lips connect with hers once again. She quickly kissed him back with a smile.

When he pulled away, Aqua looked up at Varian who was still over top of her.

"I'd climb every mountain and swim every ocean just to be with you and fix what I've broken. 'Cause I need you to see." Varian pecked her lips one more time. "That you are the reason."

💧

Aquaria woke up with a groan and looked down to see Varian curled up with his head resting on her chest, holding her close.

Ruddiger had moved at some point during the night and was snuggled on top of Aquaria's chest.

Varian woke up soon after and smiled when he saw Aquaria was awake.

"Morning, blue," Varian murmured to which Aqua smiled and hummed softly.

"Morning, freckles," she replied softly before Varian sat up.

"Did you sleep well after we got back to sleep?" Varian asked as he looked at his beautiful girlfriend.

"You mean after your wonderful musical number?" She giggled and slid out of bed.

"I meant every word, bluebell." Varian slipped off his bed as well and grabbed his clothes.

"You're adorable, Var. Now get changed," Aquaria said as she grabbed her dress from her bag. She kissed Varian's cheek and then took her clothes to the bathroom so she could change out of her pajamas.

Varian smiled as he watched her leave his room. He then turned and got out of his pajamas, slipping on his every day clothing.

Once he was ready for the day, he went downstairs. He smiled when he saw his dad in the kitchen.

"Morning, son," Quirin greeted his son and smiled. "How did you sleep last night?"

"It was good! Aqua had a nightmare and I got her to go back to sleep but other than that, it was a good night's sleep." Varian walked over and grabbed a plate. He got some of the eggs that his father had made for breakfast.

"Well that's good." Quirin hummed softly and grabbed a plate of his own before Aqua gracefully bounded down the stairs. "Good morning, sweetheart."

"Morning, dad," Aqua said naturally before a blush crossed her face. "Oh, uh, sorry."

"It's quite alright. I don't mind," Quirin replied with a smile, plating up some eggs for Aqua.

Varian laughed slightly and sat at the table. "Well if you think about it, he's gonna be your father in law one day."

"And how do you know that I won't get sick of you before I agree to marry you?" Aqua teased as she raised an eyebrow.

"You love me too much to get sick of me," Varian pointed out and Aqua hummed.

"You're right," she agreed as she took the plate from Quirin. "Thank you."

"You are very welcome, dear," Quirin said before sitting down with Aqua at the table beside Varian. "What are you two working on today?"

"Eugene is coming over and we're testing out Project: Obsidian," Varian informed and Quirin hummed.

"Just promise me that you'll be careful," Quirin said as he looked at the two teenagers.

"We will, I promise," Varian assured with a smile.

"Alright, then. I trust you both." Quirin smiled and they continued to eat breakfast.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

The day was about to truly begin.

❤

Hey guys! I hope you are all enjoying this book! I know my updates have gotten a bit wonky but it's because I'm a professional procrastinator even if it's something I love!

Anyways! I found something while writing the next chapter that I thought was funny!

Varian's clothes change within less than 5 seconds in Once A Handmaiden!

I know he said that he doesn't work with magic but like...

I think that qualifies as magic...

If you enjoyed this chapter please vote and/or comment! It means a lot to me and I love to see your feedback!

I love you all so much! 🥰❤

~LytleLadibug