A/N: This was a hard chapter for me to write, even though it’s so short. I’m pretty inexperienced when it comes to romance lol. Despite its length, I think a lot of important stuff happens in this one. Hoo boy, here we go… Enjoy 😬

Several weeks later

I sighed and let my body sink lower in the bubbly bath water. I’d forgotten how good this felt. The safe house’s bathroom was nearly the same size as its kitchen, a choice well-made in my opinion.

God, this was nice. Baths are so underrated…

When I was thoroughly refreshed I slipped into a simple pair of shorts and a flannel, then headed out to the living room. There I found Vox casually lying on the ground.

“You do know the point of a couch is to use it, right?” I sighed. “Last week you wouldn’t get off the couch, and now you won’t get on it?”

“This is more comfortable.” He stretched his arms out and beckoned me to join him. “Plus it’s fuzzy.”

“Well, it is fuzzy…” I lowered myself to the ground next to him. “Are you bored of this place yet?”

“No. It’s actually pretty nice to sit around all day, not having to do this or deliver that for Treznor.”

“Well, I’m bored. Maybe there’s something good on TV. I swear, if the news is still covering that burning castle…” I fumbled for the remote on top of the coffee table, found it, and pushed the power button.

The TV flickered to life, showing a news story about the ‘mysterious disappearance’ of the Prince’s daughter. It cut to a segment of dad reassuring the reporter that I was safe, and that was all he wanted to say for the time being.

“Hmm…” I changed the station only to find a children’s cartoon playing. With a sigh, I turned the TV off and faced Vox.

He looked horrified. “Your dad thinks you’re safe here? Alone with me? Does he have any idea what I did to you?”

“No,” I said quietly. “I didn’t tell him because he would have thrown you out of the Palace and left you to die.”

“Maybe I deserve that. Everyday I remember more horrible things I did to you during that beating.”

“Vox! You don’t deserve that. Treznor punished you enough as is.” I scooted closer so I could run my fingers through his shaggy hair.

“But that was different. He was punishing me for not hurting you, which was the exact opposite of what needed to happen.”

“You don’t need to be punished anymore. You deserve some happiness in your life. I forgive you.”

“I- Are you sure?”

“Positive,” I whispered. “Because in the end, you went against Treznor to save me.”

“I did that because I love you, and I didn’t want you to suffer anymore.”

My pulse doubled. There were definitely butterflies in my stomach now. How did he slip those words in so casually? I knew deep down that I felt the same way, so I said, “And that’s exactly why I forgive you. I love you too.”

Embarrassingly, the significance of that moment was kinda diminished when we both fell asleep on the floor afterwards. Turned out Vox was right about that rug. I had to say, it was pretty comfortable…

I was shaken awake at midnight and dragged outside by an enthusiastic Vox. The air was chilly and the lawn slightly damp from a quick rainstorm earlier, but we both flopped down on the grass giggling like two teens who had just snuck out for the first time.

“Look at the stars tonight! Remind you of our first date?”

“I don’t know if I’d call that a date,” I replied. “More of a- Ooh, look at that!” I pointed to a star that was slightly larger and yellow-er than the rest. “I think I found a UFO.”

“Wave at it!”

“What? You’re crazy,” I laughed as he yanked my hand above my head and waved it at the star for me.

“Maybe, but you’re even crazier for staying with me.” He leaned over and started kissing me. The air suddenly didn’t seem so chilly anymore. His hand slid down to my thigh and I jumped at the sudden warmth. Vox immediately stopped and looked at me. “Are you ready to do this?”

“Yes,” I whispered. “I want this. I want you.”

“It’s ok if you want to wait though.” I protested by sliding my hands up his shirt and kissing the side of his neck. “You’re sure about this?”

“Absolutely.”

It was impossible to sleep afterwards despite how tired I was, so I headed to the kitchen to make some coffee. I also told Vox to change his shirt because he’d worn that red shirt at least a hundred times already.

As the coffee machine set to work, I gazed out the kitchen window. The stars winked against the navy blue sky. It was reassuring to look at that sky and know that we were just a speck among the universe. We were well protected out here.

Vox came into the kitchen then, wearing the most ridiculous cardigan I’d ever seen him in. “Wow, you look like a sixty year old grandpa now.”

“This house doesn’t have a large variety of clothes…” he pouted.

“I’m doing just fine, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said innocently. The coffee machine beeped and I pulled out my coffee and took a sip. “Just kidding. You look cuddly in that. A bit like a boring librarian, but cuddly.”

“I can live with that.” He smiled mischievously, and I felt the corners of my mouth turning up into a grin. It was impossible not to smile around Vox.

“Oh yeah?” I plunked my mug down on the counter and yanked him into a kiss. “Can you live with this?”

“Always.”