text: Sylvia stared at the door listening to the trickling of water running beyond it. It had been so long since the two had the chance to relax, had the chance to not be running. She felt there was no way that the night would end badly, she believed in her heart. Her heart was what brought her here to this point, and she had always trusted it. “I wonder if he realizes that he shares the same powers as Abigail, myself and his brother.” Sylvia murmured to herself as she looked out over the night sky, the moon full in the blanket of the night as it illuminated the bedroom. The water soon stopped and her eyes quickly looked away and out the window into the glistening night sky. Rustling could be heard as the curtain slid across the bar, the opening and closing of the towel closet. Wet footsteps were heard making their way to the door against the linoleum and soon the handle began to turn. A shiver went up her spine as she knew who was behind the door. She shifted before he opened the door, turning her back to him. Avery stepped out into their room, towel in hand rustling his dirty blonde hair shaking loose water droplets everywhere. The gunshot on his shoulder noticeably healed. He glanced over at her as he unzipped his backpack that was on a nearby desk, “oh... Sylvia sorry I should’ve put more on.” he commented only wearing loose fitting jeans. Sylvia didn’t turn around, she could clearly see him in the window, a small smile pursed over her lips, “No, you are quite alright.” she whispered, slipping a crossed leg off the bed, toes touching down onto the floor. “I don’t mind, I’ve seen you in less after all.” Sylvia sneered as she stood from the bed. Avery blushed lightly as he turned his gaze to the floor, “yeah...heh that is true.” his voice was soft. Sylvia crossed the room to Avery, her gentle touch caressed his shoulder as she walked around to face him. She pressed her index finger to his chin and tilted his head up to look into his eyes, “Are you feeling better,” she asked with a small frown. “Yeah it’s fine now, all thanks to you.” his towel dropped from his hand as he placed it over hers. She looked down at the floor blushing a little. Avery took his other hand pressing it lightly to her chin tilting her head back up to look at him. "Avery?" she said blushing, looking deeply into his sea-green eyes. Avery shook his head lightly, "shh." escaped his lips before he leaned in with pursed lips as they pressed against hers giving them the first kiss they had ever shared. Another shiver shot up her spine as his lips met hers, and his hand cupped her cheek. She gently pressed back against Avery’s lips, slipping into his arms. Sylvia’s hands slid down his shoulder to rest on his chest, her legs getting weak. *Was this really happening*, raced through her mind, *was this what I’ve been waiting for*. The boy she had protected for so long, the boy she had known for all these years, was standing here kissing her. She mentally shook the word boy from her vocabulary of him. *No, he was a man now. I no longer have to protect him. He is here to protect me*. The thoughts foreign to her. Avery felt her hands move and her body slipping closer as her knees grew weak. His hands moved from her face and down around her waist holding her up. His kiss lasted a moment longer before he pulled back looking at her soft face. A few strands of hair fell across her eyes and with a free hand he slid them behind her ear. “Sylvia I...” he began to whisper looking at her unopened eyes. Sylvia reached a finger up and pressed it to his lips, “Please. Let me enjoy this for a moment longer.” she said resting her hand on his shoulder and soon her head on his bare chest. “Just....a little longer,” she whispered out breathless, her mind still trying to get a grasp of all these emotions. Her heart was a flutter, like hummingbird wings. Avery wrapped his arm around her shoulders the other still around her waist gently swaying back and forth as he held her. His thumb brushing up and down on her shoulder, he leaned his head down kissing the top of hers. Sylvia pulled her head back looking up at Avery into his deep aquamarine eyes, “Avery...” Sylvia started a quiver in her voice, “I...I lo...” Sylvia was cut short as Avery gently kissed her lips, placing his hand on her face brushing his thumb over her crimsoning cheeks. “I love you.” he said as he pulled back in a whisper against her lips before kissing her once again. Her legs grew weaker, almost collapsing; those three words struck her deep. Her emotions flaring even higher, her mind began to race with question. *Was that what I really wanted to say? Is that what I’ve been feeling all this time?* She pulled back again just staring into his eyes as she leaned into his hand placing hers atop his. Her lips opened, her voice lost for a moment. “Avery I...I love you too” And she leaned up on her tiptoes kissing his lips before retreating back a little from his grasp. Her strength came back as she began to accept everything. Avery took both of Sylvia’s hands into his, looking down at them, then back up to her eyes. “So does this mean I get to protect you now?” he asked rhetorically a smirk across his lips. Avery’s fingers laced between Sylvia’s interlocking them, noticing her grip tighten back. Her face grew less red, the same smirk coming across her lips, “Just because I love you, doesn’t mean you are stronger than me.” Sylvia pushed back against his hands lifting them up at the same time to shoulder height and slamming him into the nearest wall, “I’d say I am still the one protecting you.” She calmly quipped as she looked up into his eyes, “Unless you can prove me wrong.” before leaning up and kissing him roughly. She felt his lips grin under hers and she pulled back slightly, “What’s so...” Before she could finish her sentence Avery spun them around pressing her now against the wall grinning down at her, “check.” he responded leaning down and kissing her neck softly. He slid their hands down to her waist keeping her pinned as she did to him, “and now checkmate.” he whispered across her neck with each kiss. Sylvia’s eyes shut and she almost melted with each kiss Avery placed along her neck, one hand slipping out of his grasp and lacing through his still damp hair. “Not...fair.” She breathed out almost trying to catch her breath. The waves of emotion rushed over her, not something she was used to. “You fight dirty Avery.” And she tugged lightly on his hair pulling him up to look her in the eyes. Avery tried to hide the devilish grin on his lips, “all is fair in love and war beautiful.” he quipped, noticing a shade of pink gracing her cheeks. “Let’s call it a draw for now,” he said before wrapping his hand around her waist, lifting her and walking over to the bed. He turned around and fell back on the bed with her on top of him. “For now let’s go to bed.” he said gleefully while looking up at her. Sylvia’s cheeks felt like they were burning, “I’m not that easy Avery.” She said quickly as she placed her hand on his chest pushing up from him. She wasn’t sure if she was jumping to conclusions, but she wasn’t ready for that. She loved him but she was still new to all this. She remained silent looking down at him glancing at his lips occasionally, not noticing a frown. “What?” She asked plainly. “I don’t mean like that,” Avery smiled looking into her eyes. He could see the hesitation, he pulled her closer, her hand slipping off his chest resting beside him. “I want to be close to you.” He whispered to her as her head rested on his chest she looked up at him. Avery leaned down and kissed her forehead. Sylvia smiled softly, closing her eyes as she lay there in his arms. She knew deep down that he would protect her now, and she felt safe for once. She always had to be strong for the both of them, and now she knew there was nothing to worry about. She wrapped her arm tighter around Avery getting as close as she could, “I love you.” she whispered into his chest slowly falling asleep. Avery slid his hand up brushing hair from her face as he watched her fall asleep. “I love you too,” he whispered to her.