The Universe's Mixer

They had professed to one another words that they already knew. They'd done it at the top of the world, though figuratively and not literally. Her mouth had tasted like cotton candy, her skin had been warm, her heart had raced with the anticipation of what she must do. All the while, the words slid out of him like water from an open jar. They had been simple for Aidan to say because he had felt them so long ago and acknowledged their meaning.

It had not taken Peter's words of frustration to open his eyes to what he was feeling, but that hadn't hurt. Having a third party reveal what was there was a little bit like watching the secrets of a magic show. Wonderment at what was actually behind that curtain, yet a part of the brain resounded with sentiments such as ah, yes. Of course..

Aidan understood that they'd both needed to be away from New Troy, die Festung, and the ever present looming death of a world before they could feel comfortable expressing such a bright thing out loud. It wouldn't have felt right there. Despite Evey exclaiming that they should have exchanged this sentiment in the ruins, Aidan didn't believe that it had been the right time. Too much had gone on.

He had been reluctant to part from her after the evening was over. They had shared in the great bonfire, they had walked along the beach. They had held hands and smiled at one another in the goofy way of those who have seen great damage and come through the other side with almost no worries to burden their minds. He had walked her home, still refusing to allow her to say those words and accept him past the door. There was still some settling to do in his mind. Soon, though, he thought. Soon.

As soon as the city outside his window began to wake, Aidan was out the door. He wanted to see if he could catch Evey at what he thought of now as their coffee shop. He raced through the streets, keeping his speed as human as possible. His eyes scanned around him, seeking out the woman he loved.

The color of her hair lifted on a slight breeze. The shape of her form standing in front of the very place he'd hoped to find her. His heart was lifted, and the smaller details escaping him out of pure joy and complete ignorance.

Aidan raced to Evey, snatching her up in a tight embrace, twirling her around in his arms. He elegantly let her slip to the ground again and twirled her with a dance move so that she was facing him. All of it so quick that it was done without real thought. His eyes were closed as he moved to kiss her. To kiss her. He kissed her as much as he wanted, he could do it any time.

As he pulled away, Aidan murmured sweet words. "My heart is yours, Evey Hammond."

His eyes opened.

He stared.

Something was wrong.