Chapter 36
Luz POV:
Sometimes, I miss being young. The darkest parts of myself wishes I had stayed in that familiar city of loneliness and grey and whatever the opposite of being myself was. Where there was nothing to smile about, but plenty to long for. All I ever wanted was someone to love me for me, without trying to change who I was or telling me I was wrong.
Sometimes, I visit snapshots of my childhood, travelling down memory lane as though it will bring me any kind of content. As though the torn and tattered pages in the scrapbook of my mind will give me the courage I need to go home again. To stay this time.
Sometimes I wonder if it would have been easier if I had never come here, but it’s so hard to train the heart to sit. Nothing can convince me that the Boiling Isles isn’t my home. I’ve spent so long telling myself I don’t belong here, and I don’t belong in the human world, so maybe I just don’t belong anywhere at all.
Sitting here with the most perfect girl in my arms, listening to the soft music that plays through my speakers, I know just how lucky I am to be here. To be alive. She’s smiling now, a smile that she hasn’t shown in almost a week. Not since Serena left.
If I’m being honest, Serena leaving was a good thing for me. Not because I was jealous of her, well maybe I was, but because her absence gives me space to breathe. I no longer have to be aware of every move I make. I no longer have to hide my feelings.
I smile at her smile, wrapping my arms around her stomach just a little tighter. She snuggles backwards into my embrace. Then, she starts to hum, little notes vibrating through her closed lips. I can’t stop the smile that finds its way onto my face, and for once I don’t have to.
She starts to sway a little, as the lyrics tumble from her mouth in a sweet melody. She has the most beautiful voice, soft and soothing, and I find myself melting at the sound of it. A part of me wants to sing along, but I don’t, because some things deserve to only be done well.
As she finishes the line, she looks up at me with big eyes, golden and gleaming. Taking my hand in hers, she zips our fingers together and squeezes gently. The song comes to an end, the last few bars playing, but neither of us are listening anymore, too lost in each other to care.
Her wavy hair falls around her shoulders in a tumble of green and the light in her eyes that has been doused for so long warms me. Her soft pink lips are slightly parted, letting out quiet breaths, and her cheeks are dusted red. I can feel her weight against my chest, and it's comforting. I didn't know it was possible to love someone this much, but i do.
With a smile, I lean over, holding onto her hand tightly as I press our lips together. I feel her smile against my mouth as she kisses me back, reaching a hand up to touch my face.
"Luuuuuuz!" We pull away quickly as my name echoes through the house in a loud high pitched whine. King stands in the doorway, a look of quiet distaste on his face. "Ewww, were you guys just kissing?"
I throw him a pointed look as Amity melts next to me. Her cheeks are redder than I've ever seen them as she moves to put her head in her hands.
"What's up, King?" I ask, eager to change the subject.
"Oh, right." He chuckles, before clearing his throat professionally. "Eda requests your presence downstairs." He hesitates, looking towards Amity for a moment before continuing. "And her, if she's still, you know, alive."
Amity let's out a soft groan, only growing redder beneath her hands. I can't help but chuckle at her flustered state. After planting a soft kiss onto her hair, I turn back to King.
"Alright, thanks bud. We'll be down in a sec."
He gives me a questioning look, his line of sight moving between Amity and me. "Okay..." He says suspiciously. "Just don't take too long. It's important."
With that, he scampers back out of the door, leaving me with hundreds of questions. His footsteps echo down the stairs, and Amity doesn't come back to life until we can no longer hear them.
"Please tell me I imagined that whole conversation." She groans softly, taking her hands away from her face to look up at me.
She smiles when gentle laughter escapes my lips, her eyes lighting up. "Come on." I say, nudging her to her feet. "Let's go see what Eda wants."
She complies, standing up with a gentle sigh. I follow suit, pulling her into me by her waist once I've found my feet. With a giggle, she stands on the tips of her toes, reaching up to finish our kiss. It's just as perfect as I imagined.