Melia and Fiora walked back to the colony and found the others.
"Fiora, there you are!" Dunban said.
"You've been out looking for her for a while now, was everything all right?" Reyn asked.
Fiora and Melia looked at each other and smiled.
"Never been better!" Fiora told him.
"Agreed!" Melia said.
"If Melly and Fiora happy, then Riki happy too!" Riki said and danced around.
They all decided to go out and eat before going to bed. They were staying in a two-floor house that was recently built just off the main street while they were waiting for Shulk to recover. It was fully furnished and big enough for everyone to have their own rooms.
They all said good night to each other and went to their rooms. When Melia opened her door, she could see a silhouette of someone in her room looking out the window.
"Who's there?" Melia demanded, her hand on her staff.
It was too dark to see who it was. He turned his head slightly in her direction, "Hey, Melia."
That voice…
"Shulk? Is that you?"
He took a few steps closer so she could see him. Blond hair, blue eyes, and even had the Replica Monado on his back.
"Yeah, It's me." He said.
"Shulk…" Melia ran over and hugged him, tears forming in her eyes as she buried her face into his chest, "It's really you! We were all so worried about you!"
Shulk wrapped his arms around her, "I know. It's okay, I'm here now."
Shulk held her close and let her cry it out. After a few minutes Melia felt calmed down enough to talk.
"Shulk, what are you doing here? Are you even okay to-"
Shulk cut her off and put a finger up to his lips, "Shh. The others don't know I'm awake, I don't want them to know just yet."
Melia didn't understand why but she nodded. Shulk closed her bedroom door and went back over to her.
"I haven't been up that long, a few hours at most. I asked Linada and she said I'm fine to be up as long as I take it easy. I'm here because I wanted to see you before anyone else knew I was awake." Shulk said.
Melia lowered her voice so that no one would hear them like Shulk wanted, "Okay. Since she told you to take it easy, then lay down first. I'll be right back."
It was clear why Linada wanted him to rest by the way he moved, he still hasn't fully recovered.
Shulk laid on his back on the bed and Melia came back a few moments later with a glass of water and something small for him to eat. She sat next to him on the other end of the bed.
"What did you want to see me for, Shulk? Why me?" Melia asked.
Shulk took a long pause before he said anything and tried to collect his thoughts.
"I heard everything you said when you would come visit me." Shulk said.
Melia almost got carried away and raised her voice back up, "You heard all of that? You were awake?"
She suddenly turned red, remembering what else she told him while he was unconscious, "So you know about that too, then?"
"I don't know how to describe it. It felt like I was in a different world, on the outside I couldn't move or talk but I could still hear everything that was going on around me. And to answer your other question, yes. I had no idea you felt that way. Looking back on all the traveling we've done together, it seemed so obvious. You said you felt that way for a long time, how long exactly has it been?"
Melia looked down, "Almost as long as we've known each other."
Shulk sat up and sighed, "I'm actually relieved to hear you say that."
Melia looked back up at Shulk, he had a big smile on his face, "Melia, I've felt the same way about you for a while now. I planned on telling you a few times, but I always got too nervous to do it." Shulk said.
Melia turned bright red, "But… but why me? You had someone like Fiora…"
"I don't feel that way about her anymore." Shulk simply said.
"But what is it you see in me that you don't in her? She's much more beautiful than I am, you've known her longer, and she's-"
"Melia." Shulk held her hand and snapped her out of her rant. He moved closer to her, "You don't have to feel like you're in some kind of competition with her. I like you because you're you. When we met in Makna Forest I thought you were the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. My journey through the Bionis and Mechonis was just a bitter revenge story. That all changed when I met you, you reminded me how to smile and shown me that no matter how dark things get there will always be a light. Fiora and I are in the past. I still care about her, but I don't love her in that way. The one I feel that way for is you, it's always been you."
Shulk and Melia were only a few inches away from each other at this point, they felt butterflies in their stomachs as they stared into each other's eyes. Shulk closed his eyes and leaned in.
Melia's thoughts were racing as Shulk came closer, then she remembered what Fiora told her, "I don't want how we used to feel about each other holding you back. If you still feel that way, then I want you to be with him." Melia wrapped her arms around Shulk, closed her eyes, and kissed him.
They broke the kiss and looked back into each other's eyes. They were both very red and looked like they were in a dream-like stupor, for a moment, they probably thought it was a dream.
"I love you, Melia."
"Shulk, I love you too!"
Shulk pulled her in for a hug and he suddenly fell back onto the bed, taking Melia down with him.
They both blushed, "S-sorry, I didn't mean to. I just…" Shulk started to stammer.
Melia couldn't help but laugh. Shulk looked so embarrassed, but she thought it was cute how he tried to cover it up, "It's okay, Shulk." She reassured him.
"I guess I still haven't fully recovered, I should feel better after I get some sleep." He said.
Shulk sat up, "I should go back to my room, goodnight."
"Shulk, wait!" Melia grabbed his hand before he could get off the bed.
"Do you… do you have to go?" She felt so nervous that she looked away and waited for Shulk to answer.
Shulk thought about it for a few moments, "Well, I guess I can stay. Is there anywhere I can sleep?"
"Since you're still injured, you can use the bed. We have some extra pillows and blankets, so I can find somewhere else to sleep." Melia looked around the room for a spot to make a bed for herself.
"You don't have to do all of that because of me. If it's all right with you, we can just share the bed." Shulk offered.
Melia was raised very traditionally so the idea sounded a little taboo, but she didn't want Shulk to leave.
She agreed and Shulk laid back down, he put his arm up for Melia to snuggle closer to him and lay on his chest. She felt so warm and safe being close to him, and the sound of his heartbeat made her feel soothed.
They stayed up talking for what felt like hours: Melia told Shulk about everything that happened while he was unconscious, what they would do after Zanza was defeated, how things used to be before the attack, Shulk had so much he wanted to know about the High Entia. There was almost no pause the whole time they talked.
Shulk realized that Melia hasn't said anything for a bit now, "Melia, are you still awake?" He asked.
Melia didn't say anything. He looked down and seen her fast asleep on his chest.
He smiled and kissed the top of her head, "Goodnight." After a few minutes he fell asleep.
The next morning everyone but Shulk and Melia were downstairs. Fiora was in the kitchen making breakfast for everyone, Dunban and Riki were sitting at the dining table, and Reyn and Sharla were on the couch in the living room.
"Oi, what's taking princess so long?" Reyn said aloud.
"Melly had long day yesterday. Maybe Melly needed extra sleep?" Riki suggested.
"That may be it. But with how punctual that girl is, it doesn't seem like her. I'll go check on her." Sharla said and headed towards Melia's room.
Sharla knocked and didn't hear Melia answer. She slowly opened the door, "Melia, are you awake?"
Sharla walked in and seen the two of them asleep snuggled up next to each other.
Sharla froze, she wanted to say something, but nothing came out when she tried.
"Is that Shulk? How long has he been here?" She thought to herself.
Sharla decided to leave Shulk alone and nudged Melia to wake her up.
"Hey you, good morning." Sharla whispered so she wouldn't wake up Shulk.
Melia wasn't fully awake yet, "Sharla? Good morning." She said, still sounding half asleep.
"Everyone's waiting downstairs for you. I'll let them know you just got up." Sharla went to leave the room but stopped at the door.
Sharla turned back around, "Hey, Melia." She looked at Shulk, then back to Melia and gave her a smile, "Good for you."
Sharla went back downstairs and gave the two of them time to wake up.
Melia sat up for a few minutes to fully wake up then she nudged Shulk.
"Shulk, time to get up."
Shulk pulled Melia down to him and held her tightly, "Ugh. Do we have to?" He groaned.
Melia laughed, "Yes, we do. Come on, get up."
"Okay, okay." He let her go and sat up, "Good morning beautiful, sleep well?"
"Yes. What about you? Feeling any better?" Melia asked.
Shulk stretched, "Yep, slept great. Feeling much better too!"
Shulk went back to his room and they both got ready. Melia stepped out of her room and seen Shulk waiting for her by the stairs.
"Let's go, I can't wait to see the look on their faces!" Shulk held her hand and they walked downstairs.
"Shulk?!" Everyone jumped up and shouted, except for Sharla since she already knew.
Fiora seen Shulk and Melia holding hands, and Melia noticed where Fiora was looking. Fiora's expression went from surprised to upset, thinking about how things used to be between her and Shulk.
She shook her head to help her stop thinking about it then smiled at Melia.
Melia knew how Fiora must be feeling, she smiled back but she still felt a little concerned for her.
"It might take some time for her. I just hope she isn't mad at me. Maybe I'll talk to her later if we can speak in private." Melia thought to herself.
"Shulk! Good to see you're back, man!" Reyn said.
"Riki knew Shulk would be okay!" Riki jumped up and down.
"Agreed. Welcome back, Shulk! When did you get up?" Dunban asked.
"Not too long ago." Shulk said and took a seat at the table.
Fiora came out a few minutes later and handed everyone a plate of food.
"Alright, the man of the hour is back on his feet! Zanza doesn't stand a chance now!" Reyn said.
Shulk nodded, "Right! Is there anything we need to do before we head out?"
"Just need to double check if we have everything then we're ready to go." Dunban said.
Everyone finished eating and helped clean up. As they were all heading out, Melia pulled Shulk to the side.
"Shulk, are you sure you've fully recovered? I noticed you were still fatigued last night." Melia asked.
"I'm fine now. As long as I have you with me, I feel ready for anything." Shulk reassured her.
Melia blushed a little at his comment, "Just promise me you won't overdo it, okay?"
"I promise. I won't make you worry like that again." He put his arms around her and they shared a tender kiss.
"You two! If you don't hurry up, we'll leave you behind!" Sharla yelled to them.
"We should get going. Knowing her, she might actually do it." Shulk grabbed Melia's hand and they rushed to catch up with the others.
"We'll show Zanza that the future is ours to decide!" Shulk thought to himself then looked at Melia, "And I have someone I plan to share that future with."