{Viola}

Viola. Wake up.

I see Todd through my Noise before I even have the chance to open my eyes. He's leaning over me from his side of the bed, brushing my hair out of my face to see if I'm awake yet.

Just five more minutes. I respond, my eyes still closed. I pull the covers tighter around my shoulders to further emphasize that I'm not getting up right now, and probably won't in the next five minutes, either. The luxury of sleeping in, worry free, has never been available to us since the day all of this chaos started.

But now that the war is over-

I plan to take full advantage of it-

That, as well as living the life we've always wanted-

Living our life of peace.

But Todd is adamant about me getting up. I can feel it in his Noise, his eagerness to start the day, to watch the sun rise like he's been doing every day for the past week.

Just get up to watch the sun with me. Then you can go back to bed. He tries to compromise, shaking my shoulder. I barely open my eyes and roll over to see Todd above me, a pout on his lips.

You've seen it rise every day for the past week. I tell him sleepily, putting a hand on his cheek. Todd scrunches his eyebrows together, as if he's trying to confirm this fact to himself.

Not every day this week… He starts, but I interrupt him.

Yes, Todd. Every single day. I remind him. It's not like the sun is going to disappear if you don't watch it. It's not going anywhere.

I know it ain't. Todd says to me. But how many times cud we actually see the sun come up and not be afraid that it was the last?

I consider Todd's point and can't help but to admit that he's right. Before the war ended, every sunrise was just another reminder that trouble was ahead of us. But now, with Eric gone, with our community reunited, it's a reminder that our lives are actually going to go on. That there's nothing left to fear, or run from, or worry about.

That Todd and I are going to be okay.

And that realization is enough for me to open my eyes fully.

Enough for me to appreciate being awake.

Okay. I'll go. I say with a small smile, pushing up into a seated position beside Todd. But we're coming back to bed afterwards. It's way too cold in the morning, and your Noise keeps me warmer this way. Todd grins at this, but not before I read the satisfaction coming from his Noise. He takes my hand in his.

Sure we can. I love you. He says to me before kissing my temple and moving out of bed. I don't know how many times Todd has said this to me since the war ended, but it seems as if he tries to cram it into every situation, with every chance he gets.

But I'm not complaining.

I love you, too. I tell him. It's sweeter every time, telling Todd how much I love him simply just to say it, rather than out of fear that I'm going to lose him. I watch him for a moment as he gets dressed, analyzing the scars on his torso before he throws on a long sleeve shirt, watching him wiggle into a pair of pants that slouch on his hips due to losing so much weight, smiling as he ruffles through his hair to only make it more of a mess on top of his head. I smile to myself, finding so much satisfaction in watching Todd get ready for the day, seeing him do something so normal, like he never fought in a single war a day in his life. And I'm so happy to see him that way, so happy that it makes my heart hurt, because if anyone deserves this kind of normalcy, it's Todd Hewitt.

And I think to myself-

Finally.

Are yer just gonna sit and watch or are yer joinin me? Todd says, catching me thinking about him in my Noise. I roll my eyes playfully before throwing the covers off and begin to get dressed myself.

You know, I never understood how annoying it is to have someone else read your thoughts until now. I admit.

Well, now you know how I feel. Todd jokes back.

We still don't know what happened that caused me to get Noise like Todd's. All that we've managed to piece together is that after Todd's Noise undergoes a majorly stressful situation, our connection gets stronger. After fighting and walking back to the Spackle community to reunite with the group, Todd and I brought it up to Ben, but even he didn't understand. We'd meant to get more information from the Spackle, but everyone was too excited to have us back, and we were too excited to be back, that we never revisited it. Lots has changed for us since then – our community is almost completely rebuilt, the settlers and the Spackle are getting along better, and even in the midst of this ongoing Snowscape, things seem to be a little bit more manageable. Now doesn't seem like the right time to create another mystery, trying to figure out my Noise.

And for now, that seems to be working out just fine..

We finish getting dressed in thick pants, puffy coats, and throw on our boots before exiting the tent. Even though the city is almost re-built, Todd and I haven't actually chosen a place to live yet. We figured it would be better to let the settlers get acclimated first, before we start claiming stuff for ourselves. Plus, we like it better this way, in a place we are familiar with. In a place we'll be together. And as long as we are together-

We are alright.

We're first greeted by a cold breeze that whips our hair in the wind, sending chills across our skin, and Todd and I instinctively move closer to one another, using each other's Noise to stay warm as we walk past a few buildings that make up the center of the city.

See what I was talking about? We should've stayed in bed! I say to Todd sarcastically, a smile playing on his lips.

But it's worth it. You woulda missed the sunrise of a lifetime if you'd stayed in bed. Todd responds.

The same one as yesterday and the day before that? I challenge, nudging his arm with my elbow.

You just wait. Todd tells me. I try to search his Noise for what he means by that, but he's starting to close it off to me, as if he's hiding something.

Stop being nosey. Todd says, catching me eavesdropping on his thoughts.

Then tell me what's going on! I say, no shame in admitting that I was snooping.

We're just goin to watch the sunrise. Like I told yer earlier. Todd says, but I don't buy it.

"Well aren't y'all pups up early!" Hildy shouts to us. She's walking out of one of the buildings, pails of water in each hand.

Yeah, thanks to Todd. You need help with those? I offer.

We got a little time if yer do. Todd joins.

But she only shakes her head no.

"I reckon we'll be alright. But Todd pup, don't you got somethin to take care uh this mornin?" Hildy raises her eyebrows with a mischievous look on her face. I only scrunch mine, without a clue of what she's talking about. Todd shakes his head furiously, as if trying to get her to stop talking. Hildy's eyes go wide, recognizing her supposed mistake.

What is going on here? Am I missing something? I ask the two of them. They both shake their heads immediately.

And now I know for sure.

Something is definitely up.

Todd takes my shoulders in his hands and starts to guide me away from Hildy.

We'll see ya later, Hildy! Todd shouts. I turn around in his hands and put a hand to his chest, stopping him in his tracks.

"Todd Hewitt!" I say with my actual voice. "What are you lying to me about?"

"Nothing, Viola." He says, using his now too, still suppressing his Noise.

"You can't keep that up forever." I say, but Todd doesn't have a response. Instead, he grabs my wrist and tugs slightly.

"Just stopping askin questions and hurry up before we miss it!"

But before I can respond, I hear Lee's voice shout to me in the distance.

"Viola! Watch out!"

I turn in the direction of his voice, watching as he runs for me at full speed. I spend those few seconds wondering why he's running, and it doesn't register that I should move out of the way until it's too late, his gigantic body crashing right into mine and onto the ground. Luckily the snow is thick enough to protect our fall, though I still wince when he lifts up.

"What the hell, Lee?" I ask.

"I'm sorry, Vi. I was running from-"

Before he can finish his sentence, Steff Taylor hurls a snowball our way, slamming into Lee's back. She lets out her one of a kind laugh, echoing so loudly throughout the city that I'm surprised it doesn't wake all the settlers.

"That's what you get, Lee!" she shouts, running over. "That'll teach you to stop sneaking ice down my jacket when I'm not looking!"

Steff runs over to us just as Todd offers both Lee and I a hand. Once the four of us are standing together, a question begins to form in my Noise-

Since when did Lee and Steff get so close?

But I can't form an answer to this question when Lee reaches for my left hand, breaking my concentration.

"Oh no, did I lose-" Lee starts to say, turning my hand from side to side. He looks up at Todd, worry in his Noise, before Todd clears his throat and widens his eyes.

"Lee, I don't think he's-" Steff starts. I narrow my eyes at them all.

"We gotta get goin." Todd says now, grabbing my hand and pulling us away.

"Wait a minute, what are you guys-"

"Bye!" Steff and Lee say in unison.

I sigh before turning around, trying to keep up with Todd's pace.

"They were acting super weird, right?" I ask Todd as we enter the forest. Todd only shrugs his shoulders.

"No, not really. Why?"

I squint my eyes. "I don't know. I've never seen Steff and Lee hanging out. And the way they were looking at each other, the way they were laughing with each other-"

"Maybe they like each other." Todd says exactly what I was thinking.

Like he read my mind or something.

"Yeah. Maybe they do. But Lee was also acting weird towards me, too. Why was he looking at my hand like that-"

But before I can finish my sentence, Todd and I are both startled by a woman who jumps up from behind the trees.

"Todd! Viola!" she shouts. The first thing I notice are the big, circular glasses she's wearing, wild curly hair curtaining her face. There is a notebook in her hand, lots of scribbles filling it's pages.

"Umm, hi." I say. "Are you…"

"Mona." She says her name, offering a hand for me to shake. I take it, reluctantly, before she goes on to introduce herself. "I'm one of the settlers. I was a scientist back on Earth before our ship arrived here just months ago. It's so nice to finally meet you both!"

I keep an eye on her, searching my brain to see if I remember meeting Mona prior to this moment. It would make sense that I hadn't, seeing that we've been fighting a war the minute they got here, and for a moment I feel guilty. Guilty that I didn't know any of the settlers. That is going to have to change if we are to call ourselves leaders of this community.

But for now, we'll start with just one.

"It's nice to meet you, too." I tell her, a smile on my face. "If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing up so early? What are you writing down?"

Mona smiles from ear to ear, as if she's been eager to share her business with someone.

"I'm taking notes on the environment here. I haven't had any time to do research, but now that the war is over, I haven't been able to stay put." She hurries over to stand at my side and gives me her notebook. She gestures for me to flip through its pages, and when I do, it is full of drawings of plants, rocks, the spackle; almost every aspect of our planet. Todd looks over my shoulder, a curious feeling coming from his Noise.

"Wow. You've got a lot written down here." I say, handing it back to her.

"Oh, this is just a fraction of what I've found. This planet is very similar to Earth, as the environment goes, but it is much more advanced. If you would just look at-"

But before Mona can give an analysis of her research, Todd interrupts her.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but Viola and I gotta get goin." he says impatiently, eyes cutting to the sky that is beginning to turn pink. The sun is going to rise any second now.

Mona pauses, blinks, then smiles again. "Of course, another time. But I hope that would be sooner rather than later."

"Of course." I tell her, following along after Todd who's already started walking away, towards the beach.

"Oh, and one more thing!" Mona shouts. Both Todd and I stop in our tracks.

"You have just acquired what they call Noise, correct? The only female to have it?"

The question feels like an accusation, and I am hesitant to respond. But it isn't like I can keep it a secret, so I nod my head yes.

"You'd be right." I say.

Mona doesn't say anything more, just scribbles something down in her notebook.

"Very well, then! Enjoy your morning!"

Todd and I share a puzzled look before continuing our treck through the snow.

"Yer talk about weird." Todd says once Mona is out of earshot.

"She's just… fascinated by her surroundings. You would too if you were a scientist."

Todd gives me a look. "I ain't gonna lie, Viola. I don't even kno wut that is."

I laugh, shoving his shoulder. "Don't worry. We've got plenty of time to figure it out."

We walk in silence the rest of the way until we reach the beach, where Todd insists we watch the sunrise every morning. We take our spot on a low rock that is shaded by trees, sitting close to one another, letting our Noise warm us up. I stifle a yawn before resting my head on Todd's shoulder, but instantly raise it back up when I notice how anxious his Noise is.

What is it? I ask, my Noise concerned.

Wut is wut? He says.

Why are you so nervous? I say, searching his face.

I'm not nervous.

Todd, you can't lie to me. I can literally read your mind.

Well, maybe yer readin it wrong.

I move my head to the side, giving Todd an unconvinced look.

I can't read it wrong. It's just… there. What's bothering you?

But Todd doesn't answer me, just shifts his gaze back to the sky, watching as the sun begins to rise. I try to do the same, try to enjoy what we're watching, but I can't help being worried about Todd. Though after a while, his Noise begins to settle back to normal, my name running through it repeatedly-

Viola, Viola, Viola.

I think the last time we were here was when 1017 shot me. He says.

I place my head back on his shoulder again before giggling. We were here just yesterday, Todd.

Now it's his turn to laugh. I mean during the war. We never came back.

I consider his point before going on. There really wasn't a reason to. Not to mention we had no time. But now that Eric is gone… we can do a lot more now.

Todd shakes his head in agreement. It's strange, not havin to run from anything. Not bein afraid. Wut do yer do when nothin bad is happening?

And it's a question I asked myself the whole time we were fighting, wondering what would happen, what we would do, if we were lucky enough to make it.

And I find that I don't have an answer to his question.

But what we're doing right now feels like a good start.

I don't know. I admit to him. But I'm sure we'll find lots of stuff to do. And stuff to learn. And we'll do it together.

And Todd looks down at me, smiling, before saying, I couldn't of thought of anything better.

His Noise is spilling with love, so much that even my Noise begins to rattle. It's a beautiful feeling, how connected we are, and I never appreciated it so much until this moment. All of our love and appreciation and sacrifice for one another traveling between our Noise, available to us at any moment, there to be with us forever.

Viola. Todd says, grabbing my attention.

Todd. I say lazily, still staring at the sun with my eyes barely open, still enjoying the connection between us.

Saving this planet wudn't of meant anything to me if yer weren't here. He tells me.

I know. I feel the same way. I say, my eyes completely shut now, content with the sun shining onto my skin, with Todd sitting by my side.

I don't kno wut I wud do without yer. And I don't just mean the war. But… my entire life is better with you in it.

I shake my head in agreement against his shoulder. I feel the same, Todd.

He sighs, then says, And even tho you complain a lot and can get angry really quickly and hog all of the covers…

Now I sit up straight, giving Todd a glare. Hey! You complain way more than me. And at least I don't snore all night like you do!

Todd laughs, his Noise getting warmer, Yer still the smartest and funniest and most caring and most beautiful girl I've ever known.

And now my eyes fill with tears, not only hearing the truth in his words, but feeling them too.

Todd, I…

Yer don't have to say it back. I already know it. I already feel it. He tells me. But there is one more thing that I gotta tell yer… I mean… ask yer…

And then-

My Noise detects what Todd is going to do-

Before he even does it-

And my heart completely freezes.

Todd gets up to stand in front of me, getting down on one knee. I blink furiously, trying to prevent the tears from falling, but the attempt is completely useless. I'm already crying, tears falling onto my cheeks, and even wiping them with the back of my hand doesn't help. When Todd reaches into his pocket, I can't help but to shout-

"Todd Hewitt!"

He stops fumbling in his pocket and looks up at me, confused.

"Huh?"

"What are you ruddy doing?!"

But he isn't caught off guard by my response. Instead, he smiles.

"I was gettin to that, Viola."

Now, in addition to the tears, my hands begin to shake, panic rising within me. "Now... now it all makes sense." I manage to say. "The way you were acting. I can see it in your Noise, now. You were planning this the whole time!"

Todd, still on his knee, scoots closer to me. He grabs my hands in his before placing our interlocked fingers into my lap, his touch automatically calming me down. He looks up at me, a genuine smile on his face, before saying-

"I've been plannin it since the day I met you, Viola."

I look at him, both annoyed and flattered at such a silly statement. But my heart swells, Noise overflows with love, nonetheless "Liar. You hated me the first day I met you."

Todd shrugs. "That's... kinda tru. But I still knew I couldn't be without yer. Why do yer think I came back to save you?"

And I smile, remembering that time, and everything we'd been through together since. "Same reason I came back for you."

Now Todd's eyes gloss over. "I ain't never planned on not havin you in my life, Viola. For however long it lasts, I want yer there."

"Me neither, Todd. Always." I say, showing him how much I mean it through my Noise.

And then he takes a deep breath-

Before letting go of my hands-

And reaches into his pocket-

To pull out a silver ring-

Holding it up to me-

Before asking the one question-

That my Noise has already answered to-

The answer that will always be a yes-

"Viola Eade." He starts, eyes watering, smiling because he's already read my answer in my Noise.

"Will you marry me?"

I've never been so sure of anything in my life.

"Yes." I tell him.

We both knew it would happen eventually. But something about that moment, right as Todd slips the ring onto my finger, swooping me into his arms, kissing me before the rising sun, that feels so surreal. It's as if we are the only two people on this planet, sharing a connection that nothing, and no one, can break. I can't remember the last time I'd felt this happy, this much at home, but as Todd and I break away from our kiss, standing in each other's arms, looking at each other with huge smiles and through blurred vision, I realize that this feeling will never go away. That, as long as we are together, I will always have my place in this world.

That as long as I have Todd Hewitt-

I will always be home.

Author's Note: I always assumed that I'd end this fic with Todd and Viola getting married… but I was creeping through my own Goodreads account today and was reminded that, on this day last year, I'd finished the Ask and the Answer. That was SUPER nostalgic for me, so I figured, WHY STOP NOW? I love Chaos Walking, and with the movie series about to come out, there's no way I'll be able to end it. So, the show will go on!

But I do want to thank you guys so much for reading THIS FAR into the story. Writing is a lot more fun when people love the series too, so please know, you're so loved and appreciated! Hope ya liked this sweet lil chapter! The next few after this probably won't mention the war, we'll just see Todd and Viola doing normal things. I'm so excited for that!

Also… I've been hearing some rumors about a movie trailer coming out soon. I don't know how credible that is but LET'S CROSS OUR FINGERS AND HOPE IT'S TRUE because I seriously cannot wait!