Luz was still feeling slightly fatigued from the effects of the illness that had plagued her for most of the day, but she couldn't be happier. She was surrounded by people she loved, her friends, her newfound family... and of course, her new awesome girlfriend Amity.
She watched as Amity carefully wringed the Titan's blood out of her gloves and into a small flask that had been placed beneath them to catch every single drop of the precious substance. She could see the devotion in Amity's eyes, the care she took as she wringed out her gloves, and the pride she had in her work.
That's my girlfriend, thought Luz, her lips curved into a wide, beaming smile as she rested her chin on one of her hands. She's amazing.
"There we go... that's all the Titan's blood left from the key," said Amity with a sigh. She was still smiling, but it was clear that she still felt guilty over losing the key itself. "Luz, I'm sorry... you trusted me with the portal key, your only way home, and I lost it. I wish I could've done more."
"It's okay, Amity," Luz replied, looking at the liquid swirling around in the vial. "This is more than enough... I think. And besides, I can't hold it against you anyway. You didn't have a choice... he was threatening me, and to be honest, if it was the other way around, I would have done the same thing. You did it to protect me."
Amity couldn't help but smile wider at Luz's kind words. Of course Luz forgave her... and Amity knew she was a fool to ever think otherwise. And yet, she still felt ashamed that she'd lost the key Luz had given her to keep safe.
"If I hadn't been so careless, if I hadn't let him see it-"
"Amity," said Luz, reaching out and gently taking her girlfriend's hand. "You did everything you had to. You risked your life and fought that jerk all by yourself to protect the key! You didn't have to do any of that stuff, but you still did. I just wish I could've helped you."
Amity felt Luz squeezing her hand, and at the same time, felt a warmth in her cheeks. She looked up and could see Luz blushing as well, and as the two of them continued to hold hands, they could hear their friends nearby. Willow and Gus were watching them both, and though they tried to be as polite and discreet as they could, holding in their sighs and their cooing, Luz and Amity were becoming slightly more uncomfortable with their stares. They'd never say it, but Eda, also watching, could see that the two girls needed some privacy.
"Well, I'm gonna take these kids home," said Eda, smiling and walking over to Willow and Gus. "Amity, do you want me to drop you off too, or...?"
Eda trailed off, already knowing what Amity's answer would be. Amity shook her head, and smiled back at Luz.
"I'll stay a little bit longer," said Amity. "I need to... talk to Luz about a few more things."
Willow couldn't help but snicker, though she tried her best not to let her two friends see that she was on the verge of bursting into squeals.
"Bye, Gus! Bye, Willow!" said Luz, waving at her friends. "Thanks for keeping me company today!"
"I'm glad we got to see each other again," said Amity, smiling at Willow and Gus. "Willow... it's really nice to be spending time together."
"It's nice to be spending time together with you too, Amity," replied Willow. Though she'd never actually said 'I forgive you' to Amity after the incident inside her mind, the two had mended their severed bond some time ago, and Amity knew that Willow had finally put the past behind them both. "We'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
After Eda left with Willow and Gus, Amity and Luz were mostly alone. King was asleep, and Hooty... well, by this point, Amity had gotten used to his presence, despite the stunt he'd pulled earlier that week. Amity turned back toward Luz, and took her hands again.
"So I guess this means you'll be ready to go home soon," said Amity, gripping Luz's hands tightly while still smiling. Luz nodded, and returned Amity's gesture, squeezing her hands right back.
"Yeah," replied Luz, looking into Amity's eyes. "I'm really glad I met you, Amity... I know a lot's changed from when we first met, and I'm so glad you're happier now than you were back then."
"I am," Amity replied. "I'm sorry for... the way I was. Trying to have you dissected, trying to make you stop learning magic forever..."
Luz just shook her head. Amity didn't need to apologize for any of those things. Luz understood completely, and she knew that Amity was still having doubts about whether she was worthy of her or not. Luz could barely believe that she had such an amazing girlfriend like Amity... a brave, smart, kind, beautiful witch... Amity made her feel so special, so strong... Amity made her feel like a hero.
"I know that once I activate the portal, I might not be able to come back," said Luz. "And I know how much I mean to you, so it's awesome that you're trying to help me get back home even though..."
"Luz, listen to me," said Amity, looking up into Luz's eyes and leaning in close. "I know you want to go home, and that's why I'm helping you get back there. I'd never, ever keep you from going home, even if it meant losing you. I promise, no matter what, I will do everything I can to get that portal open for you so you can go back to your world."
Luz let out a small gasp, a grateful smile appearing on her face. She sniffled, and Amity's grip on her hands loosened, allowing her to reach up and wipe away a tear.
"And then, once you're back home," said Amity, her eyes filled with determination, "I promise I'll never stop looking for a way to come find you. There's got to be more ways to make a portal... more Titan's blood, other spells... so I know that even when you're gone, it's not goodbye forever. I'll come find you... after all, you did say you'd show me around your world, right?"
Luz sniffled again, nodding and smiling.
"Of course, Amity... but you won't have to look alone! I'm sure Eda will help you, and King, and Hooty, and Willow and Gus and Lilith... and I won't stop looking either! I know there's no magic in my world, but there's got to be something somewhere I can use to get back here, so once I get home, I'll start searching as soon as I can!"
The two girls continued to clasp their hands together and look into each other's eyes, even as their faces grew redder. This feeling, of having a girlfriend, someone to love, was still so new, so awkward... but they were getting used to it, and starting to like it more and more, even if neither of them knew what the future held.
"...Luz, even if I knew there wouldn't ever be a way to see you again, I'd still help you," said Amity, her expression growing more serious now, and tears starting to form in her own eyes. "You've given me everything, Luz. You have no idea what you've done for me, how happy you've made me. You changed my life, and for that..."
Amity trailed off, starting to get slightly choked up. She started to reach up to wipe her eyes, but Luz's hand was there faster, brushing away the tears that were forming.
"Luz, I will never hurt you again," said Amity, pulling Luz's hands close to her chest. "I promise, I swear on my life-"
"Amity, stop," Luz whispered, her thumb gently stroking the top of Amity's hand. "I know you'll never hurt me. You're my girlfriend... I... I..."
Luz couldn't get the words out, but Amity could tell what Luz was struggling to say. She gently pulled Luz's hands up to her lips, leaned down, and quickly kissed them, though she was blushing a glowing red after she did so. Luz giggled softly, and gave Amity another smile... a smile that Amity returned, even as another tear fell down the side of her face.
"I love you," Amity whispered, before immediately gasping and pressing both hands over her mouth. Luz gasped as well, and the two sat there for several moments, blinking awkwardly at each other, both of them wondering if Amity had actually said what she'd just said.
I... love you too, Amity... thought Luz, her entire body trembling. Oh wow... she loves me. My girlfriend loves me! What do I do? What do I say? Do I kiss her on the lips? Do I start screaming? Oh... should I just tell her I love her back? Maybe Amity already knows!
"A...Amity... m...maybe we should... get you home, huh?" said Luz, smiling and offering to take Amity's hand again. I... I sure hope she knows I love her!
"Uh huh," stammered Amity, nodding and reaching out to take Luz's hand. Oh no, Amity, you've blown it forever...! ...no, no, you haven't blown anything, she's still squeezing my hand, that means she loves me back, right? Oh man...
The two started to walk toward the door. They reached it, and Luz opened it, and they stepped outside together.
Then, Luz leaned up and kissed Amity's cheek.
"Thanks for everything," said Luz, her voice still shaking slightly. Amity turned to her, and she smiled back, nodding at her girlfriend and knowing that everything really would be okay.
She loves me, thought Amity, feeling Luz's hand softly squeezing her own. She picked up her staff, and she and Luz climbed on together. I really am an awesome girlfriend.
Then, the staff soared off into the starry night sky. The two looked at each other and shared another smile, and knew that no matter what happened, they would always be a part of each other's future.