Forbidden Love

by UnknownEntity0

(Flash): "Astral." A soft and gentle voice called out. "Who's there?" I said glancing around the darkness. "Did you forget me?" She asks as her voice quivered as if she was about to cry. "Who are you?" I repeated once more to the darkness in an annoyed tone of voice. She took a shaky breath. "I'm..." (Flash) I snapped my eyes open and clutched my forehead. Who is she?

36. 36

The next morning:

Derek's POV:

I was thinking about yesterday's events as Lady Estella walked up to me.

"Hey," She said as she sat down next to me.

"What are you thinking about?" She asks in curiosity as she looks at me.

"I was thinking about yesterday's events."

She nodded. "So, do you think Prince Astral and Lady Lily like each other?"

I mean like if they didn't then how on earth would yesterday's events occur? I thought as I looked at her ocean blue eyes. Is she asking because she's jealous of Lily?

"Well, it's pretty obvious that they like each other," I said, waiting for her reaction.

She nods in agreement. "Yes, that would likely be the case considering their 30-minute embrace."

"Oh, and don't forget about the kisses on the forehead." I reminded her as she smiles.

"I got to be honest, I was not expecting Prince Astral to kiss her forehead." She said while laughing. Does this mean that she is jealous?

My breath hitched. I knew it. I knew that she liked him.

"I was expecting him to lean in to kiss her on the lips." She suddenly said as I widen my eyes. If she said that… then does it mean that she's not jealous?

I chuckled a bit. "Yea, I was expecting him to kiss her on the lips as well."

"I wonder though, A kiss on the lips is self-explanatory. It indicates love but what does a kiss on the forehead mean?" I ask as I glanced at her.

She ponders it for a moment. "Well, it could have many meanings. A kiss on the forehead could indicate love but it could also mean friendship." She responded as she puts her hand on her chin. Friendship? How?

"How does it indicate friendship? A kiss to me is an intimate gesture." I ask her.

"Remember, not all kisses are romantic. For example, a kiss on the cheek could indicate romantic feelings but it is seen more often as a friendship kiss. It all depends on the context." She explained. Oh, that's right… but the way he kissed her was romantic right?

"I think the way he kissed her is pretty self-explanatory." She said as I look confused. How?

"So… it was romantic?" I ask as she looks at me in disbelief. Why is she looking at me like that? Was it not romantic?

"You really don't know?" She asks me as I shot her a confused look.

She facepalms and sighs. "Sir Derek, you are almost as oblivious as those two you know that?" I widen my eyes and looked at her.

"Hey! Why is that supposed to mean?" I said as she shook her head slowly.

"Of course it was romantic. I mean did you see the way that they both looked at each other?"

I nodded. "Yep, they stared lovingly at each other for a full 30 minutes minus the hugging and the kiss portion."

"Plus, the way they hugged each other was a dead giveaway of their feelings." She said.

"Friends don't hug each other for 30 minutes and the way that they embraced each other, that's definitely a romantic hug," I said.

She nodded as she turns to me. "Is a 30-minute hug even considered a hug anymore?" Good question. A regular hug is usually from 10 to 30 seconds. There are some exceptions though.

"I think it would be more of a long embrace than a hug because regular hugs usually last from 10 to 30 seconds unless you are comforting someone that is," I said to her.

"True, usually the longer the embrace, the more romantic feelings they have for that person. Of course, there are exceptions to comforting someone." She said.

So that must mean Astral likes her very much because that was definitely not a comforting hug he gave her.

I widen my eyes. "And remember when they slowly removed their hands from each other?"

"Yea, it was like they didn't want to remove them." She said looking at me. "That's definitely an indication that they have feelings for each other."

"Well, it depends." She said as I tilted my head in confusion. What?

"What do you mean?"

"Is he the hugging type?"

I burst out laughing. "Is he the hugging type?" I said in between fits of laughter. Oh my god, this is too funny!

"No, no he is not. I definitely know that he's not a hugger." I said as my laughter died down.

"He is not the hugging type in the slightest. You should have seen him try to hug someone he doesn't know all that well. He just stands there stiffly as that person hugs him tightly. Occasionally, he would give that person a few awkward pats on the back but that's it." I said as I explained to her.

Her eyes widen in disbelief. "Really?"

I nodded. "Although, it seems like he's warming up to the idea of a hug."

I sigh sadly. "To be honest, I haven't seen him this affectionate towards anyone since…"

"Since…?"

I bit my lip. Should I tell her about Astrid? You know what, I think she deserves to know. He wouldn't mind, right?

"I haven't seen him this affectionate towards anyone since the day that Astrid died," I said sadly as she covered her mouth in shock.

"Who's Astrid?" She said as she uncovered her mouth.

"She was his girlfriend."

She gasps in shock. "He had a girlfriend?"

I nodded as I looked at her. "Unfortunately, she was killed by the Barians and Astral hasn't been the same ever since then." I clenched my fist as I remembered her. Astrid…

I felt a hand patting my back. "I'm sorry that she died." She said sadly.

I smiled at her. "It's fine. After all, he was the one most affected by her death. I'm just glad that he is getting accustomed to showing physical affection again."

"How come I never heard that he had a girlfriend before?" She asks curiously.

I hesitated a bit. Should I tell her about the whole sealing memories thing? I bit my lip.

"It's okay, you don't have to be forced to tell me if you don't want to," She said as she smiles.

"What I'm about to tell you does not leave this room okay?" I said as I put an arm on her shoulder. Her eyes widen but she smiles.

"Okay."

I slowly exhaled. "When she died, he isolated himself in a room for days with no food or water. I bet that he didn't even sleep either. No matter how much we begged him to come out and to eat something, he just locked himself in his room and did not talk to us. This went on for days and weeks on end until his parents finally cracked and broke the door down. We found him unconscious with blood dripping from his wrist as a glass shard from a broken cup laid next to him." I took a breath from recalling those memories as she opened her mouth in shock.

"He was suicidal?" She said in disbelief after a couple of minutes.

I nodded sadly. "Yea, if the King and Queen didn't sense that something was off and broke down the door, then he might have…" I trailed off. If we didn't break the door down in time then he could have died.

"Is he…?"

I shook my head as I smiled. "To prevent him from ever having those impulsive thoughts, his parents sealed his memories of her."

"The King and Queen sealed his memories of the woman that he loved?" She asks in shock.

I sigh slowly. "As much as I hate to say it, it was the right move on their part because Astral is very stubborn. Once he made a decision, it's hard to change his mind and with his mindset focused on death, it will be a miracle if he didn't attempt to die again."

"But I disagree, The Prince doesn't seem like the impulsive type. Why would he even consider death?"

This question is the question that I have been wondering about for years now. I sigh. "I don't know," I responded. "It may be because he loved her very much and wanted to be with her."

"I could tell that he loved her from the way he acts, speaks, and looks at her. He was like a totally different person when he was with her."

"What do you mean by a totally different person?" She asks in confusion.

"When he was around her, he laughed more, smiled more, talked more, joked around more often, teased her, etc… She was his other half. She truly understood him. I actually think that they understand each other more than any of us do understand them." I sigh sadly as she nods.

"Just like with Lady Lily." She suddenly said as she looks at me. Yea, just like her.

"Her personality is like her," I said.

"Is that why he is so comfortable around her?"

"That perhaps is the reason," I said looking at the door that separates us from the other room.

After a couple of minutes of silence, she looks at me. "Does he remember her now?"

Maybe… perhaps… I mean like it's been two years since that seal has been established. Does that memory seal wear off?

"I don't know if he remembers her or not. I mean like it's been two years since The King placed the seal. Maybe it will wear off in time but maybe it will not." I exclaimed sadly.

"I still don't agree with placing the seal on his memories like that. To forget the one you truly love is a horrible experience." She said sighing as I nodded solemnly. True, that would be a painful experience to remember, but he would rather remember than forget knowing him.

Is this a good time to ask her? I looked at Lady Estella and bit my tongue. "Lady Estella,"

"Yes?"

To late to back down now. "Are you… jealous of Lily?" I ask as I looked at her. I said it. I can't believe that I said it!

She turns to me and ponders a bit. "A little bit." She said after a few minutes making my breath hitched in my throat. So I was right, I never stood a chance.

"I mean like any female would want a person like the Prince to protect and cherish them." She said in deep thought. "Prince Astral is really phenomenal. The more I think about it, he has this power, this magnetic attraction that allures females." The way she talks about him…

She turns to me with a smile. "My answer is yes, I am in fact a little jealous of Lady Lily." I knew it. Astral really is amazing. How can I even bother to compete with a Prince?

"But…" She said with a blush on her face as she looks at me. But?

"Although, I am a little jealous, I don't like him in that way." She confessed, making my eyes widen in surprise. She! She doesn't like him? But why? How? What?

"I thought you said that he has the power of attraction that allures females," I said as I looked at her.

"Well, let's just say that no matter how charming and handsome he is, it doesn't work on everyone." She said with a blush as she looked away from me. That must mean that she doesn't like him! I still have a chance after all!

"Th-then who do you like?" I ask, stuttering. Maybe that was too forward?

We both stared at each other with smiles. I held my breath in anticipation, waiting for her answer. Could it be me?

She then leans forward for a hug which I also leaned forward to embrace her. What does this mean?

"You really are clueless huh?" She said quietly, resting her head on my shoulder as I wrapped my arms around her. Clueless? Me? Astral and Lily are the clueless ones.

"What do you mean?" I ask in surprise.

She sighs in frustration muttering clueless under her breath. "You." She whispered in my ear as I widen my eyes in shock and disbelief. Me? I thought it was me but actually hearing it come out of her mouth is a whole other shock!

"I love you, Sir Derek." She whispered as she wrapped her arms tighter around my back. Did she just say what I thought she said? She just said…! She!

I was still reeling from the shock of her words. I can't believe that she… I thought that she liked some other guy… but why?

"It's okay," She quietly says in a sad tone. "If you don't like me then feel free to reject me. I won't-"

"I love you!" I shouted suddenly, cutting her off. I love you.

I hugged her closer to me. "I love you," I muttered into her ear as she sat there in shock at my words.

"Lady Estella, I, Derek, will love you forever and ever. I will protect you with my life if I have to. You have my word, Estella." I whispered as I gently stroke her hair. Yes, okay, I will admit that I did steal some of Astral's words that he said to Lily yesterday but I meant it from the bottom of my heart! Plus, the way that he said it sounded like a love confession.

"I know, Derek," She whispered as she broke the embrace and laid her head on my chest while I wrap my arms around her hips.

"You stole some of the Prince's words from last night didn't you?" She said expectedly. Guess I got found out.

"Yes, but I sincerely meant those words from the bottom of my heart. Plus, in my defense, the way he said it while being that close to her sounded like a love confession."

"Yes, it did sound like a love confession." She said while turning around to meet my gaze.

"That was why I thought that he was going to kiss her when he said that." She looks into my eyes as a deep shade of red covered her cheeks. Wait, she's not doing what I think she's doing right? My heartbeat quickened as she touched our foreheads together and stayed like that for a few minutes. This is exactly like…

She is so close… My heart rate thumped in my chest loudly as she removed her forehead with a blush as she looked away from me. If she is rein-acting this scene from yesterday, then…

We looked into each other's eyes and she slowly brought her lips closer to my forehead and lingered there for a few minutes. It feels so good! I never want this to end!

Slowly but surely she removed her lips from my forehead with a light shade of red covering her face as she looked at me. Aw… she's so cute!

Well, I guess if we are rein-acting that scene, I should do it too. Now, if I can remember how he did it…

I gently brought my hand towards the back of her head and placed it gently. I looked at her, smiled, and leaned towards her forehead as she closed her eyes and kissed her. Omg, I actually did it! It feels so good. I don't want to remove it anytime soon. Is this how he felt when he did it too? This feeling! It's phenomenal!

After a few moments, I gently removed my lips from her forehead as she brought a hand and placed it on my cheek and an arm wrapped around my neck. Our lips are so close… I pulled her closer to me and placed one of my hands on her cheek.

"Why don't we take this a step further than those two last night?" I said quietly as she smiled slightly with a blush. Well, it's too late to back down now. You can do this, Derek!

I tilted my head slightly left and she closed her eyes as I leaned in and kissed her lips. Oh my goodness! My breath hitched as I closed my eyes as well. Her lips are so soft!

I don't ever want this moment to end. I kissed her for another few minutes until we slowly broke apart breathing heavily. Damnit oxygen!

She avoided my gaze as a deep shade of red dusted her cheeks. Aw… she's too cute. I might die from cuteness!

I smiled as I gently embraced her lovingly in my arms as she laid her head on my shoulders.

We stayed like that for a few minutes when we heard giggling and laughing from the other room. My eyes widen. They didn't spy on us, did they?

I looked towards the door that was slightly opened enough for two people to peep in. Why those little…

"Let me guess, they spied on us right?"

I nodded as I broke the embrace between us. We stood up and walked towards the door into the other room.

Estella's POV:

That kiss was the most magical thing that I experienced. I can't even explain in words how magical it felt.

(Thump)

I held onto his hand as we walked into the other room and our eyes widen in surprise.

Prince Astral was laying directly on top of Lady Lily with his hands on either side of her head while looking into each other's eyes and lips parted. That position…

I looked at Derek in shock as we witnessed this scene. Have they realized their feelings for one another?

"Ahem," He cleared his throat as they looked over at us in shock as blushes covered their faces.

"We didn't see anything." He said while dragging my hand about to go into the other room.

"Please continue what you were doing before we came in," I said quickly with a blush on my face.

Their eyes widen as he slowly got off of her. "It's not what it looks likes!"

She stood up avoiding his gaze. "We didn't do anything!" She said quickly with a deep shade of red on her face. I find that really hard to believe.

"Mhm," I said as I nodded and giggled a bit.

"Sure," He said winking at the both of them as their faces grew redder and redder.

"I-I am serious, it's not what it looks like." He started.

"Ye-yea, he tripped and fell on top of me by accident." She stutters glancing at him as he nods.

"Really?" I said, not believing the two of them.

"It's the truth!" They simultaneously say as they blushed. Uh-huh…

"Anyway, I have a question," Derek said as he held my hand gently. "Did you two spy on us?"

They looked at each other with eyes wide. Busted!

"Astral! I thought that you would know better than that."

"We didn't spy on you two when you two were having a moment with each other yesterday," I said to lay on the guilt.

They both looked away with a deep shade of red covering their cheeks. "W-we were not having a moment!" She said denying that anything happened.

"She's right, nothing happened except for that 30-minute hug." He said clearly lying with a faint blush on his face. You know what? I would actually believe that lie if I wasn't spying on them for the whole duration.

We looked at each other and smirked. "Oh? Really? I remember seeing you kiss each other on the foreheads while staring into each other's eyes for about like 30 minutes." I said as they denied that ever happened frantically.

"W-what?" She said clearly flustered as she cups her cheeks.

"That did not happen!" The Prince said calmly while avoiding her eyes.

We looked at each other with smiles and nods. "Mhm, just keep convincing yourself that didn't happen but you two know what you two did the best."

"We just kissed each other on the forehead. It didn't mean anything!" They both day as they looked at each other.

"Mhm." We both said sarcastically as we both sigh. Are they just clueless or are they pretending? I don't even know anymore…

Astral's POV:

(Flash):

I opened my eyes as the sunlight shone through the window. Where am I?

Memories of last night came flooding into my head as I widen my eyes. I actually kissed her forehead? I thought that was only a dream.

I sigh as I turned my head towards the right and got the shock of my life! Why is she so close to my face? I thought as a blush crawled onto my face.

Her hands were still wrapped on my neck but her face was directly next to my neck. Oh my, if she moved her head even a bit towards me then our lips would…

I thought as my eyes widen. And if that happens then… I got to get out of her embrace!

I tried to remove her arms gently but in response, she whined.

"10 more minutes, honey," As she snuggled closer to me with her face closer to mine. Ok, so that didn't work. What should I do now?

I softly shook her arm. "Lily, get up."

"Mhm." She groaned in discontent.

"This is very important. I need you to let go of me and wake up." I said calmly as I removed her arms from my neck.

"You are not leaving me!" She exclaimed softly as she moved her face closer to mine as I try to move my head away.

"Get up," I said in a serious voice as I tried to suppress a blush from her face being so close to mine. This isn't working.

"You are mine." She whispered as she slept. Did she just say? I widen my eyes as I turned my head to look at her except, I forgot how close her lips were to mine. So as a result, our lips touched as I widen my eyes even larger. This!

My heart rate skyrocketed as I stared at her eyes as we kissed!

…

…

…

This… we… I… My mind went officially blank as our lips accidentally touch.

Her lips… they touch mine. I'm actually kissing her on the lips… I thought in disbelief as I looked at her sleeping peacefully while this is happening. I got to end this before she wakes up. I have to turn my head away. But why is it so hard to do?

Argh… My heart thumped rapidly in my chest as I clenched my jaw to prevent myself from opening my mouth. Turn your head away. Turn your head away. Turn your head away. I repeated in my mind as I tried to break the kiss. Why won't my body listen to me?

She started to stir awake and as a result, her lips rubbed against mine unintentionally. Mhm, that feels good… what the? Stop! I got to break this kiss before she sees.

Please, my body, please listen to me and stop kissing her! Listen to me! I practically beg as she gently opens her eyes. Uh-oh, I'm a dead man!

I forced myself to close my eyes and turn away in the nick of time. Whew, that was close. Why wasn't my body listening to me? But that kiss… it actually felt… No! She is my friend. I shouldn't be having these thoughts.

Have I been drugged again? Why am I having these thoughts about her? She doesn't see me in that way and I only see her as a friend.

(Flash)

"Astral!"

I blinked as I shook my head. "What?"

Derek looked at me in concern as he felt my forehead. "Are you okay?"

"I have been calling your name for ages now. Come to think of it, your forehead is a bit warmer than usual. Are you sick?" He asks in concern. He has been calling my name?

"I'm fine, Derek," I responded as I slightly smiled.

He looked at me with disbelieving eyes. "Uh-huh, mind telling me what's on your mind?"

"Nothing," I replied looking at him. There is no way that I will tell him about that accidental kiss.

He smirked. "Were you thinking about Lily?" He said in a knowing tone of voice.

"Why do you assume that?"

He shrugged. "You know, considering what happened yesterday," He started.

"Lily and I are just friends." I interrupted him.

He raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Sure," He said sarcastically. "Then mind explaining to me last night's events?"

Last night… I don't even know what happened. It was like my body moved on its own.

"What's there to explain? You saw it all." I said as he looked at me in disbelief.

He sighs and shook his head slowly. "And Estella said that I am clueless." He mutters underneath his breath. Here is my chance!

"So… how are things going with Lady Estella?"

He blushed. "What do you mean?"

I rolled my eyes. "Come on, stop playing dumb with me. You confessed to her didn't you?"

"You two spied on us! You should know."

"Also, nice try but don't change the subject, Astral." He said as I sigh. Well, it was worth a try.

"There is nothing between Lily and me," I repeated once more as I looked at him.

"Seriously, you expect me to believe that after what I witnessed last night?" He said in a shocked tone.

"I mean like the two of you hugged for 30 minutes. It shouldn't even be called a hug. It was a long embrace! Friends don't hug each other for that long."

"She-"

"And, you kissed her on the forehead. Friends don't kiss each other like that." He continues. "The way you looked at her and the way you held her in your arms, friends don't look at each other like that nor hold each other that way."

"I was comforting her," I said calmly.

"Astral, that was not a comforting hug. That was obviously a romantic embrace." He said as he sighs. What? No, I was comforting her that's all.

I shook my head. "That was just a friendly hug."

My friend looks at me in disbelief and shock. "You really are clueless." He said as he sighs.

"Ok, answer me this, why did you kiss her on the forehead?"

I opened my mouth then closed it. I don't know…

"I don't know why I kissed her forehead," I admitted as he blinked.

"You don't know?"

I nodded. "I honestly don't know why I did it. My body just moved on its own."

He ponders in deep thought for a moment. "How odd…" Yea, it's highly peculiar.

"Anyway, I'm telling you, Lily and I are just friends."

He sighs in frustration. "Do friends cuddle?"

"Some of them do."

"Yes, but do friends cling onto each other like the two of you did last night?" Maybe?

"She was afraid of thunder and as her best friend, I have to be there to comfort her," I said logically.

"I do agree with what you're saying but Astral," He said looking directly at me. "Don't you think the way that you two clung to each other is a little too close for friendship?" Um…

"We are just friends!" I repeated to him. "And besides, she clung to me because she was afraid." I reasoned with him.

"Yes, she was scared but there were three of us in the room. She could have clung to any of us but she chose you. Don't you think it means something?"

I blinked at his words. He does have a point.

"I am her best friend since she was little. It's natural for her to seek comfort in me." I said then quickly added. "Not that I'm saying that your not her friend or anything but since I was the closest to her, it would be the most logical choice."

"I agree with what you are saying but, do you remember the panic attack she had yesterday?" He asks as I nodded. Who could forget that?

"She didn't snap out of it until you were almost out of the room. Don't you think that means something?" It's just a coincidence.

"It's probably just a coincidence that she snapped out of it as I stepped out," I said as he stares at me with a deadpan expression. What is with his expression?

"Seriously? Do you think that it's a coincidence? I'm telling you, it's definitely not a coincidence."

"How would you know?"

"The timing was too close to be a coincidence."

I shrugged. "Who knows? Panic attacks don't have a set schedule."

He facepalms. "Ok, one last question my friend." He sighs as he looks at me in all seriousness. Finally, I feel like I'm being interrogated.

"You honestly don't feel anything towards her? I mean like you snuggled with her, embrace her for 30 minutes, kissed her on the forehead, fell directly on top of her, and held her waist for a long duration. Do you honestly not feel anything towards her?" He said as he looked at me closely. Um… I…

(Flash):

We crouched behind the door as we listened to Derek confessed to Lady Estella. Those words sound so familiar…

"You stole some of the Prince's words from last night, didn't you?" Oh, no wonder it sounds so familiar.

"Yes, but I sincerely meant it from the bottom of my heart! Plus, the way he said it while being that close to her sounded like a love confession." I widen my eyes. Did it sound like a love confession? Seriously?

"Yes, it did sound like a love confession."

"That's why I thought he was going to kiss her when he said it." We both widen our eyes in shock as I looked away from her. They thought that I was going to kiss her?

I glanced at her, she avoided my gaze and had a blush on her face. How could they think that? We are just friends!

"Lily, I-"

"No need for an explanation. I know that what you said wasn't a love confession." She said as she looked at me.

I nodded as I looked back into the room. The way that they are doing things… it… I widen my eyes yet again. Why are they rein acting the scene from yesterday?

"They look cute together." She said as she smiled.

"Yeah, looks like all of the misunderstandings have been cleared between them."

"I wouldn't say all."

I looked at her in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"All of their misunderstandings of each other might have been cleared but they still misunderstand about our relationship." She said with a slight giggle.

I chuckled. "Oh yea, they still think that we like each other."

She nodded. "Our relationship is purely platonic right Astral?"

"Right, there is absolutely nothing going on between us."

"I don't know why people keep thinking that we like each other?" I ask as I look at her.

She shrugged. "I don't know why either." She said laughing a bit.

I smiled, looked back towards the door, and found they were walking towards it. Uh-oh!

I quickly turned towards her. "They are coming this way!"

"We might be found out!"

"Let's move," I said as we rushed out behind the door and ran towards the other side of the room. If they find out that we spied in them, I will never hear the end of it.

"Uh-oh!"

She turned towards me quickly. "What-"

(Thump)

"Ow," She said as she looks into my eyes and blinks in shock. I could see a blush appear on her face as she stares at me laying on top of her.

My heart thumped in my chest as I stared into her eyes. This position… what am I feeling right now?

We stared at each other in silence. The… why am I getting so tense all of a sudden?

I have never been this close to her before well minus this morning that is. Ah… stop thinking about that accidental kiss!

I… our faces are so close… My heart rate accelerated as I stared at her lips. Why am I thinking about this? She's just a friend! Just a friend. Am I somehow drugged again?

That must be it! I must be drugged. I see her as a friend and only as a friend. I swallowed nervously as I looked into her beautiful eyes. I got to get off of her but why is it so hard to move?

"A-Are you okay?" I managed to stutter out.

"I-I'm fine." She said with a deep shade of red that covered her face.

My breathing got heavier as I looked at her face. My heart quickened. Why is my breathing getting heavier? Is it perhaps… No, it's probably because of my Tuberculosis. That's it!

I stared at her lips. Her lips are so close… I slowly leaned down towards her. What the? What am I doing? I stopped myself in the nick of time before our lips actually touched. My lips were inches apart from hers as she looked up at me with her face fully red. That's it! I am confident that I am drugged.

We continued to stare at each other. I could feel her heart rate quickening as we stare. Just what is wrong with me? Why am I feeling this way towards her, my best friend, of all people?

(Flash)

I covered my face with my hand to hopefully conceal my blush. Why did I suddenly think of that?

My friend's eyes widen. "Is that a blush I see on your face?" He asks as he tried to have a closer look at my face. If he sees then I will never hear the end of it.

I cleared my throat and tried to clear my mind. Stop thinking about that! "Lily and I are just friends," I said reverting to a calm expression.

"You honestly don't feel anything towards her besides friendship?" He asks as he looks at me in disbelief.

"Lily and I are just friends," I repeated in hopes that I could get out of answering his question.

He narrows his eyes in suspicion. "Really?"

I nodded.

"So if some guy makes a move on her," He said as he smirked at me. "You wouldn't feel anything?" Does he think he could trick me? I saw this coming from a mile away.

I sigh in frustration. "Derek, for the last time, Lily and I are just friends!"

"Just answer the question!" He said as he looked at me. "If a guy makes a move on her, would you feel anything?" Hm… I guess if she likes that guy back then I would be happy for her.

"Of course I would feel something." I started to say as he widens his eyes. "I would feel happy for her," I said as he facepalms once again in frustration.

"Astral, you are literally killing me here!" He said as he groaned. "Do you enjoy torturing me like this?"

I laughed a bit. "Hey, I never forced you to ask me about this. It was your choice."

He took a breath to calm himself. "Okay, let me clarify." He said as he looked at me once again. "Besides feeling happy for her, is there any other feeling? Like jealously or perhaps anger and sadness?" Jealousy? Anger? Sadness? Why would I feel those emotions?

I shook my head. "No, I would feel happy for her that she found someone who loves her. Why would I feel anger, sadness, and jealousy?"

"Oh my god! Talking to you is like talking to a brick wall!" He groaned while putting his head in his hand.

I chuckled. "You know what? I actually enjoy this conversation now."

"Of course you would." He mutters under his breath.

I rolled my eyes. So dramatic.

He looked up at me. "You honestly don't feel an ounce of romantic feelings for her?" He asks desperately to know if I have feelings for her. Geez, why is he peering into my love life so much?

"As I said already, she and I are just friends."

He narrowed his eyes at me. "At this point, I don't even know what to believe anymore." He says as he sighs.

"Believe what you want but I will say this, there is absolutely nothing going on between Lily and me." Finally, this conversation can end.

Lily's POV:

(Flash):

What did I do last night? I thought as all of my memories flew back into me and I widen my eyes. A blush appeared on my face. I actually kissed him? It was in the forehead but still, a kiss is a kiss. Why on earth did I do that?

I thought as I opened my eyes as I got the shock of my life! Why is he so close? I blushed at how close in proximity our faces are. If he turned his head a tiny bit, our lips would… My heart rate quickened. What the? Is something wrong with my heart? Why am I feeling this way toward him of all people?

I looked at him sleeping peacefully with his arms around my waist. He looks so peaceful… I gently brought one of my hands up to stroke his hair. It really is soft! I thought as I smiled.

Just then, he shifted in his sleep causing our lips to collide with one another accidentally. I widen my eyes in shock. He… this… I… we…

My heart rate accelerated exponentially as our lips touched. We are actually… our lips are… touching each other…

Why do I feel like this? I blink in shock as he peacefully slept without a care in the world. I… this is… my first kiss.

He shifted in his sleep once again, rubbing his lips against mine unintentionally. Is this what a kiss feels like? It feels so good… wait what am I thinking? I can't have those thoughts towards him! He's my best friend of all people!

I got to break this kiss but his lips are so soft! No, I have to break this kiss before he wakes up! Ok, all I need to do is to turn my head. It's that easy. I tried to turn my head, but I can't seem to bring myself to do it for some odd reason. What is wrong with me? Why can't I turn my head? Is it wrong that I don't want this moment to end?

No, I can't have these thoughts. We are just friends. He is my best friend since we were little. We are friends. He doesn't feel that way towards me and I don't feel that way towards him!

He starts to stir awake. Uh-oh… I have to break this kiss! Please, listen to me, head and break this kiss! If he wakes up and sees this then I could kiss our friendship goodbye.

He starts to flutter his eyes open. Oh no, come on! I have to turn away!

I forced myself to turn away in the nick of time as I shut my eyes. Phew, that was so close. I can't imagine how he would react if he saw that I accidentally kissed him. But his lips are so soft and it felt so… Stop! What am I thinking? I can't be having those thoughts about him. He is my friend. I must be sick or something… yea, that's right, I must be sick! He is just my friend.

(Flash)

"Lady Lily!"

I blinked a couple of times as I shook my head. Why did I think of that?

"Yea?"

"I have been calling your name a couple of times but no response. Are you feeling alright?" Estella asks me in concern.

I smiled at her. "I'm fine, Estella."

"Oh, by the way, stop being so formal and just call me by my name."

"But-"

"It's fine, Estella. Just call me by my name." I insisted.

She hesitated for a second then nodded. "Ok, Lily."

"Anyway, what's on your mind?"

"Huh? Why do you ask that?"

"Because I called your name a few times and you looked like you were in deep thought." She responded.

"Nothing is on my mind, I'm just tired." I lied to her. It's not that I don't trust you but I can't tell anyone about that accidental kiss.

She looked at me with a disbelieving stare. "I bet you were thinking of Prince Astral am I correct?" I blinked in shock. How did she know?

"Why do you assume that?"

"According to yesterday's events-"

"There is absolutely nothing going on between Astral and I." I quickly interrupted her.

"Sure," She said as she smiled. Why doesn't she believe me?

"Then can you explain last night's events?" She asks as she looks at me. Let's see… what happened last night? Ohhhhh…

"Didn't you witness everything that happened? So what's the point of asking me?" I ask as I tried to avoid having to answer.

"Yes," She said as she lets out a sigh. "Ok, let's start with do you have romantic feelings for the Prince?" She asks as she looked at me.

I widen my eyes. "What would make you say that? Astral and I are just friends." I said as a blush crawled onto my face. We are just friends.

She stares at me, clearly not buying my answer. "Really?"

"Do friends embrace each other for 30 minutes? Do they cuddle? Do they kiss each other on the forehead?" She asks me as I blinked. Well… maybe?

"Maybe?" I said in response to all of her questions. I don't know…

She took a breath. "Ok, I can tell you for a fact that friends do not embrace each other for 30 minutes." She said factually.

"He gave me a comforting hug. Just a friendly little hug is all."

"That was definitely not a friendly, comforting hug. That was more of like a romantic embrace."

I shook my head as I heard that. No, he gave me a comforting hug. Just a friendly hug between friends.

"No, he was comforting me," I said as she looked at me and shook her head slowly.

"I'm telling you, there was nothing friendly about that embrace."

"Anyway, moving on." She said. "Since when do friends cuddle?"

She has a point. Do friends cuddle?

"Some of them do,"

"True, but don't you think you and Astral got a bit too close to each other? I mean like you were literally hugging his neck." A blush appeared on my face. That was the second time that I… but I was afraid of thunder so… what she said is also true. We may have gotten a little too close.

"He was comforting me. I'm scared of thunder."

She nodded in agreement. "I guess that's true."

"Oh, what was that kiss all about?" My eyes widen. What kiss is she talking about?

"What do you mean?"

"The kiss on the forehead. Why did you do it?" She asks curiously.

I have no clue. I just did it without thought.

I shrugged. "I don't know," I admitted as she blinked.

"You don't know?"

I nodded. "I honestly don't know why I did it."

"You kissed him but you don't know the reason behind it?"

I blushed. "Yea, I honestly don't know."

"How interesting…" She mutters to herself as I nodded. I'm still trying to find out the reason why.

"Why are you asking me all of these questions?" I ask her curiously. She is trying to determine our relationship?

She smiled gently. "I think that you and Astral are hiding your feelings from one another." That is not true. We are just friends!

I sigh as I shook my head slowly. "How many times do I have to repeat this, Astral and I are just friends!"

"But you two sure don't act like it." What does she mean?

"What do you mean?"

"The way you act, talk, gaze, and touch is not how friends should act." She said as I tilted my head in confusion. Huh?

Noticing my confusion, she clarified her statement. "First of all, the way you act towards him. Don't you think it surpasses friendship?"

Hm… no? At least, I don't think so…

"I don't think so…" I slowly respond to her.

"Lily, you aren't serious are you?" She said as she looks at me in disbelief. Are my actions towards him really surpass normal friendship?

I looked at her blankly as she sighs. "Secondly, the way you touch him isn't really normal friendship either." My eyes widen.

"Take yesterday, you buried your head in his chest and didn't let go of him for the entire night." A blush formed on my face.

"I'm afraid of thunder," I said quietly. "When I get scared, my normal reaction is to find a safe person to cling to."

She nods. "I totally agree with you."

"Ok, last question," Finally!

She looks at me with a calculating gaze. "You honestly don't feel anything towards him? I mean, you cling onto him the entire night, you embraced him for 30 minutes, kissed his forehead, and he laid directly on top of you. You don't feel anything for him besides friendship?" She asks me. Um… I…

(Flash):

He pushed me down to the ground unintentionally as he fell directly on top of me. Oh my gosh…

This position that we are in… I gulped nervously as we both stared at each other with blushes on our faces.

My heartbeat quickened as I saw an emotion in his eye that I never saw before. What is that emotion he is looking at me with? And why is my chest beating so rapidly?

"A-Are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine," I said stuttering nervously. Why am I nervous?

I'm serious, is there something wrong with my heart? Why is it beating so fast? This is the second time today.

We both stared at each other in silence when he suddenly leaned down towards me. Wh-what is he doing? I thought as my breath hitched in my throat as he kept leaning his face towards mine. H-he is not doing what I think he's doing right?

I clenched my jaw as he leaned closer. My breathing grew heavier and heavier. W-why is he doing this?

He suddenly stopped inches above my lips as he blinks in shock. What's with his expression? I stared at his mismatched eyes as a deep shade of red covered my entire face. Thank goodness he stopped in time or else our friendship would be complicated, to say the least.

(Flash)

I facepalmed my face as I attempted to cover a blush. Why on earth am I remembering that? If he didn't stop in time then he… we… I… Argh!

I got to stop thinking about that. It was just an accident. That other kiss was also an accident. Stop thinking about him like that!

"Is that a blush surfacing on your face?" She said with a smirk. Ok, I got to calm myself and act natural.

I took a deep breath. I can do this! "Estella, for the last time, Astral and I are just friends. Nothing is going on between us." I said calmly.

"You honestly don't feel an ounce of romantic feelings for him?"

"We are just friends." I insisted in hopes that she will stop asking questions.

She suddenly smirked at me. Uh-oh, what's with that smirk?

"So, if someone likes him and asks him out, you wouldn't feel anything?" My eyes widen. Is she trying to get me to admit that I have feelings for him using this trick? I chuckled internally. What's there to admit? I don't see him that way.

I pondered that question for a moment. "I would feel happy for him that he found a person he likes."

She stares at me intensely. "You honestly won't feel jealous, sad, or anger?"

"No," I answered nonchalantly as I looked at her with a smile.

"Estella, nothing is going on between Astral and me. Our relationship is purely platonic. He is my best friend and vice versa."

She narrowed her gaze at means sighs. "I don't even know what to believe anymore. Either, you are very good at suppressing your emotions for him, or you're telling the truth." Seriously, why does everyone say that I like him romantically when that's obviously not the case?

"Well, I will say one thing, believe what you want but our relationship is friendship," I concluded as she went into deep thought. I let out a sigh of relief. Finally, this conversation is over.

Astral's POV:

"Seriously," I said to him as we walked out of the room. "What's up with you and all of these questions today?"

He bit his lip and looked at me sadly. "You really don't remember?" Remember what?

I shot a curious glance at him as we sat down on the two chairs that I just summoned. "Remember what?"

"You honestly don't remember?"

I blinked at him. Is he implying…

My fist clenched as I took a deep breath. "Tell me, what am I supposed to remember?" I ask as he looked at me with sad eyes. I think I know what he's saying…

"Astrid." He finally said as I took a sharp intake of air.

(Flash)

"I love you, Astral." She whispered as I held her in my arms gently.

I smiled lovingly at her. "Why are you saying this, my love? I already know that you love me." I said to her as I directly stared at her in the eye.

She bit her lip and went into deep thought. "What are you thinking about?" I said as she turned around to meet my gaze.

She hesitated for a couple of minutes with a conflicting look in her eyes. "Astrid," I said as we sat down next to each other while I held her hand gently. "We promised that we wouldn't hide anything from each other,"

After a couple more minutes of silence, she smiled sadly at me. "Ok, if you want to know, then I won't hide this anymore, honey." She said in a serious voice.

"These past few weeks, I have been having these realistic dreams about the Barians." She said as she gripped my hand.

"Mind telling me what you dream of?" I ask as I held her hand firmly.

"In my dreams, I was running away while the Barians tried to shoot me with arrows. I ran towards a cliff called The River of Forgetfulness." She started saying as I narrowed my eyes.

"They successfully penetrated my body with arrows and…" She trailed off looking at me.

I gently leaned her head into my shoulder. "Then what happened?"

"Then, they pushed me down the cliff." She finished as she took a breath.

"Astral, you don't think that was a premonition do you?" She asks quietly as she looked up at me.

I smiled. "Why would you think that is a premonition, darling?" I ask as I stroked her hair.

"It's been a recurring dream for a couple of weeks now and it's so realistic. I actually had the physical sense that I was falling off a cliff."

"Plus, there is such a thing as the River of Forgetfulness. I never heard of such a thing until I looked it up in the historical scrolls. It says-"

I placed a finger on her lips to silence her. "I'm sure that was not a premonition," I said as I removed my finger from her lips.

"How can you say for sure?"

"You seem to be forgetting one person."

She tilted her head to the side in confusion. "I am? Who am I forgetting?"

I stared at her with a sigh and a smile. "You seem to be forgetting about me."

I held her by her shoulders looking into her eyes. "I made a promise that I will always protect you and will always be by your side. If such a thing does happen, do you honestly think that I wouldn't save you?"

"But that dream-"

"Don't think about that anymore. I promise, if that dream turns out to be true, I won't let you be falling off a cliff alone." I said gently stroking her face as her eyes widen.

"You-"

"You should know me by now, where ever you go, I go."

"If you end up falling off a cliff and into that river, I will gladly forget with you, my dear," I said with a soft smile.

"Astral…" She muttered my name in disbelief at my words.

I took her into an embrace as I caressed her face. "I promise that I will protect you from whatever happens in the future," I said softly as I looked at her smile.

She closed her eyes for a minute then opens them sadly. "I need you to promise me one thing, Astral," She said in a serious tone of voice.

"Anything for you, my dear."

"I need you to promise me, if anything happens to me, that you would go on to live a happy life and to never forget me."

I stared at her in disbelief. "Why are you saying this all of a sudden?"

"How can I go on living a happy life without you?" I ask as I looked at her. "You are my other half, my everything. If I lose you then how do you expect me to go on living a happy life?"

"I'm just saying this just in case something happens to me in the future-"

"Stop saying these things. Nothing will happen to you. You will always be by my side." I interrupted her.

"Astral-"

"Stop! Nothing of that sort will happen to you." I said with my voice rising a little.

"Just promise me those two things, my love." She said looking at me desperately as she held onto my hand.

I stayed silent for a couple of minutes. I shook my head. "I can't promise you that, Astrid."

"I can promise you everything but if you are telling me to live a happy life without you, then that I can't do."

"Astral-"

"Let me finish," I said as I placed a hand on her lips. "I just can't live a happy life without you. You are my world. Without you, I would just be a hollow shell."

I smiled softly at her. "I'm sorry my love but I can't promise you that."

Tears streamed down her face as she slowly embraced me, laying her head on my chest. "Astral…" She muttered in my chest in disbelief as she smiled.

"Don't worry, everything will be okay. You are safe with me."

"Nothing will take you away from me, Astrid…" I whispered as I kissed her on the forehead gently.

(Flash)

Tears clouded my vision as I remembered that memory. Astrid…

Just then, a hand, held my hand gently as an 18-year-old girl looks at me with a sad smile on her face.

"Are you okay?" She said softly as she looked into my eyes. Astrid?

My eyes widen in disbelief as I slowly brought a hand onto her cheek. "It's you," I whispered as I looked at her, stroking her face gently. Is it really her? Light blue wavy hair and pink eyes!

I delicately embraced her while closing my eyes. She came back!

I pulled back gently as I smiled. "Nothing will take you away from me ever again, my love," I said through my tears as I kissed her forehead gently. "I love you," I said in a quiet voice as my lips lingered on her forehead. I love you. Nothing will ever separate us ever again.

After a few minutes, I pulled away and gazed lovingly into her light pink eyes with my hand still caressing her face. "I love you," I said as I looked directly at her. A deep crimson red dusted her cheeks as she stared at me.

"A-Astral, I need you to let go of the image that you are seeing right now." She said, stuttering as she looked at me. Why? What does she mean?

"What do you mean, my love? Let go of what image?" I said as I used my other hand to tuck a piece of her light blue hair behind her ear.

She blushed, even more, when I did that. I smiled gently at her. "You're too cute, you know that?" I said as I stroked her cheek gently.

"Astral, you need to let go of this image." She said with a blush.

"What image are you talking about?" I ask her in confusion.

"The only person I'm looking at is the most beautiful female in the universe, you," I complimented making her eyes widen, and blushed even more.

"I-I'm not her." She said looking at me. What?

I tilted my head in confusion. "Her? Who are you referring to?"

She stayed silent and bit her lip. I sigh. "Is there something the matter?"

"I'm not her." She repeated as she looked at me with my hand still on her cheek.

"Just who is this her that you keep referring to? Are you worried that I have another woman?" I ask her as she widens her eyes in shock.

I smiled gently as I cupped her face with both of my hands, gently. "I can assure you that I love you with my very being."

"You are my other half, my world, my heart, my soul, my everything. Nobody can ever replace you in my heart and no one will ever will." I confessed to her, making her blush as she stared into my eyes.

I gazed lovingly into her eyes as I leaned closer till our lips were inches apart. "I will say it every day if I must if that's what it will take for you will believe me," I whispered as our noses touched.

"I love you. I will always love you." A blush crawled onto my face as I looked at her. I could hear the sound of her heart beating in her chest.

"A-Astral, snap out of it." She stutters as I could feel her breath on my face. "I'm not Astrid!"

"Snap out of what?" I said confused.

Just then, a gust of wind from the open window made me close my eyes for a second. Why is the window open?

I blinked a couple of times and opened my eyes to met her bright red eyes. Wait… she doesn't have red eyes…

I blink and blinked. Wait… her eyes… I noticed that her hair is black. Black hair?

I stared in disbelief at her eyes as our noses still touch. What the? Lily? Why did I?

"D-Did you let go of the image?" She stutters as a deep shade of red covered her cheeks. I am so close to her lips…

My heart rate quickened as I realized how close we truly are. How on earth did I see her as Astrid?

I slowly leaned back and removed both of my hands from her face as she sat there avoiding my gaze. Great… what have I done?

"Lily, I-"

"You don't need to apologize, Astral."

"But-"

She looks at me and shook her head. "You were seeing me, like her. I understand that the mind can play tricks on people." She said as she smiled gently.

"So," Derek said as we looked at him. "You remember her?"

I nodded as I slowly clenched my hand into a fist but a hand suddenly unclenches it and interlocked our fingers with each other. What?

I looked towards my right and saw Lily, smiling at me softly as she held my hand. I smiled gently at her as she nods.

"Yea, I remember her," I responded.

"Since when?"

"Since a couple of days ago," I said looking at him. "I guess the memory seal my parents placed on me lost its powers." I still don't agree with them placing that seal in the first place.

"From what I can tell, you really loved her," Estella stated.

I nodded as I gripped her hand tighter. "I love her," I said with a sad smile. Tears welled up in my eyes as I blinked them away.

"This is all in the past. Why are we even talking about this?" I exclaimed quickly as I try to stop them from asking more questions. It hurts… I have to come up with an excuse to not talk about this.

"Astral-" He started as my son starts to cry. I guess he's finally awake. Thank you for giving me an excuse to not talk about this, my son.

I slowly removed my hand from Lily's as I stood up and walked over towards him rocking him back and forth to soothe his cries.

"Shhh… I'm here with you… I'm never leaving you alone, Phoenix." I said as Lily materialized a milk bottle and gave it to him.

His cries of hunger were quickly answered as he sucked the milk from the bottle with great joy. Aw, I wish I was this enthusiastic about food as you are.

I gently placed him back in his crib as he coos at us with a smile on his face. So cute…

"You are the cutest person here out of all of us." She responded to his calls as she poked him. I smiled as I glanced beside me. You are the second cutest besides our son. I could feel a blush surfacing as I looked away from her. What am I thinking? Why on earth am I thinking such a thing?

(Flash):

"You are so cute, you know that?" I said as I poked her cheek while she blushed.

(Flash)

I clenched my jaw. Why? Why are these memories so painful? Astrid… why did you let go of me? If I had arrived there quicker then maybe I could have saved you. I thought as I took a deep breath to prevent tears from coming out.

"Hey Astral," She said making me turn to her. "Our son wants you."

I smiled as I picked him up from the crib as he lets out a laugh. "Yes?" I ask as he brought his little hand up and tapped my cheek. Our eyes widen. Why is he doing that? Is he…?

She smiled. "Aw… he's comforting you!" I looked down at him as he continues his gesture. He really is… but how? How can he detect that I was sad?

I smiled as I looked at him lovingly as I placed my hand on his little cheek. "Thank you, my son," I whispered as I kissed his forehead for a quick couple of seconds. Oh wow, I'm sure giving a lot of forehead kisses these days.

Lily looked at me as she stares down at our son. "You sure are giving a lot of forehead kisses these days huh?" She asks as she looks at me.

I nodded. "Yea, it surprised me as well."

"I have a question, what do forehead kisses mean?" She asks as I looked up at her.

"You don't know?" I ask in disbelief. How does she not know the meaning?

She shook her head. "I don't know, what does it indicate?" She asks in confusion.

"It indicates love," I said as I looked down at our son, still touching me on the cheek.

"Like, I just kissed him on the forehead. It indicates parental love between the parent and a child. Its meaning could vary from person to person but overall, if a person kisses you on the forehead, it means that person cares for you deeply and loves you really much." I finished as I looked up at her as her eyes widen in shock. Why is she shocked?

"You didn't know the special meaning behind it?" I ask as she slowly shook her head. Wow.

"C-can friends kiss each other on the fore-forehead?" She asks me while stuttering.

Hm… I don't know. Can they? "To me, a quick peck on the cheek is often seen as a friendship kiss," I said while smiling as my son giggled. "Can friends kiss each other on the forehead you ask?"

I looked at her as she nodded. "A kiss is an intimate gesture according to me. So, a kiss on the forehead is an intimate gesture often seen as romantic between a male and a female." I said as my focus directed to my son, who was gripping my finger with joy.

"I mean, I guess it could indicate friendship if that kiss came from the person of the same gender."

"But if your talking about a male giving a female a forehead kiss, then that gesture possibly would indicate romantic feelings towards that friend or person. After all, guys don't just go around kissing females on the forehead unless he has a little sister or a child of some sort. It usually is reserved for a special person in his life, a significant other, or a person that he has romantic feelings for." I finished as I looked at her and blinked as I saw a blush on her face. Why is she blushing?

"Anyway, why do you ask?" I focused my attention on her as my son slept peacefully in my arms. I gently placed him back in his crib.

"A-are you sure that it indicates romantic feelings?" She asks nervously as she stares at me.

I blinked blankly at her. Seriously, why is she asking? "As I said, if that kiss occurs between a male and a female that is not related, it indicates romantic feelings for each other. No matter what they say, body language doesn't lie."

"W-what do you mean body language doesn't lie?"

I sigh as I sat down on one of the chairs as she sat down next to me. "Ok, when two people are in love or have romantic feelings for each other, people can usually tell by their actions and body language towards each other."

"If a guy, kissed you on the forehead, and his lips linger for more than a few seconds, he likes you. No doubt about it. Unless, he was comforting you but if a guy lingers his lips on your forehead, it indicates romantic feelings for you." Why is she asking? Has a guy kissed her on the forehead?

She went quiet for a moment. "W-what if he just kissed me and doesn't know the reason why he did it?" She asks quietly as she avoided my gaze.

I narrowed my eyes. So a guy has kissed her on the forehead before. I felt anger rising in my chest. Why am I feeling angry all of a sudden?

"Well, if that guy kissed you on the forehead, maybe he doesn't realize it yet but maybe just maybe he has romantic feelings for you."

She bit her lips. "What if I kissed his forehead? Does it mean that I harbor romantic feelings for him as well?" She avoided my gaze as I blinked. Why is she asking me that?

Hold on, when did she kiss a guy on the forehead? Most importantly, who did she kiss? I thought as I felt an emotion rise within me. What is this emotion? It feels weird…

"Lily, why are you asking me this?" I said gently as she avoided my eyes.

"It's your own emotions. You should know the reason why you kissed him."

After a moment of silence, curiosity got the best of me. Who was that guy?

"Who was that guy you kissed on the forehead?" I ask as she looked away. What is with me? Why do I feel anger that she kissed a guy on the forehead?

"You said it was a friend right?" I pondered out loud. Could it be Derek? No, he has Estella. Then all that's left is Brandon and Zach…

"Let me guess, is it Brandon?" I ask her as she widens her eyes and stared at me in disbelief. Why is she this shocked? Was it really him?

"Are you seriously asking me this question right now?" She looks at me in disbelief and astonishment.

"Why? I'm curious whose forehead you kissed."

She sighs as she facepalmed. "You know what? Never mind." She said as she stood up. "I'm going outside for a walk."

"I will come with you," I said getting up to follow her.

She turned back to me. "Alone."

I blinked at her figure leaving the house. But it's raining…

"Seriously Astral?" Derek said in shock as he walked up to me.

"What?" I said confused as I turned to him.

Estella sighed in frustration as they shook their heads. "Did you forget about that forehead kiss yesterday?"

I thought she knew the meaning since she kissed me on the forehead but… wait a minute! I kissed her on the forehead as well! And I just told her it means…! My eyes widen.

That forehead kiss totally slipped my mind. I can't believe I told her it means love!

"Better chase after her my friend," He said as I rushed out of the house. And to make matters worse, I just had to make assumptions about her and Brandon. I sigh as I shook my head slowly. Why am I so absentminded today?

Lily's POV:

Why am I feeling this way? I thought as I flew out of the house and into the streets. A forehead kiss is an intimate gesture. The fact that he forgot about it…

Could it be possible that I… I shook my head rapidly at that thought. No, absolutely no. I do not like him in that sense. We are just friends.

But if that's the case, then why did he kiss my forehead as well? "Argh, this is driving me crazy!"

(Flash):

Between a female and a male, it indicates love.

(Flash)

A blush appeared on my face. Why am I remembering that? There are many types of love out there. It doesn't necessarily have to be romance.

I stopped and lean against a wall. Yea, there is a thing as friendship love. Yes, that's it!

I looked around me. Perhaps, I shouldn't have stormed off like that. Great, now I'm lost. I sigh in frustration as a guy approached me. He seems older than me like 19 or 20 something. What does he want?

"Hey cutie, what are you doing out here all alone?"

I blinked in shock. Did he just call me cute?

"If you stay out here any longer, you might catch a cold." The guy said as he grabbed my wrist.

What the? "What are you doing?" I ask as I tried to yank my wrist free. This isn't what I think it is right?

"Aw, you are so innocent." He said as he dragged me towards him and pinned me against a wall forcefully. Ow! Looks like this is what I think it is.

"Why on earth are you doing this?" I ask him as I tried to remove his arms from my wrist. Why is his grip so hard?

He licked his lips slowly as he brought his face closer to mine. "Isn't it obvious?" I need to get out of here! If I don't then…

(Flash):

"L-Let go of me!"

"How I will enjoy taking that innocence."

(Flash)

My heart thumped in my chest as my whole body shook. "Stop it!" I screamed as his lips trailed down my neck.

"Please, stop!" I begged as tears flowed down my face while he undid my shirt and tossed it onto the sidewalk.

"Stop! Let me go!" I thrashed as his hands roamed all over my body. Stop it! Don't touch me!

"A-Astral help!" I shouted as I kept hitting him in hopes that let go of me.

"No one can save you now, beautiful." He whispers as he smashed his lips against mine and opened his mouth to slip in his slimy tongue. Disgusting! I have to break free somehow… This is definitely not how I imagined my first kiss…

My mouth feels so violated. I thought as I tried to turn my head to break this kiss.

After a couple of minutes of struggling, I bit down on his lip, making him withdraw in pain as I breathed heavily from the lack of air. Now is my chance!

"Nice try, darling but I just want you even more!" He said in excitement as he nibbled on my ear.

"Stop it!" I begged as I kept thrashing in tears in hopes that someone will hear me.

"Someone please help me!"

"Nobody can save you now, my love. You are mine." He said as his hands roam lower and lower on my body. No. No. No!

"Don't touch me there! Stop it!" I screamed while hitting his back with every ounce of my strength.

"Stop! I beg you, please spare me."

"Astral! Help!" I kept thrashing as tears streamed down my face.

He laughed as he claimed my lips once again. "No one can help you now, my love!"

Astral… help me… I thought as more tears streamed down my face as he kissed me aggressively.

"Lily!"

Astral's POV:

I flew out of the house in a hurry to find her. Why on earth did I say that?

I thought as I sigh in frustration. Just what is wrong with me today? And why did I kiss her on the forehead?

I rounded the corner of the street in hopes of catching up to her. I know that I said that when a man kisses a woman on the forehead, it means romantic love but I don't love her… do I? Argh, why is this so confusing!

"Just where are you, Lily?" I muttered to myself as I suddenly clutched my chest in pain. What is this feeling? It's different from my Tuberculosis, so I know it's not that…

Why do I feel like something bad happened? My eyes widen. Could it be Lily?

"Lily, answer me!"

"Where are you?"

My heart rate quickened as I heard no response coming from her. Okay, calm down. She might not be in danger. Just calm down.

"Astral! Help!" A voice cried out as I quickly flew towards the sound.

My eyes widen at the scene I stumbled upon. She was being pinned up against a wall while a guy was… I will kill him!

"Lily!" I shouted as I side kicked him off of her.

"What the-" He exclaimed angrily while clutching his bloody cheek in pain.

I hoisted him off the ground and pushed him against a wall with my face very close to his. "What are you-"

"Listen closely you bastard because I will only say this once," I said in a deep and menacing voice. "Touch what's mine and there will be huge consequences."

"I never touched what's yours to-"

My eyes glowed and I narrowed them. "How dare you touch my woman," I said calmly as I glared at him. "You must know, I am not very forgiving when people touch what's mine."

"So? What are you going to do? You can't kill me because that would make you a murderer." He smirked at me.

I laughed darkly. "Oh? Do you know who I am?"

"You are just a normal person."

"Oh? You think that I'm a normal person don't you?"

My eyes glowed yet again as I slit his wrists deep enough to penetrate the muscle layer and disable him forever.

"Arghhh!" He cried out in pain as he tried to land a punch on me.

"Kneel!" I commanded as he kneeled before me.

"I-I can't move." He said as he looked up at me. "Just who are you?"

I glared at him as I approached him and kneeling to his level. "Let me give you a hint, my father is the King of this world."

His eyes widen in shock. "You mean you are the Prince?"

"Correct, you still think I can't kill you?" I said dangerously.

"Y-your highness, I-I didn't know that she is your woman. I-I thought-"

"Well, you thought wrong," I said as I slowly got up and looked at him.

"I believe I did mention, touch what's mine, and you will pay the consequences. Did I not?"

"Y-yes, but-"

"I believe that if a filthy bastard like you die, the streets will be much more peaceful don't you think so?" I said looking at my hands.

"I-I…"

"Let me tell you something, once I'm done with you, you wish that you were dead," I whispered as his eyes widen in fear.

I used my powers to cut all of his muscles and broke his bones into tiny pieces as he screamed in agony.

I chuckled darkly as I gazed at him. "How did that feel?"

"You… you…" He said weakly as blood splattered the streets.

I put my hand up to my ear. "Oh? Are you saying something little dog?" I said as I leered at him. "You better speak up you filthy bastard!"

I put my hand under my chin. "Come to think of it," I narrowed my eyes as I smiled gleefully. "I should cut off all your limbs as well!"

"Your highness, please-"

"Arghhhhh!" He screamed in agony as I used my powers to cut off all his limbs.

"Don't look at me that way. It's your fault that you went and touch my woman. Now, you pay the consequences for your actions."

"Please just kill me!" He begged with tears in his eyes.

"Kill?" I said with a laugh. "Death is too much of an easy punishment for you."

Let's see… what should I do with him now? "I know!" I exclaimed gleefully looking at him. "I should cut off your tongue as well."

"A-Astral," Lily said standing there in tears. "Th-that's enough."

I walked over to her in concern as I put my coat on her. "Are you okay?"

She shook as she held my hand. "I-I will manage." She glanced at the guy, who was on the ground bleeding with tears streaming down his face. "Spare him."

I looked at her in disbelief. What? "But-"

"Please, spare him." She said as she looked at me desperately.

I directed my attention to him as he shook in fear. I clenched my fist. Why does she want to spare him after all he's done?

"My dear, please." She said as she gripped my arm softly. I… argh, I don't know what she's thinking…

I looked at him. "Sleep," I commanded as he fell over to his side.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't have arrived sooner," I said as I wiped her tears.

She shivered in response. "Let's get out of here."

She nodded and tried to take a step but fell. Luckily, I was there to catch her. "Woah, careful!"

"Th-thank you." She said stuttering.

"Can you walk?" I ask in concern as she looked down. That's probably a no.

I crouched down. "Get on my back."

Her eyes widen. "But-"

"It's either, you get on my back or, I will carry you in my arms. What's your pick?"

She blushed as she got on my back and I slowly stood up.

"What are we going to do about him?" She asks as she directed her attention towards him.

"I will wipe his memories of this event and that will be it," I said glaring at him. I still don't know why she wants me to spare him though.

After a few minutes, I successfully wiped all traces of this event from his mind.

"Hold tightly okay?" I said glancing behind my shoulder as she nods.

I started walking back to the house as she placed her head on my back.

As soon as I arrived back at the house, Derek and Estella looked at us in confusion.

"Um-"

"It's a long story," I said quietly as Lily slept peacefully on my back.

"Come on, let's go back to the palace. We have been gone far too long." I said as Estella carried my son still sleeping in her arms as I materialized the crib back in my room.

Eliphas' POV:

"Just where are they?" I muttered to everyone as I paced around the main throne room. Seriously, where on earth are they?

My wife puts a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Astral knows what he's doing."

"Yes," Zach said. "But to take his son and Lily with?" It is quite strange.

"Dad, the guards said that there was an emergency involving Derek." An emergency?

"What was so important that he had to bring Phoenix and Lily with him?" I ask wondering.

"I don't know if you heard but yesterday, it was thundering," Star said.

"Ohhhhh," Maria said in realization. "So, if there was an emergency, he had to bring her along because knowing him, he wouldn't just leave her alone in the palace." She said as we all nodded in agreement.

"Now, all that's left is when they will return," Brandon said while putting his hand under his chin. Indeed…

Suddenly, the door opened revealing my son with Lily on his back, sleeping peacefully. Derek and Estella followed behind with Phoenix sleeping in her arms. Why is she sleeping on his back?

"Finally, you return," I said as we all walked up to them.

"Do you know how worried we were when we found out that you left during the night?" My wife said softly as she looked at our son.

"I'm sorry for worrying all of you."He said while looking at all of us.

"Derek, I thought you were still in the Duke's dungeon. Were you finally let free?" Zach said with a confused expression on his face.

The three of them looked at each other then turned back towards us. What was that all about?

"Also, why are you carrying Lily on your back, brother?"

"It's a long story."

"Care to fill us in?" Star asks.

He nodded. "Lily," My son whispered her name softly.

"We are here."

"Mhm." She groaned in discontent.

"I need you to get off of me."

"Let me sleep." She mutters as she hugs his neck tighter.

My son sighs as he gently removed her from his back. "It's the afternoon." He said as he shook her awake.

She rubbed her eyes as she whined. "You just can't let me sleep can you?"

He laughs. "I'm afraid not my dear." My dear?

"Hey Lily," Brandon said as he approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Why were you-"

"Ahhhh!" She suddenly screamed as she crouched down in fear.

"Don't touch me! Please, spare me!" She screamed as we all backed away in shock.

"What-"

"Don't touch me. Let me go!" She said as tears streamed down her face. Just what happened?

"Lily," My son said as he slowly moved towards her. "You are safe."

She whimpers as she looks at him. "H-he-"

My son held out his hand. "I know. I know. He didn't do anything to you-"

"But he kissed-"

"Stop. You are safe. He didn't do anything to you." He said softly as he moved towards her.

"He won't harm you anymore."

"B-But he-"

He hugged her in an embrace with his hands wrapping around her waist. "Listen to me, I took care of him. He is gone."

"B-but h-he-"

"Forget about it. It's in the past."

"I just can't forget-" She said with tears in her eyes.

"Don't worry," He said as he wiped her tears. "I'm sorry that I couldn't have arrived sooner."

"If I could have gone with you or arrived there sooner then-"

She placed a finger on his lip to cut him off. "You had no way of knowing that would happen."

"The most important thing is that you took care of him." She said as she cupped his face with one hand. He smiled gently. What on earth happened for them to be so close in the time span of one day?

I looked at everyone with disbelief as we smiled at the scene in front of us. But a question lingers, what happened?

Lily's POV:

"Father, mother!" Serenity rushed into the room. "You came back!" She greeted us with a hug. My heartbeat quickened as I try to calm myself. It's just Serenity. It's just Serenity. It's not him. He's gone. He's gone.

My breath quickened as tears clouded my vision.

(Flash):

"Nobody can save you now, my love. You are mine."

"Stop it! Don't touch me there!"

(Flash)

"S-stop! Do-don't touch me there!"

"I-I beg you. Please don't touch me!"

My heart rate quickened as I try to get out of his embrace. "Stop!"

"Let go of me! Spare me!" I shouted with tears on my face.

"Lillian, snap out of it!" He hugged me tightly as I thrashed.

"Let go of me! Astral help!"

"No no no no no! Don't touch me!" I stomped on his foot and successfully got out of his embrace. Okay, I just need to run!

"Lily!"

I ran towards a room but he was right on my tail. No…

He slowly moved closer to me as I moved backward towards a bed.

"Please, spare me!" I said desperately as I backed away from him.

"So-someone, help me!" I said as tears clouded my vision.

He started to approach me with caution as I fell onto the bed. "S-stay away from me!" I yelled with my arms flailing all other the place.

He sighs as he pinned me down onto the bed. "Get off of me!" I thrashed as tears blurred my vision and my heart rate quickened. "Stop it!"

"Stop!" I thrashed around making my lips accidentally touch his. This kiss…

His eyes widen in shock and disbelief as he looked at me.

I blinked and blinked as I saw Astral on top of me kissing my… Wait, what? Since when did he get here? And why is he…?

We stared at each other in shock. Am I dreaming? Is this really happening? I felt an oncoming blush rise on my cheeks as he broke the kiss also with a blush on his face.

"A-Astral?" I ask in confusion as he removed his lips from my lips as looked down in shock.

"Y-you finally recognize me."

I nodded as he still pinned me to the bed. I blushed as I stared at him. This position… My heart rate quickened as I stared into his beautiful eyes.

Enna's POV:

"S-stop! Do-don't touch me there!" She said as she slowly backed away from all of us in fear. Just what happened to this girl?

"Father, why is mother acting like that?" Serenity asks confused and looking at her in concern.

My son looks at her in concern as he approaches her slowly. "Lily, calm down." He said gently.

"I-I beg you, please don't touch me!" She said desperately as she backs away and tears formed in her eyes.

Just then, her parents came in and looked at the scene with eyes wide. Uh-oh!

"Lily? Are you okay?" Luca asks as she walked towards her daughter.

"Stop, stay right where you are." My son said calmly as he looked at them.

"Why?" Luca asks in confusion.

"It's a long story, Luca." My husband said.

I nodded. "It's best if we don't interfere and let Astral handle this."

They blinked as they stared at their daughter, flailing her arms and sobbing.

"Lily," He said ask he moved towards her. "He is gone."

"Stop!" She shouted as my son tackled her into an embrace. "Your safe." He said softly as she hit his back hard.

"Let go of me! Spare me!" She shouted as tears flowed down her face.

"Lillian, snap out of it!" He said calmly as she thrashed around in his embrace hitting him uncontrollably. I winced. That is definitely going to leave a mark later.

"Let go of me! Astral help!" She yelled as she punched him on the back hard as he winced.

"Lily, he's gone and you are safe!"

"You're safe. You are safe… shh… he's gone." My son said gently as he hugged her tighter.

"No no no no no! Don't touch me!" She said as she stomped on his feet hard enough that he lets go of her.

"Are you okay?" Star asks in concern.

"I'm fine." He said wincing in pain. He's obviously not fine.

"Lily!" He shouted as he chased after her into his room. The rest of us followed them.

"Just why is my daughter acting like this?" Luca said as he looked at us.

We shrugged. "I don't know," I responded as we flew into his room.

"Please spare me!" She said while backing away towards his bed.

"Lily, I'm not him." He said as he approached her.

"So-someone help me!"

"I need you to let go of that image that you are seeing." He said calmly as he moved towards her making her fall into the bed.

"S-stay away from me!" Her arms flailed as my son moved closer to the bed. Just what is he planning on doing?

"Lily, you are safe. I'm not him. He's gone." He said gently.

"I need you to breath and let go of this image."

She continues to flail her arms and tears flowed down her cheeks as she mutters for him to go away.

"Lily…" He mutters in disbelief as he took a deep breath. "If my words aren't getting through to you, then maybe my actions will."

All of our eyes widen as he said that. What does he mean?

"Hold on, what are you going to do?" My daughter asks as she looks at him.

He sighs as he pinned her down onto the bed with their faces literally inches apart. Is he…

"Get off of me!" She tried to get out from under him but his grip is too strong.

"Astral, just what are you-" Luca said as Carissa interrupted him.

"Luca, he knows what he's doing."

"But that position-"

"I trust him not to do anything reckless." She said as I nodded.

"Stop it!" She thrashed underneath him as he leaned closer to her.

All of our breath hitched. Is he going to kiss her?

"Stop!" She moved her head so that her lips touched his lips.

His eyes widen in shock as she looked at him with eyes wide. They… he… she…

Their lips lingered on each other's for a few minutes as they both stared at each other with their eyes wide in shock.

Finally, my son broke the kiss between them as they both had blushes on their faces.

"A-Astral?"

"Y-you finally recognize me."

She nods as she stares at him with a blush. Oh wow, this is… I don't even know what to say? Should we give them privacy?

I looked at my husband as he nodded as he gestures everyone to go out of the room and closed the door.

Astral's POV:

Why did I? I meant to kiss her on the forehead… how did I? I slowly got off of her and sat down on the bed with my hand on my head. What is wrong with me? Why is my heart beating so fast?

I glanced back at her as she sat next to me avoiding my gaze. I don't even know how to face her after that kiss. Do friends kiss each other? Do friends have these feelings?

"I…" I started to say as a blush appeared on my face. What am I supposed to say?

"Lily, I…"

"Astral, I…"

We looked at each other. "About that kiss…" I started to say as she cuts me off.

"That kiss was an accident right?" She said as she looks down. It was an accident but why do I feel this way?

I stayed quiet as she continues. "We are just friends and our lips touch by accident." She said as she avoided my eyes. Friends… why do I come to hate that word when describing our relationship?

"You were just trying to snap me out of it that's all." She said as she got off my bed and starts walking towards the door. No… I… why do I feel if I let her leave, I would regret it?

(Flash):

"You honestly don't feel anything towards her? I mean you snuggled with her, embrace her for 30 minutes, kissed her on the forehead, fell directly on top of her, and held her waist for a long duration. Do you honestly not feel anything towards her?"

(Flash)

"Don't worry, Astral, this kiss won't affect our friendship." She said as she walked closer to the door. No. No. No. I can't let her leave!

"Do you really not have any romantic feelings for me at all?" I said as she stopped in her tracks.

I slowly walked closer to her as I hugged her by the waist.

"What are you doing?" She asks as she stood there.

"Just answer me this one question and I will let you go," I said as I took a deep breath. "Be honest with me, do you really not have any romantic feelings towards me?" There, I finally said it after all these years.

"Astral…" She mutters my name in disbelief.

She clenched her fist. "No, I do not have any romantic feelings towards you."

I feel as if I have been punched in the gut. This feeling…

I took a shaky breath. "I don't believe you," I said as I clenched my jaw. She really doesn't like me in that way?

"We are friends." She said in a cold voice.

"We are not!" I shouted.

"If we were then would I have these feelings towards you?"

"That's your problem, not mine."

"If we are friends, then why did you kiss me on the lips this morning?"

"You-you know about that?" She said in disbelief.

"Yes, I know about that kiss."

"That was by accident."

"Why did you embrace me for a full 30 minutes yesterday?"

"I…" She trailed off.

"You also kissed me on the forehead yesterday as well, if you don't have any feelings towards me, why would you do that?"

She went quiet as I said that. I finally figured out what this feeling is. It's love!

"Astral, I will repeat, I do not have any romantic feelings for you. You are just my friend." She said as she took my arms from her waist. I don't believe her!

"I don't believe you," I said tightening my arms around her waist. "If you want me to believe you, look at me directly in the eye and say it," I said as I spun her around to meet my eyes.

"Why?" She asks as she looks at me. "Why don't you believe what I just said?"

"Say it to my face and I promise, I will let you walk out of this room and we will never speak about this again," I said as I clench my fist. Lily…

She avoided my eyes as she looked down. "Why won't you look at me?" Does she really dislike the thought of being in a relationship with me other than friendship?

She looks directly into my eyes. "Fine. You want me to say it directly to your face? Ok, listen carefully because I will only say this once."

She took a deep breath as tears flowed from her eyes onto her cheeks. "I do not have any romantic feelings towards you. I only see you as a friend."

My breathing hitched in my throat as I registered her words. She…

I narrowed my eyes at her. "You are lying."

"Why would I be lying about such a thing?"

"I don't know why but I know that you're lying."

"Believe what you want." She turned towards the door as I grab her and threw her against a wall gently.

"Why are you lying to me?"

"I am not lying to you."

"Then why were you crying when you told me that?"

"Something got caught in my eyes." She said. You think I would believe that?

"Oh? So you wouldn't feel anything if I did this?" I smirked as I slowly brought my lips closer to hers. I'm sorry for doing this without consent but this is the only way for me to know your true feelings, I hope that you can forgive me.

"W-what are you-"

I sealed the distance between our lips as she widened her eyes in shock.

She made a sound of protest. Should I be doing this?

A moment later, she slowly wraps her arms around my neck in uncertainty where they should go. Well, that's my answer.

I bit down gently on her bottom lip. Her gasp turned into a moan as I slipped my tongue in and explored her mouth. She moaned in satisfaction as I continued. I tilted my head a little and felt a dizzy rush of excitement and satisfaction as I licked her lips. Her lips are so soft… My hands unconsciously wrapped around her waist, holding her closer to me as we kissed as I played with her hair.

Her lips are soft, almost silken, and pillowy against my own. I could feel her soft breath tickling beneath my nose, fingers carding through her hair as we breathed each other in.

I leaned in closer to take in her floral yet fruity scent as we moved away from the wall and positioned ourselves onto the bed with me laying on top of her. The sweet scent of her perfume, of the soft, vanilla scent of her conditioner was dizzying as it is intoxicating as I held her closer to my body and kissed her hungrily.

"Mhm…" She moaned as I played with her soft, silky hair as I let ran my tongue against her teeth.

My hands seemed to move on their own as they roamed all over her body as I took in her intoxicating aroma.

"Astral…" She said as she bit my upper lip gently as she slipped her warm tongue in my mouth.

She tried to copy my movements to the best of her ability as her hands went up to my back, digging her nails in it as we moved our hips back and forth in sync.

A jolt of pleasure flowed through me as I shook and deepened the kiss between us with my hands still roaming her body.

"Lily…" I moaned as her nails dig into my back even more while she gently took my lip between her teeth, making me whine.

"Mhm…" Ok, this has gone on too long… Mhm, but she's so tasty… No! I have to break this before anything else happens… but…

"Ah-ahh," She moaned as my hands slowly undid the coat she is wearing and slipping it off her body while I rubbed her exposed stomach gently. My hands won't listen to me! I have to break this kiss.

Her hands slipped under my shirt and rubbed my back slowly making my breath hitched as I felt a shock of intense electricity course through my body. Oh god… this feels…

I gently nibbled on her lip as she scratched my back with her nails. That is going to definitely leave a mark.

That's it. I'm breaking this kiss before anything else happens!

After a couple of minutes, I broke the kiss with a blush on both of our faces and the two of us panting.

I widen my eyes. Oh no. What have I done? Did I really do that without her permission? She only sees me as a friend. Why did I do that?

"A-Astral, yo-you-"

I placed a hand on her lip. "Let me say this."

I took deep breaths to steady myself. Okay, it's just a love confession. It shouldn't be that hard to come up with.

"To be honest, I was very afraid when you were about to walk out of the room. I felt like if I didn't stop you, you would be gone from my life… forever." I confessed as she looked at me.

"But I will still be here with you." She said gently as one of her hands stroked my cheeks. "What made you think that I might leave?"

"I know that you would still be here with me but the thought of you leaving me all alone in this room, the thought of you being nothing more than my best friend that I can rely on, is unbearable for me to even consider."

"Astral…" She whispered in disbelief as she stares at me.

"You know, Derek asks me a peculiar question today," I said as I looked at her.

"W-What was the question?"

"He asks whether I would feel anything if a guy made a move on you."

"A-And what was your response?" She asks as she took a sharp intake of breath.

"I said that I would feel happy for you if you are happy with that person." I smiled as I slowly got off of her and adjusted my clothes. I still don't know what she's feeling. Does she love me or did she just liked the kiss? Most importantly, I can't believe that I did that. I have to apologize and act as nothing happened. It's best to assume that she doesn't have any feelings towards me.

"Where are you going?" She asks as she stood a distance from me.

I turned back towards her with a smile. "I'm sorry that I kissed you without your consent. Please, forgive me for acting so recklessly." If she wants us to remain just as friends, I will honor her wish no matter how much it pains me.

I tried my best to smile at her. "I know that you don't like me that way. Please, forget that this ever happened."

I turned around and walked towards the door. "Don't worry, Lily. If you want us to remain as friends, then I will honor your wish." I said as I unlocked the door to find all of them pressed against the room. "We will remain as best friends."

They all looked at me in shock as I walked out into the hallway. Of course, they would eavesdrop on our conversation.

"Father," Serenity said holding onto my hand gently. "Where are you going?"

"Somewhere to clear my mind," I said in a cold tone as I removed her hand from mine. I need to go somewhere to compose myself…

"Astral!" A voice called out and tackled me from behind holding onto my waist tightly. Why is she doing this?

Doesn't she only see me as a friend? "Let go," I said while trying to remove her arms as she clasps even tighter.

"Let go of me," I said in an emotionless tone as I tried harder to remove her hands. Just what is she trying to do? Why is she toying with my emotions like this?

"Lillian, let go of me," I said in a calm voice as I struggled to get her arms off.

I sigh and stopped struggling. "What do you want?" I said with a hint of annoyance. Why? What is she doing? I just don't get what she's thinking.

She stayed quiet as we stood there in that position. Why isn't she saying anything?

"If you're just going to stay quiet then I will get going now." I removed her arms as she holds me tightly.

"No." She said quietly as she presses her body against my back. Why doesn't she let me go?

"Why?" I ask as I stood there with my arms to my sides. Just what is the reason?

She stays quiet once more as I ask her that question. "Why won't you let go of me?" I sigh as I closed my eyes for a second then opens them.

"You know, although we are best friends, there are certain lines that friends don't cross," I explained to her while clenching my fist. We just can't keep being like this with each other. There needs to be a clear relationship between us.

"Like what you are doing now, friends don't hug each other on the waist from behind like this. Maybe if they are the same gender but friends of the opposite gender can't keep doing this." I calmly said as I removed her hands from my waist. Well, a piece of my heart just died as I said that but it's better than to cling to false hope.

I started to walk down the hallway. "What if they aren't just friends?" She said as I came to a standstill. My eyes widen. What did she just say?

I stayed quiet as she continues. "What if the female friend likes the male friend?" I could hear her footsteps approach me as she once again wraps her arms around my waist. What is she trying to say? Is she saying that she likes me romantically?

"How would you know that they like each other? What if the female friend doesn't like him back?" I questioned her, still standing there. There is no way that she's implying what I think she's implying right? I mean like she doesn't see me in that way… I think. She literally said that she only sees me as a friend.

"Maybe she isn't quick enough to realize her feelings for her friend." She said as I blinked. Could she actually…

"I love you, Astral." She said quietly as she wraps her arms tighter around my waist and laid her head against my back.

My eyes widen as I heard that phrase come out of her mouth. My heartbeat quickened as I resisted the urge to turn around and hold her in my arms. Did she just say… No, she has to be joking with me right?

I slowly removed her hands around my waist as I laughed out loudly. She's just toying with my emotions that's all. Why else would she say that she loves me when she doesn't?

"A-Astral?"

I stood there, not facing her. "Lily, I just said that there are some lines that friends don't cross. One of them is they don't joke around like that." I said while chuckling a bit. This pain is agonizing, it's unlike any pain I felt before. Why are you doing this to me?

"W-What do you mean?"

"That was a joke right?" I ask while ceasing my laughter with my fist clenched. It's got to be a prank right?

She stayed quiet for a couple of minutes, probably trying to process my words internally. "A joke?" She said in a disbelief tone of voice.

"Is that all I am to you?" She said in a heartbreaking voice. "Am I just a joke in your eyes?" She loosened her grip around my waist and stumbled back a few steps.

I clench my fist even tighter as I heard a sob coming from her. I don't know what to believe anymore.

It took all of my willpower not to turn around as I clench my jaw. I just want to know your true feelings for me. Why are you causing me all of this pain?

I blinked rapidly to avoid the tears as I dug my nails into my skin, making me bleed onto the ground at a fast rate. Do you enjoy toying with my heart like this? I did mention that I hate people who emotionally manipulate others right? Is this her true feelings or is she lying to me again? I honestly do not know…

My eyes widen as I felt something metallic in my mouth. Could it be?

I slightly coughed in my hand as I tried to keep myself from falling over. Darn, why did this have to start now?

I have to stay conscious. I can't fall right now! I blinked and stared directly in front of me while trying to control breathing abnormally. I coughed into my hand a few more times. Once I removed it, Of course. This isn't even a surprise anymore. Inside the palm of my hand, was bright red blood.

I took a deep breath to steady myself. I can't let anyone see this. I thought as I used my powers to make the blood disappear as I plopped a piece of gum into my mouth, chewed it for a couple of minutes before spitting it out in a trash can in the restroom that I teleported here and back within seconds. Hopefully, no one figured out what just happened.

"What has gotten into you, Astral?" My sister said as she walked towards me.

"Why on earth are you acting like this?"

"That is none of your concern, Crystal," I said in a cold voice. Why is she so nosy? Why can't she just let this go?

"Sorry to break it to you older brother but it is my concern."

"Seriously, why are you acting this way towards Lily of all people?" She shouted in anger.

"Why are you so nosy?"

"Because I can be, Astral."

"I don't know what's gotten into you all of a sudden but I know that you love her-"

"Stop talking," I said in a warning voice. Why does she have to bring this up?

"I know that you love her and-"

"I said to stop talking!" I shouted at her in a low voice as I clenched my fist to draw out blood. What's the use of loving her when she just toys with my emotions?

"No!"

"Look, I have no idea why you are acting like this but you love her and she loves you back as well-"

"Does she really?" I scoff at her as I interrupted her sentence.

"Yes," She said as I internally laughed. Does she really?

"Really?" I said sarcastically. "I find that really hard to believe," I said while bitterly chuckling and walked down the hall, further away from her. This is the best for both of us. After all, I have an illness that can't be cured.

"We will remain as best friends," I said in a cold and tense voice that made my heart feel like its being stabbed. This is for the best. I can't be selfish and only think about myself. I clenched my fist tightly as blood flowed to the ground.

"Why?" She asks. "Why won't you believe what I just said?" I'm sorry, Lily...

All of a sudden, she tackled me towards a wall and pinned me there. What is it this time?

I looked at her with an emotionless gaze. "What are you doing?"

She glares at me, narrowing her eyes as she stares into mine. "Do you really think my words are a joke?"

"Do you really think that my confession and feelings towards you are a joke?" She shouted as she clenched her fist. I glanced at her fist and saw blood, dripping from her hand.

I don't know what to believe anymore!

She took a shaky breath as her voice cracked with tears in her eyes. "Was your confession in the room all a big lie?" She asks me looking desperate.

All I need to say is that my confession is all a big lie then she will give up on me. I clench my fist as I looked into her beautiful red eyes.

"I-" I began to say as I could see the sadness and desperation in those eyes, making me bite the inside of my cheek. Why? Why is she… Why can't I seem to lie to her?

I took a breath to steady myself. All I have to do is lie. It's a simple thing but why on earth can't I do this?

I let out a chuckle as I looked at her. "Did you really believe the things that I said?"

"You are still so gullible after all of these years, Lily." I smiled as I dug my nails into the palm of my hand. I could feel the blood dripping onto the floor as she had a heartbroken expression on her face. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, Lillian but I'm not a good fit for you.

"You-You are lying." She stuttered in between gasps of breaths.

I dug my nails into my palm harder, breaking my skin as I could hear blood trickling down to the floor and forming a big puddle. This is for the best.

"Why are you lying to me?"

"I'm not lying to you. The things that I said in my room were all untrue. I do not have any romantic, not even an ounce of romantic feelings towards you." I said with my emotionless facade as my heartache in agony. I dug my nails into my palm even harder, making it drip onto the floor at a very fast rate. You know what? At the rate that my blood is dripping, I might actually lose consciousness if I'm not careful.

"I'm not worth your time and effort. Go find someone that you actually love." I said as I pushed her aside but she pinned me to a wall once again. Why does she have to make this so difficult?

"You are lying." She said as she narrowed her eyes at me. Why doesn't she just believe my lie?

"Why would you assume that?"

She took my hand with tears in her eyes. "Look at your hand!"

"Why are you lying to me about your feelings and endure this pain?" She yelled at me while I maintained an expressionless face. Darn, nothing gets past her.

"Why are you toying with my emotions like this?" She asks in a heartbroken voice. My eyes widen as I glared at her. I'm toying with her emotions? I should be asking her that!

"Me? Why are you toying with my emotions?!" I shouted as I glared at her in anger.

"First, you said that you don't have romantic feelings for me and only see me as a friend," I said as I looked at her calmly.

"Now, you are saying that you love me. Which is it, Lily?" I stared at her in anger. "Stop playing games with my emotions and just tell me the truth!" I said as my voice rise a bit in frustration. Just please, tell me the truth. My heart can't handle her games anymore.

She suddenly smashes her lips into mine, making my eyes go wide. What? She…

Lily's POV:

(Flash):

"You honestly don't feel anything towards him? I mean, you cling onto him the entire night, you embraced him for 30 minutes, kissed his forehead, and he laid directly on top of you. You don't feel anything for him besides friendship?"

(Flash)

I… why do I feel like this when it comes to him? Is it… love?

(Flash):

"I don't even know what to believe anymore. Either, you are very good at suppressing your emotions for him, or you're telling the truth."

(Flash)

Am I suppressing my love for him? I thought as I sat on his bed as he left the room. Why do I feel like if I let him go then I would lose him forever?

(Flash):

"Do you really not have any romantic feelings for me at all?"

(Flash)

My eyes widen as I put a hand to my chest. As soon as I thought of his words, my heart begins to beat faster. Do I love him? Do I not have any romantic feelings for him?

(Flash):

"Just answer me this one question and I will let you go," He said as He took a deep breath. "Be honest with me, do you really not have any romantic feelings towards me?"

(Flash):

I clench my fist and placed a hand on my chest. My heart… it's beating rapidly when I thought of him. I… I never felt this way towards anyone before…

(Flash):

He turned around and walked towards the door. "Don't worry, Lily. If you want us to remain as friends, then I will honor your wish." He said as he unlocked the door to find everyone pressed against the room. "We will remain as best friends."

(Flash)

Friends… Why do I come to hate that word when it comes to our relationship? I have to stop him from leaving! I… I can't let him leave! Not like this! I stumbled off the bed, put on his coat as I flew into the hallway, and tackled him from behind, wrapping my arms around his waist. How could I forget that ever happened?

"Astral!"

"Let go." He said as he tried to remove my arms. I am never letting you go ever again!

"Let go of me." He said in a cold voice. He hasn't used that voice while speaking with me in a long time. So, why is he using it now?

"Lillian, let go of me." Never!

He sighs as he stops struggling and puts his arms to his side. "What do you want?" He said in an annoyed voice. Why is he…

He's right through. What do I want? Why do I want him to stay?

"If you're just going to stay quiet then I will get going now." He said as he tried to remove my arms.

"No," I said quietly as I press my body closer to his back.

"Why?" He asks as I blinked. Good question, why on earth do I want him to stay with me? What is this warm, fuzzy, and nervous sensation that I'm feeling right now? Is it really love?

"Why won't you let go of me?" He asks me again. I honestly don't know why.

"You know, although we are best friends, there are certain lines that friends don't cross." He explained to me. Why do I feel like this? Why do I feel so… sad?

"Like what you are doing now, friends don't hug each other on the waist from behind like this. Maybe if they are the same gender but friends of the opposite gender can't keep doing this." He calmly said as he removed my hands from his waist. This feeling... it feels odd. Friends don't hug each other like this? But we have always been like this. Could this mean that we are not friends but something more?

He started to walk down the hallway. "What if they aren't just friends?" I said as he stopped. My eyes widen. What did I just say?

He stayed quiet as I continue. "What if the female friend likes the male friend?" I approached him as I once again wraps my arms around his waist. I... What am I saying? My heartbeat quickened as I touched him. Why do I suddenly feel so nervous? Could it be…!

"How would you know that they like each other? What if the female friend doesn't like him back?" He questioned me, still standing there. I... Why am I saying this to him? Is it possible that I…

"Maybe she isn't quick enough to realize her feelings for her friend," I said as I blinked. My eyes widen at the sudden realization. Oh my god... I love him! That must be the reason why I don't want him to leave me alone, why I always want to be with him, why I suddenly teased him and called him pet names! I love him. I just never realized my own feelings until now.

"I love you, Astral," I said quietly as I wrap my arms tighter around his waist and laid my head against his back. I finally figured this feeling out after all of these years.

He stayed quiet as he removed my hands around his waist and laughs. I swallowed nervously. Why is he laughing? Did I say something amusing?

"A-Astral?"

He stood there. "Lily, I just said that there are some lines that friends don't cross. One of them is they don't joke around like that." He said while chuckling a bit.

"W-What do you mean?" He doesn't mean that… Does he think that I'm joking?

"That was a joke right?" He asks me as his laughter died down. He thought I was joking when I said that? I really love you, Astral.

"A joke?" I said in a disbelief tone of voice as a single tear dripped down my face. I took my arms off of him and stumbled back in shock. How could he think that I was joking?

"Is that all I am to you?" I said in a heartbreaking voice. "Am I just a joke in your eyes?" I can't believe that he thought that I was joking. Doesn't he know me by now? He knows that I don't joke about this stuff so why is he saying that I'm joking? I thought as I clutched my chest as pain welled up. This pain… why does it hurt so much?

Some more tears dripped down my face as I stared at his back, trying to blink my tears away. Why can't I stop my tears from falling? I choked back a sob by putting my hand to my mouth as I tried to steady my breathing.

A piece of my heart felt like it's being burned alive and dipped into a vat of acid as I internally processed his words. He really doesn't care about me? Why is he like this all of a sudden? Doesn't he remember his confession 5 minutes ago? Was he lying to me when he said that he loved me? I thought as I blinked away the tears as I clenched my fist hard enough to break the skin barrier and draw out some blood. Why are you torturing me like this?

"What has gotten into you, Astral?" Crystal suddenly said as she stood beside me.

"Why on earth are you acting like this?"

"That is none of your concern, Crystal." He said in an emotionless voice.

"Sorry to break it to you older brother but it is my concern."

"Seriously, why are you acting this way towards Lily of all people?" She shouted in anger.

"Why are you so nosy?"

"Because I can be, Astral." She said glaring at his back.

"I don't know what's gotten into you all of a sudden but I know that you love her-"

"Stop talking." He said in a warning voice.

"I know that you love her and-"

"I said to stop talking!" He shouted at her in a low voice that made her look at him in disbelief.

"No!"

"Look, I have no idea why you are acting like this but you love her and she loves you back as well-"

"Does she really?" He scoffs as she widens her eyes in shock at what was just said. What? Why doesn't he believe me?

"Yes," I said as I clench my fist even harder.

"Really?" He said sarcastically. "I find that really hard to believe." He said as I could hear the sadness in his voice while he bitterly chuckles and walked down the hall, further away from me. No. I can't let him leave like this.

"We will remain as best friends." He said in a cold and tense voice that made my heartache. Best friend…

"Why?" I ask, trembling. "Why won't you believe what I just said?" Just why won't he believe me? I got to find some way for him to believe me! I stared at his figure and found something red dripping from his hands. I widen my eyes. Is that blood?

I tackled him towards a wall and pinned him there. Why won't you believe me, Astral?

He looked at me with an emotionless gaze. "What are you doing?"

I glare at him, narrowing my eyes as I stare into his. "Do you really think my words are a joke?" I ask in disbelief as I looked into his eyes.

"Do you really think that my confession and feelings towards you are a joke?!" I shouted as I clench my fist as blood dripped onto the ground. Does he really think that I'm lying?

I took a shaky breath as I drew blood from my palm again, making it drip onto the cold hard floor and my voice cracked. "Was your confession in the room all a big lie?" I ask him looking desperate to find an answer. Please, answer this question. I can't take much more of this agony.

"I-"

He lets out a chuckle as he looked at me. "Did you really believe the things that I said?"

"You are still so gullible after all of these years, Lily." He smiled.

He… he was lying to me? All of the things he said were a big lie that he concocted? I can feel my heart breaking into two.

Tears flowed down my face. I clench my fist, even more, to stop my tears from falling. Don't cry. Crying doesn't solve anything. I looked at him. "You-You are lying." I stuttered in between gasps of breaths, trying not to hyperventilate.

"Why are you lying to me?" I dug my nails into my palm, enough to draw more blood out at a very fast rate. How does emotional pain hurt more than the physical?

"I'm not lying to you. The things that I said in my room were all untrue. I do not have any romantic, not even an ounce of romantic feelings towards you." He said with my emotionless expression as my heartache in agony. He… he's lying… There is no way that he is telling the truth… At this rate, the way I'm digging into my palm, I might faint from the loss of blood.

"I'm not worth your time and effort. Go find someone that you actually love." He said as he pushed me aside but I pinned him to a wall once again. That look in his eyes while he was saying those things, there is no faking it.

"You are lying," I said as I narrowed my eyes at him. No matter how good of an actor he is, there is just no way that he was faking that look. It's just not possible!

"Why would you assume that?"

I took his hand with tears in my eyes. "Look at your hand!"

His hand was covered in blood and nail marks that he clearly did to himself. Why is he lying about this?

"Why are you lying to me about your feelings and endure this pain?" I yelled at him while he maintained an expressionless face. Why is he toying with my feelings like this?

"Why are you toying with my emotions like this?" I ask in a heartbroken voice as I looked at him with desperation. Does he enjoy this?

His eyes widen as he glared at me. "Me? Why are you toying with my emotions?!" He shouted in anger and hostility. Me? I didn't toy with his emotions. He is the one toying with mine!

"First, you said that you don't have romantic feelings for me and only see me as a friend." He said as he looked at me calmly.

"Now, you are saying that you love me. Which is it, Lily?" He stared at me in anger. "Stop playing games with my emotions and just tell me the truth!" He said as his voice rose a bit in frustration. So he thought that I was emotionally manipulating him and…

(Flash):

"Hey Lily," He greeted as he plopped himself on the couch next to me.

"Hey Astral?" I ask as I turned to him.

"What is it?"

"Just out of curiosity, what type of people do you hate the most?"

"Hm," He ponders my question for about a minute. "I would say that I hate people who emotionally manipulate others for their enjoyment."

He looks at me with a confused expression. "Is there a reason why you are asking this?"

I smiled as I shook my head. "No reason whatsoever," I responded.

"Really? I find that hard to believe." He responded as he ruffled my hair a bit while I giggled.

(Flash)

My eyes widen as I remembered that memory. So he thought I was… Ohhhhh, no wonder he reacted like that…

What should I do now?

I smiled lovingly at him as I smashed my lips into him, making his eyes go wide.

I tilted my head to deepen the kiss as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me in closer, licking my lips hungrily. I bit down on his lower lip and slid my tongue into his mouth as I explored every nook and cranny of his mouth.

I wrapped my arms around his neck to pull him closer. I licked his lips as he suddenly parted my lips and thrust his tongue in as I moan in satisfaction.

His lips are soft against my own. His scent, his woody aroma filled my nose as I moan in pleasure. My heart rate accelerated as he licked my lips and took my lower lip between his teeth making me dizzy in sensual pleasure. This kiss… it's like fireworks! I don't ever want this moment to end.

After a couple of more minutes, we broke the kiss, panting because of the lack of air, with blushes on our faces. I can't believe that I just did that…

"Did that answer your question, honey?" I ask while still staring at him with my arms wrapped around his neck.

"Lily, you-" He said in disbelief as I could hear his heartbeat quickened.

"I really do love you Astral," I said as I looked into his eyes.

"I thought you said you wanted us to remain as friends."

I did say that, didn't I? No wonder he was acting like that.

I smiled as I leaned closer to him. "Let's just say your kiss made me realize how much you mean to me," I said as I looked at him.

I took a deep breath to calm myself. "I really wasn't trying to toy with your emotions, Astral," I said. "I-"

He placed a finger on my lip. "Stop, you don't need to explain any further, my love." I smiled as I gazed lovingly at him and went in for another kiss. He finally believes me.

Lilith's POV:

I widen my eyes at the scene in front of me. They actually… A smile grew on my face as I covered Serenity's eyes. I knew that they will get together!

"Mother?" She said in a confused tone as the King all gesture us outside the room and closed the door.

"Yes?" I said looking down at her.

"Why are we in the hall?"

"We are giving Astral and Lily some privacy," I said smiling ear to ear. Why am I so happy?

She tilted her head in confusion. "Why?"

How should I explain this… "They are having an adult conversation and there are some things that little kids like you can't see or hear," Zach said as he kneeled to her level.

"Why can't we all see and hear what they are saying?"

"You will understand once you get older." He said patting her on the head. She frowned at his answer but didn't question more.

He stood up and I looked at him gratefully. "Thank you," I said with a slight smile.

"No worries, Star."

"Let go of me!" My eyes widen as the King, Queen, and his wife tried to hold the general back from storming into the room. What?

"Calm down, Luca." The Queen said while holding back his arm.

"Calm down? Enna, you are a parent as well. You should know how I am feeling right now!" He struggles to get out of their grips.

"My wife is right. Astral wouldn't do anything reckless." The King said calmly.

"I know that but still-"

"Luca," His wife said gently holding his arm. "She's 18. She's not a little girl anymore and you got to start treating her like she's an adult."

"I understand what you are feeling right now but you can't keep babying her like this." The King said softly.

He looks at him in shock. "Eliphas, if it's your daughter in a room with a guy who kissed her on the lips. How would you feel huh?"

His eyes widen. "Um…"

"Psss…" Crystal whispered to us. "Since when did this conversation include me?"

"Since now," Maria said as she looks at the scene.

"Why is he so overprotective?" I ask as I turned to them.

"Well, the general has always known to be overprotective of his daughter. Plus, every parent is worried about their child to a certain extent." Estella said as we all nodded. I guess that makes sense.

"But why is he worried about Lily being in the same room as Astral?" Brandon asks in confusion.

We all looked at him deadpan. Seriously? Is he that clueless?

Zach facepalmed. "Think about it, they just kissed each other on the lips and now, they are in the same room. What do you think might happen next?"

He stared at us blankly for a couple of seconds then his expression morphs into shock and a blush appeared on his face.

"It sure took you long enough," Derek said as he lightly punches him in the arm.

"H-hey!" He glared at him with a blush. Wow, he still acts like a little kid when it comes to love.

We all directed our attention to the four of them again.

"What would you do if Crystal was in there with a guy huh?" The general said looking at the King.

"I would probably storm in there and drag her out of the room!"

"Exactly! So why won't you let me do just that with my daughter?" He asks as he started to move towards the room.

"You know, he does have a point, Enna." The King said turning to his wife as she sighs.

"Eliphas," The Queen responded as she tightened her grip on the general's arm.

"Honestly, why are you two so overprotective of them?" Her mother asks them.

"Of course we are overprotective of them. We are fathers. That is our job plus," The general turns to his wife. "Aren't you concerned for Lily?"

She smiled and she shook her head. "Luca, he has been her best friend since she was about 6 years old. I know his personality and I can guarantee that he wouldn't do anything out of bounds and reckless."

"But still-"

"No buts."

The Queen sighs. "Okay, if you two are really that worried about them, let's listen in."

We all nodded as we crowded around the door.

"About that kiss…"

"That kiss was an accident right?" She said cutting him off. Why does she sound so…

"We are just friends and our lips touched by accident."

"You were just trying to snap me out of it that's all." She continues as he stayed quiet.

"Don't worry, Astral, this kiss won't affect our friendship." She said as I can hear her approach the door. Why is she lying to him?

"Do you really not have any romantic feelings for me at all?" He said quietly as she stopped walking.

All of our eyes widen. He finally said it!

I could hear his footsteps approach her. "What are you doing."

"Just answer me this one question and I will let you go."

"Be honest with me, do you really not have any romantic feelings towards me?"

"Astral…" She said in disbelief.

"No, I do not have any romantic feelings towards you." She said in a tense voice.

All of us blinked and look at each other. Why is she lying about her feelings?

"I don't believe you."

"We are friends." She said in a cold voice.

"We are not!" He shouted.

"If we were then would I have these feelings towards you?"

"That's your problem, not mine."

"If we are friends, then why did you kiss me on the lips this morning?"

All of our eyes widen. They kissed this morning? We all turned to Derek and Estella. They shrugged.

"You-you know about that?" She asks him as she stuttered in shock.

"Yes, I know about that kiss."

"That was by accident."

"Why did you embrace me for a full 30 minutes yesterday?"

They embraced each other for 30 minutes?

"I…"

"You also kissed me on the forehead yesterday as well, if you don't have any feelings towards me, why would you do that?"

"They kissed each other on the forehead yesterday?" Maria asks in shock.

Derek and Estella nodded. "A lot of things happened yesterday."

"We will fill you in later." She said as all of us went back to listening.

"Astral, I will repeat, I do not have any romantic feelings for you. You are just my friend."

"Why is my daughter lying about her feelings like this?" The general whispered to all of us.

"I know right?" Zach said.

"It's so obvious that she has feelings for him," I said.

"She must have a reason." Her mother said as we listened yet again.

"I don't believe you." He said. "If you want me to believe you, look at me directly in the eye and say it."

"Why? Why don't you believe what I just said?"

"Say it to my face and I promise, I will let you walk out of this room and we will never speak about this again."

"Why won't you look at me?" He asks her softly. That's because she's lying to you.

"Fine. You want me to say it directly to your face? Ok, listen carefully because I will only say this once." She took a breath. "I do not have any romantic feelings towards you. I only see you as a friend." She said in a strained voice.

We all frowned. Why is this so painful to listen to?

"You are lying."

"Why would I be lying about such a thing?"

"I don't know why but I know that your lying."

Good, looks like he caught on.

"Believe what you want."

All of a sudden, we all heard a thump like someone being pushed against a wall. All of our eyes widen. What is he…

"I got to go in there!" Luca said as he tried to yank his arm free. The other three adults held him back.

"Luca, stop!"

"We all know that she likes him but we don't know the reason why she won't admit it."

"This is the chance for us to find out."

"Yes, but-"

"Luca," His wife sigh as she placed her hand on his mouth.

"If you keep being this loud, they will get suspicious."

He struggled a bit then sighs as she removed her hand from his mouth.

"Fine."

Wow, he really is overprotective.

"Why are you lying to me."

"I am not lying to you."

"Then why were you crying when you told me that?"

"Something got caught in my eyes." She said. Really Lily? That is the best lie you can come up with?

"Oh? So you wouldn't feel anything if I did this?" He said. What does he mean?

"W-what are you-"

What she was about to say was cut off somehow. We all leaned closer to the door as silence filled the room. Why is it so quiet?

We looked at each other in confusion as the adults all smiled knowingly with an exception of her father who was still being held back by them and his wife covered his mouth. Why are they smiling like that?

"Calm down, Luca." His wife said as she removed her hand from his mouth.

"Calm down? How on earth do you expect me to be calm when she is locking lips with him!"

"What?!" We all shouted in shock and surprise as we heard that. No wonder why it is so quiet.

"So they really are kissing?" Brandon asks with a blush on his face.

Crystal nodded. "Apparently so."

"Shhh, be quiet!" Maria said as we pressed our ears to the door.

"A-Astral, yo-you-"

"Let me say this." He said as he cuts her off.

"To be honest, I was very afraid when you were about to walk out of the room. I felt like if I didn't stop you, you would be gone from my life… forever." He confessed as she stayed quiet.

"But I will still be here with you. What made you think that I might leave?"

"I know that you would still be here with me but the thought of you leaving me all alone in this room, the thought of you being nothing more than my best friend that I can rely on, is unbearable for me to even consider."

"Astral…" She whispered in disbelief.

"You know, Derek asks me a peculiar question today," He said as we all looked at Derek. He looked away.

"W-What was the question?"

"He asks whether I would feel anything if a guy made a move on you." Ohhhhh.

"A-And what was your response?" She asks as she took a sharp intake of breath.

"I said that I would feel happy for you if you are happy with that person."

"Where are you going?" She asked him.

"I'm sorry that I kissed you without your consent. Please, forgive me for acting so recklessly."

"I know that you don't like me that way. Please, forget that this ever happened."

"Don't worry, Lily. If you want us to remain as friends, then I will honor your wish." We all looked at each other. Why? What? Lily! Why don't you say that you love him? Does she really not have any feelings for him?

"We will remain as best friends." He looked at us as he walks out into the hallway with his fist clenched and an emotionless face upon him. No! I refuse for this to happen!

"Father," Serenity said holding onto his hand gently. "Where are you going?"

"Somewhere to clear my mind," He said in a cold tone as he removed her hand from his. Lily, why are you not coming out here? Do you really want him to leave like this?

"Astral!" A voice called out and tackled him from behind holding onto his waist tightly. I let out a sigh of relief. Oh, thank goodness!

"Let go," He said while trying to remove her arms as she clasps even tighter.

"Let go of me." He said in an emotionless tone.

"Lillian, let go of me." He said in a calm voice.

He sighs and stopped struggling. "What do you want?" We all blinked at him. Does he not know what she wants?

She stayed quiet as they stood there in that position. Why isn't she saying anything?

"If you're just going to stay quiet then I will get going now." He removed her arms as she holds him tightly. Why isn't she saying anything?

"No." She said quietly as she presses her body against his back.

"Why?" He asks as he stood there with his arms to his sides. Lily, say that you love him!

She stays quiet once more as he asks her that question. "Why won't you let go of me?" He sighs. If you don't say something now, then you will regret it!

"You know, although we are best friends, there are certain lines that friends don't cross." He explained to her as she hugged his waist even tighter.

"Like what you are doing now, friends don't hug each other on the waist from behind like this. Maybe if they are the same gender but friends of the opposite gender can't keep doing this." He calmly said as he removed her hands from his waist as she just stood there with an unreadable expression on her face. Why isn't she saying anything?! Also, doesn't he love her? Why on earth is he acting like that? I thought as I clenched my fist in anger.

He started to walk down the hallway. "What if they aren't just friends?" She finally said as he halted. My eyes widen. What did she just say? Is she admitting to him her feelings?

He stayed quiet as she continues. "What if the female friend likes the male friend?" She approaches him and wraps her arms around his waist again.

"How would you know that they like each other? What if the female friend doesn't like him back?" He questioned her, still standing there.

"Maybe she isn't quick enough to realize her feelings for her friend." She said as I blinked. Could she actually be confessing her feelings?

"I love you, Astral." She said quietly as she wraps her arms tighter around his waist and laid her head against his back. I let out a sigh of relief. Finally!

We all looked at each other to wait for how he will react. I guess that he will turn around and kiss her passionately but it's just a guess.

He slowly removed her hands around his waist as he laughs out loud. This is… different…

"A-Astral?"

He stood there, not facing her. "Lily, I just said that there are some lines that friends don't cross. One of them is they don't joke around like that." He said while chuckling a bit.

We all widen our eyes in shock. Hold on, he's not saying what I think he's saying right?

"W-What do you mean?"

"That was a joke right?" I clenched my fist in anger and glared at his figure. How could he just dismiss her feelings like that? Doesn't he like her as well?

She stayed quiet for a couple of minutes. "A joke?" She said in a disbelief tone of voice.

"Is that all I am to you?" She said in a heartbreaking voice as tears welled up in her eyes. "Am I just a joke in your eyes?" She said stumbling back and clutching her chest. Why that little Prince! How dare he?!

I looked at her hand. It was clenched tight with blood dripping at a very fast rate. Lily… I then glanced at her face to find that she stood there in shock with tears flowing on her face as she clenched her hand tightly, making the blood drip onto the cold, hard, ground.

I bit the inside of my cheek as I looked at the scene. I then looked towards Astral. He was clenching his fist with blood dripping onto the ground as well. In fact, his whole hand was a bloody mess as he just stood there, unmoving from what's going on behind him. He must be in great emotional pain. The two of them are in great emotional pain.

I sigh as I shut my eyes for a moment then open them. Why can't those two just show emotions like normal people? Why must they keep it all to themselves? And most importantly, why does he think that she is lying to him?

"Let go of me!" Her father shouted as we all peaked around the corner.

"Luca, you must not let your anger blind you!" His wife said as she held him back.

"Carissa, just look at her and her bloody hand! How can I not be angry at him for saying that?!" He shouted as we all tried to hold him back. Impulsivity is not a good thing in this scenario.

"Luca, I'm sure that Astral has a reason for saying that." The Queen said while trying to soothe him down.

He looks at her in shock. "What is the reason then?"

The King sighs. "Enna, I agree with Luca this time." He said looking at his wife. "Why does he think that she was joking when she said that?"

"It just doesn't make sense!" Crystal said as she walks towards them but I held her arm. "I know for a fact that he loves her. He must have a reason to act like this."

"Listen to me, being reckless in this situation won't be good," I said as I gripped her arm.

"I don't-"

"Star is right," Estella said. "You might make this worst if you interfere."

"But I-"

"Crystal, just let them be and resolve this on their own," Maria said looking at her in desperation.

She shook my arm off and looked at all of us. "I have got to find out the reason why my brother is acting like this!" She said as she flew towards Lily.

We all sigh and shook our heads. Why is she so impulsive?

"What has gotten into you, Astral?"

"Why on earth are you acting like this?"

"That is none of your concern, Crystal," He said in a cold voice.

"Sorry to break it to you older brother but it is my concern."

"Seriously, why are you acting this way towards Lily of all people?" She shouted in anger.

"Why are you so nosy?"

"Because I can be, Astral."

"I don't know what's gotten into you all of a sudden but I know that you love her-"

"Stop talking," He said in a warning voice.

"I know that you love her and-"

"I said to stop talking!" He shouted at her in a low voice as I clenched my fist in anger, making the blood drip even more. Just why is he acting this way?

"No!"

"Look, I have no idea why you are acting like this but you love her and she loves you back as well-"

"Does she really?" He scoffed at her. What? Why is he saying that?

"Yes," She said looking at him. Does he not believe her words?

"Really?" He said sarcastically. "I find that really hard to believe," He said while bitterly chuckling and walked down the hall, further away from her. Why won't he just believe her?!

"We will remain as best friends," He said in a cold and tense voice.

"Why?" She asks in desperation. "Why won't you believe what I just said?" Exactly, why would he not believe her?

All of a sudden, she tackled him towards a wall and pinned him there. Is she doing what I think she's doing?

He looked at her with an emotionless gaze. "What are you doing?"

She glares at him, narrowing her eyes as she stares into his. "Do you really think my words are a joke?"

"Do you really think that my confession and feelings towards you are a joke?" She shouted.

She took a shaky breath and her voice cracked. "Was your confession in the room all a big lie?" She asks him looking desperate to find an answer. I don't think it was a lie. But why is he lying to her?

"I-" He began to say but stopped.

He lets out a chuckle as he looked at her. "Did you really believe the things that I said?"

Our eyes all widen in shock. Did he just say what I think he said?

"You are still so gullible after all of these years, Lily." He smiled.

"You-You are lying." She stuttered in between gasps of breaths as tears welled up into her eyes. Why that little…

"Let go of me, Zach!" I said as I tried to yank my arm free from his grip.

"I need to knock some sense into him. I can't believe that he said that!"

"Star, calm down." He said trying to soothe me from running over there and strangling him.

"Calm down?" I looked at him with disbelief. "Zach-"

"He is definitely lying to her." He said cutting me off.

"But he-"

"The Astral that I know wouldn't joke about his feelings like this." He said calmly.

"He's right," Brandon said while gripping my other arm.

"He's lying."

"How are you all so certain?" I ask as I looked at them.

"Simple, just look at his hand."

I looked towards his hand to find blood dripping at a fast rate, down his hand, and onto the floor to form a puddle.

"Is that blood dripping from his hand?" Crystal asks in shock.

"So, that means that he is lying to her." She said in disbelief.

Maria, Estella, and Derek all nodded as they released her arms. "That's what we were all trying to tell you but you insisted on going out there and slapping him."

Well, how was I supposed to know that he was lying with that emotionless face of his? I mean like his hand is the only indication that he is lying.

"Honestly Crystal," The King said. "You have got to control your impulsiveness."

"Hey!" She said back at her father. "How was I supposed to know that he was lying?"

The Queen smiles. "You got to think before you act."

"Yeah," Lily's mother chimed in. "Do you three honestly think that he would go around and play with her feelings like that?"

I tilted my head in confusion. "Three?"

They all grinned as they moved out of the way, revealing her father tied to a chair. Oh wow, I guess they got tired of holding him back.

His wife removed his gag. "Why did you all tie me up like this?"

"I'm sorry but you looked like that you were about to beat my son to a bloody pulp." The King said as he chuckled.

"Still, you didn't need to tie me up like this!" He shouted in anger as he looked at him.

"You didn't give us any other choice." The Queen said smiling.

"I agree with them, Luca," His wife said. "You three are so impulsive."

"Hey!" I said as I looked at them.

"I was trying to protect my daughter!" The General said.

"And I'm not that impulsive!" Crystal said looking at her parents.

They all laughed and we directed our attention to them again.

"Why are you lying to me?"

"I'm not lying to you. The things that I said in my room were all untrue. I do not have any romantic, not even an ounce of romantic feelings towards you." He said with an emotionless expression. Why is he saying this when he doesn't really mean it? I looked towards their hands again. At this rate, they might go unconscious from the amount of blood they are losing.

"I'm not worth your time and effort. Go find someone that you actually love." He said as he pushed her aside but she pinned him to a wall once again. This is like watching a really sad film/show.

"You are lying." She said as she narrowed her eyes at him. Looks like she's not fooled by his incredible acting.

"Why would you assume that?"

"Look at your hand!"

His hand was covered in blood and nail marks that he clearly did to himself. Why is he lying about this?

"Why are you lying to me about your feelings and endure this pain?" She yelled at him in tears while he maintained an expressionless face.

"Why are you toying with my emotions like this?" She asks in a heartbroken voice as she looked at him with desperation.

His eyes widen as he glared at her. "Me? Why are you toying with my emotions?!" He shouted as tears welled up in his eyes.

"First, you said that you don't have romantic feelings for me and only see me as a friend," He said as he looked at her calmly.

"Now, you are saying that you love me. Which is it, Lily?" He stared at her in anger. "Stop playing games with my emotions and just tell me the truth!" He said as his voice rose a bit in frustration. Oh, I get it now. He thought that since she said that she only saw him as a friend before, that her words now must be a joke. That she is playing with his emotions.

I looked at everyone and nodded. "No wonder he reacted that way,"

They all nodded as they looked back at the two of them.

She suddenly smashes her lips onto him, making our eyes go wide. She… Oh wow... I quickly covered Serenity's eyes as they kissed.

After a couple of minutes, they broke apart from each other.

"Did that answer your question, honey?" She asks while still staring at him with her arms wrapped around his neck.

"Lily, you-" He said in disbelief.

"I really do love you Astral," She said as she looked into his eyes. Finally!

"I thought you said you wanted us to remain as friends."

She smiled as she leaned closer to him. "Let's just say your kiss made me realize how much you mean to me," She said as she looked at him.

She took a deep breath to calm herself. "I really wasn't trying to toy with your emotions, Astral," She said. "I-"

He placed a finger on her lip. "Stop, you don't need to explain any further, my love." She smiles as she gazed lovingly at him and went in for another kiss.

We all looked at them with happy smiles. They finally got together... Looks like love does work in mysterious ways. I thought as we all looked at Derek and Estella holding hands and smiling lovingly at each other. Love really is a force to be reckoned with.

"I feel happy for them," Zach said as he looks at me.

I smiled at him. "Yeah, love does work in mysterious ways. I for one thought it was over between them."

"Me too, who knew a simple kiss could lead them to understand each other's feelings like that." He responded as he smiled at them.

"Yeah," I glanced back at him with a small smile. "Who knew a simple kiss could do just that."

Crystal's POV:

They both sigh. "Really?" My brother said looking at us. Uh-oh…

"I expected better from all of you." She said then directs her gaze at the adults who all simultaneously looked away. "Really? You four as well?" She asks in disbelief as I suppressed a laugh. How the tables have turned.

"To be fair, we wanted to see how this would go…" Derek said as he gulped as Astral glared at him.

"We were curious, brother," I said looking at him. "How do you not expect us to be curious after you caused that big scene?" They both blushed as they looked at each other.

"Oh, you two have to thank me," I said as I looked at them expectantly.

"Why is that, dear sister?"

"Because without me, the two of you have never gotten together," I said as they widen their eyes.

"Thank you, Crystal, for helping us out." She said gratefully as I smiled at her then directed my attention towards my brother.

He blinks. "What?"

I sigh. "Isn't there something you should say to me?"

He puts his hand under his chin and ponders. "Hm… nothing comes to mind."

I shot him a look. Why that older brother of mine…

Lily nudged him in the ribs and looked at him expectantly. "What?" He looks at her as she looks at him with a deadpan expression. "To be fair, all she did was yell at me."

"You still got to thank her."

"But why?"

"You have to thank her."

"But all she did was yell at me."

"You have to thank her."

"No."

"Thank her."

"No."

She sighs. "Thank her."

He gave in as he looks at me. "Thank you, my dear sister, for yelling at me."

I punched him on the arm playfully as I rolled my eyes. "No worries, brother. You can have me yell at you anytime you want!"

They all laughed as I said that. I can't believe that I actually yelled at him. It makes me feel so powerful! I could definitely get used to this…

"So," Maria said with a tiny smirk on her face. "How was that kiss?" She asks them as they both widen their eyes and their cheeks pink.

We all laughed at their reactions. This is priceless!

"Ok, stop teasing them, you guys." My dad said as he chuckled.

"But seriously Lily," Her dad said as he walked closer to her. "He didn't do anything to you did he?"

Her eyes widen as she looked at her dad in shock. "Th-that depends on what you are talking about." She stuttered quietly as she looks at my brother with a blush.

Her mom sighs as she walks over and grips his ear tightly. "Ow!"

"Come over here with me." She commanded as he followed. "Don't mind him. He's just being overprotective as usual."

She smiles. "I know, mother."

"Oh, we have a question," Star asks as she looks at them. "What was that emergency last night?"

"And why was Lily reacting like that?" Estella asks as Lily interlocks her hands with my brothers.

"Come into my room and we will talk." He said calmly. Hm… we know that emergency involves Derek but why do I feel like something more happened?

Zach's POV:

We all sat on the couch facing the two of them in silence.

"Okay, so last night, Estella came to the palace-"

"You came to the palace?" Derek asks as he looks at her.

She nods. "How else did you think that you were let out so easily?"

Oh, I get it now.

"Since it was thundering out, I just can't leave Lily and my son all alone." He said as he poked Phoenix making him giggle a bit.

"I took them along with me and went to the dungeon where I saw the Duke torturing Derek." He says looking at his father.

"Don't worry, he will receive a punishment for his actions." The King said with his fist clenched.

"Your majesty," Estella suddenly kneeled startling everyone.

"Estella, what are you doing?"

"Your majesty, please go light on your punishment for my father."

He sighs. "Estella, you must know that torturing the innocent is a crime right?"

"Yes, but if you want to punish my father, then please punish me as well."

All of our eyes widen in shock at her words. She really loves her father.

Derek rushed to her and kneels in front of the King as well. "Your majesty, if you punish her then please, punish me as well."

"Derek…" She whispered in disbelief.

"No, Estella, you haven't done anything wrong. I will not punish you for your father's misdeeds."

"But-"

"However, your father deserves a punishment for his crime."

"It won't be death. Don't worry." The Queen said.

"If you don't mind telling me, what is the punishment?"

He clenched his jaw. "Prison time."

Her eyes widen. "Prison?"

"Your majesty, can you lighten the punishment?" She begged the two of them.

"Estella, you got to understand. Torturing anyone is a major crime. If I lighten the punishment for your father then he may go back to his old ways again." The Queen explained gently. She does have a point.

"I can guarantee that my father will not torture anyone else-"

"It's not that simple." Astral chimed in. "First of all, if we go light on his punishment he could go back to his old ways and if people found out, it could cause an uproar and rebellion. Before long, many people will probably start torturing others because of the light punishment."

"I agree with you brother but can't you do something?" Crystal asks looking at Astral. "It's just a one-time thing. It's not like he's torturing everyone."

"I understand what your trying to say but again, it's really not that simple."

"I don't care!" She shouted at him. "Estella is our friend and I'm not letting her father get imprisoned."

"Crystal, I know but if we lighten the punishment then other people might not like it and it will start an uproar." He explained calmly.

"Who cares about other people. All I care about is whether you will ease up the punishment."

She turns to her father. "Dad, can you ease the punishment a bit?"

"Your brother is right," The Queen said as she looked at her. "Our duty as members of the royal family is to enforce fair rules that everyone agrees with. It's our job to uphold balance. If we break that balance, then the people will not be pleased and when that happens, rebellions and uproars will be around the corner."

"I know but-"

"Crystal, you can't let your emotions cloud your judgment like this." Her father said gently.

"But isn't there any way to lighten the punishment?" She asks desperately looking at the three of them.

I looked at Estella who is still kneeling. I let out a sigh. Who knew being a member of the royal family is so tough… I'm glad that I'm not a Prince, that's for sure. Although, being the son of a duke does have its disadvantages as well…

"Father," Astral sighs in defeat. "Is there any way that you can lighten the punishment?"

"Astral, you too?!" He says as he looks at his son in shock and disbelief. "You-"

"I understand but look at them." He said gesturing to Derek and Estella kneeling on the ground.

"Eliphas, even our son says to lighten the punishment on the Duke." The Queen said looking at him.

"Astral, do you know what you are saying right now?" Why is he asking him that?

He nods. "I know what I'm saying." He said looking at his father.

The King sighs. "I expected this from Crystal but for you to actually agree with her is completely out of my deductions." He mutters. True, I didn't expect him to agree with her on this.

He sighs. "Okay," He looks at his wife. "What do you think is a suitable punishment?"

"Well, we could place him under house arrest…"

He shook his head. "No, that's too lenient."

"How about we imprison him for a couple of weeks and charge him a large fine," Astral suggested. "How does that sound?"

"Brother, that's still imprisonment!"

"Yes, but at least it's not years."

"That will work." The King said looking at Estella. "Estella you can stand up."

"Thank you your majesties." She said as she stood up with Derek and sat on the couch. I'm glad that I'm a son of a Duke.

Maria's POV:

"Then where did you go?" I ask him.

"Since it was about to rain," Lily said. "We sought shelter in a house as Astral healed Derek's wounds."

We all nodded. "You all stayed there for the night?" Crystal asks them as the three of them nodded.

"Yes," They all replied.

I smirked looking at Astral and Lily. Oh, this is going to be fun.

"So, did anything happen while you two were at that house?" I said as they blush at my question.

"Yea," Star chimes in as she looks at them. "Did anything happen between you two?" She asks.

"I did believe I mentioned the loving 30 minutes embrace-" Derek started to say.

"Derek!" Lily exclaimed with a blush as she threw a pillow at his head which he caught with ease.

"Nice try, Lily," Estella said as we all laughed.

"But seriously, you should have seen them." She continues. "It was so romantic!"

"The way that he held her and he stroked her hair, it actually sounded like a love confession." She said as all of our eyes widen as we directed our attention to Astral and Lily.

"Estella!" She said with a blush.

"It was not a love confession!" He said as he looked away.

"Mhm." His sister said.

"Sure," Star said sarcastically.

"And the way they gazed at each other," Derek said. "You could see the love in their eyes!"

"Why are you two doing this?" They complained as they blushed.

"Also, the best part was this morning," Derek said with a laugh as Astral glared at him.

"Don't you dare!"

"Oh, try and stop me, my friend." He taunted him as he stuck out his tongue playfully.

"This morning," Estella started.

"Estella!" Lily whined with a blush on her face as the adults laughed.

"This morning, we found Astral laying on top of Lily with their faces inches apart." She finally said.

"It was an accident!"

"I just happen to fall on top of her!"

Zach raised a brow. "How do you accidentally fall on top of somebody?"

"Yea," Brandon said as he looked at them. "Also, how do you accidentally kiss somebody?"

They both looked away as they heard the questions. We all laughed. Wow, I will never get bored of this!

Brandon's POV:

I looked at Lily with a confused expression as I looked at her outfit. That coat is a little big for her…

"Is something wrong?" She asks me as she noticed my confusion.

"Your coat seems a little big on you…" I trailed off.

"Yea," Crystal said. "Come to think of it…" Her eyes widen as she looks at Astral. "Isn't that your coat, brother?"

Oh, no wonder it seemed a little big to be hers.

He nodded. "Yes, it's my coat." He said as he held Lily's hand.

"Why are you wearing his coat?" Zach asks as I looked at him. It's obviously for romantic purposes duh!

"It's for romantic purposes," I said as I looked at him.

"Of course I know that but isn't she hot wearing it indoors?" I blinked as I looked back at her. True, she's been wearing it all day today.

My friend gripped Lily's hand. "It's your choice, do you want to tell them?" He asks softly. Tell us what?

She hesitated but nods as he walks over to his closet, takes out a light blue long sleeve shirt, and hands it to her. "Go change into this."

"B-but this is-"

He smiles at her. "You can't keep wearing my coat indoors."

She sighs then nods as she went to the restroom.

He sat back down on the couch as all eyes stared at him. Why did he give her his shirt?

"Astral," The King started. "What was that all about?"

"And why was she wearing your coat?" Her father asks him in curiosity. I'm wondering about those two questions as well.

The restroom door opened and in walked Lily in a light blue long-sleeved shirt. It was too long and big for her. The fact that she's wearing shorts doesn't help the matter either. She looks like a child in his oversized shirt.

"H-How do I look?" She asks nervously as she took a seat on the couch next to him.

His eyes widen as he stares at her with a blush forming on his face. "Y-You look good." He stutters.

"Really?" She tilted her head to the side a bit and leaned towards him. Oh, I see what she's trying to do…

He nodded as he stared at her without blinking as they leaned in closer. Did they forget that we are here?

"Ahem!" Her father cleared his throat as they backed away from each other.

"Did the two of you forget that we are here?" The King asks as they both blushed.

"Eliphas," The Queen said looking at him. "Give them a break."

"Yea," Her mother said looking at her father. "It's normal for them to behave this way. After all, she is wearing his shirt."

"Speaking of which," Her father said. "Care to explain?"

Lily tightened her grip on his hand as they looked at each other and nodded. "Do you all remember the reason I was afraid of thunder?" She started to say as we all nodded. Who could forget that? I still think that man deserves to die for what he did.

"Well, let's just say that something like that happened today." She continued as we all widen our eyes in shock. She… does she mean…!

"You don't mean-" Her mother started to say but got cut off.

"Yea," she nodded with tears in her eyes.

"Luckily, I got there in time and took care of him before anything happened," Astral said as he turns towards her to wipe her tears with his fingers.

"Where is that guy?" Her father asks angrily. "I will personally take care of him myself!"

She smiles at the person sitting directly next to her. "No, there is no need for that father."

"What but-"

"I don't think he can even move after what my boyfriend did to him."

Astral looks at her in shock as she smiles. I glanced around me and found out that everyone was grinning ear to ear. I feel so happy. After all of these years of them refusing to admit their true feelings for one another. They finally got together!

"Just out of curiosity," Maria asks her. "What did he do to him?"

I was wondering the same thing. What does she mean by he can't move?

"You really want to know?" He asks looking at all of us as we nodded.

"Is there something you can't tell us?" I said in confusion as he shook his head.

"No, it's not that but…"

"But what?" Star asks as he looks at her. "Star, I need you to cover Serenity's ears for a moment."

Her eyes widen but she covered it. "Mother?" She asks in confusion.

"Ok, so first of all, I side kicked him on the cheek. Then, I paralyzed him by using my powers to cut deep into his muscles, tearing them beyond repair. I broke every single bone in his body and then I cut off his limbs as he screamed in agony while laughing gleefully." He said calmly as our mouths hung in shock. Just who is this guy? Is this even the same Astral?

"I would have sliced his tongue off too if Lily didn't stop me."

"Astral!" His sister said in shock. "Are you crazy?! Why would you do that?"

"That's the punishment that he got for touching my woman." He said casually as Lily blushed.

"Well okay, I understand that but don't you think you were a little brutal?" Maria said as she looked at him.

He smiles. "Nope," He said.

"If anything, I was too merciful on him."

"How on earth were you merciful?" Star exclaimed while still covering Serenity's ears. "You basically ruined his whole life."

"True, but people like him if I just let him roam freely in public, then more women will fall victim to him. Plus, my anger got the best of me."

"Wow," Zach said, still in shock. "I never would expect you to be so…" He trailed off.

"Gruesome?"

"Violent."

He chuckled. "I did warn him that I'm not very forgiving to those who touch what's mine."

"Remind me to never provoke you," I said jokingly as he laughed.

"No worries Brandon,"

"I still can't believe that you did that to him." The Queen said as she looked at him.

He sighs. "Yea, me neither but I let my emotions cloud my judgment and my anger got the best of me."

"Don't get me wrong, Astral." She said. "I am by no means scolding you for your actions but even though you were angry, you shouldn't let your anger blind you like that." She explained softly as he nodded.

"I need to thank you for rescuing my daughter." Her father said gratefully. "And especially for taking care of that guy. I couldn't have done it better myself!" He said looking at him proudly as his wife stared at him in disbelief.

"Luca, are you-"

"Yes, I'm okay. I'm just happy that guy got what he deserved." He said responding to his wife.

"Aren't you happy as well?"

"Yes, but couldn't you just lock him up in the dungeon?" She asks as turning towards Astral.

"Now that you mention it, I should have brought him to the dungeon instead of leaving him in the streets." He said with a sigh.

We all shook our heads slowly. Note to self, don't get Astral angry.

"Luca," The King said with a sigh. "Don't encourage him to do those violent things."

"I'm not encouraging him."

"It sure sounds like you are." His wife mutters.

"Astral-"

"I know what you are going to say father and I'm sorry that I let my emotions get the best of me."

He smiles at him. "I'm not angry at you."

My friend blinks. "Huh?"

"I'm glad that you took care of him and protected her. If the roles were reversed, I would protect my love as well."

He blinks as his father continues. "Just don't let your anger blind you to the point that you behave irrationally and harm yourself."

"Also, don't do any more violent things unless it's necessary." The King finished as my friend smiles.

"I promise to keep my anger in check and won't commit any more violent acts unless it's necessary."

The adults all nodded.

Lily's POV:

I can't believe that I kissed him! I thought as I rocked my son in my arms.

(Flash):

"Well, it's getting late," The King said as he stood up and everyone walked out the door. "Good night you two!"

"Wait what?" I said in confusion.

"What?"

"Astral," The Queen said. "You can't just let her sleep alone after all that she's been through today."

She's got a point.

"Besides," My mother said. "She still has nightmares since that incident when she was 7 years old. Now, combine that with today's event and what do you think might happen?"

His eyes widen. "But-"

"Is there a problem?" The King asks us. "You two are a couple, right? So sharing a room would be easy."

We both blushed. I can't believe he just said that.

"Now wait just a moment," My father said as he walked towards Astral. "Let me lay down some rules first."

He walked towards him and whispered in his ear. His eyes widen as a blush crawled on his face. "Do-Don't worry, um… I… we won't be doing that." He said quietly as he coughed in his fist. I tilted my head in confusion. What did my father just tell him?

He walked over towards me and whispered in my ear as well. "Under no circumstances are you able to sleep with him. I don't care how charming or handsome he is but you have to resist your urges. It's not that I don't trust the two of you but I just want you to be safe that's all." He said as my eyes widen. Did he just say…

A blush appeared on my face as I digest his words. "Father!" I exclaimed quietly. "I-I…we… w-we will not be doing that sort of thing!" I stuttered as I looked at him.

He smiled as he puts a hand on my shoulder. "I know but as a father, I just want you to be safe."

Father…

"Thank you," I said quietly as I hugged him.

I looked over at Astral who was hugging his mother. I guess she told him the same thing.

"Good night you two!" They all say as they shut the door but before that, my father and his mother shouted. "Don't do anything reckless!"

(Flash)

I could feel my cheeks heat up as I thought of that memory. Oh god.

I placed my sleeping son back in his crib as the restroom door opened and Astral walked out with his hair still wet and his shirt still clinging onto his body. Why is he so attractive?

He walked over to me and looked down at our sleeping son. "He's finally asleep huh?"

I nodded, still looking at him. "Yea, he's asleep."

He tilted his head in confusion. "Why are you staring at me?" Uh-oh…

"I…" I trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"Did you just shower?" I ask quickly.

"Yea, since I got milk spilled on me, I might as well showered before bed." He said as I stared at him once again. Why can't I take my eyes off of him?

He approached me looking concerned. "Are you okay?" He places one of his hands on my forehead making me blush.

"You do seem warmer than usual…"

"I'm fine," I said softly as I looked at him.

"Are you sure?" He asks as he moved closer to me, making my heartbeat quickened.

"I-I'm sure." I stuttered as he moved closer to me with a concerned look.

"Hm…" He narrows his eyes in suspicion as he suddenly leaned closer to me, making my breath hitched. He is so close…

He smirked at me as I stumbled onto the bed with his arm around my waist and his hand caressing my face gently. Uh-oh…

"Do you know how attractive you look right now?" He leaned and whispered in my ear softly as my breathing hitched in my throat.

I swallowed nervously as I stared into his beautiful eyes. His eyes are so pretty!

He leaned in closer until our lips were millimeters apart. My heart rate accelerated as I can feel his breath on my face. "If I kiss you now then I might not be able to control myself from doing anything else." He said quietly as a blush appeared on his face while I could feel his heartbeat skyrocket. He…

A dark shade of red appeared on my face as he said that. Should I?

My heart thumped violently in my chest and butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I stared on top of me. I…

(Flash):

"Under no circumstances are you able to sleep with him. I don't care how charming and handsome he is but you have to resist your urges."

(Flash)

But my father said… he never said that I couldn't kiss him though…

"I shouldn't…" I could feel his arms loosen on my waist as he withdrew his hand from my cheek.

"I won't…" He said as he increased the distance between us. "If you don't want me to."

I felt an adrenaline rush course through my veins as I nearly forgot to breathe. My eyes jumped to his eyes and lips while my heart rate was like a ticking time bomb. I will not let him go away with my kiss!

I quickly wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him closer to me onto the bed as I laid beneath him. He widens his eyes in shock.

"Is that a yes?" He whispered as he leaned closer to my lips.

I blush and nodded softly as I looked up at him.

"You really trust me not to do anything else?" He asks as he looks at me in disbelief.

I smiled. "I always trust you."

We stared at each other as the heat rose from my stomach. His lips were getting closer as my heart decided to skip a beat. The smell of him was beyond hypnotic reason.

Our bodies pressed together heatedly against the bed, breathing heavily as our lips pressed together. The smell of his cologne, of the soft woody aroma from his body, is dizzying but pleasant.

Heat rose from my stomach to my chest as our lips smashed into each other hungrily. The smell filled my nostrils to the point of near brain death. This is it. At the very moment, his lips met mine like a wave of warmth and all my body reacted to him instinctively. My toes curled, my eyes zeroed in on his, his smell even more hypnotic. The taste of him… it silenced my thoughts and made me want more.

My heart rate quickened as I felt his warm yet soft lips pressed against mine. His tongue licked my lips and thrust its self into my mouth trailing my teeth. I felt a jolt of pleasure travel down my spine as his hands made their way up my shirt as my hands unconsciously, up to his back, digging my nails and scratching it with the majority of my strength.

"Mhm…" I moaned in satisfaction as he kept kissing me. This time, our tongues intertwined as I made my way into his mouth, trying my best to copy his movements.

Our hands roamed across our bodies as our positions suddenly switched. I ended up on top of him while he was on the bottom. My hands slipped under his shirt and made their way up to his chest.

"Lily, we shouldn't-" He tried to say but got distracted as my hands rubbed his chest slowly. I took his shirt off and threw it across the room as I removed my lips from his and kissed his stomach, with my tongue trailing every spot that I kissed.

"Ah-ahh…" I could hear his heartbeat accelerate as he tugged at my bra, hoping to unclasp it. I felt a wave of pleasure wash through me as I arched back, rocking my hips into his.

"Mhm… Lily… we really shouldn't be-" He tried to say again but I rubbed his chest as my lips made their way up towards his neck and nicked it making him shudder as he caresses my back slowly. A jolt of electricity course through my veins as his hands made their way towards my chest.

We flipped over yet again as he ripped my shirt off revealing my bra as he stared at me lustfully.

"A-Astral?" I ask looking at him nervously. Why is he looking at me like I'm prey?

He looks into my eyes while breathing heavily. "I-I'm not sure I can control myself anymore."

"T-Tell me to stop." He said panting as he swallowed and waited for me to answer.

I looked at him with a blush as my heart thumped violently. I… I don't want you to stop…

When he received no answer, he pinned me down beneath him again, breathing raggedly as he removed his lips from mine and slowly trailed down my neck and gently nicked it making me gasp in pleasure. His tongue ran over that spot, slowly making me shudder as he kissed it lovingly.

"Ngh…" I moaned as I rocked my hips in sync with his.

"You are mine." He said possessively as his warm lips trailed down my chest.

My heart rate skyrocketed. "Astral… Mhm…"

"Mhm…" He moaned as his hands slip under and slowly undid my bra as my hands undid the zipper on his pants.

"It's not too late, if you want me to stop then say something." He said as he removed his hands from my body as the heat rose to my cheeks. Astral! If I wanted you to stop then I would have said something before we got to this point.

"I want you," I whispered in surprise at how heated I sound.

"Are you sure you are ready?" He asks gently as he looks at me.

I blushed madly at his question. He really is a gentleman…

I nodded as I smiled at him. "I want you," I repeated as my heart thumped in my chest as I felt a hot and sticky liquid in between my legs.

He smirked. "As you wish, my love."

He quickly threw my bra off to the side of the room as he stared at my chest and licked his lips.

He stared at my exposed chest with a predatory gaze about him as he smashes his lips onto my chest.

My heart skipped a beat as he ran his tongue across my bare and exposed chest, sucking it like a baby while using his other hand to massage it.

He squeezed and pawed and clutched before moving his fingers to my soft areolas, small and round. I whimpered as he rolled them between his fingers, gently pinched them, marveled as they hardened in his grasp, and protruded, begging him for even more stimulation.

I pushed him into me, positioned his mouth directly on my right nipple. A delicate texture, more elastic and thinner than the skin surrounding it, made it easy to pull and tug. He swirled his tongue around it in circles, moved in close to its sensuous point, and flicked it. He pressed his lips in, closed around it entirely, and continued to tongue and suck at it, his mouth salivating at the taste and soaking it with slippery desire.

"Ah-ahhh," I moaned as I felt a huge jolt of pleasure took over me as I scratched his back as hard as I can while thrusting my hip into his.

He moved over to my other breast with a line of sucking kisses down one mound, into my cleavage, and then up the next before settling on this new nipple. He massaged it, tickled it, tenderly chewed it, and gripped it between his teeth, pulling it out and watching it stretch out the shape of my breast. Ah… that feels… Ngh…

"Ngh…" I moaned as another shiver course through me. How is he this good?

"A-Astral." I moaned his name as pleasure took over.

I could feel a hot stream of liquid flow in between my legs as he played with my breasts fondly.

His hand movements became quicker and quicker as he played with my chest lovingly while I rubbed his inner thigh making him muffle a moan.

My senses went into overdrive as he licked my bare chest as I involuntarily scratched his back even harder.

"Ah-ahhh," I moaned as we rocked our hips together in synch as I felt something hard between his legs.

"You are beautiful," He whispered in a low, husky voice that made me shiver as his hands rubbed my inner thigh slowly. I gasp as another jolt of electricity made me dig my nails into his back even harder.

He smirked as he used his powers to take off my shorts revealing my panties as I unconsciously used my powers to remove his pants and threw them somewhere. Oh my god…

He rubbed my leg slowly as he made his way up. I could feel the electricity course through my entire being with each touch of his hand, his licks. Every movement that he makes on top of me is utterly satisfying as it is intoxicating to me. Mhm… I love this!

"Ngh… A-Astral…" I moaned as his hands got closer and closer.

I dig my nails and scratched his back even harder to the point that blood was drawn from my scratches as he positioned himself and kissed my inner thigh with his tongue trailing upwards towards my forbidden area.

"Ah-Ohhhhh… A-Astral…" I moaned as I lost myself in dirty pleasure.

"I love it when you moan my name like that." He whispers as he spread my legs opened. T-There is no going back now.

"Are you nervous?" He asks looking up at me. How does he know?

I gulped as my heart rate accelerated. "I-I um…" I tailed off, not knowing what to say to him at this moment.

"Do you want me to stop?" He asks softly as he looks into my eyes. No! I don't want you to stop. Not when I'm this aroused!

I shook my head rapidly as looked at him. "N-no." I managed to stutter out.

"Are you sure?"

"I want you in me." I blurted out as I blush at what I just said. Why did I just say that?!

I feel something hard press against my leg as he blushed. Is that his…!

His kisses slowly trailed upwards to my forbidden area. I scratched his back even harder as heat shot up my entire body.

My heart rate thumped rapidly in my chest as he slowly pulled my panties off.

His breaths grew heavier and heavier as he slowly peeled off my panties as a hot liquid flowed in between my legs.

He threw it across the room as he brought his hand towards my clit and rubbed it gently, making my breath hitched in my throat as another wave of pleasure flowed through me.

"Ngh… A-Astral…" I moaned as his warm tongue gazed over my sensitive area, making me arch back in pleasure as I dug my nails into his back once again.

He decided to tease me a bit by poking it making me moan in pleasure. Oh, two can play at this game.

I moved my hands towards his boxers and took them off, revealing his erect member. I blushed as I looked at it. O-oh my…

He smirked. "Enjoying the view?"

My heart thumped in my chest as my hands went and dig into his back once more. "S-Stop teasing me," I said with a huge blush on my face.

He licked his lips as he stared at me. "Well, my love, what do you want?" He said as he went and rubbed my clitoris as I moaned his name loudly.

"Yo-you… know… what… I… Ngh want." I stuttered out as the feeling of pleasure coursed through my veins and I dug into his shoulder blades.

"You have to say it, my dear." He said with a smirk as another jolt of pleasure flowed through me. He!

"I-… Ngh-…"

"Tell me."

I groaned in excitement as he licks it slowly, making electricity course through me at a very fast rate.

"I-I w-want you in-inside," I said as I moaned and scratched his back even harder in satisfaction.

"What my Princess wants, my Princess gets." He said as he caresses my thighs gently and slowly began to thrust inside of me, making me moan with excitement and rocking my hips to his rhythm. This feeling… Ngh…

"Relax, Lily." He whispered gently as he held one of my hands.

"I will ask you again, are you sure that you want this?"

I nodded. "I'm positive."

"No regrets?"

I looked at him in disbelief. Why would I regret this? "No regrets," I said confidently as I stared at him.

"This is going to hurt but I won't make you regret this, my love."

He slowly thrust his member in my entrance, making me whimper a bit in pain but soon a pleasure moan escaped my lips as I grip his shoulders in satisfaction.

"Ngh… A-Astral… Mhm…"

I rocked my hips to his rhythm as his movements became faster and faster. My heart quickened as I felt like I was going to burst at my seams as I gripped his back tightly.

"Astral…"

"Ngh… oh yes… yes… yes…" I moaned as he quickened his pace.

"You are so tight." He mutters quietly as he thrusts in further and further making me shudder in excitement.

"A-Astral… I-I think I'm about to-"

My heartbeat skyrocketed as I dug my nails into his shoulders to relieve some of the pleasure.

His eyes shot up and used his hands to cover my mouth to muffle my screams of pleasure.

"A-As-… As-…Astral… nghhhhhh!" I screamed and moaned his name addictively.

I breathed heavily as he thrust a few more times in me as he grunted and released his seed deep inside of me and fell right next to me in exhaustion. Did we just do what I think we did?

"Did I go overboard?" He asks still panting next to me.

"No, no, that was… wonderful," I exclaimed while breathing heavily.

He nods as he looks at me. We really did it… My eyes widen in shock as I looked at him. Wait, we… we did it without…!

"Astral-"

"Don't worry," He said as he smiled. "You won't get pregnant just because we did it."

I look at him in disbelief. Huh?

Noticing my confusion. He decided to clarify. "Remember when I had you take that pill?"

(Flash):

"Hey Lily," He said as I walked out of the shower. "In case something happens tonight and we both can't control ourselves,"

He said as he took out a pill and handed it to me. "Here,"

I tilted my head in confusion. "What is it?"

He blushed as he handed me a cup of water. "I will tell you later. Just swallow this pill."

"Why?" I narrowed my eyes in suspicion.

"Just trust me and swallow this pill."

"But why?" I ask as I looked at him with confusion.

He sighs, as he quickly placed his hand over my mouth and made me swallow it.

"Swallow it." He commanded.

Seeing that there is no other choice, I reluctantly swallowed that pill.

"What do you just make me-"

"All will be explained later, my love." He said as he handed me the cup of water as I stared at him in confusion.

(Flash)

Ohhhhh! I looked at him as he blushed. "You knew this was going to happen from the very beginning didn't you?"

"Well, it was more of a hunch. Turns out, I was right."

I blushed as I looked away from him. "So um what was that pill?" I ask in curiosity.

"It's a pill that prevents a woman from getting pregnant when that person has intercourse."

"Like birth control?"

He nodded. "Sort of."

I bit my lip. "Is it effective?"

"It's 99% effective." Only 99%?

"What about the other 1%?" I ask him.

"Everything has its flaws." He said looking at me. Even though it's 99% effective, there is still that 1% chance that I will get pregnant.

I noticed him looking at me with a blush as my heart rate increased. We actually had sex! And it felt amazing… wait, amazing isn't a strong enough word to describe it.

"You are beautiful, you know that?" He said as he stared at my bare and exposed body with a blush. Don't look down. Don't look down. If I look down, I think I might faint.

I smiled as I blushed at his compliment. I tried to move to get my clothes but my legs are tingling like pins and needles. "Great, now, I can't walk for the next few hours," I muttered as I shot a glance at him. He looked away innocently. I sigh as I looked at his back.

I widen my eyes. It is riddled with pink scratches, nail marks, and blood. What have I done to his back?

I slowly move towards him as I looked at his back and touched one of the nail marks making him wince in pain. "Did I do this to you?" I ask with tears in my eyes. I can't believe that I did this to him.

He sighs as he gently used his thumbs to wipe my tears. "Don't worry, it's not your fault." He said softly. What is he talking about?

"What do you mean it's not my fault? I was-"

He slightly smiled. "You didn't do it voluntarily." Yea but still…

"But it doesn't change the fact that I did this to you," I said guiltily as I avoided his eyes. How can I look at him when I did this?

He took my hand and held it gently. "Lily, don't worry about it, it will heal in a couple of days."

"I should have controlled myself-"

I began as he smashed his lips onto mine making me stop talking. I stopped breathing for a moment. He tastes so good…!

My eyes widen as he slowly removed his lips from mine. "The last thing I want to hear is an apology." He said as he smiled.

"But-"

"Don't worry about it, I enjoyed it." He blurted out as I blushed. But still…

He smiles as he leaned and kissed my forehead softly as we sat there in peace.

I materialized some ointment and cotton balls. "Here," I said as I managed to sit up and dabbed the cotton ball on the bleeding scratches making him wince.

"What are you doing?"

"It will heal in a couple of days but if you just leave it like this then it will cause scars," I said as I slowly applied the ointment to the scratches as he tenses up because of my touch. Yes… I'm touching his back!

"Do you know how hard it is to resist you when you are touching my back?" He said as I blushed.

"Yes but it's not like you can apply it yourself," I said as I applied a bit more to his scratches.

"You know what? I could sure get used to this. Having my love apply ointment to my back." He joked as I resisted the urge to whack him on the back as a blush appeared on my face.

"Dream on, honey," I said while carefully rubbing the ointment into the scratches. "Also, you realize that I could hit your injured back right?" I smirked at him.

"I know, my love but you wouldn't do that."

"Oh? How can you be so sure?"

"Simple." He said as he quickly turned around and kissed me on the lips gently as a blush crept into my face.

"Because you love me." He exclaimed as he slowly removed his lips as I sat there still in a daze at what just happened. I could definitely get used to this.

A blush crawled onto my face as I looked at him smiling as he embraced me into a hug. "Oh, by the way," I said while looking at him. "Will this ointment help with the pain?" I ask in concern.

He shook his head. "No, its purpose is to not leave scarring. It doesn't do anything to help the pain." He responds. I feel so bad for doing that to him.

"But it's fine. I can endure it for a few days." He said gently as he looks at me. Why did I have to go and mess up his back?

He looks at me and narrows his eyes. Why is he looking at me like that?

His eyes went to my neck and gasps. "Did I do that?"

I tilted my head in confusion. "Do what?"

He pointed to my neck as I summoned up a handheld mirror and looked at the side of my neck. There is a reddish, purple bruise. I widen my eyes. Ohhhhh… that… I didn't expect it to be this big though. If my parents find out then I'm going to be in huge trouble!

"Don't worry, we cover it up somehow," I said as I went into deep thought. Can makeup cover it up?

I leaned closer to him to look at his neck and found a reddish bruise on the side of his neck. Oh god…

"Don't worry about it, I will find a way to cover it up." He said as he stroked my cheek making my face heat up.

"But-"

"I told you, we will figure how to hide these marks in the morning okay?" He smiled gently as he crawled into bed, still naked.

I yawned in tiredness. It's really late huh?

He sighs as he shuts off all the lights except for the lamp near his bed.

I crawled to the spot right next to him as he draped a blanket over us. His legs still work. Why is he not dressed?

"Astral, your legs are working, right? Can you get my clothes?" I ask him with a blush as he yawned.

"Too tired." He muttered as he shuts his eyes.

"But-"

"Just sleep, we can get dressed tomorrow." He muttered tiredly. I guess he has a point.

"Alright," I said as I pulled the blanket closer to my body.

He chuckled as he turns off the light. "Don't worry, we will find out a way to cover our hickeys." He whispered.

"You better or else I am in huge trouble," I muttered softly.

"I know. I know." He said as he leaned down and his lips lingered on my forehead. "I love you, Lily." He whispers.

I smiled and gave him a peck on his lips. "I love you, Astral," I said as he kissed me back.

I love you…