Epilogue:

Hot Spot shoved the cardboard box into the trashcan. "That's the last of them."

Argent squealed, moving her arms and legs fast like a jogger, before jumping up. "We've officially moved in! No more boxes! No more unpacking!" She squealed again, throwing her arms around Hot Spot and Kid Flash and jumping up and down. "Best. Day. Ever!"

"How do you dress the way you do and still be so un-cool?" Jinx asked, watching her in befuddlement. Argent blew a raspberry in response, then let the boys go, diving into the couch with a sigh of relief.

"We should do something to celebrate," Kid Flash said, grinning.

"Movie-night?" said Argent.

"Ooh, with pizza!"

"You always want food." Hot Spot rolled his eyes. "But I'll admit, not having to cook or do dishes sounds perfect."

"Not that you cook in the first place," teased Jinx.

He huffed, but was smiling. "Hey, I can still order it."

"You do that," Argent said, getting up to pat him on the shoulder sympathetically. "I'll go find some movies."

After they left, Jinx used the moment of quiet to join Kid Flash on the couch. He was already waiting, only chuckling when she wrapped one of his arms around her chest like a blanket as she sunk into the couch, leaning into his back.

"How's the hand?" he asked.

"I'm grateful I use my right," Jinx said, holding up her bandaged hand. The cuts hadn't gone deep, but even attempting to close her hand stung like an SOB. "Still, better than a knife in the heart."

"Don't even tease about that," he muttered, wrapping both arms around her, his head buried in her neck.

"But it's so much fun," she said lightly. But when he was still frowning, she reached up, rubbing her finger on that wrinkle between his eyebrows. "Hey. I'm sorry."

"You scared me." His voice was soft and low by her ear, but his eyes stayed on hers, intense.

Jinx felt the instinct to pull away, but she held herself still. "I know." She swallowed. "I'm sorry. But I'm okay now. Okay?"

"Okay," he nodded, then gave a little smile; the wrinkle smoothed out, and his eyes were light again. "By the way, you're never sleeping alone anymore."

"If you insist. I'll join Hot Spot in his bed. He'll keep it nice and toasty."

"My masculinity can handle that."

Jinx snorted.

"But, you know, my high metabolism makes me run hot, too," he said, wrapping his arms around her tighter, until she was encompassed in warmth. "And I'm a lot less prickly."

Jinx snorted, but let herself sink into him. "I suppose I can tolerate that…"

It felt like years since she relaxed. All the tension in her muscles loosened as she listened to the sounds of her home: Hot Spot's and Argent's voices in the background, the faint buzz of the TV in the kitchen, and Kid Flash's breathing against her back. But her mind still churned over the same thing.

"What's wrong?" Kid Flash asked.

"Hmm? Who said anything was wrong?"

"You did." He held her wrist, his fingers wrapping around it easily. "You rub your wrists when you're worried."

Jinx blinked. No one had noticed that before. "Wally?"

He looked surprised. "Yeah?"

"You know I love you, right?"

He blinked. Then his lips curled into an easy, relaxed smile. "I know."

"Good." She reached up to kiss him. His hands instantly curled around her waist, but with a chuckle, she gently laid them back. "Tell the others they can start the movie without me. I won't be long."

Wally looked confused, but flashed her a reassuring smile. "You do what you gotta do, Lucky."

She smiled, then strode out into the hall. She'll tell him about it later. Once the doors were closed behind her, she exhaled. He'd helped, but she could still feel a knot of dread growing tighter in her throat. Her hands clenched.

Come on, it couldn't be this difficult. She was kidnapped, defeated a demonic cult leader, and was almost a human sacrifice. This was nothing.

This was nothing, this was nothing, she chanted, marching to her room. It meant nothing. She picked up her phone and dialed the number.

"Hi, Mom."

Thank you so much for everyone who has read and/or reviewed this story. This was a process of over 4 years in the making, and I am SO happy it's come to fruition, and that people have enjoyed. :) It's an author's dream!

Stay safe, and thanks again for reading!