"Would you like to dance?"

The words hang in the air, like a quiet thunder through Bloom's ears. He stands there, in front of her with an extended hand and music that is pushing her forward. The few glasses of wine she drank do seem to make it all, a whole lot easier, even though it's supposed to be everything but. She shouldn't be doing this, shouldn't be wanting this.

In her head hours pass, and she is simply existing in this state of perplexity. She should have moved away by now. And yet, she doesn't even flinch back. Valtor's right hand is placed out, his palm turned to face her. Her heart rate increases, it's beating so terribly loud that she can't understand how everyone else doesn't hear it too. Her palms are sweaty and she is feeling lucky the gloves are hiding it.

Because this was wrong.

This was so wrong.

But in the second when she decides to let herself fall into it, she isn't sure her mind cares. She wants it to care, to be able to refuse it, but she is moving towards him like it's the most normal thing to do.

She positions her left hand to his with evident space still present in between. They start the dance, circling around each other with their skin mere inches apart and with each spin, Bloom finds the want in her chest increasing. The want to close the gap separating their hands. They change positions, eyes locked firmly on each other as if they are testing who will pull away first. For a second they break apart and every inch of Bloom's body screams for more. Then his hand comes to rest under her shoulder blades, on the small part of exposed skin that remains there, while the other hand takes hers. Heat erupts throughout their joined palms as if the Dragon Flames that are within them are dancing around one another too.

Valtor pulls her toward him a little bit more and they are so incredibly close again. His gaze is buried in her own and she finds herself nearly lost in it, letting it consume her entirely. She had never noticed before how his pupils widen when he looks at her. But now it's almost the only thing she can focus on.

His eyes.

They fell into the rhythm, like it's only two of them there, in this free town where she can be whoever she wants.

In the town, Valtor came to conquer, the thought ignites somewhere in the midst of her bliss. And for the second time that night, Bloom doesn't care. She just wants to exist here at this moment for a little more. Valtor suddenly breaks the harmony they accomplished by twirling her away and then back to him. Their chests collide one against the other and she finds herself staring up into his eyes, her hands locking around his neck. All the shivering insecurities in her slow and stop. She was merely in Valtor's arms, feeling safe in his company for the very first time.

In Valtor's arms, her head sends another thought. Something that was supposed to alert her, get her moving as far away as she could muster. But- her body is unwilling to do it. Valtor leans toward her, his back slightly arching as his lips linger next to her ear. "How are you feeling Princess?"

And Bloom tips her head back, smiling truthfully after such a long time. "Free," she whispers and lets out a chuckle. And when she does eventually look back at him, he is smiling too with what seems to be relief. Bloom wants to trap that image in her brain for eternity. To remember and know him in only this way. She knows it was a mistake, that being there with Valtor was supposed to be her worst nightmare.

And yet.

It was the first time in months that she felt alive.

The first song falls away as the other starts. It's definitely not meant for a slow dance but neither of them makes an effort to stop. Valtor's hand joins the other at the curve of her spine and she pretends not to notice when he slips his gloves off. The feeling of his warm skin on the place that was already burning from his touch, awakens a strange type of desire that Bloom doesn't think she ever experienced before.

An explosion erupts to their left and Bloom jumps back, still in total trans from being so lost in Valtor's embrace. "Everyone retreat!" she hears someone shout with a voice magnified by magic. Bloom's eyes rest on Valtor for a few more seconds and he is looking at her as well before she snaps them to the direction of the noise. All around them people start running for their homes or simply teleporting away. The two of them are the only two left standing before Bloom too starts running, though not away, but toward the centre of the explosion.

Valtor's hand grabs for her wrist, stopping her. "What are you doing?"

She retreats it back: "What do you think I'm doing? I'm going to see what caused this." Bloom breaks into a run, passing by parents with children, and she even thinks she sees Abby run into one of the buildings. A couple of corners further she comes to a stop, noticing the source. Five bug-like monsters stand at the small street, each bigger than the rooftops, and therefore at least three sizes of Bloom. She bites her lip, ready to transform when one's claw sends her flying across the air. Before her back can smash against the wall someone catches her and slowly lowers her to the ground. She turns, finding Valtor's eyes trained on the monsters.

How many times was he going to save her?

"I thought you left," she says under her breath, shooting a fireball at one of the monster's eyes. It releases a screech of extremely high notes and rapidly starts blinking. "I can't find Lyrion," he explains as if it's perfectly obvious. Bloom looks around, hoping to spot the elderly woman, but she wasn't anywhere in her line of vision. Plenty of bricks lay ruined at their feet and she was afraid Valtor feared the same conclusion she came to.

"Magix Winx!" Bloom shouted, transforming and using her wings to be in the same line of sight as the creatures. Valtor flew after her, still looking around. "We'll find her, but we have to deal with them first," she said pointing, then stopped herself. She said it as if Valtor was just going to help her fight them.

"Do you have a plan?"

"I can't believe this," Musa's voice broke the silence which settled over the Winx suite. Flora had a book in her lap and Stella was probably checking her socials on her phone. Layla was in Andros with her father and Tecna in their room.

The flower fairy looked over with a question of 'what' in her eyes. The atmosphere between them hadn't exactly gotten better, but at least it was bearable. Though Stella and Tecna mostly stuck to each other. Anyone with enough brain power could see that things were incredibly off. Musa moved her laptop from her lap to the coffee table in the middle of the sofas. A news report sounded loud throughout the room.

"A new monster attack sighted on the planet outside Magix dimension. Witnesses say they spotted the notorious wizard Valtor with a new accomplice." The camera moved, showing the air above the speaker. Flora's eyes went wide as she noticed it. The noise apparently drew Stella's attention because she lowered her phone and moved closer to the screen.

Something like hurt and disbelief played out like a movie on her face. And Musa wondered were those tears in the corners of her eyes. Because all three of them recognized the so-called accomplice Valtor was fighting alongside with.

Bloom.

She was transformed and trying to distract the monsters as Valtor shot at them. Together. They really were fighting together. At first, Musa was sure her vision was playing tricks on her, but now the rest of the girls were seeing it too. And if Bloom had lied about working with Valtor, what else could she have lied about? Flora covered her mouth with her hand in shock and Stella only stared.

"I just saw the news-" came from the direction of their shared bedroom. Tecna had her own laptop in one hand and started to get closer. But the words seemed to break something in the Princess of Solaria because as soon as she heard Tecna's voice she jumped to her feet, hiding her eyes away from their stares and ran to her bedroom.

A second later they all heard the lock turn and silence covered the suite once again.

Bloom avoided another attack and managed to land a new hit at where she assumed the monster's heart must be. But it barely slowed it down, it only went after her faster this time and she had to use most of her wings to fly out of its reach.

"It's not working," she hissed, coming to stand next to Valtor at the top of a building. "I can see that," he replied coldly. She wasn't sure what to make of his behaviour. He said he was looking for Lyrion, but why? It's not like Valtor was used to caring about people. And now he was helping her get rid of the monsters. None of it added up. It's for the greater good, she kept telling herself. They will be back to fighting each other in no time. All the past appeal she felt toward him was obliterated.

"You've got a better idea?"

He smirked: "Yes." He looked over at her, their eyes locking for a moment.

"You. You're not using all of your magic. You're not even trying."

Bloom stared at him in anger and frustration. "I am not trying? I can hardly catch a breath without one of them aiming its claws at me. Sorry for trying to stay alive," she went on, her heart filling with the familiar sense of rage. She could feel the tips of her wings shifting.

"Yes, channel that, channel your darkness. Let your power out Princess. Otherwise, this lovely little planet might as well be wiped off." Bloom clenched her jaw, somewhere deep down knowing he was bound to be right.

"What if I lose control?"

"I'll stop you," he said simply. Bloom didn't doubt he was serious. She had a little choice to make. Keep going like before and hope it would be enough or trust Valtor. Both seemed equally impossible.

But for these people, she had to try.

She closed her eyes, letting the darkness fly through her heart and soul, to take what it needs, to consume whatever part of her it wanted. And when she opened her eyes, it felt like her body breathed power. Valtor watched her amused and offered a slight nod.

"Take my hand," he ordered and she didn't dare to dwell on it when she reached out and intertwined their fingers. She could feel the edge of his mind, the push of his raging force. It flew toward her, twisting itself around her own. Bloom extended her free hand and aimed, summoning a fireball as big as all five of the monsters. Her eyes stormed with flames, her body waiting to release everything it kept within her. She felt it pull at her mind, for more, more, more. And Bloom gave it all.

She felt pain around her nerves, fighting the intensity of the power. She started to shake under its pressure. Valtor seemed to have sensed it because there came a light layer of his magic over hers, colliding with it and loosening the edge. She felt herself breathe in and out, with his help calming her body down. Then he positioned his hand in the same direction as hers and fueled the sphere floating in the air. Their joined hands helped to balance it, their powers keeping each others' at bay. And when they let go of the magic it was like a giant rock was moved from Bloom's chest and she could breathe easily again.

The fireball smashed against the monsters and it looked like they started to melt, all but one. The remaining one jumped away and started to run for the woods. Bloom wanted to fly after it, but she realized she was still holding onto Valtor's hand. She drew it back, feeling it slide free from his palm and something like sadness filled her chest. She pushed it away, shaking her head. They both landed back on the streets, watching the ruin that became from parts of the town. When the noise of the monsters was gone they could clearly hear a voice weeping for help in one of the collapsed houses. Valtor smashed the bricks away, catching Lyrion's weak form before she passed out.

It took them close to an hour but they managed to check every remaining crashed area to make sure no one was left trapped beneath. "Thank you," Lyrion coughed out, watching both Bloom and Valtor who hadn't spoken to each other yet. She kept stealing glances at him, wanting to understand what was going on in his head. "One of them got away," Bloom admitted to Lyrion, feeling close to ashamed.

"One of them we could have handled, five was entirely too much," Lyrion joked, managing a smile. Valtor squeezed the older woman's shoulder slightly and snapped his fingers. On command, parts of ruined buildings rose from the ground, attaching themselves back together.

He was showing them kindness.

He tossed a glance at her before turning his back and walking away. Bloom watched as he disappeared down the corner, completely out of sight.

"Always so serious, isn't he?" It took Bloom a second to realize Lyrion was regarding the wizard. Did she really know him from before?

"Can I ask you something?"

The woman spoke again before Bloom could continue: "You wish to know if am I crazy, for respecting a person such as Valtor. Believe me, child, I know about everything he has done and continues to do." Bloom draws her hand away as if afraid the woman might finally turn on her.

"No, don't be frightened. Valtor isn't my enemy, he has never been. It might sound selfish to you, but the only thing that matters to me is this planet," Lyrion continues explaining, moving a hand as if to show Bloom the area. Her eyes sparkle proudly as she speaks.

"Valtor has been coming here since I was still young. He has never once been a threat. If he was I would have dealt with him long ago."

"But-" Bloom tries to cut in, but the woman holds up a hand.

"I think you're afraid to see it the way I do," Lyrion finishes with a sigh, standing up and offering Bloom a sweet smile before walking away. The wind blows in her wake, smashing against Bloom's hair and face. What did that mean?

She held her hand to her chest, deciding to go talk to him. She could feel his Dragon fire call to her as it always did. He wasn't doing much to try and cover it. Bloom finds herself exiting the town, moving through the thickness of trees and bushes that made the forest. She was pretty sure that the monster from before went in that direction as well.

Did Valtor go after it?

She stumbles out into a clearing and sees him distinctly. Valtor's hand petting the head of the bug-like creature. The sweat covering her face goes cold in an instant. Valtor whispers something and snaps his fingers and she watches as the monster fades away, as if summoned somewhere else. Just as mysteriously as it appeared.

Of course.

She turns around and walks the way back to the inn. Once in the safety of her room, she throws herself onto the bed, her head too full and heavy with thoughts and realizations. It was the only thing that made sense, that Valtor would summon them to attack. But why hadn't he taken the magic while she was fighting? Why had he helped her beat them? And most of all, why did he fix everything after it was done?

A soft knock sounded on the door and Bloom flinched. "It's Abby," the voice from the other side said and Bloom exhaled in relief. She wasn't sure how to handle Valtor right now. "Come in," she says and the Solaria designer walks in.

"Lyrion sent me actually," they say upon entering. Abby gets closer to the bed but chooses to sit in an armchair next to it instead. "She has a proposition for you, " they continue and offer up a small smile.

Bloom draws herself into a sitting position, very close to being confused and surprised.

"She offers you to stay here, on Paxesion. Free of any charges."

The words send her mind into a spiral. She didn't know what to expect, but this was for sure not one of the things. To stay, as in move, as in permanently? No exile, no threats over her head? Free?

"So, what do you say?"

Valtor leans his hands against the cold balcony railing. the night sky dances all around him like he is just somewhere in the middle of the galaxy and he could drown in the beauty of it.

A set of steps comes from behind him and he doesn't have to turn to know that it's Bloom. She decided to track him down after all. He could feel her hesitation from a mile away, even now after what she saw in the woods. He's staring at a constellation when he senses her lean her back on the poll right next to him.

"Lyrion asked me to stay here," she says without a greeting. Valtor would love to say he's surprised, but in truth, he expected it. Long ago, right before Domino fell, she had offered him the same thing. He could have left everything and joined them freely on Paxesion.

But he didn't. And the result of that decision now stood next to him. Before he can mock how she probably said yes, without hesitating Bloom speaks again: "I said no."

Well, that one was surprising. He was sure Bloom would flourish at the chance to have a normal life again.

"It wouldn't change anything. Certainly wouldn't erase the things I've done. I don't want to run from that."

He tosses a sideways glance and finds her already staring at him, eyes blazing with something he can't point out. Valtor turns towards her, and they are almost as close as they were when they danced. She is undoubtedly having the same thoughts because she straightens, rotating her body toward him as well. It feels like she might be seeing directly into his soul. She's still dressed in her red dress, even though her hair is messily flying in all directions. Drawing on the mental note he made previously, he opens his palm, conjuring the image into reality the best he can. A tiara, very similar to the one he remembered seeing on Domino, but definitely not the same, appears in his grasp.

"How did you?" she's all the mixtures of stunned and baffled. He uses his chance and slides the crown neatly on the top of her head. And when Bloom looks at him again the only thing that comes to his mind is perfection.

She surprises him too when she takes off her glove and moves her hand to his face. This was the very first time she was inching to touch him when she absolutely did not have to. Bloom's small hand tucks a hair behind his ear, just like he had done to her a few times before. Something urges his own hand to move and he lets out a melody through his palm. The same one that played at the square.

He wants to look away, but-

He can't. Because her eyes are so blue that it's entrancing. Bloom starts to draw her hand away when he moves his and they come to rest opposite to each other while being barely an inch apart. He doesn't blink when he rests his palm onto hers.

A feeling he can't depict floods them both. He opens his eyes in the space between their minds. But unlike other times, Bloom is there too, watching him from her side. She starts to walk, and once she is at his door she stops. A warm, crimson fire plays at her fingertips and she draws it closer.

Valtor makes a choice he can't explain, along with millions of others he made that day. He lets the doors to his mind crack open slightly.

It's enough for her fire to push itself inside. A shiver goes down his spine as he welcomes the feeling in, it's so pure it makes him want to push it back. But he doesn't. He lets it fly throughout his body, to his mind and into his soul. It feels... good. It's familiar enough to his fire and yet so different.

When Bloom moves her hand away, it's gentle and careful, as if she doesn't really want to break the connection. He opens his eyes and finds her already watching him. "What was that for?" he asks and it comes out as a whisper.

"Just paying back a favour."

Valtor can feel his body, mind and heart pushing him closer to her, wanting her around, wanting her.

Her.

Her.

Bloom.

His brows draw closer and he steps away unexpectedly. Bloom's hand is still lingering in the space between them. She seems almost disappointed as she fixes her posture and her emotions disappear from her features.

"I will take you back," he says coldly, aggravated by the disgusting feelings which seemed to creep into his head. Those were not a part of his plan at all. He summons a portal and watches Bloom take a hesitant step toward him. Then she sees him smirk and all the softness from her vanishes entirely. She takes his hand reluctantly and this time there's no magnetizing spark.

"To Domino."