A/N: Hey guys! Sorry if I seem slow lately, I'm actually currently employed at two jobs, which puts me at about 60 hours a week, the whole rest of this month and into the first week or two of July, I'm house sitting 5 houses, with 6 kitties combined (one of which was abused and literally spits and hisses at you if you get too close Dx ) so yeah.. Been really busy. It'll slow down eventually, but sorry for the lag!

also, this chapter sort of falls into perfect timing with recent events ( for romance, anyways lol). I'm so excited to say that America now is pro-gay marriage! I am so so so SO excited for my friends and everyone around the country who now has the right to marry who they want. As a Christian, I think it's important to love on everyone, no matter what. Today is a very happy day! It took longer than I thought/hoped, but I'm glad we finally jumped on the band wagon! XD

Song listened to - Worse Things Than Love by Time Flies

*Chapter 72*

"Guess I shouldn't, really... Call you Zane anymore, huh," Jeska said in a bashful tone, she lightly tucked her hair behind her ear and gave Zed a kind smile.

"Secret's out," Zed eased as he put his hands on his hips, he furrowed his eyebrows lightly as Lickity just tenderly nudged him, as if to express that she had her sharp eye on him. Zed exhaled a small noise and kindly peered to Lickity, as if to assure her she had nothing to worry about.

"Th-that's an awesome dragon, you have," Jeska prod, though Zed let his eyes pierce Lickity's from over his shoulder; he wrinkled his nose and was certain he could suddenly have some fun with this.

"Yeah, she's extraordinarily fast," Zed smirked, he gave Jeska a knowing smile and shrugged a little, he knew the two were still on uneven ground, from the Academy Ball the year prior.

"Sweet," Jeska raised her eyebrows in gentle surprise and looked over Lickity, though she kindly furrowed her eyebrows and gazed back at Zed nervously, "... How come you never told me who you actually were?"

"Guess I just wanted a normal life," Zed shrugged a little and looked to the side, "It was sort of hard to be liked, while being this game's bad guy. You heard all the horrible stuff people said about me. How could I possibly make friends, while being Zed?"

"Well, you're... You're certainly not Zane anymore," Jeska eased curiously, though Zed felt a wave of confusion come over himself as she lightly looked him over, "What made you change your mind?"

"I met a really awesome crowd, over at Sugar Rush," Zed said nonchalantly, though he was desperately waiting for the epic punch line; he knew Tessa was brag-worthy, and he was inwardly biting his nails, his mind scoured for a perfect opportunity to drop it on Jeska like a bomb from the sky. Zed lightly shrugged his masculine shoulders, through his pale grey tank top and beamed Jeska an irresistible smile, "Somehow, they sort of brought it out of me, and I've sort of been comfortable with being myself, ever since."

"That's cool," Jeska softly nodded, her dark brown eyes held to his in curious inquisition, as if she was suddenly billowing with nervous, girly questions.

"So how've you been?" Zed kindly wondered as he gestured to her, though Lickity remained solid behind Zed; he felt his heart lightly dip at the fact that he could practically feel Lickity hanging on the edge of every single last word that dripped from Jeska's mouth, as if she were prepared to defend Zed, and his mate, Tessa.

"Ah, y'know," Jeska gently waved her hand towards Dead Zed's exit, "Just busy with Academy... They announced the date for Prom, this year."

"Yeah?" Zed raised his eyebrows in dewy surprise and felt his heart suddenly jolt; his mind immediately shot to Tessa, with the idea of hopefully being able to ask her to such a special event.

"Yeah, they haven't announced the location yet," Jeska rolled her eyes, though she lightly side-eyed Zed, "You... You thinking of maybe going? I know you're not a self-programmed gamer, or anything, but... It'd be really awesome to have you there."

"I do love to dance," Zed shrugged with a playful air about himself, though he flinched and saw just who he wanted to see, approaching from Dead Zed's entrance; Tessa slowly made her way into the game, though he could practically feel her hot stare on the awkward situation from down the path. Zed glanced beyond Jeska and let his eyes gloss over Tessa.

"You should definitely come," Jeska eased softly as she bashfully looked down to the ground, though her curious eyes slid back to Zed's, "I-I've really missed you, y'know."

"Oh yeah?" Zed wondered with a sarcastic smile he tried his hardest to hide; Tessa slowly approached the two, and once she was a dozen feet away, Zed noticed her silently shushing Lickity, as if her bumbling pet was the key to destroying this raw moment. Zed lightly glanced into her eyes and cocked an eyebrow, as if to beg her to save him from this awkward situation.

"Yeah," Jeska urged with an apologetic frown, "I-I... I'm really sorry, for what happened last year. Selka sort of has a disgustingly good way with words."

"That's not the only disgusting thing about him," Zed chuckled and kept his dominant stance, though he shook his head and glanced down to the ground; he flinched once Lickity rumbled a curious noise to Tessa, as if she was hardly able to contain her eagerness over this situation.

"I really hope I can make it up to you, this year," Jeska continued on, her voice was coated in a sickly sweet gloss of flirty sass, "Did you maybe want to go with me to the dance, this year? Sort of... Make up for lost time?"

"Well," Zed sighed, though a wide, curious smile crept over his face as he gazed down at the ground. He lightly let his eyes grip Jeska's after a moment, though he breathed a gentle chuckle and shook his head, "You'd have to take it up with my girlfriend. That girl is tough as nails."

"Girlfriend?" Jeska furrowed her eyebrows in mild annoyance that suddenly washed over her whole figure, "You... Have a girlfriend? Is she from Dead Zed?"

"No, she's from Sugar Rush," Zed nodded softly, though Lickity lightly nuzzled her snout into his side. He smiled back at Tessa's sweet, protective dragon and ran his hand across her snout in a loving way, "Lickity, here, is Tessa's dragon. Guess you'd sort of have to go through both of them to get to me."

"Tessa..." Jeska trailed off in growing surprise, "Y-you're dating Sugar Rush's Princess?"

"Yeah, but I don't sport the tiara," Tessa suddenly barked with a wide, curious smile as she remained solid, about five feet behind Jeska. Jeska whirled around with a nervous gasp and furrowed her eyebrows in rising, offended anger, "None of that sissy stuff."

"H-How did you...?" Jeska trailed off and took a few nervous steps back as she pointed to Tessa.

"Snag such an amazing girl? I don't know, you tell me," Zed shrugged lightly as Lickity finally trot past Zed and reunited with Tessa. The three lightly joined within a few feet of each other and peered at Jeska. Zed furrowed his eyebrows in growing, bubbling anger and gave Jeska a look of snide cockiness, "All I know is, my hair was black when she fell for me... The hearts of the shallow miss out. Only reason you want to go to the dance with me, now, is because you've discovered that I am the very head of this game."

"Th-that's, so not true," Jeska defended as she gestured her hand out, though it was clear her confidence was lightly fading, "I-I just thought we could reconvene, like old times."

"Well, it's too late," Zed said softly, though to Tessa's surprise, he lightly hooked his arm around Tessa's waist, as if he was proudly presenting her to Jeska, "You and I don't have any good, old times worth visiting. I'm pretty content with where I am, now. With someone who actually, y'know, doesn't care about status."

"This is bull-roar," Jeska argued as she shook her head lightly, "You really thought I didn't care about you?"

"Oh yeah, cause ditching your date, at the ball, and running off with Selka, is really thoughtful," Zed laughed, him and Tessa caught eyes briefly, "Pretend like you didn't know me for the rest of time, after that. Only reason you stopped me, now, is because of the color of my hair..."

"Well, then, aren't you two a match made in heaven," Jeska said in a tone of dripping sarcasm as she folded her arms and looked Tessa over, in a fit of disgust; it was clear, however, that Tessa held higher ground.

"I like to think so," Tessa shrugged and looked up in a sarcastically whimsical shrug.

"Good thing Zed has enough good looks, to share," Jeska muttered rudely as she cocked an eyebrow and gave Tessa threatening glare.

Tessa raised her eyebrows in light surprise, though she crossed her arms, tucked her fist to her mouth, and turned to peer at Zed. She gave him a wide beam of a closed-mouth smile, her eyes squinted in a massive sweep of sarcastic delight. She raised her eyebrows high and gave Zed a look as if to beg for permission to wreck Jeska into oblivion. Zed chuckled softly and put his hands up, as if to suggest that he wanted nothing to do with this cat fight. Tessa and Zed held eye contact for a few seconds, mulling over their options. Finally, Tessa scoffed a hard noise of happiness she was obviously faking. She beamed a wide smile down to the ground and let her powerful hands lightly fall to her sides. With one or two simple, yet dominant, steps, she could immediately see Jeska's demeanor sink.

"Ohhh, I may be hideous," Tessa started; she knew she was anything but, though she side eyed Jeska and clenched her fists tight to her side, "But it's clear you're forgetting just who I get my coding from."

"You wouldn't hurt me," Jeska stated in mild offense as she looked Tessa over, though Tessa continued to skulk closer to her, in a sweep of rising dominance.

"Oh honey, I don't care if you're in your game, or not," Tessa chuckled and she shook her head, "I still know how to swing."

"You're not in your own game, though," Jeska dared, as if she had a fighting chance against Tessa's wrecking abilities.

"I'm coded for Dead Zed," Tessa laughed as she gestured her arms out, "You wanna kill me? I'd love to see you try."

"How are you coded for the game?" Jeska wondered loudly, in growing offense. She furrowed her eyebrows and shot Zed an annoyed glare.

"Hmm, well," Tessa paused to sarcastically look up; she fingered her lip and pointed lightly, "Y'know, it sure helps when your boyfriend has control of the code room. You'd have the pleasure of said benefit if you treated everyone you met, with care. Sometime's the underdog is the one with the most to offer. Remember that next time you go traipsing after air-headed Selka."

"Bitch," Jeska spat; Tessa raised her eyebrows in hard surprise and felt her blood begin to boil.

Tessa felt the muscles in her arms and hands begin to tense, though she jolted once Lickity suddenly exhaled a hard bark of a growl and jumped next to Tessa. Jeska harshly flinched and put her hands up, to protect herself. Lickity's ears laid aggressively flat on her head, and her mouth hung open to reveal her threatening set of fangs. She heaved a throaty, grumbling snarl and knew just when things were going to get ugly. She stepped before Tessa, a little, in a protective stance and let her wings sprawl, only lightly.

"What's that? Didn't hear yah," Tessa urged, over Lickity's loud growling, as she cupped her larger hand to her ear.

She motioned for Jeska to repeat herself, though she wasn't surprised to see Jeska shake her head in hard, angry annoyance and turn heel. With a few quick, hard steps, she finally left their bubble and head towards town. Tessa slumped her shoulders and held her hard, angry glare to Jeska's disappearing figure. She could feel Lickity's demeanor relax as her snarling quickly stopped. She began to fume, though she knew she had no reason. She knew Jeska's words held no value, though she began to feel her heart pulse in needy, annoyed confusion, as if she now had to keep her close eye on her. She wondered if this is just how Zed felt about Selka.

She finally inhaled a reviving breath and let her wrecking abilities simmer. She knew her abilities could fly off the handle, and carry off without her. Her heightened senses made her ears prick to the small, inquisitive, grumbling purr Lickity emitted, as if to question if Tessa was emotionally alright. Tessa only lightly glanced down at Lickity and gave her a kind smirk, as if to thank her for sticking up for her. She was thankful her dragon knew just when a situation was about to spiral out of control. She was likely the only one to end disputes without a physical fight. She felt her heart race, as the cold words Jeska had said moments prior, stuck to her skin like frostbite. She furrowed her eyebrows and lightly looked down to the ground. She could feel Zed's presence grow closer; she knew he was likely one of the only souls brave enough to encounter Tessa in the midst of wanting to wreck everything into oblivion.

"I'm sorry, Tess," Zed eased in an honest, soft tone. He braved letting the tips of his fingers slide to her lower arm, as if to inquire potentially wanting to hold her hand.

"For what?" Tessa wondered, to Zed's surprise, in a soft tone; her hazel eyes lightly gripped his, though it was clear they were glossed with hurt.

"I didn't even recognize her, until she stopped me," Zed said, he was surprised to feel Tessa slip her hand into his, albeit in a mildly defeated, tired manner. He furrowed his eyebrows a little and curiously peered at her, as if to assess just what he had to do in order to make her feel better, "Thanks for sticking up for me..."

"You too," Tessa said kindly to him as she held her eye contact to his, she finally braved a gentle smile and let her eyes slide to the ground, "... Did she recognize you as Zed?"

"Yeah," Zed nodded softly, "I mean, really the only difference between my persona, Zane, and myself is the hair color. I'm sure Selka's probably told Jeska ALL about it. So, I'm sure she saw me and thought she could reconnect, or something."

"I'll kick her teeth in," Tessa dared, Zed raised his eyebrows in surprise and breathed a small chuckle.

"You have nothing to worry about," Zed laughed gently as he squeezed her hand.

She shook her head and peered down to the ground, yet again. Zed felt his heart sink in a gentle lull of anguish, he knew Tessa was likely struggling with one thing and one thing only. He gently gazed at her in poised curiosity; he was aware that she knew her worth, though he also was certain being near spitting image of her father didn't help with her confidence. He let a beaming, gentle smile sprawl his face as he scoffed a noise and shook his head, as if being reminded that he was sat with a beauty wasn't necessary. He finally peered back to her face and gave her a curious, appreciative smile.

"You wanna know one of my favorite things about you?" Zed pressed tenderly.

Tessa raised her eyebrows lightly and, in a slow sweep of delightful confusion, she let her eyes slide to meet his. Her eyes held a curious twinkle of the utmost innocence, and her face was written with coy surprise. She fixed her eyes to Zed's, though his brilliant blue eyes scanned her lush hair. She remained frozen as Zed, ever so carefully, let the tips of his fingers gently weave into the side of her bangs, near her temple, on the side of her head. With a slow sweep, he gingerly tucked her hair behind her ear, to reveal her face.

"I love how crazy your hair is," Zed said through a knowing chuckle. Tessa rolled her eyes and, with all of her might, tried her hardest to force back a smile. Zed wrinkled his nose and side eyed her, though he delicately cupped her chin in his hand and made her turn to face him, yet again, "That beautiful smile you're failing to hide."

"Zed," Tessa breathed through a hiccup of a giggle, she scrunched her shoulders as she finally showed her teeth.

"C'mon, wider," Zed prod as he dared to tenderly slip his hand around her waist; she finally beamed to her full potential and let out a soft laugh, she rested her hands on his warm chest.

She was surprised to feel him push closer to her, though with one gentle sweep, he slid his hands up the tops of her forearms and cupped the backs of her hands in his. He squeezed her hands firmly to his strong chest and peered into her eyes, kindly.

"I'm trying to be mad, stop," Tessa heaved through an annoyed chuckle, though her cheeks grew a very bashful red.

"I love these hands," Zed pressed on and made it obvious he wasn't going to bow to her request, "Strong, capable, though soft and kind."

"Bulky," Tessa softly urged, though she wrinkled her nose at Zed as he gave her a dull, annoyed smile.

"Anything but," Zed protested gently as he side-eyed her; his electric blue hair lightly ruffled in the warm breeze that eased down the dirt path they were sat on.

The thin field of jungle trees they were surrounded by swayed with the current, they towered extremely high over the two. Zed felt his breath catch as he peered into Tessa's warm, inviting eyes. She was beautiful; an unconventional, original, high standard of beauty she had set over the whole Arcade. Like raw pixels too wonderfully imperfect to toy with, she practically glowed in Zed's welcoming embrace. He scoffed a small noise and shook his head softly, as if he was certain he was unworthy. Tessa peered up at him in question, though she began to feel her heart begin to race. She could practically feel Zed's vibes eke onto hers, as if he was slowly making it known that something special was about to unfold. Gentle, green leaves and little red and orange petals flitted about, a tropical paradise Tessa was certain was underestimated by all of Litwak's. The warmth of the game surrounded the two, enveloping them in it's loving care, as if to express that they were both home.

"Let Jeska be jealous," Zed eased warmly as they hung before each other, he looked down at the bridge of her nose and cheeks as her eyes remained fixed on his chest, "It's just like Selka... They say things they don't really mean, because they're probably so wrought with guilt. Letting us go was clearly big mistakes, on their part."

"I'm not a mean person," Tessa started as tears billowed in her eyes, "I would have been nice to her if... If she hadn't have said those things."

"I feel the same way about Selka," Zed said in an understanding tone, "These things happen... Heartbreak happens."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," Tessa worried softly, though Zed furrowed his eyebrows in gentle confusion.

"I'm not... I'm glad I went through that heartbreak, with Jeska," Zed assured confidently, though Tessa finally peered up into Zed's eyes and gave him a curious frown.

"You are?" Tessa wondered. Zed scoffed a small laugh and smiled.

"Of course... Arcade wouldn't have blessed me with a Queen, otherwise," Zed said fluidly as he finally let go of Tessa's hands and eased his arms around her middle, yet again.

Tessa raised her eyebrows in gentle surprise and felt the warmth of his words hit her heart like the softest, sweetest honey. As if the world was put in slow motion, she finally gave Zed her whole attention and became completely still. She fixed every last ounce of her attention on him and let her insecurities fall to the way-side. She inhaled a soft breath and, with a slow crawl of motivation, she eased her hands and arms up to Zed's neck and shoulders. She lightly held him and was surprised to feel him pull her deeper into his infectious embrace. With the easy motions of the trees, the warm, inviting, afternoon breeze only lightly encouraged the two. Lickity hung near the two and minded her own business, though it was always clear she was a delightfully excited onlooker. Tessa felt her face heat up as his embrace crawled tighter around her, his strong hands cupped her back in a grip of gentle, growing desire. She couldn't help but give him an honest, happy smile. Her eyes remained glued to his, though he bashfully scanned her cheeks and nose, as if braving her eye contact in these moments were too much for his shy interior to handle.

"I love how unconditional your friendship is," Zed continued on, though his deep, soft voice was meant just for her, "The jokes you crack... I love how fiercely you defend those you care about... I-I... I love the way you kiss me. How you deal with my lack of knowledge, on romance, is beyond me."

"C'mon," Tessa chuckled as she scoffed a small laugh and just barely rolled her eyes, as if to disagree with him.

She furrowed her eyebrows and peered her curious gaze to his, yet again, as she was certain his warmness was unending. She felt her heart lightly jump as the two caught stares, as if they both had caught on to their heart's inner desires. With a bashful, toothy smile and a curious glance, Zed lightly squeezed her tighter to him and stroked the middle of her back with his thumb. He gave her an inquisitive look, his endearing demeanor hooked onto hers once and for all.

"Y'know what else I love?" Zed wondered softly, his half-moon eyes lightly dug into her soul. She just barely squinted her eyes, as if to silently question his notion.

"Hmm?" Tessa gently hummed, her eyes still held curious question; she could feel Zed's warm breath coat her skin as he seemingly exhaled a nervous sigh.

"You," Zed assured kindly, he lightly raised his eyebrows and gave her a look of endearing honesty, a humble notion in which he was certain he only was comfortable displaying to Tessa.

Tessa felt her skin prick, as if every single pore on her body could attempt to reply for her. She raised her eyebrows lightly and was certain she was the cause to his light, daring notions, as of late. She was surprised to see his more confident side, the shy, introvert in him seemed as if he could afford these acts of bravery, with her and her only. She felt her heart do complete back-flips; she knew the two were over the moon for each other, though she was positive both their stubborn souls would fight to the death to see just who could keep it going long enough. She figured Zed taking the fall was to be taken with the utmost regards; she knew he didn't express his true feelings to just anyone. She knew she had won the heart of this endangered soul, though she also knew she had to control her excitable demeanor, so not to scare Zed away. Tessa gave him a final, warm smile and shook her head in a knowing way.

"What a coincidence," Tessa hissed softly through a gentle giggle, she squeezed him into her embrace, though their foreheads hovered just inches away.

"Ah yeah?" Zed wondered with a cheeky, bashful, toothy smile. He gave her a gentle smirk as the two eased into each other's close presence, a little farther, "This bad guy gets some love?"

"You've always had it, dude," Tessa softly laughed, though she began to feel her heart knot itself into tiny, nervous kinks as she could feel Zed's warm breath coat her mouth.

She inhaled a gentle breath and felt as if she was as light as a feather. She long blinked as Zed's demeanor fell to patient, careful waiting. She gave him a warm smile and knew just what he was waiting for. As if on pins and needles, she lightly welcomed him closer, though with a deep inhale, she readied her busy thoughts and just barely shook her head, as if to playfully wonder why it had taken the two so long to reach this point.

"I love you, too," Tessa eased gently, she exhaled a small giggle as Zed's infectious smile grew, as if he could hardly believe his ears.

The two shared in a moment of tender, excitable exchanges of loving glances, nervous, barely audible breaths of laughter, coy gestures of grippy fingers on each other's skin. Without a single hesitation, Zed gently dipped and let his warm kiss meet hers; he squeezed her tighter to him and was floored to feel Tessa's gentle palm cup the back of his strong neck, as if to beg him to stay, not a moment of hesitation was brought upon the two. With a few gaps between their warm string of gentle, sweet smiles of kisses, Tessa exhaled a small sigh of a giggle and hugged her arms tighter around his neck, as if to express wanting union once and for all. With Zed's strong arms, he cupped her body tighter to his and tilted his head in their tight bubble of bliss. He easily melted into her touch and planted his lips to hers in a long, warm string of fluttering hearts and growing, nervous desires. The two softly stirred, though Tessa was for sure certain she'd have to realign herself to the Arcade as Zed finally pulled away, his hot breath coated her cheeks; she knew she'd eventually be done for.

"I love you more," Zed teased through a long, bashful exhale, which caused Tessa's existence to finally come back to the game. She long blinked a few times and gazed up at Zed through hazed eyes, though she quickly wrinkled her nose and beamed him a refreshed smile.

"Oh, don't even," Tessa playfully spat.