Round 18

I woke up to the sounds of music coming from somewhere in the house. I laid there for a minute for my eyes and ears to adjust. Turning to my left, I noticed that a certain someone wasn't there. Oh you mischievous little puppy! You better be learning more of my favorite songs because you were naughty and made me wake up alone! I grabbed my phone, saw that my mom had texted me asking how Vic is doing. I answered with "Fine. But he's about to get his butt kicked for playing guitar to himself rather than me." My mom responded with "Lol." I started to walk towards Vic's man cave slowly, trying to make it so he couldn't hear me. This house liked to creek when people walked around sometimes. I'm still eternally grateful that my dad pretty much bought it for me using money from his latest movie. Best dad ever. There was a new dish in the drying rack as I walked through the kitchen. Aww! Butthead! He even ate without me! He's mean to me sometimes! I took one more step when I heard the less harsh sounding singing voice of my boyfriend…that I so wanted to be my husband but whatever…He had said my name. And then…then he said he feels at home with me. That's…that's so sweet. He must be writing a song about me. Good. I want to dance to it at my wedding. I started to walk toward Vic's Man cave again all while hearing him sing lyrics about me and his mom. This is my favorite part about him. Underneath that thrash metal exterior is a kind and sweet man that always remained loyal to those he loved…Unlike me…I had to stop myself from remembering what happened at that party from time to time but…unfortunately, it was time to remember.

"VIC! WHAT THE FUCK?!"

"Cass! No! Get the hell off me! It's not what you think!"

"What the fuckshit is that supposed to mean?!"

"I didn't do it on purpose!"

"That changes nothing!"

"Cass, he's telling the truth! Stephanie spiked his drink! I saw it! Ask anyone else in this room!"

"Get away from me! We're done, do you hear me?! DONE!"

"Cass wait! Listen to me!"

"I trusted you! I turn my back for 5 minutes and you're feeling up the head cheerleader?! Don't touch me!"

"If you would just listen to m-"

"Listen to you?! I never want to see you again! EVER!"

"Cass please, I still love you!"

"Yeah, well I want you fucking dead!"

"Cassie….Cassie something happened."

"What…what happened…Mom…why are you crying…where did you go?"

"Cassie…it was your boyfriend's house."

"Wh-what?!"

"Honey…I'm so sorry…there was a fire…he…he didn't…"

"DON'T. DON'T TELL ME HE'S DEAD! DON'T DO IT MOM!"

"Cassie come here,"

"NO! DADDY, TELL ME SHE'S LYING!"

"Punkin…I'm sorry…your mom's telling the truth. Poor kid."

"No…no…NO! VIC! VIC! I'M SORRY! I NEVER HATED YOU! DON'T LEAVE ME!"

"Cassie…Cass…come on honey, you gotta say something."

"...he's gone daddy…he died thinking I hated him."

"I'm not going to lie, both of you handled that situation poorly."

"Do…do you think…he thought of me…before it…"

"I'm sure he did Cass."

"Can…we go to the grave. I wanna leave him flowers. Green ones. His favorite color…"

"Of course we can."

"Thanks…thanks daddy."

"Anytime Punkin"

I was shaken from the recollections by Vic's voice saying "Dammit, what else rhymes with life…" Wife. Dumbass. What you're looking for is "I want to make Cassie my wife." I finally got to the doorway where I saw Vic sitting there in his chair with his acoustic guitar in his lap and a notepad and pen in his hand. It looked like he was writing down lyrics. I leaned up against the doorway as he said "Hmm, enough of that one today. I'll spitball more ideas on that before sending it to Mom. I wonder… Do I still remember Big Machine?" I smiled at his back as he started to play again. This whole scene was also familiar. Here, I'll fill you in.

Many Years Ago. Vic's House.

This was it. I was finally going to tell Vic how I felt about him. I was going over how I was going to tell him in my head as I walked up the path to his house. I raised my hand to knock before I hesitated. What if…what if his mom didn't want him dating me? Vic always told me that he and his mom share a special bond as he never grew up with a father. His step-father, Dante, was a nice man. My dad thought he was a bit of a shotty actor but in my opinion, Dante was able to play more than just one character in every show he's in. Vic says he's known Dante since he was about 11. I didn't see his car in the driveway but I did see Vic's mom's car parked there. Before I knocked, I thought about what I was going to tell Mrs. Harris. "He's always been so nice to me." No…that seemed a little cliche. But at least it was better than, "I want to kiss him so fiercely that my lips would be sore afterwards." God, Vic was so hot. I liked guys with long hair. I often imagined myself playing with it…when I was alone. Whatever. Come on Cage. You got this. Just tell him how you feel. He and I were hanging out alone today anyway. This seemed like a perfect time. I knocked on the door a few times. After a few moments, Vic's mom answered. She smiled down at me sweetly.

"Hi Cassie," she whispered. Then she motioned to her ear. She was instructing me to listen as I walked inside. I heard the sounds of a guitar coming from up the stairs. No way. There is no possible way that the really cute boy I liked knew how to play guitar too! If he plays something by All Time Low, I will jump him in front of his mother. I don't even care. Mrs. Harris smiled at my expression.

"What, he never told you?" she asked softly. I shook my head.

"Um…Mrs. Harris," I began but Mrs. Harris held up her hand.

"I know hon," she said with a smile. "I've seen how you look at him." I was rendered nearly speechless. Keyword nearly. When Johnny Cage is your father, you always have something to say.

"He's…he's always been so nice to me…" I said a little lamely. Mrs. Harris put her hand on my shoulder as the guitar playing continued.

"That's who he is. Would you like to know something? He likes you too," she said. "Like more than a friend." I smiled.

"Really?" I asked.

"Oh yes," she answered and motioned for me to follow her. "I could tell he did from the moment I picked him up one day from school. You and your other friend were with him. Jacqui is her name I think." Mrs. Harris led me upstairs and in the direction of the guitar playing. We got to the doorway of Vic's bedroom (that, I'll admit, I imagined myself being in a few times) as he mumbled to himself while looking at a piece of paper in front of him.

"Really? You can do that one with just 3 or 4 chords?" he said to himself. I had no idea what that meant but I watched Vic clamp something on the neck of the guitar before he started playing. I turned to Mrs. Harris who was watching the back of Vic with a loving smile on her face. I didn't realize what he was playing until he started singing and…my heart melted.

"Ecstasy is all you need, Living in the big machine now, Oh you're so vain" he sang to what he thought was himself. Mrs. Harris and I listened to Vic play through the entire song. I knew this song. My mom happened to like this band. The Goo Goo Dolls I think. He finished singing a few minutes later and Mrs. Harris gestured that I should say something.

"Do you take requests," I said a little stupidly. Thanks Dad. I blame you and your genes. Vic jumped and slowly turned to face me.

"Cass? What the?" he said and then spotted his mom. "Oh…right…um…" He moved his guitar from his lap (and again I imagined myself taking its place) and started to stare at various things in the room. It was what he did whenever he was embarrassed. I liked when he did that. It was cute. My favorite moment is when during chemistry class, we were doing an experiment called "The Hydrogen Pop Test." When the tube made the popping sound, I pulled a face at Vic and sniffed the air as if he had…well, you know. Again, blame my dad for my sense of humor. I had nearly burst out laughing when he started looking around the classroom as he is doing now.

"Did you…um…did you hear me?" Vic asked.

"I did," I answered. "You have a nice singing voice." That of course was an understatement. Angel. Voice of an angel. Like he needed to sing me to sleep from now on. I smiled at him and he managed to smile back.

"Why are you here early? I was about to go downstairs and wait for you," he asked.

"I wanted to…I wanted to tell you something," I said. Vic's eyes widened. I couldn't tell if it was excitement or fear but I guessed fear. Aww! He thought I was moving away or something and he was gonna miss me! Dammit, he's so cute!

"Crap…Because so do I…" he said. That…wasn't what I expected…what if…what if he didn't like me…

"Mom, I gotta come clean…guys, I do know the Muffin Man," he said. It took me a moment to register the joke before both Mrs. Harris and I chuckled.

"Dork," I told him. I hesitantly went to grab his hand. Vic noticed that I was intending to do so and he reached for mine. I grabbed it and then leaned my head on his shoulder. I think he knew what I had wanted to tell him. My heart jumped when he smiled at me. Just like every other time he did.

"I had a feeling you did. Did you…uh…want to make this a date instead?" Vic asked. I looked up at him all while my insides were throwing the craziest party ever.

"I thought you'd never ask," I said and wrapped him in a hug.

"Since freshman year Cass," he whispered. "I've wanted to do that."

"What kept you?" I asked as Mrs. Harris smiled at us.

"Scared you'd say no," he answered.

"Yeah ok whatever," I responded. "Have you noticed you are literally the only boy I talk to?" By that I meant the only boy that viewed me as a human being rather than just someone to have sex with. But you know…with Vic…I think I would…

"Have him back by 9pm hon," Mrs. Harris told me as the pair of us walked outside hand in hand for the first time. I couldn't help myself. I kissed the back of his hand. He smiled back at me and then did the same thing. Best day ever? YES!

A few months later. Christmas Time

Vic and I were currently visiting my mom for Christmas. I was extremely reluctant to go over there half the time. She was still my mom yes, but she was very strict and an extreme perfectionist. Another reason being that I don't exactly know if she was ok with me dating Vic. He had made an ass of himself the first time he met my mom. Dumbass asked her if he was his parole officer. My mom thought I was seeing a delinquent. I think my dad finally got her to see reason which, I'm told, is very very rare. My dad liked Vic. I had overheard him tell Vic to never hurt me or he'd get his ass beat. I mean, that's probably better than getting put in the ground as my mom constantly mentioned whenever I talked about him near her. Vic and I had just come from the Carlton Christmas party that my mom had refused to go to. She and my dad separated when I was about 8 and that was very hard for me. I found a friend in Vic who also spent his childhood without both parents. My mom typically spent Christmas working but I guess her unit had forced her to take time off this year. At least Jacqui, Aunt Vera and Uncle Jax were here too. Uncle Jax could usually get my mom to stop being such a hard ass. The 4 of them were engaged in conversation while Vic started to search his jacket for something.

"What are you doing?" I whispered. "You better not have booze or weed in there!"

"No, I'm not that stupid," he whispered back before saying "Gotcha!" He pulled out a long wrapped package and handed it to me.

"What's this?" I asked, forgetting to whisper. The other looked over at the scene of Vic handing me a gift. I saw my mom's eyes widen rather than narrow. Uncle Jax smirked at Vic and nodded once.

"Well, I wanted you to open it in private but…I guess now works too," Vic said a little embarrassed. I looked down at the wrapped package he had given me. If you asked me, it was a jewelry box. No…no way. If he really did… I tore off the wrapping paper and a box fell onto my lap. I gasped when I read what was engraved on the box. It was the name of the jewelry store in the mall. I felt tears start to well up in my eyes as I opened the box and…

"Oh my god…" both my mom and Aunt Vera said as I lifted the necklace out of the box. I couldn't really make it out at first because the tears were clouding my vision. I used my other hand to wipe my eyes and saw what was in my hand. A simple gold chain with a heart charm engraved with the initials "C.C." I felt Vic's hand on my shoulder. I turned to face him and saw that he was smiling at me.

"I don't need anything from you," he said. "Just calling you my girlfriend is enough for me." I kissed him. Right there in front of my mom (who I did see was actually smiling). I didn't care that people were watching. I loved Vic Harris. I loved him so much at this moment.

The Present. My Home with Vic.

Vic finished playing the song that pretty much brought us together. With no mistakes. Good puppy. He placed his guitar on the stand and slowly stood up while holding his injured side. I felt a ping of rage shoot through me. If I had gotten my hands around that piece of garbage that called himself Vic's father, I would have ripped his balls off with my bare hands. I almost lost him again. If I had, I...I…no girl, stop it. He's here. He's right there in front of you. Think of his arms wrapped around you. Vic rolled his shoulders and clapped his hands together once before turning to face me. He flinched before closing his eyes and rolled his tongue in his mouth.

"I need to put a little bell around your neck," he said. "What do you want, little kitty? A hug?" I smiled at him and held my hands out for a hug.

"Mew?" I said and gave him a big eyed look. He smiled back and limped over into my arms.

"Mmm," I moaned into his chest. "Are you done?"

"I don't have to be," he answered. "Any requests?" I nodded. There was something he did once and I wanted to see if he remembered it.

"Remember that time you played a mash-up of all those pop punk songs? Do you still know that?" I asked. That was something that lived in my head rent-free for a while…well that, and how good Vic's back and foot massages felt. Vic smiled down at me, led me over to the extra chair and made me sit in it. Butthead…I wanted to sit on his lap! Oh wait…duh girl, he needed to play. Vic grabbed the electric guitar my parents and I gifted him for his birthday back in high school and plugged it in. He strummed the strings which sounded not as pretty as I remember.

"Oops," he muttered. "Still had that on the metal setting. Hang on." I watched him fiddle with the knobs on his amp and pluck a string to test it. Eventually, I heard the more pretty sound emanate from the amp.

"There we go. Sorry about that Miss Kitty," he said and took the other seat next to me. He smiled at me before he started playing. Then he proceeded to play that mash-up of songs I remembered. Bands like Sum 41, blink 182, All Time Low and Simple Plan were included. Vic would sing a line or 2 of a song before switching to another one. I was enjoying myself and then the butthead started singing a Blood on the Dance Floor song to me. I gave him the "you're gonna get it" face as he switched to a different song. He finished a few minutes later.

"Like that?" he asked me and placed his guitar back on the stand and unplugged it. I grabbed his face and kissed him.

"Yes," I said and leaned into his warmth. "Perfect. Like you." Then I slapped him lightly on the chest.

"That was for making me remember Blood on the Dance Floor," I said. Vic lifted his hand upwards. Oh shit…I felt myself get lifted in the air before being deposited into his outstretched arms. He didn't even wince. His arm must be doing better.

"Hi Kitty," he said after I looked up into that goateed face that I loved so much. "Don't think I didn't see the Papa Roach poster. That's a little bit of payback. What do you have to say for yourself Miss Kitty?"

"Mew?" I said.

"Wassat? I'm incredibly handsome? Why thank you!" he answered. I reached up and batted my hand at his goatee as if I actually was a cat. I knew it would make him happy much like when he leaned into the puppy bit to make me happy.

"Come on Miss Kitty, are you hungry? I can make you something while you relax," he said and carried me out of his man cave. Honestly, I could wait as long as I needed for him to ask me to marry him. There's no other answer that I would give him other than yes. He made me feel so safe and so loved.

A Few Days Later. At Home. With Vic.

I was assisting Vic in some physical therapy exercises. We were actually outside on this cool sunny evening. He'd been getting better at doing these over the past few days. His arm was healed by this point so that was nice…mainly because it's the one I held onto like it was a teddy bear when we went to sleep. Being unable to do so for a few weeks was no bueno. Vic currently had his hands up straight in the air and then attempted to move his shoulder blades together. He repeated this about 10 times before he dropped his arms and shook them out.

"Better?" I asked, moving away from my spotting position. Vic still had his hands raised…in his fighting stance. He caught me staring and beckoned me forward.

"Alright stupid, it's your funeral," I said and smirked. I squared off against the man that I loved intending to show him who was still the boss. I moved first…but he used his wind bullshit to move out of my attack's range. He shoved me forward. I stumbled and then I felt him kick me right in the butt. I turned slowly to face him. Smug butthead had his arms crossed and that goddamn smile across his face.

"One for me," he said. Ok, so you wanna use powers then? Fine! I quickly raised my leg and felt the green energy I inherited from my dad engulf my body. I shot forward with my foot aimed right at Vic's chest…but he caught it. Then I felt the wind push me forward into his arms. He wrapped me in them and held on tight. Then he bent his knees and we…skyrocketed into the air. I shrieked.

"I've got you, don't worry," Vic's voice said loud and clear. We were still flying upward at a moderate pace. The wind…wasn't even violent. It was like Vic was telling it that I was not to be harmed. Just like when he conjured a tornado to free me, Ashrah, my mom and Fujin from our binds. I looked up into Vic's face and…I nearly cried in happiness. He was looking skyward and the sunlight lit his face at just the right angle that I swear to the Elder Gods made him look like a man right out of a fantasy novel. His strong arms were holding onto me as we floated upwards towards the clouds.

"Vic…Vic what?" I said before he pushed me off of him and then held onto me by my fingertips. Looking into his smiling face I was reassured that he would not let me go. He was telling the winds to keep me aloft at all costs. Vic was even glowing…oh wait…duh girl, he can control neon. Like when he used to write me messages when he was still a vigilante. He had been right about one thing though, he was a cute boy under that mask.

"Ready?" he asked.

"For…for what," I asked, still shocked that I was this high off the ground.

"We should practice our entrance to Jacqui's wedding," he joked. I smiled. Jacqui would kill both of us if we arrived like this.

"But really, would you like an aerial tour of the city…sergeant?" he asked me in the old Thrash voice. I smirked at him.

"You're on Thrash," I answered. Vic used the winds to pull me back in while he became parallel to the ground.

"Hold onto my bicep," he instructed. Yeah ok, you don't even need to tell me to do that. I did so as he and I started to fly forwards towards the heart of downtown. I leaned my head against Vic's shoulder as we flew. He took me all over the city and even over the military base where he flashed a salute down to the team doing air traffic control. I imagined the team informing my mom that Vic and I had just flown over the base. Vic then started to take me on a mini thrill ride. Changing direction at random points, speeding up and slowing down and even performed a few aerial tricks. I honestly don't know if I could love this man more than I already do. The fact that he's not dead right now is simply the best thing that could have happened in my life. Eat shit dudes on Tinder. You and your inferiority complexes can go hit on broads at the bars downtown! Vic Harris had my heart now and forever. He was my puppy. MINE.

Vic and I started to descend towards the ground…in an area that I remembered.

"Vic…do you remember?" I asked. He looked over at me.

"Of course I do Cass, this is where we kissed for the first time," he said as we touched down on the hill overlooking a commonly populated park. I went to hold my boyfriend in my arms but he held his hand up.

"Hang on…bathroom," he said. "Too much water earlier."

"Then hold this for me," I said and kissed him softly. Vic smiled when I pulled away.

"I'll keep it in my back pocket," he said and ran off around the corner and out of sight. I looked around my immediate area and felt that I couldn't help myself. I celebrated like a teenager that just got their first kiss.

"What the heck were you doing with my sweet boy," Lauren's voice came from behind me. I turned red and spotted her standing there with Dante. Both of them were…carrying roses for some reason.

"What…what…how?" I stammered. The pair of them walked over to me and handed me the roses. Lauren hugged me. I could hear her crying into my ear.

"I love you like you were my own daughter," she said. "He loves you so much hon." Then Dante hugged me. He too sounded emotional.

"Take care of him will ya. He's a bit slow sometimes," he said and patted my shoulder. Then I saw Jacqui and Takeda. They too…had roses. The fuck…the fuck was going on? My best friend gave me a rib cracking hug.

"This idea was much better. You seem so happy with him. Just like back then," Jacqui told me. Takeda was next.

"You aren't ready for this," he said simply. Ready for what?! Someone tell me what's going on! I saw the godly form of Fujin next. He walked forward and bowed to me once followed by yet another hug.

"A happy couple you both will make. He never forgot about you Cassandra. Not once," Fujin told me. Seriously! SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT IS HAPPENING! Where's Vic?!

"Daddy?" I said after spotting him and my mom. They too were carrying roses. My dad looked beside himself with emotion. He hugged me first.

"No matter what, you will always be my Punkin. Alright?" he said in a teary voice in my ear. "Your mother and I love you very much Cass." I looked at my mom who was also teary-eyed.

"Mom? What's happening?" I asked, still holding onto my dad. My mom pointed to a spot off to my left. The same direction Vic and I had floated in from and I saw…that there was a message written in bluish-green colored neon lights. It…it read… "Cassie Cage, will you marry me?" I stared at the message before my eyes became blurry with tears. I felt my dad turn me around and…I saw Vic down on one knee with a ring box out. My eyes focused on the ring and I nearly started wailing uncontrollably. I mean…I still kind of was but still. Behind him were some other people from the base. I saw the human forms of Chameleon, Kay, Ankha and Kiri standing there. Along with Ashrah and that other female demon named Sareena. I even saw…Liu Kang? Wait…no…this guy had white hair and glowing eyes…but..but he looked like Liu Kang. He had disappeared when I took a second glance. Whatever. Not important. IS THIS FUCKING HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?!

"Cass," Vic began and held out his other hand. I took it with my own shaking hand as I looked into this man's gorgeous blue eyes. He kept speaking, even though I could tell he was trying not to lose it himself.

"I've liked you ever since freshman year of high school. You were one of the few girls that was genuinely nice to me and didn't care about my upbringing with little money. In turn, I developed a crush on you. A big one actually. After our first kiss on this hill, I knew that I never wanted to spend my life with any other girl but you. I know I may have screwed up a little with a bit of help from our windy friend behind you but I did end up finding my way back to you in the end. You held me on nights when I really missed my mom before she returned. You made me feel loved in more ways than I could have ever imagined. There are many ways I can be happy in this life, but all I really need is you. I know that you can read but I think I need to say it too. Cassandra Carlton Cage, will you marry me?" I had sunk to my knees during his small speech towards me. My hands were over my mouth (thankfully those roses had the thorns clipped) and I was on the verge of ugly crying. I managed to move myself over to him and engulfed him in my arms.

"Yes," I said loud enough so everyone could hear. "Of course I'll marry you! You butthead." Finally! Stupid cute dumbass took long enough…but this could not have been more perfect. Vic slipped the ring onto my finger and I looked at it for a few moments.

"It's so beautiful," I whispered to him as I wrapped him in my arms again and kissed him. Behind me I could hear my colleagues cheering. I simply could not believe this was real. The man that I thought was gone returned to my life on my birthday and just asked me to marry him.

"I love you so much Cass," Vic whispered into my ear.

"I love you too Vic. You're my puppy!" I whispered back.

"Ruff!" he responded. Everytime he did that I imagined a sheltie puppy doing cute things. Aww man…so many things were going through my head right now! Where was it going to be? When? Who was coming…ah, whatever! Be jealous of me Jacqui! I don't think Takeda's proposal was this spectacular!

Plus, my future husband is the cute aeromancer that can play guitar and can mother. Fucking. FLY!