It truly was difficult. While Lily was there for me, she couldn't always be. School, work, and other people made it impossible for her to comfort me when I needed her most. I couldn't seek refuge in others; they'd ask what was wrong, they'd ask why.

I stayed very quiet most of the time. When Lily and I were safe from the world she'd hold me for hours on end. And it wasn't like when we first met. It wasn't the cute hugs of a blossoming love. They were the comforting hugs, trying to mend a heart who had suffered the consequences of love.

I'm not particularly brave, I'm not unique in this kind of case. We are not unique. Yet, this physical loneliness was unbearable most of the time.

I met Lily's family and friends, and I got to hold her hand as she walked me down her memory lane. They were great people, and Lily had a great past. I got to know her more and more, despite all I already knew.

Eventually the pain diminished almost totally. It was an epiphany, rather. I had woken up one morning, and saw the wall on the opposite end of the room. Lily was next to me, sleeping, breathing deeply. I turned, and looked at her.

What did I have?

My best friends, Miku and the twins, knew of us. Gakupo knew, as well.

I had a great job; even if I decided to quit at that moment I knew I was set for life.

I had a roof, a bed.

But I didn't have my parents. Did I truly...require them, though? I had learned my life lessons, they had nothing left to teach me that I needed to know.

Most importantly, I had the love of my life. I had one short, mortal run on this planet. If I'm lucky, I might get to see a century go by. I knew that the thing that I wanted most, was to spend the rest of my life with her.

Lily.

It had only been only a bit more than half a year, but I could already envision all my remaining half-years, all my life, just like that moment. I would wake up, happy. I would work, be productive, do what I love. I would come home to this wonderful person.

Except I thought I'd always love my parents. I thought that it was a bond that wouldn't ever break.

How could I be so sure that we'd last forever?