Time passed since the love bug (so to speak) took a nip at beetle Lucan and butterfly Duva. Time should be clarified to years.

After Marissa, Duva was the most beloved songstress in Hallownest. Her troupe had grown in size and popularity. They hoped their success would one day get the attention of the Palace. What an honor that would be! Until then their joy came from their gentle starlet. Duva's dressing wagon could never hold the flowers and tokens she received. Young bugs wanted her autograph. Love struck butterflies and moths hoped for her favor.

Do not, however give into the mistaken judgment the love and attention went to a conceited star. A true performer from her soul outward, Duva loved the stage. She loved having the opportunity to publicly praise the great kingdom which they were all united within. And Duva loved that she had such gifts that could make others happy.

Lucan never stopped training hard. In every class he ranked among the highest. Anyone who heard him speak of loyalty to king and kingdom knew immediately his words were not empty rhetoric. To serve the pale one was a great privilege in any form. Lucan had often dreamed of serving the king directly at his palace. That would be the highest of honors.

Do not, however, give into the mistaken judgment that he was a stoic, no-nonsense, all-work-and-no-play sort of bug. That role was already taken by his eldest brother, Ervus. Lucan had skill and a powerful drive in his heart. Not once though did he forget he trained to serve the king and protect the people.

Destiny seemed to favor the pair meeting again.

It was a time of celebration for Lucan and many others in his home town, a graduation of sorts. Many solders were moving up to train as elite warriors. The soon to be elite were accepting promotions, ranks and other high honors. It was an inspiring time. Soldiers could see the fruits of their labor ripening before them. Younger trainees had fine examples to look up to. In recognition and thanks for their hard work and dedication the town was set to celebrate with a festival for several days. And what is a festival without entertainment? Having already mentioned destiny's favor at work, you would be correct to assume Duva's troupe, as well as Marissa's, had been hired to entertain for the event.

After the ceremony the soldiers were given a private performance before the shows were open to the townsfolk. Lucan couldn't believe his eyes. The opening act, it was her! Older, taller and impossibly more beautiful. Duva would be grateful she hadn't recognized him until her part was nearly over. It would have been embarrassing if her feet missed the same step as her heart.

After the show the newly promoted scattered to be congratulated and enjoy the festival before their next stage of service began. Lucan waited near the performers tents with hopes of seeing the butterfly again. He didn't have to wait long for she was seeking him as well. Finally they had a chance to meet properly. Once they began talking nothing stopped them until Duva was called back to the stage. At one time each had worried they would be dreadfully dull to the other. But both found themselves genuinely enthralled. By the subjects spoken of? Or the speaker?

The duration of the festival was largely spent in each others company. Lucan watched every performance Duva was part of then they would go wandering together. They talked about their dreams, what they liked and didn't like, their families and servitude to the Pale King. Duva, the more traveled of the two, shared all about what was happening across the kingdom. Lucan was surprised to learn she was also an adept survivalist. In her troupe everyone contributed. Many times travel between civilized places could take days or longer. To keep everyone fed, safe and healthy it was critical to know the land and how the land could help you.

Duva wanted to know what it was like growing up with blood siblings. She was an only child. Lucan was one of five. Inspired by Lucan's dedication to king and kingdom Duva had the idea to create a ballet honoring those who chose to protect all the king built with the nail. She asked him to teach her to handle a finesse weapon for authenticity. There would be time for lessons. The troupe had caught the eye of many and had been engaged for several private events in town and the surrounding area. Lucan and Duva took the opportunity to spend as much time together as they could.

They had of course admitted they had remembered one another from that chance encounter long ago. Then came the confession. Neither had been given the opportunity to forget because neither had left the others thoughts. Something sparked a flame that time could not extinguish. After the time they'd spent side by side neither wanted it to ever go out. Duva confessed no wings fluttered the way her heart did when she was with him. Lucan confessed how his heart ached with longing to court her properly.

But how could they? The few years they had spent apart hadn't changed how interspecies romances were viewed. Beetle with a different beetle? No one bats an eye. Butterfly with a different butterfly? Even with a moth? Of course. But a beetle and a butterfly? No one would except it beyond friendship. They hadn't exactly been subtle about their interests and had made more than a few suspicious.

Duva plucked up her courage and expressed her feelings for the soldier to her troupe friends and family. Reactions and corresponding opinions hit the entire spectrum.

Ludicrous! It simply isn't done.

If this really is the start of love, would it really be that terrible? Maybe they could make it work.

Honestly, of all the prospects that have sought your favor why choose that one?

What do you actually have in common?

What do you really know about him?

Do you really think he will give up his commission to travel with you?

Has no one else seen how aglow she's been since we came? Maybe there's something to this.

He's a soldier. Their kind only truly love their duty. Would you leave us and become a housewife for someone like that? All your talent and skill to be stuck in one place?

Do you really think you could be happy away from the stage?

Only Marissa had seen how her cousin was when she talked about her beetle and supported her wholly and fully. She believed their budding love was not only real but strong enough to last.

When Lucan talked to his family and friends he received much of the same thing.

Yeah, she's pretty, but what else?

What's she going to do? Leave the circus and join the ranks? Teach soldiers to sing their enemies to sleep?

I love you, but have you really thought this through?

Come on, mate. You've had your forbidden fling. Now it's time to come back down.

You really think you can keep a big star like her happy long term?

Would you desert your duty and dreams to follow a bunch of musicians?

You are too different. And I don't say that just because she's a butterfly.

What hurt the most, and made Lucan the angriest was when his commanding officer took him aside to talk to him about it. That conversation resulted in the lost of most of Lucan's respect for him.

"You are still young. This kind of 'love' isn't even real. You have great skill and even greater potential. There is no need for you to split your focus until at least your training is complete."

Of course the young lovers told the other about how it went. It opened up a lot of talk about what a long-term relationship might look like. Even in the face of unanswered questions, doubt never took root. What bothered them the most were the people who informed them so matter-of-factly how or what they were feeling.

No matter how pure the heart or sure the feelings, a looming problem still remained.

All his hopes, dreams and passions were in the city.

All her hopes, dreams and passions were on the road.

Neither wanted to openly ask the other to leave all that they had ever known and loved for fear of being selfish.

Finally the troupe had finished with all its engagements and it was time to move on. Lucan and Duva had come to no decision. Goodbye seemed the only option. There was tension and sadness but no bitterness or anger. Hiding nothing they embraced for what was surely to be the last time. Lucan had to practically push her away, saying,

"If I hold you any longer I may never be able to let to…"

Antennae wilted and wings drooped Duva looked on the verge of replying. All she managed was a sob and ran to shut herself in her wagon. For them, parting felt like a piece of them was physically being ripped away.

Some friends and family were sympathetic. Loss of a first love, even an impossible one, was never easy. Others were certain for the best. Still others took a 'good riddance' attitude toward the whole thing.

Destiny however, wasn't about to let them go after they'd come so far.

Lucan couldn't focus on his training. The only thing that helped at first was thinking all he did was in the defense of Duva. He hadn't realized how much she had poured into him until the flow had been cut off. Everything felt so empty. Himself, duty, the world. What was the point of anything without her?

Duva's world had gone dark as well. Once, going to bed was exciting because it meant a new day to spend time with him was coming soon. Not anymore. Singing felt automatic and soulless. Her feet refused to move when the music began. Her inspiration felt dried and withered and she she had no idea how to revive it.

Only days later it came to a head for both of them. They had to have the other in their lives.

Given an encouraging push from her most supportive friend, Marissa, Duva made up her mind. She packed her most essential things, told her family and friends how much she loved them and flew back to the city before anyone could stop her.

Amid a myriad of complicated feelings, the pull to follow his heart won-out. Traitor to his king for choosing love over duty? Traitor to himself for knowing what he needed and not pursuing it? So he flew of in the direction the troupe had departed to find her.

Driven by love, their wings carried them swift and strong. On the road but still a distance away neither could believe their eyes.

It was her!

It was him!

They were so flustered and overwhelmed with joy they could barely speak. Still they managed to fully express what their hearts needed to say.

Lucan told her,

"I will always be willing to fight and die for my king. But it is you I want to live my life for."

Duva told him,

"I love my family and my troupe. But as a performer I am useless to them if the heart of my song isn't with them."

Lucan went on how nothing had ever made him question his commitment before. He didn't think anything else could fit in with his chosen purpose. He had been fine with that. Then he met her. Then he began to see duty and purpose might not be as mutually exclusive as he once thought. Lucan was ready to go back, end his commission and go with her. His skills would be useful for protection. Getting to know carnie folk might be interesting. Heck, he might even learn to play an instrument.

If it wasn't for Duva interrupting him with a kiss Lucan might have gone on and on. After a long, beautiful kiss, Duva had her say.

Yes, they would go back to the city, but not to have him resign. As a performer she could be happy anywhere there was an audience. As honored as she was by his declaration of what he would give up for her, Duva asked if he had truly been honest with himself. He was a protector with an admirable sense of honor and duty. Even by her side, would he really feel complete swatting away pesky vengeflies?

Lucan knew he didn't deserve what she was giving him and told her as much. He vowed right then to never betray her love, devotion or trust for all his life.

Back to the city they went.

The first person Lucan went to was his sister, Olypha. She had a small house of her own and had been one of the few supportive voices regarding his feelings for Duva. When she saw them both at her door, Olphya's surprise immediately gave way to smiles of relief. She completely believed her brother had made the right decision. Happily she agreed to give Duva a place to stay until they could find her one of her own. After a short while Duva moved into a small dwelling of her own. About the same time a delivery arrived for her. Duva's parents and Marissa had arranged for the rest of her belongings to be sent back to her. Letters accompanied the items to which Duva hastily replied to.

The official time to courting began.

Lucan told his parents and Ynast of his intentions. Duva was staying and he intended to woo her whenever his soldier duties allowed. They weren't completely supportive of his decision but they didn't openly oppose it either.

Leaving the troupe was obviously hard for Duva and caused a lot of tears. She missed her loved ones and the adjustment period wasn't easy. Lucan feared she was having second thoughts. She assured him multiple times that she wasn't.

After Lucan finished with training, drills and assignments he would take Duva for long walks, fly over the city or just sit nearby while she sang in one of the town squares. Her talent received a fair amount of attention. Recognizing Duva from the carnival there were plenty who wanted to invite her to perform at various venues for their workers, patrons, families or friends. Duva eventually joined an artisan guild. There she made many like-minded friends and started to learn how to make instruments, not just play them. She also offered lessons for anyone who wanted to learn.

Lucan was of course delighted to see how well she had adjusted. She made her little house cozy, made new friends and had a way to make geo doing the things she loved. The adjustment only made her beautiful flame flicker. Once it settled it glowed even brighter. They had their own place in the city now. And best of all, they had it with each other.