Fractured Fates & Silent Vows

Rating: T/M for some themes

Summary:

In another timeline, Liam triumphantly returns to his hometown for a fresh start. His time at Hollywood Arts is a whirlwind of success and new friendships. Despite keeping a few secrets, he's on top of the world. But just when he thought everything was going smoothly, an old friend reemerges, hellbent on reigniting the past.

Author's Notes:

I've avoided having to do any notes, but I wanted to mention that any foreign language used will be listed here whenever a new character is using it unless otherwise stated. So, if you're wondering what was said directly, you can go to a translator if you desire.

Liam: Yoruba

Tori: Yucatec Maya

Chapter 13: You Don't Even Know

"Have I told you how much I hate the color orange?"

The teens wore dingy orange jumpsuits, expressing a range of emotions. Liam exuded irritation as he gripped the fence separating the males from the female inmates. Andre's expression shifted from concern to pure fear, while Robbie stood helplessly worried and a little wounded as he was placed on the women's side of the fence. Jade and Beck maintained their composure, unfazed by the circumstances. Tori, feeling guilty, carefully avoided conflict with the other prisoners.

"Okay, I've had it!" Robbie erupted, startling everyone except Jade, who was surprised, though. "I demand to know why I've been put on the girl's side when I'm a boy!" he stomped over to some of the guards who looked rather confused at his statements. "I should be over there with the other men!"

The boys face-palmed.

"Leave it to Robbie to be the only guy in the world who would complain about being stuck on the side full of women." Liam sighed in resignation.

"Maybe it's more about his pride and dignity?" Andre placed a hand on his buddy's shoulder.

Considering that, the trio was soon dragged from their thoughts when one of the guards chuckled mischievously and challenged Robbie's claim. "Prove it!"

The onlookers were taken aback as it seemed like he would go through with it. But just when everyone thought he would, the curly-haired boy paused, weighed his options, and then reluctantly trudged back to the group. "I guess I'll stick with the girls' team," he muttered, provoking a round of chuckles from the overseeing guards.

"...And there goes said dignity..." Beck called out in a tone that only the other boys could hear.

Andre and Liam snickered at the joke, the former noticing something important: The atmosphere between him and Beck was pleasant, given certain events. Between his break-up with Jade and the goth's sudden actions at the park, Liam wasn't sure how he would feel being around her ex. Thankfully, Beck was none the wiser about anything, even though nothing happened aside from a peck on the cheek.

Why do I feel guilty, then?

Liam spared a glance toward the other side of the fence, noticing Jade doing the same only to turn away quickly. She didn't have to say anything, he knew she was thinking the same thing. There was remorse, but for what, he didn't know.

That revelation was a bitter pill to swallow, but the fact of being incarcerated together would do that when your need to survive outweighs your emotions. "Good one, Beck!" he wiped a tear from his eye. Their fun would come to an end when a voice from the distance called out.

"Hey!" The three turned to find themselves practically surrounded by a small group of men, each showing separate reactions to what they witnessed.

"We're... we're going to die!" Andre immediately began to break down in fear.

"Don't act scared," Beck whispered.

"I'm not acting!" he whimpered at his buddy.

Liam stayed close, yet said nothing while sizing up the men across from them. From the group, a rather tall man with a large scar from the bridge of his nose to the edge of his jawline stepped forward. Each of the boys eyed his movements for one reason or another.

"What's up, fellas?" Beck put on a nervous smile.

"You!" he pointed him out. "How do you get your hair so... fluffy?"

"Um... well?"

"HOW?!" he yelled.

Still freaking out, Andre grabbed his best friend by the collar. "Tell them what they want to know!" his eyes pleading with the fluffy-haired boy.

"Well, it all starts with a quality shampoo and conditioner."

The boys began to settle down as the men nodded among themselves. One of them pulled out a small notebook and started jotting down the tips being given. While Beck continued sharing hair care advice, Liam stole a glance at the girls again. Despite the risk to his safety, he couldn't help but worry about Tori and the others. His concern seemed evident as he noticed Tori mirroring his actions.

Unlike Jade, she flashed a soft smile, showing her resolve to stay strong despite the situation.

"Yard time is over!"

They exchanged silent conversations until the guard's alarming shouts, signaling the end of yard time, interrupted them. All the inmates shuffled back into the cold, dark building from their respective sides. As the teens moved forward, they nodded in support of each other, except for Cat, who was giggling and bouncing about "joining a prison gang".

Tori couldn't shake the image of Liam's confident grin from her mind, even though it left her feeling unsettled. There was something about the steely determination in his eyes that made her feel uneasy.

The next day, Tori stood in the yard with a worried expression. To her expression, the men weren't outside at the usual time and that was cause for alarm for her and the others.

"Where are they?"

"Lockdown." one of the other inmates, a tall and husky woman with a slash along her neck.

She wasn't surprised to see Tori turn around with a look of uncertainty. "Why are the guys on lockdown? What happened?" Panic beginning to eke out.

"Something about a big fight in the mess hall." she spat out a massive loogy before continuing. "From what I hear, one of your friends was involved in a fight with one of the guards for some reason. Some of the other fellas got involved but it was that guy who was taken."

"What are they going to do to him?!" she no longer cared about her distress being heard as she clutched the scarred woman's jumpsuit. "Please tell me."

The woman's face never shifted, but it seemed that her heart was swayed when she shook her head and sighed in resignation.

"Look, if I had to guess, he's probably been tossed in 'The Hole'."

"What's 'The Hole'?" Jade's voice rang in both women's ears, a look of agitation evident in her eyes.

Once the woman managed to pry Tori's grip from her uniform, she turned to the stone-faced girl.

"The Hole is located at the farthest end of the prison, south of where we're standing now. It's a place where only the roughest men and women are sent; murderers, rapists, and those who are considered to be too... "spirited". Designed to break even the strongest in mind, only a minimal amount of light is shined inside. The rooms are much smaller than the traditional cells and sometimes, the rooms may already have someone inside, male or female. Since he's had no other offense in here, he'll probably be tossed either in the solitary unit or the Maggot's Nest."

The normally olive tone on Tori's face swiftly shifted to a near-pale white, something Jade didn't miss. She signaled Robbie and Ahrya to come over and take her somewhere away but stayed herself. "Tell me about this maggot's nest." her eyes showed little room for debate.

"Fine. You're not going to like the answer."

"Try me." defiance percolating from her very being.

"The maggot's nest is one large cell filled with male and female prisoners. Its purpose was to lower the population here so that they could bring in more people without spending more money on things like food and water. Very few who enter there ever leave. If they survive their time there, they're never the same... keep that in mind."

It seems like something significant is about to happen. Tori watched the informant start to walk away but then stop suddenly.

"Is he your boyfriend or something?" Jade's entire body tensed up, and her glare gave her fellow inmate the answer she sought. With amusement dancing behind her eyes, the woman laughed before heading over to a card game in progress. The raven-haired girl turned in the opposite direction, eyeing the door where the men would normally go through to enter the yard.

"There's no guarantee it was him..."

The sounds of a buzzer caught her attention and soon she would see those doors open. Her heart was like a pinball machine. Every breath seemed harder than the last while various men made their entrance. She found herself kneeling next to Tori who also had her brown orbs fixated on that spot. Each of them silently prayed that the person taken was someone entirely different.

Please... Don't let it be him...

Everyone, including an unusually quiet Cat, held their breath as Beck suddenly came into view, followed by Andre. As they approached the fence, their fears grew more real by the second. Neither uttered a word. They didn't have to. Tori and Jade noticed that every detail of their demeanor said more than their words ever could.

"No..."

Several days passed without word involving Liam's status. Andre and Beck did fill them in about what led to the fight but made sure to leave out several details that were rather emotionally charged. Each hour was like a lifetime for Jade and Tori who found themselves getting along more often now given their mutual interest. Petty differences be damned, they were going to do what was necessary to survive not just the prison but also their minds. They found themselves isolated from the group, content with sharing their issues and dealing with whatever possibilities may befall the object of their affection.

"So when are you negative Nancy's going to focus on the task at hand?" a familiar voice startled the girls. They each looked around but found nobody there. That is until they noticed a guard with a familiar head of hair.

"Sikowitz?" Jade asked in disbelief.

He lifted his shades, winking at them before resuming his role.

"What are you doing here? How did you get inside of the prison?" Tori asked with more interest in the latter question.

"In no particular order, I got this from a local gift shop outside of the hotel. To answer your first question, I'm here to bust you all out."

While the two were happy and confused at the answers, the feeling soon faded much to their teacher's disdain. "What seems to be the problem?" he inquired in a hushed tone of voice.

"We're missing Liam." Tori tossed a small rock against the ground. "He's apparently in the worst part of the prison right now."

Rubbing his chin, Sikowitz took note of the information given to him. He continued to pace some distance back and forth so that he didn't draw any attention to himself. "I see. That is a conundrum if ever I heard one." "I'll have to modify the plan but we may be able to still make things work without too many changes."

"What did you have in mind?" Jade crossed her arms, determined to do whatever it took to get out of this hell hole.

"I'll have to get some more intel about this place before we proceed but just know that the plan won't go down unless we all can get out together. I'll need you two to get as much information as you can and we'll rendezvous back here in a few more days."

Both nodded before resuming their talk.

"What are you thinking, Tori?" Jade narrowed her eyes.

Unrecognizable. That was the only word to describe the girl who began drawing in the dirt.

"We're getting out of here, Jade." his voice held a determination that rivaled the strength of her previous woes. "Liam will come back. Then, we're getting out of Yerba!"

After lunch, Tori and the others gathered at their regular spot in the prison yard, a mix of disappointment and annoyance hanging over them. Sikowitz made frequent visits without arousing suspicion from the other guards to check on the progress of his students. As time passed, the likelihood of the worst happening to Liam grew.

With no news of any recent prisoner transfers, another scorching day passed. Tori and Jade sat in their usual spot, away from everyone else as per their usual routine. They exchanged few words, maintaining their usual silence and occasionally sharing meaningful looks.

Their quiet contemplation was abruptly interrupted by the distant clamor of voices, most likely the Yerba guards, and the clanging of a nearby fence. Without hesitation, Jade rose from her position behind the bleachers to investigate, while Tori opted to stay put, finding solace in observing the scattered patches of resilient grass that had endured the scorching heat.

"Tori!" the Goth's voice piped up. "You gotta come quick!"

Hearing how frantic the girl's tone suggested, she groaned but obliged to follow her back to the main area of the yard.

"Jade, what is so important that-" she looked up, defeat in her eyes slowly fading. Her jaw dropped as her heart pounded against her ribs at the visual before her. Her mind was blank at the figure that lay slumped against the fence. It was just like her nightmare only... the guards were leaving? "L-Liam?" she started for him only to have Jade grab her arm. Tori wanted nothing more than to pull away from the near-iron grip her friend had on her.

On the other side, Liam was indeed there before them but there was one guard who turned around. This felt like deja vu from a dream she had the night before. Just like then, a guard held a machete up high, ready to bring it down on the vulnerable boy. Even with all of her strength, Tori just couldn't rip herself from Jade who now had her arms wrapped around her body. Various sounds and voices filled the air none of which were heard by the boy who slowly looked up at the blade coming down upon him; a small grin on his face.

Then, something happened.

Everyone saw the blade stop just short of splitting Liam's head in two. Tori, Jade, and the other prisoners watched in amazement as the teen's grin contorted into a crude smile. The enraged guard snarled at him once more and turned to leave, but not before leaving one lasting impression: A cold slap to the face... As his gloved hand made contact with his face, he was surprised even more at how the boy's smile never dropped.

"Impudent wretch!" he yelled before being ushered away by his fellow guards. Underneath his hair, Liam turned towards the departing soldier, his eyes never leaving the arrogant man with the patchy beard. He knew him quite well and it was not in a positive fashion.

After all the men had left and the doors to the men's side of the prison had shut, Tori finally rushed over to her friend and crush. Jade, still in shock from what had just happened, followed closely behind. If she hadn't witnessed it herself, she wouldn't have believed anyone who tried to tell her about it. Shortly after, Liam found himself surrounded by his friends and classmates, but it was something else that eventually snapped him out of his vengeful glare.

"Liam?"

Tori's soft voice seemed to soothe his soul as his body began to loosen up. Looking around, he finally noticed that everyone was around him, concern written across their faces.

"Guys?" he coughed. "What's up?" he appeared creeped out by the many eyes glued to him.

"What happened to you, man?!" Andre was the first to speak up.

"I was just taken somewhere else as punishment for that fight I got into." he turned to see Cat and Robbie behind him. "Guys, relax! You make it like it was a big deal or something!"

Without warning, a solid punch at the gate near the back of his head knocked him forward. Clutching his skull, he turned to find the dark glare of none other than Jade directed at him.

Normally prone to challenging her when she got like this, he instead chose to avert his gaze at the dusty ground. Meanwhile, Jade wanted to wrap her hands around his neck and shake him violently, settling on that before storming off to her usual place of solitude. While he retained his poker face, he knew that he was going to have to have a talk with her about this at some point.

"Great..." he muttered to himself.

"You've been gone for a few weeks and she's been worried about you." Beck drew his attention. "Can you blame her reaction just now?"

Shaking his head, Liam knew the boy had a valid point which only served to make him feel even more guilty than before.

Soon, everyone asked him questions about what happened. Cat asked the obvious questions, but aside from him repeating the vague answer of being punished for fighting, no one got any further information. Robbie was equally curious about the place simply known as the Maggot's Nest only to be met with a broad description of it being similar to their current location, only with more vicious characters and no restrictions. Seeing his uneasiness, the others decided not to press the situation.

With the Q&A session over, Liam turned to find Tori still there, looking at him with those hazel brown eyes that could melt the polar ice caps. With the hot sun beating down on them both, neither made a move. The two just spent their time gazing at each other, actions that neither wanted to end. Their silent conversation continued until the call of a horn signaled them to return to their cells.

She watched as Liam dragged himself to his feet, noticing him staggering a bit in the process.

"Liam?" his voice cracked a little amid her worry. "...are you alright?"

He clutched the fence just to keep himself from falling flat on his face. "I will be."

A few more days passed and things were beginning to settle down with only a few differences. For starters, Liam had earned a huge measure of respect (and to a greater extent, fear) though he didn't care for that. Considering the reputation of the Maggot's Nest, he was revered by the other inmates for not only surviving but also returning relatively unscathed. Using this to his advantage, he was able to get some privacy and keep Andre and Beck safe from the more shady characters. Meeting up in the cafeteria, they each gathered their food and sat at their usual table near the main exit.

As they ate their food, Andre scoped out the area to ensure nobody was listening in, particularly any of the guards.

"Alright, so what's this plan Sikowitz has?" Liam whispered midway into biting his cow liver sandwich that he made out of some day-old stale bread.

Beck, who was struggling to keep his food down, placed his spoon into the gray lump that he thought was supposed to be oatmeal. "Yuck." he groaned as his stomach growled. "Tori is supposed to talk to the Chancellor about conducting a special performance to make up for what happened to his eye and pet octopus."

The three shuddered as images of the poor cephalopod being shocked to death thanks to Robbie flashed in their minds. After a few moments passed, they resumed their breakfast discussion. "So, how does that work towards escaping?"

Now it was Andre's turn to chime in. "We'll be performing in the yard with some of the other prisoners." This caused Liam to raise a questionable eyebrow at the brown skin boy. "Relax, we got enough who were willing to help us out with this. After we finish the song, we'll mix in with the others and sneak out through the entryway of the men's side of the prison. Sikowitz will be waiting for us in a truck that'll take us to the airport."

Contemplating everything he was just told, Liam analyzed each detail of the plan.

"It sounds like a good idea," he noted before taking another bite of the sandwich, much to the disgruntled boy's disdain. "But what about the guards that are stationed inside the halls?" Beck and Andre looked blankly at one another. "Okay, from what I know, there are three corridors once you get to the far end of the building. One of them leads down the way we came in and one is most certainly the exit to this hell hole." Liam cut his eyes to the left, noticing a small group of skinny men watching them with unsettling grins on their faces. Glaring at them, the trio quickly shifted their attention elsewhere.

"We'll have to be careful but the third hall leads to the Maggot's Nest." The two stared in wide-eyed terror as a nonchalant Liam simply finished his meal. "I'd rather not drag you guys there... We definitely can't head down the way we came in unless you want to get grabbed by the men stationed there. So, we'll have to pay extra attention to details on our way back to the cells.

Nodding, they all decided to direct the conversation towards a more pleasant path as they did their best to ingest the horrid food.

"Get them! Don't let them escape!" one of the guards hollered as they gave chase.

The gang sprinted towards the rear hold of a cargo plane, where the pilot, a friend of Spencer's, was ready to start the engines once they were close enough to jump aboard. Cat and Andre were the first to make it onto the plane, with Andre carrying Cat as they cleared the closing back door. Robbie, Cat, and Sikowitz swiftly rushed on board, followed closely by Jade. Beck, Tori, and Liam struggled to keep up. Unfortunately, Tori tripped over her own feet.

"Tori" Cat cried out only to see Liam help her up.

The guards were closing in and their only means of escape was nearing the end of the landing strip. He managed to hop on with Liam and Tori a good distance behind.

"We're not going to make it!" Tori lamented only for her friend to grab her hand.

"Don't give up!" he yelled. "We're almost there!"

It was now a race against time. Everyone cheered them on as the duo fought past the burning in their lungs drawing closer and closer to their freedom. It was all or nothing when the plane began its ascent forcing the friends to jump. They barely grabbed the edge of the door but, there was a problem. While Liam had plenty of upper body strength due to his athleticism, his neighbor wasn't as fortunate.

"I'm slipping!"

She tried her best to pull herself but found it growing more and more difficult only to feel something hard pressing down on her fingers. This made her release what little hold she had and fall onto the sea of guards. She wouldn't be alone though as the last thing she remembered hearing was her name being called and the fading image of someone diving after her before consciousness left her.

The next thing Tori knew, she was waking up to the bright lights of the medical sector where she was firmly strapped down to the bed before being transferred to another part of the prison.

"Where am I?"

"You hit your head..." A dismissive tone broke her weariness, leaving her with an unavoidable headache. "Thanks to your little scheme, the Chancellor was furious!"

"Huh?" she tested the strength of her bonds, finding no give.

"At first, he suggested you and your friends be executed. You're lucky that your little boyfriend offered to accept your punishment. Few would be willing to accept time with the butcher and a week in the hot box!"

Boyfriend...? The fogginess in Tori's brain was getting to her by this point as she was unceremoniously carted to a foreign part of the prison. "What... What are you talking about?"

"Oops! No time..." the jolly physician piped up, further aggravating her skull. "I have orders to put you here for the night once you awakened. I suggest getting as much rest as you can. You'll need it for what's to come."

Without another word, two guards arrived to remove the thick straps before tossing her into the dingy room. It was far smaller than the usual accommodations but just spacious enough to move around. The natural light from the moon was a godsend as the soothing beams reduced her mental pain. She sat on the lone bunk, hiking her legs to her chest.

It's all my fault.

"Get in there!" The rusted door swung open to let in the bright lights from the corridor on the startled girl.

She looked out to find herself peering at the silhouettes of three figures, one who was being dragged by the surrounding two. The body of the one with long thick tendrils for hair in the middle was flung inside, landing in a crumpled heap.

"Play nice!" She heard one of them tease before slamming the door behind them. Finally, she released the air she'd been holding in.

Seconds passed before the girl crept over to him, wrapping her arms around him gingerly. As expected, he tensed up from her gentle touch; signs of his torture showing through his haggard breathing. She did her best to monitor the situation given that they were plunged into darkness once more. "What did they do to you?!"

Liam looked up looked at those two pools gazing back at him with concern and guilt swimming behind them. The emotions lurking within his dull green orbs, coupled with his lopsided smile made her heart melt as the moonbeams illuminated a portion of his face. He was the one who came after her!

"H-hey. Did they...?"

"Shh..." Tori let a hand rest on his back only to jerk away when he hissed sharply. Instead, she shifted herself against the wall allowing him to rest his head on her lap. "Don't worry about me. They didn't touch me..." She rubbed his head, choking back tears. "You're the one who needs medical attention."

Tori closely monitored as his body slowly but surely began to relax under her soothing touch. Her fingers intertwined with his locs as tears welled up in her eyes. He didn't say another word as she gently caressed his forehead. Liam shifted his head to look at her, noticing the anguish on her face. What struck him, however, was the relief in her eyes at seeing him still able to move, even if just a little. Right on cue, she summoned a brave smile, hoping to allay his fears.

"Good" his voice was a little hoarse but still discernable. "I'll be... fine."

She simply nodded, unsure of how to properly respond to his injuries. Having only a fraction of an idea of what he'd been through previously, Tori couldn't find the right words to respond with. She simply let her actions speak for her by setting her hand gingerly on his bruised cheek. Then she leaned down to his level and, surprising herself, kissed his forehead, savoring the reality that he was alive.

The silence that followed gave her plenty of time to think about her life and what mattered to her. The most important thing was her knight in shining armor, Liam; his presence truly made the difference during this whole ordeal and she didn't want to lose him again if it could be helped. Had he not let go, she'd be dealing with the horrific country alone.

She wanted to blame herself for everything, though she knew Liam would never allow it. The wound to the Chancellor was nothing more than an accident. Robbie killing his octopus was an accident.

But, I was the one who suggested this trip... She traced a thumb over the spot where her lips once were, giggling when he moaned softly.

Every part of her cried for her to take advantage of this moment. She had Liam all to herself! There was no Jade to interfere... However, she resolved to simply savor this time.

"Liam?" she felt him turn his head to give her his attention. "Will we get out of this?"

"Of course... We're going to get through this together."

"Promise?"

When he didn't answer right away, Tori felt a pang throb in her chest. Their first escape attempt was thwarted by her lack of athleticism and her intrusive thoughts would constantly remind her of that. But, Liam sat up, stretching his limbs before turning to face her. His eyes were ablaze with confidence flickering over the agony he sustained.

"I promise you, Tori. We're going to get out of here!"

Tori bravely stood her ground and extended her hand. He gripped it firmly and used the hard wall for support as he loomed over her. In the dim light, their eyes locked, and he noticed a glimmer of hope in her gaze. He felt fortunate to witness her vulnerability, a privilege he would never overlook.

Liam was taken aback when she embraced him tightly, especially because she skillfully avoided the wounds on his back from days before. He immediately hugged her back and gently massaged her shoulders. Once again, she felt the steady rhythm of his heartbeat and beamed with joy. It brought her comfort as she held him close, not wanting to let go, fearing he might somehow drift away or vanish if she did.

Do it...! Tori's eyes shot open at the brash voice in her head. This is your chance!

Putting a little space between them, Tori once again found herself lost in those gems. Her cheeks grew hot as her inner voice continued to admonish her tentative conduct.

"Something wrong?" his voice made her feel even more nervous.

So help me God! If you don't devour him, I will kick... er... MY ass!

"Jade?"

DO IT!

Her soft fingers gently traced the contours of his cheek, the warmth of her touch conveying her emotional turmoil. Her eyes, the color of a deep sea, glimmered with a mix of anxiety and apprehension as she grappled with the fear of rejection and the uncertainty of his feelings toward her. Was she truly ready to take this leap? Did he recognize her as more than just a friend? The thought of potentially jeopardizing the unwavering trust they shared made her question whether pursuing this path was worth the risk.

What if you gain much more?

"What?" she blinked several times, breaking her daze.

"I was asking if you were okay. You spaced out..."

Realizing her hands were still resting on his cheeks, Tori smiled softly.

No matter what, she was at a point of no return and she was going to take that leap whether someone caught her or she fell flat on her face. She dragged him down, seizing his lips with her own. It wasn't the most ideal of settings but it didn't matter as she heard his muffled words quickly turn into faint moans.

Liam couldn't feel anything but pure desire flow throughout his body. I'm kissing my neighbor! Tori's kissing me!

He stood dumbfounded at first but, it didn't take long for him to reciprocate the feeling. He held her firmly in his arms as he deepened the kiss, feeling her oblige without hesitation. Maybe it was desperation? Perhaps it was the fear of them never getting out of this hell hole? Maybe it was Maybelline? All that mattered now was that her lips were on his, injecting him with her passion and energy.

When they finally pulled apart, neither could meet the other's gaze at first. It felt strange and unfamiliar given their history. Tori believed it was a risk worth taking. Meanwhile, Liam grinned, then helped them both to the ground, mindful of his still-sore back. Now it was his turn to take the lead.

There was nothing wrong with what happened, right?; he kissed her right back. She felt his desire flow into her which made her legs feel weak at the mere thought of something so special. She hadn't felt that before, not even with... him. But, she was sure that something else was contributing to her insecurities.

"Sorry, yaabilta'an..."

"For what?" he chuckled.

"Nothing..."

This time, Liam leaned forward and claimed her lips.

For a brief moment, a sense of relief washed over her, temporarily quieting the storm of negative emotions within her. She was grateful that they were no longer on their feet, as the lack of sensation in her legs would have surely caused her to collapse. As she gazed at him, she felt a tingling sensation in her lips. Tori found herself unable to look away from him, and in truth, she had no desire to do so.

It was as if she'd found herself trapped yet, she didn't crave freedom. She ironically found that in the boy cradling her. She slipped from underneath and straddled him, flashing a rare predatory gaze at him before claiming his mouth once more.

This time there was no hesitation on either side.

She felt him orally wrestle with her, neither willing to concede defeat to the other. She refrained from probing her tongue in his mouth but lightly nipped his lip with her teeth. Liam felt no lust despite their position, only a sense of understanding as they communicated without words. Is she holding back?

Again, the need for air robbed them both of victory. It didn't matter though as the two had now entered a world once thought forbidden that neither was ashamed of. Even with a certain goth, unknowingly, crossing their minds, there was no guilt or shame for the deed committed.

"Liam?"

"Yeah?" he wheezed from a mix of breathlessness and minor aches.

"I... I just..."

"I feel the same way, ololufe!"

"kin ts'áaik nib óolal ti' teech, in yaabilaj."

Somehow, Liam understood every word, his brain awash with inquiries as to why. Not only that, he spoke a language that was both familiar and foreign to him. Little did he know, Tori was thinking of the same thing, understanding when he called her darling. She simply shared her appreciation for him, but she was certain she'd never used this language before, or at least not to this extent.

For now, she settled on smiling at their shared confessions. It didn't make things official yet, but, it was a step in a positive direction. There was no doubt about how they both felt and it didn't ruin their friendship. If anything, it strengthened it. She kissed his temple before settling herself on his chest, once again feeling herself being lulled by his heartbeat.

I'll have to deal with Jade when we get back. He kissed her temple, earning a quiet giggle. But, first, we have to get out of here.

"We'll get through this?"

"No doubt! We'll face tomorrow together and we'll get the hell out of here, somehow."