A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.

I guess that we became so busy with the search that I had forgotten about it at times. Her (e/c) optics met his dark brown ones, and he had a feeling that she knew he wasn't telling the whole truth. Perhaps, that reason was a little lackluster. I truly did forget; you helped me to. You've brought me joy I never thought possible, (f/n). She felt her heart skip a beat, and she broke their shared gaze only to rejoin it moments later.

"And, I'm happy to. But," she lifted up her hands and rested them on his cheeks, "you should've told me. I was planning on moving away from here after Anita and those two are dealt with. You know that. Why didn't you say anything?"

Leaning into her touch, he rested his hands over hers and sighed softly. He removed his hands from hers, and she let her arms fall back to her sides until she accepted the next note from him. Anita already broke your dream you had been working so hard towards. I didn't ... Well, I don't want you to stay here with all of those awful memories. I don't want to stay here. I would've figured a way out. From his lips parted a chuckle. She could tell that he most likely was laughing, but the mood felt far from happy. Even he couldn't really distinguish his emotions in that moment. Actually, not at all. I would've been stuck. Deep down, I know that I wouldn't have been able to let you go.

Looking away from her, he rested his hands on the wooden stair railing. He slouched forward, and his hands tightened around the wood. "You would've forced me to stay?" Her voice was quiet, and she didn't step closer to him. A note was handed back to her.

Yes. You're the first person I've felt like this for. You said we're even family. She saw him look back to her, and even if his expression was neutral, she knew that he was in pain. How could I possibly let you go? So, I stayed quiet and hoped that things would work out to where I didn't have to do anything to make you hate me. Even saying this, I'm ... (F/n) didn't finish reading; she didn't have to, and she let the note slip from her hands.

Walking up to him, she raised her hand. He expected a hard hit, especially after she dropped the note like she did. Maybe, he shouldn't have been so honest, but he didn't want to be anything less. Otherwise, he might turn into the very people he hated throughout his life. But, he was surprised when her slap was merely a light tap, and she sighed roughly before she combed her right fingers through her (h/c) (h/l) locks. "Idiot." She rested her hands on her hips. "You don't have to force me. I did tell you that we're family, and I meant that. If I needed to stay and make this work, I would've."

Eyes on her feet, she shook her head before she met his gaze once more. He was expecting an irritated glare. Instead, he received an understanding and pleading smile. "We trust each other now. So, trust me with your emotions. Tell me when you're scared, Lee. I'm not going to think any less of you." She sighed and rolled her eyes again before she wore that same smile. "Honestly, I've accepted so much from you. Do you really think I'm going to judge you like that?"

When he went to write, she stopped him. "I know why you didn't tell me earlier. When you were tormenting me, it made sense. I would've bolted and convinced Anita to leave somehow ... well, maybe ... She probably would've gotten what she wanted sooner, and you'd be stuck with those two. You'd lose some of your entertainment." Her hand moved from his and fell by her side before she rested both on the railing and stood next to him.

"After you found out about Anita, you became even more worried about being stuck with just Kaleb and her. When I found out and we grew closer, you were scared that I might abandon you despite us agreeing to work together. That my words were just words." She moved her right hand on top of his left and gave it a light squeeze. "But, that's not the case. I mean them." Her hand returned to the railing.

But, I just admitted that I'm willing to hold you back for my own sake. Doesn't that bother you? Truthfully, he was in disbelief. It was hard not to question her to some extent because he hadn't expected such an answer.

"It only does because you think that I'm not willing to help you through a problem." She kept her eyes on his. "I am." There was no doubt in her words or expression; she meant what she told him. "Otherwise, I would've never opened up to you so much; I wouldn't have put my trust in you."

But, what if I harmed your loved ones to get at you? What if I went back on my promises? What if I ended up betraying you and becoming like all those that I've despised? Doesn't it bother you that I might be capable of that? He had written the note quickly, and she could tell that his mind was doing dreadful flips around itself. And, truthfully, it scared her to read such things from him, but she had put her trust in him. She had seen the good in him; she had witnessed all of the things he had done to help her and that he had held himself back for her sake.

"... It scares me, but I also know that won't happen. You're creating a situation that doesn't and won't exist because I'm not going to leave you." She grabbed his hands and held them tightly. Her eyes held his head on. "You wanted me to trust you, and I do. I want you to trust not only me but yourself. Stop doubting yourself. Your word has been better than my supposed best friend, than many people I've met in my life."

Slowly, she released a sigh before she smiled up to him. It was genuine and filled with a trust he never thought he'd receive, and it made him realize that he really was letting fear get the best of him when Anita, Kaleb and Tristan should be the fearful ones. "We're a couple now, and you're not the only one fighting for us, okay?" She laughed gently to help calm him, and she hoped that it worked. "So, stop worrying about what won't happen." Her hands tugged on his a little. "And, relax with me for a bit. We've earned it."

No words could come to him right then since hers were so pure. He barely even could react even as she tugged him down the stairs. His legs only simply followed out of instinct. At one point, he might've missed a step and regained his balance; he didn't know since his eyes were only on her. Upon her lips remained her smile. Her hair was slightly messy from a day of work, and strands were standing up in certain places. They even were more noticeable under the late afternoon sun's rays, but they looked so beautiful. And, her (e/c) sparkled as though they were stars bright enough to overpower the sun's light and still be visible during daylight.

On the grass, she led him to the center of the yard towards the two lawn chairs. But, they never made it to them. She tripped in the process, and they began to fall. He didn't react fast enough to stop them, and he went down with her. A groan of discomfort left her as he landed slightly on top of her; however, she started laughing a little while he picked himself up so that his weight wasn't on her. "Looks like I really fell for you," she commented in an attempt to lighten the mood with a cheesy joke. It even caused him to chuckle a little and brought a tiny smile to his lips. When his gaze landed on her again, he almost thought that he heard a beat in his chest, but it was only his imagination.

Still, she was gorgeous, and he wished that he properly could tell her. But, he did what he could. Thank you, (f/n). I ... You left me speechless back there. You're incredible; you know that, right? She laughed and wore a confident smirk as she read the note. And, are you sure that you're really fine with me being this attached to you?

Rolling her eyes, she set the note aside and met his gaze. Her hands rested on his cheeks as she continued to lie on the grass and didn't bother to get up. She didn't utter a word. Rather, she pulled him down and pressed her lips to his. If his eyes could close, they would. His heart would be on fire if it could be.

To the left and right of her head, his hands rested, and he continued the kiss until she needed to pull back for air. (F/n) smiled brightly. "I'm sure." She gave him a playful wink. "You sure you want to be stuck with me?" Any day, minute, second, he wouldn't mind, and he responded by giving her a kiss next. A cute giggle left her, and he smiled into the kiss even if she couldn't feel it.

Parting from him, (f/n) caught her breath and ran her right fingers along his gelled black locks. Slowly, he sat up when her fingers went back down to her side. He pulled her up with him before he chuckled and removed some strands of grass from her hair. Lee grabbed paper and pen again. It's not fair that Tristan has gone on dates with you, correct?

An eyebrow of hers quirked. "No, it isn't, especially since I'm dating you." Her arms wrapped around his neck. "Did you have something in mind?"

Yes. Not today. But, let's have a picnic out here. No one can see us with that tall wooden fence. And, I found the perfect outfit for you for the occasion.

"Why, you don't like this one?" She chuckled and glanced over herself before she met his eyes again. "Definitely, my most comfortable clothes."

Well, this piece will be even more so. He knew that she was being sarcastic, and he was glad that she was having fun teasing him a little. And, I'd like to see you in it. It'd suit you perfectly.

"It's already bookmarked, isn't it?" she questioned, looking very amused, especially when he nodded, and she imagined that he was smiling. And, he was.