*I just want to go on record and say I hate how I've set myself up for another story. When I write said story I will add it in another chapter as the author's note as I did in this story's prequel. For now, happy reading!*

"Why do you care so much about him?" Determination asked from the conjured mattress in the tower. Mischief looked away from the other boys look. A blackened rose with five petals appeared in front of his face and twirled around slowly.

"You wouldn't understand what it's like to instantly fall in love even though you fear it's hopeless." He pulled the petals apart, letting them dissipate as they fell to the floor. On his lips, he mouthed loves me and loves me not.

"No, you don't understand. I've had those same exact feelings since the first day I laid eyes on you!" A hard fist snatched the rose out of the air, crushing it in his pudgy palms.

"W-what are---?"

"Everything! Every moment I've been with you. Every instance I've seen you. Every glimpse of you. Every movement you make. I've fallen hopelessly in love with all of it! And I hate myself for it!" Determination paused to glare over to the other being, before continuing with a challenging appearance. "Now that's something I know you aren't feeling that I am! You're such a cotton headed ninny mugus."

"You are not a child. Do not call me that."

"Grow up."

"Say what you mean. Call me what you think of me."

"I have."

"There's more, so say it."

"Why should I?"

"Do it."

"Stop it Mischief."

"No. You want to call me dumb. You want to call me stupid. You want to call me a fake ugly whore who can't cause anything other than chaos!" He'd sunk down and curled into a ball as tears wet his cheeks. The rocking motion that accompanied the crying was slowly solidified as Determination wrapped his arms around the other boy and hushed into his ear lightly.

"Mischief, I have a couple choice words I can describe you with." Mischief sniffled, trying to pull away but in the end being to weak to move away.

"I don't need to hear them."

"Yes, I think you do." Determination nibbled lightly on the other boys ear before he spoke up again, lust making his voice a husky octave lower than what it normally was. "You are imperfect. You could use improvement in lots of ways. But you are beautiful. You are amazing. You make me smile when I'm feeling down. Laugh when I'm tired, and hope when I feel hopeless. Someday, I hope you can see the you that I see, because you are the best person I've ever known. And it's for none of the things that you just called yourself."

"It can't be because I'm a fake whore."

"Could it be that you're insecure about yourself? Is that why you idolize Prince? Because you think he's got his life together while you don't?"

"It could've been anybody." Mischief whispered.

"Oh, so he just happened to be the first one you made an attachment to so he became your everything, even though you feel nothing for him outside of your obsession?" Tears streaked away from Mischief's eyes. They flew into the air away from his face as he shuddered harshly.

"I feel so empty."

"Let me fix you." Determination pulled him closer, letting his lips entrap the other in a heated kiss that lasted several long moments. As tears rained down over the pair, feeling flooded back through Mischief's body and he lingered in the light smile he could feel.

~~~

A month later...

Lots of healing had occurred in the past couple weeks, including what happened on the groups karaoke night. Management and Anxiety had rekindled their relations as a family and had enjoyed providing each other comforting amounts of therapy. Management had taken off her veil, embracing her change back into the role of Help. Her blonde eyes glittered and lit up whenever she got to spend time with her little brother.

Anxiety himself had grown stronger relationships with all of the other sides. He let Patton call him his son and he forgave Logan for inadvertently ruining his life. He was dating Prince and the pair had gone on several dates that went very well in both of their opinions. If there was ever any problem, Anxiety would bring it up right away and try to fix it.

Prince had also grown closer to his younger sister. Of course, he had known their relation for a while but he was always worried to talk to her. It wasn't a normal conversation starter to tell your sister you were sorry for killing her. But after they'd talked, all was forgiven and nothing was held against the older, except for the slapping of Anxiety. He was still Sadness's best friend so that one hurt a bit more.

Help had gone back to dating Brain and the pair had grown even more intimate than they had been. They both watched over Determination and Mischief carefully, while giving the pair space to grow in their own right. Mischief was starting to trust Determination more and Determination was falling harder and harder for his counterpart. Deceit hadn't been seen in awhile for much. The one evening he came out, it was to deliver flowers to Sweet Sadness.

Logan and Patton had started to date casually and the pair were making great strides in their relationship.

~~~

"Maternity, I'm sorry but I have to let go."

"Why? We can still work. I promise."

"Thomas has grown out of relying on you and you already had your transformation. You're not coming back."

"Please, don't leave me. I can change and come back. I know I can."

"You can't. Besides, I've found someone else. Someone who actually understands me and I think it may be better if I just go with him instead. This is no longer a healthy relationship and I don't want to be stuck in this anymore."

"But I'm the best thing that ever happened to you! Please Patton! Don't leave me." The woman with long black hair in dreads cried from behind the bars of her prison.

"I'm sorry..."