Laurance's POV:

Cadenza and I were watching a movie in the living room Friday night. It had been a few days of me being away from Garroth and I was starting to kind of get use to it. My sister has been a huge help in the process. I can't imagine where I'd be if it weren't for her. Probably drowned in blankets and Cheeto dust. 

"What's this movie called again?", I asked. 

"Shhh!", She shushed me, quite aggressively. I just wanted to know the title again. "This is the best part!"

It was just some cheesy first kiss scene. It was only twenty minutes in and the characters are falling head over heals for each other. Then, it sparked my memory. It was that stupid "Don't Care" movie. It honestly just makes me want to spoon my eyes out of their sockets. 

"You do realize that's not how actual gay couples are like?", I asked, looking at her like she was crazy. 

"I mean, you and Garroth are hella dramatic. I see no difference."

I rolled my eyes and continued to watch through the cringe. Eventually, even Cadenza got bored of the film about halfway through and turned it off. I praised Irene for a quick moment before my sister started a conversation in the most awkward way. 

"So, will I be you and Garroth's surrogate mother?"

"What the-? Cadenza!"

"What? Garroth doesn't have any sisters and I assume you both want your genetics in the child. Also, not only am I your sister but, I'm like Garroth's best friend! So why not?"

"Cad...we barely have talked about marriage. Why do you think children would come in conservation?", I asked, actually wanting an answer to this question. 

She sighed and asked; "When are you going to realize that you need to start thinking about this?"

"When I'm old enough and we're both mature enough."

"You're both twenty-three."

"So? Jay-Z didn't put a ring on it until he was thirty-nine!" 

"You're seriously comparing your relationship to Jay-Z and Beyoncé?", Cadenza asked. 

"Sorry if I'm just crazy in love with Garroth." 

"Stop." 

"No. Whole runs the world? Me."

I tried getting off the couch before realizing that my leg was still broken and falling to the floor. 

"You sure about that? Cause it seems that your brain and your body can't into formation." 

"...that one sucked." 

None of the less, she helped me back onto the couch and as she continued the conversation.

"What's holding you two back? You both are obviously inseparable. Why are you being so hesitant?", She asked, getting serious. 

I looked down and actually thought about it. She was right. It wasn't like I didn't want to marry Garroth. It just was never the right time to ask. 

"A lot has been going on recently and you know that." 

She was silent for a moment then said; "Maybe life would be brighter if you two had something to look forward to?" 

"What do you mean?" 

"Last weekend when you two were here, it was a literal nightmare for the both of you. Garroth was in tears one night, you kept looking over your shoulder in our own home...I've never seen people more stressed out in my life,", She explained. "If you showed Garroth that your relationship is actually going somewhere, maybe he might be happy." 

"Irene...now you sound like his roommate,", I say, messaging my temples. 

"Blaze, was it?"

I nodded my head to which she responded by saying; "Maybe we're both geniuses. I'm going to make coffee to congratulate myself."  

She got up, leaving me alone on the couch with my crutches across the room. It was like I was in time out and she knew it. When did she turn into my freaking parent? 

As I was sitting there, I did start to think about everything in silence though. The Flames, Garroth's work, my friends that I've lost connection with, my injury...everything. Starting this relationship four years ago, I had to have known it would be more than just boyfriend and boyfriend. I just think I had my head so wrapped around Garroth being this person I loved and needed to protect, that I forgot everything that happened previously. My life before being a Phoenix Agent. My life before Garroth. What I wanted. 
I wanted to be surrounded by friends and have fun. I wanted to be home with my family as much as I could. I wanted to be the best in my training group. It all seemed so simple thinking about it now. It was silly to remember that I thought it was difficult to maintain all of that. Then, I started thinking of what I wanted when I first became Garroth's Phoenix. I still wanted to have friends at home and have my family be by my side. I wanted to have the best sun and be the best phoenix my sun could ask for. I wanted to play by the rules to the point where I held back. I thought about what life has been as my relationship with Garroth grew.  I wanted to constantly be around him. Hold him, love him...everything. I wanted to be his everything. I forgot about my friends like Cloud. I barely see my family. It was like my life here, where I grew up, was gone. For what? There has to be reason. Why I decided to give up everything I had to be with him. 

"I'm back!", Cadenza sang. Once she saw me she asked; "Think about it?"

"Cad...what should I do?"

"I've been telling you. Multiple times." 

"But, what if its not right?" 

"Are you kidding? Why would you say that?" 

"I have no life here. It's all about him...is that healthy? Is that healthy for him?"

"What do you mean?", She asked, sitting down again. 

"I haven't spoken to any of my friends from training camp since we've gotten serious. I barely come home at all to see you or Mom and Dad. Just recently have I started doing that." 

"Exactly. It's getting better. How about you text Cloud to come over tomorrow? To catch up?"

"He probably doesn't want to talk to me." 

"Well, there's no point in not trying." 

"...still. We can't forget about all of the controversy we hold by even being together. I don't think we can handle that." 

She looked at me with sympathy and said; "Laurance...that's the point of having a relationship. To work through it. To see if you two are meant for each other. Compromise, dealing with issues...a lot of stuff. You don't think Zach and I have problems? Laur...wake up and see that you two can get through anything. All you have to do is talk to each other." 

She took my hand and said lastly; "You two have something special. Don't doubt it for second." 

I remembered looking at Garroth the night before the incident. How I stayed up all night just thinking about him and how perfect he was. I really, truly loved him. Why wouldn't I? He's kind, smart, and loving. He's everything I could ask for...so why did I doubt us? 

"Cad?" 

"Yes?" 

"Do you have any proposal ideas?" 

Word Count: 1184

That's right! Two chapters in one night! Woot woot! Also, we only have at least ten chapters to go! I'm so excited!