Kay didn't think this day could get any better. It all started with Kyle's kiss that morning, went on with the perfect prom, and now Donnie was back, sane and sober. Her Donnie.

Of course he'd give him ten minutes to talk. She wanted to let him know that she'd grown, that she was happy and that there was room in her life for him. Then he could tell her about his progress and maybe join her at the prom where they could share a dance for old times' sake.

Things couldn't be better.

She'd put on a pair of skinny jeans and an off-the-shoulder blue silk top, because he wanted to give Kyle the chance to kiss her shoulder again if he'd want to, kept the stilettos on, and was reapplying some lipgloss when there was a knock on the door.

Donnie had just left, but maybe he'd changed his mind about going down together. And he kept knocking.

"Hold on, Mr. Impatient. We've got enough time." She yanked the door open and the smile froze on her face.

It wasn't Donnie. It was Kyle. And he looked pissed which pretty much killed the possibility that he might not have seen her ex coming out of her room. Well, shit. All her butterflies fizzled and died.

Kyle moved past her and stopped in the middle of the room before turning to her. "I'm either drunk, high or really need glasses, because I think I saw Donnie coming out." His tone wasn't belligerent, but it wasn't friendly either.

Kay sighed and closed the door. She had absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. "You don't drink, I personally didn't slip you anything, and you don't need glasses. Yes, Donnie was here."

He crossed his arms over his chest, not looking any happier. "What did he want?"

"To talk. I'm actually going to meet him down right now."

"Are you serious?"

Okay, now he was getting annoying. He didn't own her. She didn't have to report to him. "Yes, I'm serious. What? Got a problem with it?"

"I'm just trying to understand what you're thinking."

God, she hated how cold his tone was, how demanding he was. He seemed an entirely different person from the guy who'd made her laugh all evening, danced with her, who'd kissed her shoulder fifteen minutes ago.

"Donnie's back to normal. He's all better now. He's my oldest friend and I want to keep him in my life."

Kyle quirked a brow. "Your oldest friend," he said flatly. "That's funny, because that smug smirk he gave me made me think that he finally got in your pants."

"Kyle!"

"He doesn't want to be your friend, Kay. He'll try to worm his way back with you."

Anger gripped Kay, making her fists ball and her stomach clench uncomfortably. He was ruining everything. "We're not getting back together. He knows we broke up and he respects my decision. What?" she asked annoyed, because he'd just huffed.

"When has Donnie ever respected your decisions? When has he ever respected you?"

She cringed because it hurt. And also because it could be true. Her pleasant buzz had died, leaving her facing a side of Kyle she didn't like much. The smug know-it-all.

"You should learn to respect my decisions, too," she shot back.

Kyle's expression softened, and he dropped his arms. "Please don't go to him." His tone was warmer too, but it was too late.

"Why not?"

"Because he's going to grovel at your feet until you give him another chance. Something small first. A hug. Then your number, then just one date to see what it would be like. Then he'll beg you to take him back. And you will, because you're just too kind for your own good."

Kay's jaw dropped. She'd never told him about how Donnie had convinced her not to dump him last time, but he'd guessed it all pretty well. Except that was druggie Donnie. This was normal Donnie.

Kyle sighed. "He's only going to hurt you and I can't do this again."

"Do what?"

"Pick up the pieces, glue you back together."

She swelled with indignation. "I'm very capable of putting myself back together, thank you very much." After you taught me how. Ugh, she could totally see his point. His lack of trust was annoying, but he was just worried. He didn't know Donnie. She did. "Look, nothing bad is going to happen. No one is breaking anyone's heart."

"Are you sure?"

Kay froze, because she suddenly had the feeling he was no longer talking about her and Donnie. "What are you talking about? Is there something you want to tell me?"

He took in a deep breath, his forehead scrunched in... Annoyance? Frustration? Pain? "I'm not doing this now. Not if you're going back to him."

God, he could be so frustrating. "I'm not going back to him, but I'm going to go talk to him. And you obviously have a problem with that." He didn't answer, but he didn't have to. "You do realize you're making me choose."

Kyle groaned. "No, I'm not, because there shouldn't be any choice. But since there obviously is, I'll make it easy for you. I just didn't think you'd use your power so soon." He strode past her and slammed the door on his way out.

Kay watched the door, wondering how she could've been happy a mere ten minutes ago. Why did he have to ruin it for her? He was hurting. She could see it in his eyes, on his face, in his posture. She'd hurt him and he was disappointed. She used her power... A sinking feeling grabbed hold of her, but she pushed it down and walked out of her room. She had a meeting with Donnie right then. This could wait.

But as she made her way out of the lodge and down the hill towards the parking lot, all she could think about was Kyle, the look on his face as he left the room. I'm not doing this now. Doing what exactly? Why was he really there in the first place? Why did he come to her room when they'd agreed to meet downstairs?

Donnie's car was easy to spot since he had the headlights on. He waved at her from the driver's seat, but didn't get down, so she climbed in.

"I'm so happy you're here." He leaned over and hugged her.

She hugged him back, trying to muster some enthusiasm.

He'll start with something small. A hug.

Get out of my head, Kyle! But he wouldn't go, not from her head, not from her skin. Donnie's touch felt so cold, so wrong.

He smiled at her. "It's great to be just the two of us again. I've really missed you."

Kay hummed, but didn't answer because she didn't want to lie or hurt his feelings. She hadn't missed him, not since he spent those few days at Kyle's place. What did he want to tell her? What power had she used?

Donnie relaxed into his seat and looked at the lights coming from the lodge, a small smile on his lips. "You know, I always thought we'd go to prom together."

"Me too," she answered.

"I heard you went alone."

She nodded, even if alone was not the right word. Even if he hadn't asked her, she'd gone with Kyle. They'd spent the whole night together and she'd never had so much fun, felt so important, so... adored.

I just didn't think you'd use your power so soon.

The power. She could remember being in Kyle's gym after he broke up with Cecily, talking about the kind of love they wanted.

There's a catch. Someone who has the power to break you but would do anything not to.

Did this mean...? Kay's heart started beating erratically against her ribs. Was there even a small chance that Kyle could...?

The kiss that morning, the dancing, the way he held her, had eyes only for her during his performance. The way he'd kissed her shoulder. Friends didn't kiss each other's shoulders. Or mouths.

God, what had she missed? Had she broken him?

"I think we can fix that," Donnie said.

"Huh?" Kay turned to him, trying not to totally zone out, but she didn't want to be there right then. Not anymore. "Fix what?"

"You being alone, us going to prom together. I mean I know I'm not dressed properly, but I'd love to take you back in, show everyone that you're not sad and lonely."

What the hell? "I'm not sad and lonely. Going alone was my choice."

"You don't have to anymore, because I'm here now, sugar." He leaned over, eyes closed, lips puckered.

Kay stuck her hand out and pushed his face away. "Donnie, we broke up, remember?"

"Oh, you didn't really mean that, sugar. I know why you did it, and I understand. I totally deserved it. But now I'm back, I'm me again, so there's no point."

"No point? Are you listening to yourself? Did you hear anything I said?"

Kyle had given Donnie too much credit. He wasn't as subtle as to even try to be friends first.

"Come on, Kathy. I know, I understand, but I'm back. I'm here. You don't need Kay anymore."

"I am Kay, you moron!" She threw the door open and got out of the car.

Kyle had been right, as usual. There was no way she and Donnie could be friends. Not when all he wanted was to get back with her. Heaven only knew why. And there was no way in hell that was happening. Because she didn't love him anymore.

She loved Kyle.

She froze as the thought registered. What the hell am I doing? More importantly, what had she done? She had to find him.

"Look, your mom told me what happened and I'm really sorry I hurt you so much, enough that you felt the need to change your name." Donnie had gotten out of the car and walked to her.

"My mother?" She turned to him, her fists clenched. "I'm only going to say this once, Donnie, so you'd better listen carefully. We're. Done. I don't love you anymore."

If I ever did. Because she'd never felt this all-consuming fire in her chest before, this knot in her throat, this certainty that she would drown if she didn't get to Kyle soon. He was everything. Her protector, her savior. No, the one who made her her own protector and savior. And that was why he deserved her love.

Donnie scoffed and took her hand. "That's silly, sugar, of course you do."

"Get your hands off me."

"Let's talk--"

Kay yanked her arm out of his grip and punched him. Her fist connected with his jaw with a satisfying twak. He pulled back, his eyes widened in shock.

"Maybe now you'll listen when I talk and take me seriously. We're done." She turned her back on him and hurried up the hill.

She had to find Kyle. Find him and tell him that she never meant to break him, that she never would. Because she loved him more than she'd ever loved anyone in her life. How could she be so stupid? How could she not see what was in front of her all along?

She reached the lodge and hurried inside the ballroom. The party was in full swing and she couldn't see anything because of the crowd.

"Kay!" Joey made his way towards her, looking relieved.

"Where's Kyle?" they both asked at the same time.

"What?" Joey asked confused. "I thought he was with you. We have a performance in twenty minutes!"

Kay shook her head and charged out and up the stairs. Please let him be in his room. But as she reached it and banged her fist against the door, it was obvious he wasn't there. Where could he be?

Like in a dream, she remembered him upset in the gym, how they'd gone to Santa Venusia, how he loved the danger. Crap, he was probably in the forest.

She turned tail and hurried down the stairs again, her feet killing her, but it didn't matter, she had to find him. The tree line seemed incredibly menacing, the closer she came to it. It was night, she could hardly see in front of her and the place was presumably filled with wild animals. She was probably going to get eaten by wolves. But still, she pressed on.

She'd barely cleared the first tree when someone grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"What the hell are you doing?" Kyle asked.

"Oh, thank God!" She wrapped her arms around his waist a hugged him tightly, grateful that he hadn't gone on a suicidal walk and that she didn't have to join him. "I'm so sorry. You were right. You were totally right about Donnie, though you overestimated the pig. He didn't even--"

Kyle put his hand over her mouth and trapped the rest of her words in. He didn't look angry or upset anymore, just thoughtful. "Why were you going into the forest?"

"To find you," she muffled into his hand. "You do dangerous crap when you're upset."

"I'm not upset. I'm just stupid. Like really, really stupid."

"Huh?" She wished he'd take his hand off her mouth, but that touch was better than no touch.

"Kathy would've probably fallen for Donnie's tricks, but not Kay. So I'm sorry I didn't trust you." He finally let her go, but also took a step back, pulling out of her reach.

"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you, or at least explained better. I don't want to use the power. Not now, not ever." She took a step toward him. Then another until there was hardly an inch between them. "Donnie's history. Ancient and bad history. "

"You were wrong, you know," he said thoughtfully. "Love does let you choose."

Kay's eyes widened. He'd said love. And if this had been some cruel test set up by fate, she'd failed it big time.

"Cecily was also wrong," Kyle continued.

His hand moved the tiniest bit until its back touched the back of hers. It was nothing but a light touch. No holding, no squeezing, but it still sent butterflies into her stomach, lit her up, made her crave for much more.

"I'm more than capable of loving someone else. I guess I just bottled it up until I found someone who could break the bottle, let it out." He touched her other hand the same way.

Kay shivered at the contact. How she wanted to grab him, pull him against her, kiss him until they could no longer breathe. Or until they finally could. But she felt that if she moved, he'd pull away, that this was his show and she had to let him finish.

"You..." He leaned his whole body against hers, their noses touching. "Are infuriating, childish, paranoid, stubborn..."

She didn't care. She only wanted him to kiss her. They could work on fixing her flaws later.

"Beautiful, brilliant, kind, compassionate, breathtakingly amazing," he whispered coming even closer, until they were a breath apart. "And you broke it."

It felt like a lightning strike. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she pulled him towards her, but he didn't let her. It wasn't fair. She was flushed, giddy, euphoric and in dire need to feel his lips on hers, have him kissing him properly. No more pecks, no more play-pretend.

"Kiss me," she whispered.

"Not until I tell you that I love you."

She glanced up at him with wide eyes, taking in the words, drowning in them. He had the most self-satisfied smile on his face, and he'd never looked hotter.

Then his arms were around her and he kissed her. No more pecks, no more games. Just raw passion, perfect pressure and she felt that for the first time in her life, she was actually breathing, living, flying. She held him close, kissing him back, unloading all that attraction they'd both been denying, letting it out, wanting to show him through this one kiss that she adored him.

His hands grasped her thighs and he lifted her off the ground, pressed her against a tree just like in her fantasies. She wrapped her legs around his waist, her hands roaming all over his body, trying to touch as much of him as possible, make sure this was really happening, that it wasn't just a dream.

He pulled back from her and she was grateful, because they were out of breath and because she had something to say.

"I love you, too."

His smile was the sun, lighting up the darkness. "It's kinda funny, isn't it? How sometimes what you've been searching for all your life was right in front of you all along."

"It is." She'd never felt so giddy in her life. She'd also never felt so much from just one kiss, never wanted anyone so much that not having him physically hurt. She hadn't even imagined kissing could feel like this. "Does this mean you've been searching for me your whole life?"

"Kay, I think I've been searching for you in every life. And I always will. Play for keeps, remember?"

She had also never thought words could make her so happy. She took his face in her hands and kissed him again. She'd meant it to be tender, like a thank you. Impossible. The moment he kissed her back, it felt like fireworks. No, a nuclear explosion.

"You slut!"

Kyle and Kay pulled away from each other, her still wrapped around him. Donnie stood a few feet from them, his face red, teeth bared.

"I refused to believe the rumors, I believed you, that you needed time to yourself, and that's why you never came to visit, never called. But you were fucking him all along."

Donnie's words were like a distant, annoying buzz and she really didn't care what he was saying. If only she and Kyle had really done everything people claimed... All those missed opportunities were such a shame. But what bothered her now was that Donnie's words had stopped Kyle from kissing her.

"I was your boyfriend for six years and you dumped me when I needed you the most! Do you have any idea what I've been through? Of course you don't, you total whore! You were too busy being his little slut."

Kay almost felt like yawning. Donnie's efforts to hurt her were so pathetic. But Kyle didn't seem to think so. He put her down and strode to her ex.

He took one step back as Kyle approached, but almost managed not to cower. Almost.

Kyle pulled his elbow back and his fist shot at Donnie's face. It was a light punch, with no swing, without using his entire body. Short and to the point. Donnie still fell off his feet, his hands over his bleeding nose.

"Listen to me, and listen well, asshole. If you ever so much as try to hurt Kay again, be it verbally, physically or mentally, I'm not going to hold back. I'm going to beat you into a pulp."

"Are you threatening me?" Donnie demanded, but his voice came out like a squeak.

"You bet your ass I'm threatening you," Kyle said calmly. "Now get out of here before I kick you down the hill."

Donnie threw him a hateful glare, graced Kay with the same look of ultimate disgust, then got to his feet and ambled down the hill.

Kay walked to Kyle and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Thank you. Though you shouldn't have. He can't hurt me anymore."

"Are you kidding? You know how long I've been waiting to punch him in the face?" He held her against him, and as she looked up at him, she'd never felt safer. He was so powerful, so confident, so damn hot.

"It was really hot to see you hitting someone for me," she said casually.

"Sweetheart, are you turned on by violence?" he asked, feigning surprise.

"I'm turned on by you. By everything you do."

He stared at her for a second, then his lips crashed against hers and he picked her up again in what was quickly turning into her favorite make out position.

"More," she whispered.

"Much more," he agreed and headed inside.

🧩🧩🧩

Hiya! I'm back with the title bomb! Hurray, right?

Come on, admit it! You've been waiting for this chapter, for some action. But help! I want to make sure of the following:

-that Kay didn't make it on your most hated list by going to talk to Donnie.

- that the whole confession/first kiss didn't make you roll your eyes but made you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

- that you got a bit of satisfaction out of the two punches Donnie recieved (and yes, there's a reason Kyle's broke Donnie's nose with only a light tap. Would've most likely knocked him out with a full force punch).

That being said... What do you think happens next? I gave you fluff.

Next chapter title: Kings and Queens

See you next chapter. Vote, comment share!

This chapter is dedicated to autheras because I promised she'd get the bomb, because maybe she'll be curious to get this far, and because she's one of the most talented writers and kindest people out there. Rock on, Anne!