!!NIGHTFALL SPOILERS!!

I spent 4 hours back to back reading Nightfall the other night. The inspiration after almost a year has returned my children.

Imma delete all my irrelevant authors notes too

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  "Stupid cache!" Dex seethed as he tossed it across his room. His periwinkle blue eyes were framed by big dark circles, the frustration laced his pretty irises.

  You frowned softly, watching the stress and anger well up in him. The frustration wasn't with Fintan's cache, it was with himself.

  "Dex calm down.." You murmured, wanting to reach out and cup his face. But you refrained. Reluctantly.

  He ran his fingers through his strawberry blonde hair, not daring to look at you. He was taking this much harder than the others perceived. Perhaps he just needed a break from trying to crack the passwords to the cache. Bronte couldn't figure it out. Neither could he. They were spending too much brainpower.

  Dex sat down at his desk. Head in his hands. "[YN] it's just not fair.." He finally said, his voice quivering.

  You tilted your head. "What.. What's not fair, Dex." You pulled up a chair to sit next to him but he swerved his body away.

  He'd been rather.. receded lately. You didn't know why but he was avoiding you and Sophie.

  You wanted to ask why but at the same time you felt it wasn't your place to ask for the answer.

  "I always have to stay behind while they go on cool missions or fight things." He droned. "Sophie always says "your job is the most important job" as if she's trying to convince me I'm not being tossed aside by being consistent with her reasoning."

  You grimaced softly. "Well she's right Dex.. your job is the most-"

  "IMPORTANT JOB, I KNOW. IT'S ALWAYS THE SAME… BULLSHIT!" He swore, having a small pause as he searched for the right word.

  You anxiously brushed your [HC] hair from your face, averting your [EC] gaze to the cache strewn on the floor across the room.

  Sighing, you stood up, using your telekinesis to bring the cache over.

  You held it tight in your hands. This small thing was giving someone you loved so dearly so much grief. Part of you wished you could smash it and that'd be the end. The other part wanted to help him and Bronte crack the passwords. But you had no clue what that could possibly be. Or where to start.

  "You need a break." You hummed, setting the cache aside.

  Dex glanced up, looking at you like you'd gone loony. "Break? We don't have time for breaks, we need to open that cache, all time is valuable time. If we don't get close to opening it-" He blabbed until you put your hand over his lips.

  You smiled, shaking your head. "You haven't gotten one inch closer to opening it in the first place. You've been too stressed. It warrants a break.. c'mon, just give in." You insisted, gazing at him intently.

  His freckled cheeks seemed to flush a hint of rose for ever just a second. And then his dimples made themselves present.

  "Okay [YN], okay. But if Bronte decides to punish me for taking a break, you have to suffer too." Dex chuckled, standing up.

  You shrugged nonchalantly. "Why not. After all the emotional suffering you've endured, its only fair someone shares it with you."

  That made him smile a little. For whatever reason he wasn't sure. But hearing that you wanted to share with him the burden of being what felt like forgotten gave the whole situation a sense of comfort. One he'd missed very much.

  You wanted to take him somewhere nice. Atlantis was typically that somewhere nice but that was far too busy.

  "Maybe we can visit Havenfield.. sit under Calla's tree for a bit." You wanted to add the words "together" and "alone" but held back.

  Dex didn't need love. He needed love. Support. Appreciation. Acknowledgement. And damn were you determine to show him just that. Appreciation and love. All he deserved.

  Dex seemed to tense up at the mention of Havenfield. And deep down you knew thats because it had to do with Sophie. Did you question it? Heavens sake no.

  As much as you wanted to ask what happened, you still felt it wasn't your place to ask.

  "Sure. If you want to go. I don't mind."

  "Dex.. if you don't want to go to Havenfield we can go anywhere else. Its okay, just tell me."

  "No." The elf said, a little sternly. It startled you a little. He wasn't really an aggressive person.. "Its fine." His voice was strained.

  Dex noticed you take half a step back and sighed, relaxing his boxed shoulders.  The pained look in his blue eyes said enough. You pulled out a light leaping crystal and offered your hand.

  He hesitated, settling his hand on your arm instead. But his gaze lingered on your slowly closing fingers.

---

  Leaping to Havenfield, you got that fast blast of fresh air and the cool breeze of the ocean off the ledge not too far away.

  Dex didn't bother waiting for you, however. He immediately started for the beautiful Panakes tree.

  You rushed after him, casually waving at Verdi as she lowered her head to look at you.

  "We came here together!" You hollered, feeling your breath hitch as you said that one word. "Don't just walk off without me!"

  He didn't stop until he reached Calla's tree. And even then he kept moving. He leaned against the trunk, facing the sea.

  He stared out blankly. Blankly but when you paid close attention, you could tell he had this look about him. It looked solemn, alone.

  Carefully you took your place next to him, skimming your [ST] fingertips along his arm until you rested your hand upon his.

  "Dex," You whispered softly. "I know there's something wrong.. You can tell me anything.."

  Your eyes stayed trained on him for a little.

  He was still.

  Then his fingers moved, moving between the cracks of yours to lightly grip your hand.

  "It's hard.." He began, voice taut. It wavered from strained to brittle. And it ached to hear.

  "I love my friends so much. I love Keefe, Sophie, Fitz, everyone. You." Your cheeks flushed.

  "But... with every passing day I feel more insignificant." His voice cracked with the last word. He clearly didn't like it. "Sophie says the same thing over and over. I have the most important job. That's why I don't get to do anything fun, adventurous, adrenaline racing."

  Dex kept his eyes forward but he squeezed your hand.

  "All these years. It doesn't feel important anymore." He broke. "I don't feel important anymore."

  You pulled Dex in, letting him sob into your shoulder. Stroking his hair, you sighed. What was there to say. Dex did have the most important job. But that wasn't what was causing his grief. You glanced up at the Panakes, vines swaying in the wind.

  "Dex… you are important. Just because you don't get to do what we do doesn't mean you're any less valuable to us. As a teammate and as a friend." You cooed, kissing his head.

  Warmth rushed through your chest. Anxiety from your action.

  More adrenaline began to pump as you went on.

  "You're important to me.. I don't ever want to see someone I love get hurt. We have casualties already. I don't want you ending up in another life threatening situation. Or worse…dead."

  He wrapped his arms around your waist, squeezing you gently as he heard "dead" echo. You were both quiet for a little.

  Then he glanced up, his lips next to your ear as he looked off into the distance past your shoulder. "I love you too.. I'm always scared I'll lose you when you go out on missions. I want to be with you during them. So I can protect you and make sure nothing takes you from me.."

  He pulled you into his lap, cuddling you close. Dex smiled ever so slightly, but he was clearly content. "You're the only person who's ever made me feel important... thank you [YN].."

  That made your lips curl a little. Smiling back at him. You returned his cuddling embrace. It felt good.

  "I'm sorry I've been avoiding you. It's complicated." He suddenly said.

  The Technopath laughed shyly. "Sophie and I.. kind of kissed last week. And I've been really really confused and lost about my feelings."

  Your heart sank a little. But why did he avoid you?

  "I thought I liked Sophie up until that point. But that kiss. I didn't feel anything. It felt bizarre and empty. So I was a little upset. And in trying to accept that Sophie and I would never be anything but friends, I realized.." Dex trailed off, biting his lip.

  You pulled back to look him in the face, cocking a brow. "What?"

  Dex grinned, flashing those heart throb dimples, moving in. It looked like he was just going to nuzzle his face into your shoulder but that wasn't the case. He pressed his lips to yours. Eyes closed. Freckled cheeks spray painted cherry.

  The surprise froze you for a little. But you kissed back. Smiling against his soft strawberry flavored lips. Your fingers tangled into his hair.

  "I've always liked you. And you're much more worth it. I'd spend  eternity trying to get with you, and I'd never be miserable.." He mumbled as he pulled away, still grinning like a fool.

  "I like you too Dexter.."

  You cuddled there with him under the Panakes until the Ruewens discovered you and it was time to go home.

  Dexter Dizznee got the love he deserved.

  You loved him and he loved you. Never again would he doubt having the important job. It was worth it.