"it was always you"

★・・・★・・・★

Diego groaned and slowly regained consciousness as he pushed himself up off the floor. Pieces of glass from the vase fell off his body and onto the floor making a chime noise.

"Shit," Diego grunted as he held his head.

"Good, you're up," Five remarked. "Ready for a drink now?"

Diego's eyes explored the room. When he noticed the absence of Hazel, Diego immediately shot up on his feet with his fists in the air.

"Where is he?" Diego grumbled.

"I let him go," Five answered simply.

Diego's eyes widened. "You what?" Anger began to boil within him.

"Now that the apocalypse is over, it's time for the fighting to stop," Five announced calmly.

Diego glared at Five and ignored his order as he turned around and grabbed his knife on the floor.

Five rolled his eyes at his brother's stubbornness. "Hey! He didn't kill Patch. His partner Cha-Cha did."

"So. What." Diego articulated his words angrily. "They were both there that night."

"This half of the partnership gave me both of their guns. Which will clear you because the ballistics will match Patch's crime scene." Five advised his brother to stop chasing after Hazel and Cha-Cha.

Diego hesitantly stepped forward to examine the two guns lying on the bar.

"Hazel came here looking for a way out. He wanted a fresh start, and he happened to have in his possession the one thing that could do our family a little good," Five admitted honesty. "It's time to move on, Diego."

Diego didn't hesitate when he replied. "Not a chance."

Five sighed and gave up trying to convince him. "Suit yourself."

He reached for my hand and began walking us out of the living room. Blush began to creep up onto my cheeks.

Before leaving, Five turned around and asked Diego a question. "I am curious.. Your girlfriend, Patch. What did you like about her?"

Diego was confused as to why Five was asking about Patch, but answered regardless. "A lot of things. Cute butt, nice legs."

I laughed and rolled my eyes at his response. Typical Diego.

"Anything a little more profound than that?" Five pushed for an actual answer from Diego.

Diego took a few moments to gather his thoughts.

"She believed in people," he recalled. "No matter how much shit and filth she saw on the streets, she always saw the good inside."

Diego looked away sadly as he thought about his lost love. I frowned; losing people is the worst experience.

Five nodded empathetically.

"Well, I'm sure she'll be proud to know that you're killing Hazel and Cha-Cha as a way to honor her memory." Five used the guilt card on Diego. It was evident that Five's words affected him because of the look on his face.

With those words of wisdom, Five and I left Diego to think about his decision as Five jumped us to his room.

Not expecting the sudden teleportation, I stumbled and almost tripped, but Five caught me and helped me back to my feet.

"Thanks," I whispered softly. My eyes widened and my cheeks turned to a rosy shade at the closeness.

Five stared deep into my eyes, and a comforting silence consumed the room. Our hands were still intertwined, and I could feel my heart racing.

"You know, it's crazy to believe that just a few hours ago the world was going to end," Five spoke with enthusiasm.

I smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Now we have all the time in the world," I exclaimed. "We can do anything we want."

Five grinned. "Like this."

He leaned in and kissed me lightly. An eruption of butterflies flew throughout my stomach. Five moved his hand to my cheek and then pulled away slowly.

"I've wanted to do that for awhile, now." He held my hand again and his eyes sparkled.

"I've wanted you to do that for awhile, now," I repeated happily.

He placed another kiss on my lips. "I really like you, Lexa."

"I really like you too, Five," I beamed and pulled him in for a hug.

Five wrapped his arms around my waist, and I finally felt like this was the end. Our moment finally arrived and I couldn't be happier. Everything was coming to a halt. Maybe life would become easier. We had each other, and that's all we needed.

Boom!