Zack X Ray (AGE UP)

"chapter 6"

"Zack, five years ago we made a promise to one another. I know that honesty is important to you, so I just want to remind you that I released you from that promise we made to each other. I love you, and I would never ask you to do anything that would hurt you."

He blinked at her as he tried to process her words and figure out what exactly she meant by them... This was pretty in character for them, wasn't it? Neither of them ever came out and said what they really meant when it came to their feelings. She didn't understand hers, he didn't understand his, and they barely understood each other's.

As far as he could tell...

Holy shit. He felt the warmth of relief flood his body as all of the pieces clicked together in his mind.

She was telling him that she didn't want to die anymore! Or rather, telling him that she didn't want him to kill her, since it was the last thing in the world he would ever want to do.

He let out a bark of laughter and squeezed his eyes shut to keep from crying happy tears. She finally wanted to live.

"It's over?" He barely dared to ask. "Seriously?"

"Is that okay?"

"Hah! You're makin' a dishonest man out of me, Ray!" He laughed like a crazy person. "Hell yeah it's okay!" He pulled her into his arms, ignoring the protests of the guards as he wrapped her up in his embrace and held her there. It reminded him a little of the time he asked her not to let him kill her. Only now, she was fulfilling that promise for good. "You're out of your fucking mind for doing this by the way," he kissed her on the forehead and tilted her chin up so he could look straight into her eyes. "I promise I'll keep trying to make you smile."

"Oh..." She breathed. "That was pretty good for coming up with it on the spot."

"Went a hell of a lot better than the first time I tried to tell you all that," he smirked.

"The first time?"

"You know... Don't let me kill you just yet?"

She stared up at him with wide eyes, shocked by his admission. As she should have been. He just told her that he'd loved her since the day they met. At least he had the good sense to behave himself and not act like a creep around the prettiest girl he'd ever seen.

"I- I think... We went off script," she stammered, realizing that they were having a full-blown conversation about the development of their relationship in front of everyone during what was supposed to be a simple exchange of vows.

"Pretty par for the course, doin' shit our own way."

The officiant cleared her throat.

"If that's everything?" She waited for another interruption, clearly confused. "By the power of your love and commitment... and the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may exchange a tasteful kiss now."

Tasteful his ass. There was absolutely nothing tasteful about what he was going to do to his wife.

"Um... do you- How do you want to-" she wavered nervously. "You're really tall!"

"Shut up, Ray." He gathered her in his arms and slammed his mouth up against hers.

She let out a little noise of surprise before reciprocating. Then he kissed her again, and again, unable to keep himself from going back for more. She was so small and soft in his arms. She looked better, felt better, tasted better, even smelled better than anything in the world. She let out a little moan and slung her arms around his neck. He dragged her body against his and backed her against the nearest wall, needing to feel as much of her as possible as he continued ravishing her with desperate, long-overdue kisses.

"Mm-Zack," she whimpered against his mouth. "I want you."

He pulled back, red-faced and panting.

"Uhh... Sooo how about that private visit, huh?"