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One-shot: Clouded Moon

I sighed as I let the dog out, livestream from the school board playing, "Next to none of those idiots know what's good for them," I sneered. I planned to mask up big time this year, as the pandemic was not over. I could never begin to understand why others were so difficult; it was all presented henceforth with one excuse after another, growing deeply infuriating to the point I would lash out. My blood boiled, but I was calm after I stepped outside.

Sometimes, it's best to just walk away.

Just don't get too attached.

I leaned over the railing of my deck, thoughts racing as I made sure the dog was alright. School was to start in a few days and summer was pretty much over; gone far damn soon. Perhaps new beginnings could come to light.

Arms wrapped around my waist as I stared into the clouds that covered the moon. I felt a head rest on my shoulder. I turned and smiled warmly, "Hey," I whispered. She hugged me tighter, "I know you're frustrated, I'm so sorry."

She joined me as I sat on the outside table, "Yeah, I am alright. It's truly fucking ridiculous."

She nodded in agreement, "I don't understand either, but I'm sure you will all be safe."

"We will," I replied, "we will."

I embraced her and she sat on my lap as we talked about things and supervised the dog.

"Your senior year will be great," She reassured me, "It was kinda hard at times, but overall I made it. Also, whatever you do, don't-"

I cut her off by kissing her; she muttered the rest of the words into my mouth, our gazes meeting as she hugged me. Her gaze pierced me, but only in the best of ways, "You really love to shut me up, huh?"

I sheepishly grinned, "Only if I can do that."

"Mm, always," she smirked.

"Your eyes are fucking perfect aligned with mine, I swear," I remarked after silence, "I never thought any of this could come."

Her gaze soft and sincere, she spoke, "I had my doubts, though I suspected it could. I'm glad we are here. It's worth it."

I agreed, "Everything is different now, everything is better."

She smiled short and looked to the sky, making some comments about the strange formation of clouds under the moon. It was remarkable and memorable.

Just like... her.

She seemed off in some of her body language, and I was rather worried. I turned more to her, embracing her more comfortably, and asked, "Hey, something on your mind?"

She turned to face me, tears down her face as she smiled, "I guess."

"Honey, what's wrong?!" I inquired, shocked as I did my best to dry her tears.

"It's just that... Shit. Oh, I don't know...."

"Hey, hey, hey," I calmed her, "You can tell me anything; if you don't want to right now, you can later, or whenever you're ready and-"

"-I love you."

"I love you too, but... what's going on?"

"It's just that... I've never met someone who actually loved me. Me for me, my true self. I didn't necessarily expect said person to be, oh, I don't know, you, heh. Everyone else just used me for manipulation, nudes, emotional shit, etc. You did not, and I would hope never intend to. This is the first time in honestly my whole life I have ever felt this way. Yes, I have good friends who care for me and provide me with fun and happy memories, yes I have a decent family members, yes I have reasonably helpful classmates but... never a significant other. I always was interested in men who didn't want me, I was so caught up in cheaters amongst liars, and never took a chance to look around at what I had the whole time."

"Well, you did now, heh. And now you have me."

She smiled, "Exactly, exactly."

Our hands brushed as we continued to kiss, sharing our love for each other under the stars. I loved her since I knew of her, and planned to keep it that way.

Oh, what a pattern.

I snuggled into her side in my room after we came inside with the dog, "We're forever, and I love you," I whispered, curled around her.

She smiled lightly then pecked my lips, "I know baby, I know."

She held my face in her hands as I looked at her. I wrapped her in my arms as I kissed her neck, making my way to her mouth, hearing her moan my name once more. We cuddled after we finished making out, as always.

This would be always, ever after all.

I made that promise.

So did she.

Clouded moon, omens extravagant.

Henceforth, provided valiant, we are.