Lily Of The Valley (Aris x Reader)

3) Forever

The plan has been made. Maybe not a faultless one, but nonetheless, it was something.

As I expected, the Double T’s didn't want to leave. So all those times Aris said it was just him and I against the world was about to be a literal statement.

“Let's go over the list one more time. Water?”

“Check,”He nodded, looking at his bag while I did the same.

“Food?”

“Check.”

“Knives.”

“Check.”

“Jacket?”

“Check.”

“Cash?”

“Check.”

“That's good then,”I accepted. “I don't know though. I feel like we're forgetting something.”

“Yeah. You are,”He confirmed, tossing a bag to me. Glancing inside, I wondered how the hell I could forget pads as I put them in my backpack.

“Thanks. You're a lifesaver,”I promised.

“I know,”He shrugged.

“Don't get cocky or I’ll take the compliment back,”I sighed, rolling my eyes as I zipped my bag up. Glancing at the latch, I looked at him to silently ask if he actually wanted to go through with this. Because he knows very well where he goes I go, and vice versa. So if he said no we’d put everything back, I’d make fun of him a little bit, and we’d spend the rest of our lives here.

“It's now or never.”

“Yeah. Now or never,”I mumbled, wrapping my hands around the metal ladder that had remained untouched for years. So much so, that it put an instant chill over my skin, almost making me shiver. Or maybe it was the way I was about to see what had become of the world for the first time in years, if it had changed at all.

Moving up, I knew imagining whatever it may be was pointless. Whether I was optimistic or pessimistic made no difference to reality.

Taking a breath, I spun the bar and pushed it upwards, inviting a cool breeze and rubble inside. Putting my jacket over my mouth and nose with one hand, I pulled myself out with the other.

“How's it look up there?”Aris called, starting a chapter we never thought we would have in our stories.

“Like hell,”I called back, squinting as my eyes adjusted. After a moment, as I looked around at the unmoving rubble and demolished building, the dust settled back into place.

“You weren't kidding,”He said, coming up. Grabbing his hand, I helped pull him out.

“Thanks,”He mumbled, standing up. In dead silence, we looked at the roof that was barely standing and walls threatening to finish the job at any second.

“Last chance before we close the door,”I spoke up.

“If you don't want to leave then-”
“It doesn't matter what I want. If you're leaving I’m leaving. If you're staying I’m staying,”I said firmly.

“Okay. Then, let's get moving before the sun kills us,”He reminded me, a smile in his voice despite the words. Kicking the door with his good foot, when it slammed down he tightened the straps on his bag before gesturing for us to start the trip. With a sigh, I walked next to him as he looked at everything despite the way this had once been out home. Coming to a still standing doorframe he gave me a look that I didn't quite like as he stared at it. Then, just like we did when we were kids, jumped up despite being able to touch it without doing so, and hit the top. Giving in to the childlike wonder joy it once brought, I did the same.