Stay...Together

Epilogue

After about a week there, Victorine had become comfortable enough with her life. A week was all the time needed for her the explore the majority of the fort. She'd been through a bombing drill, eaten the (sort of gooey) rations and practically slept right under Asha's bed. She'd adapted and was fine with her new situation. And her definite favorite part was a yard behind a corner house.

The yard wasn't exactly used for anything. It was just a little backyard hardly anyone used. The grass was mostly dead, but not too painful to walk on. There were a few empty boxes stacked up in a corner. The surrounding houses cast a shadow over the small space.ut the moonlight still found its way in. Hardly anyone set foot there, and it was always fairly quiet. All of this was perfect for Victorine.

No had knowledge of it, but that day she'd grown a little older. Just by a year, but still significant. She didn't feel any older or look any older (still flat as a lake). But just knowing it was enough. Who else needed to know?

At dusk, after a week, she ventured out to her special place. The sun was nearly set, and Parker had said she could go explore for a while before bed. She took the opportunity to slip right away from the crowd and to her quiet place. She stepped in and tried to stretch a bit. She hadn't gotten the chance in quite a while. First, she tried on the left leg. She slid down effortlessly like it was nothing. She then stood on her knees and slid down on her right leg. To her surprise, she stopped with her back leg bent. She pushed a little harder and rather painfully straightened the back leg.

Went she stood back up, she dusted off her legs and got ready to stretch again. But she heard a soft clang noise behind her. She looked over her shoulder to see Primus right behind her. He stood in the pale moonlight, his eyes fixated on her. Victorine smiled and gracefully tiptoed towards him. He did the same until they met right in the middle.

She extended her hand, like before. He reached out a little, tension tightening the muscles in his arm. She inched closer until her fingers lightly touched his. Primus flinched and drew back his hand, eyebrows curving. Victorine didn't lower her hand yet, though. She stared him in the eye, a smile creeping up her face.

Victorine twirled around him, her legs straight but her arms curled into a half-bowl-shape. Primus watched her with those keen eyes of his. Staring him in the eye, she spun around on one foot and pushed out her arms when she was done. With an eager smile, he joined in. The two leaped and spun together, Victorine leading the way. He put his hands around Victorine's waist and lifted her just a little off the ground. Victorine stretched out like a star, her little feet pointed. When she reached the ground, she turned and faced away from him.

He put his hands on her waist again, Victorine glancing over her shoulder. She gestured to him that she was ready. Their knees bent in unison. Victorine pushed as hard as she could, jumping in the air. Primus, a little unsteadily, lifted her over his head. She fell backward, hanging upside down as he held her up. She stretched her left leg straight, but let the other hang a little bent. She felt weightless as air. She let her arms fall limp. She stared up at the starry sky, her eyes wide as saucepans.

He started to walk in a small circle, still holding her up in the air. He slowly brought her down, her legs falling a little. He bent his elbows until she lightly dropped into his arms. He held her bridal-style as she stared into his eyes. He looked a little confused (and nervous as hell), but Victorine couldn't help but smile at him. Swiftly, she leaned in a planted a little kiss on his cheek.

Immediately, he pulled back. Victorine leaned back, too, arching her back. He loosened his grip, lowering her to the ground. She rested her hands on the grass. With help, she kicked over her leg and landed on her knees. Primus sunk to his knees too, finally taking her hand. Victorine gazed at how his mouth only twitches in a smile. How his eyebrows were a smidge uneven. But it was all perfect to her.

They sat down, still holding hands. She straightened one leg but kept the other bent. The two eventually laid down, Victorine's spiky hair rubbing against Primus's shoulder. A little short-of-breath, she whispered, "Happy birthday to me."

Unbeknownst to the two, a ginger-headed girl stood by the entrance. She pressed her side against the wall of a nearby building as she watched the dance in front of her. Her eyebrows knit and her wide eyes twitched. She watched with hints of confusion and disgust. She bit her bottom lip and inhaled sharply.

"Ew," Gina muttered.