Free-Flight

Are We?

A/N Guys, I'm so excited for this chapter!!!! Ahhhh!!!!

Jorgen

I leaned against my ship, watching the door and thinking about Spensa. I really cared about her, but she just made me so angry sometimes. It wasn't the fact that she couldn't follow any scudding orders—although that was very frustrating—it was how she just carelessly threw herself around, risking her life like it was nothing. I knew she could take care of herself, but sometimes she took unnecessary risks that could end up with her being seriously hurt. Or dead.

I shuddered at the thought. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to her, especially if it was my fault. She had to learn that other people were affected when she went off and did her own thing. And she had to understand that all the rules and orders were there for her own good, and for the good of everyone else.

And the fact that she had lied to me...it felt like a punch in the gut. I trusted her enough to go to Starsight, but then she turned around and lied to me about keeping herself safe. Why couldn't she give me the same trust and respect I gave her?

I sighed. Well, I'd teach her, then. I'd teach her that she needed to trust her friends and follow orders. I'd teach her that—scud. There she was. As soon as Spensa entered the hanger, all my thoughts scattered like beetles under a rock. That always seemed to happen when she walked into a room.

As she approached, I gave her what I hoped was my best glare. Part of me wanted to grab her and kiss her, but I had the feeling she would probably punch me in the stomach if I did that.

But scud, it had been amazing that day in her cockpit. It was the happiest I'd ever felt. A moment of pure joy when it seemed the rest of the world was crashing down. I longed for that feeling again. And she had kissed me first! Did that mean she felt the same way I did? It made me wonder...

"I'm waiting," Spensa said impatiently. Right. I was supposed to be reprimanding her. Ugh. Why did she have to be so scudding beautiful? It made it hard to think. With that cute Defiant look in her eyes...

No. Reprimanding. I was supposed to tell her that she can't just go and disobey orders like that. She can't just run off and risk her life. I had the words on the tip of my tongue. Instead, I found myself blurting, "Spensa, are we a thing?"

Spensa's jaw dropped and her challenging gaze turned into a look of shock. "What?!" she exclaimed.

I was honestly just as surprised as she was. I had no idea where that came from. This wasn't the right time. But it was too late. I'd already said it.

I cleared my throat and looked away. "Are we...a thing," I repeated shyly.

"I...I don't know," she hesitated. "Are we?"

"We... can be," I told her. "If you want to, of course." I felt like my face was on fire. Scud. Had I really just asked out Spensa Nightshade?

"I dunno, Jorgen," she said. My heart sank.  Scud. She was going to say no. Scud scud scud! What had I done?

But then she said, "You're my Flightleader. Don't you think that would be kinda...weird? I might distract you from your duties."

"Trust me, you already do that, Spin," I said, slipping my hands onto her waist. Maybe I could convince her after all. "I... love you."

"I...love you too," she whispered. I looked into her eyes, which were wide with wonder. My heart was doing somersaults in my chest. She had just said...

"It's just..," Spensa added, "We're complete opposites, Jorgen. You're a rule follower and a good leader and I'm...a complete rebel. I don't even know who I am. How can I get into a relationship with someone like you? I don't deserve you."

I stared. I was shocked at Spensa's words of self doubt. She always seemed so sure of herself. So strong and Defiant. So it was strange to see her let down her tough barrier.

I reached out and cupped her cheek in my hand. "Actually," I said, "I don't deserve you. You're so brave and strong. You bring strength and confidence to the Flight. And to me."

"Really?"

"Yes, Spin. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She smiled up at me. An uncharacteristically gentle smile, filled with relief and love. I grinned back at her.

"So..," I hesitated. "Are we?"

"I want to be," she admitted, looking away. "I really do. But there's just so much going on. Especially with being cytonic and all. It's just...I don't think you could understand."

I lifted her chin to look at me. "Actually, I might understand better than you think," I said. She gave me a questioning look, and I slumped against the Largo. "There's something I never told you."

She slumped down next to me.

"I'm not supposed to talk about this," I admitted. "But I think you should know."

"What?"

"The cytonics didn't stay in the engines, you know."

"What are you saying?" She inquired.

I met her curious gaze. "I saw the eyes, Spin."

She froze and her eyes widened in shock. "That's how we found the Taynix. I could hear them. I've always been able to hear them, but spending a week with your Gran-Gran helped me—"

"You spent a week with Gran-Gran?" She interrupted, a jealous frown creeping onto her face.

"Cobb sent me to her when I told him about the eyes," I nodded. "We made bread."

Spensa grinned, probably reliving the memories of her blind bread-making lessons.

"So... you're a cytonic, too," she clarified.

"Yes," I whispered, leaning closer. "Just not as powerful as you."

Spensa grinned at me, and leaned a little closer. "So, do you want to...," I asked, leaning even closer until our faces were just inches apart.

"Yes." And with that, she closed the distance between us and pressed her lips against mine.

A/N AHHHHHHHH!!!!! THEY'RE FINALLY TOGETHER!!!! Sorry, I kinda rushed through the end.

So, my original plan was to do the first part in Jorgen's perspective and the second half in Spensa's. But it was weird so I just went ahead and did the whole thing in Jorgen's.

Do you think I should repeat the scene in the next chapter but in Spin's POV? Or should I just move on?