Always Forever

Chapter 4

Vanya's heart boomed in her chest as she walked toward Five's room. This was a courageous act, well, for her at least. Every sound was exponentially enhanced. Every creak of the floorboards, the padding of her feet, and the pounding in her chest was surrounding her in a tornado. She couldn't think straight. 

What if he says no? Well, then just live your life like how you used to. But what if it gets awkward? Maybe I should go back. No, Vanya, just breathe. It doesn't matter what he says. Just get an answer. But what if he does like me? Maybe he does. What if he hates a nobody like me?  Thoughts swarmed like bees to a hive in her head. Every step brought her closer, closer, and closer. Then, she looked up. 5 was engraved on the door in cursive. This was it. Her life depended on this moment. She couldn't live another day without knowing what was to happen. She knocked on the hardwood of the door. 

"Who is it?" Five called out. He teleported to the door in a swoosh. The door opened. 

"Oh! Vanya... hi..." Five said awkwardly, "Uh, come in." Vanya stepped into his room. There were equations all over the walls. Words like "time-continuum", "consciousness", and "parallel universe" were written all over also. A single overhead light illuminated his small room. A closet and a mirror stood in the corner. The mirror was also covered with numbers with coordinates in all numbers. 

"You wrote all this?" Vanya asked, mesmerized. She turned in a full circle in his room.

"Yup. Weird, right?" Five smirked, "It's just something I've been working on..." He took a look at his walls too. Sure, he was a genius, but Vanya never imagined spending a lifetime on these equations. Vanya turned back to Five.

"I was wondering... why were you staring at me this morning?" Vanya spoke softly. 

"Because you're beautiful," Five said without skipping a beat. His face flushed and he looked at the floor, clearly not wanting her to see his face. "I've liked you since forever. Guess I could never get my mouth to say it." Five looked back up into Vanya's eyes. 

Vanya's eyes widened. Her? He thought SHE - an average brown-haired girl surrounded by superheroes - was beautiful. Vanya's face burned. 

"Oh... thanks," Vanya smiled shyly. Five was staring at her again, with those eyes... those eyes. Those green eyes hid thousands of deep secrets that Vanya would never understand. She stared back into them. Five eyed her pink lips and leaned in closer. Who was to stop him. Vanya leaned in too. And they pressed their lips together.

It was like a symphony. Their harmonies were perfect. Five's head tilted at just the right angle to meet Vanya's lips and Vanya's head fit right in Five's hands. There couldn't be anything so perfect in the rush of a moment.

Vanya never knew that it would be this thrilling to kiss someone you loved. It felt real. The only thing that ever felt real to her is this. She felt the world speed by. This was it. This was the moment she wanted to be in. All those resentments, tears, and misunderstandings were compensated for. Her heart eased and began beating along with Five's. 

Five pulled her close. His hands caressed her soft, hazelnut hair. He felt every second of it. What he would do without her? He didn't know. His world was complete. Who needed time travel? If he was with her, any time or any place was fine. 

After a minute or two, they pulled away from each other. Vanya smiled at him and Five smiled back. They knew what each other was thinking. Their worlds were complete.