“My roar was very noble. Perhaps it was a gift for my loyalty,” Amari chimed in. I still couldn’t believe he came. I really did need to save up to get a place so he could stay with us. A life at the zoo may be better, or even taking him back to the wild, but if he wanted to be with me, I’d keep him.
“I wonder if we should try moving.” I tried scooting to the side, just a few inches, and the satellite trembled. Oh boy.
“Any chance of time jumping us now?” I mentally crossed my fingers since I was scared to do it in reality.
“I’ve been trying. Apparently, my powers, or our powers, think this is better.” I wasn’t sure I agreed with them.
“Did you feel my powers when I touched you?” he asked, and I subtly nodded.
“My whole body warmed, and I felt stronger. Like you were giving me your power, and it supercharged mine.” Honestly, it felt like I’d been plugged into a super engine. I knew I could stop the satellite. I felt invincible with him. The other half of my soul.
“The balance,” I whispered as it hit me. I continued as the metal’s heat made us sweat. “Our powers come from the Titans. Draco said that made us different and that the balance was important. We hurt when we are apart, but when we are together, we are practically one. Your energy flows into me and mine into you. He said we had great power and that power needed a balance or it would be too much for one person.” My mind raced with all the thoughts, putting everything together.
“I think we have powers that we can access together. Like… your gifts come from Kronos, fucking Father Time essentially. He could do anything with it. Yes, I read up on him. You have those powers too, but it was too much for you to do on your own. You needed a balance.”
Together, we were a powerhouse. Which scared the bejesus out of me, because that was a lot of pressure. However, right now I was beyond grateful for it.
“What were you thinking when you tried to jump?”
“That I loved you and that we’d live together or die together. No future was worth existing without you.” I fucking loved this man.
“Perhaps love is the key.”
“Phillip says to always bet on love.” Vincent smirked but I got behind the notion.
“Amari, Vincent’s grip may hurt, but please hang on as we move together with love, ok?” I pleaded with the lion not to snarl or pull away. This wasn’t going to be easy, and there wouldn’t be enough time to do anything if time started moving at a normal pace. We’d be squished.
“With love?” Vincent sounded confused.
“Yeah. Like think about how much you love me. Like you did before.” It sounded logical to me.
“I love that you’re a dork sometimes, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.” His hold tightened around me before his lips pressed against my head.
“I love you. I’m glad I picked up the pen palling hobby.” I tilted my head to look into his eyes. A silent agreement passed in our gaze. Time to move.
“I love waking up beside you. I love that we’ll have many more together.” He scooted back an inch, and I didn’t take my eyes off him as I followed. Amari huffed as he crawled forward with us.
“I love you, E.” We made it out from under the satellite, his arm around my waist as we slowly stood. My muscles didn’t like that. Perhaps I needed to add yoga or something into my life.
“I love you, V.” I smiled and glanced around. If I hadn’t seen the fiery stillness around us, I wouldn’t have believed it. And I had friends who talked to ghosts; nothing should surprise me at this point.
Vincent took a step back, and the world around us trembled.
“Quick, tell me something you love about me!” I shook him as the world around us began to move again. It was like a slow motion scene in a movie. Which would have been cool to watch if we weren’t still in the danger zone.
“I love your bubble butt. Now let’s haul that ass out of here.” He dug his foot into the ground and, before I could protest, released Amari, who’d readied himself for a sprint, and tossed me over his shoulder. Time picked up its pace as Vincent and Amari took off.
The ground shook, and suddenly time found its normal rhythm. The satellite struck the ground, and broken mirrors shattered further, chasing us as we fled. Amari made it to safety, but that busted tail end of the satellite had it in for us as it flipped over.
We didn’t make it this far to die now. Not a chance, Mr. SARS. I imagined the whole satellite flopping to the ground.Come on, Titan powers, don’t let me down.
It trembled, and like someone had flicked it with giant fingers, the satellite fell to the side. The ground shook and fire blasted from the metal as it finally stilled.
“I did it!” I hollered as Vincent carried me through the burning park. I hated that my favorite place was up in flames, but I was glad I wasn’t burning with it.
“They made it!” I heard Selene’s voice over the nearing sirens and relaxed onto Vincent’s back. My friends were ok. Once Vincent’s feet hit pavement, he set me down, and before I could suck in a breath, his lips were on mine.
“I ran very fast. I will require many back scratches later in reward.” Amari’s voice entered my head, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
