Then he kisses me.
Softer this time. Slower. His hands come up to frame my face the way I’m framing his, and we just… breathe each other in.
Behind us, I’m vaguely aware of the others shifting. Giving us space. Guarding without crowding.
When we finally pull apart, Finn’s breathing has steadied. His chaos magic has calmed to a low hum. He’s still shaking, but it’s different now.
Not alone.
“Bye, Ed.”
The whisper comes from him. Soft. Almost automatic.
I glance at the Gate. Another Ed shuffles past Kaia into the light.
“Later, Ed,” Finn murmurs. His head is still against my shoulder. His fingers are still tangled in my shirt.
I press a kiss to his hair.
“Take your time.”
He laughs. Watery but real.
“There are like a million more Eds, Malrik. We’re going to be here forever.”
“Then we’ll be here forever.”
He goes quiet. His hand tightens in my shirt.
“You meant it?” His voice is small. Vulnerable. “What you said?”
“Every word.”
“Even the love part?”
“Especially the love part.”
He exhales. Long and shaky.
“I love you too,” he whispers. “I think I have for a while. I just… didn’t think…”
“Didn’t think what?”
“That anyone would want me like that. The real me. Not the jokes. Not the deflection. Just… me.”
My chest cracks open.
“Finn.” I tilt his chin up. Make him look at me. “I want every part of you. The jokes. The chaos. The boy who saved a Valkyrie before he knew what a Valkyrie was. All of it.”
His eyes fill again.
“You’re going to make me cry again.”
“I’ll hold you through that too.”
He laughs. Wet and broken andhappy.
Then he tucks his head back against my shoulder and watches the Eds shuffle past.
