⌗ 26
riley  ✎ᝰ
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"... I would rather die loving you than be in love with somebody else." The words come rolling off my tongue like I had it all planned. But it wasn't. It was all from the heart—my heart.

Maisie stares back at me with a glimmer in her eyes. I can't tell if it's from the tears that roll down her face or the feeling of joy that fills up inside of her. Nevertheless, things have gotten better. I feel the warmth of her touch for the first time since the car ride home. Absence truly makes the heart grow fonder. There's no place like home, like my lover, my best friend,

my Maisie.

"I despised you for a little bit." Maisie confessed. "I couldn't come up with one good reason as to why you gave me the silent treatment. I racked my brain to find some sort of reason but I really couldn't..." Her voice fades for a brief moment. "I tried so hard not to let it get to me but it got so bad that I had to tell someone about it. I spent hours on the phone with Mara—I don't know how she managed to deal with me for hours but she got it in my head that I didn't do anything wrong. I just couldn't figure out why you did that."

The city lights surround us. The sight of yachts sailing into the far distance makes this all seem somewhat romantic—at least for me it does.

"I take all the blame. I got so caught up in all my worries that I pushed you away and upset you."

Mason pulls me close and hugs me tight. "I was upset—like a lot. I'll admit that. But I can't ever be mad at you—not for too long." She chuckled. "I'm just glad about one thing."

I rub the small of her back. "Hm, what's that?"

The notes of her perfume fill my lungs. It's true what they say—scent is the strongest tie to a memory. A plethora of memories come crashing through me. This scent reminds me of home.

But then again...

Maisie is home.

I may sound like a broken record but it's the absolute truth. My girlfriend is my living and breathing example of it entirely. A home is not always four walls and a roof. Sometimes it's a

person.

And she's my person.

My home.

My lover.

The one I love in every multiverse that I exist.

"I feel at home again." I can feel her smiling even though I can't see her face. Her arms wrap around my waist and she squeezes me tighter.

"Mm," She chuckles. "This is it."

"What?" I pull away from her slowly.

There's a smirk slowly forming on her lips.

"It's a secret!" Mason uttered.

"We're not leaving till you tell me." I ordered.

Mason laughs loudly and pulls me back into her warm embrace. "It's just that I'm so utterly in love with you and I'm so lucky you're all mine."

The feeling of her breath against my neck tickles. "Is that really why you were smirking earlier?"

Mason nods. "Mm. I mean look at you." She pulls away and extends her arms as to show me off. "The love of my life." She smiled widely. "No Goddess could ever compare to you. And I mean that with every fibre of my being, Marsh."

Mason pulls me back into her arms and kisses the side of my neck. "I'm so in love with you." I feel her smile against me. "I really won. Fuck the lotto, man. I have the Riley Marsh. The only and only." She chuckled happily. "All mine."

It takes me several moments to notice the smile that's formed on my lips. "You're such a romantic." I laughed. "My lover girl."

Mason rolls her eyes. "Yeah, only for you though. Strictly for you. Write it down if you have to."

I cup her face with my hands as she brings her hands down towards my waist and closes the gap in between us.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Mason shrugs teasingly. "Maybe?"

"Care to show me?" I raise a brow.

Mason bites her lower lip before kissing me along my jawline. "I think I'm right." She laughs into her kiss before pressing her lips onto mine.

We pay no mind to the passers-by. The two of us stand underneath the stars. I admire the universe for their hard work. They bring me back to her. No matter what. Nothing could ever tear us apart. I believe that wholeheartedly now.

I was wrong about the future. I may not be able to change what the universe has planned for me. But I can do my best to have it in my favour. I'll admit it though—I'm still so terrified. I'm scared that one day I'll wake up to something all too unfamiliar. That I'd wake up without her. That kind of worry might always linger, but I can get through it. I know I can. I have her now and that's all that really matters. She loves me now. And I'll cherish that love till my last breath. Sometimes the worst place you can be is in your own head. With no risk comes no story to tell. Everything, in time. Our journey may not always be perfect, but it's ours. And I'll stick with that to the end. I'm still hoping it's her and I in the end. I have a long life ahead of me—with hopes, dreams and a lot of plans. You're in all of them, Maisie. One day I'll look at this moment and realise that I have everything I prayed for. I'm excited for the future and what it holds. I'm no longer worried. I'm looking forward to it. A restless, wild anticipation brews inside of me. I may not see it, but I can feel it. No more expectations. Just go with the flow. And whatever happens, happens.

I'm in love with her today. Tomorrow too. And the day after that. Even into next week.

I'll love her wholeheartedly.

So one day, in the near future, I have no regrets.
Whatever life has to throw at me, I'll take it. There's nothing I can't do as long as she's by my side. I never want to stop loving her.