Destined

31

Yaz

28 years old

Two year later, in Tokyo, Japan.

We're laying in my bed, facing one another.

"Thank you," I whisper for what may have been the 1000th time since my baby was born.

Akasuki had been there the whole time. He held my hand when I gave birth and has been helping me care for Levi ever since. Levi loves him. Haru loves him.

I got pregnant again, months after I gave birth. Akasuki knows that he's the father

Haru and Levi lay between me and Akasuki in the bed. Haru curled around his little brother as if to protect him from the world.

Akasuki's brows furrow, "for what?"

I smile, reaching for his hand and interlocking our fingers, "for being here." I look down at the boys, laying between us, "For everything."

His eyes soften and he squeezes my hand, "I wouldn't trade this for anything."

The silence that follows is content of me and him admiring each other, admiring this moment. I don't think I've ever been happier. Sometimes I wish my twin brother and best friend could have met Akasuki. I think that they would love him too.

We had finally made our relationship official the day Levi was born and have been together ever since. I love seeing him with the boys. I love how he cooks for me. I love how he hugs me when I cry. I love how he holds me at night.

It's always been so fucked up. The way my life always turns out. I think I'm fine one moment then tragedy comes in waves and I have no clue what to do in the aftermath. But theres something about this moment with this guy. And I feel I can finally be happy.

"Yaz," He whispers, brushing my hair out of my face, "what are you thinking about?"

I close my eyes.

I love how he says my name.

I whisper in reply, "You." I open my eyes and he's smiling.

I love the way he smiles at me as if it's only reserved for me.

It feels so unreal. And I think, no, I hope, this moment lasts forever.

"Really?" He asks.

I nod, "Always."

He nods back, his fingers still grazing my face, "Do you want to know what I'm thinking about?"

"What are you thinking about?" I ask.

His smile gets brighter, with a glint in his eyes, "You."

I make a face, teasingly, "really?"

He nods again, still smiling, "Always."

I shake my head but there's still a smile on my face, "That's probably the most cringest and cliche thing you've ever said to me."

He pinches my cheek, "you said it first."

I laugh quietly and we relapse back into comfortable silence. The sun shining through the curtains.

This moment feels almost unreal.

"If you could wish for anything in the world, what would it be?" I ask and it's a silly question but he answers it with no hesitation.

"I'd wish that it could be like this forever." He says, serious.

I love him.

"I love you," the words are out of my mouth and I almost panic. The thought of him rejecting it. The memory of the past coming back to me, I've loved you forever, I had said once, Don't say stupid shit like that, Yazlin.

I try to look away but he holds my face so I have no choice but to look back at him. His eyes are intense, as he says, "I love you."

A smile makes its way back onto my face, my panic gone, "you really mean it?"

He's about to answer but there's a knock at the door.

No, not yet.

He goes to stand up, his hand leaving my face.

Wait.

I try to reach for him but he's already at the door, his hands on the knob.

Please, just a little longer.

The words are in my throat and I try to roll over to say them but it's too late.

He opened the door.

I wake up, in a pile of blankets, sweat on my body and in my hair. I try to catch my breath but it feels like I can't.

The dream is still fresh in my mind. A memory lost and yet it still haunts me.