by Kyle Perkins
“Yes, Alerik, and I never would have done anything like that, except I thought you had moved on, and I thought that The Union got to you and changed you into this unrecognizable person. I am so sorry. I should have known better. You have to believe me. It was just a stupid mistake,” she said, now sobbing.
“Velar, this hurts. Obviously, worse than any punch to the face I’ve ever had… but I understand.”
“Wait, you do?” she cried.
“From the outside, of course you thought I had been turned by The Union. The entire settlement thought it. Hell, even The Union thought it… so much so, that at one point, I was invited into their inner circle. And I didn’t exactly broadcast my plans or motivations. You hear of me out and about with my partner –who I never was involved with, by the way— and of course you make an assumption that many have made. Meanwhile, another guy was there and taking care of you, keeping you safe, and basically doing my job for me. I don’t like it, but there’s not much we can do about it now,” he sighed, gripping the ledge for support.
“I can’t believe you are taking this so well,” Velar stared at him in disbelief, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“Velar, to be honest, I hated Liberty’s Hammer. I thought they had kidnapped and killed you. To know that they actually kept you safe while I was in particularly dangerous situations… I have to be thankful,” he said, “I’m just so happy that you are alive.”
Velar didn’t know how to process what she was feeling. She never saw it going this way, “Alerik… I don’t know what to say…” she stumbled out a few words.
“Just say this was a one-time thing and it won’t happen when I leave the house to get food, and we’ll be okay,” he chuckled, trying to make her smile.
“You are amazing. I can’t believe you’d forgive me for this. Not so quickly, at least. I was dreading telling you so much. It’s been eating me up inside,” she wrapped her arms around him and squeezed as hard as she could, “I love you so much,” she said into his chest.
“Then it sounds like you’ve punished yourself enough already. I’m not going to add to that,” he smiled, “And, I love you, too, Velar.”
She wiped her eyes dry and pulled Alerik in for what would likely be their last kiss, since The Union soldier would be arriving soon.
They stopped and turned their heads when the radio began to crackle.
Acknowledgements
Richie Beck: Cover Art
Samantha Smith: Editing