Though at first I was confused and irritated, assuming foul play, after a few breathless moments I came to my senses. It only stood to reason that Lola should be in the same town as (Y/N); they were related. Doubtless Lola wanted to keep an eye on (Y/N), just as she would for all of her descendants. I felt rather like an idiot for not having anticipated as much. Still, I found myself hesitating.

I clenched my jaw so tightly my teeth grated, and closed my eyes. I reminded myself of what my father had said, that this wasn’t a matter of choosing between them. A gift, really; I knew I would never have been able to make that choice. A life with Lola was not an option, and if I wanted to earn the freedom to be with (Y/N), I had to face my nightingale once more.

I gathered the broken bone fragments closely to me. One last breath before I forced my eyes open, then jumped through dimensions, gripping Lola’s roses especially tightly so they wouldn’t get lost.

It was immediately apparent to me that something was terribly wrong. As I narrowed in towards Cincinnati, I realized I was headed towards (Y/N)’s apartment building. I balked, bewildered, when I sensed that Lola was actually inside (Y/N)’s apartment. Unable to get a clear sense of the occupants, I quailed, disbelieving. Could the Infinite One really be so cruel as to engineer that my meeting with Lola happen under (Y/N)’s very eyes?

Knowing how unsafe it was to linger outside of the material, and quashed by a sense of inevitability, I forced myself to pop through into (Y/N)’s main room. Instantly, my ring vibrated on my finger. Lola was here.

Before I could take a step, (Y/N) appeared from the hallway and turned towards the kitchen, not noticing me. Quickly, I reasoned that I had best not give (Y/N) the intimate greeting she deserved, lest Lola witness it and her noble heart be crushed. This was hardly the triumphant return I had imagined. I swallowed dryly, “(Y/N)?”

She turned, and a beatific smile graced her face as she dropped a pan and came running towards me. Her joy flooded my taste buds with sweetness. Feeling like an undeserving, heartless coward, I held up a hand to stave off her approach, though I wanted to fly into her arms. I was careful to avoid using any pet names. “(Y/N), have you company?”

Thankfully I didn’t taste any hurt feelings, merely utter bewilderment mixed with caution. “Only Ashley, he’s napping in the guest room.”

I cocked my head at her, confused at first. And then, with a greater weight than any mountain, comprehension of the truth struck me to my knees.

Notes

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