Author's Note

Pacing's about to kick into overdrive. Two more chapters before the time-skip.

Fated Fall (Interlude)

Noah and Rainbow kept in contact over the following month. Towards the end of November, he invited her back to the park for a restful day. Of course, there was natural tension involved, but they knew it would subside with time. Rainbow rested on her paramour's lap, reading through a book she'd finished once before during senior year.

"Whatcha' readin'?"

"Dragon of Grace. It's a novel that came out in the early '00s. It's about a post-apocalyptic timeline where only one group of survivors remains. The central character's a girl in her twenties named Maria Drake. They all fight monsters together called the insidious. The author was exploring themes of depression, growth, and redemption throughout the story. He was also into the same stuff as me at the time."

"So you think of yourselves as kindred spirits in a way."

"Yeah. It spoke to me on a personal level. I know it sounds weird, but I feel like if I knew him, we'd get along well."

"I don't think that's weird. You'd be surprised how many people think like you. It might not be the most common thing in the world, but it's definitely not unheard of."

"Yeah. Good point."

"You look beautiful today..."

"Today?"

"Every day."

"Well, you ain't so shabby yourself, slick."

Noah chuckled. Her tough talk never failed to make him laugh. Knowing her was a totally different experience from being aware of her existence. In truth, he would never know who she was back then, but now...He wouldn't be anywhere else...

"Well? What are you waiting for?"

Noah leaned down, kissing Rainbow softly. To be young and in love. It was truly worth living for.

"Are you worried?"

"About what?"

"About whether we can make it work when I leave."

"Nah. I trust you. You trust me too, right?"

"I do. I just don't want us to grow apart. I've never felt like this before, and I want it to last forever."

"We'll make it last - together."

"You always know just what to say."

"Guess that's something we have in common. Now, why don't you make yourself useful and get me something to drink?"

"As you wish."

Rainbow freed the stallion she called hers, smiling as he walked away. This was what she wanted the world to know - that while capable of sorrow, she could feel great joy as well. She was whole again - complete in a way one could only be through trial and error.

"Come back soon."