Dell and Vivian were walking through Derohak's city center during the last hours of daylight, when suddenly Vivian whispered:

  "Shhh, I hear cop cars coming."

  "What should we do? We can't just let them search us."

  "We won't, follow me."

  They hid in a dark alleyway and waited in silence for the armored car convoy to pass them by. Once the Imperial Police were gone, they got out and ran back to Vivian's place, since it was the closest safe spot.

  "That was close." - Dell said - "You really know how to avoid them, huh?"

  "Once you've done it a couple of times it gets quite easy." - Vivian replied - "Either way, I'm tired and it's getting late."

  "Me too. I don't think I can even walk home."

  A slightly flustered Vivian then muttered:

  "You can crash over here if you want, I don't mind. I only have one bed though. My... parents' bed is full of packing boxes..."

  "I, uh, sure! I can stay for the night." - said Delilah, also blushing - "And don't worry about the bed, I don't mind sleeping on the floor."

  "Alright then, that's settled."

  They entered Vivian's house and made a small snack before she gave Dell a set of pajamas and told her:

  "You don't... have to sleep on the floor."

  "Hm? What do you mean?"

  "I don't mind sharing a bed." - she said before quickly adding. - "If that's okay with you!"

  "Oh!" - Delilah exclaimed, surprised. - "Um, sure!"

  After slipping under the covers, Dell declared:

  "You know, I've never laid down in bed with someone my age. It's not as scary as I thought."

  "Me neither, but it's... nice..." - Vivian whispered

  They stayed up until late talking about their lives and how Zethea took everything they loved from them. Dell then said the motive her parents were imprisoned:

  "My parents, among others, had been speaking out against Yormut's Imperial Government for a while. One day, around ten years ago, they were demonstrating peacefully when the Imperial Police showed up and started dispersing the crowd using everything from water cannons to batons. From what I've heard, many were injured and some even succumbed to the wounds caused by the cops. The officers that were there that day were never charged for the killing of innocent civilians, and the ones that got hurt in the confrontation were hailed as heroes by the Government for 'keeping the peace'. That's why I hate the Imperial Government and its elite-protecting force."

  "I had no idea, I'm so sorry."

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  "Yeah... I just want to live peacefully, but this goddamned, sad excuse of a country doesn't know what that means apparently."

  After their conversation, they tried to sleep, but to no avail. Then, Dell whispered:

  "Hey, Viv, why did you stick around me?"

  "Why not?" - Vivian responded - "You're nice and fun to be around!"

  "You think I'm nice?" - Delilah said, almost in tears - "Thank you so much, it means a lot."

  "Of course, Dell. If I may, why did you ask that?"

  "It's because you're my only real friend... Everyone else left me... I'm just scared it'll happen again, that's all..."

  "Oh Dell, I would never leave you, we've been friends for a few months now, if I didn't want to be around you, I wouldn't be laying down in the same bed as you."

  "That means a lot, thanks."

  By this point, Delilah was crying, and when Vivian noticed it, she hugged her and said:

  "I'm never going away, I'm right here."

  "I'm sorry for crying, Viv..."

  "Hey, it's okay, let it all out, I'm here to listen."

  "Thank you."

  Dell pulled Vivian closer and, while still crying, began talking:

  "Back when I was in school, no one chose me for anything, my mom and dad were the only thing keeping me there. After they were taken away, I dropped out and began to search for a job, but no one was hiring a person like me... Everywhere I searched demanded at least ten years of school. After that, I began living with my grandparents while the City Council decided what to do with the house my parents bought for themselves. They eventually decided to sell it if no one from our family could keep it, so I begged every store, bar, market for a job. But no one wanted me... I was actually just walking away from one of the places that rejected me when I bumped into you. And that's why I like the nickname you gave me so much, to me it means I'm still wanted here..."

  "Dell... I don't even know what to say..."

  "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said so much."

  "It's not that, I'm just wondering why people didn't pick you, you're so nice."

  "I'm not sure either, they just never wanted to have me involved. I was never a part of any clubs or anything school related."

  After a brief pause, Vivian whispered:

  "You're amazing, you know that?"

  "You... think so?" - replied Dell, a little shocked.

  "Yeah, I do." - Vivian said, smiling - "You're the most amazing person I've met."

  Vivian then started to caress Delilah's hair and face, who then spoke with a scared and nervous tone:

  "Vivian, I... I love you..."

  "Oh, Dell, I love you too, and I've felt that way for a while now."

  "I... I hadn't realized that..."

  "Yeah, you're the most lovable person I have ever met, that's why I was so confused when you told me that no one liked you."

  "Thank you..."

  "Of course!"

  Delilah then tried to ask Vivian something, but was too nervous to say the full sentence:

  "Hey... is it okay if I... ki..."

  "Do you want to kiss me?" - Viv smiled.

  "Yeah... is that... okay?"

  "Of course it is!"

  The pair, who just a few months prior were strangers meeting in an alleyway, were now sharing a kiss. Not long after that, they managed to fall asleep.

  When they woke up the next day, Delilah asked Vivian:

  "Hey, do you remember last night?"

  "Of course I do, silly."

  "Did... did you really mean all of that?"

  "Everything."

  "Thank you... One more thing. Does this mean we're...?"

  "Dating? Only if you want to. - Vivian said while smiling."

  "I do. I really do love you."

  "Hehe, love you too."