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After Jesse had initiated a rebellion against the old builders, everyone went to sleep in their respective dorms, preparing for the final game of the season
One or two hours later, Jesse was still awake. She moved from side to side but she simply couldn’t stop worry from flooding her mind
She sat up and sighed in defeat and took a look at her surroundings. Ivor, Petra, and Lukas were sleeping. The girl smiled
At least they’re resting She thought
Jesse proceeded to silently get out of bed and stepped outside to the balcony. She closed her eyes at the air’s freshness, the night was dark with the same endless white dots illuminating it
Though one specific structure caught her eye
The very same spot she rebelled in a few hours ago, Tim’s monument. The spirit of an absurdly elaborated lie laid below her
“Tim, huh?” Jesse said sarcastically “A part of me wishes you were real” she sighed “It would make this a bit easier…”
A hand on her shoulder startled her “Ah!” She yelped followed by shush from the man
“Lukas?”
“Sorry for scaring ya’” He chuckled “What’re you doing awake at this hour?”
“I could ask you the same question”
“The sudden cold air woke me up” He answered “It’s nice though, the quartz mines were boiling hot” He looked at her “And you?”
Jesse’s eyes softened “I’m just anxious…”
She shook her head “I don’t you guys to be trapped here forever…I have to win those damn games”
Lukas nodded “What about you?”
“Huh?”
“What about you?” He repeated “You’ll just stay here?”
“Well- That’s the deal!” She explained “So? I’ll just have to dig up some quartz for some rich asshole’s office… and then I’ll get out of there. I always do!”
The man shook his head “You haven’t seen the mines, Jesse…” He held her hands “I don’t want you to end up there”
Blush crept up to the woman’s cheeks “And I don’t want you to end up there either!”
“I don’t think you understand, Jess-“
“What are you saying then?”
Lukas opened his mouth but quickly closed it, unbelievable, all those words he had written in his journal were gone all of a sudden
The very same words about her… The way her hair flew in the wind, the way her enchanted sword brightened up her face, her strength, her bravery, her-
“So?” His muse looked at him confused
“I…” He looked down. Praying the words just would fall down the sky, but of course they didn’t “Jesse, you’re- the strongest person I know”
Jesse seemed surprised “Uh, thank you” She chuckled, her hands still being held. Ugh, why did she feel this way whenever Lukas praised her?
“I believe in you” he spoke again “Everyone in this stupid town believes in you” Tears started to flood his eyes “The people love you” he choked
“Lukas? Are you ok?”
He closed his eyes, trying to hold back the words but it was already too late. He couldn’t keep them in anymore, the time had come
“I love you, Jesse”
That was it, they were out, the knot in his throat had come undone but a wave of fear came through him. Jesse was the hero after all, the new Tim. He was just her sidekick
Jesse struggled to process his word “This is a joke, right?” She spoke “It has to be”
A joke? Why would she think that? “I’m not bluffing” He tightened the grip on her hands “I mean it”
“No…” The only times she had ever heard someone express a liking for her were jokes, this had to be another. No way Lukas liked her but his eyes told her otherwise
“Lukas I’m a mess, no way this could work” She pulled away from him
“I’ll be here for you” He grabbed her arm
He always had been and Jesse knew that but words cut deep and even know she couldn’t shake them off her head. Especially when she has failed countless times to lead the others back home and roping them into this
“And when I get sent to the mines then what?” She asked
Lukas huffed “You’re not going to” He insisted “We’ll get out. All of us”
“But what if I fail?”
“…” Lukas let go off her arm and caressed her cheek “Then being stuck here forever won’t be so bad…as long as it’s with you”
Jesse almost flinched at the touch. No one has ever touched her like that before, blush taking ahold of her cheeks again
“You’re just saying that…”
“Hey, I haven’t stuck around this long for nothing, haven’t I?”
Jesse chuckled, he was right, but her stubborn heart just couldn’t believe it. Why did she have to be like this? She wanted this, she really did and with her classic impulsive nature she brought her arms up to Lukas’ cheeks. Holding them softly
“May I?” She asked
Lukas simply nodded. Their faces slowly inched closer, Lukas’ face was getting hotter by the minute. He could feel Jesse’s palms getting sweaty but he didn’t mind
He grabbed her by the waist as they closed their eyes and intertwined their lips in a kiss