The Irrefutable Flame⎪✓

❨23❩

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Clutching her smaller hand in my own, I pull her with me down the gravel covered path. My nerves are going haywire, the pounding in my chest feels unnecessary, but I want her to like what I did for Tilly in her final resting place. The flowers appear in my line of sight and Dakota smiles at the view, before sitting down next to the area that is made for my sister. 

Her finger grazes some of the flowers and the look on her face says it all; she's happy. I've outdone myself to create a perfect space for my sister, and the pride in my chest only heightens when I see how the best florist in town likes my arrangements. Scanning the small area my throat constricts, the pain of losing my sister is still fresh in my mind and even though my sessions helped, they won't ever be able to erase the hurt. 

'Matilda Black' The stone says in gold letters, it freaks me out every single time I see it. The thought of her being gone forever still hasn't settled with me, although it has helped me immensely to talk to Dakota about it. Tilly and her adored each other, they had this special connection and I appreciate how that came to be. From seeing her father in the hospital, to sitting with us while we made an assignment in front of a coffee shop. The feeling of Tilly being a huge part of Dakota and I ending up together makes me happy. 

"This is absolutely breathtaking, Elijah," She sighs and traces the letters on the stone. My chest tightens by the pain in her voice, knowing how hard these news must've hit her as well. Tilly never deserved this fate, having someone wreck her to such an extent. She deserved better than this life. She was worth more than anything this world could offer her. "I know how proud she is of you."

"You think?" I ask simply and don't reprimand myself for the vulnerability in my voice. Sitting down next to the woman of my life and enjoying being near this one spot for my sister, it feels right to have Dakota next to me for this. 

"I know. You pulled through so much and you're still the best person I've ever met. Having you through high school was one thing, meeting you again was another and being with you now is everything. You've made something of yourself, you have fought hard for where you are today and you deserve every single ounce of happiness this life has to offer. Tilly would be so proud of the man her brother has become, she would tease you about being a simp, but nonetheless would love you for everything you did and still do for everyone around you," The honesty to her words throws me off and I place my arm around her shoulders, pulling her into me I kiss her temple and enjoy having her in my arms again. 

The wind picks up slightly and Dakota squirms closer to me before removing herself completely and meeting my eyes again. The fate of us being here is fucking insane. Someone out there wanted the two of us to end up together. 

"I wouldn't have thought we would end up like this, you and I being here is very important for me, you know?" The question flies through the air and she leans up and places her warm lips on my own, grabbing her cheek I kiss her and pull away with a smile on my face.

"It makes me happy knowing we made it through all of that and still found each other, it's weird how the world works."

"I won't dare question the way it works. Even though we have lost a lot of people in horrific ways, both of us have decided to be happy and work to be that each and every single day. We can decide to be good for one another and have the content life we need, no running away this time though," I smirk at her and raise an eyebrow. The memories of us in Barnsley humors me slightly, she surely was a fire that came and struck my life with everything she had.  

She smiles and shakes her head lightly, "You won't get rid of me that easily, not this time. As long as you refrain from being cold and instead choose to tell me your honest feelings."

"You want to know what I'm feeling?" I question and tilt my head to the side, a smile creeps up on my face and her eyes flicker to my lips.

She nods and curiosity shines in her irises, "I always do, Lij."

"I love you," I say and her entire face lights up in a beautiful smile. My heart constricts when I say these words, she already knows, she must already know, but being sure that both of us agree on it makes me happy. My hand grabs her reddened cheek, "That's what I'm feeling, I love you."

Her lips land on mine softly and a sudden need for her has me shocked, she looks at me with such intensity, "I love you, Elijah."

Grabbing her hand in mine, I urge her to come with me and she does with no ounce of doubt. The two of us walk towards the car, our eyes regularly spotting each other and it makes her laugh when it happens the fifth time. 

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She laughs. 

"You have something between your teeth," I joke and lightly push at her shoulder with mine, my own laugh following the booming one of hers.

"Oh, I do, do I?" 

"Yup."

"You're such an ass," She says and jumps on my back almost making me fall by the suddenness of her actions. Both of us are laughing loudly and she orders me to carry her all the way to the car, the nerve of this woman.