Amber stared at Carter, his gaze fixed on the busy streets below. She brushed the strands of her deep red hair out of her face. He was always so serious, so focused, so far away, yet through all his flaws, his little imperfections, she saw the man that he was, the man he is and the man that he could become. She smirked, knowing what she wanted to say but she also knew that he would not feel the same despite all that they had been through.

“Something on your mind?”

Amber hadn’t noticed that his eyes had shifted and he was looking out the corner of his eye directly at her. She felt heat in her face and her eyes met the ground.

“No. No. Well- yes maybe.”

Amber felt his position change and when she turned he was looking right at her, his amber eyes fixed on her. She felt a weakness for in her legs and she braced her self against the railing of the rooftop. She was always in awe of that stare of his as it made her absolutely terrified and yet she also felt a sense of safety that she couldn’t explain. She was readying herself to speak when he beat her to the punch.

“What is it?”

Amber felt her heart beat faster, her mouth unable to form words. She cleared her throat and found her voice.

“I’ve just been thinking is all and I- “ she looked up into his eyes. “I love you.” His face remained unfazed by her confession. She continued.

“I love you, but your powers - your powers are too strong, they- they scare me.”

Amber felt his concern as he took a half step back, but at the same time she felt him draw closer too.

“I don’t mean to scare you.”

Amber stepped towards him placing her hands on his chest. “YOU don’t scare me. It’s your powers that do.”

Amber felt Carter’s hand wrap around her own. A sudden rush went through her body. Her deep azures fixated on his hand covering hers. His large, strong, gentle hand. She almost didn’t hear him speak to her as he said, “My powers are who I am, Amber. To fear one is to fear the other. There is no division between the two.”

“Isn’t there?” she replied, her eyes lifting to meet his. His eyes closed and he shook his head. She gripped his hand but it slid from hers as he stepped back.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered as his gaze returned to the streets below. “I- I didn’t mean to- to….”

“Did you mean it?” He interrupted. She blinked.

“Mean what?” Amber asked a bit confused.

“Did you mean what you said before?”

Amber, still confused about what he was taking about until, she realized what had slipped out. Her face heated once again and she began playing with her hands.

“Um…I…” her eyes drifted down.

“Did you mean it?” He repeated.

“Yes!” She shouted. “Yes Carter! I meant it! I love you!”

“Good.”

Her eyes drifted up and found Carter lips upon hers, his hands around her waist. Amber lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss.

Amber felt him pull back, her eyes still closed, the sensation of his lips still a phantom upon her own. He whispered into her lips, “I love you too.”

And then he was gone.

Amber’s eyes slowly opened hoping that it was all just a dream but as she looked around the roof top she knew that he had left.

An influx of emotion hit her like a tidal wave. Sadness, anger, frustration, arousal, happiness, love all hit her with a force, making her grab the roof tip railing for balance.

Through all the emotions that swept away over her, love and happiness triumphed. She smiled in a way that she hadn’t for along time.

She turned to see the sun rising over the skyline of the city. The fuchsia tangerine sky lighting up the world. She smiled wider as the sun hit her face, giving her another kiss of warmth.

Amber moved for the rooftop door and took the handle. She took one last look around the rooftop, maybe hoping Carter was just grabbing coffee and breakfast but he didn’t come back.

Amber continued smiling as she walked down the stairs knowing that today was a new day and that they would only get better from here.

Little did she know that the simple act that Carter and her had just performed would set into motion of events that neither of them could have ever anticipated.