The True Beginning Of A New Life Together

Standing outside the now-familiar house, its weathered facade seemed to whisper an odd but serene peace. But the air around him was heavy with a silence that felt almost physical, enveloping Alex in its profound stillness.

The evening air carried a vibrant medley of scents from the makeshift gardens that thrived amidst the humble surroundings, their fragrance a stark, almost mocking contrast to the turmoil churning within him.

From Alex's perspective, he had been just an ordinary high school student not too long ago. An outcast, but normal to him nonetheless. Yet, participating in that experimental program changed everything.

Once that needle pierced his skin, his world turned into a living nightmare. He had been tortured, beaten, and threatened, each day blurring into the next in a haze of pain and fear.

The time in the lab was a relentless horror. The disastrous reunion with Sarah and James shattered his heart, and being shot in the head at point-blank range was a terror beyond words. Waking up in a graveyard of trash and bodies was a repulsive, soul-crushing experience.

But everything after that was... the complete opposite.

Meeting Lydia and Jeb came just in time, moments before his body would have given out. They nursed him back to health, and Jeb quickly spread the word of his appearance throughout the district. This led to a chaotic yet heartwarming welcome party, at which the townspeople, each in their unique way, fought over him in a frenzy of curiosity and concern.

He found himself surrounded by people who cared for him. Amid the whirlwind of acceptance and warmth, he suddenly married Lydia, the radiant fairy who had brought light into his darkest moments. He had gained a new family, a new home, and a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.

Yet, his desire to uncover the truth about his identity and past soon cast shadows over the same sense of purpose and belonging.

It wasn't merely navigating this strange, new world that unsettled him. The growing realisation that no one could definitively explain what had happened to him left Alex feeling profoundly disappointed and unsatisfied.

This quest for clarity was fraught with emotional turmoil, and he had grappled with the fear that the truth might be more devastating than the ignorance he had endured.

The possibility that his past could undermine his present life, which had barely even begun, gnawed at his heart, casting a cloud of despair once again over his moments of happiness and peace.

But it was no longer the case. Conversations with the district's wisdom and knowledge helped Alex find his way. Now, all he had to do was walk down this path. He needed to confide in the person he now treasured most to do that.

He approached the modest, weather-worn house, its walls echoing the resilience of its inhabitants. Opening the creaky door, he saw Lydia busy at a table, her delicate hands crafting something intricate.

Suddenly, he felt a wave of nervousness wash over him. How should he start this conversation? Jumping straight into the topic seemed strange, outright weird even.

As Alex stood there, his mind swirling with anxiety, Lydia turned around. Her eyes lit up with the purest joy, excitement akin to a pet greeting its long-lost owner.

"Alex! You're home!" Lydia exclaimed with unrestrained joy, rushing towards Alex and enveloping him in a tight hug.

"A-Ah, I'm home, Lydia," Alex stammered, returning the embrace. He glanced over at the table where Lydia had been working, noticing the array of shiny trinkets and accessories. "Were you busy with something?"

"Yes, I was!" Lydia beamed, her excitement palpable. "It's a... oh, let me just show you! Come on," she urged, gently pulling Alex over to the table and guiding him into a seat.

"See these? The kids painted these at the school I teach at. I shared the news of our union, and they were so thrilled. They wanted to do something special for us, so they made these special charms stones for me to make into something we could both wear." Lydia explained, her eyes sparkling with pride as she pointed out the intricately painted stones, some adorned with curious symbols.

"Oh. That's very nice of them. Do these symbols have a meaning?" Alex inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Yeah, they do," Lydia replied, her voice permeated with affection as she delicately traced the lines of an intricate symbol etched onto one of the stones. "Especially this one. This symbol signifies 'prolonged happiness.' We draw it on things that we hope will help us extend our happy time."

Alex blinked in surprise at the unexpected specificity. "Hmm? That's... oddly specific. Why doesn't it just symbolise happiness itself?"

Lydia looked up at Alex with an innocent expression, her eyes reflecting a wisdom beyond her years. "Eh? Ah, that's because of a saying in the district. 'Happy times will never last forever, so treasure them while we can.'"

Alex's eyes widened, a swirl of conflicting emotions stirring within him as he absorbed the weight of those words. He marvelled at how such a seemingly dark saying could coexist with Lydia's pure innocence.

Undeterred by Alex's reaction, Lydia continued to explain with unwavering sincerity, "That's why we have this symbol. It represents our longing to extend those moments of happiness. We know they won't last forever because that's the truth of our reality here in the district. We barely scrape by daily, but as long as we experience happiness, however fleeting, everything we do is worth it."

"Lydia..."

Alex stood there, unsure of what to say. Slowly, he moved closer and wrapped his arms around Lydia from behind, pulling her gently into a warm embrace.

"A-Alex?! What's this all of a sudden?" Lydia stuttered, surprised by the suddenness of the hug.

"Lydia... I..." Alex whispered, his voice catching with emotion as a tear welled up in his eye. "I want to make you happy."

"Eh?"

"I want... to make you happy, Lydia. I want you to be happy, always. Forever," Alex continued earnestly, his grip tightening slightly. "I never want to see you sad or scared because of anything. I want to protect you from all the bad things in this world so you can always be happy."

Lydia turned slightly within his embrace, her expression softening as she placed a hand over Alex's clasped hands. "Alex..."

"But... I don't have the confidence that I can do that," Alex confessed, his voice trembling with vulnerability. Another tear escaped, tracing a path down his cheek. "I struggled to make myself happy. Even before waking up at this time, I was never really a happy person."

Alex tightened his hug, "If I can't even make myself happy…I don't know how I can even say I can make you happy…"

Lydia gently turned to face Alex, her eyes meeting his with unwavering warmth and understanding. She reached up, brushing away his tears with a tender touch.

"Alex," she began softly, "as I said before, you've already brought so much happiness into my life just by being here. Your presence alone fills my days with joy and warmth. I don't need you to protect me from everything or to make me happy in some grand, extraordinary way. I only need you to do one thing."

Alex looked at her, eyes wet from the tears.

"Be yourself, Alex," Lydia continued, her voice steady and reassuring. Be the kind you who wants to protect me, be the strong you who will protect others even in the face of danger, and be the vulnerable you who sheds tears for yourself or others. That's all I need you to do to make me happy."

Alex blinked, absorbing her words with a flurry of emotions.

"But Lydia," Alex hesitated, his voice trembling slightly, "I... I don't even remember my past. I woke up with close to no memories and still no clue about who I truly am. What if... what if I was a terrible person?"

Lydia listened attentively, her gaze unwavering as she processed his words. She gently squeezed his hands, her touch grounding and comforting.

"Alex," Lydia said softly, "I understand your fears. But whatever you may uncover about your past in the future, I don't think it will change who you are now. You are kind, caring, and courageous. I believe those qualities that you have now will define you more than any memory ever could."

Alex nodded slowly, his mind swirling with uncertainties and endless possibilities. The weight of Sarah and James' words echoed in his thoughts, their implications stirring a deep fear.

"I'm scared, Lydia," Alex admitted quietly, his voice barely audible above the soft evening breeze. "Scared of what I might find out, scared it could hurt you. I can't bear that thought."

Lydia's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her expression a mix of empathy and unwavering love. She reached up, her fingers brushing gently against Alex's cheek, a gesture of reassurance.

"Even if it does, Alex," she said, her voice tender yet resolute, "we can face whatever comes together."

A tear escaped Lydia's eye, tracing a silver path down her cheek, mirroring Alex's vulnerability.

"I'm here, and I'll always be here for you," Lydia continued, her voice steady despite the emotion welling within her. "We can get through this uncertainty together; no matter what, we'll find our happiness."

Her words carried a solemn promise, anchoring them in the shared commitment to weather any storm that might come their way.

Moved by Lydia's unwavering support, Alex gently wiped away her tears with a touch as tender as the moonlight bathing them. He nodded, a small, genuine smile gracing his lips.

"Okay."

He leaned in closer, their breaths mingling in the quiet intimacy of the moment. Alex rested his forehead against Lydia's, closing his eyes as if to imprint this moment forever in his memory.

"I love you, Lydia," he whispered, his heartfelt declaration hanging in the air like a promise.

Lydia blushed, a radiant smile breaking through her tears as she leaned into Alex's touch. She closed the distance between them, her lips meeting his in a tender kiss that spoke volumes of their love.

"I love you, too, Alex," Lydia whispered against his lips, her voice barely a breath as she poured her heart into the words.

They held each other tightly, the world around them fading into the background as they embraced the beginning of their new life together.

- END OF ARC ZERO -