Last Violent Call

by Chloe Gong

loving him was still so easy, despite being removed from everything they once knew. All it took was her heart on her sleeve and his pulled open too, and she was constantly tickled pink by her favorite person.

To him, Juliette was the sun.

“It’s Juliette Montagova.” She lifted her hand and waved her fingers, flashing her gold wedding ring while she continued onward and exited the living room. “I’m a married woman. Roma, come help me get the knives, would you?” In that moment, as Roma pushed off the wall and followed her obediently, he fell in love all over again.

he took a handful of her loose hair, smoothing it over her shoulder and separating it into three sections. “Are you… braiding my hair?” “Yes,” Roma answered plainly. “I’m forcing you to hold still. It also keeps getting in your eyes.”

“Are we sharing the sofa?” Juliette reached for him, curling a hand around his upper arm and latching tight as they started to walk. “We can even cuddle if you ask nicely,” she said.

“You won’t ever lose me,” Roma murmured in the present. “You made me do a pinkie promise, remember?”

Love, she thought, was that kernel of warmth nestled deeper in her chest, glowing with a sense of comfort whenever Roma’s eyes were on her—the same comfort she’d first found when they were fifteen, everlasting.

“Stop flirting with me while we’re on an important mission.”

“I thought you were my roommate.” “We can’t be roommates who kiss?”

“Did you… use my name?” Marshall, meanwhile, leaned over to whisper to Benedikt. “You do not like it?” Marshall grinned. “I like it very much, Mr. Sokov.”

“I am only thinking,” Marshall said. “About you.” “Good thoughts, I hope.” “Dirty ones, actually.”

“It’s all right as long as I have you.”

“I love you, okay? I am never, ever leaving. I will tell you however many times you need to hear it. Just tell me when you need to hear it.”

So long as he had Marshall by his side, the two of them could face whatever was thrown their way. Together, they were already unstoppable.