Chapter Text

The Heart Knot

Behind the Scenes

Venti: “Are you sure you picked the right Venti? I suppose I can help out, if you need it?

Producer: “it’s perfect, love, everyone wants to see you happy after your miserable childhood, and the how with cheerfulness you accept the meager scraps thrown your way, people want to see you move beyond your pitiful existence.”

Venti: “Pitiful?”

Producer: “Stay right there, love, I need a picture of that face. Oh the audience will love that hurt puppy look. this will make me RICH.”

Assistant: “Don’t listen to him, he can spin drama from thin air, I think you’re brave and kind.”

Venti: “Thh-thanks.”

Producer: “This WAY! People to see, hearts to breaks, chop chop.”

Date with Fang

A quiet bistro café with white metal chairs and table, fine and floral designs in the metal work. Lush greenery surrounds the table. There’s a burgundy umbrella to give the sense of privacy… and ROMANCE!!

Fang sat alone, nervously tapping his fingers against the table. “I faced the milkman, I can face this.” His fiddling stopped as Venti steps from the foliage in the background, unfocused in the distance. The camera focuses on her as soft yet sweeping music plays.

“Hi there.” Venti sits carefully on the chair. “Thanks for coming.”

“It’s good... practice.”

“Practice. Huh.” Her smile faded slightly. “Yeah, guess so.”

Fang twisted, calling off the screen, mouthing “Raven”.

Venti flinched, her smile forced. “If you’ve got someplace to be, that’s fine. I’ll just, uh go and, not bother you anymore.” Her eyes were bright as she avoided his gaze.

Fang reached to catch her hand. “No, wait…” he flushed. “Didn’t come out right… I’m…nervous.”

Venti sat in her chair, slouching closer. “You too?! It’s an awful lot of pressure.”

Fang smiled slightly. “Yes. I’m, not good with words.”

“What are you good at then?”

His eyes lit up. “Medicine, helping my patients.”

“You make medicine, you must be so smart! Can you tell me more, have you ever saved somebody’s life?”

He huffed quietly. “Yes, I have.” He smiled proudly. “I once had a patient, couldn’t keep food down, wasting away. His body couldn’t process meat, the nutrients didn’t break down in his bowels…” He stopped and flushed, stammering an apology mixed with several whispered “Raven's".

“What are you sorry for?”

His face burned hotter. “I… uh…”

Venti smiled playfully. “Don’t worry none about that, in my time I’ve dealt with sickness plenty. I had a friend from Lucien that has that problem too, did you find a way to help your patient? Maybe it will help my friend too, he can’t afford a doctor, it would mean the world to help him after all he’s done for me.”

Fang relaxed marginally. “Certain foods can affect people differently, like an allergy, for my patient it damaged part of the…intestines… causing the body not being able to absorb nutrients. His body wasn’t able to heal because he couldn’t get those nutrients, we took the food from his diet and had him drink vinegar water and other medicines to break down the food into a more useable form. It took a few months, but he recovered.”

Venti sat staring at him, until a wide smile filled her face. “That’s amazing! I’d love to help people like that.”

Fangs expression was soft and light. “You already do, Venti. I’ve…I’ve noticed you around town, you always leave people happier than they were. You’re like a light, but when you leave, the light doesn’t leave with you, it stays with us long after.”

A loud blaring sound of a loudspeaker. “Cut to commercial!”

Behind the scenes

Assistant: “Cut to commercial, now?”

Producer: “Yes, now! We don’t want the audience getting bored! Gotta leave room for suspense, if they talk about everything on the first date, no one will care enough to vote him to the next round, and that man would look gorgeous for our beach shoot. We gotta milk this for every drop we can.

Chapter Text

Behind the scenes

Assistant: “Sir, are you sure about this?”

Producer: “Of course I’m sure! It’s brilliant. Listen Kyle."

Assistant. “My name’s not Kyle…”

Producer: “Hush, Listen Kyle… just picture it in your mind, the emotions, the drama, the screaming.”

Assistant: “That’s what I mean sir, the screaming…”

Producer: “Kyle, Kyle, Kyle… this, my young one, is art”

Date with Burgess

Amusement park, a bright blue metal catwalk bridge, in the background there are impossibly neat and color coordinated children skipping with heart shaped balloons.

Burgess rocked back on his heels, rolling down to his stand on his toes. He repeated the motion with a bounce. His hands clasped behind his back. Looking up, he smiled towards the camera. There was a curt sound and Burgess froze with confusion before shrugging and nodding a last time at the camera.

“Hi Burgess, nice ta see you.” Venti greeted, coming up from behind him.

Burgess moved his hands in front of him before twisting to face her, looking down at the object he clutched in his hands, then up at Venti, he switched his hands behind him again.

“Hi Venti! This is so cool… Are you sure Mr. Producer Sir meant for me to come?

“I reckon so. Wow, isn’t it beautiful here?”

“Yeah! It makes me happy that there are places like this, it’s a good place for happiness.” He shuffled his feet before thrusting his hands out. “Here I got this for you. It’s a mug, to drink water from.”

“Really?” she gasped. “For me?”. She held the yellow mug up. “It’s so pretty, how’d you know I got such an artist soul?”

“I didn’t, I wanted to make sure you could drink plenty of water. And every time you use it, you can remember how cool you are.”

Venti clutched the mug to her chest. “You think I’m cool?”

Burgess rocked back and threw his arms out enthusiastically. “Well, yeah! You never let anything stop you, you’re so brave and strong and nice! I worry that you might forget how special you are.”

“That’s one of the nicest things I’ve ever heard. You’re so… Whats that?”

Squealing shrieks accompanied a building roar. Venti and Burgess leaned over the side of the outlook bridge.

“Wow, that’s a lot of water, is this a reservoir?” Burgess went on tippy toes to look further. ‘Why is there a railroad track in the water?”

The roar built as the cab of a roller coaster fell through the water.

“Oh my.” Was all Venti could say before the cab crashed and thudded, speeding under the bridge. A violent burst of water exploded around them, Venti and Burgess disappeared from view. The camera pulled away as a quick hand wiped the water from the lens. When the camera came into focus again, Burgess was on his knees drenched, horror clearly on his face.

A boom mike bobbed into view as they zoomed in.

“The WATER!” he wailed. “It’s wasted! So much wasted!”

Venti stood, mouth open and eyes wide, water dripping down her face.

Burgess began scooping water into his pockets. “We can water the plants! We can save it… we can… oh so much water.”

Venti stirred and hesitated before patting his shoulder. “You can use my new cup?”

Behind the scenes

Producer: "See Kevin... just like I told you... the audience won't know if the should pity him or not! maybe he'll get into the next round on pity points, the audience will be so upset that their favorite didn't get picked because of the pity points! oh, our publicity is going to go up."

Assistant: "My names not Kevin either, Sir."

Producer: "oh, that's right, it's Kyle... what a weird name... Kaiiii-lllleee."

Assistant: Sigh "You have a message from Corporate."

Producer: "Probably congratulations."

Assistant: "Hmmm."

Chapter Text

Behind the Scenes

Assistant: “Sir, there seems to be a mix up with the schedule, it says that…”

Producer: “It’s no mistake.”

Assistant: “But It’s Mr. Arvio’s date, we can’t just switch…”

Producer: “Keith, I know what I’m doing. That hunk over there will sweep the show. We need good publicity after your stunt from the last date.”

Assistant: “That’s also not my name, and it was your idea, sir.”

Producer: “A good memory is NOT tolerable in situations like these, Kai! Live and let go!”

Logan's Date

A lavish restaurant with deep red velvet chairs and sparkling chandeliers. All waiters wore tuxedos, a trio of musicians played classical music, they also wore tuxedos. A vase of blood red roses are the center piece on the lace covered table.

Venti rolled her shoulders forward, hunching forward to make room to take a deep breath in the form fitting, revealing gown. Clutching a silk shawl around her shoulders like a blanket. A figure in a black hoodie, wearing a head set crawls behind the chairs. The intern, on his knees, begins to tug on her shawl. Venti slaps his hand. “The Producer said not to cover the dress, Miss Venti.”

The tug of war slides out of focus as the music shifts and the camera pans to the restaurant entrance, a shadow appears in the doorway.

Broad shoulders and a cowboy hat silhouetted in the doorways light. Logan steps into the light, wearing his hunters gear, it was clean, ironed, and yet, rugged. The music swells dramatically as he approaches.

A chair in the background clatters as the intern crawls out of frame.

“How ya doing, Venti?” He drawls, sliding into the chair opposite her. “You look mighty uncomfortable, are you cold or somethin’?.”

Venti pulls her arms closer around her chest. “Yeah… I’m really…cold. This dress don’t have any sleeves.”

“Can’t have ya cold.” Light gleams as Logan slides his jacket off, revealing a white dress shirt that strained against defined muscles. “Here you go.” He tosses the jacket, and Venti eagerly catches it and slips into it with impossible speed, buttoning it up to her chin before flipping the collar up.

“I hope ya ain’t sick, it’s pretty warm in here, do ya got chills?”

“I’m fine, just…cold after eating some ice cream…” She squirms and blushes, sucking her hands deeper into the jacket sleeves

“They serve ice cream here? I should get some for Andy and um…” Logan clears his throat, shifted in his seat and smiled earnestly. “I’m sure glad to be here. I was excited to come on this here show. I’ve been hoping for somethin’ like this for a while.”

Several waiters come to the table. One laid a napkin in front of them and stepped back, turning with flourish. The next waiter placed a fork by each plate before following the first, waiter after waiter, each placing one item on the table before they dramatically turned, forming a line behind the head waiter.

“Are they in a play? One of them musicals?” Logan asked, watching with interest.

“Your meal.” The final waiter announced proudly, All the waiters clicked their heels and bowed, their leaving synchronized, poetic and beautiful.

"What's all these forks for?" Venti touched a fork in the middle of the lavish array of forks that were spread around the large plates. The jacket's sleeve dragging over her forks. "Oh, I bet we get to pick our favorite to eat with... that's really fancy." She inspects them carefully, picking up a decorative one above her plate. "Oh, I like this small one! it's pretty"

"Where's all the food?" Logan pulls out a jagged dagger and pokes the sliver of meat with two sprigs of a yellow plant and one tiny green leaf stacked artfully.

"Maybe they ran out? Maybe they're making more, and this is to hold us over?" Venti gasped. "Ohh, they drew a heart with that golden colored sauce, ain't that cute!"

Logan shrugged, exchanging his dagger with a three pronged fork with a plunk. He stabbed the glazed meat and swallowed it in a bite. "It's good."

Venti nods and pushes the jacket's sleeve away from the food. "Yeah." She carefully chews, looking thoughtful.

“Ah… so anyway, as I was saying.” Logan started, coughing slightly. “You must be a real expert, being the star of the show an all, I was hoping you could help me out.” He looked away in embarrassment. “You see, there’s this girl, she’s, she’s perfect and, I don’t know how to tell her how I feel… you see, she’s someone close… and…”

Venti popped her hands out of Logan's jacket sleeves. “You love the builder, don’t you!” She props her hands on the table before shoving the large sleeves up her arms.

“Yeah.” Logan whispered shyly. “Do ya, do ya think she might, like me at all? Even just enough to go out with me?”

“Oh, this is perfect! I know just what you should do, she’ll say yes for sure. First you need to…”

A sudden loud crash and heavy breathing before the screen begins to shake.

“What are you doing? Don’t touch the camera!”

“I said CUT TO COMMERICAL!”

Behind the scenes

Producer: "What a mess! He was going to... how COULD he?!!"

Assistant: "Breathe into the paper bag sir."

Paper crinkling nosily

Assistant: "That's it. keep breathing."

Producer: "He was going to go head to head against Fang, the beach shoot, their abs on full glorious display, and then the volcano would erupt, Venti would have to pick which man to save her... and it's all RUINED Kyle! RUINED!"

Assistant: "A... a volcano?!"

Producer: "The show is RUINED!"

Charming voice: "Or... it's an excellent opportunity"

Producer: "What do you mean, guy who's handsome in a car salesmen way?"

Assistant: "Mr. Arvio?"

Arvio: "The one and only... you've done well to set the stage, your skills are impressive."

Producer: "I have, finally someone see's it!"

Arvio: Now, do I have a plan for you, and it's impossible to fail"

Chapter Text

Behind the scenes

Producer: “I’m so glad I came up with this plan, Kyle.”

Assistant: “My names not Kyle, Keith, Kai OR Kevin.”

Arvio: “It might be better if he doesn’t know your name, man. He can’t fire you if he can’t file the paperwork.”

Assistant: “A lot of things make sense now”

Producer: “Are you even listening? My plan, it’s brilliant! Good job doing the runt work Harvey.”

Arvio: “It’s not Harv… *sigh* It’s a brilliant plan… you came up with, Sir. guaranteed success.”

Producer: “This will hit the feels for sure. Chop chop! People to see, hearts to break!”

Arvio’s date

The center of a hedge maze filled with pink roses. A fountain in the center, gurgling merrily, It’s twilight, dusky sunlight casting long shadows in a private and romantic way

Arvio sat on the fountain edge, anticipation clear in his eager smile. He fingers his thick dark jacket, a white cloth folded over his arm. His eyes light up and he stands with a wide smile, pushing his newsboy cap back.

“I’m glad you could make it, Venti.”

“Yeah, me too.” Venti shoots a nervous look at the camera before scanning her surroundings.

“It get’s cold at night, I brought you a hoodie.”

Venti smiles warmly. “Yeah, that’s great. Thanks.”

She raises her hand, but Arvio slips behind her, holding the zippered jacket open. “Thanks.” She repeats as she shrugs the hoodie on with his help.

Arvio turns her around and gently pushes the hood over her hair. “All nice and tight.” He leans closer and whispers. “I think you’re really going to enjoy this. Come on, I want to show you something.”

The camera zooms in, following them as they walk around the fountain. Pausing to admire the water.

A radio crackles. “They’re not in frame, Bob, move to the left.” The camera bobs slightly, but as it moves, so do the couple, now completely hidden from view. “What’s he doing? Move it Bob, get them in frame and keep them there.” The bobbing intensified.

“They went down the maze, which way did they go?”

An intern stepped into frame and hooked their thumb to the right.

The camera bounced as they jogged around the hedge, before stopping suddenly when they heard feminine giggles.

“They better not be smooching off camera.” The radio crackled.

The camera man huffed, and the boom mike appeared in the corner as the camera focused on the figures in white and black.

“Ah, what a romantic sight” A dreamy voice narrates.

Venti leans on Avrio’s arm, tilting closer, looking up into his face.

“Trying to steal a moment together. Are they exchanging words of love? Their first kiss?”

Venti bounced a little and Arvio let out a deep laugh, swooping her into his arms and spinning her around.

“How romantic, he’s picking her up in his strong muscular arms… Bob… Arvio isn’t that buff! Bob!”

The man faced the camera and tossed his cap off with a giddy spin. “Well, aren’t ya gonna congratulate me?” Logan said with a cocky grin.

“Ummm.” Said Bob the camera man.

“Who is SHE?!” The Narrator squealed.

The woman did a cute curtsy. “Why, I’m Sandrock’s builder, my name is...”

“Somebody get the paper bag!”

Earlier

“We’re out of sight.” Arvio whispered.

Venti pulled out of the jacket, turning the jacket inside out. “You sure this is okay.” Venti whispered, tugging the black sleeves out of their arm holes.

Arvio grabbed the other sleeve. “The producer wants drama and more ratings, it might not be what he planned, but it’ll give him what he wants.”

Venti pulls on the now black hoodie while Arvio shoved his cap into a bag. They circle around the fountain, getting nearer to the hedge.

“Would you like the honors of being the useful intern?” Arvio asks as the camera crew jog into sight.

“They went down the maze, which way did they go?”

Venti pulled the hoodie over her hair and stepped closer, pointing towards their friends.

The camera crew hustled off as they stayed against the shrubs.

“Did that really work?” Venti asks in disbelief.

“It did indeed, come on, lets get out of here.” They quickly lose themselves in the maze. “I meant what I said earlier, about you deserving a break. But… I was hoping you might still see this as a date… with you and me.”

“Okay.”

They walk several steps before Arvio clears his throat. “You know, I’ve been meaning to take you on a date for a long time.”

“Why didn’t ya?”

“I thought I had more time, I thought I needed more time. To be good enough, to prove myself. But this show…” He ran a hand through his hair. “What good is having a steady business, making the perfect house, without you?” Arvio faced her, looking at her in question before gently placing his hands on her shoulders. “You make me want to be a better man… at first, I wanted to be better for you, but then.” He laughed softly. “Then you made me want to be better for myself. If we never go farther then this, I at least want to thank you for inspiring me.”

“I, What, what do you mean, Arvio?” she asked, insecure yet hopeful.

“Ahh, where to start?” He smiled gently. “You’re so brave, and kind, and no matter where you go, or what you do, you make it a better place by being you." Arvio took her hand in both of his. “Because, we make each other better, because I think we can have a future together."

As I'm feeling a little bad for the Producer, I the writer will cut here on his behalf to maximize the drama and suspense.

Behind the scenes

Assistant: "There, there. in and out, Sir. In and out"

Producer: Muffled "I'm going to fire Bob and Mike."

Assistant: "Yep, Bob and Mike, that's totally their names."

Producer: Loud crinkling "And Arvio, I'll fire him too."

Assistant: "How much romance could we have missed, Sir? It can't be that much."

Producer: "How much! they ran away into the sunset, is there anything more romantic then that!"

Assistant: "Bag, sir, breathe into the bag."

Producer: puffing breathes "Venti probably twisted her ankle or something... knowing her. Can you believe she covered that gown at La Fancy Restaurant? it showed her off perfectly!"

Assistant: "I think she was uncomfortable, Sir."

Producer: "I bet she's more uncomfortable now, lost in the woods, broken leg, and Arvio probably broke his nose! they're out there with bugs, dirt...nature. ughhh, the least romantic date possible."

Assistant: Putting phone back into pocket with a smile "I'm sure it was horrible, Sir, absolutely horrible."

Chapter Text

Behind the Scenes

Producer: "Rhonda, get with makeup and coordinate the clothes...You can't refuse to dress Venti in the rhinestone-glitter-neon-glow in the dark-Bikini!"

Distant yelling in the background

Producer: "Oh, well, maybe you can... but, just make her look good!"

Louder distant yelling in the background

Producer: "Fine, fine, do what you will, just don't quit!"Mutters under breath "At least until I can fire you later."

Assistant: “Sir! What are you doing? You can’t skip date 5 and go to the beach shoot!”

Producer: “This whole season has gone crazy, we have to keep it under control.”

Assistant: “But the shows contract mandates 5 dates, then the finale, and the audience must have a chance to vote.”

Producer: “Kyle, Kyle, Kyle! Don’t worry so much, I’ve solved everything. We’ll grab some bozo from the road, shoot a quick date, then have THE BEACH shoot.”

Assistant: “What about Ernest? and the audience…”

Producer: “Ernest, he agreed to step aside as long as I allow him to base his next novel on the show."

Assistant: "Don't you have to approve that with Cooperate?"

Producer: "AND... for the audience, we’ll appease them, give them a “day in the life” episode, just full of all the warm fuzzies… AND discussing the strain the tv show has placed on their relationship, will they make it after the show? Tune in next season to…”

Assistant: “Sir! We’re not that kind of show! Corporate is strict with keeping this a wholesome show, giving opportunities to view people in a new light, giving love a chance.”

Producer: “Pfftt, what do you know, Kyle?”

Assistant: “Actually, SIR…”

Producer: “This bore’s me, did you get the duct tape?”

Assistant: “Yeah, to fix the Boom mike after you...”

Producer: “Nope, It’s for Arvio, got to shut that kid up, maybe tie him up…”

Assistant: “Sir, that’s illegal!”

Chapter Text

Behind the scenes

On a bus heading to Portia

Producer: “There’s another builder in Portia, super famous… I wonder if we can foist Jeanene on them?”

Assistant: “Who?”

Producer: “Jenene, Logan new “girlfriend”.

Assistant: “That’s not her name.”

Producer: “Unimportant. The important thing is getting her away from Logan.”

Assistant: “You’re trying to break them up!?”

Producer: “Picture this Kyle, Logan does the beach shoot with Venti, Jenene feels insecure and jealous, He feels jealous seeing her with a hot guy. Misunderstandings, drama, It’s the end of the shoot, Venti is holding the heart knot, the sunlight glimmering off the waves, and Jenene storms into frame, a confrontation ensues, emotions are high, the vol… STOP THE BUS!”

Assistant: “What!”

Producer: “He’s perfect! Look at those abs, he’s mysterious, rough and wild… he’s perfect! Kyle, catch that bear man!”

The Date with Oaks

A forested area, tall, thick trees and dappled sunlight

Venti leaned against a tree, covering a yawn with her hand. An Intern walks backward into frame, pausing every few feet and placing pieces of roasted meat on the grass.

Venti stepped away from the tree “Do we have to do this?”. She asked as the intern circled her, creating a ring of roasted meat at her feet.

“Shhhh. We don’t want to spook him again.” The Intern shushed her, making another circuit around her.

A twig snapped and the intern froze, before darting out of frame on tiptoes.

A young man wearing a bear cloak and a pair of shorts stepped into view. He sniffed the air and hummed triumphantly, snatching a piece of meat from the grass and stuffing it into a bag. Step by step he neared, he was three meat pieces away from Venti when he paused and sniffed deeply. He lifted his head quizzically, straightening and turning to face her fully. ‘Oh, Hi… is this your meat, I don’t want to take yours.”

“No, no it’s not mine… feel free to it.”

“Thanks.” He smiled and continued following the path of meat around her.

Venti poised to step out of the meat ring, but stopped with a look towards the camera. Twisting to face him as he prowled the circle. She cleared her throat. “My name is Venti, do you live around here?”

He looked up again with a happy smile. “I’m Oaks, I live with Papa Bear outside Portia's wall.”

“Papa Bear?”

“Yeah, he’s a bear… he found me when I was a baby and raised me.”

“That’s nice of him… how long have you lived here?”

He scratched his head. “Many, many seasons? How long have you been here?” He settled a deep, earnest and slightly unsettling gaze on her.

“I’ve been in Portia for about two hours, I’m here with some friends about some show.”

“A show? Like old world shows? Minister Lee tells me that humans invented a lot of bad things, but ice cream isn't one of them!” He spoke, continuing to circle her, picking up every roasted meat.

Venti laughed. “It sure isn’t!” her smile fell. “I haven’t had ice cream much.”

Oaks tilted his head. “That’s sad… hmmm, Django sells some at the Round Table, you should get some!”

“Really? Where’s the “Round Table”?”

“I can show you.”

“That’d be nice, thanks.”

Oaks bobbed his head and scanned the ground, toeing the grass where the last piece of meat had been. “Huh, did you notice a creature leaving a track round you? You must have noticed? It seems to have liked you.”

Venti paused, glancing toward the camera before stammering. “I saw something black?”

“Maybe it was a panbat? I should let Papa Bear know.” Oaks took a deep breath before howling. “RWARrwarara Guurr GRAWW rraaaruraUU”

Behind the scenes

Hours later

Producer: “What?! Was he raised by wolves?”

Assistant: “By a bear, sir.”

Producer: “Why was the bear wearing a bathrobe in the middle of the day! Was HE raised by Wolves?!”

Assistant: “Probably by bears.”

Producer: shivers “I’m glad this is all behind us. Five dates in the can! Now we can prepare for the good stuff.”

Assistant: “Did that count as a date? He didn’t even sign the release forms.”

Producer: “Close enough, he got free food, that’s his payment, I left a sign that said by accepting the food he agreed to the contracts.”

Assistant: “I don’t remember seeing a sign.”

Producer: “I put it under a pile of leaves… It’s not my fault that he didn’t read the fine print before agreeing to a contract.”

Assistant: “That’s also illegal.” sigh “In the morning I’ll talk with him… Sir?”

Producer: “What!?”

Assistant: “what are you doing?”

Producer: “I’m planning! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to find the Portia builder.”

Assistant: “SIR!”

Chapter Text

Behind the scenes

Assistant: “Sir… why is Fang here?”

Producer: “Oh… um, well, in case of emergency, it’s safe to have a doctor… because he’s not just Fang, He’s Doctor Fang...”

Assistant: “Why then, is he in the makeup department getting bronzer on his abs?”

Producer: “He can also be the life guard!”

Assistant: “You still haven’t accepted the audiences results for the beach shoot, have you?”

Producer: “Burgess… they pick BURGESS! How could they!?”

Assistant: “Maybe because he’s a decent man who seemed to have a connection to Venti, before the INCIDENT.”

Producer: “It’s because he looked too pitiful! Those PITY points! I went overboard, and the audience has come back to haunt me.” Whispers “I’m just too good at this, I did too good making them sympathize with him.”

Assistant: “Back to Fang…”

Producer: “Or maybe they picked him for the comedic chaos?”

Assistant: "Sir! What are you doing with Fang!”

Producer: “Nothing…. Absolutely nothing… he’ll just be there for safety… of the heart.”

Assistant: “But… never mind, I’ll talk to him myself.”

Producer: “Don’t you dare ruin this, Kyle! It’s the last chance for the two best sets of abs to shine and fight for love!!

The Beach Shoot

The Portia beach, near the tunnel to Sandrock, with the abandoned ruins in the distance and sparkling water all around.

“This sunscreen is slippery.” Logan wiped his hands on his pant leg. “There’s lots of monsters here, I guess the producer was right about needing me here.” Logan said, propping a sword into the sand.

Logan's new girlfriend, the Sandrock builder, squeezed his arm, a look full of love and pity. “Yeah, babe… that’s why.” She leaned her head against his shoulder. “What about the swim shorts and your big strong, handsome muscles on display?”

“I feel like I’m missing what you’re getting at, darlin’.”

“Oh, you are!” She said brightly. “But that’s okay… it just means you only have eyes for me.”

“Well, I already knew that.” He kissed the top of her head. “I like how you got us matching swimsuits…” he paused, looking down at his shorts then at her one piece. “I mean, matching fabric… you’ve got more covered than I do… I’m glad for that, I jus mean…”

“That we clearly belong together?”

“Yeah, that.”

She kissed his cheek. “I’m going to get out of here before the producer catches us, and by the way babe, that’s not sunscreen, it's oil.”

"Why'd I need oil on me?" He hollered after her.

She laughed again, before stopping to talk to Venti

“He really don’t know he won the contest by a landslide?” Venti asked, adjusting the elaborate straps to her frilly swim suit.

The builder laughed and hugged Venti. “Nope! As soon as we got together, it never entered his head about dating anybody else.”

Venti grinned “I think before then too, he signed up thinking I was giving dating advice, he just wanted help on asking you out.”

She looked sweetly looking at him over her shoulder and smiled.

“Was it worth waiting for him to get to the point?”

“He is. Even though it took him MONTHS.”

The builder took Venti’s hands. “You deserve that too, Venti, you’re worth it. I’m so proud of you, stepping out of your comfort zone, but in the end, if the right guy for you isn’t here, isn’t on this show, that’s okay… have fun, enjoy the attention, make friends, and when the time is right, I know that special someone will be there for you.”

They hugged again and the builder left the area, heading towards the snack bar to chat with Mint and the Portia builder.

The snack area was crowded, even though Logan and Burgess won the contest to be in the Finale, every bachelor she had met was there, plus some extras; Arvio was hiding as an intern, handing out drinks with umbrellas, Oaks was taking full advantage of the snack bar, handing honey rolls to Papa Bear, and a few Portia Civil Corps members circled the producer, inspecting papers, documents and safety checks.

And as for Burgess, he was being led patiently towards them by Fang. Both were wearing swim shorts, though Fang managed to sneak a cloak over his.

“Burgess, Fang.” Logan greeted. “I’m glad we all got the memo to dress for swimming, I worried I’d be the only one in this get'up.”

Fang sent Logan a speaking look. “Yes...” He tugged his cloak closer to his body.

“Thanks a million for coming, Fang. If we need a doctor, you’ll be right there to save us!” Burgess said brightly.

This time the look Fang sent was kinder. “Happy… to help”

Venti stepped closer. “I think we might need serious doctoring.” She snorted. “I’m glad you’re here for whatever goes wrong.”

“Portia has… its own doctor.”

“Maybe.” She shrugged. “But I don’t know him, I know you though.” She smiled. “I trust you.”

Fang smiled down at her. “I wanted to ask about your organization method, the builder mentioned you helped her nail/screw storage. I…have many herbs, I waste time trying to find things at the clinic.”

“Sure! I’d be happy to help. Say, I've been meaning to ask you. I was at a lecture years ago, it was super interesting. The professor was talking about how bones are always growing, not just like when you’re getting taller, but the cells are always building it? Do you know anything about it? I didn’t get to hear the rest.”

“Bone Homeostasis, I have a book at home… I can show you.”

“Thanks Dr. Fang!”

“Call me Fang, we’re…friends.”

“PLACES!! Logan, Stay RIGHT THERE, you handsome hunk. Fang, move to the right, too far, to the left, THERE! Got to have you close in case of an…accident.” The megaphone squealed, turning off, before blaring on again. “Oh right, you're here too, Burgess... you stand in the middle, right by the big red bucket… right by it… BURGESS! next to IT! A little more to the left…”

Venti pushed her hand against Burgess. “Watch out, that critter don’t look friendly.”

Logan rushed forward and dealt with a tiny, but vicious Madcrab.

“Wowee, good catch Venti! If that got me, that would hurt!” He beamed at Venti’s sudden red face.

The megaphone blared again. “Yes… Thank you…so, so much, Venti… that would have been terrible… we might have needed to replace Burgess with the nearest guy… How awful that…would have been…”

Logan stalked back to his place, Fang shifted farther away, ducking his head into his cloak. But Venti didn’t move from Burgess.

“Are you okay, Venti? Did the crab thing get you?” Burgess asked.

Her face was burning and her ears tipped red. “Umm… uhh.. no, I’m fine.” She tried to laugh,

“Are you sure?” Burgess touched her arm, which was still on his chest.

She pulled her hand away and cleared her throat. “Yeah. Just, wasn’t expecting, um… you.”

Burgess in bright yellow swim shorts was not what she expected to see. His shirts must be a bad fit, because while Burgess was a broad man, he was not flabby. There was no bronzer or oils or makeup, But his form was… broad, and safe and strong in a way that didn’t come from working out at the gym… these were muscles earned through hard labor…

“Do you lift a lot of water barrels, Burgess?” She blurted before covering her mouth in embarrassment.

“Oh yeah, most days, I also carry them to Mr. Mort and Mz Vivi, I don’t want them to get hurt, and it’s such a long walk for Mr. Mort to make. I’m glad to help.”

Venti covered her face and mumbled. “That’s very kind of you, Burgess. It is a long walk, with heavy water barrels, to Mr. Mort's'.” She swallowed and breathed deeply. Gathering herself and only occasionally did her eyes slip to the broad strength of his chest and arms.

“So, what’s next?” She squeaked fanning herself.

“Maybe a fan would help!” A relaxed voice called, as someone jogged from the production tent. He took off his black hoodie. “And Venti, I am your biggest fan.”

Shirtless, he strode to Venti and started waving the hoodie around, creating random spurts of wind. “It looks like you need a breeze.”

The megaphone squealed. “Arvio! If you’re there, who do I have tied up in my closet!?”

The three other men drew closer as Arvio turned so his bare chest caught the light and shimmered.

“Are you ill, Arvio?” Fang asked. “You have a rash.”

“HAHAhaa, no, I’m perfect, glad to of use to darling Venti.”

Burgess gently pulled Venti to the side so he could inspect Arvio. “Did someone draw on you? You got markers all over you.”

“Wha-at? No, no! those are my muscles, haha.”

Logan set his hand on his shoulder. “Then why are they smudged?” Logan tugged Arvio back slightly.

“Hey! Hands off!” Arvio pushed him away and made for Venti again.

Fang inserted himself in front of Arvio. “I think you are reacting to the makeup… I have a medical tent, set up over there.”

“It only itches a little! I’ve got to be here, I have to show that for once in my life I’m serious about something!”

Burgess tugged Venti farther back, stepping in front of her. Arvio continued waving his hoodie, when a twirling sleeve smacked Burgess in the face.

Logan gripped the hoodie, the two men almost in a tug of war. “Stop waving that thing around!”

“X would know what to say.” Fang muttered, joining Logan in prying the hoodie from Arvio’s hand.

“You could put it back on again.” Burgess suggested, fulling facing Arvio. Venti slipped further behind his broad, strong, muscled back.

There was a cracking sound before an earth-shattering BOOM

Behind the scenes

Assistant: “Everybody head for shelter! The Civil Corps are sending for reinforcements, let’s clear the area for them to work! That’s right, good job everyone, keep up.”
… … …
Producer: “Wow, that’s bigger than I expected.”

Assistant: “WHAT DID YOU DO!!!”

Producer: “I told you at date 3, the abs, the volcano, who would save her.”

Assistant: “You’re fired, Delbert, you’re fired.”

Producer: “What are you talking about!”

Assistant: “Congratulations, you’re on Boss Undercover, I OWN this company.. and You’re fired.”

Producer: “Mister…Mister Kyle Keelson? CEO of…”

Assistant: “Yep.”

Producer: “Hey… I was right about your name though… it really is Kyle….”

Assistant: … … …

Producer: “It wasn’t a real volcano, just some explosives in those abandoned ruins.”

Assistant: “FIRED, Delbert, FIRED.”

Stay tuned in for our conclusion.. conclusions? to this season of The Heart Knot

Chapter Text

Soot covered the abandoned ruins and the three civil corps members.

“What was that maniac thinking!” Sam said, kicking a pile of rubble, her blonde hair gray with ash.

Arlo leaned against a large boulder. “He wasn’t thinking, is my bet.”

Remington groaned, wiping dirt from his hands. “Do you know how many pink sofas I saw in that explosion? Seventeen, seventeen! Maybe this will uncover new relics and materials.”

“We’d need to make sure it’s structurally sound, before we let anyone in.” Arlo sighed. “Alright, how’s everyone doing?”

Sam kicked another pile of rubber. “Good to go for round two, I need to hit something I won’t get arrested for.”

Remington grimaced. “My knee is acting up.” He massaged it with a grunt.

“Right, how about me and Sam finish up and you give the ‘all’s clear’.”

“Arlo, does it look “all clear and safe?” Sam snapped.

“No, but we know it’s not going to collapse or cause a wildfire. Besides, you and I are not in the best frame of mind to deal with the producer. Remington is our calmest member.” Arlo laughed. “Besides, I don’t have it in me to arrest you for assault. I’d rather we both not end up behind bars.”

Remington stood. “I don’t want to handle both of your workloads if you’re arrested, I’ll go, spare us all, and the walk will do me good.”

“Thanks man.”

“My hero!”

They called as farewell.

Remington sighed, taking his time. Letting his knee stretch as he ambled towards the evac zone. It looked like a refugee camp. He stopped for minute, rubbing his chest with the memory. So many tents squeezed side by side, dirty little walkways, so many people.

He shook himself. That time searching the Atara Refugee Camp was a painful memory.

This tent, while sheltering, the people were not homeless or in danger. They were here for some dating show, enjoying life. It wasn’t the same as… it just wasn’t the same.

Remington stepped under the tent, scanning for the producer when he saw her.

His lungs stopped and his heart thundered loudly.

Maybe he was sick, maybe he was imagining her, the memories of the Atara Refugee Camp conjured her form. His guilty conscious trying to make amends. His blasted knee reminding him why he hadn’t kept his promise to find her.

She froze when she saw him.

“Venti?”

Chapter Text

Choose your own ending

In the tent Venti stood surrounded; Logan and his girlfriend, Fang, Burgess, Arvio with his hoodie stuffed on backwards and inside out, Oaks, Remington, The camera man and the boom mike guy, and the newly freed intern.

“Uhhh.” Venti said, gaze darting around.

“Get back here!” Mister Kyle Keelson shouted, chasing the ex Producer as he dashed into the circle, slapping a heat knot into Venti’s hands.
“Oh, who will you pick!? Who will you give your heart knot too?” Delbert screeched as the former assistant caught him. “Tune in next time to, GAhhgghh.”

So here my friends, here we are. You get to choose. There will be a chapter for each guy, including Remington, excluding Oaks, a look to see what might happen next,

I put a lot of thought into how each character could deal with each other, what parts of their personalities would mix, what would they be like together, What each character would bring out in the others and how I saw their lives would mix. Each guy in the show was added because I could see them having a good relationship with Venti. Yes, even Burgess, Arvio and surprisingly Logan... But you'll have to read on to find out more.

To choose, select the chapter that's titled "Choosing ....(Name of guy you pick)... or you could read them all, whatever floats your goat

Chapter Text

Choosing Logan

The stifling attention made Venti freeze. She had to pick, now? She could barely think straight. Her eyes flew to everyone present, Remington, Arvio, Burgess, Fang and Logan…

She bolted towards the hunter and crashed into him and his girlfriend. “Help.” She whispered.

Logan patted her shoulder. “All right, I got this.”

“Come on, let’s get out of here.” The builder said, leading Venti out of the tent and hiding behind the bus. “Deep breathes, Venti.”

Venti gasped in a breath, fumbling for her locket.

“What’s that?”

“It’s my Ma's, the only picture I have of her.” Venti managed to thumb it open.

She sniffled. “She always made me feel better. She’d hold me and sing… I wish I remembered more, but sometimes it’s like I can hear her singing to me, in my memory.”

“She’s really pretty, Venti. She looks familiar too, I guess you look alike.”

Footsteps crunched from the other side of the bus. “The camera is distracted watching the Civil Corps handcuff the Producer for… “Unlawful actions”.

Logan stopped beside them, peering over their shoulders. “Hey, where’d you get that picture of my aunt Fawn?”

FIVE MONTHS LATER

“Here’s your bouquet” Mi-an chirped. “I’m so excited, I can’t believe the wedding is finally here!”

“I’m glad Logan didn’t snatch you as one of his groomsmen!” The builder, Logan’s fiancé joked with Venti. “I get to have you! You look much better in the dress than the suits the guys are wearing!”

“We look amazing,” Mi-an agreed. “Let’s take another picture of the bride and her maids.”

They squeezed together, Mi-an and Venti the bread on the bride sandwich.

“Oh, that looks so good! I’m going to tease Logan about how good you look. He can’t stand waiting to see you. Oh, I'll show it to your fella, Venti, while Logan's in the room, It'll drive Logan nuts!!” Mi-an skipped out of the room.

“He’s not my…” The door slammed shut and Venti sighed with a blush.

“I’m so glad you agreed to be my bridesmaid, not only for Logan’s sake, but my own. I know you’re his cousin, and having living breathing blood family means the world to him. But you’re my family too.”

“I feel the same way, now don’t you make me cry, we can’t be crying!”

The bride sniffed and fanned her face. “I’m getting married today. We got the adoption paper for Andy, Yan is sharing a jail cell with that producer! And I’m getting married!” She squealed and hugged Venti. They babbled as they rocked back and forth in a jubilant hug.

Mi-an poked open the door, joining the hug. “It’s time! It’s time! Calm down everyone, it’s time!”

“To friends!” Mi-an toasted

“To family!” The bride cried.

“Forever!” Veni cheered.

Chapter Text

Choosing Fang

Two Years Later

“Naw, I promise, they’re real interesting. Think of it this way, Andy. Bones are amazing, it breaks down itself when your body is working hard and needs calcium, but it’s also always building itself! Some parts are spongy, they can twist, they won’t just snap cuz they’re aren't brittle. But the other part of the bone grows around the spongy part, 'that's what it's called, spongy'. Anyway this part grows around it, in rings, like a tree, it's what makes the bones strong.

Jasmine and Andy stared at her in awe.

“My bones eat themselves?!” Andy whispered before whooping. “That’s SO cool! Ya always teach the coolest things.”

“Your nicer than Mr. Fang, too!” Jasmine chimed in.

“I wouldn’t say that, I just explain things in a different way. Dr. Fang is just as kind.”

A clock struck the hour and the children jumped to their feet. ‘Thanks, Mz Venti! See ya next time!” Andy hollered.

Jasmine gave her a hug goodbye before hurrying in Andy’s wake.

“Missed you, birdie, mwah, mwah” Cooed X, landing on her shoulder and pecking at her hair.

“You’ve been here the entire time, X” Fang corrected, stepping from the shadows.

X looked up at him, his face tangled in her hair. “Gone forever, missed you birdie.” He insisted, hiding his face in her hair again.

“Where did X go, have you seen him, Venti?” Fang asked in feigned surprise

X cackled and burrowed deeper.

“Well, no I haven’t, Fang… when did you see him last?”

Fang tread closer. “I thought I saw him by your table.”

X trilled. ‘No find, gone forever.”

“Did you hear that?!” Gasped Venti. “I thought I heard him. Ouch. No pecking my ear!” She scolded.

“Does your ear hurt, My swan? I could check it for an injury?” Fang placed his hand on Venti’s cheek and began parting her hair.

“Oh no, oh no!” X squawked and flew to the rafters, quoting his ill use.

Venti leaned into Fangs touch. “You know, I was thinking about something I read... You call me swan because swans mate for life…”

“Yes.” He kissed her cheek.

“Well, did you know that beavers mate for life too? Well, unless one of em dies, which, if I die Fang, I’d want you to be happy and find another beaver.”

Fang laughed quietly, more a rumble in his chest than a sound. “But I’m a doctor, I won’t let you be hurt.”

“Beavers raise their babies to beaver adulthood! Not like Kangaroos or Wallabies! Can you imagine that, they throw their babies at predators? It’s just awful!”

Fang held Venti close and his heart warmed. “I’m glad you’re not like that, Venti.”

“Me too!” Venti stood on tiptoes, grabbing the lapels of his jacket. “Not only do they mate for life, but they’re the only mammal that BUILDS things, they build their own homes, and dams, creating pounds and lakes for creatures to live in.”

“That’s admirable.” Fang brushed her hair back, righting the locks that X had mussed. “Do you want me to stop calling you, My Swan?”

“I already have your Swan necklace, seems best for you to keep calling me that.” Venti closed her eyes as Fang rested his cheek against hers.

"You bring me such joy, Venti." He murmured, placing a kiss to her forehead.

“Oh!” She bounced away, dragging him down by his lapels. “Do you know they make Vanilla Flavoring from…”

He kissed her.

Chapter Text

Eighteen Months Later

“Burgess, I need you to help me up.” Venti flopped her hands helplessly in the air.

Her husband came into the spare room. “What were you working on this time?”

“I finished making the jewelry for the fundraiser, so I was getting things ready for the nursery.”

He grinned “Did you pick a color for the paint?”

“I was thinking yellow, It’s so bright and warm.”

"Like you?"

"Can you save the sweet talking for when I'm on my feet, please?" She waved her hands again.

Her husband chuckled before hauling her to her feet. “Sunshine, why do you sit on the floor when you know you can’t get up?” He asked, a tender hand resting on her rounded belly.

“I like when you take care of me.” She leaned against him. “Plus I get to admire you, we need to talk to my cousin or Vivi to tailor your shirts.”

He blushed. “I don’t really consider myself a looker, I’m glad you think so.”

She laughed and snuggled closer. “You make me feel so safe and happy, Sweetheart." She breathed deeply. "You helped me reach out and grow, becoming bolder. You helped me begin to value myself, begin expecting to be treated well.” She placed her hands on his face. “Now I can see that people really like me, for me, not what I do for them, for me.” She cupped his chin. “Burgess, you opened the world for me.”

"You've done the same for me, Sunshine. We're better together." He lifted her off her feet, princess style and carried her to the couch in the living room. "The best part is that it doesn't stop with us." he tugged a soft blue blanket around her. "We make each other so much better that it spills over, affecting everyone we meet. Making their lives better." Burgess placed a tray of crackers beside her and opened a can of bubbly water for her.

Venti pulled him down next to her, taking his hand and placing it on her belly. "The baby's kicking!"

His face lighting, he reverently felt their child kick, both hands tracking the movement. "A miracle. that's what you are." He whispered. "Maybe we should name you Peach, just by existing you bring so much light."

Chapter Text

Ten Months Later

"Baby, the work day is over…” Arvio cajoled. “Come on, trust your devoted boyfriend…”

“Can it wait a minute. Today was a busy day.”

He pulled her into his arms. “It’s always a busy day when you work here, Venti. The customers love you.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “But I love you more.” He hummed, rocking her slightly.

She sighed and set the box down with a smile. “What did you plan?” She turned into him and hugged him fully. “Is it our 27th week anniversary of using pet names?” She giggled.

“Ah, that’s a no, my dear.”

“Our 4th day anniversary of that Sunberry cobbler I made for dessert?”

“Not even that.”

“What is it then?”

“It’s to celebrate an anniversary we haven’t had yet.”

Venti laughed. “One we haven’t had yet, then how’s that an anniversary?”

“You doubt me, oh Princess, that hurts.” Arvio bowed low, offering his arm like a knight.

Arm in arm, he led her to Martle’s Oasis, under strings of lights crisscrossed between the trees. “May I have this dance?”

“You may.” Venti beamed at him, a rosy color on her cheeks.

These last ten months she had bloomed under his attention and care. He never forgot her, never looked past her, he always treated her like she was important. Her opinions, her feelings, her likes and dislikes, it all mattered to him, she mattered.

He twirled her. “My dear.” He pulled her closer, his hands resting on her waist. “I love it when you drop by the store, selfishly, I wish I could keep you with me.”

“Who say’s it would be selfish?”

“It feels incredibly selfish, thinking of those poor blokes from the Heart Knot. I was selfish back then. I was so desperate that I didn’t stop to think. I’m sorry for the mess I made, there’s no excuse for the dumb things I did. Have I thanked you for giving me another chance?”

“Once or twice.”

“That’s far too few! Thank you, my love.” He touched his forehead to hers.

Arvio had also grown in the months since the show. Maturing and taking responsibility for himself and his actions. His grand schemes and ideas were just as frequent, and he loved making a sale, but he was thoughtful and respectful before launching a new idea into the world. He had been insecure, desperate to prove himself worthwhile. But now he had pride in himself, in his work and the consistent love of a woman worthy of being pleased.

After a while they realized they had stopped dancing, slowly swaying together, lost in the moment. “You know, I didn’t want to win the show.”

“You didn’t?”

“I never cared about the show, it woke me up to the thought of loosing you, and I couldn’t bear it.” He sighed. “I didn’t want to win the show, I wanted to win your heart, I wanted, I wanted this.” He gestured around them. “I wanted us.”

He kissed her softly, pulling just far enough away to admire the face that was so very dear to him. “Will you marry me, Venti?”

Her eyes misted as she nodded. “Yes, yes!”

“For real and truly?”

“Forever and ever.” She promised.

Chapter Text

Flashback/Collage/Music Video Thing

Un specified time in the past, probably a couple years before the beginning of My time at Portia and Sandrock

“I worry about you, Venti. The raids are getting further and further into Lucien.” Remington said, holding Venti close.

She rested her head against his chest, breathing deeply, trying to keep calm. “I’ve got no other place to go, what am I gonna do?”

“I’d take you and Grande with me if I could, but there’s barely any space for my bunk at the barracks.” He sighed. “We need a plan, in case Duvos attack.”

“I can hit em with my hammer?”

He chuckled. “I was thinking you should head somewhere deeper in the Free Cities.”

“Leave?” Her hands tightened, gripping his shirt.

“I’ve got a month left on this deployment, we can leave after that.”

“You’d come with me?”. She trembled as she lifted her face to his.

Remington paused. “If I can, but if the Duvos breach the area before my enlistment ends, I want you to leave without me.” He clutched her hands at his chest. “Just head towards Atara, there’s an area set up for refugees. I will find you there.”

“You promise?”

Remington leaned down to kiss her softly. “I promise.”

Two Months Later

Venti huddled in the musty tent. He wasn’t coming. He wasn’t. She had thought that maybe in the attack something happened, maybe he was delayed, maybe his squad needed him… and when Venti felt her lowest, she wondered if maybe he had died… she compulsively checked every paper, his name wasn’t listed in the loses…

But today, the camp had a new paper, this one of accommodations and awards. “Released from active duty with honors.” It was dated five weeks ago… It was better than him being dead, but Venti felt like something inside HER died. He wasn’t coming.

Two Weeks Previously

Remington woke, the world blurry, a pain in his knee, a pain in his heart… “Java took the shot meant for me.”

A nurse pushed a glass of water nearer, holding the straw toward his face.

The water helped the burn in his throat.

“Venti…” He mumbled, knowing he had something important to do, but his body wouldn’t cooperate, and he fell into sleep and fever dreams.

Flashback/Collage/Music Video Thing Ends

“Venti.” His voice cracked and he pulled her close. “Oh thank God you’re safe.” He buried his head into her hair and continued. “I looked everywhere, I thought you had… had.” His voice broke and he couldn’t finish.

“By the time I got out of the hospital, there was no trace of you.”

“Hospital?” Venti guided his face, so their eyes met. “Are you okay?”

“I’ve found you.” He cupped Venti’s face, his thumb brushing her cheek. “Of course I’m okay.”

One Year Later

“Sweetness, sorry I’m late, Justice and Unsuur needed help getting Captain out of a tree.”

Venti set her pliers on her work table. “I think’s he’s jealous about not being Deputy anymore.”

Remington pulled her into a kiss. “He’s one weird cat, for sure.” He kissed her again. “I’m glad for Unsuur though.”

Venti hmmed “Maybe, but I’m happier for us. I made a special meal tonight.”

“Are Grande and Logan and his family coming over?”

“Not tonight.”

“Does this meal have any Duvos powder?”

”Not after last time! Sandrock might be greener, but we still don’t have enough water for that!”

“Owen said it’s better to drink milk to cool off pepper. Last I saw we had a couple of yakmilk bottles.”

Venti fidgeted. “Remy… are you happy here?”

“Anywhere you are, I'll be happy.”

“What about Portia, don’t you miss your friends?”

‘Sweetness, the train to Portia is only a few hours… and your family is here. You’re here, of course I’m happy. Happier than I’ve been in years.” He snuggled her closer. “Even if you didn’t use Duvos chili powder.”

He guided her to their pink sofa, settling his arm around her shoulder.

He fiddled with her wedding ring. “We have our home, Venti. I’m not sleeping in a backroom of the civil corps anymore.”

She giggled. “If you tried that in Sandrock, you’d be sleeping in the jail.”

“See what you’re saving me from? Because you said yes, I get to come home.”

“It was a good idea to build our own place. It’s truly ours, Remy. Three guest rooms and all!”

“And it’s right next door to your family.”

“Family… we have ourselves a family, Remington. Who’d have thought?”

“I did.” He pulled her closer. “I knew the first time I saw you.”

“What would have happened if that show didn’t bring me to Portia?”

“I’d still have found you.” He kissed her forehead. “I never stopped looking, it was only a matter of time.”