"There is beer in the fridge and I don't have much else other than that. I live a pretty day-to-day life," Lara yelled from her bedroom.

"Why do you live like this?" Zeel asked.

"Why do you?" Lara replied.

Zeel thought for a moment and answered honestly "I am not sure but I guess the reason is that I am scared for the second time in my life.

I fear that once I mess up, something will deviate from what I am prepared for. Even if it's just an unexpected headache,"

"Oh," Lara said slumping to the ground "I don't feel like talking about it but I know you could probably see it on my face if you look hard enough with those eyes,"

"I am curious, not invasive. Someone else does that job for me," Zeel replied cryptically.

Lara rolled her eyes, heading to the shower to wash off the sweat and grime accumulated from the earlier workout.

Zeel sat on the worn-out couch, codes flickering across his pupils trying to find the channel that the orphanage opening would be broadcasted on.

∞∞∞

At The Interview

Snapshots were being taken, paparazzi all around taking pictures of the buildings, landscape, and people.

Alice and Elizabeth stood on a podium watching it all, preparing for their thousandth interview in the last five years or so.

Alice was always big on contributing to the world, while Elizabeth was always a good deed by coincidence type.

However, Elizabeth was much more restrained because of the incident she caused in The Verne Universe.

Elizabeth started eyeing a woman weirdly "Alice, isn't that Linda Cali?"

Alice's head snapped to the direction Elizabeth gestured to.

Alice stared at Linda Cali for a long while and shook her head at Elizabeth, indicating that the 'Linda Cali' she pointed out was different.

"Her soul is brighter and more vibrant," Alice said.

Elizabeth also agreed "Her aura is more colorful. I just thought it would be weird that she is a reporter in every universe,"

"Maybe it is like Zeel said, the multiverse grants you status based on other versions of yourself," Alice replied instinctually but regretted her words immediately after.

"How do you think…" Elizabeth wanted to inquire about Zeel, but knew that it would not end well for both her and Alice, so she stopped midsentence.

Alice also ignored Elizabeth's and her own blunder. It has been such a long time but they never forgot the battle that took place ten years ago.

It was not about the battle itself, but the lingering dark emotions that made them feel unworthy of seeing their lover again.

"Starting in 5 … 4… 3…. Go!" The Director said as Linda Cali walked over to Elizabeth and Alice on the podium.

"Hey, everyone at home. My name is Linda Cali, your interviewer for today. Our guests today have some of the biggest hearts in all the worlds…." Linda Cali's ranting went on for another five minutes before Alice and Elizabeth were brought into focus.

After Alice and Elizabeth were in focus, Linda asked many questions ranging from their sudden appearances to their intents for the future.

Many people watched from the comfort of their homes, many thankful parents who adopted children, many moms that were not ready to become moms.

Everyone was grateful that the two Crawford women were trying to make the world a better place for children

At this point in time, Alice and Elizabeth had created an entire empire of orphanages. They had even begun to impede on government interests.

Sadly, for all the hopeful males and government officials, Alice and Elizabeth did not expect to remain in the Universe for long, and even if they did, they were already spoken for.

However, Linda was not one to function on rumors so she asked for clarification.

"So, Alice and Elizabeth, many people are curious about your love life. Sources reveal that you both have a husband somewhere, but I am eager to hear the real story,"

Alice hesitated for a while and was about to answer but Elizabeth beat her to the punch.

"Alice and I are in love, we have been for a very long time. There is no one, there was never anyone else. That is the way it is, and always will be," Elizabeth replied bringing the interview to an abrupt end.

It was frustrating to be asked that question so many times over the years.

Alice and Elizabeth had a relationship that was not describable by human standards but they would probably describe it as 'Infinitely complicated'.

∞∞∞

In Lara's Apartment

Zeel watched the interview and was impressed with how the girls handled the interview.

He could see the growth in personality and mentality radiating from the girls.

Still, an overwhelming feeling inside his chest began to ache when Elizabeth said they were all they ever needed.

It was so unlike him to feel this way, but there was no stopping the feeling once it was born, and this was a feeling long overdue – loneliness.

Zeel felt an overwhelming feeling of loneliness, and soon he began to think about the faces of everyone important he'd ever been with.

Ciara, Ruri, Tria, Dena, Alice, Elizabeth, Jill, Aurora, and many other faces drifted across his perception at that moment.

The final face he remembered was Aurolana's, and he longed to see her once more. Sadly, he could not visit purgatory when he felt like it.

As the faces of past lovers flickered across his mind, Zeel found himself wanting the comfort of someone for a brief moment.

Lara was in the shower, ready to exit after taking a bath when Zeel walked in.

At first, she was startled and speechless, then she was about to break into a fit of rage but stopped.

The pained look on Zeel's face also made her heartache quite a bit.

This was, of course, Zeel unconsciously using his God ability to share emotions with others.

Only this time he was sharing his own newly birthed emotion that had yet to develop.

Zeel walked up to Lara, fully conscious of his actions, but also slightly in a daze after seeing her naked figure.

It reminded him so much of the other girls, and that made a brief feeling of happiness slither across his mind. That feeling was also felt by Lara, but much more intense.

After all, the emotions of a God, no matter how small, were too much for a mortal to bear.

Zeel brushed his fingers across Lara's cheekbones as he tucked the hair on her face, behind her ear in a swift and easy manner.

"Zeel, I am sorry that you are feeling lonely, but I am not here to comfort you, I am not that kind of woman," Lara said as she was enjoying the sensual touch of Zeel lingering on her cheek and through her hair.

At this point, Zeel had reigned in his sentimental mood but felt it would be a waste to take things this far and not continue.

"I know you aren't a casual woman," Zeel replied kissing Lara's neck while also suppressing his strength as low as it could go.

Lara was already lost to Zeel's sensual kiss.

It was the charm of a God, and the charm of a man who had seen it all. It was not something she could resist even if she wanted to, but Lara still found the will to.

Pushing away Zeel's face that was nibbling on her neck, Lara stared into Zeel's eyes "I was abandoned by my father at a very young age.

I will not let another man abandon me in my lifetime,

"Why would I abandon you? I wouldn't dream of it," Zeel replied sealing Lara's lips in a kiss that sent her nervous system into a state of infinite excitement.

At that moment, Lara knew she would be making a mistake, she saw the pit and could not tell how deep it was, but it was near bottomless.

Still, Lara was ready to jump in, but also ready to clinging onto the sides for dear life.

It was a complicated feeling to want something so bad, but know it was toxic to you.

"I don't … trust … you," Lara squeezed out through hurried breaths as Zeel's kisses were once again on her neck.

Zeel stared into Lara's eyes, the crimson in his eyes becoming more apparent as he snarled his next words "I don't need trust… I need obedience,"

Zeel knew the right words to say at that moment, and Lara fell into his emotions like a single droplet that had lost its individuality to the rushing currents of the Ocean.

A single tear escaped Lara's eyes as she hoped that the morning would bring a different conclusion than the parting with her father.

Maybe this time the man in her life would stay and not disappear in the morning.