Theo agreed to meet with his father. Clarissa and Zoe were there too, as both of them also got the news about Rafael's desire to meet them, to his surprise, of course. Zoe was offered to stay behind with Vera, as it was a family matter, but Zoe stubbornly wanted to see the man which made her mother and brother cry. His mouth was wide open when he saw three people waiting at the café. He tried to run away, but Vera was there, anticipating his cowardice. With her chilling smile, she managed to convince him to go meet his family.

All things considered, the meeting went fairly well. A few tears here and there, they managed to reconcile. However, all of them decided that it was best for the family to avoid living in one house anymore, as even if the love was still there, the damage was far too great to heal in a span of the week. They managed to exchange contact information, however, and promised to stay in touch. It ended with a family hug, too, even if Theo had a reluctant expression on his face.

As they were leaving the café, Theo took notice of Vera's poor attempt at disguise, and sent her a teasing glare. She just sent him a wink and a raspberry. Although he was sad, his eyes shown that they were definitely lighter, as if a burden he was carrying before was gone.

'Of course, that was what a heart-to-heart talk would do.'

---

The family consisting of Clarissa, Theo, Vera, and Zoe spent the next month as happily as they could. Rafael popped here and there, but it was not that frequent so it managed not to irritate them. Theo actually appreciated the gesture, and looked forward for it, not that he would admit it out loud.

However, the fond and joyful look on his face gave it away, no matter how much he tried hiding it.

Or was it about his crush on Vera?

---

His feelings started after his reconciliation with his father. He realized that he was blinded by his anger, and Vera was only looking for his well-being.

(Not that Vera was tasked to do so. Not at all.)

Clarissa was hesitant at first, but seeing how she helped him change, she relented. This lead to his confession two weeks later, with the support of his loving mother and sister. Vera accepted it, not because of obligation (no, seriously, it's not because of this). It was because she felt the same. The butterflies in her stomach as he gazed at her whenever he thought she wasn't looking was a huge proof, after all.

Not enough?

She also dreamed about him, every night, and every time she stared off dreamily at nothing when she was bored.

What was it about?

That was a secret for her to tell. She's too embarrassed to even think about it, though.

---

As all good things do, everything had to come to its end. Their current happiness wasn't forever, of course, as Theo had his time limit.

This was why Vera found herself sitting beside Theo, who was bedridden for several days already.

"---the fairy godmother felt despair, but the princess was adamant in her wish. It came from the deepest depths of her heart, after all. The fairy godmother relented, and granted her final wish, her final action for the princess she came to care about. With tears in her eyes, she swished her wand, and she was---"

"Y-you can stop there, Vera," said Theo in a very slow manner, as if every word pained him. "I don't want to hear the rest anymore."

"Are you sure, Theo? We're almost at the end."

"I'm certain."

Vera closed the book The Princess and the Fairy Godmother. She placed it carefully on the bedside table, and gazed on his blue eyes. It was as vibrant as it was when they had their rendezvous on the town. Needles pricked at her heart as she remembered Theo was nearing his end. His labored breathing did not do well in reassuring her. She tried focusing on the story, but it only broke her heart even further.

"Honestly," said Vera as she wiped a tear from her eye. "I don't know why you love that story that much." She pointed at the recently laid down book. "That is too heartbreaking!"

"I don't know either," admitted Theo. "There's just something that draws me into that story. Maybe it's because I'm like her, betrayed---"

"Shh, don't think like that!" She picked up his hand, colder than it was a few days ago. "You've got Clarissa, Zoe, and me! We're not leaving you..."

"Until the very end?"

"'til the very end, of course, you silly. Who do you think we are, huh?"

Silence draped over them, yet it wasn't uncomfortable. They laid beside each other, one on the bed, one on the floor beside them, just listening at each other's breath, the reassurance that they were still there, alive and kicking.

Theo broke the silence first. "I wish we are at some place that was bright and peaceful. Something like..."

"A meadow?" suggested Vera.

"Yeah. Something like that."

Vera chuckled softly.

"What's funny?"

"I just remembered something..."

"What is it? Come on, tell me!"

"I don't want to."

"Please?"

"You know that your charms don't work against me, no?"

"Please? I beg---" Theo's frail body heaved with a cough. He tried covering his hands with his mouth, and when he looked over it, it was full of blood. Vera saw this, too.

"Theo!? Are you alright?"

"I'm not, as you can see." His eyes crinkled with mirth.

"It's not funny, Theo!" Vera stood up abruptly. "Wait a minute, I'll just call---"

"No, don't bother. I can feel it..."

Vera knew what he was about to say, but she still asked shakily, "feel what, Theo?"

"I can feel I'm about to pass away at any moment. So please," he pleaded with his eyes, "stay with me until my last moments."

"But---"

"This is my last wish... please?"

Vera considered her options, and sat down beside him once more. She just held his hands as tears began falling from her eyes, trickling slowly until it gushed like a waterfall.

"Shh, Vera. Don't cry..." He softly grazed upon her palm with his fingers. "You know I don't like seeing you cry, right?"

"Yes..."

"So please, smile for me..."

"In one condition, Theo."

"What is it?"

"This."

Theo felt her soft lips graze his cold ones. Warmth traveled from that point until it enveloped his whole body. He wanted to indulge in the feeling, drown in the bliss as he went one step closer towards death's door. However, as his lips moved in response to her movements, his mind recoiled as it remembered something crucial.

"What have you done, Vera!" Theo panicked and pushed her away. He brought his fingers on his lips, and coated his fingers with the slightly viscous substance it produced. "Why did you---"

Vera put a finger on his lips. "I know what I'm doing, you dummy."

"You knew!?"

"Of course, I knew? You think I wouldn't notice your quirky eating habits? How you never let any food you consume touch your lips, huh? How you had your own utensils, cups, and plates? I'm not that stupid."

"Then why did you kiss me? Even if you knew that my lips produces a lethal poison..."

"I wanted it. I promised, didn't I? That I wouldn't leave you, until the very end?"

"But you'll die, Vera..."

"With you. I told you, I won't leave you."

"Vera..."

"Shh," Vera's breath became as labored like his. They sat there, listening to each other's labored breaths as they gazed within each other's eyes. They remained like that, as they took their final breath, eyes locked with each other. A single butterfly landed on her nose as her eyes finally closed for her eternal slumber.

---

An anguished cry disturbed the whole neighborhood as Clarissa saw Theo's and Vera's lifeless bodies, hands entwined even in their last moments.

"No!"