As our faces part, the last sunlight of the day beams over Volcaldera. I sigh a little, “You ever feel like you know there will never be another moment like this again….” Fang looks at me, “And you don’t want it to end?” She nods, “Yeah, yeah, I know exactly what that’s like. I felt that the night you saved me… I never wanted to wake up after that.” I scoff a little, “Saved you? I think you’re making me sound better than I am.” She laughs, “I’m not exaggerating, you know. You helped me through so much… I don’t even want to think what I’d do without you, Anon.” I turn to see tears streaming down her face, “You’re a Godsend, Anon… and I’m so lucky to have you.” I put an arm around her shoulder and felt her head rest on mine, “Thank you….” I bite my cheek, trying to hold back my own tears and clear my throat, “You’re welcome, Fang… I love you.” I feel a tear roll down my cheek. If only Fang knew I was really the lucky one. I wouldn’t have it any other way than right now… this is perfect. Fang whispers softly, trying to hold back her own tears. “I love you too, Anon.” I get an idea and wipe my tears away; I pull out my phone and go on YouSnoot. Fang watches my phone with curiosity, lifting her head off my shoulder as I type in a song name. I put my phone on full volume, set it loosely in my pocket, and stood up. I offer my hand as the opening to Just the Two of Us plays. She smiles and takes my hand, helping herself up. She places her hand on my shoulder, mine on her waist like all those years ago, and we immediately start swaying to the music, looking into each other’s eyes, dancing in the moonlight. Our laughter overtakes the music as our dance turns into a makeshift waltz. The music fades as we kiss again, “...We might want to head down before they lock us in.” Fang looks at me and giggles, “Good point.” We head down the ladder, and as we reach the bottom, I hear Fang yell, “Race you to my car!” I yell back as she sprints down the hall, “Hey, not fair, you were down first!” I can hear her laugh echo through the halls as I chase after her. We exit the same doors we’ve entered a thousand times before for the last time… and I beat Fang to the car by a thread. My breath is labored, “I… win!” She looks at me. Her breath is as labored as mine. She glances at the car we’re resting against and quickly gets in and flips me off, mouthing, “I win.” I shake my head, laughing, and take shotgun. It’s a nice car. Almost better than the Nascar in its prime; I wonder whatever happened to that thing. Fang looks at me as she turns the car on, “He’s still riding around in that shit box, I don’t know how it’s been holding up all these years, but it’s still kickin’.” As we drive, I watch all the familiar buildings we pass, and Skin Row comes and goes. It hasn’t changed a bit in five years. In fact, it looks worse, almost in shambles. Glad I moved out when I did. “Hey Fang, how’re your parents?” She doesn’t look away from the road, “They’re fine, can’t wait to see their reaction to the ring.” She flashes a smile on her face as I see Moe’s in the distance. I look over at Fang, “...wonder what Moe will say.” She shrugs, “Whatever he does, he’ll probably embarrass the shit out of the both of us.” I laugh a little, “You more than me, probably.” Fang looks nervous the closer we get to Moe’s. I wonder how long it’s been since she’s seen him. “You alright, Fang?” She is stretching her neck, looking for an open space on the side of the road, “Yeah, just… parallel parking never gets easier for me.” As she slowly parks, looking like she could sweat bullets, I can’t help but snicker. As the car parks, I hear Fang scoff, “I’d like to see you try.” Fang and I exit the car and walk into Moe’s. I’m hit with that all-familiar smell. Hasn’t changed a bit. No need to change. That pizza was probably the best I’ve ever had. We get to the front counter and spot Moe moving slower than he used to; I think he mentioned retiring the last I was here. Moe spots us and starts double timing it toward the waiting area. “AY, THERE’S MY LUCY! It’s been so long since I’ve seen you twos together; thoughts yous was over for a hot minute.” He hugs Fang as tight as he can with his tiny arms and looks over at me. “And you, Anon, so good to see you. How have you been? That scar hasn’t changed a bit.” He lets go of Anon and moves to shake my hand. I shake his hand, “I’ve been doing good, Moe. Glad to see you in good health. How’s business?” He laughs a little, “Same as usual.” He sweeps the restaurant with his arm, still packed as always. Moe is grinning ear to ear as he drags us toward a table near the back. He pulls out a lighter from… somewhere and lights the candle sitting on the table. I take my seat, and Fang sits beside me, almost immediately resting her head on my shoulder. We sit there for a moment staring into the candle flame before Fang speaks, “Meteor pizza?” I huff and crack a smile, “What else would we get?” She giggles as she nestles into my shoulder, “Good point.” Fang puts her hand on the table, inspecting the ring as Moe appears in front of us, “Alright, I was able to catch an actual break for a few minutes, so ho- ohmyGOODNESS.” He’s staring at the diamond jeweled ring as it shines in the candlelight. “Are you two…?” Fang nods, smiling hard. I mirror her expression, and Moe does the same. Moe looks like he’s about to cry before he clears his throat. “So… two meteor pizzas?” I nod, and he scuttles off, humming something and dancing to the rhythm. Never seen Moe that jovial before. I clear my throat a little before speaking, “So, how are things with Trish and Reed? I don’t think I ever actually asked you how you and Trish made up.” Fang shifts a bit, “Oh, uh yeah, so….” - TWO YEARS AGO - - - - I wake up in my bed, Anonless once again. Damn you, higher levels of education. I roll out of my bed, flop on the floor, and groan. I peel myself off the floor and check the time on my phone, 9 am. Glad it’s finally the weekend. I swear I can’t handle these fuckin kids half the time. I don’t know how Jingo does it… I turn on the tv to the local news station and go make myself some breakfast. I hear a familiar name come over the tv, “...Patricia….” I turn on a dime and look back into the living room to see Trish… on TV. She opened her parlor? I think back to the promise I made to her… I would be her first customer. I think about what she did three years ago. That was so long ago now. I haven’t even thought about that in so long… fuck it. I get ready as fast as I can and head out the door to go see Trish. As I get closer to the parl- “Pizzas here!” Thank you, Moe… anyway. As I get close, I can see a small line outside the parlor and Trish speaking to the local news station anchor. She spots me as I’m within a few steps of her. Just as the anchor finishes talking, she rushes over to me with a giant smile, “You remembered!” I nod, smiling, and Trish drags me inside. She sits me down in one of the chairs, “So, what do you want to be done?” I look in the mirror, “Maybe a horn piercing… right here.” I point to the center of my horn. She nods, “I can do that… yeah, wait right here for a second.” - PRESENT DAY - - - - “And that’s how I got this!” Fang points towards her horn to reveal a small jeweled flower in the center of her horn. It actually doesn’t look half bad. “Trish didn’t do a bad job at all….” I inspect it and give a nod of approval. Fang plops her head on my shoulder again, grabbing a slice of pizza, “And we’ve been talking ever since.” I also grab a slice, “Glad you two are cool now; I thought you were going to kill her when we were still in school.” She laughs, a mouthful of food, “Yeah, I would’ve if you let me. The only reason I kept my cool was thanks to you.” She looks up at me as she chews her pizza, smiling softly. As we finish up the pizzas, with only a few slices left, I thank Moe, and he hugs Fang. I grab the extra pieces, and we head out. I hop in shotgun and start heading towards Fang’s place. Can’t wait to finally move in with her. Still need to get my shit out of my dorm. I turn to Fang, “How’s RAYmba been?” Fang sighs, “He’s still kicking, I don’t know what that salesman put in em, but he hasn’t needed a battery change since our first date.” “Good, and what about Griz?” I ask Fang. “He’s doing fine; he’s around the age where he’s starting to calm down now. Still can’t believe you named my dog Grizwald.” She shakes her head. I laugh a little, “You liked it at first.” She scoffs as we pull into our garage. “Home sweet home. I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you.” As we hop out, I can already hear Griz barking at the noise outside. I take the pizza boxes out of the back and walk up the stoop, and Fang unlocks the door. I walk in behind her, and Griz is standing at the door, wagging his tail. He butts his long snout into my leg, asking for pets. I get down on one knee and start petting him. Fang smiles at us as she takes off her coat, putting it on the rack next to the door. Fang yawns as I move to the kitchen to put the pizza in the fridge. I smile at a tired Fang, “Is it bedtime?” Fang checks her phone, “I’d say 9 is bedtime.” I start towards the bedroom, laughing a little, “I’d agree with you.” Fang and Griz follow close behind as I crash onto the soft bed. Fang slams next to me, and Griz climbs onto the bed next to us, and we quickly fall asleep… I love you, Fang. "I love you too, Anon..." [POST-NOTES] The Mous family will return in Rays of Amber. - - - … as I’m trying to kill someone I hear my brother behind me, “Amber.” I ignore him and continue trying to murder, ‘just click on their head’ my ass. “Amber!” I die and hear him again, “AMBER!” I spin around in my chair, “what the FUCK DO YOU WANT, SKIP?” I hear my dad yell from the other room, “WATCH THE FUCKING LANGUAGE!” My brother is looking at me with the biggest shit-eating grin and I sigh, “What do you want Ski-?” Before I can finish my sentence I hear my brother rip the loudest ass I’ve ever heard before he turns off my lights and barely cracks my door. I can hear my dad cackling from the other room. I’m gonna fuckin’ kill Skip…