Soft dawn broke over the island's cityscape, ushering in the weekend. The creeping sunlight spilled through the streets, a warm greeting, telling of the new day. It came over the Elysian Plains, sneakily finding its way through a crack in the window, slithering into Horatio's room, playing daintily at his eyes.

  Horatio came awake, quickly he put out his hand to shield himself against the sudden light as he slowly acclimated to consciousness. He rose from his bed, or at least he tried to. A weight held him down at his chest, a quietly snoring weight. He looked down at Nora and smiled.

  "What am I going to do with you?" He asked, running his hand through her hair. She shifted in her sleep, holding him tighter. Horatio remained still, his eyes wandering to the almost closed curtain that allowed a razor of light to slip trough, trying and failing to illuminate the room.

  Carefully, he inched her off him so he could stand and moved to the bathroom. He stood before the mirror, running the sink and splashing water on his face before taking another look at himself and flashing a comforting smile. He chuckled at the absurdity, his eyes remaining locked in on his reflection's. Brown, as always, his hazel eyes stared back. He ran a comb through his black hair, setting it into a straight sweep.

  Coming back inside he met Nora who sat up on the bed lazily. She watched him and smiled as he entered.

  "Did I wake you?" He asked, moving to the wardrobe. She shook her head. 'I definitely did.' He knew, changing out of his pajamas into a tee and shorts. He turned back to Nora, "What would you like for breakfast?"

  "Surprise me." She mumbled sleepily and walked to the bathroom. Horatio nodded, leaving the room.

  Nora watched herself in the mirror, carefully brushing strands of hair from her face. She smiled into it. "It worked." She whispered to herself.

  She looked at the room where she had just been, with Horatio. Everything was identical to the day before, except for Horatio himself.

  "I never knew you were this powerful." She admitted to the one within. In response she was shown another vision, one of a red-haired male, an older man in his late twenties. He paused in his stride and turned to look at her, his gaze knowing, as though he could see her through the vision.

  She frowned. "Its only one day." She complained, stripping off her pajamas. "But you did warn me." she whined.

  Nora stepped under the shower, allowing a stream of warm water to wash over her. The one within her repeated its warning; she was going off the path. She agreed with it, knowing fully well she was being selfish. "Just let me have this day." She pleaded, knowing fully well that her wish would not come to fruition.

  Nora ran a bar of soap through her hair, letting the lather build up. She rubbed it with her eyes closed and though of Horatio. "He loves me right?" She questioned. It was undeniable he had feelings for her, but she was not the only one competing for those feelings, never mind the responsibilities and social constructs in his path. She knew that very well. As such, she removed those roadblocks to their happiness.

  "Horatio will be eighteen soon." Nora noted, "Only a few days until he can decide for himself." She paused, combing through the possibilities. "We could even get married." She hoped, stepping out of the shower. She knew he had feelings for her, but knowing him, nothing would happen until it was too late. She had to be on the attack, otherwise their time would run out.

  "Nobody is here to get between us anymore." Nora pressed her hair within a towel and moved back into Horatio's bedroom where they had spent the night. She had just put a shirt on the front door opened.

  Horatio walked in, his eyes landing on Nora. He frowned. "The food is ready, come on, get dressed." He said.

  Nora smiled to him with a nod as he turned away and closed the door. She turned back to the wardrobe, slipping on a pair of casual clothes. She giggled,

  "Before, he would have been so flustered to see me naked." She noted. She was not embarrassed to be seen like that by him, after all, he was the one she wanted to be with, her one true love.

  Life on the island was slow, especially on weekends. Today was no exception, one could feel the laziness like a mire about the towns. Speed was the antithesis of The Elysium Island.

  "Eat your greens Nora." Horatio huffed, laying down his fork and pointing at her.

  "I don't want to." Nora rebutted without looking up. Horatio scoffed.

  "You're going to stay small forever if you don't." He said, picking his fork back up and continuing with his own food.

  "I'm fine with being small." Nora said dismissively.

  "You're a growing girl, you need your vitamins."

  "But I can grow without them."

  "Yeah, grow into a midget." Horatio chuckled. He leveled her in his gaze "I'm not going to be walking around with a shrimp forever." He said. Nora grimaced, looking off.

  "So that's why you want her." She muttered with a groan.

  "What was that?"

  "Nothing." Nora said noncommittedly. Dejected, the speared the cucumber in question with her fork, made a face and bit into it. "Yuck."

  Horatio sighed. "Fine, you don't have to eat it all." He stretched his hand, taking the plate that was empty except a selection of cucumber slices and green peppers. Horatio stood, taking his own plate and heading off to the kitchen.

  "What's your plans for today?" He called over his shoulder as he walked.

  Nora's eyes followed him

  'Plans?' She thought. For sure they had to do something today, especially if today was the only day they had. 'It's too sudden.' She mused, this opportunity presented itself at quite an inopportune moment.

  "I want to do something with you." She thought aloud.

  "With me huh?" Horatio spoke from the other room. "Sorry but I don't have any plans either." He said.

  "Oh." Nora stood from her seat, moving to the kitchen. She saw Horatio before the sink, scrubbing at the dishes they had just used. "We could hang out inside today. It's a weekend after all." She offered. Coming up behind him. She reached into the cupboard, sneakily pulling out a bag of chips.

  "Put that back." Horatio chided sharply, not even looking away.

  "Eh, but-"

  "A girl who doesn't eat her greens gets no snacks. You'll just end up fat if I don't watch you." Horatio warned. "Its not like you go out anyways, you won't burn it off."

  Nora pouted, narrowing her eyes at Horatio "You're just like Sylvia." She said.

  Horatio raised a brow, looking over his shoulder. "Who's that?" He asked.

  Nora froze for a second. Mentally she scolded herself. She shook her head, "A friend from school." She explained slowly, stepping back. She turned away and left the kitchen before he could ask another question.

  Nora went back to their room and threw herself onto the bed. She screamed into the pillow.

  "You're an idiot Nora." She said. "You could have ended all of this by being careless. Those things are all gone, stop worrying about them." She squeezed the pillow, venting her frustration into it.

  "Horatio is normal now. There's nothing for him to fight, no danger. Nobody is in our way so stop worrying about it."

  Nora told herself this yet was not fully convinced. They had only one day. Nobody had told her that or given her a limit but she knew it. She was not allowed to have this. 'So please,' she begged 'just let me have it for one day.'

  Nora ran her hand over her face and stood. She nodded, determination coming to her as she headed to the door. She put her hand on the knob and felt it being opened from the other side.

  Horatio came in, a thoughtful look on his face. "I think I might have a plan." He said. Nora arched a brow.

  "A plan?"

  "Yeah, to spend the day. We need to get you outside the house."

  "Well, as long as you're here it can't be that bad." Nora offered. Horatio chuckled.

  "I guess. Anyway, we should go to the mall." He said with a smile.

  "Denied."

  "What, why?" Horatio stepped into the room.

  "I'm suddenly not feeling happy with you. I'm not going." She said.

  "Eh? What for?"

  Nora turned away. "Why don't you tell me the real reason you want to go to the mall?" She asked.

  "Reason? There isn't one really."

  "Then I'm not going. Perhaps if you have a way to convince me, I might change my mind." Nora said.

  Horatio noticed her bait and chuckled. "Well, if you remember, I did help you get out of having to dump that one guy." He said. "And you agreed to any favour."

  "I don't remember." Nora said obstinately.

  "Oh you should. The really popular guy from my class. You made us act like a couple." Horatio inched. Nora grinned.

  'He didn't say anything about a Voidwalker.' She thought. "So you saying this is a date?" She asked.

  Horatio sighed, "If you want it to be."

  "I don't want it to be anything. Tell me what we're doing or I'm not going." Nora continued to hold the line.

  "Really Nora?" Horatio begged. Nora said nothing. He sighed. "Fine. Do you want to go on a date with me to the mall, Nora?" He asked.

  Nora harrumphed. "I guess I could." She said.

  Horatio and Nora took the bus to the largest mall on the island, just a town over into the bigger city. The sun was high in the sky when they arrived and did not relent in beaming down sweltering heat.

  Horatio disembarked after Nora, following her into the shade of the mall's buildings.

  "It can't be this hot past summer." Horatio huffed, coming up behind Nora. She turned to him with a confused look.

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  "Its not summer."

  "What? No. It's October. This should be cooling off by now." He said. "Must be all that global warming everyone is talking about. Damn." He began walking ahead. Nora followed, her mind occupied.

  They moved in search of an interesting venue, passing by an arcade beaming lights are sounds out.

  "No." Horatio has said simply without even looking at Nora as she began to ask.

  "Oh come on." Nora pleaded.

  Horatio crossed his arms, not turning around he said, "If we step a foot in there I know you're not going to have enough. For the sake of our collective enjoyment, we should at least leave it off until later." He continued walking, his eyes set on the café ahead.

  He turned back to Nora and tried a comforting smile "Come on, I'll buy you sweets." He said, indicating their destination. Nora nodded glumly and began after him.

  "You better keep to your promise." Nora warned. Stepping in, they were blessed by a wave of cold and the stare of the patrons who's eyes read "Close the door, you're letting the cold out."

  They took their seats and Horatio picked up a menu. Instantly Nora's eyes met his with burning ferocity. He raised a brow and she indicated he turn the menu over.

  "A parfait?" He asked. "With 2 straw-" his chuckle cut him off. "Listen i know i called this a date but come on, A couple's parfait?" Nora smiled innocently.

  Horatio laughed along but before he could say anything more he heard "I'll get that right out." from their waiter.

  Horatio would have stopped him, if he could, but the man was gone. Horatio only saw the back of his head as he headed into the back of the store.

  "He really is fast." He said and laughed.

  "Who?" Nora asked.

  "The waiter."

  "Waiter?" Nora cocked her head.

  "Yeah, the one with dyed hair. You didn't see him?" Horatio asked.

  "I must have missed him." She admitted.

  In a moment a towering mountain of cream and sugar was placed before them, a different waiter this time. "A couple's parfait, on the house." The new waiter said.

  Horatio looked up to him "What's the occasion?" He asked.

  "You should ask the guy who got it for you." The waiter said with a teasing smile. "Enjoy."

  They both stared at the parfait, at odds at how quick it arrived and how two people were supposed to finish this monstrosity.

  Horatio chuckled, picking up a spoon. "I guess we should dig in." He laughed and began eating.

  Nora followed his example, taking a bit off the top."It's not every day you get a free parfait." She concurred, taking a bite.

  "Wow, this is heavenly." She moaned.

  "I get you, I could have this all day." Horatio replied around another spoonful.

  "You'd get fat." Nora said with a laugh. Horatio laughed too, sheepishly taking another bite. As he did, a piece dropped onto his cheek.

  "Oh, you've got something on your face." Nora called out and stopped Horatio as he tried to reach for it. "Let me get it for you." She offered.

  "I'm sure I can-" Horatio was unable to finish his sentence as Nora leaned in and swiftly licked the cream off his cheek.

  She sat back, looking into his shocked face with a grin. "It still tastes good." She said.

  "I-um..." Horatio tried to speak, his words falling short of intelligible.

  Nora continued talking, her joviality from earlier dissipating, "Hey, are you okay using your favour like this?" She asked.

  Horatio did not answer immedietly. His eyes remained glued to Nora and her lips. He shook his head and spoke while staring at the counter.

  "What would you have rather I used it on?" He asked, his voice warbling.

  "What good does that do you? I'll have just asked for something that I would like." Nora said.

  "That's would have been fine with me. I find happiness in your happiness." He managed to say.

  "You dummy, we're not even dating and you're saying stuff like that?" Nora mumbled. Horatio raised a brow.

  "I don't think we would be allowed to date." He said seriously.

  "Why not?"

  "Well you're basically my sister, with how long we've lived together. Being interested in you would be wrong." Horatio said.

  "What?"

  "We're not dating Nora." He said seriously.

  Nora sat in stunned silence. Her heart beat in quick rythimic pitter-patters. It took all she had to keep her mouth from dropping open. Eventually she found her tongue amongst the gaze of the cafe's patrons.

  "I don't know what to say Horatio." She said.

  "Just say whatever is on your mind." Horatio urged. Nora put her face away behind her sleeve, her expression murky.

  "I'm not going to take that Horatio." She said, just as he asked. "I undesrand you see me as your sister and I do see you as a brother but we can't let that hinder us."

  "What? Nora there's no need for this." Horatio pleaded. "No matter who I am to you, I'll always be there for you."

  "But I like you Horatio!" Nora's voice came out louder than she wanted it to. She stopped, taking a breath to compose herself. As she spoke she watched his reaction, reading his thoughts from the expressions he tried to hide.

  "I can't just see you as a brother. I have feelings for you." She saw surprise. She felt anger within herself. Why did he not know this? Why was he surprised? "Why do you think I agreed to live with you Horatio? I may be young but I am not an idiot. I know what I want, and I can feel what you want. Please don't let the dream die like this, the dream of being with you my whole life." She begged. She saw pity, sadness and behind it all, a smile. She shook her head.

  "I'm sorry Nora. I don't know what to say. This is too much." He said. "We should move. We can't be discussing this here." He offered and stood. Without waiting for a reply he began walking away. Nora followed wordlessly.

  She walked with him outside, continued to wherever he deemed fit. 'This isn't right.' She thought. This was supposed to ber her day, this was supposed to work out. Her dream world was falling apart and she knew why. The man was here. Nora knew she had just narrowly missed him at the cafe. She knew he was the cause for her rejection.

  Up ahead Nora saw him again, his red hair flowing as he walked into an arcade. She would not let him get away. He had caught her off guard but now she had the upper hand. She broke off from Horatio and began towards the arcade.

  Nora tailed the man. He had an agenda he was pushing here, a belief that Nora would not accept. She came up on him as he wandered the arcade aimlessly. This was the one, she was sure of it.

  "Just let me have my day." She muttered as she came up from behind him.

  The man continued to the front desk, striking up a conversation with the cashier. She growled, this was her chance.

  "Who are you?" Nora asked, coming up behind him. The man continued talking, as though he had not heard her.

  "I asked you who the hell you are!" Nora grasped him by the shoulder and turned him around. "You shouldn't be here. What do you want?" She asked, fire in her eyes. The atmosphere seemed to freeze, nobody coming to notice the growing altercation.

  The man remained calm, his gaze washing over her, "I want to return the Young Paladin." He said. Nora flinched. She had heard that name, but it was not one to be said yet, a title for a future time. She stepped back.

  "Who are you?" She asked again.

  The man smiled. His lips parted to answer, "My name-" but he stopped, a thin smile curved upon his lips. He reached out his hands past Nora, beckoning someone. "Over here." He said.

  Nora turned to see Horatio coming towards them. Furiously she slapped the man's hands away, "Whatever you think it is that you're doing, you have to stop it, now." She warned quietly.

  "I could tell you the same, this false world of yours, this childish dream, its price may very well be the entire world. I'm sure you can see that." He returned. Horatio was upon them, the man smiled at him.

  "Hey there." He opened.

  "Get away from her." Horatio said acidly. The man took a cuteous step back, his demeanor unaffected.

  "My, my Horatio, so harsh. That's how you act after finally meeting me? I mean you thought I was dead." He said, putting his hand over his heart.

  "I don't know you, and I don't trust you." Horatio said. He steped between him and Nora. "And I definetly do not want you talking to Nora." He said protectively.

  The man made a low whistle. "I see...but you must remember this, Horatio Peppingar. The-"

  "Enough of that!" Nora cut in. Moving ouf from Horatio's back. "Neither of us want to talk to you, please leave!" Nora yelled. She knew what he was going to say and did not want to hear it. More and more people, began to notice the commotion going on and a crowd was forming.

  "Oh my, so scary." The man feigned, "I'll have you know I'm not afraid of fake humans." He said, taking a step towards Horatio. In a swift motion, his slid his hand into his pocket and withdrew a slim handgun. Horatio reeled back.

  "Again I'll have you know, I won't hesitate to pull the trigger if any of you move." He said aloud, "That goes to you too, little lady." He continued, giving Nora a hard stare. She remained still, a fearful look on her face. "Just let me say my peace and I'll leave."

  "I'll tell him." Nora spoke up quick. "Just let me have today and I promise I will tell him." She said.

  The man eyed her hard, holding his words. "He's not yours to take."

  "I am aware."

  "But you want something from him?" He asked.

  "Just once."

  "Nora, Nora, Nora. You know you can't." The man spoke.

  "Please." She begged.

  The man did not speak, his eyes travelled up to Horatio. He thought of the trust he had in the girl before him, the belief he held in her. He smiled for a moment before a sigh.

  He lowered the gun. "Alright." He said, stowing it. "I'll give you today on one condition."

  "Anything." Nora was quick to accept. He nodded.

  The man began to walk out, passing by them both. The moment he walked past Horatio he ducked to dodge a furious blow and quickly caught the arm to flip Horatio over. He slammed him to the ground and continued on his way.

  The man looked back, levelling his eyes with Nora's "You'll get your instructions back in the real world." He said.

  In a moment, he was gone.

  Nora dropped to her knees and cradled Horatio in her arms. The people around them began to dissappear one by one.

  "Nora, what's going on?" Horatio asked, trying to stand. Nora held him down, whispering into his ear.

  "I love you Horatio. No matter what, please remember this. I love you. More than anything I love you, as far as I can remember I've loved you." Nora said. She repeated her words over and over as the arcade around them began to lose colour and the people were spirited away.

  "Nora please tell me what's going on." Horatio pleaded, panic in his voice. The sun had set far too early, their day was gone.

  Nora knew she could not tell him, she knew this was their last moments together. They were the only ones left in the world she had created, the man had given her her wish.

  Without speaking, Nora kissed Horatio. She kissed him with all her heart. It was her first and if time went as planned, it would be her last. Nora did not let go. In the empty world she held him in a kiss, her hands sneaking under his shirt.

  She thought to the one within, her time short she knew she had to make some drastic decisions. Nora kissed Horatio, all the while he felt her in his mind, telling her of a love that would never end.

  Horatio knew what was going to happen. This was the catalyst for a sequence of events that will forever change their relationship. He could stop her now, or never again. He let her continue.

  She moved up, he moved down, their eyes locked.

  Their lips met, a tender sensation. Soft, like white noise. There was no slowed time or thunder striking, everything was as a gentle breeze.

  Nora pulled from him, sitting up to kiss him again. She laid her weight on him, forcing him flat on the ground.

  Horatio felt her hand under his shirt, felt her kiss rise in intensity, felt her passion. He kissed back, held her back, showed his passion.

  Horatio was ready. It was Nora, the one he wanted, he was ready for her. He did not understand what was happening but he was ready. He turned her over in the silent empty plane, bringing himself on top of her and kissed her again.

  Horatio let his hands move over her. Easily, he drew up her shirt and exposed her before another kiss. Nora kissed back, her hands working to undo his buttons.

  She laid down and he lay above her. Their eyes met and she spoke "I'm ready Horatio."

  His mind flashed crimson.

  Horatio pulled back, feeling stunned. "Being a virgin means your soul is unbound and free." He heard a voice, a faraway memory, something unimportant. But it lingered, a ghost of a forgotten past, clinging to relevancy.

  "What's wrong." Nora looked concerned, she had every right to be. Horatio looked to be in pain, hand on his head with a terrible wince.

  He knew this voice, the person it came from, just like he knew the words Nora spoke.

  "Nora' wait...I...I don't think we should do this." He said, his voice painted with anguish.

  Nora sighed, her fist clenched on his wrist. "I knew this would happen sooner or later." A glassy shattering rang out, a familiar sound. Horatio was confused, 'Why was she saying this?'

  "You love her don't you." Nora said, "You love Margulis."