*Who's My Eternal*
*Haynes House — Late That Night*
Elian didn't leave.
Morning became afternoon.
Afternoon became evening.
Evening became night.
And he was still there.
On the couch. Next to Cherry.
Every time Steve mentioned it was getting late, Elian just looked at him.
"I'm not going home," he said. Simple. Final.
Mrs. Jennie brought him dinner. He ate it there. Next to Cherry.
Mr. Nicholas offered the guest room. Elian shook his head.
"I'm good here."
Nicklaus watched the whole thing. Arms crossed. Jaw tight.
Now it was 10 PM.
The house was quiet.
Everyone had gone to bed except them.
Cherry was curled up on the other end of the couch, trying to read.
Elian was closer than he needed to be.
His head on her shoulder.
"I have to go back to Manila tomorrow," he muttered. "Meetings."
"Then go," Cherry whispered. "Sleep in your own bed."
"No."
"Elian."
"No," he said again. Wrapped his arm around her waist. "I'm not leaving you. Not tonight. Not when I just got you back."
Cherry laughed. Soft. Couldn't help it.
She reached up. Stroked his hair.
"You're just being dramatic," she said. Fond. Exasperated. "You've seen me now. You know I'm alive. You can go."
Elian caught her hand.
Brought it to his lips.
Kissed her palm. Slow.
Cherry's breath hitched.
Her whole face went red.
"Stop it," she hissed, pulling her hand back. "You're embarrassing me."
"Good," he said. Smirked against her fingers. "You should be embarrassed. For making me think you were dead for five years."
"That was—"
"Shh." He pulled her closer. Until she was basically in his lap. "I'm not mad, Pink. Not anymore. I just… I don't want to close my eyes and wake up and have this be a dream."
His voice broke on the last word.
Cherry stopped fighting.
Looked at him. Really looked.
Dark circles under his eyes. Jaw sharp from stress.
He was Arthur Harkwell.
But right now, he was just Elian.
Her Elian.
Tired. Scared. Holding on too tight.
She sighed.
Leaned her head against his.
"Fine," she whispered. "You can stay. But on the couch."
Elian smiled into her hair.
"Deal."
A pause.
Then: "Can I hold you?"
Cherry blushed harder.
"Elian…"
"Please?"
She groaned. But she didn't move away when his arms went around her.
When he buried his face in her neck.
When he whispered, "Thank you."
They fell asleep like that.
On the couch.
Tangling together.
Steve walked by at midnight to get water.
Saw them.
And just shook his head.
Smiling.
"That bold bastard," he muttered again.
Went back to bed.
Didn't say a word.
Next Morning, Dawn*
The house was quiet.
Sunlight spilled through the windows.
Nicklaus came downstairs first. Coffee. Habit.
He stopped at the bottom step.
And saw them.
Cherry. Curled up on the couch.
Elian. Arms around her. Head tucked against hers.
Sleeping. Holding her like she'd vanish if he let go.
Nicklaus' face burned red.
Fist clenched.
Because he loved her.
Not as a sister.
Never as a sister.
Not since the day she cried in his arms after a nightmare and he realized he'd burn the world down to keep her safe.
And there she was.
In another man's arms.
Arthur Harkwell or not, it didn't matter.
The rage hit hard. Fast.
He wanted to tear Elian off her.
Wanted to scream.
But he couldn't.
So he just stood there.
Shaking.
Swallowing it down.
_Pretend_, he told himself. _Keep pretending_.
He muttered, low. Bitter.
"I'm going to win her eventually."
Then he turned.
Walked away. Back upstairs.
Footsteps heavy.
Elian's eyes opened.
He wasn't sleeping.
Hadn't been.
He'd heard Nicklaus on the stairs. Felt the way the air changed.
And yesterday…
Yesterday, even while he was on his knees begging Cherry, he watched.
He saw it.
The way Nicklaus looked at her when she cried.
The way his jaw locked when Elian kissed her.
The way his hands shook.
Elian frowned.
He knew.
Knew Nicklaus didn't see Cherry as a sister.
Not even close.
Elian tightened his arms around Cherry.
Protective. Possessive.
_Mine_, he thought. _She's always been mine._
Cherry stirred.
Blinked up at him. Sleepy. Soft.
"Morning," she mumbled.
Elian's face softened instantly.
All the cold, all the rage, gone.
Just for her.
"Morning, Pink," he whispered. Kissed her forehead.
She yawned. Then froze.
Realized where she was.
Who was holding her.
And shot up.
"Elian! We— we fell asleep! What if—"
"Relax," he said, pulling her back down. "Steve saw us at midnight. Didn't say anything."
"_Grandpa_ saw?!"
Elian grinned. "He called me a bold bastard."
Cherry buried her face in her hands. "I'm going to die."
"No you're not," he said. Tucked her hair behind her ear. "Because I'm not letting you."
Upstairs, a door shut.
Hard.
Cherry flinched.
Elian didn't.
He just looked at the stairs.
Eyes dark.
Knowing.
This wasn't over.
Nicklaus wasn't going to let it be.
And Elian wasn't going to let Cherry go.
Not again.
Not ever.
---
— Later That Day, Midmorning*
Elian stood in front of Mrs. Jennie and Mr. Nicholas.
Hands respectful. Voice steady.
"Ma'am. Sir," he said. "May I take Cherry to Manila? Just for today. I'll have her back by evening."
Mrs. Jennie frowned, worried. "Is everything alright?"
Elian nodded. "There's someone who misses her. My grandma. Mrs. Anna."
At that name, Cherry's head shot up.
"Lola Anna?" she whispered.
"She's been asking about you," Elian said, looking only at Cherry. "Every day since I found out you were alive."
Mr. Nicholas and Mrs. Jennie exchanged a look.
Then Mrs. Jennie smiled. Soft.
"Of course, _anak_," she said to Cherry. "Go. She saved you too, in a way. She deserves to see you."
Mr. Nicholas clapped Elian's shoulder. "Take care of our daughter, son. And have her back before dark."
"I will, sir," Elian promised. "With my life."
*Outside — Driveway*
Elian led Cherry to his car.
Black. Sleek. Big and beautiful. Tinted windows.
Cherry stopped.
Eyes wide.
"Elian…" she breathed. "Is this… is this really your car?"
Elian smirked. Opened the door.
"It's mine."
Cherry walked around it slowly. Traced her fingers along the hood.
"It's beautiful," she whispered. "So beautiful, Elian. You… you really did it. You really became somebody."
Elian watched her.
The awe in her eyes. The pride.
"You like it?" he asked.
"Like it? I love it. It's—"
"I'll give it to you," he said.
Cherry froze.
Hand still on the car.
"What?"
"If you like it, it's yours," Elian said. Simple. Like he was offering her water.
Cherry whipped around. "Don't be ridiculous! Elian, this is _yours_. It must've cost—"
Elian took her hand. Cut her off.
"Cherry," he said. Quiet. Serious. "It _is_ yours."
Her breath caught.
"I wouldn't be who I am today if not for you," he said. "Every thing I own now. Every cent. Every building. Every title."
He brought her hand to his chest. Right over his heart.
"It's all because of you, Pink. You gave me your diamond. You gave me your life. So everything I have?"
He shrugged.
"It's yours."
Cherry's chuckle broke.
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Idiot," she whispered. "Stupid, dramatic idiot."
Elian smiled. Thumbed her tears away.
Leaned down.
Kissed her forehead. Soft. Lingering.
Then he opened the passenger door. Bowed a little.
"After you, my lady."
Cherry laughed through her tears.
Hit his arm lightly.
"Thank you, _Mr. Gentleman_," she said, teasing.
Elian's laugh was real. Bright.
He waited until she was in. Buckled her seatbelt himself.
Closed the door gently.
Walked around. Got in.
Started the engine.
And drove.
To Manila.
To Lola Anna.
With Cherry beside him.
Finally.
Steve watched from the window.
Sipped his coffee.
And smiled.
"Bold bastard," he muttered. Again.
But this time, it sounded like _proud_.