In the years that followed his collision with Agent Chinsley, Valerian Plott had found the majority of his regular nightmares leftover from the Pit had subsided. ( 🎵 )
Nightly visions so violent and consistent that had kept him awake for weeks at a time had faded to the back of his mind. Now he held the few things that meant the most to him closer to his chest than ever before.
Because for the first time in a very long time, he had something worth protecting. And that was more frightening than all the nightmares that had kept him from sleep years ago.
But sitting in their Lagoon, supported softly above the gentle waves by the strong arms of his fiancé, Chad's fingers tracing tiny delicate circles around his midsection, Valerian felt completely safe.
Maybe people like him didn't get happy endings, but that didn't mean he wouldn't fight tooth and nail to make sure his family got theirs.
Chad: Valerian?
Val: Mmm?
Chad: What happens next?
Val: I think we do a little bit more living.
Chad: Y'know, I think we can manage that.