(h)our timeline •••

"Mark!" I shouted, running to him. If I thought too much about my steps, I would have tripped.

"(Y/N)!" He shouted, standing from his position on my doorstep. It was a complete surprise - and such a sweet one.

I practically leapt into his arms, burrowing myself in the crook of his shoulder. Taking in his scent, his figure, the way his heart beat. He was real.

He was mine.

After we pulled apart, for a moment, all I did was stare at him. He was so handsome - tall, nice hair, soft eyes, sweet heart. Everything about him was perfect.

Everything about him was exactly as I imagined in my dream. I could recreate his face from memory. I was dying to know him, inside and out.

I wasn't sure how it happened, but soon the government van was driving away and Mark and I had moved inside to my bedroom. Before we even made it into the bed, we were locked in a passionate kiss. One hand grabbed my ass while the other held me close. I laced my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer still. Making up for lost time, I couldn't have cared less who could see.

Neither of us had ever been so forward, so desperate. Something had changed. Something... good.

"You seem excited to see me," Mark said as I pulled away, breathless. He wore his signature boyish smile, never failing to make me feel seen.

"Listen to yourself," I shot back with a playful smile. I had no doubt he was just as excited as me. "I haven't seen anyone in days. Cut me some slack."

"But I bet you really wanted to see me," Mark continued to tease, kissing me gently on the forehead. He held me tightly in his arms for a moment longer, only releasing me when I pulled away.

"You've always been a genius," I replied, giving in.

I was the first to move to the bed.

Mark and I sat on the bed, not even bothering to tidy up. He filled me in on everything I missed - the fight with his father, the current cleanup of the city, how he was holding up. The state of our friends, too, became a topic, and I was glad to hear they seemed to be doing... about as well as they could be.

Some things had changed. Most notably, Rick had been healed, almost perfectly with the exception of a couple prosthetics. Rex and Eve had never broken up - instead, he gave her a promise ring, after a drunken night where he realized he couldn't bear to lose her.

"Which," Mark finished telling, "inspired me to get you something..."

"Oh, Mark... You didn't have to do that," I said. Even the thought was sweet enough.

"But I did," he said, reaching around me to pull something out from his pants pocket. It clinked softly when he grabbed it, piquing my curiosity. "I wanted to."

"Oh my, God..." I muttered.

"I got this for you," Mark said. In his hand was a beautiful tennis bracelet, something that looked far too expensive for someone his age. Crusted in seemingly real diamonds.

"Mark..." I whispered, the breath taken from my lips. "I can't-"

"Check the inside," he insisted, pressing the bracelet into my hand. He closed my fingers around it gently, pushing it toward me.

As if I might break it, I handled the gorgeous bracelet. Opposite the beautiful gems, emblazoned on the golden interior, was the word 'together'.

When I looked up, Mark was holding an equally fancy Cuban bracelet. On his, in matching fashion, was the word, 'forever.'

"Isn't this a little much?" I asked, slightly reeling from the gift. Blood rushed to my head, gently flushing my cheeks.

Mark shrugged. "I'm starting to feel like nothing is too much," he replied. He seemed more confident somehow, somewhat different. I hadn't seen it, but he'd changed, too. "Look at us. We could've died."

"But we didn't," I reminded, all too aware of how close we came.

"But we didn't," Mark agreed. "Which is why I want to enjoy my time with you to the fullest. And you know... Invincible and Affinity make-"

"Infinity," we finished together. I tried to hide the smile on my face as he said it, the callback almost sickeningly sweet.

"Yeah," Mark said with a soft smile.

"Yeah," I said. I bit my lip, feeling strangely sheepish.

Mark didn't miss a beat. A strong hand cupped my face, taking a gentle step toward me. I followed instinctively, my eyes closing as our lips met once again.

This was more than a kiss.

This time, I knew it was a promise.

Together, despite all odds.

Together, for Infinity.

1:48am

•••

Thank you so much for reading and sticking with me along the way. I've grown up writing this story, and Affinity has grown up with me. I can't imagine a better ending for this story, and I hope you all find it satisfying. I appreciate every comment I get.

With love,

weirdowithapurpose