Maybe (Y/n) should have listened to Grey and Tobias.

Maybe she should have gone back to the Uninfected Community when she still had the chance to do so. After all, her ending up in the Uninfected Shelter had always been a possibility, (Y/n) had known that. Still, she had stubbornly insisted on staying in the city. Because if she had left, (Y/n) wouldn't have met Lupita, she wouldn't have learnt the truth about her family and she wouldn't have found herself either. She wouldn't have lived a life that was hers.

But now locked up in a cell of the Uninfected Shelter, (Y/n) wondered whether her decision to stay had been the right one.

"(Y-Y/n)!"

Cold dread washed over (Y/n) as the voice grew closer, way too quickly for her to do anything about it. It was too late to run now, and she didn't have to turn around to know whose voice it was.

A shudder wracked through (Y/n)'s body as memories of that day flooded her mind and she gathered her knees up to her chest for comfort.

A week ago, Jasper had caught her on her way to escape and had successfully brought her all the way to the Uninfected Shelter, where she had been taken in for medical care and the prospect of a future 'Uninfected Darling custody', the latter being just another way to say that she'd soon be taken in by Jasper as his Darling.

When exactly? She had no idea. The nurse tending to her broken ribs and injuries had told her that she needed to be completely healed before anyone could claim her as their Darling. Something about Uninfected health and safety.

Upon learning that, (Y/n) had been tempted to hinder the process of her recovery on purpose, but as much as she dreaded the prospect of Jasper making her his Darling, she knew she wouldn't be able to run away from him forever. So she had waited patiently, already resigned to a fate seemingly set in stone.

She didn't know when Jasper would be coming, but it couldn't be that long until he finally showed up to claim her like she was nothing more than an object for him to take as his own. The mere thought made her sick to her stomach with dread and anxiety.

(Y/n) was honestly starting to think that the Universe had something against her, for the very moment she thought herself free the world always seemed to work to take her freedom back one way or the other.

Maybe she wasn't meant to be free, ever. Maybe the Universe had its favourites and she wasn't one of them.

This is pathetic.

Was that it? Was she really going to give up now, after all that she had done to finally build a life of her own? Was she really going to let Jasper steal her freedom and whole life from her?

(Y/n) knew giving up would be easier, but would she ever be able to live with herself if she didn't at least try to get herself out of this situation one last time?

Her ribs had healed quite well, and although they still hurt, but she could-

A knock came from behind the door, followed by a very familiar voice.

"(Y/n)?"

(Y/n) perked up, a bundle of nerves tightening in her throat as she carefully approached the door and let her fingers roam over its dark wooden surface. She couldn't breathe, didn't dare blink for fear of realising this had only been an auditory hallucination.

"...Grey?" She hesitantly called out, her voice so quiet and meek she wondered if the person behind the door would even hear her at all.

The lock twisted open with a resounding click before the door swung open and (Y/n)'s heart leaped out of her chest at the sight of her sister.

"Thank gods, you're alright." Grey exhaled, engulfing (Y/n) in a tight hug. "You've got no idea how worried I was, Peanut."

(Y/n) hesitantly hugged her sister back, confusion nibbling at every corner of her mind as she tried to make sense of Grey's presence at the Uninfected Shelter. (Y/n) hadn't seen anyone in a week and she hadn't expected that her first visitor would be Grey. Did she even have the right to be here when (Y/n) was still recovering? The nurse had been very clear on the fact that until (Y/n) was completely healed she could receive no visitors whatsoever, even Jasper himself wasn't allowed to see her.

"Grey what are you doing here?" (Y/n) asked, slowly peeling herself out of Grey's tight embrace. "I thought-"

"I'm not supposed to be here, I know. But Zeynep's mother works here and agreed to hear me out. I explained the whole situation to her and told her you're my sister, and she agreed to let me see you." Grey explained with a comforting smile and took (Y/n)'s hand. "I'm getting you out of here."

What?

(Y/n) still had so many questions and she was pretty damn sure whatever they were about to do was illegal. But then again it's not like (Y/n) had entered the city on legal terms anyways, and if there was a way out of her current predicament? She would take it, laws be damned.

"How do we do that?" (Y/n) asked, wrapping her arms around herself. "There are nurses at every corner and they won't let me leave. Even less so considering I'm supposed to be the mayor's son's Darling-"

Yet again, (Y/n) got interrupted by the door slamming open to reveal a flash of blue hair and a petite woman with a nose piercing. And although (Y/n) had only seen the girl once, she recognised Grey's lover on the spot.

Zeynep.

"Okay, girls. My mom called for an emergency nurse meeting to give us enough time for the big escape." Zeynep's brown eyes met (Y/n)'s and she flashed her a bright smile. "Nice finally meeting you, (Y/n)!"

"Darling! You're a lifesaver." Grey said with a proud grin, pressing a loving kiss to Zeynep's kiss. "Now let's get out of here. I hate this place."

(Y/n) hastily nodded, letting Grey and Zeynep lead her out of the room she had been trapped in and down the Uninfected Camp's many corridors. She had no idea where the exit was, but Zeynep probably knew judging by how confident she was in her steps.

"Okay, we'll take this door." Zeynep said, gesturing to an exit that seemed to be staff only. "We can't use the main exit for... Obvious reasons."

"Yeah." Grey said, giving (Y/n)'s hand a tight squeeze. "I'll go first and see if there's anyone around. Wait for my signal, okay?"

(Y/n) nodded quietly, anxiety gnawing at her nerves as Grey carefully stepped outside and disappeared from sight. An unfamiliar voice came from the other side of the door, followed by Grey's, painful seconds passed by like an eternity as (Y/n) waited for their plan to go downhill, for someone to catch them and report them or for Jasper to barge in and take her away yet again.

But none of these happened. Apparently the Universe had decided to make things work in her favour this time around.

The door opened and Grey gestured for Zeynep and (Y/n) to follow suit. Zeynep took (Y/n)'s hand... And the next second (Y/n) was standing outside of the Uninfected Shelter, the wind caressing her skin and the bright sun casting its gentle warmth on her.

She was free.

However, (Y/n) knew better than to savour her freedom now. They had to get away from here and fast, before anyone noticed she was missing and alerted the whole Shelter, or worse, Jasper himself. Now out of the Uninfected Shelter, (Y/n) wouldn't let herself be taken back inside. Fortunately, both Grey and Zeynep seemed as eager as she was to put as much distance as possible between them and the Shelter.

"Let's get you home." Grey said, gently cupping (Y/n)'s cheek and pressing a kiss on her forehead, just like she used to do when the both of them were kids.































Grey and Zeynep's apartment wasn't much different from Grey's side of the bedroom back at the Uninfected Community and (Y/n) could clearly see her sister's influence in the overall decoration of the place. Rough and authentic wooden furniture, lace curtains, whimsical trinkets and green plants were all signs of Grey's personal tastes. All these paired well with Zeynep's own preferences which (Y/n) could clearly discern in the many band posters displayed on the walls and the bass sitting in a corner of the living room.

It was a nice place, one that (Y/n) could very well picture her sister living in.

Grey quietly poured hot water in (Y/n)'s teacup, the steam tickling her nose with notes of rose and cinnamon. The three of them had successfully made it out of the Uninfected Shelter, but (Y/n) knew she wasn't out of the woods yet. She had yet to figure out what to do from now on and time was running out.

Grey knew that too.

"So," She started, plopping down next to (Y/n) at the dining table. "I know you're not gonna like it, but I think it's about time for you to go back home."

(Y/n) gazed down at the tea in her cup, drumming her fingers against the painted ceramic. She knew Grey was right. Now that her Infected cover had been blown and that Jasper was after her, (Y/n) couldn't stay in the city anymore. She had no choice but to go back to the Uninfected Community... Back where her mother was either waiting for her, or thought she was dead.

Anxiety and guilt knotted at the pit of (Y/n)'s stomach at the thought of her mother.

She had been such a terrible daughter, and she couldn't even start to imagine how terrified her mother must have been upon finding her missing.

(Y/n) hadn't even left a note, nothing for her mother to cling onto after her departure. She had been too angry at the time, too resentful of her mother's refusal to search for Grey. (Y/n) hadn't known back then, hadn't been aware of her sister's Infection and of the fact that Amelia's lack of concern had probably stemmed from the fact that Grey had finally found the place where she belonged.

It wasn't that Amelia didn't love Grey. It was that she had known Grey's place had been in the Infected city all along. Of course their relationship had been complicated and tainted not only by the fact Grey was an Infected in an Uninfected household, but also by the fact that she had been the fruit of Amelia's worst traumatic experience. However Amelia loved Grey, (Y/n) knew it.

"I can help you leave the city and then you can go back home to... Mom." Grey continued, searching for (Y/n)'s gaze. "It's not like you have much of a choice in the matter, (Y/n)."

(Y/n) knew the topic was serious when Grey dropped her usual nickname for her. And she knew Grey was right too. But she just couldn't picture herself going back home.

"How am I going to face her, Grey?" (Y/n) asked, idly moving the spoon in her tea, her voice soft and choked by repressed tears. "How am I gonna face mom?"

Grey stilled beside her, at a loss for words.

"I can't." (Y/n) continued, hot tears gathering at the corners of her eyes and blurring her vision. "She's gonna hate me for leaving."

"Peanut..." Grey spoke, her voice soft as she scooted closer and wrapped her arms around her sister. "Mom could never hate you, I'm sure of it. The very reason she didn't want you to go looking for me was because she loves you, because she was worried about you."

I can't breathe.

(Y/n)'s voice broke in a sob, the pressure of guilt on her chest so tight she thought it might burry a hole through it.

"I-I didn't even tell her I was leaving." She explained, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I just left. No notes, no goodbyes, no nothing. She must have been worried to death. If I come back she's gonna hate me for putting her through that."

Grey's lips curved in a comforting smile and she tightened her hold over (Y/n)'s trembling body.

"She's not going to hate you, Peanut. If anything she'll be incredibly relieved to see you. Imagine agonising for months, thinking that your child is missing or possibly dead, only for them to pop back into your life. She's not gonna be mad at you, she'll be too happy to see you."

"You think so?" (Y/n) asked, finally meeting her sister's tender gaze.

"I'm sure of it." Grey confirmed with a soft smile, lovingly brushing (Y/n)'s tears away with her thumb. "She loves you, (Y/n)."

(Y/n) nodded her head, exhaling shakily and tracing the rim of her cup with her fingertips. She had been terrified of her mother's reaction if she were to go back home after so long. But this wasn't the only issue she had with leaving the city.

What about Lupita?

She couldn't just leave her girlfriend behind. She loved her, and the mere thought of not seeing Lupita ever again tore her heart apart.

"What about my girlfriend?" (Y/n) asked, "I can't just leave her behind, Grey. I love her, and she's Uninfected too, I can't-"

"Maybe she'd be interested in joining you." Grey said matter of factly. "That would be best for the both of you, Uninfected don't belong in the city. I think you've learnt that the hard way."

(Y/n) let out a humourless chuckle. "Yes, I guess." She said, before her eyes strayed over to Zeynep's sleeping form on the couch. "Congrats, by the way."

Grey gazed over at her girlfriend, features incredibly soft as she watched her chest rise and fall with each breath.

"Thanks." She smiled lovingly, and (Y/n) had never seen her sister so... gentle. Ever. "She's everything I've ever wanted and everything I've ever needed condensed in one person."

"I get that." (Y/n) answered thoughtfully, "You look happy with her, happier than I've ever seen you."

Grey's lips split in a grin.

"I am. I truly am." She answered, before flicking (Y/n) on the forehead. "Drink your tea before it gets cold. We'll see what to do about your girlfriend after that."



























"An americano for Mrs. Lee!" (Y/n) shouted at her girlfriend busy preparing a cappuccino for their previous customer.

"Got it!" Lupita replied with a smile and a wink, the simple gesture provoking a swarm of butterflies in (Y/n)'s chest. She couldn't get distracted though, not when they had five more customers waiting for her to take their orders.

"Welcome to The Thrift! What can I get you?"

If anyone had told (Y/n) that she'd one day open a coffee shop with the love of her life in the Uninfected Community, she wouldn't have believed them. But so much had changed since she had first left the Uninfected Community and since she had come back with Lupita.

As Grey had predicted, Amelia had been way too overjoyed to see (Y/n) to consider scolding her. Both of them had crumbled into each other's arms and had ended up spending hours crying and sorting things out. (Y/n) had thoroughly apologised to her mother for leaving and Amelia had apologised to her daughter for keeping her in the dark about Grey and preventing her from living her own life out of her intense desire to shelter her. Overall, (Y/n)'s relationship with her mother had never been that peaceful and tight knit.

The Community had been pretty hostile to welcoming Lupita and her mother at first, and they had first found shelter in Amelia's home. The Community wasn't used to strangers and was pretty wary of letting in anyone from the city. But when Lupita and her mother had taken the test and proven to be Uninfected people started to loosen up and over time the two women became part of the community.

After a year or so of working hard at the local bakery, Lupita and (Y/n) had finally decided to move out and find a place together, as a couple. It was only another year after that that they had finally settled on opening their own business: the Uninfected Community's first coffee shop. Only, it wasn't your classic coffee shop, as Lupita had made it a point to add a thrift shopping corner where people could sell their clothes and accessories to others.

(Y/n) had never been this happy in her life, had never been this authentically herself and had never felt so free.

"Everything alright?" Lupita wrapped an arm around (Y/n)'s waist and hugged her from the back, casually resting her chin on (Y/n)'s shoulder. "You've been zoning out."

(Y/n) leaned her head against Lupita's, a soft smile curving her lips as she looked at what they had built together, a peaceful place for people to gather and enjoy a sweet treat, a beverage or a shopping spree.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She answered, kissing Lupita's cheek. "Was just thinking about how I can't wait to get home tonight and kiss you all over."

Lupita chuckled and playfully nudged (Y/n) with her elbow. "Last I remember, that was my plan."

(Y/n) turned around to face her girlfriend, a mischievous smile on her lips. "Well, it's mine now."

"You're impossible." Lupita continued with an amused smile, finding (Y/n)'s hand and interlacing their fingers. "Are you sure you're alright, though?"

(Y/n) softened, rubbing soothing circles on her girlfriend's hand with her thumb.

"I am. Sorry, I was just thinking about how far we've come and I got a bit... emotional."

"It's fine, I do that sometimes too." Lupita lovingly gazed into (Y/n)'s eyes, her free hand coming up to cup her cheek. "I love you. We're safe now."

A familiar ache blossomed in (Y/n)'s chest at those words, as memories of her sister and her experience in the city flashed in her mind. She still hadn't quite gotten over all that she had gone through in the city, and she still missed Grey every single day... But Lupita was right. The both of them were safe and happy now, and that was all that mattered.

"You're right." (Y/n) flashed her a smile and let herself melt into Lupita's arms. "I love you too, so so much."



A/N:

Hey guys! So, this is it, this was the final ending for Darling. Not gonna lie I'm a bit emotional right now :,) Thank you all so much for reading and for all the support you've given this story. I didn't think so many people would be on board for this so this means more than you know!

I know I said that I'd be writing an ending for Artty, but I'm so sorry I don't think I can. I've tried to come up with an ending for him that would make sense, but I don't see how I can work with his character to formulate a satisfying ending considering he was never meant to be a love interest. I always thought of him as an antagonist and his dynamic with (Y/n) was written with that in mind. So writing a romantic ending for him kind of feels unnatural to me. I'm very flattered that some people enjoyed his character though! But yeah I am deeply sorry, I just don't think I can do it :,) Don't hesitate to write your own ending for Artty if you want to though! As long as you let me know, I'd be very curious to see what you come up with!

That said, this was the very final chapter and I hope you liked it! You can still leave your possible questions about Darling (characters, word building, lore, the endings...) in the comments and if there are enough of them I'll be posting a Q&A in a few days :)

Don't hesitate to check my other stories! Broken Wings (completed) and Memoria which I'll be working on from now on!

Have a lovely day/evening <3