After Gabrielle left the room, I turned to Hailey and walked forward to the edge of her desk. Sitting on the edge, I looked at her and got straight to the point. "So, am I crazy? Or did you try to kiss me earlier?"

Hailey's heart was beating furiously. This was it, there was no going back now. This wasn't how she planned it, she still wanted more time, but the universe never plays fair. With a deep breath, she swallowed down her nerves and nodded her head. "Yes. I tried to kiss you. I felt something in the moment and went for what I wanted."

My eyebrows raised slightly, honestly I was still expecting some misread on my part, but she actually wanted to kiss me? That was surprising. "And you wanted me at that moment? Can I ask why? I don't mean to offend you or anything, but I thought you only saw me as a friend up until now. I'm going to be honest, I was taken aback by the sudden attempt at intimacy."

Hailey sighed once more. It was truth time. "Apollo, I developed a crush on you the day we met. Back then I was just slightly interested in your strength, age, politeness and the fact you didn't lech over me, but just appreciated my looks. But over time, and with every meeting, I have started to feel something deeper for you. I don't think you realise, no I know you don't know, how much of an impact you have already had on my life. You are a significant part of it and to be honest... When I see my future, you are in it."

I remained silent for a moment and stood up. Hailey's face looked panicked for a moment, but I didn't go far, I just grabbed a chair and moved it directly next to her and took a seat. I then looked directly into her eyes and asked. "How have I affected you? Because honestly Hailey, I have just treated you with respect and compassion, like I do with all of my friends."

Hailey smiled at me as I said this and tucked a strand of her auburn hair behind her ear. Her grey eyes then met mine and looked at me softly, a lot different than the regal look she usually has.

"Apollo before I met you I was in a dark place. I had no friends and no one close to me, except Gabrielle and aunty Kat. Spartari politics. Nobles, schemes, assassinations, betrayal. It was all I knew, since I was a girl. It hardened me. Made me not care about anyone and anything. I thought the entire empire was just that. Sick, twisted, cancerous... Then I met you."

Her mouth curled into a warming smile as she reminisced. "A bumpkin Archon with a naive outlook on the empire. It was like I had breathed in fresh air for the first time in over a decade.

After that, I hadn't expected to meet you again. And then I did. Again. And again and again. I don't believe in fairy tales Apollo, but I do believe in fate. Something has time and time again drawn us together. And each time I have interacted with you, I feel like I am looking at a glistening light in a void of darkness. Each time we have crossed paths, a flicker of your light has rubbed off on me. Illuminating both myself and allowing me to see who you truly are... And who you truly are Apollo, is a man I see myself being with. Kind, caring. A little bit dense emotionally speaking, but it is very cute. The kind of man that doesn't scheme behind his friends back if it would get him benefits. The kind of man that despite already having multiple partners, shows just how much love he has for each of them and that only highlights how much love you have for life as I have seen the way they all look back at you and it moves me deeply. I want that feeling. I want that with you."

Hailey's chest was heaving as her adrenaline spiked. I was bewildered. My thoughts were still collecting themselves so I asked a question off the top of my head to buy myself some time.

"But you are a princess, Hailey, even if you don't like to act like one, are you sure I am the one you want to be with in that regard?"

Hailey gulped to prevent herself from stammering as she assumed the worst from that question, but composed herself. "I am. You are right, I am. I was expected to marry someone incredibly influential and if I didn't learn... What I did as a child, that might have been my path. But honestly? I have never felt a connection to someone like I have with you. I mean, I will admit that you are hot, but that would never have been a driving factor for me to be with someone. I need someone compatible. Someone I L- I think we can make each other happy Apollo."

'Headache...' I thought and massaged my temples and my mouth began to speak on its own. "And you say this when you are aware I have multiple partners? Your own aunt? While I know they all have no issue with me having multiple partners, I know for a fact others would not be ok with it? How do you feel about it?

Hailey laughed slightly nervously. "Actually, in that regard. Um, Aunty Kathrine knows about my feelings for you. She has for a while now. We, um. Actually came to an agreement in that regard for possible scenarios in the future... I'm not going to tell you what as I think I would scare you off and you would be running out the door... But to answer your question. I don't have a problem with your other relationships. You have shown that you can handle a harem without discourse and the... colourful personalities of your numerous women proves that you clearly treat them all with equal love as others less 'talented' in handling that type of relationship would long be dead."

I was about to rebuttal with 'I don't have a harem, but after thinking about it, from the outside without having the context of the hive, it does look that way, I supposed. "I see."

Seeing the lack of emotional change in Apollo's face, Hailey began putting in the failsafe's. "Of course, I understand if you don't feel the same way about me. I mean, you are right. We are also good friends. I am happy to continue being so. Just because we aren't in a relationship, doesn't mean I don't want you in my life. As I stated, you are a beacon in the void. I want your light to be a permeating constant in my life no matter the choices you make."

...

Silence overtook the room for an uncomfortable amount of time. Hailey watched on in deep anticipation with each second feeling like it spanned on for eternity. Usually when Apollo was deep in thought, it was attractive, now it felt like she had a sword hanging over her head and Apollo's decision decided if it dropped or not.

'Ugh. I feel sick. Stupid Hailey, Stupid! Why did you have to do this? Ugh this is the worst.'

Fortunately her anguish wasn't long as Apollo finally looked up at her, however as he sighed. Her heart shattered.

…

Sighing away the stress of quick decision making, I looked toward my friend and smiled. "Oh, Hailey. What are we going to do with you, huh? Dropping all that lovely stuff about me? I am beyond flattered. But-" I started, but she then parroted me with a dejected voice.

"But..."

I reached out and placed my hand on her knee. "Yes, but. Let me finish. But, I don't feel the same intimacy you do towards me."

Hailey's heart shattered further, but she kept herself composed, seeping herself with her Psionic condition.

"But, that doesn't mean I can't." I continued, prompting Hailey to become a little bit confused, and desperately hopeful.

"I don't feel the same way you do because I truly thought of you as my friend. I am not a chaser, I never once considered the option of us being together because it is not what I do. But, your confession has opened that pathway, it has shown that you are open to the idea of us being together and I won't lie, the thought of possibly being with a dear friend of mine is a thought I cherish dearly.

The ice she just began manifesting around her heart melted as hope shined through. "S- So, what are you saying, A-Apollo?"

I smiled and reached out for her hand, caressing it gently. "I am saying that while I might not be at the same level of feelings you are for me right now, the pathway for those types of feelings have opened. I am starting from the start, whereas you are already a bit ahead of me, so I guess I should ask the important question."

Hailey's eyes threatened to tear up hearing Apollo speak those words. And what he said next broke the dam.

"Hailey, would you care to go on a date with me?"

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