There was a note in the center of the papers, with Avice's name scribbled across the front with a small, red heart by it.
"Hello, Av! I found your note; aren't you proud? Your hiding skills are no match for my insatiable curiosity. God. Do you have any idea how beautiful you are? Probably not, seeing as you're practically the least self-absorbed person on this planet. But Avice, my love, the whole room breathes a sigh of relief when you enter the room. You just... you carry light with you wherever you go. I didn't even know that it was possible for such a person to exist, but you've proven me wrong yet again. I used to be fairly resigned to my fate, you know. I wasn't necessarily unhappy, you understand, but I knew that my life was to be dedicated to filling the needs of others. I figured that I was just some sort of tool, a sharpening stone, perhaps. I serve others and make them stronger. That is the basis for my existence. When I'm with you, though, I start to believe that there is more to life than that. I start to believe that my life could be different, that I could be happy, truly happy. Perhaps my life can mean more than just being a sharpening stone. Perhaps I can settle down in a little blue house by the sea with the woman I've dreamed about but never dreamed of finding. You are everything to me, my love. Everything. Completely and utterly yours, -Jack"
She hid a wide, uncontrollable grin behind her hand, holding it close as she finished reading. Breathing out softly, she stood straight, gathering herself as a blush took over her cheeks.
She looked at him with adoring eyes before getting on her knees with a new paper, beginning to write again.
Jack stirred slightly before his eyes opened and he sat up, stretching as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Avice?"
She rested in his bed, her arms stretched lazily as she napped, sighing softly at his voice. A piece of paper sat on the desk in plain sight, a heart on the front.
"Jack.. . .. Seeing as you ignore my warnings of not looking for the note, I chose not to hide it this time. Shame on you.. You like to mention my appearance, I’ve noticed, but whenever I comment you completely disregard it. It’s something I’ve noticed over the course of spending time with you. I know you don’t believe me when I say that you’re attractive, or more enrapturing than the full moon, but I would never lie to you, and you know that. You don’t have to agree, I suppose. You are your own person after all. Although, these could be chalked up to your personality. You are the most giving person I have ever met in my entire life, and you never fail to astonish me with the things you are capable of doing. If I’m going to be completely honest, I believe that would risk your life for a total stranger if the scenario came up. It’s amazing and maddening at the same time. I don’t much like the thought of you risking your life, either; even if it was for me. I can’t make you promise that you won’t, because we both know you would always come to the rescue no matter what, despite my requests. That’s the kind of person you are. You’re a hero. Not just to me, I assure. I love you so much. Every day I do. I especially like waking up in the mornings with your arms wrapped around me, and I can smell the ocean and maybe a little almond on you.. Regarding the blue house; yes, yes, yes, yes! I made that painting for you, that way it can be in your room and you can look at it when you’re feeling troubled. I love to imagine settling down at our house. It is the best thing in the world. We’ll get there someday. I know we will. When you’re with me, I sincerely hope everything is better. I hope it’s always better, even when I’m not around. It is for me, ever since I met you. I did notice you, by the way, even though you think otherwise. Completely and utterly yours tripled, Av ♡”
He paused, his eyes wide as he read the note. He was quiet for a long time before looking over at the woman on his bed. His eyes scanned her form, watching how her shoulders rose and fell with each breath until he finally turned back to his desk and began to write."
"Avice Rohesia. Your dismay at my stunning display of note-finding-skills has not fallen on deaf ears. I recognize that it must be difficult to be in a relationship with the world-champion of note finding, what with the fame and all, but I pray that you can find a way to get over it; I would hate for jealousy to be the thing that separates us. That was a joke, of course. You would never be so cruel. Unkind thoughts do not even seem to brush past your magnificent brain. I'm looking at your painting as I'm writing this; every brush stroke has been made with care and precision. I don't know how you did it, Av, but you captured our little blue house perfectly. It is beautiful. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Do you know that feeling that you get when it rains after weeks of the parching sun and vicious drought? You see the clouds approach and you dare to hope that they will deem you worthy enough to stop near you, to stand by you, to look at you. And if, by some miraculous chance, it does decide to rain, you can't help but feel dazed, almost shocked. This thing, this beautiful, heartbreaking thing has said that you were worth it. You're enough. Loving you is like that. It's an experience that takes my breath away. I'm looking over at you sleeping right now and I can't even begin to describe the warmth that fills me. Waking up next to you always causes my heart to skip a beat; despite everything, I can never quite believe that you are still there, right beside me. I know I am not good at accepting compliments and I know that bothers you. I'm sorry. But, if it helps, knowing that you love me, that the future that you want aligns with mine, knowing that someone so completely beyond anything in this world is able to be... well, I figure that I must have done something right. You are the sun and the rain, Avice Rohesia. You are everything. I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you. Completely and utterly yours x1000, Jack"
