She smiled at the small flower poking up out of the planter. It was only one, but it was all she needed to know that bringing life to this darkness was possible. And he'd done it just for her. Spent days and days working in the small cavern, its dusty walls cleaned and decorated with almost antique japanase paintings. The giant grate above her allowed sun in, showering the place in its golden hues.

She turned to him, looking into his amber eyes and feeling her heart fill. The light reflected off his forest green skin and purple mask he wore around his face. He was unnatural. He was beautiful. He was hers.

"Do you like it?" he asked, moving forward to reach for her hand. "Its not much right now, but when they bloom, the room will be filled with them! And," he continued, an excited smile on his face as he pulled her over to the small dip in the floor amongst the flower pots, "as soon as I get the pipes hooked up, this will be a tiny fountain. Nothing fancy but with the rivets along the ground , it will keep them watered."

"I love it," she said quietly, her voice wavering as she clutched his hand. Tears pricked her eyes as she looked up at him. Suddenly, he was supporting her weight, her strength gone as a wave of nausea hit her. His smile faltered but didn't disappear. He slipped his arm beneath her legs, picking her up and the lightness of her tugging at his heart. His green, three-fingered hand reached up and touch the soft hair of the wig, the false hair replacing her lost red locks. She shuddered and looked up at his face, her pale hand on his plastron.

"The chemo's working," he said quietly, bringing her closer as he kissed her forehead, "You'll be like new when they bloom." He was still smiling softly but his eyes were brimming with tears. They both knew it was a lie. This spring would be her last.

"I love you," she whispered, the tears breaking like waves and sliding down her cheeks. He gripped her tighter though not enough to hurt her, hiding his face in the faux red hair before looking her in the eyes, crying silently but smiling, taking in her still beautiful face. Cancer took a lot, but it didn't affect the love he felt for her since they were teens. "I love you , too. Only You."