Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Things weren’t easy immediately after they went through to Will’s world. But with Mary Malone’s help, they made things work.

Will was cleared of any charges. Him and his mother moved into a new home, using the money his father had left them. He told her only a little of what had happened. She was just glad to have him back. And together with Mary they figured out how to get her help, without Will being taken away.

It was Mary who sorted everything out for Lyra. She got herself registered as Lyra’s legal guardian and managed to get Lyra enrolled in the same highschool as Will. Of course there was a lot she had to catch up on, both having missed almost a year of education and coming from a different world. She was smart enough to handle it though, they were both sure.

Legally she lived with Mary. After a lot of back and forth they’d come up with an agreement: she stayed at Mary’s Monday to Thursday, and Will’s Friday to Sunday. Of course that didn’t mean she couldn’t go over other days… It just made more sense. Neither child wanted to be apart, but it was healthier. Mary put her foot down there. Of course, it still had to be discussed with Will’s mum.

Will hadn’t expected to have to introduce a girl to his mum at this age. He was only fourteen and had only had two weeks to settle back into normalcy. He’d had so much to explain. He had struggled and struggled over explaining away Kirjava to someone who had never met daemons - glad she was at least a cat. Lyra would have more difficulty with a pine marten.

His mother actually took it surprisingly well, signs the therapy and medication was working, but he still worried it would all be too much. Two weeks hadn’t been enough to fill her in on everything… And he didn’t know where to start with Lyra, even if he desperately missed her. His first priority was getting his mum help.

He had told her that he’d met a girl called Lyra, and he was sure his mum had guessed that she was more than a friend. But explaining exactly what she meant to him… Everything they’d been to? It was hard and it would take time. He was scared his mother wouldn’t be able to handle the intensity.

Yet there Lyra was, standing outside the door with a suitcase in hand. She hadn’t rung the doorbell yet and he could see Mary sitting waiting in a car through the window he peaked out of. He could see the agitation on Lyra’s features, a clear longing that he shared deeply as if the feeling was one.

How he’d missed her.

He saw her steeling herself, determined gaze that he adored so much returning. Her hand moved and a loud ringing sounded through the house.

“I’ll get it, mum!” he shouted before Elaine could even consider moving herself from the sofa.

“Oh, Will, wait,” she called out, getting to her feet as he ran past her and out into the corridor. Adrenaline was running through him, breathing rapid and heart pounding in his chest. Kirjava at his heels.

He flung the door open. “Lyra.”

“Will,” she choked out, Pan squirming in her arms. They stood and stared at each other for moments even as their Daemons greeted each other, rubbing faces together and sharing soft words. Each took the other in. Taking in the fact this was real. They were here, together, with no separation.

The last week was the longest they’d have to go apart.

Then Lyra leapt into his arms, crying his name over and over, and he held her tight as if she might be blown away. They clung to each other in the doorway. Neither quite believed this was real.

For Will had half expected Lyra to not be in his world anymore after their short separation. He knew, logically, she was there. But when she wasn’t with him the world felt emptier. And it tugged at his heart that they may have had to go different ways.

He still wasn’t sure if this was the right decision. But Lyra hadn’t backed down and eventually he had to give in.

They would make the most of the time they had.

“Will, this is…?”

He was torn out of his thoughts, turning to face his mum. Lyra stayed buried against his side and he kept one arm around her. He could tell she was watching Elaine with those fathomless, dark eyes. He gently rubbed circles on her back. She was so taut, a wild animal ready to run or strike. He wanted her to know it was safe.

He understood, for she had never had a good experience with her own mother.

“This is Lyra. She’s, y’know, my…” he trailed off, grasping for words. How did he even describe the depth of their relationship? She was more than his girlfriend. He loved her with his whole heart. How did you even define something like that?

“Soulmate,” Lyra finished for him, fierce glare daring Elaine or him to refute it.

“Oh, how lovely to meet you,” Elaine gasped with a bright smile. “You’re the person Will travelled with, yes? He’s talked about you plenty but never explained your relationship properly.”

Will flushed. He hadn’t told his mum everything because he knew if he did he would never stop talking about her. There weren't enough hours in the day to describe Lyra to anyone.

“Let’s continue this inside,” he coughed, voice firm as he gently nudged Lyra into the house. He gave Mary a wave, received a nod in return, and closed the door. “I’ll make tea.”

He led Lyra into the kitchen, having her sit up at the small breakfast booth they had. His mum hovered. Will indicated for her to sit too and went about boiling the kettle. The other two were silent as he made tea for them all.

“Lyra, this is my mother,” he said softly as he set a mug down in front of each of them. He came to stand beside Lyra and she melted into his side. “Mum, this is Lyra.”

“I really am so happy to meet you,” Elaine reached forward to grasp Lyra’s hand. She flinched momentarily before realising it wasn’t a threat.

“Nice to meet you too, Mrs Parry,” Lyra responded evenly, clearly unsure how to go forward in this interaction.

“Oh, please call me Elaine! No need to be so formal with me if you’re Will’s partner.”

Lyra nodded.

“How long are you going to be staying? You’re welcome to stay as long as you want. Did your parents bring you?”

“Mum,” Will spoke softly, placing a hand on Elaine’s arm. He could feel Lyra bristling against him, freezing up at the mention of parents. He wrapped his arm around her and comfortingly rubbed her side. “We’ll talk about it later. She’ll be staying for at least tonight.”

“Oh of course, I’m sorry,” Elaine nodded then stood. “I’ll give you two some time. I’ll be in the living room if you need me.”

Once she was gone the two Daemon reappeared, Pan leaping up onto Lyra’s lap and Kirjava climbing onto the counter beside her. Lyra smiled as she gently ran a hand through Kirjava’s fur.

Will sighed softly, wrapping his arms around her and resting his chin against the top of her head. One of her arms snaked around his waist and she rested her head against his chest. They stayed there, silently, drinking in each other’s presence and warmth.

He felt content.

Eventually he pulled away so that he could look down at her. She smiled up with him, bright and contagious. He leaned forward to kiss her, soft and gentle, before resting his forehead against hers.

“So, how long are you staying?” he murmured against her lips.

“Forever.” Lyra paused, before giving a toothy grin. “Well, three days a week, but forever.”

They’d promised to talk to Will’s mum later, but that later had turned into the next day. Two weeks apart had felt a lifetime after everything they’d been through and how much they’d had to fight to stay together. They were so lost in each other for the rest of the night that they didn’t even think about the practicalities of it all, or the explanation his mum was waiting for.

When Lyra woke up in Will’s arms, it finally felt like she was home.

It had been hard to settle into a new world without him around. Waking up in a bed that felt too cold in a strange room was disconcerting. There were so many strange things to go through and deal with... But it was all worth it to be with Will again. Even if she couldn't stay with him every night.

"We should get up," Will mumbled into her hair, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head. "My mum will come drag us out of bed soon if we don't."

"Why?" Lyra turned around in his arms to face him. "Does she have something for us to do? Why didn't you tell me?"

"That's not it," he laughed lightly. "Just that we normally have breakfast together."

There was something more to it, Lyra could tell by the way he glanced away while speaking. But if Will didn't want to say she wouldn't push it. She trusted him.

There was movement at the bottom of the bed and Pan and Kirjava climbed onto them. Pan made his way to rest on Lyra's side, paw on Will, and Kirjava curled up between them.

"Well now we can get up," Lyra sighed dramatically, fingers combing through Pan's fur. "Pan's too tired."

“Don’t use me as an excuse,” Pan kneaded his paws into Lyra’s side, causing her to glare at him. Will laughed, bright and warm and filling Lyra with a cosiness she only got around him. Pan jumped off Lyra, as quickly as he’d gotten on, and onto Kirjava.

“Come on, let’s get up,” Will was still laughing, leaning in to press the lightest of kisses to Lyra’s lips. Then his arms were around her and practically forcing her to sit up. “Have I ever told you how adorable you are in the morning?”

“Shut up,” Lyra huffed, even as her cheeks flushed darker. She pushed him away and scurried into the ensuite bathroom Will’s room had. A luxury that came with the new house, he’d said when he showed her it. She was glad that it was there, and that his room was big enough for the two of them.

Because Will Parry was a liar. She wasn’t cute at all when she’d just woken up.

Lyra wasn’t one to care about appearances, but she didn’t want to turn up with unkempt hair and crusty eyes in front of Will’s mum. Anyone but her. She glared at herself in the mirror, dark hair sticking up everywhere and skin slightly red where her face had been pressed into the pillow. She splashed her face with water and then raked a comb through her hair, before giving up and just pulling it back in a ponytail. She was glad she’d had the foresight to throw her toiletries bag in here…

Will was already dressed when she came out, sitting on the bed with a soft smile waiting for her. She couldn’t help but stand in between his legs, wrapping her arms around his shoulder and pressing her face into his hair. They just stayed there for a bit, until Lyra’s stomach let out a belligerent grumble.

“Wait outside for me,” she muttered, pushing him out the door with a flushed face again. Of course she couldn’t just enjoy the moment. “But wait! I don’t want to go downstairs by myself.”

“Alright,” Will’s smile was slightly teasing this time.

She closed the door with a light huff, quickly searching through her suitcase for suitable clothes for the second day spent with her boyfriend’s mum. She’d brought a whole variety, chosen together with Mary on a laptop (an exciting device Lyra knew very little about) and delivered right to their door. It was much less painful than the last time she’d gotten clothes with an adult… No, she didn’t want to think about that.

Lyra pulled on a light denim pinafore dress over a short sleeved, over a navy wool jumper. She’d come to much prefer trousers since leaving her world, which most of her wardrobe now consisted of, but she didn’t entirely hate dresses… At least if they were comfortable and easy to move in like this one. In some way she felt more settled in it, because it was like what she’d worn around Jordan college. A sense of normalcy and perhaps would give a better impression of her.

She didn’t know what Elaine hoped Will’s partner would be like, but back in her world girl’s like her weren’t looked on so fondly. Will’s world wasn’t the same at all, but that didn’t stop her from worrying. But just a little bit. Lyra wasn't a worrier, even if she wasn't as brashly confident as she used to be.

“What’s for breakfast?” Lyra asked as she stepped out of the room, taking Will’s hand straight away.

“Probably just toast, or I can cook some omelettes for us all.” Will hummed. His fingers wrapped around hers, squeezing her hand slightly. Comfortingly. Their daemons trailed behind them as he led her downstairs towards the kitchen. He glanced at her clothes. “Is that new?”

“Well I couldn’t go about in the same clothes I’d worn for weeks, could I?” Lyra retorted. “They’d been through the land of the dead and all, Mary insisted I throw em out.”

“My mum did the same for mine,” Will laughed. “I kept dad’s coat, of course, but the rest… It wasn’t saveable.”

Lyra was about to say something else, but stopped as they entered the kitchen. Elaine was sitting at the breakfast bar in the middle of it sipping on a coffee. She looked up at the two children entering with a smile.

"Sleep well?"

"Very," Will nodded, nudging Lyra to sit on one of the two free seats. She hesitantly climbed onto the one not next to Elaine, letting her feet dangle awkwardly. She didn't quite understand these high up chairs. "Want an omelette, mum?"

"I'd love one." Elaine turned to Lyra with warm eyes. "What about you Lyra, how did you sleep?"

"Good, thank you," Lyra replied in an attempt to be polite, almost stumbling over her words. It was so unusual for her. Normally she could talk to anyone easily. "Will's bed was very comfy."

Elaine's eyebrows shot up at that, dark eyes moving to Will where he was cooking. Will look over his shoulder and mouthed 'not now' to his mum. Lyra was confused. Had she said something wrong? Maybe it was because they weren't married, but it wasn't like anyone they'd travelled with at the end cared. Ma Costa had even encouraged it and she was the closest to a mother figure Lyra had had.

"What do you want to drink?" Will asked as he set an omelette down in front of Lyra. "I think there's some orange juice in the fridge, or I can make you hot chocolate?"

Hot chocolate... Ah, chocolatl. She shook her head at that. "Orange juice is fine."

"Alright."

Lyra concentrated on starting to eat, zoning out of the conversation Will and his mum were having. She just didn't understand half of it. She only came back to it when Will out down her juice and sat beside her with his own omelette.

"So, Lyra, is someone coming to pick you up today?" Elaine leaned round Will to ask. Lyra was mid mouthful, quickly stuffing it down so she could actually answer. "You're welcome to stay of course, I just want to know what's happening."

"Yeah." Lyra pushed away the last of her nerves when she answered. She was pretty good at reading people now, and it didn't seem like Elaine disliked her. That could change... But she wasn't gonna worry about that just now. "Mary said she'd come round this afternoon cause she has some things to discuss. Dunno when though."

"You didn't tell me this," Will said.

"You didn't ask," Lyra just about resisted sticking her tongue out at him.

"Well, that's alright, we've no plans today." Elaine didn't push about who Mary was, for which Lyra was grateful. "Just let me know if you get a definite time."

Lyra nodded even though she knew she wasn't going to get that. Mary had gotten her a phone just yesterday, but Lyra didn't understand how to use it at all. It didn't seem all the necessary anyway.

"I'll let you kids enjoy your morning then," Elaine stood up and began to clear away her plates. "Just let me know if you go out."

"Wait, mum, I'll get those."

"It's fine, Will." A hard stare from Elaine stopped Will from standing up further, as he reached for her plates. "I can do this much."

Lyra watched with wide eyes, confused once again. There was so much she had to learn about Will now that she was in his world, in his normal life. Like how he was with his mum. It was so strange.

"Did you have servants before, is that why you didn't want your mum to clean up?" She asked when Elaine left.

Will shook his head. "I used to do all these things because... Well, you know. Mum wasn't well. It's taking a bit of getting used to now she's getting better."

"Am I gonna have to learn to wash dishes too, then?"

"Yeah, maybe," Will laughed. "I'll do it just now... We don't have that many plates, so we can't take you breaking them all trying to wash up."

"I e'nt clumsy," Lyra rolled her eyes at him. "Just never learned. I only ever broke things before cause I was racing Roger through Jordan College, so I'd run into the kitchen boys and such. I wasn't trying to clean it or anything."

"Alright, alright, I'll let you try tomorrow then." Will's eyes twinkled and he collected their plates and glasses, putting them in a machine that was filled with others. "Or we can just use the dishwasher."

"The what?"

"It cleans plates for you, using electricity."

Lyra nodded. Made sense they had something like that, since they didn't have so many house staff in Will's world. Pan appeared from wherever he and Kirjava had been hiding, Lyra hadn't been paying attention, and sniffed at the machine curiously. He then trotted over to Lyra and leapt up into her lap. Lyra considered shoving him off. She hadn't quite forgiven him for not playing along this morning.

"Mary's coming this afternoon, you said? That means we've got at least a few hours to ourselves first."

"We do," Lyra stood abruptly, arms hooking under Pan to stop him from falling. He gave her a half annoyed look but didn't seem to mind when she pressed against Will again, and Will's fingers ran through Pan's fur. "What should we do? Oh, there's so much I want to do now I'm with you again, but I also just want to be with you. I dunno this world so well yet so you decide."

"Why don't we watch a movie?" Will stroked Pan with one hand, and hugged Lyra with the other while looking down at her. "It doesn't take much thought, and if you don't enjoy it we can do something else. I have plenty for us to choose from."

Lyra hadn't really understood the one movie they'd watched before, but she nodded anyway. As long as she was with Will she really didn't mind what they did. They had plenty of time anyway.

Mary arrived at 2pm, according to the clock on Will's living room wall which was thankfully the same as the one back in Lyra's world.

Lyra was curled against Will's side when the doorbell rang, midway through the second movie he'd chosen. It was filled with action and fighting - actually interesting compared to the last movie. Pan and Kirjava were stretched out on top of them both, a pile of all four of them on a large sofa.

"I'll get it, mum!" Will shouted, before gently nudging Lyra. "That'll be Mary. Let me go so I can let her in."

"Fine," Lyra groaned, pushing herself up so she was no longer lying completely against Will. Once he'd stood up she collapsed back onto the sofa, daemons snuggling up against her.

"You're going to have to move, you know," he teased. Lyra just glared at him and shooed him away.

She knew that, but it didn't mean she was inclined to get up right now. It was only Mary anyway. She felt actually relaxed for the first time in weeks, after a good night's sleep and in the home of the boy she loved. She wasn't in a rush to ruin that feeling. Lyra knew as soon as she got up she'd be filled with energy again. It was rare that she would happily stay in one place for so long... Though being with Will really had a calming effect on her.

"Hello Lyra," Mary raised an eyebrow at Lyra lounging on the sofa, before lightly laughing. "I see you've made yourself at home."

"It e'nt hard with Will around," Lyra replied, slowly sitting up and lifting both of the daemons off of her. "Even if I don't understand movies and all yet, he's very patient explaining it to me."

Mary smiled at that, stepping properly into the room. Will came in behind her, seeming to be leading his mum in.

"Welcome, welcome, I'm sorry we don't have anything prepared," Elaine said, words faster than they had been this morning. "I'm Elaine, Will's mother. It's been lovely having Lyra over... Would you like some tea?"

"That's quite alright, it's lovely to meet you too. I’m Mary Malone,” Mary held out her hand to Elaine with a smile. After a hesitation Elaine reached out with a slightly trembling hand to shake Mary's. “Lyra’s guardian, and a friend of Will’s. He might have mentioned me… Well, anyway, I’m happy to help answer any questions you have before we figure everything out. And yes, I'd love some tea.”

"Please sit down," Will gestured to the sofa, glancing at Elaine. "You too mum, I'll make the tea. You can just relax.

Elaine sat on an armchair next to where Will had been seated, gaze following Will as he went to the kitchen, and Mary sat next to Lyra. Thankfully the sofa was big enough for three (and probably more). Kirjava had lounged across Lyra's lap and Pan moved to make room for Mary, climbing onto the back of the sofa behind Lyra. Lyra stroked through Kirjava's fur as she glanced between the two adults. She wasn't too worried about this conversation. Mary had already agreed with everything she'd wanted, and confirmed it with Will. Surely Elaine would be fine with it.

"I hope Lyra hasn't been too much trouble," Mary looked at Lyra with an indulgent smile.

"Oh no, not at all," Elaine waved her hands in front of her. "Lyra's been perfect. Will is so much brighter when she's around, it's lovely to see. Honestly I wouldn't even know she was in the house if we hadn't had breakfast together, she's so quiet."

"Oh really?" Mary's blue eyes were filled with disbelief, and Lyra felt almost smug. "Well, don't expect that to continue. Lyra is quite the chatterbox. When we first met, she just strode into my office and so confidently talked about my unpublished research. It was quite the shock! A pleasant one in the end, but she's not the kind to sit still."

"I'm right here," Lyra griped. "You sound like all the scholars at the college, always going on about how I can't sit still or stay quiet."

"I'd rather you didn't stay quiet, I'm just surprised that you have been! It would be a waste for someone as bright as you to not talk... Well, I understand being a bit subdued when adjusting. Or maybe it's something else?" There was a twinkle in Mary's eyes. Lyra made a face. Love hadn't changed her that much. Will wouldn't want her to change anyway.

"Scholars?" Elaine questioned. "Were you at a boarding school previously, Lyra?"

Lyra wasn't sure what to say. Back in her world there had been St Sophia's school for girls, and there were dormitories there. Of course she hadn't been. From what she knew of Will's world, kids couldn't just be abandoned in a college and left to mostly raise themselves.

The lie she'd begun to think up, that she was communally raised in a scholastic sanctuary because it was her parents last wish, died on her lips. She didn't want to lie to Elaine. She'd learned to not lie to those that mattered.

"Lyra spent a lot of time in universities growing up," Mary jumped in to explain for her. "Scholar's are a childhood nickname for professors."

It wasn't a lie, just not quite the truth. Will had told them both he didn't want to tell his mum about Lyra being from a different world yet, even though he'd roughly explained how he'd met her. The concept of different worlds just wasn't computing with Elaine yet. It was a lot.

"I got some of the cakes we bought on Friday, mum." Will appeared at the right moment, armed with a tray laden with cakes, mugs and a teapot. He put it down on the coffee table, twisting round to hand Lyra a mug of steaming hot chocolate. "They go perfectly with tea."

"They do," Elaine smiled, the previous conversation forgotten.

Will poured the three of them tea before slotting in beside Lyra, hand finding hers. Their fingers curled together on top of the sofa and Lyra hid her smile behind her mug. Her eyes didn't leave him as he leaned forward for some cake, holding it up to Lyra so she could take it from her. She leaned forward and bit it right out of his hand, not having a free one of her own. It melted on her tongue, a taste of pure joy.

"Ahem," Mary cleared her throat.

Whoops. Lyra had only taken a moment to get lost in their own little world. She'd gotten so used to it during their travels. They weren't alone for very long so she got used to zoning out other people. In an instance Will would become the only thing she could see.

Getting caught was a bit embarrassing, but she also didn't care all that much. She pulled her knees up to her chest and leaned against Will, gaze almost sullen as it flickered between Mary and Elaine. Mary choked back a laugh.

"So, Mary..." Elaine stammered, clearly not quite as comfortable with the situation as the other woman. "You said something earlier about figuring everything out... What do you mean about that?"

Mary tilted her head, attention taken away from the pair of sickly sweet lovers. "Did Will not talk to you?"

"Not about plans with Lyra, no."

Mary turned to Will with a tired gaze, letting out a soft sigh. "I'll explain it then."

Lyra was surprised too, craning her neck to watch Will who was giving an apologetic smile. If it was her the first thing she would talk about is having Will to stay and how much she wanted to live together. She'd hardly been able to contain herself. And she would have fought tooth and nail for it to happen, as she had done with Mary. She'd only compromised because Mary's reasons had made sense. If it had been her actual parents? She wouldn't have backed down at all.

She never backed down, and Will had always stood steadily beside her.

Maybe he just didn't know how to bring it up. Or did he not want to have her here? No, that couldn't be the case. You couldn't make up love like this.

"I had too much to tell her, I didn't get to it in time," Will leaned over to whisper in her ear, warm air tickling her skin and making her shrink back. "That's all."

Lyra lightly elbowed him in the side and pulled away, though there was a smile on her lips. She went back to paying attention to what Elaine and Mary were talking about, sitting up straight as if she was in a lecture.

“I’ve already talked to the children," Mary was saying. "I know it's not conventional when they're so young, but they're both insistent they get to stay together some of the time. They've been through a lot together so I understand. I suggested they stay at my place, but Will insisted it be here. At first Lyra wanted to move in, but I managed to convince her to stay with me through the week and come here for the weekends."

"This is a lot to think about," Elaine tapped her fingers against her knees, looking at Lyra. Lyra boldly stared back until Elaine's attention shifted to Will. "You definitely want this, Will? I know you've had to deal with a lot in the past few years... You've been the one to take care of the house. I'll listen to you, but it's a big step to take."

"I do want this, mum," Will squeezed Lyra's hand in his own. "Maybe you think it's too much, but to us it's just right. We've already moved past the teen relationship stage."

"I want to be with Will forever," Lyra said fiercely, eyes filled with a determined fire. She couldn't, just couldn't, spend every night apart from Will until it was deemed alright to live with him. She couldn't handle that. "I swear I won't be a bother."

"I think if we don't let them, we'll have Lyra climbing through your window every night," Mary laughed. "They're both good children, which is why I support them on this."

"Alright, if it's what Will wants," Elaine held up her hands. "You can stay."

"Will, can you teach me how to use my phone?"

"Mary didn't teach you already?"

Lyra shook her head. She was lying on the sofa with her head in Will's lap, new phone in her hands. After a few minutes of staring at the home screen, having figured out how to turn it on, she gave up. She didn't know what any of these symbols meant. "She didn't have time."

"Alright then, let's get you caught up to the 20th century," Will teased, putting aside his book and pulling out his own phone. Lyra shuffled up into a sitting position, leaning onto Will's shoulder so that she could see. Their legs tangled together as she sat half in his lap. "Let's start with the basics. Here's the messaging app, where you can send and receive texts. Did Mary put any numbers in your phone?"

"Yours and mine she said."

"Great. I'll send you a text right now so you can see how it works." Lyra watched in awe as Will's fingers flew across the little keyboard on his screen, then her phone dinged in her hands. "Open the messaging app to see."

Lyra clicked on the yellow icon, and there it was, a text from Will saying 'I love you.' She let out a small gasp, before pushing him. "So romantic, stop it."

"Ok, ok," Will grinned, looking all the more handsome when his face was lit up like this. Lyra thought he looked best when smiling... Well, he always looked great. "That's the most basic function. Let me see..."

From there he showed her how to use the internet, what apps were and where to download them. He demonstrated phone calls and video calls, which had her excited. So they could see each other even when they were apart? As he explained she gave him her most rapt attention, more focused than she ever had been in her lessons. Her dark eyes never left the bright screen, hanging onto every word of Will's.

One of the things she was most interested in was the camera on the phone. In her world photo taking was expensive. Every year she was dragged out and put in her finest dress, fussed over and forced to stay still as a man stooped under a black cover and played about with some kind of box. She remembered all of the equipment her father had just to take a few photos of the northern lights, and how difficult it was to display them. But not only could this phone keep in touch with people, much better than letters, it could also take photos.

"Hey, turn your head this way," Lyra grinned as she forced Pan to pose on the arm of the sofa, squatting in front of him in an imitation of a proper photographer. She took a multitude of photos - most blurry when she checked them, but a few actually really nice. She turned to Will. Pan scurried back over to Kirjava, flopping on top of her with a glare towards Lyra. "Let me take a photo of you now."

"We can take a selfie, if you want," Will's smile was indulgent. "That would have both of us in it."

"What's that?" Lyra felt that Will was just making up words now. It wouldn't be hard for him, there was so much language she had to learn in his world... And so much he would've had to learn in hers too. It was better here, though. She wasn't as constrained by the fact she was a girl here. "You're making stuff up now."

"I'm not, it's a word," Will insisted, opening the camera app on his phone. He clicked the little reverse button at the bottom and it changed so suddenly they were on the screen. "See, you change it to the front camera then do this- and voila."

The photo he'd taken of them was ugly. The downward angle made both their chins looks way too big, Lyra's expression one of confusion. But it was a picture of both of them... And so easily taken.

"I want to take one," Lyra shoved herself into his arms, holding her arm out like he had. It was difficult to get the balance right while still being able to click the button, but she always caught on quickly to these kinds of things. She tilted her head up slightly and leaned back so it fit perfectly under Will's chin. Then she spammed the photo button a few times to be safe.

"Yes of course, Lyra, you can take a picture," Will snorted into her hair, resting his face on the top of her head.

She rolled her eyes. Like he was going to say no. With a grin she went into the photos app like Will had shown her, and found the least shaky of the photos. Then she set it as her phone wallpaper, something Will had also shown her. At the moment his was a picture of Kirjava with Lyra's hand in her fur. Lyra found it way too cute, and so very Will. Subtle but still showing how much he cared.

Whereas she didn't have a good aesthetic sense like he did, so she just went for the picture. It was awkward - while they were both smiling, Will's was almost bemused and Lyra's a bit forced from concentration. Lyra's hair fell messily in her face and Will's chin was half covered by it. But she didn't care, because it was them. Proof that they were here together, now.

"Content?" Will wrapped his arms around her waist, leaning down to press a kiss to her cheek. "You got the hang of it all quickly, soon I won't be able to drag you off it like most other teenagers."

"You're also a teenager," Lyra melted into his embrace, pressing her cheek against his. "I won't. It's interesting but a phone e'nt you... Could never replace you. Its just handy, is all. In my world we had to send letters and those could take months to arrive depending how they was sent. Didn't seem bad at the time but now that I know what else there is, it was really slow."

"We send letters here too," Will hummed, lying back and taking Lyra with him. She reclined with her back against his chest, warmth radiating against her. It was a constant reminder that he was here, she was with him, his heart beating against her. "Not many people do, but there's still a few."

"Seems pointless when you have this." Lyra waved her phone about.

"Some people think it's romantic. It's something that can be kept unlike a text, and they can put all sorts of things in it. It's a more tangible proof of love."

"Surely the most romantic thing is to be together?" Lyra didn't really understand the appeal, when you could be in each other's arms like this. Or even video call to talk while seeing each other's face. How could a letter even replace it?

"I don't know, I've never done it," Will shrugged. "But some couples live in different countries and can't just see each other."

It was unheard of in her world to be with someone who lived elsewhere permanently. Dating had such a specific order and for most ended in marriage, with the woman staying at home. But she had fallen in love with someone from a different world... So she could understand. "Would you write me letters if we were apart and didn't have phones?"

"Is that even a question? Of course I would. Really, I should be asking you."

"I would!" Lyra twisted in his arms to properly look at him. His eyes were bright, filled with such softness that Lyra almost lost the words she was about to say. "I e'nt very good at writing, but I would for you. I wrote letters to Lord Asriel- my father when I was younger, but he never replied so I stopped. If it was you I know that wouldn't happen."

"It wouldn't," Will's arms tightened around her, lips flickering between the soft smile they'd been and a frown. "Maybe I should start sending you letters just to prove it."

Lyra laughed, resting her head back down against his chest. "Only if you're happy not getting a letter back, I'll tell you my response."

"I can handle that."

"Why do I have to wear this?" Lyra picked at the red blazer on her shoulders with her nose wrinkled. She was dressed in a fresh set of uniform, even though she'd already managed to make it look a mess with all her fussing. The only bit still in place was the tie done by Will for her, since she'd never had to wear one before. She hadn't stopped scowling since putting it on, and Will was pretty sure she would have dropped out there and then if she had to wear a skirt. "It's so itchy."

"It's a uniform, everyone has to wear it," Will explained, catching her hands before she could continue picking at the wool. It was expensive, even if it wasn't his money that paid for it. "It's only for school and you can take it off right after."

"I thought your world was supposed to be less restrictive," Lyra muttered, even though her hands relaxed in his. She looked down at the ground and scuffed her toe against it. "So many stupid rules."

"It's just for school," Will squeezed her hands, before taking just one. Their fingers tangled together and Will let their intertwined hands fall to their sides. "It's not like your world, where the restrictions are based on you being a girl. No one will tell you what to wear otherwise, I promise."

Lyra pursed her lips, then nodded. Her eyes were still gloomy, clearly not very happy with it but no longer actively fighting. It was better for everyone if she didn't get in trouble at school on her first day for coming in without the right uniform. He couldn't be with her all day to stop her doing whatever she wanted.

He understood, he really did, knowing how restrictive Lyra's world had been. Even if she'd had more freedoms than most, it would chafe at anyone nevermind someone so free spirited as Lyra.

Nobody really liked school uniforms anyway, they were just a necessary evil.

"I think it looks very smart on you," Elaine said from where she stood at the doorstep, watching both of them fuss outside the door. Well, mostly Lyra. "You both look very smart. I feel like I'm seeing my children off for the first time."

"Stop it mum, I'm fourteen, hardly going to school for the first time," Will shook his head at her, even as a smile pulled in his lips. He squeezed Lyra's hand and looked down at her. "We should get going, it's a twenty minute walk if we're not rushing."

"Oh, Mary said she'd pick us up. She'll be here soon."

After learning just yesterday, Lyra had really taken to her phone. She wasn't quite literate in it yet but she was texting with ease, along with taking photos and downloading a few apps. Thankfully she hadn't discovered social media yet. That would be the worst place for someone quick to anger and defend, and with little idea of how the internet works.

"Mm, we can wait at the road then."

"Oh, wait!" Lyra dropped Will's hand and ran over to Pan where he stood in front of the door. She bent down to pick him up, holding him in front of her as if she was about to give him a lecture. "Be good while I'm gone. Don't go wandering too far, always look out for cars."

"I'm not the reckless one," Pan snorted. "How're you going to get through school without me there to stop you doing anything stupid? If you climb onto the roof and fall, don't blame me."

"I won't! I'm gonna pay attention and all, I promised Mary that."

Pan turned to look at Will. "Keep her out of trouble."

"I'll try," Will chuckled as Lyra huffed, before hugging Pan tightly. Even if it seemed like bickering it showed how much the pair still cared about each other even after their separation. They were no longer dependent on each other but they were still two sides of the same soul, each one's strength balancing out the other's weakness.

It was a shame Pan couldn't attend school, because he'd probably take to it easier than Lyra.

"C'mon, we have to go." Will saw Mary's car at the end of the street, pulling in front of his house. "Don't want to be late on your first day, right?"

"I don't wanna go at all," Lyra muttered, but she put Pan down with one last hug.

"Bye mum, see you later!" Will said over his shoulder, hurrying to the car with Lyra following. He thought about it for a moment, before opening up the back door and getting in there. Lyra followed.

"Good morning!" Mary smiled back at them, overly cheerful for so early in the morning. Will did fine with mornings, but he wasn't the cheeriest right now. Probably more down to going back to school... He wouldn't let it on, but he was dreading it as much as Lyra. Just for different reasons. "Have a good day yesterday?"

"Will taught me how to use my phone," Lyra nodded, proudly waving the phone she'd stuffed in her blazer pocket. "I took loads of photogr- photos."

"I could tell when you texted me," Mary laughed, light and filling the car. It wasn't enough to drag Will out of his tense state, looking out the window as they pulled away. He gave his mum a wave. "Don't get too into using it, mind, I'm not sure if I can handle you becoming a phone addicted teenager. I think I'd much rather have you running about like a wild child."

"I don't think the scholars at Jordan College would agree with you there," Lyra replied. Will felt her fingers tap against his hand, before curling around his fingers. He turned back to look at her and found her smiling at him, comforting without questioning. He turned his hand over so their palms pressed together and intertwined their fingers again. A warmth filled his chest, heart feeling so full. How he loved her - so spirited and feisty, yet quietly understanding in the moments it was needed.

"Well you're quite the bright child, so I'm sure they all just wanted the best out of you," Mary continued talking. "School might be a bit rough to start, but I'll make sure to explain the situation to them as best I can. There's plenty of space to run around during the breaks too, football pitches and the likes, so I'm sure you'll find enjoyment there. School's quite fun, really, when you get used to it."

"Mm, I'm sure it will be," Lyra lied, enough to convince Mary but not him. He knew. he wasn't so good at lying anymore to get past him.

"Alright, here we are!" Mary pulled into the school parking lot, leaning around her chair when parked. "Let's get going, then. I'll come with you into the office, Lyra, to get everything sorted. You already went in last week, right, Will?"

"Yeah." He'd gone in one day last week to sort out his absence, getting all the work he had to catch up on and talking to his teachers. It had been surprisingly smooth - helped by both his mum and Mary, who was sorting out Lyra's enrollment at the same time. "I'm all set to go back."

"Perfect. You know my number anyway if you need anything."

Mary got out of the car, indicating for the two to follow. Will tried to let go of Lyra's hand only to find her grasp tightening. Her gaze on him was intense, face set in a harsh expression. It was only the slight shaking of her fingers that betrayed the nerves she'd never admit to having.

"We have to go in, Lyra."

"I know, but I e'nt letting go." Her grip on his hand was unyielding. He wasn't going to be able to convince her, and if he tried he would be late for class.

After quickly weighing up the options he nodded, awkwardly getting out of the car hand in hand. The last thing he wanted was to stand out, but a school couple was less noticeable than someone turning up late the first day they were back. He'd rather neither but... He imagined he would have to get used to it with Lyra here now.

"Alright, in we go then," Mary smiled brightly at them, leading the way to the school building. They followed hand in hand out of the parking lot.

The bell hadn't rung yet for school to start, so there were plenty of teenagers hanging around outside in their carefully selected friend groups. Will could feel their gazes on him, prickly like needles poking all over his skin. They were judging him openly and mockingly. He bit the inside of his mouth, expression hardening until it was entirely neutral. Just bear with it. They didn't matter, he wasn't the same Will he was before. He'd been through much worse now than school bullies.

And he had someone by his side now, holding his hand and looking at all the students milling about with a gaze both curious and brimming with barely veiled hostility. There was a tension to Lyra's frame as she walked, much like a predator going into unfamiliar territory. She was always like this now, cautious and ready to fight yet so interested in everything new she was discovering.

"Why're they all looking like that," Lyra whispered, hand clenching in his. "It e'nt friendly. These the... Bullies you talked about?"

"Not all of them," Will frowned, forcing himself to keep looking forward. "Don't worry about it, they're just curious about someone new. They stop soon enough."

Lyra let out a light huff at that, lips twisting into an annoyed grimace. "I hope so, before I-"

"No fighting, Lyra."

"Before I go give them a good talking to," Lyra looked up at him with wide eyes shining with innocence. He scoffed. Yeah, sure, definitely what she was going to say.

He didn't have a chance to say anything back, because they were already at the main reception. He felt Lyra's hand tremble, turning to find her whole body taut even if her expression seemed relaxed. Dropping her hand, he pulled her in for a quick hug.

"It'll be okay."

"I e'nt worried, I know I will be," she snorted, even as she held him back tighter.

Mary cleared her throat and they separated.

"Well then, Will, you best be off. Don't want to be late for class. Me and Lyra have to go into the office now, but I'm sure you'll see each other later."

"We will," Will leaned over to squeeze Lyra's shoulder, before stepping away. "Thanks, Mary, see you later."

Lyra stared at him as he stepped back towards the school corridors, before raising a hand in a slight wave. "I'll find you later, Will."

Will smiled, more genuine now. "I know, see you then."

Lyra was unable to sit still, leg bouncing up and down restlessly as she watched the clock hands painfully edge forward.

It was only her third day at school, and she already disliked it. Every class was boring, the teachers dull and the other students hardly worth talking to. The only silver lining was Will - but she'd much rather skip school and spend time with him otherwise. She only hadn't climbed through a window yet because he wouldn't want her to. How she wanted to, though.

Classes were either too easy, like physics at such a fundamental level, or too hard, like history of a world she barely knew. So much of it felt useful to - why did she have to analyse books written by stuffy old men? There were few classes she enjoyed, like maths where her teacher was actually interesting and taught them harder stuff if they asked for it. These were few and far between, though. She'd hoped she'd take to it for Will. After all, both her parents were scholars... But she chafed under the restrictions and the traditional learning.

She just didn't like it.

The bell pierced through the scratching of chalk on a blackboard, and Lyra shot up. Finally! She didn't wait for the teacher to let them go before stuffing her book in her bag, shooting out the door. She had better places to be, a whole hour to make the most of with Will over lunch.

She was almost at their meeting spot, a sheltered bench outside nestled between two school buildings, when a group of boys stepped out in front of her. She could get around them easily as they crowded from both sides, the other girl of the group sneering at her as she tried.

Of course she'd noticed the whispers whenever her and Will walked to school hand in hand, the way people from their year looked at them. Not many had bothered to approach her and she was just fine with that, even if Will wanted her to make other friends. But she knew among these people were the ones that had made Will's life so difficult. It was why with every strange look she gripped Will's hand tighter, her head held high. Will was worth far more than anyone else in this world to her, nevermind this school.

"Get out of my way, I got somewhere to be," Lyra snapped after being blocked off again from going around them. She glared at the teenager in front of him, almost a head taller than her. His snorted laughter had her bristling, hands clenched into fists at her side. She held herself back even as her whole body tense, scowl etched on her lips. "Move."

"You're Will Parry's girlfriend, aren't you?" The boy sneered, others heckling from the side. Lyra's eyes darkened. "Everyone's seen him walking around holding your hand, so proud and all. How much did he pay you to be with him? Or did he threaten you? His mums a real nutter, bet he's one too."

"What?" Lyra's voice was cold, a chill in it that didn't betray the seething anger rising inside of her. Her fingers curled into the palm of hand, nails digging into the skin to stop herself from lunging at him. Will and Mary told her not to fight. She had to not fight. "I want to be with Will."

"Hah, no way."

"Wanting to be with a loser like Will?"

The teenager who had spoken first, clearly the leader of the group, spoke up again. "What do you see in the piece of garbage like him? You must not know him well. You see, his mother's insane and he's a criminal. He ain't deserving of anything."

Take a deep breath. Stay calm. Stay above it. This was nothing. "Stop talking."

"Pft, don't deny it." The boy laughed, a horrible sound that rang in her ears. His blue eyes narrowed before sliding up and down her. Disgust curled in the pit of Lyra's stomach, hair standing on end and shiver crawling across her skin. She had felt like this before, subject to gazes like these too often at Mrs Coulter's side, but never had it made her so nauseous. She wanted to gouge his eyes out. "You're pretty fit, you could do way better. I bet he doesn't satisfy you. He so fucking ugly, a piece of shit. How ‘bout me? I'll show you a way better time than shitty Will Parry."

"You think you're better?" Lyra growled. Her lips curled back into a snarl with her teeth bared and eyes filled with an animalistic rage. "You e'nt even as good as the mud on Will's shoe."

"Hah! You think cause you're with the school outsider you're something, as if you ain't just taking sympathy on him," the boy sneered, expression morphing from interest to disgust. With each word the thread of Lyra's self control frayed, so close to snapping. "Don't pretend, bitch. Nobody would want to be with Will. If I was Will I'd just kill myself. Everyone would be better off. You want that too, I bet."

"I'll fucking kill you." Lyra leapt at the boy, arms wrapping around his neck as she flung her entire body weight on him. They fell to the ground with her on top, scratching at his face with wild eyes. He fought back, hands finding her hair and tugging harshly. He shoved her hard to get her off him. The strength in his push didn't deter her, blinded by rage and powered by years of experience fighting. She wouldn't be easily dislodged. "Don't ever talk about Will like that again!"

She was on her knees above him, punching his chest and scratching at his face. He punched her back now too, blows landing on her shoulders and stomach. Lyra wobbled slightly but held steady, grabbing the collar of his shirt with one hand and baring her teeth. A punch to his face and she yelled, words inaudible to her even as she said them. All she wanted to do was to kill him, to make him feel every bit of suffering Will had.

"Coward... Y-... Fucking bitch-... -eeds a girl to defend him."

How dare he. How dare he?! Her nails raked down his neck, swerving to dodge a fist towards her face. His knee landed in her stomach, ripping out a guttural yell from her lips that soon turned into a snarl. The burning pain was barely noticeable above the anger blazing through her.

"Fight, fight, fight!" Other students had gathered around them in a circle, chanting and goading.

As savage as a beast she ripped into him, tussling on the ground in a fight for dominance. She was winning, still on top and holding him to the ground. He was bleeding. She punched him again, skin breaking on her first as it met his nose. Then again. And again. He punched her back each time.

"Stop, Lyra, stop!" Words filtered through the angered haze over her, fingers curling around her shoulders. She shook them off, shoving an elbow back at the owner. Her arm was caught. She pulled against it with all her strength, trying to wrench her arm out of the strong grip to continue pummeling the asshole under her.

Then there were hands hooking under her armpits and she was screaming, fighting against it with flailing limbs. She was pulled off the boy and onto her feet, someone else jumping in to hold him back. Lyra struggled like a trapped animal, snarling and scratching. "Let me go! Let. Me. Go!"

"Lyra, calm down!"

"I have to- he- he talked about Will! He deserves it! He said Will-"

"Stop, Lyra, please, calm down." Strong arms wrapped around her heaving chest and she was pulled against a familiar warmth. She froze, mind catching up with her emotion and actions. All at once she recognised the voice, the feeling of Will's embrace, and the hazy rage began to subside. Her breathing came out in short pants, eyes bloodshot and still raging hot, but there was more there too. Her body went limp against him as a sense of emptiness filled her.

"Will- Oh Will, they were talking about you, such nasty things, they called you trash, they said you didn't deserve me, they- they-" She turned to bury her face into his chest, fingers twisted in the fabric of his shirt. Tears, as hot as her anger, spilled from her eyes as sobs wracked through her body. She bit down on her lip and clenched to him as she tried to get it to stop. It was all too much, so many emotions swirling in her belly. The anger was still there at the front, but it was different now. "Will- Will, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

"Sh, it's okay," Will murmured against her hair, hand rubbing comforting circles in her back. She clung onto him harder, fighting away the crying that she didn't understand the reason far. She was so angry, still shaking with rage, but why were the only things coming from her lips sobs? "It's alright, their words can't hurt me."

Lyra shook her head against his chest. No, that wasn't true, he was just being strong for her. He was so brave, he didn't deserve to hear that, nobody should be thinking that about him. "They're wrong, they're wrong Will, I'm the one that doesn't deserve you. I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

"Lyra, that's not true. It's ok, I'm not mad at you." Will gently stroked her hair, other hand still rubbing her back as her tears subsided. She felt so empty. Will's hand raised to her face, wiping away the tears still clung to her cheeks. His warm eyes were full of concern, which only increased the guilt forming in the pit of her stomach. She hadn't seen him so worried since they'd returned to his world. He seemed to be holding back too, as he looked over her face and then down to the rest of her body. "Are you feeling better?"

Lyra nodded, pulling away from him slightly. She realised where they were - surrounded by ogling students, with the boy she'd beaten up still being held back and spewing curses at her. She could ignore it now that Will was here, but she didn't want to make things worse for him. She slipped out of his arms, even though she wanted to stay, and looked away. "I'm fine."

A lie, the emotions barely subsided and the ache from being beaten as much as she'd attacked slowly made itself felt. But she was stable now. Not one word away from flying off the rails, losing herself to tears or rage blinded attacks.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

Lyra's momentary relief was interrupted by the sharp voice of a teacher, finally fetched by one of the other students. It was a teacher she knew, an English teacher that wasn't too fond of her. Her stomach sank.

"Lyra, Hugh, the guidance office, now." The teacher looked at Lyra's hand still grasping Will's shirt as if it was a lifeline, refusing to let go. "I think it would be best if you came too, Will."

"Shouldn't they both go to the nurses office first, Mr Wallace?" Will asked, hand covering Lyra's. Nurse's office? Why would Lyra need that? This was barely anything. She was never treated for fights when she was younger, always getting into scraps with others around town.

Mr Wallace looked at them both with a harsh glare. "No. They did this to themselves, they can deal with it until we decide what to do with them."

Will opened his mouth to protest, but Lyra pulled his shirt to stop him. She shook her head at his questioning gaze. She didn't want him to get into trouble for talking back, he wasn't even involved. This was her fault.

Not that she regretted it. She wished she'd been able to beat the other boy more. She just regretted that Will had found out, and been there to see it. Unlike her, he didn't like fighting. He did it because he had to before.

Lyra was out of it the whole way to the guidance office, led there by Will. His hand on hers was a warm comfort that kept her grounded. Now that her mind was clearer, she realised she'd gone about this the wrong way. She should have just ignored all the taunting and waited until after school. Then she could track the bully down and fight him without worry of being found out. If only she had that much control... It had been easier in her world, where no one cared what their children were doing.

"Sit down, Lyra."

It was only when Will whispered to her that Lyra realised she'd been standing in the guidance office waiting room, staring a hole into the wall while he tugged at her hand. She sat with a huff, ugly scowl marring her face. The bully was in the room too, sitting in a seat as far away from them as he could. She glowered at him, while noting with pride that he wasn't in a good state. Blood was still dripping from his nose, scratch marks down his neck and skin beginning to discolour with bruises. He looked like he had been attacked by a vicious animal... Really, it hadn't been far from that.

Eventually, they were called into the guidance office. The room was large, with a desk to one side and a variety of seats taking up most of the space. There were three teachers in the room - Mrs MacNeil, the head of guidance, Mr Davies, their year head, and Mr Wallace. They all sat in the comfiest chairs in the room. Mrs MacNeil indicated for them to sit down. The bully, Hugh, chose the seat furthest from the door. Lyra didn't particularly want to sit down, but Will gently pushed her forward and into a seat before taking one next to her. She folded her arms and slouched back, just wanting to get it over and done with.

"Lyra, Hugh, you both know why you're here," Mrs MacNeil clasped her hands together, fixing them both with a stern stare. "We do not tolerate violence at this school. Not only did you both fight, but you both showed such callous disregard for the other during it. Would either of you stopped before the other was unconscious?"

Neither replied. Lyra looked away sullenly, scowl only deepening. How else did a fight end if one didn't surrender? One time a townie was beaten so badly his arm was broken, but he didn't complain about it. He should've known his limits.

This boy deserved it anyway.

She'd been through so many lectures like this that it was easy for her to ignore them. Even if she'd matured since all the scolding she'd received at Jordan, this wasn't a case where she thought any different.

"I didn't think so." Mrs MacNeil tapped her fingers against her knees. "You're lucky you're still children. In a few years this will be taken much more seriously, and could land you in jail. Of course you're both to blame and neither if you will be leaving this room unpunished. But before we make any decisions, we want to get the facts straight. Why were you both fighting? Hugh, you go first."

"I didn't do anything!" The bully spilled, glaring over at Lyra. "I was just hanging with my friends when she hit me out of nowhere!"

"Liar!" Lyra leapt up, shaking finger pointed at him. She was quickly tugged back down by Will before the teachers intervened, trembling with anger as she bared her teeth at the boy. After everything he'd said? "Him and his friends stopped me and was talking bad about Will! I tried to ignore it but then... Then he said that Will should just die. Yes, I attacked him first, but he started it!"

"She's crazy! I didn't do any of that!"

"You take that back," Lyra growled, rage flooding over her again. She just barely managed to stay in control thanks to Will's hand on her arm, even though all she wanted to do was to beat the other kids smarmy face in again.

"Stop it, both of you," Mrs MacNeil snapped, silencing them both with a look. "We are not here to continue your fight."

"Lyra isn't the type to fight without a reason," Will spoke up as the two in question bristled and glared fiercely at each other. His calm voice washed over and her taut body relaxed slightly. Will was always better with words than her, able to calm her down while reasoning his way through everything. "I'm not defending her, but she wouldn't attack someone she doesn't even know. And... Hugh did bully me before."

"You don't have any proof of that," Hugh sneered, even as he tried to look the picture of innocence to the teachers. "I swear I didn't bully no one."

"You e'nt got proof I attacked you first either!" Lyra retorted. "You're just a coward tryna get out of trouble."

"Am not!"

"Silence! I think we've heard enough." Mrs MacNeill interrupted them with a sharp glare, face harsh and unyielding. "Clearly you're both at fault. Well, your guardians have been called. You both need to stay here until they arrive. Will, you can go back to class, I'm not sure why you're here in the first place."

"No!" Lyra grabbed Will's arm, eyes filled with wild desperation. Her stomach tied into knots at the thought of him leaving. "He can't go."

"It's alright, Lyra," Will murmured, carefully removing her hand from his arm. He gave it a squeeze and smiled at her. "I can't miss too much class... I'll see you after school, yeah? Mary will be here soon anyway."

She didn't want him to go, she really didn't. From the gaze they shared she could tell he didn't want to either... But he had to. It seemed he shouldn't even be here in the first place. She hadn't questioned it, but the bully was alone. Perhaps they'd allowed Will to be there because she was new. She really didn't understand how things worked.

"Off you go, Will." Mrs MacNeil interrupted their moment harshly, hand waving towards the door. Will gave Lyra's hand one last squeeze before letting go. Then he was gone. "Now you have to wait in this room, in silence, until your guardians come. If you have homework, you may do it, otherwise just think about what you've done."

Lyra internally rolled her eyes and scowled down at her school bag. She did have some homework, a stupid thing that she'd never had to do in her world, but she didn't want to do it. Especially not on her knee.

It was easier to entertain herself anyway. There were so many stories that she had once spun for others that she could still imagine in her head. It was what she did during class, zoning out to the boring drone of the lesson. She hoped this would take less time than a lesson. Her next class had been with Will.

Thankfully, she didn't have to wait too long before the office door was opened and Mary was led in.

Mrs MacNeill stood to greet her, holding out a hand for Mary to shake. Mary gave it a quick shake before letting go. "I'm Mrs MacNeil, the guidance teacher. I presume you are..."

"Mary Malone, Lyra's guardian. Sorry for the trouble she caused," Mary looked flustered, face flushed and red hair in disarray. It was as if she'd rushed over here. She quickly approached Lyra and crouched in front of her, giving her a quick one over. There was concern in that gaze too - just like in Will's. Lyra didn't understand. Surely they should be angry first at her breaking the rules and her promise to them, not worried? "Lyra, are you alright? You didn't get hurt too badly, did you?"

"I'm fine," Lyra mumbled, not quite able to meet her gaze. She wasn't lying at all, since she barely felt any pain. Mary was probably just scared after hearing she'd been in a fight. "It's nothing."

"It's not nothing," Mary tutted, eyes riveting over Lyra's face. "We'll get you-"

Mary was interrupted by the door opening again, a stern middle aged man dressed casually entering. He looked at Hugh with a harsh frown, before introducing himself as Hugh's father.

"Please take a seat, Ms Malone, Mr (name)." Mrs MacNeill indicated to the seats next to their children, sitting back down now that both guardians were in the room. Mary took the seat next to Lyra, glancing at her one more time with concern before looking back at the teacher.

Lyra just wanted this to be over with.

"As you were told over the phone, your children got into a fight with each other," Mrs MacNeill crossed one leg over the other, mouth set in a thin line. "We talked to both of them and to some of the other students as well. It seems that Hugh was verbally bullying Lyra, and she retaliated by attacking him. While we have a strict no bullying policy we also don't condone violence. This fight went beyond just a school ground tussle, because neither planned to stop before the other was badly injured."

Mary glanced at Lyra at that, and she looked away. She knew she should've held back, but it was hard to after all she'd been through. She'd had to fight for her life too often. Also, the bully deserved it.

"We are suspending both of them for a week. On top of that, Hugh must write an apology letter and both will have one week's detention upon returning to school. Any further rule breaking will be dealt with much more severely, is that clear?"

A sharp look was directed at both children, who mumbled their agreement. Lyra didn't plan for this to happen again anyway.

"Alright. If either of you guardians have any questions, feel free to talk to me or contact me later. Otherwise you can take your children home."

"Come on, Lyra," Mary patted Lyra's shoulder. Lyra stood up slowly, trailing behind Mary wordlessly as she was led to the car. Suspension wasn't so bad, right? It meant she didn't have to go to school for a week. How was that a punishment?

"Sorry for making you leave work to get me," Lyra mumbled as Mary pulled out of the school parking lot.

"That's alright," Mary shook her head. "But seriously Lyra, suspended on your first week of school? I can't believe it. I understand that school's difficult for you but you can't just beat people up! Next time, please tell a teacher instead. I know you haven't had responsible adults around you before but if anyone mistreats you, I'll make sure it's taken seriously. You don't have to do it yourself."

"Wasn't me they mistreated," Lyra threaded her fingers together. "It was Will. They said so many mean things about him, I couldn't handle it."

Mary looked over at her with a sympathetic smile. "I understand, but there are correct ways to go about this. Let's just go home for now and we'll talk more about it when you've changed and taken care of your wounds."

Lyra nodded, looking out the window. She couldn't see her reflection well in it, but it was enough to tell that she hadn't actually come out unscathed. Now that the adrenaline was gone she began feeling it, her entire body aching. Her hands and face stung especially, the faint taste of blood coating her tongue as she licked her lips. A constant pain throbbed through her, punctuated by sharpness in certain locations. It felt awful. Hopefully it didn't look too bad.

Her face was a mess.

Now standing in front of the mirror in her room at Mary's, she understood why Mary and Will had looked at her with such concern. Her lips were stained with blood, dripped down from a cut just above them. Her left eye was swollen, darkening all around it. There was a messy cut in her forehead and bruises already coming into sight all across her cheeks. She imagined the rest of her body was just as battered.

Lyra winced as she pulled off her school uniform, trying to ignore the bruising. She changed into a hoodie of Will's she'd snatched just yesterday and sweatpants Mary had given her because they didn't fit her anymore. It was a cosy outfit, and it did a good job of covering up most of her skin. She didn't want to worry Mary anymore than she already had.

Once she was changed she padded down to the living room. She felt a pull towards it, detaching from herself for a moment before a heavy warmth collided against her chest. It was a feeling of being whole again, sensing the warmth from the embrace twice fold.

"Pan," Lyra mumbled into his fur, holding him close. "I thought you were with Kirjava."

"I felt your pain," he replied, nuzzling up against her. He gently licked the blood of her lips then forehead. "I just knew you were getting into trouble somehow, so I came to stop you. Looks like I'm too late."

"You were always going to be too late," Lyra laughed, carrying Pan in her arms to the sofa. He curled up in her lap.

"I wouldn't have stopped you anyway," Pan said softly. "I don't know what happened, but I felt it all."

Lyra sighed, running hands through his fur. He understood, through their link, that she didn't want to talk about it again. She'd tell him later of course, just not now. Not when it was all catching up to her.

"I wish I was there to help you," Pan huffed, shifting in her lap. "You would've lost loads of fights in Jordan without me."

"That e'nt true," Lyra rolled her eyes even as she smiled slightly. "You were the one who turned into a mouse and hid in my coat as soon as things went wrong. People don't have daemons here anyway, it e'nt really the same."

"That never happened."

"So did."

"Lyra!" Mary's call from the nearby kitchen stopped their bickering. "Do you want anything to drink?"

"No thank you!" Lyra replied, before looking at Pan. Both started giggling for no reason at all.

"What are you both laughing at?" Mary walked in with a cup of steaming tea for herself, a plate of biscuits in the other hand and a red box under her arm. "Go on, have some, a little sugar will be good for you just now."

Lyra nodded, grabbing the nearest biscuit and shoving it in her mouth. It was sweet, melting on her tongue and washing away the remaining tension in her shoulder. She grabbed another one.

"I dug out the old first aid kit," Mary continued, opening the red box to reveal a bunch of medical supplies. "I can help you just now if you want, or you can use it on yourself later. It's up to you."

"I'll do it myself." She was used to nursing her own wounds and these really weren't that bad. She'd let Will help her now, but otherwise she'd rather see to herself. It wasn't that she didn't trust Mary just that... She just couldn't. So many years of being alone weren't easy to get over. "Thanks."

Mary nodded, nursing her cup of tea while observing the pair. Eventually she spoke again. "So, can you tell me what happened? They didn't give me much details... Honestly, I heard you were in a fight and rushed out of the lab to get you."

Lyra kneaded Pan's shoulders and bit her lip, trying to figure out how to explain it. Just being honest would be best. Lying to Mary had never worked. "I was stopped by that boy and his friends. They all started asking why I was with him, what did I see in him and told me I could do better. Then they was all calling Will names and he... He said if he was Will he'd kill himself. I just couldn't stand that so I leapt at him. I wasn't thinking."

"I see," Mary's eyes were soft, and there was no judgement in her gaze. "That was horrible of him. In our world, those kinds of words are called verbal abuse and are treated as a crime. Was it like that in your world."

"No," Lyra shook her head. "Unless your words was heresy, nobody cared about stuff like that. You either took it or fought it. I always fought it."

"Of course you did," Mary laughed lightly. "You've been through a lot, Lyra, and I know things are very different in this world. It's hard to get out of the mindset that you have to defend yourself, and that nobody else will. But things are different now. You have me, Will, and his mum. I want you to let yourself be a child now. An actual child, who has adults to rely on. Come to me for these things, or go to a teacher. It's not easy to change but you don't have to do it all yourself anymore."

"I had Will too," Lyra mumbled. "On the journey. I depended on him too."

"You did. But Will's a child too, also forced to act like an adult for too long. All me and Elaine want is for the two of you to enjoy the rest of your childhood without thinking about any of this stuff. Maybe getting into fights is part of that... I don't know, I was never the sort. I'm not upset at you for that. I just want you to know you can rely on me now."

Lyra paused, before nodding. "I know that. It's just hard... To not. We've been alone for so long, just me and Pan, then just us and Will. I chose to fight for Will cause he hated it. It's hard. Everything's so different and I don't know how to be normal in my own world, so it's just harder here. Sometimes it feels like I fit, then I don't again."

"Nobody's normal, Lyra. You're already good enough as you are. Just be yourself."

"You couldn't conform anyway," Pan piped up. "We've never been the sort."

"You're right," Lyra smiled. Even though her mother had tried her hardest to mould Lyra in her image, she'd never succeeded. Here it was just a different image of what people should be... Girls and boys. There was more equality, but she'd learned quickly from school that there were views on both. Will had told her about the bullies in school but she hadn't expected it to be like that. She'd expected more like her world, where men in power intimidated everyone else into obeying. It wasn't quite the same, but still bad.

"Just no more fighting."

"I promise."

"Alright," Mary clapped her hands together. "Well, this suspension is not a holiday. You'll come to work with me. It also might be a good idea for you and Will to spend some time apart this week. I'm not going to heavily enforce it, but it's healthy to spend time without your partner. Of course he can come over for a short while today, because I'm sure he's worried about you."

Pan stiffened in Lyra's lap, claws digging into her thighs as they both processed that. Time apart from Will... The thought was horrid at first, like a part of herself was being wrenched away again. Her chest tightened. But because it was Mary suggesting it, she fought through the gut reaction. For the last week she had taken up all of Will's time. They hadn't spent a waking moment apart. Even with Lyra sleeping at Mary's the last two nights, she went to Will's after school until late in the evening. She was so happy when with him, but maybe Mary was right.

She didn't want to get more dependent on him than she already was, no matter how strong her love for him was.

Just this week, she'd try it out. Maybe it would be more "normal." Maybe it wouldn't work for them. Lyra struggled every moment apart, her mind constantly wandering to him, but perhaps she'd grow used to it. She had to, didn't she?

"Okay. Just for a few hours when he's done school. I'll come back for dinner."

Mary chuckled. "That'll do, for a compromise.

"Will's here." Pan's tail flicked back and forth as he stood watch at the bedroom window. Lyra rushed over, watching Will with Kirjava in tow making his way to the front door. "He looks worried."

"He always looks worried," Lyra shrugged, trying to ease the guilt she felt over causing him to feel that way. She'd spent ages cleaning her wounds and smearing weird smelling creams all over her bruises in the hope she'd look a little less battered when he came over. It helped a little that she didn't look as wild, calming down while talking to Mary and then spending time with Pan after. The dull throbbing of her body had made it difficult to fully relax, but she was becoming used to it.

"Let's go down," Pan was at her bedroom door before the doorbell had even rung, Lyra only slower because of the aches in her limbs. His descent down the stairs was also much faster than hers, Mary chuckling from where she was getting the door as Lyra hobbled after him.

It really wasn't that bad, just she'd bruised her knees when falling to the ground and they hurt when moved too much.

"Come on in, Will."

She'd just reached the bottom when Mary opened the door, letting in a slightly panting Will. Kirjava trotted up to Pan and rubbed her nose against his, and he buried his face into her fur.

"Thanks for having me, Mary," Will nodded before rushing over to Lyra, hands raised to hold her face. "Are you alright? You're covered in bruises, it's even worse than before, let me-"

"It's not that bad," Lyra stopped him from continuing, wrapping her arms around his neck. His gaze softened, though the fingers caressing her cheeks still trembled. She leaned forward to press their foreheads together. "I've already put cream all over myself, can't you smell it?"

Will, very seriously, sniffed. "I can. But it still must be painful, did you take some painkillers at least? Perhaps a warm compress would help."

"I'm fine, really." Lyra tightened her arms around his neck, trying to convince him it was the case. She hadn't taken painkillers because she didn't trust those small white pills Mary had handed her, having nothing like it in her world. A hot compress was just unnecessary. "Let's just go to my room?"

Will hesitated, then nodded.

"Shall I bring up some snacks?" Mary asked from the sidelines, leaning against a wall. "Do you want anything to drink, Will? Tea, coffee, water? I'm afraid I can't offer anything else."

"Just water's fine."

"We'll get it on our way up," Lyra pulled away from Will, grabbing his wrist. Mary gave an amused smile and nodded. Lyra dragged Will up to her room, via the kitchen, slamming the door closed behind them.

Her room was small, because she liked it that way. Mary had offered her a bigger one but that had felt too empty. She hadn't had time to decorate it yet, not that she had anything to decorate it with, so it was quite plain. Her bed was pushed up against a wall and her desk in front of the window, empty bookshelves crowded next to a wardrobe. Lyra sat down on the single bed and patted the space next to her.

"I don't let just anyone on my bed," she said solemnly with as serious an expression as she could muster, Pan snorting as he hopped on and curled up with Kirjava behind her. Will laughed and sat down.

"I'm honoured," he smiled, slipping an arm around her shoulders. Lyra leaned into it and pressed into his side. She breathed him in, taking in his soft scent that always made her relax. She felt safe even as she waited for him to say something else, the silence drawn out but not awkward. This was shared with Pan, lying surrounded by Kirjava's soft fur and gentle purrs. Their happiness, a light feeling as if lying on clouds, was shared.

The room that hadn't felt quite right suddenly felt like it was actually her own, warm and cosy like her old space in Jordan. It was a perfect little world for the two of them, curled up together on her bed. When she was able to, she'd get photos of them and them on her wall.

"How are you feeling?" Will finally asked, fingers threading through her own. He looked at her steadily. "Really feeling."

"Tired," Lyra admitted, curling her head into the crook of his neck. "And sore. But it looks worse than it is."

"And about what he said?"

"You're the one who should be upset about what he said!" Lyra pulled away to look at him with fiery eyes. She couldn't believe he was so nonchalant about it, as if it wasn't him they were talking about. He'd been so passionately angry when he told her what they said about his mum, but there was nothing when it came to him. Shouldn't he care? Or had he spent too long dealing with it that he was numb to their words. That saddened Lyra. "Mary said we can be children again, actual children, and to rely on adults. That means you can get upset now! We can."

"Mm," Will rubbed his thumb against the back of Lyra's hand, looking down at it. "But I don't care about what they said anymore. I know that I'm better than what they say. Could anyone go through the land of the dead and open a door to let them out? I'm not scared anymore, Lyra, and I don't believe what they say. I can't go back to being a normal kid anyway."

Will was right because Lyra knew she couldn't just be a kid anymore either. They'd both been through too much, and she'd come from a world far different from this one. They'd just have to have their own version of childhood, she guessed.

"Still, what they said made me so angry. I couldn't stand it."

"I know... I'd be angry too, if anyone talked about you like that."

"We gotta avoid that, you're scary when angry," Lyra teased, smiling now. "I'd run if I angered you."

"You wouldn't. And I don't have the knife anymore, I can't do much."

"So? You didn't have the knife when we first met and could be plenty scary. You don't need it."

"Not when I have you here I don't," Will laughed, eyes sparkling. He leaned in to press a kiss to her forehead, gently lingering there.

Lyra tilted her head up to catch his lips, softly kissing him. Her heart pounded in her chest and she began to feel lighthearted from elation just at the feel of their lips pressed together. She still wasn't used to it. They both pulled away to catch their breaths, foreheads resting together.

"Try not to fight again," Will murmured, hands gently tracing the bruises blooming across her face. "I hate seeing you hurt."

"I'll try."

When Lyra went back to school, the bullies didn't try to approach her anymore.

But she was approached by other classmates, some who'd been bullied and some who just didn't quite fit in. It was her first step towards making friends in this world... So maybe, maybe, she could try to have that normal childhood Mary had talked about.

Lyra woke up with a scream trapped in her throat, clawing at the covers as Pan curled arched his back beside her head. She felt hands reaching towards her face, tear stained and fear filled, and hit them away with a sobbed “no.” She didn’t want to go back to sleep, not again, she couldn’t make her. Not again, not ever. She could still feel the cool liquid against her lips and the gentle caresses against her hair from someone who was supposed to care… someone who had kept her locked up for so long, alone. She shook her head fervently and pulled her knees up to her chest, rocking back and forth as another sob escaped her lips. Pan jumped up onto her, curling around her neck as best as he could, claws lightly digging into her skin to ground them both.

“... Lyra, it’s me, Will, and you just had a nightmare. Lyra, look at me.” Someone was talking gently from beside her, coaxing her mind out of its frenzy of panic as she came to her senses. She wasn’t in that cave anymore. Underneath her she could feel soft sheets. She was awake. She wasn’t here. She shuddered as more tears fell from her eyes. She couldn’t hurt her anymore. She couldn’t.

“... You’re safe, Lyra, there’s no one to hurt you here. I’m here to protect you.”

She finally moved tear stained, dark eyes from her shaking hands to look at the person beside her. “Will…”

Will smiled, lighting up his face even as his eyes were heavy with concern. “That’s right, I’m here.”

“Nobody else?”

Will shook his head. “Just me and you, and Pan and Kirjava. No one else.”

Lyra let out a shaky breath and moved her hands to rub back the tears that refused to stop. Slowly, but surely, the constricting fear was beginning to leave her. She was beginning to ground herself in the feelings and sounds of her surroundings. The warmth of the room and soft sensations were so unlike the place she’d been in her dreams.

“I’m going to go get you some tea to help calm you down,” Will said softly, beginning to shuffle past her to get off the bed. She grabbed his wrist before he could get any further and he looked back at her, slightly confused.

“Don’t go.”

Will hesitated, before carefully moving himself back onto the bed and in a comfortable, open position. Lyra slowly crawled into his arms and curled against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and she pressed her face against him. Pan and Kirjava curled around them. “I… I dreamed of… her…”

“You don’t have to talk about it,” Will spoke softly against the top of her head, placing a gentle kiss there. “You don’t need to say anything if you’re not ready. But I’m here for you if you want to let it all out… in any way.”

Lyra nodded, feeling the tears she’d tried to hold back spilling out again. She wasn’t ready to voice her memories but… at least she had him there with her. So she let the tears flow free and the sobs wrack through her as he held her in his arms, gently comforting her through it all.

Even after half a year, Lyra hadn’t warmed to school in Will’s world. The only thing that got her through it was the classes she had with Will, the breaks they had together and walking back home. Her small group of friends was another upside, found after the bullying incident, but it wasn’t enough to make it worth going to school for.

Everything else about it she hated. Even after all she had been through, all that she had matured, structured learning didn’t sit well with her. She found she could easily devour a book on something she was interested in when she had once found books a bore. But sitting in a classroom learning mathematics and science? She would rather not. A part of her was never quite there, anyway, but instead was running through trees with Pan. She'd disconnect from her body to try to see through him sometimes. She could feel him through their bond and it helped her get through the monotony.

She tried her hardest, for him. Will was diligent and incredibly smart and she wanted to prove that she wasn’t a slacker to him. He did all his work and achieved such good grades, all while keeping up boxing and doing all the cooking around the house.

Of course, Lyra had started learning to clean to help out. And Elaine was getting better every day now that she was seeing someone. But it was Will who did the most. He was the sensible one of the two. At heart Lyra was still a wild brat with a yearning for adventure, even if she’d had enough for a lifetime already.

She still hadn’t fully adjusted. Will had, but he had come back to his own world while she’d been thrown into an entirely new one. Not that she’d change her decision.

The nightmares had begun to reduce, slowly but surely, and that was something she was glad for. They still came but it was no longer almost every night. Finally she didn’t have them every night she slept at Mary’s, even if they were more frequent without Will.

"Why is homework a thing," Lyra grumbled as she stared at the pages of maths questions she had to answer.

"To aid learning," Will supplied with a shrug, sitting beside him and doing his own work. He was getting through it all much faster than Lyra. It didn't help that she kept getting distracted by literally everything else. Her phone, her thoughts, how cute Will looked as he scrunched his face up at a particularly hard problem. He was the biggest distraction, really. He snapped his fingers in front of her eyes. "Oy, concentrate and stop staring at me."

"Can't help it when you're so handsome," she smirked, taking great pleasure in the light blush that tinted his cheeks. "And anyway, it's so boring!"

"But necessary," he chided. "If you don't get it all done we won't be able to go see that movie tonight."

Lyra groaned, but she knew he was right. She was incredibly excited to go to the cinema today, something she still took great novelty in, but this was due tomorrow. The last thing she wanted was to be stopped because of that. And she didn't want even less time spent with Will. Yes, this was time together, but it wasn't the same. Not like when they went out and she could hold his hand as they walked. When they were in the cinema where she would steal his popcorn and whisper snide comments about the movie.

No, she definitely didn't want to have to miss it.

"Fine, I'll get it done," she grumbled.

"Good," Will smiled, leaning over to kiss her cheek before going back to his work.

She forced herself to look away from him to return to the maths problems, even as she felt as if she were floating.

"Let's go out somewhere."

Lyra looked up from where she was mindlessly scrolling on her phone, legs draped over Will's. "Why? Do you have something to do."

"I don't, but don't you feel bored stuck inside all day watching me read?"

"I don't," Lyra shook her head earnestly. She really didn't, even when before she'd have gotten the urge to run outside hours ago. But she was enjoying his company even if she didn't have much to do. "I'm happy to be with you."

Will sighed and squeezed her leg, before gently lifting them off his lap. "You always say that, but I don't want you to just do what I want. It'll be nice to get out... And it's nearing Christmas. Did you have Christmas markets in your Oxford?"

"Like the kind the kitchen boys went to for ingredients, but Christmas themed?" Lyra tilted her head. They had all sorts of markets in her Oxford, like the ones set up by the fishing boats that came along the canal every now and then. Those always stank of sea salt and fish guts, her and the other kids daring each other to go further and further in. One year she'd even grabbed a fish, dead and whole with lifeless eyes staring at them all. She'd chased the more squeamish kids around with it before she was caught and reprimanded. "It's not like a fish market, is it?"

"No," Will laughed, reaching out to pull her up. Lyra refused to let go of his hand after that, keeping a firm grip and threading her fingers through his. "It's nice, with warm foods and drinks and craft stalls. It's a nice place to go on a date."

He paused as if realising something, thick eyebrows furrowing. His hand ran through his dark curls as he looked to the side. His cheeks darkened into a reddish brown. Lyra watched all this with eagle eyes, a smile tugging on her lips.

"We haven't really been on a date yet, have we?"

Lyra smiled then nodded. Dates hadn't been something she knew about from her world, with little knowledge of romance thanks to growing up surrounded by very single scholars. She didn't even know if it was a thing. But she'd learned plenty about it from the few girls she'd become friends with, who would talk about theirs and the ones they wanted to go on.

"I'd love to go on a date with you, Will."

The Christmas market was bigger than Lyra had expected.

They walked gloved hand in hand, breath turning into white most when it hit the frigid air. Will had bundled Lyra up on the way out, insisting that it didn't matter that she'd dealt with colder she still had to wear a coat, hat, scarf and gloves. She'd pouted the whole time but was secretly glad, even if it meant she couldn't feel his rough hands against hers. It wasn't as cold as the north but it was cold enough that her exposed face was stinging.

"Wow, there's so much going on," Lyra gasped as she looked around. There were trees covered in sparkling lights, a ride with children sitting on horses going round at a sluggish pace, all sorts of wares being sold in little wooden huts decorated with fake snow and greenery. She didn't even know where to start looking. It was all so wonderful and new to her. In her world Christmas just wasn't celebrated like this. The whole day was spent in the chapel worshipping the Authority, something that Lyra had always hated. She was captured by the nimblest of scholars and scrubbed within an inch of her life by Mrs Lonsdale before being forced into a horrible dress. It was one of her most dreaded days, nothing like the Christmas Will described or that was in the movies Elaine had started watching when it hit December.

She was excited for her first Christmas in Will's world.

"Why don't we just wander and look around first," Will smiled, warm gaze causing Lyra to shiver. "If anything catches your eye we can take a look."

"Sure, let's go this way first!" Lyra didn't give Will any choice as she dragged him into the crowd, down one of the many lanes of wooden huts in the Christmas market Square. She looked around in wonder as she walked, taking in all the sights with wide eyes. Where to start? She wanted to go to every stall, but they definitely couldn't afford that. Could she buy anything? Back in her world she'd always had to look but not touch, because her father didn't fund more than her food and education. Did Will have money?

"Do you want to try that?"

Her gaze had lingered too long and Will knew her too well, catching on to her hesitation. Even if she had looked away right away he would have figured it out. They had too much experience in reading each other.

She nodded.

"Let's go, then." Will lead them to the small line outside the stall. The sign said "churros", which Lyra had never heard of before. They looked like pieces of fried dough and smelt delectable. Her mouth was watering the closer they got to the tired looking teenager serving.

Her stomach grumbled.

"What do you want?" They were near the front.

"Those." She pointed to what a couple was walking away with.

"Yeah, that's all they sell," Will chuckled. "With what? Chocolate, caramel, or just plain?"

It didn't take much thought to make a decision. "Chocolate."

"Should've known," Will smiled, eyes creasing into crescent moons that had Lyra's stomach jumping. He let go of her hand to deftly order and pay, getting given the brown paper filled with thick fried dough sticks and drizzled in generous amounts of chocolate, finished off with powdery sugar. The aroma wafted into Lyra's nostrils as she was handed them, sweet and utterly delectable.

She clumsily held them up to her mouth, taking a bite of the gooey dessert and holding back a grown of delight. It tasted so good. She took another bite quickly, trying to resist just stuffing it all into her mouth. She could feel her nose and lips getting covered in sugar and chocolate.

"Slow down, you're getting it all over yourself." Will laughed, rubbing her nose to try and get dusted sugar off it. Lyra scrunched it up as he did, trying not to flinch away at the strangely ticklish feeling. Eventually he pulled away, satisfied. "No one's going to take it off you."

"You never know," Lyra retorted, shoving another bit of doughy goodness into her mouth. After some thought she raised the bundle towards Will's lips. He smiled and parted them, taking a small bite. She couldn't take her eyes off his lips, now dusted with sugar. "See, someone has."

"You offered it," Will shook his head with a laugh. "It was good."

Lyra leaned forward before he could say anymore, pecking his lips and licking off the sugar stuck there as she withdrew. Will grin, bright and full of joy, cause Lyra to join with a giggle. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in so she was nestled against him, remaining churros carefully cradled against her chest.

"How about that?" She asked, voice barely a whisper.

"Even better."

Then he kissed her again, lips parted and pressing against each other. They shared a kiss soaked in love underneath the twinkling Christmas lights, highlighting them in a gold reminiscent of a shower of dust.

-

"You know there's a girls boxing club at the same time," Will commented as Lyra handed a towel and his water to him. She tilted her head. "You could join that so you don't have to watch me every week."

"I like watching you."

"I know," he wiped the sweat off his brow and sat down next to her on the bench. "But you gotta do your own things too. Have your own hobbies."

"Why?" She was confused. Was it not normal to want to spend all her time with him? Did he not want her here? If she was honest she didn't really understand how these structured activities worked. It was easier in her world, where she could just run along the roofs and wage war with other kids. "You don't want me here?"

"That's not it," he sighed, hand resting on the small of her back. "I love having you here and every moment together. But don't you feel constrained? I know you, Lyra, and I know you miss adventure and being able to just run around. Your life when you were in Oxford."

"I'm not a child anymore," she snorted, even though he'd hit it right in the mark.

"No," he laughed. "But you're you, wild and energetic and not someone to just sit around watching her boyfriend for hours. You can't just run about roofs here but I think you'd enjoy any sport."

She shrugged one shoulder as she considered it. "Not boxing. I don't want to do that."

"I thought you liked fighting," he teased.

"Boxing is too structured," she stuck her tongue out at him. "You've got stupid rules and stuff. I prefer being able to play dirty."

"Of course you do," he grinned, ruffling her hair. She pouted at him even as her eyes shone with laughter. "Well there will be something you'll enjoy. I'll help you look."

"Alright, let's do that."

"I've decided what I'm going to do."

Will looked up from his book as Lyra walked into the living room, his laptop under her arm. He uncurled himself from his balled up position, putting his book down and putting his arms out. She slipped into them and lay against his chest. She fit so perfectly there, as if she was made to be there.

She was.

"What's that?" he asked with a soft hum. She'd kicked him out of the study with mild annoyance as he continually suggested classes for her to look into.

She twisted in her arms so that she sat across his lap, arms wrapped around him and head craned up to look at him. A wry smile curved her lips. "Parkour."

"Huh," he blinked. He hadn't thought of that. Now that he did, it was perfect. It was almost as if it was made for her. "That sounds great."

"It really does!" Lyra grinned, face lit up with excitement. "It's the same day as your boxing, and I can do more days if I want to. But I'll just do that one day for now. It starts and finishes a bit later but I figured that would be fine!"

"So I'll be the one waiting for you," he smiled.

"You don't have to," Lyra snorted. "I can make my way home just fine. I e'nt gonna get hit by a car again I know what I'm doing. Anyway, it’s not even a day I stay at yours."

"I know, I know," he laughed, Kissing the top of her head. She was so adorable when she pouted. She gave a light huff even as she snuggled up closer to him. "Just thought you'd want to walk back together."

"I do, but I don't want you to have to go out of your way."

"Lyra," he spoke her name softly, with such reverence that he was sure she could hear his love shining through. "It's never a hassle. I'd do anything to spend just a few more minutes with you."

"You're such a romantic," she scoffed even as her cheeks stained red and she hid her face against her.

"Only for you," he whispered, resting his face in her dark hair. "Only for you."

They stayed like that for the rest of the evening, daemons coming to rest across them as they just relished each other's company.

"I didn't know you could bake, Lyra."

"I learnt it in school," Lyra muttered from where she was crouched in front of the oven, watching her rather shoddy chocolate cake cooking. She'd failed terribly at all school cooking classes but she'd managed to make edible muffins, so how much harder could a full cake be?

"Well, I'm sure Will will love it," Elaine smiled, twinkle in her eyes as she watched Lyra.

Will's sixteenth birthday had snuck up on them both, coming at a time when both him and Lyra were preparing for their first set of examinations. Lyra didn't understand this world's love for school exams, thinking about the next three years of them with disgust. But there was one small benefit - exam leave. They both got a week before exams properly started, and Will's birthday happened to be around that time.

Of course he was the studious type and had insisted on going to a library to study in the morning. As much as Lyra wanted to spend all day showering him with affection... It worked out for throwing him a surprise party. If he was in the house he'd insist on doing everything for it himself. Neither Lyra or Elaine wanted that.

"I brought the decorations!" Mary called out, walking in with a large box overflowing with balloons and banners. She put it down on the kitchen counter with a sigh. "How's the cake going?"

"Well, I think. Lyra insisted on doing it all herself."

"I'm impressed," Mary laughed, leaning down to ruffle Lyra's hair. "She certainly didn't learn from me."

"It's not that impressive," Lyra snorted, shooting a glare at both adults. How hard could baking a cake be? She didn't understand why Elaine had continually tried to help, almost insisting, because she'd actually made one before. Quiter, she added. "I just wanted to do something for Lyra."

"I think that's lovely, dear," Elaine smiled. "He'll be so happy."

"Well, since the cake's baking, why don't we get to decorating?" Mary said, clapping her hands together. "Set a timer and you won't have to watch the cake."

Lyra narrowed her eyes at the tin in the oven, before forcing herself to straighten up. Mary was right, there was loads more to do before Will got home. She was going to make sure he had the best birthday.

Or not.

The cake that came out of the oven was nothing like the picture from the recipe she'd tried to follow. It was misshapen, strangely coloured and burnt around the edges. Pieces crumbled off when she tried to take it out of the tin. It was a disaster. Lyra gritted her teeth, feeling annoyance rising up into her chest. She tried to push it down, nails digging into her trousers to prevent her from just knocking it to the floor.

She just didn't understand. Sure, she hadn't entirely followed the recipe because she'd never been much of an instruction follower, but what was adding a bit more sugar and chocolate?

A big change it seemed.

She should have just let Elaine do it. She wasn't cut out for this kind of thing. Normally it didn't bother her because Will knew how to cook and he enjoyed it, unlike her who came from a world where it was certain people's jobs and wasn't inclined to learn beyond the basics. But she'd wanted to do something special for Will on her birthday. She'd put in all this effort to show how much she loved him, and it was so frustrating for it to fail. Her chest felt tight the longer she looked at the cake.

She really was ridiculous getting so upset over something like this.

"We should buy a replacement," she mumbled, turning away from the kitchen counter. She wasn't sure if there'd be any from bakeries now, it wasn't like her world where any baked goods were fresh. Here you could get store bought ones that sat on shelves for ages... But just weren't as nice. She still wasn't used to the artificial flavouring.

"It's not that bad," Elaine looked over the cake, picking up a bit that had crumbled off and tasting it. "Quite a good taste. We can cover all the issues with icing, don't worry."

"But it's awful," Lyra scowled.

"It's not. Don't be so hard on yourself. Do you think Will cares about it being perfect? He'll be happy to have something made by you."

Lyra bit her lip and forced herself to actually think about it. Elaine was right. If Will made Lyra anything she'd be delighted, even if it was poorly crafted. Because it was from him. They both loved each other so much that even the smallest gifts were something to be treasured. It was hard to not feel disappointed, but Will wouldn't be.

"Alright. Let's get it finished."

Will hadn't gotten nearly enough studying done, but his mum and Lyra had insisted he come back home in the afternoon. It was his birthday, they'd said, so he should take it off. He couldn't quite afford to do that, he needed and wanted good grades, but he guessed an afternoon off wouldn't hurt. He was looking forward to spending the evening relaxing with the three he was closest to... Kirjava was too, even though she and Pan had already been out all morning. Hopefully they'd be happy to watch his favourite movies and curl up on the sofa together, Lyra in his arms. He'd be content just being in the company of her, their daemons and his mum.

Birthdays hadn't been a big thing for him after his dad disappeared, and even since coming back with Lyra. She also hadn’t experienced nice birthdays - while he tried to give them to her, he never expected the same from her. Did her world even celebrate something like that? It was one thing she hadn't explained, and he hadn't asked. Her being with him was enough.

He smiled to himself as he walked down the small path to his house.

The house was quiet as he opened the door, unusual all things considered. Normally Lyra would know when he was getting back, a strange sixth sense of hers, and this time he'd even confirmed how far away he was. Maybe they were out? He couldn't think of any other reason for Lyra not charging at him as soon as he opened the door.

He could sense Kirjava making her way down from his room, paws softly padding against the carpet as she slunk down the stairs. She leapt up into his arms as she reached the bottom.

"Pan banned me from the living room until you were back," Kirjava purred. He felt her bemusement and met it with his own.

"That's the place to go then." He already had an idea of what was going on, walking towards the half open living room door with Kirjava held against him. It was as dark in the room, as dark as possible midday in March when the blinds had been drawn. He could hear muffled whispers from beyond it, Daemon and human combined easily recognising it as Lyra and Pan.

How cute, they both thought.

"I'm home!" Will called as he properly pushed the door open, stepping into the dim room.

The light clicked on.

"Surprise!" Lyra jumped up first, Pan on her shoulders, while pulling on a party popper. Confetti sprayed out over the sofa. Her sharp face was lit up by a wide grin, eyes crinkled and shining at Will. Elaine pulled herself up beside Lyra, smile half apologetic. Another party popper went off from Mary, standing at the light switch with a laugh.

"Happy birthday, Will," Elaine stepped out from around the sofa and embraced her son, careful to avoid touching Kirjava. She stepped back with a proud smile and watery eyes. "You're getting so old, you're not the little boy who ran around my legs anymore."

"Mum," Will groaned, even as he smiled. "Don't bring that up now!"

"Alright, alright." Elaine held up her hands and stepped back.

"Happy birthday, Will," Mary patted his shoulder. "Why don't you sit down for the main event?"

Will tilted his head and realised Lyra had slipped through to the kitchen. She was still whispering to Pan, hushed voices picked up by Kirjava's delicate ears. Will sat down on the sofa as he was directed to do, Kirjava kneading her paws into his lap in a mix of amusement and agitation. He could feel it too, a spark across his skin that had him tapping his knees and shaking his leg. He wanted to hug Lyra, it was the first thing he'd wanted to do since walking in the door, but he'd wait patiently to see what she'd thought up. He'd always been good at that.

The lights went out again.

Then a dim glow filled the room, radiating from the candles stuck into a cake in Lyra's arms. It highlighted her jawline and dark eyes, sparkling off the white sections of Pan's fur where he was curled around her neck.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you."

Lyra didn't actually sing, just mouthed along. Will stifled a laugh. She was horribly off tune when she sang, one thing she had absolutely no talent for.

"Happy birthday Will, Kirjava," Lyra said when she reached them, placing the cake down in front of both. Pan echoed her words. She shuffled in front of him, weight shifting from foot to foot and hands unable to stay still. "Make a wish!"

Will looked down at the cake, eyebrow raising momentarily. It wasn't the most evenly shaped thing, colourful icing swirled across it in no discernable pattern. It was clearly handmade, but much too novice for his mum. His stomach fluttered, speechless. Had she made this for him?

"C'mon, make a wish already."

Will laughed. He blew out the candles, then leaned forward to kiss Lyra across the cake. It was short but sweet, passing his wish from his heart to hers.

I wish to spend every birthday like this.

They pulled away from each other with gentle eyes and soft smiles. Will wanted to kiss her again, but was aware that his mum and Mary were in the room. There'd be plenty of time to enjoy each other's company later. He caught Lyra's hand and pulled her over to sit next to him.

"What did you wish for?" Lyra asked. Pan slid down her front and pressed against Kirjava, entangling across both of their laps.

"It won't come true if I tell you."

"That's stupid," Lyra rolled her eyes, but didn't push further. Of course neither really believed in birthday wishes, they'd had enough of leaving their futures in the hands of fate, but there was still something comforting thinking of one. It gave him something to grasp with his own hands. "I hope the cake's alright... Your mum tried it and didn't die, so that's a good sign."

"Thankfully I didn't," Elaine commented drily, handing Will a knife to cut the cake with. "Would've been a nasty birthday present."

"Glad it's not deadly," Will chuckled, leaning forward to cut it. "I'm assuming everyone wants a piece?"

After getting their agreement he cut everyone a generous slice, noting the mix of colours inside the cake too. It certainly wasn't aesthetically pleasing, but he didn't care. Lyra herself made up for that. The two adults took seats across from them and started chatting away.

Lyra's gaze burned into him, narrowed and nervous as she seemed to wait for him to eat first. He took a large piece in his fork, putting it in his mouth with no hesitation.

It was surprisingly good for the colours. A little dry, but full of chocolate flavour and not too heavy. He took another bite with a hum. Kirjava relaxed on his lap with a purr as her human ate, nuzzling into Pan.

"Is it good? Do you like it?" Lyra discarded her own plate to grip his arm, eyes wide with both expectation and anxiety. He smiled to reassure her, resting one hand over hers.

"I do. Thank you, Lyra, I love it." A pause, voice lowering to a whisper only the four of them could hear. "I love you so much. Thank you for making this birthday the best I've had."

They went away for a weekend on Lyra’s sixteenth birthday. They took a two hour train to a small town and got a small apartment for two nights.

It was quiet and surrounded by forests, the exact kind of peacefulness they were looking for. There were very few people when they arrived late on Friday evening, which meant they didn’t have to worry about strange looks as they carried their daemons through the streets. It wasn’t every day you saw a young girl with a Pine Marten on her shoulder.

The first thing they did when they arrived was collapse in bed, falling asleep in each other's arms with their Daemons curled up at their feet.

They were woken the next morning by the sunlight flickering through still open blinds. It was early but they'd both slept plenty enough to get up.

That didn't stop Lyra from grumbling. Will managed to detach himself from her but she remained in bed, pouting grumpily and clinging to both Kirjava and Pan instead. It was so stupid to get up so early when they were away! Surely they should make the most of being able to just lie in bed.

"I'll make breakfast," Will laughed affectionately. "You'll be itching to go when you wake up."

Lyra couldn't deny that. While she was grumpy immediately after waking up, once she had a bit of time she was raring to go. That didn't mean she didn't enjoy time spent lounging in bed with Will. It was the only time she could stay still long enough. Only when with him.

It only took a little while for her to shake off sleep, both her and Pan forcing themselves out of bed. She pulled on a baggy hoodie of Will's she particularly liked and padded out into the small living room cross kitchen in the apartment. Will was frying bacon and eggs, the delectable smell wafting around as she collapsed on the sofa. She drew her legs up under herself and Pan and Kirjava curled up in a pile on top of her.

“Morning, sleepyhead,” Will hummed, leaning in for a kiss before placing a full plate in front of her on the coffee table. He sat down with his own. “Happy birthday. To think, we’re both sixteen now.”

“In my world it isn’t that important of an age,” Lyra shrugged, digging into the food she’d been served. “Don’t understand why everyone makes a big deal of it here.”

“Well, it’s not quite as big as our eighteenth, but it’s a big one… You can leave home, leave school, get a full time job and the like,” Will smiled softly as he explained. “Most at school just want the excuse to throw a big party.”

“And you’re using it to take me away for the weekend,” Lyra laughed, light blush sprinkling her cheeks. Every year since she’d come to his world they’d celebrated her birthday, even if she’d almost begun to forget when it was. Back in Jordan there was only Roger to celebrate it with, and they couldn’t do much. Now she’d had a small group… But she still wished he was here with her. That never got easier. She pushed away those thoughts before she got too caught up in it. “So I can drop out of school then?”

“You can, but you shouldn’t,” Will snorted. “Mary wouldn’t be happy.”

“Nor would we,” Kirjava purred, paws kneading into Lyra’s knees as a warning. She rolled her eyes. She’d only been joking! Mostly.

“Don’t worry, I love school far too much,” Lyra drawled, finishing off her toast and licking her fingers. “It’s so fun.”

“Especially for me, not having to put up with Lyra anymore,” Pan piped up, earning a glare from Lyra. The other two laughed.

“Hey, it’s my birthday, be nice.”

“Technically it’s my birthday too.”

Well, he wasn’t wrong.

“I’ll take this if you’re done,” Will stifled more laughter, leaning forward to take away Lyra’s empty plate. “It’s a lovely day, so I was thinking we could go out on a walk. What do you think?”

“Yes please!” Lyra’s eyes lit up. She’d chosen this place of all the options Will had given her because of the woodland around them, and the hills to climb. While she was used to city life, she missed the great outdoors. She spent almost a year there between her journey to the north and their travels together. Her Oxford was smaller too, more green. There wasn’t much she missed from her world, but the freedom of places with very few other people… she missed that.

“Mm, go get dressed then.”

“Yes, boss,” Lyra retorted sarcastically, sticking her tongue out at his back before scampering to their bedroom. She rummaged through the shared suitcase without much care, her side already incredibly messy from her search for pyjamas the day before. She pulled on comfortable, teal corduroy shorts and a loose white t-shirt. It was warm enough outside to not need anything more… and she needed to be able to move around easily! It had been so long since she’d had an opportunity to climb trees, and she was older and bigger now. Surely it would be even easier than before. Not to mention a walk up nearby hills… Though she doubted it would be anywhere near as bad as the trek through the land of the dead.

“You should put on sunscreen,” Pan commented, paws on the edge of the suitcase as he looked around for it.

“I survived without it for thirteen years,” Lyra snorted, grabbing it from under Pan’s nose in contrast to her words. It’s just that she didn’t want to burn if she could help it. She’d never had a problem with it before, happy to go around with red peeling skin after spending so long under the sun that she’d tanned then burned. All the adults around her admonished her stupidity, but she didn’t care. Playing up on the rooftops was much more important.

Now, though, she could prevent that. She still wasn’t that fussy about her appearance but she didn’t really want Will to see her burnt. The skin peeling after was annoying too.

With a bit of Pan’s help she was satisfactorily covered, skipping out of the bedroom with a grin on her face. Will was in the middle of lacing up his boots, thick eyebrows knitted in concentration. Lyra held back a giggle. He was so handsome.

“Are you coming too?” she asked, directing it towards Kirjava and Pan. She grabbed her own shoes and pulled them on.

Kirjava shared a look with Will before purring, “of course.”

“I’ve missed forests,” Pan sighed. Lyra understood. Their two daemons had traversed many worlds together and seen many things. Not to mention Pan’s settled form wasn’t really a city animal, enjoying wild places just as much as Lyra did. “Bet you can’t climb trees anymore, Lyra.”

“No way,” Lyra scoffed, sticking out her tongue at her daemon. “I was climbing trees in my sleep before! I en’t gonna lose that talent.”

“I think I’d remember that,” Pan murmured, shaking himself out. Kirjava chuckled from beside him.

“Ready?” Will stood up, interrupting the bickering between them. Lyra nodded, grabbing hold of Will’s outstretched hand. “Alright, let’s go.”

Will fussed a bit about making sure all the lights were off and the door was locked, but Lyra managed to drag him out of the door eventually. She took in a deep breath of the fresh air, comforting to her lungs, with a sigh. How she’d missed this.

The path that Will had chosen to go along was worn, a dirt track with roots and muddy patches from the last time it rained. It suited them perfectly, with very few other walkers around. They wandered hand in hand, daemons flitted about the trees nearby. It was Pan who climbed the most while Kirjava watched, occasionally coming back to lounge in Will’s free arm.

“Hey Will,” Lyra swung their joined hands back and forth, looking up at her partner with inquiring eyes. “Have you ever come here before?”

“Not here specifically,” Will shrugged, bright sunlight hitting him as they emerged from the shadow of the trees for a stretch of the walk. It highlighted his features, a jawline far more masculine than when they’d first met, and made him look almost dazzling. Lyra found herself distracted, almost stumbling over a root, as she just looked at him. His hair had grown out over the exam period, tight curls that now fell down across his forehead. They were both so different from when they first met four years ago, but she still loved him with everything she had.

“Well, it’s perfect,” she said eventually, after zoning out just staring at him for a moment. Will grinned, twinkle in his dark eyes showing he knew exactly what was going on. Because of course he did. “We should come here again, make a thing of it. Make it our place… Just like Cittagazze could’ve been if we’d been able to go again.”

“We can do that,” Will nodded, squeezing her hand in his. “But maybe not every year… Unless you’re going to pay for it?”

“No way,” Lyra laughed. She got an allowance from Mary, but was incredibly frugal with it. It was nowhere near enough for a yearly holiday anyway. She’d not had much understanding of money before coming to Will’s world, because she hadn’t been given any money of her own. The essentials were provided for, and there were gifts, but she never got to buy what she wanted. So she treasured and saved it for things she truly wanted. “Just for special occasions?”

“Sounds perfect. Honestly, I don’t care where the time is spent as long as we’re together.”

“You’re the one that dragged me here for my birthday!” Lyra teased, barged into his side with a giggle. He dropped her hand and instead wrapped an arm around her waist, jokingly poking the more sensitive skin there. She snorted and elbowed him gently. “What, I’m just telling the truth!”

“Just because I enjoy time with you anywhere doesn’t mean I don’t want to go somewhere special.” His eyes glowed, crinkled at the side with pure joy. She felt like she was floating everytime he looked at her like this, his entire being so filled with love. She knew her own expression reflected it, grin wide and eyes sparkling. “And you like it, don’t you?”

“I love it.”

“You’ll love it even more when we get to the end of this walk.”

Lyra tilted her head, instantly curious about what they were walking towards. Was it some kind of present? No, they were out in the middle of nowhere. What was Will planning?

No amount of pestering got Will to open up as they continued along the path, Lyra practically bouncing at his side while attempting to get out the information. She was buzzing with energy, wanting to run to the end but not wanting to leave Will’s side. Their daemons joined them again eventually, Pan infected by Lyra and unable to keep still as well. Kirjava watched them both without giving anything away.

It was midday when they reached it.

“Come look at the view, Lyra,” Will dragged her over to the hilltop view point, gesturing to the land in front of them. It spanned for miles, trees of all colours in front of them. The sun shone down on them from high in the sky, highlighting their viridescent greens with ecstatic joy. Thin rivers meandered through the forest and met at a shining lake, pure blue and reflecting the peaceful trees around it.

It was beautiful.

“Wow, is this what you wanted to show me?” Lyra gasped, glancing up at Will before looking back at the view. Pan scurried in front of her to look too, standing on his hind legs to see it better. It was amazing… but she still didn’t understand why Will had been so tight lipped about it. They’d seen so much, what was so special about this view for him to refuse to tell her anything about it the whole way.

She was about to ask him about it when she realised he wasn’t behind her anymore. Normally she’d notice when he moved even a step away from her, but she’d been so caught up in the sights that she hadn’t.

“Will-” The words fell from her lips as she turned around and her vision dropped down.

Will was down on one knee in front of her, an elegant black box opened to reveal a simple silver ring. Her mind stopped working for a moment, struggling to catch up with what was happening.

“Lyra Silvertongue, will you marry me?”

Lyra was stunned, eyes feeling hot as she forced back the tears threatening to pool in her eyes. She’d already vowed to spend all her life with Will, but somehow his proposal made it seem truly real. They were together for all the rest of the time they had.

“Yes, of course, yes.”

She held herself back as he slipped the ring on her finger, before leaping into his arms. Her legs wrapped around his waist and she buried her face into his shoulder, pushing back sobs. She felt like she was floating, even as her whole world was narrowed down to being in his arms. Will laughed joyfully, lips pressing against the side of her face. She could feel something wet against her skin - he was crying too.

It was like a dam had been broken, her happiness overflowing out of her and forming into a constant stream of tears. She’d never wanted anything like this before Will. But with him she wanted everything they could have. He made everything seem so different and so hopeful.

“I love you,” she whispered into his shoulder, tightening her arms around his broad back. She tilted her head up so she could actually see him, eyes soft and sparkling with tears. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too,” Will pressed his forehead against hers, holding her face in his hands and rubbing away the still falling tears. “More than anything.”

They shared a kiss, as did their daemons, under the shining sky and the swaying trees, filled to the brim with love.