Vega, hearing Anthony’s words, immediately had hope fill her eyes as she instantly understood that maybe Anthony was going to support her.

"Does this mean..." she began to speak, but before she could even finish her sentence, Anthony shook his head without a word.

The hope that filled Vega’s eyes vanished immediately as she began to speak, "I already have a plan for that. I know if I tell Mom, she would agree, so I plan to also convince her to make Dad not interfere," she paused for a moment before adding, "only she can knock some sense into him."

Anthony nodded his head and said nothing else. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

He couldn’t help but think about what Klaus had told him just yesterday before he left their Estate; "Although I don’t ever want to see my daughter in danger, I hope you would be able to protect her in the Upper Galaxies."

Those were the man’s exact words. Anthony remembered the man’s voice lowering ever so slightly, but at the time, Anthony had dismissed it.

But now, he finally understood. Klaus already knew.

Although Vega hadn’t said anything to Amara and was still discussing matters with Anthony, Klaus had somehow found out, and it seemed like he was actually going to take a step back and allow Vega to do whatever she wanted in the Upper Galaxies.

’Planning to send me as a spy, huh?’ Anthony thought to himself as he didn’t bother guessing how Klaus knew. For all he cared, the man might have used some Seer-related ability or even a Time-related one. There was no knowing with Klaus. The man was simply too mysterious, and trying to understand how he operated was often a waste of effort.

Did Anthony care about Vega? Yes, deeply. But did he care about Klaus’ words? Not really, maybe just a little bit.

But he wasn’t going to make Vega unhappy just because he wanted to carry out Klaus’ ’orders.’ He would never do that. He was the one in a relationship, not Klaus, and he certainly didn’t tell Klaus how to run his marriage.

Although he understood a Father’s pain.

Yes, he didn’t want to let Vega go, but he was going to show his support regardless. That was what partners did for one another. They showed up and supported each other through anything... well, as long as it wasn’t evil or twisted. Love wasn’t simply about enjoying the happy moments together. Sometimes it was about standing beside someone even when every selfish part of you wanted to pull them back and keep them close.

Anthony rose from the couch he sat on with gentle ease as he walked towards Vega, who was seated on the bed. Getting to her side, he sat down gently, his hand moving towards hers, which rested upon her knee.

Holding her hand, he spoke in a loving tone, "why the long face and puppy eyes?" he began to speak as he tried to lighten the mood. "Who said I’m not going to support you? If you want to go on an adventure anywhere, then I wholeheartedly support you," a small smile appearing on his lips.

Vega’s eyes met his as they widened in surprise.

Yes, she had been willing to give up on the matter if Anthony didn’t like the idea, as she loved him far too much. But in that same way, Anthony loved her far too much to hold her back. The both of them loved each other deeply and were willing to support one another no matter what. It was one of the reasons their relationship had always felt so effortless and natural without the need to try.

"Thank... you," Vega spoke, her tone still barely above a whisper as it looked like a tear was going to fall from her eye at any moment.

"You don’t need to thank me, I’m just being a supportive boyfriend," Anthony smiled as he gazed into Vega’s beautiful eyes.

Vega smiled, the guilt that filled her slowly vanishing as she lowered her head and placed it on Anthony’s shoulder while he sat beside her.

"But I wouldn’t lie, Vega," Anthony continued speaking. "I’m worried. Yes, I know I will support your decision, but it doesn’t mean I don’t have concerns. I guess those concerns can only remain within my heart," he stated.

Vega didn’t speak. It was normal for Anthony to be worried. Anyone with a loving partner would be.

"Although I won’t be there, I can come visit you once in a while at the very least, right?" Anthony asked, as he didn’t want it to be a situation where Vega was breaking off all contact.

Vega smiled as she spoke, "of course. If I cut off all communication, then it’s no longer a relationship," she shook her head as she spoke, her words entirely factual.

Anthony nodded, already making a mental note to purchase an artefact from the System that would allow communication regardless of distance and restrictions. As for getting to Vega and vice versa, he had Authority Of Severance, while Vega had the Spatial Mark ability, which she had placed on Anthony’s body. So she could practically teleport to him anytime she wanted. Likewise, he could reach her if the need ever arose.

The both of them sat in silence without a word as they simply stared ahead, the silence a warm and comforting one that seemed to wrap around them and preserve the moment. Neither felt the need to speak. Sometimes the presence of someone you loved was enough.

"I was really about to give up on this whole adventure and sensing danger and pressure thing if you didn’t agree," Vega spoke, her voice cutting through the silence, her head still resting on Anthony’s shoulder.

Anthony sighed as he spoke, "it pains me that you think of me as an unsupportive boyfriend," his tone calm but lightly teasing as he shook his head.

"You know I didn’t mean it that way," Vega replied calmly.

"I know, but you still had the thought," Anthony said.

Vega merely sighed as she knew Anthony was just playing around with her. But sadly, teasing others was her game, not his.

"What time did you say we were supposed to meet at Aura Nova’s place? Dusk Planet, right?" Vega spoke, smoothly changing the topic as she reminded Anthony of their original plan.

Anthony’s eyes shifted towards the clock as he spoke, "I suppose we should get moving. It seems we are already a bit behind schedule." As he spoke, he rose to his feet.

Vega also stood as she spoke, "aren’t we buying anything? We are visiting her Home Planet for the first time."

Anthony thought for a moment as he spoke, "I don’t know if Aura Nova is really into gifts, as I don’t really know what she would love. Besides, she is too rich and is able to buy anything she wants," he stated. "But I guess we could buy something for her cat, Akira," he added in finality.

Vega immediately got to work. She took out her phone and placed some orders for premium luxury cat food. Within minutes, it arrived at the Null Estate, with the delivery man practically quaking in his boots as he couldn’t believe he was delivering cat food to the legendary Null family. The entire experience felt surreal to him, and he would probably be telling the story for years to come.

Vega received the order and returned to Anthony’s side, who simply activated Authority Of Severance, and together they vanished from the Solar System.

____

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Those of you who are in a relationship, or were in one, can tell me how I performed with the minor Chapters between Anthony and Vega, as this Author is just a single, clueless man.

Thanks for reading.