In the Way of the Viewfinder

Twenty-Three

It didn't take them long to get back to the house and Kira changed into something more comfortable, before sitting on her bed with a sigh. She had been writing in her journal for nearly half an hour, when Colby appeared and leaned against the doorframe.

"Hey," he greeted with a sad smile, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Kira mumbled in response, "Thank you for what you did... you didn't have to do that."

"You don't have to thank me, that guy is a jerk," Colby told her with a shrug, "Can we talk?"

"Sure."

"I saw the comments on the photos," Colby explained as he took a seat on the end of her bed, "Honestly, I don't really pay much attention to the negative comments on my posts anymore because, despite being on YouTube, it is still *my* life and any true fan would just want to see me happy."

"You and Sam have worked so hard for everything that you've built, I just don't want to get in the way."

"You've never been in the way... ever," Colby assured her, "I know that the nasty comments send your mind into a spiral because of the stuff that happened in the past, but I love you, Ki, and I don't want to lose you because of some jealous girls that I don't even know. I know that you feel like a burden a lot of the time, but, despite what you think, you're not too much and I wish that you could see what I do."

"Can we start again?" Kira whispered as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I'd really like that... I missed you," Colby answered, wiping the tears from her cheeks and pulling her into a hug, "Just promise me that you'll talk to me if you're having doubts in future."

"I promise."

Cuddled into his side a while later, Kira listened to the steady beat of his heart and allowed darkness to drag her under. Awake early the next morning, she carefully untangled herself from Colby's embrace and headed downstairs to make everyone breakfast.

She had just finished adding the final pancake to the stack, when strong arms wrapped around her from behind and she smiled as Colby pressed a kiss against her neck.

"Morning," Kira said, leaning back into his warmth and resting her head back on his shoulder, "There's fresh coffee in the pot."

"Perfect," Colby replied, letting her go as Corey joined them and pouring them all a cup of coffee.

"Order is restored," Corey announced with a grin, taking a seat at the table and chucking a piece of kiwi into his mouth, "Breakfast looks amazing."

The others soon emerged and, for the first time in weeks, they all sat down to eat as a group. Kira didn't know if it was because she'd fixed things with Colby or not, but she felt lighter than she had in a while and it felt good to be surrounded by the people she classed as family.