Chapter 26:

  Reunited

  (Lucas's POV)

  To be smothered by a beautiful woman was almost every man and many women's dream. That came true for me today. I was finally free from house arrest in order to meet Elizabeth who came back from her expedition. I waited for her near where we had st seen each other outside of the Wild Zone border.

  She saw me before I saw her. I was in her embrace before I had even had time to realize what was going on, but immediately, I knew just from her touch who it was. The scent of her filled my nostrils, even as I could barely breathed. My face pressed firmly into her chest.

  "Lucas...you're safe," she whispered, lifting me up as I was assaulted by kisses.

  She didn't care who saw, and honestly, neither did I. Though, it was still a little embarrassing.

  "E-Ellie, come on," I protested pyfully, a blush to my face, "I can barely breath."

  "I can't help it," she defended, "I've missed you so much."

  "Heh, I missed you too," I agreed, finally able to free myself a bit to wrap my arms around her, "I missed you dearly..."

  I spoke softly, smiling at her as warmly as I could. I drunk her image in, eyes scanning every part of her face before nding upon her lips. Gncing up at her, she had the same idea as I did. Pulling me into a deep, passionate kiss, the entire world became drowned out in the sweet taste of her lips that I had missed so much.

  "Damn..." I breathed as she finally let me go, causing me to be a bit dizzy; her firm hands steadying me, "You really did miss me."

  "Of course!" She pouted, crossing her arms in defiance, "Do you think I'd lie?"

  "Not at all, dear," I chuckled, reaching a hand up to her face, feeling her for the first time in a long time, "I just...I'm just gd you're back and in one piece."

  "Yes, I'm finally back," she replied with a warm smile, pcing a hand over mine as she pressed her face further against my palm, "Though, just because I am...don't think you're free from house arrest."

  Her smile turned devilish as a chill ran down my spine.

  "E-Ellie, come on..." I pleaded, sulking a bit, "I've been stuck inside for days now...I had to beg Maya to let me even use the garden, and that's still inside!"

  Glowering at Maya pyfully, she looked away nonchantly, pretending she had no idea what I was talking about. The sound of Elizabeth's ughter filled my ears and soothed my heart. Hearing her ughter was enough to remove any trace of being upset from me, if I had been in the first pce, which I wasn't.

  "Come on," Elizabeth took my hand, entwining her fingers with mine, "Let's get out of here. I'm exhausted and I need a recharge."

  "...Sounds like a pn," I agreed with a gentle smile.

  Azure flew up to greet Elizabeth now that things had settled down. She greeted him with under the chin scritches, much to his delight. To be honest, I was a little jealous of him, but having Elizabeth's hand in mine was enough to sooth things over. I couldn't have been happier having everyone back together again.

  It felt like I was walking on cloud nine. Azure, Maya, and Elizabeth were all with me once more. This was as it should be. However, before we got too far, I suddenly had another person's face in mine. Beautiful brown skin and silvery blue eyes blinking in curiosity.

  "So, this him, huh?" Ailyah, the Silver inquired, holding her chin in a thinking expression, "Nice to meet you! I wanted to say hello before our Goddess swept you away!"

  I was starstruck seeing Ailyah the Silver so close to me, let alone talking with me. Before I could return her greeting, a hand pulled her back in exasperation.

  "Give the boy some space, Ailyah," Richard, the Deadeye reprimanded, "Honestly...have some manners."

  "Oh, shut it!" Ailyah retorted, giving him a knowing look, "You were just as excited to meet the one who stole our Captain's heart."

  "That's beside the point..." Richard replied, slightly flustered.

  "Both of you, calm down," Elizabeth ordered and the both of them cmmed up, "Honestly...we barely got two steps."

  "Exactly!" Ailyah held up an admonishing finger, "You were trying to whisk him away before you introduced us!"

  "That's...not entirely true," Elizabeth answered, and I was awed to see that she looked a little flustered.

  "...Cute," I muttered, causing her to become even more flustered.

  "W-What do you mean cute?" she demanded, scowling at me.

  "I mean what I said," I stated, standing my ground, "It's rare to see you interact with others. Seeing that you have such a good retionship with them...it's nice. It's also a bonus to see that even you can get embarrassed."

  "I'm not embarrassed," Elizabeth denied with a huff, though the blush in her cheeks betrayed her.

  "Sure, sure," I teased with a smile, "Anyways...I'm Lucas. It's nice to meet you two. I'm a huge fan."

  I raised my free hand to shake theirs. Ailyah looked at it in pleasant surprise before taking it and giving it a delicate shake.

  "Hear that, Ricky," Ailyah called to Richard, "He's a fan! Isn't that wonderful!"

  "...It's nice to hear," Richard admitted, taking my hand next to shake it, "It's a pleasure."

  "Pleasure is all mine," I replied, feeling simply awestruck by the fact I was surrounded by some of the most famous Pyers in the world.

  Honestly, I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would be here today. I mean, after all, who would have thought that...huh? The world spun violently as my head suddenly burst in pain. A feeling of nostalgia and vertigo overtook me. Wincing, I held my hand to my head as I felt firm hands take hold of me.

  The feeling of pills being pced in my mouth and a water bottle pced to my lips was followed by the cool sensation of water going down my throat. After a moment, the world came back into focus, and I realized that I was leaning against Elizabeth who looked down at me in worry. Maya was right there with the water bottle. She held it hesitantly as if she wasn't sure if she might need it again or not.

  "Easy now, Lucas..." Elizabeth's voice called sweetly.

  "I'm alright," I reassured with a smile, "Sorry for worrying you."

  "Don't be ridiculous," she replied softly, "It was that again, wasn't it?"

  "I...think so, yeah," I nodded with a heavy sigh, "I'm sor-"

  "Shh, it's fine," Elizabeth pced a finger to my lips to silence my apology, "You've nothing to apologize for. It's a bit too much all at once."

  I felt bad for causing trouble so soon after she returned. It wasn't quite the reunion I had hoped, but I was truly gd she was there. Noticing that Ailyah and Richard were still nearby, I gave them as best of a smile as I could.

  "Sorry about that," I told them, "I get really bad headaches sometimes. Feels like my head is going to split open and I get really dizzy."

  "What did I say about apologizing?" Elizabeth inquired.

  She was stern, but her words were filled with love. I couldn't help but look a bit bashful.

  "Is it a medical condition?" Ailyah inquired with concern, "I could try a skill on him that might-"

  "Not now," Elizabeth interrupted firmly, "I don't want to stress his body."

  "Of course," Ailyah acknowledged with a bow of her head, "Just say the word."

  "Thank you," Elizabeth nodded, and before I could protest, I was lifted into her arms princess style, "But...we're going to head home now. Both of us need rest and I want to spend time with Lucas. Can you guys take care of things here?"

  "Ellie..." I muttered, embarrassed by being suddenly lifted, "I can walk..."

  "Good for you," Elizabeth teased with a smirk, "I'm still carrying you."

  "...Fine," I knew arguing wasn't going to work, and I did feel surprisingly comfortable.

  So, instead of arguing further, I simply wrapped my arms around her neck, nuzzling my head into her shoulder. Mainly to hide my embarrassment, but more importantly...I wanted to feel that this was real, and by taking in her scent and holding her close, I knew that this wasn't a dream.

  "Don't worry about us," Richard told Elizabeth, "We got things here. Get some rest, Captain."

  With a firm nod, Elizabeth began walking briskly with Maya close behind. Azure flew up to me, mewing in concern as he nudged his way into my arms, snuggling up close.

  "I'm sorry," Elizabeth whispered quietly, "I know that it's embarrassing, but please indulge me. I can't take any chances."

  "...I know," I replied softly, tightening my hold on her, "However, if I can't say sorry...neither can you. Don't apologize for who you are. That's the person I love, you know."

  She smirked with a tender look in her eye. I knew she was worried about losing me. I had done something that caused her to worry, and I wasn't talking about my dizzy spell. I knew that the attack on me had her worried.

  "I'll indulge you as much as you need," I told her, which caused a dangerous glint to enter her eye, "So long as you let me breathe."

  "Oh?" just a single word held so many implications that I felt a flush of embarrassment wash over me, "You're pying with fire, Lucas. Don't worry, I'll ensure you breathe just fine."

  Gulping, I resigned myself to whatever fate awaited me. There was no fighting it, and honestly...I didn't want to. Who would? Fools, that's who.

  -----

  (Lucas's POV, Cont.)

  It was the first time we slept in our own bed together at the apartment. I had gotten so used to Elizabeth sharing my bed at my old apartment that it had been difficult sleeping alone while she was gone. It just...didn't feel right.

  Now, I was beginning to question my own sanity, because I had not left this bed except to take a shower and use the bathroom for the st couple of days. Elizabeth refused to leave it, and who was I to argue? That was, of course, an exaggeration, but it sure felt like I spent most of my time stuck in Elizabeth's embrace.

  Well, stuck was a very loose term. I reveled in her embrace, and you definitely didn't hear me compining. The only thing that felt strange was when Maya removed her bed from the room and began sleeping in her own room. I had gotten so used to her keeping an eye on me that I had forgotten what it was like without her there.

  At least when we were awake, she was always by our side. Both of them, Ellie and Maya, doted on me like some fragile creature. It was a bit overwhelming, but incredibly endearing. I knew they cared and were just worried. I mean, what could you do when you're facing two Yandere's? Let me tell you...not much.

  "E-Ellie, I can feed myself..." I barely got done swallowing the first bite of breakfast before Elizabeth was already trying to shove some French Toast down my throat again, "At least let me get a drink of...oh for fucks sake. Maya! I can drink it myself!"

  I was exasperated with the two of them working in tandem, but they simply found it amusing. It wasn't like I could really argue. It was adorable in its own way, but damn...I wasn't crippled or anything. Not to the extent that I couldn't feed myself.

  "I thought you said you'd indulge me, my love?" Elizabeth teased with a mischievous smile, "Well, indulge me."

  "...That's a cheap shot," I grumbled, opening my mouth for her to push the food inside.

  I didn't stop grumbling, even as I swallowed, with Maya holding up the gss of milk for me to drink afterwards. It felt like I was suddenly a toddler who couldn't be trusted with anything. To be fair...I did wander off like I promised not to, but it wasn't like I was going to do that at the breakfast table!

  "Cheap or not, Lucas, I'm going to spoil you rotten," Elizabeth stated with a devilish smirk, "For myself and for you. That means we're going to go shopping."

  "...I can't say no, can I?" I asked in pyful resignation.

  "Well, you could, but I have been hard of hearing tely," Elizabeth smirked, leaning in to give me a gentle kiss on the cheek, "Come on, it won't be that bad. I just...I want you to be safe, and that means new clothes have to be made."

  I met her gaze, seeing in them a soft pleading. She wouldn't force me if I truly didn't want to, but there was no way I could or even would say no. Not when I knew that behind those eyes was a lifetime of pain. I had promised to always put a happy smile on her face, for I could not allow her to smile that sorrowful smile again. I refused.

  "You know I can't say no to you," I whispered, pcing my forehead against hers, "I'd be happy to go with you."

  She smiled gratefully, pcing her hand on the back of my head before pulling me in for a soft, but loving kiss.

  "Thank you, my love," her words were as warm as the eyes she looked upon me with.

  I could feel my heart flutter, and despite knowing this wasn't a dream, it all felt so surreal. I honestly don't think it would ever feel real, but I was fine with that. So long as I always woke up next to her, I knew that things would be fine.

  -----

  (Elizabeth's POV)

  Her heart was aflutter from the moment she saw him waiting for her outside of the Wild Zone to this very moment several days ter. Elizabeth was riding a euphoric high that she didn't want to come down from. Every second she cherished. Every moment she burned into her memory.

  Lucas was as accommodating as ever. She felt truly spoiled having him all to herself. Well, retively speaking. Azure and Maya were never very far, but it wasn't like Elizabeth minded. They were important to Lucas and so were welcome to stay. Besides...

  "Don't think I've forgotten, Maya," Elizabeth teased as they waited for Lucas to finishing taking a shower.

  "Miss?" Maya raised a curious eyebrow in questioning.

  "You know exactly what I'm talking about," Elizabeth's eyes glinted mischievously, "Luke, huh?"

  Maya's face remained stoic, save for a light blush that entered her cheeks.

  "I take it you two bonded while I was gone?" Elizabeth continued, leaning on the countertop she sat at as she looked to Maya amusingly, "Tell me...what happened?"

  Maya cleared her throat, adjusting herself from where she was standing guard. They were in the main bedroom, with Elizabeth sitting at the small home bar in one of the corners. Maya stood nearby, though was half-way to the door into the bathroom. They could both hear the water running faintly from the shower as a silence fell over them.

  Maya gnced towards the bathroom door, looking unsure if she should move or not, but after a moment of thought, she took a deep breath and walked closer to Elizabeth. It was adorable how conscious of Lucas she was. At least, Elizabeth thought so. To find someone who cared about his safety almost as much as she did if not as much as she did was quite refreshing, and was one of the reasons she had always made Maya a priority after Lucas.

  "There isn't much to say," Maya expined quietly, "It was a momentary ck of decorum on my part."

  "Oh, don't give me that bullshit," Elizabeth scoffed, rolling her eyes; taking the stirring stick from her drink, she aimed it at Maya, "In the words of Lucas...you're being a Tsundere."

  "Well, actually...he mentioned something about being a Kuudere," Maya replied with a soft smile.

  "Ha! That's just like him," Elizabeth mused with a smirk, "I suppose you would be more like that, but in this case...you're denying how close you two have gotten. That's Tsundere behavior if ever I saw it."

  "...I'm not denying it," Maya let out a gentle sigh, "I like him. He's a good person and..."

  "And?" Elizabeth encouraged.

  "And...a good friend," Maya finished her statement, rexing a bit as she spoke, "I do care about him, El. In the short time I've been with him, he's accepted me more than anyone I've ever met besides you."

  Elizabeth heard in her words a hidden meaning. A certain implication that didn't go unnoticed by her.

  "...He saw Orchid, didn't he?" Elizabeth inquired.

  Immediately, Maya flinched ever so slightly before nodding curtly, confirming Elizabeth's suspicions.

  "You were pretty vague on what happened," Elizabeth took a sip of her drink, staring into its confines as she thought before looking up at Maya with keen, cool, and gentle eyes, "How did he respond?"

  Maya shifted, a little uncomfortable as a deeper blush entered her face.

  "He...hugged me," Maya answered and for the first time in a while, Maya's whole professional facade dropped.

  She looked to Elizabeth in sheer disbelief.

  "I mean...who does that!?" Maya inquired, throwing her hands up in exasperation, "He just...he...how!? He didn't care about the blood or violence...just that I was safe. All the while, he was the one in danger. How can someone be so...so..."

  She struggled to find the words, gesturing wildly. Elizabeth reveled in this rare moment of seeing her dearest friend come into understanding just who Lucas was as a person.

  "Ignorant? Oblivious?" Elizabeth chuckled, and though she was berating him, Elizabeth loved Lucas and everything she said was said with tenderness, "He's severely unaware of just how simple he is, but that is why we have to make sure he's safe. That kind heart of his always gets him into trouble."

  Maya crossed her arms over the counter, resting her head upon them. She sulked slightly, allowing herself to drop all forms of decorum in the moment as she mented her plight. A plight that Elizabeth knew personally, for it was a plight that she herself has had many, many times.

  "He's just so...vulnerable," Maya decred firmly, "I didn't realize what you meant until now. He's like a puppy."

  "A very adorable puppy, but yes," Elizabeth nodded in agreement, "He's always been like that. Always. Though, as foolish as he is...I've seen what he's like when those he cares about are in danger."

  Maya looked at her curiously, but Elizabeth was silent as she reminisced. She had a certain weakness that she wasn't about to reveal just yet. It'd be more fun if he discovered it again. After a moment, Elizabeth simply smiled.

  "He's fiercely loyal and cares about those close to him," Elizabeth stated, sighing dreamily, "So, if he was worried about you, as silly as that is, then take that as a compliment."

  "...He acted as if everything was normal," Maya mused, a soft smile to her lips, "How can he be like that?"

  "The longer you think on it, the more it won't make sense," Elizabeth ughed lightly, "Trust me, I've tried to understand it since my first regression. After a while, you realize...it doesn't matter. He accepts me as I am...and he accepts you. That's just him."

  "Yeah...he's fucking strange, El," Maya grumbled, pushing herself from the countertop.

  Elizabeth was quite surprised and entertained as Maya swore. She wasn't one to do so, and for Lucas to have gotten her to do it was amusing. Adjusting and composing herself, Maya took a deep, calming breath as she returned to her typical, more collected self.

  "Of course, I'm not saying that's a bad thing," Maya concluded, and Elizabeth could only agree.

  "Heh, yes, he's quite the strange one," Elizabeth smiled, finishing her drink and setting it aside as she leaned on one arm, looking at Maya in wonder, "I hope you two continue to get along. It's good seeing you break out of your shell, Maya."

  Maya blushed, rolling her eyes in her own way as she returned to guarding the door to the bathroom. Soon, Lucas came out, dressed and ready, though that uncanny sense of his kicked in as he looked between the two of them.

  "Is everything alright?" He asked, lifting his arm to let Azure nd on it as he came zooming over to greet him, "You two look tense."

  He scratched Azure under the chin, unaware that the tension he felt was their mutual concern for him.

  "Not at all, Sir," Maya answered, standing straight, "We were just discussing recent events."

  Lucas shrunk back a bit, bashful at being reminded.

  "Right...have I mentioned I'm sorry?" Lucas chuckled nervously, warming Elizabeth's heart.

  Maya and her shared a silent look of mirth between.

  "Multiple times," Elizabeth said as she stood from her seat and sauntered over to him.

  Wrapping her arms around him from behind, she pulled him in close and took a deep whiff of his freshly cleaned self. This caused him to blush deeply. An adorable reaction and one she had hoped for.

  "However, as much as you've apologized..." Elizabeth took on an obsessive tone, "You've yet to make up for it. Remember...you promised to indulge me."

  He sulked but didn't compin. Instead, he wrapped his arms around hers, holding them tight to him as he looked up with gentle eyes.

  "I didn't forget, Ellie," he spoke softly.

  They became lost in each other's eyes, staring intimately at one another. She could feel his heart beating quickly through her contact with him, which only increased her own heartbeat. Only Maya clearing her throat brought the two of them back to reality.

  "I don't mean to interrupt, but..." Maya stated in that nonchant tone of hers, "We have an appointment to keep. Just because you can commission them at any time, doesn't mean you should."

  Elizabeth felt a little embarrassed, but Maya was right. The Ateliers of Aegis may do anything she requested, but it was important to keep a good retionship with them. Of course, if they did compin, she could just help them to understand just how important it was that they did their work.

  "Ellie, I'm afraid to ask, but..." Lucas looked up at her nervously, "Why do you have such a cruel smile on your face suddenly? Should I be worried?"

  "Oh, nothing for you to concern yourself about, dear," Elizabeth assured him, caressing his cheek, "You're not the one who should be worried. Trust me, you'll know if you do."

  Lucas looked even more nervous, chuckling awkwardly. She could tell that he was choosing not to pursue his line of questioning for his own sanity. He was just too adorable. Oh, the pns she had for him. That is what he should be worried about, but...for now, they had to get him new clothes. His current ones just didn't offer the proper protection.

  She couldn't rest easy until she was sure he had some safety nets.

  -----

  Nikushimi