Espoir Mansion

The race was off. Blue Storm was fast. Like. Really fast. Most people would assume Lambros' ship would take the lead but in fact it was actually a newcomers... Michael? A new captain of the Blue Storm was literally hundreds of miles ahead of the rest of the Force. Michael and Milos, new units of the Aqua Force, part of the Special Operatives Forces, were taking a clean slide in this one.

"So, we could do it? What do you think honey....?"

He noticed she was a bit off. Maybe lost in thought. Haruka stopped petting her, placing his hands on her shoulder to get a better look at her.

"Y-Yukino, are you okay? What's up?"

He even very gently shook her, using a free hand to caress her face and hopefully bring her attention back. Maybe he should just let her think...

"SUCK IT, UNITED SANCTUARY BASTARDS!"

Milos was a cocky little shit. Maybe it was because of his own little... power, he possessed.

Admittedly, not the entirety of the United Sanctuary could get past the fleet of Blue Storm. They were fast, but not remotely fast enough to surpass Aqua Force. ... Unless you were Galahad and Gablade on that motorcycle, then you were trailing behind Michael and Milos' ship. Such godly speed, such divine seeker. Wow. Yunos was beyond irritated with brats of the new generation flooding in and telling him off, and thusly, began cheating. Well, it wasn't a cheat technically, as there were no rules, but Yunos was jumping ship-to-ship to try and catch up instead of waiting on the Sanctuary's vehicles to somehow miraculously zoom forth.

"I'm not getting shown up by some damn braaaaaats!!" The Swordsman of Determination roared rebelliously.

Meanwhile, Yukino was frozen over the fact that they could have not only their perfect wedding on another planet, but also their perfect honeymoon. Then that frost melted as the giddy queen began bouncing a little bit, then a lotta bit. She squealed for joy, jumping and kissing her husband-to-be again. "Let's do it, let's do it, let's do it!!" She exclaimed happily, squeezing her now-fiance tightly.

Haruka watched as his girlfriend became a rabbit in front of him. Not that she wasn't already onw when it came to the bedroom, but now she was like that here too. Haruka was sure this was going to be an amazing time. And then she clung to him again.

"H-Hey Yukino---" His lips were sealed by hers once again for a moment. She was back to the real world it seemed and she was... a bit more than excited for this event. Haruka breathed out a sigh of relief, petting his now soon-to-be wife. It was just a matter of asking the question and getting a ring.

Which wasn't really an issue anymore, considering the funds he raised living in a rent-free environment and working for the Espoirs. While he wasn't the richest of the Triad, he came away with a sizable amount of money to pay for things like a ring.

"Of course we can, love. We can stay for as long as you like, too. Probably not forever..."

Haruka wouldn't be able to live knowing Lambros and Thavas could bug him daily. Speaking of...

Milos was fast and furious. He glanced back at Galahad, giving him the finger as Michael's ship dipped down the long river toward the finish line to....

Wait, where were they racing to again? It was getting hot... Oh no. Dragons. They were in the wrong part of town already. How long had they been going now?

"S-Shit..." Even Michael and Milos knew the done screwed up.

"I'm so happy I can be with you..." Yukino mewled, seeming nothing like the cold war hero she had developed into. The ice queen from ages' past had defrosted greatly with the power of love entering her heart, meeting with Haruka and sharing experiences with him that led to now. From Father Espoir nearly killing him after he got too close to now looking forward to standing on the battlefield together. This time they had together was to never be erased - the most cherished feeling. Haruka said he wouldn't need so much protecting, but that didn't mean she wouldn't take a bullet for him just to hold onto this feeling.

That day when she didn't make it to the National Tournament.

She was so, so happy she never made it onto that stage to meet the Triad.

"We're heading for the Dragon Empire!" Cerdic shouted out to the masses. Galahad was aghast. Not at where they were headed, but at what Milos had done. How rude. The Knight of Godly Speed would've accelerated even more - he must accelerate - until Yunos jumped on the motorcycle.

"Hey, dumbass, hit the brakes! We're not trying to head into their territory!"

There's some dinosaurs coming up along the coast and Tachikaze was never known for... hospitable greetings.

"Guess even when you lose, you win, huh?"

He was remarking about the tournament. It was a strange feeling, realizing they only met because the fate of defeat said this was how it was meant to be. Who would ever think the Crayborn Queen and her King would be placed on the same path only because they were not strong enough at first. But now... now they were far more powerful than they had been back then. Haruka had regained his memories of his forsaken past, and faced them. He played a putrid trip down memory lane and realized his true potential. Yukino fought through time and space to reunite with Haruka and all of her allies despite what she had been through. If these two hadn't been through hell and back before, nobody has.

"Except being with you is always a victory."

He took her hands once more, pressing his lips to each of her fingers, then folding open her palms and laying kisses to each. This wasn't really the time or place for it. He just wanted to place kisses all over her body, like seeds ready to bloom.

HARUKA. YOUR SQUAD IS ABOUT TO GET ROASTED BY KAGERO'S ELITE TASK FORCE, ABORT THE MISSION ASAP.

"Can we turn around, Captain?"

"No hope for that, Cadet. We speed ahead... and pray."

Lambros and Thavas' ship stopped at the border just in time, but that could not be said for Milos and Michael. They were on a trip 'round the world it seemed. Gotta go fast.

The sounds of alarms, dragons, dinosaurs, and men screaming could be heard throughout Cray.

Yukino didn't pay attention, too busy focusing on how she ultimately won in her life. Queen Yukino won by defeating everyone and becoming the supreme ruler, but this snow queen won because she had her fiance still here, in love with each other as much as they were when they first began dating, if not thrice more so. They weren't strong enough to make it to Japan's top, but instead, they eventually become enough to stand in the face of that which threatens two worlds. A fair trade - a more than fair trade. Because they were standing here together, which felt like they already won the war.

A kiss to her fingers, kisses to her palms. A cute, girlish giggle. Like she was ready for another night if he was going to plant his lips all over. She got to bite him everywhere, so now is his turn.

The holy nation has been abandoned by their queen for the king of Magallanica. It's all over. She's too into him to pay any attention.

And so it was settled. He took Yukino by the hand and began leading her back towards the bedroom. They spent a majority of their time simply talking about what they wanted to do in the future, they already forgot to live in the now. As they were headed that way, Butler-san informed them that it was probably better they took some time go be elsewhere as the bedroom was... a bit of a mess.

Haruka hadn't noticed upon leaving, but with gouges and slashes the size he had, there was bound to be a bit of blood around the area. He totally forgot that happened not too long ago. Guess the wounds couldn't be too bad.

"W-Well then..."

His face was a tad red, not expecting Butler-san to intrude on their escapade to the bedroom. Maybe he just didn't want Father Espoir to spend another night with earmuffs on.

"We should probably get going, then. What do you say?"

Haruka stayed to pet Yukino for a few more moments, wondering where she wanted to spend the rest of their time today. After all, it was basically a free day for them now that the battle with Reapers was on break. Though preparation was key, as they had to be ready at all times for it. Relaxing never hurt though... right?

He smiled, pressing his forehead to hers awaiting a response.

Milos and Michael were far gone now. The sound of their ship was no longer audible. Magallanica had won the race, Haruka won the Queen's heart, and what was left?

Oh right, United Sanctuary still had more units in it. But was that really a victory?

Oh right, Yukino didn't know how to hold back, so the bedroom would be a wee bit in turmoil. Not only that, but there's also the fact that if it isn't cleaned up quickly, Father Espoir will see it, figure out what happened, then- Oh god, the Chosen Sword froze. How in God's name are they telling him they plan to get married? "U-Uh... yeah..." Yukino sweat nervously in response to Haruka's "Well then", willing to get out of the room so Butler-san could handle it. He was their hero basically, so maybe he could save her lover from getting punched into space when the news had to come out. ... If Father Espoir hadn't put two and two together already.

"Yeah... Let's go", Yukino repeated and finally agreed on leaving, sharing a few extra moments with Haruka petting her and pressing their foreheads together. ... Then a couple more moments... then a few more... Butler-san had to politely tell them to hurry up and get out of the damn room already, and politely pushed them out.

Then a maid rushed over to the couple.

"Trouble", the maid said in a panic and Zenon stated calmly. The employee gave Yukino a cell phone with an... image of Shibuya Shrine. It was corrupted and distorted, transformed into a dark altar. "That Seed is warping reality." Zenon added. Yukino had completely forgotten she had no phone, so she didn't even have a way of seeing this reported without someone coming to her.

"... Ugh", she sighed.

Haruka sighed, realizing the "free day" was coming to a quick close. He put a light hand on Yukino's shoulder, nodding that he was going along. Even if he had no real hand in what was going on, he already promised to be by her side, thick and thin, partners in crime.

Hopefully they weren't actually going to commit any crimes.

"I'm going with you."

Clearly he was. While one hand was on her shoulder, the other was tightly gripping the saber that Butler-san gave him. He was ready to use it. Well not really, he was going to have Thavas and Lambros get on this one instead but the sword made him feel brave, if not, Yukino was always there by his side to instill confidence. What a wonderful girlfriend.

"Good", she stated. Understanding who the "Seed" was that Zenon just described, it was time for her to get back several precious individuals. Namely, Darren, Ezel, and Dimension Police's Daiyusha and Daikaiser. Silently nodding in approval of Haruka's joining in the fight with a "I'm counting on you" to him, she quickly made her way downstairs and out the door with him once it was decided Yukino was to keep this new phone. However, much to her surprise, a blonde woman stood at the gate of the Espoir Manor.

"If you get past Malice, Harbinger is waiting to kill you specifically." The lady spoke to Yukino directly. While that seemed to be a message of Malice is up to no good, the queen... stared. Stared long and hard at who this person was before them. The world felt like it stopped with her revelation, finally recognizing:

"F-Fuki?!" The Chosen Sword called out to. However, as if to hinder or offend the couple, Fuki's hands were coated in void, and a widespread number of lock orbs shot out at the duo. Yukino summoned Blaster Dark, as the claymore had broader size, and used it to block those directly aimed at the two. "Fuki, is that really you?!"

"Who knows", was an unfeeling and uninterested responsive given.

N-No... If that's really Fuki, then... Yugure put the pieces of the puzzle together by just seeing her.

It only took a moment to be nearly put into a lock. Haruka wasn't quick enough to evade, but Yukino's reflexes came back to save the day with Blaster Dark. He felt a bit defenseless in the face of practical danger. His body wasn't nearly trained as it was back in the day when he was a ruthless killer... though this face looked familiar. Fuki... Fuki... where did that name ring a bell?

HOLY SHIT.

Haruka's eyes widened with horror, realizing who was right in front of him... Why was she here? What did she have to do with any of this. Haruka readied himself, probably just for evasion considering he wasn't gonna get close to that.

"Fuki, what are you doing here? W-Why are you..."

He had no words. His heart was beating too fast from nearly taking a Lock to the face to really respond properly. He looked to Yukino for the next move. She was the commander here after all.

"So you were just there the whole time?! You were with the traitor?!" Yukino grew more and more pissed off with every word that came out of her mouth, beyond furious. The utter wrath she felt considering the traitor was something the entirety of the Resistance knew too well. This woman from the destroyed timeline the commander scarcely spoke of, no one had ever seen her seething like she would whenever the subject was brought up. It seems Haruka remembered this blonde woman as well, yet, Fuki still stood without change in her expression.

"Hmph", she scoffed, ignoring the couple's questions.

"Answer me!!" Exculpate's bladed pupils changed, darting with no clear command to Haruka other than simply follow. However, in this rage filled dash, Fuki summoned another sphere of void, this time not being a lock. It shot at Blaster Dark and then a lock orb following behind it caught the commander before she could have noticed.

"Go to Malice."

"Where is she?! Where is Harbinger?!" Yukino screamed as the binding force of the black rings squeezed down on her petite frame, attempting to actually crush the life out of her.

The Lock sent out immediately got to Yukino and this time, Haruka had to act. She said she'd take a bullet for him, and if this was one of those times, then so be it. Something in Haruka...

Kicked in.

He started to sweat a little bit, to be completely honest. Like he was heating up. This hadn't happened for a really long time, not since...

Overlord's last words rang in Haruka's head. It was never the end. Despite the fall he had from grace, Haruka felt his presence in him. Haruka's sheath heated up... no way. He didn't actually bring that with him did he. How do you even bring that from another planet?!

Haruka drew out the jagged blade. The sword could've been on fire considering the heat itself emitted, causing the air around it to ripple. Haruka closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, then beginning his own assault. What followed him was the heat Overlord blessed his soul with years ago. And now he held what many considered....

"The Wind of the Apocalypse! Aid me!"

What was he doing---

Holy shit the sword actually caught on fire. Guess his past memory still serves him well. Now how well will that sword aid him here?

Memories of the battle on Cray still haunt him to this day, but better to put that... sword of knowledge to use.

Narrators shouldn't be allowed to pun.

Fuki showed the tiniest sliver of surprise in response to Haruka getting his hands on the blade that belonged to the should-be deleted Wind of the Apocalypse. But curse Harbinger's cockiness, they had restored the flame dragon's data in the Akashic Record - it existed for him again! Quickly reacting, the woman created a wall of void, utilizing some form of Lock as a black shield to cease his charge with a block. A drop of sweat came down the normally composed blonde's head. This feeling of urgency against two of those who would discover the truth, especially the one who was most angered by it... The other even called upon the memories of his "old friend" to attack her. Was she excited? Is this why she stayed hidden for so long?

For the moment of truth?

Fuki smirked, rather happy with the feeling.

Yukino, however, continued to growl and snarl as Belk worked her magic of Unlock, spinning the Lock's rings until they expanded and opened, releasing her. With the summoning of Blaster Blade, she slashed through it and attacked the black barrier with her beloved. Or at least, would have if a masked invader of long blue hair hadn't clashed with her sword with his two. Those onyx blades belonged to the Companion: Photon. Cyberoids among other machine races within the Star-vaders were usually believed to be emotionless, but the grin he gave with the malicious air about him... was reminiscent of that to the Clown's.

"Exculpate." Photon greeted snidely, proud of being the one who kidnapped Blaster Blade and set the timeline into an unstable distortion.

Fuki did what she was told and wanted to do - inform them and get a rise out of them. Letting down the void guard, she bent backwards and toward the side - diagonally to avoid Haruka's blade. It still cut some of the bottom of her shirt, but it didn't make a cut on her skin, which was fine by her. The blonde backflipped away as a reaction to whatever came next, actually feeling worry over the Overlord's sword. A dab of nothingness was needed to erase the part or parts of her attire that managed to catch on fire due to the flaming blade.

"Go to Malice", she stated again, flipping into a portal of negative energy she conjured, having it and Photon vanish.

Yukino still stood wide eyed, unbelieving of the truth she finally had evidence of. "... I think I know who the traitor is."

Jesus that girl was flexible. Literally full-blown dodge to Haruka's all out-assault against her after breaking through the barrier. What he managed was a tear at her clothing at best, but no wounds inflicted. Looks like he was still a bit rusty. Not that he shouldn't be. It's not like he spends his waking moments training. Though it does beg the question how he fit all of Overlord's giant ass sword in that small sheath made for katana. It literally expanded out when he used it, and it took an extremely high amount of energy to not only hold, but expel flame from it.

Lambros wasn't touching that shit with a ten-foot pole.

After Yukino managed to break her binds, she too was in the fight. Blaster Blade aided her in the battle against Fuki, but alas Fuki's ability to evade was absurdly high. Look's like there was no way of catching her now, even if Haruka went full out to catch her---

She went into a portal. Yeah never mind that idea.

"Yukino, are you okay?!" Haruka sheathed the flaming blade, extinguishing it as it entered the holster. He ran to his beloved's side, who seemed to be basically seething with anger. He despised whatever made Yukino have such an obviously angry expression right after she was just so happy to be ready for marriage. It was like today was perfect, just to be ruined all over again.

Haruka was royally pissed off. Though he had questions later for Cray about why the sword is still here and not on Cray right now, or with the deleted Overlord. Or for lack of a better location, deleted in general. Those questions could wait. He had to make sure Yukino was okay, and to assure they safely arrived to Shibuya before it was too late.

Fuki... why? What happened to you?

"I can't believe this... I knew I was right! That monster was right there and I could never confirm it!" Yukino shouted in reply. It was very depressing that her happiness of their future wedding faded, however, with solid evidence of who destroyed everything she loved once already, the Chosen Sword was definitely ready to brutally maim that demon for a bright future. ... And maddening revenge. Even with being empowered by wrath, the woman still winced, feeling the soreness of the Lock's heavy duty squeezing on her joints. "I'm..." She's not. "... fine." She's really not.

"Are you okay? How did you get that sword?" Yukino questioned, her breath unsteady as Blaster Blade disappeared.

Haruka helped Yukino stay on her feet, using his body as a crutch. She was struggling a bit it seems against the Lock that was imprisoned on her moments ago. It could've crushed her entirely, considering Locks weren't really meant to be used on humans, but units. Then again, Yukino technically is a unit so...

"Hmm... Oh, this, I uhm..."

He blinked at the sheath, now burning really hot. It was acting... strange. Like it was basically alive. Haruka put it back at his side, more focused on Yukino and what seemed to be potential injuries. They needed to get to Shibuya, but Yukino really needed medical attention. Really bad.

But would she accept it? No. Haruka knew her well enough by now. She would struggle through the pain to fight and save and protect. That was part of the reason he wanted to marry the girl in the first place. Why was reckless determination so attractive?

Haruka made the choice. No time to waste.

"It's Overlord's sword. It came with me when I transferred timelines with the Seed and Seifer. I had no idea where it had been this entire time. Butler-san gave it back to me earlier when I was changing... It's reacting though. We have to go now, before Malice starts tearing stuff apart in our timeline too. Are you ready to move love?"

He asked this, and immediately picked up Yukino, princess-style in his arms. This wasn't very befitting of a commander, but he needed her to be full of energy when they get to the shrine. Can't exert any while walking there.

Pain receptors were being ignored, beginning to shut off as blistering fury took precedent. Her boyfriend is okay, and that's very good news. She's not losing him to these monsters, not again. When he helped her up, she nearly grabbed onto him just to make sure has a hold on him. Just to make sure he was still out of their grasp. Exculpate was rather surprised to see the sword of Overlord, flames burning with the same life the Crimson Reaper would use to extinguish his enemies. In this case, was Haruka still connected to the flame dragon after all? It came with him, but she originally thought his ties to Kagero were cut when Aqua Force came into his life... But then again, why would they be?

"We have an extremely powerful weapon at our side then. Excellent. In that case, no time to-"

The woman stopped when Haruka lifted her up in his arms. Exculpate was ready to go, but like this?! She... She was enjoying this more than she should've been, reddening of her face like a tomato making that more than obvious.

"I-, uh..." Yugure actually lost her train of thought, but she was nodding to signal she was ready to go.

"No time to lose?"

He chuckled, planting a kiss on Yukino's lips, as she began to basically turn redder than the flames on Haruka's sword. With that, he gave her a comforting smile... and started sprinting full speed ahead.

This is what Haruka meant when he talked to Jessie about being the "speed" of the triad. While he didn't boast Yukino's bravery and wit, or Satoshi's honesty and pure muscle mass, he possessed agility and precision, boasting general intellect over practical field-skills. That was what set him apart from the group. Probably why he fit in so well with the Aqua Force, than anywhere else.

While it wasn't anything supernatural, it was above par.

They would reach the Shibuya Shrine in roughly half the time anybody else at full acceleration would, through shortcuts and some really neat footwork Haruka seemed to relearn from his past.

"For fuck's sake", Father Espoir cursed in his bedroom, looking out of his window to see his daughter and her drunk fiancee. Stupid kids loaf around in his house, now they're coming home intoxicated. Yukino was exhausted, but from a distance, she didn't look any better than him. Wait... oh, hell no. He isn't getting his little queen to start drinking, is he?! The manor began to shake and quake, fury of the lion beginning to have the earth tremble in fear of his fatherly wrath.

"S-Sir, please!" Butler-san shouted, trying to get the attention of the furious man stuck in full power dad mode. Father Espoir turned, steaming from his ears and nose. Blistering madness. "I-I'm sure they're fine! Nothing is wrong! I will have the guards check the mistress' breath, and ensure the good sir Nakahara doesn't try anything! Just, please, calm down!"

More steam.

Butler-san actually wasn't going to stop his friend from doing whatever he wanted with the mistress, he just wanted his master to not snap him in half.

Yukino was confused and annoyed when the guards at the gate checked her breath. She had most of one single drink, and everyone on staff wasn't going to tell Father Espoir she had even an ounce. They warned their fellow Haruka about the possible hammer of wrath slamming down on him, but also just recommended sleep after the Chimera battle. The queen felt a bit tongue-twisted on the way home and inside, unsure of how to respond to Haruka's silence. Was he really getting more and more fed up with her wanting to bottle everything up? Was everyone just getting upset with her not wanting to share the burden of war with anyone?

Is Hana still looking at her with those same, disappointed, irate eyes?

The queen looked back just to see if Haruka was gazing at her the same way the princess would, visibly terrified as she was turning.

Haruka grew visibly distressed when staff members started looking towards the couple after drinking. Haruka definitely downed a little alcohol but it wasn't much to make a fuss about. If anything, it just made driving a bit unsafe, and he didn't drive cars anyways so there wasn't much danger. His thoughts were perfectly in tact to begin with, just the words coming out was the issue.

When Yukino finally looked back to him, he blinked, a bit confused what she was looking at... she looked like she had just seen a ghost. No. Ten ghosts. All screaming at her. Haruka caught up with her, sobering his head up as much as possible.

"Y-Yukino, what's wrong?"

His eyes gleamed with sentiment and understanding, thinly veiled with worry of his own. He grabbed hold of one of Yukino's hands, giving a firm grip. Her gaze was filled with some sort of depression mixed with terror. What had gotten her so worked up all of a sudden?

"... Yukino."

He intertwined his fingers between hers.

"What's bothering you? I'm not beating around the bush anymore."

He cleared his throat, coughing into his fist. His throat was a bit dry from earlier in the evening. Not talking makes the windpipe feel dusty.

"What's up? Am I just that bad to look at?"

He... wasn't joking at first. He thought when she looked at him, she was looking at him in the way of disgust, maybe finally realizing he wasn't everything he cracked up to be and maybe didn't want to be together anymore. That thought ran through his head sometimes. Generally he had a safety net in the way of Sera always keeping his mind occupied, but they had been mostly separated recently so that hasn't been there to keep his head on straight.

"I-I mean, what am I doing wrong? I just... I just want to fix this, like, whatever happened back there. I don't want to end the day on a sour note I guess, not after what we finally accomplished."

It was plenty to fuss about according to Father Espoir!

"N-Nothing, I just-" Yukino caught herself about to make the same mistake, eyes still retreating from bulging outward. For an instant, she saw Hana again, instead of Haruka. Her heart started beating again after what felt like an eternity. "You..." She breathed a bit heavily and shakily. The Chosen was confused with what her beloved was on about, which only got her heart racing some more out of sheer nerves and worry. Is he bad to look at? Is he kidding? No, no no no no no no. Exculpate calmed, not seeing Hana's ghost any longer. "You didn't... do anything. No, no, you're absolutely gorgeous and looking at your face makes me want to kiss you and-"

Deep breath.

"... You're not doing anything wrong, sweetie", Yukino calmed down after a moment, responding to his outrageous questions. He's a saint, he can do no wrong. "I'm not sour, just... scared. I feel like I'm locked up in a small, black box a lot of the time. I feel like you won't be there when I look... Like I keep upsetting you and eventually you won't come back and... and..."

Out with it.

"... I feel like I'm being haunted by Hana's ghost..." Exculpate confessed her belief of her stress-induced hallucinations of constantly seeing her younger sister who was lost to a void in time. "It's not you... No... Don't think it ever is, you're perfect. You're always doing great. I'm not sour... I'm just... frightened."

That nightmare she had back in the medical bay where Haruka taking her hand to catch her from falling into a crowd of Deletors was one of the many examples of how truly panicky she was. Despite how she acted on the battlefield, paladins deduced that her description might actually be a fear of lock - sitting inside of two, revolving black rings in a cramped space with no way out. Her life has felt like that for a long time. Yet, she wanted nothing more than to let Haruka know he's an angel. Her angel, the angel that lifted her away from Harbinger's grip.

"I'm sorry I'm so stubborn in not trusting you or anyone... I'm sorry I'm always throwing myself in danger... I'm-"

The Chosen Sword was scared to even blink for a moment, feeling as if she'd see Hana's disappointed expression. Fear of Hana was close to fear of Harbinger - an invincibility carved into her mind. Hana's invincible disdain.

Maybe it was because she had been frozen solid that caused the break in speech, but before she could spit out another thing Haruka considered to be a nonsensical apology, he loosened his grip on her hand and almost literally pulled Yukino from the waist, up to Haruka and pressed his lips against hers, keeping what her next phrase was from coming out.

He pet the girl, holding her in his arms, almost picking her up and off the ground. He waited a few moments, before pulling away and shaking his head at her. Not in disapproval, but rather because he felt something she had said was off.

He set her back to her feet all the way, pacified if for only a moment so Haruka could speak. He never let go of her, keeping her pressed against him mostly. He knew once they were within the grasp of Mr. Espoir's doomhammer he'd have no chance to do what he has to here.

"Hana's... ghost? That must be what you meant... back at the stadium."

He nodded a bit, trying to piece together the mystery that seemed to somewhat coming together now. He bent down slightly, keeping himself at eye level with Yukino. He wanted every word he said to not simply pass through as some form of comfort and way to pacify her for a time. He wanted to make a statement. Words weren't his strong suit, especially not in his current state but he had to persevere through it, just for now.

"L-Look, Yukino..."

He bit his bottom lip, trying to find the words to say. He desperately searched his brain until the finally started flooding out of his float like a dam had been keeping them at bay.

"You won't get trapped in any black box, because I'll break you out before it can close, you won't ever have to look back for me because I'll be holding your hand at your side the whole time, and no matter how many times I feel like it's the end of the world, it's gonna be your arms I run into looking for solace... Yukino."

He pecked her again. And again. And a few more times, eventually coming into one more long conglomerate of kissing.

In between every kiss, he muttered small breaths of hope, "I... Love.... You...."

Things like that, and mostly that phrase alone.

He stopped, his lips only a small, breadth away from her own.

"Hana may have disappeared, and I know you guys didn't end on a good note. But understand I'm not Hana, and I'm never going to disappear on you. Even if it takes every fiber of my being here on Earth or in another timeline, I'll always find my way back to you before you know it. I trust you wholeheartedly now. I don't have any right to be trusted, after every trial and tribulation I put you through... but if you'll put the faith in me to at least help you through this..."

Kiss.

"I'll do it. Not because I have to, because I asked to."

This was Haruka taking responsibility.

For an enlightened Blaster, Exculpate didn't seem to feel that much better than normal in the aftermath of terrifying a Reaper. Her life as the arrogant queen of past was a downward spiral set up only by herself and furthered when Schwarzschild struck. It made her paranoid - her destroyed timeline left her paranoid - going through the Star-vader invasion twice and seeing the Reapers again... The scared girl yelped lightly as Haruka grabbed her, taking her small stature off of the ground to kiss her. With a face flushed pink, it was nearly buried in his chest when the petting came, knowing it excited or eased her mind greatly. ... Like a mere mutt. No wonder Hana is disappointed.

The red-eyed queen gazed into her lover's, as if a longing pet looking for solace. She wasn't able to reach everyone anymore, and she's starting to lose touch with anything else. Haruka's the one light she can focus on in the box. Haruka won't let her be trapped - he'll unlock that tiny prison, and break it apart before it slams shut. He won't be behind her, he'll be at her side. No words from her came, choosing to listen to him instead, and take all of his little embraces with her favorite words inbetween.

"I'm... scared... If I let you down and something happens, you'll be like Hana and..." Haunt her with the same gaze each and every illusion. However, he's making a promise. He won't vanish like she did. He won't turn into a spiteful-looking specter that's always expecting something. Exculpate attempted to cast her gaze downward again, feeling as if he was going through too much to make her happy. Such lengths for her, and all she can say is she'd die for him. She made a promise not to die, but throwing herself at the supernatural is all she's good at. Aurageyser was correct ever still: she's a weakling.

Another kiss.

"... I... have faith in you." Yukino accepted, deciding to trust her boyfriend's words and will.

Haruka smiled lightly, the gracious morning light finally coming over the horizon. He kept petting her for a few moments, letting her get her composure. He nodded, listening to her. Hana seemed to be this etching in her mind, as if Hana was the reason that everything bothered her in the first place. Like some plague or a disease you can't sweat out with a few tablets or cough syrup.

He took a deep breath, nodding with a definitive smile. She finally succumbs to trusting somebody! Haruka would be hopping for joy if he wasn't on the brink of passing out at the Espoir estate. Without hesitation, he took Yukino's hand in his own.

"That's all I needed to hear."

He nodded, his eyes showing exhaustion. Damn he was tired. Tournament, then Reaper, then drinking, then Yukino and finally breaking open one of her many little insecurities. He knew she was a bit shelled up, but didn't imagine it would take twelve hours round trip to give him the pass to at least try and help her through it. He lightly yawned.

"Hey, I'm feeling a bit worn out. Y'know, after all that happened. If you wanna go sleep... we can do that..."

He eyed her up and down.

"Or not sleep."

What happened to being tired, Haruka?

"But I have this feeling you might have something to take care of. Call it intuition, but the fact you haven't dragged me to your bedroom already means you might have something to do somewhere."

He planted another one on her for good measure. Haruka became more and more confident as time progressed. Maybe he should lay off and start treating the relationship a little less physically and pay more mind to Yukino's emotions. This discussion would've never come up if he didn't finally press her a bit for them. Just giving into her physical desires won't always chalk up to the healthiest of relationships, it seems.

But he really doesn't mind indulging those physical desires if she asks nicely.

Who is he kidding, she doesn't even have to ask, he's basically at the beck and call when it comes to that sort of thing.