Beta: None
Original release date: 07/4/15

Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Infinite Stratos universe.

Author note: I've watched seasons one and two and this takes place after season two ended. Just trying to give any potential spoilers a heads up. I use Ling instead of the dubbed's version, Rin.

Chapter 1 - Locked and Loaded

Opening the door to his room, Ichika internally groans as he spots Laura and Tatenashi arguing by his bed. 'I've got to get a lock or something'

"Laura, what are you doing here?" groans an Ichika, exhausted from training with Houki.

"Vhy is she still living here? You are my bride" states an indignant Laura.

"Ichika is mine to protect" replies Tatenashi with an amused face.

"Says who?" challenges Laura.

"Says me" declares Chifuyu, standing in the doorway, arms crossed.
Smirking, Tatenashi sashays her way past Chifuyu, pausing ever so briefly at Laura.

"Miss Bodewig, you will not be rooming Orimura, and that's final" states Chifuyu, before disappearing.
Silence envelopes the pair before Laura states, "Ichika, as my bride, you are taking me on a date."
"H-h-huh?" stutters Ichika, caught off guard.

Wrapping her arms around Ichika's left arm, Laura replies, "Just you and I. Alone."

"Uh, when?"
"Tonight. Now." states Laura, dragging Ichika out of his room, giving him only enough time to close his door.

Finally wrestling his arm out of Laura's grasp, Ichika comes to a complete halt and demands, "I'll come along willingly, if you just tell me where we are going."
Turning around and crossing her arms, Laura states, "To town, of course", before taking ahold of Ichika's left hand.
Nearing the exit off of the academy grounds, Ling jumps out from behind a nearby tree, arms crossed, accusingly, "And where do you two think you're going?"
Clutching Ichika's arm tighter, Laura replies coldly, "He is my bride, so ve are doing romantic things, alone."

All parties turn red in the face and Ichika opens his mouth to begin when Ling shouts, "Not a chance in hell, Bodewig."
With startling speed, Rin dashes towards the couple before a shot lands in front of her, stopping her.
A familiar British accent is heard, "And just where do you think you're going, Ling?"

Ling looks back and begins a shouting match with Cecilia.

Seeing an opportunity, Laura quickly pulls Ichika behind her. Arriving at a coffee shop in the city, Laura drags Ichika inside, getting in the line to order. Ordering, Laura gets two large cups of the house brew, served black. Sitting down at a table far from everyone else and the street, Laura sips on her coffee, cheeks bright red.

"Laura, if the drink is too hot, just wait to drink some" states Ichika before blowing gently across the top of his coffee.

"It's not that" mumbles Laura.

"What is it then?"

Blushing even more, Laura finally replies quietly, "I enjoy spending time alone with you, Ichika."

"You do?" responds Ichika, clearly confused.

"Yes. Houki, Charlotte, Cecilia, Rin, and I all like you" confesses Laura, blushing even harder.

Dead panning, Ichika says quietly, "I never noticed."

"Vell, you're my bride. So you're mine" replies Laura in a steely voice.

"Then, tell me about yourself. I don't really know much about you" says Ichika, kindly.

Blushing, Laura begins, "Vell, I vas raised in the military. Trained to be the best soldier I could be."
Taking another sip of his coffee Ichika thinks to himself, I think I need to get some of this for the mornings, before saying, "Laura, I meant more of your hobbies, like what you like to do in your free time."

With a confused look on her face, Laura says hesitantly, "I sharpen my knives after class?"

"Th-that's a start. Do you like reading, listening to music, watching movies, or anything similar?"

"V-vatching movies? I have vatched var films, but it was for training. Are there other films to vatch?"

Smiling, Ichika asks, "You don't like things that other girls like right? Like shopping for clothes or anything?"

Blushing, Laura stammers, "Ichika, ve don't need to go clothes shopping."

Confused, Ichika replies, "I didn't mean that. I was meaning that we could go see an action movie versus a more girly movie."

"Oh, that vould be fine then."

Finishing their coffee, Ichika and Laura leave the coffee shop, smiles on both of their faces as they head deeper into the city. Entering the theater, Ichika holds the door for Laura before entering after her.
"What are they doing in there?" comes a haughtily British voice.
"That's what I was trying to figure out before you shot at me" snarls Ling quietly.

"So what is our plan now?" asks Charlotte attempting to end the arguing.
"Just sit and wait I guess" replies Ling, eyes narrowed.

A few hours later Ichika and Laura exit the theater, as the sun begins dipping below the oceanic horizon. Oohing and awing at the scene, Laura slips her hand into Ichika's as they begin walking back to the academy. Getting close to the spot where Houki, Ling, and Cecilia have been hiding for a few hours, the quartet jumps out and Houki demands, "Where have you two been?!"

"Ichika and I have been on a lovely date" smiles Laura, squeezing Ichika's hand.
"A date?!" exclaims the quartet that didn't go on a date.
Checking his watch, Ichika states with urgency in his voice, "We really need to get back to the academy before we get in trouble."
Agreeing the sextet make their way back to the academy and walk under the arches when a certain blue haired and red eyed individual saunters out from behind some nearby bushes. Tatenashi raises her fan to her face, displaying 'You're In Trouble'.

Sighing, Ichika steps forward and says, "I'll take the blame for keeping everyone else out."

Closing her fan, Tatenashi smiles and replies, "Certainly" before grasping Ichika's right arm and pulling him behind her to who knows where.
Silence falls across the quintet as they make their way to the dormitories.

"This isn't fair. Laura gets a date and Ichika gets in trouble" exclaims Cecilia.
"That's right. He should take me on a date too" adds Ling.
"But me first, as I'm his original childhood friend" smirks Houki.

Chaos descends as everyone but Laura begins arguing who gets to go on a date with Ichika next.
"Why don't we each choose a number between one and four, Laura excluded, and have Ichika choose a number, then whoever has chosen that number gets to go on the next date with Ichika. And then once everyone has had a date with Ichika, then all five of us get to have a second one with him" suggests Charlotte.
Quickly all five agree to this arrangement.

Author note: Thanks to any and all who read, review, etc. Trying to mimic the language styles of Charlotte and Laura will be difficult, so any comments/suggestions to help improve my style will be greatly appreciated. :)
If you like Harry Potter fics, I write Unseen and Unheard From, and my other one that is a crossover with Borderlands [just getting started], Vault Hunting Hogwarts.