You had only cried once in your life, and that was when Dio had told you that you were his friend.
"Ne, Luciola, do you love me?" Dio asked you. His arms enveloped your shoulders with warmth, and his legs dangled around your waist. He had learned of another phenomena called piggyback riding from Claus and Al, and had immediately wanted to try it with you—only, he was so taken with it that he insisted on doing it for the entire day. So here he was, on your back, asking you the question you would never answer differently.
You closed your eyes for a moment as you came to a stop outside of his room. "Yes, Dio-sama." It wasn't the first time you had made this concession. No, the first time was much easier—not to say that stating it now was difficult. It wasn't. When you had said it the first time, you were happy to, so happy that you loved someone, especially Dio, who needed your love—someone's love—as much as he needed flying.
"Hmmmmm," he hummed playfully, thoughtfully. He wiggled a bit, and you set him down gently. He opened the door as you stood back up, and bounded into the room with the vivid vitality he had had ever since boarding the Silvana. He plopped himself on the bed, sitting cross-legged. You followed Dio in and closed the door behind you before moving to stand quietly in front of him.
Now, you were in full knowledge of what loving him entailed. You loved loving Dio. It made him happy, and it made you happy. You could not imagine a life where you didn't love him. However, it borne with it hopes you could not hope. You could suppress the desires until they were ripped of all capability of controlling you, but you could not suppress your hopes. Hope for the next touch, the next hug, the next piggyback ride. Hopes that you could not have as Dio's friend. Being his friend is precious, you had told yourself. To hope for any more than that is foolish.
Being his servant is precious. To hope for any more than that is foolish.
Dio got up and took the few steps that separated you and him. He looked at your expression thoughtfully. You held his gaze evenly—it was not the first time he had scrutinized you. It was the first time he had done it so openly, but it was not the first time.
What shocked you was when he leaned in and kissed you on the lips.
You froze instantly as your unwanted hopes soared and crushed any ability to move away. They were not unfounded dreams, they cried; they were not feelings to be subdued.
Dio hugged you, fingers digging into the soft Guild fabric. They were trembling. "Did you know, Luciola? I love you too."
Tears welled in your eyes before they poured down your cheeks. It was hard to breathe, and air came into your lungs in gasps.
Three tears had dropped onto Dio's shoulder before he pulled back to look at you. He smiled a helplessly happy smile.
"Luciola, you shouldn't cry when you're happy, you know? You should smile."
You had only cried twice in your life.
You smiled.
"I am Dio-sama's friend."