(To whom it may concern: I will update Evening Dress Trap. Tomorrow, promise. It's just, I have a favourite couple, and I keep writing about a different couple; my favourite couple are getting married and I use this opportunity to dress up Mammon. And I need something non-comedic occasionally. And engagement comes before marriage.)

About the story: I had planned for a fic that would go chronologically through the events, but since it's the end anyway, I decided to go the other way round. So expect a trip backwards in time through a mixture of canon and headcanon.

Title from a song I for some reason like.

I disclaim, of course.

'You're…' The words stuck in my throat. I started again. 'You're really saying that you're…'

'…going to die. Yeah, kora.'

Colonnello was watching me closely, to see my reaction. I hoped he wouldn't ask me if I was crying, which was apparently his favourite question.

I wasn't crying. So it wasn't tears he could see in my face. Was it shock, disbelief, sadness, fear, desperation? A fan of emotions not unlike those from that day, so long ago. The day which was about to be replayed for someone else.

Someone else…

'Then that means… when we were being cursed, the previous Arcobaleno were dying,' I said, breaking the silence, trying to ignore the persistent ringing in my ears.

He's going to die... They're all going to die. Colonnello, Mammon, Reborn, Uni, Fon, Skull, Verde… Colonnello.

He's going to die.

I didn't waste my breath on saying things like "This can't be happening." I knew well enough there was nothing too terrible to happen; so despite the protesting voice somewhere in my mind I had to believe Colonnello's words were true.

And I was afraid. I could remember the hell of dream of the future, of the world where he had been dead. I would rather die myself than go through that.

He nodded, never averting his eyes from my face. I had half a mind to snap at him for this.

'Reborn wants to side with Bermuda, so as to prevent the creation of new Arcobaleno… but that would be giving up, kora!'

And for that reason he, Mammon and Verde had attacked Reborn and ended up knocking Uni unconscious. Not that I expected anything constructive from those people, but, really.

I turned to stare into the distance, pretty much like last time; I was feeling uneasy standing face to face with him in my shaken state. When he could only see my profile in the greying air, I felt safer.

'There's something more, isn't there?' I asked. 'Why you refuse to accept this plan.'

Mammon and Verde were obviously selfish, but destroying the Arcobaleno system was in itself an appealing idea for its victims and Colonnello had said they were going to die either way… If only it weren't what I thought it would be…

'Yes, there's another reason,' he said finally. I waited. 'If everything about Arcobaleno is destroyed, you will die, too. I won't allow that, kora.'

Right. Awesome.

'I don't get a say in this?' I asked wearily.

'I can't let you die,' said Colonnello stubbornly.

Now I was getting annoyed.

'Well, this can get a bit hard when you're dead,' I drawled.

'Do you think I want to die, kora? I don't! But I won't let you die, no matter wha-'

Sharply, I turned and slapped him. Three times.

Clearly, he hadn't been expecting that.

'Ouch! What the hell -'

'You haven't changed at all! You're still an idiot!'

'B-but -'

'Don't talk back!'

Colonnello obediently shut up and continued to gape at me. But I didn't care anymore, because now I was vexed.

'I don't know why I even bother talking to you, seeing as you don't pay attention! I accepted all those things you did, because it was your decision! But that was all just about the curse! Why don't you listen? Do you seriously think you can go and die and I'll be fine with that?!'

'No, I-'

'Then don't say things like "no matter what"! Do you think you can die and consider it a job well done because you're leaving me alive?! On my own? Well no! In fact-'

I paused. Knowing Colonnello's priorities, there was probably only one way for me to threaten some sense into him. It might be a drastic measure, but… no, it wouldn't be a lie.

And I realized I actually could say that. Unlike in the memory of the future, I was no longer bound by regret or unresolved matters; this week's events had freed me from those.

It was truly a soothing feeling.

'I'm giving you a fair warning,' I said quietly. 'If you die stupidly, particularly in an attempt to protect me, I swear I'll kill myself.'

'What? No! You can't do that!'

'Try to stop me.'

'B-but don't you… I mean, there are people who care for you, kora!'

As soon as he had said it, he realized it was a mistake. I could see it. But I had no mercy.

'Well, there are people who care for you too, in case you haven't noticed! If you don't care, then neither do I! Anyway, I don't want to hear about other people!'

'I could tell Iemitsu…'

'Oh? And what would you have him do? Lock me up somewhere with no sharp objects or strings? I'm not exactly powerless. I should be able to run away and finish myself off, at the very least.'

'You'd really use your power? And fight the CEDEF?'

'If I were forced to. But it would be your fault for telling them. And are the technical details of my suicide really the point here?'

For a moment Colonnello looked as if he wanted to say something, but decided against it and went on to study my face flushed with anger and that other thing that tended to creep out when I was near him, while I glared. He appeared to be thinking, although maybe I was overrating him.

'I can see you're serious, kora,' he finally said.

'Amazing, you noticed,' I snarled.

Why was I stuck with someone who couldn't recognize a confession when it was being shouted into his face? What was wrong with me? Because that quite obviously had been a sort of a confession.

And there was probably some other way such things ought to go.

'Well, I'm fed up with you. I'm going back.'

I stood up, but only managed to take a few steps before he caught my arm.

'Hey, Lal! Wait, kora!'

'What!' I snapped.

'I get your point, kora, I really do. But what is it you want me to do or say, then? I still die!'

I hesitated. He was right. I was angry at his attitude, but even after everything I had said, it still changed nothing. The situation offered no good choices.

To be fair with myself, all that had been probably to override my fear and take out my frustration at the perspective of Colonnello's death. On Colonnello, since he'd been there. I felt an urge to smack myself next.

Not that I was going to admit it.

'I want you to stay alive,' I said, my voice unexpectedly tense. 'I would like to dispel the curse, destroy the Arcobaleno system and keep everyone alive. Nothing new. But if that's impossible, then I want you accept this: we stop getting in each other's way. We're in this together…'

I swallowed. It was there again, the barrier, the need it keep it all inside, locked forever, even now. So it would be forcing words out of my throat again. And my cheeks were burning.

'…We both live, or we… both die, depending on the outcome. Call it a compromise if you like.'

I held his gaze, unsure of what could be seen in my eyes. Probably not much, actually, for someone who appeared as dazed as Colonnello at that moment.

He grabbed my other hand and squeezed it.

'Lal… is that really how you feel?' he asked, looking at me so intently that once again I felt uneasy; there was a weird sensation of lightness rising in me.

'Yes,' I managed, 'for the hell it's worth, this is how I feel.'

There was a moment of silence.

'Don't say that, Lal,' he said, very gently. 'We'll do as you like, kora. So…' he looked hesitant, and then suddenly smiled, a shade weakly. 'I'm not really prepared, but…'

I blinked. What?

'…if we somehow survive this, if we live…'

I stared as Colonnello got on his knees before me. Surely this couldn't be-

'Will you marry me, Lal?'

-a proposal. Nice timing. I tried to find some words, but I wasn't sure which ones, and there was that lightness, already in my head, making me hazy… what?

'You know I love you, kora,' he said in my prolonged silence.

I did. Or maybe not. I did sometimes. It was all so complicated. And the question of what I felt was usually even worse.

Once, someone – about the only person ever to make me speak of this – had told me that perhaps it didn't have to be complicated. Maybe it could be simple.

'Lal, please say something,' Colonnello pleaded.

He could die. And I had sworn to kill myself if he did. Why? Because I couldn't bear the thought of being separated from him. Again.

This was simple.

But if we survived this, would we still be infants? Would the curse break? What if broke only for one of us? Had he thought of that?

Probably not. Probably that didn't really matter. It didn't change the important things.

My throat was clenched, so I gave a curt nod.

Colonnello's face lit up, and suddenly the tension was all gone.

'Can I hear it, please?'

'What, have you brought a recorder?' I muttered. 'Yes. I will.'

'You will-' he prompted.

'-marry you,' I complied, rolling my eyes. 'Happy now?'

'I don't think I've ever been happier, kora,' said Colonnello sincerely.

This tugged at the corners of my lips, prompting them up a little. 'Good, so get up already.'

'I promise I'll make you happy too,' he announced, not getting up.

Uncertain how to react, I gave another nod. 'This is enough, really,' I said. I would have difficulty explaining what exactly I meant by this, but Colonnello didn't ask. Instead, he finally got up on his feet.

He was smiling really wide.

'I'll take you home,' he offered, but he didn't move. Then in one swift movement he pulled me closer and kissed me on the cheek.

Then he did take me home, although "home" is a fancy name for an apartment occupied together with two coworkers. Colonnello himself was still staying at Iemitsu's house.

I waved away Oregano's concerned questions. What could I say? That I had just got engaged and would probably commit suicide in the nearest future? It didn't sound like something the girl would take calmly, let alone understand.

I locked myself in the bathroom, went in under the shower and started pouring hot water over my head.

There might have been tears.

_._._._._._._._._._

Uncursed. I was uncursed. I was back to normal. Even the scar was gone. After all those years, I was an adult again.

It felt so good.

My CEDEF teammates got very excited about my transformation, which meant their eyes nearly fell out when they saw me. Even Basil's, and he had seen me in the future. Come to think of it, it was what they had wanted out of this battle from the very beginning, so I could understand their satisfaction. But I was a bit surprised when Oregano hugged me.

On the other hand, if I had been left in the same position as the Arcobaleno, I would grow up along with Colonnello. That wouldn't be all that bad either.

But regardless of our respective curse status, we were both alive. And I knew what that made us. Engaged.

Even if the concept sounded a bit abstract.

'No,' I said, looking at the tiny box on the palm of my hand. 'I'm not going to wait.'

Colonnello looked crestfallen.

'You won't, kora?' he asked quietly.

Really, what an idiot. How long did I need to hammer something into his head for him to comprehend? Not that I wasn't used to this.

'No, absolutely not,' I repeated, taking the ring out. The stone was shining in the sunlight. 'Why should I wait? I'm going to start the preparations.'

'You- what?'

'Are you familiar with the idea of a wedding dress?' I inquired, slipping the ring onto my finger and holding my hand out to the light.

As if I would let go so easily now. No, now I was free, and I could be selfish.

'That was mean, kora!'

Oh, was my fiancé finally up to date? Unbelievable.

'It's your own fault for being an idiot,' I replied easily.

'You're really okay with this, kora?' Colonnello sounded genuinely concerned.

I shrugged.

'I admit it could be better. But that's how it is.'

'That's not what I mean.'

'I know what you mean, and once again I am moved to say that you're an idiot.'

Colonnello grinned.

'Then it's okay, kora.'

And it was, more or less. More than usual. I smiled.

My smile grew wider.

Then I did something that would leave practically everyone who knew me gaping in baffled incomprehension; and apparently that included Colonnello.

I started laughing, and couldn't stop. After several minutes it was clear that it was some sort of a laughing fit, if not a weird type of nervous breakdown, but I ignored it and kept laughing. After all this, perhaps I had the right for a little laughing breakdown.

'Um, Lal, are you okay, kora?' Colonnello was clearly unsure if he should be worrying about the state of my mental health.

Maybe he should. I was a woman about to marry an infant. Maybe I was crazy.

I took a deep breath.

'I… don't rem-member… being more… okay… in a long time.'