Author's notes: I normally put this at the end of every chapter, but this is a warning that this is slightly spoiler-ish for chapter 155 and 156! You are warned!
Anyway, after reading said chapters, I've decided I like NoisexMiranda and it's a couple I have yet to really see around here (not that I've fully explored all the DGM fics…) But I have to say, I'm quite terrible at romance and I don't know much about Noise Marie so beware of bad writing ahead…
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The Sound of Tears Falling
Miranda can't forgive herself.
Noise Marie took pride in his ability to hear everything from the distant sounds of battle to the miniscule sounds of a quickly beating heart nearby.
And because he has had to endure so many battles and all their casualties, he knows the sound of falling tears when he hears it. It's soft and difficult to hear amidst the crying and shouting, but it doesn't make it any less filled with pain, so, just after the Black Order's victory, when Noise hears this sound right next to his ear, it is quite distinct and only barely muffled by held-back sobs of grief and guilt.
"Miranda…You can release it now. You've done enough."
Her hands shake from the strain of holding her Time Record and her body is slumped over from exhaustion, but still, Noise can hear the tears sliding down her cheeks before finally falling from her chin and onto the pile of rubble and ash below. He touches her hands and gently pushes them down.
"No!" she cries out, her eyes squeezing shut, not wanting to see the death and destruction around her should she cease her Time Record. "No…I-I can't…everyone…everyone will…and it'll all be my fault…"
Her words have turned to mutterings now.
Noise waits a few moments for the sound of Miranda's ragged breaths to slow and become regular once more before speaking. "Miranda, I can hear many things. There is shouting and crying and I can hear the medical team bringing the stretchers and medicine carts. But Miranda, even though I can hear all these things and more, I can't hear anyone blaming you except yourself. So stop. It's all right."
Noise stops speaking as he realizes the sound of Miranda's tears falling has stopped, not so much because she wanted to but because she has finally collapsed from exhaustion, grief, and guilt, as if there is an unbearably heavy weight on her shoulders. Noise lifts her limp form from the ground, carrying her in his arms, knowing that she hadn't heard anything he had said.