A/N: Well holy shit check this! I started posting in 2012 and now 3 years later this thing is finished. Miracles do happen. Anyone who still reads it I am in loss of words. Apologies are a joke at this point. I broke every damn promise I made about updates but fuck it at least I kept the main one, that I would finish it. I always finish what I start that's gotta be the only good thing about my writing.

Thank you so much for all the support and nice comments everyone. The story has finally come to end with this chapter and the epilogue which imma post today as well. I hope you had fun!

Confession

Flonne had that feeling again, as if she was swimming, no..more like sinking slowly into a numb void. She felt her consciousness like a heavy rock, sinking under a mental surface and somehow emerging again only to drown once more in an endless circle. Empty dreams and reality merged together

When the young girl opened her eyes, it took her a good while to realize that they were no longer shut, that she was no longer asleep.

Flonne frowned at the sight above her. Since when was the sky completely white? And with tons of little decorative bat wings on its surface?

Oh. That's just a ceiling, Flonne realized. Judging from the tacky taste, she must have been somewhere in the palace. She felt a soft mattress against her back. Her head rested comfortably on a puffy pillow. Looking around she noticed a bunch of other beds.

It must be the infirmary she thought.

Her gaze finally stopped on the chair that was very close to her own bed. A certain young Overlord sat there with his arms crossed on his chest. His head was slightly bent to the side.

Laharl was sleeping right there, sat as he was. His chest moved slowly up and down with each deep breath. His expression was softened and his mouth half open.

Flonne caught herself smiling. There was a certain charm seeing that usually tense face relaxed. He looked very handsome like this too. Cute even. No way she'd say that to him when he awoke though! He would get pissed and well..that was a very private thought.

This whole situation felt an awful lot like déjà vu actually. Only this time she had awoken in a safe place. And none of her loved ones was in danger because of her.

Flonne suddenly blinked and her features twisted in a worried expression. Her stare on Laharl became intense.

None of her friends was in danger right?

She had to put effort to sit up. Her lack of energy scared her a little bit. But she managed to straighten her back. Flonne reached for the shoulder of the sleeping demon. But midway she suddenly stopped and hissed as an unexpected rush of pain washed over her shoulder and arm. Did she really got hurt that bad during her struggle with Vulcanus? She remembered trashing like crazy but she didn't remember any pain at that moment. The panic had covered every other sense. But now..it really hurt! She felt sore. Had she sprained something?

Flonne pressed her fingers to her left wrist to test this thought and instantly let another pained groan mixed with surprise this time.

Laharl jerked awake. His sensitive ears caught the sound of discomfort right away!

"Flonne!" he gasped half relieved and very concerned at the same time. "Hey don't stand up" he ordered in a rush.

"I'm okay" she protested weakly.

Oh dear, she truly wasn't! Her head was spinning all of a sudden and the world felt unsteady and blurry.

"You really should lay down" Laharl insisted leaning closer and pressing the girl's shoulders very gently but still firmly back down. Flonne, surprised by the warm feeling of his fingers against her skin, let him lead her without much resistance.

Laharl rarely stood so close to her, much less touched her. It was a simple and innocent contact and yet Flonne found herself feeling at ease and wondered why there was not such intimacy between them all the time. It felt oddly appropriate.

"I'm okay" she tried to reassure him again. But her voice didn't have enough strength to rise above a whisper.

"Are you sure?"

She closed her eyes trying to clear her head.

"Flonne?"

Laharl's voice sounded a lot closer now through her dizziness. She cracked an eye open and took a look at his face. Then without thinking too much she turned her pained expression into a wink and stuck her tongue out.

"Yeah your silly love-freak is A-Ok" she teased with a giggle.

Flonne did not expect the boy's face to get that flushed. And goodness he really had leaned even closer before. Stupid demon instincts were acting up again dang it!

"S-sorry!" she muttered embarrassed. What kind of friend was she to tease Laharl like this when he sounded so worried? A horrible one, that's what! It's not like she wanted to get back at him for making her cry the last time they spoke in the palace right? He did look concerned and sorry after all. Why would she feel the need to rub it in his face? It certainly wasn't bitterness was it?

There was a small moment of silence as the Prince quickly leaned back up and bit his lip not knowing what else to do.

After another moment of hesitation Flonne took the chance to voice her worry.

"Is..is everybody alright? Etna? And…uhm..Derek?"

Predictably Laharl frowned.

"They are both fine" he growled with effort through gritted teeth. It was painfully obvious he was trying to control himself. Flonne was secretly impressed by his restrain.

She smiled softly and let out a small sigh.

"Why am I so tired Laharl?" Flonne questioned to change the subject. She really didn't want to push him on that just yet. This was enough for the time being.. She began with that thought, to get them both out of that awkward situation but then it actually occurred to her how true it was. She felt exhausted! Like she was beaten all over. Not just her hands, but her whole entire body felt like a giant bruise.

"What happened to me?" she asked again, this time her voice high pitched as she started to panic for real.

"Shh it's ok." Laharl soothed placing his hand on hers. "Don't freak out you moron, it's just that you finally got full access to your demon energy!"

Sure his language was harsh, but his tone packed to spite at all. No anger and no yelling. It was the gentlest thing.

Flonne looked at him confused.

"Huh?"

Her head unconsciously tilt to the side and Laharl had to fight the urge to avert his eyes. Stop being so cute damn it! He stubbornly forced himself to keep looking at her and his hand not to let go of hers either.

"It's probably cause you weren't a demon to begin with. Angel powers need mostly concentration to activate I've heard. All a demon needs is emotion and loss of restrains. Heh yeah! We' re that much better, what did you expect?"

He smirked smugly before continuing.

"But I'm guessing since you're a reborn one after having fallen from Celestia , for your first time to do it so carelessly put a lot of strain on ya! Plus the doctor Prinnies told me you were drugged at the time. Yup! It fucked you up! Normally it's cool stuff when a brat activated their mojo for the first time! But in your case all sorts of stuff was out of place. That's why you probably feel like shit now!" he further explained.

"Oh" was all Flonne could manage.

She was listening carefully yes..but his hand, so warm against hers and he..having no intention of letting go any time soon… it was distracting! She didn't want to move at all, just to stay still and be held.

Laharl was just as anxious if not more. He could sense the next awkward pause coming quickly with evil intentions to sneak between them once again. And there were a hundred fucking irritating butterflies throwing a dance party in his stomach already.

I need to talk to her! He said over and over like a mantra in his head. I need to talk to Flonne! I'm a man, not a wuss ,not a stupid child anymore and I need. To. Fucking. Talk. To Flonne! Just man up and tell her! Just tell her!

He squeezed her delicate hand under his much larger one, careful not to ignite any more pain.

Flonne stayed silent. She was a bit lost in her own thoughts. Her mind wandered back, simply happy to be held at the moment and not really expecting anything more, oblivious to the turmoil that took place inside the young Overlord's head.

Laharl bit his lip harder. Where the hell had his voice gone to? Damn it all!

"I flew" Flonne suddenly said softly. Her tone somewhat dreamy. It made Laharl forget his tension for a moment and blink.

"Uh… yeah? So?"

"Oh Laharl it was amazing! Did you see me? I thought I'd never fly again. A-and was so afraid of heights it was silly! They started to scare me after a while but I missed it, and then I suddenly could do it again and I could reach you in time and..Oh sweet Celestia did you see!?"

Laharl nodded taken aback by her joy. Hell! Look at those big eyes! Shinning so brightly! So breathtaking. Drawing his own into their lovely depths of crimson. It made him feel unbelievably sated, his chest filled with warmth watching them blaze with happiness.

How could he ever been so cruel to her. To Flonne! To his Flonne! To his brilliant angel who crushed into his life and had been shinning into it like the most glorious sun ever since! Never again! Goddamn it, never again! His features melted into a soft smile, heart suddenly overflowing with fondness for the girl in front of him.

"I saw" he whispered in awe and got himself lost even more, remembering that moment "You were beautiful"

Flonne froze. She stood there shocked, motionless, simply staring at him. Her brain was already moving slower than usual due to the recovery, but now it came to a complete halt. Though lets be fair, even at her best condition she would have been unable to get a grasp of what was just said.

Laharl blinked once at her silence before it occurred to him what he had just admitted.

"Fuck!" he shouted "Wait, I didn't mean to say that! I.. No! Wait again! Fuck it, I did!"

Flonne's jaw dropped. The boy's eyes were dead on serious and glued on her own. His face, the embodiment of a hot pepper, emitting steam and burning up a bright red but his expression was steady. His eyebrows were comically narrowed close to each other in concentration and his lips pressed together on a firm line. The glow on his fiery orbs determined and full of emotion.

"Y-you thought I was beautiful?" she stuttered.

Laharl nodded. And with less effort this time added in a rush, "I think you're beautiful now! I always think you're beautiful!"

Flonne let out a nervous laugh and looked at him with disbelief.

"This..this is so unlike you. What is.. Huh?!"

Her heart was beating impossibly fast now. Could..could this really be happening?

Laharl closed his eyes and took a deep breath, he then cupped Flonne's hand with both of his and brought it up between their chests.

Flonne kept her gaze on him breathing a bit harder. Her heart was still beating like crazy, as if trying to escape her chest and take off.

"Flonne..listen." said the young Overlord leaning in closer. "I..I've been meaning to say this for a long time." He swallowed before continuing. "I'm.. sorry I've been acting like a jerk to you. For all those times I've been harsh and unfair, I apologize.

A soft gasp escaped her lips. "Laharl.."

"No, let me finish. Let me.. The truth is.. I .. I.. The truth is I love you!"

And there was it.

Blown up like a bomb made of anger and grief and repressed feelings. It exploded through his chest and filled Laharl with relief.

There..I said it!

He smiled to himself in triumph.

Flonne just stared at him speechless.

Oh..crap! And there.. again! … went the relief and got replaced by anxiousness.

"Really?" Flonne said in awe after what seemed like forever.

Laharl gulped.

"Yes, really"

"Really really?"

"Goddamn it love-freak I said yes! I love you!" snapped the Prince "Eternal love and all that other bullshit you've been preaching non-stop since I met you! I want you by my side! I want you safe and happy and I want you to be with me! You know.. in that way.. God fucking damn it!" he finished with a yell, breathing heavily like he had just run a marathon.

There was another long pause.

Laharl was still silently panicking. What if this was too much? He barely had experience with his ridiculous stuff. What if Flonne only liked him as a friend or something stupid like that? What if she was trying right now to come up with something nice to say and let him down easy? What if she really wanted to return back to Celestia after all? And what meant that damn look she was giving him now? And was she..getting closer?

The fallen angel did indeed lean closer, captivated by the moment, drawn by his confession. A hint of naughtiness infected her next pure smile.

"And isn't internal love and all that, your greatest weakness anymore my Overlord?"

Laharl smirked finally confident with himself, recognizing the undertones of the tease and all of its meanings. Yeah..that was a demon's comfort zone alright.

"Oh shut up. You know I can conquer anything!"

"Yes" she whispered leaning in even more "I know"

No wonder I fell, she thought absent minded to herself. That's in no way a proper behavior for an angel.

But she really, really wanted this.

The kiss came very natural. Like they'd been doing it for quite some time. Just a small peck at first, their lips barely touching each other. Laharl's hand found its way behind the girl's head, pulling her gently closer and caressing her golden locks. Flonne's arms sneaked around the boy's neck and embraced him. Another kiss came, more intimate and deep this time. Neither of teens could tell when their eyes closed. Neither really thought much of it. This was just..right. Everything felt right and in place.

Flonne being the weaker at the moment, was the first one to break apart. She inhaled much needed huffs of air breathless and flushed. Laharl loosened his hold and let her compose herself, without letting go though. He couldn't stop smiling either! Honestly, his cheeks hurt! He felt like his face would split up. It couldn't possibly spread any wider.

"Well.." Flonne said with a final huff. She looked at him and smiled the most brilliant smile. "I think you already know I love you too."

Whelp apparently it could!

A final hint of worry made his expression falter. Laharl reached inside his magic cloth and pulled the infamous pendant out.

"You can have this back" he mumbled softly.

Flonne took it a bit surprised.

"Thank you."

"Uhm I.. I understand what you said about missing it there and all but.." there was fear in his eyes as he said the next part. If she asked him to leave right now he didn't know what he would do. "..do you really wanna still stay here?"

Flonne was lifting the jewel's chain above her head and let it fall while he was talking. She pulled her hair up and the necklace finally rested where it belonged.

"I told that to Derek too. I've made up my mind a long time ago Laharl. I'm not going to leave Netherworld. My friends are here. And you are here."

She smiled again. Really she couldn't contain her happiness today. Her fingers brushed the shinning gem fondly.

"I don't need any more than a little bit of memories from Celestia. Everything and everyone else I love is here."

Laharl grinned widely and pressed his forehead against hers. "Damn straight they are!" he said with eyes wild with joy.

A bright flash startled them both.

"Wooohoooo!" shouted Etna waving her camera around. "Freaking finally! You big babies took forever!"

"ETNAAAA!" hollowed Laharl as he jumped up and gave chase to the already fleeing red-head.

Flonne knew she really shouldn't be giggling that much.