Okay. So I was going to write about Aless and Riki infiltrating arachnophobia during the final battle and all that, but my inspiration was, like, dead. That's why there hasn't been an update: I've been fighting myself about whether to give you guys a crappy chapter or just skip ahead. So we're skipping a bit here. Sorry! xoxo Arsenic

Aless woke up late in the afternoon the day after Asura's defeat. It felt like she'd run into a brick wall. She shuffled down to DWMA to see if there was any food left.

"What's happening next?" she asked a drowsy Rikita as they ate. "We gonna start rebuilding Death City?"

"We don't have much choice," her friend said. "Reconstruction will probably start tomorrow."

"Say, where's Crona? I haven't seen him since he left to kill Medusa. I'm starting to get worried."

"Didn't you hear? Medusa stabbed him with one of those horrible arrow things." Rikita winced as she spoke. She knew what Aless's reaction would be.

Aless doubled over, forgetting to breathe for a few seconds. He got stabbed? By Medusa? That can't be right. He was going to beat her. He had to beat her.

"He's okay though, right?" she asked, desperate. "They fixed him up, right?"

"I don't know. I heard that Maka, Ms. Marie, and Dr. Stein killed Medusa. But I have no word on your boyfriend. I'm really sorry, Aless. Maybe you can check the infirmary? That's where he'd be."

But Alessei was already running out of the cafeteria, down the halls. The high ceilings that she'd once found comforting now left her feeling exposed and vulnerable. He isn't dead. He can't be dead. It's just not possible. She pushed herself harder, sprinting now. What type of mother stabs her own son? Her tears were flowing freely now, streaming down her face. Don't think. Just run.

By the time she reached the infirmary, she could barely breathe. Naigus glanced up at her as she stopped in the door.

"Hello, Aless. Is there something I can do for you?"

"Crona," she panted. "Where… where is he? Is he here?" I don't see him! Why don't I see him?

"He's in that bed on the end there, behind the curtain. He took quite a beating, but Dr. Stein says he'll be just fine. He's already up and walking, actually. He's just a little weak now."

Relief flooded Aless as she approached the aforementioned bed. Sure enough, behind the curtain was the frail figure of the Demon Swordmaster. Is he breathing? I don't see him breathing! She put a shaking hand to his chest and was overjoyed to find a pulse. The boy stirred under her touch, blinking open his eyes. He gazed at her with relief.

"Aless," he rasped. "You're okay? I was so worried about you."

At this, something inside Aless broke. The sincerity of the words touched her so much that she couldn't help herself. Great, heaving sobs wracked her body. She threw her arms around the boy in the bed.

"It's alright, Aless," he whispered, patting her back.

"I was – just – so – worried!" she sobbed. "Don't you ever scare me like that again!"

"I won't Aless. I promise." He embraced her fully, wrapping his thin arms around her wraithlike body. "Why are you crying? I'm okay. You're okay."

"I don't know!" she sniffed. "When Riki told me Medusa stabbed you, I thought… you could've died, Crona. Why did you have to fight her?"

"Aless, if I didn't at least try to kill her, it would be the same as surrendering. She's the reason I'm like this, and I hate her for it. You don't usually see that side of me, but it's true. You don't know how much hatred for her is in my heart. Since I was little, I've wanted to stop her, but I haven't been able to until now. Besides," he added with a small smile, "I'd like to think that just for once it was me keeping you safe instead of the other way around."

Aless sat back, studying him. I can't really blame him, I guess. I'd want revenge, too. She smiled through the tears.

"You want to keep me safe and happy? Don't get yourself killed." She grasped his hand, noticing how small her palm was compared to his. "I'm glad you're okay, Crona. I really am."

"So," he said, "how was the battle for you? What happened on your side?"

They sat there for a few hours, telling stories of the fight. Aless was shocked to hear how brave Crona had been while fighting Medusa. I'd never have the guts to try to kill my own mom, she thought. Even if she was an evil witch. Props to him for that. It must've been hard. Finally, the nurse peeked her head around the curtain to tell Aless that visiting hours were over.

"Can I please stay the night?" she pleaded. "I wanna stay with him. Please, I'll be worried sick if I leave. Besides, I don't want to walk home in the dark."

Naigus regarded her with a kind eye. She nodded.

"Okay. But where are you going to sleep?"

"She can sleep in this bed," Crona mumbled.

"Alright. But at the first sign of trouble, she's out." Naigus walked away on silent feet. Aless crawled into bed next to her boyfriend. I don't think our bodies have ever been this close. Her heart was pounding, and she was sure he could feel it. Calm down, girl. What's wrong with you? Why so nervous?

"Aless? You're shaking. What's wrong?"

Aless froze. Crap!

"To be honest? I don't know. I guess I'm just a little freaked out that we're so close.

"Why? You insisted that I sleep in your bed when I stayed the night."

"And you insisted that we face away from each other, me under the blanket, you on top." She giggled. "Don't tell me you don't think this is weird."

"You're right. I'm scared out of my mind. I don't know how to deal with people when they're this close."

Aless looked up at him with sparkling green eyes.

"Don't be scared. It's not like I'll hurt you." She paused, thinking. "You know I was worried half to death about you, right? All through that battle, I couldn't help but wonder if you were safe."

Crona closed his eyes, smiling a little.

"When I was in the Death Room, after Dr. Stein fixed me, I was hoping that you'd somehow gotten out of your battle duties. I didn't want you fighting. I don't know why. You just seem like you'd break if you were hit. But now I know that you're a lot stronger than you look."

"So are you." She yawned. "I need some sleep. Good night, my angel."

"Angel?"

"Oops. Did I say that out loud? Yeah, you're my angel."

"How can I be an angel? I've got demon blood."

"Well, then you're the most angelic demon I know. You're part of the reason I stayed here. Did you know that I stopped cutting? I just thought of how sad you were when you found out I did it, and the urge went away. In a way, you saved me."

Crona moved closer to her, letting her squeeze him tight.

"How about that," he whispered. "Well, good night, Aless, my angel."