It was not often, that Reina ran. But she decided that it was important to make an exception every now and again. Only, she stopped short of his door, collecting her breath, patting her hair and assuring it was still in place. She knocked politely, before entering the laboratory.

Reiji was at his desk, arranging a variety of papers, not bothering to look up. "Have you calmed down, then?"

She smiled politely. "Yes, I wanted to apologize for earlier."

"It was to be expected." He replied mechanically.

She nodded.

For a long while neither said anything. Reiji cleared his throat, "Was there anything else?"

Her heart beat fast against her chest, her voice suddenly refusing to work. It had been so long since she had last seen him, and yet, it didn't feel like much time had passed at all. Suddenly just being in his presence made everything feel as though it had gone back to normal.

He had always been there.

Through the beatings, the casual novel reading. He'd taken care of her the night she stupidly (and unknowingly) drank vampire juice. He'd provided her with a tea she could savor, so that she would no longer be forced to suffer through formal gatherings. Reiji had aided her in French, taught her how to make takoyaki for Ayato despite the countless times that Reiji insisted Reina had 'mediocre culinary ability.'

She walked around the small lounging area, leaning against the couch for added support. "Well, you see," she straightened herself, finding her pose a bit strange, and stepped closer to the desk, "I…Reiji I was wondering if-"

She was stopped mid-sentence, the sparkling cabinet catching her eye. She couldn't help but be drawn to it, her legs leading her to it of their own accord. Rows and rows of teacups lined the shelves, all intricate in their own right, all in pristine condition. It was the most beautiful arrangement Reina had ever seen.

It is important to have a passion of some sort, with a life as long as ours.

Reina had been on the verge of tears far too many times to count today. All this time…

After everything he had already done for her, he had gone so far as to—

"Do you like it?"

His voice came from behind, and she could feel his heat—how absurd for him to have heat—melding into her own. In the glass Reina could see their reflections; transparent, almost indiscernible figures, side by side.

"You…" she took a breath, "You really did it…" her voice trailed off.

Reiji said nothing.

"They're lovely." She told him, a small smile tugging at her lips, her chest about to burst.

In the glass, Reina saw Reiji nod. "What is it you came here in such a rush for?"

She turned around to face him.

Slowly.

Hesitantly.

With a brave inhale she gazed into those ruby-purple eyes that always seemed to read her all too easily.

She swallowed, "Reiji I…I know what you're going to say," she bowed her head, "I know it's not quite practical, is it? But things like these aren't supposed to be practical, I think. I know I've read too many romance novels. You know I've read too many." She took another short inhale, "But despite that, I need you to understand that I am being completely honest."

He gave her a brief nod, motioning her to go on.

She thought she might faint, the way her heart was pounding. "I love you," she blurted rather unceremoniously, nearly covering her mouth as the words spilled from her lips, "I-I know that's sudden. Out of place, even. But I think that perhaps I've loved you my entire life and simply never quite been able to…Reiji when I see those teacups I can't help but think…" she licked her lips, biting them nervously, laughing softly as a result of her nervousness, "If you'll accept me..."

She watched as his eyes widened and he took a step back. She held her breath, smiling timidly, feeling the blush rise to her cheeks.

Reiji had never seen her carry such an expression. Those eyes. Those big, beautiful brown eyes. Looking so hopeful, so bright…looking…at him…

He'd never seen her smile…like that…

But it was no good. What did he have to offer? Someone who was nothing but a failure and a fraud. And for her to say such a thing so suddenly was completely unacceptable. How could she be so brazen about it? Was is simply because she could no longer…

No. That expression was far too honest. And he had already taken far too long to reply. His hands were shaking. He prayed she didn't notice. Here she was, this Queen, declaring her love to a man like him. He didn't deserve it.

"I'm sorry."

He didn't know what he had said. The words tasted foreign in his mouth. But it was what had tumbled out first.

Reiji watched as her smile quickly faded, her eyes darting all over his face in fading hope. The dazzling happiness that had claimed her expression moments ago was now being replaced by her polite outward appearance, which he'd seen her master over the course of many, many years.

"Ah, forgive me," she folded her hands in front of her and quickly glanced down, "I've spoken out of turn. Please forget what I've said."

Reiji's chest clenched. No.

Reina inhaled deeply, for whatever reason feeling as though perhaps she had lived too long a life for no reason at all. "Actually, Reiji-san, I needed to inform you, she began, rather formally, "Shu and Yui will marry soon. I'm sure you're aware of the established time frames. Therefore I think I'll return to France. I did enjoy my time there." She glanced down, but quickly glanced up again, clearing her throat "I'll visit, of course. You're all family to me." She stopped herself, "Forgive me. Once again it seems as though I've said a plethora of words when three would have worked just as well." She made to leave, and for a moment, Reiji watched her walk away.

But she didn't even manage three full steps.

His limbs seemed to move on their own, the way his legs lunged out, and his hand grabbed her wrists, his frame bending at the waist, as though he were bowing before her. He stared at the ground, shaking, his hair in his face and his grip tight on her arm.

"I cannot forget." His voice was hoarse.

She hesitated. "Reiji-"

"I have waited a lifetime for those words. Therefore I apologize, but I will not forget."

Slowly, he lifted his head, terrified of what he might see.

He was met with sparkling eyes, due to the tears that lined them, and Reiji found that this raw expression was perhaps the most appealing one she had ever worn. Without a single warning she let out a short laugh, throwing her arms around his neck, sniffling into his chest, holding onto him as though she were afraid he might vanish. Though he was a bit startled, it didn't take him very long to react, quickly embracing her in return.

Her hair was against his cheek, that enchanting scent fogging his mind; her warm breath on his shoulder, these small hands wrapped around him. He wanted to kiss her. Her head and face and cheeks and hands and her everything, until he could be granted a taste of those lips that had breathed out the words I love you.

But he held himself back, indulging in the simple fact that she was currently in his arms.

And for now, that was more than enough.

They didn't pull away from each other for a very long time, and when they finally did, it could hardly be called separation, the way his hands were still at her waist, and hers around his neck.

Reiji cleared his throat, bringing a hand up to her necklace. "Years ago," he said, turning the bead over in his hand, "You wanted to know why I chose this."

"So you finally admit that the gift was yours."

He glanced up at her, nearly smiling, before returning his gaze to the fragile gem.

Reina's skin was on fire; she'd never seen such a look in Reiji's eyes, his voice making nervous jitters dance through her body, anxious for what he might say next.

"To love or have loved, that is enough. Ask nothing further."

She nearly gasped, everything becoming clear. It was perfectly obvious, and yet it was so subtle that it was no wonder she'd never though of it before.

All this time...

Reina inhaled, smiling stupidly. "There is no other pearl to be found in the dark folds of life." She finished, scoffing and shaking her head before burying her face in his chest once more, this time not bothering to control her sobs.

"Reiji, you..." she squeezed him, whispering "Baka."

He held her tightly, thinking that perhaps that was the most accurate description of himself anyone had ever given.

She pulled away again, laughing a bit, and Reiji wiped her tears with his thumbs. He wondered if it was even allowed to feel this way. His chest was swelling, and it hurt, but at the same time, it was euphoric.

This happy pain...

It was something he could get quite addicted to.

Reina had to bite her lip to keep her smile from getting too big. She was blushing like mad, she knew. But she couldn't really help it. She looked around the room, trying to distract herself with something, anything to get her mind off of Reiji. Because if she continued to look at his face then she was afraid her heart really might give.

"This is a nice room. You must get a lot of work done here." she said with a clear of her throat.

Reiji nodded, "It's suitable, yes."

She smiled, looking off to the side, noticing the little vial that rested on his desk. She dropped her hold on him, and Reiji reluctantly did the same.

"Is that one of your elixirs?" she asked, pointing.

Reiji stiffened, beating her to the desk, walking around and putting the drug on his pocket. Reina picked up one of his papers to get more information, but he quickly snatched it from her. "These are my personal things, Reina."

But she had managed to read a few things. A resurrection drug. Was such a thing possible, she wondered.

"Reiji…are you planning to bring someone back?"

"My, how rude of you." he teased, gathering the papers in his hands and straightening them against the desk.

"Forgive me. I'm simply curious."

"It's none of your concern."

Slightly taken aback, she furrowed her brow, "This is no small matter Reiji-"

"The drug is simply for experimental purposes." He replied easily.

Reina swallowed awkwardly, but nodded her head regardless, becoming increasingly anxious at the fact that she had caught the name 'Beatrix' scribbled across the notes he was now putting away.

…

Yui clutched her chest, the sudden shudder causing her body to jolt in a way that could not be considered normal. She clenched her jaw, sweat lining her forehead, her heavy pants weighing her down, her vision blurred. She didn't know if it was because she was crying or that the anemia was making her see things. But this felt mcuh too surreal to just be anemia. This was something else entirely, the way her heart pounded like a drum, resonating in her chest as though it were a gong.

Perhaps she was dying.

She tried to call for Shu, but her voice cracked at the end, morphing into something she did not recognize.

What followed was, in a word, darkness.

A/N: I know updates have been super fast but I'm just like really excited lol. The next one might take a little longer since I've got finals and stuff. But in any case OMG IT FINALLY HAPPENED I'M SOBBING REIJI MY LOVE DON'T FUCK THIS UP. You guys I have been WAITING SO LONG for this goddamn chapter like you have no idea. Since like the first chapter basically. *heavy breathing*

Guest: Thank you so much! I kind of want it to go on forever too but then I'd go crazy lol. We're actually pretty close to the end...almost ;)

Gemma: Haha had to build up some suspense there ;) How'd I do though ;_;