A/N: Just gonna keep these coming, although I will spread them out.
Special thanks to my betas, Code 118 and KingPolar. Go check 'em out!
As always, thanks for your support - I really do appreciate it.
Tired eyes opened slowly. Where was she? Why was she? She shouldn't be alive.
Strands of gray hair fell around her shoulders as she sat up, looking at the space around her.
She was sitting in a small cave, and just outside she could see the single spire of the Bird Nest, surrounded by the parasites' makeshift town.
Water dripped from the ceiling, and she followed it to a small puddle. She looked in, and saw her own reflection. Her skin had regained its glow, was she healed? What had happened to her eyes - why were they cyan? And were those…?
Two small, grass-green horns had appeared on her forehead, complemented by her pupils and markings around her eyes. She really did look like her now, huh? Iota, the favorite. Alpha thought he controlled her, and the boy that should've been Kappa was in love with her. Zeta, though? She… she just wanted to escape from the pain. The former triplet sighed, finally ripping the muzzle off her face. She wouldn't need it for long. As she was leaving, a small stalagmite caught her eye. She paused, picking it up, examining its sharpness. Perfect.
9'ζ walked out of the small cave she was reborn in, heading towards her former masters' final base. She needed, more than anything else, a reason for why they'd left her behind. Why didn't they let me die?
As she approached the spired structure, a man on patrol took notice of her. "Who are you?" He yelled, but Zeta kept walking. She would get her answers, even if it was the last thing she'd do.
She walked into the main hall of the Bird Nest, and shouted, voice reverberating in the open space, "Iota! Talk to me!"
No response. People had begun gathering around her, though, so she figured it was only a matter of time before Iota arrived. A few minutes later, she'd gotten her wish.
Iota walked into the space behind her, her hands linked with Kappa's. "Zeta? Is that you?" She asked incredulously. "How are you still alive?"
"Why didn't you let me die?! Why didn't you take me with you?" Zeta rushed towards Kappa, drawing the stalagmite from her back. As she raised it up to stab him, the larger man effortlessly overpowered her, twisting her arm to the side. A snap was heard, and Zeta's mind shut down before the pain could come.
Hiro and Zero Two were understandably shaken from the events of the past couple days. A vengeful last Nine and the news that they'd be parents had them pretty tired. After ensuring that Zeta was restrained properly in Ikuno's lab - the scientist had wanted to examine her - the couple had returned to the newly redesigned Squad 13 section of the barracks.
As Hiro sat on the couch in the common area, he made a mental note to thank Mitsuru later. Everything he'd done was wonderful, and the man was still working. He even found time at home for his wife and daughter, something Hiro was no longer jealous of. After all, he could - no, he would have that soon enough. Well, maybe not a daughter, but a child nonetheless.
Zero Two had laid her head in her darling's lap, and he was fiddling with her hair. She'd recently begun testing a new shampoo mixture that a friend of Ikuno's had developed, and she could tell that her darling liked it a lot.
Hiro sighed, looking down at his honey. "What the hell was that all about? Why did she try to kill me?" He asked.
"To be honest, I don't know myself. Zeta - she never talked. I'm not even sure she had emotions, though that seems to have changed," she answered, trailing her fingers on the hand he had in her hair.
"I asked Ikuno to let us know when she wakes up. I have a feeling the three of us have a lot to discuss," he said, prompting Zero Two to nod slightly.
"Yeah, and did you see her horns? She's like us, I think," she added.
"That's another thing to find out, then. This week's shaping up to be a crazy one, eh?" He chuckled, the sound music to Zero Two's ears. He really did have a nice laugh.
They sat that way for a while, before she sat up in his lap, pressing their horns together. Both sat in silence, listening to all three of their hearts beating.
Zorome opened the door slowly, still carrying Miku. She was lighter than he'd expected, but still pretty heavy, so he'd been trudging his way back to Squad 13's dorm. He looked inside, and saw Hiro and Zero Two doing that thing they always did with their horns. It was a nice gesture, he supposed, but he felt like he'd walked in on them making out.
"Get to your room, you two," he murmured under his breath.
"Could say the same thing yourself, huh?" That's right, Zorome thought, resigning himself to his fate. He can hear lots more now.
Zero Two turned around in her darling's lap, both of them now facing him. Zorome sighed. "I'm never going to hear the end of this, am I?"
Zero Two shook her head. "Nope!" She called out, causing Zorome to nod.
"Well, I'm just going to put Miku here in her bed. I'll be back out in a few," he said, walking over to her room.
If anything, Hiro and Zero Two were more surprised that he hadn't gotten incredibly mad at them. But, then again, he did look really tired. They shared a knowing look, planning to ask him about it when he returned.
Miku's door shut softly, and Zorome flopped down on the couch opposite Hiro and Zero Two's. He groaned, rubbing his eyes. "I'm really feeling that bench now, I'll tell ya."
Hiro narrowed his eyes. "You slept on a bench?" Zorome nodded. "Why?"
The brown-haired man groaned again. "Miku and I were out watching the sunset in the park by the cherry sapling, then the stars came out, and then she fell asleep on my shoulder. Then I…" he stopped, realizing he'd said too much. "It wasn't like that, okay! I don't think of her in that way!" He added, causing Hiro to roll his eyes.
Zero Two's mouth was agape. "You and Miku went out together, did all that, and you really don't have any feelings for her at all?" She asked, wanting confirmation as to whether this guy was an actual idiot or not.
Zorome blushed, holding a pillow in front of his face. "Well… I can't say there's nothing there, can I?" He mumbled.
"Do you forget that we can still hear everything you say?" Hiro asked dryly.
Zorome removed the pillow, glaring at the other man. After he felt like he'd conveyed enough of his emotions to him, he put the pillow behind his head and faced upwards. "I'm going to take a nap. Go back to horn-making out or whatever you were doing," he said, closing his eyes.
Hiro shrugged, taking Zorome's suggestion and nuzzling Zero Two's nape a bit, causing her to gasp. "Darling!" She exclaimed, leaning back into him a little bit. She then turned, allowing them to actually start making out.
This continued for a while before Ichigo and Goro came back, having stayed up late working at the Grand Palace. The four of them had been bonding a lot lately - they had recently started watching old shows that Dr. Franxx had kept saved, finding their favorite to be a certain workplace comedy.
Ichigo cleared her throat, breaking Zero Two and Hiro out of their embrace. "You guys really need to learn that that makes people uncomfortable, you know," she admonished, bringing both hybrids to shrug.
"Why should we be reserved? We're in love!" Zero Two exclaimed.
"Yep, yep," Hiro agreed, echoing Zero Two's familiar phrase.
Goro sighed. "Well, if we can't stop you, we can at least let you know that Zeta's awake. Ikuno actually sent us to get you, so please, follow us," he said.
Hiro and Zero Two begrudgingly got up, as did Zorome, who went to go get Miku. He figured that they'd need all the help they could get, if it came to that.
The six of them walked down the hall, Ichigo offering Zorome and Miku a brief explanation as to the situation regarding Zeta. She was winding down her talk when Goro announced that they were here.
Ichigo opened the door, and Hiro and Zero Two walked in to find Zeta strapped to a table, straining against her bindings.
"Whywhywhywhywhy?! Why won't you let me be freeeeeeeeeee - be free? Let me go, let me go, let me go!" The triplet was clearly in a lot of mental trauma, having lost her meager family and being denied the chance to have it all end.
Ikuno approached them, groaning. "She's been like this ever since she woke up. Her arm has already healed, and my tests confirm that she's a member of the klaxosapiens species," she paused, checking to see if Hiro and Zero Two were still following. "What's more intriguing is that, despite APE records confirming that she's a clone of Zero Two, her genes now bear very little resemblance to your own. She's in a new body, I think," Ikuno finished, and Hiro nodded.
Zero Two was staring at Zeta, who was still spasming against her restraints and begging for death. What happened to her? She approached the woman on the bed, pulling up a chair. "Zeta, how are you doing?"
The triplet's eyes snapped to hers. "Iota, Miss Perfect," she hissed, "Perfect relationship, body, and life. Yet you are still unhappy. Whywhywhy?"
Zero Two stared into her glowing green pupils, pity apparent in her own crimson ones. "Zeta, listen to me. My life was just as bad as yours, until my darling came. I myself wanted to…" she paused, breathing heavily. "I wanted to die. I had no reason to live. Then I found my darling again, but I had to fight for him. Life is fighting, Zeta. Be that literal or metaphorical, it is, and giving up is not okay."
Zeta had calmed down, thinking about what Zero Two was saying. "What if I don't have anything to fight for?" She asked, as Hiro walked over.
He stood next to his honey, grabbing her hand. "Find one, then. You've got all the time in the world now, and nothing holding you back," he said.
Zeta drew in a breath, watching Hiro and Zero Two's hands interlocking. "See, things like that? I'll never have that. No one will ever love me," she said, sniffling.
"Again, Zeta, I thought that…" Zero Two smiled. "But look at me now! I'm with my darling, and soon… I'll be a mother," she said, looking up at Hiro.
The other four members of Squad 13 were standing back, and Ichigo gasped. "But, you said-"
Ikuno cut her off. "We all know what she said, but that's changed. I can confirm that she is most definitely pregnant."
Hiro's smile grew bigger. "I'm never going to get tired of hearing that," he stated.
For Zeta, however, this news served only as further proof that the universe was denying her happiness. "Even that, see! I most definitely can't do that! Why is fate so… so cruel?"
Ikuno sighed. "Sorry to break it to you, Zeta, but you and Zero Two both had your wombs fixed when Strelizia's energy seeped back into the Earth. I've cross-referenced ultrasounds from yesterday with some I took today, and both of you have perfectly functioning reproductive organs," the scientist said, Zeta looking at her.
"So, you're saying…" she began.
"Yes, you can find happiness, if you wish. Fate doesn't have power over you," Ikuno finished, as her other squad members looked at her, eyes wide. "What?"
"Waxing poetic is my job, Ikuno," Hiro said, laughing. "We didn't know you had it in you!"
Ikuno pouted, releasing Zeta. "Ah, get out of here, you guys. I've gotta finish that damn cure!"
They relented, Hiro and Zero Two supporting Zeta as she got up. The second they got out the door, Ichigo and Miku were all over Zero Two, congratulating her. Goro and Zorome had gone over to Hiro, and were effectively doing the same.
"I'm happy for you, bro," Goro said, patting him on the back. "We've another father in the mix!"
Zorome smirked. "Guess all that noise led to something, eh? Congratulations," he mocked, clapping slowly.
Zorome looked back at the congregation around Zero Two, before bringing Goro and Hiro in close. "So, can you guys help me get with Miku?" He pleaded.
Hiro sighed. "I thought you didn't think of her like that," he teased.
Zorome flicked him on the nose. "Shh! Just, can you or can you not?"
Goro nodded, and Hiro agreed to help too. "It's best for all of us to be happy, right?" Goro said, chuckling.
Unbeknownst to the huddling men, Miku was asking Ichigo and Zero Two a pretty similar question.
"I thought you said he was an idiot," Ichigo said.
"He is! I think I like him anyways, though," Miku responded.
"That's good - liking someone through their flaws," Zero Two said, looking over at Zeta. "Hey, Zeta, get in here!" She beckoned, bringing the other hybrid in close.
Zeta leaned in with the other girls, confused as to what was happening. "What are we doing?" She asked, loud enough to draw the other boys' - not Hiro's, as he already knew what was going on - attention.
Zero Two shushed her, sharing a knowing look with her darling. "We're trying to get Miku here with Zorome," she told the green-horned woman.
"Why would she want to be with him? All you guys have done is call him an idiot for the past…" she checked the time on her PDA, "... five minutes."
"Fair point," Zero Two said, "But Miku asked for our help, so we're going to help her. Do you understand?"
Zeta went deadpan, and stared at her. "Do you think I'm a child? What do I need to do, if anything?"
Zero Two smiled. "So, you're onboard, good. Miku?" She looked to the redhead, directing her towards Zeta.
Miku extended her hand. "Hi, Zeta! I'm Miku," she introduced herself, and Zeta moved for her hand hesitantly. Is she going to pull away? I tried to hurt their friend…
Zeta smiled when she didn't. "Hi, Miku. Pleasure to meet you," she said.
Miku smiled, removing her hand. "Alright then, let's plan to meet up sometime to talk about this further, guys," she said, disbanding their huddle.
Zorome followed suit, going with Miku, Ichigo, and Goro to their common room to relax. Hiro and Zero Two decided to show Zeta around, waving goodbye to their other friends.
Futoshi wiped some sweat off of his forehead, exhaling. He and Nimina had been incredibly busy lately, despite the extra help. Orders just kept on coming in as more and more people got real jobs, Ichigo's masterful introduction of the currency helping in that regard.
One good thing Futoshi got out of working with and delivering baked goods is that he was starting to lose some weight. Not that he was very self-conscious, but it did help him move around, and he had to admit that he liked how he looked now way more.
He got back to the bread he was working on, as Nimina put another batch out for walk-in customers to use. She'd been really busy lately, but she liked that. She'd found Futoshi to be good company, his demeanor and ability to keep her motivated just as good as his baking skills.
The two were talking about the sudden influx of orders on a break when Hiro, Zero Two, and Zeta walked in.
"Hey, Futoshi! How's it going?" Hiro called, sitting down at their table as Zero Two pointed out some things to Zeta.
"Forgive me my manners!" Nimina said, standing up and bowing. "Thank you so much, for all you've done for us!"
Hiro waved her off. "Ah, stop it. A friend of Futoshi's is a friend of mine, and there's no need to be so formal with friends."
Nimina was surprised at the nonchalant manner of Earth's savior, but he was just another one of them, she supposed. "I'm Nimina," she said, sitting back down.
Hiro grinned. "Nice to meet you, Nimina. You work with Futoshi, right?" She nodded. "How are things going around here?"
Futoshi sighed. "It's always real busy. Ever since jobs started opening up, all people have wanted to do is buy our bread, it seems. Not that I'm complaining, but it's very tiring," he exhaled, rubbing the back of his head.
Nimina checked the time, tapping Futoshi on the shoulder. It seemed break was over - they needed to get back to work.
Hiro thanked them for their time, and stood up, getting Zero Two and Zeta's attention. The trio then continued on their tour, showing Zeta around the town and where she'd be staying.
It was a relatively small room, near Squad 13's common quarters. Zeta was quite thankful for the gesture, as she suddenly felt quite tired, and excused herself.
The rest of the afternoon, the former triplet dreamed of happy days, days where she could dance under the cherry blossoms with someone.
The next day, Ikuno had finished her cure research, and tested it on Naomi. Her girlfriend had stopped displaying adverse signs of the yellow blood cells - they were there, so FranXX piloting should still be possible, but there was no more rapid aging - her cell cycle had returned to "normal" speed, although that was based off Hiro and Zero Two's regular cell death and replacement speed.
They saved our generation again, she thought.
She began preparing a speech to give at her official revealing of the cure, when her PDA pinged. She'd gotten a message from Ichigo, telling her to come outside - there were some klaxosaur carcases there, and they didn't know why.
She walked outside, grateful that her own accelerated aging hadn't progressed to the point where she couldn't move, and found Ichigo standing with some of the other squad members over the pile of dead klaxosaurs.
Zero Two stood up from the pile, facing Ikuno. "My darling and I smelled it earlier," she said, shrugging. "There's really no sign as to why it's here."
Hiro was poking around the other parts of the pile, and exclaimed that he'd found something. As the others gathered around him, he picked up a rectangular piece of klaxo-material, showing the others.
Written on the piece were the words, For further construction, without any moral ambiguity. We know you need all the FranXX you can get.
"Huh," Zero Two said. "Guess they intend for us to build more FranXX out of it."
"Who's going to do that, though?" Goro asked. "We do have the doctor's notes on the construction process, but no actual practical experience with it." He turned to Ikuno. "Could you try your hand at some, Ikuno?"
The scientist shrugged. "Sure, I guess. We don't have any power to operate them, though, and I don't think the klaxosaurs want us digging up any more magma energy."
Zero Two raised her hand. "Strelizia ran out ages ago, and it's still operating. Can my darling and I help with that?"
Ikuno nodded. "Sure, if you're fine with running a bunch of tests in the machine," she said.
"Fine by me," Hiro said. "It'll give us a chance to actually plan our wedding, seeing as we won't have much to do in there."
Ichigo was confused. "Wait, you guys are actually getting married?"
Hiro nodded. "Yeah. Didn't we tell you?"
Ichigo shook her head, and Hiro shrugged. Ikuno sighed, getting out before the two could get further into discussion. She needed to finish that speech, and then she could see about restarting the FranXX program, preferably without the whole "cloning" aspect.
Seeing as she'd confirmed Ai had inherited yellow blood cells, optional military service for future citizens was a very real possibility. One they needed to utilize if they were to counter Edelweiss.
Ichigo had authorized the usage of the Palace's main hall for Ikuno's reveal of the so-called "miracle cure." The researcher was standing outside with Naomi, making sure her appearance was fine for the speech.
"You look good," Naomi said, smoothing out a crease on her dress sleeve. "You're going to kill it, dear."
Ikuno smiled. "Thanks. I'll try!"
Ichigo motioned for them to come onstage, and they walked out to the podium, Ikuno placing her speech up. She cleared her throat, and began talking.
"Two days ago, I finished the cure for the rapid aging brought on by yellow blood cells, thanks to the blood of Hiro and Zero Two," she began gesturing towards the hybrids. "I've tested it on several subjects, and it appears to work. As such, its administration will begin soon, after I finish synthesizing more," she finished, asking for any questions.
None followed, and she thanked the room to thunderous applause. Hiro was surprised that she hadn't been more verbose, as she easily could've been, but it really was quite the simple matter: she'd fixed their only remaining biological problem.
Hiro and Zero Two followed Ikuno back to her laboratory, where Zeta and Kokoro were waiting. The two of them had proved invaluable in the basic preparation of their wedding, and Hiro and Zero Two were incredibly thankful for that. The hybrids had planned Kokoro and Mitsuru's, but that was more impromptu than anything. This was going to be a real wedding.
He and his honey entered their mech, neurodes and plenty of other wires attached to it. Ikuno needed all the data she could get from it in order to figure out exactly how it operated without magma energy. Today's test was the… the third so far, Hiro thought, although they all blended together in his mind. Each had been about seven hours long, but it felt like it was so much longer. Even with his honey there, it really was just tedium.
The mech activated, and Ikuno gave her a thumbs up. Strelizia returned the gesture, and got to discussing her wedding with her darling, Zeta, and Kokoro.
This session, they were talking about the flowers they should use. Kokoro had suggested lilies, while Zeta was thinking roses. Zero Two was sticking to strelitzias, though, and Hiro had to agree. It was their flower, and he was sure there was still a patch of them in Mistilteinn somewhere. He and his honey could go out to find them, and get in a nice day just to themselves. It was nice seeing your friends again after two years of being alone, but it'd gotten to the point where they had basically no personal time.
"Kokoro, it's my wedding, and I'm telling you, we're using my flowers," Strelizia said, making the planner throw her hands up in defeat. Zeta shrugged, leaning back in her chair and looking at the schedule.
"Up next is… venue! You paying attention, Hiro?" She asked.
Hiro hadn't stopped paying attention. He had literally nothing else to do. "Yep," he confirmed. He was thinking of the beach, as water was important to them, and they hadn't been there in so long. They could combine it with another beach day for Squad 13, and maybe, just maybe, get Zorome and Miku together.
"So, how about the beach?" Strelizia said. He and his honey were mentally linked, so of course they'd think of the same thing! Or maybe they both just associated it with good things.
"For once, I think we all agree on this. Zeta?" The hybrid in question nodded. "The beach it is, then. Great," Kokoro said, writing it down.
Hiro sighed. "Ikuno, how long have we been in here?" He asked, exasperated.
"Uh… about half an hour, Hiro," she responded.
Hiro sighed, wishing that he could make time pass faster.
A few hours later, Hiro was sitting back in the stamen's chair, sighing for the umpteenth time. As much as he loved the feeling that he was helping out, he wished he could plan for his wedding somewhere else. Ikuno needed to get this research in, though, because she wouldn't be able to for a while afterwards.
Zero Two was approaching the stage in her pregnancy where she wouldn't be able to pilot any more, and although they'd discovered a klaxosapiens' gestation period to be about two months shorter than a genetic human's - the fetus was developing incredibly fast - that was still six months without any meaningful research getting done.
He felt Zero Two get out of the control seat, as Ikuno announced that they were done for the day. She grabbed his hand, dragging him outside.
Ikuno gave them a quick debrief on what she'd learned so far - not much - and Hiro and Zero Two said their goodbyes, running to their room.
They'd gotten reservations for some new fancy place that Ichigo and Goro had recommended, and needed to go get changed. After all, it was their first night out like this.
Zorome had decided to pitch his idea for a school to Ichigo, and had recruited Miku to help him. She had some qualms with parts of it, but he'd changed those pieces quickly. They needed to present a united front in this.
He was putting on a suit - he probably didn't need it, but better to look professional - and had just finished fixing his hair when Miku came into his room. Zorome raised his eyebrows at her new appearance.
She'd let her hair down, and was wearing an orange dress that Kokoro had probably made. Her new sewing shop was working wonders for women who wanted to look good. Zorome had started being more honest with himself about his feelings regarding his partner's appearance: she looked good. Really good.
Miku was snapping her fingers in front of his face, trying to get him to snap out of whatever rut he'd gotten himself into this time. Finally, he flinched.
"What the hell was that for?" He asked, startled.
"You spaced out again, idiot. Finish getting ready, we need to get going," she chided, exiting the room.
Zorome sighed, and continued his preparation. Naomi was also supposed to join them, but she hadn't showed. Probably something with Ikuno, he thought.
Zorome exited the building with Miku in tow. They needed to make this quick - both quite disliked their attire. It was stifling! They needed to get back into their casual clothes, their nice, comfortable, casual clothes…
Zorome looked over at Miku, preparing to ask a question.
"Before you ask, I've got the papers with me," she responded, holding up a folder. Had she read his mind?
"Always so dutiful," Zorome said, smiling.
"I try," Miku replied.
Silence resumed around them, the chirping of cicadas filling the air. Zorome was surprised - he'd read about them before, but never seen or heard them! "So, they're back, huh?"
Miku looked at him in confusion. "Who's back?"
Zorome gestured around him. "The cicadas. The things making all that noise," he clarified. Miku nodded, looking around them.
"Oh, look at that," she said, pointing into a restaurant in front of them. Zorome followed her lead, seeing Hiro and Zero Two dining at a nice restaurant.
"They look almost like us, hah!" Zorome joked, nudging Miku with his elbow, as they started to walk again.
"What, dressed up, or going out?" She teased, bringing Zorome to stammer.
"Dr-dressed up, Miku. Do you want us to be going out?" He countered, causing Miku to look away, blushing.
"Oh, I hate you," she muttered, bringing Zorome to laugh. "It's not funny really! Things like that are not to be taken lightly!"
He stopped laughing, looking her dead in the eyes. "I wasn't taking it lightly," he told her, voice as dry as the desert.
Her eyes widened, and Zorome began holding in a laugh. "Oh, come on, Zorome!" She yelled, rolling her eyes.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he apologized, rubbing his shoulder uncomfortably. "How long until we actually reach this place?"
Miku turned to him, pointing to a building on her left. "That's where Ichigo's office is. She'll be expecting us by now."
Zorome ran in front of her, opening the door and gesturing for her to move inside. Hiro had been "tutoring him" on gentlemanly conduct lately, and this was one of the most basic things he could do.
However, Miku rolled her eyes at the gesture. Maybe Zorome should've anticipated that Miku wouldn't be receptive to these methods… but she did walk through the door without further complaint.
Zorome sighed, and followed her in. "What, you don't like it when I'm nice?" He asked.
She shook her head, exhaling. "It's not that. It's just… not something you'd do, Zorome. Be yourself," she stated, still walking towards Ichigo's office.
Be myself, huh? Zorome thought. So maybe… Hiro wasn't the best tutor for getting into relationships. Zorome decided he'd try some of Hiro's techniques after he'd passed that initial step, seeing as most of what he'd been learning was falling flat.
They came up on Ichigo's office, and Miku knocked. They heard some clattering, and after a moment Ichigo told them to come in.
The bluenette was sitting at her desk, arms propping up her chin. "Hey guys. I was just cleaning up in here when you came in," she said, panting a bit. "Is it hot to you guys?"
Miku shook her head. "I'm a bit cold, honestly. Are you alright, Ichigo?" The redhead asked, concern present on her and Zorome's faces.
"I'm fine," she told them, smiling. "So, what do you have for me?"
Miku handed her the papers and Ichigo skimmed over them, setting them on her desk. "It looks good, I'll get back to you guys on it," she said.
"That's it? We dressed up for nothing?" Zorome asked, a little pissed. He'd spent at least half an hour figuring out how to tie his tie, and Ichigo was blowing them off like this?
"You guys honestly didn't need to dress up, but this might help," she said, handing them a small coupon for the restaurant they'd passed on the way there. "Now, get out of here, I'll look at your proposal properly later."
Zorome and Miku walked out of the room, leaving Ichigo to do... whatever she needed to do. "Well, we may as well take her up on that offer. Would you join me, Miku?" He asked, offering his hand.
She hesitated for a moment, but took his hand. "I'd be delighted, Zorome," she said.
He smiled, and the two set off for a night they'd surely remember, the setting sun bringing warmth to their open hearts.
Hiro made a mental note to thank Goro for suggesting that restaurant. It was such a wonderful experience - they'd have to do it again sometime. Maybe for his birthday. He looked over at his honey, who was humming softly.
Zero Two was having an amazing night. Not much else could make it better - maybe a certain third person being present, although they would have to wait for another half-year.
She smiled brightly at the thought of motherhood. It was a new feeling, the idea that she really could raise something, that she could leave something behind. It was something she thought she could never do, but… she never thought she could be with her darling, either.
Hiro looked up from the pink-haired girl next to him, seeing that they'd made it to Squad 13's dorm. He gently opened the door, and found the room empty, save for a small note on the whiteboard left by Ichigo. It said she was at her office, and Hiro also saw a small note from Goro that she'd tried to cross out, confirming that he was with her.
Hiro rolled his eyes, simultaneously still grateful that those two had gotten together, but also smirking because he had a feeling about exactly what they were doing. Did they really need to use her office? I feel so bad for the janitorial staff…
He continued on with his honey to their shared room, and began changing into his nightclothes as soon as they entered.
He was taking his tie off when his honey bounced up to him, holding something behind her back.
"Guess what I got earlier~?" She singsonged, shifting on her heels and toes.
"What?" Hiro said, playing dumb. He had a feeling that she'd brought back-
"The picture book!" She announced, showing it to him. "Remember, we said we'd finish our rewrite! So, let's get to it!"
Hiro smiled, ideas already flowing into his head on how to make the ending their own. "Alright, alright. So, where are we in the process?"
"Well," his honey began, "I've got the crayons, so I can do the illustrations, but I was thinking that you could do the actual ending? You're so much better with words!"
Hiro nodded, moving her over to the bed so that they could sit. "Well, I'll see what I can think of. You get started on the drawing, okay?" He said, pecking her on the lips.
She nodded, pulling out her crayons and getting to work. Hiro sat back on the pillows, grabbing a notepad and a pencil to write with. He had some general ideas for how the ending should go, but not much concrete. He definitely wanted the prince and the beast to reunite, but how was he going to get there in one page, assuming they kept the original last two pages?
Hiro sat like that for a while, unable to come up with anything. He put the notepad down and rubbed at his eyes, exhausted. His honey was still lying on the bed, drawing and humming softly. His gaze drifted to her horns, and Hiro realized what he needed to do.
He picked up the notepad, and began writing.
At long last, the prince found his wife again.
She tried to make him leave, to keep him safe, but he would have none of it.
He threw away his humanity as if casting a stone, his wanting to be with her overpowering any reservations he had.
The two then flew away, back into the forest, living the rest of their lives together.
He put his pencil down and tapped his fiancée's shoulder, getting her attention.
"How does this read, honey?" He asked, showing her what he'd written so far.
She took a moment to look over it, then she looked back up at him. "This is for after the original ending, right?"
"Yes, we're still using the separation bit," he confirmed, still waiting for her response to his piece.
"Then it's wonderful, darling. I'll draw in that part after I'm done here, okay?" She told him, getting back to her work.
He set the notebook down again, and leaned back into the bed. He really wished that he was a natural at illustrating - then he could actually help her with that bit. She'd done most of it, and he felt a little bad that he couldn't do more to help.
Zero Two looked up, and saw her darling was boring a hole into a spot on the ceiling above him. "Are you alright, darling?" She asked, concerned that he was overthinking things again.
He sighed. "I'm fine. I just wish I could do more to help you, you know? You've done all of this, and I've barely done anything," he stated, looking at her. "It makes me feel bad."
"Darling, you help out just by being here with me. I wouldn't be around to illustrate this story if it weren't for you. Please don't forget that," she told her darling, positioning herself over him. "Besides, you'll have plenty to help with once the baby comes."
That last sentence was music to Hiro's ears. "I'm looking forward to it," he said, leaning up to kiss her. She smiled into the embrace, wrapping her arms around his back.
After some time, they broke apart, and she laid down on his chest. "Darling, I'm tired," she pouted, playing with his hair.
He concurred. "Good night, honey." He closed his eyes.
"Good night, darling." She closed her eyes, resting her head on his neck.
In a nearby room, another hybrid sat up in her bed. She sighed, looking at her reflection in the window. Would anyone ever want to be with her, like Hiro and Zero Two? Would she ever find her 'darling?'
A/N: As always, thanks for reading. Like I said, no real update schedule here.
However, once I'm busy again, I'll try to do these weekly.
Yours, dsw78