Summary:

It's been seven months. Zora gives "the letter" a proper response.

Chapter 2: Postscript

"That new restaurant was pretty good. Thanks for taking me," said Zora, as he reluctantly let go of Kirsch's hand at the entrance to the Coral Peacock's Headquarters. In the time that he and Kirsch have been together, Zora hated when the dates ended. It was a strange thing to always want to be around another person, but here Zora stood in front of a smiling and blushing Kirsch not wanting him to go inside and end their time together for the next week.

"Anytime," said Kirsch. Kirsch smiled softly at Zora and said, "Good night, Zora. I love you."

It always made Zora's heart swell with happiness when Kirsch said he loved Zora. Zora stared at his pretty golden-eyed partner and he wanted to say it back. Come on, say it. Say it. Tell Kirsch you love him. Zora had been trying for three months to tell Kirsch that he felt the same way. But he could never get the words out. Instead, Zora said, "Be careful during yer mission."

Kirsch still smiled and said in a teasing tone, "I am always careful. You stay safe on your mission. I don't want any calls from Magna about you being in the infirmary."

Slightly grumpy, mostly because he chickened out on telling Kirsch his feelings, again, Zora said, "That 'appened once."

"More like five times," said Kirsch, who never forgot any little detail about Zora, which was endearing and flattering but also made it so that Zora never got away with anything. Gaze soft and loving, Kirsch reached over and cupped Zora's cheek so gently, like Zora was precious, and whispered, "Seriously Zora, don't get into too much trouble."

Zora reached up and put his hand over Kirsch's hand cupping his cheek and squeezed. "I'll try."

Kirsch said, "That's all I can ask."

Reluctantly, they pulled their hands away from each other and Zora said, "Good night."

Kirsch gave him another smile, before turning around and entering the Coral Peacocks' Headquarters.

Zora sighed.

"How did it go," asked Magna as soon as Zora returned to the Black Bulls' home. Magna, Luck, Vanessa, and Finral were in the living room, but no one else was around and it looked like they were playing poker, which meant that Finral was taking everyone's money and Vanessa was drunk. Luck looked ready to flip the table, as he didn't take losing very well.

"The date was nice," said Zora.

Magna gave him an unimpressed look. "That's not what I'm talkin' about, bro. Did you tell him?"

Zora glared. "No. Stop callin' me "Bro." I'm goin' ta bed."

"Again? Zora, seriously," said Vanessa. "You gotta tell your man how you feel."

"It's important to communicate using your words in a relationship," said Finral.

Magna looked disappointed and said, "Bro, I recall that you were the one that convinced me that Luck wouldn't freak out if I told him how I felt."

"Kirsch would definitely cry," said Luck, momentarily distracted from losing the poker game. "I mean happy cry, not sad cry."

Zora groaned. "Why do I tell ya people anythin'?"

Did the whole squad know that Zora had tried and failed multiple times to tell Kirsch how he felt? Yes, they did because Magna, and by extension Luck, can't lie for anything and told Vanessa, who told the rest of the squad, even Captain Yami. Zora still can't be in the room with Nacht or Gauche without wanting to throw them out of the windows, as they had smug looks on their faces (even though those two had no room to talk because they were ten times more emotionally constipated than Zora). Vanessa, Finral, Magna, and Luck often tried to give him advice, all very bad or ridiculous or ridiculously bad advice.

"Because you need us," Vaness cooed.

Finral sighed, nonchalantly swiping the piling of yul to his part of the table while Luck was distracted, "You really need to tell him. Are you really going to spend the rest of your life with Kirsch and not say "I love you" even once?"

Zora glared at his friends. "I'm working on it."

"Well, work faster," said Magna, knowingly. "You love him, so don't half-ass it."

"Words of wisdom from the mouth of babes," said Vanessa.

Magna scowled and demanded, "Are you callin' me a child, alcoholic auntie?"

Vanessa gasped, "Who are you calling an "auntie"?"

"Fight! Fight!" Luck cheered.

Zora shook his head and rolled his eyes, as he let Finral deal with Magna and Vanessa fighting with Luck egging them on.

Magna was right. Either I'm all in or I'm not. There's no middle ground, Zora told himself. When I get back from my mission, I'll tell Kirsch that I love him. I will do it this time.

Yawning, exhausted from his mission hunting down old associates of the former Captain of the Purple Orcas, Zora entered the Black Bulls' base with the intent to grab a snack from the kitchen and then go straight to bed. However, he found that Captain Yami, Vanessa, and Finral were sitting in the living room and it was strangely quiet. No Magna and Luck fighting, no Asta, Noelle, and Liebe bickering like the children they were, no Charmy devouring food, no Gauche being weird about Marie, no Grey, Gordon, Nero, Henry, or Nacht lurking, no, it was just Yami, Vanessa, and Finral.

"Good, you're back," said Captain Yami. "We thought we were gonna hafta call you in."

"What happened," Zora asked immediately, concerned that someone lost a limb or got cursed or something equally as horrifying. Clenching his fist, he breathed out as he stared at his squadmates.

"We need you not to lose your shit," Captain Yami stated, blandly.

Zora's eyes narrowed and asked more forcibly, "What happened?"

Finral nervously interjected. "Okay, first, it's not a big deal, it's really okay, Zora. Everything's fine now, we promise."

"Finral, sweetie, that's not helping," said Vanessa, grimacing.

Zora snapped, "The fuck is goin' on?"

Captain Yami said, "We got a message from Dorothy. Her Vice-Captain's been poisoned and he's in the infirmary under Old Man Owen's care…"

Zora stared in disbelief at Captain Yami, Finral, and Vanessa for a full minute.

Kirsch's hurt? Who am I going to have to kill?

"Zora, he's okay," said Vanessa, gently.

Zora didn't know what his face looked like to have Vanessa and Finral give him the most worried looks. They knew that he didn't take it well when someone he cared about was hurt, especially when he wasn't around. It always dug up his trauma from losing his dad. Any time one of the Bulls came home with injuries, it always set Zora on edge, making him hover nearby in order to make sure they didn't hurt themselves more. Once suffering from mana exhaustion, Vanessa joked that Zora became unbearable when someone got hurt. Charmy said Zora was a "Papa Wolf," whatever that meant.

"Finral, make me a portal to the infirmary," said Zora, trying to keep his temper and his emotions in check, while his heart beat faster at the thought of Kirsch injured and without Zora there. Get to Kirsch. I just need to get to him.

Finral didn't move, looking at Captain Yami for guidance.

Captain Yami sighed, "Don't be a bother to Owen, okay? Finral, do it."

Finral nodded and opened a portal. "Go ahead, Zora."

"Give Kirsch our love," said Vanessa.

Zora didn't answer them and immediately went through the portal, landing right in the hallway of the infirmary where Doctor Owen and Captain Dorothy, awake for once, were mid-conversation. Zora didn't waste any time with pleasantries or greetings, and demanded, "Where's Kirsch?"

"Hello, Zora," said Doctor Owen, tiredly. "He's sleeping now. I told Yami to tell you that he's making a full recovery and not to come, but I don't know what I expected."

Zora said, "I want ta see 'im."

"He's going to be okay," said Captain Dorothy. Unlike her normally cheerful disposition, there was a weariness in her eyes. "He needs rest. Come back tomorrow."

"I just want t' see 'im, won't wake 'im up," said Zora.

Captain Dorothy and Doctor Owen looked at each other and silently communicated it seemed.

Zora's right eye twitched. Don't make me cause a scene. Let me get to Kirsch.

"Fine. I don't suppose you want to know what happened," Doctor Owen asked.

"He 'ad a dungeon mission with the brats and April," said Zora, blankly. "Somethin' went wrong with a trap or the one brat's poisonous spiders." At the moment, he didn't care what happened, he just wanted to see Kirsch. He needed to see Kirsch.

Captain Dorothy chuckled. "You're too smart for your own good, Zora Come on, I'll take you."

Zora nodded, glad that she and Owen stopped stalling, and followed Captain Dorothy down the hallway to the overnight infirmary room.

"Owen gave him something to sleep, so Kirsch shouldn't stir," said Captain Dorothy.

Without any words, Zora entered the room and found Kirsch laying on an infirmary cot. With no one in sight, Zora practically ran to Kirsch's bedside, though it was only a few meters away from the door. Zora placed his hand over Kirsch's hand and observed his sleeping partner.

Kirsch was pale, his vermillion hair was a mess, and Zora spied some cobwebs in his hair. Zora bit the inside of his cheek, cutting the inside of his mouth.

Zora shut his eyes tightly for a moment, trying not to have a panic attack from the stress of worrying about Kirsch before he opened them. He used his other hand to brush the webs out of Kirsch's soft, normally immaculate hair. Zora gently trailed his fingers down to Kirsch's neck, where he found a steady pulse of Kirsch's heartbeat.

Tense body sagging in relief, Zora sat on the stool that was by the cot. He didn't let go of Kirsch's hand.

Zora whispered, "I love you."

"You can't stay overnight with him, Zora."

"Make me move then, Doc."

"Zora. Don't be difficult."

"I'm not leavin' 'im."

"Fine, but don't get in the overnight doctor's way."

Kirsch wearily opened his eyes and then shut them quickly again. His head hurt and his mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton. Slowly opening his eyes again, his eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room. Kirsch knew he was in the infirmary because there was only one place that a bed would be this uncomfortable and that was the infirmary. He also knew he was in the infirmary because he felt Zora's hand on his.

Turning his head to look to the left, he found Zora sitting on the stool, napping, but still holding Kirsch's hand. Even in the darkness, Zora was still a sight to behold. Kirsch's eyes watered, as he knew that Zora must have just come back from his own mission and immediately came to the infirmary to see Kirsch without having proper rest.

Oh, my love, you didn't have to stay here with me. Did you eat something? Are you hurt? These words were on the tip of Kirsch's tongue, but he didn't speak.

Loath to wake up Zora when he needed the rest and went out of his way to sit with Kirsch, Kirsch gently laced his fingers through Zora's fingers so that they were holding hands more securely. He whispered, so low that no one would have heard it. "I love you, Zora."

Kirsch closed his eyes, easing his aching head, and fell quickly back to sleep.

The next morning, Kirsch woke up, much to Zora's relief. While Kirsch ate a light breakfast of oatmeal and tea, Doctor Owen did a check-up and explained that all the poison was gone from Kirsch's bloodstream and that he was free to return to the Coral Peacocks' Headquarters with strict orders to rest for a couple of days. And by rest, Doctor Owen told Kirsch, meant no paperwork, no training, and no strenuous activities whatsoever.

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on 'im," said Zora.

Doctor Owen gave Zora a stern look and said again, in no uncertain terms, "No strenuous activity."

Zora glowered and said, "I 'eard ya the first time, Doc." Zora glanced at an oblivious Kirsch, who never seemed to catch innuendos when aimed at their relationship.

Nodding once, appeased, the good doctor continued, "And then after two days, I want you back here for a check-up, Kirsch."

"I'll put it in my schedule," said Kirsch, finishing up the oatmeal. "Is Cob available for travel?"

"He's in his office," said Doctor Owen. "And remember, rest, Kirsch."

"I will," said Kirsch.

Kirsch got out of the cot, slipped the shoes back on his feet, and looked ready to go. Zora took Kirsch's hand in his and then, together left the infirmary room to head to Cob's office. Zora kept glancing at Kirsch to make sure that he was okay. Vanessa was right about him being unbearable when someone he loved got hurt. Hopefully, Kirsch wouldn't get too annoyed with Zora's hovering.

"You don't have to escort me home," said Kirsch, squeezing Zora's hand in reassurance. "I'm fine."

"I don't gotta do anything, but I want to," said Zora, muttering under his breath. I want to do all these things for you because I love you. He wished he could say it, instead of just thinking it.

"Thank you," said Kirsch, smiling at him. "Oh! Cob's office. Let's go."

Of course, Cob was more than willing to open a portal for Zora and Kirsch to get to the Coral Peacocks' Headquarters quickly and efficiently. Landing in front of the entrance to the Coral Peacocks' Headquarters, Zora didn't let go of Kirsch's hand and guided him inside. Kirsch seemed confused as to why Zora entered the headquarters with him, but Zora didn't get a chance to explain that he was going to be spending the next two days making sure Kirsch actually rested like he promised because they were immediately accosted.

"Vice-Captain's back," cheered April, the Wool Magic Wizard, as the hallway entrance filled with various members of the Coral Peacocks' squad.

"Kirsch," cried Captain Dorothy, stealing Kirsch away from Zora and hugging her Vice-Captain tightly. "You look so much better than yesterday. I would have come to pick you up. Hi, Zora, thanks for looking after him."

Zora raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. Now, stop smothering 'im. 'e needs ta rest." Zora pulled Kirsch away from Captain Dorothy and he glared at the other Coral Peacock members to warn them away from Kirsch. "Come on, I'm making ya a better breakfast than oatmeal."

He had been to this place enough times to know where everything was located, so he took Kirsch to the kitchens. He sat Kirsch down in a chair and asked him, "What do ya want ta eat?"

Kirsch sat there adorably confused and said, "A cheese and spinach omelet?"

"That I can make."

Zora made Kirsch a second breakfast. After Kirsch ate, Zora made him pick a book from the library to read because Kirsch almost disappeared into his office to "check on one little thing." Zora brought Kirsch to his room and made him get into bed. "Read your book and then nap."

Kirsch had an amused smile on his face and agreed.

While Kirsch was relaxing, Zora went back to the kitchen to plan lunch and dinner for Kirsch, which was normally Levi's job. Levi didn't appreciate Zora taking over the kitchen for the sole purpose of spoiling Kirsch with good food.

"Fine! Tell me when you're done so I can cook for everyone else. God, I don't know who's worse, you or Kirsch when the other's ill or injured," Levi said, storming out of the kitchen.

Zora rolled his eyes.

Kirsch was Zora's priority and no one else.

"It's late. Go home."

"No."

"Zora, you're not staying overnight to get cozy with my Vice-Captain."

"Weren't ya the one that meddled and plotted to get us together in the first place? I'm not leavin' 'im."

"I assure you that I'm very happy that you two are happily together, but the squad and I are more than capable of taking care of Kirsch in your stead. Don't make me call Yami."

"..."

"Zora."

"I'll be back first thing in the mornin'."

Kirsch woke up in his bed. His room was dark. There was a pitcher of water on his bedside table, as he sat up. He poured himself a cup of water. He really wasn't tired anymore because Zora didn't let him do anything today. He sipped the water and when he finished he placed the glass back on his bedside table, where he spotted a piece of paper.

Curious, Kirsch picked up the paper, turning on the lights (powered by mana). Kirsch gasped. He knew Zora's messy scrawl well, as sometimes they worked together in Kirsch's office on their respective paperwork. Kirsch read:

Kirsch,

I'll be back in the morning to make you breakfast. Don't you dare think about sneaking into your office to work. I put a trap that even you won't be able to break on the door and on the window of your office.

And…

Listen, alright, I never gave you a proper response to your letter. It's more than overdue. And it's been eating at me that you can tell me that you love me so easily but I can't say it back.

So.

I love you.

I love you more than you know.

It gets harder and harder to be apart from you when I just want to bask in your presence like the smitten sap I am.

I am going to spend the rest of my life loving you whether you like it or not.

I promise that the next time you're in front of me, I will tell you with my words that I love you.

-Zora

Kirsch stared at the words of the paper. His eyes filled with tears. Kirsch said out loud, "How can you make me love you more?"

He bit his bottom lip. Kirsch wanted to see Zora right now. His heart ached to see Zora's handsome face. Kirsch got out of bed, grabbed his robe, and slipped on his slippers. He left his room and walked down to Silas Vaude's room and knocked.

"What," Silas sneered when he answered the door. Silas was an older cousin of Finral and Langris. He had brown hair and green eyes and had the same smug Vaude features that Langris had and he knew both offensive spatial magic and transportation spatial magic. He didn't like either of his cousins from what Kirsch understood (but no one was ever allowed to bad mouth them in front of him, however) and felt that he should be the heir to Vaude House.

"I need a portal to the Black Bulls," said Kirsch.

Silas rolled his eyes. "If you wanted to go fuck your boyfriend, go bother Juniper to make your portals instead."

Kirsch's face flushed and he hissed, "Excuse you, don't be so crude! And it's not like that."

Silas gave him a deadpan look, crossing his arms. "And you're supposed to be resting, not traipsing about in the middle of the night."

Here was the thing. Kirsch and Silas didn't get along for the most part, but as squadmates, they did care about each other in their own way.

"I just need to go see him."

"Wait until morning. He very loudly and pointedly told all of us that he'll be back first thing. I'm sure that he'd murder us if anything happened to you on our watch, as if we hadn't been stuck with you for years before he showed up," Silas snapped and slamming the door in his face.

Kirsch grimaced.

He turned around and went to the stairs and climbed up. While the ladies' rooms were well guarded with traps, he knew how to bypass them without breaking them. He quickly knocked on Juniper's door.

She answered the door after several moments, rubbing her eyes. "Where to," she mumbled, half-asleep.

"Black Bulls," said Kirsch, knowing he took advantage of Juniper's sleepiness so she wouldn't call for Levi and tell on him.

Juniper nodded and opened the portal.

Kirsch stepped through it, landing in the front yard of the Black Bulls' house. In the middle of the woods and at night, the place looked horrifying. Kirsch didn't hesitate to enter the base.

Vanessa sat in the living room, drinking, as Nacht attempted to slow her down. They were the only two Bulls awake this late.

"Heya, Kirsch. Zora's in his room," said Vanessa, not even bothering to question.

"Please do something about his piss-poor mood," said Nacht, smiling in that creepy way of his.

Kirsch nodded and went to the stairs. Henry normally changed the base around but it wouldn't be a problem for Kirsch as he could sense where Zora was by his mana. He followed his mana sense to a familiar hallway and found Zora's room. He knew better than to just go for the handle since Zora tended to trap it at night, so he knocked.

"Magna, I swear-" Zora started to complain but stopped when he saw it was Kirsch.

"Hi," said Kirsch, smiling shyly. The rest of what he wanted to say immediately stopped because Kirsch did not think this through. Zora had no shirt on (which granted he normally ran around in his awful leather outfit that left his chest exposed) and his hair was down, clearly, he had a shower and since intended to go to sleep, so Zora also had no mask on. The combination of all three had Kirsch's face heating up like an oven. "Er. Um."

You would think that he'd be more eloquent seeing his boyfriend of seven months relaxed and shirtless, but he's not.

"I knew I shoulda stayed wit' ya," said Zora, reaching over to check Kirsch's temperature.

"I'm fine," said Kirsch. He removed Zora's hand and held it. "I just wanted to see you."

Zora frowned. "Yer supposed ta be restin' not runnin' around in the middle of the night." Nonetheless, Zora let Kirsch into his room and shut the door behind them. "No point in wakin' up Finral and sendin' ya home."

"I read your note," said Kirsch.

Kirsch had the honor of seeing Zora's ears turn bright red and get all kinds of flustered once before when Zora asked him out the first time, so this second time was even better. Zora could be so cute sometimes when Kirsch least expected it. Normally, it was Kirsch getting all flustered and unable to function.

It took several seconds before Zora composed himself, though his ears were still red, and said, "What about it?"

Kirsch immediately let go of Zora's hand in order to cup both of Zora's cheeks and stare directly into his blue eyes. "It was so sweet, Zora. It made me so happy to read it, but you know that I would have never forced you to say something that was hard for you. I know you love me, I've known for months because you love me the best with your care and touch and words." Zora stared at him confused. Kirsch continued, pressing onward, "I adore you, Zora. I love you so much. And I'm so happy to be with you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you too."

"I love you too," said Zora, a little breathlessly, a little overwhelmed. "I love you so much. I-"

Kirsch cut him off, kissing him on the lips gently. Pulling away but not far, Kirsch said, softly, "You're so good to me, my love." Kirsch kissed Zora again. And again. And one more time for good measure.

Zora was the one that pulled away the third time, and said, chuckling, "Maybe I should wake Finral up ta send ya home."

"But I want to stay with you," said Kirsch, leaning over to press a small kiss at the edge of Zora's mouth. He smiled at Zora. "Please?"

It took a moment before Zora said, sighing, "Fine, but ya gotta go ta sleep."

Kirsch hugged Zora and whispered, "Promise. I'll behave."

(Neither behaved).

"Silas?"

"Yes, Captain?"

"Were you not going to tell anyone that Kirsch left in the middle of the night?"

"He's grown."

"He just got out of the infirmary."

"He was going to his delinquent, overprotective boyfriend. The Vice-Captain was fine."

"You could have at least told us before we all searched the entire base for Kirsch."

"Ah, yes, I see, very sorry, Captain. Next time, then."

"Good...wait, next time? Does Kirsch do this a lot…?"

"I have said too much. I believe I have mission reports to do. Good day, Captain."

"Wait, Silas, Silas, come back here!"

~Postscript fin

I swear this story is done this time. Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think.