When Marin woke up the next morning, she found herself in a warm and familiar embrace.

Looking up, she saw Aiolia, sleeping peacefully next to her. Looking around she found that Aiolia had brought them to her own bedroom and had spent the night there with her. Marin reached out a hand and gently stroked Aiolia's cheek. His face was serene, the morning light making his eyelashes glow pink.

Marin pulled herself close and rested her face against his soft and fuzzy chest.

"Marin?" Aiolia asked, his voice still heavy with sleep.

"Good morning," Marin looked up at him, smiling. Even if everything around them was still so heavy; should couldn't help but be this happy with Aiolia right there.

Aiolia returned her smile and wrapped and arm around her back. "Did you sleep well?"

"Like the dead," she said with a smirk. "No dreams, no nothing. I feel great."

"I'm so glad," Aiolia said, running his hand slowly down Marin's back. Aiolia then leaned down to kiss her, and Marin responded eagerly. She pulled him close and sighed into his lips without holding back.

The kisses that Aiolia and Marin had shared in this bed had not always been this warm. And so, Marin was a bit surprised that Aiolia had chosen to bring her to her bed in the first place. In the last 7 years of their relationship, most of their nights; their warm kisses and their heated embraces; they had always been at Aiolia's place.

Because 7 years before is when Aiolia and Marin had shared their very first kiss, curled up in this bed just as they were now.

"Aiolia," she said suddenly. "I was serious when I said I felt better. Lets go for a walk."

Aiolia was a bit surprised but had no reason to protest. Aiolia still insisted on helping her get ready, gathering her clothes and the crutch from Shaina. They got themselves together and then left the smothering shade of her residence and went directly to the winding paths and gardens that surrounded the sparse houses.

Aiolia and Marin walked hand in hand, Marin still leaning on the crutch as to not overwork her body so soon. Aiolia kept close, ready to support her if she ever happened to need it.

"Aiolia," Marin began, stopping suddenly and turning to face him. "Do you remember when we shared our first kiss?"

Aiolia blinked before nodding quickly. "Of course I do…" he squeezed her hand gently. "I was so happy that you responded so well."

Marin laughed. "I was happy Aiolia, I had liked you that way for a while; but," she scratched her nose nervously. "You know, I was like your big sister, I thought it would be weird if I initiated as the older one."

Aiolia laughed softly. "And I was worried that you only saw me like your kid brother."

Marin shook her head. "I already had a brother anyway, and you two were barely anything alike back then." Marin's eyes grew distant. "Look, I was happy, and I wanted to kiss you and become your girlfriend and everything but; there was another reason."

Aiolia lead the two of them to sit down on a nearby bench, trees gently swaying overhead. He squeezed Marin's hand, giving her his rapt attention. "Go on."

Marin avoided his gaze for a moment. "Mostly, I just knew that I couldn't risk telling you what had happened to me on that most recent mission. I knew I wouldn't be able to resist telling you; and if I did tell you, you would be in danger." She let out a sigh. "But now it's finally time. I can tell you everything. "

Marin took in a deep breath before starting. Aiolia leaned in and wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulder.

"Seiya was born a few months after Saori was. He was identified as the Pegasus by members of the Saintia counsel; they came for him,

"I was 11, I was basically raising him on my own in the orphanage we were both at. I wasn't about to let my kid brother go somewhere I couldn't. But they wouldn't leave without someone to go with them,"

Aiolia frowned, nudging her forehead with his chin. "So you went in his placce?"

Marin nuzzled him back, turning herself towards him and resting a hand on his thigh. "The Pegasus is supposed to be Athena's most loyal guardian you know. And those saintias knew that Athena was on earth, so they allowed it. They just needed to report that they had brought back a human recruit.

"So I went with them, and the rest of that you know." Marin paused before continuing. "But that day…when you kissed me. The reason I was so screwed up that day," Marin grimaced. "Saga. Saga found out. He caught me."

Aiolia let out a small gasp, feeling how Marin's body began to shake.

"He found out, and he threatened me. He said that I had to obey him or…or he'd have my brother killed,"

Marin let out a short sob and Aiolia rubbed her back to try and soothe her.

"That's when…that's when he cursed me," Marin said softly.

Aiolia nodded, having gleaned what he needed from Shaina's report.

"I just…gods, I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry."

"Marin—"

"What makes it worse is that Dite knew! Dite knew and you didn't…"

Aiolia paused, him lips pressing together. It hurt to learn that, but he let marin continue.

"And that's why…that's why Dite is dead," Marin said through sobs. "He came to rescue me. He tried to get me out of there in one piece and then—"

Aiolia pulled Marin into his arms, pressing his forehead against hers. Marin's eyes were red and tears had begun to leak down her cheeks. "Marin," Aiolia said, rubbing a thumb over her cheek to wipe away one of her tears. "I love you, okay?"

"I love you…Aiolia." Marin pressed her face against his neck and wrapped her arms around his back. Aiolia held her close, rubbing her back to try and soothe the sobs.

"Marin, I know you were just trying to protect me," he said in a low voice into her hair. "But I was still just so scared." Aiolia continued, his own voice having started to shake. Marin sniffed and pulled back, holding the side of his face. Aiolia continued. "I was terrified constantly. Every time you left, it felt like you were getting further and further away. It felt like at any moment, you could abandon me, betray me," he grimaced. "Just like my brother did…" Aiolia opened his eyes and looked at her, taking a hold of one of her hands.

Hearing that made it all finally come together for Marin. She felt even worse for having added to that pain for him. But there was no point in dwelling on that. There had been no other choice, and the most important thing was that they were still together now, they were both alive and able to heal those old wounds.

"I'm here Aiolia," is all that Marin could manage to reply. "I'm here and i'm not going anywhere. "

Aiolia nodded, their hands intertwining between them. "Thank you Marin, for telling me, even though it was hard."

Marin gave a cheeky laugh pulling back and slumping into the bench again. She held on tight to one of Aiolia's hands still, letting her head fall onto his shoulder. Aiolia squeezed her hand and let his head rest on top of hers.

"We've made it this far already, somehow," Marin said with a chuckle.

"What do you mean by that?" Aiolia asked gently.

"I mean, don't you remember? I totally avoided you for days after that first kiss."

"Ah," Aiolia did indeed remember. "Gods I was so sure that you hated me."

"I know and I'm sorry," Marin paused. "It was really thanks to Dite that we actually got together, huh?"

Aiolia glanced at her, seeing her expression fall. Aiolia squeezed her hand and pulled her closer. "Yeah, it really was."

After the kiss, Marin had tried to return to normal, but her change in behavior did not escape Dite's keen eyes.

Marin was making her rounds on the training grounds, conspicuously avoiding completely the areas that Aiolia often frequented. Aphrodite, noticing this made their way to Marin's side that day.

"If I didn't know any better," Dite began with a smirk. "I would say that you and Aiolia are avoiding eachother today."

Marin's face burst into an obvious blush that she tried and failed to hide. The training grounds around them had begun to empty, and Dite lead her on a path to where the grounds would soon be completely deserted.

"Did something happen?" Aphrodite asked, hooking his arm through Marin's and keeping her quite close as they walked.

Marin knew there was no point in trying to resist or hide it from Dite. She had been friends with Aphrodite even longer than Aiolia after all. "And to think, I thought that you two were finally getting closer. Aiolia has been so smitten with you for so long," Dite said with an over dramatic tone.

"Yeah, you don't think I've noticed?" Marin said, trying to sound brusque despite the pink tinge in her cheeks.

"Actually, I was completely sure that you hadn't noticed," Dite smirked.

Marin choked. He was right after all. Marin had been completely unaware of Aiolia's feelings until the night that he confessed. "Well…" Marin said. "He actually confessed to me the other day and—he kissed me." Marin said, lifting a hand to her lips.

"Oh my~" Dite said with a giggle. "The lion cub now becomes a man!"

"It was just a kiss Dite! And that's super weird."

Dite let out a warm chuckle. "But as I'm sure you've noticed, how he's maturing in to a fine young man."

Marin's eyes did indeed linger on Aiolia as he trained, much more than they once had. Marin frowned, pondering for a moment. "I dont know…" she said. "The Aiolia I know is someone soft and gentle; pretty like a girl but never one to give up," She paused. "I don't think he needs to change into a "man" really."

Dite rolled their eyes. "You know what I meant, Marin."

Marin scowled slightly. "I'm his teacher, his mentor. He looks up to me."

"I understand if you want to refrain for now, but," Dite tilted their head to the side. "He will undergo the saint trails soon enough. And then he will no longer be your student, but your superior and comrade."

Marin fiddled with the canister in her hands. "Yeah…" Marin seeemd dejected by that concept, and it was hard to place exactly why. "He hasn't… he hasn't said anything to me since that night…"

"I think he is expecting you to give a reply first."

"Yeah you're right but…"

Marin was never very good at those sorts of things. Both relationships of hers up until that point; with Shaina and Dite respectively were very clearly casual. They were friends and would die for eachother, but it was never more than that.

But with Aiolia, something felt different. There was an emotion that kindled in her chest that she didn't know, and that unknown terrified her.

"I know I shouldn't be avoiding him but, I just don't know what to do!" Marin lamented, stopping in her tracks and turning to Dite. Where they stopped was before a large guilded arena, an area far from the main training grounds. And Marin quickly realised that it was the very place that she and Aiolia had met for the first time. Dite had managed to lead her through the gates without her noticing, but as she looked around, she found that they wern't alone.

At the opposite edge of the arena sat Aiolia. He was far enough away that he couldn't hear them, but he had clearly been waiting for them.

"Dite you—!" Marin began, knowing immediately that Dite had planned it this way.

"The way things were going, I was afraid you two would never work it out on your own," Aphrodite then grabbed Marin by the hand and started leading her to the center of the Arena.

"Aiolia!" Dite called out. "I have someone here to see you!"

Aiolia stood up and approached them at a rather brisk pace. Despite her embarrassment, Marin broke from Dite's grip and immediately started sprinting towards him.

Marin ran directly into Aiolia's arms, hugging him without thinking or caring; just like she had done on the day they had first met. And Marin had no intention of ever trying to hide her feelings for him ever again.

And even with all the secrets and lies; at the very least, Marin had been able to keep that promise alone.

Marin and Aiolia walked hand in hand once again, leaving the woods behind them and trailing back through the residences. They had a mind to return to the infirmary eventually and so headed back in that general direction.

On their way however, they found one of the people they meant to meet blocking their very path.

"Shaina!" Aiolia was the first to speak, as he was the one most surprised by her appearance.

Shaina gave a wordless nod. "I'm just stopping by my house to get some things," she remarked. While she was answering Aiolia, her gaze was fixed on Marin. Marin returned the gaze and understood.

Marin tugged on Aiolia's hand to get his attention. When he looked her way, Marin reached up and pecked him quickly on the cheek. "You go on ahead, okay? We will both meet you back at the infirmary," Marin then placed a hand on his cheek.

Aiolia nodded and touched her hand before pulling away with a small bow of acknowledgment.

Shaina walked towards Marin but addressed Lia one last time. "Milo is there waiting for me, so you can talk to her while you wait."

Aiolia then waved to both of them before making his exit.

Being alone with Shaina again, Marin seemed actually hesitant, but Shaina charged forward, grabbing Marin by the hand. They quickly returned to Shaina's residence, only there did Shaina release her hand.

"Wait here," Shaina said, Marin promptly plopping down on the couch.

For some reason, Marin was nervous. It was obvious what Shaina had wanted the last time they were together, but Shaina was always so hard for Marin to read, and she sensed something else. Marin did love Shaina, Shaina had been her closest friend for so long. But despite their closeness that soon blossomed into physical intimacy; Marin always felt that Shaina's heart was out of her reach. And obviously, Marin's heart had been distant from Shaina and Aiolia both, so perhaps that was only fair.

Perhaps it was hypocritical to want more than what she got.

Marin sat with her legs folded up into her chest, arms around her knees. Waiting patiently for Shaina to finish collecting her things.

"Marin," Shaina's voice jerked marin from her thoughts, causing her to stand up and walk towards her without thinking. Marin went towards her voice and wrapped her arms around Shaina, resting her face against Shaina's shoulder.

"Is something wrong?" Shaina asked, rubbing Marin's back soothingly.

"I had to tell Aiolia everything this morning, so now it's your turn."

Shaina frowned. "You don't need to strain yourself," Shaina however found her words suddenly cut off by Marin's lips against hers. Shaina responded by digging her hands into Marin's hip, letting out a little sigh before pulling away. "Marin," Shaina said firmly.

Marin nudged the side of Shaina's face, leaning in towards Shaina's bedroom. Shaina however used her body weight and pushed Marin back out into the living room, sitting them both back down on the couch.

Shaina sat down, Marin slumping into the couch, mentally preparing herself to go through it all again.

"Wait," Shaina said. "I think I can figure it out, you don't need to stress yourself."

"But—"

Shaina pulled Marin's face into her chest. As adamant as Marin was, there was little she could do with her face pressed against Shaina's soft breasts. Marin rubbed her cheek into Shaina's chest and relaxed into her familiar embrace.

Shaina explained everything she had deduced; about the pope's manipulation; about the threats against seiya. Shaina now also knew about the Athena charade, and also about Marin's proximity to Aphrodite's violent fate.

"You got it…that's exactly right," Marin said. "It only makes sense though, I didn't even let Aiolia see me like that…" Marin remarked, referring not only to that first night, but the other numerous nights that Shaina had found Marin and healed her wounds. Shaina, in a way, had been an accomplice in keeping things hidden from Aiolia.

Shaina brushed her hand through Marin's hair. "I'm sorry for abandoning you, Marin. I should have stayed with you that night." Shaina said.

Marin shook her head. "Nah, it's okay, really" Marin said with a small smirk.

Shaina frowned, her fist clenching. "Even if it meant Aiolia confessed to you; he would have done that eventually."

Marin pulled one arm tighter around Shaina's back."Ah, you figured that part out too."

"Aphrodite told me, Actually."

Marin gave a sheepish grin before rubbing her cheek back into Shaina's chest.

"You deserved to know that I was there for you. I'm sorry."

Marin then pushed herself up, leaning in so that her face was close to Shaina's. "Look, the fact that you still stuck by me, even after Aiolia and I got together means the world to me." Marin placed a hand on Shaina's cheek.

Shaina gazed back at Marin for a long moment, her eyelids starting to droop. Despite the fact that Shaina had gotten her fill of Milo the night before, Shaina was still hungry. Not that Milo had in anyway been unsatisfying, Milo was the woman that Shaina loved the most. But Shaina had tried to sate her desires for Marin with Milo, and that hadn't been quite right.

It was pointless to try and make Shaina choose, that had never been the issue. Her love for Milo and for Marin had never been in competition with one another. Marin and Shaina, quite frankly could never make it on their own as a couple. Their 7 years of misunderstandings was proof of that. But they still loved, cared for, and wanted one another.

Marin leaned in and kissed Shaina very gently. Marin knew that Aiolia wasn't anywhere near ready to be intimate with her again yet, and so she wouldn't force him. But if she fell back into Shaina's arms, at least now there wouldn't be any guilt left between them.

Shaina leaned in and deepened the kiss, wrapping an arm around Marin's back. "Shaina," Marin said, her voice a little husky. "How about you change into something more comfortable," she said, running a hand down the lines of Shaina's bodysuit. "I'll even help you get undressed," Marin offered, starting to massage Shaina's breasts through her bodysuit.

Shaina let out a low moan, her cheeks tinging pink. Shaina reached back and unlatched the bodysuit, certainly not against being taken care of a little for once. Marin peeled back the thick material and watched as Shaina's breasts bounced free. Marin didn't waste a moment before indulging with her lips and hands. Shaina moaned again, her hands going to the back of Marin's head.

Milo and Marin were completely different lovers in almost every conceivable way. Shaina counted herself beyond fortunate to be able to experience them both. Marin was perhaps, less refined; but she was honest in a very endearing way. Marin was somewhat simple; she didn't have many specific or elaborate kinks. She just wanted who she wanted' and she wanted them intensely and completely.

Marin's lips attached to one of Shaina's nipples as she groped the other. Shaina pressed one leg up between Marin's thighs as Marin ground against Shaina's other knee. Marin moaned into Shaina's skin and Shaina held on tight.

Shaina wanted more, but she didn't want to see Marin's skin again, until all her wounds were fully healed. Shaina imagined that Aiolia felt the same way. Given Aiolia's generally delicate heart, it was unlikely that Aiolia would be able to be physically intimate with Marin anytime soon. In the past he would sometimes go weeks unable to make love to her. His depression tended to wax and wane with the situations. Over time, small hurts would build up until he couldn't hold himself aloft any longer, and he would simply collapse in on himself.

It had always been hard; and Marin did whatever she could. But she still had needs, and sometimes had needed comforting of her own.

As was the case now. Marin could not sate her desires with Aiolia; combined with the despair of having caused him so much suffering herself. Those feelings tangled together and welled up inside her; blossoming into a red kiss mark on Shaina's soft skin.

Marin pulled the bodysuit down further, finding a few kiss marks, fresh from the night before. Marin kissed them and refreshed the marks with her teeth, Shaina giving a pleased response each time.

Shaina was receptive, needing desperately to be the one absorbing affections. She would need to apologize to Milo. She would need to make up for everything somehow. But Shaina knew above all that Milo would want her to be happy.

And for now, Shaina let Marin take care of her. Warmth and pleasure finally pushing out every last shadow of guilt.