This was a requests through Tumblr but it ended up much more than a drabble, thus this post was created! Aqua made me love this ship so much and I just couldn't help myself!
For aqua_trainquility
Prompt: "Tell me you love me one more time."
Holy was wrought with disdain, her fingers gracing the rubble that lay before her. As much as her communications link has worked, all of her other applications were nigh in this metal fortitude. She could not ping or disclose if her battle mates were near her. Banging against her wrist, she cursed how reliant she had become to these technologies. She had come to the coordinates that Eden's Zero gave and there was nothing in this chrome-landscape insight.
Grimacing as she looked at them once more. Holy had switched some of the numbers around. The anxiety of this battle filled her and she knew that this would not be the ending that Feather would have foreseen if it wasn't for this measly mistake. Yet again had they teamed up with the Galatica forces and this time she would be able to see her beloved. It may not be within her fellow comrades' tastes if she were to come by those chocolate coated eyes in battle.
Forgetting about her prior irritations, she hummed along the mechanical structures and paid close attention for any signs of organic life. When she breathed, the mechanical whirring mimicked her exhale. A visage of the life that once lain in these lands. It had moved into a mechanical labyrinth and Holy was naught for the challenge. She had yet to see an opening or even a doorway in her passage of the steely land.
This cold-hardened exterior could not match her own lonesome. A low rumble met her tracks. A small sensation of ether beckoning her calls for action. Finally, she mused to herself. She was still far but ardent she was to support her allies. There would be a quick change of plans to help and rendezvous to the original location.
Landard's toughened exterior breaks with the seismic impacts of the battle ahead, galloping to meet its calls. Holy broke against the wind as she sped toward the sharp blooms of ether. Maybe it could be Ziggy or even Acnoella, she was more than capable to take out another stone before her truest enemy. A glimpse of scarlet shining from the skytops, growing closer to the scene ahead.
The commotion ceased. The eerie whirr pervades her once more as to tease that she missed her chance. The chance to come across Elsie and her combatant, but she was duly mistaken. A scream causing devastation to the white noise, stirring her own anxieties.
Her beloved.
The walls closed in as she knew the space pirate could not fall so easily. Time was not just a moment. It was a give and take relationship. An entity that would not be kind to the mortal wounds that had befallen. As to not disturb the land, Holy whispered, "Melt." With one hand out and a dainty swipe of her fingers the wall before her began to corrode. Much like most men, it fell to her feet and she grimaced at the smell before her.
So used to the smells of aluminum and harsh steel of this world, the familiar smell of copper tinted the air. Not the metal but of life. Pulling her violet strands behind her ear she held in her voluntary emotions. Scarlet drenched in a puddled pool of crimson.
The pirate moaned as she crawled into the room. This was the first time Holy had seen her beloved worse for wear and she cringed at the sight. Such a powerful being had her petals ripped and sinewed by the enemy. If only she had been there sooner.
With a quick tap of her ear-com she spoke quickly, making sure everything was precise to the singular digit. Making sure she didn't make the same mistake as she did earlier. This was the only way her beloved could get the care she desperately needed. "My coordinates are negative forty-five, point five-four-two and fifty point six-four. I have found her Skull Fairy." It was the least she could do for now as Holy had to find a way to defeat her attacker and Deadend Crow.
Holy was not an optimist but she internally cured Mother. Stalking toward Elsie with quiet footfalls, admiring the elegant armor she donned. Elsie, Elsie, Elsie. What a cruel twist of fate that they had to be tangled like this. That name hadn't left her mind since Justice had alerted the Galatica that she was wanted- a woman who had chosen the wrong side, but she couldn't help but kneel before her.
"Holy," Elsie sputtered as the crimson filled her only eye. Her hands held forcefully against her stomach wounds. Her heavy breathing only ensured that she was close to fading, she would not pass under her watch.
"Beloved Elsie. My beloved Elsie." Holy crooned and cupped her chin. She wiped as much blood away as she could with her sleeve, inching closer with each word. "Stay with me now, we haven't much time to spare."
The sparkle in her eyes was fading but Holy couldn't panic yet. Her beloved would not reach the stars just yet, "Talk to me. Your team will be here any moment."
"My family," Elsie struggled with her snarkiness but managed a chuckle out of her.
Holy ripped the fabric of her coattails making quick work to wrap it around the most horrendous of her wounds. Quipping back, "Ah yes, my apologies. You guys and your families make me feel left out."
"Who did this to you?" Her teeth ground, knotting the last of the cloth.
Elsie grunted and coughed as Holy pressed her hands onto her stomach. Her com-device signaling that some of the Skull Fairy's crew was close. Raspy as she was, Elsie tried her best to speak, ignoring her question. "R-Remember when we met-"
"At the Element shoot?" It was an attempt to complete her sentence but Elsie shook her head. Elsie's conscious mind was fading, Holy knew it was best not to ask of the fight no more.
"You know when," Elsie rasped as she tugged on her hand, "when you took me as a refugee from Justice. Back when you first were named- rgh… a part of the Intergalactic party."
Holy smiled at the memory, Justice was furious when he found out but she had not known who the pirate was then. Elsie's fingers were distracting as they caressed her wrist, adding more force to her hands.
"What else should I remember beloved? You're doing good, they're almost here for you." There were too many things to remember from the briefest moments they had shared thus far. What they had shared was less than common sight, she could reminisce in this present. Her only goal was to keep her mouth moving.
The blood oozed slowly boiling up from the tourniquet and over her fingers. A stampede of distress turning her insides out but she would not break just yet.
"I r-remember, Justice…Lendard…Shiki…" Elsie huffed along a list of names, blubbering on as her breathing slowed more, "and you."
Holy pressed a kiss to her forehead, "Breathe my beloved."
The mechanical white noise was abruptly overtaken by several footsteps. Their figures shadow the two as a blanket, "There she is!"
Holy held onto Elsie for dear life as she wasn't ready for this moment to end. Yet, she didn't want her thorned rose to suffer anymore as she leaned over, soft scarlet locks tickling her lips. Reverently Holy freed her distress, "I wished for a better time to say this, my beloved. These tragedies have awakened my deepest regrets and hopefully you can return them someday. My lovely and dear Elsie, words are unable to describe how much I love you."
Holy grunted as she picked the pirate up, handing her over to the Skull Fairy's crew. Elsie's hand gripped her fingers as she tried to let go, "Don't…"
She didn't want to let go. Holy had to brave the circumstances and took a mighty step back, sending her a smile.
Elsie's limp body came alive for a moment as she jumped from Gowen's arms. Only to fall back into her arms, clutching on for dear life. Holy gasping as she resisted the urge to take her away from the battles that lie in wake.
"Say it to me again," her demand encased with an unrestrained plea. Her singular eye encased with fallen tears. "Tell me that you love me one more time."
Was it so hard for her to believe? Holy may be a sly snake from time to time, but it was a part of the persona she held for the intergalactic forces. With a soft squeeze, Holy silently debated on the repercussions of her small confession. She didn't feel warm due Elsie's blood loss but from their current embrace, shedding the last of her own walls.
"Take my word and find me when you awaken, beloved Elsie. I love you," leaving her with another wistful kiss upon the crest of her head.
Elsie's content spirits tumbled, overdue for her passing into unconsciousness. Holy didn't need to hear the profession in turn, as she knew they would see each other soon.
"Gowen," cupping Elsie into her arms once more, "No detours or stops. Get her to the Eden's Zero and ask for Ivry."
"You don't have to tell me twice, lady. Our princess will be taken care of!" Gowen smugly remarked, returning Elsie back into his arms. Holy stood and waited as they took off from the room, following the short path back to the ship.
Once they left, Holy was unruly. Never has she felt so much emotion until her sister's death. She threw the scrap of metal from her ear and let out a languished cry. The beating of her hot tears reinstating her resolves. First Sarah, now Elsie, she would not let any of her comrades come next. It didn't matter whose side they were on, those who harmed her beloved would meet their death.
Time is of the essence.
I know I focused a lot on Holy but I wanted to get her characterization just right. Luckily I had Aqua to help me through this too! 3 I may add a chapter or two but I am currently waiting on further chapter releases of the manga.
The good news is that I finally caught up on EZ and can hopefully write some more for these lovely characters. Hope you all enjoyed! 3