(A short chapter! Sorry I haven't updated in a while! I got obsessed with another anime oshibudo! This one is going to be an wholesome one so you can skip it if your looking for the spice lol!! Anyway, enjoy!)

It was another rainy day in Axel. Spring brought blooming flowers, singing birds and slightly warmer weather. It also meant heavy showers.

I stared out our window trying to predict which ways the raindrops would fall down the glass. Further out, it was hard to see past the skies of grey. I yawned.

Darkness sat in her usual spot sipping tea as Aqua sang a melody. The song was really familiar but I could put my finger on what it was called. It bothered me that it sounded so good.

Instead of bothering Aqua I felt like teasing Darkness today. I really had nothing better to do.

"Darkness, remember that time we caught you in my closet while Megumin and I were making out? What were you doing in there?"

Darkness suddenly dropped her glassware on the ground causing her to make a large mess in the living room. Tea was splattered everywhere but surprisingly the teacup and saucer were fine.

"W-What do you- why are y-you asking me that?!"

Darkness sputtered, her face was crimson with a shocked expression across it. She looked around the room to see Aqua painting with watercolours.

Aqua pretended not to hear us but her cheeks had turned a bright red and had stopped singing. She kept painting her latest masterpiece, which was the image of half-naked wiz sitting on a lounge chair eating grapes. It was breathtaking.

"I don't know. I was just wondering... now that I've gotten to know you better, I kind of wanted to hear you say it."

"I'm going to get a drink!"

Aqua announced, shuffling out of the living room. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her peek her head around the doorway of the kitchen. I ignored her.

Darkness mumbled something under her breath, staring back at me with angry eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, probably with a lecture but I cut her off.

"You're really cute when you're angry."

I grinned.

"Okay that's it!"

A screaming Darkness leapt for my throat as I nimbly dodged out the way. I ran up the stairs hearing the rampaging crusader hot on my heels. I was acting so childish right now but I didn't care. Getting a reaction out of Darkness was becoming a fun past time of mine.

Quickly, I turned into the first bedroom and tried to hide under the bed. Without a moment to spare, I heard loud footsteps follow me into the room. I held my breath.

Darkness stopped and turned towards the doorway again before doubling back. I could see her pacing with rage but I kept quiet. She stopped right in front of me. Without warning, she crouched down next to the bed and our eyes met.

Oops.

I tried to crawl away but two strong hands grabbed my ankles, pulling me out from my hiding spot. I scrambled, trying to get out of her grasp.

"Oi, if you want me that badly you could've just asked!"

"W-why you!!"

I gasped for air as she plopped me down to sit on top of me. Her heavy body pinned me against the ground.

"Why would you say something like that I front of Aqua? She's going to tell half the town!!"

"Well, would that be so bad?"

"Yes!!"

The room grew silent as we stared at each other. Slowly, Darkness loosened her grip on me. I escaped her clutches and tried to analyze the scene.

It looked like I had stumbled into Megumin's room. It was plainly decorated. There was no art on her wall with an exception of a few photos on her bedroom mirror. There was one of us back when we were together and a few others with the four of us all together.

Darkness saw where I was looking at and let out a huge sigh. Without another word, she walked out of the room leaving me to wonder what just happened.

--

Something strange was going on with me. I began to feel like things were more than just sex with Darkness. She seemed happy with just the physical things but I could feel something stirring in my chest that I couldn't explain.

I didn't want to be just friends. I wanted her to be my girlfriend. Even the briefest moments we spent together, I could feel my heart ache when we were apart. Somewhere deep down though, I knew she didn't feel the same.

The other day, I brought her flowers on my way back from Wiz's magic shop. She had a sad look in her eye when I gave them to her.

"No more flowers, okay?"

She told me, holding the side of my face. She gave me a kiss and went back to polishing her armour.

I went to bed alone that night to think about things.

Didn't Darkness once like me? Why can't she like me now? Even if it wasn't manly, I felt the emotions get the better of me and I cried myself to sleep.

Aqua definitely knew something was up between us but never pressed me. She seemed quite happy about it actually. She would always leave conveniently to give us alone time. That alone time was at most times rather than not, pretty awkward.

Darkness and I didn't have much to talk about now that the sexual tension between us was gone. So we continued being good teammates for each other. We went on missions that were strictly business. And had silent dinners.

Occasionally, I could see that Darkness and Aqua would have long conversations by the garden. When I would approach them they would quickly change the subject.

I felt more alone than ever. I buried myself in helping with the garden and doing mundane tasks around the house. It was out of character for me, but I just wanted to get out of my head.

In turn, the garden grew more full and we had been eating well. We always had a variety of vegetables in our meals now. Carrots, Tomatoes, lettuce and even anchovies. Although, I still wasn't quite sure why fish grew from the ground in this world.

Things were peaceful and boring everyday. Something I thought I could get used to. Now it was just painful.

That's why it was such a relief when she came back.

"Megumin!!"

Aqua shouted dropping her gardening tools and running down the hill. Darkness did the same.

I hung back but quietly followed behind. Megumin was still on our team and it would be a lie to say I didn't miss her.

Aqua was bawling hugging Megumin tightly as Darkness smiled brightly at the two of them.

"What would you guys do without me? You're a mess Aqua."

"Hey!! I'm not a mess! I just missed you a lot Megumin! It was so boring to be around Lazuma and Eroness all the time! Darkness is really bad at that board game and Kazuma never leaves the house..."

Me and Darkness stared at Aqua. She didn't seem to notice.

"Welcome back, Megumin. We've all missed you."

Darkness gave Megumin a hug, squeezing her tightly. It looked a little painful.

"W-wait! Darkness let go!! You're smothering me!"

Megumin scrambled against Darkness' grip unsuccessfully. The small wizard tried to catch her breath.

"Glad to have you back."

I said when eyes finally met mine. There was no hostility there; Her crimson eyes were aglow with content.

"Glad to be back."

She smiled.

I waited for a pain in my heart, but it didn't happen. I guess I really was over her. I smiled back her warmly.

Chomusuke poked her head from behind Megumin and looked up at the four of us, finally together again. She mewed.

"So, what's for dinner?" Megumin laughed.