Kiriko and Hirota set all of Gibraltar on fire. They are relentless in their love-making. When they aren't deployed, almost every waking hour is spent in naked company.

They lay on Hirota's bed, arms around one another beneath the muted white blanket. Kiriko rests her head against the expanse of Hirota's firm chest. She traces a finger across his stomach.

"Did you have any other partners after me?" she asks out of the blue.

Hirota shakes his head. "Too dangerous. And not enough time."

"So, the last time that you had sex was with me?"

He nods. "I'm guessing you've had more recent partners?"

"Just a few," she mumbles so quietly that Hirota almost doesn't hear her.

"Kiriko," he says. "How many people you've slept with doesn't matter to me."

"I know."

"Good." Hirota begins to run his fingers through her hair. "We should talk about this."

"This?"

"Us. Right now. Before things get more confusing."

Kiriko's tracing finger pauses. "What's confusing?"

"Is this casual?"

"Do you want it to be?"

"I'm asking you."

Kiriko props herself up. She stares into Hirota's golden eyes. "And I'm asking you."

"I don't know, Kiriko," he says.

"And why don't you know?"

He glances away. "I'm afraid of what'll happen again."

"What happened last time was out of our hands," Kiriko says. "We separated because—"

"You couldn't be honest with me," he murmurs.

"Wait, that's not the reason why—"

"How could it not be?" Hirota asks. "I left because you couldn't answer my question."

Horror. Fear. Realization. Shock. They all play out on Kiriko's face as she says, "I thought you left because of my family."

"No! I left because you were too afraid of loving me like I wanted to be loved, Kiriko."

Kiriko begins to cry. She frantically wipes at her eyes. "Th— that's not true. I th-thought—"

"Kiriko…"

"Hirota, please— please wait. This whole time, I thought it was because of my family that you left," she pleads. "I… Spirits, I'm such a fucking idiot. I'm sorry."

Hirota knows that she is not lying. He can hear it in her voice, feel it in the beat of her heart. He knows that she is hurting as much as he is. That she has been hurting as much as him.

He wants to tell her that it's okay. That this will pass over them. That they will work through this. That this misunderstanding can be forgiven.

But it hurts.

Everything hurts so much.

He wants to run away.

He wants to—

Kiriko, through her tears, kisses him. "Don't leave."

"I want to."

"I know." Her fingers slip between his. She squeezes his hand. "But don't. Stay. I… I'll work on this. I know that my apology won't mean much now, but I want to keep trying, Hirota."

Her earnesty is heard. And felt.

"Are you sure?"

She nods.

Healing is a process you must work through.

Hirota looks at Kiriko's honey-brown eyes. She smiles. She is beautiful.

He takes the dive.