Soft feathery touches on my hair bring me back to consciousness. I recognize Aria's touch immediately, but training kicks in and I lay unmoving, knowing that she hasn't seen the difference. Her fingers continue to brush through my locks and my body relaxes, melting into her touch; when a wet drop falls on my cheek. A soft hand brushes it away, but not quickly enough for me not to notice.

    I hear her sigh heavily and her hand disappears for a moment. Then her lips press a gentle kiss onto my forehead, and she pulls away.

    "I love you, baby. I promise." But even through the whisper, I can tell her voice is strained. The sheets shift as I feel her move further away, and after a moment I open my eyes. Even in the pitch dark that is my bedroom, I can see her form sitting on the very edge of the bed. Her body seems so frail, as violent sobs that she is desperately trying to conceal behind her hand, are ripping it apart. Determined to reach her, I push up into a full sitting position and crawl over to her.

    "Ari-kun."

    She doesn't answer, and makes no move as I outstretch my arms to her. My hand on her shoulder makes her convulse as if burned, yet she doesn't object as I guide her gently into my embrace. I hold her, afraid of making a single movement that is anything but tender, that is all I can do.

    I look down at her crying, shaking form, and my heart bleeds with every tear that she sheds onto my already wet shirt. I'm sorry that I'm hurting you.

    I'm sorry that I'm hurting you because... my mind cannot finish the sentence and all I can do is watch her sob.

    "Aishiteru, Ari-kun." I whisper, for the first time.

    Her body goes stiff for a moment before she pulls away sharply, looking at me. Then she pulls back fully, ripping my hands away from her body, and with a cry, falls into the pillows, burying her face away from me.

    I blink in shock. Isn't that what she wanted to hear? I place my hand on her shoulder.

    "Ari?"

    She doesn't move, or acknowledge my touch in any way. I stroke her shoulder.

    "Ari-kun, I said-"

    "I heard what you said!" She interrupts, her head snapping up and baring her wet face. I recoil, my hand withdrawing from her body immediately.

    "I heard what you said." She echoes, this time softer. "But I didn't want to hear it like this.."

    Another silent tear falls from her eye and down her cheek, I can't bring myself to brushing it away. I retreat further, as she looks at me with sad eyes, and I'm dying inside. The Perfect Soldier has died in battle, and now the rest that was left of me was crumbling at what I saw in her dark eyes.

    Aria felt something tickle her cheek; she reached up and swept away the tear. Reaching out, she placed her shaky hand on his.

    "I'm sorry, baby. Lets just sleep, okay?"

    He didn't pull away, yet remained silent. Her heart ached at looking into those gorgeous blue eyes, so full of pain, sorrow and... a hint of love? ...Was that for her?

    Her fingers stroked his hand soothingly. She knew he was sorry, she could see it in his eyes.

    A queasy feeling rose in her stomach. Helplessness. Helplessness at knowing that she couldn't do anything but be there for him. And that's what she did, bringing him into her arms and letting him maneuver her body however he needed, as they lay under the covers.

    His arms shook as they held me close. They didn't use to do that.