Chapter 4: Fortuna's Lovebirds

Chapter 4

xxx Fortuna xxx

Not so long past dawn, at 5 a.m it was time for the trainee soldiers to wake up and go to practice with Captan Credo and the others. Kyrie's brother was one of the main instructors, together with other men Nero didn't bother to make acquaintances with. Credo liked to check the improvement of his men, or in Nero's case, hear how useless they were. Not that this was actually true, since Nero was one of the strongest guys in the city, but Credo just didn't like him, better yet, he did not like how close he was to his sister, Kyrie. He was strong and had an unstoppable mouth and helplessly cocky as well, much to Credo's fury.

"Nero you'd better hurry, before Credo gets angry, please I don't want you two to quarrel again", said a groggy Kyrie still lying in bed.

"Ya", replied an also groggy Nero, who didn't even flinch from bed yet.

Nero used to sneak out to sleep with Kyrie since Credo didn't approve of them to be friends, let alone be in a relationship such as the one they had under his nose. They could talk to one another even though they were so different. Kyrie was always calm, centered and helpful. Her life was dedicated to helping those around her in the community. Nero on the other hand had no background, he didn't know his origins, all he knew was that he was brought up by this family and because of that he swore he'd protect them until the day he died.

He would be forever grateful to Kyrie's family. Him and Credo used to be friends but then when Credo saw that him and Kyrie were becoming more than just friends he demanded Kyrie not to talk to him anymore. But since the both of them wouldn't be separated just because of Kyrie's brother, Nero would sneak out from his room, go to her room and sleep there with her, since Credo couldn't sleep there to watch what his sister was up to. Surely he had better things to do with his own wife, who by the day was pregnant for the first time and with twins.

Nero then woke up and took a quick shower, since last night's activities kind of drained him, but he couldn't show any tiredness during practice, unless he wanted to hear shit from the Order. Little did Credo know Kyrie would be the one to blame.

xxx At headquarters xxx

"What took you so long, Nero?", Agnus inquired in a none too happy tone.

"I lost track of time, I didn't get to sleep a lot last night", Nero half lied, but what he said wasn't a total lie either, he just didn't explain why...well he didn't have to explain shit anyways.

Credo overheard that conversation he was having with Agnus and then commanded where each guy from Fortuna army should go to. The daily activities were quite similar, such as slaughtering demons, hunting for certain ingredients, and looking for Devil Arms. After that, Credo went to his office to handle some paperwork, and found his wife there reading some books while waiting for him to show up.

"What are you doing in my office?", Credo hated his wife interrupting his work, let alone giving him any suggestions, he wanted her to stay far away from headquarters doing whatever it was she would be doing at that time. Credo wasn't the one to be rude or stressed, but the Order sensed something coming, something lurking their headquarters but no matter what they did they still couldn't understand what was going on. At that time all he wanted was time to study his files and incoming information from the troops. Not that he didn't love his wife, but he wasn't one to show it especially when he was stressed beyond logic. Some people even wondered how such a pretty and intelligent woman such as herself would marry cold hearted Credo, as many addressed him those days. Ever since he ascended inside the Order his behaviour changed. He used to be sweet, loyal and more attentive to people's feelings and needs. He would often spend time after mall talking to the residents of Fortuna. Nowadays he spent most of his time gone in the endless meeting rooms of the Order.

"Can't I see my husband anytime I wish to?", she said, smiling trying to break through his serious facade.

"You can when you really NEED to, not anytime you want to", he stated coldly not taking his eyes off of the fresh paperwork he received that morning.

"I was just watching you training the boys, and bossing that poor Nero kid around...I just don't understand why don't you let him date Kyrie, they seem to like each other so much...young love…"

"Haven't I told you not to nose on this subject, she's my only sister therefore it's my duty to worry about her interests, just like our parents told me to before they passed."

"Did they made you promise you would make her miserable?"

"Miserable?!, miserable she would become if that boy did something to her, something she would regret for the rest of her life."

"Why do you think he would only want sex Credo, he seems to want a serious relationship with her, marry her perhaps. He is strong headed and coarse at times but he has a good heart. I am sure your parents saw that when they took him in."

"MARRY Kyrie!, not even over my dead body!"

"You just hate him because he was abandoned on your doorstep, but remember your parents took him in, and loved him as much as you and Kyrie!"

"Not only that, put your head to work Adrian, what name could he give her, how would he maintain a house, let alone a family, and I don't want him to disgrace her with his little bastards! So many good men in the Order that could give her stability and a good future, why would I want her with Nero.", Credo retorted angrily, since Kyrie's love life was always a heated topic.

"Then if I didn't have a good name, money or came from a traditional family of Fortuna you wouldn't have married me? Is that it?"

"Certainly wouldn't have.", he told her without any trace of doubt. The heat of the moment made him lose control in some moments. He was under pressure.

After that Adrian ran out of the room with tears cascading down her face. Sometimes Adrian was just too much for him to handle, especially when he was stressed. She wished he wouldn't be part of the Order. When they started seeing one another he was much calmer and had way more free time to spend with her and not just stay focused on the city's protection.

"Let me do what I need to do.", Credo sighed and went back to his paperwork.

xxx

Kyrie then after remembering all events of the previous night with Nero, couldn't be more than happy. They finally managed to work things out and could meet and stay together even if it had to be done without anyone knowing. She didn't really like having to hide from people, but things seemed to be shifting in the city, some weird force was coming and so everyone was stressed, especially her brother, who was so adamant to keep her away from Nero.

She then started to do her chores, washing some clothes, ironing, as she hated to mop around doing nothing all day, even having maids around to do that kind of job for her. Just then she noticed her sister-in-law walking really fast and crying through the hallways of the headquarters building. Kyrie then decided to see what happened with Adrien.

"What's wrong Ady? Are you feeling alright?"

"Ohh, nothing really, just being emotional, that's all, don't worry honey.", she said in a reassuring tone.

Kyrie knew it was her brother's doing, he always did it to her, not even caring if she was pregnant or not, it saddened Kyrie a lot since he was making his own wife miserable. Credo had changed so much over the course of the last year...

"So did you buy any new things for the babies?", she tried to lighten the mood with some good old chit-chat.

"Oh yes some other things, come see."

"Brilliant!" exclaimed Kyrie following the pregnant lady. Adrian would always feel better with Kyrie, and now even happier having baby stuff everywhere.

Then Adrain showed her all the new baby stuff she recently purchased. Everything was so cute and smelt so good, Kyrie wondered when it would be her turn, since she knew pretty well how to make babies by that time.

"So Ady, what do you think about their gender, do you want boys, girls or a boy and a girl?"

"I'll love them whichever gender they come out to be, just hope they will be healthy."

"Well, I thought you wanted both boys since there's a lot of boyish things in here, almost no pink.", Kyrie laughed.

"Ahh...yes Credo hopes they turn out to be both boys, or at least a boy...You know how he is.", Adrian said with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Gosh, but if they both are girls, Credo needs to accept as well, they're his the same way."

"I know, I know.", she sighed. She didn't need any more heartache that day.

Kyrie simply couldn't understand Credo's behavior most of the time, always wanting to control things and people's lives, even trying to change nature's course...What the hell would it change whether he had both girls, they would be a blessing the same way.

xxx Back at headquarters xxx

"Sir, you need to send a great number of s-s-s-s-oldiers to this arriving conflict", stuttered Agnus.

"I'm well aware of that, tomorrow I'll make a list of all those who will be sent.", Credo told the stuttering man not breaking eye contact with his paperwork.

"You may leave Agnus."

"Yes Sir."

"Finally I'll get rid of that bastard Nero..."

xxx The following morning xxx

Fortuna's population gathered in the great church to learn about the arriving conflict. All of them became aware that lots of soldiers had to be sent to fight and stay there for maybe over a year, since these demons were spreading everywhere, they had to make sure they wouldn't get near Fortuna city.

Credo then gave orders to the chosen soldiers and left. The soldiers were supposed to be ready by the end of the day, so then the next morning they could be dispatched to their posts. They would be spread all over Fortuna, ensuring no demons would reach Fortuna and also informing headquarters of whatever changes occured in the conflict.

xxx At night in Kyrie's room xxx

Nero went there to give his farewells, and see Kyrie for maybe the last time...yes he was pretty strong, but not that confident anyways...What person is confident when they are 18.

Kyrie was on her bed deep in thought and had her back turned in Nero's direction, when Nero pinched her love handles.

"Nero!, Gosh, you startled me.", she said barely above a whisper, startled with the sudden contact.

"Sorry", he said sheepishly.

They stayed in an uncomfortable silence for a while, until Kyrie decided to break the tension.

"So how are you feeling, ready to...leave?", she hesitated not being able to meet his gaze.

"Guess I have to, but I came to...umm give my farewells...You know I'm not good with words, but I just want you to know that I... umn love you and that no matter what I always will.", he said with the words rolling off his tongue in a strange unfamiliar way. Yes, he definitely was not the one with words.

Kyrie felt a warmth fill her chest. She knew it took serious strength for him to utter those words. Since she met Nero all those years ago, when they were children, the white haired male wasn't the one to express his feelings with words, so it made her smile in a sad way.

"You'll be back, I know you will, and I love you so much, I don't want you to leave but I'm sure you'll be awesome there, just be careful.", she said in-between sniffs. "I will miss you…"

Then Nero just kissed her fully on the lips, and when they saw it they were naked on each other's embrace making passionate love, maybe for the very last time.

End of chappie, tell me what you think!