Disclaimer: I don't own UDDUP or make any profits from posting this. ;(

Notes: Takes place right after the Galboan arc, filling in the gaps between then and the shitty rushed epilogue we got. I really wanted to focus on the mental transition of Mamoru and Haruka going from ward and protector to lovers/spouses (husband-sama!). That's not an easy leap and we totally got robbed in the manga.

If I accept this as headcanon, I can rest easy.

Hope you enjoy!

Acclimation

By Leila Winters

They were true to their word and stayed a few months in Galboa to ensure it was stable enough for the new governing body to rule.

And no, Edge Turus didn't die.

Mamoru was bluffing that his head would fall off if he moved. He DID cut him and he DID need surgery, but it wasn't as dramatic as Schrödinger's Turus made it out to be…it was the perfect hell for the man responsible for everything Haruka had been through in the past year. It would be many years before it would stop making Mamoru chuckle at the mere memory.

Haruka did not receive the spanking promised to her. At least, not for many years.

Mamoru actually told her how proud he was at the way she commanded her unit. That she was really turning into an impressive young lady.

Igawa choked on his coffee.

They returned to Japan as soon as Galboa seemed in the clear.

A new safe house was established. It was decided Sierra, or Ellen, as she was going by outside The Wall and the Elements Network, would take over guardianship of Haruka. A woman should be involved to help Haruka through the changes her body would be going through and with the most significant dangers to Haruka's welfare eliminated, Ellen would be a suitable protector.

Of course, the Elements Network still protected the girl and made sure to maintain contact between her and the operatives she was already acquainted with. If her visions stayed connected to the people close to her, E.N. wanted to stay in that loop, too.

…and if they occasionally asked for her help on a mission, she readily accepted.

Igawa and Mamoru were re-admitted into E.N. without much fuss. They were more valuable as assets than embittered castaways. Wiseman even got to take a dip into the secret network he'd only speculated about. There were other great challenges to take and traps to set.

Mamoru…kept his distance. He was never on any missions Haruka became involved in, but he always came to her birthday celebration Ellen insisted on having every year.

But Haruka knew he protected her still. In the shadows, out of sight (not her sight), he silenced any intrusion of her peace—she could feel it.

He told her if she still hadn't changed her mind, he'd come back and sweep her away as an adult. Until then, be well.

She didn't call out or panic or cry, but it still hurt all the same. She didn't see his leaving as necessary. He did.

And if she wanted to see him again in any meaningful way, she had to accept it.

She let him go.

She went to high school like a normal kid.

She made friends, went on school trips, tried new foods, joined a few clubs, took up a new hobby or two, and got her motorcycle license when she became of age at 16.

She had Ellen, Dai, Senji, and Juliet teach her hand-to-hand combat. She knew she couldn't always count on others to keep her safe. Sometimes you had to give yourself the best chance at survival by being prepared. Any situation she could be in trouble was most likely to be while she was unarmed anyway.

It took her a long time to get anywhere near competent at attacking. Her precognitive abilities were more suited for defense. It's easier to see what someone will do over what they won't do. She didn't have the will to inflict real harm to another person, which held her back, but Juliet kept drilling it into her that someone meaning her harm won't stop unless harmed in return. You can't just dodge forever.

She was right, of course.

Good thing Dai was around. It was easier getting used to larger and stronger opponents.

She just had to keep practicing.

It wasn't easy being the guardian to a child who was convinced you were her future.

Especially when all the other adults around you gave you side eye and made comments about how in love you must be. With an actual child.

Mamoru had a pretty unflappable disposition, but even he didn't know what to do with that.

Of course he cared. He went to war with another country just to keep her safe. He intended to die for her.

But what else was he supposed to do?

It wasn't an appropriate relationship to be in. He didn't have those kinds of feelings for her and being told he would…it was hard to accept.

…not that he didn't believe it. He was greatly invested in Haruka's future and every day she was a little more capable, a little more mature, closer to the version of a woman he could potentially see falling for someday.

But, due to the nature of her visions, he knew there existed a future where they don't get married. Where perhaps, she marries someone else.

If she has any chance to live a normal life, shouldn't she take it?

Life with him could never be ordinary.

And he certainly would never allow the whiff of an accusation that he groomed her from an early age.

He would keep her safe, as promised.

But he really had to remove himself from the situation.

For his own peace of mind.

And hers.

And if she still felt the same as an adult…maybe. They could try.

He wanted her to have as normal and carefree a life as possible.

How could he ever be satisfied if she never even tried?