Welcome, everyone, to the final installment of this story. It's been a journey to reach this point, and I thank you all for sticking with me. Enjoy this last bit of fluff!

Disclaimer: The only thing I own is the plot. And a mug that says Yoda Best, because you are. :)

Vanguard of Ares

Part 6: Epilogue

Their journey back to Japan was uneventful. They made it on the plane with time to spare, and spent the fourteen-hour flight bickering. Fushimi muttered about all the paperwork he had fallen behind on to chase after Yata. Yata shoved him and shut him up by convincing him to watch all six of the Mega Robot Warfare movies while sharing a headset. Fushimi grudgingly agreed.

Yata fell asleep sometime during the fourth movie, his head on Fushimi's shoulder. Fushimi let him sleep, content that Yata was warm and safe and alive. Not that he would ever admit that out loud.

The Vanguard of Ares woke up just as the plane began its descent into Tokyo. Fushimi expected him to jerk away when he noticed their compromising position. He braced himself for it, and for the disappointment he would feel when Yata would inevitably flush and bluster his way into pretending it never happened.

To his surprise, Yata merely yawned and kept his head on Fushimi's shoulder.

"I don't think I ever thanked you," Yata murmured.

"Thanked me for what?" Fushimi asked, just as soft. He didn't dare look down, desperate to preserve this strange peace between them.

"For coming to find me," Yata said. "You didn't have to."

"Yes, I did," Fushimi scoffed. "You went off to war without telling me. I had to find you and knock some sense into you."

"Sorry," Yata said softly. He started to lift his head, but Fushimi reached up and laced his fingers in his hair, silently asking him to stay. Slowly, Yata relaxed.

"You don't have to apologize," Fushimi said. "Just don't do it again, Misaki."

"Alright," Yata laughed. "I'll take you with me next time."

"You'd better." Fushimi released his hair and entwined their fingers. If he squeezed a little too tightly, Yata didn't seem to mind. He merely sighed and settled in to watch the rest of the sixth movie for the remainder of the flight.

V . O . A .

Fushimi would never admit it, but he was a little worried both of their entire Clans would be waiting on the other side of the Arrivals door. He wasn't ready to face that level of chaos yet, so Fushimi reached out and dragged Yata into an alcove before they could walk through the door.

"What is it, Saru?" Yata glanced around, scanning for danger. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Fushimi grumbled. "Nothing's wrong. I just don't want to go out there yet."

Yata raised his eyebrows. "We have to go out there. Our Clans are waiting."

"I know," Fushimi muttered. "That's the problem."

"Saru," Yata said. "We have responsibilities."

"I know. I wish we didn't." Fushimi pressed his forehead to Yata's shoulder. He knew he sounded like a petulant child, but he couldn't help it. When they walked through that door, the tenderness they shared now would disappear, fading away into their tentative truce.

"Saru." The quiet command in Yata's voice made Fushimi drag his eyes up from where their hands were intertwined to meet his gaze. "It'll be okay. I promise."

Fushimi laughed bitterly. "That's easy for you to say, Misaki."

"Come on, Saru," Yata frowned. "Don't do this."

"I have to," Fushimi snapped. "If I don't, you'll leave again."

"I'm not going to leave," Yata insisted, squeezing his hand. "We're back home now. We're not in the middle of a war. I'm not going anywhere."

"You're going back to them."

"Of course I am," Yata said. "They're my Clan. And I'm their Vanguard. That's how it's always gonna be, Saru. You know that."

"Yeah," Fushimi muttered. "Doesn't mean I have to like it."

"Hey," Yata forced Fushimi to look him in the eye. "This is who I am, Saru. The gods themselves couldn't change that, and neither will you."

"I know," Fushimi whispered. "I don't want you to change, Misaki. It's just hard to let you go."

"Stupid Saru," Yata laughed softly. "You don't have to let me go. We live in the same city, for Hades' sake. We run into each other all the time."

"It's not the same."

"I know," Yata fell quiet for a moment. Then, he coughed and said, "Hey, why don't you come to my apartment for dinner tonight? I still can't cook anything besides ramen. But we could hang out, play some video games. If you want to, that is."

"Misaki," Fushimi stared at him. "Are you asking me on a date?"

"Um," Yata glanced away, his face red. "Maybe. So what if I am?"

"How very bold of you," Fushimi purred. "Leading the charge. Maybe you are a vanguard, after all."

"Oi," Yata glared. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," Fushimi lifted their hands and pressed a kiss to the tender skin of Yata's inner wrist, delighting in the way a blush spread across his face. "I'm just impressed."

"You're impossible," Yata grumbled. "What's your answer, then?"

"I accept, of course," Fushimi simpered. "I could never deny my sweet Misaki anything."

"You're the worst," Yata muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Mm," Fushimi said. "You love it."

Yata snorted. "Maybe I do."

"What was that?" Fushimi asked gleefully.

"Nothing." Yata dragged them out of the alcove. He gave Fushimi's hand one last squeeze. Fushimi squeezed back. They released each other just as the Arrivals doors swung open.

To Fushimi's simultaneous relief and consternation, only a few members of their respective Clans were present. The Red and Blue Kings stood side by side, waiting for them to approach. The sight of Suoh Mikoto always made Fushimi tense, but he forced his face to remain placid as Yata left his side and stood before his King.

"I'm sorry I worried you," Yata said. He bowed deeply.

The Red King watched him for a moment before he grunted. "It's fine. We're glad to have our Vanguard back where he belongs."

Yata looked ecstatic at those words. Fushimi tamped down on the sour feeling in his stomach and turned to face his own King. Munakata Reisi watched him with too-discerning eyes. Fushimi resisted the urge to squirm as the silence dragged on for several seconds. Finally, the Blue King nodded, "Well done, Fushimi. Welcome back."

Those words loosened something in his chest, and Fushimi relaxed enough to smirk. "It was no trouble. Wrangling troublesome Reds is what we do."

"Indeed." For a moment, the Blue King glanced at the Red King. Then he looked away, and turned back to Fushimi. "Shall we head back?"

Fushimi nodded. He let the Kings move ahead, and dropped back to walk with Yata. After a moment, Yata cleared his throat. "See you later tonight?"

"Yeah," Fushimi said. "See you. Don't get involved in any more wars. Not without me."

Yata snorted. "I won't. I promise."

"Good," Fushimi said.

They walked out of the airport side by side, leaving the world of monsters behind and returning to the world of Kings and Clans.

Here we are, folks. The end of the line.

Thank you again for all your support over the years. I know we've all had a rough time recently with the coronavirus and the 2020 election. But now one of those things is over, and there's a lot of hope for the future. Take care of each other, read some fanfic to relax on the hard days, and be kind to yourselves.

With love,

~Home By Another Way

P.S. I might do a one-shot continuation of this set during the events of the K anime. Any interest? Let me know!