Welcome home Senkuu. Heat bloomed across her pale skin. By no means could she ever say this to him. Even thinking about it sped up her heart rate. It was a miracle he never commented on it; surely, he could hear it. She knew that she could. Like an 808 drum it kicked every time he was near.

That being the case, the inconsolable teen forced herself to keep away from him unless he needed help with something. Senkuu never brought up the strange and embarrassing conversation they had shared with one another a few days back. She pretended not to care, but her heart felt empty. At this point, a simple rejection would suffice; Nozomi was just too much of a coward to say anything.

She sighed and tossed aside the flimsy cloth she was working with. It was late, despite her understanding of the time. The moon was full and small stars littered the clear sky. Senkuu wasn't home yet, but she knew he wasn't far; most likely in the lab. What was she doing? Her mind had been so consumed by the thought of him that her task had taken a hit; the clothes that she was supposed to be preparing for Taiju were in a terrible state. The stitches were too loose; without proper tools she'd have to redo the entire outfit.

I really am terrible at this. Yuzuriha could do it so much better.

If only she were around. Her and Taiju were still encased in stone, but Senkuu assured her that soon Taiju would unite with them. If only he were here now. She needed a rest from her wondering thoughts.

Nozomi sighed in annoyance and decided that if she was going to finish her work before turning in for the night, she needed a knife for the loose seams. Senkuu knew where one was. She stood up, extending her tired legs and eased out of the treehouse.

It was quiet as she came down from the wooden steps and ambled towards the temporary lab. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she pressed on and stood in the entrance way, locating Senkuu. He was, as expected hard at work on something.

"Senkuu … sorry to bother you, but do you maybe have a knife that I can borrow?"

He glanced over his shoulder and grinned. "It's in the bag attached to my hip. I'd get it for you, but––

Lifting up his arms, Nozomi noticed cloth around his thin fingers. She squeaked in alarm.

"How did you manage to do that to yourself?"

Senkuu hummed. "Trial and error."

Nozomi sighed; he was a pain sometimes. "Be careful. I shouldn't have to keep telling you this. What am I to do if you cut all your fingers off being reckless?"

"Lend me yours," he answered easily.

She quickly shut him down. "Not going to happen. You can't cook and without my skills we'd both starve."

"I won't argue with that," he agreed, returning back to work.

His cooking was terrible, but fortunately edible. Nozomi smiled and moved to his side, taking the knife from the bag. She saw the condition of his fingers and snorted.

"That's so like you," she mentioned. "As long as you can still use that big brain of yours, it wouldn't matter if you lost all your fingers."

Senkuu grinned. "Losing my fingers would be a heavy price to pay, but I'll never give up science."

"I've always loved that about you; always so devoted."

She felt her face immediately heat up. Honestly, she couldn't believe those words just left her mouth.

Senkuu sat down his tools and rubbed the back of his neck. "You love me; that's what you've been keeping from me. The last thing I remember you saying to me before we were encased in stone was that you were in love with me, and this entire time you've been acting like it never happened."

"I guess I always knew that you heard me … but none of that matters now that we've been encased in stone for 3,700 years. I … wanted to ask you for forgiveness; I never meant to fall so hard for someone I considered my friend," Nozomi admitted quietly.

He sighed. "Listen––

She quickly interrupted him, leaning in to place a kiss on his cheek. It was brief; sweet even, but enough to keep him quiet for a moment while she finished.

"It doesn't matter to me if you don't feel the same," she explained with a gentle smile. "I had time to think about it; your dream means more to me than anything, and I will follow you anywhere to help you reach it."

Nozomi felt much better. She was a bit heartbroken, but the weight on her shoulders had been lifted. Wishing Senkuu a quiet goodnight, she set the knife on the table and decided to turn in. Taiju wasn't due for another few nights, so she had plenty of time to prepare his clothes in the morning. She exited the lab and returned to the tree fort where she curled up in her makeshift sleeping bag and shut her tired eyes.

Senkuu coming into the room moments later alerted her. It wasn't until he leaned down beside her did, she glance up at him.

"I want to clear this up before you fall asleep," he mentioned.

Nozomi nodded and waited for him to continue.

"I don't hold it against you for liking me, but I can't start something with you … not with the world like this. It's going to take my entire focus to restore it and a relationship will only get in the way," he explained.

She understood. Sitting up, Nozomi reached forward and placed her hand on top of his. "Am I free to continue pursuing you then?

Senkuu picked his ear. "I can't stop you, but restoring the world from scratch will take a long time; waiting that long may change your mind."

I waited for 3,700 years to see you again, so I doubt a century or more will change my mind, she opted to say. Nozomi agreed with a nod.

"Can I … kiss you?"

Had he ever kissed someone before? He was ten billion percent sure the answer was no; he hadn't even thought about such a thing. Senkuu wasn't sure he'd even like it.

But then again, if he regarded it like another one of his experiments – trial and error – he might like it.

"Just once."

Nozomi widened her eyes in shock. He actually said yes. She smiled and brought her hand up his arm.

"Close your eyes."

He hesitantly listened and felt her lean closer until she was kissing him. Her lips were warm and strangely soft. Senkuu wasn't sure how to explain it, but as she pulled away, she leaned back in and brought her tongue across his bottom lip, then kissed him again. The hairs on his arms stood up and a warm sensation shook his body. Was he getting aroused from this?

Nozomi pulled away before he could explore the feeling more and smiled at him in a gentle way. Her cheeks were dusted in red.

"Thank you, Senkuu."

He was for once at a loss for words. Agreeing with a nod, he watched her yawn and ease back onto the floor where she had been resting when he came in.

"We should turn in for the night. There's much to do," she mentioned.

She was right, but as Senkuu laid down he wondered how far she would have gone had he let her. Had he even kissed back? His head was overflowing with new thoughts. As he watched her fall into a deep sleep he wondered if she liked it as much as he did.

A grin pulled at his lips. Of course, she did.