Ever since Diana enrolled into Akko's school, a war started. It would start with Akko fighting Diana who would just ignore her, or her yelling about how she'll study hard enough to beat her, and then there were the bullies Barbara and Avery, and poor Lotte caught in the crossfire.
Which was why Akko was at home, staring at her notes for what felt like eternity.
"I don't understand a thing." She admitted to herself and leaned back into her chair. Perhaps she could ask Chariot to help her. She did graduate after all. Deciding that it's better to ask her sister, she put the pen down and walked downstairs.
However, she stopped when she saw Croix carrying Chariot on her back to take her to her room. She glanced at the table, and once again, there were papers scattered around. She must have been checking the bills again. An unsettling feeling found its way to her gut, and she looked down.
Perhaps if she wasn't stupid enough to destroy things on a daily basis her sister could get more rest.
"Is something wrong?" Croix asked her, taking a step on the stairs. "Did you need Chariot for something?"
"Oh, it can wait!" Akko laughed nervously and walked back to her room. Croix eyed her suspiciously then shrugged and took her Eve to her room. Diana has been sleeping in her lion form downstairs, so Croix had no place to go at night. Servamps didn't really need sleep, but it still gave a sense of comfort.
They do feel tired like humans, well, perhaps a little less than humans, but it was still there.
She put her Eve on the bed and covered her with enough blankets to warm her. It was a cold night after all. She was about to leave, but noticed the red head wincing in her sleep. Frowning, she sat at the edge of the bed, and stared at her. She seemed uncomfortable, perhaps it was a nightmare.
Her expression changed back to normal, so she assumed she was fine and walked outside.
She rubbed her neck, wondering where she should spend the night this time. She could use her butterfly form, but then who said Queen would it find her and rip her wings off?
She quivered at the idea.
She heard a groan from Akko's room. She looked like she needed something.
Croix closed her eyes and sighed. It's not like she had anything to do other than sleep in a trashcan so her sister won't find her and murder her.
She can't really murder her but the thought is there.
She took a peek from the opened door. Does this girl never close her room's door?
"Are you okay, Akko?" The lilac haired woman asked, startling her.
Akko smiled, grateful for the concern. "I'm fine! I'm just having some troubles with studying." She answered, and Croix walked to her desk and looked at her notes.
"Would you like me to help?" Croix asked as she read over the notes. She has always loved studying whatever humans come up with, from math and physics and even languages. She had to admit she was more interested in technology though.
"That would be amazing! But I'd feel guilty if I keep you up with me." Akko answered, then beamed when a thought occurred to her. "How about I let you sleep here? I know you have nowhere to go!" She said then walked to her bed and took one of her pillows. "Here! You can sleep on the pillow! You don't mind sleeping in your butterfly form, right?"
Croix couldn't help but chuckle. She didn't understand why Queen wouldn't like her. Sure she was too loud, but the girl could be sweet as well.
"Thanks Akko. So, where do you want to start?"
-L&M-
When Chariot woke up in the morning, she knew a lot of things were out of place. First, she had a sore throat and she felt like she got hit by a truck. Secondly, she did not remember going upstairs and to her bed.
Her eyes were burning and she didn't want to leave her bed, but she eventually convinced herself to move. She had a shift today.
She almost passed out a few times on her way downstairs, making everyone –except for Sleepy Ash- worry.
Croix, Akko, and Diana stared at the red head, and her servamp put a hand on her forehead to check her fever. She was burning.
"I don't think you're in any state to go to work." Diana commented, pushing her sister away, making the latter roll her eyes and finish cooking. "I would suggest staying at home and resting."
"Maybe we should go get buy her medicine?" Akko suggested, feeling anxious. The reason her sister was working so hard lately was because she couldn't keep herself from breaking things. Akko couldn't help but blame herself.
"Akko, you'll be late to school." Chariot said, then smiled. "I'll be fine, it's not that bad."
"You passed out under the sink." Croix stated, serving the food.
"I always pass out under the sink."
"She always passes out under the sink…" Akko confirmed, while the servamp of pride shook her head in disappointment.
"Don't you all dare lecture me." Chariot groaned and started eating. However, after the first bite, she felt like throwing up. The food was delicious, but she couldn't force herself to eat, so she pushed the plate away.
Everyone stared at her, and she tried her best to think of an excuse.
"Chariot I think you should take it easy today." Croix suggested, and Akko nodded.
The red head however, refused the suggestion and shook her head. "I'll be fine. I should probably go." She said and stood up, looking at her servamp. She was obviously disappointed in her choice, but decided to give her what she wanted.
All of love keeps reminding herself that she shouldn't care what happens to this human. She promised herself she wouldn't get attached again, but when she looked at her Eve and saw how tired she was, she felt pained and worried.
Sighing, she stood up and walked away with her. If anything happens, she'll just take her home.
Akko watched them leave in concern, while Diana didn't say anything. She simply watched her Eve's reaction. The brunette continued her breakfast silently, making the servamp curious. Perhaps it was just the concern making her act like that? She was usually so loud that the whole neighborhood would hear her.
She sipped her coffee, ignoring the cat that jumped on the chair before her and stared.
"This family is too loud, I need an Eve." Sleepy Ash said, making Diana sigh and Akko frown.
"I thought you liked us!" Akko said, crossing her arms.
"I only like you because you feed me. But all the loud bantering makes my sleep harder." She said, licking her palm.
"You ungrateful cat!" Akko glared, clearly offended. "Well, I was going to offer you to my best friend, but you obviously don't deserve her!"
"Offer? I am a higher being than you humans."
Sensing the tension growing, Diana stood up, took the brunette by the arm, and dragged her away. Sleepy Ash just snickered as she tried to fight back. They were truly amusing, and she didn't want to miss on what's happening. Perhaps she should find an Eve that is close to Akko, maybe the best friend she just mentioned?
With that thought, the cat jumped on the sofa, turned on the TV, and sat comfortably as if she owned the house.
Meanwhile, Chariot wished she had enough power to punch someone, because of once, Marjolaine came to work. She wanted to punch her for all the hours she made her work in her place.
"Chariot, can't we resolve this peacefully?" Marjolaine asked, raising her hands in a defensive manner. "You still haven't told me who this pretty woman is." She looked at Croix, who seemed amused by the whole exchange.
"I'm her girlfriend." Croix answered, with a smug smile. Marjolaine's jaw dropped then she grinned at her friend.
"She's not." The read head said and Marjolaine looked at her like a kicked puppy.
"Oh, does that mean she's not taken?" She wiggled her eyebrows, and Chariot quickly grasped Croix's arm with both her arms and glared at her friend. "I ship it." The woman thought.
"You're getting protective, Chariot. Is there something you want to tell me?" The servamp smirked as she looked down at the red head.
"You're the worst." Chariot pouted, then walked away to start working. Croix and Marjolaine looked at each other before the servamp shrugged and took a seat.
The rock star knew there was something fishy about this.
Croix kept an eye on her Eve, and ignored the manager trying to get her to accept his offer. It wouldn't benefit her anyway unless she's given the same schedule. Chariot was exhausted, anyone could see that. She was pushing herself, and it bothered her.
It shouldn't bother her that much, it was her Eve's wish after all, and yet…
However, Croix's patience ran out when the red head actually fell and had to apologize to the customer. The manager seemed upset, but Marjolaine quickly intervened.
Croix frowned when the man tried to scold her Eve. She stood up and walked to Chariot once the manager walked away. She took her by the hand and led her outside.
"Croix? What are you doing?!" Chariot asked, trying to escape her grip, but the servamp was a lot stronger.
"I'm taking you home." Croix said, finally stopping and letting her go. "You're in no state to work. You'll only get sicker at this rate."
"Croix, I'm fine! I can't afford to lose this job!" Chariot answered.
For a brief moment, Croix felt anger. In that moment she was reminded of how many died under her watch, in her arms. She was reminded of her curse.
"Chariot, you're putting your health in danger." She said, trying to calm her temper.
She has always loved humans.
It was in her name.
"It's just a cold!" Chariot said, not understanding why Croix was acting that way.
She did nothing but bring them misfortune.
The looks on everyone's faces when they finally named her the Servamp of Misfortune.
"If you want something to happen to you and leave Akko behind then be my guest!" Croix finally snapped, making the red head flinch. "But I won't let anything happen to you on my watch!"
The world seemed to stop as the two started at each other, and Croix's eyes widened as she realized what she did. "I'm sorry." She said, looking away.
Chariot stared at her for the longest time, before taking her hand.
"Let's go home." She said, making the servamp look at her in surprise.
"Don't you want to speak to your manager?"
"Marjo will take care of it." She said, raising her arms towards her. "Take me."
"Take you?"
"Carry me."
"Ah, you should be more careful with your phrasing, I would have thought you wanted something else." Croix winked, returning to her usual behavior. "I wouldn't mind though. I'll be gentle. After all, it'd be your first time-"
"I won't be gentle when I throw my pillows at you."
"Fair enough." Croix shrugged, carrying her Eve in her arms. The red head seemed to be more comfortable with her now. She had her arms around her neck and closed her eyes.
She was still bothered by something though.
The way Croix spoke, the way her eyes seemed to darken, made her question something.
"Croix?" She started, and the servamp just hummed as she carried her home. "Have you… ever been left behind?" She asked.
Croix only tightened her grip on her and didn't say anything, but the silence itself was an answer.
Once they arrived home, the lilac haired woman had to face a huge challenge. It was putting a clingy sick Chariot to bed.
"Chariot, I can't carry you around." She said, sighing when the red head tightened her grip.
"You're so warm." Chariot said, absentmindedly. The servamp would have comment on that, but it seemed that none of her remarks would work on her sick Eve.
"I'm sorry but I can't feed you like this." She said, and tried to put her on the bed, but the moment she thought she was safe, Chariot pulled her down with her. Croix found herself captive as the red head held her down with both arms and legs. "Chariot."
"It's too COLD!" She whined.
"You want me this bad, Chariot?" Croix winked at the woman who in return glared when she tried to lean closer.
"Try kissing me and you'll catch a nasty cold. I dare you." The red head warned her, making her chuckle.
"You drag me into your bed, and into your arms. Chariot you keep leading me on." Croix whispered, but the red head only rolled her eyes. "Usually, people can't resist my charms."
"What charms are you talking about? All I see right now is a dork and a human radiator." Chariot muttered, hugging her closer and burying her face into her shoulder. The warmth helped ease her pain.
Croix remained silent for the longest time and let her Eve hug her. As they both lay down there, there was one thought in her mind.
She told herself she won't care anymore, but the truth was that she wanted this one to live.
"Our parents died when I was still in high school." Chariot said, surprising the servamp. "We found ourselves on our own, with no relative to help. Just two orphans on their own…" She said, hugging her closer. "I kind of know what it feels like to be left behind, but probably not as much as you. I'm sorry, Croix."
Croix remained silent. There were no words that she could say to that. She had no answer that wouldn't require digging deep into her memories of all those she caused to die.
The kindness that Chariot was giving her was something she did not deserve.
And yet, she felt somewhat happy.
There were truly no words that she could give her now.
However, that didn't mean she couldn't do something to answer. She blew on the red head's neck, making her shiver and weaken her grip, allowing the servamp to escape.
She pouted in defeat, using the blankets to warm her. They weren't as good though.
"I'll prepare some soup for you. Don't fall asleep yet." Croix said, before leaving the room. The red head smiled, and closed her eyes.
-L&M-
"Your sister is sick and yet she went to work?" Lotte asked, clearly concerned. "Will she be okay?"
"I don't know." Akko sighed. She has been acting unlike herself the whole day. She focused in class, didn't cause any trouble, and didn't even bother with Barbara and Avery.
Lotte now understood why her friend was acting that way, and she was worried about her and Chariot. Diana however, was less concerned, and more curious about the brunette's behavior. Perhaps there was more to her than being a loud obnoxious child.
They were walking home.
"I'm sure she'll be fine." Lotte reassured her with a smile, and Akko smiled back, grateful.
"I would suggest buying medicine on our way." Diana spoke for the first time, startling the two. Akko nodded. She assumed that Croix didn't buy medicine because she was stuck with Chariot at work. The distance limit was an annoying drawback.
After parting ways with Lotte and buying some medicine, the two arrived home.
They were greeted with the smell of food, meaning that the other two were at home. Akko took away her shoes and walked upstairs without saying anything. Diana looked at Sleepy Ash who has been on the couch for the past few hours, watching horror movies. The cat ignored Croix and Chariot when they came home, but this time she turned to the servamp of Pride.
"You don't seem to be okay." She said, making Queen raise an eyebrow.
"What makes you say that?" Queen asked, crossing her arms. Sleepy Ash just yawned and jumped off the couch, following Akko upstairs.
Akko knocked on her sister's door, before walking in to find her asleep and Croix sitting on a chair watching over her. The brunette walked towards them and stared at her sick sister.
"She'll be fine, Akko." Croix reassured her, seeing the obvious distress in her eyes.
"I know." She said, sitting at the edge of the bed. "I feel guilty though. She's trying her best to take care of me, and all I do is cause her trouble." She said, glancing at the red head. "I try to laugh it off but sometimes I wonder if things would have been better for her if she didn't have to take care of me." She admitted, making the servamp frown.
They both didn't know this, but Diana and Sleepy Ash were hearing their conversation from behind the door.
"If Chariot heard you, she'd be sad." Croix said, making the brunette look at her in confusion. "I know that she loves you more than anything and she'd do whatever it takes if it means your happiness." She explained, then smiled warmly at Akko. "Don't sell yourself short, Akko. I'm sure she's happy to have you."
Her genuine words made her smile, and look at her sister. She then turned to Croix and asked. "Do you know that because you feel the same for your siblings?"
Croix smiled, looking down.
"Yeah."
Outside the room, Queen didn't react or say a thing. The servamp of sloth looked up at her for any sign of emotion, but found nothing but a blank expression. She knew however how good she was at hiding her own feelings.
She walked downstairs without saying a word, but sleepy Ash knew that even though she had her back turned to her, they both had a smile on their faces.
Queen's smile however, was bittersweet.