Hello Again! Been pretty busy with school, but here's a special chapter focusing once more on our fave dino couple! Also, this chapter marks the end of this story arc. I wonder what events would unfold this time for the squad ehe ehe.

Anyways, on to the story!

(f ever there are italicized parts in this story, just ignore it. thanks)

The surroundings seems a lot more colorful, for some reason.

No, it wasn't because of the banners, streamers and other festive stuff that decorated the whole school, nor was it the large bonfire situated at the center of the school field and its crackles of red and gold sparks- No, none of this was the reason why everything felt so alive to Hiro, rather, it was because of something else.

Or maybe, someone else.

Hiro never found himself being involved with these sort of festivities anyway, especially when he found himself losing interest in school, so everything happening now were so new to him, and strangely, he was enjoying every single moment thanks to the pink haired girl whose fingers were intertwined with his. This intimate action makes his chest pound hardly, and when he turns to take a peek at Zero Two, he is left awestruck as he marvels over her appearance illuminated by the fire's glow. The fiery hues, accompanied with the deep, red color of her horns made her beauty all the more captivating.

And when her teal eyes meets with his, he feels his cheeks heat up than any other fire present.

"Darling, you're staring again.." Zero Two points out cheekily, but instead of his usual fussy reaction, Hiro does not bother tearing his eyes away from her. Feeling a blush creep up on her own cheeks, the pinkette asks him

"I-is there something on my face?"

"None at all.." Hiro shakes his head, "It's just...you look kind of..glowing I guess.." he murmurs, finally looking away from Zero Two to hide his embarrassed expression.

"Is that so.." Zero Two murmurs mischievously, eyes twinkling in amusement before finally dropping the subject for the sake of her darling's heart. "Ne, darling, is this what you really do in a bonfire?" she asks. "I mean, I kinda expected a dance or something."

Staring at the slowly growing crowd, Hiro answers, "It's because there aren't a lot of people yet."

A pensive look grows on the horned girl's face, when suddenly, Hiro finds himself being pulled to somewhere else with her natural strength.

"Z-zero Two?" he calls out, quite confused with what she was doing. Besides, wasn't she super excited about the whole bonfire thing a while ago?

Before he knew it, Hiro found themselves ascending the stairs to the rooftop, the cold air hitting him as they enter the place. Carefully, he looks down and sees the other students all bundled together surrounding the fire. Up on the roof, they all seemed to be like little ants, he thought. Turning back at Zero Two, he sees her teal eyes staring intently at him with an emotion he couldn't quite decypher but made his heart race. Slowly, she walks towards him, her pink locks flying freely in the wind. A moment ago, Hiro thought the vibrant colors the fire tinted her made her exceptionally beautiful, but seeing her lithe, supple form basking in the moonlight seemed to fit her even more.

Calm and mysterious, like a predator coming in for her prey, which was him. An enigma that continuously mesmerizes him into her will.

"Zero...Two?" he calls out her name once more, albeit softer than his previous attempt.

Arms find their way to his neck, pulling him closer than ever. Gently, Zero Two guides his trembling hands to her waist before humming an unrecognizable tune. She sways their bodies slowly, closing her eyes as she feels the rhythmic beating of their hearts.

They stay like this for awhile, quietly savoring the other's presence, until Zero Two stops and looks up at him with a expression of mirth showing on her face.

"Enjoying this dance we have, darling?" she asks, her smile widening. "I'm sure I am."

"But, what about the bonfire? I thought you wanted to experience it…" Hiro asks quietly.

Momentarily, Zero Two stares at the scene below them. She could see students laughing and just chilling out with their respective groups. She could see Miku hanging out with some dark haired stranger clearly having fun, meanwhile, Zorome and Futoshi were busy making smores and chatting happily. Kokoro sat peacefully beside Mitsuru, who was minding his own business, observing the flames that continuously raged. Ikuno, Goro and Ichigo were seated together, laughing over some stories they shared.

'They all looked happy…' Zero Two thought and now, she too was happy as well.

"It's true I wanted to experience it.." she shrugs, "But it's been a week since we had some time to ourselves! I've been dying without you darling!"

Hiro chuckles over her over the top reaction. "That would be troublesome…" he mutters under his breath.

"No it's not.." Zero Two counters, "I'd trade a hundred bonfires and festivals just to have a moment like this with you, darling."

'Ever since I've found you, there's nothing more I could ask for..'

With his chest warming up over her intimate declaration, Hiro tries to tell her how he feels the same, but no words escaped his mouth, prompting Zero Two to continue speaking.

"I enjoy being with you darling, in fact, I'd like to thank you for being the reason why I get to experience all of this. If I hadn't found you, I'd probably still think I'm some good for nothing freak thanks to these horns...but you..you weren't afraid of them, and you even cried for me back then…"

Smiling fondly, she tightens the hold she has on him, "...Thanks to you..I'm able to live again, so moments like this are precious to me.." Looking up, Zero Two could clearly see Hiro's eyes glassy with unshed tears. Worrying, she places a hand on his cheek.

"Darling?" she asks.

"I.." Hiro chokes back a sob, his tears finally flowing down his reddened cheeks. "It's just...I've never had someone tell me those kind of words, and for some reason, they make my chest feel warm…"

Impulsively, he pulls Zero Two into a hug, eliciting a surprise gasp from the maiden. Burying his face at the crook of her neck, he breathes out a sigh of relief before speaking.

"I also want to let you know...I feel the same too" he says, "Meeting you has slowly made me change...back then, I felt like I had no purpose in my life- I was better off dead to tell you the truth..but now, I feel more alive, more happier with you by my side. I-it's like, I could do anything if I'm with you.."

Pulling away from the hug, Hiro lets a small smile form on his lips, "If you'd allow me to, I'd want to be your wings, just like from the Jian's tale…" silence envelops the two of them as Hiro unknowingly proposes indirectly to Zero Two. Suppressing a giggle, Zero Two points a finger at him.

"Y-you do know what you're words are implying right?" she asks.

"Eh?"

"The Jian bird represents marriage, silly." Zero Two laughs. "You kinda just proposed to me, darling. Well, I hope you wouldn't mind if I ask for a grand we-

"EHH?!" Hiro cries as his whole face turns into a tomato, amusing Zero Two all the more, "I DIDN'T MEAN IT THAT WAY! I-I..U-UM..A-".his babbling were put to rest when Zero Two places a finger on his lips.

"Oh calm down, darling! I was just messing with you!" she jokes before staring at him with eyes filled with adoration. "Still, I wouldn't mind you being my wings…"

"Ne, darling, if we're each other's wings, then that means you and I will be together forever okay?"

Forever….

Although forever may seem far-fetched, Hiro couldn't help but smile at the idea. He certainly could see himself with Zero Two in the future, and at this rate, he would see clear to it nothing would set them apart.

Smiling back at Zero Two, Hiro finds the courage to answer back,

"Forever."

He really liked the sound of that

A/N: PLEASE JUST GET MARRIED AND HAVE DINO BABIES ALREADY.