A/N: Thanks for all the support, it's great to see you guys happy. To some reviewers, I hope this chapter addresses a few concerns, and please, keep on telling me if I can improve! This isn't just my story, you know. It's our story, our love letter to the community, and I'd like to make it the best that I can.
Forgot to say this before, but I don't own DitF - if I did, that first chapter there might've been animated.
(contains (relatively) non-explicit sexual references)
Ichigo pinched herself. Was this a dream? Two of her best friends had just returned from saving them all, and were basically perfectly okay?
She mentally cursed herself for her lack of reaction yesterday - her, Mitsuru, and Goro had basically done nothing! She was too stunned at the time, and she supposed the other two were as well.
So, her emotions decided to come out now. She knew for a fact that the hybrid couple were asleep - and had been for the past fourteen hours. Apus and being enstoned had kept their physical bodies alive and supplemented, but without either, the stress and exhaustion really started to take its toll on them.
So much so that they'd had Ichigo sneak them in through the back of the Bird Nest, because all they wanted to do was sleep. Tearful reunions could wait their turn.
So only her, Goro, and Mitsuru knew that the Earth's saviors we're back. She wondered how the others would react to this news. She began formulating a plan to tell the other former parasites, and maybe have that feast Futoshi mentioned back at the Gran Crevasse.
Right as she was getting the details down, she heard a loud scream and several things falling over coming from the direction of the dining hall.
Well, there goes the plan for an organized reunion.
Hiro was mentally cursing himself for his carelessness. Sure, he hadn't slept at all for two years and barely got any last night, but preventing slipping on nothing and dropping his massive breakfast should have been second nature!
He rolled over on his back, groaning. Could this day get any worse?
Someone knocked on the door, and Hiro heard Miku's voice coming from the other side. "Everything OK in there?" she yelled, waiting a moment for a response. When none came, she opened the door to find… a bunch of food on the floor.
"Did ya find anything?" asked Zorome, who was unable to see into the room.
Miku sighed. "No, probably just some troublemakers again. Can you try to get them out?"
Zorome smiled, before marching into the room with his old-man voice, commanding the youngsters to reveal themselves, or face his wrath!
Hiro had to suppress a laugh as he hid under the nearest table. Zorome really had no clue who was in here, did he? After a few moments of trying, Zorome gave up and walked back to his room, followed closely by Miku. After the coast was clear, Hiro got up and sighed defeatedly.
Great, and now I need to shower - without food! Zero Two is going to kill me when I get back! Fortunately for Hiro, said pink-haired girl was fast asleep, unable to stay awake after spending all night reassuring her darling with affirmations that yes, she was there, and yes, she wouldn't leave him again. He was distraught, to say the least, when they got back. She'd never seen him cry that much.
Hiro entered the spare suite that Ichigo had granted him and Zero Two after their return, and quietly began preparing for his shower. Wouldn't do to wake her up when he didn't have food… he was positive she was starving.
Hiro entered the shower, hoping that the barracks had thick enough walls and doors. However, as he turned on the water, a pair of crimson-cerulean eyes began to open…
Zero Two was awakened from her rest by the sound of water. What was it with her and the liquid lately, anyways? First the encounter in Apus' consciousness, then their return, then this? She'd have to ask Hiro about it, eventually - maybe he did figure out how to make it rain. She sat up, looking for the source of the sound, locating it as the shower. So darling's back… what to do, what to do? Think! Zero Two concentrated hard, wondering what she could possibly do to help her darling today.
Suddenly, a thought blossomed inside of her. Maybe the water was useful for something, after all? She giggled, then straightened, her instincts right now telling her one thing: get in that damn shower.
Hiro was humming softly to himself, washing two years' worth of sweat and a few minutes' worth of egg off of his tired body. He was finishing up when he heard the curtain open slightly behind him.
"Honey? Is that you?" he asked. He genuinely wasn't sure - if it was her, she hadn't acted this assertive in a while. The Zero Two from two years ago would've waited outside for him, maybe even with a towel, definitely not coming in while he was washing himself off.
No response. Nothing but the running water's splashing filled the small showering area. After a moment, Hiro went to turn around, and came face-to-face with an incredibly red Zero Two, the blush she was sporting almost certainly not because of the hot water. He wasn't sure about his own cheeks, either. Was it her, or the hot shower? He thought he knew. Their staring contest began to deepen, hunger filling his honey's eyes as she looked him up and down. Hiro couldn't really tell what she was doing, but he had an interesting feeling about this.
"Darling, you look so handsome now," she murmured, kissing him, before pulling away. "Not to say, that is, that you'd never looked good, but now-!"
He cut her off with a kiss, before his body acted on its own, pushing her against the shower wall. "I know you've never been able to get enough of me. I feel the same way about you," he growled, his hands beginning to roam. The water was steaming now, but Zero Two didn't care. In this moment, the only thing she cared about was him.
Their session continued on like this for a couple minutes, and Zero Two looked like she wanted to go further, but Hiro stopped her before she could do anything. "You're so beautiful, honey," he said, allowing his rational brain to subsume his lizard brain, "But we should really get something to eat. Can't go sleeping another fourteen hours, can we?"
She pouted a bit, but agreed. Loathe as she was to admit it, she'd read sex was exhausting, and both of them had a feeling that the rest of Squad 13 wanted to see them ASAP. The pair exited the space, and got dressed in their parasite attire. Ichigo had prepared a proper pistil outfit for Zero Two, and after seeing Zero Two in nothing but a hospital gown or her birthday suit after two years of not seeing her at all, Hiro had to admit she looked really, really good in the regular parasites' black-and-grey. She was about to put the beanie on that matched her hair, but he stopped her. "You don't need to hide your horns anymore, honey. Not one person in this entire complex cares that you have them," he reassured, bringing his love to tears.
"Darling, you always know just what to say," she laughed, setting the beanie down. She grabbed his hand, pulling him up. "Let's get that breakfast then, shall we?"
He gave her a small smile, nodding his agreement, and the two set off down the staff entrance to the cafeteria, ensuring no one would see them.
Ichigo ran towards the cafeteria, only to find Zorome walking back towards his room, Miku following him. "Action repo- what happened?" the bluenette asked, concern for either of her hybrid friends lacing her voice.
Zorome shrugged. "We think a couple kids got into the food, again. Spilled it everywhere. We couldn't find those brats afterwards, though," he said angrily.
Miku slapped him in the back of his head. "I've told you to stop calling little children 'brats!'" she admonished, causing Zorome to apologize just a bit sincerely. Just a bit.
Ichigo smiled at her friends' antics, and let them go, reminding them of their gardening duty later in the day. After they'd given her a mock salute, she continued onwards towards the cafeteria, finding it empty. She looked at the mess in front of her and sighed. Just how much were they planning on eating, anyway? This looks fit for royalty! The short girl resolved herself to clean up after her friends - who could blame them, they were tired! - and had just finished when she saw the culprits walk into the mess hall, talking quietly, hands interlaced.
"Ichigo!" Zero Two ran towards her, picking the other pistil up in her arms. "I missed you, so so so much! But I came back, because a soldier always obeys her commander's orders!"
Ichigo laughed. "I told you, it didn't matter how long it took! I'm glad you kept your promise, though. It's so wonderful to have you two back," she said, joyous tears filling her eyes.
Hiro decided this was his moment to join the group hug, and thanked Ichigo for her support, and for her command. He wasn't sure if they'd be back without Ichigo, and he was so very grateful for that. To be here, surrounded by his family, was a dream come true. The trio all started to cry, their emotions for each other pouring onto their cheeks.
After a few minutes, the hybrids decided that it was time to get something to eat. Ichigo excused herself, and came back with a whole lot of food. So much so that Hiro was worrying if she could carry it all. She could, and not another moment was wasted after she set the tray down. Hiro and Zero Two began devouring basically all they came into contact with. After several consecutive minutes of non-stop eating, the two paused and relaxed, finally feeling their stomachs full.
"How was it?" asked Ichigo, who was astonished at the speed the two had finished it all at.
"Good," the two replied simultaneously. They might come back more for later, assuming the others hadn't started lunch by then. Teary reunions could wait for food, too!
Goro, wondering where Ichigo was, walked into the room, and Hiro stood up to hug him. The blonde-haired man chuckled. "It's good to see you too, bro," he said, tears welling in his eyes.
"You have no idea how much you've encouraged me, in everything I've done, Goro, so I think you'll appreciate this," Hiro said, leaning down to whisper something in his ear.
Said man's ears and cheeks turned bright red, whispering-not-so-loudly, "Really?! I never thought I'd see the day…" Hiro turned to look at Zero Two, and the two glanced at Goro and Ichigo knowingly.
Goro cleared his throat, and returned to his original task. "So, the others all think you're gone - except for Mitsuru. He's doing his best to assuage them, over near where your body was, Zero Two, so I'd think we should give them a nice surprise, right?"
Hiro and Zero Two held each other's gaze for a second, then agreed to go meet their friends again. Squad 13 would finally be complete.
"Y-you idiots! You said you'd come - you said you'd come back!" Miku was on the ground, crouching in front of the sapling that had sprouted where Zero Two once stood. The pistil was bawling, and her stamen was faring not much better, though he was patting his partner on the back.
"I know, Miku. I know," Zorome said, the sadness he felt seeping into his words. "They couldn't just back out on their promise like that, could they?"
Mitsuru sighed. Being witness to Hiro and Zero Two's return, he felt little emotion besides pity for his friends here. Oh, how happy they'd be, knowing that their squad was complete again! Not everything was sunshine and rainbows, though, as the father realized his wife and daughter weren't taking the news so well, either. He rushed over to comfort them, letting both weep into his chest.
Naomi and Ikuno weren't faring any better, either. Both had broken down, Naomi more so, because she wouldn't ever see Zero Two, or Hiro again. Futoshi hadn't got the news yet, but most of the former parasites currently attending the grief session could tell how he'd react.
The crying continued on for a while, even after Goro had arrived and yelled at them to follow him. The group that decided to go with him had continued crying, despite wanting to believe their friends were okay, and the group that stayed had little hope.
Goro led the group into the small church they'd built in pre-memoriam to Hiro and Zero Two. It was kind of funny to him that to most of the parasites in their care, they'd see the two in the chapel built in their honor.
The blonde-haired stamen cleared his throat, and said, "You can come out now, guys."
His group was left perplexed. Who was he referring to?
Then they saw the blue and red horns, the black and pink hair.
Zorome kept on crying, as did Miku, but these tears were of a happier sort. The rest of the group Goro had brought surrounded the saviors of humanity, enveloping them in their arms. Hiro and Zero Two let their tears flow freely for the third time that day, and they could tell probably it wouldn't be the last. Both were surprised at the breadth of emotion they felt - something he thought wasn't possible at all, and something she thought would never happen. But their desire had overcome fate, and they had beaten eternity.
The rest of Squad 13 had insisted on a huge celebration for Hiro and Zero Two, a "Revival Day" of the Earth, on July 7th - the Saturday following their return.
With the way that Ichigo was directing everything, the pair fully believed she had planned all of this out long before the two had even gotten close to VIRM. She coordinated and delegated with ease, surprising even Goro. Guess she really can do anything she's passionate about, eh? He thought, leaning against a wall the night before the festival. He was waiting for Ichigo to come back and tell him if they'd managed to get the centerpiece of the day: the mech that'd empowered their friends.
"Hey! Goro! We got it!" Ichigo panted, running up to him. She shifted her voice to a whisper, uncertain if Hiro and Zero Two were awake - the pair had proved themselves more than capable of long-distance eavesdropping. "Strelizia's in the East Hangar, and maintenance crews 20-26 are working on it right now. It should be operational by tomorrow."
Goro smiled. "That mech… it's saved our asses more times than I can count. If it had a soul, I suppose it would be happy to stand amongst its comrades once again," he mused, staring off at nothing.
Ichigo waved her hand in front of his face, chastising him lightly for being "spacey," as she called it. Goro apologized, internally wondering where he'd be without her. She made to grab his hand discretely as they entered the barracks complex, but he looked in her direction, causing her to pull away.
"You ever wonder… what would've happened if they hadn't come back? What would we have done?" he asked, his gaze piercing. "How would we have gotten those crops to grow?"
The bluenette sighed softly. "Goro, I've told you time and time again to stop being so down. What matters isn't what could've happened, it's what did. Hiro and Zero Two are back, safe, and aren't planning on leaving again. So, stop worrying your cute head off," she said, turning away from her partner with a huff.
Goro was smirking at the back of her head. She thought he was cute, huh?
He realized they were coming up on their respective rooms, and began his evaluation of his day. Helped out with the festival, check. Ichigo turned to him and bid him good night. Revised some maps, check. He smiled at her, and she smiled back. Got some points in with Ichigo - I hope - check.
The former stamen went to bed with a huge smile on his face.
"Zorome, have some of Futoshi's bread, it's go~od!" Miku begged, as the two walked along the Bird Nest's main path. It really was good, and she knew that if someone else could convince him it was, he would have some. She didn't quite know why he had a problem trusting her - they'd known each other since forever, and had been partners for several years.
Zorome blinked. He'd been paying no attention to the girl beside him, favoring relaxing with his thoughts for a while. Thoughts of glory, his dream of teaching, and Miku with her hair do- no! Bad Zorome! It was wrong to think of your partner, someone who you trusted implicitly, and who you were certain reciprocated, in that way! He straightened his posture, giving her a questioning look. She motioned to the bread she was offering him, and he shrugged. Guess a little can't hurt, right?
As he reached for the bread, Miku snatched it away. "Nope! If you want some, you've gotta give me a kiss on the cheek!" She was hoping her gambit would work - the idiot standing next to her hadn't exactly been subtle about continuing to hold her hand, even after they'd left the main part of the festival! So lewd, he must repent!
A stunned Mitsuru and Kokoro looked on from a distance as they saw the two arguing again. The two shared a knowing look, saying in unison, "They should get a room."
Zorome shrugged and kept walking. He wasn't really hungry, anyways. He still hadn't noticed he was holding Miku's hand, and ended up being stopped by her refusing to budge from her position. She was looking at him as if he'd killed her cat, not like he'd turned down some bread!
Wait.
Oh. Zorome thought, before being slapped for the umpteenth time by Miku.
Mitsuru and Kokoro continued watching their friends in amusement as Miku chased Zorome back into the Bird Nest. Kokoro rolled her eyes, and Mitsuru chuckled. Maybe they'd get together one of these days.
Across the makeshift town, Hiro and Zero Two were having the time of their lives. Wonderful company, food, and their friends! What more could they ask for? Well, Zero Two knew the answer to that question, but it wasn't exactly appropriate for her to just jump him in public like this. He'd been slow, lately, savoring her. She was fine with it - she understood why he was doing it, she just wanted him to well, want her more. Her body had begun aching for him lately, even his touch sent her nerves reeling.
Hiro lightly tapped her on the shoulder, wondering why she was distant all of a sudden. He wasn't expecting her to yelp and blush hard in response, but his honey had been surprising him a lot lately. Good surprises, not firing-him-out-of-a-mech-with-no-way-of-seeing-him-again surprises. She was even more open than before, she was certainly - god, what was the word? - hornier than before - in both ways - and she was much more social in public. Of course, being heralded as heroes and respected by literally everyone you came across helped with her self-hate problem, something she hadn't even had an issue with ever since that first breakdown where she claimed she'd turned him into a monster, removing his "humanity" forever.
He'd shut down that train of thought by "kissing" their horns. It'd become a favorite activity of his, as much as the cuddling and other physical contact had. But there was something more to it - other couples could cuddle, could kiss, hold hands, all the works. But only him and his honey could touch their horns. It was the best declaration of their love and trust he thought they could ever do, and it felt surprisingly good. Perhaps the ancient klaxo sapiens did something similar, and the instinct passed down? Hiro supposed he'd never really quite know.
Now it was Zero Two's turn to bring him back to reality, grabbing his hand again. "We've really got to stop spacing out so often, darling," she said, earning a laugh from Hiro. The two continued walking, stopping every now and again to talk to a particularly thankful parasite or to head over to a booth. The festival had plenty to offer - food, games, alcohol. Neither of the hybrids were sure how Ichigo had managed to get food and alcohol ready a week after their crops had started growing properly, but nothing really seemed impossible anymore. Not since they went through a magic portal to fight purple aliens.
Hiro and Zero Two savored being able to laugh at the absurdity of the now-extinct VIRM. If they'd learned one thing since meeting again at that lake almost three years ago, it was that life was precious, and that you should spend every moment possible happy. It'd taken the two of them far too long to realize that - they'd missed out on so many potential opportunities! But, all of that was open to them. The world, their world, was laid out before them like a set meal, and both planned on digging in.
The couple paused behind a crowd of people lining the center path. It seemed that something was going on. Both Hiro and Zero Two jumped slightly at the blaring of horns, announcing the start of the parade. The pink-haired girl looked up at her darling, asking, "How in the hell did Ichigo have time to plan this? Floats, music, and is that - Strelizia? It came back, too?"
Hiro narrowed his eyes at the mech. "Could've sworn it dissolved after I exited it, but I wasn't really focused on that then. I guess Ichigo's been busy."
"I have," a familiar pistil's voice sounded behind them.
Ichigo was smiling, happy that her friends were appreciative of her work, and happy that the parade was turning out well. "I had two years to prepare something, what'd you think it would be? One cake? Maybe some sprinklers?" She chuckled.
Hiro and Zero Two rolled their eyes, favoring focusing on the parade rather than Ichigo's admittedly welcome teasing. "Strelizia, though? How'd you get that?" Zero Two asked.
Ichigo merely smiled. "Not telling," she stated nonchalantly. Zero Two, realizing prying could get them no further, gave up on getting an answer.
Goro eventually caught up to them, and the quartet enjoyed basking in the radiance of a reborn world without a single bother.
Ikuno had requested Hiro and Zero Two's presence a few days after the festival. She apparently needed them for her "research," and the two were reluctant to go after remembering what Dr. Franxx did to both of them.
Ikuno had assured them that it was nothing of the sort, and the two now found themselves in her study, waiting for her to finish writing something down.
She stood up, and came over to them with two needles. "I'm going to need some of your blood. Is that OK?" she asked, waiting for a response. Both hybrids nodded their consent. Ikuno got Hiro's first, then Zero Two's. She was impressed at the regeneration rate on both their skin tissue - by the time she'd finished basic analysis of their blood, no trace remained of the puncturing.
"So, Hiro, I'm sure you already know, but you've got AB Rh negative, which is probably why your body accepted Zero Two's blood so readily," she nodded at the man in question, who looked over at Zero Two, as if to prove a point. The girl huffed and waited for Ikuno to continue.
"Zero Two, you're O Rh negative." The pink-haired girl nodded. "But, this wasn't a mere blood test," Ikuno said, and before pausing dramatically, continued with, "I wanted to see if I could synthesize a cure for parasites' rapid aging using your blood, and I think I can if given time. Would that be alright?" Ikuno didn't feel morally right using her friends' blood for this without their permission, even if it was a noble cause.
"Of course," Zero Two replied, smiling. "I'd do anything for my family."
Hiro nodded his agreement, and Ikuno bade them farewell, needing concentration for her now much faster research.
A few minutes later, Naomi came in, and sat down by her girlfriend's side.
"Did Hiro and Zero Two just leave?" she asked.
Ikuno chuckled and nodded. Naomi sighed in response - she'd been trying to see them for the past week, but they'd always been busy. Or she'd been busy. Schedules were always a mess, now. So much to do, all the damn time!
Naomi turned her attention back to Ikuno. "How's the research?" she asked.
"It's very well. With Hiro and Zero Two's blood, I think I can get a cure out in a few months, not a few years, as I'd originally expected," she said, smiling. "Of course, this also means that I can shift to writing a document chronicling Squad 13 and the War for Humanity after I'm done, instead of just lazing around."
Naomi smiled at her enthusiasm. "Whatever you say, dear. Whatever you say."
After Hiro and Zero Two were back for a few more weeks, Ichigo felt confident enough to begin the construction of a new governmental body and building. She hadn't worked out the constitution yet, but Mitsuru was working his hardest on designing the so-called "Grand Palace" for the new seat of human government. Hachi and Nana had managed to dig up some old books on governments and rights, and Mitsuru had found a "Frank L. Wright's" journal, along with some books on Greco-Roman design. She didn't know who that man was, but Mitsuru seemed excited, and she was happy for him. He had his dream job, with a wife and daughter. Speaking of, Kokoro was expecting again. The husband and wife had broken the news to the rest of their close friends the night before, with Zero Two in particular looking longingly at her darling, who was congratulating the other couple.
Ichigo really wondered if the two had done it yet. Based on how tightly wound Zero Two was, and how she'd come to Ichigo for advice on how to get Hiro to make a move, she could assume "no." She supposed it might've been because of how Zero Two said she couldn't leave anything behind, but she knew that wouldn't stop Hiro from trying, at least. She really didn't know why they hadn't - both had recently came back from death - or close to it - and both had come back for each other. To deny the other physically was plain stupid, unless Hiro had another reason. Ichigo couldn't think of any, so she decided she'd ask him.
The bluenette set off for him, and found him in the under-construction lobby of the Palace. He was shouting encouragements while simultaneously spotting Mitsuru, who was up on some scaffolding working on the little details. The horned man heard Ichigo coming, and without breaking focus on his other friend, greeted her.
"Good afternoon, Ichigo," he yelled, continuing his focus on Mitsuru.
"Good afternoon, Hiro," she replied. "You sure you can catch him if he falls?"
Hiro grinned, as if anticipating the question. "Positive. I'm pretty strong now, you know."
Ichigo waited a moment as Mitsuru finished what he was working on, before climbing back down to look at his handiwork.
"What do you two think?" he asked wearily. Clearly he'd been working for a while, now.
Hiro told him it was great, and Ichigo agreed, telling the architect to take a break, which he ever-so-humbly accepted.
After he'd left, Ichigo turned to Hiro. "So, about Zero Two…"
Hiro straightened a bit, his gaze narrowing. "What about her?"
The pistil sighed. Was she coming off as jealous again? "What's going on with you two? Both of you seem a bit more distant than before."
It was Hiro's turn to sigh. "I don't know, Ichigo. She wants me, physically, so much more than she used to. But I'm worried that I'm not enough. That she'll be disappointed in me, and that she'll grow to hate me." His gaze was cold, locked on a point on the clean, smooth marble floor.
Mitsuru popped his head in before Hiro could continue. "Bro, I thought the same thing about Kokoro, trust me, but I'm going to be the father of two in like, eight months. Just go for it!" He shot Hiro a thumbs up and wink before disappearing back to his break.
Ichigo blinked. "While I don't appreciate the interruption, he has a point. Zero Two is wholly in love with you, for your heart, mind, and soul. Of course, she does think your body is nice. Told me so herself," she paused, noticing a light blush on Hiro. "At this point, there's no way you could disappoint her. So, man up a little! Be confident in yourself, because at this point you're hurting her more by not doing that than by actually doing it!" Ichigo almost yelled, but she stopped herself. "Be happy together, and that's an order from your commander."
Hiro's eyes regained their warmth, and he said, grinning, "Well, can't disobey a direct order, can I?" The man set off on a mission, determined to give his honey just what she wanted.
Mitsuru came back in, eating the bento Kokoro had made for him. "So, he's really gonna do it?"
Ichigo shook her head, giggling. "I suppose so. Well… we'll know by tonight."
Mitsuru looked at her, confused. "Know what?"
The pistil smirked. "Know if we need better walls."
Mitsuru glanced at her, eyes deadpan. He walked back to his cubby, still working on that bento.
"Hey, my jokes aren't that bad!" Ichigo called after him.
Hiro walked back to the quarters he and Zero Two shared with a purpose. How had he put so little faith in himself, and in Zero Two? They were together now, and he hoped that that would remain true for a while to come. What he was going to do now was a small step in their relationship, but a serious one nonetheless. How could he have treated it so lightly?
He came up on their door, and paused before knocking. Was this really a good idea? Ichigo and Mitsuru had told him to go for it, and it seemed like Ichigo knew a little more than she was letting on, as if Zero Two put her up to it. Hiro shrugged, deciding not much else could be worse than him delaying this further. He slowly opened the door…
… and found Zero Two sitting on the bed, in nothing but some red lingerie.
Had she been waiting for him?
"Darling..." she beckoned to him, causing an already flustered Hiro to heat up even more.
He came closer to her, eyes wandering. "Really? Did Ichigo give you that number?"
She smiled. "Yep! Said she'd found some with Franxx's stuff, the old pervert."
Hiro was slightly unnerved that the old man had lingerie that fit Zero Two perfectly in his possession, but he wasn't one to complain right now.
"Oh, before you get worried, he specifically made it for us to use," she added, smiling. Hiro mentally thanked the doctor before leaning in to give his honey a kiss.
Before his lips made contact, she put a finger on them, tutting. "Nope. You've made me wait this long, so you get to wait too!"
Hiro closed his eyes. So this is my punishment, he thought. His honey had been waiting for him, so he would do the same.
He gently sat down on the ground in front of her, looking at nothing in particular.
A momentary silence followed, before Zero Two began stifling a laugh.
Hiro locked eyes with her. "What? What's funny?" he inquired, bringing her to laugh even more.
"Nothing, just your - your face! You're blushing, and yet you're so calm! It's funny!" she exclaimed, rolling back on the bed in laughter.
Hiro did his best impression of her pout, and stood up. "You're asking for a tickle, you know."
She crossed her arms over her chest and answered in mock anger, "You wouldn't dare!"
Hiro got on the bed, positioning himself over her. "You think so?" he asked, before starting to tickle her.
She laughed her beautiful laugh, getting her darling to chuckle as she tried to break free of his clutches.
"Da-darling! Sto-stop it!" she said, getting Hiro to stop his assault and pull back.
"Oh? I bet you loved that, though..." Hiro singsonged, causing Zero Two to cover her face.
"You're so mean, darling," she smiled. "But I know a way you can make it up to me."
He leaned in further. "Oh, really?"
"Yes."
The two began kissing each other with a fervor neither had felt before. Zero Two, feeling alone in her semi-nudity, responded by removing his own uniform. She was greeted by his toned chest. He would never develop a "rock-hard six pack," but she didn't care. She loved how her darling looked.
After making sure the door was locked - sure would be a pain to have Zorome come in right about now - they continued, their lips locking. During this second makeout session, their horns accidentally touched, and both got a rush of blood to the… well, you know.
"I didn't know they became erogenous zones," Zero Two panted.
"Oh, so you've been reading up on this?" Hiro teased.
"Your fault for making me wait so long," she countered.
"You're no fair, honey," he laughed, getting back into their wonderful session.
After a few more minutes of this, both found the pressure in their core unable to be pushed back. They removed their last vestiges of doubts about what they were doing, tossing them carelessly at the foot of the bed. Hiro pushed his honey below him, asking her a silent question.
She nodded, and felt a little pain. Hiro repositioned himself to make both of them more comfortable, before taking a moment to reflect...
So this is what the FranXX controls were designed after... the old man just keeps digging himself deeper. Hiro thought, gazing at the girl splayed below him.
"Darling, are you going to do anything?" Zero Two panted, her want for him palpable in the air.
"Yeah, sorry."
Not much else coherent was said for a while.
The next morning, the sun woke her up. They'd spent, what, at least nine hours at it? Zero Two giggled a little. She never knew he was so good at all that! She'd definitely get addicted to this! Not just the sex, but waking up afterwards was so, so so so nice! How had she managed for this long? She ran a finger across her sleeping darling's face, and kissed his forehead.
He stirred. "Mm?" he mumbled, sitting up a little. "Hey, my beautiful honey."
She was also impressed at his ability to talk like that so effortlessly. "Hey. You were wonderful, darling."
He smiled. "And don't think you weren't, honey." His eyes wandered to the sheets, before he started asking her, "Hey, honey, I think I want to…"
He trailed off. What was he going to say? "Darling?" she inquired, genuine curiosity in her voice.
He cleared his throat, and tried again. "I think I want to marry you. Properly, this time. Will you marry me, Zero Two?"
Another thing she loved about her darling was his impeccable ability to wring out any emotion - except maybe anger - at any given point in time.
Her eyes went wide, before her brain reset itself. "Of - of course!" She beamed at him, that smile being the last thing he could ever see, and he wouldn't care.
A knock on the door startled both of them, and they could hear Ichigo's voice carrying through the metal. "Hey, could you maybe be a bit quieter next time?"
Several other voices, ones they recognized as their squadmates, added their agreements.
Both hybrids' eyes widened. Uh oh.
Zero Two was so embarrassed right now, she could die! Not that she wanted to, but she could! She hid her face under the covers - as if it would do anything - drawing a laugh from her darling.
"Yeah, yeah. We'll try," he said, joining her under the covers. He silently kissed her left ring finger, and she sighed.
Everything was perfect.
PS: Sorry if that was little anticlimactic (hah). I want to keep things relatively tame to fit FF's regulations :)
If anything seemed stilted, or otherwise strange, let me know. I'm working on this as I'm doing lots of mentally stressful activities during the day, so I've been writing these at night. After this Sunday, though, I'll be totally free, and hopefully my quality will have gone back up (if you perceived a dip.) Until next time!
Yours, dsw78
