Sappy AUish stuff like usual. Sorry if it's not up to snuff--I haven't written these guys in a while. Anyway, enjoy.

Ein's feelings were hurt and Ledah knew it. He was trying not to show it, but his acting was poor. He was wearing a sheer smile and Ledah could see right through it. It was so unfair. Ein always knew what to say to Ledah to make him smile, to bring him comfort, to show that he cared. Why couldn't Ledah do the same? His emotions were slowly stirring beneath Hector's seal, but how much longer would he have to wait to regain his empathy? He didn't mean to be so forward, so blunt, so cold. When Ledah sighed and apologized yet again, Ein had merely shrugged it off, insisting that he understood, but did he really?

Ledah stared across the table into the younger angel's face as he chattered on about his and Lina's latest adventures picking fruit in the forest. The hurt that had been prominent behind his smile just a moment ago appeared to have dissipated. Forgiveness came easily for Ein.

Instead, Ledah tried to focus on the stories Ein was telling. He knew they were supposed to be comedic, and was certain they were, but he still had a hard time feeling amusement. He was certain that, compared to most of Ein's other friends, he made for a poor conversation partner.

It wouldn't surprise him if Ein gave up on him one of these days. Ledah certainly wouldn't blame him. Why in the name of Asgard would Ein, bright and full of life, even want to be around someone as tainted and hollow as Ledah?

He wished he could just cast the blame on Hector—damn the Magi and move on—but he felt he was at least partially responsible for his condition. He'd just wanted to be a Grim Angel so badly. The consequences had seemed so unimportant back then.

The irony of it all was that he'd decided to undergo the Grim Angel trials for Ein. Certainly Ein wasn't his only motivator; Ledah had always had a strong sense of justice. Ein was, however, the most important. Ledah had only wanted to protect him. Bitterly, he noticed how well that had turned out. They'd nearly become enemies during the fight for Riviera and now Ledah felt he was ruining his last chance at a relationship with Ein.

"Hey, Ledah."

Ledah looked up, Ein's voice interrupting his train of thought."Yes?"

"Is something wrong?" Ein tilted his head slightly. "You're spacing out."

"I was thinking."

"About what?" Ein's voice was light and there was a teasing grin on his face. Clearly, he was under the impression that Ledah's thoughts were less than pure. His expression soon sobered as Ledah closed his eyes and released a long sigh.

"What makes you stay with me?" Ledah queried, face impassive as ever. In spite of that, there was a faint edge to his voice that demanded an answer.

Ein frowned. That was out of the blue. "I love you," he said. "Isn't that enough of a reason?"

"This cannot be easy on you."

"I never expected it to be easy," Ein replied. He reached across the table and took Ledah's hand into his own. "In fact, I knew it wouldn't be... but I didn't care, and I still don't. I love you and that's all that matters. I know that you're not the same Ledah I knew, but you will be. Hector's seal can't last forever." He smiled reassuringly. "Actually, I take the fact that you're concerned about this as a sign that you're improving."

Ledah looked at him, his lips curving upwards slightly.

"We'll get through this," Ein said, releasing Ledah's hand. "I promise."

"Thank you, Ein."

"Anyway, I was planning to go back to the forest with Lina. She found a tree that she claims has the best fruit she's ever tasted and she wants to show me." He stood up and extended his hand to Ledah. "You coming?"

Ledah accepted Ein's hand without hesitation. "I would like that."

As the two walked outside hand in hand, Ledah could have sworn he felt a small swell of happiness somewhere inside.