Loving

"Okay so, I knew that it was a very VERY bad thing to let that darned Insidia keep whipping its tail around like a maniac so I dove in and SLASH! Off the tail went! Then the Insidia got SO steamed that it tried to whack me with the very appendage that I just took off! Silly thing still hadn't grasped what happened! After that I filled its face with beams like POW! And it died. With that the whole Prospector team was safe and able to continue mining their own business, heh, all thanks to me!"

Kruse chuckled as Mia got into a heroic pose "Sounds like quite the trip."

"Oh it was! But no matter what kind of ugly, dumb Indigen got attracted to the Prospectors, they stood no chance against me!"

"That's great to hear Mia, are you taking on some more missions soon?"

"Nah Chief. I think I've been killing myself goin' out there all week. It's high time I took a short siesta. Now I know what you're thinking Chief but there is no need to worry, good ol' Mia will be back out there in a few days, keeping all of New LA safe!"

Kruse laughed "How will we ever survive without you."

"I know right!?"

Mia joined him in laughing before sitting back down and leaning very close to him "So Chief…how are things with you and Elma?"

"Us? We're good."

"C'mon Chief, I've regaled you with a bunch of stories of my battles out there, does it really hurt to let me know a bit about how you can Elma are hitting it off?"

Kruse sighed "I guess it's only fair. What do you want to know?"

"What are your days like? How do you two get along?"

Kruse crossed his arms "Well, most days we wake up, greet each other-"

"Cuddle. Kiss. Compliment. Tell each other how much you love each other…"

Kruse chuckled as Mia made kissy faces before nodding "Yes we…we do a lot of that, yes. Then we got to work, we do our jobs and-"

"Wait. Do you two work…apart?"

"Not all the time but wed do, why?"

Mia sat back and crossed her arms "I don't get it Chief. Given how long you've been smitten with her I always assumed that you'd never leave her side once you got together."

"Believe me, if I could I'd spend every moment next to her."

"Aww."

"But we're always very busy with so many missions and I do think it's smarter to work apart at least sometimes I mean…heading out to Sylvalum with a team of BLADEs to clear out Indigens and such isn't really the time for Elma and I to be-"

"Giving each other bedroom eyes?"

Kruse brought a hand to his face "I knew I didn't want to talk to you about this for a reason. I knew it and yet here I am…"

Mia just laughed "I get it Chief. You two don't have to spend every second of every day with each other. That's how much you love and trust each other."

Kruse took his hand away and smiled "Yeah…it is…"

Mia shook her head "You are so darn sappy Chief."

He shrugged "What can I say, Elma makes me act this way. I love her."

Mia smiled "Okay! Okay! Stop, I can only take so much of this!"

After sharing another laugh Mia asked "So, have you taken her out anywhere?"

"Out? Like a date?"

Mia nodded "Yeah, you know. The thing couples do once they become couples? Date? What are you? 60?"

Kruse shook his head "No, I mean obviously not but no I haven't taken her out on a date I mean…where would we go? She and I have already been to every single place in New LA, we've mapped most of Mira together as well. What could we do on a date that we haven't already done?"

Mia smiled "Chief. There is a big difference between you, Elma and a few friends stopping to eat somewhere and you and Elma going out to eat somewhere, alone, just the two of you."

"I suppose so…wait…you're like 7 years younger than me, why are you giving me relationship advice?"

Mia scoffed "Uh, cause you obviously need it Chief."

The pair laughed again before Kruse nodded "Yeah. I sure do. Thank you, Mia."

"Anytime!"


As Kruse walked through the Industrial District he kept thinking about what to do. Mia was right, he should definitely take Elma out somewhere, do something special but what?

Looking up he spotted her talking to a few other BLADEs. He noted they were exchanging farewells and once Elma stepped away from them he approached.

"Hey."

She looked to him and smiled "Hello, Kruse."

He brought a hand behind his head and tried "Elma…I uh…"

She couldn't help but chuckle "Come now Kruse. What could you possibly be having a hard time trying to tell me now?"

"Would you like to go out on a date with me?"

Elma's eyes widened "A…date?"

"Yeah. A…date…uh, yeah."

"I don't see why not. Did you have something in mind, Kruse?"

"Yes." "Absolutely not."

She smiled "Well, I'll be in the barracks for the rest of the day, come get me when you're ready."

She walked up to him and kissed him "I'll be waiting."

As Elma stepped away Kruse spoke "I love you."

"I love you too."

Kruse let out a sigh as he watched her walk away.

"I still don't know what I did to deserve you…"

After a few moments of silence someone spoke up.

"You have no idea what to do on the date, do you?"

Kruse almost jumped, turning to see Lin "When did you-"

Sighing he shook his head "No, any advice?"

"Well as I'm sure you can guess I've never really been on a date myself so I don't have any good advice on that."

Kruse shrugged as she continued "I mean all I do know is that the go to definition of a date is most likely dinner and a movie. Well, if those countless movies are to be believed anyway. However in this case I think you should do something more special. Something you and Elma both love."

Kruse crossed his arms "That's not a bad idea…heh, looks like your IQ doesn't just apply to your tech skills."

Lin smiled "Of course not."

Kruse started to walk away then looked back at Lin who raised an eyebrow "What?"

"Thank you, Lin."

"For what?"

"I had no memories when I was found. Elma helped me along early on and I've always thanked her for me becoming who I am. For everything she did for me along the way but you were…you are a big part of it as well. You always have been. So…thanks."

Lin smiled "That means a lot Kruse…heh now I feel I should apologize. Well, at least a little bit. I may have had too much fun poking you while you were flustered but you made it way too easy."

Kruse thought back to the times Elma made him speechless and recalled all of Lin's little prods or even just her trying to hold back her laughter and failing.

"If I may be totally honest with you, you took WAY longer to tell her than I ever would've thought. Seriously those old TV dramas have nothing on you."

Kruse chuckled at that "I suppose I did wait too long…thanks again Lin, for everything."


At the barracks, Elma sat reading through several BLADE reports, making mental notes of what everyone has been up to. Or at least that is what she's supposed to be doing but she can't stop thinking about her date with Kruse.

Falling in love was never something she really considered for herself, she always felt there was always something more important to do, that what was happening on Mira and with humanity was just too important and vital to afford any type of distraction.

She smiled to herself realizing it was most likely that exact line of thought that kept Kruse from telling her how he felt for the longest time. She also couldn't help but wonder if things really could have been any different if he told her earlier.

Regardless now that she and Kruse were together there was a whole world of things for them to discover together and while she was happy thinking about that she was also nervous. There was a lot about being in a relationship that she really doesn't have much experience with.

"Well, Kruse has no memory of the time before Mira…so I guess I won't be the only one flying blind."

Smiling she decided to put the reports down, clearly she would be making no headway with them tonight. Instead she started thinking about what she should do once out with Kruse. Should she do anything differently? Probably not, she doubted he'd want her to change anything. Still, this whole experience was new and she couldn't help just thinking and trying to figure it out.

Hearing the Barracks door open she turned to see Kruse walk in. As soon as he saw her he smiled. She stood up as he walked closer.

"Kruse, I take it you have the evening planned."

He tilted his head "More or less, yeah."

Elma gestured to him then to herself "Should we…change? Something more nightly, or…?"

The two of them were dressed pretty casually, jacket, shirt, jeans, nothing outstanding.

Kruse merely shook his head "No, we're fine. Perfect, actually."

"Are you sure?"

He nodded "Absolutely."

After a few moments, Elma smiled "Well alright then, I suppose I'm ready."

She then took Kruse's hand in hers as he spoke "As always, you look beautiful this evening, Elma."

Giggling Elma leaned into Kruse "Thank you."

Sharing a kiss the pair walked out of the barracks.


Night had fallen and they were out in Primordia standing in a relatively small and open field. A breeze came through filling the air with the rustle of nature.

Standing side by side Kruse looked to Elma "I'm going to be completely honest with you. When I asked you for a date I had no idea what it is we'd be doing."

Elma laughed at that "And here I was worried that I'd be the one at a complete loss when we finally got around to it."

Kruse joined her in laughing before the pair sat on the ground and looked to the sky. Elma leaned on Kruse's shoulder as he brought an arm around her, placing it on her hip.

"I realized a long time ago that what I most enjoyed was just being with you. All the times we were together, just the two of us. Be it on a mission or just in New LA, those were the times I was happiest and those are my best memories. Of all of them, the things I recall the most fondly are our sparring sessions together."

Elma smiled "Yes. I did enjoy every day we came out here to train together. It was often the highlight of those days and I always looked forward to coming out here with you again."

"So you could knock me down as always?"

She laughed "Well no…but yes."

He joined her in laughing as another breeze rolled through. As they fell silent, Kruse thought back and couldn't help but chuckle.

"What is it?"

He smiled "Do you remember way back during one of our earliest sparring sessions. I was doing relatively well and then I just…stopped. I got horribly distracted so in response you reeled back and really stuck it to me."

Elma laughed at that "Yes I do recall that. Honestly, I found it quite uncharacteristic of you to lose all of your focus so suddenly and so quickly."

Kruse nodded "You ever wonder what it was that distracted me?"

"I have to admit I was curious. I assumed a few things but-"

"It was you."

"Me?"

Elma moved from Kruse's shoulder to look at him as he spoke "I really don't know how many ways to tell you this Elma. If I'm being honest with myself even saying it this way is a massive understatement but…you, are absolutely breathtakingly beautiful."

Elma felt her cheeks grow warm as he continued "No matter what it is you're doing, all it takes is me looking at you a bit too closely or for a bit too long…and then you're all that I can see. In that small moment during our session I just…couldn't stop staring. So it's no wonder I left myself immensely open."

Elma couldn't help but laugh "I never imagined I was the cause. I'm so sorry."

"Well, what could you do about it? You can't really stop being beautiful right?"

Kruse gave Elma a small kiss before standing and walking over to his Skell. After a few moments he turned to her now holding her blades. Elma stood up as he tossed them over, catching them. She then gave them a quick spin before looking to Kruse again as he took his blade out.

"Other people might laugh at me. Hell, they undoubtedly will if they ever find out that this was my idea for a first date with the most beautiful person on Planet Mira."

Elma smiled "They may laugh but Kruse, I myself can't think of any better way for us to spend some meaningful time together than this."

Spinning her weapons again she took a deep breath "It has been a while though."

"Indeed, but what can I say, we're busy."

"Some things never change."

After sharing another laugh, Elma took a deep breath "So, Kruse. Are you ready for this?"

"Always."

The pair took their stances just as a cool breeze rolled in. Kruse then held up one of his hands and called out "Hold on."

Elma raised an eyebrow as he quickly took his jacket off and threw it aside "With the sweat that we work up, I'm not gonna be cold long."

Nodding Elma removed and threw her jacket aside as well "Alright then, let's make this a match to remember."

Returning to their stances the pair nodded to each other before charging full speed at one another. Kruse swung first, Elma easily avoided the strike and brought one of her blades into his chest. As he staggered back he swung a few more times, all narrowly missing her. Bringing her weapons up she began deflecting his fury of strikes, noting an opening she struck again, pushing him back.

He looked up at her and narrowed his eyes, she merely winked and made a motion for him to get closer. Quickly he charged in again, this time his weapon snuck through her defenses and struck her. Despite the blow, Elma continued to attack, striking Kruse in the face and one of his legs.

Stepping back, Kruse shook himself a few times and caught her again as she dashed at him. This time her weapons were a blur. Kruse followed suit and began blocking all of her attacks.

As quick as ever Elma disengaged and ran around him. She went for his exposed back only for his blade to appear and block her blow. Spinning around he struck her weapons, knocking them aside before striking her again. Stumbling a few feet she looked back at him.

Kruse smiled and urged her to move forward now. Elma did so, barely missing Kruse as he ducked under her blades. Realizing she was in a bad position she fully expected a powerful blow to come at her and was ready to respond in kind. Instead she landed and turned fully to see Kruse hadn't followed through.

Tilting her head she charged back in, putting Kruse back on the defensive but this time she was breaking his guard far easier. After landing another blow she jumped away from him as he caught his breath.

"Kruse, are you alright?"

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

Elma narrowed her eyes as he dashed towards her. Stabbing one of her blades into the ground she blocked his attack with her other weapon before grabbing his arm and throwing him aside. Kruse regained his footing and charged her again. Avoiding his strikes, she took a swing at his leg, tripping him.

Kruse rolled across the ground before getting to his feet and facing Elma again. However before he could make another move she held her hand out and spoke "Stop."

"Huh? Why?"

"Kruse. What's going on?"

He raised an eyebrow "I don't…know?"

"Kruse. You're leaving yourself far too open, none of your strikes carry any of the weight that they once did and you're passing on valuable opportunities. What's going on?"

Kruse gave her an odd look "Am I doing that?"

She nodded and Kruse could see she was serious. He then noticed that she was only wielding one blade "Well hey, I disarmed you right?"

"Kruse. I put my weapon down."

After a few seconds he nodded "Right. Looks like you're right, I'm not on my game."

"Do you know why?"

He caught her eyes but said nothing.

Elma walked up to him "Kruse."

He sighed "I suppose I'm holding back because…it's you."

She nodded "Yes."

"I didn't mean to. I thought I was doing well…I guess…I don't know…"

"Kruse."

He looked at her again. "Your caring nature is one of the things I love dearly about you. How hard you work to protect everyone, how hard you fight for New LA. Clearly, your nature is at odds with your training. You want to spar with me but you don't want to hurt me."

He sighed "Sorry Elma. I really didn't mean to do this. I had every intention of giving you a great fight."

He tried to look away only for Elma to bring a hand to his cheek and turn him back towards her "I know and you still can. Kruse, I love you and I love sparring with you. Nothing you do to me in these matches can make me hate you. So please, don't worry about me."

A smile came to his face "I love you."

She gave him a kiss before walking back and picking up her weapons.

"Also, Kruse. If it makes you feel any better I've still won the grand majority of our matches so…the odds of you hurting me at all are actually pretty low."

At that Kruse laughed, nodding his head "I suppose that's true."

The pair smiled and looked at each other with Kruse taking a deep breath "Right. Well, Elma. Would you like to spar with your hopeless boyfriend?"

Elma brought a hand to her chest "Oh why would I ever want that?"

After a few moments they started laughing before looking up at the night sky.

"Was this a good call on my part?"

Elma nodded "It was. It definitely was."

Kruse let out a sigh "Still, I'm sure Mia, Lin and Alexa are really going to let me have it when I tell them this was our first date."

"I'm sure they will and it will be endlessly entertaining to watch them judge you."

As Elma laughed Kruse nodded "I suppose it will be."

Elma then got into her stance "So Kruse, are you ready?"

Dropping into his own stance he nodded "This time for real."

The pair shot at each other, this time Kruse's opening strikes landed, pushing Elma back. Quickly she dove aside from his following attacks. He pursued closely barely missing as she made another dive. Springing to her feet she swung at him as he leapt over her.

Once he landed behind her the pair spun around and struck their weapons against each other. Both took a step back then moved onto their next strikes. For every blow that was blocked another was made. Reading each other to the best of their abilities the onslaught continued.

Kruse moved back, avoiding Elma's attacks then charged in, striking her in the chest and throwing her to the ground. He attempted to follow up only to sink his weapon into the earth following Elma rolling out of the way. Getting to her feet, she moved her head back as the end of Kruse's blade sliced through the air.

Moving in, it was Elma's turn. Wide open both blades struck Kruse's chest several times before Elma leapt, spun and kicked him in the face. As he stumbled back she charged in and struck him in the back, pushing him down to the dirt.

Flipping to his feet he turned to face her. Charging forward his weapon struck hers with a loud clash.

As Elma held him back she smiled "You are doing far better now Kruse, I'm glad."

He smiled back "I feel much better myself."

"And your training with Ga Jiarg is definitely showing."

He shrugged at that "What can I say? He's a good teacher."

"Indeed, however…"

Elma broke the lock and struck Kruse, pushing him away before charging again, missing as he flipped away. The moment he landed she was already on him, another strike pushed him aside.

"…I have been training with Ga Buidhe."

Kruse raised an eyebrow "What?"

"Well she enjoyed our duels so much that she wanted to keep the tradition going so she came to me in New LA and we've picked it back up."

"Heh well, I should've seen that coming." Kruse stated.

"Should've seen this as well." He turned around to see Elma right behind him in mid swing, quickly he stopped her first blade with his.

"Actually, I did see that…well, only a bit if I'm being honest."

Elma smiled before ramming her second blade into Kruse's stomach. Gritting his teeth Kruse spun his weapon and charged Elma's position. The bout continued with the pair avoiding many strikes and landing many more on each other.

As intense as the battle seemed, a very evident smile never left Kruse or Elma's face.

Kruse pushed Elma back and continued his advancement, forcing her to move back and take a defensive stance. As with all the matches before Kruse had grown immensely. The Wrothian lessons did wonders to his already tempered skill. But she made a promise to herself that she'd never fall behind.

Finding the one small opening she went for it, allowing his weapon to strike her as she struck him. She followed it up with another strike, pushing him back before sweeping his legs out from under him. As he fell face down to the ground she aimed her weapons at him prepared to strike when she felt a hand on her leg. She was pulled off balance and fell over.

Kruse rolled aside to his feet and jumped at her. Bringing her blades up in front of her, she caught his attack. He continued to try to push but was making no progress. Elma kicked his arm then broke the blade lock before rolling to her feet. Kruse charged her, blades clashing again. As he felt her strike his side he struck her arm.

The pair leaped away from each other, as he landed Kruse caught her eyes and couldn't believe what he was seeing. Just like that time all those months ago, she looked exactly as she did then when he dropped his guard.

This time however he made sure not to let that happen. He continued to stare at her as he took his stance again. He then shot towards her, a powerful blow throwing her back. Rolling to her feet she skidded to a halt and charged him initiating another furious assault. The force of her blows against Kruse's blade was so intense she threw Kruse to the ground and she followed him down, landing on top of him, their blades still crossed.

Faces mere inches apart, Elma smiled before leaning in and kissing him. "I don't care what anyone else says. This was the perfect date."

Kruse chuckled "That says a lot about us doesn't it?"

"It does."

As the pair laid on the ground on top of each other, they looked into one another's eyes. Sweating, breathing heavily, they reached the same conclusion.

In unison, they threw their weapons aside. Elma then leaned in and kissed Kruse again as he brought one hand to her face, the other running through her hair.

As they broke apart she whispered "I love you."

"I love you too."

They then engaged in another deep kiss, all the while Kruse moved his hands down Elma's sides. Breaking apart from each other again Elma's breathing was heavy as Kruse planted a few kisses along the side of her neck. In doing so he found another sound that Elma could make that was no doubt the best thing he'd ever heard.

With a shaky voice Elma whispered for him to continue and he did so as his hands found the end of her shirt. Realizing that, the pair came to a brief stop, eyes meeting. After a few moments Elma leaned in and gave Kruse another kiss before whispering in his ear. Blessing granted he pulled her shirt over her head and threw it aside.