And here's your final chapter to this Valentine's Day fic, alligators. Hope you've enjoyed it thus far and I can't wait to see what you think of the ending.

Once Kyouka tucked Seilah away in bed, wrapped in one of her cloaks for warmth, she accompanied Warren to the dungeons. "We will need to release the Strauss siblings first," she murmured, glancing to the cages. "It would be… dangerous for everyone if Seilah were to wake and they were still in sight."

"Sounds good," Warren agreed as Kyouka stepped through the bars of the cell to make certain the trio were still alive. He attempted to follow, but found that the bars wouldn't give.

"Only the Etherious can pass through them," the greenette explained, kneeling to check Elfman's pulse. When she found one, she moved on to Lisanna before bending to check Mira.

"Don't touch me," Mira huffed, eyes still closed.

"I needed to make certain you still were living before I released you," Kyouka responded, standing and stepping back as Lisanna and Elfman opened their eyes to glare at her.

"Release?" Lisanna perked up at this.

"I promised your friend, Warren, that all of his guildmates would be freed," the demon explained. "And I needed someone who was able to carry Erza without trouble. She needs treatment that demons cannot provide."

"Why are you releasing us, though?" Elfman demanded, flexing defensively.

"As part of the deal," Kyouka repeated. "Please come this way." She stepped back through the bars and opened the cell.

Mira stared at the opening a moment before asking, "What happened with Seilah?"

Kyouka's eyes hardened just the slightest bit. "I would not expect someone intent upon killing my mate to care about her state of being."

"She was the strongest opponent I've ever had," Mira snapped, Warren leading Lisanna and Elfman to the other cages. "I at least want to know that she is well. I may have attempted killing her, but I was simply mirroring her own intent. Is she alright?"

Kyouka stared at this human, wondering how she could care so highly for someone who had tried to claim her life. They are… strange, interesting creatures. "She is… in need of healing. I have made a mistake in neglecting her, but she will recover."

"Are you going to take care of her?" Mira asked softly, watching the spark of sadness in the blue eyes opposite her own.

"She is family," Kyouka responded in a forced calm voice. "She is no different to me than your guildmates are to you. I will nurture her back to health."

"And then what?"

The demon's gaze snapped to her. "What do you mean?"

"What are you going to do when she's back to full health?" Mira asked. "Are you just going to leave her alone again?"

Kyouka's eyes narrowed in fury at the audacity of this human and she itched to teach the woman a lesson. "I may have made a mistake, but unlike you humans, we learn from our mistakes. I will carve my own heart out before I make the same mistake with Seilah."

Mira watched the taller woman a moment before nodding and turning. "She tried to understand, you know," she murmured quietly. "She tried torturing me so she could understand you more."

"Your guild is leaving," Kyouka snarled, turning away completely. "You should go with them. It is unwise to be in enemy territory on your own."

Mira shook her head with a small smile and hurried after the others, Gray carrying Erza as Elfman lifted the frozen Natsu. Kyouka listened to them go, waiting until they finally disappeared. She had already told Warren where to find the ladder that could descend them to the ground, so she knew they would have no trouble getting to what remained of the city below.

Breathing a deep sigh, Kyouka turned to make her way back up to the higher floors. She had a long string of mistakes to make up for. Seilah needed her.

…

Kyouka gazed down at the peaceful form beside her. Seilah was tucked against her side, her head falling into the greenette's lap as she snoozed calmly. A small smile curled the pale pink lips as Seilah kept one hand grasped at the blanket and the other settled on Kyouka's thigh.

Silver claws reached out to stroke night black locks, blue eyes watching the younger demon cuddle closer. Purple lips turned down at the corners into a disappointed frown. She was not disappointed in the way Seilah had acted; quite the contrary. Considering how naive Seilah was—she practically lived through books and stories—it was only understandable she would behave in such a manner to release her hurt.

No, Kyouka was upset with herself. As long as it had taken her to become close with Seilah, she couldn't believe she had almost lost all of that because of a human. Seilah was ready to give up on her. Yes, the brunette had threatened to simply kill all humans so that Kyouka would pay attention to her, but Kyouka knew better. Seilah would have simply given in after a few years. She would have seen it as her duty to respect Kyouka's preferences and attempt to move on.

Kyouka couldn't let that happen.

She had never been as intimate and passionate with anyone as she had with Seilah. They had gotten off to a rocky start as Seilah had practically stalked her simply because of an infatuation. It had gotten better after the younger woman had achieved her concealed form, giving Kyouka her space and not smothering her. But after Seilah had discovered her Curse power, their relationship had bloomed. Kyouka had shared things about herself with Seilah that she was certain only Zeref himself probably knew.

Seilah shifted slightly, humming gently as her eyelids twitched. She shifted again and her expression took a downward spiral as her mouth twisted into a grimace. Kyouka leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the tattooed forehead, increasing Seilah's sense of pleasure slightly. The brunette let out a soft sigh, her lips curling upward again. "Kyouka-sama..."

Kyouka smiled at the soft whisper and glanced out their window at the stars above. No human was worth losing this. The feeling in her chest, the smile on her face, the pride that filled her at her mate's accomplishments... Only Seilah could bring those out of her. Settling down to sleep, Kyouka reached over to bring Seilah close, vowing to never be so callous as to push her love to that edge again.

She could live without seeing Zeref for as long as she existed. She would never survive without Seilah's love.

So? How was the ending? Do you think I did it right? Was there something else you thought would happen? I personally enjoy attentive!Mira. Drop me a review and tell me what you thought of the chapter and the fic. Thanks for reading, alligators, and stay safe today.