Neil watched the clear blue sky as soft grass tickled his neck. Its been four crazy months since the orbital elevator took the fatal blow, but somehow through that action, peace like a distant old friend, was restored to the world. But he wasn't delusional, things wouldn't be the same now that the world returned to pretending, it was only a matter of time before hell struck again. Closing his eyes, Neil focused on what lay ahead.
"What are you thinking?"
Opening his eyes, Neil was greeted to the smiling face of Leesa Kujou. A beautiful flowery sundress was a welcome change to her tactical uniform. Sitting up he sighed, glad to see her but at the same time trying to figure out how to proceed. They had a lot to talk about, a future with Celestial Being as well as eachother was something that would take time, understanding and trust most of all. She took a seat next to him.
"About you," he smiled even as she rolled her eyes.
"Are you always this sweet?" she asked, "because I could get used to this."
"I think you'd know by now I'm only like this with the women I like." Now grinning he added, "That's 'woman' now. No longer plural. Never was."
She shoved him. "I'm serious, what's on your mind? Everyone is preparing for the bonfire and you're up here alone."
He shrugged, looking back to the clear blue sky. He wasn't responsible for his brother, Lyle practically spelled it out for him recently and Neil didn't feel the need to revisit that topic. She still worried about them. The feeling of her gaze on his neck more than confirmed that fact. But her persistence was one of the reasons he fell in love with her.
The breeze picked up and he looked down the hill at the valley below. Allelujah and Marie seemed more than ready for their trek as they re-checked their gear; they seemed set and announced the day before they would leave tonight. The thought of letting them go still upset him but in this free world, the one they sacrificed so much to attain, he understood their decision.
Ian was finally spending more time with his family as he sat with his wife on what appeared to be a pick nick blanket. Mileina scurried in the nearby flower fields along with Setsuna and Feldt. The image reminded him of his own family. Leesa picked up on his line of sight before running a soothing hand down his shoulder.
He looked to her in silent thanks, all the while trying to compose his proposition.
"You still have, Lyle," she said, breaking through his musings.
They both looked to the sullen pilot who sat on one of Cherudim's strewn shields. Ever since the final battle he's been predisposed to lounging in the wreckage, as if scraps of metal would connect him to what he lost. The billowing smoke from that direction told him he was smoking yet again. Neil looked away. Can't stop him if that's what he wants.
"So where've you been?"
Seeing his need to change the subject she tactfully complied, starting with a grin. "I helped Allelujah upgrade his comm unit, should he need us or vice versa. I've also spoke to Ian...are you sure you want Zero destroyed?"
Neil nodded. Getting rid of that thing was a godsend, although zero was powerful, nothing beat flying an actual Gundam. So when the chance to fly Cherudim-Saga presented itself, Neil couldn't say no. "I told Ian to destroy that thing. I don't need it," he smiled, "its way before my time anyways."
"If that's what you want." She shrugged.
The distinct rumble of a motorcycle perked everyone's attention.
A lone figure drew nearer on his jet black motorcycle. The tinted helmet didn't look friendly. Neil instinctively reached for his gun but her hand stopped him.
"Who's he?"
"Not a threat." Sumeragi assured.
The man dismounted at the base of the hill. Taking off his helmet, Diego looked up to Sumeragi.
The tactical forecaster only had to look in Ian's direction before the man got up and ran inside the Ptolemy. Allelujah and Marie approached Diego and their conversation drifted to Neil.
"Marie..." Diego spoke without the slightest hint of doubt. A short nod to Allellujah confirmed his harmless intentions.
"Diego, Sumeragi told us what happened." The gentle girl spoke, keeping his eye contact yet holding her ground by Allelujah's side. "We couldn't let you go off alone."
The former A-laws officer looked confused until a blonde haired, blue eyed body double of Marie walked towards him from Ptolemy's entrance.
The soldier's eyes widened. "Soma..."
The woman before him nodded as such before engulfing him in a hug he fiercely returned. Neil smiled at the display below. Tieria, Ian and Setsuna joined the group and before long had a good conversation going.
"You set this up?" Neil asked.
Sumeragi nodded, practically alighting as Diego put an arm around Soma, still talking to the crowd. "It was Marie's idea, I just set it up with Tieria's help."
"Well you did good." he said, really meaning it as the group's chatter turned into cheers when the two soldiers kissed. "Everyone's happy."
She turned to Lyle's distant form, still unwilling to join the festivities. "Not everyone."
It's now or never, sorry bro but you'll have to take a back seat for a moment.
"He'll come round." Turning back to Leesa he cleared his throat, trying to gauge whether or not Lyle could hear them. Gaining no reaction from the pilot he continued. "Lees, I have something I want to ask you."
She turned to him with apt attention laced with some worry. "Sure, what's up?"
"I'm going to spend some time with the Flynns before we regroup. Come with me," He could see the thought of intruding entering her mind but waived it off, "they'd like to spend more time with you, with us."
For a brief moment her eyes lit up with delight before a concentrated expression overtook her. She squirmed uncomfortably, not what he expected, "Jee, Neil I don't know...how long will this be? I mean we need to be out there monitoring A-laws..."
"A week at most." He laughed, relieved that her worry lay with scheduling. "It's the maximum amount of time you can spend at the Flynn's without going crazy."
Her laughter joined his as Neil only smirked and lay down, giving her time to ponder. He saw her take one look at the happy gathering below, before turning back to him. "I'd like that. I'd like that a lot."
At her response the small unease in his chest dissipated, finally allowing him to fully relax. This was going to be an amazing experience, it had been too long since the family had seen him with another woman and he could only guess at their reactions when he'd come back with her. He was determined to make this work and was glad that she was on the same page. This was a step forward he wasn't going to screw up, not this time. Smiling, laying back Neil extended a hand. Accepting, she leaned down and kissed him before nestling against his shoulder as they both watched the clear blue sky.
A/N: Wow, this has been one hell of a journey. I'm sad that it's over but in a way glad to be finished. I'd like to thank all of you for reading, especially those that reviewed, you guys are amazing! Thank you to my incredible beta Sieg-sama as well as Hotori who made playing with these characters a lot more fun than I initially thought possible. Also, special thanks to Meg, my friend, artist, beta and great advisor she's had the difficult job of listening to me blabber on for hours and she took it like a pro.
Thank you everyone!