"Gah!"

Neptune jolted up in bed, her eyes wide, and looked around frantically. She had to make sure she was in her bed — her real bed — and not some swanky apartment in a city she had never seen before in a universe she had never been to before that she was paying for doing a job that she could never do.

"Please be games on the shelf instead of movies I've never heard of, please be games on the shelf instead of movies I've never heard of..."

It was the only way she would know for sure if she was home.

And as soon as she spotted the cover of one thing in particular...

"Whew! Thank Histy for that! I never thought I'd be this happy to see Battlefrogs in my life!"

Upon confirming that she was indeed in the bed in her room that she had always slept in, she let out a sigh of relief and dropped backwards, her head crashing onto her pillow and her arms landing onto the sheets as she did. She wasn't in any "Filmindustri," and thank goodness for that. She was in her bed in her Basilicom in her Planeptune that she was the goddess of.

"Well... One of the two goddesses of..." The CPU corrected herself, shooting a glance to her side, a smile creeping up on her face as she imagined getting to spy on the other goddess fast asleep. She was surprised her waking up from her dream hadn't woken up her wife, but if it let her spy on the other girl's sleeping face, she wasn't about to complain about something like that for very long at all. The only problem was... "Wait a- Where the heck is she?"

There was no one else in Neptune's bed right now.

"Guess that explains why I didn't wake her up..." Despite the comment, the CPU of Planeptune couldn't help feeling lonely seeing the sheets and blankets empty beside her. Not that she had anything against Blanc, but she was happily married and darn it, she could have really used a cuddle right about now, even if it meant being in the dogoo house tomorrow for waking her wife up to get it. "I wonder what she's up to..."

Pondering this for a moment, a grin slowly began to creepy onto the still tired Neptune's face. If her wife could sneak away from her during the middle of the night, she couldn't blame Neptune if Neptune did the reverse to her, now could she?

Slipping out of bed, the pajama-clad CPU began tiptoeing her way out of the bedroom and into the hallway of the Basilicom. Gone were the thoughts about that vivid dream she had been having — her mind was set on one thing and one thing only: finding that bride of hers and showing her what happened when she walked out on the mighty Purple Heart in the middle of the night!

Perhaps if she were more awake, such a plan might have felt a little childish, even by her standards... Or maybe it might have felt not nearly elaborate enough for the situation. The CPU was too sleepy to think too much on it — she just wanted to find her wifey as soon as she could.

Luckily, if Neptune really had to guess, she actually had a fairly good idea what she would find her wife doing this late and by herself. It wasn't like they were attached at the hip or anything — they both had their own interests that didn't always intersect all of the time. They had both known that about each other long before they had gotten married — Neptune even teased her about some of her hobbies that she didn't share on occasion. It was no big deal, right?

There was just... this one hobby of hers though. Well, it was a big one, but Neptune just didn't get how it kept coming to this.

Neptune didn't think she was embarrassed by the fact that she knew about it, since that had been the case for years, but maybe it was different now that they were married? She wasn't bothered by it or anything, at least.

"Then again, it's not like she was really ever super secretive about it before... Unless it's the other one... Then it's not like she was ever super open about that one, but..." She shrugged as she considered this, fighting back a yawn. They were married now! Her wife's embarrassing secrets were Neptune's, just like the skeletons in Neptune's closets, basement, and attic were for her wife in turn!

Whatever the case was, chances were pretty high that her wife was off doing something by herself, and if that was the case, then Neptune was more than happy to remind her that there were no secrets between the two of them — possibly doing so while simultaneously embarrassing the heck out of her and/or getting to see her all flustered in getting caught to boot! In other words, it was a win-win for Neptune!

And sure enough?

It looked like the person Neptune was seeking was in her favored room for such activities after all. It had computers, all kinds of clothes, costumes, books, stuffed animals, just about whatever a guest could want in there — not that she was a guest in this house... er, Basilicom. Never. Even before the marriage, her being here had just always made sense.

The CPU grinned as she stood in front of the door. The light was on, but it was dimmed to the point that there was no way someone focused on what they were doing would notice someone approaching. Neptune could walk right up to her, maybe cop a feel (no offense to dream Blanc, but as hypocritical as it made her considering her own previous body issues, Neptune, well... while she was no aficionado like Nepgear, she didn't dislike a more... rounded... m-moving on!), before giving her wifey the proper greeting she deserved.

Though the groping might apply to that, depending on the situation. Neptune would just have to see, now wouldn't she?

Slowly, ever so slowly, eeeeever soooo sloooowly, Neptune began her entrance into the dimly lit room. Spotting the unknowing target of her adoration in the perfect position for a surprise midnight greeting, Neptune had to do everything she could not to just tackle her to the ground and playfully complain for leaving her alone at night then and there. Instead, she continued her approach — she was the monster hunter and the vixen before her was her high level dragon, waiting to be hunted.

She had to time this just right... She needed to get close enough... She had to hold her breath now, because she was so close it would be felt if she did... Ready, aaaaand...!

Midnight Grope Attack Go!

"Heeeeellooooooooooooo nurse!"

The buxom blonde Neptune had gleefully (and gently, she would have any wondering minds know) latched onto let out a shriek of surprise at the sudden entrance of her wife, spinning in her seat with burning bright cheeks to gape at the smaller girl, who was now draped over her. She was still in a rather compromising position with her hands no less too, though it seemed like the surprise was conveniently blocking that fact from reaching her for the moment.

With her mission complete, Neptune decided to play it safe — she removed her hands and instead lazily wrapped them around her wife's neck to drop her face onto one of her shoulders. She closed her eyes, a teasing smile on her face — content now that she was finally where she belonged again. Her favorite pillow really needed to stop this bad habit of hers!

"Seriously, if you gotta grind that badly, at least leave me the hug pillow that has you on it... And if it's just dirty games, you can do those during the day, can't you?" Neptune honestly wasn't that perturbed that Vert was doing this — whichever thing the "this" was — she loved Vert. More than she'd ever loved anybody. Vert hadn't asked her to change any of her habits, who was she to do so to Vert? Especially after everything Vert had done for her and Planeptune when she had taken up Histoire's proposal and agreed to save them all that time ago? She couldn't go that far. Even she, lazy slob extraordinaire, wouldn't go that far... "It sucks waking up at night by myself."

She just wished the other CPU would give her a little warning or leave a note or something — she was usually good about sneaking back into bed before Neptune woke up most of the time (Neptune had learned this after she started realizing the days Vert wanted to sleep in all day were typically the days after raids or big game releases), but when someone wakes up in the middle of the night and expects someone to be there, them not being there — even if they know why when they're fully awake — isn't a fun experience.

The blonde CPU sighed as she felt Neptune's head pressing gently against her own. Her heart was pounding from the combination of the shock and the greeting that Neptune had given her, and once she had registered what was happening, it started to pick up the pace even more out of happiness — who doesn't want a greeting like that from their wife in the middle of the night?

... okay, fine, so most people don't want that, but Vert got a lot of things from all the anime she watched. In other words, this seemed like a perfectly normal thing to be happy about to her, thus leading to her heart picking up the pace that much more. While she was starting to calm down now, she was sure Neptune could hear it. If it was that loud for Vert, it would be impossible for Neptune not to hear it.

Still, happy as she was that Neptune had come to see her (and relieved as she was that she had finished playing that new eroge a little while ago)...

"Neptune, I..."

... shouldn't be making you do this in the first place.

It was frustrating. She wasn't sure which bothered her more. The fact that she couldn't have Neptune and her games at once, the fact that Neptune never really complained about Vert leaving her periodically to binge on them, the fact that no other CPU would likely do this sort of thing to the lonesome Neptune, or the fact that Vert felt more bothered by this situation than it seemed Neptune was, which just didn't make any sense at all considering their positions. Neptune was the one who had been going through so much — was she just turning into a masochist?

Was... Was Vert turning Neptune into a doormat through her love of games forcing her to put her adorable Neptune second to them time and time again...?!

Now, the fact that "the fact that Neptune kept interrupting her precious gaming sessions" wasn't even on the list of things Vert found frustrating about this situation would have clued most people in to how they really felt about said situation. In fact, that realization might clear up where their priorities were straight away.

Maybe Vert would catch on someday.

It'd help if new games didn't keep coming out to distract her, though.

However, a yawn at Vert's side distracted her much sooner that that. It was a pleasant noise. The feeling of her wife's breath against her skin brought a tingling sensation to Vert's entire face.

"I c'n go boot up the laptop and drop in if there's room in your party..." Neptune made a sleepy offer with her eyes still closed and her arms still looped around Vert. She was still standing, still tired despite having been woken up by a strange dream (not that Vert was aware of this — and not that she ever would be either, if Neptune didn't want to sleep on the couch that is), yet she refused to budge from her spot. "You'll owe me pudding tomorrow tho'..."

She just wanted to be with Vert.

Against a simple event in her game like the one she was staying up for tonight, something like that was an unbeatable final boss in comparison.

As she considered this, Vert sighed again.

It wasn't a sigh like the previous one. A smile had formed on her face as she made it, and she began closing out of things as quietly as she could as to not let Neptune — whose eyes were still closed — in on what she was up to.

"Veeert...? Is your party full or nooot...?" The smaller girl at her side didn't seem too invested in actually following through with her own offer, and Vert knew it — Neptune seemed perfectly content just having Vert in her arms in this faux-cuddle she had managed after sneaking up on the other CPU. She still had yet to open her eyes or catch on to what Vert was doing, and chances were she'd probably stay like this until she really did fall asleep (Vert knew this because it had... kind of happened once before) if Vert let her. "C'mon, if it's not, lemme join...!"

That's right.

Neptune just wanted to be with her.

And while her games may have a very powerful grip on some aspects of her life, the end of the lasso attached to her heart was always going to be meant for Neptune's hands only.

"My, and let a sleepwalker like you cost us the match? I don't think anyone but our opponents would appreciate something like that, Neptune." Her voice teasing, Vert leaned back, into Neptune, as the computer — muted, naturally — shut down. The sleepy CPU attached to her still hadn't caught on to Vert's scheme yet, instead grumbling under her breath.

Giggling at the sound of it, Vert decided it was time to end the game they were playing — well, the game she was playing, anyway. Despite how tired she was, Neptune seemed like she wouldn't be letting go of Vert for just about anything right now. With that in mind, if Vert moved just right and was as precise in real life as she was in her games...

"W-What's going on!? I'm being Nepnapped!"

... she could pick up her little sweetheart piggyback style!

"Oh hush, you, or I'll drop you on the floor." Straightening herself, Vert made sure she had a good grip on Neptune's legs as she took a step away from where she had been playing. Neptune was still holding on to her, just as Vert knew she would, but now it seemed as though she was somewhat more awake than she had been. "Do you really think I have the fortitude to be able to ignore the beckons of my angel for more than a moment?"

Neptune blinked lazily. What the heck was that about...?

"I have... I have noooooo idea what you just said, Vert." Yawning, Neptune resigned to her fate of being carried and got cozy, leaning into Vert's neck and letting out a sigh of satisfaction. This was much better than standing up or being alone in bed for sure... Still, she couldn't leave what Vert said alone just yet. "You really shouldn't play those castley medievaly games late at night if you start talking like that after. You'll get brainwashed and turn into an old timey queen!"

Vert couldn't help but pout at that response, ignoring the half-hearted laugh Neptune made after her sleepy joke. She doubted Neptune's tiredness had anything to do with her attempt at fancy flirting being dismissed so easily either.

Oh well. That was just how Neptune was.

"If I do ever turn into an 'old timey queen,' would you be willing to grind as many levels as it takes to fight all the bosses and save me from being their prisoner?"

And without even a moment's hesitation...

"'Course I would."

Vert beamed.

She wouldn't have Neptune be any other way.

"My goodness... We're getting nowhere arguing about this, and Neptune and Nepgear's situation isn't getting one bit better. If neither of you are willing, then I'll do it."

The other two CPUs stared at her. Even Histoire looked surprised by Vert's words. Perhaps she hadn't expected Vert to be the one to speak up out of the group — or perhaps she hadn't expected anyone to actually be willing to answer her plea.

"Y-You're just saying that to get into Nepgear's pants!"

Naturally, Blanc was the first to object.

"If that were the case, marrying her sister would be rather counterproductive of me, now wouldn't it? Unless you plan on taking my place, I don't think you have any place to complain about this."

"T-That's..."

Surprisingly, Blanc became deathly silent for the rest of the meeting after that.

Vert looked to Noire, her expression becoming pensive — concerned, even. The black haired CPU still looked stunned by Vert's decision, but after a moment, she seemed to be regaining her composure well enough. Whether she was accepting it or getting ready to fight, Vert was prepared. If she said something, then Vert wouldn't be opposed to changing her mind...

"H-Hmph! That's fine with me. I feel sorry for you, Vert — stuck to Neptune forever. That sounds horrible. You've always been ridiculously good natured, but don't complain if she brings Leanbox down next."

It took a little more discussion, but in the end, Noire promised to support Leanbox and Planeptune as much as was necessary to get the people willing to accept this absurd idea, but that would be it from her. They were on their own after.

And that, as they say, was that.

Just like that, Vert and Neptune were to be married.

For a long time, Vert wondered if she had made the right choice. Noire probably would have stepped up if she had been given more time to think about it, but... The problem with that was just that there hadn't been more time. Perhaps she wasn't worthy of the role of Neptune's wife, but someone had to be. Indeed, part of her decision had been selfish, in a way. Concern primarily for Neptune's sister — a girl that she considered her own sister, maybe even something more than that — had most definitely been a factor in her decision.

It was also just who she was. Caring was in her nature. A pair of her friends were in grave danger and she had the power to do something about it. How could she not act?

Time and time again, from dimension to dimension, this was a trait of hers — and even her very nation itself — that repeatedly continued to shine. From her own willingness to work with Planeptune in one world to her Oracle's willingness to aid the Candidates however she could for the sake of who she cared about, this was simply how the people of Leanbox conducted themselves.

Some might consider it masochistic to function like this — at the very least, self-destructive. Observing the actions in other worlds still, it wouldn't be strange at all to think that way — from a goddess that would set aside her own desires to pursue aiding another nation in need to an Oracle that would risk the wrath of that goddess in the hopes of helping that goddess find some happiness.

Really, what was wrong with this nation? They should be more selfish, like Planeptune or Lastation, if they wanted to survive.

Yet this was how they were. No matter what.

The same held true for this land.

She and Neptune didn't hit it off like magic. Neptune was far worse off than Vert could have ever imagined. She questioned if she was the right person for this on more than one occasion, but still, she stayed by Neptune's side through every step of Planeptune's slow and steady recovery. At some point, she stopped worrying about whether or not it would happen. It didn't matter if it did or not. This was the path she had chosen, and she could be happy knowing she was doing something she could be proud of, helping people she cared about, couldn't she?

She could.

In time, she forgot about her worries. Life with Neptune became natural for her. They weren't exactly a real couple, but she would be lying if she ever said she wasn't coming to enjoy the company of the other CPU — far more than she had ever anticipated. Certainly, they never would probably become a "real" couple, but she was enjoying what they had just fine.

And yet...

It did happen.

It was a slow process for both of them. It took months of growing accustomed to the other and growing to care more and more about the other. They didn't even realize it.

It happened on the morning Nepgear finally woke up, months and months after the wedding that had gotten the process of her recovery started.

Relief filled both of them from head to toe.

Happiness surged through their bodies and their hearts.

And in that moment, that ecstatic, happy moment, the feeling just had to be expressed.

Vert just grabbed Neptune and kissed her right then and there.

Neptune didn't complain, however.

Because she had been reaching over to do the exact same thing.

There were no birds chirping when Vert finally decided to move from bed. She let out a noise that seemed like it was torn between whether or not it wanted to be a groan and a moan and tugged her wife close, incoherent noises slipping out as she burned her face in the shorter girl's hair.

Yes, that's right. Turning Neptune into a pillow was "moving from bed," as far as this couple was concerned this afternoon.

"See? This is what happens." Neptune was smirking knowingly, not minding the extra attention from the exhausted CPU that held her. She had been up for a little while already, but with Nepgear away for the week, she had no reason to get up — and she didn't particularly have a desire to anyway, especially after the previous night.

"I don't want to hear that from you, Neptune... At least I have a reason for sleeping in... You'll do it anyway even if you go to sleep early..." Despite her words, a smile was gracing Vert's features as she spoke into the smaller girl's hair, an irreplaceable warmth filling her as she held Neptune close. "You lazybones."

"That's because I get to spend more time with you in the morning if I do." Cheeky as ever, Neptune simply offered this as her reason for being the way she was to Vert. She was getting what she wanted, after all, she could brush off some remarks like the ones Vert was making now no problem.

"My, is that so? Strange... That would mean something if you hadn't always been this way." Vert closed her eyes, sighing wistfully. She was still a little tired, truth be told. "It's very convenient for me, though, so I won't complain too much. Just so long as you stay with me like this for a little longer..."

They probably wouldn't be up until dinner at this rate.

Neptune simply grinned at the thought of wasting a day away with Vert like this.

"You don't even have to ask."