Warnings: :P You've gotta have it figured out by now lol
Notes: Sorry that this is late! I was doing community service all weekend. I really meant to update at 95 D: Argh. Please don't be disappointed with me! This is one of the last chapters of the fic and very Mayuloki-filled!

The Mythical Detective Mayura

XIX: Waves

"So..."

They had taken a train and a car and were now at the beach, glad to have a temporary refuge from the trouble they faced.

Of course, this was incredibly awkward.

"Why did you want to spend a day with me? Um...not that I mind..." Mayura was blushing.

Oh, right. He was hopelessly in love with her and she didn't even know.

The feelings hadn't started out intense--in fact, they were closer to annoyance. But after spending time with the detective, he began to appreciate her caring nature.

"Well...I have something to tell you." Loki was amazed how hard it was to speak.

Wasn't he the brilliant Loki Kamiya?

Didn't all women love him?

Wasn't he a notorious heartbreaker/bachelor?

When had he realized how much he cared for her?

Oh, right...when she saved him from Ares.

"Don't compare us to the twins." She moved closer to the nervous Loki. "I despise you more than Artemis could ever hate Apollo. I won't fight you."

Ares chuckled, swinging an arm in the air. "Yes, you will. Or your precious mortal will forever remain a horse."

"What?" Mayura turned around and shrieked. In Loki's place was a yellow horse with a shiny mane and annoyed eyes.

"Oh my gosh! Loki, I am so sorry! Mou, Ares, you'll pay for harming my assistant detective." Her staff appeared and she rushed at her brother...

Or was it when his brother accused him of dating her...?

"So are you still dating the crazy girl?" Odin asked cheerfully at breakfast the next day.

Loki glared at him. "I'm working for her. I'm not dating her."

His elder brother gave him a skeptical look. "Right. Sure..."

Or when Yamino begged him not to hurt her feelings?

But he wasn't in love with her. She was a goddess and he was a mortal. She was being targeted for death.

He hadn't even known her long enough. It was silly. It was just silly.

"Please..." Yamino's soft tone snapped Loki from his thoughts. "Don't break her heart."

It didn't matter, honestly, because everything about her made him smile. Her cute personality, her beauty, her kindness, her smile, her strength...

He liked the way she giggled and the way she spoke of her family. He liked her grin and her way of walking with her hands behind her back. He liked the determination and courage she had.

But she was a goddess and he was a mortal. How could they ever--

"Loki, I love you!"

He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to her. Had he imagined that?

No, she was crying and clenching her fists as if ready to fight.

"What?" He whispered, wondering if she really felt the same way.

"I-I love you!" She repeated, narrowing her eyes. "I don't want to leave Earth because I don't want to leave you! When Aphy and I fought, I was almost hypnotized because she took your form...whenever someone threatens you, I have to defend you! I like the way you interact with your friends and family, and I like your closeness with your brother...I like your intelligence. I think it's amazing that you let yourself be the bad guy by rejecting those girls right off the bat instead of dating them and dumping them. Nothing is bad about Loki!" She ran to him and gave him a huge hug.

"Mou, I don't care if you're a mortal...I'll become a mortal too! Just...please wait for me to return. I promise I will." She sobbed into his chest.

He stared at her, shocked. She felt the same way. She felt the same way... She felt the same way!

He embraced her, forgetting the sea's breeze and the loud waves. He forgot the annoying feel of sand between his toes and he forgot the dark clouds looming over the horizon--so close to them.

"I love you too..." He sighed in relief. "I really do...so you have to hurry back, okay?"

Mayura nodded into his chest, still crying. "I don't even have to go! I'll just stay here forever."

"I thought you said Hades plans to destroy civilization as we know it and erect cities based solely on his whims." Loki muttered.

Mayura stared up at him, trying to process this. She finally let out a sigh--but this was not one of relief. "I know." She whispered. "But for today...I'm going to pretend to be mortal."

He gave her a single nod. "All right, detective."

She smiled slightly, unable to resist. "It's Mayura..."

And they did indeed kiss.

X

"Then we went to the amusement park...and then to the movies." Mayura tapped her fingers together nervously. "Then he had to go home because his brother needs help cooking dinner."

Koutarou nodded approvingly. "He's a good person...especially considering that he's male."

"Artemis, you're a boy now too..." Mayura pointed out. "Mou, you also said that you were enjoying it."

"Just because being a boy is fun doesn't mean they're good to date. Speaking of which, I met a blonde today." Koutarou chuckled.

Freyr paled. "This one does not need to hear about it...what happened to mine darling sister?" He sniffed.

"Artemis has always preferred women. Especially blondes." Mayura reminded her brother.

Freyr sighed heavily, changing the subject. "So we leave tomorrow? Will Artemis be returning to her former form?"

"I can't." Koutarou groaned but began to think about it. "Hm...maybe if I steal some of the old man's power..."

"I have to find someone in Olympus who has pride, first. I also need to recover greed from you-know-who..." Mayura twisted a strand of hair around her finger. "It's looking like I won't return."

"Now that's a bad way to think." Yamino pointed out.

Mayura smiled sadly. "I actually think that was another random burst of wisdom..."

"Will you be seeing Loki again before we leave?" Yamino asked.

She shook her head. "I can't say goodbye again."

"How are we getting to Olympus?" Koutarou changed the depressing subject.

"The sun chariot..." Freyr answered, referring to his preferred method of transporation. "If that is all right."

"Yes, it'll be fine." Mayura nodded, hoping that everything would indeed be...

X X X X

Thanks so much for the reviews! I will try to update in a week or so, but I can't really promise exactly when it'll be--really forgetful, remember? XD There are two chapters & an epilogue left. :0 We are so close to the end, peeps!

Next chapter: Sin number six is greed.