Gokudera pauses half way to the bed and turns to look at his girlfriend in shock.

"You…don't?" Phoenix slowly shakes her head before placing her mother's necklace around her neck. "And they the fuck not! That asshole ruined your life and he's still trying to break you and…us. How the hell can you possibly not hate him?"

"Because every time I try I see his back."

"His…back?"

Phoenix nods.

"I see him taking blows for me. The little girl he just met the day before. I see him stealing food so I won't starve. I see him sneaking out of his room so that I wouldn't be alone with my nightmares. I see him talking the cops out of arresting me after I stole something. I see him skipping class to make sure that no one bothered me. I see him beating on people who made fun of my scars. I can't seem to bring myself to hare Cesar, no matter what he has become. I can't hate the only brother I have left Hayato! I want to. Believe me I do. But I just…can't."

Gokudera's jaw clenches as Phoenix speaks about Reaper in such a gentle tone.

"Aydan, the Cesar you once knew is no longer there. I understand how much he means to you but you can't just let him do as he pleases and yet feel no regret of hatred towards him. You'll never be able to move on if you don't!"

"You don't think I don't know that! But I can't! I keep trying but it always comes back to the fact that the only reason I'm still alive is because of him! He may be a monster now, but before…" Phoenix looks down as she pulls up her pants. "He was…cool, and strong, and loyal…and kind…" Her voice breaks and he blinks back tears. "Six years ago is when he changed. He stopped caring around everyone else but me…When he was with me he was the same old Cesar again. But when I stopped caring five years ago…so did he. I'm the reason he's like this! I…I gave up on him! This is my fault…"

"It's not your fault Aydan. Don't ever think it is." Gokudera looks away to think for a bit. "Do you think that maybe, somehow, you might be able to….change him? Back to his original self, I mean."

"I don't know…I'm barely keeping myself together. You're the only reason I haven't gone back to who I was before. How can I possibly save him to?"

"I don't know, but if he really does mean that much to you, then why not try saving him? I can't say I'd accept of it, but it seems like the only way you'd be at peace with yourself over this whole ordeal…"

Phoenix smiles slightly.

"Why do I get the feeling the only way you wouldn't kill him is if he saved me about one hundred times?"

"Because I wouldn't kill him if he saved you about one hundred times." Gokudera steps forward and hugs Phoenix tightly for a bit before letting her go. "Go see what he wants before I change my mind."

"You know I'm going to need my other half to get through this. Yes, I know I'm a sap, so don't say it. Hell don't even think it!"

Gokudera bursts out laughing.

"You know me too well."

"Well of course, I plan on growing old with you. Now will you get dressed. I'm scheming and your near nakedness is distracting."

Gokudera smirks.

"Maybe I'm trying to distract you with my near nakedness." He pulls on his shirt and jeans. "But did you really mean that? Do you really want to grow old with me?"

"Of course. Who else would put up with me for that long?"

Phoenix smiles at Gokudera and he smiles widely, pecking Phoenix on the cheek.

"I must be crazy."

"Oh you are. But I love you anyway. Now shall we go piss off Reaper and hope he doesn't kill us?"

Gokudera grins.

"Yes, lets."

Phoenix laughs slightly and heads for the door but stops.

"You know, I think a kiss for luck would be in order here."

Gokudera pulls Phoenix to him by her belt loops.

"Get over here." He presses his lips to hers softly, stops and then does it again. "Is that enough?"

Phoenix scoffs dramatically.

"Not even close."

Gokudera reluctantly lets go of Phoenix.

"Well, I'd like to give you more but I probably wouldn't stop."

Phoenix sighs and kisses Gokudera.

"Fine." She kisses him again. "Let's go talk to The Reaper."

Gokudera laughs and walks to the door, opening it.

"Ladies first."

Phoenix walks out laughing and makes it down the stairs before she freezes. There is a gun sitting on the table.