As everyone watched the shooting stars from SciLab, Lan and Chaud sat against the wall, both exhausted from the battle. "I can't believe we finally defeated Nebula." Lan said. "I need a vacation." Chaud said, smiling. "Well then I'm glad I can be of assistance." Chief Keiffer smiled. "Huh?" Lan inquired. "You both leave tomorrow for a week long vacation, much deserved for all of your hard work." the chief smiled. "Awesome!" Lan exclaimed. "And don't worry, Megaman and Protoman are getting some much needed vacation time as well." smiled. Megaman laughed from the PET. Chaud smiled and looked at Lan, he had really grown as a net battler in this time, he maybe even taught Chaud a thing or two. He was looking forward to the vacation.
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"Do I actually get to enjoy a hot spring? This better not be some kinda joke." Lan said. Megaman laughed. "Lan, just enjoy yourself while you can, you never know when we will have to get back to business." Megaman said. "You're right." Lan said, looking up at Chaud. "You ready Chaud?" Lan smiled. "Ready as I'll ever be I guess." Chaud said. Lan and Chaud jacked in their net navis for their relaxation time. Lan ran as fast as he could and jumped into the hot spring. Chaud sighed, taking his time. "Ah, this is perfect." Lan said, relaxing completely.
Megaman laid back and took a deep breath. "Finally, a day off." Megaman said. "It is pretty nice." Protoman said, Megaman looked up at him. "I just realized this is the first time I've really talked to you since the battle with ." Megaman said. "I suppose it is." Protoman said, sitting next to the blue navi. "It's so great to see you back to normal." Megaman smiled. "Megaman..." Protoman began. Megaman looked up at him. "I never got to thank you for saving me." Protoman said. "You would have done the same for me." Megaman smiled. "Megaman...you and Lan didn't let Chaud give up on me, you two didn't give up on me, and for that I'll be forever grateful." Protoman. "Oh come on, don't get all emotional on me. It's what any true friend would have done. I think Lan and Chaud have really become best friends through this whole experience." Megaman said. "Well, I think for Chaud, it may be a little more than that." Protoman smiled. "What do you mean?" Megaman said. "There's something about Chaud that not a lot of people know." Protoman said.
"Lan." Chaud said. Lan looked up at him. "I really owe you for helping me out. For being persistent with saving Protoman." Chaud said. "I'd never let you down Chaud." Lan smiled a wide grin. "I know you wouldn't." Chaud smiled. "You helped me out a lot too, we worked together. I couldn't have done it without you." Lan said. "I think we've become really close friends through this whole thing." Chaud said. "Yeah, me too." Lan smiled. "Look, Lan...there's something you should know." Chaud said. "Huh?" Lan said, quirking his head to the side. Chaud sighed and steadied his hands. "I'm...gay." Chaud said, blushing and looking away. "What?!" Lan said. "I figure if we're going to be friends, you should know. Not a lot of people know." Chaud said. "But Anetta, I thought she was-" Lan began. "No, she knows, she's been trying to help me keep it undercover." Chaud said. "Wow...well, I'm glad you trust me enough to tell me." Lan smiled. Chaud was shocked that Lan was being so casual about it. "You aren't mad?" Chaud asked. "No, that's stupid. Your happiness is important." Lan said. "Thanks Lan." Chaud smiled.
"So Chaud is trying to confess his feelings to Lan?" Megaman asked. "Yeah, he felt this vacation may be the best time to do it." Protoman. "Woah, I don't even know what to say, I'm not sure how Lan is going to react to be honest with you." Megaman said. "Well, I guess we will find out." Protoman said. "Yeah..." Megaman said. He had no clue how Lan felt on that subject, it wasn't really something they discussed.
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After the hot springs, Chaud went to find something to eat. "Chaud, what happened?" Protoman asked. "I didn't exactly tell him everything..." Chaud said. "Chaud, this is the only thing you aren't giving your all to." Protoman said. "I know, but I'm just scared." Chaud said, closing his eyes. "Don't be, you need to be honest with your feelings and with Lan, you owe him that." Protoman said. "You're right." Chaud said and took a deep breath.
"So Lan, how was the hot spring?" Megaman asked. "Relaxing, definitely much needed." Lan said, lying down on his hotel bed, staring at the ceiling. "I'm glad, you and Chaud deserve it." Megaman said. "About Chaud..." Lan began. "Protoman told me." Megaman said. "Huh? Really?" Lan asked. "Mhm, so how do you feel about it?" Megaman asked. Lan didn't respond. "Lan?" Megaman said. Soon, Megaman heard soft snoring and realized that Lan had fallen asleep. Megaman smiled, he would ask him later.
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Lan stirred and opened his eyes, it was still dark. But the light of the moon shined bright through the balcony window. He saw Chaud standing there, the wind blowing through his hair. Lan got out of bed and walked over to Chaud. "Can't sleep?" Lan asked. "Nope." Chaud said, not turning to look at him. "Look Lan, I-" Chaud began and then stopped suddenly when Lan grabbed his hand. "You don't have to say anything." Lan smiled. Chaud smiled and laced his fingers with Lan's. Chaud noticed that Lan was shaking. "Are you okay?" Chaud asked. "Yeah...it just feels...so right." Lan said, looking up at Chaud. Chaud turned to face Lan and looked into his eyes. Chaud embraced Lan and held him tight. "You have no idea how many times I was terrified of losing you during that battle with ..." Chaud said. "I thought for sure I lost you when you cross-fused with Protoman when the dark chip was still inside him." Lan said, holding Chaud a little tighter. They both pulled away and looked into each others eyes. "I'm scared." Chaud said. "Never thought I'd hear you say that." Lan chuckled. "You do things to me that I would never expect. You showed me how to be compassionate, how to be less cold." Chaud said. Lan blushed and looked down. Chaud lifted Lan's chin to look at him, he placed a soft kiss on his lips.
Megaman and Protoman were smiling. "Well, this is a whole new chapter." Megaman said. Protoman and Megaman gave each other a high five and smiled.