Location: Spartan Training Bay, Hydra Base
14th October, 2553

"Emiliana, darling," The ever-so joyous voice of Death rang through the empty Spartan Training Bay. "You look wonderful today."

"Grazie (Thank you), Death. You say that every day!"

"I am afraid you are mistaken, my dear. Yesterday, I believe I said that you were 'stunning'. And then I have called you beautiful, lovely, ravishing, delightful, gorgeous, heavenly-"

Emiliana, Celestina's private AI, held up both hands with a giggle in an attempt to stop her fellow AI. "You have proven your point, dear boy. A charmer, aren't you?"

"How do you think Jun's father married his mother?"

"Well, I suppose it came from somewhere." She responded in her usual teasing tone. "Speaking of which, how is the dear? Celestina updates me on him but I haven't seen him down here in a while."

"You know him, darling. Busy as he should be taking care of his Spartans." He replied.

"Such a sweetheart. And you are taking care of him?" She questioned, though the answer was obvious. She just enjoyed teasing him.

"He will fall apart without me."

"Best not let him hear that."

"You say that as if I should be afraid of him."

"He is taller than you."

"Now you are mocking me."

"Somebody has to, dear."

They immediately shared a hearty laugh at that, and Death proceeded to continue only after he thoroughly enjoyed the female AI's angelic laughter. "I do love our relationship. It so often reminds me of the one the children have."

"Yes, Jun and Celestina have a lovely relationship, don't they? The human side of me adores it and also adores ours."

"I do indeed treasure what we have, darling." He declared with a hand over his heart.

"I'm glad! So this means you'll help me prepare the game of Invasion that Fireteam Silver will have in a bit?"

"Dearest Emiliana," If Death had a face, he would be flashing a smile, one dipped in mirth. "I will do whatever you want me to."

Location: Rooftops of Hydra Base
11:23pm

"Being the top admins of the base rules. We can almost do whatever we want."

"I love the rooftops. It just brings back so many memories..."

With her arm already through Jun's, Celestina moved in just a little bit closer, resting her head on his shoulder. "Are you happy about where our lives ended up?"

His eyes narrowed at that while he was gazing at each and every star that hung above them in the black sky. "I wouldn't say that our lives ended, Celest. I mean... we're still here, aren't we?"

"Oh, you know what I mean."

To that, he lowered his head in a saddened manner. "I wished a lot of things were different, Celest, starting with the Covenant invasion on Tyumen. I wish I didn't have to leave my father. I wish I didn't have to watch so many of our friends die. I wish the rest of Noble were still here. I wish the Covenant didn't do what they did to me. I wish for a lot of things, princess, and I know you do too. But considering the work I'm doing right now and... the person standing before me right now? I'd say it's all good."

Grinning at him, a soft giggle left her. "Took the words right out of my mouth. But then again, you always knew what I was thinking."

"Meh," He shrugged his shoulders at that. "Not all the time."

"Come on," She tugged on his arm and gave him her sweet smile. "What am I thinking of right now?"

"What to eat for breakfast tomorrow?"

"I don't always think of food! Shut up!" She chided, delivering a light slap to his chest.

Oh, how he loved teasing her. Smirking to himself, he turned his upper body to her, resting his elbow on the railing behind them. "Okay, then tell me. What's my princess thinking of right now?"

Red immediately rushed to her cheeks, but she knew she had to get her words out. "The way you look at me."

"Yeah?"

"I'm thinkin' that I wouldn't trade that for anything else in the world."

"The feeling is hella mutual, princess." With that being said, he leaned in and placed the most passionate kiss he could ever place in his life on her lips.

A/N: Well, here it is! The last chapter of this story! Thank you guys so much for reading it; I hope you've enjoyed it. x)

As promised, here's a link to the full version of Celestina's lullaby! - /watch?v=qy3oFs7Wj-Q