He didn't let go of her for the whole night. They didn't even sleep for a long time. At one point they had moved to the bed. Him leaning against the wall behind them and her on his lap, foreheads still connected and him cradling her. He had problems even blinking, not willing to close his eyes out of fear that she would vanish the second he took his eyes off her.

It took hours before both of them calmed down enough and when they fell asleep they were entangled in each other, no matter how deep their sleep was, his hands never strayed from her body.

Even after waking up they took a while to move. The jumpstart was the dried blood on her shirt, that was uncomfortably itching against their skins. He handed her a new one, balling the one together and throwing it aside. He didn't want to be reminded of what it meant. Of what it stood for.

He even had problems looking at the scar. Colonnelo just pulled his bandana off the nightstand to knot it around her wrist. He had reserves, he could use them after all.

They still didn't really talk but the way her eyes lingered over him spoke of how she was still searching for reassurement that he was there, that he wouldn't vanish, that he wouldn't change his mind and leave her.

It drove him mad, he couldn't do much. He didn't know what to say and instead just held her hand, flutterly light touches, just reminding her of his presence.

The moment they left the room he could feel her reluctance, her wariness, how her grip tightened around his hand, not willing to let go or even consider it. She was stealing herself for whatever was to come.

She didn't utter a morning greeting but Colonnello himself nodded in the round before sitting down.

He should have expected it as Skull immediately just sat down on his lap, her gaze completely focused on the hitman, daring him to protest. She wouldn't falter, wouldn't allow it. She was ready to fight, to defend and not give up.

She might have tried to provoke Reborn, challeng him and the rest to dare say anything but the way her hands were clutching onto his clothes, the way her fingers slightly trembled, the desperation of her tight grip… she was scared. She was afraid of it happening, of him changing his mind. She was afraid to not see any other option but to leave.

Colonnello knew Skull didn't like loneliness, no matter how readily she stepped towards it or how often she had chosen it for herself… she wasn't one for solitude, for abandonment. Skull cherished a lot of people way deeper than she would ever put in words willingly.

It didn't matter what she said the day before… Skull liked the whole group in her own way, not willing to admit it but over the years they had managed to worm themselves into her heart.

It was true that the sky pushed them away by herself but in the end she was afraid to be left alone, to be abandoned. In a way this was where her younger age actually showed but where it simultanly clashed with the years of how long she had lived.

Skull wasn't a child, far from it. She wasn't selfish or self focused. She knew when she had to deal with consequences, she wasn't afraid of it. She didn't mind taking the hard route but… something in her still longed, was insecure, needed reassurement resembling that of a child. It was more telling how young she was and what she had to withstand for years, how she searched for comfort. It was speaking for itself.

Skull still relied on others. Other opinions had an effect on her and she was unsure but at the same time she still did it. She stood strong. She didn't back down even while she was afraid, even while she didn't want to. He knew she wanted to curl herself together, to just lay down and let him take over but… she was aware that this wasn't the right thing and he understood.

This was the actual way her mental age manifested. She was wise from all the years she had lived. She weighed her options, the situation. Sometimes she was immature but even her pranking wasn't an actual telltale. She knew boundaries, she didn't cross them but she relived something through it.

Something in her though was still… vulnerable, so vulnerable it hurt him. So painfully raw. and almost innocent. She needed guidance, reassurement, and time to grow. Which just showed whenever she went back to her anger, her vicious words were just a way to defend herself as she didn't know better. She didn't know how to manage it but still…

Skull was complex, in a way he couldn't fully comprehend but… he would do his best.

Lal had leaned back against her chair, her arms crossed and brows furrowed, not at Skull but at Reborn. She, like everyone, knew that how the day and the rest of their relationship would proceed solely rid on Reborn right now. Whatever he chooses to do or say would be final. He was on two strikes, the last would be deciding. No matter how often he had been able to calm her down, how often he had managed to windle her down, this… this was the last chance. If he wouldn't accept Skull and her decisions, her will and her right to her own choices then the wreck they were standing on would sink.

Everyone knew it and the air was tense.

Reborns eyes lingered over the bandana, knowing fully well what was hidden under it, still he couldn't part his eyes from it for a few moments until finally looking up at her, taking her in. Her hair as unruly as ever, her eyes sparked up with determination, unwilling to back down, ready to strike, willing to fight.

He took her fully in, the way she carried herself, the way she was leaning onto her rain but still slightly crouching as if she was ready to protect him at any given time. In a way he finally understood her comment about being a lion. She was one, a fighter and royal. Not the picture perfect example of royalty but in her own way still true. She was a sky and the way she was cherishing her element and willing to fight tooth and nail for him even after just making up after an argument was just proof of how magnificent of a sky she could be.

He didn't falter any longer "Had a good night?"

She pushed her chin out, still determined, still provoking "I sleep worse when I'm alone."

He inclined his head, almost reminiscent of a bow as he finally settled. He had spent most of yesterday and the night thinking about the whole situation, Lal's words ringing in his ears and the memories of how Skull had looked on the roof had flashed through his conscience. It wasn't easy but… he was aware he had overstepped. "Are you staying?"

"You tell me."

"I cherish my adult body."

Reborn could have said a lot. He could have apologised again, he could have told her he overstepped or that he had been overwhelmed. That he had lost it. He could have apologised to Colonnello, he could have admitted that his manipulation had been wrong. He could have done or said a lot of things but he couldn't get himself to do it. Not now.

Skull slowly took her mug up, already filled with her favourite tea, prepared by Fon. She blew on the liquid, her nails clicking against the porcelain "I will think about a way."

It wasn't like everything was alright again. As if they didn't have issues, as if the situation didn't have an impact but… for now they managed to sit together, conversations barely going above simple requests to hand one of the dishes over but… at least they were there. Willing to try.

Something would change. This was certain and most of them had to overthink their relationship, their behaviours and what this change brought but it didn't change the fact that they were trying to figure it out. To make it work. Where it would lead… no one knew. Not fully not even aptly but… for now they were together, the white flag raised and it was okay. It wasn't alright but it was okay and what the future would bring would be certain when they saw it.

Adapting would need perseverance but… they had that en masse and they were willing. Seeing everything through new eyes and the old ones at the same time.