There was tension in the air. Most of the arcobalenos more aware of the tiny sky now and observing her to figure their next actions out.

Colonnello and Leilani weren't bothered though, instead they took up their usual schedule and before their practice they had pushed in a gaming session. Colonnello had made himself comfortable on the floor. He had chosen to play his shooting game on the tV.

Leilani had made herself comfortable in his lab, actually hugging him while she balanced her switch behind his head to play her own cosy game.

Lal was sitting to the side of them, casually watching them. She had to admit that Skull had been right. Most of them hadn't been much of a friend to the sky. Especially Reborn who more often than not still attempted to play her father. She had to admit she felt a bit sorry for the tiny sky. She might be younger but… she was indeed an adult.

Even the whole sky business aside… Lal had made mistakes with her as well. It was time to remedy a few of them, wasn't it? She didn't know if she could actually become a friend to her but… she could help Skull become happy, couldn't she? Not the self imposed I know what makes you happy but… she could do something for Skull… for Skull and Colonnello that she knew would make the two of them happy. Maybe not the rest of the arcobalenos but that wasn't her problem.

She smiled slightly but concentrated on the training session that followed after. She hadn't made much progress herself but Reborn actually seemed close to a breakthrough. She wasn't certain but she did think that his match did catch the light a bit differently.

It was late afternoon when they finished their training for the day and Lal gestured to her fellow rain "Colonnello? Can we have a talk?"

"Sure, kora. What do you want?"

"Alone?"

He raised an eyebrow "Okay?"

She nodded, heading outside to lead him towards the trees. She rather not have anyone listening in.

her former subordinate leaned against the tree "Is that about us?"

Lal sighed "Not particular but… Colonnello, you have realised it, haven't you?"

"What?"

"That it's over between us."

He paused "Lal…"

"You know that as good as I."

"I'm sorry. I… it just happened, kora."

"I know. I saw it happening and it's alright. You have no obligation to me."

"Still. I was serious about you."

"I know. I didn't doubt you but… we were never meant to be."

He ruffled through his hair and sighed "I guess. So… you want to have this talk to clear it up between us?"

"Partly. I Think it was due. I want to make sure we are on the same page. Between us is nothing anymore."

"Besides friendship?" he asked, almost hopeful.

She had to smile "I would like that."

He grinned "Perfect, kora. We cool then I assume?"

"Yes, we are."

He pushed himself off the tree "Then we done?"

"Not quite."

He raised an eyebrow but let himself fall back into his old position "Alright. What then?"

"You know… I don't mind if you have someone new."

"Yeah… I assumed so."

"I am not jealous and I'm not struggling."

"Alright?"

"You can have someone and you can be a couple with them in front of me. You're not hurting me."

"I… okay, kora? I'm not searching for a date right now though? I mean… how would I even? We're still stuck here, kora."

"Colonnello?"

"Yes?"

"You're an idiot."

"You told me that more than once, kora."

"Doesn't change that it's completely true. You just keep on proving it."

"… what is this about?"

"Skull."

"Skull?"

"Yes."

He paused "You think Skull would have a problem If I start dating someone? She doesn't have to worry. I'm not searching anyone. Kinda just happy with how it is. A relationship would need more attention and I don't want Skull to be lonely."

Lal blinked "Colonnello… " She paused "You… have no clue, like really no clue at all?"
"What are you talking about?"

"I honestly thought this would be enough. That you would realise it but you're even denser than i thought. Honestly… how did you even realise you liked me back then?"

"Well… I saw you and decided to pursue you. You were awesome like that."

"So,.. it's about mindset." Lal crossed her arms "What do you think about Skull?"

"She's my best friend and my sky."

"That's it?"

"Well… okay that sounds cheesy but she's kinda the centre of my world? You know Nello and Skull, dream team forever?"

"So… you only need Skull, right?"

He shrugged, actually blushing slightly "I mean… kinda? She makes me happy."

"I know that she does. Everyone knows that you make eachother happy."

"Then what are you on about? Are you worried that it will take overhand? I assure you we're not that obsessed. We might spend most of our free time with each other but we are fine. We can spend time apart… okay not right now because of the growth thing but otherwise we just like spending time with each other. Everything is compelled normal. We're not obsessed."

Lal actually had to force herself to not slap her palm against her forehead "Honestly. Be glad I'm helping you. I kind of think you two would never figure it out otherwise. You could be on your deathbed and still not get it, Skull is your whole world Nello. She's all you need."

"Yeah, kora? I already said that."

"She's yours."

"Yes."

"And you are hers."

"That's true, kora."

Lal paused, looking him straight in his eyes. The way he causally accepted it. What was this guy even thinking? "Colonnello… I say this in the nicest way I can but you're so unbelievably dense… both of you are."

He titled his head "What do you mean?"

She sighed, stepping away from her own tree "You love her."

"Obviously. She's my best friend."

"No, you love her."

"What do you mean, kora?"

"Not platonic. You love her romantically."

He stared at her "what?"

"Go inside. Look at her and for once listen to your own feelings and if you can still tell me then that you love her platonically I will shut up but… just do it, alright? Keep my words in mind and now shove your bottom inside. This is an order."

Her former subordinate still looked a bit flabbergasted at her before he followed her wishes.

He wasn't sure what had this brought on and to be honest… sure… he cared for Skull maybe a little too much. Maybe he was a bit too infatuated with her but… he would have noticed, wouldn't he? He might not have been the one who spent hours agonising and self analysing but…

He stopped in the doorframe. His eyes immediately searching for his sky and he couldn't stop his smile from forming when she looked up, her whole face lighting up. Her brilliant eyes sparkling a bit brighter and her curls still a mess that bounced around from her movement.

He really had the perfect sky, a way too cute and pretty sky.

he felt the familiar warmth rising in his chest at the sight of her. Yeah… he really loved…. Oh shit.

Colonnello froze on the spot, his eyes still glued to his sly as the realisation hit him like a dump truck.

He couldn't even form words if he wanted to as it all crashed down on him. This… wasn't the way one would be happy about seeing a friend… this… for fucks sake… this… this was… way more.

Lal was right. He was an idiot, an utterly idiot to such a degree that it was absurd.

The female rain just clapped him on the shoulder as she manoeuvred around him "You're welcome."

Colonnello still had problems getting his limbs under control as he crashed down on the nearest seat.

Skull immediately at his side, nudging his arm to the side to climb under it and focus on her switch game again.

Really… Colonnello was stupid, really stupid and the realisation made him swallow hard. Still his eyes couldn't stop staring at her, at the small freckles on her nose, the way her hair was curling and standing up at the oddest spots, how her nose scrunched up, her eyes narrowed and she bit on the tip of her tongue while she concentrated.

It was almost like seeing her for the first time again and he had to swallow hard. How was he supposed to deal with this? His heartbeat was pulsating in his chest, almost rupturing his eardrums at the intensity.

The sky looked up, words coming out but he was too stunned to actually understand them, his eyes immediately just focusing on the way her pink lips were moving.

He was in trouble wasn't he? He was utterly, completely in trouble. Absolutely and restlessly in trouble. He was in love with his best friend. He wasn't just falling in love, he was in love. Completely non negotiable and especially unstoppable.

To be honest… if he wasn't still such a trainwreck from the realisation he probably would have blurted it out right this second.

How had he managed this? He had been so used to her. So used to them being friends, to care for her more and more… he had been so enraptured with how they progressed and… he had been so blind and just… accepted it. He had never questioned why she meant that much to him. He had always just accepted it. She was skull, his skull and that was that.

Why would he have needed to doubt any of it or question it? It hadn't been needed. They had just been like this… Nello and Skull… Why doubt or question something when it had been perfect already?

Colonnello was a complete idiot… and he knew it.