Leilani had stood up after a few minutes to get a cup of tea. Hopping on the counter as usual while she waited.

She was a bit confused… Colonnello seemed out of it. She didn't know why or what had happened but… well it was Nello. He probably just needed a few minutes and then he would tell her. No need to worry. He was really forward after all. not a man that liked his secrets.

Lal had meanwhile snickered at the sight of the still more than just flabbergasted Rain, actually sitting down next to him and nudging him with her elbow "Come on."

"B-but.." he stuttered.

"Go. You got this."

His jaw dropped open again "But I.."

"Don't overthink it. That's more your style, isn't it?"

he slowly nodded.

"I have the feeling Skull needs a little wake up call as well."

"You think?" he paused.

"Colonnello… You two are dating. I know that and everyone else knows it as well. You two are dating. Have been for years and you two are the only ones that haven't figured it out. Skull got excuses. She never had a boyfriend after all. So shove your arse up and go."

He paused before apruptly lifitng hismelf up "I… fuck."

She laughed as he saw him heading straight to the kitchen.

Reborn raised his eyebrow "Was that really necessary?"

Lal tilted her head, a smirk on her lips "I one for all want Skull as a friend. Even if it's just that. She already got a rain but that doesn't mean that I can't be her friend."

"but she's young."

"She's an adult and it's Colonnello. It's time. I would recommend you to examine what you're actually thinking about. I think Skull's words will make a little more sense then. You're not her dad, Reborn… you want to be her friend, right?"

He stayed silent, pulling his fedora down while he considered her words.

Colonnello had reached the door, actually pausing again as she looked up at him. Her feet were swinging as so often and her eyes, curious, as she peeked up at him.

His own heart was bursting in his chest but he still managed to close the door behind him. Using this moment to take a deep breath only to turn around "Skull?"

"Yeah?" she titles her head.

"I love you."

She froze, her eyes widening.

"Not platonically. Skull… I love you." it just burst out of him. His chest still painfully aching and his eyes only focused on her.

The sky blinked a few times before almost exploding in red and her eyes stayed wide open as she stared at him.

He slowly stepped closer, swallowing hard "I really… really love you."
he could see something flicker in her eyes.

"I mean it like… I really mean it. You… I… I'm sorry I took so long but… you mean so much to me. I don't even think I love you can describe it. I… Skull… I'm completely serious. i love you and if this wouldn't be completely nonsensical and idiotic I would probably drop down and ask you to marry me right now."

He licked over his dry lips "Like… I… we could get a dog? A house? Or just live in your airship? I… I'm talking nonsense. Fuck…goddamns Skull I… I love you. I.. I just… I love you."

He had finally managed to step completely in front of her, his hand slightly trembling as he placed it on her cheek.

Her green eyes completely focused on him. Green met blue and he had to swallow hard.

"I love you. I…" his words almost whispered as he couldn't look away from her. Just completely entranced.

She seemed to struggle with words, not able to speak but her lips slightly opening as if she wanted to answer.

He swallowed even harder as his eyes once again stayed stuck on these impossible pink lips "And… i really… I really want to kiss you right now."

His heart was still beating so hard he almost had the feeling he had a heart attack and his fingers hadn't yet stopped shaking.

Skull didn't turn away though, she didn't try to push him off. Even while she seemed as flabbergasted as him, her hand slowly climbed up, catching onto an edge of his shirt and just… holding it and then… she tugged.

"You can hit me." he whispered as he completely leaned down. Finally touching her lips.

Featherlightly, blood still rushing in his ears. Still ready to get slapped, pushed back, refused.

But… instead… almost clumsy movement against his own, imitating and just… so… innocent. So pure it made him lose his mind. Shortcutted him completely as his second hand found a place behind her head, caressing her slightly as he just kept on kissing her.

She tasted like honey, warm cookies, floral but.. he had no idea to be honest. His mind was racing but at the same time only filled with her.

How her lips moved against his own, how her hand still held on to the edge of his t-shirt, how her hair almost tickled against his skin.

He could hear her heartbeat fluttering as quickly as his own. He could smell her scent, the florales, the freshness and the absolute sweetness.

How soft her skin was, how soft her lips were. How she was so petite, her face so small in his hands but all of this just was… perfect. Way too perfect and as embarrassing it might sound but he almost felt like crying.

She was perfect, she was way too perfect and he could barely deal with it. She was all he wanted, more than he could have ever wanted. this was more perfect than anything he could have ever imagined and it just… it fit.

He was struggling but he still couldn't let go. He couldn't stop the kiss. He couldn't let go not yet.

He hadn't waited long, he had ignored his feelings, pushed them down and masked them for so long that he had never realised but… at the same time it felt like he had waited aeons and… nothing else mattered but her right now.

Their lips parted but he still left his eyes closed, just leaning his forehead against hers, waiting for any retaliation. He had been refused for decades and… but it was different and it didn't matter. It didn't. Not when her scent was still in his nose, the feel and taste of her lips still burned in his mind.

Her breathing and heartbeat ringing in his ear and when he finally opened his eyes her brilliant emerald green eyes looked straight into his. Her blush stretched across her face, tinting her skin pink.

His chuckle breathless "No slap?"

"N-no." she stuttered out.

"No I hate you?"

She slightly shook her head.

"I… should have asked you that before, shouldn't I? But… you wanna be my girlfriend?" he asked breathlessly.

Her tint darkened and he could feel her own hand tremble against his skin.. even though he couldn't be sure if that wasn't himself.

He swallowed hard as he still stared at her and then.. she nodded.

She just nodded, not able to speak but… his heart burst. He couldn't deal with it. It was just so… so overwhelmingly perfect.

It didn't matter that they were in the kitchen. that this wasn't romantic. That they had no gigantic insane date before or anything else. It didn't matter because he was here with Skull and it was perfect because it was her and she had agreed and she just stared at him with these wide, insanely bright eyes and he felt as if he had to cry and light up in flames because of happiness at the same time.

This… this was too intense and all he could do was choke down his sob as he leaned down again to kiss her again.

She was too perfect. Too perfect and she was his. Completely his.

His Skull, his sky, his best friend and his girlfriend.