This story was written just because I was upset that they did not give Kotone what I really wanted for her to have in the Happy Ending of Canus's route.
After all, kissing is really important!
Then, I even took it a step further because Happily Ever Afters are really important, as well! :)
The Most Handsome Face in Any World
Kotone had originally thought it to be simply an optical illusion caused by the changing light and enhanced by both her physical weakness and intense relief at being rescued from the World Tree Bride's soul-eating throne. Therefore, when Canus removed his helmet after finishing off Yggdrasil (with the help of the other Regulars scattered across Medio), and she first saw the faintest outline of a shape above the collar of the Fairy of Death's armor, she was not in any state to realize what it really meant.
After all, at that point, she was still so drained from the experience that she had no idea she had retained some of the World Tree's power in the process.
Consequently, since she could do nothing else but sink gratefully into the strong arms of her knight as he carried her to safety, she promptly forgot about what she had not-quite-seen.
Her perception and understanding about the matter changed greatly, however, just a short time later.
That was when Kotone, still injured and weakened from her ordeal, leaned against Canus's strong body for support as they looked over the land of Medio for the very last time from the vantage point of his favorite spot. From there, they witnessed the miraculous escape of the fairy souls from the carcass of the former World Tree and watched as most of those dazzling orbs of light flew forth to reseed the dying land with their inherent fairy magic.
After all...as Canus had informed her...magic never really ended or died. It simply regenerated into a new form.
Perhaps that was the reason why some of those souls, either guided by the instinct to regenerate or attracted to the vestiges of the World Tree's power that still resided inside of her, came to Kotone, instead. Once there, however, they proceeded to reseed the parts of her soul that had been ravaged by Yggdrasil during the battle.
That gift of life from those fairy souls restored the woman's health completely, but they left behind an unexpected result, as well. Not only did Kotone's body and soul absorb the freely given fairy magic, but she was also able to retain it, as well. The pure fairy magic combined with the leftover chaotic power that the World Tree had accidentally shared with her and...somehow...the combination changed her.
In fact, the magic that was now inside of her did exactly what it was supposed to do. It regenerated.
Canus could do nothing but watch, stunned by the unexpected sight, as Kotone...without any warning whatsoever...started to burn brightly with fairy magic right next to him. The light that suddenly engulfed her body was similar to the flames above his collar, so he knew that she was not being harmed. However, even he did not understand exactly what had really happened...not until the light faded away...and left his beloved standing straighter, stronger, and even more beautiful than before.
It was then that Canus finally understood the exciting truth. In that one glorious moment, Kotone had become...much like their young friend, Kariya...at least part-fairy herself!
What that meant for her health and lifespan...and, therefore, the longevity and future of their relationship together...thrilled him. However, the fairy magic was not finished with either of them, yet. For when his love blinked and looked at him with eyes that were even brighter than before, she gasped in joy...but not because of what had happened to her.
After all, even the amazing changes she could feel in herself simply paled in comparison to the wonder of what she was now able to see before her.
"Canus!" she exclaimed excitedly. "I can see you! All of you!"
There before her, stood the knight she had known from her very first day at Enchanté, the same one who had come to her rescue countless times, and the one whom she had come to love so dearly. However, now...over the collar of his armor, where only flames and emptiness had supposedly existed before...she could also clearly see the dark wavy hair that set him apart from the other fairies, the bright blue eyes in the exact shade of the Medio sky, the strong nose, and the slightly pointed ears..all of which were set into a very masculine square-jawed face.
"Oh!" she whispered at the beauty of such a sight before she automatically reached up to touch the handsome features that she had not been able to see before until that very moment.
For his part, Canus made a deep sound of surprise in his throat as he felt...for the first time in his very long life...the gentle pressure of delicate fingertips as they tenderly brushed along his facial features. However, that pleasure could not even compare to the explosion of sensation that occurred when Kotone pulled his head even further down in order to press her lips against his.
Even though they did not reproduce like humans and other beings did, the large fairies could still form romantic bonds and enjoy physical intimacy together. However, Canus...as the Headless Knight and the reviled Fairy of Death, had never had such an opportunity, of course. Consequently, the pleasant sensations from the physical contact of his beloved's fingertips and lips...as well as the excess of emotions that spilled from his heart at the proof of her affection...overwhelmed the touch-starved fairy and he suddenly needed even more.
Therefore, he reached down and picked up Kotone in order to hold her even closer and prolong such wonderful contact with her for as long as possible. He was rewarded when the woman he loved, a bit overwhelmed by such feelings herself – especially with her own physical changes that had allowed her to finally see his face and strengthen the bond between them - continued her explorations of his newly exposed appearance with gentle kisses against all of its prominent features.
Canus then returned the favor with great pleasure when he suddenly realized that the change also meant that he no longer had to deny himself, either. He was also finally able to initiate and kiss his lady with all the love that had continued to build up in his heart and soul for her ever since it became clear to him that she alone was able to look past the headless black armor and care for the lonely fairy within it, instead.
And so the time quickly passed in mutual heartfelt wonder, affection, and pleasure until Canus and Kotone realized they were no longer alone when they were interrupted by a very familiar voice.
"Well, isn't this a lovely sight for sore eyes?" Misyr asked in a very amused tone.
That comment was followed by Ignis's rougher voice. "What the hell?" he exclaimed in mock indignation. "We're out here busting our asses while you two are canoodling?"
"Oh! How wonderful! It's just like the happy ending from one of my otome game routes!" Il's reaction to the scene was completely unsurprising to everyone there.
"If you two are finished here," Rindo's voice added in a logical, no-nonsense way...even though it was still clear from his tone that he was quite happy for his friends, as well. "We probably need to go rescue Kariya from the horde of fairies we sent to Enchanté and then start to figure out our next move, as well."
Since their pleasant interlude had obviously been interrupted for the time being by the arrival of the other Regulars, Canus reluctantly set Kotone back down on her feet. The two then moved slightly apart, but never completely separated as they turned to face their friends.
Even though it was clear that the others still could not see Canus's face, they immediately noticed the obviously beneficial changes in Kotone's appearance...especially after everything she had been through. Consequently, both questions (mainly from Rindo) and congratulations on the upgrade (from the other non-humans, of course) poured forth.
After all the necessary explanations had been made and the curiosity of the others had been slaked for the moment...along with a promise given from Kotone to Rindo to get a checkup with Mikado at GPM headquarters as soon as possible...the group finally made its way back towards the Gate and Enchanté.
Canus and Kotone continued to trail behind the others, however, until their friends were almost out of sight ahead of them again. It was then that Canus...who could not quite believe all of the good fortune that had come his way that day...paused to look down at the miraculous woman beside him...his beloved Kotone.
"Does the visage really please my lady?" he asked with sudden uncertainty, though.
After all, due to the powers of regenerative fairy magic, they now had a long future ahead of them...and he wanted to make sure she was happy with him.
"It is the most handsome face in any world!" Kotone replied fervently with all honesty. "And even if it wasn't, I would still love it...and you...anyway!" She then set his sudden fears to rest as she proved what she had said and how she felt by pulling that same face back down again for another kiss.
That reassuring kiss led to another...and then another...until the two finally had to separate again with obvious mutual reluctance - simply because Ignis had come back into sight and yelled at them.
"Hey! Knock that off and get moving before I light you up with a different kind of fire!" he called back in their direction. They could tell from the Firewolf's lack of flames and the grin on his face, however, that he was not really angry with them.
Therefore, since they knew they now had plenty of time in which to enjoy that special kind of closeness in their future, they just smiled as they met each other's eyes again. Kotone took a moment to send up a prayer of gratitude to the magic of Medio that she could now actually see just how happy and contented Canus looked before they both turned and rushed, hand in hand, to catch up with their beastly friend and the others who waited for them at the Gate
Then they all returned to Enchanté...the place where it had all begun...together.