AN: I'm gonna say this right now, I don't dislike Sachi at all, but in my opinion she definitely had a thing for Kirito. I'm not bashing on her, it just make sense story wise. Also, I've really no idea where to go from here. I don't even have chapter 16 started. So I might not be able to make next Friday.

Review responses:

Kurasabe- I'll be honest, I don't mean to frustrate you guys, as I didn't realize it might start bugging some people, but the sheer fact you overreacted so badly made me giggle evilly. That said I'm really, really am sorry I'm driving you up the wall, it's completely inappropriate for me to be amused, it's literally just your reaction I found funny, not your actual frustration. I probably should put them together soon. I've actually already got Kirito's pov of the scene written out, along with part of Hanna's. Actually, I've got a 13 page document on my phone reserved exclusively for later scenes of this fic, and 23 pages written out for the confrontation with Sugou, and the end of that arc. To put that into a bit of perspective, last chapter was 21 pages. Exact word count obviously changes depending on how dense each page is. Anyway, I got off topic, I haven't gotten Hanna's pov of it written out yet, so I'm not sure if I'll get it in this chapter, but it's definitely coming.

KyoudaiDoushi- Normally I'd agree with you, but in this case she's just trying to help her friends. On the other hand, Argo is highly observant. She knows exactly what the issues between them are, but hasn't completely forced the because she doesn't want to cause more misunderstandings and hurt them.

July 21st 2023- 258 days since SAO launch:

Hanna sighs contentedly as she wakes up. She was curled under her blanket, snuggled into Kirito's side. Wait, what? Blinking rapidly in confusion she sits up and looks around. Despite falling asleep in the forest last night, she was back in her bed. That wasn't really strange, but Kirito being curled up with her was. She doesn't know what was weirder. The fact Kirito was sleeping in her bed, or the fact she'd been able to recognize it was him even being half asleep with her eyes closed. Shaking herself from that thought, she attempts to get up only to discover that Kirito was holding onto her. He whines in his sleep at her movement, then rolls towards her, loops his other arm around her waist, and tightens his grip.

She sighs, she hadn't wanted to wake him up, knowing how much he enjoyed his sleep, but he'd made it so she had to. Reaching over, she gently shakes his shoulder, "Kirito. Kirito, wake up."

His face scrunches up adorably, then relaxes as he drifts to consciousness. His eyes open, and he squints in confusion at her, "Hanna?"

She smiles fondly, "Good morning sleepy head. Mind letting go of my waist, maybe explain why you're sleeping in my bed?"

He blinks rapidly in confusion for a moment, then looks down at her waist. Upon seeing that he is indeed holding onto her, he quickly lets go and sits up while turning bright red. Shifting away from her nervously he answers her quickly, probably hoping she won't jump to conclusion and slap him, "You fell asleep while we were out last night. I carried you back, but you grabbed onto my shirt at some point. When I put you in your bed you wouldn't let go, and I didn't want to wake you, so..."

Her lips twitch in amusement as he trails off awkwardly, "I see. Why didn't you just momentarily unequip your shirt?" He stares at her blankly, and she laughs, "It didn't even occur to you did it? Even worse, you clearly went to your equip menu, since you took off your coat and sword, yet you didn't even think of it then?"

He blushes heavier, "I-I don't know ok? I should've thought of it. Sorry."

She shakes her head while grinning at him, "Don't worry about it, it's fine. Honestly, I'm more concerned how someone who's usually a genius didn't think about such a simple solution." He turns redder, and she laughs again, "Come on. Much as I've enjoyed this vacation, I can't go another day without doing something. I'll go crazy if I do."

Kirito doesn't miss a beat, "You can't go somewhere that you're already at."

She smacks his shoulder as he snickers, "You're one to talk. You're just as loony as I am."

Kirito shakes his head, "You've no proof of such outlandish claims. I'm perfectly sane, thank you very much."

He crosses his arms and nods firmly, and she laughs, "If you're what's considered sane then I fear for the world."

He let out an indignant, "Hey!" She just laughs at him, and he mock glares at her, "You'll pay for that comment Hanna."

She raises an eyebrow, "Oh really?"

He nods once firmly, "Really."

Her lips twitch, "How so?"

He hums, then suddenly lunges at her. Grabbing her, he starts tickling her mercilessly, "Like this!"

Wiggling and squirming while laughing, Hanna eventually breaks free. Darting away she runs from the room, laughing all the while. Kirito gives chase, yelling at her.

Running to the dining area of the inn, she buys food, darts over to a table, and pulls the food out in record time. As he comes over to the table, he eyes the food before grinning as he sits down, "Well, who am I to turn down such an apology?"

She grins, "Like you could. It's food. Good food. You're incapable of ignoring good food."

He lightly kicks her under the table, "I will tickle you again."

She grins, "You'll likely have forgotten halfway through the meal."

He huffs, "We'll see."

Much to Hanna's amusement, the combination of food and discussing what they should do, had in fact made him forget his promise of retribution. Eventually, they decide to just do something simple and straightforward, so they make their way to the 24th labyrinth to grind.

The grinding itself was rather routine, it was when they were on their way back that trouble decided to visit. They had of course heard of people PKing, but they hadn't had any encounters with such people until that moment.

It had been fine at first despite being outnumbered 9 to 2 and being separated, then the PKers started switching with each other, always having at least two attacking both her and Kirito. Then things started going downhill. Though they both hold up for quite a while, she starts to grow frustrated as their health was slowly drained, whereas the PKers switched and healed every time one of them went into the yellow.

Then Kirito manages to stun the two he was fighting with Serration Wave. With them unable to rotate out, and Serration Wave only having a two second cooldown, Kirito quickly lands a heavy combo on them, but hesitates when the health of one drops dangerously low.

She sees all this out of the corner of her eye, and shoves her opponents away with a few heavy attacks, not skills, then turns towards Kirito to interfere. Taking advantage of Kirito's hesitation, one of them immediately tries to decapitate him. She feels a fury unlike anything she's ever experienced burn through her, she just might hate that PKer more than she hated Kayaba, Dumbledore, or Potter. She's never moved so fast in her life, whether in game or IRL. Blocking the bastard's sword with her claw she doesn't hesitate to counter-attack, cutting the man in half diagonally across his chest with her falcata. As he bursts into polygons his cowardly friends run away. That infuriated her even more. They'd kill other players indiscriminately, but the moment one of them properly fought back they turned tail and ran? Fucking cowards.

Still, as angry as she feels, she's also relieved she doesn't have to kill anyone else. She'd never taken a human life before, partially because it went against her family's beliefs, but mostly because she'd never wanted to. Even so, she can't quite bring herself to feel much more than fury towards the man she'd just killed. He'd been about to murder Kirito, and that was unforgivable.

Sheathing her sword she turns to Kirito, who was intensely watching the PKers run away, no doubt wanting to be sure they leave. She wavers, utterly torn. She realizes Argo was right, they could die so easily here it was astonishing, she should admit how she felt to him. Yet at the same time she was still sure he didn't like her like that, neither was she sure she could handle getting rejected by Kirito, but she'd almost lost him.

The thought makes her tear up, and lurching forward, she pulls him into a hug, clutching him tightly as she berates him, "Idiot! Hesitating while fighting PKers? You know better! You-You could've- You almost-"

Kirito almost immediately wraps his arms around her waist, and begins rubbing her back soothingly with one hand. Belatedly, she realizes she was trembling. As she cuts off, unable to continue, Kirito tightens his hold on her, "I know. I'm sorry."

She hides her face in his neck, "What am I supposed to do if you die, huh? I don't- I can't-" He made a confused sound, and she gives a frustrated huff, then shakes her head, "I don't wanna talk about it anymore. Let's just go back to the inn."

Kirito doesn't like this. Not one bit. He and Hanna had gotten attacked by nine PKers, two of which had immediately pushed Hanna away from him at the beginning of the fight. To make matters worse neither Hanna nor he wanted to take a life, so they were still holding back. It shows through in the fact Kirito's health was in the red, and Hanna's was barely still in the yellow.

Realizing the current person he was attacking has less than 5% of their health left, he hesitates. That moment of indecision is the only opening his opponent needs. Kirito stumbles back, eyes wide at the blade rapidly approaching his throat to decapitate him. Oh god, this was it. There isn't enough time to lift his sword, and his health is low enough that a neck or head shot would be lethal. Hanna is twenty feet away fighting two other PKers, but then suddenly she wasn't. Suddenly she's somehow slipped into the tiny gap between him and his opponent's blade, and blocked the incoming attack with her claw. Without hesitation she diagonally slashes the man from left shoulder to right hip, the pieces of him separate briefly, then it all turns into blue polygons. He forces himself to regain his footing, and mentally berates himself. This was no time to panic. He probably could've saved himself if he hadn't been freaking out in his head.

Apparently the PKers hadn't expected them to be able to kill them, as the other eight suddenly decided they don't want to fight anymore, and flee. Cowards, they try to kill other players, but as soon as they meet one that actually fights back they run away? Once he was sure they'd left, he sheaths his sword and starts to turn to Hanna. However, he is taken completely by surprise when her arms shoot forward to wrap around his neck as she yanks him into a tight hug.

He wraps his arms around her waist, then starts rubbing her back when she starts trembling, "Idiot! Hesitating while fighting PKers? You know better! You-You could've- You almost-"

He tightens his grip, "I know. I'm sorry."

She buries her face in his neck, "What am I supposed to do if you die, huh? I don't- I can't-" He made a confused sound, and she shakes her head with an agitated huff, "I don't wanna talk about it anymore. Let's just go back to the inn."

July 24th 2023- 261 days since SAO launch:
Hanna purses her lips. The boss raid meeting was called today, so she and Kirito had left their cozy room on the 24th floor two hours ago to attend. As it turns out, the Moonlit Black Cats had joined the frontlines recently. They'd actually been the ones to find the boss room this time around, so they'd been at the meeting to report what they had discovered of the boss. Afterwards, Keita invited them to lunch, his treat for all their help. She was impressed with their progress. She didn't know if it was them, the trainer Asuna lent them, or a combination of the two, but they'd managed to catch up to the other agility parties in a little over three months.

She was happy for them, really, but right now she was furious. First she'd gotten mad when she realized Sachi was shyly flirting with Kirito. Then she got angry at herself for getting mad as she had no claim on Kirito. This led to her feeling hurt again, which only worsened her temper. Finally, her anger would shift briefly to Kirito for making her feel this way, before she became guilty for blaming him. Which of course, led her thoughts in a full circle when she remembered the person who was actually to blame for her foul mood, and the vicious cycle repeated in her head continuously worsening her temper.

If all of that wasn't bad enough, she also felt guilt. She liked Sachi, she was a sweet girl, but at the moment she was furious with her. To make it worse, Sachi wasn't even doing anything wrong, it wasn't like Kirito was dating anyone, even if that thought sent pain through her.

When they finally get back to the inn after lunch with the Black Cats, Hanna flops angrily on her bed, then snaps at Kirito, "I'm going to sleep. Don't wake me up until it's time to leave for the raid."

There was a delicate pause, then her bed dips as Kirito sits next to her, "Hanna? What's wrong?"

She huffs, "Nothing."

She feels a hesitant hand begins to card through her hair, "There's obviously something bothering you."

She bats his hand away in irritation, "Just leave me alone. Is that really too much to ask?"

There was a pause, and she could practically feel how that hurt Kirito. She squeezes her eyes shut in frustration. What the hell is she doing? He is just trying to help, attempting to make her feel better, and she's lashing out at him? She flinches, the thought of her hurting Kirito makes her feel like scum. Makes her feel like she really was the lowlife everyone used to think Beaters were before they began thinking she and Kirito were just outright crazy.

A moment later Kirito breaks her line of thoughts, he was definitely hurt, but clearly determined, "Come on Hanna. Don't be like that. First you act like I'm stupid enough not to notice that you're clearly angry, then you snap at me? That's not like you. If whatever it is really is bothering you so much, let me help."

Despite how bad she feels for hurting him, she also almost felt like a wounded animal, hissing and biting at anything that disturbs her. So sitting up she attempts to shift his focus and snarls, "I didn't mean you were stupid, I just assumed you'd be too busy with Sachi to notice anything else."

He frowns in clear confusion, "What's Sachi have to do with anything? Why wouldn't I notice you being in a bad mood because of Sachi of all people?"

She gives him a deadpan look, then sarcastically asks, "Really? Are you seriously trying to tell me you didn't notice her flirting with you?" When he stares at her in shock, she sorts, "Honestly! She may have been shy about it, but she was still flirting rather heavily. How did you not notice?"

Kirito flushes and looks away in embarrassment, "I... don't know why I didn't notice before that, but I was honestly more focused on trying to figure out why you were in such a bad mood."

Hanna stares at him in shock, then huffs as she flops back. Throwing an arm over her eyes she sighs, "That's just sad."

Even she doesn't know if she was talking about Kirito and his lack of attention to a pretty girl flirting with him, or herself getting jealous when Kirito hadn't even been paying attention. There is a brief silence, then Kirito asks her, "Is that what was bothering you?" Her silence speaks more than even a direct confession, as it also undoubtedly informs him of her embarrassment over the matter, "Why? What's it matter if someone's flirting with me?"

She scowls, then angrily snaps, "It doesn't."

That just makes Kirito sound even more confused, "Then because it was Sachi specifically? Why would you care if she flirts with me? Why would it get you so worked up?"

Despite coming off of a vacation of sorts, the PKer attack four days previous and Sachi's flirting had left her incredibly stressed and frustrated all over again. As such she doesn't even think it through before she snaps at him, "You're such a dense idiot! I love you, and you almost got yourself killed four days ago, and then Sachi was flirting with you, and I-I-"

She cuts herself off in horror, realizing what she just admitted. She moves her arm just enough to be able to peek at Kirito, who was gaping in shock. There is a heavy beat of silence, then Kirito reaches out and touches her arm. She rolls away from him, "Just leave me alone."

She feels tears of frustration in her eyes as the tone of her voice broadcasts her heartbreak. Treacherous voice. First it sells her out, now it won't even let her keep her dignity. Then Kirito grabs her shoulder, and she wants to scream. He won't even have the decency to let her be? She'd thought better of him.

When she ignores him Kirito tugs her shoulder. For a spilt second she contemplates resisting since she doesn't want to see his expression now that the shock has faded, but then she lets him roll her onto her back since she also doesn't want him to get a harassment warning. She is completely taken by surprise when he kisses her.

Kirito could swear his heart was attempting to hammer straight through his ribcage and out of his chest. Hanna just told him she loved him. How often has he longed for her to say those words? How many times has he dreamt of it? Was he dreaming now? Had he dozed off in the boss meeting when the DDA and KOB had been discussing boring guild stuff? It wouldn't be the first time he's had this dream...

When Hanna shifts her arm enough for him to see her, he decides that it isn't the case. He'd never dream about making Hanna cry. Ever. And there were in fact tears gathering at the corner of her eyes. Which meant that improbably, impossibly, that this was really happening. Hanna loves him. The idea makes him giddy with excitement on a level that not even his enjoyment of fighting could. The problem is that Hanna seems to be under the impression he doesn't feel the same. Well, he needed to rectify that immediately, now didn't he?

He gently touches her arm. She stiffens slightly, then rolls so her back was to him, "Just leave me alone."

Pain stabs through him viciously at her heart broken tone. It causes him to hesitate a moment, then he grips her shoulder, silently asking her to roll into her back. When she ignores him, he firmly tugs. For a brief moment it seems like she'll resist, then she seems to slump into herself and lets him pull her.

He rolls her over and kisses her. God he's wanted to do that for so long. Apparently though, he was an oblivious idiot who misunderstood something somewhere along the line. He's been so sure she didn't return his feelings. That just means he needs to make it clear beyond any doubt that he very much loves her with every thread of the fabric of his being though. He needs to make it up to her, doesn't even know if he could hope to make amends for causing her of all people heart ache, but he's more than happy to spend the rest of his life dedicating himself to the attempt.

Argo had once grumbled that it was ridiculous that Hanna didn't see it, because he looks at her like she's the very moon and stars themselves. If that's the case, then it's only proper that he shows his devotion. It's not unfair either, after all there has been many a religion that worships the moon and the stars, and he jokes often about her being a Goddess of Luck, as well as the fact she'd told him once that her screen name was a private joke to herself and was the name of a Goddess of Life, but honestly he often feels like a devotee before an alter to their Goddess when it comes to her, praying desperately for just a scrap of fondness.

It was only fair then, that he do his absolute best despite his inexperience to show his gratitude at her answering his prayers and giving him far more than he had ever dared ask for. Does his absolute best to caress her mouth with his own as with a complete mind of its own his hand slides slowly up and down her side in what he can only describe as a worshipful manner.

It continues that way for a moment before her arms shoot up and wrap around his neck, yanking him that little bit closer as she kisses back hard and desperate, if she was a Goddess and he her devotee, the kiss was of a Goddess who has been looking down at their beloved devotee under the false impression that despite all their power the one they wanted most was outside their reach, and now that they've found out how wrong they were, are desperate to claim what's always been theirs.

When they finally pull away he leans his forehead against hers, "I may be a dense idiot, but you're just being silly. Sachi's sweet, I'll admit that, but why would I notice Sachi flirting when the person I love is clearly distressed about something? Though I never pegged you for the jealous type."

Hanna blushes, then looks away from him, "Even if I didn't have any claim on you, it just pissed me off. And I'll admit, I'm still kinda hung up on you almost dying to that PKer, which didn't help the situation at all, because it's admittedly made me more than a bit... clingy. On top of that, I've been trying to hide my being clingy from you, which has been kinda stressful."

Kirito cups her cheek to get her to look at him. Once she was, he smiles gently, "Silly Hanna. Of course you've got a claim on me. You have for a while now, even if you didn't realize it. As for the PKer." He sighs, "I really am sorry. It was a stupid mistake that I knew better than to make, but I did it anyway. I can't apologize enough for scaring you like that." He pauses for a moment then grins reassuringly, "And I wouldn't mind you being clingy, so you don't have to hide it. I know I'd be ridiculously clingy and overprotective if you almost died."

Hanna smiles lightly, then sighs as her gaze drifts away, "I thought I was gonna lose you to that PKer." Her eyes snap back to his, "Don't you ever scare me like that again."

He nods without hesitation. He'll never allow himself to repeat such a mistake again.

Sirius grits his teeth in anger. It takes everything he has to remember the self control lessons his parents all but beat into him as heir to keep himself from lashing out. He and Remus had been called to an Order meeting at Grimmauld Place, which he'd agreed to let Dumbledore use as a base of sorts a while ago. The last few days Dumbledore and Potter have been frantically searching for Mike. They'd been furious to learn that Mike had gotten away, and Dumbledore had immediately had some of the Order begin looking for him.

Dumbledore sighs as another person reports a lack of finding even a single clue, "Has anyone found anything?"

There are head shakes all around, and Tonks leans forward, "I don't see why it's so important we find him anyway. I mean, ok, I'll admit he's in danger since You-Know-Who is definitely after him, but can we really afford to waste resources protecting one boy? We have a duty to the masses, we can't just push it aside for a runaway no matter his history."

There are nods around the table, and Sirius smoothly adds, "Yes Dumbledore, why don't you tell them why you're so keen to find Mike."

Dumbledore sighs, "I had not wanted to say this, as I couldn't be sure if there were any spies, but apparently I must. There is a prophecy, it states that a child born at the end of July will be the one to defeat Voldemort. I have since determined Mike to be that child."

Frantic muttering breaks out amongst the gathered people. Sirius is more interested in the way Tonks narrows her eyes at Dumbledore. She stands abruptly, glaring Dumbledore down, "A prophecy? This prophecy would've had to have been made before Mike was born, right?"

Dumbledore frowns, "Your assumption is correct, it was made shortly before Mike was born. It was, in fact, made to me. Sadly the place the Seer made the prophecy to me was not secure, and a Death Eater overheard the first half, causing Voldemort to attack the Potter home that fateful Halloween. Now that he's returned, Voldemort will definitely be interested in learning the second half of the prophecy, for obvious reasons. We can not afford for that to happen, as such the Order will guard it as soon as we find young Mike."

Tonks glares at him, "There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to guard it. You already know the prophecy, if you're really so keen on making sure You-Know-Who doesn't get his hands on it then destroy it. Any other course of action is illogical, and frankly, insane."

Molly shots to her feet, "Now see here-"

Tonks cuts her off with a cold look, "I will risk my life for my family, for my friends, for the good of the people in general, for the Order, and to defeat You-Know-Who, but I will not risk my life over some cryptic words spoken almost 15 years ago."

Dumbledore lifts his hands in a placating gesture, "Now, now, there's no reason to argue. Nymphadora my dear, I can understand your reluctance, most no longer respect the art of divination, but it is absolutely crucial that Voldemort doesn't learn the full prophecy."

Moody snorts, "I agree with the girl. There's no reason to waste resources guarding it when we can just destroy it. It'll never fall into his hands then."

Dumbledore shakes his head, "It won't work. Only those who the prophecy pertains to can remove it."

Tonks gives him a look of disbelief, "You don't need to remove it. Just cast a low powered reducto at it or something!"

Dumbledore sighs, "If it were that easy I would, but the shelf on which the prophecies are stored are heavily shielded against spells of all sorts, but particularly against destructive and summoning spells."

Tonks scowls, "Then why didn't you take Mike as soon as you realized Voldemort had returned and have him destroy it?"

Before Dumbledore has a chance to speak, Remus cuts in, "Not to mention, you've been saying that you've long suspected Voldemort would return someday. So why didn't you train Mike properly? He's nowhere near prepared to face Voldemort."

Dumbledore sighs tiredly, "There was always a chance I was wrong and Voldemort had truly been vanquished. I did not want to take his childhood away if Voldemort was gone."

Moody huffs, "So you risk hundreds of thousands of lives so that one boy can be an immature brat?"

Molly bristles, "He's just a child, you can't just-"

Moody cuts her off, "People will die. The longer it takes to get Mike ready to face him, the higher the number of casualties. What of your family, hmm? Your sons and daughter? Your husband? Every day Mike isn't ready is another opportunity for our enemies to kill them. Your family will be targeted. You're known supporters of Dumbledore and the Light, and at least three of your children are friends with Mike. Killing your family would be quite the blow to our side. So sit down, be quiet, and think about that. Once you've thought long and hard, then you can protest. Not that it'll make any difference. Your family isn't the only one in danger, there are thousands of families who will die, so Mike must be prepared. The needs of the many outweigh the wants of the few."

Molly is pale and shaky by the end of his tirade. For a minute the rest of the Order thinks she'll argue anyway, but then her eyes glaze in deep thought and she lowers her head.

Dumbledore put a consoling hand on Molly's arm, "That is enough, Alastor."

Moody snorts, "In all three years I've known you, you've never shut up about 'The Greater Good', but when it comes down to it you abandon your own philosophy?"

Dumbledore gives him a warning look, "I have my reasons. That is all that will be said on the matter. Now, Severus. Report, what has Voldemort been up to?"

Severus straightens in his seat, "He seems to be aware that Potter is missing. He's assigned a few Death Eaters to locate him, but there's been nothing so far. Other than that, he's keen on taking advantage of the public's denial of his return. He's mostly laying low, but he's using this time to adjust to being alive, gathering his forces, and recruiting the creatures that followed him last time. He's already got Greyback's pack, and they're trying to convince other werewolves. He sent out a group to negotiate with the coven of vampires that followed him in the last war, but he hasn't received word yet."

Dumbledore looks thoughtful for a few moments, "You said he's adjusting to being alive again?"

Severus nods, "Yes. Though the ritual was successful in bringing him back, his prolonged time as a wraith left him considerably weakened. It will take him a bit to return to full strength." Seeing more than a few Order members begin to mutter rapidly to each other, he slightly raises his voice, "However, he's well aware of his momentary vulnerability. Since he's keeping a low profile and can't send them on raids anyway, he's keeping his Death Eaters near him. There are already over a hundred, though they're under the impression that he's keeping them close by so that he may send them out on a moment's notice, and so that he may re-evaluate their skills and usefulness to him. Besides, even weakened he could still easily kill most of you."

Moody huffs, "A shame. After how badly the last war went it would've been nice to be able to take the fight to that bastard."

There are more mutters around the table, then Dumbledore clears his throat, "If no one else has anything to report?" He pauses to give people time to speak up, "Then this meeting is adjourned. Continue your assignments from last week."

Sirius glances at Remus as they get up to leave. Walking out, they apparate to Lily's house. She was waiting for them in the floo room, which was the only room it was possible to apparate into. Normally, it'd be well out of range since the house itself was only in America and Japan, but their clever basement of doors makes a connection between her house and Britain that's well within range. She looks them over as if checking for injuries, "How'd it go?"

Remus shrugs, "I'm pretty sure Dumbledore doesn't suspect anything, but you can never really be sure with him. They've no idea where Mike is though, but Voldemort's looking for him."

Lily frowns, "Does he have an idea where Mike is?"

Sirius and Remus both jolt in surprise when a voice speaks from behind them, "No. I'm fairly certain he hasn't the faintest idea where Mike is."

They turn to Severus. They knew Severus had fixed his friendship with Lily, but it was one thing to know that intellectually, and another thing to come face to face with him. Sirius glares, "Dear Merlin, don't startle me like that! You almost gave me a heart attack!"

Severus merely raises an eyebrow. Sirius huffs in irritation, then to the shock of the other three, turns away without insulting Severus. Glancing in bewilderment at Lily, Severus questions in confusion, "That's it? No 'Snivellus this' or 'Greasy Git that'? Did you receive brain damage? Not that there was much to damage in the first place."

Sirius whirls on him angrily, mouth already open to insult Severus. Then he snaps his mouth shut, closes his eyes, and forces himself to take a calming breath. When he opens them, he's glaring at Severus, and his tone is tense, but not insulting, "No. None of that. While I admittedly don't like you, I only originally started fighting with you because of Potter. He didn't like how close you were to Lily, it made him jealous. On top of that, my godson will definitely need your help if he's to survive this war, and my goddaughter apparently likes you, though I personally can't fathom why. Not to mention you're Lily's best friend. So I think we should at least attempt to no longer fight, even if it's entirely unlikely we'll ever get along."

Severus raises an eyebrow again, then nods, "Surprisingly mature of you Black. Very well. If you attempt to be civil, I will as well."

Sirius nods firmly. Then turns away. He scowls slightly when he sees Lily and Remus smiling slightly. Remus clears his throat and steps past him slightly, extending his hand to Severus, "We were never as hostile towards each other as you, Sirius, and Potter, but I agree. We should attempt to put our schoolboy differences behind us, and stop arguing."

Severus eyes his hand a moment, then shakes it. He lets go quickly, but they all consider it a small victory that he even took Remus' hand to begin with.

Kurasabe- Hi again. I kinda misled you at the top. I'll admit that I didn't originally plan on getting them together in this chapter, but since I didn't have an exact idea of when, I figured why not? It probably would've been the next chapter or the one after that anyway, but there was no real reason for it not to happen this chapter. So here, I hope you enjoy and feel relieved knowing that I'm no longer "Making them pussyfoot around each other" anymore.