The air blew cool through Pandemonium, traipsing along the immaculately sculpted crystal hallways and ruffling the material of her skirt. Outside, just beyond the fortress's walls, frigid winds raked across the World of Ice and Snow.

That didn't matter to her, though. Despite the chilly temperature, this icy weather couldn't dampen her enthusiasm. She had long since grown accustomed to the native chill of this place.

She couldn't sleep. She hadn't even attempted to sleep, a consequence of the massive anticipation she harbored for the next day. It would be her birthday, after all. What child could possibly sleep with that on their mind?

Clicking the soles of her shoes against the floor, the young girl swiftly and surely stepped her way towards her destination. She knew these halls by heart, and she had traveled this route many times before.

A soft glow filtered through the blue crystal, giving her just enough light to travel by.

Nights in Makai were never truly dark, just as the days were never truly bright. It was bizarre at first, but after living with it for several years, such a thing was no longer strange to her.

Many of the odd aspects of living here were no longer strange.

It was only natural that her home would come to feel familiar.

…

Mother's room…

Her mother's room was far cozier than the refined simplicity and mystical elegance that characterized the rest of the fortress.

She poked her small blonde head through the door, a door that had been intentionally left ajar, and glanced around the room.

There, seated upon her favorite reading chair, clad in flowing, red-and-white robes, was her mother. Her white hair, as always, was tied into a side ponytail, and she seemed remarkably focused on the book in her hands.

Then, her gaze shifted away from her mother and settled instead on her mother's enormous bed.

It was a truly massive piece of furniture; a four poster bed complete with a delicate canopy and sheer curtains.

It was also incredibly comfortable. Fit for a goddess.

… and her child.

…

Suddenly, she streaked her way across the room, diving headfirst into the numerous blankets and pillows that occupied the bed. After a few moments of squirming about, she settled in, content with her makeshift nest.

"Can't sleep, little one?" A tickle of amusement found its way into her mother's tender voice.

She popped her head out of the tangle of blankets. "Nope! Wanna guess why?"

"Hmmm…" Her mother pondered as she gingerly shut the book that she'd been reading. Then, a hint of a smile tugged at her lips. "I don't have the foggiest of ideas."

"It's my birthday tomorrow!" She unwrapped herself fully from her messy cocoon, bearing a look of childilike offense. "Don't tell me you forgot!"

Her mother stifled a laugh, struggling to maintain a straight face. "Oh, my! Is it really? I thought we celebrated your birthday just last week."

"Moooom!"

Her mother laughed, no longer attempting to hide her amusement. "Of course I remembered your birthday!" She stood up from her seat, and began searching through her robes. "I have something very special for you this year."

"This year? You always say that!" she professed, even as she scrambled to leap off of the bed.

"And it's always true," her mother countered smoothly. "Now, if I give you your present early, will you be a good girl and get some sleep? You'll certainly need it for tomorrow."

"I promise!" she exclaimed, though her energy did not diminish in the slightest.

Her mother sighed lightly. "I expect you to keep your promises, little one."

She straightened slightly, before giving her mother a steady nod. "I will."

Her mother held eye contact with her for another few moments before relenting. "Good. Now…" She produced an object from within her robes and placed it into the young girl's eager hands.

She peered down at what her mother had just given her.

"Oooh, what's this? A book? Is it a good book? Have I read it before?"

Her mother shook her head. "It is my gift, made just for you. There are no others like it." Then, she tapped the cover, bringing shimmering gold text into existence. "Every good witch needs their own book of spells, hmm?"

She hugged the book to her chest, feeling waves of vague power as they slowly pulsed through the pages, through the cover, and beyond.

Finally! She was going to be a witch! She was going to use magic! She was so excited!

"I love it! Thank you!" she cheered, leaping up and down in a monumental display of youthful energy.

Then, a pair of warm, strong arms wrapped around her, followed by six soft, white wings. The wings, too, were warm. Far warmer than Pandemonium itself could ever be.

Her mother always gave the best hugs…

…

"I love you, mom."

"I love you, too. Happy birthday, Alice."

…

~~~~~~Tradition's End~~~~~~

Ah…

The first time she'd ever held her grimoire.

She could remember it all too clearly. The crispness of the air that pervaded Pandemonium… The intensity of her excitement over her imminent birthday… The first taste of the power that the book held…

The warmth of her mother's smile…

It was… a tender memory. One brought forth by a simple question.

'What is it about your book that makes it so special?"

Eric had posed the question, earnest curiosity coloring his still uneven voice. It was obvious that he was trying to shake off his previous worry, though he hadn't quite managed it yet.

"I mean, for them to have come all the way out here looking for it… It's gotta be something important, right?"

"It…" Alice took a moment to mull over her response.

It was no simple task, for she knew by now that any answer she gave him would only lead to more questions.

Just how much would she share with him? How much could she share?

On one hand, she was naturally rather tight-lipped when it came to matters as personal as this. She found that the fewer people who knew intimate details about her life, the better.

And, if she were to simply tell him that she didn't wish to speak of it, then he would almost certainly understand, just as he had done before.

However…

On the other hand, this was not the first time that an issue regarding her past had come up, and it was unlikely to be the last.

That, and he wasn't just some acquaintance. He was her boyfriend. They were supposed to be close with one another. They were supposed to rely on each other.

Was it fair to continue to withhold this sort of information from him when similar situations could occur in the future?

Was it right to take advantage of his understanding nature just to avoid having to consider her past?

It felt… wrong not to answer his questions. They were always placed out of genuine concern or innocent curiosity.

He only ever wanted to help. Who was she to refuse?

…

He truly wanted to know her, and, perhaps, there was a part of her that truly wanted to be known. To confide in him with her past. To share all that she was with another.

Yes, she… She could do this.

She wanted to do this.

She would tell him all that he wished to know.

…

"It is a rather long story," Alice rasped out. The pain in her throat had just begun to fade, but the roughness in her voice had yet to do so. "Perhaps better told inside? We could discuss it over tea, if you'd like."

Eric appeared to perk up at that, some eagerness returning to his form. "Heck yeah, of course I'd like that. As if I'd ever refuse a chance to hang out with you."

Then, his gaze fell to just below her chin.

"Um, if we're going to be talking a lot, do you want me to see if I can heal the damage to your neck?"

"I… why?" she asked. Although, she could already guess his reasons.

The look on his face practically screamed 'What do you mean, why!?'

"Doesn't it hurt? It… looks all red and swollen. And your voice? Isn't it painful to speak?"

"...Yes, it pains me, but not as much as you may think. It is a minor issue at best."

She would almost certainly recover by the next day. It would simply be inefficient for him to devote the time and energy to it.

Still, he pressed on. "So, do you want me to try to heal you?"

She sighed. "I will not ask you to waste your mana on it," she said, hoping to get her point across.

"Okay then. May I heal your neck?" he asked, a bit more firmly this time.

She fixed him with a look of uncertainty. "Does… that make you feel better? Trying to heal something despite it being unnecessary?"

This wasn't the first time that he'd offered to mend a minor injury for her.

"Honestly? Yeah. And… I don't think it's unnecessary. Why be in pain now just because it'll eventually get better? In my opinion, it's worth the mana."

She squared her shoulders slightly and stood just a bit straighter. "It's not as though I am fragile. I've experienced far worse than a little bit of pain. As have you. It would be most efficient to allow the healing process for something this small to complete on its own."

He strengthened his posture to match. "I know that… I know you're not fragile… I-I just can't stand seeing you hurt, especially if there's something that I can do about it. So… please. Let me heal you, Alice. Let me at least try."

He… He was dead set on this, wasn't he?

It was unnecessary. Completely unnecessary.

As his mentor, she shouldn't allow him to be wasteful with his mana.

Yet, the concern in his eyes, the quiet ache in his voice, and the steadiness of his desire to assist her…

It made it all but impossible for her to refuse.

With a simple nod and a small "Okay…", she relented.

Eric nodded in return, before seeming to ready himself. He flexed his fingers and took in a focusing breath. When his eyes fell once more to her injuries, he moved.

Alice tensed as he slowly reached for her neck. She winced at the sensation of his fingertips at her throat. It wasn't all that long ago that a very different set of hands had been there, leaving her trapped with no way out.

However, these hands were far more gentle, and their touch was feather-light. Their intentions were to help rather than to hurt, and after a few short seconds, they began to do just that.

Radiating out from each point of contact came a delicate, soothing energy. One that glided across her skin and sought to mend the damage that remained on her flesh.

It was relieving, it was refreshing, and in a way, it was calming. She soon found herself relaxing at the very same touch she had stiffened at.

Recovery magic was naturally very mana intensive. A skilled magician would have found themselves running out of stamina within only ten minutes of dedicated healing. Eric, as a novice with only lightly trained mana reserves, would have lasted far less.

He didn't have to. He really didn't. The pain when she spoke was minimal, and the injury itself would have healed quickly on its own. There was simply no need for him to waste such a large portion of his remaining energy on it.

And yet…

It was impossible for Alice not to notice the way his eyebrows drew together and how intense his gaze was as he focused on his work.

It was… nice… just how determined he always was to help her, and just how seriously he took such a task. Like it was the most important thing in the world to him.

Her heart warmed at the thought. That she was treasured in such a way.

And… there was another part of her that couldn't help but dwell on just how charming the 'serious' look was on him.

…

Eric soon retracted his hands and took a few deep, slow breaths. "It… should be somewhat better, I think?" He took a critical look at her neck before stepping away and sighing.

…Why was he sighing? It certainly felt better.

"There's still a bunch of marks there. Man… I don't know why I thought I could heal it all the way this time." He rubbed the back of his neck and looked off to the side. "I guess I really am getting overconfident… Sorry about that."

"On the contrary," Her voice came out smoothly, as if it had never been damaged in the first place. "I believe you have achieved your goal. There's no longer any pain when I speak, nor is my voice hoarse. I believe that is what you call a success."

She reached out with her free hand and took him by the wrist. "Now, come. The longer we dawdle, the less time we'll have at rest together."

Eric blinked in surprise as Alice began to lead him onto her front porch, Shanghai not far behind. "Uh, I call dibs on the couch!"

Alice giggled lightly. "Of course you do."

~~~~~~Tradition's End~~~~~~

In truth, his 'dibs' had been entirely unnecessary, both because Alice's couch was large enough to seat three people comfortably, and because Alice herself had yet to take a seat.

Instead, she was busy fussing over the minor details of her appearance.

She had done so almost immediately after catching a glimpse of her reflection. According to her, her outfit was 'a total mess', and her hair was 'an absolute wreck'. And so, using one of the mirrors on her living room walls as a guide, she had set about straightening herself up.

As she did, he waited.

While Eric agreed that her appearance was quite disheveled after the battle against Seiga and Yoshika, he found that he didn't mind in the least.

She was always so prim, every aspect of her outfit carefully crafted and every lock of hair meticulously arranged. It was… rather cute to see her so out of sorts.

…

He was feeling bold.

As she finished retying the ribbon at her neck, Eric made his way to her side. He wrapped one arm around her shoulders and sighed. "It's hopeless. It doesn't matter what you do. You'll still be beautiful."

Thanks to the mirror, he didn't even have to look directly at her to see how the blush colored her cheeks. He… honestly hadn't been expecting that strong of a reaction.

"B-Be that as it may," she started, accepting the compliment indirectly. "It feels… odd to be so rumpled. It's as if I've suddenly lost control over my appearance."

She sighed, dusting off the front of her dress and straightening her sleeves. "Rational or not, I cannot say, but it does make me feel rather uncomfortable. Like I can't rest until I've corrected it."

Eric released his sideways hold on her and turned to face her directly. "Is there any way I can help?"

Alice stopped what she was doing and turned to him in mild disbelief. Then, she laughed incredulously. "Help? You always want to help. You just finished helping me. Would that not be too much?"

He shrugged. "I like helping you, Alice. I like seeing you happy. I like making you happy. Helping out is one of the best ways I've found to do that."

She went silent for a moment, before moving to face the mirror once again. "You're too kind to me," she muttered quietly. It was impossible for him to miss the fond look that she always got when he doted on her.

"And…" she continued. "I'm not entirely sure how you could help."

After a few more small tweaks to her dress, her hands drifted up to her head.

Compared to the pristine style the dollmaker typically maintained, her current hairdo might as well have been anarchy. It was wholly uneven, and her hair band was askew. While still fluffy, it now stuck out in various places like errant feathers on a bird's wing.

Such a look would have been right at home on a person who had just woken up after tossing and turning all night. Seeing it on his typically immaculate girlfriend was…

Ah… He couldn't help it. She was cute…

Alice made a few attempts to smooth out the tousled locks, before sighing in defeat. "Oh… Shanghai, would you be a dear and grab my hairbrush?"

Her steadfast companion nodded and then floated off, seemingly to acquire said object.

While she was gone, Alice glanced once more at Eric. "I… apologize for the delay. This should only take a few more minutes."

Eric raised his hands in a half-hearted defense. "Hey, don't mind me. I don't have anywhere else to be."

Then, his smile tempered somewhat.

He… had an idea. But… did he really want to ask? Would she think him weird for doing so?

…

"Um, do you want me to help brush out your hair?"

Alice froze, obviously not expecting to hear that question out of him. "You… what?"

He pointed to the ponytail that draped over the upper portion of his back. "I… like to think that I know a thing or two about taking care of hair. I can help that way, right?"

It was then that Alice appeared to consider the option. Really consider it. And…

The longer she thought about it, the more nervous he became. And, when the faint hints of a blush began to creep its way onto her face, he found himself struggling to prevent the same from happening to him.

He… almost wanted to bring his hands up to cover his face.

Gods, why am I getting so embarrassed about this?

"Um, I… Yes, you… You could do that." She managed to get out.

"Really?" He almost couldn't contain the sudden eagerness that sprang up inside of him.

"Yes. Please do." Alice fiddled with a lock of her hair before looking away.

It was at that moment that Shanghai reappeared, wielding a hair brush that was easily half her size.

Alice accepted the brush with a small "Thank you," before taking in a deep breath and turning to meet his gaze directly. "Be gentle. If you yank out my hair, then I will do the same to yours."

She reached out her hand, offering the brush to him. It was an old thing, he could tell, made of carved wood and fine bristles. He gripped the handle without hesitation.

"Oh, I wouldn't dare," he assured.

…

Seated comfortably on the couch, Eric stared at the back of Alice's head.

She had already removed her headband. All that was left was for him to swallow his nerves and begin brushing.

Nerves… Why was he nervous about this? She was his girlfriend. They'd already hugged and held hands. This should have been way easier.

He just didn't want to screw up.

…

It had only taken him three strokes of the brush before Alice let out a pleased sigh and mumbled something too quietly for him to hear.

He did not interrupt the brushing, but he did feel compelled to ask, "Are you alright? Am I doing it too hard?"

She shook her head slightly. "No. No, it's not that. I… suppose that it's been a while since I've had my hair brushed by someone else. Really, it's pleasant. Please, do not stop."

A smile immediately found its way onto his face. "Okay. Good."

…

After another minute, he brought himself to break the silence once again.

"I think I might have just wanted an excuse to play with your hair. Is that… weird?"

"I… do not find it strange. Or rather, there are far stranger things that you could have suggested." Her posture shifted, and she appeared to lean into his hands just a bit more. "Why is it that you've never asked before? Why did you need an excuse?"

"I… don't know? It just… feels like a really intimate thing to do for some reason."

"Is… that not the point of a relationship? To do intimate things?"

"...Well, you've got me there," he conceded before continuing to brush out the small tangles that he had located.

He was gentle, always gentle. He didn't rush the brush through the hair, nor did he press with force. Not that he would have needed to, or wanted to, in the first place.

Alice's hair was in peak condition. It was fluffy, glossy, and impossibly soft, like a feathery, golden cloud. He didn't know how much of that was due to her nature as a youkai and how much of it was because she actually took exceptional care of her hair.

Either way, it didn't really matter. It all made for a wonderful experience for his fingertips.

And… for Alice as well, it seemed.

Every so often, she would make a small, happy noise or let out a deep, contented sigh. She seemed to be truly enjoying herself, and for him, there was no better feeling in the world.

He loved being able to make her happy.

…

"So… about your book…" He brought up hesitantly after an extended period of brushing.

"Ah, of course. I did say that I would explain." She sounded so dreamily content. It… almost felt like he was ruining the moment by bringing it back up.

He hated to pry. Really, he did, but he also really wanted to know what made it worth attacking Alice over.

"It is a singularly powerful spellbook. One of such great potential that it puts all other grimoires to shame."

Another little sigh.

"It's one that I had relied upon heavily during my youth. I… suppose that is why rumors have spread about it."

His expression fell slightly, though Alice wouldn't have been able to see it. "So, this whole thing happened because that Seiga woman was power hungry? That… makes way too much sense."

"Indeed… Most youkai tend to seek power in one way or another. It's only natural that my grimoire would attract interest." She shifted, straightening her relaxed posture. "It's said to augment one's abilities as well as contain the ultimate magic spells."

"Ultimate magic? What would that even mean?"

She chuckled dryly. "Perhaps 'ultimate' is an exaggeration. However, the power that it contains is very real."

Alice tilted her head to peer down at the book in her hands. "This is not the first time that others have come looking for it, and it likely won't be the last."

He stared at the back of her head. Her hair had been thoroughly brushed out several minutes ago, yet he continued to brush. It made her happy, so why stop? "You think this'll happen again? Is… life as a youkai really that cutthroat?"

She sighed again, this one far more exasperated. "It can be. That is part of why I prefer to remain… secluded. Most don't necessarily value sentimentality, and there are always those who feel that they can take what they consider to be theirs by right. It's… exhausting to try to compete with that."

Eric lowered the brush to his lap.

He… didn't like that thought. Alice… regularly troubled by others. Alice… being sought out at her own home because of a petty desire to grow their own power. Alice… suffering at the hands of another.

…Damn Seiga.

…

He closed his eyes and swallowed the mix of bitterness and anxiety in the back of his throat.

Bitterness, directed at the foe that he and Alice had driven away not one hour ago.

Couldn't they just have left her alone? What right did they have to show up and hurt her?

Anxiety, focused on what could have been.

What… What would have happened if he hadn't shown up when he did?

Would she have….

…

Eric felt the weight on the couch shift and a hand fall onto his shoulder.

"Eric…" Alice called softly.

He opened his eyes, only to be met with Alice's own, their glacier blue as striking as ever.

"I'm worried," he admitted. "I'm worried that something bad will happen to you. I-I can't help it."

"You are worried about me? I should be the one worried about you. You're always so reckless and never seem to care about your own wellbeing," she admonished gently.

"I-I know… And I'm trying to be better about that, I promise. Just…" He didn't know what to do with his hands. He didn't know what to do with any part of his body at the moment. "I know you're strong, but I can't not worry about you. You're precious to me. You're like… my best friend in here, and the closest thing I have to family. I… don't know what I'd do if I lost you."

~~~~~Tradition's End~~~~~~

Precious…

Best friend…

Family…

She knew they were close, but…

Family…

He considered her to be family…

Hearing those words tumble clumsily out of his mouth… It was like hearing him confess to her all over again.

It was as if the universe was handing her all that she wanted on a silver platter.

Family…

…

She did not know her biological family, though that didn't stop her from having a family anyways.

She had been taught in Makai that the easiest way to determine if somebody was truly family was to imagine what your life would be like without them. To picture the hole that they would leave behind.

Marisa and Patchouli? Well, they were more friends than family. Their absences would certainly be missed, but not necessarily impactful to her day to day life.

Her dolls? In a way, she considered them to be family. Was that healthy? Without them, her home would feel barren. Lifeless. This was in spite of the fact that they held no life of their own.

Shanghai? She certainly considered her to be family. Only half a day without her by her side had brought feelings of unease and loneliness. But… ultimately, she, too, was only a doll.

Eric?

…

No. No, she didn't even want to think about that one.

She saw him every day. She wanted to see him every day. Even if they weren't scheduled to train, she would still fly out to the Village to visit him at work.

And the time she spent with him, even if it was doing nothing in particular… It made her happy. Happier than she had been in a long time.

Without his companionship, her life would have simply gone back to the way it had been before. She had been fine then, if a little isolated.

However, that had been before she'd been given a taste of this. This closeness that they shared.

He was alive. He was real. He was here.

If she were to be deprived of this now, then…

…

The answer was obvious. She considered him to be family, too.

He was someone she could be vulnerable with. Someone who would always be there for her.

He had found his way into her life and given her the things that she'd yearned for.

A reality without him would have been horribly lonely…

…

But, before she admitted as much, there were things that she wanted him to know. Needed him to understand, so that he knew precisely how much that meant to her.

~~~~~~Tradition's End~~~~~~

Eric folded almost instantly as a pair of slender arms encircled his body and drew him in close. He hugged her back, clinging to her as she often did to him. "Gah, I'm sorry. I know I'm being ridiculous right now."

Alice spoke to him, voice more tender than he'd ever heard from her before. "Eric... It is not unreasonable to worry, especially if you care so deeply."

"But… It's only been a couple months." His words were wobbly, no matter how much he tried to steady them. "Is it not too much? Too fast? I-I don't want to mess anything up."

"It cannot be too fast, because I feel the same way." And with that, she squeezed him tight.

She… she felt the same…

She was here.

His throat tightened as he tried his damndest not to lose it in front of her.

It was all too good to be true.

"I-I'm t-terrified that you'll go away."

"What makes you think that I'll let that happen?"

"A-Almost everyone else has." He trembled in her grasp. "Family. Friends. E-everybody I knew on the Outside… It's been ten years, a whole decade, since I've seen any of them. I-I don't know what they're like now. I can't find out how they're doing. I don't even know if they're still alive. C-can you imagine how that feels?"

"Imagine…?" Her voice gained a hint of emptiness. "I... can't claim to know your life, but I can do more than imagine."

"You… Oh, Alice, I'm sorry… I-I didn't mean it like that."

"I know," she breathed.

Her grip on him loosened slightly, and he saw that as a sign to pull away, but not before taking a minute to assemble as much composure as possible.

"Eric, I would like to show you this." Alice brought her grimoire up and placed it between the two of them.

"Y-your grimoire?"

"Yes," she emphasized.

Eric took the time to look at Alice's book. No, really look.

It felt… different somehow. Even compared to his own grimoires, this one had a heavy presence. It was bound in a material so dark that it was nearly black, and it was tied shut by two of the same red and white ribbons that always accented Alice's outfit.

The edges of the pages within pulsed slowly with an indescribable, multicolored light. Calling it a rainbow would have been an insult to its complexity.

…How had he just now noticed the glowing?

It sparked his curiosity. "Um… wow. What's the title of your grimoire? And where did you get it?"

"I… oh." Alice began to respond, only to trail off immediately. She sighed and turned the book around in her hands so that the front cover faced them.

It only took a few moments for him to do a double-take.

There, engraved in shimmering gold letters, bold enough to nearly leap off of the cover were the words 'The Grimoire of Alice.'

Why… was her name on the cover?

"Wha… Alice… Did you write this?"

She immediately shook her head. "No… Although, you could say that it was written for me. It… was a gift. By my mother." Her eyes gained a distant look. "A mother that I've not known in well over fifteen years."

…

Oh… Alice…

"Have… I ever spoken to you of Makai?"

Makai… It was entirely possible that he'd heard the word before, once or twice at least. But… truly, he didn't know the first thing about a 'Makai.'

"No, you've never mentioned it before."

"Makai is… was my home. Before…"

Alice looked to Shanghai, who had drifted over without a word. She took the doll into her arms, cradling her gently in her lap.

She wore a rueful smile. "I suppose that we are alike in that aspect. Neither of us are native to Gensokyo, and neither of us are truly here by choice, are we?"

Not here by choice…? She… wasn't native to Gensokyo? He knew that she'd originally been human, but… Makai… Was she from the Outside, too? Was she just like him?

"Is… Makai a place on the Outside? Where, um, was it?"

Evidently, she found his questions somewhat amusing, because the rueful smile became a bit more genuine. "In the sense that it is separate from Gensokyo, yes. But… not the same."

"It's…" she glanced away. "It's another, distinct world, often referred to as a land of demons. I'm not surprised that you've never heard of it. Most who know prefer to forget that it ever existed."

Demons… But, she'd said that she was human, right? Did humans really live in a place like that?

Before he could even ask, Alice followed up with. "It's not nearly as dreadful as it sounds. Demon merely refers to the species, just like human or youkai."

"Did, um, other humans live there, too? Like, your parents?"

"That… no. As far as I'm aware, I was the only human in the entire realm."

That only served to deepen his confusion. "But… why… how… I don't understand."

"I was young. Far too young to remember." She rested her chin atop Shanghai's head. "I do not know where I was born. I very well could have come from the same Outside that you did."

"So, your mother…"

"...Was not my biological mother. However, she raised me as her own. As far as I'm concerned, she is my only true parent. Or… was…"

He couldn't miss just how lonely she'd looked when she'd said that.

"What was she like? Your mother."

Alice's grip noticeably tightened. "She was… special, and I mean that sincerely. She, alone, was responsible for both the creation of Makai and most of the residents within. Shinki was revered as a goddess, and rightfully so, for she held all of the power and prestige of one."

"A godde-"

"But much more than that!" she asserted with a newfound intensity. "She was kind. She was sweet. She wanted the absolute best for her children. Even me! Despite not being one of her creations, she would dote upon me endlessly."

Her voice then slowly grew vulnerable, as if it was painful to remember. "I had enjoyed it at the time, and even found it a bit overbearing. But now? I… find myself yearning for it once more."

"The way she cooed whenever I would wear a new outfit or show off a new spell. How tenderly she would run her fingers through my hair. How she would laugh at my antics, and how she would console me after a nightmare."

'There can be pain in fond recollection'

She had said as much before, and now, the ache in her voice made it obvious just how much pain there could be.

"The-The way her hugs were like a world of their own, so warm and safe and secure."

As she went on, Eric couldn't help but think once more about his own family. His parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, half-cousins, and more. The ones that were always there for him.

Such a large, tight knit family… To be ripped away so suddenly…

Eric could feel his throat tighten again.

He missed them terribly…

"I miss her so much… I miss everyone… Big sis Yumeko, Auntie Sariel, even Yuki and Mai… I…" Her voice wobbled, growing less steady by the word.

He wrapped his arms around her, somehow managing to fit Shanghai into the embrace as well.

Had it been for her benefit, or his own? …Both. The answer was both.

"I just want to see her again! I have so many questions to ask her… So many things to tell her…" Alice's breaths were labored as she fought back tears. "It was all sealed away. I never even got to say goodbye…"

"S-so, when I say that I understand what it's like to be separated from your friends and family and brought into Gensokyo, I mean it. I've lived it."

She took deep, quivering gulps of air as she squeezed her eyes shut. It appeared as though two sets of arms, his and Shanghai's, were the only things holding her together at the moment. It wrenched at his heart and tied his stomach up in knots to see her like this.

"Alice… Alice, p-please don't cry. I-If you do, then… Then…"

He almost certainly would, too.

Such a plea came too little and far too late, however, as Alice unraveled before him.

Heavy, choked sobs wracked her slight frame. Even with her eyes closed, she could not stop the tears from escaping and running down her face. Her hands abandoned their hold on Shanghai, and instead rushed around Eric. She gripped hard at his back, balling up the material of his yukata in her fists as she shuddered against him.

It hurt. Alice was crying and it hurt. He held her, pulling her as close as possible.

"It's not fair…" she unceremoniously blubbered into his shoulder.

This. On top of everything else, this is what tipped him over the edge.

His eyes swam with tears as he buried his face into her hair, threatening to ruin all of the work that he'd done earlier. He shook, though not as violently as Alice, as he wept with her. With one arm he held her tight, and with the other he began to rub small circles along her back.

…

It was its own, special brand of loneliness.

A new, strange place that you didn't understand, bereft of all that you had come to rely upon. Whether you successfully adapted, fit in, and made new connections or not, it didn't really matter.

You would always lack that which you left behind.

…

Some time had passed, and though they still sobbed, it was not as deeply as before.

"I'm sorry, Alice. I-I'm sorry that I couldn't have been there…" Eric muttered into her hair. "I'm here now. I'm here… You're here. We're here. I…" He swallowed hard, his throat burning. "I'll always be here, for as long as you'll have me."

All at once, Alice released her hold on his back and instead clutched at his shoulders, lightly pushing him away. Surprised by the sudden change, Eric let go of her and pulled himself back.

He caught her eyes with his. They were watery. Vulnerable. "What's wron-"

Suddenly, she crashed her lips against his own. It was a quick, deep kiss, one that tasted of salt and desperation.

Eric hardly had the time to even realize that she was kissing him.

Just as swiftly as it had begun, the kiss ended, leaving Eric stunned, confused, and… strangely unfulfilled. Despite everything, he… found himself wanting more.

Not that Alice, in the moment, had really given him a chance for more. As soon as she had pulled away, she once again snaked her arms around his body. The fringe of her hair tickled at his ear as she leaned into him. Her shaky breathing drew across his neck.

"I love you," she whispered. "Please… don't ever leave me. I… I don't want to feel alone again."

…

Her words pierced him like an arrow, striking true through his heart and twisting at his core.

Ohhh… Alice…

She no longer wept, but it was bittersweet, her declaration of love. Strained by the tears she had shed and mired in old anguish.

He… He didn't know what to do. He didn't know what to say. His mouth opened to speak, yet no words would come. What could he say? A simple 'I love you, too.' felt far too bare, but saying nothing would be so much worse.

Eric shifted his back against the couch and pulled Alice into his lap. With one hand on her back, and the other cradling her head, he sought to envelope her with his embrace.

To comfort. To console. And… to straighten his thoughts.

…

She was so light. It was difficult to imagine that the woman in his arms was capable of showing such strength. Of besting others in danmaku through skill and magical prowess. Of single handedly eliminating packs of bloodthirsty beasts. Of shouldering the burden of loneliness with naught but the company of her own creations and the occasional friend.

His Alice was strong. He wanted to support that strength, but he also wanted to help protect what strength alone could not.

…

"Alice…" Ah, he finally found his words again. "I wouldn't ever dream of leaving you. I won't. I can't. You mean too much to me."

He cleared his throat. His next words would be loud and clear. "I love you, too. Don't ever forget that."

~~~~~~Tradition's End~~~~~~

He would be there for her.

She would be there for him.

They would be there for each other.

They would be there.

~~~~~~Author's Notes~~~~~~

Back at it again with another longer chapter! It took a bit of time, with the holiday season being busy and all.

I'm not 100% happy with it, but I couldn't quite figure out what exactly I wanted to do differently. (Maybe another candidate for a refresh in the future?)

We've got some backstory revealed, a lot of character emotions coming through, and some real hurt/comfort content.

With the events of the previous chapter, and the sensitive topic of discussion, it was sort of inevitable that a bit of an emotional episode was on the horizon.

Now, we didn't get to all aspects of their histories, and what we did cover wasn't exactly… Objective? Everything (ex: Where did Alice really come from originally? How did she end up in Gensokyo? Why does she never seem to use her grimoire? What was Eric's life like before and immediately after coming to Gensokyo?) will get covered eventually. This session was more so about the emotional closeness that they are able to share, as well as the gut punch that confronting the past can have.

And… a kiss? Well, it had to happen at some point, and with emotions running high and the two of them clinging to each other like a lifeline, it just so happened to be right now. It wasn't the best kiss, nor was it in the most romantic of circumstances, but it was theirs. And, we will definitely have a better one some day. Preferably when they are in a better headspace to actually enjoy something like that.

Not necessarily the way I had expected the chapter to go, but I really got swept up in what was happening when writing this one. Sometimes, you just gotta go where the scene takes you.

Merry Christmas (and other relevant well wishes) everybody!

Thanks for reading! Comment or review if you want! Have a nice day!

~~~~~~Reviews~~~~~~

fajar867: Thanks for continuing to follow my story! I've been taking more care in order to stay healthy and write at a steady pace.