Summary: Not everything can be summed up with a clap of someone's hands and a tidy bow. These are snippets of days that were private up until now, with a May King, former God of Love, and Counter Guardian all watching how one Master grew in the face of so many things.

Note: This chapter is less of a "chapter" and more of a culmination of scenes I wrote since the last update, following fleeting feelings and emotions I've had in response to the Tokugawa Labyrinth Ooku and GudaGuda 3 events that have been going on in the FGO NA server. Each piece can be found on my Tumblr page, although their renditions here are more refined and edited in my opinion. Not to mention I wanted to add some extra scenes I couldn't do in the original versions from sleepiness at the time. I'll just do my best to put them in timeline order for reading ease.

As a forewarning, panyum's Mastersona, Ayako, is occasionally mentioned in this. Also, spoilers for the implied ending of Part 1, the beginning of Part 2, and overall story elements to the Ooku and GudaGuda 3 events.

As for a song that represents the entirety of this compilation update, I'll recommend Roots of Happiness by Elizabeth Elias, from Gundam Build Fighters Try. As for those people who wanted the individual songs that came with these scenes on Tumblr, I'll just point out the original song names and their sources: (1) Tiny Light by Akari Kito, from Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun, and (2) Shikisai - Shield in the Snow from Fate/Grand Order's Original Soundtrack.

Otherwise, please enjoy.

Extra Day 5: Start of Love

The first time Vy had ever found Robin Hood smoking, it was back before the Lostbelts, before the original Chaldea was lost. When looking back, Vy still wasn't sure if it was before or after the America Singularity had been resolved. Even then, when Goetia was the only threat, it took every single ounce of her energy to hold back the urge to gag. Or run, really. Tobacco smoke wasn't good for the lungs, after all. Still, when she had walked into the room to find him, something must have registered on her face in spite of her attempts to hide it because Robin immediately took the stick away from his mouth once he noticed her, stubbing the lit end against the nearest ashtray. Vy didn't even have a chance to say his True Name before the cigarette was curled up and then left in the tray to fizzle away.

"Y-You didn't have to do that, Archer," Vy said reflexively, trying not to fidget. Did he notice something? "I could've waited for you to finish."

"But that would've meant you would just stand outside the room and inadvertently take in the smoke, Master," Robin Hood said coolly, tellingly waving away the remnants of a smoke cloud with his other hand. "And I've had enough lectures from the other Servants about second-hand smoke."

"But…" Guilt bubbled up almost immediately. "Smoking is something that makes you feel more comfy, doesn't it?"

Doesn't that mean, as a Master, I should try to accommodate your needs—

Even with his hood covering his eyes, it felt like Robin had noticed something she didn't with her question, because he didn't answer immediately. Instead, he sighed a loud, almost tired sigh, and proceeded to walk over.

Vy probably should've expected the hand gently coming over to rest on her hair, considering the other Servants had taken up the community-wide habit of doing the same thing, but she still let out a small "Eep" once he started patting her head. Looking up at him didn't really yield any answers, because his No Face May King concealed all but his hair and the wry smile on his exposed chin. "Don't push yourself, little sparrow." For such a gruff tone, Vy could've sworn there was a hint of gentleness in his voice as his hand continued patting her hair. "A girl like you should live a better life than sacrificing her own needs for a bandit like me."

"Little…sparrow?"

Robin paused at that point, his hand freezing mid-pat before he retracted the arm entirely, hiding it under the No Face May King. "Never mind." His feet flickered out of view. "I'll be—"

Before she could think about her actions, Vy was grabbing the hem of his cloak, tugging it towards herself with a face. It was probably from the mixed bag of emotions rolling through her stomach. "W-Wait!"

Robin stilled, his mouth opening and closing for a moment. Then, he said in a softer voice, "What is it, Master?"

"I… I don't mind the name, if that's what you're worried about." Vy smiled up at him with as much appreciation and joy she could squeeze out of her tired heart. With an additional tug at his cloak, she said in an equally gentle voice, "It sounds really nice, actually."

"Ah," Archer said, and he stared at her in return. Even if Vy couldn't see his eyes through his hood, he seemed to be analyzing her now. "You're… not letting me go," he stated a second later, his head tilting towards the grip Vy was still keeping on his Noble Phantasm. "Do we have to go farming now?"

"N-Not really, no…" Vy felt a bit embarrassed with the admission, but she still went on with a small clench of the Noble Phantasm cloth and an honest, "But I just wanted to be with you, that's all. Smoke or not, farming or not."

Silence reigned again.

"I-Is that a bad thing? Being with you?" Vy flubbed.

Robin then said, in the same soft voice, "Even though you'd be better off cutting your losses now? I am a bandit and a thief, little sparrow. I'm no hero."

You'd be better off without me, his unseen gaze seemed to add.

…Screw that.

"Hero or not, you're big Robin," Vy corrected, tugging at his cloak hard enough for him to stumble, and before she could take it back, she was standing on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his neck. She couldn't tell if she had pushed his hood back from the force — hell, she might've been choking him on accident no thanks to their height difference — but she still persisted in hugging him tight. "My Robin Hood. Bandit or not, thief or not, you're the Robin I summoned. So to me, you're bigger than anyone else."

And I don't mind being your little sparrow, echoed in her heart. Especially after you've been my hero for so long.

Robin still tensed in her hold, a clear shudder pulsing through his shoulders underneath Vy's grip. "…You know that could be taken in a completely different way, right?"

"Don't care," Vy said loudly, squeezing him a little tighter. "I meant what I said."

Robin fell silent again, but if the hesitant hand on her waist was any indication, he was feeling something.

Vy just wanted to hope he was getting a better hand in life than what the dreams had shown her of his time as a lone hero.

If I could do one thing…

Vy shut her eyes and pressed her cheek against the top of Robin's left shoulder through his cloak, smelling smoke and forest wood all at once.

I wish I could've met you before all this so that I could give you something better. So that you wouldn't have died alone. But, if you're okay with this…

Robin's hand patted the small of her back. "Master?"

"…You're a dork, Archer," Vy said finally.

"What brought this on?"

"Nothing. Just lemme hug you."

Vy didn't even have to see Robin's face to know he was rolling his eyes. "Fineeeee."

Robin still bent his knees a bit so that Vy wasn't struggling to reach his height mid-hug. Vy squeezed him a bit more as her way of expressing thanks.

I'll do my best so that you can be happy here.

It was a promise.

It was another day from before the Lostbelts, before the Foreign God had bleached the world. Back then, the scent of melting chocolate wafted through the air as Vy put on her oven mitts. Opening the oven door greeted her with the muffins fully puffed up and all golden to the touch.

"It's done," Vy whispered to herself, taking the muffin pan out to place on a nearby counter. "Now to turn off the oven and clean up the dishes—"

"Or you could go take a nap? You've been standing up straight for…what, 3 hours now?"

In Vy's defense, she couldn't help the startled scream on her part. Hindsight was 20/20, or so they said. "AHHH!"

Still, something in the kitchen rang in the back of her ears because a green-sleeved hand immediately came into her line of vision to wrap around her waist from behind, squeezing her in an attempt to prevent flailing. "Oops," Robin Hood said as a flickering noise echoed in the area. How long was he standing there? Or, better question: when did he come in? "If this is the reaction I'm getting, that means no surprises for the little Master in the future. Duly noted."

"Th-Thankie for the save, Robin," Vy puffed while trying to hold down a pout, tossing her head back in her best attempt to look up at him, "but what's with the 'little'?!"

"You're short," Robin said in lieu of an explanation, and Vy could feel a hand reach up to pat her head. "And cute."

"C-Cute?" That was new.

But as soon as Vy repeated the word, Robin had retracted his hands from her person, raising them up in the air in what looked like surrender. The fact that his face was turned away from her when she turned around on the heels of her boots to look up at him didn't really give any more details. To find that he was pink in the cheeks was a bit confusing, though. Wasn't he a lot more cool-headed than this? "…Don't worry about it," he added after a moment. "But what are you doing here, Master?"

Vy felt a pout forming at the time from the abrupt subject change, but still dropped any curiosity in favor of answering. "Baking."

Robin glanced towards the still cooling muffins before turning back to her with a toss of his head, crossing his arms. "For?"

"The Servants?" Vy said with a raised pointer finger. Even with the smallest fragment of shyness coming into her voice, she finished with a tinier, "You?"

Robin Hood stumbled over himself in that moment, his hood falling off his head with the motion, just as his visible green eye went wide at her. "V-Vy…" he stammered, blinking rapidly at her. "You know us Servants don't need sustenance, right?"

"I know," Vy said petulantly, holding back the urge to stomp her boot against the floor. "But I wanted to bake something for you anyways! You've been a big help with the Singularities and farming!"

Also, you deserve something nice! That thought was left unsaid, though. Too embarrassing.

Robin inhaled a deep breath through his nose, exhaling it in a sigh before he walked back over to press a hand to her head again. His fingers lingered on her hair as he patted it. "…Still, humor me, Master." Robin's voice turned dry, almost sarcastic. "Could a lowly bandit like me get a reason as to why a lovely maiden like you is going so far?"

When looking back, her response was cheesy. Heck, it probably sounded like a love confession. Still, Vy knew, even back then, that she meant her answer.

"Because even if you see yourself as a bandit and a nuisance, I like you, big Robin. I want to stay with you."

The headpatting stopped. Robin's visible eye widened again, and before he could say anything, Vy reached up with both her hands, oven mitts and all, to grab his hand in hers to squeeze. She could already guess, even back then, he was thinking of disappearing again. Not this time.

Don't go and forget yourself again.

"I think as a Master and as a person, I decide who I'd like to be with. And I'd like to be with you, Robin Hood. I like you. So if that means I have to bake muffins just for a man who, by the way, can't see all the good in him, to start seeing things differently, then so be it. I don't mind."

Robin Hood opened his mouth. Nothing came out of it. If anything, the shock alone was visible on his face.

Has no one truly loved this man as a person?

Vy felt herself sigh, just a bit from the sad thought, before opening her mouth too. "Could you bend over a bit?"

"Wha—" Robin blinked at her again, his voice then resurging in volume with a louder, "Huh?"

"Please bend over a little bit, Archer," Vy reiterated. "Please?"

Robin Hood closed his visible eye, using his free hand to rub the back of his neck, before leaning over. Once he was close enough for Vy to feel his breath on her head from some of the height difference being closed, he whispered, "What are you doing, little sparrow?"

"Giving you affection," was all Vy said before she stood on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his neck. "Because everyone deserves it sometimes. You especially."

It hurts to see someone I care about not care about himself.

It hurts knowing I might not be doing enough for you.

But even when in the middle of a hug, Robin Hood didn't respond immediately. He was particularly stiff and almost like a tree when Vy had embraced him, but a hand had still tellingly wrapped around her waist to squeeze back. It didn't take a second for him to reciprocate the hug. Hell, it took only a minute for his hold to solidify like a vine, or maybe even a strong tree branch. Good. He was getting used to this. "…You really are a little sparrow, Master."

"Just yours. No one else's," Vy whispered into his ear. After all, it felt weird hearing the nickname come from any other Servant. Robin was Robin. "So, are you up for taste-testing chocolate-chip muffins?"

"How can I say no to a pretty lady?"

The chocolate that day tasted particularly sweet when they shared a muffin over a pot of tea. Vy still wasn't sure if it was from the chips themselves or that it was the closest she'd get to a prototype Valentine's Day chocolate. But back then, and when looking back through the pictures now, it was still enough. She'd take it.

"No matter what you do, I'll still love you. Flawed, weak, humans like you all are deserving of nothing but my love. Everything you desire, so I shall give. You just need to ask for it."

In spite of Kama saying the words with such a dark smile, with so much malicious intent that contrasted the "love" they were trying to preach, all Vy could say in that moment was a small, "But then who will love you?"

Everyone stopped moving at that point. Vy already knew all the Grailed Servants were staring shocked holes into her back (Robin especially, ack), but she still took a step forward towards Kama and tilted her head. "You keep saying all these things about 'love', but all I see is someone overworking themselves just trying to get 'love,' Kama-san."

The Beast of Pleasure simply stared at Vy, wide-eyed. "Wh… What did you say?"

"You seem like you're overworking yourself," Vy repeated, slowly letting go of Robin Hood's hand to walk closer. Even in the light school uniform that was the Mystic Code that supposedly came from the Far Side of the Moon, Vy felt nothing but a heavy and bitter weight in her chest. "And I know I don't know much about you. All I do know is bits and pieces of your legend Par-san and the others told me. But even I can tell you've been through a lot of things that are too painful to share."

Overworking is something I know on a personal level, anyways. Even if the stakes are different.

"Then… what do you know about me, Vy?" The opponent seemed almost subdued, nearly on the verge of blowing up to the point of attack if the stars in their hair were any indication, but Kama was still staring at Vy and Vy alone. As if Vy had got their attention. "You are just one Master. I could easily end your existence here right now and be done with it!"

"But you're not doing that right now, are you?"

Kama fell silent again.

Vy smiled sadly. "You don't have to answer that. I know, in the end, that you brought all of Chaldea and Aya-san and me here to make a statement. You said that by doing away with us, you could be better than Kiara back in SERAPH. But after we're gone, where will you be?"

"…"

"After you expend all that energy into smiting us and the rest of the world of its love, what's left, Kama-san? What will happen to you?"

"…" Kama merely glared at her, mouth knit into a furious line.

Against all odds, against all the fear still bubbling up in Vy's chest, Vy extended one hand out towards the Beast. "You can do more than this, y'know. You can come back with us, Kama-san. Be a part of Chaldea."

Vy knew by then everyone behind her was protesting. She couldn't hear everything they were saying from the blood pumping through her ears, but she could still make out Mash, Achilles, Arturia, and Robin Hood's voices the most. So many calls of her name. ("Vy!" was what she could hear the most clearly thanks to all the tension in her muscles.) Worry, concern, all of those things were mixed into those calls because, in the end, Kama had still created the Ooku that was threatening everyone. Kama had still endangered Da Vinci, Holmes, Goredolf, and all of what was left of Chaldea with their schemes. Kama, in spite of whatever pain they had gone through, was still facing them as though they were an enemy, and Vy was offering them an open invitation to the place they had destroyed. Still, Vy soldiered on, standing up and facing the so-called "Demon King" with the first lessons Mom and Dad had left in her.

"If your idea of love is just coddling someone until they forget about themselves, then I think there's a lot you can learn back at Chaldea. You don't have to rage at the world around you because you were hurt, Kama-san. You can take time to heal and learn to better yourself." Vy put on her best smile, shrugging her shoulders. "After all, I learned from a young Shielder, an old King, a former Hero, and a so-called bandit that love isn't just a one-way street. The love I learned was one that treasures both sides — that reminds people that they're worth whatever 'burden' they think they are on others. Who says you can't experience the same things?"

Kama stared at Vy for what felt like an eternity, red eyes wide. "…How can a human like you understand? I am a God. Someone beyond humanity. You—"

"Still unintentionally cursed you, a god who's been hurt, without knowing anything, just like every other human who came before you?"

Kama fell silent again.

"…Yes, I did," Vy admitted, lowering her hand once it became obvious Kama wasn't going to take it just yet. "It's not my proudest moment. But it happened because this Ooku is still a product of people I grew to care about. This Ooku still threatened a place that I grew to love, more than anything." And, no matter what Kama said, it was still wrong in how they had forcibly involved a group that didn't deserve more pain, just to make a message. The Lostbelts were hard enough. Chaldea didn't need another God treating them like toys. "Love isn't about sacrificing everyone else just to get to one person. Love isn't about giving and giving to the point of losing yourself in other people, Kama-san. But, if words can't convince you right now…"

Vy exhaled, clutching her left hand to her chest as she felt her Command Spells pulse with mana. Arturia was already clutching Excalibur as Robin Hood readied his Yew Bow in Kama's direction.

"I guess 'tough love' is the only thing I have left to show you that this path isn't worth it. I'm sorry. Just, please, bear with the pain a little longer, Kama-san. Aya-san and I will do our best to make sure this won't hurt that much."

The Beast of Pleasure threw their head back and roared.

Once the summoning circle had faded, Vy had given her usual bright smile to greet the latest newcomer to Novum Chaldea. Kama, on the other hand, didn't look all that receptive of the gesture, crossing their arms and tapping their heels against the floor of the Summoning Chamber. Even with a kid's figure, they still seemed quite petulant. Or could Robin even say that, after everything that happened in the Ooku Kama created?

"So," Kama said finally with an air of exasperation, "you actually summoned me. Even after all the trouble I caused you and Ayako?"

"You did cause quite a bit of trouble, yes," Vy said mildly, shrugging her shoulders. Robin Hood did his best to not stare holes into the back of Vy's head from the understatement. Still, Vy continued with an equally light, "But if our last fight was any indication, you aren't beyond becoming a better person. And I did offer you a chance to come here before that battle, so I'm just acting on it."

"I am a goddess of love, Vy," Kama spit out through gritted teeth, yet still taking the plate of Embers Vy offered them anyways. "I am beyond the thought process of a mere human."

With the same smile, Vy said in a soft sing-song tone, "But you still answered my call in a human's form, didn't you?"

"…" Kama proceeded to bite into one of the Assassin embers from the plate in their hands with a face.

Vy giggled lightly into one of her hands, rocking herself back and forth on her shoes in the uniform provided by the Far Side of the Moon. "There's a lot of things here that I think you can find interesting, Kama-san. I don't know how it will go for you in the future, and you have every right to duck away if this place is not good for you in the end, but for now, just take this new start as a 'punishment' and atonement for everything in Ooku. Bad things can't be left unaddressed."

"P-Punishment?!" Kama shrieked, now mid-bite of an Assassin Gem.

"To be more specific," Vy took a small step to the side, letting Ereshkigal and Archer EMIYA walk forward instead. "I think some of my Servants know you and want to say something before I can lead you around." Kama's eyes widened once Vy finished with a light but hesitant, "Well, Ere-chan and Shirou were insistent on it."

"More Eresh than me, but—" Archer EMIYA tried to say with a modestly raised hand.

"Indeed we do, little grape!" Ereshkigal puffed her chest out proudly, hands on her hips and ignoring EMIYA's quip, just as EMIYA raised one conflicted-looking eyebrow towards both her and Kama in question. "As a fellow goddess, I can lead you around and help Vy start your new course on love! We're allies now, so we can do that much!"

"Wh-What could you say that I don't know — HEY! Where are we going?!"

"On a Chaldean tour around the Wandering Sea, of course!"

"Why would I—"

"A new path of life has to start somewhere for you, Kama, doesn't it?" EMIYA said quietly, interrupting whatever Kama had to say. "And considering you had us become a part of your Ooku earlier, it's about time we let you become a part of Chaldea."

"…" Kama's red eyes went wide at the Counter Guardian.

"You can't stay lost forever, Kama," EMIYA finished. For a moment, Robin could've sworn the other Archer's eyes flashed yellow over the usual silver. "It's about time someone makes you a map to get back to what love should be. And when you do something bad, someone has to be there to admonish you."

In spite of his other thoughts, Robin Hood stayed silent. He knew if he said anything, it might ruin the atmosphere his little sparrow made. Not to mention, EMIYA's words seemed to have done something, because Robin Hood ended up passively watching as Ereshkigal proceeded to grab Kama's hand and start leading them out of the room, EMIYA following behind the two gods with a shrug of his shoulders. No incident of violence happened, contrary to his gut feelings. The fact that Kama was barely protesting at this point was still strange for him to process.

But there was still one last thing to do. Once the new trio had gone through the sliding doors of the Summoning Chamber to exit into the outside hallway, Robin raised his arms in Vy's direction.

As much as he didn't like how it came about, he nonetheless expected Vy's sudden collapse into his arms. Almost like a switch had been turned off with Kama's absence, she had stumbled and then flopped back against his chest, her straight brown hair looking a bit more frazzled now with the physical contact. It was telling of Vy's physical state with how she sighed and raised one hand to clutch at the front of his tunic. "Th-Thankie for the trust-fall-save, big Robin," Vy said after a moment, exhaling slowly as he lowered her to a sitting position. "I kinda wish the Summoning didn't take that long."

"You and me both, little sparrow," Robin said in a softer voice, buckling down on the urge to do more for the girl resting against him. She's barely conscious now. So why— "But why did you go so far for Kama, anyways?"

You do remember she — no, they — tried to turn me into a giant skeleton, right? Why expend so much effort to bring them here?

Vy giggled again, a bit weaker this time, as she turned her head and nuzzled the crook of space between his shoulder and neck. "…They reminded me of you."

"Huh?"

"Back when you were summoned, big Robin," Vy elaborated with a slow exhale and a tighter grip on his tunic, "you said that you were a coward and a bandit no good Master should ally themselves with. That when the time came and you revealed all your tricks, I should've cut ties with you. But I didn't. Still won't."

Robin raised one arm from Vy's figure to gently rest his palm against the top of her hair. "How does that exactly—"

Vy raised her head from his shoulder to pout. "Just let me finish, please?"

Robin fell silent in response. He couldn't tell if it was out of respect or clamping down on the sudden urge to kiss her.

Vy smiled up at him again, looking softer and kinder in spite of the dark eyebags on her face. "Thankie. But back to what I was saying. When Kama was fighting us, in the end…" Vy shrugged her shoulders, using her other hand to hug Robin's waist and lean further into him. "They reminded me of you. And Mash. Because, when it comes down to it," Vy's hand on her waist drew a small circle through the cloth of his tunic, a small sigh on her lips again, "you all were hurt. You all dealt with things I still struggle with understanding at times. You all expected rejection. So, it felt like if I rejected Kama again just because they had hurt me and everyone else at Chaldea, it felt like I'd be rejecting you and Mash." Vy's legs curled up to rest against Robin's sides as she shrank into his embrace, closing her eyes. "And I love you and Mash too much to ever do that." Vy exhaled shakily, shaking her head. "I-I could never give up on you two. The least I could do—" Especially since I was hurt in the past too, once upon a time, "—was to just give Kama a chance."

More so since I feel like I can't give it to myself.

Robin Hood inwardly wanted to sigh. This little sparrow of his. How selfless could she get?

This is why I—

Instead of voicing his discontent aloud, he let go of his heart, just a bit, to press a warm kiss to Vy's exposed forehead. "…Just don't risk yourself like this again. I can still feel the mana drain from you, little sparrow."

Robin already knew he didn't want to count the number of Saint Quartz Vy spent just to ensure Kama came back with them.

"I'll…" Vy yawned, her eyelids drooping. "I'll do my best…"

Robin pulled off the No Face May King to cover Vy's figure with it, leaving just her head exposed for all to see. "You better."

"Aye…"

Once Vy started gently dozing off against him, though, he let himself sigh, just once. "Don't push yourself, little sparrow. I can't lose you after I've lost everything else to my name."

"YEW BOW!"

Vy watched as Robin Hood's Noble Phantasm went off, incinerating the last Divine Arm of Dawn with plumes of purple smoke. Once the air cleared, she felt herself quietly exhale.

Another farming bit done.

"Battle finished, Senpai," Mash said faithfully, taking her Ortinax goggles off her eyes to rest them on top of her head. The sparkle in her purple eyes was all the more obvious thanks to the action, further accentuating the warm smile on her face. "Embers are all collected."

Vy stretched her arms in the air, standing on her tiptoes while nodding. Standing as a commander of Servants, while doable, still took something in social energy. Even if it was for the experience, it didn't help that wearing an outfit that supposedly came from the Far Side of the Moon felt a bit too exposing. Maybe it was the short skirt and lack of stockings. But then again, Vy couldn't voice it. Too much worry could mean overthinking it to the point of broadcasting to the other Servants. And the last few times that happened were embarrassing enough with Dr. Roman still around. So instead of that, she said, "Aye aye. Thank you for the support, beloved kouhai."

Mash blushed a little at the title, but still nodded with the same warm smile. "I-It's the least I can do, Senpai."

"And I'm always grateful for that, Mash." Vy shot her a smile back once she felt that telling crack in her spine, rocking her head back and forth. To the other Servants, she took a breath before opening her mouth, forcing energy into her voice as she said, "Good job, everyone!"

Robin Hood, the MVP of the quest this time, shot Vy a wry grin in return, saluting her with one pointer finger. "Thanks~. Getting to fight on the front lines is at least easier now," he quipped. "But give me a break sometimes, Master."

"Oh, shushie, big Robin, you have more energy than me and I'm the workaholic." Once his green eye was boring holes into her forehead, though, Vy amended it with a more kind, less sardonic, "If it helps, I'll give you a chocolate chip muffin later?"

The May King merely grinned. Before he could say anything, though, Ishtar let out a haughty laugh, hovering over Robin's head with Maana as she put a hand to her chin. "How delightfully droll, green Archer! All this work for a muffin! Nonsense! As the Goddess of Love, I could certainly help you with whatever thoughts you have lingering in your mind instead—"

"Sorry, little lady. Compared to my little sparrow's gifts, that offer is going to get a hard pass. Plus, you're not my type."

Ishtar wilted as soon as she bloomed, Maana descending to near ground level as a result. Nearby, Vy could hear Mash laugh sheepishly, adjusting her hold on her shield as the last member of their party made themselves known with a soft sigh at Vy's other side.

The back of a gloved hand brushed Vy's free one, the one that didn't have the Command Spells, and Vy tried not to flinch away at the new sensation. Sure, the being known as Okita Souji Alter was still someone Vy was trying to grasp in emotional understanding. Even when being close to Final Ascension, there was something about Okita's eyes lingering on Vy's form the entire time they went about farming for the Embers Okita needed that was a little… different from the other Servants in Chaldea's roster. And yes, Okita wasn't the first Alter Vy had ever contracted with. Saber Alter had that honor bagged. It didn't make the constant surveillance any less… strange to think about, really.

But Okita had still answered her call when Vy wasn't expecting it. More so after her original self and some others didn't. And considering the Lostbelts and what would still come in the future, all Vy could feel herself doing in response to the small touch was reach over and grab Okita's fingers before the Alter Ego could lurch away.

"Majiin-san?"

"Wh-What is it, Master?" Okita Alter said after a second of consideration, her pale yellow — almost silver, really, when looking up close — eyes automatically locking onto Vy as she tilted her head downwards. They were close enough to where Vy could see her own image reflected in Okita's darkened irises. "Is there something wrong?"

"N-No no, nothing really." Vy glanced down at their entangled hands, feeling the thoughts rush through her at that moment. "I just…"

Calloused. Signs of bruises. How long had she been—

Before me, where had she—

Okita Alter's hands reminded her of Archer EMIYA's.

To Vy, Okita Alter's touch felt like Shirou's.

A wind passed between them. Vy wasn't sure if it was from the simulator or her brain making up the sensation.

"…Vy?" Okita whispered.

Anxiety was bubbling up in her throat, but Vy still raised her head and looked up at the taller Alter Ego with what she hoped was a genuine smile. She couldn't help but tug and squeeze the Servant's fingers a bit tighter as she said in a softer voice, "Are you having fun working with us, Okii-san?"

Okita Alter blinked once. Twice. Thrice. Then many times over, as if gears were turning in her head before her eyes widened to the size of plates. "Okii…san?"

"You're the only Okita I ever got to know," Vy said with a shy laugh, doing her best to ignore the eyes of the other Servants while speaking her mind. "And you are really tall and pretty. So, Okii-san. And, I know you're not at full power yet, but, let me try again…" Vy gulped, finishing with a softer, "Are you happy right now?"

Am I helping you enough like how I did with Shirou, Mash, Marie, Art-san, and big Robin?

Okita Alter stared at Vy for a while. The attention was enough to make Vy tempted to run, to want to let go of Okita's hand and hide her face away, but something inside of her was forcing her to stay still.

Silvery-yellow eyes reflected Vy's image for what felt like a long time before they closed, a soft sigh on Okita's lips.

"Okii-san? Um. Sh-Should I have not gone with that name? Should we go farm a bit more instead? O-Or should I go cook some oden when we—"

Instead of a verbal answer, Okita's long sword had disappeared into visible sparkles, and before Vy knew it, hands were reaching under her elbows, winding around her waist and—

"W-Wah!"

Despite being lifted up in the air and feeling very much like a teddy bear as a result (what was it with Servants either headpatting or hugging her like this?), Vy couldn't miss the warm solemn smile on Okita's face. "O-Okii-san?"

"…My anchor, my lord, my Master," Okita said in slow, gentle succession, her hold on Vy's figure almost considerate as she slowly brought her arms in to let Vy rest her hands on Okita's shoulders. "Why worry about that?" A nose gently brushed hers, sparking a sudden giggle from Vy's lips at the ticklish feeling as Okita smiled again. "Believe me, my shooting star." A shaky breath brushed Vy's cheeks as one of Okita's hands rested on the back of Vy's head, barely missing her ponytail and almost cradling her as their foreheads touched. Something sang through their Master-Servant mental connection.

"Okii-san—?"

"I honestly wish this kind of happiness could go on forever."

…Oh.

It was telling that none of the other Servants were saying anything.

Vy still raised her hands to wrap them around Okita's neck, pushing Okita's forehead back with a bit of force. Not enough to cause pain, but enough for a reminder. "We can just make more, Okii-san," Vy whispered, closing her eyes. "Even when this happiness goes away, we can still make more. Whether it's through memories or spending time together, happiness can happen. As long as we're alive together, here and now, we can do it."

Once Vy opened her eyes, Okita was already in the process of putting her back down to Earth, that same solemn smile on her face. "Of course, Master."

It felt like another promise Vy knew she had to keep.

"Emiya-kun! We need dinner!"

"Sheesh, even when possessed by a goddess, you're still so rude…"

Vy watched from afar as the other Servants slowly filed into the Novum Chaldea Dining Hall for dinner, her back against one of the hallway walls as her mental battery sputtered. It was already hard enough keeping her eyes open to watch her comrades come back home to eat dinner.

Maybe I should take a break from Ember Gathering for a while—

A soft whish of the air was all the signal she had before the scent of wood and smoke graced her nose. Coincidentally, a gloved hand rested on top of her head as a part of something green shaded half of her vision.

"…Robin?"

"You could go join them," Archer said softly. "You don't have to stay here, Vy."

"…Later." Vy tried to hold back a yawn. When it became obvious Robin Hood was staring holes into her head, though, she quietly amended the situation with a tiny, "When I have more energy, big Robin. Kinda operating on a low social battery at the moment."

Plus Okii-san apparently hugs harder than most people, it seems.

The hand on her head patted her hair almost immediately. "Fine fine."

You should let yourself rest more before you try to take care of others, Master, echoed in her head. Vy felt herself sigh.

Even when Robin Hood didn't voice it aloud, he was still someone that deserved his Knight Class, huh? Looking after someone like her…

"Just, um. Big Robin?"

The headpatting stopped for a second. "What is it, little sparrow?"

As much as her heart was protesting at the selfishness of her brain, Vy still found herself admitting, "…Could I just stay with you for a bit? Don't wanna move for a while…"

Silence. Then, Robin Hood said in the most deadpan voice possible, "That sounds like you need a nap more than anything, Vy."

Vy tried not to grumble, ducking her head from the sudden bit of frustration at being called out. Was she that predictable by now? Even then, she tried not to fidget once Robin's other hand reached up to her ponytail, undoing her hair tie to let all the long locks flow freely. "I know, I know… I love you too, Robin, just, less sarcastic quips, more hugs…"

Not really hungry for food right now… I just…

Robin Hood paused, long enough for Vy to feel something in the air shift between them, before the hand on top of her head tugged her one way, enough for Vy's shoes to scuff the sides of the wall. In spite of the force, all Vy could do was blearily blink as soon as a faint kiss was pressed to her forehead.

Huh? "Robin…?"

"You selfless Master," Robin Hood muttered against the crown of her hair, arms winding around her waist to pull her to his chest. "Rest more for our sakes too, won't you? Killing yourself won't help anyone."

"I-I'm not killing myself when it's helping all of you find better things in life…" Still, Vy slumped against him.

I wanted to help you. I want to keep staying with you.

Robin Hood sighed. Another kiss pressed against Vy's head, this time more noticeable to the point of her heart skipping a beat, before the No Face May King covered her shoulders. "Silly Master. Life is more than just giving things up for 'the better.'"

What will happen to us and that 'better' if you're not around to see it?

As much as Vy wanted to, she couldn't answer. Sleep was beckoning, even if she didn't want it to come just yet. The last thing she remembered before the peaceful darkness enveloped her consciousness was something gently brushing her lips. Vy wasn't sure if it was from Robin tracing her mouth with his fingers or, hell, if it was from him kissing her before she fell. For all she knew, the sensation may as well have been the beginning of a dream.

It should have been a simple walk back to Vy's room to drop her off for some well-needed sleep. Robin didn't want to see Kama waiting near Vy's door. After all, how could he forget how the new Servant nearly turned him into a giant skeleton back in the Ooku, once upon a time?

Still, despite losing some clothing from taking their second Ascension, the former Goddess of Love seemed almost… subdued in their teenager form as they turned one red eye towards Robin, an eyebrow raised the entire time. "Ah," they said in lieu of a greeting, glancing at the slumbering Master in Robin's arms before meeting Robin's gaze with a blank face. "You're taking care of her?"

Robin put on his best unamused face in response, lifting his little sparrow up a bit more in his arms to keep her close. "Someone has to."

If Vy is left alone again…

Robin tried not to think about the wreckage of the first Chaldea.

"I see," Kama said in the same quiet voice, turning their gaze back to Vy again. Robin wasn't sure if they noticed his thought process or not. Still, Vy, the oblivious girl she was, kept dozing against Robin's shoulder, her breathing steady against his neck as she was left unaware of Kama's presence. "Then tell me something, bowman."

Robin withheld the urge to sigh, instead biting out sarcastically, "What is it, oh great Goddess?"

"What…" Kama inhaled shakily, almost contrasting the image of the Beast that Vy and Ayako had fought before in that mess of an Ooku, before crossing their arms over their chest and turning their head away. "What makes you think Vy is worth the effort to love?"

If she could find so much love, even in the remnants of a place like this, could I—?

Robin ended up actually sighing over Vy's head. Vy, thank goodness, didn't even do so much as stir, shifting in his cloak instead as she pressed her cheek against his shoulder. "Believe me, Assassin," he said after a moment, taking the time to memorize his little sparrow's sleeping face before stepping past Kama's figure to open the door to Vy's room. "I'm still finding out why every day. I think you'll find out soon, too. You're one of her Servants now. So, start studying."

All I know is that I can't leave her. Not again.

Kama's stare bore holes into his back the entire time the door closed behind him. Once Robin let himself exhale, he opened his eyes to find the newest Alter Ego to Chaldea sitting in a chair near Vy's bed, a pointer finger playing with the straps on the handle of her long sword. Even if she was new, Okita Alter didn't even flinch once Robin met her eyes, instead blinking at him before smiling.

Robin felt himself relax. At least with this Alter, he knew Vy was safe.

With how Vy had reacted when Okita was summoned, Robin Hood knew this new Servant would never kill without a reason. And Okita Alter would never kill Vy. That alone was a relief.

"Master fell asleep?" Okita said softly, slowly getting up from her seat.

"Like a baby," Robin answered, pressing the lock button behind him with the back of his elbow before walking forward. Okita's sword seemed to be left forgotten as the Alter Ego raised her hands up in the air, and with a roll of his eyes, Robin took her up on her unsaid offer and gently dropped Vy into Okita's arms. Okita's smile widened once Vy was sleepily resting her head against her shoulder, breathing not even disturbed as Okita adjusted her arms to better hold Vy up. "She was working really hard to help you, it looks like."

Okita's eyes lingered on the No Face May King still covering Vy's figure for just a second. Then, she said in a softer voice, "…You love the shooting star just as much as I do, don't you?"

Robin Hood smiled.

"Not 'just as much,' Okita. The little sparrow is worth a lot to me." With a shaky exhaled breath, he found himself admitting with a wry grin, "Her smile means more to me than anything else in the world."

Even if it went against everything that might've made up "Robin Hood", Robin knew it still was his truth.