A/N: Short drabble, fluffy, post-series end.
She's never noticed just how many stars there are in the sky. Of course they've always been there, but back then it was more of like a background detail, much like how the wind always blew or the birds chirping every morning. They were just there, and though she never took them for granted it isn't until now does she really notice them, as if for the first time.
Tokyo isn't the best for seeing them-too many neon lights, but staying aboard the floating fortress A. Logan helped. As well as visiting some less-populated parts of the globe, like Costa Rica or Nicaragua...come to think of it, that was when she first really noticed how many stars there are in the sky.
When they were awkwardly standing together on the hospital roof, she half-expecting a confession of sorts (and well all right, it kind of was now that she thinks about it) while he coolly dismissed the actions of his e-gene, and then it almost wasn't but it turned out just fine anyway...
...Or that time when she was consumed by darkness, her grief and rage magnified a hundred times over by Nobunaga's own ambitions. Her memory is still fuzzy even now, but in a sense perhaps it's for the better, that she doesn't really remember much from that time anyway. The most she'd been given was a detached, informational report of the logistics that had occurred, and the events after. Even when she pressed him afterwards, he just stared at her with sorrowful eyes, shaking his head and begging her to not ask that of him again.
"I'm sorry; I know you're just looking for closure, but...that's not something I want to relive. Ever."
She doesn't really ask anything more after that, either from him or any of the other holders. It's not that she's particularly keen to recall the details, but it's just maddening to know that something happened and yet she can't remember anything more than seeing a cold, starry sky, and his anguished expression as he dealt that blow.
Maybe one day, they'll both come to terms with what happened and the answers will naturally come out. But someday isn't today.
There were stars then too, when he sent her off on that final mission. Cold but beautiful, flying through an inky blackness lit up by what must've been an entire galaxy of stars. It's a bit cheesy, but sometimes she feels like even the heavens were guiding their path, as if a reassurance that they would be all right at the end of it. Though they tried their best, tears fell anyway, especially after she just took that chance, and kissed him for once instead of him always initiating it. Back then, they didn't have a choice but now she wonders if she would still have the courage to let go, to leave his embrace and plunge herself into the unknown?
If you had asked her a year ago that her future would include getting involved with one of the most notorious serial killers and saving the world, she would've laughed, then shake her head and walk away. Her, the military otaku getting involved with anyone? And saving the world? Her specialties are mostly limited to her near-perfect memorization skills (but only for topics that interest her) and maybe putting together plastic models, nothing remotely close to whatever it is superheroes need. But the future path is never predictable and is never set in stone; and that's what she realizes when he puts her down from his arms, and then gets on bended knee before her and suddenly the future becomes a little clearer.
A future that she'll embark on with him, now, after finally returning from the depths of the ocean for over a year. How she was able to stay sane, much less regain her own consciousness is also still a mystery. Asao-san certainly helped; but just like when she lost control of Oda Nobunaga, her memories of her time in the sea is mostly just a scattered collection of feelings and thoughts, more like mental images than true stream-of-consciousness. No doubt it had something to do with Asao-san's AU weapon powers, the extent of which neither she nor Dogoo understands, even to this day. She remembers thinking of the others that she left behind, most of all him...no doubt her feelings helped to carry her through that time, as well. Sometimes she wonders if they don't have some sort of weird psychic or telepathic connection; e-genes are supposedly based on advanced, alien technology, but she strongly feels there's a spiritual aspect as well. How else would they be able to store souls inside their own bodies, not to mention how she was able to call him from his despair, that time when she needed him again?
It's not so cold now, but the stars are still glittering brilliantly in the sky. She nearly sneezes, but catches herself just in time, rubbing her hands along her arms. Hmm, maybe a jacket would have been a good idea...but she's too entranced by the view in her own backyard to go back inside.
Something warm touches her bare shoulder and she turns, and he's standing there with a cup of hot cocoa and a wry grin on his face. How is it that he is always just one step ahead of her, knowing what she needs or wants without even saying anything? She takes it and nods in thanks, the heat a welcome addition to ward off the chill. Soon enough though, the nights will be long and warm again, and the stars won't appear until well after dinner, but for now she can enjoy them without worrying about bedtime.
"...You should've worn a jacket."
"Yes, I know...but I also banked on the fact that you maybe might just be making hot cocoa, so..."
"Hah, and what if I wasn't?"
She shrugs. "Oh well, then I guess I would've just suffered." The cup is nearly knocked from her hands as he embraces her from behind and she protests. "Hey! What if I spilled-you might've been burned!"
"I'll be fine; as long as you're fine, I don't care about anything else," he answers gruffly, burying himself in her hair. "Better?"
"Mmm..." She hums indifferently, trying not to smile. But it is much warmer now for sure, which allows her to take in the night sky without being distracted by the cold. "Man, I feel like there's been more stars since I last saw the sky at night..."
"Who knows; there could be for all we know. In any case, they do make a right pretty sight, don't they?"
"Yeah..." His hand slips over hers and she feels him caressing her ring, and she does the same. Funny how a simple metal ring can symbolize so much...her chest tightens and she clings closer to him, suddenly overcome with a strange melancholy.
"Something wrong?"
"...No, not really. Just...looking at the stars, kinda made me nostalgic, I guess..."
There's no answer from him verbally, but his grip tightens and there's a soft kiss on her cheek. She sighs, sinking back a little and wondering just how exactly her life has ended up like this: a loner, military-otaku nobody to the world's savior and top tactician, now to a peaceful married life.
"...Sio, I'll always love you. So have no fear, all right? I'll be right here."
"A-Ah, y-yeah...love you too." She gulps but a tear falls anyway, which is then wiped up by warm hands. "A-Adam..."
"Hush, Sio. It's all right now."
It's not their first kiss under the stars, but maybe the first one with actual tears and sniffling. And knowing her it, probably won't be the last.
