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Chapter 20: Convalescence

Day 24 (Thursday - April 9th)

Lucinance Residence

Carefully closing the door behind him, a tired breath escapes the boy.

Somehow, despite the numerous events that crossed his path, he'd made it back to his sanctuary. Albeit it very much past his expected return time. Giving a glance at the time on his phone, he can only sigh as the day flashes through his mind before simmering. To end the day off with a soccer match was something he hadn't seen coming.

Looking over at the kitchen, he finds signs of it having been used. Peering upward, he slowly makes his way upstairs. With every step, the sound of humming in tandem with music becomes more distinguishable.

Reaching the top, her door lies open. Leaning against it, he takes in the girl hard at work adding accessories to the well-made outfit.

He knew this conversation would come. He had an idea of how to guide it but as for the ramifications of his action bearing ill fruit was yet to be seen. His emotions were once again tired. However, he couldn't put this off. He's done that long enough. Most importantly, it wasn't fair to You.

Gently, he taps against the wood. Head whirling, her sudden surprise quickly shifts to happiness as she bolts towards him.

"Relon!" She exclaims taking a hold examining his slightly dirty form.

"That's my name." He chuckles softly.

It took her a moment to process the way he'd said that. He'd already been through a rough morning.

Relinquishing her hold on his arms, she eases herself. Just like that, her sudden emotions over him made her act without thinking.

"Sorry about that. You're tired no doubt given what all you've been doing so-"

"Nah, I'm… better now." He manages out gaining her worried gaze. "Than earlier that's for sure."

Tenderly smiling, eyes averting from his, she nods returning to making adjustments.

"I'm relieved. I was worried."

As his eyes lingered on her, he realized something.

In pushing her away, on top of not notifying her he'd be tending to other matters, he likely only made her own worry over him increase. With no form of update on his condition throughout the day, he could tell just how much the action alone pained her. It didn't help that his once neat clothes no longer were such.

Now that he was here, he had to wonder if she is even aware of this perplexing bond they've reached? From occasional wholesome moments to… what occurred last night, it feels like they've come a long way despite him barely being in Japan for a few weeks. Even if she wasn't thinking this, he still-

Erk.

Wincing from the soft pounding of his cranium, he refocuses forward. Thinking too much plus the soccer match certainly made it hard to think so hard.

Still. Even if she wasn't aware, he was. And that was just another reason for him to ease the aching heart he cares so much for.

"You." With hesitation, she meekly peers back revealing a teary eye.

There it was again. That twinge of pain in his chest over hurting her. How many times would he do this before the year was over? Likely too many to count. He was honestly certain there would be times where he wouldn't be able to fix his mistakes but not this one. He'd at least be able to mend that rift he placed between them. Or fail trying.

"Can I ask you something?"

Perking at his question, a muffled hum comes as she turns fully to face him. Wiping the accumulated droplets away at the corner of her eyes, he offers a wry smile. Moving past to take a seat on her bed, their eyes meet.

"A lot's happened since we separated. For me personally. I…" He takes a steady breath. "I'm… not ready to go over the details. Personally, I wish I could forget it all. Being with… him has never been easy as opposed to here with mom. So… I'm asking a lot but please be patient with me. I don't know if I'll be able to talk about it before my year here is over but… I'll try not to be too much trouble for you, Mom, and Miguel."

All he could do was speak his honest thoughts and bow. A solution he's done numerous time already and still struggled to do when it came to his own faults. He didn't deserve her kindness or her love, much less the blessing of having You Watanabe in his life. She didn't deserve to have feelings for a troublemaker like him. Some guy whose emotions ran wild and would push all he cared about away until he could think with some sort of sensibility.

"Silly, you're all dirty." She chuckles picking at the specs of dirt still on him.

"Huh? But, that's not-"

"If you're going to say that it's not important, then I'm going to rebut that everything about you is important. Not just to Miguel or Aunty Lucy but me as well." As tender as her words were, she still couldn't reel back the slight tint of pink adorning her cheeks.

There it was once more. Like Miguel and his mother had mentioned, their once moments of friendship had evolved into something more. That tightness in his chest that made his heart skip a beat was like a drug that's secret ingredient was You. A concoction he was becoming more and more addicted to.

"H-Hey…" He mumbles for a chuckle to escape the girl. "I think you got most of it…"

"Nope. Hold still, I'm not done yet. Consider this your punishment for making me worry."

From his pants to his shirt and jacket, her careful hands begin to work at his head. From inspecting small tufts of his scruffy hair, her hands fall into a rhythmic pattern like that of a masseuse.

Hearing her giggling, he relents accepting his "punishment."

"I don't see how this is supposed to make me feel more bad than I already do." He mumbles.

"Who knows. Don't question my logic." She shrugs with another giggle.

Perhaps tackling topics in a simpler way was sometimes needed. No need for such sophisticated chatter. Just talking through sheer emotions could be understood between them. At least, starting any conversation could work that way.

"I don't deserve you."

Such simple words spoken with the highest respect his weary form could offer was enough to halt her actions. Knowing the ramifications of saying such, his red eyes lift to meet her own blue.

"That's not true."

"I figured you'd say that." He softly smiles which in turn makes her small pout vanish. Placing a hand upon his chest, her gaze remains as his eyes close.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm just now listening to how my chest is when we're like this. It's… something I want to feel more of."

Eyes opening slightly in response, they soften. Pointing at his lap, his head tilts as he awkwardly moves his arm aside. In doing so, his eyes take in the girl momentarily turn her back to him before seating herself atop his lap.

Without awaiting his reaction, she leans her head on his before exuding a comfortable hum.

"This is nice." She voices just above an audible whisper.

Even as his hand held firm like a joint to a structure, he couldn't deny the urge to simply hold her. Not to claim but rather to accept.

More so it always has been whenever they were together. She was like a beacon lighting the path before him from one adventure to another as though he was a lost soul unable to know where to go. His indecisiveness his his biggest crutch. Whenever it mattered most, at times dire and crucial alike, he couldn't decide. This wasn't like soccer. His choices could risk a loss but it would stop there. In his personal life, one wrong mistake could lead him down a thorny path full of regret.

Do I? Should I say? What do I do? How do I go about saying-

"Relon."

A voice long since familiar permeated the silent air. His erratic breathing, mind frantic, came to a halt. Still as stone, his eyes looked to her unflinching as her hand takes hold of his with a gentle grasp.

"You don't have to keep it all in," she smiles that small tender smile offered countless times. "You said so yourself, didn't you?"

"Huh?"

"Strangers, acquaintances, friends, good friends; now we've passed a point where being just best friends doesn't seem enough." Slowly, she lifts their hands before them, intertwining her fingers with his. "It's like you said. 'Partners' has a nice ring to it."

"Partners?" A single nod comes as her response.

"Yup." Hopping off his lap, she reaches for the outfit departing out of the room and into his. Moments later, he hears her angelic voice. "I ended up finding more fabric so I managed to finish the costume I'm wearing. I felt bad about sending you off when I found it but…" Her words linger as she re-enters the room. "I wanted to make sure you were the first to see this."

Before him lies not just You Watanabe, his childhood friend. In front of him stood You Watanabe, the girl that would revive their city and bring back life into the country.

"Jumping Heart," she says, doing a single twirl. "That's the name of the song that will awaken the people of Numazu."

Filled with unfathomable awe, his lips curve up.

"Once again, I'm the one left speechless. At your abilities, conviction, kindness, beauty; all of it. You even took off your glasses to match the outfit."

Blushing at the compliment, she messes with her hair unable to hold back her smiling self.

"No. I'm nothing compared to you."

"That's not true and you know it. We're the leaders of our eventual history-changing revolution. If one of us is awesome, then the other has to be. Otherwise our chemistry is out of balance."

"Speechless, huh," she giggles. "Quite a way with words you have, good sir."

"Why, I only speak from thy heart, milady." He kindly offers.

Hearing her giggles brought a familiar warmth to his heart. The previous ache that relentlessly pummeled away at his soul was now being cleansed by the same catalyst for his aforementioned problema.

"Is that so? Then care to delve upon what you meant by our 'chemistry?'" She inquires cheekily.

Freezing at the comment, his previous thoughts over the looming topic return. Unconsciously, his expression shifty from a jovial softness to a downtrodden wariness.

Immediately, she regrets her mistake.

"Sorry! You're still recovering. I shouldn't have brought that up…"

Feeling a twinge of pain against his head, he ignores it.

"You're fine, You," he offers, gaining her attention.

"Are you sure? You're not just saying that, are you? I'll worry if you are."

Smiling at her constant kindness, he allows a breath to escape as the pain steadily subside.

"I know. Our chemistry is really something..."

"What do you mean?"

"Go change first, silly. You're not going to wear that all night, are you?"

Mock pouting on instinct, she relents.

"Okay."

Following as he watches her vanish into the restroom, his eyes linger before he heads into his own room. Discarding his jacket, his hands pause at the hem of his shirt. Eyes cutting to the long mirror, his eyes turn away quickly grabbing a fresh shirt and shorts.

Wordlessly, he allows his tainted inner self to surface. Glancing to the mirror once more, he watches as before his very eyes, they go dull. With a simple blink, the color returns.

"Not yet…" He decides.

The notion, much less the concept of a "superior" being, was an idea he did not lean towards. Not in the slightest. Despite that, he swore to not use it and ended up doing that. By becoming romantically active, his nightmare manifested that ability and screwed with him. He again switched it on through the mere mention of his father…

Too much already for one night. His mind needs to recuperate. Anymore and he'd likely have a repeat of today. Unable to talk, too weak to move, and in dire need of human touch.

"Ugh."

The simple fact he had to accept such an option as an antidote to his own issues was odd as it was somewhat embarrassing. Only those within his tight-nit circle knew and he'd keep it that way.

"You okay?"

Looking back to be greeted by You, he gives an absent nod.

"Just thinking as per usual. Something I shall stop doing because the amount I've done today is the furthest from healthy," he manages a chuckle as he crawls onto his bed.

"Are you sure about that?" She tilts her head in concern.

"Yup," he nods, removing his tucked sheet to casually sit against the wall, this going noticed by You. "I'm not thinking. I'm just going to speak my mind and gesture my wants."

"What exactly do you want?"

Wasting no time, his arched legs spread as he reaches his arms out passively towards her. Eye's widening at his flushed visage, she staggers.

"... Say it," she musters out.

"You." Her heart skips a beat. "I want you." The heavy resistance inside exploded. Any tension evaporated as his stiff arms fell only for a familiar force to collide embracing his own form.

It was but only a moment of shock before it quickly transitioned to acceptance. More than that, however, was relief. Relief in being able to hold the one dear to his heart. Relief in You still accepting him. Relief in the human touch he wanted to experience the most, the one likely able to heal him the most efficient, was still within reach.

Within that single second of their physical contact, he held her. Close. Secure. An experience caused by his own issues made such an experience pure agony.

"I'm sorry." He whispers nuzzling the side of her face. "Really, I am."

"Mm, I told you, don't be." She moves back lifting his face to meet her relaxed expression. "Just… try not to leave me out of the loop, 'kay?"

"I'll try. No guarantees." Chuckling in unison, their melancholic atmosphere became peaceful once more. "Sometimes I just need time to myself."

"Haha, be prepared then. I'll come after you eventually if you don't shape up soon."

That cheeky grin. How he admired the energy that exuded from such a face.

"Deal." Accepting his answer, her cerulean eyes scan over the blanket. Wordlessly, she shoots up and backpedals off the bed towards the light switch.

He was about to reassure her his condition was fine for the most part. Yet, he didn't say anything. Rather he simply accepted her own actions.

With a flick of the switch, the light in the room went black as the moon's luminescence outlined all within. Reaching out for his pillows, he places one behind his head as she approaches.

"We haven't done this since we were kids," He notes as she crawls towards him to put her back to him as she scoots until her back is against his chest. Swinging the sheet with dramatic fashion, it sways in ruffles until it covers the both of them. "A sleepover."

"Given our 'chemistry,' I figured something like this is fine. Right?"

Unlike before, the tone was laced with trepidation while retaining its humor and honesty.

"Yeah. It doesn't help that Aniki keeps pestering me about asking you out. Not to mention Mom flat out calling you her future daughter-in-law, the only young woman she's approved of taking care of me."

He wasn't jabbing a joke at her but the slight blush he could barely make out told she heard and acknowledged.

"Auntie Lucy is too much." She sighs.

"You're telling me. Least you haven't had to deal with her constant abuse every other year," he jokes.

"Haha, you love her though."

"Yeah, who wouldn't love that hyperactive workaholic?"

Once more, the childish sounds of laughter filled the air. No longer did any evidence of worry or strain remain. Simply the ambient void filled with care.

Feeling her form move, he then takes in the sensation of her hands take ahold of his. Guiding them to her waist, she rests her hands atop his leaning back and resting in the crook of his neck.

"If Auntie Lucy sees this, much less manages to take a picture…" You voices, half excited and half worried.

"After today, I'll just accept her blackmail and worry about what I'll have to do for her to get rid of it later."

"Haha, we'd be lucky if she ended up staying late for work, huh?"

"Luck and I in the same sentence? That's rare."

"Rare but not impossible." She quietly notes with a smirk.

"Ah. If that ain't the truth, I don't know what is." He muses.

No response came immediately. That common lull of silence they've grown so used to began to set in signaling the end of their conversation and the approach to sleep. At least, that is his initial thought.

"Relon."

"Hm?"

Feeling her head shift, he opens his eyes for a soft touch to place itself upon his cheek. It wasn't a quick kiss, rather a prolonged show of affection. No hints at further advancement of any kind. Only the expression of what she felt in that moment.

Carefully, she pulls back returning to her comfortable position. The subtle squeeze of her hands upon his being the key to stirring him from his quiet though stunned self.

"No matter what, I'm sticking by your side. That's my vow."

No response was needed. He recognized that. Those words meant what only they could understand. Her own perspective, the thing Miguel had opened his mind about, had unveiled its answer.

Unconsciously, his grasp around her tightened ever so little. The simple understanding of what she said along with the tremendous weight held behind such words seemingly knocked his fortified inner self off balance.

Feeling the still comfort of her crush quiver in that moment, all she had to do was lean deeper into his touch nuzzling at his exposed skin. Whatever hurdles he's overcome in the span of their separation didn't matter. What mattered in this moment moving forward was her presence once again in his life.

Being "official" didn't matter. Both knew and understood their feelings for the other. Because of this, their knowledge of the other allowed for this unique partnership to manifest. A limbo between the closest of friends and lovers excluding the negative terminologies like "friends with benefits." Of course, there were obvious risks.

She would not lean towards any male. Relon is the only one she has eyes on. Simple as that. The issue lied in Relon. Specifically his apparent "luck" in meeting numerous girls. She wouldn't have to worry about Hanamaru until much later down the line should she shift her view of Relon from a brotherly figure to something more. Riko and Chika however… may be a different story. She had competition and she wasn't planning to lose.

Such ideas didn't need to be delved upon at this particular moment. She experienced her first intimate moment with the one she wished for it to happen with. She wouldn't press any further unless both were in a comfortable situation.

Releasing a breath of relief, she gives a subtle squeeze of his hands which he quietly returns. That alone put a smile on her face.

"I wish moments like these would last forever…"

"You and me both."

"We'll have to do this a lot after we save Japan."

"That sentence along says magnitude worth for what we have in store. But I know we can do it."

"We're a team after all."

Shifting to meet his face, a grin full of confidence is all she gives.

"The ultimate. No one can stop us when we're together."

"And that's a fact." He solidifies.

Watching her escape their hold to place both her glasses and their phone on the shelf, she quickly returns pulling his arms to hold her.

"Good night, Relon." She smiles, laying her head against him.

"Good night, You."

Day 25 (Friday - April 10th)

In the soft glow of dawn, Relon stirs from sleep, his eyelids fluttering open to the gentle light filtering through the curtains. As he adjusts to wakefulness, he finds himself greeted by the familiar sight of his childhood friend resting peacefully beside him. With a soft smile playing at the corners of his lips, Relon's heart fills with warmth at the sight of You's serene expression, her features bathed in the soft hues of the morning light. Memories of last night flood his mind, weaving a tapestry of understanding and their friendship that binds them together.

As Relon watches You sleep, as noted by gentle breathing that escaping, he feels a surge of gratitude for her presence in his life - a constant source of comfort and companionship amidst the chaos of the world around them. In her, he finds solace and understanding, a kindred spirit who knows him better than anyone else.

"I truly don't deserve you..." He breathes out laying his lips carefully atop her hair as to not wake the girl.

Gently, Relon reaches out to brush a stray lock of hair from You's forehead, his touch light as a feather against her skin. He marvels at the delicate curve of her features, the rise and fall of her chest with each peaceful breath, and he is overcome with a sense of wonder at the depth of their connection.

Partners.

That term was one difficult to describe to anyone but them. Only they and possibly Miguel and his mother would be able to understand without having to put much effort into it via explanation. They weren't together. Not completely at least nor could they exactly claim it as an official status. He was still very much single but last night...

"No matter what, I'm sticking by your side. That's my vow."

Like Miguel and his mom had mentioned, they were borderline together and the way they acted could not turn back the clock to when they first reunited. Then again, there was nothing that he wanted more than to stay at this moment. Even if it would make future interactions rocky, he wouldn't discard the evolved level of friendship they've gained. Regardless of emotions, the mere bond that he shared with her was to be cherished. So much that he'd risk his life protecting until the end of the very universe they live in.

"Mmm..."

Eyes peering down to watch her shuffle slightly, You's groggy blue eyes steadily open to meet his red. Not saying anything, the smile she greets him with and vice versa says a thousand words.

Shifting her body to hug him, his arms instinctively wrap around to reciprocate the affection. Nuzzling his chest, her face lifts once more to him. Tilting his head donning a soft smile, she lifts her head closer to his. Remaining still, her nose nuzzles against his. Simply remaining as they are, he feels a hand play with his fingers. Childishly, he fights against it earning a soft chortle.

Placing his palm against hers, he moves his out to the side to which she copies said movements. Now she is the one to quizzically tilt her head before another hand not belonging to her lightly pushes her off and onto her side plopping her head against a pillow. Blinking to see his amused expression, he moves off the wall stretching out his back for a loud crack to sound.

"Ahh~, that felt good." He sighs tossing the pillow he used against his back to the empty space You's pillow occupies before he too flops.

"Ah, you spoke first." She points with a kind smile. "That means I win."

"Says who?" He chuckles. "Oh wait, no one ever did." He teases back.

"The eyes and gestures we show and do tell a thousand words." She terribly quotes which makes Relon snort stifling back his fit of further laughter.

"Yeah. Whatever you say."

Puffing out her cheek in a mock pout, she quickly discards it. Easing himself, e opens his eyes to take in the gesture by the girl. Arms out in a hugging gesture, cheeks slightly pink, his own quick matches her as he hesitates.

"Are... you sure?"

"Mhm. Whether I want to cuddle or you do, it doesn't matter."

"You... have a point." He admits unmoving.

"Relon~, do you not wanna cuddle?"

"You're not being fair, you know." He deadpans.

"You can say no~." She smiles not making eye contact.

"You know I don't wanna."

"Hm hmm hmmm~." She hums still averting her line of sight from his though her present smile and the slightly bobbing of her head tells all that needs to be said.

"No thanks." He shrugs sitting back up with an uncaring expression.

"Eh? Huuuh?!" She sounds rising up. "But, you usually are open to cuddling!"

"Meh, I got plenty last night."

"Are... you sure?' She inwardly pokes her fingers together casting a saddened look.

"Yeah. You cheered me up so I'm good now."

"O-Oh, well... I guess that's what matters..." She mumbles turning her back to him about to get up.

"Gotcha."

"Huh?"

"Tickle attack!"

Before she can react, ten moving fingers assault her sides causing her to scream out.

"HAHAHA, Relon!"

"Can't hear you~." He now hums relentless. "In case you didn't know, I am now an avid supporter of cuddles. It is a cure that heals many remedies and I shall almost never say no to such an opportunity."

"HAHAHAH, OKAY, OKAY! I GIVE, I GIVE! RELOOOOOOOOOOOON!"

"I don't know~. I'm not hearing the magic words~."

"PLEEEAASSEE, AHAHAHA!"

Pausing for the girl to stumble over gasping for breath, he can only watch.

In doing so of the heaving girl recover, his eyes trail to the faint show of her lower back. Lips curving, he places a single finger. Immediately, her body goes still.

"R-Relon?"

"Please wasn't the answer." He answers curtly before with the slight lifting of her shirt, his hands touch her bare sides.

"RELOOOOOON!" She instinctively cry out for nothing to happen. "Huh?"

Awkwardly, he drags her from being on all fours to holding her side with his hands holding her bare stomach.

"Holding you like this... is also something I've come to like..." he mumbles.

Eyes widening, despite her beating heart, she smiles.

"Your no fair." She says relaxing into his touch. "But then again, so can I."

"What are you-" Voice hitching, he feels her rear press slightly against his pelvis. "I'm sorry." He immediately says with regret.

"Mhm." She hums in a knowing tone. "I don't think you are. You know, I'm not wearing anything under my shirt. And your hands are dangerously close to my chest." Immediately, his body stiffens catching the coy smirk. "Just kidding. Or am I?"

Carefully pulling his one free hand, her own quickly intercepts placing it back on her toned stomach.

"Teasing aside, I... admit I do like when you touch my skin. Just when we're alone, okay?"

Yesterday and today were very different. He completely knew that and he wouldn't let that deter him from what he wanted to do.

Looking at the relaxed girl once again situate herself, he gives a few pokes drawing her attention.

"Hm?"

Resting his forehead on the back of her head, he slowly descends to the base of her neck planting his lips. Hearing a breath from the girl exude, he doesn't stop. Simply holding his place, he feels her head shift allowing more access. Re-planting his lips, her free hand arches back and up to lightly hold him by the back of his scruffy hair.

Lifting with quiet pop, he settles back down. Rolling over freeing his hands momentarily, she smiles that tender smile extending her hands to which he accepts inviting himself into her embrace. Resting her chin atop his head, they lay there.

In this quiet moment of quietness, as the world outside begins to stir with the promise of a new day, they found themselves enveloped in a cocoon of serenity and companionship. Buried feelings excavated could not be hidden away so easily. During moments like these, simply acts of affection were possible. Anything was possible in their lives. As they basks in the warmth of the other's presence, they know that no matter what challenges may lie ahead, they will face them together.

A/N: AND WE'VE HIT THE BIG 100K! Ah, damn. That's three fics I've gotten to this point and like two, this story is officially going on break/hiatus with random updates whenever I feel as I focus on my other works. Thank you all for reading up to this point and do give my other stuff a read in case there are other animes you like! See you all whenever that is!

P.S. - I'll go back and add more Blue Lock for previous chapters at some point.