It’s been a month since my leg was broken. After the first week I was allowed to walk again but Ruby wouldn’t have it and I spent a half week off my feet still. It took some time to train myself to walk again without stumbling forward and being a burden. During that time Ruby never left my side, which made me happy that I spend more time with her than normal.

I was at the smithy place in camp hammering away on some iron for Ruby’s weapon. Since the two of us forgot our own weapons back home we spent most of the time building a new set and to make things go a bit quicker we both worked on each of them together. I stopped hammering to wipe away some sweat that was gathering on my forehead as I looked at the curved blade. It was a good sized blade as I turned it over to work on the bevel on the other side.

“Need to make sticky notes… keep forgetting our weapons… maybe some string.” I muttered to myself as I worked. It was frustrating having been constantly reminded of our lack of weaponry and it didn't make us feel better when we knew that it was us to blame for our forgetfulness. I picked the blade up with some large tongues and put it into the forge so it could get heated. As I did I looked up to see a group of three people coming by wearing hazmat suits. The stood in the center of town before a few others came by with hoses to spray them down. Whatever was on them was a bright purple residue of something most likely hazardous.

I watched them do this until I had to pull the blade out. The glowing hot blade was moved to the anvil to be beveled some more. The ringing of the hammer hitting the blade filled the air as I worked.

“And that's it!” Said one of the men with a hose as he closed his off. He nodded off to someone at his side, another person in a hazmat suit holding an odd device. The person walked up to the three before hovering the device over one of them before doing the same with the others. When that was done the person holding the device gave everyone a thumbs up before walking away and taking their helmet off, revealing it to be Lana.

“You three a cleared.” She said to the three. Immediately one of the three people sagged their shoulders and groaned loudly.

“You have no idea how long we've wanted to take these things off!” They or rather, he said with an exasperated tone. The man was quick to take off his foggy mask, revealing the familiar face of an older Edward. “Finally, clean air.” He said before taking an exaggerated deep breath. The other two hazmat wearing people took off their masks and revealed that it was the twins, Heaven and Nevaeh. They looked a little older as well, like if they were in their thirties. Seeing the three of them again puts a smile on my face as I worked on the scythe blade. I put the blade back into the forge to reheat as I looked back at the other three. When one of the twins looked over at me I gave her a wave and a smile. She blinked a few times, processing the fact that I'm there before smiling and telling her sister. Soon enough both were quick to change out of their hazard suits and into some leather clothing before making their way to me, leaving Edward to himself as he drank water straight from the pump.

“Hey you two.” I greeted them as they got close.

“It's so great to see you.” Nevaeh said with a bright smile. Her sister was no different.

“We didn't know you'd be here if we did we'd be back sooner.” Heaven said before she looked down at the blade I hammered over and over again. “What's the occasion?” She asked, most likely referring to me being here in the Ark.

“Oh, you know. My Aunt got a feeling that Lana is in need of help and we traveled over.” I explained as I looked at the blade. “Also the bad habit of forgetting our weapons…” I mumbled the last part as I looked back at the other two. “Also I’ve been here for close to a month already, spent most of it in a bed though.”

“Well it's news to us, we've been out for nearly a month in a half mostly lost in an irradiated cavern.” Nevaeh said as she crossed her arms with a slight frown.

“Because you read the map upside down…” Heaven muttered but it was not low enough and was swatted in the back of her head by her sister's hand.

“That's your guy's fault for leaving me in charge of navigation!” Nevaeh yelled angrily at her sister. The latter chuckled sheepishly at this as she rubbed the back of her head. “So…” Nevaeh said now a little less angry as she looked back at me. “Is it just you this time or have you brought some friends?” She asked.

“I came with my friends, a few more than last time.” I said to Nevaeh before frowning. “Two of them were… add-ons at the last second.”

“Oh?” Heaven said intrigued with what I said. As if she sensed it, I saw Qo come up behind them.

“Hello!” Qo greeted them, making the twins jump. Spooked by the sudden appearance, the twins simply watched as Qo ran up behind me, staying a fair distance away having been told of the dangers working the smithy.

“Is that…” Nevaeh said only for her sister to speak up to finish her sentence alongside her. “Qo?” They both asked in surprise. I simply smiled at the two.

“Yes, that’s Qo.” I answered them as I ruffled Qo’s hair a bit, making her giggle a bit.

“She's definitely grown an inch or two.” Heaven said, looking down at Qo before Nevaeh spoke up.

“She's still so adorable~” Nevaeh cooed at the sight of Qo. Qo smiled at what Nevaeh said.

“I am adorable.” Qo said, earning a laugh from me.

“Yes Qo, you are.” I said while rolling my eyes. The twins laughed at this right as Ruby came in. She long discarded her normal clothes after getting them really dirty and had now begun to wear leather clothing like everyone else except she made hers different, with no sleeves on either arms and her leggings cut shorter. It was definitely an eye catcher though people knew not to mess with her.

“Hey viri, oh hey Nevaeh and Heaven.” Ruby greeted the two. Ruby for once wasn't quick enough to react and was squished between the two in a group hug.

“It's so great to see you guys again.” They both said simultaneously, they're voices indistinguishable from one another. Soon enough the let her go, giving Ruby the breathing she struggled for.

“You okay?” I asked with an amused look on my face.

“I thought I was going pass out there…” Ruby said while panting. I chuckled before Ruby asked how the blade was coming along.

“Almost done with the forging, just need to heat treat it and do some grinding.” I told her.

“Alright, just get it done soon so we can put it together.” she said before adding. “Also how's your leg?”

“It’s fine Ruby, you don't need to pester me about it.” I said with a sigh. Ruby arched a brow at me and crossed her arms.

“Do I need to get the straps again?” She asked in a serious tone.

“No! Really I’m good!” I said in a panicked tone. Ruby laughed at this before give me a kiss on the cheek.

“Well then, see you soon.” Ruby said as she and Qo went off together. I watched as they left, letting out a happy sigh before being brought back to reality from a question brought up by Nevaeh.

“So are you two still together?” Nevaeh asked only to elbowed by her sister. “Ow, I was just curious!” She exclaimed while rubbing her sore arm.

“Yes, we’re still together.” I answered, arching a brow at her question.

“Don't mind her…” said Heaven with a small frown before looking back at me. “We're actually very happy to hear that but the real question is-”

“Yes.” I said, knowing where she was going with that. Heaven blinked and Nevaeh simply raised a brow at this before I added. “I asked her and she said yes.” I told them. I continued to work on the blade as they stood there in silence, blinking not once not twice but five times before smiles formed on their faces and letting out happy squeals. I chuckled as I put the blade in a tank for tempering. I looked back and saw the two of them smiling at me. “You know… that’s kinda creepy with the two of you smiling at me like that.” They chuckled sheepishly as they back away slightly.

“Sorry, we're just… Ohhh, we're just so happy for you two!” They both said simultaneously, giddy over the fact that I had asked Ruby to marry me. “How can we not be this excited!?” They asked once again in synch. I chuckled some more at their response.

“I can understand that…” I paused with a smile on my face. “Sometimes I don’t believe it’s real though, thinking it’s all a fantasy dream.” They both smiled at this and I remembered what Father had told me the day I asked her. I turned to the two and added. “But it’s not a dream, it’s real. I even have the ring to prove it.” They looked as if they were about to burst from happiness and luckily, they were called to elsewhere, stopping their inevitable burst for now and leaving me to finish up.

After the next few hours I finished up the blade for Ruby. I put it up for later as I walked out of the smithy. I walked off for a bit before seeing some commotion at Lana’s place. Curious I went over to see what’s up. I saw Ed, Rockmond, and the twins in the building as well as Lana, who was sitting in front of some odd looking piece. I knocked on the door way to get their attention.

“Hey, what’s going on?” I asked them. Rockmond was the first to look at me while the others simply talked amongst themselves.

“We found… We found the Overseer or what's left of it…” He said as he stepped aside, allowing me to see a large chunk of what indeed used to be an Overseer. “With what little we know of this place, this was the last thing we needed.” He added with a sigh. I frowned sadly as I looked over at Lana, who looked heartbroken. It was then when there we heard another knock.

“Hey, what’s with everyone here?” Rose asked as Beta floated over her shoulder. “Are we having a party?” This made Rockmond frowned at her as Beta floated into the place.

“Don’t mind her, we’re here because I picked up something here. And- oh hello.” Beta said as he floated over to the piece of the Overseer.

“What’s that?” Rose asked, pointing at the piece. Lana placed a hand on what was no doubt a shattered core, her sadness evident to everyone in the room. Rose saw Lana in a saddened state and frowned. She went over and kneeled down to her. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“This is- was the Overseer of this Ark… to see it in such a state…” Lana said teary-eyed as she kept looking down at the piece. “How could anyone do this…” She said. Rose simply rubbed her back soothingly.

“It’s alright princess, things are still going… I think?” Rose said. Lana simply looked at her as Beta floated around the piece.

“This is fascinating, I can understand why some others call me a mini Overseer, even though I was made by the Traveler and there’s- wait, what’s-” as Beta scanned the piece there was a bolt shot out and hit him,making him fly backwards into the wall then fall down to the floor. We all turned to look at where he landed.

“Beta?!” Rose yelled as she stood up. “You okay?!” There was no answer for the next few moments until Beta flew upwards… and into the ceiling. I noticed that instead of the blue light Beta had it was purple.

“W-w-where am I?!?!” A female voice said as she looked at all of us. “W-Who are you all!? AH! WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BODY!” the voice said as she flew over to the piece that was the Overseer… well, she flew into it. “Ow…” The voice said before falling into Lana’s hands.

“Uh, what?” was all I said as Rose face palmed.

“Oh lords not this again!” she groans as she looked at Beta… I think.

“What’s… wrong with Beta?” I asked Rose. With a frown Rose looked at me.

“That’s not Beta… it’s whatever was inside this piece.” Rose explained as she looked at the Overseer’s piece. “I’m guessing after Beta got too close the being in it transfer over to his shell.” As Rose explained this Lana looked at the purple light Beta in her hands.

“You're alive?” She questioned the entity in Beta’s shell. “That's… How?” She asked, having no words to describe her confusion and relief. Lana quickly shook her head before speaking up. “Nevermind that… what happened to the Ark? Where is your platform?” Lana asked it. The Overseer, I guess, soon floated up a bit before looking around.

“Wow… this is… new…” she said before looking at Lana. “Huh? My Ark? Oh yeah, well…” the being continue looking around and floating a bit, letting out a small giggle as she seemed to be having fun flying.

“Oi.” Rose said, snapping her fingers in front of the Overseer. “My friend asked you a question and you jacked my partner's body, you owe us some answers.” The Overseer stopped only to bump into another wall again before shaking itself.

“I don't know… One moment I was going through my daily routine and the next… there was an explosion and it destabilized my platform, causing it to crash somewhere in the surface…” The Oversee began as she floated over back the table before resting atop it. She emitted sound similar to a sigh and said. “Then these… Pirates scrapped most of my body for parts before the shields fell… Without the platform there could be no atmospheric shield and that's when it happened… the first rays of the actual sun set everything ablaze above… I was left up there before I was once again by a madman that claims himself to be an intellectual man…” Lana gripped the table, causing cracks to form as a result. “He was nothing more than a savage that hungered for power… time went on and on, the state of the Ark deteriorating by the day and he couldn't care less… He even subjected innocent creatures to his experiment with liquid element.” At this point, Lana had snapped a bit of the table off before getting up and walking out through the door, slamming it hard behind her. The Overseer saw this and spoke up. “Jeez, what's her problem?” The Overseer said. No one really answered that, Rockmond, Ed and the twins looked away from the Overseer as Rose grabbed the shell.

“I think the man you were talking about is one that she knows very well.” Rose said to her.

“That's enough for now.” Rockmond said, breaking the silence within the room. “We've heard enough.” He added, looking down at the damage done to the table. He then looked out the door with a look of sympathy before shaking his head. Rose looked where Lana went and started to head that way, right before grabbing the Overseer.

“Hey!” she yelled as Rose dragged her along. Rose didn’t say anything as she walked by me. I looked at the rest of them before speaking.

“I’m… going to go find Lana.” I said before walking out of the house. I saw Rose did the same thing and we both went to look for Lana. We asked if anyone has seen her walk by, most of which were answered with simple no’s and shrugs. I stopped to catch my breath but saw Rose frantically looking around.

“We should… slow down…” I panted as I spoke.

“No, I have a bad feeling about leaving Lana alone.” Rose said firmly. I sighed before the two of us continue looking. Eventually, I grew too exhausted and leaned onto the large metal structure beside me while Rose didn't seem at all tired, or at least if she was she isn't showing it.

“Jeez… what’s… driving you?... You’re… not….even… winded…” I asked her.

“I spent a long time running during my adventures.” Rose said with a smirk. The Overseer floated over her shoulder as she didn’t seem to say anything. I took some breaths before saying.

“Why are you doing this? You two are always at each other throats.” I asked her. Rose simply shrugs.

“She’s my friend, and the friends I have… mostly yell at me for good reason.” Rose answered me, though I could tell there was another reason but I was too exhausted to say anything.

“Your Friends yell at you? That makes no sense.” The Overseer said to Rose.

“Shut it you.” Rose snapped at her as she looked around. When the silence settled between us, my ears twitched at the faint sounds of sobbing. I looked over at the direction it was coming from and looked around the large metallic pillar and saw Lana sitting at the edge, sobbing to herself. I tapped Rose’s shoulder and pointed over where Lana is. She nodded and the two of us headed over to her. Lana continued crying and didn’t seem to notice us until Rose came over and sat down. “Have to say princess, you know a good place to be alone… well not anymore but you get what I mean.” Lana didn't say anything, ignoring Rose’s words as she sobbed quietly. It was hard seeing Lana like this, I've never once seen her cry before. It was heart wrenching really.

Rose sighed a bit and did something I never thought I would see her do; she reached over and pulled Lana over to give her a hug. Lana was surprised at this as well but gladly accepted the hug and a shoulder to cry on. I watched in silence, not knowing what to do or if there was anything I could do. I went over to the other side of Lana and sat down. Rose rubbed Lana’s back as she whispered soothing words to Lana, which again was odd but it seemed to be working. Eventually she stopped crying and was back to sobbing quietly before finally stopping completely, sniffling a bit every now and again. I expected Lana to pull away at any moment but was surprised to see Lana resting her head on Rose’s shoulder.

“So, feel better?” Rose asked Lana. The latter nodded on Rose’s shoulder before sniffling again. “I’m guessing that man the now floating Overseer was Rockwell huh?” She didn't nod, she didn't speak and her breathing ragged before finally.

“...Y-yes.” She spoke with a choked sob. Rose nodded as she pulled Lana closer, giving her another hug.

“From what all I’ve been told of him, he’s a dick.” Rose said bluntly. “If I see him I’m going to show him what No Land Beyond can do to someone's head.”

“I don’t get it, what can no land do to someone?” the Overseer asked. Rose frowned at her before speaking.

“Again, shut it.” Rose said. Lana soon wrapped her arms around Rose, whispering the simple words of thank you over and over again. With each time she said it, she sounded more and more ready to burst into tears again. Rose sighed as she hugged Lana. “If you need to cry some more, go ahead Princess.” As she said that Rose made a painful face as Lana tightened her hug on Rose. Rose simply laughs a bit at this as she simply allowed it to happen.

“You ruined the moment…” Lana said, finally pulling away with a little smile on her lips. Rose simply grins at her.

“Still a worthy moment, besides I like that nickname.” Rose said with a laugh. Lana continues to smile as she punches Roses arm who continue to laugh before rubbing her arm. “...ow.”

The three of us sat there until Lana stood up to leave. Rose and I stood up next to her before I spoke up. “You going to be okay?” Lana nodded slowly but surely.

“Yes, I will.” Lana answered as her lips formed a smile once again. She wiped her cheeks of the dried tears before glancing at Rose and saying. “And thank you, Rose…” This earned the guardian’s full attention before Lana walked up to her before doing the one thing I'd never thought I'd see her do, even less with Rose; Lana gave a simple kiss on Rose’s cheek before pulling back with a smile. “Thank you.” She whispered to Rose. Rose simply blinked at this as a blushed formed on her face.

“Umm, uhh, you’re… umm…” Rose stuttered, not sure what to say. With a chuckle, Lana walked off back to the village but not before thanking us again. It was just me and Rose now though it seemed that Rose’s mind was out there. I had to help Rose back to the village and once she got there she spoke. “She kissed me!” She exclaimed still in shock

“Yes, yes she did.” I said to her. Rose stared at me before looking forward.

“I’m… I’m going to go for a walk… to think…yes…” Rose said before she started to walk off into the village. I shook my head before I headed off to do my own thing. I still have to do the engraving on the Scythe blade for Ruby. I smiled at this as I had the perfect idea for that.

“I don’t know why, but I’m still hung up on this!” I said to Theodore. It was just a few days after dealing with Lana, and after her giving me a kiss on the cheek. For the whole time I couldn't wrap my head around what that meant. Was it simply a thank you or something more… I’m so confused. Theodore sat in front of me, donned in his metallic flak armor leggings and boots with a simply cloth shirt. We were sitting outside on some benches around a table, most likely for picnics or eating out.

“Besides the confusion, how does it make you feel?” He asked me with an arched brow. I blinked at him as I thought about it.

“Well… I’m happy. But that was mostly due to helping Lana out with her moment.” I told him. I opened my mouth to speak but closed it and simply thought on the moment of the kiss. “The kiss… I don’t really know what I felt at the moment, I guess happier?”

“You sound unsure.” Theodore said with a raised brow and a chuckle. “I can't help anyone who's unsure.” He added.

“Of course I’m unsure! This never happened to me before.” I said to him as I thought more about it.

“And what if I were to say that it was simply a way to show her thanks, how would that make you feel?” He asked me, leaning a bit away from the table before he straightened up.

“Well… I would still feel happy that I helped a friend out at a low point but… I don’t know, I just have a feeling that there’s more going on…” I said as I put my head on the table. “Like, I get why she would do it to others since everyone thinks of her as a motherly person, I just… don’t see her like that, I see her as Lana a friendly woman that one can be great friends with and able to rip a reinforced door as if it was nothing. I bet you put her in a middle with other Titans and she’ll fit right in.” I chuckled as I shook my head, rambling on about Lana some more. It wasn't until I let out a happy sigh at the thoughts in my head that I realized what I was doing and blushed brightly. Theodore looked at me and looked as if he was holding back a laugh.

“It sounds to me that you're head over heels for her.” Theodore said after recomposing himself.

“Yeah… I sound like I am.” I said as I thought some more. “I don't know if I could say the same about Lana. Sure she's great but what would she see in me?” Theodore nodded at this and said.

“I see, so you fear rejection… but you are curious… curious to know of Lana’s feelings of you.” He said to me, most likely guessing but I couldn't tell. I simply stared at him and nodded.

“Yes, that. I can get why she wouldn't like me since I drive her up the wall and honestly, who would want to be with a pale blue immortal that fought against twisted shadow monsters and space turtles?” I asked him. Theodore simply shrugged at this before speaking up.

“If you want my advice; You would never know unless you try.” He said to me with a serious tone. “But whether you do or you don't, that is up to you to decide but just know I'm rooting for you.” He said, pulling out a small flag with the word Go Rose! writtenin the flag. I chuckled at this before thinking about it.

“Ah hell, this is going to bug the hell out of me.” I said as I stood up and headed off to find Lana. Theodore waved the flag around and gave me a thumbs up before he was out of view. I walked through the camp until I was at Lanas door. I knock on it and waited for it to open. As I waited I started to fidget and get nervous. I heard footsteps coming from the other side before the door opened, low and behold Lana was there.

Though, not in an outfit, I would’ve ever thought to see her in; she wore some cloth pants and a piece of cloth wrapped around her chest and to put it lightly, well she had the body of a titan. I stared at her wide-eyed before my brain started to work again.

“Is there something you need?” Lana asked with an arched brow.

“Yes… yes umm…” I shifted a bit before adding. “Can we...talk?” She gave it some thought before moving aside while holding the door open for me to walk in.

“Alright, come in.” She said, motioning for me to come in. I walked into the building and heard the door close.

“Well first off, how are you feeling after… you know asshat.” I asked, getting a small chuckle from her. Nearby there was a training dummy, similar to the ones near the smithy only this had a face drawn onto it and several bullet-sized holes littering the sketch. “Never mind, I see you're doing well.”

“I've decided to vent out some frustration, a little pass time I develop a few days ago.” Lana said with a giggle. Hearing her giggle, I couldn't help but blush a bit.

“Well just don't point your gun at me princess, being reformed isn't pleasant.” I said with a grin. This earned me a smile from her as a result.

“Now, what is it you wanted to talk about?” Lana asked me as she crossed her arms.

“Well… it was about that… kiss on the cheek from a few days ago…” I blushed a bit as I scratched my cheek a bit. “Was it just you saying thank you or… what?” She tilted her head at this as if in thought, the silence that followed was unbearable.

“Well… a part of me wants me to say that it was just a way of thanks and leave it that.” She said. I stared at her when she said that, it hurt to hear her say that.

“And… what about the other part?” I asked, wondering what she would say. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before finally saying.

“This.” With that she walked up to me and pulled me close before bringing her lips onto mine, giving a long and passionate kiss. My eyes widen at this before simply kissed her back and I felt like I was on cloud nine. Soon enough we pulled away out of breath and simply stared at one another. “... I love you.” She said a bit out of breath.

“I… have many question about that but…” I leaned in and kissed her again before pulling away. “That...answers them.” We stood there in each others embrace, simply enjoying it. I still couldn't believe this was happening. I put my forehead on hers. “I love you to, princess.” I expected her to attempt to break my back again like she did last time but she simply said.

“You get a free pass… for now.” She said with a smile and laugh. Our finger intertwined with each other's as we stood there.

“So… what do you want to now?” I whispered. She just shrugged at this before saying.

“I'm not sure, I wasn't planning on doing much today.” She said, earning an arched brow from me before she said. “It's my day off.” She said with a chuckle.

“Well… I'm also free.” I told her with a smirk. To put it simply, we've had a relaxing day that we were happy to spend it with one another. I soon find myself lying in large bed with Lana in my arms, simply snuggling in silence.

Author's Notes:

If anyone played the DLC for Destiny 2, something like that... also AWWWW~

Just as a note for you all the next chapter is going to be long~