Ash chuckled as he left his seat. The group of four had spent the night reminiscing and catching up. Telling stories from both sides of their adventure after being split apart. Ash excused himself making his way for the door. The cold fall air hit his face as the door swung open. He took out a small pouch of what looked like tobacco and started rolling up the herb in a bleached paper.

The door swung open shortly after gaining Ash's attention as he licked the rolling paper. "I thought I told you to quit that shit its bad for you." Lara's angry voice echoed through the vacant streets of Querth.

"Yea I know but it relaxes me nothing wrong with indulging yourself a little as long as you don't overdo it." ASh gave a small smile that made Lara pause. " Whatever let me take a hit." She demanded in her captain's voice.

"You sure about that cap? Its got a little kick to it I added some mellow grass to settle my nerves." Lara didn't hesitate to take a long drag before coughing harshly making Ash chuckle.

"I told you." Was all he said before taking the cigarette back and taking a few drags himself as stared out into the empty street. He didn't know what time it was but judging from the uninhabited city it was late. "Yea Yea what you doing out here anyway? Once you left those two love birds went into there own little world whispering and giggling like little kids." Her voice sounding a little annoyed that she was being ignored.

"Just needed a second to myself. Still feel like I'm dreaming a little bit if you know what I mean." He slapped himself playfully on the cheek making Lara smile. " You know what they say, don't look a gift horse in the mouth." Lara was just as much in shock as he was this was crazy for everybody involved.

"I know your right." He exhaled deeply rubbing his hand through his hair. Lara looked on not sure what to say she just wanted to comfort him but of course like anything other than fighting and leading she was terrible at it.

Emotions where never her strong suit not that she didn't have them. In fact, it was quite the opposite she worried about everyone in her company and cared for them all like family. Ash especially when she bought his freedom he was close to a broken man. He had lost everything his home, his family, his self-worth. She admits it sounds cheesy but watching him pull himself out of that black hole he was in was admirable and maybe even made her feel something she would rather not admit to anyone not even herself.

"Did you mean what you said?" Lara asked barely above a whisper as she looked out into the night sky to nervous to look his way.

"Said about what? I've said a lot tonight?" Ash said back with a smirk while Lara was a tinge of pink as she resolved to ask her question.

"Dammit, Ash you know what I'm talking about did mean the part about me saving you from your despair." She covered her mouth after realizing how much emotion came out with her words. Ash gave a smile that melted her concern.

Without missing a beat Ash answered her question. "Of course why would I lie about something like that..." Things were quiet between the two as they stared at each other not sure what to say next.

"I know I never talk about myself or how I'm feeling. Let's just chalk it up to being emotionally damaged... what I'm trying to say is it got pretty dark for me after you paid my bail. Sure I joined you and the company and did my best to be useful but I won't lie for the first few months there wasn't a day that went by that I didn't want to give up to give in to despair. There were plenty of days when I would sneak off into the woods and stare over the cliffs thinking all it would take is one step to be with my family again to see my sister and mother. I know its stupid but the pain was like a black hole it just consumed everything. Waking up and feeling like there was no reason for you to be there that no matter what I did I was still lost and helpless the cliff looked more and more enticing if I'm being honest." Lara was speechless she had no idea what to say at that moment tears were threatening to break free from her eyes as she watched him bare his soul to her. His face was as somber as she had ever seen it. Tears of his own building up quickly before he squeezed them shut cutting off there escape. He gave a large sigh as he continued.

"At first, the only thing holding me back was my father and leaving him alone. God, how miserable and terrible would I have to be to do that to him. I honestly don't know how he was able to do it alone in that castle. I half expected to find out he ended it himself one day." Lara gasped at that and she almost moved to hug him but stopped herself not sure if that was the right move or not. Her trepidation gave Ash time to recover from that dark though.

"Sorry, I'm getting off track again where was I? Oh right then Hutch clawed his way through and we became friends somehow. I'm still not sure how he weaseled his way into that but I'm grateful he let me know life didn't have to be as heavy as I made it. He lightened the load if only a little." He stopped talking for a moment before looking over to Lara his face relaxed with a small smirk as his piercing eyes looked into hers. "Then you brought me into the fold. At first, I could tell you where pitying me trying to get me to break from the outskirts and be apart of our dysfunctional family." He said with a chuckle, but Lara had an annoyed and serious look.

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"I never pitied you dumbass I was just giving you the push you needed to quit your wallowing. I won't pretend to know what it feels like to lose everything you know and be uplifted from your home to a foreign land, But I did know you had more fight in you that you weren't done with this world yet you had more to offer. I just pulled it out of you gave you a purpose people to protect. I gave you.." Before she could continue she was cut off by Ash. "Love?" He said with a questioning look in his but a small smile poking through.

"What are you talking about... Love?" Lara was caught off guard by him something that seemed to happen more and more. " It was just a joke you don't have to get so flustered." Ash played it off casually but that only infuriated Lara. " Dumbass!!" She yelled as she aimed her fist at his face taking her swing. Ash acted quickly grabbing her wrist and yanking her into him before he pushed her up against the wall. Lara went to counter by using her free hand to jab him in the stomach but once again Ash was ready grabbing wrist once again and pinning her further against the wall. "Don't act like I didn't notice Lara all the time we've spent together, every time you talked to me off the metaphorical and literal cliff even though you didn't know it back then, every time you came to me for advice and confided your fears and deepest worries and secrets how could I not think about you. Want to be near you, to touch you, to stand up and punch every guy that tried to hit on you in that filth-ridden bar you insist on going too after every mission."

Once again Lara was lost for words as she was pinned to the wall having nowhere to escape she could only look into Ash's eyes feeling his genuine words pierce her made her almost shiver. "Why all this now after all this time you tell me this when your about to leave for who knows how long. Why even tell me this you expect me to just reciprocate just like that. Do you think this is some kind of fairy tale you confess your true feelings and I jump into your arms like some dumb bimbo, God you're such a dumbass." Lara spat back making Ash chuckle.

"Yea I guess I was being a little optimistic you're too hard-headed for it be that easy. But I meant every word and I already said I'm not leaving. I just have to figure out what's going on with my little sister. I'm certain she won't want me hanging around her and her fiance for long they have there own life to live like I have mine and I belong here with you and my new family." He said with no hesitation.

" God you're so maddening I just wanna stab you sometimes!!" Lara huffed as Ash loosened his grip around her and let her free and moved to give her some space. "Yea but you would miss me."

Lara was trying to play it cool but she was pretty sure her heart was about to explode out of her chest if she didn't calm down. Her mind was definitely rattled after his unexpected confession. The mood had chilled significantly as they created space between them. Lara did her best to bring the conversation back though she was far from good at expressing herself. "Dammit, Ash you know I'm not good at this feeling shit...But I do know I've been happier since you showed up. I know that I felt alone before you and now I don't. I know that I would miss you if you left." Lara scrunched up her nose as she tried to think of what to say next. "You look cute when you're thinking that hard," Ash interjected making Lara actually full-on blush. Ash mentally congratulated himself for getting her that worked up it was hard to do trust him he's tried. "Look I'm not expecting some big change in our relationship or something along those lines. I just wanted to tell you how I feel and quit hiding my feelings for you. I can wait as long as it takes for you to give me your answer I've got plenty of time for the person I ... " Ash froze up as he was about to finish his sentence Lara looked like a fish out of the water her eyes widening at what she thought was coming.

"Nevermind we should get back inside before they come looking for us." Ash went to head inside but was stopped by Lara." No! Not nevermind finish your sentence Dumbass!" His eye twitched at being called a dumbass for the hundredth time today. "Are you sure? Once I say it there's no going back at least for me there isn't." Lara just nodded her heart beating so hard she could barely hear him.

ASh let out a heavy sigh as he steeled himself for the most nerve-wracking thing to ever leave his lips. "I was going to say..." He stopped for a moment and saw Lara hanging on his every word. He calmed his nerves and started again. " I was going to say I have no problem waiting for the women I love." Ash started to feel heavyweight of relief wash off him but embarrassment quickly taking its place. He looked away not sure what her reaction was going to be. "You don't have to say anything I know its a lot, to be honest, I'm confused myself I've never felt like this before its a little frightening to be honest I just wanted things to stay the same it was easier that way but I don't regre..." Before he could finish he was speared in the stomach by Lara wrapping him in a hug and knocking them onto the ground.

"Quit with the monologuing dumbass you always overthink everything." He was about to yell at her for nearly breaking his rib but he felt his shoulder neck getting wet and he realized Lara was crying. He went into a full-on panic not sure what to say or do.

"Are you ok? Did I do something wrong? Don't cry ok." He did his best to comfort her but Lara quickly pulled away revealing a smile bigger than he had ever seen come from the battle maiden. "I'm Just a little overwhelmed I thought i could handle it but you just had to say that didn't you. You never make anything easy." Lara laughed as she scooted closer to Ash the two of them sitting on the hard wooden porch of the Tavern. She leaned in till they were only inches apart.

"I love you too dumbass.. Now kiss me." She demanded as she pushed into taking the first kiss for herself. Yuuta and Ria took this moment to open the tavern door and catch the two in the act.

Ria almost yelped in joy and shock while Yuuta was just happy for his future brother in law."Let's give them some privacy we can make fun of them later." Yuuta whispered and Ria nodded giggling happily as they went back into the bar.