she watched him for a moment, her smile turning impossibly tender. “you have no idea how precious you are to me . .” she whispered, gently resting her hand over his.

her gaze softened as she looked down at him. “then i’ll make sure you have plenty more moments like this.” she whispered, gently caressing his cheek. “if only i could keep you by my side forever . .”

“mmhm~!” she hummed, her fingertips gently combing through his hair. “i hope it's comfortable enough for you.”

-gently pat her lap- come ~ you can rest right here

“and . . i know. a lot happened between ulquiorra~kun and me.” a small smile returning. “but i think people can change. and i'm really happy we got another chance to know each other.”

“ah, no! of course not!” she quickly shook her head, waving her hands in front of herself. “i didn't mean there's anything wrong with being professional, alma~san!” her expression softened at the mention of their past. ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹

a shy giggle escapes her before she buries her face against his shoulder. “but . . if you’re going to hold me like this whenever i do, i might not mind so much.” the realization of what she’s just said sends another wave of warmth rushing to her cheeks. “a-ah! i mean . . !”

“ulquiorra~kun . . you keep saying such wonderful things.” she tilts her head just enough to glance up at him, her amber eyes still shimmering with tears. “. . how am i supposed to stop crying when you do?” ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹

her cheeks burn as she slowly brings her arms around him, fingertips settling against his back. the gentle movement of his hand through her hair sends an unfamiliar little shiver down her spine. has he any idea what he’s doing to me right now . . ? ₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊

the sudden embrace steals whatever words she might have offered. her heart gives such a tremendous leap that she’s almost certain he must feel it against his own chest. goodness . . he’s so close. ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹

“well . . i think you’ve just made me happier than you could possibly imagine.”

“i’m so happy you’ve found reasons to love being alive. you deserve that happiness, you know.” she places her free hand over his, holding it between both of hers. “and knowing that i’m one of those reasons..” her cheeks grow warmer, another tear escaping as she gazes at him. +

“and . . well, i suppose that means i won’t have to feel so lonely anymore, either.” her smile grows a little more at the thought of having his company, of no longer returning to an empty home quite so often. ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹

a small, embarrassed laugh escapes her as she hurriedly wipes at her cheeks with her free hand, though the tears do little to diminish her radiant smile. “of course i accept you! you don’t even have to ask. i’d be so happy to have you by my side.” her gaze lowering bashfully. +

he wants to be here . . with me. not because anyone told him to, but because it makes him happy . . her eyes begin to glisten, and despite her best efforts, a few tears manage to slip down her rosy cheeks. “ . . you’re going to make me cry again!” ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊

for a moment, she forgets how to breathe. his words settle somewhere deep within her chest, leaving behind a warmth so overwhelming that she can hardly contain it. the gentle touch against her wrist certainly isn’t helping matters! ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹

(she gives his shoulder a tiny, harmless tap, an embarrassed little pout forming on her lips.) "well, maybe i wouldn't make so much noise if a certain someone stopped catching me off guard! ~”