My chapters seem to be pretty serious- and come on, it's Valentine's day! Here's a chapter of cuteness and happiness. Not a lot of developments in this chapter, but still: It's cute. I had to get it out of my system.

Julius fell asleep in Ryuu's arms- so innocent and trusting, it made her heart hurt. He looked at Ryuu like she was the sun itself, and she could also see in those eyes of his that he was afraid she'd leave again. And so she indulged in his every whim, doing anything as long as the sadness stayed at bay.

She marveled at how perfectly he fit in her arms, his head nestled against her shoulder, arms curled around her neck, his soft breathing mechanisms making his chest rise and fall. Once again, Ryuu noted that it was just a cooling system, and that the boy wasn't really alive. Even so, he looked so... fresh, and young. She wondered how long he had been a child.

Ryuu glanced over at the window, even though her internal clock told her it was late morning, approximately 11:17 am. She knew that soon, the rest of the house would awake, and begin to look at her as if she were a ticking time bomb. Julius was the only one who looked at her like she wasn't.

Outside Julius's room, Aitsu planted a kiss on Sam's temple. The girl, still wrapped up in her dream, swatted her away and buried her face into a pillow.

"Uteki sent us a video. She's having a lot of fun- you know how much she wanted to meet her favorite author."

There was a mumble from within the pillow. It sounded like "Mmm.. phmm mer humnah."

Luckily, her audio processors were up and running, and she understood. What she really said was- "That's nice. Any news from your boyfriend?"

Aitsu scowled. "You know you're my one and only."

Samantha looked up from her pillow, dark eyes suddenly alert and awake. A small smile pulled at her lips. "You used to like him, didn't you?"

Aitsu pounced on the girl, straddling her by the hips, holding her down by her wrists. Her long brown ringlets brushed Sam's face.

"Correction- Kamala liked him. And she's on vacation." Aitsu let out a playful growl. Sam looked unconvinced.

"Uh-huh. And that's sad- I'm actually in the mood, now." She pouted.

Aitsu couldn't resist her- especially when she looked at her this way, tears glittering in the corners of her eyes, ready to fall. Gently, she leaned down, her lips brushing against the asian's. Sam's hands slipped from the 'com's grasp, and began to venture up and down the girl's body, taking note of her curves, nimble fingers making Aitsu gasp in delight, and the kiss quickly grew passionate.

But just before they could go any further, Sam saw movement out of the corner of her eyes. Julius was watching, and trying his best to be sneaky, creeping behind the couch. Aitsu then noticed as well.

"Julius, are you filming us?"

A pause. "No."

Samantha shoved Aitsu off of her and jumped up, preceding to chase the boy around, ignoring his joyful shrieks.

"You stupid- delete that video! Delete it, you little monster!" Sam shouted. Aitsu watched the two run around the house, knocking down boxes and lamps. Pure chaos.

Ryuu entered the room, eyes wide, with Oliver close behind.

"Should I intervene?" She asked, concerned. Oliver shook his head, stretching. "Nope. She won't hurt him- if she even manages to catch him, she'll just tickle him until Julius gives in."

Ryuu realized he was being less angry with her, and wondered if the scene of everyone being a family had put him in a better mood. She got her answer when he offered her a sheepish smile, before grabbing a broom and jumping in front of Julius, facing Sam, intending to protect.

"You won't touch him, foul beast!" He yelled. Aitsu grabbed a pillow, and leaped to her lover's side, brandishing her weapon.

"ATTACK!" Aitsu shouted, and chaos reigned supreme. Ryuu stood and watched with a bewildered smile, shaking her head. This was certainly a change of pace from what she was used to- it was pleasant, even.

But it wasn't until Julius grabbed her by the hand that she got involved. Grabbing the closet thing to her, she jumped into battle, holding a mop.

Oliver watched in awe as he realized how lethal she was with a fucking cleaning utensil. She slapped foes aside, dodged incoming blows from pillows, rolled under desks, and finally, threw the mop like a javelin. And then he realized, of course she was. She was programmed to be good at- well, pretty much everything combat related.

"Ryuu, join our side- girls versus boys." Samantha said. Her teammates looked at her questioningly, and she smiled a devious smile, spinning to face Oliver. The man gulped.

She reached out to grab the mop, and raised it like a sword- and charged. The two met with a flurry of blows, so evenly matched that everyone ceased fighting and just sat down to watch.

Ryuu realized that even though she was good, she wasn't getting anywhere. She also noticed that he didn't really attack- merely avoided or blocked.

Ryuu's headband glowed, marking that she had an incoming message.

Use your feminine charms to your advantage, Aitsu said.

"No fair! Are you guys messaging?" Oliver asked, and Julius laughed.

Without another word, Ryuu reached out and caressed his face, soft hands running over the scar across his nose, before sliding down the side of his neck, and ending just above his collarbones. She noticed how he leaned into her touch without thinking, and how he had dropped the broom. Seized with emotion, he grabbed her hand and pulled her to him, until they were nose to nose.

"I win." She whispered, staring into his eyes. He shook his head. Just then, she felt the wooden broom press into her back- Julius had picked it up and had her cornered.

"We win." He stated finally, and the two were interrupted by loud applause from Aitsu and Sam. Remembering their places, they split apart, and Julius grinned.

"No use hiding it now. I have EVERYTHING on film. Yep! I have Aitsu and Sam making out, and I have you and Oliver- well, you didn't kiss her. Dontcha wanna kiss her?"

Awkward silence. Oliver blushed, while Aitsu whistled.

"Why aren't you- fine. Let me show you how it's done." Oliver looked on in confusion as Julius picked up a teddy bear and began to make out with it. Sam deadpanned.

"I feel bad for the teddy bear." Aitsu whispered. Sam giggled. But Ryuu wasn't looking at Julius's display, rather, she was looking at Oliver's strong arms, at his curved smile, the dimple in his chin. And Oliver tore his eyes away from Julius, and gazed at her. He felt a force pulling him in, he was caught adrift in her gravity.

It was Ryuu who pulled away first, eyes drifting down. She knew that he didn't love her, or remotely even liked her. She knew that he loved Kinoshima, and what she represented.

And since she was looking down, she didn't notice the hurt in his eyes.