A/N: So… I was rereading this manga after a couple years and it still succeeds in making me feel things. T.T Anyway, I tweaked some things. Also, for Hyuuga's eye color I will be using the anime version. So, dark blue. I apologize for any mistakes you find. Enjoy and let me know your thoughts in a constructive, polite manner. K, thanks, bye.

DISCLAIMER! I don't own 07 Ghost or anything else you may recognize! Spelling and grammar errors are definitely mine though.

~.~.~.

She gently brushed silver hair away from his pale face. She knew this mission was important, so much that Ayanami-sama himself had gone out too. He, Hyuuga-san, and Konatsu-san had had their roles to play in this mission. She found out it had been successful but at the moment she couldn't say she cared. Right now she was only worried about the injured state Ayanami-sama was in. She shouldn't be, but she was shocked to know he had survived the ordeal and was stable enough to be moved to his own room now.

She took her seat and gently held his hand. Of course, this was only possible because he was unconscious. She was sure she'd be reprimanded otherwise. His hand was cold, as was the rest of him, if she hadn't known why she would have been alarmed.

She had wanted to spend the night watching over him she was so frightened for him, but the doctor had told her she couldn't. He said all Ayanami-sama needed was rest and that his body would do the rest. Of course, being Ayanami-sama she knew that, but it didn't make her worry any less.

The others had occupied themselves with paperwork to avoid thinking of what had happened to their beloved superior, trying for normal days. She didn't have paperwork to do because she wasn't actually part of the Black Hawks, or the military at that. She couldn't occupy herself with that. Those that burdened themselves with paperwork probably took to taking a share of Ayanami-sama's work also so it wouldn't accumulate. At this time though, as it was very late, they were probably in their rooms pretending they were going to sleep even if they all knew they wouldn't be able to.

She thought about Kuroyuri and felt bad for the child. Not only was his precious Ayanami-sama hurt to the point of unconsciousness, but his beloved Haruse was… still out. She decided she would see Kuroyuri tomorrow and spend time with him, hopefully he would talk to her about his worries as he had in the past. She did have a particular fondness for him.

The only other one besides herself that had stayed during this whole ordeal was Hyuuga-san. This time she knew it wasn't just because he didn't want to do paperwork. No, he was truly worried for Ayanami-sama. In fact, he hadn't spoken much when they were alone. If she knew him as well as she thought she did, he was probably feeling guilty for Ayanami-sama's current state. She wished he wouldn't.

"You're still here?" someone said making her jolt. She turned enough to see the door. Ah, speak of the devil.

She smiled slightly before turning back to watch Ayanami-sama. "I'll have to leave soon… but I don't want to," she admitted quietly.

She heard him close the door and walk toward her. "Aya-tan will be fine," he said in his usual tone. Something told her he was trying to reassure himself more than her.

"I know," was all she said to that. She felt his hand on her shoulder and she couldn't help but lean slightly into the feeling. It was comforting to know someone was there.

They stayed silent for the rest of the time, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, he squeezed her shoulder. "We should leave now," was all he said and after a gentle squeeze he let go of her shoulder.

She only nodded and stood. Reluctantly, she let go of Ayanami-sama's hand before she carefully arranged the covers over him. She watched his face a moment. If there was one thing she could privately admit to enjoying a tiny bit, was watching how relaxed his handsome face seemed. She sighed quietly. "Be well, Ayanami-sama," she said before turning and leaving the room together with Hyuuga-san.

He walked her to her room as he sometimes did. "Good night Elley-chan," he said in his customary tone, but when she looked up at his face his smile was small, it almost seemed… strained.

She watched him a moment in silence before she instead did something unusual. She averted her gaze as she took his hand in both of hers and brought it close to her. She could feel how warm he was even through his glove. There was a faint smile on her lips as she closed her eyes and hugged his forearm as best she could while still holding his hand. She bent her head over his hand and gently nuzzled it. "He will be fine," she said quietly wishing she could do something to comfort him. She knew how much Hyuuga-san cared for Ayanami-sama and how this must be affecting him. After a moment she let go and opened her eyes.

She debated whether she should hug him before deciding not to. Physical contact between she and the Black Hawks was scarce with the exception of Kuroyuri. Hyuuga-san was the one she had the most physical contact with and that was sparse, usually a pat on the head or a hand on her shoulder or back. Most of the time it was just him invading her personal space and getting really close to her face. Which usually meant he was sitting down when he did so considering he was about a foot taller than her.

She felt her unusual conduct was warranted considering the unusual circumstances. She hoped she didn't get made fun of for this later. With a silent sigh and avoiding looking up at him she stepped back, turned slightly, and opened the door. "Good night, Hyuuga-san," she said with an inclination of her head before she fully turned to go inside.

She didn't get far.

Before her mind could even process what was going on, she was in her room, being carried by Hyuuga-san whose back was leaning against her closed door. She blinked a few moments before realizing his head was turned toward her. She couldn't make out much in the dark of her room. Even the moonlight wasn't providing enough light to see well.

She opened her mouth to ask him why, as this was something he'd never done before. "Elle," his voice cut her off before she could speak.

It was enough to make her pause. She didn't need to see his face when a single word was enough to make her forget whatever trivial question she was about to ask. His tone had been serious, and he had actually said her name instead of the usual 'Elley-chan'.

He was nearing a breaking point. And it hurt her to know that. It wasn't like the pressure in her chest and drop of her stomach when she had first seen Ayanami-sama after the mission. It wasn't like that. This hurt. This felt, not just like an added weight to the already existing pressure in her chest, but also like a painful lurch in her heart. Because Hyuuga-san wasn't like this, because she didn't want to see Hyuuga-san like this.

She cared for the Black Hawks because they were like her family. She didn't have family left and they had taken her in (curtesy of Hyuuga-san's whining) no matter how grudgingly it had been at first. And so, to see Hyuuga-san like this hurt.

She knew that whatever it was he wanted from her now, she had to give it. If he needed it, she would give it. If he wanted it, she would give it. Whatever it was, because she didn't want to see him like this because of this terrible situation.

"Okay," was the only quiet response she gave. There was a moment of stillness before he moved. He turned on the light and then took them to her bed where he sat and settled her on his lap. Under any other circumstance, she would have blushed bright red; however, she wasn't thinking about that now, only his well-being mattered.

For a long time all he did was watch her. She couldn't see his eyes due to his sunglasses, but she could feel his stare on her face. Her eyes stayed on him too. She didn't know what this meant or what he was thinking, but it didn't matter.

Finally, he raised his free hand, the one not supporting her and gently caressed the side of her face. She simply closed her eyes and leant into the touch, her lips grazing the base of his thumb. He paused and her eyes opened to watch him. She couldn't make much of his expression except for the fact he wasn't smiling.

He placed his hands on her waist and tried to accommodate her more comfortably. Realizing what he was doing she shifted until she was straddling him, her hands on his shoulders for balance. Curiously, she watched as he took off his gloves and placed them on the nightstand. She looked back at him and tilted her head to the side in question, but he offered no explanation.

Slightly frustrated at not being able to read him for lack of eye contact, she reached for his dark glasses but thought better of it and pulled her hand back. "Sorry," she muttered feeling a little embarrassed and looking away.

"What for?" was all he asked.

Her eyes snapped back to his in surprise as she opened her mouth to reply. But… what would she say? 'Sorry for almost taking your sunglasses off' or 'Sorry for almost taking off your security blanket'? Why was she sorry? Or rather, how would she word her apology? Her mouth closed and she stayed silent instead.

"It's okay, if it's you," he added after a moment of awkward silence. She blinked at him not fully sure of what that meant but feeling unexplainably relieved he trusted her that much.

She was much more surprised when he himself took off his sunglasses and set them on the nightstand on top of his gloves.

His eyes were narrow and a dark blue. Sharp. Despite not having big, expressive eyes like Kuroyuri or Konatsu-san, his eyes were easily his most striking facial feature. She wondered why he felt a need to hide them. She watched him a moment in silence taking in all his features. Unconsciously, her eyes reflected his own worry.

She was brought out of her musings when his hands cupped her face. She blinked at him in surprise a couple of times before a faint smile touched her lips and her eyes closed. His touch was soft, gentle. It was comforting and so warm. She felt fingertips and the back of his fingers grazing the contours of her face so softly, so unlike what she would have associated with Hyuuga-san.

His fingers played with a few strands of her hair framing her face before he was back to cupping her face in his hands. She placed a hand on one of his before she turned her head slightly to nuzzle into his hand, lips just barely brushing his palm. She was surprised when she felt her body relaxing.

"Elle," he called quietly. Her eyes blinked open before they focused on him. She didn't speak, only let him know he had her attention. "I couldn't protect him, Elle," he finally said.

She stayed silent to see if he would say more, but he didn't. "You're right," she finally said, and when his eyes snapped to hers she continued with, "It was physically impossible for you to protect him." He blinked at her in surprise a few times before he opened his mouth to reply. "Hyuuga," she interrupted firmly.

He closed his mouth and stayed silent. That was the first time for as long as they've known each other that she had addressed him without an honorific. Her expression turned gentle, a tiny smile playing at the edges of her lips. She brought his hands between hers, pulling them towards her, and held them there. "Ayanami-sama planned a role for each of you on that mission. From where you were, you wouldn't have been able to get to his side on time," she told him. She knew this, he knew this, but it did nothing for his guilt. She knew that, but the faster he came to terms with it, the faster he would be on the path to feeling better.

He was about to argue when she interrupted again. "Would you then have preferred disobeying Ayanami-sama's direct orders and have had an unsuccessful mission?"

He stayed silent. He would sacrifice himself, his own life, for Ayanami. He really would. In the middle of a battle he would disregard any and all orders if it meant he could protect Ayanami. But… this had been a mission, with specific plans, premeditation, arranged positions. Ayanami had insisted on nobody else being with him. Would he have preferred disobeying? Well –

His thoughts were interrupted when he felt her release his hands. When he focused on her she was reaching out for him and suddenly she was cupping his face in her hands as he had done to her. Her thumb gently stroked his cheekbone and he let his eyes close. He would let himself forget for now and just feel her.

His hands settled at her waist even as he felt her smooth, delicate fingers ghosting over his features. There was something comforting about her gentle touch, about being able to feel her touch like this so intimately. The faint brush of lips against his hands had made him feel as if he couldn't leave her, so he hadn't. He was glad for it now as he could feel the soft brush of her fingers over his eyelids, at his brow, tracing the shape of his face. It made him feel… comforted, not alone.

She played with his bangs for a moment before she shifted, and he felt her sweep his bangs to the side before feeling gentle, warm lips press lightly to his forehead. His eyes opened in surprise but instead of pulling back, she only rested her head on his shoulder and hugged him. Her hand began stroking and mindlessly playing with his hair.

It didn't take long for him to close his eyes again. Without meaning to he asked, "Do you hate me, Elley-chan?"

He heard her chuckle quietly. "What a silly question, Hyuuga-san. We wouldn't be like this if I did."

The edges of his lips tilted into a faint smile before he hugged her close to him and he buried his face to her neck. Ah, her scent was nice. It was just…her. "Thank you," he murmured. She did not answer and so they lapsed into a moment of comfortable silence. He held on tighter to her when she tried to pull away. "Stay," was all he said as his forehead rested on her shoulder.

"Yes," she mumbled resuming her position. Neither realized at what point they began a gentle sway.

A long time passed like this in silence. He would have gladly fallen asleep like this, but she probably wouldn't appreciate him doing so. Reluctantly, he loosened his grip and pulled back. He was feeling more like himself. Not completely, but much more than before.

"Ah~, Elley-chan is like medicine," he said with a closed-eyed smile.

She laughed. "Is that how it is?" was all she said to that.

His forehead suddenly pressed gently to hers. The tip of his nose just barely brushing hers. "Yeah, the best medicine. Because normal medicine tastes bad, but Elley-chan is like candy," he explained.

She chuckled and shook her head before she pulled away. "Well, if Hyuuga-san is the one who said it, then I'm really flattered," she told him sincerely. Everyone who knew Hyuuga-san knew he was pretty much addicted to sweets.

She tried to slide off his lap as he seemed better, it was late, and he was probably tired. His grip tightened and her eyes snapped to his in surprise. He was watching her and she wondered what was going through his mind. "You seem to be a little better now," she began tactfully.

"I want to stay with Elley-chan," he said in his customary tone, though his eyes were calculating. She wondered if that was why he wore his dark glasses.

She stared back but her eyes were guarded now. She never quite knew what to expect with Hyuuga-san. He tended to act strange around her. Sometimes he would get so close to her it would make her blush. Sometimes, he just liked to verbally tease her. Most times, when Hyuuga-san wasn't interacting with her he was watching her. She could usually feel his stare. For the most part he just confused her.

Since she'd never been in a situation like this with him or any of the others, she couldn't make sense of it. However, because she didn't know what Hyuuga-san's motivations were, she was on guard. He seemed well enough to attempt a joke now. "It's late though. Besides, we'll see each other tomorrow," she tried to appease him with a little smile.

"I want to wake up next to Elley-chan. I will definitely feel better if I can wake up next to Elley-chan," he countered.

"That's not something a proper gentleman would do," she chastised lightly.

He laughed and she belatedly realized why. "Ah~, does Elley-chan really think I'm a proper gentleman?"

She averted her gaze from his. "Well, I know that you can act the part, I've seen you do it," she admitted. He didn't usually like acting the part, but he could really be the charming gentleman when he had to be. There was always a reason for him to be so.

"You know I don't like it because it's boring. Besides, I don't want to be a gentleman if it means I can wake up next to Elley-chan," he complained.

Despite being on her guard, she wasn't sure why she found their argument less annoying and more amusing. "Well, if you stayed, that could cause rumors when they see you leaving my room. If Hyuuga-san doesn't hate me, surely you wouldn't want people to tell lies about me," she tried another approach.

He was silent for so long she felt obligated to look at him. His eyes had a spark to them that didn't quite sit well with her as they focused intensely on her face. "Hm~, there's no need to be worried about that because I'll take care of whoever says mean lies about Elley-chan," he replied. His carefree, almost playful tone was tinged with something darker as he said that.

She knew exactly what 'take care of' meant. "It could be avoided if you simply went to your own room," she reminded passively.

He shook his head. "That's no good. Or is it that Elley-chan wants to stay in my room?" he asked instead. She frowned slightly and tilted her head to the side. "I don't care where we go as long as I can wake up next to Elley-chan," he elaborated. When she realized what he'd meant her eyes widened a little and she blushed and looked away. He giggled. "Elley-chan is so cute." Which of course, made her blush darker. He only laughed.

Well, things were just getting out of hand. She sighed and made herself look at him. She tried yet another approach. "Why does Hyuuga-san want to wake up next to me?"

"Eh~? Elley-chan should already know why!" he exclaimed. He really did look surprised and confused as to why she didn't know.

This made her pause. Was there something she hadn't paid attention to? Had Hyuuga-san previously told her something and she had overlooked it? She looked at him feeling at a loss. "I'm sorry Hyuuga-san, I really don't know," she told him apologetically.

He sighed almost dramatically. "I thought Elley-chan was more focused," he said and her jaw almost dropped at the statement. He was telling her that!? That was her line! He continued. "I want to wake up next to Elley-chan because Elley-chan is home." He said it so simply, stated it as if this should be the most obvious reason.

She stared at him a moment. "… What…?"

"Haven't I told you so many times?" he asked looking as if he didn't understand why she couldn't get it.

She stayed silent and tried to recall a time when Hyuuga-san had said something like that to her. Wait… he said he'd told her 'so many times', hadn't he? Had he? Had he really? Certainly she would at least remember one time when he'd said it, right?

Then she remembered. One time Hyuuga-san had handed her a candied apple, but then he'd told her that she had to find him right after she finished it. When she asked why, he'd said that he wanted to better understand the phrase 'home sweet home'. Another time he'd asked if she could stay in his room until he came back from a mission. When she had only looked at him confused he had explained that because her scent would be in his room he would know what 'coming home' meant. Even at that time she had thought Hyuuga-san had been too cheesy, though it still succeeded in making her blush. There were other instances too, and he had used the word 'home' in them too.

"But…" she began, her eyes not focused on anything in particular, "you were teasing… me…" she looked up at him with a light frown, "you were joking."

"No, no. I was teasing, not joking. If I had been joking, it would mean I didn't mean any of the things I told Elley-chan," he clarified. When the comment processed in her mind she felt her face burn up. Gah! Hyuuga-san was the only one that could make her lose composure like this. Then again, he was the only one who teased her like this. His laugh brought her out of her thoughts. "Elley-chan is always so cute, but you always look cuter when you blush and when you smile~."

She groaned quietly and let her forehead rest on his shoulder. "Can you please stop?" she asked trying to calm down. He only laughed and held her to him as he stroked her hair and they lapsed into silence.

Once she had calmed down she chuckled. "Home, huh?" was all she said.

He hummed his agreement but didn't say anything right away. Finally, "Since Elley-chan is home, surely I won't have any nightmares if I can stay." His tone had been light as it usually was, but it was quieter.

Ah, now she understood. Hyuuga-san didn't want to be alone, especially after this last mission. She wondered if he had slept these past few days. She didn't know if it was fright or reluctance of being alone, but it made sense. She didn't want to be alone either, it gave her too much time to think. Oh… but he had said 'nightmares', hadn't he? She hadn't had those, not really. Maybe the first night, but for the most part it had been worry that had kept her awake. Worry, not just for Ayanami-sama, but for the rest of the Black Hawks.

She could definitely sympathize with Hyuuga-san. Suddenly, the rumors that she had told Hyuuga-san about didn't matter anymore. The rest of the Black Hawks wouldn't fault them for it, she was sure they could understand. And even if they didn't, they would definitely never imply anything indecent about her. They knew her well enough. The others didn't matter. In any case, Hyuuga-san needed and wanted her company now.

It was okay. It would be okay. She pulled away and watched him a moment. He looked back but didn't say anything. Suddenly she laughed quietly. "I hope that one day I will be able to look at you, and say no," was all she said with a smile.

"But not tonight?" he queried with a grin.

She sighed and shook her head but she kept her smile. "No, not tonight," she responded.

He suddenly stood up while still carrying her. She let out a yelp of surprise. His grin grew. "Uwaa~! Elley-chan really is the best medicine!" he exclaimed while walking toward the door.

"Eh? Hyuuga-san, where are we going?" she asked confused as to why he hadn't put her down.

"We're going to my room. I'm not gonna sleep in my uniform, it's uncomfortable," he answered as he stopped near her door.

"Okay… but why are you taking me with you? I thought we were going to be staying here," she tried.

"We are. First, we're going to my room so I can change. Then we're going to come back here so you can change. Then, we can go to sleep," he explained.

Sometimes she worried about his mental process. "Um… wouldn't it be better if I stayed here so I can change while you go to your room to change before coming back?" she tried.

"Ah? Does Elley-chan want to change first?"

"I'm asking why I have to go with you to your room when we're not going to be staying there?" she clarified.

"Oh, that. I just want Elley-chan with me, but it would be nice if you helped carry my pillow back here. I need to bring my uniform for tomorrow because I won't have time to go back to my room," he said.

She laughed. "You're already planning to be late for work tomorrow?" she asked and he only gave her an unrepentant grin. She sighed. "I should get changed first, it will give you more than enough time to put your gloves and sunglasses back on." She grinned at his look of surprise.

He put her down. "Eh, Elley-chan is also a dangerous medicine if you can make me forget those," was all he said as she went about getting her things. When she was about to walk into her bathroom to change he spoke. "Ne, since this is Elley-chan's room, you can just change here, can't you?"

She gaped at him and felt her face burn. He'd never said anything like that to her before. He laughed at her expression. "Of course not! It's not proper!" she exclaimed scandalized before she went into the bathroom and closing the door.

Later on, when she was about to lay on the bed, Hyuuga-san gave her his pillow. She took it but looked at him in confusion. "I'm taking Elley-chan's pillow, so you can use mine," he explained, taking her pillow and settling down.

She wanted to ask why but figured the answer would be something that would make her blush, so she didn't. Quietly, she only fluffed the pillow and lay down. "Good night Hy-ah! Hyuuga-san!?" she cried in surprise when he pulled her against him.

"What? Elley-chan needs to be here, not all the way over there," he said as he held her and nuzzled the top of her head. "Good night Elley-chan," he said and she could practically feel the grin.

She sighed and patted his hand glad he couldn't see her blush. "Good night Hyuuga-san." He was warm and it really did feel comforting to be like this with Hyuuga-san. She felt herself relax and she settled more comfortably against him. Once she heard his slow, steady breathing, she smiled and was also able to sleep.

=Finis=

A/N: Wow, this ended up being twice as long than I originally wanted AND it didn't even go in the direction I wanted it to. Also, I think I made him OOC. Sheesh.

I love the Black Hawks and I love that the time was taken to give us some background but… the first time around I didn't seem to appreciate them as much as I do now. It's a shame that I came late to the party.

I have this head canon that Hyuuga, while being the most loyal and caring (in his own way) person toward those he cares about, he can actually be really possessive. And I don't mean possessive like when someone is insecure about a person and they try to isolate them. I mean the kind of possessive that can oftentimes be confused with protective. I don't know, it's just me. And you can't even really see that in this fic.