Disclaimer: I own nothing. But I may as well, eh? XD

AN: Well, this is it! The end! It was a good run, but I'm not the kinda person who makes series like Inuyasha or Naruto and KEEPS. GOING. ON. AND. ON. (Not that I'm saying there's anything wrong with those series!) So, here it be--the end. And, of course, "thank yous" are in order at the end of the chapter for all the nice people who kept me afloat. C:

And so... onward!

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XXV: Futari Ga Mujaki Ni Waratteta Ano Koro Ni Modoreru Nara…

Time has a way of making a man either the most softened of creatures, of the hardest of animals.

The first time around, Kimbley had been the latter.

The wind whipping across his face reminded him of all the times, in his first life, when the military trucks would drive them to their destinations—how the sand ripping up from the ground would fly into the open areas of the truck and sting his face.

Now that he had had time to think it all over, he recalled a lot of things.

And though he wasn't a man who regretted things, he knew that, deep down, he wasn't proud of all the things he had done.

He had stood over Zach's mother's coffin, and looked in at her pale face. And though she was lovely, with her red lips and beautifully shaded eyelids, he knew he shouldn't have felt anything.

Anything at all.

She could have just been another victim of his hatred, but that wasn't so.

Somehow, he had found himself feeling… sad, in a way that he hadn't known when he was the Crimson Alchemist.

For the first time, he knew he was human.

He was a softened creature now.

He was free from his nihilism, free of his hatred.

In a way, he knew he would always miss the feel of slick blood covering his hands, of power and destruction.

…But now, he imagined he had better things to do.

"Slow down," Kimbley shouted over the rushing wind, tapping Greed on the shoulder.

The former-Homunculus stopped the motorcycle (which Kimbley knew that the man just loved) on the side of the road, and turned off the engine.

Removing his helmet and fixing his helmet-hair, Greed flicked his eyes over his shoulder and shortly said, "What?"

Kimbley rolled his eyes, removing his own helmet and handling his sweat-slick hair.

"Nothing."

Greed sighed, "Don't be such a pissy-face."

And Kimbley couldn't help but laugh. No matter how long he spent time on this side of The Gate, he didn't think he would ever get used to hearing Greed use this dimension's slang.

It was just so… odd.

"I just wanted you to slow down, was all," Kimbley replied to his companion, who had placed his helmet on one of the handles of the motorcycle and was leaning in with a small smile. "And no, we're not doing it on the side of the road."

Greed pretended to be offended, "Oh, but don't you want to be kinky?"

Kimbley only smiled softly in reply.

There came a small pause, then, "Say it now."

"Huh?"

Kimbley looked up to Greed, who looked as though he was expecting something from him.

Of course, even in their time together, they had never forged a perfect psychic link, and Kimbley doubted they ever really would. Those things weren't possible in this world…

…Right?

"I've waited until this time, until everything was undone. The past is gone—though there were good times, it means nothing now. And now that Archer's leaving you alone, and you have a little sister to worry about, and an auntie belly-aching over you, I feel like it's all been sufficiently rewritten."

"And?" Kimbley prodded, certain he knew exactly where this conversation was going now because Greed was starting to lean in.

"You didn't finish saying it in the Final Act. And I told you only to say it when you really meant it."

Kimbley chuckled, and for once, it was really genuine.

There was nothing hidden behind it.

"Greed…"

He looked into his eyes.

"I love you."

Their lips touched.

Greed tasted like cigarettes.

And it was the best taste in the world—this one, or any other.

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It's lovin'-time. :3 This list includes anyone who watched, faved, reviewed, or even supported me in any way. Every single one of you is amazing. Thanks a bunch!

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Anotsu Kagehisa

bajiji

Black Haiyate

DarkSlayer84

grimmjowlover6

Hallas

Kashear the Merciful Reaper

Kibou-Greenbird

Kitten

LimeshellsAreLazy

little-kiwi-boi

Lucy Sumeragui

MyraHellsing

Nirvana Renegade Seiga

Psycho4anime

redwalgrl-RG

Rhapsody-Roxie

sagi376

Shinigami Hollow

Splintered Star

The8thSin

wednesday1990

xGloryHartx

I also have to give special thanks to Karasu, who, even though she hates GreKim, must be properly thanked for being my BFFL. XD

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Well, that's it. I hope everyone had a good time! C: 'Til next time~