A/N: So originally this was going to be a one shot story. But, considering that I'm Irish, I like to tell stories. My quick little one shot rapidly became a 12 page short story so instead of uploading one extremely long chapter, I'm breaking it up. Hope you like it!

"I'll repay that….I'll repay that ten times over"

"Couldn't you have phrased that more romantically?"

The truth was she didn't care one bit. She had liked him since they introduced each other, sitting atop Lagann. Every time she looked at him, she felt her heart jump in excitement. Every time. It was all new and confusing to her. She had never felt this way before about anything, which is why she had tried to cover it up with their bantering.

When he had asked her to watch his back in battle she realized that his teasing was no different than hers, a mask of his true feelings. She felt…honored at his request. It was then that her feelings for him were assured.

"Now, let's get out there and raise some hell!" he said with confidence, dramatically moving his tattered cape.

Yeah, she thought, with a sense of pride welling within her, give 'em hell.

All of this was rushing through her mind as she watched him collapse within Gurren. Hot tears streamed down her face as she heard him utter the words "Later bro," over the comm system. It had been a rollercoaster of emotions up to this point. He had almost died. Gurren was stabbed and blown up, then he surprised them all by mustering up the stamina to obliterate Thymilph. But now…now he-

No! she wasn't going to think like that. He would make it. He just had to. H-he couldn't leave without repaying their kiss like he promised.

Simon went right away to check on him. The entire team stood motionless, waiting for an answer. Time seemed to have stopped and everyone was holding their breaths, until…Simon's screams of anguish snapped them back to reality.

She couldn't believe it. How could this have happened. Just a moment ago he was screaming with such valor as he slammed the giga-drill into that damn beastman. Her head was spinning. She felt so heavy, as if the sky was falling upon her and the pressure was pushing her further into depression.