?Tycondrius chuckled as he watched his lover''s face and ears redden considerably.


    "Ughhhhh," Elle rolled her eyes, but she gulped audibly. "Q-quit it. You''re teasing me again."


    "If you consider that teasing..." Tycon leaned forward to whisper into her ear, "Just wait until we return to our room."


    He emphasized his intentions by gently nibbling on her earlobe.


    "H... ah..." Elle quivered as she closed her eyes... but she gently pushed him away, "G-got it. But... what would I be?"


    "Hahaha!" Tyconughed. He did not hate his partner''s stubborn qualities, "How does ''personal bodyguard'' sound?"


    To him, it sounded ridiculous. In abat zone, it would be more appropriate if he served as her guardian rather than vice versa.


    "That doesn''t seem quite right," Elle sighed, "considering I''m... a Divine Armor pilot."


    Tycon sat back smilingly, "I was nning to offer you a contract under Sol Invictus. Gaheris'' maintenance would, of course, be covered by guild funds."


    "Oh, I... haha..." Elle blushed in embarrassment, "I forgot that... that you could do that."


    On a certain level, his lover''s forgetfulness of his identity was puzzling.


    She simply didn''t see him for his status.


    Lieutenant Teneca treated Tycon with respect and cordiality as a friend of House Highde. Optio Phaedra seemed to treat him with appropriate deference as the savior of her guild and a meritorious Duplicarius.


    As a slight digression, it was simr to how he was treated by Januarius-- though Elle was far more pleasing to look at... at any angle.


    From what Tycon understood, Elle''s view of him was of a handsome, respectable gentleman that she could speak to as an equal.


    It was yet another facet of hers that he greatly appreciated.


    Tycon took his hand back, cradling his chin in thought, "You''d have more options, of course. The training for Sol Invictus is quite difficult as opposed to that of its sisterpanies."


    "But the training..." Elle pursed her lips, "it''s designed to make you stronger, not... to bar entry of below-average recruits, right?"


    Tycon raised an eyebrow, "I''m curious to how you came to that conclusion."


    Admittedly, it was... both. Why did she think it could only be one or the other?


    "Because..." Elle tapped her forefingers together, "you... ept me... even though I look like... this."


    ...Ah. So that''s what it was.


    Tycon chuckled as he shook his head, "In case you were not aware, I find you beautiful in body, mind, and spirit, Elle."


    The poor girl started to panic, "I... but--"


    "Worry not," Tycon waved his hand. "I *also* have faith in your abilities. I am a leader of a guild, among other things. That means I am a professional with a reputation to uphold.


    "You, my dear," He smiled, "are more capable than you give yourself credit for."


    "Th... thanks, Tychon," Elle had her hands folded as she stared at her empty dinner te. "But... I know you just want to get me back into bed again."


    "That is *also* true," Tycon lifted her chin with a finger, "but that does not refute my previous statements."


    They shared a light kiss... then a few more with added sincerity.


    Tycon very much enjoyed boosting his lover''s confidence.


    "C... can we go back, now?" Elle asked shyly.


    "Of course," Tyconughed. "Let''s return these tes to the galley."


    ...


    ? Later that evening. ?


    "Do you ever miss anyone, Tychon?"<novelnext></novelnext>


    Tycondrius pursed his lips as he nced over to his lover, Elle, illuminated in the dimntern light. She looked to him with rosy cheeks and a curious gaze.


    It was an excellent opportunity to tease her.


    "I do not miss," He smirked as he closed his reading book.


    He pressed his forefinger over her heart and made a ''chnk'' sound as if firing a crossbow, "When I acquire a target, I make sure to shoot everything inside."


    "Th-that''s not what I meant!" Elle huffed, "You-- i''ll... you''re... Guh!"


    "Ah, the inability to formplete sentences," Tycon nodded. "It seems my goal has been reached for the evening."


    Even if the joke he made was... in somewhat poor taste, he dly took the personal victory.


    "You''re... horrible," Elle cracked a smile. "But how times''ve you... wh... what if I get pregnant?"


    "I''ll take responsibility. Next question."


    "I..." Elle gulped... "O... okay."


    "Did you expect anything less of me?" Tycon raised an eyebrow.


    "No..." Elle smiled. "I figured... that''s the kind of person you are."


    "Realistic?" Tycon asked.


    ording to modern human culture, hatchlings were expected to be raised by both parents-- if reasonable. Unless Tycon had severely misjudged his partner, he was confident he could reasonably coborate with Elle towards properly raising children.


    "Maybe," Elle hummed... "I was thinking more... hmm... honorable."


    "I am when advantageous," Tycon shrugged. "In this case, the virtue conveyed is... that I take care of my own."


    "I know..."


    Tycon felt Elle slip her arm underneath his back, before pulling close to an embrace.


    She was warm... and the feeling was pleasant.


    Elle snuggled her nose onto Tycon''s bare chest, "You wouldn''t have done everything you did, otherwise."


    "Tss," Tycon scoffed as he re-opened his book, "I''d do it again... for you."


    "That''s... so hot."


    Tycon raised an eyebrow, "Shall I open a window?"


    "No," Elle sighed and shook her head... "It''s just..."


    After a moment, Tycon realized that Elle had grown quiet.


    ...It seemed his reading time was over. After quietly closing his book and cing it upon the bedside table, he took hold of Elle''s hand.


    She smiled, gently squeezing.


    Their rtionship had progressed quickly. Much of Elle''s earlier nervousness around Tycon was gone, reced by... what he believed was trust.


    In their conversations, they identified a great deal of traits they shared. Without words, there was an implicitfort in sharing each other''spany.


    Thus far... their rtionship was the greatest idealization of ''perfect'' that he could imagine.


    ...Tycon hoped she was patient enough to tolerate him when his ws became more apparent. And whatever issues she had-- Tycon hoped that he could see reason enough to work through it.


    In that silence, though, there was peace. There was sharedfort andpanionship.


    There was... contentedness.