[ Ishtar continued to chuckle lightly while she helped wit the task. She didn't say anything for a moment as Takeru spoke. ]
You have a brother huh? That must be really nice~
[ She replied throwing another stick into the flame and then staring at Zero's reaction to the whole situation was rather hilarious as heck to be honest. Don't blame her for anything! It's not her fault he's grumpy a lot. ]
Bickering? Is that what you call messing around? I guess we bicker a lot if you put that way! We're just really contrasting in personality, but I think it's not a bad thing~
[As the fire started to grow bigger, he just kept on giggling]
Yeah, it is! I think I'm kind of lucky that I have an older brother! But I think I also have a lot of other brothers and sisters too if you count my friends!
[Especially since Sora and Jyou were pretty much the parents of their little group anyway. Either way, the boy looked back at Zero and back at Ishtar]
Well, I don't think it is! Even if you're not bickering, at least you two are still friends right? And that you two aren't fighting a lot! My brother and Taichi-san did that all the time and it didn't turn out very good!
[Zero emphasizes again like the grumpster he is before getting up to pick out two apples from his backpack.]
We're not friends kid. I've just known her a long time.
[He tells him as he hands him an apple, while tossing the other to Ishtar. He'd found them earlier when he'd still been exploring the area and packed a few in this things knowing food was scarce here.]
[He knew she must be tired, maybe even a little dizzy after giving up so much blood so when she moved to hug him, Zero let her with no complaints. It was the least he could do.]
It doesn't matter what you hide from me Ishtar. [He leans back against the tree, letting her settle on him more comfortably.]
It doesn't change who you are. [He touches his chest, right above where his heart beat.]
The healing process isn't always comfortable. Sometimes, pain is needed to heal larger wounds.
[ Ishtar on the other hand was admiring how amazing the view was and mesmerized by how awesome Nanoa's skills were. She had not the words to explain how she felt about the whole ordeal. It was great to have friends like Nanoa who showed her many new things. She was smiling rather brightly and happily for a moment before speaking to the other girl through their telepathic link. ]
I won't, I promise. Everything is so beautiful. I can't get the image out of my head. I've never seen a scene like this before. At least, not this high up.
That's why I love flying. There's really nothing like it. The wind against your skin, the view from far above, a vast expanse in every direction with nothing in your way... It's a feeling of freedom that you can never get anywhere else.
[ Nanoha's thoughts are wistful. She really loves to fly. It's one of her top five favourite things in the world. ]
[ Ishtar was too busy with her own task to really pay much attention to Takeru's innocent giggling. He's a kid and she's not holding anything against him for being a kid. She was rather fond of him since she didn't have siblings herself. ]
If that's what you like to believe, I think that's pretty cute too and you'll never be lonely with that many sisters and brothers right?
[ She caught the rest of his words pretty quickly as she finished her task and patting her hands out. ]
We kind of argue more than fight. Honestly, I don't think I'd be able to take on someone as strong as Zero. Haha. Huh? That sucks but I hope they still get along sometimes and ahaha.
[ She cracks up at Zero's comments. Ishtar caught the apple that was tossed to her and stared at it for a moment, before letting it sit in her lap. ]
He's like family to me Takeru. We've known each other for that long. Zero hates being called a brother, though. Dunno why.
[ It's not like she wants to hide things but there's too much that she has to say. It might hurt him more hearing them, but maybe she could be a bit more open about certain things now. ]
You're too much of a good guy sometimes, you know that? You shouldn't let people push you around like that.
[ She lets go of his neck after hugging him and comfortably situated herself against his chest since it seemed to be a little more comfortable for the slight pain she was still feeling from the bite marks. At least the blood won't rush to her head. ]
I guess that's true. I don't think I've changed all that much. Maybe, we'll talk like this when I don't feel so light headed.
[ She mused after a pause. ]
No kidding. I wish I could just forget the pain and not feel it, but that's kind of ridiculous of a thought.
[As Takeru looked at Zero, he just gave him a curious look. While he was pretty hungry, he had to wonder if the older boy had anything to eat. If he was going to get an apple, then he should too!]
Of course not! And especially when it means that we get to play all the time! And it'll be so loud that no one can take it!
[That and it would be nice to have a house that's filled with loud noises rather than silence most of the time. Especially when his mom needed to work at home...]
Well if he doesn't like being called a brother, then maybe we'll just call him a uncle or something! Because if he's family, he still needs to be something! I wouldn't mind calling him Uncle Zero if that's what he wants!
We're not family. [He makes a point of making that known. His family was dead and buried, and Ishtar. She was better off distancing herself from him for that reason alone.]
[A thought that has him ready to add another brusque comment when the kid brings up that up.]
I'm not who you think I am, Ishtar. Not anymore. The Zero you knew... we're not the same.
[Words meant to distance her from him, yet he curls an arm around her to make her more comfortable as she settled herself on top of him.]
......
[Zero goes quiet after those words, he could feel the warmth radiating off her but it does little to dispel the guilt. She was feeling pain because of him.]
I'm sorry. [His fingers slide into her hair, settling there.] I can't take the pain away.
[He wasn't a Pureblood who could relieve her pain with a simple touch. Zero was made to be a weapon, and weapons left nothing but pain and heartache in their wake. He'd always known that, but never was it so clear as now with Ishtar snuggled into him, tired and in pain because of him.]
Yeah it makes you really forget your worries and everything else. You just admire the beauty of everything around you instead.
[ She replied nodding her head. She could tell that Nanoa loved to fly by the way she said her words. Ishtar wished she could do something like this daily. It was a nice feeling to get away from all the pain and suffering once in a while. ]
[ Ishtar knew why Zero didn't eat too much but that was something she would rather not say aloud since that was Zero's business to tell others and not hers. Not that she thinks he is hiding it. Though, Takeru was a child, so things like that might be a bit confusing. Ishtar chuckled at his words. Well, Zero's not that old to be an uncle but Ishtar couldn't help but bust up laughing again at the sound of how that rang. ]
Sounds about right-- ahhahhahahahahah! He's not old enough to be an uncle but the sound of Uncle Zero is hilarious!
[ Oh god, she seriously adores you even more Takeru for making poor Zero lose it just like that. She saw the poor apples that he had in his pack roll out and couldn't help but continue to snicker at the sight of it while trying to at least help him pick them up maybe. ]
Yeah, yeah say whatever you want Zero, but I think we might as well be considering how long we've known each other~
Funny, since I don't really care if you're not the same Zero. You're still Zero and that's all I have always cared about. I don't think that will ever change, no matter what kind of stuff you end up saying to me.
[ She mused, while settling herself rather comfortably as his arm rests around her. ]
It's not your fault and I'm not referring to the pain from the bite. If your mind is wrapped around those thoughts, get rid of them. I have never blamed you for anything and I'm not going to start to be honest. I think you have enough pain on your own plate as is.
[ She clarified sternly, and weakly jabbing him in the chest because she knew he might be thinking of stuff like that because Zero was Zero. He could say he changed, but she hadn't seen too much change on his part. He was same old, grumpy, caring and self blaming idiot. Yet, she still cared about him. ]
I mean stuff that hurts more than getting bit and nah, I wouldn't want you to do something like erase my pain anyway. It kind of feels like I'm running away from reality if I did that. That's why, I can think about it but I'm never going to really do it.
I just do and cuz I trust you. You don't have to tell me everything for me to understand that.
[ She's going to laugh at him for that comment. ]
Do I really? I just say what's on my mind. There's nothing to it. You know this. Now stop being an idiot and try to be happy. You deserve it after all.
[The sound of her laughter pulls him from his negative thoughts and rather than linger on them which will only upset her, Zero settles back against the wall he's leaning against.]
Probably. I shouldn't move too much and it's kind of comfortable, safe.
[ She replied. His voice was already slowly drifting from her ears as she was lulled slowly into sleep. Also meaning she's not moving anytime soon. She's way too comfortable right now, sorry. Ishtar kind of made it a bit of a stupid habit to sleep on him a lot. ]
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