And voila... I have arisen.

Seriously, I apologize. I was planning to post this in time for Lu's birthday last July 16. Sadly, my exams suddenly flooded my way and I had to write around 4 (decent) poems in less than a day.

Without further ado, here you guys go~

Vernal Equinox

The wiff of fresh grass permeated through the relatively calm fields of Solace. For one, the charred smell of war had all been put behind the whole region. Besides the dew-like scent floating about, perhaps it was a sign on how peace was beginning to settle in Elrios.

With that, the El Search Party found its goals having been met and completed.

Chung was the first to voice out such fact. It wasn't a surprise; ever since the group travelled to Hamel during its war-stricken state, he had wanted to linger closer to his home. Similarly, Elesis proclaimed how peace was evident in the towns they had saved. A few days after Chung had left, she expressed her desire to return to her post in Velder. Elsword joked at how the El Lady's spirit in her could protect the whole town in her stead – but he obliged, albeit quite tearfully. Joining the Red Knight, Raven agreed to give Velder a second chance. As a skilled blade wielder, he wanted to continue his renewed life by lending a hand in training the garrison stationed in that city. Rebuilding her ancient kingdom had always been in her mind, so it was only natural for Eve to detach herself from the group she had considered her first friends – with a certain Nasod scientist tailing her behind. Ciel had offered his assistance to provide her protection, but she declined, reasoning that Add would never lay a finger on her codes. Moby and Remy were more than enough, but she thanked the former demon for the offer. Within two weeks, Ara was the final one to bid farewell the team, saying between sobs that she wished to spend these peaceful days in Fahrmann.

"Seems a lot quieter here, right Lu?" the girl formed a small smile at the mention of her name. The remaining members of the search party had found their respite back in Ruben. After having their – being Elsword, Aisha and Rena's – old base refurbished, the founding trio and (formerly) Demonic Duo decided to resettle in these nostalgic roots.

"You should be thankful that Ciel is with us, otherwise, your mouth would never be able to taste any meat with Rena's cooking," grinned Aisha as she combed the noble's snow hair. Lu cocked an eyebrow, her smile changing to a smirk. "I know a meat I can always sink my fangs into," the demon winked as Aisha's face pinked. There was never a day when Luciela wouldn't one up her in the flirting segment of their relationship. But nonetheless, she was still the same adorable Noblesse she had eventually fallen for.

When Aisha had confirmed her feelings for the demon, there was no hiding needed to be done. Considering that Elsword – being one of the densest men in the face of Elrios – was already suspicious of the two, it wasn't complicated for others to speculate that mage and noble were more than friends. Aside from the few bitter glances from Elsword the following days, their newfound relationship was well-received by the majority of their teammates.

"Hey Aisha," Lu rested herself against the Elemental Master's chest. Aisha had her back against the headboard of their bed, fingers wandering down the myriad of white hair. The mage then dropped her arms to Lu's waist, cradling the tiny demon with her hands. This prompted the demon to nuzzle her nose against Aisha's neck. The purple-haired mage patiently awaited her girlfriend's reply. "I've been thinking…" she murmured onto the purple turtleneck.

"Is it alright for me to leave the El Search Party?"

Aisha kept silent, scanning Lu's porcelain-clear face for any emotions. A smug tug on her lips was the only notable feature in the otherwise thoughtful expression of Luciela. The Elemental Master kept her eyes glued onto the girl, brows scrunching slightly upon processing those words. Before she could open her mouth to speak, a warm pair pressed itself gently on the younger one's cheek.

"Done basking in my awesome face?" joked the demon after her surprise attack. Pecks were always a way to make tranced-state mage into a babbling idiot in seconds. "Umm… well I think it's rather sudden?" she managed to utter between incoherencies. Lu giggled at such reaction, features softening as she gazed at her new soulmate.

"To be honest, I just want to find out what our contract is bound to," Lu childishly scratch the side of her mouth, obviously embarrassed. "You see, Ciel's pact with me was formed with the end goal of restoring my authority amongst demons." The Noblesse took her time fitting their hands together, twining her tiny digits around Aisha's glove-clad ones. "Back in Lanox, I ended up making that bond with you because… I guess I wasn't thinking," a reserved smile crept up the smaller girl's face. Aisha blinked, then bumped her forehead on Lu's – causing such smile to recede rapidly.

"Wha—"

"Don't you dare say our contract was meaninglessly made," grumbled the mage, hurt evident in her face. Their breaths ghosted against one another, given the proximity. Icy blue met focused purple pupils.

"And why are you trying to do things by yourself again?" The Elemental Master protested a bit louder. Lame reasons – similar to the time before they started sharing a bed in Velder – tumbled from Lu's lips. Aisha overlooked them, albeit quite irately. "Don't distance yourself, Lu."

"Uuuu you're so persistent… fine, you can come along on my journey," Lu chuckled slightly upon hearing Aisha loosen up with a sigh.

"Anyway, what's the formal declaration for? Knowing you, you're the type that'd leave without bothering to let your friends know," deadpanned Aisha as she distanced herself once more, allowing some breathing space between them. "H-Hey! I tried my best back then before leaving for Feita," pouted the white-haired demon as she recalled that rather awkward goodbye.

"I said friends," Aisha waggled a finger in front of her girlfriend, "Unless you were already treating me as—Okay ahahha," she couldn't hide the peals of laughter as a rather flustered Lu started furiously rubbing her face against the Elemental Master's chest. "Stop… with the embarrassing references," groaned the reddening noble.

"Ah—Ouch, oww," she tried to hide the wince but Lu's head instantly shot up when she heard the pained croak.

"You alright?" worry instantly took over the demon's being. Realization only dawned upon her as she saw the clutched hand against the mage's shoulder. "Let me have a look at it," she ignored the possible connotations her statement brought, as her main concern was the girl in front of her. "It's okay Lu," muttered the High Mage as she batted away the Noblesse's hands.

"Though I find it strange how the scar never healed," Lu cleared her throat as she watched the mage trace the remnants of Scar's attack against her sweater. Aisha glanced at her once injured shoulder, then felt the pointed ears she gained from her contract. Her master merely watched, the faintest bit of curiosity in her features.

"Maybe we can investigate about my scar," the Elemental Master adjusted herself from the headrest, and reclined until her back touched the foam of their shared bed. "Considering how you said that Ciel's wounds instantly healed after being shot in the heart…" A sigh ambled its way out of Aisha's throat as she cupped her hands behind her head. Lu jerked her head to the side, wondering what that intake was for.

The mage felt obliged to explain. "I'm just thinking up of a different reason for our journey." A slight 'o' formed on Luciela's mouth, but the words instantly followed, "But I said it'd be for our contra-"

And with a movement so quick, Aisha once more brought their lips together.

"How many times do I have to silence you like this?" Aisha mumbled, the tips of her ears grew beet red. Lu merely focused her eyes at the magician's face, even a slight pink colored her own cheeks. She recalled their first intimate kiss, and how the circumstances were similar. Lu then tried to rethink as to why she was cut-off now, but Aisha gladly connected the dots for her.

"Don't ever say the pact was a useless decision, for I value it… as much you."

"… Ah," a tear found its way down the tiny demon's cheek. "Man… agh."

"Cat got your tongue?" questioned Aisha, a hint of amusement laced in her voice. Seeing the emotional side of Lu was always something new to her, but she tried to avoid encountering it altogether. By now, the Elemental Master had wrapped her arms around the Noblesse's waist, urging the demon to rest on top of the mage's figure. Lu then hastily rubbed the moisture from her eyes, a wicked grin suddenly replacing her reddened cheeks.

"Nah, but I'll be getting yours." Lu hesitantly ignored the delicious shade of red that painted her girlfriend's cheeks. She then planted a peck as an apology for the degrading comments about their contract. Aisha didn't say a word, but only nodded as a sign of forgiveness.

"So… you're really willing to come with me?" It was senseless question, yet she knew the desired answer didn't need to be worded. Aisha merely smiled, quite bashfully – but one it was one that Lu had always loved to protect.

"If I were to embark on another quest, I'd go anywhere with you, Luciela."

So there's the finale! I apologize if the wait wasn't worth it... I just wanted to end the fic in a more conclusive way. ;w;"

Thank you for all the support and reviews. I really appreciate them and I hope I can write more chaptered stories like this - with these two lolis ofc.

~BreadCrumble