Haru sighs and frowns.

The summer heat was beginning to annoy her with the cool water from the fountain providing little to no relief. The crowded park was making the heat worse as it seemed everyone thought today would be a good day to go outside.

Her friend should be here by now and it was rude to be late.

She pulls her cellphone out and begins typing a message.

Sent, she throws her head back letting out a groan.

Where was she? She's been sitting here for the past thirty minutes with this incessant heat bearing down on her.

She let out a tired sigh and squints at the sun as though by glaring it she could bend it to her will.

After a couple of seconds, she gives up closing her eyes and begins to take a deep breath.

Next thing she knows she is wet, cold, and is having trouble breathing as she feels something heavy suffocating her. Her ears ring from countless people yelling in either anger or surprise. Her arms flail trying to get the weight off of her as she tries to breathe.

The weight is suddenly off of her before she feels herself being pulled up out of the water.

Her gasps for air and opens her eyes only to struggle to make out the ground from the water droplets.

"Right! I forgot! You're not as strong anymore!"

Haru could hear the smile on her lips and she frowns as her pale hand continued to wipe the constant stream of droplets that blurred her vision. Her frown disappears however as a head is placed her wet auburn hair.

"You changed your hair too! And it's in a cute ponytail! I love it!"

Haru couldn't help but smile as she felt the soft warm heat of the hand began to wash over her slowly drying her entire body. As the heat stopped Haru finally looked at the person in front of her.

"Radiate as always huh Lexa?" Haru said as her eyes began to sting from the light that always seemed to surround her friend.

Lexa's face beamed with delight and seemed to glow even brighter as her bright red hair mixed with golden rays. She slowly patted Haru's head before gliding it down her face. She tilted Haru's head upwards and stared deep into her brown eyes before chuckling. "Let's go on that walk."

She dusted herself off and stood up before poking Lexa's arm with a pout. "You're treating me to lunch then you know…" Haru said as she began walking ahead of Lexa. Lexa laughed before walking faster to catch up with her.

The strong smell of coffee made Haru burst out with a satisfied sigh. The lively, but calm sounds of the cafe filled her with a sense of serene happiness. But most importantly, the burning sun was nowhere to be found. As she began to soak in the feelings, sounds, and smells of the cafe she felt a hand clap her back.

A loud yelp was heard around the small cafe causing some customers and staff to look at the pair. Lexa gave them a radiant smile and laugh, while Haru glared at her before furiously whispering, "Why?"

As the customers and staff went back to their business, Lexa gave Haru a sideways glance, and her radiant smile becoming a smirk. "You were spacing out like you always do," Lexa said as she rubbed Haru's back. Haru pouted in response before giving her a huff. Much to her annoyance, she received a chuckle in response. "You haven't changed a bit have you Haru?"

"Let's just buy something," Haru answered as she went to go wait on line.

"I'm going to go look for a table." Haru turned around in an attempt to remind her what she said before realizing she was nowhere to be found. Haru looked around trying to pick out from the crowded tables and the everchanging crowd of people. She quickly found Lexa who returned her gaze with a kiss before mouthing 'I'll pay you back.' Haru rolled her eyes turning back towards the line.

Haru sat across from Lexa and quickly began to dig into her sandwich alternating between bites and sips of her drink at an alarming speed. Lexa gawked at Haru as the sandwich and drink disappeared in a matter of seconds. "Jesus I see your appetite never went away as well."

A crumpled up napkin hit Lexa's forehead causing her to close her mouth and began to savor her drink. It felt like it has been centuries since she had anything close to real coffee. The warm, bitter taste without anything else warmed her soul causing a small smile to form on her lips. Small pieces of heat fill her inner being up with familiar sensations. Before everything, before she had to let go. Her eyes close allowing the sounds of the shop to ring through her body like a church bell. The normal sounds were ethereal to her.

Haru gazes at Lexa allowing her friend to soak in the world around before reaching over to break her out of her reverie.

Eyes open to reveal a smirking Haru as a jab is ready on her lips. Before Haru could even say anything, Lexa beats her to the punch and places a finger on her lips. "Don't you dare say it."

Haru pulls back enlarging her smirk before crossing her arms in front of her and sinking into the chair. "So what did you want to talk about?"

"How are you and Sayaka?"

"Straight to business as usual."

"I don't have much time left in this world."

"I know I know… We're doing good. I love her."

"A lot?"

"A lot."

Lexa smiled at the response before looking out the window at the countless streams of people of all shapes and sizes walking by. Laughing and enjoying life to it's fullest. Haru continues to look at Lexa before looking out the window herself.

"Do you miss… being human?" Haru asked with a sense of caution.

Lexa's smile dropped a little in response. She continued to gaze at the crowds of people outside as they began to slow down.

"No…" Haru's head drooped.

"But I know you did…" Haru tightened her grip around her drink and she couldn't help, but feel guilty.

Lexa turned to face Haru and she placed a hand on her cheek. Haru leaned into her hand placing one over it. "I'm sorry…" Haru whispered as she felt the sting of tears on her eyes. Lexa's heart ached at the sight and grabbed a napkin to help wipe the tears.

"Oh sweetie… you have nothing to be sorry for…" Lexa responded as her smile turned to a look of concern.

"But I left all of you… Left everything behind just to be happy… I… I…" Haru couldn't continue, but the tears continued to fall and it became difficult to breath let alone think. Lexa placed a finger on her lips and shushed her.

"You did your job. You prevented her from becoming a monster and you found someone you love. You found happiness and that's okay."

Haru opened her eyes to see her friend beaming at her with matching streams of tears. "Just enjoy your life okay?" Haru nodded before grabbing her own napkin and attempting to wipe away her own tears. Lexa pulled back, but Haru followed trying to wipe Lexa's tears. She laughed as the ambered hair girl was trying to reach Lexa's face. "No no no… I wipe my own."

Haru smiled a little before sitting back down and sipping her drink. "You always said you liked being independent, but I think you're just stubborn."

Lexa smirked before looking back out the window. Haru followed suit and looked out. The world was frozen. Every smile, frown, or sad look was permanently etched on the faces of the people outside. Small moments of joy stayed still and for the first time in a while, the world felt quiet. Yet, even though nothing moved, nothing talked, the expressions on everyone's faces said it all. Haru smiled savoring the moment and letting the summer sun sink in.

"You know command wants me back soon." Haru, broken out of her trance turned towards Lexa and was meant with the loving gaze of topaz eyes.

Her smile grew as she reached over grabbing Lexa's hands.

"So. How've you been?"

End Notes:

So this will be part of a journey that I hope to start to not only better my writing, world-building, character-building, etc, but to also create an expansive universe crossing in multiple pieces of media that I love and want to explore. This is the first piece of work I wrote in a while (also while not drunk so yay!) so I would appreciate constructive criticism for anything. From my tags to the actual writing itself all is welcomed. The next piece of work will probably be placed in the Madoka universe because it was one of the first anime to get me back into the medium and realize just how beautiful and amazing it could be. In addition, it also was the one that made me realize that Fanfiction is more than just teenage girls writing love stories, but a medium that can help you find some of the best writing you can ever find in your life.