𝑯𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚'𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒔𝒕

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲: 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐝

Nines and I had been investigating the castle's every nook and cranny until we couldn't anymore, just as we said. We found various old documents some dating back to―and my guess was right―when it was used as an attraction and others when it was used as a living space for some noble family back in the middle ages. Apart from that, we also found some old cups and bowls, broken canvas, lots of torn and worn-out books, and some old-fashioned writing materials.

Currently, we were sitting in what seemed to be a throne room on the steps, looking through some of the books. "It's a shame that those canvases were broken and beaten up, I could've put those to good use." I huffed as I skimmed the lines on the page as I was trying to figure out what the book was.

"To spruce up your room more?" my lover sounded as he looked through another book.

"Correct... also I think this is a book of fairytales?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, every chapter is a different story. Strangely, the author didn't list the stories," I sighed, closing the book, "What about that one?"

"Uh, I'm not sure. The words are weird," he answered, showing me the book. I reddened immediately.

"O-oh, uh, let's just close that," I awkwardly muttered while closing the book in his hands and taking it away from him. Nines was about to protest until he was interrupted by a familiar laugh.

"I'm surprised you find that," the voice of 10B chimed which caused me confusion.

"You didn't read that, did you?"

"Whose to say I didn't?" he instantly replied, walking over and taking it from me. "I'm not a child, for your information."

"Still!"

"Okay, jokes aside, I've come to check up on you two. It's been a long time after all." Ten articulated, glancing between the both of us, "And, I found something you might like. I stopped by here earlier to clear out the machines so you'd have a peaceful time and a pair of them just happened to have these."

The berserker grasped his bag, putting the book in and taking out two crowns―one being a straightforward crown with metal detailing while the other being a complex one with jewels embedded into it.

"There really were crowns here?" I spoke relatively quickly as I observed them. "They seem to be authentic too, I'm surprised they look so good for however long they've been here."

"You're telling me, from what the machines were jabbering about, they just found them themselves." 10B replied before looking over at 9S, "Would you like to do the honours?"

"Yes, of course, I would." the scanner responded, standing up while taking the jewelled crown and turning to face me. Nines looked me dead in the eyes at first causing him to blush before he shook his head and cleared his throat. "Ahem, my love―(Y/n) (L/n), I present you the crown of the old world to become the princess of the new."

He paused as he gently set the crown upon my head. I watched his eyes light up as a huge smile cross his face and he expressed ever so softly, "God, you're beautiful."

I felt my face heat up as butterflies bombarded my stomach. At that moment, the fact that 10B was still in the room withered away and it just felt like it was us two as 9S drew closer. As he and I shared a kiss that I waited for so long to get.

When I think about it, this is the first time in weeks that we even displayed our affections like this. I missed it. The small moments like this.

"I'm still here you know..." 10B awkwardly said as he scratched the back of his neck.

"Oops, sorry, I couldn't help myself," Nines sheepishly rejoined after we broke our kiss.

"I―no―shit―fuck―sorry for ruining the moment. Just take the other crown, I'm going," the black-haired unit backtracked, prompting Nines and me to laugh.

"It's okay, Ten. Go have fun," I beamed.

"I should―never mind, ignore me. Just let me know when you're ready to go back."