False Gods: Disciple

Chapter Nine: Reprieve

[Log Start] My newest battalion is entering the final stages of training. Alpha Battalion is most definitely the most well-trained group of soldiers I've seen. I plan to put C-94-01 in command of this battalion. I have high hopes for him. [End Log]

Mizuki stared at Nemzio silently. Nemzio waited for her to say something. They stood silently for several minutes, before Nemzio continued,

"I'm sorry for being so rude to you. I know you were just looking out for me." Nemzio felt his chest tighten, "I've never really talked to people. I don't really understand what I'm feeling, and it scared me." Nemzio made eye contact with Mizuki, "I thought maybe if I distanced myself from you, these feelings would go away." He paused, placing his hand on his chest, "They didn't go away. They just got worse..." Nemzio trailed off, looking desperately into Mizuki's ice blue eyes,

"It's alright," Mizuki finally said, a faint smile forming on her lips, "None of us are perfect." The sadness in her eyes still lingered. Nemzio took a step towards her, taking her hand in both of his,

"I'm sorry," Nemzio said quietly, his chest tightening even further. Mizuki looked away, her smile softening slightly,

"It's fine, Nemzio," Mizuki said, her voice shaking slightly. Nemzio tightened his grip on her hand,

"Even I can tell that it's not fine." Nemzio spoke softly, "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you before, but I'm here now..." He trailed off for a moment, "So tell me, what's wrong, Mizuki?" Mizuki squeezed her eyes shut,

"I thought-" Her voice cracked, tears began forming in her eyes, "-I thought I was going to be alone..." Nemzio felt like his chest would be crushed, "You suddenly didn't want to be around me-" Mizuki breathed in sharply, "I- I- I thought I'd done something wrong..." A tear slid down her cheek, "That you-" She breathed out heavily, "-Didn't want to be around me anymore..." Mizuki squeezed Nemzio's hand, "Or that you might even hate-" Nemzio stopped her, pulling her into an embrace,

"I'm sorry," He whispered. Mizuki shook violently, her breathing becoming erratic,

"It's-" She broke off, her knees giving out on her. Nemzio held on, keeping her on her feet, "I thought-" She stopped yet again, "Nemzio-" No matter how hard she appeared to be trying, she couldn't seem to form a sentence,

"It's alright..." Nemzio reassured her, feeling as if his heart would break, "You don't need to say anything right now,"

"But-" Mizuki began,

"It's alright," Nemzio interrupted her, tightening his embrace. Mizuki slowly allowed her arms to find their way around Nemzio's waist. They stayed like that for several long moments, silently comforting each other. Nemzio felt her breath, warm against his neck, her gentle embrace soothing him. With her body pressed against his, Nemzio felt like a hole had been filled, like something that was missing for all his life just come back. He wanted to stay like that forever. Nemzio felt her long brown hair tickling his chest and neck, the gentle rise and fall of her chest as her breathing slowed, and the closeness they shared. Nemzio wondered, wasn't he the one who hurt her? I don't deserve this, He thought, I hurt her. Feeling guilty, Nemzio tried to break away from the embrace, but Mizuki pulled him closer,

"Don't go, please..." She whispered. Nemzio said nothing, placing his arms back around her,

"I'm not going anywhere," he reassured her, bringing her even closer. Mizuki silently enjoyed the closeness. Though she would not admit it to anyone, she had fallen in love with Nemzio. Nemzio was just like her, soft, insecure, and caring. She doubted anyone else had seen this side of him. Under his mask, he was a very broken person, riddled with self-doubt, insecurity, and anxiety. He made mistakes, but he owned up to them. Even when he was hurting, he'd push everyone else on with a smile. She knew that if he didn't have someone to rely on, he'd run himself into the ground, and eventually, he'd fall apart, after all, she was the same way. Nemzio slowly lowered them to the ground, not releasing his embrace. Mizuki pressed her whole body against him, taking solace in the knowledge that Nemzio wouldn't think much of it. Thunder clapped above, and a droplet of water landed on Nemzio's forehead,