The Untold Story of Texas and Lappland (Arknights)

The Heart of Texas

Moments before . . .

Texas considered herself to be a very observant person. Rarely could something catch her off guard on the battle field and in life in general. However, Sora's confession proved how much she still was capable of missing, and made her wonder if there were any other minuscule details evading her understanding.

But, she did understand battle dynamics, that was certain.

So she knew what happened in the moment those shots rang out.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Exusiai watch out!" Her voice cried out as the bullets sailed. A sniper from the ground level had managed to get a good shot off for once, aiming it right at the best sniper Rhodes Island had to offer (A/N: she's in the Big Three for a reason haha).

"Huh?" Exusiai, who had been so focused on firing bullets down in Croissant's and Lappland's lane, turned to look at her in confusion. A true mistake. Her heart lurched as the bullets struck. Their target had never been the angel after all, but with them hitting the platform it might as well have been.

"No!" She cried.

"Ah!" Exusiai yelled.

The platform didn't stand a chance against the onslaught. It buckled beneath the shots' instensity, crumpling into nothingness. She watched in horror as Exusiai was forcibly knocked off her pedestal, descending like a fallen angel from the heaven's above. It took all Texas's willpower to push aside the terrible imagery. She rushed forward on straining muscles, nimble feet avoiding the corpses piled up on the ground. Doctor Y/N had the sense to retreat many of their squad before FrostNova unleashed her shard attacks on the second and third lane. The enemies were far and few in between now so she could take this chance.

"Gah!" Knowing she wouldn't make it otherwise, Texas dove the rest of the distance with her arms outstretched. She had to make it in time, she just had to. Her body slid on the cold pavement. If not for her uniform she could image the cold burn racing over her skin. The ice stuck to the ground like tape to a wall. Cracking with her fall Texas braced herself for impact.

Oof!

"Ack!"

A handful of angel landed in her arms, stopping her slip and slide direction in full. Arms straining with the weight Texas panted. The cold puffs of air mingled with the ones Exusiai exuded, their faces so close it would take next to no effort at all for them to collide. In the briefest moment, Texas was brought back to the bar in Lungmen. Exusiai had kissed her then. The sweet touch was so different from Lappland, but not exactly bad either. She deserves someone who will love her. Someone who will give her the world. Unfortunately, the someone Exusiai currently had eyes on didn't seem to fit the bill.

"Hey." She breathed.

"Hey yourself." Exusiai shot her a weak smile. Her amber eyes reflected the dark silver of the ground, almost giving them a somber air.

"Are you okay?" Texas asked. Ears swiveled, keeping track of the noise. Vulnerability was the worst thing to suffer from in a fight. And with the smell of blood heavy in the air it made things that much worse. "You're hurt aren't you?"

"Hah. There's no hiding anything from you." The smile turned wry. "How did I give it away?"

This really wasn't time for games, or teasing, but Texas found herself entertaining Exusiai's question regardless. "You didn't do anything. Your blood on the other hand . . ."

Understanding flickered across the Sankta's features. "Oh. That's right. You said angels have a sweet smell to them. I didn't realize you were being serious."