That next day... it was terrible. It began with a sleepless night on everyone's part. We all stayed up, helping the Holy Knights pick up all of those who had died. We walked through the city streets, picking up bodies all night and bringing them to a huge grass field. While we brought in the deceased, a few Knights with nature-based abilities dug out graves and helped lay them into bed of flowers.

We were all tired, working all night heaving bodies. Heavy loads were put on us emotionally and physically, and we only finished when the sun was out and shining. We all took a moment before gathering everyone in a kingdom. I lit small fireballs all around the grave site, giving it the ambiance of magic that it needed, making it less depressing it more like an honoring of their memory.

It was terrible to watch all those people. Most didn't have any formal clothes to change into because their homes and belongings were destroyed. There were people in armor and underclothes, some in formal wear, and others in everyday wear. It was a funeral far below what the fallen deserved. But, it was all we could provide.

We all gathered, and there were tears and breakdowns left and right. It hurt to watch everyone and their mourning. I had to step away for a moment, because it was starting to get to me. Once I composed myself I returned, comforting anyone I could. I had more tears stain my shirt today than I had in a long time. Not even I could cry so many tears. The mourning of a thousand Britannians stained the grass of that site today, and no amount of landscaping or honoring could get rid of that.

The anguish in that kingdom... it was infectious. I didn't know any of the Knights who had passed, or any of the people. I found myself mourning just as much as a mother would for each of them. Seeing so many people mourning, crying their hearts out and screaming in hope it would provide some release... I felt their pain far more than I would have liked to.

It was a long day. Far, far too long for my liking. It was a hard day to go through, and everyone found themselves looking for a way to distract themselves. Few buildings were left in full, many of them had holes or some sort of damage. There was a large bar on the end of the kingdom, and the group had decided to go their and offer toasts to the fallen. Then, they would sleep in any of the nearby hotels or houses.

There were some people who didn't go, deciding to turn in for the afternoon or take some time to themselves. Those who had lost important people divided strongly either way. Some just disappeared, while other drank as much as they could without getting alcohol poisoning.

I was among the group who had decided against staying in the bar, and I made my way to the nearby hotel. Ban, of course, had decided to come with me.

We made our way up to a room, and I sighed when we entered, flopping down on the bed and groaning.

"I wish I was still in a coma," I grumbled into the sheets. I felt him sit down on the bed next to me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah, I know the feeling..." He sighed, tapping his fingers on my back. I sighed, flipping over onto my back. I sat up, deciding to lean against his side instead of on the bed. I leaned my head back onto his shoulder.

"You okay after all that's happened?" I asked, closing my eyes.

He stayed silent for a moment. "It's bullshit that all those innocent people died. I should have been out protecting them," I was about to protest his guilt, but he cut me off. "But I'm happy. It's shitty- but I'm happy. I've finally got everything I coulda asked for. It's not the best it could be... but I've got you. That's all that matters right now."

"Look at you, Mr. Romantic allova sudden," I chuckled, smiling.

"Not even flustered, huh?" He grinned. I opened my eyes and looked up at him, a content smile.

"I did just have to bury hundreds of people, you know."

"So did I."

"But it's all good because of me?"

"Not everything, but you definitely make it better."

"Hm, interesting."

He scoffed, rolling his eyes as he pulled me away from his side and into his lap. I laughed quietly as he rested his chin on my head, wrapping his arms securely around my stomach.

"You're being pretty bold for a man on thin ice," I mumbled.

"You didn't stop me," he countered. I could hear his smug grin.

"It's really inappropriate to be joking and flirting after the day we had."

"Yeah, well, I don't give a shit."

I snorted, turning my head and giving him a kiss on the cheek. I rolled my eyes, staring up at him from the side. He looked at me with a smug smile.

"You're really making me disrespect the deceased, huh?" I asked, sighing. He nodded, giving me a peck on the lips. "You're a terrible person," he did it again. "I hope you know that."

"I get that a lot. Especially from you," He smiled, and I scoffed, turning away and dodging a kiss. He pressed it against my temple anyway.

"I hate you, Ban," I said playfully, turning around and sitting just in front of him. "You despicable human."

"Mhm," He hummed, smiling as he rested his cheek on his palm, looking at me. "You're beautiful."

I scoffed, looking to the side and feeling heat rise to my cheeks. I crossed my arms, looking off to the side and huffing, "I should not be letting you do any of this."

"Oh, come on, you love it," He chuckled, grinning lopsidedly.

"You're tempting and I hate it," I sighed, turning sideways and leaning on his chest and into his lap. I closed my eyes, sinking in his chest. "You're lucky I'm letting you stay here with me."

"Yup, I am," He sighed. "I'll take whatever I can get."

"Stop itttt," I whined, flicking him in the chest.

"Alright, alright," He smiled, "You should probably get some rest."

"Me?" I asked, pulling away from him and scrunching up my face in confusion. "I slept for three weeks while you did the opposite and I need sleep?"

"So you do care," He teased, and I growled, shoving him down on the bed and closing the curtains. He placed his arms behind his head as he lay down, grinning cockily up at me. "How very forward of you~"

"Shut up and go to sleep."

"Sorry, babe, not happening."

I swung my legs off the side of the bed, taking off my cloak and setting it on the bedside table. I slipped my boots and belt off, untucking my shirt and letting it loose. I stood next to the bed, grabbing the blanket and throwing it over him. I laid down next to him, sneaking under and next to him.

"You're really trying to get in my pants, huh?" He asked, humming as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

"You're stupid."

"Am I?"

"You are the stupidest person I've ever met," I sighed, turning and laying my head on his chest. I looked up at him. "Sleep."

"You first, babe."

"Oh, my god, I'm trying to care, can you not?" I asked, exasperated as I leaned on my elbows. I glared down at him, "What can I do to just get you to sleep?"

"Kiss me?" He asked, raising an eyebrow and smiling. I clicked my tongue, rolling my eyes.

I had to adjust myself, getting more on top of him. I pressed my lips against his, feeling him smile as I did so. He grabbed my ass and pulled my up so that I was further on top of him, nipping my bottom lip with one of his canines.

Butterflies exploded in my stomach, spreading across my whole body, etching into each of my nerves. With every touch my stomach erupted harder, and I couldn't bring myself to pull away from him, my hands pressed firmly against his pecs.

He continued to push it, raising his leg up between the both of mine. His hand crept up, underneath the fabric of my blouse. I pulled away from him, face beat red as I panted quietly. His hand stopped where it was, his fingertips lining the indent of where my spine was.

I cleared my throat, looking to the side. "S-so you'll sleep now, right?"

He chuckled, licking his lips. I didn't miss the flush on his face, though, even in the darkened room. "I actually think I made it harder on myself."

"Well, you said you would, so..." I looked away, getting off of him and laying next to him, facing away from him. I clutched my stomach, which was bubbling and and fluttering with a ferocity that almost hurt.

"Yeah, yeah..." He sighed, turning and hugging me from behind. He spooned me, completely wrapped around my body. "I love you, (y/n)."

"Yeah..." I smiled, snuggling into his chest and closing my eyes. I hugged his arms closer to me, curling up so I would be closer to him.

"I love you too, Ban."