Reaching Salvation: Post-Acer Part 4

Elena stayed quiet for once, reaching behind her and grabbing Simon's hand. "You won't make me be by myself when that happens to me, right?" she asked quietly, rather frightened by the idea of pregnancy.

---

Kira glanced up at what parts of the sky she could see from between the treetops. "Maybe it'll be clear tonight... We c-could sleep outside. The stars are so pretty..." she smiled. Though Eithne had frightened her, she was still in a reasonably good mood.

Simon felt his whole face flame up. "N-never! D-don't talk abotu things liek that. Besides, y-you aren't marrying anyone anytime soon, right?"

"Yeah, looks to be a nice night," Luke replied absent-mindedly.

Elena shook her head violently. "No! Boys are icky. Well, you're not, but that's 'cuz you're my best friend ever, and Lacy doesn't count anymore."

---

"The first time I saw stars was in a forest, too," Kira smiled, talking more to herself than Luke. "I didn't know there were so many! And now that it's not as cold anymore, I can sleep outside!"

"G-good! Keep thinking that!" Simon said, though happy that that the girl said he was her best friend.

Elena giggled. "'Sides, there's not lots of people our age! There's Emma, and I guess Josh and Al, and that's all I really know."

"T-true..." Simon nodded.

"I think Lacy would've liked you, too," Elena smiled, curling her toes in the grass happily.

"I can keep us warm," Luke replied, mind elsewhere, thinking about Nathan.

"Glad to know..." simon said with a small smile. "F-feeling better?"

"You're really nice, Luke," Kira grinned happily. It was such a nice day, it was warm, and there was a new baby, and Luke was feeling well enough to get around.

---

Elena nodded, turning around towards Simon and hugging him.

Simon stiffened slighty, but then returned the hug.

"I'm not hurting you, right?" Elena frowned, feeling Simon stiffen.

"N-no... this is fine." Simon replied.

"You're stuttering!" Elena scowled, pulling away, and prodding his chest with her finger. "You always stutter when you're upset or something!"

Zackary had switched persona's, the real one deciding not to appear again for a while. He had quietly moved into the village to regain his sword and shield.

"I'm not upset!" Simon replied.

---

Erika was still throwing up whatever she had eaten for breakfast. But... I haven't used hardly any of my Flow today...

Luke's face broke into his old child-like, almost goofy smile.

"T-thanks," he replied. It was reassuring that, and it was just what he needed.

Adeline frowned, seeing Erika throw up. "You okay?"

Kira's smile widened when she saw Luke's old smile. "Haven't seen that in a while!" she grinned. Today was turning out to be a better day than she'd thought.

---

Elena frowned, before flopping back into the grass, looking upwards. "Fine, you're not upset."

Erika couldn't reply, and shook her head in a no sign.

---

Simon nodded, sittign down beside the girl.

The smile widened. Wow, she was in a really good mood all of a sudden.

"It's kept for special occasions," Luke laughed.

Zackary had quickly moved back into the village, making sure not to be seen. He had to find them and move quickly.

Kira felt her face heat up a little, pulling at her jacket. "W-Well, you should sm-smile for other people, too. Y-You have a ni-nice smile..." she trailed off embarrassedly.

---

Elena flailed around in the grass. "So warm~" she sang out.

"Sick, maybe?" Adeline said, pulling out her watch and putting it against Erika's forehead (as it was the only way she could feel heat).