I know I asked her to be with me, but how did this happen? Q wondered hanging halfway off his bed. Snuggled up beside him Miki was peacefully paced out. Okay let's backtrack. Last night we decided to head to Terminus together. Squinting his eyes he thought harder. Ganon was so excited we'd be back up to a three person party. He was still bummed about Emma bailing on us. I guess saying she bailed isn't fair, but it still sucks. I don't fully understand her duties as headguard, but I know she would never leave us hanging without a good reason. Q let out a sigh of frustration. Focusing back on his current problem he tried recalling last night's events again. The last thing he remembered was paying for Miki's dinner, and room. Followed by listening to a story about a monster that was attacking caravans on the way to Terminus. Yeah directly after that tall tale of the massive beast I came straight to bed. I was worried Ganon might try to wake me up if I overslept again. So what the hell is she doing in my bed?! Moving slowly to avoid waking up Miki he began to shift his weight. As he was lifting her arm off his chest he heard yelling in the halls. Fuck me now what?
"Wait you brute don't go in—"
The door burst open as Ganon came through dragging Eulissa at his feet.
"Mornin' bro!"
Ganon exclaimed. He couldn't contain his excitement to get their next mission started. Now fully through the door he looked at Q. Then he looked at Mikiyu, and back at Q. His eyes rapidly moved between them realizing he made a mistake. Eulissa slapped his back to snap him out of it.
"—I tried telling this giant meathead to leave you be, but he wouldn't listen!"
Ganon's jaw was still on the floor bewildered. But he is bad with the ladies. He ALWAYS strikes out. While he was trying to make sense of the situation Miki began to rub her eyes. She sat up and the only thing covering her bare skin was a super baggy shirt exposing some clevage. Her eyes widened as she slipped back under the covers. This is so embarrassing! She peeked her head out from the bottom of the sheets looking at the two intruders pouting.
"I'd like to disappear now!"
Everyone laughed at her. Understanding this must be very embarrassing Ganon, and Eulissa nodded to each other. They let the Miki, and Q know breakfast would be ready soon . Taking their leave they started to head back down to the pub area. Ganon looked at Eulissa afraid to say what was on his mind. What the heck is going on with them? Eulissa knew exactly what he was thinking, and took pity.
"Hey meathead... You wanna know what's going on?"
Ganon vigorously nodded, afraid to say the wrong thing. Waiting patiently for her to speak he slowed his pace. Eulissa let out a long sigh. She was never one to turn down a request from a patron. Especially a request from Ganon.
"Last night a while after you too dorks went to sleep Miki knocked on my door. She asked if she could come in, and she brought some of her dinner from earlier to share. Apparently she thought I was jealous of her mabear steak platter—"
"That's a weird thing to think isn't it?"
Eulissa turned red. She didn't want to have to spell out the misunderstanding to Ganon of all people. Instead she cleared her throat, and kept talking.
"Remember when we first met Q?"
He smiled at the memory of meeting his best friend. In the time they have known each other they have spent nearly every minute together.
"Yeah how could I forget? I was passing through that day when he came in. He was on his deathbed. His gate was nearly closed. It was scary. Ever since then though he's been working really hard establishing connections and getting really wealthy. He even helped me figure out my finances. Plus he turned this place around saving it from being shut down."
She nodded as she remembered the kind of shape Q was in when he came to the pub. A lot of her time in between customers was spent rehabilitating Q. Luckily he was a fast healer only taking him about 2 weeks before he could communicate, and move freely again. Even though he was a consistent pain in the ass his contributions to The Fool's Errand were undeniable. She was happy that it was him of all people that came stumbling into her pub. She continued explaining the situation to Ganon.
"So apparently right before that happened the two of them were in some kind of battle. I don't know all the details, but from what I understand Mikiyu suffered a seemingly fatal wound."
"Well I'm glad she is okay now, but what does that have to do with Q's death?"
Eulissa shook her head slowly.
"Sadly Miki wouldn't go into details with me on that. However she did promise to explain it to us once she talked to Q. What is really intriguing is what she told me about their previous relationship."
Ganon eyes started to tear up, and he started to flex.
"I knew it they were making sweet sweet lo—"
Eulissa embarrassed kicked him in the butt knocking him over. Rubbing her shin she thought to herself. Is his ass all muscle? Can muscle even get that hard? She cleared her throat again before she spoke.
"Ahem. Yes meathead, they had been planning to marry before they got separated."
Ganon's eyes began to glow from excitement. My bro was in love, and he fell in love with the same person all over again. Tearing up a little bit he cut Eulissa off.
"—That's amazin'!"
"Well it would be if that idiot didn't forget all about his fiance. Anyways she eventually wanted to know what room he was in, because she missed cuddling with him. I don't blame her. Imagine sleeping together every night then out of nowhere you're separated. Forced to sleep alone for nine months. So as any good friend would do I showed Miki where he was at, and let her in!"
A silhouette grew in size behind Eulissa. It's eyes gleamed with vengeance lifting it's leg it pushed her down the rest of the stairs with it's foot..
"I knew you were behind this you damn grape sized tyrant."
Q standing above Eulissa with his foot still in the air grinned. Finally I caught her when she messed up. Time to milk this for what it's worth. Pretending to be angry Q's voice got a condescending tone as he took shots at Eulissa.
"You can't just let someone who claims to be engaged to me in my room! I know your chest looks like a child, but that doesn't mean you have to act like one."
Stomping her foot Eulissa shot back.
"You're one to talk powdered donut! Us girls gotta stick together! You're lucky someone as cute as Miki would give you the time of day after forgetting about her. I mean seriously you can't be both ugly, and stupid! Pick a struggle!"
Ouch. That actually hurt, but damn am I proud of her for those insults. I can't even be mad. He rolled his eyes trying to act tough.
"Oh so now you are allowed to call her Miki? One late night conspiracy is all it took for you two to be tight huh?
"Are ya hard of hearing too? I told you us girls have to stick together!"
"Next time you two perverts can stick together as the guards haul you off for breaking into my room!"
"Tch. In case you forgot asshat this is my tavern, and Emma is my best friend!"
Q knew he was already pushing his luck but just couldn't resist the temptation. He leaned against the railing to the stairs, and smugly stated.
"Technically Euron owns this tavern."
Eulissa flipped off Q with both hands. In her frustration she stomped off. Q went to go follow her but Ganon put both his hands up to prevent him from doing so.
"I think you should give her some space bro. I'll go talk to her."
Q realizing he definitely made a mistake shrunk down, and backed off. He knew Eulissa meant well, and he knew Miki posed no threat to any of them. Why am I so sensitive about this whole thing? I never get my panties in a bunch like this. Normally I'd make one joke to get her going then leave it. Set on making things right he told Ganon.
"Alright bro you're right. I'm really sorry. I'll go get the manuscripts we need to deliver. I'll also check some trade routes, and daily news to see what we are working with. Anything else that needs to be done I'll take care of before we head out. "
Ganon happily nodded. This is how he is everytime he does something stupid. If it helps make him a little less guilty then it's fine. He started to walk away from Q but then remembered he needed something special for the road.
"Could you pack some Mabear Gumbos before we go?"
Q smiled and gave him a thumbs up.
"It's funny you asked. I already stocked up on them for you! Aren't I the best?"
"Hahaha. You are definitely the weirdest—"
Q frowning a little bit started to whine at Ganon.
"Ahh don't be like that."
"—But you are definitely the best too!
With that Ganon took off to have a talk with Eulissa, and Q went to look for Miki. I know I told him I would get everything ready. I don't plan on making her do any work, but I'd rather have company while getting everything ready. He looked all around the pub, and on the third floor, and couldn't find her anywhere. Maybe she went back to her room to get some stuff around? Following that line of thought he made his way to her door, and knocked. No answer. Oh well, I guess I'll head back to my room to get myself around. As he was walking back down to his room on the second floor he found himself lost in thought. She seemed so peaceful laying there, and it felt kinda right. Were we really engaged? If so, why didn't she bring it up to me? He shook his head. Still. That was a long time to be alone. Why didn't she just move on? If our roles were reversed would I have done the same? From the looks of it she hasn't partied up with anyone either. He shuddered at the thought of being alone again. He thought back to when he stumbled into The Fool's Errand. Thankfully Ganon, Eulissa, and Euron took care of him. He knew now that he was truly blessed. I need to make sure I apologize to Eulissa before I leave, and while I'm at it I should thank those three for everything they've done for me again. Q still very much lost in thought opened the door to his room.
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeekk!"
Miki was just pulling her baggy nightshirt over her head as Q came in. He panicked stuttering trying to explain himself.
"I-I'm sorry! It was an a-accident!"
She held her shirt in front of her body to cover herself up, and looked away from Q. Blushing she walked towards him. Based on everything that's happened, and my knowledge of anime I'm so dead. Before he could say anything else Miki spoke softly.
"I thought maybe Ganon had barged in again—I don't mind being seen if it's you…"
Q quickly turned around, and covered his nose as it started to bleed. Seriously what the actual fuck? If this is a book or something I hate the writer. Not knowing what to do he let out a nervous laugh as he tried to walk away from Miki.
"I appreciate it, but I think I forgot something down—"
Her arms wrapped around him from behind. He felt her breasts rub against his back. So soft. She squeezed him tighter. Her voice became a whisper.
"Quincy… Did you mean what you said last night?"
She can't be asking me about that! She was in fact asking him about that.
"Hahaha. I said a lot of things last night. Which part do you mean?"
Even though he couldn't see her face he knew she was pouting. He really hasn't changed. This is exactly how he would avoid things before. Blushing even more now she started to shift back, and forth rubbing her boobs against him more.
"You know what I am talking about. I want confirmation you want to be with me. The thing is I know how you work. You could say you meant something different down the road because you are afraid of your own feelings. What exactly did you mean by 'going forward I'd like you to be with me'?"
Obviously Q remembered this quite well, but he was shocked at how she got it right word for word. Chuckling to himself he thought to himself. The fact that she is so forward with me really makes me putty in her hands. If she were to be indirect like I am with this stuff we wouldn't get anywhere. I can only imagine we would be like two high schoolers straight out of a romcom manga. Not wanting to keep her waiting on an answer he spoke nervously.
"Are you sure this is what you want—"
Squeezing his midsection even tighter she cut him off. She knew he needed the push to stop beating around the bush. She pressed herself as close to him as she could whining.
"More than anything. Please answer me!"
"—You know I really may not be the same person you feel in love with right? Based on your accounts, and my time here we've been apart for over nine months."
"Please just answer my question Quincy, do you truly want to be with me?"
He was too busy dealing with his own anxiety to notice she wasn't blushing anymore. Instead the back of his shirt was wet with his tears. This wasn't his intention.
"Listen Miki... I'm super focused on making a ton of money, and I constantly go on dangerous quests. It's not something I'd want to subject you to—
"Why won't you stay with me? Why?! "
Sobbing Mikiyu dropped to her knees. Q turned around, and dropped his coat over her.
"—But I truly don't want to be without you either. I know it's selfish because I don't remember you well, and I don't know why I feel this way yet. But Miki will you please stay with me? I will protect you this time, and help carry your burden whatever that may be. Will you accept me for who I am as of right now? If you decide down the road I am not the kind of person you want to be with I'll just have to accept that. All I know right now is that for some reason I want to be with you."
Her tears stopped, she felt as though she was dreaming. Finally after being alone for so long I'll be with him again. This time I won't let him go no matter what! She reached up to grab the back of his neck pulling him in for a kiss. She stopped short to make sure he was ok to move forward. Clearly he was shocked, but the intensity in his eyes said all that needed to be said. His body moved on his own as he joined his lips with hers. Time froze seemingly never to continue. Her lips are so soft. Q Thought to himself. He was sure she could hear his heart beating out of his chest at this point. Finally they let go and Miki turned around her while her ears glowed like hot iron.
"W-we should probably get a move on. I don't want to make Ganon wait so long he needs to eat again."
Unable to think clearly Q simply nodded. Still very much dizzy from the surprise kiss, Q held his lips while Mikiyu finished getting ready. Butterflies filled his stomach. In a daze he too finished getting ready to depart. Slowly the realization set in of his responsibility as he remembered his previous failure. I will never watch her die again.Their hands were joined together as they headed downstairs to meet up with Ganon. Completely unaware that their bond would be tested much sooner than they originally thought.