Chapter Text
Isami Ao regrets a lot of things in his life. His cowardice made him lose too many chances. His world was shattered before he knew it. Bravern had confessed but hours prior, and he had left him behind as well. He couldn’t take it anymore, he broke. He hadn’t known how to answer, his love for Lewis would never fade that much he knew, but he knew that the other one wouldn’t want him to be alone forever due to him. He had reciprocated in whatever manner he could, it was not the same, but for some blissful hours he was able to forget the weight, the grief, that came hand in hand with this last battle.
Now Bravern is dead. Isami had thought, a fleeting small dark part of himself, that he would be fine with dying in this last battle. Getting to reunite with Lewis on the great beyond. He didn’t want to die. He didn’t want to die. He would regret it, living with only the memories of those he loved but he couldn’t think straight anymore. Lulu made him react, saved him from becoming a splatter on the ground. He got in Bravern's cockpit, he didn’t want to die but if he had to he would at least go on the last place he felt connected to both of them.
A miracle, it all had happened way too fast for him to truly process it. Bravern was Smith, he wanted to say so many things. He complained instead, punched the other. He was entrusted with hope. Ira fell, he didn't even know what happened to the other DeathDrive. Superbia had fallen as well, another regret to add. No time to mourn, said the universe. Verum Vita, a monster with angelic faceplate. Everyone coming together, his last ditch attack, alongside Lulu.
He had survived, Lewis had saved them once again. The particles of light fading on the evening sun look like fireflies, this was goodbye, he still couldn’t say it back, he would truly break if he tried. He can’t look, doing so would only mean it truly ended, they were forever parted.
“Think I can get a ride too?” He couldn’t believe his ears. He was here. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Of course the dork was complaining about not being a giant robot anymore. Lulu beat him to the punch, launching herself at the one both thought lost. He grabbed his hand.
Isami Ao regrets a lot of things, but right now, 6 months later, he is standing in front of the altar. His world is standing in front of him. Their daughter had brought the rings. Isami will probably regret a lot of things in the future. But he can say this without regret. “Lewis, I love you.”