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Their relationship started as "Handler One" and "Undertaker". Nothing more than commander - soldier communications.
The Spearhead squadron was about to receive their 6th handler. They were used to being ditched at the second day since no handler could put up with the squadron commander’s esper ability. If they were too abusive, he would indirectly break them down with the black sheep’s voices.
Until the 6th handler came. It was a woman more or less their age, or so they supposed. Her voice was soft and caring. She usually calls at night just to chat and ask them about their daily lives. She would specially talk to Undertaker, he was the commander so he obviously was the one who had to make the reports.
Undertaker was only his codename. They were not considered people, just drones who didn’t deserve a name or a grave when their time comes. His real name was Shinei Nouzen. His soft, careless and calm voice was like some kind of drug to the Major, whose name was Vladilena Milizé, a prodigy in San Magnolia when it comes to military tactics.
They talked every single night. She came back after the voices. She was there… always there. They never saw each other’s faces or had a hint how they looked like behind those words. Lena loved his voice and she wouldn’t notice of course, but she started feeling things for that lovely voice. Until the day they had to say goodbye. In the end, Spearhead was just a death squadron.
Months went by, Lena mourned them every single day, she missed them, she got demoted because of them… she gave them her soul and she gave him her heart. Being the best handler in San Magnolia, she decided to represent the pain of the Eighty Six with her uniform and her hair. Bloody Regina. Bloodstained Queen. All those names surged at the cost of what she did with Spearhead.
Little she knew that they, that he was outside there, somewhere she didn’t know it even existed.
During their special reconnaissance mission, the last five members of Spearhead who were considered dead were rescued by a foreign nation and finally managed to live a life worthy of being called “life”. They joined the army ranks nevertheless. War came, bloodshed, pain, death… nothing they were not used to. Shin was left to die, he decided to die that day, until he saw someone… an Alba woman with a peculiar voice. It was his Major, Major Milizé.
Their lives changed from that day onwards. Someone once said that destiny plays in funny ways with our souls and hearts. Shin realized that she was as beautiful as her voice sounded like in the para raid. Lena also noticed that he was some handsome man and damn, she really liked being by his side.
Day by day, she realized that he was more than another soldier. She wanted to be by his side, however, did he want to be by her side?
Shin had lost all hope in life. He had no future to look forward to or family to return to. What he didn’t want to acknowledge is that he, too, had developed feelings for the now Colonel Milizé. He had this weird thing inside of him. Was it jealousy? Was it anger? Did he find her irritating? She usually worries so much about him he wasn’t sure. He didn’t know these kind of feelings.
She couldn’t be around him much without blushing or acting like a little child. He would try to deal with that filled with insecurities: she doesn’t like me so she avoids me. Everyone around them could read the room and had figured ages ago that these two were meant to be. Fate played a wild card on them and tangled their destinies for the best. By this time, they can’t imagine a life without each other.
“They say a vow in front of a God is a vow for life” says Shin.
“Please let me be your confidant, your beloved, the one who tends to your wounds, the one who dries your tears when you’re feeling sad” Lena replies.
It was a sealing kiss. Their future was decided with that kiss and their lives changed forever. Shin would finally have a reason to stay alive; he just wants to stay by Lena’s side. Her smile was like a freshly born flower from a green field. Her kisses were like the hardest and addictive liquor he could ever try. Every touch was invigorating to his senses and he just wants to have all of her, for himself only.
Shin wanted her, but he respected her choices when it came to intimate times. She loved the touch of his hands all over her body so why not take it to the next step? Fuck, they even moved in together. She was the one who proposed him to have sex for the first time, in the end, they never knew when things could fatally end.
Lena’s body was a piece of heaven for him, they enjoyed every moment and the joy of waking up next to each other with a little ray of sunshine on her white hair. Shin and Lena have been dating for months now, but there’s no denying that she’s all he wants in his life.
As quiet as he can be, he took her out for a walk. The sun was out, the birds were chirping and the weather was perfect. Being silent for a while the mood was kinda weird. Something felt weird in him that day. They stopped at the pond that was close to the base. It was the closest thing he had to the sea in this moment. They were both wearing uniforms since there was nothing special happening that day, or so she thought.
“Lena”
“…Yes?”
“Thank you… for everything. Thank you for returning life to me, thank you for accepting me, caring for me, tending for me… You are my angel, my paradise, my home.”
Lena’s eyes were already watery, she had no idea why these words were coming out of his mouth but she was in awe. He was the love of her life and gave up many things for him. She was astonished and words didn’t come out of her mouth.
“Staying by your side even beyond death was already something we established but, I want to call you mine… I want to take you to the altar. Vladilena Milizé, would you marry me?
He pops out a silver ring with a round stone. He received it from his grandfather after expressing how much he wanted to marry Lena.
“Oh my God Shin I-“
She was crying so much on her knees that he didn’t even understand a word she was saying.
“I do, let me be forever yours please”
For their surprise, all of the Eighty Six Strike Package was observing the moment and came out of hiding with loud cheers.
…
Lena was wearing the most precious dress ever. It had a long veil and you could easily see her perfect figure behind the dress. Her hair was tied in a braid filled with flowers. Kurena, Anju and Frederica were her maids, they wanted to take her to Shin looking flawless. She wasn’t ready, she was nervous but the big moment came.
Shin was waiting on the altar with all of the guests and his best men, Theo and Raiden teasing him how he was about to “lose his freedom”. And then she appears. She was flawless.
Have they ever seen the Undertaker crying in public? Now they have. He was crying of happiness. He was crying cause we was about to marry the most beautiful girl on earth. His handler one.
Frederica was holding the dress from behind, since it was too long. Anju and Kurena were by her side, holding their tears. When Lena arrives at the altar, she holds his hand.
“Hey”
“How come you are so beautiful?”
There was a priest holding the ceremony. When they were exchanging rings, they both screamed “I do” from the bottom of their lungs like two little kids playing tag.
“And now I declare you husband and wife, please rise up for Vladilena and Shinei Nouzen!”
“I'll never know
If there's danger in confession
Or it's memory that presses
Like a blade against my throat
Another word and I could choke
But what's worse?
Tellin' you my feelings
Or to die without revealing
That you got inside my head
And set a fire there instead?
Letting all my insecurity
Devour me with certainty
That love is just a currency
So take my pockets, take me home
Take my life, and take my soul
Wrap me in a wedding ring
You know I swear I'd give you anything”