Chapter Text
"I'll do it"
Hiro spun around in surprise only to see his long-time comrade and new found friend, Mitsuru.
The shock was evident on all their faces as they realized what that likely meant for him. Kokoro began to cry bitterly.
"Are you sure about this, Mitsuru?"
Hiro spoke softly with a tiny tremor in his voice. He was ashamed to admit that the thought of possibly losing him didn't hurt quite as much as the thought of losing ZeroTwo forever. This surely was a twisted world.
Mitsuru nodded, having already made up his mind as he looked over at Kokoros slumped form: "Yes, I'll never be able to see Kokoros and my child if I follow you into space..."
He looked Hiro in the eye, determined.
"It hurts, it really does, but if I don't help you with all my strength I could never look at myself without shame anymore. Knowing you're out there somewhere, fighting for your love."
Unshed tears wet his eyes but his voice didn't waver. It was as steady as his belief.
"You know that you probably won't return, right?" stated Hiro but he already knew the answer. He saw it in his eyes that he'd made up his mind.
They nodded at each other and felt the bond of friendship tug at their hearts.
As everyone went ahead to prepare for takeoff Mitsuru knelt down to comfort the still crying Kokoro. He kissed her forehead softly as he spoke in a gentle tone. She hugged him desperately but she understood. This was their final goodbye.
-
Hiro and Mitsuru entered the cockpit together and locked eyes. The atmosphere was heavy with worry and doubt but also lined with hope. As Mitsuru took the bent over position he felt his cheeks flush. He knew what this position was meant to invoke now after all. The unfamiliar feeling of the helmet covering his vision to prepare him for the piloting felt a bit claustrophobic but Hiros gentle voice reassured him.
"You doing alright? Take it easy now"
"I'm okay, let's do this"
He took a few deep breaths - In and out, in and out. Hiro grabbed a hold of the handles on Mitsurus backside and their minds started to merge to one unit. A rush of the others feelings sent shivers down both of their spines as Mitsuru started breathing heavily but Hiros calm thoughts helped him cool down as well. "You're doing great," Hiro smiled at the projection of the Strelizias face appearing on the interface, "for your first time"
"Don't get cocky now!" Mitsurus face began to burn in embarrassment. No way in hell he'd admit how often he imagined this very situation in his dreams. They were far and few in between now that he was together with Kokoro but it was strange having the real deal feel so different but similar at the same time. He hoped Hiro wouldn't notice anything over their connection.
"Um, Mitsuru?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you, for doing this for me. You really didn't need to.. After how I treated you."
Thinking back still hurt, being ignored for so long. The mental isolation. The feeling of loss as Hiro got sent away from the camp with 15. The jealousy he felt at ZeroTwos constant closeness to him. But this - this moment here with him, truly with him, made it all worth it.