Disclaimer - I don't own PSO2: New Genesis. This is written for the Froday Flash Fiction Little Special for the month of June 2021 where the sentences of the story go through the letters of the alphabet in some manner. Story also needed to be a hundred words or more.

Am I writing this ship because I think it will become canon? Nope. I simply couldn't help but notice how awkward the two characters could be around each other at times which sparked the idea in my head.

Alone No More

Aina gazed out at the destruction in front of her, her throat tightening.

Beaches where she played as a child were now scorched with nary a sight of anyone who once lived in Aelio Town. Crying, Aina knew, wasn't an option for an ARKS operative, particularly after she faltered in battle as she had. Dealing with the feelings left by the loss of her community, even her father, was a whole other matter entirely. Emotions simply weren't something one could wish away.

Fingers reached up in an attempt to brush tears away, making Aina feel even less – whatever it was she wanted to feel, something she couldn't place her finger on.

Gently, a gust of salty seaside air blew in her face and she took a deep breath, biting back the feelings which remained a lump in her chest. Hesitantly, she opened her eyes, having not realized she'd closed them in the first place.

"I miss you, all of you."

Just as the words came out of her mouth, someone placed a hand on her shoulder. Kindness wasn't something Aina expected from another person as she'd come back to the Aelio Town ruins on her own. Looking over her shoulder, she saw who'd offered her the gesture of kindness.

"Mannon!" Aina choked out.

"Never forget you're not alone Aina," Mannon said, smiling at her.

Only, Aina already knew that as her heart fluttered at seeing the Meteoran. Perplexed, Aina turned so she might look at the beaches again, confused at the sudden change in feelings she felt. Quietly, a blush spread across her cheeks. "Really, you didn't need to worry about me."

"Sometimes I wonder..." Mannon paused.

Turning back, Aina watched Mannon look away nervously. "Um..."

Various thoughts crossed her mind in the next moments. With a single movement, she leaned in slightly, placing her hands on Mannon's shoulders so that she turned into the kiss Aina left on her lips.

"Xenial are we?" Mannon replied.

"You... you," Aina stuttered out as her cheeks turned a vivid red, realizing she'd just confessed her feelings towards Mannon not only to Mannon but herself. "Zounds!"

"Aina."

Before Mannon could say anything, Aina turned away so she might forget the burning feeling in her cheeks.

"Careful Aina!" Desperately, Manon reached out and grabbed Aina's wrist before she headed over the edge of the cliff without realizing it. Embarrassment remained, if not grew. Facial features felt as if they continued to turn red. Gently, Manon turned Aina back towards her. Helplessly, Aina attempted to brush tears of embarrassment away. "I like you too."

Jerking her head up, Aina's eyes went wide. "Kiss... I... uh..."

"Look, I..." Mannon frowned, never good with words, but then she leaned in, kissing Aina on the lips. Nervous tingles went down Aina's spine into her gut.

"Oh."

"Perhaps we should start dating?" Mannon asked.

Quiet Aina remained, her voice locking up. Remarkably, she finally stammered out, "Ye... yes."

Something good happened because of everything bad, but then Aina felt guilty. Touching Aina's lips with one finger to quiet the thoughts, Mannon said, "Your father would want you to be happy, right?"

"Undoubtedly," Aina said, still trying to sort through all of her feelings—for Mannon, for having lost everyone in the village, including her father. Vitaly, life must go on though. Without hesitating she took Mannon's hand so they might head back into town, finding a way to move forward together.