Gon's POV

I kept my eyes on my beloved the entire day. She was smiling a little bit more, a little bit more. Even if it was that much, it was still a wonderful improvement for Rose. I loved her so much... After that kiss, I felt closer to her. I felt like she could share my powerful feelings for her.

Rose and I sat on the our beds, facing each other. "So, Rosie," I started. "When do you want to set out?"

"I-I don't kn-know... I... C-can't d-decide..." She made a crooked smile, but I still found it amazingly beautiful. "W-will I s-still be w-with you...?"

I smiled widely, leaning in. "Of course! You'll always be with me."

Rose made her smile even more genuine, and I found it to be ethereal. I truly did. I lifted my hand and placed it on her thigh again. I blushed at the thought of her kissing me again. It felt like sweet heaven the first two times, and I wanted her to do it again. "R-Rose?" I didn't mean to stutter.

"Y-yes...?"

"Can... I get another kiss?"

Almost instantly, Rose kind of leapt onto me, wrapping her arms around my neck and capturing my lips with her own. At that moment, the only thing I could smell was Rose's thick and sweet scent that she left behind, and I swear I saw a flowery field at the time. But what was most intoxicating... Was the way I felt. My entire body was wrapped in a ticklish feeling that made everything feel tingly. From my head to my toes, but mostly in my lips.

That tingly feeling was abruptly cut off when Rose pulled away from me. She sat back on her bed blushed a light pink with the tips of her fingers pressed against her lips. When I didn't respond, she burst out, "Oh, I-I'm s-so sorry...! D-d-did you h-hate it...?"

I blinked and shook my head frantically. "No, Rose! I liked it... Very much. D-don't worry!"

Rose relaxed a little bit, but her worried expression didn't fade. I went over and hugged her a little tightly. "It's okay, Rosie. Really."

"O-okay... Gon..." Oh my God I love her so much... Her voice is pure silk. I hesitantly kissed the back of her neck softly. She flinched slightly, but didn't try to stop me. Could... She love me as well?! That would make me so... So... Happy... Maybe I should ask her...

I pulled away from my beloved and stared into her rose-gold eyes. "Rose...? Do you... Do you love me...?" I asked quietly. Rose's cheeks were painted a hot pink, and she looked away slightly. "I... I-I..."

I awaited her answer patiently. It looked like Rose wanted to get so many things out, but couldn't. Like her throat wouldn't allow the words to escape from it. I still waiting, my breath short and my heart pumping.

"I d-d-don't kn-know..." By that point, I think a piece of my heart snapped off. I suppose it was obvious. I more or less kidnapped her, didn't I? Took her away from her home. It's a miracle that she even smiled at me... I looked down at my lap. "Oh..." I meant to mask the voice, but couldn't hide the disappointment.

"G-Gon..." She must've noticed it. I straightened my lips into a straight line. "It's okay." I reassured stiffly. "It's totally fine."

"D-d-do you... Hate m-me...?" Rose suddenly asked after a painful moment of silence.

I shot up, erect. "Hate you? Of course not! I could never hate you. I was just wondering if you hate me..."

Rose leaned in with a panicked expression. "N-no...! I d-don't hate G-G-Gon Freecss... A-and... I... W-wasn't finished..." I leaned closer to her as well. She continued with a light pink blush on her beautiful face, "Wh-which k-kind of l-love...?"

"Huh?"

"U-unconditional, emotional, platonic, physica-" She listed, but I cut her off at the fourth one.

"Any one out of the first three!" I smiled awkwardly. "Y-you can pick those..."

Rose tapped her chin while looking down. After a minute, she spoke. "Emotional, then."

The part of my heart that had snapped off reattached itself and started pumping abnormally. Not fast enough that I was having a heart attack; it felt good.

"Are you serious, Rose?!" I didn't mean for my tone to sound so excited. I was just that happy. "You're telling the truth?"

(Play music [Rose's second theme] LISTEN TO THE END)

The silver haired beauty closed her eyes slowly and her blush became redder. But she smiled. She smiled a wonderful smile that could make a Queen's Guard lose focus. I smiled as will, and my cheeks heated up fervently.

"Y-yes... I th-think I l-love you, Gon." She murmured. "Y-you're kind, a-and h-honest, a-and you b-b-believe in j-justice, wh-which I a-admire v-very much... I-it feels r-r-ridiculous... Not to l-love someone like y-you... S-so..."

My vision became blurry. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Not one word. Rose loved me (probably not as much as I do her though,) and I loved her too. After all that she went through, she was still capable of understanding, giving, and accepting love.

I lifted my arm and placed it on top of her head when she finished speaking. Rose looked up at me, surprised. "H-huh...?" I leaned in closer and softly pushed her forehead over to my own. After pressing them together, I whispered, "I love you."

Rose relaxed calmly and whispered back, "I l-love you too Gon." And then without warning, she pressed her lips mine softly.

I will protect her. I will keep her safe. Nobody can do the job except for me. I can guarantee that, Rose can guarantee that. And if nobody else will, well that's just fine.

Because then it'd be us against the world. And that's just fine too.