Reunited at Last [Charles]

After a very successful escort of the survivors to San Malarus, (All thanks to Alphonse and Jack), Mae was finally back on her home island. It felt like she had been gone longer than just a couple of hours, but maybe that's because of what had just happened... But that wasn't as important as what the end result turned out to be. Charles returned to her. And that was the sole reason she had gone outside of the safe bubble surrounding the island to begin with... That phone-call had reminded her just how much Charles meant to her, and how much she needed him. A true eye-opener. And all it took was a phone call, and a massive demoness bent on smashing Penecia into dust.

Anyway, the two of them were currently on their way back to Mae's appartment, as she had asked Charles to go there with her once the survivors were safe. The walk wasn't all that long, suprisingly, and they reached her home fairly quickly, despite the bad shape which the streets were in. The pinkette opened up her bag, and picked up her keys, unlocked the door, and opened it, letting Charles go inside first. "W-Well... Here you go. This is where I live now... Ehehe..." The interior was rather modest and simplistic, with the only thing really standing out was the pink Ranger Mask hanging on the wall opposing Mae's bed. The view outside was nothing to write home about either, but it wasn't bad. All in all, it was a good livingspace for a 21-year old woman. The bed itself was spacious enough for two people (as evidenced earlier), but that meant lying uncomfortably close to one-another (unless you were into that sort of thing). On the floor, the messy, blue futon was spread out, being a leftover from Ayane's latest sleepover which Mae had yet to clean up. "Excuse the mess... After everything that has happened, I haven't had much time to clean up, you see..." Mae said in an excusing tone as she closed the door behind her. "But, um... Make yourself at home, I guess."

Nothing was the way it used to be. The world around them, the world inside them, nothing... Streets were a mess... The two of them, as they traversed them, were a mess as well. It was like the whole world got turned upside down, yet... as Charles held Mae's hand, it seemed perfectly fine. The streets were a mess and nothing was ever gonna be as it used to be, but it was fine, because, if they were going to be helping to forge the future for themselves anew, then that future would definitely be a good one. He could feel it.

Mae's apartment, however small or untidy, appeared bright and beautiful to Charles, more than any rich mansion would at that moment, because he felt welcome here, he felt welcome with Mae, in this little paradise... So, as she stuttered in embarassment, Charles gave her a reassuring smile. He felt awkward as well, but with her, like this, it gave him greater strenght. Strenght to let him bring comfort to his girlfriend. "Don't worry, I love it." He said to her as he looked around, before chuckling as he noticed the mask on the wall. "Personanger Pink, forever and ever." He turned back to her with that bright smile on his face.

This was going to be a heartfelt reunion, he knew it.

Yes... this was a feeling she remembered all too well. The feeling that she could do anything, so long as he was with her. Whatever trials awaited them in the future, Mae believed that they could make it through no matter what. With him... she felt safe, because she knew that he would protect her from any harm, and she would protect him in return. This was what she had grown strong for, no? "Hehe, thank you." Mae replied to him sheepishly before falling backwards onto the bed with a tired look on her face. Her entire body was aching from everything that had gone down. First that demon showed up at the Church, then the issues with Sharaku, then she met Yuniko, and not to mention the fighting and searching for Charles that she had done. And all that happened over the span of just two days. Hard to imagine, but it was true, so her being exhausted like no other was understandable. "Yeah... I kept that mask as a reminder that I always have to push forward, to keep those around me safe from harm, and as a way for me to not lose sight of my dreams. All things that I've learned over my first year on Azorean soil..." She had lived here now for 3 whole years, soon to be four years in February...

Mae turned over on the bed to look at Charles, a loving smile present on her face as she spoke. "You know... I'm so glad I moved to Azores... Sure, I never found my mother, which is a little bit of a shame. Had it not been for me moving here, I never would've been dragged into this mess two years ago, I wouldn't have met Jack and the others, and I wouldn't have met you either. My move here has probably caused more bad than good for my life, but in the end, it's worth it, since I got to meet, and fall in love with you..." Her voice was rather quiet the whole time, but only for the reason that she barely had any energy left in her body.

Charles kept standing as Mae threw herself onto the bed. He just looked at her and smiled, before nodding. "I think I understand what you mean." He replied. He'd kept around Jack ever since they'd met and he knew how much of an impact that bufoon made on people, haha. However dumb and illogical he was.

As the android kept listening to the girl speak, his face softened further. "I'm glad too. Though I still don't know how I even got here... I'm happy I woke up in time to meet everyone. Especially you... And this time, I'm not going anywhere, Mae." He wanted to sit by the bed next to her, but he wasn't sure whether she'd appreciate it immediately... They'd been separated for a long time now and, no matter how they loved each other, their relationship could not be mended without being given some time.

So he sat on the floor next to the bed, moving the futon a bit as to not... well, get it dirty or anything. They HAD been rolling in the sand for the past few hours, after all. Then he'd find himself at a crossroads all of a sudden. "Hmm..." Charles said out loud, obviously confused. He looked at Mae. "Well... what can we do now as a couple again, haha... I suppose the city doesn't function as it used to... Or maybe you just want to rest now? I'll watch over you."

"I'm glad to hear that, Charles. We have to learn from our mistakes and move forward..." She had to become a better person, for his sake... and for her own. His words made her feel warm inside. No matter how many times she heard him say that, it was a warm feeling that would never lose it's effect on her, and he meant it this time around. Things were finally starting to get better between the two of them... Sure, it would take time to get back to the point where they were before, but... somehow, after all the struggles they've faced, and the time spent away somehow caused her connection to Charles feel much stronger than before. They had both made mistakes, some greater than others, and now it was time to rectify those.

Charles had decided not to Join her on the bed, which was a wise move on his part. They needed a bit more time... not that she would've protested much had he actually joined her. The girl would slowly move to the side so she was facing Charles. True, there wasn't much available during times like these, but it wasn't that big of an issue right now... They could focus on that stuff once this crisis was all over and done with. "I... dunno... Depends on what you want. But before anything else, we need to get you cleaned up." Mae replied to him with a light chuckle. "You're completely covered in Sand and dirt."

"Haha, I suppose we do... And have." Charles gave Mae another reassuring smile as he was done contemplating it all. This was how it was supposed to be. The paths all led to this destination. Now, what was left for them was to make the most of it and take it slow and sure. That way, even if they do make a mistake, they'll be able to endure it and fix it.

Now then, Charles did know he was dirty, but really to what extent, he couldn't have been sure. So, when Mae mentioned they had to do that first, he first flinched as he tried to look at himself to see how bad it all was before jumping up. "Oh, I got your floor all dirty, sorry." He said to her as he scratched the back of his head and looked at the small mess he'd made. "C-can I use the bathroom, then..?"

Now, if Mae allowed him, Charles would make his way to the bathroom, minding each step he made as to not make a bigger mess and looking in Mae's direction apologetically every now and then.

"Yeah." Mae nodded in response to her boyfriend's words. They had both learned a lot from what had happened last time, and she didn't want a repeat of that this time around. The end goal was happiness for them both, no?

"Oh, it's no problem, really. I can clean that up." Mae replied with a thin smile. Normally, she would've been furious, but considering the already messy state of the room, it was in need of cleaning anyway, so what was a little more dirt going to do? She was gonna mop the floor anyway once this catastrophe was all over and done with. "Go right ahead, if you're water-proof that is. If you need any help, let me know, and I'll come running, so make sure to not lock the door, okay? I don't want you to short-circuit in there or something..." She replied with a light smile. As for his apologetic looks, Mae would actually respond to them. "Oh, there's no need to give me that look, Charles. It's okay."

"Oh, right, yeah, I'm waterproof, so no need to worry. I don't think I'll need help or anything, haha." Charles muttered a short 'thank you' before rushing into the bathroom, closing the door shut behind his step but not locking it as to please Mae's request, more from courtesy and awkwardness than from the fact he didn't want to show himself, because there was nothing to show. And frankly, he'd lost all his clothes anyways for a moment in the fight, so everyone's seen everything. He wasn't embarrassed about it, of course. As an android, he knew no such feeling regarding nudity (when he was the one geting nude) as he knew no eastern sin. Once he did get inside, though, a certain realization hit him...he was in Mae's bathroom. This wasn't the bathroom in his apartment and this wasn't any other bathroom he'd never used anyways. No, this was Mae's bathroom. Out of all people and their bathrooms, this one was Mae's. All of a sudden, a weird, uneasy sinking feeling overcame him as he glanced around. This was all full of Mae.

And, as quickly as he got in, he got out, still all sandy and dirty. Looking at Mae, he grinned... "Uhm, Mae. I do need help, after all... Eheh... Do you maybe have a hose outside or something, eheheh... I-I don't really wanna get your shower dirty, y-you know..."

"Oh. I guess that makes things easier. Alright, if you say so. I'll wait here then." Mae replied to the android with a gentle smile as she watched him enter the bathroom. Once the door closed behind him, her gaze would fall towards the dirt on the floor. It really was driving her nuts. Oh dear. She stood up, and went to grab a dishcloth, in order to get rid of the absolute worst of the dirt. How could one robot become so dirty? Well, he WAS fighting with that huge demon lady, but still... Well, it could've been worse. He could've started... leaking oil or something from physical damage, which would both worry her immensly, and soil her carpet so badly that the damage would be irreversible. Oil stains were some of the toughest ones to get rid of, along with Banana and Blueberry stains of course.

But of course, as luck would have it, Mae had barely risen up from her bed before Charles walked out of the bathroom again, with a nervous grin on his face. To his question, Mae couldn't help but giggle a bit. "Oh, I wouldn't worry too much about that. Lemme just remove the carpet from the floor, and you can go right in." The woman rolled off the bed and headed straight inside the bathroom, rolling up the carpet into a tube, and brought it outside. "Do you need anything else?"

Charles began panicking. Seriously... Nonono... She really believed... What was he supposed to do now? He couldn't tell her he was... scared of bathing in her bathroom because it was her bathroom. It would be embarassing!!! Charles looked at Mae, trying his best to pull of a smile while the entirety of his being was screaming in distress. "T-thanks, Mae. Hahaha... I'll be off now... Yes..." Slowly, he crept back into the bathroom... and closed the door behind himself, once again setting his sights of the bathroom, the only difference being that the carper was now gone.

What was she expecting him to wipe himself with even? Like, he couldn't use one of her towels already outside because she probably used them... and he wasn't gonna go rummaging around her drawers... That would be impolite and well... you get the point!!!

Charles was stuck once again. Back against the door, keeping as far away from the monster that was Mae's bathroom. He couldn't take it anymore... The walls... the walls were closing in on him!!! He couldn't breathe, he couldn't breathe, he couldn't breathe!!!

Oh---wait. Nah, he couldn't breathe, but that wasn't an issue. The issue was getting out of here asap!!!

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Charles exited the bathroom again, this time more slowly. It would be apparent to Mae from the way he sheepisly, meekly smiled at her that something was wrong again...

"M-mae... I think, I think the water's not running... Maybe we should go outside and get a hose or something... If you have one... And even if you don't, we could go ask one of your neighbors, r-right..? I wouldn't wanna mess the shower up even more..."

Now, if Mae got into the shower, she'd notice there was nothing wrong with it. And she would be met with an awkwardly grinning Charles at the door of the bathroom as she'd turn around... "Eheh... My bad... I suppose..."

Mae watched with a light smile as Charles walked back inside and closed the door behind him. Not that he stayed inside for very long. The sheepish smile tipped her off that there was something wrong... again. "It's.... not running...?" Mae asked him with a raised eyebrow, walking inside the bathroom. Well, that certainly was a possibility, given the current state of the city. But given how there wasn't even a speck of dirt inside the shower, something which the very dirty Charles would most likely leave behind. She grabbed the shower handle and turned on the water... and sure enough, water came pouring out of it. "You sure about that, Charles?" She asked with a light giggle, raising an eyebrow at him yet again. "In all seriousness, what is the problem? Do you want me to wash you from top to bottom? Is that it?" How did you even clean a robot? Like a car? With high-pressured water and car wax? She had neither here... so maybe Shampoo and water would have to do, since it was all that the girl had access to.

"Haha... my bad..." Charles scratched the back of his head. What was he even thinking, telling such a stupid lie..? Of course Mae was gonna come into the bathroom and take a look for herself!!! This was her apartment, after all. G-geez... That on its own was enough to shake him even further towards complete unease in the face of Mae's bathroom, so what she said afterwards ended up pushing him to the very limits. If he could blush, he definitely would have blushed. But this way, as an android, he felt his inner wheels and technologies start working on overdrive. He couldn't keep still anymore and his temperature rose drastically... Almost like Orgia mode was in effect.

"W-w-w-w-w-what do you mean, wash me from top to bottom!" He felt exposed all of a sudden. Something he hadn't felt like, ever. In front of Mae though, even imagining something like this was enough for all the cogs in his body to skip a beat. He'd never had this problem whenever Jack had to do maintenance, so like... Was this because of love..? O-oh boy... Ohohoh boy...

"O-o-on the second thought... Maybe I should go and see if any stores around have a hose!!!" He began backing towards the door with the politest smile still on his face, but wavering as he could barely keep himself together.

"Hey, are you okay?" Mae asked the android as his demeanour started getting very... erratic. Oh, geez... She had completely forgot just how lifelike he could be at times. Of course this would fluster him. Apparently to such a degree that he had trouble even standing up properly. No way she could let him walk down all those stairs in his current condition. "Charles... the shower's right here. You don't need to go so far just to get cleaned. Like, is there an issue with my bathroom or something?" Mae asked, blocking the exit, with a light shake of her head. "I'm sorry I got you so flustered... Now, just calm down, and explain to me why you can't use my shower...."

"I-I'm fine..!" Charles kept backing away, but Mae seemed to block his path. He quickly turned around to face her, the smile on his face slowly shifting into almost a worried expression. He didn't want to keep anything away from her... He really didn't... But this was all so embarrassing... He didn't know what to do and how to act. And when she brought up the question of whether her or her bathroom were to be blamed for his unease, he flinched, letting out an audible gasp and raising his head for a moment before shifting his gaze away awkwardly... "I-it's not your fault... And your bathroom's perfectly fine... It's just..."

Charles found himself unable to say the words. Why was such a menial task so difficult to perform for him? Showering in Mae's bathroom should not have been a problem, and neither should have explaining the issue, yet there he was, struggling with it nonetheless! And it made him feel so bad, not being able to confide in about even such a simple thing to his dearest Mae. "It's just... I-I mean..."

Clearly not fine. But Mae decided it was probably not a good idea to keep this paticular topic going, and instead focused on the more... pressing matter. His behaviour more so. Peculiar, indeed. What was so bad about a bathroom? The android seemed to be in a lot of internal conflict... She knew that these feelings he had for her must be confusing for a robot who was probably never designed with this stuff in mind... or if he was, Charles certainly wasn't prepared for it. But that was his charm, was it not? His child-like innocence, curiousity and general positive outlook on his life were quite appealing, and endearing features. Him struggling with stuff like this was to be expected. Was he worried that she might leave him over this? Was there something he didn't want her to know? Or perhaps he was just... scared? The whole situation was so ironic. Not even 3 hours ago, he had been fighting fearlessly against a mountain sized demon, and he was now struggling with something small like this? Feelings sure were weird and funny.

"Charles." Mae said in a gentle voice, firmly gripping his left hand with both of hers. "Just take a deep breath, and tell me what's wrong. Regardless of what it is, I promise I won't leave you." A warm smile made it's way across the young woman's lips as she looked at the red reflection of herself in his eyes. She could really lose herself in those eyes of his... It was truly good to have him back.