The penthouse felt like sanctuary after weeks in the frozen north. Arthur stood in the doorway, goddesium prosthetics still cold from the journey, and watched Anne sitting at the kitchen table with her diary open before her.
She looked up. Her silver hair caught the overhead lights as recognition bloomed across her face.
"Teacher!" She launched herself from the chair, crossing the distance in seconds to wrap small arms around his waist. "You're home! You promised only two weeks! You're late!"
Arthur knelt, returning the embrace with careful pressure. "I'm sorry for the delay, Anne. Our shuttle got damaged and we had to make a good portion of the journey on foot. But, I'm back now, as promised."
"I know." Anne pulled back, eyes bright. "Phantom said that's what makes you reliable. And Scarlet said that's what makes you dangerous because people believe you." She tilted her head. "Which one is right?"
"Probably both," Arthur admitted, earning a giggle.
They spent the evening reviewing her activities—the drawings Alisa had helped her create, the books Phantom had recommended, the card games Scarlet had taught. Anne recounted each memory with the particular intensity of someone who understood how fragile retention could be.
"I wrote everything down," she said, showing him the diary. "So even if I forget, I can remember that it happened."
Arthur read through entries documenting weeks of life, growth, and connection. The community he'd built around her showed in every page.
"You did perfectly," he said quietly. "I'm proud of you."
Anne beamed.
The next morning brought administrative duties. Arthur gathered both Monarks teams in the Outpost's briefing room—all ten members present for the first time since the restructuring.
Scarlet leaned against the wall with characteristic casualness, though her crimson eyes tracked Arthur with predatory focus. Nyx occupied a chair backward, arms draped over the backrest. Lyra sat with perfect posture, audio recorder visible on her belt. Anis sprawled comfortably while Alisa maintained military bearing beside her.
Team Bravo filled the opposite side. Rapi stood at attention despite Arthur's repeated assurances that formality wasn't required. Flower and Ocean sat together, the Tetra Line partners maintaining their comfortable synchronization. Miranda examined her nails with affected disinterest that fooled absolutely no one. V perched on a table edge, legs swinging.
"Mission debrief first," Arthur began, outlining the northern operation—Research Base Seventeen, the Queen of Hearts Tyrant, Squad Unlimited's preservation work, Snow White's alliance, and the confrontation with Modernia.
The revelation about Marian drew sharp reactions. Scarlet's hand moved to her weapon. Nyx's expression darkened. Even Anis sat straighter.
"One of ours," Scarlet said quietly. "Corrupted and turned against us."
"But she recognized the Commander," Rapi added. "There was consciousness beneath the corruption. That suggests reversal might be possible."
"Which brings me to the second announcement." Arthur pulled up the authorization document on the room's display screen. "Effective immediately, the Monarks have been designated Special Commandos. We operate with expanded autonomy. Document threats without administrative delay. Run independent surface operations. Orders below Deputy Chief level can be disregarded with tactical justification."
Silence followed as the implications registered.
"We're off the leash," Nyx said finally, voice carrying satisfaction.
"We're trusted," Arthur corrected. "There's a difference. This status recognizes what we've already proven—that we're effective, reliable, and capable of operating beyond standard protocols." He met each Nikke's gaze in turn. "It also means increased scrutiny. Our failures will be magnified. Our successes will raise expectations."
"Then we don't fail," Scarlet said simply.
Agreement rippled through the room.
"Team Alpha, you're on standard rotation. Team Bravo, take seventy-two hours personal time. You've earned rest." Arthur closed the display. "Dismissed."
The teams dispersed with various levels of enthusiasm. Scarlet lingered, moving close enough that her breath ghosted across Arthur's ear.
"Welcome home, Commander," she murmured. "When you're done with administrative bullshit, come find me. I've missed you."
She departed before Arthur could respond, leaving only the faint scent of gunpowder and something exotic.
Arthur's Omni-Tool chimed—a reminder he'd set for Rupee's mysterious crisis. Whatever had caused that cascade of panicked messages deserved attention.
He found her at Café Sweety, tucked into a corner booth with a cup of coffee cooling before her. She looked up as he approached, expression cycling rapidly through relief, anxiety, and something approaching terror.
"Commander! You came. Of course you came. Why wouldn't you come?" The words tumbled out in a rush. "Sit! Please sit. Do you want coffee? I can get coffee. Or tea. Or something stronger because this conversation might need something stronger."
"Rupee." Arthur slid into the opposite seat, keeping his voice calm. "Breathe. Whatever happened, I'm sure we can address it."
She took a shaky breath, then another. Her fingers twisted together on the table.
"Okay. So. You know I do the shopping livestreams, right? 'Shopaholics Anonymous.' It's popular. Well, moderately popular. Actually very popular recently but that's not the point." She paused. "Where was I?"
"Livestreams," Arthur supplied helpfully.
"Right. So I had Ingrid as a guest—went fine, by the way—and someone in the chat asked if I had a boyfriend." Rupee's voice dropped. "I panicked. I wasn't thinking clearly. And I said yes."
Arthur waited, sensing more.
"I described him as handsome, rich, and caring." Her eyes met his briefly before darting away. "I was thinking about you. About that time we kissed. About how you always treat people well and how you're Commander of the Monarks and actually care about your squad and—" She stopped abruptly. "I basically told fifty thousand viewers I'm dating you without asking if you wanted to be dating me."
Silence stretched between them. Arthur processed the information against recent context—weeks fighting Tyrants and Heretics in frozen wastelands, confronting corrupted former squad members, establishing first Pilgrim contact in decades.
And Rupee's crisis was accidentally claiming him as her boyfriend.
The absurdity struck him fully. Laughter escaped before he could contain it—genuine amusement that built until his shoulders shook.
Rupee stared. "You're laughing. Why are you laughing? Is this funny? I've been having an existential crisis for weeks!"
"I'm sorry," Arthur managed, getting himself under control. "It's just—I spent the last few weeks in sub-zero temperatures, fighting modified Raptures, killing a Tyrant-class called the Queen of Hearts, confronting a Heretic who used to be my squad member, and establishing alliance with isolationist Pilgrims who've been fighting alone for a century." He met her gaze, warmth in his expression. "And you've been panicking about accidentally telling your viewers we're dating."
Rupee's mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.
"When you put it that way, I sound ridiculous."
"You sound human," Arthur corrected gently. "Or as close to human as any of us get." He reached across the table, covering her twisted fingers with his prosthetic hand. "Rupee. Would you like to actually be my girlfriend?"
Her eyes went wide. For several seconds, she simply stared at him, expression frozen in shock. Then color bloomed across her cheeks—the synthetic blood flow responses that Nikkes retained for emotional authenticity.
"You—I—what?" Coherent speech seemed beyond her capability.
Arthur waited patiently.
"Yes!" The word burst out with explosive enthusiasm. "Yes, absolutely, definitely yes!" She caught herself, forcing composure. "I mean, if you're sure. I know you have relationships with Scarlet and Nyx and Lyra and probably others and I don't want to complicate things but yes I would very much like to be your girlfriend!"
"Then we're dating," Arthur said simply. "Problem solved."
Rupee's expression cycled through joy, relief, and sudden horror. "Oh goddess. I promised my viewers a couple's vlog this weekend. I told them I'd introduce my boyfriend and do activities together and now you're actually my boyfriend and—" She looked at him hopefully. "Would you be willing to appear on stream? I know it's asking a lot but I already promised and—"
"I'll be there," Arthur interrupted. "What did you have in mind?"
"Shopping on Royal Road?" Rupee's voice carried tentative hope. "It's what my viewers expect. We could make a day of it. Get lunch, browse stores, just spend time together."
"Sounds perfect."
Rupee's smile could have powered the Outpost's generators.
They met the following afternoon at Royal Road's northern entrance. Arthur had chosen civilian clothes—dark pants, comfortable shirt, the jacket Miranda had selected for cold-weather operations that translated surprisingly well to casual wear. His goddesium prosthetics drew occasional glances from passersby, but the Ark's population had grown accustomed to his distinctive appearance.
Rupee arrived wearing a fashionable dress that complimented her figure, her usual styling elevated for the camera. She carried a small recording device—compact tech for livestreaming.
"Ready?" she asked, voice carrying nervous excitement.
"Ready," Arthur confirmed.
She activated the stream, the device's indicator light shifting to green. Her entire demeanor transformed—professional enthusiasm replacing anxiety.
"Hello, shopaholics! Welcome back to another adventure in retail therapy!" Rupee's smile beamed toward the camera. "As promised, I'm here with someone very special today. Everyone, meet my boyfriend!"
She angled the camera toward Arthur, who offered a slight wave.
"Commander Arthur Cousland," he introduced himself. "Pleased to be here."
Rupee's expression softened visibly. "You can call him Sweetie, though. I certainly do." She linked her arm through his, the gesture carrying comfortable affection. "Ready to see what Royal Road has to offer, Sweetie?"
"Lead the way," Arthur said, finding the pet name more natural than expected.
Royal Road's commercial district sprawled before them—dozens of shops offering everything from practical supplies to luxury goods. Rupee navigated the chaos with practiced efficiency, maintaining constant commentary for her viewers while pulling Arthur from store to store.
Clothing boutiques received particular attention. Rupee held various items up for camera consideration, soliciting viewer input via real-time chat responses visible on her device's secondary screen.
"What do you think of this one, Sweetie?" She displayed a jacket with complex geometric patterns.
"Stylish," Arthur offered. "The cut would suit you."
Rupee beamed. "See? He has excellent taste."
They moved through electronics shops, accessory stores, a small café where Rupee insisted on filming their lunch. The stream maintained steady engagement—viewer count climbing as word spread about her boyfriend's appearance.
At a jewelry store, Rupee paused before a display of couples' accessories. Her fingers traced a pair of matching bracelets, expression thoughtful.
"Those are nice," Arthur observed.
Rupee glanced at him, something vulnerable in her eyes. "You think so?"
"I do."
She purchased them without further discussion, handing one bracelet to Arthur. He fastened it around his prosthetic wrist, the metal sitting comfortably against goddesium.
"Perfect match," Rupee said softly, wearing hers.
The afternoon blurred into comfortable companionship. Arthur found himself genuinely enjoying the experience—Rupee's enthusiasm proved infectious, and her commentary balanced entertainment with authentic personality.
At a cosmetics shop, while Rupee discussed product comparisons with the clerk and arranged purchases, Arthur checked the livestream's chat display.
Comments scrolled past rapidly:
*He's actually really handsome*
*Commander Cousland! I've heard about the Monarks!*
*They look cute together*
*Lucky girl*
*Relationship goals honestly*
Then one comment appeared that made Arthur's eyes narrow:
*Rupee, you're way too good for him. If you want a REAL man with natural good looks and actual charm, I'm available. Just saying.*
Arthur stared at the message, processing the audacity. Someone was using Rupee's relationship stream to advertise himself. To his girlfriend. While he stood right there.
His jaw tightened slightly.
Rupee finished her transaction, turning back with shopping bags in hand. She noticed his expression immediately.
"Everything okay, Sweetie?"
Arthur glanced at her, then back at the chat display where more comments continued scrolling.
"Just monitoring viewer engagement," he said carefully. "Some of your audience is... bold."
Rupee's expression shifted—understanding dawning as she recognized what he'd seen. Her hand found his, squeezing gently.
"Ignore them," she said quietly, just for him. "I chose you. That's what matters."
Arthur's tension eased slightly, though his attention remained on the chat where the same user posted another message, this one more aggressive.