Boundaries

Ria's relationship with Emiya had been the best thing to happen to her since she lost Cú. There was never a moment of insecurity or self-doubt like there had been with Cú. For nine and a half years, they had fallen deeper and deeper in love with each other, staying by her side through a near-death experience during a Singularity about three years in while she was coming to accept she had feelings for Em that were beyond friendship. By ten years, they had even acquired a telepathic link without a distance limit that only intensified their relationship, letting them talk intimately without anyone else knowing, something they took full advantage of in public.

Their relationship also grew to be highly sexual but not dirty like it had become at times with Cú. A more stoic romantic, Emiya loved letting his emotions permeate through everything they did in little ways, like coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her while taking over washing the dishes as he cradled her against him. This very physically reinforced love meant when they were apart, they suffered even more than most relationships. Through didn't matter that they weren't apart that often. Emiya had become lethally protective of Ria, even more so after the near-death experience when neither of them noticed the rogue demon that had stealth in behind her to slit her throat while she was casting one of her longer spells.

With Emiya locked in a fight with another demon, Ria's terrified scream as the battle for her life began sent the Archer into a rage. Dispatching his enemy quickly, he turned to lung at hers only to realize he wouldn't reach her in time before her throat was slit. In the end, all Emiya could remember was his vision turning red before a white light enveloped his body, and he found himself no longer an archer. Imbued with new skills he somehow knew, Emiya then used Scapegoat to draw all attention to himself, forcing the demon to abandon Ria, sporting a line of blood and a shallow cut at her throat for himself, which he dispatched effortlessly.

They left the singularity after that, and Emiya, now Assassin, had to have tests run in an attempt for the Order to understand how he could now access both Archer and Assassin's skills at whim. As far as they could tell, it resulted from circuits opening up after prolonged sexual contact deepened his bond with Ria. He had accessed them the moment she had been put into life-threatening danger though the talent had possibly been dormant for years. No other Life Bonded pair or Master-Servant relationship had resulted in this phenomenon thus far, nor had Ria and Em been able to bear children as hoped.

With her love for Emiya filling her days, Ria rarely thought about Cú anymore. She still had his earring, though she never wore it as the only things she wore were her mage jewels that stored mana and her "wedding band" that Emiya had picked out the day they bonded. Outside of that, she had an arrow tattooed up her spine that was knocked into a stringless bow that was also tattooed across the lines of her shoulders to honor her bond to Em. It was tasteful and intricate, "never detracting from her beauty," he said lovingly.

Now etched into her very soul, it was astounding to see how jealous he was the day Cú came back into their lives and bonded to another man. It was unsettling to know he was there after all these years the minute she entered the common area.

Having lived with his mana signature for so long, it felt invasive that it still resonated with hers and made her heart leap for a second in anxiety. She hadn't seen him in over 68 years.

As they walked in and the room got quiet like it always did, Ria could feel him off to her left, though she didn't change her direction or even look. They weren't the same people, but they weren't together anymore, so he wasn't her responsibility.

Responsibility. That's what he had been. He was never her true partner, only someone she had to take accountability for, and butted heads with often courtesy of his selfish hotheadedness.

Emiya must have sensed her distress in the subtle change on her face because his voice popped into her head. "Rina?"

Closing her eyes briefly, she sat down to eat as Emiya remained close but dematerialized. "I'm adjusting to the unexpected turn of events."

"Cú?" His question was bitter and dark.

"Yes. It's hard to realize the vast difference between what his and my relationship was with what yours and mine are. I didn't realize acknowledging it face to face would make me this angry."

"Do you want to go back to him?" The despair in Emiya's voice could destroy worlds, and she closed her eyes, swallowing the utter shock she felt that he would ask.

"How dare you, Emiya. I have never loved a man the way I love you, and you know that! No, I don't want to go back to him! How could you say that to me!"

"You aren't looking at his eyes. I am. They blaze with the fire of a thousand hells as he stares at you. He wants you back, even loves you still."

"Those eyes lie, telling what his emotions want, not what we both want from each other. He never considered my feelings or needs. His eyes can blaze with thousand suns for all I care. My heart will be the black hole that destroys them." Standing abruptly, Ria walked out, ignoring Cú's eyes, following her in her wake, catching a glimpse of Emiya as he materialized in the doorway, turning his head to glance his way before following after Ria.

Raising an eyebrow, Cú stood to leave. "Master, if you'll excuse me. It seems I have something to take care of."

Ferris waved him off, and Cú followed after Emiya. When he got outside the common area, Emiya was leaning against the wall.

"Long time no see, Archer. How's my girl treating you? I hear you are Life Bonded now. I appreciate you taking care of her while I've been gone, but I'll take her back as soon as I can ditch this idiot."

Looking at Cù with hard eyes, Emiya's voice carried no amusement at Cú's jest. "She doesn't want you, Cú. She gave up on you after you died and failed her a second time. Even if I let you, which I won't, the new bonding process is without error when it picks the best and most compatible Spirit to bond with a Master. You need to come to terms with the fact you weren't picked for her because you aren't a good match."

"Is that right?" Cú's eyes turn sharp as his tone lowers.

"Getting angry won't change anything. You are welcome to find out for yourself, but we have been together for ten years. That kind of love and devotion won't be destroyed because some sex-driven impulsive ex makes his grande entry."

Cú ground his teeth and clenched his fists.

"She doesn't love you anymore. You aren't the man she needs. You should respect that and move on with your life as she did."

In the next instant, Cú's lance was out and aimed to pierce Emiya as he stood there, not even attempting to protect himself. Before the spear could pierce Emiya's flesh and deal a mortal wound, Emiya had dematerialized and rematerialized down the hall.

"That anger is a perfect example of why you are no longer, and never really were, good enough for her. I respect you as a Servant, but I despise you as a man." Then Emiya walked off to find Rina. His jealousy, misplaced, assured Cú as he is now, he could never be enough for her.

While Emiya's exchange with Cú played out, Ria fumed as she paced back and forth in her room.

"How could he? How could he think I would return to that man after all this time!" Consumed with anger that Em would even think that but also mad at herself because she knew he was right. Ria had felt the intensity of the desire wafting from Cú but tried to ignore it, never feelings his and her bond had ever been so intense that his emotional signature would resonate so highly with her. She shouldn't know how he felt without even being close to him, yet she did.

"Why? Why now? Why at all?" Walking over to the bed, she sat down. Looking around the room, all she could see was Emiya, and it made her smile until her eyes fell on her jewelry box on the dresser, which made her heart sink. His earring. "I need to give it back. I have no right to it anymore, and maybe it will give us some closure."

Standing, she moved towards the dresser and took it out of the box. Holding it up, she smiled sadly before putting it in her pocket.

"I wasn't going to make you give it back."

Turning at sunrise, she saw Em leaning against the wall.

"It doesn't belong here in this place like this. It needs to go back to its rightful home. The only part that bothers me is possibly seeing it on some little thing shortly after. He is a man of desires, and to be passed over like that would be a harsh emotional blow.

"Do you want me to go with you?" He walked up to her and caressed her cheek.

"You are going to anyway, even if I say no." A small smile pulled at her lips.

"This is true. We know each other so well. I'll hang back, though."

"Thanks, love. And Emiya?"

"Yes?"

"I meant what I said. You are the love of my life, the anchor of my soul. I need nothing more than I need you." Walking towards him, she stops and looks up into his softening eyes.

"I feel the same way." Wrapping his arms around her, he squeezes her tightly and kisses her deeply. "Shall we go?"

Ria nodded, and the two stepped outside; Em dematerialized but kept a small space between them to ensure the illusion that she was alone, but she could still feel his heat if she needed reassurance.