#elyisum

A long, well-needed sigh empties from your lungs as you fall backward into your office chair. Even with Valentines Day so close you never imagined you’d be helping hang up heart-shaped decor, signing approval forms for shipments of heart shaped sweets, and authorizing rooms to be reserved for dances or parties in between your usual battle formation planning and Operator recruiting during the day - yet here you were. Rhodes Island constantly surprised you. 

Speaking of which, an unexpected knock on the door of your office prompts you to snap up and straighten yourself. “Y-Yes? Come in.” The door opens, and Dobermann steps in while nodding at you politely, “Doctor, good afternoon. You’re well, I hope.” She had something in her hand, you noticed; the Guard Operator came to your desk and held the item out for you, “This is for you.”

It's a piece of paper torn from a notebook, folded in half; some scribbled coordinates were written on one side, and your name with a heart at the end on the other. Dobermann explains, “Before she and her squad left on their Operation this morning, Elysium’s captain asked if I could bring it to you when I had the time. She told me it was important that you receive it.” 

“Elysium?” Your eyes visibly sparkle at the mention of him - Doberman rolls her eyes a little as she goes on, “The captain seemed urgent when she gave me that paper. She mentioned something about how Elysium hadn't shut his mouth about you and Valentine’s Day for the past week, then today he handed her that paper and wouldn't leave her alone until she promised him she would get it to you.” You grow a little sheepish upon that, however before you can speak Dobermann is already heading for the door, “Hm. Well, Happy Valentines to you and Elysium, Doctor.”

You sit still in your seat for a moment, blinking - you hadn't expected her to let you or Elysium off easy, but it’s not as if you’re complaining. Snapping out of it, your attention returns to the sheet of notebook paper in your hands. If it's so urgent, then you would have to read it as soon as possible. You unfold it, and just from the sight of a certain Liberi’s familiar messy handwriting you’re already grinning with pink rising to your cheeks. 

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[Name]!!

First of all, sorry, I did want to tell you all this face-to-face. But, as part of the 3rd Combat Squad, battlefield communications specialist, and an extremely handsome Operator, my duties call and I have to report in where I’m assigned! 

I could wait until my Squad returns to Rhodes Island, but I just can't stop thinking about you and Valentine's Day. I’m worried these words in my head will be gone by the time we get back. Simply put, I need to get all this out right now. If only my Arts could transmit communications through private lines, so I could talk to you even while I’m out on Operations. That way, sweetness, you could listen to my handsome voice while I’m not with you, no problem.

No need to worry! My Captain and I have reached an agreement: she promised she’d have this letter delivered to you as long as I ‘started shutting up about Doctor [name] and my Valentine’s Day plans’. That bothered me a little, I don't see the problem. 

It's not as widely celebrated as Christmas, but I've always thought Valentine's Day as very important! With it so close, everyone should be thinking and talking about their most cherished ones, right? I’m just doing my duty in imbuing everyone with some much needed Valentine's love.

Valentine’s Day has transmitted itself around Rhodes Island pretty impressively all by itself, actually. There’s already decorations and excited chitter-chatter, dances and parties are being sorted out, and even the medical rooms feel a little romantic, talk about weird. Well, as people say - love is in the air, sweetness!

Since it's a day where people in love get to spend extra time with each other, Valentine's Day is all about it, right? Love…ehh, that word is weird sometimes. 

You already know that I’ve travelled many places around Terra, so I can tell you that any kind of love is a rarity in every country. Actually, I never thought I’d find it for myself, as much as hottie as I am. And yes, I unexpectedly crossed paths with love once I came to Rhodes Island. I care a lot for all sorts of things there enough to want to stay: my job, my Squad, even my communication device, so I ended up finding some love after all. 

But, when I say I experienced love for the first time at Rhodes Island, I’m of course talking about you. What affection I feel towards those other things and people compared to what arises in me from you, sweetness… it’s like oil and water. 

And no, this isn't all just coming to my head because of Valentine's Day. I think about things like this more than you might think, and I don't think I've told you any of this before. 

[Name], sometimes I almost think what I feel for you isn't just plain love - it has to be something more, I’m sure. 

After all, nothing and no one causes the same feelings in me as you do. Whenever we’re close, my breath suddenly disappears, I can’t stop smiling, my heart races, and I forget what I’m meant to be doing or where I’m meant to be going. Sometimes that’s a serious problem, sweetness - my job as unique navigation and communications specialist is extremely vital to the success of Operations, so I simply can’t end up having anything impeding my abilities! 

But I can’t help it! Especially with Valentine’s Day so soon, when I’m away I just want to finish Operations quickly and return to your side. When I hold you, I feel like nothing can hurt either of us no matter what, and when we kiss it’s almost like I’m high in the sky. And yes, I don't think or worry about war or my Oripathy Infection even once if I’m with you. So, sweetness, please don’t worry about things like that when I’m around, especially not on Valentine's Day. I’m my happiest when you’re happy, after all!

Nothing could ever replace you, [name] - I’m not joking when I say that, I seriously mean it. I’ve always trusted my perception of other people, and there’s no overstating how anything of what you are and how much I’m in love with you. You’re warm, soft, so sweet… and a hottie like me of course! So thank you very much, sweetness, for everything and for deciding to love me too. 

And so, that's why I’m happy about this Valentine's Day - and yes, to spend it with just you and I together. You don't have to worry about anything, as long as I’m here, I’ll make sure all the special days we spend together go smoothly. [Name], this is what I’m best at and you deserve more than best.

There’s all sorts of things I’d like to do with you... but for today, I’ve had our first little Valentines Date planned out for some time now - after all, it’s always good to have a route to follow. You’ll be moved by my compassion and you might even fall for me a little harder, just you wait sweetness - hah, I’ve always wanted to say that.

I drew a map and wrote some directions for you to follow at the bottom of this paper. Please wait for me at the destination I’ve marked off, okay?

Well, this letter will get to you safely, I hope. When you receive notice that the 3rd Combat Squad will be returning soon, feel free to head off to where our date is going to be! I’m the one who gave you instructions on where to go, so there’s no way you’ll get lost if you follow them correctly. If you do… ehh… that’ll stay between us, right [name]?

A lot of love,

Your Ely

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You’re unable to contain the way your smile widens as you finish the letter - and the fact that Amiya had informed you just half an hour ago that Elysium and his Squad were returning caused your grin to increase by tenfold, if that was even possible. 

With childlike excitement, you leave your office with Elysium’s letter in hand. As expected, the Liberi’s impeccable sense of direction and impressive navigation skills are clearly displayed through the map and directions he provided you with. His instructions guide you upward through elevators and stairs - and soon, you find yourself in a wing of the Rhodes Island Landship you barely spend time in. 

One last elevator ride going up, and you’re at the destination the Vanguard Operator circled on his hand-drawn map. Gaze curious, you take a moment to look around. Considering how high the room is, it’s clearly unused; however the various storage crates are moved aside, the window covers have been taken off and put away, and in the center of the room are a pair of bean bag seats sit in front of a flat screen TV. 

Your attention is captured elsewhere when the door in the room that leads to the stairs is pushed open - your eyes lay upon Elysium when you turn to look. The smile that comes to your face practically shines.

The Liberi is no different. He greets you with a wave and an excited beam, quickly striding over to take your hand in his; he presses a quick kiss to the back of it then speaks, “Sweetness! Happy early Valentine’s Day!” You blush a little, cheeks tinting the colour of the red in Elysium’s hair, “You didn't get lost, right?” When you shake your head, he hides his sigh of relief, “Yes, of course you didn’t. Leading navigation is a job practically made for me, after all.” 

Before you can thank him for the letter, your brow lifts as you notice he’s carrying his specialized communication device - the one he uses on the battlefield. You tilt your head at him, “Elysium, what are you up to?” At that, he perks up, “Right! Let’s go over here.” Tugging you along, he motions for you to take a seat on one of the bean bag chairs while he goes behind the flat screen; doing as asked of you, you watch as the Vanguard Operator lays his signature device on the floor and begins to connect wires from the TV into the device. After a few moments, he stands back with a huff. Elysium checks to confirm that your eyes are on him, then he activates his Originium Arts. 

As soon as his communication device emanates its dim blue glow, the TV screen flickers on - but you don't recognize what’s playing on the screen. With the TV remote in his hand, the Liberi comes behind you in order to wrap you in his arms, “See that, [name]? I figured how to use my Arts to transmit TV channels from everywhere around Terra to right here at Rhodes Island!” He chuckles a little when your eyes widen in surprise. Chest filling with warmth, You lean in as the Vanguard Operator pulls you close until you rest against him. He speaks excitedly again, voice elated, “A movie marathon of any movie being played anywhere on Terra, how’s that for a date sweetness?” When you smile up at him, tender and genuine, you can feel how his heartbeat quickens. “I love it Elysium, thank you so much for this.”