Archive of Our Own ^beta

Sinclair did not know when he started to feel this way.

Was it when she stopped his outburst of rage? Was it when he confronted her about her dream? Was it the time they spent together? For some reason, his eyes always wandered towards her. Watching her radiant smile and courageous acts made his heart beat faster. Sinclair found himself longing to spend more time with her.

That was the time he realised he loved Don Quixote.

“Earth to Young Sinclair! Are thou all right?”

Sinclair nearly fell off his chair when Don Quixote called his name. Her face was so close to his.

"Sorry! I've been spacing out!"

Don Quixote stood firm, grinning cheerfully. “Shall we begin our adventure? Manager Esquire picks the burn team today. We shall fight together!”

Sinclair nodded and followed her. He smiled at her gallant figure. Don Quixote shone like the warm sunlight. He loved that charming expression.

Ah, but... Sinclair should bury this feeling, shouldn't he? He did not want to make things awkward between them. Sinclair was happy with the way things were. They were close enough as friends. Hoping for more would be greedy. Sinclair was afraid that confessing his feelings might drive her away.

He pushed the thought out of his mind and concentrated on his duty. The work progressed as usual. Sinclair killed an enemy using his third skill. Watching him fight filled Don Quixote with pride and satisfaction. When had he grown so fast? Don Quixote recalled his first encounter with Sinclair. He was a nervous, inexperienced, and scared young man. Their journey together had really made him stronger. One would never have thought that the same man had stopped her as a bloodfiend.

"Don Quixote, watch out!"

“Hmm?”

An enemy charged towards her. Don Quixote would not be able to evade it at her current speed. It would be bad if she took some hits. She was close to getting staggered. Before she took any damage, Sinclair struck the enemy, delivering the final blow. Don Quixote was amazed. He had truly become a formidable young man.

After the stage ended with victory, they moved to the extreme floor. Everyone stretched and prepared mentally for the ridiculous, strong enemies that lay ahead. Sinclair helped Don Quixote to her feet and offered her his hand.

"Come on. Everyone is waiting for us."

“All right!”

She accepted his offer. The moment their hands touched, her pupils dilated. Her heart was racing. The hand that held hers was much bigger than she thought.

Oh.

Oh no.

She had fallen for Emil Sinclair.

Don Quixote slapped his hand. Sinclair was shocked by her reaction. She stared at him for a few seconds before realising her mistake.

"Wa- Waaaa! Mine ill, young Sinclair! Mine mind wanders for an instant!"

Sinclair rubbed his stinging hand and laughed it off. "Don't worry about it. Let's catch up with everyone else before we move to the eleventh floor."

Don Quixote nodded and followed him. His broad shoulders were a reminder of his growth. This was not good. She could no longer see him as a child. He had become a fine young man.

Since when did she start feeling this way?

Don Quixote clutched her chest. Sinclair was a great man. He deserved someone better than her. He should be with someone around his own age. Someone kind and caring. Not a bloodfiend.

Not with a monster like her...

They spent the rest of the fight in silence. The Mirror Dungeon ended on the thirteenth floor. Dante was disappointed by this, but it simply demonstrated the limits of their power. After working hours were over, everyone got their usual rest time. Instead of returning to their own rooms, Rodion suggested a change of pace.

“Hey, let's try the new ice cream parlour! Anyone want to join me?”

Ishmael joined her. "Well, it's hot after using the burn ID. Might as well cool down with something sweet."

Gregor was on board. "I'm curious about their tobacco flavour. Hope it's not pricey."

Sinclair nodded and joined in. He had no reason to be nervous around Don Quixote. They weren't going to be alone. Everyone was going to get ice cream. However, nobody expected Don Quixote to turn down the invitation.

"I shall pass the offer."

Everyone was surprised. Don Quixote was not someone who skipped the opportunity to eat ice cream. Some sinners became concerned. Dante was the first to ask a question.

< "Don Quixote, are you not feeling well?” >

She shook her head. “I’m good! Mine fixer magazine just arrived!"

< “But you can read it after-“ >

“See you tomorrow, Manager Esquire!”

She ran away and retreated to her room. Something had changed since that day. There was now a distance between Don Quixote and Sinclair. Their close friendship had become strained. Although they still acted as usual, everyone could sense the difference in their relationship. Dante and Yi Sang had to step in before things got worse.

< "Did you fight with Sinclair, Don Quixote?" >

She was surprised by their question. “What causes thee regard of that?"

< “Well, your relationship with him was a bit... off.” >

"Thou hast nought to worry, Manager Esquire! All is fine!"

It was a lie. Don Quixote should speak to Sinclair. Yet, she could not stare directly into his eyes. It hurt. Don Quixote wanted to embrace him, hold his hand, and kiss his sorrow away. However, everything was nothing but an unreachable dream. She was not the kind of woman who fit next to his side as a lover. This was for the best. She had to keep this feeling locked away in her heart.

On the other side, Yi Sang confronted Sinclair. “Is there something happening between you and Don Quixote?”

Sinclair shook his head. "Don't worry. It's nothing.”

"Was this nothing cause the problem?”

Sinclair was amazed. Yi Sang's observation was accurate as usual. Sinclair hung his head and finally told him everything. Yi Sang listened attentively to his words. The matter was more complicated than he had thought. He felt a strong urge to help Sinclair and Don Quixote.

“You thought nothing would change if you kept quiet, but...”

Sinclair fiddled with his fingers. “I just didn't want to burden Don Quixote with my feelings."

“Such is the nature of relationships. Sometimes we think our path is the best, yet it causes pain to others."

"I don't want her to hate me."

Yi Sang smiled at him. "I’m sure Don Quixote won’t hate you. She cherishes you. Perhaps things might be tense for a while, but it'll pass in time."

Talking to Yi Sang made Sinclair feel better. He was grateful for his friend's support. “What should I do?”

"I can't answer that. The final decision rests with you."

Yi Sang was right. It was a matter between him and Don Quixote. They could pretend that nothing had ever happened and carry on as usual. However, nothing would be solved that way, would it?

Sinclair finally made up his mind. He must speak to her.

Don Quixote was cooped up in her room. She felt guilty towards Sinclair because she had been avoiding him. He must be feeling confused and puzzled by her behaviour. The woman sighed. She could not act like this forever.

While Don Quixote lost in thought, someone knocked on her door. She was surprised to see Sinclair when she opened it.

"Sorry, I visit at night. Can I come in? I have something to say.”

She avoided his gaze. "The night was high, thou should'st hie back..."

Sinclair used his body as a shield to stop Don Quixote from closing the door on him. He stepped into her room. “Don Quixote, please. You've been avoiding me lately."

"... I hast no idea what thou art talking about."

He was anxious. His lip was trembling. Fear clouded his mind. Sinclair was afraid to say it, but he must. Yet his voice was stuck in his throat.

Don Quixote was stunned when a tear fell onto his cheek.

“Sinclair...”

He wiped his tears, but they would not stop. It was as if his repressed emotions had finally overwhelmed him.

"I'm— I'm sorry. This is so pathetic of me."

Don Quixote did not mean to make him feel this way. Seeing him like that hurt her. Her heart screamed at him to stop. Yet Sinclair carried on speaking.

"I'm sorry I make you feel bad because of how I feel, but I have to tell you the truth. I am aware that this feeling will not be reciprocated, but..."

She wanted to cover her ears to stop herself from hearing him.

"No, please don't say it...”

“I like you, Don Quixote.”

Silence filled the air. Sinclair had expected this reaction. He was filled with nothing but regret. Their relationship would never be the same again. He had to accept whatever decision she made.

“But why?”

Sinclair was taken aback. There was no sign of Don Quixote or her usual whimsy. She had dropped the knight act. Her expression was sad, and her voice was low. The woman in front of him was Sancho — her true self.

“Why do you like me?” She looked away from him. Tears welled in her eyes. “I don't deserve to be loved."

“That’s not true!” Sinclair held her arms. “You're so brave and resilient. You never back off when trouble arises. Despite everything that happens, you always remain positive. Your kindness and sincerity bring me comfort. I love how lovely and radiant you are. I...” Sinclair paused, then shouted his feelings. “I like everything about you!”

It was just like that day.

The day Sinclair and Dante blocked her path. The day Don Quixote realised that she had been blessed with a new family. The day he told her that the dream had not ended yet. His words had unlocked the heart she had sealed off.

Don Quixote hugged him. The hug was so sudden that they both fell to the floor. Sinclair was flustered by it.

"Don- Don Quixote?!"

He then noticed that she was in tears. Don Quixote bawled her feelings out, crying in his chest. She spoke through her sniffles, holding tightly to him.
“I... hic! I like you too! I like you so much!”

Oh.

Oh.

He tried to control his expression, but he could not. A big, wry smile spread across his face. He was so happy. He never thought they shared the same feelings.

"Hic... I’m sorry I’ve been running away from you...”

He embraced her. "It's okay. Everything's fine now."

Once she had calmed down, they sat on the floor. Their eyes were red and their cheeks wet. Don Quixote rested her head on his shoulder. She chuckled when Sinclair tensed up. His hand was sweaty as usual, but she did not mind. Don Quixote held it tightly.

“Sinclair?”

“Yes?”

“I love you.”

He smiled at her. "I love you too."

"Should we tell everyone about our relationship?"

"I think we should. Let's talk about this tomorrow. I should get back to my room."

“Why don’t you spend the night here?”

Sinclair's face flushed at the implication. “RE-REALLY?”

Don Quixote laughed. “I’m just kidding.”

“That surprises me. You shouldn't joke about that!”

"Can we at least stay like this for a while?"

Sinclair scratched his cheek. "... maybe for thirty minutes."

Sinclair and Don Quixote were leaning against each other and sat side by side. They pondered how others would react to news of their relationship. Both of them ended up falling asleep next to each other while holding hands.