A/N: Here is a new story set in the post-StrikerS universe. It is heavy on the NanoFate with mature content. And when I say that, I really do mean it. This story will be filled with it.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from or the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha anime, nor any other movie, actor, song, or character referenced or stated in this story.
Prologue
Nanoha skipped ahead on the sidewalk and eyed the bridge ahead of her excitedly. The sun was beginning to set that early summer evening and she was anxious to reach her favorite spot on it before it was too late. She turned and walk backwards to coax her companion along. "Fate-chan, if we don't hurry we'll miss it!"
"Coming!" her best friend replied. Fate's flowing blond hair swayed behind her as she jogged to catch up to the russet-haired girl. They reached the bridge together just as the blood orange sun touched the calm silvery water across the horizon. The two middle schoolers squinted at the marvelous sight.
"Fate-chan, what do you want to be when you grow up?" Nanoha suddenly asked.
Fate's ruby-red eyes looked above her and she became lost in thought. "Um... I know I want to help people with my magic? I'm not sure how I'll do that exactly, though."
"Me, too! What else do you want to do?"
"I'm not sure what you mean? What else is there?"
"Well, do you want to get married and have kids? Do you want to be a wife someday, I guess?"
Fate gave a bashful grin and could feel herself blushing furiously at the question. "Well... I've never really thought it before. Maybe?"
Nanoha giggled at her reaction. "Nyahaha! I bet you'd make a great wife, Fate-chan."
"You would be a great wife too, Nanoha." Fate glanced over and saw the carefree girl now climbing up to the top of the narrow concrete wall in front of them. Even though she was in no real danger since she had Raising Heart with her, the action still made Fate a little anxious. She reached her hand up to hold Nanoha's in case she lost her balance.
Nanoha bent at the knees to face her directly from her position on the wall. "I bet we'll both make a good wives. We just have to date people first until we find the right person."
Fate's blush grew darker. "D-Don't you have to kiss and stuff when you're dating someone?"
"Fate-chan, kissing isn't such a big deal."
"Have you kissed someone before, Nanoha?!" Fate asked with a wide-eyed expression.
"No, not yet. I would have told you something like that, right?"
Fate let out a huge sigh of relief. "Good. I was worried I was going to be the only one who hadn't at this point."
"Is there anyone you would like to kiss?"
"I hadn't really thought about it. I wouldn't know what to do, honestly." Fate attempted to shrug casually at the notion but it came off a bit awkward. The idea of kissing someone else made her stomach turn in knots.
"Why don't we try it then?" Nanoha suggested. Sapphire eyes danced across Fate's confused expression in front of her. She then leaned forward and quickly kissed her on the lips before she could protest at the idea. Fate immediately brought her hand up to her face after Nanoha pulled away.
"Y-You kissed me...?" she stammered as her fingertips gingerly brushed over her now tingling lips.
Nanoha looked away and felt her face and ears growing hot. "Yeah, um... Sorry, I got caught up in the moment trying to help."
Fate paused and stared at her best friend in front of her in complete shock. Her sudden first kiss was surprising enough, but she never could have imagined who she would have received it from. "It's okay..." she eventually replied.
"What are friends for, right?" Nanoha added nervously. She jumped down from the wall and returned to face the sunset across the bay. Her hand eventually found its way back into Fate's after a few silent moments.
Fate finally smiled and turned to face her again. "Yeah... You're a good friend, Nanoha."
"I am your best friend, Fate-chan." She extended her pinky finger in the air. "Always and forever, right?"
Fate returned the pinkie swear. "Always and forever," she confirmed.
oOOOo
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS
by : ~Nissanity~
Chapter 1 – The Tip of the Iceberg
Fiery reds mixed with dusty orange hues, all contrasting with the cool blue waves dancing against the shoreline. The transmitter did not do Uminari's sunset justice when Nanoha pulled up the live image through Raising Heart. She had visited the scene almost every day these past few weeks, something she indulged in when she was feeling nostalgic or missed the simpler times in her life. The memories that replayed in her mind seemed to curb some of the loneliness that crept its way into her often solitary nights.
"Wow. I haven't seen that sunset in ages..." a voice mentioned over Nanoha's shoulder. The exit button on the screen was immediately pressed in reflex. The image faded away from in front of her in an instant.
Nanoha turned and met curious navy eyes seeking her electric blue ones. "Hey, Hayate. I didn't hear you come in."
"Taking a trip down memory lane, I see? Sorry, your office door was open. I didn't realize you were busy."
"No, I was just seeing how the sunset was today. It's summer there now."
Hayate gestured to the spot where the screen had been moments before. "We had good times on that bridge, huh?"
"Yeah, we did... So, what's going on? It's Friday night. Aren't you usually home by now?"
The commander looked away with a exaggerated sigh. "Nobody is going to be home tonight. It's so boring being there at the house by myself. I can't handle it."
"And you were coming to see if I was free, I take it?"
"Exactly." Hayate stepped forward and put a casual arm around Nanoha's shoulders. "I was wondering if you wanted to get a drink with me at the bar downstairs? Nothing special or anything."
"Well, Vivio is at that training camp with the others... I guess I could do that?"
"Excellent! The first round is on me."
"I thought you said a drink?" Nanoha mentioned as she reached for her purse on her office desk.
"Have you ever had just one drink? Has anyone in the history of mankind ever had just one drink? No, we should probably just get drunk, honestly."
Nanoha laughed. "Oh my god. You're crazy, Hayate."
"Maybe so. Except that it's almost nine o'clock on a Friday night and you're still working. Who's the crazy one here, really?"
Nanoha pulled her office door shut behind her and locked it as quickly as she could. She had to jog to catch up with her friend who was already halfway down the hallway. "I have new training plans to finalize soon. You know that."
"The old ones were perfect the way they were. I'm afraid you're reinventing the wheel at this point," Hayate replied. Nanoha finally caught up with her at the end of the hall near the elevators. The forceful woman was known for moving at a hurried pace during work hours, but matching that speed just for a casual drink sent red flags flying in Nanoha's brain.
"Wait, why are you so concerned about my free time all of a sudden?" she asked suspiciously. Hayate was unable to meet her eyes and instead reached for the button to send them to the lower level. Nanoha covered her hand over the down button before she could.
Hayate stood poised with her finger hovering over the now concealed target. "Damnit... I was almost there," she whispered once she knew she had been caught.
"Who's down in the bar, Hayate?"
"Just a friend. And old... friend."
"Ugh! You're trying to set me up with Yuuno again!" She threw her hands up in the air in exasperation and turned to walk away.
Hayate grabbed Nanoha by the arm before she could storm off. "Look, it's not something I planned, alright? He just showed up today for some conference he was lecturing about. He has a way of getting information out of me about you."
Nanoha turned back around and angrily crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't have time for this, Hayate. We've been through it a million times. I'm not interested in dating anyone right now."
"So don't date. Just have some fun instead?" Hayate gave her a side-glance after the suggestion to gauge her receptiveness to the idea.
"I'm not even interested in fun, either. Tell Yuuno nice try, but he just isn't my type." Nanoha crossed in front of all the elevators to exit through the stairwell door. Hayate caught up with her again before she could take the escape route. She raised her hand to hold the door firmly closed with all her body weight leaned against it.
"It seems like you don't have a type at all, Nanoha? And that's fine. There's nothing wrong with that."
"What is that supposed to mean exactly?"
"I'm just saying, there are certain people out there who are never going to be interested in having sex. They're nicknamed 'aces'. Which is pretty funny when you think about it, right? You being the 'Ace of... Aces...'" Hayate's laughter trailed off when she found unamused eyes boring holes into her.
"Why are you so worried about this?" Nanoha asked through mildly clenched teeth.
"Because we've been friends for a long time. I just want to see you happy."
Nanoha paused and reflected on the genuine concern apparent in her friend's voice. Her demeanor soften and she instead looked away to the floor. "I know, Hayate. And I appreciate what you're trying to do. But with work and Vivio... I really don't want the drama and hassle of a relationship. It doesn't have anything to do with sex."
"Everyone has needs though, Nanoha. People who are still virgins at our age tend to be all messed up."
Nanoha finally laughed. "What?! No they're not!"
Hayate held out her hands defensively. "Are you really willing to risk it? I'm starting to think you're worried you might like it too much and that's why you won't try?"
"I'll take my chances with not knowing whether I like or not. It's much easier that way."
"Ah, the ignorance is bliss defense. Alright, have it your way. I'll go tell Yuuno to get lost if that's your final decision."
"It is, thank you. He's a nice guy and all, but he deserves better than anything I could ever give him."
"Before you go, Nanoha... I command you to take the weekend off!" Hayate abruptly waved her hand in an awkward circle in front of them. "You work too hard, regardless of your reasons for it."
"What? But no one is at my house right now! Fate-chan is still on a mission and Vivio won't be back until Sunday. What am I supposed to do?"
"Read a book or watch a movie or something. I don't know. Just try to have some fun for once."
Nanoha groaned and finally opened the door leading to the stairs. "I can't guarantee I'll have fun!" she yelled over her shoulder.
Hayate watched her defiant friend practically run away from her down the first flight of stairs. "Just try, for god sakes!" she shouted back.
Hayate closed the door to the stairs and returned to wait for the elevator. She tapped her foot and swayed impatiently while she waited for it to arrive on her floor. When it finally did, she entered into the empty cab and pressed the first floor button. She then sighed loudly and leaned back against the rail while she blankly watched the numbers counting down. She thought of her stubborn friend and her unwillingness to give anyone who had courted her a chance. On the other hand, she knew the one person who most likely to succeed in winning Nanoha over was just as blind to their own feelings as she was.
The bell chimed above signaling that she had reached the ground floor. She hung her uniform jacket loosely over her arm and walked out into the open lobby. The bar that was nestled in the corner of it looked like an oasis after the long week she had endured. She soon spotted her intended party in their usual table by the window. The blond doctor was the first to see her approaching and waved her over excitedly.
"Well, did she buy it?!" Shamal asked. She passed Hayate the drink that had been ordered for her in advance - - a gin martini with two olives.
"She did. She's on her way home now."
"That was pretty sneaky," Vita grumbled. The short, fiery haired instructor shook her head scornfully.
"All I did was implant the idea. There's no harm in that," Hayate replied defensively.
Signum was next to question the scheme. "They've been dancing around each other like idiots for years, though. Why would tonight be any different?"
"It just will be."
"When does Fate get back?" Shamal then asked.
Hayate looked down at her watch. "She should be home by now. As long as she went straight there, that is."
"What did you say to Nanoha exactly?" Signum asked.
"I don't know. Something about her not being interested in having sex, maybe...?"
Shamal slammed her hands down onto the table. "How the fuck are you still alive right now, Hayate?!"
"Trust me, I just barely made it out," she admitted. She raised her martini glass towards the middle of the table in a toast.
"To Fate and Nanoha - - May tonight be the night they finally figure out what we all have known forever now."
"Cheers to that!" the party responded.
oOOOo
Nanoha clumsily slid the key into the deadbolt at the front door of her house. She was still somewhat angry and flustered by the unexpected conversation with Hayate just thirty minutes prior. All she wanted to do now was just get inside her home and unwind a little bit. After three failed attempts to turn the key she finally paused and took a deep breath. After completely focusing her attention on the task at hand, the deadbolt finally unlocked. She shut the door loudly behind her.
"God damnit..." she muttered. She threw her purse onto the kitchen counter from a few feet away and started into the next room.
"Nanoha? Is that you?" a voice called from across the house. Nanoha's best friend and roommate soon entered into the living room from the back hallway.
"Fate-chan...?" Nanoha said in breathless shock at the sight of her unexpected appearance. Fate was wearing nothing but a pink cotton towel wrapped around her damp body. Her tangled blond hair was currently still wet and hanging loosely over her shoulders.
"Sorry I didn't call to tell you I was coming back. It was pretty sudden. And once I got here, I really just wanted get out of my uniform and take a shower."
Nanoha shook her head and glanced down at the pink towel again. "No, it's fine. I'm just glad to see you're back here safe."
"Um-hmm, I am. So I was thinking of renting a movie tonight from the satellite thing we have. I don't know if you're busy...?"
"No, I'm free. I'm actually not doing anything this weekend."
Fate's excitement showed in her bright smile. "That's great, Nanoha! I'm sad that Vivio won't be around, but we can still have fun I'm sure."
"Absolutely!" Nanoha raised her hand and gestured clumsily towards her. "Why don't you lose the towel...? I mean, get dressed and we will order the movie. I'll make some popcorn."
"Okay. I'll be back in a few minutes."
Fate disappeared back around the corner towards their shared bedroom again. Nanoha turned around to face the kitchen and raised her hand to her forehead in confusion. She replayed her awkward and uncharacteristic responses to her best friend in her mind. She was never like that with Fate. In fact, she was the one person she was always the most comfortable with.
"Wait a minute!" she then thought angrily. Her interaction with Hayate immediately sprang to mind again. The sneaky commander would have known that Fate's squadron was coming back that day, even if it was an unexpected return. She decided to do a little investigating to see if her suspicions about her plotting friend were correct.
"Raising Heart, please state the location of Yuuno Scrya."
"Searching now..." the device replied. After a moment, the screen popped up in front of her. "Yuuno Scrya is currently conducting research on administrative world No. 6."
"Thank you, Raising Heart," Nanoha replied and exited the screen. She couldn't help but laugh a little at the plan and how it almost worked on her.
"Man, it's so good to be home!" Nanoha heard Fate say soon after her realization. She reentered the living room in a small black t-shirt and blue jeans. She was placing her long blond hair in a bun when Nanoha noticed her thin abdomen now exposed under the short shirt.
"Fate-chan, have you not been eating properly?" Nanoha asked in a stern voice.
The hairtie resting in Fate's mouth fell to the floor. She attempted a weak response before releasing her hair from the bun and sinking her shoulders in defeat. "Not really," she admitted quietly. "But they didn't have a lot of good food there, honestly."
Nanoha sighed. "These missions are going to be the death of you. How about I make you something to eat first? We can have the popcorn after."
"You don't have to do that, Nanoha. Really."
"No, I insist." Nanoha turned to enter the kitchen before she could protest any further.
"Well, if you insist... Then I don't have a choice, do I?"
"Nope, not at all."
Nanoha began to retrieve food from the refrigerator and pantry with a new confidence in her resolve. Now that she knew Hayate had been trying to implant ideas in her head, presumably about Fate, she knew that she could easily fight away any urges that threatened to creep into her mind. It was all subliminal and Nanoha knew she could easily beat them back.
As she placed a skillet to warm on the stove, strong arms suddenly embraced her from behind around the waist. Even though it was again not atypical behavior between the two, Nanoha froze in place while the smell of mild vanilla filled her sense. Fate leaned over her shoulder to see what Nanoha was cooking. "What are you making?" she asked.
"N-Nothing special. Just a sandwich. I was going grill it for you, though."
"You're too good to me, Nanoha." Fate squeezed her a bit tighter before letting go and walking to the fridge. "I'm going to get a beer. You want one?"
Nanoha continued to stare down at the skillet in front of her. "Hmm? Oh yes, please." Fate uncapped both of them and then chinked their bottles together.
"So, anything special happen today?" she then asked. She leaned her back against the kitchen counter next to the stove and gratefully watched the cook at work.
Nanoha silently contemplated whether she should disclose the conversation she had with Hayate earlier or not. She glanced over and found Fate's face studying her's intently. She already knew her friend could tell something was weighing on her mind.
"Hayate was being so nosy today. She's insisting that I should date someone already," Nanoha finally disclosed in a half-truth.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. She even suggested that I'm not interested in sex at all and that's why I won't date anyone. And I use work as an excuse to cover it up."
Fate hummed and pursed her lips at first. She then squinted her eyes as she seriously considered the accuracy of Hayate's words. Nanoha set the butter knife down from her hand and looked over at her. She was surprised that she wasn't coming to her immediate defense after the accusation. Fate eventually just shrugged and took the beer back into her hand.
"Well, I suppose that you don't have to date anyone if you don't want to, Nanoha. As long as you're happy with your life."
"I am. I just don't get why everyone thinks you have to be in a relationship to be happy? It seems like being independent is this terrible thing. That if you're single then you must be miserable."
"I think she was saying something more than that, though. A lot of people don't want to be in a relationship. But most people are still interested in having sex."
Nanoha tentatively looked over at her again. "Well, what about you, Fate-chan. Are you interested in it?"
"I can't say that I'm not, but it's hard at the same time. The way work is for me, I don't really have a chance to date or anything."
"It's too bad sex seems meaningless if it's not with someone you love."
Fate couldn't hide her amusement at the statement. "I'm pretty sure sex is still worth it, with or without the love part," she laughed.
Nanoha plated the sandwich and handed it to her. "Let's just forget it. In the end, we're just two virgins who have no idea what we're talking about."
"Ha! Maybe so." Fate took a much needed bite of the sandwich while she walked and juggled the beer in her hand at the same time. Nanoha sat down heavily on the couch and picked up the remote from the coffee table. She found the section of the guide that had the pay-per-view movie listings and started scrolling through them.
"Anything in particular you wanted to see?" she asked.
Fate tried to swallow her food before answering. "I have no clue what is even out there right now."
Nanoha quickly moved the cursor past all the romantic movies and instead found the action ones. She clicked on each title so that they could both read the descriptions. They came across a cop-thriller that they both could agree on and settled in to watch the movie.
During times like these, Nanoha would usually use Fate as a pillow in some fashion or another. Tonight felt different and she was opting to keep her space. Fate noticed her distance as well but didn't question it. The conversation with Hayate seemed to have gotten under her best friend's skin thoroughly. She wasn't about to say or do anything that might make her feel any more uncomfortable than she already was.
As hard as she fought it, Fate soon started to nod off halfway through the movie. She leaned her head back onto the couch and closed her eyes. Nanoha spotted her falling asleep soon after and turned off the television. Fate awoke slightly when the living room became silent.
"You could have finished it, Nanoha?" she said in her sleepy state.
"It's okay. We have it for 24-hours. We can finish it tomorrow." Fate felt Nanoha's warm hand slip into hers resting beside her on the couch. She allowed herself to be guided to their mutual bedroom at the other end of the house.
"Are you sure you don't mind about the movie?" Fate then asked as she sat down on the edge of their bed. She pulled her t-shirt off and reached under her pillow to retrieve her black nightie.
"It's okay. I'm pretty tired, too. Plus we have all weekend together."
"That's true." Fate tried to suppress a yawn and stood from the bed. She took off her pants and bra first, which now left her in just underwear. She turned to face the bed to put her nightgown on. Nanoha saw her mostly naked form for about half a second before hastily turning away. She scowled in frustration at her flustered reaction before getting into her pajamas herself. She turned back around after she was dressed and found Fate crawling into her side of their king-sized bed.
"Do you need anything else, Fate-chan?"
"Um-umm..."
Nanoha knew she was already pretty much dead to the world at that point. She turned out the light overhead and crawled into her side of the bed. She closed her eyes momentarily but soon opened them again and looked across the bed.
Fate was now laying on her back with the sheet resting halfway over her, seemingly showcasing her upper body in the revealing black nightie. Nanoha had seen her hundreds of times in it and had never really given it a second thought. But yet again, tonight seemed to be different.
"I'm going to wake up tomorrow and everything will be back to normal," Nanoha willed herself. She turned her head to stare up at the ceiling instead. She wasn't comfortable with how easily Hayate had manipulated her that night, but if anything she was far too stubborn to let her commander win this battle.
She sighed one last time and turned on her side to face the wall. She closed her eyes and tried to create as much mental distance as possible from the woman lying in the bed next to her before falling into a restless sleep that evening.
A/N: I already have four more chapters of this story written and I'll be updating it soon. See you then! ~Nissanity~