The Stare Down

He sat there, staring. He wasn't blinking and hadn't for at least a full minute. She had to squint her eyes to keep them from watering up. She had to win this argument. She just had to. The future of their relationship rested on the outcome of this quarrel.

It was starting to be too much. It was becoming more of an issue not to bust into fits of girlish giggles than keeping her eyes from blinking, therefore forfeiting the argument. That wouldn't do. She should be use to his stoic expression after all these years, but sometimes it would still make her smile. She thought sometimes she could read his mind and that was what was so amusing. She wouldn't normally think about things during such life changing events. She usually didn't think of what Duo would do in this situation; must be his mind. His only relation to normal human behavior is from Duo.

It would only be normal for Relena to be able to read Heero's mind. She wasn't claiming to be an empath like Quatre, by any means. But, after spending seven years together, not necessarily intimately, she felt she knew Heero Yuy the best out of everyone. His mind wasn't always strategic and ten steps ahead of everyone. Most often than not, he was thinking about his future in this peaceful world he helped create with Relena. A future she didn't see very often in her mind because her job was constantly reminding her to focus on the present and the chaotic problems around the Earth's Sphere and Colonies.

But, at this very moment, she was finally enjoying a moment in the present, because, like all things, it carried weight into the future. She was enjoying staring into Heero's dark Prussian eyes. He didn't normally let her do such a thing unless it was during a very intense discussion where eye contact was essential. Lack of eye contact would ultimately mean guilt and deceit.

She smiled at him, trying to break his gaze. She knew he was always drawn to her genuine smile.

"No." he stated.

"Please?" she tried not to come off as begging.

"No." he stated again.

She maintained her eye contact, but forced her bottom lip to protrude out in a faux pout. Another trick he always fell for….not this time.

"I said no."

"You're mistaken. It's a great idea."

"It's a terrible idea. You travel too much." He reasoned.

She stuck her lip out further. Her eyes were watering now. She'd have to give up. She couldn't, though. Her pride was too strong for her to wave a white flag this easily. She'd have to change tactics. She leaned forward in her leather chair, diminishing the little space there was between the two. She was so close that she could feel his warm breath on her skin.

"Heero, it really isn't as big of a deal as you are making it out to be. It's not like no one is around to help."

"No." he said again.

"You're terribly stubborn, Heero Yuy."

"As are you, Relena Darlian."

She impressed herself with her control of eye contact. She's never lasted this long before. Her eyes were starting to hurt, though. She pride would just have to take a serious blow this time. She was competing against the Perfect Soldier.

She broke her gaze. She sighed in defeat. She fell back into her chair and hissed out of contempt. She kept her sight off of him, not wanting to see the smug look of victory on his normally stoic face. With victory, he was never impassive. She rubbed her eyes, trying to moisten them again. They watered uncontrollably. She wiped the tears away quickly, not wanting to ruin her make up. She did have a press conference in a half hour.

"Fine." Heero suddenly said.

She blinked back a few more fresh tears, looking at him suddenly. "What?"

"I said okay." He crossed his arms, looking defeated.

Her jaw dropped. Tears? Tears are Heero Yuy's weakness? It took her a moment to process his agreement. She finally smiled and jumped from her seat and into his lap. She quickly covered his face with kisses and laughed.

He pushed her away gently, still wounded from his forfeit. "What kind of puppy do you want?"