by: Vema
When Fiona opened her eyes, Shrek was staring down at her in the darkness, and pale light of the moon tinting him with blue and shining off his eyes. "Shrek?" she said groggily, stretching. "What is it?"
"It's nothing." He looped his arm over her, cupping her face gently. "I just couldn't sleep, that's all."
Sighing lightly, she pushed her face into his touch and raised her hand to stroke his bicep. "'M sorry," she mumbled, closing her eyes momentarily. "What time is it?"
"Two."
"Mm." Her arm went slightly limp as she began to fall back to sleep. She was about to let slumber overtake her when she heard his voice again.
"Fiona?"
"Yes?"
There was silence, and she noticed his hesitation. Her eyes were refusing to adjust to the darkness of the room, so she lifted her hand to touch his cheek, only then noticing that he'd been crying. "What's wrong?" She pulled his head down to her chest, and he didn't resist.
"I can't stop thinking about tonight," he said, trying to rush the words out before he wasn't able to say them. "I couldn't bear the thought of you…you…"
"Being with someone else?" she tried to finish for him, knowing he was having trouble saying what he felt.
"No…" He sighed heavily. "I could've dealt with that. I would have, if it had really been what was best for you. But when you kissed him, and I thought you'd taken the potion- it was the worst moment of my life."
"Oh, Shrek." She stroked his head.
"I mean, if you had taken the potion, you would have fallen in love with Charming instantly, and probably forgotten all about me. That was the worst part."
"I don't think I understand," Fiona said, puzzling over his words.
He took a deep breath, and she felt him tense up. "Even if you were with Charming, you still would have loved me. You….thought he was me."
She felt tears beginning to rise in her own eyes. "Oh….Shrek."
He raised himself on his elbows, hovering above Fiona. "Do you wish your true love had been Prince Charming, Fiona? That's what you were waiting for all those years. Would it be easier for you?"
"Shrek, I could never love anyone else." She wasn't good at professing her feelings, and never knew exactly what to say. "You're so much stronger than I am, and you're still my knight in shining armor. You make me so happy… We fit together. I would never want to give that up…. especially for Charming."
She felt his torso shaking as he chuckled to himself. "Was he wearing lipstick?"
"And glitter," she added with a mischievous smile.
Shrek laughed for a moment more, then turned more serious. Leaned down to kiss her lightly. "I love you too, Fiona," he whispered intensely, "Always, forever."
Her hand moved slightly to pull the sheet away. "Show me."
fin