Under the stars…..

Disclaimer: ok…I do not owe Megami Kouhosei………sadly enough….so I own NOTHING!!! NOTHING!!!!! NOTHING!!!! *Ahem * yes.

Personal notes: this is another one of my weird attempts at a fic, so yes……(I don't know what to say) I know I suck at writing, so if you're really to flame…….*sob * by all means, you can do so, but on a personal level I like constructive criticism better. Oh well, I can't be that picky in life.

Pairings: well……….the summery said it all……………and mentions of Gareas X Leena

Warning: a little Out of character here? But then again, I'm not good with characterization. And its all fluff. ARGHHHHH I CAN'T BELIEVE I WROTE SUCH STUFF!! (hey that rhymed.)



Phil sat in the observation deck thinking alone after training with the other pilots and repairers for the last 4 hours. She was worn out already, even though the day was to be considered one of the "easier days" in life, due to the absence of the Victim's attack. Honestly, this was the last place on the entire GIS to allow her to keep her sanity, after another chaotic day with the others. She often found herself questioning how all the previous repairers in history could endure such a burden of stress – but then again, maybe they weren't teamed up together with such difficult teammates.

Gareas, on one hand, made up for the majority of Phil's "difficult teammates". While Leena was manageable when her 'mothering' instincts didn't kick in, Gareas can't even be controlled when he was in a good or bad mood. Well, at least he HAS moods, on the advantageous side, unlike Yu and Kazuhi whom act like they're total strangers- that they were forced to be present in front of the others just because of orders from the highest of the GIS hierarchy, and not because of their desire of unity to destroy all Victims and protect Zion. And at the most unexpected times, they would just appear and disappear without warning- something Phil had found absolutely unnerving since working with them.

Tune and Erts are having problems too- although it has been 3 months since Ert's arrival here; Tune still treats him like a young child lost in a large social gathering- where he would be out of place amongst the crowds of people no matter how hard he tries to blend in. It was understandable really- it was awkward for Tune to be working with the younger brother of her first love that had died. Maybe the sense of guilt for her inability to help Ernest when the Victim killed him still lingered in her heart. Tune barely talks to Erts as a matter of fact, Phil could only assume that Tune didn't want to suffer through the same pains again of being too close to a pilot, only to be separated with him with the cruel happenings of fate.

"-Phil?"

Phil's head snapped up at the interruption of her thoughts. She turned around to face the new comer only to see the childish grin of Rio.

"What's up, Phil? Why the gloomy look? We have to go back to training soon, you know- but before that, cook me a meal!" yes, that was Rio. Optimistic, cheerful and ever hungry, as if all the troubles of the world did not exist in any part of him. Phil wished wistfully that she was like him too…..but she knew that joy like Rio's meant little in the face of Victim.

"Rio, how can you be hungry again? We just had lunch," Phil commented half heartily, as she knew that such opinions from her would never ease Rio's demand for food. She stared at Rio, and the unidentifiable feelings in her heart became a turmoil all the sudden- she didn't understand what they were, but somehow she knew that a blush was slowly creeping onto her face.

A concerned reply came; "hey, are you okay? You look like you have a fever…….maybe you should rest. Or do you want me to take you to the medical area, or the kitchen for some nice chicken soup?" Great. Rio did depict the blush off her face, and Phil cursed silently. That was the last thing she wanted.

She saw the worried look on Rio's face and had to think of a suitable response- fast, to calm the near frantic Rio down. That boy would concern for anyone, whether they want him to or not. Phil knew she was selfish to wish for this, but deep in her heart she wanted Rio to give her the most concern- a type that no one can ever possess.

"No..i'm fine..it's a bit stuffy in here though………I guess they turned the heater up a bit too much" That should do the trick. And it did. Rio then let out a bright grin and said "that's great! You almost scared me just then." He was scared? For me? Did he… no, the boy was too naïve to even know of the existence of such emotions for people. Rio then turned around and headed for the door and said "I'll see you later then. And don't forget my meal!"

"Rio…." She let out the voice from her own thoughts, and caught his attention as he was leaving. "Damn!" She thought, "Why did I call him"? Before Phil could change her mistake, Rio had headed back to where Phil was situated. Phil stood up.

"yea?"

Phil decided that now was the time, to let out her fears and to question Rio about his thoughts. She had doubt many times for this to happen, as she feared his response, but she knew that she would have to face it sooner or later.

"Rio…do you ever fear? Do you ever fear death when in the Ingrid, fear the Victims?" An unnatural silence stood between them. As always, Rio was the one to break the silence with the answer. Phil gulped in anticipation. She could still run now and not hear it, she can, and the door was only about 5 meters away.

"To be honest, I do fear these things. But I don't take them into account because I know I have everyone to help me, Gareas, Yu, Erts, Teela, and the other repairers. But the most important is because I have a great partner for me, and I'm sure that in each battle you'll take care of me……..and even though Ernest had died in our team, but that was the past- so I guess it doesn't matter anymore."

A simple answer. Yet enough to satisfy a young girl's heart. As Phil stood there while most of her worries drained away, Rio leaned in…….and kissed Phil on the lips. Only till after the short kiss did Phil realize what had happened- and she was shocked and once again, her cheeks flushed. She dropped back down onto her seat.

"-w-why?" a weak word escaped from he lips, in an attempt to demand for the answer to the previous action. Rio smiled casually and shrugged- "Dunno. Guess it was the right thing to do at that moment. I've seen Garu do that to Leena when she seems unhappy, and you looked kinda sad…….so…..—hey, you don't mind, do you? I mean, sorry if it didn't cheer you up..i'll think of something again—" Phil cut in; "no, it's fine….you just took me by surprised, that's all."

So this kiss, was done through the intention of bringing happiness- not what Phil truly hoped for, but it was still a first kiss nonetheless. Perhaps she'll have to wait for a few weeks, months or years to finally get Rio to say what she wanted to hear for all these years, but she can wait. And she won't mind how long she would have to wait….. but during the time, she'll have to be the repairer Rio believed her to be. She'll put everything, all her strength, all her skill into every battle to ensure Rio lives till that day comes. Slowly, she lifted herself from her seat, and said, "Come on Rio. We should go to training soon- I'll make you a meal before we go, ok?"

Gareas and Leena had just shared a kiss in the less illuminated area of the hanger. Suddenly, Rio appeared out of nowhere and said, "Hey, how did you guys do that? I mean you guys didn't even need to breath for 1 whole minute!! When Phil and me did that I couldn't even last 5 seconds. Great, I'll have to learn from you guys" and then ran off to annoy someone else.

Firstly, to the dumbstruck Leena and Gareas, anger came first from their disturbance of a personal time, but then the rest of Rio's sayings slowly sank in and had their effect on the couple….

"Did he say that he…erm…..kissed Phil?" Gareas questioned. "Garu, you need more rest," Leena answered, she herself unable to believe what she just heard.

Tune giggled as she walked into the couple's viewing range. Apparently she heard it too. "I guess the younger ones learn a few things now-a-days from you two. Told you not to do these things in front of them." They all shared a laugh at the last remark.

In the distance, Yu and Kazuhi stared at the laughing trio with confused faces.

"Oniisama, what are they talking about?" "I have no idea. But lets not get involved into this- we might become like them."

Notes: okay, that was bad. I told everyone I couldn't write. Yes, it got too sentimental, but I just read books with deep meanings like "bone setters daughter", "the binding chair" and other stuff……….so I guess I was influenced……….haaha…..(weird laughter to self)…….. if I continue writing at this rate I'll never pass my GCSE's……. argh crap..exams next week. (ignore my rantings)