Disclaimer: I do not own Full Metal Panic, or any of the characters appearing in the following story.
Muted Exchange
He looks at her with that cold innocence that she loves and is irked by simultaneously. Doesn't he know better?
Doesn't he know her better?
Shouldn't he know her better by now?
"Just that?"
"Well…it was my mission to protect you…and even though they re-assigned me I decided to continue protecting you."
"Why?" Her heart shakes.
"Because…you're my mission." He explains calmly as if she were a child. Tears spring to her eyes. Idiot!
He cannot help it, she understands. He has never known anything other than the army, how could he possibly give her what she wants? She pauses for a moment and takes him in: the serious sullen face that she has yet to see smile, the dark eyes trained to target, the visible scars, the tanned skin from many mission abroad. He cannot give her what she wants. It is not him. He continues to stare somberly. It frustrates her how she is a mess and he is so calm.
She wants! She just wants! Her heart makes a decision.
No. He could never give her the words she craves; could never promise her the sun and moon in flourished words and gilded vows but she knows – she knows – he would grant her anything. He has granted her his protection, his time, his kindness, even his touch (on the odd occasion). His words, tough blunt, are always sincere; his eyes, though shy, always gentle for her. He does not hide from her, no, he protects her from things that would hurt her if she knew but that she has decide to learn of anyway. Still he tries.
With a decided step towards him she wreathes her arms behind his neck.
His lips open in surprise and she smirks inwardly, enjoying his response. She kisses him slowly, without any hesitation. He doesn't respond at first and for a moment she fears she has made a terrible mistake but then slowly, shyly and ever so lightly, he begins to press back against her.
"I will be your only mission." She speaks softly.
He understands: "Affirmative."
She chokes a giggle at his formality.
"You…I…you know I love you." She murmurs before stealing another kiss.
She can feel him flinching at the words; can see his eyes panic in her mind's eye. He is not afraid of her, she knows; he is afraid of what her feelings mean, of the life she is choosing, the uncertainty, the fear his job is going to cause her.
"I know." She reassures him. "It is alright." Her fingers brush his scar lightly.
"Chidori…" He doesn't know. He doesn't know! For the first time in his entire life he is frustrated by his lack of experience with emotions. How should he tell her? How could he? There is so much he cannot understand; so much he cannot explain. He rests his chin softly on her head, wishing he could at least repeat her words. He cannot.
Her arms tighten around him.
No, he never says the right words, never says what she wants; but it is alright, she hears him anyway.
Author's Note: To the lovely metalcherry who's been so patient in waiting a year for this request. Sorry it took me so long. I hope you like this. :)