Obligatory disclaimer: Dark Horse and Mister Mignola own all, save for my own original characters.

A/N: Was originally meant to be a one-shot, but I kept writing. Hope it's the perfect foil for my other Hellboy story where there was more angst and less fluff. There's still angst here, but decidedly more fluff. Thanks for dropping by!

A round of thunderous applause burst forth as Hellboy ended his toast. Downing the glass of champagne in one swallow after smiling tightly at the crowd, it was everything Hellboy could do to not pull at the collar he felt choking his neck. As the music began to swell, indicating the first dance for the happy couple, Hellboy pushed his way through the tables, and outstretched hands in congratulations for giving a fabulous speech, to make his way to the French doors leading to the patio outside.

I so need a cigarette.

The fresh air washed over Hellboy like a sinner being redeemed by the baptismal waters. Feeling like he was going to suffocate in the ballroom, the mere act of stepping onto the piazza caused some of the tension to uncoil from his shoulders. He took in a deep breath, letting the evening breeze roll through his lungs and cleanse his mind, then walked over to the wall that separated the patio from the hill leading down to a small pond. His elbows rested on the balustrade, cigarette in hand, as he watched the moonlight dance on the water. His tail swished back and forth in an erratic rhythm.

He hated weddings. It wasn't so much that Hellboy wasn't happy that the couple was in love and found their happily ever after – it was… more bitter than that. In fact, it was his jealousy of the fact that there would only be scary fairy tales in his future that caused his animosity. Hellboy would never ask anyone to settle down and share a life with him while he still fought the bad guys of the world. There would be no happy ending anywhere in his near future.

And despite the fact that most of the attendees at the wedding were co-workers of his, Hellboy knew that he stuck out in a crowd. At around seven feet, and every inch of his frame bearing well-muscled fire-engine red skin, Hellboy was a head-turner. He knew it. He accepted it. But he didn't very much like it. And with his circular stumps that were filed down horns on his forehead, a long red tail, inky black sideburns that were wider than an aircraft carrier, the tuft of hair under his bottom lip and hair pulled back in a samurai 'do, along his cloven hooves where other people would have had feet, Hellboy felt like a regular one-stop freak show.

So being asked to be the best man at the wedding was difficult, at best. While Hellboy was flattered that he was considered, at the moment he wished he had passed. Planning the bachelor party had consisted of renting a box at Fenway, hopping in the car, and watching interleague play between the New York teams. That had been the easy part. But the wedding day itself was not as simple, despite Hellboy's hopes. Standing at the alter, knowing that he would never be standing one step further over, was frustrating. Especially with her watching. Knowing that a set of eyes never left his red skin was unnerving – and flattering.

One of the French doors opened and closed behind Hellboy, music spilling out into the night air, then retreating back to a muffled roar. Not turning around, he mentally willed the individual back into the ballroom, but footsteps crunched across the pavement, each step bringing the person closer and closer.

"You wear your years well."

Without turning, he chuckled, warm and low, shaking his head. For several hours, he had spotted her across the ballroom, always smiling and chatting with someone who would reach out and stop her as she made her way around the perimeter of the ballroom. That was the type of person she was; everyone wanted to bask in the warmth she radiated. He had wondered how long it would be before they spoke themselves.

She still looked the same after all these years. Oh, her hair was now blonder than the chestnut tresses he used to wind his fingers through and her skin now had the pale, ethereal look of someone who avoided the sun rather than the golden glow she used to sport. But there was no doubt that it was her. Hellboy would have picked her out instantly if they were walking down a crowded street.

Taking his laughter as an invitation, she glided over to his side. He turned to look at her out of the corner of his eye, instantly sorry that he did so. Looking at her after all the years caused his heart to lurch; she was still breathtaking.

Taking one last drag before crushing out the cigarette, Hellboy then pivoted and rested his elbows on the railing behind him, his tail dancing to its own rhythm. He couldn't look at her though. Not just yet. Instead, he looked up at the night sky. Stars winked back at him as they rested on their bed of black silk. Hellboy closed his eyes, took a deep breath and then bestowed his ex-girlfriend with the best professional smile he could muster.

"And you look amazing," he told her, unhappy with the level of enthusiasm that showed in his voice. "It's just not fair. You look even better than the last time I saw you. If that's possible." He faltered, not wanting to show too much emotion in his voice or in his body language. He pulled another cigarette loose from the pack and turned away under the pretense of cupping his hands around the lighter to keep the flame from being extinguished. In reality, the world seemed to be crushing down on him under the weight of her stare.

Eve Manning knew that she was making him uncomfortable, so she took a step back to give him more personal space. His smile came across more like a grimace and never reached his eyes. But after so many years, she was still drawn to him like a magnet to iron. She crossed her arms under her chest to keep from touching his arm. "Me? You're the one who, literally, looks exactly the same. Talk about not fair." Eve was glad that her voice sounded playful rather than chiding.

The truth was that Hellboy filled out his tux better than anyone she had ever seen. Custom fit to cover the wide expanse of his shoulders and hug the narrowness of his waist, the suit gave Hellboy a sophistication that he normally lacked. But it was not without its own charm, with a cutout for his tail, which was swishing in a staccato rhythm, and the right sleeve designed to accommodate his massively oversized right arm. Eve knew that every man looked better in a tuxedo, but Hellboy took that to whole new level. She wanted to tell him that he looked amazing. And that after several years, the sight of him caused her heart to skip a beat and the area between her legs to tighten. It was everything she could do not to sigh deeply in appreciation.

Hellboy snorted and looked out at the water. "Yeah, but I never looked good to begin with." Maybe if he ignored her, she would go away. Although would that be better than her staying? He felt torn over which was the lesser evil.

Eve sighed, not wanting to have the same conversation they used to have nearly every day when they dated… if one could call it that. Maybe if they had actually gone out on dates, rather than staying in under the sheets, years wouldn't have gone by without them speaking to one another. Or maybe if they had acknowledged their emotions back in the day, things would be even more uncomfortable than they already were.

Or we'd still be together.

"I see you're wearing the dress."

His words broke through her train of thought and she blinked several times before what he said registered. She then looked down, a faint smile threatening to appear. The garment was a green floral silk jersey halter dress and had been the one gift he had given her during their relationship. It was for a charity benefit they were both going to – separately – with the intention of going home together. But instead of going home, they decided in the hotel ballroom that going upstairs was so much easier. Eve shivered at the memory, goosebumps trailing up her arms. "I was hoping you'd notice. I'm just surprised it still fit after all these years."

Hellboy wanted to let her know that it was about the only thing he could think about most of the night. Well, more like the idea of unzipping it off of her after going upstairs to a hotel room. Instead, he tried for nonchalant. "I'm not. As I said, you still look amazing after all these years. So… what's life thrown your way since I last saw you, Eve? Settle down and get that brick house with the white picket fence and a backyard full of kids I always said you deserved?"

A brow arched. His interest was minimal at best, so why pretend? But rather than question his motives, Eve thought it best to play along. "Well… I married." She hated that the tone of her words was so guarded, but she just didn't want to be blindsided by caustic comment.

Hellboy nodded his head. "I heard that." He took a long drag of his cigarette, feigning indifference. He wasn't about to admit that he had been trying to keep track of her over the years. Working for the government had its perks.

"And subsequently divorced."

His brows shot up to his hairline. That was news to him. Hellboy hadn't seen a man anywhere near Eve all evening, but that didn't always tell the whole story. He tried not to cough as he choked on his drag. "That I did not hear. I'm sorry about that. But he must have been an idiot to let someone like you go."

A corner of her mouth quirked up in an attempt at a smile. Eve then shrugged her shoulders and turned away, walking towards the rock wall and watching the moonlight dance on the waves of the pond the wind caused to ripple. She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, then rested her elbows on the stones, clasping her hands in front of her. "It's for the best. He was… he was a rebound after you. It wasn't fair to either him or me. He's happier now. He remarried and now we can be friends – which we weren't before he and I married."

"Still, an idiot."

Eve wasn't sure if it was a good sign that he turned around to face the water, taking up the same stance she did, or not. But he did come out into the fresh air to get some privacy, something I'm currently violating. And that's not the only thing I want to violate right now.

"Hey… I heard about your dad. And I… just wanted to say I'm sorry. I would have been there, but when I found out I was stuck on assignment in Jordan. Tom was pretty broken up when he told me and if I wasn't in the middle of beating the crap outta some sand monsters, I hope you know I woulda been there. I always intended on sending you a card…" Hellboy finished lamely.

Eve nodded her head, a tight smile tugging at her lips. Her father had passed away five years ago and the entire time she planned the funeral, up until the interment, she had been afraid that Hellboy would appear. Now, she almost felt guilty for such thoughts. "Thanks. And it's all good. Probably for the best anyway. At least you were there when Tom got home. That's what is most important."

Silence washed over them and both looked everywhere but at each other. Finally deciding that enough was enough, Eve decided to go back into the party. Pushing off the wall, she retreated several steps back towards the door. Coming out to see him had been a bad idea. She should have let him seek her out. "Thank you. And thank you for saying my ex is an idiot. I think… I think that was the sweetest thing you ever said to me. Now, I know you came out here looking for an escape from the crowd, so I'm going to head back in and give you some privacy. I just wanted to say hello and let you know that I appreciate the kind words you said about Uncle Tom. That was a beautiful toast."

Ah, the elephant in the room. Eve's uncle, Tom Manning, just exchanged wedding vows with his second wife. After years of living like a monk after a bitter divorce, Manning finally allowed himself to be set up on a blind date that, three years later, culminated in the wedding that occurred earlier in the day. Where Helloy stood up for him. And Manning, the director of the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense, the agency Hellboy was employed with, was Hellboy's boss. The very man who caused Hellboy and Eve's paths to cross was the same reason they stopped seeing one another. Well, one of several.

Hellboy was wanting something stronger than nicotine at that moment, wishing he had brought a drink, or two, out with him. But if she made the effort of seeking him out, Hellboy could make the effort to make amends with Eve.

"Evie…" Fuck, this was even worse than he had imagined.

She paused in her retreat, her hand on the doorknob, and waited for Hellboy to finish the train of thought.

"I… Let's go for a walk. You know, get away from prying eyes and whatnot. Right here though, where anyone could walk out, is awkward. I… I wouldn't mind catching up with you. It's been nigh on... forever. That is, only if you have a minute or two to spare."

He was nervous around her! The realization made Eve feel a sense of relief, but also added an element to the dynamic that made her even more uncomfortable. After all this time, there should be nothing between them, but it seemed that a current of electricity crackled between them still. It wasn't as if he didn't want to talk to her – it was the fact that he did, but didn't know what to say that caused her stomach to clench.

Her hearting beating so fast that she thought it was going to burst out chest, Eve nodded her head slightly and shyly made her way over to his side. "My time is your time. No one will miss me for a few minutes. Lead the way." He hasn't mentioned anything about a girlfriend, but don't get your hopes up. Just because you're going to slip away into the darkness, doesn't mean you get to make out in the bushes.

Eve slipped her shoes from her feet, grateful for the ability to take off the completely painful but oh-so-cute heels she had been wearing for far too long and allowed Hellboy to lead them down the hill towards the pond. Following the curve of the water was a cement path that lead to a small gazebo that floated above the pond on stilts. Silently, it was agreed that the wooden structure was their destination.

Once they climbed the steps to the gazebo, Hellboy removed his tuxedo jacket and set it on Eve's shoulders in an attempt to fight off the evening chill, although it was also a barricade so that he did not have to see the long expanse of her bare back. He then unbuttoned his vest and loosened his tie before taking a seat on the bench that faced the water, sitting close enough to the end that Eve could choose how close – or far away – she wanted to sit herself. He was pleasantly surprised when Eve opted to sit close enough that their arms brushed against one another.

"Thank you for the jacket. I didn't realize that it was starting to turn a little chilly." She emphasized her point by slipping her shoes back on.

Hellboy ducked his head and smiled. Damn, if this wasn't awkward. But at least his jacket would smell like Eve later, if nothing else. "You know me. Always too warm, even when it's freezing outside, and always hating to wear these monkey suits."

Ah, now they were getting into idle chitchat of people who were grasping at topics. And Eve suddenly saw a fork in the road and decided to take the path she shouldn't. "I remember. And if you might recall, I greatly appreciated the view whenever you wore a tuxedo. Can't say much has changed."

Well, the gantlet had been dropped. Eve made reference to their electric past, albeit indirectly, but some of the tension that crackled in the air around them seemed to intensify. "And I always told you, flattery was so unnecessary since I was a sure thing." Realizing what he just implied, Hellboy quickly added, "But I never got why you stuck around so long. Not that I minded, but there were so many others for you to use as your playground."

Playground? Was he being an ass on purpose? "Not again, okay?" The annoyance in Eve's voice echoed in the night air. She underwrote her vexation by pinning her companion with a pointed glare. "Hellboy, every single time we were together – every time – you would rag on me about how I could find someone better. But I have no idea why you never got it through your thick skull that I wanted to be with you. I'll tell ya, you made it very difficult to have a carefree, no strings attached kind of fling when all you did was obsess over it." She shook her head in frustration.

Hellboy hung his head, sufficiently chastised. She was right. He did take away from their experiences by fixating over things he could not change instead of appreciating the opportunity Eve afforded him. "I really did fuck up the friends with benefits thing, didn't I?

Regretting how thick she had laid it on, Eve smiled ruefully. "Well, I wouldn't say you messed it up… In fact, I recall rather enjoying the time we spent together. Loudly, if I remember correctly. I suppose I just don't want you to not enjoy yourself – to your fullest potential – the next time such an opportunity… arises." Eve finished with a wink, even though the idea of Hellboy with another woman made her stomach knot.

Oh, opportunity was arising, alright. But probably not in the way Eve was talking about. Or maybe it was in exactly the way she was implying. Hellboy could actually feel a blush rising on his cheeks, so he just smiled and shook his head, unable to maintain eye contact. He opted to move to what he hoped was a safer topic. "So, how long has it been? I swear, you still look like a college kid to me."

Folding a leg under her, Eve thought a moment. "Gads, twelve… no thirteen years? I was three, maybe four years out of college when we finally…" Eve didn't have it in her heart to finish the train of thought. Besides, did they really break up if they never went out on dates?

Hellboy nodded his head, as if understanding the unspoken words. "It seems like a lifetime ago, doesn't it? But remember when we first met?"

"Like it was yesterday."