Coffee and Conversation
by heavensgirl
One-shot. Written for Valentine's Day.
"When are you going to stop?"
The shuffling of papers stopped as cerulean orbs gazed warily at the voice's owner. She would have been finished if it weren't for her bodyguard's presence that seemingly distracted her while at work. "If you're too bored, Heero, you can leave."
"You know I can't do that."
Oh, right. She almost forgot that this man is as stubborn as she was, or probably more than her. There was no use in persuading him to leave.
Bummer, Relena thought. With one last glance at the stoic man, who gave her a raised eyebrow, she continued to do her task. She felt as if every day is the same day. In the mornings, she'll go to her conference, with him by her side; while in the afternoons, she's doing paperwork, him just standing near her door, without any words exchanged between them.
Oh yes, every day is always the same.
The silence stretched between them again, and even though both were accustomed to the stillness, inside, their minds were alert to each other's presence. There was no awkwardness, but there was a thin barrier between them that only the two can break through, which neither is aware of.
Relena stacked the papers neatly in a folder and placed them inside a cabinet. Stretching, she watched the busy streets below as she longed for a well deserved time alone and a nice walk for herself. But she knew that there was little possibility of freedom because everywhere she went, a bodyguard or two would always be on the lookout. Relena knew they are just concerned for her safety, but it would be pleasant if she had even one day of free time, without restrictions. After all, she was only twenty-one.
Mind set, she grabbed her coat and shoulder bag and walked towards her door, knowing that her very faithful bodyguard would be behind her in a second. Her companion spoke, his voice gruff. "Where do you plan to go?"
Relena's mind was already flooding with ideas when she spotted a diner across the street. She'd seen it before, of course, but her busy schedule prevented her from visiting the small place.
"I want to go to that diner across the street. Is that okay?"
"Hn. Fine."
A smile graced her lips as the two of them walked leisurely to their destination. She never expected Heero to reply in long phrases, but she wondered if a nice and simple place like this can be the perfect place to make a decent conversation with the one man she was yearning to have a talk with. Not just some talk, but an honest discussion, where both of them can set aside their duties and chat for a long time, just what regular friends would do.
Indoors, the fresh aroma of coffee reached Relena's nose as she settled herself on one of the seats, noticing the few stealing glances of the other customers inside. It was no surprise; after all, she was the Vice Foreign Minister.
"Good afternoon, ma'am. Would you like something?" The waitress, a plump woman with a gentle smile, asked.
"I would like a cup of coffee, please."
Jutting down her order, the waitress turned to the young lady's companion. "Yours, sir?"
"Same."
Relena bit her bottom lip after she realized that this place might not be to her bodyguard's liking. He was always cautious and strict about the places she goes to. For example, Rule #1 in Heero Yuy's Rule Book: Never leave the premises without the bodyguard.
What a mother hen, Relena thought jokingly as the same waitress placed one mug of steaming coffee for each of them.
Relena looked at the elder woman and smiled, "Thank you."
"It amazes me how you never forget to show gratitude to a person," Heero spoke, his eyes searching the crowd for any possible danger. Relena, who was focused on perusing the menu, was caught off-guard as the silent young man across from her spoke in an almost casual way.
Trying to hide her surprise, she managed to reply, "I was not expecting you to start a conversation, Heero. I was the one who was deciding to, but I guess you beat me to it."
She received a plain look in return. "I was not trying to start a conversation. It was only a question."
Relena brushed off Heero's comment. "Ah, sorry about that. It's just… well, you hardly ever speak to me at work."
"I talk to you often, Relena."
"Perhaps... but what I really meant is that we hardly speak to each other like normal friends would. You know life, love… things like that. Not politics, or my security detail. Not that I'm complaining, but a normal conversation would just be lovely."
Her speech was followed by the usual silence as both of them busied themselves with thoughts concerning the other.
"Have you heard of Duo's engagement?"
Shocked for the second time, Relena looked at Heero curiously. Was Heero trying to start a conversation? "Certainly. Hilde contacted me the same day after Duo's proposal. She was so happy. I'm so excited for them."
With a small sip, she continued. "They are definitely compatible after all the days I've seen them together. They just seem so inseparable."
"… Yeah."
Relena raised an eyebrow thoughtfully. "Have you heard that Noin–"
"… Is going to have a child? Yes, I have. Heard your brother was happy."
"Oh? From who?"
"Quatre. Apparently, they became close friends and kept in touch often."
"Ah, sweet Quatre…"
Relena almost jumped as Heero suddenly slammed his mug on the table, earning him a good amount of questioning stares from the other customers. "Something wrong, Heero?"
"Nothing… I'm fine," the brown-haired agent replied quickly, hiding his anger to avoid further inquiries from the lovely woman in front of him. Relena gave him a worried look.
Her simple phrase just made him infuriated all over. Not that he wasn't complaining that she had called Quatre sweet… all right, he was complaining. Why? Because the word 'sweet' wasn't for him but for another guy.
Minutes passed, and the two of them grew comfortable with each other's presence, with two cups of coffee and a simple conversation.
"… and then Duo accidentally knocked me off, and this other guy and the two of us went to the pool. The new dress Noin gave me was wet! But it was hilarious!" Relena laughed wholeheartedly, an action she hasn't done in a while.
For Heero, her last story didn't amuse him one bit. Another guy with Relena on the pool?
Oh, hell no… not when I'm still breathing…
Clearing his throat, he spoke, "Who's the guy?"
"Hm? Oh, it was Todd from Finance."
The reply hit him hard. He knew Todd; he was included in Relena's long list of suitors. Heero realized that if he didn't make a move, his only girl might get taken from him.
Heero blinked. Then blinked again. Did he just confess something to himself?
"So, how about you, Heero? Are you dating anyone?"
"… No."
"Really now! Any girl would want you!"
"… Why?"
"Just because!"
"That's not a reason."
"Why don't you date?"
Having enough of her persuasion, he told her his honest reason. "Because I'm not good with dates." Relena, taken aback, laughed at his stern answer. Heero, for his part, grumbled angrily, trying to hide the embarrassed expression on his face.
"I never knew you had it in you, Heero! So, tell me, what is the problem with you not being 'good with dates'?"
Heero mumbled something that ended with the letter 's'.
"Pardon?"
Heero looked out the window and wondered if this was the right opportunity. There's nothing wrong with telling the truth, right? "Can you teach me?"
"Teach you what?" Relena asked.
"How to kiss."
"Uh…"
And before both of them knew what was really happening, Heero leaned forward and captured Relena's pink lips with his own chapped ones. The kiss was simple but new. Soft, yet demanding. It left both of them breathless.
Relena placed a hand on her chest to keep her heart from jumping out of her chest. Heero was kissing her! Never, in her life, did she expect him to open up to her, let alone kiss her. A myriad of questions was already digging into her mind.
Heero, meanwhile, mentally congratulated himself for accomplishing his longtime wish.
"Thank you," Heero said, smirking as he watched Relena fan herself with her hand to keep the blush that started to rise on her cheeks.
"You're welcome? Will you excuse me for a moment? I need to use the restroom." Relena dashed un-gracefully towards her objective, ignoring the curious glances the others were aiming at her. She has other things to think about besides their looks!
Inside the restroom, Relena looked at her reflection in the mirror, noticing her pink tinted cheeks as she remembered how Heero's lips touched her own.
I'm definitely not dreaming…
It amazed her how a secretive young man could show a single feeling with one single action. Taking deep breaths to calm her beating heart, she smiled to herself and exited the lavatory.
Relena's heart almost dropped when he noticed Heero's seat empty, but saw his figure leaning on a lamppost outside, his eyes scanning his surroundings, a habit he couldn't let go.
Reaching for her jacket, Relena glimpsed a red object sticking out of her purse. Anxious, she reached out for it and found a lone red rose with dew drops that proved it was still freshly picked.
It was… sweet.
She eagerly left the diner, smiling merrily to herself as she stood beside Heero, who averted his gaze.
"Thank you," she murmured, linking her arms and giving him a slight nudge with her elbow. The young man shrugged and led her to the car. Relena brushed off his quiet response and gave him a grateful smile, joyful for this new stage in their relationship.
"It was sweet of you to give me this rose," she told Heero. Heero smirked again. Although this was only a fresh beginning for them both, Heero knew that they have plenty of time to get to know each other more. It was the start of something new.
And, he thought, pleased, she called him sweet.
I was originally planning it to be humorous, but oh well. Please review. Happy Valentine's Day!
Yours truly, HG
Edited: 2/13/18