Lies

chapter seven: Denouement

Nanoha swallowed hard as she looked out into the starry sky. The night air made her shiver slightly and she drew her arms closer around her body, her bare shoulders still exposed to the cold. She ran away from the drama, the explanation that Yuuno deserved. It wasn't the most adult thing to do, but to be honest, she was just sick of everything. Leaning against the concrete ledge, Nanoha stood up on her tiptoes and peered over the edge. The young girl marvelled at the hustle and bustle of the city; the cars in the streets, the lights, everything was just so full of life.

She sighed, wondering where Fate had gone. She just couldn't stand another second in that room and she mindlessly made her way to the rooftop. Now, Nanoha had no idea what to do. It was just her and her useless cellphone. Flipping it open once again, Nanoha dialled Fate's number without looking at the keypad as she had done for the umpteenth time that night. Not that she expected an answer, but she put the phone to her ear, listening as it continued to ring.

Suddenly, the brunette's ears perked up as she heard a melody playing faintly. It was unmistakably the ringtone she had picked out for Fate. Nanoha had been sure to pick the cheesiest, the most embarrassing one for her , but Fate had never changed it. Whipping around, Nanoha's eyes darted across the rooftop, wondering if the enforcer was deliberately hiding from her.

"Fate-chan, I know you're there! You better show yourself!" Nanoha strained her ears to try and pinpoint the source of the ringing, but the wind had picked up and the street sounds below were muffling her senses.

There was no reply, but the song kept playing. Fate was there, but she still hadn't picked up.

"Fate-chan….where are you?" Desperately, she looked around again. There was no blonde in sight. Nanoha could feel the panic settling in her stomach as she began to wonder why Fate was avoiding her. She paced around the perimeter of the rooftop, circling the metal frame that covered the stairwell.

"This isn't funny, Fate-chan! I-I…" Nanoha didn't know what else to say to get the girl to show herself. She could feel tears begin to well up in her eyes, her bottom lip trembling.

Taking a deep breath, Nanoha mustered up all the air in her lungs as she yelled. "FATE-"

Suddenly, a pair of arms snaked around her waist, a gentle hand cupped over her mouth.

"Shh…"

Nanoha shivered as she felt a pair of lips brush up against her ear and she had never been so glad to have someone shush her in her entire life.

"Nanoha…"

The brunette took a breath as that soft hand moved away from her mouth. She could smell Fate's oh so familiar scent, the feel of the other girl's body flush against her. Nanoha almost felt like crying as she grasped the strong arms that held her up. Fate's velvety tenor sounded almost dreamlike to her.

She could barely get a word out, her mouth dry.

Behind Nanoha, Fate tightened her hold on the girl, resting her chin on the brunette's shoulder, nuzzling her check affectionately.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to tease you a little bit. It seems like you like the rooftop as much as I do. I came up here to clear my head and I found you instead."

Nanoha could feel Fate's lips turn up in a smirk, the corner of the girl's lips grazing her cheek.

Turning in Fate's arms, Nanoha buried her face in her lover's shoulder. "You're so mean, Fate...That was so not funny." Her whispers flitted across Fate's bare skin, making the blonde shudder a little.

"I promise I'll never do that again." Fate smiled even wider as she dipped down to kiss the sulking Nanoha. Everything had been resolved. Nanoha was all hers now. It was like a giant burden had been lifted off her shoulders.

Pushing away slightly, Nanoha avoided the blonde's lips. "Fate, I haven't seen you for what seems like ages…and all you want to do is kiss me senseless in public places..." Nanoha teased as she held Fate off at arm's length.

Fate couldn't seem to help herself from smiling around Nanoha as she grinned mischievously. Her hands snaked further and further down beyond Nanoha's waist, her slender fingers raking across the girl's slender frame. Fate leaned even closer to Nanoha, her breath tickling the nape of the brunette's neck. "It's more…Exciting, isn't it?"

Nanoha's breath caught in her throat as Fate hitched up the brunette's dress, her hands wandering underneath her skirt. Not like she was complaining, but they were on the rooftop of a corporate hotel. "Fate…"

Fate bit her lip. She really wanted to devour Nanoha right then and there…

Suddenly, the door to the roof burst open with a clang, almost flying off its hinge. The two women jumped apart at the noise.

"Nanoha!" Yuuno stormed over, his hair and clothing completely dishevelled.

Instinctively, Fate moved in front of Nanoha, blocking Yuuno's warpath. Nanoha could feel her heart ache as she saw how ragged the young man looked.

He looked past Fate, staring Nanoha down as he pleaded with her. "Why? Just tell me why…" He was on the verge of tears, his face contorted in pain.

Nanoha approached Yuuno, the expression on her face, a mix of emotions. "I just…never saw you as anything more than a friend. I'm so sorry for playing this stupid game, for hurting you, for wasting all your time!" The brunette burst into tears at that, unable to hold it in. "I-I'm so sorry…I-I k-know I can't make it up to you…ever…these two years…I thought I could fall in love with you…" Her slender frame was wracked with sobs, Fate holding her up gently from behind.

A sad smile spread across Yuuno's face as he watched Fate and Nanoha. He didn't know what to say. He knew he could never best Fate in any aspect. He knew he had lost to her from the very beginning. There was no more rage, no more anger left in him. He was filled with a crushing sorrow, but at the same time, he couldn't say he wasn't expecting Nanoha to leave him. There were countless times where he felt like everything was only a dream, when he wondered why Nanoha had chosen him. Now, he had been brought back to reality, his fantasy destroyed.

"I…really don't know what to say." Yuuno smiled again, a smile full of sadness.

"Yuuno…" Nanoha reached out, but the young man jerked away. He turned, not wanting them to see his tears as he headed back towards the door.

"I don't even know why I chased after you…" Yuuno held back his tears as he trudged off. "I knew that you were happier with Fate-san."

There was an uncomfortable silence as the two women watched Yuuno walk off.

Before he disappeared down the stairs, he paused. He was devoid of emotion as he asked one final question. "Since when, Fate?"

Both Nanoha and Fate were confused.

"What do you mean, Yuuno?" Nanoha's voice trembled as she asked.

"I just want to know when…when you started having feelings for Nanoha." Yuuno looked down, wondering if he was a masochist.

More confused than ever, Fate blinked, speechless for a moment. "I…"

"Be honest." Yuuno's words were only a whisper, but both of them could hear him clearly.

It wasn't the time for Fate to be embarrassed, but the enforcer found her cheeks heating up. Averting Nanoha's gaze, the blonde woman hesitated before answering. "I'm pretty sure that it was…love at first sight…" The enforcer said that with the utmost seriousness, her expression determined.

Nanoha could feel herself blushing heavily as she found herself getting unbelievably hot under the collar. To hear those words from Fate shocked her to say the least. She couldn't believe her ears. She never knew.

Sighing, Yuuno shook his head. "What can I say…? You two… really are a perfect match…" Clenching his fists, he hurried back into the building.

Alone on the rooftop, Fate and Nanoha stood in silence. A cold breeze blew past and Nanoha shivered. Fate drew her arms around the girl again, trying to warm her up. "Why don't we go home?"

Wordlessly, Nanoha nodded.

A/N: Lol I don't know what I'm writing, but I wanna tie up all my loose ends. One more? :) Hopefully, this wasn't completely crappy.