What Could Have Been
Chapter 8: All's Fair in Love and War
DISCLAIMER: Mega Man Zero, as a whole, belongs to Capcom.
After undergoing repairs, Leviathan and Zero eventually managed to regain their energy. Fefnir declined the repairs, stating that auto-repairs could do the work. It was only a flesh wound, he said. Ciel reluctantly let it slide.
However, Harpuia, on the other hand, had something wrong within him. Cerveau had been asked to examine the guardian. So far, Cerveau didn't have anything to say, but it had only been roughly ten minutes…
As promised, Neige and a few of the other humans moved in so that they could work alongside Ciel and the rest of the Resistance. It seemed awkward to be in the same room as the people who hate your kind, so Rouge dug her head in her computer, pretending to be completely busy.
Zero glared at the humans, leaning against the wall. To him, humans seemed like complete simpletons. Some were idiots, and the others attempted to be reasonable. However, it was up in the air as to if they were going to actually be reasonable or not.
Feeling uncomfortable in a reploid's presence, Neige folded her arms. The redhead didn't notice Rouge however. Besides, why should she? She was only an Operator. Zero, on the other hand, was a warrior. He fought in wars. Hell, he probably even started the wars, she thought.
Ciel read Neige's expression, and glanced at Zero. "Zero, could you leave for a few? We need to discuss something in private."
Zero pushed himself away from the wall, nodding. "Alright." As he exited, he sighed heavily, looking into the sky. The sun was beautiful. It reminded him of what he was fighting for. A better future. For Ciel. For humanity. But wait, didn't he—
Suddenly, a female voice snapped him from his thoughts. "So, I can see that you're finally outside of the trailer."
Zero blinked, looking at Leviathan. She had her arms folded, as if there was something that desperately needed to be discussed. The only problem was, Zero didn't know what. "Yeah. So?"
"Oh, I'm just saying… You always have your arm wrapped around Ciel, if you know what I mean," the guardian said with a cold and sarcastic edge.
Zero blinked again. What does she mean? He then shook his head. "…No. I don't know what you mean. Care to enlighten me?" He said with an equally cold edge, but then, this was his usual tone anyway, so it didn't really matter.
"Tch. Always gotta deny, huh?"
"What are you talking about? What are you implying, Leviathan?" He asked, his patience wavering by the second.
"I'm not implying anything. I'm just saying that you and Ciel are close. Too close for my taste. Have I made my point yet? Have you managed to get it through your thick, cybernetic skull?"
The insults weren't easing the mood, but Zero managed to finally understand. At least, he thought he did. At first, he thought she just disapproved of Ciel's crush, but then slowly, he realized…she saw them together.
"L-Leviathan, it's not what you think—"
"Not what I think, huh? How can what I saw be misinterpreted in any way?"
"There's a difference between knowing when one is infatuated with you, and when you return the infatuation."
"Ooh, big words. Well, then. Answer this. Do you really return the infatuation?"
Zero crossed his arms, his cold stare slightly unsettling the reploid. "She's a teenager. A human. I'm a…I'm the God of Destruction. The real God of Destruction. I wasn't built for infatuation. I was built for combat. Nothing else. I just have the misfortune of having emotions."
"Misfortune? Well, sometimes. And stop trying to get around my questions. You have emotions just like all of us."
"I don't. I CAN'T," Zero said, raising his voice a bit, "Now, it's your turn to answer a question. Why are you confronting me about this?"
"You know damn well why I am."
"So this is what this is all about? Petty jealousy over something that doesn't exist? My relationship with Ciel is strictly platonic. She…she believes in me. I believe in her. That's where it ends, though."
"Oh, yeah? Well, it seems Ciel crossed your imaginary line then."
Zero gritted his teeth. He had had enough of this. "So you disapprove of Ciel's crush on me. Her little schoolgirl crush. Is it affecting how you perform on the mission? Apparently not. Besides, what do you think you're going to do about it? You can't control a human's thoughts the same way you can control a reploid's with programming!" He didn't realize how much he had raised his voice until he had finished talking.
However, Leviathan stood her ground. Barely, though. "Well, I suppose that's why you're completely devoid of all emotion, huh? You're nothing more than a stupid reploid inside a copy body who thinks he doesn't deserve recognition for his actions! PATHETIC!"
Zero had nothing to say. He didn't respond. He didn't have to. He instantly saw the regret in her eyes as she looked down. She began to talk again. "S-Sorry…I…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that…"
Why should I be mad? You were only stating the facts, Zero thought. However, he refrained from saying it. He simply shrugged, sighed, and did the most uncharacteristic thing he thought he could've ever done. He hugged Leviathan.
Why he hugged Leviathan, Zero didn't know. Hugging was something he forgot he knew how to do. He felt the female return the hug. The crimson knight then heard Leviathan whisper something. "I'm sorry…"
Zero sighed, not sure on whether he should let her go. One part of him wanted to get away from her, but the other part of him was afraid to do so. This strangely unfamiliar and human emotion made Zero uneasy inside. He wasn't built for this. He didn't know how to handle this. He felt stupid.
"I…I love you," Leviathan whispered softly.
Zero closed his eyes, nodding. "I know." It's already established that I know. However, even to himself, it was up in the air on whether he loved her back. For now, at least.
And then, she asked the question that Zero hoped he'd never answer. "Do you love me?"
There was an awkward silence before the crimson warrior could answer. "I…I don't know."
The siren sighed. "You don't know if you love me, or do you not know if you remember how to love?"
"I don't think I knew how to love from the beginning anyway…"
"Well, let's hope someone can at least teach you. Or best case scenario, reteach you."
Here we go again. Zero easily heard the flirtatious edge in Leviathan's voice. It was just like their other meetings. Before Omega. During the reign of Copy X, and the betrayal of Commander Elpizo. He was aware of Leviathan's sadistic side. How she used to wish nothing more than to destroy Zero. And now, this…
A familiar male voice was heard. "Good afternoon."
Leviathan sheepishly let go of Zero, looking back. It was none other than Fighting Fefnir, who was smirking and had his arms crossed. Zero tilted his head slightly. "Good afternoon," he said back to the guardian.
"I can see I stumbled onto a soft moment."
Leviathan's pale face blushed. "I-It wasn't like that."
Fefnir chuckled. "I'm not an expert on love, so I don't know what to say. I suppose it's embarrassing for both of us, eh?"
Zero shrugged. "I have no reason to be embarrassed, and I have no reason not to be."
Fefnir frowned, facepalming himself. "Oh, my god. Typical of you to say that, Zero," he said jokingly.
"Of course. What did you expect?"
"Heh. Point taken. Anyway, when are we doing our next mission?"
"Ciel and the humans from the Settlement are discussing something. I'm not allowed in at the moment, but I know that they'll eventually finish discussing whatever it is they're talking about."
"Damn. I'm anxious," Fefnir whined.
I was originally going to have a lot more happen in this chapter, but then I decided against it. I hope you enjoyed, so you can give me reviews? :D
