Thanks for the reviews.
This is another favorite chapter of mine. There's some ICness despite their sweet display ^^
I do not own Sailormoon.
Chapter 23: A Slip of the Tongue
The senshi of Neptune gasped quietly when she saw Seiya hold Haruka's waist with one hand, which was almost immediately swatted—no slapped away by the ash-blonde girl, who whispered something irritatingly at him…and—('was that peck on the cheek!?', Michiru thought). Giggling quietly, Seiya and Haruka went inside.
The aqua-haired girl sighed. 'It does take time to heal, she thought. 'And to fall in love', she said to herself.
"What did you talk about?"
Seiya and Haruka had broken away separately from the lunch and drove off to a nearby secluded beach. They were sitting down on a deep blue blanket placed on the sand, only beside each other, barely making any physical contact.
"Well, she only asked for forgiveness," she answered absentmindedly. She was looking down and playing with the sand.
"And?" pressing further, a hint of worry in his voice.
"I forgave her, what do you want to know," she snapped, irritation rising in her voice.
"So how do you feel about it?" Seiya said softly, with more concerned tone. Haruka had been hurting less, but it still sometimes left her either distraught or in a daze. He had also been concerned with what can happen between the two former lovers, for Michiru may come back to the senshi of the wind. But that is, if Haruka still had something for the senshi of the sea.
"I...I don't know. Honestly I'm still a bit hurt. But she is still senshi after all, and she still does know a lot about me. We've been through a lot, even through death together. I can't just throw that all away. But still...it will take time."
Seiya kept quiet, only watching the sunset that painted the awesome summer sky. He was still deep in thought. Haruka on the other hand noticed that he had suddenly stopped talking and studied the raven-haired star light carefully. 'That was the look he had when he was jealous and longing for Usagi back then'. She sighed. He was so easy to read.
"I don't have feelings for her anymore Seiya. Not a single bit."
Seiya looked at her, eyebrows knit together in thought.
"Well, won't you ever believe me?" Haruka's tone was a bit exasperated this time, waving her hands as she said it. He chuckled at her display and looked back at the sunset. "Sure I believe you." He moved a bit closer to her, enough for a little skin contact. Haruka leaned back on him and rested on his shoulder.
"And we should be even more careful with these..." she trailed off, not wanting to admit they were dates, but sure they were.
"Dates," he finished, smirking, as if reading her mind.
"I'm serious, if any of the Paparazzi caught us, we'd be all over the papers," sternly.
"Aren't we popular," he said teasingly, gently stroking her cheek with the back of one finger.
At that Haruka pinched his side hard. "OW!" he said rubbing his side. "Will you ever quit hurting me physically?" he whined.
"Maybe not," she said chuckling lightly. Seiya on the other hand, was still pouting and rubbing his side.
"But really, when are we going to let anyone but Setsuna know? And the public too?"
Although the discreet dates were sometimes fun, it sure was tiring not to be able to be themselves when they went out. And it sure was not fun for Seiya not to be able to show his affection for her anywhere he wanted to, not even being able to hold her hand in public.
"..." Haruka only took his arm and wrapped it around her waist. They were the only people there now so to her, it was safe.
'When I get to admit out loud that I really love him', she thought in reply to his question.
"Okay, fine, fine...I get it," sighing. The raven-haired star light kissed her on the head lightly.
"I love you," he murmured into her hair.
"I love you too," she said automatically, then gasping she bit her lower lip and closed her eyes. She did not want to admit it to him or even herself just yet, but it automatically came out of her.
Seiya too, was shocked at the words he heard. She had never admitted openly that she had feelings for him, although he felt that there were sparks flying between them.
"W-what did you...just say?" unsure if he had heard her right.
The blonde-haired racer kept silent, trying desperately to divert the topic and brush off what she had just said.
"I said the scenery's beauti-"
"No you did not," he cut her off, and gently made her face him.
"What did you just say?" He looked straight at her in the eye. Haruka was startled with his action and dropped her eyes from his demanding gaze. Seiya however, wouldn't have any of it, and took her chin with his finger made her look back at him.
"Please," he pleaded.
Incoherent phrases sputtered out of Haruka's mouth. She knew she was not at all helpless, yet she just stared at him, wide-eyed and bewildered, frozen in her position. The raven-haired man heaved out a deep sigh and gently caressed her cheek again.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have..." looking down.
"I-I..I love you," she finally spewed out. She hated confessions, even one as short as that one.
With those words Seiya looked up, seeing a blushing Haruka looking to the side. Haruka on the other hand, couldn't take all the mushiness that the three lights leader displayed and uncomfortably brushed the topic off, as if she didn't utter those three words.
"I think I'll stretch my legs for a while," she said nonchalantly, standing up from her position and started walking along the shore. Not getting the hint, Seiya followed her.
"I'm coming with you love." Happily he wrapped his arm around his beloved. The senshi of the wind however, quickly swatted his arm away.
"Hands off Seiya Kou-thing-baka-idiot," sharply, emphasizing the last word.
"Whaaaaat?" he said innocently, then putting his arm back and snuggling even closer to her before pulling her in for a long kiss.
Yay 3 I heart this chapter really ^^. Next chapter to be uploaded tomorrow or the day after. Been sick, but this chapter just needed to be uploaded anyway.