Bet too Far

Chapter 11: Hot Chocolate

6:30am

To: Fate the Pudding

Good morning! Maybe today's the day to give Nanoha that Alpaca you've been too scared to. Oh and today is extra cold. I can't feel my fingers. Keep warm.

6:45am

From: Fate the Pudding

Or maybe not. Can I meet you now? Or is it too early?

Suzuka quirks an eyebrow as she looks at her phone while closing her front door.

6:45am

To: Fate the Pudding

I'm heading to school now. Will be there in 5 minutes. I'm gonna run.

6:46am

From: Fate the Pudding

Don't trip or anything.

"Sorry, d-did you wait long?" Suzuka stammers out as she bends down to catch her breath. "I took more than 5 minutes."

"You didn't have to run here. Training doesn't start until 7:00." Fate takes out her phone from her pocket and looks at the time. "I still have 5 minutes."

Suzuka takes a few long breaths before standing straight. "What did you call me fo- Oh...Pudding, is that for me?" She blushes slightly as she points to the coffee cup in Fate's hand.

Red creeps onto Fate's cheeks. "D-Don't call me that." And when Suzuka giggles in delight, Fate couldn't help but smile along with her. "Yup. Hot chocolate, made by yours truly." She hands the cup over and Suzuka takes it with a jump in her step as she closes in to Fate. She holds the cup in her left hand and gives Fate a warm hug with her right. "I hope it warms you a bit." Fate says.

"You're the best."

Fate blushes because who in the world would be crazy enough to say that. She was the opposite of best, what's the opposite of best. Wait….did she really say 'You're the best'? Maybe she heard wrong.

"Tsukimura-sa-"

"Su-zu-ka. It's really not that hard to pronounce."

Fate blushes even harder. "I don't have the right to say your name." Her voice is soft and radiates nervousness that Suzuka couldn't help but give her another hug.

"You're the cutest. I'm going to make you say my name by the end of this week." She grins as she takes her first sip of Fate's hot chocolate.

Her eyes glimmers. "This is delicious." She smiles in satisfaction. "You know Nanoha loves hot chocolate too." She gives her a wink.

A warm feeling passes through her as she watches Suzuka take a sip out of the cup. Seeing Suzuka smile like that, despite everything she's going through was something that made Fate truly happy. Her friend is strong, so strong and kind but she knows that right now her interior is breaking and if she could do anything to make her even a bit happier, she will gladly do it. This bubbly feeling inside her...she couldn't name it...it wasn't the same as Nanoha's, it wasn't like with Hayate...this was so different yet so warm and so strong. Her mind clicks as she watches Suzuka smile at her.

"This is what it feels like to have a friend." Fate mumbles quietly but covers her mouth as quickly as that came out. She had friends, what was she saying? She had Hayate, Signum, Yuuno, and ….Nanoha.

Suzuka catches Fate's words and her heart clenches a little inside. What has this girl been treated like if she's saying that now. It's only been a week since they've become friends. A week of studying together, of night phone calls, of Suzuka crying her heart out to Fate, of Fate listening calmly and soothing Suzuka. A week of truly getting to know one another.

"You make me happy, Fate." Suzuka smiles in amusement into her cup as she watches Fate cough out in surprise.

Fate scratches the back of her neck in embarrassment but smoothly leans in and whispers in Suzuka's ears. Then she promptly runs out to the track field with Suzuka following closely behind, settling on the bench next to the field.

The purple haired girl sips on her hot chocolate and smiles as Fate waves to her.

You make me happy too. Fate had said and there was so much truth and sincerity in those words that Suzuka wonders why she didn't make friends with the blonde earlier. She felt like she truly mattered to Fate, that she somehow already held a piece of her heart and everything between them was so sincere, so pure.

Deep in her thought, she didn't realise the vice president settling on the bench next to her. She jolts away when a hand taps her shoulder.

"Suzuka."

Suzuka settles back, her grip on her paper cup loosening and she turns to her best friend. "Nanoha, you scared me."

Nanoha doesn't look at Suzuka, her eyes trains on the running blonde. "Why are you here?" Her voice was cold and detached.

Suzuka frowns. "Why can't I be here?" She retorts back. What was with Nanoha's tone and attitude?

"You have been acting all chummy with that delinquent. Don't you know she's dangerous." Nanoha growls, her arms crossed and her feet taps the ground impatiently.

"What are you saying? I thought you two were friends again. I mean have you even gotten to know Fate. She's the most sensit-"

"You're on first name basis now?" Nanoha asks incredulously.

Suzuka giggles. She can't help it. "I am. But Fate's being her little shy self. I wish she would call me by my name. Honestly she's adorable. She even made this hot chocolate for me." She holds her cup up and turns to look at Nanoha, but instantly regrets it. Never in any of her years of knowing her best friend has she seen her so… vituperative. Nanoha's hands as she observes were clammy as well, and provided that it is winter there had to be another reason.

"Oh, so now you two know everything about each other." Nanoha says contemptuously, venom dripping from her words. She stands up from the bench and gives Suzuka one last silent cursed look. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

"You can't say things like that. Not before you really get to know Fate." She feels the hot chocolate warming her hands." You should do something about that bet of yours. I don't want to see her get hurt any lon-."

Nanoha turns and walks away before Suzuka finishes. Suzuka watches Nanoha's hands clench tightly to her side and she is sure there will be nail marks on her palm later on. She takes another sip of her hot chocolate and it occurs to Suzuka that that was one of the most foreign moods she has ever seen Nanoha in. Though one of the things, no one really knew is that Nanoha is actually really easy to temper if you pressed the right buttons.

I wonder what buttons I was pressing? Suzuka watches her friend run the course with a smile on her face. Oh was it Fate?

She looks up at the student council room and sees Nanoha glaring out as if waiting for a prey.

She then sighs, as she realizes she didn't ask Nanoha how Arisa was doing. Not like she wanted to know.

She didn't want to know at all.

She covers her eyes with the palms of her hand, suddenly fatigue drowning her.

"Who am I kidding? I miss her so much."

"I know you do." A soft voice says and Suzuka looks up to see Fate, sweat gleaming on her forehead. Suzuka looks behind Fate and sees the other club members running.

"You haven't finished." She comments.

Fate scratches the back of her neck, a common habit she does when she's nervous or embarrassed, Suzuka notices. "I thought you were….um.. I just wanted to know if you're alright."

Suzuka beams at how thoughtful Fate really is. No one knew this Fate and in some ways she feels so privileged. "I just miss Arisa." She says honestly.

Fate nods. "I know you do." She repeats, her voice even softer this time.

"I just wish she was here with me." Suzuka says and then looks up. "But it's okay I have you now."

Something painful jolts in Fate's stomach and it shows on her face. A sort of disappointment and sadness. Suzuka puts down her cup and stands up. "Are you okay?"

Fate nods but doesn't say anything.

"Tell me."

The blonde runner sighs and turns her head to the right, watching the other students make their way into the school building. "Are you going to leave?" She asks, her voice weak.

Suzuka's mouth gapes open a bit because she knows exactly what Fate is asking her. A week may be nothing, but a week of sharing secrets, of really, sincerely getting to know one another, of being honest with each other changes a lot. And just from those words and that look, Suzuka knows Fate is doubting herself. She knows what Fate is really asking is if she was going to leave her, if-after she makes up with Arisa.

"You are not a replacement. You are never a replacement." Suzuka says. "I'm sorry, perhaps my wording was a bit off. But I am not going to abandon you. You are my friend and I am yours, and nothing is going to change that."

Fate's face was still facing the right and Arisa has to cup Fate's face with both of her hands to bring her to her attention. "What I meant to say is that you are here now with me and you make me feel so much happier. You're important to me, you know that." She squeezes Fate's cheeks and giggles. "To answer your question, no. I am not going to leave. I'll stay right here until you finish your runs."

Fate's eyes brightens and Suzuka notes that she really does wear her heart on her sleeve.

How comes no one sees it?

"Thank you...and sorry, for being so insecure. You're important to me too." Fate admits and then runs off back to the track where the coach reprimands her.

Suzuka doesn't take her eyes off Fate, knowing how hard it must've been for Fate to admit her insecurities.

Bet too Far

"Where are you going?" Hayate asks as she pulls the back of Fate's blazer. Lunch has just started and Fate is once again heading off to who knows where with that purple haired girl.

"To the library with Tsukimura-san."

Hayate smirks like she knows what's going on. "To bang her."

Fate furrows her eyebrows in irritation and rips her blazer away from her friend's grip. "No. Stop being so distasteful. She's a real good person, I want to be her friend. Don't you dare make her run away from me." She says a little too desperately as she watches Suzuka enter the classroom and walk towards her. Her mood instantly lightens, though.

Suzuka greets everyone on the table before turning to Fate. "Shall we nail down that physics question before you run out of tears." She teases and Fate grins.

"Oh are you talking about you and glycolysis?" She tease back.

They look at each other and then begin laughing. Hayate frowns at their interaction and pulls Fate back towards her. "By the way have you seen the video that was anonymously posted on FB? It's basically viral."

Fate turns to look at her and Yuuno who is furiously typing on his phone. "What video?"

Hayate looks towards Suzuka. "You?"

"I don't think so. I haven't been on FB recently." She claims before looking at Fate again. "Is it important?"

Hayate whistles. "It's pretty intense." She twirls the bread in her hand. "Hey, Tsukimura, how's Fate?" She raises her eyebrows suggestively and Fate wants to punch her for being so damn disrespectful.

It suddenly becomes very suffocating in that classroom and Fate is afraid if she didn't leave, Suzuka would get hurt because of her. Fate doesn't say anything but drags Suzuka out of the classroom.

But Suzuka's not naive, she know exactly what Hayate's implying. In fact what the entire cohort is thinking.

She also knows how much that pains Fate.

Don't worry what they say, I have taken the time to know you and trust me when I say I will not betray you. She wants to say but maybe now's not quite the time for such depth.

So instead she says. "Don't worry about your physics, Einstein is here to help you out."

She smiles as the comment turns Fate's frown into a laugh.

It's melodious.

Bet too Far

"So...did you find out what their deal is?" Arisa asks cautiously. Her fingers drawing patterns on her desk. It was lunch time and their trio is down to two with Suzuka announcing that she had study plans with the delinquent in the library. "If you're not careful, that scumbag might force things out of Suzuka...things like the bet."

"They're friends." Nanoha says, choosing to ignore the comment that stirs fear in the pit of her stomach, if Suzuka really plans to tell Fate about the bet. "Can you call her Harlaown?"

Arisa stops her finger. "They're what?

"Friends." Nanoha repeats.

Arisa laughs sardonically. "Right, friends. Two lesbians hanging out together. Friends indeed."

Nanoha heart races. "Two?...Wait what."

Arisa looks up and sighs, brushing her bangs back. "Might as well tell you. Not a big deal but Suzuka told me she loved me." She sticks her tongue out. "In that way."

"What did you say?" Not a big deal? That's a huge deal.

"What did you think I said! I'm not a disgusting lesbo!" Arisa yells, her pitch high and her fist slams onto her desk, causing the class to goes silent.

Nanoha frowns and something stirs in her stomach. "There is nothing wrong with being gay." She says sternly in a whisper. Seriously, how could Arisa think it's even human to say something like that. Suzuka's the kindest person anyone would have the pleasure of meeting, she's always there to set them right, she always cares for them like they were family, especially Arisa and now just because she fell in love with her best friend, she's treated like something less.

"You should make up with Suzuka. Stop being so closed minded, Arisa." She continues to whisper, hoping the attention of the class will divert from them and it does to Nanoha's relief.

"Whatever, the thing is Suzuka and that dyke are totally doing it. Guess what ''study plans' stand for." She growls out with her air quotes. "I feel like puking."

Nanoha bites her lips. "I don't think they would. Suzuka thinks things through and Harlaown...Haralown-san...I don't think the image she gives reflects her true self." She covers her mouth and mumbles into her hand. "She's so much more fragile than what meets the eye."

Arisa smirks wryly and pushes her phone towards Nanoha. "Right, so you've fallen into her trap as well." She taps on her phone. "Well watch this and tell me that again. This has gone school viral. It's got no audio but this may of have already happened to Suzuka."

Nanoha takes the phone and presses play and her mind freezes. Her heart halts and it seems everything she's ever learnt or known about Fate dissipates. She sees it all. Too clearly. Fate, in the showers pulling the poor girl onto her, forcing her, hurting her. The girl is desperately trying to push herself away with her knee pushing on the wall they're against. And she sees it, the girl biting Fate's lips to get away.

That's why Fate's lips was bleeding the other day. "She walked home with us as if nothing happened...after she s-sexually harassed t-this girl." She murmurs and she feels layers of discomfort in her stomach.

Nanoha's heart sinks even more as she continues watching and her hand shake as she reaches forward to stop the video. She couldn't see anymore. She really thought Fate wasn't someone like this. Had she been wrong in thinking Fate was a good person. She looks at the video again before covering her mouth. She feels tears building up but stops it before it comes down, she wasn't about to cry for someone like her. Never again, will she trust that delinquent. No matter how many tears, the blonde sheds for whatever reason, her heart will not sway.

"Don't you get it. Suzuka's sad because I rejected her, so that thing is taking advantage of her state. Forcing girls to do what she wants with them is nothing new to her." Arisa shifts her chair closer to Nanoha and places her hand on her shoulder. "She's a monster."

"She's a monster." She repeats with certainty.

"She is and we have got to save Suzuka."

Bet too Far

The next morning comes and Fate grins, practically skipping in her step as she holds the paper cup filled with hot chocolate in her hands, she literally could not wait to give it to Nanoha. Would she smile at her? Would she tell her it was delicious? Or would she not like the taste? That wouldn't matter, she'll make it until it's to Nanoha's taste. Then she'll remember it and make it for her whenever she can. What better than a cup of hot chocolate in the morning on a cold winter day. In addition to that, the alpaca keychain is sitting nicely in her blazer pocket. This would totally make Nanoha's day. She smiles again, finding herself unable to stop.

Fate knocks on the school council door, her heart racing and racing like she's on a never ending rollercoaster. It's okay, there is nothing wrong with wanting to give a friend hot chocolate in the morning. Nothing wrong. I am not here to court her. She has Griffith. I am a friend, a mere friend who wants to give another friend something warm.

The door opens and there's Nanoha.

Nanoha who looks tired, and grumpy but still beautiful. Fate's heart clenches as she sees the state Nanoha's in and she thinks of how maybe her hot chocolate isn't enough to bring Nanoha's mood up. Fate shakes her head and does her best to smile. She will give Nanoha the hot chocolate, then she'll listen to anything the brunette had to say to her if she'll speak to her about her problems.

I'll do my best to help solve whatever's bothering you.

"I was just about to find you." Nanoha says.

Fate's heart skips a beat. She was?

"Are you okay?" Fate asks. "It looks like you didn't sleep at all."

Nanoha doesn't answer and instead steps out into the empty corridor. It is 6:45am, the only ones who comes at this time is the vice president and various clubs members, predominantly the sports clubs seeing that their finals were close.

"I didn't" She deadpans. Her voice lacking of any emotion.

Fate steps back a bit. "There is something wrong. Are you okay?" She asks again, concern written all over her face.

Nanoha steps forward. "Of course I'm not okay." She raises her voice and looks at Fate with such intensity, Fate almost drops the paper cup.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Fate frowns. "Is there anything I can do to hel-"

"Are you sleeping with Suzuka?"

Fate's heart stops. What.

This...was the reason Nanoha looked like this.

She was the reason.

Of course.

After all everyone thinks she sleeping with Suzuka. What difference does it make that it's now Nanoha pointing the fingers.

"I asked if you are sleeping with her?"

Fate doesn't answer, her hands wrap tightly around the hot chocolate. Her heart is racing and it isn't because of the accusation itself, she got it from Yuuno and Hayate, but this girl in front of her who told her about her love for the alpaca series, who gave her silent encouragement during the mid term exams and during her runs, who occasionally walked home with her... is accusing her. This girl who Fate thought would understand, would believe her, would see that she is trying to be a better person, to change, is accusing her of sleeping with her best friend.

Nanoha jabs her finger into Fate's collar bone. It hurts more than it should. "You're sleeping with my best friend aren't you?"

This girl who she's falling in love with is accusing her.

She never believed in me one bit.

Before Fate realises the hot chocolate is taken from her hands, she feels the burn on her chest, the hot milk scalding down her white uniform and into her body. Nanoha had taken the cup from her and deliberately poured the burning liquid into her shirt. It hurts. It burns.

Her heart feels empty.

Like that empty cup that lays on the ground, discarded by the one who it is meant for.

"Seducing my best friend with your sickening tricks." She snares and steps on the cup crushing it like it's Fate's heart. "Keep your dirty hands to yourself. You monster."

Monster. Ah how many times has she called herself that.

Nanoha grabs Fate's collar and pull her down with so much force, Fate has to shut her eyes at the sharp pain on her neck.

She opens them again and comes eye to eye with Nanoha.

"Forget me. How about Tsukimura? Do you honestly think she would do that? Even when she has someone else she loves so dearly?" Fate defends back. She tries so hard to sound confident, but it's so hard...so...so hard.

Nanoha grips the collar tighter causing Fate to wince. "I never want you near Suzuka again." She says with finality and then pushes Fate back before walking back into the student council room.

Fate bends down, takes her sports towel from her bag and wipes herself.

But the stains are glued to her shirt now like how there were stains in her heart that can never be erased. Her skin is swelling up but she ignores it. She didn't quite have the energy anymore.

She gives up on her shirt and instead cleans the floor.

The floor is much easier to clean. She mentally notes.

Bet too Far

"I want to annul the contract." She doesn't want to spend another minute with that player. What Fate did to her was awful but it's better to put it in the past and forget about it. Better than having to talk to her and actually interact with her. A waste of time and effort. She's got to somehow save Suzuka from her though.

Quattro giggles. "Oh, and here I thought you called me here for something else." She licks her lips attentively and walks forward, closing the gap between Nanoha and her.

Nanoha takes a step back until she's against the wall. "Please, I don't want anything to do with her. I'm dating Griffith now." She points out.

"None of my business." Quattro says as she reaches out and plays with Nanoha's bangs. "You signed a contract, and besides integrating your boytoy into the equation may make it easier for you. And the viral video, she may need extra comforting, if you get my drift."

Nanoha tries to push Quattro back but fails. "You can't force me to do anything. I'm not going to go through with the bet."

Quattro laughs. "Oh, sweet Nanoha. If you read the contract, you would know that there is a time limit until graduation and if you don't succeed or if you tell anyone who isn't involved in the initial betting about the bet, your secret will be out."

"W-What secret."

"The secret" Quatto leans in and touches her lips to Nanoha's ears. "on how you cheated in the scholarship exam."

Nanoha pushes Quatto back and succeeds this time but all it does it makes her laugh even harder. "W-What are you talking about!?" Her face red, and sweating.

"I have your eraser. The one you wrote notes on. It's probably got all your fingermarks on it."

Nanoha walks towards the door. "Get out."

"I sat next to you, Nanoha. I saw you. I also saw you look at my paper." Quatto taunts. "You cheater."

"Get out!" Nanoha yells, her voice suddenly strained, her heart racing against her ribcage like the force of a tornado.

Quatto skips out. "Either break a self-absorbed, manipulating, good for nothing dyke's heart or lose everything you've worked for including those university offers. You choose."

The door slams shut and everything comes crashing down and she feels nothing but regret and fear. It isn't hard which option she chooses. After all, you must look after yourself first before anyone else. And if that anyone else is Harlaown Fate, it is a too easy choice.

It's time to do just that.

No matter what it takes.

She will break Fate.

Bet too Far

Suzuka races to the top floor, locking the door when she reaches the roof. She searches around for Fate and finds her huddled in the corner with the wall red and her knuckles bleeding.

She instantly reaches out and caresses Fate's hand, cautiously avoiding the wounds, she brings them close to her. "Fate...look at me."

Fate turns to look at Suzuka but says nothing. Her eyes red and swollen. Tears dry against her eyes.

"It's alright. I'll make sure it's alright."

Fate smiles but it doesn't reach anywhere. "I'm going to be expelled."

Suzuka leans in and pulls Fate into a hug.

"I'm not allowed to be near you." Fate says over her shoulder, her voice so little, it's barely a mumble.

"I don't care what Nanoha or anyone has to say. I believe you. I truly believe you. I'm always here for you." She says as she strokes Fate's hair and moments later, she feels Fate grip onto her sweater with so much hopelessness, it breaks Suzuka's heart.

"I d-didn't do it." Her voice breaks.

"I believe you."

"I didn't do it. I didn't do it. I didn't do it. I didn't do it. I didn't do it. I didn't do it. I didn't do it. I didn't do it." She repeats over and over again. Over and over.

"I believe you. I believe you. I believe you. I believe you. I believe you. I believe you. I believe you. I believe you." Suzuka replies over and over again. Over and over.

"You're the only one."

Suzuka cries.

Because Fate doesn't deserve any of this.

None of this.

And she will make this right. Find who's behind that video.

No matter what it takes.

She will fix Fate.

Chapter End.

A/N:

Your comments really make my day and they're really insightful, I feel like some of you have the spoiler script in your hands already. Haha

Arisa's being a bum at the moment. I hope one day people can just accept everyone for who they love and think nothing of it.

I still have no idea how to put paragraphs on this website. hmm

Once again, thank you for reading and commenting. I hope you all have an amazing day. 3

Xeno