Garma had experience with a great many social functions, having had to attend them ever since he was a young boy at the time of his family's rise to power. Some were simple, where he had to just accompany his family and do almost none of the talking while his elder siblings performed their roles as hosts or as officials depending on the stripe of event or as his father commanded the respect and attention of all present while giving some kind of impassioned speech. The times when he was on his own however were when he learned to deal with sycophants who either wanted something or simply believed the Zabi family to be as great as it was credited as...something Garma did his very best to confirm for them in whatever way he could, but it did not change the general behavior demonstrated.

The decade of doing this, of playing the part of an anachronistic prince in a modern age who valued tradition and romanticized ideals of his family, nation, and society as a whole did not prepare him for the relatively informal occasion of going on a date with someone. He could have practiced at any point, and in fact Dozle had been attempting for some time to find Garma a lover, but it never worked out. He was not one to resent dedication and attraction, as Garma himself admired his own looks and was prone to loyalty and care like many others were, but meeting with rich women never truly ended with him feeling like he could speak or act without certain pretenses. To them he was always the 'Prince', someone they revered as an idea more than as a person which meant Garma could not truly find someone he could see as a partner even though he did at least on some level try.

It was not as if he liked being lonely after all.

So dates were outside of his realm of experience, with the closest encounter he could recall being the time he spent at that gathering with the Federation turncoats and officials where he met Icelina Eschonbach...only for machinations of her father to cost her life that very day. She was from Earth and had little idea about what it actually meant to be a Zabi, likely never having watched the news in her life from what Garma picked up on, and so while they shared a mutual attraction it was nice to actually be able to just speak with someone with much of the edge and expectation removed from the equation...if not for her untimely death Garma may have considered asking her out on a date very much like this one, though it likely would have ended up being a fair bit more formal as it would have been between a prince and a noblewoman rather than between two coworkers who had their work-plans ruined for the day.

Thinking his military uniform to be too out of place for such a personal occasion as a first date with someone he already knew, Garma instead chose a much more 'casual' outfit of a white button down shirt with an accompanying navy blue blazer. From previous comments he knew that Kinue liked it when he wore blue, so while it was a bit dark as far as blues go it would still meet the overall criteria for what she liked. To round out the look Garma wore a tan set of dress slacks, similar in color to Kinue's own usual legwear though that was more by chance than intentional matching clothes: most dress pants came in either navy blue or a light tan, so since Garma did not want to wear dark pants with his dark jacket on this occasion it left him with the tan.

Getting physically ready for it was not nearly as difficult as actually planning out the event, as brushing aside the logistics of having soldiers follow him for his own safety and coordinating with Urabe to assure things went without incident there still was the issue of where. Garma had already eaten at her house, so simply dining in felt a bit odd...but he also did not want to take her somewhere extremely fancy, even though the nearest major town to the military base had a fair assortment of restaurants which might be considered as such. It didn't fit her personality to go somewhere like that, and any old bar would not work either as not only was it outside of Garma's personal tastes it was perhaps an insult to his date...so in the end Garma looked into middle-tier restaurants, of which there were surprisingly few these days.

Eventually Garma found one he found permissible given its family setting and casual atmosphere, not to mention him having heard from Kinue on a previous occasion that part of her ancestry came from here in America given that she was Japanese-American. He also recalled that the American part was Italian-American, so his choice of location was even more fitting he felt given that it was an Italian restaurant...a Japanese Sushi restaurant also had been available, but this felt like it was a little less on the profiling side especially since Garma had not actually seen Kinue eating what would be considered Japanese food. Sure, he had only been sharing meals with her for a couple days now, but he had not run into sushi at her house even though she could try and buy it.

In fact the only standout thing about her eating habits he had noticed was the fact that she drank from water bottles almost exclusively. An odd thing, but Garma figured that with how contaminated various water sources must be around the world by now that drinking processed water might actually be the right call, if a bit on the expensive end for her otherwise frugal living style.

When the plans were set and everyone ready, Garma traveled incognito to the location so as to not draw attention to himself...after all even he deserved a quiet evening 'alone' in public for once as compared to the times he was swarmed with adoring fans or, on occasion on Earth, rabid Zeon haters who made him feel guilty when his guards had to use physical force against though it being a necessary part of life as their conqueror helped curb some of the doubts. He just wanted to focus on this moment he had with someone he cared for, and other distractions could be left alone for now.

Kinue had implied at the office that she had feelings for him for some time now, and the kiss they shared confirmed it...as did the time they spent in one another's arms afterwards once they were left alone. Nothing more physical had come of it, but it had been quite the wakeup call to Garma that beside him he had a woman who he not only respected but who loved him...and that he too held some form of affection for her, especially after the time he spent recently at her home.

Garma had already cared for her in a platonic sense, as she had been supporting him since the beginning of the Earth invasion, offering her skills and support each step of the way even if she had some reservations about the team she was forced to play for. With her affection now revealed it made sense why she could stomach working with Zeon as she did: she was supporting him and believed in him, not Zeon itself...she was a democrat through and through, and while Garma truly did believe in his family's method of rulership he was not offended by the alternate mindset. After all, his father did allow his citizens to elect a prime minister and certain other officials to represent them, so Zeon was not without its own democratic trappings and Garma was raised to believe wholly in what his father had created.

Recently Gihren had been taking more and more control within Zeon, consolidating it all on himself while stripping it from every other entity, so on perhaps one front Garma could actually sympathize with his upcoming date's views...that was too much power for one person, and it should be spread out a bit more, even if the degree to which it should be would be a point of contention.

At this point Garma arrived at the flower shop he had his secretary, Terry, who had been assigned to the position thanks to his name, call beforehand and make arrangements. Garma was no stranger to flowers thanks to the time he spent at the one Cecilia worked at years ago whenever Gihren would visit her there before her own eventual role as Gihren's secretary...and likely secret lover and mother of his children, though Garma only heard whispers to that degree and something about a 'Glemmy' whatever that was. Because of what he had learned from Cecilia back when he was still a young child and she was a kind woman, Garma had arranged to purchase a specific type of flower...he would have gotten an entire assortment, but that would have to wait for another time since the war-torn region of America he was in was not exactly filled to the brim with plantlife anymore and the flower shop only had so many. A less ravaged nation like Japan might have luckier botanists, but only so much could be done given the circumstances and so Japanese Honeysuckles alone it was.

As much as he tried not to, the socially devoid Garma felt self-conscious as he approached the location of his first date with flower bouquet in hand. He wanted to do this 'right', as he was very unlike his eldest brother if the rumors about him were true. This was not some ball where Garma could simply dance and speak superficially, nor was it a time for him to use flowery language and poetic phrases...this was an adapting form of hanging out with one of the people he considered a friend, with obvious intimate overtones replacing the more platonic ones he had grown used to.

He would do this right however...but part of that meant admitting to Kinue that if he was going to share his affections with her that it was not just some kind of game. He could have dated any number of women if he just wanted the fun of it...he wanted a partner, someone he could spend his life with, to have by his side and raise a family together with. He had to give it some thought after she revealed her affections, but had quickly come to realize that he was perfectly fine with the life he had whenever he spent it at her home and that he could go home to that for the rest of his life without ever having a regret. After all, it reminded him of the family life he once had before the Zabis rose to power, and so to be with someone who could give him that feeling again was something Garma cherished.

He just had to hope her affection for him was great enough to agree to a courtship styled relationship...one where dating led into engagement into marriage, not simply dating for dating's own sake.

All of these things and many more on his mind, Garma opened the door to the restaurant and prepared himself for this new experience...one he truly hoped would go well, even if he had to make special arrangements to make sure no-one would be around to recognize him and to make sure the restaurant's staff would not say a word of this private dinner that could be considered scandalous by many and unethical by others.

Of course Kinue had arrived earlier than Garma, not having had to toil over the behind-the-scenes aspects as much as he had nor gone to get her data flowers...she had brought a small gift for him, but she was just as out of her depth as Garma was and so had shown up in the least worn-out set of her everyday light-blue, darker-blue, and tan outfit just as herself without any further pretenses. Her mind had been racing with the possibilities of the date, if Garma would actually wish to move things forward, and just where they could go from here...everything ranging from being unable to interact as a couple in public to a shotgun marriage was possible, so while she tried to retain some composure she was actually as nervous as Garma since their relationship meant more to her career than it did to Garma for his.

After all, it was one thing to cover someone you were in love with...it was another to cover someone you were in a relationship with. Someone who you could be promising to marry and have children with. That kind of threw objectivity out of the window, even as hard as she tried to remain exactly that. So as happy as she was that her more forward approach had resulted in getting to have a chance at a relationship with Garma, she had some apprehension and tension formed from the very same prospect since it ran counter to her own personal goals and dreams she once held.

Seeing Garma come in with a bouquet made it suddenly all that much more real, showing that while Garma initially had meant to have a more platonic dinner he now was quite fine with having changed it into a more romantic affair.

"Oh Garma, you didn't have to…"

Still nervous just as she was, Garma awkwardly presented her them as he sat down across from her in the comfortably sized restaurant that was absent of any people other than the staff. They had their own special table set up, and the restaurant's staff had decided to leave a candle burning at the table for the atmosphere in the early evening. Garma had no idea if flowers were actually appropriate, but he felt better giving her them than showing up empty handed.

"They are Japanese Honeysuckles...according to a botanist I know they symbolize 'devoted affection', and…well..."

Garma struggled with his words thanks to nervousness being mixed with dodging around the fact he learned this from Gihren of all people, just as he had learned the basics of chess from his older brother...a person the woman sitting across from him did not hide any contempt for, and so Garma did not want to ruin the evening by making things about Gihren. Still, the information came from him so he was in the back of Garma's mind as Garma tried and was failing to look up at Kinue in the eye.

"Fortunately I have some vases for them back home," Kinue said as she accepted the gift, her face as red as Garma's. She gingerly handled the gift and cradled it to herself for a moment to smell the flowers, the scent of lavender gracing the overall package thanks to Garma's own scent, Kinue recognizing it thanks to it being a scent she occasionally used herself. As she went about finding the flowers a proper home for the remainder of the dinner, Kinue tried to fight her deep blush and calm down so she could speak without stammering like a the lovestruck fool she felt she was, "Thank you, Garma."

"It's nothing," Garma lied, still finding it hard to actually meet her gaze as he finished settling in. It was obviously more than nothing, as shown by the symbolism he had noted himself in his awkward attempt to explain his action, but to outright admit that felt difficult.

It was around this time that they were visited by the waiter for the evening, a prim and proper man who dressed in a formal uniform that seemed to get some use which showed that it was his regular attire rather than simply an attempt to dress-up in front of the important heir who was visiting today. After Kinue ordered water with lemon and Garma ordered a glass of wine the young couple shared a blush when they came to realize their orders did not exactly match...when the waiter left to go fetch the drinks asked for Garma awkwardly posed a question that formed from the moment.

"You don't have to worry about ordering anything expensive, Kinue. I already have paid for everything upfront…"

"It may be cheap, but it's healthy...and thank you, Garma, but I insist on paying for my part. I'm just happy to be here, so I don't want to take advantage of your generosity."

As old-fashioned as he had been raised to be, Garma wanted to balk at the idea of allowing his date to pay for their meal and he only avoided doing so to avoid being rude. Still, he appreciated the thought...and if she was the sort who just took it for granted that he would pay for everything he wouldn't be interested in her. Instead she was an independent person who had buckled down and worked hard all her life to provide for herself and her brother, and so not paying her part in something was foreign to her since she was not some heiress who had lived in the lap of luxury.

Garma found a gentler way of turning down her fair offer than to scoff at it, instead smiling at her and reaching a hand across the table to take hers in his own, "I am sure you have made enough to do so, but please, let me. Think of it as my thanks for...well, everything."

That too was a somewhat of a lie, in that Garma never intended to let her pay for a date of theirs if he could so help it, but it was born of the truth that this all was thanks to the appreciation he held for his media adviser. He wanted to spoil her if she was going to be his...well, 'lover' sounded too scandalous but fit the general idea.

Realizing she was not going to win this fight, Kinue conceded on it while agreeing at least with Garma that she could pay for it but was simply allowing him to treat her, "Kycilia has been generous in what she has paid me, though I admit I have set most of it aside...college is not cheap, and my brother can't really make ends meet as a pizza delivery man while he is also working on his studies."

As she spoke she let her hand be held by Garma's, even holding it back in return to show a small degree of intimacy across the table without saying or doing too much. Now that the cat was out of the bag, both of them were finding themselves more comfortable with the idea of actually being together...Kinue lowering her apprehensions about her work while Garma was quelling his doubts about what his family might think of him possessing a Federation-born fiance, all because the two genuinely cared for one another in their own way.

Her response actually surprised Garma: even though she had no idea if she would even see her brother again, she had still set aside nearly all of her earnings for his sake? Garma found himself smiling and finally able to look up at her again, proud that he knew someone whose familial loyalty was similar to his own, "You really care for him. I'm glad my family and I are not the only ones who value our kin."

"It's actually something I really like about you all. Even if you sometimes have your differences, I can tell that even Kycilia cares a lot for you all," Kinue noted as she smiled to him, "You may be titans among men, but you're all still people, and you're a family."

The comment would go unanswered by Garma as it was then that their waiter returned with their refreshments, prompting the couple to accept them and to also go and place their order as well. To play with Garma's intention to pay for her meal, Kinue asks him to order for her based on what he thinks is good, paving way for him to order for his date to complete the picture. The playful submission leaves Garma a little surprised, but rather than blush and admit it in front of the waiter he actually goes ahead and orders for them both some locally sourced seafood pasta.

The wink he had received made him confident in ordering for her and so Garma felt confident in his selection as he made it, and the pleased smile on Kinue's face following it helped reassure him. Next door was a fish shop which the restaurant was able to obtain fresh selections of food, so rather than more manufactured goods like what was available these days with the war ravaging the landscape. Because of this the seafood likely was the best meal available on the menu, and so it was an easy selection to make.

With the order taken the waiter left the couple be, who segued into smalltalk about the coming food given that neither of them knew exactly what to say...but eventually that gave way to Garma noting that his family couldn't have fish related products when he was young, to which Kinue responded that her father loved preparing it for her and Saji since it was not that hard to cook and he was always so busy. Out of curiosity Garma asked more about her father, and that brought Kinue to silence as she tried to think of how to speak more of the deceased man she tried to emulate.

"Kinue, you don't have to...I just was curious what the man you look up to was like, so I apologize if I overstepped my boundaries."

Rather than take offense to being asked about her dead father Kinue let out a small sigh and came to smile, "It's okay Garma, I just was thinking...there is so much I could say, but finding what I should say is what's difficult. He was a good man, and every day I hope I can live up to his legacy...Kenshin Crossroad, the famous independent reporter who worked with JNN to uncover political corruption, corporate fraud, and broke many important stories to the public so that they could know the truth."

They way she spoke of him reminded Garma of himself whenever he was asked to speak about his own father, as while Degwin Zabi was very much alive he was still at times a distant figure that was hard to live up to given the wealth of accomplishments he possessed...Kinue was not quite so different from Garma himself in seeking some kind of respect for her work and efforts even if they were in the shadow of a great man.

Garma respected her, enjoyed her company, considered Kinue one of his few friends, could empathize with her family oriented mindset, and he found her to be an attractive woman even if she was not the typical idea of 'beautiful'...she had a sort of sweet 'girl-next-door' quality to her appearance that was a refreshing change when placed up against the sea of brainless beauties he has dealt with and which some considered him to be. To have a woman who was intelligent, competent, driven, and beautiful be in love with him was...well, it was humbling in a sense since it was so different from the blind affection he was used to. It was love born of who he was, not what he was, and so being subjected to it made Garma feel a sort of relief he was not at all used to...and made him realize how deep his own affections for his 'subordinate' have grown with time.

"He sounds like he was a good man...and you are quite the woman trying to fill the shoes he left behind. I am certain your father would be proud of you...you truly are a beautiful woman, inside and out, Kinue."

"T-thank you…"

She was blushing, still not used to receiving compliments about her looks it would seem, but Garma intended to make her well used to such statements...so long as she would allow him in the years to come.

"Kinue, if you don't mind, I would like to get something off my chest: I am no fan of 'casual dating'...I don't want to date just for the experience itself, I see dating as a step in the process to perhaps one day having a life-long partner. If we are going to do this, then…"

The reporter picked up on what he was saying given the clues he had managed to convey, and so Kinue recovered from her meek embarrassment to respond to him with a normal expression upon her face in the place of her blushing face.

"You want to make sure I would be okay with maybe getting engaged at some point and then being your wife someday, and if I wouldn't mind having a family with you."

It was simple, and she understood the concerns completely given Garma's status and position, not to mention his personality and preferences. That Kinue was not shocked over the matter pleased Garma, who felt much less awkward bringing up the subject of future marriage now even though it was just a stated intention...that by accepting this date idea with her that he was looking forward to the future, not just to enjoying an afternoon.

"It is a relief that you understand."

That still left the matter of whether she would accept the proposition of treating this like an old-fashioned courtship...one where so long as things progressed without incident would result in marriage and the whole nine yards associated with it.

The small smile on her face as she takes his hand in her own told Garma what he was looking for even before Kinue put it to words, the quiet support evident in her body language serving as the answer itself.

"Of course, Garma. I may not be a prince, but in regards to relationships I am the same way...that is why even in what little free time I had I didn't look for boyfriends. If I am going to be in a relationship I want it to be a serious one…so yes, I am willing to take this just as seriously as you."

That was a relief to Garma, who was worried that if he indulged in his growing attraction to her that he may end up having his heart broken...but at the same time it was not the last hurdle in the way of the relationship working, and Garma did not want to date her on false pretenses or by ignoring the reality which surrounded them. He respected her too much to do that, and so he gave her a concerned look while thinking of her living family.

"Even if it means you might not be able to ever return to the Federation?"

The answer to this was unfortunately in some ways expected, in that there was still obvious and open wounds concerning the matter but it was too important to simply gloss over. Garma had heard that you were not supposed to talk about politics and other heavy subjects on a first date, but seeing as they were a prerequisite of this relationship even existing he felt he had to.

"If I am honest, I am not sure I could at this point even if I wanted to...all I have left there is Saji, and the Federation won't take me back on his behalf..."

To simply let her stay in such a sad state felt wrong, and so Garma set about holding her one hand in both of his and looking into the earthy brown orbs that were her eyes, "I'm sorry Kinue."

Kinue responded in return by bringing her own spare hand to rest atop Garma's own, a sad but genuine smile gracing her lips.

"You don't need to be sorry...it's not your fault I am where I am today. Months ago I never would have expected to be here...it took nearly dying for me to wake up and learn to live my life in some ways, and so as much as I wish I could have my old life back I do not regret what I have gained...just what I've lost."

Touching him, feeling Garma's skin and being able to engage with him in this intimate manner without him recoiling or laughing at her...he initiated contact and was showing the same care for her that Kinue held for him was almost out of one of the dreams that have begun to plague her as of recently that would wake her at night.

The difference however was that now it was real, and for that she was forever grateful, just as she was of the good people she has met in her time with Zeon. While her opinions on the nation itself were unchanged, that did not mean that there were not real Human beings with their own lives, friends, and families comprising it who all happily

"Even if I could return to the Federation, I wouldn't want to unless I could go back with you. With Urabe, Amir, and Emmerich. You're all a part of my life now and I owe you all so much for taking me in when I had nowhere else to go."

Her feelings were genuine, that much Garma could tell, and while what she said surprised him it seemed to fall in line with what he had experienced with her by his side...but even so the fact that by showing her kindness he had earned her love was of an even greater surprise to him, as Garma had simply been taught to treat others with that very attitude so it did not feel out of place to him.

"I believe I understand…though, if you don't mind me asking, why…"

'Why do you love me?' is what he wanted to say, but he too was flustered to do so. Coming out and saying something like that to what earlier that day had simply been a friend just felt far more awkward than he could grapple with.

Kinue closed her eyes and let out a soft breath before she decided to answer Garma's question, albeit in a roundabout way, "As much as I am settling in here, I don't really have too many friends, and the few I had before all this either abandoned me when I was ostracized at JNN, or were too far away to contact when I was forced to join Zeon."

This said, she looked up at Garma softly, "You treated me kindly when I was at my lowest. People were willing to kill me over my work, and I wasn't able to go home anymore," she brushed some stray hair out of her face as a blush grew on her face and a mounting embarrassment prompted her to look down and away, "You and the others helped me feel like I still had a purpose though. That even if I couldn't go back, I could still follow the path my father lead and try to help others through the truth."

"And, if I'm to be honest, you remind me of my brother in a way..." a sigh of hers turned into a laugh at the end of her next statement, "You're both too kind, perhaps naive at times, but you both have gentle souls...though I bet that quack doctor Freud would get a kick out of that..."

"If I must be honest, you are like my sister, so I cannot complain about the allusion…" Garma noted wryly, well aware of how each of them formed the opposite half of the same family dynamic. He was somewhat taken aback by all she said though, as simply being appreciated for kindness was the opposite of his later upbringing by his family and by the military when Kycilia or his instructors instilled a harder discipline upon him and castigated such softness.

While Garma sat and contemplated the fact that someone was in love with him as a person and not as the son of Degwin Zabi, Kinue sat back in her chair to bring herself into a more 'proper' pose and brought her hands back as well, "So, back to what you were saying before...what would you expect from a hypothetical wife? It might be nice to know so I can make an informed decision like you want."

That was a good question, Garma reckoned, but he did not have a very precise idea in his mind based off his beliefs and upbringing so generalities would have to do.

"Love and affection are two obvious criteria, but given my station they would have to be someone who could maintain the Zabi family image."

He tried picturing Kinue in dresses the way Zenna wore them...she could he felt, but it didn't seem natural to her, so it would have to be a learned skill. Learning how to act properly at public events and be a hostess would also be important skills for the reporter to learn that he was quite certain she was lacking in...but he had faith that someone as intelligent as her could pick it up with the right motivation and effort, and if being his wife was the impetus behind both of those things then that was fine in his books.

There was also the matter of love, which was a given to Garma even if it might not be to someone like Gihren...whatever genuine emotion once held between him and Cecilia had likely faded by now, though they were still fairly inseparable.

"I could try," Kinue noted dryly, though the smirk on her face told Garma that she knew like him that it would take some work. This said, Kinue waited for Garma to finish a sip from his wine to say the next part of her inquisition, "And what about children?"

That question was one Garma had in some ways expected and in some ways was worried about given that his personal ideal of having as many children as possible and having a large if not larger family than his father had might not mesh well with the desires of the woman he desired to have them with. He did not really know where Kinue stood on the issue of having children, but part of him was hoping the family focused woman would be amenable to the idea...it was not a dealbreaker, but it was something he wanted for himself one day.

"I have...had three brothers and a sister, so I have always wanted a family of my own where the children all have loving family members they can bond with the way I did with mine," Garma responds nervously, trying to ease Kinue into the concept of having a large family. After all, given the way biology worked, she would be the one doing the heavy lifting in that department should she agree...but a large family was a selfish desire he craved for anyways given his own childhood, "Gihren was not always the one leading Zeon into war, once upon a time he was the older brother picking me up from school. Dozle is, well, Dozle, and Kycilia…"

So, Kinue thought to herself, he wanted a large family...

"Okay."

Little deliberation was done at all on the matter, resulting in a confused Garma who was not put in the place of trying to defend what he thought she would have been bringing up in response.

"What about your career as a journalist?"

Kinue shrugged nonchalantly, having given up on the idea of a lasting career the moment she was forced to report on the side of a dictatorship led by a propaganda loving man known as Gihren Zabi, "I lost that when the Federation tried having me killed after they first forced JNN to fire me...at this point I may be reporting the news, but it is not exactly what I would call a normal career. My 'job' is whatever you and Kycilia wish at any given moment, so it is not exactly as severe a shift going from sort-of journalist to mother than it would be if I was still working normally."

What's more, she had to admit that she was quite okay with the idea of having children with the man she had fallen in love with these past months...if she was still hyper focused solely on her career the thought of children would not have likely taken up much time in her head, but right now she was living day to day with whatever life threw at her. As such Kinue was left more often than usual wondering what she wanted from life, and she now was being asked by the mans she loved to one day be the mother of his children. As a person, rather as herself, the thought of living 'happily ever after' with Garma and raising a family sure was better than the ending she once had expected of herself...of laying facedown in an alley bleeding to death all alone.

Raising children with a lovely man, even if she didn't care for certain elements of his family and nation, definitely trumped that.

"So, if we make the decision to move forward...I don't have much objections. Raising an heir to an entire nation would be quite the important job anyways, and if it means having a family with the man I love…"

Hearing Kinue agree to his ideas about how he wanted his family to be gave Garma a great deal of relief, realizing that he has found a kindred spirit of sorts who sought to make him happy just as he desired to make her happy...and he genuinely hoped that she would find fulfillment in being a wife and mother. Zenna took to it so well, and so he hoped the same for what in some months may be his own fiance and then wife.

"That response alone eases any tensions or fears I may have had...thank you, Kinue."

Just to be certain, Kinue pressed him anyways even as she began to try and silence thoughts of Garma getting her pregnant which was an obvious part to the equation, "Well, is there anything else?"

"Well...you are an honest woman whose integrity is not something I would question nor should it be...but if we are married, any further attacks on Gihren or against Zeon's policies will cause problems. I know you disagree with the Principality's politics, and my brother's steering thereof, but I am not certain you would be able to voice such opinions under the circumstances," Garma admitted, feeling a tinge of guilt that by marrying her one day that he would be forcing her to throw away some of the impartial judgment he respected her for.

"That is a problem…" Kinue agreed, though she was able to find a solution soon enough, "I think I would have to simply refrain from speaking publicly about them in such a situation. Focus on my support of you and the family we would have, that way I am still supporting the family but not directly lying to do so, which I am not certain I would be able to convincingly."

Garma frowned as he thought to what the inevitable public reception would be, "Some will call you a sell-out and traitor."

"Many already do, but they made that choice for me when they tried killing me for simply criticizing them," Kinue noted with some irritation, obviously displeased by the small-minded nature of those she was speaking of, "You and Zeon are my future, as much as I may not be a fan of dictatorships...and, should you be willing, I would bear the attacks from whatever critics I have if it means being by your side."

"Would you be okay with giving birth to children who may one day be Sovereign like my father?"

Having a family was one thing, but properly raising the children was another...and as much as Garma found himself enamored with Kinue, he had to admit that if she taught their hypothetical future children things like 'democracy is better than autocracy' like she believed herself then it could cause societal issues down the road...rebellion, in-fighting, you name it.

Still, after some moments of thought Kinue was able to eventually nod to the idea of bearing future dictators...so long as she could make them like Garma and not Gihren, "I would...if I could raise them to be as wise and benevolent as they could be I would be contributing far more to this world than I otherwise likely could. To ensure that the person who will rule over and influence the lives of billions does not become a tyrant and is as effective a leader as possible is an important role I would take seriously," smiling to herself, Kinue found that she was proud of how she managed to find a way to bring together her beliefs with the reality of the situation. After all, if she could make it so Zeon's leadership was as morally good as it could be then she could prevent unfortunate wars such as this very one and allow the nation to flourish under a kind ruler rather than harsh dictator, easing the lives of millions...well worth the price of her career, some months carrying a child, and then years raising them, "That is how I can reconcile my beliefs and those of Zeon. I may not be able to make it a democracy, but I can support open-minded leaders like you and our hypothetical children who would allow for offices like elected Prime Ministers."

She would always want to be a journalist like her father, but being in a unique position to make the world a better place by being someone's wife made Kinue decide that it was a sacrifice she could make given the circumstances she was in.

"I always did appreciate that my father allowed for such a thing," Garma admits, his face showing some relief that Kinue's democratic mindset would not be a problem either, "And thank you, Kinue. I know this is asking a lot, I just did not want anything to stand in the way later on...I care for you and don't want to have something like this creep up on us without having spoken of it."

"I don't mind...something about you asking me to have your children helps lighten up the mood," Kinue jokes as she gives him a playful wink.

"Joke too much and I may think you are serious," Garma retorted, recognizing that she was having some fun with the otherwise serious conversation.

"Maybe I am having a little fun with the idea, but you know how I feel...honestly Garma, if you wanted to elope tonight at some chapel I would and if you wanted an heir we could have a child by the war's end perhaps," was Kinue's bridge back into seriousness, admitting that if Garma desired they could nearly anything and she would be alright so long as it was what he wanted, "I love you...so whatever you want, however fast, slow, or otherwise you want to do things I am okay with because I trust you."

While there was an obvious appeal to the idea of eloping that very night and siring an heir, Garma had greater impulse control than to simply jump on such an opportunity...but that did not mean he did not intend for it one day to happen. He simply had been raised to do things 'properly', and so Kinue's blank check of how to carry out their relationship would be done in such a way.

The idea of marrying her though...well it brought to mind some dreams he had been stricken with once he began to spend time at her house, and not too surprisingly the dreams were very much about that very thing.

"May I share a secret? It is a bit embarrassing, but..."

"What is it, Garma?"

It was embarrassing to admit, almost as embarrassing as it had been the other day to admit that Kinue had been his first crush from when he would see her on television years ago...but Garma felt he should bring it up all the same.

"I had a dream about you the other night, and…well, we were living together in a 'normal' home. I was an important leader within Zeon, you were my wife supporting me, and together we lived sort of like how things are when I visit your home. You would cook for me and provide me comfort when I needed it, we could watch movies and simply lounge around the house to escape the noise of the outside world…"

He cared for his nation and people, but at the same time Garma did have some private desires and wishes...particularly being able to step out of the spotlight on occasion and to just be with his family. That feeling had been instilled in him long ago when he came to realize that even though his new home had rooms larger than his entire old house that it meant little if his family was never actually there. Never actually together.

"That was when I think I realized I…" Garma blushed, his embarrassment growing and growing even as he continued to speak on about his dream and what it made him feel, "That the way I care for you, and what we share, goes beyond just friendship...I tried hiding it, but now here we are…"

Kinue, perhaps having had dreams of living with Garma in quite the similar manner, did not judge him over it and instead smiled at him while sweetly asking about it.

"Did we have a family?"

"Yes..sons and daughters both, and when I came home you surprised me with an announcement that we were going to have another," Garma shyly admitted, the dream obviously having been a reflection of what he wanted but wasn't fully admitting to himself at the time, "Being a father to them in my dream reminded me of my time with my own father years ago, before I needed to work through a schedule to even see him most of the time…it's a silly dream, I know...I just have been caught up in such nostalgia for a simpler way of living than all of...this."

When he finished he waved his hand around to gesture to how there were guards posted around, the restaurant was empty just to accommodate them, and he had to go so out of his way just to have a date because of the clout his name carried.

"Well maybe someday we'll make it come true...if you want," Kinue offered, accepting the blueprint of their future proposed by him, "But knowing you as well as I think I do, you probably are agonizing over the fact that your girlfriend is a Federation born woman since you're worried about what your father and people may think...am I right?"

That was most definitely true, as while Garma believed in certain romantic ideals he still was held prisoner by the reality of the world he lived in.

"If you weren't, you wouldn't be the best investigative journalist I know," he grinned back to hide his own nervousness over one day speaking with his father about who he wished to marry...who he wished to further their bloodline with.

"Oh? How many journalists do you know?" Kinue quipped, pointing to the likely probability that she was one of it not the only investigative journalist he actually knew.

"...fair enough, but I have at least met a few. Ironically, some have come onto me even stronger than you have today...and they did not wait some months to do so either."

That likely beautiful women had tried and failed to woo Garma and now she was sitting across with him discussing what their family might be like in the future felt almost surreal to Kinue, but not in a bad way...just in the sense that had life gone slightly differently for her, that had one of a million different things happened to her, she would either be with the Federation right now or dead. Instead she was speaking with Garma Zabi, son of Degwin Zabi (the most individually powerful man in the world next to Gihren), about getting married one day. About having children, and a lot of them. Of how they would raise them, and the values they would have...

"Garma?"

"Yes Kinue?"

"Why…why me?"

It was a simple question, and she knew it was more complex than 'because you asked'...but in truth, it was still a simple answer.

Sensing her insecurity, Garma took Kinue's hand once again across the table and gave her the most sincere smile he had, "Because you care for me...the real me. What's more, you are beautiful, intelligent, and one of the people I trust most in this world...if I did not care for you I would be a fool, and if I did not love you I would be an even greater one."

Hearing him say it made Kinue's heart flutter, and so her response was more akin to a love-struck sigh than it was a coherent thought.

"Garma…"

His heart laid out for her to see, Garma clasped her hand in his own and brought it up to his lips to kiss, "Will you allow me to court you, Miss Kinue Crossroad, with the intention of one day being married?"

Kinue almost giggled despite herself, feeling like a little girl with her prince charming even though when she was a young girl she had never really been interested in that sort of thing...now she had it, and she wouldn't trade it for almost anything.

"I accept...on the condition that, for the time being, this remains our little secret we only tell people who need to know."

Garma grinned in acceptance, "I suppose letting Urabe, Amir, and Emmeirch know wouldn't hurt...they can figure it out on their own though after how things went today with the chess game and from what they will see in the days to come I believe, so we fortunately will not have to put out a memo for them. Such a thing could fall into the wrong hands..."

"Of all the scandals I could deal with related to you, someone figuring out we are 'together' is not one I look forward to...but when that day eventually comes I think it will be worth the opportunity to be with you."

"So, I take it that tonight is the first of many exclusive interviews?"

"With emphasis on the word exclusive, I would hope so," Kinue jested.

"If we were not in the middle of a war I think I would be asking you to marry me right now…" Garma admitted, for the feeling of 'home' he had whenever he was with her was strong enough to remind him of who he was beneath the Zabi veneer, "I promise you though that when the time is right, if we are together, I will ask you to be my wife so we can spend the rest of our lives together."

As their food is brought out for them to eat Kinue finds herself smiling, ready to begin the true date now that the serious stuff was out of the way...but also having enjoyed getting to discuss these things with Garma since they were surprisingly able to find middle-ground on everything to make it work despite their differences.

"Next time let's eat in at my house...I'll even cook if you want. Since we got all the 'business' out of the way I would like to be able to lay down on the couch with you and watch a movie sometime."

That sounded nice...and so Garma spent no time at all in thinking about accepting it, instead nodding to her as their food was placed before them.

"Of course...after all, how can I say no to your cooking?"

"I love you, Garma."

"...I love you too, Kinue."

He wasn't quite used to saying it yet, but Garma figured he would have about another eighty years or so to practice together with her.

A/N: Thank you for reading, and I hope you will let me know your thoughts in the reviews below! Sorry for the wait, this one was quite large and I couldn't find a place to cut it into pieces so I figured I should give it to you all in one chunk.

Special thanks to MOR the Divine Being, Echowarrior, Fallen-Ryu, Jaenera Targaryen, and Kaiser Chris for reviewing last chapter, and I hope you continue to enjoy and lend me your thoughts!