A/N: I can't believe this fic is over a year old! Thank you to all of the readers and reviewers~ You've made this past year wonderful, even in the darkest moments. :)

Chapter 28

"You have a problem."

I ignored the hissed complaint, determinedly taking a sip of the lukewarm lemonade. It wasn't too bad; Chef Morris was really starting to branch out in his menu, and though it could have done with some ice, it was the perfect blend of sweet and tart - very thirst-quenching under today's summer sun. Hilde had set up the teatime to be in the garden as usual, but they'd put up a large umbrella to offer shade and keep things cool. Occasionally, Lyle would take a large fan and start waving it in my direction, which kind of made me want to eat grapes while languidly sprawling out on a recliner.

"I can't believe you wrote him back," Meilan continued to grumble, stabbing a fork viciously into her piece of strawberry shortcake. "Why didn't you just offer to spar with him?"

I snorted. I'd seen Meilan's definition of 'spar' when it came to her husband: she'd just come flying in from any direction, intent on getting in at least one good whack on the man. To Wufei's credit, these hits never landed - either deftly dodged or misdirected, leaving Wufei with an armful of belligerent wife for his efforts.

Come to think of it, maybe that was their messed-up version of foreplay. Ugh…

"Because I'm trying to communicate with your husband in a way he understands," I replied blandly. "Even if that means writing him a ten-page letter."

"We all live in the same place."

I smiled at her. "Meilan, if you want more cake, just say so."

Meilan scowled at me, forking up another mouthful of shortcake and looking as if she was swallowing the bitterest poison in doing so. I took another languid sip of lemonade and weighed the possibility of Meilan finally snapping and butchering me with her dessert-laden fork, which gave us a record three minutes of peace.

"Your Grace."

That was abruptly ruined by Trowa's arrival.

I set my cup down after having just spilled a few sips on myself, acting as if the commander of Heero's forces hadn't just scared the shit out of me by popping up out of fucking nowhere. In the novel, Trowa Barton was renowned for such skills, which was what made him so good at espionage and infiltration.

It was just really creepy to have it done in front of you. I'd gotten really good lately at being able to sense if someone else was around me, but Trowa moved like a ghost and I usually never saw him coming until he'd stepped up beside whoever I was with, which while impressive, was the freakiest thing ever.

I also think he was starting to do it on purpose, because he only really ever did it if I was drinking or holding something.

Petty bitch, I thought candidly. "And how are you doing on this fine summer day, Commander?"

"Hydrated," he replied with a quick glance in the direction of the lemonade stains on my clothes.

I'm going to tear the bangs off this guy.

Meilan passed me a handkerchief which I valiantly did not use to towel-whip Trowa in the face, instead dabbing at the light spray of droplets down my front. Trowa watched me silently, clearly waiting for me to ask him the reason for his presence as was custom, so I took my time deliberately wiping at every. Single. Drop.

The next few minutes passed in silent, excruciating slowness.

Only after Meilan started to look like she was considering flinging cake around to make the awkwardness go away did I finally set aside the handkerchief, turning a doe-eyed gaze of curiosity on the tall man standing beside us. Behind Trowa's implacable face, I could see Lyle looking short of fainting.

"Was there something I could help you with, Commander?" I asked brightly.

Trowa looked at me with serene and uncaring eyes. "As the trip to town is coming up in the next few days, His Grace the Duke wanted to get your input on how many guards you require to accompany you," he explained.

"None," I smiled, the reply coming a little too quickly and happily if the minute shift in Trowa's expression was anything to go by.

But really, who needed guards when I had Heero? I had the whole day planned out in my head: we'd explore some of the most popular and busiest shops, paying special consideration to those that had been started after a proposal given by yours truly; maybe drink a little at Granny Meg's, shop at some of the town market stalls, and then finish it up with a dinner at Gin's. I didn't need a group of paranoid escorts who were now starting to give walls the dirty eye, as if inanimate objects were now conspiring against them in their efforts to keep me safe and coddled.

"You need at least one guard, Your Grace," Trowa explained mildly, definitely giving off vibes of 'if it was me alone, I'd off you myself.'

Maybe this was where Cathy got it from…

"Then one guard is fine," I said. Who was the least paranoid among them… "I'll take Simon, I think he'd be enough."

Trowa looked surprised - in that his one visible green eye widened by like 1/5th of a centimeter - but he nodded in agreement. Simon had to be skilled since he was the Duchess Guard Captain, and he wasn't nearly as obsessive as my original guards. Asahi would have been fine, but as Lyle stiffly informed me this morning, he was busy training this week and would not be available.

"Are you sure you don't require more guards?" Trowa asked again.

"What the hell are you expecting to happen in town square?"

Trowa blinked. Most of those who recently returned still had yet to get used to me occasionally cursing, although Heero was starting to have no reaction to it and Simon just only lightly fumbled now. Wufei had not worked it into his complaint letter yet so I'm assuming he didn't find anything too horrid about it, but sometimes it would give Trowa pause.

"...I will let the Duke know," Trowa eventually said. "Have a pleasant teatime, Your Grace."

He turned to leave, pausing just before he'd reached the shade of the awning. "...Unfortunately, I believe the lemonade left stains." And with that parting comment, Trowa stepped fully into the shadows and turned the corner with silent steps.

I glanced down in irritation. I'm going to rip off his fucking bangs!

I wonder if Heero won all his battles through the sheer power of his gaze.

"Your Grace, stop messing with the bandana," Tsubasa hissed. If his lord had been anyone else, he probably would have been charged with treason just for the tone he'd used. Heero's eyes – which had been latched on some indeterminate point in the distance – flickered to Tsubasa, then to me, then to the unknown once again.

The hue of drowned-puppy to his Prussian blue eyes only grew stronger.

I stared very determinedly out the window. Sorry, Heero, but you have to suffer for the cause!

"Why didn't you add the fake beard?" Meilan asked, looking straight at Heero's downtrodden expression and remaining utterly unmoved, because her heart was as black as her hair. "Then we wouldn't have to waste so much time with the bandana disguise."

"Oh, I'm sorry, is this taking too much time away from your town market date?" I grumbled. There was no way I was walking around town square with a Heero who had a bush of fake hair taped to his face. I would never be able to look any of the vendors in the face, let alone Heero.

Quatre, sitting in an armchair and looking supportive – too supportive, actually, which meant he was probably laughing at us on the inside – gave Heero a quick sweep of the eyes. "I think the Duke looks very dashing," he commented with the kind of honesty that looked too genuine to be real.

Our plan to visit the town market had almost been delayed given the whole poisoning incident, but I managed to get everyone back on board with it by looking very healthy and then smiling insistently at anyone who looked my way. I honestly didn't think it would have worked had Trowa and Wufei not been so dismissive of me, which actually helped because then Quatre and Meilan were distracted by not-fighting with their respective spouses.

Eventually, after I gushed enough to Heero about how excited I was to go to the town market with him, we were given the green light. The little group going to the town market was very different from the one I usually took with me: Heero was of course going, having been invited by yours truly, Quatre and Meilan invited themselves, Trowa and Wufei were tagging along either for safety or to keep an eye on their me-obsessed partners. Given that Heero, Trowa, and Wufei were coming along, my personal guard had been cut down to Hilde and Simon.

The main issue with this group is that we had too much damn star power.

Heero's disguise was the heaviest, given that he was easiest to recognize by the citizens out of everyone. Wufei was the second concern, although he had limited contact with the people of the town – which is the only thing that saved him from having Meilan glue a fake beard onto his face. Trowa hadn't even really changed but was insistent he would not be recognized, and given what I knew about him from the novel, he was most likely right; the guy should be able to blend into any crowd, despite being the goddamn commander of the duchy's militia.

Tsubasa, Heero's personal attendant, had done his level best to fit Heero with a disguise that looked both natural and fashionable: his naturally-tousled dark brown locks had been hidden under a beige bandana, only the flyaway strands of his bangs peeking out under the wrapping, and his eyes were lightly outlined in charcoal to help hide the shape. He'd been dressed in a plain blue tunic with black pants, the sash around his waist matching the beige of his headwear, and the only jewelry he wore was the Yuy wedding ring, which was kept on a necklace around his neck.

...Even with all of that, he still looked like a main character!

"Isn't there any way to make him look more plain?" I asked plaintively.

Heero stared at me in confusion.

"Do you think I can work miracles, Your Grace?" Tsubasa snipped back.

I think you can work off that attitude, I wisely didn't say. Tsubasa was under a lot of stress as Heero's sole attendant, and if Hilde was anything to go by – I should just mind my tongue.

"Okay, fine, then he'll just have to remain devastatingly good-looking," I sighed, turning to Hilde and ignoring the weird choking sound I'd learned to associate with Wufei swallowing his own tongue from behind me. "Hilde, prepare more money. We're going to get scammed today."

"Does devastating good looks mean you can't bargain?" Quatre asked with a tone that would have sounded mocking had it come from anyone else.

I glared at him. "It means I have to bargain with Heero looking like the hottest thing since fire on one side, and then your 'I sleep on a mattress made of diamonds' face on the other," I retorted.

"A mattress made of diamonds doesn't sound very comfortable," Trowa said mildly.

Quatre glanced at his husband. "That's what you took issue with?"

"…The Duchess is right about the other things."

"Are you saying that you can't bargain when I'm around?"

I turned away from the brewing marital strife of Heero's advisors to lock eyes with Heero again. The drowned-puppy effect had only increased in the time I had looked away, and I had to internally fight the urge to wrap him in blankets to cuddle.

"Do you think I'm good-looking?" Heero asked me quietly.

I couldn't help my incredulous stare. Did he think he looked average?

"Of course you're good-looking," I told him. You're the goddamned male lead, you couldn't be anything less than stunning! Even the others, as minor characters, were extremely attractive, so much so that sometimes I felt the urge to stare at rocks just to rest my eyes. It was like being surrounded by runway models except only Trowa actually had the height.

Heero didn't ask anything else so I turned my attention to Wufei – who was gazing at my pseudo-husband in exasperation. "I think we're good to go," I told him. "Unless you also want to slap a fake beard on?"

Wufei shot me a disgusted look, which was abruptly interrupted when Meilan smacked a false mustache onto his face.

"Woman-!"

Meilan smiled at him victoriously. "Now we're ready to go!"

Don't laugh, don't laugh, I reminded myself, forcibly tearing my eyes away.

"Your Grace, I know you're laughing," Wufei bit out.

These people's observation powers were such bullshit!

I looped my arm through Heero's and began to pull (drag) him out of the room. "Alright, everyone on to the magic school bus," I called back.

"The what?" Heero snapped at me with a breathless edge to his voice.

I needed to watch what I say more or they really were going to lock me up. "It's a euphemism," I waved off. "For the carriage."

"The Duchess has picked up such interesting vocabulary while we've been away," Trowa remarked, trailing behind us and beside Quatre.

The Commander is about to get his stupid ankles kicked. "Thanks!" I said brightly, knowing damn well my grin was erring on the side of maniacal.

Thankfully, Trowa kept the rest of his nasty, passive-aggressive PTA-Mom comments to himself as we boarded the carriage. I was packed inside with Heero, Quatre, Meilan, and Wufei; Hilde sat beside the driver, as both Trowa and Simon rode on the back of the carriage.

"So what's the plan?" Meilan asked, looking towards me.

Wufei's bewildered look felt very justified. "Plan for what?"

"What places are we going to first?" Quatre clarified, because unlike Meilan, he knew how to phrase things so it sounded less diabolical.

I smiled, "Well, I don't know about you guys, but Heero and I are going to be quite busy looking around!"

All eyes locked on to me and I immediately felt sweat break out along the back of my neck. It was clear, at least to Quatre and Meilan, what I had implied in my words.

"Are you really going to go around alone?" Meilan demanded. "With the Duke?!"

I really did not appreciate her disbelieving tone. "I said it's a town market date! What kind of date involves eight people?!"

"Date?" Heero echoed with wide eyes.

And why the hell are you shocked?!

Quatre stared at me with narrowed eyes. "You do know you still have to take Miss Hilde and Sir Simon with you," he told me softly. "Please endeavor not to put yourself in danger."

"It was one time!"

Our first stop when we got to the town square was in front of the farmers market, but only so we could kick off the others: Meilan had shot me a glowering look but obediently dragged her husband away, while Quatre and Trowa meandered off in the direction of some of the artisan stalls. I gave directions to the driver to take us to a nearby cafe, pulling my head back in from the window in order to make sure Heero didn't try to escape; the guy looked like he was slowly asphyxiating ever since the others left.

I had no idea Heero was so clingy with his friends…

We were dropped off at a homely little cafe run by the barkeeper Gin's brother. It was a relatively new addition to the town market, having opened while Heero had been gone, but it was one of the most popular cafes around. While they did offer coffee, most of their goods were centered around tea and cakes. Hilde and Simon actually remained outside as if to give us the illusion of privacy, which I thought was really sweet until I remembered I had no clue what Heero's tastes in food was with the exception of trail mix.

Tea break had been a pastime that was usually reserved for the nobility. While the cafe's goods were nowhere near as decadent as what was forced down my throat every day, it was still enjoyable to the people of the duchy capital. Gin's brother, Tadashi, had especially perfected the flavored teas that became the biggest hit on the market.

"Max, you utter bastard! You're finally back!"

Just once- just once - I wish someone would greet me like a normal person.

Heero was strung tight with tension beside me, but I kept him still with an arm looped through his; he was too chivalrous to break it by force, so instead he just glared death at the approaching store owner. After months of Hilde's murderous glowers, though, Tadashi just stopped moving forward and glanced wide-eyed between me and Heero instead of disintegrating into sad little dust particles.

"Wait- your fucking husband is real?"

This asshole!

"Of course he's real!" I snapped back. "Why the hell would I lie about that?!"

Tadashi's daughter peeked at us from behind the counter. "Da always thought you just said that so Uncle Dan would stop flirting with you," she told me. Then, continued on in a mutter, "As if the girl with the crazy eyes wasn't enough of a deterrent."

"Well, my husband is 100% real," I told Tadashi snidely. "So can we get seats for two?"

Tadashi ignored me, rushing forward in order to beam at Heero. "It is so nice to finally meet the guy who actually married this asshole," he told Heero, smile only brightening as Heero's look did the exact opposite. "Don't get me wrong, this whole cafe idea was Max's brainchild-"

I flushed. "N-No it wasn't, I told you, I heard about it-"

"From a friend, I know," Tadashi steamrolled over me. "Who I'm sure totally exists, just like your husband."

I contemplated dragging Heero to another cafe but was quick to realize that it was extremely likely we'd get the same treatment. "Can we just get a table for two, asshole?"

Tadashi chortled but finally obliged, leading us to a cozy little alcove with a small table and plush red armchairs placed behind it, both angled so that they could see the rest of the room. The tabletop had a fancy little lace setting, along with an unlit candle in a heart-shaped candelabra.

"Best seats in the house for a lovey-dovey couple," Tadashi sniggered. "It even has a privacy curtain - so feel free to cuddle to your heart's content!"

I could burn this fucking place to the ground with the sheer force of my blush.

Thankfully, other customers soon came in and distracted Tadashi from his bizarre attempt at hazing me. Tadashi's daughter came by with some thin, square pieces of wood, where they'd scrawled their menu items. Menus were also a new invention being used by only a handful of places in the provincial capital now, as they were used to having their goods out on display or simply written on the wall for easy visibility. Some of the larger places or those with more decor were starting to opt in for menus, seeing as it was easier than having to explain all of their dishes to each customer.

Heero stared down at his menu with blank eyes. I guess it was pretty daunting? Tadashi had the largest selection when it came to cafe goods, which was one of the reasons I picked it.

I scanned the menu quickly. Since Heero had a preference for dried fruits and nuts, then he was possibly like me - not really a fan of overly-sweet cakes. "You might like the almond mousse," I suggested, vaguely remembering that Heero was a fan of almonds. The almond mousse would make a good pairing with the matcha green tea that Gin's place was known for as well, as it was neither too sweet nor too dry. "I can get the cherry pie and we can share?"

Now Heero's eyes had turned to me. "...That's fine."

I yelled out our order at Tadashi's daughter, as that was how people ordered in most businesses here and this one was no exception. I turned my attention back to Heero, fully ignoring Tadashi's smirk from across the room, only to find Heero staring with his customarily blank gaze back at me.

Maybe it wasn't an exhaustion issue? Then again, as soon as he came back, it seemed like he hadn't gotten a single good night of rest…

"Have you been getting enough sleep?" I asked. For some reason, it felt easier to speak to Heero now; I'd been nervous the first day or so he came back, but it was hard to keep up the level of anxiety when the guy kept smacking me over the head with sheer Male Lead charisma. Not to mention Heero was a sweetheart, at least when he wasn't daydreaming in the middle of our interactions.

"...I sleep fine," Heero eventually answered me. "I'm used to going to sleep late and waking early."

Yeah me too, now that my personal alarm clock was Hilde. Nothing could get me out of bed quicker than one Hilde Schbeiker opening the curtains and idly commenting on the weather as a threat.

"I sleep pretty late too," I commiserated. Since Heero returned and took up most of the job duties regarding management of the duchy, my workload had scaled back down to only managing the estate. It was quick work for me at this point, which left me a lot more time to delve into my engineering research.

"I was working with that mineral I showed you the other day - the one Governor Rohito sent - and it's really interesting!" I told him brightly, mind occupied with the strange and still unnamed mineral as Tadashi came by and dropped off our order.

I noticed there were a few extra treats too, but Tadashi just skittered off with an encouraging smile in my direction which I fully ignored. I turned my attention back to Heero, "Did you know that the powder is combustible?"

Heero was very still, spoon poised over his almond mousse. "...You tried to set it on fire?"

"Yeah," I eagerly answered. He's interested! Sometimes it was hard to discuss things like this with the others; Hilde always looked like she was slowly going apoplectic, while Quatre and Meilan just stared at me with shaking eyes. Heero was among the first to actively show interest in what I've been trying to produce.

I happily spooned some cherry pie onto his plate. "It's also resistant to water - liquid seems to slide right off of it - but if I put it next to something made of metal, it has weak magnetization. I used the powder to power the model steam engine just to see what would happen, but it must have been too large of a quantity because it exploded. The engine, I mean, not the powder - that was fine."

Heero's eyes were wide. "It what ," he hissed.

"It almost took out an eye," I recalled.

Heero's mouth opened, closed, then opened again with a faint, "Perhaps...protective gear…"

Some kind of face shield would be great, but we hadn't yet reached the plastic-making stage yet and I don't think glass was a good idea. With my luck, it would just shatter and take out both of my eyes.

"I'll try it with a smaller quantity next time," I said instead, taking a bite of his mousse.

Heero's discontented frown was expected. "...Please allow me to be there."

That was going to be a bit tricky with what I had planned, but I guess I could somehow make it work. Our relationship had improved enough where that was feasible, if we didn't mind suffering a bit of awkwardness.

No point in going over the finer details now since things were bound to change soon; I nodded in agreement, pushing some of the egg tarts Tadashi had slipped into our order onto Heero's plate.

Heero's expression seemed a little constipated - I guess he was doubting my agreement. "Hey hey, come on - I promise you can come," I pouted at him teasingly, forking a stray blueberry before popping it into my mouth.

Heero's stare was very intense. Damn, I knew other-me wasn't the kind of guy you trusted easily, but did he have to be so reserved? This wasn't going too well.

"...there's cream on- there."

I blinked. Heero wasn't looking at me anymore though, his eyes instead latched on to the egg tarts, though he did point to the corner of his mouth. His voice was also a little huskier than usual - I guess the tea was drier than I expected.

I licked the corner of my lips that he'd indicated. "Is it gone?"

Heero looked up, then shook his head. "There's still a little le-"

I licked my lips again and Heero's words choked off, his eyes following the movement. I couldn't help but be amused; I was only a little messy while eating but he was being so polite, making sure I didn't make a fool of myself by getting crumbs all over me. What a gentleman.

"Is it gone?" I asked, after Heero spent an inordinate amount of time just staring at my mouth. Damn, he was really making sure I was clean as a whistle, huh?

Heero blinked, seemingly broken out of a stupor. "...Yea," he managed out haltingly, the word not quite fully formed. Maybe I should have ordered him coffee instead of tea…

Tadashi's daughter stopped by, giving Heero a strangely sympathetic gaze as she picked up some of the plates. "Da says it's on the house," she told me. "...And that you should have made use of the privacy curtains, because honestly, you two are embarrassing to watch."

This guy-! "Tell you dad he needs to find better entertainment," I groused, my face traitorously heating up in a blush. I glared over at Tadashi where he was happily talking with some other customers, though strangely, we did seem to be getting a fair amount of attention; the other customers kept shooting us curious glances.

I surreptitiously tapped Heero on the hand. "Ready to go?"

We'd obviously overstayed our welcome; the place was starting to get crowded and we were running the risk of being recognized. Townsfolk may have a harder time identifying me, given that other-me was a homebody who wouldn't be caught dead coming to town and mingling with the common people, but Heero was an entirely different case.

Heero nodded, clearly picking up on the situation as well, and after a short pause grabbed my hand as we both rose. It was getting pretty crowded inside so it was obvious he didn't want to lose me in transit; apparently, after spending so much time with people like Quatre and Mikhail, Heero had picked up on their paranoia streak.

As soon as we got through the door, I turned a beaming smile on him.

"I know just where to go next!"

"Holy shit, that's your husband?!" Fiona gaped at me.

Belladonna's Brewery had a couple customers when we first got inside, but the minute Fiona saw me - it was like piranha tasting blood in the water. No one even seemed to mind, although I think that's because I recognized them as regulars - Julie and Emiko, I think their names were? - and the only thing they did was give Heero a good ogle.

Before I could feel righteously insulted, she smacked me on the back. "You did good, luv! I'm happy for ya!"

What are you happy about?!

Heero yanked me closer to him at the rough treatment, eyeing Fiona distrustfully. He had yet to let go of my hand since Tadashi's cafe, but I didn't really mind since the streets were especially crowded on town market days. It hadn't been too arduous a walk and Heero seemed to relax, so maybe the guy was just real big into skinship.

"He's not a 'that,' he's Hee-" I cut myself off abruptly. Shit, I should have thought up a nickname! "Hee...chan."

Fiona stared at me. "Hee-chan?" she echoed.

"Yes," I stared straight into her eyes and willed her to believe me; I could feel both Hilde and Simon giving the back of my head unimpressed looks, which was fair. 'Hee-chan,' what the fuck was I thinking?! "He just got back, so I'm showing him around town."

"You're on a date with your husband," Fione crowed in glee. "Grams! Get out here, your favorite's come back with his man!"

Heero moved closer to me. "What's going on…?"

I leaned over to whisper in his ear, "Just go with it. Fiona's weird, but Granny Meg's the best!"

"No, that's not what I-"

I didn't get to hear the rest of that, as Granny Meg emerged from the back, wiping her hands on an apron and her one visible eye falling on me. I grinned at her widely, attempting to wave but almost forgot Heero's hand was still latched to mine, so I ended up just shaking our joint hands at her in greeting.

Granny Meg stared hard at Heero for a long moment. "...So this is the husband," she said gruffly.

Heero stared back at her mutely.

There was a tense moment of silence, before Granny Meg let out a scoff, turning around and pulling out a beautiful bottle filled with warm amber liquid. She banged it down onto the counter, a wide grin stretching her thin lips into a mischievous expression.

"He's not bad on the eyes, boy - but can he drink?"

Heero released my hand and took a seat on the open barstool in front, still staring straight at her.

"I'll take the strongest you have."

...Why were they competing?

I had no idea Heero was such a heavy drinker.

"Is this okay?" Simon asked for about the seventh time.

Hilde just wordlessly refilled her own shot glass, refusing to look at or speak to anyone.

The three of us were currently crowded around one end of the counter, watching from a scant distance away as Heero downed a flight of shots. He then shot a narrow-eyed glare at Granny Meg, who refilled each glass with a large grin and spurred him on.

"Mmh, probably?" I replied dubiously, eyeing the pink flush starting to warm Heero's cheeks. He was kinda cute like this, even with the deadly glare he was giving my favorite brewer. "I mean, he's having fun, right?"

Simon gave me a confused look, which felt unjustified to me. Come on, just look at Heero! Sure, he was glaring, but this was probably the most relaxed I'd ever seen him. Ever since that night I finagled my way into his bedroom, he'd slowly been growing more comfortable with me, but that was always tempered by a history I didn't know with other-me and his frankly frustrating martyr complex.

"A looker and he can drink!" Fiona cackled, setting down another bottle in front of us. I glanced at our previous bottle, realizing it was mostly empty now. Jesus Christ, Hilde, how many drinks were you slamming down?! "I always thought your husband was the lucky one to land you , Max, but maybe you were the lucky guy all along!"

I watched Heero's throat bob with his next swallow before hurriedly turning a strangled look on the woman. "Of course I'm the lucky one," I muttered. Even with the disguise, there was no hiding Heero's good looks, and it had absolutely no effect on his sheer charisma.

"I think you're plenty attractive, Max," Emiko cooed from nearby.

I rolled my eyes, opening my mouth to ask what her wife thought would think about that, but was cut off by a strong grip on my upper arm.

"I am done drinking," Heero told me, both eyes and tone very serious. Although his hand on my arm was unyielding, it was still exceedingly gentle, more as if to help me stand than grab at me. His skin was still flushed, looking almost warm and soft, and I had to fight the urge to tow him away to somewhere private to hide it.

"Oh, okay," I said, blinking at Heero dazedly. Behind him, I saw Granny Meg clean up the glasses and watch us with a pleased smile - so I guess Heero passed whatever little test Granny Meg was making him do. "Shall we get going?"

Heero nodded, hand sliding down my arm and eliciting goosebumps along the skin it touched. His fingers finally found my own and he threaded our hands together, now looking quietly content.

I glanced down in confusion. Well, I guess this would help make sure he didn't get lost...

"You're really into skinship, huh?" I mumbled.

Hilde slammed down another shot.

It turns out Heero was a happy drunk.

"It's beautiful," he proclaimed, sounding remarkably steady. In fact, if it wasn't for the pink flush on his cheeks and the unsteadiness to his eyes, he would almost come across as sober. Well, that and the smell of alcohol on his breath - I could almost hear Hilde judging me for getting Heero drunk so early in the afternoon.

"It's a pen," I replied blandly, wondering if I should take the near-pointy object from him. "It looks like any other pen."

"But you made it," Heero said, leaning a little closer to me. "So it's beautiful."

Beside us, the shopkeeper Fritz was nodding in eager agreement; both Simon and Hilde just looked to be in physical pain, suddenly meandering into the furthest corners of the shop and away from us. Clearly they couldn't handle Male Lead Heero either.

I looked down at the simple silver pen he was holding; it was unremarkable in all aspects. Heero was really drunk. "Thanks."

"Max! You're just in- oh?"

I gave a friendly wave to Gilbert, who had paused as soon as we'd stepped fully through the door. Heero was still firmly latched on to my hand, although to be honest, I was more grateful for this because I was worried his drunken ass would wander off.

"Hey Gil, just stopping by to see the new goods," I said, tugging Heero further into the perfume shop as both Simon and Hilde waited outside. It had expanded significantly since the time Gilbert first opened; it now dominated the two-story building, the first floor dedicated to samples and stands, along with the cashier counter, while the upstairs was cordoned off for experimental goods and storage.

"And this is- wait, is this your husband?"

I scowled. "Why does everyone seem surprised?" I couldn't help but grumble. I knew Heero had god-among-men good looks, but I was still plenty attractive! And I had personality!

Gil cocked his head, actually giving it some thought. "Well, I suppose a few of us were concerned that… He never really came to visit…"

"He was on the expedition!"

Gilbert shrugged. "Plenty o' those who went still came back to visit at least once," he explained.

I blinked, taken by surprise. I turned an inquisitive look on Heero. "You do?"

Heero looked away. "...The soldiers get some time to visit home, even when journeying abroad. I didn't come because… It didn't seem like a good idea…"

That made sense. I doubt other-me would have been happy to see him, and all of his friends were with him on the expedition. Not to mention, he was the actual commander; unlike his subordinates, Heero didn't have the luxury of taking some time off to visit home since he was needed on the battlefield.

Gilbert smacked his fist into his open palm in understanding. "Oh, I see! It's one of those 'if I see you, I won't be able to leave you again' kind of things?" he said, looking at Heero with new eyes brightened in understanding. "Wow, what a romantic!"

You're the one who just made it up!

Heero only nodded, expression solemn.

And you need to sober up faster!

"Georgiana, stop looking at his face."

The woman's eyes never left Heero's flat expression, her hand fluttering over the tabletop as if she didn't know whether to offer him something or settle down. As the sole owner of the artisan stall we were currently at, I could tell she was internally debating whether to remain professional or flirt with the handsome man beside me.

Heero's hand was no longer latched on to me, but this was because he had his hands full with a bag filled with perfumes and hair products as apology gifts from Gil. Both Hilde and Simon were similarly occupied, holding a bagged box with assorted stationery from Fritz, a satchel full of scented candles from another vendor in the market, some bushels of exotic herbs, a box of hairpins I'd looked at too long that Heero ended up buying for me, and two bottles of Granny Meg's best bourbon.

Hilde's creepy network of hidden guards must not have been present today, I think in part due to Trowa's scale-back effort. I'd heard Mikhail quietly discussing it with Quatre the other day; Trowa had not seen the purpose in having so many undercover guards in the marketplace, which while valid, apparently meant Hilde no longer had the baffling ability to send all of our purchases straight back to the estate so we didn't have to carry it around.

"I didn't take you as the possessive type, Max," Georgiana smirked, eyes only briefly tearing away from Heero's face to give me an appraising look. "Don't you worry, hun, I don't think anyone's going to be able to compete with yer pretty face."

I ignored that (and Heero's agreeing nod), sifting through her proffered goods. The market was as bustling as ever, prompting Heero to stick close to me as I looked over the artist's work. She worked on small sculptures, and some of her more daring pieces were already part of my collection back at home.

Hilde hadn't really been impressed, but that's only because she didn't appreciate Georgiana's skill in crafting what looked like monsters straight from someone's nightmares, using nothing but clay and her imagination.

"I like this one," Heero told me, picking up one that was just a huge purple-colored eye sitting atop one bird leg. "It reminds me of you."

I internally debated whether I should feel insulted or not. I let my eyes rove over the selection, finally alighting over another similar-sized sculpture - this one looking like a tangle of brown-colored seaweed with two blue stones placed in the middle.

"And this reminds me of you," I said, picking it up to show Heero with a smirk.

Heero stared at it, then me, then- nodded?

He turned to Georgiana, whose eyes had clearly been admiring his sculpted arms. "We'll take these two," he told her, fishing out some coins after maneuvering some of the bags he was carrying to free up a hand. Every time I tried to help him carry it, he effortlessly dodged me, so I'd just given up at this point and let him suffer.

Buying ugly monster figurines was the line though. "Uh, wait a s-"

Georgiana jumped up, taking the coins with a wide business smile, making sure to interrupt me before I could talk sense into spend-happy Heero. "Great choice, sir! These two are actually a set, and good luck charms - for a happy marriage!"

Bullshit!

Heero nodded again, expression serious. "Thank you. I will remember your well-wishes."

Heero, no!

I watched the transaction in resignation. On the bright side, Heero seemed to have finally sobered up; on the downside, the only thing that seemed to have changed is the loss of the pink flush on his cheeks. At this rate, we were going to blow all of our money on ugly trinkets… Although we have been getting a lot of free stuff lately, so maybe this was just karma.

"Oh, and you can have this - free of charge, since Max is such a dear friend of mine," Georgiana giggled, shoving what looked to be a mud monster crossed with a werewolf into the satchel before handing it to Heero. "It's, uh, for virility."

Heero nearly dropped it.

"Georgiana, stop teasing him," I sighed, suddenly wishing Heero was drunk again.

She only cackled in open delight. I dragged Heero away by the wrist - he was literally weighed down by bags at this point - and headed in the direction of the food side of the market. I needed a good snack if I had to keep fielding curious stares and the usual ribbing.

"Max! Bring your husband over for some beer, unless he's just a lightweight like you!" I heard Gin call out, grinning widely.

Did Tadashi tell everyone?

"You can keep it, your beer sucks!" I yelled back at him without stopping, although Gin only laughed in response. The last thing Heero needed was beer, although a good drink was starting to sound heavenly. Maybe we should head home early so I could get some of Heero's bourbon.

We headed in the direction of Paul and his delicious meat pies. The line wasn't too ridiculously long at this time, although I noticed some familiar faces nearby. I pulled Heero to a stop, raising an eyebrow at the group loitering around.

"Did you guys seriously just stay at the market this entire time?" I asked.

They must have heard the judgment in my voice, since Wufei glowered at me. Trowa was just staring at Heero quietly, probably telepathically communicating his disappointment that I was still here because he was secretly a PTA Mom at heart. If there was anything that short stint I spent in a posh private school had taught me, it was that PTA moms had all the time in the world to politely harass someone, which really was just Trowa in a nutshell.

"Wufei had to get more flowers," Meilan scoffed, although I noticed she now had a pretty comb in her hair that had not been there earlier in the day.

Quatre patted his lover on the arm absently. "We all just ended up here after finishing up," he admitted. "We were considering returning early, but we hoped to let you know before we left since we'd be using the carriage."

"We were just about done anyway," I waved my hand, glancing back at Heero. "Let's grab a quick snack and then head home, or do you want to look around more?"

Heero barely even thought about it. "Whatever you'd prefer," he replied, sounding a bit punched.

Alright, clearly the poor guy needed something to eat. "Come on, Paul's got some good pies - we can eat a few then head back," I said, nudging Heero in the direction of Paul's stall. I looked back at the others who were now starting to shuffle closer - Trowa and Wufei moving towards Heero's side, Quatre and Meilan to mine. "You guys can pay for your own pies."

Trowa snorted, "Kind of you to allow us to eat."

"I'm going to rip off your stupid bang, Tro."

Quatre nearly tripped, and only then did I realize I said that aloud. I hurriedly turned around and faced forward, both refusing to take it back or acknowledge it - although I felt Trowa's one eye burning a hole into the side of my head.

"I thought I was 'Ro?" Heero grumbled quietly.

I gave him a patient look. "Technically, you're Hee-chan now," I told him. "Embrace it."

Heero's eyes widened a little, and he turned away from me. I peered a little closer - was he still tipsy? He looked a little flushed.

"Why do you smell like alcohol?" Wufei asked him.

I tugged Heero a little closer to me. "He tasted some drinks at Granny Meg's," I explained. It wasn't really a lie; he did taste some drinks at the brewery… quite a lot of the drinks… And maybe got into a drinking competition with the owner…

"Oh, how is Madame Megumi?" Quatre asked pleasantly.

"Still hating how you call her Madame."

Quatre chuckled.

The line went quick, and the moment Paul's eyes fell on us, I could practically see the same look of glee on his face everyone else had been giving me today.

"Yes, he's my husband," I said shortly, cutting Paul off before he could get started. "Two chicken and mushroom pies please."

Paul just grinned at me, placing the two pies in a wrapper - along with another two pies, one of pork&leek and the other sausage. "Couple's special," he leered at me as he handed them over. "And a welcome home gift for the gentleman."

I took the proffered snack with a heated face. "Remind me to kill Tadashi," I replied.

Paul only snickered.

We stepped to the side to make room, and I pulled out a pie to hand to Heero before stopping. Heero was looking at it, then down at everything he was carrying in thought. Before he could start moving things around - or juggling them, I think that was Trowa's thing according to the book - I just held up the meat pie to his face.

"Don't worry, I'll feed you," I told him with a grin.

Heero froze.

I moved the pie a little closer to his lips. "I promise it's good, Hee-chan," I told him encouragingly.

Heero's lips opened hesitantly, then he leaned slightly forward to take a bite. His lips closed around the edge of the crust for a scant moment before he pulled away, a small bite successfully taken that he then proceeded to robotically chew with blank eyes.

I watched him for a moment, confused. Chicken and mushroom pie was usually Paul's best! Was it a bad day or something?

I took a bite of the pie myself; warm, flaky crust hit my tongue first, followed by delicious herbs, tender chicken, and seasoned mushroom. It was delicious as always!

"You don't like it?" I asked Heero after I swallowed.

Heero's eyes were trained once more on my mouth. "...It's good," he choked out.

Huh.

I held up the pie to his lips again, noting with dawning alarm the pink flush on his face. He really was still a bit drunk! "Here, another bite," I wheedled. Food should help, and then some water; we were definitely heading back after this.

I heard a heavy sigh. I glanced back at Wufei, who was looking at Heero in open exasperation.

Heero took another bite; I felt his lips brush against the tips of my fingers holding the pie. I miraculously didn't flinch, still holding the pie even as I felt the heat on my face deepen.

Great - now we're both flushed!

"...Gross," Meilan muttered behind me.

I chewed on the last bite of pie, not turning around this time. "I told you not to get the rabbit pie," I tossed out, pulling out the pork&leek pie this time. Maybe Heero just didn't like mushrooms?

"I believe she was referring to you, Max," Paul said blandly.

I glanced back in confusion, only to see all of them staring at us.

"What?" I asked them in confusion.

Quatre was looking at us in quiet consideration. "...It's kind of embarrassing," he mused.

"It really is," Trowa agreed drily.

Huh?

We returned to the estate in time for dinner, which was once again taken altogether. I was having a pretty hard time understanding why the trip back had felt so awkward though, mostly because Meilan and Quatre were refusing to explain what had bothered them in the town market and sometimes even refused to meet my eyes, which just meant that I had done something against dandy etiquette again.

To get my mind off of their weirdness, I spent most of dinner bothering Heero. Chef Morris had made another small feast, although this one was seafood-inspired, so every time I found something particularly tasty, I just put some more on Heero's plate. I had noticed Meilan doing the same thing for Wufei previously, even though Heero was far more reserved in his response: always just issuing me a quiet thanks before eating it.

I was getting better at reading him now, and though his expression always looked a bit stiff and glowery, I could tell he actually appreciated the small gestures. Maybe I'd leveled up from coworker to friendly acquaintance?

"Your Grace," Trowa interjected blandly, one visible green eye locked on Heero. I somehow got the feeling he was giving him an unimpressed look. "Please be sure not to overindulge. The knights' training begins early tomorrow."

Heero glared at him. "I'm fine," he replied shortly, fork still pierced into the last morsel of steak I just gave him.

...Come to think of it, I think I've been putting things on his plate continuously for the past 30 minutes. Wow, and he really ate it all too! He must have been starving the whole day.

I pulled back the spoonful of rice au gratin I'd just been about to place on Heero's plate, instead putting it on Quatre's with a wide smile. "Eat up, Quat!"

"...Thank you," Quatre responded, the look in his eyes not very thankful at all.

Heero's glare moved from Trowa to Quatre.

Meilan looked ready to escape at any moment. I could guess why - the dessert course had yet to be served, and doubtlessly Chef Morris saved all of my usual teatime sweets for it. There was nothing Meilan disliked more than having to swallow down another shortcake. Even Wufei was starting to look a bit cornered - was it a Lagrange thing to hate sweets this much?

Quatre just swallowed a dainty spoonful of rice, then set his cutlery down, signalling he was done. Well, I guess I should be grateful he played along and ate at least one bite of the rice I gave him… I smiled at him in silent thanks, which he acknowledged with a glance of his eyes before his gaze went past my shoulder to land on Heero.

"Your Grace," he started kindly. "You're going to bend your fork if you keep holding it like that."

I swiveled around to Heero, who had a white-knuckled grip on his cutlery. I thought Quatre's warning came a little late - the fork was already slightly-misshapen. Damn, maybe Trowa was right and I'd inadvertently given Heero a stomachache by constantly shoving food down his throat?

"Maybe we should skip dessert tonight," I suggested. Meilan and Wufei will be overjoyed. Then, before Heero could open up his mouth and reject it - since apparently he took everything as a challenge, just like he did at Granny Meg's - I continued. "The dinner was so good, I think I overdid it. I'm stuffed."

Meilan hurriedly agreed with me - called it! - and Quatre just nodded in peaceable acceptance. Trowa did the Trowa-equivalent of rolling his eyes (giving one long, slow blink) but also didn't counter me, and Wufei was already halfway up and out of his seat.

"...If you're sure," Heero eventually conceded. "You can have the dessert brought to your room later, if you get hungry."

Ugh, no thanks! "Sure, but actually - I'd like to talk to you." Heero stumbled a little as he stood from his seat. I shouldn't have overfed him! "Can we go back to your room?"

Behind me, I heard a quiet thwack! and glanced back, but I only saw Wufei rubbing his nose with furrowed brows, giving the doorframe a glare. The others were staring at me, frozen mid-stride in their previous attempt to leave the room.

I looked back to Heero, who was also staring at me.

"...'Ro?" I prodded him. There's no way he could still be drunk, it's been a couple of hours now and I'd plied him with water and food!

Heero blinked. "I- My room?"

"Well, I guess we could go to my room…" But that's where Hilde was, and Heero was still giving her dour looks; I'd also rather not have her privy to this conversation anyway.

Heero still looked as if I'd hit him over the head with a rubber chicken. "My...room is fine, if you're sure…"

"Great!" I cheered, looping my arm through his before he could reconsider. "Goodnight everyone, sleep well!"

There was nothing but silence in response to that, but I didn't dwell on it.

Heero's room was nice and cozy when we entered, the windows left open to allow in the warm nighttime breeze. The fireplace was going as usual, more for lighting than warmth, the other lanterns lit as well to illuminate the majority of the room. It was empty aside from us, Heero's two guards stationed outside; they were more formality than anything else, since Heero was too OP to really need them.

Heero shuffled in first, moving first to where the drinks were. I grabbed his arm before he could get too close to it - more alcohol would not be helpful in this situation. "Uh, let's not drink any more today, yeah?"

Heero froze in my hold. "...Of course, whatever you want," he agreed stiffly.

This guy really was too damn agreeable.

I took a seat in the chair at first, Heero doing the same in the opposite armchair. He was looking at me with open interest - well, open for Heero - which just made me more nervous. I knew that this was something I had to do and it was clear to me, after everything that had happened with Hilde, that putting it off any longer would only make it worse in the end. I had already done enough damage.

"I want to preface this conversation with my sincere and deepest apology," I told Heero, jumping up from my seat before squaring my shoulders as I faced him. Heero straightened in his seat, a small frown beginning to turn his lips at my words. "And, uh… Here."

I reached into one billowy sleeve, pulling out the small roll of parchment I'd slipped into my inner pocket earlier this morning. It was a little crumpled given Heero's clinginess when we went about the town market, but thankfully still in one piece. After a brief hesitation - I need to do this, I need to do this, I need to do this - I handed it over to Heero.

He took it silently, opening it up to read.

Reasons Why Duo Should Be Banished

1. Abused and degraded the servants.

2. Cheated on my husband, with at least two different people.

3. Abused and degraded my husband.

4. Insulted my husband.

5. Insulted my husband's friends and allies.

6. Mismanaged the Yuy estate.

7. Used funds meant for the Yuy duchy.

8. Didn't pay the servants the appropriate amount of money for their service.

9. Wasted money on unnecessary luxury goods.

10. Did not check up on the people of the duchy.

11. Did not appreciate the help of others.

12. Put several people in harm's way.

13. Caused unnecessary stress and havoc to those who were only looking out for me.

14. Refused to listen or work with others.

15. Abused and exploited the power I held over others.

Heero didn't move for a long time.

I was almost frozen myself, though I couldn't help tugging at my braid, fraught with nerves. I'd revised a little of the original list, and of course added more points to it since I'd made so many mistakes since I first came here and I needed to honestly reflect that.

It was important that Heero had all of the information. I could explain each point on that list, illustrate it with examples, and even gather eyewitness testimony (although my eyewitnesses would need to be kept ignorant on the reason, since they all seemed to be conspiring to never have this List see the light of day). Both other-me and myself were guilty of quite a few things now, but even so, I really hoped Heero remained as merciful and kind as I knew him to be and only settled on banishment as my just punishment.

Sentencing me to banishment essentially brought shame onto my name, and given that the Maxwell family had sold other-me off to the Yuy, they would surely be quick to disown me. Not only would this strip me of my title and privilege, I would essentially be nothing more than a commoner - which allowed me a fair amount of movement. I had a fair amount of connections as Max, so I would be able to garner income fairly quickly depending on how fastI had to leave, although I did plan to give some of my merchant investments to the Yuy ducal family as a form of reparations as well.

Heero was fair. He would assess all of the horrible things other-me and myself had done and mete out justice accordingly. Most importantly, he wouldn't be vindictive or cruel; banishment was the most appropriate punishment to my understanding, although I would quietly accept more extreme measures, such as severance from Yuy-based merchants and expedited expulsion.

I could survive this. I survived far more with far less; starting life anew for the third time was hardly insurmountable. I would miss what I had now, of course: Hilde, Meilan, Quatre, Melissa and the girls, Mikhail and the knights, Daigo and the other kids… All of the people who had made being Duchess bearable, who had made it worthwhile. I would miss Meilan's sour expressions at teatime, I would miss Quatre's sarcastic quips delivered in sweet tones, I would even miss Hilde's murder eyes.

I think I would even miss Heero. Heero, who had shown me only kindness when he had been given none himself; who would quietly but intently listen to me; who would respond even when others just rolled their eyes; who had been polite and honest and fair despite everything I was and had been to him.

I could survive this, because I had to. I would miss what I had but I would still leave it. I mAy rUN aNd HiDE bUt-

"...Duo."

I instinctively held my breath.

Heero was holding the parchment open but his gaze had now moved back to me. A frown hovered at the corners of his lips but did not fully form, his dark blue eyes thoughtful as they looked at me. He stood from his seat yet did not breach the few steps between us, posture straight and purposeful.

"I want to understand your...intent here," Heero began carefully, eyes glancing down to the list held in his hand. I thought it faintly trembled in his hold, but that was likely just a trick of the firelight. "Do you wish to...leave? If you are unsatisfied with the Yuy duchy, perhaps our residence in the Capital would be preferable."

How much did other-me complain about this province that whenever I showed my Reasons to Banish Me list, everyone tried to offer me alternate homes?!

"I love the Yuy duchy," I replied quickly.

Heero's eyes widened in shock at the statement but that was understandable: if I loved it so much then why was I trying to get myself kicked out? The answer was obvious to me.

"This is not about my preference, Heero," I reminded him gently. "I did bad things. I acted horribly not just to you, but to the people under our care. I abused and exploited my own power. I've tried to...to fix what I could, but that doesn't magically absolve me of what I'd originally perpetrated."

No matter what I fixed or tried to make better, it was an indisputable fact that the one who originally broke it was me (or technically, other-me). I repaired what I could, made better even more, but that would never negate the fact that damage had been done in the first place, that the wrongs had already been committed.

"My role as Duchess does not mean I can't be held accountable for my actions," I continued, voice softer.

I had died in the novel; perhaps that had been the narrative's version of justice. But I was alive now, a thorn in the side of Heero and his companions, an interloper in the plot, a mockery of what is rightfully Relena's place.

This list wasn't meant to get me what I wanted, but what I deserved .

And I...

"Heero, I don't deserve to be here."

In truth, no version of Duo Maxwell did. Definitely not the one raised in this world, but also not even me - the little street rat turned criminal turned Duchess. Intention mattered so little when it came to the ends, and whatever I intended to do didn't matter in the bigger picture - especially in a bigger picture that was never supposed to include me.

I don't know when my gaze had lowered to the floor, but it jolted back up again to Heero's face once I felt his tentative touch on my hand. He hooked two fingers around my index at first, but slowly slipped his hand into mine - not to tug, only to hold.

"I don't agree," he told me, quietly but steadily.

His gaze never wavered from my own. My chest throbbed.

"You were the one that told me that we all make mistakes, that that's what makes us human," Heero continued. "Your exact words were ' we all mess around and do stupid shit ,' which I believe addresses nearly everything on this list of yours."

Heero took one small step closer. "You've already taken steps to improve - your reorganization of the ducal budget, your investments in local merchants, your welfare programs, your brilliant inventions- Duo, you've done so much for the people of this province. You've apologized - a little too much, according to Quatre - and you're mindful."

Heero's hand squeezed mine lightly before letting go, only to brush a strand of my hair out of my face and tuck it behind my ear. My heart was beating so hard and so loudly that I was almost worried it was going to burst out of my chest cavity. Looking into Heero's eyes felt both unbearable and wonderful, so much so that I could not look away.

"You deserve to be here," Heero said, softly. Sweetly. "And… And we want you here."

I held his hand back like a tenuous lifeline. The words were wonderful in what they promised - that I had done good, that I had accomplished something, that I was wanted - and the kindest thing Heero could have ever told me. I wanted to believe him.

But I was not supposed to be part of this story.

"Duo," Heero breathed, so close that I felt his body heat more than the summer air. "I want you here."

His free hand cupped my face tenderly. My throat felt swollen and dry, my chest heated - I wanted to move closer, I wanted to feel his fingers on my skin, I wanted to hear his sweet assurances in my ears. I didn't move, but that was because it felt as if I couldn't - not while he was looking at me so sweetly.

"Heero…" I swallowed dryly, reaching up with one hand to wrap around his wrist.

Heero breached the minute distance between us. I tightened my grip on the hand still holding my face unconsciously - was I trying to keep it there? - but Heero only moved his hand to sweep away my bangs. His fingers lingered and traced the edge of my brow, then curve of my eye, until he drew his fingertips back down to cup my cheek once more.

His face drew closer to mine, our breaths nearly mingling, before he suddenly moved slightly upwards and I felt his lips press - ever so gently, ever so softly - against my forehead.

...did Heero just-?

He moved back slowly. I could only watch him, frozen in wonder. All I could think about was that soft press of lips against my skin, replaying the movement over and over again as if that would help me better understand it.

Did Heero just...kiss my forehead?

Then Heero tossed the roll of parchment into the fireplace without a second glance.

...Damn it, I'm going to have to rewrite it again!

A/N: Kudos to everyone who wanted a return of The List. LOL

Anyway, please be kind and drop a review! :)