Love

"Normal speech"

'Thoughts'

"Speech over phone or terminal"

Setsuna

Setsuna laid down on the couch in his living room, mind caught in a rut. His feelings for Feldt had grown and grown since they met and now he felt she was an inextricable part of his life. He had no idea what she would do without her. Her very presence lightened his soul. Her laugh, her passion, her kindness and the fact she wore he heart on her sleeve, at least with him, drew out a smile from him. She had been his companion for several months and the event with Nena at the convention had gotten him to think about the future. While he loved playing games with his friends, it didn't bring the same happiness that playing Battlemech online or watching a show with Feldt had.

Growing up with Graham, romantic love had never really been a staple of the household. Graham was and still is too focused on his piloting and Graham's friend Billy, who Setsuna called Uncle Billy, still held a small flame for an old flame, who he never really brought up beyond her existence. So, for most of his school career, he had never really had a relationship with anyone. A few failed dates here and there, but no one really clicked. So this growing feeling in his heart, like a 100 pound weight, was new; he didn't know what to do with it. He had debated if it was love, but he had no firsthand experience with it, only seeing people like Saji and Louise. 'Maybe he's a good place to start? I could ask him.'

As if the universe answered his thoughts, Setsuna heard the door open and heard his roommate call out, "I'm home!" Setsuna sat up slowly, frowning slightly. Saji, seeing the frown, looked at Setsuna worried, "Is everything ok? Did something happen with Feldt?' Setsuna looked down at the ground. 'You could say that.'

Setsuna laughed bitterly at that, 'You could say that.' His tone became serious, "Saji, how did you know you were in love with Louise?"

Saji gave Setsuna a look of surprise, "I did not expect to walk into the apartment with that question." Saji sat down on the couch next to Setsuna, letting out a breath, "It felt like so long ago when I first said I love you to Louise. She had asked me out and basically dragged me around at school. Honestly, if she hadn't made the first move, I probably wouldn't have." Setsuna saw his roommate smile happily.

Saji chuckled as the memories flowed through him, "Sorry, just got caught up in memories. To answer your question, there is no exact answer. I knew it when I couldn't see a future without her. Even at her worst, I wanted to be there for her. And we had fights, but we could calm down and discuss our issues. I just felt…lighter, happier and more content with her. How do you feel about Feldt?"

Setsuna smiled, happiness flowing through him as he thought of her, "When I think about her, I imagine her warm smile, her laugh, her cute pout when she gets annoyed at something. The shine in her eyes when she gets obsessed with a topic. How her kisses shut down my mind, leaving me flustered and out of sorts." Setsuna chuckled, "I can't imagine a future without her in it. She feels like my other half that I couldn't find."

Setsuna shook his head, smiling, "God, that sounds so sappy. What happened?"

Saji laughed, "You fell in love. Honestly, I was just as bad when it first happened with me. Kinue told me to shut up over the phone about my gushing over Louise."

Warmth flowed through Setsuna at the word love. The word resonated in his mind. It just felt so…right. 'Well, damn. I guess I'm in love. But how do I tell her? Do I make it a big thing? When we are alone?'

Saji could see Setsuna's face looking conflicted and confused, "Setsuna, don't worry so much about how you say it. I mean…do a little and don't look dumb, but don't overthink it. You will find a good moment and knowing Feldt, she will probably cry with happiness."

Setuna nodded and smiled warmly, "Yeah, probably. Thank you for the help. I don't know if I would have figured this romance thing without you."

Saji casually waved his hands in denial, "You would have figured it out. You just needed a small…nudge to get started. Your current relationship is all you." Saji gave him a knowing smile, "Also I'm guess those curves helped too."

Setsuna laughed, not denying the accusation, "I suppose." A thought came in his head suddenly, "I think I know when I will tell her!"

Feldt

Christina and Feldt sat on their couch, a cooking show on the screen. The two had both had a day off and had run out of things to do, so had been mindlessly watching cooking stuff for the past few hours. One thing that had been going through her head was how much the incident with Nena a month ago still bothered her. Even if she knew Setsuna was hers, the make out session after the con confirming that, the fact that he could have been with another woman bothered her. 'What would have happened if he had been dating Nena? Would we never have met? Would I still be single?'

She shook her head. 'No. Setsuna wasn't interested in her. They have had plenty of time to get together. And he chose me. He comforted me after the incident at the convention. He said he would be with me till the end of time.' She felt so happy thinking about a future with him. If it was more of what they currently had, but deeper, she would never complain. Something in her brain clicked and before her filter caught it, a sentence escaped her mouth, "I think I love him."

Christina turned her head like a terminator at her and Feldt just realized what she just said, ducking into her sweater like a turtle. Christina's tone was even, which disturbed and scared Feldt, "What did you just say?"

"That…I…love Setsuna?" That sense of dread only grew when she realized exactly how her brown-haired roommate would react to this.

Christina's eyes widened before she let out a loud scream which probably worried their neighbors. Feldt tried to inch away from Christina, but it was too late as Christina rushed towards her, putting her hands on the pink-haired girl's shoulders, beginning to shake her. Christina's voice was full of excitement, speaking a mile a minute, "I'm so happy for you! When did you realize!? Why didn't you tell me before?!"

Feldt fought to get words out, "I…just…realized…it! Stop…shaking…me!" Christina slowed her shaking down, having got an answer, and Feldt was finally able to speak normally. Feldt began to blush slightly, "I was just thinking about how he said he would be with me forever and the word just slipped out."

Christina smiled at her, "He said he would be with you forever? That's so adorable!"

Feldt spluttered for a second before finding her words, "It…it felt so good and I want to be with him too. I don't know if I would be as happy without him."

Christina beamed at her, "When are you gonna tell him? You should do it soon! Don't be that anime character who holds off on it then the love interest dies or something like that."

Feldt tapped her fingers on her legs, "Well we are going on a date tomorrow…maybe then?"

Christina's eyes almost had stars in them, "Oooh, maybe on your way back, you find a nice quiet spot and you tell him then you kiss him! And after you take him to bed and show him what you can do!"

Feldt blushed brightly, hiding her face in her hands, "Why are you…why are you like that?"

Christina smirked, "Well I think you do need to get laid and sex is fun!" She then noticed Feldt looking away, her body turned away from her. The bubbly woman's tone then became apologetic, "You can ignore that last part. I was just letting my mouth run and wasn't thinking if you were comfortable with it."

"It's alright. I just want to…take my time." It wasn't that she was scared of it, well mostly. She just was unsure of herself and wondered how Setsuna would think she looks.

Christina pulled Feldt into a hug, "It's alright. I'm certain you will rock his world when you do." Christina pulled out of the hug, looking Feldt straight in the eye, "Now come on, let's find an outfit that will rock his world in another way." Feldt smiled at Christina, happy for her advice. 'I hope he feels the same way.'

Feldt and Setsuna

The couple walked through the park, Feldt holding onto Setsuna's arm, having just come from their date. Setsuna gave Feldt a curious look, "Why didn't you tell me about that Italian place? I've been here for years and never heard of them."

Feldt smiled sheepishly, "Well Chris and I found it when we were in college, but we weren't exactly rich, so we never really went other than to celebrate occasionally."

Setsuna nodded, "That's fair. If I had known about it before, I would have taken you earlier." Feldt blushed at that, kissing Setsuna on the cheek. 'He's so sweet!'

She gave him a quick kiss and the two fell into a silence, enjoying the atmosphere of the park. The atmosphere in the park was very warm, with very few people and night descending, only the streetlights lighting the path. Both of them immediately had thoughts about their new realizations of love and if it was a good time to confess. It was fairly private and each of them worrying about telling the other their true feelings had been eating at them over the last day. Neither of them noticed the other's worries, being caught up in their own. Both of them had the same thought. 'I need to say it!' The pink-haired woman took a step in front of Setuna, stopping them both. The couple looked each other in the eyes, raw emotion easily read.

Setsuna looked at her, blushing, his voice soft, "Feldt, I just wanted to say…I don't know how…" He noticed she had a look of apprehension, which struck him as odd. 'It's not like I'm much better.' His heart was racing at the thoughts in his head.

Feldt tried to say what she wanted, but words seemed to escape her, "I wanted…I realized…I…" She trailed off, not knowing what to say. The two stood there for a several seconds, eyes maintaining their contact, before the two both began to laugh.

The two took control of their laughter after a few seconds, the awkward atmosphere disappearing. Setsuna spoke first, letting out a breath, "God, it's like when we first met in person. We really are a quite a pair."

Feldt nodded at that, "Why don't we say what we wanted to say. You first."

Setsuna shook his head, "No, ladies first."

"What you want to say is important. I can wait."

Setsuna looked at her thoughtfully before a thought came to his mind, "Why don't we say it at the same time?" Feldt nodded at that, smiling. Setsuna continued, "On the count of three. One, two, three…"

Speaking at the same time, they both said, "I love you!" Letting the words sink in, Feldt and Setsuna both blushed brightly, a warm smile on each of their faces. Setsuna, acting instinctively, pulled her into a deep kiss, wrapping his arms around her as she quickly responded with equal passion, their tongues meeting. He pulled her close, wanting to feel her pressed against him and she pulled herself closer to him, wanting to feel him close to her. The two broke the kiss, breathless.

Setsuna smiled, beaming at her, "God, I love you so much."

Feldt cheeks were bright red, "Me too. So…love, huh."

"Yeah. It feels so good to say it." Feldt nodded in agreement, resting her head against his chest. Setsuna took in a breath, "So, do you want me to come take you to your apartment? Want to come over to mine?"

Feldt smiled nervously, "Yours. I was thinking about trying something with you." 'I think I can try it. Just have to be confident.'

Setsuna looked at her curiously, "You want to try a higher-grade model?" Feldt responded by giving him a coy smile. '…Oh. Oh!' He swallowed nervously, "I think Saji is out for tonight. And I have a box of condoms." He had gotten them on a whim a while ago, but it seemed that might pay off.

Feldt attempted a seductive tone, her voice stuttering a bit, but Setsuna guessed that was new to her, and her eyes promised things that caused his heart to race, "Well, the faster we get back…the faster we get to…you know…" 'If he loves me, then I don't have to worry. That's what Christina told me. It's just another thing to practice and enjoy.'

Setsuna pulled her into a quick kiss, "Yeah."

Author Note

Yay implied sex! That chapter was fun to write and I am looking forward to more. See you guys next week and remember reviews make the world go round!