Moving In

"Normal speech"

'Thoughts'

"Speech over phone or terminal"

Feldt

Feldt looked at the cookware, deciding what to pick out. Despite her having cooked more than Christina, most of the various pots and pans were owned by her former roommate, leading to the need to purchase more. In the two months since Feldt and Setsuna had confessed their love for each other, Christina had gotten a job opportunity at a fashion magazine and Saji had decided to move back to Japan, Louise going with him.

That left the couple in a situation where neither could afford their current living situation, but Sumeragi had actually come in to help them. She helped them both find a rental house, saying that the two of them should find a new space to live. It was affordable with the both of them and after the tour, they had agreed to move in together. It was a bit farther from work for both of them, but the bus ran through a nearby stop, so they could deal with that.

'Moving in with Setsuna…It's like a dream.' It felt so strange, even as she was shopping. She smiled happily. They had only been dating for nine months, but it felt so right to live with her boyfriend, to make a home with him, even if it was only a rental. As she picked out some pots and pans and put them in the cart, Sumeragi's voice spoke up, voice teasing, "It looks like someone is happy."

Feldt blushed slightly, having briefly forgotten Sumeragi had come to help her shop, "Well…yeah. I'm moving in with my boyfriend. Why wouldn't I be?"

Sumeragi chuckled, "I suppose. Aren't you happy I convinced you to go shopping? You don't have to do all the heavy lifting, like those poor men back at the house. Also, you look like a happy housewife shopping for new carpets."

Feldt pouted at that, "Ms. Sumeragi, he hasn't even proposed yet! I'm not a housewife yet!"

Sumeragi's voice became sing-song, "I hear a yet! So you have thought about it? Was it Lichty proposing to Christina last month?"

Feldt looked down at the ground, embarrassed, "Maybe. A little. I don't want to rush this, but I wouldn't mind if he did." Lichty had proposed and was moving with Christina. Christina had even teased Feldt, asking when Setsuna was going to ask the question, to which Feldt could only blush.

"I'm certain he wouldn't mind it either. I was surprised and happy to hear him actually listen to your rants, among other things. I remember when you were younger, you thought it no one would listen to those. If he can do that, he can deal with you."

Feldt poked Sumeragi's shoulder, "Well you were the one that called that weird. You didn't exactly help." Growing up, Sumeragi hadn't been the most understanding of her hobbies, which had been a point of contention between the two.

Sumeragi smiled sadly, "Well yeah. I didn't and still mostly don't get it, but I probably shouldn't have done that. Took me a while to figure out the whole 'raising a child' thing." She frowned slightly as she finished her words.

A small amount of regret flowed through Feldt at reminding her of that, "It's alright. I wasn't exactly the best at showing my feelings back then, especially the year after my parent's death. I wished I had been more open with you."

Sumeragi waved that off, "Don't worry about it. I'm just happy we figured it out. How do you feel about Chris moving out?" The two moved out of the kitchen section, talking as they walked.

Feldt let out a breath, "I am happy for her. She found a job she wanted, even if it meant she had to move." She then frowned, "But this is the first time I don't have my best friend around. I always turned to her for advice and comfort before Setsuna. It will be weird not to have that option."

"Can't you text her for problems or call her?"

"Yeah, but it's not the same. She was always there for me when I needed and vice versa. But she found a new door and her life is changing." Feldt chuckled, "She even said to call her when I needed romantic advice. Said she would drive down to meet me if something major happened."

The brown-haired woman shook her head, "She's a strange one. And she will always be there for you. I have a friend who's the same way and we still occasionally meet up, though not as often as I would like. But that's what becoming an adult is like."

Feldt closed her eyes as she let out a sigh, "It sucks sometimes."

Sumeragi chuckled ruefully, tapping the flask Feldt knew she had in her purse, "I would drink to that, but we are in public."

Feldt let out a groan at that, "Always about drinking with you."

The older woman shrugged, "It's a habit." Feldt's eyes drifted to a small rug, eyes lighting up. Sumeragi noticed that and rolled her eyes, "Wasn't I the one that had to convince you to go house shopping?"

Feldt looked away, sheepish, "Well it would look good in the house. What do you think?"

Sumeragi, gave her a warm smile, "Yes, yes it would." Feldt put the rug in the cart, leading Sumergai through the rest of the store. By the end, she had purchased more than she expected. 'I hope Setsuna likes the stuff!'

Setsuna

"C'mon young man! Take some of the weight off me!" Graham called out Setsuna as they attempted to get up the steps of Feldt and Setsuna's new residence. Their furniture was mostly from a combination of Sumeragi and Graham's that had in storage. They had rented a moving truck and had gotten most of the furniture inside, only a few pieces left to go. They both knew they would have to help with the stuff that the women were getting, so they wanted to get this done as soon as possible.

Reaching the door, Setsuna could feel beads of sweat moving down his face. 'I forgot how much moving sucked.' When he and Saji had moved in, it had not been a fun time and the experience flowed back into his mind. 'I hope he and Louise are happy.' Saji had told him he was moving was back to Japan and Louise had demanded to follow him there, especially after he proposed to her. The Japanese man promised to send a wedding invite when the date was set as well as good luck with the future. The raven-haired man had wished them luck and hoped both of them would be happy. Setsuna and Feldt then talked about making a trip of it, Feldt excited to visit Japan.

Setsuna and Graham got the couch inside the house, putting it down in the living room and both of them took a seat on it after putting the cushions on it, needing to take a break. The house had a nice, warm environment, being an older house with more of a wood finish. It wasn't exactly large, being only one floor, but it was enough for the two of them. Saji proposing to Louise weighed on his mind and on top of that, he had learned that Lichty had proposed to Christina. He knew that he and Feldt weren't ready, or at least he wasn't, but the thought wouldn't leave his head.

He saw Graham look at him, curious, "What's going through that head of yours? Thinking about the new place?" Setsuna nodded, not wanting to talk about what's actually on his mind. Graham let out a laugh, "That young lady sure has a lot of stuff. How's she going to fit all this into your room?"

Setsuna looked around the room, seeing all of Feldt's packed boxes strewn about. She certainly had more stuff than him; two things that stuck out were the two giant Haro plushies, one orange and the other red. She prized those and had told him that she cuddled those before he came along. She also said it was still a close contest who she preferred. 'I better not lose to a plush robot.'

Setsuna replied casually, "We will pick stuff to move into the room and store the rest in the office till we can see what space we have."

"And those models of yours."

Setsuna gave him an even look, "I'll put my display case in the office. It will be a little strange to share a room with someone, but I can't complain."

Graham smiled at him, "Can't say I know the feeling, but I'm happy for you, son. You found a good one."

Setsuna rolled his eyes, "Like Uncle Billy said, your great love is the sky, space and mobile suits." Setsuna then blushed, "And thanks. Don't know how I got lucky."

Graham spoke emphatically, "It wasn't luck. That was serendipity! Possibly fate!" Setsuna rolled his eyes but smiled warmly at the words. 'He may be a bit ridiculous, but at least he speaks from the heart.'

"I don't think it was fate. But coincidence can be useful." Setsuna could feel his tried muscles recovering and relaxing.

Graham's voice became more serious, "Hold onto her. I don't think you will find someone like her again." Graham looked at the front door, standing up, "Let's go Setsuna! Only a few more things left!" Setsuna let out a groan but followed him, wanting to relax but knowing they needed to get this done.

Fifteen minutes later, the ladies truck pulled up and Graham and Setsuna came to meet them. The four of them quickly unloaded the truck and the group was left with a pile of stuff in the middle of the living room. Sumeragi, seeing it was starting to get dark, suggested the group go out to a restaurant and they all agreed. The two parents made their way outside, but the couple stood there, beaming with pride. Setsuna looked at Feldt, kissing her on the lips, "It's ours. We have something of our own."

Feldt chuckled, "Well not technically, but yeah. It's a place of our own. I wouldn't have imagined that this would happen a year ago. Hell, I wouldn't think I would have met someone like you."

Setsuna smiled at that, "And I would say the same. One more step for us." Both smiled as they kissed, enjoying the feeling of their new home wash over them.

"Let's go young man!" Graham's voice echoed through the house, interrupting their kiss.

Sumeragi's voice added to that, "Momma needs a drink!"

The couple laughed at that. Setsuna smirked, "Let's not keep her waiting." Feldt nodded and the two made their way out the front door, a new door opening for them.

Author Note

Well this has been a fun chapter! I hope you enjoy it and I'll see you next week!