The Dawn of A New Age – Part II
Be at the park at 12:00. These were the first words Relena saw when she stepped into the house. They were on a plain white card left on the floor.
Could it be Heero? Hope welled in Relena's chest as she thought of finally meeting Heero again. No one had seen a trace of him since the Mariemaia uprising. Everywhere she searched for him only ended in dead ends and crushed desires. Even though Relena told herself not to be too excited, that it might be just some joke, she became happier and happier. Heero.
* * *
I wonder if she'll show. Heero stood brooding in the shadows behind a huge oak. He felt a small niggling of doubt, but quickly pushed it away. Relena would come, he knew it. Heero knew she'd realize who left the card in the middle of the room. Hopefully. He wondered if she'd forgive him for disappearing. He hadn't really disappeared—he just stayed out of everyone's sight. He'd needed some time to sort out his feelings, and then found out they were almost mangled beyond repair. So it took a little longer than he expected. Finally he was ready to face life—and Relena.
Here she comes. Heero's breath lodged in his throat as Relena came around a corner, dressed primly and neatly as always. She sat down on a bench and looked around anxiously. Heero took a deep breath and walked out of the shadows and into her life.
* * *
"Relena." Her head whipped around at the sound of his voice.
"Heero." He let out a sigh as he realized she wasn't angry. Just relieved.
"Heero, where have you been all this time?" At his blank expression, she knew she wasn't going to get an answer. "Will you come back to my house? Have something to drink?"
At her apparent eagerness to please, the grim set of Heero's mouth softened a bit. "Sure."
"Still speaking in monosyllables, I see." His lips quirked, but he said nothing.
* * *
A short while later, Heero and Relena were sitting in Relena's abode, Heero drinking coffee and Relena drinking tea. Heero was the first to speak, surprisingly.
"I'm sorry I haven't been around."
"It's alright."
The air thickened with awkwardness and silence. It hung heavily between them. At last, Heero stood up and moved from his seat to Relena's. She laid down and rested her head on his thighs, sighing in contentment. An explosion shattered the peace.