AN: @_@ I'm brain dead. This took SO much energy out of me, it's impossible for me not to just dump a big pile of fluff. Perhaps one day I'll team up with a great drama writer who can't write fluff and I'll just insert the fluffy bits ^_^
Rina: Muahaha, but then since I have no creativity I don't know how I
could make Van say sorry without everything being overly fluffy and people have
been saying they're happy I'm giving fluff in teensy doses O_O Why can't I just
write a bunch of fluff nonsense?? XD
Ash Night: *lol* True, quite true ^_^ And thanks, I needed the assurance
I wasn't rushing things ^^;;
Enzeru no Yami: ^^;; Hope this is interesting enough for you! And no the
review wasn't too harsh I was just rather overwhelmed by the use of the
"." Haha, okay I'm hyper, ignore me. O_O
Sailor Centauri: Hehe, patience, grasshopper XD Next chapter will be
fluff galore! ^__^
Fushizen Na: I like to blame stuff on the advisors ^_^ Gyah! I read
"I'll protect you" Very nice! CONTINUE! I'll review when I have time
T_T
Inda: Haha, they'll really get to know each other next chapter ^_~ Gyah!
Not THAT way! Get your mind out of the gutter XD
xdread: Haha, here ya go!
CraZKitty: Haha! I made Van do something similar to Episode 19 ^_^
*cowers from CraZKitty* Please don't hurt me! AIEE! *hides behind Van*
Magicman/Smokegirl: Muahaha I used the divorce idea! Except I didn't go
too into it because I was doing the whole small moments of each day deal ^_^ But
awesome idea!
Dariel: Many people want to hurt the advisors ^^;; And Van DOES something
very stupid this chapter ^_^ But it all works out in the end, we know ^_^
Aeka-himme: CONTINUE WRITING YOUR STORY OR PERISH! And make it happy ;_;
I don't want Van sad! *sobs into Van's chest* Muahhaha, I wish, I only wish.
Hehe, I think I'm causing the readers to humorously want to shoot me O_O
Storyteller: Haha, I'm not stopping! Here ya go! Lucky girl with the
uniform! *sniffs* Hehehe, and Van is very sexy *drools*
MaboroshiTsuki: *sighs* I'magoodwriter. ARE YOU HAPPY?!? MS. I GOT
PUBLISHED IN A MAGAZINE?!?! *smiles angelically* Now you go scoot along and
continue Prescription for Love or Changing Seasons or Hidden Identity.
luna: Hehe, if only the world was that easy ^_^ Haha, I made Van screw up
big time ^_^ But that's okay, because we all know that it will be alright ^_^
jess131346: Muahaha, there will be a BIG chapter of fluff next! ^__^
fireangel: *blushes* I'm not brilliant *blushes redder* Here's your
update ^_^
Ink: Haha many people hate the advisors, especially me XD Hehehehe
Sailor Hope: *is being evil* And he kisses her! *computer shuts down* Oh
no! The chapter is lost! Well I'll just rewrite it so he doesn't kiss her ^_^
Muahah *cowers from Sailor Hope* Gya don't hurt me!
just a fan: Hehe, I will, or at least I'll try ^_^
Hehehe, everyone, in the next chapter there will be lots of fluff and... THE HUNKIFICATION OF VAN! Although he's already drop dead sexy I'm making him more sexy ^_~ At least, I'll try O_O
The silence too long to bear, Hitomi slowly shook her head, the look her misted green eyes gave Van was too pure and hurt to digest. Rain started to fall, slowly at first, then heavier. The garden darkened slightly from the rain clouds blocking the sun, and the rain drops seemed to mirror Hitomi's tears. Van's voice was caught in his throat.
I don't... Want an heir from you... I want a baby with you.
"I... I..." he paused, trying to regain his wits. "I... Don't want you..." he choked. Only realizing his error a few precious heart beats too late, Hitomi's eyes widened in grief and she sprinted away, leaving Van alone in the garden. Cursing, Van sat down on the ledge of the stone fountain, the rain flattening his raven black locks. Just great, Van. Just great.
***
"Hitomi will you just listen to me?"
***
"I didn't mean to say that...."
***
"I'm sorry"
***
"I just... I don't know how to make you... Feel... Understand...What I'm thinking, feeling."
***
"...Do you really think that day with the villagers was an act, Hitomi? That morning? Did..."
***
"If you hate me so much that you can't even look at me" Hitomi had then turned her grief stricken green eyes to meet his reddish brown orbs. "Then I'll cancel our bind as husband and wife. So you can be happy." Don't let me let you go he prayed. Hitomi opened her mouth to say something, but then decided better of it and walked away.
***
Hitomi had ignored Van for two weeks now. A difficult feat, but the pain embedded in her heart was eating away at her. A strong spirit, she had. But a strong heart she lacked. The fragile blossom of the king and queen's relationship was easily quashed, and it would take time to re-grow what they had begun. She had strayed away from the gardens, and had started to hide away on her balcony. Van had seen less and less of his wife, and he had realized, though they hadn't said much in each other's presence, he had enjoyed her company. Not being alone.
"Lord Van!" came a voice behind him Van turned around, and a weak smile drew upon his features.
"Merle, you've returned from Fried?" The cat girl nodded, and perched beside him on the fountain ledge.
"I'm surprised I've arrived unannounced. Did the messenger fail to deliver the message?" she asked, cocking her head at him, concerned at his behavior.
"Must be so" he said quietly, his brown gaze not meeting hers. Merle nibbled on her lip slightly, brow frowning slightly.
"I haven't seen you this depressed since they ran out of piscus that day" teased Merle softly. She nudged closer to Van. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing" he muttered bitterly.
"Now that's a lie, Van. I've known you forever, and you can't lie to me. Now tell me before I use your legs as scratching posts." Van remained silent.
Merle knew better then to push him. She waited.
***
Merle sighed. She knew his advisors meant well, and that they were merely doing their jobs, however they could be so thick headed she had the urge to beat them senseless with the flat side of a sword. She felt Van stiffen up beside her.
"There she is" he commented sadly. Hitomi sat on her balcony, facing away from the garden, reading a book. A longing sort of look clouded his eyes, when he remembered Merle was there, and he shook his expression off, returning to a masked face.
"Go talk to her" urged Merle, prodding him in the side with her finger.
"Her door's locked, and it's not like I'm going to fly up there and just corner her." he replied sarcastically. Merle frowned slightly, shaking her head.
"She's hurt, Van. Share your wings with her. You've stepped on her heart--" Merle caught Van's objective gaze, his mouth ready to defend himself. "And yes, unintentionally, I know. But you've got to lay a bit of yourself out for her." Van slowly registered Merle's words.
"It's okay, I think I'll give her time" he told the frustrated cat girl, leaving the gardens.
***
Van looked up the next day at Hitomi, who was in the same position, reading her book.
***
Just show her your wings.
***
He fought an internal battle with himself for days and days. Several times he had come close to flying up there and from there on he had no idea what he'd do. But he'd never have to worry about that, he had never mustered the courage. Not until today that is. Shutting his eyes, as if trying to draw some sort of imaginary strength from within him, Van allowed his wings to spread out before any other worries could plague him. Flying up to the one woman who could fix the achy, twisted, cold feeling in his heart, he landed softly behind her.
"...Hitomi?"
Hitomi turned around, and dropped her book with a choked scream. Her green eyes were wide, but upon landing on his wings they seemed to be... Captivated. Van felt quite vulnerable, unsure of what her reaction was. Merle's badgering was still ringing in his head clearly. Eventually, Hitomi turned her gaze to lock with Van's. She had no idea what to say. Van's mind stormed at him.
Blow this and she's gone forever. Do something, ANYTHING. Let your heart take over, and toss aside your pride for one god damned minute. Hesitant words were about to come out of his mouth, when suddenly he stopped himself, and with one step, closing the distance between them, Van trapped Hitomi in a tight embrace, his wings protecting her.
She stiffened like a board of granite, but he never let go. He didn't care if she slapped him, or wrenched herself from his grasp. Nothing could compare to the pain of her thinking he didn't want her. He needed to make sure she knew.
A heart beat passed....
Then another....
And another.
With a sort of strangled noise erupting from her mouth, Hitomi finally cried out all the pain and hurt she'd been bottling up the past weeks. He tightened his embrace, and she buried herself in his chest, all concerns of the consequences of her letting her emotions and heart out lost in the safety and warmth of his strong arms. He rested his chin on top of her head, and he held her for the longest time, as she sobbed and sobbed. The salty tears eventually came to a halt when she looked up into his brown eyes. The emotion she saw hit her like a bolt of lightning.
"...V-van?" she managed to choke out in a hoarse whisper, cheeks stained with tears.
"I didn't mean to say those things Hitomi, I just... I really can't put what I mean to say verbally. I--" he began, when she silenced him with her finger.
"I know" she said quietly. She didn't need an explanation. She didn't want one. Not now. She slowly parted the embrace, leaving both of them longing for the body warmth they shared before. "Van.... Why do you have wings?"
Merle's voice pounded in Van's brain, and he shut his eyes for a brief moment, as if he were in pain. Did he really want to tell her?
"But you've got to lay a bit of yourself out for her." He took a deep breath.
"I'm cursed, Hitomi. As a Draconian." he was surprised at how quickly his words stumbled out. "My mother.... Varie Fanel.... She was a Draconian. Their blood runs through my veins."
Van felt rather exposed, his words sounding foreign and awkward to him, as if he weren't the one saying them. Hitomi reached out a hesitant hand and touched one of his wings. She brought her hand back to her side, and pursed her lips, and Van took this as a bad sign. He wanted to fly back down, but that would focus her on his wings, and if he went through her room to his she wouldn't feel comfortable. So he was stuck, stuck to see what she would say.
"You look like an angel, Van" she murmured softly. Whatever he had been expecting, it certainly wasn't that. "Why do you say you're cursed? I... I think they're beautiful." A faint blush appeared on Van's features.
Hitomi didn't' know whether to trust Van with her heart yet, but she was willing to let him try to win it over. She had put her foot out, it was his turn now.
"Hitomi.... I want to try.... Try 'us' again. I.... If you agree, I'd really like to spend more real time with you. Of course... If you'd like... To remain... Friends, that would be quite...." Van couldn't bring himself to say 'good'. "... Manageable" was all he could muster. Hitomi took a deep breath, shutting her emerald green eyes momentarily, before locking gazes with him.
"I don't want to be friends with you, I want to be your wife. But I can't.... You can't.... This all can't keep happening." she added softly, drowning in the deep pools of his eyes.
"I could kill my advisors?" he suggested, a small smile coming on to his face.
"You can keep them alive" she laughed lightly. "But, just if necessary, keep your mouth shut." she added with a slight grin, and with a laugh he rested his chin on her head.
***
Now that that mountain had been climbed over, Van felt a great burden lift off of him. He had warned his advisors to never speak to him for the next month, and seeing the murderous glint in his eyes, they nodded hastily, nervous smiles on their faces.
"Of course, spending time with your wife is good" they chorused, but alas, one unwise advisor opened his mouth.
"We do need an heir after all"
The rest of the advisors glared at the speaker, and Van raised an eyebrow slightly at the lone advisor.
"Ignore him, King Van, if you need anything from us, just call" they all blabbered out, stifling the advisor that could have caused their down fall. Van gave them an easy smile and strode out of the meeting room, as one of the elder advisors whacked the unwise advisor with his fountain pen.
***
Things started out dreadfully slow for the couple. But they both were fine with that, they were comfortable in each other's presence. They still slept in different quarters, but that no longer bothered Van. He respected her privacy, and he was working on building a solid friendship with his queen before worrying about anything else.
Resting her head against Van's chest, Hitomi took a contented sigh. This is nice. They were sitting on Van's bed, and Van's hands were tracing patterns on Hitomi's back leisurely. Hitomi's back prickled slightly with pleasure, but Van didn't notice, he was off somewhere else, thinking.
"I think I'm going to turn in" yawned Hitomi, stretching, turning to face him. Their faces were quite close, and for a moment they just stared at each other. Eventually, Hitomi regained her composure, smiled nervously, and got off the bed, smoothing down her gown unnecessarily. Giving her a lopsided grin, Van opened the door for Hitomi.
"Um... I suppose I'll see you in the morning" she smiled.
"Till then" replied Van.
"Till then" Hitomi echoed. She didn't realize Van's eyes were on her back as she slowly descended down the red carpeted stairs, to her own quarters.
AN: GYAH! Okay, bad chapter, I'm sorry, I know. I think I did better in the beginning. Please don't lose faith, I'm just in a rut, I-- *breaks down sobbing. gains composure* ANYHOW, BIG FLUFF CHAPTER COMING UP NEXT! This whole waiting patiently has been driving me CRAZY. So sparks will fly next chapter! Oh, btw, in case you got confused, they didn't sleep together (muahaha get your minds out of the gutter XD) They were just chatting and relaxing ^_^