AN: Sorry this took so long to get out! I have been sick with the flu for three days and I'm just starting to feel something. Either it's death or recovery, so be it. I hope this makes sense considering how high I feel right now. Never take 2 Actifed at the same time then go to the store. It's not a pretty sight. Anyway, Enjoy!
Phantom Angel- I think this is the moment u and a few others have been waiting for! ^__^ I hope u like! Thanx for the reviews!
Chapter 8
Hitomi moaned as she shifted into another position on Paige's bed. She was in a deep sleep but, couldn't get comfortable. A hand reached down to trace the soft contour of her cheek and settle at her chin.
Van had snuck in to find her asleep and placed a blanket over her. He would wait until she woke to start to explain his situation. Not that he really wanted to. He himself thought it was a pathetic lie and an excuse. What would she think of his situation?
As soon as she felt the blanket being placed over her, Hitomi woke. She waited several minutes before attempting to open her eyes. Greeted with Van's perplexed features, she slowly raised her body so that she was leaning on elbow.
"Van? Are you ok?" She asked.
"Yes. I'm fine Hitomi." He replied. There was that look again. A look which clearly stated that something was on his mind but, he was reluctant to say anything.
"What's wrong?"
He shook his head and stood up to pace the floor. This got her attention fully. Something was wrong and she was determined to know.
"Van? Tell me what's wrong."
"I...Hitomi, I owe you an explanation." He started. How was he going to tell her this?
"Oh?"
She was sitting straight up now. Waiting. Listening to his every word. Wanting to know what he would tell her.
"It wasn't your fault." He said. She cocked her head to the side in wonderment.
"When I...stopped talking to you before. It wasn't you at all." He stated. Realization dawned on her when he spoke this. She knew he was having a hard time trying to tell her what was on his mind. He was fidgety and quite nervous.
"Van, just tell me what you're trying to tell me." She begged. He was starting to scare her.
"I don't...I don't know why Hitomi. I...one minute all I could think of was holding you and then...then I realized I couldn't...."
"Couldn't? Couldn't what?" She asked.
"Hold you. I realized that I would never be able to hold you. I would never really be with you. It hurt so much to just hear your voice. To see you but, see through you. All these thoughts just came to me. There were people here that could touch you and be with you when I couldn't. I envied those people Hitomi. I envied those people and I hated myself for letting you go." He said.
"Van..."
"I don't understand why I did it Hitomi. I don't know why I shut you out. It hurt worse knowing that I would never be able to see or hear you again. I never wanted to hurt you. That was the last thing on my mind at the time. I figured it'd be better if...if we...I thought you'd be happier this way. I thought it would be easier. I was wrong and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He said as he sank to his knees on the floor.
Hitomi was shocked. The whole time they had spent away was because he thought she would be happier without him. He hadn't known that she would have given everything up for him. Just to be able to be with him forever.
"Oh Van...Why did you think I wouldn't understand? I know. I know how you felt. I felt the same way. Do you think it was easy for me to know that other women were closer to you then I could be? It wasn't." She said.
"I don't know why. Maybe...maybe it was because I didn't understand it myself. I can't ask for forgiveness from you Hitomi. I don't deserve forgiveness from you. After we get Escaflowne back, I'll let you go...I'll..."
"Stop! Don't you even say it! I was wrong to say it in the first place. I don't want to lose you again. I don't care about anything else. I'm sorry I ever said that to you. I've already forgiven you." She said. He looked up to see her looking down at her with tears in her eyes.
"Hitomi..."
"Please don't go." She whispered. He stood and sat next to her on the bed. His gloved hand reached out to wiped away the tear that fell down her cheek.
"I never wanted to leave you in the first place Hitomi. I love you too much to let you go." He whispered. Shock. That's what she was in at the moment. He had just confessed his feelings for her and she couldn't believe her ears. It was what she had be waiting to hear from him ever since, ever since she had met him. Everything in that moment was washed away. Her pain, Escaflowne, the people in the next room. Nothing existed except him and his words.
"Wh-what did you say?" She asked, needing to hear those words again.
"I love you Hitomi. I always have and I always will." He replied. Tears of joy made their way down her face and she reached out to grab him in a fierce hug. His hands made their way around her waist and he gently rub her back.
"I've been waiting to hear you say that for so long. I've been waiting for you forever. I love you too Van." She cried. He pulled away from her when she had stopped and looked into her green eyes.
"I've been waiting forever to say it to you. I'm sorry I didn't say it soon then, neither one of us would have had to deal with this." He said.
"Better late than never I guess." She replied, watching as he leaned in toward her. She closed her eyes and waited for his lips to reach hers. When they finally did, everything was put back together in her heart. His warm kiss, one so innocent and sincere, it was all she needed to know that he would always be there for her no matter what.
They pulled apart and looked at each other. Both wanted to know what the others reaction would be to such a thing. All she could do was lean in to kiss him again. A small thankful kiss to leave him speechless. Giggling at the expression on his face she leaned again him and sighed, trying to hide a yawn.
"Are you still tired?" He asked.
"Hmm...? Oh, well, maybe a little." She replied.
"Go to sleep then. You've earned it after everything you've done today."
"Van, can you stay here with me? Please? I just..."
"Yes Hitomi, I'll stay here. Don't worry, everything will be ok." He said, sitting down on a chair beside her.
"I'm sorry... for what I said earlier. You're not a coward." She murmured.
"Don't be sorry anymore. Besides, you weren't entirely wrong." He stated.
"Are you trying to tell me that I was right?" She asked with a small smile.
"I...it takes a big man to admit his mistakes. I admit I made some...a lot but, I'm willing to...except that." He said.
"But, you're still not willing to admit I was right." She teased.
"I...Hitomi!"
She laughed and reached out to grab his arm.
"Don't worry Van, I know what you mean. I'm just teasing you." She said.
"You've been hanging around these people too long." He replied, shaking his head.
"Oh? Take this then!" She yelled as she pounced from the bed. Her hands found their way to his sides where she began to tickle him. He laughed uncontrollably and tried to save himself.
"That's not fair! I wasn't ready! You...you'll get yours Hitomi! Stop! Not there! That tickles! Hitomi!"
She laughed for all she was worth when his face began bright red from laughing so hard. He got an advantage from this and pushed her back onto the bed.
"I'll get you for that!" He yelled as he made a dive for the bed. Hitomi jumped but, wasn't fast enough. He grabbed her and tickled her mercilessly. By the end of it, they had tired themselves both out and fell asleep curled up together.
Allen peeped in shortly after to find them both asleep. He smiled and shook his head at the scene. He was glad everything was going well between them now. The sounds of laughter coming from the room had brighten everybody's mood up. He was glad for the change of pace. Even in the mess that they had gotten themselves into, Van had been able to find his happiness again. For the time being.
Allen shook the thought out of his head and went back into the room where Paige had been typing non stop on the computer ever since she had last spoke to Van. She had relayed the conversation to the small group and warned Kai to keep a distance until they were sure everything was ok. She didn't have a doubt in her mind.
"How's everything going?" Sonya asked.
"They're sleeping so, I'm guessing that everything went well." Allen replied.
"That's good. We'll let them rest for a while longer then we've got work to do. Chaos stops for no one." Paige said.
"Right."Allen replied. They had a lot of work to do.
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TBC...
AN: If this is too short, I'm sorry. It wasn't really my intent. The letters on my computer screen are starting to blend. I hope this is good for some fluffiness. I tried. Don't worry though, I plan on making more. Most of the first chapters didn't have any fluff. I will make more! LONG LIVE THE FLUFF!!!!! Thanx 2 those that reviewed! It means so much!
