Chapter 9: Jerk
"Nice siblings," Ryo murmured, stepping up to Aiden at dinner that night. "Figures you'd be from a vulgar family like that." Aiden had been standing in a shadowy corner, having claimed no appetite, and growled when he saw Ryo approaching him. "No wonder you don't want to sit with them," the blonde man chuckled.
Now, to understand his next actions, one must realize the state of mind Aiden was in at the moment. He had given Yamashi and Kia a thorough scolding for their misbehavior earlier and threatened not to let Relena and Quatre help him babysit anymore if they didn't straighten up. This had only succeeded in an hour of head-splitting cries and pouting debuts, finally ending in a tickling contest that left them all on the floor panting and smiling. Still, this did nothing to allay his earlier embarrassment and he tried once more to calmly explain to them why he did not want such behavior from them again. He thought they understood, and the pain in Kia's eyes as she realized how her brother must have been feeling tore at his gut to place him in a completely drained and miserable mood for the duration of the day, not wanting to deal with any form of human life whatsoever until morning's cheer could wipe the depression from his mind.
So it was no little surprise to any but those who knew nothing of his grumpiness that Aiden slammed the cocky young man against the wall and knocked him down again with his right fist. As opposed to the fight in Relena's office, Aiden was almost at full strength now and left a dazed, bleeding Ryo lying on the ground.
He didn't bother to look back as he stormed out to the balcony, ignoring his mother's indignant calls after him.
"Aiden!" he heard again, and turned with a scowl.
"What," he glared, and immediately regretted both tone and glare as his mother's angry eyes darkened.
The woman stepped toward him, dark hair clouding around her face and making her seem almost demonic in the starshine as her hand came up and smacked him firmly across his cheek.
He kept his eyes down, penitent, and whispered, "I'm sorry."
"Don't tell me that," his mother raged softly, "you go in there and apologize to that boy. Now."
Aiden's brow furrowed and he turned away, angry. "He insulted Yamashi and Kia."
There was silence behind him for a moment and when she spoke her voice held more understanding. "You still should have kept your temper. They'll think we turned you into a jackal out there."
Aiden turned and grinned, leaning back against the railing. "Oh, there's not much of a problem with that. I did horrible stuff before I came to you; you'd kill me if I did it now. Like when Relena gave me a birthday invitation and I tore it up in her face."
"Aiden!" his mother exclaimed, a hand flying up to her mouth. She was smiling a little despite her horror, though. It was the first time her son had really talked about himself in four years.
Aiden laughed. It felt good to laugh with his mother. "Don't worry, she got me back later." He winked and at her curious look, he told her. "She ripped up the birthday card I gave her."
"Oh," her hand moved to her cheek and he could tell she was trying to look scandalized, but was really eating all of it up. He tried to think of something else to tell her, but his mind went blank as Relena came out, looking uncertain.
"Ryo's being taken upstairs. You knocked two of his teeth out," she said softly.
Aiden's eyes narrowed. "You like Yamashi and Kia?"
Relena blinked up at him. "What? Yes, of course I do. I love them."
Nodding, Aiden said seriously, "Then you would have hit someone if they insulted them, too."
"What?!" Relena's eyes went wide and Aiden looked away.
"Yeah," he sighed. "Look, you wanna talk to us a bit? I'm telling my mom about what a jerk I used to be." A hint of a smirk crossed his lips and Relena tried not to look as interested as she was.
"Okay."
"So, what do you remember about me?" he asked, relaxing and smiling at her.
Relena thought for a moment. "You didn't associate with anybody, but all the girls had crushes on you." She grinned.
"And I'm sure you were nowhere in their ranks," he replied seriously, a glint of teasing in his eyes as she huffed and turned away.
"I certainly was not!" she replied.
"Mm-hm," he said, but dropped that subject. It was too risky. "You should have seen Miss Royal Lady Relena with her trailing of loyal followers; they wouldn't do anything without her."
"They were nice girls!" Relena defended, smiling, and turned to his mother for help.
"I'm sure they were, dear," his mother gave him a look.
"Oh, please," he cast his gaze heavenward and informed his mother, "They had no brains of their own."
The rest of the evening was spent on the balcony, swapping stories in perfect contentment.
------------------------------------
Aiden was listening to the news in the small parlor, which was fit snugly under one of the stairwells by the entrance. Leaving the door open, he could see out and note everyone coming and going.
He was sunk into the soft beige cushions of the larger couch, arms folded as he frowned at a report of a bombing in a lower city. He wore a dark brown t-shirt and jeans, ankles crossed out in front of him.
"Six-o-clock news," Relena said, leaning against the doorway. "You're so predictable."
"Sit," he offered when she continued to stand there. She came in, glancing at him as she sat politely and smoothed her cream-colored skirt. He didn't glance at her, but she noted the snug fit of his t-shirt and the way the muscles in his arms tensed as he shifted.
Aiden saw her looking at him uncertainly and turned his head. "What?" She seemed flustered at having been caught looking at him, but regained her composure quickly, wrapping it around her with learned grace. He noticed that she was dressed differently today -- no tight, stiff jackets and skirts, but an off-white satin blouse, simple but elegant, a creamy, flowing skirt that touched her ankles lightly as she stood, a golden heart-shaped pendant dangling daintily to her stomach, and matching earrings. Even her hair was curled and pulled softly back, light makeup brushed across her face.
"I'm sorry. I was just wondering if Hilde and I could go shopping tomorrow. I'd really like to get out of here, and I have no meetings then," her eyes lit up as he frowned and uncrossed his arms. She was standing beseechingly, hands clasped in front of her. "I already called and took care of finding a store! I just . . . if you would let me . . ." Her eyes fell and she waited, tense, for a verdict.
"I have to babysit Kia tomorrow, but we could take her along if I approve of the store's security. I'll check it out tonight and tell you in the morning."
Relena's eyes brightened and she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Oh thank you!"
Aiden shifted uncomfortably under her appreciation. "Sure." He tried to think of something to make her stop hugging him -- it was affecting him oddly. He kept wanting to wrap his arms around her and hold her back. "How's Ryo?" he finally said.
Relena went still and when she drew back, she wasn't looking at him. "He's fine. I'm going to the dentist with him today. He was busy and couldn't see us last night."
Aiden looked at her. "Hn. You dress like that to see a dentist?"
"It isn't nice?" she looked down at herself then up at him, almost frantic.
"No," Aiden shook his head, "you look very pretty. It's just a bit -- much -- for the dentist."
Relena was stunned. "I . . . You think I look pretty?"
Aiden's gaze came up and was caught by hers -- she wanted so much to be accepted by him. She needed it. His eyes softened and he told her gently, "Of course."
She smiled. "Thank you, Heero." She turned to go, the skirt swirling delicately, but he caught her wrist and she turned back, surprised, the golden-brown curls bobbing.
"Call me Aiden," he told her. Her eyes widened. Only his family called him that; no one else dared to. It was obviously an affectionate name for very close family and friends, and of yet he had allowed it of no one except those four.
Relena sat back down, her face a mask of seriousness. "What do you think of Ryo?"
Aiden took the change of subject without the blink of an eye. He answered firmly and coldly. "I have no place to say."
"Hee--Aiden. You're my friend," she looked up at him, missing his internal wince, "and I trust your judgment. More than anybody's, maybe. Please, tell me."
Aiden sighed, taking her hands in his. "I really couldn't tell you and consider it an impartial judgment. I have so many things to hate him for . . ." his eyes unfocused.
"Like what?" she asked softly.
Aiden looked at her again, her face so close and earnest he just wanted to kiss it -- not like a lover, but like one would a child, smothering it with kisses for no better reason than its dimples. He smiled, tenderly. Because he has you, he thought. "Not now. I'll tell you later." She watched him curiously as he left.