Chapter Three
Walking into her house, I finally got a taste of how richly she did live. The entire house flashed of ancient silver and plush pink. She was quite the interior decorator. I stood in the doorway, still not wanting to enter the house, fear being quelled in my heart.
She took off her coat and hung it in the closet. Even the goddamn closets were luxuriant. I followed suit and hung up my own coat begrudgingly – I didn't want to leave my gun in a closet – I might just need it. But remembering the detonator in my shoe, I felt just a little more comfortable – I don't go anywhere without firearms, I feel naked without them.
"You want something to drink?" she called from the kitchen, "I don't have much, but I think Milliardo left some scotch here last time he came."
"Just water." I replied. I don't drink alcohol for fear of ending up like Wufei. However, I didn't need scotch to get myself intoxicated. Just the hint of her flowing blonde hair and slim body was enough.
Once I had decided that the black cat sitting on her couch was my latest mortal enemy – I sat down across from it. It stared at me with these giant green eyes that were slitted and looked creepy. I stared back, but couldn't make the ball of fur blink – I had finally found a worthy adversary for a staring contest.
However, Relena entered the room at that very moment, and I looked up towards her. She raised her eyebrow and smiled. I had lost a staring contest to a cat. That sounds really sad, come to think of it. I didn't care, though – that cat played dirty.
She handed me a glass of water, but said nothing. She seemed to be hinting at something, but I wasn't sure what. Was I supposed to say something? While I happen to be well adversed in etiquette, I don't know what to say in the uncomfortable silences. So I grabbed at the nearest rope and went with a safe question.
"Are you okay?"
She smiled glumly and began to talk. "Well, no. Heero…its just that lately, you know, since all that hype about the princess thing, well I don't know what to do. I mean, I don't know where to go – and I just don't know what to think or how to act or what to say. See, Milliardo has always been my older brother, but now that we're not as related as we thought I don't know how to talk to him, so I don't know how to talk to Noin. It's all just so confusing. Oh, Heero, I don't know what to do."
She was talking at such a rapid pace, and I was trying my best to listen – being the wall again. But then she started to break down and cry and I didn't know what to do either. Should I comfort her or maybe I should just leave her alone. Why can't I live a normal, Relena-free life? Love. Who the hell invented it, anyway? Right then, the small, cramped apartment full of four other moody boys didn't sound so bad.
Through her tears, she gazed up at me and started to wipe away a few stray drops on her cheek and nose. She looked so lovely at that moment – red eyes and a slight sniffle. She didn't look like an illegitimate princess or a stately diplomat. She just looked like Relena. I'd never seen such beauty in my life.
Timidly, I chanced physical contact, and placed my hand on hers. Her entire body seemed to slacken and I could see she was, once again, stifling a yawn. I couldn't blame her, though. We'd been through a lot the last few weeks with the preparations for the dinner – and looking at the clock resting upon the mantle, I noted that it was nearing eleven o'clock.
"You should go to sleep." I said. Great, her former head of security and bodyguard, her technical analyst, her knight-in-shining-armor, and now I'm her nanny. I am definitely a man of many talents.
"Okay." She mumbled and then added, "I'm sorry you had to listen to me babble and all. I've just been under a lot of stress lately. I hope I didn't ruin your evening."
Now she was starting to get on my nerves. I can't stand it when people blame themselves for things they didn't do. She sounded like Quatre. I know that may be really hypocritical since I blame myself for mission failures, but that's a different story.
Relena got up from the couch and grabbed the glaring cat. I eyed it suspiciously. I bet it's gloating in its miniscule brain – that was unfair playing. I'll get you next time, glaring Cat.
"Heero, this is Jerry. I'm sure you two will get along fine – just as long as you don't touch him – he doesn't like being touched."
"Isn't Jerry the mouse?" I asked, but I don't think she heard. I don't like that either – people giving animals a human name. It just doesn't sound right. And how was I to know that this cat wasn't some sort of Russian spy? The Russians were the first ones to put a monkey in space, after all.
I followed her upstairs. Why? I don't know. I guess I felt some sort of responsibility to make sure she got to sleep fine since I suggested she do so. I don't know if that's what all guys do or not, but it felt like the right thing.
Like I said, I don't like uncomfortable silences, so I was compelled to speak, but I couldn't. then my mind started to swirl with doubts. Where was I going? Really, you don't go into a girl's room unless she invites you or you want a little something. What was I thinking?
"Sleep…well. I'll see myself out." What else could I say? While I was at it, why not confess my true, animalistic feelings for her? Because I can't.
"Good night, Heero." She said, pushing a few stray locks behind her ear, "And thank you. You mean a lot to me."
Without looking back, I walked to the door and out to my car. I was nearly running. You mean a lot to me. She hadn't said that my friendship for hear-skills meant a lot to her – just me. Girls should know that that sort of thing can make a guy's had blow to unreasonable proportions.
I didn't realize that I'd left my coat in the luxurious closet until I was already speeding away to my apartment. Technically, it's not really all mine, since it's a dual ownership with Duo ever since Hilde moved out. Let's just say that I don't blame the girl. I could probably go to court and try to claim it as mine since I'm the only one who seems to know realize the rent needs paying every month.
I heard the midnight bells chiming in the distance, reminding me of that twinkling laugh that Relena has. It seemed like wherever I went – she was there – a constant reminder of the prohibited emotions that were beginning to grow.
The streets were pretty clear, leaving me plenty of room to speed. I should have been more careful, seeing as, though already nineteen, I didn't have a formal license – I had just never bothered with things regular citizens do. Besides, I always had a grenade handy. And Relena thinks peace is the way to get things done.
Before I knew it, I was walking to my home, empty-handed and nothing to say for myself. I have been through many stranger and more uncomfortable situations, but I have never had to answer to Maxwell after them.
"So, whadcha do? Why you home so early? Come one, I love dirty little secrets." I was immediately bombarded with questions from the obtrusive brunette.
I'd had a bad night – a very bad night. Then, I realized that maybe some of those shrinks are right – I shouldn't harbor anger. So I took it out on Duo.
"What the hell was that for, kid?"
"If you know what's best for you – you won't call me that again." I said, trying to be as icy and distant as possible – I didn't have to try all that hard. I knew that in a few moments the raw, cherry mark on his face would turn a deep violet – leaving all the blame for me to take.
But he responded with his usual casualness, only he was rubbing his face, "You're joking again aren't ya, kid?" My mind had almost coerced my body into slugging him again, but, what I like to refer to as my gentle side, got the best of me.
Instead, I took out the detonator from my shoe, thanking my good memory for reminding me of its presence, and placed my thumb millimeters from the detonation button. Duo was starting to look rather nervous.
"Always thought you had a good sense of humor. I wonder why people never see that." He said, and I noticed small beads of sweat forming on his brow. It's always wonderful to know that I can still scare some people.
"I'm going to sleep."
"Sleep's good. Wouldn't want to look ugly for the princess." Obviously the boy just didn't get it. YOU MESS WITH ME AND I KILL YOU. I would have said that, but it wasn't worth the breath. He'd probably just tattle to Relena anyways.
"And Heero buddy, would you mind picking up some of that double fudge ice cream? We're all out." He called as I walked into my room to gain a restful night's sleep. I had just bought an entire carton the day before. He had eaten my ice cream.
There are two things that I am protective of in this world – my woman and my ice cream. Apparently, Duo was trying to take both away from me – not the smartest move in the book. Needless to say, Duo went to sleep with a black eye and I went to sleep much more refreshed.
A/N- I know, not all that romantic, but I'm afraid it'll have to do for now. Heero is just so wonderful – I don't know what I'd do without him. Question: is the word 'adversed' a word? I was just wondering because I swear I've heard it amillion times, but my dictionary disagrees. Well, I won't worry my pretty head about such matters. Goodnight and adieu!
How is it? Something I should change? A suggestion perhaps? Than review and let me know!