Depths of Devotion
August 21, 201 AC
Thames Café, London"Don't leave me hanging!" she said, automatically jerking up in attention. She'd demanded one of his infamous war stories again. It almost saddened him to see her in such a state of discontent. This day wasn't supposed to be about him – it was intended as the last day of their immature relationship.
He knew that she hated the war stories. Every time he went into detail or mentioned the word 'blood' she cringed. And somehow, she always managed to praise him. Just moments ago, he'd offered to stop. And then she'd demanded more – she made absolutely no sense to him.
"Fine. I killed the guard, found the bomb, diffused it and got out."
"You know you want to tell me more." She teased, letting her hand absentmindedly brush against his pale coloured shirtsleeve. She felt so relaxed then, just sitting and listening to his voice. It didn't matter that all he could talk about was fighting – at least he was talking.
When Heero opened his mouth to speak, the waiter appeared beside them, carrying two dishes. Relena's eyes lit up in anticipation at the sight of chocolate mousse. Heero knew it was her favorite dessert – it was the least courtesy he could do her on the day he would change her life forever.
He smiled, reiterating his good nature. He wanted this to be happy – not melodramatic like it would probably become. It scared him. His reluctance to go through with his strategy seemed childish and amateur, but he had just finished sorting out his feelings for the young blonde – and had made the decision of a conscious mind.
"My favorite – thank you, Heero." She said, daintily raising her spoon to slowly dive into the delicacy. In a sense, Relena was sad. Heero had been very strange the whole time they'd been at the restaurant. And the chocolate mousse was calling for her to drop all necessary mannerisms, and dig into the mass of smooth chocolate.
"Actually, could we get these to go?" he asked the waiter.
She always wondered how he read her mind. He knew exactly what she wanted – and best, he was willing to give it to her. He was willing to give her everything.
"Yes, sir."
Her smile told him that he'd done good. He had gotten the impression that she was feeling suppressed. Every time, her eyes would scrunch and her body would tighten. Now, she looked comfortable again.
"Where are we going to take it?"
"A place."
"What kind of place?"
"A nice one."
It was always so hard to get information out of him – probably from years of military training. Relena smiled even brighter, it was another of his endearing traits that she couldn't get enough of. Unless it was something she really needed to know – it made her mad that he sometimes kept important information from her. But it was no matter.
"Will you tell me where this place is?"
"No."
"Okay, how about why?"
"No."
"Will you tell my how we're going to get there?"
"No."
"Will you tell me why you love me?"
Heero looked up at the question, for he had been rummaging through his jacket pocket. Was this supposed to be one of those trick questions to catch him up? Or did she really mean it?
"Yes."
"Well…"
"Later."
Relena sighed in resignation. She didn't know why she'd asked the question in the first place – it sounded so silly and desperate. But you do want to know, called the voice in her head. It was true – she wondered about his miraculous change of heart. It seemed almost impossible, and then he was just there, hers for the taking.
"Will you tell me you love me?"
Heero Yuy detested public shows of affection, and though, unless he screamed it, telling someone you loved them usually wasn't technically under the "inappropriate" category.
"Fine."
"If it pains you that mu—"
"I love you."
{...}
April 18, 202 AC
Lowe Residence
With a sigh of fulfillment, Relena let her head fall back against the pillow. Her honey-blonde hair fell into her eyes, but she smiled. The slight tingle of a man's touch sent shivers up her spine. Snuggling closer into the pillow, she cast a sidelong glance at her husband. His dark midnight eyes were staring at her, and, though they had known each other for years, gotten married and been intimate, she still blushed under his inquiring stare.
"What're you looking at?"
"Your ear."
Relena smiled, "You're supposed to say that you're looking deeply in my eyes are captivated by my beauty."
"I'm looking deeply into your eyes and am captivated by your beauty." He responded simply. She wasn't sure if he was poking fun at her, or he really meant it. Not that she cared, but it strange sense of humor had always made her laugh. This time was no exception. Even after sharing the same body, she was unable to cover her twinkling laughter.
"I love you." She said, simultaneously nestling further into the sheets. He reached out to stroke her hair, and she reacted just as a cat would, curling into a tight ball against his chest.
"What time is it?" she asked, looking over at the nightstand to find that there was no clock. While she'd only moved in a few days ago, her latest crusade was that of taming Heero's home. His protestations had only lasted a day or so, and he had – reluctantly – given in. He always gave in.
"Time for you to sleep. I cancelled everything you planned for tomorrow."
"Just like you did that day..."
"Yes."
She could remember everything exactly – the smallest detail perfectly formed inside her head. She would cherish that day beyond others. It was just so fated. Their love was just meant to be.
{...}
Road from London
August 21, 201 AC
"Why can't you just tell me where you're taking me?" she asked, smiling despite herself. She wanted to be upset – she wanted to show him that she wasn't enjoying this mysterious new temperament of his. But she wasn't upset. In fact, she was rather intrigued.
"What part of surprise don't you understand?"
"The part where you're not telling me anything."
Nearly five hours in the car had produced no answers from the stubborn young man. No matter how she wined or pouted, he refused to respond to her questions in anyway but his own secretive code. She'd even resorted to seduction, and while -- for the ten seconds it lasted – it had worked to only the slightest effect, causing Heero to nearly run an old lady off the road.
"Why do they drive on the left side of the road here?"
"Do you really want me to answer that?"
"Since I don't know if I'll be alive in the next few hours, I think you had better enlighten me." she said, dramatically flipping her hair over her shoulder as she turned to face him.
Heero looked at her suspiciously, but then turned back to the scant amount of traffic on the country road. "When you drive on the left side, its easier to unsheathe your sword and then attack if you're right handed. In 1300 the pope even thought it was the best way to travel."
"Oh."
"Japan adopted the rule after Sir Rutherford Allock convinced them."
"And you know all this because…?" she said mockingly.
"I'm intelligent."
"Because you study far too much," she teased with a self-assurance she felt only around him.
But while she laughed, he couldn't think of how right she was. For years he'd only done what others had taught him – keeping away from his true instincts and spiraling into a life of mechanical nothingness. Maybe that's why he'd been so scared of her – so threatened. Because she dared him to change – to live his own life. And that was terrifying in itself.
"We're here."
"Finally." Breathed Relena, leaning her head back against the chair in exhaustion.
"I have to make a call, look around." He said, stepping off to the side, trusty cell phone in hand. He was supposed to check in almost two hours ago, but had delayed contact for reasons unknown to himself. He'd been rather lax with his mission lately – dropping pretenses and then picking them back up in a hurry. Most of these slips were minor, but sometimes he wondered if his subconscious was working against him. It didn't matter, though. His mission would be complete soon.
"I have completed phase one," said Heero into his cell phone with a somewhat hushed voice, lest she – on some chance – be listening.
"Move into phase two A-Sap." Responded a mechanical sounding voice from the other end of the transmission. Heero nodded, though he knew that the other person would not be able to acknowledge his consent. Then again, you never knew where they were lurking.
In a sigh of resignation, the Japanese youth turned off his phone and shoved it back into his pocket. It seemed crazy that he was actually going to have to go through with this. But it had to be done.
"Heero? It's gonna get dark soon – we should find a place to stay tonight." Relena said, an evident frown marring her usually pristine features. Even though it would be less than half an hour until sunset, the sweltering heat was obviously upsetting her.
"Yeah."
"Where to?"
"Actually, we need to talk first."
"Okay. Go ahead." She said, a slight impatience working its way into her voice. He couldn't really blame her – he'd promised her a surprise, and all he'd given her was a headache, a five hour drive, and a little town in the middle of nowhere.
"Come with me." he said, though it was really more of a command. She gave him a puzzled look, but shrugged her shoulders and began to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with him.
If he didn't complete phase two immediately, they would have his head. But it was more than that. He couldn't quite describe the feeling – it was such a strong wariness, and yet, he was rather excited. He dreaded this new change of plan, eager on some level. Shaking his head to rid it of the elusive feelings, he focused his attention at the blonde beside him.
"Something on your mind?"
"Yeah. Let's sit down."
From his tone, Relena could already tell that this conversation was going in the wrong direction. His eyes were like a silent distress signal – calling out for her to make his heart right again. It pained her to see him upset – because it meant that she hadn't helped him. It meant that, no matter how hard she'd tried, she wouldn't be able to fix him.
Heero sat down upon a small park bench – one that faced the ocean. A salty breeze wafted lazily towards them, sending sporadic shivers through Relena's body as she tried to remain calm.
"I've known you for about six years."
"Yes…?"
"And…I think we both need a change."
"What kind of change?"
"One where we can move on from this crazy relationship."
"I wouldn't call it crazy…" she answered warily. How many times had she dreaded hearing this speech? How many times had she assured herself that there was nothing to worry about? And yet… it had finally come.
"I can't live like this." He responded.
Relena wordlessly occupied herself with the folds of her skirt. She didn't dare look into his eyes. Her natural instincts told her to exit the uncomfortable talk gracefully. But Relena knew she couldn't. She had to know why.
"Then I guess…things will have to change." She said, stuttering from the strength she was using to fight back all signs of emotion.
Standing up, Heero smiled slightly. He'd thought that maybe she wouldn't have understood him – that she might start crying or something to that effect. He was surprised she was taking it so well.
"Relena will you marry me?" he asked, the fear lost to his anticipation. It was out there – not taking back. He'd done everything he possibly could to show how he felt. So when actions failed him, he went back to words – words that would forever bare witness to the fate -- not only of the world, but of two souls -- searching for a counterpart in love too powerful to peacefully exist.
End Part 4
A/N- yeah...finally...sorry, I had so many finals this year (as compared to last year) and I really wanted to do well...which meant that writing took a back seat. but...Heero also finally posed the infamous question. he always did have terrible timing (jklol) remember -- be cool, stay in school =P