"Don't forget that the first kiss isn't given with the lips, but with the eyes."
O.K. Bernhardt
- Tell me what you see…- I… I see myself… walking through a beautiful garden… I'm happy…
- Why?
- I… I don't know… I can't remember why…
- Sure you can… just focus…you'll see everything there's to see…
Morning came with a glorious glint.
The sun rays reaches the ochre-colored soil making it shine like pure melted gold. The wind blew so soft and tender that it was like a lovers whisper. The flowers on the Jupitarian Palace were in full bloom – thanks to the presence of their beloved caretaker.
- Tell me what you see…
- I see myself walking through a beautiful garden…a have a flower basket in my hands…
The young princess of Jupiter moved through a sea of flowers, making them spark full of color and scent. She had inherited her aunt's unique gift with plants and animals – besides her exquisite features and gracefulness.
- Today the flowers are even more beautiful and fragrant than ever… the birds are singing gloriously… they are happy, just like I am…
- Why?
- Because…because, today is my birthday… Today I turn sixteen.
That day held a very special meaning for the young princess. She was filled with a sense of happiness and anticipation that made her giddy as if she just tasted the sweetest and more intoxicating wine of all.
- Today I meet my betrothed!
Ever since she was a little girl, she dreamt with the glorious day she would meet the one she was destined to marry. She would fantasize with her future life as a wife and mother. Those were the things she ever wished for fervently – to have her own family. Maybe she wouldn't be lonely anymore if she has a family of her own…
- But you have loving parents…
- I know. But I can't deny that I felt lonely most of the time…
Both of her parents were very influential people. They were the King and Queen of the Higher Gods, nonetheless. And they were part of the Silver Alliance, her aunt Selene, Queen of the Moon, was presiding.
- But they were trying to reunite mortals and gods with the Silver Alliance…They were planning the next great city, Crystal Kingdom…They wanted to help mortals to free themselves from Ares influence.
- I know their work was important and that it was directed towards something really valuable, but…but I can't deny that I hated their constant travels and meetings in and out of Jupiter. If it wasn't for my aunt Demeter's constant visits, I just don't know what I would've been of myself.
The only thing that soothed her soul was the thought that she would soon meet her future husband and – she hoped – things would be just fine between them. With him she won't be lonely again, because she would be with him till the end of time.
So she's looking forward to meet him. And she so happy and anxious!
- I move through the garden, stopping here and there to look closely at my flowers. I was very proud of my garden. It was the most beautiful one of the entire Kingdom – some said, maybe the whole universe. But I don't believe that. And they say that since the most rare kinds of flowers – the more beautiful and fragrant – blooms easily at my care. I had flowers from all over the universe, from Earth, the Moon, Venus… And the birds love to sing on the branches of my Earthian trees. The hummingbirds loved to sip the honeyed taste of my flowers. My father's horses would drink from my crystal clear water fountain. And the small rabbits my aunt Selene gave me, as a birthday gift would hop happily through my garden.
She was oblivious of the eyes that were looking at her from behind one of her trees. Eyes that were fascinated with the way she would move through her garden with such gracefulness that it looked like she was floating. She moved, leaving behind a new patch full of sparkling flowers and green, fresh grass that grew and brightened near her touch. Her beautiful red hair reached her lower back in soft curls and her rosy complexion looked as soft as clouds. She was wearing a flowery headset and a long, lilac-colored robe with golden embellishments around its round neck and long, vaporous hem.
He was looking at her with the eyes of a hopeless admirer. A soft smile would reach his handsome face and his eyes would sparkle with just one look at her. Infatuated as he was, hopelessly in love with someone who doesn't know about his feelings, he was in the verge of desperation because today she would be promised to another.
"I must tell her today", he thought. "I must tell her that I love her."
Will she accept him? He was afraid of the possible negative answer to that question. What would he do if she doesn't want him? He didn't want to think about that.
He hated to do this, but he wanted to make his presence known. His time was running short and he could loose her if he didn't do something. But, somehow, he felt timid and insecure while he stood behind the tree hesitantly, still looking at her. The last time he saw her, things didn't went well between them. They parted ways in not so friendly terms… he hurt her then. And now he was afraid of her reaction to his declaration of love.
"But I won't give up."
There was something that surely would catch her attention…
I was walking through my garden… when I hear the sweetest melody… It seem to float around me and envelope me with such warmth… I knew who it was and I smiled, contented, anxious. I turned and I looked about me. Not so far away, behind a tree, I got a glimpse of his golden robe… he was playing his flute…I smiled again and moved to be near him. It's been so long since I last saw him…
"Hello!" – I said. – "It's been so long…"
He looks at me and says…
"I'm hungry, Mommy. Wake UP!"
She sprang up, eyes wild and hair disheveled. Lita is jumping on her bed, still clad in her PJ's.
"Stop jumping on my bed!" – she said. –"I'm awake already!"
Just then, the most heinous sound rings, nearly making her jump out of her skin.
"Damn clock!" – she said, hitting the off-bottom.
"I'M HUNGRY!"
"Yeah, I know. Let's get you ready for school, ok?"
"I don't wanna go to school today…" – Lita says, pouting at her big sister with determination in her eyes.
"Yes, you are going to school today. And stop jumping on my bed!!"
Every day is the same thing for her.
Her clock is set to ring at 5 A.M – and she still doesn't know how Lita is always the one who wakes her. Every morning she has to convince Lita to go to school, while she starts baking and preparing the menu of the day. She has to endure Mina's whining and Amy's scolding when they arrive to work. She has to make Lita's breakfast and take her to school in a mad dash. Then come running back to continue the preparations for a new day at work.
Every single morning, she argues with the old owner of the grocery store where she buys Lita's daily supply of milk and fruits. And, also, she has to put up with the butcher of named store who's always flirting with her. Then, she returns to her café and has to hear Amy complain about Mina's laziness… and Mina complain about Amy's constant scolding, while people starts coming for coffee and some pastries.
Lunch hour is pure madness when her friend Amara and Michelle helps her on her deliveries. And, in the afternoons, Amy usually leaves early so she could go to College. Which leaves Makoto with Mina and her non-stop gossip mode. Sometimes her friend Raye Hino, the nurse on Lita's school, would come and help, but not every day.
Every other day she goes to her karate classes or would go to the movies with her friends and little sister. But, usually, she doesn't have too much time to do anything and she often ends exhausted by the time the clock clicks 7 P.M.
And that's how she lives most of her days… until she met Duo.
Those weeks after they met went on smoothly for both of them.
Duo started to go to the café more often, using Lita as an excuse to see Makoto. The young girl rejoiced on his presence and she even started to call him 'her boyfriend'.
But Duo's attention was solely on Makoto.
He could sit on one of the stools in front of the counter of the café, just to look at her. A small smile always grazed his lips while he watched all of her movements and the way she treated people. She was so kind-hearted and warm that his heart seemed to soar just to think of her, or it could stop momentarily with just a sniff of her perfume… or the sound of her voice…
He didn't know how it happened, but sometimes he finds that his mind is drifting to her at the most inconvenient of times – say at work or driving. And the thing is, that it looks like anything brings her image to his mind.
Sometimes the color green on the plants he finds on his way to work, reminds him of her eyes. In other times, the soft and warm scent of a perfume that has a flowery note like the one she uses makes his mind run wild with the memory of her voice and laughter. His heart even ceased to beat momentarily one time, when he was going to work, and found a young woman with auburn hair just like hers getting inside the Preventers Headquarters ahead of him.
After that incident he had to think on what's going on with him… and what he found didn't pleased him one bit.
He doesn't want to admit it, but his heart just knows that he's falling for her… and really hard…
He is reluctant to engage himself in any romantic relationship… Not when Hilde's decision to 'give some free time to one another, and see what is out there' is still fresh in his mind and still hurts him.
Hilde's decision surprised him beyond words. He was about to propose to her, when she interrupted him and told him that they needed to part ways. Things have changed so much after the war that their relationship wasn't the same, but he never thought that she actually would want to leave him.
Or, maybe, he didn't want to see it…
When war ruled most of his days and thoughts, his emotions were heightened to the point where all of his actions were controlled by passion. Call it natural instincts, but – unconsciously – he was looking to survive and to carry on, to experience love, sadness and everything a 'normal life' has to offer. He thought that he found that on Hilde; that she was the one. The one with whom he could experience that love he was looking for. But it seems he was wrong.
Maybe, their relationship wasn't meant to last that long… Because now, when he has so much time to share with her, things aren't like they used to be. It's not that he stopped loving her altogether – he still cares for her very much. But he has mixed feelings towards her, especially after she hurt him with her decision. Now he's afraid of engaging in any romantic relationship.
Although, unconsciously, he's considering one with Makoto…
Another smile grazed his lips… just the thought of having Makoto all for himself warmed his heart and filled his mind with too many ideas and dreams. Somehow, she surpassed the limits of plain male fantasies and became a dream for him. Something that kept him wide awake at night and stole his thoughts anytime during the day.
What am I thinking?, he stopped himself dead in his tracks, I still care for Hilde…
He just can't forget a love so special as the one he had for Hilde – at least not as fast as he may want it to happen… it's nearly a mission impossible … and it's true that he still cares for her… but something funny is happening…
He's finding his hurt receding and his desire to see Makoto growing at a pace that are both surprising and frightening at the same time. And he's confused... It's not a common thing to see Duo Maxwell so confused – and I mean really confused.
Even Wufei noticed the change in him…
"Maxwell must be sick or something, because he hadn't call me Wu-man today…" – commented the Chinese young man one day when he was doing some paper work on his office.
Heero Yuy was in the same office, typing away like Speedy González in his desktop. He didn't even look up from his paper work to know that the Chinese young man was stunned. He noticed it on his tone of voice and also on the fact that he voiced something that he's been noting lately.
"Hi, Wu-man…!" – said Duo, waving joyfully at the Chinese young man.
"I'll take back my words now…" – muttered Wufei, fuming.But still, there was something 'out of place' with him… He wasn't as cheerful as usual. He seemed to spend more and more time in deep thought… or on Fool's Land. And he has become more distracted than usual.
"I heard that Duo is spending a lot of time with a new girl." - Lucreazia Noin commented one day to her friend Sally Po while they were at a restaurant having lunch.
"Yeah, Wufei said that he couldn't stop bragging on this child his friend has…" – Sally said, laughing softly.
"A child?" – she cocked an eyebrow. –"Just how old is this friend?"
"I don't know, Noin. I haven't seen her and, to tell you the truth, I guess not even the guys have met her."
"It'll be nice to meet her - I mean, I'm curious. I thought Duo wouldn't make it after he broke up with Hilde. This girl – with or without child – must be very special."
Sally smiled when an idea struck her like lighting.
"I guess we could talk Quatre into a get together, or something, so we could meet her…"
"That's a good idea, Sally!"
"Though…" - the sandy blonde woman said with a somber expression on her face. – "I wonder what would happen once Duo's duty on Earth finishes. What he would do – I mean, if he really gets so attached to them…"
"I know what you mean, Sally. That'll be devastating…"
He, too, knows that it will be devastating… so he doesn't want to get involved into a romantic relationship with her.
But he doesn't know that he's hurting Makoto's feelings with his reluctance.
"He hadn't ask you out?" – asked Raye Hino that afternoon, while sipping her cup of green tea at Makoto's café.
Makoto turned different shades of red when all of the attentions of her best friends were cast upon her. Thank God her café wasn't too crowded right at that moment! Even Amy – the usually calm and sensible one of the group – looked surprised at this confession.
"But he looks like he's head over heels for you!" – Amy said, unable to hold her surprise.
If it was still possible for Makoto to turn even redder, she could have done so. Her ears were ringing and she swallowed hard.
"It's not like that!" – she protested, deeply embarrassed. – "We're just friends, that's all. Can't we just be friends?"
Mina snorted. "Not with a hunk like him." – she bluntly said. –"I mean; the guy spends his visits just looking at you, Makoto. Don't you think we didn't notice it? He seems to have his eyes glued on you whenever his here…"
Even Amy had to nod at that. It was pretty obvious that the braided boy seems to love to look at her. And they also noticed the funny little grin his lips wore whenever he did so. Why Makoto haven't noticed it?
Who knows? Maybe she did and since he hasn't asked her out, she's looking for an excuse on behalf of his actions.
"It's so sad!" – Mina said, shaking her head and voicing out loud just what the rest of the girls were thinking. She put an arm around Makoto's shoulders and shook her head once more. –"What a shame…"
"Mina!" – Amy said when she noticed Makoto's eyes turn hazy.
"What?"
Makoto tried to be gentle when she brushed off Mina's arm of her shoulder, but the hurt that was gnawing at her made it impossible. She muttered something about 'preparing tomorrow's menu' when she turned and disappeared through the door to the kitchen. She faintly heard Raye admonish Mina and compare her with a young kid – which Mina didn't like.
She left behind the bickering that would surely ensue. She was hurt, but not with the comments her friends said, but with the fact they were true. It's been something she's been trying to ignore. But she can't ignore it no longer.
She thought that he was feeling the same things she was feeling – though she doesn't know why he would do it. He hadn't said something to make his feelings known. But those smiles… and how he keeps looking at her. Oh, yes, she has noticed it. Even if she wasn't looking at him or had her back facing him, she would just know when he was looking at her. His eyes have that delicious ability to make her skin tingle and become warm whenever they were placed on her. She didn't have to turn and look at him to know that he was following her movements, because she knows he's the only one capable of such a reaction on her. And she loved it! She loved to feel admired by his eyes, to seem pleasing to him. It really made her feel beautiful…
Then why he hadn't asked her out?
A warm tear rolled down her cheek without her noticing it. She heard a rumble behind her and turned just in time to see Lita storming into the kitchen; Luna tightly held to her chest.
"Park! Park!" – she announced happily.
Makoto smiled down at her.
Lita frowned. "You crying!" – she said, pouting. She moved to be closer to her big sister and took her hand in her tiny one. – "Why?" – she asked, looking as though she would start crying too.
Makoto put on a fake smile on her lips and wiped her tear swiftly with the back of her free hand. "I'm not crying. Sweetie. See?"
Lita scowled and pursed her lips as if saying 'I'm not stupid, y'know!'
"Then why you have tears in your eyes?"
"I don't, Lita. Now go and pick up your things for the park, ok?"
For a moment, Lita just stood there, looking up to her sister as if daring her to say what's wrong with her. Although Lita already knows the reason why her sister is so sad. It must be Duo, she thought. And she was so angry with him then. How he dares make Mako sad?!
"Don't you wanna go to the park today?" – Makoto asked her.
Lita nodded and turned to go fetch her things.
Just when Lita disappeared from her sight did Makoto slumped to a chair and let her face acquire the somber expression her heart was exuding.
"Are you going to see your friend?" – Quatre, who just came to pay a visit to his former comrades, asked. He was on Earth on a business trip and decided to see how things were going for them on their post on Earth. He was received by two very anxious women, who told him about Duo's new 'friend' and – actually – 'suggested' a get together to see if they can meet this new girl.
Duo turned pale and went stiff when he heard Quatre mention Makoto.
"Who told you a have a friend here?" – he asked suspiciously, unable to sound casual. His indigo eyes narrowed and his fists clenched unconsciously. If Quatre already knows about Makoto, then everybody must know about her, which means they must be gossiping about them.
"Eh…" – Quatre babbled, noticing Duo's mood. –"I guess it was… eh… Wufei?"
Duo knew he was acting way too rude when Quatre actually stuttered. He relaxed his body and took a deep breath in. His usual lop-sided grin appeared and he scratched his head, starting to laugh foolishly.
"I'm sorry, man. I guess I'm stressed."- Duo said.
Quatre smiled sympathetically to him. "I know what you mean." – he said.
Now Quatre was curious. What's so special about this girl when Duo, actually, doesn't want to talk too much about her? He's acting way too protective, as if he wanted to keep his relation with her a secret. Usually, Duo would brag about the new 'hot chick' he just met. But it seems that's not the case with this girl – although he does brag about her… and her cooking… and her little sister… although he does it in a different way.
There's something funny going on here, Quatre thought. Now, I really want to meet this girl.
"Hey, Duo. Why don't you bring her to my house tonight? I'm planning a get-together…"
"Bring whom?" – Duo acted as if he didn't know. The way he narrowed his eyes at Quatre told the Arabian a whole different story: Duo was well aware of whom Quatre was talking about. This was enough to make the blonde man very cautious.
"Eh… your friend…I guess…"
Duo, again, noticed how rude he must be acting and tried to sound casual. "I… don't know if… if she would want to go…Y'know? She has a café and takes care of her little sister…"
"Tell her to bring her sister, too. I would like to meet her." – Quatre smiled.
But Duo didn't want to comply. "Eh… I'll see what I can do…" – he said without looking at Quatre. He turned and nearly started running down the long hall of the Preventer's Headquarters. He still has two more hours of duty to call his day off. And he all but ran over Trowa, who just came out of the male lockers, freshly bathed and carrying a heavy shoulder bag.
Quatre came to stand beside Trowa and looked at Duo with a wide grin on his face. "I guess he found the right one this time…" – he commented.
Trowa looked at Quatre. "What makes you think that?" – he asked on his deep but nearly devoid of inflection, voice.
"Ah! Don't you see? He's already changed! He's not the usual Duo Maxwell we came to know…"
Trowa looked back to where Duo just stomped on his fleeting, his verdant eyes narrowing slightly…
Just when Makoto was about to leave for the park with Lita, one of her suppliers came with her weekly delivery of flour. She had to stay and check that everything was in order – and though she knows that Amy is capable of doing such task, she welcomed the distraction so she could forget about her frustration with Duo.
Lita ran in and out of the café, trying to help with the heavy bags of flour, while Makoto stood at the door, talking to one of the deliverers.
Both girls were completely oblivious of pair of eyes that were looking at them from the other side of the street.
A sweet song was floating in the air. Probably one of their neighbors was hearing the radio…
He surely was lucky today…
Usually, he has to wait for her to come out of the café. But it seems luck is in his side this day.
He just parked his motorcycle in his – now – usual lot, and he was walking down the dark, stinky alley to stop in his – now – usual spot when he heard her laugh. He quickly moved to stand against the sticky wall of the alley, making sure that she didn't see him – though he can't understand why he would do so. He suddenly felt like a stalker when he noticed what he was doing. But he couldn't help it.
She was standing at the entrance of her café, laughing at Lita who was full of flour. Her laugh was like the tinkle of bells, sweet and merry. She was wearing a light set of Capri pants and a t-shirt. Her auburn hair was held high in a ponytail. She had a big, heavy looking book under one arm and was telling Lita to go up and change her clothes.
Somehow, just to see her… to have the luck of seeing her without waiting for her to come out was like winning the lottery for him. He felt warm inside and basked in on the sight of her… When he heard a squeal that nearly made him jump out of his skin…
He looked up, at a window on the opposite wall of where he was standing and saw a young girl swinging side to side, ever so softly, to the beat of a lovely melody…
"La la la la la la, La la la la la la…" – the girl was singing.
Suddenly, the girl brought up a brush and started singing as if she was standing in front of an audience.
"My cherie amour, lovely as a summer day
My cherie amour, distant as the milky way…"
Oh, it's that song again, he thought. It seems it's the new hit on the radio, because he hears it every day. And though he didn't particularly likes the song, he was amused with the girl's performance. She was now dancing, brush in front of her mouth while singing and swinging her arms theatrically.
He looked back at the café to find Makoto positioning a small backpack over her shoulder while Lita waved goodbye to the deliverers.
"Come on, Lita." – he heard Makoto say, extending one hand to her little sister. Lita turned and grabbed her hand.
He just knows where are they going and he followed silently while the song floated around him.
My cherie amour, pretty little one that I adore
You're the only girl my heart beats for
How I wish that you were mine.
Makoto and Lita where heading to the nearest park. Lita was hopping excitedly beside Makoto, her beloved toy pressed firmly to her chest while her curly pigtails bounce about her small face.
He was following them, though they were nearly walking side by side. He was walking on the opposite sidewalk, throwing side-glances at them. And he just loved Makoto's contented expression. She looked so carefree and happy…
A black man came out of a bakery with a broom and started to sweep the floor in front of his establishment while singing…
"In a café, or sometimes in a crowded streetI've been near you, but you never noticed me."
It was funny… He doesn't want to admit it, but he's falling in love with her. And just the thought brought a smile of amusement to his face. He surely could spend most of his day just thinking about her, waiting for the moment he can come to see her. It was so new to him what he was experiencing, so different from anything he'd known before that this surely must be love.
Her memory was engraved in his mind ever since he first saw her… And it was kind of funny how she didn't know a thing about him, because they hadn't been introduced properly. But he followed her that day, silently, as he usually does his things.
He learned that she has a small café and that she's the guardian of her little sister. He also learned that she lives on the second floor of the building where she has her establishment and that her best friends are those who work for her, Mina and Amy.
And he learned that Duo was lurking her like a hawk to its prey, as well.
He didn't like that.
A red light stopped Makoto and Lita's course to the park momentarily. Makoto took the opportunity to bend and place the small backpack on Lita's shoulders. She straightened and looked up to the heavens, a little smile on her lips. The sun gave her hair a peachy tint and her skin looked flawlessly rosy, just like porcelain, under its warm rays.
Another smile crept its way to his lips…
My cherie amour, won't you tell me how could you ignoreThat behind that little smile I wore
How I wished that you were mine.
It was kind of ironic to be falling in love with someone who doesn't know even who you are. And, who knows? Maybe it's not love, per se, but admiration, though his admiration is reaching the borders of obsession. He's come to a point were he can't spend a day without seeing her…
Does that counts as love?
He doesn't know… and surely he doesn't know nor understand why he's following her. It seems his feet have a mind of his own and that his mind can no longer reason whenever she's brought to his memory.
He's not sure of the moment when he started to officially stalk her – as wrong as that may sound. But he couldn't help it. He felt like he was looking for something within her. As if she held an answer for some question he'd made and can't remember when he made it or doesn't understand it.
Besides, he hadn't come up with the nerve to go and introduce himself to her.
Every time he sees her, his chest fills up with warmth… and then, a pang of something resembling anger hits him. Why she angers him? Or is it something else, instead of anger?
They reached the park and he slowed his steps in order to keep he's presence low profile. He already knows the exact spot where she uses to sit and watch her sister play at the jungle gym. It's a tall oak tree that's not too far away from the playground where the little girl runs and jumps happily while greeting friends and making new ones. That little girl amuses him with her cheerfulness.
Makoto is seating, cross-legged, under the tree. Her big, heavy looking book placed between her crossed legs. She has a little notepad in one hand while she seems to be studying the large book. She often lifts her head and looks at the playground.
"Be careful there, Lita!" – he hears her.
"Yup!" – Lita answers, running to a slide, her curly pigtails flying behind her.
Makoto looks down to her book with a contented smile on her face.
He's not too far from her.
Where he is, he doesn't have to strain his ear to hear her. In fact, he's just a couple of feet away from her, seating on a bench with his face hidden behind a newspaper. Why is he doing that? Don't ask, because even he doesn't know why.
He's analyzing her, trying to figure out what's so special about her. He's scrutinizing her features. And he's a little crossed as to how much she looks like him. Why, she looks more like his sister – even more than Catherine! Her hair color is pretty much like his– though hers is a little more reddish and wavy. She has fairer skin, too. And she's tall and lithe as he is.
But that's just the general charm of her beauty. He came to know that her real beauty lies on that air of serenity she always carries and the way she smiles at others.
Just for a moment – nearly unconsciously – he wonders what it would be like to have her smile at him… and only him. To have her attention centered on him solely.
His eyes soften with the thought and a gentle, nearly imperceptible, smile grazes his lips. He's filling with warmth again… and then, that feeling resembling anger soon will come. Especially when he remembers that Duo is the one who has her smiles and her attention, and that the young man would be joining them in an hour or so.
"Look what I've got!" – he hears behind him.
A girl squeals excitedly…
"I love that song! La la la la la la, La la la la la la…"
Oh, no. Not again! Is this song following me today or what? – he thought.
It seems one of the girls had a portable radio with her, because he soon was hearing the damn song for a second time – in less than an hour.
The difference in this occasion was that he paid attention to the lyrics – why he did it? Don't ask; even he doesn't know why.
My cherie amour, lovely as a summer daySomehow, he felt that sounds true when he looked at Makoto…
My cherie amour, distant as the Milky WayWell, she surely is distant if she doesn't know who he is…
My cherie amour, pretty little one that I adoreYou're the only girl my heart beats for
How I wish that you were mine.
Makoto frowns slightly and presses her cherry lips into a tight line. She looks stressed, uncomfortable.
Does she feel him staring at her?
In a café or sometimes in a crowded street I've been near you, but you never noticed meOh, that one also sounds true! Although now…
My cherie amour, won't you tell me how could you ignoreThat behind that little smile I wore
How I wish that you were mine.
Does he really wish that? Is that why he feels… frustrated… whenever he thinks of Duo constantly around her?
She raises her head and looks about her. Her green eyes landed on him and she narrows them suspiciously just when he – unconsciously – tightens his grip on his newspaper. He lifts it a little higher and tried to look calm. She surely is affecting him when she actually makes him nervous.
Maybe someday, you'll see my face among the crowdSuddenly, he hears a rumble at the playground and his attention is caught momentarily. Two boys are fighting over a ball – none of them seems to want to free it. They are pulling and pushing and yelling at one another…
Someone stood before him, towering. This person clears his/her throat and yanks the newspaper from his hands.
Maybe someday, I'll share your little distant cloud"I knew it was you!" – the person says.
His eyes scanned up, noticing how this person puts her long and slender hands on her hips. And he knew it was a 'she' not just for her well rounded hips or pink polish on her nails, but for the lump that formed in his throat which told him who this person actually is. He swallows when he takes notice of her small waist, generous bosom and graceful neck. He felt giddy before he reached her face. He never noticed when he held his breath, and he had to blink in order to see her lovely face better. His heart was beating faster by the second…
What the hell is going on with me?!
He was face to face with Miss Makoto… and she's smiling down at him! And he's paralyzed, because she caught him on his stalking!
Oh, Cherie amour, pretty little one that I adoreYou're the only girl my heart beats for
How I wish that you were mine.
At least the song ended!
"You've been following me!"
He didn't know what to say – though she sounded anything but angry. She was smiling at him and had her big, heavy book under her arm while her pencil was placed behind her right ear. When she looked at his face, her smile widened and her eyes sparkled with recognition.
"You're that guy I bumped into the other day, don't you?!" – she asked.
He just nodded.
She arched a graceful eyebrow and shrugged, signaling with the gesture the space beside him on the bench.
"Mind if I sit by you?" – she asked.
He blinked.
She giggled while she sat beside him. Trowa, unconsciously, went stiff and held his breath.
"I was worried." – she was saying. –"I thought you were some kind of weirdo and…" – she looked at him and cocked an eyebrow. –"You're not a weirdo, aren't you?"
He just had to chuckle at that.
"Not that I know…" – he said, still chuckling softly and closing his eyes.
She tilts her head and furrows her eyebrows.
"Oh… ok, then." - she smiled.
"But I'm a very dangerous man…"
She did a double take on him. "Oh… WHAT?" – she asked, raising her hand in an attempt to cover herself while she slide to the far end of the bench.
He chuckled again and pointed a long, callused finger to the left breast of his black and sea green jacket. Makoto's widened green eyes followed the direction his finger showed. Her expression was one of worry, but soon curiosity won and she noticed the name on his breast.
"Barton…" - she whispered.
Then, her eyes noticed the insignia on his arm.
"A Preventer." – she said – "You're a Preventer?"
"Yes."
She smiled brightly at him. "I know someone who's a Preventer, too!" – she said excitedly. –"Maybe you know who he is…"
Trowa's insides turned to stone. Oh, sure I know who he is, he thought bitterly.
"His name is Duo Maxwell." – she said, smiling at him. Trowa thought he heard some distinct, soft intonation when she said his name. – "Do you know him?"
Trowa nodded once. "We work together." – he said, unable to stop the muscles around his jaw to tense.
"You do?! That's nice!" – she extended her hand at him. –"My name's Makoto. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Barton…"
"Trowa…"
"Huh?"
"My name. Is Trowa."
She raised her eyebrows and smiles at him. "Oh!" – then she giggles. – "Trowa…" – she repeated, smiling at him.
He liked the way his name sounded coming from her lips.
He took her hand in his bigger, capable one and squeezed it gently, instead of the usual shake. She blinked and looked stunned for a moment, but she smiled at him again.
He took notice of how soft and warm her hands are. She has the kind of hands that have long, elegant fingers, but with puffy in the pads like baby's hands. Her skin was warm and comforting.
He didn't release her hand soon after his curious "handshake". And she didn't seem to mind at all. An aura of peacefulness enveloped her and seemed to reach out and cover him. He felt calm and contented with just being near her and have her hand between his.
"Mako! Mako!"
Makoto blinked and retrieved her hand, looking forward to smile at her little sister. Her green eyes sparkled like two stars in a midnight sky.
"Yes, Sweetie…"
Lita came running to her when she heard her voice, her arms outstretched and a big smile on her face. Makoto noticed she had her face smudged with mud.
"What were you doing, Lita?" – she asked, picking the excited little girl and seating her on her lap. –"You've got yourself dirty!"
Lita giggled and swung her legs, full of enthusiasm.
"Lookie!" – she showed Makoto a handful of semi-crushed wildflowers. – "For you!"
"No. I'm not gonna buy it this time, Lita. You went hunting for butterflies again…" – Makoto said, looking inside her pockets and then, Lita's backpack. –"I told you not to go hunting for butterflies… where are my Kleenex?!"
"Here." – Trowa said, producing a handkerchief.
"Oh, thanks." – she said, smiling. – "But it'll get soiled."
"Don't worry…"
She took the handkerchief and their hands lingered for a second. Makoto cleared her throat. "I'll wash it, ok?"
He nodded, looking intensely at her without knowing. She didn't know that he was looking forward to see her again. She blushed and smiled sheepishly.
Lita, finally acknowledging him, looked over her shoulder and saw Trowa. The little girl narrowed her eyes at him, while Makoto damped the handkerchief with her tongue and started to wipe her face.
"Who's he, Mako?" – Lita asked throwing a side-glance at him, since Makoto kept pulling her face.
"A friend… look at me and stand still!"
Lita scowled and stood still until Makoto finished cleansing her face. Then, she threw herself at her sister and hugged her tightly by the throat, her flowers getting even more crushed between her and Makoto. She looked at Trowa, with narrowed verdant eyes and a deep frown on her face.
For a moment, Trowa didn't know what to do. He's never been the kind of person who tries to win someone's approval. Frankly, he doesn't give a damn if he wins or not someone's approval. But with Lita's fierce gaze on him – and the fact that she's Makoto's little sister – made him very uncomfortable.
"She has a boyfriend, y'know?!" – Lita blurted out.
Trowa blinked and snapped his head to his left to looked at the girl.
Makoto's eyes widened.
The atmosphere turned tense for a moment. Trowa felt uneasy and had his stomach churning on a pool of acid when his mind registered that this 'boyfriend' was no other than Duo. Lita's eyes were fixed on him, daring and with such fierceness, that he thought he was looking at an adult instead of a young girl. Soon the anger receded and uneasiness won. She managed to give him the creeps when he saw that look on her eyes. She certainly didn't look like a kid then. She reminded him of…
Who?
Now, he was also confused.
But Makoto lightened the mood when she laughed. "Now Duo's my boyfriend?" – she asked with laughter dancing in her eyes.
Lita's eyes softened and she looked up to her sister's smiling face.
"I thought he was your boyfriend, not mine." – Makoto finished laughing softly.
Lita giggled. "I'll lend him to you!" – she said.
Makoto laughed.
Trowa couldn't be a part of the joyful moment. His insides were hard like stone and he set his jaw to endure the bitter taste that filled his mouth.
"Now, be a good girl and tell the young man what's your name, ok?"
Lita nodded. "My name is Lita Kino and I'm " – she took one hand and forced her thumb and pink to flex, forming the three sign and she joyfully showed her chubby hand at him –" And I'm three years old!"
Trowa nodded. "My name is Trowa." – he said, failing to sound cheerful.
Lita frowned and took one flower she still has on her lap. She raises it to him and… suddenly… something quite magical happened.
Lita's flower, which had its stem broken and its petals were starting to wilt, sparked full of color. Its broken stem became a steady one, supporting with pride its lush petals.
Trowa blinked. His heart started to race full speed in his chest…
He looked back at Lita's face and – for a moment – the little girl's face was replaced for that of a young woman with bright green eyes and fiery red hair. She had on a lovely headdress of flowers and a lilac robe.
His heart beats faster and his sight blurred. He had to close his eyes for a moment and breath in deeply.
I love you… love you… love you, a female voice whispered to him like a long forgotten memory.
"Don't be sad…" – Lita voice brought him back from his reverie.
The little girl placed a hand over his and giggled. "You're funny!" – she said turning and crawling over his thighs. She kneeled over his lap and took his face between her small hands with a serious expression on her face. She placed her palms on his temples and looked deep into his eyes, smiling at him. –"You won't make Mommy sad…" – she whispered and it sounded more like an order than a question.
Trowa blinked, confused. Again, he felt uneasy and his sight filled with bright patches that blinded him for a second.
Makoto flushed in embarrassment.
"Lita!" – she admonished.
"Because Duo makes Mommy sad…" – Lita continued.
"Lita!"
Trowa frowned slightly.
"Duo?" – he asked, a little confused. –"He makes your mother sad?"
Lita nodded.
"Uh-huh. He makes Mako cry! He doesn't want to take her out!"
"Oh, God!" – Makoto said, hiding her face behind her hands. – "Please, Earth, swallow me!"
Trowa took a guess there…
"I believe Makoto is your 'mother'" – he said.
Lita frowned and shook her head.
"No, she's my big sis…"
"Lita!"
Now Trowa frowned.
"… But I call her 'Mommy'"
"Shut up!"
"Oh…" – Trowa whispered.
"He hadn't ask her out and she's sad…"
"Oh, boy! Lita, shut up, please!" – Makoto said, red as a beet.
It was Trowa's turn to turn red.
"Would you ask her out?" – Lita asked.
Trowa's cheek flushed crimson. Never in his life did he imagine something like this would happen to him! His ears were warm and he didn't dare glance at Makoto.
And speaking of Makoto, the older girl stood and grabbed the younger one from Trowa's lap. She didn't look at him, but he saw that she was flushed. Somehow, he found that charming…
"That's enough, Lita. We're going home, now!"
"But we just got here! And why, Mommy? I didn't do something wrong…"
Makoto cleared her throat and took a quick side-glance at Trowa and found him smiling at her. She flushed even more, embarrassed.
"Good bye, Mr. Barton" – she said in a rush, taking Lita's hand in her and starting to walk hurriedly. –"See you soon!" – she called back.
Trowa found himself standing up and following her with long strides. She was all but running out of the park. He had to jog in order to catch up to her. Lita was bouncing beside her, nearly running on the tip of her toes to be able to keep up.
"I'll do it" – he said.
"You do?" – Lita asked.
Makoto looked at him, her eyes wide and her skin pale. She never stopped or slowed her steps.
"Do what?" – she asked, cautious.
Trowa looked deep into Makoto's eyes…
"I'll ask you out…" – he said and made it sound so casual that Makoto raised her eyebrows and looked at him with her mouth wide open.
"YAY!" – Lita rejoiced, jumping on the balls of her feet and clapping.
Makoto paled for a moment. Trowa saw her press her lips and look down, her cheeks turning crimson once more. And he didn't know if it was out of embarrassment or pride, but…
"No." – she said flatly, and she stopped momentarily, looking at him straight in the eye. –"I'm sorry my sister made you believe that…"
"I don't mind" – he said, and his monotone voice seemed to make things worse.
Not only did Makoto was embarrassed, but now she was offended. His voice made things sound as if he didn't mind how humiliating the scene was for her. It looked like he was feeling sorry for her and was accepting to do her a favor as if she was a dying virginal girl… the whole thing just vexed her!
"Well, then, sir, I do mind. I'm not asking you any favors so don't try to do any for me. I'm very capable of finding my own dates. If you excuse me…"
"My friend is planning a get-together and we…"
"No_thank_ you!"
She started to get out of the park, but this time it was Trowa who stopped her. He grabbed her by the arm and she whirled, furious, just to smack her nose on his chest.
"Ow!" – she said, bringing a hand to her nose.
"I'm sorry…" – he said, his voice tickling her forehead.
She looked up and saw herself reflected inside eyes that have a very similar color to her own. She noticed how handsome he was.
His eyes were big, but held certain degree of melancholy inside of them, as if he's seem and went through many sad things. Those eyes made her feel sympathy towards him. But that sympathy was replaced with nervousness when his eyes seem to open up and enlarge as if he was trying to take her inside of him, memorize her every detail.
She looked down, flustered, and her long eyelashes fluttered gracefully to her cheeks.
The rest of his features were just as stunning as his eyes. She got a glimpse of his long, strong nose that slants a little bit at the end, his generous lips, and his strong body. He was well-built, looking as if he was capable to protect her from any harm with just encircling her in his strong arms. That made her feel small and fragile…and he's also taller than her!
But he isn't Duo, she thought, crash landing on the land of the living. How much she wished it were Duo the one in front of her, instead of this young, attractive man. But it seems Duo isn't interested in her - at least, not romantically.
She cleared her throat and tried to move away. But this young man seemed unable to give up. He held her arm and said…
"I'm not asking because I want to do you a favor." – he said and his voice was deep and his warm breath brushed her forehead for a second time that day.
She looked up and met his eyes. His expression softened somehow…
- … Not so far away, behind a tree, a got a glimpse of his golden robe… he was playing his flute… It's been so long since I last saw him…
Makoto blinked…
"I'm asking you because I would like to know you, to be near you…" – he whispered.
Lita frowned, confused, and looked from Makoto to Trowa, then from Trowa to Makoto.
Makoto was about to answer him when…
"Oh, yeah, Trowa?" – Duo's husky voice reverberated.
Makoto turned and looked at a very angry Duo Maxwell. The braided young man was
scowling fiercely – a straightforward promise of murder if Trowa got nearer to Makoto. His indigo eyes darkened and then narrowed threateningly at the other young man, and his jaw tensed, setting his lips into a straight line. He crossed his arms over his chest and shot a glare towards Trowa…
"So you wanna go out with my girl?" – Duo asked.
A.N. 2 ~ This format sucks!