Disclaimer: I don't own Xenosaga or its characters.
Chapter XIII: Let Me Hold You
Park
Albedo led Momo out of the school to the park. Other than discussing how things were at school they walked in comfortable silence. Each were in their own thoughts. Albedo was wondering what he should say to her on their date. Momo was wondering why he even asked her in the first place. And why he wanted to be so secretive about it.
"Um, Momo?" said Albedo, breaking the silence. "Do you want to eat something? Since we pretty much threw our lunch away at school."
She giggled remembering the food fight. "Okay. What do you want to eat?"
"Well, there's a small café in the city. Rubedo, Nigredo and I sometimes go there. After we have lunch we can come back here."
Momo nodded in agreement as they walked toward the shuttle that led towards the city.
xXx
Moby Dick's Café
"Here it is." Albedo said stopping outside the quaint structure.
Momo looked at the neon sign underneath a whale image which read, Moby Dick's Cafe. "This place looks pretty old inside," she said looking through the modern glass doors. "Not many buildings are made out of wood anymore."
"That's true. I guess people like reminiscing the old days. But their curry is really good."
"Really? I love curry!" Momo exclaimed.
As they went inside a middle-aged man appeared at the counter. "Hello there, Albedo. I haven't seen you brothers –ah–" he said as he noticed Momo, "I see you have brought a friend. Welcome to Moby Dick's."
"The pleasure is mine, Mr…" Momo trailed off.
"The name's Boss. I've been working here for 20 years in this grand place. Modern on the outside, gold old-fashioned inside. The thing is—"
"Honestly, Boss. Will you stop with those boring, old speeches? You'll scare the customers away." A woman said carrying a platter of curry.
"Ms. Uzuki!" The two kids exclaimed in surprise.
"Hello to you too, Albedo and Momo." Shion said smiling.
"I didn't know you worked here." Momo said.
"It's a part-time job," said Shion. "I used to come here when I was a kid. I fell in love with this place the minute I—"
"Look who's lecturing now, Shion." Boss said crossing his arms in mock annoyance. The two adults burst into laughter.
"I don't mean to be rude," started Albedo, "but may we order our food, please?"
"Oh yes." Shion said taking out a small notebook and pen. "What would you and the miss like to have?"
"Curry for two is fine." Albedo said.
"What about drinks?"
"Mineral water would be nice." Momo replied.
"Alright your order will come in ten." Shion said scurrying to the kitchen.
"So what do you think of Second Miltia, Momo?" Albedo asked.
"It's wonderful." Momo replied. "The city, the school, and the people."
"That's good to hear." He said half-awake. He was watching Momo as she ate. Bringing the silver spoon filled with curry up to her pretty, peach lips. Her innocent honey-gold eyes were shining. And her short, pink hair bobbed as she lowered her head towards the spoon.
When she finished he noticed him gazing at her dreamily. She looked at him with a confused expression on her face. Albedo's violet eyes were clouded over in a trancelike state. His tousled snowy hair fell in his eyes. She found herself blushing slightly.
"How was the curry?" Boss interrupted. "Pretty good, huh? It's my dream to spread this recipe throughout the universe."
"It's delicious." Momo said snapping Albedo out of his reverie.
Shion with an annoyed expression on her face yanked Boss toward an unoccupied corner.
"Excuse us for a moment." He said.
"What's the big idea? You ruined the moment." Shion snapped.
"What moment?" He asked then it occurred to him. "Oh I see." Boss said with a knowing glint in his eye.
xXx
After the two paid and left, they decided to head back to the park.
"What time is it now?" Momo wondered.
"It's only 4:00 p.m. We have plenty of time to enjoy ourselves." Albedo responded.
They chose to sit on a secluded bench underneath a large willow tree. The shade kept them cool despite the blazing hot weather. Momo decided this was the time to question him on what he said earlier.
"What was it that you wanted to tell me Albedo?" She asked.
"What question?" He said dumbly. Momo wasn't sure whether he was lying or he truly didn't know.
"You know, when you asked me out on this date. And you didn't want anybody else to know."
"Oh, that. It's kinda hard to explain."
"Please tell me Albedo." Momo pleaded. "You don't have to be shy. I won't tell anybody."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
After a moment he sighed. "I—I like you."
"What?" She said as if puzzled by the answer. "I like you too."
"I mean I really like you, Momo." He clarified, trying to get her to understand.
"Possibly love you…" Albedo whispered softly.
A normal human couldn't have heard those words, but to Momo it sounded like a wake-up call. She gasped in pleasant surprise but said nothing. Instead Momo blushed furiously and turned her head away bashfully. She noticed an increase in his body temperature and heartbeat. Tension filled the air.
The two did nothing for a moment. Gazing at the ground in embarrassment. Momo laid a hand to her heart. As if she could touch the warm feeling she felt when he said those words. She remembered feeling similar when he had been there for her during the fight. Momo had always thought of him as the most innocent and shy one of his brothers.
Suddenly Albedo took her hand and pulled her towards him in an embrace.
"Albedo…I," She started.
"Shh…just let me hold you for a while."
Momo relaxed in his embrace and rested her head on his chest. Does this mean I like him too? I'll ask Sakura later. Shethought before closing her eyes.
xXx
Hospital
Jr. hid under the nurse's desk holding a bouquet of flowers and a chocolate heart. Since they wouldn't allow him in Sakura's room at the time, he would have to sneak in. Their policy was non-family members were only allowed on weekends. He tried lying and saying he was her long-lost brother but family profiles prevented that.
What a load of crap, He thought. I am practically family to her.
Just when the secretary turned her attention away to speak to someone, Jr. sprinted down the hall into the elevator and snuck into a nurse's cart.
Luckily this thing is covered, He thought relieved.
The nurse then began to tug the cart towards Sakura's room. "Ugh. When did the equipment become so heavy?" She heaved it towards the door and left it outside.
When she left, Jr. tumbled out of the equipment cart with his gifts and scrambled inside the room before he was seen.
"Phew, I'm finally outta there." He sighed in relief.
He then walked over to Sakura's bedside to find her asleep.
"Bad timing, huh?" He said placing his gifts on the night table.
Jr. smiled at her resting form. She looked so peaceful regardless of the IV tube on her wrist and bandages everywhere. It was mid-afternoon now. He planned on staying there an hour or two for Sakura to wake up naturally. Who could wake up someone so angelic?
Just as he leaned in to steal a kiss, Sakura's eyes fluttered open. He yelped in surprise and fell onto one of the guest couches.
"Mmm…Rubedo?" She said sleepily.
"The one and only." He replied pulling up the chair to her bedside.
"Rubedo, you're here! I've been waiting forever." She exclaimed squeezing him tightly.
"Uh–easy Sakura. Don't strain yourself." Or me, he thought.
"Sorry. I'm just so happy to see you." She smiled releasing him.
"Me too, Sakura. I miss having you at school. It's been two weeks already."
"True. But I have good news. The doctor said I can be out by tomorrow evening."
"Really? That's great." Jr. said. "Oh yeah here are some presents I brought you."
He gave her the heart-shaped box of chocolates and bouquet of cherry blossoms.
"These are beautiful Rubedo." She murmured through the flowers.
"Not as beautiful as you." He gushed taking a blossom and placing it in her hair. "In fact, you make the flower more pretty."
She giggled and said, "You're so sweet Rubedo." Before kissing him on the cheek lovingly.
He blushed as red as his hair, touching the place where her lips were.
"Hey what are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to leave?" An angry looking nurse stood at the door.
"Well…err…I gotta go Sakura. See you tomorrow!" Jr. said and dashed down the hall. With the fuming nurse following suit.
Review Replies:
Leoth: Well there you have it. I think Albedo & Momo go well in this story.
Lady Nightmare: Hope you were satisfied with the Albedo/Momo in this chapter so far.
Devilman666: Yep. I made Albedo slightly OOC so the pairing would work out better. I wanted to try something else than the traditional Jr./Momo. Besides if Sakura was alive, he would've most likely paired up with her anyway.
