Opening Up

Canon scenes happen like normal

"Regular speech"

'Thought'

Christina

Christina made her way to the cafeteria, happy Lichty was willing to cover the double shift she was supposed to be covering. 'It's so sweet he is willing to help me.' Lichty had always been nice to her, but it's a shame she wasn't into him. Lichty would make a great boyfriend to someone. She chuckled, internally wishing him luck for a long upcoming shift. At least it was slow right now, as Veda was gathering info for new missions, leaving the bridge to just collect data and analyze it.

She smiled to herself, humming quietly as she held the hand grip guiding her along the ship. She wondered how Feldt was doing. The girl said she wasn't feeling great, so Christina had agreed to cover for her. 'I wonder what is going on.' She hadn't seen Feldt ever try to get out of her shift before, so she probably wasn't faking. 'She seems to be too focused on getting work done, if I have to be honest.' Christina had to force Feldt from not doing preparations for the Moralia mission by shopping. She had already done the preparations and Feldt deserved to relax. 'Not to mention getting her cute clothes.'

She reached the door of the cafeteria, opening it up to only see Lockon sitting at the table. Getting a tray of food, she sat down and grinned at him, "Hey Lockon, how's it going? Happy to be back in space?"

Lockon just smiled back, "In all honesty, I prefer being on Earth, but the Dynames needed some tune ups, so I guess I'm here. Wish the food was better though."

"You got that right. The food back on Earth was great, especially the coffee. We should complain. Maybe Veda will listen."

Lockon just shook his head good-naturedly, "As much as I hope that would happen, I don't think Veda would do that."

Christina just sighed, "Yeah, but a girl can dream." She then gave the brown-haired man a curious look, "So on the boat, did you see Feldt and Setsuna?" 'If he says no, then I can just laugh it off. If he says yes, then maybe he can help. He is a Gundam meister like Setsuna.'

Lockon just grinned back at her, "Well I suppose I did. Why do you ask? It seems like a strange question to ask."

Christina looked at him conspiratorially, "Well they looked nice and friendly, and I was hoping I wasn't the only one who saw that."

Lockon laughed, "I can agree they certainly look way more friendly than normal. I think I saw Setsuna blush even."

Christina looked at him excitedly, "I know! They have a natural chemistry." She gave have him a mischievous grin, "I was thinking that maybe they could use a nice…push to help them. They do look cute together."

Lockon shook his head slightly, "I get where you are going with this, but I think you are moving a bit too fast."

She looked at him, confused, "What do you mean?"

He let out a sigh, "Both of them are just kids and not very social kids at that." Christina nodded at that and Lockon continued, "So if you are trying to get them together as a couple, that is a step I don't think either is ready for. Setsuna doesn't even understand what a girlfriend is, so you can't rush this."

Christina was shocked. 'He didn't know what a girlfriend was? How could that be?' She put a finger under her chin. 'And Feldt probably doesn't know what a boyfriend is?' She looked at Lockon, a bit deflated, "Well that's disappointing. Both of them don't seem to get what romance is or a relationship like that." She pouted, "I guess that plan wouldn't work."

He smirked, "It might work."

She slammed her hands on the table, "Will the plan work or not!"

Lockon shrugged, confusing her, "Listen, I'm not saying you can't try. All I'm saying is they need to become friends first and figure that out. If you can help encourage Feldt, then I'll work with Setsuna. The kid is thick-headed, but he's softened a bit, so there is hope."

Christina felt hope rising inside of her. 'I wish it could happen now. But he does have a point.' While it would take time, she knew it could be possible. No, it was possible. Feldt seemed to naturally lean towards Setsuna when they talked and if anyone on the crew could understand him, it would probably be Feldt. She also noticed that Feldt seemed to be a bit happier after spending time with Setsuna. She had no idea what the two did together, but whatever it was, it seemed to be working. 'Maybe I should try to get to know Setsuna or at least see what he does in private. There's some kind part of him if he acts that way around Feldt that he doesn't seem to show anyone else. I bet it was Lockon who told Setsuna to ask me for Feldt's clothing size.'

She grinned at Lockon, "Ok, I think I can do that. I can encourage Feldt to open up to Setsuna a bit. Maybe talk about her past with him if need be."

Lockon smirked at her, "Now isn't that against the rules? I thought Veda said that wasn't allowed." Christina could tell that he thought the rule was a bit silly by the tone of his voice.

Christina rolled her eyes, "What Veda doesn't know won't hurt it. As long as it doesn't interfere with the mission, I don't see that being an issue. And besides, there must be some families in this organization, given the long development of the Gundams. There must have been older models."

Lockon chuckled at her response, "I suppose that makes sense. I wonder if anyone on the crew is from the organization from birth."

Christina shrugged her shoulders, taking a bite of her food, "Even if there was, it's not like we would find out." Christina gave Lockon a determined look, offering her hand to him, "So, are we partners in this endeavor?"

Lockon gave her a firm handshake, his eyes shining with mirth, "I think I can agree to that. What do we call this little operation?"

Christina retracted her hand, tilting her head in thought, "Hmm…maybe Operation Matchmaker?"

Lockon just shook his head, "I would call that cliché, but I've got nothing better. Let Operation Matchmaker begin!" He then grinned at Christina, "And since we are partners in this, you can call me Neil."

Feldt

Feldt could feel the tears flowing down her face as she looked out of the window of her room. Even after all the years since her parents died, it always hit her hard when the anniversary of their death came up. She missed them so much, not having a real chance to get to know them. She had been raised by various members of Celestial Being, Ian's wife being a primary caretaker, but even then, she had been focused on mobile suit development, so Feldt had effectively grown up in the shadow of Celestial Being, a tiny cog in the machine.

She didn't even have a picture of her parents. She remembered flashes of blonde and red hair, kind smiles and warmth. She felt more tears flow down her cheeks at the fact that she wished she had anything to remember them by, but Veda hadn't allowed that, not even telling her how they died or anyone that was on their team. She desperately wished to know but knew she would make no progress on that. So she would keep writing letters, hoping they were getting them, wherever they were.

As the tears began to die down, she heard a knock at her door and Setsuna's muted voice from behind it, "Are you there Feldt? I was told you weren't feeling well."

Feldt wiped the tears from her eyes, her voice a still a bit choked up, "I'm…" She cut herself off, realizing that they were in private and it might be nice to talk to someone about it. The fact she trusted him only added to that. She cleared her throat, "You can come in if you want."

Setsuna replied evenly, "Ok." The door slid open and Setsuna entered the room, looking at her with some concern. 'He must have realized I was crying.' He spoke softly to her, "Are you ok? You look like you've been crying."

She looked into his eyes, his worry causing her heart to race, "I just…it's just a tough day for me is all."

Setsuna moved closer to her, leaning on the railing of the window, "Tough day on the bridge because you are sick? Or is it something else?"

Feldt looked down, mentally preparing herself before looking back up at Setsuna, "Today is the anniversary of my parent's death."

Setsuna looked at her kindly, asking, "Who were they?"

She answered, "They were two of the previous generations Gundam meisters."

Setsuna's eyes widened at that, "You are the daughter of Gundam meisters?" She nodded at that. 'That must be why she asked about piloting a gundam when she first talked to me.' He continued, "Do you know how they died?"

Feldt could feel the tears begin to come back at the mention of that, but she resisted them, Setsuna's presence helping her, "I don't know. Veda kept it secret, only telling me the day they died. I tried to ask, but it said it was classified."

Setsuna frowned at that, "How old were you when it happened?"

"I was only four."

Setsuna let out a breath, "You were so young. I'm sorry you lost your parents so young." Feldt could see him frown slightly at that, looking like he understood the feeling. 'What happened to his parents? If he was here, his life probably wasn't happy.'

Her eyes shined with curiosity, "Are your parents…"

Setsuna nodded, his voice quiet, "They died when I was a child." Feldt could tell that there was more to this story, but Setsuna looked like he didn't want to talk about it.

Feldt looked at Setsuna softly, "I'm sorry you lost your parents. I guess that makes two of us." 'I'm happy he understands.'

Setsuna nodded in agreement, "I'm…happy you are here on the crew. I think you are making your parents proud."

Feldt blushed, smiling, "Thank you. I think they would have liked to meet you if they were alive."

Setsuna nodded, smiling slightly, "I would have liked to meet them too."

Feldt looked down, giggling. When she looked up, she saw Setsuna blushing slightly, him trying to resist smiling, "Why are you blushing?"

Setsuna looked away bashfully, "I have never heard you do that before. It's…cute."

Feldt blushed even more, looking down at the ground in embarrassment. She could feel her cheeks burning and her heart raced. 'I…why is he making me feel this way? Are friends supposed to do this?' She was left confused, yet it felt nice and she wanted to bask in the feeling. She looked up at Setsuna pleadingly, "Setsuna, I know you don't like touching, but can I…?" She moved her hand close to him, not sure how he would answer. She looked up into his brownish-red eyes, not knowing what to expect. 'He has nice eyes.'

Setsuna looked at her deep in thought for several seconds before cautiously speaking, "Alright, just please give me a bit to relax." Feldt nodded, slowly moving her hand under Setsuna's hand on the railing. She could feel him tensing, but not pushing her away. As she wrapped her hand around his, the warmth from touching him caused her heart to race again, a smile unconsciously coming to her face. She closed her eyes, basking in an intimacy she hadn't felt in a long time.

After several seconds, she could feel him relax and she glanced up at him with one eye. He was smiling warmly, making him look younger than he usually looked. He always looked so serious, like he wasn't a teenager, but as he relaxed, he looked like he should. 'He looks…cute. I want to see him smile like this more.' She unconsciously moved closer to him, leaning her head on his shoulder. He tensed for a second again, but relaxed quickly. The two sat in comfortable silence, Feldt feeling a peace she hadn't really known before coming over her. Physical intimacy like this was…nice. While she hadn't expected Setsuna say yes to this, she wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

She spoke up quietly, "Thank you. You make me happier just being around you. I like having friends on this ship." She looked up at him, their eyes meeting, "Please be careful. I don't want to lose you, like I lost my parents." She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear with her free hand, squeezing Setsuna's hand with her other one.

Setsuna gave her an even look before nodding, "I will try my best to stay alive, and protect you and the rest of the crew. I promise I will always come back." Feldt's heart skipped a beat when he specified her first. 'Why am I reacting so strongly? And why did it feel like my heart skipped a beat?' There were so many questions in her mind, but now was not the time. 'Maybe I can ask Christina. She understands things like this better.'

A tear rolled down Feldt's cheek as she responded, "I'll hold you to that." Feldt closed her eyes again, the comfortable silence descending over both of them. They stayed that way for a few minutes before they heard the ship alarm go off. They looked at each other again and she spoke evenly, "You better get to the Exia."

Setsuna nodded, "Will do." As he was about to let go of her hand, she squeezed it one last time, regretfully letting go. She watched him leave her room and she steeled herself. She would stay alive, not just for the crew or her parents, but for him. If he would be there for her, she would be there for him.

Setsuna

As Setsuna left Feldt's room, he reflected on everything that had happened. He was surprised by the fact that her parents were Gundam pilots. It made sense there were previous Gundam meisters, but the fact that one of their kids was on the crew was a pleasant surprise. Feldt was more than that, but it only added to his understanding of her. 'She knew the sacrifice of being a meister and the risk that they went through.' He wished he could have met them, but he couldn't change the past. 'Just like I can't change I own.' He also sympathized with her loss of her parents. It couldn't have been easy for her to grow up without them. Just like him. 'Should I tell her more about my past?' She had opened up to him, so it was worth considering. He'd have to think on this. He also wondered why his heart raced around her and he blushed when she was being cute, but that wasn't important now.

On top of learning about Feldt's past, he had willingly let her touch him. While he certainly had been hesitant, he knew she wouldn't hurt him and she had even asked him first. She was kind and thoughtful, never intruding into his boundaries without asking. It had also felt nice, and it was relaxing, even if his heart raced when she held his hand and rested her head on his shoulders. She looked so peaceful and he didn't want to disturb her. He had been unable to resist smiling looking at her. There was something about her that drew him towards her. On top of being friendly and kind, she just had an aura that made him relax and open up. It made him feel happy that she was like this around him and not like this around other people. He hadn't felt a connection like this with someone in a long time.

'She was a friend. A true friend.' It was a realization that had hit him in the middle of their conversation. He wanted to protect her and make sure she was happy. This was different from his old friends in the KPSA, as they were soldiers alongside him, but she was no less important. She asked him to be more careful and he would. He knew how vulnerable she had been when she asked him that and he wouldn't willingly break that. He would come back. After every mission. Not only to change the world, but so Feldt had a friend to rely on. He needed her and she needed him. She didn't deserve to lose more important people and he didn't plan on dying. 'But first I need to keep everyone safe.'

Author Note

And that's chapter 4! I hoped you like the cuteness! I'll see you guys next week and please review and comment! Also if you don't want to leave a public review, feel free to send me a private message.