Chapter 20
-That was unexpected - Eagle said.
-What, that the new princess of Cefiro could not wait two more weeks to born, or that Geo finally declared his love and kissed Tatra? - Said his fiancé with a nervous laugh, but more recovered from all the shock that Fuu's early delivery had caused on her birthday party celebration that despite her advanced state of pregnancy ended attending. That moment was follow by the long awaited declaration and request of hand from Geo, he could be cautious with his love life, but once he was decided he was not someone who would beat around the bush. Already both had waited too long.
Now that everything was fine and the new family rested in one of the palace rooms, Umi had gone to one of the many balconies to take a little break followed by the commander. He embraced her from behind and he took a deep breath to fill his lungs with her fragrance. She leaned on his chest and brought her hands over his feeling the almost imperceptible grunt of satisfaction that escaped from the throat of her commander, she smiled closing her eyes en enjoying the moment.
-I do not think it bothered Geo to share his future wife with the little one – he spoke. She did not need to see him to know he was smiling, both were very happy for the sub-commander – although, one must plan these things a bit better - he approached with delicacy to her ear - I do not want to share your birthday or the ones of our children with nobody - he had practically whispered, obtaining a giggle from answer.
-There are still two months to begging our married live, and you already are thinking on getting me pregnant?
-Well, eventually it is going to happen, besides - he made his voice deeper - I know that I will love practicing.
-Eagle - she chided, pushing gently his arm while smiling. Those flirtations were quite frequent when they were alone – Why Is that men do not think of anything else? - She said cocking her head to look him in the eyes.
-What? - He said with feigned innocence. - It will be part of my marital duties and you know that the military are fanatics of duty - he said in the most solemn tone. - I could also make it nice for you. – starting to kiss her at the base of her soft neck.
-You are incorrigible - she said, closing her eyes and reaching for his hair for hold. For a while, she did not attempt to break the contact, until finally she turned around. A clear grumble of protest was hear but she did not paid attention to it. She just looked straight into those amber eyes that she loved grinning at him as she put her arms around his neck and pressing her body against his. Immediately she could feel like his body tensed a little, which only increased her smile. "That man was hers" - you have never been able to stop playing with fire - her look was intense
-Look who's talking - his raspy voice just a whisper, he did not stop enjoying the feeling of heat created by her curves that were provoking in him. - Are you sure that you and Hikaru don't have wrong of element? – That had sounded like him.
He could not say anything else because she gave him a quick kiss and took advantage of his momentary distraction to steal one of his gloves. Still stunned, he watched how Umi took his bare hand in hers and bestowed kiss after kiss on every part of scared skin a reminder of old burns. – Do you still think that something like this will stop me? I love your hands, can't you understand it? – She would have continued a little more with the moment, but Eagle caught her chin with his free-gloved hand and lifted softly her face to look directly into blue eyes that returned his look without blinking full of adoration for him. He returned the gloved hand to her waist to pull her closer and caressed her face with the hand she had taken prisoner moments before.
-I think I am a very bad influence for you.
-Awful I would say- she spoke tenderly as she took hold of his neck again. There was no need for more words for Eagle to lean towards her and steal a kiss.
-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-
Autozam: 6 years before
It was not too late, they had actually retired quite early from the party, but even so, they the streets of Autozam were practically deserted. This was not odd, to save energy the heating of each city was reduced 30% during the night and although one could not said that the streets were frozen, the temperature difference was there. As they were walking next to each other neither of them noticed this, however, when they were already halfway, Umi did perceive the change. Probably it was because of her bare shoulders or the fact that they were passing through open area, precisely the park that her commander liked so much. Either way, a chill went down her back. She did not mention anything and forced herself to control her body from trembling, her only concern was Eagle, after that she could warm up in her own room. Despite her thoughts, she soon felt a cloak on her shoulders covering her too, along with him.
-You look lovely, but those clothes are not for walking outside at this time. Forgive me for not doing it sooner. I am an inconsiderate.
-There is nothing to forgive, silly - she looked at him sweetly. - Thank you - They had walked arm in arm all the time, but for some reason that simple gesture made her feel more closer to him.
There was again that feeling. Actually, she had not stopped feeling it since the very moment they meet again it just had been increasing slowly since his invitation. At first she did not even knew what to reply to his question. Her voice did not wanted to come out and her brain had proven to be quite slow to process the information that this cheeky, but adorable and also VERY attractive commander, wanted her to be his partner in the formal celebration of his victory, just like a date. He did not move a muscle until he heard her answer. She would never forget his face first of relief and then his smile when finally she managed to tell him that she did want to go with him. She had felt so silly and happy at same time…
- Did I make you very nervous?
-Excuse?
- When you invited me and I kept quiet, did I make you very nervous? – She looked at him studying every detail of his face - you looked so relieved when I said yes...
-You scared me a little - he admitted – "A little… is how I describe myself feeling my blood froze in my veins, panic would be a better description but she doesn't need to know" thought Eagle for himself before continuing- By Geo, it must be clear for you my tendency to flee from this type of situations. I had never invited someone before and seeing you were not giving any reply….
-I am so sorry... – she began to apologize.
- ... I thought that I had done something to upset you or that you did not know how tell me no – honestly, he had been terrified of a possible rejection - so strange was for me to invite you?
-I wasn't expect it that's all ... You did not do anything wrong just ... - Now it was him who studied her face carefully and paid attention to each pause and change in her voice tones Finally he saw her release a sigh of defeat - I'm sorry, I do not know what happened either - she looked at the ground on her feet.
- Hey - he stopped the walk and delicately took her by the chin to raise her face. She looked confused and slightly embarrassed. - You do not have to ask me sorry for anything you are right, I am a dumbass. All was very sudden and I really do not know how to do these things.
-You are not ... well ... sometimes - they laughed and resumed their walk. – I was nervous, I had never been someone's date at a ballroom dance much less had an invitation on the same day of said event...
-I wanted to do it when we saw the tournament together, but...
-I fell asleep - she gave her an apologetic smile – It was my fault for not letting you know in advance about my visit.
-I am surprised my father helped you.
-I was going to tell you, all this was his idea - the confusion was draw in his face - All my new clothes, which I appreciate, because really, I would not have known what to do with nothing to wear for this. - She looked genuinely mortified - I would not have known what to choose and I would have for sure, left you in shame.
She had barely finished that sentence when Eagle erupted in loud laughter and shortly released his arm from her to hold his stomach, he was laughing so hard. She stopped to see how he was making serious efforts to recover the composure without achieving it very well. Keeping up like this it was a miracle that he still could breathe. It was probably the need for air in his lungs that forced him to stop his laugh. Even so, one or another rebellious smile tried to escape and when he managed to calm down and rise again, he had to dry a few tears of his eyes. Umi looked at him as if he had gone mad.
-Shame? You to me? -He could not be more amused – In case you have not noticed milady you did manage to catch several looks tonight in that dance.
-Well, its only natural If you enter a ballroom on the arm of a decorated commander…
-They were not looking at me - he interrupted.
-Your ... your father ... he has very good taste in costumes...
-With all due respect - he interrupted again. - I doubt there was a man single and heterosexual that had paid real attention to your dress, they were much more interested in the young woman inside – of that he could attest to, he himself ended speechless when he saw her. The dress was nice, but it she was the one that made the dress look radiant. - I did not think there is another woman capable of make this drees look as you do - He had tried to tell her this all night, but in each opportunity, she had stopped him with a joke about it, despite of later being grateful by his compliments.
-Eagle ... - was her or it was a little hot?
-I do not think you notice, but I had to throw a few murderous looks to several indiscreet eyes that did not stop looking at you - How had they dared to look at her like a piece of meat? And in his presence no less!
-Well ... -she let out a nervous giggle and started fiddling with one of her blue hair strands – those looks were not the only type I received back there... The truth is that I won several hateful looks too. You are pricey, you know.
-Ah, them? -His voice could not be more indifferent - You know I am not interested. Honestly, I did not even look at them.
-If looks could kill- have not been that she felt safe with him, most likely her instinct for survival would have made her turn around and leave.
- To a diplomatic representative? They are not so stupid. Much less in a ballroom full of people and with half of them worshiping you.
-They worshiped you, their champion - there was pride in her voice - That and hoping you would not escape like always. - He laughed.
-I admit it could have something to do, thank you for making this pleasant.
Maybe it had been the lack of habit of walking in an elegant dress, or that Eagle's coat surrounding her. More likely, the pleasant fragrance and warmth that emanated from his body, but for whatever reasons it was, Umi took a bad step and would have gone straightforward to the ground if not because in the blink of an eye Eagle's hands were firm on her waist supporting her.
-Are you alright?
- Yes, thank you - she was already stand up with her feet firm on the ground, despite himself the commander had both hands removed from her. The slight feeling of cold that reached her after losing contact surprised Umi – I stumble that's all.
-Nothing wrong in being a little more careful, will you? Remember that you are the one who is escorting me, you would be a terrible bodyguard - he scoffed.
-It is good then that being a bodyguard is not my job - she said indignantly - or could not do this - she took hold of his ear and gave it a strong pull.
His groans did not wait. He had resisted the whole invasion trip to Cephiro without showing signs of his illness. Geo had practically to confine him in his cabin so he would recover after vomiting so much blood shortly before trying to take the castle and so, in that regrettable state, he had dared to try to claim the crown of the pillar, all without a single complaint. And now, a fifteen-year-old girl had him completely at her mercy - Umi, let go.
She did it and watched with a fun look as he put his hand to his ear to massage it- you could have pull it off, you know?
And without any ceremony, the water knight started to laughed at him leaving the shelter of his cloak to go to the nearest bench, all before the astonished look of Eagle. Already seated, she put a hand to her mouth to cover it, although he knew perfectly well that this had more to do with her customs of a good daughter that for consideration to his person. Almost to confirm it, she was giving him a rather mocking look.
-Have you finished crying, Commander Vision?
He suppressed a laugh and closing his eyes he began to walk toward her - You are very insolent, ambassador Ryuuzaky - he was already at the bench taking his cloak of to cover her again before sitting down by her side.
-Well - she brought her hand up to his forehead to remove a rebellious lock that I had fallen when he sheltered her with his cloak - I have an excellent bad influence in front to me - Her blue eyes faced him without a hint of respect.
-Thanks for the compliment - and then he did something that she never saw coming, he lied down and rested his head on her legs - It's nice to know that I can be you useful for you - shortly after he closed his eyes and realized that he loved being that way. I had expected to startle her but there were no reaction from her. The alternative was much better and more when he felt her pass her fingers through his hair gently.
-How you feel? Her voice was sweet.
-Better – soon he capture her hand in his and guide it to his lips kissing her softly – Much better. You are alright too?
-Now I am – she had returned to her soft caress - But please, stop scaring me like that would you?
-But the result is so nice...
-Eagle! - The caresses stopped suddenly and when he opened his eyes, he could see a rather severe look directed towards him – oh! you are ... - He shut up and closed his eyes body tense.
-An idiot - he finished for her and finally got her to look at him. – I am sorry - now it was him who with almost fear caressed her face – It was a terrible joke.
-Of very bad taste… I was worried you know? – She buried her forehead on his shoulder and soon felt how he surrounded her with his arms.
-I am sorry - in response, she embraced him.
There were no more words after that there was no need. Everything they wanted to say was communicated through their embrace. They knew it and they knew it was reciprocated. They were aware that there was no turning back, but now ... the only thing they wanted was to continue like this and enjoy it for the longest time possible.
TBC