October

x x x

The patter of rain against the window filled his senses as he blearily opened his eyes on the world, only half aware that it was even morning yet. He couldn't remember dreaming anything, he'd slept so soundly. So, naturally, his heart nearly exploded when he suddenly was being shaken, golden brown eyes staring intensely into his own.

Of course, this obviously startled reaction drew nothing but laughter from her. Sheena, dark hair falling delicately into her smiling face, was cuddled beside him in the sea of blankets. "Ah, Zelos. If last night wasn't proof of your…mm, chastity…then that look on your face just now definitely was!"

Still a bit bewildered by the whole situation, he could only give her that coy grin she secretly adored. "Well…g'morning to you too, sweetheart. You're not complaining already, are ya? Way too early in the morning…"

"Nope. In fact, I like you just the way you are. If I didn't, I can promise you I wouldn't be here right now," she answered briskly, slipping her arms around the former Chosen's neck. It wasn't too surprising to her when he started to turn slightly pink, and she just couldn't help but run a few soft kisses along his jaw.

The summoner glanced back up into his radiant blue eyes the minute she felt his hand close tenderly around her own. They both were feeling a bit awkward, distracted by the strange new sensation of their bare bodies touching under the covers. At long last, Sheena realized her face was starting to feel warm as well. Still, she was determined to see a smile on his face, so she didn't mind helping him ease the tension.

Gingerly, she shifted his grip down to rest on the smooth curve of her hip, laying her hand upon his. The only way she knew he hadn't died of joy was that his hold immediately tightened on her waist, a sharp inhalation moving in his chest. Knowing Zelos, she suspected he had not managed to breathe since he woke up.

They stayed that way, silent, for long enough that she began to wonder if he was falling asleep again. She was going to look up and see, but already he had spoken up. To her surprise, his voice sounded more vulnerable than she had ever heard from him.

"Y'know…I really was afraid for a long time. If anyone had asked me honestly, I never would've dreamed that we would be here today." He smirked after he said it, but there was no doubt in her mind that he meant every word of it.

Frowning, Sheena rested her head against the warmth of his chest. "Well, that's not too hard to believe. You were kinda awful for a while there."

Zelos shook his head. "No, even before that. I…I'm sure I never could have told you, but I didn't think we would last. I was so sure I'd go the way of dear old Mom and Dad, just another meaningless little tragedy in a long line of 'em…"

Her eyes grew sad at this confession, imagining not for the first time a young Zelos that the whole world adored, and yet no one seemed to love. "Then, why…? Why did you bother?"

"Hm, bother with what, hunny?" That sharp blue gaze on her didn't waver. She was positive he knew what she was asking, but he was going to make her say it.

"Ever since we were kids, you never gave up on chasing me," she mumbled in reply, her free hand curling into his wild red locks. "Even when I kinda wished you would."

He laughed at her tone, playfully running a finger down her nose before giving it a light tap. "Damn, what a question. Honest answer would be…I'd never met anyone quite like you. Sharp as a whip, pretty as a flower, and not one bit interested in who I was. You know I'd have followed you anywhere, with or without your permission."

"I wouldn't have ever admitted it," she began, snickering quietly. "But I seriously did have a crush on you, even before you started to flirt with me like crazy."

"Yeah, I think every girl in town did at that point. And 'cause I'm an idiot, I was all googley over the one that easily could've snapped my wittle heart into pieces." Zelos grinned innocently at this, his hand drawing pictures on her back.

She swiped her tongue over her lips, a shrewd smile forming. Although he was trying hard to hide it, there was a lingering fear in his eyes. It was only a guess, but she suspected that no matter how much he loved her, the dread of losing her would be nipping close at the heels of that love. Holding tight to his hand at her waist, Sheena traced her fingertip over the gold band he wore.

"Zelos…" Very softly she whispered the word, her cheek nestled into his neck. His intense blue gaze fell to her with the same calm intelligence that he had become far too skilled at concealing.

"Look, I know I'm not always so great at being open with you," she began, her voice almost timid for once. "But we both know that the people who should have loved you most in life deserted you…"

Pausing, the ninja dropped her voice even lower before finishing. "So…so just understand. I'm not ever going to be one of those people."

The redhead smiled warmly back at his bride, delicately brushing her dark bangs out of her eyes. "'Course I know that. You've always been different, like I said. I just hope that you'll be happy being with me…"

A scowl crept onto her face. "Don't say stupid things like that. I picked you for a reason, and I'm certainly happy with it. Now I just want to see you happy. Smile like you used to before things got tough. I want your real smile, not the one you fake for everyone else. I want the one you always save just for me."

Zelos had to chuckle at this, her eyes almost looking like she was in banshee mode. But it was a lot different when she wasn't actually mad at him. He quickly shut up before her wrath was invoked.

"...Sorry, sweetie. I guess I'm a little off right now. The whole marriage thing is kinda scary. I guess if anyone can slay the dragon of matrimony, though, it'd be us. We're a kickass team when you aren't bitching at me, dontcha think?"

Sheena stared at him with a bit of irritation in her eyes, although it was of the more playful kind. At least he was smiling, so there was a victory somewhere in there.

"It's not gonna get really scary until we have kids now, hm?" she deadpanned, watching him stop in mid-yawn to suddenly go wide-eyed. "Then we'll definitely have to put our game face on."

"Whoa, wait a second," he cut in quickly, not quite catching on that she was teasing him. "We just tied the knot yesterday, don't get too carried away yet."

"Aw, why not? You'll be a great daddy someday. I mean, you're already great with children, right?" She laughed to herself as she weaved her fingers through his hair, interested to see how far she could push him with the subject.

"I didn't have any decent parents," he muttered, not looking at her eyes anymore. "How am I supposed to know if I'm doing it right?"

"Well, you said the same thing last night!" she blurted, finally unable to contain her laughter. "W-We'll be fine. We figure stuff out by ourselves. We do things our own way, right?"

"Fine, okay!" His face had become a little red again. After all, Zelos was never one to really enjoy losing a battle of wits with her. "But we're definitely waiting on that. You still have the village to run and stuff, and I have business to take care of here, and all that."

She smiled wolfishly, nosing his face with an affectionate nudge. "That's fine. But I still think you'll be a great father."

A bit miffed, he gave her a sidelong look. "I guess…at least they'll have it better than I did."

"Oh, it's not like you to under-exaggerate things. Of course they would." With this, Sheena became much more serious. She pushed her face close to his, their noses brushing. "You probably haven't come to terms with it yet, but you're the first one to be set free. Our kids will be the first in dozens of generations to be born of a Chosen and never have to worry about having that title. Not to mention you got to pick your mate."

They were quiet for a moment, the room filled with the sound of the rain tapping on the roof. The sound of the former Chosen laughing softly finally broke the silence, and she couldn't help but be surprised when he lifted her chin to look at him. His eyes were still uncertain, but the sensation of his lips pressing strongly against hers was as real as anything could be.

"I know I'm lucky as hell to be with someone like you," he told her, the confidence radiating in his voice. "So I have no doubt that whatever challenges we go through together, we'll make it." With a respectful tentativeness, his fingertips grazed over the ticklish flesh at her navel, eliciting another short fit of laughter from her. "…Even if it's something as scary as raising a family."

Much to his dismay, she moved to take her arms away from holding him tightly. She was still feeling embarrassed and awkward, so she ended up gripping the blankets around her instead. "I s'pose I better get ready to go then. They'll be expecting me back home in a few hours, and the weather's going to make it difficult to travel…"

Stubbornly, Zelos had to grab her hand again, lacing his fingers through hers in earnest. "Shee-naaa, you can use someone to hold your umbrella on the way, right?"

She blinked back at him, clearly conflicted about his request. "You know I said we'd have to wait before you can come with me. It's just not typical for people in Mizuho to marry outsiders. Not everyone will be okay with my choice, even if my grandfather was."

He tilted his head to the side like a disgruntled puppy. "Is there ever gonna to be a good time to tell them? C'mon…I was proud for everyone in Meltokio to know I married you. They probably weren't all 'okay' with it either, but that doesn't matter. You're their leader now, so quit trying to be the person you think other people want you to be."

Sometimes, she couldn't stand it when he talked sense. He smiled slyly as she contemplated it, noticing at once when her expression showed resignation. They both knew he was right. They were married now, after all, and the world was just going to have to get used to it.

Zelos had to smile mirthfully as she tossed his clothes at him in a state of halfhearted banshee-ness. Mizuho was definitely in for a surprise today.

A/N: Heh this one was both sweet, sexy, and funny. Love it. Anyway. Review.

Much love,

-FP