"Where were you?" I demand as she walks in. She looks confused.
"At work, Fate-chan. Where else would I have been?"
"I saw you with her." My voice cold, even to me.
"Who? Vita?"
"You know who."
"Her?" She raises an eyebrow. "So? I'm allowed to hang out with my friends, Fate." Her voice dripping with sarcasm. I notice the drop in my suffix.
"If you were just friends." She narrows her eyes at me.
"If you want to say something, say it, Fate." She challenges me. I glare at her. She returns the gesture.
My hands curl into fists...
As I watch Yuuno walk up to her. I silently curse him. Get out of the way, Ferret face! I force myself to calm down. It's my fault for not moving faster. I chuckle at the bitter irony. I watch them silently, trying to reign in my anger even as my fists shake and my nails bite into my palm. I see her glance at me over his shoulder. Stiffening, I turn and walk away.
Nanoha POV
I watch Fate take a few steps towards me before stopping, turning around and taking a few steps away and then swinging around agin and repeating the process. I eye her, shuffling some papers on my desk, wondering if she'll approach me. She doesn't, stalling and turning away and turning back again. She looks kinda adorable. Whoa there, just because you finally agreed with them doesn't mean you're gonna just let it go that easily.
Or am I? It took me awhile to realise it but I've actually partly forgiven Fate already. I find myself relaxing around her unintentionally. Would I have done the same for anyone else? Not a complete stranger, definitely. Hayate? Maybe. But looking at her now...she couldn't have been more unlike that day. As if she were a completely different person. I shake my head. It was her. Definitely her. I sneak another glance at her. She's still at the same spot. I should approach her. She's not gonna make up her mind anytime soon. I pick up my papers and start over to her.
"Nanoha?" I turn at the sound of Yuuno's voice.
"Hmm?" He smiles at me.
"You have a day off today, right? Why don't we go to town and have lunch? We haven't gone out in a while."
"Umm," I stall, glancing over his shoulder at Fate. She stiffens visibly, turns and walks away. "I need to drop these off." I lie easily. "And Shari might want some extra data. Sorry. I'll call you if I'm free."
"It's alright. How 'bout dinner, then?"
"I-I don't know," I say distractedly. Fate has already turned the corner. "Listen, I really need to go. Talk to you later." I walk away before he can reply.
"Hey!" I call out to her. She turns quickly to face me. My heart beats loudly, at the same time, I'm aware that the corridor is empty. "Did you want to ask me something?" My words are muffled by the rush of blood in my ears. She shuffles her feet. Her mouth moves. "What?" I ask. She looks at me.
"I said..do you want to go out for lunch? It's our day off after all and there's not much work...you don't have to if you don't want want to, I mean," she trails off, looking away.
"Sure." Wait, what? "Where do you wanna go?" Why is my heart pounding?
"Really? I mean, are you sure you really want to?" She says carefully.
"Yup." She smiles. Somehow, it brightens the whole area.
"Then-" She's cut off by the sound of sirens ringing throughout the base. An alert. A communications window pops up. Hayate appears.
"Erio and Caro have found some relics."
"Where?" I ask.
"I'm sending you the coordinates. Fate, some drones popped up. I need you to take care of them."
"Right." she nods. She turns to me. Her smile has faded away.
"We can go tomorrow." I promise her. Just to see that smile again. She nods, smiling that brilliant smile again.
"Good luck."
Hayate POV
"Nanoha-mama?" the adorable six year old asks me wit ha curious tilt of her head.
"Yup," I confirm, pointing at the picture. "She's your Nanoha-mama. And you can call me Auntie Hayate."
"Okay!" she nods happily. "Who is this?" she points clumsily at Fate.
"That is your Au-," I pause, a plan formulating in my mind. "That, Vivio, is your Fate-mama."
"Vivio has two mamas?" I nod seriously.
"Yes." She studies the picture. My heart speeds up. Will she buy it?
"Mamas are pretty."
"Yes," I grin. "Yes they are." Safe!
"What about him?" she points at the remaining person in the group photo.
"Oh, that's your Auntie Yuuno." I say dismissively. She frowns.
"But isn't- mama!" she interrupts herself, launching herself at her new mothers. I smirk and laugh silently at the bemused look on both their faces as she addresses them both as 'mama'. My job here is done.
Fate POV
It's been five days since we found Vivio...since Nanoha agreed to have lunch with me. Three since Vivio started calling the both of us 'mama'. I'd be lying if i said that that didn't make me wish she was really our child. We still haven't had that lunch. With the discovery of the relics as well as Vivio, we haven't had the time. I dare not bring it up, as if I'm afraid she'll reject me the second time. That's just stupid. She won't do that. If she wanted to then, she'll want to now. Come on Fate, you're better than this! I sigh. As if it were that easy.
"Fate-san!" a familiar voice calls out to me. I look up to see Ginga smiling down at me, curiously. "What are you doing?" she asks.
"Nothing, nothing. Just thinking. But what are you doing here?" I change the subject hastily.
"I'm transferring here," she replies brightly. "They thought you guys could use an extra pair of hands."
"That's about right." I yawn. "I've barely gotten any sleep. The case is keeping me up all night long. Have you met any of the others yet?"
"Ah, actually that's what I was here for. I was supposed to get to the training grounds to meet them, but I got a little lost. Then I found you. Could you tell me where to go?"
"I'll show you, if you like. I need a to stretch my legs anyway." I offer. She smiles gratefully.
"If it's not too much trouble."
"It's not," I reassure her. "Come on."
Ginga POV
"Wow. Subaru has really gotten stronger." I comment to Fate.
"So have you," she smiles at me. "It was a good match today." She leans against the railings of the balcony.
"Not nearly as impressive as one between you and Signum, though." She looks beautiful as always, blonde hair glowing in the setting sun.
"Well, that's different."
"It sure is. I still remember the base commander's face when you two got a little too carried away." We laugh together. It feels good to talk to her like this. "Say, Fate..."
"Yeah?" she turns to me.
"I was thinking...it's getting kinda late...Do you want to go out for dinner?" She is silent for a while.
"Are you asking me out Ginga?" she says finally. Her face is turned away so I can't see her expression.
"Y-yes?" I say nervously. The silence continues. "I mean, if want to. Or we could just go as friends or something-" she cuts off my babbling with a finger to my lips. She smiles that gentle brilliant smile at me.
"I'd love to."
Nanoha POV
I stop just next to the french doors leading to the balcony that over looks the sea. Then I hear a familiar voice.
"Are you asking me out, Ginga?" What? Ginga stammers a reply. I wait for Fate's answer.
"I'd love to." My blood runs cold. I hear footsteps coming back in. I turn back the way I came and run. I stop once I reach my room and sit down on my bed, shivering. What's wrong with me? I don't feel like that for her anymore. Why does this bother me so much? Because you want her to say that to you, a voice answers me. Don't be stupid. I chide myself. You're regretting saying no to her. I am not! Then why did you change your mind? Why change your plans with Yuuno? Stop lying to yourself. You still lov-
"Shut up! Shut up!" I yell out loud. "I don't love Fate Testarossa!" The words ring in my ears. Alone in my room, I am painfully aware how empty my words sound. I curl up on my side. I don't love her. I chant inside my head. I don't love her, I don't love her...
Fate POV
It's a nice place. Great food, not too classy and good company. I smile at the purple haired beauty opposite me. And can't help wishing she was Nanoha.
Flashback
"Hey, Nanoha." I begin hesitantly as she concludes the training and Ginga and the others start to walk away. She turns to me, curious. "About that lunch thing...do want to go out for dinner today instead?" She hesitates.
"Well, Yuuno asked me to go out today." I back away.
"Oh, right. Nevermind then."
"Fate, I-"
"It's alright. Go out with Yuuno." I can hear the bitterness in my own voice. Even then, it would have been better if I had just left. But instead, I added. "He's your boyfriend after all." I didn't stick around after that.
End Flashback.
As we drive back home, she breaks the silence.
"You were thinking of Nanoha." It's a statement, not a question.
"Yeah." I admit. My hands tighten on the steering wheel then relax.
"Do you still love her?" I glance at her. Her expression is neutral.
"I do." I say finally. She keeps quiet. Thinking. Finally, we pull into base. "Ginga." I break the silence. She turns to me as I search for the words to explain. She lays a gentle hand on mine.
"It was a nice night. And, well, I knew you still loved her even when I did ask you out. I was just being selfish. I'd be better if we don't do this again, huh?"
"Ginga, wait..." I take a deep breath. "I still love Nanoha, but...she's with Yuuno now. And I really want to move on. I really want to love you. Will you give me a chance? To love you?" She stares at me.
"Fate...I..."
What do you think? I wasn't too happy about this chapter, but it's the closest I can get to how I want it to be and I wanted to update before my next exams. Drop a few reviews and I'll try improve it.