Heads up! Rating in the fic is going to be changed to M, just to be safe. Pretty sure y'all can guess what that means…
Used to be
"Please don't cry." Fate whispered into Nanoha's ear, squeezing her eyes shut and willing her heart to slow down. Her lips still tingled from the kiss so carelessly placed on the brunette's forehead, and her mind raced frantically. So close. She had been so close to making a mistake, and a very foolish one at that, but the sight of Nanoha's tears had triggered the protective nature so instilled in Fate that she couldn't stop herself. Holding her now, so close and so warm, it was hard to think of anything else, and she felt a momentary rush of guilt at the realization. To be so tempted in a situation like this was unbelievably selfish, and she began to wonder if coming home was possibly one of the biggest mistakes she could have ever made.
Nanoha's crying seemed to be close to subsiding, and the shaking of her slim form was less now. Fate still had no idea what was going on, or what had brought this about, and getting any answers seemed to be almost impossible. She hated this feeling of confusion, this uncertainty. All her power, all her strength, it amounted to nothing when she couldn't do anything.
"Y…your shirt…" Nanoha murmured, her fingers tugging at the fabric weakly. Fate felt her critical faculties vacate when the brunette placed a hand just under her collarbone, her fingertips brushing near the enforcer's throat and covering the damp spot from her tears. Seconds ticked by almost painfully slow, and the only sound in the room was the quiet dripping of the kitchen faucet. How many times had they been in this room together, preparing meals, laughing and joking, scrambling to get everything in order before their days began, dunking Vivio into the sink when she discovered that the backyard turned into a delightfully soupy mix of mud in the rain…
The blonde shook her head to show that it didn't bother her, surprised that she could even manage that. If tears on her shirt were the absolute worst thing to happen to her this week, it would be a fine improvement over weeks past, to be sure. Cobalt blue eyes remained locked in place, fixed on the dark garment under her touch, and Fate suddenly wondered how long they'd been standing here wrapped up together in the middle of the kitchen, and why neither one of them had made a move to pull back.
"Nanoha?" Fate tried faintly, her voice hesitant.
"I keep doing this to you." Nanoha whispered, as though she hadn't heard. "Crying on you when I can't handle things. I've always done it."
The blonde's tongue felt like lead, a heavy dead weight, her gaze dropping to the hand over her heart. Could she feel it racing under her touch?
Nanoha pressed her palm flat against muscle and sinew, marveling at the warmth even through the layer of cotton. "But things…things are different now, aren't they?"
The kitchen at Fate's apartment was dusty from years of non-use, and even if someone held a gun to her head, she'd struggle to remember where she even kept the plates, if she even had any. There was no warmth, no laughter, just an old coffee maker that worked if she hit it just right.
Different? More like night and day.
Fate had never been good with her words, and this time was no exception as she struggled to find something to say. Nanoha had always been the big talker, filling the void for both of them. Standing here, in a home that used to be hers surrounding by things she didn't recognize, everything was different, but it was all still the same. She had helped Nanoha turn this blank, empty array of rooms into a home, but now, she might as well be a visitor from a foreign planet. Even if she had an eternity, she wouldn't be able to wrap her head around that.
"I miss you." Nanoha breathed. "Even when you're standing right here, I still miss you." She shook her head lightly, dark hair obscuring her eyes. She felt as though she was committing treason, and maybe some part of her knew that she was, but everything was tumbling out, everything she's held in since Fate vanished, and Nanoha didn't know what to do except to plow on. "That doesn't even make sense, does it?" She didn't wait for a response, and maybe she knew better, curling her fingers into the fabric. "I feel like I haven't been myself, for a long time now, and every time I see you, its worse."
Fate swallowed thickly, her heart fluttering wildly in her chest at Nanoha's words. She looked so young, almost fragile, and Fate wondered if she looks like that herself, confused, overly tired, her nerves pushed to the breaking point. She didn't understand. Couldn't. All of this, everything that had happened, it had all been because of what Nanoha had wanted with Yuuno. And now she says these strange things? It suddenly seemed as though Fate has spent her whole life preparing and practicing for this moment, this one defining moment, only to have the script abruptly changed at the very last second.
She thought of the day she sold everything she couldn't carry in her haste to leave, the long sleepless nights, haunted in the dark from every phone call she ignored and all the words she never said as she waited for the years to drown out and away. All this time apart and the trials she had endured to grow stronger had done nothing to change her feelings, and it was becoming too hard to quiet them any longer. Was it better to tell her everything and regret it, or to run away and regret saying nothing?
Fate's gut twisted into knots. Nanoha must be confused, maybe even lost, as her mother had suggested. She loved this woman way too much to hurt her anymore, and she would hate herself if she made a mistake now that she couldn't take back while Nanoha was here, like this, so very vulnerable.
Steeling her resolve, she opted for the path that would give them both the time to breathe, and she gently gripped Nanoha's wrists and slid out of her hold.
"Fate, wait…" the brunette pleaded weakly.
The blonde shook her head. "A lot has happened today. I think it would be best if I went home for tonight."
A flicker of panic flashed over Nanoha's features, and the enforcer felt another stab of guilt.
"Don't worry, I won't take off." Fate added quietly, feeling terrible for even having to bring that part up. Her stupid, selfish actions in the past were finally creeping up on her, only this time, there was nowhere to hide. "Just…get some rest? Please?"
Nanoha blinked back rising tears with a weak nod, letting her hands slip from Fate's and drop limply to her sides. She wasn't sure how long she remained there after Fate departed, slipping out the door without as much as a sound, leaving her alone with her treacherous thoughts and the ghosts of happier times. The world still carried on, but nothing would ever be the same. She had no idea where she was supposed to go from here, or where to even start sorting out the jumbled mess in her head.
She pressed her hands to her eyes, blotting out the bright fluorescent lights and tried to get a grip on what had just happened, and why it felt like her heart was being torn in half.
Fate's head was pounding, and even though she had driven home, it was really the last place she wanted to be. It wasn't home. It was a bed and facilities, for the sole purpose of keeping a roof over her head between missions, and right about now, she'd rather sleep under a bridge. The spring air was cool, and now that the sun had gone down, most of the city had seemed to quiet down as well. Clouds had rolled in, but she didn't remember any reports of rain for today. A shame, really. She loved storms, chaotic and unpredictable, but calming in a way she couldn't describe. Maybe it was the lightning?
Nanoha had been terrified of thunderstorms when they had been younger, and walking home from school one day, Fate had nearly been knocked off her feet when thunder boomed overhead and the brunette was suddenly up in her personal space, clinging onto her arm with a sheepish grin and a meek little laugh. Fate paused, eyebrows raised in question at her actions, but let her hang on.
"You'll stop the lightning, right?" Nanoha asked shyly, cheeks pink with embarrassment. "It's your element, right?"
"Wouldn't that draw the lightning to me?" Fate responded in all seriousness. "You know, like a lightning rod?"
Bright blue eyes widened in something akin to terror, and the arms around Fate's went slack. "Are you serious?"
Fate grinned and opened her mouth to reply, but another boom of thunder cut her off and Nanoha was back to clinging, burrowing her face into Fate's shoulder, muttering something under her breath about 'lightning rod be damned.'
Fate snapped out of her trip down memory lane, feeling just a little more tired than she had before. She glanced back up at her apartment building, bouncing her keys in her hand as she debated just climbing back into her car and taking off towards destinations unknown. The promise she made to Nanoha still hung heavily on her mind however, and she opted instead for grabbing her old weathered jacket off the passenger seat. Perhaps if she were lucky, she decided, slipping it on and heading down the street on foot, she would find a nice quiet corner and have herself a drink.
She chose a small, quiet bar behind the hustle and lights of the main streets. Experience had taught her that it was one not too frequented by members of the armed forces, and upon entering, one of the waitresses shuttled her to a back corner booth, taking her order and leaving her to her thoughts.
Her jaw clenched.
She had no idea what had provoked today's events, and quite honestly, she'd probably be better off if she didn't try to figure it out. Fate had been so, so close to doing something foolish, and she knew that if she were to be placed in a similar situation again, she wouldn't be able to show the strength or resolve she had shown tonight. It was torture, is what it was, to have something she had wanted so badly dangled right in front of her like that and…
"I miss you. Even when you're standing right here…"
Maybe she should skip the drink.
The waitress returned with a short tumbler filled with an all too familiar dark amber liquid, and Fate blinked back her surprise as it was set down in front of her. "Miss?" she questioned, feeling confused. She was pretty sure she had ordered…
The waitress smiled prettily and gestured behind her. "Compliments of the ladies at the bar."
Fate narrowed her eyes suspiciously and leaned back in the booth, craning her neck to get a better a view. It had to be someone who would know her killer drink of choice. Hayate maybe? What would be the odds? At the end of the long counter, she caught a glimpse of red hair and a familiar embarrassed grin, and couldn't help but smile back with a half wave when she recognized her partner, brows raising in surprise. Huh. Tea wasn't much of a drinker, so why would she…
"Fate!"
The enforcer was almost knocked off balance by the sudden pair of arms thrown around her neck as she was half hugged, half strangled from behind over the back of her seat.
"W...what?" the blonde stuttered, trying to get a better view of her attacker, her eyes widening in surprise when she caught sight of bright blue locks falling into impish eyes. "Subaru?"
"Ah! I haven't seen you in forever!" the short haired girl chattered animatedly, releasing her hold and sliding into the seat beside Fate like she belonged there, propping her elbows on the table and leaning forward. "How have you been?"
"I…uh…"
"Shame on you, Subaru, tackling people like that in public." a familiar voice chastised gently. "You're lucky she didn't toss you over her shoulder."
Fate felt her heart stutter when she looked up and met warm green eyes.
"Sorry Ginga." Teana sighed, having headed over to Fate's table from the bar. "I looked up and she was just gone."
Fate blinked. Once. Twice. Her gaze flicking from Tea, to Subaru, and back to Tea. Weren't, weren't they? Tea seemed to read her mind and blushed cutely, crossing her arms and scowling. "It's not what it looks like."
The enforcer finally recovered from her near assault and sighed warily, though her eyes shone with mischief. "Our club, Tea. I'm going to have to kick you out of it now."
"Eh?" Subaru piped up. "Club? What club? I wanna be in a club!"
"Fate!" Teana admonished, the blush on her cheeks growing brighter.
"What club?" Subaru tried again, while her older sister laughed quietly beside her.
Fate felt herself grinning, but looking at Nanoha's old team tugged at her heart in way she wasn't quite ready for. Subaru looked as though she hadn't aged a day, though her hair was a bit longer, and her eyes seemed to reflect some of the experience she must have picked up along the way. Watching Tea and Subaru interact was like stepping back into a time capsule, and for a minute they were nothing but hard headed trainees, determined to do things their own way. Fate could remember so many nights back then, when Nanoha would come home so frustrated and angry, muttering about how she'd like to blast them both to the moon just once, and it took everything the enforcer had not to giggle at her plight. But time passed, they grew up, and the instructor went from rage mode to proud parent, bragging about her squad and how far they had come. For the first few years after their graduation, (and Fate didn't dare tell Tea), Nanoha had kept up with their missions and exploits via their various captains, almost like a worried mother, afraid that in some way, her training would fail them, and their names would be next on the casualty list.
Suddenly she felt impossibly old. Subaru still blinked up at her, almost like an expectant child, and Fate shook her head. "Don't look at me like that. Maybe Tea can explain it to you sometime."
"You're mean, picking on the kids like that." Ginga teased lightly.
The blonde laughed. "I don't know if I'd call them kids anymore."
"Oh?" Ginga replied, sliding easily into the seat across from Fate. "What makes them adults then?"
Fate flushed at the question, and at the way a shapely stockinged leg brushed against hers under the table. "Ah, you know, experiences?"
Ginga's lips curled up into a smile as she crossed her folded her arms on the table. "What kind of experiences?"
Fate grew redder and began to fidget restlessly in her seat, suddenly acutely aware of all the eyes trained on her. She didn't have the capacity to deal with this right now.
Tea was suddenly having a very vivid flashback to a battered up Fate with singed off eyebrows, and it was her turn to grin wickedly. Leaning over, she gently tugged on Subaru's arm and pulled her up to her feet. "Let's give them some space, yeah? They're having one of their 'moments'."
Subaru blinked. "Moment?"
Fate buried her face into her hands and wished she could sink through the floor. "Thanks Tea."
"Anytime, Captain." Her partner drawled, her revenge now complete.
"See you at hoooome!" Subaru sang out to her sister over her shoulder, not fighting too hard as Tea threw a wad of bills on the bar and jerked her in the direction of the door.
Fate growled somewhere low in her throat. She had picked this bar for the sole purpose of hiding out until the rest of this terrible evening had blown over, but like everything else in her life, the harder she tried, the harder she…
"They're gone now." Ginga said with a laugh, reaching across the table and resting a hand on Fate's elbow.
"That's what I get for trying to pick on her." the blonde groaned, dropping her hands and looking up at last. "She's a sharp one."
The investigator hummed in agreement. "I hope they work it out this time."
"Me too." Fate sighed. "Tea is scary when she's mad."
Ginga giggled. "Can't blame her, really though. My sister can be a lot to handle sometimes."
Fate nodded in complete agreement and took a long swig of her drink, wincing a bit at the burn. Now that she had some company, she wasn't quite sure how to proceed, and she didn't really feel like dragging anyone else down with her little pity party.
The investigator seemed to sense her apprehension and gave her a sympathetic smile. "Long day?"
"That obvious?"
Ginga nodded. "You wear your emotions quite openly."
Dark eyes flickered. "Yeah? What am I feeling right now?"
"I think you'd be halfway across the galaxy by now if you could."
Fate tipped the glass towards her in salute. "I think you have a knack for catching me on my bad days."
"Maybe you have too many bad days."
"You may be right."
Ginga watched the enforcer quietly for a moment, noting the slight sag in her shoulders and glassy eyes. She wasn't sleeping again, at least, not well, and if they hadn't happened upon her by chance in the bar, who knows how long she would sit here, alone? It hurt her to watch Fate put herself through so much, and knowing there was nothing she could do to help. She hoped that someday, Fate would find the strength to either confront Nanoha, or just let her go.
"Fate?"
Those eyes were on her now, tired and weary, and Ginga took a shot in the dark.
"Want to get out of here?"
"Would you like anything to drink? I don't have much, but…" Fate questioned, taking her former partner's coat and hanging it next to her own near the door. She hadn't planned on coming back here tonight, and she certainly hadn't planned on bringing anyone back with her. Fact of the matter was, she couldn't figure out why she had brought Ginga back here at all. It was like an unspoken agreement, and it had happened so quickly, with Ginga looping an arm through hers and allowing Fate to pick the direction. Long day, plus no sleep, equaled…
"I'm fine." Ginga replied quietly, shaking her long dark hair loose. "You're always so worried about me."
"Sorry." The blonde muttered, flashing her a crooked smile as she made her way into the kitchen and fetched down a glass out of a cabinet after several attempts to locate the proper one. "Old habits."
Ginga watches her through half lidded eyes as steady hands pour another drink from a glass bottle on the counter. Not that she minded, she did interrupt Fate from accomplishing her goal tonight, but judging by the way she drained the glass and filled it once more, she's on a mission to wipe the evening from her memory.
Ginga doesn't have much to offer, she knows this, knows that she can't give Fate everything she needs, knows that whatever happens next is entirely up to her. She slips out of her heels, shrinking a few inches shorter while the captain's back is still towards her, licking her lips and untucking her blouse from her short, dark skirt.
She knows many things, and somewhere far away, in the back of her mind, she knows that this will hurt later, no matter how many times she tells herself she'll be okay. She pushes it away and instead thinks of a dirty bar, someplace millions of miles away, under broken lights, surrounded by chipped drinking glasses and the hearty laughter of her comrades, and how Fate looks her best when she's forgotten everything that weighs on her so.
"I don't think all old habits are that terrible."
"Well, I…" Fate trailed off as she turned around, russet eyes wide as they fixed themselves on the woman in the center of her living room, the hand around her glass visibly tightening.
"You alright?" Ginga smiled sweetly, though her actions were anything but as nimble fingers slowly unbuttoned the top button of her light v-cut top, and then another, the fabric slowly parting down the middle.
Fate swallowed thickly, any question she would have asked halted mid breath.
"Fate." The younger woman whispered, and it was a dizzying sensation that tickled up the enforcer's spine and twisted up her insides as an arm outstretched, imploring her to move. "Come here."
It was an agonizingly slow moment as Fate hovered on the fence between moving forward and stepping back, her jaw slack as her words from just hours earlier came back to haunt her, tugging and pulling at the few threads of sanity she felt she had left. Did she love her? Vivio's question, so simply put. Do you love her? Like these things done in the dark should only be done with people you love.
I…I want…
"I want you to be happy." Fate murmured, her gaze softening. "I don't want to hurt you."
"Still worried about me." Ginga replied quietly, her smile so warm it was rapidly melting Fate's ability to think. She beckoned once more, curling her fingers and tipping her head, dark hair spilling over her shoulder.
The blonde stepped forward, almost skittish in her movements, unsure and almost afraid, towards this kind and wonderful person that always seemed to be there when she needed her most. There were so many things that could go wrong, the most frightening being a mistake she wouldn't be able to take back...
But she was tired. She was tired of being tired, and she was tired of waiting for something she was sure was never going to happen. She was always trying so hard to forget, throwing herself into everything and anything to find an outlet, some means of escape, to blot out the spaces between awkward phone calls and bad memories. But she never forgot, not for a second.
A warm arm wound around her neck, and for one brief, almost unbelievable moment, the heavy ache in her chest was gone. She remains still, almost as though if she were to blink the world would vanish, but maybe that wouldn't be such a terrible thing as Ginga takes the glass from her with her free hand and takes a long sip. Fate has so many questions, she always does, watching almost dumbly as the glass is deposited on the coffee table and Ginga grabs the front of her shirt
Nanoha just cried on…
and tugs her forward, pulling her into a searing kiss. She can't think anymore, and it gets worse when she realizes that Ginga is sharing the sip of brandy she had taken and…
It's dark, and they're both tired. Fate is more worried about Nanoha though, because her grades have been slipping a touch, and lately these long nights have been hard on her, yet she won't show it. She tells everyone she's 'fine, don't worry', and 'Stop looking at me like that, Fate-chan. I've never felt better', but all Fate can see is Nanoha in the hospital bed. Nanoha with the puncture wound through her chest, Nanoha struggling to walk again and…
They pause to cross a darkened street, the lights blinking and Nanoha smiles, this gentle, almost long suffering smile, as though she knows exactly what Fate is thinking, because she reaches out takes her hand, knotting their fingers together and…
Fate took Ginga's hand in her own, its warmth both comforting and a little scary, all at the same time.
'I close my eyes and I remember things…' Fate wants to say but doesn't, her eyes imploring as she looks into Ginga's, almost desperate to find what she's lacking and to ease both of their minds. She should stop this, she knows it, because every time she closes her eyes, it's not Ginga standing in front of her, but someone else, and they both know it. Her mouth opens, but she can't push the words out, tears pricking her eyes from either the exhaustion or the strain, and
"I keep doing this to you."
she can't forget, because Nanoha has got a hold on her, in her head and on her heart. She can't stand knowing that Yuuno holds her, Yuuno touches her, Yuuno will be slipping a ring on her finger…
"It's alright." Ginga murmurs into the dark, pulling Fate with her down onto the couch, fingertips brushing away the tears that are falling and kissing her gently. "Let me help."
Fate can hear thunder in the distance, and vaguely, as she pushes Ginga down into the cushions and her breath catches in her throat, she wonders if she had imagined it. Her hands aren't shaking as she makes quick work of the remaining buttons on Ginga's shirt, but it feels like they are, especially when she grazes exposed skin and her (friend? Lover?) tangles her fingers up in long blonde hair, tugging and pulling, her nails tickling against Fate's scalp and sending a tingle of what feels like lightning down her spine
but Nanoha hates lightning
and time blurs, melting so fast, too fast, until she's sure she's been stripped of everything except for the whisper in her head. It doesn't feel real, it still doesn't, even though the naked body pressed against her own is so warm and nails are digging hard enough into her shoulders to draw blood. For a moment, Fate wishes she had done this properly, wishes that she had carried her off to the bedroom in some grand sweeping gesture, instead of taking her here, right on this battered couch where they had fallen. She owed her that much, but it's hard to think about just what she owes to whom
"I keep doing this to you."
when Ginga whispers her name, and the thighs wrapped around Fate's waist are trembling as the enforcer pushes her over the edge, holding the younger woman close as muscles pulse around her fingers and Ginga shakes in her arms.
Fate wonders what this is, what they are, tired and almost numb, feigning sleep while fingers run through her hair, soothing and feather light. It's easier this way, she thinks, so much easier just to pretend, but beneath her cheek she can feel a heartbeat fluttering, a reminder that this is a person, a warm being, with feelings, and this would probably be easier if Ginga would blame Fate and Fate could blame herself and they would both be right.
In the morning, Fate decided, as her eyelids grew heavy. She would sort this all out in the morning.
She was always so much stronger in the daylight.
"Why is it that every time I see you, you look like you're having the absolute worst day of your life?"
Nanoha blinked, taken aback by the ridiculous question with a ridiculous grin to match, half tempted to slam the door on Hayate and crawl back to bed. But before she could form a snarky reply that wouldn't involve colorful language on such a bright, sun shining day, her mother popped up near her elbow and all but pushed past her, wrapping up her commander in a tight hug.
"Hayate-chan! Look at you!"
Nanoha stifled an eye roll and a groan, knowing when it was best to give up the fight as she watched her mother and her friend exchange pleasantries. Really, she had no idea what she had been thinking this morning, deciding to plow on ahead with the day's events rather than taking a time out to figure out just what the hell was going on in her life and her head and last night and Fate-chan and
"Nanoha?"
The instructor snapped to, realizing that she was still blocking the doorway and that she was starting to receive some odd looks.
"You still wanted to do this today, right?" Hayate questioned, bouncing the box tucked under her arm as if seeking confirmation. "I brought everything I had."
"Yeah, come in."
This had seemed like a great idea at the time, but now that she sat on the hardwood floor, leaning against the couch, surrounded by Hayate and her mother and towering stacks of photographs, she couldn't remember if this had been her idea or Yuuno's. The plan had been to get together pictures of Nanoha and Yuuno for the wedding and make a slideshow of sorts, as they had known each other since they were children, one would think that there would have been plenty to choose from, but so far…
"Oh," Momoko sighed, handing a photograph over to Hayate. "isn't it cute? It was Fate's first day of school on Earth."
Nanoha craned her neck slightly, the corner of her mouth quirking up into a grin when she caught sight of the image. Fate, looking adorable in the little white school uniform, appeared as though she would drop dead of embarrassment at the fuss everyone was causing. Her face was flaming red, her eyes fixed on the ground, even as Nanoha had thrown her arm around Fate's shoulders and smiled brightly.
Hayate smirked. "She always looks like Nanoha is torturing her."
"Whatever." the brunette huffed, playfully shoving Hayate with her elbow. "You just don't understand our relationship."
The commander's grin grew impossibly wide. "Really? Care to enlighten me then?"
Nanoha threw her a look that would have left most recruits quaking at the knees and opted to ignore the bait, instead drawing another photo from the stack.
It was an image she hadn't seen before, and it was enough to cause a blush to creep up her cheeks. Fate and Nanoha, now in high school, asleep on her mom's couch, textbooks scattered all around them. Nanoha had somehow ended up with her face burrowed down into Fate's shoulder, and the blonde was resting her cheek on the top of Nanoha's head, math book still in her lap, a pencil dangling from her limp hand.
It was hard to believe that there was a time when it was so easy for her to get so close to Fate, to cuddle up to her like it was completely commonplace and normal for her to do so, and she supposed, back then it was. She felt a knot swell up in her throat and an iron ball settle into her stomach thanks to the rush of guilt that surged through her at the conversation going on just to her left.
"Find any of the groom yet?" Momoko asked, stretching her arms over her head and stifling a yawn.
Hayate held up a picture of Yuuno in ferret form. "Does this count?"
There was a long, pregnant pause, and Nanoha suddenly wished she could go lie down for a bit.
"Guess not." Hayate sighed, tossing it into the pile she had sorted already.
"This is turning out to be a lot harder than I thought it would be." The older woman admitted with a frown. "You'd think with all the shutterbugs in the family we'd get something more than just these two." she continued, gesturing to the ever growing pile of Fate and Nanoha snapshots.
"Right?" Hayate agreed, flipping rapidly through a small stack. "I swear, you'd think these two were…" the brunette trailed off, her features softening as she caught her breath, earning inquisitive glances from Nanoha and her mother. As her hand hovered over the image in her lap, she wondered how she could have completely forgotten about this one.
"What is it?" Nanoha questioned, curiosity piqued.
Hayate was practically beaming. "How much do you remember about Chrono's wedding?"
Brows furrowed in thought and the instructor tipped her head back, trying to figure out where Hayate was going with this. Fate had been her 'date' of sorts, but nothing too outrageous had happened. There had been music, good food, a little bit of wine, and plenty of dancing…
She snapped forward. Dancing. Blue eyes fixed on Hayate, pinning her under their stare. She certainly didn't like the cheeky grin her friend was giving her now, and that could only mean one very terrible thing.
"You didn't."
Hayate handed her the photograph. "I did."
-Nine years ago-
"Ah." Lindy sniffled, delicately brushing away another tear. "It's just so beautiful!"
"Come on Mom." Fate sighed good naturedly, handing her another tissue from a pack seemingly pulled out of thin-air. Nanoha laughed quietly at the gesture, still amazed after all this time at how well prepared Fate could be in any situation. Although, watching at how adoringly the admiral was gazing at her son, tears were to be expected. Nanoha turned her attention towards the center of the grand hall, where Chrono and Amy were wrapped up in each other in their first dance as husband and wife, oblivious to the world. It was weird to think of him as married now, because every time Nanoha looked at him, she still saw the only bright eyed boy stupid enough to jump into the middle of her battle with Fate in a shipping yard, now millions of miles away.
"This damn love-love atmosphere. Makes me wish I had a date." Hayate growled bitterly.
Nanoha and Fate shared exasperated looks before bursting into giggles, but it was short lived as the enforcer was suddenly caught in one of her mother's bone crushing hugs.
"My little Fate-chan will be next!" Lindy wailed, wrapping her arms around the blonde and squeezing her tight.
"M-mom." she stuttered weakly, cheeks tinted pink in embarrassment. "I don't even…"
"I'm just glad you're not alone!" the admiral continued as she pulled back, ignoring her daughter's feeble protests. Bright green eyes flickered over to Nanoha, still stationed beside Fate and offered the girl a wink. "I know Nanoha will take good care of you."
"Mom!" Fate gasped in horror, her features now a vibrant shade of red.
"And what a fine daughter-in-law she'll make…"
The blonde didn't even know what to do at that point as her jaw opened and closed rather uselessly. A quick glance over at her friend quelled some of her fear though, as Nanoha was very amused by the whole ordeal. Hayate, however, was starting to develop a rather creepy smile, and the brunette didn't even want to know what kind of thoughts were running through her mind.
Fate looked as though she were trying to cobble together an escape plan, one that would probably involve no less than three fistfights, (a feat that would be rather impressive, given her sheer black dress and heels) when Nanoha decided to take the initiative, winding an arm through hers, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"You heard Mom, honey. Dance with me."
Fate was locked in place, her mouth still hanging open, and Nanoha was almost sure she had broken her. Arching a brow, the instructor tugged a bit harder, but it did little to erase the sheer terror written all over the blonde's face.
Lindy muffled her laughter behind her hand.
"Go." Hayate growled, shoving Fate from behind. "You're starting to give me a headache."
"But...but I…" Fate stuttered uselessly, even as her legs betrayed her, allowing Nanoha to drag her into what she was sure was her very own private hell.
Alone with the admiral now, Hayate grabbed two glasses of champagne off the tray of a passing waiter and handed one to the older woman, grinning wickedly. "You. I like you."
Lindy smiled brightly. "She just needs a gentle push, is all."
Hayate scoffed. "Fate? No. Fate needs to be tied up and pitched off the proverbial cliff."
The pair watched as Nanoha and Fate made their way out the dance floor, the enforcer's face still bright red as Nanoha draped her arms over Fate's shoulders, and the blonde looked like she was about to pass out as she tentatively rested her hands on Nanoha's hips.
Hayate's lips quirked into a smirk as she snapped a photo with her cellphone, and beside her, Lindy chuckled. "You better make me some prints."
"Poster sized." The commander promised.
Unaware of the schemes of her dear friend, Nanoha turned her attention back on Fate, who, judging by her stiff posture, was awaiting a firing squad.
"Hey, calm down." Nanoha tried, offering her a smile. "Why are you so nervous? It's just me."
Fate's blush darkened and she licked her lips, but it didn't help the parched feeling in her throat. "I'm not really sure. I don't know what to do with, uh…" dark eyes trailed down Nanoha's figure, coming to rest on her own traitorous hands, still on slim hips.
Nanoha waited for her to continue, so patient, always patient, while Fate trips over her words and her feelings, struggling to voice so many different things. But then again, Nanoha has always been one to act first, think later, so she slides in a little closer, lacing her fingers together behind Fate's neck, absently brushing the pads of her thumbs over soft skin there.
"This." Fate whispers, finally finishing her thought, swallowing almost audibly. "I don't know what to do with this."
"That's easy." Nanoha replied confidently. "Just dance. You're doing fine."
Fate gave her a tiny frown at that, and Nanoha couldn't help but giggle. "Seriously." the brunette tried again, unable to hide her smile. "Just relax, okay?"
"But I don't know how."
"Just move with me." Nanoha replied gently, pulling Fate into the movements with her. "If I can teach a bunch of rookies to fight, I can most certainly teach you how to slow dance."
It must have been something she said, because Fate looked like she was about to combust on the spot. After a few more minutes though, her stance relaxed, and she was even managing to smile a bit. Her natural grace and agility seemed to carry over from her battle style, and there were no crushed toes or awkward trips.
"Now was this so bad?" Nanoha asked with a grin, feeling rather pleased with herself. After all, one of her favorite pastimes was pulling Fate out of her shell, and teaching her about all the enjoyable things she had missed in her youth.
Fate cast a nervous glance over her shoulder at Hayate and her mother, and felt a sickening thump in her stomach at the thumbs-up Hayate gave her. "I have the feeling it will be later."
"Kiss her!" Hayate crowed, loud enough to draw several looks in their direction.
"Ridiculous." Fate ground out between clenched teeth as her face flamed up once more. "I mean, how embarrassing does she have…" The words died in her throat when Nanoha leaned forward and pressed her lips to Fate's cheek, just at the corner of her mouth.
Russet eyes grew wide, and all dancing lessons were immediately forgotten. "N-Nanoha?"
The instructor blushed lightly. "Thanks for being my date tonight."
Fate blinked slowly. Once. Twice. Completely in shock, even as Nanoha released her from her hold and took her hand.
"Come on." Nanoha laughed nervously, afraid she was going to start babbling if she stood here any longer. "I've tortured you enough for one evening."
-Present-
Hayate let out a long sigh, brow quirking up at the instructor whose gaze still lingered on the photo in her hands. Nanoha, in her gorgeous blue dress, with her arms around Fate's shoulders, and Fate with her hands on Nanoha's hips, looking like she had either won the lottery or had been condemned to death. Seemed to sum up their entire relationship thus far, and it was definitely Hayate's favorite, to be sure. "You alright?"
"Yeah, yeah." Nanoha replied quietly. "I just…yeah."
Hayate shook her head with a bemused smile, and mindful of Momoko nearby, reached out to Nanoha over their telepathic link, figuring this should be something just between them. "I'll let you keep that one, okay?"
The instructor nodded, her eyes showing the gratitude that her voice couldn't.
"Back to work then?" Hayate tried, hoping and wishing that something, anything, would trigger Nanoha to wake the hell up and get out of this ridiculous farce of a…
"Yeah." Nanoha murmured, and just like that, the spark in her eyes was gone.
Notes!
Oh, this chapter bugged me forever. I went over it so many times, debating and arguing with myself, and finally I just buckled down and dug my heels in. As a result, Fate most certainly has an emotional mess to clean up, and I'm sure I will too, as soon as the reviews start coming in. Hah.
I tried not to leave it on such an awful cliffhanger, so I guess there's that?
Just remember, if you kill me, I can't finish the story.
Love it, hate it, let me know. Don't be shy now!
