Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from or the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha anime, nor any other movie, actor, song, or character referenced or stated in this story.
OUR CERTAIN WORLD
by : ~Nissanity~
Part 2 – Nanoha
Nanoha's eyes narrow in the direction of the woman laying in bed beside her. Fate's blond hair is fanned out on her pillow, her breathing slow and deep as she sleeps peacefully. Nanoha has not been nearly as fortunate as her companion. Sleep had eluded her until the early morning hours, with various thoughts and frustrations keeping her mind racing well into the night.
Although it was difficult to endure, the outcome of the previous evening was one she had already anticipated. Even before beginning the endeavor, she expected that it would be difficult to seduce Fate. The likelihood was high that she wouldn't pick up on Nanoha's signals right away. And as predicted, her best friend wasn't ready to understand her own feelings just yet.
Nanoha knows that all she can do now is be patient and keep trying. She has been aware of her romantic inclinations for Fate for well over a decade now. Previously, it had been convenient to push those feelings aside and choose both of their careers over a relationship. Those days of putting TSAB first were long over for her, though. She knows she is ready to take the next step, and she isn't going to stop until Fate either returns her feelings or outright rejects her advances.
She groans and rubs her eyes as she contemplates the idea of Fate choosing the latter option. That would hurt far worse than dealing with her confusion for an indefinite period of time. As Nanoha moves around in bed, Fate senses her motions and turns to face her in her sleep. She wraps her arm around Nanoha's midsection and draws her in close.
It is becoming torturous for her, pure and simple. She is very tempted to curl up in Fate's arms in that moment, but she also doesn't want to take advantage of the situation. The image of Fate's distraught face the night before has been burned into her mind, and those are not the type of memories Nanoha wants to make for either of them.
"Fate-chan...?" she quietly calls out to her.
Fate stirs at the sound of her name and slowly opens her eyes. It takes a few seconds for vision to adjust and to recognize the position she is in. She pulls away from Nanoha, a look of panic appearing on her face once again.
Nanoha gives her a patient smile. "Good morning, Fate-chan."
"Morning, Nanoha," she nods slowly.
"I could really use some coffee," Nanoha then says and sits up in bed. She pulls the comforter off her legs and stretches out a little. "Would you like some, too?"
"Um-hmm," Fate answers with another nod.
The distressed expressions clouding Fate's face are difficult for Nanoha to watch. She wants to grab her by the shoulders and tell her that it's all okay, that whatever it is she is feeling isn't wrong. But that's not how it works with her. It's a process that Fate has to figure out on her own, something Nanoha now doubts will happen by the time she leaves again that evening.
"You can sleep in as much as you want," Nanoha tells her while exiting the bed. "I'll make breakfast for you whenever you get up."
Fate watches Nanoha put her robe on with the same worried expression as the night before. "Thank you," she replies. "I have a few things to do for work. I'll be out as soon as I'm done."
Nanoha turns to leave the bedroom. In the doorway, she stops and smiles at Fate over her shoulder. "That sounds good.," she says. "I'll see you soon."
On her way to the kitchen, Nanoha stops by Vivio's bedroom to wake her up for breakfast. Her daughter sits up in her bed and blankly stares straight ahead. Her hair is a tangled mess and her pajamas lay rumpled on her small frame.
"Okay, Nanoha-Mama..." she mumbles. Nanoha chuckles at the sight of her daughter's grogginess and exits her bedroom.
In the kitchen, she multitasks between making coffee, chopping vegetables, and stirring the batter for pancakes. She hears Vivio pull her chair out in the dining room just as she is plating breakfast for her. Grabbing the syrup from the counter, she makes her best attempt at a morning message for her. She grins as she exits the kitchen with the plate in her hand.
Vivio inspects the dish that has just been placed in front of her. The thin syrup has already spread across the pancakes, making the message indecipherable. "What was this supposed to say?" she asks.
Nanoha blushes. "Vivio + Chris," she replies.
"You tried to write with syrup, Nanoha-Mama?" Vivio says, smiling at her mother's silliness.
"Hey, it's the thought that counts," Nanoha responds and walks back into the kitchen.
Vivio is just finishing her pancakes when Nanoha catches sight of Fate entering the dining room. "Good morning, Fate-Mama!" Vivio greets her.
Fate sits down at her usual spot at the same time Vivio stands up from her chair. "Good morning, Vivio. Where are you headed to this morning?"
Nanoha enters the dining room and sets Fate's coffee mug down on the table in front of her. "Oh, you're leaving already?" she asks Vivio.
"I'm just going to go train for a little bit," their daughter responds. "Nove says I need to improve on my endurance."
"Well, don't push yourself too hard, Vivio," Nanoha says in her most practiced mom voice.
"I won't, I promise. I'll be back in a little bit."
Nanoha waits until Vivio leaves the house before turning her attention back to Fate. "I'll finish making our breakfast, Fate-chan," she says.
Fate nods and smiles up at her. "Thank you, Nanoha. I figured I would finish what I was working on out here."
"Sure, go ahead," she replies, trying her best to hide her happiness that Fate isn't avoiding her that morning. Progress is progress. Fate types away on Bardiche's screen while Nanoha prepares breakfast for the both of them in the kitchen. Along with veggie omelets, she adds slices of toast and a side of fresh fruit to both of their plates.
As she exits the kitchen with the dishes in her hands, Nanoha discovers that Fate is no longer seated at the dining room table. She finds that the blonde is now sitting on the couch in the living room. Their large television is tuned to a cartoon that Vivio watches occasionally.
Nanoha knows Fate is prone to falling into a daze whenever she watches any sort of television program. She smiles and brings the plates into the living room instead. Fate rises from the couch when she realizes Nanoha has come to stand beside her.
"Oh, sorry about that. I got distracted for a minute," she says.
"It's okay. We can eat in here," Nanoha tells her. She sets both plates down on the coffee table and sits beside Fate on the couch. "I know you don't get to watch T.V. all that often."
A guilt look forms on Fate's face and she glances back towards the dining room again. Nanoha recognizes her worry and pats her on the leg to try to reassure her. "Really, it's okay Fate-chan. We can stay here and watch this. I actually like this show, too."
Fate glances down at Nanoha's hand as it lingers on her thigh, just above her knee. It isn't long before a blush forms on her cheeks. It's torture for both of them now, Nanoha is sure. But she is determined to keep showing her interest in Fate until she gets it. She keeps her hand on her leg for a few more seconds before pulling it away.
Nanoha shifts to get more comfortable on the couch while they watch the ridiculous cartoon in front of them. Fate laughs and shakes her head in disbelief during the particularly absurd scenes. Occasionally, Nanoha sneaks glances over in her direction during the show. Everything about her is adorable, and that isn't just her lust talking. There is an innocence about her, one with only the purest of hearts could maintain like she has over the years. But she is also incredibly sexy at the same time, and the fact that she doesn't recognize it in herself makes her that much more desirable.
Fate makes it through two-thirds of her breakfast before calling it quits. After the cartoon finishes, she leans back against the cushion and stretches her arms over her head. "I should probably go take a shower," she mentions.
"That sounds nice," Nanoha says and stands from the couch. She starts to collect their plates and cups to return to the kitchen. "I'll probably take one after you do."
Or we could just take one together and save us both some time, she thinks of saying. She shakes her head and laughs to herself at the idea. Nope, making that suggestion would be way too obvious and desperate.
Fate stands and turns off the television with the remote. "Are you sure you don't need any help with the dishes?" she asks.
Nanoha pauses between the kitchen and the living room. "No, that's okay," she smiles. "Enjoy your shower. I'll see you when you get out."
oOOOo
Once the dishes have been washed, dried, and put away, Nanoha returns to the living room and settles onto the couch once more. The book she started earlier that week is still resting on top of the coffee table. Hoping for a temporary distraction, she takes it into her hands and attempts to pick up where she had left off. The shower has just turned on in the master bath above her, and she can faintly hear Fate's melodic humming in the otherwise silent house.
Just as she locates the part in the book where she had left off, Vivio returns home from her training session. She looks overheated and is pressings a white athletic towel against her face to mop up her sweat.
"I'm home!" she announces.
Nanoha sets the book down into her lap. "Welcome back," she replies.
Vivio looks around the living room. "Where's Fate-Mama?"
"She's taking a shower."
The young girl turns to her device and smiles mischievously. "Well, in that case..." she begins.
Nanoha places the book back down on the table. "What is it, Vivio?"
"Let's join her, Nanoha-Mama!" she suggests excitedly. She runs to the side of the couch and grabs her mother's hand. Nanoha stands when Vivio begins tugging repeatedly on her arm.
"No, I don't think I will," she says in protest. "You can join her, though. I think she would really enjoy your company."
Vivio puffs out her cheeks and maneuvers herself behind her mother. Nanoha walks when she feels the two small hands on her back pushing her forward. "But Fate-Mama leaves today! We need to spend all the time we can with her."
Nanoha relinquishes and allows herself to be lead towards the stairs. "Well, I can't really argue with that..." she muses.
Nor does she really want to, in all honesty. She lets Vivio guide her into the small changing area outside of the bathroom. Both she and her daughter remove their clothing quickly, and Nanoha then wraps a large white towel around herself. This is all happening a lot faster than she is prepared for, and she can only imagine what Fate's reaction will be with her sudden appearance.
Vivio approaches the bathroom door first while Nanoha hides behind the nearby wall. "Fate-Mama, can I come in?" she asks after knocking on the door.
Nanoha hears Fate turn off the shower. "Sure, come on in!" she calls out.
"Excuse me..." her daughter sings softly as she opens the door. She pokes her head inside before stepping fully into the bathroom.
It's now or never, Nanoha debates. The comical notion that her daughter has suddenly become her wingman crosses her mind, but she quickly forces that odd idea out of her head. Taking a deep breath, she enters into the bathroom behind Vivio, just as Fate is turning around to greet their daughter.
"No prob – What?!" she exclaims when she sees Nanoha making an entrance as well.
Nanoha winks playfully at her. "Excuse me..." she says.
"Y-You too, Nanoha?!" Fate stammers. She stares dumbfounded at Nanoha, her face growing redder by the second.
"Yes, um, Vivio said it was okay..."
Their daughter takes the lead in the situation once more. She grabs Fate by the hand and smiles up at her. "You're shipping out today. Right, Fate-Mama? So we should all spend the time we have left together as a family!"
Fate remains frozen for a moment, still obviously in shock. She then relaxes and pats Vivio affectionately on the head. "Yes, that's a good point," she says.
"Yay!"
Nanoha removes the towel from her body and hangs it on the towel rack in the corner. She approaches Fate first, although she seems determined to not look in her direction whatsoever. Nanoha wishes she could say she has as much restraint. The Enforcer keeps her body in peak condition at all times. It makes it nearly impossible for Nanoha to tear her eyes away from the toned, curvy woman standing naked in front of her.
When Nanoha takes a few strands of her blond hair into her hand, Fate finally turns to acknowledge her presence. "Fate-chan, how about I wash your hair like old times?" she suggests.
Fate instantly panics and blushes again. "Ehhh?!" she cries.
"No fair! Me too!" Vivio chimes in. The two mothers turn to look at their daughter nearly vibrating beside them.
"S-Sure thing, Vivio," Fate replies unsteadily. "We can do that."
Nanoha smiles and steps away to run a bath for them instead. Fate sets up the stools beside the tub so that she could wash Vivio's hair. Nanoha knows it's probably for the best that she doesn't try to do something as intimate as washing Fate's hair right now. It would take far more restraint to keep it innocent in front of their daughter than she can probably handle at the moment.
As she settles into the the tub, Nanoha spots Vivio's squirt gun sitting on the edge of the tub. She sneaks it into the water without anyone noticing and starts filling the chamber. Beside the bathtub, Vivio looks to be in heaven with the attention she is getting from her Fate-Mama.
"Chris really kept up with me today," she mentions over her shoulder.
"Really?" Fate replies at first. Nanoha observes Fate bend down to speak quietly in her daughter's ear. "Did anyone say anything about Chris' formal name?"
Vivio shrugs and keeps her voice low as well. "Just things like 'Of course' and 'That's a nice name.'"
Nanoha raises the squirt gun and shoots Vivio right in the temple. "What are you two whispering about?" she playfully demands to know.
Fate and Vivio both keep their lips shut tight. Nanoha turns the toy gun on Fate next and shoot the stream straight at the side of her breast.
"Nanoha! Come one!" she gasps and laughs. She covers the spot with her hand so Nanoha can't hit her there twice.
She and Vivio share a determined look and begin to infiltrate Nanoha from either side of the tub. Vivio tickles her mother in the sides while Fate suppresses her from behind. She pins her to the tub with one arm and holds Nanoha's wrist to keep the squirt gun at bay.
"Uncle!" Nanoha finally shouts and relinquishes the toy. Fate aims it directly at her cheek and shoots her once as payback. Nanoha giggles and splashes water back towards her. The squirt gun is then placed on top of the medicine cabinet, high out of everyone's reach.
Once the shampoo has been rinsed from Vivio's hair, she and Fate join Nanoha in the large bathtub. Fate sits directly across from her, and Vivio on the side opposite both of them. Nanoha's leg brushes against Fate's in the process of them settling in. To her surprise, she doesn't flinch or pull away with the contact, so Nanoha lets her leg remain touching hers. More progress. It seems Fate isn't about to jump out of her skin every time she touches her now.
Nanoha turns to address Vivio. "What should we do for lunch today?" she asks.
"Actually, I'm supposed to meet Rio and Corona at the library," she replies.
"Why the library?" Fate asks her.
"Oh, I just wanted to look something up there."
"That sounds like fun..." Nanoha hums at first. She turns her vision to Fate seated directly across from her. "I guess Fate-chan and I will have to find our own ways to have fun while you're gone."
Fate's mouth falls opens and her face flushes for the countless time that day. Nanoha only raises her eyebrows and continues to meet her eyes in return. The comment seems to have been a direct hit. The look of realization on Fate's face tells Nanoha that her intentions have finally been fully understood.
oOOOo
Nanoha waves goodbye to Vivio one last time and watches her walk down the front driveway. Once she has left her sight, she shuts the door behind her and leans against it. God, she is feeling nervous now. She had been confident earlier in her advances towards Fate, but time passed as she helped Vivio get ready to leave. Her confidence has since wavered significantly. She had come across stronger than she had intended to earlier, and she worries now that maybe she pushed too hard.
To her right, Fate makes an appearance in the doorway leading to the living room. Nanoha meets her eyes and pulls away from the front door. There is a conversation that needs to happen between them, but the entryway to their home doesn't seem like the appropriate place for it. Silently, Nanoha conveys that she would like Fate to follow her. As she walks up the stairs with Fate trailing a few steps behind, she sways her hips a little more than usual for added measure.
Nanoha opens the bedroom door and leads them both inside, eventually coming to stand near the foot of their bed. Fate shuts and locks the door behind her and steps a few feet into the room. They both brace themselves for the conversation that has been so many years in the making. Nanoha can only hope it will have the outcome she so badly desires.
"What's going on here, Nanoha?" Fate asks.
Nanoha crosses her arms protectively over her chest. "Isn't it obvious?" she responds.
Fate shakes her head. "I'm not making any assumptions right now."
"That's okay," Nanoha says quietly. She looks away to the floor and feels a blush forming on her cheeks. "I'm trying to show you that I'm interested in you."
"Interested in me?"
"Yes, interested in you. Like...that." After the confession, she sinks her head into her hands and moans. "Ugh, this is so embarrassing!"
Fate continues to look perplexed. "Are you sure? I mean, I never knew you felt that way about me."
"Well, I do. Honestly, I've liked you like that for a long time. I just never acted on it before now."
She can see Fate's demeanor softening a little. "For a long time?" she asks tentatively.
"Yes. For years, in fact. I just let everything else stop me from doing anything about it. But I don't want to fight the way I feel about you anymore."
"I don't know..." Fate says slowly. "I don't know how to feel about this yet."
Nanoha closes the distance between them by stepping forward a few feet. "I know you say that now, Fate-chan. But if you could just see the way that you..."
Fate raises her eyebrows when Nanoha trails off. "The way that I what, Nanoha?" she asks.
"I already know you feel that same way about me," Nanoha says. "I can see it in your eyes. Every time you look at me, it's always there."
"Maybe... But does that even matter? We aren't supposed to be doing this. You're my best friend. If this went badly... I wouldn't be able to handle losing you in my life."
"I feel the same way, though. That's how you know I'm never going to go anywhere, no matter what happens." Nanoha step forwards again until she is standing directly in front of Fate, close enough for the two to touch. "I know you're probably nervous to give this a chance. I'm nervous, too."
Fate breaks eye contact with Nanoha and turns her vision to the floor. "I wouldn't even know what to do anyway," she admits quietly. "I've never done anything like that before."
Nanoha crosses the invisible plane between them and brushes her body against Fate's. She moves her hand tentatively along her hip and waits until Fate has brought her eyes up to meet hers once again.
"That isn't a good enough reason to hold us back anymore, Fate-chan."
There is a relinquishment in Fate's position against the idea. It isn't that she is somehow given in to Nanoha's words. It is more that she has finally accepted them as the truth. Her eyes travel along Nanoha's face until they reach the soft curves of her lips. Carefully, Fate brings her fingertips to trace along her jawline, a soft caress that Nanoha feels in almost every nerve in her body.
Wrapping her arms around Fate's neck, Nanoha gently pulls Fate to her. Their lips slowly brush together, just barely a touch. She slides her hand into Fate's hair to bring her closer. It is a tender, almost electric, exchange between them. Never before has Nanoha felt as she does in that moment. Both women are slow as they search and memorize the sweet taste of their first kiss. Fate deepens it first by parting her mouth, inviting Nanoha in with a gentle graze of her tongue along her bottom lip.
They fit together perfectly, and Nanoha knows this is how it always should have been between them. The strength of Fate's arm wrapping around her waist. Nanoha's hands moving to rest on Fate's chest just below her shoulders. She loves all of it, an exploration they are sharing that she never wants to end.
A fire begins to ignite between them, and Nanoha is sure her heart could explode in her chest at any moment. She pulls Fate closer, eager to shed the years of restraint that had held them back for too long. Fate doesn't try to fight it and responds with her own hunger.
"Nanoha..." she whispers between shallow breaths. She unconsciously licks her lips while keeping her eyes closed, savoring the experience of Nanoha's intoxicating taste.
Gripping her sweater in her hands, Nanoha walks Fate backwards towards the bed. The blonde's knees hit the edge and she fumbles a little as she sits down. Nanoha swings her leg over to sit on her lap while facing her. Fate begins to run splayed fingers along the bare skin of Nanoha's thighs beneath her skirt.
"Oh...god..." Nanoha moans as fingernails lightly dig into her skin.
Her cardigan comes off first, leaving her in just an undershirt that exposes more skin for Fate's exploration. Her lips trace along Nanoha's collarbone to the curve of her shoulder, until she finds the sensitive bend of her neck. She murmurs something that Nanoha can't make out. She places gentle hands along the back of Fate's head and searches her eyes.
"What was that?" she breathes.
"Are you sure this is okay?" Fate repeats a bit louder.
"Yes," Nanoha assures her and pulls her back to her chest. "I want to you to touch me. I want everything from you."
Fate's hands push away the thin fabric covering Nanoha's abdomen next. Her muscles contract as Fate's fingertips trace along the taut lines. The further her hands move across her bare skin, the more Nanoha's body responds with trembles and shivers. She presses their lips together again and moans into her mouth, the taste of Fate causing the rest of the world to fall out of focus.
With one hand under her neck and the other arm around her waist, Fate turns Nanoha to be beneath her on the bed. She breaks their kiss to pull her sweater off over her head. She tugs up on Nanoha's undershirt and tosses it away to the floor as well. Her bra is gone soon after. Nanoha wasn't expecting her lover's sudden confidence, but she is prepared to succumb to Fate's will completely.
She lifts her hips up at Fate's request. Her skirt and underwear are removed in one smooth motion. She raises herself up to help Fate remove her skirt by unzipping it and moving it off her waist. Fate sheds the rest of her clothing herself and discards it all at the foot of the bed.
Nanoha remains sitting and takes Fate's breasts into her hands. She teases one nipple with her fingers and brings her mouth to the other, gently biting and rolling her tongue around its peak. The gasp Fate emits echoes sweetly in her ears, accelerating her eagerness to please her. Her own body is coming alive too, throbbing and pulsing in tandem with her racing heartbeat.
She falls back onto the bed when Fate gently pushes down by her shoulders. "Fate...cha..." she whispers desperately.
Her body aches to have Fate's bare skin pressed against hers. Her hands move along Nanoha's waist and down to her thighs, the contact so hot it burns in its wake. Fate then grasps her knee and lifts. Nanoha's leg naturally comes to wrap around her waist, and Fate is immediately on top and grinding herself against her.
Nanoha pushes her head back and cries out, the intensity of their connection taking the last bit of her sanity. She holds Fate by the shoulders and feels her body trembling beneath her grip. Fate kisses her repeatedly, muffling their desperate moans and pleas with their connected lips.
They move in sync, their tension growing as they push each other to their breaking points. Fate holds herself above Nanoha so that she can watch her through it. Her sapphire eyes witness a torrent of emotions burning in the beautiful crimson ones above her – adoration, sensuality, lust, maddening love.
Fate is the first to tense and emit a strangled groan. "Oh, Nano...ha..." she cries out.
Her voice touches Nanoha and fuels her own pleasure. She sinks her hands in Fate's hair, grasping hard to keep her close. When she nears her own shattering climax, her back arches. Her hips shake uncontrollably and everything within her constricts.
The need to come consumes her until the final thrust gives her the release she desires. She claws and clings to every part of Fate within her reach throughout it. Her lover's eyes are clouded in their own pleasure, with only throaty moans of bliss slipping through her parted lips. Their urges have peaked together, letting them both experience satisfaction with, and because of, each other.
She wraps her arms around Fate after and holds her close. Her body continues to shiver from the contractions her muscles have just endured. She senses Fate trembling above her as well, and she is not surprised when she soon feels drops of wetness on her skin.
"Are you okay?" Nanoha asks her.
Fate nods against her shoulder. "Yes," she replies quietly.
Nanoha gently guides Fate to lay on her back and positions herself on top. She props herself up and brushes the tears away with the pad of her thumb.
"Thank you, Fate-chan," she says with a gentle smile. "You returned my feelings. I am so happy right now."
Fate sighs a little. "I know, but what happens – "
The sound of the front door suddenly opening and then shutting echoes throughout the house. Both women are instantly pulled back to reality. Nanoha's eyes grow wide and she stares at Fate in disbelief. "Was that...?" she begins.
" – the front door?" Fate finishes for her. "Yes, I'm pretty sure it was."
"Nanoha-Mama?! Fate-Mama?!" Vivio shouts from the entryway. "I forgot my library card!"
Nanoha hastily jumps out of bed. "Oh my god..." she groans and fumbles for her robe hanging nearby. "What am I supposed to say to Vivio right now?"
Fate opens her mouth and shrugs. "I-I don't know..." she replies weakly.
Vivio's footsteps can be heard coming up the stairs. "Nanoha-Mama? Where are you?" she says loudly.
"Be right out!" her mother yells back. Her eyes turn to Fate as she approaches the bedroom door. "You stay here. I'll be back."
Nanoha opens the door and exits the bedroom as quickly as she can. She nearly slams the door shut behind her so that her daughter cannot see Fate inside. Vivio cocks her head to the side when she sees her mother wearing just her robe again.
"Nanoha-Mama...?" she begins. "Weren't you already dressed when I left?"
"Um... Well, you know..." her mother stammers. Whenever she feels guilty about something, she always struggles to find the right words. And right now, her guilt is on an astronomical level.
Vivio continues to stare at her mother, her suspicion growing more and more. She too is aware of her mother's tendency to trip herself up verbally when she has something to hide.
"Where's Fate-Mama?" she then asks. "I didn't see her downstairs anywhere."
The bedroom door that Nanoha is leaning against suddenly swings open, nearly sending her toppling backwards. Fate catches and steadies her before exiting the bedroom. Nanoha is relieved to see that she is already fully dressed again.
"I'm right here, Vivio," she says. "Nanoha, I'm sorry I spilled my drink on you earlier. You can go finish getting changed. I'll help Vivio find her library card."
"Oh, I see!" Vivio smiles. "Why didn't you just say so, Nanoha-Mama?"
"Yes...Of course..." Nanoha merely replies at first. Relief completely washes over her. "Thank you, Fate-chan."
Fate looks over her shoulder and smiles back at her. Nanoha hears her ask their daughter if she would like a ride to the library as they descend the stairs. Vivio replies that she should be fine as long as she hurries.
Nanoha returns to the bedroom and shuts the door behind her so that she can get dressed again. She almost puts on the same clothing she had on previously, before realizing that would contradict the excuse Fate had told Vivio. After changing into a new outfit, she descends the stairs to meet up with her family again. She finds Fate standing alone in the entryway near the front door.
"Did Vivio leave already?" she asks.
"She did," Fate replies. "She said she was in a hurry and didn't want to be late."
"That's good. Wow, I can't believe we almost got caught!" Nanoha laughs nervously. "You really saved us there, Fate-chan."
Fate nods. "It's no problem. I don't think I've ever gotten dressed so fast in my life."
When the laughter subsides, an awkward silence falls between the two. Fate seeks Nanoha's eyes, perhaps hoping to find some clarity about their new situation in them. They both know there are questions that need to be answered, now that the line of friendship has been crossed between them.
"So... now what?" Fate asks after a moment.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, what are we supposed to do now?"
Nanoha shrugs a little. "I guess we need to decide if this was a one-time thing or not."
"Oh..."
"Do you want things to return to the way they were before, when we were just friends?" Nanoha asks her.
Fate pauses, then shakes her head. "No," she replies. "I don't want that."
"Good," Nanoha breathes a sigh of relief. She then smiles and beckons Fate to her side. "That makes this easy. Please come here, Fate-chan."
Fate relaxes her stance and crosses the entryway to stand in front of Nanoha. She still seems unsure of what to do in her actions, so Nanoha closes the space between them and hugs her tightly.
"Nanoha..."
"Don't think about it so hard," she says beside her ear. "Just do whatever you feel is right. You don't have to worry so much anymore."
Fate's arms wrap around her and Nanoha sinks into her warmth. She had imagined this very moment for so many years, and the reality of it now is far exceeding her expectations. They stand holding each other in the entryway until Bardiche chimes inside Fate's pocket. The device is reminding her that she is scheduled back at headquarters that evening.
Pulling away from Nanoha, Fate waves her hand to bring up her transmitter and silence the alert. The reminder casts a dark cloud over their current situation, but Nanoha is determined to not let that affect the rest of their day together.
"I guess we should figure out what we're going to do now, huh?"
A flustered expression crosses Fate's face once again, although Nanoha can tell she is trying her best to remain calm. "Well... We can do whatever you want..." she mumbles.
"Nyahaha!" Nanoha giggles in return. Pushing up on her toes, she gives Fate a quick kiss on the cheek. "I was thinking the same thing. Let's just hope Vivio doesn't catch us this time."
oOOOo
The Enforcers are slowly filing onto the bridge, each taking their time saying goodbye to their friends and loved ones on the mezzanine. Nanoha sighs when she looks over at the ship floating outside the window. Fate's leave was far too short this time, and there is still so much she wants to experience with her.
"I always hate this part," Nanoha says quietly.
"I know," Fate responds. "I do, too."
Teana approaches the two near the entrance to the bridge. "We should probably get going, Fate," she says.
Fate nods and closes her eyes. "I'm sorry, Nanoha. I need to go now."
"It's okay," Nanoha assures her and reaches for her hands. "I'll be right here, waiting for you to come back."
When she brings her hand up to her lips and kisses her palm, Fate shows surprise at the public gesture. "Nanoha...?"
Teana snickers at the sight. "Come on, Fate, just kiss her so we can get out of here already," she teases.
Nanoha raises her eyebrows at Fate, as if daring her to follow through with the suggestion. Fate narrows her eyes and gives her an amused look. She takes everyone by surprise when she abruptly pulls Nanoha close and captures her lips with her own.
A chorus of cheers erupts all around them. The two pull away and look to their co-workers now gathering around and applauding their affection. Nanoha buries her face in her hands, the embarrassment of the scene overwhelming her. Fate gasps and blushes furiously at their reactions.
Teana wraps her arms around Fate's shoulder and begins to drag her away. "It's only because it took you guys forever to figure it out," Nanoha can hear Teana say as they walk down the bridge. "It's about time, you know!"
When Fate turns to look at her over her shoulder one last time, Nanoha smiles and waves goodbye to her. She slowly walks to her usual spot at the railing and leans herself against it. The railing moves beneath her elbows when someone else comes to stand beside her.
"Congratulations," a familiar voice says to her.
Nanoha turns her head and nods shyly. "Thank you, Hayate..." she responds. "You were right about just going for it."
"I'm glad to hear it. Did she get it right away?"
"No, it took her a while to figure it out. But I kind of knew that was going to happen."
Hayate turns around and leans her back against the rail. "You know I want to hear all the juicy details," she says matter-of-factually.
"What?!" Nanoha cries. "I'm not going to tell you about that!"
"Hey, it's payback for helping you out. It's only fair."
Nanoha sighs in exasperation. "You are so strange," she tells her. The two slowly begin to walk towards the exit together. "What is it that you want to know exactly?"
Hayate pats her on the shoulder with a mischievous gleam in her eye. "Everything," she says.
"Ugh, god damnit..." Nanoha moans.
As they walk, Nanoha looks to the ship and finds the same window she always seeks. She sees her blonde hair first, then the beautiful crimson eyes searching for her through the glass. Fate smiles when she finds her on the mezzanine and waves goodbye one last time. Nanoha kisses her index and middle fingers and turns them towards Fate to show her love and affection for her. The Enforcer pats her heart in return, indicating she understands and feels the same way.
It is the beginning of a new tradition between them.
A/N: That's it for this one. Thanks for reading it to the end! ~Nissanity~