Chapter Thirteen:
No More to Hide
Prepare your things, dissolve your mind
'Cause I'm your consort beautiful queen
Of seventeen
A blood red moon has spared our bed
But not your rivals, beautiful queen
Prepare to reign
No more to hide
With I your faithful consort by your side
Let streamers fly and cannons roar
On your arrival, beautiful queen
Tomorrow night, prepare to walk
On anyone her highness ever wants
Entrust in me
You're not alone
Together we'll wreak havoc on the throne
Entrust in me
You're not alone
Together we'll wreak havoc, you and me
Together we'll wreak havoc, you and me
Rufus Wainwright, The Consort
Heero awoke feeling more rested than he had in a long time. Usually his frantic mind kept him awake well into the night, but last night his worn body allowed sleep to overtake him shortly after his head hit the pillow. He enjoyed an uninterrupted, dreamless sleep and woke up feeling, for once, that all was right in his world. He suspected falling asleep next to Relena had something to do with that.
Heero took a moment to study his companion as she continued to slumber. Some of her blond hair was swept over one side of her face, the rest fanned out around her pillow. She was curled up on one side, facing him. One strap of her chemise had slipped off her shoulder, revealing a white bra strap. The sight of this tantalized Heero, and he longed to touch her but didn't want to disturb her sleep. He knew how badly she needed rest. He laid there simply gazing at her for a while until one of her eyes, then the other, fluttered open. She stared at him bleary-eyed for a moment before breaking into a warm smile.
"Heero," she whispered. He said nothing but stroked her cheek, pushing a few wisps of hair off her face. She closed her eyes again for a minute, as if she could drift right back to sleep.
Heero thought of how lucky he was that Relena had forgiven the many stupid atrocities he had committed over the past few days— and years, for that matter. As difficult as it had been for him to reconcile his own feelings, he knew that he was grateful to be accepted back into her life, in whatever capacity she would allow him. He was touched by her kindness, understanding and trust.
He pulled her toward him and kissed her fully on the lips. Now she was awake. She raked her fingers through his unruly hair as she kissed him back.
There was a mound of blankets in between them that Heero planned to eradicate. He was about to yank them down and pull her closer when Relena broke away. She smiled at him again and asked how he'd slept.
Chitchatting was never Heero's favorite activity under most circumstances, but especially first thing in the morning. He decided he had better answer her anyway.
"Fine," he mumbled, annoyed at himself for letting her get away. "You?"
"I slept well," Relena answered, stretching her arms. She didn't continue the conversation; just kept smiling at him. As endearing as it was, it started to irk him.
"What is it?" Heero finally asked.
"Nothing," Relena murmured. "I'm just happy you're here with me."
"Yeah." Heero tipped her chin up with his thumb. "Me, too. Now come here."
He reached for her again, but Relena swatted at him playfully.
"Not now, Heero. I have to get up and get ready."
Heero frowned. "We talked about this— you can't go today."
Relena sighed. "What am I supposed to do, call in sick? This is a conference, not a typical work day; I don't have much flexibility here. I can see what can be done about postponing the vaccine demo until we have more information, but other than that…" her voice trailed off, and she sighed again. "There's still more work to be done. I can't just stay in bed all day... much as I'd like to." She leveled him with a saucy smile.
"Why not?" Heero challenged her, deciding that stalling for time was his best tactic. "You should at least rest a little longer. For your health," he added with a smirk.
"I don't know, Heero," Relena scolded, albeit with a playful glint in her eyes. "Let me see…" She reached for her phone on the adjacent nightstand. "We woke up a little ahead of my alarm. I've got another twenty minutes." She shot Heero a meaningful look.
He took that as consent. "Give me five," he growled.
In a single violent motion, he kicked the covers off and pulled Relena on top of him. She gasped at first but was kissing him again within seconds, and seemed all too eager to assist him with pulling off his shirt.
He let go of her waist to remove his pajama pants, revealing his black boxers. He then sat up straight, bringing Relena upright with him. She wrapped her legs around his middle. He reached his hands under her slip and began to pull it up, but Relena pushed his hands back down.
"Wait," she whispered. He stopped kissing her to look into her eyes.
"Relena…" he murmured, touching her face again, encouraging her to look right at him. "It's all right."
She lowered her eyes. "Heero, I don't know…"
"What are you afraid of?" He followed her gaze, hoping she would look back up at him.
"I'm not afraid. I'm nervous."
"Why?"
"I just…" Relena blushed. "I don't know if I'm ready for all of this. I thought I was," she said by way of apology.
Heero shook his head to let her know that he didn't expect anything from her. "Don't worry about it. We don't have to do… that. Not yet." He rubbed her back as soothingly as he could. "I want you to feel comfortable."
"I do," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Maybe even too comfortable," she added, smiling wryly. "I remember we were like this once before, a few years ago… Do you remember?"
"Of course," Heero grunted. "Somehow I got locked out of your house," he continued sarcastically. "So I had to sneak in through your bedroom window. We ended up on your bed, just like this, and then…"
"And then…" Relena prodded him.
Heero grimaced. "Zechs happened."
Relena dissolved into giggles.
Heero winced. "I'm glad you find my pain so amusing."
"Sorry," Relena said between giggles. "I don't. It's just, the look on Milliardo's face… Oh, goodness…" She clutched at her stomach.
"That's why we never wound up in that position again. Until now," Heero said huskily. "Except this time, no one's here to interrupt. So, if you don't mind…" Heero looked at her as tenderly as he knew how. "You can stop me any time," he added. "It's just… I… I enjoy finally getting to be so close to you, Relena." He leaned in, pressing his forehead against hers. "It took so long for me to let you in. And then I didn't think you'd ever let me in, again. And now…"
The scarlet flush on Relena's cheeks deepened. "I know. I didn't expect to get so shy about this, Heero, when you know how much I… want you."
Heero gave her a half smile. "Uh-huh."
Relena took a deep breath as she gazed straight into his eyes. "I've never wanted anyone so much."
She surprised Heero then by lifting her arms up, looking at him expectantly. The way a princess would expect to be undressed, he supposed. He chuckled under his breath as he pulled the silky fabric over her head and tossed the slip out of the way.
Heero paused to take in her nearly-naked form before pulling her closer against him. He didn't want to stare too long and embarrass her any further. He resisted the urge to tear off her undergarments then and there and concentrated instead on kissing her lips, neck and collarbone. Relena moaned softly as his lips and hands trailed down her chest.
Heero impatiently yanked down one of her bra straps so that it hung off of her shoulder. Relena guided his hand to her back, and started to unclasp the bra herself. Heero growled. What did she take him for, an amateur? Just because he was a virgin didn't mean he couldn't work out how to unhook a bra clasp.
Heero fumbled with it for a minute while Relena giggled.
"Heero…"
"I've got it," he muttered. "Stupid… thing."
He was about to just rip the flimsy garment off when Relena's phone rang out in a peel of bells. She whirled her head toward her nightstand.
"Your alarm," Heero pointed out. He commenced operation lingerie removal.
"No, it's not time yet. That's a video message." Relena lunged for her phone. "I have to get that. Give me your shirt, quick!"
Heero noticed that his shirt was closer to them than her slip, which he'd flung halfway across the room. Grumbling, he grabbed the shirt off he floor and tossed it to her. Relena quickly pulled it over her head, just in time to grab the call.
"Milliardo!" she gasped breathlessly. "Hi!"
Great, Heero thought. A dead giveaway that something was going on— something her big brother would not approve of. The last thing Heero needed was for his former archenemy to decide that he needed another pounding to remind him that "Princess Peacecraft" was off-limits. Once again… Zechs happens.
"Relena, are you all right?" came Milliardo's voice, tinny through the phone. "Did I wake you?"
"Uh, no, not at all!" Relena tried to sound cheerful. "Just… getting ready for work. How are you? How's Noin?"
"We're both fine. Working hard. Where's Heero?" Zechs cut right to the chase. He obviously didn't care to know how Heero was doing.
"He's, well, he's…" Relena sounded sheepish. She had been caught.
"Where are you right now?" Her brother demanded. "That doesn't look like your bedroom."
"No, I'm in a hotel on L1, at a conference for ESUN…" Relena started to explain.
"Let me see your room," Zechs growled. "Pan around."
"Milliardo," Relena scolded. "Stop being so bossy. And nosy."
"If no one else is there, let me see," Zechs continued unabashedly. "I told Yuy I'd kill him if he ever tried anything again. I'm not kidding around, Yuy. Show yourself."
Heero rolled his eyes. Zechs was being ridiculous when it came to Relena, as usual. "I'm over here, Zechs," he betrayed himself.
"What?" Zechs seethed. "You lied to me, Relena."
"I didn't say anything, so calm down," Relena cried.
"Cut the crap, Zechs," Heero glowered.
"Give Yuy the phone," Zechs barked.
Heero snatched it out of Relena's hand himself. "What do you want?"
Zechs scowled at Heero through the phone upon seeing him shirtless. "I don't like the looks of this, Yuy. Not one bit."
"Yes, Zechs, I can confirm that it's exactly what it looks like." Heero said mechanically before breaking into a wicked smile.
"Heero!" Relena gasped. "Stop it." She tried to smack his arm but he dodged her attempt.
"I don't appreciate your manhandling my sister," Zechs continued to glare.
"I don't appreciate your interrupting," Heero growled. "Again."
"Ok, you two, that's enough," an exasperated Relena tried to cut in. "Can't you both be mature about this?"
Heero and Zechs stared one another down through the phone.
"No," both responded in unison.
Just as Relena and Quatre giggled like grade school children when they got together, Heero and Zechs often reverted to a "bullies on the schoolyard" manner of behavior toward one another. It seemed some old rivalries died hard. And whenever Zechs got into his extreme overprotective mode toward Relena, Heero couldn't resist taunting him a bit.
"Milliardo!" Relena leaned over Heero's shoulder to address Zechs on the phone. "I'm a grown woman and I choose to be with Heero, and you're just going to have to accept that. And Heero." She turned her face to look at him. "Stop goading my brother," she admonished. "Understood?"
"Yes," they both muttered.
"Good," she smiled, satisfied. "Now how about a status update?"
Heero excused himself as brother and sister caught up with one another. He pulled his pajama bottoms back on in case he might encounter Trowa in the common area. Heero hadn't heard any stirrings yet from the other room, but then Trowa was adept at making himself scarce. Heero went into the kitchenette and started brewing a pot of coffee and boiling water for tea. He grabbed his duffel bag and headed to the bathroom to shower when he bypassed Relena's room and overheard something about the Zero System. Heero popped his head back in the room.
Relena turned and called to him over her shoulder. "Heero, come tell Zechs what you saw yesterday." Heero obeyed, sat down beside Relena, and proceeded to give Zechs a brief rundown.
Zechs scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Interesting, Yuy. I didn't even know that Preventer had obtained a replica of the Zero System."
"It's not the same Zero we used," said Heero. "It's definitely an upgrade. And less concerned with piloting battle tactics than personal memories and glimpses of the future. Une calls it a kind of 'crystal ball.'"
"I see." Zechs paused, then called something to Noin off-screen. "By our calculations, we're not that far from the Aventinus now. We're confirming the coordinates."
"We could meet you there," Relena piped up. Heero shot her a questioning look. "Heero was just there yesterday." She swung her eyes over to his. "How long did it take you to get there?"
"Three, four hours," he answered slowly. Now he would have to interface with Zechs at Relena's insistence— not good. On the bright side, Relena was no longer preoccupied with work. This rendezvous would keep her away from the press conference, at least.
Relena and Zechs continued talking for a moment before ending the conversation. "It's settled, then," she said to her brother cheerfully. "See you in a few hours!"
"See you then," he responded before adding in a mocking tone, "'Bye, Heero."
Heero let Zechs hang up without responding himself. He shot Relena another quizzical look.
"You're sure about this?"
"Yes," she said decidedly.
"And you're fine missing out on work?"
"Completely. This is my brother we're talking about. And Noin— I haven't seen them in months." She reached out to stroke Heero's shoulder. "You're not mad, are you?"
"No." He shook his head. "I just wish you'd been more willing to blow off work for my sake. But I'll swallow my pride this time." He gave her a slight smile. "Now give me back my shirt."
"No way." Relena tugged at the hem. "I'm keeping this one."
"Fine." Heero looked her up and down. "It looks better on you anyway."
"Thank you." Relena beamed at him. "Now if you'll excuse me, I should go get ready. Unless you want the shower first?"
"Why take turns?" Heero teased. He knew what Relena's reaction would be, but still enjoyed watching the crimson creep up her neck.
"Heero!" she gasped. "We're not quite there yet." She cleared her throat delicately.
"I know." He tugged on a strand of her hair. "Relax. I'm going to down some coffee."
Relena giggled. "Ok. Enjoy. Oh, and can you put the kettle on for me?"
"Already done."
"Oh, wow." She looked at him as though he had brought her the moon. She gave his arm an affectionate squeeze. Heero just nodded and turned to leave, giving her some privacy.
"Heero?"
He turned back to look at her.
She smiled at him bashfully. "It feels like things are getting back to normal, huh?"
He returned her smile. "Better than normal."
Relena broke into a full grin, then turned her heel and practically pranced away.
Heero chuckled to himself and left the room. As he headed back to the kitchenette, he saw Trowa exiting his bedroom. The brown-haired Preventer was wearing a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Heero just gaped at him. Trowa stared back, unblinking, before taking the headphones off.
"Is it safe to come out now?" Trowa asked. His tone of voice held no humor.
"Uh-huh." Heero turned his attention to the coffee pot.
"I trust you and Relena worked out your differences, then?"
"Yup." Heero was in no mood to discuss his deeper feelings for Relena, nor what had occurred in the bedroom earlier.
Trowa appeared to breathe a sigh of relief. "Glad that's all over."
Heero all but rolled his eyes at his fellow former pilot. "Why didn't you just stay with Quatre last night? You knew Relena would be fine with me here."
"I can tell she's fine, all right," Trowa said flatly. "But I go where I'm assigned."
"I guess I would, too, if I were you," Heero relented. "But I'd also get a higher-quality brand of headphones; that kind doesn't work very well."
"Yeah, tell me about it."
Heero shot him a steely gaze. "What did you hear?"
"…Enough," Trowa answered slowly. "Anyway, I trust that you've got everything, uh, under control. I'm going to go see what Quatre's up to."
"Actually, Relena and I are heading to the Aventinus this morning. You can ride back with us if you want."
Trowa just stared blankly at Heero before repeating, "I'm going to go see what Quatre's up to."
Heero waved his coffee mug dismissively. "Do what you want."
Trowa nodded resolutely and backed away slowly. Heero decided to ignore the other Preventer, sipping his coffee and rummaging through his duffel bag for a clean outfit. Before Trowa could leave, a knock sounded at the door. Heero snapped his head up in attention.
"I'll get it," said Trowa, since he was on his way out.
He opened the door and an excited Quatre came bounding in the room, like a blond golden retriever.
"They did not!" he exclaimed.
Trowa nodded at him. "Yeah. They did."
The two were having their own private conversation in front of Heero, as if he weren't there. Heero frowned.
"Did what?"
Quatre looked up, as if noticing Heero for the first time. He grinned and walked toward him.
"Well, way to go, Heero! I'm proud of you."
"For what?"
Quatre just smiled slyly. "Don't be coy, mister."
Heero furrowed his brow. "I think you're making a big assumption here. And you know what happens when you assume..."
"Yeah, we know," Trowa started. "It makes an ass—"
"Assassination," Heero finished, glaring.
Quatre scratched the back of his head, laughing nervously. "Uh, Heero, I don't think that's quite how that goes…"
"Whatever. My point is…"
"We should get out of here before anything else happens," Trowa cut in. "Come on, Quatre. Let's go."
Quatre laughed, covering his mouth with his hand. "Ok, ok. Tell Relena we'll see her later."
"They're not coming," Trowa said flatly.
"Oh?" The blond quirked an eyebrow. Suddenly his eyes twinkled in understanding. "Oh…"
Heero almost smacked his palm against his head. "We have Preventer business to attend to on the Aventinus," he tried explaining. "And Relena is meeting up with Zechs."
"Right…" Quatre nodded knowingly at Trowa. "You two have fun. Maybe we'll see you for dinner. Or perhaps tomorrow at breakfast?" He and Trowa both started chuckling. And once Trowa going, it was hard for him to quell his laughter. He was practically convulsing.
Heero groaned. "Maybe when you two get serious, you can help me out with something."
Quatre stopped laughing and looked up at Heero abruptly. "What?"
It took Trowa a beat longer to recover. His shoulders were still shaking even as he turned back to face Heero. "Hmmph…?"
Heero took a swig of his coffee. "It will take me and Relena about four hours to reach the Aventinus. It would be helpful if you could gather some intel for us while we're traveling."
Trowa and Quatre exchanged glances.
Heero knew he had their full attention, so he forged ahead.
"Do me a favor— find out everything you can about Project Aurora. Also called the 'PPP virus.'"
Trowa's eyes flickered in recognition. "Perfect Peace People?"
"Hn." Heero recalled the group of extreme pacifists they encountered in the summer of A.C. 196. "Could be."
Quatre shook his head. "I know what you're talking about, Heero. I've seen some preliminary plans, but the project is being called the 'Perfect Peace Principle.' The group of doctors developing the vaccine just published a request for proposals for a pharmaceutical company to mass-market it. I was just reviewing a copy of the RFP and was thinking of placing a bid."
"Well, that's a start. Can you forward us the RFP?"
"Sorry, Heero." Quatre shook his head. "That's privileged information; serious bidders only."
Heero raised a skeptical brow. "Yeah, right."
Quatre grinned. "Just kidding." He took his phone out of his pocket. "Sending it now…"
Heero nodded his thanks. Then he heard the shower turn off in the bathroom and involuntarily swung his head in that direction. To his chagrin Quatre and Trowa noticed and started snickering again.
"We'd better go." Quatre smiled. "I'll be in touch if I find anything else out about PPP, ok?"
"Great," Heero responded. "And if you can do anything to stop today's press conference…"
"I'll do what I can. You two be careful." Quatre gave Heero a little wave as he and Trowa started for the door.
"Thanks." Heero cracked a smile. "Now, if you'll excuse me…" He picked up his clothes and headed toward the bathroom. Trowa and Quatre continued chuckling as they let themselves out.
Relena was already dressed and applying makeup when Heero cautiously entered the bathroom. She was wearing a formfitting gray sweater dress over a pair of black leggings with black knee-high boots. Her wet hair was piled on top of her head in a bun. Heero stood behind her and looked her over approvingly while she filled in her lips with a cherry red gloss. Her reflection smiled at him.
"You look ready for space travel." It was his attempt at teasing her. She stuck her tongue out at him, then closed her to dust powder all over her face with a big, fluffy brush.
"You know I like to look my best." She placed her products in a pink makeup pouch and zipped it up. "I'll go dry my hair in the other room so you can have the bathroom." She went to move past Heero, but he blocked her, placing both hands on her arms.
"Heero?" She blinked up at him, surprised by the sudden, intense look he gave her. "What is it?"
Something about the way she looked, so beautiful, so vulnerable, made him want to keep her close.
"I'll always keep you safe, Relena," he whispered urgently. "No matter what happens. And if you ever decide you no longer want me by your side, I'll still find a way to look after you. Even if you say you don't need me… Even if, for some reason, you forget about me…I'll still be there. I'll try not to get in your way, but I'll be there. Always."
Relena used her free hand to touch the side of his face, smiling warmly at him. "I know you will. I wouldn't doubt you."
He squeezed her tightly. "Consider it a reminder." He dropped his arms. Relena didn't step away, but instead leaned forward and kissed Heero on the cheek.
"I love you," she spoke softly into his ear, her breath tickling his neck. "In case you forgot."
He grabbed her again and pulled her closer. She placed her hands on his bare chest and traced around his heart.
"And I don't know what you're thinking," she murmured playfully, "because I could never forget about you. No way. Just promise that you'll never forget about me."
"Never," he whispered huskily. He leaned his face toward hers, catching her lips with his as she titled her face upward.
He could kiss her forever, he thought, and then some. With their broken relationship becoming whole again, Heero had to wonder how he would ever get anything else done… How had he managed to live with her over the past year without doing this all day, every day? In that moment, he couldn't remember. He knew it hadn't been easy, but now, clearly, it would be impossible.
Their kiss ended when they finally had to come up for air. Relena sucked in a sharp breath. Heero licked the berry-flavored gloss off his lips. She giggled.
"Heero, aren't you hungry? I should order us some breakfast."
"Huh?" He hadn't even thought about it, but the mention of food made his stomach rumble. When was the last time he'd eaten anything, anyway? He realized it had been on the shuttle on the way to L1… two days ago. He had been too busy running around, searching for Relena, fighting with Relena, discovering links to his past and keys to the future, then, of course, making up with Relena, to have time to consume anything besides coffee.
Breakfast sounded good.
"What do you want?" Relena was striding toward the common area, where she found a room service menu in the kitchenette. "How about an omelet?" she called to Heero.
As a rule, he never ate eggs in the colonies. They were a rarity in space, and the ones that were imported and preserved tasted abominable compared to the fresh ones available on earth. Relena seemed to remember his preference just then, calling out, "They have tofu scramble."
"That's fine," Heero responded as he stripped out of his clothes and stepped into the shower.
He heard Relena ordering just as he turned on the water. He took a moment to enjoy the hot stream flowing over his taut muscles. Despite his desire to take a nice, long shower, he didn't want to leave Relena alone for long. He quickly soaped himself up and rinsed off, toweling off and dressing in a fluid manner. He left the bathroom to find Relena sitting on the couch, talking on the phone.
She was sighing and pinching the bridge of her nose. "Anything you can do at this point would be fine," she was saying. "Mm-hm. I know. And I appreciate—yes. Ok. Well, thank you for trying. Take care... 'Bye."
She set her phone down and looked up at Heero, clearly perplexed. He sank down beside her.
"Trouble with room service?" he guessed, although he knew that obviously wasn't the issue. Relena didn't laugh.
"No, I was just talking to Chris," she answered, referring to her assistant. "She's going to do her best to make excuses for me today. I told her to just say I'm not well, but she thinks we should be specific. She wants to say I have food poisoning." Relena sighed again, shaking her head. "How silly does that sound? That's not going to bode well for the hotel catering…"
Heero caressed Relena's back. "Don't worry about it. Let Chris handle it. And what about the press conference?"
"I asked her to go ahead and cancel— that's what we were just talking about, actually. If I'm not there, there really can't be one, anyway, but she's not sure she can get me out of it."
Heero's eyes narrowed to angry slits. "What do you mean, can't get you out of it? You're not going. Period."
"I know, Heero, but there are… complications…"
"No one can force you to go," he said gruffly. "By the time that conference rolls around you'll already be on a shuttle. You're not going."
Relena's eyes looked fearful. "You know how big of an organization ESUN is now, Heero. Canceling is not that simple. I have to answer to a lot of people…"
Heero didn't like where this was going; not at all. Relena made it sound like there would be consequences if she failed to show up.
"What are they going to do?" he asked incredulously. "Fire you?"
Relena lowered her eyes. "Maybe. I don't really know."
"That's ridiculous. You're not getting fired." Heero leaned forward. "And if anyone threatens you—"
"I don't think things will go that far." Relena rested her hand on his knee.
"If they do… I'm ready." His eyes burned intensely at her.
"I know you are." She gave his knee a squeeze. "But it's going to be all right."
He tried to quell the sudden surge of anger he felt. "I still don't like it," he grumbled.
"Neither do I."
A knock came at the door then, the outside distraction lifting the unwelcomed tension that had arisen. Heero went over and peered through the peephole before letting in room service.
He and Relena spread their breakfast out on the coffee table. Relena arranged avocado slices on an English muffin and offered Heero the other half. In the meantime he divided a grapefruit to share. This was one of their standard morning routines; usually breakfast involved them splitting some fruit, a muffin or toast. They had been doing this every day for over a year, but today felt different somehow. Heero wondered if perhaps they never would have argued yesterday if they had just had breakfast together, like normal.
Heero caught Relena smiling at him over her grapefruit.
"What?" he asked as a smile crept over his own lips. He attempted a stern look instead. "Stop doing that."
"Stop doing what?" she asked innocently.
He took a bite of his grapefruit, keeping his gaze level with hers. "Looking at me like that."
She took a bite, too, still managing to smile playfully. "No. No way."
He gave her his best death glare. "I'm warning you." He set his plate down.
"Heero Yuy, you're just going to have get used to this, one of these days." Relena traded her grapefruit for her teacup and took a dainty sip.
"Get used to what, exactly?" He raised an eyebrow.
"You know. Being like this." She fluttered her dark lashes at him. "Sweet and romantic."
"This is romantic?" He was surprised. To him the word had always evoked roses and dancing, and him having to wear a tux.
"I think it is," she responded softly. "It's just nice… being able to sit here with you. Not having to worry about anything."
He couldn't help but frown at this. "It would be nice, if we didn't have anything to worry about. But we do."
She shook her head vehemently. "Not about us. I don't care what else is going on right now, out there—" She gestured toward the door. "That, we can deal with later. But as far as the two of us are concerned…" She set her cup on the table and reached for his hand. "There's nothing left to fear. Anything that happens, we can face together, and keep one another strong. I'll never be afraid, as long as I'm with you."
Heero took in a shallow breath. He knew that she loved him— he had always known. But to hear her, once again, proclaim her absolute faith in him… It made him all the more determined to be the man she deserved.
He gripped her hand tightly in his.
"Relena…" He moved closer toward her. "You've got to stop making speeches like that."
She frowned at him. "Why?"
"Because then I'm going to have to keep doing this."
He slipped his hands around her slender waist and kissed her. Their food was long forgotten as he lowered her onto the couch. He broke away for a moment to stare into those sky blue eyes glittering up at his.
"And then…" he murmured, pausing to kiss her throat.
"Hmmm?" Her eyes closed in utter bliss.
"Then, we're going to be very late." Heero flashed a wicked smile before reverting back to a more serious expression. His lips eagerly returned to hers. They kissed for several more minutes before either of them thought of breaking free.
Heero finally helped Relena sit back up. She eyed him coyly while smoothing her skirt. "Heero… we really should be going…"
"Five more minutes?" he teased, recalling their encounter earlier that morning. Relena laughed.
"You are dangerous, Heero Yuy. Now let's take the rest of this to-go." She began scooping their breakfasts into the containers they came in. "We've got a nice, long flight ahead of us."
Heero helped her finish packing up the food. As they worked, Relena posed a question that had been lingering in Heero's own mind, something he had placed further back in order to deal with more pressing issues. Especially that morning, when the two of them literally had some very pressing issues, indeed.
"Heero," she began, "what are you going to do about that woman?"
"Huh?"
"The one in the café?"
"Oh." He shrugged. "I don't know. I mean, the case is closed on that one. She's not my mother."
"No, apparently not." Relena frowned. "But you should at least go talk to her. It's cruel to leave her hanging."
"Yeah… you're right. But I don't think we'll have time this morning. It'll have to wait till tomorrow." He lowered his eyes. "It won't be easy, though… having to let her down." He looked back up at Relena, for the first time looking worried himself. "How do you begin a conversation like that?"
Relena brushed his long bangs back, gazing at him lovingly. "Just be honest, but kind. I know you can do it… Do you want me to go with you?"
He considered this. "Hmm. Maybe. I guess we can think about it." It was odd, he realized, saying "we" so much in this context. Like they were going to start making such decisions together from now on. It felt much different than when they dated as teenagers, still learning and fumbling at love.
"Well," Relena was saying, "remember, Heero, just because you're not related by blood doesn't mean that she can't be your family."
"Hn." That struck him as odd, but he didn't say so. Relena could tell what he was thinking, anyway, however.
"I'm serious," she pressed. "I've known for years that my adoptive mother isn't my real mother, but it doesn't matter at all; I still love her all the same."
"That's different. She raised you," Heero pointed out. "She's not some stranger who stopped you on the street."
"All I'm saying is that you should be open to the possibility." She squeezed Heero's arm. "You never know— the two of you could hit it off." Her eyes glimmered, swept up in the emotion. "Maybe you could bond over the fact that you've both been orphaned by the war. Sorrow and heartache often bring people together. It's all too common in this day and age, since all of us have had our lives torn asunder. In situations like these, we have no choice but to rebuild our lives… and make our own families."
Heero let her impassioned words sink in; it was a lot for him to consider. Letting some stranger act as a mother figure? It didn't sit well with his usual modus operandi of keeping people at a distance until he was undoubtedly sure he could trust them.
He took Relena's hand in his so that she would know he was listening. He stroked her individual fingers for a moment before bringing her hand to his lips.
"Heero…?" Her eyes cast a worried expression. "Did I say too much? I know you're probably not ready for all of that."
"I… I don't know," he answered slowly. "I'll have to think about it."
"Well." She smiled at him, rising to her feet. "Looks like we'll have plenty of time on our flight. Let's get going."
Relena retreated into her bedroom, emerging a moment later with her suitcase, purse and briefcase.
Heero quirked a brow. "You're bringing all that?"
She shrugged. "We could get waylaid over there and end up staying the night. Or, you know, we might just be too tired to fly back tonight. I know you went there and back in one day, but it obviously took a toll on you."
"Hn. True. Not a bad idea." Heero slung his own duffel bag over his shoulder, carrying their "takeout" in his other hand. "Let's go."
"And how do you plan to sneak me out of here?" Relena asked. "People will be looking for me, you know. And the place is littered with press."
"This way." Heero led her back into the bedroom, opening up the window to reveal the fire escape. Relena peered down at the alley way, then turned back to Heero with a skeptical expression.
"Seriously?"
"Uh-huh."
"With all this stuff?"
"That was your idea. But don't worry; I can carry it all."
Relena traded her wide-eyed expression for a grin. "Ok, Heero. This is your adventure; I'm just tagging along."
"Good. I'll go down first with all this… crap." Relena glared at him; he smirked. "Then you can follow me. Got it?"
She nodded. "Got it."
Heero completed the feat within a few minutes, managing to guide Relena safely to the ground. He then hailed a cab to the spaceport, where he would rent another civilian shuttle. Hopefully the same one he had before— he'd grown to like the controls.
Once they were secure inside the cab with their belongings, Heero snaked an arm around Relena's waist. She responded by leaning her head against his shoulder. She smiled up at him adoringly, paralyzing him with those bright blue eyes again. He immediately covered her mouth with his.
"Heero," she gasped.
He pulled back slightly. "Something the matter?"
"No, nothing." Her cheeks were turning bright red. "It's just… you've never kissed me like that in public before."
"Haven't I?" Heero twisted a strand of her hair around his finger. He didn't recall not kissing her like that back when they were dating.
She shook her head. "No. We were pretty discreet."
"Hn," he grunted. "That was probably your fault." His dark eyes sparked mischievously. "I'm sure I would have done it, if you'd let me."
"You're probably right." She laughed.
"You don't mind it now?"
This time, she reached for him. "Of course not," she murmured before teasing his lips with her tongue. Heero grabbed her and kissed her more forcefully. They didn't stop until just before their ride reached the spaceport.
Heero smirked at Relena as the car came to a stop. "That romantic enough for you?"
Her shimmering eyes answered him before she did. "Yes," she whispered.
Heero paid the driver, who avoided making eye contact. Heero felt a little bad that the man had to endure the couple pawing at one another in his back seat, but the tiny twinge of guilt he felt vanished as soon as he looked back at Relena, who sported a bright pink flush on her cheeks and slightly mussed hair. It was alluring, knowing he'd had that effect on her. It only made him want to do it some more.
"I'm going to have a very tough time piloting that shuttle."
Relena giggled behind her hand.
Oops. He realized he'd said that out loud. He was starting to slip up around her far too often. Relena, however, did not seem to mind. She slipped her hand into his as they headed to the rental booth.
"I think you're up for a challenge," she teased him over his predicament. "And if I've learned anything about you at all, Heero Yuy…"
She paused as Heero relayed the necessary information to the booth teller, and received the number for the shuttle they were renting. Yes, he thought when he saw it was the same one he had yesterday. Must've been a slow week for shuttle rentals. It was the simple things like that that made Heero happy.
That, and having his girl back by his side, where she belonged. He smiled down at Relena as she continued her latest declaration to him.
"Yes…?" he prodded her.
"I've learned," she said slowly, "that you're up for any and everything." She kissed him on the cheek before they could enter their shuttle, lingering to plant a few more kisses along his jaw line.
"Uh… huh." His vision grew hazy.
"Also…" She trailed more kisses down his neck. He felt weak. Usually he was the one to do that to her… He had no idea that when she did it, it would feel so good.
"Yeah?" He waited for her to finish.
Relena smiled devilishly at him and tapped him on the chest.
"You're really good at multitasking."
She broke away then, sashaying up the ramp leading into the shuttle. Heero was left gaping behind her. He didn't linger for long, however, rushing right after her.
Like he was going to let her get away with that.
A/N: You asked for more fluff, readers… Ask and ye shall receive! Behold, the longest, most-fluffiest chapter ever. Too much? Oh, well, you asked for it. :P Onward! We still have much more to accomplish. Thanks for reading and reviewing, as always!