Like I said. Crucial to the plot.

Save This Night

By 雛森.Y

Part 2 of 2

It was a busy morning today. You were running around your house looking for your textbook and talking on the phone at the same time. I found it comical that you were so frazzled about finding some silly book with extremely easy problems. Collaborating Raising Heart's systems were harder than Earth's primitive math.

"Fate-chan, are you sure I didn't leave it at your place?" You ran passed me and dug around the cabinet. "How sure are you? We left our stuff behind pretty quickly—oh never mind, I found it!" You blushed furiously and stamped your foot. "Mou, you didn't have to say 'I told you so,'… where I found it? Oh… it was in the chip cabinet."

"Nanoha," I called out. "You better get going."

You looked up at the clock behind me and yelped. "Fate-chan, I gotta run! We'll meet up at the usual place?" A small pause occurs as you waited for Fate to reply. "Un, got'cha. I love you too. Hang up… no, you hang up… no, you hang up." I wished my reflexes were fast enough to cover my ears before you said you loved her. You smiled at me as you tossed the book in my direction. I caught it of course, but the edge dug into the palm of my hand. "Fate-chan, mou… I don't have time to be playing games! Jeez, fine be that way."

"Nanoha, you really should get going or you'll be late."

"Fate-chan, hang up please? I hung up last time, so it's your turn!" You ignored me and rushed to your book bag, double checking the items within. "Baa, fine! You win this time, but victory shall be mine—some other day!"

"Nanoha, your math book?"

You begrudgingly hung up the phone and looked at me with a smile as you stretched your hand out for the book. I passed the book back to you, electricity shooting through me as our fingers touched; light crimson tinted your pale cheeks as shoved the item into your bag.

"C-Come on, Yuuno-kun! I can't wait to introduce you to my friends." you said with a quiver in your voice. I nodded my head as I followed you. We saw your mother washing some dishes in the kitchen and waved our goodbyes. She smiled at me kindly, almost apologetically, and returned to her dishes.

"Your mom is really nice, Nanoha." I said trying to strike up a conversation.

"Yeah, she is… ne, Yuuno-kun?"

"Hm?"

Slipping your shoes on, you eyes hidden beneath your bangs, you asked, "Do you think I'll be a good mother too?"

"Why do you ask?"

Shaking your head you replied, "Nothing really… I was just kind of wondering."

"Oh, I see…" I was an idiot when it came to you, so I tried my best to say something funny to cheer you up. "Are you planning on having kids with Fate? I can see them now, destructive and seductive—"

"Actually yeah, I am—not now of course!"

A gripping sensation constricted my heart, and I found it difficult to breathe. I knew I didn't have a chance with you now that you and Fate made things official (for now), but I didn't think you thought that far ahead in your relationship with her. Though, I will admit… I can see the two of you as loving parents. You'd be (overly) strict, while Fate would be (overly) nurturing.

I will, however, refuse to imagine the two of you in such a serious relationship. I know that somewhere deep inside your heart is a little place for me. I know you have feelings for me too, and that this thing you're going through with Fate is just phase you're going through… you'll grow out of it. I know you will.

The walk to your school was a quiet one. You were a few steps ahead of me, obviously still flustered from earlier.

"Nanoha, can you tell me something?"

"Uh… sure." you replied hesitantly.

"Can you tell me what Fate has that I don't? Minus the obvious physical differences that is."

You stopped walking and turned to face me. Your face held mixed emotions: remorse, uncertainty, and discomfort. "I love her," you replied without hesitation. "I can't live without her, I need her by my side… we're destined to be together—Precia created her just for me."

What hurt the most wasn't your straight to the point words, but the fact you said it so honestly.

"Then where do I stand?"

Again, remorse, uncertainty, and discomfort crossed your face. "You're my best friend Yuuno-kun, and I love you too, but it's a different kind of love. You don't make my heart beat fast, you don't make me feel like I'm the luckiest girl world—not that I'm saying I'm not lucky to have you as a friend—it's a different feeling when I'm with Fate-chan. When she touches me, even the tiniest of touch, can make me melt.

Yuuno-kun, you'll find someone better than me. And I'm sorry if I gave you the impression that I had some feelings for you, but last night when I kissed you confirmed how I felt. There wasn't a spark; I had to think of Fate-chan to make it even remotely enjoyable."

"Y-You were awake the whole time?"

"Not really, I was half conscious, but… I was awake for that kiss."

Tears pricked at my eyes, but I fought desperately to stop them. It was hard to breathe, and even harder to accept the truth.