Fourth Gesture:

Resting on a Shoulder

She fathomed he wouldn't understand why she insisted on going out with him tonight. It was actually rude of her to ask him of his time when she knew he seemed to be occupied in something. And it didn't help either that a certain reverend with the help of some children literally 'forced' him into consenting.

That's why she never dared wonder why he's somewhat giving her a "cold" treatment throughout this ride. But it did bother her when he wouldn't even care to respond to her questions off the topic - questions like "it's getting colder..." or something like it. Perhaps, there were some things she couldn't quite understand after all.

Their destination neared. As they turned around the corner, their eyes were welcomed by such a luminous sight. The clear breakwater was reflected through the hazy moonlight. The skies weren't as clouded as they were days before thus allowing the stars to shine through their brightest.

She looked at her side and saw the fascination on his face. He even had his jaw dropped a little as his focus strayed slightly from the road. She giggled softly at the expression he wore. It was like he was trying to shove away the fleeting moment of amusement while retaining that stern and serious look on his face. It was awkward, yet undeniably appealing.

"Kira?"

He seemed a little too overwhelmed by the sight before them…maybe that's the reason why he somehow caught his tongue.

"Kira," she repeated, this time a little more audible but not exaggerated. He did shake his head and momentarily stopped the vehicle. See, they were currently driving a safe distance from the cliff….just a swift curve away.

"You could park the car by the sightseeing field….right over there…" she pointed out the direction and he, seemingly still in awe, nodded his head and complied.

The engine stopped just in time before Lacus opened the side of her door. She breathed in the sweet scent of the evening and relaxed at a passing breeze. It was a good thing she wore a shawl which pretty much covered her shoulders downward.

Kira too stepped out of the vehicle right after her, with the just clicking sound of locks behind. He didn't appear that bored or anything near it. She could even conclude, as she observed him carefully, he might be reconsidering his coming here. Hopefully, he would actually though.

"Let's go?" she invited and without even waiting for his response, walked towards the darkened area. Kira followed closely behind, unconsciously or not, slipping his hand onto Lacus'…holding hers tightly and securely.

It took a couple of minutes just walking through some bushes. He even mused on how it would appear that way, considering the fact that they were standing on high ground. They turned and ended up in a wide clearing. And what did they see? Probably even the most superlative of pleasantries couldn't describe.

There was something about the tiny sparkles of water that emanated to their eyes. And the effect the full moon above had completed the scene. Crickets were their orchestra, and the wide expanse their audience…or were they the audience watching how nature unraveled her beauty?

Lacus pinched his hand and gestured towards the center area where an old husky fallen tree lay. He simply nodded his head in response as she made her way through, breaking their intertwined fingers in the process. Once there, she took a seat and took hold of her unruly locks which played gracefully with the wind. He didn't take a seat yet and instead gazed at her from a distance.

And was he captivated by her. She always had a way to catch his eye and not know it. This particular evening, he thought, he'd seen her best yet.

She noticed he wasn't sitting next to her and this somehow saddened her. She thought he would like it here that's why she insisted on him coming. She noticed how stressed he had been over the past few weeks and besides, this was the best scenery near the area that she could possibly find. Much more, this was the first time they actually spent time together - - away from the prying eyes of their companions.

She pouted and set her dead gorgeous eyes on him. She knew he couldn't resist them...she knew even the tiniest detail about him.

He breathed in the refreshing air and slowly walked towards her inviting figure. Then after, he sat himself a few inches away.

It may have come quite expectedly. But as they sat there and a cool breeze passed by, he placed an arm over her shoulder. She gazed up at him and still blushed at the contact. He wasn't looking at her, instead, she found a serene expression on his face. And this made her smile.

Resting her head on his shoulder, she closed her eyes…fully closing the distance between their bodies.

He should be thankful for the area wasn't that illuminated...thus, she can't see just how much his cheeks turned red. The moment she spoke, he could feel his heart beat pace faster.

"Are you still angry?" she whispered, fully enjoying his warmth…perhaps it was even enough to lull her to sleep.

He couldn't find the words...instead, he held her delicately and rested his head over hers…at the same time closing his eyes. He could undeniably smell her scent which lingered over his senses. It was soothing...just to hold her like the way he was doing now. Her presence...was intoxicatingly sweet.

- - - - - - - - - -

The very next morning, he prepared breakfast and delivered it to her room. A note lay above the covered plate.

'I could never be angry with you…'

end