Fifth Gesture:

On both arms

From a distance, he couldn't help but look at her direction. It was a seemingly cold night and there they were, on the outside by the shorelines. It was this particular time of the year when they would simply gather around and enjoy the evening breeze…some sort of a refreshing course at the end of a long day. Of course, these were all for the children's sake. And they very much enjoyed, even looked forward to this every year, just being outside from the usual confines of their darkened rooms.

Sitting by himself, he gazed up and stared at the stars. It had been three hours since their activity started and at this time, all children seemed to be wearied out, each one dozing off one after the other. It was an irrevocably appealing scene. To see them slumped up together on top of each other was worth any moment.

A hand lay on his shoulder as he stared up at its owner. He, who had knowing eyes, held out a small cup of hot fudge towards him.

"Thank you." He smiled as he accepted the gesture and took an immediate sip on the said drink. It was at first too hot, that he instantly darted his tongue away and waved it in midair - - literally. It made the reverend laugh a little too childishly.

"Now, now, you should take a sip after blowing hard on it." He even advised to the brunette.

"Right, I'll do just that."

The older man took a seat next to him and heaved a contented sigh. Not far from where they were, the bonfire still lit up, being surrounded by sleeping figures- all very familiar to them.

"It had been a tiring day." Commented the older as he looked up at the same skyline.

"Yeah."

He looked at the brown-haired and smiled.

"This place had a good effect on the children."

"I think so, too."

The reverend stood up ad patted the sand particles off his clothing.

"It does have the same effect on you as well."

"What?" Kira said as the words were uttered.

"Let's go take them in. It would be bad for their health if we let them sleep out tonight."

With a smile on his face, the younger nodded. "Sure."

- - - - -

One by one, he and the reverend took the children in, carefully securing them in their respective sheets. It was a peculiar scene but heartwarming at the same time. Tucking them to bed never seemed as easy as before.

As the last child lay on his place, Kira arched his back and descended the stairs. Yawning too, he stretched both arms side wards, fixing the muscle strains in his arms. Carrying these kids was a sure load and ironically, he never got used to it no matter how many times he'd done it.

"The last one still isn't in." commented the reverend as Kira shook hi head in contradiction and perhaps, curiosity.

"I'm certain I've put the last one to bed, sir. There aren't any more midgets around."

"Oh, I'm not referring to any midget." Smiling mischievously, he fixed his attention on the outside where a pink-haired lady was fixing the sheets.

"You mean, Lacus?" he then asked as he turned around, only to be welcomed by a retreating reverend.

"Son, I suggest you take her in. She sometimes can be too stubborn. I leave her to you then." With a wink, he spoke.

Before he could even object or say anything further, he was nowhere in sight. He sighed - Kira sighed. Based from experience, as in the past, Lacus refused to come in until she finished cleaning the outside. And despite his and the reverend's protests to do otherwise, like cleaning after a good rest or just in time when the sun would be up, she would still decline. She was stubborn…truly, she was.

- - - - -

"Lacus, I think…"

"We have to finish this up…"

It was crisp and clear. He didn't even spoke to her of anything yet and her reply was instant. He smiled. It was in rare times such as this that she would act in the same age as the children in their custody.

"What?" she pouted as she noticed that expression on his face.

"Oh, nothing. Just thinking that perhaps you could join me in my reverie for a moment."

"Reverie?"

"Yes, just by the shore."

At first she was hesitant, she knew Kira was up to something but then, being in contemplation for a while was more appealing to her. Besides, they would still continue cleaning up afterwards, wouldn't they?

Taking her hand by his, he led her a little too further to the waters - their feet being dangled by the cool waters of the evening, while they sat in peace.

"It's been a long day." He spoke as he placed an arm over her shoulder. She simply nodded as she kept her eyes closed, with the wind caressing their beings.

He breathed in the cool scent pf the outside, mixed with hers.

"About the other night…when you invited me out. I…I didn't much say what was on my mind then…" he looked at her as she breathed against his skin. He took this as a sign to go on as he fixed his eyes on the expanse once more.

"…you see, I was just too tired that day. I mean, the kids were a handful and so when you asked me out, I responded the way I did. For that, I'm sorry. And, also, I believe it was rude of me not to thank you. You never knew it, but it turned out that trip was all I needed to regain my composure and my energy out. All I'm saying is…"

He swallowed hard as he felt his heart pace up.

"…I'm glad…very fortunate to have you in my life."

That's it. He finally said it. It wasn't much of a revelation but the mere fact that he was able to pull it off was worth anything he's done by far.

He awaited her response but instead heard slight snoring. Immediately, he gazed at her face and noticed she was…lulled to sleep the whole while. And how his face dropped!

"L-Lacus?" he tried to shake her but the contact made her snuggle more towards him, while whispering his name in between breaths.

He sighed. Perhaps, it wasn't fated that she hear those remarks from him. Smiling at his obvious silliness, he stood up cautiously, holding her body intact, careful not to wake her up. Kneeling, he placed both arms on her slender body as he slowly lifted her up, with her head placed against his collarbone.

She didn't weigh much and just holding her like this made him worry. She seemed so fragile in his arms. Shaking these thoughts off, he walked towards the shelter not far. On his way, he looked at the still-uncleaned area of the shore.

Surely, by the time she wakes up, she would get mad if she saw this. He reckoned he'll have to be up earlier than her to clean this up, lest he wanted to face her glares and protests….much worse, endure her silent treatment for who knows until when.

He then walked on after the pause.

- - - - -

He slid her slowly on her mattress and pulled the blanket over her body. He then knelt down before her sleeping figure, and found himself just looking at her peaceful face and the serene expression she had on.

He smiled, as his fingers ran across some unruly locks covering her face, sliding them over her ear to give him a clear view.

His eyes wandered from her forehead…downwards. And as they rested on that soft, moist area…he felt his heart beat faster. His throat seemed dry all of a sudden and his mind went blank. All he could see and think about was this maiden before him who lay unconsciously in her dreams.

He had been…observing her. He had seen her in her most beautiful by far but there was something about those pursing lips that made his insides tingle a bit just by merely gazing at it.

The proximity was intoxicating. He was there – a dangerous distance away from her still figure. He still had his palm on the side of her face but was careful not to make any further contact which would wake her up from her peace.

It was perhaps unknown to him but not completely against his will.

His face started to near hers as his locks hanged loosely. What he was doing, he didn't know or rather he wasn't sure of it but as he felt her breath hot on his skin, he knew there wasn't anything much more he could do.

His eyes started to close as the distance shortened…little by little…then…

Realizing what he just did, he lifted his head up at once and stood up.

"I'm sorry…" he whispered then he walked away.

- - - - -

Morning came as the children went in the living room to play. The night's rest to them proved enough to reenergize their wearied bodies form before.

"Kira…what happened to you? You seemed all too worked up." she inquired as she noticed the large dark circles around his eyes. The three adults remained in the dining area as Lacus was fixing the dishes while Kira and the reverend sat across each other on the emptied table.

"Nothing…nothing much happened." He yawned as the same begged to close.

"I suggest you take a rest on your room. It would be best for you and for everyone."

His eyes unknowingly focused on her lips, and by that time, he flared up in bright red, recalling his boldness that night. Jolting up from his seat, he immediately excused himself and left the room…while saying "I'm sorry" in the process.

"What's wrong with him?" she asked, more of worry than anything else. The reverend simply shook his head and replied.

"Must be something about taking someone in."

end

A/N: Now, this turned out the way I didn't expect it to. Forgive me for the lapses or the inconsistencies, the grammar or the tenses...my mind just isn't clear as of the moment. Anyway, thanks for the reviews and the support.