Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing
"Oh," Quatre said, as he paced across the foyer back to his eldest sister. "Did you ever find out where Heero was? I know things have been—less than pleasant between them, and I was hoping to get them to both join me, today."
"I understand, dear brother. I did not see him, myself, but I suspected Relena may have a means to contact him, so I passed the message on through—"
"Miss Relena," Quatre interrupted as the golden blonde princess descended the stairwell. Heero followed her one pace behind, distant but attentive as ever. "We were just discussing you two," he said, gesturing toward Iria.
Iria noted the slight flush and panic in Relena's face. "More accurately, Quatre was asking if I'd gotten a message to Heero about our outing today, and I told him I asked you to pass it on, if you could." She looked over Relena's shoulder. "I see you were successful," she said, as if surprised.
Relena smiled, releasing a breath she hadn't noticed she was holding. Heero, who was passing Relena to reach the landing, first, glanced back with the slightest smirk in his eyes.
"Isn't that what I said?" Quatre mumbled in a hushed tone.
"You sounded like we were gossiping," she answered in a harsh whisper.
"Ah," he said more loudly, smiling back at the couple, which was watching them intently. He blushed slightly, shrugging off his wording fumble. "Shall we?" He said, leading them to the door.
Heero's behavior throughout the day held Quatre's attention. He was a perfect gentleman to his long time potential interest. He always allowed her to go before him, maintained eye contact whenever they crossed paths, even longer so than Quatre had ever felt comfortable doing, opened doors and made hushed polite conversation. At one point, the blond man noticed he even caught her attention, guiding her with the most delicate touch on her lower back. These signs at anyone else's hands may have seemed less that romantic, but to Quatre, who had known both of them well for many years, it almost looked like they were on a date.
As the hour approached noon, Relena found the scents of the colony streets enticing. She looked from vendor to vendor, silently wondering what the plan would be for lunch. Quatre was occupied with the tasks at hand, but Heero's mind was intent on the former princess. He watched what captured her attention and with the slightest outward gesture to hunger pain, he was offering his services.
"Helena's has the best Gyros in the Earth Sphere," he said stoically, seeming almost disinterested as he read her mind.
Relena turned her gaze to him, only to find his back to her.
"Trust me. I've looked," he finished, sensing her scrutiny.
She smiled warmly, as he slowly turned to face her.
Quatre shook hands with the citizen he had been speaking with and turned back to his guests. He counted the seconds as he observed them standing there, looking into each other's eyes in a way that felt—inappropriate—to watch. Surely, he was seeing a very intimate moment.
"What happened last night?" He whispered.
Iria, who was standing next to him, set down a small hand painted porcelain kitten and glanced back. "Not sure," she lied. "But it looks like we should just let it play out, for now. Don't you agree, little brother?"
Quatre looked up at her and smiled with a curt nod.
Heero placed on hand firmly on Relena's shoulder, nearly frowning with a silent promise, before turning from her to find Quatre. The two sets of people congregated in the middle of the square to discuss the plan. "I'm going to grab Relena something from Helena's. Are you two interested?"
"I'll come with you," Iria said, giving her brother a knowing look. "Quatre can stay and look after Lee."
Heero nodded at Quatre, accepting the help as they walked off to get meal.
Quatre held out an elbow for Relena to lean on in the midday air. She graciously accepted the gesture, laying her head lovingly on his shoulder, as they began to stroll. Relena's behavior toward Quatre had become very comfortable, since they became friends. One might have seen it as romantic, had they not known the pair, but she was no different toward him than his sisters ever were, always invading the personal space with soft and loving gestures.
"I see you and Heero have decided to put your differences aside," he began.
Relena's expression glowed. "We don't agree on the—matter, but we've agreed not to fight about it."
"Well, I suppose that helps. Is the issue an important one?"
"Yes," she sighed, feeling the sinking in her chest. "And Heero's right," she admitted. "But it's personal, and it's my decision—and it will just have to wait."
Quatre curled his lips in, with a tight, half smile. "I see," he said, gently patting the hand that was wrapped around his arm.
They walked silently for several more minutes, simply watching the people as they passed. Soon they found themselves approaching Helena's Gyro cart. Relena's stomach growled loudly, and Quatre laughed.
"That's how you spell gyros?" Relena asked. "I always thought it would be spelled 'E-u-r-o'."
"Yes," Quatre smiled. "Many people read it 'jai-roes' or 'guy-roes'."
When he saw Heero and Iria approaching, he put one last private word in.
"I know he has your best interest at heart, Relena," he said. "Please, don't be stubborn for too long. Do what's right for you. That's all any of us would ever ask for."
With that, he released her, guiding her gently toward Heero, making affirming eye contact with the allied pilot. Heero nodded, offering Relena the pita wrapped lamb to satisfy her hunger. When Heero turned his eyes back on her, his lingering gaze was not unnoticed by his closest friends.
Relena didn't hesitate in digging into the messy wrap, but even her hunger stood at attention for the wave of flavors that captured her senses. The flatbread was warm, chewy and buttery. The savory lamb meat had just a bite of spice, and was perfectly dressed with the fresh cucumber flavor of tzatziki sauce. "Oh, my God," she mumbled, wiping cream from the corners of her mouth and stingily licking it from her fingers. "It's like an orgasm."
Heero tactfully looked away, schooling his face in indifference.
"Like you would know anything about that," Quatre scoffed.
Iria promptly choked on her meal, looking up to Relena through tears.
The princess froze, staring wide eyed at Quatre, then shooting a scolding look at his sister, who was fighting back laughter. "Stop it, Iria!" She chided.
Iria shook her head. "I didn't say anything! That's was all you, babe."
Relena dropped her head, her face flushing a deep red as she shook off the embarrassment. "I've never had a gyro, before," she muttered, trying to explain away the humiliating comment.
Quatre raised both eyebrows. "You've been missing out," he commented.
"I've missed out on a lot of things," she pouted, starting to sink into herself.
Relena's mind was brought back by the slightest touch on her arm. She looked up to find Heero searching her eyes. She answered him with a reassuring nod, and then turned back to the conversation at hand.
"So, is this really the best?"
"I've only been a few different colonies, and never Earth, so I'm not the expert," Iria answered.
"I've traveled, more, but haven't found anything, myself," Quatre added. "Then, again, if Heero said it's the best food, it is the best food. He's the expert."
Relena looked back to her lover, puzzled.
Without a hint of emotion he piped in, "Best in the Universe. I'm sure of it."
"I suppose he would know," said Iria. "Heero's been everywhere. Twice."
"Three times," he added dryly, inciting a chorus of chuckles from the group.
Quatre watched Relena wolfing down the remainder of her lunch with amusement. "I can't believe you've never had a gyro," he commented. "Next thing you know, you'll tell me you've never had burritos made fresh in Mexico with hand tossed tortillas or yakisoba from a street vender in Japan."
Relena looked guiltily up at him, as she licked her fingers clean.
"Oh, Allah," he sighed, slapping his hand to his forehead.
Relena's head dropped, again, to avoid looking at him.
"But you travel all the time," Iria stated in confusion.
"Yeah," Relena answered softly. "But I go from place to place to work. I don't really get out much, in spite of the locations of my travels. I'm a politician, not a vagabond."
Heero grimaced disapprovingly.
"Heero!" Relena exclaimed, fumbling for words. "I didn't mean—"
"Hn." He turned and looked away, giving only the slightest glimmer of humor in his eyes to calm her.
Relena sighed, still more frustrated by the foot in her mouth.
"Well, not everyone's as free living as 'Mr. Wanderlust', over here," Iria quipped, to take the heat off of her younger friend.
Heero's eyes seemed to smile when they met the doctor's, though the rest of his features remained stone still.
"Relena," Quatre said softly. "You really should get around, more. You have no idea what you've been missing."
"I wish I could," she whispered.
Heero's eyebrows knit, deep in thought as he looked on her silently. She was looking down at her feet, trying to hide the sadness in her face, as she crossed her arms in front of her. Heaving another defeated sigh, her shoulder sank more as she accepted the fate that seemed to be in store for her.
"Then you should," he heard himself say.
Relena froze, as if startled by the statement. She slowly looked up at him, bewildered by his suggestion.
He wasn't entirely sure why he'd said it, either. He wanted her to return to Earth, to see the doctors and to combat the sickness head on; but something about seeing her standing there, looking so melancholy, had entranced him. He was at her command. "I'll take you," he said softly.
Relena swallowed, blinking at him, as though his image might blow away in a breeze at any moment.
"I have an—affinity—for food. I would be honored to introduce you to the best your people have to offer."
Relena smiled, laughing nervously. Was he joking? "But Heero—"
"If it's what you want, Relena, you should do it." His words were final. He knew he'd regret them, but he had to show her that he meant to see her happy, even if it meant putting her wishes above her health.
Relena slowly let a smile invade her visage, glowing warmly at him. She nodded, trying to fight her excitement. She was going to actually take a vacation—with Heero. "Can we just make one more stop," she asked. "Before we go back to Earth?"
His face was stern, again, when he nodded.
A/N: So, on a side note, this whole project got me to thinking about volunteering for fundraisers and whatnot, and BEHOLD the opportunity presents itself. My husband's commander is going to be walking the 5k with me in April for Komen's Race for the Cure. I'm super stoked. (Granted, our lazy butts are walking, but we're still raising funds and getting out there.) It's small, but each person makes a difference. Wish me luck!