《Raging Storm [Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha AU FanFic]》
Chapter 1: Nothing Personal
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fanfiction based on characters from the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha series of manga and anime. Any similarities to persons living or dead, or actual events are purely coincidental. A plot bunny inspired this work after I had a chat with the very excellent author, Phoenixnext. This is a complete self-indulgence created to stretch my writing muscles and I am rusty. This is also my very first work of fanfiction and is an uber/AU. It contains unapologetic and graphic depictions of LGBTQA+ relationships. I have no beta nor editor. Proceed at your own risk. Without further ado, I present -
Raging Storm
(Begun Oct 8th 2023)
The almost inaudible cycling of central air-conditioning hummed softly in the dim confines of a sprawling apartment. Anaemic shafts of false dawn''s trickery crept fingers of struggling light across sinfully soft leather furnishings, stirring a lone figure laid stiffly in the middle of a vast waterbed. It was set in a shadowed alcove safe from the possibility of the sun''s direct glare. Eyes shaded colourless from the dark opened.
The blaring echo of sirens took their time to recede from the figure''s dreams, and if she closed her eyes, she was certain the glare of blinking red and white would play out in her mindscape once more. She took a moment to regain her bearings, soaking in the desolate quiet of the reality surrounding her. It was vastly preferable to the memories of chaos.
Chest rising in a fully drawn breath, the figure rose, slightly lacking in grace. ''Pushed a bit too hard last night.'' Aware of her temporary limitations, she stood to her full height and stretched, groaning softly as her spine popped. Feeling a bit better for her effort, she drifted, feet bare, to the bathroom. Smart lights led a half-pace before her, embedded tastefully into the floor, programmed to provide safe passage to anyone moving around in less than ideal natural light.
Rote movements swept up her silken mass of auburn locks into a simple ponytail, its end brushing the top swell of her bottom, allowing her free reign to perform her morning ablutions. Bloodshot eyes deepened to a violet hue stared back at her from the fog-less mirror, the glass lighting around its perimeter when she had approached. She smirked at her reflection, "Morning." No answer to the feminine drawl was forthcoming, the speaker expecting none.
Used to the familiar silence, her eyes instead fell to the faint bruises littering the sinewy expanse of her clavicle and broader than average shoulders. ''Good thing the monkey suit will hide those,'' she thought, already dismissing them from her mind as she bent over to splash the last vestiges of sleepiness from her person.
Refreshed, the woman padded into a vast walk-in closet, absently girding herself in jogging shorts cut tight and high to her athletic form. A sports bra followed by a loose tank completed her ensemble, all in shades of white and cobalt blue. Pulling her tail through the back of a baseball cap, she tugged it down to shade her eyes from the sun''s greater efforts to cast molten lines of gold across the landscape.
Azure glance flickering past the apartment''s north-facing floor to ceiling windows, she noted the angle of light streaming in from the right and nodded; she was in good time. "Play messages." She intoned clearly in deference to the AI''s still not up to standard voice recognition software. A sterile, emotionless female voice responded:
Yes, my Master. Messages, two, playing first. From: Nakajima, G. Nine twenty-three, PM.
An unwelcome purr echoed within the confines of her sterile apartment, walls and shelves devoid of any personal effects, "Hey Sweetcheeks, where were you last night? You promised I could cash in on my rain-check. Call me."
Blue eyes rolling, the woman spoke, "Reply message one, ''Sorry, Ginga. Work, you know how it is. Call you when I can.'' A faint sound indicated her response was sent. "Play message two."
Yes, my Master. Messages, two, playing second. From: Yagami, H. Two twelve, AM.
"Nano-chan, I need you on the Testarossa account. The shareholders are breathing down my neck about showing growth. Can ya believe it? Growth? In this fucking climate?! Strip-mine the org if you have ta, hold a goddam yard sale, I don''t care. I need the numbers for Suzu-chan. There''s a fat bonus in it for ya if you come through, and I know ya will, ain''t no shark I got better than-"
The playback paused, the inflectionless voice cutting in, "Incoming video call, Yagami, H."
In the midst of tying her shoelaces, Nanoha huffed a put-upon sigh, blowing the fetching fall of her fringe out of her eyes. "Answer." She tried to ignore the tenseness already building at the base of her neck, heralding what she knew was a mothering migraine.
"Nano-chan! I knew you''d be up at this godforsaken hour! Wait, where are you?"
Nanoha directed her voice up to the receiving mic, "Tying my laces, Haya-chan, give me a sec." Hopping up and testing the fit of her shoes, the pony-tailed woman shifted within range of the camera.
"Be still my heart. Who else in TSAB would believe our White Devil would look this good in sportswear? Love the abs." A vivacious brunette with a pageboy cut cooed in delight at what she saw.
"Ha, ya, tayyy," Drawing out her boss'' name, Nanoha shot the CEO a droll look, one finely arched eyebrow lifting, "Does HR need another report filed against you?"
The brunette pouted, "Mou! I was an intern back then! A youthful indiscretion!" The easy banter tapered as Hayate''s expression took on a serious cast, "You got my message?"
Deciding to get her pre-run stretches done since she was tied up, Nanoha nodded, "Full throttle, full power? I thought you wanted to salvage something of a functioning subsidiary¡"
The CEO did her best to ignore the lithely fit form moving gracefully on her screen, "Plans change. Get down there today, before they can clean house."
Giving a light grunt of assent, Nanoha''s mind began parcelling out the many ducks she needed in a row to get the best possible result for her corporate overlords. "Let you know when I''m done."
"Atta girl. You know you''re my favourite White Devil of TSAB, right?" Relief threaded through Hayate''s warm voice.
A faint snort revealed how much credence Nanoha gave that declaration, "I''m also the only White Devil you have," she pointed out drily.
"Don''t sweat the small details! Right, I''ll catch ya on the flip-side! Love ya!" Blowing Nanoha a cheeky kiss, Hayate ended the call. Immediately, the full weight of her friend''s ask slammed onto Nanoha''s shoulders. She hated being this good at ruining lives.
Exhaling a silent sigh, the woman named Nanoha fished her smartwatch from its charging bay. Strapping it and her smartphone on, she slipped on her earpieces with practised ease and strolled out onto the boardwalk just a short walk down from her apartment''s front exit.
Starting down the broad path built into the perimeter of her compound, she fell into a swift, easy rhythm, her rubber-soled feet eating up ground effortlessly. In the horizon, cloud cover clung stubbornly to the edges of where anchored pleasure crafts met still waters, a futile attempt to deny the sun its rightful place.
Her fingers tapped a familiar sequence on her phone and she waited. The buzz of her call rang thrice before being answered, "Hey Boss, what''s up?" The tinny voice of her strike team''s spearhead answered.
"Tea, the Testarossa account. I want the works. Noon. I''m heading down myself."
A short silence denoted the surprise her request had garnered. The distinct scrape of castors sounded as her subordinate switched workstations, "Got it. Hey Subaru, quit yer snoring, La Jefa called¡" The call terminated amidst the noise of clattering keystrokes, and all she heard were gulls calling overhead, the dull pounding of the surf interlacing with the sound of her feet. Calling up her running playlist, populated with the thumping beat of Balearic trance, she squared her shoulders and got down to the serious business of trying to outrun her dreams.
Streaming perspiration, Nanoha ended her run 6:30AM sharp, finishing off her fifteenth circuit around the small islet her home was situated on. She pulled up to the front of her home, sneakered feet scraping over stray bits of gravel that had escaped the neat footpath leading up to her home. Waiting there in a mini golf-cart was a tow-headed youth sporting a shock of red hair. He held up a cobalt blue thermos, a small towel and a paper bag that emitted a mouthwatering scent of freshly steamed Char Siew Bao.
"Morning Erio, thanks. How''s Caro?" Accepting the offerings, Nanoha paced to cool off while cracking open the thermos to pour a judicious finger of the deliciously rich, upsized helping of Vietnamese coffee from within. She knocked it back like a shot, eyes lidding as she felt the warm drink slip down her throat.
The corner of his eyes crinkling, Erio ducked his head, always pleased when others asked after his fianc¨¦e, "Great, she''s been on a dim sum kick lately, hence the buns. She wants your feedback."
Towelling her face dry, Nanoha threw the young man a lopsided grin, nodding, "Sure will. Send her my regards. I''ll try to stop by one of these Sundays. I''ve got a hankering for some shrimp dumplings if she''s up for it."
Brightening, Erio nodded eagerly, "Most welcome to, Miss Takamachi! She''s been working on getting her Har Gao right, says the crystal skin wrap needs to be thinner to be counted a success." Both he and Caro were working their way through university on the mainland, helping out at one of the compound''s many dining establishments. Erio ran errands for residents for extra change, this being one of his duties, providing Nanoha with her morning ambrosia and a light repast after her daily runs. He never missed a morning, save for one time when he had been laid low with a bad case of stomach flu. That was when Nanoha got to meet Caro, a sweet woman completely devoted to Erio and determined to make her way through college by his side.
Admiring their work ethic, Nanoha ensured Erio''s work for her was well-compensated, tipping heavily whenever she dropped by their workplace, a quiet kindness that was not lost on the couple.
Waving to the lad, Nanoha made her way back in, carefully depositing her booty on the smooth white marble of her kitchen island. Shower done and hair dried, Nanoha checked her reflection in the full length mirrors of her wardrobe. ''Dress to your intentions.'' The gravelly tones of her father sounded in the back of her mind as she dusted invisible lint from her shoulder.
A long-sleeved white silk blouse draped itself luxuriously over her fit frame, the hint of elegant ruffles peeking out from the sleeves of her sharply tailored navy blue suit jacket. The same ruffles trailed up the middle length of her torso, terminating just below the hollow of her throat, where a simple pink diamond heart pendant twinkled gently on a thin rose gold chain. Her only jewellery. Sheer white stockings clad her shapely legs, the tops disappearing into her matching navy blue knee-length pencil skirt, its slit rising only a few inches on the side.
She gave herself a wry twist of her lips, "Guess I''m killing today," she whispered with a hint of regret. Scooping up her laptop and Erio''s offerings, she slipped into patent leather low-heeled black pumps and left her apartment through the back entrance, where an adjoining three car garage was located. Dropping her things on the passenger side of her Audi A8, Nanoha revved up the luxury car''s engine, warming it for the coming drive.
The time on her dash glowed 7:15am. Directing her vehicle with ease down the causeway built over the calm waters of Singapore''s shores, she settled into her drive, the familiar strains of Frou Frou''s only album playing softly in the background. Hearing her phone buzz, she answered it over her car''s system. Sounding fuller over the surround speakers in the car, Tea''s voice came through.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
"They have shit for security." Nanoha stifled a laugh at the plain affront in her staff''s voice. "Pulled you everything, check your inbox."
"Thanks Tea, type you in a few." Musing how far her ex-interns had come, Nanoha pulled into her reserved parking spot, a short walk from the imposing entrance of the TSAB Southeast Asian headquarters. The deserted, mausoleum-like lobby echoed in time with her steps and Nanoha threw security a friendly wave, scanning herself in. Her precise steps clipped their way to the side elevator reserved for department heads. It was a full two hours before the rest of the office staff would stream in and she enjoyed the quiet before the storm.
"Good morning, Miss Takamachi," the quiet greetings from various cleaning staff still lingering in the corridors were a commonality and her cool blue gaze warmed in silent acknowledgement of each janitor she came across.
Laptop tucked under one arm, thermos and paper-bag in her free hand, the automatic tinted glass doors leading to Operations'' corporate offices granted her entry in the area holding her executive assistant''s work area, and her own office. She cracked a small smile to find her E.A. already hard at work fielding the many people demanding her boss'' attention this early in the morning.
"Morning, Vita, how''s the circus?" The diminutive figure of her executive assistant seemed to take up more space than her petite frame would suggest.
Making a sound of disgust, Vita Wolkenritter''s fingers flew across her keyboard as she typed another coldly polite reply to what, to her mind, was a dumb request. "Only sixteen pages today. Guess everyone''s holding their breath to see what you do with That Account. Hayate''s holding off the board so you can get that settled in peace."
"Ah." So word that the CEO''s pet had charge of the account was already out. Knowing it would just be more fuel for jealous rumours that she could not do anything about, Nanoha ignored the dull throb niggling at the base of her skull, once more feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on her.
Compassionate eyes peered up at Nanoha, Vita sensing there was more riding on this than her boss'' usual reputation for a takeover job well done. "Tea dropped off something for you," was all she said, tone mild. Eyes following her absently nodding boss as the strikingly beautiful but aloof woman sauntered into the hallowed depths of her private office. The door behind the executive swung closed, clearly displaying a matte gold plaque on its front.
Takamachi Nanoha
Executive Vice President, Operations
Vita shook her head a little. "Damn, Hayate." she mumbled without heat.
Strands of flaxen gold tumbled through cold fingers as a woman buried her head in her hands. Situated in a small side office, the title plaque proudly declared, Ass. Vice President - Ops in fancy script, had pride of place pinned to the side of the office occupant''s desk''s pegboard wall. Pictures taken of friends and colleagues littered the pegboard, giving warmth to the desk''s surroundings, though curiously, the occupant herself was never seen in the pictures. Plants in various stages of growth lined the ledge behind her office chair, droplets glistening to show daily care had been rendered, regardless of the occupant''s current state of mind.
"Gods dammit, Alicia¡" The words warred with the gentle dulcet timbre of the woman''s voice. Gone. Her father''s legacy was gone in one generation of mismanagement. They did not swim with the big fish, but they kept themselves afloat, taking more specialised projects that built on the name of her mother''s genius accomplishments. But then her father had passed, rendering her mother a cold husk of her former self, more concerned with appearances and status, than the actual well-being of her children.
A few too many bad deals this past fiscal year, coupled with the strain of the pandemic''s ripple effects, proved more than their modest holdings could endure. In one fell swoop, their struggling organisation had been scooped up, and by the megalith that was TSAB no less. Crimson eyes strained from reading charts through the night, trying to find a way to save the livelihoods of over three hundred people, closed in defeat. Maybe, just maybe, she could plead their case before whatever devil was sent to devour Testarossa Inc.
Her intercom beeped. Pressing the ancient device to receive, she waited with dread building in her tight chest, "Fate¡ they''re here."
The delicate line of her jaw clenched as she noted the time. 11:00AM. An hour ahead of schedule. Those vultures wasted no time. Hastily gathering up her printouts, she tried to tidy up her casual Friday look. A simple black short-sleeve top over khaki pants, her usual office wear, didn''t feel like adequate armour for the battle to come. Alicia was nowhere to be found, probably getting drunk in a local dive. Fate wouldn''t put it past her elder identical twin to get smashed before noon, that was for sure.
Slipping her low-ankle socks-clad feet into her ballet pumps, she hurried to the front desk to receive¡
"I don''t need an appointment, Miss¡"
Rounding the corner, Fate heard a velvet alto, thinly encasing a will of implacable steel, before her eyes beheld its source. A trim form looking every inch the corporate shark she expected, came into view. What she did not expect was the curious flutter in her belly, when she took in the high cheekbones, styled auburn tresses and deep azure eyes of her executioner. Chalking it up to nervousness, she interjected herself between the hostile receptionist and their menacing visitor.
Tasteful hints of make-up accentuated the natural beauty of the stranger, and she fought back the urge to shiver as piercingly sharp eyes raked her from head to toe, the woman''s flinty gaze framed by impossibly long lashes.
"Testarossa, Ali¡ no," The finely coiffed head tilted thoughtfully, "Testarossa, Fate." That same alto almost rattled off her sister''s name, before correcting to hers, as if by rote from a report.
Her initial surprise at being so easily told apart from her identical twin was shunted aside in favour of the calamity at hand. Even their friends had trouble telling them apart sometimes. But, this was no friend. Firming her resolve, she drew herself up, leaning heavily on the few inches she had on her enemy.
"Indeed," she stated coolly, "And you are¡?" A curiously callused hand stretched out towards her, and in a moment of hyperfixation, she noted the manicured nails were sensibly short, buffed to a healthy pink, but unpainted. She took it, forgetting to be self-conscious about her cold fingers. Warm. Warmer than she had ever felt, the stranger''s hand gave hers a light squeeze. She felt every single callous and bump.
"Takamachi Nanoha. Pleased to meet you."
Fate''s hand remained limp in the other''s grasp, the melody of her voice chill like a January breeze, "I fear I am unable to return the sentiment, Miss Takamachi." What did she have to lose? The woman had been nothing but civil, but this was personal. ''Whatever. I won''t have a job by today''s end anyway.'' Jaw firming, she met the woman''s violet gaze with her own, defying this shark to call her out for her insubordination.
They were gathering an audience. Nanoha could feel the negative emotions beating palpably at her psyche, with the most hostility pouring off of the statuesque blonde facing her. Icy chips of ruby stared her down, daring her to do her worst. Used to such tableaux, the executive remained unfazed and she released the blonde''s hand, silently adjusting her initial impression at the woman''s combative words. Curious, a small corner of her mind studied the faint regret over the feeling that maybe, they could have been friends, if not for this.
She was charmingly dishevelled, her casual chic outfit giving off cute co-ed vibes, despite Nanoha having read her file and knowing they were of similar age. The baggy cut of her top hid her figure, though the pants she wore did hint at slim legs that went on forever.
"Indeed," she murmured, in a faintly mocking mimicry of Fate''s earlier response. Even white teeth flashed in a tight smile that did not reach her blue eyes. Mild though her voice was, she knew the threat of her mere presence was enough to warn the other woman that she was treading on thin ice.
Throwing caution to the wind, Fate gave an imperious toss of her head, the silken waterfall of her golden locks shimmering under the harsh glare of the office''s ceiling lights. "We were expecting you after lunch." Not quite accusing, her gentle soprano left the sentence hanging.
"Early bird catches the worm, as they say." Unsure of where the urge came from, Nanoha deliberately chose words that would surely rile the gorgeously chilly blonde facing her down.
Eyes the shade of the finest Bordeaux red narrowed behind unaccountably cute horn-rimmed glasses. Nanoha could read the sentiment behind the gesture. ''More like a vulture to a carcass.''
Not wanting a scene, the Testarossa woman addressed the onlookers, her voice far warmer, "Back to your stations, people. We still have accounts to service, no matter who owns us. I''ll show Miss Takamachi around." Glancing back to the woman, she wordlessly invited Nanoha past reception.
Surreptitiously casting glances at the woman at her side, Fate did her best to study her as unobtrusively as possible. ''A leopard.'' That was the animal her mind conjured. Her gait was smooth and powerful, giving away the fact that the woman didn''t spend all her time behind a desk. Unbidden, a faint wisp of her perfume drifted to her nostrils, earthy and rich, with hints of cinnamon and muted spice.
For her part, Nanoha appeared unfocused, allowing the blonde to take the lead. In actuality, she was using her increased peripheral vision to take in the mood of the office. It was one of her skills, the ability to peg the mood around her in an instant. There was apprehension, as she would expect, guilt, even. Oddly, there was still hope, despite how dire things were on paper, people still believed in the figure leading her through the office. Believed that she would protect them.
Strange, the adrenaline of such encounters was not there. Instead, a growing reticence brewed behind Nanoha''s shuttered gaze. Somehow, she was not looking forward to shattering the people''s belief in their¡ Princess. A faint furrow marred her smooth brow and she pondered what hold the Testarossa dynasty still had on their wayward scions. She made a mental note to dig further after the day was done. If it would ever be done. She paused her forward momentum.
"I believe the labs are that way, Miss Testarossa." Her cool alto made it clear that it was where she wanted to go.
Cursing under her breath, Fate felt a greater apprehension tighten around her chest. The woman knew. How?! Lips thinning, she spun on her heel to change directions. "If you know so much, why did you even have to come down?" she asked tightly, cold hands clenching her printouts as if trying to squeeze lifeblood out from dead trees. Lifeblood to keep her father''s memory alive.
"Miss Yagami insisted on¡ a personal touch." Not meaning to sound flippant, Nanoha threw the blonde a glance meant to be good-humoured. Instead, she found those ruby chips glinting back at her. The woman seemed to gather herself up in righteous indignation, looming over the TSAB monkey in a suit, as Fate''s mind so aptly dubbed, "These are real people, with real families, real debts and obligations¡"
Nanoha noted that the blonde''s impassioned words never lost their cultured accent, even as she built herself up like a quiet volcano, the threat of a pyroclastic blast behind each softly ground out word. Secretly thrilled to meet someone not intimidated by her, Nanoha simply let the woman carry on. It was just business, nothing personal. Oh, but it seemed highly personal to this woman. That''s right, she was a Testarossa. T, for Tempestuous.
Finding her lack of fear refreshing, Nanoha dipped her head in silent apology, "My obligations are no less real, Miss Testarossa." Eyes dropping to the printouts the woman had clutched to her chest, her sharp gaze knew instinctively what the woman would try to base her arguments off of. Coming to a stop by the labs, she swept her eyes over the state of the art equipment populating every square foot of the section.
Surprised that the leopard, no, vulture would even deign to consider her feelings, Fate pulled up to an abrupt stop, refusing to allow this Takamachi woman free reign to prowl her domain.
"You do good work, Miss Testarossa," Nanoha began smoothly, "But the overheads don''t justify¡" Refusing to have this discussion in the open, Fate hastily grabbed the TSAB woman''s arm and pulled her into her nearby office, shutting the door behind them.
"We can make it justified," Fate grated out, forcefully, but at low volume.
Shocked to be manhandled thus, more so that her usual response to remain unmoved never manifested, Nanoha was still able to shift her balance to follow the blonde''s pull without incident. A quick glance around the cosy room, the opposite of the surgical sterility of her own sea view office, gave her a little more insight to the woman before her.
Not really one for physical touches, Fate immediately released the executive''s arm as if burned, the warmth of Takamachi''s hand no match to that of her arm. Mustering her attack, Fate laid out the printouts she had been carrying, ready to bring up all the points she had been determined to make before their new corporate master. ''Or Mistress.'' Her brain unhelpfully supplied.
The thick fall of her adversary''s auburn mane shook in time to Nanoha''s rejection. "I''ve seen the books, Miss Testarossa." Her alto was clipped while she did her best to shake off how nice it felt to feel the blonde on her arm. "Your staff operate at a 46.3% efficiency, you teeter from blown budget to blown budget, there hasn''t been pick-up of your latest innovations in four quarters." Her torso angled to face the blonde squarely, "We¡"
"We just need time!" Fate slapped the piles of paper on her desk, discarding pride to fight for her people. "HR has implemented clinics, Comms has a new ad package in the works!" Pulling up her supporting data on screen, her infinite pools of red compelled Nanoha to LOOK.
The executive''s azure gaze flicked dismissively over the numbers. Nanoha had already memorised the package Teana had left her - Every major player had been picked apart by her cyber hounds, head-shots included in a neat little bundle of damning evidence. Every dubious claim, down to petty cash claims for someone''s dog food, it was all there. ''Funny how the blonde''s head-shot gave little indication of the passion that seems to ooze from every pore.'' She thought.
She loved her job. She loved her people. ''Oh, Princess¡'' Against her will, Nanoha''s eyes traced over the painstakingly compiled figures. Finance was always thorough in their assessment, but¡ the number crunchers tended not to see the forest for the trees.
Fate watched as sharp incisors nibbled thoughtfully on a lush bottom lip, marring the woman''s perfectly applied lip gloss. The TSAB woman''s expression was still one of doubt, however. Desperation turned into anger, "I know three hundred people is nothing to TSAB," she forced the quaver out of her voice, snarling, "What do you even know about the everyday man? With your thousand dollar suits and luxury apartments?!" She thought of the 2IC in HR, her pregnancy was tough-going, and losing her company insurance would absolutely beggar her. Or about Mr. Foo, the elderly guard''s wife just had a nasty tumble and was bedridden, both would lose the roof over their heads!
"If you would just give us a chance¡" Hating herself, Fate felt her throat closing, voice growing thick.
"Forty-eight hours."
Huh? Blinking back hot tears that blurred her vision, she looked up, head previously bowed, to stare at what she thought was an unfeeling automaton. Somehow, through tear-clouded eyes, she could still clearly make out the unflinching gaze of the other woman. Was there a hint of weariness there? She was sure it had to tire the woman out to show the slightest smidge of compassion or sympathy to anyone.
Steeling her resolve, Fate straightened, chin lifted haughtily, "I beg your pardon?"
Left arm slung across her middle, right elbow propped up on her hand and cutting an elegantly deadly figure, Nanoha tapped her perfectly buffed finger to her Cupid''s bow lips, "Give me something concrete in forty-eight hours." Dipping a calloused hand into her laptop bag''s side pocket, she drew out a card. At first meaning to drop it on the blonde''s desk, she instead offered the blonde the respect she was due. Nanoha''s wrist flicked, presenting the embossed identifier to Fate. "If it doesn''t work out, it''s nothing personal."
Chapter 2: Join the Joyride
''Nothing personal.'' Voice echoing in her ear, Fate turned the card in her hands, eyes staring into the ceiling. The lights were turned off in her office, she lacked the energy to switch them on after her harrowing confrontation with that Takamachi woman. Exhaustion crept into every extremity, and she felt the sleepless night crashing down onto her.
"Yo, Fate," A head adorned with long orange tresses poked in, "Saw that woman leave. How''d it go?" She felt the concerned eyes of her best friend and lab rat studying her, as if expecting to find physical wounds from the clash.
Tired beyond belief, Fate did her best to articulate past the wool in her mouth. Just talking was difficult. "Alph." she murmured in a perfunctory greeting.
"She gave us¡ no, gave me two days. Two days to show we can be of use to TSAB as a whole and not broken into parts for a weekend yard sale." Pulling off her glasses, Fate rubbed at eyes gummy from lack of rest.
Eyebrows trekking up towards her hairline, Alph sidled all the way in, resting a hand on Fate''s shoulder. "Damn, that''s a first. I know that Takamachi woman from my last gig. We were lucky we still had clothes on our back after she was done picking at the bones of our org." Impressed, she squeezed the thin shoulder under her hand, "You must''ve made a good case."
"I don''t know, Alph." Fate ran a thumb across the name printed on the finely appointed name card. "Maybe she plans to say no and takes sick pleasure in seeing me twist in the wind." A muscle ticked in her jaw, "I don''t plan to be part of her game, however." Gathering the last of her energy, she slapped her laptop closed, taking it with her as she stood. A swift but heartfelt one-armed hug was offered to her friend. "I need rest or I won''t see straight. Wish me luck with that harpy."
Returning the squeeze, Alph chucked her classically beautiful friend in the chin, "Go get them, Princess."
Rolling her eyes at the sorely misplaced title, Fate carelessly tossed her glasses along with her laptop into her tote and headed out, "Tell everyone to keep their heads down, no bullpucky shenanigans." Leaving Alph''s chirped affirmative behind, Fate made her way across the lonely car park to one of the furthest lots from the office. She had some staff with mobility issues that didn''t quite merit the sticker needed to get a closer lot, so she took care to leave her space open at least. Sighing, she began her long trek to where her car was parked. Where were her keys?
The usual pantry chatter stilled when Vita''s presence was noticed. Ignoring the sneering looks, the fiery redhead went about the motions of grabbing her labelled salad from one of the vast rows of refrigerators that served this floor of the company. She was used to finding her lunch in the trash more often than not, until one fine day when Nanoha noticed her assistant scarfing down yet another Cup-a-noodle and stalked out of the office. From that day on, Vita''s meals were left untouched.
She knew her boss had something to do with it, and the side-eyed glances and whispered insults all but confirmed her suspicions. Pointless waste of time. Every organisation had its share of politicking, and TSAB was no exception. Usually there was a bubble around her department, by virtue of Nanoha being the highest performer of all department heads by a country mile, but people still tried their luck. Rumours swirled that she had only gained her position by spreading her legs to the right person, that person being the CEO, but no one had ever dared say it to her or her subordinates'' face.
Much as her department had the White Devil of TSAB heading it, people took care not to antagonise the Chilli Padi, who was her executive assistant, either. She gave an internal snort. The regional term for the little spicy peppers common in local cuisine was not something she would dispute. If it helped keep some crap off of Nanoha''s back, she would take it and any other moniker thrown her way.
"Vita!" Glancing up from her salad, the redhead spied Teana and Subaru at the door. "ETA for the boss?"
Pondering Nanoha''s schedule, cleared for That Account, she could only give a one-shouldered shrug, "Site visits are hard to predict. Could be gone all day if they try to hide crap from her."
Subaru pouted, "Darn it, I wanted her personal thanks for including hottie head-shots in her info pack." Grumbling about learning her place, Teana elbowed her irreverent partner, "Can it, Subaru! She didn''t hire us to be her fucking Tinder."
"Ow! But Tea, the twins are totally in her strike zone!"
"The hell do you know about her strike zones, you lust over anything with tits! The Boston Labs doge could have bolt-on tits and you''d still go for it!"
"That''s not true, I only lust over y-MMMPH!" Slapping a hand over her idiot friend''s mouth, Teana dragged her out of the office, flushing, "Sorry Vita, we''ll see her login when she gets back, no need for her to know we dropped by!" Hoping to the gods Vita kept quiet, Teana shoved her blue-haired partner to the nearest lift to get their lunch.
Grumbling about kids and completely discounting how she could still pass for one herself, Vita continued to eat one-handed whilst trashing or forwarding the various emails, all marked URGENT!, flooding her inbox. "Everyone hates her until they need her," she muttered sourly.
Shrugging out of her business jacket, Nanoha tossed it on the passenger seat and sank back into the leather embrace of her car''s driver''s seat. She sighed audibly and set the a/c to run, hoping the cooling breeze would lessen the building migraine taking over the base of her skull. As many times as she had done this over the years, it never got any easier. She only got better at hiding her disquiet over having to run roughshod over people''s lives.
Not having time earlier to have her breakfast, she checked the clock on her dashboard. 3:13PM. Not that late. "I guess breakfast is lunch now," she muttered and peeled back the crumpled paper, trying to unstick the now crusted and hard bun from the baggie it had been delivered in. Cold as it was, the filling of BBQ-ed pork sweetened in hoisin sauce and cooked to tender softness was still a pleasure. Chasing her mouthful down with cold coffee, she spied movement in the corner of one eye.
It was far past the usual lunch hour, the auburn-haired woman not expecting anyone else in the deserted parking lot to be about. Recognising the figure of the adversarial blonde walking through the parking lot, she studied the woman openly from the darkened confines of her car. The headlights were turned off, the only thing running being the a/c. It seemed the blonde was too distracted, or perhaps tired, to notice the idling car she was walking past.
Dark circles shadowed her wine-red eyes, shadows a match for the ones Nanoha''s deftly applied make-up hid. Pausing a mere foot past Nanoha''s vehicle, the blonde seemed to be digging for her keys. The executive noted how different she looked without her horn-rimmed glasses, younger, less severe. Her golden locks spilled in a glorious cascade over one shoulder while she dug around, looking much like a model in a hair commercial.
In the distance, Nanoha could hear the rev of a souped up dirt bike, highly illegal on the ordered roads of the island nation. It seemed to be roaring ever closer. ''Are those damned fools using this area¡'' Before either woman could react, the joyriding bike zipped past the blonde, hooligans whooping it up and not caring if they had clipped the stationary woman.
Spinning helplessly with a cry, Fate fell, her ankle twisting in the process as she valiantly tried to control her fall. Her tote landed a few feet from her with a dull crunch as the blonde fell heavily onto her right side. "Shit!" Heart in her throat, Nanoha threw the remains of her lunch aside, tumbling hurriedly out of her car but too late to catch the blonde or halt her fall.
"Great, just great¡" Caught in the throes of self-pity and feeling misfortune heaping on her head like a cruel game of Jenga, Fate winced as she lifted her right elbow, finding a deep gash to explain some of the pain she was feeling. Crimson darker than her eyes stained the cement she was sprawled on, and she felt the walls starting to close in on her.
"You need to get that seen," Shocked that there was anyone else around, Fate''s head whipped around towards the source of that strangely familiar voice. The Takamachi woman, her befuddled mind identified, still looking like a million dollars in her bespoke silk blouse, had come over to kneel by her. "Can you stand?" Again, she felt the warmth of the hand holding hers, now coupled with surprising strength. Helped to her feet, her throat bobbed. It was difficult to find her voice while she was wrapped in the cocoon of the shorter woman''s solid form.
"I''ll be f-ARGH!" A pained cry slipped past pale lips when she tried to take a step. Searing bolts of fire stabbed their way up her right leg. Glancing down past eyes teared up from the agony, Fate expected to see an unnatural twist to her ankle. All she saw was a growing pool of blood. The walls slammed down. Unable to fight the shock and exhaustion any longer, she drooped limply in a dead faint.
"Miss Testarossa? Miss? MISS?!" Bearing the sudden dead weight without issue, Nanoha''s brows drew together, "...Fuck." Taking decisive action, she hoisted her too-light burden to the driver''s side of her car. There was no way she would be getting the passenger side open with only herself to hold the woman up. Heedless of the blood staining the expensive leather and finishings within, she voiced, ''Unlock boot'' to the car''s AI.
Moving around back, she pulled out a meticulously stocked first-aid kit from the car''s boot, hitting a button to activate the mechanism to close it once more. Uncaring of the tailored jacket she was sitting on, she slipped into the passenger side and with sure, swift movements, cleaned the bleeding wound. Wrapping the site with a compress to stem the flow, she blew a breath out the side of her mouth, a distinctly un-White Devil like habit she would normally never display in public.
"One down, one to go¡" she muttered, hitting the button on the driver''s seat to set small motors in motion to shift said seat as far back as physically possible. Thankful for the Audi''s spacious legroom, something she insisted on in every vehicle she drove, she tried not to think too much about her position, crouched down as she was between the blonde''s legs.
Jaw clenched in unreasoning worry, Nanoha gingerly felt around the ankle that had already taken a decidedly mottled hue. Soft skin was warm to the touch, with a spongy feel. Not feeling a break, she released the breath she had been holding. Using a fever patch as a makeshift cold pack, Nanoha placed it over the worst of the swelling and expertly bound the injured ankle as best she could. It was an awkward affair, squashed as she was in the space between the diver''s seat''s edge and the car''s limited leg space.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Glancing up, she was startled to meet the curiously puzzled but muddled gaze of the woman she had been tending to. Jerking back to be found in such a compromising position, the back of her head met the cold polished wood of her steering wheel.
"Ouch! Ack¡" One hand flailing behind her, she attempted to find a purchase that would allow her leverage out of the nook she was stuck in, only to find the car horn that blared an elegant but still strident alarm.
Lifting her hand with a grimace, Nanoha''s instinctive urge to apologise was waylaid by the soft sound of a gentle laugh. The musical timbre drew her eyes back to the blonde''s and a corner of her mouth twitched. "This is, uh, not what it looks like?"
Fate had stirred partway through Nanoha''s surprisingly competent administrations. Perplexed at how she ended up where she currently found herself at, but unwilling to interrupt, she had simply watched, the throbbing ache in her right leg slowly receding until warm tingles were all she felt. ''Blood loss, has to be the blood loss,'' her mind inanely suggested. Noting that same blood staining parts of the car''s interior, and the woman''s silk blouse, Fate gulped silently. Then warm azure pools were meeting her eyes and she could only drink in the concern that seemed to swirl in their depths.
That is, until all that happened, culminating in a big old HONK! that had her ears ringing.
"I could ask what, but that''s clear." Surprised at the husk in her voice, Fate cleared her throat and tried again, "So perhaps I should ask, why?"
A trail of gooseflesh skittered down the length of her spine when sensitive ears picked up the husk in the other woman''s voice. Doing her damned best to stay professional, Nanoha''s eyes became guarded and she reminded herself that this woman hated her guts.
"You''re an employee of TSAB for at least another two days, Miss Testarossa," she drawled nonchalantly, taking care to retreat out of the position she had been in and manoeuvring herself onto the passenger side. "It''d be too much paperwork if I had left you where you fell."
Hmm. Swallowing any amusement, Fate pondered the enigma beside her. She had seen what she had seen, no matter that the woman was trying that cool exec routine on her now.
"Seeing as you''ve had your hands all over me," she willed her lips not to smirk at the heightened colour on those lightly tanned cheeks, "I feel like I''ve been given the deluxe service, when it comes to ''corporate responsibility''."
Stiffening at the mention of the word ''service'', Nanoha''s demeanour chilled visibly. "HR wouldn''t appreciate your choice of words, and neither do I, Miss Testarossa. It was this or having you bleed all over my car." No excuse was forthcoming about why Fate''s ankle had to be tended to well. Letting out a heavy breath, the executive shook her head, "In any case, you aren''t driving with that foot." With no further talk, she leaned over and with supple strength, slipped her arms under Fate to draw her up and over the middle divide and onto the passenger side.
''She''s not even out of breath.'' Fate noted with wonder. Tugging her crumpled jacket out from under the blonde, Nanoha draped it over Fate''s shoulders before buckling the woman in. The executive was coldly business-like, and Fate felt the distance between them yawing like a single prop caught in a slipstream. Still, her eyes followed the woman as she dipped down, gracefully retrieving her tote still strewn on the parking lot floor.
"I took everything I could see." Nanoha murmured, depositing the bag onto Fate''s lap. Nodding mutely, Fate could feel the stress of the moment pressing in once more. Hooded orbs studied the hands that had so easily lifted her. Feeling eyes on her, Nanoha shunted the sensation to the back of her conscious mind. She needed to focus. The executive''s movements were full of self-assurance as she brought the car to life and spoke, "Call Wolkenritter. S."
"Nanoha! Are you calling to finally make my beach volleyball dreams come true?"
Pulling out of the parking lot, Nanoha threw a quick glance over to her passenger, relieved to see the blonde had fallen back into some form of fitful sleep. The executive hit a button on the vehicle''s centre console, engaging a mechanism that silently lowered the seat Fate was in to a more horizontal position.
"Er, maybe. Can you see someone right now, Shamal?"
"Join my team and I''ll see any amount of ''someones'' you want, hun."
Groaning internally and knowing she would rue the day she said yes, the executive huffed in resignation, "Fine, I''ll join."
Sighing, she cut off the squeal of delight before it could reach the blonde and wake her.
Wildly curious who this someone was, Shamal informed her staff to block out the rest of her day.
Soon, the familiar form of her cousin''s oldest friend shadowed the entry into her private clinic. ''I thought she knew she could call for a wheelchair¡''
Arm draped across the executive''s surprisingly strong shoulders, Fate limped her way to the clinic. A firm arm was curled securely around her back, providing more than enough support to keep any weight off of her injured ankle.
Lilac and rose. The soothing scent that draped her burden was pleasant and distinctly feminine. Deciding a wheelchair would take too long, she opted to support the cool blonde the twenty yards that stretched between her parked car and the clinic''s back entrance. ''No sense bothering Shamal''s staff.'' Nanoha thought.
Fate marvelled at how painlessly they had closed the daunting distance from car to clinic with the executive''s help, the woman supporting her weight with an ease that spoke volumes about her fitness levels. Her nose still tingled with the scent on the jacket that had kept her warm through the ride, and she did not welcome the clinical smells that tried to override it.
Eyeing the pair from her vantage within, Shamal felt her eyebrows climbing. She had never known Nanoha to share personal space willingly with strangers, and surely the Doctor would have known who this blonde was by now, given the long friendship her cousin-in-law had with the executive. How very fascinating.
Shamal kept her observations to herself, merely beaming a warm smile at the two, "Nanoha''s someone," she called in a sing-song voice, earning a roll of the eyes from the executive, "We can register you later, come in." With utmost care, the executive supported Fate onto the examination table. Deed done, Nanoha awkwardly left the room, closing the door behind her.
Feeling a warmth tinting her cheeks at being referred to as the executive''s someone, Fate did her best stoic impression, settling herself more comfortably on the hard examination table with her one good arm.
"Excellent work, as always¡" the lovely blonde in the doctor''s coat murmured whilst gently unravelling the bandage around the stranger''s elbow.
Fingers closing spasmodically on the edge of the surface she was seated on, Fate pointedly turned her head away from the sight of the blood-soaked gauze. Sensing her patient''s ambivalence toward her own blood, the doctor got to work flushing the wound and preparing to stitch it up.
"Had a slip?" she enquired mildly.
"Joyriders." came the clipped reply.
"Tarmac?"
"Concrete, parking lot."
"Lunch date?"
"I was just near her c¡ WHAT?" Blinking, she glanced back at the doctor who, thankfully, was just tying off the stitches whose needle pricks she had hardly felt thanks to the anaesthetic cream the doctor had applied first.
The doctor''s smirk spoke volumes and said nothing.
"S-She had b-business at the office I w-work at, that is all!" Cursing the heat in her cheeks, Fate fought the urge to squirm and knew she could not escape with her ankle like this.
"Mmmhmm, I see," was all the doctor said, intrigued at how easily the icy blonde''s composure fled at the mere suggestion of a date with Nanoha.
''She probably thinks I''m lying.'' Grasping at straws, Fate tried to change the subject and schooled her voice into an airy, uncaring tone, "Does M-Miss Takamachi make it a habit to deliver injured people to you?"
"Just herself, or strays." came the doctor''s unexpected reply as she pulled her chair over to inspect Fate''s swollen ankle. "You''re going to be off this for a week, Miss Someone." she stated casually.
''Strays? Was she a stray?''
''You''re an employee.'' Shaking the echoed words clear from her mind, Fate sighed, "I see, can''t be helped, I guess."
"Nanoha was helping you just fine, from what I saw," the doctor pointed out.
Unable to formulate a coherent response, Fate remained resolutely silent, not that the doctor seemed to need a response to that. Tut-tutting at the road rash on the side of her palm, the doctor lifted Fate''s hand to the light, noting the prominent jut of wrist bones on the lanky woman.
"Have you been eating enough?"
Flinching at the question, Fate gave a light shrug, "Enough. It''s been a stressful period."
Tsking, Shamal hurumphed, "I swear, that woman wouldn''t know what to do with herself without stress. You''ll do well not to follow her example. Try to snack more if you can, it''s probably why you feel cold all the time." Nodding without truly giving an affirmative, Fate did her best to hide how suffocated she was beginning to feel.
Giving the re-bandaged ankle a pat to indicate she was done treating Fate, the doctor rose and stuck her head out of the office, "Come get your someone. Hand her ID to Shiela and I''ll get her prescription settled."
"I heard that," Alto mildly accusing, Nanoha rose to fetch the injured blonde.
"I wanted you to," the doctor retorted.
With snake-like reflexes, the doctor snagged Nanoha''s strong chin in an iron grip just as the executive was about to slip past her into the office in order to help the blonde back out. Shamal tilted bloodshot eyes up to the pen light she had fished out of her coat pocket. "Still getting them, huh? I''ll refill yours as well, then."
The executive held back her initial instinct to smack away the doctor¡¯s hand, firmly reminding herself this was her long-time doctor. Still, she attempted to pull away from the light, blinking eyes teared up from the brightness being directed into them. Muttering something derogatory about handsy doctors once released, she helped Testarossa into her shoes and back to the waiting area. Ignoring the odd looks the blonde threw her way, she quietly asked her for her ID card and slipped it over the counter to Shamal¡¯s staff.
Wondering what all that was about, Fate closed her eyes to focus on keeping her breaths slow and even. She hated the scents here, clinic or hospital, they all stunk the same to her. Shifting her arm, now in a sling, she tried to conjure up better thoughts and wondered why an image of the executive caring for an injured pup was what her addled brain settled on.
The soft beep of a cashless payment unit brought Fate back to the present, and her eyes fluttered open in time to see the Takamachi woman removing her smartwatch from the unit''s scanner. Mouth opening to protest the consideration, the words died on her lips when the auburn-haired woman turned back around to face her. Lines of tension seemed to etch themselves into her otherwise smooth face, giving her an expression of foreboding that seemed to indicate any and all arguments would be rendered null and void.
Deciding to leave the battle to another time, if there would even be another time, Fate simply remained quiescent while the other woman fished up two bags of medication. ''That much for a few stitches and a sprain?'' Bemused to see both baggies fit into a curiously deep skirt pocket, she understood that this meant the woman''s hands were free to help Fate back to her car.
The sun was setting by the time they made it to the executive''s vehicle. Noting the angle of the shadows, and the bag of half-eaten Char Siew Bao littering the car''s floor, Fate glanced over to study the finely chiselled profile of her erstwhile rescuer. Fishing out the medications from her pocket, the Takamachi woman leaned over and popped open the glove compartment to toss both bags in. By the bright light of the auto-LED in the compartment, Fate caught the executive''s name on one of the pill bottles. She recognised the medications as those commonly prescribed for migraines.
The blonde considered her options in light of the states the both of them were in. "We''ll need food for our meds." she ventured, boldly making an assumption about the executive''s prescriptions, "My treat?" The woman had apparently missed her lunch because of her, the least she could do was to feed her a meal, right?
Gaze hooded, almost defensive, Nanoha peered at the blonde from under an unruly lock of rich auburn that had escaped her pristine hairdo. Fate felt her fingers twitch, wanting to help move the soft-looking bit of red-tinted hair out of the executive''s eyes. Instead, she did her best to cross her arms, as if to warm herself in the chill breeze of the car''s cooling system.
"Can you take beef?" Was the quiet response she received.
Taking the blonde''s small smile as a yes, Nanoha drove quietly to what Fate recognised as the red light district of the island. Soft strains of ambient music blanketed the silence between them. Wordlessly, Nanoha adjusted the a/c to a warmer temperature, despite the fact that the spiking aches in the base of her skull wanted the cold.
Chapter 3: Throw Away the Key
Pulling the car to the side of the cramped road shoulder, the executive set the car to park and exited the vehicle. Confused to be left alone, Fate''s eyes followed the graceful form wending her way past stacked tables and chairs. The executive''s sleeves had been rolled up, hiding the blood Fate had unceremoniously spilt on the woman. It was still early enough that they had beaten the dinner crowd, and it did not take long before she was back in the car. The delicious scent of the dish the nondescript coffeeshop was famous for filled the confines of the vehicle, causing Fate to realise she had been conned out of paying for the meal, too.
In most other circumstances, the accusing look the blonde was giving her would have been amusing. As it stood, it was taking Nanoha an inhuman amount of willpower to focus on the road and not the migraine threatening to send bile up her throat.
Fate watched the shift of muscles play under the sleek velvet surface of her temporary chauffeur''s forearms. Giving her eyes leave to roam, she again settled on observing the other woman''s profile. She was blinking a lot, and her jaw seemed to tighten and relax at uneven intervals, as if she were fighting some sort of internal battle. Feeling wrapped in wool with reflexes that matched, it took Fate long moments to notice that the car had been parked and the engine switched off.
Blearily, she glanced around at the unfamiliar surroundings. Was this¡?
"Home sweet home." The executive''s sarcastic drawl broke the silence, and Fate blinked.
"I took the liberty of accessing my employee''s records. I figured getting around alone would be awkward."
''I should be mad.'' Again, the image of Nanoha and a stray puppy imposed itself in her mind''s eye. "Logical." was all Fate said.
Sure, that was absolutely what fed her decision-making processes, logic. ''As if someone that beautiful wouldn''t have friends, or even a boyfriend?'' Shaking off her mocking inner voice, Nanoha decided she was far too tired to think anymore. Transferring her guest to the pleasant embrace of her living room sofa, Nanoha left her to grab the rest of their things from the car.
The muted glow of running lights came on the moment the Takamachi woman had disengaged the electric lock. Taking in the understated furnishings, and the unfamiliar, expansive sea view, Fate surmised they were somewhere on the resort island off the coast of the mainland. Her one free hand trailed over the buttery leather surface of the sofa she was seated on. She knew there were private residences there, but had never actually been in one. So this was how the 1% lived in Singapore.
Time got away from her, and before she knew it, their meal was plated on simple corningware ceramic. A fan of Japanese cucumber, sliced to a precise 45 degree angle, adorned the side of the rustic dish, offering a splash of colour to the otherwise deceptively dull-looking meal.
A clever little table on wheels was pulled over by the executive, the contraption angled so its base was under the sofa while its hardwood surface hovered over her lap. Ingenious.
Nanoha set the plate before the blonde, fork included. Settling herself down on the other side of the L-shaped sofa, the executive dug into her own serving with lacquered bamboo chopsticks, the blonde noting that she was left-handed. Her motions were mechanical, taking no pleasure in the fragrant meal, just something she had to do.
"I would never have pegged you for a local eats type." Fate commented, after they had had some time to assuage the worst of their hunger pangs.
She was rewarded with a ghost of a smile, "Anyone worth their salt knows the best food is where the locals frequent." And the red light district was as local as it got.
Toying with a bit of silken rice noodle, drenched in the soy-based gravy, Fate studied the woman seated adjacent to her. ''Takamachi'' certainly sounded foreign to the usual Asian names she had come across in her time working as an expatriate here, and she wondered just how foreign or local the executive was. "Considering how the day began, this wasn''t how I had envisioned it would end." She observed instead.
Silent, the auburn woman simply looked at her from over her meal. Girding her loins, Fate soldiered on, manners demanding no less from her, "I allowed my emotions to get the better of me earlier; I apologise."
The blonde''s lilting accent held shades of aristocratic inflections, easily matching the information her subordinates had pulled on the woman. The executive decided that she liked how this blonde spoke.
Swallowing her current mouthful, the Takamachi woman gave the impression of shrugging without having moved a muscle, a fascinating skill Fate wanted to study up close, "It wasn''t the best of circumstances, if you would recall, Miss Testarossa." It still wasn''t. The clamour of responsibility still blared incessantly in her mind, but she knew she wasn''t going to get a lick of work done without her meds and some shut-eye.
Scarlet tendrils of the sun''s setting trailed possessively over the executive''s form, bathing her in a warmth that seemed to chase any perceived cold from her simple statement. Surely, those azure eyes weren''t crinkling at the corners, at her? A sudden need to see a real smile from the executive gripped the blonde.
Not wanting to acknowledge where the urge stemmed from, she blurted, "Fate." At the other woman''s blink, she continued, "I know w-we''re not friends but¡" wine-rich eyes dropped to the sling her arm was in. "Call me Fate."
"That''s generous of you, Miss¡ um, Feito." said the woman who had just saved her off the damned ground and paid for her treatment and dinner. The executive''s warm alto burred pleasantly as she tested the name on her lips, the word taking on an added mora, or sound shorter than a syllable, due to her faint but distinctive Japanese accent. Fate shivered and took another healthy bite; the doctor was right, she had to eat more.
The auburn-haired woman continued, trying not to ponder what might cause them to become friends, "Nanoha, then. Seeing as you''re the only employee who has ever been to my place." It sounded like a pathetic excuse to her ears, but the blonde seemed to take it in stride.
''No fraternising with colleagues, hmm?'' The unbidden thought flitted across Fate''s mind, swatted away impatiently by Fate''s better self. ''Isn''t it a good thing you''re getting fired in two days? Oh my gods, shut up.''
"N-Nanoha," she mumbled shyly, conflicting emotions waging a war across, to Nanoha, her now expressive face.
Not that it clued the executive on to anything, really. Deciding some levity was needed, she clicked the air with precise pinches of her chopsticks, drawing those interesting crimson pools up to meet her faintly teasing gaze, "Not N-Nanoha. Na, no, ha."
Watching pink creep up the blonde''s leonine neck with delight, she grinned at the woman when she fought back her stammer and properly enunciated her name, "Fine! Nanoha!"
Chasing her grin with a cheeky, "Nyahaha!" the executive resumed consuming her meal neatly, showing immense skill with the eating implements.
Willing her heart to cease flip-flopping all over the place at the sight of that blindingly vibrant smile, with a criminally adorable giggle on top of, Fate ducked her head to hide behind the curtain of molten gold that was her hair. This was a side of the woman she would never have thought existed and it confused the blonde why she was reacting like so to what amounted to a complete stranger.
Nanoha cleared the dishes once both were done, rinsing them down before adding them to the half-load already in the dishwasher. Using the water dispenser by the sink, she filled up a glass with lukewarm water and returned, dropping off water and meds for Fate before remembering the poor woman only had one hand to work with. Wordlessly flicking away fine-boned fingers from plucking uselessly at the pill bottle, Nanoha settled next to the blonde and poured out the required doses into her roughened palms. A quirk of one finely arched brow was her only hint for Fate to be a good girl and take her pills.
Feeling ridiculously pampered for a not-friend and soon-to-be ex-employee, Fate did as she was silently ordered, earning her a wordless nod of satisfaction. Leaving the glass with Fate, Nanoha set the pills safely on the kitchen''s island and swiftly threw back her own set of pills, washing them down with water as well.
Turning back to regard her unplanned guest, the executive took stock of her reserves. By her estimate, she had perhaps half an hour tops before she would be knocked out. Seizing on the most efficient course of action as was her wont, she padded to a cupboard and pulled out loose shorts and an oversized tee. Grabbing a L''Occitane day-pack off of a shelf, just one of many complimentary gifts people kept sending her, Nanoha set clothes and the day-pack beside her bathroom sink then simply princess-carried Fate into the bathroom, seating her on the side of a lavishly appointed bathtub.
The blonde had felt her protests die on her lips when the executive slipped her arms under her and carried her. The Takamachi''s smooth gait was rock steady and Fate wondered just what did the woman do to maintain this level of fitness.
The apartment was silent through all this, words seemingly unneeded at this time. A faint flush coloured the blonde''s cheeks, as her mind accurately deduced what needed to follow. She voiced no objections, however, when the Takamachi¡ no, when Nanoha began the stiffly formal process of helping her to disrobe herself.
Thanking all the femme gods she could name that she had put on a matching set of lacy underwear today, Fate did her best to ignore how her senses ignited at every spot where their brushing touches met, deciding this was just her body''s natural response to a beautiful woman. She had always known where her preferences lay, but had never been able to take the plunge due to family circumstances. The novelty of this had to be the reason, no more.
Laboriously reciting prime numbers in her head, Nanoha performed the needed task with the detachment of a thrice-cursed saint. The executive had harboured no ulterior motives helping the blonde, it was simply the right thing to do, but it was impossible to deny the woman was exceedingly beautiful with an air of innocence that only made her more alluring to the auburn-haired woman.
Fate''s injured ankle was cradled as khaki pants were pulled off of sinfully shapely hips, the garment folded and set aside. The executive was proud of how her hands did not shake. When her fingers were tangled in silken flax however... Out of Fate''s sight, Nanoha''s fingers did tremble as she gently drew aside the heavy fall of gold to grant her access to a smoothly arched neck and the sling knotted there. ''Get a grip, Takamachi.'' She growled silently to herself.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Unconsciously exhaling, Nanoha''s breath disturbed the fine pale gold hairs of Fate''s neck, sending another shiver down the blonde''s spine that the auburn tressed woman mistook for a reaction to the central air-conditioning. Making an absent note to up the temperature later, she carefully removed her guest''s top. The sight of the glacial blonde clad in nothing but skimpy lace almost sent Nanoha careening to the ground, appearances be damned. This was enough to make her migraine but a mere kitten, mewling indignantly for attention. Swiftly, she tore her eyes away from that vision.
Cloaking herself with an air of detached professionalism, Nanoha opened a pack of hygienic wipes, pulling out a handful of sheets that she was certain her guest knew what to do with. Placing the easy to pull on shorts and tee within arm''s reach of the blonde, along with a new toothbrush, the executive retreated to her guest bathroom then, to settle her own clean up and change of clothes.
Fate swallowed against the sudden dryness in her throat when Nanoha returned, the executive''s simple white tank and shorts showing off her strong, supple body to good effect, not to mention the light bronze of skin that saw the sun on a regular basis. Oh the curves were still there, merely that the addition of sinewy power on clear display only increased the woman''s attractiveness to Fate exponentially. Her hair was down, released from its severe ties to tumble fetchingly over strongly rounded shoulders, and with her face washed clean of any make-up, she looked¡ why, no older than Fate''s own twenty-eight years of age.
''Well, that explains how she can move me around so easily.'' Fate thought, dazedly.
With both women prepared for bed, silence continued to reign, neither feeling the need to speak when everything was so easily understood. Having no other bed aside from her own, Nanoha transferred Fate to the side set against the wall, not wanting the woman to accidentally take a tumble from an unfamiliar surface should she happen to wake in the night.
Tucked securely into her side of the bed, she watched as Nanoha increased the temperature of the air a few degrees before arranging a body pillow to be between either side of the bed. Instinctively, Fate knew it was to prevent Nanoha from moving around enough to further exacerbate Fate''s injuries and the simple consideration curled warmly in the pit of her tummy.
The more the blonde watched her, the more Fate could see the lines of pain held back by the slimmest of margins, a force of will that refused to bend to a mere piffle like a migraine. Exchanging faint smiles with the other woman, Nanoha finally broke the silence, "Lights off. Good night, Feito." Feeling a light throw being pulled over her shoulders, she whispered, "Thank you, Nanoha."
Not friends, but something, the two fell into a dreamless sleep, the first for both in longer than they could remember.
Limbs leaden with fatigue, Nanoha attempted to claw her way out of a blanketing darkness. Strangely, it did not feel oppressive, merely encompassing, and blessedly dreamless. Nostrils flaring at the vaguely familiar scent her senses picked up, she drew an experimental breath, pleased to feel no more than a dull throb at the base of her skull. Cheek pillowed upon a soft, fragrant surface, the executive took stock of her surroundings, eyes still closed. It was a game she used to play with¡ well, nevermind that. The steady rise and fall of the surface she was plastered over gave a slight clue as to where she might have been.
Mmm, the Testarossa account, Shamal, dinner, lacy underwear¡
Frozen, her eyes flew open and she stomped down the urge to panic by only the slimmest of margins. Greeting her was the slim expanse of a tummy, clad thinly in an old tee, and below that, legs that did indeed, go on forever. Hating her snuggle slut tendencies and wondering where the damned body pillow had gone, she gingerly prised herself off of her far too comfortable sleeping surface.
Except an arm in a sling had been thrown over Nanoha''s back, effectively pinning her where she lay. The soft weight was addicting, and the executive made a decision that she had to put some professional distance between them, or the proverbial excrement would hit the air-circulatory rotary devices.
''Carefully, carefully¡'' The words a silent mantra, Nanoha extricated herself from under the blonde''s arm, gently laying the injured appendage back down across the tummy she had been observing up close and personally mere moments earlier.
Fate was still asleep, tresses strewn around her head like a halo. She appeared utterly angelic to Nanoha''s admiring eyes. A neat sleeper, Nanoha noted, feeling that somehow, she knew that already. Out of the corner of one eye, she spied the delinquent body pillow, hanging haphazardly over the foot of the bed. ''Fat lot of good you were,'' Nanoha scoffed. A mocking silence was her only reply.
With an internal groan, Nanoha rolled out of her side of the bed, stretching in a flexible display to work out her morning kinks. Glad for her waveless waterbed since she didn''t want to disturb the blonde, she left Fate to continue her much needed rest and padded over to the living room. Grabbing her smart remote, she set all alerts to mute, channelling any to the smartwatch she had slipped on. Amazed at the lack of messages, she leaned an elbow on her standing desk, allowing her system to wake at the scan of one blue retina.
Quickly, she sifted through the restricted inbox only a select few had access to.
Hayate is holding off the hounds of doofus-ville but she needs something before the week''s out. - Vita
Nanoha quietly rattled off a quick acknowledgement using her voice-to-text programme, opting not to use her mechanical keyboard for fear of disturbing her guest.
Ginga-nee came by again. Told her you was bz, which is true, right? Right. Anyway, we''re holding off on updating the mainframes ''fore you get back. Weather report''s iffy, too. We''re doing maintenance on the generators instead just to be doubly sure. - Subaru
Eyes closing, Nanoha let out a quiet breath. ''Blast that rain check.''
"Good thinking; like the initiative. - Nanoha"
There, that would bolster the younger woman''s fickle self-confidence. Sighing, she swivelled in her Herman-Miller to cast a critical glance over the ocean. Angry, billowing clouds greeted her eyes, and a quick check on the residents'' chat-group informed her that all island crossings would be on hold until further notice. The white caps frothing up the usually placid waters of the sea was more than reason enough for Nanoha.
Good thing it was Saturday with little need for residents to get off what was essentially a holiday retreat island. Hopefully the weather warnings would keep work in stasis until she could resolve this account Hayate had dropped onto her lap like a rotting fish.
Done with her most pressing issue bar one, Nanoha checked on her guest once more, and seeing no change, decided to get breakfast started. Inspecting her pantry, she smiled to see Erio had just restocked all essentials. He must have been following the weather forecasts like a hawk. It was this and more that made him so indispensable to the residents he served out on the island.
Yawning so huge that she squeaked, Fate sat up on the waterbed, rubbing her eyes with her free hand. Looking around blearily, she only just realised Nanoha had been standing over her, about to wake Fate herself. The executive had on the cutest pink apron complete with little bunny prints, the cloth barely able to contain the generous bust line of the woman wearing it.
Nanoha tried to jump start a brain that had shut down at the sight, and sound, of Fate waking. ''She squeaked, oh my gods, that was so adorable, what the hell¡'' Clearing her throat, she cracked a faint smile, the warmth of which gave her eyes a bottomless quality, "About time for your next dose. Need help?"
Nodding mutely, Fate accepted the assistance to get to the dining table. Smelling of salt, sea and sun, the blonde discovered an odd urge to nuzzle into the body holding her up. ''I must be really out of it.'' As she limped her way to the dining area, Fate frowned at the obvious strand of auburn hair clinging to the right side of her borrowed tee. Curious. Then her eyes fell on what adorned the table, and she was left momentarily speechless. "I, wow¡"
Classic bacon and fluffy scrambled eggs heaped a large serving plate and beside that, a stack of pancakes, still faintly steaming. In, of all things, a Totoro ceramic, sat what Fate suspected to be hand-whipped cream with a serving teaspoon stood up in the stiff treat. A small bowl of fresh strawberries, de-stemmed, lured the onlooker with how succulent they looked. Finally, a carafe of freshly-squeezed orange juice and a pour jug of maple syrup completed the princely spread.
Refusing to blush under the blonde''s scrutiny, Nanoha cleared her throat, "I''m a big eater." Frankly, she had overheard Shamal suggesting the blonde eat more, and while not the sort to dictate to¡ colleagues how they should conduct their eating habits, the auburn-haired woman was not above providing plenty of temptation within easy reach.
"I¡ I''ll try to help." Fate murmured, wondering how to even get started on such an over the top repast. Seating herself not opposite, but beside the blonde, Nanoha began to cut Fate''s pancakes into easily speared servings. True, she could have just tossed milk and cereal together and given Fate a spoon, but those boxes were lies within lies. ''Part of a complete breakfast my arse.''
Unable to wrap her mind around the sight of TSAB''s big shot executive cutting pancakes for her, the blonde couldn''t do more than just watch graceful hands at work. Settling into another comfortable silence, Fate''s eyes slid over to study the little cartoon character taking pride of place in the middle of the spread. She mumbled something before taking a bite of the wonderfully fluffy pancake, now topped with some whipped cream and maple syrup.
"Pardon? I didn''t catch that." Nanoha asked, glancing up from her own breakfast with a faint smile playing over her lips.
"M-Mononoke Hime is my favourite." Fate finally clarified, shooting Nanoha a dark look for forcing her to say it twice. Studio Ghibli''s animated movies were world famous and Fate had taken a distinct interest in them growing up. For some reason, she did not want to appear childish in front of this astonishingly competent woman.
Chuckling, the sound seeming to come from deep within that lithe torso, Nanoha made a small ''ah'' of understanding. Honestly, was it any surprise that the blonde enjoyed a movie about a princess fighting to save her forest against enemies within and without? Deciding there would be little harm in sharing, she said, "Whisper of the Heart is mine." There was that blinding smile again. It lit the room and for a long moment, there was only the sound of their breathing and the faint hum of the central air system cycling.
Fate easily recalled the movie Nanoha mentioned - a wistful, down to earth tale of a girl in Japan''s countryside, drifting through life until a chance meeting with someone inspired her into fighting for her future by the person''s side. She wondered if the setting was similar to where the executive grew up.
A calloused hand lifted to cup Fate''s cheek, breaking the growing silence, and the roughened pad of Nanoha''s thumb brushed itself across the blonde''s lips, "You um, had some cream there¡" the executive explained, pulling her hand back quickly.
Stammering her thanks, Fate returned to her meal, her cheeks flaming. ''What is wrong with me? I''m supposed to hate her!'' Yet, in her heart of hearts, she wondered if she ever had to begin with.
Mood broken, Nanoha sighed, "Don''t thank me too soon, Feito." Gaze shuttered once more, as if to guard against an expected lashing out, the executive elaborated, "You''ve become my prisoner, probably for the weekend."
Mouth dropping open, she stared at Nanoha.
"The road out is closed due to a weather advisory, neither ferry nor cable car will be in operation until we get the all clear."
Snapping her mouth closed, Fate finally noticed the ominous cloud cover visible through the huge windows facing out to the sea. Gods, everyone was relying on her to save their hides and she was out on a freaking resort island like it was a weekend getaway!
Azure gaze following the other woman''s unspoken thoughts, she quietly added, "I know I gave you the weekend; it''s what I gave me, too."
Fate drew back slightly as if slapped. Nanoha''s plan had been to try to find a workable middle ground as well! A faint sliver of hope began to wend its stubborn way into a heart now beating triple time, the staccato loud in her ears.
"We''ve got our work cut out for us," the blonde''s soft voice was a balm to Nanoha''s ears. Accepting, determined.
We. She studied the blonde for long moments, seeing nothing to set her usually prickly caution off. Fate truly, honestly, wanted nothing but to do whatever it took to keep everyone''s roof over their heads.
Quirking that lopsided smile that Fate was beginning to find endearing, Nanoha nodded and applied herself to her meal. She was going to need the fuel.
Fate matched Nanoha''s every helping with one of her own.
Chapter 4: As I Lay Me Down
Dismay warred with anger when Fate took in the sight of her tote''s contents. Her laptop was a mangled mess, a spider web of cracks rendering the screen completely nonfunctional. Her glasses were a lost cause, cracked clean down the middle to now sit in her hand in two separate pieces. Overhead, the tell-tale rumble of an impending storm boomed and she felt her mood matching the weather perfectly.
Nanoha peered at the woman from under an unruly lock of auburn hair, sensing that words of empty consolation would do little to help the situation. Instead, she made her way to her workspace, a room set to the side of the living room and sharing the same floor to ceiling sea view. Hefting her own laptop up from its raised perch beside an ultra-wide monitor she typically used when working from home, she padded back out to the living room and set it on the same portable desk Fate had used for their impromptu dinner last night.
Cognisant of possible security issues, Fate glanced up, giving Nanoha a questioning look.
"I locked down everything other than Testarossa Inc''s data," the executive assured her.
Casting the laptop''s screen to the living room''s 80 inch television, Nanoha gave a nod of satisfaction. With this, both of them could read through the data. As unobtrusively as she could, she reached back to massage her neck, knowing the little reprieve from her migraine would last for only so long. Especially since she was foregoing her pills to remain clear headed. She had made certain Fate took her dose, however.
Unbeknownst to her, her blonde guest had taken a decidedly intense interest in every little thing Nanoha did, and had caught the executive''s skipping of her own meds. Feeling as if she needed to come through, not just for her staff but for the unaccountably kind woman, Fate wasted no time in calling up the pertinent cost-benefit analyses of her company.
Shunting aside the growing, sharpening symptoms with the ease of long practise, Nanoha placed herself behind the sofa Fate was reclining on. Eyes that missed little studied the figures before them. Reaching past Fate''s head to scroll the laptop''s touchscreen, her arm brushed against the downy cheek of her guest, causing both to jump at the tingle the inadvertent touch engendered.
Pulling back her offending arm, Nanoha''s gaze dropped down to the woman whose face just happened to be right below hers. Skies painted violet and gold from the hidden sunrise chose that moment to release their pent-up energy and sheets of water thundered down, rendering the windows almost opaque and shrouding the living room in a shadowed hush that felt at once intimate and secret.
Nanoha had not tied her hair back up since the previous night, and the beauty of the sweetly-spiced curtain encircling Fate was not lost on the blonde. It would be so, so easy to reach up and draw those pink, glistening lips to her own¡
A flash of thunder lit up the room, throwing shadows into stark contrast and breaking the spellbound women apart. Colour high, the two took a moment to gather themselves. Nanoha chose to get them some water, while Fate scrolled through more figures with a faintly trembling hand.
''It''s the barometric pressure change. I''m not thinking straight.'' Eyes closing, Nanoha momentarily leaned her too warm forehead against the cool glass of her kitchen cabinets, rubbing absently at the tightness in her neck.
Fate watched as the executive rubbed her neck again, pressing her head to glass to seek relief. ''Idiot! Focus! You''re already being an imposition.'' Worried for the executive''s well-being, the blonde welcomed Nanoha back, thanking her for the water and suggesting that the woman sit beside her so both would have easy access to the touch screen.
The blonde could see hesitation in those incredible eyes, the rich azure roiling with conflicting thoughts, akin to Mother Nature''s display above them. Finally giving in to her body''s weakness, Nanoha acquiesced, figuring the cool leather would at least ease some of the throbbing in her head.
Morning progressed into afternoon, the two women falling into a companionable working arrangement. The ebb and flow of their quiet discussion never reached past the point of polite professionalism.
"What about¡" Fate scrolled left, tapping the screen with one elegant finger, to which Nanoha would give a regretful shake of her head, reaching past the blonde''s hand to scroll to another tangent of the document, "No, because see here¡"
Neither had ever felt this comfortable working with another person, and even when disagreeing, both could see where the other was coming from.
It is twelve noon, my Master.
Nanoha glanced up at the digital display set over her television, surprised how many hours it had been already. The slowly cycling RGB colours of the world map outlined on the display also gave indications of various time zones for major capital cities in the world, reminding Nanoha that her only grace period would be the hours she was ahead of Europe.
Seeing that they were no closer to a solution, Nanoha sighed, once more squeezing the muscle that joined neck to shoulder to ease the ache there. "Your next dose is due." Marvelling how the executive could drop work just for her to get some pills, Fate eyed the smooth skin on display. She wondered how it would feel to massage the tenseness out of that muscle, and blinked. What on earth was up with her? Was it the weather?
"What''s on the line¡ for you?" She blurted, more to distract herself from her weirdly swirling thoughts, than because she needed to know. Though, now that she asked, she felt that it was important information.
Stiffening, Nanoha drew back from where she sat so closely next to the blonde. Was this corporate espionage? Was she digging for dirt to wield against the executive somewhere down the line? An air of wariness settled over the auburn woman, prompting Fate to curl her free hand around the other woman''s arm, the blonde''s expression entreating.
Warm burgundy peered insistently into cautious blue, forcing Nanoha to meet the blonde''s open gaze. "If we don''t show austerity, it will be a minimum of twenty thousand in lay-offs." Nanoha pulled away from Fate, the woman''s soft gasp speaking volumes about how sheltered she would be considered in Nanoha''s world. That damnable migraine was getting worse.
Narrowing her eyes against the muted golds of her kitchen''s lighting, the auburn-haired beauty''s movements were stiff, displaying a clear sign that she didn''t want to discuss what she''d just revealed to the blonde. Yet, Fate could tell that there was no anger in her motions, merely a faint air of defeat, as if to say their efforts today would likely lead to nothing.
Taking comfort in the familiar motions of preparing a meal, the executive passed a weary hand across her shadowed gaze while she waited for fragrant slices of garlic bread to be done toasting. A niggling corner of her mind tried to suggest something else. ''Who would kiss you with garlic breath?'' Which only made her adamant about preparing that, along with some goat cheese salad, for lunch. Recklessly adding shallots to the Unkissable Salad, as Nanoha had silently dubbed it, she gave each bowl a good toss with balsamic dressing and brought them and the bread over to where they had been working.
"Company''s orders, all employees are mandated to take a one hour break for lunch."
That hint of dry humour still caught Fate off-guard and she threw Nanoha a sceptical glance, observing quietly, "I''d dare say no other employee gets to have restaurant-grade meals prepared by the company''s top executive for their lunch break, Mi¡ Nanoha."
Drawing up one lightly bronzed leg under her as she angled herself to face her guest, Nanoha flashed Fate a little grin, charmed that the blonde seemed entirely unafraid of her reputation, giving as good as she got, "Nyahaha, then you had better appreciate what you''re getting, no?"
"Oh, you can bet I am appreciative," somehow the way Fate''s melodious soprano dropped a level while saying that gave Nanoha a slight pause. ''Is she? ¡Naaaah.''
Relieving Fate''s make-shift desk of her laptop, Nanoha presented the simple meal to her guest, and, ensuring a good few feet of distance between them, settled down to her own meal. Not that she had much of an appetite, as evidenced by her disinterested pushing around of the baby arugula in her bowl. A frown lay across her brow, the thought of having to weigh the good of three hundred or twenty thousand likely adding to the executive''s disquiet.
''It must all be getting to her.'' Fate thought while one-handedly feeding herself. Feeling the same unease growing within herself, the blonde dutifully finished off her decidedly heavy lunch and quietly set the empty bowl aside. The auburn-haired woman still hadn''t really touched her meal, and Fate noticed her portion already seemed far less than what the blonde had been served.
Concluding that enough was enough, she shifted a little awkwardly down the sofa''s length, and with her own fork, speared a heap of salad along with a crumbled bit of goat cheese and offered the mouthful up to Nanoha.
Surprised at the utensil hovering into view, Nanoha looked up to find the blonde situated far into her personal space, a staunchly determined set to her jaw.
"I-I''ll tattle to Doctor Shamal." The unspoken threat lay plainly in the scant space between them. Bemused and utterly entranced by the blonde''s boldness, Nanoha obediently accepted the mouthful offered up to her. Even white teeth framed by sensually curved lips closed around the fork, drawing the tasty morsels into her mouth. She fancied she could taste the blonde, too.
In the short span this feeding took, their eyes met repeatedly, and Fate could feel her heart thundering far louder than whatever was going on outside of the apartment. She''d never done this before with anyone. Holding the bowl steady for the blonde, Nanoha accepted the next mouthful. Freed to be passive in this exchange, the executive took her time tracing the fine features of her ''employee'' with her eyes.
A faint frown of concentration had given Fate a most captivating look, the blonde wanting to get every bit of the salad into Nanoha. A final bit of goat cheese was proving elusive however, slipping and sliding in the dressing to escape Fate''s fork. Deciding to save her the trouble, Nanoha pinched up the offending bit of leftover to pop it into her mouth, swiping once, twice, with a strawberry pink tongue to clear the last of the dressing from her fingers. "Thank you, Feito," she licked her lips.
Feeling herself growing warm to the roots of her hair, Fate scrambled back to her place, dropping her fork into her own bowl as if burnt. In the ensuing silence, the blonde plucked nervously at the frayed ends of her borrowed tee, eyes refusing to meet Nanoha''s. "Y-You''re welcome."
The executive could not recall the last time anyone had done something so simple just for her benefit. As much as she appreciated Fate''s gesture, the light meal still sat heavily in her, warring with her migraine''s demand to empty her guts as quickly as it had been filled. Tamping down hard on the nausea, she quirked a faint smile of gratitude at the blonde, whether she saw it or not, and proceeded to clear their dishes.
Resuming their work, Fate surreptitiously observed Nanoha''s deteriorating condition. A paleness had intruded itself under her mild tan, giving her a sickly pallor, and she was constantly swallowing, fighting the urge to lose whatever she had for lunch.
Unable to stand the woman''s suffering any longer, Fate slammed the laptop''s lid closed, startling Nanoha.
"Feito, we''re not done¡"
"No, Nanoha, but you are," as quiet as her voice was, Fate''s cultured accent brooked no argument from the executive.
Frowning, her host drew herself up stiffly, "Excuse me? Are you ordering me to stop?" Shades of that implacable will cloaked Nanoha in the same imposing aura she wore when first they met.
"I am begging you to let yourself rest." Fate emphasised, concern swirling in the depths of her wine-red gaze. "I kn-know we aren''t friends, but I can''t stand to see you like this."
She was the top executive in one of the largest corporations in the world. People fell over themselves to get on her good side. No one risked her ire without a death wish.
Her thunderous opposition to this, this slip of a blonde telling her what to do, died on her lips when the woman''s sincere concern washed over her.
She licked lips that felt dry and chapped, "I¡ I suppose a short break won''t make a difference either way¡" The angelic smile her begrudging admission earned her stole her breath away. Principessa.
Inordinately pleased to have won this round, Fate nodded happily, "You''ve shown me which anomalies to look out for, I''ll continue while you take a break."
Nodding but unwilling to venture far for fear of appearing to shirk her duties, Nanoha''s iron will caved in to her body''s demands for rest and she laid her pounding head down on the closest available surface, blacking out almost immediately.
Fate sat, rooted to her spot and staring at her sudden lapful of Nanoha. The beleaguered executive had laid her head on the blonde''s lap, face buried into the blonde''s stomach as a matter of course. Unreasonably thick lashes cast delicate shadows on the woman''s cheek and unbidden, Fate brushed the flushed surface with the back of her fingers, noting how clammy the woman felt. She allowed her hand the luxury of playing with that unruly lock of hair that constantly fell into the executive''s eyes, confirming to herself that it indeed was as soft to the touch as it looked.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Blowing out a silent breath and firming her resolve, Fate pulled the laptop back into view. Deciding what Nanoha did not know would not hurt her, the blonde slipped her bandaged arm out of its sling and got back to work on their conundrum. Basking in the comfort of Nanoha''s steady breaths ghosting across her thinly clothed stomach, the blonde turned the problem this way and that, a mental Rubix cube that, intellectually, she would have enjoyed trying to solve, if the stakes were not as high as they were.
Pursing her lips, she decided to tackle the problem from another angle, one Nanoha had never suggested, but perhaps¡
Feeling better than she had had in weeks, Nanoha cracked one, then both eyes open. It felt late, dark, but quiet. Apparently the worst of the storm had passed the island nation by, though forecasts predicted a second storm in the very near future. Shifting where she lay, she pondered the softness under her cheek, not recalling when she had acquired cushions that felt this comfortable to lie on.
It smelled distinctly feminine, with faintly familiar hints of lilac and rose. Wait.
Eyes widening for the second time today, she slowly drew back to find her worst fears realised. She was using Fate as a pillow. AGAIN. ''Oh gods¡''
Angling her head enough to confirm the blonde had dozed off too, she carefully extricated herself once more from the woman''s grasp. This was harder than before, the simple reason being that Fate had her fingers tangled in her unbound hair. Willing to lose a few strands for a good cause, Nanoha finally escaped the blonde''s possessive hold and sat up.
The dull blink of her laptop''s power button indicated it had gone into sleep mode. With an impatient swipe of the touch-pad, Nanoha called up whatever Fate had been working on.
Green numbers blanketed the screen to her uncomprehending eyes. What? How? Casting the screen to the much larger television''s surface, Nanoha scanned the adjustments, digging through the document''s history, demanding answers.
Her throat tightened when the revelation appeared. Incredible.
Pulling a light throw over Fate''s shoulders to help the slim blonde combat the cool of the apartment, Nanoha worked feverishly, mind clearing in tandem with the skies in the distance. A quick glance at the clock informed her it was close to seven. Hayate would be up by now. Putting the final few flourishes to the presentation and attaching all the pertinent documents, she hit send with an air of triumphant satisfaction.
Feeling so much lighter than she had been a mere few hours prior, the executive cast an awed look over the slumbering Princess occupying her sofa. The wish to wake her with a princely kiss was too much and she tore her eyes away from the soft length of Fate''s neck, exposed when her head had fallen back against the sofa''s back. Sighing, she scrubbed tiredly at her face. All this living alone was probably getting to her.
In the middle of rinsing out their lunch ware while the blonde still napped, Nanoha smirked when the expected alert came through.
Incoming voice call, Yagami, H.
"Answer" Nanoha propped one hip against the cool marble slab of the island, sipping a soothing blend of chamomile and peppermint tea she had just prepared moments earlier.
"Nano-chan, oh my god, you did it! I could kiss you all over! In fact, lemme do that when I visit, I''ll be in town next month!" The excitement in her CEO''s voice was palpable, eliciting a soft giggle from the otherwise staid executive.
"Shut it before Signum has an aneurism. Besides, I had help," the auburn woman felt compelled to point out.
"Sure, sure, you take care of your help, I take care of mine. What do you want? New car? Round trip tickets to the Ghibli Museum? Holiday in Greece? I know! I have a yacht in Turkey¡"
"One headcount, and 24-months of full insurance coverage for anyone we let go." Cutting Hayate off, Nanoha took another sip of her warm beverage, eyeing Fate over the rim of her Aggretsuko mug. She had seen Fate stirring at the sound of her friend''s excited chattering, the blonde now listening quietly to the conversation.
"You what now?" Confusion was clear in the CEO''s voice.
"A TWIC." Nanoha patiently clarified, using the shortened version of 2IC, or second-in-command. "Your pet accounts are running me ragged, Hayate. I can''t take any more of these forty-eight hour work days."
Fate blinked at the other woman''s brutal honesty, wondering if she should even be party to the conversation between TSAB''s top personnel. But it wasn''t as if she could just up and limp off somewhere in the apartment''s open concept. Pinned by Nanoha''s hooded gaze, the blonde could only meet those vibrant, deep azure eyes, so reminiscent of a deep, clear ocean and just as inviting.
"Why didn''t you say so! I''ve only been trying to get you to hire one for AGES." A swift rattle of a keyboard came over the call system, "Done and done, Sig-chan will have it posted on the intranet board soon. ¡Unless you already have someone in mind?"
Making a noncommittal sound, Nanoha used her hip to push herself off the island and made her way over to where Fate was seated. The executive embodied the sinuous grace of a leopard stalking its prey, until she finally settled on the coffee table across from Fate.
"Let the post go up," Nanoha responded at last, eyes twinkling wickedly down at the blonde.
"Okay. Welp, time to disappoint a whole lot of old farts. Probably as many as when you came out and told them all to fuck off..." Chortling to herself, the CEO cut the line, leaving her last words to hang like a live cobra on a wrangler''s hook, between the two women.
Head tilting until auburn fell down over one shoulder, the executive took in the blonde''s countenance.
"Disappointed?" she asked, referring to Hayate''s quip about her sexual inclinations while handing over a plain mug to the blonde, serving her guest the same as what she was sipping.
Crimson pools warmly drew Nanoha in, Fate accepting the mug with a smile of thanks, "I''d have to be disappointed with myself too, then," was the quietly serious reply. She took a sip. Delicious.
Nanoha pondered the bombshell that was Fate''s revelation. ''This is bad. This is so bad.'' Bundling up her burgeoning attraction to the blonde and shoving it somewhere deep in the back of her consciousness, Nanoha tightened her hold on the cartoon mug while she searched for the right words. Said mug''s little character screamed bloody murder whilst holding a chainsaw, an incongruous counterpoint to the seriousness of their conversation.
"Why did you fire yourself?" Nanoha finally asked, eyes flickering to where the bandaged arm laid, not in the sling where it should have been. That twinge of guilt grew worse, and Nanoha knew she had to fix this - her conscience would settle for nothing less.
Donning a cloak of glacial indifference, Fate simply shrugged, "My sis and I were pulling the most of all the non-essentials. With that cost out of the way¡" She lifted her eyes, and found herself once more caught in gleaming pools of azure. She tried her best not to think about her family insisting on dragging them back home if they heard a peep about their job situation now. "At least the insurance will give me some time, a-and I have some savings to tide me over¡" She was babbling. She knew she was, but she couldn''t help it, not under the searching scrutiny Nanoha was subjecting her to.
"Send me your CV." Nanoha urged, cutting into the woman''s run-on sentences.
Making a credible impression of a pufferfish stranded on the beach, Fate''s mouth opened and closed, the blonde caught flat-footed by Nanoha''s clear intent.
"I¡ wha¡ N-Nanoha, it''s an internal posting! There must be hundreds, no, thousands of applicants more qualified than I am. A-And besides, what w-would I bring-"
Giggling softly, the executive placed a finger over her lips, staying the blonde''s impending panic attack. Ignoring the jolt of electricity her action garnered, the auburn-haired woman pressed her case.
"We work well together. You''ve graduated at the top of your class from the best Midchildan universities. You bring a fresh perspective. You are unafraid to voice your opinions, opinions grounded in fact and data¡" She arched one finely curved brow at the blonde, "Need me to go on, Feito¡-chan?"
Another of Nanoha''s skills not put to paper, was her ability to headhunt talent for the company. One disaster notwithstanding, the rest of the ones she had sent Signum since she had stepped into her role were all standout recruitments. It would be an absolute dereliction of duty to let Fate slip through her, that is, the company''s grasp.
Feeling as if she might faint, the added honorific absolutely not helping things, the blonde swallowed convulsively. Deciding she couldn''t live to see disappointment in Nanoha''s eyes, she gave the woman a jerky nod, which Nanoha took to mean she needed to continue singing the blonde''s praises. There was no particular reason why she had to keep her finger pressed to those luscious lips, but she did so anyway.
Alto picking up a teasing tone, the executive smiled, "You''re committed to those under you. You''re tenacious and fight to the end for your goals¡" Head dipping, Nanoha''s voice turned possessively dark, curling into the deepest recesses of Fate''s mind, "And you''re still my employee until tomorrow."
Refusing to let Fate get away, feeling it was imperative she caught this golden lioness before she escaped, the executive grabbed her cellphone. Making a call by rote, eyes keeping the blonde pinned, Nanoha heard the click of her call being answered.
"Tea, I need a new intranet account, expedited. Testarossa, Fate, off the Testarossa Inc. subsidiary. Send the login deets to what we got on file."
"Boss! The hell, you go dark for over 24 hrs and-"
"TEA, I mean now."
"Fine, fine¡" The disgruntled female quieted, rapid-fire keystrokes the only sounds coming through the call for agonisingly long moments. "It''s done. ''Grats on the account, by the way. It''s already come down through the wire. Your haters are sucking lemons tonight."
Snorting in amusement, Nanoha shook her head over the inanities of her so-called haters, "Thanks Tea, kiss Subaru for me."
"Yea, no prob¡ wait, what?!"
Ending the call so this ''Tea'' person couldn''t fight back, Nanoha dropped the phone to her lap. Her lips twitched under the blonde''s ceaseless stare, silently daring the woman to react. The ball was in her court.
"You¡ work fast," Fate muttered hoarsely. The soft chirp of her own cellphone informed her that the ''deets'' had already been sent to her.
"I don''t have time to pussyfoot around," was Nanoha''s honest reply.
''No, you probably don''t, do you?'' Not if the executive had to ignore an excruciating migraine to get things done, on a weekend. And what the hell was that about 48hr workdays? Surely that was a labour violation in this straitlaced country.
Behind the gently teasing look, Fate could see a well-disguised look of supplication in Nanoha''s eyes. More than needing a job to fend off her family, she needed to help this woman. Decision made, she gave herself a shake, "I need my phone¡"
Sternly ordering herself to stop mooning over the brilliant smile being sent her way, Fate accepted the device being handed over to her. She had prepared an updated CV long before that fateful Friday morning, having anticipated the loss of her job long ago. Enjoying the UX experience that was TSAB''s intranet system and certain the beautiful exec had a hand in it, she found the listed posting which had already garnered fifteen applications.
Nibbling at the inside of one cheek, she added hers to the pile for Nanoha to sift through, certain the woman was merely being polite about the offer.
Nanoha kept a tight rein on the hope blooming in her chest, soberly probing at her intentions for making the offer in the first place. She shied away from any notion that she was hiring for looks, harshly reminding herself that the path down that road only led to ruin and heartbreak. Ethereal as the princess was, she hadn''t lied when she had listed out the many things she liked about Fate.
Deed done, Nanoha slapped her thighs with both palms, "Hungry? Let''s head out for dinner."
Eyes lidded, Fate glanced up at her host, "I could eat," she husked, before snapping out of her stupor and added hastily, "IF you''ll let me buy." She hoped Nanoha had not caught her slip.
Nanoha paused, wondering if she had heard the blonde right. No, she was merely making polite conversation. "I suppose you could try," she challenged the blonde, deliberately keeping her tone light. ''Stop it. You''ve been on your own for too long.'' She admonished herself.
Fate studied the minefield that was laid out between them. ''Oh my gods, was I flirting? I''m trying to get a job, not into her pants!'' Bonking her libido back into horny jail, she turned her eyes back to the other woman, "Will they allow an unkempt beach rat onto their premises, though?"
Nanoha barked a laugh, "That''s how most of us dress, aside from some playing at keeping up appearances. If you''re worried I''m sure I can find you something better than," she eyed the thunderbolt decal covering Fate''s front, "Shazam, for you to declare undying support for."
"Hey, I happen to like the first movie!" Fate paused, "Pass on the second."
Snickering, Nanoha scooped the blonde up, causing her to squeak as she scrabbled to get her arms around the firm column of the exec''s neck. "I c-can walk!"
"Shamal would have my head," burred Nanoha into one shell pink ear, "Consider it a perk of having a head of department''s undivided attention."
The nearness of her voice was doing unreasonable things to Fate''s equilibrium and she was secretly glad for the ride. Heavens knew her knees were jello right now.
Depositing Fate in the bathroom to freshen up, Nanoha dug around for a fresh tee for her guest.
Hearing the bathroom door crack open before she was done, Fate panicked and made ready to yell that she wasn''t decent.
"Pfwah!" Blindly throwing in the balled up garment, Nanoha bounced away, giggling to herself. Nailed right in the face by the suddenly playful exec, Fate grumbled and spat lint out of her mouth. Unfurling the tee with no little dread, she clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle the giggle threatening to break free of her lips. It was a Gudetama design sprawled lazily in a puddle of goo, the words I Can''t Adult Today printed below. ''Where did she get all of these tops?!''
Shaking her head, she switched out tees for the new one, this one was cut to fit and hugged her slim form in all the right places. Borrowing a pink scrunchie from a bathroom shelf, she pulled her hair back into a simple tail, wishing she had the range of motion to tie a quick braid.
A knock this time, indicating the executive was ready to go. The door opened fully at Fate''s behest, and the blonde proceeded to swallow her tongue when Nanoha entered. A white halter top bikini was the only top the executive wore, her generous bust filling it more than adequately. A gauzy sarong in shades of tropical seas was knotted to the side, its split running all the way up to the woman''s waist, revealing the length of one bronzed leg and the white bikini bottom she had under it. The simple pink heart from before nestled itself in the valley of her breasts, hanging now on a longer chain. The end of the heart decal seemed to draw attention down to where the exec''s tight abs flexed with her every move, showing an adorable innie. Her thick auburn tresses were tamed into a side ponytail, secured with a clasp that matched the chain she wore.
Worried at her companion''s silence, Nanoha frowned down at herself, "Too much?" She had just tossed on one of her usual beach ensembles.
''Goddess'', Fate''s mind breathed. "N-Not at all," she tore her eyes away from the vision before her, "Perfect, actually." Feeling like the woman could make a burlap sack look good, the blonde threw her a wry smile, "I only fear I''m woefully under-dressed."
"Nonsense," Nanoha gave her inner beast a mild reprieve, looking Fate over from head to toe. The blonde''s dewy complexion begged to be caressed, and the playful tee she had picked out for the woman offered enticing hints to what was beneath. Her mind''s eye easily recalled the lacy lingerie she had seen from the night prior and the beast within her growled, wanting to claim it all for itself.
Mustering all her lessons in civility, the auburn-haired woman said, "You look very nice, Feito-chan. I took the liberty of getting you something to stay warm in; the weather''s still not all cleared."
Touched again by her thoughtfulness, Fate accepted the help to pull the zippered hoodie on. It was a simple white cotton windbreaker, with nothing but the words ''Dolce & Gabbana'' ironed on to the front in gleaming black font. Understated and tasteful seemed to be Nanoha''s style, and it suited her. She really liked how the woman called her ''Feito-chan'', too.
Arm settled back into her sling, the exec helped her out to the garage where a small golf-cart sat, parked next to the woman''s sedan. Sporting a resident sticker, Fate surmised it to be how most people living on the resort island got around, proving herself correct when Nanoha settled her into the passenger''s side.
Chapter 5: Fill in the Gaps
Trundling down the island''s small side roads, the executive took her turns with care, explaining to Fate that long-tailed macaques would occasionally venture out onto the more populated areas hoping to score an easy meal. "They aren''t a protected species, but I''d hate to hurt one by accident."
"If you did, would you take it to Doctor Shamal?" inquired the quiet blonde with a smile.
"Too far, I''d call the wildlife rangers stationed here." Caught, Nanoha snapped her mouth shut, throwing Fate an accusatory glare that held no fire. "Shamal gossips too much," she groused. Pointedly keeping her attention on the road, the executive remained close-lipped.
Fate''s smile never faltered, but she dropped her free hand to offer a brief, placating touch to Nanoha''s tensed grip on the steering wheel. "She''s fond of you," the blonde offered in a statement of fact. Her head tilted, "Did you date?"
The cart swerved slightly, Fate''s question catching Nanoha off-guard, "Gods, no, she''s El Biffs with Signum, TSAB''s head of HR."
"Elle Beefs?" Confused, Fate scanned her memories for plausible meanings to the term. The local creole was a mash of multiple languages bound together by the love of butchered english, but this was something she was certain she had never heard used before.
A warm chuckle and the momentary chill in their interaction was gone like so much mist in the island''s tropical sun, "Lifelong best friends forever. L.B.F.F. El Biffs."
A mellifluous laugh was Nanoha''s reward and she held the sound close to her heart. "Is that what the kids are calling it these days?!"
Nanoha shrugged a bare shoulder, fascinating Fate with the interplay of muscles shifting under velvet skin. "Old joke. They were my seniors in Oxford. They¡" a pause while the executive pulled up to a cheerily lit establishment and engaged the handbrake. A sign worn by salt and sun declared the place''s name to be Calypso. "They help keep me sane," the woman admitted before disappearing for a moment. Returning with a wheelchair, she wheeled Fate into the cosy seaside bistro.
Tables of sun bleached wood were scattered across the beach. Al fresco dining was the de rigueur here, which suited Fate immensely. She inhaled a big lungful of fresh, sea air and settled back into her borrowed wheelchair.
A dark-complected young man in a Popeye-esque uniform approached with a smile, "So good to see you, Miss Nanoha, and¡?"
"Fate," the blonde replied.
"And Miss Fate. A pleasure. Can I get your drinks first?"
"Sure, Marco. Feito-chan will have¡?"
"Mmm, coconut lassi." Minding her meds back at the apartment, Fate opted for something safe. The South Asian-styled yoghurt drink seemed like just what the doctor had ordered.
"Sounds good, I''ll get the same. Can we get some table water and the calamari as well?"
"Very good, Miss Nanoha, Miss Fate, your orders will be here shortly." Dipping his head, the server retreated, leaving the women to peruse the main courses.
"Just about everything is good here," the executive explained, "So get whatever you like, maybe something that''s easier for you to have one-handed."
Hiding a smile behind her menu, Fate couldn''t resist tweaking the usually composed woman, "You mean you won''t help cut the pieces for me this time?"
Sputtering, the auburn-haired woman hurumphed, "W-Well, you fed me lunch!"
It was Fate''s turn to shrug in the soft hoodie Nanoha had provided, "I like to play tit for tat."
Puffing out her cheeks, Nanoha hmmfed, "Mou! Feito-chan is teasing me!"
Enchanted to see the years fall off of the executive''s demeanour, Fate prodded one puffed up cheek, only to find her finger caught in a gentle but vise-like grip. She wiggled her captured digit playfully, "You can''t be much older than I am. How old are you?" The blonde knew all her details had already been dug out by Nanoha''s staff.
White incisors flashed, and Nanoha pretended to try biting the imprisoned finger, "I''m a pig."
Torn between laughter and a shriek, Fate struggled to pull her finger free, succeeding only by the barest margin and almost hitting their drinks that had just been served.
"Nanoha-chan, a pig is about the farthest thing I can imagine you being described as!" Fate''s wine-rich gaze trailed admiringly over the vision before her of its own volition.
Not budging, Nanoha doubled down as she speared a freshly battered and fried calamari ring, using it to point rather ineffectively at the blonde, "You''re a pig too, Feito-chan." The blonde''s use of the honorific wasn''t lost on the executive who was thoroughly enjoying the lowering of barriers between them. It was a dangerous game, but she was never one to back down from a challenge, and she wasn''t planning to start now. This would all go away once the woman was no longer her guest slash prisoner here, anyway.
Gasping as if shot, Fate laid a dramatic palm over her pounding heart, "Just because I must look a fright¡" The gesture had her chest straining against the confines of her tee, the front of her hoodie unzipped since this was still the equator. This afforded Nanoha an outline far more tasty than the appetiser she was partaking of, and the executive hid her growl by biting savagely into her calamari.
"You look fine," she replied, "More than fine, and don''t let anyone ever tell you any different."
It seemed she had touched on a sensitive topic, as the blonde''s face fell to composed stillness, and Fate looked askance at Nanoha, "That''s kind of you to say."
Was it kindness, if it was fact? Sensing it wasn''t the time to argue, the executive raised her drink to her not-date, her something. "Here''s to a hell of a first two days on the job, Feito-chan."
Clinking glasses with her host, Fate seemed to ponder upon something, before shyly broaching a subject she had been struggling with for a while, "I know I said we weren''t¡ weren''t friends." Her bottom lip was caught cutely between her teeth, and she turned those puppy dog eyes on Nanoha, "Perchance, may I retract that statement?"
Rolling to resist the cute overload assault and coming up snake eyes, the executive''s azure gaze warmed, inviting the blonde to take the plunge and never surface, "So I can keep calling you Feito-chan?"
"Only if you''re alright with being called Nanoha-chan," She took a long pull from her drink, idly licking the end of her straw and watching her new friend over the rim of said drink.
Praying her tan hid the full body flush Fate''s behaviour prompted, the executive struggled for that oh so vaunted boardroom composure she was supposed to be famous for. "We''re still pigs though."
Cracking up, Fate tossed a balled up bit of paper serviette at her devilishly grinning friend. "Stop it! How are we pigs?" She demanded.
Grin unabated even though the impromptu ammunition met its mark, Nanoha drew Fate''s hand into hers, laying it palm up, the bikini-clad woman slowly drew the numbers 1, 9, 9, 5 on the swiftly warming surface.
Gooseflesh ballooned up the entire length of the arm her hand was attached to, and Fate gave silent thanks that the hoodie helped hide it. Breathless from the entirely innocuous gesture, since she knew Nanoha wouldn''t fraternise with staff, she did her best to sense the characters being traced so sensually over her palm.
"1995¡" Fate blinked past the fringe that had fallen into her eyes to stare at her host, finally composed enough to respond, "You look great for someone who''s forty," she quipped. It was an easy calculation to tack another dozen years on to her twenty-eight. How had the woman accomplished so much, so young?
That got a giggle out of the executive, and she went along with the joke, "Nyahaha! It''s the sea salt; desiccates and preserves."
Their friendly banter continued throughout dinner, Fate settling on a spaghetti arrabbiata while Nanoha went with a chicken and avocado ciabatta. Turning the tables on Fate, Nanoha pulled her own ''puppy dog eyes'' move, convincing the reluctant blonde that they could totally, pretty please, really share a Sinfully Good Chocolate Fudge Brownie.
"Argh, you''re incorrigible!"
Smugly ordering the dessert, Nanoha offered the blonde a lofty look, laced with real warning, "That''s why I''m the White Devil of TSAB. People avoid me unless they need something."
Humming, Fate understood the warning for what it really was. A kind way to inform her to best not be seen with the devil, or she would be burned. "Noted, with thanks," she twitted, playing on the standard response in the business world to every bit of information shared between workers in professional settings.
"Right now though? I NEED you to help finish this monstrosity you ordered. I won''t be avoiding you just yet, Nanoha-chan," The blonde gave the platter a dubious look, "They should have added ''Over The Top'' to the dish''s name. Good grief."
''Someday you will.''
Giving the blonde a crooked smile, the executive handed her one of the dessert forks that came with the dish, "Get to work, Testarossa, we can''t be here all night."
"Oh, a slave driver. I see how it is. Does the White Devil have a whip to crack at staff who aren''t up to her standards?" Contrary to her protests, Fate dug into the dessert with elegant gusto, revealing a hidden penchant for sweet stuff.
Sharp incisors were bared in a feral smile and Nanoha shrugged, "If they ask nicely."
Unable to formulate a coherent reply, Fate concentrated fiercely on her side of the plate. Visions of the Japanese goddess and a riding crop pranced happily around in her head, skipping through the minefield and setting off every single explosive for shits and giggles.
''This is bad. This is so bad.''
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Content to finish up in silence, Fate made to raise her hand for the bill, the motion stayed by Nanoha''s gentle grasp on her wrist, "Feito-chan, I keep a tab with them," she admitted. So that was why Nanoha said she could ''try'' to pay for dinner.
"I''d expect that, Nanoha-chan, but that needn''t stop me from," the grip on her wrist tightened a hair, "Consider it paid overtime," the executive urged softly, "I couldn''t have done it without you."
What was she to say to that? Brought up to know it would be crass to further pursue her point, Fate simply let out a put-upon sigh. "Fine, but don''t think I won''t get my revenge some other time."
The corners of those mesmerising pools of azure crinkled in amusement, "I''m counting on it."
"Penny."
Nanoha had offered to help Fate with a hair wash, certain the woman was missing the freedom to properly clean herself. Fate had jumped at the offer, not wanting the evening to end quite yet. It also gave her an excuse to see Nanoha without her sarong wrap on, since it would only get wet while Nanoha worked. Her mouth still watered from the sight.
Her host was all business about the whole thing, clinically wrapping her stitches with cling wrap and securing it to her skin using waterproof tape to keep her stitches dry. Her ankle''s bandage was also removed to allow Fate to wash it, and the rest of herself. But her hair definitely needed the help of an extra pair of hands. They had settled on a chair propped next to the bathtub, the back of it facing Nanoha. This allowed Fate to tilt her head back, giving hair and head up to the executive''s skillful administrations.
Her cheeks took on a decidedly pink cast, recalling the sounds she emitted in the midst of having her hair taken care of. She couldn''t help it! It felt far too good having those strong digits massaging her scalp, and when the touches travelled lower to knead out the knots there, she groaned in a way that could definitely have been misconstrued by anyone not watching the scene.
Leaving Fate''s hair up in a towel, Nanoha beat a mumbled retreat to do her own washing up. NOT before Fate reminded her that she needed help to unlatch the hooks of her bra first. She giggled as she watched the auburn-haired goddess slip away. Finally, she understood the lyrics saying ''I hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave''. Lowering the temperature of her shower, she directed the showerhead to her too warm body.
The prime numbers had deserted her. Stumbling into the guest bathroom, Nanoha pulled up the driest contract law texts her memory could call up. Except each sentence was punctuated by a mew or moan, gasp or groan, seared into her mind by Fate. Stripping off her bikini, she felt the coolness of the apartment''s air-conditioning drift across overheated flesh. Resolutely turning off the heat in her shower, she stepped under the stinging cold spray.
Hair down while she brushed out Fate''s heavy flaxen mane, Nanoha was dressed in her own oversized tee and beat up shorts this time, deciding it was the safest thing she could wear if they were going to have to share the bed again tonight. White with the image of a latte topped with milk froth shaped like a smiling cat, it sported cursive script spelling out ''Catpuccino''. The brilliant chime of Fate''s laugh was the best reaction she could have hoped for.
Fate was back in her Gudetama tee and worn shorts, the woman''s selection of clothing severely limited by her sudden imprisonment, as it were.
In the course of brushing Fate''s hair dry, the Japanese woman noted the thoughtful cast settled over the blonde''s fine-boned features, hence her prompt, "Penny," to ask what Fate was thinking about.
Throwing a faint smile over her shoulder, Fate shook her head, "I was just thinking these past two days have been the most fun I''ve had in¡ ever."
"Likewise." A pause, and then the executive added, "I don''t usually have the time," or anyone, Nanoha completed silently. "You''re the first I''ve heard calling stitches and a sprained ankle fun, mind you. Maybe you hit your head on the way down and Shamal didn''t catch it." Pretending concern, Nanoha dropped her brush and ran probing touches over the blonde''s scalp.
¡And it was as if that cold water had never touched Fate at all. "Quit it!" Cheeks warm, everywhere warm, Fate swatted at the hands in her head, "If there is a lump on me, it is the one sassing me from behind." Nanoha licked her lips when the swat caused Fate''s tee to ride fetchingly up her torso, giving a tantalising glimpse of porcelain pale skin.
She resumed her brushing, golden strands crackling and clinging to her fingers while she worked. "It''s been surreal, in a good way." The waterbed bobbed a smidge, Nanoha shifting to work on Fate''s injured side, "You know, there''s an interactive Van Gogh exhibit¡"
"YES!"
Bemused, Nanoha eyed the eager blonde, "I take it you like post-impressionist art."
''I like you,'' came Fate''s unbidden thought.
Acting nonchalant to hide how much she enjoyed the idea of spending Sunday with this multifaceted woman, Fate shrugged, "I like it over Realism; people need space to imagine, fill in the gaps."
Nodding, Nanoha put aside the brush she had been wielding, and Fate felt a twinge of disappointment that they seemed to be done. So she watched the Japanese woman pad over to the coffee table to grab her cellphone, Fate admiring how the running lights cast intriguing shadows that outlined the executive''s wonderfully fit frame against her too-cute tee.
The blonde''s curiosity was palpable, prompting Nanoha to give her a slow wink. A few presses and she showed her phone''s screen to Fate. They had the 11AM slot for the exhibit. "Resident''s privilege," she explained, resuming the brushing until a jaw-popping yawn broke the companionable silence. Fate placed a hand over Nanoha''s, somehow knowing the woman would keep at it until her hair was completely dry.
"Let''s turn in, Nanoha-chan," the blonde flushed, still getting used to addressing the woman who was going to decimate Testarossa Inc. just two days ago, in such familiar terms. Acquiescing, Nanoha instructed the lights to turn off, making a show of firmly placing the body pillow between them again.
Expression thoughtful, Fate studied the meticulous goddess, a niggling idea taking firm root in her mind. "Did you sleep well last night?" She asked, apropos of nothing.
Freezing, Nanoha cast Fate a guilty look from beneath reddish bangs, "I don''t know what came over me..." she began, trying to find a proper excuse to explain what had transpired the night before.
"But did you sleep well?" Fate persisted, feeling she had to know.
"I¡ Yes," Nanoha admitted, long fingers plucking nervously at the bed sheet.
A satisfied nod was her answer. "It will be a long day tomorrow," Fate predicted as she laid down in the bed and lifted her bandaged arm. "And I didn''t see you take your medicine." Chin tilting up, Nanoha looked surprised. The blonde was correct. But why would she take them? Her head had been feeling fine ever since she woke up in Fate''s lap. Sonova¡
"Well? My arm is tiring. Surely you would not wish for me to injure it again, do you?" Tone arch, Fate pointedly looked from the spot by her side, to the flushing executive.
"I¡ I don''t wish to hurt you." Nanoha began.
"If I were to be hurt, would you not think it would have happened last night when the wound was far fresher?" The auburn-haired woman seemed to have an internal debate before conceding the point to Fate. Slowly closing the distance between them on all fours, the executive allowed Fate ample time to rescind her offer, and Fate was once again reminded of the prowling leopard she first compared Nanoha to. The blonde merely laid back, expression inviting.
Plastering the length of herself to Fate''s side, Nanoha settled her head on the other woman''s shoulder, her free arm sliding over the blonde''s middle to hook her close. This was very weird, but highly pleasurable to both parties. "Night, Feito-chan."
Dropping her arm to make a pleasant weight across Nanoha''s shoulders, Fate resisted the urge to nuzzle the auburn tresses spilling over her shoulder. "Rest well, Nanoha-chan."
Limping out of the elevator, Fate made her slow way to her rental apartment. It was a simply appointed three room, and while she had the option to take just one room to save costs, the blonde appreciated the privacy of having a place to herself. One far from the prying eyes of family claiming they only wanted what was best for her.
Monday had come around too soon, and much as she enjoyed her little sojourn with her new friend, the blonde couldn''t in good conscience continue to inconvenience the executive. A faint smile played across her lips as she recalled the idyllic Sunday spent taking in the over the top trappings of a resort created for the express purpose of parting rich tourists from their cash.
The art exhibit had been a lot of fun, with Nanoha wheeling her from display to display, taking in the sights and sounds of the 3D experience with eyes that missed nothing. Fate was content to go along, sensing the Japanese woman seldom, if ever, had the freedom to explore the area she lived in.
The blonde did her best to remain aloof, nevermind both had woken with her being the little spoon and cradled so very protectively in the auburn-haired woman''s arms. Neither had the words to acknowledge the position they had found themselves in the morning, though both had trouble recalling when they last had such a restful night. Well, aside from the night before.
A paper cup of churros was balanced on her lap, Fate occasionally lifted a piece up for Nanoha to snag with sharp teeth, the blonde shivering each time she felt the accidental graze of those bright incisors. Positioned behind Fate whilst she carted the injured blonde around, Nanoha''s eyes took on a wicked glint and soon, the blonde had found herself being wheeled into a spectacle shop.
"Nanoha-chan!" The executive had sensed the distance the blonde had consciously constructed between them. It was already going to be there in a professional setting if she could help it, damned if she would allow it here, when both had their hair down after a hard day''s work.
"Optical care is part of the package," the executive had teased, easing Fate out of the cool shell she had been working to maintain.
Fate had a feeling she was going to run out of cement rebuilding these walls the executive so easily tore down again and again. Funnily enough, the blonde couldn''t find it in herself to care much. It was just too easy to get along with the executive.
Sidling her way into her flat, Fate was glad to see her sturdy little houseplants doing well despite her unplanned absence. She carefully set her new pair of round, wire-rimmed glasses onto the dining table, a smile once more tugging at her lips as she recalled the agonising afternoon of going through frame after frame with Nanoha.
The woman kept hovering her face so close to her own. It had taken every ounce of willpower not to grab the beauty by the neck and plant one on her, consequences be damned. ''Why o why was she so sweet and unattainable?''
Another sigh and she eased down onto her plush sofa, dropping her abused tote down beside her. Perhaps it was her imagination, but Nanoha had seemed reluctant to send her home. Her ankle''s swelling had eased enough that it wasn''t too difficult to get around with a limp, and Monday meant the demands on the executive''s precious time would supersede any friend''s need for assistance.
Since she was officially without a job, Fate thought it sensible to just head home and try to pick up the pieces of what was left of her career. Closing her eyes, Fate dozed, refusing to acknowledge the feeling of wrongness that accompanied a distinct lack of a Japanese bed limpet.
The sound of her doorbell jogged the blonde out of her light nap, and she groggily checked the time. 12:11PM. "Blurg." Awkwardly levering herself up, she limped over to peek through the door''s peephole before pulling it open. "Alph, don''t you have work?"
"Lunch break," her friend snapped, shouldering her way in only to grab Fate by the shoulders. The shake was gentle but no less emphatic. "Where were you, Fate?! You were quiet all weekend and now we''ve been told you and Alicia are gone, but the rest of us still have jobs, and oh my gods, what happened to you?" The woman took in Fate''s sling and bandaged ankle and hurriedly helped the blonde into one of her dining chairs.
The woman was questioning her a mile a minute and Fate had to stay her tirade with a soft pat of her free hand, "Long story." And so the unbelievable tale of her encounter with her new friend was spun for her incredulous audience.
"She dropped me off this morning," Fate concluded, fiddling idly with the rim of her new glasses.
Alph gave her friend a dubious look, "I''m sorry, I can''t picture the White Devil being that nice."
Fate shrugged, "Perhaps she felt obligated after turning our lives topsy-turvy." Feeling the distance between herself and the executive looming ever wider, the blonde felt some truth to that notion. Nanoha had nothing to gain associating with her and the past weekend had just been an anomaly never to be repeated. It left a hollow feeling inside her that threatened to kill whatever good vibes she had come home with earlier.
Shaking her head, Fate stood and made her way to the kitchen, "Had your lunch?"
"No, but you''d probably try to feed me that bunny food you call a meal. I gotta head back, I''ll pack something on the way." She gave the blonde a quick hug, knowing the woman wasn''t big on physical displays. "Try to add an egg to whatever you scare up, okay?"
Waving her friend off, she watched Alph see herself out before ducking in to grab a bag of washed carrots and celery from her fridge. Her meals with Nanoha had been a mish-mash of frightening loads of calories that would have horrified her mother. It was time to be disciplined again.
She knew the news about Testarossa Inc.''s eventual future would be breaking soon, but she couldn''t find it in herself to pay it much mind. She had put in her last ditch effort, and Uncle Foo''s wife would continue to have the healthcare she needed. Her sister would probably surface once her charging account dried up.
Nibbling absently on a stick of celery, she instead settled at her desk and eased her arm out of its sling to call up her favourite search engine. She spent the rest of the afternoon pulling up articles on TSAB''s top exec, noting how the auburn-haired beauty looked incredible in every online rag''s image of her.
Chapter 6: Someone Already
Her trackball mouse spun with a swipe of one hand, calling up her login screen. An Aggretsuko wallpaper charmed and yelled at the world in equal measure before a retina scan led the screen to give way to the company''s intranet. Tuning out all the red exclamation marks littering her screen, Nanoha poured herself a fragrant mug of richly thick brew.
Mondays were always a shitshow for one reason or another, and today was no exception. It took inhuman effort to listen to Fate''s calm reasoning that she should be sent home. ''I could have asked Erio or Caro to check in on her,'' came Nanoha''s guilty thought.
But the blonde was adamant about not bothering her any further and put her foot down. Nanoha sighed. Didn''t friends help one another in such times? Speaking of friends¡
The White Devil sipped at her gently steaming beverage whilst navigating her way through the intranet to find the posting the head of HR had put up. 147 applicants and counting. Many were solid candidates with years of relevant experience. Most were even older than herself, likely scenting blood in the water, since the posting had come directly from Hayate''s office.
''Probably think she''s looking to replace me.'' Nanoha thought with wicked amusement. With a few clicks, the posting shaded to grey, indicating no further applications were to be accepted.
"Oops, looks like I''ve got a new AVP." Chortling to herself, the executive settled down to a long morning of wading through emails long overdue for a response.
A red light blinked sedately at the corner of her screen, indicating an incoming video conference. Hmm, 10:23AM. The Japanese woman smirked and hit the button to connect.
An image of a coolly composed head of Human Resources appeared, the woman looking slightly frazzled around the edges, "Takamachi, are you trying to kill me?!"
Nanoha set aside her work and took a moment to pour herself another mug''s worth of happiness, "Happy Monday, Sig-chan."
"Don''t you ''Sig-chan'' me, you devil woman. Do you know the bee''s nest you''ve stirred up? I was just about to send you a culled list¡"
"This was my ask for the Testarossa account," the Operations exec stated, cutting off any further protests.
A blink, then another. "Well, that changes things significantly. You''ve interviewed her yourself?"
Nanoha thought back to the previous day, waking spooned around Fate and nose buried in sweetly scented hair. She recalled taking her time absorbing the quiet bliss, knowing she would never be able to replicate the feeling again. Hoping the woman would accept the offer, the executive concluded that working with Fate would be the next best thing she would have to settle for.
TSAB''s head of Human Resources hid a speculative look as she studied the company''s top executive. Nanoha''s flinty facade seemed to soften over the subject of this potential hire. Interesting.
"You could say that," returning to herself, Nanoha gave Signum a faint smile, "We worked on That Account together." Elaborating no further, the auburn-haired exec buried her nose in her mug.
Wait. "She let herself go?"
"Mmhmm. She''s free, and can start next week, I do believe." Nope, not smug at all.
Signum gave a slow shake of her head, "Definitely not something Shari would have done." Jaw tensing a moment, Nanoha merely nodded.
The exec leaned back with a sigh, her pink ponytail swaying, "We''re going to have to do something about you honing in on my job, Takamachi."
"Heavens forfend." Nanoha winced at the thought of having to deal with HR crap. "Consider all debts repaid if you keep Shamal off my back."
"I know better than to get between her and her patients, Takamachi." Head tilting, the pink-haired woman ventured, "I hear you''ll be attending the year-end retreat¡"
Blast. So she''d heard about that. Nanoha held up a finger, "Only to hit some pigskin around the beach," she warned, not wanting the other head to get her hopes up.
"Oh come now, the catering won''t be that bad. Have dinner with us, at least."
"Keep both of them off me, and we''ve got a deal," Nanoha conceded with a slight slump of her shoulders.
"That I can do. Well, it was nice talking. Thanks for leaving me to respond to all the disappointed applicants." Signum concluded sarcastically.
Nanoha grinned toothily, "S''what Haya-chan pays you for. Let me know how the interviews go." With that, her screen went blank.
Nanoha leaned back, tilting her chair to ponder the muted lights of her office ceiling. If Fate made it past the few rounds required, the adjoining room might finally have an occupant who¡ who only wanted to do a good job. Exhaling a slow breath, the executive allowed a faint feeling of hope to simmer. It would be good to have a friend in her corner.
Folio under one arm, Fate smoothed her coal grey office slacks, a silk burgundy tank that matched her eyes was tucked neatly into its high waist. Over that, she wore a relaxed long-line blazer in black, sleeves pushed up partially in a chic style. Her mane of gold was tamed into a neat French braid, suitably sedate for the impression she wished to put across. Competent and no nonsense.
"Fate Testarossa." She volunteered once she approached the counter holding court past the entrance of the building. "I have an appointment with Miss Signum Wolkenritter."
"Please hold, Ma''am," a greying woman with a foreboding frown studied Fate from head to toe, then scrolled through the day''s appointments on her screen to verify Fate''s claim.
Fate endured the scrutiny, certain it wouldn''t be the first time it would happen today. Glancing around the high-ceiling glass dome of TSAB''s Southeast Asian Headquarters, the blonde took in the cold ambiance that brilliant shafts of mid-morning light were unable to dispel.
Her attention was drawn back to the receptionist, who had slid a temporary pass over the black quartz counter towards her.
"Please wear this at all times. Miss Wolkenritter will see you now. Take a left to the lift lobby, level forty-two."
Bidding the woman her thanks, Fate did as instructed. Greeting her on the designated floor was a pink-haired woman similar in height to her. Having done her homework, Fate tilted her head, "Miss Wolkenritter, thank you for seeing me."
It was a refreshing change not to get a crick in the neck to address someone in this majority Asian country. Nanoha was already an anomaly for being five nine, and here was someone pushing at least five eleven by her estimation, certainly close to her own six feet in flats.
"Not at all, Miss Testarossa. Shall we?" Leading Fate out of the lift landing, she left the blonde to follow a half pace behind her.
This seemed to be the executives'' floor, since there were no cubicles in sight, merely offices spread about the generous floor space in soothing blues and silvers, complimenting solid wood fixtures of polished mahogany.
They met various staff on the way to wherever the HR executive was leading her, and Fate was taken aback by the almost open hostility many of those they met sent her way. Did they know which position she was being interviewed for? For some reason, she felt a sense of protectiveness growing within her, and she began returning the looks stare for stare, leaning heavily on crimson eyes that she knew could at times be considered uncanny. One by one, people looked away to find something else to be occupied with. If even just a potential subordinate could get these looks, what more the person she was hoping to work for?
Unbeknownst to her, Signum had deliberately led her through the most crowded part of the level as a test. She was intrigued to see the blonde pick up the mood this quickly, and give as good as she got. Signum hid a smile. Damn Nanoha and her sharp eyes.
Pausing before a simple wooden door, she led the blonde into one of the smaller conference rooms where two others were already seated.
The first interview was perfunctory, going through the motions of establishing Fate''s educational background, work experience and the scope of her positions.
Sitting ramrod straight, Fate fielded the questions with cool aplomb, still sensing the others on the panel aside from the head of HR were definitely not taking a sanguine view of her application.
The blonde was inexperienced, maybe even sheltered, working in her family''s organisation. But there was an unwavering conviction and confidence that carried her through the gruelling process that was fast approaching its third hour. The HR executive felt obligated to find the absolute best support for her overworked friend, and this slim blonde was nearing the finishing line after having left all other competition in the dust, despite all speculations to the contrary.
Dismissing her assistants, Signum indicated that she would finish the final round of interviews alone. In silence they sat, the HR executive''s probing look unceasing.
The cool blonde looked none the worse for wear, having endured countless evenings of worse scrutiny under less equanimity than what TSAB could throw at her, and back then it was for relatives she didn''t even like. Was this why Nanoha was alone without an AVP? Because everyone was conspiring to keep any possible hires scared away?
She was beginning to tire of this farce and wondered why her friend gave so much for so little.
"I''m going to lay this out plainly, Miss Testarossa, and I think you will appreciate the honesty."
Finally, maybe they were going to get somewhere. Sensing a change in the atmosphere, Fate relaxed just enough to lean back into the cold comfort of the office chair she''d been figuratively sweating bullets on for the past three hours.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
"There is little time for prevarication at the pace N¡ Miss Takamachi works at," Fate stated as if this was a known fact, and between the two facing off, both knew it was true.
Signum dipped her head, acknowledging the blonde''s words.
"It will be a thankless grind with most fighting tooth and nail against their better interests. You''ll find few, if any, friends, and everyone will be in it for something."
Fate''s lips twitched in a faint facsimile of a smile, "Sounds just like home." Which prompted Signum to bark a laugh. Head cocked to one side, Fate added, "I already have a friend here, and I think¡ no," she self-corrected, "I know she needs the help. Besides," she shrugged, "She''s driven, whip-smart, straightforward, and doesn''t suffer incompetence. I can learn a lot from her."
And there it was, the very thing Signum had hoped to find in this candidate. Tidying up her papers, Signum rose and stretched out a hand which Fate stood to accept. They exchanged firm shakes. "I''ll get my people to prepare the papers. If you''re able to wait for¡ let''s say an hour, we''ll have the contract ready for you to sign."
Heart hammering double-time, Fate nodded, "I can wait. Do you have a cafeteria?" ''I did it!''
"That''s level 10, I can get someone¡"
It was coming to four in the afternoon as Signum led Fate out of the conference room. About to offer to have a staff bring the blonde to said cafeteria, she pulled up short, causing the blonde to almost collide into her back.
"Ah, looks like you have someone already," amused, Signum stepped aside, allowing Fate free passage out.
''Someone?'' Peering around the HR head''s tall form, Fate felt her heart speed up to triple-time.
Dressed in a crisp button down white shirt tucked into formal slacks coloured a warm cobalt, Nanoha had been pacing outside of the room for the past half hour. She''d been at it since eight in the morning and deserved the break. Right? She had the right to spend it however she wanted. Right? Her auburn locks had been swept up into a simple twist, secured by two ornate chopsticks. The top two buttons of her shirt had been undone and her business jacket was slung over one shoulder whilst both hands were buried deep in her pants pockets. To Fate''s admiring eyes, the executive looked appealingly rumpled.
To Signum''s experienced eyes, however, Nanoha looked like a million dollar nervous wreck. Not like Fate was paying attention, if the slight dusting of pink on the blonde''s cheeks was any sort of indication. Nanoha had frozen at the sound of the door cracking open, and was now taking in the blonde''s elegant lines once she had emerged from behind the HR head.
Signum cleared her throat, breaking the silent stares going on between the two women, "Takamachi. We were just wrapping up. I''m going to get the papers ready for her. Can you show her the way to the company cafeteria?"
"Ah, sure." Nudged into action, Nanoha nodded stiffly to the blonde she had been wrapped around a mere one week and eleven hours ago. Not that she''d been counting.
The muted click of their pumps punctuated the silence between them as they made their way into the elevator. "Signum scared you off yet?"
Fiddling nervously with the zipper on her folio, Fate offered Nanoha a wry smile, "She tried. There wasn''t even a hint of the usual ''good cop, bad cop'' routine."
Nanoha felt a few of the steel bands around her chest loosen, "She knows better than to try. Not with someone I''ve worked with without incident."
Hmm, incident?
"Your ankle all right?" The Japanese woman had been surreptitiously eyeing the blonde''s steps as she led them down the winding corridor to where the cafeteria was located. Fate noted the abbreviated style of address, typical of the constant hustle and bustle of the island nation. No one had time for flowery words, least of all this executive.
The corners of Fate''s rich Bordeaux gaze crinkled, "You make a good nurse," she teased.
"I had an obedient patient," Nanoha countered drily, "Try getting a puppy to stay in one spot rather than running over to lick your toes."
Both had kept their voices low, long-honed instincts telling them their usual banter would best be left behind closed doors, but it felt like they were back on the island retreat, their week apart having not been at all.
"Have you had your lunch?" Fate enquired of the executive once they stepped into the quiet of the post-lunch crowd canteen. The place was mostly devoid of people, save a smattering of tables with staff talking quietly over a coffee and some paperwork.
A guilty silence was the blonde''s only reply. "Seems I may have to boss my boss around with regards to self-care."
Feeling lighter than she had felt in years, the Japanese woman gave a wry shake of her head, "You''re going to get along well with Vita." Tapping at her smartwatch, Nanoha gestured to the cafeteria staff that she would cover for both their orders and urged Fate to pick something from the wide selection on offer.
Drifting from cooking station to cooking station, Fate settled on a Popiah, a soft spring roll commonly eaten as a snack by the locals. Nanoha opted for a serving of fragrant coconut rice dusted with peanuts and crispy silverfish, and topped off with a boiled egg and a healthy dollop of Indonesian spicy relish. Nanoha tapped her watch to the reader to pay, and both women snagged a complimentary bottle of mineral water each. Settling at one of the many empty tables around them, Fate popped the cap of her drink to take a sip.
"Vita?" Fate prompted after quenching her immediate thirst.
"My E.A.. She gets on my case about meals all the time."
Fate decided she already liked this Vita person. Poking at her snack with a fork and spoon, she concluded that there was just no way to be neat about it and began cutting a section in half.
Nanoha watched the blonde tackle the local dish using rather non-local means; it was akin to having a New York pizza with a knife and fork. "Not a fan of chopsticks?"
"Who took a look at grains of rice and decided the best way to eat them would be with two sticks?" Fate muttered, eliciting a silent laugh from her table mate.
"It''s not too difficult, just takes practise. Even those who grew up using them don''t always get it right and just make do."
"Perhaps if I had a decade free to struggle with them."
"Mmm, I can teach." Eyes warm, Nanoha wasn''t even paying mind to what her mouth was saying, then she blinked, "Er, if you would care to learn. It''s not a department rule or anything." ''Get a grip, Takamachi. She''s here to learn important things, not how to use chopsticks.''
"I''d be delighted to learn." Fate replied in a complete opposite of Nanoha''s expectations. "When in Rome, right?"
"Speaking of Rome," the blonde began during a lull in their meal, "It felt as though I was walking into a gladiatorial arena earlier."
Nanoha toyed idly with the last peanut on her plate, "Don''t mind it. As the locals would say - A full belly fosters people who are too free. Whatever you hear, whatever you''re told, ask me. I''ll answer as best I can." The executive knew the hounds would be nipping at both their heels seeking to find a weak link from day one of Fate''s employment.
Schooled in the art of reading between the lines, Fate marvelled at the executive already trying to shield her from the harsh realities of the position. Who protected the protector, though?
Fate''s phone vibrated and she glanced down at her lockscreen, "Miss Wolkenritter is done." She rose and reached for her empty plate.
"I''ll settle it. Go sign your imprisonment papers." Warm pools of azure sparkled up at the blonde.
Basking under that warm regard, Fate noted the faint hint of loneliness lingering in the deepest recesses of those beautiful eyes and made a snap decision. "I don''t have anyone to celebrate with who''s free¡ I was wondering¡"
"Yes."
"...if you might be free. I know you probably have a myriad number of obliga¡ hmm?"
"My class was cancelled," the executive explained, smiling, "I''m all yours."
Liking the sound of that far too much to truly dwell on the words any longer than was polite, Fate flashed Nanoha a brilliant smile, "My place? Seven?"
"I''ll be there," the auburn-haired woman assured Fate.
The blonde''s smile took on an impish cast, "Don''t wear anything you can''t get grass stains out of." Winking, she departed, leaving a flabbergasted Nanoha behind.
Visions of what they could get up to for grass stains to be a concern flashed through Nanoha''s mind. Giving herself a shake, she deposited their dishes and cutlery into their proper receptacles and proceeded back to her office.
"Vita, new hire''s starting soon. Check with Stores about what they have to replicate what''s in my office - they''ll be in the adjoining. And I want the file for Salonpas, I''m going to drag those chowderheads into the 21st Century even if it kills them¡" Mind racing a mile a minute, Nanoha was focused on everything she wanted done before her¡ engagement tonight. What did she have that was grass stain proof??
The short redhead grunted. As a Wolkenritter, she had known this was probably the eventual outcome of Signum''s interviews today, and so the petite woman evinced little surprise at her boss'' instructions. But there was something her boss needed to know before she got any further into her office. Mouth open, Vita realised she was too slow when she saw Nanoha pull up short at her office''s doorway.
"You have a guest¡" Vita said, a dollar short and a day late.
"Sweetcheeks!" Rounding on the executive, a lavender-haired beauty invited herself into Nanoha''s personal space, hugging the stiffly held woman with a familiarity the auburn-haired woman did not feel.
"Ginga, I wasn''t expecting you¡"
Drawing back a little, the woman named Ginga pouted, "You knew I was in town! My contract won''t be done for weeks! Momoko-san wanted me to check on you. She says you never call." Clinging onto the executive''s arm, she continued, "Come, finish up your work and let''s have dinner, there''s so much catching up to do!"
Firmly retrieving her limb from Ginga''s grasp, Nanoha began to push Ginga out of her office instead, "I have a prior appointment," she told the woman honestly, "I''ll call you before you leave¡"
"That''s hardly being a good host, Nanoha!" Turning to arrest her forward momentum, she stuck her bust out to try and bulldoze her way back into the executive''s office.
With Fate in tow, Signum headed to the Operations side of the level, meaning to show the new hire where her office would be located. The scene that greeted them was something out of a bad sitcom.
Nanoha, arms outstretched, with her hands on a lavender-haired woman''s breasts, looking like a deer caught in headlights at the arrival of Fate and Signum. The strange woman looked entirely too happy at this development and cooed, "Oh my, Nanoha, at least take me to dinner first!" She happily wiggled her chest in Nanoha''s grasp.
Snatching back her hands like a child caught raiding the cookie jar, Nanoha coughed, "Can it, Ginga. You know that wasn''t my intention." Sighing, the auburn-haired woman attempted some damage control, "Signum, Fate. Vita was just showing Ginga out," alto approaching a growl, she threw an exasperated glance at her E.A., "Weren''t you, Vita?"
"Yea, yea. Come on, Nanoha still has work. I''ll book you an appointment," TO THE MOON, she mouthed to Nanoha, out of Ginga''s line of vision. Rolling her eyes, Nanoha merely nodded and invited Signum and Fate into the relatively peaceful confines of her office.
Raking impatient fingers through the forelock that kept falling into her eyes, Nanoha offered the other two a tight smile, "Sorry. Family friend."
Silent throughout the entire exchange, Fate was afforded some much needed time to wrestle with the green-eyed monster that had reared its ugly head at the sight of Nanoha feeling up another woman''s chest. A monster that threatened to have Fate kicking the busty family friend off of the 42nd level, then dropping a piano on whatever remained below for good measure. Taken aback by her gut reaction, she loitered behind Signum, only just now taking in the classily appointed office.
It held no personal effects to indicate who occupied the office, just a desktop and four ultra-widescreen monitors arranged in a two by two configuration. To the side, some filing cabinets and a mini bar nestled against the wall. A leather couch lined the other wall, set opposite of Nanoha''s workstation, the piece of furniture appearing to have seen some use recently. She tried not to imagine Nanoha and that hussy on the sofa together.
"She never changes," Signum muttered, shaking her head.
"I wish she would," Nanoha griped, throwing Fate an apologetic look. She didn''t examine why she felt the need to do that, but it definitely seemed right that she should.
"All done with the paperwork?" Fate nodded mutely.
"We''ll get her security clearance and parking space squared away by tomorrow. Welcome to the jungle, Miss Testarossa." Seeing herself out, the pink-haired executive left Nanoha to her new AVP''s tender mercies. Only when she was safely back in her own office, did she allow the guffaws to overtake her.
"I uh, I''ll finish up a few things and head over?" Nanoha''s succinct way of asking if they were still on for tonight.
Unreadable orbs of deepest red met Nanoha''s questioning gaze. This was her boss and someone she had absolutely no claim over. Stirred out of her silence by the executive''s tentative query, she smiled politely, "Yes. Signum was just showing me the way. I''ll see you in a while, Nanoha."
Missing the ''-chan'' in her name, the Japanese woman watched the blonde depart, leaving behind a faintly accusing silence and a mild hint of lilac and rose.
Eyes dropping to her mutely glowing keyboard, Nanoha let out a long breath, "...Fuck."
Chapter 7: Whats the Fuss About
"Fate, we''ve heard. I''ve asked Linith to air you and your sister''s rooms, it''s just how you left them."
Playing back her voicemail, the blonde elegantly cursed in four different languages, words that would have scandalised the voice over the speakers had the owner heard them in person.
They seriously weren''t wasting their time trying to dig their claws back in.
Fate had returned home in a conflicted haze, performing the motions by rote as she thought about the scene she had witnessed. Nanoha was single, well-off, and incredibly beautiful. Was it so surprising that she would have suitors vying for her attention? The society they lived in was fairly conservative, but in an international organisation, such things were unimportant in the grand scheme of things. HR''s head had just explained to her about company insurance covering same-sex partners the same way a traditional couple would be covered.
This Ginga person had a leg up just by virtue of not being Nanoha''s colleague. Wait, why was she viewing the woman as a rival, or having a leg up on her? Did she want Nanoha''s hands? There? Again, her mind thought about that sofa in the executive''s office, but instead of Ginga, it was her, underneath, doing¡ things with Nanoha.
Groaning and thumping her head on her steering wheel, she had set her phone to play her voicemails and the message coming through was an immediate ice bucket challenge on her heated brain.
"Regius has your flight booked for next Wednesday so you and Alicia can give up this silly farce and come home to where you belong. I couldn''t get through to Alicia. Let her know for me, will you, dear?"
Not in the mood to compose a reply, Fate slammed her car door, her poor Civic shaking from the force. No, she was determined to celebrate properly with her new friend slash boss. Neither family nor lavender-haired hussies were going to get in the way of that. A glance up at the little cuckoo clock in her living room told her she had an hour and a half to get things ready.
Nanoha emerged from her parked car dressed in a sleeveless soft pink knit top and khaki culottes. On her feet were strappy white sandals that reached just past her ankles. Uncertain of her reception, she collected the neutral non-alcoholic wine she had chosen for their ''celebration'' and rang the bell to Fate''s apartment at seven sharp.
Hearing the familiar rumble of Nanoha''s vehicle below, Fate tore open her door after a single ring to grant the Japanese woman access into her home. Recklessly, she drank in the sight before her, loving how the pink brought out more reddish tints in the woman''s hair, now unpinned and flowing freely to below her waist. Her time at home had given the blonde some perspective and while fully aware that she would need to maintain a proper distance with her new boss, it didn''t have to mean their friendship ended outside of work.
Holding up the wine bottle like a peace offering, Nanoha offered Fate a crooked smile as she stood awkwardly in the entrance way.
Motionless save for eyes that roamed over the blonde from head to toe, Nanoha took in Fate''s otherworldly beauty. A black off-shoulder top contrasted wonderfully with Fate''s pale colouring, stopping an inch shy from her hounds tooth shorts and offering teasing flashes of porcelain skin when she moved. Her French braid from before remained. Little tendrils of gold had escaped the confines of her braid, however, framing the woman''s heart-shaped face and giving her a casually elegant allure.
Taking absolute advantage of being a foreigner, Fate accepted the wine with a smile of thanks and leaned close to kiss Nanoha''s cheeks thrice as was the custom in her home country. "I''m surprised you had time to change," she murmured, drawing back and pulling Nanoha in. "We''ll get going as soon as I''m done." Seating her guest, she returned to the kitchen to pack the last few items into a large wicker basket, adding the bottle of wine and two glasses to its contents.
Cheeks tingling where Fate''s lips had touched, Nanoha followed the woman inside in a daze. Right, that was a Midchildan thing. "I keep clothes in the office," she explained, lowering herself onto one of the chairs in the living room.
"You look wonderful," Fate complimented, earning her a deprecating shrug, "I clean up all right." Nanoha mumbled, feeling utterly plain next to the statuesque blonde. "You, on the other hand¡"
Fate wondered if requisitions would allow her to get a working mirror for Nanoha. "Me?" Fate prompted when the Japanese woman trailed off.
"Exquisite," Nanoha intoned seriously.
This wasn''t someone looking for an in with her family, or a sordid lay. This was her boss, who had no reason to sugarcoat or flatter. Fate smiled and handed the basket to her friend, locking up behind her. No, Wednesday''s flight was going to be missing one Fate Testarossa when it took off.
Strolling towards where her Audi was parked, Nanoha''s forward progress was stayed by a gentle hand on her arm. She glanced over at the taller woman.
"Allow me, tonight?" Not built to deny the request, she nodded and followed Fate to her fiery red but modestly appointed Honda instead. Basket secured behind, she slipped into the passenger side, content to let the blonde take the lead tonight.
The haunting lilt of Enya''s voice filled the car as Fate began the drive, the Irish songstress'' painting of emerald isles bathed in mystery and magic weaving a spell around the women. To Nanoha, it seemed suited to the ethereal beauty of the woman seated next to her.
Using the chance to watch Fate, Nanoha enjoyed the confident way that she handled her vehicle. The sporty little manual car had a verve to how it drove, and the Japanese woman discovered she found it very attractive to see the blonde driving stick. There were facets to this Principessa that were never mentioned in the info package Tea had delivered.
It took all of Fate''s focus to stay the course and get them safely to their destination. Really, did Nanoha have to stare at her like that? Throwing the car into park, she turned off the engine and smiled at the far too distracting executive, "Get the basket?" Nanoha nodded and did so while Fate busied herself with the boot behind.
Emerging with a tiny foldable camping table, she shut the boot and engaged the vehicle''s locks. Nanoha was divested of her burden then, "I think you''ve carried enough for now," stated Fate, only to get a cheeky grin thrown back at her, "Part of the job."
"Yes, well, it will be mine to carry some of that, I would like you to remember."
This gave Nanoha pause, and she dipped her head momentarily as they walked, considering whether to say what she felt needed said. At last, she raised a guarded gaze to meet Fate''s, "I''m bad at delegating; force me."
Fate would have given the woman a reassuring hug if she could. Lips curling upwards, the smile she gave Nanoha held an obvious challenge, "Try and stop me. Oh, good, we''re early."
Curious, Nanoha scanned the surroundings. A large screen dominated the green landscape of the park Fate had brought them to. Neat rows of leg-less chairs lined the space facing the screen. About a third of the seats were taken, leaving them ample choices left to choose from. Soft strains of bossa nova drifted over the area and the clink of cutlery and drink could be heard over the music. She hadn''t even known this place existed.
A soft hand slipped into her own, gently drawing her to a pair of seats situated at the very back, set somewhat apart from the surrounding chairs and offering a little bit of privacy, as much as one might have in an open air theatre.
Happy to offer her friend a new experience, Fate urged Nanoha to sit. Her burdens were set to the side on the grass and with a playful smirk, the blonde pulled on a plastic glove.
Eyeing the blonde''s gloved hand, more so that adorable smile, Nanoha merely raised a querying brow at her companion. "Repellent," Fate explained succinctly. Spraying her plastic-covered hand, she leaned close and began spreading the faintly-perfumed chemical over Nanoha''s arms. The executive held still, unwilling to ruin the moment with some inappropriate word or sound. The logical side of her mind knew Fate was just being thorough, but boy was she glad she wore shorter culottes today.
Fate was done all too soon and handed Nanoha her own glove to pull on. "Do me." Facing her back to her friend, Fate felt her skin come alive under the clinical touch of the plastic glove. It was the hand within said glove that made all the difference, she discovered. That touch wandered across her bare shoulders, up her exposed neck and down both arms. Ah, she had definitely picked the right top to wear tonight.
2, 3, 5, 7¡ Nanoha decided that she must have been guilty of some truly heinous crimes in her previous life to be put through this torture. She gulped when Fate turned back to face her, delicately lifting one, then the other leg, to drape both across her lap. "I''m going to need more¡" Fate coughed against the sudden husk in her voice, "Repellent." A secret smile that appeared to be meant only for Nanoha played across softly pink lips, and the blonde was adding further sprays to the executive''s gloved hand.
"Be thorough," the blonde told her, the mellifluous voice sounding throaty to Nanoha. ''Ye gods¡''
The blare of a movie''s trailer broke Nanoha out of her intense focus. She had been concentrating on ensuring every bit of delicate skin behind Fate''s knees was covered. Pulling her legs back with a shaky breath, Fate murmured her thanks, not quite trusting herself to say more.
Unfolding the table, she set it between them and covered it with the red chequered picnic cloth she had pulled from the basket. The bottle of wine and glasses were entrusted to Nanoha while Fate focused on setting up her little makeshift charcuterie board. Crackers, mango chutney, yuzu preserve and apple jam populated one side of the table. In the middle, a dip consisting of salad cream, mayonnaise and icing sugar took centrestage, surrounded then by various cold cuts, cheeses and fruits.
Handing Nanoha a wet wipe and accepting the glass of wine the woman had poured for her, she raised her glass to her new friend and boss, "Yoroshiku onegai shimasu, Nanoha-chan~." The japanese phrase commonly spoken at the start of new relationships or beginnings at all levels felt like the most fitting thing to say. I''m looking forward to having good work relations with you.
Smile rivalling the sun setting behind the line of raintrees in the distance, Nanoha toasted the blonde, "To new friends, and your new job. Congratulations, Feito-chan." Rewarded with a breathtakingly beautiful smile in return, Nanoha surmised that this had to be the most perfect night she''d ever had.
Needing some distance between them before she forgot her place and did something she might regret, Fate took a sip of her wine, "I hope you like dildo jokes." She covered her smile with another sip.
"Love them¡ wait, what?" The bell-like quality of the blonde''s laugh heralded the start of the recent cult hit, ''Everything Everywhere All At Once''.
At times laughing, at times crying, the women took every opportunity to glance over at their companion, wanting to see their reaction to a particular line or scene playing out on screen. The predicament of the lead''s daughter struggling for her and her girlfriend''s acceptance struck a chord in both women, and at some point, the table had been moved aside for Nanoha to curl up into Fate''s side.
This was the second time Fate was watching the movie, and so the need to pay full attention wasn''t required. Instead, she allowed her fingers to bury themselves in her companion''s thick tresses, breath held until Nanoha made no indication to want her to stop. This was a friend thing, right? Good friends could do this with each other. The scent of the rainforest blanketed the area, lending a peace to their surroundings, "Penny."
The body against her shook with a silent, mirthless laugh, Fate''s mimicry of Nanoha''s own probe in the past not at all lost on the auburn-haired woman, "That woman''s daughter¡ Been there." Holding the revelation close like so much fragile spun glass, Fate gave the shared tidbit all the gravitas it deserved, pondering silently for long moments.
Nanoha hadn''t expected Fate to say anything. She wasn''t even certain why she felt all right to share the intensely personal disappointments she had wrought on her family back home. But that gentle voice, a Balm of Gilead to her soul, cut through the uproarious laughter of their fellow audience members to dip into her ears alone, "It is difficult for parents to break out of that prison of expectations placed on their children," the blonde replied quietly, "Regret is easiest to manifest in the second chance your child gets."
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
The arm wrapped around her middle tightened momentarily, "...It''s why you''re here, Principessa."
Fate was unsurprised. Nanoha''s entire job was about information, the gathering, the control, the use. Operations was but a general term that did the department''s work no justice, but she knew it was deliberately dressed up that way. Not disputing the woman''s words, Fate pressed a bold kiss to Nanoha''s hair, "I''m where I should be," it was a soul-deep belief that took corporeal form the moment the words were spoken. The hold around her middle tightened, this time, the pressure never let up.
Incoming video call, Yagami, H.
"Answer."
A curious tanuki peered through the screen, brown hair bobbing in anticipation, "Soooo? How was it?"
"Good evening to you too, Haya-chan."
"Yes, evening, tip top cheerio and all that jazz. Now tell me, how was she?"
Signum sighed, her cousin was too gifted for her own good, allowing her to skip multiple grades and graduate long before she could properly build a solid foundation for her EQ.
"Ginga? She was being a Ginga." The stolid woman was not above tweaking her demanding and nosy CEO.
"I''m gonna invent a way to strangle you through video calls, Sig-chan," the brunette threatened.
"Excuse me, if there''s anyone doing any strangling, it would be me," called Shamal''s voice from the kitchen where dinner was being prepared.
Face aflame, Signum growled at her wife, "Shamal! It''s a work call!"
"Are you sure, Sweetums? Sounds more like Haya-chan just wanting hot goss."
Sighing, Signum scrubbed impatiently at her warm face before crossing her arms and throwing her weight back into her chair, "I was planning to send you my report in the morning. Something someone said about ''work-life balance''..."
"Who? They must have been a total moron," quipped Hayate, blithely ignoring the fact that it had been part of her AGM speech just last year. "C''moooon, Sig-chan, I hafta know!"
"She''s sheltered but not naive. Knows what she''s signed up for. Brilliant, just hasn''t been pushed yet. Aaaand¡" She smirked, the brunette leaning forward predictably with bated breath.
"Shamal saw them both at her clinic last Friday."
The squeal Hayate emitted threatened to blow out the tweeters on her surround speakers and Signum winced.
"Oh my god, whaaaat?! I''m so jealous! Were they hurt? What happened?" Hayate had the screen her webcam was attached to between her hands as she shook it, as if she could shake her head of HR down for information this way.
"Seems she got hurt while Takamachi was near, and you know how that goes. Shamal patched her up, wasn''t more than a sprain and some stitches," Signum elaborated with one palm held out.
"She is such a white prince when she''s not the White Devil." Hayate sighed, setting her screen down before she broke something, "All the girls on campus wanted to date her, all the guys wanted to fight her for stealing their girlfriends. I had girls coming after me for being her friend!"
"In any case, Shamal used it to get her on our volleyball team." Signum concluded smugly, "Those pencil necks in Marketing won''t know what hit them."
Hayate swooned, "I could kiss you both! Buncha varsity wannabes can sit on their thumbs and spin this year."
Signum shared Hayate''s sentiments, not that she would put it in quite that way. "Anyway, all signs point to ''yes'' on the Nanoha front. Testarossa admires her, but not in that starry-eyed, fresh grad sort of way."
Serious for a moment, Hayate asked, "Think she''ll pull a Shari?"
Signum scratched absently at an old scar on her chin, accepting her plate of food and a kiss from Shamal while she pondered the CEO''s question, "Gut says no, but it''s still early days." She chewed thoughtfully, "I think she comes from better stock than that."
An inelegant snort punctuated Signum''s observation, "Raw sewage is better stock than that one," the brunette growled bluntly.
"Won''t argue with you there. Wish I''d caught on sooner," the pink-haired woman muttered with old regret.
"You and all the rest of us. Vita-chan was in danger of multiple HR violations that day. Best we can do is make sure it doesn''t happen again."
Signum gave a grunt of assent as she made steady inroads into her dinner.
"Give Shamal all my love, I''ll see you guys next month." The screen shifted back to the moving geometric figures of Signum''s screensaver.
Shamal settled into the seat next to her wife, "You''ll watch over them, won''t you, Love?"
Clasping the doctor''s free hand, Signum pressed it to her cheek, "It''s the least I can do."
"Soo, about that strangling¡" The HR executive learned what it was like to be on the receiving end of a Heimlich manoeuvre that evening.
It was absurdly difficult for Fate to bid Nanoha good night after the¡ celebration. ''That''s right, Fate, don''t get your hopes up. She''s your direct report starting on the morrow.''
The auburn-haired beauty had helped tidy up their picnic site in pensive silence, the deep pools of her azure gaze darkened to an inscrutable violet while hands performed the routine task of cleaning up. She was probably contemplating the heartfelt themes and messages in the movie they had just seen, and the taller woman was loath to intrude upon Nanoha''s thoughts. Not that the woman had neglected Fate. The blonde could tell when the executive made a conscious choice to push aside any lingering ennui to pay attention to her companion. It was just such a Nanoha thing to do. Always deliberate, mindful and purposeful.
"I can''t¡ be like this, at work," Nanoha''s hesitant words littered the quiet confines of Fate''s Honda. "I don''t want you to think¡"
Emboldened from their time cuddling, Fate laced her fingers over Nanoha''s, lifting both hands to rest on the gear stick between them. "They''ll use me to get to you," the elegant blonde pronounced plainly.
"There''s a reason the office next to mine hasn''t been filled for a long time." Nanoha had never felt the target on her back burn worse than at this very moment. ''Fate could be a plant. My preferences aren''t a secret. It could all be a set-up like before.'' All worries Nanoha knew she should''ve been focused on. Instead, here she was, afraid to lose this new friend that had come to mean so much to her in such a short span of time.
The executive''s silence spoke volumes and the blonde felt, of all things, the faintest tremor in the hand captured beneath hers.
"We shall take it one day at a time," the blonde stated with confidence the suddenly fearful executive didn''t feel. There was something there. Something that had eroded this preposterously competent woman, and Fate meant to find out what.
''We.'' Relieved to see lush lips curling in the direction she had wanted, Fate knew she had found the right words, for now. There was a steel core to the willowy blonde that gave Nanoha faint hope that maybe things would work out this time. Deciding for safety''s sake that she should leave her hand right where it was, the executive basked in the sensation of no-longer cold fingers laced with hers.
Seeing Fate to her door, the Japanese woman shuffled her sandaled feet, needing to convey gratitude to the blonde for¡ so many things, and unable to find the words. ''Get it together, Takamachi. You''ve faced screaming shareholders without issue, what is wrong with you?!''
Similarly tongue-tied, the blonde decided to go for broke. After tonight, they would need to be superior and subordinate more often than not. Lowering her empty wicker basket the taller woman drew Nanoha in for a full-bodied hug.
''Ah,'' Fate thought, ''So this was what Plato meant, when he said humans would ever seek their other half.''
Nanoha tucked herself perfectly against Fate, and both women felt their hearts beating in rhythm to the other. Time stood still and the world faded away.
"See you tomorrow, Feito-chan." The whispered breath that tickled her clavicle was so agonisingly sweet, it sent a shiver down the blonde''s form.
"Thank you¡ for celebrating with me," the slight hoarseness in her voice belied how difficult it was for the tall blonde to speak past the lump in her throat.
She felt Nanoha''s calloused fingers trailing softly down her cheek, and the Japanese goddess was gone.
''Tomorrow is going to be so difficult,'' both women thought.
"Nanoha, the meeting is starting in ten!"
Ignoring her irate E.A., the Japanese executive breathed literally and figuratively down a russet-haired woman''s neck. Said woman was sweating up a waterfall under a freshly installed standing desk.
"You need better zip-ties, Tea, why are you using such tiny ones? I''ll get Stores to send up longer ones..."
"Boss, for the love of all that''s holy, I got this!"
Nanoha ignored her staff, "Has Subaru updated her security clearance? Oh, but I don''t want to overwhelm her on day one. You know what, channel everything to me first, but get her laptop set up¡"
Nanoha adjusted the angle at which the squirt water bottle sat on the window ledge behind the desk''s chair for the third time. The Aeron mesh chair was one of the best money could buy, and a match for the one Vita and herself used in their little corner of the office.
Studying the sturdy little plant cuttings arrayed along the window ledge, the executive pondered if they needed another watering before their new owner arrived.
"They''ll drown if you squirt any more water at them," Vita stood in the doorway, arms akimbo and scowling at her suddenly addlepated boss, "I turned off your camera and muted you, but you have to show your face sometime, Nanoha!"
Reluctantly allowing the redhead to drag her back to her own office, Nanoha threw in a final few desperate instructions, "Vita, get her at reception. Show her the ladies, and the pantry, and the cafes on the 20th. Actually, have lunch with her. Tea, you and Subaru go too. That place with the nice subs. Let her know about the corporate packages we have with Planet Fitness¡"
Shoving Nanoha back into her office, Vita slammed the door behind her and exchanged looks with Teana, whose eyes were goggling at the spectacle she''d just witnessed.
"Subaru''s not gonna believe me," Teana muttered, earning her a snort from the petite redhead, "I don''t believe me, and I was here!"
Shutting the door labelled, ''Assistant Vice President, Operations'' in embossed black and gold behind her, Teana shook her head, her twin ponytails swaying with the motion, "Guess I''ll get those ties or I''ll never hear the end of it. Vita?"
"I''ll go fetch the princess, not like I don''t have a tonne of work to get through or anything." The redhead''s gripe held no rancour, the woman secretly hoping that whatever had her boss in such a state might help jolt her out of the day-to-day funk she had been in.
Taking Nanoha''s cue from the first time they''d met, Fate clipped through the lobby in low-heeled black pumps. Her rust-red pencil skirt tapered past her knees, and tucked into it was a satin blouse of rose-gold, soft ruffles nestled in the hollow of her throat and the ends of her long sleeves. Thrown over her slim shoulders was a black business jacket, and in her hands, a worn leather folio. Her golden tresses were tamed near the ends by her borrowed pink scrunchie that somehow complimented Fate''s look.
Vita eyed the blonde gliding into the building from her perch next to security, noting how everyone''s eyes seemed to be following her boss'' new AVP. From the various expressions, half had found their new love, and the other half, their new target. "Well, not much different from how they look at Nanoha," she muttered to herself. Waving Fate over, she greeted the blonde, "Miss Testarossa, the boss sent me. Hans here is gonna set up your security access. It''ll be about ten minutes, then I can show you around."
Recognising the redhead from yesterday evening, Fate remembered the utter shock of seeing Nanoha''s hands on another woman''s chest. The uncomfortable memory was easily chased away by the evening that had followed, however. Finding an easy smile for the short woman, she nodded graciously, "Fate is fine, Miss¡ Vita?"
"Just Vita. I''ll help you hold your things."
Vita read the blonde''s confusion at not being handed an ID card. "Everything''s biometric on our side." Our, meaning Operations, "You''ll get a wearable with an RFID chip for more mundane stuff in a few days."
Strolling alongside the much shorter woman, Fate subtly adjusted the length of her stride to avoid outpacing her guide. Feeling everyone''s eyes on her, she drew on her natural colouring and projected an icy demeanour towards anyone meeting her gaze.
"You''re used to it," not a question, but a statement of fact. The redhead studied her new colleague in the privacy of the elevator. She''d seen the package Teana had delivered to her boss, and had an inkling of the kind of life the blonde had led in the past.
Fate gave Vita a quietly amused glace, "Hopefully, that makes me a good fit." She extended long fingers to offer a hand to Nanoha''s E.A., certain Vita wouldn''t have lasted in her role if she hadn''t been on the auburn-haired executive''s side. "It''s nice to meet you, Vita. I''ll be in your care for the foreseeable future."
Deciding she liked this blonde who didn''t seem as cold as she thought, Vita shook the proffered hand. "Let''s get you settled in your office. Ask me about anything you''re not sure of." The muffled sounds of someone yelling trickled past the door of Nanoha''s office as Vita led Fate past it to the door adjacent to it. Her name, and position, stared silently back at her from the door''s surface.
"You wouldn''t believe how much the boss was harassing us all morning," Vita grumbled as she showed Fate into her new office. Where the length of Nanoha''s office followed the huge glass panes of the building''s side, Fate''s floor space was angled so the width of her office laid flush against the window.
It was palatial compared to her last job, and the blonde ducked her head to hide the smile that threatened to break across her features at the thought of her boss taking a personal hand in getting the room prepared. She wondered who had gotten the plants, noting that all were of the sort that would weather office conditions well.
The sound of something crashing pricked both women''s ears, and Vita rolled her eyes, displaying not one whit of surprise. Curiously following Vita''s exit from her office, she saw the redhead move to a small attached kitchenette to pull out a white, unmarked ceramic mug from a cupboard filled with the same. Grabbing a small broom and dustpan, Fate watched as the E.A. let herself into Nanoha''s office.
Nanoha, in a sleeveless beige button down and pressed linen slacks, prowled the length of her office, cellphone pressed to one ear and exuding a feral quality that had Fate swallowing. Warm shafts of molten gold brought out scarlet highlights in auburn tresses gathered up into a French twist and threw the toned dips and curves of Nanoha''s arms in sharp contrast. A classic Burberry trench in midnight blue had been tossed carelessly over the back of her chair, forgotten while she paced restlessly around her office. So this was Nanoha in her natural environment.
The growl of the executive''s alto clearly indicated she had run out of patience a long time ago. "If Jingfa would get his head out of his bunghole long enough to read the fucking reports my people sent¡" Overriding the placating whine dribbling in from the other end of the line, the irate executive sliced the air with the knife of one hand, "Your people, your playground, your problem. Get that shit sorted. You have two hours."
Nanoha''s weighted door swung closed, slowly cutting Fate out of the conversation that had sprung up between the executive and her assistant who was busying herself with the remains of a shattered mug strewn about the executive''s office floor, "Goddamned twit hired tits on sticks and wants to blame her for his mistake..." Another call and the voices quieted, Nanoha obviously having answered. Not wanting to bother her new boss, Fate slipped back into her office and logged into her terminal.
Chapter 8: Pennys Worth
Fate had been too nervous for breakfast. Seeing her desktop clock state that it was half past ten, the blonde fished out a small zip-lock baggie from her folio. Absently munching on a carrot stick, she clicked her way through the user interface, noting that it was a lot more sophisticated compared to other inter-company systems she''d had the displeasure of using.
There were nothing but orientation emails and invites to various company events in her inbox. Carefully sifting through them, she politely declined the more frivolous-sounding gatherings, deciding to leave the important-seeming ones to later, after she could consult with Nanoha about them. The orientation emails simply linked her to a raft of videos and documents she had to sit or read through. Each one required a retina scan to indicate she had completed each module HR wanted her to go through.
She''d lost track of time and blinked when her terminal beeped stridently at her. Tabbing her way back to the core terminal window, she frowned to see a cascade of alerts and red exclamation marks populating the internal BBS and popping up one after the other at the bottom right of her main ultra-wide screen. The flood of posts were pushing the initial reports clear off the page and she shook her head, pulling open the first few complaints.
Hmm, everything she read seemed to link back to government accounts. Tracing her way back through each branching tree, crimson eyes took in the ancient lines of COBOL, the dull orange of the legacy font reflecting calmly off the wire-rim glasses she had pulled on.
"This stuff is older than god''s momma," she muttered, stuffing the last bite of her carrot into her mouth and dusting her fingers and faint memory off. When in doubt, restart. Rattling off the basic command and hitting enter, she left the system to shake off its cobwebs and heave itself through the process of a reboot. "Probably only has 4 megs of DRAM to work with," she mused.
Vita was drowning in lower level complaints, strident and desperate. None got past her adamant wall of, "We''re working on it.", since they were. Her boss was stuck fielding calls from major clients, demanding something be done, and no one letting the one person who might fix it go do it. Vita hoped her boss'' new AVP was faring better attending her orientation classes.
Cutting the line for the umpteenth time, Nanoha switched from account to account, frustratedly hitting the call button and calling up the code monkeys ensconced in the server farm dungeons below. "Subaru, give me something," she snarled through the line the moment someone picked up. Teana could be heard in the background, yelling at a different team of code monkeys situated halfway across the globe. From the sound of it, she was getting nowhere fast.
"Boss! We''re trying to get everyone on board. We can pull a gen-meet in five¡ uh, what?" Rapid clicking, "Yo boss, might wanna check the service queues."
Nanoha stared at her phone, wondering if her staff had finally lost it. This was Operations, not bloody Customer Service. Panning over to her other screen, she stared at all the ticks turning the sea of red into a pacific ocean of green check-marks.
"Nanoha, you seeing what I''m seeing?" Subaru''s reverent whisper trickled over the line in a hush. Teana''s yelling had tapered off, the woman obviously distracted by what she saw on her own terminal.
On a hunch, she walked back ancient code and checked to see who had executed the restart logic.
TFATE01
Slumping back into her seat, Nanoha soundlessly ended her call. Cracking open her office door, she glanced over at where her executive assistant sat, looking like she''d gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson in his prime.
"Hold all calls," she muttered. Not waiting for the redhead''s grunt of acknowledgement, she moved to the kitchenette to retrieve two covered aluminium bowls, fishing up two mini-forks while she was at it.
Quietly, she let herself into Fate''s office and leaned against the door jamb. Unnoticed by the blonde, the executive took in the vision of her AVP positioned behind her standing desk. The height had been adjusted to Fate''s elbow height for comfort, and the blonde had one propped on the glazed bamboo''s edge while she studied her screen intently. The large, wire-rim glasses perched atop her straight nose gave the woman an air of cute sophistication that her chosen style of dress accentuated. Sensual lips tugging into an unconscious smile, the executive waited with the patience of a leopard readying to ambush its prey.
It took Fate a full two minutes to realise someone was at the door. Glancing up, she felt her tummy doing pirouettes at the sight that greeted her. The darkly beautiful form of her boss was leaning against her door frame, feet crossed elegantly at the ankles. Her bare arms were crossed as well, subtly emphasising their lean strength, the woman apparently having been there for some time.
"Ever heard of knocking?" Fate looked back at her screen, barely succeeding at hiding the flare of intense attraction in her eyes. She scrolled through another yawn-inducing power-point slide about organisational policies, hoping the subject matter would stop her from squirming where she stood.
"Nope," the executive quipped, immediately contradicting her conduct back when Fate was an unannounced guest in her apartment. Pushing off from her leaning post in one sinuous motion, she approached the desk and dropped one of the aluminium containers under Fate''s nose.
Curiously peeling back the cardboard cover, the blonde glanced up from the quiche to offer Nanoha a questioning look.
"For skipping lunch," Nanoha intoned seriously, as if it were a punishment. Then Fate was graced with a smile that could light up the entire building, "And for single-handedly justifying my hiring pick. I can safely say that Signum is very, VERY happy with you right now." ''As am I,'' the executive''s expression implied.
The executive watched the adorable play of emotions skitter across that classically beautiful face as Fate flopped back into her chair to think. A faint frown marred the blonde''s smooth brow, one moment flushed, the next moment pale. Settling on pinkened ear-tips, Fate stammered, "But that was¡ Nanoha!" She was squirming now, unable to get out from under the auburn-haired woman''s warm regard, "Someone would have gotten to it sooner or later!" When had the executive skirted around her desk?
Smile unabated, Nanoha refused to allow her little AVP any routes of escape. Her own quiche lay forgotten on the desk as she leaned forward, hands on either armrest, "But you were first," she purred, "And you''re all mine." The executive''s gaze trailed up and down the length of the tall blonde below her, her look unknowingly possessive.
Batting away the hand that had lifted to tap her on the nose to punctuate Nanoha''s words, Fate fancied her ears and perhaps her hair might catch fire soon. Pointedly rolling her chair a pace back from the woman''s imposing presence, Fate grabbed her punishment slash reward, using it like an impromptu shield. ''Well?'' her look seemed to ask, challenging Nanoha to get her own meal sorted.
Smirking, Nanoha hit a button on Fate''s desk, lowering it to a level where they could sit to eat. In the privacy of their offices, it seemed the executive could still relax a little. At least, enough to enjoy a short break with her new subordinate. Taking a seat on the other side of Fate''s desk, she started in on the sinfully rich pie she had grabbed for Fate and herself while on the way to work that morning.
"Is every day like that?" Fate asked, eyeing the bits of bacon in her pie and deciding she could indulge a little since she''d skipped her meals today.
"The flavours of madness differ each day," Nanoha replied, "I''ll try to ease you in," she peered at Fate from under the fall of hair that refused to stay up a full day under any circumstances, "One might say you''ve hit the ground running, though."
Fate refused to squirm, but the warmth dusting her cheeks didn''t want to go away. With Nanoha, there was an inkling that praises were few and far between, but each one counted.
"I like the office," she said instead, needing a change of subject. "The plants are a nice touch," the blonde ventured, her suspicions confirmed when the executive''s unwavering regard slipped to the side in an almost bashful manner.
"I told them to send a few pots of things I couldn''t kill." Nanoha stabbed fitfully at the last bits of her quiche, "I remembered you had some plants in your old office," she mumbled.
Fate wondered how much CPR she might get if she fainted from Nanoha''s cute overload at this very moment.
The blonde''s giddy reverie was interrupted by a chirp on her intercom. Uncertain where the answer button was for this system, Fate hesitated until Nanoha stood, leaning over to hit the right button, "Yes?" Head head tilted to better hear, the executive waited.
The blonde bit hard on the inside of her cheek. Nanoha''s button down had drooped and silent praises to Gravity were sung. Generous mounds cupped in yellow lace confronted Fate''s eyes, and her glasses began fogging up. Unfortunately, her front row seat to heaven was rudely cut short when the annoyed voice of Nanoha''s assistant came through, "Ginga''s here again."
Heaving a heavy sigh, Nanoha tossed Fate an apologetic glance and hurried out. The executive''s visitor''s voice was easily recognisable, setting the blonde''s teeth on edge. Feeling like an absolute glutton for punishment, she made no move to close the door left ajar by Nanoha''s hurried departure.
"Sweetcheeks! I made a reservation at our favourite place, are you done with work?"
"I suppose. Let me close out and I''ll head down with you."
"Can''t wait!"
Grumbling that Nanoha had a name, even if her¡ her cheeks were sweet, Fate punched at her intercom, "Vita, you can route anything that Nanoha-CHAN hasn''t cleared to me." Deliberately emphasising the honorific, she cut the line abruptly without waiting for Vita''s reply.
''Take THAT, you hussy.''
In the process of pulling on her trench, Nanoha paused, overhearing her AVP''s instruction to Vita. Why did she sound angry? Nodding to Vita, she hefted her laptop case and saw Ginga and herself out, "The basic stuff," she called back to her secretary before the automatic doors whooshed closed.
Her full-figured companion eyed Nanoha, "New addition?" At the executive''s shrug, she smiled, "Anyone I know?"
"Just an acquisition from a previous account," the auburn-haired woman explained mildly. "No one interesting." Years of boardroom experience allowed Nanoha to tell that bald-faced lie as thoughts of the woman with wine-rich eyes kept her company while she suffered the attentions of her family''s acquaintance.
"You''re too cold," Ginga declared, caressing the executive''s cheek while they awaited their order.
Leaning a hair away from the woman''s touch without causing too much offense, Nanoha offered the lavender-haired woman a brief smile that didn''t reach her eyes, "I fail to recall when I wasn''t."
"They miss you, you know," Nanoha took a sip of the unfiltered Turkish coffee she had ordered, knowing she would pay for it later. But she didn''t want Ginga to think this was a date complete with wining and dining. In her mind, last night was far closer to a date than whatever this was meant to be.
Nanoha snorted lightly, "They miss the parts that are acceptable to them."
"Is it so bad? To marry and bear an heir?" Ginga asked quietly.
"Like you?"
The lavender-haired woman smiled, the expression tinged with sadness, "He sees who he wants, I see who I want." It was clear that Nanoha was what Ginga wanted.
"I can''t do that," the Japanese beauty cited with utter conviction, and Ginga smiled at her sweet stubbornness. "I know."
She''d been on the receiving end of an all-consuming love, once. Swept away by the tidal swell of selfless giving and complete belonging that was the executive''s fierce regard. It held the power of Mother Nature itself, and it scared her younger self. Away and into the arms of her husband. Their loveless marriage had yet to produce any offspring, and it never would, if she had her way.
To hear the executive discount their past was an ache she knew she would have to bear. She was the one who had backed away from fervent lips and roaming hands. That unsure schoolgirl had blossomed into a woman with irresistible charisma and a barely contained fire that lurked just under the surface of the cool facade she knew she had helped put there.
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Dropping her hand with a sigh, she smiled to the wait staff delivering their meal, "You can''t deter me, you know," she warned lightly, "I know you still care."
Wishing she were anywhere other than here, Nanoha started into her meal without gusto, alto heavy with old regrets, "I''ve never stopped caring. I just wish you''d found someone better," Nanoha held her husband in dim regard and the feeling was mutual.
"I did, but I was stupid." Ginga stated honestly, laying her cards out on the table.
Conflicted, Nanoha concentrated on the food she wasn''t tasting. There was a time in the distant past when she would''ve leapt at everything Ginga was offering. Time had offered the executive some much needed distance from the heady days of first love, and she could clearly see with calm detachment how her unrestrained feelings could cause someone to flee.
It was why she fought a daily fight to keep her temper contained to a smashed mug or two, why she never drank to excess, why she could flirt but go no further. Layered atop that was the added complications of their respective clans, and familial obligations neither of them could ultimately escape. Not without heavy cost.
The name of the game was control, and she had the scars to show lessons well-learned. Give up control, and you give up everything. Chest rising in a long inhalation, Nanoha let it, and the last lingering vestiges of hope for something with Ginga, go.
"We were both stupid," the auburn-haired woman allowed.
Sensing her prey slipping away, Ginga lunged across the table, her hand clamping behind Nanoha''s neck to pull her forward into a desperate kiss.
"Mmmph!" Feeling the lavender-haired woman try to slip her tongue, Nanoha got her free hand on Ginga''s shoulder and pushed, hard, shoving the other woman back away from her. Panting in outrage, Nanoha ran the back of her hand across her slightly bruised lips, azure eyes glaring flinty chips at the woman.
"And you know what? You still are.."
"But you want it!" Ginga cried in protest, "You want me!"
"I used to." Nanoha spat. Rising, she threw her table napkin onto her barely touched meal and grabbed her coat. Dropping a few fifties at the till, the executive stormed out. She was so caught up in her anger that she missed a shadowed figure hidden in a small alcove by the establishment''s takeout counter.
Despondent and not really knowing why, Fate had bidden Vita a subdued farewell and left the office. Instead of heading to her car, she wandered aimlessly through the streets and down the nearby alleyways around the office block. Eventually finding herself outside a Turkish restaurant, she decided some Tabbouleh takeout would suffice for dinner tonight and stepped in.
''O SHI-!'' Of all the places to find Nanoha and that hussy, it had to be here! Spinning on her heel, she hunched behind a placard stand declaring a one for one ladies'' night deal for overpriced beer. Why was she even feeling the need to hide? It wasn''t as if she had followed them here. Peering around the placard, she eyed her boss who seemed preoccupied with pushing her food around her plate. A petty little corner of her mind felt better about Nanoha not being as attentive to that hussy as she''d been with Fate the night before.
The sound of someone clearing their throat had Fate tearing her eyes from the uncomfortable-looking tableau to glance up at a perplexed staff, "Can I help you, Ma''am?"
Mumbling something about a Tabbouleh to go, Fate slapped two tens on the counter and found a small stool to situate herself more comfortably behind the advertisement stand. The blonde couldn''t hear anything over the din of the evening meal, not that she''d be so crass to eavesdrop on purpose, but there seemed to be no love lost between the two having this dinner ''date''.
No, the other woman clearly wanted for there to be something. It was obvious in her expressions, at times sultry, at times softly pleading. Little seemed to budge her boss and when her order arrived, Fate gave an internal sigh and readied herself to leave. Standing, she waited for the staff to count her change when the sudden scrape of chairs and falling utensils pulled her attention back to where she absolutely didn''t want to look.
Heart feeling like a lead weight, she watched as Nanoha and her date locked lips over their meal. It was a mistake coming here. She should''ve turned heel and walked off the moment she saw them. But the executive was shoving this Ginga person away, her gorgeous features twisted in anger as she wiped her mouth on the back of her hand. What was going on?
Wine-shaded eyes followed the executive as she stalked to the counter to pay for their meal. Wondering if Nanoha was all right, Fate''s eyes widened when the woman brushed by her, lipstick smudged and a smear that looked bloodied marring the corner of her mouth.
Nanoha straight-armed her way out of the restaurant, pounding feet taking her in any direction furthest from that old source of pain. She needed to get away, needed to shrug off these looming office blocks that threatened to give her a feeling of claustrophobia. Her body moved with a mind of its own, and she soon found herself by the Singapore River, hunched on a step situated by the broad promenade. It was better here, where she could breathe. Hugging one knee to her chest, she rested her chin on her raised limb. Her auburn tresses swayed in the slight breeze since her French twist had come undone when Ginga had forced that kiss on her.
Registering nothing passing by her with unseeing eyes, Nanoha was jolted out of her melancholic stupor when a one cent coin was laid onto the back of her hand, right where a smudge of lipstick still streaked on her skin. Head lifting, she glanced up at the slim shadow crouched over her.
Strands of sun gold framed the face she realised she most wanted to see, and eyes dark with concern scanned over her person from head to toe, silently asking if she was all right. The setting sun had lit a halo around the blonde, and Nanoha found herself at a loss for words.
Fate stood a conscious pace back from the executive whom she had followed to the riverside, Nanoha''s trim body was curled defensively into itself like some wounded animal ready to bolt at the slightest sign of threat. She''d debated with herself whether to approach the woman who so obviously didn''t want company, losing the argument with herself once the possibility of Nanoha being physically hurt intruded itself on her thoughts. ''I''ll check on Nanoha, then go,'' Fate resolved.
Not wishing to startle the jumpy woman, she fished out the lucky penny she kept in her card holder and gently laid it on the executive''s hand. Her intent was clear, a penny for Nanoha''s thoughts, or the coin returned to her. Either way, she would respect her boss'' boundaries. When the coin was kept, calloused fingers playing with it, Fate took it as a sign that she could sit on the steps next to Nanoha.
In silence, they watched bumboats and river taxis drift their way up and down the small river. Sea trade was a large part of the island nation''s history, and the government''s tourism board made certain it wasn''t forgotten by commissioning brightly lit, refurbished boats from the era of the country''s founding to ply their trade up and down the river.
The cool touch of a wet wipe drew Nanoha''s attention back to her colleague. Fate had begun cleaning away the smear of lipstick on her hand. Task complete, Nanoha felt long fingers cupping her cheek as gently as one might hold a newborn chick. Her face was turned with a light urging, allowing the blonde to tilt her face up so that her lips and face could be cleaned too. It was blood.
Seeing red took on a whole new meaning when Fate''s wine-shaded eyes spied the beginnings of a bruise on the corner of Nanoha''s mouth. This wasn''t the time nor place. Lips thinned to hold back any recriminations, she instead asked, "Does it hurt?"
Curious how her usual need for personal space, especially around her head and face, never materialised at the blonde''s touch. Exhaling a shaky breath, the executive shook her head, "Drop in the ocean," she whispered cryptically. The soft pad of Fate''s thumb brushed over Nanoha''s lips, as if trying to rub away any memory of that unwelcome kiss, and they curled in a faint smile. "Not that I''m complaining, but what are you doing here?"
Her thumb felt the moist breath of Nanoha''s words and it was too much. Withdrawing her hand, Fate lifted her little packed meal, "Dinner. I¡ didn''t realise you''d be there."
Lashes dipping, Nanoha sighed, so Fate had seen. "That was an embarrassing display."
"For whom?" The blonde retorted tartly, giving Nanoha pause. Surprised, she glanced at Fate from out of the corner of her eye. The blonde''s expression was stormy, jaw clenched tight as she wrestled to remain civil, "You didn''t consent! That was a complete violation of your boundaries. I''m of half a mind to push her into the river to swim with the fishies for what she did."
Charmed and warmed by Fate''s impassioned rant, the Japanese woman patted the blonde''s clenched fist, "Thank you; you''re a good friend."
Taking a deep breath, fingers still playing with the little coin so similar in shade to her hair, Nanoha flipped it to and fro across the back of her knuckles in a practised move. "She attended my father''s dojo back when we were teens." Fate had no doubt to which ''she'' Nanoha was referring to. "I made the mistake of thinking we had something." Eyes darkened with old disappointments stared out across the water''s edge, taking in the colonial lines of the buildings lined on the river''s opposite bank. "I suppose she wants that something, now."
"Do you?" Fate asked on bated breath. It didn''t seem like Nanoha did, but the lavender-haired woman was beautiful in her own way. It wasn''t her place to be asking as the executive''s subordinate, but she excused herself by reminding herself that they were also friends.
"Gods, no," Articulating her lack of interest felt¡ freeing. "That boat has long sailed," Nanoha''s eyes followed one of the boat taxis puttering out of view from their vantage point, "I guess I should''ve made it clear to her." She offered Fate a wry smile, the expression a little awry from the minor cut her mouth had suffered. She returned the penny to her companion.
Long-fingered hands held Nanoha''s in a firm clasp, Fate''s expression serious and sincere, "You were clear. She took without permission and I honestly do not wish for you to be alone in the same vicinity as her any more." The quiet blonde''s words were low and emphatic, surprising the auburn-haired woman with their intensity.
Capturing the blonde''s hardened gaze with her own, warmly grateful eyes, Nanoha articulated no reply, but tugged the both of them up to their feet. Retrieving her discarded trench coat and Fate''s take-out, she maintained hold of her companion''s hand and led her down to the water''s edge.
Easily giving in to Nanoha''s lead, Fate followed after in mild confusion, wondering where they were headed. A small booth declaring sales of river boat cruises on its side came into view.
"Tickets for two, please."
Speechless, she watched her boss purchase passage for them onto a waiting bum boat. It had been converted to give tours to and from the various quays situated along the central business district''s waterways, with enough seats to accommodate up to thirty passengers.
Throwing Fate an impish smile that revealed the faintest little dimple, Nanoha resumed pulling Fate along, helping her onto the bobbing deck of the small boat. They had the taxi to themselves, it being a weeknight and dinner time.
Depositing their belongings on one of the many unoccupied seats, she lifted Fate up onto the back rail of the boat, the area broad and wide for easy seating, before hopping up to sit beside the blonde. Leaning back against arms stretched out behind her, fringe swaying softly in the gentle river breeze, she smiled at her companion. "Got you prisoner again," she joked, as the boat undocked and began sailing its way down the river, past the iconic Merlion spewing a fountain of water out of its mouth.
The colourfully blinking lights of the tacky decorations did nothing to detract from the breathtaking view Nanoha was presenting to Fate, and the blonde had trouble finding words for long moments.
At last, she murmured, her melodious accent reduced to a mere whisper that only Nanoha could hear over the rumble of the boat''s engines, "Where do I sign to keep this jailer?" She asked from beneath lowered lashes.
Long hair flowing in time to the gentle sway of the boat, Nanoha did her best to etch the memory of the beautiful blonde beside her into her mind. The cold ache of earlier was a long forgotten memory, burned away by the scarcely banked fires that had sprung up between them from the very first moment they had laid eyes on the other. Fires that Nanoha had to ignore, for both their sakes.
She knew Fate was just returning the kindness shown to her when she was hurt, and Nanoha knew better than to take advantage of the gentle blonde. Shaking off a powerful need to kiss those glistening, shapely lips, she settled on a rakish grin, "Signum has your signature," confirming that Fate was indeed, the executive''s prisoner. She only wished it could be forever. But forevers didn''t exist in Nanoha''s world.
Moment lost, Fate wryly shook her head at the irreverent beauty, secretly loving that smile. Hooking up the ends of the plastic baggie her meal came in, she popped open the container''s top and offered Nanoha a mouthful. "You barely ate," she explained.
Accepting a spoonful of the piquant Middle Eastern salad, Nanoha knew better than to argue over having stolen Fate''s dinner. A bit of playful wrestling did allow her to feed the blonde in ''revenge'' so that the salad was shared evenly between the both of them. Certainly, it wasn''t a poorly disguised excuse to touch the blonde platonically.
Fate found she couldn''t get enough of Nanoha''s laugh and put up more than a token resistance just to have the auburn-haired goddess work to get a spoonful into Fate''s mouth. Her arms were longer, certainly, but the shorter woman was fit and flexible, approaching her attacks from every conceivable angle and catching the blonde by pleasant surprise.
It was remarkable how well they got along and Fate was once again wishing the evening would never end.
A blast of music drew both of their attention to the iconic boat-shaped silhouette of the Marina Bay Sands hotel and casino.
"Ah, I was wondering when it would begin," Nanoha murmured, laying back to look directly up at the laser show shooting shafts of dancing colours over the river''s nightscape. Long hair strewn around her reminiscent of Botticelli''s painting of Venus, Nanoha laid an arm out, inviting her friend to join her.
How could she resist? Head pillowed on Nanoha''s arm, Fate settled back and enjoyed the show with the one she could easily consider her best friend now. As the images moved to the swelling strains of orchestral grandeur, Fate breathed in the comforting scent of the executive, before shifting to peer up at the woman''s striking profile, "Is it an HR violation to throw that woman into this river?"
Fate knew she had caught Venus off-guard when her pillow began shaking from the uncontained giggles erupting out of Nanoha''s body. "Nyahaha! Please, I have enough on my plate; Operations is going to gain a reputation for physical violence at this rate."
Huffing, Fate propped herself on one elbow, "I mean it, Nanoha-chan. If she so much as looks at you wrong¡" She left her threat hanging in the air, eyes dropping to the cut she had cleaned just a while ago.
A calloused hand lifted to cup the curve of one cheek, the executive unable to resist caressing the downy softness above her. "Feito-chan is very protective," she noted, wonderingly, as if unsure of what she had done to deserve it.
Fate covered Nanoha''s hand with her own, warm blonde tresses falling to drape over both their hands, "I don''t¡ befriend others easily." Her hand trembled with the depth of emotions swirling within her, evident in the crimson pools looking down into Nanoha''s deep blue eyes, "It is presumptuous of me, I know¡" Abashed, her eyes slid to one side, but a thumb brushing across her cheekbone pulled her gaze back to the auburn haired woman.
"No, I¡ like it." Nanoha admitted, surprised to find her admission to be true. Fiercely independent with a distinct hatred for bothering anyone, the executive wondered how it had become so easy to just allow the blonde past long-erected walls. A woman used to being everyone''s shield had found one of her own. "It''s¡ immensely gratifying that you feel this way."
Fate''s eyes dropped to the lips saying all the right things. She was dying to taste them and the one logical brain cell left in her head had to perform inhuman feats of strength to stop herself from crossing the same line the lavender-haired woman had before. She dropped back down to reclaim her pillow instead, tucking her hand in the crook of Nanoha''s arm so it wouldn''t try wandering anywhere over that incredible body she was laying against. This was her friend and her boss, nothing more.
Two souls intertwined in ways neither could yet comprehend settled into their respective beds come nightfall, sleep bringing with it dreams of MORE that both yearned for.
Chapter 9: You Wouldnt Believe
Days turned into weeks. Fate found work in TSAB exhilarating, confusing, challenging, but most of all, rewarding. She knew her rose-coloured glasses were due to expire soon, but it was simply nice to know she was doing her part to keep Nanoha''s workload under some vague semblance of control.
The executive was frequently not around, kept busy jetting around the region to put out fires others had set alight. Fate was slowly learning that the auburn-haired woman was the CEO''s last resort. The kind of cavalry no one really wanted to see. If Takamachi Nanoha was in your neck of the woods, chances were you''d fucked up beyond all recognition. Little wonder that much of the organisation held little love for the executive.
Another week, and another few days where the blonde wouldn''t see her boss, the woman having been sent to Jakarta to put out yet another fire. The pair had worked out an agreeable professional relationship, usually taking their discussions to the common area where Vita''s desk was, rather than to each other''s office.
It was an exquisite pain for the blonde, but she knew better than to think there could ever be more. Instead, she conspired with Vita to sneak meals into the executive''s office when it was clear she was going to miss another lunch. It was her small way of keeping her friend healthy, or so she told herself.
Feeling a little stifled this week and disliking the lack of Nanoha prowling around the office, Fate suggested to Vita that they take a little jaunt to the floor''s enormous pantry area for their tea break. The redhead readily agreed, teasing the blonde about doing better with breaks than Nanoha. Thus, she found herself with Vita, amongst colleagues from other departments who were also having their tea break in the pantry.
They had made their way to the level''s shared pantry together. Operations'' corporate offices had a well-appointed kitchenette, but Fate was in the mood to try one of the many teas stocked in the larger area set aside for everyone on 42. Dressed in a black tuxedo suit with a pastel teal shirt, Fate''s wavy gold tresses had been pulled into a side-swept style that laid over one shoulder. A white mug with the art of Antoine de Saint-Exup¨¦ry''s The Little Prince dangled from one delicate hand as she pushed her way past the swinging glass doors into the pantry proper.
The light banter she''d heard prior to entering had quietened down, and a quick glance at Vita informed her that this was par for the course. The little redhead gave no indication that she even noticed the quiet and merely went about showing Fate where the tea bags were kept. The blonde appreciated the guidance, seeing that the so-called pantry was multiple times the size of her rental.
Various beers and soft-drinks were on tap, and refrigerated shelves lined one wall, displaying a wide array of bottled drinks that were free for staff to help themselves to. Hot and cold water dispensers were easy to pick out, though Fate decided to leave struggling with the intimidating coffee machines to a later date. The array of choices was dizzying, and Fate supposed this was normal for companies priding themselves in being modern and cutting-edge.
"You''re the new AVP of Ops, aren''t you?" Fate glanced up from her mobile phone, the blonde catching up on tech news while her jasmine tea steeped. Vita was still at the countertop near the refrigerators, studiously adding insane amounts of cream and sugar to her hot chocolate. The blonde had found an empty table to sit at, legs crossed while she waited for her companion to join her.
The source of the voice was a swarthy South Asian. His beard had been groomed to within an inch of its life and he offered what he felt was a charming smile to the angelic blonde. "Ravi Muthusamy, AVP, Marketing." He thrust out a hand which she reluctantly took to shake. It was hard and clammy, completely unlike the hand whose touch from a few weeks before her cheek still vividly remembered.
"Fate Testarossa, and yes, I am." She dropped his hand like a hot potato. Assuming the blonde''s reply was an invitation to join her, the man took the neighbouring chair, still smiling. His standard business suit rode up his legs when he sat, revealing chicken-thin ankles and mismatched socks.
Noting her beverage of choice, the Marketing executive jerked his chin towards the cupboards where the teas were kept, "You should try the Darjeeling we have here, much better than this generic tea." He seemed inordinately proud of his country''s produce, nevermind that it was the source of far too many wars and underhanded business practices throughout history.
"I''m not a fan of black teas," Fate countered dryly, taking a sedate sip of her floral beverage, "Especially this late in the day." It was pushing half-past four, was he trying to give her more sleepless nights than what she already had to deal with? Not like the poor sod had any way of knowing.
He gaped a little at her response, and Fate realised the man hadn''t even considered that teas could come with caffeine. She heaved an internal sigh, "Darjeeling is a black tea, which typically comes with a higher caffeine content than jasmine or green tea," her clinically precise tones stated dispassionately, "Depending on how much is used and how long one steeps it, it is possible for it to contain as much caffeine as a strong cup of coffee. If you''ve had issues resting at night, it may be due to the consumption of that or other teas later in the day."
Fate wasn''t one to get wordy with strangers, but in the face of this ambivalent environment, the blonde had decided that being an encyclopaedia would dissuade further attempts at socialising.
"...I see. Well, hope you enjoy it." Having nothing to counter the chilly blonde''s recitation of Tea Facts, the Indian executive beat a hasty retreat back to the side of the pantry he had emerged from. Fate bit back a laugh when the man began pulling boxes of Darjeeling out of the pantry cupboard to study nutrition facts printed on the side.
Taking the seat the man had just vacated, Vita stirred at her dessert pretending to be a drink. She had witnessed the amusing exchange and couldn''t wait to share it with her cousins. The redhead maintained her usual scowl, however, which helped keep any others at bay.
Eyeing the glacial blonde, Vita could see she was scrolling through news blurbs without really reading them, stopping only when news about a newly inked deal in Indonesia popped up. Expanding the article, Fate drank in the page with unusual fervour, something that didn''t escape Vita''s notice.
When the blonde clicked on the article''s accompanying image and expanded it to better see the graceful form of their boss, the redhead cleared her throat, loudly.
"Guess she''ll be back tonight," the redhead ventured without a change in her expression. Head snapping up, Fate stared at Vita, knowing exactly whom the petite woman was speaking of.
Delight and worry warred for dominance in Fate''s expression, with worry finally winning, "Should she?" The blonde asked with a frown, "It would take her hours to get to the airport with how traffic is like there."
Vita shrugged, "She hates flying." Seeing how this did nothing to clear Fate''s worried look, she added, "Means she''ll want it over with sooner than later."
As if conjured up by their conversation, Vita''s phone buzzed. Answering, Fate could hear the resonant timbre of Nanoha''s voice on the other end of the line, "Vita, need your help to book me anything out of here ASAP, I don''t care if it''s fucking Lion Air." She sounded tired to Fate''s ears. It was the third time in as many weeks that the executive had to make a trip out of the country.
The blonde found herself holding her breath, not wishing to interrupt Vita''s call with their boss.
"Nanoha, I''m not booking you a seat in a flying metal coffin. I''ll get you Garuda, minimum."
Vita gestured to Fate, silently requesting to borrow the blonde''s phone, which Fate immediately gave up.
The secretary pulled up the site she normally used for such occasions, scrolling through available flights for Nanoha. A French manicured nail tapped at a specific flight that offered business class on top of a passable reputation for service, Fate spying what looked like the best option, and Vita nodded.
"I have you for SIA, 10:40PM, lands 11:25PM."
"Fine," the sound of clothes rustling and zips being tugged came through the call, Nanoha obviously packing. Vita wondered why the executive hadn''t cut the call yet, thinking that maybe she was preoccupied and forgot.
"How''s Feito doing?" Reddening to be the subject of their conversation, Fate hurriedly rose and escaped back to her office with her drink. Vita smirked and took her time answering, giving the poor woman time to run.
"Good, she settled that Salonpas account. And someone tried to hit on her with tea."
"Salonpas? That''s good. Maybe we can hand her Brompton, those fuddy-duddies keep making noises about wanting to join the modern world¡" Then the call fell silent, the redhead pondering if the line had been cut. Reception wasn''t the greatest over in Indonesia.
"SOMEONE TRIED TO USE TEANA TO HIT ON FEITO-CHAN?! WHERE WAS SUBARU?"
Wincing, Vita pulled her phone back a little, glad she had already left the pantry before Nanoha''s outburst.
"No no no!" Cutting Nanoha off before she blew a gasket, Vita explained, "That beard in Marketing tried selling her darling gee or whatever tea."
Heavy breathing was the only sound coming through the call for a full ten seconds, Vita counted. She bet the Japanese executive was counting, too.
"Darjeeling, you mean? That idiot couldn''t sell Evian to people lost in the desert." Nanoha finally scoffed.
"Fate counter-sold him jasmine tea. I wanted to laugh in his face." Vita took a sip of her chocolate to avoid being seen giggling in the hallways.
The sounds of packing resumed over the line, Nanoha''s voice gaining an echo to indicate she had switched over to speaker phone. "Wish I''d been there," there was a wistful quality to her boss'' voice.
Electing to tease the woman, Vita slyly added, "It was probably her tuxedo suit, the guy couldn''t resist."
Over in Jakarta, Nanoha stared at her phone, wondering if yet another of her staff had taken leave of their senses or was it just the migraine causing her to hallucinate things. "Uh, sure. Thanks for the booking, I''ll see you tomorrow." Striding over to where her phone lay on the hotel bed, Nanoha killed the call.
Muttering about bosses denser than osmium, Vita confirmed that Fate had her office door ajar and settled back at her desk. She called the executive back, deliberately setting the call to speaker phone because oh look, her hands were needed to drink her hot chocolate.
"What?"
"I was going to ask if you needed me to book a car once you land." Vita explained as if she were speaking to a child, enunciating clearly.
"Eh, I can book a ride share¡"
"I can pick her up," came a melodic voice from the depths of Fate''s office, and Vita congratulated herself on her cunning plan.
"Feito-chan? I appreciate the sentiment but ride shares should be easy to get near midnight." Alto warming, Nanoha tried to get the blonde to see reason.
"Nanoha, it will be late and you''ll be tired." Fate emerged from her office to move closer to the phone, "It''s safer if I do this."
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Attempting a different tack, Nanoha soldiered on, "You''re on the other side of the island from me¡"
"I sleep late." Fate countered firmly. "Have a safe flight, Nanoha," And with her manicured finger, she cut the call to prevent the executive from trying to interfere with her job to ensure her boss arrived home safely, nevermind that the island nation was ridiculously safe with an incredibly low crime rate.
Nanoha stared at her phone for the second time tonight. She hated the thought of her friend going out of her way to give her a ride home but couldn''t help feeling a thrill that she cared enough to do it. It made the insistent pounding in her head recede a little.
She carefully smoothed a piece of fine batik, folded neatly and tucked into one corner of her luggage. Interweaving patterns of maroon and gold so reminiscent of the blonde''s colouring traced its way across the traditional fabric. Just a small gift, between friends. ''That''s it, Takamachi, keep lying to yourself.''
Had it only been three days? This was getting ridiculous, but Nanoha was helpless to fight it. She could count on one hand how many hours of sleep she''d gotten since landing in the Indonesian capital but the thought of seeing Fate energised her like nothing else.
Taking a quick shower to help preserve that energy spike, Nanoha threw on a white jumper, tucking it loosely into capri pants of a shade matching her azure eyes. Over the jumper, she added a blue blazer and bid farewell to her temporary jail with relief.
Fate shifted from one foot to the other, loitering around Belt 16 where Nanoha''s flight was scheduled to unload at. She''d left the office late, hoping to clear as much of their shared work as her current levels allowed, anything to give Nanoha an easier Friday. Her red pumps went great with her outfit but weren''t the most comfortable to continue wearing late into the night, and she briefly wished she had packed some sneakers into her trunk.
True to Changi Airport''s reputation for punctuality, she soon spied the familiar form of her boss emerging from immigration, a garment bag slung over one arm. There seemed to be a weary cant to Nanoha''s graceful gait, though it straightened when the Japanese woman caught sight of her. Moving to better position herself outside of customs and declarations, the blonde waited impatiently.
The flight had been torture, heaping added pressure changes and unwelcome noise onto the migraine in full swing. The sight of the tall blonde in the distance gave Nanoha strength, and she gathered her remaining shreds of energy to give her a short wave. The returning wave was unaccountably comforting to see and her luggage couldn''t have arrived any sooner.
Relinquishing her luggage trolley to Fate who had pushed her aside to take over with a gentle nudge of her hips, she drank in the sight of her AVP as they made their way to where Fate had parked. Vita was right about Fate''s suit, it hugged the woman in all the right places, and then some. "You''re a sight for sore eyes," she croaked tiredly, dehydrated from the flight. "Thanks for swinging by."
Fate hadn''t liked the paleness under Nanoha''s tan when the woman had exited from Arrivals, suspecting she was suffering from yet another headache of epic proportions. Was this why she hated flying? Extremely glad she had overridden the executive''s protests, she smiled down at the rumpled beauty, finding the blazer and capri combo to be too cute for words.
"Let''s get you home," was Fate''s quietly warm response. Home, with Fate. That sounded so damned good. Nanoha nodded.
No sooner had Fate gotten past the parking lot gantry was Nanoha out like a light. Fate lowered the volume of her car system and called up her GPS to punch in the quickest route back to Nanoha''s. Usually, the blonde enjoyed finding her own way but it was imperative to get the executive in her bed as quickly as possible right now.
"-oha-chan? Nanoha-chan?" Stirring out of her nap, Nanoha blinked cloudy eyes at the blonde. Fate looked absolutely regretful at having woken her up.
"Sorry, Nanoha-chan, they need ID to let me drive in any further." Grunting, Nanoha stuck her sleep-mussed head over to Fate''s side of the car, showing her face to the guard.
Fate had pulled back as much as she could, but that wasn''t very far at all. The warmth of Nanoha''s form was too tempting and the arm closest to the executive slipped around the woman, offering her support at the awkward angle she had to lean in.
"Ah, Miss Takamachi, good evening." The barrier blocking them was raised, allowing Fate to continue down the small road to where the executive''s apartment was located. The soft clang of yacht moorings punctuated their otherwise silent drive down the final stretch of the island''s residential development.
Nanoha had appreciated the support Fate proffered, her whole body was stiff from too much time in odd positions. Groaning, she settled back into her side of the car, throwing Fate a half-cocked smile. "Sorry for the trouble," she burred sleepily.
"What are friends for?" Fate declared emphatically. In truth, she was distressed to see the Japanese woman in this state, though she hid it well enough. Was she always like this after a business trip? Parking next to the executive''s Audi, she watched the stubborn woman gather herself together to let them both in. Feigning more energy than she had, Nanoha strode in, her only concession being to let Fate bring the luggage in for her.
Unwilling to send her guest off with a hi and bye, Nanoha bustled around the kitchen, obviously meaning to prepare tea and snacks. She hadn''t even changed yet.
Returning from the walk-in wardrobe she had been directed to leave Nanoha''s luggage in, Fate sighed at her boss'' stubbornness and hurried over, placing a staying hand over Nanoha''s just as she was reaching for the tea bags, "I don''t need tea. I need you to rest." Pleading crimson met clouded azure and it was a measure of Nanoha''s weariness that she didn''t put up a fight.
Leading the woman to her bed, Fate divested her of her blazer and socks. Lifting her legs up so she could fully lie down, the blonde fought back a blush and helped the auburn-haired beauty out of her short pants, revealing a bright orange thong that left little to the imagination. She squeaked and tugged Nanoha''s loose jumper down. The woman was too far gone to notice anything, and simply rolled over to lay on her belly. Her face was buried in her pillow and even in rest, a frown of pain had her brow scrunched.
If Fate left now, she''d be leaving her heart behind and get no sleep whatsoever. It was a frighteningly easy decision to make. Using the day-pack Nanoha had loaned her the last time she was at the apartment, Fate washed off her make-up and freshened up. Checking on her friend one last time, she left a glass of water on the bed stand and settled onto the sofa, her suit jacket draped over the back of a dining table chair. Untucking her starched top, she popped open a few of her shirt buttons and rolled up her sleeves, trying to get comfortable. It was a challenge to find where to place her long arms. Eventually, she settled on just crossing them and closed her eyes.
It was a blessing and a curse that Nanoha''s body-clock woke her at the usual five of the AM. Azure eyes made pale in the light of false dawn studied the familiar surface she was lying on. Right, Fate had fetched her home last night. It had felt¡ wonderful. As if she was coming home to someone. Exhaling a slow breath, Nanoha shuttered the feeling away. ''Don''t get used to it, Takamachi. She was just doing her job.''
''Oh, like how Muthusamy fetches his boss back home after her work trips?'' Her sarcastic mind asked.
Her body shook in a silent laugh. Ah, gods, everything hurt. Forcing herself up, Nanoha rubbed tiredly at a knot in her neck, the unnatural position she had fallen asleep in coming back to bite her arse in spades now. Spying a glass of water by her bed, she snatched it up, thirstily downing it in a few gulps. That angel was so thoughtful.
Padding silently into the living area, she froze at the sight that greeted her sleep-muddled eyes.
Molten gold clung to one end of her sofa in waves of silken sheets, stray wisps framing a face that could launch a thousand ships. Fate was deep asleep, her chest moving in slow, even breaths. A button had come undone while she''d slumbered, revealing the soft swells of full, sweetly rounded breasts, barely held in check by a pink lace bra. An arm had been thrown carelessly above her head, the blonde taking up the entire length with the ease of a stretched out lioness at rest.
Her head had fallen to one side, exposing an irresistible length of neck that sloped gently, accentuating the sharp elegance of her clavicle. The tips of Nanoha''s fingers itched to trace those elegant lines laid before her, hands to feel the weight of those ripe mounds, lips to taste that long neck¡
Clenching her hands into fists, Nanoha instead looked for and found a light throw to tuck around the blonde''s shoulders, hiding all of that temptation from view. She needed to get out, get away from that beautiful princess that called to her.
Sneaking around her own apartment to avoid waking the blonde, the executive silenced her smart home''s audio alerts, grabbing her earpieces and phone as she prepared for her morning run. With one last look over her shoulder at the sleeping beauty, she snuck out, taking extra care to close her door without sound.
Nanoha took in the placid waters stretched out before her while she tapped out a quick message to her morning visitor, enjoying the quiet of morning whilst she began her stretches. Various species of palms swayed to the rhythm of salt-infused winds, whipping her ponytail around in playful greeting.
Sighing to find over thirty messages waiting for her attention, the executive instructed playback to begin. There would be no music this morning, only the demands of work and the steady thud of her sneakered feet.
"Nice work in Jakarta, Nano-chan. I knew they wouldn''t be able to resist if I sent my prettiest exec to sell it to them. My flight''s booked for next Saturday. Dinner?"
Nanoha snorted at Hayate''s smug voice, "If Marketing would do their fucking job I wouldn''t have to be the one selling our crap, Haya-chan, you know that."
''Shall I send, my Master?'' enquired Nanoha''s app. Realising her reply had been recorded, she shrugged, "Send."
''Yes, my Master. Reply sent.''
Predictably, a call from the CEO came in once the other woman received Nanoha''s voice message and the executive smirked.
"Nano-chan! Where are you? I can''t see anything!"
"I''m on my run, Haya-chan. Hope you like the scenery." It was nothing but a blur of shady palms and still waters, and Nanoha could sense the disappointment in the brunette.
"Boooring. I want my Hottie-chan in her sports bra!"
"That''ll cost you extra, and we know you can''t afford it." Her shoes crunched as she took a right turn and ran past her front of her apartment a second time. She was heartened to see the lights still off inside, wanting the blonde to rest for as long as possible before morning truly arrived.
Their banter was easy from years of friendship. Nanoha knew Hayate was never serious about her flirtations and only took aesthetic pleasure in whatever she saw. It was a pity that included playing dress-up with long-suffering friends and relatives whenever she could get her hands on them.
"Speaking of outfits, we''re throwing a Halloween bash this year and I want everyone assistant manager and up attending. We gotta show the underlings that we''re still in touch and know how to have fun. So don''t forget to get a costume! Or, I could get one for you!"
"Haya-chan, I will set fire to anything you get me." Nanoha drawled, immediately cutting her CEO''s fantasies off at the knees.
"Mou! Nano-chan is no fun! You can''t show up in your usual clothes and say you''re cosplaying as a head of department again, okay? I want something SPECU-WONDER-MOUS!"
The Japanese woman sighed, "I''ll try. No promises."
"How''s your new headcount?" Hayate enquired, switching gears at the flip of a coin.
Feeling her blood pumping for reasons other than her brisk run, Nanoha consciously kept her voice cool, glad that Hayate couldn''t see the silly smile on her face, "Adjusting. Half is old hat, the other, I can teach. She''s quick on her feet and gets along with Vita."
"Hot, too." Hayate quipped.
"You wouldn''t believe¡" Nanoha almost tripped over her own feet when she registered what she''d just responded to, and how. "Gods dammit, Hayate," she growled, hating herself for being caught off-guard. She knew how sneaky the little tanuki could be!
''She''s dropped the ''-chan'', Hayate thought, a clear indication that her executive was riled. The brunette grinned to herself, schooling her voice to pure innocence.
"I have working eyes, Nano-chan. It wasn''t that long ago she and her sis were the most eligible bachelorettes in all of Europe. I mean, it''s a total coup that we nabbed her for TSAB. The amount of inroads we could make if she used her connections¡"
"We, will, not," the executive''s alto was a foreboding growl.
Unseen, Hayate blinked. This was a first. Nanoha was the most practical person she knew. To leave such a useful tool untouched was unprecedented. "I thought you picked her for¡"
"You thought wrong, and this discussion is closed. Her qualifications were a fit, that is all." Nanoha''s agitation at the very notion of using her AVP for TSAB''s gain in such a way carried through the line loud and clear. Her feet had picked up the pace, a sure sign her mind was far more focused on preventing any unethical use of the blonde than on her run.
"You know I won''t be the only one thinking this, right, Nano-chan?"
The harsh realities of the world they resided in were things the executive knew well. Despite that, or perhaps, because of it, she felt an obligation to take the blonde at face value, asking no more than whatever her personal abilities would provide.
"They can take the idea and shove it where the sun doesn''t shine," the executive stated with some heat. "Whore me around all you want, Hayate, but so help me if TSAB tries that with Feito-chan¡"
"Whoa, whoa, I hear you, Nano-chan." This bite felt like way more than she could chew, and Hayate took a moment to placate her volatile executive. "We won''t go there if her boss says we aren''t going there, and you know I''m on your side."
The auburn-haired woman felt her hackles settling a little with the CEO''s assertions, and she had the grace to blush a little, realising the tone she had taken with her old friend. "Operations will deliver, Haya-chan." It was the best apology she could muster, not at all regretting her defense of the blonde.
"You always do, Nano-chan. We''ll catch up next Saturday. I want your department in costume, yea?"
Feeling drained from the call, Nanoha sighed and finished up her last few circuits, expression clouded. Did it look that way from the outside? Her arbitrarily picking a less experienced candidate over many more qualified ones? It didn''t sit well with her that Fate might think she had ulterior motives for wanting her in TSAB. The woman had performed above and beyond expectations in the weeks she''d been in the organisation.
Deciding that she should address that and soon, Nanoha finished her run three minutes before her usual stop time. Not too shabby after missing that many mornings in a row.
She pulled up short, in time to witness Erio spinning Fate around in his arms, smooching her on the cheek as he did so. The blonde''s bell-like laughter dispelled the morning''s quiet.
Chapter 10: Waist Not, Want Not
Fate stirred slightly, feeling her shoulders draped in a soft warmth. It wasn''t enough to wake her, however, and so she continued to doze in the space between sleep and wakefulness. Blinking open her eyes a while later, she noted the time on the world clock above Nanoha''s television set. 5:42AM. Yawning, she lolled on the sofa in a full stretch, spine popping after a night on an unfamiliar bed.
Raking back her mussed bangs, she glanced over to the bed and realised she was alone in the apartment. Plucking at the throw she found over her person, she found a small smile playing on her lips and she wondered where the source of her smile had gone off to. Nanoha''s key fob was still in its little receptacle by the back door, meaning the woman''s car was still parked out back.
Surmising the woman had gone to run errands or some such, Fate padded to the bathroom, noting her exceedingly rumpled look. A small part of her mind wished she looked this rumpled because of reasons other than a night on the sofa. Alone.
"Augh," She buttoned her shirt up to the neck and scrubbed thoroughly at her face, trying to wash away lustful thoughts of the gorgeous executive from her sleep-muddled mind. A quick wash up and she decided it wouldn''t hurt to sit out on the front porch with her phone to catch up on any emails. Long fingers absently twisted her hair into a side braid in an attempt to tame her mane, tying the end off with her borrowed scrunchie. She needed to head home to shower and change before work, but was hoping to at least bid the executive a good morning first.
"Miss Fate?" An incredulous voice broke into her consciousness and she glanced up from her phone''s screen.
"Erio? Oh my gods, Erio!" Laughing, she leapt up from her chair, arms wide. The young man threw himself into her embrace, laughing as well. He visited the traditional Midchildan kisses of greeting to her cheeks, first the right, then left, then right again. Still laughing, he spun her around, showing off how much he had grown since last she saw him.
Patting his shoulders, Fate indicated to him she wished to be put down. Realising they had an audience, she looked around, expression bright. "N-Nanoha-chan!"
She hated her stammer, but couldn''t help it. The auburn-haired beauty stood by the front gate to the apartment, dressed in nothing but a pair of black spandex shorts and a sports bra. Perspiration coated her lean curves in a golden sheen and her chest heaved as she panted after her run. Fate felt faint as all the blood in her system rushed to other parts of her body, leaving her brain to flounder, stupefied. Nanoha''s high ponytail exposed the back of her neck and the blonde wanted to lick the droplets of sweat gathered there. She glanced to the side, hoping her intent wouldn''t be obvious in her eyes.
Nanoha watched in silence as the blonde stepped away from the redheaded youth, uncertain of what to say. Erio broke the silent tableau with an easy grin, "Sorry, Miss Takamachi. Miss Fate is an old friend. I didn''t know you knew each other!"
Friends? That kissed? Could she be a friend who kissed, too? Nudged out of her shock by the redhead''s greetings, Nanoha collected his delivery out of habit. "Ah, yes, she joined my organisation some weeks ago." She glanced over to Fate, eyes lingering over the appealingly mussed look the blonde sported.
Fate watched from the corner of her eye while Erio handed her boss what appeared to be a drink, two paper bags and a small towel. "Two servings as you requested, Miss Takamachi, please enjoy."
The executive offered the redhead a weak smile, still not over the knee-jerk stab of jealousy when she had seen Fate in his arms. Even the knowledge of his fianc¨¦e wasn''t enough to keep her White Devil instincts under control, and so she paced and did her best to cool off both body and head, not trusting herself to speak any further.
"I''ve known Erio since he was a boy." Fate found the executive''s silence odd. Perhaps she wasn''t close to the youth? "His parents worked for mine. When did you get so tall, Erio? Is Caro with you?"
"It''s been four years, Miss Fate, I had to grow some time. And she is, we work over at Khalifa, you should come down sometime." Hand raised in farewell, Erio hopped back into his golf-cart. "Welcome back, Miss Takamachi." Pausing, he added, "Miss Fate, Miss Takamachi is the person I was telling you about." And with a grin, he was gone to serve the rest of his morning customers, leaving the two women staring at the other.
"You¡ correspond often with him?" Trying her best to sound casual, Nanoha settled onto a chair opposite the one Fate had occupied prior to greeting the youth. Unwrapping first one, then the other paper bag, she placed a simple repast of grilled cheese and ham sandwiches before Fate, inviting the blonde to join her for breakfast.
Accepting the unspoken invitation, Fate sat back down, offering a faint smile to the all too delectable-looking executive. "I sponsored his and Caro''s education here." She eyed the hearty sandwich, "My waistline is going to suffer the more I hang out with you," she observed, though she bit into the serving with pleasure.
Nanoha was in the process of popping open the thermos, pouring a cap''s worth of rich coffee out for Fate at the blonde''s nod. "Your waist leaves nothing to be desired," the executive declared, before snapping her mouth shut with a wince. "I-I mean, you look g-good in anything you wear."
Cursing herself for letting on that she even looked at the blonde there, Nanoha took a healthy gulp of coffee straight out of the thermos.
''She''s looked at me? Oh my gods, she''s looked at me!'' Shyly letting her eyes trail down the executive''s lean torso, she admired the taut dips and contours of the woman''s abdomen. "I think yours is much more pleasing to look at," and touch, her wicked mind silently added.
''Koff, koff!'' Choking a little at Fate''s words, Nanoha pounded a fist into her sternum, completely missing the dilation of crimson orbs when the action caused her sweat-soaked breasts to jounce on her chest. Mumbling thanks for the breakfast, Fate abruptly stood, knocking back the last of her coffee and escaping with the remnants of her sandwich.
Seated safely in her car, the blonde thumped her forehead on her steering wheel, hoping the throb in her head would override the one seated so deliciously between her legs. The woman was tired from her trip and her workout, and Fate''s libido was bouncing around like a coked up bunny, urging the blonde to jump that sexy body and tear off the thin garments to reveal what secrets laid hidden beneath. The executive''s constant absences had done nothing to reduce the growing attraction that Fate was feeling towards the woman.
"Augh," she repeated, "Cold shower," she ordered herself, revving up her engine and zipping out and away from the executive''s apartment as quickly as she could without breaking the law.
Nanoha barely had time to blink the tears from her eyes before her AVP was up and gone. She supposed the woman had a long drive back to her own place before work and felt a twinge of guilt at having inconvenienced the blonde.
''Pleasing to look at¡'' Bemused, she glanced down at herself. She had kept an active lifestyle since¡. then, and it helped with the stress at work, the discipline to stay fit having been drilled into her from the time she could throw her first punch. Never had she imagined that she''d look more than passable to others. Deciding she wasn''t jealous of Erio any longer, she cleared the patio table, then paused, "Wait, he told her about me?"
"Friday is Hump Day," groused a blue-haired woman who was hunched over, chin on her desk while she stared at code being compiled.
"Subaru no baka. Is it because your brain is too tiny to remember Wednesday exists?" Her russet-haired companion asked archly, eyes fixed to her own screen while her fingers flew over the keyboard.
"Tea is so mean to me!" Cried Subaru, who flung herself around the other woman, "I only groped you a little this morning!"
"Quit it!" Teana snapped, using her foot to kick Subaru''s chair away from her, sending the blue-haired woman careening to the other end of the office they shared. "I''ll string you up by your toenails if you mess up my code before the weekend!"
"Waaah, so mean to meeee!" Ignoring her girlfriend''s antics, Teana grumbled and hit the backspace key, correcting a mistype from when she had to deal with Subaru. "If you''re so free, bring these reports to our other boss; she was asking for Brompton''s profile." Anything to get the childish woman out of her hair for a bit.
"Sure!" Enthusiastic to a fault, the short-haired woman bounced to her feet and snatched the file out of Teana''s hand. "Bai Tea-chan! I promise to eat you out if you have to rewrite code, okay?" And off she went, leaving behind a furiously blushing tsundere with plans for murder in her eyes.
Bouncing out of the elevator, Subaru made a bee-line for Operations'' corporate offices. The path took her past the vast pantry area, then the washrooms located next to it. She could hear raised voices as she passed, and stopped to turn back around. Hugging the wall around the corner, she sidled closer.
"All we''re asking is a little sharing and caring," a female voice said, "Just small things that might prove useful. You''re new, aren''t you? Don''t you want to make some friends? This is a big company. You could do better than working under that¡ unnatural dyke."
A resounding crash was heard, and Subaru quickly spun around the corner to see one of the doors of the ladies'' cubicles bent askew. The door hung by one hinge and the other appeared busted beyond repair.
Fate had one hand on the door handle, appearing as if she had just exited from the cubicle. Cowering to the side was some office lady Subaru vaguely remembered to be part of Administration. The blonde appeared chiselled from ice and the mute glitter of ruby chips stared down the woman menacingly. "Hello, Subaru," Fate greeted her subordinate with a deathly quiet, infinitely civil voice.
"Please contact Maintenance, it seems the hinges are loose on this cubicle."
"Uh, sure, Miss Fate." The blue-haired woman made a quick call, eyes never leaving the scene whilst doing so.
Black stiletto heels clicking across the washroom''s tiles, Subaru and the Administration staff watched as the blonde washed and dried her hands with surgical care. Without another word, Fate exited the washroom, leaving the Administration staff behind.
Hastily following after the blonde executive, Subaru cast wary side glances at her AVP. The woman seemed to exude an icy fire and her forward momentum boded ill for anyone getting in her way from Point A to Point B. Her casual Friday faux leather pants snapped with each rigid step, and her sleeveless black v-neck knit top revealed a neck flushed with anger.
Fate was beyond outraged at the insult directed towards her boss. The thought that anyone could think she would sell Nanoha out for a few favours was patently absurd and she had been ready to politely smile and laugh off the woman''s ridiculous suggestions when that vile insult had spilled out of that woman. She felt her upper lip wanting to curl in disgust and willed herself to count backwards from twenty very, very slowly.
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
"Are people very homophobic in TSAB?" Fate asked her staff, voice strained. Aware of Sabaru''s relationship with Teana, Fate worried if similar slurs had been directed to Nanoha''s people lower down on the food chain.
"Kinda. It''s Asia, y''know?" Subaru scratched the back of her head, messing up her short-cropped hair in the process. "Liberal policies don''t mean much to people brought up in conservative homes." She shifted her grip on her file, "People think it''s okay to say the quiet part out loud again. Like maybe they overcompensated with being politically correct and wanna balance it out now. Nanoha doesn''t stand for any shit she hears we get, but at her level, she''s just expected to take it."
This was a far more coherent response than Fate had expected to receive from the happy-go-lucky woman, and the thoughtful nod she gave Subaru was one tinged with respect.
''Just like home.'' The echo of what she had said to Signum came back to the forefront of her memory. Sighing, she held out a hand, asking for the file Subaru was carrying. "Thank you, Subaru." She knew the young woman was sisters with Ginga, but she was the last to paint anyone with the same brush. Everyone had the right to live or die by their own actions. A pause, "Nanoha doesn''t need to hear about what was said back there." The blonde''s ponytail swished as she disappeared back into the confines of the Operations'' heartbeat.
"She don''t need to, but she should¡" Subaru muttered, watching Fate disappear with a slight smile. She wondered if Tea would kiss her if she shared fresh gossip with her. Nanoha''s AVP seemed to be really protective of their boss. Humming a cheery tune, she made her way back into the bowels of her domain.
"I see," Signum''s calm voice over the line helped soothe some of Fate''s agitation. "I assume that you aren''t filing anything officially, hence this call?"
"I don''t want trouble for Nanoha-ch¡ Nanoha." The blonde self-corrected, "But I felt it important that you knew," Fate fiddled with the corner of the file Subaru had passed her.
Fate watched as the HR executive sighed over the video call, "We''ve been keeping an eye on things, but it looks like I''ll have to implement a new round of seminars on inclusivity." She made a few notes in her schedule to that effect.
Glancing up from her writing, she eyed the blonde who seemed a lot calmer now, "Any idea what happened to the toilet door?" She asked bluntly, and forced back a laugh at the tomato passing as Fate coughing into her fist.
"I, er, I''m not sure. I was leaving the cubicle and it came loose¡" There was a wiry strength in the shoulders Fate''s sleeveless top revealed, and Signum felt a growing suspicion that the slim blonde hid some surprises up her figurative sleeves.
"Do you play volleyball?" She asked abruptly.
The blonde blinked at the pink-haired executive from behind her wire-rimmed glasses, "A little, back in school."
A decisive nod, "You''re joining our team this upcoming company retreat," Signum proclaimed, "And I''ll forget how ''fragile'' that cubicle door was."
Caught, Fate''s mouth could only open and close helplessly.
"Takamachi is on the team, too," Signum added. Not slyly, never slyly. She was merely sharing factual information to allow her colleague the wherewithal to make informed decisions.
Mouth snapping closed, Fate could only nod, "O-Okay, then." Leaning back with an air of satisfaction, Signum nodded, "Very good then, Testarossa," and cut the call.
Scrambling to open her Inbox, Fate scoured the message list for anything about this retreat.
Pictures of pristine beaches and a luxurious resort greeted her eyes. Two nights, three days, in Krabi, Bangkok. She had missed this in her rush to acclimatise herself to her new role. Visions of Nanoha in that white halter top bikini danced in Fate''s mind and she swallowed. "I need to go shopping," she mumbled hoarsely.
A light rap on her door jamb caused Nanoha to look up from reams of numbers that were threatening to make her eyes cross. She had caved in to the need to put on her reading glasses, the woman still suffering from the aftereffects of a trying work trip, and the sight of Fate brought an immediate brightening of her previously stern expression.
Fate was taken aback by how well the executive wore her wide rectangle glasses, the tortoiseshell design giving the woman a Hot Librarian look that served to distract the blonde from the reason why she had knocked in the first place.
"Feito-chan?" Head tilting so her auburn forelock fell over one eye, Nanoha queried her seemingly tongue-tied AVP as to the reason why she was there.
"Brompton," the blonde clipped succinctly, handing the manila coloured folder to the executive. Fate congratulated herself for recovering so admirably in the face of such beauty.
She watched as the executive flipped open the file, studying the notations and comments Fate had added to the report. Nanoha''s sandaled feet in rust and copper pushed the executive idly in her chair, rolling her back and forth in a markedly girlish manner as she pored through the report.
"Have a seat, Feito-chan, close the door," Settling into one of the chairs arranged on the other side of the executive''s desk, Fate waited patiently, seizing the moment to admire her favourite subject to study. Nanoha wore a loose white cotton scoop-neck today, the relaxed fit suited for casual Friday. It was tucked into belted skinny jeans, the material riding up to reveal shapely calves. The dark blue blazer she had come in with was draped over the back of her chair in deference to the tropical weather that fought tooth and nail with the office''s central cooling system. With floor to ceiling windows, it was no wonder that Nanoha seldom remained in any of the coats or jackets she arrived to work in.
Her thick auburn tresses were nominally tamed into side rope braids, their reddish highlights gleaming in the light of the setting sun which lent the woman an added warmth to her cheeks.
"You think they''ll go for this?" Nanoha walked over to Fate''s side of her desk to place the file in the woman''s lap. Fate glanced to where the executive had tapped. Leaning back against the edge of her desk, Nanoha crossed her arms in a listening pose.
"It''s a small gamble but the market has been picking up since lockdowns with the everyday man eager to maintain the healthier lifestyle enforced isolation engendered." Fate''s aristocratic accent lilted pleasingly as she outlined her reasoning to her boss, "There''s a much younger crowd eager for the old school practicality of their products. They''ll appreciate an update to the kinds of engagement the company used to provide in the 70s. Their databases were handwritten index cards not all that long ago."
Nodding, Nanoha closed her eyes and took off her glasses, pinching the bridge of her nose, "Suggest it to Mr Darjeeling," she said offhandedly as she put the glasses back on.
Clapping a hand over her mouth, Fate stared up at the executive, a fit of giggles threatening to break loose at any moment.
Azure orbs observed Fate from over the top of tortoiseshell glasses with no little amusement, "What, you think I didn''t know?"
Still covering her mouth, Fate shook her head. Taking deep breaths to force her giggles down, Fate finally gave a small laugh, "It wasn''t anything worth your time," she pointed out.
Nanoha''s resonant alto dropped a register, "Anything to do with you, is worth my time, Feito-chan." The executive''s amusement fading to seriousness, Fate found herself captured by Nanoha''s powerful presence, made all the more so by the close proximity of the woman looming over her at that very moment. This was precisely the reason why Fate had been trying to avoid being alone in the office with Nanoha.
The woman had landed a mere eighteen hours ago, was operating on what was probably very short sleep, and she bothered to hear about some suit trying to talk to her about Indian tea. Did nothing escape her notice? She winced internally, hoping the washroom incident would slip past the executive''s sharp scrutiny.
Heart thundering, Fate eyed the executive, "I''m a big girl, Nanoha-chan." There was a mild thread of reproof in her gently lilting voice. It always felt like she was playing with fire when it came to the executive. Fire that would either warm her on the coldest nights or set her world aflame at the slightest change in wind.
"You are," the auburn-haired woman agreed, "But the protection goes both ways, Feito-chan." Then she smiled, easing back from the serious tone of their exchange, "Get used to it."
"I have been, ever since you hauled a stray into Doctor Shamal''s office."
"Feito-chan is anything but a stray." Nanoha countered. Her hand raised of its own volition to cup the blonde''s face. Her touch was warm, that warmth rivalled only by the intense blush now turning the blonde''s cheek rose pink, "Feito-chan is a friend. Thank you, for last night. I hope I didn''t inconvenience you too much."
That stolen glimpse of Nanoha in a thong flashed through Fate''s mind and she tore her gaze from the Japanese woman''s mesmerising eyes, incidentally pulling away from the woman''s addictive touch. "It w-was nothing. A ride share wouldn''t have found your place as quickly."
Nanoha''s callouses rasped softly as she rubbed her fingers, committing the feel of the blonde''s face to memory, a move the stammering blonde missed completely. Brow furrowed in a not-quite frown, the executive pondered her next words.
"Let''s celebrate your first month in the madhouse, my treat." Nanoha mentally patted herself on the back for having a good excuse to ask the blonde out.
Fate found that she was fine with any excuse whatsoever, and nodded, cheeks still red, "I can log off by six¡" Floating out of Nanoha''s office on the power of the blinding smile sent her way, she murmured a distracted goodbye to Vita who was packing up to go, bumping absently into her door frame as she entered her own office. Suspicious of what may have happened, Vita stuck her head into Nanoha''s office, blue eyes squinting at the Japanese executive.
Nanoha looked at Vita over the rim of her glasses, expression set in their usual stern cast. One finely arched brow lifted in query. "See you next week, Nanoha." The grunted reply didn''t seem out of place, and Vita retreated, but not before seeing the executive rubbing the fingers of her dominant hand together. Hmm.
"Oh my gods, Vita-chan, none of your attacks are connecting!" Hayate blew out a breath of frustration, glaring at the cousin she was in a video call with out of the corner of her eye.
"Shut up, Haya-chan," Vita growled, "If your rogue would steal me a better hammer, I wouldn''t be whiffing all my hits!"
"I told you a fighter with a scimitar was better, you had to go make Ms BamBam over here who can''t hit the broadside of a barn if it bared its butt at her!"
"I thought the game was for bonding over, not starting lifelong feuds," Shamal quipped, looking up from the show she and Signum were watching on the couch. Snuggled up in her wife''s arms, the blonde doctor peered at her wife''s cousin who seemed ready to chew iron and spit nails.
Signum shook her head, "You should have heard them fighting when they were only making their characters." Blinking at the show Shamal had picked, just some throwaway mockumentary to fill the time while they focused on reconnecting after another week of work, Signum nuzzled her wife''s ear, "I thought Cleopatra was Macedonian Greek¡"
Not really paying mind to what was on the telly, Shamal mmhmm''ed, eyes closed while she enjoyed the pink-haired woman''s attentions.
"Oh, someone tried to smooth talk Fate yesterday. That marketing AVP." Preoccupied with one another, the petite redhead''s words weren''t registered by the couple for long moments. It took Hayate''s exclamation to jolt the pair back to the present.
"What?! ¡I guess he had eyes," Hayate mused while sneaking around a tavern looking for hammers that did not suck. "Was Nano-chan there?"
"Jakarta. She heard though. Almost melted my phone. Haya-chan, save!"
Hayate giggled, doing as Vita instructed, "She went White Devil on me this morning over Fate," the brunette shared.
"What did you do?" Signum asked, interest piqued. Her wife was no less curious, though the hands slipping under her tank top indicated her wife would allow this distraction for only so long before she took¡ things, into her own hands.
"Suggested we could use her family connections for the company."
Silence, while everyone winced.
"Haya-chan likes to play with fire." Vita observed, doing her best to distract NPCs in the game she was playing with Hayate while her cousin poked around people''s belongings for loot.
"She''s not the only one," Signum shared what had occurred in the ladies earlier in the day, "Took the door clean off one hinge. The other almost shared the same fate."
Vita gave a low whistle, "Remind me not to piss Fate off." All in earshot silently agreed.
"She has good instincts taking it to you off the record," Hayate noted, momentarily slipping back into CEO mode.
Signum squeaked in agreement just as Shamal decided to nip at her through her top. "Right then, good night Hayate, Vita." Grabbing her giggling wife, the Amazonian executive hurried them both to their bedroom, slamming the door shut behind them.
Another giggle at Signum''s predictable reaction to her wife''s attention, "Hey Vita-chan, guess what?"
Vita glanced at the tanuki grinning at her through the video call, and together, they sing-songed, "There''s something there that wasn''t there before~~~" their favourite lyric from the old Disney classic, Beauty & The Beast.
Giggling and snorting, the two women ack''ed when their carelessness alerted the town guards. Waiting for the save to reload, Vita hmmed, "Who''s the Beauty and who''s the Beast, though?"
"Maybe it''s two Beauties who can be Beasts?" Hayate ventured, eliciting another giggle-fit.
"The White Devil and the¡ Black Angel?" Vita thought aloud.
"Ooh I like that, you should suggest that to them for Halloween." Sharing secret grins, the pact was made.
Chapter 11: Tempting Fate
Had Signum and company been present, they would have been horrified at the scene the White Devil and Black Angel were currently in.
Looking deadly, Fate hefted her axe with surprising competence. Still in her sleeveless office wear and clad in black from head to toe, she strutted forward to take her place, her stiletto heels silent on the roughened planks lining the floors. She spun the axe haft deftly in one hand, sizing up her target with intense concentration.
Throat dry as she admired the elegant lines of her subordinate, Nanoha took a big gulp of water, absently playing with the label on the bottle and wishing she had an excuse to have those long, wiry arms around her. Seeing Fate handling the weapon so easily was way too sexy.
Breath held, Fate swung and released. THUNK! The axe''s wickedly sharp blade dug deep into the wooden target, a little to the right of the bull''s-eye. Exhaling, the woman turned around, offering Nanoha a bright smile, "And that''s how you do it."
It was Fate''s idea. Their short notice booking for dinner was scheduled late, and so the blonde had suggested they kill some time at the local axe throwing range while waiting for their table to be ready.
Axe throwing? Who would have imagined people tossing heavy weaponry around in this ultra-civilised society? But here they were, surrounded on all sides by groups of other enthusiasts. Nanoha supposed it was a good way to let off steam at the end of a work week.
Fate didn''t seem to be a stranger here, the boy at the counter blushing while he stammered on about it was good to see her again. The blonde was completely oblivious to the cow eyes the boy was making, only pausing to introduce Nanoha and requesting a lane for two.
They were provided with a single axe, a hand towel, and two complimentary bottles of water. Nanoha surmised it was for safety reasons that only one axe could be in play at any given time. Her guess was confirmed when a different staff, this one a tall woman with ropes for arms, led them to their assigned lane and began explaining the rules and safety precautions to take whilst here.
Fate didn''t like how that staff seemed to eye her boss as if she were a particularly tender piece of meat, and when the woman offered to show first-timer Nanoha how to throw, the blonde smoothly cut in and with a chilly smile, announced that she could teach the auburn-haired woman herself.
Nanoha wasn''t even noticing the staff practically drooling all over her, frustrating and charming Fate all at the same time. Instead, she was pacing the lane, her keen regard taking in every part of this new experience with the same focus that she applied to work. Was it any surprise that the woman was at the top of her field at such a young age?
Fate intervened when Nanoha lifted a hand, meaning to touch the surface of the target board. The woman blinked to find her hand wrapped in Fate''s own and carefully drawn away from the board. "Splinters," the blonde explained, "Come." Leading Nanoha back to where the standing table was placed, Fate smiled and proceeded to demonstrate the technique.
Retrieving the axe, Fate wiped its handle with the towel provided and offered it haft first to Nanoha. No stranger to weapons, just to this particular one, the Japanese woman accepted it and moved to stand where Fate had earlier.
Seeing the slightly incorrect stance and grip, Fate stepped forward and from behind the Japanese woman, slipped her right arm around Nanoha''s middle. "There is no need to crouch, gravity will pull it down naturally," the blonde explained into the executive''s ear and Nanoha shivered. Unconsciously, she leaned back into the blonde''s front. "That''s it, relax yourself, Nanoha-chan." Her melodic voice was hypnotic. Fate brushed her left hand down the length of Nanoha''s arm, adjusting her grip, "You want to hold it nearer to the end, so it spins when you release."
Wrestling with a libido trying to run wild, Nanoha sternly reminded herself that she was holding a dangerous weapon. "L-Like this?" She whispered, surprised at the level of husk in her voice. Fate had been basking in the feel of her boss''s back plastered to her front until the woman''s voice jerked her back to the present. Just two simple words that raked her insides, imprinting in her a consuming need to possess.
Deliberately stepping back, Fate planted shaking hands to the surface of the rough-hewn table, bottom lip held captive between sharp white teeth that ached to sink into someone''s neck. She nodded, unwilling to trust her voice.
With a display of natural athleticism, Nanoha swung and released in one smooth motion, just as she had seen Fate do earlier. THUNK! The blade bit into the second outermost ring.
Clapping softly, Fate beamed at her friend, breath catching at the bright smile the woman gave her. "You''ve got it." You''ve got me.
About to take her turn again, Fate''s phone buzzed. Stiffening at the screen indicating the source of the call, the blonde gave Nanoha an apologetic glance to urge her to keep practising, while she stepped aside to answer.
"Neither of you were on the flight, and it has been a month¡" Fate closed her eyes at the acerbic tones of the voice on the other end.
"I couldn''t reach Alicia, mother. ¡And, I started a new job. I''ll pay for the tickets¡"
"You know that''s inconsequential, child." Of course, everything was to her mother. Everything but what the locals so aptly dubbed ''Face''. "And so? What job is more important than fulfilling your duty to your family?"
Fate felt her skin crawl at the mention of ''duty''. Knowing there was no point in hiding the fact, she squared shoulders that had hunched from instinct, from the memories of long ago.
"I''ve been hired to be the Assistant Vice President of Operations in TransSpan All Bit."
"...TSAB? The one run by that Yagami git?" Fate could hear the gears turning in her mother''s head and gritted her teeth, knowing exactly how the woman would take the news.
"Well, perhaps all is not lost. We can use someone on the inside. Linith?"
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Go ensure Fate doesn''t embarrass us. Use that expense account."
"Mother, I assure you¡"
"You would try," her mother cut in, "I know better than to leave things in your incompetent hands. Look at what happened to your father''s pet project." The contempt in her mother''s voice was clear.
"Expect Linith in a few days."
Pulling back her phone to stare at its screen, Fate hated the familiar feeling of dread creeping into her tensed form.
A warm hand curled around her wrist, contrasting with the cold permeating her body. Her eyes moved up the hand, up the arm, to meet the concerned eyes of her friend.
Had she heard? Did she think Fate would try to use her new job, use her boss, for her family''s gain? Suddenly fearful, the blonde tried to pull back.
It was difficult for Nanoha to focus, not when the voice coming through Fate''s phone was so clear. Gods bless Singapore''s telecom infrastructure, she supposed. Leaving the axe buried in the target board, since she knew she might go berserk with it to hear Fate being spoken down to like that, the auburn-haired woman remained to one side to allow her friend to finish her call.
When she made no move after the call ended, Nanoha was unable to stand it any longer and approached, clasping a hand around the suddenly cold wrist. She could feel the blonde''s erratic pulse under her fingers, and when Fate drew back, fear plain in her eyes, she decided enough was enough. They needed to talk.
Her hold tightened, refusing to let the blonde go. "It''ll be fine," she assured the taller woman, leading her out of the establishment and signing them out of the lane.
Tapping her phone, she waited for a cheery voice to chirp an answer on the other end of the call, "Hey, Subaru? Need a favour. Can you help get Fate''s car home? I''ll text you the address. The key fob will be under the left back tire. Thanks, I owe you."
Killing the call, Nanoha returned her attention to the blonde who simply looked at her, mild confusion and fear still clouding her eyes. She offered her an assuring smile and held out her hand, into which Fate silently placed her car''s remote. Hiding it where she told Subaru she would, Nanoha led Fate to her own vehicle. "Let me drive tonight."
Fate had no idea why Nanoha was being so considerate. Didn''t she know Fate was just a tool? A tool that could be used to destroy TSAB? Why wasn''t she being fired on the spot? Finding herself back in the familiar position of being in the front passenger seat of Nanoha''s car, a small part of her noticed her blood still caked areas of the centre console. Had it only been a few Fridays ago? The executive had time to invite her out, but no time to clean her car? What sort of twisted priorities did Nanoha have?
The auburn-haired woman could see questions swirling in the fear-laden pools of Fate''s eyes. A growing determination to get as much of that cleared away as possible began gathering within Nanoha. The slim blonde had inserted herself into the austere shell of her life with such ease, it was as if she''d belonged there all along. Whatever this was, they would deal with it together. She just needed the blonde to understand.
They had driven in silence, Fate afraid of what Nanoha had heard, what she might say, while Nanoha focussed on mustering her best arguments. Pleased to see that their reservation was ready, Nanoha led the blonde to their table. Since Fate had picked the axe place, Nanoha got to choose where dinner would be, and CUT in Marina Bay Sands was where she had decided upon.
The restaurant was lavishly appointed, befitting the pomp of having a celebrity chef tied to its reputation. Large panels of mirrors reflected the luxurious red and gold decor, reminiscent of the colours of prosperity so valued by the majority Chinese diaspora that called Singapore home. In all honesty, Nanoha had simply wanted a place to celebrate the elegant beauty''s first month in the madhouse.
Ordering for them to get rid of the hovering wait staff, Nanoha patiently waited on her companion, allowing the blonde space to process. The executive could tell the woman was distraught, but concealing it with the ease of long practise.
Fate barely took in their surroundings, though she did appreciate the lowered lights and quiet their table afforded them. Closer to the full darkness she wished to disappear into. Nanoha had reclaimed her hand after seating her, and it was only that warm connection that was keeping the ice inside at bay.
The executive had been nothing but warm, even at their first meeting, when Fate wanted nothing more than to scream and rant and throw her out of the office. Feeling like she had somehow betrayed Nanoha, she would not, could not, meet the woman''s eyes, her own fixed instead onto the table between them.
"I¡ will vacate the office tomorrow." Fate began, feeling a knife twist in her heart as she spoke the appropriate words.
"I''ll handcuff you to the Aeron." Nanoha responded calmly.
"I don''t h-have much, if I could buy the plants¡" She froze. Handcuff? What?
Nanoha knew she needed to break the blonde out of her spiralling descent. What better way than to be absurd? Gratified that her words had indeed pulled Fate up short, she tightened her hand on the blonde''s, smiling.
"Feito-chan, do you know how long it took me to find you? I''m not letting you go. Not even if you threw an axe at me." The barest hint of a dimple appeared, and taking the bold move of interlacing their fingers, the auburn-haired woman dared Fate to try forcefully untangling their fingers in the middle of the restaurant.
"B-But, Nanoha-chan, I don''t want you thinking I''m u-using you¡" Caught like a beautiful deer in headlights, the skittish forest creature that was now Fate tried to pull away again. Why was Nanoha so strong?
"I want you to use me." The executive''s warm alto stressed, using her calloused thumb to stroke soothingly across the back of Fate''s hand. The forest creature calmed slightly under Nanoha''s commanding touch and the blonde lifted a questioning gaze to the woman seated across from her, the purest embodiment of resolute confidence. An absolute earth goddess.
"Feito-chan, I hope you''ll forgive me." Forgive her? She was the one in the wrong, not Nanoha! "I couldn''t help but overhear," She heard! She''d really heard! Again, Fate attempted to shy away from the warm regard Nanoha was pinning her down with.
"Do you think I hired you without checking first?" Impossibly gentle, Nanoha laid her words plainly before the blonde.
Wait? Nanoha knew? Panic turning into anger, the blonde''s eyes flashed, face flushing, "Why then? Is this some kind of joke? Were you laying a trap?" Why was the auburn-haired beauty''s expression not changing? Why was she still smiling?
"Because I know Feito-chan is not like that," She tried not to sound hurt, knowing Fate didn''t mean to distrust her, though the depth of that pain caught her by surprise. They''d only known one another for a short while, after all. Head dipping, she continued to hold the dark angel with an unwavering stare, "And I need you to know, I am not like that either. Feito-chan is Feito-chan. My right hand, my support, my protector," her fingers tightened noticeably, "And my friend."
Fate stared in wonder as a single tear tracked down the Japanese woman''s face.
The sting of Fate''s thought that Nanoha might be playing games with her was more than the executive was prepared for, and she was unable to remain completely unaffected by the accusation hurled against her. This wasn''t part of the plan, the executive was supposed to have all the cards, know all the angles, be ready for every contingency.
Except for being distrusted by the blonde. Nanoha was used to it. She should be used to it. But it was so, so tiring to keep up the facade that people''s assumptions didn''t wear on her.
A softly trembling hand, the one not imprisoned by Nanoha, lifted to wipe away the tear tracking down her face. "I do not know why you believe in me, when I can hardly believe in myself," Fate began, hesitantly. "But I believe in you. Gods help me, I do." She confessed, shakily. She stroked the precious visage before her, tracing the returning smile beginning to form under her fingers.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
"I plead forgiveness for my thoughtless words." Fate drew in a shuddering breath, throat full, eyes filling at the thought that she could have hurt this incredible woman so easily. Why was Nanoha giving her this much power? Why was Fate herself always apologising?
Her other hand was caught now, and Nanoha gathered both in her own, smiling through the damp of wet lashes. "I forgive Feito-chan," she said readily, "I know you didn''t mean it."
To be known better than she knew herself. Surely Fate was lost. Drowning in the endless depths of azure, she felt no need to surface for breath.
The arrival of their drinks and starters interrupted their silent communion. Realising they''d been holding hands for the better part of a few minutes, Fate quickly pulled her hands back and twitched at the napkin laid across her lap, flustered. Nanoha was faring no better, already missing the feel of Fate''s hands in hers as she played with the stem of her drink.
Ironically called Tempting Fate, it was a mix of pear, ginger, lemongrass and soda. There was absolutely no way she would indulge even in a single glass when driving, not after... She gave herself an inner shake, that was then, now is now. She watched to see what Fate thought of her drink instead, her smile widening when the blonde licked her lips. Oh, how she wanted those lips.
"Mmm, what is this? I taste passion fruit?"
"Time Will Come," Nanoha shared, "You got the passion fruit. There''s also mint and lime."
Fate took another sip, "It''s good. What did you get?"
Nanoha''s smile turned impish, and that damnable dimple appeared again, "Tempting Fate. Want a sip?"
Desperately hoping the candlelight hid her blush, Fate nodded, hand around Nanoha''s as she guided the rim of the woman''s drink to her lips. Her strawberry pink tongue flicked out, capturing a trailing drop of the beverage so it wouldn''t stain the glass. "Mmm, this is good, too." She loved being tempted by this woman.
Glad to be seated, since her knees would likely be unable to take her weight at this moment, Nanoha nodded at their starters, "Try the salad." She cleared her throat of the sudden husk in her voice.
The companionable silence was comforting, both women needing a moment to return to the even keel of their steadily deepening friendship.
Idly chasing a bit of tomato in her plate, Fate glanced up at her friend. "All I wanted was to work for you," she stated firmly, needing Nanoha to know where she stood. Her knuckles whitened, the salad fork shaking in her hand, "My family was never in the picture."
Nanoha remained quiet at first and leaned back, thanking the wait staff who had cleared their starter plates and replaced them with their main course.
Allowing the steak to rest, the Japanese woman''s striking azure eyes crinkled at the corners. "You aren''t close with them," she said with quiet confidence.
Fate nodded, "There is no love lost. If I could lose this name and just be Fate¡"
Nanoha smiled, "As I said, Feito-chan is Feito-chan. That is all I care about."
The blonde stabbed fitfully at her steak, "I''m s-sure they will try something. It was so difficult to get away the first time¡"
"We will figure things out as they come," the Japanese woman assured the blonde.
We. Heart leaping, Fate did her best not to be greedy.
"I cannot in good conscience trouble you¡"
"Trouble me." Nanoha countered seriously, "I wasn''t being facetious, Feito-chan. Use me." She covered Fate''s hand with hers again, "I know it''s difficult to believe, but I''m not entirely without resources. Your family has another thing coming if they think they can get between me and my very, very precious AVP."
Fate inhaled sharply, the desire to be more than just Nanoha''s valued employee hitting her acutely and she sipped confusedly at her drink to buy time.
Releasing Fate''s hand to give her space, Nanoha nodded at their dishes, "Eat, before it gets cold."
The auburn-haired woman neglected her own meal to watch Fate dig into the tasting platter of wagyu from around the world. "I feel like Mr. Darjeeling, trying to sell Japanese wagyu to you." Nanoha teased, glad to see her companion enjoying her meal.
Fate couldn''t help her small laugh, "At least your socks match." Nanoha had abandoned her clogs for white sneakers after day''s end, and they still looked great with her cropped pants. Trust the executive to be sensible about her footwear after work hours.
Not having heard about the individual''s socks, Nanoha giggled, "Nyahaha, is Feito-chan peeking at my ankles?"
The blonde flushed as Nanoha''s joke hit a little too close to home. ''Your ankles? Try your everywhere.'' She wanted to slap her own cheeks. This entire month had felt like a dream and the source of all of it was seated across from her. She shoved a slice of steak into her mouth. ''That''s it, focus on the food, so you can stop thinking about what else you want to eat.''
Nanoha couldn''t resist, the blonde looked way too adorable, and the devilish part of her wanted a little pound of flesh back. "I can show Feito-chan all the ankle she wants, she just has to ask nicely."
Red to the roots of her pale hair, Fate pouted, "Augh! Nanoha-chan is teasing me!"
"Nyahaha!" Laughing too, Fate pretended to grump, "You''re lucky these napkins are cloth so I can''t throw balls at you."
"Warn me if you plan to throw axes," Nanoha grinned, "Was it a sport back home?"
Fate made a small sound confirming Nanoha''s guess to be correct, "Traditional. I had to pick something, for appearances." she smirked, "I picked the manliest thing I could find. Mother was horrified. I''m sure she thought it would put hair on my chest."
The memory of Fate carelessly asleep on her sofa with shirt unbuttoned imposed itself on Nanoha''s memory and she almost choked. There had certainly been no hair there. Struggling to regain her composure, Nanoha made a show of chewing thoughtfully, "But Feito-chan never looked more beautiful and feminine than when she was throwing an axe."
Helpless in the face of the executive''s disarming honesty, Fate tried to take her boss'' words at face value. ''She wasn''t looking at you that way, she was just contradicting your mother''s assumptions!'' Sighing, she shook her head, "Mother would never think that." If she sounded a little bitter, both women chose to ignore it.
"Tell me about Linith," Nanoha prompted instead, knowing it''d be futile to try to have Fate see herself through the executive''s eyes just yet. No, for now, Nanoha needed all the information she could gather. Information was power in her world.
"My mother''s lady-in-waiting." Displaying impeccable table manners, Fate sliced her steak, a wistful smile playing over her lips, "She¡ was an oasis when I was growing up. Loyal, to a point. She found ways around mother''s instructions to make things easier on¡ on me." Her smoothly sure movements faltered a hair, but it was enough for Nanoha to pick up on. The executive decided she would need to speak with this Linith person.
"She sounds lovely," Nanoha remarked, making inroads into her meal at a steady pace.
"She was like a second mother." Faintly surprised that her appetite was this good, Fate realised it only seemed to be so when she was dining with Nanoha. "This would be the sort of meal she would serve me, out of mother''s sight." She shook her head wryly, "Far, far more than what I would usually eat."
"It''s good to have a healthy appetite," Nanoha asserted, showing no compunctions in mopping up the last of her steak juices with a bit of the bread.
Fate eyed the executive''s trim form, "Where does it all go?"
Nanoha exhaled a small breath, "I''m just active." Meal done, she fussed at her napkin. "It¡ ah, helps me sleep," she admitted.
Fate felt herself warm, remembering the sight of Nanoha this morning. "Maybe I should be active with you," she said innocently, though her thoughts were far from innocent.
Perhaps it was the way Fate said it, or how her intriguingly scarlet gaze seemed to pull Nanoha in, but Nanoha suddenly found it difficult to breathe. Heart beating a staccato rhythm in her chest, she gulped, "Company would be nice¡" Coughing softly, she added, "TSAB has a corporate deal with Planet Fitness. I was thinking about checking out their facilities near my place this Sunday. I also told Erio I''d get lunch at his and Caro''s workplace, if you''d¡"
"Yes." Again, Fate found herself jumping at the chance to hang out with her boss, someone who was swiftly becoming her favourite person to spend time with.
"...like to join," Fate''s breathless acceptance tripped Nanoha up a little, and she blinked, then smiled.
The blonde added, "I-I need to get some things for the upcoming company retreat, too. I c-could use your opinions one of these days."
"Mmmhmm, certainly," Nanoha nodded. Perhaps her Fate drought was coming to an end. "That reminds me, Ha¡ um, Miss Yagami mentioned we had to show up in costume for the company Halloween bash. We could kill three birds with one axe?" Eyes twinkling, she grinned at the blonde.
Fate nodded, lips curved into a small smile, "Do I park at your place?"
A nod, "I''ll let security know to let you in. We can set out from there. Is 8:30AM all right?"
"Perfect," the bridge of Fate''s nose crinkled adorably in a bright smile, charming the figurative socks off of the Japanese woman. The principessa truly was perfect.
Fate marvelled at how easily Nanoha had dispelled the ennui that had threatened to ruin her night, no, her entire weekend. Setting aside her fork, she laid a grateful hand over Nanoha''s, the woman now fiddling with the stem of her mocktail glass. Remaining completely still seemed to be something the executive had issues with and Fate found it too cute for words.
She glanced up at the touch of the blonde''s hand, finely arched brows quirked in question. "Thank you," Fate murmured, "For tonight, for everything."
The executive''s Cupid''s bow lips curled upwards, "It''s what friends do."
Nanoha gestured to a wait staff to ask for the bill. "I hope you aren''t full, by the way."
Almost afraid, Fate gave Nanoha a dubious look, "N-Not another brownie?"
Blithely paying for their meal, Nanoha delayed her answer, only standing and tugging Fate after her. "Only if you want it," she finally said, pulling the blonde into an elevator with her.
Not at all reassured by Nanoha''s cryptic reply, Fate watched as the executive punched the button for the top floor, where the infinity pool was located. Were they going for a swim? Her mind began playing videos of Nanoha in her white halter top bikini and she decided that maybe it wouldn''t be so bad.
Neither woman paid mind to the fact that Nanoha was still holding Fate''s hand. It felt like a natural progression of their friendship, particularly after tonight. If it was Nanoha leading her, Fate fancied she could follow the woman into the pits of hell, especially if she kept walking with that powerfully sexy gait of hers.
Curious as they walked past the pool, Nanoha finally drew to a stop by an establishment stretched along the length of said pool. Crimson eyes widened, "Ch-Chocolate buffet?!"
"Nyahaha, I''m the herald of Feito-chan''s doom." Protesting whilst being seated by staff, Fate hid a secret smile. She liked the sound of Nanoha being her doom. Tempting Fate, was she not? Still, she lamented to herself over how her boss had discovered her fatal weakness for sweet things. Between Nanoha and the buffet, Fate had absolutely no chance of resisting and resigned herself to working out extra hard on Sunday.
The sly executive gave herself kudos when the blonde capitulated. She had an inkling about some of what Linith helped Fate with, and if she could build on that, well, she''d use any weapon at her disposal.
"It''s mainly the view that I enjoy," Nanoha explained as she took her seat, more than merely enjoying the view Fate provided. Wisps of gold had come loose, kissing the blonde''s high cheekbones as the breeze blew. In spite of how high they were, it was a balmy tropical night six degrees north of the equator, rendering the outside temperature very comfortable.
"Do you come here often?" Nanoha shrugged, "Sometimes, when I can''t push my body any longer. If I have to think, then up here, where the rest of the world seems small, helps give me some perspective." She cast her azure gaze out over the pool''s edge, taking in the familiar lights twinkling in the distance. "Was a nice escape whenever Ginga was in town." She quirked her rosy pink lips at the blonde.
Fate studied her boss'' profile as she stared out into the distance, remembering the bloody smear she had cleaned just at the start of her first week. A surprisingly intense burn of anger at that woman simmered just under her calm demeanour once more.
"Use me." Fate blinked. Did she just say that? Yes, yes she did. Crimson gaze capturing the executive''s surprised azure, she repeated herself firmly, "Use me," echoing Nanoha''s words from before. "If she calls, shows up, anything." Jaw set, she barrelled on, "I''ll be the world''s largest third wheel. I m-mean it, Nanoha-chan. I don''t want you to have to escape, or run away, or be alone with her. I just¡ She shouldn''t¡"
As Fate''s words sank in, more so her intent, Nanoha bit her lip, the urge to kiss the living daylights out of the sweet princess was almost more than she could bear. "Ah, Feito-chan," she bemoaned, alto warm, "Where were you when I was sixteen and stupid?"
"Wishing I was there being sixteen and stupid with you, I-I''d imagine." Cheeks warm, the blonde firmly believed that if she had known of Nanoha''s existence back then, there would have been nothing short of an Act of the Gods to keep her from befriending the beautiful girl.
"Guess we need to make up for lost time. Hup!" Grinning, Nanoha tugged Fate to her feet and hauled her into the establishment proper where the buffet was laid out. "N-Nanoha-chan, I''ll eat myself sick!"
"No you won''t, the helpings are really tiny, see? Just pick whatever strikes your fancy."
''Can I pick you?'' Fate asked silently. The blonde was reaching the point of no return. Was it possible to enjoy someone''s company this much? Shaking her head, she mock-sighed deeply, "I knew you were bossy from the first moment I saw you," she lamented, grudgingly taking a plate and perusing the immense selection.
"You love it when I''m bossy," came Nanoha''s impish retort. Fate eyed the playful goddess from beneath her thick fan of lashes, "Someone has a high opinion of herself," not deigning to respond to the executive''s claim.
Nanoha bumped Fate gently with her hip, her own plate in hand as she trailed after the blonde snagging a snack here and there. "I haven''t heard you complaining."
"How do you know I have not spoken to Ms. Wolkenritter?" Fate snorted, pushing back with her own hip.
"Because she would have spoken to me," Nanoha''s triumphant smile was too much, leaving Fate no choice but to pick up a mini-slice of tiramisu and smearing it on the smug exec''s nose. "Oh, you''re in for it now, Wench!" With blinding speed, Nanoha began piling treat after treat onto Fate''s plate, wielding her serving tongs as if she''d been born with a pair in her hand.
Yelping, the blonde tried to block the devil woman''s attacks and she beat a judicious retreat back to their table before her plate could be sabotaged any further.
"You''re helping me with this!" Fate demanded, staring at her stacked plate in horror.
Nanoha stuck her tongue out at the blonde, "Don''t stick it out unless you plan to use it," Fate warned. Azure eyes sparkling, the executive curled her tongue up and licked off some of the chocolate smeared onto her nose.
X-rated images of what Nanoha could do with her tongue flooded Fate''s mind and she blushed fiercely. "Y-You''re incorrigible!" She accused Nanoha for the second time in as many weeks.
"Mmmhmm, but I''m flexible." Fate wanted to kiss the smugness off of Nanoha''s lips, the wish to see just how flexible the beauty was, was overwhelming her. "You''re getting a piece of coal for Boss'' Day," Fate declared with a long-suffering look designed to hide the intense attraction she felt for the executive, popping one of the treats into her mouth.
Nanoha attempted to look hurt, but she was unable to hold it for long, bursting into a fit of giggles and soon, both women were drying tears of laughter.
"Here¡" Leaning close to see better in the dimmed lights of the pool''s deck, Fate took up a napkin to wipe away the last bits of tiramisu from Nanoha''s slightly upturned nose. It was perfectly proportional to the rest of the Japanese woman''s face and Fate couldn''t help but admire the noble profile the woman willingly presented to her. She wondered what she would have done, had Nanoha been one of the many suitors her mother had presented to her all those years ago.
There was a pensive cast to the blonde''s classic features, the angel''s eyes distant even while she helped clean Nanoha''s face. Pink lips glistened too close to her own, and Nanoha drew back a little, saying, "Penny."
Eyes focusing back to the present, Fate met Nanoha''s enquiring azure with wistful crimson and gave a small shake of her head, golden tendrils brushing the peach down of her face, "Just wondering how you could possibly be single." Picking up her dessert fork, she poked awkwardly at a tiny cake adorned with cream and a strawberry that dwarfed the confectionery. "You must have suitors other than¡ than that woman, lined around your condominium. I don''t want to be monopolising your time." She frowned at the inoffensive little cake, as if it were the source of all her ire. The thought of some other ''Ginga'' pawing at the auburn-haired beauty made her want to throw up.
A soft laugh pulled her frowning gaze back to Nanoha. "No one wants to deal with the White Devil," the executive explained with deprecating ease. Sighing, she threw her head back, casting her eyes up to mutely twinkling stars, "I was thinking of just owning it and finding something like that for Halloween. I mean, what the hell, right? It''s not like I have anything to lose." Alto a resigned drawl, she peered good-naturedly at the woman next to her.
Fate could tell there was a deeply hidden sense of defeat under the executive''s joke, and her lips thinned, "N-Nanoha-chan, if you''re the White D-Devil, then what does that make me? The Black Demon?"
Her body shook in a silent laugh and Nanoha straightened from her slouch. Fate could feel the other woman''s eyes trailing over her person from head to toe, and she fought back the urge to shiver under Nanoha''s warm regard. "Mmm, no. An angel. My guardian angel, who likes to wear black."
Feeling a wellspring of boldness grab her, Fate''s head tilted, neck arched imperiously, "Challenge accepted."
Fancying this could be the best company bash she''d ever had the displeasure of attending, Nanoha clinked confectioneries with Fate, azure gaze sparkling in amusement and anticipation, "You''re on, Wench."
Fate had used the excuse of Nanoha dropping her off to steal another full body hug from the woman. Again, her cheek tingled from the caress of a calloused hand as the executive bid her goodnight. ''Saturday is going to be a long, long day,'' she sighed, thinking to herself.
Nanoha trudged her way into her condominium. Her car felt bereft of life after she had dropped Fate off at her place.
Brushing her now-dried hair, Nanoha padded around the interior, setting her various electronic devices to charge. Glancing from bed to sofa, she set her brush down and laid down on the sofa, arms wrapping around the cushion the blonde had used for a pillow. Inhaling the soft hint of lilac and rose that was Fate''s distinct scent, she drifted off to sleep, dreaming dreams of a darkly angelic being chasing away nightmares of years past.
Chapter 12: Please Forgive Me, I Know Not What I Do
Fate pushed her shopping cart down the aisle of the supermarket, listening to Alph''s chatter with half an ear. She was dressed in a loose-fitting peach button down over light grey drawstring pants with a relaxed fit. It was a relief to trade her heels in for flats and it felt good to break in the black sandals she''d yet to wear until today. Things had just been so hectic. She took her time picking and discarding meal ideas with a notion that she might invite her boss over for dinner as thanks for¡ well, more things than she could count.
"So I took my clothes off, painted myself purple, and ran screaming down the halls starkers¡"
"Really? That sounds interesting."
Hands on hips, Alph stomped to the front of the cart, forcing Fate to halt. She eyed the distracted blonde, exasperated, "Are you even listening, Fate? I haven''t seen you for weeks and your mind is a thousand miles away." The scientist tilted her head, expression concerned, "Hun, is everything all right? Is it your family?"
Fate offered Alph an apologetic smile, "No. Well, yes, but, no."
Sighing, Alph moved back to the side of the cart, tugging it along to resume their progress through the store. "Make up your mind. Which is it?"
"Mother called while I was with my boss."
"Ouch," Alph winced, familiar with how Fate''s remaining parent treated her friend.
"She was¡ displeased that I wasn''t on the flight they had booked for sis and myself."
"I''ll bet." Curiously, Fate didn''t look as upset as Alph thought she might, considering.
"I told her I had a new job with TSAB¡ A-And N¡ um, Miss Takamachi overheard her suggesting I use my position for the family¡"
Alph slapped her forehead in dismay, "She did not! What did the harpy say?"
"She''s not a harpy!" Fate protested, "S-She''s actually very nice if you get to know her¡"
"And you do?" Alph scoffed, "In one month?"
The blonde was nibbling shyly on her lower lip, making a show of going through a selection of butter and refusing to look at her friend, "Five w-weeks, if you count that Friday¡"
Alph gave Fate a narrow-eyed look, "Yea, but still¡"
Her long ponytail shimmered as she shook her head, "I mean it, Alph. It''s just the nature of her work. I''m seeing it better, from the inside."
"Okay, okay. I just worry for you, you know?"
Fate gave Alph a warm smile, "I know. And I really appreciate your support."
"Wait, so what did the h¡ er, the Takamachi woman say?"
Fate stooped down suddenly, poking through a selection of pork bones while mumbling something.
"I''m sorry, what now?"
Head ducked so a curtain of hair blocked her warming face from Alph''s sight, Fate repeated, "That it t-took her a long time to find me a-and¡"
Fascinated, Alph leaned closer, "Aaaand?..." She prompted, wanting to hear the rest.
"Andshewasn''tlettingmego." Fate whispered.
"Slower please, I didn''t catch that." The woman had leaned close enough to see around Fate''s hair and her interest was piqued. She didn''t know anyone could get that red and not faint.
"And she wasn''t letting me go, okay?!" Grabbing a pack of broth bones, she stood and tossed it into her cart, meaning to hurry off and away from this too-curious friend.
"Waaaait, wait wait wait," Alph was of a more solid build than Fate and grabbing a hold of the cart''s handle, easily prevented Fate''s escape.
"You''re telling me, the White Devil of TSAB, said that to you? Nah nah nah," she wagged a finger, "Something is not adding up here."
"T-There''s nothing to add up," Fate said, irritably pulling her cart free from Alph''s grasp, "We just w-work well together, that is all."
"Fate, come on," eyes serious, the scientist did her best to bring Fate back down to reality, "She has to know who your family is, she''s obviously using you¡"
"She is not!" Sandals slapping an angry rhythm down the frozen section, Fate refused to give her friend''s words any credence. Why did everyone think the worst of Nanoha? There had to be something she could do to fix that. It irked her that someone so giving would be seen in such a light. Why couldn''t everyone see what she saw?
"She has been nothing but courteous, and she appreciates my talents. The only reason my family came up was because mother called and said all that where she could hear¡"
Chasing after the agitated blonde, Alph raised her voice in an attempt to be heard over Fate''s tirade, "Fate! Fate! Don''t be mad, okay? I''m just looking out for ya." The blonde was tossing things willy-nilly into her cart, wishing for this grocery run to end.
"I have lived my life being a pawn, a tool, something to offer to the highest bidder." Fate spat bitterly, the claws of her fingers digging unseeingly into the pack of noodles in her hand, "I have been slimed over by countless others approved by my own flesh and blood¡ Do you not think that I would sense the same coming from someone in the very office next to mine?!"
This was far beyond what Alph had anticipated for a reaction. Taking stock of the situation, she approached the angel whose gaze still snapped with anger, cautiously. "Hey, it''s okay. I got your message loud and clear, yea?" The usually icy blonde was actually trembling with emotions barely contained.
"It''s just¡ Linith-mama and Lindy-san, we all care for you." Fate struggled to get her emotions in check. They were in the middle of a public area for goodness'' sake, and she reminded herself that Alph meant well.
"So does she," Fate finally said plaintively, deflated.
"I see that," Alph soothed, knowing better than to dispute it, "And I''m sure I''ll see more. Maybe you can introduce me to her?"
Placing the pack of noodles into her cart with a calm she didn''t feel, Fate nodded, "Maybe," she muttered, promising no more.
She had bid a subdued farewell to Alph, apologising for her outburst. The scientist just pulled her into a tight hug. "See if we can meet up, all right? I want to get to know someone Fate thinks so highly of." And to that, Fate could not say no. She would have flown banners over Mt. Everest extolling Nanoha to the world if she could.
Putting away her groceries, Fate settled in with her new work laptop. It boasted the fastest consumer solid-state drives, a battery life of over eighteen hours and a full-sized keyboard with a number pad. Not the lightest portable workstation, but certainly something to meet the demands of her job.
Unwilling to rest on her laurels, as it were, Fate logged into her TSAB account even though it was a Saturday. Pulling up a list of pending accounts, she picked one at random to go through and familiarise herself with. There were over fifty, and these were only the ones made available to her by Nanoha, the executive true to her word about easing Fate into her role. She didn''t want to think how many more were on Nanoha''s plate alone.
She sipped on her oversized mug of lemongrass tea, enjoying the soothing scent of the herb permeating the room. She had swapped her pants out for a comfy pair of shorts, but kept her loose top. Curling her legs under her, she set her workstation on the coffee table in front of her, reading glasses perched on her nose.
Still acclimatising to the user-interface, it took Fate almost ten minutes to notice the incoming video call request blinking in the bottom right of her screen. Wondering what was up, she clicked to connect the call, and gulped.
Nanoha pondered the wisdom of her extended workout session. It had been a week since she''d last been able to grapple anything, but it felt good to work out her frustrations, top of the list being her increasingly difficult to ignore attraction to her beautiful AVP. ''Attraction? Try a full blown crush with all the bells and goddamned whistles,'' she scoffed to herself. "And I thought I was done being stupid," she muttered acidly to herself whilst padding into the cool relief of her apartment''s interior. But this was no Ginga, and she respected the blonde too much to even try. She wondered if her schedule could handle an extra session per week.
Seven tap outs to three was a decent ratio, all things considered. Her sensei remarked on her focus and ferocity, and it felt good to have the acknowledgement of someone in a place that had no airs, where everyone was just there to improve and learn. Her lips twisted into a wry smirk. Her father would explode if he knew his daughter was sullying herself with ''inferior gaijin arts''. She looked forward to the day when he found out.
She had shrugged out of her Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gi, the top still belted and bunched around her waist to check herself in the mirror. Some bruises were beginning to show around her shoulders and collarbone, a natural side effect of practising the art. Grabbing a bottle of rubbing oil, she settled at her workstation and logged into her company account. May as well go through some things while she worked on her bruises.
Curious to see that someone else was viewing the same folder as her, she chuckled when it showed the account to be TFATE01. She hovered her mouse cursor over the name and right-clicked it, selecting ''Video Call'' from the pull-down menu that popped up.
It took a while for her AVP to answer, which Nanoha didn''t mind, it was the weekend and she was in no hurry. She dug her oiled thumb firmly into a bruise forming at the base of her neck, ignoring the ache. ''Ah, she noticed.''
Affecting a stern look, she mock-glared at her insubordinate AVP, "Company policy dictates a five day work week. What are you doing in the system, Miss Testarossa?" An impish glint in her eyes gave her away, but she maintained her harsh demeanour, thoroughly enjoying the flummoxed look of her employee. The blonde looked adorable in her home clothes and glasses, and Nanoha belatedly remembered she was dressed in nothing but a sports bra, the top of her gi bunched messily around her midriff. ''Oops.''
Fate felt all the blood in her nervous system thud damply into the suddenly throbbing area between her legs. Gulping again, she did her best to wrap her gibbering mind around the executive''s words. An executive who was practically half-naked on her screen, lean body gleaming from oil while she rubbed at a bruise on her neck. The woman''s sports bra hugged possessively at the bounty of her shapely chest, and that long torso was made to be worshipped.
She tore said eyes away from the goddess flooding her senses, "Ah, um, w-well, I just wanted to get a head start before next week a-and¡" Her mug was held up almost like a shield, a futile attempt to block the tempting body from her view. She couldn''t help but take another peek over the rim of her mug, and squirmed a little, feeling herself slide on her seat. It had to be criminal how tempting Nanoha looked.
"W-What are you doing in the system?" Fate threw back desperately, scrambling to get her mind working again after the massive short-circuit that was seeing her boss in such a state of undress. The auburn haired woman gave the blonde a toothy grin and Fate imagined feeling those sharp incisors grazing over her¡ She buried her face into her mug.
"Making sure my staff doesn''t overwork herself in her first month with me." Nanoha leaned closer to emphasise her point, and Fate tried not to get distracted by the Japanese woman''s cleavage. Voice serious, the executive continued, "I know Feito-chan feels pressure to prove herself, but you needn''t do it all in one month. Leave it for next week." She smiled, and Fate was unable to understand how someone could be so sweet and sexy at the same time.
"Oh? And how are you going to stop me?" Fate asked archly, unable to resist toying with that inferno that was her boss.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
"Like this," Nanoha moved her mouse, and with a few clicks, locked Fate out of the system until Monday morning. This also served to kill the video call, a smugly smirking goddess was the last thing Fate saw before the call ended.
Mouth agape, Fate grabbed her phone and punched Nanoha''s name in her contact list.
"Nyahaha!"
"I can''t believe you''ve done that!" This only earned the blonde another laugh, "Nanoha-chan doesn''t play fair."
"I don''t," the Japanese woman readily agreed, connecting her phone to the apartment''s bluetooth sound system which freed her up to move around her condo.
"Devils never play fair," she pointed out smugly as she stripped out of her sweat-soaked gear.
Fate heard the rustle of cloth and the sound of a shower being run. Her imagination ran wild and she slipped a hand under her glasses, covering her eyes to groan silently. ''Devils are too good at torture,'' she decided.
"Angels will have their vengeance," she finally declared.
"Promises, promises," the executive dismissed airily, "I know your sort, all bark and no bite."
"I''ll show you bite," Fate threatened, unknowingly causing her boss to shiver. ''Time for another cold shower.''
"You''ll need to, as my AVP," Nanoha remarked on a more serious note. ''That''s it, keep it professional.''
"I shall sharpen my teeth," Fate assured the executive, and Nanoha reached out one calloused hand to turn her tap all the way to the blue side.
Cradling the phone in the crook of one shoulder, Fate wandered over into her kitchen to look through her cupboards, standing for a long moment before her open fridge to try and cool off after Nanoha''s assault on her senses. The executive sounded like she was in a good mood, and so the blonde took the plunge, "Actually, I was meaning to ask¡" Fate''s voice echoed in the tiled confines of the executive''s bathroom.
"Mmm?" Nanoha made a sound of encouragement for Fate to continue, she had stuck her head under her rain shower, biting back a gasp as the cool water hit her overheated body.
"Might I invite a friend for lunch tomorrow? She knows Erio and Caro."
"Sure, Feito-chan, invite anyone you would like." Nanoha''s voice was a tad muffled as she lathered up her heavy fall of auburn hair.
The blonde bit her lip, "A-And, would you like to come over for dinner, maybe a few Saturdays from today? Just as a thank you¡"
"Absolutely," the smile in Nanoha''s voice was evident, and Fate felt a flutter in her chest, far removed from the visceral, physical magnetism of the other woman.
"It won''t be anything elaborate," Fate warned, her own smile threatening to split her face in two.
"I will like anything Feito-chan makes."
"I''ll hold you to that when I serve you wriggling tentacles and kicking frog''s legs¡" ''Hold me,'' both women thought simultaneously.
Nanoha''s richly deep laugh echoed in the shower and wrapped warmly around Fate, "At least I''ll know it''s fresh."
Pulling out various ingredients, Fate began filling a large pot with water, a constant smile tugging at her lips. She would need multiple attempts if she wanted to practise her planned meal properly. The sounds from Nanoha''s shower felt homely and Fate was loath to end the call if the executive didn''t do so first. It almost felt as if they were in the same apartment together.
"Ouch." Bundling her conditioned hair up, Nanoha winced at a pull in her neck.
"Everything all right?" Fate''s concern was evident through the speakers and it warmed the executive still in the midst of her cold shower.
"Just one of the matches I had to tap out from. I think I pulled something."
"Mmm, take it easy tomorrow, then. I don''t want you making it worse." Nanoha heard muted plops of items being dropped into water, the click of a stove being turned on shortly after.
A part of Nanoha pricked slightly, the woman used to being her own person and taking orders from no one. But that part was quickly subsumed by the care in the blonde''s voice. It felt so different, in a good way, to have someone worrying over her for once.
"I''ll be good, if I get to have whatever it is you''re making," She imagined the blonde''s glasses fogging up while she busied herself over the stove, and wished she could see it in person.
"I''ll be cooking extra; I know your appetite," Fate teased.
"A fed boss is a happy boss." Nanoha intoned sagely.
"I''m lucky my boss is so easy to please," Fate quipped while washing some vegetables before soaking them in cold water. "Do I get a bonus if you avoid contracting food poisoning?"
"You get a bonus for giving a damn," the auburn haired woman stated quietly. Her shower had been turned off, the executive''s alto coming through with crystal clarity. Fate''s busy hands stilled at the raw sincerity in Nanoha''s voice.
"O-Of course I give a damn, Nanoha¡ I¡ I like you."
Fate could hear the quiet drip-dripping of water as the executive stood silent in her bathroom.
"I like you too, Feito-chan. I''ll see you tomorrow. Have a good Saturday."
The AI system muted the call, alerted by Nanoha''s turn of speech.
End call, my Master?
"End call."
Yes, my Master. Ending call. Testarossa, Fate, at one thirty-six, PM.
Nanoha buried her face in the large fluffy towel she had pulled from the bathroom rail. That was close. That was too damned close. It was good that Fate was inviting an extra person tomorrow. She needed more people between herself and the blonde, before she did something that she''d regret for the rest of her pathetic life.
Fate eyed her phone, showing the name of the last person she had called. The executive had sounded odd, almost detached. Distant, even. She worried if she had said something wrong, or overstepped her bounds without meaning to.
Nanoha was setting the table on her patio when she heard the familiar vim of Fate''s Honda. Right on schedule.
"Unlock the back door, five minutes."
Yes, my Master. Back door unlocked, five minutes.
Fate rubbed the palms of her hands over the black cropped exercise leggings she had on, suddenly nervous. She reminded herself this was her boss, who wasn''t obligated to always be in a good mood, and she should absolutely not think of the woman as anything more than a friend. Straightening her equally black tank, she patted her braid, gave herself a firm nod in her rear view mirror and left her car.
Letting herself in, she removed her bright yellow sneakers and headed further into the now-familiar apartment. It seemed empty, though the kitchen looked recently used, and she could smell coffee and toast. "Nanoha-chan?" She called, wondering where the executive may have gone.
"Out here, Feito-chan." Following the woman''s warm alto, Fate opened the door leading out to the seaside front and felt her vaunted willpower lie down in utter defeat.
The Japanese woman was in a white sleeveless mesh tank, the ends tied to a knot just under her bust line. It was completely see-through and revealed a white sports bra underneath. A dark blue pair of lycra shorts rode low on her hips, hugging her body like a second skin and revealing the executive''s washboard abs to good effect. Her auburn hair had been piled up into a messy up-do that left her face framed in soft waves and the blonde felt her hands twitch at the temptation to tuck the delicate strands behind shell pink ears.
"Morning," Nanoha smiled, glancing over for just a split second before gesturing to a seat, "I forgot to ask if you''d had breakfast, so I made something simple."
"Morning, and no, I hadn''t. Thank you." Seating herself, she shook her head in mild wonder, "This is your version of simple?"
"Just being a good host," Nanoha smiled politely, positioning her chair at an angle to Fate so they wouldn''t bump elbows. Avocado on wholemeal toast took pride of place, a sprinkle of white sesame seeds over the slices offering an added taste profile and mouth feel to the common snack. Half-boiled eggs sat beside the plated toast, their caps already cracked open. They still steamed in the morning air, and Nanoha indicated the white pepper and light soy condiments meant to go with the eggs.
A choice of coffee or juice rounded off the meal and the executive urged Fate to eat while everything was still warm. As she ate silently, the blonde eyed her host out of the corner of one eye. Something felt off, akin to the distance she had heard in the woman''s voice at the end of their call the day before.
Chewing thoughtfully, she went over their call once more, wondering what may have set the woman off. Had she been too presumptuous? Too clingy? With a start, she realised that Nanoha had been meeting her outside of their work environment more times than with anyone else she could see in the past month. Oh gods, was she being a Ginga? She noted the executive''s formal politeness, not unlike how she had interacted with that lavender-haired hussy.
Sucking in a shuddering breath at the sudden pain in her chest, Fate''s head fell as she tried to blink away the moisture threatening to flood her eyes. The toast tasted like cardboard in her mouth and she blindly reached for her glass of juice to try and waylay the sob that wanted to escape from her too tight throat.
Nanoha had clamped her jaw shut at the sight of the blonde when she had walked out onto the patio. The morning sun lit the angel in warm gold, caressing the pale beauty and causing a marked weakness in the executive''s knees. Her hand shook a little as she laid the plate of toast before the woman, Nanoha allowing herself only a split second to look, else she knew she would be lost. Black contrasted too well with the blonde''s ethereal colouring and the way her leggings cupped her shapely rear had Nanoha retreating back into the refuge of prime numbers.
Knowing that even the slightest accidental touch would be too much, the auburn-haired woman did her best to keep a modicum of distance between them at the table. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, Nanoha had yet to jump the Tempting Fate and they were being cordial with one another.
That is, until the blonde fell silent for longer than expected. Daring to glance over, Nanoha saw slim shoulders shaking, her blonde head bowed enough that the executive was unable to see Fate''s face. Frowning slightly, Nanoha forgot her breakfast and, with great hesitation, placed a tentative hand on Fate''s shoulder.
"Feito-chan?"
Hastily dashing the moisture out of her eyes, Fate shook her head and gave Nanoha a smile that was meant to reassure. "Something got in my eye," she lied blatantly. The smile never reached the blonde''s eyes, those windows into her soul speaking of such misery and despair that Nanoha couldn''t ignore her overwhelming need to make the sadness go away.
Having no words, the auburn-haired woman firmly told herself, ''Just for a minute,'' and shifted her chair close enough to allow her to pull the slim woman into her arms. "I don''t think so," she whispered, wrapping the blonde tightly to herself, one hand lifting to press Fate''s head to her shoulder.
Fate''s misery grew. She was imposing herself on the executive who was just being her kind self, and now taking advantage of their friendship to cling to her even more. And cling she did. She flung her arms around Nanoha''s middle and sobbed into her warm shoulder, whispering, "I''m sorry," over and over.
A profound realisation hit Nanoha at that moment. Fate''s pain was her pain, and she would do everything in her power to take that pain away. "Shh, Feito-chan, it''s okay. Why are you sorry? You didn''t do anything."
Shuddering and shaking, Fate seemed inconsolable at first. At one point, she even tried to pull herself out of Nanoha''s arms, but the executive was too strong. "No, Feito-chan," the woman''s alto was so gentle, it made the hurt even worse. "I want to help. Let me help. Please."
Exhausted and wrung out, Fate gave up struggling, her crying subsiding to the occasional hiccough and sniffle. "Can you talk?" Nanoha asked softly, and felt the blonde nod. Pulling back a little, she took a serviette and began drying the woman''s face. Tears clung to her lashes and her face was a splotchy mess. She had never looked more beautiful to Nanoha than in that very moment in time.
Eyes filled with guilt, and yet more tears, Fate was unable to meet Nanoha''s concerned gaze. The executive was considering a list of whom she had to kill when Fate mumbled, "I took advantage of you."
Perplexed, Nanoha found her plans for homicide derailed and she ducked her head, trying to get Fate to look at her. "How so?" Giving up, she cupped the blonde''s chin, forcing her to meet her eyes. Expression twisted in agony, Fate desperately tried not to see the disappointment in Nanoha''s eyes. But the hand, so gentle but firm, kept her prisoner. Warm azure, shadowed with concern, gazed into her own.
"I¡ I keep clinging to you, a-and taking up your time, and I kn-know you''re just being nice, like with Ginga¡." Fate blurted, eyes filling once more as hot tears trekked down her face, face crumbling in abject misery.
Feeling as if she had been kicked by a horse, Nanoha''s mouth fell open at Fate''s tearful confession. ''She thinks she''s like Ginga?! I''m such a fucking heel.''
The blonde was entering another crying jag and Nanoha quickly pulled her back into a tight hug. "No, no, Feito-chan, shh. That''s not true at all." Pressing her lips to the blonde''s temple, she rocked the shuddering woman in her arms. "Listen, please, just stop and listen." The feel of Nanoha''s lips helped calm Fate and the blonde did her best to swallow her sobs.
Carefully pulling back, Nanoha cupped the blonde''s face in both hands, azure eyes boring into Fate''s beautiful crimson ones. "Feito-chan, is as opposite from Ginga as is possible. All right? You are not taking advantage of me. Not one bit." Sighing, her thumbs brushed over high cheekbones and she drew Fate closer, pressing her lips to the blonde''s forehead.
Pulling back to again hold the blonde''s now confused eyes, her lips tugged helplessly up into a smile meant only for the precious person in her hands. "I''m sorry. I distanced myself from you, true." Fate wanted to weep, but then Nanoha continued, "It''s because I like Feito-chan too much." It was the executive''s turn to cast her eyes to one side, the admission more than she had ever wanted to reveal to the blonde.
''Too much? She likes me too much?'' The blonde sat, thunderstruck, the words playing over and over in her head. Feeling the constricting bands around her heart loosen, she lifted a shaking hand to cup the auburn haired beauty''s own cheek, urging the woman to look at her. "I like Nanoha-chan too much, too," she whispered.
Her own eyes grew misty and Nanoha shook her head, revelling in the woman''s touch regardless, "Feito-chan doesn''t understand. I feel too hard, too much, it scares people away."
Growing bolder, the blonde''s other hand lifted to tuck those silken locks behind Nanoha''s ear like she had wanted to before. "The only thing I fear¡ would be you hating me."
Resting her forehead against Fate''s, Nanoha held Fate''s eyes, "That would be impossible," the executive asserted, the words set in stone for eternity. Her voice dipped to a whispered husk, "But I have never felt this much, before."
Heart thundering, Fate slowly slipped her hand down, resting it right over the executive''s heart, feeling the same thundering rhythm right under soft velvet skin. The woman''s deep ocean eyes were still clouded over with emotions, even¡ fear. "I¡ feel more for Nanoha-chan every day." She admitted, cheeks hot under Nanoha''s hands that she felt trembling at her words.
Eyes dropping to pink lips positioned so close to their own, both women struggled to withdraw from the warm cocoon of the other''s presence, their soft admissions too much to handle.
They had time, Nanoha decided, to explore whatever this was. "The toast is all cold, Feito-chan."
With an awkward laugh, they separated, "M-My fault," Fate attempted to dry the tears still clinging to her lashes, pausing when her hand was clasped warmly in Nanoha''s, "I''m not blameless." Finding herself getting lost in the blonde''s crimson regard, the executive left momentarily to get a damp cloth for the woman. The urge to just sink into Fate''s regard and never surface was getting impossible to ignore.
They resumed having their now-cold breakfast. Neither chose to make note of how often their elbows brushed while they dined. Something seismic had shifted between the two, and the knowledge that they both liked the other was going to have to be something they addressed. For now however, they were content to smile secret smiles to the other, relishing the company of the other without question.
Chapter 13: Spot Me
"Nanoha-chan, I would like to begin perspiring before it''s time for our appointment." Melodic voice equal parts amused and exasperated, Fate called out to her friend who was moving from station to station, inspecting each as if the blonde''s life depended on each individual machine be working in absolutely perfect order.
They had arrived at the gym around half-past nine in the morning, ensuring they would have a good two hours to exercise before meeting their friends for lunch. That is, before Fate realised just how meticulous the executive would be about her safety. Hand on hip, she bit back a laugh when a staff member approached Nanoha to ask if they could assist her. The flat stare the poor staff got in return sent them scurrying away and the blonde wondered how Nanoha just got cuter and cuter with each passing second she spent in the woman''s presence.
Finally satisfied that everything was in proper working order, the executive accompanied Fate to the side to begin their warm ups. Fate''s focus was tested as the leanly fit goddess did her stretches, and by the sound of someone''s toe meeting a loose weight, the blonde was not the only one distracted at the sight of Nanoha stretching her various muscle groups. For a moment, the blonde had an insane urge to bounce her lucky penny off of the executive''s tight glutes. Surely the rebound would take an eye out. ''I''m losing my mind,'' she giggled to herself.
Nanoha found herself having to glare daggers at a few of the other patrons scattered about the gym, deciding they were enjoying the sight of the gorgeous blonde a bit too much. She caught one of the muscle heads staring at Fate''s buns and catching her flinty glare made him fumble the weight he had been using. It was gratifying to see him hopping around holding his injured foot in his hands. Hmph, served that pervert right. The fact that Nanoha herself was catching surreptitious glimpses was something that the executive chose to ignore; she was merely ensuring Fate''s form was correct.
Reminded by Fate to go easy on her shoulder, they stuck to the ski machines and assault bikes, working up a sweat as their heart rates began to climb. Leading Fate through some beginner level strength training, Nanoha helped the blonde with her posture and stance, demonstrating the different squats for her. Fate was no stranger to the gym, but this was a level deeper than she had been allowed to go back home. She''d been banned from weights and told Nanoha as much.
Jaw tight, the executive growled about how form over function was pointless, and that Fate wasn''t a show horse meant to be paraded around for aesthetics or as breeding stock. Glad that her friend was in agreement, she was more than happy to pick up the basics from the executive, who seemed very familiar with the various exercises needed to help build Fate''s strength up. Little wonder, considering how Nanoha looked more than ready to be a fitness model if she so chose.
Spotting Fate, the auburn haired woman hovered her hands by the blonde''s waist, voice encouraging as the woman performed her reps. Fate could feel the warmth of her friend closely watching her, hands brushing her waist each time she pushed upwards, and it was an exercise in self-control not to be distracted by the tingles sending gooseflesh up her torso.
Giving her upper body a break in deference to her pulled muscle, Nanoha worked on lunges and leg presses while Fate took a moment to get them some water.
"Don''t recall seeing you around here. First time?" Having picked up their drinks from the staff serving at the counter, Fate turned around to find her way blocked by two of the so-called muscle heads that Nanoha had pointed out to her. The ones who built themselves up to the point where they had balloons pasted onto their bodies.
"I''m here with my friend. Excuse me," She failed to get past them as they presented two walls of meat that wouldn''t budge, grins unpleasant. Until a perspiration-coated leg cut lowly between them, foot planting firmly on the floor. The blonde caught a glimpse of Nanoha''s stormy expression when the executive inserted herself between the two oversized lunkheads and with an interesting twist of her body, caused the men to spring apart violently. Eyeing the two men who had to flail their arms to maintain their top-heavy balance, Nanoha closed a firm hand around Fate''s wrist and led her away in a chilly silence, the blonde all too happy to follow after her friend.
"What was that?" The blond asked, bemused and delighted that Nanoha had come to get her.
"Physics and centrifugal forces, also a little taiji," muttered the auburn haired woman, giving the men they left behind another death glare. "Next time we will get drinks together," the executive grumped, "Feito-chan is too beautiful."
"You think I''m beautiful?" Caught, Nanoha''s mouth opened and closed, before Fate placed a delicate finger under her chin, helping her close her mouth. Leaning close, she whispered, "I''m glad. Because I think Nanoha-chan is gorgeous." Sauntering back to the weights section, the blonde put a little more sway to her hips as she tipped her drink to her lips, and over her shoulder, called out to the stupefied executive, "Spot me again?"
Nanoha gulped, eyes riveted to the blonde''s sway, ''I am so dead¡ Wait, she thinks I''m gorgeous?''
The women''s shower area was a lot more crowded than they had anticipated, and Fate found herself having to text Alph about their delay. Nanoha, too, dropped Erio an apologetic note about being late.
Fate had a sneaking suspicion the ladies changing area was so packed simply because Nanoha was wandering around in her underwear, drying her hair at one of the hair-drying stations. Maybe it was a Japanese thing, Fate mused, recalling that hot springs and public showers were a common thing in that country.
Seeing that she was one of the executive''s many admirers, the blonde couldn''t find it in herself to be annoyed at the other women. Nanoha was outrageously oblivious, much to Fate''s chagrin, though she supposed the world would end if the goddess ever discovered the power she could truly wield with just one look.
"Let me," Fate murmured, taking the hair-dryer from the Japanese woman. The blonde was already dressed in a loose red tee, messily tucked into her cropped jeans, her sneakers having been traded in for black flat sandals. Her damp hair had been pulled back into a low ponytail and as her long digits buried themselves into Nanoha''s hair, she concluded that she would much rather be playing with Nanoha''s thick hair than her own, anyway. The faint purr the executive emitted when she did so almost had her dropping the dryer.
Nanoha''s internal debates had her wandering around the women''s locker room in a distracted haze. Their admission to one another about¡ liking the other. How should she interpret that? Was it ''I like you as a friend?'', which was true. Or was it, ''I like you that way?''. She knew which way she liked the blonde, and it was beginning to become impossible to ignore how her body reacted to every little thing Fate did. ''Don''t try to lie to yourself, you were feeling it from day one.'' Her sarcastic inner voice gave her no wriggle room.
She wondered, would it have been that easy to let Ginga go, if she hadn''t already fallen for the blonde? The small, sputtering flame she had harboured resentfully for the lavender-haired woman, starved of fuel from over a decade of neglect, stood no chance in the consuming fire that burned in her soul for Fate.
Fate''s soft voice nudged her pleasantly out of her musings, and she readily handed the blow dryer off to the blonde. ''Haahh¡'' Horrified at the immediate, instinctual reaction to the feel of long fingers combing through her hair, she did her best to bite back any sounds. Gods, she hoped the blonde heard nothing.
"How is your shoulder feeling?" Fate asked, deciding that she was doing a terrific job at not leering at the body in the mirror.
Unused to such regard for her well-being, it took Nanoha a moment to understand what the blonde was asking. Blinking, Nanoha nodded and flexed experimentally to check on her body''s response, testing the blonde to her utter limits. "Mmm, a little stiff, but nothing a plaster can''t¡ help¡?" The executive had caught Fate''s eyes in the mirror, and to her wonder, the blonde''s eyes were quite clearly dilated. And the questions she had been pondering upon were answered. Turning slowly within the circle of the blonde''s arms, she retrieved the drying implement from her friend, "Thank you, Feito-chan." ''For your answer.'' Smiling a secret smile, she leaned up and kissed Fate on the cheek, leaving to get dressed.
Fate stood frozen, fingers touching her cheek where the Japanese woman had kissed her. What was she being thanked for? She had done nothing.
"Lucky b¡"
"Guess she''s taken."
"I wanna be in that sandwich."
Flushing at the mutters she could overhear, Fate hurriedly grabbed her gym tote and left to wait outside of the showers.
A few minutes later, Nanoha emerged to rejoin her friend, and the sight of her had Fate''s bell-like laughter pealing through the air. Nanoha had on a white fitted tee with a large Grouchy Smurf design printed on it. Beneath the scowling cartoon character were the words, ''Does this shirt make me look grouchy?'' Her belted low-slung jeans tucked into Timberland boots rounded out her outfit. With her hair pulled through a white baseball cap to make a ponytail, Fate thought the executive looked more like a fresh college grad than the top executive of TSAB.
"I like your baby butch look," Fate teased, tugging at the cap''s lip.
Giving the blonde a small shrug, Nanoha adjusted the sling of her gym bag to rest more comfortably across her shoulders, "I figured it would help make your friend feel more comfortable." Melting at the woman''s sweetness, Fate claimed the executive''s hand and tugged her to where the golf-cart was parked.
"I''ve known Alph since I was a kid. If she cannot get along with you, that is her problem, not ours." Fate stated firmly. This earned her a lopsided smile and Nanoha shifted the cart into gear, "Ah, Testarossa''s science whiz. She''s put out some interesting papers."
"Her papers bore me to tears, Nanoha-chan, how do you get through them?"
"Lots of coffee."
More laughter as they wound their way down the small roads to their destination.
The pair found Alph seated inside of Khalifa, a restaurant serving Chinese fusion cuisine. The woman was chatting cheerfully with a pink-haired girl, though their conversation broke off when Alph caught sight of Fate.
Nanoha was trailing behind Fate, and recognised the scientist and Caro, Erio''s fianc¨¦e. Recalling Erio''s effusive greeting, the executive was not at all surprised when Caro squealed and made a bee-line towards Fate, glomping the far taller blonde with absolute delight.
''Down, girl,'' Nanoha sternly told the green-eyed monster rearing its head at the sight of someone hugging the blonde. She was frankly getting annoyed with herself, her earlier reaction to the men who had approached Fate had been even worse, and she wondered where her usual aplomb had disappeared off to.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Fate smiled and patted the girl on her head in a distinctly maternal sort of way. "Hi Alph. Caro! You''ve been taking growing lessons from Erio, I see. When did you get so tall?"
Realising the executive had been hanging back quietly to allow Fate her reunion, the blonde reached back to find Nanoha''s hand, drawing her forward to join the gathering. "Alph," she threw the executive a soft smile, "I want you to meet Nanoha-chan. She''s read your papers. Nanoha-chan, this is Alph, I grew up with her."
"Miss Fate, I didn''t know you knew Miss Takamachi! Erio said so, but wow, what a coincidence!" Bouncing forward, the girl dropped Nanoha a Japanese bow, cheeks reddened and a very clear sparkle of hero-worship in the girl''s eyes.
Nanoha smiled easily at Alph and Caro, glad to see Fate had people who cared for her here, "It''s good to see you, Caro." She returned the young girl''s bow, "The bao you made the other day was really good. Miss Alph, pleased to make your acquaintance¡"
Pouncing on Nanoha, the scientist pulled her out of Fate''s grasp and sat her at the table, "Then you know about the roadblock I hit because of IBM playing hard to get! Would TSAB like to one-up IBM? Think about the prestige if I can publish a follow-up¡"
Throwing Fate an alarmed look, Nanoha stumbled into the seat the surprisingly strong Alph had dragged her into, "Ah, hah hah, is that so?" the Japanese woman sweatdropped and scratched a finger at her cheek.
Not at all happy to have her Nanoha being monopolised even by her oldest friend, Fate grabbed Alph by the ear, "Alllph... We are here to get to know one another, not for you to schmooze my boss¡"
"Ack! Ow ow ow! Fate have mercy!" Who knew axe-throwing would engender such a strong grip?!
Caro giggled and saying she would be back soon with Erio, departed to get everyone''s lunch prepared.
Fate''s punishing hand let go once Nanoha patted it, "It''s all right, Feito-chan. Alph-san was only trying to break the ice," causing Fate to blink and glance over to the faintly red-cheeked scientist.
Caught, the ginger-haired woman scratched the back of her head, "Ahaha! Your tee helped!"
Nanoha slipped Fate an almost wink and the blonde let out a breath she hadn''t even realised she had been holding. Sliding into the booth seat next to Nanoha, the blonde gave Alph a stern look. "We aren''t thirteen anymore, Alph."
''Hmm, two vs one, aye?'' The scientist gave Nanoha a toothy grin, "You should''ve seen the acne she had¡" She began with an evil gleam in her eye.
Panicking, Fate slapped a hand over Alph''s mouth, "It was just for one summer! Augh! Okay, I''m sorry I pulled your ear!"
"Nyahaha, so Feito-chan wasn''t always perfect?" Nanoha flicked a warm glance over to the blonde who didn''t notice, but Alph did. Knowing she had an avid audience, the scientist began regaling the rapt executive with tales of her and Fate''s misadventures, much to Fate''s complete and utter dismay.
"So she ''accidentally'' printed ten thousand copies of the school magazine with pictures of the principal picking her teeth with her shark tooth necklace! All the donors paid top dollar for extra copies!"
Fate had her face buried in her hands. After the second story she could no longer look Nanoha in the eye. "Of course the principal called up our Head Prefect to investigate, but since Fate couldn''t find the culprit, she gave herself detention. Oh was her mother MAD."
"She had no right to get involved," Fate hmphed, finding it easier to focus on her annoyance with her meddling parent than the abject embarrassment of her boss hearing all the sordid details of her school life. Yet, she couldn''t complain over how she loved hearing Nanoha laughing at yet another story about her youthful struggles against the roles she had to live.
The executive had been absorbing every word Alph was saying, Fate crankily noted, and the scientist was beautiful, smart, and had an amazing body¡
Alph was an equal opportunity sort, and anything that struck her fancy was good enough for her. And she wasn''t Nanoha''s direct report, so there wouldn''t be any issues about fraternising or chain of command impropriety. Was she overthinking things?
Caro had returned with Erio and Fate dug up a weak smile for the two youths. It had been years since she had seen them but it was difficult to dredge up more than the most perfunctory socialisation skills while her mind was preoccupied with Nanoha and Alph.
The other two adults noticed but made no mention as the meal progressed. Alph, because she had a niggling suspicion she knew what was up. Nanoha, because she had learned just that morning that this impossibly beautiful blonde had her own demons to exorcise and to rush anything would do neither them nor their budding friendship any good. The leopard was nothing if not patient.
"How is school going?" Nanoha asked the two teens, who blushed and held hands.
"W-We went to the Registry of Marriages last week, actually¡" Erio admitted shyly.
All three adults gaped at the teens.
Caro noticed their looks, "We''re of age, and our parents agreed. School is looking for couple housing for us, it''s w-why we''re increasing our hours at Khalifa. If I''m good enough, the head chef says he''ll promote me to sous chef on a part-time basis, it''s why I''ve been practising so much¡"
Fate laid a warm hand over the couple''s clasped ones, "I know you did not make the decision lightly, and I have always known you two were perfect for each other." The smile she gave them was filled with genuine gladness and her eyes were bright, "I''m very, very happy for you both. If you think it won''t affect your grades, I believe in you. But you must let me know if you need help."
The redheaded youth exchanged glances with Caro, and both glowed with happiness that another of their important persons had given her blessing.
Nanoha watched the heartwarming scene play out, eyes softened at the angelic vision of Fate, the woman resembling a heavenly being coming down to bless the youths'' union. Alph studied the executive in turn, liking what she was seeing, however, she still had her reservations. Someone wouldn''t get that high in TSAB without being good at acting or manipulation, was her thought.
She caught the executive using her phone for a long moment, probably answering work texts. What could a person consumed by their career offer her friend?
Caro''s special menu included Dim Sum starters, and after, mains of fresh steamed cod, delicately seasoned in a Midchildan style, crisp roasted pork knuckle accompanied by a mildly spicy dip, and a broccoli and scallop stir-fry. Erio expertly served portions to everyone at the table as was the Chinese custom when it came to multi-course meals.
"This Har Gao is amazing, Caro. You''ve really outdone yourself." Nanoha complimented, enjoying how the shrimp in the filling was crisp and fresh, a wonderful ''surf & turf'' accompaniment to the minced pork.
Beaming, Caro squirmed in her seat, "The skin is the hardest to get right; thin enough to see through, strong enough to hold it together."
Something about what Caro said startled the executive, whose eyes glanced awkwardly over to the blonde seated beside her. But the moment passed too quickly for Alph to truly get a bead on what that was about. Fate was oblivious, since she was struggling getting her chopsticks around the slippery snack.
"This is why your mother never insisted you show up whenever officials from China visited," Alph drawled, earning herself a dry look from Fate.
"That was the plan. They looked at me as if I was something laid out in one of these baskets," she gestured at the bamboo baskets the Dim Sum had arrived in.
Erio and Caro exchanged looks, and appeared to be familiar with what Fate was talking about. Making a show of being good hosts, Erio poured a round of fragrant Oolong tea for the table while Caro helped clear away the appetisers and bring out the main courses. It was their way of trying to protect Fate from any questions Miss Takamachi might ask. Why was Fate willing to bring it up in front of the executive in the first place?
The auburn-haired woman didn''t appear at all curious, however. Instead, she had plucked up the little bundle from the basket, the last one remaining, and placed it right dab into Fate''s Chinese-style soup spoon. "Take it before it gets cold," Nanoha murmured to the blonde, who merely cast a grateful look to the executive, cheeks slightly pink. It was an act of such familiarity that Alph, Erio and Caro were left to wonder exactly what sort of relationship the two women shared.
The rest of the meal progressed without incident, with everyone sticking to lightly impersonal topics. Soon, it was time for the mid-afternoon prep. The couple apologised and bid the adults farewell before heading off to the kitchens.
"When it comes to black teas, I think I prefer Oolong to Darjeeling," Nanoha quipped, casually sipping her tea and casting a mildly teasing look at Fate. Sedately sipping at her own beverage and refusing to meet Nanoha''s eyes, Fate murmured, "I find coconut lassi far more refreshing than either, truth be told¡'''' Finally glancing over to meet sparkling pools of azure blue with her own warmly twinkling crimson gaze.
"Ooookay, I think I''m gonna head off. Fate, can I get a lift?"
"Oh, um, sure." She exchanged glances with the executive, again a move not missed by Alph. At the Japanese woman''s nod, she smiled, "My car is parked at Nanoha''s, we can leave from there."
Rising to leave, the sound of someone racing over stopped them. Erio, red-faced and panting, skidded to a halt by their table, "M-Miss Takamachi!"
Pressing one calloused finger to her lips in the universal sign for silence, the executive winked at the youth and slung her gym bag onto her shoulder to make a quick exit. Neither Fate nor Alph had a clue about what was going on, and bid Erio a confused goodbye while he bowed deeply at the waist to Nanoha''s departing back.
"What was that about?" Alph asked Nanoha while she settled Fate and Alph into the golf-cart.
"Saa~" Nanoha said, refusing to elaborate. Pointedly waiting for her passengers to buckle up, the executive drove the cart back to her apartment.
"Nice digs," Alph commented, eyeing the sprawling condominium.
"It''s the company''s," Nanoha revealed drolly, "I just sleep here sometimes." Seeing Fate to her side of the car, she leaned close to ask out of Alph''s hearing, "Do you think she still thinks I''ll sprout devil horns at any moment?"
The executive''s closeness made it difficult to breathe, and Fate swallowed, "She could, but I''ll ignore her."
Smiling, Nanoha nodded and stepped back, closing the door after Fate seated herself into her driver''s seat.
"What?" Fate impatiently asked her companion.
They had been driving in silence for the past ten minutes with nothing but the sound of the ocean waves as company. It was a pleasant afternoon and Fate had cracked open the windows of her Honda. Winding through the small roads, she settled back once they reached the highway taking them back to the main island. Alph lived a mere ten minutes from her own rental, so it wasn''t a rare thing for Fate to give the scientist a lift. That woman was hopeless at driving.
Alph had spent the entire time just eyeing Fate, until the blonde couldn''t take it any longer.
"You tell me, princess."
Huffing, Fate''s hands tightened on her steering wheel, "I have no idea what you mean."
"Uh huh, you were attached at the hip to Nanoha-chan all through lunch. She was practically feeding you with that Dim Sum. I think I have an idea."
Flushing, Fate huffed even more, "We''re friends, it''s n-nothing¡" Deflating, she muttered, "A-Anyway, she was hanging on to every word you said." Why did it sound wrong to hear Alph call her ''Nanoha-chan''?
"...About you, you ninny." Alph would have flicked Fate on the forehead had the blonde not been driving.
On one hand, Alph couldn''t believe the literal and figurative princess of their school had such low self-esteem, but then she remembered the family Fate had grown up in, and was amazed the woman appeared mostly well-adjusted.
"Anyway, she seemed nice." Alph began, then slyly added, "A bit cold."
"Cold?" The blonde''s lilting voice rose in outrage as she took the bait, "What do you mean cold? It''s clear Erio likes her, and Caro worships her. She''s the mystery person who has been helping them with their finances. He told me the last time I saw him. She''s just not¡ not around other people¡" Alph''s slowly growing grin gave Fate pause and her words trailed off. With a sinking realisation that she may have said too much, her mouth snapped closed and she made a show of focusing on driving.
"W-We just get along," Fate finished weakly.
"Hun, I''ve seen you get along with less people than I have fingers. On one hand."
"She''s¡ She''s just different."
"Is she?" Alph raised a placating palm, cutting off Fate''s angry retort, "I know what you told me, Fate. I even saw some of that today. As your vice head prefect¡ I just hope you''ll be careful."
Exhaling, Fate slowed to a stop at a red light and threw her old friend a softly grateful look, "I hear you, Alph. She''s never asked me for anything, outside of work-related things." Yet, the blonde was slowly realising that if she asked, the executive might just deliver to Fate whatever she wanted wrapped up in a big red bow.
Shaking her head, she focused back onto the road, "I don''t know, Alph. She''s no stranger to others always wanting something from her. Maybe she should be the one being careful of me."
Alph smirked and took a wild guess, "Why? Are you planning to attack her?"
Fate''s lips thinned, "N-Not funny, Alph. Someone did and¡" The blonde''s knuckles turned white as she imagined strangling the woman who had hurt Nanoha. "She deserves so much better." Fate whispered, the muscle in her jaw jumping as she clenched her teeth.
And there they were, back to Fate''s dismally low opinion of herself. Arms crossed in thought, Alph remained quiet for the rest of the ride.
"Thanks Fate, was good seeing you and the kids, and Nanoha-chan." She grinned and threw the blonde a quick hug before she could be scolded, "Take care and let''s hang out more, I miss seeing my princess every day."
Fate gave an elegant snort, returning the hug, "You''ll get sick of me," she said while making no promises.
Chapter 14: Do Me
Fate eyed the secret calendar she kept hanging behind a larger one. A big red circle was drawn around all of the Saturdays. If one were to flip to earlier weeks, one would find other, large red circles marked around certain days. Each being a day when the blonde had an appointment with her boss.
Today marked another day, since it was Saturday again. It had been some weeks since their first visit to the gym together, and they had maintained a weekly appointment to continue meeting on Saturday mornings to workout.
The blonde flexed her arm a little, pleased to see a little more tone on her otherwise willowy arms. She liked how strong Nanoha was, and decided she wasn''t opposed to getting a little stronger herself. The thought that it would anger her mother was but a cherry on top.
Nanoha had advised her on how to adjust her diet to help her benefit the most from her strength training, and while it took effort to consume more than her usual bag of vegetables for breakfast, she was getting there. A No-Face magnet kept a list of protein shake recipes attached to her fridge, neatly written in Nanoha''s bold, left-handed script and Fate had been religiously following their instructions.
The best part of all their workouts to Fate''s mind, however, was when Nanoha had to spot her, or guide her through a new form of reps. ''Any excuse so she would touch you,'' she admitted to herself without shame.
Today''s workout was no different, the comforting feel of the Japanese woman''s hands while she helped Fate maintain proper posture through various workouts made the morning fly by. Together, the two striking women performed cool down stretches to close out their time in the gym, eyes only for the other and mostly oblivious to the audience they had yet again picked up this morning.
"Feito-chan, let me help," Nanoha approached the blonde who was having a little difficulty maintaining her balance with her cross-leg stretch. This was where she had to cross one leg in front of the other and fold over to place her hands in a starting sprint position on the floor, all while keeping her legs straight.
The auburn-haired woman had caught Fate''s wobble just in time, swiftly moving to offer her standing frame as a prop. Positioned right behind the blonde, she bit her lip at the feel of her friend''s glutes resting right where her pelvis was.
Unseen by the executive, Fate was nibbling on her own lip when Nanoha''s strong hands came to rest at her hips to help stabilise her wobble. "Th-Thanks Nanoha-chan." Counting the requisite number of seconds, she unfolded into a full skyward stretch.
Saturday mornings were getting crowded at the gym, worse so in the ladies'' lockers. "I wonder if we should switch days," Nanoha mused aloud to Fate as she blow-dried the blonde''s glorious mane of gold.
"Hmm?" Fate had been losing herself in the feel of the executive''s fingers buried in her hair and hadn''t really been paying attention.
"Switch days," Nanoha repeated patiently. Dressed in a pale yellow cotton bra and string tie thong, the executive urged the blonde to tilt her head with a hand on her jaw, "It was a struggle just getting a hairdryer for us."
Fate raised heavy sandy lashes to cast Nanoha a disbelieving look in the mirror, "I do not believe it would make much of a difference," she murmured. Her glance in the mirror had shown her no few looks being sent their way and there was nothing she could do - Nanoha simply looked too incredible in her simple underwear.
Fate had on dark purple lingerie, also rather simple by her standards, with only one layer of lace and a little red princess bow set between her breasts. She had thrown on a high-collared white button down shirt, but hadn''t bothered buttoning it up since she was preoccupied with applying a light layer of make-up while her friend helped dry her hair.
"Maybe it is because it is a Saturday morning?" Fate ventured, pressing her lips together to better apply her bubblegum-shaded pink lip gloss, pouting after to check the application.
The hands working on her hair paused momentarily, the Japanese woman distracted by those pink lips saying words to her in the mirror, "Hmm? Oh, I suppose you''re correct." She wondered if she should set up the upper level of her condo as a private gym for herself and Fate, before discarding the idea as Way Too Dangerous??. It was hard enough keeping her hands platonic whilst helping Fate out with her workouts.
"You don''t have to dress so formally, you know," was what the executive said instead, azure eyes stealing another glance at the starched button down that draped so tantalisingly over the blonde''s slim torso.
"It''s TSAB''s CEO, Nanoha-chan. If I had to wear a military uniform, I would." Fate replied drily. "You may be acquainted with her, but I am not. I have to make a good impression for my boss'' sake."
Nanoha''s lips pulled into a familiar lopsided smile, "I know your boss appreciates how detail-oriented you are. But that''s still hours away¡"
Giggling, Fate leaned back to bump her friend with a shoulder, incidentally feeling the brush of Nanoha''s bra-clad chest against her back. "I''ll change to the skirt later, I brought pants since we''re shopping today. Speaking of, aren''t you going to get dressed?" She eyed the fresh-faced beauty in the mirror and licked her lips, "I''m hungry."
Nanoha grew a little warm at the way Fate said those words, but the blonde had returned to applying the finishing touches to her make-up, appearing to dismiss the executive for the nonce.
Muttering something about finding a block of ice to sit on, Nanoha grabbed her gym bag and pulled out a fitted red and white flannel shirt to don. Not bothering to button more than the two middle-most buttons since it was the tropics, she dug around for her Gudetama ankle socks. The little lazy egg character was picking his nose, the sight of them sending Fate into a fit of chiming giggles. All according to Nanoha''s cunning plan; she never grew tired of hearing the woman''s laughter.
A torn pair of denim shorts was tugged over her hips, one of the rips high enough that the lower curve of one bottom was visible. Fate had discovered over the weeks that while Nanoha made a very fine example about what to wear at work, the executive enjoyed dressing down hard core when she had the chance. Probably because she was always in formal office clothes.
White loafers completed Nanoha''s outfit and Fate shook her head, "Nanoha-chan, you look wonderful, but please tell me you have something to change into for our dinner with Miss Yagami," she murmured while putting on her own drawstring khaki pants. Slipping into nubuck sandals, the statuesque blonde carried her Banana Republic look perfectly.
"Nyahaha¡ Maybe." The executive''s glib answer did nothing to assuage Fate''s worries. Not giving Fate time to nag, Nanoha grabbed her gym bag in one hand, Fate''s hand in the other, and exited the locker rooms. Crankily, she noticed the gym had practically emptied out, and wished people would pick other times to use the place instead of the mornings when she and Fate did.
The pair had made their way into the town centre, where most of the island''s malls were located. Orchard Road boasted wide promenades on either side of broad eight-lane roads. The area served as a hub for locals and tourists alike, seeking entertainment, food or shopping of all sorts. Massive old rain trees lined either side of the roads, offering shade to the mingling crowds enjoying the scenery or just walking from one mall to the next.
Music weaved between the loud hubbub of the weekend crowds, their source, the buskers plying their trade on the sidewalk. Small push carts selling ice-cream and cold drinks to passersby dotted the sidewalks at regular intervals, doing brisk business in the warmth of the afternoon sun.
The women had ditched everything other than their cellphones and smartwatches since one could go fully cashless in the city centre. The pair drank in the sights and sounds of the lively weekend crowds, neither having truly ventured here until now. "Whups!" Almost losing the other woman to a wave of bodies, Fate lunged for Nanoha''s hand, keeping a hold of it just in case. Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Nanoha immediately interlocked their fingers, earning her a smile from the blonde.
Nanoha consulted the map app on her phone, "Says there''s a costume store somewhere¡ Aha!" A half flight of stairs led down from the sidewalk''s level, a neon sign saying ''Ghouls N Gobs'' indicating they had found the place they were looking for. The shop was located close to the outskirts of the district, in one of the older, less glitzy malls. It suited Nanoha just fine, since she wasn''t much for crowds to begin with. Fate appeared to be of a similar mindset and blew out a small breath of relief to get away from the bustle outside.
Nudging Fate with her hip, the executive threw her a rakish grin, "Your mission, should you choose to accept it¡"
"Oh, watch me beat the tar out of you, Takamachi." Fate''s eyes scanned the dim interior of the store, thinking she spied one or two promising pieces already.
"Big words, Blondie. I''ll Tasmanian Devil this place before you say ''peep''." Shoving her phone into her shorts'' back pocket, Nanoha was already moving through the aisles, sifting through hangers.
"Isn''t that Devil brown in colour? Did I scare your White into Brown? My, I don''t even know my own power sometimes." The blonde arched one haughty brow at the executive as she strode down her own chosen aisle to start down.
Giggling, the two went their separate ways to find the absolute perfect costume for this Halloween.
The two friends had agreed not to peek at each other''s costumes, both wishing to surprise the other on the night itself. Neither wanted to examine why it was so important to impress their friend, however.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
''Nope. Nope. Nope. Gods, no.'' Nanoha frowned. There didn''t seem to be anything that jumped out at her in the shop. The costume for women ranged from full on x-rated to gothic lolita with not much space in-between. Granted, she felt Vita would carry off the loli goth look quite well, but it simply wasn''t Nanoha''s style at all.
Sighing, she wandered into the men''s section, not really expecting to find much. She counted off the usual suspects in disappointment. Freddy, Jason, Chainsaw, Frankenstein, Dracula¡ Fingering the lapel of Dracula''s suit, Nanoha hummed thoughtfully. Nodding to herself, she backtracked to where the accessories were sold, picking up a few pieces.
"Thank you for your purchase!" Glancing over, Nanoha saw that Fate was done paying for whatever she had picked out. Curiously, her hands were empty. Sauntering over, Nanoha bumped Fate lightly with her hip, "Bought you some air?" She teased.
Fate hmphed and bumped Nanoha back while pretending to use her slightly higher vantage point to peek into the other woman''s shopping basket. "Hey!" The executive turned her back to Fate to block the blonde''s view, not realising that it merely presented Fate with an even better view of her behind. The blonde hid a smile. ''Oh Nanoha.'' It was such a blessing and a curse that the auburn-haired beauty was completely oblivious to her effect on the blonde, and on everyone around them, honestly.
"None of your beeswax." Flipping her hair over one shoulder, the icy blonde smiled at the cashier, accepting the proffered pen and notepad. "Your basket doesn''t look very devilish, I must say." She wrote down her address in her typically elegant script and handed the items back to the cashier who smiled, "We will have it ready in a week, Ma''am."
"Very good, thank you."
Winking at the executive, Fate made her way out of the shop to wait outside the entrance, honouring their word not to see each other''s costumes before the day of the bash. Inside, she could hear the female cashier stammering as Nanoha approached to make her own purchases. She stifled a laugh and sighed. These little outings watered the drought-stricken tree that was her unceasing attraction to her boss, and it insisted on flourishing against all odds.
A sudden gust of wind swept over the area and Fate took a moment to tuck loose strands of her hair behind one ear with nominal success. She eyed the majestic rain tree rustling above her, evergreen leaves casting their shade over the promenade before her. Sprouting out from the tiles of the sidewalk, hemmed in by a ring of bricks, it had no reason to grow so high and strong, yet here it was, defiant and beautiful, sheltering the blonde with a sense of well-being and comfort.
If not for the make-up she had so carefully applied, Fate would have buried her face in her hands. At this rate, she would be composing sonnets about the Japanese woman soon.
"Feito-chan, are you feeling all right?" It had taken Nanoha some time to extricate herself from the shop. She had asked about custom costume designers, whom the cashier was only too happy to recommend, and it had taken a while for the girl to dig out details for her. Leaving the blushing girl a nice tip, she waved and exited the shop, only to find her friend rubbing at her temples, an expression of discomfort on her classically beautiful face.
Startled to find the auburn-haired woman''s face a mere few inches from hers, Fate stammered something about being fine, attempting to step back and away from the temptation of those Cupid''s bow lips. Alas, the executive''s hold on her arm was too firm. Slipping a calloused hand around Fate''s neck, Nanoha tilted the blonde''s face down to touch foreheads with her. "You feel warm." She gently tucked stray strands of gold behind Fate''s ears, "Let''s get you out of the sun for a bit."
Overriding the reddened blonde''s protests, Nanoha glanced around the area and brightened. She led the blonde across the road to a sprawling hotel, giggling a little to herself as she caught more than one person coming up short in the middle of a road crossing to get a better look at the tall beauty. That was her Feito-chan, breaking hearts while gliding across a busy intersection.
Fate looked around her after being seated. Curled around the hotel''s exterior was a vast, sprawling cafe whose tables were separated from the main thoroughfare by a row of waist-high potted plants - an excellent place for people watching. Nanoha''s torn shorts and crumpled flannel were of no issue, since hotel guests were notorious for being shabby while on holiday anyway, though Fate wished the waiter would stop eyeing the auburn-haired woman''s cleavage like that.
About to order a Perrier, Fate felt a nudge under the table, Nanoha using her foot to prod her into getting something with actual calories. "Have a cheat day, Feito-chan, you earned it this morning."
Fate sighed, unable to deny anything Nanoha asked of her, "¡Fine, I''ll have the roasted coconut affogato with palm sugar." Blushing faintly at Nanoha''s approving smile, she closed her menu with a slap and handed it back to the waiter.
Hands covered by her overlong sleeves, Nanoha flipped through the menu a little longer and brightened, "I''ll have the figs and peach espresso soda." Giving up her menu as well, the executive pulled back her sleeve and leaned over to feel Fate''s forehead again, "Maybe the Perrier wasn''t such a bad idea to have on the side."
Fate closed her eyes to block out the absolutely distracting sight of Nanoha''s chest, the buttons of her cute flannel doing an absolutely dismal job at keeping the woman contained. "M-Maybe," she muttered, pulling away from her friend''s touch with Herculean effort. More hydration couldn''t hurt with how badly she was thirsting, that was for sure.
Falling back into their usual banter for refuge, she asked, "How badly will I beat you on Halloween?"
"Talk big all you want, Wench, I will see you in hell come October 31st." Nanoha made a show of buffing her already buffed nails. Fate couldn''t wait, truth be told.
"Wait, who would be the judge of our contest?" She asked.
Sighing, Nanoha took a moment to rub her own temple, "I''m sure Ha¡ Miss Yagami wouldn''t mind presiding, actually."
Catching Nanoha''s slip, Fate smiled. "You don''t have to call her that in front of me, Nanoha-chan. I heard her on the phone with you that first Saturday, remember?"
Nanoha tapped her index finger''s knuckle to her temple, "Oh, right. Well, we attended the same schools back home, though she skipped a few grades so she''s a few years younger than I am. We kept in touch right until when she took over in TSAB and brought me in as an intern. I''m sure she''s regretted that move ever since." Nanoha''s smile was wistful as she thought back to those halcyon days.
Fate knew a little about Yagami Hayate''s stratospheric rise to the top of TSAB but she was far more interested in Nanoha''s story.
"There are so many crazy rumours¡"
Nanoha took a sip of her refreshing beverage, "Mmm, I did warn you." She held up her hand and began folding digits as she counted off, "I did not sleep with her, bribe her, hold a server farm hostage, or draw a weapon on an HoD." That smile grew toothy, "I did, however, call my direct report a cunt, buy off someone who tried to blackmail some colleagues, threaten people with bodily harm, and stab a pen halfway through a whiteboard."
In the midst of dousing her dessert with the shot of espresso it came with, Fate stared at Nanoha, wide-eyed.
"I''m a reformed teenager," the executive joked. "Had a chip the size of Soviet Russia on my shoulder and felt that I had something to prove."
"And did you?" Fate prodded at her treat with a long teaspoon.
Her question earned her a small shrug, "Perhaps. I''ve learned to care less." She blew out a breath, the action shifting the unruly lock that had fallen into her eye. "It gives Signum less work."
"I''m glad you cared that Friday," Fate said quietly, and Nanoha felt caught by the quiet intensity of the blonde''s crimson eyes.
"Y¨CYou make it easy to care," the executive blurted out against her will. Fate''s eyes were wide with surprise and Nanoha quickly looked away, making a show of people-watching while she sipped nervously at her drink.
Fate said nothing as she quietly took those words and tucked them into the warmest place in her heart. They enjoyed their orders in silence, and while initially awkward, it fell back into a comfortable sense of companionship that was the hallmark of their friendship. Sometimes, words simply weren''t necessary. Not even when Fate bossily swatted Nanoha away from the bill being presented to their table.
''That''s enough of that, Missy.'' Her glare seemed to say.
''But I picked the place.'' Nanoha''s perplexed look replied.
''Is this a face that cares?'' Fate tilted one arched brow at the auburn-haired woman.
Nanoha hmphed and stomped off with her shopping bag while Fate tapped her card to the reader. She smiled her thanks to the grinning cashier, received her receipt and following after the huffy executive.
''Was this heaven, or hell?'' Nanoha asked herself.
Fate hadn''t bothered getting a swim suit since her move to the island nation for work, and the company retreat did mention bonding activities at the beach. ''I know who I want to bond with¡'' Thought the blonde.
As the resident expert on swimsuits, or so Fate had declared, just because she owned more than one set, the blonde had roped Nanoha in to help her pick out a few designs.
''Keep it professional, Takamachi¡'' She admonished herself while pulling up her memory of the retreat''s itinerary to help with the decision-making process. Her department was in charge of the planning this year, so she had left it up to Vita, Teana and Subaru, trusting the little redhead to keep Subaru''s crazier ideas out of the schedule. Damned if she had time to look at resort brochures with work the way it was.
"One-piece," she mumbled.
"I''m sorry, what did you say?" Fate had a few possible picks in her arms, reminiscent of the halter and thong set Nanoha wore so well that night. They were styles that Nanoha took one look at and knew she wouldn''t survive seeing the blonde in.
"There will be a few rough and tumble games. A one piece is safer, in case of accidents." Nanoha explained. The blonde pouted a little, and the executive could not help but laugh. "You can use a two-piece when we have our down time, but you definitely want a one-piece for company activities." The auburn-haired woman congratulated herself on her save.
"Nanoha, please do me." The clattering sound of a cellphone hitting the changing room floor greeted that remark.
"Wh-What?!"
"What do you mean what?" Fate''s blonde head poked out past the curtain of privacy, her expression puzzled, "I cannot reach this, help do me, please."
"Right, yes, of course," snatching up her poor phone, Nanoha hopped up from the waiting benches. Steeling herself, she went over to the changing stall and gulped as the curtains were pulled back to reveal the porcelain length of Fate''s back being presented to her. She had gathered up her heavy fall of hair to pile it over one shoulder and the vision was something Nanoha would remember for the rest of her life. The woman was in a black one-piece with the sides cut out. Strips of black elastic replaced the empty scoops. The high cut of the suit left Fate''s hips bare and Nanoha knew she was staring. The back was a lace up affair with small metal hooks; little wonder that Fate needed help with it.
''Hello, prime numbers my old friend, I''ve come to count on you again¡'' A muscle in her jaw ticked while she helped lace the blonde up, the woman gasping softly at one point, prompting Nanoha to ask, "Too tight?"
A silent shake of Fate''s head was her reply, and so she tied the remaining length of string up and hurried back out of the stall. Being in that tiny room alone with Fate was testing her vaunted endurance to the very limits.
Except that the blonde had followed her out of the stall.
"Would this be all right for activities?" The blonde asked, frowning down at the suit. The lace did help keep things¡ secure, but it did feel slightly suffocating around her ribs. She ran her hand down the suit, checking its fit.
The thought of what activities she would like to have with the blonde sped through the executive''s head in a split second and she coughed into her fist, glancing at Fate out the corner of one eye. Gods, the lacing acted like a corset, emphasising the woman''s slim waist and pushing her chest up and together in the process.
"O-Only if it''s comfortable, Feito-chan. Remember, you would be wearing it for some hours at the least."
"Hmm, I suppose you are correct." Walking back to the changing stall, she asked, "Can you help unlace me?"
Nanoha quietly whimpered to herself. This was going to be a long and torturous afternoon.
"Could I wear a two-piece really tightly instead?"
''ARGH¡''
Chapter 15: Old Habits Die Hard
"Nyanoha!" A short brunette in a beige and brown a-line dress glomped onto Nanoha. The executive was still in her crumpled flannel top, though she had swapped her ripped shorts out for equally ripped jeans, earning her a small huff from Fate, "So this was your idea of ''more formal'', hmm?"
"Nyahaha¡ We''re off company time, Haya-chan won''t care."
And sure enough, their CEO didn''t, squealing and hugging Nanoha like the old friend she was.
"Awk! It''s good to see you too, Haya-chan," Nanoha''s greeting was as dry as Hayate''s was enthusiastic. Instinctively, the auburn-haired woman fended off any smooches or gropes the little brunette attempted, until it almost seemed like a game between the two.
"Getting slow in your old age, Haya-chan." Pulling out of the woman''s grasp, she introduced Fate to her friend, "Feito-chan, Yagami Hayate. Haya-chan, I''ll break your hands if you try anything with my AVP." The executive''s introductions were made in good humour, and she appeared relaxed. This was the only reason Fate did not go nuclear on the touchy-feely brunette, boss of her boss be damned.
"Mou, I''m just out of practice. And should you be threatening your boss the minute you see her?" Hayate prodded Nanoha in the cheek, which the executive bore with an expression of long-suffering. She held out her hand then, snapping quickly back into corporate mode to greet the blonde, "Miss Testarossa, glad to have you in TSAB. I''ve heard good things about you."
The brunette''s sharp eyes caught the faint shades of green in Fate''s own crimson eyes when she had latched onto Nanoha, and the CEO hid a chortle of glee. There were reasons why she did the things she did.
"That''s because I know you too well, Haya-chan." Droll, Nanoha helped seat Fate and Hayate before settling into her place. They were at one of the many Jumbo Seafood Restaurants scattered about the island. Famous for its lavish Chinese cuisine without the stuffy trappings of a high-class restaurant, it served clientele from the man on the street to high-powered business dinners and everyone in-between.
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Yagami, thank you for having me aboard." The CEO had booked a private dining room for them, and Fate appreciated the relative quiet it afforded. "Please, call me Hayate. Miss Yagami makes me sound as old as Nanoha claims I am. And if I''m old, so are you, Nano-chan. You''re older than I am!"
"I am old, Hayate. This job ages me a year for every month I''m in TSAB."
Fate could tell Nanoha was only half-joking. "It is my hope that I may slow that ageing process down," she interjected in her sweetly dulcet tones.
Nanoha had been checking on their pot of tea to see if it was done steeping, and glanced up at Fate''s words to smile at the blonde.
"You''re doing a fine job," she told her AVP warmly.
''Well, well, well.''
"Mind if I order? I''ve been missing some specific dishes." Hayate scrolled through the iPad the restaurant provided.
Nanoha glanced at Fate, who nodded.
"Sure, Haya-chan."
The table they were seated at was a fair-sized circular affair, with a Lazy Susan set in the middle of it, typical again of Chinese restaurants. Nanoha poured out three servings of chrysanthemum tea for them, using the table''s device to serve the drinks up to Hayate and Fate.
"All done! And thanks for the tea, Nano-chan. So," The CEO carelessly tossed aside the iPad to wrap her hands around her cup, "Nanoha tells me you helped with the Testarossa account. How did you come about your decisions?"
"Hayate, we''re off the clock¡" Nanoha began, falling silent when the brunette lifted one hand to stop the executive from further protest, "Nanoha, I like getting to know key staff better and there''s no guarantee I''ll have a chance after tonight."
Pursing her lips, Nanoha exhaled a soft breath and leaned back into her chair, "I have faith in my pick."
"And I''d like to find out why," the CEO countered with a smile. She returned her beady-eyed attention to the blonde seated across from her.
"TSAB has the IS infrastructure, true. But the ground-level services that TI provides requires a minimum of one year to fully on-board due to its specialised nature. That on-boarding process does not require either myself, or my sister. We were¡" Fate''s jaw worked while she searched for the proper word, "...Expendable."
"That''s a very ruthless way of looking at it," Hayate observed.
Fate tilted her head to concede the CEO''s observation, but didn''t bend, "I prefer the word ''practical'', Ma''am," she countered respectfully.
"Nothing personal, huh?" Hayate asked, almost rhetorically.
Fate glanced over at Nanoha, whose arms were crossed, the leopard''s eyes lidded as she observed the two spar. Her pose was deceptively relaxed, and Fate knew the executive would leap to her defense if needed, but trusted her to fight her own battles, too. It comforted the blonde immensely, and though she didn''t smile, her crimson pools warmed when Nanoha met her gaze, holding her captive with those brilliant azure eyes, "No, nothing personal."
Turning back to Hayate, she took a small sip of the fragrant floral tea.
Hayate giggled and leaned back in her seat to take a sip as well, "I''d have you in HR and Recruitment if Sig-chan wasn''t already there." She told Nanoha, her oblique way of saying she approved of Fate''s hiring.
"I''d toss myself out of the 42nd." Nanoha muttered, drinking her own tea.
"Oh come on, you''re a good mentor. Look at Tea and Subaru."
"They were more than halfway there when they came in, I just nudged them a little. It helps that they complement each other so well. I don''t have the luxury of doing one-on-ones with anyone."
''Only with Fate, hmm?'' Hayate mused, peering at the blonde to see a tell-tale hint of pink in the woman''s cheeks, which informed Hayate that the blonde knew she was an exception to the rule. Well, it was good if the woman appreciated the effort her friend was putting in.
"Halloween is coming up, have you gotten your costumes yet? I have this amazing Magical Girl outfit for you, Nanoha. It''s all white and blue and has these cute ribbons, you''ll even have a staff to hit people with¡"
"I''d hit you first," Nanoha drawled, "Forget it. I have something in the works."
"Works? Oho, that''s more effort than I''ve seen you put in in ten years, m''dear. What changed?"
Nanoha hooked an elbow over the back of her chair, affecting a relaxed pose, "Well¡ My AVP and I have a little competition going to see who has the better costume this year. A bit of friendly rivalry, you might say. I was going to ask you to judge but there''s no point if you''re dressing me up¡"
"DONE!" Plates and cups rattled from the CEO slapping the table in excitement. "Stakes?"
Chuckling at Hayate''s expected response, Nanoha glanced over her shoulder at Fate, arching one finely shaped brow.
"I''ll pick then!" Hayate piped up before Fate could formulate a response, "Loser has to sing something to the winner in a karaoke bar!"
"Urg." Nanoha groaned, "I''ll whup Feito-chan''s arse, but still, urg."
"D-Don''t be too sure, I might be the one wh-whupping your a-arse, Nanoha." Fate stuttered over the unfamiliar turns of phrases but was determined to give as good as she got.
Hayate glanced from vice executive to assistant vice executive. "Maybe I''ll decide you both lose and whup both your arses."
Fate choked on her tea and began coughing while Nanoha patted her on the back, "You''d have to get through Sig-chan, then me, to get to Feito-chan, you know that right?"
"Well, it might be worth it," the CEO mock-leered at the blonde who was just recovering, only to choke again at Hayate''s leer.
"Oh stop it Haya-chan, you''re scaring the poor girl. Pay no mind to this tanuki, she forgets how to be civilised outside of TSAB." Nanoha reassured her AVP.
Further conversation paused as the CEO''s orders arrived. Sichuan hot and sour soup, a platter of black pepper crab, and one with chilli crab were also served, along with a heaped plate of steamed mantou, or buns, fried crisp. The corpses of at least four cooked crabs stared their beady eyes at Fate.
"This is¡ different," Fate noted weakly while she eyed the nutcrackers that had arrived with the crabs. "Haya-chan, did you have to do that when Feito-chan is wearing white?" Nanoha scolded the drooling CEO who only had eyes for the crabs, "Oh how I''ve missed you my pretties¡"
Sighing, Nanoha waved down a server, "Can I get three bibs, please?"
"Certainly, Ma''am."
Nanoha tossed one of the bibs at Hayate and flicked out another. "Hold up your hair," she told Fate. Blinking up at the executive, the blonde did as she was told, and blushed to feel Nanoha''s hands at her neck, securing the bib around it with a knot. She helped smooth the paper over Fate''s clothes which only served to deepen the pink hue dusting her pale cheeks, "There. That should protect you."
"Nyano-chaaaan, can you tie it for me too?" The CEO blinked puppy dog eyes at the auburn-haired woman, who only snorted, "You ordered, you tie it yourself."
"Mou, Nano-chan is only nice to her AVP!" An accusation the auburn-haired woman shrugged off, "It''s because she reduces my workload, instead of increasing it." Hayate got an accusing look of her own from Nanoha.
Ladling out the soup for everyone, Nanoha gestured at the crabs, "Case in point. Most people prefer their food outside of shells, not inside, Haya-chan."
"But it''s worth it!"
Nanoha merely sighed and dug in, explaining to Fate, "It''s what they''re famous for in this country."
"So I have heard," Fate twitched the edge of her bib, "This is my first time encountering them, however. Well, I''m sure you can show me how to do this."
Nanoha smiled and nodded.
Hayate was running out of fingers to count the number of smiles the blonde was eliciting out of her usually grouchy Operations head, and it was driving her wild with curiosity. She schooled her expression to cordial blandness and bided her time.
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Cleaning their hands on the wet wipes provided by the establishment, Fate began rolling up her sleeves at Nanoha''s behest. The executive did the same and reached out to snag one of the fried buns. Breaking the small portion in two, she dipped it in the generous pools of gravy the crabs were served in, selecting the black pepper one first. Handing it to Fate, she nodded, "Give it a try."
Gingerly, the blonde nibbled at the soaked bun, her eyes widening at the burst of flavour that greeted her tongue. "Mmm, wow," she licked her lips and popped the rest of the bun into her mouth. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, even the mouthfeel was excellent.
Hayate giggled at the blonde, "Good yea? Black peppercorns pounded in a pestle and sauteed in a butter-infused crab broth." She took a bite herself, making a sound of pleasure, "SHO GOOD."
Nanoha had dipped the other half of the bun into the gooey chilli crab gravy. This too, she offered to Fate who daintily accepted it with a murmur of thanks. The gravy was red as sin and she was afraid it would be terribly spicy. She blinked after her first, tentative taste. "This is chilli?" She licked her lips, there was nothing spicy about this gravy at all.
Nanoha chuckled, "There is a little of that, but most of it is tomato, egg, cornstarch, and more crab broth."
"Mmm, yes, very egg-y. I can see why these are their specialty dishes." The outer dining area had been packed when they got in, meaning Hayate had to have made a reservation for them.
Without preamble, the executive grabbed one of the massive pincers from the black pepper platter, "They pre-smash these," she explained to the blonde who was curiously watching. Actually, Fate was just enjoying the view of Nanoha''s arms, something she never tired of looking at, but she was paying attention, honest.
"But they aren''t thorough, so these," she picked up one of the nutcrackers, "Are for finishing the job," Turning the pincer one way then the other, the auburn-haired woman deduced what needed further cracking and proceeded to do so, the sight of muscles in her hands and forearms doing interesting things to Fate''s insides.
The shells of these Sri Lankan mud-crabs were particularly thick, which explained their size and the effort Nanoha had to put in. CRACK! Peeling away most of the shell, leaving only the tips intact, she offered it to Fate.
"These are the prized parts, since it offers the most meat for the least fuss."
"Ah, y-you shouldn''t have¡"
"Please, I''m claiming all the pincers for you since Haya-chan decided to sabotage you with them. She knows a Midchildan wouldn''t be familiar with these." True to her word, her hand darted out to slap Hayate''s away from a pincer.
"Hey! At least lemme have one!"
Fate giggled, still holding the pincer gingerly, "It''s all right, Nanoha. I''m sure I can figure this out. Hayate was correct when she said you were a good mentor."
"She''s just buttering me up hoping I''ll take on more headcounts." Nanoha slid a knowing look towards Hayate who pretended to be busy cracking her own pincer, "Too bad for her, I hate bloat in my department."
"It helps maintain organisational health," Hayate mumbled around a mouthful of crab.
"Cut half the bloat in the other departments and we''ll be a lot healthier." Nanoha muttered as she cracked another pincer, urging Fate to try the pincer she had, "Just put your teeth around it and pull."
Doing as instructed, Fate found herself with a mouthful of softly steaming crab meat. It was sweet, buttery and peppery. Her raised eyebrows got her smiles from the other two women.
"Pardon," she dabbed at her mouth, "As you know, this is uncommon cuisine where I am from."
"And that''s why we exist, for new experiences!" Hayate toasted them with her tea, which they returned.
The meal passed without incident, Hayate sharing stories of Nanoha from back when they attended an all girls'' prep-school, much to the executive''s chagrin and Fate''s utter delight.
"Please, wait," Fate held up one hand, "Nanoha was the Student Council President, captain of the kendo, judo, and parkour clubs, and regional champion for javelin and discus?" Fate eyed the auburn-haired woman who was currently cracking the hell out of a pincer, "Nanoha, I had my mother for my excuse. What was yours?"
Giving Hayate the stink eye, she peered at Fate from under that unruly lock of hair in her eye, "They needed someone?" She offered weakly.
Hayate giggled, "Needed? They all wanted you. I remember when all the girls in the kendo club were chasing you around school, declaring you had to join and become captain if any of them beat you."
"Oh gods, I''m still trying to forget that."
"It gets better," the brunette promised Fate with a wink, "The judo girls decided that would be their ultimatum too, and then the two clubs began fighting one another. It was pandemonium!"
"Detention class was packed for a week," Nanoha recounted glumly, "I had to challenge the best kendoist and judoist at the same time to get them to stop with their nonsense."
"The auditorium was packed after school. Everyone wanted to see Takamachi-sama mete out divine punishment on the perpetrators. The school newspaper reporting on the event went out of print three times over. The amount of love confessions she received af-MMPH!"
"Eat up before it gets cold," Nanoha had shoved a gravy-soaked mantou into the CEO''s mouth to stop her from making any further revelations.
Undeterred, Hayate finished off her mouthful and continued gleefully to her captive audience, "And since she beat both girls, she became the de facto captain of both clubs."
"Now that was messed up," Nanoha pointed her pincer at Hayate, "The conditions were that I joined if I lost, not won."
"Nano-chan," Hayate began, as if explaining to a child, "You beat their best, who else would they pick for captain of their club?"
Nanoha sighed, "At least I could schedule their activities around mine since I was captain for both. I had enough work on my plate cleaning the family dojo after school."
Fate smiled quietly, envious of the long friendship Hayate shared with the executive. At the mention of her family dojo, however, she had to ask, "What discipline is your family''s dojo known for?"
"Judo," Nanoha exchanged glances with Hayate, unnoticed by the blonde who was working on her own bit of crab, "And a few other things, but my brother is a kendoist, so I picked that up from him as well."
"Boy, did those girls love being tossed around by you," Hayate giggled.
"Shut up, Haya-chan, they did not." To Fate she explained, "They were very persistent and kept getting up, I didn''t want to use any moves that would actually hurt them."
"Ahh, Nano-chan, always the merciful devil. Much to the disciplinary committee''s dismay."
The executive shrugged uncomfortably, "I never wanted the gig in the first place."
"That''s why you were so good at it."
Fate shook her head in bemusement. It was a comfort to know that Nanoha was the same then and now.
"How did you both meet?" She asked as she took up arms in the form of a nutcracker to try her hand at this de-shelling business.
"Nothing special, we just bumped into each other on the first day of elementary school." Nanoha muttered, watching Fate''s first attempt like a hawk.
"Nano-chan! It''s not nice to lie!" Hayate tossed a crab leg shell at the executive who absently ducked, still watching Fate''s hands.
Fate glanced up and just at that moment, a shell slipped through her nutcracker''s grasp and went flying, right into Nanoha''s hand. Nanoha had been watching for a possible accident and was already there when the bug leg took off. PAP! It slapped neatly into the palm of her hand and she placed it back onto Fate''s plate.
"I wasn''t lying," she said mildly, "I did bruise my knee on your wheelchair."
"Nice catch, Nano-chan," Hayate said this as if she was used to seeing TSAB''s top executive make agile catches all the time. "You know the softball team was always crying to me about you not being their captain." She smiled at the flummoxed blonde, "Nano-chan bruised her knee because my wheelchair was in the way when she was kicking my bully in the shin."
Asking what any sane person would in her position, Fate stared at Nanoha, "How did you make that catch?" She wanted to ask about the wheelchair too, but that had to wait.
Azure eyes crinkled at the corners, "Because I sent my pincer flying the first time I tried this. I was merely prepared, just in case."
"You almost took Helen''s eye out, she thought you did it on purpose," Hayate remembered.
"She would have deserved it for botching that account," Nanoha grumbled sourly, "Took me two weeks to fix that."
"Aw, don''t be too hard on her. I think they were giving her a difficult time because they only wanted to negotiate with you."
Looking down at the detritus that was the mess of her plate, Nanoha shook her head, "What I want is clean hands. If you''ll excuse me," she nodded to her table companions and left for the ladies.
Fate was focused on the bit of leg she was still working on, determined to get that portion of meat inside without Nanoha''s help.
"So how is it working for Nanoha?" Hayate asked out of the blue.
Blinking, she looked up at the CEO who was toying with a piece of mantou and watching her with that same beady-eyed look from before.
Fate put the nutcracker aside, deeming this worthy of her full attention, "She is a most adequate superior. She is an excellent judge of the abilities of others and provides constructive feedback that allows the recipient to apply themselves and improve. She works harder than anyone else in the department and never asks of her people what she won''t do herself. In summary, she is the best boss I have ever had the pleasure of working for."
Hayate nodded, "She has been teaching you well. In fact, with your prior background combined with what you''ve learned under her, I think you would do well in her position. What say you? The board likes to see the old guard cycled out, helps cut costs. It will be a bump up in your salary and your job title. All I need is just cause."
Fate''s heart skipped a beat. Was the CEO suggesting she fire Nanoha and put Fate in her place? This woman who bled her heart and soul and kept all the spinning dishes in the air for TSAB? At the cost of her health? On top of that, she was asking Fate to give up dirt on Nanoha? Her friend of goodness knew how many years? What sort of monster was this brunette?
Back ramrod straight, Fate stared Hayate down, crimson eyes gleaming blood red with suppressed fury, "That is a very kind offer, Ma''am," she stated quietly in a voice laced with arctic chill, "Yet, I question any leadership who would look at Nanoha as a liability that needs replacement simply because she has been a decade in the company. I would kindly ask that you take your offer and place it where the sun''s rays will not reach, because I respectfully decline." Her chin lifted, "In addition, please expect my resignation the moment I know my boss has been replaced." Her aristocratic tones never rose, kept even and dripping with utter contempt.
Dead silence. The two women staring the other down. Finally, Hayate leaned back with a slight smile, "That may have been the most polite ''Fuck you'' I have ever had said to me." She waved a gravied hand, "I rescind my offer." Standing, she offered Fate a deep Japanese bow, "I entrust my dear friend to you. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu~"
Scrambling to her feet, Fate returned the bow in equal measure, heart pounding, "Kochi rakoso, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu~" The blonde hoped she had remembered the proper way to respond. Had the CEO been testing her?
"What''s going on?" Nanoha had returned to see them bowing to one another, and she eyed Hayate suspiciously, since to her, the root of all mischief in the world was this tanuki right here.
Hayate gave Nanoha a cheery grin, "Fate was practising japanese with me! Let''s go wash our hands, Fate."
"Ah? O-Okay¡" Dragged off by the CEO, Fate threw Nanoha an apprehensive look and the executive sighed, hoping Hayate kept her hands to h¡ ''Shit!'' She jumped out of her seat and bounded the few steps needed to catch up with them, "My hands still feel soapy," she lied, hustling herself between the two to force Hayate to let go of Fate''s hand.
"Mou, Nanoha, it''s not like I was going to grope her, much."
"I still keep up with my martial arts, you know¡"
"What did I say about threatening your boss with bodily harm?"
"We''re off the clock, you''re just my Student Council VP who gave me all the work and none of the help¡" Nanoha popped her knuckles for emphasis.
"Save me, Fate-chan!"
"Who said you could call her that?!"
"Fate-chan, Fate-chan, Fate-chan!"
"C''mere you!"
"EEEK!"
"N-Nanoha, we''re still in a restaurant¡ Ah! She grabbed me!"
"Oh you are dead now, you damned tanuki¡"
The dinner ended on an amicable note, with Hayate promising to drop by the office while she was in town.
"Is that a promise or a threat?" Nanoha quipped, earning her a smacked arm from her old friend who chuckled, "Wait here, Haya-chan, I''ll get the car."
Leaving Hayate to wait at the pick-up point, Nanoha walked Fate to her vehicle, not really trusting the blonde to be on her own after that incident with joyriders.
Gravel crunched under their feet as they walked in silence, with Nanoha scanning the area, checking for sight or sound of danger. Finally deciding it was safe, she broke the silence, "Ne, Feito-chan?"
"Hmm?" The blonde glanced over to the executive, one hand lifted to keep her hair out of her eyes in the soft breeze coasting over the parking lot.
The princess looked enchanting in the moonlight and it took Nanoha a moment to drag herself into the present. "I know it''s not your thing to go to the gym and¡" She shoved her hands deep into her jeans pockets, glaring down at their feet as they walked, "I wanted to say I appreciate the company. You didn''t have to¡"
Nanoha looked so adorable in her jeans and flannel with hands all tucked into her pockets and staring death at the inoffensive gravel that Fate simply couldn''t resist. Linking her arm around the executive''s, the blonde smiled, "I wanted to." Nanoha turned to her at the feel of the warm arm curling around hers, "This is not me k-kissing up to my boss, or anything like that. I enjoy spending time with Nanoha."
Delivering Fate to her car, heart thundering in her chest, the executive smiled up at the taller blonde, "Can I get a proper Midchildan goodbye?"
Only too happy to oblige, Fate leaned close, breathing in Nanoha''s scent. Then, cupping her face, she brushed feather-light kisses to one cheek, the other, and then the first once more. "Good night, Nanoha-chan¡"
Drawing back, she was surprised when she felt calloused hands cupping her own face. "Let me try it," the executive husked. Three, all too fleeting kisses that set her cheeks a-tingling, and the auburn-haired goddess was pulling back. "I like this Midchildan custom," she murmured. "Good night, Feito-chan."
Chapter 16: A Good Hurt
It was ridiculous how difficult it was to leave the blonde and get to her own car. Knowing Hayate was still waiting, the executive sighed and banged her head on her steering wheel only once before heading over to pick the CEO up.
Nanoha hadn''t thought that she had taken an overly long time to get back to Hayate, so the silent, knowing looks the brunette kept throwing her was getting on her nerves. The Audi''s engine roared powerfully as she sped them down empty streets to the Shangri-La where the CEO was staying during her time in Singapore.
"You can tell she was raised to be the perfect princess."
Nanoha didn''t need to ask about whom Hayate was speaking of.
The auburn haired woman sighed, "I know, and I''m sorry for yelling at you when you suggested we use her. Anyone on the outside is thinking the same thing." Nanoha shook her head, wearily raking back the forelock in her eye, "You would think I''d have had all the naivet¨¦ bled out of me by now. It never even crossed my mind until after I closed Signum''s posting."
Hayate watched her friend''s hands twist convulsively around the steering wheel.
"Usually I''d catch that before taking any action. You were right to question me. I''m questioning myself."
"You don''t give your instincts enough credit, Nano-chan."
Knuckles grew white as the engine revved louder, the executive almost running a red light. The passing street lights loomed and faded as she slowed, winding the car up the small side road to pull into the hotel''s drop-off area. She engaged the handbrake roughly.
"My instincts got me sweet fuck-all, Hayate." Nanoha growled, "You were well within your rights to fire me on the spot back then."
"I don''t like exercising my rights for stupid causes." Hayate argued. Covering the shaking hand still strangling the handbrake, she squeezed, "Nanoha."
Her normally stoically cool friend looked a wreck, and she squeezed again, "She told me to fuck off." Hayate giggled softly, "Well, she used words as pretty as herself, but that''s what she did. Told me to shove it where the sun don''t shine and she''d quit if I got rid of you."
It was as if Nanoha had been a balloon, overfilled with air, and someone had pricked her too-tight surface. Collapsing, her head fell forward, face buried in her arms now resting on the steering wheel. ''Thank you¡ Feito-chan.''
Nanoha''s entire body shook as the tension drained out of her. It had taken every ounce of herself to remain calm.
This was Shari''s handiwork, and Hayate''s lips thinned as she silently cursed that woman for the nth time. How dare that strumpet reduce her friend to¡ to this? Not even Ginga had¡ Well, that was neither here nor there.
"She passed with flying colours, Nano-chan. I will bring the hammer down on anyone questioning her hiring."
Lifting suspiciously bright eyes to stare at her old friend, Nanoha nodded.
"Your instincts found you a good one there." Hayate continued. She needed to rebuild what Nanoha had lost, but it was such a difficult thing when her friend was so fiercely independent. "She broke a lavatory door when someone insulted you at work."
Blinking, Nanoha was taken aback, "She what? Wait, are we still talking about¡"
"Mmmhmm. She took it up with Sig-chan, off the record. I think the words used were ''unnatural dyke''. She took great issue with that, apparently."
Mouth working, words failed the auburn haired woman but her lips twitched into a small smile. ''Feito-chan¡''
The brunette could see the slightest mending of the gaping holes in her friend''s confidence. It was almost as if there were invisible hands, encircling protectively around the surprisingly vulnerable woman. She really needed to find ways to rub the two Operations executives together to see what happened, especially now that she knew the blonde wouldn''t cast Nanoha aside for some tawdry rewards.
One final squeeze and Hayate popped the passenger door open. "It was good seeing you, Nano-chan, we''ll catch up more, yea?" With that, the tanuki was gone.
Nanoha had driven around in a daze. The warm feeling in the pit of her stomach wouldn''t go away and visions of the blonde beauty occupied her all through her aimless drive. Aimless as it was, she still found herself under Fate''s apartment building. It was as if her body knew, even if her mind didn''t.
Arms folded over her steering wheel, she leaned over, peering up at the blonde''s window. Dim lights lit the interior and she looked at her dashboard. 11:02PM.
''She said she slept late¡''
Feeling reckless and urged on by a fresh feeling of confidence, Nanoha raised her voice slightly, "Call, Testarossa, F."
Two rings, and her call was answered.
"Nanoha?" The auburn-haired woman shivered. Even just her sweet voice was enough to give her chills. Fate''s dulcet tones sounded lower, throaty.
"Hey¡ hope I''m not disturbing you."
Fate had just stepped out of the shower, a rather long one, since she had a lot of fuel for her fantasies from today. Her cheeks felt hot to hear the object of said fantasies over the phone just after she had¡ worked out some tension. Cradling the phone in the crook of her neck, she turned off her shower to better hear her boss.
"N-No, I was just going to dry my hair¡"
Nanoha''s hands gripped at her steering wheel. "Need help?" The words left her lips before she could think, and she snapped her mouth closed. What was she doing?! Well, there was no taking back what she said now. The executive shook her head at herself, this was her losing her mind.
"I¡ wh¡ I don''t mind but you''re on Sentosa?"
"Look out your window."
Nanoha could hear the soft pad of footsteps over the line, and then the willowy figure of the blonde appeared at the window she was staring at. The executive gave a small wave.
"Why¡?"
"I couldn''t sleep," which was true. She would''ve just gone home and stared at the sea. "Things have been piling up and¡ I apologise. I wanted to be sure you got home safe." Also true. "I''ll head off now," she pushed off from her steering wheel to start the engine.
This extraordinarily accomplished woman couldn''t sleep, and came looking for her? Pushing away her doubts, Fate shook her head, then realised the woman wouldn''t be able to see from where she was. "No, it''s fine. My shoulders do hurt from today''s workout, I would like the help."
This was Nanoha. Everything about her was to help, to improve the lives of those around her. How had Fate ever thought the woman was a destroyer, a harbinger of doom? What a difference a few weeks or months made, the blonde mused.
"Come on up." Fate imagined she could see the brilliant smile directed up at her from inside the car.
Fate gave her apartment a quick once over. She usually used her Friday nights to tidy up since she was a dateless loser, so there wasn''t too much that needed straightening up. Deciding it would pass muster, she realised too late that she, and her hair, were still in towels when there was a knock on her door.
It took Nanoha a long moment to find her tongue, it having been swallowed when Fate opened the door dressed in nothing but towels. The pale beauty was flushed pink from head to toe from the hot shower she''d just taken. Strands of gold had escaped the towel on her head to frame her elegantly beautiful face and the towel around her body was barely containing the woman''s chest. "I''m sorry, I caught you at a bad time," Nanoha began, trying not to think too hard about how the woman was completely naked under that one sheet of cloth.
Fate''s impossibly warm hand closed about her wrist and drew her in, "Nonsense," face aflame, the blonde closed the door, wondering how this scene might look to the casual observer. Her, almost naked, and pulling her gorgeous boss into her home this late at night.
In the distance, a glint of light flickered, the reflection of a street lamp against some sort of glass. Neither woman noticed.
"J-Just let me get dressed¡" Hurrying back to her bedroom, Fate quickly pulled on an oversized sleep shirt and shorts, buttoning the shirt up in a rush and getting it askew in the process, not that she noticed.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
It wasn''t Nanoha''s first time in Fate''s apartment. She knew her address from dropping Fate off that first Monday, ''and memorised it,'' her mind scoffed, but hadn''t had a chance to really explore inside. There were obvious attempts to make the place more homely. Little potted plants hung from the ceiling in the balcony, vines and tendrils dangling to give a sense of privacy from the outside.
The television was a modest 45-inch affair, likely something provided by the landlord. The couch too, was fairly small to fit the apartment, just large enough for three if they squeezed. Cushions with lily decals gave the area a cosy feel, and matched the bouquet of fresh lilies holding court in the middle of the coffee table.
An e-Reader sat on the table, next to the lilies, and it made Nanoha curious what the blonde enjoyed reading. Wandering into the kitchen, Nanoha smiled, seeing a blender she had recommended to Fate holding pride of place on the countertop.
Pictures of various gatherings littered the blonde''s fridge, taken locally or overseas. Curiously, Nanoha noted that Fate herself wasn''t in any of the pictures displayed. It seemed as though Fate was always on the outside looking in on other''s lives.
Hair still in a towel, Fate re-emerged, wondering where her guest had gone off to, "Nanoha-chan?"
The auburn haired woman poked her head around the entrance to her kitchen, "I want a selfie with Feito-chan," she declared with no context, the rest of her following as she exited the kitchen to rejoin Fate in the living area proper.
Fate blinked. She had always avoided being in front of the camera whenever possible. She hated how she looked, how she smiled, everything about herself.
Sensing the blonde''s hesitation, Nanoha persisted, "Friends take selfies. We''re friends, aren''t we, Feito-chan?" She drew Fate''s hands into her own and unleashed the full force of her Puss-in-Boots eyes on the blonde.
"O-Of course we''re friends," Fate whispered, helpless in the face of such overwhelming levels of cuteness. "I think of you as my¡ as my¡ b¡ best friend." She forced the words out in a stammered rush before her courage could fail her.
Warmed to her very toes, Nanoha smiled that devastatingly brilliant smile that robbed Fate of all thought, "I think the same of Feito-chan. Ne, let''s take a selfie after I do your hair?"
Red-faced, the blonde could only nod mutely. If it was Nanoha asking, she would turn the very fabric of reality on its head for her.
Leading Nanoha to her bedroom, she handed the auburn-haired woman her dryer and sat awkwardly in front of her dresser. She tugged off the towel over her head, releasing her damp hair from its confines, "Mmmf." Muscles tight from the morning''s exercise twinged and she winced.
The warm lights in the bedroom softened the princess'' classically sharp features, shrouding her in an enticing, yielding aura that called to the executive. ''Well? You offered to help. Start helping.''
Silently repeating the mantra about ''just helping'', Nanoha dug her fingers into the heavy flaxen tresses before her and began. As always, what started as a purely clinical endeavour took on a more leaden meaning the longer they spent time alone together.
Stiffly formal fingers began to curl and caress Fate''s scalp, the executive ensuring that not a hint of dampness remained to risk the blonde a headache if she slept with wet hair. Special attention was paid to the hair near her temples, the blunt claws of the executive''s fingers combing gently through the strands to separate and blow on them.
Gooseflesh spread over Fate''s body at the touch, more so when Nanoha''s fingers trailed through her hair to brush sensitive areas behind her ears. Unbidden, a soft gasp escaped past wetly pink lips, and Fate''s eyes, heavy and lidded in animal pleasure from the pampering, watched the gorgeous woman beside her, so focused on drying her hair. Fate didn''t need to look to know her nipples were drawn tight, twin aches brushing deliciously against the inside of her sleep shirt each time she shifted. She should have worn a bra.
It was hypnotic playing with Fate''s hair, to feel the warmth of the woman''s scalp against the sensitive pads of her fingers, to comb through its luxurious length repeatedly. It felt incredibly intimate and comforting to be trusted this much. She could see her eyes, fully dilated in the mirror, as she studied the beauty in the mirror. Her own traced over the blonde''s perfect brows, that gently aquiline nose, the delicately aristocratic curve of her jaw. All to frame those deep crimson pools that seemed to stare right into her soul, quietly accepting of everything they saw.
The gasp gave her pause, and Nanoha wondered if she had inadvertently caused the blonde some pain. Glancing down at the woman, her breath caught. Fate''s chest was rising and falling swiftly, the woman''s breath coming faster than expected, and¡ oh gods. She could see the tips of Fate''s breasts straining against the thin material of her sleep shirt and felt a sympathetic ache in her own. They felt heavy and warm. Too warm.
"Feito-chan¡"
It took Fate a moment to collect herself, that husky alto in her ear was turning her insides to goo. "Y-Yes?"
"...Do you have a clip?"
Soundlessly, she dug into a drawer and passed Nanoha the requested hair clip.
The auburn haired woman set aside the dryer to accept the clip. Movements painfully careful, she swallowed and twisted the now-dry mane of gold, clipping it up in a messy up-do. "Tell me where it hurts," she whispered, trailing fingers down one side of the blonde''s neck. She remembered which muscle groups they''d worked on today and had a fair idea where the hurt would be, but needed Fate to confirm it for her.
Gathering the tatters of her composure around her, Fate''s throat bobbed and pointed out the various spots. "This will hurt before it gets better," Nanoha warned. Fate nodded, made inarticulate by the woman''s closeness as she ran a firm touch over the problem spots, feeling out the knots that laid under soft skin.
"It will be a good hurt," the blonde whispered with utmost confidence, earning her a lopsided smile from the auburn-haired woman. Without warning, Nanoha dug strong fingers into the blonde''s flesh, immediately targeting the first knot right where the shoulder met neck. There was a shuddering gasp and Nanoha felt her own heart rate pick up. The sounds this woman made¡
"Breathe," she instructed quietly. Fate sucked in a sharp breath as instructed. It wasn''t enough. Nanoha had snaked an arm around her shoulders, bracing her as her fingers dug in once more, deeper, harder. Fate gave a soft cry, feeling the knot melt under the executive''s commanding touch, and her hands flew up to clasp around the auburn haired woman''s strong forearm. She was surrounded by the woman''s scent, the softness of her flannel, the heavy fall of her hair, that voice. It was beyond heaven, and Fate clung on for dear life.
Muscles tensed to iron rigidness, Nanoha frowned in concentration as she employed her mother''s arts to knead out the points of pain Fate had shown her. Her fingers traced the soft line of Fate''s shoulder and dug in once more. "Nnnh! Nanoha!"
"Shh, I''ve got you. Feito-chan has been trying too hard." Their positions aside, the noises Fate was making, it was all pushed to the background when Nanoha realised how close Fate had come to overdoing it. When it came to pressure point work, the root of pain frequently originated further away from the problem areas. Calling up her memory of the paths blood circulated through, the executive traced corresponding lines down Fate''s sides and dug into the next closest cluster of nerves.
Fate was reeling. It was clear she''d bitten off more than she could chew when she had asked for help. This woman never went with half-measures, the blonde should have realised that by now. She shuddered and arched when the new spot was found. "I¡ I just wanted you to be proud," Fate explained through a panted breath.
A soft sigh answered her, "Would I be proud if Feito-chan hurt herself for me?" The blonde shook her head, looking chastised. She felt soft lips on her temple, offering the blonde swift forgiveness. "This will take more than I planned. Sorry, Feito-chan." The arm around her shifted, the other slipping under her knees to lift her up. Nanoha carried Fate to her queen-sized bed, her one luxury in the apartment. The blonde blushed hotly, her self-castigation utterly waylaid by lurid thoughts. She''d imagined this happening many times, each time proceeding to things that made her have to touch herself.
"Nanoha, wh¡" The auburn haired woman laid her gently on her bed, "Roll over, I need more access." Nanoha''s face held a slight frown of concern. The blonde licked her lips and did as instructed, unsure of what was happening, only that she''d do anything the gorgeous executive asked of her.
It was a challenge having to work through the long sleep shirt, it dulled Nanoha''s sense of touch and impeded her ability to see what was where. "Arms up," she instructed, and Fate complied. Grasping the bottoms of the blonde''s shirt, the executive lifted it up and off of the princess'' body.
''Just helping,'' the executive firmly reminded herself, averting her eyes so Fate could lie face down after her shirt was removed. "Feito-chan, I''m sorry, I should have noticed. Please, you must pace yourself."
Fate had no compunctions about having Nanoha remove her shirt. She was blushing madly but there was a rock solid belief that the other woman had no doubt that it was for Fate''s own good. What a contrast to¡ other experiences. Crossing her arms under her head, Fate laid her head down and eyed the auburn haired woman out of the corner of one eye. "I promise," she murmured, "I just didn''t want to be a burden."
"You hurting yourself burdens me," Nanoha shared with raw honesty. Fate had no answer to that, but none was expected, not when she felt Nanoha straddling her bottom. She buried her burning face into her arms. A good thing, since the executive had begun mirroring her first massages on Fate''s other side. The sensation of long-niggling aches the blonde hadn''t even noticed were there, slowly melting away under the executive''s knowing hands, was a sort of bliss she never imagined she would ever experience.
She was becoming putty in Nanoha''s calloused hands and there was nowhere else she would rather be. Firm sweeps interspersed with digging kneads chased every ounce of tension from her back and arms, and when the touches moved to her neck, she bit the sheets under her to muffle her groan. "You''re so good at this¡" She mumbled.
She could hear the smile in the woman''s warm alto, "I had a lot of practice on myself," Nanoha switched to using her knuckles, and Fate tensed when a particularly problematic spot was worked firmly on, "Nngh¡"
"Here?" She felt the bed shift, the auburn haired woman straddling her back as she moved up higher. The burning heat even through the woman''s jeans was incredible. "I don''t want this to end¡" Fate unknowingly whispered aloud. It had been a long day and she was nodding off from all the pampering. Nanoha smiled as she kneaded and rolled each shoulder, careful of the rotator cuffs the blonde had been straining. That smile faded back into a frown as Nanoha considered her delinquency.
''Idiot. She was relying on you to make sure she stayed safe, and you let your damned libido run off like a bunny on speed. Get your shit together, Takamachi, before someone really gets hurt.''
Switching her massages to soothe on purpose, she gentled her touch, soaking in the feel of Fate''s velvet soft skin, the supple curve of her back under her thighs. She exhaled in a silent sigh. ''Principessa¡ how I ache for you.'' Carefully lifting herself off of the bed with minimal movements, she pulled the covers over the sleeping beauty''s shoulders, tucking the ends of them under the woman''s delicate chin. Unable to resist, she leaned close and brushed her lips to the corner of Fate''s, all that she dared take. "Sweet dreams, Feito-chan." She unclipped the blonde''s hair, allowing it to spill in a golden pool beside her. Memorising the painting that was this moment, Nanoha left and turned off the lights.
¡Nanoha covered her eyes with one hand. She couldn''t leave without leaving the door unlocked. ''Well, you certainly thought that through, didn''t you?'' She asked herself acidly. At least tomorrow was a Sunday. Kicking off her jeans, she dropped a text to Erio to update him on her run schedule and settled on the couch to try to get comfortable. Everything smelled like Fate, which immediately helped her relax. With a slight smile, Nanoha curled up on her side and closed her eyes, one lilac and rose scented cushion for her pillow.
Chapter 17: Whats Your Damage?
Yells and crashes sounded in the distance, the slice of a helicopter''s blades cutting through the endless night. She moaned faintly past lips split and crusted with blood from dehydration and worse. So noisy. The forest loomed ever closer, its intent to bury her where she lay, almost palpable. The crashing sounds grew closer, dogs baying from scenting something.
Overhead, the roaring blades approached and pressed down upon her, and the blinding glare of high-powered emergency searchlights left afterimages that hurt. In the one eye she could open, anyway. The other had been caked shut from blood that had poured from a large gash in her scalp. She tried to shy away, but the nauseating feel of grinding bone kept her in place.
The noises were so close. Too much noise. She wanted to rest. Let her rest. The stench of death cloaked her, so heavy it felt real.
"I see them! Get the lights over!"
"Shit, this one''s long gone."
"The other''s still breathing! I can barely feel a pulse, though. We need to evac, fast."
"Fuck, they''re pinned. Get the saw!"
"Sir¡ you''ll have to cut through the one on top¡"
"You got a better idea, sergeant? Get me the damned saw and get out of my way."
"Aho~!"
The caw of a saucy corvid stirred Fate out of her peaceful slumber. Yawning until she squeaked, she stretched. Another squeak emerged when she realised she was topless. An immediate blush invaded her cheeks.
Nanoha.
She rolled over, burying her warm face into her pillows. She wanted to scream. Last night the auburn-haired beauty was so¡ so¡ incomparable. This wasn''t helping her crippling crush one iota. The care, the consideration, that feeling of complete acceptance.
"Augh! I want to kiss her so much!" Fate yelled into her pillow, legs slamming onto her bed just remembering the executive straddling her from behind last night. She felt like a schoolgirl and suddenly wished she had been in school with Hayate and Nanoha back when they were kids.
She should thank the woman. She wondered what time Nanoha had gone home after she fell asleep. ''Oh no, I fell asleep on her. Did I snore? Or drool?'' She buried her face again, and the crow outside sounded as if it was calling her an idiot with its cries.
Sighing, she rolled out of bed and pulled on her discarded sleep shirt, trying not to think about Nanoha''s hands all over her bare back and arms. It was too early in the morning for her to lose time in the shower, again. Absently clipping up her mass of hair, the blonde yawned again before her eyes spied an unfamiliar lump on her couch. ''No¡ It can''t be!''
Closing the distance with three quick strides, she gasped. The woman of her dreams was sprawled all over her couch. She appeared to be a restless sleeper, both arms flung out over her head. Her thick auburn hair fanned out around her, the halo of scarlet highlights accentuating the woman''s natural flush of health. Her flannel''s buttons had come undone, baring the woman''s bra-clad torso to Fate''s hungry gaze and she had gone to sleep without her jeans, leaving bare the lean length of her legs. The blonde bit her lip. ''Augh!''
Fate had gone to find a light throw to cover the woman with, when the sound of chainsaws began. The blonde glanced out her windows to see workmen trimming one of the many lush trees in her neighbourhood, a common enough sight in the Garden City.
"No¡ don''t¡"
Startled to hear Nanoha speak, Fate thought the woman had woken up. Walking back to the couch, she realised the executive was still asleep, though what kind of sleep was this that had her face twisted in a rictus of pain?
"Stop, you''re killing him¡ Stop, please stop, no, stop¡ no no no, Yuuno, no!"
The executive had begun to thrash, limbs tangling in the throw Fate had covered her with mere moments ago. Worried the woman might hit something and hurt herself, the blonde knelt by her, placing hand on her shoulder as she attempted to wake Nanoha.
"Nanoha? NANOHA! Wake up!" The thrashing was getting worse, and Fate felt tears pricking her eyes. Wrapping her arms around the woman, uncaring if the executive might hurt her, Fate held on tightly. "Come back to me, sweetheart. Come back, please." Rocking the woman, hot tears now streaking down the executive''s face, the blonde tried to anchor the woman back to reality.
The noise of a revving chainsaw roared deafeningly in Nanoha''s ears, accompanied by the sickening sound of flesh being rent apart. Something was calling to her. Someone important. The bone-snapping cold was receding, chased away by a sweetly-scented warmth that stubbornly refused to let her go quietly into the night.
Gasping, the executive''s eyes flew open. The claws of her hands were clutching tightly to something, no, someone. Even her legs had wrapped around that warmth as she clung desperately to the anchor holding her. The thundering echo of her heart was overwhelming while she panted, gulping for breath, and it took long moments for the worried voice of the person holding onto to her to insert itself into her consciousness.
"I''m here, Nanoha-chan, I''m here." It was Fate. ''Oh gods.'' She had never¡ in front of anyone¡ She was shaking in a cold sweat, which was normal. But never had she awoken with someone holding her. Someone who seemed to care. At first she attempted to pull back, afraid of what the person had witnessed. Realising it was Fate, she did her best to quieten her pounding heart, fighting past the haunting images and sounds.
Nanoha''s tremulous gasps tore at the blonde''s heart and Fate only held her closer, now that her limbs had ceased their flailing. "Shh, you''re all right. I''ve got you." Nanoha buried her face into the crook of Fate''s neck and drew in shaky breaths.
"Feito-chan¡" Her voice was hoarse, her throat still tight with remembered fear, "I¡ I''m sorry." Sorry for waking her. Sorry for troubling her. Sorry for being this weak.
"You have nothing to apologise for," the blonde whispered emphatically, hand on the back of Nanoha''s head, cradling her to her neck.
Slowly, the shattered pieces of Nanoha''s psyche pieced themselves together, aided by the unwavering warmth of the blonde who simply wouldn''t let her go. And damn her but Nanoha didn''t want to let go either. It felt too good to her battered soul to let someone else hold her up for once. Bit by bit, her shaking began to subside and she drew steadying breaths, inhaling the blonde''s scent that helped remind her she wasn''t alone. A curse, but also an infinite blessing. She wanted to lose herself in this woman''s arms and never surface. But she had to grow up and emerge at some point. Inhaling deeply, she consciously ordered her hands and legs to let go of the poor blonde.
Fate felt bad for the executive. She was feeling incredibly well-rested, but here was the reason behind her perfect rest, waking from what seemed to be a terrible, terrible night. She stroked Nanoha''s hair for however long it was until she felt the woman''s desperate hold on her loosen. Her shoulders and arms ached, reddened marks indicating where the other woman had clutched her with such shattered desperation, but she bore them with pride. If she had helped Nanoha even a little, it was all worth it.
Gingerly pushing herself up to sit where she lay, Nanoha raked unsteady fingers through the mass of hair falling into her face. "I must look a sight¡"
"You look beautiful," the blonde countered with utter sincerity, tucking auburn locks behind one perfect ear. Nanoha''s lips twitched, and she cast Fate a dubious look. "Feito-chan is too kind."
"Am I?" Fate asked archly, annoyed with herself, "I fell asleep on you. You had to spend the night on the couch." It was apparent that the blonde felt responsible for the state Nanoha was in and the auburn-haired woman had to nip that in the bud right away, "No, Feito-chan, don''t blame yourself." Sighing, she raked her hair back again and swung her legs down to prop her elbows on her knees, "It''s¡ normal for me." She closed her eyes, burying her face in her hands while the noise of the chainsaws outside overlapped with what her mind''s ear could still hear.
Again the comforting feel of Fate''s arm was around her and she leaned into the touch. "Some mornings are easier," Nanoha began, dropping her hands to stare at them, flashes of bile and blood coating them superimposed onto reality and that familiar nauseated feeling was back. She swallowed hard against the urge to hurl.
Fate rubbed Nanoha''s arm through her sleeve. "It pains me to see you like so, to call this normal..."
"You weren''t supposed to¡ to see." Nanoha admitted, shamefaced. Fate could see the executive''s throat bobbing. "They had to cut through my friend¡ to get to me." The whispered confession was soft, but dripping with self-recriminations and guilt. "I couldn''t face his family. I killed him."
Nanoha couldn''t bear to look when Fate sucked in a sharp breath. She knew the woman was shocked and disappointed. But the arm around her was pulling her closer, not away. She gathered her courage and cast a tentative look at the blonde.
The princess was crying. Feeling worse than a shit-crusted heel, Nanoha quickly shook out her flannel''s sleeves to dry away the blonde''s tears. "I''m sorry, it''s not a pleasant story¡"
Fate grabbed one of the hands so gently drying her eyes, "H¡ How old were you?" Liquid crimson held Nanoha as captive as the hand that wouldn''t release hers.
"Seventeen. He was twenty." The familiar feel of a lump the size of her sin came crawling up her throat, "He was trying to cheer me up, after¡" It was so pointless, so pathetic. If she had been stronger, her heart less broken, he wouldn''t have needed to do that.
Fate quickly deduced why Nanoha had needed cheering and using the hand she held, drew Nanoha close, touching foreheads with the woman. "Eleven years, Nanoha. Will his efforts be in vain? Will you never let yourself ''cheer up''?"
"You cheer me up, constantly." Nanoha admitted, eyes casting to the side in guilt. "What right do I have to be, though? He was desecrated that I might live."
Fate gave the woman a small shake, "NANOHA. You were a child." Fate had no idea of the circumstances but from how the woman had reacted, it must have been traumatising. "It wasn''t your decision. It wasn''t your choice! Were you even conscious?" The blonde had always wondered about the barely visible marks scattered over the auburn-haired woman''s body. They were so faint that one would only notice if one studied the woman in excruciating detail, which was precisely what Fate had been doing since the very start.
"I¡ I could hear them. They were searching for us. They said he was on top of me. A tree had fallen over in the crash. So much sawing. The vibrations, the n-noise." She flinched at the sound of branches falling outside, the workmen still trimming extraneous limbs from the trees. Fate was stroking her hair, as one would a wounded animal, and she guiltily soaked in the comfort the blonde was providing.
"I sat for my finals in the hospital. I couldn''t take my orals for another year; aphasia." Taking the hand that had been petting her, Nanoha guided it to the thin line in her scalp, hidden amidst the dense growth of auburn hair. She felt a kiss placed over the old wound and she felt her eyes grow hot once more. How was this angel giving her absolution more than a decade after?
"Haya-chan dragged me into TSAB after I was discharged. I think she got tired of me moping around. I was on bond for five years completing my studies at Oxford. Between work, school and PT, I didn''t have time to breathe."
''Or fall apart.'' Fate adjusted her opinion of the CEO, the woman''s cunning raising her in Fate''s estimation.
"I think you are allowed to breathe now, Nanoha." Azure eyes looked up, and saw nothing but serenity and acceptance. "At least, I would like you to breathe when I''m around." There was a slight dusting of pink on Fate''s cheeks as she spoke.
Ancient bands of iron corroded in the face of such astounding grace, rusted pieces thudding into the ground in time to the hesitant pulse of a heart re-learning how to beat again. "Can I?"
"You must." Fate insisted, "Or¡ Or I won''t feed you that dinner I promised."
That finally won her a weak giggle out of Nanoha, "Nyahaha. This AVP is very bold to be threatening her boss like this."
Like this? Fate was in a sleep shirt, Nanoha in even less, and it was taking all of her control not to kiss the last hints of pain and grief away in the Japanese beauty seated in utter d¨¦shabill¨¦ on her couch.
"Maybe I should peek in the fridge for a clue about what you''re making?" Fate was heartened to see bits of the old Nanoha back and she mock-growled, tickling those tempting abs, "Don''t you dare ruin the surprise. I''ve been practising for weeks!"
Alas, Nanoha was not the ticklish sort and with the ease of long practise, the executive flipped them over, her powerful torso showing off the strength earned from a decade and some of constant exercise.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Screaming a little when her world went topsy-turvy, Fate giggled and struggled valiantly against the immovable cuffs of Nanoha''s calloused hands. Her eyes widened when she felt her wrists transferred to a single hand that still pinned her with utter ease. This freed Nanoha''s other hand to finger-walk up Fate''s side, the touches creeping teasingly up from her thigh, to her hip. Heart pounding, she stared up at the executive, eyes silently pleading for mercy. A toothy grin was her only answer.
"Aaah, noooo!" She squealed when fingers began tickling her waist, squirming and wriggling in a bid to escape. The warm alto laughing its evil glee sent pleasant shivers down her spine and she redoubled her efforts, only succeeding in sending them over the sofa''s edge to tumble onto the floor.
"Oof!"
"Ah! Feito-chan, are you okay?" Nanoha had half-landed on top of the blonde and she worried that the woman had hit her head. She still had the blonde''s wrists imprisoned overhead and she immediately let go to check the back of the woman''s head. This brought their faces a mere inch apart and her eyes fell to moist, pink lips.
"I''m fine," Fate whispered, chest rising and falling rapidly from their play. She had left her wrists where Nanoha had pinned them, and the auburn-haired woman swallowed at the sight of her spread out beneath her body still laying half on top of the shapely blonde. The warm tangle of their bare legs sent tremors of desire chasing up her body. She needed to get away fast before she ravaged the woman under her.
Throat dry, Nanoha quickly sat up, scrubbing impatiently at her face, "My bad, I don''t know my own strength sometimes."
The blonde gracefully flowed up into a sitting pose, one arm behind to prop her up, "I''m glad you feel better," she murmured, long fingers brushing that stubborn forelock out of Nanoha''s eyes. "I think I owe you a selfie?" A part of her wanted to study the primal thrill she had felt when the executive had her pinned so easily, the velvet slide of the woman''s legs against her had felt incredible. bBt that could wait. The need to help the woman find her centre again took priority.
She treasured the lopsided smile sent her way, "Uh huh." Fate admired the lithe way Nanoha got up to her feet and accepted the proffered hand that pulled her up to her own with one smoothly powerful lift. "And I want it done properly, the Purikura way."
"Puri¡ kura?"
Nanoha grinned, "Print club. You''ll see." Then she paused, "Uh, that is, if you''re free. I don''t want to assume¡"
"I am. I was going to catch up on my reading since my boss locks me out of work on weekends."
"Wow, what a bossy boss, bossing you around like a boss." Nanoha twitted, earning her a smack on her arm, "You should find a better boss." The executive continued, undeterred but smiling.
"Impossible." Fate declared loftily, refusing to be sidetracked by that brilliant smile that transformed the sombre executive into the earth goddess that she truly was, "I have found the best one, and I will not trade her for the world."
Feeling impossibly light and knowing the source of it was this bashful blonde trying to act cool in front of her, Nanoha pinched one downy cheek, "As always, Feito-chan has a funny way of describing things. I have it on good authority that your boss'' AVP is the best. How about that, hmm?"
Fate swatted away the hand, rubbing her poor abused cheek, "I suppose both sides will need to fight it out." She certainly wasn''t opposed to another play fight like the one they just had. Her whole body still tingled where skin had met skin, and Nanoha standing there in her living room in panties and unbuttoned flannel was absolutely torturous. ''AUGH.''
Nanoha smirked confidently, "My side would win." Blowing out a breath then, she raked back her fringe and thought, hand on hip, "I have spare clothes in my trunk. May I borrow Feito-chan''s shower?"
''Oh gods. Naked Nanoha? In her shower?''
Slapping her hand over her nose, Fate nodded. "I''ll get you a towel," she mumbled through her hand.
Stepping out momentarily to get the overnight bag she always kept packed in her trunk, Nanoha lingered around her car. Something pricked at the hairs on the back of her neck, and she had the feeling of being watched.
The caws of crows displeased with the ruckus of trees being trimmed echoed across the empty parking lot, and Nanoha looked around slowly, seeing no one else but herself. Azure eyes scanning the area picked out a flicker in the distance and locked on. It was something in the opposite apartment block. A faint tinkling of a metal wind chime sang mockingly at her and she shook her head at the innocuous sight. The nightmare must have made her paranoid.
Rubbing her neck, she grumped, "One night at Feito-chan''s and you''re losing it."
"No, Feito-chan needs puppy ears," stealing the pen from Fate, Nanoha added cute puppy ears to Fate''s portraits.
"Hmph! Then Nanoha needs kitty ears." Snatching back the pen, Fate drew cat ears onto Nanoha''s pictures.
They had gone to a nearby cafe for a quick brunch before Fate found herself dragged to a neighbourhood mall and its arcade within. The explosion of overlapping music and bright lights were dizzying, and the blonde feared just what the executive was planning. It was heartening to see an impish gleam in her brilliantly blue eyes, however.
Nanoha somehow had yet another pair of torn denim shorts in her overnight bag, along with a long fitted Pusheen tee with the words ''Resting Cat Face'' printed under the unamused visage of the mascot kitty in heather grey. Fate simply shook her head, knowing no one at work would''ve believed that this was TSAB''s cut-throat top exec of Ops.
In deference to the warm tropical weather, Fate had chosen an off-shoulder dusky red floral print dress, cut off at mid-thigh in a light, flowy material. Nanoha loved how it flared when the blonde turned to see something she pointed out to the taller woman, showing off those unending legs to good effect.
An entire section of this mall had been dedicated to games and claw machines, and within, a collection of picture-taking booths that blared how amazing they were and to please waste your hard-earned money here.
The whole outfit was an eye-watering pink and Fate began to question her life choices. Unfortunately, the executive had hopped into an empty booth and turned to hold out a hand to her, smoky blue eyes inviting, and Fate found herself following the devil into the pits of garish pink hell.
"W-Why is there a timer?" Fate eyed the glowing pink numbers counting down menacingly at her.
"So that we don''t spend all day in here, Feito-chan." Nanoha explained patiently, flipping quickly through backgrounds.
"Do you use this a lot?" Fate asked, curiously peering at the spinning, flashing, bouncing images that made absolutely no sense to her.
"In middle school, mostly. Ah, this one works." Pulling up a tropical paradise beach background, she quickly fussed with Fate''s hair, fluffing up her fringe and shaping it to better frame her face. The blonde could only go with the flow and sat frozen while the Japanese beauty played with her hair. Hesitantly, she helped tidy Nanoha''s hair too, dusting lint off her tee and straightening it, warmed by the smile of gratitude the woman gave her.
"Thanks, Feito-chan." A strident beep warned them to get into position in the next five seconds and Nanoha wasted no time grabbing Fate and wrapping her up in her arms. "Smile at the camera!" Startled, the blonde could only sink into the embrace and offer Nanoha a shy smile over her shoulder. Chuckling, the executive grasped her chin and their eyes met momentarily before she gently turned the blonde''s face to the lens.
Five blinding flashes later, Nanoha and Fate were giggling and fighting over the e-Pen, drawing ears onto each other. "No, we''ve run out of time!" Fate exclaimed in dismay. She could get used to having more pictures of Nanoha. Nanoha laughed and retrieved the printed stickers from the dispensing slot. "Silly Feito-chan, we can take more in Krabi." Warm azure held her gaze, Nanoha bumping her with her hip, "Or near my place, or, wherever Feito-chan wants."
Blushing and not knowing what to say, Fate looked at her hands, into which Nanoha placed the strip of stickers they had printed. They had paid for two sets so both of them had the same to keep. She lifted them up close to see, and smiled. The ears were so cute on Nanoha. Her favourite of all the shots, however, was the one with Nanoha''s hand on her chin, them looking into each other''s eyes. That one wasn''t planned but she knew it would be the one she treasured the most.
Nanoha hid a small sigh while studying the stickers, Fate was so photogenic, she had no idea why the woman wasn''t in any of her own pictures. This was definitely something she needed to fix. "Feito-chan looks great, I want more pictures with her." Fate dropped her eyes again at Nanoha''s bold statement. She hated taking pictures with a passion, but that hate had a snowman''s chance in hell of standing up to the executive''s desires. "I¡ S-Sure," she mumbled, staring at her sandaled feet.
Melting at how shy the blonde was, Nanoha smiled and tugged lightly at Fate, "I still have a bunch of tokens, let''s spend them?" And so Fate spent her first time in an honest to goodness arcade with the executive. Something told Nanoha that this was Fate''s first chance to do so, and so she pulled out all the stops, dragging the blonde behind her to try almost everything at least once.
"Nanoha, why are we hitting these poor things?" Fate eyed the Whack-a-Mole game with some apprehension. "Because they won''t keep their heads down. Just try it, it''s good for stress relief." Nanoha encouraged, putting the mallet into Fate''s free hand, her other being occupied with a large and very huggable Cat Bus plush. Nanoha had won it for her at one of the gaming booths, much to the blonde''s absolute delight. Without giving a reason, Fate asked the executive to hug the plush for a while, which Nanoha, confused but amenable, had done.
Propping her arm on the machine, Nanoha made it look as if she was watching the blonde, egging her on to get all violent with the deserving creatures. In reality, she was casting fleeting glances around and behind Fate.
The feeling that they were being watched had nagged her since this morning, and the auburn-haired woman couldn''t shake it no matter how much she tried. As adorable as Fate looked whacking the bejeezus out of polymer-based recipients of frustration, Nanoha was only watching with one eye.
''Gotcha, you little bastard.'' A grey-bearded man in a gaudy tropical shirt and shorts drifted past the corner of her eye. In the largely Asian crowds, the man could pass for a typical tourist, but not one hanging out in an arcade, spending no tokens whatsoever.
Deciding not to alarm Fate, she smiled and led the woman further in, "Feito-chan, look, they have Ferraris here." She could tell the blonde''s interest was piqued and chuckled when the lanky woman immediately slipped into one of the two racing chairs. She looked expectantly up at Nanoha, as if to say, ''Well?''
Smiling indulgently at the eager blonde, Nanoha popped in the tokens and settled in, testing the give of the pedals. Fate was revving her virtual engine, throwing Nanoha a cocksure grin, "Ready to get smoked, Takamachi?"
"Less talk, more zooming, Testarossa."
3, 2, 1, GO!
They were neck and neck, wheels bumping as they fought for dominance around turns.
"That''s illegal!"
"Only in the real world. Suck it up, Takamachi." Tires screeching, Fate did her best to nudge Nanoha off the track. Giving as good as she got, Nanoha was prepared to make a dash for the lead when a flash off to the side distracted her and her vehicle crashed and burned. Frowning, she glanced over to the source of light and again, the bearded tourist was there, acting all bumbly and curious about the most mundane things such as a vending machine for fresh orange juice.
"Yea! Take that, Takamachi!" Fate fist pumped as her hot rod blew past the finishing line. Grinning in triumph, she made a V-sign at Nanoha, floral print skirts swishing as she posed. Nanoha chuckled and conceded her loss. Pulling Fate up, she gave the blonde a one-armed snug and herded her to the vending machines. She hid a smirk seeing their little stalker hustle away in a panic. "Thirsty?"
Flushed from victory, Fate nodded brightly. Shooing Nanoha away, Fate tapped her watch to the reader to order up fresh juice for them. "You got the tokens," she scolded, glaring at the executive. Hands up in surrender, Nanoha grinned and backed off, knowing when she had lost the battle. "Feito-chan, I think I see a friend, let me go say hello. Meet you back here?"
"All right, this will take a while, anyway." And it was, the machine was in the midst of painstakingly counting out the four oranges it was going to squeeze on the spot. For a single serving.
Waving to the blonde, Nanoha turned and strode swiftly around the corner she had seen the man disappear around. There was no sign of him, but she caught sight of a service door on the side. Slamming her way through on a hunch, she found the bearded man fiddling with his camera. A quick glance at ceiling corners told her where the blind spots were for the closed-circuit camera system.
Caught red-handed, the man had no time to escape as an auburn-haired form blurred towards him. Knotting a calloused hand into the man''s ridiculous shirt, Nanoha hauled him to the side, right into one of the blind spots.
"HURK!" Breath left him violently as she slammed him face first against the wall. He felt the rough texture of the hard surface digging into his face as the executive pressed a forearm to the back of his neck, the full weight of her body leaning in hard.
"All right, neighbour¡" Nanoha snatched the camera out of his hand. Turning on the digital screen with one hand, she scrolled through its memory, seeing image after image of Fate and herself, up to and including Fate in a towel last night, leading Nanoha into her apartment. Nanoha took a moment to wrestle down her urge to break his jaw, her teeth grinding audibly as she fought back the White Devil''s immediate instincts to destroy.
''Keep it legal. Don''t get Fate into trouble.''
"I''m interested in what you''re interested in." She leaned closer, whispering, "Care to spill, Tourist-san?"
He was beginning to see spots while the executive methodically choked him, he couldn''t see the woman''s face but the coldly precise tones of her voice had his heart pounding. This was more than he had bargained for. "Th-The princess has better things to ¡HURK!"
Nanoha added a smidge more pressure, enough that he felt his neck bones grinding from the unnatural angle his head was twisted in, "Mmm, what was that, Tourist-san? Isn''t that up for her to decide?"
The man struggled, fruitlessly scrabbling at the wall he was plastered to, "You don''t know who you''re dealing with!" He croaked.
"You''re right," Nanoha purred dangerously. Dropping his camera, she spun him around and extended one leanly muscled leg to keep him pinned to the wall with her foot. "Fair''s fair. Hold still, Tourist-san, let''s make it a nice picture." Fishing out her cellphone, the executive took a picture of him and forwarded it.
Retracting her leg from its perfect high kick pose, she steadily lowered it to stand on both feet once more. "There are PDPA laws, Tourist-san, I very much recommend you delete those images, but that''s your choice. Just as it''s Her Highness'' choice what she does with her life."
Rubbing his neck, he bent over to pick up his camera. It was scuffed but otherwise undamaged, all the images he took intact. Glaring at Nanoha, he snarled, "You took my picture too!"
Giving him an ''Are you stupid?'' look, Nanoha opened her phone app and deleted his picture under his eyes. Turning to leave, she paused, "If you''re coming for my AVP, send your best." Throwing a final look of icy contempt at the man and biting back far worse than what she really wished to say, she pushed her way back out of the service alley.
Her phone buzzed, "Tea," she answered shortly, "I want dirt on this one, everything. Caught him stalking Fate. Take it from there. Delete what I sent once you''re done running FaceRec. PDPA."
"Fuck, got it boss." The executive was skirting the law, but this¡ this was very personal now. "Thanks Tea, start tomorrow, I don''t want to cut into your weekend."
"Who''s that, Tea-chan?"
"Boss; she caught someone stalking Fate."
"What?!"
"Hey, Subaru, it''s not priority, move on it tomorrow."
"Heck no, I like Fate!" Nanoha could already hear mouse clicks and typing through the line. She smiled, waving to Fate who was waiting with their OJ.
"So do I. Type you both later." Ending the call, she accepted her drink from the blonde, "Did you find them?"
"Mmhmm. They were holidaying here." Linking arms with Fate, she sucked sedately on her sweet, pulpy drink. Fate dropped her eyes to their linked arms. Nanoha''s actions felt a little off, but the blonde was unable to put her finger on why. Giving an internal shrug, she decided to just enjoy the closeness they couldn''t enjoy at work.
"By the way, Feito-chan," Nanoha began, her mind working a mile a minute since the little confrontation she''d had, "I want you to get some experience at a throw-down dirty account fight."
Eyeing the executive, Fate nodded, "But I thought you''d want me to hold the fort¡" Not an objection but an observation.
The auburn-haired woman was pleased with Fate''s astute instincts, but shook her head, "My flights haven''t decreased since you''ve joined. I don''t want people getting complacent because I have you now." Fate blushed faintly at that, eyes dropping, "I want them to learn to miss you." The blush deepened.
"I¡ I understand. When?"
"Monday night, pack for the rest of the week. Fall weather. We''ll return latest Friday." Nanoha''s plan was simple, to keep Fate a moving target, and being overseas gave her an excuse for them to be together most of the time. That would give her strike team more space to work on their side project. Monday could be a headache but she could pull in a few favours. Best of all, Japan was her home turf.
Chapter 18: Flights of Fancy
The clip of stiletto heels heralded the arrival of Operations'' top two executives. Auburn and blonde, they made a visually striking duo as they glided through the halls as if they had just stepped out of a fashion magazine.
Nanoha wore a black pants suit, its sharp cut softened by the ruffled white shirt under her jacket. The v-neck collar dipped low, revealing a hint of cleavage and her little pink diamond heart necklace. Her auburn tresses had been tamed into a French braid, the thick rope resting over her shoulder and secured by a white ribbon.
In contrast, Fate had on a relaxed summer blouse with a turn down collar, its bronze sheen lending colour to her pale cheeks. Tucked into a black, calf-length pencil skirt that hugged her long legs, her loose sleeves billowed as she strode alongside her boss. Her golden mane flowed freely behind her, clasped only at the end by the pink scrunchie she had ''borrowed'' from Nanoha on the day of their first meeting. Her boss had noticed it, and she treasured the fond smile the auburn-haired woman had given her.
"All packed?" Nanoha murmured, glasses already perched on her nose while she scrolled through work messages on her phone.
"Yes," Fate replied, just as softly, nodding a good morning to one of the gopher staff who helped distribute physical mail throughout the office. The poor boy had a hand clapped over his nose for some reason. Perhaps he had bumped into something just before.
"Where are we staying?"
Half of the clipping heels paused, and Nanoha pinched the bridge of her nose under her glasses. "Buggering hell. I knew I was forgetting something." Nanoha cast the blonde a grateful look, "Thanks for reminding me." Sweeping past the sliding doors, the executive saw that Vita''s desk was still empty. Little wonder, considering the women had met early for breakfast before coming in together.
"I''ll get Vita to change the air and hotel bookings to a double." The auburn-haired woman shook her head at herself. She''d been getting rather forgetful of late, a dangerous thing in her position. "I''ve forwarded the account we''re actioning to your inbox, get familiar with it by tomorrow," she instructed Fate, who smiled and nodded. Pausing by the doors of both their offices, the woman looked at each other.
"Well, have a good day at work, Feito-chan. Thanks for breakfast." Nanoha tore her eyes away from the beautiful blonde to escape into her office. ''Remember, she almost got hurt because of your lack of focus. Get it together.''
She sighed and sank into the meshed support of her chair. She had gotten inordinately greedy about Fate since the woman had seen her at her lowest and still accepted her. Nanoha was finding any and all excuses to spend time with the blonde outside of work and this morning''s breakfast was yet another ham-handed attempt at more one-on-one time with Fate. Hopefully the heavy workload for their upcoming trip would waylay her much more amorous thoughts about the woman.
Fate was glad Nanoha had abandoned her, since she was seconds away from jumping the exquisitely-dressed woman. She sighed and tried to tamp down the excitement about going on a business trip with the executive. ''It''s just work, Fate, calm your dander.''
Just then, the automatic doors slid open, admitting one scowling redhead who shrugged out of her business jacket while giving Fate a perfunctory ''good morning''. Over the past months, Fate had learned that weekends for Vita were typically spent playing online games. Judging by the petite woman''s mood, she must have had a late, and/or bad run last night.
Since she was headed to the kitchenette to brew up her own blend of morning tea, she asked the E.A., "Coffee?"
Receiving a grunt that she took to mean yes, Fate laughed softly and set the water heater to boil while she prepped two mugs. "Nanoha would like to ask you to change her booking for tonight''s trip to a double. She''s only just got in, so she might not have had time to let you know yet."
Nanoha swept into the office like a barely contained hurricane. She had heard voices outside and deduced that Vita had arrived.
"Ah, there you are. Vita, Fate''s coming with me for the DoCoMo account. Could you update the bookings?"
Vita had just sat down to boot up her PC. Glancing from Fate to Nanoha, she blinked. The blonde''s tinkling laughter could be heard coming from the kitchenette and the executive peered around the entrance to find Fate in there.
"Sorry, Nanoha. I was just telling Vita about it. She''s adjusting to hearing in stereo, I would imagine."
Her boss untensed into a relaxed smile, "You''re getting good at anticipating me. Should I be worried?"
"Only if you wish to be," Fate quipped, before remembering they had an audience. Oops. Falling quiet, she industriously worked on making hers and Vita''s drinks.
The redhead squinted at the two executives, "Uh, yea, sure. Stereo," she muttered. Calling up the relevant sites, she scrolled around, then hid a sly smile, "It''s a little last minute, and it''s Tokyo so just about everything is fully booked," she began nonchalantly, "Are you okay with their suburbs?"
Nanoha shrugged, "As long as we''re within an hour''s drive from their HQ, it shouldn''t be an issue. Thanks, Vita."
The woman disappeared back into her office, and the outer area felt that much less alive because of it. It was a curious thing Fate had observed. There was nothing that matched the vibrancy of the auburn-haired woman in her eyes. Vita was occupied with her most immediate task, and so, placing the redhead''s drink on her desk''s coaster, she smiled at the thanks the E.A. muttered and proceeded into her own office.
Hayate towelled at her wet hair, enjoying the quiet of the room she was in. The Shangri-La was a venerated institution in the island nation and sat on prime land in the middle of the city. The sprawling estate was surrounded by old growth rain forest that blocked out the hustle of business districts a mere kilometre away, creating an oasis of peaceful tranquillity that guests appreciated.
An urgent buzzing caught her attention and she answered her phone, "Vita-chan? What''s up?"
"Haya-chan, if Nanoha tries to kill me, you''ll protect me, right?" The redhead began without preamble.
"What? Did you grope Fate-chan?" The CEO flexed her hand smugly, remembering the supple feel of what she''d felt the other night.
"Worse," Vita whispered, and shared what she had done with the CEO.
Clapping that same hand over her mouth, Hayate stifled her mad giggles, "NO! That is PERFECT! It''s fine, I''ll protect you from her. Send me the e-PR, I''ll sign off on it." Cutting the call, Hayate giggled again as she opened the electronic requisition sent by Nanoha''s office. Being the auburn-haired woman''s direct report, it was up to her to approve the extra cost.
"Done and done! Vita''s a genius." Why, this Monday was looking up already! Tapping a contact on her phone, she waited.
"The Tsukimura residence, Bunnings speaking."
"Ali-chan! How are Suzu-chan and the baby doing?"
"Haya-chan! It''s good to hear from you. They''re doing great. Su-chan says she''s ready to be done with her maternity leave. Haruka-chan is a menace now that she can walk. Keeps the nannies on their toes something fierce. We''ll both be back in time for the Halloween bash."
"She sounds adorable! Since I''m in town, mind if I drop by to visit?"
"Come on over whenever. Su-chan complains that she feels like she''s still in her confinement period with how few faces she gets to see."
"Great! By the way, you heard about Nano-chan''s new headcount?"
"Who is that, honey?" Alisa glanced over to her wife, Suzuka, who was bouncing their daughter on her hip.
"It''s Haya-chan, she wants to visit us and the baby. She''s asking if we heard about Nano-chan''s 2IC."
"Haya-chan! It''ll be good to see you. And yes, considering I had to approve her pay package. I tried to make it as attractive as possible to avoid another¡ Well, you know."
All three fell silent as they sent individual curses to a certain someone they all loathed.
"Well, she passed my test with flying colours, and Vita''s cooked up something because we, I mean, Vita, Sig-chan, Shamal and myself, think there''s something there. You gals want in?"
The spouses exchanged surprised looks, "Indeed?" Suzuka tickled her daughter, eliciting a childish giggle that made Alisa smile. The Tsukimura scion always loved that dopey smile on her otherwise gruff wife. "Well, I''ve always thought it was a shame what all happened with Nano-chan in high school. I''d like to meet this Testarossa person before I go all in, however." The woman''s naturally cautious outlook held her in good stead as TSAB''s head of Finance, and Alisa was second only by virtue of how she looked at everything sideways thrice before making any calls.
"Certainly, I''d like to hear what Vita''s planned, however. I''ll ask the staff to prepare high tea for us. See you later, Haya-chan."
Ending the call, the two Finance executives looked at each other. "This could go very well, or turn into a massive sh¡" The American glanced at their child, "Er, massive circus."
Suzuka smiled and smooched Alisa as a reward for curbing her acerbic tendencies around their toddler, "Perhaps with all of us working together, we''ll be able to avoid the circus ending." Alisa sighed and rolled her eyes. Her wife had been spending far too much time playing Otome games while on maternity leave, and it was beginning to affect her turns of phrases. She would never admit that she loved how her wife always picked the tsundere option because ''It reminds me of Alisa'', though.
The work day had been interminable. Both Nanoha and Fate were ensconced in their respective offices feverishly clearing the most pressing issues and it took Vita barging in with snacks at 3PM before either of them had taken a break.
Both executives had elected to just use the outside sofa to grab their snack. A coffee table was also situated there; a place for visitors to wait had they had an appointment to meet either Nanoha or Fate. Nanoha had kicked off her heels and was lounging in the corner, her back propped up by the low armrest of the sofa while she munched contemplatively at her sub, not really tasting it. She had one arm crossed over her middle to prop up the opposite''s elbow.
Seated primly at the other end, back straight and legs tilted at the knees at a precise angle, the icy blonde poked industriously at the burrito bowl balanced on her lap while she scrolled through more emails on her cellphone. She ate at a steady pace, knowing she needed to stay on this side of healthy eating or Nanoha would not let it go.
"Nanoha," Vita checked her screen while the executives ate their late lunch, "Your flight is at 6PM." The executive glanced up from her bowl, swallowing the mouthful she had been chewing, "The hotel knows about our late check-in?"
"Yes. I booked their transport service so someone will be at the airport to pick you and Fate up."
Nanoha nodded, relieved they wouldn''t have to fight with other passengers for a ride. Fate made a quick mental calculation and applauded Vita feeding them at this time. It would hold them in good stead until whenever dinner was served on their flight. She took a moment to appreciate the smoky fragrance of the kebab beef in her bowl.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
The E.A. continued, "The online check-in for your flight is done, you have the QR-code for them to scan at the waiting lounge on your phones. I suggest you get going after you''re done eating, traffic might suck."
"Thanks, Vita. Send anyone with their hair on fire to Signum, or better yet, Haya-chan since she''s in Singapore." Nanoha''s lips twisted in a wry smile, "We''ll see who wants to risk that tanuki''s attention while we''re gone." The redhead snorted, secretly hoping neither executive noticed the name of their accommodations until long after their flight was in the air.
Fate cleared one last email and stood, "If you will excuse me, I''ll go change. Thank you for lunch, Vita." Nanoha watched the blonde disappear into her office, sharp ears picking up the sound of the door lock being engaged. Clearing her throat, she stood as well, "Sounds like a plan. Give my regards to Suzu-chan and Ali-chan when they get in." The redhead nodded and shooed her boss off.
Nanoha''s pants suit had been exchanged for a low-waisted pair of dark blue jeans that brought out the brilliance of her deep blue eyes. Her ruffled shirt remained, revealed to be sleeveless sans her coat jacket. This was tucked into her jeans for an easy casual look. Her stilettos had also been replaced with the same white loafers she had used over the weekend, the executive would be damned before she would subject herself to a flight in uncomfortable clothes or shoes.
Fate had been similarly practical, replacing her long pencil skirt for drawstring linen pants that still went well with her loose bronze top. She''d rolled back her sleeves and pulled her hair back into a low ponytail, and her feet felt better in the leather sandals she had changed into.
Traffic was somehow decent on their way to the award-winning airport that was one of Singapore''s signature attractions. They''d opted to get a ride share since it was easier to leave their cars parked at work rather than to drive separately to the airport then find one another again. Fate had noted the rather long and convoluted name of their hotel while on the drive but made no mention since it was probably just a Japanese thing. She was simply admiring the play of road lights over her boss'' face and hair when she heard her name.
Nanoha had been preoccupied with tying up a few last loose ends, the woman''s work never truly done, merely a never-ending conveyor belt of things needing her or her AVP''s attention.
"Feito-chan, about this¡"
"Mmm?" Scooting closer, she bent her head over to peek at what Nanoha was referring to on the other woman''s phone screen. "Ah, yes, I told them if they would present such sloppy work to you and they could not give me a satisfactory answer. So I sent back everything and asked them to redo it from the top." She had CC''ed Nanoha on the exchange, along with the petty complaints the recipients had tried to voice.
Nanoha smiled, "Exactly so. You''re growing well into your role," she complimented the blonde, "Soon, Feito-chan won''t be needing me any longer."
Fate knew it was simply a turn of phrase but she laid her hand over the executive''s own still propping up her cellphone on her lap, "I will always need Nanoha around." The blonde had sensed a small undercurrent of disquiet that had been brewing under her boss'' otherwise calm exterior and remembered what Vita had said. ''She hates flying.'' Fate wondered if what Nanoha had haltingly shared yesterday morning had anything to do with it. She highly suspected that was the case, and could feel the bowstring tension in the hand under hers. It even felt a little clammy.
Was this what Nanoha went through alone each time she made a trip? Fate was even gladder to have been assigned to accompany the executive this time. Giving those calloused fingers a gentle squeeze, she settled back into her side of the car, but her hand remained warm and comforting over Nanoha''s. ''Maybe I can speak with Hayate about this,'' Fate thought.
How had Fate known? The executive wondered if she was slipping or did the beautiful blonde just have a bead on her, and yet, she didn''t pull back from the touch on her hand. If Nanoha focused on it, she could ignore the sinking feeling that kept growing in the pit of her stomach. She hated medicating herself for flights. Waking up out of it on a strange aircraft amongst strangers was the worst thing she could imagine doing, and so she''d always just suffered through the time until she was back on terra firma once more.
She closed her eyes and took calming breaths. Fate had said she needed her, right? If she was needed, she had to keep it together.
The blonde watched as some of that nervous pallor receded with no little satisfaction and pondered how else she could distract the auburn-haired beauty.
Settling into the VIP lounge, Fate left Nanoha to get their devices charged at the seats they had chosen while she went in search of drinks for them. Spotting the array laid out alongside one wall, she smiled. Just about every flavour from TWG was available, and she happily picked out the flavours she recalled Nanoha serving her all those weeks back in her condo.
A welcome scent of peppermint and chamomile greeted her nose and Nanoha glanced up at, accepting the proffered china from Fate with a faint smile. Travelling was so different with the blonde around, and the woman''s presence had already made a significant impact, giving Nanoha something to centre herself on.
It was beginning to be scary how much she''d come to rely on the blonde and she shied away from any suggestion that she seek for more than the unceasing kindness the sweet princess gave so freely. As to how she could succeed at curing herself of her addiction to Fate, she had no idea.
Fate stretched out her legs, grateful for the extra space first class afforded to them. Vita had booked business for the executives as per company policy, but the corporate perks had given them a bump up to first for this trip. Unfortunately, the private cabin space meant a big divider was now between herself and Nanoha. The woman had visibly steeled herself to board, her normally athletic grace growing rigid and brittle with each step she took.
Jaw clenched, Nanoha refused to display any sort of weakness and settled stiffly onto the plush leather seat in silence. They''d checked in everything other than their cellphones, the lifeline of their work, and she blinked when her phone buzzed at her. Seeing that it was a message from the blonde seated in the cabin right next to hers, she opened it, brows scrunched in mild puzzlement.
A scanned image of one of their pictures from the Purikura booth appeared. It was one that had her in cat ears, and she stifled a chuckle to see Fate had used a third party app to add a cat tail to Nanoha''s picture. She glanced over to find the blonde refusing to meet her eyes, a secret smile playing over lush pink lips. Oh, that Wench.
Pulling out her phone''s pen, she quickly sketched a corresponding tail onto Fate''s bottom, adding a bone for the ''Inu Fate'', or Puppy Fate, to bite on.
Fate''s phone buzzed and the blonde''s lips twitched as she fought to hold in her giggle. Nanoha had a knack for sketching and she''d used her skills to good effect here. She added a fish with an ''x'' for its eye to ''Neko Nanoha'', or Kitty Nanoha, and sent the picture back.
"Nyahaha!" Tucking some hair that had fallen loose from her ponytail behind her ear, she gave the auburn-haired woman a cheeky smile, happy to hear that giggle from her favourite person.
Nanoha eyed the cheeky angel. Phobia? What phobia? Leaning close, she whispered over the divide, "I''m writing you up for using company equipment for personal purposes."
"I''m writing you up for dragging me into that pink hell for nefarious purposes." Fate countered. The constant smile playing over her lips was far too close to her own and Nanoha drew back, shifting shoulders that ached from her earlier tension. "Methinks my AVP may be getting too big for her britches."
Fate hmmfed, "Only because you and Vita keep overfeeding me." Nanoha smirked, "Feito-chan was too thin. We at TSAB pride ourselves in ensuring the safety and well-being of all our staff. I couldn''t have my subordinate being blown away by a strong gust of wind. I''d never be able to replace her."
Fate shot Nanoha a look, eyebrows raised, but the executive had her eyes closed against the glare of the cabin''s default mood lighting. The blonde wondered if she''d meant that, or if it was just their usual banter talking.
Nanoha couldn''t look at Fate. To do so would only have her be caught staring.
Fate bit her lip and held her breath. The auburn-haired beauty was napping. Fate enjoyed the freedom to just watch the woman who, even in sleep, had difficulty remaining still. Her heavy lashes fluttered and twitched in response to the hustle of the crew preparing for take-off around them, yet she remained in slumber right until the dinner bell-tone rang.
Blinking, the executive went from being at rest to full wakefulness, a phenomenon that Fate found intriguing, and she smiled when brilliant blue eyes landed on her, softly muddled from sleep. "Hey," she murmured, adoring how the eyes sharpened in focus the moment they met hers, "I took the liberty of ordering sushi for us. I didn''t want to wake you."
"That''s fine, thank you Feito-chan." Levering herself up, she gave a jaw-popping yawn. "You could have woken me."
The blonde hid the shiver the executive''s sleep-husked voice sent down her spine. "Nonsense. You didn''t sleep much on Saturday night," a faint blush coloured Fate''s cheeks as she recalled the massage she had received that night. "It was good for you to rest."
Nanoha thanked a member of the serving crew as they moved quietly about, distributing warm scented towels to the passengers. Refreshed, she smiled at Fate''s thoughtfulness, "Was I drooling?"
"Not at all," Fate snapped her mouth closed and ducked her head. She''d been caught looking! Swallowing a groan, she peeked out of the corner of her eye at the executive who didn''t seem displeased. In fact, the soft look the woman was giving her was enough to set her heart pounding.
"It''s nice to have someone watching over me." Was all Nanoha said, before the rush of dinner service descended upon first class.
The executive chuckled softly. Fate was trying her best with the chopsticks but the situation was dire with the Midchildan struggling to grip just enough to lift the sushi, but not so hard that it fell apart. "Feito-chan is trying too hard. Here."
Lifting the wet towel for Fate to see, Nanoha made a show of cleaning her hands and simply picked up the sushi by hand to demonstrate how to eat it without chopsticks. "Three fingers, just push to one side, hold, dip, and eat." Air-toasting the blonde, Nanoha popped the sushi into her mouth.
Was this food porn? Fate had heard of people making money eating things for an audience and surmised this was the exact reason why they could. How did the executive make the simple act of eating sushi so attractive? That wholly unconscious grace and poise, that simple act of holding her imaginary left sleeve up with her right to prevent cloth touching food. And when her wrist tilted in one refined move to dip the sushi into soy, Fate wished she had the gumption to take a picture of the pose.
"No fuss, no muss," Nanoha chased her mouthful down with a slice of pickled ginger, also picked up by hand, and gave Fate an encouraging nod to try.
It was certainly far easier using her hands, and as unusual as it was not to use any utensils, Fate found the experience and taste heightened because of the method and company. "The ginger cleanses your palate for the next taste." The Japanese woman explained, "One slice is all you need, and never dip it into soy."
Fate continued to prove a quick study and they enjoyed dinner and quiet conversation despite the divider between them. "The miso shiru, that is, soup, comes last." Fate enjoyed the dips and falls of Nanoha''s pure alto as she explained her home country''s serving methods and reasons behind them.
"Many places serve it first, because people are used to Western dining." She stirred the fragrant broth with her chopsticks, agitating the bean paste that had sunk to the bottom. "But the warmth of the soup would heat up your mouth, and that in turn changes the temperature of the nigiri being served. It alters the taste to something the chef did not wish for the customer to experience."
She cupped the bowl in both hands, lifting it to Cupid''s bow lips and sipped, again demonstrating how one would not use a spoon to drink. "And control of the experience," her voice dipped, "Is the chef''s prerogative. The customer should only be there to receive." She smiled at Fate over the rim of her lacquered bowl.
Fate reached for the controls of her cabin, turning on the little fan to blow directly at her overheated face. This woman could sell toilet cleaner and make it look sexy. "Th-That makes sense now that you have explained it," she stammered, stirring her own soup with far less grace.
They sat in companionable silence once dinner service was over. Nanoha played with a paper serviette, absently folding it into a crane origami. Its shape was lopsided as it sat propped against the hot chocolate she''d ordered.
"Ne, Feito-chan?" The blonde looked up from her study of Nanoha''s hands and hoped she hadn''t been caught. Nanoha''s eyes were on the crane, her expression pensive, "If there is time, I plan to visit¡ a friend. Could I trouble you to accompany me?" This was the height of selfishness, but she simply wasn''t strong enough to go it alone this year. The only person she could conceivably feel comfortable asking was this very woman in the other cabin, with her infinite patience and sweet nature.
She wished the divider wasn''t there. Reaching over and past it, Fate brushed aside the stubborn forelock in Nanoha''s eyes, "Trouble me, all you want." It was a conscious echo of the time Nanoha said those same two words to her, and she smiled slightly at the look the executive threw at her, arching one pale brow at the woman, "Tit for tat, remember?"
Driven by reflex, Nanoha caught that soft hand in her calloused one and brushed a kiss to the back of Fate''s hand, "Arigatou gozaimasu, o hime-sama," she murmured formally. Thank you, princess.
"A pleasure," Fate whispered, robbed of conscious thought and feeling nothing but her hand in Nanoha''s, lips so soft on her skin. They sat like that for long moments, until a passing flight attendant arrived to ask if they would like a blanket.
Coughing, Nanoha released Fate''s hand and accepted the offered covering. The lights of the cabin dimmed to just above darkness and she could see the blonde woman trying to get comfortable. Maybe flying wasn''t all that bad if it was with Fate.
Fate had made a show of extending her seat into its bed configuration. Suspecting this would be the least restful time for the executive, she peered over the divider to look, concern lending her a boldness she wouldn''t normally display.
The woman was curled on her side facing away from the aisle, and thus facing Fate. Her arms were crossed under the blanket and Fate could see a frown marring the woman''s smooth brow. She checked the in-flight screen. It would be at least another three or more hours before they would land. There was no way she was going to let Nanoha suffer her demons for all that time.
Fate firmed her jaw, "Nanoha?"
"Mmm?" The executive looked up from where she lay prone, seeing the blonde head sticking out over the divider, "I''m cold, could we¡" Her eyes slid to one side, Fate unable to finish the request.
The executive thought for a long moment, "You mean like¡ after we saw the doctor?"
Still not meeting azure eyes, Fate nodded.
"I suppose it couldn''t hurt," she murmured, trying to sound matter of fact. "Come on over?" The princess'' smile pierced Nanoha to the very quick with its warmth, enhanced by the sensation of the woman joining her in her cabin. Kicking off her sandals, she slipped under the blanket behind the executive, spooning easily around the slightly shorter woman. "Arigato, Nanoha-chan," she whispered into one shell pink ear. Smile unseen, the executive covered the arm around her middle with her own. This was warm, and absolutely heavenly. In little time, she was drifting off, the dark angel of her dreams returning with a vengeance to destroy anything that would disturb her rest.
Chapter 19: Kind to be Cruel
"I''ll kill her," Nanoha ground out softly while they stood in the middle of the bedroom. Her calloused hand tightened around the room key as it shook. "No," she growled, "I will kill Hayate, then her. She wouldn''t have had the cojones otherwise."
Waking in Fate''s arms had felt amazing, it was so tempting to just bask for a while, but they had to quickly separate before flight attendants descended on the cabin to begin requesting passengers to stow their beds and trays in preparation for landing.
Leaving the chauffeur to stow their luggages, they had settled into the short drive to their hotel with little pomp and arrived at the hotel just before two in the morning. The check-in process was swift since they were the only guests at the time. A staff in a kimono had led them to their accommodations and bowed before retreating into the night.
The room was large and spacious. Tatami mats lined the floors, and the decor had a distinctly traditional feel. Shoji doors separated each room, lending a cosy ambience that was furthered by the hushed, trimmed greenery seen just outside their private hot spring pool. Apparently, the only room available in the area had been at an onsen ryokan, a traditional japanese inn with hot springs.
Nanoha was willing to give that a pass. It was the very solitary, very huge double bed that had the executive fuming and she had half a mind to yell at her E.A. at two in the bloody morning for this.
A calming hand laid itself over her clenched one, and Nanoha glanced up at the blonde. "It''s all right, Nanoha. It will be like a sleepover with friends, like on the plane¡" She glanced guiltily away, knowing she had an ulterior motive for accepting this arrangement. It had felt too good waking from that nap wrapped around the gorgeous executive and she was thirsty for more.
Fate didn''t understand, Nanoha thought. It was straining the auburn-haired woman''s vaunted self-control to keep her hands to herself around the angelic blonde and to be stuck in the same bed with Fate for multiple nights was going to be her demise. How was she going to control herself without the aid of a conscious mind?!
The worst part was, she couldn''t tell if it had been Vita''s idea or Hayate''s. Both were prone to being overprotective of Nanoha, especially after her accident, but damned if their instincts liked to manifest in the worst and most inconvenient ways possible. She knew they meant well, both liked Fate and liked that she was friends with the blonde. Was this their twisted way of trying to deepen her friendship with her AVP?
Blowing out an exasperated breath, Nanoha scrubbed tiredly at her face, "I''m sorry, Feito-chan. Maybe there is a futon I can ask housekeeping to bring in¡" She reached for the room''s phone.
Soft fingers closed firmly about her wrist, pulling her hand away from her face and staying her intentions to pick up the receiver, "Nanoha-chan," Fate said seriously, forcing the executive to meet her eyes. The crimson pools were dark in the dimmed warmth of the ryokan''s room, full of entreating, "I''ve seen your ''normal''. I want a new normal for Nanoha. I-If I can help, then let me."
"Feito-chan, if I''m asleep," Nanoha''s hand drooped limp in Fate''s, the executive''s eyes dropping to study the tatami they were standing on, "I¡ I don''t know what I might do¡"
"Nanoha-chan has never and will never hurt me on purpose. Not even on day one." Fate tucked errant strands of rich auburn behind the woman''s ears, "The White Devil was a lie told so many times that even you began to believe it." Azure eyes shaded with apprehension lifted, and Nanoha was caught in the unrelenting belief in Fate''s eyes "Whatever it is Nanoha-chan is so afraid she might do, I forgive her, because I know she did not mean it. Just as she forgave me before."
"Feito-chan¡" Oh no, the urge to kiss the blonde was back, stronger than ever. How did she know just what to say? Fate could feel the fluttering pulse in the wrist she had maintained hold of, a tsunami of emotions clashing in those beautiful ocean eyes. It was as if they had formed whirlpools, sucking her into their depths. She felt her breath quickening, the swift rise and fall inadvertently brushing their fronts together. "Nanoha-chan¡"
She couldn''t take it. Tearing her eyes free, Nanoha took a conscious step back to get some distance between them before she immolated and took Fate down with her right where they stood. "Th-Thank you," she said quietly, "I hope you never regret your kindness." Turning away before Fate could dispute the executive''s words, she continued, "Feito-chan should go wash up first, I''ll unpack." With that, she hefted up both their full-sized luggages with ease and carried them into the bedroom.
Hand stretched out to stay Nanoha''s departure, the blonde dropped it and sighed softly. Fate could sense that gnawing doubt the executive normally hid well. Not all scars she bore were visible, but was Fate all that different? The woman had looked at herself through the lens of her own eyes for too long. It would take time to persuade her to look at herself through Fate''s. ''Patience,'' the blonde told herself.
Brushing out her long hair, Fate returned to ''their bedroom'', as she had secretly dubbed it. She''d changed into one of the yukata for women provided by the ryokan. At her height, it rode up to just under her knees and Nanoha smiled at the adorable sight. The executive had been buried in dark thoughts while she hung out various business suits and skirts, but it was impossible for her to remain so once the blonde was around again.
"Feito-chan, it is right then left. Here." Coming up behind the statuesque blonde, Fate felt Nanoha pressed up along the back of her and her eyes fluttered closed. The heat of contact even through multiple layers of clothes was overwhelming. Nanoha easily untied the crude knot the Midchildan had made and the blonde felt the wash of cool autumn air wafting over the hot surface of her naked body. "Right, then left," Nanoha repeated, her low voice stirring soft hairs by Fate''s reddened ear as her arms went around the slim body of her friend, demonstrating how to properly wear the garment.
The brush of calloused fingers over her bare hip sent all the blood rushing to Fate''s nethers and she swallowed hard. "I¡ I see," she murmured weakly. The sharp rustle of cloth signalled her sash being re-tied. Shifting the knot to the small of Fate''s back, Nanoha stepped back and patted the blonde''s shoulder, "There, all done." Before Fate could recover, the executive was gone, sliding the bathroom''s door closed behind her to perform her own nightly ablutions. Still throbbing there, Fate shakily made her way to the bed, turning down the covers and dimming the lights with the room''s remote.
Nanoha leaned over the bathroom sink once the door slid closed. Her heart was threatening to beat itself right out of her chest and she could see the raw hunger in her eyes when she looked in the mirror. What had she been thinking?! She had practically molested the almost naked blonde just now. Groaning, she turned the tap to cold and splashed her face repeatedly.
Reminding herself sternly that this was for work, Nanoha took a fortifying breath and stepped back out in her own yukata. Fate was propped up against fluffy pillows on one side of the bed, her laptop on her lap. The too-small on the blonde yukata had ridden up to mid-thigh in bed and she had on her cute reading glasses. Her glorious mane was draped over her shoulders, fringe falling fetchingly into her eyes, prompting her to hold her hair back with one graceful hand.
¡Nanoha''s iron will laid down on the tatami mat in utter defeat.
"Feito-chan," she chided once she found her voice, "It''s almost 3AM."
The blonde glanced up, eyes running down Nanoha''s form. "The yukata suits you," her quiet voice warmly admiring, not arguing that it was indeed three in the morning. The executive''s lean form seemed made for the garment, her strong shoulders tapering to a trim waist providing a classic silhouette drawn in every fashion designer''s portfolio.
Derailed, the auburn-haired woman forgot what she was going to say next. She was used to the joking flirts from Hayate, the mindless fangirls back in high school or college who just saw her as a symbol on a pedestal and nothing more. She was completely unused to the simple and sincere compliments the blonde paid her and it was thoroughly discombobulating trying to formulate a proper response.
Thankfully, Fate saved her by closing the laptop to set it on the bedside table. "I wanted to go over the account again. I do not wish to embarrass you." Shyly, she added in a hushed whisper, "And I wanted to wait up for you." Fate was also hoping that going through dry numbers and statistics would cool the fires that had settled between her legs, but not with Nanoha looking this amazing in her yukata. Her heavy mane of auburn tresses flowed down her back like a silken cloak as she padded across the tatami floors and the urge to play with it made the tips of Fate''s fingers tingle.
That got her that lopsided smile she adored. "What did I do to deserve such a good AVP?"
"Hmm," Fate appeared to consider the question seriously, before looking up at the woman now gingerly getting into her side of the bed, "You were born?"
Settling in, the executive propped her head up on one hand and threw Fate a dubious look, certain the blonde was merely bantering. Fate returned her look with a gaze steady as a rock. "Guess I''m glad I was born, then," Nanoha husked.
"I know I am." Fate laid her head down, expression open, "With every fibre of my being." There it was again, the air heavy with emotions, with words left unsaid.
"Feito-chan, could I¡ hold you?" The executive ventured to ask. Pale lashes lowered, immediately assenting to Nanoha''s request. "I''m still cold," Fate''s soft voice carried a smile in its tone, giving the Japanese woman a plausible reason for why she should hold the blonde. Silently, they arranged themselves, Nanoha doing her painful best to keep her hands to the most platonic places. Burying her nose into Fate''s lilac and rose scented mane, she exhaled slowly.
"Sorry to be selfish, Feito-chan." Fate laid her hand over the strong arm curled around her middle. It was glorious torture she would endure every night if she had to, with pleasure. "What are best friends for?" She snuggled more closely back into Nanoha''s arms and her mild scent of cinnamon and vanilla spice, and both women groaned internally. Fate''s rear fit perfectly into Nanoha''s pelvis, their curves connecting as if they had been made for the other. "Yes, best friends¡" Nanoha murmured. It took the pair little time to fall into Morpheus'' thrall, senses filled with nothing but their most precious person.
Morning came far too early for Nanoha, her body''s clock still tuned to Singapore''s time. Slivers of moonlit silver streamed through thin glass panels installed over the ryokan''s shoji doors that led outside into the little private garden that was a signature of the inn, caressing the downy cheeks of the blonde nestled in her arms. The slow rise and fall of Fate''s breathing indicated her continued somnolence and Nanoha knew no better peace than waking with the princess in her arms.
''I should hit the gym. I won''t think of¡ that, if I tired myself out enough,'' she pondered, eyes adjusting to the dim confines of the room while she thought.
It was a tempting idea. Even now, while the blonde lay completely unresponsive and asleep, Nanoha felt the burn, the beast inside her demanding its tribute. Millimetre by millimetre, the executive extricated herself from around the blonde. Propped on her elbow, she studied Fate for long moments, calloused fingers a whisper-light touch that traced the blonde''s high brow, down her fine bridge and over the tip of her classic profile to brush gently across shining pink lips.
Ordering herself to cease taking liberties with the trusting blonde, Nanoha closed her hand into a fist and quietly rolled out of their shared bed, easily slipping into the stealthy movements that were part of her family''s lesser known arts. She took a moment to tuck the blankets warmly around Fate''s shoulders, not wishing for her to feel the chill of autumn''s night. Shrugging out of her yukata, Nanoha walked naked to her luggage and pulled out her workout clothes, slipping into them and out of the room without sound. In a strong, bold script, she wrote a note in case the blonde woke before she returned.
''At the gym, back for breakfast.'' - N
The door leading out of the room closed with a faint click. Opening her eyes, Fate slowly levered herself up, the blankets pooling around her hips as she touched her lips. "Nanoha¡" The boundaries were blurring. Where did their friendship start or end? Did friends touch each other''s faces like that? But that was as far as Nanoha would go, and Fate''s heart ached. The executive didn''t think of her that way. Why would she? She was perfection while Fate was¡ a discarded tool, occasionally useful, but ultimately of no intrinsic value.
Hugging herself against a cold that came from within, not without, Fate let herself fall back down into bed, hot tears tracking into her pillow. No, she could still be of value to the executive. To ease her workload and provide some company when she did things. ''It has to be enough. It''s all you''ll ever get.'' She turned her face into the pillow to muffle her sobs.
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The ryokan''s gym was a contrast to the sedately traditional style of the inn. Decked with the most modern equipment, some obviously never touched before, Nanoha eyed the area, pleasantly surprised. She hadn''t bothered with more than a sports bra and booty shorts, assuming correctly that the place would be deserted anyway. Slinging her room towel over a convenient hook, she began her warm ups in earnest.
It felt good to push herself. She''d built a sturdy body in the years following her accident and it felt really satisfying to work it to its upper limits. Typically, she kept things light to moderate for Fate to keep pace with her, and she didn''t begrudge the blonde that at all. Her Saturday mornings were far more about the pleasure of Fate''s company and she truly treasured that time. Even so, the blonde had almost strained things to the point of injury keeping up with her.
Here, however, alone with all this equipment, she could truly cut loose. Perspiration poured freely down her body and her muscles trembled under the strain. This was a good ache, it was a needed ache, it helped her forget for just this window that she wanted nothing more than to take that beauty in her bed in every conceivable way possible, and then some.
So focused she was on her workout that she never registered the slight cooling of the air, indicating that someone else had entered what she thought was her sole domain at five in the morning. "You haven''t skipped a beat, have you?" The words were in japanese, spoken by a familiar voice, and she froze in the middle of her dead-lift. Teeth gritted, she counted the requisite seconds then dropped her weight and turned.
Almost as short as Vita, with hair a few shades lighter than the E.A., the woman stood in a set of workout tank and shorts with a hand on her hip. She was smirking when Nanoha turned to face her, though the sight of that leanly fit body had the redhead licking her lips. "In fact," sauntering closer, she circled around the sweat-soaked executive, close enough to feel the heat coming off of the panting woman, "I think you''ve picked up quite a few new beats."
She leaned closer and licked a shoulder, "Mmm, you taste just as good as I remember, too." Stiffly withdrawing from the conventionally attractive redhead, Nanoha snaked one long arm out to retrieve her towel, pointedly wiping the spot the woman had licked, "Agito," she greeted shortly, "How did you know I was here?"
"I have my sources," the redhead smirked, refusing to leave Nanoha''s personal space. "I knew if anything, this would be where you''d be." One small hand trailed manicured nails up the slight dips and bumps of the executive''s bare abdomen, "That is, if you weren''t with someone. And it looks to me like you aren''t."
Hand striking out quick as lightning, Nanoha snatched Agito''s hand away from her person. "Whether I am or not is of no concern to you, Agito." The executive''s voice was lowly menacing, which only served to delight the redhead even more. She made a token attempt to free her wrist from Nanoha''s iron grip, but pushed closer to press the full length of herself to the auburn-haired woman.
"Isn''t it?" The redhead murmured as she deliberately rubbed herself against that incredible body, heedless of the perspiration coating the executive. Enjoying it, in fact. "Because I could think of how we could¡ reconnect, since you''re in town." The woman probably felt her breathy whispers were a turn on, but it only served to remind the executive that this wasn''t Fate. Giving the woman a small shove, Nanoha stalked to the water cooler to hydrate.
"I''ve moved past that, Agito." Alto cold, Nanoha raked the smaller woman from head to toe as she wiped her mouth on the back of her hand. Admittedly, Agito had kept up with her own exercises. The redhead''s petite form was tight and supple, alluring in its compact way. Something Nanoha would have easily enjoyed toying with, back in the day, "You should too."
Unfazed, Agito stalked her prey, hovering over the executive who had taken a seat on one of the exercise benches to rest at. "Come now, Nanoha, when have you turned down a perfectly good fuck?" The claw of her nail traced the auburn-haired woman''s bicep, "No strings, all fun¡" Straddling one of Nanoha''s thighs, the redhead sucked in a soft breath at the feel of that tensed muscle digging into her core. "How about it, your room or mine?"
"I''m not playing your game, Agito." Sounding more weary than anything, Nanoha again pushed the redhead off of her. Every second this woman pressed made Nanoha miss the blonde even more, and she''d only been in the gym for two hours. ''Christ almighty, I''m pathetic.'' She scrubbed tiredly at her face with her towel.
This was different. Agito stood as she was pushed away a second time, eyeing the gorgeous executive curiously. "You aren''t joking, are you?" The redhead observed in wonder, "What changed?"
"Nothing," Nanoha muttered, Fate''s angelic visage flashing in her mind''s eye as she lied. She proceeded to dry her arms and torso, "I got over myself, grew up. Things you could try."
Agito scrunched up her nose in distaste, "Where''s the fun in that?" She ran lustful eyes over the executive''s barely clad form, "Colour me disappointed." Sighing, she took a corner of Nanoha''s towel to dry herself off a little, "Guess I''ll see you around, Nanoha-san." She ran a covetous hand down Nanoha''s beautifully contoured back, "Such a pity." Before Nanoha could slap away her hand, she winked and left.
"Ugh¡" The executive wiped at every spot the redhead had touched, and she still felt soiled. She wondered if Fate was resting well, and buried her face into her sweaty towel. There was nothing that could override the soul-deep marks the blonde had ever so gently, so sweetly, branded into her psyche. Agito''s unexpected visit had only emphasised how lost the auburn-haired woman was.
The need to go back to the bed where Fate was suddenly took over and Nanoha quickly began her cooldown routine. Shower, and another few hours spooning the blonde, sounded amazing to her right now.
Fate spun around and gazelle leapt around the corner to avoid bumping into the strange redhead she''d heard Nanoha call ''Agito''. She''d gotten tired of waiting for Nanoha to return and had set out to look for her. The note had said she would be in the gym but said nothing about this woman rubbing herself all over the executive like a cat in heat.
Nanoha didn''t seem to object much, only pushing the woman away half-heartedly, it seemed to her. Was she Nanoha''s type? Small and petite? Fate looked dejectedly down at her own almost six foot frame, hating everything about herself again. Rushing back to their room, she slipped back into bed, recreating the pose she''d been in when the executive had left the room.
Fate felt like an utter fool, sneaking around spying on her boss in their off-hours like some jealous, green-eyed witch. They were just friends. Maybe best friends, but still friends. She''d no right to get jealous. ''Curse me, I still am.'' She couldn''t give it away, though. She had just washed away all evidence of her crying. Heart thundering, she could hear the executive returning to their room, showering, pulling on her yukata¡
The blonde was still fast asleep. Glad to see that she''d not woken Fate up, Nanoha got herself a quick shower, scrubbing extra at every spot Agito had touched. It wasn''t that long ago that she would''ve tumbled the woman without a second thought. The White Devil was losing her edge, and Nanoha wasn''t certain if that was a good or bad thing.
Brushing out her still damp hair, her feet moved of their own volition to take her back to where Fate lay. She could watch the sleeping beauty for hours and not get tired. Pulled by unseen forces, she laid aside her brush and slipped back in behind the blonde. She set the alarm for nine in the morning to give them another three hours of rest and carefully spooned around Fate once more. Sighing into the woman''s flaxen tresses, she mumbled, "Missed you," and dropped off into an exhausted sleep.
The shell of misery Fate had been encased in shook at those mumbled words from Nanoha. She¡ missed her? Mind racing, she was surprised that Nanoha was back here and not with the woman who had been obviously throwing herself at the executive. Surely that counted for something? The arm around her was unquestionably Nanoha wanting to hold her, and the woman had said she missed her. Perhaps¡ Perhaps Fate didn''t rank at the absolute bottom to Nanoha.
Nurturing that tiny little flame of hope that was bolstered by the too real warmth wrapped around her, Fate exhaled silently and allowed herself to feel a little better about herself.
Waking was an awkward mix of bliss and heartache for both women. Greetings were stilted, accidental brushes froze them, and trying to manoeuvre around each other even in the multi-room accommodations was like a comedic dance where the floor was lava and they''d lose a life if one mistake was made.
This trip was going to be a wash if nothing was done, and it was only ten in the morning. Nanoha couldn''t take it anymore. Considering Fate''s reactions in the past, the executive decided to shove aside her own pining for the woman and just sit her down for a talk. As a boss, and a friend.
Room service had delivered a light repast to the women and Nanoha was setting the table with a traditional breakfast of grilled fish, steamed rice, miso soup, fermented soy beans, pickled vegetables and sweet rolled omelette. Fate was helping to iron both of their chosen outfits for the day.
For Nanoha, a woollen business jacket and high-waist skirt, the deep blue hue matching her eyes. Beneath, would be a cream silk blouse, buttoned to her neck where a ladies cravat bow would be tied, the same deep blue as her jacket and skirt.
Fate had chosen a dark maroon satin blouse with two-thirds sleeves tucked into a black sheath skirt. Over which would be a mid-length trench in deference to the cooler weather in Japan.
"Feito-chan, come eat before it gets cold," Nanoha called, pouring a glass of juice for herself and Fate.
There went her excuse to avoid the auburn-haired beauty. Fate couldn''t get the sight of the redhead on Nanoha''s lap out of her head and meeting her boss'' eyes took immense effort. Breakfast was at a two-seater affair set out on the little porch that looked out into their private garden. The hushed peace was a marked contrast to the conflict warring in Fate''s eyes and Nanoha wondered when it''d become this easy to see when her¡ friend, needed a reset.
Seating Fate as was her habit, Nanoha didn''t take hers, instead leaning over to wrap Fate in her arms from behind. "Feito-chan," she began, feeling the blonde stiffen at her hug, which saddened her. "I couldn''t have made the flight comfortably, or gotten any rest without you. Thank you. More than anything, your presence keeps me sane a-and I wanted you to know that you''re very, very important to me. I-If I make you uncomfortable doing this, I''ll stop. Your comfort is the most important thing to me." Sadly, Nanoha loosened her arms to stand, but found herself kept in place by a strong grip placed over her arms.
Eyes filling, Fate shook her head silently. How had Nanoha known? She tried to convey her feelings by holding on tightly to the arms around her. She needed this. Needed to hear that she was important to her most important person. Even now, the executive was being so patient in the face of her greed, her neediness. Fate felt lips pressing into her temple and she drew in a shuddering breath. "N-Nanoha¡ You don''t make me uncomfortable. I''m just afraid y-you will tire of me."
"Impossible," the executive countered, whispering into the soft mass of the blonde''s hair, "Feito-chan is essential to my well-being," she stated plainly. Slowly pulling away, she knelt by the blonde''s chair, gently brushing away the tears she knew she''d find. Touching foreheads with her friend, she smiled, "I will say this as many times as I have to, until Feito-chan believes me. You are stuck with me, at least until you tell me you are sick of me."
Fate gave another shake of her head, "It is beyond me to ever say that," she whispered. Feeling foolish for doubting the executive and suffering through the night, she closed her eyes, absorbing the intimate moment, needing it to heal the hairline fractures of her heart.
"If ever you have questions, I will do my best to answer, that is my promise to Feito-chan." She felt calloused fingers tucking her hair behind her ears, the touch lingering over her cheeks. Her eyes fluttered back open and there was no escaping the deep azure of Nanoha''s gaze, "I may not be able to give you the full answer, I may have to say ''later'', but you can always, always ask."
"It''s more than I deserve¡"
"No, it is your right." Fate felt herself being shaken, not hard, but for emphasis, "It is the right I give to my best friend." The Japanese woman''s lips twitched into a tiny smile, "I choose you, Feito-chan, and you can''t change my mind." Fate was getting flustered. These words, the physical closeness, it was becoming too much again.
"I¡ Thank you. I will do my best to be worthy¡"
"This is not earned," Nanoha caught herself before adding an endearment, "It is given," Nanoha''s smile turned wistful. "I never thought I could ever again. Feito-chan is special, please, never forget that."
SHE was special? "I''ll remember¡ i-if you remember that you are just as special to me," the blonde ventured, boldly.
"Nyahaha. Making a bargain with the Devil already?"
Fate gave the executive a tentative smile. She could never tire of that cute laugh, "It is for a worthy cause."
"Hmm. Deal, then." The Japanese woman held out a pinkie finger, and Fate recognised it as the Japanese way of sealing a promise. She hooked her finger with Nanoha''s and the women smiled warmly at each other when their thumbs met, cementing the vow made.
"Nanoha-chan, guess what?"
Finally seating herself, her boss gave her a curious glance whilst laying out the provided napkin over her lap.
"The food is cold again."
Giggling, Nanoha affected a put-upon sigh, "Mou, it''s because I had to convince Feito-chan how much she means to me again."
"Who is this Feito-chan?" Fate murmured sedately, picking up her chopsticks and waiting to see how Nanoha tackled breakfast before copying her, "She sounds really dense. I think you need to find a new Feito-chan, this one is defective."
"Sorry, there is only one Feito-chan for me." Utterly delighted that the blonde was twitting her back, Nanoha broke into a huge smile, the brilliance fair blinding the blonde seated across from her. Realising that Fate was waiting for her cue, she got started on their now cold breakfast. "It doesn''t matter when you drink the soup in this instance," the executive explained, eyes crinkling in the corners while the lesson on her country''s cuisine continued.
Switching gears, Nanoha brought her mind to bear on the reason why they were in Japan in the first place, "Our team on the ground will meet us. We''ll finalise our presentation once we get their latest updates," she shared.
Fate nodded, carefully clipping off a piece of grilled fish with her chopsticks to have with a mouthful of rice like how Nanoha had done. This was so different from her usual bowl of milk and cereal, but in such a serene setting, with this perfect woman, it felt so right to be taking her time to savour the textures, colours and taste. Such a dichotomy of a society always working non-stop, to have built-in brakes that forced one to appreciate the simpler things in life.
"I want you to take point," Nanoha added, piercing blue eyes watching her AVP. Fate almost choked. "I beg your pardon?"
"The competing team knows me since this is my home turf. You''re a wild card they won''t be prepared for." Nanoha pointed out, "There''s no need to speak in japanese, so don''t worry about that."
If Nanoha needed her to do it, she would. Nanoha smiled at the determined nod the blonde gave her. ''Let''s see Tourist-san and friends try something while my AVP takes front and centre.'' Agito aside, Nanoha was feeling rather optimistic about the trip now. There was nothing to be done about the leaks in TSAB. An organisation this large was impossible to keep a lid on, though she made a mental note to drop Signum a line afterwards.
Chapter 20: Where Angels Dare to Tread
Seated beside Nanoha, Fate listened while the all-male team from TSAB''s Japan offices laid out the issues they were having. Her boss was leaning back in her chair, fingers steepled and eyes half-closed while she lent their local boys her ears.
"They have a new hotshot exec overseeing this bidding war, we''ve been leaking blood from the curveballs. It''s almost as if she has a personal vendetta with TSAB. Those Hewlett-Packard nerds think they have it in the bag."
Nanoha scanned the list of attacks that her boys were having issue with deflecting. Then the presentation her men had given DoCoMo so far. Nodding, she picked up one of the ballpoints on the table and pulled over a few sheets of A4 paper. She''d discarded her wool jacket once they had reached the conference room, and her sleeves had been rolled up. Fate enjoyed the sight of Nanoha writing, the woman''s forearm flexing in time with the words and diagrams she was putting to paper.
"You''re not wrong, Hayashibara-san. They''re making this very personal," Nanoha murmured. She flipped the page over to continue writing. "I was personally sent to take charge of every single one of these cases. If it comes up, I will answer for them all." She glanced over to her AVP, Cupid''s bow lips curling into a small smile, "But we have our own Ace up the sleeve."
The men exchanged looks. Their boss'' second-in-command was attention-grabbing, certainly, and at least two were considering asking her out after this was over¡ but an Ace?
Fate could feel their doubt as easily as if they had voiced it aloud, her own doubts at being termed an ''Ace'' swiftly suppressed. Appearances were everything, especially in Japan. She sat serenely, hands folded on the conference table. Nanoha put down the pen and slid the papers towards the blonde who picked them up, graceful fingers flipping the pages as she slowly absorbed the plan the executive had sketched out.
Flipping open her laptop, Fate called up the relevant folder from their corporate servers, pulling her own personal folder up to overlap with it. Perching her wire-rim glasses on her nose, she began putting together a presentation on the spot. Incorporating what her seniors on this account had already worked on, together with what she''d put together before her and Nanoha''s flight over, she streamlined the information there and began adding in what Nanoha had passed to her.
Nanoha was leaning back in her seat once more, the very image of complete confidence. Her azure gaze was lidded, admiring the sophisticated lines of her AVP while she worked. It wasn''t often that she got to watch the blonde work and she was not going to miss this opportunity for anything. She was absolutely certain Fate could handle this on the back of all the public engagements she''d had to deal with in her former life.
"Takamachi-san," the one named Hayashibara said deferentially, "There has been another meeting called. I think the woman enjoys seeing us bicker over the table¡"
The unspoken question was clear. "My AVP and I will join. I''d like to see their representatives in person, myself." The man heaved a sigh of relief. "Who did HP send?"
"Campbell."
Nanoha snorted, "Pulling out all the stops, hmm? They''d love to embarrass TSAB in Miss Yagami''s native country."
"Hai¡ About Testarossa-san¡ Is she¡?"
The usually stoic executive cast the local team a devilish grin and one quickly dropped his file to rest on his lap. "TSAB''s Kuroi Tenshi will do fine." TSAB''s Black Angel. The men exchanged glances, and dipped their heads into polite bows, "Hai, if Takamachi-san says so, it is so."
Ah, the old Japanese chain of command. Nanoha didn''t miss the insane work ethics, even if she still practiced it herself, but there was something to be said about the unwavering belief in leadership that subordinates displayed. "Get the cars ready," she concluded softly, "It wouldn''t do to keep our audience waiting. And get us some konbini onigiri, if you would please." There wouldn''t be time for lunch, so a few convenience store rice balls would just have to do for now.
"At once, Ma''am." The men departed, leaving the two executives behind. Nanoha knew her AVP wasn''t entirely ignorant of the Japanese language. The princess was a bit of a polyglot, according to the package Teana had put together for her the morning of her first encounter with the blonde. The faintest hint of pink in Fate''s ears gave away the fact that she had caught what Nanoha had been discussing with the men, but she continued to work, finishing up the last few touches to her presentation.
Nanoha sat at a pace''s distance behind Fate, watching over her shoulder. Usually, Fate hated the feeling of being watched while she worked, but their first weekend as friends had shown that she felt completely comfortable if it was Nanoha doing it. The executive gave no feedback and merely studied what was on her screen. No feedback meant Nanoha saw little need for anything to change. She was truly handing this over to the blonde.
Hitting ''Save'', Fate turned around and was taken aback by how close Nanoha had leaned in and she sucked in a quiet breath, absorbing the closeness without giving away that she was doing so. Holding the blonde''s gaze, Nanoha rose and offered her one calloused hand. "Let''s go, Feito-chan." Taking that warmly offered hand, Fate stood, laptop secured under her other arm.
"Campbell and I go back," the executive began, and the AVP recognised this as Nanoha''s ''war briefing''. Nanoha helped Fate into her trench coat before pulling on her own woollen jacket and leading them out, "He''s held a grudge since we stole Siemens from under his nose four years ago. He won''t be happy to see me, which is good, since he''ll ignore you. That man could never see the forest for the trees. He''s a misogynistic shitbag, but the DoCoMo rep being female might keep his worst tendencies at bay. Regardless, he''ll try to rattle you. Just keep your eyes on me."
Nanoha nodded a greeting to the driver holding the door for them and followed in after Fate. They had the Mercedes to themselves, the other men taking their own cars to the meeting. Seated at the back, surrounded by the privacy of tinted, soundproof glass, Fate fought to keep her imposter syndrome in check. She cast an envious glance at the Japanese woman who wore her cloak of professional indifference with an ease of long practise.
"Campbell was probably the one providing DoCoMo with dirt on me. But they''re already strike one by sending a gaijin." Or ''outsider''. Nanoha unwrapped a tuna onigiri and handed it to Fate, the ingenious system of packaging the snack ensuring the seaweed wrap remained crisp and fresh. Fate''s stomach had been invaded with butterflies, but she made an effort to take a bite while listening. It actually was quite nice, if only nerves had not stolen her appetite.
"But, Nanoha, I''m a gaijin," Fate felt compelled to point out, earning her a faint look of approval, "Indeed, but Feito-chan is under me, and the rest of our team is Japanese." She leaned back a moment to stretch, the morning''s unplanned workout had her body feeling a little tense. Fate appreciated the sight, since it helped distract her from how nervous she felt. The executive popped her neck with a soft groan, the cracks audible in the quiet of the car.
"Japanese people get stressed juggling the behaviour, mannerisms and actions of outsiders. DoCoMo''s rep will know I''ll step in if you make a faux pas, saving them the effort of adjusting their responses to you. It''s a small thing, but the Devil," and she winked at Fate, incidentally charming the blonde to bits, "Is in the details."
"Leave me to address the DoCoMo rep, keep your responses to Campbell. We''re projecting that we consider the rep my equal while implying Campbell is beneath both the rep and myself. If our boys get in the mud with HP''s boys, that''s fine. There''s a reason I pay them top dollar. Even better if Campbell himself tries to sling something."
Nanoha could see the conflicts swirling in her AVP''s beautiful crimson eyes and kept her alto low and soothing, injecting it with all the confidence she had in the blonde. "He won''t fathom why I''m not jumping down his throat. We''re going to capsize his happy little boat and keep him in the water." All that sexy confidence was chipping steadily away at the blonde''s worries as she absorbed the ins and outs of doing business in the Land of the Rising Sun.
"Any question you''re asked, wait for my nod to answer. If I step in, it''s not a knock on you, but to meet a direct challenge from the top. If an HP underling directs something to you, act like you never heard them and let our boys handle it. And remember, someone is always listening."
Fate felt her heart rate climb, as it was wont to do when she was alone with Nanoha, especially when those incredible azure eyes looked at her with such rock solid belief. Given, not earned. But she had to, to quiet all those doubting the executive''s decisions regarding Fate. That feeling of inner panic began to subside, replaced by the comforting warmth of the Japanese woman''s regard.
"You can do this, Feito-chan." The blonde nodded, "Don''t forget your food, Nanoha." She returned the executive''s brilliant smile with a small one of her own. The Mercedes rumbled down the streets of Tokyo, the Angel going where the Devil didn''t fear to tread.
Meeting the rest of their team on site, the group of TSAB people were led by an employee of DoCoMo to the large conference room that already had HP''s team there, waiting. It was a tense tableau when they arrived fifteen minutes before the appointed time. The DoCoMo representative herself had yet to show.
Nanoha nodded to Hayashibara to help get Fate''s laptop connected and prepped for the presentation.
"Takamachi," a balding white man sneered to see Nanoha at the front of the TSAB group. "Yagami must be getting desperate if she''s sending you here."
Strike Two.
Coolly taking a seat across from the man, Nanoha quirked a smile that never reached the glittering flint of her blue eyes, "Campbell-san, it is good to see you."
Snorting, the over-aged frat boy in a suit eyed his previous opponent. "How''s it feel to be hiding behind skirts, Hayashibara?"
Strike Three.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
The TSAB man was crouched over to plug in an HDMI cable and didn''t immediately respond to the HP executive. Nanoha''s team had exchanged texts before arriving, and all had been reminded that listening devices were most certainly installed where the meeting would take place.
Standing, he gave the HP man a barely respectful bow, "It feels good, Campbell-san." Hayashibara replied politely, "TSAB highly values our employees, whether they wear suits or skirts." Moving back to take his place by Nanoha and Fate, the team lead was a picture of serenity.
Ten minutes to three.
A side door opened to admit a petite redhead with hair a few shades paler than Vita''s. She was dressed sharply in a business jacket and skirt, heels silent on the carpet as she made her way to the head of the table. Plum-shaded eyes studied the two groups and Fate realised with a start that it was the woman she''d seen in the gym with Nanoha this morning. Everyone had stood when she arrived, and it seemed her eyes lingered on Campbell a fraction longer.
"Inoue Agito desu, I will be DoCoMo''s representative for today. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu~" I will be in your care. The woman made a bow to those gathered. TSAB''s contingent bowed back in unison, "Kochi rakoso, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu~" Likewise, we are in your care.
The HP group took a little longer to proffer their bows, still unused to the local customs.
Nanoha hadn''t turned a hair to see Agito, her boardroom face a smooth mask. So, little Agito had climbed her way this far. Impressive. She hid a smile when Campbell garnered a slightly longer glance, knowing the DoCoMo woman had heard that skirt insult.
She studied Nanoha for a moment, "We have been hoping TSAB would send us their best." Was there a slight purr in her voice as she spoke, or was Fate''s overactive imagination playing games with her mind? "It is gratifying to see that this is the case. We do not, however, recognise the one who is with you?"
Rising, Fate bowed and offered her name card with both hands to the Inoue woman''s assistant, the side with her name and title in japanese facing upwards. "Fate Testarossa, Takamachi-san''s assistant vice president. Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu~" She could feel the weighing gaze of the DoCoMo executive and strove to mirror Nanoha''s aplomb as she retook her seat.
"Indeed." The DoCoMo executive received the card from her assistant and spent a moment studying it, then Fate. Appearing to dismiss Fate, the woman addressed those gathered, "I have seen what Campbell-san has to offer. Am I to assume nothing has changed in that regard, Campbell-san?"
The HP suit nodded, appearing a little sweaty under the collar as he regretted his decision not to update his team''s presentation.
"Then I ask the same of Takamachi-san."
Nanoha tilted her head, "Deepest apologies, Inoue-san. Since TSAB values DoCoMo''s continued favour, and you have so kindly afforded us more of your time today, we have taken the liberty of improving the scope of how we wish to enhance your venerable company''s adoption by the younger generation. If you would allow us a chance?"
At the woman''s nod, Fate rose and glided towards the front, remote in hand. Settling back, Nanoha took stock of the silent surprise evident on the face of everyone present, her own team aside. Catching Fate''s eyes for a moment, she imbued all the supportive warmth into her returned look.
It was time. Bolstered by Nanoha''s all-seeing gaze, Fate bowed to her audience and began, her melodic voice weaving in tandem with the slides she presented.
"DoCoMo is an institution synonymous with Japan''s rise as an economic power of Asia. Where there was growth, there was DoCoMo. It is the backbone of Japan''s society and has rendered incomparable support to countless lives and businesses¡"
The auburn-haired woman could see Agito out of the corner of her eye, glancing from herself to Fate and back again, expression speculative. With a final look thrown Nanoha''s way, the DoCoMo woman turned her attention fully to Fate.
Switching slides, the unfamiliar user interface of a streaming platform appeared. At the top, its branding in purple declared the platform''s name was ''Twatch'', or ''To Watch''. An attractive woman cosplaying as Princess Zolda from the popular Zolda game series from Japan was seen interacting with her audience while she navigated a boss fight. "Dimtendo, that''s not fair. This healthbar is ridiculous¡" The streamer could be heard complaining about some gameplay mechanic while her audience sent comments via a text chatroom, completely engaged in what they were seeing on screen. Partway through the fight, a DoCoMo advertisement was superimposed over the streamer''s window.
"We believe DoCoMo has great growth potential outside of Japan''s shores. With the support TSAB can provide to seamlessly integrate DoCoMo''s proprietary infrastructure to the wider world, and tie-in''s with TSAB''s existing contracts with Dimtendo, we believe your venerable company can bring its services forward into the realm of the billion dollar gaming industry."
Screenshots of popular japanese image boards morphed into the streamlined UX experience that was reminiscent of TSAB''s own intranet interface, and similar demonstrations of japanese-based streaming services were morphed to incorporate DoCoMo''s own branding, showcasing real-time translations that would bridge the gap between streamer and audience, eliminating national boundaries with the click of a button.
Fate fell silent then, face slightly flushed, and her eyes settled once more on her boss. Taking her cue, the rest of the room watched as the executive deliberately pulled out her mobile phone and displaying the height of bad manners, began to film the blonde AVP. The TSAB application connected to Fate''s laptop and she appeared in her own slide.
The blond began speaking again, "By your leave, this is but a small sample of what we hope to offer DoCoMo as part of our package." Fate spoke in english, but her voice could be heard emanating from the presentation speakers in japanese, with corresponding japanese subtitles under her on the screen. Pressing the button to kill her uplink to the presentation system, Fate bowed low to the audience, retrieved her laptop and reclaimed her seat next to her boss. On her way back to her seat, she''d caught the smallest hint of an almost wink from her boss, out of anyone else''s view.
The room''s lights came back up, though the silence after the presentation remained. Nanoha simply sat, the leopard crouched low, while she eyed Agito. The DoCoMo executive pushed HP''s folder towards where Campbell and his team sat, "Thank you for your time. We will consider your proposal." The HP team bowed and left with their folder, Campbell throwing poisonous looks at Nanoha and her AVP as he left.
The TSAB team sat with bated breath while they waited for their competitors to leave. Once that was done, the redheaded executive picked up the TSAB folder and handed it to her assistant who bowed as she received it. "We will be in touch."
All remaining rose to bow and turned to leave.
"A moment, Takamachi-san." Giving her team a reassuring nod, Nanoha murmured to Fate, "I''ll meet you at the car," and remained behind. Agito''s assistant had also left to show the TSAB people out, leaving Nanoha alone with the redheaded executive.
Pulling out a little remote, Agito made a show of turning off all listening devices that had been installed in the room, setting the item plainly down on the table for Nanoha to see.
"Interesting," she noted, approaching the auburn-haired woman who remained stationary. "And here I thought she was just some eye candy." Never removing her boardroom mask, Nanoha quirked a faint smile, "You know me better than that, Agito."
"Do I, now?" She closed the distance between them, again pressing herself along Nanoha''s side, "I''d like to¡ refresh my memory. Shall we say¡ 6PM? We can discuss the deal further..."
This was just business as usual. Fate would understand. All she had to do was drop a quick text to her AVP to let her know she wouldn''t be back until late. Dinner, a quick tumble, and the White Devil would return with another feather in TSAB''s bonnet. A calloused hand rose of its own volition to gently remove the redhead from Nanoha''s person. "I am flattered, Agito, but I have a prior engagement." What was she DOING? This was bad for business. "Please send your parents my regards."
Surprised to be turned down, even with the huge contract for a carrot, the redheaded executive cocked her head at the TSAB woman, "Who are you and what have you done with TSAB''s White Devil?"
Good question. Straightening her shoulders, Nanoha gave the redhead a deep bow which she held for a good five seconds. "Please have your people contact my AVP for any clarifications. Dewa~" Spinning on her heel, she exited the conference room to make a beeline for the elevators.
Knowing she was still being observed, Nanoha leaned back against the lift''s railing, arms crossed and chin tucked into her chest. This was madness. No one looked twice if Nanoha closed a deal with her usual ruthless efficiency. A body was just that, and sex was just exercising using a bed. Nothing was stopping the executive from ensuring TSAB got the best out of their dealings with DoCoMo.
Nothing¡ Except a sweet blonde with wine-red eyes who looked at her with such steadfast belief and acceptance. Could she handle the disappointment that would be in those eyes? Her chest rose and fell as she blew out a long breath, the twist she felt in her heart imagining that look was her answer. Exiting the building, she made her way to the roundabout where her ride was waiting. The top of the passenger window had been lowered and she caught the worried gaze of her AVP peering out.
Fate had struggled her entire way down to the ground level. What was that redheaded executive up to? Was she going to use the contract to make Nanoha do something she didn''t wish to? Flashes of Ginga and the forced kiss sped through the blonde''s mind and she had to force herself to get into the car instead of back into the lift to retrieve her boss. Then she caught sight of that familiar, powerful stride, and she could breathe again.
Immediately tumbling out of the car, she met Nanoha halfway, her low ponytail trailing after her in the faint autumn breeze. Pulling up short, that same breeze pulled at the forelock dipping over brilliant blue eyes that crinkled at the corners just for Fate. Looking up into eyes darkened with concern, for her, Nanoha studied the blonde in silent wonder. Finally, she said quietly, "Tadaima, Feito-chan~" I am home.
Fate caught the smallest bit of sleeve on the woollen jacket the executive was wearing, she simply couldn''t help herself. It was all she could do not to hug the auburn-haired woman, her relief was so great. Her melodic soprano was the barest of whispers, "O-Okaeri nasai, Nanoha-chan." Welcome home.
Sensing others approaching, Fate quickly let go of Nanoha''s sleeve, hastily stepping away from the woman. It was Hayashibara and company. Together, the men bowed to Nanoha, then to her, "Inoue-san''s assistant has already contacted us. We have provided them with Testarossa-san''s contact as they have requested. Thank you very much for the help, Takamachi-san."
"Iye~ This was Testarossa-san''s win. We will remain a few more days to iron out the initial stages and hand it to you. Good work Kobayashi, Satou, Fukuzawa."
"Hai! Testarossa-san, it was a masterclass in presenting. It is clear why Takamachi-san picked you. We hope to work again with you soon. Dewa~" Bowing and bidding the women farewell, the TSAB team lead left with his subordinates.
Settling back into their company-appointed vehicle, Nanoha smiled over at her AVP, "And so the legend of TSAB''s Kuro no Tenshi begins." Blushing fiercely, Fate plucked at the cuff of her trench coat. "I h-had a good teacher."
Nanoha placed a warm hand over Fate''s nervously plucking one. "I just made some doodles. All credit goes to Feito-chan. I knew you could do it." Licking her lips, Fate shook her head, "Only because you believed I could."
Such humility wrapped in this blushing, stammering package of adorable sweetness. Nanoha sighed to herself, wanting to kiss those lips so much. She gave the blonde''s hand one last pat and pulled out her phone. "It''s a little early," she observed, noting the time on her screen stating that it was five minutes past five, "Shall we get out of these monkey suits and look for some bangohan?"
Fate processed the word for a moment - dinner. She smiled, "Are we allowed to end our work day this early?"
"There''s an AVP that needs rewarding, and it''s my duty to do so. This is still part of work." That devilish grin appeared once again, and Fate felt her heart doing somersaults. "I suppose if it''s the boss'' orders¡" The blonde murmured, feigning reluctance.
"Oh, very much so," Nanoha pinned her AVP where she sat, "Your boss is ordering you." Shivering a little, Fate licked her lips again and nodded. Who was she to argue?
Unseen by either woman, the redheaded executive had watched their interactions from up in the office building. Tapping her lip with one manicured nail, Agito hummed thoughtfully.
"Yuki-chan."
"Hai, Inoue-san."
"Please find out more about Takamachi-san''s AVP-chan for me."
"Hai." Her assistant hurried off to do as her boss asked.
Chapter 21: Ask and You Shall Receive
"What did¡ Miss Inoue want?" Fate asked hesitantly once they reached their room at the ryokan.
Shrugging out of her jacket, Nanoha tossed their room key onto the side table by the entrance. "She wanted to talk about the deal over dinner." She left out further elaborations, though Fate could easily guess what else the DoCoMo woman may have wanted, considering her behaviour in the gym a mere twelve hours ago.
Had it only been half a day? Fate had experienced the lowest lows and highest highs in that amount of time and the source of it all was this lean package currently unbuttoning her cream blouse as she padded over to their luggage bags left open in the corner of the bedroom.
Averting her eyes, Fate escaped into the washroom to remove her make-up. "Why didn''t you go with her? Wouldn''t it have been good for TSAB if you had?" Out of Nanoha''s line of sight, the blonde slapped a hand over her big mouth. ''Gods, Fate, couldn''t you just be glad that she hadn''t?''
The silence was deafening while she ran the tap, hoping Nanoha hadn''t taken offence to what amounted to her AVP dictating how the executive did business in her home country.
"Is that what you want me to do?" Alto low, Nanoha sounded hurt and Fate kicked herself hard. Shutting off the tap, she rushed back out and hugged the executive from behind. The woman''s head was bowed as she stood there in her skirt and bra, the sweater in her hand forgotten as she fought back the sudden pain Fate''s innocuous query had caused.
"No, not at all. Please forgive me. It was a thoughtless thing to ask." She tried to turn Nanoha to face her, the executive moving reluctantly though her eyes refused to meet Fate''s.
"You wouldn''t have been the first to ask." Nanoha uttered, her voice a dead monotone. Her thick fall of hair obscured her face from Fate and the blonde tried to brush it aside. The auburn-haired woman pulled away from Fate''s touch, "I should''ve accepted her invitation," she continued, "All your work could be flushed away because of my refusal."
Heart aching, hating herself more with every passing second, Fate again wrapped her arms around the executive. "No. I don''t care a whit about that. I hurt you, and I am sorry." Hot tears spilled from her eyes, dripping onto Nanoha''s shoulder. "I had no right to question you or your methods. Please, I''m sorry."
The Japanese woman felt encased in ice, and not even Fate''s arms around her could take away the bone-deep cold that had settled deep inside of her. What the actual fuck was she doing? She was jeopardising multi-million dollar deals, and for what? She wondered sullenly if it was too late to call Agito and take the woman up on her offer. Even Fate expected her to whore herself out for TSAB. So why not?
But the princess was crying. Why was she crying? Lifting dull eyes, Nanoha turned, the instinct to fix whatever was troubling Fate was still more than her shrivelled heart could fight. She found that she couldn''t stand the sight of Fate crying.
Fate discovered that her greatest fear was to see the life drain out of the vibrant woman in front of her, and it was happening in real time before her very eyes. Somehow, a thumb was brushing away her unceasing tears and it only made them fall ever faster. "I¡ didn''t want to disappoint you. That''s why I turned her down." Nanoha mumbled, eyes muted to a cloudy shade of slate meeting Fate''s anguish-filled crimson.
"No," Fate cried, cradling Nanoha''s face in trembling hands, afraid she had broken something beyond repair, "There is nothing, nothing Nanoha could ever do to disappoint me. Please don''t¡ Please don''t pull away from me. Let me fix this, please." Sobbing, she clung desperately even as she felt their friendship slipping through her fingers like so much sand on the beach.
Perplexed, Nanoha''s head tilted and she tried to wipe away the tears that wouldn''t stop. "I didn''t want Feito-chan to cry, that''s why I said no. But you are still crying." Shaking her head, words utterly failing her, Fate held Nanoha tight, refusing to let the woman go. "I''m only crying because I hurt you. I didn''t mean to. I''m so sorry. I''m so so so sorry¡"
Clinging, rocking, crying, the blonde would not, could not, release the Japanese woman, and the Nanoha didn''t know what to do. It was easier to numb herself, but not when the person she cared so much for was also hurting. Unclenching hands that had fisted against the sudden, sharp pain she had felt and completely devoid of her usual grace, her arms creakily came around to hold the slim waist she was pulled up against.
Fate felt the cold hard knot in her middle begin to loosen slightly at the feel of Nanoha''s hands returning her hug. "I had no right. I''m the worst," she hiccoughed between sobs.
Drawing back, weary beyond belief, Nanoha looked up at the distraught blonde, "I gave Feito-chan the right," she murmured hoarsely. Even now, Nanoha was trying to take the blame, and fresh tears spilled from Fate''s eyes. "But, it hurts." Nanoha admitted rawly.
Grabbing the hand that was again trying to wipe away her tears, Fate nodded, shamefaced. "I will spend whatever time it takes to make up for it. If you would let me¡"
Expression injured, Nanoha studied the crying woman. She wanted to stay in that numb place. She''d been there before and it held a comforting familiarity that lured her in with the promise of no more pain. But that would mean not feeling the joy she felt being with Fate, and that felt even worse to contemplate.
Nanoha let out a soft sigh, a physical manifestation of herself attempting to let go of the pain. "You didn''t know," she said sadly, "I never told you."
Fate sniffled, wishing she could take everything back, "You are not obligated to tell me anything. I assumed and hurt you."
"You assumed correctly." Nanoha bent to pick up her dropped sweater, tugging it over her head. She didn''t want to see that disappointment in Fate''s eyes. The blonde''s hands were there, however, helping pull her long auburn hair past her collar. The caring touch was out of place with expectations and she hazarded a glance at the taller woman.
"It is none of my business," Fate sniffled more, "Your body is your own. I just¡ I just feel Nanoha-chan deserves so much more." She looked away, cheeks warm, "To be l-loved, and cherished. Y-You''re so special¡"
"I''m nothing special, Feito-chan." She kicked off her woollen skirt, throwing it carelessly into her open clamshell luggage. "This is damaged goods," Nanoha gestured disparagingly to herself, "Why do you think I work so hard to keep it from falling back apart?"
Swiftly closing the distance between them, Fate held the hand that dared disparage this amazing woman. "That is so far from the truth. You''re everything I w-want¡ to become," she hastily concluded, hoping her slip went unnoticed.
Nanoha studied the blotchy face of the blonde, the woman was still sniffling and tearing up, yet her sincerity was plain. "It''s nice that you think so." Pulling Fate into the washroom, still in just her sweater and panties, she dampened a washcloth and patted the blonde''s face. The blonde''s make-up was a tragic mess.
The woman was still so subdued and here she was, caring for the person who hurt her. What would it take for Nanoha to see herself through Fate''s eyes?
Submitting to the woman''s care, the blonde''s jaw firmed and she locked eyes with the Japanese woman. Nanoha had been nothing but giving, it was time for Fate to do her part.
"I never feel safer than when I''m with you," the blonde said quietly, but clearly. The hand cleaning her face paused, the Japanese woman compelled to listen, "You watching me during my presentation gave me all the strength I needed to get through it," Fate gave Nanoha a tiny smile, "Even though public speaking terrifies me."
She could feel the other hand holding her chin shake. Her own lifted to clasp Nanoha''s hand in hers, "When you are in the room, I¡ function better. When you are away, or out of the country, I find myself wondering where you are, and what you are doing. You have accomplished so much, overcome so much, given so much, and I find my breath taken away just reflecting on you - all of you."
"You are beyond special. You are the perfection I have striven for all of my life. And I will strive for the rest of it to live up to the example you have set." Fate''s heartfelt words helped thaw the ice Nanoha had shrouded herself in. The blonde stared into azure eyes still cloaked in a cloud of doubt. This was the closest she had come to a full confession, and a confession it was. She did not just like Nanoha. She LOVED her, she knew that now that she''d put what she felt into words.
It was terrifying, exhilarating and eye-opening. She knew in full now, what she''d only known in part before. Why she had said what she had, caused such hurt. She was shaking herself, the fully revealed force of her emotions for this woman made Fate''s soul want to fall apart, to lay itself at Nanoha''s feet and let the goddess do with the pieces what she willed.
This was how Fate saw her? Thought of her? Nanoha was unable to fathom Fate''s words, they seemed so¡ grandiose. The blonde wouldn''t let go of either her hand or eyes, and the executive couldn''t find an ounce of dishonesty in the woman''s fervent speech. She felt so tired and wrung out. The blonde had pulled the rug out from under her and filled that gaping hole beneath with words that painted her in an impossible light in the space of ten? Fifteen minutes?
The executive needed to get her shit together. This was neither the time nor place for her to indulge in unseemly displays of emotion. She patted Fate''s hands with her free one, dredging up a small twitch of her lips for the blonde, "I need to call Haya-chan. Are we still on for bangohan?" It felt weird to ask, but the foundations of their friendship still felt akin to quicksand to Nanoha. She knew Fate was truly sorry but she needed time.
Fate nodded, wishing Nanoha didn''t feel like she had to ask. She knew the damage had been done, and it was real with consequences. She only hoped that the woman would give her a chance to make it up to her. "Yes, certainly. I will get ready." Nodding, Nanoha departed to look for her cellphone.
Padding out onto the private porch, Nanoha prodded Hayate''s name in her phone''s contact list.
"Nano-chan! How did it go?"
The executive raked her fringe back, doing what she could to keep the fatigue out of her voice.
"I think we have it."
"You think? Normally you''re sure. Is everything okay?"
"I turned down their rep''s offer for a fuck," Nanoha informed her CEO bluntly.
Silence. "I know. I know, it was stupid. The fuck was I thinking? I don''t¡" She sighed, rubbing at eyes that were blurring from all the emotions swirling inside of her - emotions she wished could compartmentalise better. "I don''t know at this point, Haya-chan. I just¡ I just can''t do that anymore."
"Nanoha, fuck that noise." Hayate said crudely, "If the stuffed shirts in DoCoMo can''t get their heads out of their arses, that''s on them. I never, ever, want or expect you to go that far for a contract. I never stopped you, true, because I trusted you knew what you were doing." There was a thread of regret in Hayate''s voice, "Perhaps I should''ve, if you''d have listened to me."
Nanoha thought back to her old self and shook her head, "I would''ve out-stubborned you."
More silence. Both women knew it was true. "In any case, good job. I saw the recording of Fate''s presentation."
"...Yes, well, she is gifted." Even heartsore, she was proud of the blonde.
Hayate was puzzled at the distant way her EVP of Ops referred to her AVP. They were practically in each other''s pockets during their dinner. Maybe Vita''s idea wasn''t working out as well as they had hoped.
"Thanks for updating me. Let Fate know I said good job, will ya?"
"All right. Take care, Haya-chan."
"...You too, Nano-chan."
Ending the call, Nanoha sighed again. Dinner. She had to figure a way to remain social for a while more. The lure of the gym was strong. To just mindlessly sweat the night away and fall into utter exhaustion was so tempting. ''Pussy. You weren''t raised one and you aren''t going to turn into one now.''
Scrubbing her face, Nanoha squared her shoulders under the baggy pink sweater she''d pulled on and went back in to face the blonde. Nanoha valued their friendship too much to let her stupidly fragile self ruin it, but fuck did it feel like she was being a masochist at this point. Remembering she still needed to get some pants, she headed back to her luggage to dig out a pair of jeans to pull on.
Fate had cleaned the wreck that was her face, not really caring how terrible she looked. She deserved it for what she had done to Nanoha. Remaining in the washroom while Nanoha was outside talking to Hayate, her hand clutched at her heart while she attempted to process the realisation that she loved the auburn-haired beauty. She''d been this close to blurting her feelings out, which would''ve been disastrous after what had just happened.
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Hearing the shoji doors admit Nanoha back into the room, she hurriedly tied her hair back into a high ponytail and gave herself a once over. Knowing Nanoha''s tendencies to dress down after work, Fate had opted for a dark blue blouse she had gotten because its colour reminded her of the executive''s eyes. This was tucked into a pair of belted, white tapered jeans and a chequered cashmere scarf was wound around her neck to combat the chill of the autumn night.
Fate left to look for a pair of socks to go with the white sneakers she was planning to wear and paused. Nanoha looked breathtakingly adorable in her oversized pink sweater and jeans ensemble, her long auburn hair tied up into the side ponytail she favoured a fair bit in her down time. Fate could see the shadows hovering over the woman still. It was entirely the blonde''s fault they were there, and Fate was determined to do whatever she had to, to chase them away.
"Hayate wanted me to tell you ''good job''," Nanoha mentioned with a brief smile that didn''t touch her eyes.
"Small comfort when I''ve been the worst friend¡ thank you for passing on the message." Fate returned the mirthless smile and sat on the edge of the bed to wear her socks.
Nanoha knew the blonde was going to beat herself up over this for weeks, maybe even months, if she let it. "Feito-chan, I know there was no malice in your words. Gods know my reputation is as tawdry as it is real. I am the White Devil for good reason. This morning I said you could ask, and that hasn''t changed." She glanced away, "I was just¡ caught off guard. Let''s¡ Let''s just try to let it go."
Fate looked up at the sweet woman she now knew she desperately loved. Choking back more tears she refused to let fall, the blonde nodded, swallowing hard against the lump in her throat.
They climbed into the cab in silence, Nanoha quietly giving the driver an address Fate didn''t recognise. Legs crossed, Nanoha angled her torso to face the window as she propped her chin on the back of her fingers to look out over roads that were at once both familiar and alien in the dimming light of evening. The woman seemed deep in thought and Fate studied her profile, heart aching and wondering how to bridge the divide her careless words had created between them.
She glanced down. Nanoha''s other hand was laid out towards the middle of the backseat. Mustering her courage, Fate inched her own hand close but not touching, until a bump in the road shifted both their hands so that their fingers touched. Holding her breath, Fate curled her fingers ever so slightly around Nanoha''s. The woman didn''t pull away, though her pose remained the same, watching passing lights and winding electrical wires mark the roadways their ride was driving down.
Heartened that the auburn-haired woman hadn''t pulled away, Fate clung to their faint connection for the rest of their silent ride.
Nanoha knew she couldn''t keep this silence up for long, and feeling Fate''s fearful contact with her fingers had a hand squeezing around the executive''s rapidly beating heart. ''You said she could ask you anything. Are you reneging on your words already? It hasn''t even been a day.'' The self-recriminations and hatred were familiar friends, bringing with them that age old pain that she''d had learned to bear a long time ago. This new pain was fresh, raw, and had her feeling exposed and bleeding. The animal part of her wanted to find a den to hide in, lick her wounds.
It wasn''t fair to Fate. The woman had walked into a minefield she had no idea was even there. It had blown up in the blonde''s face and against all logic, the woman still wished to remain friends. So Nanoha spent the drive mentally bandaging up those fresh wounds. Maybe they would rip open again, but so what? The blonde was absolutely worth this much - far more than the sources of those old hurts were.
Getting off right by Shibuya station''s Hachiko exit, Nanoha paid the driver and took in the still hustling crowds of her fellow countrymen. It was almost 6PM and the sea of bodies that typified a weekday evening in Tokyo central was unsurprising to see.
"Oof!" A salaryman in a rush had tried pushing past Nanoha, only to find himself bouncing off of her solid frame. He almost pinballed away from the auburn-haired woman and into Fate but Nanoha was already slipping an arm around the blonde, pulling her close. Flinty eyes staring the rude man down, the executive tightened her arm protectively around the blonde.
Fate was surprised to feel the arm around her, tugging her to safety and out of the shifting sea of bodies. More so when the man simply righted himself and rushed off. She''d expected at least a quick apology, but it seemed that was not a thing here. Her body was warm wherever it was in contact with Nanoha and she was afraid to move or say anything lest the woman pulled away. Glancing at the Japanese woman, her breath caught at the concern in those azure eyes. ''She still cares.'' A glimmer of hope propped up Fate''s courage. "Th-Thank you."
The soft feel of the blonde against Nanoha sent the protective walls the executive had constructed around herself into a swaying tremor. Releasing Fate, she gave the woman a sharp once over to determine if she was all right. Jaw clenching, she took Fate''s hand and began weaving through the crowds. Her powerful gait had the sea of bodies parting before Nanoha and there was nary a word of apology for anyone who was bounced out of the executive''s path. Finally finding a side lane where the crowds were far thinner, she let go of Fate''s hand.
The blonde had no time to catch her breath. One moment, she was pressed against the woman she loved, the next, that wonderfully strong hand had hers and was leading her past staring locals unused to the sight of an almost six foot tall blonde in their midst. Happy that Nanoha was even deigning to touch her, Fate went along, the woman''s cute Timberland boots stomping through the crowds and her leanly solid body created a path for them with ease.
Disappointed when her hand was let go, Fate took a moment to gain her bearings, shyly casting questioning glances at the executive while she did so. Nanoha still looked sombre, similar to when they''d first met. "Unlike Singapore, people won''t apologise for bumping into you here." Nanoha explained, moving down the single lane road she had brought them to. Following, Fate kept close, straining to hear the woman''s alto over the din that was growing louder as they walked.
"A lot of that politeness is pomp and circumstance¡ substance, is debatable." Sighing, she glanced over to the blonde following a half-pace behind her. "I don''t want my words to lack substance. I left this place partly because of all that hypocrisy." Fate listened intently, trying to eke out what the Japanese beauty was trying to say. "I will¡ be okay. I just need time." Picking up her pace, Nanoha hurried down the small road, the din revealing itself now to be izakaya, or small japanese bars, lining either side of the road.
Hurrying after the executive, Fate caught up easily with her long legs. "You have it," she huffed out, heart swelling with hope. Fate''s easy answer seemed to have no thought behind it. Throwing the eager blonde a wry look, Nanoha shook her head, "It could be decades," she warned, seriously.
"You still have it," the blonde countered gravely. This Principessa wasn''t joking. Nanoha paused her forward progress to really look at Fate. The woman stopped when Nanoha did, and there was a strange light in those crimson eyes that were fixed upon her. Her mouth opened to warn Fate again, instead, she said, "Should be a place somewhere here¡" Resolutely tearing her eyes away from the compelling stare the blonde was giving her, Nanoha found the little shop she was looking for.
It was a modest little eatery, its menu laid out across the walls on wooden tablets with japanese words written on them. The quaint little tables and stools declared the place to be for the everyman. Amazing scents and steam emanated from the back area where the kitchen was. A little bell announced their arrival and a woman''s voice answered from within, "Irasshaimase!" Welcome!
Nanoha picked a corner booth that incidentally offered her a complete view of the establishment and its entrance. "This place does great tempura dons," the auburn-haired woman explained. "I figured something not too heavy would be good."
"Anything is fine if I''m having it with Nanoha." Fate stated with quiet conviction, prompting another sharp look from the executive. The blonde kept making these declarations that threw the executive for a loop. Usually Fate would stammer and look away, but that simply wasn''t the case now and it was giving the Japanese woman all sorts of confusing signals.
Nanoha had no time to process Fate''s reply, since a pretty black-haired woman was pulling Nanoha up into a hug, "Nanoha-chan! Hisashiburi! Long time no see! Oh my, let me look at you." Speaking a mile a minute, Fate couldn''t make out what the lady was saying in japanese. All she knew was that she was all over Nanoha and that green-eyed monster was rearing its head even more now that she''d come to terms with how she felt about the Japanese beauty.
"Ikeda-san, hisashiburi~" Smiling faintly, Nanoha patted the woman''s arm in greeting. Finally, the one called Ikeda released the executive to greet her companion, "Have you brought me a new customer? About time, my business has been dismal without you around!" That flash of jealousy in this new person''s eyes hadn''t escaped the Ikeda''s notice. As always, her seitou kaichou, or student council president, was completely oblivious.
Switching to english, Nanoha introduced Fate, "Feito-chan, this is Ikeda-san. She helped feed me all through high school on days when I was too busy to make my own bento lunch. Ikeda-san, this is Fate Testarossa, she¡" About to introduce Fate as her subordinate, Nanoha caught herself. Her injured heart capitulated and she gave herself an inward sigh for being too fucking soft around the blonde, "She is my best friend." She refused to meet Fate''s eyes, making a show of looking at the wooden tiles.
Which meant she missed the shocked look Fate threw her, the blonde''s eyes filling with unshed tears. Ikeda didn''t, however. ''Well, that''s interesting.'' She patted Nanoha''s shoulder and said in stilted english, "President too busy for lunch, ne? All the girls chase. She hide on roof. So I make bento."
Feeling her cheeks warm, Nanoha threw Ikeda a glare, "When did your english get so good?" She asked the shop''s proprietress accusingly.
Giggling, Ikeda covered her mouth with her waiter''s notepad, "Must learn for tourist, hai? Feito-san tourist?"
Still blinking eyes bright from Nanoha''s introduction of her, the blonde shook her head, rendered momentarily speechless. "I work with Nanoha-chan," she finally explained, boldly using the honorific, looking at the executive who gave no indication she had noticed the ''-chan''.
The woman made a sound of pleasure, "Hayate-chan?" Fate nodded to indicate she was familiar with the brunette. Ikeda clapped her hands in delight, pointing at Fate, "Shitty racoon!" She said in english. Nanoha face planted onto the table. Slapping her palms down, Ikeda''s former student council president pushed herself back up, "Annou, Ikeda-san, who is teaching you english?!"
Giggling more, the proprietress looked proud, "America jin-san!" Groaning at her corrupted friend, Nanoha covered her eyes. The gentle chime of Fate''s laughter made her look up and she was once again captured by the sight that greeted her eyes. The glacial beauty''s face was lit up with warmth and amusement, a hand over her mouth to muffle that laugh. It was a welcome change from the earlier weeping and the executive felt a tug at the corner of her mouth.
Ikeda noted the lessening of the palpable gloom the auburn-haired woman had come in with and deduced the beautiful blonde was perhaps a little more than friends with her former student council president. Deciding to get out of the way, she tapped Nanoha''s hand, "President usual order?" Nanoha nodded. "Feito-san?"
"May I order for you?" Nanoha asked Fate, words politely formal. At the blonde''s nod, Nanoha asked Ikeda for the mixed bowl. Pouring water from the large tumbler placed at every table for customers to self-serve with, the executive gave Fate a cup and nursed her own. "Ikeda-san took over for her parents around the time I left for Oxford, but she was always experimenting and trying out new recipes on me."
That Nanoha wanted to share even a little of her younger days with Fate was all the blonde wanted and she hung onto every word the auburn-haired woman said. This was more than she could''ve hoped for after what had occurred back at the ryokan. "The roof?" Fate prompted softly.
Coughing, Nanoha rubbed at her neck, the same old spot that had nagged at her back when they''d first met. "It was a place where I could think or study without interruption." Hands never still, Fate watched while calloused fingers removed disposable chopsticks from the paper sleeve it came in. Slowly, she began to shape the stiff paper into a little stand for the chopsticks to rest on. Fate made no note of it when Nanoha unconsciously began doing the same with Fate''s chopsticks.
"I would have hidden there with you." Fate mused aloud. Nanoha eyed the angelic blonde, "Family?" She wasn''t usually one to pry, but it was a safer topic than¡ most other things right now.
Fate took a sip of water and nodded. "Mother had attendants with us while we were in school. It was impossible to shake them off most days. She probably knew how many times I visited the girl''s washrooms on any given day. Can''t have the prize fillies having liaisons with the common folk." The blonde didn''t sound overly bitter. One couldn''t miss what one never knew.
Slowly lowering her own glass, Nanoha couldn''t help but stare when the implication sank in. "You¡ You mean you''ve never¡"
Realising what she''d just confessed to, the blonde blushed to her roots, pale eyebrows standing out in stark contrast to her red face. "I-I uh, between school and then work, there w-was never¡ um. Oh my gods." Wishing for the earth to open and swallow her, Fate buried her hot face into her hands. ''She knows you''re a loser virgin at freaking twenty-eight years of age now, good job, Fate!''
The Japanese woman watched Fate wallow in misery and embarrassment, mind still adjusting to the idea that this woman was completely inexperienced. A little more of that raw hurt receded in the face of that revelation. She was expecting adult reactions and behaviours from a princess so sheltered that Nanoha wondered if those glistening lips had ever been kissed at all. No, no, no! What was she thinking?! Nanoha wasn''t going to despoil Fate''s innocence with her used-goods self.
"Hai! Sorry for wait!" The cheery woman reappeared with their orders. Nanoha''s bowl was piled high with crispy shrimp tempura, sat on a steaming bed of rice and drizzled with Ikeda''s family recipe sauce. Fate''s was a little different, holding not just two gigantic fried shrimp, but also battered okra, aubergine and a fan of enoki mushrooms. The same drizzle of sauce was applied liberally over her bowl, glazing each food item with a fragrant miso-based gravy. "Please enjoy!"
"Looks incredible as always, Ikeda-san," Nanoha complimented the chef warmly. "Itadakimasu~" Picking up her chopsticks, she waited for Fate to do the same. Fate''s face was still buried in her hands, and only the arrival of their dinner had her dropping them. "Ah, thank you, Ikeda-san." Fate hoped to the heavens the woman hadn''t overheard their conversation. One person knowing was one too many.
The table was quiet while the women ate. Nanoha applied herself to her meal as she would a task she wasn''t particularly looking forward to, with stoic focus. It was still painfully difficult for her to return to the ease of their banter; she hadn''t been lying when she told Fate it would take her time. Fate felt the distance between them, but it was a silver-lining since it meant the executive wouldn''t pry any further into how big of a loser she truly was.
A barely heard voice spoke at the table, "You will find someone." Uncertain if she had heard correctly, Fate glanced up at the auburn-haired woman, whose lips were twisted as if she was tasting something particularly bad. "P-Pardon me?"
Not meeting Fate''s eyes, Nanoha poked rather savagely at the inoffensive bowl in her hand, "You will find someone, someday. So you need not¡ feel embarrassed." She lifted her bowl to shove a heaping mouthful into her maw, chewing without tasting. Just imagining ''someone'' having their hands all over the blonde made Nanoha want to sick up. Poor Ikeda''s excellent cooking was barely noticed at this point.
''I''ve already found that someone,'' Fate thought, though she had no idea how to convince the gorgeous women seated across from her of this. It warmed her that the executive wasn''t mocking her, though. Even trying to console her, in a way. She just ate on in silence.
Ikeda considered the pair in her shop, bustling about serving other customers who had trickled in after their work day was over. For best friends, those two were terribly quiet. Nanoha had arrived at the till to pay for their meal. "For Nanoha-san and best friend-san," the woman winked, handing Nanoha her receipt and some vouchers. Peering at them, the auburn-haired woman realised they were for freebies at various izakaya around the tempura shop. "Ikeda-san¡" She sighed and raked her fringe back, "It is good to see you."
Turning to leave, Nanoha was delayed by a hand on her arm, the proprietress leaning over to whisper, "She doesn''t hate you¡"
Nanoha quirked a mirthless smile, "I don''t hate her either. It''s¡ just some things I need to work through."
Ikeda patted her clueless seito kaichou, "Work through it with alcohol, hai? Ladies'' night."
Chapter 22: Tonfa With Me
Chuckling, Nanoha shoved both receipt and vouchers into her jeans pocket and waved farewell to her old schoolmate. Stepping back out, she inhaled the crisp autumn air, rubbing absently at that old, nagging ache in her neck. This was Fate''s first night in Tokyo as far as she knew, and Nanoha was being the world''s biggest wet blanket. The side of the executive that always took responsibility fought with the selfish part of her that still wished to find a dark hole to crawl into.
Fate watched the executive struggle with herself, heart heavy. This was the consequence of her actions. Certainly, Nanoha did say she could ask anything she wanted, yet she still felt she had been way out of line and was struggling herself to think of a way to get them past this rough patch. Eyes dropping, Fate studied the pockmarked tarmac under their feet, symbolic of all the pitfalls they seemed to keep finding on their journey together.
Fate barely registered Nanoha''s boots moving in her direction when the sweet scent of the woman filled her senses as thoroughly as the woman''s warmth filled her arms. Caught by surprise, the blonde''s arms tightened instinctively around the form she loved. That sensation of being home once more crashed through Fate''s entire being and the blonde shook a little while she attempted to process her newly discovered feelings for Nanoha.
"I hate this," Nanoha mumbled into the scarf wound around Fate''s neck. "I hate myself. I don''t want us to be like this." The executive had her arms wrapped around Fate''s middle and with their fronts pressed together so closely, the blonde could feel the woman shaking too. Again, her eyes pricked and she buried her face into the woman''s warm auburn tresses. "I would give anything to take back what I said," she whispered, voice laden with sorrow.
She could feel the body in her arms shudder as Nanoha drew in a long breath. "Feito-chan, you remember how I asked for time?" Nanoha felt the blonde nod silently into her hair. "I don''t need any more time. I''m over it. I care too much to care." The body Fate held shook with a silent laugh, "I''m not making any sense¡"
"You make all the sense," Fate argued, voice thick and heart swelling at the ease with which Nanoha seemed to forgive her. Surreptitiously, she nuzzled at the other woman''s hair, soaking in the closeness she thought she had lost for good.
From inside, Ikeda smiled, watching the women hugging, and was that blonde secretly nuzzling her kaichou''s hair? Oh my. She needed to give that shitty racoon a call once she closed up.
"I know you care," Nanoha drew back, cupping that sweet face in her hand, "That''s why you asked. I was too caught up in myself to understand." Fate remained silent, though her eyes shone with unvoiced emotion as she stared down into Nanoha''s azure depths. The blonde''s arms tightened even further, trying to convey what she felt to the incredible woman in her arms.
Nanoha looked searchingly into the blonde''s eyes, beautiful crimson that seemed weighed down with more than words could express. She wondered if her eyes were the same. Muted alarms began blaring at the back of her mind, reminding her that their closeness was hazardous to her health. She selfishly absorbed the feel of their fronts being pressed together for another aching moment before she stepped back, throwing the glacial beauty a rakish grin, "Ikeda-san gave me some coupons for the izakaya shops here, ever been to one?"
Fate shook her head, already missing that contact. She soon found herself being led by hand to the nearest one, bright lights and raucous laughter greeting them as soon as they stepped in. The interior had a bar counter stretching from one end of the establishment to the other. Since it was still fairly early at eight in the evening, they were able to secure their own side table.
The cheery woman who led them to their seats nodded once Nanoha fired off a rapid series of sentences in japanese, accepting the coupon the auburn-haired woman handed to her. Fate heard her name, but couldn''t make out anything else Nanoha had told the woman.
Suddenly, the lights inside began flashing, and a celebratory bullhorn sounded.
"Hai! Minna-san, let''s welcome our newest guest, Testarossa-san!" All the staff and the rest of the customers cheered and clapped, Nanoha joining in. Fate glared into eyes of laughing blue, "Nanoha!" Flashing that little dimple at the blonde, the auburn-haired woman gestured to Fate to stand. Blushing furiously, Fate stood and bowed awkwardly. "H-Hajimemashite~ Testarossa Fate desu, yoroshiku onegai shimasu~" Pleased to meet you. I am Fate Testarossa, I am in your care.
More cheers greeted Fate, Japanese loved it when foreigners could speak even a little of their language. The woman who had seated them had returned, beaming at the blonde, "Service!" She yelled over the din. Placing a square wooden cup on the table, the staff dropped a sak¨¦ cup inside of that and poured Fate a serving that overflowed into the larger wooden cup. "Dozo!" At Nanoha''s nod of encouragement, Fate gingerly picked out the overflowing cup and sipped at it. The sak¨¦ had a very sweet profile and Fate licked her lips, "Mmm."
Nanoha smiled, "I asked them for something sweet for us." Fate took another sip, the second taste going down easier than the first. "It''s good." Calloused fingers pressed her hand down gently to lower the cup back to their table. "Pace yourself. The night is young." Nanoha cautioned. That was the thing with sweet drinks, it was so easy to get lost in the taste.
Plates of grilled morsels on skewers began appearing at their table, another reason why Nanoha suggested that they should pace themselves.
"Here," Nanoha picked up a skewer of grilled pork and leek for Fate to chase her sak¨¦ with. Leaning close, the blonde tucked the stray hairs that had escaped her ponytail behind one ear to take a careful bite. Those pink lips and even teeth so close to her had Nanoha biting on her own bottom lip. Apparently, the moment they had resolved their differences was when Nanoha remembered how much she wanted the blonde.
She gave Fate a tight smile and settled back, enjoying the ambience of the place. Fortunately, this was one of the few establishments that cared to enforce the ''No Smoking'' law, so the faint haze within the establishment was due only to the constant grilling of skewers. There was a certain comfort in disappearing into a crowd and Nanoha enjoyed watching the striking blonde becoming the centre of attention by virtue of being a beautiful caucasian.
Patron after patron offered Fate a drink, and while the blonde refused some of them, she felt obligated to accept the others. Her cheeks were pink from how much she had drunk so far, and Nanoha had to step in a few times to help the blonde turn down yet another offer of a free drink.
The room had been swept up into a drinking song and Fate was laughing, shaking a tambourine someone had shoved into her hands. She understood little beyond the chanted, "Feito-chan!" between each line and sipped at her sak¨¦ once the song ended to the cheers of everyone present.
Rising from her place, Nanoha cast a smiling look around and the room quietened, riveted to the auburn-haired woman who commanded their attention with incredible ease. Projecting her alto to reach to the farthest corners of the establishment, Nanoha said, "Thank you everyone for the warm welcome you have extended to my friend. She will be turning down any further drinks. Thank you for your understanding." She bowed to the room and received cordial seated bows in return.
Retaking her seat, she saw the question in the tipsy blonde''s eyes and deliberately removed both tambourine and sak¨¦ cup from Fate''s hands. Replacing both with a fresh skewer of yakitori, she closed Fate''s hand around the skewer''s handle. "I told them you weren''t drinking anymore tonight." She laid a cool palm to the blonde''s alcohol-warmed cheek, eyes crinkling at the corners, "I have to watch out for my AVP, so I''m cutting you off."
She waved down a server, "Mizu o futatsu kudasai~" Two waters please. Under Nanoha''s watchful gaze, Fate took a bite of the skewer, washing it down with the water they were served. "I could drink all night," Fate mumbled, her usually precise words slightly slurred from all the alcohol she had consumed. "I know Nanoha will, *hic* will watch ov'' me." She gave the auburn-haired woman a brightly dopey smile.
"Hai, hai," Nanoha replied patiently, bemused. It appeared her little AVP was a cheerful drunk. Giving the woman more time to settle all that sak¨¦ in her, Nanoha paid for their bill and helped the swaying blonde out. Her eyes stung a little from all the grill smoke and the Japanese woman blinked to clear them. Fate was smiling and waving at the people still inside who were waving back at her. Nanoha checked her smartwatch. It was only a little past ten. Still in good time to head back and rest before work tomorrow.
With Fate leaning heavily on Nanoha, the two women made their way out of the side road. The area was quiet and dark with only one of the many streetlights working in this section. Nanoha knew it would be easy enough to flag a cab down once they got to a busier street and kept a firm hold around Fate''s middle as she walked them down towards the brighter lights of Tokyo central''s busier areas.
Without warning, Fate felt herself being leaned against one of the shuttered shops they had been walking past. Blinking at the loss of Nanoha''s warmth, she pouted, about to make a complaint with the manager about it.
The faintest shift of the air around them was all the indication Nanoha had that something was off. Swiftly tucking Fate into a shop alcove, Nanoha ducked, the whoosh of something swinging right past where her head had been a split moment earlier, confirming her suspicions.
One long bound sent her to the opposite side of the street, incidentally luring the would-be assailant away from where Fate was. An abandoned broom was propped against the side of another shuttered stall and calloused hands grabbed it, detaching its broom-head with a quick twist of the wrist. No longer unarmed, Nanoha went for a low sweep, meaning to take her enemy''s legs out.
The figure was shrouded in darkness, only the glint of narrowed eyes reflecting the fitful streetlight flickering overhead showed from behind a midnight blue headscarf and mask. They were nimble and jumped over the sweep. It was a feint and with a quick change in grip, Nanoha levered her makeshift staff in a sharp, upward curve, aiming to catch one leg to trip the figure up.
The dull clack of wood meeting wood resounded in the quiet of the street. The figure landed, unscathed. Polished wood tonfa were spun once by the figure before they darted forward again, stance low. Nanoha scooted back, meaning to keep her distance.
Fate was confused over what was happening. Where was Nanoha? She could barely make out some moving shadows on the other side of the street and took a step, one of them moved with a familiar power and grace. "Nanoha?"
"Stay back," Nanoha told the blonde, needing the woman to remain safely in that alcove. Getting Nanoha''s intent, Fate slipped back behind the small wall, her tipsiness clearing quickly while she studied the situation.
Nanoha knew she would be at a disadvantage with a long weapon if the tonfa got in close with her, but she couldn''t back off too far since it would leave Fate exposed. A blinding series of stabs with her staff harried the attacker as she tried to force a retreat. The person''s wooden weapons deflected only about half of her strikes. "Oof!" The shrouded figure grunted, Nanoha''s assailant was feeling the power the executive was putting behind her attacks and redoubled their effort to close in.
''You want it that way? Fine.''
Veins on her hands popping, Nanoha brought her knee up, snapping her staff in two across her leg. Grip shifting, she executed a series of attacks that drove the figure back and away from the tipsy blonde. The auburn-haired woman had only had a little sak¨¦, just enough to warm and loosen herself up, and the rapid blows weren''t lacking in power as the figure struggled to keep up, their tonfa vibrating under each punishing hit, numbing the hands that were holding them.
There was nothing flashy about Nanoha''s attacks, her feet remained planted firmly on the ground, lifting only enough for her footwork to aid in her advance on their attacker. With Fate behind her, and the pockmarked tarmac for uneven footing, the executive was taking zero chances against this person. Twisting her torso to avoid a spinning tonfa trying to bash her brains in, she used her momentum to slam one of her crude weapons up and into the soft flesh of the assailant''s underarm. The person crumpled with a groan, holding the spot and Nanoha swiftly kicked away the tonfa falling from loosened hands.
The person grunted as she dropped down, pinning them with her knee. The splintered tip of her broken staff was pressed into the hollow of the panting attacker''s neck as the Japanese woman stared daggers at the figure on the ground. "Couldn''t wait a day, huh, Nii-san?" Nanoha''s alto was a low growl, the women''s adrenaline still high from the fight.
Nanoha was only slightly winded and her flinty-eyed glare pinned the figure beneath her as surely as her knee did. Panting, perspiration soaking through his dark garments, the taller figure pulled off his cloth mask, "Otou-san," the man huffed, catching his breath, "You know how father is."
Sighing, Nanoha shoved off of her brother''s chest, causing the poor guy to grunt again. She offered him her forearm which he clasped gratefully. Pulling him up to stand, Nanoha shook her head at the mess she''d made of her borrowed staff. Placing the broken items into the dustpan that had been next to the broom, she slipped a five thousand yen note under the pan for the owner to buy a replacement with.
The woman''s gait was a little bouncy, her entire body still flushed with bloodlust to answer the fight or flight response the man had caused in her. Raking back her unruly fringe with impatient fingers, Nanoha checked on Fate who was wide-eyed and looking between Nanoha and the man garbed in what looked to be a ninja cosplay outfit, except that it actually looked well-used and functional.
Throwing the man a hard glare, Nanoha growled, "You could have waited for me to be alone. If Feito-chan had been hurt, you''d have more than that bruise in your ''pit."
Wincing, the man stretched his arm a little, feeling the sore spot under it, "Yea, well, you''re a hard one to pin down. I left her alone, didn''t I?"
Arm kept protectively around Fate, Nanoha snaked out her hand to pull at the taller man''s forelock, so similar to her own, though his hair was a dark brown. "Introduce yourself, you oaf."
Stolen story; please report.
"Ow, ow! I will, sheesh!" Slapping Nanoha''s hand away, he bowed, "Hajimemashite~ Takamachi Kyoya desu~ Yoroshiku onegai shimasu~" Slipping into fairly decent english, he continued, "I am Na-chan''s older brother, nice to meet you."
"Fate Testarossa, nice to meet you¡" The blonde gave a bow, still throwing questioning looks to Nanoha, who sighed again, "My family is a little¡ obsessed with the arts. My father is very insistent that we do not let our skills slip. I was going to drop by¡" She finished acidly, still unamused with this stunt her family had pulled.
"Were you? Ginga-san said¡"
"I share nothing with Ginga," Nanoha spat, not even bothering with the honorific as her arm tightened unconsciously around the blonde who wasn''t complaining one bit.
Kyoya glanced from his sister to the blonde she was holding so closely. The taller woman was certainly beautiful, and she was just standing there blushing, appearing quite content to remain where she was. Eyeing his headstrong sister, he combed back sweaty bangs. That had taken more out of him than he''d expected. At least their father couldn''t complain about that.
"Anyway, drop by before you leave, will ya? Kaa-chan and Mi-chan miss you. Bring your friend if you like." He wandered over to where Nanoha had kicked his weapons, retrieving them to slip into holsters in his belt.
Heaving out a long breath, Nanoha shrugged, "If work allows me." Slapping forearms with her brother, they shook farewell.
Muttering unkind things about ''that old fart'' as she watched her brother disappear down the other end of the road, Nanoha released the blonde to give her another once over, "Are you absolutely sure you''re all right?" Her brow was furrowed while she looked the woman up and down. She noted that Fate''s colour seemed high, and assumed that the woman was still a little sodden from their time in the izakaya.
"I-I am fine," Fate murmured, more concerned with Nanoha. The woman had been a blur as she fought. Peeking around the wall''s corner, she''d felt her breath quickening to see the woman''s powerfully graceful movements, hair flying through the air as she beat back her brother''s attempts to get past her defence. "What of you?" She had seen the vicious swipes from the wooden weapons Kyoya had used, heart in her throat when it had swung through the air where Nanoha''s head had been.
Fate was pulling up Nanoha''s sweater sleeves, hands feeling down the other woman''s forearms to check for any injuries, and Nanoha felt her heart rate pick up far faster than when she had been fighting her brother off. "I¡ I am all right." ''Get a grip, it''s just your arm she''s touching.'' Swallowing, she threw Fate a grateful smile for checking and carefully extricated her arms from the woman''s soft hands. Instead, she took the blonde''s hand and led her down the street towards a nearby cab stand.
Back in the ryokan, Nanoha tilted her head whilst unlocking the door to their room. While she hadn''t been hurt, she had pulled at muscles that had already been tense prior. She was lucky the sak¨¦ had loosened her somewhat, or she may have actually strained something.
Dropping the keys on the side table by the entrance, she left the lights and heater controls to Fate, falling gracelessly into a chair to tug off her boots. She felt that residual bloodlust that she had needed to draw on to win the fight and once the adrenaline had worn off, all she was left with was a big ball of lust she was assiduously hiding from the blonde.
The ride back had been quiet, but it was the comfortable quiet Fate was used to, instead of the painfully strained one from before. She had all sorts of questions about Nanoha''s family, though the woman seemed reticent and so Fate kept quiet, simply enjoying the lack of tension between them. Well, one sort of tension, anyway. The other tension that made her want to jump the gorgeous executive was worse, especially after that beautifully deadly display she had witnessed back in the deserted street. ''That did not look like Judo¡''
She frowned when the executive stretched her neck again, "Did you pull something?" She asked quietly, flipping the light and heater switches on for their room. She knelt down to help the auburn-haired woman to remove her boots. "That fight looked intense."
Smiling her thanks, Nanoha rubbed at her neck again, sighing, "Just an old problem spot. I''ll use the onsen to help. You should give it a try, it''s very relaxing." Setting Nanoha''s boots back by the door, Fate froze. "I, um, how¡"
"It''s easy, Feito-chan, just have a shower before soaking in it. You can go first. I want to do some stretches." The auburn-haired woman shucked off her oversized sweater, tossing it into the laundry basket provided by the ryokan. Emptying her pockets of cellphone, card and cash, she pulled her jeans off as well, the garment dropping into the same basket as her sweater.
Fate whimpered to herself. The Japanese woman had absolutely no compunctions about wandering about in her underwear and it was driving the blonde insane. Jumping into the bathroom, Fate hid behind the closed door and splashed at her face with cold water. That sak¨¦ haze was long gone and when she stared at herself in the mirror, she could clearly see a different haze in her eyes.
"I am in so much trouble¡" She mumbled to her own reflection.
"What was that, Feito-chan?" Nanoha had pulled on a crop top and shorts and was doing cool down stretches in the spare space just outside the bathroom in the bedroom.
"N-Nothing!" came Fate''s strangled reply. Nanoha wondered why Fate sounded higher pitched than usual, but chalked it up to the drinks the blonde had earlier.
Fate knew better than to have a cold shower in autumn, and it wouldn''t have made a lick of difference, anyway. Coming out of the bathroom, her hair up in a bun and a fresh yukata on, she almost tripped over Nanoha who was in the middle of doubling herself over, forehead to knees. Her loose shirt had fallen down that lean torso thanks to gravity, and Fate itched to run her hands over the sculpted back that was revealed.
"Oops, sorry." The blonde sidestepped before she could crash into the woman.
"My bad, it was the most open space the room had." Flowing back upright, she lifted her arms to stretch towards the ceiling, groaning softly in relief.
"It''s fine." Fate murmured, looking elsewhere before her eyes could give her away. "I''m going to check on some emails while you wash."
"Sounds good, DoCoMo''s offices probably sent you some things. Blind copy me in." Fate would''ve, even if Nanoha had not asked, but she knew the executive was just being protective, not micromanaging her AVP. "Always," she smiled.
Emerging from her shower, Nanoha felt a lot closer to fine. The heat helped a lot, and she was looking forward to soaking in the hot spring. It was one of the few things she truly missed about her home country. Singapore had two very tiny hot ''taps'' which were hardly like the real deal.
Fate was at the kotatsu, long legs curled under her while she scrolled her mouse. She had her wire-rim glasses on, her eyes slightly obscured by messy blonde bangs. The tie on her yukata had come a little loose, causing the garment to droop slightly in the front, revealing a hint of creamy pale cleavage. Nanoha silently prayed for strength. She reminded herself this was a work trip and moved behind the blonde to peek over the taller woman''s shoulder.
"What''s the noise?" She asked the blonde facetiously.
"Mmm, just some sensible requests for clarification from Inoue-san''s office. A few questions needed Teana''s input. I''ll see what she sends me tomorrow."
Azure eyes scanning the email Fate had opened to illustrate what she was saying, the executive nodded. "Time to soak, then." Standing, she offered Fate a helping hand. "We''ve earned it, I think." Fate wanted to flinch, thinking about earlier, but the easy lopsided smile Nanoha was giving her helped soothe away her worry - The woman was as good as her word about putting the past behind them.
Curiously, she was handed a thin towel as they cracked open the glass door that led out to the private hot spring pool the inn provided. The pungent scent of sulphur hit Fate in the gut, a lot stronger than the stray hints her nose had been picking up since they''d arrived at the ryokan. "The towel is useful for perspiration," Nanoha explained. The executive was also in a fresh yukata, the thick mass of her hair held up by two ornate chopsticks.
Nanoha slipped out of her yukata and draped it over one of the two chairs provided by the hotel for guests to rest in if they got too warm. Fate gulped audibly at the sight of the auburn-haired beauty''s bare back, noting the tiny criss-cross of scars dusting her body that were barely visible in the dimness of the pool''s area. The woman kept her tiny towel to her front, obscuring the most intimate parts of her while she slowly lowered herself into the steaming water with a happy little sound. "Oh, I''ve missed this," she purred, leaning her head back to eye the blonde still standing by the pool.
"You might need time to get used to the temperature. Here, sit." Turning, she patted Fate''s bare feet, encouraging the blonde to come closer. "Dip your feet first." Pulling her yukata up a little, Fate did as she was instructed, gasping as the heat of the water enveloped her legs up to her knees.
"Feels nice, doesn''t it?" Nanoha grinned. The blonde gave a mute nod, trying desperately not to look at the executive''s front. Strong fingers began to massage her right foot and Fate twitched in shock, "Sorry, are you ticklish?"
"Not there," the blonde whispered huskily, "Just wasn''t expecting it. I-Is this part of my reward for today''s p-presentation?" Her entire body felt flushed, sticky, and her hands opened and closed convulsively. The need for Fate''s hands to clutch at the stunning creature doing absolutely illegal things to her sensitive feet under the steaming hot water was staggering her senses.
Nanoha''s lopsided smile wasn''t helping, "No," the executive answered quietly, azure eyes glowing softly at Fate which did weird things to the blonde''s tummy... and lower, "I just wanted to do it for you." The base of Nanoha''s thumb pressed hard into the arch of the other woman''s foot, and the blonde proceeded to turn into goo right where she sat.
"I w-was hoping it was a reward," Fate murmured after swallowing against the dryness in her throat, "Then I would know what to do to get it again." She jumped when her big toe was tweaked under the water.
"Silly Feito-chan," Nanoha chided lightly, "She only needs to ask." The executive ran her knuckles from the ball of the blonde''s foot, right down to the heel repeatedly, pressing in firmly. "Nngh¡" At Nanoha''s concerned glance, Fate gave her a shaky smile, "Feels good."
"It''s supposed to." She felt fingers slipping between her toes, curling down to grasp her foot firmly. Nanoha began rotating her foot, her other hand massaging up past her ankle to the muscles in her lower calves, squeezing away tension that had collected from wearing heels at work all day.
It felt natural to be pampering the blonde this way, Nanoha having had no plans to be doing this until it simply happened. Fate seemed to be appreciating it, from all the little sounds she was making. Sounds that were sending gooseflesh to chase itself all over her body. She was glad for the cover of the onsen, else the tight nubs of her nipples would''ve been far too obvious. Done with Fate''s other foot, she patted the blonde''s knee. "All done." Surprised at the husk in her voice, Nanoha cleared her throat and turned her back to the blonde to catch her breath. She realised now, why she had done it. Any excuse to touch Fate''s bare skin. She was such a crook¡
There was a rustle of cloth, it was the sound of a yukata''s belt being loosened. Too far gone to consider neatness, Fate let the light kimono pool to the floor as she shakily slipped into the onsen. It was good that she was already so close, since her legs were incapable of holding up her weight at this point in time. She draped the thin towel over her front the way Nanoha was doing so, sinking in until she felt an arm around her middle stopping her descent to lift her a little ways back up. "Keep your heart above the water, Feito-chan." Her already pinkened ears grew redder from the damp wash of Nanoha''s words. "You don''t want to strain it with the heat."
"I-I see." She bit hard at her lower lip, she had felt Nanoha''s hand brush against the side of one breast and had almost, almost moaned aloud. She knew it was just an innocent touch and tried not to think too much about it, but it was hard, SO HARD, while she sat next to the subject of all her naughty dreams, naked.
Feeling like she had to give back, she reached a tentative hand over to touch the spot Nanoha kept rubbing. The water had warmed her hands greatly, and Nanoha twitched violently at the feel of hot fingers on her neck. Afraid she had hurt the executive, Fate began to pull back, but Nanoha''s hand had come up, holding hers in place, "Onegai~" she whispered. Please.
Lifting her arms up, Nanoha crossed them over the lip of the pool. Pillowing her head on them, she silently presented her back to the blonde. Happy for the chance to do something for the woman, Fate scooted forward and began kneading Nanoha''s shoulders. Broad and solid, the blonde found the Japanese woman''s back incredibly attractive. Velvet skin encased muscles that were neither big nor bulky, merely lean with graceful lines, and it was intoxicating to the touch.
Nanoha felt like melting. Between the heat of the onsen and the feel of long, soft fingers digging into the nagging aches of her back and shoulders, it was easy for her eyes to drift shut to better enjoy the sensations.
Fate knew she wasn''t as skilled as Nanoha, but it was simple enough to move from muscle to muscle to knead each individual one she found; the woman''s leanness helped. "Feito-chan is good at this¡" Nanoha murmured on a purred breath, boosting Fate''s confidence.
She could see the woman relaxing under her touch and felt glad. Fate still felt horrible about what happened before, still wanted to hate herself. The simple act of Nanoha forgiving her meant the world to her and any tiny bits of kindness she could return to the woman she loved was a moment to be treasured.
This woman, powerful in so many ways, was here, submitting to her clumsy attempts at a massage, when she could be with that ''Agito'' person¡ that had to count for something. Right? She began to knead up the back of the woman''s neck, which earned her a low groan. The sound of Nanoha''s dark alto sent a stab of heat to thud damply between Fate''s legs and she chewed at her bottom lip. ''Gods help me¡''
So focused was Fate on the massage and not giving in to her base desires that it took her a while to realise Nanoha had dozed off. Immediately gentling her touch, Fate seized the opportunity to draw closer, studying the stunning woman in repose.
Long lashes cast shadows on her high cheekbones and the years fell away while she lay in slumber, looking far younger than her twenty-eight years of age. Lush lips lay slightly open, glistening in the moonlight and tempting the blonde to her very limits. Leaning closer, she fancied Fate could see faint indications of scars littered around the woman''s forehead and she allowed her fingers to trace finely arched brows.
Eyes fluttering open at the light touch, Nanoha''s azure gaze took a moment to focus. Fate, hovering close enough she could hear the blonde breathing. She felt the light touch over her forehead and smiled, "Counting scars?"
Startled at being caught admiring the woman, Fate fell back into the water, flailing and splashing. Water flooded into her mouth, the instinct to cry out her downfall as heated sulphurous waters flooded into her throat.
"Feito-chan!" Diving down into the shallow pool, Nanoha found the blonde by touch and wrapped her up tightly in her arms. Getting her legs under her, she powered them up, pulling the blonde out of the hot water''s grasp. "Feito! Are you all right?"
Coughing and sputtering, Fate spat out the foul-tasting water. Knowing Nanoha had her, she ceased her struggles and just tried to catch her breath. Carrying the blonde to the side, Nanoha lifted her upright, helping Fate to get her own feet under her. "I''m so sorry, I didn''t mean to startle you." Nanoha cleared the hair from Fate''s face, eyes dark with concern.
Taking gulping breaths, the blonde clung to Nanoha, the secure feeling of being held by the Japanese woman the only thing keeping her panic at bay. "It''s¡ It''s fine¡" She assured Nanoha between hiccoughs. "I just¡ a moment."
"Shh, take your time." Hugging Fate, the executive rubbed her back soothingly.
At some point, both women realised they were pressed together with nary a scrap of clothing on and with a jerk, Fate pulled back as if burnt. Nanoha too, released Fate post-haste and floated a pace back, cheeks burning. "Um, I''m glad you''re all right." One of their towels floated by, as if to mock their awkwardness. Snatching the bit of cloth, Nanoha offered it to Fate, who plucked it out of her boss'' hand whilst refusing to meet her eyes. "Th-Thank you."
"Yes, sure, I mean, you''re welcome." Nanoha scanned around for the other towel, and spotting it on the other side of the pool, quickly splashed over to retrieve it. "We um, should wash this out of our hair, or we''ll never get the stink out. Y-You can go first, Feito-chan. I''ll stay a bit longer." Making a big show of draping the cloth over her face to cover her eyes, Nanoha leaned back against the side of the pool and recited prime numbers.
"S-Sure, thank you, I''ll be quick." Nanoha swallowed at the sounds of the blonde getting out of the pool, imagining sheets of water sloughing off porcelain skin she had been hugging just moments before. ''Augh¡''
Once certain that Fate was gone, Nanoha removed the towel over her eyes and just scrubbed at her face with it. ''She''s a bloody innocent, Takamachi. You keep your soiled hands off of her.'' Oh, but she had felt so perfect in her arms.
Sighing, Nanoha lifted a hand up to the lunar body painting the pool and herself in shades of silver and white. Drops of hot water dripped down from a hand that closed into a fist, a futile attempt to capture that heavenly body in the sky. The drops landed on a face filled with regret for what could never be. Someday, the blonde would find someone, and Nanoha would have to watch while Fate walked away holding hands with them, rendering her world as colourless as her current surroundings. She paid no heed when the drops of water mingled with silent tears.
Chapter 23: Kick Me
Hayate dined idly on a dinner of spicy curry chicken noodles, eyes glued to the laptop beside her meal. There was never a shortage of reports to go through and her mind compartmentalised each new set of information to create the whole that was TSAB. The Tokyo Olympics had been a wash for the company but Nanoha pulling the Testarossa account out of her hat helped the organisation maintain an even keel.
With the work-rate the top two executives of Operations were putting out, TSAB was on track to post extremely good numbers at the end of this quarter, helped in no small part by the DoCoMo account that Hayate had every confidence her two Operations wunderkind would bring home.
Thinking about them, Hayate''s chewing slowed, her brow furrowed in thought. She''d sensed trouble in paradise during her earlier call with Nanoha, but blast if she could figure out what it was. The two seemed to get along so well, she half-expected one to finish the sentences of the other soon.
Her visit to see Suzuka and Alisa''s toddler had been full of fun and plots, the couple eagerly lapping up the latest news about their old seitou kaichou. Pulling up images of Fate that were in the public domain, both women had agreed that the beautiful AVP looked just like Nanoha''s type.
"Hang on, what did you say? She fired herself?" Alisa glanced up from cooing over their baby girl. The American was tickling her tummy and making the child giggle uncontrollably. The question had come from her wife who was pouring Cha for the three of them.
"Mmmhmm. We," meaning the Wolkenritters and herself, "all have a good feeling about her, which is more than I can say about the previous AVP." Hayate thanked Suzuka for the tea and leaned back in her seat, crossing her legs while she blew gently at her steaming beverage.
"That certainly speaks well of her. I''ve always feared Nano-chan''s overdeveloped sense of responsibility would override any relationships she could have. If her counterpart had an equal sense of that, however¡"
"Maybe they''ll be selfish about one another and stop being i¡ uh, silly." Alisa corrected her language in deference to her daughter''s presence. Suzuka smiled and smooched her brash beloved, making the blonde blush.
"From what you''ve shared, I certainly hold some hope that they will make a good match." Suzuka mused, retrieving the child from her wife to begin breastfeeding the hungry babe.
Alisa made a loud sound of disgust, prompting the other women to direct a questioning look at her. "If it works out, they''re going to make a ridiculously good-looking pair."
The tanuki grinned toothily, "TSAB''s poster child will become TSAB''s poster children."
Back in the present, Hayate blinked when she noticed her seldom-used japanese social application on her system lighting up, indicating an incoming video call. Only people who mattered had her contact there, and so she answered immediately.
"Tanuki no baka, genki?" How are you doing, you dumb raccoon?
Hayate smiled at the image of her old classmate, "Ikeda-san! I''m good! How are you?"
"Fine, fine, even though you never call and make me sad." The woman flipped her hair.
"What do you mean, I called you two weeks ago to cater for that conference!"
"Only for business." The proprietress sniffed.
"Haha, I still drop by for meals when I''m in Japan. You can''t guilt me, you know."
"Even now, you betray me, eating that Singaporean thing, instead of proper tempura don. Such insult."
"Ikeda-san, I can''t be eating fried food all the time, I''d balloon!"
Giggling, Ikeda tried her english skills on Hayate, "Shitty raccoon become fatty raccoon."
"Ikeda-san! All those years of english lessons and this is what you learn?!"
The woman covered her mouth, still giggling, "Kaichou-sama said the same thing."
"Nano-chan? You saw her?"
The woman''s giggles tapered off, her smile turning sly, "Hai. Looking as gorgeous as ever. Her best friend is very gorgeous, too."
Best friend? Since when¡ Rearing up, Hayate grabbed her laptop screen, "Was she blonde? Tall?"
"Hai, hai. Blonde, tall, lots of blushes, eyes only for Kaichou-sama¡"
"Oh my gods, Nano-chan called Fate her best friend?!"
"Fate, yes, that was her name. That is how Kaichou-sama introduced her to me. They were very quiet at my place, however. Do you know if something happened?"
Falling back into her seat, Hayate released her screen and sighed, "No, I spoke to Nano-chan this afternoon after they''d won a bid for TSAB. Maybe it''s work stress," though Hayate herself didn''t sound convinced.
The woman waved dismissively, "It''s okay, they hugged later. Maybe they had a small fight."
The CEO couldn''t imagine her uber-competent EVP and the glacial AVP having a quarrel, but who was she to guess what happened between the two women? ''Still waters run deep'', as people said, and both had been quite animated around each other during that recent dinner she''d had with them. She supposed she would have to wait for them to return to Singapore for her to put any further plans into action. ''Project Nanoha: Get Seitou Kaichou A Girlfriend!'' was still a go.
"If they hugged then maybe there is still hope left. Thanks for checking in, Ikeda-san, it was good to see you."
"Hai, keep me updated on our Kaichou-sama, yes?"
"Of course." Hayate grinned. That was the thing about Nanoha. The auburn-haired beauty won the loyalty of others without even trying, just by being herself.
Bedtime had seen the two women getting stiltedly into their side of the bed. The memory of their naked bodies pressed together lay fresh in their minds and the fear of losing control kept both separated in bed.
Imagining Fate finding her future someone was a lead weight in Nanoha''s heart and a twitch of her lips was all she could dredge up as she wished the blonde a good night. Fate wondered if Nanoha was feeling self-conscious about her aforementioned scars and if she could say anything that wouldn''t make it worse than it already was. She seemed to have gained an impressive level of skill at placing her foot in her mouth while she was around the Japanese woman and it made her question everything she wanted to say.
Thoughts swirling, both women fell into an uneasy slumber.
Nudge. Disjointed dreams of someone performing a martial dance played cat and mouse with her mind. The person had long, auburn hair and was dressed in a midnight blue shinobi outfit, the air around her snapping with each powerfully precise move. A hand appeared to stretch forth and she realised it belonged to her. Voiceless, she tried calling to the person, but their footwork kept moving them further and further away.
The feeling of being pushed kept her off-balance, preventing her from closing the distance. It was imperative that she close the distance. She could see the floor beneath the figure being littered with drops of water. Tears, her mind knew. Another push, this one hard enough to shift her towards a semi-frustrated state of consciousness.
Fate blinked blearily up at the unfamiliar ceiling of the hotel room, remnants of her dream slipping through her fingers, leaving behind only feelings of resentment and longing.
"No! Don''t! Not him, please, don''t¡" A voice, desperate and pleading, shook her out of her remaining sleepiness. A glance at the bedside clock told her it was a little past three in the morning. Propping herself up on the bed, she felt her leg being nudged again. Nanoha, the covers tangled and twisted around her, was moaning and thrashing. The full moon was casting enough light for Fate to make out the expression of despair and grief that contorted the executive''s face.
"Nanoha¡ It''s all right, shh, shh¡" Heart aching for the woman, the blonde tore aside the tangled covers and wrapped the Japanese woman up in her arms. Nanoha continued to struggle in her sleep, captive in her dream''s hellscape. Somehow, the sound of Fate''s voice was able to penetrate whatever was tormenting her, however, and she began to quieten in the blonde''s arms.
"All my fault¡" The guilt-stricken words were whispered into the blonde''s neck, and hot tears dampened the shoulder the woman''s face was tucked into. Fate tightened her arms around Nanoha. "Shh, it''s not, it never was¡" She pressed whispering lips to the auburn-haired woman''s temple. For someone so forgiving to carry such guilt seemed utterly unfair. She had space in her heart for everyone''s wrong-doing except her own.
Quietly rocking Nanoha back to sleep, Fate whispered nonsensical words of comfort until the tension left the executive''s body, indicating she had fallen into a more peaceful slumber. Satisfied that she could accomplish at least this much for her love, Fate pulled the covers back over them and released her own hold on wakefulness.
It was dark and warm. Inhaling deeply on her waking breath, Nanoha could smell delicate hints of lilac and rose tickling her nostrils. It was too comfortable, and the thought of moving felt unthinkable. All she wanted was to remain where she was, enveloped in comfort and safety.
''Wait¡'' She recognised this feeling. Stiffening, she slowly raised her head, squinting at morning''s light stabbing its way into the back of her skull. Blinking to clear her eyes, she looked down at the familiar sight of herself plastered into Fate''s side. Their yukata had come loose overnight and she found herself pressed lewdly onto the blonde''s hipbone. ''Oh shiiiiit¡''
Trying not to wake the woman, Nanoha got one arm under her to raise herself, lips thinned as she bit back a moan to feel herself shifting intimately against that soft porcelain skin. Nervously glancing up, she jerked a little to find dilated crimson eyes looking down at her. Again, that hipbone dug into her and the executive trembled. "Um¡ s-sorry about this." This was precisely the reason why she wanted to yell at Vita. She was losing all control around Fate and her unconscious self appeared more than ready to jump the innocent woman the moment her higher functions shut down.
Fate had woken a while before Nanoha. Taking stock of their positions and state of d¨¦shabill¨¦, the blonde decided this was something she absolutely wanted and made no move to disentangle herself from the woman she knew she loved. That this had allowed Nanoha some proper rest only gave Fate all the more reason to stay where she was until the woman woke on her own. And so she had spent the morning simmering in a constant state of arousal, just watching while the woman slept. She could feel that heat pressed into her hip and it was driving her insane with a want she knew she couldn''t act upon.
It was a delicious torture when she felt the somnolent form tense into wakefulness and she held her breath, not wanting to scare the woman laid against her side. ''Oops, guess I scared her anyway.'' Fate remained silent, eyes drinking in the gorgeous woman''s sleep-blunted panic, her only response to tighten the arm around the executive''s middle. Best friends be damned, thought Fate. She would take anything she could get at this point.
"I was not inconvenienced," she replied, her soft soprano starkly honest. A calloused hand had slipped under her loosened yukata to drape possessively around her bare waist, and Nanoha could feel the heightened rise and fall of Fate''s breathing. Looking up at the blonde, it almost seemed that those dark, crimson pools were calling to her, inviting her in, but Nanoha knew better. She was embarrassing Fate and herself like this. ''You''re using her as your body pillow and she''s too nice to complain about it. My gods, could you get any lower than this?''
Thoroughly disgusted with herself, Nanoha drew back the limbs she had so carelessly flung over the blonde and scrubbed wearily at her face, "Still, just wake me next time. Kick me out of the bed if you have to."
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"Never." Fate pronounced, already missing the heat of the woman she loved. "You were¡ not having a good rest." She delicately tiptoed around the subject, knowing Nanoha was ashamed of her perceived weakness. Holding the beauty''s blue eyes, she added, "I slept well," to allay any guilt the executive might have felt.
"Feito-chan is too kind," Nanoha repeated, the echo of that morning on Fate''s couch returning. The blonde opened her mouth, then snapped it closed again. Reconsidering her response, she eventually said, "It is not kindness when it is something I wished to do anyway," causing the auburn-haired woman to throw her a sharp look.
Fate was uncertain where her audacity was coming from, but she was grateful for it. It just wouldn''t do for Nanoha to assume she had soiled the blonde, or taken advantage of her in any way. She was learning the woman she loved had an infuriating habit of shouldering all the blame and none of the credit. To obfuscate now would be a disservice to Nanoha, and to her own feelings for the woman.
Surrendering to this suddenly assertive blonde, Nanoha gave a low chuckle and pressed their foreheads together, auburn tresses forming a perfumed curtain around Fate as she did so. "You''re the best friend I could have ever asked for." Kissing the blonde on her elegant nose, she rolled out of bed and stretched. ''That''s it, Takamachi, keep it nice and safe. She doesn''t know what she''s doing to you and you''d better keep it that way.''
Glancing at the clock, Nanoha was shocked to see that it was past six in the morning. What the hell happened to her body clock? Her unconscious self must have been caught up in the blonde and forgotten there were things it should have been doing. She blew out another disgusted breath, agitating the forelock that had fallen over her eyes. "I don''t wish to disturb your rest any further. Please take your time, I''m going for a run."
"I''d like to go with you," Fate immediately said, rising as well, the golden angel looking not the least bit sleepy.
Flummoxed, Nanoha absently pulled her yukata closed and averted her eyes from the angel whose own garment had fallen open. "I-It will just be on the gym''s treadmill."
"Then I hope they have more than one." Fate wasted no time gliding to her luggage to find some workout clothes.
''So much for working out your frustrations,'' Nanoha thought crankily, but she couldn''t find it in herself to reject the blonde''s company. She knew she was being greedy and she ''consoled'' herself with the knowledge that this was all temporary and soon, someone would realise what a catch Fate was and whisk her away into their arms. Then Nanoha would do the right thing and step away, returning to the colourless existence before that bright golden light had flooded into her life.
Stomping down that feeling of impending doom, Nanoha fished out her own workout clothes and padded to the washroom for her morning ablutions.
Fate could sense that there was something up with Nanoha. She was hyper-focused on the executive and there seemed to be a push and pull happening with her. One moment, she was all warmth and hugs, the next moment, distant and cool. Was it because she was a subordinate? Or because Nanoha had called herself ''damaged goods''?
Fate never knew how large her capacity for patience was until she realised just what it was she was feeling for the auburn-haired beauty. It was going to take time. Time she was prepared to spend to soothe away the woman''s doubts. This supremely confident creature guarded a fragile heart, as she''d witnessed so clearly yesterday, and while Fate had her own doubts about herself, there was nothing she was more certain of, than of her love for Nanoha.
"Whatever it takes," Fate promised herself.
"Beg your pardon?" Nanoha''s head poked out from the bathroom, her Pok¨¦mon toothbrush stuck in her mouth and Fate merely smiled at the adorable sight, "Just saying I''m almost ready."
"Un!" Rinsing out her mouth, Nanoha vacated the bathroom for Fate, absently twisting up her auburn locks into a rough but secure bun. She had found a cropped white halter-top and dark blue jogging shorts tight enough to look painted on, and Fate bit back a squeak at the distracting sight. This was always the biggest risk exercising with Nanoha, being caught staring.
Pulling on her basic black sports bra, Fate added a neon yellow tank over that and checked the fit of her sports tights. It felt a little too small, and she wondered just how much weight she''d put on since she had become friends with the earth goddess and her penchant for decadent snacks and meals. ''Mother is going to freak,'' she thought with dark amusement.
Fate had pulled her hair up into a high ponytail again, and Nanoha was hard pressed not to admire that lithe neck covered in little tendrils of flaxen gold. The blonde had been religious about following the nutritional regimen Nanoha had suggested to her, and the results were beginning to show. The woman looked more toned, stronger, her gait purposeful and firm. ''That''s not all that''s firm¡''
Coughing, she tore her eyes away from the blonde''s shapely rear and stuck her arm out to hand Fate a workout towel. The blonde accepted it with a murmur of thanks and soon they were in the ryokan''s gym. Both women had their cellphones and earpieces with them, Fate fishing hers out after Nanoha did. Of course the executive would get some work done while exercising, Fate mused, discovering yet one more facet through which the woman was able to stay on top of everything in Operations.
They had the place to themselves and both enjoyed the peaceful quiet while they did their warm-up stretches.
Slotting their devices into the wireless charging ports positioned between their respective treadmill''s handlebars, Nanoha was about to programme Fate''s machine when a soft hand imperiously swatted her own away. Smirking slightly, the blonde punched in an advanced programme with an incline that surprised the executive. "I wasn''t banned from running," the woman''s Midchildan accent explained amusedly.
"Ah," was all Nanoha said. Inputting her own hour-long run, she tossed Fate a devilish grin, "Race you." Hopping on, she immediately popped in her earpieces and set a gruelling pace, one-handedly unlocking her device and accessing her piled up backlog of messages.
Fate eyed the predictably competitive woman and began her own run, hiding a secret smile as she accessed her own work. Replies had come in from Teana, along with queries from Subaru and Vita. Settling into the rhythm of the run side by side with their favourite person, time flew for both women.
An hour later, both were really feeling the inclines they had been running at. Fate''s longer strides had her winning their little race and Nanoha shot her an accusing look, panting while she complained. "Mou! Feito-chan cheated!"
Chuckling softly between deep breaths, Fate merely leaned over their now stationary treadmills to dab Nanoha''s perspiration away with her own towel. ''Ah, I want to kiss her so badly,'' the blonde thought wistfully to herself.
"I am not good at much, but running was my one escape from my family and spies masquerading as attendants." The blonde walked over to the water dispenser, filling two cones of water for Nanoha and herself. The auburn-haired woman was dictating another work message while she paced to cool herself off, throwing Fate a smile of thanks as she accepted the water.
Killing the recording, Nanoha sent off the message and finished her water in two quick gulps. "It must have been a sight to see them trying to chase after you." Alto amused, she tried to imagine the blonde as a student, hair flying behind her while she outran anyone meaning to keep tabs on her.
"Many tried," the blonde stated, not bothering to add that none succeeded. That was the thing with Fate, Nanoha considered, she never put herself forward when she could place herself behind. This was something that behoved her boss to work on while she was still her subordinate. Training wasn''t just about work-centric things. A fatalistic part of her wondered for how long could she keep this angel''s wings clipped when it was clear the dazzling blonde had all the abilities to take flight in TSAB.
"Less thinking, more stretching, Takamachi." Nudged out of her pensive thoughts, the executive threw Fate a sardonic smirk, "Bossing the boss again, hmm? This is beginning to become a habit." Obediently, she joined the blonde in a series of cooldown stretches.
"I am certain Vita would approve," Fate shot back.
"She would," Nanoha conceded wryly, "If I didn''t already have a mother, she''d try to adopt me." Fate''s chiming laugh was music to her ears.
Eyeing the wide area set to one side of the gym, Nanoha took note of the time, "Feito-chan, could you order up breakfast first?" The executive did a few squats, testing the heaviness of her limbs against what she planned to do.
"Mmm? Certainly, but¡"
"I''m just going to run through my spar with Nii-san last night. There were a few things I could''ve done better." The blonde goggled at the Japanese woman. "Nanoha, you just had an hour''s hard run." Fate felt obligated to point out, her breath hitching when the auburn-haired woman threw her a rakish smile. "That is when an enemy least expects you ready to face them." Throwing Fate her towel, she spun backwards and tumbled with a gymnast''s grace, ending with a mid-air spin to land on the corner of the practice mat.
Fate wasn''t going to miss this and hurriedly used the in-house phone in the gym to make a call to room service for their breakfast. Nanoha lacked a dojo''s array of weapons to practise with, and so made do with just her limbs. Picturing her opponent, the executive began her deadly dance, expression set in a mask of concentration.
Sidling closer to get a better look, Fate settled on the edge of one of the exercise benches to watch. There was no ceremony to the executive''s shadow boxing, it simply began the moment she landed on the mats. Silent fists struck at her imaginary target, Nanoha''s elbows kept low and close while she weaved around attacks only she could see. She kept her breaths regular, giving away nothing as she struck and parried her way across the temporary dojo.
Forgotten echoes of her recent dream came roaring back at the sight of Nanoha flowing across the mats and Fate''s mouth fell open slightly. She could certainly see why the kendo and judo clubs had fought for the auburn-haired woman''s captainship.
Power was useless without purpose, a mantra Nanoha kept firmly in mind while she swept forward, stance neither too wide or narrow. In her mind her brother''s tonfa spun towards her, and she shifted into a muay thai kick, kneeing aside the arm going for her.
Another attack, this time to her torso, and she dropped low, leg flashing out to hook an ankle for a takedown. Levering herself back up with one hand, she advanced once more with an uppercut meant to mimic the last blow she had used to end the fight. But this ''Nii-san'' got out of the way in time, and tried to slam the short end of his tonfa into her solar plexus. Spinning gracefully down the length of his extended arm, she grabbed it and performed a throw, slamming her ghostly enemy into the mats.
Fate studied Nanoha''s frozen form. She appeared to have executed a throwing move, sharp gaze pinned on her unseen opponent lying vanquished on the ground while she stood, body tensed and ready should the person refuse defeat. Long seconds passed, the woman''s chest the only movement she made, before she relaxed and allowed trembling arms to fall to her sides.
Clapping seemed too trite for the display she had just witnessed, and so Fate only said loud enough for Nanoha to hear, "Your father need not have worried."
Jolted out of her focused trance, Nanoha blinked once then turned to the source of the warmly admiring voice. A sardonically raised brow was Fate''s reply, "He would have spat to see me using outside arts." A statement of fact that didn''t seem to perturb Nanoha in the slightest, as if she was well-prepared for that to happen.
Amused, the blonde sauntered over and nudged the executive with her hip whilst handing her back her towel, "I suppose we''ll still have each other once we''re both disowned," she half-joked, knowing full well it would take forces greater than anything anyone possessed to prise her away from Nanoha.
The Japanese woman barked a laugh, "One, two, three, your place, four, five, six, mine, and we flip for the seventh?" At first they laughed, though both fell silent as they thought how nice that actually sounded. ''Oh my gods, did I just suggest we cohabit?'' Making a show of wiping the perspiration beading her face, Nanoha nudged playfully at the blonde, startling her out of her fantasy of living with the woman she loved, "You just want more of that goat cheese salad."
"O-Only if I get to feed it to you again." Fate blurted unthinkingly. Again they fell silent. This was becoming a bad habit and neither woman knew how to stop it. ''Did you just confess that you want to live with her AND feed her meals? Oh my gods!'' In a gay panic, she spun her towel and snapped Nanoha''s bottom with it, "First to the shower wins!" Putting her long legs to good use, she leapt out of the gym and sprinted for their room.
"...shit!"
"Nya¡ ha¡ ha¡" Taking her sweet time, Nanoha closed the distance between them, twirling the room key around her index finger and chortling smugly at the would-be saucy blonde. "It appears my AVP needs lessons in planning ahead."
Huffing at the fringe that had spilled into her eyes, Fate put her hands on her hips, "Which six star hotel doesn''t provide two sets of keys to their guests? I will have to speak with their manager."
"Mmmhmm, moving up the chain of command. I approve. But, you, still, made, a mistake!" Crouched low, fingers wiggling menacingly, the leopard stalked her prey and with that last word, Nanoha pounced, tickling Fate mercilessly in front of their room door.
Shrieking, Fate instantly regretted snapping the executive''s rear. Arms so recently blurring through the air slipped easily past her defences and her attempts to duck and weave did nothing when she had so much torso for the shorter woman to attack. Laughing while Fate backed away, Nanoha''s eyes widened when the blonde tripped over her own feet. Lunging quickly, she grabbed the woman and hung on tight, landing in a heap with the blonde. This time, she was beneath the taller woman and was able to cushion their fall. "Oof!"
Still, Nanoha had had the breath knocked out of her and took a moment to recover, eyes of laughing blue sparkling up at the blonde who was also trying to catch her breath after all those torturous tickles. The press of Fate''s sweat-soaked body to hers was exceedingly pleasant and she could feel the other woman''s heart hammering into her suddenly sensitive chest. Her own breath quickened when Fate''s elbow dug into the floor next to her head, crimson gaze staring into her own. The blonde''s ponytail had fallen across her collarbone, the heavy drape sticking pleasantly to her skin.
Fate was finding it difficult to breathe again. Her chest was pressed into Nanoha''s barely clad breasts and she could feel the strong thunder of the woman''s heartbeat against her own. Lying under her, limbs splayed, the earthbound goddess looked so inviting, sensual lips parted slightly, warm breath brushing lightly over Fate''s cheek. All it would take was a lowering of her head and she would taste those lips. She knew her eyes were flickering between Nanoha''s own blue eyes and her mouth, but she couldn''t help herself. Another centimetre was all she needed¡
"Annou¡"
Jerking back, Fate cast a panicked look over her shoulder.
An abashed girl in the ryokan''s kimono uniform was standing by their door, pushing a serving cart that probably held their breakfast.
"Are the honoured guests all right?" The girl asked, eyes flitting every which way except to the two women who were obviously going to do something on the floor. ''Kyaa, my yuri manga never said how hot this sort of thing was!''
Scrambling to her feet, Fate seemed to remember Nanoha had been pinned under her and hurriedly bent over to help the winded executive up as well. "Iye! Zen zen daijoubu desu~!" No, everything is fine!
How her brain could even remember the proper japanese phrase was beyond her. Nervously snatching the keys from around Nanoha''s finger, Fate quickly opened the door to their room and shoved both the bemused executive and their serving cart in, slamming the door closed behind them.
Her AVP certainly had lightning moves when needed, Nanoha observed with no little amusement. "Feito-chan¡" Having busied herself with checking under the food covers, Fate did her best to ignore the fact that she had almost given in to those lips. "Wh-What?" Fate asked, hating her stupid stammer.
"We left our phones back in the gym¡"
"AAAH!" The gazelle grabbed the keys and sped out, leaving a laughing Nanoha behind to clutch at her belly.
Chapter 24: Feeling Peckish
Japan was one of those countries where leaving one''s belongings behind wouldn''t automatically mean the item would be stolen in five minutes, and so Fate was able to retrieve their devices with no issue. She returned to a still giggling Nanoha and was torn between irritation and charm. Charm eventually won out, the blonde loved seeing the sombre woman relax enough to laugh.
They spent the morning discussing work over breakfast. All showered, they lounged around in their hotel yukata, sitting at the kotatsu with their laptops to get more work done.
"Hey Vita."
Momentary silence, "...Hey Nanoha, how''s Japan?" Vita looked nervous over the video call, the whites of her eyes visible on the screen.
"I''ve scheduled your death for Monday next week, just so you know." The executive''s sardonic drawl held more than a little threat for her petite E.A., the executive arching one finely-shaped brow at Vita.
Fate was seated adjacent to Nanoha at the heated table and had a hand over her mouth, trying to stifle her giggles while remaining out of the webcam''s view.
"N-Nanoha, it''s not my fault. It was a short notice booking! The next best pick was out in Nikko, over an hour from DoCoMo''s offices!" Vita shifted guiltily in her chair, "I-I mean, it''s a nice place, isn''t it?"
Nanoha cast one eye at her mirth-filled AVP, looking absolutely delightful in her yukata, blonde tresses pooled around her on the tatami. "It''s the only reason I''ll only execute you partially." Pinning Vita where she sat, she pronounced the woman''s judgement, "I''m going to forward you a store address. You will go in there and look for XiaoFang. Ask her for her best loli goth costume. You''ll be wearing that to TSAB''s Halloween bash, no arguments."
Fate''s ears were turning pink and Nanoha reached one long arm under the kotatsu to tickle the blonde''s feet, forcing the woman to squeak and roll away in self-defence. Her face was still set in an implacable mask for Vita''s benefit, giving away none of the horseplay happening outside of her view.
The blonde had learned some time ago that Nanoha had a wickedly dry sense of humour that tended to rear its head on rare occasions. Each time it did, she and others around the executive usually suffered. It was never done with a mean spirit, though, and was probably one of the few ways the executive was able to let off a little steam. In fact, she felt privileged to have been made part of the very small circle of friends Nanoha would prank like so.
From her vantage point on the tatami floor, Fate could see Vita''s mouth open and close like a beached fish. "I¡ B-But Nanoha."
"I said no arguments. And let the rest of Ops know they''re all to attend in costume as well. I''ll have a souvenir for you to help."
Vita offered her unpredictable boss a look laden with doubt, "Yea, okay, fine." The E.A. knew when she was licked. It was the cost of doing business and if taking one for the team helped, then so be it.
Vita tried to deduce if her sacrifice was even worth it. Unfortunately, Nanoha looked no different from her usual stern self and the E.A. sighed to herself, ''Back to the drawing board, I guess.''
"How''s Fate doing?" Vita asked instead, disappointed when that drew no reaction from Nanoha either. All she did was shift her laptop, "Ask her yourself."
Fate had hurriedly sat back at her place and smiled at Vita, "Hello Vita, how are things back home?"
Vita shrugged, "People are running around with their hair on fire because you and Nanoha aren''t around. They dealt with it before you were hired, they can deal with it now. Don''t mind them."
"Like I said, they need to learn to miss you," Nanoha cut in drolly.
Fate threw the executive a look that piqued Vita''s interest. There seemed to be something different about the blonde, if not their boss.
''Would you miss me?'' Fate wondered, eyeing Nanoha, though she merely gave Vita a slight smile, "Thanks for holding down the fort for us, Vita. We''ll see you in a few days." Sticking her head into the webcam''s view, Nanoha repeated, "Costumes, or else. Bye, Vita."
Cutting the call, Nanoha pulled her workstation back over to her side. She was pleased to see they had cleared all the pressing emails in their department''s queue and tried not to think how life would be working without her AVP around any longer. ''Stop with that.'' Her stupid mind kept wanting to go down depressing paths and the executive had to constantly haul herself away from those dark thoughts.
It was coming to half past one and neither of them had paused since getting back from the gym. Yawning, Nanoha stretched for a long moment, working out the tenseness in her shoulders. Falling back to lie on the tatami, she looked up at the ceiling, "Ne, Feito-chan?"
The swift sounds of typing paused, the blonde glancing over to find the auburn-haired beauty laying down, hands on her tummy while she studied the ceiling above them. The wish to cuddle against the woman''s side hit her and Fate''s hands closed into fists, "Hmm?"
Nanoha''s head tilted to the blonde, eyes appearing shadowed, "Could we¡ visit that friend I mentioned, for a late lunch?"
Sensing the ask to be more than what it sounded like on the surface, Fate held the executive''s eyes for a long moment, "Absolutely," she asserted quietly, gaze warming.
Blue eyes offered Fate a grateful look. "Wear black," she suggested with no further elaboration. Blinking, Fate nodded.
Contacting the front desk, Nanoha spoke at length to the receptionist while Fate changed for lunch. She chose a simple, long-sleeved blouse tucked into tapered jeans. Slipping on flats, the blonde wrapped a cashmere scarf around her neck and tucked her purse into a small sling bag since she was uncertain how long or far they would be going. It was a good thing that black was her favourite colour to begin with, thus finding an entire ensemble in black had been simple enough for Fate. Her long hair was secured in a black ribbon, holding the ends together neatly while the rest of her tresses hung freely.
Both of their phones were on the wireless charging dock, in case of emergencies while they were out, but their laptops were going to be left behind. Little wonder that Nanoha had put the pedal to the metal this morning to clear as much of the day''s work as possible before they took a break.
Nanoha was in a tailored plain black suit, complete with a white men''s shirt fitted to her trim frame and a black tie. Even her cuff-links and tie clip were of polished onyx, and her black leather tomboy shoes shone with oil, a match for the soft leather gloves she also wore. Butterflies the size of her hand fluttered willy-nilly in Fate''s stomach when she saw the gorgeous woman in the suit, and she happily agreed to help Nanoha plait her hair while the woman polished her shoes.
The executive was mostly silent, speaking only when spoken to, and the blonde took the woman''s cue, keeping speech to a minimum. Silence wasn''t an issue with the two, however, and preparations were made with smiles and warm looks regardless.
Locking up behind them, Nanoha pocketed the room key and headed to the front desk. A few words and she was retrieving what appeared to be their lunch, packed in boxes of black lacquered wood. The boxes fit perfectly stacked atop one another and were secured in a grey furoshiki, or bento cloth. The knot at the top made for easy carrying, and Nanoha handed it over to Fate for the blonde to take charge of.
The staff then handed Nanoha another bag and a large bouquet of roses in various hues of red, pink and yellow. Fate started at the sight of the roses, then comforted herself to see they were not all red. Honestly, she was getting paranoid after that whole Agito thing. Nanoha wouldn''t bring Fate along to visit a paramour, would she?
Thanking the staff, Nanoha led them to the hotel vehicle she had chartered earlier and opened the door for Fate. Settling in after the blonde, the executive placed her bag on the car floor, nodding to Fate that she could prop the stacked bento boxes on the seat between them. The roses were laid in the front seat for the trip.
Fate looked out the window at the passing scenery and noted that they were heading further out into the less developed side of Tokyo. The leaves were turning, shrouding the landscape in a riot of greens, yellows and orange. "It''s so beautiful¡" She murmured.
''That you are, Principessa.'' Nanoha thought, again second-guessing herself about this trip. No, the blonde had seen the worst of her, this would just be an elaboration, an illustration of the broken goods Nanoha was. Perhaps she was hoping to scare the blonde away. It would be easier, than for Nanoha to leave the blonde. The sooner Fate learned to distance herself from the executive, the less it would hurt. Twisted logic, for sure, but since when were emotions logical?
Inhaling a long breath, Nanoha closed her eyes, consciously fighting back the dull feeling of panic that imposed itself on her whenever she performed this task. The car sped down the country lanes in silence.
Yanaka Cemetery was located in the old part of Tokyo, and there was a hushed air about the area. Old growth trees shaded the stone pathways, lending a stately feeling to their surroundings.
Confirming the time that they would return with the driver, Nanoha hefted the bag the hotel staff had given her on one shoulder. Her free arm cradled the bouquet of fresh flowers and she gave Fate a tight smile that never reached her azure eyes. Picking up the packed bento she was given, Fate accepted the gloved hand offering her help in exiting the car. "This way," Nanoha told her quietly, turning to lead them down one of the many picturesque paths.
The muscle in Nanoha''s jaw was tense, and it appeared to Fate that she was fighting a force pushing her back, just to take a step forward. Slipping her hand into the executive''s gloved one, she gave the woman a comforting squeeze. That did get a real smile out of the woman, who glanced over to the taller blonde, her expression clearly saying she was glad Fate was here.
The area was empty save for the two women and a few stray cats. Stopping in front of a headstone, Nanoha drew in a long breath before blowing it out. Fate read the words on the headstone, surprisingly in english as well as japanese.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Yuuno Scrya
(6th July 1992 - 26th Oct 2012)
Beloved son who left us too soon. You are missed.
They were here a day before the person''s death anniversary. The portrait in the headstone showed a cheery looking young man in glasses. His light brown hair was long and pulled back into a low ponytail. So, this was Nanoha''s Yuuno.
Nanoha bowed at the lowest angle and Fate followed, holding it for a full ten seconds. Straightening, the blonde could see the other woman''s eyes were bright. "Hey Yuuno, it''s been a while." Her voice was husky, but her smile for Fate was genuine. Gently drawing the blonde forward, she added, "I wanted you to meet my new best friend, Feito-chan. I think you''d have gotten along well together."
Throat full, Fate could only bow again, hand tightening around Nanoha''s gloved one. "Nice to meet you, Yuuno-san." The lilting melody of her words trembled with emotion, "Thank you for looking out for Nanoha. I only hope I can do half as well as you did."
Straightening, she caught the executive''s perplexed look, "You don''t have to¡"
"Apologies, Nanoha-chan," Fate cut the woman off archly, lifting one aristocratic brow at the auburn-haired woman, "Are we going to argue the first time I meet Yuuno-san? I think that is a little rude, no?" Her smile took the sting out of her words.
A slight huff agitated the forelock that had fallen into Nanoha''s eyes and she threw the stubborn blonde an exasperated look. Leaving her bag on the ground, she handed the roses to Fate. "Wait here, please," she asked, and departed back down the path they had taken. The blonde took her time absorbing the peace and quiet, noting that a little calico had shown up a few graves over, observing her.
Returning shortly with a pail of water and a ladle, Nanoha began washing the headstone and its surrounding granite fixtures. Dust and dead leaves were cleared away with each reverent pour, until every stone surface gleamed wetly. Setting the pail aside, Nanoha dug out some rags from the bag she''d been carrying and began wiping away the water clinging to stone. Fate joined in, setting the bouquet aside for the nonce to help.
Soon, the work was done and Nanoha was laying the bouquet before the headstone. "He always liked roses," she murmured, eyes still bright, "Said they were worth more than just being Valentine''s Day fodder." Sticks of incense were taken from the bag now, and soon the scent of sandalwood began to permeate the area. Another stray had showed up, a rotund ginger. Paws aligned neatly, both cats watched the women at work.
The last item from the bag was a folded up mat that Nanoha knelt to spread out before the headstone. Fate kept to one side, slightly awkward and uncertain what to do next. Smiling up to the blonde, Nanoha patted the mat, inviting Fate to have a seat.
What? Were they going to eat here? The auburn-haired woman divested Fate of her furoshiki-wrapped burden and began untying it. Apparently, yes. Gingerly folding her long legs under her after removing her sandals, Fate accepted the bento being handed to her. It was quite a spread, Nanoha clearly ordering for three when she spoke to the front desk back at the ryokan. Little dishes were set out for the cats that had gathered around them as well, Nanoha greeting each one that appeared as if they were an old friend, and perhaps they were.
Setting a bento before the headstone, she placed a pair of chopsticks next to it, then handed Fate a pair as well. "Itadakimasu~" she whispered, hands together. "Eat up, Feito-chan, it''s getting late."
Feeling quite odd indeed, Fate picked up a sushi roll and nibbled on it, her other hand under the morsel in case she dropped anything. "I''m too big of a pussy to come on the day itself." Nanoha admitted quietly as she tugged off her gloves and tucked them into her suit pocket. Picking up a morsel to snack on, she toasted Yuuno and popped it into her mouth.
Swallowing her mouthful, Fate offered Nanoha a compassionate look, "How did you meet?" She asked softly.
"We were neighbours growing up. He was always getting me out of the trouble I got myself into." Nanoha glanced at Yuuno''s portrait, smiling faintly, "Kyoya nii-san and Miyuki nee-san were much older than I was, so I never really hung out with them. I didn''t want to be the annoying little sister."
Her smile became pained, "Guess I became his annoying little sister instead." It was difficult to continue, the Japanese woman opting to have a few more bites instead.
They ate in contemplative silence, until Fate spoke, "I want to see Annoying Little Sister Nanoha."
"Augh, no," Blue eyes rolling, Nanoha looked horrified at the notion, "I was such an awkward kid. All elbows, knees and nothing else. Mom had a penchant for dressing me in lacy dresses and socks. I got in so much trouble ruining them."
Fate decided she had to find a way to bribe someone, anyone, for pictures of Nanoha from back then. ''Maybe Hayate can hook me up,'' Fate thought. Surely the cunning CEO had blackmail material on TSAB''s poster child.
"You know that only makes me want to see it more, yes?" Her light soprano dripped with amusement. "No such images exist," Nanoha asserted firmly, "I destroyed them all." Fate didn''t look convinced and Nanoha sweat-dropped, making a note to re-check all possible sources.
Nanoha shared stories about her misadventures with her departed friend with Fate, and the blonde listened in rapt attention. Overhanging branches cast pleasing shadows over them, and Fate admired how sharp the beautiful executive looked in her men''s suit.
"Things got awkward around the time I was sixteen," Nanoha continued. She had fished out an apple and a paring knife from one of the bags and began making precise cuts into the rose-pink skin of the fruit. "He¡ He confessed to me during Golden Week." She glanced at Fate, who looked unsurprised. She was certain she would have done the same had they grown up together as well.
"I would imagine that did not turn out too well for him." The blonde said, watching Nanoha''s hands with interest as shapes of apple bunny slices began to appear in the woman''s skilled hands. Nanoha gave a faint snort, "I was busy being neck-deep in stupid, chasing after Ginga at the time." Fate stiffened at the familiar name, expression darkening at the memory of that hussy kissing Nanoha in that Turkish restaurant.
"I wasn''t the brightest crayon in the box," Nanoha added, trying to placate the blonde who seemed to have the lowest possible opinion of her old ''friend''. "You were young," Fate began. "As was she," Nanoha concluded wistfully. She took a moment to arrange the apple slices cut into adorable bunny shapes on a plate and placed it next to the bento that had been offered to Yuuno. The calico approached to sniff at the apple slices. Deeming them undeserving of further attention, the little stray curled up on a corner of the picnic mat to snooze instead.
"I thought I had it all. An amazing group of friends, my first girlfriend, a shoo-in for student council president¡ I felt bad but relieved when Yuuno confessed, because I could then come out to him." She picked up a second apple to pare normally, something she was doing by feel since she''d thrown back her head to look up at the branches swaying gently in the autumn breeze.
Eyes dark with memory stared up into the perfectly blue skies beyond the trees, "He was shocked, of course. Once my family found out, he was a staunch supporter while the rest of my blood relatives took their sweet time coming to terms with it."
She exhaled a long breath and met Fate''s eyes, "I do not know why people expect that it''s only girls with men''s haircuts and clothes that like other girls. That was their argument; I still wore skirts, so why?" Fate gave a small shake of her head, the blonde equally puzzled over such preconceived notions.
"I think Ginga held some feelings for me, in her own way. I was completely besotted, like a child with their first real toy." Scorn laced Nanoha''s voice as she spoke about herself. "She couldn''t take the pressure and we broke up when we were seventeen." The expected dull pain of that memory never came, surprising the Japanese woman. The warm, steady regard of the blonde who bothered to sit and listen to her ramble had to have something to do with it. Losing herself in those ruby eyes, her mind thought, ''Ginga who?''.
Fate was willing to be placated by only the barest of margins. She couldn''t fathom giving up the love of this woman, yet she was grateful that the hussy had, since that meant¡ Meant what? Nanoha was her best friend, and that was it. The executive was utterly out of her league and Fate knew it all too well. It didn''t make it any easier for the blonde to hide her love for the woman, however.
Nanoha forced herself back to the present with a shake. "I was a mess. I went through the day by rote and shut myself in my room once I was home. There wasn''t anything Haya-chan or the rest could do to get me out of my depression. I kept my grades up, sure, but that was it. I didn''t want to do anything other than feel sorry for my stupid self."
Slicing the apple in two, she cored a half and handed it to Fate, the other half lay forgotten in her hands as she continued, "It was around this time when Yuuno had enough of my shit and dragged me out. He was studying to be an archeologist and had just gotten his pilot''s license¡ for twin prop planes."
The plane sat on the runway, a little battered looking, but it had just been serviced. She stood to the side, an unwilling participant in this. "Come on, Nanoha, I only have a short window for take-off."
"Why should I?" Teenaged Nanoha grumbled, stubbornly remaining outside.
"Because," the young man sighed, "Tokyo is just hurting you right now. Let''s fly away from it, leave it behind, just for a while. Our parents gave the okay, remember? We''ll see some fat monkeys in hot springs and come back."
Reassuring the teen who had dug her heels in, the youth pushed Nanoha towards the folded down steps, "It''s just for a day!"
"AUGH, fine! Gods, you''re such a nag!"
Blinking, Nanoha remembered to core the other half of the apple and bit into it, tasting nothing. Fate had remained silent, offering the woman space to get her story out. The woman eating reminded her of the apple in her own hand, and so she ate it, a symbolic partaking of what Nanoha was willing to share with her.
"It was the end of the typhoon season. The weather forecast predicted clear skies." She took another bite, chewing mechanically, "It was a freak storm, the sort of thing mountains enjoy conjuring from thin air. The engines failed, but Yuuno kept his head," there was a hint of pride in her otherwise toneless alto, "He did his best to keep the nose up, but there was nothing but forest."
"I lost consciousness at first impact," Nanoha tapped the spot on her scalp that she had shown Fate before. "I was in and out of it for days. I could¡ feel him pinned over me. He¡ He wouldn''t answer me. I asked him to move, he was too heavy, too cold." She dropped what was left of her apple, hugging her knees to herself, trying to warm that teenaged version of herself in her memories.
And then there was a real warmth surrounding her. Fate had left her spot the moment she saw that familiar anguish in Nanoha''s eyes, the woman shivering and hugging herself defensively, battling far worse demons than the one people claimed she embodied. Pulling the Japanese woman into her arms without hesitation, the blonde tucked Nanoha''s shivering form under her chin, rocking her slowly to comfort not just the woman, but the child she had once been.
"They had to¡ to c-cut him, to g-get to me," she whispered past chattering teeth. "The sounds¡ that smell¡ Oh gods, Yuuno, what did I do?" She curled into the blonde''s embrace, feeling as if she would shake apart into pieces had Fate not been there to hold on to her. "His family couldn''t even receive him in one piece¡ It was my fault. It should''ve been me on that headstone. He was just trying to help his stupid friend."
"Nanoha, look at me." Loath to leave the safety of Fate''s arms, the executive reluctantly lifted her head. The blonde was staring at her, expression stern but filled with empathy, "Listen, if we were to be judged by our actions as children, there would be few left blameless in this world. You were going through what everyone goes through, and Yuuno-san was doing what any best friend would."
The blonde''s voice was firm, refusing the executive any wiggle room for buts. "I would have done the very same, had I been your best friend back then. Care for us, yes, as we care for you. But to take on the responsibility of our every action? No, you do not have that right, Nanoha-chan. No one does. Do not take away Yuuno''s agency. It was his choice, because he loved you. Just as it would be my choice to do the same." Because I love you.
Fate omitted the last, but held the auburn beauty''s gaze. "As your best friend, I know I can say on Yuuno-san''s behalf: ''Nanoha-chan, I forgive you.''" She tried to convey to Nanoha what was so clear to herself, that the youth would never have blamed the girl for what had happened.
It truly felt as if he was speaking to her, his face superimposed over Fate''s beautiful features, the two of them, saying the same thing. A trembling hand lifted to cup one alabaster cheek as tears tracked their way down from shimmering azure eyes. Caught in the moment, Nanoha closed the barest distance and pressed her lips to Fate''s, the kiss she could never have given Yuuno, being offered to the blonde who held her so securely.
It was chaste, the smallest peck, and broken as soon as it was given. It was almost as if it was imagined and not real, and Fate didn''t know what to think of it. The other woman had dropped her forehead to Fate''s shoulder, "Th-Thank you," she whispered, voice muffled by the blonde''s scarf. Ah, it was a kiss of thanks and nothing more. Fate understood and tightened her arms around her friend, setting aside her desire that it would mean more. "Nanoha-chan, please¡ stop hurting yourself over this."
"I¡ I''ll try, because Feito-chan asked" That was the best Fate could ask for. Better this than another decade of guilt.
Chapter 25: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
The ride back was a quiet one. Revelations too recent, too raw, hovered close to the surface, threatening to overwhelm what little semblance of control Nanoha still possessed. The woman knew she could only allow such indulgence for a little while longer. Soon, Fate''s angel wings would firm and she would leave the nest, but for now, for just a little while, the auburn-haired woman would be a mite greedy.
Fate was still dumbfounded by the little kiss the Japanese woman had given her, and it took immense self-control not to touch her still tingling lips. They had cleaned the grave site in silence, returning to the waiting car to drop everything into the trunk. Nanoha still appeared extremely vulnerable and she made no issue when the figure in a men''s suit closed the distance between them in the backseat to continue snuggling into her.
"I''m sorry¡" Nanoha mumbled into the blonde''s scarf. Fate''s arm tightened around the executive. "What for?" Fate whispered.
"I wasn''t thinking and¡ st-stole your first k¡" Nanoha couldn''t finish her sentence, the misery and gravity of what she had done rearing up to crash into her now that the emotionally charged moment was past. ''You swore to keep her pure!''
"Is it thievery when it is given?" Calm out of all proportion with her aching heart, Fate looked down, catching the unending blue of Nanoha''s questioning gaze. "You were thanking me, I understand."
"I¡" Nanoha looked searchingly into Fate''s ruby red eyes, so open, yet so laden with emotions she couldn''t grasp. Was the blonde just being kind?
"You were distraught, and not in control of your actions," Fate explained, trying to convince herself as well as the woman in her arms, the one who held her everything, even if she didn''t know it. She would give Nanoha all of her kisses and more until the end of eternity if she could. In reality, all she gave was a faint smile, "Thank you for allowing me the honour of meeting Yuuno."
"Y-You''re welcome," alto a whisper, Nanoha laid her head back down on Fate''s shoulder. This was all topsy-turvy. "Thank you for coming with me."
Fate imagined a decade of Nanoha making her trek of penance alone every year and felt her heart ache even more. "Can we come back next year?" Her melodic soprano was hesitant, "When the cherry blossoms are blooming?"
Fate could feel the solid form draped against her side sigh silently, Nanoha wrapping an arm around the blonde''s middle, "I would like that," the executive admitted softly. Maybe, maybe she could begin making a few good memories with the friend she still had, not dwell on the memories of the one she lost. Enough to keep her, once the angel was gone from her life.
"Come again?" Voice flat, Nanoha stared at Fate. They had just returned to their room and Nanoha was in the midst of loosening her black tie when what Fate said had her demanding for clarification. The woman had shed her vulnerabilities once they had left the privacy of the chartered car, and Fate was once more amazed at how easily Nanoha slipped into her role of a corporate shark. There wasn''t the faintest trace of the softly needful woman in her demeanour whatsoever now, and it warmed the blonde that she had been privileged to be shown that side of the Japanese woman.
Fate had been busy taking a surreptitious picture of Nanoha with her shirt blouse unbuttoned and tugging at her tie with her phone when she was dragged back to the present by the executive''s unamused insistence for more information.
"Oh, um, Miss Inoue has requested to meet over dinner to discuss a few details about the contract." Fate quickly closed her photo-taking app and showed the text message she had received to Nanoha. The executive had thrown aside her suit jacket, closing the distance between them in a few powerful strides to retrieve the phone from Fate''s hand to verify what the blonde had just told her.
Expression cold, the zipping sound of the auburn-haired woman pulling her tie free from her collar whipped through the quiet of the hotel room while she scanned the innocuous request for Fate''s presence at a Michelin starred sushi restaurant for that very evening. "Agito¡" She breathed in a low, almost-growl. "Turn her down." Discarding the phone on the bed, brow furrowed, the Japanese woman hung her tie up and began undoing her cuff-links.
"Nanoha, it''s just for dinner¡" Fate protested. Funny how she thought the executive would be fine with her having dinner with the DoCoMo representative when the blonde absolutely knew she wouldn''t want Nanoha within ten feet of the redhead. "Maybe she just wants to get to know TSAB''s point for this deal, to build business relations."
Nanoha''s whole form was rigid and unyielding, and when Fate took her by the elbows to turn her to face the blonde, those brilliant blue eyes were a stormy violet. "Don''t you trust your AVP?" She asked softly. Jaw working, Nanoha stared at the beautiful blonde, and finally ground out past clenched teeth, "It''s her I don''t trust."
"Two hours," Fate murmured, gently taking Nanoha''s cuff-links from the executive''s hands to stow them in the little jewellery box they had come in. Nanoha''s fingers were curled into claws while the Japanese woman thought of the worst scenarios that could play out in that short span of time. "Come get me after that." Fate knew she was pushing it, that even one hour was a lot to ask of the woman, and she could only love Nanoha more for it.
That muscle in Nanoha''s jaw remained tight, and Fate could see the conflict in the woman''s eyes. At last, the Japanese woman blew out a slow breath, "Two hours," she grudgingly agreed, immediately pulling out her phone to make a reservation at a place close by for herself. Fate too, let out a small breath. It was both exhilarating and alluring dancing with the fierce blue flames of Nanoha''s personality, and coming out unscathed was definitely cause for celebration.
"Thank you." Fate helped unhook Nanoha''s suspenders, "You know, you look really good in a suit. Can we do a Purikura with you in one?"
"Feeeito-chan," The low, warning drawl skittered its way down Fate''s spine to settle hotly between the blonde''s legs. "Don''t try to change the subject," blue gaze sardonic, the executive was on to the wily beauty''s tricks.
"But is it working?" Fate asked a little shakily. Her breath had caught while admiring how the open collar emphasised the fine lines of the executive''s clavicle, so subtly complimented by that little pink diamond pendant that had lain hidden under the tie. Now exposed with the top buttons of the woman''s shirt undone, it winked mutely at her from the hollow of Nanoha''s throat.
Sighing, Nanoha shook her head, clasping the taller woman''s hands in her own calloused ones, cradling them protectively as she wished to do with all of the blonde herself, "Don''t let Agito set the pace. She''ll definitely want to throw off the Midchildan with an omakase experience. Remember it''s fine to use your hands like I showed you. We¡ have history. She''ll want to try using that on you, too." Nanoha''s grasp tightened, "Whatever she says, it was all in the past and holds no meaning to me, do I make myself clear?"
What else could Fate do but swallow and nod? This gorgeous woman was holding her hands, pleading for her understanding while looking devastating in a shirt and pants, and all Fate wanted was to grab her by the collar for a real kiss, ''thank you'' pecks be damned.
"I¡ Help me pick something?" Fate mumbled, tearing her eyes away from the vision of the goddess. Relaxing into a lopsided smile, Nanoha nodded, "Of course, Feito-chan. Go shower, I''ll find you something." Shuffling across the tatami mats on shaky legs, Fate disappeared into the bathroom with a mumble of assent.
Shaking her head, Nanoha cast a wry look down at herself. ''Hmm, Feito-chan likes me in this, eh?'' Tucking away that tidbit of knowledge, the executive set about checking what all Fate had packed to see what she could find.
When Fate emerged, head and body in towels, she blushed hotly to see the executive had even laid out her underwear for her. She knew Nanoha was the thorough sort, but this was more than she had anticipated.
They were the plainest set of underwear she had packed and the blonde wondered if Nanoha was sending an unspoken signal to the DoCoMo executive in some way. A satin ruby red blouse was laid out on the bed as well as a black blazer and pants set. The blouse was high-necked with a pleated chest design and gold buttons that terminated into soft ruffles under her jaw.
The ensemble spoke of all business and no play, precisely the message Nanoha wanted Fate to put across to the Inoue woman.
Hands on hips, Nanoha stood at the foot of the bed, eyeing her selection approvingly. "Thank you for helping," caught off guard by the mellifluous soprano, she stiffened, then gulped at the sight of the blonde in towels again. "Yes, uh, you''re welcome. Right, I''ll leave you to it."
Escaping out into the living area, Nanoha grabbed a bottle of the complimentary water the ryokan provided. Popping the cap, she took a long swig. The mineral tang did nothing to quench the thirst she had for Fate and she licked her lips, thinking she could still taste soft lips from when she had stolen that kiss. ''Augh.'' Pressing the cold bottle to her warm face, she sunk down at the kotatsu and flipped open her laptop. Work, work will help.
"Nanoha, could you do my hair?" Leaping up from her place, the executive hurried over, "''Course." She had rolled her shirt sleeves up and looked charmingly rumpled to the blonde who was done dressing. All she needed done was her hair and make-up. Sitting at the dresser, Fate handed her brush over to Nanoha and began digging out what she needed from her make-up pouch.
Nanoha had opted to style Fate''s hair into a severe French twist, further reiterating the notion that Fate was only attending the dinner for business. The blonde watched the sweating executive in the mirror, thinking the woman looked far too cute with pins stuck in her mouth and a frown of concentration on her face.
Fate had only bothered with the lightest touch-ups to her face, and was done before Nanoha had finished. "You would think I was attending an omiai with the effort you''re making." Voice amused, Fate giggled at the exasperated look the executive cast her reflection in the mirror. "I''m impressed you know the word for matchmaking," Nanoha mumbled past the pins caught between her lips. "I just don''t want it coming loose. Your hair is very thick."
The Japanese woman''s motions paused when one elegant hand clasped long fingers around her wrist, "I appreciate that you wish to protect me." Nanoha glanced up and was captured by the intense ruby of Fate''s gaze, "Back home, it was to protect the family name, or my prospects as a match, or to avoid embarrassment. Here, I know you''re doing it for me. Just me."
Slowly removing the last pin from her mouth, Nanoha secured the twist one final time, "I know I said it''s nothing personal when we first met¡" A calloused hand squeezed one slim shoulder under the blouse Nanoha had picked out for the blonde, "It''s very personal, now. I don''t want my past to affect you¡"
Fate rested her hand over the one on her shoulder, still holding the executive''s eyes, "We''re a team. That means taking the bad with the good." She tilted her head appealingly, eyes warm, "I assure you there is immeasurable good, and minuscule amounts of bad."
Chuckling past the tightness in her chest, Nanoha shook her head, "Who knew my ice princess AVP had a knack for hyperbole?"
Fate hummed thoughtfully, "Your ice princess? I like the sound of that¡"
Nanoha cursed inwardly, she was getting careless again. Throwing Fate a rakish grin, she gave the woman''s shoulder one last squeeze, "Let me get dressed and I''ll drop you off." They were tiptoeing around landmines again, and Fate let out a silent sigh. Nanoha was never going to look at her as anything but a best friend, yet at times, the things she said or did, felt more than. Perhaps it was because she was normally so reserved, causing Fate to take things the wrong way. Whatever it was, it would have to wait, she had an appointment to attend.
Nanoha watched Fate leave to find her shoes and breathed out a sigh. ''You keep your gods damned possessive streak under control, Takamachi. She isn''t yours and never will be.'' Haphazardly tying her tie, she left her sleeves rolled up and grabbed her jacket in case the night grew colder.
Fate was tapping the tip of her heel into the tatami floor to adjust its fit. Using a shoehorn to get her own footwear on, Nanoha made an ''eh?'' of query when she felt Fate tugging her up to stand straight. "Nanoha, it''s all crooked." Fate scolded. Soft hands brushed the sensitive skin around her throat and chest as the blonde untied her tie to redo it. "You would think a former student council president would know how to do her tie."
"Ah, I was distracted," she husked, "Thanks Feito-chan." Patting the now neatened tie, Fate gave Nanoha a satisfied look and picked up their phones and purses. Well, wallet for Nanoha. "I''m setting a timer," the suited woman warned, "Call me if there''s anything, I''ll be nearby." Her tone brooked no arguments and Fate was perfectly content to concede to the measures the executive wished to take since she knew this Agito person better than Fate.
Agito sat at the counter table dressed in an off-shoulder silver gown that accentuated her slim build and moderate bust. A black lace shawl was draped over her shoulders for modesty and she cut a sophisticated figure at her seat.
She had arrived far earlier than the prescribed ten minutes Japanese people set forth as the proper amount of time to show politeness. Namely so she could study the glacial blonde as she walked into the establishment. The angel descended without fanfare, her stature all that was needed to pull every eye towards her.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
The tall blonde made quite an impression in her red blouse and black blazer combo. Devoid of any jewellery, she looked astute and very business-like as she made her way down into the well of the restaurant. Agito rose, bowing, "Good evening, Testarossa-san, thank you for meeting at such short notice." The woman''s english was a little stilted but still fluent.
Returning the bow, angle a few degrees lower in deference to Agito''s position with regards to DoCoMo''s contract with TSAB, Fate offered the redhead a small smile that never reached the cold rubies of her eyes. "Good evening, Inoue-san, please think nothing of it. It is an honour to meet with you." She handed her blazer to a waiting staff and sat down next to the redhead.
They were greeted by the establishment''s head chef, an eagle-beaked man with a stocky build and a slab of granite for a face. Exchanging bows, they watched as he began preparing the first of many servings for his premier customers of the evening.
"You speak very fluent english," Fate complimented the redhead, "Did you study overseas?" Accepting the perfumed hand towel from a server, the blonde delicately wiped her hands on the steaming warm cloth.
"Hai. I completed my master''s in Oxford." ''This woman wastes no time.'' Fate thought to herself. "Impressive. Little wonder that DoCoMo entrusted you with contract negotiations." Thanking the chef, Fate rolled the sushi placed before her from left to right before lifting it with three fingers to dip the top of the morsel into the little dish of soy the chef had served them prior to beginning his performance. Blithely popping the entire serving into her mouth, she chewed sedately.
The redheaded executive affected a small shrug, "It was preferable to studying here. People are¡ too conservative." She watched the Midchildan''s impeccable etiquette at the sushi counter, taking her own serving with no small enjoyment.
"It''s always good to experience other cultures as a youth." Fate agreed in an oblique manner. She plucked up a single slice of pickled ginger to nibble on as a palette cleanser.
"What of Testarossa-san?" Agito inquired politely, the age old circling that characterised Japanese work dinners had begun.
"Nothing as impressive, certainly. I attended Midchildan institutes." The blonde admired the chef''s understated but still rather flashy motions at the counter while he prepared their next serving.
"That''s a shame." Agito murmured, almost as a dig at Fate for not attending the same college as Nanoha had. "I suppose your family wished that you remain close."
Her ruby gaze glinted in the overhead lights of the sushi counter, the blonde not turning a hair at the redhead''s words. "It is why I appreciate my position in TSAB," Uh huh, her position of having Nanoha as her direct report and someone she got to see at least a few times a week. ''Take that.'' "It allows me to experience what I missed in my youth." Lifting the next morsel respectfully to the redhead, Fate dipped and ate, a consummate picture of grace.
"What do you experience, exactly, Testarossa-san?" Fate''s little dig hadn''t gone unnoticed and the redhead appeared slightly miffed when asking this. Somehow, Fate knew Nanoha would be proud of her and it filled her with a feeling of warmth and stability.
"Oh, food," she gestured gracefully to the esteemed chef. "People," A dipped head to Agito was given. "Cultures," she finished, taking another slice of ginger to snack on.
"But not of relationships?" Agito asked with barely concealed smugness.
''Relationships, or relations?'' Fate wondered testily. "I would assume that is a given," she feigned surprise that Agito had to mention this at all. "I have met many wonderful colleagues in TSAB."
"Not least of all, your direct report, hai? Tell me," angling her crossed legs to face Fate more fully, the redhead allowed her shawl to slip a little, revealing the creamy curve of her cleavage. "What have you learned¡ under Takamachi-san?"
The way the DoCoMo woman emphasised the word under brought forth the memory of this morning''s waking pinned beneath Nanoha''s solid form, her limbs tangled with the auburn-haired woman to where it was difficult to tell where one of them ended and the other began. So too the memory of their loosened yukata, the velvet soft heat of the executive''s nethers pressed delightfully against her hip and that strong arm around her waist.
Allowing the faintest of smiles, this one reaching the previously cold gems of her eyes, Fate offered Agito a sideways glance, "I''ve learned that one must at times show cruelty, to perform kindness." She appeared to not have noticed the slipping shawl, simply thanking the chef for yet another wonderful bite of sushi. The chef actually cracked the granite of his face to give the dazzlingly beautiful blonde a smile. It was so nice when a gaijin put in effort to learn how to eat his life''s handiwork.
This blonde was confounding. There were depths to her that went far beyond the superficial and it irked Agito to see Nanoha proven correct even without the White Devil around to crow about it. Fate had an understated brilliance and classic comportment that complimented Nanoha''s more full throttle, full power approach that tended to overwhelm opponents in a blink of an eye with no mercy. With the blonde, one wouldn''t even know when one had lost, the woman could be so subtle about it. She supposed a life growing up in court would hammer home the need for delicacy in all things.
"Nanoha has a good eye," Agito finally admitted, and she could see the blonde was a little startled by her more direct approach, including her use of the executive''s first name sans honorifics. "She knows how to pick the smart ones." The redhead could tell the blonde was far less used to having her brains complimented and was pleased that she could finally rattle the icy AVP, even just a little. "That unagi was excellent, wasn''t it?"
Nanoha was pacing. She had popped into a nearby restaurant specialising in beef bowls to have a basic dinner which she had inhaled in twenty minutes. After which, she had found herself with not much else to do other than to get some takoyaki or octopus balls from a street vendor to snack on. She had no idea why foot traffic had jammed while she was alternating between blowing on the piping hot snack and nibbling it, but it was terribly annoying since it impeded her view of the entrance to the restaurant Fate was currently in.
Useless hands shoved deep in her pants pockets, jacket hooked on one arm, she paced, nibbling at her lip and worrying what Agito was up to. "Excuse me, do you know the direction to the nearest washroom, please?" This was the fourth time someone was asking her this. ''Do I look like a bloody tour guide??'' She wondered crankily while gesturing in the general direction of where she knew the public loo was. Huffing impatiently at the forelock that had fallen into her eyes, she glanced at her smartwatch. 8:12PM.
"Gods damned omakase menus," she groused, knowing the full course would probably take ninety minutes, if not the full two hours she had given Fate. At her wit''s end, she dialled a number by memory.
"Hmm? Nano-chan? What''s up?"
"Agito has Feito-chan," came the agitated alto of TSAB''s top Operations exec.
Blinking, Hayate pasted her phone to her ear and gestured to the hotel masseuse to continue, laying her head back down onto the massage table she was currently face down on. "What do you mean ''has Fate''? Was she kidnapped?"
"They''re having dinner." The auburn-haired woman added impatiently.
"Ooookay. And? Fate just nabbed TSAB a contract with DoCoMo, is that so weird that their rep would want to meet? Oh yea, right there," she added to the masseuse.
Nanoha raked at her fringe, "You don''t understand, Haya-chan! Agito might try something with Feito-chan!"
"Nano-chan, I''m pretty sure the princess isn''t going to¡ shall we say, have extracurricular relations with my cousin thrice removed for the sake of a contract." What on earth was this mammoth bee in Nanoha''s bonnet? She could hear the woman pacing through the line.
"Well, no, of course not. But it''s Agito, she might tell her things¡"
Hayate sighed, "Do you expect Agito to spell out every little thing two consenting adults did in their spare time to Fate?"
"...No, but even half a spelled word could be trouble¡"
"For whom?" Hayate asked bluntly, "Forgive me, Nano-chan, but you cannot convince me that the AVP who told her CEO to fuck off when offered a promotion would pack bags and run because your old whatever decided to spill some beans. Fate-chan is better than that and I think you''re doing her a no-no worrying like this."
The line grew silent, not even the sound of pacing could be heard. Finally, voice heavy, Nanoha sighed, "You''re right of course. I''m not thinking straight." Hayate could hear her friend scrubbing at her face.
Gentling her voice, Hayate soothed the beast within her friend, "Nanoha, Fate is no innocent lamb. She accepted her role knowing what she was getting into. She handles you just fine, doesn''t she? You aren''t the easiest person to work with, you know. The kami know I''ve tried finding you an AVP for years since... Well, you know. Who do you think is more difficult? One track mind Agito, or you?"
It was precisely the track Agito''s mind was on that bothered Nanoha. Yet, she had to concede that Hayate had made some good points. She knew she was an absolute misery to work with.
Wait¡ Hayate was making all sorts of sexy sounds over the line and Nanoha squinted at her phone before putting it back to her ear, "Haya-chan, you''re not¡"
"Hmm? Oh kami, yes there!"
"Ah, um, sorry, I''ll stop bothering you." click.
Hayate puzzled over Nanoha''s hasty ending of the call, then groaned. "Dammit!"
The contract never came up, and as the meal progressed further and further along, Fate knew Nanoha had been correct in deducing Agito had other things on her agenda aside from work. The woman''s shawl was gone, the redhead making no bones about flaunting her tight little body at the blonde.
Fate glanced surreptitiously at her wrist, her watch face worn facing inwards to not appear rude to her Japanese client. 8:43PM. She poked disinterestedly at her dessert, some yuzu concoction which seemed all the rage in Asia right now. The blonde much preferred the earthiness of matcha since it reminded her of Nanoha; its flavours richly unadorned with hidden depths that took a lifetime to appreciate.
"I must say, this discussion has been quite¡ stimulating, Testarossa-san." Agito had lowered her voice to a more sensual register, eyeing Fate from under thickly mascaraed lashes. The blonde felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand and she gave the redhead a tight-lipped smile, "One appreciates the opportunity to build better ties with DoCoMo''s esteemed representative."
Agito pouted her ruby red lips, "Still so formal. Shall we take our discussion to someplace more¡ comfortable?" Was¡ the executive trying the same thing with her, as she had had with Nanoha? A giggle rose unbidden to her lips and the blonde had to cough to push it back down. "Inoue-san is kind but¡"
"Call me Agito," the redhead urged, "Wouldn''t you like to add to your TSAB experiences, a little something more¡ spicy?" She placed one manicured hand over Fate''s, the deep red of her nails designed specifically to match Fate''s eyes. "I clipped them for you, you know." Agito ran a blatantly lustful look down Fate''s form.
Carefully pulling her hand away, Fate took a bite of dessert, tasting nothing, "I''m not sure what you mean, Inoue©\san."
"Oh come now," the redhead scoffed, "Surely you''ve had a taste of Takamachi''s¡ charms?" That got the redhead a sharp look, "We are friends and colleagues," Fate stated flatly, unamused at the DoCoMo woman''s assumptions.
That same woman arched a disbelieving brow at the blonde, "While sharing a bed?" Fate fought to maintain her mask of professionalism, succeeding, but just barely. ''How did the woman even know?!''
"You overstep, Inoue-san." The madder Fate got, the more precise her mannerisms became, to the point where a robot would have had more expression than the glacial blonde seated at the sushi counter. "DoCoMo may be a client, but this gives no right to you or anyone else to be speculating like so. It demeans my superior, and myself."
Agito licked her lips. The challenge this icy woman posed was quite a lure. To see her shed all the trappings of her aristocratic upbringing¡ She couldn''t believe that Nanoha had failed to bag this one.
"Do forgive me," she purred, touching the blonde''s arm in a placating manner, "Since it is as you say, my invitation stands. I have a place not far from here¡"
"Apologies, Inoue-san, please contact me again when you wish to further discuss DoCoMo''s contract with TSAB." Grabbing her purse and phone, Fate bowed to the redhead and chef, rose and left. Heels clicking across the well, she retrieved her blazer from the staff at the door and took the short flight up to the exit. She managed to keep her expression calm though her insides were churning.
Once outside, she glanced at her watch again. 8:52PM. Eight minutes before Nanoha would get here. Knowing that, she still scanned the sea of people making their way home after clocking off from work. Fate felt eyes on her, and wondered if Agito had followed her out. Then, the bodies before her parted and she found herself captured by eyes of the deepest blue.
Nanoha had the rented car parked on the road''s shoulder, the woman leaning back against the side of the vehicle with arms and legs crossed. Despite appearing to be a picture of relaxation, Fate could easily see the lines of tension in the executive''s trim body, still clad so appealingly in her rumpled shirt, tie and suit pants.
Those eyes, however, were what pulled her forward. One step, another, and her legs were eating up the distance between them. The executive remained still, expressive eyes never leaving the approaching blonde. Those same eyes spoke of worry, relief, and absolute gladness to see the blonde again.
Stopping a prudent two feet from the auburn-haired beauty, Fate gave her a shy look, "Thank you for waiting." Once more, Nanoha demonstrated her ability to shrug without moving. "I just happened to be in the neighbourhood." Aware that there were eyes everywhere, Nanoha simply pushed away from the car she had been leaning back against. "Hop in, we have an appointment with a Purikura."
Lips threatening to break out into a smile, Fate nodded and quickly got into the passenger side. Starting up the engine, Nanoha revved the accelerator. She had a myriad number of questions for the blonde, but Hayate was right, she needed to trust her AVP. She could wait to hear about the dinner. All that mattered was that Fate was here, none the worse for wear, and sending her a dazzling smile. "Hold that smile for the pictures," she told the blonde as the car sped down the streets towards the Akihabara district.
Fate admired yet another treasure trove of Nanoha pictures in her hands. Akihabara was like the arcade in the mall she''d been to with Nanoha a few weeks ago, but worse, or better. Both, if she were being honest with herself.
"N-Nanoha¡ are those vending machines selling used panties?" Laughing, Nanoha dragged her horrified friend away from those machines to get the Purikura done.
"We can come back here another time. My AVP has had a long day and needs her beauty sleep." Fate could only blush. She loved it when Nanoha used ''my'' to refer to her.
She ran her fingers over the gaudy sticker prints. Sure, her horrid face was also in them, but it was a small price to pay to have all these images of Nanoha looking incredible. "You''re taller, so you should be holding me." Nanoha had told her, bossily pulling the blonde''s arms about her middle. She had been glancing back up at the blonde, smiling while capturing Fate''s hands, and those were one of the images taken in that split second. Oh, she really liked this picture.
Floating her way through the hotel room door, she smiled at a different picture. They were trying silly poses and Nanoha had the bright idea to princess-carry the taller woman. Fate was caught between a shriek and a laugh, the Japanese woman''s head thrown back as she let out a belly laugh.
Chuckling at the doofy smile on the blonde''s sweet face, Nanoha shook her head, locking the door behind them. "I may have created a Purikura fiend." Fate hmmfed, "I have standards. I only care for those with my best friend in it."
"Guess that makes the two of us," Nanoha smirked. Yawning, she stuck an arm up to stretch, pulling at her elbow with her other hand. "I''m beat, and I''ve barely done anything. You must be far more tired."
Fate considered her energy levels and shrugged, eyes quietly glowing at the woman she loved, "I think visiting Yuuno-san took a lot out of you too, Nanoha. I bet we''re equally in need of rest." Carefully tucking her sticker stash into a side pocket of her luggage, she moved to help Nanoha out of her jacket and tie. That Nanoha didn''t argue nor stop Fate from helping spoke volumes about how truly drained the auburn-haired woman was.
"Let''s change and I''ll brush your hair out," Fate suggested. That gained her a happy sound from deep in Nanoha''s chest.
Chapter 26: Whats So Funny?
Their last full day in Japan was greeted with an early morning email from Inoue Agito. Fate cradled her cup of warm matcha tea, eyeing her screen with no little trepidation. Nanoha had been busy transferring what was left of their breakfast to the trolley to leave it outside of their room door for the staff to clear up. "You worked through dinner, I didn''t," was the executive''s argument when Fate protested.
So the blonde had conceded and instead, made them both drinks before they settled down to start their work day. Nanoha had said she was fine with the capsule coffee the room had to offer, so Fate brewed up a caramel macchiato for the woman. Both their workstations had been charging through the night, thus the blonde could set them up minus their wires at the kotatsu.
This was swiftly becoming Fate''s favourite way to work since she got to tuck her legs under the warm futon while having Nanoha just a few feet away doing her own work. Closing the door behind her, Nanoha sensed Fate''s disquiet and padded over the tatami to peer over the blonde''s shoulder. Sharp eyes made out the name of the sender and the auburn-haired woman gave an eloquent grunt.
Bolstered by the hand on her shoulder, comfort seeping through the material of her yukata, Fate double-clicked the message. The email began with the usual polite platitudes and talk about building a close working relationship with TSAB. It culminated in praise for Fate''s work ethics and professionalism, and a ream of attached documents. Contract documents.
The hand on her shoulder squeezed and Fate looked up into sparkling blue eyes that stared down at her with beaming pride. "You did it, Feito-chan." Both women had been harbouring a fear that their actions had somehow tanked the deal for TSAB. To have concrete proof that it wasn''t the case made them both feel giddy and Nanoha grabbed Fate up into a bear hug, the blonde yelping and laughing in surprise. Lifting the taller woman up, the executive spun her around, smiling brilliantly up at the laughing angel.
"Aaah! Nanoha! You''re going to break something!" Giggling, Fate swatted one of the lean arms spinning her around with little effort until Nanoha finally relented and set her back down on the tatami.
"Gods, exactly how strong are you?" Panting slightly, face framed by hair that had come undone by the activity, Fate looked down at the shorter woman who only grinned. She felt a hand slipping into her hair, pulling her head down, and her heart began to pound, until Nanoha pressed their foreheads together, "You did it," she whispered again. "Forward it to our contract guys and thank Inoue-san for her time. I need to call Haya-chan."
Swallowing her disappointment at the lack of another kiss, Fate jerked a nod and sat back down to do that. Grabbing her phone, Nanoha paced through the living area to step out onto the porch, breathing in the crisp autumn morning with deep pleasure. She had left the shoji door open, figuring the call would not take long anyway.
"Nano-chan, it''s fucking 6AM¡"
"For you, maybe," the executive drawled teasingly. Fate bit her bottom lip as she shamelessly eavesdropped while tapping out a suitably professional response to the DoCoMo executive. Her hands paused to make fists. Gods, that voice was so sexy¡
Fate could hear their CEO mumbling unflattering things about Nanoha and where she could shove her timezone.
"Hayate¡ Feito-chan did it." Having resumed her typing, Fate blinked and glanced up at the executive who was still out on the porch. The woman had turned and the blonde found herself drowning once more in that brilliant sea of ocean blue.
The sleepy, grumpy tanuki yawned, "Did what? You?"
Jumping, Nanoha almost dropped her phone and performed feats of acrobatics to save it from hitting the hard wood floor. Having lost her cool, Nanoha growled into her phone, face hot, "Hayate! That''s not funny! Feito-chan can hear you! Kami, you''re such a disgrace of a CEO." Nanoha threw Fate an apologetic look. The blonde was refusing to meet her eyes and her colour was high, dusting her alabaster skin with a deep shade of pink.
''Oh my gods,'' Bad enough Agito was assuming crap, they couldn''t have that from their own boss. Scrubbing her face, she injected all the disapproval she could muster into her voice, "You''re going to apologise to Feito-chan right this instant. You''re on speaker phone, so go on."
Realising she''d crossed a line with her Operations executives, Hayate rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, "Sorry, Fate-san, I wasn''t thinking."
"I-It''s all right, Hayate-san, m-mistakes happen." Wishing she could hide under the futon, Fate buried her hot face into her laptop.
Sighing, Nanoha gave Fate''s shoulder an apologetic squeeze and headed back out to the porch.
"Now, if you''ve gotten your shitty raccoon head out your arse¡ DoCoMo. Feito-chan closed it."
A giggle came through the line, "I told you Fate-san would ace the dinner. You damned worrywart."
"I wasn''t worried about that," Nanoha grumbled, wishing her yukata had a pocket she could shove her free hand into. A glance told her Fate''s face was still as warm as hers and she scrubbed impatiently at it. This autumn wasn''t cold enough, it had to be because of climate change.
"Contract guys are going to have a crack at it. I''ll update you if they find anything."
"Sure, sure." The sound of a tap being run came through the phone speaker. It was clear the CEO had decided to just get her day started after being so rudely awoken by her EVP of Ops. "You went to see Yuuno?" She asked, splashing her face with water.
Touched that Hayate still remembered the day, Nanoha glanced over to Fate again, blue eyes soft. Fate was industriously typing away, until she felt eyes on her and glanced up over the rim of her glasses to find the auburn-haired woman looking at her. Her own eyes warmed, hearing the subject of the person over the line.
"Yea¡ Feito-chan got to meet him."
Hayate stared at her phone, and Nanoha could sense the surprise through the silence. "It was good to meet him," Fate stated quietly, and Nanoha gave up, putting Hayate on speaker phone and dropping the device onto the kotatsu''s surface. Quirking an amused brow at the blonde, Nanoha nodded at her to repeat herself. Hesitantly, she leaned closer, "It was good to meet Yuuno-san," Fate reiterated for Hayate''s benefit.
Hayate was adjusting to the fact that if she spoke to one, she was more than likely to be speaking to both of her Operations execs now. Maybe Vita''s cunning plan hadn''t gone to a complete waste. That Nanoha was willing to make her lonely trek with someone else was certainly something to take note of. Neither herself nor her cousins had ever been able to persuade the stubborn executive to let them accompany her and the brunette knew it was part personal purgatory, part pride.
"You would have gotten along great," Hayate said warmly, "He''d have appreciated the help keeping Nano-chan out of trouble."
"Hey!"
It was rare that Hayate got to tweak her ex-student council president and it was all thanks to this new AVP of hers that she got to do so. Just for that, she was considering a bonus for Fate. "Anyway, job well done all around, team. Get the worst of the cobwebs out of your hair and take the rest of the trip off, CEO''s orders. Oh, and Nano-chan, help me get something for Haruka-chan since you''re there? She''s in the office creche now and everyone''s in love with her."
"Sure," Nanoha''s lips tugged into a wistful smile that piqued Fate''s curiosity. Office creche?
"I take it Suzu-chan and Ali-chan are back in?"
"Hai, they''re very eager to meet your new AVP, or so I''ve heard," the tanuki sounded sly and Nanoha heaved an internal sigh, wondering what that gang of stooges were up to now. "Well, they''ll have a chance when we''re back next week, I suppose. If they scare her off they''ll answer to me, though. Make sure they know that." Nanoha mock-bared her teeth, causing Fate to giggle.
"Nanoha, you know I don''t scare easily." Fate tugged teasingly at the executive''s forelock.
"You don''t know these yahoos, Feito-chan. They made my life hell in school."
"More old classmates? I''d really like to meet them, then."
"You''ll have your chance," The grin in Hayate''s voice was obvious. ''My my, listen to that banter.'' "They''ll be attending the Halloween bash too."
"Oh, right, that was a thing." Nanoha''s deadpan voice told everyone how much she was looking forward to it. Her eyes fell on the enchanting princess seated at the kotatsu, "I suppose it won''t be too bad with Feito-chan for company. The rest of you just aggravate me."
"Oh, so you''ll be attending together?" Ever so innocently, Hayate asked her loaded question.
Caught flat-footed, Nanoha''s mouth fell open, "Uh¡"
Taking pity on the Japanese woman, Fate cleared her throat, "I will be surrounded by strangers¡"
"Mmm, true. That settles it, Nanoha, it''s your duty to come with Fate-san so she doesn''t feel awkward about attending."
"Er, if she is all right with that, I suppose? I''m not much fun for parties."
Fate shrugged one graceful shoulder, "Neither am I."
The cunning tanuki decided to beat a hasty retreat now that her work was done. "All right, I''ll see you gals when you''re back. Remember the omiyage for Haruka-chan." Reminding Nanoha about getting souvenirs for the baby in their circle of friends, the CEO ended the call.
Nanoha picked up her cellphone, expression a mix of consternation and caution. "Feito-chan, you don''t have to feel pressured by that shitty raccoon¡"
"Nanoha," cutting the executive off firmly, Fate threw her boss an understanding look, "People are going to talk regardless. I would much r-rather have them gossiping while I enjoy being with my best friend." Fate was secretly wanting to be the first to see Nanoha in costume, too.
Fate knew exactly what her misgivings were and Nanoha looked at the blonde in mild exasperation. "When did you get this good at reading me?"
''Since I realised I love you.'' Fate answered silently. Removing her glasses, she wiped it on the edge of her yukata, "I just pay attention," she explained, "And remember you always come from a place of concern."
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Her cheek tingled as a calloused hand cupped it warmly, "My reputation is going to hell in a handbasket if this keeps up," the auburn-haired woman murmured huskily. She didn''t sound worried at all.
Fate covered Nanoha''s hand with her own, pressing softly for emphasis, "If it bothers you, we can keep it just between us. But¡ I would really like everyone to see Nanoha through my eyes. You are the kindest, most generous person I know."
Nanoha made a soft sound of amusement, "Looks like Feito-chan likes a challenge." Sighing at the blonde''s rose-coloured glasses, she tugged at Fate''s fringe in teasing retaliation. "Like I said at the start, I can''t be like this at work."
"Mmm, Nanoha-chan inspires me. And I know. But you need not be called a devil, either." This slim blonde was matching the Japanese woman in stubbornness and Nanoha found that she lacked the will to fight her on this.
"It¡ helps get things done faster."
"I won''t get in the way of that," Fate promised.
"I know, you''ve already been an incredible help," the blonde took pride in the fact that her boss actually looked well-rested. Of course, they did wake up tangled up in one another again, though neither had seen fit to mention anything about it. It just seemed to be a natural progression of their closeness as friends.
"It¡ doesn''t bother me," Nanoha admitted, basking in the warm regard the blonde directed at her upon her admission. "Anyway, you heard that shitty raccoon. Let''s finish up and get lunch at Akihabara. I think Haruka-chan would like some Ghibli plushies, don''t you?"
Floored by the mesmerising smile the blonde sent her way, Nanoha cleared her throat and flipped open her own laptop to look at her screen.
"Nanoha!" Fate hissed, "Th-That''s the used p-panties machine!"
A low chuckle was Fate''s reply, "We''re not going there, it just happens to be along the way, Feito-chan." The strong hand wrapped around hers gave Fate a reassuring squeeze.
Clad in a brown contoured lambskin jacket, Nanoha cut a stunning figure as she led the blonde through the milling crowds of Tokyo''s anime and electronics district. Her loose white tank was tucked into low-slung jeans of faded blue and the brown of her suede ankle boots were a perfect match for her jacket. The blonde had helped plait the woman''s thick auburn locks into a side rope that hung over one shoulder and Fate just shook her head at the executive who still had no clue about all the heads she was turning.
Of course, Nanoha wasn''t going to notice anything or anyone else, since Fate was catching everyone''s attention in her breezy white blouse and baggy oversized beige cardigan. The blouse was tucked into belted tapered cut-off jeans that were in turn tucked into knee-high black leather boots. A large billowing chequered scarf was wrapped around her neck until where her delicate chin was covered and with her golden fringe held back with a pair of sunglasses propped on her head, she was the very picture of sophisticated chic.
Clearing their morning inboxes by a respectable 1PM, the women had taken Hayate up on her offer of a break and left to find lunch in the infamous otaku capital of the world. Nanoha appeared well-acquainted with the district and led her through the crowds with purpose.
There were a few instances where men with fogged up glasses and expensive cameras tried to stop them. From the rapid exchange of japanese, Fate gathered that they were requesting to take pictures of Nanoha and herself, something the executive firmly turned down each time. Though disappointed, the men didn''t press their request and simply wandered away in search of other subjects to capture on film.
Entering one of the larger buildings in the area, Nanoha brought Fate to the entrance of what looked like a French cafe. There was a snaking line outside of the entrance and Fate wondered how long they would need to wait to get in.
"Kaichou-sama," the wait staff was a slim girl in her late teens, dressed in a smart shirt and vest uniform, "Welcome back. Please, this way." Fishing up two sets of menus, the girl led them into an enclosed area within the sprawling cafe. The other tables in the enclosure were empty, and seemed to be reserved for special guests only.
The smartly dressed server left them with their menus and a promise to return shortly to take their orders. Fate glanced around the opulent gold and blue decor, epitomising the Belle ¨¦poque era, and realised this was a replica of a famous cafe in France. "Hayate liked the original so much, she obtained the rights to build a copy back home," Nanoha explained as she watched Fate take in the high ceiling decorated with lavish artwork and chandeliers.
"I wasn''t in the mood to wait in line, so I figured we would drop by and people watch." Bemused, the blonde wondered whether she should be watching the street outside, or the people inside. Various tables were occupied with one or more sets of girls, all who seemed entranced by the handsome female wait staff who glided from table to table, serving and chatting up the clientele with charming ease.
Hayate certainly knew which market her establishment was serving. All the wait staff were female and cut dashing figures in their uniforms, their looks styled to appeal to various demographics and tastes. Still, Fate felt the most princely of them all was the woman seated at the table with her.
"Who''s in our VIP section, Hana-chan?" The staff who had seen Nanoha and friend to their table turned to the restaurant manager, a woman with flowing orange hair that fell about her shoulders in soft waves. "Takamachi-sama and her friend are here, Arisugawa-san."
"Sou~?" Curious, the manager peered over the divider, spotting the devilishly gorgeous friend of the restaurant owner with an ethereal angel for a companion. "Maa~ Has our ultimate ¨ji-sama finally found her Hime-sama? Haya-chan should have warned us." Tying a black apron about her waist, the manager decided she would just have to serve them personally today.
"Kaichou-sama, it is good to see you."
Glancing up at the familiar voice, Nanoha gave the flame-haired woman an easy nod of greeting, "Arisugawa-san, hisashiburi~," she greeting in japanese, before switching to english, "Please meet Fate Testarossa, my best friend and colleague."
"Sou~?" Bowing to Fate, the manager smiled, "Hajimemashite~ Arisugawa Juri desu, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu~ Nice to meet you, Testarossa-san. Please be welcome."
Fate stood and bowed, murmuring the appropriate response to the woman. The manager''s costume was different, cut in a much more princely style complete with buttoned lapels and gold trimmed epaulettes, and her coat-tailed jacket was dyed the same orange as her hair.
Quite a few of the customers were gazing longingly at the manager, tittering behind hands covering their mouths, and the woman seemed entirely used to the attention. It was one of the many reasons why she had been hired. Fate hid her own smile of amusement when the customers began glancing over to Nanoha as well. The executive''s powerful presence was impossible to miss, even when all she was doing was reading a menu with one brow cocked.
Placing their orders with the charming manager, they handed back their menus. Nanoha''s hands were busy again, idly fiddling with the ornate pepper and salt shakers at their table while they waited. An indulgent little smile played over the blonde''s lips. Cheekily, she reached over and shifted the salt shaker out of alignment, just to give Nanoha something extra to do.
"Hey now, a messy table is the sign of a messy mind, I''ll have you know." Nanoha prissily set the shaker back in its proper place. "What does it mean if your table is empty, then?" Fate challenged with one pale brow arched.
"It means the owner is keeping an open mind and is ready for anything that might end up on it." Nanoha said with feigned haughtiness, batting away Fate''s hand each time the blonde tried to mess with the shakers again.
"Oh? You mean like when the Testarossa account landed on your table? I saw that Granscenic was supposed to be in charge of that."
Nanoha blinked away the image of a specific Testarossa on her office table and coughed, "Yes, well, he''s good but¡"
"He''s not the best," Fate finished confidently, delighting in the slight cast of pink under the executive''s mild tan. "Nyahaha¡ I suppose that''s one way to put it." Nanoha was about to scratch the back of her head before remembering Fate had plaited her hair this morning.
Arisugawa observed the occasional hints of actual bashfulness coming from her former seitou kaichou and chuckled. "Will wonders never cease." She had caught a few patrons trying to sneak pictures of the pair on their mobile phones and had instructed her staff to intercept any such instances they found. She knew the intensely private executive wouldn''t have appreciated the misplaced hero worship she was recognising in some of the restaurant''s regulars.
"Compliments to the chef, Arisugawa-san." Dimpling at the elegant blonde, the manager flourished a princely bow befitting the theme of their establishment, "Miki-chan will be delighted with your praise, o hime-sama. He lives but to serve." Winking at the lovely blushing blonde, Arisugawa took her leave to pass the compliments on.
Was that sly kitsune hitting on Fate? Eyeing the departing manager with no little outrage, Nanoha laughed softly to herself.
"What''s so amusing?" Fate asked, slicing gracefully into her seared scallops.
"I think that fox would like to be more than your wait staff, that''s all." Nanoha muttered dryly. "Incorrigible skirt-chaser that she is." She took a bite of her crusted sea bass.
Fate coughed and took a sip of her wine to clear her throat. "Th-That is too bad. I have no interest in h-her." From the way Fate answered, it sounded to Nanoha as if she was interested in someone else. Heart heavy, the executive considered who it could be. Alph-san, perhaps? The scientist was smart and beautiful.
Shoving the dread deep down so that it wouldn''t affect their time off, Nanoha simply gave the blonde a lopsided smile tinged with wistfulness. The executive shook out her napkin to catch a bit of wine staining those perfectly pink lips and all the other patrons fanned themselves at the scene. "Well, whoever catches your eye will be one lucky son of a bitch." Fate licked the spot Nanoha had wiped, eyeing the woman''s precise wielding of her fork and knife, "How is the fish?" Fate asked without any context.
Blinking, Nanoha smiled, "Want a taste?" At Fate''s nod, she piled a helping onto her fork and made to pass the cutlery to the blonde. Instead, Fate closed her hand around Nanoha''s calloused one and drew the fork closer. Leaning over, and very deliberately ensuring the auburn-haired beauty had a good view down her blouse, she accepted the taste, her strawberry pink tongue flickering out to catch the last flake of fish on the fork. She had doffed her scarf in the warm interior of the restaurant and hadn''t bothered to button up any higher than just past her fire engine red lace bra.
It was as if someone else was controlling Fate''s behaviour. She had never acted this way with anyone before, and had never wished to. But, she wasn''t lying when she told Nanoha that the executive inspired her. The blonde eyed her table-mate from under lowered lashes, wondering if the woman understood exactly which ''son of a bitch'' Fate had her eye on.
Nanoha was sat frozen in place, her arm still raised in the position it had been when Fate had leaned over to try the morsel she had offered to the blonde. "It''s very nice." Nudged out of her stupor by the blonde''s melodic voice, Nanoha blinked and gave a stiff nod. "Yes, ahem, Kaoru Miki-sensei is well-known for his skill with French cuisine." Under the blonde''s heavily-lashed gaze, she tugged lightly at the collar of her jacket, wondering when it had gotten so warm inside.
"They should lower the heat in here¡" Nanoha muttered, pulling off her jacket to hook it over the back of her chair. Dressed down to her tank, sinewy arms and shoulders bared, she felt much cooler and heaved a sigh of relief, not noticing the sudden rash of nosebleeds inflicting the various other tables around them.
"Kaichou-sama!"
"Hmm?" About to take another bite of her lunch, Nanoha peered up at the manager from under her fringe. The woman had her hands on her hips, brows drawn in some outrage. The prince of their prep school was utterly oblivious and Fate felt a small measure of empathy for the manager. Not even Fate was immune to the effect of that body and she probably saw it the most out of anyone she knew. She shared a commiserating glance with the manager and made further inroads into her main course.
Throwing up her hands, the manager muttered something about stupid sexy Flanders, only to catch sight of another customer suffering a nosebleed.
This time it was Fate''s turn to laugh softly to herself.
"What''s so funny?" Nanoha asked, echoing the blonde''s question from before.
Fate shook her head, refusing the executive the privilege of knowing what was up. Instead, the blonde offered the auburn-haired woman a forkful of her meal to try. Being a tad shorter than Fate, Nanoha had to plant her elbows on the table to lever herself close enough to catch the bite. This did all sorts of interesting things to the woman''s sinfully lean form and there was a clatter of cutlery heard in the background. "Kaichou-sama, could you stop whatever it is you are doing?!" The manager yelled in frustration while trying to revive the customer who had fainted.
Blinking, Nanoha licked her Cupid''s bow lips, "Thanks. S''good," she told the blonde, looking curiously over to where she''d heard the manager yell from. "What''s up with them?" She asked, brow furrowed, to which Fate could only cover her eyes with one hand, body shaking with silent giggles. "Just eat, Nanoha-chan, before they throw us out."
The flame-haired manager saw Nanoha and her friend off with no little relief, mixed with a healthy dose of regret. "By the kami, Hana-chan, can you imagine the kind of business we would have if that pair were regulars here?"
"Miki-san would collapse from the workload." The handsome wait staff observed blandly. The chef and his sous chefs were already at their limit fulfilling orders from the packed to the brim restaurant.
Text and board messages had flooded Akihabara''s social media during lunch and the line outside the restaurant had exploded to wrap around the entire mall the establishment was located in. There were murmurs of disappointment when those in line saw the pair leaving and the crowd began to thin out since there would be no ''Prince & Princess'' to admire in the premises any longer.
Chapter 27: Snapped Up
Still unaccountably warm from what she had seen earlier, Nanoha opted to leave her jacket off. Letting it drape over one shoulder, she instead fussed over the scarf Fate was putting back on, tugging and fluffing so that it would provide the best coverage and warmth to her AVP. Nanoha would be damned if anyone else saw what she had. Fate simply stood still to let the meticulous executive adjust things to her satisfaction, this was all part of why she was in love with the woman anyway.
"There. Ready to go find toys for a toddler?"
"Lead on, O Fearless Leader." The blonde felt her hand wrapped up in Nanoha''s once more and threw the woman a faint smile, "Be sure you don''t let go, Nanoha-chan. I might get lost here."
"We could always meet up by the panties vending machine¡" Twitted the executive, causing Fate to burst out in giggles. "Oh gods, what is even up with that thing?" Nanoha shrugged, "They''re my countrymen and even I don''t get it. It''s just a Japanese thing, I suppose." Spotting a machine that dispensed live crabs, Nanoha distracted the blonde by pointing out a store packed full with plushies.
"That place looks promising." Making a sound of agreement, Fate grinned and ended up being the one to tug Nanoha along. Such things were deemed childish in Midchilda, and yet people of all ages were free to enjoy cartoons or toys to their heart''s content in Asia. It felt so liberating to indulge in what she enjoyed and being able to do so with Nanoha was the absolute icing on the cake.
The store was packed with soft toys from all sorts of Japanese-based media. The rest of the customers browsing were adults and no one looked askance at the pair, other than to peer curiously at the tall gaijin woman who seemed to appreciate the finer things in life. Even so, she was just a passing curiosity to them; Akihabara was a Mecca to millions of anime fans around the world, not just locals, and it wasn''t all that rare to find foreigners in the area, too.
"That''s the one you won," Fate pointed out the Cat Bus plush that was a replica of the one she had at home. She hadn''t told Nanoha that it held a special place on her bed, or that she used it for a pillow at night. Nanoha felt Fate grab her arm, "They have Mononoke Hime''s Yakul as a plush!" Fate exclaimed, eyes shining at the cute little beanbag thing.
Peering at the adorable thing with soft antlers, Nanoha plucked it off of the shelf it was on. "Feito-chan needs an omiyage, too," the executive stated mildly, meaning to purchase it for Fate.
"N-Nanoha!" The blonde protested to the unhearing Japanese woman. Sighing, she threw the woman an exasperated look. Well, two could play that game. Laughing, she found a giant soot sprite plush she could barely get her arms around. Hugging it to her chest, she looked over the top of it to give Nanoha a triumphant smirk that melted her companion on the spot. Arching one finely curved brow, Nanoha lifted an arm, about to point to the humongous Yakul holding pride of place on the display shelves behind the cashier''s counter. It was almost big enough to count as chair furniture.
"Aaaa! No, Nanoha! I wouldn''t have space for it!" Fate grabbed at Nanoha''s arm, trying to push it back down and struggling while juggling the big soot sprite she had found. A wickedly low laugh, and she was being booped in the nose with the small Yakul plush.
"Ow!" She fought back instinctively with her soot sprite and they were soon being asked to buy something or leave. Fate was mortified when Nanoha translated what the shop attendant had said. About to bow and stammer an apology, Nanoha simply plucked up another bunch of soft toys and handed them all to the staff to ring up. The significant sale seemed to have mollified the irritated staff who left to punch in the purchases into the register.
Blue eyes glinted wickedly at Fate and the blonde sighed to herself, falling hopelessly in love all over again. The only devilish part of Nanoha was her sense of humour, honestly. Cautiously approaching the cashier, Fate handed over the soot sprite for them to ring up as well, half-afraid that Nanoha would ask for the giant Yakul while she was distracted.
Gesturing to all the plushies both women had purchased, Nanoha rattled off a quick series of sentences. Taking the pen and paper presented, she wrote with her bold left-handed script and handed both back to the staff with a bow, along with her credit card. Seeing Fate''s curious look, she explained, "I asked them to deliver it to the ryokan. I''ll get the front desk to post everything to Operations back in Singapore. Should arrive by Monday or Tuesday with express shipping."
"You think of everything," Fate murmured, throwing the executive a grateful look. She was just wondering how she would wrestle that big plush through the airport security checkpoints and immigration.
"Part of the job," voice dry, Nanoha accepted her card back from the staff and with another bow, headed back out onto the streets with Fate. The rest of their day was spent taking in the intense sights and sounds of the district. Oceans of LED lights clamoured for attention, most flashing in time with promotional jingles that fought for primacy over their neighbouring competitors.
At one point, Fate had pulled Nanoha into a camera store, partly to escape the cacophony outside. Her new role meant that life was quite comfortable for the blonde now, and the first thing she had truly wished to get with her new hefty paycheck was a camera. With Nanoha''s help translating, Fate had left the store the owner of a brand new digital SLR camera and a set of lenses to go with.
"We''ll get the VAT refund at Haneda," Nanoha set a reminder in her phone. They had found a cute little cafe serving parfaits in a quiet corner of a street and were enjoying the sweet treat while Fate fiddled around with her new toy. The blonde had hardly heard her, she was so focused on learning everything right away. It was too adorable to see that look of concentration on the angel''s face.
Elbow on the table, Nanoha propped her chin on her raised palm and just watched while the blonde flipped through the tiny pages of the instruction manual, "You''ll go blind reading that in this light." It was evening and fairly dark with the shortening of days. Pinching the bridge of her nose, Fate conceded Nanoha''s point, "You''re right, and I don''t have my reading glasses with me." She reluctantly put her precious haul away, "I want you for my first subject," the blonde stated plainly, digging into their kiwi and orange parfait with guilty pleasure.
Nanoha gave a faint snort, "There are more interesting things to capture, Feito-chan."
"That''s for me to decide," Fate countered, "And you are the most interesting to me." That got her the lopsided smile which was one of the top things she wanted on film. The shop had already loaded in the memory card and batteries, even mounting the lens for her to try out. That service had won Fate over and she''d proceeded to purchase everything with the camera body, enduring Nanoha''s teases about the blonde being so easily won over by good customer service. Thus, it was the most natural thing for Fate to bring the viewfinder to her admiring eye to capture Nanoha''s smiling portrait.
"Already?" Nanoha blinked, "Goodness, Feito-chan doesn''t waste time either."
"I''ve missed the first twenty-eight years of your life. I have a lot to catch up on," The blonde murmured from behind her camera. That got her a full bellied laugh and her shutter clicked again. "So if we grew up together as babies, you would''ve crawled after me with a Fisherprice camera to take pictures?"
"Absolutely," Fate affirmed, her amused voice muffled by the large SLR in her hands. Lowering the instrument, she reviewed the pictures she had taken, delighted at the quality of the images she saw. "This will do very nicely indeed."
Nanoha''s smile grew indulgent at the satisfaction in the blonde''s voice and she nudged a booted toe at her under the table, "Say ''ah''." They had opted to share the high-calorie treat, Fate begging out of ordering one for herself by saying her clothes were getting tight. Accepting the spoonful with thanks, the blonde was just licking away at some cream at the corner of her mouth when her tongue felt the calloused pad of Nanoha''s thumb.
Snatching her hand back, the executive coughed, "S-Sorry, was going to wipe that for you." Ka-chick! That abashed look while Nanoha looked down at her offending hand was too cute to resist and Fate''s instincts as a photographer had the blonde quickly snapping a picture before the executive could react.
She giggled at the outraged glare Nanoha threw her way, "If I snooze, I lose." Fate declared with a sniff, "I''m supposed to be honing my instincts for TSAB''s sake, aren''t I?"
"You''re lucky I like you so much," Nanoha groused, prodding roughly at the parfait. "Nanoha-chan," Fate laid a hand over Nanoha''s, eyes serious as she met the azure gaze that was raised to look at her. "One word from you and I will delete everything." She squeezed the executive''s hand, "My wish for pictures of my gorgeous friend does not supersede your wishes for me to trash them." Fate bit her lip at her slip.
''Gorgeous? What?'' Nanoha appeared to be flummoxed, wondering if she had heard the blonde correctly.
''Er, I mean, my best friend." ''Good save, Testarossa,'' Fate thought sarcastically to herself.
Held by Fate''s sincere gaze, Nanoha felt any hint of grumpiness melt away. "Nah." She flashed Fate a reassuring smile, "I was just being bitchy out of habit. It was¡ difficult to find privacy back in school." She offered Fate another sweet spoonful. "Ikeda-san really did save my hide back then. I worked some weekends at her parents'', now her, shop." She shrugged one bare shoulder, "If people were going to mindlessly stalk me, I may as well lure them to Ikeda''s place to help their business out."
Fate accepted the offered spoonful and stole the spoon from Nanoha to feed her a mouthful too. It felt like Fate was being fed everything at this point, she had to reciprocate or else. "You think of everyone," the blonde commented, spooning up a heaping helping and giving Nanoha a beady-eyed look until she accepted the mouthful.
"Mmm," Nanoha pondered the blonde''s comment, "Maybe because I slipped under everyone''s radar, being so much younger." Her voice turned droll, "Until I was mopping the dojo floor with my siblings, at least." Fate could imagine the sort of drive that would spur Nanoha into being that good, the blonde being no stranger to outside influences pushing her either.
Fate had begged off being accompanied by Nanoha to the ladies, asking that the auburn-haired woman help look after her new camera equipment instead. Idly stirring the melting confectionery, Nanoha felt her phone buzz and saw it was a call from Teana.
"Hey Tea."
"Boss! Sorry it took us so long. That guy had government help blacking out his profile. Took us all this time to get past that. His name''s Regius Gaiz."
Nanoha hummed thoughtfully, unsurprised, "I figured he had some powerful backing¡"
Stolen novel; please report.
"No, there''s more. We tracked his movement, and he''s in Japan¡"
"What?!"
"He''s an associate of Jail Scaglietti, a biochemist who was caught doing illegal genetic experiments some years back. He was granted asylum in Midchilda before authorities could get to him. Regius moves where he can''t, except this time Scaglietti is with him."
A commotion outside the public washrooms drew Nanoha''s attention. Parfait spoon clattering to the brick pavement, the auburn-haired woman bounded the fifty metres distance in seconds. "What happened?" She demanded in japanese. Heart sinking, Nanoha spied Fate''s sunglasses lying cracked and bent on the washroom floor and feared the answer she would get. ''NO!''
"Some lady fainted inside. Her friend said she would be all right and she and another friend carried the woman out."
"What did the fainted lady look like?"
"Um, blonde, tall¡"
The roar of a speeding car drowned out the bystander''s words and Nanoha watched in horror as a black sedan sped down the narrow streets of the district, forcing pedestrians to spill out of its way or risk being run over.
"Shit shit shit shit¡" Hastily using Fate''s camera, Nanoha zoomed in and took a snapshot of the sedan''s rear plate.
"Boss? Boss?! What''s¡"
Sticking her phone into the crook of her ear and shoulder, Nanoha ran back to drop a few thousand yen bills on her table before sprinting to where she had parked their rental car.
"Tea, Feito was grabbed."
"What the fuck?!"
Nanoha tore open the car door, stowing Fate''s precious belongings into the glove compartment before connecting her phone to the car''s system. The Operations manager could be heard in the background yelling for the whereabouts of her fellow manager, Subaru.
"Hook Hayashibara in," Nanoha snapped, revving her engine impatiently, "Give him this plate number. Tell him to step on toes if he has to. I''ll answer for it."
Heart in her throat, Nanoha put aside the urge to scream and curse at herself for being careless. That wasn''t what Fate needed right now. Fate needed her to stay calm and see this through.
"Got it, Boss. What do you need from us?"
"Accidents. Disrupt whatever accounts and payment methods Gaiz used. Witnesses said there were two women who carried Fate away." She rattled off the name of the area she and Fate had been in, "I want CCTV footage from an hour ago till now. FaceRec them and kill their cards if you can. I want all of them locked down and stuck here."
"Get back to me soon as you can." Killing the call, Nanoha punched at her phone''s screen while collecting yet another speeding ticket as she raced through the evening traffic.
"Nano-chan, you''re supposed to be on break¡"
"Hayate, I''m just calling to warn you, I''m going dark for a while. Don''t know how long. Granscenic needs to take over for me." Tires screeched as she took a turn at breakneck speed.
"...What happened?" The frown in the CEO''s voice was obvious through the line.
"They took Feito!" The executive failed at keeping the choked anguish out of her voice though her body still did what it needed to get the woman to her destination.
A string of colourful curses in Osaka-ben spilled into the stark confines of the rented car. "I knew they were arrogant bastards but to go this far¡"
"Warn Signum. I don''t know how quiet I can keep this."
"Do what you have to. I''ll let the family know."
"Thanks Haya-chan."
Pulling up outside a large traditional Japanese compound, Nanoha squared her shoulders under her leather jacket and schooled herself into calmness. It had been almost an hour''s drive into the outskirts of Tokyo proper at the breakneck speed she''d been going at. Every passing moment, the auburn-haired woman could feel her soul fighting against the knowledge that she was moving further and further away from Fate, but the logical part of her wrestled the threatening tsunami into submission. Without information, she knew she''d only be charging in blind and that wouldn''t help the blonde or herself.
It was so hard, though. "Feito-chan¡" She couldn''t break. Not now. Not yet.
The area around the compound was peaceful, surrounded by thick foliage now shedding its verdant green for the colours of autumn. The small road she had driven up had been deserted. No one would have reason to be on it, since the entire side of the hill was privately owned.
She reached up to pull at the rope hanging by the side of the wide wooden two-door entrance, a mere formality, since she knew the sound of her car would have alerted the inhabitants of the clan home. After interminable minutes, one of the doors swung open with nary a sound, a testament to the meticulous maintenance it was under.
"The prodigal scion returns." Of all the people, her own father was the last person Nanoha would''ve expected to have greeting her at the door. That was typically the ken of the servants or, in the case of the disgraced black sheep, maybe one of the clan''s guard dogs would have been more suitable.
She wasn''t here to play patsy to a decade of disappointed barbs, however.
"Otou-san," she greeted with a stiff bow, "I will not inconvenience the family for too long¡"
From behind, a hand came up to whap the stern head of the family in the back of the head. "Ow!"
"Shiro! You haven''t seen your youngest in years and that''s the best you can do?" Stepping out past the man, a woman who looked like an older, shorter version of Nanoha appeared, foregoing all formalities to pull Nanoha into a hug. "Na-chan, it''s so good to see you."
"Kaa-san¡" The taller daughter took a moment to hug her mother, wondering when the woman who''d always seemed bigger felt so small now. When did she have white in her hair? Even her father looked older, wrinkles deepening the furrows that were already present in his forehead before Nanoha had taken leave of her life in Japan.
Takamachi Momoko pulled back to study the lines of tension in her youngest''s face. The last time she''d looked like that was when she thought her best friend had died because of her. Save that this time, that strain appeared to have an outlet. Pulling her daughter''s calloused hand, she led the woman inside, "Let''s just have some tea, hai?" Instructing a hovering servant to prepare some tea and snacks, she dismissed her stodgy husband in favour of catching up with her baby.
"I appreciate it, Kaa-san, but I have to¡ I can''t stay." Brushing past her mother, Nanoha felt her phone buzz and answered it as she strode by memory into the compound. With a smoothly powerful gait invoking a pure bloodlust that gave anyone seeing her daughter pause, Nanoha side-stepped the few brave bodies attempting to make a token effort of staying the stranger''s progress. Momoko swiftly ordered the men to stand down for their sakes. A simple glance was all it took for them to identify that this woman had to be Momoko''s daughter, their resemblance was that strong. Bodies initially summoned to stop the intruder now parted easily, affording Nanoha no further hindrances into the inner compound.
She could feel her parents following her, but she had no time. No time. The mantra kept repeating in her head while Hayashibara spoke over the phone, with Tea and Subaru interjecting occasionally with additional information.
"The car has been spotted in the Tsukiji area, near the Outer Market. There are some abandoned warehouses that we think they might be holed up in. We''ve alerted the Coast Guard about possible illegal activities in the area so they''ve stepped up patrols in case they try to make a run to Oshima or further. We don''t think they''ve realised they''re locked in yet, but it''s only a matter of time. Out of all the warehouses, only one was rented in the last two months, it''s marked on the map we''ve sent in the package."
The Tsukiji Fish Market was an area famous to locals and tourists alike for the seafood markets and tuna auctions that epitomised Japan''s obsession with the freshest seafood possible. Less well known were the Outer Markets where other produce could also be traded for. The more remote parts of the area held warehouses built to serve the markets. After the recent pandemic, many were still left in disuse while markets attempted to recover.
"Good thinking, Hayashibara-san." Nanoha''s room on the second floor of the main building in the compound appeared the same as when she''d left it years ago, a fact that she was grateful for. She slid aside the shoji doors of a storeroom built to hold the life and legacy she had abandoned for one in the corporate world, her shadowed gaze taking in war-like accoutrements and gear she had assumed she''d never need again.
"Na-chan, what¡" Her raised palm cut her mother''s question off, and she mouthed ''Later'' to her perplexed parent. Shiro stood behind his wife, arms crossed while his youngest sought out things she had denounced through no little blood, sweat and tears so long ago. He turned silently on his heel and left.
"We pinpointed a few names that were part of Gaiz''s party entering Japan." Teana added, "There were seven in total. Two of them match the women we saw in the CCTV footage. There were three other females and one male. Everything is in an encrypted package keyed to your retina." Cutting in, voice worried, Subaru said, "Boss, If they''re as dangerous in real life as they are on paper... you better have back-up. Do you want me to call..."
"It''s fine, Subaru," Nanoha interjected, unwilling to go down that thorny path, "I''ll think of something. Thanks guys." Cutting the line, she tossed her phone onto the desk in her room. The lack of dust spoke of the consideration still afforded to the family pariah and a distant part of Nanoha was touched. She couldn''t afford any distractions, however, and began to unceremoniously strip herself down to her undergarments.
Momoko watched her daughter regress into her role as the family''s premier warrior and frowned. "Na-chan, talk to me."
"Kaa-san¡" Her mother could see the muscle in her daughter''s jaw clench. "Someone has my¡ best friend." Nanoha pulled on a tight mesh top, followed closely by the rest of her shinobi garments, all dyed to the darkest midnight hues. A Kevlar vest, her one concession to modern times, was velcroed on over her torso. Her long auburn hair was still in the plait Fate had tied for her just this morning and she hesitated, before ruthlessly loosening it to tie into a more functional style, securing it under the dark blue scarf and mask she proceeded to put on.
Momoko drew in a quick breath at the mention of a best friend. Nanoha hadn''t called anyone that in¡ Since she was seventeen. She watched her baby strap on a bandolier of throwing knives over her vest before securing a belt around one thigh, and another around her waist, her movements deadly efficient and driven by a single-minded focus that was reflected in the flint shards of eyes that spelt death in the very near future. "I will replace any lost equipment when I can," Nanoha stated softly, knowing she was more of an outsider by now.
"Nonsense. Who else would use all of this?" Momoko scoffed, urging her feet forward to help her daughter adjust the straps on her gear. Eyes so reminiscent of her own settled on her, peering past the mask that rendered her child a genderless killing machine. There was unspeakable urgency in them, but she still took a moment to address the woman who had borne her. "I''ve missed you, Kaa-san." The face mask muffled her voice, though it didn''t hide the depth of emotions simmering within the coldly efficient exterior of the executive-turned-assassin.
"And I you. We will catch up when all this is over, hai? That is my price for the gear you are taking." She smiled warmly, reaching up to tuck a strand of auburn hair back up into the scarf covering her girl''s head. Nanoha''s ocean blue eyes shimmered with unvoiced gratitude. Wordlessly accepting her mother''s help, she felt the tightening of baldrics lining the outside of either thigh. Their solid scabbards were worn and scarred, meant to act as secondary armour should the need arise. Into both, she slid razor sharp tanto, or short swords.
Descending down a narrow back stairway into the shadows of night, a poetic illustration of the devil''s return to whence it had come, Nanoha pulled up short to see three others gathered at the foot of the stairs. She easily recognised them by build and stance, if not by the insignias they sported, barely visible in the darkness. Nanoha had none of her own, claiming no ties after severing them a decade ago.
"Minna¡" Everyone. Alto rough, she shook her head, "I cannot ask this of you." Her intonations were excruciatingly formal. This was not their fight.
"It''s a good thing you didn''t ask then, Imouto-chan." Little sister. Takamachi Miyuki''s voice was full of amusement. "You disappear for years, and come back with a mission, yet you don''t invite family? How rude."
Nanoha turned back to Momoko who had followed her down the same stairwell, eyes pleading for back-up. The small smile told her there was none to be found. The family matriarch had long come to terms with the dangers her husband''s ancestral duties would entail. Whether it was the Sengoku Period or modern day, there would always be work that needed accomplishing in the shadows, such were the centuries-old traditions of the Takamachi clan.
"Did you think you would be allowed to act with impunity without the clan''s backing?" Her father''s voice was like a blade being run across a whetstone. "Foolishness."
"What your Otou-san no baka is trying to say is that you need us to help your friend with as little fuss as possible to avoid censure from the Diet." Momoko elaborated, ignoring Shiro''s outraged clearing of the throat. Nanoha couldn''t afford the time needed to dissuade anyone and sighed in defeat. "Please avoid being hurt at all costs."
"You forget who you''re speaking to," her brother''s deep voice was laced with irony. "Just don''t catch us in the crossfire."
An unmarked van sat idling in the back of the compound and Nanoha clenched her jaw so hard she felt her teeth grinding. "Kaa-san¡ I don''t want to jinx anything but¡"
"I will call our associates at the hospital. Go save your friend." Giving her daughter a tight hug, she pushed the woman towards where the rest of their similarly-garbed family waited.
Chapter 28: Forget Me Not
Fate groaned. Her mouth tasted as if something had crawled inside to die there, and she swallowed repeatedly against the bile that threatened to come up right where she laid. Wait, what? She was prone. Was it night? She couldn''t see anything, it was so dark. An attempt to rub the gum out of her eyes met with resistance and she realised with a panicked start that she''d been strapped down to a stretcher and was blindfolded.
The last thing she recalled was a foreigner speaking to her in Italian, asking if she knew of any good restaurants in the area. She''d been about to recommend Hayate''s establishment to the woman with sharply angular features and yellow eyes when she felt a mild prick in her neck. The world had begun to spin just as she had turned to confront a smugly grinning brunette in glasses and she felt her legs give way under her.
"The Principessa is waking, Doctor." Fate recognised that voice as the woman who''d approached her in the ladies and the severity of the situation she was in was beginning to send her heart rate spiking. Already, she was shivering, cold sweat beading her forehead and dripping into her hair as she struggled for calm.
"No matter, we''re almost there." They were conversing in Italian, and Fate wondered what had happened to Nanoha. Her breath hitched at the thought of the woman being hurt because of her and she was ironically glad for the blindfold; it helped absorb the tears of worry. Still, she made no sound, feigning a much slower resurfacing into consciousness. Ears peeled, she attempted to deduce where she was being taken, despairing all the same over how she might get herself out of this.
The vehicle she was in didn''t sound large and she guessed the engine to be one typically used in mid-range sedans. Soon, it slowed to a stop and the engine was killed. She felt the surface she was laying on tilting, and she found the need to fight back the nausea being shifted so roughly brought on again. Whatever these people had used on her appeared to have some significant side effects and she guessed that whomever they were, the use of illegal substances was the norm.
She had to endure this, survive it. She couldn''t imagine the worry Nanoha was experiencing, if she was even able to. The rising tide of panic threatened to overwhelm her again, and it took every ounce of her self-control to wall it off. There''d be no way Fate could function if she allowed the thought of Nanoha being incapacitated to take over.
One of her arms was bared and Fate could smell the alcohol on the cold ball of wet cotton being wiped over the inside of her elbow. Struggling would''ve made no difference and with rising dread, she felt a needle being inserted into her arm, kept in place with a few strips of tape.
The tilted yellow gaze of Jail Scaglietti watched his assistant hang up the bag of spiked solution by their captive''s head and nodded. The procedure would take no longer than a day with his special serum thus he didn''t bother disguising himself or those with him as he slowly removed the blindfold over Fate''s eyes.
The blonde blinked under the bright lights of the make-shift cell she''d been brought to. It had been set up like a parody of an operation theatre, only the operating table she had been laid on could be tilted to an almost standing position. There was a broad leather strap around her torso, with another strapped around her thighs. Pinning the man hovering in her line of sight, shrouded in darkness, with a blood-red gaze, she surreptitiously began tensing and relaxing the muscles of her arms, chest and legs. A thin wrap had been draped around her body, probably because of how damned cold the room felt, which helped mask her actions.
"Who are you?" Fate croaked, all semblance of her usual articulate grace robbed by the strange chemicals coursing through her veins. Smirking, his white lab coat swishing as he paced closer and out of the shadows surrounding the table, the lights revealed a man with dull lavender hair and tilted yellow eyes. Looming over his ''patient'', Fate shivered at the possessive look he ran over her imprisoned form.
He gave his latest lab subject a cold smile, "The man who will remake you," he declared with smug arrogance. Fate made no response, bloodshot eyes merely boring into his. Refused the pleasure of her protests or struggles, he pouted but moved closer to begin fitting a thin cap around the blonde''s head. She could make out strange protuberances on the cap before it was put over her unresisting head. They seemed colour-coded and spread all over the cap at even intervals.
The man stepped away, preparing a syringe of red liquid that he had pulled from a vial marked with nothing but the letters JS and a series of numbers. The brunette she remembered confronting was attaching wires to the diodes covering Fate''s head and the blonde''s glare was split evenly between the two. It was getting harder to accomplish even this. Things were leaping in and out of focus in unnatural ways that had nothing to do with what her mind wanted to concentrate upon.
"Memories are such malleable things," the man pompously intoned while flicking at the needle to get out any bubbles in the solution. Wide-eyed, Fate stared at the dripping needle approaching ever closer. Her throat bobbed nervously.
"You''re lucky Her Majesty only asked for three years," Three? That was her entire time in Singapore and then some! "Enough of this and I could reduce you to your infancy."
"So it was mother after all," Fate ground out with acerbic disdain. None of her captors bothered to refute her and she wished she had the power to break free. She''d had to cease tensing her arms to avoid giving away her desperate plan when the man lifted the blanket to inject her with whatever he had prepared. An unnatural heat began travelling up her arm, tendrils of fire that crept up her neck, something she was helpless to fight back.
"It''s too bad you had to reveal your¡ proclivities, before running away to Singapore¡" The mocking voice sounded distant as flames licked into her mind screaming for help. Images of her recent past were dredged to the fore against her will, every scene marked with emotion melting away like so much wax in a fireplace. Her body tensed as images of Nanoha began cycling before her eyes. That lopsided smile, the adorable giggle, eyes of deepest ocean blue holding her in the safe regard of purest belief, the ineffable sensation of strong arms wrapped around her.
"No¡" The straps around the blonde began to strain, the woman''s sudden struggles pulling at the anchors the leather pieces had been bolted to. "No!" Fate was yelling now, the veins in her throat standing out in stark relief as she pulled and heaved, heedless of the leather''s edges cutting into her arms. She could feel the creeping emptiness, mental fingers scrabbling desperately to cling to the love she had for Nanoha.
"Feito-chan, can I hold you?"
"Feito-chan cheated!"
"Counting scars?"
"Nyahaha¡"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOooooooo!" Fate''s scream was raw with anguish as she felt her memories of the auburn haired woman being seared away under the influence of the man''s concoction.
Skulking along the northern side of the suspected warehouse, Nanoha exhaled a tightly held breath when a familiar sedan was spotted parked near the rear entrance. Her father and brother were coming in from the other side to sweep the surroundings while she did so on her side with her elder sister in tow.
Her clan had seen some surprising upgrades in terms of gear loadout since she''d last participated in a raid, and her eyebrows would still be residing near her hairline had they not been cemented into a perpetual frown of worry. For instance the earpieces that they all sported now, along with night vision goggles and smoke grenades she had strapped to her belt, were all new additions that even her old-fashioned father had no problem utilising. Perhaps the old fart was becoming more practical in his old age.
She and Miyuki had encountered one rotund and not very alert Regius Gaiz having a smoke outside. He had a walkie attached to his belt and seemed to be sending regular updates to someone on the receiving end. Creeping from shade to shadow, Nanoha noiselessly closed the distance between herself and the man. In the cover of oil drums stacked against the warehouse, Miyuki watched her little sister embody a shinigami, or god of death, lying in wait to reap its rightful prey.
"South quad is clear." Came Kyoya''s voice, deliberately lisping the ''s'' in south to reduce the sibilance of his communication.
"Nanoha is making contact, solo hostile. Ten minute interval." Miyuki muttered back in a similar lisp.
Once Gaiz sent his latest all-clear, Nanoha surged forward, kicking the man''s legs out from under him. Gaiz bounced onto the hard cement with a pained grunt, immediately finding his arms and legs entangled in an unbreakable hold.
"Hello, Tourist-san." The dark purr sent shivers down his spine and he tried to yell, only to find his throat closed in an ever-tightening vise. "Give me the all-clear code." This woman was far beyond what any of their data-mining had revealed and he swallowed, or tried to. "Try anything and a ball is losing its socket." The pressure on one of his shoulders increased and the threat became very clear and present to the man.
When she finally gave him enough air to speak, he snarled, "Kiss my hnrrgh!" A dull popping sound accompanied the slipping of his shoulder out of its socket as the she-devil coldly dislocated it. His scream was muffled by cement as she flipped them over. "Let''s try this again, Tourist-san¡" He could feel his other arm being raised to an unnatural angle and the woman''s frigid alto didn''t change in register, "Again. The code, onegai shimasu~" The pain was beginning to make him see stars and he whimpered, "G-Glory to Midchilda! Please, n-no more¡"
In one smooth move, Nanoha drew one of her shortswords and before Miyuki could react, the blade flashed in the dimness of the moonlit night. The body crumbled noiselessly onto the cement, the man out cold from the sharp blow the auburn-haired woman had directed to his head with the pommel of her weapon. Sheathing it again, she easily dragged the bearded man like he was a sack of potatoes to dump him behind some scraggly bushes. Snatching the walkie off of his belt, she rejoined her sister.
Miyuki shook her head. "Hostile neutralised." She hadn''t recognised the moves her sister had employed, but they were certainly proving effective. "Eight until next call in." Nanoha added quietly once back with Miyuki, lowering the volume on the walkie-talkie now that they were approaching the back entrance.
The four rendezvoused at the back door and Nanoha could see her brother pulling out a device smaller than two fingers in width. Extending legs from one end of the device, he began to fiddle with it, pairing it to the watch on his wrist. "Motion detector," he explained. Miyuki meanwhile, was crouched by the door, painstakingly sneaking in a minuscule camera attached to the end of a thin wire. Flicking on the low saturation screen, she turned the camera a full 180 degrees. "Five, door, far end," she shared tersely. Each of them took their turn to see what the camera had revealed to Miyuki.
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The walkie-talkie screeched softly to life, "Report in." Deciding her father had the closest voice to Gaiz, she whispered the code to him before passing the device over. "Glory to Midchilda," he grunted, affecting a cough as he said it. It seemed to satisfy the person on the receiving end and the now-useless item was tossed aside by her father.
Miyuki tucked the scope away safely and everyone situated their goggles back down over their eyes. Every bit of sound they made felt deafening to Nanoha and the only thing louder was the erratic thumping of her heart that screamed Fate''s name over and over. Suddenly, that was not the only scream she was hearing.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOooooooo!"
Fate! That was Fate''s voice! The screams cut through the night and slashed mercilessly into the auburn-haired woman''s soul. She HAD to get to the blonde, NOW. It was imperative.
Starting forward, Nanoha felt the steel clamp of her father''s hand around her arm, holding her back. He held up three smoke grenades, their pins already pulled. Kyoya was just done picking the simple padlock that had been employed by the hostiles. The group had obviously not anticipated such a swift response.
Silently counting down with his fingers, Miyuki and Kyoya pulled open the heavy metal door, allowing just enough space for Shiro to throw in the immediately hissing grenades in a spread pattern. Shouts, and the sound of running footsteps, greeted the four of them as they burst in, bodies low to avoid the haphazard shots being fired at the entryway.
''Fuck, how did they get firearms?!'' Nanoha thought frantically, ducking even lower to reduce the size of the target she made. Things had gotten far more complicated and dangerous and her worry extended to cover her father and siblings in a far more acute manner now. Regardless of the heightened hazard guns presented, the Takamachi family demonstrated little hesitation in their advance, silently sweeping forward to engage the hostiles they had seen earlier. Their goggles were an invaluable boon, displaying infrared heat signatures while their opponents fired blindly into the thick haze permeating the warehouse grounds.
Nanoha was making a beeline for the closed door when she found two women in full body suits with armoured plates blocking her way. One had long hair close in shade to Caro''s pink, her fringe held back by an armoured headband. More plates covered her vital areas and she wasted no time directing vicious blows towards Nanoha''s head. The smoke was thinner at the back, rendering her night vision goggles less useful, and so the auburn-haired woman tore it off. She was going to need her peripheral vision for this.
The other woman was just as tall, a brunette with a sneer who brandished what looked like a Walther P99 though she couldn''t get a clear shot while Nanoha was engaged with her accomplice. Nanoha blocked the blows with her plated forearms but found herself being pushed back. There was no chance for her to do a takedown with the other woman hovering close by and her growl of frustration was audible even in the chaos surrounding them.
The woman engaging her was good, and had the weight of her armoured limbs to add momentum to her attacks. That meant she was slower, however, an advantage Nanoha swiftly pressed as both tanto appeared in her hands in a flicker of movements. The blades were held flat to her forearms, their lengths just enough for their tips to protrude two inches past the assassin''s elbows. Their weighted pommels were now acting like knuckle-dusters and Nanoha could see their effects as she pounded hits past the woman''s guard in a mix of taijutsu and muay thai that confounded the woman who had obviously trained in a more classic style of martial arts.
Sweat poured down Nanoha''s back, the need to get to Fate felt like a spiritual geas that drove the shinobi forward. Reckless with desperation, she accepted a knee to her gut, grunting into her mask as her stomach exploded in pain. As she was lifted up from the ground, the wind leaving her lungs, her flinty gaze spied the opening she sought and with all her weight bearing back down to the floor of the warehouse, she slammed the ball of her pommel into the side of the woman''s knee.
''CRACK!''
The woman screamed and fell, hugging her shattered joint. "Sette! No!" Lips curling, the brunette pulled the trigger of her weapon that had always been trained on the women, waiting for her chance. Nanoha felt the first bullet slam right into her ribs, robbing her of breath. Good thing she had trained to work without breathing.
Shunting the intense pain aside, she dodge rolled clumsily to present a moving target, dropping the tanto in her left hand. Unfurling, just enough to allow her arm some play, Nanoha''s hand snapped forward, burying a throwing knife hilt-deep into the brunette''s armpit. Screaming, the brunette''s finger squeezed convulsively, spraying the immediate area in front of her with bullets.
A second slug found its way into her waist and Nanoha let out a low cry as she fought to keep herself moving. She could feel the spreading dampness and the edges of her vision were beginning to darken. No! Fate was still in danger! The rest of the Takamachi clan members had subdued the hostiles they had initially engaged with, disarming all thoroughly before gagging and trussing them up. Each was forced to inhale a mixture of doctored salts that knocked them out for the time being, effectively neutralising any further threat from them.
Nanoha couldn''t stop and mustering all of her flagging strength, she kicked open the door to find a man in a lab coat, his tilted yellow eyes staring at the form strapped to an operating table with unconcealed glee. Fate''s eyes were staring into nothing with horror, tears streaming down her pale face. Her lips were blue-tinged and the diodes attached to her head seemed like a scene out of Nanoha''s worst nightmares. Worse even than the accident that had taken Yuuno''s life.
A wash of red slipped over the assassin''s vision and she paid no heed to the gun the gibbering scientist had pointed at her, the man screaming curses at her in Italian for ruining his work. Spittle dripped from his lips as he held up a revolver, demanding that Nanoha stay back. It meant little to the devil advancing on him, as long as it wasn''t pointed at Fate, that was all she cared about.
His hands were shaking, it was clear he had never fired a weapon before. He squeezed the trigger, eyes averted in fear of the coming recoil. That was all the chance the assassin needed. Feeling the inside of her left shoulder burn from the shot, Nanoha flashed forward and chopped the revolver out of the man''s hand. The weapon fell from fingers rendered numb and clattered uselessly onto the floor. Clamping her right hand around the man''s neck, azure eyes a midnight black from fury, she snarled in english, "What did you do to her?!"
He was taller than her by a few inches, but it meant absolutely nothing to the adrenaline-fueled woman as she lifted him, slamming his head against the wall of the ''operating theatre'' when no answer was forthcoming. Lips peeled in a silent growl, she drew her free hand back and backhanded the man, the armoured plate on the back of her glove breaking his nose in the process.
The claw of her hand tightened, and he began to choke. His legs kicked helplessly at the woman''s torso, the blows shrugged off under the influence of adrenaline and a consuming fear that made rational thought impossible for Nanoha. Heedless of the blood streaming down her form, she bore his weight as if he were a mere rag doll.
The man was turning blue, red-stained froth spilling from lips split open by the assassin''s blow. "Talk!" She bellowed, slamming his head once more.
"Stop it! He''ll die before he can say anything!" Kyoya wrapped the rigid form of his younger sister in his arms. He could feel the bowstrung tension in the powerful form and it was like wrestling with a rabid beast. Nanoha shrugged him off as if he were a mild annoyance and he leapt forward again. "Mi-chan, help me!" He called in desperation. In concert, the two older siblings peeled Nanoha back and away from the broken man.
Shiro had left his youngest to his other children to deal with. Instead, he hurried forward to unstrap the person who was obviously the individual his youngest had briefed them about. The cuts on her arms were superficial. What worried him was the seemingly catatonic state the blonde was in.
Tearing off the disgusting-looking brain cap, he found more blankets to cover the woman. "We need to get her looked at," he muttered urgently, "They''ve been pumping her with something." Finding a fresh cotton ball, he soaked it in antiseptic solution and pressed it to the IV stuck in the woman''s arm. Whipping out the needle, he applied pressure, ripping some surgical tape with his teeth to secure it to the bruising wound.
Miyuki was already tapping into their communication network, "Kaa-chan, we need an ambulance at our current location. Imouto-chan''s bleeding and her friend isn''t doing well. Hai, give us fifteen to clean up and you can get the authorities in, too."
Nanoha reluctantly released the man after her siblings managed to prise her away from him. He wasn''t going to be of help. Leaving behind a trail of her own blood, she limped to where Fate lay, tearing off her mask while she did so. Shiro had lowered the table''s incline so the blonde could rest. Taking one coldly limp hand in her gloved one, Nanoha brushed away sweat-soaked strands from the blonde''s face. "Feito-chan¡"
Crimson eyes shifted to look at the face hovering over hers, but there was no recognition in them. Those shimmering blue eyes were dark with worry. Was the worry for her? Feeling like she had inconvenienced this person greatly, she lowered her eyes, then glanced back up at a face contorted with emotions she couldn''t read, "I¡ apologise. Have we met?"
Rearing back as if from a physical blow, Nanoha was staggered, held upright only by her brother who had been trying to wrap her middle with a pressure bandage. "She''s in shock," Shiro pointed out gruffly, disturbed at how affected his youngest seemed, more so than the many wounds Nanoha bore. "Let the doctors look at her." Pale from more than blood loss, Nanoha slumped in quiet defeat. She would not demean her family''s efforts with unseemly displays of emotion. "I was too late¡" She whispered guiltily.
"Too soon to tell, Imouto-chan. You''re getting in with her, by the way." Dull blue eyed Miyuki, Nanoha not quite getting what her older sister was saying. "Aside from someone trying to turn you into swiss cheese, you took more than one hit to the torso. These things aren''t magic, you know? You''re lucky if you can stand tomorrow." Kyoya was still busy with the hole in their sister''s waist, leaving Miyuki to do her best binding the one in Nanoha''s shoulder. It was the kami''s own blessing that the bullets had made clean exits out the other side.
The sound of sirens was drawing closer, and Nanoha lacked the energy to fight the suggestion. Her siblings swiftly helped remove her gear, leaving her in just her mesh top, leggings and shoes. Kyoya and Miyuki proceeded to clear the area of any prints or damning evidence.
There was no helping the blood spilt but at least it was clear that Nanoha was a victim of illegal firearms. Shiro had found a foldable chair for his youngest to sit in. It was positioned next to the table her blonde friend was lying on. The woman they had rescued had fallen into a fitful sleep, and from the way Nanoha was nodding and fighting to stay conscious, his wayward child was not far behind. It must have been excruciating for her to keep a hold of the blonde''s hand with her injured side, yet she persisted, never letting go.
Soon, two stretchers arrived and the pair were loaded into the back of the emergency vehicle. The warehouse floor was wide enough for the ambulance to reverse in through the back entrance, saving EMTs time which all the Takamachi members were grateful for. All save for Nanoha, who was barely conscious by then. Bowing to the departing personnel after handing them all the syringes, vials and IV solutions he had found, the Takamachi head proceeded to help his older children clean up.
An unmarked car arrived soon after, divulging a sombre middle-aged man with his black hair slicked back. He wore a trench coat over his simple brown suit and lit up a cigarette the moment he exited his car.
"Takamachi-san, can''t say I''m pleased to see you again." The man''s voice was a ruined husk from all the death sticks he sucked on in the course of his work, not that it hid the distaste in his tone.
"Ueda-san, you know I do not venture out lightly." Shiro grunted, peeling off his headscarf to wipe the perspiration from his face. "This involved Midchildan royalty. I suggest the utmost discretion if you wish to preserve the dignity of our nation."
Ueda''s cigarette hung loosely from his lower lip as his mouth dropped open. "No shit? Well, fuck, I suppose this counts as a worthy cause."
"Why else would we risk our lives thus?" Shiro asked bitingly, "My youngest left half her life''s blood on the floors of this forsaken place. It is my most unpleasant task to inform my wife of the outcome of this. I leave the rest in your capable hands." Bowing, he departed with his older children, leaving the police commissioner to begin making calls.
Chapter 29: Death Warmed Over
"Your cuts and bruises are superficial and should heal in a week." Her attending physician flipped the pages of the clipboard in her hand, peering at the next page with more concern. "Our labs are still trying to determine what was injected into you. All we know at present is that it had some hallucinogenic compounds that targets the victim''s short term memory."
Fate nodded, looking none the worse for wear aside from eyes sunken from nightmares likely caused by the drugs inside her. Everything Doctor Kobayashi had told her matched with what she could figure out for herself. She had no recollection of the time between receiving the good news that Testarossa Inc''s offices would be moving to Singapore, and a strangely compelling woman hovering over her in the room she had been found in. The blood-soaked stranger had referred to her in some japanese-accented way she could not recall now.
Of a certainty, this reeked of her family''s meddling and she felt the ground beneath her tilt and shake. She didn''t know what was up or down, or why she was even in this country. Everything was labelled in Hiragana, or was it Katakana? Kanji? The blonde couldn''t keep straight the complicated writing system that the Japanese language employed. She was just grateful that her doctor was fluent in english and able to converse with her.
"We''ll be keeping you for a week for observation while we continue flushing the last of the toxins out of your system. Aside from that, your vitals are strong and everything else checks out. We''ve even checked for¡" The woman flushed slightly, coughing into one hand, "For assault. There were none." It was a standard procedure when patients came in with memory loss.
Long lashes fluttered closed, "I''m certain my mother would be glad to know." If her melodic voice held a tint of bitterness, neither present made mention of it.
The raven-haired doctor patted her hand comfortingly. "In any case, I''m clearing you for visitors, but not more than two a day, all right?"
Visitors? In a strange country? Fate nodded again, laying back against her pillows with a weary sigh. A thought intruded upon her consciousness and she stopped the departing doctor, "Wait, please. May I visit others?"
The doctor eyed her patient. Right, she had been admitted as part of a pair. "I suppose I can allow that." She returned to make a notation in Fate''s patient records. "But no longer than an hour." Kobayashi glanced at her watch, "The other patient is back in surgery. You will need to check later if they are able to receive visitors."
Ueda Kippei bit back a curse. Right, no smoking in hospitals. Stubbing out his cancer stick at the provided bin near the entrance, he accepted the surgical mask from the door staff and made his way into the lobby. Absently hooking the elastic ends over his ears, he identified himself at the reception counter.
"Commissioner Ueda." Shiro''s gravelly voice greeted the man. Dressed in nondescript civilian clothes, the head of the Takamachi clan looked no more than a worried father awaiting news of his child. With him were the rest of the core family. It had been a full sixteen hours since Ueda had been called to the scene, and it was clear none gathered had had much rest. All wore mandated masks as well, though Momoko had trouble keeping hers on, what with needing to dry away the silent tears she kept crying.
Exchanging bows, he shrugged out of his trenchcoat and settled on one of the many seats set aside for family outside the operating theatre. "How is she?"
"Shot through her waist and shoulder. They missed bone but got an artery and an intestine." Shiro grunted, "Two more stopped by her vest, but she has¡ old wounds. They''re being extra cautious, especially with all the blood she lost."
Ueda could tell that the old codger was worried. It would''ve been the height of rudeness to mention it, and so the commissioner simply bowed. "I wish her a smooth operation and recovery."
"Thank you, Ueda-san." Momoko gave the man a tremulous smile as she bowed back, dabbing away more tears at even the terse description her husband had given. "What of her friend?" The matriarch asked.
"I will speak with her doctor to find out. I wished to meet you first. I''ve polished this turd as much as I could to keep official lines clean. My bosses will wish to extend their gratitude in person at a later date. For now, you may rest assured that there will be no repercussions of your clan''s actions. The royal''s people have not made a move, not even to confirm that this is indeed, one of their own. We will assign watch over them both until they are out of the country." Momoko opened her mouth to protest, her baby had just come home!
Ueda held up a hand to stay the woman''s expected arguments, "I assure you, they would be far safer on the island nation that keeps stringent tabs on every citizen and outsider within their borders. To avoid the appearance of fleeing ''heat'', I suggest the rest of the family remains, HOWEVER, I understand that TSAB''s Yagami Hayate has contacted her own people here to help."
Subsiding with great reluctance, Momoko sighed, exchanging glances with the rest of her family. "The moment it is acceptable for us to leave the country, please let us know, Ueda-san."
"I most certainly will, Takamachi Momoko-san. My people will contact you for statements when it is appropriate, it will all be for private record only, of course. Dewa~" Snatching up his coat, he bid the family farewell and made his way to the Testarossa''s ward.
It was just his luck that he had caught a doctor departing the private room. Showing her his badge, he thanked her as she led him to the privacy of her office.
"You have my gratitude for seeing me, Doctor Kobayashi."
The raven-haired doctor invited the commissioner to have a seat before settling into her own with a sigh. Doing her rounds always killed her feet. "I''m glad you caught me, actually. My shift is almost ending."
Rifling through the report on her desk, she flipped it open and turned it upside down for Ueda to read. "Unknown toxins huh?"
"Nothing anyone here has ever come across. I''ve called the most brilliant people in the field for opinions. We''ll see what I get." She took off her glasses to rub eyes burning from reading reports for over twelve hours.
"It seems to have a timed release effect, so getting her to us within hours of the toxins being injected into her system may help blunt whatever intended consequence it had. Regardless, she still displays a marked loss of memory that we aren''t sure she will ever recover. Physically, she was untouched. Any cuts and bruises she has were likely the result of her fighting her bonds."
The doctor gave a mirthless chuckle, "What a fight she put up, too. If she''d struggled any harder, she would have broken either the straps around her, or her own bones."
Under the mask he wore, Ueda chewed thoughtfully on his chapped bottom lip, wishing he had a cigarette to help his thought process. "How soon until she is up for questioning? I need to get a statement from her."
"A few days. If you''ll give me a contact, I can let you know. She was catatonic when she came in, I don''t want to push her back into that state from revisiting fresh trauma. If she even remembers said trauma¡" Kobayashi sounded disgruntled. As a doctor, unknowns were hateful to deal with, since it impeded her ability to treat her patients properly.
Presenting his card formally to the doctor, Ueda nodded. "I look forward to your call then. Good evening, Doctor."
Gentle fingers combed through the mussed auburn locks that had fallen over the face of the figure lying in the hospital bed. Wire after wire linked the figure to beeping, blinking machines, and a mask had been strapped securely over the patient''s mouth and nose, the tubes connected to it leading to a machine that slowly aided in the regular rise and fall of their bandaged chest.
"You never go for half-measures, do you?" The soft voice was laced with equal parts worry and exasperation, slightly muffled behind a surgical mask. It was easier to tell what was not bandaged than what was on the woman lying in the bed. She was wrapped from neck to waist, both her forearms were in casts, and her left arm was also in a sling. Her legs and head appeared to be all that had escaped injury and the short, redheaded woman shook her head at what must have driven the patient to go so far.
Seated in the visitor''s chair, Agito did her best to neaten the mass of auburn hair again, unsurprised when her wrist was caught in a trembling, weakened grip. Blue eyes muddied with painkillers pinned the redhead where she sat. That was the thing with Nanoha, she never dallied when waking, it was full throttle, full power the moment the woman gained consciousness and nothing in-between.
Her vision swam even under the dimmed lights over her bed and Nanoha squinted, fighting the double-vision of a familiar redhead seated by her. Her capture of the strange hand around her head had succeeded via sheer luck alone. "A¡ gi¡ to." Nanoha''s voice was a mere rasp and she coughed, then gasped when that stressed her abused body beyond what she could hide. "Don''t," Agito urged, gently unclipping Nanoha''s mask to allow her a sip of water from a straw. About to refasten the mask over the woman''s face, Nanoha''s one mobile hand stopped her.
"Hate," she whispered. "La¡ ter." Nodding, Agito proffered more water to the thirsty executive who gratefully accepted a few more sips before falling back into her pillow. Just that simple act had taken everything out of her.
She had hazy memories of surfacing to the sight of her family. She thought she had reassured them that she was fine, but she recalled her mother''s teary-eyed smiles and had a feeling she had failed in that regard. A sigh was beyond her body''s ability to produce, and so she simply focused on trying to draw breath whilst bandaged like some Egyptian mummy.
Her most pressing concern was neither of herself nor her family, and it presented itself clearly to the redhead when she croaked a single word, "Fei¡ to¡?"
Agito threw her a look, and she could tell the redhead was annoyed, "What about your AVP?"
Was she being forced to articulate more? Swallowing against a throat still dry, Nanoha struggled to force her words out, "How¡ is¡?" Beads of perspiration dotted her brow.
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Blowing out a breath, Agito shrugged, "There haven''t been any newspaper reports about a princess of Midchilda dying, if that''s what you''re asking."
The shaking hand around her wrist tightened, "O¡ ne¡ gai~" Please. The redhead ground her teeth at the sight of Nanoha fighting past all the pain and drugs to ask about unimportant things, "Fine, okay? She''s fine. She can''t remember much, sure, but she''s well enough to be walking around on her own. By the kami-sama, Nanoha, think for yourself for once. You''re in no shape to be worrying about other people!"
It was an old argument with the redhead, and Nanoha didn''t possess the wherewithal to rebut the woman. Her eyes drifted shut even while she fought at the darkness threatening to claw her back into oblivion. "''M fine¡" Fate was fine, which meant Nanoha was fine, that was all there was to it. Whether the blonde remembered¡ anything, was besides the point.
"Help¡ her¡ please¡" Agito stared at the TSAB executive, consternation writ large across her expressive pixie face. The lack of acknowledgement had Nanoha''s eyes drifting back open. Clouded blue bored pleadingly into Agito''s tilted, plum-shaded gaze. "She''s¡ a¡ lone¡"
"By the kami, you''re such a stubborn arse. All right, all right. Yagami owes me big," she grumbled. The hand tightened on her wrist again, "Tell¡ Ha¡ ya¡ ''M fine¡"
"Yes, well, we''ll see how much my cousin believes me."
Nanoha bit back another attempt to sigh. She knew that tanuki would have likely gotten full reports on their conditions by now. There was no time to waste lying here and Nanoha began feeling around for the controls on her bed. "She¡ likes¡ sweet¡" Agito rolled her eyes, then yelped when the executive began shifting far too energetically than could be good for her.
"Wh¡ Nanoha, you just got out of surgery!"
"Sit¡" The stubborn executive demanded, panting from her efforts. This weakness was more than unseemly. The sooner she got back on her feet, the better she would feel. "All right! All right! But you have to promise it''ll just be for a short while. I don''t want some doctor biting my head off because of your pigheadedness."
Quieting down, Nanoha nodded, hating how winded she felt already. ''Get your shit together, Takamachi, there''s no time.''
"Thank¡ you¡" Agito fidgeted under Nanoha''s warming, if still blurry regard. Damn this woman. Even in bandages and casts she continued to be painfully attractive to the redhead. "Since you''re up, I may as well brush your hair. It''s a bloody mess, innit, gov? Stubborn cow."
Affecting a British accent, the redhead fell back into their old dynamic from back in their Oxford days, earning a twitch of lips dry from being under for so long. Reluctantly submitting to the brushes, the auburn-haired woman fought back memories of someone else touching her hair as she tensed and relaxed her calves. There was no time like the present to get started on exercises, even if her limbs shook uncontrollably while she did so.
"Stubborn cow," Agito repeated softly. The executive had fallen silent some minutes later, and Agito knew she was once more fast asleep. Carefully fastening the mask back over the lower half of Nanoha''s face, she set the bed''s incline back to flat and tucked the covers snugly around that battered form.
Grumbling that she was not being paid enough for this, she ventured down to the basement, finding the expected convenience store tucked between the food court and outpatient pharmacy. Picking up a few things, she made her way to the ward that housed TSAB''s other executive.
It was coming to 11AM on Sunday and Agito figured the gaijin would be up by now. Knocking on the door, she was bid to enter by the softly mellifluous voice of the Midchildan princess.
The woman had her bed raised to a comfortable reclining position. She''d been listlessly flipping through available channels, finally settling on a random channel airing some animated show about girls with crazy magical powers. At least there were english subtitles for this one.
Agito paused by the entrance and took stock of the blonde. She was unmistakably beautiful, even in her drab hospital gown. Her golden mane draped heavily over one shoulder while soft wisps of hair fell appealingly around a face that prompted thoughts of angels fallen down to earth to bless the world with their beauty. Her wine-red eyes, a defining feature, looked at Agito with mild confusion.
"May I help you?" Fate''s greeting was icy cool, the blonde falling back to long-used defenses when faced with uncertain scenarios. And this, this situation she was in, was highly unusual, to say the least.
''Ho boy¡'' Flashing the blonde a tight smile from under her mask, Agito closed the door and approached the bed, "We''re work acquaintances, Testarossa-san," Agito explained in english.
This got a favourable reaction from the glacial blonde and she tilted her head ever so slightly, "I fear you have better of me, Miss¡"
"Inoue," Agito supplied her, and Fate dipped her head in thanks. The woman could be wearing paper napkins and would still hold court easily with the aristocratic airs she wore so naturally.
"What do you remember?" Pulling over a visitor''s chair, the redhead sat down by the woman''s bed.
Fate pursed her lips, "The pandemic was in full swing, many countries were in lockdown. Singapore was one of the few still open for business, and Testarossa Inc was poised to take advantage of lowered leasing costs to set up the head office there¡ That was around the beginning of 2021."
Agito''s brow furrowed slightly, "Apologies, it appears you have lost some two years and more of time." Fate nodded slowly, "Perhaps they were not the best, hence why my mind has discarded them."
Plum-shaded eyes studied the blonde speculatively. This woman truly believed her life must have sucked. Maybe she was using prior experience to judge the gap she couldn''t remember. Expression clearing, Agito remembered something and pulled out her cellphone.
Fate watched the pretty redhead scrolling through her device with mild curiosity. Finally, the woman found what she was looking for and settled on the side of Fate''s bed to better show the blonde her phone''s screen. Pressing play, she increased the volume.
Fate saw herself, dressed more formally than she tended to in Testarossa Inc. She seemed to be presenting to an audience, and she blinked, recognising the redhead in the video as being the woman visiting her now. The her in the video seemed so poised and confident, unlike how she always felt when speaking to an audience.
She cast Agito a curious look, but the woman only nodded her chin at the screen, "The best part is coming up."
Suddenly coming into view was a strikingly gorgeous woman she had never seen before. Or had she? There was something vaguely familiar about the woman. She was lifting an arm to film Fate with her cellphone, and suddenly, what was being filmed was streamed directly into the presentation Fate was making. Fascinating.
"T¡SAB?" The question in her voice was obvious and Agito nodded, "You''re the AVP of Operations for TSAB, those lucky bastards." There was no heat in the redhead''s curse, and at Fate''s further questioning glance, Agito shrugged, "I tried stealing you for DoCoMo. Nothing personal."
A faint smile had been curling the corners of the blonde beauty''s mouth before she frowned. Those words seemed familiar somehow. "Nothing¡ personal," she repeated, tasting the words, fancying she could taste more. Wok-fried beef noodles. The sudden tidbit sent a piercing stab into a spot behind her eyes and she dropped her head into one hand, wincing.
"Testarossa-san? Are you all right?"
"I¡" Crimson eyes blinked away sudden tears from the pain that was already receding. "I am uncertain." Holding Agito''s hand in hers, she rewound the video, re-watching the last part of her presentation. Pausing, she tapped at the screen. "I think I saw her¡ when I woke."
Agito slid a considering look to her, and Fate felt as if she were being silently questioned. She squared her shoulders, pale but growing firmer in her belief. The cuts under her bandages ached, but they were nothing next to the ache in her heart. What made it worse was, she had no idea why she felt that ache.
At least, the redhead spoke, "That is the EVP of Operations in TSAB, Takamachi Nanoha. Your¡ boss." Feeling oddly triumphant, Fate trailed her fingers over herself and the woman she now knew she truly did know. "May I¡ have a copy of this?" The blonde asked, curious at why her past self looked so oddly at who was purportedly just her boss.
Agito watched the ice thaw slightly and wondered just how much Fate would remember. She shrugged a shoulder, "As long as you keep it private. This is proprietary media that should only be available to certain people in DoCoMo and TSAB. Fortunately, you are one of those people." She gave the woman a thin smile.
Moving back to her chair, Agito leaned back, "You have good instincts. That was one of the reasons I tried to headhunt you for my company. You aren''t wrong, you know," Eyeing the blonde from under her red fringe, she crossed her arms, "She was there when you woke. In fact, she is in this building right now." Agito hated herself for sharing that piece of information, but was enough of a realist to know there was little to gain hiding the fact from Fate.
Eyes wide, Fate stared at her visitor. A sudden feeling of dread gripped the blonde, "Wh¡ Why is she¡ As a visitor?" She asked, hopefully. Those hopes were dashed by the grim shake of Agito''s head.
"Patient. She was¡ hurt." Saving you. Agito knew better than to share that last, certain Nanoha would likely never speak to her again if she overstepped her bounds with the blonde. The redhead had yet to get a bead on the relationship the two TSAB executives had prior to the blonde''s memory loss, but she wasn''t one to ignore her own instincts, and everything told her to tread carefully about any information she shared with the princess.
"Takamachi Nanoha. Nanoha." The name rolled off the blonde''s tongue easily. Perhaps it was muscle memory? "Is it possible to visit her?" An urgent need to see the woman rose within the Midchildan. Could she help fill in those gaps in her mind?
Agito was shaking her head, "She was out for almost two days. I saw her before coming to see you and she had fallen back to sleep when I left."
"Is¡ Is she all right?" A faint memory of a woman leaning over her, blood pouring from one shoulder, tugged at Fate''s heart.
It took the Inoue woman far too long to answer her. "Her life is not in any danger," was all the redhead would share, eyes refusing to meet Fate''s. That settled it.
"H-Hey!" Agito felt herself pushed out of the way as Fate swung long legs over the side of her hospital bed. Bare feet slapped onto the cold linoleum of the floor and Fate began casting around for her hospital slippers, finding them strewn haphazardly under her bed.
Slipping her feet into them, Fate grabbed the IV drip stand her drip was hanging from. "Inoue-san, I humbly ask that you show me to her ward." The velvet-encased steel of the princess'' words brooked no argument.
Why did she have to deal with two stubborn cows in one day, Agito asked herself crankily. "She''s probably sleeping."
"I understand. Please, there is no one else I can ask." ''Fuck¡'' Agito thought, as the full force of the blonde''s puppy dog look was directed at her. "If a doctor kicks up a fuss, it''s all on you," she groused, refusing to be charmed by the smile the blonde threw her way. Sighing aggrievedly, she settled Fate''s free hand on her shoulder and led her through the hallways to the lift lobby.
The dread grew in the blonde when the redhead punched the number for the ICU floor. No¡ The walk down the hall was interminable, and when she finally shuffled her way through the door the redhead was holding open for her, she felt all the blood drain from her already pale face.
"Testarossa? Fate? Hey, don''t faint on me." Helping the suddenly shaky blonde to the chair she had just been in an hour ago, she watched the woman settle numbly into it. "I have seen corpses that look better than her¡" Fate whispered, eliciting a snort from the redhead. "Don''t let her looks fool you, this idiotic git made me help her sit up earlier."
Fate took in all the machines hooked up to the woman, the fully bandaged torso visible under her loose hospital garments, the casts and sling, and felt her eyes grow hot with tears that threatened to fall. "Why is she¡"
"Uh, I''m not too sure myself," Agito muttered. It was a half-truth, she had some details from Hayate, but not all of it. "You''ll have to ask her yourself." Fate could barely see the woman under the breathing mask covering half her face.
"Thank you for bringing me here," the blonde said softly, "I''d like to stay with her, so please do not wait on my behalf." Even if Takamachi was just her boss, it still felt right that Fate should remain and watch over her. Agito eyed the woman obliquely, knowing that lunch would be distributed to the wards soon. "I''ll let your attending nurses know, then."
Nodding silently, eyes never leaving the face that seemed so pale and bloodless, Fate merely pulled her chair closer to the woman''s bedside.
Looking on at the silent tableau, Agito cleared her throat, "Be gentle with her, she''s been through a lot," she asked of the blonde, who nodded once more.
Chapter 30: Cough It Up
Alone with her sleeping boss, Fate gave in to the urge to brush aside the unruly bangs shading the woman''s closed eyes, the soft auburn hairs clinging to her fingers from the static. She was certain such liberties didn''t exist between them in their working relationship, yet it did not seem odd for her to be doing it. Right now, this was just a person who was gravely hurt and in need of care.
The woman''s chest barely rose with each breath, so firmly had her torso been bound, and Fate wondered what all the woman had suffered. Shuffling to the foot of the woman''s bed, she retrieved her patient''s file and began reading through the printouts. Soon, Fate''s hand had flown up to cover her mouth as hot tears began staining the paper on her lap.
A gunshot wound under the left clavicle, narrowly missing the heart but nicking a major artery. Another in the waist, to the right of her abdomen, causing intestinal perforations. The hairline fractures in multiple ribs and her forearms due to severe impact wounds seemed the least of the woman''s injuries and Fate couldn''t imagine anyone surviving so much and still wanting to sit up after waking from what had to have been major surgeries.
"Oh my, I did not know she had visitor." Fate looked up at the strange, heavily accented voice, and blinked. A woman greatly resembling the executive she had seen in Inoue''s video stood before her, a basket of fruits in one hand, a food thermos in her other.
Hastily brushing away her tears, Fate quickly closed the executive''s file and made to rise but the strange woman lifted a hand to stop her, "Iye~ Please stay. I am sure my daughter appreciate company." The woman''s english was credible and Fate had no trouble understanding her thick accent.
It heartened Momoko to see someone with her daughter. The usually vibrant woman seemed dwarfed by all the tubes and wires surrounding her, and very, very alone. This was far from the first time Momoko had made treks to the ICU, only this time, all of her daughter''s usual circle of friends were quite unfortunately in another country.
Puttering around her daughter''s bed, she neatened the blankets tucked around Nanoha, refilled the sippy straw cup with fresh water, and arranged the basket of fruits she had brought on the side table by the head of the bed.
Fate had quietly put Nanoha''s file away, still sniffling and wiping away the tears that had sprung up for no good reason that she could think of. She never cried reading about others who were hurt in the news, why now?
The Takamachi matriarch smiled warmly at the blonde, easily seen under her surgical mask. She had heard from Ueda about the woman''s memory loss. That the blonde would still be here spoke volumes about her fine character, Momoko thought. "You look well," she complimented the woman. True, she seemed pale, but compared to what her husband had shared about her condition, it seemed far better than anyone could have hoped in such a short amount of time.
"Th-Thank you," the woman mumbled, eyes of shadowed red studying the bandaged form lying in repose. "I wish she was, as well¡"
"Maa~ If wishes were wings, we would all be flying, ne? Am Takamachi Momoko; Nanoha is my youngest child. Call me Momoko-san, hai? And you?"
Remembering her manners, Fate stood and bowed to the woman, "Testarossa Fate, please call me Fate."
Momoko beamed at the beautiful woman. What a polite gaijin. She bowed back. "Feito-san, is good to meet you. I know you have bad time. Thank you for visiting my girl anyway."
"I¡ it is the least I can do." Again, Fate''s eyes were drawn to the face so obscured but still familiar, "I wish I could remember knowing her."
"Perhaps in time," Momoko agreed lightly. "Nanoha is boss, hai? You will get to know one another again at work." Fate knew the woman was trying to comfort her, but it felt so hollow to think that would be the only facet by which she would interact with this reportedly stubborn executive.
How had they agreed on the presentation Fate had made? Emails? Video call? Over coffee? What was her voice like? Did she have an accent like her mother did? Did they get along? She had so many questions wrapped up in this mystery of a woman, yet to push now would be so wrong, the woman was in the ICU for gods'' sake.
Momoko could see the questions swirling in those crimson pools that were the windows into the blonde''s soul. She drew in a long breath, knowing any answers could only come from Nanoha herself. About to ask if the blonde had eaten, Momoko felt her cellphone buzzing and excused herself, leaving Fate alone with Nanoha again.
She glanced at her phone, it was a group video call. Answering, she could see the familiar faces of her daughter''s closest friends. Hayate, Vita, Signum and Shamal all hovered within view of the webcam, their faces twisted with worry.
"Momoko-san? How is Nano-chan doing?" Hayate asked in japanese, wringing her hands unconsciously while she faced the haggard-looking mother of her oldest friend.
"Haya-chan," Momoko meant to give the woman a breezy reply, but the lump in her throat had other ideas. "She''s in the ICU. There is no danger to her life but¡ They had guns, Haya-chan!"
"Oh my gods, those fucking bastards." Signum had shot out of her chair, the furniture toppling over from the force of her moment as she stalked to the back, a string of German swears colouring the air around them blue.
Vita leaned closer to the camera, her eyes burning, "Her enemies?"
"Shiro says she broke the knee of one. Her throwing knife nearly got another in the heart. The apparent mastermind, she almost killed. It took Kyo-chan and Mi-chan all of their combined strength to pull her off of him. She had already been shot multiple times by then," Momoko wiped away a stray tear. As many times as she consoled herself that this was the clan''s duty, she still had a difficult time when it was one of her own lying on the hospital bed.
Vita''s eyes burned in vindication. She knew Nanoha would never have let those people off. "And Fate-san?"
Momoko shook her head sadly, "She doesn''t remember anything. She was still in Midchilda at her last recollection."
Hayate and the Wolkenritters exchanged grave looks. "The police commissioner wants them both in Singapore once it''s safe for Nanoha to travel."
"I''ll arrange everything." Hayate assured their friend''s mother, "Sig-chan, can you get in touch with your friends in the security business?" The head of HR nodded curtly.
"I asked the ryokan to send everything in their room to the Takamachi compound, you''ll want to help return the rented car though," the redheaded E.A. added for Momoko''s benefit.
"Thank you, Vita-chan."
Shamal had remained quiet all this time. Shifting her chair, the blonde doctor moved closer to the camera, "I contacted my old friend in St. Luke''s, I''ll arrange to have their primary care transferred to me. The charts she sent about what they found in Fate are very worrisome. We''re fortunate the loss of memory seems the worst of it."
Momoko nodded with no little relief. She felt much better to know Shamal would be watching over Nanoha and Fate''s recoveries. "The Takamachi clan will pay for a housekeeper for her in the interim¡"
"Nonsense, Momoko-san. TSAB will cover this, it''s part of her insurance coverage." Signum nodded gravely in the background and Momoko gave the quartet a shaky smile. "I wish you were all here to be with her," she mumbled thickly.
"She will be with us soon, Momoko-san. If she tries to overwork herself, I''ll get Sig-chan to sit on her. Er, with Shamal''s permission." Trust the tanuki to find ways to make the group laugh, even if it was laughter laced with intense worry and accompanied by a few tears.
"Oh Haya-chan, I''ve missed your crazy sense of humour." Bowing to the four, Momoko formally intoned, "I will leave Na-chan in your care. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu~" All four bowed back, intoning the proper response before cutting the call.
The call with Momoko ended on a sombre note and Hayate and the Wolkenritters sat quietly, absorbing the dire news that Nanoha''s mother had shared with them. Hayate saw Vita staring at the gothic lolita costume she had been ordered by Nanoha to wear to the bash. It hung on a clothes rack while Vita aired the mothball smell out of it.
"I''m postponing the party until christmas," Hayate said quietly, "I''m not in a very celebratory mood right now." Vita nodded glumly, not even caring that she had to work with Granscenic for the foreseeable future.
Signum grunted and left to find her phone, she had people to call.
Galvanised by her wife''s actions, Shamal stood as well, "I''ll get in touch with St. Luke''s and start the process of having their records forwarded to my office."
"Good evening, Eins, are you free? I''ve got a long term contract you may be interested in. How long is long? Um¡" Signum turned, one pink eyebrow raised at her cousin, "Three months with an option to extend by another three," the CEO told Signum.
"You heard that? Yes, effective immediately. It''s a double, they''re both TSAB employees." Signum''s pacing paused and she threw Hayate a glance, earning the CEO''s undivided attention, "Is Nakajima your only free agent? I see."
Hayate facepalmed, "Tell her to assign Ginga to Fate-san, at least they''ll be strangers." Nodding, Signum informed Eins of the preferred arrangement. "Draw up the contracts and send them to Yagami Hayate''s office. We''d like you to report to them posthaste. Both are currently in Tokyo, but will end up in Singapore before too long. I''ll forward further details shortly."
Ending the call, Signum sighed, "She said the rest of her agents were taking the holiday period off, so it''s just her and Ginga who''re free agents right now."
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Hayate pinched the bridge of her nose, "Give me this Eins person''s contact. I''ll need to make it clear to them that they know the history one of their clients has with Ginga."
"Test¡ a¡ ros¡ sa¡ -san," The low, harsh rasp of her name had Fate glancing up from one of the tech rags Inoue had kindly gotten her. Mouth opening and closing for some moments, the blonde finally found her voice, "Please, just Fate is fine. I believe we''re colleagues?"
The woman''s startlingly blue eyes were guarded, perhaps she didn''t like being seen in such a state. Eventually, she gave Fate a short nod. "Your mother had to answer a call, I can go get her¡" Nanoha shook her head slightly, "S''o... kay," the woman''s voice was muffled by the ventilator mask, and she lifted the hand that was not in a sling to paw at it, "Thirs¡ ty," she mumbled, voice a dry rattle.
Tossing aside her magazine, Fate quickly figured out how the apparatus attached itself and helped the woman peel the thing off. Remembering the cup Momoko had refilled, she slipped a hand under the woman''s head and helped the executive take a few sips before gently laying her head back down. Making to cover the woman''s mouth once more, Nanoha closed curiously calloused fingers around her wrist to stay her intentions. "La¡ ter." The blonde gave her boss a dubious look and nodded.
The silence was awkward, and the blonde could feel the executive''s rapidly clearing gaze studying her from head to toe and back up again. Fate got the impression that little escaped the woman who was her supposed superior in TSAB and she met the woman''s eyes, expression open, not bothering to hide the confusion and disquiet that still plagued her since she woke.
Nanoha''s head was pounding as her body fought against the lingering effects of anaesthesia, powerful antibiotics and opioids. Cracking open her eyes, she was disappointed to see the familiar ceiling of St. Luke''s ICU wards and when her head lolled to the side, as much as her ventilator would allow anyway, the one person she most and least wanted to see was there, in the flesh.
She recognised the signs of Fate having recently been crying, and was puzzled. The blonde should have no recollection of her or their friendship. The lead weight in her heart grew heavier and she wondered if her difficulty in breathing had anything to do with the bandages around her, or the woman she wanted nothing more than to hold and beg for forgiveness from. She needed to get in touch with Hayate, or Signum. They needed to know not to startle Fate into another episode of catatonia.
Nanoha had used the long moments before the blonde knew she was conscious to greedily drink in the sight of Fate. Aside from the light gauze on her arms, the woman looked no worse for wear and Nanoha fiercely blinked away any tears of relief. It wouldn''t do for Fate to think they were more than work acquaintances. Certain she had her mask firmly in place, she addressed the woman, surprised at how¡ shit, she sounded. ''At least there''s no aphasia this time,'' she thought with gallows humour.
It felt so wrong to be addressing Fate by her detested family name, but appearances had to be kept up. Fortunately, the blonde was her usual gracious self and asked her to refer to her by her given name. The feel of those hands tending to her while she drank almost had her breaking down and she felt her mask threatening to slip. It had only been a few minutes.
Her eyes scanned the woman again of their own volition, until she met Fate''s own, easily reading the fear and uncertainty within her. "All¡ right?" She asked, flummoxed when her simple query brought forth more tears.
Pale fingers clutched at the bedclothes. How was this woman bothering to ask after her, when she herself was in such a state?! If she had jumped ship to TSAB, it had to have been partly because of this woman''s giving nature. So caught up in the riot of emotions the executive''s question had roused in her, that Fate didn''t catch the woman lift her cast-encased arm to brush away the tears that were falling incessantly down her face.
"I-I''m sorry, I don''t know what''s gotten into me¡"
Nanoha studied the distraught woman sadly, certain her lateness in stopping whatever had been done to Fate was the cause for the woman''s emotions being so volatile. "My¡ fault," she rasped, and found her hand caught in both of Fate''s. The blonde was shaking her head, still weeping silently.
Through eyes blurred with tears, Fate could see her boss looking frustrated with the effort it was taking her to communicate, "Care¡ less," the woman emphasised, squeezing what she could of Fate''s hand, "My fault," she repeated, more firmly. Beads of perspiration were dotting her brow now, and she was beginning to pant, out of breath from the effort.
"Shh, no, I''m being stupid." Fate snatched up a tissue to dab away the sweat. "We can talk more when you''re better. Please, try to rest." Azure eyes shadowed with pain refused to release the blonde''s gaze. "Be¡ lieve." Again, she squeezed the hand she could reach, punctuating physically in a way she was unable to, verbally.
Swallowing back a sob, Fate gave the emphatic woman a jerky nod. "I¡ I''ll try."
Feeling absolutely drained, Nanoha dropped her head back to her pillows. "Try¡ hard," she implored the blonde in a raspy whisper. Fate had no idea why this stranger was fighting so hard on her behalf. Nothing added up. The woman''s hand in hers felt¡ comfortable, however, as if it belonged there, which again, made no sense.
The executive seemed to be resting more easily after Fate''s assurance that she would try, and that was how Momoko found them. Nanoha, her hated ventilator unclasped and skewed to one side, her one useful hand in the blonde''s while she rested with eyes closed. Momoko worried whether her daughter was able to breathe, but her colour seemed better and her expression seemed peaceful.
The blonde was leaning into the side of the bed, eyes soft while she watched her youngest child rest, and the mother in Momoko couldn''t resist taking a clandestine picture of the pair. Tucking her phone away, she pretended to enter noisily. Fate immediately released Nanoha''s hand and shifted her chair back to make space for the executive''s mother, eyes glancing to the side, unable to meet anyone''s own.
It was then that a nurse peeked in, "Testarossa-san, there you are," she scolded quietly in deference to the ICU patient, "You''re late for your lunch and next dose." Reluctantly allowing herself to be led back to her own room, Fate''s eyes promised that she would be back to visit when she could.
"Kaa¡ san," Nanoha rasped, "Call¡ Ha¡ ya."
Momoko put her hands on her hips, "Na-chan! You just got out of surgery!"
Eyes so much like her own stared her down, silently pleading.
"Oh my kami, you are eating every spoon of my porridge after, yes?"
Momoko sniffled, the heartbreakingly wistful smile her youngest gave her made the woman wonder how her girl could still be alone after all this time. "Miss¡ it." Cupping her daughter''s too cool cheeks, she made the call and propped the phone next to Nanoha''s face.
"Momoko-san, is everything all right?" Hayate had just returned to her hotel room, her laptop booting up while she changed into some home clothes.
"Ha¡ ya."
"N-Nano-chan?! Why aren''t you resting?!"
"Lis¡ ten," the executive urged, breaking out in perspiration again, "Fei¡ to, re¡ mem¡ bers noth¡ ing."
"We know, Nano-chan, you didn''t have to¡"
"Don''t¡ tell." Momoko bit her lip at the stark bleakness in her daughter''s eyes.
"What? Nano-chan, shouldn''t we be helping her get her memories back?"
Nanoha coughed painfully and her mother hurriedly gave her some water to sip on. Casting a grateful look up to her parent, the executive laboriously soldiered on.
"No¡ shocks. Only¡ col¡ leagues."
"Nano-chan! You can''t¡" Hayate''s voice was strained. The women''s bond shone incandescent even in the brief time she''d spent with them, and Nanoha wanted to kill it in its infancy?
"HAYA!" Nanoha half-yelled, then groaned and Momoko gasped at the trickle of blood leaking out of her daughter''s mouth. She grabbed her phone back, pressing the hospital''s emergency call button whilst doing so, "Haya-chan, Na-chan''s coughing blood. Just follow what she says, all right? It''s important to her that we don''t overwhelm Fate-san with information she isn''t ready to process."
Nanoha clutched at the burning sensation in her waist as Momoko hurriedly repositioned the ventilator mask over her daughter''s nose and mouth. "Tell¡ rest." Nanoha gasped out before losing all grip on consciousness.
"Na-chan? NA-CHAN! Haya-chan, I must go, please let the rest know of Na-chan''s wishes."
Hayate stared at her phone, the dead tone a match for the heaviness in her heart. "That''s not fair, Nano-chan," she whispered, blinking back tears. She punched in the contact for her family with a leaden finger, "Vita? Get the rest on the line¡"
A tall woman with long silver hair and red eyes paced silently about her apartment, clad in nothing but her underwear and a starched shirt. A drawer had been pulled open, revealing a selection of small but deadly weapons that ranged from yawara of differing materials, to utilitarian knives of various sizes and styles.
She''d planned to take some time off touring the various prefectures of Japan, but a job had come up and from someone whom she owed a favour to. Her assignment partner was currently making her way to an airport to rendezvous with her. Until then, she''d prepare herself and make contact with her client early since she was already in the neighbourhood.
Running an elegant finger over her tools of trade, she picked out a slim knife that fit perfectly into the sheath strapped to her non-dominant forearm. A longer dagger with a thin hilt was slipped into the sheath located on the inside of her calf, something she could call up in a pinch if an offhand weapon was required. Pulling on a pair of black, straight cut pants, she checked her silhouette in the mirror, confirming that the contours of her garments concealed anything she had equipped.
She secured the pants with a sturdy belt that held a built-in waist pouch, barely large enough for an inhaler, except what she slipped in was a mini-pepper spray. A freshly charged ear-bud and an expandable baton were her final accoutrements, the latter slipping easily up her other shirt sleeve and secured with a simple pop-button clasp. Two more percent and her cellphone would be fully charged, then she would set out.
But it was buzzing. It was already past nine in the evening, and the number was not in her contacts. Still, she answered, in case it had to do with her new account.
"Miss Eins? This is Yagami Hayate speaking¡" And so it was.
Voice smoothly urbane with a hint of her south-east asian heritage colouring her vowels, Rein Eins replied, "Greetings, Miss Yagami, please, call me Rein. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Hayate paused, wondering why the woman''s voice was sending gooseflesh skittering across the back of her neck. Then she shook it off, she had urgent things to attend to.
"I understand that you''ll be partnering with one Nakajima Ginga for the purposes that TSAB has contracted your firm for."
Rein found the lilting hints of the Kansai prefecture in this Yagami woman''s voice intriguing as she mmhmm''ed a confirmation to the woman, "She is second only to myself in effectiveness, I assure you that she will meet all expectations placed upon her." She began buttoning up her crisply ironed shirt.
"Yes, well, here''s the deal. She and client #1, Takamachi Nanoha, have a history." Rein''s hands paused, "Indeed?" Ginga had made no mention when she had forwarded the info package to her. She was going to need to have words with her subordinate.
"Yes, they were uh, back in high school. She studied at the Takamachi dojo, y''see." The Yagami woman sounded terribly embarrassed to be talking behind anyone''s back like so. "This is valuable information, Miss Yagami. I thank you for sharing it with me."
Hayate shifted, feeling a little warm under the collar. "It was necessary, I feel. I won''t demand anything unreasonable, only that you speak with Ginga, er, Miss Nakajima, to behave herself. They didn''t part on good terms and Miss Takamachi¡ She''s in a fragile state right now, and I don''t mean just physically."
Rein made a sound of assent while tucking her shirt in, "I shall have words with Nakajima. I assure you that the utmost professional standards will be upheld."
The Yagami woman sounded relieved over the line, "Thanks, Miss Eins, er, Rein. Takamachi and Testarossa are very, very valuable employees. I am entrusting you with their safety."
"Understood, Miss Yagami." Her reply was as crisp as the collar she was slipping a thin black tie through now. "Call me Hayate. Please update me if anything comes up. Good night."
"Of course, Ma''am. Good night." Tying her tie with fingers that could do it in her sleep, Rein pulled up the terse information her past associate had provided her with, re-reading the blurb about this Takamachi woman.
On paper, the first client seemed like the last person who would need a bodyguard. Something must have come up for this Yagami Hayate to sound so frightfully worried for her friend. Oh, the woman certainly sidestepped saying that much, but it was obvious to the keenly observant professional that they were friends.
The portrait provided showed an auburn-haired beauty with incredible deep blue eyes. The second page held some sparse information about the second client, complete with another head shot, and Rein smiled. At least these clients would be easy on the eyes.
Chapter 31: Eye of the Beholder
Fate was at loose ends. Scratch that. She was on tenterhooks. The blonde had left her hospital room once breakfast was over, meaning to pay her boss another visit. The nondescript person standing guard outside her door had frowned, wanting to keep her confined to her room. After a quick exchange with Doctor Kobayashi, of which Fate could barely follow, she had been allowed her visit. Except the bed was empty when she reached the executive''s room.
Heart in her throat, she feared the worst and was close to running out to find out more when a silver-haired woman she hadn''t noticed before stood up, making her presence known. The woman had been seated in the visitor''s chair and Fate was amazed how she could''ve missed the fairly tall woman there.
Her features were strong, almost angular, which didn''t detract from how beautiful she was, added to it, as a matter of fact. Tilted cat eyes a few shades lighter than Fate''s own were framed by dark lashes and they seemed to study her intently, absorbing every detail about Fate while she stood there. As the woman approached where Fate and her government-appointed guard stood, there was an economical grace of movement that reminded the blonde of someone else. Frustratingly, she couldn''t remember who.
"Miss Testarossa," the woman greeted in a cultured accent that the blonde couldn''t quite pin down. "Miss Takamachi is currently in surgery." The death grip the blonde had on her IV stand loosened slightly, and she slumped visibly, eyes hot with ill-hidden relief, "Oh thank the gods, I thought¡"
The woman''s eyes crinkled at the corners, "Miss Takamachi is much more tenacious than to allow a few bullets to stop her. However, she did exacerbate her internal injuries last night, so back in she went."
Rein had arrived around the time there was a frenzied rush to wheel Client #1 to the operating theatre. Ominous beeps and yells punctuated the controlled chaos and so she took a moment to identify herself to the obviously government-assigned guard outside of Takamachi''s room. Once the chaos had subsided, a sweet-faced woman with a marked resemblance to her new client was left, dabbing away her tears.
Momoko was surprised but grateful to hear how serious Hayate was taking her daughter''s safety. She tried to make Rein comfortable, informing her that Nanoha would likely be the night under the knife, but Rein had declined, opting instead to take catnaps in the visitor''s chair. She''d slept less in worse places; all part of the job. Not before she had a chat with her subordinate who was in Changi, awaiting her overnight flight to Haneda.
"Heya Rein," The lavender-haired woman sounded chipper, she had since hearing who their clients were, actually. Rein wondered how she had missed it.
"Ginga, when were you planning to tell me that Client one was an old flame?"
Silence. "I can explain."
"Oh, please do." Spotting a tech-centric magazine on the bedside table in the room, Rein picked it up to flip through while she waited for her employee to come clean.
"Look, there is nothing going on between us. I broke up with her when we were kids!"
"Uh huh, so the reason you''re so cheerful is because¡?"
"...I was hoping to fix my mistake?" Ginga''s voice sounded small.
"Ginga, you know emotions are the last thing to focus on when we''re on assignment."
"I know, and I wasn''t planning anything, I swear. I¡ was just happy to spend time with her. She''s been avoiding me."
Rein tsked, "For good reason, I''m sure. Both myself and the hiring client are reminding you to keep things professional. Please."
"Rein¡"
"You heard me." Rein''s voice brooked no argument. Another sigh and Ginga could hear her boss flipping pages in the background, "Client one just went back into surgery. If you can''t keep it in your pants, I need to know now, before you get onto that plane."
"...Wh-What?" Rein could hear Ginga sitting up in her chair, "That''s¡ I had no idea." True, the information package was very low on details, but to think Nanoha was hurt badly enough for surgery... "I''ll keep it professional, I swear it."
"I''m holding you to that," Rein said grimly. "Gear up once you land, I''ll be in St. Luke''s ICU."
The princess'' arrival had nudged Rein out her light snooze and the silver-haired woman immediately fixed eyes on Client #2. The blonde seemed devastated, her expression close to collapse, which prompted the bodyguard to rise from her seat to update the woman on Takamachi''s whereabouts.
Her use of the word exacerbate may not have been the best choice, since the blonde''s worry didn''t appear allayed at all. "Wh¡ What does that mean?" Rein shrugged lightly, "Her mother said something about coughing blood." The bodyguard immediately regretted being so upfront about the Takamachi''s condition.
Tears spilling down the blonde''s face, Fate sat heavily down in one of the other visitor chairs, hands over her mouth. Squatting by the chair, Rein ventured a pat on the princess'' arm, "The doctors were urgent but not terribly worried. I''m sure she will be fine." Fate brushed impatiently at her eyes, "Me falling apart certainly wouldn''t help." She exhaled a shaky laugh, "I hardly know her¡"
Rein was fairly familiar with the unique circumstances that had given Yagami Hayate cause to engage her security firm for this assignment. That the princess had been snatched off the streets of Japan and it was the extraction of this VIP in front of her that had landed the Takamachi woman in such a state. It was a first for Rein to hear of a high-powered corporate executive being personally involved in the safety and rescue of another company employee, but they did live in interesting times.
Making a noncommittal sound when the princess claimed to barely know the woman who had risked her life to extract her from her captors, Rein merely stood again and bowed, "Pardon for the tardy introduction, your highness. I am Rein Eins. My firm has been engaged by Miss Yagami to provide security to yourself, and Miss Takamachi, for the foreseeable future. I have been briefed that the Japanese government would like both of you back in Singapore once it is safe for Miss Takamachi to travel."
Fate dipped her head, "Please, I am only Fate." Yagami¡ Fate didn''t recognise the name, but considering it was Japanese, she surmised it was likely someone who knew her boss. "Thank you for telling me. I have been informed that I have been living in Singapore long-term, but I fear I do not have any belongings, or a passport."
Rein nodded, "I was told that you had belongings in the hotel that had been booked for yourself and Miss Takamachi. All items were consolidated and sent to the Takamachi residence by TSAB. I would wager your passport would be amongst those items." How curious to feel a little better just from knowing she was not a penniless illegal alien in Japan, Fate thought.
"It would be crass to ask when Miss Takamachi would be able to travel..." She mused, using the sleeve of her hospital gown to dry her eyes as she spoke, "Would you advise that I find temporary lodgings? My Doctor has told me I can be discharged in a few days."
Rein appreciated the logical efficiency of the icy looking blonde, "I took the liberty of contacting my employer, who has secured a place for you to stay in the Takamachi clan home. I advise that you accept this offer, since it would make ensuring your safety much easier. My associate who will be assisting me will join me sometime tomorrow. She is familiar with the Takamachi family, which will be an added advantage."
"I shall have to thank Momoko-san when next I see her," Fate twitched a small smile, recalling the nice woman who was Takamachi-san''s mother. "I shall follow your advice, Miss Eins."
"Rein, please." The silver-haired woman smiled and Fate noted that the bodyguard in her business suit was quite a striking woman. She wondered when she had developed a taste for women in suits. The blonde knew her orientation before leaving for Singapore, but she had no idea if she had come out or remained in the closet during her time on the conservative island nation.
Having lost her memories had put some things into perspective for the blonde. Life was too short for her to live a lie, and if it meant she would lose her job, then so be it. She wondered if the head of TSAB''s HR would make an issue of it. Pulling herself back to the present, she nodded, "Rein. Thank you."
Just then, the door to the ward opened, admitting the Takamachi being wheeled in by a doctor and some nurses. Fate and Rein moved out of the way for the medical personnel to transfer the woman back to her bed. Raising the side guards, the nurses began re-attaching monitoring wires and such to the auburn-haired woman who was breathing shallowly, pale under her fading tan. Following in after, were a dark-haired man and woman, both sharing a passing resemblance to Momoko under the surgical masks they wore.
The doctor was updating the woman''s charts and glanced up when she felt the approach of someone. A tall blonde, face a mask of worry, was hovering close, seeming torn between trying to be patient and needing to know right away. Scribbling the last of her inputs, the doctor stowed the clipboard and gave the woman a reassuring smile.
Belatedly, Fate noticed the two who had come in after the wheeled bed. Her bow of greeting was met with like and Kyoya flicked a glance to Miyuki. Clearing his throat, he re-introduced himself to the blonde, "Takamachi Kyoya, this is my sister, Miyuki. Nanoha is our younger sister."
"Fate," said the blonde, not concerned that anyone should know her family name. Again, her crimson eyes turned to the doctor, though she looked hesitant, wondering if she had the right to ask how the patient was doing.
Reading the blonde''s expression easily, the doctor exchanged looks with the patient''s relatives. Knowing what was being asked, Kyoya gave the doctor a slow nod, eyes moving to rest on the blonde whom he had last seen in severe shock. If Na-chan was willing to do what she had for this person, then he would not withhold the doctor''s report from her. Miyuki''s spectacles glinted in the lowered lights of the room as she studied the same blonde silently. She made no protest when her brother gave the doctor permission to proceed, only crossing her arms to listen.
"She''s fine." The doctor said in heavily accented english once she received permission from her patient''s next-of-kin. Glancing to Rein who nodded to indicate she could translate, she continued in japanese, "It''s amazing that she is after all the abuse her body has taken." The doctor shook her head, having gone through the patient''s old records. "If she can refrain from pushing herself too soon and let the medical professionals decide on what she can do when¡" The woman propped her glasses onto her head, and sighed, "Maybe she can stop undoing all of my hard work and actually get herself on the road to recovery."
Fate tugged nervously at her gown''s sleeve, waiting for the doctor to finish speaking and Rein to, in turn, translate what was said to her. Everyone absorbed the doctor''s words in silence, until Kyoya scratched the back of his head, his free hand on his hip, "She''ll fight us every step of the way¡" He grumbled, then eyed the blonde in a speculative fashion, "Ne, Fate-san. My sister respects your opinion, since you are someone she hired," he was making wild guesses here, but then, he did recall how protective Na-chan was of the blonde when he had first met them in that darkened alleyway. "If you could help persuade her to take things slowly, you know, so that she doesn''t irreparably damage herself, we would greatly appreciate it."
Miyuki''s mouth fell open slightly at what her elder brother was saying. "Chotto!~" Waitasec! "Mi-chan," her brother held up his hand, "How much did Na-chan listen to any of us the last time she was here?" His eyes widened meaningfully as he rolled them slightly in the direction of the beautiful blonde. "I''m just asking Fate-san to try. Familiarity breeds contempt, ne? Perhaps Na-chan will listen to an outsider when they tell her she is being stupid." ''Work with me here, sis¡'' His expression, hidden from anyone else''s view, said to Miyuki.
They''d heard from their mother of the real reason why Nanoha had overexerted herself and while frequently accused of being dense, Kyoya was not an idiot. His baby sister cared for this one, maybe more than this Testarossa would ever know. If he could leverage that to their advantage, well, he wasn''t beyond looking a blonde and beautiful gift horse in the mouth.
Subsiding, Miyuki blinked, frankly impressed that her brother could concoct this ruse on the fly. "Ahaha¡ hai," she readily agreed, appearing from behind her brother''s broad form, "Perhaps." Addressing the blonde, the older Takamachi daughter gave her a bow, "Apologies for my brother''s unreasonable request."
Caught between a subtle rock and a hard apology, Fate could only stammer assent that she would try. "Not a-at all. I h-heard that your family has kindly offered me a place to stay as well." Eyes falling to the resting form on the bed, her icy demeanour softened, "It is the least I can do to help."
The siblings exchanged glances. "Miss Eins," Miyuki bowed again, this time to the bodyguard, "Our mother has informed us of you. We apologise in advance for our sister''s stubbornness. Please do not hold it against her. She has difficulty¡ relying on others."
"Please, Rein is fine. And it''s understandable. I''m sure I would be tearing down walls and chewing nails if I were in her position." She offered the pair a small smile. Kyoya glanced at his watch, "Mi-chan, care to get some breakfast?" He looked at the other two present, extending his invitation to them. The blonde declined politely, "The hospital fed me. I''d like to stay, if I may?" Kyoya nodded, questioning brow lifted to Rein, "If you could get me some takeout?" The bodyguard handed the man a 5000 yen note, "Dinner was a while ago," she smiled. Nodding, the man departed with his sister.
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"I will be outside, should you need anything, Fate." Nodding absently to the departing bodyguard, Fate simply settled into the chair closest to the head of the bed. The woman''s breathing seemed slightly laboured, and her fringe had once more fallen into her closed eyes. Carefully brushing aside the soft strands, Fate studied the woman whose face was still obscured by the breathing mask attached to her.
The lack of emotional resonance felt empty and frustrating. Propping her chin on one hand, she leaned closer and tried to remember even a scrap of something that would tell her how they would normally interact. The woman''s thick lashes fluttered in sleep, perhaps from a dream, and the blonde watched as the supine figure''s brow furrowed. She was beginning to twitch. Not a lot, incapacitated as she was, but enough that Fate wondered if waking her would be the best course of action.
"...-chan¡ no. No! ''M sor¡ ry¡" The executive''s lashes were matted, tears spilling past eyes clenched closed, dampening the woman''s hair. Uncertain what she should be doing in this instance, Fate grabbed a tissue to dry her eyes first. "Shhh, it''s fine. You''re fine¡"
Nanoha fought against the black, heavy molasses weighing her down, pinning her where she was. She could see Fate, ugly wires attached to her head, the whites of her eyes visible as she stared into nothingness. "Feito-chan, I''m sorry, I''m so sorry." She wept and tried to hug the woman. Her arms refused to comply, held down by forces unseen, and she struggled against the bonds.
The furrows in Fate''s brow grew deeper. If the woman moved any further, it was likely that she would hurt something, or as the doctor had warned, undo all of the medical professional''s hard work. Standing, she did what she could to keep the woman prone, Fate covering her with her own torso to help. It turned out more difficult than Fate had expected, the muscles in the Takamachi woman''s neck straining from her efforts to break free from whatever had her in its unrelenting grasp.
"Miss Takamachi! Stop, you''ll hurt yourself!" Fate kept her voice low to avoid causing a ruckus. It was still full of urgency and she patted what part of the woman''s cheek she could reach to try to wake her.
With a gasp, the woman''s eyes flew open, her mask fogging up as she panted, perspiration mingling with her tears. Blue eyes not all present, she looked frantically around, gaze eventually realising a familiar face was above hers. Of its own volition, her right hand lifted, trembling, softly caressing that precious visage. "Tenshi¡" Angel¡ Her voice was muffled, face encased in the ventilator mask, and yet the aching tenderness the raspy alto held was unmistakable. "My¡ fault." Her voice cracked from the anguish weighing her down, darkening eyes full and shimmering with tears yet unshed, "I''m¡ so¡ sorry..."
The reality of Fate superimposed itself over the nightmare''s vision, easing the heart-rending pain that had held her captive and she stroked the face that had branded itself into her soul. The blonde appeared confused, and the realness of the warmth beneath Nanoha''s calloused fingers brought the present crashing down onto her drug-addled mind.
Swiftly dropping her hand in a panic, Nanoha turned to face one of the machines beeping sedately next to her bed. ''Oh gods, what did I do? What did I say?!'' She could feel the blonde pressed down to her torso and even through the blankets and bandages, it felt so perfect¡ ''I''m so fucking messed up.''
Gingerly distancing herself from the now-calmed woman, Fate sat back into her chair and covered her cheek where the executive had touched. Her skin tingled wildly from the simple gesture, and she could feel her face warming. ''Who is this ''Tenshi'' person? Isn''t that the japanese word for Angel?'' Her wine-red eyes glanced at the woman who was still facing away from her. Had the woman fallen back into slumber?
Fate was struck by the way the befuddled executive had spoken, filled with so much care and warmth. She had to have mistaken Fate for someone else. A small part of her thought that person had to be immensely lucky to be regarded with such raw sweetness and for whatever crazy reason, the blonde felt a twinge of jealousy.
Nanoha was far from done cursing herself, even as her fingers felt unaccountably warm just from that touch she had stolen. And stolen it was. This Fate was not¡ a friend. Not even a colleague. This Fate was completely separate from the one she called her best friend. To tolerate a stranger''s hand like that¡ her innate graciousness had certainly remained a constant.
Nanoha could hear Fate''s breathing over the sound of the machines surrounding her. ''Damn, she''s not leaving.'' Steeling herself, her head lolled reluctantly to face the blonde. She could see the puzzlement still there. Jaw tight, she silently cursed herself again. "Apolo¡ gies." At least it felt a little easier to get her words out. It seemed as though the bandages around her chest and middle were a tad less tightly wound.
Fate dropped her hand, glancing down into eyes shuttered and murky, "It''s all right. You were having a bad dream, I think." Her lips twitched into some semblance of a reassuring smile, eyes still shaded with some confusion. "I was worried you may have¡ have hurt yourself more."
The woman closed her eyes and even with the mask, Fate could tell she was embarrassed with herself. "Apolo¡ gies," she repeated. The blonde shook her head, then remembered that the executive''s eyes were closed. Why was she always apologising when she was the one lying there looking like she had lost a battle against a speeding car? "There is nothing to apologise for. It''s been a rough time."
Those eyes were open once more, less murky now as the effects of all the drugs began to wane slightly. They still eyed her with something akin to caution and Fate could feel the cold distance the executive was placing between them. It was only right, considering they were just colleagues, but Fate had a stray thought, wondering if it would ever be possible to be friends with the Japanese woman.
"Still¡ unseem¡ ly. Please¡ forget it." Was the woman trying to sit up to bow?! Fate let out an alarmed squeak and hurried to catch the executive who was overcompensating and swaying dangerously to the point of tumbling right out of the hospital bed. Caught in the blonde''s arms, Nanoha''s eyes drifted shut momentarily, the bandaged woman selfishly absorbing the sensation. "Miss T-Takamachi, please take care," Fate half-scolded, feeling emboldened by her boss'' siblings'' request.
"N-Nano¡ ha." the woman gasped, wincing as her torso was stabbed in multiple areas from her attempt to bow. Helped back to where she had been laying, Nanoha swallowed, feeling a wet warmth around her waist.
"I''ll call you anything if y-you promise to lay still," Fate said pertly. Honestly, she was completely unsurprised that complete strangers had asked for her help to keep this woman from draining her meagre reserves if actions like this were what she got up to once she was conscious.
It took a long moment for Fate''s words to work past the pain Nanoha was fighting back, and the mild shock in the executive''s eyes had the blonde''s cheeks warming again, "I was warned you would try to overdo things, so please, for your sake, just take it easy."
It took the auburn-haired woman a good long time to find her voice, all the while she stared at the blushing blonde. It was utterly unfair how the Principessa could still affect her, even without her memories. Lips twisting wryly, she finally admitted in a rasp, "Too¡ late." Almost ashamed, she awkwardly tugged off her blanket with her one good arm and Fate sucked in a distressed breath, immediately pressing the emergency call button. The growing pool of red was surely not part of the woman''s recovery plans.
"Miss¡ I mean, Nanoha, I cannot believe this. You just got back from surgery!" Nanoha nibbled at her lower lip, "Not¡ planned," she mumbled in her defense. "I should hope not, goodness." Fate folded the stained blanket to one side, jerky motions almost prissy as she fussed. "Does it hurt?"
She could see the executive''s jaw working under her ventilator mask, "Some," she admitted.
A nurse bustled in, turning the lights up and rounding on the bed Nanoha was lying in. Fate had moved aside again, not wanting to get in the way. "Kami have mercy, you weren''t even scheduled to wake for another thirty minutes." The older woman was short with a matronly air, her frown however, spoke volumes that this was completely unacceptable. Rein had stuck her head into the room to check on things, but since it was just medical stuff and not an intruder, she simply resumed standing guard outside with Nanoha''s and Fate''s government guards.
"You''re lucky you''ll be getting reconstructive surgery." Grumbling about pigheaded patients with the smarts of a pack of gum, the nurse called for assistance and fresh bandages and began unravelling the red-stained strips from around Nanoha''s middle. The heavy scent of iron filled the air and Fate hazarded a glance as another nurse showed up, pushing a small cart in with them. The hole was ugly and uneven, situated to the right of a surprisingly lean abdomen. It was clear the executive exercised a fair amount.
She could see Nanoha''s jaw muscle ticking from the sting of it being washed. Determining that she wouldn''t be in the way, Fate moved to the head of the bed and tried to distract the woman, "Hey." Eyes holding back the pain glanced up at her voice, and the executive seemed grateful for her presence. "Not¡ my best¡ look." The woman mumbled weakly, and Fate coughed, holding back what had to be a highly inappropriate laugh.
Fate cleared her throat, lips twitching as she tried but failed to hold back a smile, "You may be right there." This person was lying in a hospital bed, recovering from gods knew how many injuries, and she had the wherewithal to still pull a joke out of thin air. The urge to brush the woman''s fringe out of her eyes came upon her suddenly and she blinked. Where were these urges stemming from?
Instead, she said, "You''re perspiring." Glancing at the box of tissues nearby, she asked, "May I?" One blue eye peered pathetically up at Fate from under an unruly fringe. Nanoha was torn. It would be so easy to fall back into that mutual care that they''d shown one another. She needed to stay strong in the face of Fate''s natural sweetness. At last, she gave a reluctant nod, not trusting her voice. She was merely helping her boss out a little. "Am¡ a¡ mess." Nanoha sighed out, not referring to how she was looking.
Armed with an excuse, Fate brushed back the woman''s fridge to dab away the perspiration gathering over her brow. Nanoha''s eyes drifted shut, her breathing easing while she submitted to the gentle touch. "You look fine," Fate countered, the woman''s natural prettiness still evident past the tubes, machines and breathing mask.
This earned a snort from the older nurse whose rapid-fire japanese was impossible for Fate to catch, "She would look more fine if she could stop tearing open stitches." The woman covered the wound with cotton and gauze and applied pressure, causing Nanoha to grunt painfully. "She¡ is not hap¡ py.." Nanoha translated for Fate, eyes still closed.
Fate had been a little distracted watching the nurses work. She certainly wasn''t looking at the executive''s abdominal muscles tensing under the medical personnels'' administrations or anything of the sort. Glancing back to her own hands, she jumped a little to see azure blue staring up at her, "Don''t¡ look." Nanoha had assumed Fate was disturbed by the ugly sight, "Not pre¡ tty." Her face scrunched as the stronger nurse lifted her middle while the other rolled out a fresh set of bandages around the woman''s waist.
It was mortifying to be weak as a kitten like this, and it took Nanoha conscious effort not to shut the blonde out entirely. She would''ve liked to think she had gotten a little more mature in the eleven years since she had last been in the ICU. It helped that the blonde felt like a complete stranger again. If it was someone she knew¡
"Na-chan, why are you up? What happened?" Nanoha groaned internally. ''Fuck¡''
The siblings had returned, having dropped off a bento to each of the diligent guards outside the room.
Nanoha cast Fate a pleading look not to tell. Fate saw that look out of the corner of her eye and hid a smile, "She tried to bow." She tattled gravely. Nanoha gave Fate an Et tu, Brute? glare that she ignored, "Y-You were supposed to rest."
"I can¡ rest¡ when I''m¡ dead," Nanoha groused petulantly. Fate was certain the executive would''ve crossed her arms if she could. She could have sworn she saw her pouting under that mask. ''Definitely cute.''
"I knew it was a good idea to ask Feito-san to keep tabs on you, Na-chan," Kyoya sighed after palming his face. The nurses were just done securing the bandages and the older one simply bustled closer to the head of the bed and gestured at Kyoya to leave.
Nanoha''s brother was a little slow on the uptake and blinked confusedly. Chuckling, Miyuki shoved Kyoya out the door, locking it firmly behind him. The nurses began divesting the executive of her blood-soaked gown.
The pale blonde went red to her roots and spun around. Miyuki patted Fate on the arm, "It''s okay, Feito-san, we''re all women here."
"Leave¡ her, Nee-san," Nanoha winced at being shifted around, "She does¡ not need¡ to see¡ ugly."
Her older sister clucked her tongue, "Would be less ugly if you''d stop getting hurt so much."
"Don''t¡ tell mom." Miyuki gave Nanoha an incredulous look, "Do I look like I have a death wish? I''ll be on the phone with her after we leave, if Nii-chan isn''t already calling her."
"I feel¡ bul¡ lied," Nanoha complained.
"Not ugly." The bickering Takamachi sisters paused to glance at the source of the shy whisper.
Unable to control her curiosity, Fate clung to the older sister''s assurances to turn back around. Reluctantly. She stressed in her own mind. The executive''s shoulders were broader than expected, the lean column of muscle of the woman''s neck easily confirming Fate''s guess that the woman worked out a fair bit. So too what she could see of Nanoha''s legs, their lengths toned and shapely.
Arms crossed, one hand up in a fist to hide her mouth, Fate stared off to the side after disputing Nanoha and Miyuki''s talk about the executive''s ugliness. ''Shit, did I say that out loud?! No, I''ve lost enough¡'' Meeting both women''s eyes, she fixed her gaze on Nanoha''s and added, "It is clear you take the trouble to stay fit. I think you look good." Snapping her mouth shut, she tore her eyes away to stare at the formless linoleum of the room floor.
Miyuki could tell Nanoha had been left speechless, the usual arguments and self-disdain failing to materialise in the face of Fate''s adamant assertion. "About time someone told it to her face," the older Takamachi quipped. "I like you, Feito-san. Please keep telling Na-chan this. Maybe she will get it one of these days. To be fair, her skull is very thick so getting through to her might take a while."
"Still feel¡ ling bul¡ lied," Nanoha pointed out drolly.
Fate couldn''t meet either of their eyes, "I h-have time," she stated, her pleasant soprano falling back into a whisper. "A-And free memory space, s-so I can remember to remind her."
Glancing at her sister''s flummoxed stare that was teetering on blatant adoration, Miyuki giggled, and soon all three of them were laughing. Nanoha had to stop when even that hurt too much. "Ow, fuck¡" She sighed. Patting Nanoha, Miyuki helped the woman remove her mask to take a long drink. "Kaa-san will be glad to hear you can still laugh." ''And who caused it,'' the older sister thought.
"Thanks, Nee... -san," Nanoha cleared her throat tiredly. "Guess you¡ can let... Nii-san in."
"Oh my, I forgot about him." The three laughed again, or Miyuki and Fate did, Nanoha just gave a faint lopsided smile. It looked far too cute on the sombre executive and Fate glanced away, wondering what was up with herself. She had essentially just met the woman. "I should go back before the nurse comes looking for me."
"Thank you..., Fate-san."
"Leaving already, Feito-san?" Kyoya was just coming back in, happy to see Nanoha looking a little more animated despite the blonde''s presence.
"Yes, I''ve overstayed my welcome, I should head back."
"Never." The blonde glanced back over her shoulder. It was Nanoha. "Always¡ welcome." She couldn''t help herself. The executive knew she was in for a world of hurt saying that. Apparently, she was a glutton for pain. "As Na-chan said. Feito-san is a friend of the clan," Kyoya felt justified in saying that, feeling Nanoha''s grateful look on him after he''d said it. Miyuki added her own sound of agreement, "We look forward to Feito-san visiting the clan."
Bowing with a small smile of thanks, Fate departed. The room felt empty without the blonde and Nanoha tried not to look sorry for herself. The blonde''s visit had taken insane amounts of energy out of the auburn-haired woman to avoid looking too weak, and she was fast losing her grip on consciousness now that she was gone.
"Nee-san¡ one¡gai~" She shifted her head enough to indicate she needed help getting her breathing mask back on. Miyuki did as asked, and tucked Nanoha''s covers snugly around her. "Rest, Kitten. We have to get back to the dojo."
"A¡ ri¡ gato¡" Slipping back into unconsciousness, just one stray thought flitted through the executive''s mind. ''Visiting the clan?''
Chapter 32: No Eeling Out of It
Fate had felt a great sense of relief once she had been discharged that morning. Driven to the Takamachi clan''s compound by Rein at her request, the blonde had gawked at the size of the enclosure. Certainly, they appeared in the rural outskirts of Tokyo, yet the value of the land it sat on had to still be in the multi-millions.
The buildings looked ancient but well-maintained, and when she glanced up at the roofs, she could see no nails or metal fixings. Noticing her curious looks, Momoko, who had greeted them at the door to show them in, smiled, "Sashimono; Japanese wood join technique. Very strong."
"Amazing¡" The blonde observed. Someone was sweeping the flagstones in the entrance way, the area littered with fall leaves. Seeing Momoko''s guests, they bowed. Fate and Rein returned the bows and resumed following Momoko. The older woman gestured to one side where a large building sat, "Dojo," she explained. Muffled yells and thuds could be heard coming from inside, revealing a session in progress.
Further in, a more elaborately appointed building could be seen. A well-maintained well sat to the side of a traditional japanese garden complete with a koi pond, intricately cultivated bonsai trees and a bamboo fountain. The rhythmic, muted clack of the bamboo fountain accentuated the peace of the inner compound, and Fate appreciated the soothing ambience greatly.
"You have a beautiful home¡" She complimented Momoko, who beamed and slid open the main shoji door. Inside, the matriarch found house slippers for her guests who switched to the indoor footwear before stepping inside. "Ojama shimasu~" Fate and Rein said, exchanging faintly amused looks to realise both had looked up the proper etiquette when entering someone''s home in Japan.
"Dozo," Momoko answered simply, dimpling to her guests. "Are the rooms prepared for our guests, Kanae-san?" The woman in an apron over her kimono bowed and assured the matriarch that all was ready. Led up a narrow set of stairs that would only admit one person at a time, the Takamachi woman slid open a shoji door a few paces away from the stairwell.
Inside was a fair-sized room. Tatami mats covered every floor surface, offering a pleasing surface to walk and sit on. In the far corner was a single bed, and closer to the middle, a folded futon and its various components were stacked against one of the far walls.
"Apologies, Rein-san, there is no space for two beds." Rein smiled, she had followed in carrying her own luggage, since this was to be a long-term assignment. "Please, this is pure luxury to those in our line, Momoko-san. I will assign Ginga-san to be stationed in Fate-san''s room, while I guard Nanoha-san."
Momoko hesitated, "She¡ is working with you?"
To Fate, it appeared Rein was expecting the woman''s reaction as she nodded gravely, "She promises to remain within all acceptable boundaries. Please speak with me if you feel she has overstepped. Apologies, my agency had no one else available."
The matriarch gave Rein a tight smile, glancing over to the blonde, "Well, if she is guarding Feito-san, I suppose that is all right."
Fate could feel the undercurrents between the two women. Feeling it was likely none of her business, she simply bowed low to Momoko, once more expressing her thanks for the invitation. Momoko swiftly raised the sweet blonde from her bow, "Please be most welcome. Na-chan cannot keep herself still when must recover. More than enough if guest-san can distract her. Perhaps re-train guest-san or something."
Momoko had kept any information of their friendship under wraps, but the mother in her couldn''t resist giving the blonde extra reasons to spend time with her youngest. Rein seemed to cotton on to the older woman''s intentions and cracked a faint smile, "Certainly, it would be easier to guard my clients if they were in the same room together."
Fate looked from the Takamachi woman to the bodyguard, "I would not presume to assume Miss Taka¡ Um, Nanoha-san would want me around that much¡"
Momoko merely waved away the blonde''s concerns, "Special circumstance, hai? This is not office, you are not on company time. Other children are busy with dojo, so is husband." She patted herself, "Busy with clan business, also." The Japanese woman was glad that the bodyguard seemed to understand what her underlying motives were.
"I-If she doesn''t object, I would be more than happy to help¡" Still a little dubious, she smiled anyway, glad to have a way to repay the Takamachi clan''s kindness. "If you don''t mind, may I take a bath before Rein-san drives me back to the hospital?" She''d heard that Nanoha was back in surgery this morning, but would be out before lunch. If she was going to make good on Momoko''s request, then she had a small window to freshen up and get changed before visiting her boss.
"Certainly." Momoko beamed. "I will show you to the baths once you have your clothes." Momoko moved to wait outside of the room. Nodding, Rein added, "Sounds like a good idea. I''ve been wearing the same clothes for far too long now."
Fate approached the luggage already in the room with some trepidation. The jet black design of it sported bright yellow highlights and had the letters FATE T. pasted onto it, identifying it as belonging to her. The combination on it hadn''t been changed since it was last closed, and so she popped it open.
She blinked for long moments at the sight of what appeared to be a brand new digital SLR seated amongst the rest of her belongings. This was a pleasant surprise. Had she bought it recently? The receipt tucked into the instruction booklet inside the camera''s box told her yes. "Well, I know what I was up to before all that happened, I guess."
Rein was on the other side of the room, carefully divesting herself of various hidden weapons on her person. Pulling out a standard set of clothes that matched what she currently wore, she waited patiently for Fate to go through her belongings. She watched as the woman peered curiously at the digital camera, struck once more by the well-hidden apprehension the blonde displayed. She was handling her memory loss as well as could be expected, and the bodyguard could tell that there was a hidden layer of steel beneath the beautifully icy exterior; this was no fainting flower.
Plucking bits of clothing up, Fate settled on a simple white and yellow stripe tank, short cropped black jacket and an ankle length white skirt. She had no idea if the combination would look good on her, but if it was what her past self had packed, she supposed it wouldn''t end up being too terrible.
Rejoining Momoko, the women were shown to a large communal bath that was split down the middle. To the left, for men, and the right was designated for women. Inside the changing area, Momoko explained that the shelves with wicker baskets were for storing their clothes. Another shelf held spare shower caps and towels. Finally, a large cloth bin was indicated as the receptacle for soiled clothes.
Rein seemed fairly familiar with this style of bath, so it was just Fate who was learning how things were done in this household. Stepping into the tiled area, she could see open stalls with polished wood dividers for individuals to wash themselves before a mirror. Wooden stools were situated at each stall for seating, and a simple shower with wall dispensers occupied each stall. At the far end, near wooden fencing that bordered the entire bath area was what appeared to be a natural hot spring, if the sulphurous scent emanating from the steaming water was any indication. A faint dusting of pink settled over her cheeks. Well, if this was how things were done, she''d just have to get used to it.
"Thank you Momoko-san." Gathering her nervousness into a ball and shoving it deep down inside of her, Fate stored her clean clothes in a basket and began undressing. Rein joined her in a matter-of-fact manner while Momoko begged off to go prepare lunch bento for them to bring to the hospital.
The blonde showered and washed her hair as quickly as she was able to. Her urgency was driven by some unknown need for her boss to surface from her latest operation to a familiar face rather than alone in her room. Focusing on the ticking of time helped Fate not think about how she was effectively showering with a stranger.
Twisting back her damp hair, towelled as dry as Fate was able to in the short time she had given herself, she quickly got dressed and headed back out. She had found an incongruously pink scrunchie amongst her belongings and used it to tie her damp hair back into a low ponytail, deciding that the dry autumn air would be enough to help most of her hair dry on its own.
Rein had her own long silver hair in a tail and took a slightly longer time dressing, considering the deadly weapons she had to re-equip before pulling on her own clothes. Fate remained close by, eyes averted, knowing that Rein needed to keep her in sight to better guard her.
Feeling much better for the shower, Fate wondered if something similar could be done for Nanoha. She knew the woman was conscious about how she looked, likely uncomfortable to have a work associate seeing her in such a state. Perhaps she could find out if it was possible to help the woman wash her hair.
Greeting the guards still stationed outside Nanoha''s hospital room, Fate left Rein to distribute the much-appreciated lunchboxes to them, the silver-haired woman herself digging into her prepared meal with gusto after having removed her own mask.
Carrying her own and Nanoha''s lunchboxes, Fate adjusted the mask she''d been given and made her way inside, relieved to see the executive back and resting easily on her bed. Her colour was still pale and cheeks somewhat hollowed from all the surgeries and IV drips that had been her staple for the last many days that Fate had been staying at the hospital herself.
This being the woman''s final scheduled surgery, Momoko had decided it would be a good time to make a favourite of her daughter''s for her first real lunch after almost a week of nothing substantial. Setting the bento boxes on the bedside table, Fate took a moment to wash and refill the sippy cup, boiling up a fresh pot of water, and just straightening the woman''s blankets and fringe.
The arm not in a sling was laid over the blankets, a blood pressure monitor clipped to her index finger, and Fate pondered if perhaps having her hand held would keep the woman''s bad dreams at bay. Deciding she had nothing to lose, she pulled her visitor''s chair closer and held the executive''s hand in hers. Her other flipped through that well-used tech magazine Inoue had gotten for her some time ago.
It was a light squeeze that alerted Fate to the woman''s approach towards wakefulness. Squeezing back, she put the magazine aside and watched in fascination as a face previously relaxed tensed. Shortly after, long lashes lifted and the deep blue of Nanoha''s gaze found Fate''s own wine-shaded eyes. It took less than three seconds for her eyes to focus and the blonde smiled, "Morning."
Nanoha''s mind took a tad longer to catch up to eyes that had easily settled on what she wanted to see, and so there was no reply to Fate''s greeting for a little longer. Blinking, hating the haze of being under, the executive found it easier to just squeeze the warm appendage she could feel in her right hand. "Mor¡ ning." Knowing the woman was likely thirsty, Fate held up the bed''s remote for Nanoha, one brow lifted in silent query to the woman. Did she want the incline up?
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
At the woman''s nod, Fate depressed the button to allow the prone woman to sit up slightly. Better than having her attempt to do it on her own and making the wound in her waist worse. Again. "Pardon me," she murmured, unclipping the woman''s ventilator to free her mouth and allow her to take sips from the cup Fate had just refilled.
"Thanks." The woman said quietly. Fate assumed she was sounding closer to her usual self and found the executive''s low voice pleasing to the ear. "Anytime. How are you feeling?"
The executive took a while taking stock of herself and with sombre seriousness, informed her AVP, "I''ve been¡ better." Fate shook her head at the woman''s dry tone, "Why do I get the feeling you have a tendency to downplay everything to do with your own health?"
"Because my family¡ exaggerates?" Nanoha sounded hopeful that the blonde bought what she said. She wished she knew what nonsense people had poured into Fate''s ears while she''d been incapacitated.
Alas, the blonde didn''t appear taken in, "Hmm, we shall see." Realising she still had Nanoha''s hand in hers, she awkwardly withdrew hers and shifted back a little, "If you are up for it, your mother made you lunch. She said it was your favourite."
About to say something, a loud growl filled the room and to Fate''s utter bemusement, the executive blushed. The blood pressure monitor''s wire shifted as the auburn-haired woman covered her eyes with her usable hand. A musical laugh followed and Fate took the bento box Momoko had prepared especially for Nanoha.
The savoury scent of grilled eel filled the room. A huge helping of it sat atop a bed of fragrant rice, glazed and glistening with seasoning that Momoko knew Nanoha was particularly fond of. One of the compartments held a large slab of sweetened egg, and in the other compartment, a large portion of gyoza swimming in its tangy dip of soy, rice wine vinegar and sesame oil.
Nanoha swallowed, as did Fate. This was far more than the blonde had expected, but Nanoha appeared more than pleased with what was presented. Fate wheeled over the height-adjustable table for Nanoha and placed the woman''s meal there. Opening her own bento, she blinked. Hers were filled with peeled oranges, apples, watermelon slices, and grapes.
The women exchanged looks, "Momoko-san expressly said these two were for us," Fate mentioned faintly. She could see the gears turning in Nanoha''s head as she pondered the odd servings. When the pieces fell into place, Nanoha resisted the urge to cover her eyes again. "I think¡"
"We are meant to share both," Fate finished for the executive, feeling her cheeks warm for the second time today.
''What in kami''s name was her parental unit of the female persuasion thinking?!'' It was bad enough she had to act a stranger with the blonde, now her mother appeared to be plotting to force them together anyway. She was going to have to speak with her parent. Existing was painful enough without these sorts of shenanigans being thrown her way.
Fate read the bleakness overtaking Nanoha''s expression as an unwillingness to go along with this and rose, "I will ask a nurse if we can borrow some cutlery and dishes." Appreciating the blonde''s consideration, Nanoha heaved an internal sigh of defeat and delayed the woman''s departure, "It is¡ all right¡ Fate-san." Fate could see the woman''s internal struggles clearly. At last, her eyes dipped closed in defeat, "Apologies¡ I will have to... trouble you."
The executive''s pride was stung, that was obvious. What was also obvious, was that there was absolutely no way she''d be able to use chopsticks, or even a spoon, right now. She covered Nanoha''s hand with her own, the hard plastic of the woman''s blood pressure monitor digging into her palm, "Nanoha-san, it is clear Momoko-san knows y-you are unable to have this bento without aid, and trusted that I would help you. This is of no burden to me, so please, do n-not feel burdened either. I could tell it pleased her greatly to be able to prepare your favourites."
Nanoha''s throat bobbed, the executive''s pride wrestling with the angel''s completely valid points. At last conceding, she gave a jerky nod. A flash of impatience chased itself across the auburn-haired woman''s features. She needed to get better and get out, so that she could better put distance between herself and this blonde temptation.
The blonde smiled warmly behind her mask and though the executive refused to look her way, any concession with this woman felt like a win to Fate.
There had to be a point where Fate would run out of patience with her, Nanoha thought. Knowing that an achingly beautiful smile was being sent her way, mask or no mask, the executive refused to look, knowing she would be utterly lost if she did.
Fate puzzled over the provided tablespoon and fork for a moment, drawing Nanoha''s attention. "Kaa-san knew a knife¡ and fork would make¡ no sense, and she did not want¡ to trouble you with chopsticks." She explained how to hold the spoon in the right hand, and use the fork to push mouthfuls onto said spoon with the left, a method most commonly used in Singapore and other South-East Asian countries. Getting the hang of this, Fate packed a portion of eel and rice onto the spoon and offered it to the executive.
Accepting the mouthful was a bittersweet endeavour as memories of all the times they had shared meals flashed through Nanoha''s mind. The taste of her mother''s home cooking on top of that was almost too much and she had to look away to chew, afraid her eyes would give her away. She blinked furiously, trying to swallow past the lump in her throat.
Fate worried she had done something wrong and asked as much, "I''m sorry, Nanoha-san, did I do something wrong?"
An emphatic shake of Nanoha''s head was her reply, "Missed¡ this." She didn''t elaborate, and Fate assumed she meant she had missed her mother''s cooking.
Ensuring she wouldn''t embarrass herself, Nanoha exhaled silently and turned back to Fate. "Have¡ a bite too." She ran a critical eye over Fate, deeming the blonde had lost weight since the start of all this, not that she could say that now.
Having no recollection of having this, whatever it was, Fate hooked her mask under her chin and gingerly tried a spoon''s worth for herself. The sweet and savoury marinade complimented the soft, juicy barbecued eel, and the subtly vinegared short-grain rice was a wonderful fluffy accompaniment to the protein. "Mmm, what is this?" A small part of her wondered if it tasted better because she was sharing the spoon with her pretty boss. ''Dangerous thoughts, Fate, better stop that now.''
Nanoha had been watching the Midchildan try what was probably her first taste of unagi (again) and the corners of her eyes crinkled despite herself, to see Fate enjoying the taste. "Barbecued freshwater¡ eel marinated in tare sauce, um¡" Blue eyes squinted while Nanoha''s mind attempted to break down the ingredients for the blonde, "Soy sauce, but thick¡ ened, with rice wine¡ swee¡ tened. Kaa-san uses honey. Makes¡ a difference." Her eyes focused once more on the blonde, who seemed impressed all out of proportion.
"Do you cook a lot?" The blonde asked. Nanoha gave a small nod, "Live¡ alone." The executive accepted the next mouthful, this one with the sweetened egg, and refused to think too much about how this felt like indirect kissing.
"That makes no sense," Fate commented after taking another mouthful for herself. Savouring the soft, bouncy omelette, she lifted a finely arched brow at the blonde.
"You cook, have a good job, look great, and aren''t married?" Nanoha knew the blonde meant it as a lighthearted joke, and stomped on her initial reaction to feel hurt. ''Be fair, she doesn''t even remember you''re gay.'' "Who wants to¡ date anyone with¡ holes in their body?" She actually felt proud she was able to keep her voice even.
Fate gave a light snort, feeding Nanoha another mouthful to stem that nonsense spilling from her mouth, "How did you get shot, anyway? I thought Japan was safer than that."
Chewing pausing, Nanoha sighed to herself. The dreaded question had come, and she still didn''t have a good answer for the blonde. She used the time to finish chewing to buy herself a little more time. Schooling her voice to be emotionless, she said, "There were some¡ bad people who took you. It was¡ my duty to take you back." It sounded so stupid to Nanoha, but it was the most edited yet truthful answer her mind could come up with.
Of all the answers Fate was expecting, this¡ this insanely bare bones explanation was the last thing she could have expected. She studied Nanoha, the woman chewing coldly as if she had just spoken about the weather and not about deliberately putting herself in danger to¡ ''take'' Fate back, from extremely unsavoury individuals, apparently.
The official who had introduced himself to Fate as Ueda had questioned her about what she could remember, which was zip, but what he''d shared with regards to this Jail Scaglietti and his associates made the blonde shiver over her narrow escape. It stank to the high heavens of her family''s high-handed approach to one of their own, and she could read her mother''s fingerprints all over it. Ueda had neglected to inform her who had been behind her rescue, however.
Slowly, she worked on getting more of the meal into Nanoha whose eyes were once more avoiding Fate. ''Was this how princesses in stories felt when a prince saved them?'' Feeling her heart rate pick up, the blonde struggled to come to terms with what the auburn-haired woman had just revealed. But this prince felt carved from cold marble for all the emotion she now showed.
"I¡ don''t know what to say," she confessed. The executive merely continued to eat, her expression a mask. "I miscal¡ culated. That''s all." A shadow flitted across the executive''s face and Fate felt the distance between them become even greater than ever, even though they were sharing a meal. Hazarding a hand on Nanoha''s, Fate squeezed, forcing the reticent woman to look at her.
Eyes of chill blue realised the blonde was crying, and Nanoha hurled silent curses at herself. "It''s not¡ your fault." She tried to reassure the blonde. "Is it not?" Fate whispered, tightening a shaking hand around Nanoha''s, enough that Nanoha could feel the plastic clamping on her finger a tad too hard. "Nanoha-san, I read your chart. I barely know you and it still hurts. Couldn''t someone else have done it?"
"No." Voice emphatic, jaw set in a grim cast, Nanoha refuted the blonde, "Not quickly¡ enough. Safety first."
"Mine, but not yours?" Fate asked in a hushed voice, brow furrowed, the need to understand overtaking all sense of caution.
Again, Nanoha appeared frustrated with her inability to properly convey what she meant. To her, it seemed as though the concept was simple enough for a child to understand, so why could Fate not? "Duty." The executive intoned, forcing her voice to be clear. Fate''s head fell as more tears slipped past eyes squeezed shut. Nanoha squeezed the hand that held hers so tightly, needing Fate to look at her, which she eventually did. The cold of the executive''s expression thawed just a hair, "It''s o¡ kay."
Fate inhaled a shuddering breath. What sense did it make that the one recovering from multiple impact and gunshot wounds would be the one comforting her? ''She can''t even feed herself, get it together!'' Belatedly remembering there was more lunch to finish, Fate brushed impatiently at her eyes, heaping the biggest spoonful yet to feed Nanoha. "It won''t be okay until you are," she stated adamantly.
Nanoha wished she had the ability to slam her head on the table. How was she to wean herself from the Angel if the woman felt responsible for her injuries? "I am bet¡ ter." Gathering the remnants of her dignity around her battered form, she again tried for distance.
"I will accept nothing less than a full recovery, Miss Takamachi, so eat up. You need this." Chin lifted haughtily, the princess appeared determined to take personal control of the cold woman''s recovery, no matter what she said. Nanoha felt her sense of control slipping through her grasp. She didn''t have the energy to fight this, she already felt sapped of strength, and she wasn''t even through with lunch.
"Still bossy¡ I see." It was weak, but the mildest hint of approval appeared in the executive''s azure gaze. Fate slowly realised the role she had been hired for demanded that she didn''t bend or bow to the tempest of the executive''s wishes. That she had to be her own person. The exact polar opposite of what her family had always demanded from her. Tried to force out of her.
"I''m glad some things don''t change, then." Heartened that Nanoha wasn''t fighting her on this, Fate exhaled a breath she hadn''t even realised she had been holding. Even incapacitated, Nanoha took a lot to stand up to. The blonde wondered what the woman was like at full health. Whew. "Now, how does a shampoo and wash sound after lunch?"
Apparently, Fate had hit on something Nanoha desperately wanted. The woman''s head dropped and she groaned, "I need¡"
The blonde sounded pleased to have guessed correctly, "You got it. IF you''re good and finish your food."
"Half of¡ this is yours," Nanoha protested, head lifting to cast Fate a look of mild outrage.
"I''m not recovering from multiple injuries," Fate countered tartly, but she did take another bite for herself. The rest of lunch progressed swiftly now that Nanoha had motivation. Fate did her best to get the majority of the meal into the convalescing woman, though the executive frequently rebelled, refusing to take a bite until Fate had one first.
Handing Nanoha a tissue to wipe with, Fate repositioned her mask and took a moment to wash the bento boxes and cutlery. She couldn''t recall when she''d last had such a significant meal and she hoped she wouldn''t be put into a food coma before she was done helping Nanoha with her shampoo. The blonde worried that the woman''s shoulder would keep her arm in a sling for a significant length of time. It would be a good idea if she learned how to help Nanoha clean her hair, right? Right.
Putting away the washed bento boxes and cutlery, Fate lowered Nanoha back to a supine position and went to look for a nurse. With Rein''s help, she explained her wish to learn how to help the executive with washing her hair, something the matronly nurse was more than happy to teach to the gaijin.
Chapter 33: I Knew I Wanted You
Ginga adjusted the surgical mask over her face. It was odd going back to wearing them after traipsing around Singapore maskless this past year. Stepping out of the elevator, her boots clicked mutely over the linoleum. The last time she''d been here, she had been rejected from the room she had tried to visit. Her mind thought back to those faces of friends, expressions closed off, silently accusing, even though the one in the hospital bed had never blamed her for a thing.
Her personal phone was blowing up after she had filed for divorce a week ago. With no heir produced, even her soon-to-be ex-husband''s side was protesting the move, but Ginga was past the point of caring. Saying goodbye to Nanoha was the worst mistake she had ever made and the regret ate at her constantly.
Feigning cheerfulness while she attempted to reconnect with the woman was wearing on her and at this point, she was ready to just throw herself at the auburn woman''s feet and just beg for forgiveness. But how did one beg for such, when blame had never been placed on her in the first place? It would have been far easier if Nanoha hated her. At least that would''ve meant there were still enough feelings to warrant hate.
To hear that TSAB had hired Rein and herself to guard the executive and her AVP seemed like a perfect opportunity to truly mend the bridge she had lit up in flames over a decade ago. While she knew she had to remain professional, surely all this time in close contact would garner her some good will from Nanoha? She could only hope.
Spotting the head of her agency, she approached the silver-haired woman. Rein was leaning back in her foldable chair, and two men who appeared to be standard issue government agents were positioned on the other side of the room''s door. All wore surgical masks as mandated by the Japanese government.
"Heya, how''s things?" She asked quietly, keenly aware of the sort of costs TSAB was incurring to have Nanoha in a room of her own, not to mention the engagement of their agency for such a protracted period of time. Yagami Hayate was taking no chances with her oldest friend.
"Ginga," Rein greeted, "It''s been quiet. She''s been in and out of surgery but the doctors say she''s recovering. The last op was reconstructive. I''d imagine due to the gunshot wounds. Did you get any rest?"
Ginga''s face tightened at the mention of gunshot wounds. "Slept on the flight. I can trade places¡" Ginga hesitated, "After I visit her? Scout''s honour I will keep it professional."
Rein eyed her subordinate for a few beats, then nodded. "She already has a visitor," she warned mildly. Not catching that warning tone, Ginga nodded and slipped silently into the room.
Her forward progress was arrested by the scene she had come upon. The blonde she had only seen in the assignment package was positioned behind the head of the hospital bed. Nanoha, barely recognisable in all her casts and bandages, not to mention a ventilator mask, was supine on the bed. The head of the bed''s mattress had an oddly-shaped tray placed on it under Nanoha''s head, meant to allow a bedridden patient''s hair to be washed.
A matronly-looking nurse was next to the blonde, walking her through the steps needed to shampoo and rinse Nanoha''s thick auburn hair. A faint line was between the blonde''s pale brows while she concentrated on following the nurse''s instructions. Nanoha''s eyes were closed as she haltingly helped translate the nurse''s instructions to english for the blonde''s benefit.
The executive looked pale and gaunt. Her injuries and all the surgeries had clearly taken their toll on the woman and the normally fit figure seemed small, surrounded by all the monitoring machines and the ventilator.
To a martial artist like Nanoha, the head was a sensitive thing, something that needed constant vigilance and protection. Ginga knew this from back when they had been training together in the Takamachi dojo, more so when they had begun dating. There was never a time when she was allowed to touch Nanoha''s head or hair without clear and conscious consent from the Takamachi scion.
Yet, here was her agency''s second client, washing the woman''s hair, evidently with Nanoha''s permission. Remaining in the shadows of the entrance, Ginga studied the blonde. She vaguely recalled hearing the woman''s voice from inside her office the last time she had met Nanoha for their disastrous dinner at the Turkish restaurant.
"Just an acquisition from a previous account," Ginga recalled Nanoha saying, when she had asked who it was on the intercom. She never elaborated how the acquisition was actual royalty from another country, or how beautiful said royalty really was. Past all the lines of pain and stress etched into her face, the lavender-haired woman could tell Nanoha seemed almost¡ content to submit to the AVP''s touch. ''Nanoha-chan'', the woman had called the EVP of Operations.
The tip of Fate''s tongue peeked out past the corner of her lips as she worked to prevent water from spilling into Nanoha''s eyes, or out of the tub-like attachment that was affixed to the bed under the executive''s head. Nanoha had risked a glance up at the blonde hovering over her and had caught sight of that adorable look, her own expression softening in defiance of a mind that kept reminding her to keep her distance.
Soon, however, her senses picked up the presence of another, and Nanoha kept her reactions firmly in check when she realised who that additional person in the room was. ''When it rains, it pours¡'' Her mind thought with morbid humour. Here was her ex-girlfriend, watching her beat-up self being tended to by the angel who haunted Nanoha''s dreams and waking thoughts, to the point where the stabbing pain of their broken relationship didn''t even register in the executive''s heart any longer.
Knowing Nanoha had noticed her, Ginga stepped out of the shadows to approach the little tableau. Fate glanced up from her work in surprise to find a full-figured woman with long lavender hair plaited tightly. She was dressed in a suit identical to what Rein wore and though Fate had never seen the woman before, the blonde felt reticent towards her, as if she''d had a bad impression of her before.
Did she know this person then forgot who she was? The woman looking at her didn''t seem to recognise her either, however. Stopping two paces from the bed, the woman bowed formally, "Nakajima Ginga desu~ I will be assisting Rein on this assignment. Dozo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu~"
On one hand, Nanoha felt ridiculously exposed, lying in a thin hospital gown, shampoo suds in her hair, both nurse and her AVP staring at the stranger who had once ripped her insides to shreds. On the other hand, Ginga''s formal greeting insinuated that she meant to remain professional in their dealings with one another. Time would tell when it came to this unpredictable woman. Nanoha had learned the hard way to expect the unexpected from this woman.
"Kochi¡ rakoso, onegai¡ shimasu~" Naturally taking the lead in the situation, Nanoha responded to the woman on Fate''s behalf. Her normally strong alto was low but projected itself sufficiently to inform Ginga that Nanoha was keeping a cautious eye on her. She cast a questioning glance up at Fate who was still coming to terms with the odd mix of emotions the new bodyguard''s appearance had elicited in her, "Rein?"
"Oh, yes, you had not woken when Rein was in here. She mentioned a Yagami person had contracted her agency," Fate explained to the executive who appeared troubled to be missing important information. The blonde could see the excuse of having been in multiple surgeries was far from sufficient for the auburn-haired woman to let herself off the hook. "I apologise for forgetting to inform you of the arrangement."
Nanoha waved off the blonde''s apology with her one arm that was not in a sling, "No... I have¡ much to catch¡ up on."
"Not as much as I," Fate pointed out dryly as she, with the nurse''s help, began rinsing away the suds in the executive''s hair. Nanoha wanted to kick herself for reminding Fate about her missing memories. Fortunately, the blonde appeared rather sanguine about the entire thing, open to picking up where she had left off and filling things in as and when she could.
It was that flexible mindset that had first drawn the EVP to consider hiring the woman to begin with, and Nanoha was once again grateful that Fate seemed the same regardless of the memories she had lost or retained. The only problem was the Fate-shaped hole in her heart and that was something that was up to Nanoha and Nanoha alone to deal with.
Ginga had been briefed on the blonde''s memory loss, though not how or why it had happened. There had been no details explaining the state Nanoha was in either, only that the executive had spearheaded the extraction team that had tracked down and saved the Midchildan princess. Ginga had no doubt the Takamachi clan had been involved, since the Nakajima clan had ancient ties to Nanoha''s family dating back to the Sengoku, or Warring States period.
In another time and place, Ginga could''ve been attached to the Takamachi scion as her vassal. Here, the bodyguard would only be serving the pair for a few months. The continued wariness in Nanoha''s demeanour was to be expected, but to feel the same coming from the blonde was not. Curious.
It was upsetting to see Nanoha in such a state and Ginga had to sternly reign in any impulses to fuss over the executive, knowing that it wouldn''t endear herself to the injured woman. Instead, she dipped her head respectfully, "Please do not hesitate to call if assistance is required." With that, she turned on her heel and left to relieve Rein of her post to give her superior a break from her duties.
Rein had her ears peeled for any sounds of raised voices, and was impressed when her subordinate returned with nary a peep from their clients inside. To her experienced eye, she could tell Ginga had been hard-pressed to keep her initial urges in check and she felt some small hope that the woman was finally learning that less was more.
"And she looked much worse yesterday," The silver-haired woman shared. Ginga''s face twisted in unvoiced emotion. Casting a look over her shoulder at the government agents, her subordinate grabbed Rein by the arm and pulled her a distance away from the men. "Update me, please," she asked urgently. Remembering her manners, she released Rein''s arm and listened while her boss outlined the extent of Nanoha''s injuries.
Lips thinning to a grim line, Ginga then pursed them while she considered Nanoha''s cool demeanour, split equally between herself and the blonde who''d been assisting her. It was difficult to imagine the coldly calculative assassin eating such tactically unsound injuries for a mission.
The goal was always to get in, and get out in one piece. How else would they report back to their masters if they were to die while performing their duty? This insane result reeked of all-in, last ditch, ends justified the means, berserker behaviour. For what? A new AVP fresh off of an account from a few months back? Nothing added up.
Such unbridled emotionality had bled away from the auburn-haired woman after they had broken up. Or so Ginga had thought. It''d always been part of the guilt she carried, dulling the consuming passions of the vivacious seventeen year old with her actions, and then the accident involving Nanoha and Yuuno had effectively snuffed the remaining embers out for good.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
"I''m informing you so that you know what care we must take in ensuring their safety," Rein articulated quietly, out of the agents'' hearing. "As you can tell, there is no doubt Takamachi Nanoha will take personal action if the princess is endangered once more, and in her state, that will most certainly cause irreparable harm." Red eyes pinned Ginga where she stood, "This is the complication of our assignment. We must guard one to within an inch of our lives, to ensure the other doesn''t throw hers away."
Leaving her subordinate to ponder the implications of her revelations, Rein stretched as she made her way to the cafes below to grab a break. Hopefully she''d be able to find a good brew before she had to return to her post.
It was impossible to get a moment alone with Nanoha and Ginga slammed a fist into the nearby wall in mute frustration. Rein was still on her break but their blonde client appeared to have taken it upon herself to be the auburn-haired woman''s primary caretaker. Weren''t they just colleagues? On top of that, the princess had no memory of her past collaboration with the executive. Was she sucking up to her new boss?
Ginga had ducked her head back into the room only to find Fate brushing out the woman''s still damp hair while the two watched some random travelogue show about Singapore and its iconic sights. Nanoha remained aloof and only replied to the blonde when spoken to, so it couldn''t be that she was making the royal feel welcome.
Sighing, she ducked back out and settled down into her foldable chair to bide her time.
Nanoha''s eyes were half-closed while the programme played. The nurse had left once the blonde was done rinsing out the conditioner she''d applied to the auburn-haired woman''s hair. Depressing the controls to tilt herself up to an incline, Nanoha had flipped idly through the channels until she had found one about their adopted country.
Fate had been towelling her hair, pressing the absorbent artificial chamois material into the executive''s scalp to get the woman''s hair as dry as she could before she began brushing it. The woman had remained silent throughout the rest of the procedure. Fortunately there hadn''t been much more for her to translate and the nurse had simply patted Fate''s hand approvingly and left with the washing apparatus in tow.
"This is where TSAB''s Southeast Asian headquarters is located?" Fate asked while she began finger combing through the executive''s thick tresses, carefully untangling as she went to allow for a smoother, painless brushing experience.
"Mmmhmm." Nanoha was fighting a losing battle with utter relaxation. Tucked snugly under her blankets with the feeling of the blonde''s fingers in her hair, the injured woman could feel Morpheus'' hands slowly tugging her towards sleep. Stubbornly, she clung to consciousness, not knowing when she''d ever be pampered by the AVP again.
"What''s Singapore like?"
"Hot all year," Nanoha drawled sleepily. Her voice had smoothened out the more she spoke, and the regular pauses Fate took to offer the executive water had also helped. As Fate had suspected, the executive''s lower register was warmly vibrant, a marked contrast to the rest of the Japanese women Fate had met thus far, and it curled pleasingly in the blonde''s ear.
"Do you like the heat?" Fate took up the new brush the hospital had provided and began with the ends of the woman''s long hair.
Nanoha made a thoughtful sound, "I do. It keeps people devoid of pretensions. It''s too warm to keep up appearances. You''d see people in cut-offs and flip-flops in the most expensive restaurants, in a suit and tie in the humblest neighbourhood coffeeshops, or kopitiam, as they''re known there."
Fate hummed, considering the woman''s reply. So the executive didn''t appreciate pretentiousness. She filed that into her very thin, very sparse file on Nanoha. This was the most the woman had said since Fate had gotten to know her, again. "What''s that boat-shaped building?" Fate asked, pointing the brush at the flashy structure now on screen.
Nanoha felt a twinge at the question, recalling the dinner and chocolate buffet she had brought Fate to early in their friendship. "Marina Bay Sands, one of the two places with casinos in the country. There are free laser shows at night." Memories of that innocent time on the river taxi with Fate played through the executive''s mind, the impromptu outing prompted by none other than the lavender-haired bodyguard outside her room.
It was a challenge to get Nanoha to talk, the executive a lot more close-lipped than anyone else Fate had ever met. That she could remember meeting. Listening to the woman''s pithy insights appealed a lot to the blonde, however, and what better way to get to know her new boss than to talk about something innocuous like the country they worked in, and work itself?
"How was I hired?"
The burr in Nanoha''s voice grew more pronounced the sleepier she got. Lunch and her meds were over an hour ago, and the soft touches in her hair and scalp were truly testing the limits of her very, very minute pool of stamina. "TSAB acquired Testarossa Inc. I needed t'' make the num''ers fit t'' avoid layoffs. You helped¡ fir''d y''self an'' your sis..." Nanoha gave a jaw popping yawn, scrunching herself down where she lay to get more comfortable. "I knew I wanted you¡" She yawned again, eyes drifting closed.
Fate listened to the executive slowly dropping off into slumber while she spoke, finding the slurring and yawns inordinately cute. Wait, did she just use the word ''cute'' to apply to her boss? She shook herself out of that crazy thought, only to find herself freezing again when the woman, who was obviously losing her grip on consciousness, said that she wanted Fate. ''She must have meant she wanted me for TSAB.''
Peering around the head of the bed, she smiled to see the woman fallen into deep slumber. Nanoha needed as much rest as possible, and it heartened the blonde that as cool and professionally distant as the executive was, she didn''t feel¡ heartless. That had been one of Fate''s worries working in such an immense company. Many had to give up their humanity to climb that high, and it wouldn''t have been surprising if the Takamachi had done so, too.
''I can work with her, I think.'' Feeling better about her position in life, Fate turned off the television and lowered Nanoha''s bed back down. Stowing the bed''s remote near the woman''s good hand, Fate resumed brushing the executive''s hair dry, static causing the strands to keep clinging to her hands.
"Goodness, this hair¡" Fate chuckled, quickly plaiting Nanoha''s hair and securing it with the simple black tie the nurse had given her. She admired the fiery highlights now visible in the healthy shine of the executive''s auburn tresses, so much more colourful than her boring pale blonde.
Checking the time, she noted that it was a little past two in the afternoon. Feeling a little tired herself, Fate pulled her visitor''s chair closer to the side of the bed and found a space for her to lay her head down on to take a little nap.
Nanoha''s rest was fitful and it wasn''t more than an hour when another disturbing dream jolted her back awake. The sharpened edges of her fading nightmare were difficult to grasp, not that Nanoha even wanted to remember. Consciously slowing her breathing to a controlled rhythm, she willed her heart rate to fall in line.
It was hard to tell the position of the sun. Fading in and out of consciousness since Fate''s rescue had caused the executive to lose all track of what day it was, let alone the time. Especially since the blinds had been drawn in her room. Her right arm felt oddly warm and she lolled her head to the side to find a golden spill of hair blanketing her limb.
She held her breath, not wanting to wake the peacefully slumbering blonde. Interesting how the bands around her chest loosened once she knew Fate was close by. "Tenshi¡"
The light click of her room''s door opening alerted Nanoha to the entry of someone and any lingering sleep left her eyes as she tensed, sharp gaze seeking out the possible intruder. Holding back a sigh, she tried to shed her assassin instincts, a difficult prospect when Fate was resting defenceless at her bedside.
Ginga paused to find razor-sharp flint pinning her where she stood. Even with all the casts and bandages, lying prone and hooked up to a ventilator, she could feel the spike of killing intent being sent her way before Nanoha recognised her and tamped her instincts down. Still, the wariness was evident and the bodyguard couldn''t blame the woman. In her misguided attempts to make-up with Nanoha, she had done some questionable things she sorely regretted. ''Just add it to the pile of regrets I''ve already collected.''
Approaching the other side of Nanoha''s bed, her eyes flicked to the sleeping AVP and keeping her voice low, greeted the executive. "How are you doing?" She asked in japanese.
Casting her own glance to the sleeping blonde, Nanoha replied in a voice soft enough to almost be a whisper, "Well enough." Ginga could see the executive keeping her arm deathly still to avoid disturbing Fate.
Hayate must''ve been in urgent need to be hiring Ginga for this assignment, which was all that was keeping Nanoha civil with the bodyguard. That didn''t mean she would be making this any easier for the woman who''d been a source of torment and baggage for far too long. Truth be told, Nanoha had slowly been tossing some of that baggage overboard under the gently shining sunlight of Fate''s friendship, and she had never hated the woman. It was just so tiring to deal with her.
The auburn-haired woman was not going to make this easy for Ginga, was she? Ginga knew she was reaping what she sowed, and soldiered on, "Look, I just wanted to apologise." The wariness in Nanoha''s gaze never lessened, though she seemed willing to listen, "The last time we spoke¡ I was out of line with what I did. I apologise."
Not expecting an apology, Nanoha stared at the woman holding a deep bow to her. "It''s in the past," she murmured, trying to brush off that forced kiss.
"I''ve filed for divorce," Ginga blurted. That got a reaction from the executive as blue eyes widened in shock. "I don''t want to subject a child to life in a broken home." The bodyguard continued, "Regardless, I''ve come to realise there are more important things than fulfilling my family''s expectations." Verdant green eyes stared down into deep blue that were still wide in shock.
"...Why are y-you telling me this?" Nanoha choked out in a strangled whisper, still extremely conscious of the sleeping blonde on the other side of her bed.
Ginga''s hand twitched. She wanted so much to cup that beautiful face, to make her see, but she had sworn to be professional. "You know why. I want to look after you, protect you¡" She cast a pained look at the executive''s mangled form, "Look at the state you''re in!"
Expression growing hard, Nanoha growled lowly through clenched teeth, "My state has nothing to do with you." The hand hidden under Fate''s thick fall of gold clenched into a trembling fist, "I''ve fought too long to have you, or anyone else, second guess my decisions."
For all that Nanoha was lying prone, hooked up to wires and tubes, her blazing, implacable will loomed larger than the room could contain, and Ginga stepped back a pace from the force of the woman''s whispered words. The sledgehammer of that teenaged passion had never been gone. Instead, it''d been honed into a blade so sharp that it could slice away all extraneous foolishness to cut deep to the very heart of Nanoha''s goals.
What an utter fool she had been. How could she have given this up? "Nanoha¡" Voice hushed, she approached once more with caution, "It just hurts that you value your own safety so lowly¡"
The auburn-haired woman gave a faint sound of wearied amusement, "Duty is heavier than a mountain; death is lighter than a feather," she whispered the old adage dryly, "Don''t worry, I won''t let myself die."
"It was duty then? To lay your life on the line for this one?" Ginga''s eyes flickered to the resting blonde, the woman''s breath even as she lay oblivious to the quiet conversation the Japanese women were having.
Blue eyes bleakly reminiscent of those Ginga had caught a glimpse of after Nanoha had first been discharged from the hospital after her accident, slipped to the side, not meeting hers. "I was overconfident. The price was mine to pay."
Her lavender plait shook with the movement of her head, "I do not understand¡"
"You need not¡" Those eyes rose to pin her where she stood, hardened sapphires glinting in the dim confines of the hospital ward, "All you need to do¡ is to protect her."
Rein was correct, damn her.
"The contract was for the both of you." Ginga murmured. "Nanoha, I know¡ I don''t deserve a second chance." She licked her lips, "But I''m begging you, please¡ I would do anything¡ I miss you." Her eyes hid nothing as she pleaded with the executive.
Nanoha couldn''t decide whether to laugh or cry. So all it took was almost dying again for Ginga to get real with her? It was so ridiculous to be missing the blonde sleeping AT HER ELBOW so much that she would even consider getting back with her old flame. Torn, she looked away, "I¡ I¡"
"You don''t have to answer right away," Ginga could see the woman struggling and allowed a faint bit of hope to blossom in her chest, "Just promise me you''ll think about it."
Closing her eyes, Nanoha exhaled softly, the fog of her long breath dampening the breathing apparatus she was hooked up to. She nodded mutely, refusing to look at the face that had once consumed her every waking thought. Blinking away the threat of tears, Ginga bowed and left to return to her post outside the ward''s entrance.
Left with her own thoughts of what once was and what could have been, mourning the death of a friendship more precious to her than life itself, Nanoha stared up at the ceiling, feeling too broken to even weep.
Chapter 34: Charmed, Im Sure
Fate had returned to the Takamachi compound the night before to find the police commissioner there. He''d come to return her cellphone which had been picked up as evidence and the blonde felt the loss of her memories keenly once more. The model of phone was different from what she last recalled using, same with the reading glasses she had found in her luggage. Thankfully, it used biometrics for security, allowing her to unlock it with a thumbprint.
In it, a ream of unread messages awaited her attention, but only one stood out from a name she recalled hearing.
''Yagami H. - Fate, call me.''
Nervously, she listened to the ringtone, and after three rings, her call was picked up.
"H-Hello? This is Fate, I was asked to call¡"
"Fate-san!" The unfamiliar female voice spoke perfect english with a hint of some accent Fate couldn''t quite pinpoint. She sounded incredibly relieved. "I''m so glad you got my message."
Sitting on the edge of her borrowed bed, Fate fiddled nervously with her reading glasses. "Thank you¡ for the guards."
"Please, it is the least we can do." This Yagami person seemed to think little of the costs being incurred. "I know it''s hard to keep track of everything after what happened. So do take your time to adjust. I''m Yagami Hayate, CEO of TSAB. You were hired a few months ago as my AVP of Operations, reporting directly to Takamachi Nanoha, the EVP of Operations. You still have your laptop, hai?"
"Y-Yes, it was in my luggage."
"Okay, good. Leave it there."
Fate pulled her phone away to stare at it for a second. Gingerly, she brought the device back to her ear, wondering all the while if she had misheard the boss of her boss, "I b-beg your pardon?"
"Don''t push yourself. You''ve had a¡ disturbing experience, and TSAB values not just your physical but also your mental health. Nano-chan has searched high and low for an AVP she can work with, and we would very much like to keep you in the role you''re in." Hayate closed her eyes and crossed her fingers, hoping she wasn''t revealing too much against Nanoha''s wishes.
"I¡ That''s very kind, Miss Yagami¡"
"Hayate is fine. And yes, just leave work aside for now. Focus on finding your bearings, read some news. Maybe read it to Nano-chan. I''m sure she''d like to stay updated on what''s happening in the world and¡ and¡" Hayate''s lips quivered. She''d read the report her uncle in the force had obtained for her, including the full extent of Nanoha''s injuries. They had been so close to losing her again.
"...And I think she has trouble holding a newspaper right now." Fate could hear the sob the CEO was unable to hide, and she immediately grasped what the woman was trying to say. Please look after my friend.
"...Understood." The blonde responded gravely, "I will read to her until I lose my voice."
Hayate choked out a blubbery laugh, "Please, no. Nano-chan would kill me. I don''t need my AVP to lose her voice, or my EVP to lose¡" A sniffle was heard this time, "Just come back to Singapore safely," Hayate finished thickly.
"We will do that, but there may be some delay. Miss Nanoha tore open one of her wounds yesterday¡"
"Oh my gods," The CEO squeaked, "Why can''t she sit still for even a week?! Fate-san, please, just sit on her if she tries to overextend herself. Tell her you''re doing it under my orders if she tries to complain." Fate felt her cheeks warm at the thought of sitting on those legs she had seen and she turned to face the wall. Ginga was in the room, still guarding her.
The bodyguard was on the futon laid out by the only entrance to the room. She had changed to a more casual sweatpants and tee get-up and was discreetly ignoring any conversation she was hearing. An extendable baton and Maglite lay by the head of her bedding while she scrolled through her phone.
"U-Understood," Fate said again, thoroughly unused to the CEO''s casual way of speaking.
"Only when you think Nano-chan is well enough are either of you allowed to access your laptops. I''m placing you in charge of that decision. I know Nano-chan will try to get right back to work before she''s ready. So make sure she knows you''re in charge here."
"I w-will do so, M¡ Hayate."
The line fell silent, Hayate struggling with wanting to say more. Damn that Nanoha for extracting promises from them. Worse, she knew Ginga had been assigned to Fate and was most probably situated in the same room as the blonde to guard her according to the terms of the contract.
"Listen, Fate-san. You worked well with Nano-chan. I know she''s a stranger to you, but give it time and you''ll find your way back to being good¡ colleagues again, all right? Remember, she''s the one who hired you."
Fate nodded before remembering the woman couldn''t see her, "I¡ yes. I will keep that in mind. Thank you, Hayate."
"Thank me by sitting on Nano-chan when she''s being bad. Good night, Fate-san. I''m glad you''re all right." The call ended, and Fate flopped down onto the downy softness of her bed, burying her warm face into the coolness of her pillow.
First it was her siblings, and it sounded quite plausible, the way Kyoya-san had framed his request, echoed then by Miyuki-san. Then it was her mother, who also sounded very reasonable, explaining how the family would be busy. Now it was her friend and CEO, also requesting for Fate to take charge of Nanoha''s convalescence.
Surely the lovely lavender-haired bodyguard would''ve been a better choice for this? Fate''s knack for languages had her picking up japanese fairly quickly while she spent her time immersed in the people and language here. The conversation she''d inadvertently overheard while pretending to nap had her insides in a knot, and she couldn''t fathom why.
Evidently, the bodyguard and Nanoha had been in a relationship in the past. So that meant both of them were open to dating other women? That was a surprise. Was that why the executive seemed to be unmarried? Did her family approve? Fate was unable to grasp all of the nuances in their conversation, only that this Ginga person missed the executive, and wanted to be with her again.
Nanoha hadn''t sounded enthusiastic about Ginga''s revelation, speaking more about protecting Fate. Was it because the blonde was royalty, and she felt some sort of obligation to keep her safe? Fate thought she would''ve made it clear at the start that she held no loyalty to her family, but perhaps she had neglected to mention it earlier. It was so frustrating to not know what all she''d told her boss in the time that they had known each other.
What was clear was that the quiet executive hid layers beneath her exterior that had surprised the blonde with their intensity. Even laying where she was, eyes closed and pretending to sleep, she could feel a moment when it seemed the room would go up in flames. Whatever Nanoha had been speaking about, something about her decisions, it boded no one any good to contradict her.
Fate wondered at the faith those around Nanoha had placed in her, to confront that sort of intense fire and prevail. Slipping quietly under the covers, she tucked her knees to her chest. In a sea of strangers whose focus was all on the executive, Fate felt more alone than ever. She took out her phone again, idly scrolling through its imported camera roll, starting from when she still remembered herself, her life.
Eventually, she reached images she didn''t recall. Pictures of Alph playing a fool at someone''s birthday celebration in what looked like offices of some sort. She needed to call her old friend soon. A few pictures of a small, homely looking apartment. Its decor suited her tastes, and she guessed that it was probably her home in Singapore.
A beach at sunset that she didn''t recognise appeared now, displaying a riot of reds, oranges and pinks, with pleasure crafts dotting the horizon. Now an unfamiliar office, one with floor to ceiling windows and a fancy standing desk with expensive new hardware. Was this her office in TSAB? Incredible. Even the plants lining the window sill looked young, freshly bought.
The picture roll was interrupted by some screenshots of a ramen recipe, another for japanese chashu, and yet another for the sweetened egg omelette Momoko-san had made for them for lunch. Was she learning how to cook Japanese cuisine? Maybe she could ask the woman for tips if so.
Scrolling to the present, Fate froze. A candid image of a strikingly gorgeous woman filled her phone''s screen. She was in a fitted shirt and pants ensemble complete with black suspenders, the cut obviously tailored to mould perfectly to her body. In the middle of tugging off her black tie, shirt unbuttoned at the top, she was looking in the picture''s direction, eyes on the photographer while chatting. Chatting with whom? Her old self? The fiery highlights in the woman''s side plait gave away her identity. It was her boss.
Why was she taking candid pictures of her boss? The blonde swallowed, glad she was under the covers so Ginga couldn''t possibly see what was on her screen. Was this why she found their bodyguards'' uniforms appealing? ''You mean sexy,'' her mind scoffed. She prodded at the screen and compared the date the image was created, to today''s date. It''d been taken from just a week ago.
A week, to turn this vibrantly beautiful woman, into what was lying in the ICU of St. Luke''s. She covered her mouth to muffle her sobs. Nanoha kept insisting it wasn''t Fate''s fault, that it was her duty, but what sort of duty would demand that the executive be reduced to such a state? It still didn''t add up.
Ginga listened to the blonde cry herself to sleep, eyes of shadowed green watching the lump under the covers shaking. Wishing she had the luxury to do the same, she closed her eyes and fell into a light, watchful sleep.
It had taken Nanoha an intense session of cajoling and threats to be allowed out of her bed. She''d initially refused the use of a wheelchair, which had been her doctor''s first requirement, only acceding when it was clear her arm in the sling would be of no use with a walker. Nodding to every acerbic instruction and caution she had to take to be allowed out of her bed, she quietly translated it all to her AVP who had once again showed up after breakfast to visit.
"And so help me, all the kami-sama in the world won''t protect you if I find you''ve pulled open one of your wounds again!" The doctor stared down at her bull-headed patient to emphasise her warning. Looking at the blonde stationed quietly in the wings, the doctor pointed at the executive, "Must behave, hai?"
Standing at attention under the doctor''s irate scrutiny, Fate nodded, solemnly promising, "I will make her behave." A statement that garnered her a beady-eyed look from Nanoha that the blonde fervently hoped wasn''t a look of challenge.
Hurumphing mightily, the doctor called for a nurse to fetch a wheelchair for this headache of a patient. The doctor and nurse demonstrated to the women how to get Nanoha in and out of the chair safely.
"NII JIIKAN," The doctor shoved a v-sign into Nanoha''s face, forcefully. "She gave me two hours outside," the executive dryly translated for Fate.
Checking the time, Fate nodded. It was around nine in the morning. Two hours would allow them time to get back to have the lunch Momoko-san had packed for them. Feeling her jeans pocket, Fate checked that her phone was still with her before sitting by Nanoha on the bed''s edge and carefully ducking under the woman''s right arm to help her shift into the chair.
Both doctor and nurse stood back to observe the blonde, checking to see if she had gotten the correct technique down. Nanoha''s jaw clenched against the pain that erupted all over her torso. Miyuki was right, Kevlar wasn''t magic. The vest had saved her from two additional holes, but that was it. The impacts had still been enough to bruise and fracture bone. Refusing to make a sound, she forced long unused legs to bear the brunt of her weight, leaning only lightly on the blonde who threw her a sharp look.
"Nanoha-san, I can take it," she quietly scolded the woman who only quirked her lips at Fate. "I know," she whispered in a strained voice. Transferring the woman''s IV bag to the wheelchair''s hook, Fate tucked the thick throw that the nurse had brought around Nanoha, and bowed to the medical personnel. Once the women had bowed back, she beat a hasty exit with the executive.
Ginga had swapped places with Rein who was off sleeping in her car and she blinked to see her clients exiting the room. Rising, she followed a few paces behind them. The government agents had been dismissed once it was determined that the women had twenty-four hour watch.
"Where to?" Fate asked the silently recovering executive. There was a worrying hint of paleness in the woman''s lips and Fate could see faint traces of perspiration on her brow. The doctor was right, she was at least a day early getting out of bed.
"Somewhere with sun, please," the woman politely requested, her one free hand gripping tightly at the chair''s armrest. Nodding, Fate checked the signs on the ceiling and headed for the rooftop gardens.
The automatic doors opened into a tranquil scene built expressly for the well-being of convalescing patients. The garden reminded Fate of the one in the Takamachi compound. All that were missing were the old bonsai trees. Benches were scattered around each winding pathway, allowing a small measure of privacy in case of multiple visitors to the premises, and each had a built-in overhang to provide shelter from the weather.
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The autumn morning was crisp and still, and the blonde could see Nanoha inhaling against the bandages wrapped tightly around her torso. An image flashed through her mind of an auburn-haired woman running in the sun, but it was too quick for Fate to catch a hold of it.
Sighing, it reminded her of the fleeting dreamscape she had woken to earlier on, of a crowded gym, and exercise machines. The lack of context continued to frustrate her, even as she knew it was still too early to tell if she would ever get back more than these snippets of scenes.
Mistaking Fate''s sigh for boredom, Nanoha glanced up and over her shoulder, blue eyes regretful, "Apologies for troubling you."
Immediately, Fate responded, "It is no trouble at all," wishing to add that it was the least she could do after all Nanoha had gone through. The knowledge that the intensely independent and stubborn executive wouldn''t take kindly to the notion that the blonde felt guilty stayed her tongue. "I¡ wish to get to know you better." There, something safe, and truthful.
Another over the shoulder glance, this time dubious. Turning back to watch the passing scenery as Fate wheeled her further into the gardens, Nanoha squinted out into the distance, picking out various Tokyo landmarks that she could recognise, "There isn''t much to know," Nanoha said, her voice barely carrying over the sound of gravel crunching under the chair''s wheels.
"That''s what all the strong and silent ones like to say," Fate teased, pulling to a stop by a secluded bench that had an evergreen oak for a companion. Its branches cast pleasing shadows and a cheerily bubbling pool of koi fish swam some feet away. "How is this spot?"
Nanoha had been caught off-guard by the tease, finding this ''younger'' Fate a little more carefree with her words. "This is fine, thank you." She watched the woman carefully lock the wheelchair''s wheels into place before settling down into the bench next to her. "How did I end up with that title?"
"You mean you are not?" Fate feigned surprise. She held up one fine-boned hand, ticking fingers off in Nanoha''s face, "Takes four bullets to the chest and survives, tries to bow while recovering from said bullets, says one word when she can say five¡" Nanoha caught the ring finger that hadn''t been lowered yet, "Blows away from a stiff gust of wind¡"
Fate tsked and rescued her finger from the executive, "Leaves her bed a day early, pretends she''s boring when it''s the opposite¡ Hmm, I''ve run out of fingers."
Nanoha''s head fell back as blue eyes studied the canopy of branches overhead before drifting closed. "I''m just your average shark without a suit, Fate-san. There really isn''t much else to me." A faint breeze had come up, brushing at the mussed bangs that had fallen into the woman''s eyes.
Away from all the tubes and wires, Nanoha looked much closer to the image the blonde kept hidden away in her phone, and Fate wondered how she could have thought of the executive as being merely pretty.
In spite of the woman''s hospital pallor, there was a harmony of lines that gave her a noble air. The smooth sharpness of her jaw flowed into a chin that held more than a hint of stubbornness and finely arched brows some shades darker than her auburn locks framed large, expressive eyes of the deepest blue. Sinfully long lashes now cast shadows over high cheekbones and her straight, slightly upturned nose was a perfect complement to lush lips shaped like a Cupid''s bow. The hollowness in her cheeks, and shadows in her eyes, merely accentuated every feature and the blonde hoped that Momoko-san''s cooking and lots of rest would help put that to rights soon.
Realising she was staring, Fate fixed her gaze on the sedately swimming fish in the distance instead, glad that Nanoha''s eyes had been closed. "I know I have lapses in my memory, but even with that, I do not think I have ever heard of a corporate shark with bullet wounds."
The blonde''s mellifluous voice remained light, and Nanoha knew that Fate was doing her best to dig her gloomy behind out of the hole it had fallen into after her chat with Ginga. Fate had stirred from her nap a good while after the lavender-haired woman had left, none the wiser about what they had spoken about.
It was just as well that Nanoha was distancing herself from the blonde, seeing how her mood had plummeted despite all of Fate''s efforts to help wash her hair. The sweet blonde had bid her a confused good night before leaving once visiting hours were over, and Nanoha had resigned herself to another spate of unwelcome dreams.
Nanoha could still sense Ginga in the vicinity, smell that mild perfume she continued to favour after all these years. She wondered how sharp the woman''s hearing was. "First time for everything, I suppose. I still eat, sleep and shit like the rest of the world." She kept her eyes closed, absorbing the blonde''s close presence without giving away that she was doing so. Fate had picked a simple combination of jeans and tank top, with a baggy sweater layered on top, and it was safer to close her eyes than to be caught staring.
That faint hint of rose and lilac tickled at her senses, reminding her of mornings in the ryokan, waking up tangled up in limbs and yukata. The irony of mourning for someone still alive was not lost on the executive, and she blew out a steadying breath in favour of laughing at her stupid self. "Feels good to be outside," she commented, lips twitching as she held back an insane and sudden urge to laugh, or scream, or punch something.
Fate watched the woman absorbing the rays of gold slipping through the branches overhead. "Are you in the sun a lot, in Singapore?"
A sound emerged from the woman''s throat as she continued to rest her head on the back of her wheelchair, "I like starting the day with a run."
Something niggled at the back of Fate''s mind, "You live near the sea." It was a statement, not a question, and the blonde could see the truth of it when the executive''s eyes flew open to stare at her. Seeming almost afraid, Nanoha licked her lips, "What¡ do you recall?"
Her AVP shook her head sadly, "Nothing. It was just an impression."
"An accurate one," Nanoha noted grimly. "Fate-san," she began, blue eyes guardedly watching the blonde for more possible ''impressions'', "You may experience fear, or confusion, when¡ if your memories return. I¡ am sorry."
"Why do you keep apologising?" Fate studied the woman who had retreated back into her shell, presenting a cautious front to the blonde.
The woman had no answer, her jaw working for long moments before she closed her eyes once more, this time in defeat, "Just know that I regret your loss."
Nanoha felt a soft hand covering her own and she opened her eyes to orbs of rich wine red that held nothing but understanding and compassion, "Some things are simply out of our control." The blonde''s sweet soprano wove a spell around the executive, and she was helpless to break free, "I may not have known you for long but I believe that lack of control is anathema to you. Whatever happened, I don''t hold it against you." She squeezed calloused fingers, the only things exposed by the women''s cast, "I forgive you," she repeated clearly.
"How¡" Nanoha cleared her throat against the sudden husk in her voice, "How do you know what to say, when it''s you who''s lost your memories?" Azure gaze swirling with unvoiced emotion stared wonderingly at Fate. "Maybe I try to listen to what you are not saying," the woman whispered, feeling herself drawn into those blue whirlpools.
The air had grown thick between them, and alarms blared in the back of Nanoha''s mind. This was wrong. This could not happen. Clearing her throat a little more loudly this time, she carefully removed her hand from under Fate''s, deliberately fixing her eyes on some inoffensive shrubbery in the distance. She fancied she could see a figure with lavender hair behind it.
"You are a good listener," Nanoha muttered grudgingly. A gentle smile was her reply. "It has been a week," Fate began, before adding, "Or years for me. Would you like to catch up on some news together?"
One blue orb rolled to the side to peer at the blonde from under a fringe that could use a trim, "That''s a good idea. Maybe I can help fill in the major events for you." This was better. Something safe and impersonal was needed, before the natural affinity she felt for the princess got any worse and she slipped up.
"We are still wearing masks. Is the pandemic still going?" Nanoha eyed the blonde, expression droll, "Starting with the easy stuff, huh? Well, you see¡"
Ginga frowned from behind the shrubbery she had stationed herself at. It allowed for a clear view of the exits, as well as that of her clients who seemed deep in conversation. Though she couldn''t hear anything, it was obvious that the blonde was warming to Nanoha in spite of the executive keeping a marked distance between them. She supposed she couldn''t blame the princess. Nanoha could charm the socks off of anyone without trying. It was little wonder she had been elected to be student council president twice even while sporting the temperament of a wolverine with a thorn in its paw.
"...And AI will take over everyone''s jobs in the next five years." Nanoha concluded her impromptu ''Brief History Of Time'' lecture.
"I do not know if I should applaud or run screaming for the hills," Fate murmured, finding the executive a natural-born public speaker.
Clearing a throat gone dry from more talking than she had done in a long time, Nanoha settled herself a little more snugly under her thick throw. The weather had grown a slightly colder and she was beginning to feel the aches in old and new injuries alike. "There''s time to do both if you''re motivated enough." The woman had an obvious charisma that easily drew a person''s attention and not even a wheelchair was enough to hold that personality in check.
Fate noticed and rose to tuck the throw more tightly around the executive''s body. "We should head back. It''s almost time for lunch." Annoyed with herself, she added, "I should have remembered to bring some water, too."
"You weren''t expecting me to say five words instead of one." Kneeling by the wheelchair to unlock its wheels, Fate propped an arm over Nanoha''s covered legs, looking up at the executive from her vantage point. "Are you always this full of sass?" The question was asked in good humour and the corners of Nanoha''s lips twitched. "Depends on the company."
"I get the feeling I have to constantly be on my toes around you," Fate mused as she began pushing the injured woman back towards where they had come from.
"Please don''t, I''d get a crick in my neck." Suddenly, it dawned on Nanoha that they were beginning to fall back into their old bantering habits and if she could''ve kicked herself, she would have. She was getting too comfortable around the blonde again, and the veiled look Ginga had dropped her as she was wheeled past the bodyguard told her that others were noticing it.
''Shit, shit, shit.''
"Oh come now, you cannot be that short."
"You''re that tall." Out of Fate''s line of sight, Nanoha bit at her bottom lip to make herself stop quipping back at the blonde.
Back amongst others, Fate could sense Nanoha pulling back again. After two hours of interacting with her boss, time that flew by shockingly quickly, the blonde was slowly forming a notion that the woman didn''t feel free to let her guard down most of the time. Considering the position both she and Fate were in, the blonde could see why. A quick web search had pulled up information on TSAB that dwarfed anything Testarossa Inc. could ever dream to grow into. The woman hadn''t been exaggerating about huge layoffs in bad fiscal years.
Secure in the knowledge that her boss didn''t dislike her, the blonde folded the woman''s throw aside and lowered the hospital bed to more easily help Nanoha back onto it. Again, the woman''s jaw was clenched to hide how much effort it was taking her, but to Fate, her colour seemed better for having spent some time in the open.
"Thank you," the woman said quietly while Fate looked for the button to shift the bed into an incline for Nanoha to have her lunch. Wine-red eyes crinkled at the corners at her boss, "Thanks for not trying to bow again." That earned her a sharp look, and Fate wondered if she had stuck her foot in her mouth this time. But the woman relaxed into a small lopsided smile, "You have a dumb boss."
"Oh yea? My boss was smart enough to hire me, so she cannot be all that bad." To that, Nanoha could only shake her head. The little jaunt outside had taken more out of her than she had realised. "Hey, are you feeling all right?" A soft hand was slipping under her fringe to feel her forehead, placing the blonde''s lips dangerously close. Blindsided by a sudden desire to lean forward to claim them, Nanoha bit her lip and quickly looked away, "I''m fine," she mumbled, voice thick.
Fate had been frowning slightly, worried that the trip out had triggered a fever or something. A glance down at the auburn-haired woman found the blonde gripped in a heated sea of tropical blue. Instinctively, she felt her body responding and she leaned a hair closer. Until Nanoha had turned away, leaving Fate with a rapidly beating heart and a confusing warmth between her legs.
''What¡ What was that?'' She wondered shakily. It was as if her body knew something she didn''t. Mumbling some words about washing her hands, Fate beat a hasty retreat into the ward''s washroom. The face staring back at her in the mirror was flushed and she could see that her eyes were dilated. Swallowing hard, she took calming breaths and splashed her face with cold water.
This was insanity. She had effectively just met the woman days ago! Pulling out her phone, she scrolled back to the image of Nanoha she''d found in it last night. She traced the form with a finger. Maybe her past self knew something she herself had yet to figure out in the present. Locking her phone, she stuck it back into her jeans pocket and braced herself to go back outside.
The executive was flipping unenthusiastically though cable channels before settling on a business one, right where Fate had left her. She was flexing her bare feet on the mattress, one up, one down, in slow succession to stretch her calves. Even when she was meant to be resting, she was working. The blonde felt a twinge of guilt to realise she had neglected to cover the woman back up and swiftly moved to rectify that.
Nanoha blinked to realise Fate was back. It was unnerving how the blonde slipped past her senses, while still overwhelming them when she was close by. It was as if the normal rules didn''t apply to the princess and the executive knew this was hazardous ground to be on. She gave the woman a small smile of thanks, still not quite able to look her in the eye.
Fate excused herself a moment to hand Ginga one of Momoko''s bento boxes. Returning, she gingerly placed the other two on the overbed table and wheeled it to position them before Nanoha. Exchanging looks, Fate reached over to open the first slowly.
"If it''s noodles, I''ll have to borrow your phone to yell at my mother¡" That broke the sombre mood they had descended into and Fate snickered faintly. "Don''t yell at your poor mother. I''m certain she was singing whilst preparing them."
Nanoha appeared horrified, "Kami, I hope not. She can''t carry a tune in TWO buckets."
Lifting the lid, both women heaved twin sighs of relief. A ginormous breaded pork cutlet on a bed of rice confronted them with mouthwatering scents. A smaller compartment was packed full with shredded cabbage and sesame cream salad sauce, and the last was filled with a runny egg, onions and scallions omelette. Predictably, the other box was again filled with fruits.
The cutlet had been cut into easy to scoop, bite-sized pieces and Fate smiled. "Your mother loves you so much," she murmured, not meaning for a hint of envy to slip into her voice. Glancing at the wistfully smiling blonde, Nanoha patted the woman''s hand, "She would adopt you in a heartbeat." ''At least, she wouldn''t try to kidnap you and erase your memories¡''
If there was someone Nanoha really wanted to pay a visit to, it would be Precia Testarossa. In fact, she would definitely be making time for it someday in the future. Carefully masking her dark thoughts, she gave the woman casting a politely doubtful glance towards her a reassuring nod, "Really," easily reading the blonde''s unspoken question. "You''re staying in the clan house, aren''t you?"
Nodding hesitantly, Fate began spooning up a serving for the executive. "She never does that. Means she likes you." She patted Fate''s hand again before accepting the bite. The blonde had fallen into a thoughtful silence, quietly switching between feeding Nanoha two bites for every one she took. Somehow the thought of the kind woman accepting her into the household made Fate feel unaccountably warm, and to her embarrassment, she found herself blinking back tears.
"Perhaps I am not as alone as I thought, then." If her voice sounded husky, neither woman noticed.
"You are not alone." Nanoha risked leaning over to catch the other woman''s eyes, shrugging off the protest her torso filed with her for doing so. "There is Alph, Erio and Caro in Singapore, too." Fate did tear up this time, and she brushed impatiently at her eyes, "I-I apologise. I don''t know what has gotten into me¡"
Azure gaze understanding, Nanoha continued to hold the blonde''s eyes, knowing this was important. "Not alone," she repeated adamantly. Though speaking of that trio, Nanoha was going to have to make some difficult calls. Time was of the essence. Unable to hold that pose any longer, Nanoha exhaled and settled back against the bed''s incline. Gods, that waist wound did not like that at all.
"Maybe I''ll ask Momoko-san to teach me some of her recipes, her bento are amazing," Fate finally said, dredging a pained smile out of the executive, "Kaa-san¡ would love that." She chewed with her eyes closed, carefully shunting away the throbbing ache for just a little while longer. "Are you sure you are all right?"
"Just a little¡ tired."
A slim hand squeezed the auburn-haired woman''s good shoulder, "We will finish up lunch and nap. You need it."
The executive nodded, drained enough that she had forgotten to hate appearing this weak in front of others.
Chapter 35: Asking For It
"Finally resting, huh?" Fate had been watching a rerun of Mononoke Hime on low volume, relying on subtitles to follow the movie. Glancing up, she saw it was Ginga and she gave a small nod, "She tried to fight it, but once her medications hit, she was gone."
The bodyguard leaned over the guard railing to study the resting executive. Her verdant green gaze was soft and full of unhidden longing, and Fate pondered if she should give them time alone. Then, Ginga reached over to gently brush back the woman''s fringe and Fate was shocked at the dark streak of possessiveness that raced through her to see someone else touching her boss like that. Perplexed at her visceral reaction, she leaned back and crossed her arms, fingers gripping the inside of her elbows. All thoughts of leaving the two alone had left her mind.
"Will we be remaining until dinner?" Ginga asked, eyes still on the sleeping woman.
Fate ducked her head, embarrassed but firm, "Sorry to be a bother, I would like to stay until visiting hours are over."
The bodyguard nodded, "I will let Rein know to bring something for the both of you. Any preferences?"
Thinking for a moment, Fate nodded, "Sushi, if you please."
Her request had apparently surprised Ginga, and the blonde twirled a strand of gold around one finger, "I figure it would be easier for Nanoha-san if she could eat with her hand."
Dipping her head, the bodyguard departed, presumably to text Rein.
Nanoha woke to another pounding headache. The room was darkened, and it felt as if evening had fallen. She tried to draw in a deeper breath and found herself stymied by the bindings still around her waist and torso. A familiar frustration settled over her. As someone who prided herself in being fit and independent, who put in great efforts to remain in good condition, it was the most mortifying thing to lay here, helpless, with Ginga, of all people, being one of those tasked with her safety.
These were the consequences of her actions, and she would just have to grow up and deal with it. She didn''t have to enjoy it, though. Again, a warmth blanketed her right arm, and a quick glance confirmed that the blonde had once again dozed off on the side of her hospital bed. The woman''s face was turned towards her and Nanoha felt some of the jackhammers in her brain recede while she studied the angel.
Tendrils of flaxen silk had fallen over her eyes while she slept, and Nanoha was gratified to see that Fate''s rest appeared peaceful. Her breathing was easy, drawn through a straight nose with a bridge that Nanoha knew crinkled adorably whenever the woman gave a real, heartfelt smile. The gentle curve of her jaw swept up to sculpted cheekbones that emphasised the timelessly classic shape of her face. Sandy gold lashes lay thick on the princess'' cheeks, framing eyes shaded with the finest crimson hues that entranced the Japanese woman whenever she saw them.
Nanoha felt her arm moving of its own volition to slip out from under the warm fall of the woman''s hair. Fully cognisant that she was far from regaining her fine motor control, Nanoha only dared comb aside the soft strands of gold covering the woman''s eyes. It was still clumsy and the executive cursed when even that was enough to prompt those thick lashes to flutter, eventually lifting to reveal softly sleepy eyes that took a while to focus.
"That cannot be comfortable," Nanoha looked on guiltily when Fate slowly rose to sit up with a wince. Yawning, Fate reached up, stretching her long torso, still not all awake and missing the sudden flash of desire in the Japanese woman''s eyes. "It''s comfortable enough," Fate argued in a sleep-muddied soprano. Glancing down, eyes hidden under the curtain of her too-long fringe, Nanoha held out the hand that she could use, "May I borrow your phone a moment, please?"
Rubbing her eyes and looking far too cute for Nanoha''s own good, the blonde absently used her thumbprint to unlock her phone and passed it to the executive. A long silence finally pulled Fate into the waking present and she blinked blearily at the supine form who was staring up at the phone''s screen in pure bafflement.
''...Oh shit, oh no, oh fuck!'' Remembering the last thing she''d been looking at, Fate hastily snatched her phone back and silently groaned. The image of her boss that her past self had taken was right there, and her head fell, mouth working but nothing intelligible coming out. "I¡ uh, I don''t¡"
Nanoha simply lay there, dumbfounded to find herself from a week ago in the blonde''s phone. She hadn''t even known that Fate had snapped a picture of her then. Old Fate. This Fate was floundering like a beached dolphin, lost and struggling for a satisfactory answer for the actions of her past self. Nanoha wished she had an answer for the spluttering blonde, but she simply did not.
"You¡ uh," Fate could see the other woman licking nervously at her Cupid''s bow lips, obviously trying to find an answer she didn''t appear to have, either. "I mean, before you lost your memories¡ Y-You did mention you liked that, uh," Nanoha cleared her throat awkwardly, "That kind of look." Her cast-encased arm lifted to scritch awkwardly at her cheek, "M-Maybe you¡ she¡ took it for reference." ''Kami, could this get any weirder?!''
Seizing the lifeline the executive had so kindly lowered for Fate, she nodded almost too enthusiastically, "Th-That makes sense. Yes. Y-You did look good. Perhaps she pl-planned to purchase something similar for h-herself. Ahaha. Hahaha. Haha¡" The excuse sounded lame as hell but it was better than anything else either woman could think of. Both had cheeks that felt too warm and neither could look at the other, finding extreme interest in mundane things like bed covers and the ceiling.
It was into this ungainly silence of epic proportions that Ginga walked in, carrying a takeout baggie with their dinners. Coming to a stop near the bed, she glanced from one blushing woman to the other, green eyes squinting suspiciously, "Is everything all right?"
"FINE!" Fate chirped, voice a tad too high.
"YES!" Nanoha yelped, alto strained.
Both stared at the other before Nanoha cleared her throat again, tearing her eyes away from Fate''s to belatedly greet the bodyguard. "Konbanwa, Ginga-san." Good evening. The bodyguard''s smile was tight. "Rein brought dinner since Fate-san wished to stay." Nanoha nodded stiffly and felt around for the remote button to raise the incline of her bed. "Domo~," she thanked Ginga before glancing at the blonde who was plucking apprehensively at a fold in the bed covers.
"Fate-san, apologies, I still need to borrow your phone."
The blonde straightened from her embarrassed study of her feet, "Oh! Yes, sorry." Unlocking her phone out of Ginga''s sight, she quickly swiped away the offending image and handed it to Nanoha.
Pulling up the contact list, the executive found Hayashibara and hit call. While the executive was occupied, Fate made to get the overbed table only to find Ginga anticipating what she had planned to do. She thanked the bodyguard softly, the woman simply nodding and placing the takeout bag on the table''s surface. With one last look over her shoulder at Nanoha, Ginga left the room.
Rein studied her subordinate''s speculative expression and made a secret bet with herself. "Rein, you said that client two had lost her memory?" ''Bingo.''
"Mhm. Why?" Eyes that missed little continued to watch the lavender-haired woman who seemed to be trying to wrap her mind around something. "I don''t know. It doesn''t feel like they''re strangers." Rein merely dug into her Oyako Don or chicken and egg rice bowl for a moment, enjoying the excellent melding of tastes in her mouth. "Perhaps she had some qualities that Miss Takamachi felt were compatible with herself. Who knows?"
"I suppose¡" This blonde was seeming to be more than a simple acquisition from a random account and it worried Ginga. Nanoha''s reticence was one thing, but if she was going to have competition from a client she''d been contracted to guard, that would complicate things greatly. "Don''t forget your own dinner," Rein reminded her. Nodding, Ginga wandered off to the basement cafeteria now that it was her turn for a break.
Rein watched her subordinate''s departure with a faint measure of amusement. ''Well, no one said the things worth having would be easy to get.''
"Hayashibara-san."
"T-Takamachi-san! How may I serve you?" Rumours had been swirling in the company when an extended leave of absence had been filed for both Operations executives from Yagami''s own office and the man had feared that their most competent leader was in trouble.
"I want the most comfortable portable bed available installed in an ICU ward in St. Luke''s. Get the exact ward number from Miss Yagami''s office. Also, send an Aeron chair to the same ward. Run it through Miss Yagami''s office if you encounter any roadblocks. I request that you keep this under wraps."
Slouching in relief to hear that this was all under the auspices of the CEO herself, Hayashibara bowed even though the EVP couldn''t see him, "Hai, at once Takamachi-san."
"Thank you, Hayashibara-san. Have a good evening." Killing the call, Nanoha dialled a different number by heart. Fate had left to find some wet wipes for them and the executive had to strike while the iron was still hot.
"Hai, Fate-san?"
"Haya-chan."
"Nano-chan! You sound so much better. How are you feeling?"
"Better." The executive''s abbreviated answer was frustratingly typical of the woman and Hayate wanted to reach through the phone to strangle the woman. "Nanoha¡ we almost lost you and that''s the best you can give me?"
"It''s not important." Hayate seemed about to argue just what was and wasn''t important but the auburn-haired woman ploughed through, time was short. "I need you to contact Alph of Testarossa Inc., Erio Mondial and Caro Ru Lushe and explain what I told you about not telling Feito-chan anything. Tea or Subaru should be able to get their contact deets for you."
"...Nano-chan." Ignoring the fist squeezing the life out of her heart, Nanoha''s voice hardened, "Haya-chan, please. You didn''t see the state she was in. You¡" Her throat bobbed, "You didn''t hear her¡ her screams." Those screams would haunt the executive for a lifetime and beyond. "Promise me you''ll do this. Please."
Nanoha hated asking for anything. For her to beg like this was unprecedented and Hayate had already heard from Momoko how the woman''s last desperate plea had sent her right back into surgery.
"Gods damn it, Nanoha¡"
"It''s too much of a risk, Haya-chan." Her friend sounded more dead than when she had woken to discover Yuuno was gone and it hurt Hayate in the soul to hear it. The two of them had sounded so alive just a week ago. It wasn''t fair!
"Do it for me, and for her. She''s returning, I can''t speak any longer. Promise me, Haya-chan."
"Fucking hell, okay, okay I promise," the brunette could be heard growling over the line. Nanoha''s eyes closed in relief. At least those loose ends would be tied. "Thank you. Also, Hayashibara will be fulfilling a few requests for me. Please see that he doesn''t get harassed for it. Matta~." Later.
Hayate glared at her phone, wishing it was her friend she was glaring at. Or better, hitting and yelling at. "Gods damn it, Nano-chan¡" She repeated, punching irritably at her screen to get in touch with Nanoha''s ex-interns.
Fate returned with a pack of antibacterial wet wipes, rather pleased with her success, only to find Nanoha sitting with her phone laying in her one usable hand, brows drawn and eyes staring holes into the blankets covering her lap. The brilliant blue of those eyes were dulled and the set of her jaw was deathly grim, as if she had just gotten off of the worst call of her life.
"Is everything okay?" Fate asked worriedly.
Nudged out of her dark thoughts, Nanoha forced a small smile and shook her head. "Just needed to take care of some stuff. Thank you." Fate accepted her phone back from Nanoha. "All riiiight, I hope it has nothing to do with work. Miss Yag¡ um, Hayate told me you are not allowed to work until I think you are well enough."
"Oh she did, did she?" The woman''s low voice sounded almost dangerous and Fate took a moment to appreciate how the seemingly helpless executive was able to project such an intense air of danger. It felt akin to sitting next to a wild leopard who was licking her wounds but far from being defenseless.
Lifting her chin, much like how she did the first time she came face to face with Nanoha, not that Fate remembered, she nodded, "Y-Yes. That is what she told me. And I mean to make good on my word." That familiar look of defiance almost ended Nanoha right there and then, and it took every iota of the Japanese woman''s self-control not to break down.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
"I''ll have to speak with her about giving my AVP impossible tasks," Nanoha drawled lightly instead.
For a moment, Fate sensed something volatile brewing just beneath the surface of the executive''s cool facade, and she instinctively braced herself, only to get more evidence of sass from the woman. Was this some form of self-defense? What was the woman being defensive about? Layers upon layers, and her boss dared claim to be boring. ''More like utterly fascinating.'' Fate thought to herself.
"Na-chan, you can''t be serious." Momoko had been called by Nanoha''s doctor who''d been fighting a losing battle with the executive who was demanding to be discharged a mere eight days after major surgeries. Doctor Takeda knew it''d been a mistake to let the woman out of bed a day early. Now she wanted out of the hospital weeks early.
Fate was in the kitchen with Momoko this morning to lend a hand with the day''s bento boxes. That was, until the house phone rang and Momoko answered. The blonde was still unable to catch the more complicated japanese phrases, but the agitated voice of the doctor whose voice she recognised easily caught the woman''s attention. Had something happened to her boss? Momoko''s worried frown surely didn''t bode well.
"As a heart-attack," Nanoha replied quietly. "Kaa-san, it''s either this, or I call the TSAB offices and do it anyway."
"Na-chan!" Voice raised, Momoko slammed down the ladle she had been using to scoop out the rice, and Fate jumped.
"Please, Kaa-san. Rein and Ginga are having to sit outside my damned door around the clock. Fei¡ Fate-san is wasting her entire day visiting me¡" The woman''s voice cracked at the last, "I''m off of the ventilator. There is no reason for me to continue inconveniencing everyone." ''Please, I can''t spend another day alone with Feito-chan.''
Momoko could hear the unspoken plea in Nanoha''s voice and her eyes slid over to the angelic blonde helping her in the kitchen. The woman had been vigilant in keeping her youngest company, leaving in the mornings to arrive when visiting hours began and returning only after they ended. She truly appreciated the blonde''s dedication to the unreasonable requests she had received from the Takamachi clan, but it appeared it was more than Na-chan could take.
A long sigh came through the phone. "Can you promise you won''t overdo it when you''re back home?"
"...You know I cannot."
Momoko rubbed at her temple with her free hand, "Can you at least promise to tell someone if something hurts too much?"
"That, I can."
"Sigh, get the doctor back on."
"Takamachi-san, I''m sure you''ve made your daughter see reason¡"
"Doctor Takeda, thank you for taking care of my daughter. Please proceed to begin her discharge procedure. We will fetch her home in a few hours."
"...Madam!"
"We will engage someone to check on her regularly, and she will fulfill whatever recovery regimen you and your esteemed colleagues prepare for her."
Nanoha kept to herself, not meeting the incredulous doctor''s stare. As much as she hated leaning on clan connections, this was one thing she was not above using it for. She had to get out of this situation before it irreparably destroyed her. This was merely prolonging the eventual departure of the angel from her life and Nanoha had always been the sort to rip off the band-aid.
Fate''s uncompromising sweetness was much too addictive and trying to catch herself from falling back into the habits of their past relationship was wearing her to the point where rest was impossible. Silently, she clenched her right hand into a shaking fist, feeling the tug of muscle working against bone. The ache was bearable. She could get the casts switched to braces and find a walking stick. It would work. It had to work. Any less would be unacceptable.
She met Doctor Takeda''s eyes, preparing for her next battle.
Slowly helped along by her mother on one side and Fate on the other, Nanoha got used to the feel of having her feet back under her again. She couldn''t take issue with her mother roping the blonde in to help haul her sorry arse back to the clan compound. Her unreasonable demand on a weekday morning was already throwing a multitude of people''s schedules out of whack.
Fate had a thick vanilla envelope tucked carefully under her free arm; printed instructions from the various doctors who had been part of her boss'' treatment. Her other was wrapped around the woman''s waist, supporting Nanoha on her left side. Momoko had brought along a change of clothes for her daughter, and standing next to the woman in her jeans, sneakers and baggy pink sweater, the blonde realised the Japanese woman was much taller than she''d appeared. Perhaps because she was either in bed or a wheelchair for all the time that Fate had known her.
Being the shortest of the three, Momoko was under Nanoha''s right arm, lending her support on that side. The woman had somehow finagled her way out of wearing casts and instead had braces on both of her arms. If it weren''t for the fact that she was as unsteady as a newborn lamb, Nanoha could''ve passed for any college student on the street.
The walk to the parking lot seemed interminably long and Nanoha''s jaw was cast in stone as she made her laborious way there with the aid of the two women assisting her. Much to Momoko''s chagrin, her youngest''s steps were getting firmer with every passing minute and she knew Nanoha was pushing herself to inhuman lengths. The same lengths she''d pushed herself to the night that Fate had been taken.
Nanoha was panting and perspiring by the time she''d been settled into the back seat of the car, though she had refused to make a sound the entire walk there. A wheelchair had been rejected outright. She was walking out of St. Luke''s or would die trying. Fate wanted to scold the woman but felt uncertain of her place to do so, and so merely went along to help as best as she could.
Leaning over to help buckle the sweating executive in, she turned concerned eyes to the pale figure. The urge to ask if she was all right was on her lips, stayed by the determined thousand yard stare Nanoha sported. Instead, she drew in a long breath and twitched the sling on Nanoha''s shoulder straight. Blue eyes flickered gratefully to her for her silence and help. Patting that same shoulder, Fate closed the door and got into the other side of the back seat to keep an eye on the woman while Momoko drove.
Arriving at the clan compound, Shiro met them at the back where the garage area was located. Wordlessly, he waited for Nanoha to exit before handing her a shinai, the bamboo sword typically used in kendo practice, for the woman to use as a walking aid. Already steadier, Nanoha nodded thanks to her father who simply turned and walked back to the dojo, his stiff hakama, the traditional japanese trousers typically worn over a kimono, rustling with his movements.
Rein had arrived with Ginga, the women tailing Momoko''s vehicle in their own on the way back to the Takamachi clan compound. "Ginga-san," Nanoha''s mother addressed the lavender-haired bodyguard politely, "Please show Feito-san to the dojo. I would like her to pass the doctors'' instructions to Kyo-chan or Mi-chan." Fate blinked. It appeared Nanoha''s family had a passing familiarity with her boss'' ex. The woman merely bowed and said, "This way, Fate-san."
Eyes of shadowed blue followed the departure of her ex-flame and current (unknowing)tormentor before Nanoha''s mother cleared her throat, pulling the executive''s attention back to her. "Rein-san, if I could trouble you?" She asked in japanese, having been informed that Rein had a decent grasp of the language, "I would like to get Na-chan into bed as soon as possible. My stubborn child likes to act tough around the pretty girls but perhaps she will be more honest around you, hai?"
''Oh boy, Kaa-san is pissed.'' Meekly submitting to her mother''s firm suggestion, Nanoha allowed herself to be helped to one of the main building''s ground level rooms. It had originally been the ceremonial tea room, but now was repurposed to be Nanoha''s temporary bedroom. Its tatami floor had been cleared to make space for a bed and kotatsu. Folded and stacked neatly against the opposite wall was a futon clearly meant for Rein''s use.
The bodyguard kept a straight face at Momoko''s words and could''ve simply carried the gaunt woman to the room, though she was certain that wouldn''t have won her any points from client #1. So all she did was keep a hand under the woman''s armpit, providing additional support whenever the recovering woman''s legs faltered over a step or entryway.
Fate meanwhile was learning her way around the compound. The past few days, she''d simply been around to wash up, rest, or help in the kitchens, and hadn''t really explored the various buildings scattered around the central courtyard. Curiously peeking into the dojo, she found a group of around twenty students in full kendo gear of varying ages pairing off and going at each other with the same thing Nanoha had been given. A taller form to the side peeled off and approached her.
Recognising the man as Nanoha''s older brother, she bowed, "Kyoya-san, Momoko-san asked that I should give this to you or Miyuki-san." Cocking a raven brow at the blonde, the man pulled out the sheaf of papers, "I see." He frowned while flipping through the printouts, "I''ll share this with Mi-chan."
At the blonde''s curious look, he grinned, "We''re both qualified physical therapists. Kaa-chan''s side of the family have been imperial physicians for centuries, too. I''m sure she has the most bitter herbal teas planned for Na-chan seeing that she''s weaselled her way out of the hospital so early." Nodding a greeting to Ginga, he turned back to his students, waving farewell to Fate and her guard with the sheaf of papers.
Heading back to the main building, Fate offered Ginga a curious glance. "You¡ know the family?" Remaining half a pace behind her client, the bodyguard nodded shortly. "I used to be a student in this dojo." A piece of the puzzle fell into place with that bit of information and Fate simply continued along the peacefully winding path.
"Ow! A little gentler?!" Half growling, half yelping, Fate could hear Nanoha before they had reached the main building.
"Urusai!" Silence! "If I were gentle this would not be effective." Momoko''s words, spoken in japanese, were pert and lacking in patience with her youngest child.
Fate and Ginga found Rein stationed outside a half-open shoji door on the ground floor, the woman looking torn between amusement and professional detachment while she stood guard, arms crossed.
A pile of used bandages lay on the tatami by the bed. Inside, the arriving women could see Nanoha seated on the side of her bed in her underwear while Momoko applied a spicy scented ointment to one of the huge, ugly, hand-sized bruises on her torso. Contrary to the words being spoken, Momoko was actually being very careful with her application, knowing there were hairline cracks under what she was spreading the balm over.
If Rein had been any less professional, she would''ve burst out laughing at the twin dropped jaws she could see now. True, the executive had lost some mass from her injuries and subsequent surgeries, but that merely meant her sinews and muscles stood out in even starker relief, lean lines that all the bruises and stitches were unable to hide.
"Ah, Feito-san, please get wash pan of hot water from pool in baths." In full physician mode, Momoko paid no mind to the contracted guards since they were simply there to fulfill their job. Swallowing a throat gone dry, Fate nodded and practically ran off, her gazelle-like steps taking her far away from the disconcertingly sexy sight of her undressed boss.
''Close your mouth.'' Rein silently mouthed to Ginga whose eyes were still riveted to her former lover''s body. Spinning on her heel with her colour high, Ginga quickly followed after her client, plait whipping through the air with how fast she was moving. Gods, all that puppy fat from when they were teens had melted away into goddess-like proportions.
Fate had easily found one of the many wash basins in the women''s bath area and knelt by the pool to fill it with a hand pail. The water gave off a warm, humid steam, and it still felt cool on her flushed face. ''Fate, you''ve been gay for a while now, okay? Just because you just realised it before you lost your memories does not mean you have to ogle the first beautiful woman you meet. Stop it before you embarrass yourself.''
Done with her stern, self-directed pep talk, Fate took a deep breath and made her way back to the executive''s room. She had grabbed a few wash clothes from the shelf near the bath''s entrance just in case, something Momoko smiled and thanked her for when she returned. "Healing onsen," she explained to Fate when the blonde reappeared.
"Father says it''s the only reason mother was interested in him." Nanoha drawled. Momoko giggled and swatted her daughter lightly in the side, causing the executive to wince, "Ow!"
"Oh, sorry, forget you hurt." Momoko switched to slathering the spicy ointment over the other bruise. "Feito-san can please leave water on table. Need help for Na-chan to stand." Fate had slowly been sidling her way out of the room since surely she wasn''t needed here. Her eyes were casting every which way and Nanoha knew the ugly wounds were more than the sheltered princess would want to see.
"Kaa-san, don''t trouble her¡"
"I-It''s not that," Fate stammered, "I just thought that you would like to get dressed¡"
"How I clean stitches if she dress?" Momoko asked, voice dripping with amusement. She''d caught Fate''s reaction to her daughter and giggled quietly to herself. ''Icy gaijin is not so icy around my Na-chan.'' Nanoha may have escaped the jail of her hospital bed, not so the machinations of a mother wanting her daughter to find happiness.
"Come, come, put shoulder under arm," Momoko bossed Fate into service. The heat of Nanoha''s barely clad form burned itself into Fate''s side as she complied with her host''s request. Fate was at a loss over where to place her hand, eventually settling on the executive''s tight waist. The sensation of velvet soft skin over taut muscle sent Fate''s heart rate spiking to the point where everything seemed to be moving in slow motion.
"You don''t have to look¡ I know it''s not pleasant." That low burr in her ear only served to turn her knees to jelly and the blonde shook her head, "There is nothing u-unpleasant," she mumbled. To prove her point, she held her breath and met the executive''s eyes, showing herself looking at the woman from head to toe and back up again. ''Oh gods, it''s even more amazing up close¡'' The blonde bit hard on the inside of one cheek.
Azure eyes looked searchingly into the blonde''s crimson pools, finding only admiration and¡ something more? Unwilling to examine what that ''more'' was, Nanoha hnghed in faint amusement, "Fate-san is too kind."
''Feito-chan is too kind¡'' A memory of those words being addressed to her before tugged insistently at Fate and her brow furrowed against the sudden, stabbing pain behind her eyes.
"Ugh¡" Swaying slightly, the blonde stumbled. Sensing her support disappearing, Nanoha''s eyes widened. With a hard, instinctive twist of her torso, she grunted painfully and used her good arm to send the taller woman onto her bed''s surface before she herself lost her balance and fell atop of the blonde. Her body screamed in agony but Nanoha only had one thought on her mind as she propped herself up on her right elbow and patted at the blonde''s cheek. She was whiter than the sheets beneath her. "Fate-san? Fate!"
"Kaa-san, call Rein and Ginga to help," Nanoha said urgently. Levering herself off of the blonde to get out of the way, Nanoha hunched into the pain that had exploded all over her chest and waist. "Shiiiiit¡" She hissed.
Momoko had been preoccupied with cleaning out the exit wounds on her daughter''s back when the blonde appeared to lose consciousness. Yelping in alarm, she did her best to soften both women''s landing but knew even this little jolt must have cost Nanoha dearly. "Rein-san! Ginga-san! Some assistance please!" The two guards burst in, shoji door shoved aside in a flash. Taking stock of the situation, Rein quickly shifted Fate into a recovery position, leaving Nanoha to Ginga to deal with.
"Never a dull moment with you, huh?" Ginga murmured as she helped shift the hurting executive further down the bed to give Fate more room to lie on. She tried not to feel grateful for the chance to be helping Nanoha, easily sensing the amount of pain she had to have been in to be cursing aloud like so. Momoko made a quick inspection of her daughter'' stitches, relieved to see nothing had torn open.
"Na-chan! You promised not to overexert yourself!" The executive batted irritably at her fussing parent, "What was I supposed to do?" She panted acidly, "Let her split her head open on the kotatsu?"
Ginga snorted lightly and Nanoha threw her ex a narrow-eyed look, "Just help me into this yukata and sling¡" Chuckling, Ginga did so, knotting the sash much lower than one normally would to avoid the wounds in the woman''s waist. "Thank you both for the help," Nanoha finally found the grace to say once it appeared that Fate was breathing normally. "Kaa-san, could you call St. Luke''s and check with Fate-san''s doctor if this is normal? I can watch her. I just need help getting into the chair."
Heaving a sigh, Momoko nodded and left to find the house phone. With both bodyguards helping, Nanoha sank gratefully into the chair. Bowing, the women stepped outside, sliding the shoji door closed behind them.
Chapter 36: Keeping Up Appearances
Once the shoji doors were closed, Nanoha was leaning over the woman, pain be damned. Calloused fingers felt for the woman''s pulse in her neck. Elevated, and her skin felt clammy. She flipped the sides of the blankets over the woman to ward against the autumn chill, wishing she could do more. "Fate-san, please come back," she murmured softly, mindful of the guards outside. Stroking the angel''s face, she willed those beautiful crimson eyes to open, "I didn''t go through all that for you to faint like this. Quit scaring me."
'' ...too kind.''
'' ...kick me out of bed.''
'' ...best friend I could have ever asked for.''
Disjointed images chased themselves around the blonde''s dreams, the claws of her mind''s hands grasping at each, desperately clinging to the incredible warmth each spoken line stirred up inside her. It was less a nightmare than a potpourri of sensations, of scents, touches and emotions. She wrapped herself protectively around each one she caught, jealously guarding them against the ebb and flow of the shimmering mindscape she found herself in.
''Feito-chan¡ I''m so sorry¡ Feito-chan?''
"...Fate-san?"
Eyes flying open, Fate drew in a swift, shuddering breath. Searching eyes studied the face looking down at her and she cupped the worried visage, "You are not bleeding¡" The blonde mused blurrily.
Worry shifting into relief, Nanoha gave the woman a lopsided smile, "Sorry to disappoint." Fate could feel her own cheek in the executive''s hand, the light scrape of the other woman''s arm brace tickling her skin. Her hand lifted a little higher and tugged at Nanoha''s earlobe, "No bleeding allowed." Her lower lip was poking out and the Japanese woman melted at the pout.
"Bossing the boss, huh?" The utter relief of having Fate back in the land of the conscious had Nanoha forgetting to keep her distance, and the blonde was drowning into those warm ocean depths.
"V-Vita would approve¡" She whispered, the response drawn from some unknown source. Nanoha''s face went slack in shock.
"Who''s Vita?" Fate''s brow was scrunched, the woman obviously searching the blanks of her mind for answers. "No, don''t. Don''t strain yourself." Nanoha brushed back the blonde''s fringe, fingers tangling with the soft strands, "What happened?"
Fate closed her eyes, relaxing under the touch of those calloused fingers in her hair. "Something¡ felt like a memory. It hurt, in here," she covered Nanoha''s hand with hers, indicating her head, "And everything went dark." Her eyes opened, crimson orbs troubled, "I think I saw you. I can''t remember."
"It doesn''t matter," Nanoha blew out a heavy breath, belatedly leaning back and slipping her hand out from under the blonde''s. Fate frowned, she did not like hearing the auburn-haired woman say she did not matter. Misreading that frown, the executive shifted stiffly, the pain of her recent strains slamming down on her now that her worry for the blonde had receded. "Do you¡ still feel the pain?"
"No, there is no pain." Long limbs slipping under herself, Fate pushed up into a sitting position, realising she was in Nanoha''s bed. The woman was wrapped in a kimono-looking thing, and the blonde blinked, "I think¡ you have worn that before."
"Yu-ka-ta." Nanoha pronounced slowly for the blonde''s benefit, "And yes." A faint air of skittishness settled across Nanoha''s shoulders though she still managed a tight smile, "Seems some impressions are coming back to you. We''ll need to be careful it doesn''t happen where you might fall and hurt yourself."
The executive was troubled. If something like this should occur out of anyone''s presence¡ Well, good thing Ginga would be there. It grated on Nanoha that it had to be this way, but better Ginga than her. It just wasn''t a good idea. Look at how she forgot herself at the drop of a hat. Or drop of a blonde.
The other worrisome thing was whether the return of more complete fragments would trigger the blonde to fall into another state of catatonia. "If only we could control this," she muttered aloud, absently rubbing at the aching throb around her shoulder wound.
"What am I doing?" Fate muttered. Nanoha frowned in puzzlement at the blonde, wondering what she meant by that. Then the blonde was swinging her legs around to get up. What was she doing in the poor woman''s bed, Nanoha needed the rest, not her.
"Fate-san, you just regained consciousness."
"And I feel fine," Fate insisted, "Nanoha-san, I saw your¡" The vision of the woman in her underwear stole the blonde''s words momentarily, "Your injuries. Please, lie down. I feel bad enough as it is." Turning down the covers, she offered her hand to the executive.
Bed felt really tempting right now, to be honest. Conceding that she had really done a number on herself to keep the blonde from collapsing onto the tatami mats, Nanoha allowed herself to be helped in.
Fate tucked the covers around the Japanese woman, easing out her long hair from under her so that it wouldn''t pull while she rested. The woman looked pale under her fading tan again. Worse than when they''d left St. Luke''s, and that worried Fate.
"Nanoha-san, why do you look¡" The blonde searched for a tactful way to ask her question, "You seem worse off than¡"
She was slipping up if Fate could tell with her unpractised eye this easily, "Just moved wrong is all." The shoji doors slid back open, admitting Momoko who heard the last of their exchange through the thin paper of the doors, "Is because she throw Fate onto bed."
''Guess she''s still pissed.'' Nanoha winced internally whilst maintaining a calm exterior. "I thought everyone tattled to you." Strained alto drier than the Sahara Desert, she lolled one blue eye to peer up at her mother from where she lay, "How is it you''re tattling to our honoured guest now?" Nanoha kept to using english out of deference to the blonde.
"Only answer question asked, ne?" Momoko had wanted to tuck Nanoha in, but saw that the blonde had already done a more than adequate job doing so. Fate was stood by the bed, an expression of horror on her face to think her boss had exerted herself enough to send her by no means petite self onto the bed. The ever-sharpening look Nanoha was sending Momoko was simple enough to decipher.
Patting Fate reassuringly on the arm, the clan matriarch directed the blonde to take the chair Nanoha had been occupying earlier. "Is my Na-chan''s reflex. Hard to stop, hai? Anyway, I called Doctor Kobayashi. She say is not unusual, but always have someone around in case."
Nanoha nodded thoughtfully, hoping their downplay of the executive''s actions would nudge Fate out of feeling guilty or something silly like that. "I figured." Pinning an earnest gaze onto the blonde, the woman continued, "Fate-san, please ensure Rein or Ginga are always with you wherever you go. I trust their reflexes to be quicker than mine. Especially in the baths and onsen." All that hard tile and stone truly worried the executive. Fate blushed and ducked her head with a nod.
"Hai, talking about bath, I was not done cleaning your stitches."
"Later please, Kaa-san¡ I''m kind of¡ beat." Momoko blinked, then nodded. Na-chan was keeping her promise, just not spelling it out in front of the pretty gaijin. Leaning over, she brushed the woman''s bangs back to press a kiss to her forehead, "Okaerinasai, Na-cchi~" Welcome home.
"Tadaima~..." I''m home. Exhaling a long breath, Nanoha released her clawing hold on consciousness. Momoko''s eyes were suspiciously bright when she rose to stand, but Fate opted not to notice. "This will be Na-chan''s first meal at home in years. Let us make it grand, hai?" Fate smiled in assent and followed the matriarch back to the kitchens. Had it only been a mere three hours ago that Momoko had gotten a call from St. Luke''s? Time moved so strangely since Fate had woken up in the hospital last week.
That adage held true while life seemed to remain in suspension within the hallowed confines of the Takamachi compound. Aside from various modern conveniences, it felt as if one had stepped back in time while inside, and it was something Fate truly enjoyed. What the blonde did not enjoy was her very abbreviated chances to spend time with her boss.
Despite the fact that they were effectively housemates, Fate seldom caught sight of the woman outside of occasional meal times. Since Ginga was attached to the AVP as her primary guard, the same held true for the lavender-haired bodyguard, and both women were rather disgruntled about the whole thing.
All according to Nanoha''s plans, unfortunately for them. ''Maybe I''ll get lucky and they''ll start dating each other.'' Nanoha thought with some death gallows humour. Little did Fate know that Nanoha planned her days around the blonde''s movements.
Waking at five in the morning, the auburn-haired woman took her morning walk outside, the distance and time spent slowly growing with each passing day. Returning around thirty minutes after, she would then wash and shower. With Rein''s assistance, she was even able to get her back and hair washed without issue.
The woman was practical, pragmatic and professional. The three Ps Nanoha desperately needed in this time of emotional turmoil. Rein''s cool distance helped the executive build hers up. Her personal shields had effectively been in tatters since the incident and the constant presence of the blonde was like picking at a never healing scab.
They had struck up a mutual friendship based on respect and their walks and showers were peppered with discussions about fitness regimes and various martial arts either had practised. The housekeeper, Kanae obaa-san, was invaluable to the Takamachi scion. Nanoha had known her since her earliest memories and the broad-faced, grey-haired woman was more than happy to help the executive prepare specific breakfasts to aid in regaining some of her lost mass.
Momoko knew what Nanoha was up to and kept her peace, knowing to push would only cause more harm than good. ''Absence makes the heart go fonder'', as the saying went. Of course, it was a toss up to see who missed whom more. The schemer in Momoko simply did what made the most sense for now, grab Fate to teach her how to make all of Nanoha''s favourite dishes.
Taking her breakfast in her room, Nanoha worked on her fine motor skills. Her left arm continued to be in a sling, so she practised eating with her right hand. Being somewhat ambidextrous, it was not too long before she was displaying adequate skills with chopsticks and writing. Around ten or so in the morning, either Kyoya or Miyuki would find time to drop by and help Nanoha through some exercises to get her damaged body back into working condition.
Of course, everyone was given the third degree about Fate. How she was doing, what she was doing, had anyone taken her out to sight-see. Even Agito had been harassed into taking Fate out shopping today.
After observing the older Takamachi siblings working with Nanoha, Rein found herself voluntold to help with more exercises one afternoon. It was the fifth day since Nanoha had returned to the clan compound and the afternoon that Agito had scooped the blonde up for some hardcore retail therapy. Nanoha hadn''t realised the sort of pressure she had been under until after the blonde and Ginga had left with the redhead. That the compound felt gratingly empty was something she chose not to notice too much.
Leaving the shoji doors open, Nanoha felt a sense of relief at being able to air out the room while doing her exercises on a mat she''d rolled out in the middle of the room. The kotatsu had been set aside in favour of more floor space. "You can''t keep this up for much longer, you know that?"
Helping the executive into her sports bra and workout shorts, Rein had also changed into similar garments to give the executive a hand. Both had their hair tied back and out of the way while the bodyguard applied a light amount of her own body weight to stretch out one of Nanoha''s problem spots.
Switching sides, the bodyguard slowly stretched tight muscles. Nanoha had been judicious in which shortcuts she took, resulting in some but not a lot of problem areas that she needed help with after the fact. Familiar with sports and other injuries from her line of work, it was simple for Rein to run the executive through stretches to help limber up a body cooped up too long in a hospital bed.
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Blowing sweat-soaked bangs out of her eyes, Nanoha grunted, "Every day helps. Oh yea, right there. Ngh¡ wait." The end of her ponytail had been caught under herself so Nanoha took a second to tug it out. Her gross motor skills were still lacking with the braces still on her arms, and thus she used more strength than she had meant to. Her uncontrolled swing bumped the inside elbow of Rein''s supporting arm, causing the bodyguard to lose her balance and drop the few inches she''d been above her client. "Oof!"
Fate cracked open the box holding an elegant ballpoint pen in grey and gold. Seeing her boss in a shirt and tie had inspired the blonde to find a nice pen to go with, and Inoue-san''s impromptu shopping trip had proven to be a great opportunity to do just that.
She had picked up a few other small gifts for the rest of the Takamachi family. For Momoko, a warm cashmere scarf in a style the redhead had insisted was ''in'' this season. Observing Nanoha''s father to have the occasional smoke with a pipe, Fate had found a selection of tobacco flavours for the man to try out. Kyoya and Miyuki would get matching fitness trackers since the ones Fate saw the siblings sporting appeared a few years older than the latest models she had found online.
It had been a rather eventful trip aside from all the running around Shinjuku that they had done. Apparently, both Inoue-san, or Agito as she had asked Fate to call her, and Ginga knew one another as well, and it was clear there was no love lost between the two. Most of the shopping trip had involved the women trading veiled barbs and the gentle blonde was at a loss about what to do with that, other than to get her shopping done so she could return to the compound sooner.
It had been a trying few days cooped up in the compound seeing hardly hide nor hair of her boss who had implemented a regime that had Fate missing the woman by minutes each time. The only time Fate knew where the executive was, was when she was in her room with her siblings or just with Rein. Occasionally she would hear them chatting and without an express invitation, it felt odd for Fate to barge in. The blonde missed spending time with the auburn-haired woman, though it was difficult to fathom why when they had effectively only just gotten to know one another.
With her gift in hand, however, Fate would have a good opportunity to visit with her boss for a bit. Spotting the shoji doors on the ground floor of the main house open for once, the blonde smiled and hurried over. Switching to her indoor slippers, she blinked to hear her boss'' distinct alto.
"Oh yea, right there. Ngh¡ wait. Oof!" Rounding the corner with Ginga a pace behind, the blonde skidded to a stop to find the silver-haired bodyguard plastered chest to chest to Nanoha, their lips almost touching. Both women were covered in perspiration and neither were dressed in much. Was this what they had been doing when the doors were closed?
The box holding Nanoha''s gift fell from nerveless fingers as Fate spun around swiftly and bounded up to her room on the second level. Ginga remained a second longer, glaring daggers at her boss, then at Fate''s boss. "She got you a gift," she told Nanoha, cold eyes dropping to the box littering the tatami floor before turning to follow her client to her room.
Exchanging glances with Rein, Nanoha sighed and thumped the back of her head against the exercise mat they were on. Her entire torso ached from the silver-haired woman''s fall on her, but that was the last thing on her mind. "Sorry about that, Rein. Control has been difficult." The bodyguard simply rolled off of her client, smoothly rising to pick up the box the blonde had dropped. Nanoha was still laid out on the mat, eyes shadowed. They flickered over to her bodyguard who silently handed her the box.
Cracking it open one handed, Nanoha admired the classy pen within, touched by the blonde''s thoughtfulness. Studying the wistful smile she was sure the woman didn''t even know she was wearing, Rein cleared her throat, "Would you like me to go clear things up?"
An immediate answer was not forthcoming, the executive appearing to weigh the pros and cons of having the blonde assuming things were not platonic between herself and the silver-haired guard. The way her heart had leapt at the mere sight of the blonde whom she''d not seen for days, was still a conundrum she had no idea how to resolve. "Leave it," she eventually muttered, scrubbing wearily at her face, "Unless Ginga starts something with you. Then, only with her."
Tucking the box into her sling, Nanoha grabbed her shinai and carefully worked her way up to her feet. It was the latest development towards recovery, being able to get up from the floor on her own. The small spurt of victory lasted for only so long, Nanoha shuffling to her bed to place the gift box carefully by her pillow. "I''ll thank Feito¡ Fate-san later." She corrected herself firmly, "I''m just going to wash up," she informed Rein with a heavy heart, and made her slow way to the baths.
Fate blinked hard, refusing to let any tears fall. What even was wrong with her? This was her boss, a colleague. What right did she have to feel like a jilted lover? Nothing made sense and that old feeling of loneliness pressed down on her harder than it''d ever had. The only thing keeping her here and not flying right back to a place she knew, such as Midchilda, was knowing that doing so would be playing right into her mother''s hands. Hearing Ginga arriving a short moment after her, she busied herself with sorting through her purchases.
"I told her the gift was from you," Ginga murmured, feeling an odd sense of camaraderie with the blonde who obviously felt something for the auburn-haired beauty. Fate gave Ginga a watery smile that never quite reached her wine-shaded eyes, "Thank you. Y-You didn''t have to."
Sighing, Ginga crossed her arms, leaning against the door frame of the half-open room. "It''s always like this, you know." Her bodyguard had thus far been silent aside from the occasional need to communicate with regards to her duties, and so Fate had no idea what the woman meant. The puzzled glance she cast at the lavender-haired bodyguard said as much.
"Nanoha," Ginga elaborated. "It''s like bees to honey. She never puts herself out there." She made no mention of the one time the woman had, which had resulted in their ill-fated and short-lived relationship. "The way she looks, as chivalrous as she is?" Ginga gave a disgusted snort that held no real feeling, "Women can''t resist."
Fate wondered if she was one of those faceless women. She was just barely getting to know the executive and still the magnetic pull she could feel coming from Nanoha was as real as gifts she was sifting through this very instant. "I think waking in a strange land surrounded by strangers has turned me around," Fate said stiltedly, "I''m sure things will fall into perspective once I regain my bearings."
Ginga appeared dubious but said nothing to refute the blonde, only adding, "For what it''s worth, she checks in with me a few times a day to ask how you''re doing. I think that episode in her room that first day still worries her."
Ginga cursed at her own honesty, but winning unfairly was as good as not winning at all, to her mind. She acknowledged that this blonde was a credible rival. Not only was the woman sweeter than the aforementioned honey, but possessing of an otherworldly beauty that came with no airs and she was humble to a fault.
That bit of information seemed to have mollified Fate, her lips curling just a bit at the corners to hear that the executive still cared. Maybe it was an accident, what they had seen. She would wait to ask. It was never wise to assume things.
"You''ve grown a lot since we last saw you." A familiar voice approached from behind, speaking japanese.
Nanoha glanced around the bath''s divider. Her sister had settled into the booth next to hers to wash up. Rein was behind the executive, helping the woman with her long hair, and Nanoha was once more firmly stifling her extreme hatred for having anyone mess with her head or hair. There honestly was no one she felt comfortable with doing what Rein was, other than Fate. Not that she would ever let that on to anyone.
So she suffered the necessity of the bodyguard''s help while she focused on getting the rest of herself clean with one arm. Her shoulder wound still pulled painfully when she tried to do anything on her left side, and she knew better than to test her limits. Assuming this was what her sister was talking about, Nanoha quirked a humourless smile.
"I had to grow up sometime." Thinking back to when she was a teen, she was amazed her stupidity hadn''t caused permanent disabilities. There was only so much luck she could claim in one lifetime, and she wasn''t going to push it any further. "The sooner I can be independent, the better for everyone."
"For everyone, or for you?" Nanoha looked at her sister, then pointedly at the person being troubled with having to help her do something as simple as washing her hair. Noticing Nanoha''s pointed look, Rein chuckled, "Well, I am getting paid."
"Hence why I am able to ask you," Nanoha revealed dryly. Blowing out a long breath, she began rinsing the suds from her body. "Look, if it wasn''t for me, Fate-san would already be back in Singapore picking up life where she had left off. I need to get cleared to fly so she can get home."
"A home she does not remember, either," Miyuki quietly reminded her baby sister.
Handing the showerhead to Rein, Nanoha remained silent, jaw tensing while the bodyguard rinsed her hair. Her hands clenched and relaxed while she fought back the instinct to get away from the woman''s foreign touch. "It''s still her life to live, and I''m in the way of that."
"A life you saved," her sister argued, her own shower going along much quicker since her hair was shorter.
"Did I?" Bile threatened to rise up in Nanoha''s throat at the memory of the state Fate was in when she finally broke down that cursed door. "She lost over two years of it." Her voice was bitter, the words spat out in utter disgust with herself and her failure. "Worse, I endangered the family on top of it."
Miyuki eyed the bodyguard and Rein easily read the woman''s hesitation. "I signed a confidentiality agreement when entering into the contract with Miss Hayate," the silver-haired woman pronounced sedately whilst working conditioning lotion into her client''s thick hair.
Nodding, the older sister continued, "We knew the risks. It''s what we do."
"Not with fucking guns, Nee-san! If I could, I would have asked the rest of you to break off and retreat." Nanoha was grateful for the shower, it helped hide the tears of guilt.
"Hey¡ come on now," Miyuki gave Rein an apologetic look and cut in between the guard and her sister to pull Nanoha into a careful hug. "We got out fine. More than fine. BECAUSE you engaged multiple hostiles." Her sister''s words made logical sense, sense Nanoha wished she could see. But the final outcome was still suboptimal, something Miyuki knew her sister couldn''t accept. Not with this outsider being involved.
Nanoha submitted to her sister''s hug, though the ability to return it was beyond her. "If any of you had been hurt too¡ I wouldn''t be able to live with myself."
"Na-chan¡ don''t you think the same applied to us?" The executive wordlessly patted one of the arms around her with her right hand, her left laying on her lap to avoid straining her shoulder while out of her sling.
She had long resigned herself to an existence separate from the rest of her family. To assume she had any right whatsoever to pull them into danger, even willingly, was more than she would allow herself to think. Nanoha simply lacked the resources to press her case, however, especially so soon after being found in a compromising position with Rein by Fate. The intense need to clarify what the blonde had seen tore at her insides, and it was taking all of her meagre resources to fight that selfish desire back.
Slowly extricating herself, Nanoha nodded a stiff thanks to both guard and her sister and fished up her bathrobe that had been hanging from a wall hook. Usually, she would use a towel, but not while her left shoulder was injured. Tying a loose knot with the robe''s sash, the best she could manage with her limited range of motion, the executive headed back to the shelf area to look for the sling and arm braces she''d left in one of the baskets.
Head bowed, eyes only seeing where her feet went, she didn''t notice anyone else in the bath''s outer area until she bumped into a tall, half-dressed form by the shelves. Blinking, Nanoha lifted her head to see Fate and Ginga preparing to head in.
Fate was in nothing but lacy underwear while she folded the dress she had worn for the shopping trip earlier and the auburn-haired woman was reminded how the blonde''s legs went on forever and ever, Amen. Ginga was still folding her suit jacket after rolling up her tie and tucking it into a free basket.
Feeling her ears grow hot and glad for the cover of her long hair, Nanoha immediately averted her eyes and turned around, mumbling her apologies. After over a week of using the clan baths, Fate was used to the nudity women shared here. Even so, something about her boss seeing her in such a state still had the pale blonde blushing. ''I-It''s all right," she stammered to Nanoha''s robe-clad back.
The one quick look Fate had gotten was enough to turn her blush into a full body one, with the robe''s v-neck open all the way to the woman''s waist, revealing the lean line of the executive''s torso from neck to past an adorable innie. She was glad to see the bruises beginning to fade on what parts of the woman''s chest that she could see. It took a moment for the rest of Nanoha''s words to register, and Fate wondered if she would ever stop feeling warm.
"Thank you¡ for the pen. I will use it for my daily exercises." Nanoha had plucked out one of her arm braces and was struggling with the straps one-handed.
"Here, let me." Gentle hands urged Nanoha to turn back around and graceful fingers replaced her own clumsy ones to fasten the velcro of her brace securely. The Japanese woman wanted to keep her eyes down, but the blonde''s bounteous cleavage was right there.
Giving up, Nanoha mumbled more thanks, grabbed her other brace and sling, and made her best speed past Fate and Ginga to escape outside. She realised she had left her shinai behind but she had to cut her losses before she did or said anything she regretted. Fate watched the woman hurry away, heart squeezing at the knowledge that the woman couldn''t seem to bear spending more than a minute in her presence.
Done with her own shower, Rein appeared in a towel in search of another for her dripping sheet of silver hair. Seeing Fate frozen to her spot, she had a good idea what may have occurred. Ginga looked to have fared not much better.
Digging out fresh clothes from her basket, the fit-looking bodyguard began to dress, her wet hair now wrapped in a spare towel. Dark slacks, a simple tee and three-quarter sleeve jacket and she was done. Snapping on her arm sheath and knife, she quirked one silvered brow at them, "Did you see where Nanoha-chan went? I was supposed to help dry her hair," she blithely asked, unable to resist tweaking both women.
Snapping out of her depressed contemplation of the woman in question, Fate couldn''t help but frown and point to the exit. Smirking, Rein scooped up an extra towel and the forgotten shinai and with a dip of her head in thanks, she bid Fate and her subordinate farewell.
Turning to her guard, still frowning, Fate lifted one blonde brow, "Nanoha¡ -chan ?" She detested feeling like a jealous, possessive girlfriend, but this -chan business had to be beyond the pale. Ginga shrugged helplessly, "My boss has always been professional. I''ve never seen her like this before." Shucking the rest of her clothes, she sighed, voice glum, "I warned you though. It''s always been like this with Nanoha. I wouldn''t be surprised if Rein bent the rules to bed that body."
Appearing as if she had eaten something truly terrible, Fate proceeded inside, trying not to think of that scene from earlier with Rein and Nanoha on the floor together, dressed in barely anything.
Chapter 37: Working Through It
Just as Rein had predicted, Nanoha couldn''t avoid Fate forever. Not when she had to get them both back up to speed to re-enter the world of TSAB''s corporate storms. Mindful of what Fate had told her before about Hayate leaving the decision to allow her access to her work only with the blonde''s approval, the executive carefully made her way up the flight of stairs to the woman''s room.
This was ridiculous. This was stupid. She wielded absolute dominion over her department. Why would she need a spanking new AVP''s permission to get started on work? ''Because Hayate wants to give you an excuse to see her, and you''re just going along with it.''
"I''m so fucking weak¡"
Rein had escorted her up, remaining a step behind in case. If she heard her client''s words, she made no mention of it. She also knew better than to offer a hand, knowing the executive would deem that as an insult. Ginga had answered the light knock, raised brows revealing her surprise to see the auburn-haired woman seeking Fate out in the early afternoon, or any time of the day for that matter.
It was the seventh day since Nanoha had been discharged and getting around was gradually becoming easier for the woman. She was still in a sling, but the shinai was proving to be an adequate aid. Stairs were still a painful challenge, so Nanoha drew on her reserves to hide the strain. "Ginga-san, Fate-san," Nanoha greeted, "May I speak with Fate-san for a moment, please?"
Fate was by her luggage, folding fresh laundry. Just as surprised as Ginga, she nodded. The lavender-haired bodyguard stepped out, dipping her head to her boss in greeting and sliding the shoji door closed behind her. The sound of footsteps informed them that the guards had moved a distance away to afford them some privacy.
Shinai tapping softly on the tatami, Nanoha entered further into the room. Fate had slid over the floor to tuck her knees under the kotatsu''s futon covers. "Please, have a seat," she invited, amazed at how smooth Nanoha''s gait had gotten in a mere week. Certainly, her movements were slowly deliberate, but her steps displayed little hesitation.
Fist tightening around the hilt of her bamboo sword, Nanoha used it to carefully lower herself down to sit at the heated table as well. Fate kicked herself for assuming simple things like sitting down on the floor would be just as easy for the still-convalescing woman. "S-Sorry, I forgot¡"
Nanoha gave the blonde a tight smile, "No," her alto was only a little strained, "I''m glad I look well enough for you to forget." Clearing her throat, she laid her walking aid down beside her. Slipping her hand into the side opening of her yukata, she drew out her writing pad. On it was clipped the pen Fate had given her.
"I thought I would use my exercises to draft out TSAB''s organisational structure for you¡" Sliding the pad towards Fate, she nodded to the blonde to open it.
Fate swallowed, caught off-guard when Nanoha dug into her garments. Her fingers felt the warmth of the writing pad. Nanoha''s warmth. Unclipping the pen to return it to Nanoha, the executive smiled and accepted it from the person who had gifted it to her.
Fate flipped the writing pad open. Lines of very rough Katakana writing populated the first few pages, followed by other forms of japanese writing. Alphabets and numbers followed, the characters growing more refined the more pages Fate turned. The blonde was impressed though she knew Nanoha wasn''t doing this to show off. This was simply the woman''s work ethic in visual form.
Finally reaching the last used page, Fate clapped a hand over her mouth, failing to stem the giggles bubbling out of her. At the top were the words, TSAB''s Organisational Structure - Singapore Offices. The reason Fate was giggling were the rough but very adorable sketches of various roles in the diagram.
A raccoon-like creature was at the top of the diagram, sporting the name Yagami Hayate. The head of Human Resources was represented by a frowning eagle - Signum Wolkenritter. Marketing''s head was a banana peel with a smarmy smile, and for some reason, the AVP of Marketing was represented by a pair of mismatched socks and a bag of tea. The head of Finance was a formal, dark purple kimono, the name attached being Tsukimura Suzuka. Beneath her was a puffed up pufferfish, the AVP of Finance, Alisa Bunnings. The pufferfish was drawn kissing the kimono with a corresponding ''Chu~'' written next to the sketches.
The Operations branches were more detailed. Nanoha was there as a grouchy cat with one paw in a sling. Under her, Fate appeared as a Labrador puppy in reading glasses and below them both, a red panda up on their hind legs stood with the name Vita Wolkenritter, Nanoha''s executive assistant. So this was the ''Vita'' who would approve!
On the same level as Vita, a branch stretched out to the side, detailing two operations managers, Teana Lanster and Nakajima Subaru. Teana was represented by a frowning mandarin orange with twin tails tied up with ribbons. Subaru appeared to be a smiling rodent-like creature, sniffing at the mandarin orange that was Teana. Little floating hearts were drawn between the orange and the rodent.
"Oh my gods, Nanoha-san, this is incredible! How long did it take you to do this?" Eyes shining, the blonde eyed the other woman. Fate''s musical giggles were everything the executive had hoped for. Quietly absorbing the beautiful blonde''s delight, Nanoha decided that all the sweat and aches were worth the effort. "Few days." Blue eyes dropping bashfully, Nanoha added, "The words were easier. I could only draw this morning." The hand in her sling flexed, her shoulder wound was still throbbing a little.
Graceful fingers traced the grumpy kitty in a sling, a smile still playing over the blonde''s pink lips, "May I keep this?"
"Up to you," the executive feigned disinterest, secretly pleased that Fate seemed to like it. The blonde studied Nanoha out of the corner of wine-red eyes, deducing the strong and silent woman was actually happy she asked, judging by the way her free hand fiddled with the pen Fate had gifted her. She gave an indulgent, inward sigh at this Rubix Cube of a woman. "Thank you," Fate placed a hand over that fiddling one, "I know it took a lot of effort for you to do this."
"Don''t thank me too soon," Nanoha mentally syphoned away the tingles running up her right arm from the blonde''s touch, grateful the long sleeves of her yukata covered any gooseflesh she had. "I wanted to ask if you thought I was well enough for us to get started with your training." One of the many reasons the Japanese woman had struggled and forced her way closer to fine was so that the blonde would give her that pass she needed so they could use their work laptops again.
"I don''t know¡" A faint twinkle appeared in Fate''s eye, "You were a little out of breath when you got here."
Nanoha blinked, "How did you¡"
Soprano lightly teasing, Fate leaned closer, index finger outstretched to touch the littlest crease between Nanoha''s auburn brows, "You get a little line here," that finger slid down to gently poke the muscle in the executive''s jaw, "You clench your jaw," finally, she tapped the tip of that perfect nose, "And your nostrils flare a little while you catch your breath." Triumphantly, she settled back on her heels, feeling rather proud of her observational skills.
Nanoha stared in complete bewilderment at the smug blonde. Her heart was hammering, threatening to leap right out of her rib cage from just those light touches and it took immense effort not to grip her pen until it broke. "It was just¡" She coughed against the heavy husk of her voice, "Just the stairs is all." Willing away the warmth that threatened to turn her pink, Nanoha scrubbed at her face. Fate was studying her that closely?
"Just ask R-Rein to get me next time you wish to talk." Fate hated how she stumbled over the bodyguard''s name, recalling how that woman had called the executive Nanoha-chan and all the discomforting feelings that had engendered.
"That would be taking the easy way out." Nanoha''s chin firmed in what Fate was secretly calling her Stubborn Mule Look. Except there was no mule on earth that looked this captivating.
Of course her boss would not be the sort to cheat like that. Why was she not surprised? "To your point, if it''s just for an hour or two a day, I can allow that." Her eyes crinkled at the indignant look the woman sent her way. She was feeling bold today, baiting the leopard the way she was. The knowledge that Nanoha had worked that hard on the organisational chart for Fate was giving the blonde all kinds of chutzpah.
"Damn that kuso tanuki," Nanoha finally muttered, azure eyes analysing the blonde with begrudging respect.
Fate perked, "Tanuki? Is that what this is?" She tapped the sketch representing Yagami Hayate.
"Yep. She''s a trickster who''s too smart for anyone''s good." A small but fond smile tugged at Nanoha''s lips, prompting Fate to wonder what history the two women shared.
"She was most distraught when I first spoke with her," Fate noted softly, eyes studying the executive. This was the most time Fate had had to spend with Nanoha in, to her, a long time, and she wasn''t going to waste the opportunity to absorb all the tiny nuances the woman had no idea she gave off.
"I''m simply a terrible friend to have," Nanoha stated with conviction. Before Fate could dispute what was obviously untrue, she gestured at the laptop on the side table, "Shall we?"
Fate knew the woman''s claims were not up for discussion so she bided her time for when she could push back on that ridiculous notion. Everything she had witnessed thus far had clearly shown that the woman placed everyone else above herself to a fault. Did her old self have to contend with a boss who was supremely confident in everything but the regard others had for her? Hmm.
Silently, she went to get her laptop, noting it appeared brand new. She''d kept it charged in anticipation of the day when her boss would be well enough, so she was a tad confused when she opened it and nothing happened.
Calloused fingers reached over and cupped her chin, shifting her face so that the scanning lens on the station was right in front of one of her eyes. A blinking red light switched to green and the boot-up music for the system played as the screen came to life. "Retina scan," Nanoha explained, releasing her tingling chin. "I-I see," Fate mumbled.
"No, it sees," Nanoha quipped, eliciting a little laugh from the blonde. She had missed the woman''s sense of humour a lot more than she realised.
Motioning Fate to sit by her with the laptop so she could see without hurting her still aching torso, Nanoha directed the woman to begin digging through her email outbox from the start of her time in TSAB. From her sling, Nanoha dug out her reading glasses, absently cleaning them one handed while Fate went through her emails.
"This many for TWO months?"
"Mmmhmm," the executive slipped on her glasses, brows drawn while she scanned what Fate was scrolling through.
"And only what you forwarded to me?"
"Mmmhmm."
"Gods, no wonder you needed an AVP."
Nanoha was close enough that the blonde could hear the softly exhaled breath, "I do need you."
Warmed by the easy admission from her boss, Fate felt her resolve to catch herself back up to speed grow.
When it came to diversification, the organisation seemed to follow the mantra as if it were a religion, with businesses covering things as varied as aviation, cosmetics, fertiliser and natural gas explorations.
She could see how every outgoing email had Nanoha copied into them, and the private replies from the woman in highlighted blue, clearly detailing what Fate had done correctly, incorrectly, or advice on what she could have done better. The executive was exceedingly thorough and spared no effort in detailing the reasons behind her responses in her private correspondences with old Fate. Not once had she ever lost her temper at a mistake the blonde made, even if the mistake could have been costly for the company.
There were points when Nanoha was critical of Fate, and reading the response hurt even now. Yet, the blonde noted that they were never directed in a way to make it a personal attack, and suggestions for how to improve always followed, along with praise for some other part of her work she had accomplished.
It felt odd to re-read the correspondences she had sent to the Fate of before, and to see how every single one had been marked as Very Important by the blonde. Almost like an invasion of privacy. ''Whose privacy, though?'' Nanoha wanted to look away. Fate''s questions pertaining to each email prevented her from doing so, unfortunately.
In two hours, they had only gone through about twenty emails, but the questions were getting more in-depth and insightful, the woman''s natural brilliance coming through easily, even without the benefit of her time in Testarossa Inc.''s Operations department.
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Fate wondered if she had been a workaholic in TSAB, if this was the working environment her old self was used to. Looking sternly gorgeous in her glasses, Nanoha''s steady presence at her elbow was intoxicating, almost as much as the faint scent of spicy cinnamon and vanilla that the woman''s warmth gave off.
The low burr of her alto sent electric pulses up and down Fate''s body, driving the AVP to distraction. The blonde felt blanketed in all things Nanoha, no matter that the executive was being painfully professional and always keeping a fair distance from Fate, only leaning closer at times when things got a little hard to read.
With an intense need to impress the woman, or at least, not let her down, Fate struggled to stay focused on the task at hand, until her own eyes began to hurt a little. Noting that the executive was blinking a fair bit herself, Fate called for a break, knowing Nanoha would only keep going if allowed to.
Tugging off her glasses, Nanoha closed her eyes and rubbed tiredly at them with her unencumbered hand. "Been a while since I''ve had to wear these." She was amazed to see that it was almost past four in the afternoon.
"I''ll get us some tea," Fate stood up smoothly from her seiza position.
"You don''t have to," Nanoha yawned behind her hand. She had started her day at her usual 5AM and could feel the need for a nap creeping up on her sorry arse. Today had been the start of light weights being added to her daily regimen and she was a lot more tired than usual as a result.
Fate didn''t bother to argue, only sliding open the shoji doors to admit herself and closing it again after her. Another lesson she had learned was to simply not entertain her boss when the woman was trying to be considerate. It was as if she was deathly allergic to imposing on others.
Smiling at Kanae obaa-san, Fate requested of the nice housekeeper a lacquered tray and instructions about where the tea-time snacks were kept, including a question about which Nanoha would prefer.
"Nanoha Ojou-chan? Mochiron, mochi desu~" Miss Nanoha? Of course, (her favourite would be) mochi. Fate smiled, glad she was able to converse in simple japanese with the woman.
"Then, may I please have some to bring up to her, Rein-san and Ginga-san?" The grey-haired lady squinted a broad smile and puttered around to get the tray stocked with the Takamachi scion''s favourites. Springy, soft-skinned snacks with various fillings began populating the large, black and red lacquered tray. Fate was preparing some matcha tea, filling four cups with the earthy, rich green beverage.
Returning with her spoils, Fate served the tea and snacks to the two quietly conversing bodyguards who were chilling by the second floor window. Sliding the door open to her room, Fate paused to see the auburn-haired woman sprawled half-under the kotatsu''s futon. Evidently, she had lain down to rest her eyes for a bit and dozed off.
Quietly carrying her tray in, she closed her door and shook out a blanket to cover what portion of the executive that wasn''t under the futon. The weather had turned colder as the season drew closer to mid-autumn and Fate knew the lower temperatures were likely causing Nanoha more aches than she would let on.
Sitting by the woman''s head, Fate decided to catch up on news on her laptop while enjoying her tea. If her eyes dropped down to admire the enthralling harmony of the sleeping woman''s features, well, at least no one would see.
Nanoha had woken from her doze with quite some chagrin. She''d only meant to rest her abused body for a little while, but the cosy warmth of the kotatsu had been too much for her tired self to resist. It was just as well, the dark flickers at the edges of her mind told her she was just about to fall into another unproductive dream about unpleasant things. Sleep-fogged, Nanoha''s eyes traced the ancient ceiling of her clan home before finding eyes of the richest wine red staring down at her, that familiar face immediately commanding her focus.
Fate had been nibbling on a pink mochi, her first experimental bite rewarding her with a burst of flavour from the large strawberry within. The slightest change in breathing had alerted her to Nanoha''s impending return to wakefulness and again her eyes dropped down to the woman. She observed Nanoha''s intriguingly swift transition from slumber to full awareness once more, youthful innocence tensing to watchful sharpness in a blink of those deep azure pools.
How old was Nanoha? Momoko and Shiro were a spritely and active couple, neither sporting more than a few grey strands in their dark hair. The Japanese woman herself seemed to teeter between her twenties to forties just from how she behaved. Being of a completely different race from Nanoha, the blonde was hard-pressed to make an educated guess about the age of her boss.
"Penny," the executive asked without thinking. Nanoha should''ve been startled by the other woman''s regard. On the contrary, it simply felt comfortable, reminding her of the time Fate had watched over her while she napped on the plane. The cynical part of her reminded herself not to get used to it. Avariciously, she absorbed that comfort Fate didn''t even know she was giving Nanoha, until the contemplative air of the woman prompted Nanoha to ask after the blonde''s thoughts.
Fate felt her vision yaw and curve, her half-eaten mochi falling from suddenly numb fingers. Pulled by an unseen force, she slid across the tatami to lean directly over the face invading her mind''s eye, layered beneath another. Their expressions were similar, a mild mix of indulgence and curiosity, eyes fathomless and masking more. She saw a hand that looked like hers, cleaning away traces of blood from the corner of those Cupid''s bow lips, and her own matched her memory''s movements in the present.
Nanoha wanted to pull away, but she had nowhere to go, laid out on the floor as she was. Fate''s crimson gaze appeared to be miles away, no matter that the blonde had encroached upon all of her senses. The curtain of her long, golden tresses fell about them as she leaned over, encompassing the two in a hushed intimacy that sent shivers down Nanoha''s spine.
The strawberry-scented pad of her thumb was brushing at the corner of Nanoha''s mouth, and the executive nervously licked her lips, tongue inadvertently tasting the sweet pad of Fate''s digit.
"Does it hurt?" Fate whispered, replaying a long past scene in her head. Immediately, the words slammed into Nanoha and she knew just when the blonde was. Searchingly, she stared up at the woman, so close she could see the faint flecks of gold in her wine-red eyes. "Drop in the ocean¡" She murmured back, lips shifting to almost be kissing the thumb brushing over them now. ''Is this new Fate, or old?'' She asked herself, fearful of the answer.
"Ugh¡" The blinding pain had returned. Head dropping, the blonde sought refuge in the thing closest to her, face buried into the warm crook of Nanoha''s neck as her body curled into a defensive posture. Catching that grimace of pain just before the blonde collapsed, the Japanese woman instinctively wrapped her good arm around the slim form, hand rubbing soothingly over Fate''s back.
It didn''t matter if it was old or new Fate. All that mattered was the woman was hurting and it was Nanoha''s fault. Holding Fate tightly, face a grim mask, Nanoha realised these episodes were happening when Fate was around her and no one else. Her decision to drastically cut the time they spent together had been the correct one all along. She could feel a dampness wetting the collar of her yukata and wished she could indulge, too.
Instead, she called out for the bodyguards and with their help, Fate was carried and tucked into her bed, once more shifted to a recovery position. Rein retrieved Nanoha''s shinai, allowing the executive to get herself back up to her feet. "Another attack?" Rein asked her client who nodded. The woman''s expression seemed carved from a cliff as she studied the distressed look on Fate''s face, the woman unable to escape the ghosts that haunted her.
"Ginga-san, please remain with her at all times." Taking only her pen with her, Nanoha made her arduous way back down, "Rein, please help clear the tray. I''ll ask Kanae obaa-san to make her some rice porridge."
It was past time to rip off that band-aid.
It was Sunday and Kanae obaa-san had the day off. Momoko decided today would be gyoza day, and had roped in Miyuki and Fate to help make them while Shiro and Kyoya focused on cleaning the family dojo. Nanoha had apparently been deemed well enough and roped in by her father to help with the less strenuous cleaning tasks, and so she was over in the dojo with the men.
Fate hadn''t seen Nanoha in two days. Not since the last time she had blacked out from memories revisiting her. The blonde wished the snippets were more substantial if she had to endure that much pain to regain them. All she could recall were fleeting images and sounds where she knew she''d been present, but that was it. She had woken in her own bed around dinner time that day with Ginga keeping watch over her and a covered bowl of freshly made porridge waiting for her. The lavender-haired bodyguard had explained that the meal had been prepared under the orders of her boss, something easy on the tummy to digest. That little bit of consideration warmed Fate, though it didn''t last for long.
Since then, her afternoon ''work training'' with her boss had been conducted remotely over their laptops, the executive using a shared screen application to walk Fate through more of their job scope. The woman seemed stronger each day, though the shadows under her eyes never faded, and Fate wondered if she was getting much rest at all. What was clear was that Nanoha didn''t want to spend time in the blonde''s presence and the quiet hurt was eating constantly at Fate.
Momoko was at her wit''s end with her idiot youngest child. Na-chan obviously cared intensely for this lovely gaijin and the feelings appeared to be mutual, memory loss or otherwise. And still, her child was doing everything in her power to avoid the woman who was currently living under the same roof as her. She would have been impressed with how resourceful her girl was being if it wasn''t so frustrating to watch.
Fate had been politely quiet while she observed the Takamachi women demonstrating the technique to fill and pinch closed the gyoza skins Momoko had prepared the night before. Miyuki had exchanged silent looks with her mother and Momoko knew her elder daughter could also see how the blonde only lit up when she was around or on the subject of the Takamachi scion.
"It''s too bad Na-chan can''t help, she''s so deft with her hands." Miyuki folded the edges of the gyoza she was wrapping in slow motion for Fate to see. Predictably, the blonde''s ears seemed to perk, "Did she cook a lot in the past?"
"Oh, yes. Always helping, from here to here." Momoko gestured to the little cuts in the nearby door frame, indicating the height Nanoha had been when she began and stopped being around. From where she sat, Fate could see the Kanji Îå and Ê®Æß written next to the lowest and highest marks. Five to seventeen. The blonde tried to imagine Nanoha as a wee little child and felt a smile tugging at her lips despite her dark mood.
"She must have been very cute."
"Hai! Like ningyou." Momoko looked to Miyuki to translate. "She looked like a doll." Momoko nodded, "I bring to Shibuya for shopping, eto¡" Not having the words, she shot her elder daughter a few sentences in japanese. Translating, Miyuki said, "Mom was out shopping and an ad agency scouted Na-chan when she was six. She starred in a few advertising campaigns until school activities took up too much of her time."
Fate smiled and was unsurprised at the little anecdote Momoko had shared, though her expression fell again as she thought about how little the woman wanted to be in the same room as herself. Feeling a lump growing in her throat, Fate blinked, the hands she was watching blurring in her vision, "I think she finds me a bother."
Again, the older Takamachi women exchanged looks. "It is opposite, Feito-chan." Momoko tried to find the english words to explain, looking to Miyuki for help once more. "When Na-chan feels she''s being a bother, she¡ does whatever it takes to not be one," Miyuki explained to the despondent blonde.
Sighing, Miyuki laid the completed gyoza aside and started on a new one. "Kaa-chan and Tou-chan have each other. Kyo-chan and I are seven and six years older than her. She was always running about on her own, finding her own things to do so she wouldn''t get in the way. We never said she was a bother¡"
"She feel she is," Momoko nodded sadly, pointing to her heart, "Inside." Miyuki nudged her glasses back up with the back of her hand, it having slid down her face whilst her hands were occupied. "Rein-san she can bother, because she was contracted. Anyone else¡ She''s already paid Kyo-chan and me for our work with her." This was a first for Momoko to have heard of and the matriarch appeared highly upset.
"Stubborn pig." Fate''s eyes widened in shock to hear the good-natured matriarch call her child a pig. Realising the blonde''s confusion, Miyuki grinned, "Na-chan was born in the year of the pig, that''s all. Zodiac animals. I''m a snake, Kyo-chan is a dragon. Which year was Feito-san born in?"
Fate relaxed as she realised her boss'' mother was not really calling her child an actual pig. "Nineteen ninety-five¡"
Momoko blinked and to Miyuki, asked in japanese, "Isn''t that the same? They''re both twenty-eight?" Miyuki nodded and to Fate, said, "Then you are twenty-eight this year, you''re both pigs."
"We''re still pigs though." Fate went paler than her already pale complexion and swayed where she sat, alarming both Japanese women who were with her.
"Feito-san! Are you all right?" Miyuki had dropped what she had been folding to move behind the blonde, using her body to keep the swaying woman upright.
It hurt less this time, and the blonde could feel her right palm tingling. "I¡ I think I was told this before¡" Miyuki peered at her mother over the rim of her glasses. There could be only one other person in Fate''s life who would bring up something so obscure.
"Sou~..." Momoko murmured noncommittally. She had washed her hands to grab a washcloth to rinse in cold water. Folding it, she placed it over Fate''s forehead to help centre the woman back to the present, something the blonde softly thanked her for. Ginga had come in from her post just outside the kitchens when raised voices calling for her client rang out.
"Is she all right?" The bodyguard asked, frowning. Hearing the question, hand keeping the cloth to her forehead, Fate nodded. "Just¡ another memory."
"Perhaps you should lie down?" Ginga suggested, but the blonde refused with a shake of her head. "No, I''m fine. Miyuki-san and Momoko-san were a great help." Propping her forehead into the hand holding the cool cloth, Fate threw the Takamachi women a questioning look, "Why did Nanoha-san leave here? Everyone seems to love her¡" The blonde felt she had to ask before she lost her nerve. It made no sense to her. She left because of her family, but this one was so different from her own.
She saw all three Japanese women glance at each other, Ginga''s eyes dropping as she quickly left the room since Fate was deemed to be fine.
An uncomfortable silence ensued, then Miyuki hesitantly cleared her throat, "She um¡ lost some things that were important to her." Neither woman would look in the direction Ginga had left by. "And there were some problems with the clan elders. She felt she was a bother, so she left."
"Stupid old farts," Momoko muttered tartly, shocking even her own daughter with her language, "I''m glad most of them dead."
"Kaa-chan! Someone might hear!"
"Let them. I hope they roll over in graves. Na-chan should kiss girl in clan shrine just to rub in." Momoko had lost a decade with her baby and was in no mood to placate old-fashioned sensibilities. "Shi-chan is clan head now, nothing they can do. I should arrange omiai for her, is time for Na-chan to settle down with nice girl." Miyuki rolled her eyes at her mother''s feisty mood, one of the many things Nanoha had inherited from her mother in spades.
"Sorry, Feito-san, clan politics. Na-chan was¡ is the best at the Arts, as was father before her. But his succession to head of the clan was put into question because he did not raise her ''properly''."
Crimson eyes glanced from one Takamachi to the other. "Because she¡ she''s¡" Fate was unable to finish her sentence. The thought of Momoko-san arranging matchmaking meetings with other women for her boss was throwing the blonde for a loop.
"She''s lesbian, yes," Miyuki confirmed with no little amusement. Honestly, the blonde truly was adorable when she blushed. No wonder her baby sis was smitten. Too bad she was smart in everything but the ways of the heart.
"Anyway, back to what you said, no, Feito-san, you are not a bother. Like Kaa-chan mentioned, it''s the opposite. She doesn''t want to bother you."
Fate lowered the cloth, hands resting on her lap while nervous fingers plucked at a stray thread on it. "But I don''t think of her as a bother¡"
"Pigheaded girl always think what she want to think," Momoko grumbled, stirring irritably at the fragrant minced pork gyoza filling. "You''d better check yours and Tou-chan''s accounts. I bet she paid for room and board, too," Miyuki pointed the spoon she was using to scoop up some filling onto the thin gyoza skin in her hand at her mother, voice amused.
"I will spank her," Momoko threatened darkly.
"Kaa-san, she''s still injured."
"Yes, then she cannot outrun me."
Neither woman noticed the even deeper blush Fate was sporting at the mention of spankings.
Chapter 38: Reflections
The night before¡
Night had fallen on the gently rolling hills of Tokyo''s outskirts. The quiet peace, such a marked contrast to the constant bustle of central Tokyo, was something Momoko had always appreciated. The outward serenity, however, masked a disquiet that still plagued her, felt all the more keenly when she saw the source of that disquiet roaming the inside of the clan''s compound in the middle of the night.
She had understood clearly, the day she was pledged to the Takamachi''s most promising heir, that her life would forever be entwined in the clan''s business, that the outside world would never take precedence over everything that happened in the compound, and in the family it housed.
This was what she accepted. Up until the day traditions and power struggles, had her precious, precocious and proudly defiant child''s name struck from the clan''s register.
Her husband had been quiet since the day news of their lost child being back in Japan had reached them. It had been more than half a decade that their branch had solidified support and claimed the clan seat with no further, credible challenge. All four of the remaining family had understood why the youngest had chosen this, the most mature and difficult choice, but none had ever truly accepted it.
Least of all, Momoko. She knew what it felt like to be an outsider. To be found worthless in the weighing, judging eyes of others. People who smiled and bowed politely in deference to her position. Who later turned around to hiss venom out the side of their mouths. She endured it for the love of the man now sitting by the window of their bedroom, enjoying a few puffs of the gift their blonde guest had presented to him not three days ago.
Her baby, so fragile in the hospital bed with hardly a part of her left untouched by her terrible accident, had borne the same that Momoko had. Except that she''d done it alone, without the protection of marriage, or even a clan-approved fianc¨¦. Her immediate family was powerless to shield her, the pressure to yield under the threat of complete expulsion hanging over all their heads like a guillotine''s blade, poised and ready, the rope bowstring taut.
So her youngest had done what none of the elders in her own family had been able to. She recovered, trained, honed herself to a razor''s sharpness, and had fought her way past the inner sanctum, through the clan''s most elite guards. With all who challenged her lying disabled but not dead, she had limped, bleeding from a multitude of wounds, down the hallowed and musty halls of the holy shrine.
Inside, she found the clan''s sacred register and with her own hand, tore out the page her name had been written on. The flowing calligraphy lay on the floor in bloodied pieces, sliced in mid-air by the girl''s own red-coated tanto. Takamachi Nanoha was now a ghost, dead to the clan.
In one decisive move, she had freed her father from the shackles of his love and loyalty to her, freed him of the censure and shame of her preferences, and Momoko''s family would henceforth be lesser by one.
The bee''s nest her child had kicked exploded in an uproar. There was no one who could dispute what she had done, however. By her actions, she had proven herself unbeatable. No warrior in the clan could challenge what she had done, she had made that abundantly clear. Even in her defiance, she had chosen the path of least shame to those she had defeated, rendering those she''d defeated no chance to rise once more to impede her progress into the sanctuary.
Momoko firmly believed the clan''s loss was far greater than any of those old farts would ever realise in their limited, remaining lifetime. The most gifted shinobi since the founding of the clan was now lost to them, as plain as the pieces of parchment littering the shrine''s holy of holies. All because her child had chosen to love another of her gender.
The worst irony was the one she loved didn''t love her back. There was no justice in this world. Not unless Momoko made it with her own two hands.
"Shi-chan," drawing close to her husband''s solidly warm form, Momoko slipped her arms around his middle.
"Hmm?" Inscrutable, the man had been gazing out over the gardens below. It was past one in the morning, and the familiar figure of their youngest child was there, wandering through paths the girl could trace in her sleep. Sleep that clearly continued to elude her, even after all of these years. To the side they could see the bodyguard tasked with their child''s safety, keeping watch. She was not the only one.
From the window of the building''s other annex, the couple could see the blonde guest, watching their girl. The moon cast everything in shades of silver and black, but the shimmering crimson of the fair child''s eyes were vivid, affixed upon the aimlessly shuffling form.
"I want Na-chan to be happy." Momoko held her breath, for her words said far more than what she had so simply stated. She wanted to defy clan traditions. She wanted to upend centuries of custom. She wanted their youngest to find love. Love with another woman, as the child had so stubbornly informed them over ten years ago. That she could never love another unless they too, were a woman.
It would''ve been so easy if she had returned the soft regard the Scyra''s heir had shown her. Typically, her child had chosen the path of flame and fire, willing to burn her family ties for the Nakajima''s heiress instead. For a time, it seemed the lavender-haired beauty returned her fiery regard, but the Nakajima''s embers had sputtered in less than a year, doused in the sobering waters of her own family''s pressures and demands.
That deadened, lifeless look in her child''s eyes was something Momoko would never forget. There was hope that the Scrya heir would be able to leverage their long friendship to bring a spark back into that gaze so much like Momoko''s own. But then the accident happened, and those eyes had never regained their light. In all the too-short visits over the years, Nanoha''s eyes had remained flat and guarded, wary of any further devastation to a heart that could take no more.
Then that night a mere two weeks back, her child had returned. Descending upon the clan compound like a vengeful goddess with eyes burning everything they touched. Those flames had been rekindled and roared to the heavens, the heat palpably beating at any who stood close to her prodigal child. It was impossible not to be pulled along, sucked into the vortex of emotions held in check by the slimmest of margins. She had slipped into her role with impossible ease, doing everything right, taking all the punishment to protect, to save, to atone.
Shiro chewed thoughtfully on the mouthpiece of his pipe. It had taken him a long, long time to reconcile with the fact that his spiritual successor viewed women in that way. If she had been his firstborn and male, life would have been so much easier, but he suspected the lack of a crucible would have also made all of them that much softer.
The kami had other ideas, and gifted him with women in his family that had more courage and steel than the rest of his clan combined. Arrogance and entitlement had rotted the core of their proud lineage, and as the youngest son Shiro thought he understood what drove his own youngest to perfection. He had been lucky and found it in the woman wrapped snugly around him.
Luck that did not seem to be his child''s friend.
He couldn''t blame the Nakajima heiress. Their vassals had been just as horrified as he, when word of his child''s dalliances with Ginga had come to light. Perhaps a discreet arrangement could have been made, spurred by Momoko''s persuasions behind closed doors. An arrangement that would preserve family honour, save face and appease elders living with one foot in the grave.
Of course his child had refused. Could he have expected any less from the seed of Momoko''s fires and his steel? Crucially, it was the other family that had accepted. With that acceptance, came the end of his child''s youth. He had believed with time, the childish hurts would fade, but neither time, nor luck, would be on their side.
The death of the Scyra heir had sent shockwaves throughout their insular world. All the blame, all the pointed fingers, all the sin, were laid easily at his youngest''s feet, and instead of disputing the spurious claims, she had borne it all with far more strength and grace than he could have ever asked for. In her eyes, so similar to his beloved''s, he could see that she believed every venomous accusation.
He had never been one for words, and was at a loss for how to deal with a child grown up too soon, from a doll to a hollow suit of armour, and always attached to puppet strings he himself could not escape from. All he could do was accede to her requests for training. Day in, day out, if she was not buried in books or occupied with school activities, she was in the dojo.
Little had he known what the child had been planning. There had been no indications, only a constant drive to push beyond every limit he''d set for her. Until the day dawned when she had left him panting and face down on the floor, the sharp edge of her knee digging into the back of his neck. Mortification melted into heart-bursting pride that this, THIS was his child.
"Why are you giving me quarter? Finish it!" He''d snarled into the dojo floor, trembling under a weight that only needed a little push to snap his spine. She could have stripped away his birthright, claimed his status and bedded whatever female she had wanted then.
"Because I love you, Tou-chan." A slight breeze and an escaped tear by his face pressed into the mat, now slowly disappearing into porous rubber, was all the indication she had ever been there.
It was the last time he had heard her call him that. The last time she felt she had the right to do so. With her swords, she severed the strings on her family and in the process, herself from their lives. Everyone blamed themselves, him most of all. For being too weak, too indecisive, too soft. Being appointed clan head years after was a hollow victory, for nothing could replace the joy their flower, their Nanohana, had brought to their lives.
His pipe dipped as he lipped at it, releasing another puff of blue-grey smoke into the still air. Turning, he reciprocated his wife''s hug. "I''ll get the clan register." He felt Momoko''s arms tighten around him. He had lost a child to near-death. Perhaps he could use similar to redeem her back.
Present day¡
Nanoha eyed her old man. He was up to something, she could tell. Returning from her morning walk outside, he had met her at the entrance with her older brother. "The dojo needs cleaning. Come after breakfast." Neither his nor her brother''s expressions gave anything away. It was just as well. It was a Sunday and she knew Fate would be out and about the compound. The dojo was as good a place to hide from her as any.
Nanoha hadn''t been back to the place since she had last tested herself against her father a decade ago, when she had known she was finally ready to do what she had to. The place looked and smelt the same save for a square of flooring that appeared newer than the rest. Inhaling deeply of familiar, nostalgic scents, she was pleased to feel the absence of any sharp pains. Soon. Soon, she would be able to extricate herself from this hell. There would be no rest for her here, under the pretence of still being a part of the clan.
She felt sorry for Rein. The poor woman was stuck guarding an insomniac though she had made no complaint whatsoever. Nanoha planned to speak with Hayate to adjust the terms of the contract so both women would be assigned to Fate. What need did this washed up shinobi have for a bodyguard?
The morning passed in silence while the trio worked. Rein continued to shadow the far from recovered executive, lending a supporting hand here and there when the woman pushed herself beyond what her body could endure.
Fate glanced away when she had arrived with a tray of freshly fried gyoza, sent by Momoko to deliver the snack to the hardworking trio in the dojo. Nanoha had been attempting to get a pole up to the rafters, a damp cloth attached to the end, to clean out the cobwebs in the ceiling. She had lost her footing then and her bodyguard had stepped in, steadying the woman by clasping her waist in her hands to hold her up.
The executive had just been thanking the woman when Fate had showed up with the food, her own lavender-haired bodyguard following close after. Knowing full well how it must have looked to the blonde and Ginga, Nanoha had made no move to extricate herself from Rein''s grasp right away and actually threw her bodyguard a smoky glance before stepping back. Rein seemed to be taking the little pantomime in good humour, allowing her fingers to linger over her client''s waist before releasing her, red eyes twinkling mutely at the whole situation.
The men appeared oblivious to the undercurrents in the room, merely settling down to partake of the meal with bowed thanks to Fate. Bowing as well, Nanoha joined her father and brother, speaking only of what was left to be done to complete the process of cleaning the dojo.
"Feito-san, a moment, if you will." Fate had been readying to depart when Shiro raised his voice to address her.
"Hai, Shiro-san?"
"May I trouble you to return here with Momo-chan and Mi-chan after you have cleaned up in the kitchens?"
Puzzled, Fate nodded, "Certainly. I will let them know."
"Oh, they know. Please follow my wife''s directions." Now Nanoha was eyeing him, blue gaze equal parts puzzlement and suspicion. Shiro offered no further explanations, however, and Kyoya was occupied with the gyoza in his mouth. "Rein, come have some." Nanoha invited the bodyguard to join, which the woman accepted with good grace.
Feeling completely left out, Fate trudged her way back to the kitchen, sharing Shiro''s request with the two older Takamachi women. Neither appeared caught off-guard and most of the kitchen had already been tidied. The remaining gyoza had been stored in the freezer to be taken out as and when more were needed for meals.
Bundled off into the baths by Momoko and Miyuki, Fate wondered what the occasion was. All Momoko said was, "Have gift for guest-chan in her room. Please ask Ginga-san for help."
With that, the two women departed from the baths, leaving Fate to find her way back to her own room where she found a beautiful black kimono laid out on the bed. The under-robes alternated between red and yellow, and the kimono itself displayed fine embroidery in gold thread, depicting koi fish swimming amidst swirling gold eddies of water.
No expense had been spared, manifested in the material that held the unmistakable shimmer of silk. Even the straps of the brand new geta placed at the foot of her bed matched the clothing. Staring at the unexpected finery, baffled by the stiff sash or obi, coloured a brilliant red whose shade was similar to her eyes, Fate gave Ginga a helpless look.
Ginga had given a low whistle to see the expensive garments laid out for the gaijin. Her measuring eye could tell it had been tailored for the tall woman''s height and if she had to guess, she would have said it was Miyuki''s sharp eye for distance and length that had measured out the princess'' approximate dimensions for the artisans. Smiling at the blonde''s silent plea, she stepped in to give the woman a hand.
"What are you up to, old man?" Nanoha''s growl was as low as it was menacing.
Unconcerned by his youngest''s demeanour, Shiro dipped his gyoza into the little dish of sauce they had come with, "Merely addressing something that is overdue."
Eyes of flint stared down the executive''s father, "I don''t appreciate you dragging Fate-san into whatever stupid plans you have¡"
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Shiro held up a hand hardened by decades of weapons work, "She is a guest of the clan. It is only polite to invite her."
"If you so much as harm or embarrass her¡" Nanoha left the very real threat hanging.
"Be at ease, Na-chan. There is nothing for you to worry about." Kyoya finally cut in reassuringly. "Come on, eat up. It''ll be your turn in the baths soon."
"My turn? Wha¡mmph!" Kyoya stuck a gyoza into Nanoha''s mouth to stop her questions, amazed that she had fallen for his ploy at all. She really lost all sense of herself when the gaijin was involved, Kyoya thought, amused.
Left with no option but to chew and swallow, Nanoha''s sharp gaze never ceased glaring at the two men. "All the world''s a stage, Nanoha. Perhaps it''s best to see what role Fate has been given before passing judgement." Rein''s words made complete sense, more so since she was playing along with the little farce Nanoha had constructed. Shoulders falling, the executive humphed, irritably adjusting the sling on her shoulder.
"Just bear in mind that neither I, nor Fate-san, owe a thing to the clan." Both men remained silent.
Nanoha returned to her room to find her clothes already laid out for her. The formal kimono boasted the brightest whites and richest blues, with the luxurious fabrics woven in an intricate diamond pattern for the white kimono, and an alternating chequered pattern for the blue hakama. It was a formal kimono for men. The under-robes were in matching white and blue, save for the innermost layer which was a vibrant crimson.
"The hell is my family up to¡" Nanoha muttered, eyeing the new tabi socks rolled into new geta with straps matching the colour of the hakama. She was planning to bid the clan farewell and supposed today was as good as any to offer up her thanks for their providing Fate and herself a place while she recovered.
"Rein, if I could trouble you¡"
It took a moment to remember how to walk in geta and she had no qualms in utilising her shinai to aid in her movements still. ''Four to the chest and they expect me to wear this stupid nonsense¡''
With Rein''s help getting dressed, Nanoha had tucked her arm into the innermost layer of her kimono, leaving the sleeve of her left arm empty and foregoing the need for her sling. Ducking through the shoji doors, she saw the rest of her family already there. Arrayed in a semicircle with her father in the middle and mother to his right, they too wore formal kimonos. Miyuki sat at Momoko''s elbow, and Kyoya at Shiro''s.
What caused her to almost stumble, however, was the sight of Fate, seated in seiza like the rest near the back of the room, facing the Takamachis. She was resplendent in a formal black and gold kimono, her golden tresses twisted up into a bun and adorned with matching hair ornaments of onyx and yellow tourmaline. Nanoha felt her heart skip a beat, enthralled by the vision of contrasting alabaster skin cocooned in the deepest blacks and golds that matched her hair. It was only the mechanical forward motions of her feet that kept her moving to the cushion placed before the Takamachi clan members, when all she really wanted to do was to drink in the sight of the most important person in her life.
Fate had no idea what was going on, only that her hosts had requested for her presence. Manners demanded that she accede to the request and whatever else was asked of her. It had taken Ginga a full hour to help prepare her and the blonde had been grateful that her bodyguard was familiar with the more traditional aspects of Japanese customs. Arriving after Nanoha''s immediate family, she had seated herself where she was asked to sit, Ginga sitting a pace behind and to the left of her.
A cushion had been placed over a square of floor mat that matched the rest of the dojo''s floor, its position directly facing the head of the clan. All present waited patiently and soon, the shuffled walk and muted tap of a shinai on flagstones heralded the arrival of the final participant.
The blonde had been studying her hosts. Years of court intrigue had sharpened her ability to read those around her. Every person she faced seemed tense, but not worried, as if they were all holding their breath until something could happen. That was aside from Momoko who appeared serene, almost¡ joyful. She caught Fate looking at her and smiled warmly at the blonde, further assuring the outsider that she was welcome.
When Nanoha stepped in, the rest of the room faded into obscurity from Fate''s view. The woman was dressed as Shiro and Kyoya were, only missing the outer jacket that both men wore. The insignias on their outer jackets bore the family crest, a design Fate had seen scattered around the clan compound in liberal measure, including above the main door of the clan home. What Nanoha lacked, she made up for in the intricate, subtle patterns of the silk she had donned.
Her white kimono was deceptively simple, appearing patternless, until the woman moved and the shifting shafts of gold streaming in through the high glass windows near the roof''s edge revealed interlocking diamond weaves embossed into the fabric. Her stiff hakama was no different. Its deep blue shades evoked the endless depths of Nanoha''s eyes, the weave a contrast in chequers that glimmered as she made her stately way to the seat obviously set aside for her.
Her thick, auburn tresses had been secured to the nape of her neck with a silken white ribbon of the same material as her kimono, and she exuded an air of nobility that superseded the bluest bloods Fate had ever witnessed in all her time at court. How the woman had managed to meld her beauty to a look that could only be called handsome was a mystery Fate would have willingly spent a lifetime studying.
Momoko surreptitiously studied the three women who were not her daughter while Nanoha took her time entering, then lowering herself into a seiza before her family. Their guest''s doe eyes were as wide as she could make them, the blonde''s breathing arresting for long moments from the sight of her youngest child. The woman was undoubtedly admiring what she could perceive, and from the way her mouth had dropped open slightly, she very much liked what she was seeing.
The Nakajima heiress looked not much different from their guest, and Momoko could see deep seated regret in the woman''s verdant gaze. Many forgot that she had been but a child herself when family obligations had come crashing down onto her youthful relationship with Momoko''s youngest. The matriarch spared a moment to grieve for what could have been and all the time lost. Perhaps she would''ve have had grandbabies running around the courtyard now, had things been handled differently back then.
Nanoha''s own bodyguard had settled into place beside her subordinate. She was the only one not floored by her child, perhaps because she was Nanoha''s bodyguard and had helped dressed the executive. She appeared older, wiser, and far less volatile than either Fate or Ginga and a gleam appeared in Momoko''s eye, worrying Nanoha who had caught that speculative look on her mother''s face. ''Would Na-chan be open to having multiple wives?'' Momoko wondered wickedly.
Upon his youngest''s arrival and seating, Shiro began without preamble.
"Ginga-san, if you would be so kind as to translate for Fate-san, please." Nodding, the lavender-haired bodyguard slid over the practice mats, closer to the blonde.
Expression stern, Shiro addressed the woman in front of him. "Ten years ago, you went against all convention, sacrificing your family, your home and your reputation." Nanoha''s back stiffened and her blue eyes turned flinty. ''This was what the family wanted Fate to witness?!'' She cast a glance at her mother, who seemed completely at peace with the inclusion of an outsider in these proceedings. It was time for Nanoha to pay the piper, she was certain of it.
Shiro continued, the gravel of his voice deliberate and unyielding, "Ten years ago, you excised what was rightfully yours with your own sword. Ten years ago, you walked the path of blood and fire to commit spiritual seppuku."
Ritual suicide. Ginga''s whispered translation sent shivers down Fate''s spine. If she shared the same age as Nanoha, this meant her father was speaking of things that happened when she''d been eighteen. What profile of her boss she could see showed a jaw clenched tight, the faint sound of teeth grinding while her sins were laid bare before a complete outsider. Three, if they counted Rein and Ginga, and surely they did.
"The Takamachi clan has suffered greatly since that time. A time of barren loss. A time of despair. A time when a festering wound would not heal. Where no amount of mystical waters could console."
As one, the four Takamachis placed their hands on the floor before them and bowed low, foreheads to the mat. Expecting the worst, perhaps even the call for real seppuku, Nanoha stared speechless at her family. Lacking the ability to formulate an appropriate response, the woman remained frozen stiff where she sat, ticking seconds passing into a full, agonising minute before the family rose as one from their ultimate genuflection.
"Nanoha, you have paid every price no one asked of you, to ransom this worthless clan''s honour. There is little we can offer to balance the scales tilted so heavily in your favour. It is our hope, with this small gesture, to begin reparations unto you, for all that was unjustly taken."
Momoko then moved to bring forth the clan''s elaborately carved ink stone, a relic of the Sengoku period. Ink had already been ground into the stone and diluted with water to the proper consistency. Kyoya then drew forth a long box made of wood, its surface polished to a sheen from centuries of use. Cracking open the box, he presented the ornate clan brush, topped with the finest carved jade to his father. From within his kimono Shiro pulled out a wood-bound book, pages secured by auspicious red-dyed silk.
Nanoha''s posture jerked impossibly straighter in shock when she recognised the clan register, its outside still stained with blood. Her blood. The three clan outsiders were spellbound by the sombre ceremony, observing the executive''s usually impenetrable expression being openly stunned by what was playing out before her disbelieving eyes.
Miyuki came forth to help hold the tome open for her father. Holding back the sleeve of his writing hand so it wouldn''t stain in the ink, Shiro solemnly picked up the brush and laid it tip forward into the shallow pool of liquid ebony. Rolling the bristles to better absorb the ink, he dabbed the excess away and with the brush held vertical over the first blank page Miyuki had turned to, he took a deep breath to prepare himself.
"Chichi ue!" Honoured Father! Finding her voice at last, Nanoha reached forth her hand, closing over his to stop him, heedless of the aches in bones still unhealed. Their hands trembled in tandem, a tremble that slipped into the auburn-haired woman''s voice - a voice kept low and intense, tight with vexation and confusion, "Would you undo everything I have fought for? In front of witnesses?!"
"IYE~!" NO! The stone of her father''s face softened with his voice, "Na-chan. My precious, beloved, beautiful Na-chan. You have won everything you have fought for. By your intent, your actions, and your blood. With this, you will be my heir and no one, not one person, shall be able to contest your place in the clan, or in our hearts. Do you not recognise that upon which you sit? It was on this very mat that you defeated me in fair combat." His other hand clasped itself over the one she had over his. "Please, let this old fool try to make up for his past mistakes."
He cast bright eyes over the other women gathered. "These women all hold you in high regard, and will attest to the clan''s welcoming of its lost sheep back into the fold." His eyes glittered with fierce pride, "Yet you are no sheep, but a phoenix, risen from her ashes. Come, release me, and be released."
Confounded by her father''s words, his emotions, Nanoha fell back heavily onto her heels, hand dropping to her side. Meeting his wife''s eyes, hers brilliant with unshed tears, they nodded to one another and with practised strokes, Shiro scribed his daughter''s name back into the clan''s registry. As was custom, her name was written to the right of the page, leaving space to the side for the scribing of a spouse''s, or multiple spouses'', names.
Recognising the significance of the glaringly empty spaces, Ginga''s running translations ceased momentarily, the woman staring first at Shiro, then at Momoko. Gravely, Shiro handed the brush back to his son and held up the tome to display the page fully to all those present. Swallowing, the lavender-haired woman whispered to Fate, "By leaving such significant emptiness by Nanoha-sama''s name, her clan has accepted that she will one day take a spouse¡ Or m-multiple spouses. It is not uncommon for clan h-heads to do so." Fate blushed heavily at the implications of that.
Presenting the tome at last to her sister, Miyuki knelt to await the final gesture. Nanoha looked at her older sister. "Your dominant hand," she calmly reminded her baby sister. Licking lips gone dry, the future head of the clan gripped the left edge of her kimono and slowly dragged the many thick layers over and down her bare shoulder.
Exposing a chest bound by strips of cloth and nothing more, the Takamachi heir-apparent carefully raised her left hand out of where it had been tucked against her side. Even white incisors bit a small wound into the tip of her thumb and once enough blood had seeped out, she pressed her crimson-coated digit onto the fine paper next to where her name had been inked. The still-healing wound in her shoulder looked raw and exposed, akin to the soul that had been laid bare in this unexpected ceremony.
Offering her sister a silk scrap with which to stem the bleeding of her thumb, Miyuki returned the tome to their father who inspected Nanoha''s thumbprint. Accepting the mark, he waited for Miyuki to retake her place by Momoko and as one, they bowed again to the new heir of the Takamachi clan. Mirroring their bow though she kept her left arm tight to her side, Nanoha bowed back, the shuddering of emotions too great to contain obvious on her exposed body.
"This humble servant accepts the Takamachi clan''s mercy." Nanoha''s alto was husky, disbelief threading through words she never thought she would say again, "Tou-chan, Kaa-chan, Kyo-chan, Mi-chan¡ Tadaima kaerimashita~." I have just returned home safely.
Finally breaking with protocol, Momoko rushed forward to gather up her baby in her arms, "Oh, Nacchi, okaeri nasai~!" Miyuki joined in the tearful hugs, both women mindful of Nanoha''s continued fragility. Exchanging forearm shakes with the men of her family, Nanoha turned to the witnesses to address them.
Her smile was contained but radiant, eyes gleaming like sapphires. The constant air of unrest that had unconsciously clung to the executive had been lifted, replaced with a measure of peace not previously observed in the restless woman. Placing her right hand on the floor, she bowed low and long to the three women, her forehead kissing the ground.
"This humble servant thanks the honoured guests for their presence," she intoned formally in english, voice rough with suppressed emotion.
Easily picking up on what was expected, Fate bowed with Rein and Ginga, "The honour is ours." It was difficult to breathe. Nanoha seemed transformed to Fate, and perhaps she was. It was clear the loss of her clan was felt keenly by the woman, though she had hidden it well the whole time the blonde could remember. Years had been shed from the auburn-haired woman''s countenance, and she regarded the three outsiders with a fresh serenity that made Fate''s heart swell with unearned pride for her. Family meant everything to Nanoha. What a complete contrast with Fate''s own situation.
The dishevelled arrangement of Nanoha''s kimono was sending Fate to places that were entirely inappropriate for this venue, forcing her to keep her gaze downcast for fear of staring, or worse. Ginga displayed no such compunctions and approached the Takamachi heir, "Omedetou gozaimasu, Ojou-sama. May I?" Congratulations, My Lady. Her whisper was hesitant, unsure of her welcome. In this moment, she was not a contracted bodyguard, but a vassal of the Takamachi clan, offering service to the heir.
"Onegai shimasu, Ginga-san." If you would please.
Blinking hard at the undeserved grace being shown to her, Ginga carefully tucked Nanoha''s left arm back to her side with trembling hands. Slowly, she drew layer after layer of the woman''s formal ensemble back over her bare shoulder, until the outermost layer was once more settled over the executive''s form. It was impossible to fully close the garment without re-tying the sash, and this left Nanoha''s chest bandages visible. It was enough that her aching shoulder was warm again, however, and Nanoha simply nodded thanks to her vassal.
Rising from his seiza, Shiro tucked the clan''s tome under one arm, "I will return this to the clan shrine. Shall we head out for lunch to celebrate? Rein-san, Ginga-san, I will ask some clan members to provide escort, so do please join us as guests. Momo-chan, do we have kimonos they can borrow?"
"Hai, surely I will find them something pretty." Ginga continued to translate for a grateful Fate.
Momoko led the bodyguards away in search of something for them to wear, and Kyoya accompanied Shiro to the clan shrine. This left Fate and Miyuki with Nanoha. Helping Nanoha up to make their way to the car lots at the back of the compound, Miyuki ruffled her sister''s fringe, grinning, "It''s good to have you back, Na-chan. We''ve all missed you."
Uncertain how to process the familial love being shown so openly, Nanoha ducked her head, expression bashful. A curl of tenderness twined its way into Fate''s heart, the blonde genuinely happy for her boss. Laying a soft hand on the executive''s, she stopped the woman, "Wait. Miyuki-san, could you teach me how to re-tie this for Nanoha-san?"
"Certainly!" Nanoha eyed her elder sister, thinking she was agreeing far too readily. Still, she did need help straightening her kimono if she wished to be presentable in public. If only it wasn''t Fate helping¡ Firmly wrestling her libido into submission, she held her good arm out whilst the blonde untied her sash under Miyuki''s direction.
As the layers fell open, Fate bit hard on the inside of her cheek. Aside from Nanoha''s bandages, all she had on was a traditional loincloth, the scrap of fabric between the woman''s sculpted thighs doing the absolute minimum to maintain her modesty.
Somehow, she looked far sexier partially clothed this way, than if she had been completely naked. Willing her hands not to shake, Fate followed Miyuki''s instructions with utmost seriousness. Focus. She had to focus, or lose herself completely in the body she was trying to dress. Taking note of where the woman''s waist injury was, she began wrapping layer upon layer of under-robes snugly around Nanoha''s form.
Like the phoenix, Nanoha''s entire body felt as if it was on fire. Thankful that her bandages and robes hid most of her flush, the Takamachi heir fell back on faithful prime numbers to distract herself. Every featherlight brush of the blonde''s hands over her skin sent another throbbing reaction into her core, and when she glanced down, that face so close to her body made her heart palpitate wildly. She craved to grab the woman and never let go.
"Yes, this is good, Fate-san. We can practise more when we come back." Patting the blonde''s hand approvingly, Miyuki turned to lead the way to the family cars. This was all that saved her from Nanoha''s outraged glare. ''Practise? Does my sister want me to die before I inherit the seat?!''
Rendered speechless, Nanoha''s hand numbly closed onto the hilt of the shinai Fate had kindly retrieved for her. "I''m happy for you," Fate murmured, keeping pace with Nanoha''s careful gait. The heir could see that the blonde was unfamiliar with the geta on her feet, and gallantly offered her good arm to Fate as a matter of course. They would just have to move slowly together.
"I¡ am glad you were a witness," she answered with great sincerity, her azure gaze warm on the woman on her arm. The blonde may not have remembered, but she was still Nanoha''s most important person. Smiling in response, that familiar feeling of being lost in those crystal clear pools had hold of Fate once more. Completely oblivious, the pair never noticed Miyuki snapping a picture of them staring into one another''s eyes. ''Kaa-san is gonna love this,'' she thought, chortling to herself whilst forwarding the image to her mother.
Chapter 39: Oh Me, Omiai
They had paused by the koi pond, Nanoha aware that neither Ginga nor Rein possessed the impossible skill of wearing a kimono in less than half an hour. Word had already spread through the compound that a new heir had been appointed and the deference shown to Nanoha from each staff they came across was jarring to the Japanese woman.
Chancing upon one such staff preparing to feed the fishes, Nanoha asked the woman what portions should be given and requested her guidance. Bowing low, the staff explained in rapid japanese, handing the container of dried food to Nanoha. Lips quirking into that lopsided smile, the heir poured a palmful of flakes into her perplexed companion''s hand.
"Nanoha-san, wh¡"
"Shh, don''t scare them. Come." Gently leading Fate closer to the waters, she knelt carefully, drawing the blonde down with her. At the water''s edge, the muted, rhythmic clack of the bamboo fountain punctuated breath-held silence. Nanoha took the blonde''s hand in hers and lowered it palm up under the shimmering pool''s surface.
As one, swimming jewels flashed in a sudden riot of pearlescent whites, glowing oranges, prosperous reds and midnight blacks. Fate felt the curiously ticklish touch of a multitude of mouths lipping at her palm for a treat. Giggling at the unexpected sensation, she turned eyes bright with wonder upon the woman beside her.
Nanoha had been observing the dazzling blonde as she knelt in utter grace, moving as if she had worn a kimono her whole life. Her heart skipped multiple beats to hear that chiming laugh in a voice she knew better than her own, and she felt anew the sudden pain of losing that old Fate like a stab in her gut. ''Be fair. Don''t measure her next to her past self.'' She hid her faltering smile, merely nodding encouragingly for Fate to receive another palmful of food to lower back into the waters.
Nanoha nudged playfully at one of the larger, rounder koi, "Oh, this one is a piggy. G''wan now, let your smaller friends have a bite." The slightly rotund koi swam away with an indignant flick of its tail and Fate laughed again, "You know them?"
"Mmhmm, some here are older than we are."
Prompted by the mention of age, Fate smiled, "I heard we''re both pigs." She wasn''t expecting the startled glance from Nanoha. Again, that faintly cautious air settled over the woman''s shoulders, "Where¡ did you hear that from?"
A thin line appeared between the blonde''s pale brows, "Your mother and sister." Realising she may have been prying, her eyes dropped, "I was curious why you''d left your home. Y-Your family loves you."
Noticing Fate''s guilty look, Nanoha kicked herself, "Sorry, I''m feeling a little sensitive." Handing the canister of fish food back to the staff, she stood and accepted the warmed, wet towel from the woman with a dip of her head and a murmured word of thanks. Taking her cue from the Takamachi heir, Fate rose as well and found her chilled hand being carefully cleaned by the executive.
"How do you feel?" Fate asked the new heir quietly. Even with only one hand free, Nanoha was being very thorough to ensure the blonde''s hand didn''t remain cold from the pond''s waters. Eyes fixed to the appendage she was tending to, Nanoha didn''t have an immediate reply to the woman''s question. "This was never in my calculations," she admitted at last, "I''ve been used to being invisible for a long time."
"Do you plan for everything?" Fate asked, voice a little breathless when Nanoha began running her fingers over the blonde''s hand to check if it was still wet. The executive needed to stop; she was completely oblivious to the effect her simple touches were having on Fate. Handing the towel back to the staff, Nanoha offered her arm to the blonde once more and proceeded at their slow pace towards where the cars were parked.
"I try to." Gravity etched itself in the chiselled lines of the heir''s expression, "Bad things happen when I don''t." Her eyes flicked over in a swift glance at the blonde, and Fate caught a hint of sorrow and guilt in their azure depths. Both were masked when a male staff approached. With a deep bow, he held forth a haori, or outer jacket, explaining that he had been instructed to dress the heir in it.
"Please help me into this, Fate-san." The man, understanding the heir''s intent, bowed to the blonde and lifted the garment for her to retrieve it from him. It was a simple sleeved jacket with no closures.
The pattern was a match for the white diamonds imprinted into Nanoha''s kimono, its long sleeves terminating halfway down the woman''s forearms. At even intervals, the family crest was embroidered into the cloth, but with an added detail to indicate that it was the heir''s personal crest: the Nanohana, the flower that Nanoha had been named after. One crest was below each shoulder, two more at the outward facing side of the voluminous sleeves, and the largest in the middle of the back. Without words, Shiro was announcing to the world that this was the Takamachi heir.
Recognising the ceremonial importance of this moment, Fate solemnly slipped Nanoha''s right arm through the first sleeve before moving around to drape her left shoulder with the other. Shifting to stand facing the woman, Fate took a moment to straighten the luxurious drape of heavy silk over Nanoha''s chest. An image of the same woman in a suit overtook the reality before her and Fate''s hands instinctively knotted into the fabric under her fingers. She could see her own hands superimposed over them, tying a black tie around Nanoha''s neck, and the corresponding emotions that flooded her left the blonde gasping.
"Fate-san? Fate-san!" Recognising the onset of another attack, Nanoha dropped her shinai to wrap her arm around the blonde''s middle, clamping the swaying woman to herself. Teeth gritting, she forced strength into her limbs and held Fate to a body locked rigidly upright through sheer cussedness. "Fate!" Her geta scraped loudly on the flagstones as she fought for purchase, the executive refusing to allow gravity to steal the blonde from her.
Chest heaving, Fate took gulping breaths, her palms laid flat over someone''s very warm, very solid torso. A familiar voice was calling urgently for her, and she had to respond. Blinking away the afterimages, heart threatening to hammer its way out of her rib-cage, she stared into eyes so distant but still dark with concern. "Fate-san, are you okay?"
"I''m¡ I''m fine." Inhaling shakily, the blonde worked to get her geta under herself, realising that the poor executive was again the only one keeping her off the ground. "I''m sorry, I just felt something and it surprised me." Nanoha hadn''t relinquished her hold on the blonde, unwilling to trust that the woman was truly all right to stand on her own. The feeling was so achingly familiar that Fate wanted to clasp the woman back and never let go.
"Take your time." It was still happening. They really needed to get out of Japan and back to Singapore. The claws of Fate''s hands were still tangled in the edges of her haori and Nanoha gave the staff still present quick instructions to help support the blonde. Slowly unhooking one hand, then the next from her haori, Nanoha used her one free hand to chafe at Fate''s fingers that had gone icy cold, trying to warm them back up.
Those words triggered yet another memory, this time the sulphurous scent of a hot spring surrounded Fate, waters cast in silver and black, warm and inviting. The sensation of bare skin against hers while she fought for air.
"Maybe we should do lunch another time," Nanoha studied the blonde worriedly.
"No!" Fate said in almost a yell. Modulating her volume, she shook her head, "This is an important time for you. Please, I''m fine. I just, let''s just get to the car?" Studying the woman from beneath furrowed brows, Nanoha gave a slight, reluctant nod and instructed the staff to help the woman to the car. Out of the blonde''s sight, Nanoha tucked her geta''s lip under her fallen shinai, kicking it back up into the air for her to deftly catch by the hilt. Eyes fixed on the blonde''s back, the heir followed from behind, her expression troubled.
A limousine that easily fit all who were present for the ceremony awaited them in the back compound. Helped inside by the chauffeur, Nanoha sat with an armrest between herself and the blonde. Fate was suppressing her urge to nibble on her bottom lip and her wine-shaded eyes were staring into the far distance. She could feel the executive''s concerned gaze flickering to glance at her now and again, but she wasn''t ready to discuss what memories had returned to her just yet.
Unwilling to press Fate about what she had recalled for fear that it might set off yet another episode, Nanoha simply remained silent, appreciating the steady presence of her father and brother who had returned from their short sojourn to the clan shrine. Shiro had nodded approvingly at the sight of the heir''s haori upon Nanoha and Fate''s arrival and Nanoha wondered for how long had her parents been keeping the garments locked away. These garments were not something one simply purchased off a rack in any clothing store and the quality spoke of months of artisanal work.
The clan head''s declarations had been so far from everything Nanoha had known that it would likely take her weeks, if not months, to process everything. She knew she had vastly disappointed him, and his cold distance at the revelation of her relationship with Ginga back then spoke volumes to the teenaged Nanoha.
That stoic wall of silence hurt as much as she had expected it would, but just because she was prepared didn''t mean she had not shrivelled from the rejection by one of the pillars in her life. Her mother''s disappointment was far softer, malleable to Nanoha''s pleas for understanding. Ultimately, it was Ginga breaking up with her that had precipitated her master class lessons in pain. A lesson that Yuuno''s death had engraved into her soul.
By the time the secret world her clan and those linked to it could react to both her proclivities and the Scrya heir''s demise, Nanoha had been far past caring. It was right for her to take the blame. She had chased too hard, wanted too much, become greedy for things she had no right to ask for. In her sheer hubris, it was the ones she cared for the most that paid the price.
Her family was a hair''s breadth away from losing all standing. Ginga was locked into a loveless match, the very thought of another''s hands on the girl she still loved enough to send Nanoha careening into the nearest toilet stall to heave up the contents of her stomach. And Yuuno. Dear, sweet Yuuno, who loved her, and whom she had loved in her own way, had been sliced in twain for her. For her to continue living a life devoid of colour.
A deep-seated fear accompanied her acceptance back into the Takamachi clan. Was she being greedy again? Who would suffer this time for her audacity? Fate was already suffering, with years lost and a mind that fought her every step of the way back to normalcy. At least Nanoha had plans to cut short that purgatory. The blonde need never know and it would be for the best.
"Tou-chan," Nanoha''s voice fell heavily into the silence of the limousine, "I wish to appoint Nii-chan as my stand-in for when I''m not in Japan."
"I have made arrangements for such," Shiro replied, earning a side glance from his youngest. Lips thinned into a small smile, he enjoyed his child''s well-hidden surprise at his easy capitulation after all that had been done.
"You have made a life elsewhere. I would not presume that you would drop everything to return immediately." He leaned back into the soft leather of his seat, arms crossing to tuck his hands into the folds of his kimono. "Though I do ask that you consider, perhaps in the future, to spend some time out of the year back home."
"That is¡ extremely generous of you, Tou-chan."
"Think about it, Na-chan. I miss sparring with you. Mi-chan''s hardly a challenge¡"
"Who''s not a challenge?" Glasses glinting dangerously, Miyuki appeared, having opened the door for the remainder of the party to enter. Settling next to her brother, the elder Takamachi daughter elbowed him hard in the sternum, causing the man to cough out a strangled breath.
Smirking at her sibling''s antics, Nanoha had leaned over to translate what had transpired between herself and her family to the blonde. Fate was touched that her boss bothered to keep her informed when she was but a mere outsider.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
"Kyo-chan, Mi-chan, please behave. Is first time having meal outside as family in long time." Momoko scolded the pair and smiled at the rest, "Sorry for wait, must dress nicely, hai?" After her came Rein in a silver kimono.
It was less elaborate than what Fate wore, but the simplicity of its design brought forth the sheer quality of its make. Delicately sewn poppies populated the field of her garment, the ensemble arrested by a contrasting obi of charcoal grey. Her hair was in a simple side plait, the woman requesting it remain unadorned which only accentuated the spare beauty of her angular features. The woman moved gracefully in her geta, leaning on her natural athleticism to enter the low-roofed vehicle without issue.
"You clean up nice, Rein," Nanoha complimented her bodyguard, who replied with a smirk, "While you look better dirty." Just to continue tweaking Fate and Ginga.
And tweaked they were. Fate''s contemplation about the few glimpses of her past she had just excavated came to a rude and abrupt stop when the two women flirted lightly at the other and she once more wondered what sort of a relationship they were in. Certainly, it couldn''t just be professional. She hated how easily her mind recalled the lingering touches Rein left on her boss'' waist. Wallowing in uncertainty, she hardly noticed her own bodyguard''s arrival.
Evoking the cherry blossoms of spring, Ginga''s kimono enchanted with swirls of pink and white, setting off the rich green of her eyes and contrasting beautifully with her purple hair. The gold of her obi cemented the bodyguard''s look with surprising harmony and the stiff, wide sash did nothing to conceal the woman''s large bosom. She smiled to see Nanoha look away, heartened that the executive was not entirely unaffected by her. Inwardly, however, she pouted over having to compete with the gorgeous blonde and her own quietly beautiful boss.
Feeling as if she were betraying Fate somehow if she stared at her ex-lover, Nanoha turned to look out the window instead, completely missing her mother''s calculating look. Now that her child was heir, her eligibility rating was through the roof and instinct told Momoko that offers would begin arriving at their doorstep for omiai meetings very soon once word of Nanoha''s status spread.
Once settled in a traditional restaurant whose walls sported numerous framed pictures of various sumo wrestlers posing outside the establishment, Nanoha bowed at the waist to the rest seated at the table. "I am undeserving of your regard," she intoned in her rich alto, the formal words taking on a decidedly sincere inflection when she raised her head, eyes settled on their blonde guest first, before moving to Ginga, and then Rein.
Paying no mind to her mother''s objections, she hid a wince and once again released her left arm from its protective confines within her kimono. With both hands, she raised herself to her knees and began pouring sak¨¦ for everyone barring herself. First for her parents, then her siblings, after which Fate, Ginga and Rein''s cups were filled. Settling back down on her heels, she left her shoulder exposed, wearing her wound with a warrior''s pride.
Shiro took it upon himself to fill Nanoha''s cup, and as one the group toasted the new heir. "To the rebirth of my heir," he said, and then his eyes crinkled at the corners, "Now your mother can stop nagging me and start nagging you."
"Shi-chan, why warn her?" Momoko complained, sipping sedately at her sak¨¦.
About to protest this plan to nag, Nanoha snapped her mouth closed as platter after platter of sushi began arriving. Once the servers had departed, the auburn-haired woman sighed, "Kaa-chan, I have only just come home. What could I have even done to deserve nagging?" Refusing to act as the guest of honour, she waited for everyone to begin eating before picking up a piece for herself.
For some reason, Fate felt confident when the food arrived, as if she knew what was needed to do. And indeed, she did, displaying perfect etiquette in consuming a piece of nigiri. At some point, she had learned how to eat this properly. If only she could remember when, and how.
"Na-chan, is not what you done, is what you not done," Momoko scolded. "When is Na-chan going to give me grandbabies?" The matriarch deliberately stuck to using english, wanting to see the reactions of the three potential candidates she''d already in her frankly, quite scary sights.
In the middle of enjoying a nice amaebi, or sweet shrimp nigiri, Nanoha almost choked on the shrimp tail at her mother''s preposterous question. Seated to the left of Nanoha, Fate patted at the woman''s back, the warmth emanating from her boss'' uncovered side almost overpowering the heat that had invaded the blonde''s porcelain pale cheeks.
Spitting out the shell of the shrimp tail, Nanoha dabbed at her mouth, throwing Fate a quick glance of thanks for the help. "Kaa-chan, you know what the doctors said the last time I was in the hospital," the fine arches of her brows were lowered, voice foreboding and dark. Why was her mother bringing this up in front of outsiders?
Unfazed, Momoko straightened a fold of her kimono, "Is why find healthy wives with nice hips. Technology very advanced now, hai? Kyo-chan can help." Down the table, Nanoha could hear similar choking sounds to hers, along with her sister''s giggles.
"Oh my gods¡" Wishing for the ground beneath her to open and swallow her whole, Nanoha gave their guests an apologetic look, feeling a flush creeping down her neck. "Mothers," she said weakly, "You can''t bring them anywhere."
Momoko paid no mind to her child''s sass, instead eyeing the three beauties at the tables. Fate''s extreme blushes boded well for her daughter''s chances, and Ginga was just as red, though much less subtle about making gooey eyes at the Takamachi heir. Curiously, the cool silver-haired woman''s ears were the tiniest bit reddened, revealed as they were by her plaited hair.
In an attempt to placate the determined matriarch, Nanoha held up her hand, "Kaa-chan, I haven''t returned a day, and I''m much too young to be thinking about starting a family. I''m not even seeing anyone."
"Nonsense. Haya-chan say you see many, you just never keep one," Momoko scoffed, "I was your age when have you. Already had Kyo-chan and Mi-chan. Na-chan osoi~!" You''re being slow!
Looking away, Nanoha fiddled with her sak¨¦ cup, "Well, I''m not as lucky as you or Tou-chan." She said quietly. Finishing her drink, she slapped it down onto the table, "Can we PLEASE not discuss this? You''re embarrassing our guests."
"Hmm, only because you ask nice. But we will talk later." With that ominous threat hanging over her head, Momoko beamed at the three, to her own mind, prospective candidates. "What honoured guest think? Isn''t my Na-chan handsome enough to find someone?"
With a loud groan, Nanoha buried her face in her one free hand, "Kill me now."
Shiro refilled Nanoha''s cup then sipped judiciously at his. Best his heir get used to the duties the position entailed, up to and including producing offspring by hook or by crook to pass the Arts down to.
All three women made some sounds indicating to the effect that Nanoha was, indeed, rather handsome though none were able to meet anyone''s eyes either when saying so. "Don''t let her put you on the spot," Nanoha told their guests, throwing her mother a dirty look.
"Maa~ I only seek impartial opinion."
"Haha ue, leave it," the heir''s voice hardened, pulling Momoko up short with her use of the much more formal word for mother. Ah, there was so much of her Shi-chan in her youngest, it was stunning when she cared to show it.
"Please forgive my mother''s impropriety," Nanoha bowed to the trio of women, "The happiness of this occasion has her being a little silly." Murmuring that it was all right to the bowing woman, the three busied themselves with the rest of the meal.
Excusing herself, Nanoha rose smoothly at the cost of easily hidden pain and left to get some fresh air. The restaurant felt stifling under her mother''s constantly weighing looks. Not to mention the memory of being told that bearing children of her own was not likely in the cards for her had caused her mood to darken considerably.
She bumped into some other customers entering the restaurant on her way out and nodded a polite greeting to them. The girl in the group stared openly at the male cut of Nanoha''s kimono, blushing when she spotted that the left side had been drawn down, exposing half of the woman''s torso. Her outer jacket aided in maintaining some semblance of modesty but it didn''t cover everything. Fortunately, the restaurant also received regular business from the underworld, rendering the executive''s odd mode of dress less notable.
Massaging absently at the aches in that shoulder, Nanoha took stock of her recovery, pondering when would be the earliest date they would be able to fly back to Singapore. Pulling out her phone from her hakama''s pocket, Nanoha made a quick call.
"Vita, it''s good to hear you."
Back home in Singapore, Vita jolted upright in her seat, gasping, "Nanoha!"
"Get me four one-ways for this coming Friday, Haneda to Changi. I''ll forward you the deets."
"...That soon?"
Her boss sounded puzzled over the line, "Is it? I know work is piling up."
"Granscenic can handle it."
"I don''t trust him as far as I can throw him, and I can''t throw much right now."
"Well, yea, it''s why I thought you would take more time to recover¡"
"I''m not made of glass, Vita. I just have one more surgery in Japan, then I''ll channel the rest to Mount E.," Nanoha used the local term for Mount Elizabeth, one of the top hospitals in Singapore.
"Um, I''m¡ gunnarunitbyHaya-chanfirstokaybye."
The sound of an ended call filled Nanoha''s ear and she stared at her phone, brows drawn. The heck?
It was into this that Rein appeared, movements still quietly deadly even while bound and tied up in a formal kimono. She spied the few clan guards scattered around outside of the restaurant, all of them taking turns scanning the surrounding area and eyeing their new Ojou-sama with marked respect.
"You''ve been out here a while," she observed, neither an accusation nor a question.
"Was trying to book us a Friday flight. Seems I don''t have final say about that." Nanoha shoved her phone back into her pocket, "Sorry again about my mum. I don''t know what''s gotten into her."
"Oh, I''m pretty sure I do." Nanoha cast a questioning look at her bodyguard who simply shrugged, "She wants to secure the clan''s future using its most eligible bachelorette." It seemed so glaringly obvious, Rein wondered why her client couldn''t see the forest for the trees. Perhaps that was part of her innate charm, being completely ignorant of her own desirability.
"Yes, well, I''m not going to saddle some poor sap with a beat-up workaholic insomniac. Sorry about that, by the way." She cast an apologetic glance at her bodyguard, "You don''t really need to watch me in the compound. No one is that suicidal."
"I don''t find it a burden," Rein brushed off the woman''s apology. "Let me cover that back up," she nodded to the shoulder clad so thinly in just Nanoha''s outer jacket, "The cold can''t be good for it."
"I need my arm free to pour for others." Rein clucked her tongue, ignoring the woman''s argument, "Let Fate pour for you. Seems like she wants to do all kinds of things for you." Allowing the bodyguard to draw the layers back over her shoulder, Nanoha threw the woman a sharp look, "A misguided sentiment, and probably because I''m the only person she sort of knows here."
"And still that person is avoiding her. How do you think it makes her feel?"
Eyes bleak, Nanoha accepted the criticism. What was one more guilt heaped atop the rest? "She''ll thank me for that later." Her body swayed while Rein tugged firmly at the layers to neaten them under her sash and hakama, so she placed her hand on her bodyguard''s shoulder to remain steady. Again, the v-opening of her kimono dipped low but it was the best one could expect without a full re-tie.
Glancing surreptitiously back at their table, Rein chuckled under her breath, "Your mother is watching your girls watching you, by the way."
"I have no girls¡" Nanoha muttered dryly, then tilted her head, "But, are they now?"
"Mmmhmm," Rein could see a calculating glint in blue eyes suddenly so near to her that they filled her vision. "Forgive me, then¡" Head tilting a little more, the heir brushed her lips over the silver-haired woman''s own, their heights so similar that Nanoha only had to lean forward slightly for that brief kiss.
"Are they still looking?" The alto husk did primordial things to the normally collected bodyguard that had nothing to do with feelings or emotion, simply pure animal instinct, and Rein automatically closed her hands around the other woman''s waist. "Staring," she answered, her own voice dropping a register. As far as assignments went, this was certainly one of the most pleasant she could call to mind.
And so Nanoha moved to kiss her again, her good arm draping around the back of Rein''s neck as if to deepen a kiss that remained purely surface level and no more. But from the table''s angle, the pair appeared to be going at it with quite some heat. Drawing back slightly, the heir''s eyes slid to the side, catching the denizens of the table doing their utmost to look anywhere but at the restaurant''s entrance window.
Sighing heavily, Nanoha slid out of the bodyguard''s hands, "You put on a good show, Eins." Voice kept under her breath, lips hardly moving, the heir pretended a reluctance she didn''t feel to pull away from Rein, "Apologies for dragging you into this."
"I perform better with an audience," the woman said, licking her lips. It was easy to see why Ginga couldn''t forget this woman, or why the blonde was so easily taken despite the lack of any memories made with TSAB''s EVP of Operations.
Nanoha blew out an exasperated breath, "Not funny, Rein."
"It''s not, since I wasn''t joking." Lips twitching, the Takamachi heir gave the woman''s shoulder a grateful squeeze for her steady help before dropping her arm entirely, "You''d drive Haya-chan crazy."
"Haya-chan?"
"Yagami Hayate. Everything''s a joke to her. Quite the opposite of you."
"Ah, Miss Hayate. I recall her. Your safety was not a joke to her, however."
"Everyone worries too much," Nanoha muttered sourly, still not over the fact that Vita wouldn''t book her tickets at her request.
"For good reason. You''re the sort to lead from the front." The auburn-haired woman demonstrated that accusation to be accurate by ducking back into the restaurant without waiting for Rein to help open the door for her.
Nanoha snorted, "What''s the point of leading if not from there?" Hiding a smile, Rein left a guiding hand in the small of Nanoha''s back to support her while she made her way back up onto the tatami platform to re-take her seat.
The table was silent to the point where one could hear a pin drop. Feeling no need to fill it with senseless chatter, the heir simply resumed her meal. The quiet hurt she could sense emanating from Fate and Ginga were things she had no control over. Perception was everything, and the sooner both women found comfort in each other, or so Nanoha hoped, the better for everyone involved.
Chapter 40: To Lack Ignorances Bliss
Was this normal? Sitting for lunch with HER BOSS and listening to said boss'' mother talking about wanting grandchildren, suggesting the woman find multiple wives with childbearing hips and being asked point blank if she thought Nanoha was handsome. Surely it couldn''t be normal. But things had been keeping Fate on an uneven keel since she''d found herself in the hospital.
That last recovered memory, with her hands tying Nanoha''s tie, had brought with it a flood of unmistakable warmth and¡ love she had for the woman. Past Fate had been in love with the Takamachi heir. The rich resonance of previous Fate''s emotions had stolen her breath away and was the reason why it had taken her such long moments to get her feet back under her.
The strength and depth of past Fate''s feelings had been overwhelming, like a riptide grabbing onto her hapless form, adrift and lost in her amnesia, only to submerge her in an all-encompassing knowledge. The one thing that defined her true self, the foundation of her being, was this woman who had been holding her up.
Unfortunately for Fate, this fresh knowledge brought with it as many questions as she had answers. Certainly, it explained why she had a picture of the heir in her phone, but it didn''t answer the most burning queries she had - Did the other woman know? Had her past self told Nanoha? If so, what had been the outcome? Had they even been friends?
Sitting in the limousine awaiting the arrival of the bodyguards and the other women of the Takamachi family, Fate had ruminated on everything she could remember post-memory loss. Duty, obligation. That much she knew the heir felt when they spoke of the circumstances of her waking in St. Luke''s with no recollection of how she got there. From the earlier ceremony, the blonde understood those were not words the executive took lightly. She was Nanoha''s AVP, and a stranger in a strange land. Was that why Nanoha had risked so much to wrench her from the hands of those who had taken her?
From how the woman behaved with Fate, the blonde couldn''t envision them being more than colleagues. Two people on good working terms, and not much else. Heart leaden, she had cast a side glance at the executive who had her back to Fate, torso angled to look out the vehicle''s tinted window. Either her old self had revealed her feelings, and they were not returned, or the woman had never been told to start with.
She thought back to the organisational chart the woman had drawn for her, one of the few things her present self could claim as her own. Would someone with no regard for her do that? But, Nanoha was kind to a fault, placing the needs of others ahead of herself seemed to be what came naturally to her. So was Fate all that special to the heir?
''My fault.'' The heir blamed herself for Fate''s memory loss. Guilt could be as much of a motivator as other, more desirable to past Fate, emotions. And she still had no clue who this Tenshi, or Angel, was. The woman had been speaking to this Tenshi when she had woken up delirious from her surgery that one time, emotions raw and filled with tenderness. All this uncertainty and thinking was giving Fate a headache and she had sighed audibly then, rubbing at her temples.
She had caught blue eyes watching her, a mild air of concern settling over the heir''s haori-clad shoulders. Offering the woman a small smile of assurance, Fate crossed her arms to hug herself around the icy cold that had settled in her gut. Just as Ginga had said, naturally chivalrous and revealing nothing beyond what Nanoha allowed on the surface.
What hints they were privileged to see in the ceremony were just that, a privilege. No rights had been given for any present to ask for more. She was certain their little sojourn with the koi was just a polite way to pass the time before the bodyguards were done being dressed. The heir had said as much, how she made calculations for everything.
It was only in these tiny moments, like when Momoko had caught her off-guard with talk about selecting wives and producing grandchildren for her, that the woman beneath the guarded exterior showed through. She hadn''t even been flustered when Fate had come across her and Rein lying on the floor together, covered in sweat. Every little bit of evidence convinced Fate that there was nothing between past, or present Fate, and the Takamachi heir, and that knowledge saddened her beyond belief. She simply couldn''t tell if that grief was for her old, or current self.
The nail in the coffin had been the little scene outside of the restaurant, when the Takamachi heir had left the table, ostensibly to get some fresh air. The woman had been increasingly fidgety when Momoko was nagging on about grandbabies and wives. In spite of the evidence Fate had consolidated, she couldn''t resist imagining herself in that role, complete with a tiny, doll-like version of Nanoha for a daughter.
From the redness spreading over Ginga''s features, she could tell the woman was having similar notions, going so far as to cast Fate and Rein speculative looks, as if she were thinking about all of them being taken into the clan as the heir''s wives. Then the silver-haired bodyguard had left, saying she would check on the absent guest of honour.
The sight of her boss kissing Rein immediately revealed to Fate she could never accept sharing the person she loved with another. Viciously pushing down the green-eyed monster that tried rearing its ugly head up, Fate miserably knocked back the last of her sak¨¦.
Someone was refilling her cup, and looking up, eyes reddened, she saw Ginga giving her a sympathetic look. "Guess we''ve both lost." Fate shook her head, unable to voice that she had never even been in the race in the first place, but her words caught in a throat too choked up to say anything.
"Is too soon to decide, hai?" Momoko''s voice was serene, hiding the surprise she had felt to see her youngest locking lips with the candidate at the bottom of the matriarch''s list. What was that infuriating child up to? It was clear her attentions centred around the gaijin hime, or foreign princess. Why else would she have risked life and limb to save her that night?
Fate glanced over to the matronly matriarch who continued to regard her warmly. "Patience is virtue. Sometimes, must make horse chase for water," with that cryptic encouragement, the woman fell silent. The Takamachi heir had returned, her injured shoulder once more under the layers of her kimono, though it continued to lie askew. It was probably just an excuse for Rein to touch the woman, though with that earlier display, did she even need an excuse?
Another intense wave of jealousy swept through Fate and only decades of hiding her emotions in her parents'' court kept her seated calmly next to Nanoha. Pride wouldn''t allow her to appear lesser, and her hands remained steady while refilling the heir''s cup. A faint smile was given when the woman thanked her, the blonde encasing herself in ice to protect against the urge to fall to pieces. Was this what her past self endured working with the woman? Loving so heedlessly and deeply whilst maintaining a facade of professional distance?
Momoko studied the candidate at the top of her list. The usually warmly innocent gaijin had shifted quite drastically in disposition, displaying a steely poise that frankly impressed the matriarch. This was no fragile orchid seated by her youngest and this test of the woman''s resolve was good, Momoko felt. Her daughter''s marginally banked fires, versus the blonde''s bitingly cold poise. Who would concede first?
"Haya-chan!" Pulled to the present by the urgency of Vita''s voice, Hayate glanced over to her other screen. She had set up shop in a serviced apartment in the business district, not too far from TSAB''s Singapore offices. Since the incident in Japan, she had decided to extend her stay in the island nation indefinitely until things could get back to normal. Much as Vice Granscenic was a capable stand-in for Nanoha, he was still a far second in choice to run the Operations department while her friend was convalescencing.
So Hayate had been channelling some of the workload to herself, on top of her usual duties. "What''s up, Vita-chan?" She peered at her cousin from over her half-frame computer glasses.
"Nanoha was on the phone. She wants to fly back this coming Friday."
"What?!" The Operations E.A. had Hayate''s full attention now, and she nibbled worriedly at her thumbnail. "I thought she''d be another month recovering!"
"We thought wrong." Vita grumped, "I don''t even know why we should be surprised. She was just as bad the last time when Yuuno¡"
The sound of swift keystrokes came over the line, "I''ll push up the schedule to get the condo ready." Vita could see Hayate frowning at her screen, the brunette leaning on TSAB''s vaunted resources to accomplish things that would normally take a month to complete, to happen in a few days. "I''m glad I got Shamal''s recommendations for the best course of action for Fate-san first."
"Nanoha is going to flip," Vita felt obligated to point out.
"Let her. She''s not going to argue when she hears it''s for Fate-san''s sake."
Both women fell silent, remembering Shamal''s full detailing of how close they had been to being less one EVP of Ops.
"You saw the bulletin about Nanoha being appointed the Takamachi clan''s heir?" Vita asked.
"Took them long enough," Hayate muttered. A series of inter-marriages in the past had linked the Yagami clan of Japan to the Wolkenritters of Germany, something her radical clan head at the time had declared to be for the sake of strengthening both bloodlines. Hayate had never questioned that decision, and though that had set her family up for being the mavericks of this shadow world they straddled, she had always been grateful for the connections and ties that decision had fostered with her colourful little family unit.
This included the sanguine acceptance of Signum''s marriage to Shamal. Nanoha never had that luxury, and her voluntary expulsion from the Takamachi clan''s register was something Hayate''s own clan''s elders had vociferously opposed. Anyone with a working pair of eyes could tell the girl could herald in a new age of excellence in the Arts, but the maverick clan''s voice was muted in that world, despite the fact that their holdings spanned the globe. Money mattered less than purity of bloodlines, unfortunately.
She applauded Shiro and Momoko striking whilst the iron was hot. It was known that Nanoha''s actions had saved an immense amount of face on behalf of the Japanese government and the shadow world that continued to serve the interests of the country. The loudest voices denouncing her friend were also thankfully, dead and buried. The ones remaining could bleat like ineffectual sheep at most.
Even if Nanoha never found that soul-bonded pairing Hayate knew she envied her parents for, at least she would have her honour restored. Hayate swallowed the urge to spit on this ''honour'' that had stripped so much away from her oldest friend.
"Vita, I need you at Nano-chan''s place to let the delivery guys and workmen in. I''ve registered your face to the recognition software and security has your license plate. I''m expecting people to show up 9AM tomorrow."
"Sure. I''ll go pack some stuff and head over tonight."
"Thanks." Cutting the video call, Hayate leaned back in her chair with a sigh, steepling her fingers and resting them against lips pursed in thought. Reaching for her mouse, she made a few clicks to initiate another video call.
"Hi Haya-chan, all done moving in?" Shamal glanced over to the screen from the pile of medical reports she had been going through, all with the name Takamachi Nanoha stamped at the top of them.
"Just done last night. Shamal-chan, Nanoha wants to fly back this Friday¡"
Frowning, Shamal flipped open the most recent reports, the papers not yet yellowed by the passage of time. "Well, if she continues to keep herself in braces and not push, two things I''m sure she''s not doing¡" Both women sighed over their hopeless friend. "I see she has another reconstructive surgery coming up on Monday, with a follow-up on Thursday. If we can get her back into casts, inclusive of her chest, they might clear her for the flight."
Hayate watched her cousin-in-law flip through the sheaf of papers, "It''ll help if you can get your uncle to put her on the special clearance list, too. They''ve had to add some reinforcements to her ribs that''ll set off metal detectors at the airports."
Hayate nodded, "I''ll get on that."
Back in the Takamachi compound after lunch, Rein was in the process of helping Nanoha out of her formal get up when the bodyguard felt the phone vibrating in the woman''s hakama. Fishing out the device, she handed it to her client who answered.
"Nano-chan."
Alto cautious, Nanoha greeted her oldest friend, "Haya-chan. Can I come home yet?" Rein set the stiff trousers to one side and proceeded to peel off the outer jacket displaying the heir''s crests next.
"Shamal is done transferring yours and Fate-san''s medical records to her office¡" Nanoha nodded, expecting as much, "I hear a ''but'' somewhere." Easily recognising the hesitance in her friend''s voice.
"She''s not letting your doctors in St. Luke''s clear you to fly so soon without casts," Hayate finished in a rush.
The expected outburst never came, only the faint rustling of fabric on fabric could be heard, and the slow, even breaths of her friend, now the Takamachi heir.
"Yagami Hayate," ''Oh crap, she''s using my full name.'' Stepping out of the blinding white of her kimono''s outermost layer, Nanoha exuded a sense of danger no amount of bandages could hide, "I just got out of casts, and you want me back in them?"
"Not me, Shamal!" Hayate squeaked in defense, "I mean, have you been taking it easy? Or wearing your braces all of the time?"
"Is that Miss Hayate?" Was that Rein Eins she was hearing?
Leaning close whilst drawing off the next layer of kimono, Rein spoke into Nanoha''s phone, "She hasn''t. I even caught her with weights yesterday." At the expected glare of betrayal, the bodyguard shrugged, "Miss Hayate was the one who contracted me, not you."
"Nano-chan, you can''t be using weights yet, even I know that much," the censure in Hayate''s voice was clear.
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Hayate heard a low sigh, "Fine. I''ll get the arms back in casts¡"
"Body, too."
"Excuse me?" Voice approaching a growl, the heir straightened in affront, uncaring that she had been stripped down to chest bindings and her loincloth.
"I''m just repeating what Sha-chan said, okay? You''ve had traumatic levels of injuries to your chest, it has to be stabilised for the flight, and a long time after, in fact."
Rein could see the conflict in the auburn-haired woman''s eyes. Knowing what her own, immediate task was, she retrieved the braces, abandoned by the woman earlier for the sake of being more comfortable in the formal kimono. Resigned, Nanoha held out her left arm for Rein.
"If that''s the only way I can get Fate-san home sooner, then so be it," Nanoha grudgingly conceded. The sound of velcro straps being adjusted could be heard through the line. "Thanks, Rein."
The tanuki''s ears perked. She would have assumed Fate would be helping her friend. "How is Fate-san doing?" She asked casually.
What a loaded question that was. "She''s getting up to speed with work," Nanoha shared, sidestepping any mention about the woman''s memory loss, "The cuts in her arms have healed, and she''s learned how to make gyoza, I think."
Hayate bit back a sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose. Goddam Nanoha and her goddam stubborn arse. "Cool, but does she remember anything from before?"
"I''d rather she not," Nanoha countered soberly, switching her cellphone to the other hand for Rein to slip on her other arm brace. "Nano-chan¡"
"She gets blackout headaches when they come back. If no one''s around, she could fall and be seriously hurt," voice tight, Nanoha held back her need to pace. There was no sense in making her beleaguered bodyguard''s work any harder, the woman was already going above and beyond to cater to her ridiculous pantomime.
Dressed now in a twin-layered yukata to combat the cooling weather, she grunted a little when the sash was tied a little too tightly, "Looser please, Rein."
The bodyguard nodded, "That body cast sounds like a good idea." Had she deliberately tied the sash a smidge too tightly over the woman''s wounded waist to make a point? Surely not.
"Don''t you start ganging up on me." If the tanuki''s ears could grow, they would be reaching the ceiling of her serviced apartment. Returning to the subject at hand, Nanoha''s voice remained strained, the loss of Fate as a friend a constant tear in her soul. "Anyway, it''s best that she leaves it behind. It''s too dangerous otherwise."
"That''s why I had Ginga assigned to her¡"
"That reminds me, can you re-assign Rein to her, too?" In the middle of clasping Nanoha''s sling back around her neck, Rein''s hands paused, "I would prefer if another agent be added to the roster for Fate-san." The bodyguard cut in seriously, "You are far from out of the woods, Nanoha-chan. Hairline fractures alone are a six to twelve week ordeal to heal from. You''re barely past your third week."
''NANOHA-CHAN?'' Hayate''s brain screamed her question.
"Miss Hayate, I should have some agents freed up by the time Friday comes around. I could forward their credentials to you and Miss Signum for your perusal? We can renegotiate my price-tag so there shouldn''t be a significant rise in cost."
Mouth opening and closing, Hayate stammered, "O-Of course, sure, yes, do that." ''Oh my kami-sama, what''s going onnnnn?''
Nanoha had settled on the edge of her bed and was blinking up at the suddenly chatty woman. Smirking faintly, Rein took the phone out of the heir''s numb fingers to address the CEO of TSAB directly, "Contrary to your warning, she has been a most pleasant client to work for, and she will continue requiring my aid for a while longer, I believe."
Handing the phone back to Nanoha, Rein moved to her side of the room to begin removing her borrowed kimono.
Eyeing the elegant woman now out of her stiff sash and peeling the first layer off, Nanoha supposed she could have picked worse to carry on this farce with.
"Er, I guess that''s settled then," she muttered to her friend on the line. "Do you need help with that?" She asked Rein, noting the woman was having some issue removing the inner layer.
Rein glanced up from her struggle with the inner sash, "I''m afraid so. It''s a little awkward to reach the knot¡"
"All right. Matta, Haya-chan." Later. Ending the call, Nanoha closed the distance to help with her one free hand. Her rebellious heart wished it was Fate she was helping and she supposed there was nothing she could do about that. No matter how beautiful her bodyguard was, there existed no one who could replace the Tenshi who had claimed her so easily, mind, soul and body.
Nanoha flinched slightly when she felt fingers tracing the frown her brows were drawn into, down the side of her face to cup her chin, and her eyes met Rein''s. "I know I''m not her," the woman said softly, "But it doesn''t mean we can''t have a bit of fun in this little charade, hmm? Look, I think she''s heading to the baths." Through the partially open shoji door, they could see the blonde strolling by with Ginga to get to the bath area. Not waiting for an answer, Rein closed the short distance between herself and her client, covering sinfully soft lips with her own this time.
"Mmph¡" As always, Nanoha found herself having to consciously tamp down on the urge to regain her personal space. Mindful that they had an audience, she forced herself to commit to the show and curled her fingers into the thin fabric covering Rein''s chest, pulling the woman closer as if to deepen the kiss.
"They gone yet?" She whispered against the other woman''s lips.
"They stopped moving," Rein whispered back, swallowing her laughter.
"Shit¡"
"Here, I''ll help." Eyes twinkling, Rein crouched low and picked up her client in a princess carry, kicked the shoji door closed and with the help of lights and shadows shifting across the opaque paper of the doors, very obviously brought the heir to her bed to lay her down in it.
That had the Takamachi heir huffing out a faint sound of amusement in spite of her dour mood, "Gods, you must have been a hit in your school''s theatre club."
Smirking, Rein climbed into bed, her remaining layers of kimonos hiking up to her upper thighs in the process as she carefully straddled the other woman''s injured form as if to take their kiss further. Leaning over, she propped herself up on one elbow, causing their fronts to brush against the other while she looked over her shoulder. The hasty sounds of rushed footsteps moved past the room''s door and the shadows of two women disappearing into the depths of the main house could be seen.
Chuckling, she pushed off easily, flopping into the empty space beside the executive, "I hope you''re ready to take responsibility. This is going to ruin my reputation." Not sounding worried, she cast an amused glance up at the executive who had thrown the arm not in a sling up to cover her eyes.
It hurt to have to do this to the blonde. ''The sooner she makes new memories with someone else, the better.'' Nanoha thought grimly. One azure eye peeked out from under her arm to peer back at her bodyguard, "Kaa-san will be delighted if you were to get pregnant from all this," she muttered drolly. That sent Rein into a fit of laughter that echoed through the thin walls of the old building.
Resting in her room after yet another round of reconstructive surgery on her bullet wounds, Nanoha sat in her bed, propped up by pillows. A bed desk allowed her to have her laptop open before her, and she scrolled absently through the news, catching herself up on current events around the world, of which there were far, far too many. Her lids were heavy, her body still fighting off the effects of all the drugs in her system.
She knew she was in for a few more rounds if the bullet wounds were to be managed to the point where the faint scars would not elicit questions or pity, both reasons enough for her to endure further trips under the knife. At least she''d not felt so dead tired waking from this surgery. The worst of it was the following procedure of being put back into casts. She fucking hated how she itched when things began healing.
Rein was seated at the kotatsu, her own laptop open while she caught up on her own work as head of Ein Stein Security Services, or ESSS. She explained to Nanoha that she always had fun saying she was the head of ''ass'' when introducing herself, prompting the executive to only sigh in extreme disappointment with her fake paramour.
Rising at the sound of a knock on the shoji, Rein cracked the door open before sliding it wide to admit Takamachi Momoko. It was evening and the woman had made some nutritious rice gruel for her youngest''s dinner. Eyeing the heaping big bowl of ramen Momoko had served her bodyguard, Nanoha made disgruntled remarks about favouritism. Rein merely saluted mockingly to her client with her ramen spoon and dug in once she was done bowing in thanks to the clan matriarch.
Blowing on the first spoonful to cool the steaming gruel to an edible temperature, Momoko eyed her groggy and cast-encased child, feeling her heart twinge once again at the reminder of how close they had come to losing their heir before getting her back.
"What are you doing, my Nacchi?" Enjoying the savoury porridge, Nanoha could tell her mother had used a generous amount of dried scallops in the making of the gruel.
She swallowed, "Recovering, and being pampered?" Azure eyes so much like Momoko''s peered past overly long red-tinted bangs.
Momoko brushed back those bangs, "Silly girl. I mean about Feito-san." She fed her daughter another spoonful.
"Nothing."
"That is what''s wrong. I see how she looks at you. How you-"
"Haha ue," Nanoha intoned warningly, "I repeat, I will do nothing about her. She has suffered enough for having had me in her life." Momoko''s lips thinned in frustration as she spooned another helping into her daughter.
"I refuse to believe that to be true." Eyes stony, Nanoha bored holes into the blanket covering her legs, "Believe what you will, it changes nothing."
"Mmmhmm. Changes nothing for how she feels for you, or how you feel for her. What manner of solution is this, Nacchi?"
"The safest one for her," Nanoha asserted tiredly, though with quiet, unshakable conviction.
Tsking, Momoko kept spooning the gruel into her baby, gratified that the child was not rejecting the food, even if she refused to listen when it came to the sweet gaijin guest.
"Ginga," eyes downcast, Nanoha clenched her jaw before forcing the next name out, "And Yuuno, taught me that such connections are not in the cards for me, Kaa-chan. I''m a jinx and I hope to all the kami that Tou-chan and you don''t regret taking me back."
Momoko gasped, "Nacchi! We have never thought that of you!"
"Doesn''t change the fact that it is true." Alto so low to fair be scraping across the tatami floor, Nanoha swallowed the last mouthful and laid herself back against the pillows. "Gomen nasai, haha ue, I wish to rest. Thank you for the food." Sorry, honoured mother. Head turned towards the wall, the Takamachi heir effectively shut down any further discussion.
Gently divesting Momoko of the thermos the gruel had come in, Rein helped the matriarch back up to guide her out of the room, "Rest assured I will feed her the remainder should she wake and ask for more."
"All right then. Let me know if she is still hungry." Standing on tiptoe, she raised her voice to ensure her stubborn child could hear her, "FATE-SAN can help me make more if needed." Closing the door behind the departing woman, Rein turned around to see the expected narrow-eyed look on her client''s face. "Bring the rest of that damn porridge over," the woman growled. Vastly entertained by the heir''s preposterous predictability, Rein chuckled and went to spoon every single last grain of porridge into the woman''s grumbling mouth.
Eating to the point of bursting out of her new chest cast, Nanoha scrunched herself back down into her pillows and fell asleep almost immediately, leaving Rein to clear up their dishes and leave them outside in their tray for a staff to clear. Carefully setting aside the woman''s laptop and phone to charge, the bodyguard tucked the covers more snugly around the sleeping form.
"What she doesn''t know will, or won''t hurt her, hmm?" Spreading out her futon to grab what forty-winks she could, Rein turned off the lights and allowed the dimming of the day to lull her into her own rest. It was tiring guarding an insomniac.
The next morning found Nanoha seated in seiza outside the door to her parents'' section of the main house. She was dressed in a less elaborate version of the formal kimono she had donned for her rebirth ceremony. It was the same white kimono, with only one layer of dark blue inner robe beneath it. She had left the hakama and haori out of her dressing as well. Granted entrance by her father''s voice, she slid open the door and bowed, indicating she wished to be granted formal audience. Rein remained outside to keep guard.
Momoko was just done putting on her yukata while Shiro sat by the kotatsu, chewing on the stem of his unlit pipe. "Na-chan?" Twisting her hair up into a simple bun, the matriarch clipped it with a small butterfly clip and settled next to Shiro to receive their heir.
Turning to fully face her parents, Nanoha placed her right palm down on the tatami and bowed as low as her body cast would allow, "Chichi ue, Haha ue." Honoured Father and Mother. "This unworthy child humbly thanks you for providing Fate-san and herself a roof over our heads. We will be departing on the fifth day of this week and wish to beg for your indulgence to offer up your blessing." Finally rising from her bow, she settled back onto her heels, face set in a mask of calm implacability.
The pipe''s bowl shifted while Shiro considered his youngest''s lowered head. Once it was raised, he grated, "So soon?"
Momoko had a hand over her heart and exchanged glances with her husband, "My child, you were in surgery but a day ago."
"Hai. This unworthy one will rest as ordered by her doctors and will be able to travel when the time arrives." Azure eyes growing bright, Nanoha clenched her hands around the part of the casts across her palms, "I have received more than I could have ever dreamed." The husk in her voice grew as she continued to speak, "There is no greater honour you could have bestowed upon me than to be named your heir. I shall carry this with me wherever I go. To the ends of the earth, until the end of time, I am the Takamachi heir, but above all, I am your child."
In a flash, her father was on his feet, showing why he was the premier shinobi of the clan before his daughter had wrested that title from him. Nanoha''s eyes remained downcast, refusing to mar the moment with unseemly displays of emotion, so she was shocked to feel his hand over her head. "Never in all your deeds have I felt you unworthy or undeserving," the man articulated, the gravel of his voice rough, "If ever you have felt so, it is because I was a fool who could not see clearly. Our regard for you has never, ever faltered. Go in peace and safety, and should your heart find someone to call mate, present them to us, so that we may rejoice with you."
Bowing low once more, Nanoha spoke to the floor, "It will be as my clan head commands." Her voice held no hope for the last of his words, but to argue would demean the seriousness of their exchange. Hoping enough for all of them, Momoko simply came forward to draw her daughter into a warm embrace. "Having you back has made me the happiest woman alive. The only thing that could make me happier would be if you told me I had grandbabies."
Nanoha choked out a shaky laugh, "If the kami are willing." Settling back onto his heels, Shiro took a moment to light his pipe for a morning puff, "You know your Kaa-chan won''t let go of this. Best you step up your search once you are well. We have already received queries from the Yagami clan. That Inoue girl seems interested in meeting you." He coughed delicately, "Officially, that is."
Blue eyes widening, Nanoha bit back a groan. "With your status, the Nakajima clan has also quieted over Ginga''s divorce. We may get a query from them soon, too," Momoko looked smug, she knew there would be offers from many families. Which sane girl wouldn''t want to make grandbabies with her gorgeous Nacchi? "They relaxed enough for Subaru-chan and Teana-chan. Why not for Ginga-san, also? The Gracia branch of the Wolkenritter clan has a girl of suitable age. They might request for an omiai, too."
"Kami save me¡" Nanoha murmured weakly.
"The kami won''t save you here, child. Only a ring on a willing girl''s hand can." Shiro puffed happily at the tobacco Fate had gifted to him, "You should really consider that hime, Na-chan. She looks at you the way your Kaa-chan used to look at me."
Nanoha sighed, "I highly doubt that, Tou-chan, and I''ve already explained to Kaa-chan why it is a bad idea."
Her father eyed her keenly over the rim of his pipe''s bowl, "That is what Na-chan thinks. As heir, I expect you to show courtesy to ask what she thinks. Do not embarrass our clan by assuming you know what is best at all times. That was my mistake for you to learn from."
Put that way, Nanoha considered her father''s words for long moments, "If¡ Shamal deems it safe, I will ask." The man nodded, trusting that his heir wouldn''t say frivolous things just to get out of her obligation.
"Return to your room to rest further, it is far too early in the morning for you to be wandering around so soon after surgery. I will send Kanae obaa-chan with your breakfast. You are to reduce your walks to once a day in preparation for your flight." His word final, Shiro dismissed his youngest.
Mouth open to protest at first, Nanoha snapped it shut, supposing this was as much of a concession as she might get out of her parents. "Understood, Chichi ue."
Outside, she regrouped with her bodyguard to return to her room as ordered. "That went smoother than I expected," Rein remarked, slipping in front of Nanoha to take the stairs before the heir did. This allowed her the ability to catch the woman, if she tripped on her way back down to the ground level.
Exhaling a breath shortened by the unyielding cast around her torso, Nanoha made a small sound of amusement, "You know one or both of them will show up in Singapore the moment the government gives them the green light. I''m sure I''ll see them for Lunar New Year''s at the latest." Her lips tugged into a faint smile, "Maybe I can set up something for them to have a second honeymoon."
There it was again. The woman wasn''t even a flight of stairs away from her parents and she was already thinking of ways to make their dreaded arrival in Singapore enjoyable. "Two peas in a pod."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing, watch your step, unless you want to fall into my arms," Rein teased.
"Depends, anyone watching?"
"Nope."
"Too bad for you, then."
Chapter 41: History of Us
Movements stiff from all the casts on her body and arms, Nanoha sorted through the contents of her belongings that had been sent over by the ryokan. Her hand found a loose box tumbled with the rest of her belongings. Picking it up, she fingered it with reverent sadness, recalling that it was Fate who had last touched it when she had helped Nanoha stow away her cuff-links. Again, that unceasing ache in her heart pulled at the heir''s insides and she blinked overly bright eyes, tucking the box safely under a few layers of clothing.
"Does Fate know we''re leaving in a few days?" Rein was looking over the top of her laptop from where she sat at the kotatsu, putting together a package of her available agents for TSAB''s CEO to go through. An air of pensiveness cloaked her client''s form and the bodyguard had a good idea what, or who, was behind the heir''s mood.
Nanoha tried not to resent the fact that it was Rein and not Fate who was there. When the subject of the blonde was brought up, she shook her head, "I was planning to let her know today." It was tempting to just ask Ginga to pass on the message. Nanoha could not stomach that much discourtesy being shown to Fate, however.
Jaw tight, Nanoha finally opened the neatly wrapped package that had been delivered to their hotel room a few weeks back. Inside, a multitude of plushies sat - the souvenirs for Haruka-chan that she had gotten with Fate, in the last few hours when... when the blonde had still been her best friend. Even completing that thought hurt. With trembling fingers, she reached in to pull out the little deer plushie from Mononoke Hime that she had gotten for Fate, and something inside her broke.
Head bowed, hot tears splashed onto the hand holding the plushie on her lap, the heir grieving over the loss of the woman she cared for more than life itself. The magnitude of her feelings for the blonde had not abated one whit since Fate had woken up without any memories of their time together. Having her just rooms away, knowing nothing of their shared past, was agony. Agony that far outstripped anything Nanoha had experienced with Ginga or Yuuno.
She loved Fate. Past Fate, present Fate, it did not matter. She was in LOVE with the woman.
"Feito-chan is Feito-chan." The memory was like fiery claws raking her from the inside, but she bore it. Even if she would be the only one to know, it would have to be enough. No matter how much it hurt, she held every moment, every second close. This would be her cross to bear, the price for her failure to protect the woman she loved.
The claws of her fingers tightened around the soft toy and eyes blurred with tears not yet fallen could see some damp spots in the material. Sniffling, Nanoha tried to dry it on her yukata. "Let me," plucking the small toy out of a calloused hand that still shook, Rein dabbed a tissue over the surface of it, soaking up what she could.
Swallowing back the lump in her throat, Nanoha used the sleeve of her garment to wipe impatiently at her face. "Thank you," she mumbled, voice thick. Rein passed the obviously very important item back to the heir who cradled it in the crook of the arm not in a sling, "This is no way to live, Nanoha-san."
Eyes of dull slate stared at the toy, "That''s the lot I drew," voice hoarse, the heir was slumped in resignation, appearing on the brink of tears again.
"She''s not dead, you know. In fact, she''s here because of you," Rein felt obligated to point out.
"The history of us¡ is," just saying it aloud sent a spike through the auburn haired woman''s heart. Inhaling deeply, the Takamachi heir began working to rebuild her veneer of self-possession, slowly climbing back up to her feet. "Revisiting the past," Her jaw worked while she attempted to find the right words, "Is detrimental to her well-being. I will not allow it." The warning in her voice was obvious. Rein was not to say a thing to the blonde.
Staring at her client, Rein pursed her lips, "I dare say I have never come across a more stubborn client in all my years in this line of work."
Nanoha carefully placed the plushie on her bed and padded over to the washbasin in her room. Unable to shower with her casts, she had to settle for being wiped down, hence the basin of water on the washstand. She picked up a damp washcloth hanging on the lip of the basin and focused on wiping away any evidence of her moment of weakness.
"I offered to transfer you over to being Fate''s guard," Nanoha reminded the silver haired woman, her alto a mere shadow of its usual dryness.
"That doesn''t change the fact that you still need help."
"I could engage a nurse."
"You could," Rein conceded, taking the washcloth out of Nanoha''s grasp, rinsing and wringing it out to wipe away the tear tracks she could still see on the woman''s face. There was nothing she could do about the dark circles under the heir''s eyes, unfortunately, "But I''d rather be the one getting these freebie kisses."
Nanoha''s chuckle was rusty, barely used in the weeks Rein had been guarding the woman. "All the better to perpetuate my reputation as an incorrigible rake, I suppose." Checking her reflection in the mirror hung behind the washstand, she gave a slight nod. "Right then." Grimly determined, she picked up the Yakul plush with its adorable little red bridle and headed out.
A soft knock pulled Fate''s attention from her laptop. With Nanoha''s surgery and recovery, the blonde felt it best that she go through the old orientation videos and slides she must have forgotten about when she had first joined TSAB, instead of bothering the woman for more sessions going through her old Outbox.
Ginga cracked open the shoji, then pushed it all the way open to admit the Takamachi heir. "Apologies for intruding," the woman looked incredibly uncomfortable, stepping in only past the doorway and no further. Fate hid the hurt she felt to see the heir so out of place in what was essentially her own home. It had to be because of her, Ginga, or the both of them. Outside, she could see the shadow of the woman''s silver haired ''bodyguard''.
"Not at all, I was just going through orientation videos." Fate studied the Takamachi heir. The woman seemed as if she had not slept a wink since her surgery yesterday and the blonde felt a tendril of worry worming its way into her heart. It was so difficult not to grab the woman to tuck her into bed. She twiddled nervously with the hem of one yukata sleeve.
"Now I feel worse for taking you away from such riveting content." Startled at the show of that signature humour, Fate was at a loss over how to respond.
Sternly holding back her need to take in the blonde''s nearness, Nanoha cleared her throat and soldiered on, "I''ve been given leave to fly; tickets for the four of us have been booked for this Friday. Rein''s firm will prepare transport for us."
Giving Fate no space to react, Nanoha dug her hand into her sling, pulling out an adorably soft Yakul plush toy. "Also, I found this in the items the hotel sent over." The woman''s voice became noticeably rougher, "It''s not mine, so I believe it is yours." She held it out towards Fate, throat bobbing for some reason. Recognising the noble steed from her favourite animated movie, the blonde accepted the held out toy from the heir, "I see¡ That makes sense. Thank you." Nodding stiffly, Nanoha spun on her heel and left quickly.
Ginga quietly slid the room''s door closed again. Once certain that her boss and Takamachi heir were out of earshot, she muttered, "She looks like shit." Fate could not dispute that, and her heart twinged. The executive clearly did not want to spend more than a second in her presence, so what could she do about it? Was this also what her past self dealt with? Loving someone who only wished to avoid her?
"Cute toy," Ginga remarked, looking at the plush. "It''s from my favourite Studio Ghibli movie," Fate explained, and why it made sense that the toy was probably hers. Her boss probably watched nothing but business and news shows, she seemed so serious about everything.
Settling back down at the kotatsu, Fate turned the plush toy in her hands, brushing back the creature''s soft fuzz. Curiously, some spots had fuzz stuck together. Brushing those spots, she could feel a slight dampness held in the fur. Sighing, she placed the plush next to her laptop and unpaused the video she had been watching.
"I thought she would r-rest well with¡ with¡" Her throat closed, remembering the sight of Nanoha locking lips with Rein in her room, and worse, being carried to her bed by the silver haired bodyguard. It was nauseating thinking about it.
"With my boss banging her?" Ginga finished sourly for Fate, having been witness to the same scene as the blonde and finding it equally distasteful. Her opinion of Rein had taken quite a nosedive since that Sunday lunch.
Fate snapped her mouth closed and nodded. The words were crude but she felt no compunctions about being delicate about this. There was no sugarcoating what they had seen.
"I don''t know what either of them is thinking. Rein is obviously not a good match for her. The woman travels all the time for work, she never stays in one place for more than a few months¡"
"M-Maybe that is what appeals to Nanoha-san. You h-heard what Momoko-san said, that she saw a lot of women but never settled on any¡" Both women fell silent, wondering why neither of them were good enough even for a fling with someone who obviously made it a habit of tumbling available women on a regular basis.
Fiddling with the bridle on the plush, Fate propped her chin on the palm of her hand, elbow resting on the kotatsu''s surface, "What was she like before she left the clan?"
The lavender haired bodyguard did not reply immediately. Settling cross-legged on the opposite side of the table, Ginga drew a hidden knife with a flicker of her hands. Finding a small nick, she pulled out a pocket whetstone to work it out.
"My family have been vassals to the Takamachi clan since the Warring States period. I was sent to study under Shiro-sama''s tutelage when I was fourteen."
Videos forgotten, Fate listened to her bodyguard, hand stroking the soft fuzz of her Yakul.
"It was intimidating presenting myself to the family. Addressing Shiro-sama was like speaking to a cliff. Kyoya-san and Miyuki-san were in their late teens or early twenties by then, and already accomplished in the Arts in their own right." A wistful smile played over the woman''s lips, "Ojou-sama was the first to approach me in the dojo. She said that since she was a year younger, I could be her senpai. Of course, she wiped the dojo floor with me the first time we faced off together."
Ginga chuckled, tucking her weapon away, "Even then, her talent was obvious. She refused to participate in competitions, saying there was no meaning if she could not defeat herself. She was so serious, even for a child. Perhaps because she grew up around adults. Not to say she was cold, mind you. Whatever the experience, whoever the person, she embraced them without judgement."
Leaning back, hands propped onto the tatami behind her, Ginga threw the blonde a chagrined look, "With her doll-like beauty and open mind, she was destined for student council both as a junior and a senior. It was only in her later teens when¡" Things became more difficult for the woman to recount, "When she had to grow up very quickly."
"When she left the clan?" Fate asked.
Ginga nodded, expression shamefaced, "We¡ We were dating in secret. Someone outed us and both our clans were in an uproar, since we were both heir-apparent in our respective branches." She inhaled a deep breath, then exhaled a sigh full of regret, "She refused to be ashamed, and oh that temper of hers... I remember she''d thrash anyone who looked at me sideways, unless it was an elder she couldn''t touch."
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"I couldn''t take the attention, all that pressure. So I broke up with her." Her lips twisted, as if she had tasted something bad, "My family set me up with someone ''respectable''. Shiro-sama tried with Nanoha, but that girl refused to bend. This was her and damn anyone who wouldn''t accept it." The woman grew more hesitant, and Fate could tell Ginga was self-editing to avoid revealing overly sensitive information, "Then a terrible accident happened and things got too precarious for her family. That was when she decided to remove herself from the shogi board. Left on a scholarship, then a TSAB bond, and ended up helping to set up the Singapore offices for the company."
A terrible accident. Fate wondered if that was the ''abuse'' Nanoha''s doctor had previously mentioned, back when the woman had first been wheeled back into the ICU after yet another surgery.
"I''ve never met a more stubbornly independent individual in my life; she refused every penny Momoko tried to send her," Ginga murmured with grudging respect. "I''m not surprised Shiro-sama wouldn''t let her go quietly into the night after¡" Verdant eyes flickered to the princess, and she coughed lightly.
Wine-shaded eyes were distant, the blonde evidently trying to picture what Ginga had shared with her. When the woman''s voice trailed off, eyes on her, Fate blew out a frustrated breath, "Wish I could fill in the blanks."
"You and I both¡" Ginga admitted. The Takamachi heir had received terrible amounts of damage to herself to save her client, and yet she was taken with her boss? It made absolutely no sense.
"You know¡ thinking back, I remember you vaguely when I was visiting Ojou-sama in Singapore." Fate blinked, never having heard of this before, "Indeed?"
"Yes, she had her hands on my chest when you appeared with the Wolkenritter in HR." The blonde stiffened, causing Ginga to giggle, "Oh, not that way. She was trying to push me out of her office and me, being me, wouldn''t take no for an answer. I had no idea you were her new AVP at the time."
"Wolkenritter in HR." Fate glanced back to her paused video, the tall, pink haired woman presenting the video had her name under her portrait. "Signum Wolkenritter, EVP of Human Resources," she read aloud.
"Yes, that one. You''re almost as tall as she is, I think," Ginga noted with mild envy, herself only coming up to the blonde''s ear at best. "I remember you calling Ojou-sama ''Nanoha-chan'' over the intercom with Vita, too." The bodyguard scratched lightly at her chin in thought. With how the Takamachi heir was behaving with the blonde, aside from when she was confined to St. Luke''s and interacting with her one constant visitor, Ginga could not fathom their relationship as being that familiar at work. "Maybe as a joke?"
Fate frowned contemplatively at her laptop screen, "Perhaps. It''s been¡ very difficult for me to pin down what our working relationship was." Giving up, she threw herself backwards to sprawl over the tatami floor, an arm flung over her head, blonde hair strewn around her in a halo of gold, "Maybe someone at work can tell me." Crimson eyes shadowed, she considered the possibility that no one at work knew, either.
"At this rate she''s going to think you hate her." Nanoha kept right on walking, "It''ll get better with time," she lied tightly to herself and Rein. Which reminded her. Pulling out her cellphone, she made a quick call.
"La Jefa!" The naked relief in Teana''s voice dredged a smile out of the executive.
"Hey, Tea. Sorry for the radio silence. Shit''s been¡"
"Crazy, yea, we figured." Nanoha was unsurprised her managers had finagled their way into finding out most, if not all that had happened.
"How''re you doing?" Another loaded question.
Teana heard her boss exhale a quiet breath, "I''ve been better. Look, I called to make an off the books request."
"Whossat Tea?"
"Shh, it''s La Jefa."
"Oh my gods, is she okay?"
"Can it, Subaru, she''s trying to ask me something!"
Clearing her throat, Nanoha projected her voice into the line, "Actually, it''s a request for the both of you."
The voices on the other end died down, both women listening intently.
"If Fate-san asks, she and I are colleagues and nothing more."
Back in Singapore, the couple exchanged looks.
The bolder of the two was the first to speak, "Er, Ojou-sama, I don''t think we quite get what you mean¡" So, Nakajima Subaru had heard.
Voice growing hard, Nanoha elaborated, "Precisely what I said. If Fate-san asks either of you what her relationship was with me, tell her we were good colleagues, that is all." Silent, Rein followed half a pace behind her client, the woman''s footsteps taking her through the courtyard and out of the clan compound. It was obvious that Nanoha did not want anyone eavesdropping.
"Nothing about broken bathroom doors, taking her car back from the axe throwing range, looking up Regius and friends. Nada."
The women were quiet again. "Um, but boss, aren''t you guys like, pals?" Teana this time, venturing her own delicate query.
Head held high, Nanoha walked paths her feet had memorised more than two decades ago, eyes left unfocused while she fought against her own instincts to run right back to Fate''s room to hold her and never let go. "She doesn''t remember, and I don''t want her to. Look, she gets blackout headaches remembering stuff. There''s a high chance she''ll fall and hurt herself if she remembers something and¡" A muscle in her jaw ticked, "I won''t risk that." Her sigh sounded heavy over the line, "I can''t keep her in a physical bubble. This is the next best solution."
Voice softening, she addressed the two as equals, "I need everyone on board for this, including you guys. Please."
The couple looked at the other again, "We understand. If that is what Ojou-sama requires of us."
Shoulders untensing, Nanoha''s head dropped a little, "Thank you, Subaru, Teana. I''ll be back next week, I hope. I''ll see you guys then."
Rein''s mild disapproval was palpable at her elbow, but Nanoha refused to acknowledge the woman''s opinion on this. She promised her father, certainly, but not until she got the all clear from Shamal. What was she even supposed to ask the blonde if the green light was given, though? "Hey, remember how we used to spoon one another in bed?"
Biting back the urge to cuss at the heavens, she dropped her phone back into her yukata''s pocket and focused on her one sanctioned walk of the day.
Extricating herself from her mother''s embrace had been difficult, which only served to irritate Nanoha. Admonishing herself to grow the fuck up, she gathered the remnants of her dignity to bow to the rest of her family, who bowed back. "Please warn me before you invade my life. I need to brace myself. Maybe book a flight to Timbuktu," she murmured drily to her family.
"Oh you. For that, Kaa-chan will hide when omiai happening." Blue eyes widened in mock horror before the woman eased into a dusty chuckle, "Please take care of yourselves. Dewa~" Detesting long goodbyes, Nanoha dipped her head and accepted Rein''s help to get into the back of the unmarked sedan the bodyguard had procured for their use, the silver haired woman closing the door once the heir''s seat belt was fastened.
The woman had opted for a baggy white pullover and loose, wide-leg pants in royal blue. With its elastic waistband, it allowed the heir to travel in relative comfort despite her waist injury and casts.
Fate had remained to one side to allow the heir to make her farewells. Bowing low now, she offered her sincere thanks to the clan for their care. Stepping forward, Momoko hugged the blonde, then Ginga, "Daughter is stubborn, but not made of stone, hai? Keep trying."
Winking at the now blushing women, she asked, "Packed kimono?" At their nods, she beamed, "Good. My child act modern but is more traditional than my Shi-chan." Allowing the implication to sink in, she patted both their bottoms, nodding approvingly at the childbearing hips both candidates possessed. Fate squeaked at the unexpected touch, blushing even harder. Ginga fared no better and hurriedly hustled her client into the back of the car with Nanoha. Momoko''s drive for grandbabies knew no bounds.
Nanoha may have noticed the heavy blushes on both women when they got into the car, if she had not been occupied with working herself up to the dreaded upcoming flight. She had opted not to take her painkillers, just her antibiotics, and that familiar persistent ache at the base of her skull had returned with annoying predictability. Thinking back to the time when she had made the flight over with Fate, she let out a silent sigh of longing, fiercely missing the blonde''s distractions.
Making good time for the evening flight on Japan Airlines, the group were pleasantly surprised to find their business class bookings bumped up to first class. At first thinking it was a TSAB perk, they were swiftly disabused of that notion when a government official of no discernible rank or title appeared at the counter.
Once their luggage was checked in, the official, a slim brunette with cropped hair and glasses, led them to a lavishly appointed private waiting room. A barista and a bartender stood at their respective stations, ready to take any orders from their guests. A wide array of finger foods were also available, ranging from cheeses to crackers to a chef ready to take sushi and sashimi orders.
"Takamachi-san, the government extends our congratulations on your new appointment. In addition, we would like to offer our gratitude for your swift response to what may have become a diplomatic incident. Please accept this upgrade as a token of our appreciation."
Fate could hardly follow what was being said, and was grateful to Ginga for providing a running translation.
The brunette then turned to address Fate, "Princess Testarossa, we extend our deepest regrets for the inconvenience caused and hope that you will visit us again in more pleasant circumstances."
Addressing both executives, she concluded, "For all future flights on our national carrier, our people will do their utmost to render to you the best seats at no additional cost." Bowing deeply, the woman departed, leaving the group to settle down to wait for boarding in an hour.
Nanoha rose from her bow seeing the official off and simply pressed her index finger to her lips, indicating to the group to keep any chatter to themselves for now. "Rein, if you could help me to that couch¡ I think I may try to catch forty winks." Nanoha doubted she could rest with her headache, but pretending to was all she needed to avoid having to be social.
Watching the silver haired woman help Nanoha get comfortable, Fate looked away when Rein leaned down to press her lips to the faintly smiling executive''s forehead. Stalking to the sushi counter, she ordered herself some nigiri and cold sak¨¦, figuring it would be a while before she would taste authentic Japanese cuisine once she was back in Singapore.
Unsurprisingly, Ginga settled on the stool next to her and asked for the same.
As always for Nanoha, the journey was dismal and she was failing massively at getting a single wink of sleep. Fortunately, the screen doors that offered privacy in the first class cabins kept that knowledge from most anyone other than Rein. The woman had imposed herself during dinner time in case Nanoha had needed help and indeed, she had.
Fate''s cabin was opposite of the Takamachi heir''s own, and despite herself, she could not help overhearing the women''s low conversation.
"Why didn''t you take your painkillers?" The bodyguard''s voice was even, though a thread of exasperation could still be heard in the way she addressed her client.
"Fucking hate blacking out around strangers," the heir''s voice sounded rough, weary, and Fate wished there was something she could do to help. Rein''s sigh matched Fate''s own.
"I find myself in the odd position of saying I don''t blame you, but I still blame you."
Nanoha snorted, "I''ll deal." Voice turning serious, she added, "Once we''ve landed, we''re escorting them to Fate-san''s place first."
"You think those elements you fought will try something in Singapore?"
"Maybe. I haven''t been back for weeks, so I can''t tell for sure."
"You''re in no shape to do anything, however."
"I''m not, but you are."
"...A third agent will be joining us when we land, wouldn''t she be enough?"
"''Fraid not."
Rein eyed the auburn haired woman who was being stubborn beyond belief. Said woman was giving her a Puss-in-Boots liquid eyed look and she knew she was being played. Sighing again, she shook her head, "You''re hopeless."
Knowing the in-cabin lights had her and Rein in silhouette, Nanoha lifted her arm to draw Rein close and at the last moment, turned her head slightly so their lips never met. Still, she kissed thin air, loud enough for her neighbour to hear, before letting go of her bodyguard. "It''s why you like me," she replied with a mock purr.
Chuckling at the woman''s wiles, Rein tucked an extra layer of blankets around the executive''s shoulders, knowing the cold of their altitude would be causing more aches than usual in the woman''s injuries, "Try closing your eyes even if you can''t sleep. I''ll keep watch."
"Thanks." The lights were turned off in the cabin then, and Fate turned her head to face away from the side Nanoha was on. Sleep did not come for the blonde either, the woman''s long arms wrapped around herself while she did her best not to feel miserable that she wasn''t the one the executive trusted to watch over her while she rested. The screen was great for hiding any tears she shed.
Chapter 42: And They Were Roommates
A strawberry blonde in a sharp suit kept her dark brown eyes peeled for the familiar form of her colleagues and clients. Waiting at the designated belt for the JAL flight coming in from Haneda, she crossed her arms and leaned a hip against the divider set near the automatic glass doors that would admit those arriving into Singapore proper.
Mentally, she ran through the information she had been provided on her clients and possible hostiles to look out for. In addition, she had had a very interesting conversation with the person who had contracted the agency she was employed by, as well as the doctor who had charge of both clients'' medical records. There was much to share with her colleagues once she was able to take them aside for some private chats.
Everything ached. The chill of the flight and more seemed to have seeped into every injury, new and old, and it took Nanoha every ounce of willpower to move with some semblance of smoothness and not with the creakiness of some decrepit old senior citizen. She missed being able to do full body stretches.
''You''re tired. You know you''re tired when you start being whiny,'' she admonished herself. Blinking against the harsh lights at the immigration counters, Nanoha offered the officer who chopped her passport a weak smile and manoeuvred herself through the multiple barriers meant to slow down runaway illegals. Stepping through the security checkpoint, she moved to one side when the expected alarms went off.
"Are you carrying anything in your pockets, Ma''am?" A jaded-looking security officer peered at the pretty but otherwise average-looking passenger.
"Nope, nothing." All the Takamachi heir had with her had been her phone, which was still sitting in the little container she had slid down the belt, through their x-ray scanner.
Nodding, the security officer began running the metal detector over her body, blinking when the device rang shrilly each time it got near her torso. Frowning, the officer stared at the seemingly harmless-looking Japanese woman in casts and a sling. About to ask the woman to follow her to a room for a strip search, the arrival of rapid footsteps gave the officer pause.
Someone with a diplomatic badge had arrived, a tall, spare man with slicked back hair in a suit. Taking the officer aside, the man brandished his credentials and after some back and forth, Nanoha was given leave to retrieve her cellphone and continue on to where the rest of her group stood waiting for her.
Just as she was going to apologise for the wait, she heard the same rapid footsteps closing in on her and turned to find the same man bowing and in japanese, the man apologised for the delay in updating her passport to account for her updated status as more than just an ordinary Japanese citizen. Assuring Nanoha that the issue would be rectified within a week, he bowed again and departed.
Noting the curious looks from her companions, she awkwardly scratched the back of her head with her right arm. Awkward because it was still in a cast, "Sorry about that. I have some metal inside of me." Of the three, Fate looked the most disturbed even though Nanoha tried to make light of the delay. "Don''t worry about it, Fate-san. It happens in other airports sometimes, too. It should stop with the government''s help now."
"Other airports?" The tall blonde asked quietly, still not entirely mollified.
"Usually I have my medical report with me to show them. I forgot this time."
This must be to do with the accident Ginga spoke about before. "I''ll endeavour to remind you the next time I know you will be flying." This was what AVPs did, right?
"I''ve always appreciated your attention to detail," Nanoha stated quietly, refusing to let herself be warmed by the blonde''s concern.
"Ah, there she is," Rein''s voice interrupted anything else either executive was going to say, and they glanced up as one to follow Rein''s eyes to where she was looking towards.
A square jawed strawberry blonde could be seen in a suit similar to what Rein and Ginga were wearing, and Nanoha guessed that was their third agent. The woman was solidly built under her agent uniform, the material stretched to accommodate her muscular frame. She appeared no taller than Ginga, and moved in a way that brought to mind some of the best brawlers Nanoha had sparred with in her time honing her Arts outside of her clan''s dojo.
"Interesting," the executive mused, and Fate threw the woman a narrow-eyed look, wondering if this new woman would be yet another conquest for her boss. Instead of attraction, however, Nanoha seemed to be eyeing the woman thoughtfully, appearing to size her up in martial terms more than anything else.
With their luggages retrieved, the group exited past the automatic doors out into the general public area crowded with others still waiting.
"Edel," Rein nodded a greeting to the strawberry blonde who held herself up smartly while her boss introduced everyone. "Rein, it''s good to see you," the strange woman greeted the silver haired bodyguard respectfully. To Ginga, she nodded, her acknowledgement which was cordially returned by Fate''s bodyguard.
"This is Fate Testarossa and your primary client. Fate, this is Edelgard Barkas. She''s my most experienced field agent aside from Ginga." The woman named Edel stared up at the willowy blonde. The information package had included a head shot but seeing the princess in person seemed to have robbed the woman of her voice.
Granted, the Midchildan royal looked stunning in a loose baby blue blouse with billowing long sleeves tucked into skinny denim jeans and strappy white sandals. Her long camel coat thrown over her shoulders emphasised her naturally sophisticated look.
"Miss Barkas, I will be in your care." Even the princess'' voice was beautiful, her melodic soprano lilting pleasingly, betraying her faint Midchildan accent. Fate had a hand out to shake the new guard''s hand. Stammering, the woman saluted, then shook the pale blonde''s hand a little too enthusiastically, almost pulling Fate off balance. "N-Nice to meet you, Ma''am! Please call me Edel! Ah, sorry!" Edel moved quickly to stabilise Fate, preventing the woman from being completely off balance.
Eyeing Nanoha, Rein maintained an expression of professional smoothness. The executive affected nonchalance but the flinty daggers she was sending towards the strawberry blonde was almost enough to send Rein into fits of laughter.
Honestly, this was Rein''s third best in the field? ''She''s already got her paws all over Fate!'' Nanoha thought crankily. Her mood was already rock bottom with this migraine and lack of sleep, and it got noticeably worse to find this Fate fan-girl molesting her AVP right under Nanoha''s narrowed eyes.
Clearing her throat, Rein pulled everyone''s attention back to the present, "Edel, this is Takamachi Nanoha, your secondary client, and Fate''s direct report in TSAB." Something in the executive''s eyes had Edel withdrawing out of Fate''s personal space to bow to the obviously Japanese woman. Returning the strawberry blonde''s bow back stiffly, Nanoha gave her a toothy smile that never touched those eyes of flint, "Hajimemashite, Edel. You seem very skilled. Perhaps we can spar at some point, when I am better."
Rein coughed, "I''m sure we can all spar after your doctor gives you the green light, Nanoha-chan." Leaning on the fake honorific to remind the Japanese woman where her attentions were supposed to lie, Rein addressed her subordinate, "The cars?"
Taken aback by how her boss had addressed her secondary client, Edel recovered and nodded, "Prepped and ready. I asked our people to wait for us at the pick-up point." Nodding, Rein shrugged out of her suit jacket and took charge of the luggage trolley holding Nanoha''s and her belongings. Ginga did the same for Fate, and with Edel leading the way, the women reached the pick-up point in good time.
"It''s good to be home," Rein murmured when the steamy warmth of Singapore''s climate slammed into the group with humid force, and it clicked in Nanoha''s head just which mild accent her bodyguard had all of this time - Acrolectal Singaporean English, commonly spoken by natives of the island nation from families that had english as their first language, and not as a second language.
Absently tying back her thick fall of silver tresses into a high ponytail, a response to the warm weather of the tropics, Rein began loading their belongings into the first vehicle''s trunk. The black vehicle was a nondescript Mercedes, a very common sight in the country, and identical to the vehicle Fate was being seen to.
The men in the driver''s seat of both cars exited and greeted Rein. "Thanks guys, I''ll see you around." Obviously Rein''s employees, both men nodded and departed back into the bowels of the airport to find their own way home via the country''s excellent public transit systems.
Opening the back door, Rein humphed to see Nanoha doggedly pulling open the front passenger door instead. "I can''t see crap from behind," the heir muttered stubbornly. To be fair, this was still better than forcing herself into Fate''s car just so she could keep an eye on that handsy Edel. She did not trust that bodyguard as far as she could throw them. "Fine," Rein said shortly, closing the door she had opened again with some force, momentarily drawing the attention of the other group of women.
Fate had watched her new guard being introduced to her boss and wondered at the odd undercurrents she could sense. She had never seen the Takamachi heir baring that many teeth in a smile before. It was a relief that the strawberry blonde did not seem interested in Nanoha, nor vice versa, at least. Slipping into the back of the car assigned to her, both of her guards got into the front, Edel taking the wheel.
"I do not recall where it is that I live¡" She began hesitantly, "I could probably find it in my laptop?"
"No worries, Ma''am, Miss Yagami provided us with your address. Do you have your keys?"
Fate nodded, "I found them in my purse."
"That''s all we need then." Edel had signalled to her boss and Ginga that she had more information to share, but it would need to wait until their clients were settled in for the night. The three guards exchanged silent nods and the cars made their quiet way out of the airport.
Nanoha''s bloodshot eyes were locked onto the Mercedes they were trailing after, though they flickered occasionally to the side mirror and the roads around them. Her paranoia after Fate''s kidnapping had not faded so much as been subsumed into being a part of her psyche, to always be watching for a possible ambush. Gaiz had been correct the first time, that she had no idea what she was up against. She did now, and that knowledge would be put to good use if it was the last thing she did on this forsaken earth.
Rein knew better than to suggest to Nanoha to get some rest. The fires that drove the woman were not something the bodyguard wanted to challenge when they were this close to the finish line. Her to-do list had a clear priority, to get her client safely home and resting, and touch base with the other two guards to hear what Edel had to share with them. And her client would find no rest if Fate was not safely ensconced in her own apartment.
"You don''t have anyone other than Miss Barkas for Fate-san?" The quiet query may have been lost, if not for how silent the vehicle''s engine was. Nanoha would not meet Rein''s eyes, affixed as they were on the car holding Fate.
"She''s the next best after myself and Ginga. Would you want any less guarding Her Highness?"
This did get a sharp look from Nanoha, who slumped slightly and shook her head, "No, it''s why I wanted to transfer you over to be her second guard."
"It doesn''t work that way, I''m afraid. You may place your safety beneath Fate; it''s a different equation altogether for Miss Hayate. May I remind you that you are still recovering from multiple hairline fractures and four bullets to the chest?"
"My limitations remind me every single fucking day¡" Nanoha began heatedly, before stopping herself. Turning away to resume watch over the car in front of them, she scrubbed wearily at her face, "Apologies. I just¡ I can rest once I know she''s home."
Rein remained silent, silvered brows drawn. Nanoha was running on fumes and pure cussedness and it would not be wise to prod the leopard. Already, they were turning into the parking lot of Fate''s apartment complex, their car pulling up into the empty lot next to the blonde''s car. Steeling herself, Nanoha unclipped her seat-belt and let herself out of the passenger side.
She was the only one left familiar with the way to Fate''s apartment. As difficult as this would be, it was on her to lead the group there. Nanoha gathered the last of her energy reserves together and kept her pace brisk, silently showing the way up to her AVP''s front door. Shadowed flint kept any memories firmly to the back of her mind to focus on the here and now.
Pausing at the elevator lobby, she held out her arm. "Fate-san," the executive said quietly, "Please remain here and hand your keys to Edel. Rein-san, I trust your people to take point from here. Her door is the one on the right."
Fate wondered at Nanoha''s excess of caution, but since the woman was bearing the evidence of the necessity of it on her very own body, the AVP refrained from making a fuss. Remaining with the executives, Rein nodded to Edel and Ginga to comply with Nanoha''s suggestion.
Keys jingling in the quiet of night, Edel unlocked the door to her client''s apartment. Cracking open the door, Ginga flipped on the lights while Edel made her first foray into the princess'' humble abode. From her vantage point, Nanoha stared unceasingly at the guards, immediately picking up a tenseness in their bodies. Heedless of Rein''s futile grab for her and her own body''s limits, she sped forward and through the entrance, biting back the gasp of pain from her move.
The apartment was in shambles.
Eyes wide, breaths coming in quick and hard regardless of the cast around her torso, Nanoha glared at the previously neatly kept apartment. Cursing under her breath, Rein was but a hair behind, skidding to a stop beside the Takamachi heir.
"Those motherfucking bastards," the heir''s snarl was low, trembling with barely held back fury.
Fate''s little hanging garden had been upended, soil scattered around the balcony floor. Cushions were thrown around and opened letters lay all around the living room floor. Kitchen cabinets were left ajar, the contents shoved out to spill over the floor. Stepping swiftly through the mess, Nanoha found a similar mess in Fate''s bedroom. Someone or someones had obviously been through here.
"Rein, please call Miss Yagami and inform her to update Fate''s place of residence to be the same as mine for the time being," Nanoha said, voice taut with tension and anger. She really should have done more than just dislocate joints and break some bones that night.
Following in after the guards, amazed at how quickly the injured woman could still move, Fate took in the mess of what was apparently her apartment. Having no memory actually provided her a buffer against what should have been a rude shock, not to mention her past experiences with her family''s¡ concern.
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The royal''s calm as she took in the wreckage was uncanny. Nanoha''s words flustered the blonde far more and she approached the obviously furious executive with some trepidation. The woman barely wanted to be in the same room as her, what was going on?
"Nanoha-san, I could stay in a hotel¡"
"It''s company property, not mine. These circumstances call for greater security, and the area it''s located in is much more secure. Not anyone can just wander in." Belatedly noticing how calm Fate was, Nanoha ran her eyes over the woman, frown worried, "Are you all right?"
Shrugging, the blonde appeared resigned, "It''s not the first time I''ve had my place searched," she shared, "My family doesn''t like it when I get too¡ independent for their liking." Her lips twisted into a bitter smile that never reached the cold rubies of her eyes. Nanoha shook her head in disbelief, "And I thought my clan was fucked up¡" That got a soft laugh out of Fate, "It''s not a competition, but I do believe I''d win, regardless."
Blowing out a breath and feeling twinges from her earlier rush, Nanoha raked back the bangs that had fallen into her eyes, "Pack what you can, what you think you''ll need most. We''ll arrange for a clean up crew and added security to be installed while you''re at the condo. Ginga, Edel, if you could assist Fate-san?"
The executive fell naturally into the role of being in charge and paced her way through the messes to look out the kitchen windows, the daggers of her stare casting out into the darkness as if she might find the perpetrators of this insult loitering outside. "...Fuck me." She sighed and pulled out her cellphone to make a quick call to the offices of the compound she lived at, updating them with the names of those to be added to the long-term guest list for the condominium TSAB owned.
Taking a deep breath, she then dialled another number.
"Miss Takamachi!"
"Hi Erio, sorry to call this late."
"No, no, it''s fine. Caro and I got a call from a Miss Yagami giving us instructions she said came from you, and we didn''t know what to think."
"Yes, she called you at my behest. Please follow the instructions she imparted. It''s very important that we do not stress Fate-san during her recovery."
Erio fell silent for a moment. Fate¡-san? "I¡ We understand. If it''s for Miss Fate''s good, we''ll go along with it."
Nanoha released a breath she had not realised she had been holding. "Thank you," she said warmly, truly grateful that Fate had such good friends in Singapore. "Her memory goes back to just before she came to Singapore, but I gathered she knows you and Caro from before that. Please come by to visit her when you can. She''ll be staying at my condo for a while. We just got back and her place is a wreck. She says it''s not the first time it''s happened¡?"
Erio grew quiet. This was something beyond surface level interactions with the executive he mainly maintained friendly relations with for the purpose of work. Yet, what he saw during that lunch those weeks ago told him Miss Takamachi was concerned. Caro, his fianc¨¦e, had wandered over when he had first greeted Miss Takamachi, and slipping her arm around his waist, listened in on the call.
"I think it''s safe to share, Erio."
Nodding, he tightened his arm around his sweetly-scented partner, "Miss Takamachi, this remains between us, but Miss Fate is right. Even her own rooms in the palace were not safe from Queen Precia."
Nanoha''s head lifted slowly at the information Erio had shared. She had heard Caro''s voice over the line, encouraging her fianc¨¦ to be open with this particular facet of the blonde''s life. Jaw clenched, she quietly thanked the couple and updated Erio that he would not need to drop by for the foreseeable future due to her injuries. "Understood, Miss Takamachi. It''s good to have you back. When¡ When things are more settled and you''ve healed up, please allow Caro and I to show our appreciation. You didn''t have to¡"
"I wanted to, Erio," the executive kept the warmth of their sincere gratitude close to her heart. There was so little in the world that she had done to deserve thanks, that she found this simple deed far more rewarding than most days at TSAB. "I know how rough it can be on your own in a strange country. Just think of it as an early wedding gift." She smiled, hearing Caro''s echoed thanks in the background, "I''ll drop by Khalifa again when I can. Good night to both of you."
Ending the call, she strode back into the living room area to check on the progress. The adrenaline was fueling her, and she knew there would be hell to pay tomorrow, but that was an acceptable cost of doing business. Her migraine was a constant spike being hammered into the base of her skull and she tilted her head fully to the left, then right, popping joints in the process in a futile attempt to loosen muscles bunched from the pain.
"Has Hayate been updated?" Nanoha directed her question to her bodyguard. Rein was standing amidst the detritus, a faintly odd look on her face. Glancing over at the returning EVP, she cleared her throat, "Miss Hayate has. It was Dr. Wolkenritter''s recommendation that Fate be moved to the upper level of the TSAB condo. The plan was for her to spend a night here, then use Saturday and Sunday to move."
Nanoha wondered if her migraine was addling her hearing and her brains. "You''re shitting my dick," she finally blurted.
Silvered ponytail shaking in tandem with her head, Rein clearly was not joking in the slightest, "Miss Hayate also thinks it''s more practical to have both of our clients in the same location for ease of guarding." Holding up a hand to stay anything the executive had to say, and by her expression, there was a lot, Rein continued, "I find this assessment tactically sound. Something I don''t think even you can argue with."
"You''ve already made the call to move Fate there," the Singaporean woman continued, "Miss Hayate assures me that the second level has been prepared for her, inclusive of impact-absorbent mats and cushioned corners. She has essentially ''baby-proofed'' the quarters Fate is expected to live in."
Speechless, Nanoha stared at Rein for long moments.
"Son of a fucking bitch¡" She finally growled helplessly. Hayate was keeping her promise not to reveal anything of Nanoha''s past relationship with Fate, but she was still stacking the deck in her favour by making it safer for Fate to remember. And since Shamal had been roped in, it was obvious the doctor''s medical opinion had been sought, closing out any arguments Nanoha would try to muster from that side of the field.
Crimson eyes shades lighter than Fate''s bored into her client, Rein wondering which path the volatile woman would take in the face of such overwhelming odds. She had to admire the TSAB CEO''s canniness when dealing with her forcefully unrelenting friend. It took massive balls to run roughshod over Takamachi Nanoha and not expect any significant resistance.
Feeling penned in by her oldest friend''s plots, Nanoha found herself too worn out to struggle. Fate would be on the split level apart from her. If they both kept to their areas, it probably would not be too bad. Wishing she could convince herself of that lie, she exhaled, "Let''s just get her to safety."
Of course, why had Rein thought there would be anything else more important to the executive?
"Agreed," she replied evenly. "Ginga and Edel can handle things here. Let''s wait for them in the car." Lacking the strength to even nod her aching head, Nanoha merely turned around to make her way back down, leaving Rein to update her subordinates on the next course of action. The silver haired woman picked up on Edel''s lack of surprise and surmised that what Miss Hayate had shared was part of what Edel had wanted to catch them up on.
Fate wandered through the unfamiliar surroundings that had been the living space of her old self, understanding clearly what she had been trying to do. Eyes the shade of aged wine could see she had done her best to carve out a little home away from home, a place that held nothing of her life in Midchilda. The warmth and cosiness was evident, and the blonde wondered if it had been her past self''s attempt to chase away the chill of loneliness that had plagued her for her entire life.
Finding the storeroom, she pulled out the full-sized luggages she found there - Instruments that had been used to move her life across continents. "I don''t know what all I own," she informed Ginga and Edel, "I guess, just take whatever hasn''t been wrecked. Whatever we have in fifteen minutes shall be whatever I bring with me." Her dismissive tone had the two guards exchanging looks, but they simply nodded and began moving around the apartment, picking whatever was left untouched or still in working order to pack.
Back in her bedroom, Fate threw whatever clothes she found into the luggage she had put on her bed. She would sort and wash them as needed over the weekend. Moving to her dresser next, she simply pushed everything into make-up pouches and threw them willy-nilly in with her clothes.
Oddly enough, she found a Cat Bus plush laying at the corner of her bed, near the headboard. She did not remember purchasing this and supposed it was yet another toy her past self had gotten in the time she had forgotten. It lay atop a neatly folded towel and she frowned, wondering what the significance of it was. On a hunch, she brought both up to her face and inhaled. A faint scent of cinnamon and vanilla, mixed in with other notes, seemed to be shared between the towel and toy. The familiarity of the smell tickled at her mind but offered up no further clues. Where had she smelled this combination of scents before?
Humming thoughtfully, Fate decided to take a little more care with this odd couple. Her old self had felt both important enough to afford them a place of pride by her head when she slept, so why not? Finding a vacuum bag, she put both inside and pressed out as much air as she could before sealing it and adding it to the open luggage. Toiletries came last, stuffed into yet another vacuum bag and sealed against spillage.
Lugging the now-heavy luggage after her, Fate was surprised she could take its weight more easily than she thought she might. The fifteen minutes were almost up and soon, Ginga and Edel were joining her with their own luggages.
"Rein and Nanoha are below, we''ll need their help to take one of these in their trunk," Ginga explained. Nodding shortly, Fate felt a twinge of guilt for keeping the executive from sorely needed rest. Hurrying, she wheeled what little evidence of her life in Singapore after her two guards. Edel locked the door and gate after them, a token gesture considering what had happened within, but Fate appreciated the strawberry blonde''s care in doing so anyway.
Back on ground level, Fate continued after her guards towards the dimly lit parking lot. The strikingly intense blue of her boss'' gaze was incredibly easy to pick out in the darkness, and the blonde felt an unconscious pull that easily guided her feet towards the woman seated on the passenger side of Rein''s commissioned vehicle.
"Er, Ma''am? Your car is over here."
Starting, Fate whipped her head towards the source of Edel''s voice and felt her face grow warm, "Oh, yes, right¡" Quickly correcting course, she wheeled her luggage over to the back of her own vehicle.
Rein had kept an eye on their surroundings along with her client, both women sharing more than just a passing resemblance to the other despite their wildly different backgrounds. When the tall blonde appeared, her palely beautiful colouring easily standing out behind her shorter bodyguards, Rein could see her client''s eyes snapping to fixate on the gracefully walking form. Her eyes still scanned the surroundings with hawk-like intensity, but she obviously saw nothing unless it related to Fate.
The AVP was not immune to that fiercely protective regard, and Rein swallowed a chuckle to hear her subordinate reminding the royal as to which car she was supposed to be getting into. Fate displayed a moment of confusion before correcting her intended direction to the appropriate vehicle. Memory or no, the blonde was drawn inexorably to Nanoha.
"Dumbest peas ever."
"Hmm? What was that, Rein?"
"Nothing. It''s our turn to take point. Punch in the postal code if you would?" Nanoha nodded, familiar with the car''s systems to do just that while Rein warmed the engine back up. Seeing the headlights coming on in their companion car, the silver haired woman proceeded to lead their very modest convoy to the island retreat where the TSAB property sat.
Fate studied the passing scenery, noting that there was a lot more greenery than she had expected in a country famous for being almost completely urbanised. She had hoped to find a more even keel in the place purported to be her home, and once again, her mother''s hands had dashed her hopes. At times, she wondered why she bothered to struggle against the ties that bound her. Perhaps she could consult with Nanoha on how to fully get away from a family that only saw her as a none too useful tool.
Greenery had given way to a flattened seascape, and the blonde blinked. Were they leaving the country? Her eyes made out passing signs indicating they were approaching some area called Sentosa. A quick web search on her phone informed her just what this place was about, and she gawked a little.
The island boasted a fully appointed Universal Studios, virtual reality experiences, some dolphin attraction, a go-kart circuit, and more she had not bothered to scroll through. Who lived in such a place? It sounded more like a tourist''s playground than a residential area. Depressing the button to lower the window on her side of the car, Fate breathed in the scents of sun, sand and sea. It engendered a sense of well-being in the woman, and a wistful feeling of warmth curled inside her - it smelled nothing like her landlocked home country.
Wending through small side roads, the car in the lead finally pulled up to a squat, broad structure. The faint sound of waves could be heard once the engines of both cars were cut. Looking out into the horizon, Fate noticed silhouettes of moored pleasure crafts dotting the calm waters. It felt peaceful here, a place where perhaps, she could find herself again. Better yet, a place out of her family''s reach. She could tell why TSAB had invested in this waterfront property.
The three car garage held two empty lots, the last occupied by a golf cart, allowing for both ESSS cars to be parked inside. Fate wondered if she had a car in Singapore. Driving was one of the sports she had enjoyed back home, apart from the running she did in school. Something that gave her the illusion of outrunning the grasping, spectral claws of family.
Nanoha rose from her seat, shutting the door with well-hidden trepidation. Hoping that no memories would trigger, she gestured for Fate to come to the door leading into the apartment. Approaching the woman, Fate found her expression difficult to read. "Haya-chan was a few steps ahead of me, so give the face recognition software a try here." Sure enough, the locks disengaged once the camera situated at the door registered the blonde''s face.
The executive released a long breath, addressing the guards, "That tells me you''re likely in the system as well." Her alto held no inflection, and Fate hated it. She could not tell if she was welcome in what was once her boss'' abode. "Let''s see what that tanuki was up to while we were gone."
Leaving her shoes at the door, the Takamachi heir padded in, ordering the lights up by voice. The main area seemed unchanged, aside from an additional single bed situated perpendicular to the master bed ensconced in an alcove shaded from any sunlight.
Fate studied the classily appointed apartment. It boasted an open concept with low walls for partitions, giving the area a very expansive and spacious feel. Of note was the lack of personal touches like pictures or knick-knacks. She wondered how much use the apartment even saw and she glanced at her boss, feeling a moment of sadness to think the woman did not feel like she could put down her roots in the one place she lived in.
"We''re on this level, Rein." Nodding, Rein proceeded to bring in the executive''s and her own belongings. Leaving the silver haired guard to settle their things, Nanoha continued further in, past floor to ceiling windows that looked out onto the ocean now shaded in muted greys and purples. Tucked to the back wall was a spiral stairway that separated the woman''s home workstation from the rest of the apartment and this was where Nanoha led Fate''s contingent.
A second voice command lit up the second level of the apartment. It was not as wide and spacious as the first floor, but it was still a fair bit larger than Fate''s trashed apartment. There were no running lights in the floors here, since the surface was covered in impact absorbent mats. Any furniture surface with an edge or corner was also padded.
Again, an open concept was employed with low wall partitions splitting a newly installed kitchenette from a study area and the sleep area included a fair-sized walk-in closet. A large flat screen television was positioned a few feet from the foot of a mahogany bed frame holding a mattress that was clearly selected to accommodate Fate''s near six foot height. Where a living room would have been, two twin beds had been installed with accompanying side tables and charging ports for Fate''s anticipated guards to use.
Nanoha padded through the area, a part of her hating the thought of giving up her personal haven. It was a small part that was easily subsumed by the overwhelming need to know the blonde was somewhere safe and guarded, and so the executive immediately decided she could deal with it.
"Whatever it takes," she muttered grimly, unconsciously catching the blonde''s sharp attention. She was worn out enough that she did not notice.
There were similar floor to ceiling windows that looked out into the ocean, along with a balcony that the first level lacked, since the door facing the sea opened directly out onto a shaded porch with a table and chairs. The large glass panels had a remote dimming feature, and it had been engaged for the nonce, shading the outside in dim greys and blacks.
Nanoha could not fault the quality of the installations, and applauded the safety measures put in for the blonde''s sake. "Laundry service is as and when you call for it," she explained quietly to her new ''roommate'', taking a moment to hand her the smart remote for the second level of the apartment and demonstrating how to undim the large glass panels. "I''ll show you where the receptacles are tomorrow."
"I start my mornings early on occasion," Nanoha added, "I apologise if it takes me a while to adjust to¡ rooming with others." A fleeting smile crossed her chiselled countenance, never reaching eyes framed by dark shadows. "In any case, welcome, and have a pleasant night." Not quite escaping the blonde''s silent and constant regard, Nanoha turned and made her way back down to the first level of the apartment.
Fate watched the executive head down the stairs. She should feel like an intruder, but there was a comfort in the seemingly sterile confines of the apartment. The colours and scents were soothing to her senses. Maybe because people she had grown used to were occupying the place with her. It was the scent that piqued her, though. Had she not smelled similar recently? Too drained to ponder further, the blonde left the mystery for later and thanked Ginga and Edel for bringing her luggages into her bedroom area.
It was time to try and pick up the pieces of a life forgotten but one she still wanted to live. Even a life she did not know was preferable to the one she had left behind in Midchilda. If only she knew how her boss fit into that life.
Chapter 43: Mere Thanks
"Do you have anything for the pain?" Rein eyed the pallor lingering under the Takamachi heir''s fading tan, deducing that the woman was fighting back some massive levels of discomfort.
Shuffling tiredly to her walk-in closet, Nanoha gave Rein a wry little twitch of her lips, "Nothing on an empty stomach." And getting something to eat was the absolute last thing on her mind. Even her voice took effort to project far enough to reach her bodyguard''s ears. "I''ll figure things out over the weekend." Kami-willing, she would sleep right through this nightmare and wake to find the blonde her best friend again. ''Heh, fat chance.''
One-handed, she began flipping through her hangers to pull out an oversized button down shirt, figuring it would be easiest for her to change into. Wordlessly following after the stubborn executive, Rein simply helped Nanoha out of her pullover and pants. Running a critical eye over the casts, she was glad to see the woman''s exertions and antics had not damaged any of them.
"Warn me the next time you want to shadowstep like that," Rein muttered, still miffed that the heir had slipped out of her grasp so easily. "Where''s the fun in that?" Nanoha gave her guard a small smirk, "Sorry, by the way. I know I''m not the easiest client to have."
"That''s an understatement," Rein snorted, gently removing the woman''s left arm from its sling. Slipping first one arm, then the other through the sleeves of the white cotton shirt, she smoothed the starched collar down and tugged lightly on them, pulling the auburn haired beauty''s lips close enough to brush her own against them. "I''ll take this as thanks," she whispered, savouring the soft lushness. Allowing the kiss, Nanoha noted how her body had no reaction to the guard''s closeness or warmth. It all felt so clinical, if pleasantly distracting. "We don''t have anyone watching," she whispered back, amused at the bodyguard''s bold liberty.
"Oh? My bad." Not sounding apologetic, Rein pulled back with a smile and helped the woman button her shirt up over the cast covering her torso. Right hand catching Rein''s in mid-buttoning, Nanoha eyed the guard seriously, "You know you don''t have to do this, right?"
Smile never departing from her lips, Rein patted the hand holding hers, "I know." She began securing the sling back around the woman''s neck, "It''s just two consenting adults having a spot of fun. Mind you, I still think you''re being a huge idiot," she teased, "But who am I to complain when I get to taste these?" She ran the pad of her thumb over the woman''s rosy pink lips. Piqued at being called an idiot, those lips parted and even white incisors caught her thumb, nipping on the digit stingingly.
Rein sucked in a sharp breath, surprised at the primal sensation that sped from her nipped thumb to settle low in her belly despite herself. "You''re far too tempting for anyone''s good," the silver haired woman murmured, swallowing when her captured digit felt an agile tongue swiping at it. "That''s for calling me an idiot," the saucy heir smirked, releasing Rein''s thumb from her teeth''s hold.
Chuckling, the bodyguard shook her head and moved to her own luggage to look for sleepwear for herself. Returning some time later from her shower, damp hair slicked back, Rein observed the tense form lying on the large bed, the arm not in a sling flung over her eyes. Even in a cast, Rein could see the woman''s breathing was uneven, the migraine refusing to grant the hurting executive surcease.
Carefully lifting the woman''s cast-encased arm, Rein leaned over, studying the deep lines of tension etched in Nanoha''s face, "The doctors would never have let you fly if they saw you now¡"
"Are you going to tattle on me?" Her alto resembled steel on a whetstone and Nanoha felt as rough as she sounded. Slate blue eyes peered up at the towel-clad woman hovering over her from under red-tinged bangs. The corners of Rein''s lips curled upwards, "Why would I," she said, cupping the Nanoha''s clammy cheek and leaning even closer. She kept her voice low to avoid waking the denizens resting a level above them, "When I can do this instead?" Once more she sought out the heir''s lips, covering their fullness with her own.
Nanoha struggled with her instinct urge to pull back, but the bodyguard felt warm and soft, pressing down only lightly while she held most of her weight on the arm propped to the side of the heir''s face. The ice encasing Nanoha refused to thaw, but maybe a moment of mindless activity would help her forget. With a sigh, she parted her lips in capitulation and the woman above her wasted no time deepening their kiss.
Running her tongue hotly across plump softness, Rein whispered, "Leave everything to me¡" Again, she tasted the sweetness of the heir''s lips, drawing the woman''s long tongue into the damp confines of her mouth to suck lightly on the pink appendage. Refusing to listen, because why would she? Nanoha encircled the woman''s bare waist with her arm, breaking the kiss to trail nibbling kisses across the woman''s angular jawline. The towel that had been wrapped about her bodyguard''s fit frame had disappeared and Rein arched over the executive, straddling one lean thigh to press her rapidly heating centre onto the large muscle found there. She bit her lip and stared down at the woman beneath her, darkened eyes revealing a certain determination to take the executive''s mind off of her pain.
Gasping quietly when sharp teeth found her earlobe to nibble on, Rein dug her fingers into the woman''s auburn tresses, groaning into another heated kiss when Nanoha tensed the leg beneath her. Spreading her legs wider, Rein dragged her slick core over the executive''s thigh. "You¡ You never listen, do you?" Rein panted, her hands tangling in silken locks to pull the executive''s mouth to her breasts.
"Wouldn''t be as fun," Nanoha murmured before enclosing one ruched nipple with her lips. Immediately pursing them, she drew hard on the diamond-tipped point, forcing Rein to choke back a cry. The woman was arching again, inviting further attentions to the chest thrust into Nanoha''s face while she ground down on the muscle between her legs, coating the executive''s thigh with the creamy evidence of her arousal.
How foolish to think she could tame the sleeping leopard, thought Rein in the depths of her pleasure-soaked mind. She could feel the brush of the executive''s fringe dragging across her front, and when teeth sank hard into her other nipple, her body bowed and shuddered, dampening her seat even further.
Nanoha held the shaking form with the one arm she did not have in a sling. "Come up here," she ordered into the panting woman''s ear, "I want to taste my reward." Swallowing a throat gone dry, Rein gulped down her breaths, struggling to recover and comply. Unsticking still-throbbing flesh from the woman''s leg, she carefully crawled up, twisting the executive''s long auburn hair up and to the side before planting her knees on either side of the woman''s face. She bit her lip at the glittering sapphires trailing a palpably felt look up her body.
Nanoha''s hooded gaze admired the tight lines of the bodyguard''s body as the woman drew up to loom high above the executive''s supine form. "Lower," she commanded, nostrils flaring at the scent of a clean and ready female. Chest heaving, Rein allowed herself to sink even lower, knees spread to the point where she was pressed completely to Nanoha''s mouth. The long tongue she had previously sucked on unerringly found its way to her entrance, forcing a choked breath past a throat desperately fighting to remain as quiet as possible.
Nanoha found her face coated in fresh cream as the woman shivered once more, the delightfully rough walls spasming around the tongue the Japanese woman had buried deep inside of her bodyguard.
"I perform better with an audience."
Her one free hand cupped Rein''s bottom right cheek, the blunt claws of her nails dragging pink lines across their pale roundness. Tongue slipping out momentarily while the woman recovered from yet another peak, she whispered into the achingly hard nub seated at the apex of the woman''s sex, "How sharp are your people''s hearing?" She asked the woman writhing over her face, every word spoken agitating the sensitive bundle of nerves over her lips, "I bet they can hear you panting like a bitch in heat¡" Sealing her lips around that little nub, Nanoha dragged the flat of her tongue over the imprisoned bit of flesh, slowly drawing circles after as her fingers clamped into her guard''s tight rear, further pressing the woman harder into her mouth.
Rein tore a hand from where her fingers had been pulling at the executive''s hair to clap it over her mouth, muffling the cries that threatened to escape her keening throat. Bucking hard onto the mouth that held her prisoner, she pulled painfully at the hair in her other hand. "Nngh! Mmmph! Hngghhh!" That tongue was inside of her again, scooping out more of her essence as she ground herself down, rocking on that beautiful face between her thighs, a face whose cheeks and chin were bathed in her gleaming juices. The idea of the other women in the apartment hearing Rein was a major turn on, the executive guessed.
Trembling at the precipice, hips working desperately to mash her aching sex onto the tongue fucking her so thoroughly, she felt lips peeling back to allow sharp incisors to scrape delicately across her throbbing nub and Rein was lost. Drenching the face under her, the silver haired woman bit hard into the fist stuffed in her mouth, trying but failing to hold back her moans of mind numbing ecstasy.
The devilish hand on her buttock continued to guide her shudders, the executive''s suckling lips and lapping tongue working to clean up as much cream as she could reach, further prolonging Rein''s peak until the woman slumped over the bed''s headboard, utterly drained.
That agile tongue was refusing to allow her rest and Rein felt her intimates twitching each time Nanoha found yet another spot to clean. ''God, I''m seeing spots¡'' Rein thought while she attempted to gather herself, still gulping huge mouthfuls of air. Gingerly peeling herself from that faintly smirking face, she wriggled back down Nanoha''s body, taking extreme care not to jostle any injured portions of her. Brushing back auburn bangs slightly damp from her own exertions, Rein was glad to see the executive looking better.
Nanoha felt the softly inviting touch trailing over her hip, Rein''s hand brushing over her thinly-clad mons to run a teasing nail down the crease she found. Reaching down to capture the hand wanting to reciprocate, she drew it up to press a kiss to the bodyguard''s fingers. "It''s fine," she assured Rein, reading the surprise in crimson eyes that were not the ones she yearned to see over her. Hiding the hollowness she felt inside, she dredged up a genuinely grateful smile for the woman, "Could you get the covers over me?"
Seeing that the woman truly did not require the favour returned, Rein dropped a kiss to the smooth skin of her forehead, "Let me get my weapons and I''ll tuck you in." Nodding, Nanoha threw her hand over her eyes once more, needing the sleeve of her shirt to soak up any tears leaking past her lids.
Morning had broken on Fate''s first, remembered morning in Singapore, and it was something she wished she could forget along with the rest of the over two years she had lost. Things she had overheard the night before coming from the lower level of the apartment made sleep an elusive thing, and she felt less rested than when she had going to bed.
She could tell her guards were already up, showered and dressed. They had kept the glass panels dimmed, likely having heard her tossing through the night. The smell of coffee permeated the air, telling Fate that someone amongst them shared a similar taste for the brew in the morning as she did.
The digital clock on her bedside table read a whopping five past ten in the morning, and the blonde felt as if she had not slept a wink. Though the women below had tried to be discreet, Fate could still make out the sounds of Rein being pleasured quite thoroughly once the lights were out. Torn between despair and arousal to imagine the woman her past self loved doing¡ similar things to Fate, the blonde had brought herself to a joyless release under the covers of her own blankets, eventually crying herself to sleep at some stupid hour in the morning.
Did the her of now love the executive? It was difficult to separate the intense emotions engendered by her memories, from what she felt now. She knew she had enjoyed what time she had spent visiting Nanoha in the hospital, the woman''s frightening injuries aside. Not to mention the consideration shown to her when she had arrived one morning to find a spare bed and a ridiculously pricey chair waiting for her in the ICU ward. That Nanoha had bothered still warmed her to her very toes. The excuse the cool executive had given being something about her spine and posture.
Was she just being misguided by the woman''s natural instinct to be attentive to someone who was spending time to visit her? Every so often, glimpses of the vibrant personality would slip through the Takamachi''s heir''s facade, captivating Fate with the depth of the woman''s warmth and thoughtfulness. No, even before remembering anything, Fate had felt drawn to the grievously damaged woman lying encased in tubes, wires and bandages. Her mind may have holes, but the hole in her heart knew only one thing that would fill it, and it was Nanoha-shaped.
But what then, were her choices? She worked directly under the woman in the chain of command, which surely meant that any fraternising was forbidden. The Takamachi heir clearly had issues being in the same room as her too, as shown by how quickly she disappeared once she was done saying whatever she needed to say.
It almost made Fate hate that Nanoha was recovered enough to move around on her own.
Finally, there was Rein Eins, the beautifully competent head of ESSS who had captured Nanoha''s attention. This was all working towards giving her another headache and rather than allowing the day to go to waste, Fate squared her jaw and forced herself out of bed. One thing at a time. She needed to unpack her belongings and get things cleaned so she could get back to work. Not that Miss Hayate had said she had to, but so she would not have to be in the apartment while Nanoha and Rein¡
She brushed impatiently at her eyes and got started on her morning ablutions.
Fate padded listlessly around the unfamiliar floor of her apartment, finding the remote control to partially undim the glass panels of the second level, revealing a sparkling seaside vista that stretched into the horizon. It was beautifully peaceful, a marked contrast to the emotions swirling around inside herself. Sighing, the blonde smiled a small but cordial greeting to the women gathered around the kitchen island, sipping their preferred morning brews respectively. Ginga was enjoying a mug of green tea while Edel sucked religiously at her freshly brewed coffee.
The shadows under Ginga''s eyes were probably a match for Fate''s own, the woman refusing to meet her eyes while she buried her nose in her mug and caught up on whatever she was reading on her phone''s screen. Edel was probably the only one amongst the three of them who had had a decent night''s rest, the strawberry blonde stiffening to attention when she caught sight of the princess approaching them.
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Fate still had her hair up in a towel, having taken a hot shower to try and wash away the grimy feeling of what she had heard, and done, the night before. Dressed in a Gudetama tee and plain black shorts, Edel thought the royal looked absolutely adorable in spite of the bags under her wine-shaded eyes. "G-Good morning Miss Fate. C-Coffee?" The new guard knew how sound carried in the apartment and kept her voice as soft as she could to avoid disturbing the inhabitants on the lower floor. ''Bet she heard what was going on last night, too. Ginga certainly did,'' Fate thought morosely.
"Morning," the royal murmured, refusing to add a ''good'' to the usual phrase. "Yes please, thank you." Recklessly adding unreasonable amounts of milk and sugar to the cup handed to her, Fate stuck her own nose into her drink. At last, verdant eyes slipped to the side, catching hers. That pained look told Fate all she needed to know, and somehow it felt comforting to be sharing the misery with her bodyguard.
Edel was wholly unaffected, if confused to learn her boss was sleeping with a client. Granted, the client was pretty though Edel''s tastes were for more contained in this icy princess who was grace personified in her eyes.
"We were going to order some take-out to be delivered," the younger guard whispered, flipping her phone to show Fate the food delivery app they were using, "Here, pick what you want."
"Any room in the order for us?" All three women turned to the new voice. Rein had somehow climbed the stairs to their level without any of them catching on. Not that the guards were surprised - there were reasons why the woman was good enough to start her own security firm. But it was the use of ''us'' and the woman being dressed in nothing but a crumpled, long-sleeved shirt that set Fate''s teeth on edge. Was it her imagination or did Rein have bite marks on her neck and ear?
Stammering an affirmative, Edel sought to control her volume when Rein lifted one finger up to shush her subordinate. ''Who died and made her Nanoha''s nurse?'' Fate thought crankily.
With that same finger, Rein scrolled through the menu selections, picking out something for herself and Nanoha. Fate had yet to make a choice and waited to get the cellphone back. She noticed the woman had ordered a hearty stew for the executive and could not fault the choice. Picking out a barely sufficient salad for herself, since her appetite had disappeared a week or more ago, Fate passed the device back to Edel and turned to get her hair dried.
"Ginga, please forward the address of this apartment to me. I have some orders to make," Fate tossed coolly over her shoulder as she departed and disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door after her. Soon, the noise of a hair-dryer could be heard.
Rein had remained, helping herself to some of the coffee upstairs. Verdant eyes scanned the silver haired bodyguard with some contempt. She could see the weapons strapped to the woman''s arms and legs, hardly concealed now. At least she seemed to still be taking her job seriously. But¡
"No coffee below?" Ginga asked the woman whose back was turned to her. Turning to lean back against the kitchen counter, Rein sipped calmly at her brew. Eyes some shades paler than the royal Ginga and Edel were in charge of guarding eyed the Japanese woman in mild amusement, "I didn''t want to risk waking Nanoha. She''s had a rough few days."
"Yea? And last night was meant to help?" The youngest of the three, Edel, gaped slightly at Ginga and tried to shush her. The Japanese woman was not having it, however, her narrowed eyes pinning Rein where she lounged. The woman had a languid air of relaxation about her, obviously enjoying the afterglow, and Ginga had caught a whiff of sex coming from her boss who had not bothered showering after her activities last night.
Rein took her time savouring another sip of her coffee, to do otherwise would be sacrilege towards her first and only cup of the day. Finally, she deigned to answer the quietly fuming Nakajima, "Yes." Ginga blinked, expecting the woman to obfuscate with some thinly-veiled excuse. The simple answer was stark and unadorned.
Ginga scoffed, "Surely you can''t believe that¡"
"When have I not?" Rein asked her subordinate, expression serious. Speechless, the lavender haired woman stared at her boss. The woman approached everything she did with meticulous care and deliberation, it was actually why Ginga had joined the agency in the first place. Rein had reminded her of Nanoha, albeit a less¡ wounded version of her.
The guilt for her past actions continued to eat at her, which made it difficult for the Nakajima woman to openly approach the executive. She had done her best to keep her jealousy in check, but to bed the woman so openly in the apartment with the rest of them present went way beyond any lines her boss had drawn. ''Hadn''t Rein threatened to send me packing if I couldn''t keep things professional?''
So was this just another facet of her work for Nanoha? What Ginga had assumed to be an unprofessional fling was unwillingly shaping up to be something more, if what she knew of the woman still held true. "It''s hurting Fate," she blurted, feeling protective of whom she had assumed would be her rival for Nanoha''s attentions.
The silver haired woman took another calm sip. "Fate isn''t the only one," Rein informed Ginga, refusing to elaborate further despite the curious glances from both of her employees. Lifting her mug in a silent toast, Rein made her way back down the stairs, "Edel, stay with Fate. Ginga, please watch Nanoha while I shower."
Unable to refuse her boss, Ginga nodded shortly and followed after Rein. Taking her cue from the Singaporean woman, she kept her movements as quiet as possible, realising why they had to when she came upon the executive resting in the shaded alcove of the first level. She wanted to be annoyed that Nanoha was dressed similarly to Rein, but her initial impulse was waylaid by the lines of tension etched in the woman''s face, even in her sleep.
Sitting on the side of the bed, Ginga leaned over to pull the covers over the executive''s shoulders. Her thick lashes were clumped and the Japanese guard wondered if she had been crying. What was Rein doing with her ex-lover that necessitated her boss crossing a line Ginga had never seen her cross before?
Fate tied up her hair into a high ponytail, utilising the pink scrunchie that had followed her from her first day in St. Luke''s until now. Fully undimming the second level''s glass panels, she allowed herself a small measure of happiness just to have sunlight streaming into her temporary abode.
"You live near the sea." A memory of a memory, and Fate shook her head at the irony of her life now. Did that mean she had visited the executive here before? She pondered upon the almost fearful look Nanoha had when she had asked what all else Fate could remember. "This is getting me nowhere fast," Fate grumbled to herself.
"I''m sorry, Miss Fate?" Edel poked her head into the walk-in closet, thinking Fate had called for her. The blonde gave the new guard a small smile and shook her head, "Just talking to myself." The guard lingered in the doorway, "Anything I can do for you, just let me know. I''m here to help."
The girl seemed so eager to assist, and Fate was reminded of Erio and Caro. Feeling every single one of her years, plus the almost three she had forgotten, the royal nodded and thanked the woman. She made a note to get in contact with the Midchildan couple later. Instead, she pulled out her phone and dialled a number at the top of her contact list.
"Fate! Oh my gods, are you okay?" The familiar sound of her friend was soothing. ''I should have called her earlier. I''ve been too distracted with Nanoha.''
"Hey, Alph. I''m all right." She hesitated, "You heard about what my mother did?"
"Er, some. TSAB''s CEO actually called me." Hedging her words, Alph coughed, "She didn''t know everything either, but said you''d been grabbed in Tokyo, and some stuff happened to your memory?" ''That''s it, keep it to questions, let her do the answering.''
Alph paced nervously around her apartment, she hated trying to hide things from her friend, but the CEO had been clear that any shocks to Fate''s psyche could have catastrophic consequences. She sucked at lying to her old Head Prefect, was her worry.
Pushing the luggage she had packed in her trashed apartment outside, Fate flipped over the clamshell and began sorting through the mess, "The last memory had when I woke up was our chat about booking our flights to Singapore together."
Alph was silent for a moment, mentally calculating the time, "Damn, Fate."
"Mmm, it''s been very surreal. I''m glad we''re still friends."
Voice softening, Alph made a sound of agreement, "Always. You''re back in Singapore?"
"Landed last night," Fate confirmed, "My place was a mess, again."
Alph cursed long and loud, "I''m sorry, Fate."
The blonde sorted her clothes in piles according to colour and whether they needed dry cleaning, "I don''t remember my apartment so¡ it was actually less upsetting than it could have been."
"...I guess there are silver linings. Where are you staying then?"
Fate''s hands stilled for a moment, "I¡ Well, I landed with my boss, and she saw what happened. Told me to pack and move in with her." Fate had been taken aback by the vitriolic swearing the executive had displayed when she had first run into the blonde''s apartment. One moment, she had been standing next to Fate in the lift lobby, the next, she was through the doorway and cursing up a storm. It was more emotion than she had ever seen her boss allow past her mask of stoicism. Well, aside from that time she thought she was speaking to someone else entirely. Someone she had called Tenshi, or Angel.
"...WHAT?! But Hayate said¡"
"Hmm? What did she say?"
Alph snapped her mouth closed. ''Shit!'' "Er, nothing, just that she consulted with a doctor about your memory loss."
Fate frowned, uncertain if she liked the thought of strangers talking about her condition. ''Face it, Fate, almost everyone is a stranger to you, right now.'' Lilting soprano resigned, she prodded her friend, "What did the doctor say?"
"J-Just that you got really bad headaches and can faint trying to remember stuff, so it was best that you stayed on a TSAB property that Miss Hayate was preparing for you as per your company insurance. For safety."
Alph could hear her friend''s heavy sigh, "Yes. That''s in the condominium my boss already lives in. I''ve been put on the second level." She slapped the cushioned floor she was sitting cross-legged on, "Everything here is padded. I could turn psychotic and still not be able to hurt myself," she joked.
"But then¡ that means Na¡ er, your boss is there, too?" Fate frowned, was Alph about to call her boss by her name?
"Well, yes, it would have been rude to evict her just because of my ''condition''." Alph could hear the formal way Fate referred to the executive. Hayate was right, she truly did not remember the woman at all. Recalling their interactions that afternoon when Alph was introduced to the woman, the scientist felt for the White Devil. It could not be easy to suddenly ''unexist'' in a friend''s life. She tried to imagine being forgotten by her oldest friend and found it difficult to even fathom how Nanoha must feel.
And still the woman had immediately told the person who had forgotten her, to just pack up and move into her apartment. Obviously for her safety, since Alph also remembered the secure compound the woman lived in. She knew there had been plans to move Fate somewhere safer, just not where that safer place was.
Alph''s silence felt out of place to Fate. The woman was usually far chattier. Had she forgotten so much that her friend''s newfound circumspection had also been forgotten? "You''re quiet," she commented.
"I was just trying to imagine what if you had forgotten I existed," Alph admitted honestly.
"I''m glad I haven''t. I don''t know anything about Testarossa Inc. in Singapore, though. Or how I ended up in TSAB." Alph could hear the helplessness in her princess'' voice and it took a lot of effort to not to spill what little she knew.
Instead, she gave a weak laugh, "Ah, well, you know me. I just stick with the nerdy side of things¡"
"So even you don''t know?"
Caught and unable to lie entirely to the person who had known her for over two decades, Alph prevaricated as best she could, "Um, well, the week TI was acquired by TSAB, that Takamachi woman came by the offices. I heard from Jane at the reception that you had a kind of stand-off with her." Crossing her fingers, she prayed Fate would not ask for more.
In the middle of folding some business slacks, Fate glanced over at her cellphone which she had set to speaker phone to free up her hands. "I did? I suppose I wouldn''t have been happy." She knew Nanoha could be intimidating. Gods, that chat she had with Ginga when she had thought Fate was asleep was an indelible memory in her mind, the air was fairly crackling with the intensity the prone woman had spoken with.
And Fate had faced the woman down when they had first met? She marvelled at her past self''s gumption.
Feeling the subject safe enough, Alph warmed to it, "I saw your face when you were showing her to the labs. You were pissed. I couldn''t hear what all you said, but she wasn''t budging an inch either."
The blonde lapped up all the information Alph was sharing. This was more than the close-lipped executive had revealed in the week of visits she had paid the woman. It seemed innocuous enough, and Fate wondered why she had to hear it from a third party and not Nanoha herself.
"I remember it was Friday, and we were all expecting to lose our jobs by Monday. I saw you after she, that is, the White Devil left." Fate stopped Alph there, "Who is this White Devil you keep talking about?"
"Oh, right, even then you weren''t familiar with her nickname. It''s what Takamachi is known as - TSAB''s White Devil. If she showed up at your company, expect everyone to be fired and the organisation picked apart for scraps."
So that was how it was. It sounded ruthless and unforgiving. Why had she felt it a good idea to apply for a job in the woman''s department?
Alph continued, "That''s how I ended up in TI, remember? Lost my job at my last place because of her. Anyway, I asked you what happened and you told me she''d given you forty-eight hours to find a way for everyone to keep their jobs. Then Monday came around and it was just you and Alicia who were gone, the rest of us were still on the TI payroll."
Fate pinched the bridge of her nose while she wrapped her head around the entire explanation Alph was sharing, "So sis and I were out of a job, and then I had a job again?"
"Pretty much." Alph''s confirmation only served to offer up another buffet of questions for the blonde to pick from. How had she heard about the position? Did she apply for it on her own, or¡
"Why did you fire yourself?" The scent of chamomile and peppermint invaded her senses, an impression of deep blue eyes searching hers, and the garment she had been holding up dropped from fingers gone numb as she crumpled to the ground beside her open luggage.
"Ugh¡ Alph¡" Groaning, she wrapped her aching head protectively in her arms.
"Fate? FATE!"
Hearing a voice yelling the princess'' name, Edel came rushing over from outside the closet, "Miss Fate?!"
Gasping through the sudden sharp pain, Fate took gulping breaths, blinking away tears. "I''m fine," she panted, "I just need a moment¡" She felt herself being lifted and moved to her bed. Edel was carrying her, and the woman''s arms felt unfamiliar. Wait? There were arms that were familiar?
It was too much. "Th-Thank you. My phone¡" Edel leapt to grab the blonde''s phone, hastily placing it into cold fingers that closed around the device by instinct. The hand accepting the phone shook.
"I see why the TSAB CEO did what she did¡" Alph''s sombre voice came through tinnily over the phone''s small speakers. ''And why Nanoha asked everyone not to bring up your friendship with her. Damn.''
The strawberry blonde shifted from foot to foot, worried at how pale the fair blonde looked, but the woman seemed to be functioning, if at a reduced capacity. A sound near the stairs drew the guard''s attention and she crouched down, an extendable baton in her hand. Blinking, she recognised it was the other client and slowly rose from her crouch.
"Miss Takamachi?" Alph''s ears perked. Nanoha was there?
Ginga arrived a split second after, huffing and glaring at the executive who had gone from slumber to fully awake and taking steps three at a time to reach the top. Ignoring all extraneous distractions, the Takamachi heir brushed past Edel to reach the blonde''s bedside in a few quick strides. Shadowed blue studied the distressed woman, her right hand slipping under Fate''s fringe to check on her temperature, then lower to feel the pulse under her jaw.
It took a moment for Fate to realise the hand touching her belonged to the Takamachi heir. The woman''s palm was crossed with her cast, the slightly roughened surface tickling as the touch moved from face to throat. "Fate-san?" Alto deep from the husk of recent sleep, the voice was laced with concern. Gooseflesh sprang up wherever she felt the woman''s touch and Fate''s scrambled mind fought against her body''s reaction.
"I said I was fine!" She yelled. Freezing, the hand immediately withdrew and the feeling of the woman hovering close by retreated. Eyes flying open, Fate caught a flash of hurt in the eyes that had been staring down at her before they looked away.
"Apologies," Nanoha muttered, stepping away from the bed. Body held stiffly, Nanoha addressed Ginga. "I am¡ also fine. Please remain with Fate-san." Turning quickly, the heir departed almost as swiftly as she had arrived.
Chapter 44: Pictures of You
Steps heavy, Nanoha made her way to her bathroom. There, she bumped into Rein who had just finished with her shower. "You''re up," the bodyguard greeted simply. "Need help?"
Glancing down at the slightly shorter woman, the executive just stared at her dumbly, not hearing what she had said. ''Of course she wouldn''t want you near. You fucked someone else last night, didn''t you? This is all part of the plan.'' Then why did it hurt so much to see her plan succeed?
Frowning at the lack of any answer, Rein carefully closed the distance between them. The Takamachi heir had the air of a wounded animal, one ready to bolt at the slightest provocation. Not touching the woman, she tilted her head, peering up into eyes of deadened slate blue, "Nanoha? Are you all right?"
Nudged out of her stupor, Nanoha jerked a nod, "Fine. Everyone''s fine." Brushing past the silver haired woman who was still in a towel, she stood in front of her mirror, staring at bloodshot eyes that held no answers. She needed to snap out of it or Fate would suspect something. Taking a deep breath, she began rebuilding walls the blonde had so easily torn through. Again.
She squared her shoulders, posture proudly erect, as the heir to Clan Takamachi should hold herself. Voice firm, she glanced at the perplexed guard, "I could use the help, Rein." Nodding, the woman shut the door behind them, shedding her towel to help wash the injured woman.
Growling, Fate punched at her pillow. She had not wanted to be short with the executive, and now the woman was gone before she could apologise. She was just so tired of being treated like spun glass. It was almost as bad as how her family tried to wrap her up in cotton wool her whole life. "Fucking damn it," she cursed, mainly at herself. She could tell the bodyguards were shocked at her language but she was past caring.
"Fate?" Head snapping to stare at her phone, Fate snatched it up.
"Oh my gods, sorry Alph. I¡ I had an episode, that''s all."
Alph had overheard Fate''s response to the Takamachi woman and even muffled, she could tell the woman had been worried for the blonde. The scientist pondered if the regression had taken three years of maturity from Fate or if it was just plain stress causing the shortness of temper.
"Fate," Alph picked her words carefully, "I think it''s good you''re there. Take your time to centre yourself. I''ll try to drop by tomorrow if the rest are okay with it."
Fate rubbed at her temple, eyes closed, "Sure. I''ll ask. Do you need the address?"
"Um, yes. Text it to me if I can come." ''Close, almost revealed I knew where Nanoha''s place was.''
Ending the call, Fate looked up at her hovering bodyguards, both women uncertain of the woman''s mood after witnessing her outburst, "I apologise. I truly am fine."
"Yea, we heard," Edel quipped, causing Ginga and Fate to wince. Ginga gave the strawberry blonde a look, "Kami, you''re all brawn and no brains."
Edel frowned, "Oi! What do you mean by that?"
Ginga smiled sweetly at the kid, "Means you''re very strong and have big muscles."
"Oh, well, thanks." The doorbell rang, "Lunch is here!" The woman clattered down the stairs, causing the two remaining women to wince again. Edel thanked the delivery boy, sending them off with a tip and a cheerful goodbye.
No one else seemed present on the lower level, thankfully, and Edel hopped back up the stairs, sniffing hungrily at the bag while doing so. Removing their orders, Ginga sent Edel back down with Rein''s and the other client''s orders.
Fate still had no appetite but knew she had to put something in her. It felt odd to feel out of place in the country she had moved to, just as she was getting comfortable staying in the Takamachi compound, too. Realising her thoughts were leaning towards being whiny, the blonde shook herself and gave the women a small smile, accepting her salad and the fork Edel had dug out for her.
"Itadakimasu~" Thank you for the food. Fate put her hands together over her meal then looked up to find Ginga smirking at her. "What?"
The lavender haired woman shrugged lightly and teased, "Just appreciating your accent. Soon you''ll be wearing a kimono all the time." Fate felt her face warm. Unwillingly, the image of her boss looking ridiculously good in her formal men''s kimono sprung to mind and a twinge of guilt tugged at her. She had to apologise to the woman when she could. If only the woman would stop blowing hot and cold all the time. One moment, it felt like she cared, another, like she could not care less.
''She did come all the way up here to check on you¡'' Her mind argued. Poking unenthusiastically at her salad, she ate mechanically, deciding she had to suck it up and apologise after lunch. Maybe she could ask about laundry, too.
Rein had discarded her towel since she was helping the executive wash her hair. She knew the woman was not fond of having her head touched, but it was at Nanoha''s own request so here she was. The bodyguard knew better than to take it personally. To someone trained as the heir had been, the head was a thing to be jealously protected in all circumstances.
The woman''s eyes were closed while she lay her head back to allow her auburn hair to fall back into the tub Rein was standing in. The chair she was sitting in was pushed up against the side of the bathtub, a simple solution and seemed to be something Nanoha had thought of long before now, since Rein recalled the chair being in the bathroom already the night before. Hmm.
"Do you want to talk about it?" The executive had been exceedingly quiet the whole time Rein had been wiping her down, only speaking in the most cursory manner when necessary and no more. This close, the bodyguard could see the woman''s jaw clenching. "Fate had another incident," Nanoha murmured, eyes remaining closed while she spoke, "I was nowhere close. I had hoped that if I avoided being around her¡"
"There''s no way to control this. You should be prepared that she will remember most, if not everything she had forgotten."
Nanoha''s eyes did crack open then, though all they did was stare unfocused up at the ceiling, "I''ll cross that bridge when I come to it."
Rein sighed, "Wouldn''t it just be better to sit her down and go through all your shared memories? If she''s blacking out even when you aren''t there, you may as well¡"
"No," Nanoha bit out forcefully, "What if it returned en masse and did something irreparable? If she remembers, let it happen naturally." Lush lips twisted, "Nothing good comes from forcing things. My wants should be the last thing to be considered in this instance."
"Is it? Or are you afraid of wanting and being disappointed?"
"I don''t recall Haya-chan hiring you to be my psychotherapist, Rein." The bodyguard could feel the leopard baring her fangs warningly at her. Refusing to back down, she tugged at the executive''s fringe before adding it to the hair already shampooed, "She hired me to protect you. And all I see is you constantly hurting yourself over her right now." Rein''s acrolectal accent grew sharp, and Nanoha could tell the woman was frustrated with her. No surprise, Nanoha was frustrated with herself, too.
"It will only be temporary," Nanoha muttered, refusing to open her eyes, "She''ll make new friends and move on."
Rein''s efficient washing progressed calmly, though the woman''s voice refused to let Nanoha off the hook, "Why does she have to move on, or make new friends? She has a perfectly good friend right here."
"A friend that let her get snatched off the streets, strapped to a table and injected with kami knows what!" Nanoha''s growl was filled with self-loathing at her failure. The leopard''s eyes were open now, boring angrily into Rein''s, the woman not liking having to go over her pathetic mistakes again.
"Nanoha, I say this with all sincerity. Shit happens. We can''t always be in control of everything. Not even the Takamachi heir who owned her destiny since she was a child. You aren''t a GOD."
"I knew," Nanoha cut in quietly, the anger in her eyes shifting to undistilled guilt.
Rein began rinsing the suds out of the woman''s hair, "Knew what?"
"I caught one of the queen''s flunkies tailing us in Singapore. I had my people look into him before Fate and I left for Japan. I deliberately had her come with me, thinking I''d have things under control in my home country." Her smile was pained, "Bloody fat lot of good that did." Rein could see the fist not in a sling clenching and relaxing rhythmically.
"...Shit, Nanoha. And you didn''t tell Fate?" The head in her hands shook mutely.
"You need to talk to her. No," Rein refused to let Nanoha escape, wet hands imprisoning the woman''s face while the bodyguard glared down at her, "She''s lived over a quarter of a century under her family''s thumb. This isn''t new to her, you saw how calm she was last night. Anyone else would have freaked, the fuck, OUT."
Rein sighed and closed the distance to kiss the stubborn woman lightly, "Look, I know it''s your thing to want to protect everyone and be responsible for everything. It''s really a part of your charm, all right? But Fate is not a child, she''s not going to fall to pieces at the first sign of trouble, she was, IS, the White Devil''s AVP, and killing it as far as I can tell. Why else would Miss Hayate be pulling out all the stops to ensure that she remains in TSAB?"
Nanoha''s mule-headed expression slowly turned contemplative. Rein knew the executive did not climb up to her position by being completely oblivious to the opinions and advice of those around her, and she hoped this was another instance where the woman would consider the viewpoint of an outsider. Deciding not to push, Rein began working in some conditioner into the lower half of the woman''s hair.
"First time I met her¡" A wistful smile tugged at Nanoha''s lips, "She was like a lioness snapping at the hyenas and vultures of TSAB threatening her pride." Rein was right. In her failure to protect the princess, she had forgotten that core of steel the beautiful blonde had.
"I don''t think she''s changed much from that," the silver haired woman said quietly while rinsing out the conditioner before applying the hair mask she had found with the rest of Nanoha''s hair products. The scent of cinnamon and vanilla filled the bathroom, the spicy combination a quintessential part of the executive.
"She hasn''t," Nanoha murmured, expression soft, remembering the woman kindly visiting a total stranger daily, just because other strangers had asked her to. She had given Kaa-chan and Nii-chan a bit of an earful for their meddling back then.
Satisfied that the executive seemed to be amending her stance with regards to Fate and her memories, Rein squeezed the water out of the woman''s long tresses, lightly towelling away most of the moisture. Her ear perked at the sound of the doorbell, "Lunch first?"
Nanoha nodded, "I''m due for my meds." Wrapping the large mass of hair up in the towel, Rein tucked the end over and under to hold everything up in the absorbent cloth. Stepping out of the wet tub with care, she was unsurprised to feel the executive finding her hand to hold and support, "You''re such a goddamned prince I can''t stand it sometimes." Rein muttered.
Smirking, Nanoha lifted the guard''s hand to her lips, brushing her lips across the back of it. "Try to keep it in your pants, though," the executive murmured, "We don''t want Fate getting the wrong idea, anymore." Warm azure trailed over her guard''s naked form, Nanoha continued, "For what it''s worth, you were a most pleasant distraction."
Rein returned the woman''s smirk, displaying no hint of body shyness, "I know." Curling a hand behind Nanoha''s neck, she leaned in for a final kiss, lips tugging lightly at the woman''s own. "Fate is one lucky, lucky woman," the bodyguard breathed, shivering slightly at the memory of last night.
That finally got a small chuckle from the moping executive, "Mmm, we''re just friends, if she''ll have me." Rein rolled her eyes, knowing that blind spot was something she could not fix.
"Your future partner won''t be doing too shabbily, you know," Nanoha felt obligated to point out.
That got a chuckle out of the Singaporean, "Heh, I travel too much, but I appreciate the compliment." Sharing smiles, the women exited the bathroom. Nanoha in her oversized white cotton shirt, and Rein back in a towel.
Only for them to bump into the blonde who had been looking for the executive to apologise to her. Fist raised to knock, the woman flushed to see both her boss and her bodyguard coming out together. Smile never leaving her lips, Rein nodded a greeting to the blonde and left to find a fresh uniform to change into.
Only just now noticing Fate in the Gudetama tee Nanoha had lent to the woman all those months ago, Nanoha felt a twinge remembering those heady days when she was first getting to know the woman.
Fate saw something in the woman''s eyes, but could not pin down what it signified. She tried not to stare at the lean length of legs the shirt left bare, wondering if Rein appreciated them as much as she did. ''FOCUS, FATE!'' She yelled at herself. Instead of being pointlessly jealous, she girded her loins and tilted her head towards the very slightly shorter woman, "Could we talk, please?" She asked the distant woman softly, wine-shaded eyes gently pleading.
Half-expecting the woman to turn her down after her shameful outburst, Fate was heartened when the executive nodded shortly after eyeing her for some moments, "I was about to get lunch for my meds, is it all right if I ate while we talked?"
"S-Sure."
"All right." Hesitating, Nanoha added, "I um, could use the help changing, if you don''t mind?"
Biting back a reflex to ask if Rein was busy, Fate nodded shakily. This was the first time the woman had outright asked for help since¡ Since St. Luke''s. Following the woman to her extensive walk-in closet, they passed by the silver haired bodyguard who was straightening her tie. The woman paid them no mind, departing towards the kitchen area as they walked by.
Warm LED lights overhead lit up automatically when Nanoha entered. "I just need some loose things to pull on," the executive said. The look she was giving Fate seemed as if she was expecting Fate to help find what she needed, and indeed, she was making no move to look for what she had mentioned. Well, with an arm in a sling and cast, and the other also in a cast, it had to be difficult for her to sort through all these hangers and racks.
Moving towards a stack of clothes that looked like folded tees, Fate was surprised to find cartoon character after cartoon character on each tee. Most were fitted, not the loose kind Nanoha was asking for. Digging further, Fate froze to find a tee with a design that matched the one she was wearing. ''What the¡'' Shaking her head, she dug further and pulled out a baggy tee with a sleeping Totoro cartoon character on it. "Would this work?" Fate asked, hiding her intense surprise at seeing all sorts of cartoon characters amongst the various tops the woman owned. She wondered if animated shows had ever come up as a topic of discussion with the executive.
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"That''s fine," the executive confirmed. It hurt to see the woman struggling one-handed with her buttons, so Fate stepped forward and with a questioning look that met no resistance, began unbuttoning the woman''s top. She willed herself not to blush as she pushed the open shirt off of the woman''s sinewy shoulders.
The body cast served to preserve most of the woman''s modesty, save for the white, seamless thong that hugged the woman''s sinfully lean hips. Swallowing, the blonde helped the woman into the baggy tee, struggling a little with the sling''s catch along the way. A little out of breath after triumphing over the damned sling, Fate stepped back and bit at her lower lip. How did the woman look so adorable and sexy at the same time?
The executive took a deep breath, the urge to nibble at that lip being bitten was becoming difficult to resist while she had the blonde in the relative privacy in her closet. "The uh, bottoms are over that side," Nanoha gestured at the other end of the wardrobe with her unslung arm.
"Right! Of course," Fate scolded herself for forgetting shorts existed. Almost jumping towards where Nanoha had pointed to, she sorted through different gauzy sarongs to find loose pants for the woman. Finding a khaki coloured pair with drawstrings, she held it up for Nanoha to see. At the woman''s nod, Fate brought the garment over and swallowed again to realise what she had to do.
Slowly kneeling, she held one pant leg open for her boss. She felt the woman''s fingers through the thin material of her shirt, Nanoha positioning her free hand on Fate''s shoulder for balance. Looking up, she found azure eyes staring down at her, and she shivered at the difference in their positions. A royal since birth, it still felt¡ fitting to be kneeling before the Takamachi heir.
Tightening her fingers a tad, the blonde''s position doing insane things to Nanoha''s insides, the heir cleared her throat. Now moving in silence, Nanoha placed one foot, then the next, into the pants laid before her. Sucking in a breath at the feel of the blonde''s fingers brushing up her legs, her jaw clenched against the touches on her hips.
"C-Could you lift the hem? I need to see¡" Still silent, Nanoha did as Fate requested, grabbing the edge of her tee to pull it up. Fate was being circumspect to avoid the wound in her waist. Keeping the pants low on the executive''s hips, the blonde tied the drawstrings securely, allowing a lot of give so that it would hang low and not pinch at the injury. Exhaling a relieved breath, Fate quickly stepped back. The mix of cinnamon and vanilla was giddying and it was becoming difficult to breathe. She had smelled that before.
Mistaking Fate''s retreat to be repulsion at the ugly, healing hole in her waist, Nanoha lowered her shirt to cover the unsightly thing, feeling a little stung. "Thank you," she murmured, eyes lowered. Back kept ramrod straight, she left to regroup with her bodyguard who had set the table for the both of them. Fate noted with some curiosity that Rein''s place-mat was on the opposite end of the long table, placing the woman mostly out of earshot.
Seeing slices of wholemeal bread and ox-tail stew set out for her with a large soup spoon, Nanoha nodded thanks to the woman already tucking into her own simple lunch of chicken on savoury rice. Rein offered the executive a faint smile of acknowledgement, returning her attention to her cellphone to scroll through her own work emails.
Pulling out the chair adjacent to hers at the head of the table, Nanoha waited for the blonde to seat herself, tucking it in as Fate lowered herself down. It was such a natural thing that Fate wondered if the woman even thought about it.
Picking up a slice of bread, Nanoha broke off a piece in a curious, one-handed move that seemed practised. "Have you had your lunch?" She asked quietly, not tucking in until Fate nodded. Scooping up some stew with her piece of bread, Nanoha popped it into her mouth. "You wanted to talk?" She prompted the still silent blonde. Her eyes remained on her food, the sight of the woman in the Gudetama tee she had loaned her right at the start was too much for her sensibilities right now.
Girding herself, Fate cleared her throat, "I wished to apologise for the tone I took earlier. That was rude of me."
Nanoha stirred at the rich, thick broth, "It was my fault. It wasn''t¡ my place to ask." Again, those eyes refused to look at the blonde, the woman''s expression stony. This was not making it easy for the blonde, but she was the one coming in peace after her shameful display to someone who had been nothing but solicitous to her since she had gained consciousness in that hospital in Japan.
"Nanoha." Soprano firm, Fate willed the woman to look at her. Jaw clenching, the executive met the blonde''s wine-shaded eyes, "Was this how we interacted, at work?"
Cornered by the woman''s direct question, those rich scarlet pools pinning her where she sat, Nanoha''s lips pursed momentarily, before she shook her head silently.
"Have I changed a lot without my memories?" Fate pressed.
Eyes closing, Nanoha shook her head again, "You''re the same," the woman admitted with a voice gone slightly rough.
"Then please tell me how we worked together. I''m dealing with half a deck here. It''s¡ really difficult for me." Voice falling to a whisper, it took a lot for the blonde to ask, and it showed. Nanoha could not look away from the achingly uncertain blonde, even if she tried.
Hurting for the woman set adrift through no fault of her own, Nanoha castigated herself again. She had to not allow herself to fall into that pitfall of seeing Fate as lesser, because of Nanoha''s own failures.
"It was," Bliss. Nanoha licked her lips, trying to find a word that was less laden with dynamite, "Easy. We got along well."
"So you didn''t hate me? Or¡ Or think I wanted to steal your job?"
"No, never." Fate closed her eyes in relief. When she opened them again, they shone with unshed tears, "Are you sure? You must know my family background¡"
"Fate-san is Fate-san," injecting with as much conviction in her voice as she could, the executive tried to assure the woman''s valid concerns. "It never crossed my mind. I saw someone brilliant and wanted you."
Fate''s eyes widened and Nanoha coughed lightly, "For TSAB," she clarified. Awkwardly, she made a token attempt to eat more of her meal, tasting nothing with how tense she was.
Hiding her disappointment, Fate hesitated, then firmed her jaw. She would get nowhere if she let her fears rule her actions. She had lost almost three years, she refused to lose more through inaction. "Then¡ when you said I would never overstay my welcome," she harked back to that time in the ICU, "Were you just being polite?"
Nanoha was seeing the consequences of her decisions unfurling like a sliced sailcloth, realising it was her hand that had held the dagger. The poor blonde was trying to navigate unknown waters using that sailcloth and it was entirely Nanoha''s fault that the sail she was using was faulty and full of holes. "Gods, no! I would never¡" Sighing, she dropped her bread and scrubbed wearily at her face, "I apologise. It was not my intention to make you think that. It''s just¡ we''re strangers, Fate-san¡"
"Perhaps you are to me¡ But do I have to be, to you?" Expression pained, Fate covered the hand that was in a sling, "I know it''s presumptuous of me, you''re only my boss, but I''d like to get to know you. To know how we interacted¡"
There was a momentary distraction when Rein finished her meal and left the table after clearing her dishes, but Nanoha knew what it really was - the bodyguard was reminding her that Fate could handle the truth, and giving Nanoha the privacy to do what needed to be done.
The executive still baulked at the thought and licked nervous lips. "It''s not presumptuous," she allowed, "You have the right to know¡ I''m just really bad at this."
The woman was having great difficulty meeting her eyes and Fate sensed that to push more now would only have her hitting a wall again. Sadly, she removed her hand from the woman''s, feeling it clenched tensely. Rising, she took a step back, moving out of the woman''s personal space, "I understand. Perhaps we can talk more another time." Refusing to let the person her past and present self loved see her cry, Fate turned quickly and hurriedly made her way back up to the second level.
Sighing, Nanoha thumped her head on the dining table once Fate was back upstairs, "Fuck. Me. Sideways." She muttered, hating herself more with each passing second.
"I''m guessing it didn''t work out too well." The familiar voice of her bodyguard could be heard over her shoulder. Turning a head still plastered to the dining table, she eyed the woman with no little ire, "No, really? How could you tell?" she asked, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"By how Fate looked like she was going to cry when she left?" Rein was only half joking and her client could distinctly feel the disapproval in the silver haired woman''s voice.
Another sigh, "I''m shit at this, okay?" Straightening up in her seat, she forced herself to finish her lunch.
"I never thought I''d ever say you were shit at anything, but yea, you really are." That got a loud snort from the injured woman. Of note was how she did not argue with the bodyguard''s plain assessment. Rein hooked Fate''s chair over with one foot, settling down next to the executive, "It gets easier the more you try, though. And I don''t think the Takamachi heir was built to be defeated by something like this."
Pausing in her unenthusiastic continuation of her meal, Nanoha glanced over at the woman, "You know, aside from you giving me grief, I''d like us to remain in touch once this is all over." Rein blinked at the woman''s out of context words, "Where did that come from?"
The corner of the Japanese woman''s mouth twitched upwards, "I need people to call me on my bullshit." That earned a chuckle out of the woman, "Sure. I think there''s a cute blonde who''d like to fill that role, too. You''re just too bullheaded to let her."
The brief moment of brevity evaporated like a drizzle in the tropical noon''s heat, "I need time," she admitted. Her mourning period was far from over and to jump right back into trying to befriend the blonde all over again felt tawdry and desperate.
Returning to her room after her abject failure to bridge the gap between the executive and herself, Fate threw her efforts into sorting out the remains of her forgotten life. Any distraction would help at this point. Ginga and Edel had gone down with her clothes to check with the executive about available laundry services, the blonde not feeling up to banging her head against the brick wall the Takamachi heir kept putting up around her.
Done with her luggage of clothes, Fate pulled out the vacuum bag she had kept the odd couple from last night in. Unsealing the bag to pull them out, she placed the folded towel and Cat Bus plush on her bed and eyed them with head tilted. Picking up the plush again, she studied it closely, seeing nothing out of the ordinary. This close, the scent clinging to it tickled at her nose again, and she brought it closer. Cinnamon and vanilla¡ Her crimson eyes narrowed.
Putting the plush aside, she grabbed the folded towel and sniffed it. No, it smelt like the usual rose and lilac toiletries Fate used. Still¡ Lifting it by the edges, she caused it to unfold and cast it over the flat surface of her bed like a fisherman casting a net.
It was just a plain white towel. Why would old Fate bother keeping it aside under the plush? She brushed her hand over the towel''s soft cotton bristles. But what was this? A faint glint caught her eye and reaching out, she drew forth a long strand of hair that had been tangled in the material.
Moving closer to the windows, Fate held the strand up to the sunlight. It gleamed rich auburn, scarlet highlights chasing up the strand as it twisted and turned in the breeze of the central air-conditioning circulating through the apartment and her eyes narrowed further. Knowing how her old self felt, she knew now, why the plush and towel combo had been given a place of honour on her bed.
It all felt so timid and one-sided, further confirming to Fate that her previous self had never confessed her feelings to the executive. Had she acted coldly to Nanoha to hide how she felt about the executive? Was that why the woman had such trouble speaking to Fate now? She was getting ahead of herself and shook her head. Both the TSAB CEO and her boss had decided this was the best place for her to remain in for the foreseeable future. "Whatever it takes," she whispered to herself, face set in a determined cast.
Folding the towel once more, she arranged it and the plush the way she recalled first seeing the items, giving up the corner of her bed the way old Fate had done. In a way, she felt a sort of kinship with this woman. How hard was it for her to work daily with someone she cared for in that way, and not having those feelings returned? Thoughts of last night intruded upon her once more, and Fate resolutely pushed them back. The executive and her bodyguard certainly did not act as if they were in love, or were lovers. ''Unless they''re as good as old Fate was at hiding it¡'' Her traitorous mind whispered.
No, she refused to concede defeat. Momoko-san had said to keep trying, and Fate was dead set on doing just that. Remembering the image in her phone, the blonde shot up and hurried over to the clam shell luggage she had brought back with her from Japan. Flinging it open, she dug out the hefty digital camera that her old self had apparently bought while there. The only reason she knew was because the executive had taken her to the VAT counter in Haneda Airport to get her refund before they had been whisked away by that government agent.
She had not used it since she had first found it amongst her belongings and was glad to see there was still some juice in its batteries. Fiddling around to find the power button, she jumped when the internal motors of the lenses made a whirring sound, indicating she had succeeded in switching the device on. Trying different buttons, she finally managed to access the camera''s memory card and peered curiously at the image of a black vehicle''s rear. There was nothing special about it, so she hit the back button, and gasped audibly at what came up next.
It was Nanoha, looking resplendent in a simple white tank, her hair braided into a thick rope that hung over one shoulder. The setting sun had cast her lean form in brilliant golds and reds and she was looking shyly down at her hand in the most recent picture. A half-finished parfait sat to the side of the image, taking up the small table that was between Nanoha and what Fate could only guess was her old self. She drank in the image of the woman sans all the casts and injuries, and found herself blinking back tears. The old Fate would be horrified to know how badly hurt Nanoha had been.
The digital viewfinder indicated this was the third image of four in the card. Nervously, she pressed the back button. It was still Nanoha, still seated across from Fate, with her head thrown back as she laughed heartily at something. Enchanting was the word that came to mind. The woman looked so much younger here, and Fate realised she had never seen Nanoha laugh since waking in St. Luke''s. She wondered what it would take for the woman to laugh like this again, and knew she wanted to be the one to make it happen.
Pressed the back button again, she bit her lip and fumbled around the buttons to find the zoom in feature. Again, it was Nanoha, this time with a breathtakingly lopsided smile. Her brilliantly deep azure eyes were warm and crinkled at the corners while she regarded the person behind the camera fondly. Fate held the camera''s screen up close, tracing the beautiful smile with her index finger. Were these the last moments her previous self had had with the woman?
Exploring the camera''s features almost feverishly, Fate ruthlessly dug through the camera''s software settings to pull out the images'' Exif, or Exchangeable image file, data. The date and timestamps stared back at her, and she felt her heart thundering in her chest. From what the police commissioner had told her, the pictures had been taken just before she had been grabbed by her mother''s people.
The person this vibrantly alive woman was smiling at, was gone, replaced by¡ whatever she was. Fate swallowed hard against the sudden lump in her throat. She thought understood now, what she had been seeing in the heir''s eyes - anguish and grief. The same anguish Nanoha had displayed in that moment of confusion, when she had held Fate''s face after her emergency surgery.
''Tenshi. My fault. I''m so sorry.''
Her head was beginning to throb again. Rubbing at her temple, she kept one hand wrapped around the lens attached to her camera and went in search of a cold glass of water. Leaving the camera on the kitchen island, she grabbed a glass and pressed it to the refrigerator''s dispenser to fill it with ice, and then water.
Ginga and Edel had returned, finding the blonde in the kitchen rubbing her head with one hand. Frowning, the lavender haired woman approached the blonde, "Did you have another episode?" Shaking her head, Fate gestured blindly at the camera on the island''s marble countertop while pressing the cold glass to the side of her face.
Ginga''s relief turned to puzzlement and she picked up the large, digital camera. It had gone into standby mode and a simple button press brought it back to life. A version of Nanoha that Ginga had not seen since she had broken up with the girl all those years before appeared on the LED screen. With a sinking heart, she flipped through the images the camera held. A picture was worth a thousand words, and these¡ these clearly showed the woman had opened up to¡
"Did you take these?" She asked the princess, who shrugged helplessly, "I think? I don''t remember."
Edel peered over Ginga''s shoulder, not really grasping what was going on. The other client certainly looked a lot better in these pictures than she did now. "Wow, she looks so different. She must''ve been really hurt after these were taken," the strawberry blonde remarked, surprised at the stricken look Fate sent her way after she had spoken. The look Ginga was giving her was not much better, and she snapped her mouth shut.
"Edel, go to the balcony and do a hundred push-ups," Ginga ordered, putting the camera down to shove the younger guard outside. Slamming the sliding glass shut, she flipped the lock, "I''ll let you in once you''re done," she said through the glass. Looking confused, Edel shrugged and began her push-ups. It appeared that this was not the first time she had been ordered to workout by her senior in the agency.
Turning on her heel, Ginga dismissed Edel from her mind. Instead, she walked back to where the silent blonde stood and slowly took the glass from her hand, lowering it down to carefully place it on the island, "Do you remember anything about these pictures?"
A mute shake of Fate''s head was Ginga''s answer and she sighed, whether in relief or disappointment was anyone''s guess, including hers.
"The timestamp says they were taken before¡" The woman''s usually melodic voice was hoarse and the words caught in a throat that was bobbing, "Before I was kidnapped." Ginga felt a twinge in her heart as a piece of the puzzle fell into place. If that smile was what Nanoha was giving Fate before shit hit the fan, then it made complete sense that the Takamachi heir would turn Tokyo inside out to get the woman back.
This blonde was no rival, because Ginga had never been a part of the contest in the first place. Exhaling softly, the Japanese bodyguard gave the blonde a thin-lipped smile, "You have a good eye," she complimented. Stepping away, she left the blonde alone to go count Edel''s pushups. If her crossed arms seemed like she was hugging herself, well, that was just a coincidence.
Fate stared at the camera, sitting squat on the marble, lens pointed at her in an almost accusing manner. ''It''s your fault the Nanoha in those pictures doesn''t exist. It''s your fault the person she was smiling at is gone. Why does she even want you in the apartment?'' It would have been so easy to fall into the old vicious cycle instilled into her by her mother''s words.
"You''re just a spare. Remember your place and don''t embarrass the family. I can discard you as easily as I made you."
But it was not her sister that this Nanoha had been smiling at, or laughing with, or looking bashfully away from. It was her. What was it Nanoha had just said? Fate-san is Fate-san? "I want her to smile like that again," voicing that desire out loud only cemented it for the blonde. Resolute, she downed her glass of water in a few gulps and smacked it back down on the counter. She had no time to mope or be gloomy. There was work to be done if she was going to find her way back to herself and the woman she knew every iteration of herself loved.
Chapter 45: Dropping Eaves
A silent alert from the AI system linked to her workstation went off, and Nanoha looked over the rim of her computer glasses to peer at the back door from whence the alert had originated from. It was Sunday and the executive had been ensconced in her home office catching up on work. She knew it was against Shamal''s orders but what the doctor did not know would not hurt her.
Morning had seen her waking with the sun and she was glad that at least some things had remained constant. Eventually, she figured her body clock would return to its pre-dawn waking time, the woman in no actual rush to push herself now that she was back home in Singapore. For now, she would content herself with the 7AM wake-up. That was still two whole hours'' more rest than she would normally get.
Resuming her morning walk with Rein trailing along to keep watch over her had felt good, and she did not realise how much she had missed the balmy mornings on the quiet island. Simply taking in the fresh sea breeze and peaceful environs buoyed her mood, and the lack of autumn''s cold meant her injuries ached a lot less. Small wonder that she had leapt at the opportunity Haya-chan had offered her when TSAB''s CEO was looking for someone she could trust to set up the company''s Asia-Pacific headquarters here.
Nanoha had changed into another oversized button down shirt after her shower, since she had just about one of every colour in her wardrobe. This time, it was a dark blue one that brought out the colour of her eyes, though she wondered why she was even bothering when she looked like roadkill that refused to stay dead. The shorts she had on were hidden under the length of the shirt that hung past her bottom, giving her the appearance of not having any on at all. Not that Nanoha cared. Guests or no, she was going to dress as comfortably as she was used to and with Rein''s help, her hair had been twisted up and out of her way as per her request with a giant palm-sized pink butterfly clip.
Wincing, Nanoha unfolded herself from her office chair, regretting picking a posture that had pinched at the wound in her waist. She made her way to the door leading to the garage. Rein had noticed Nanoha''s stiff movements and swiftly moved to shadow the woman. Quietly opening the door, Nanoha stepped out with Rein and closed the door behind them.
"Alph, thank you for visiting," Nanoha greeted the woman.
Fate had asked if the scientist could visit last evening and Nanoha thought it a good idea. The blonde needed to know she was not alone, even if Nanoha herself was still having trouble resolving what was between herself and the royal. They had come to an uneasy cohabiting arrangement for now, both women keeping to their own level of the apartment for the rest of yesterday.
Alph stared at her friend''s boss. The woman''s left forearm was in a cast and hanging in a sling, and the oddly stiff way she moved hinted at more injuries under the plus-sized shirt she was wearing. Even the arm not in a sling was in a matching cast, and the shadows under her eyes were deep and pronounced.
"Gods, Nanoha, are you okay? I heard you got hurt but¡" The scientist eyed the woman worriedly.
"Rumours of my demise were greatly exaggerated," Nanoha husked drily, quirking a tiny smile. Grateful for the woman''s concern but with more important things on her mind, she ducked her head, expression serious, "Hayate spoke to you?"
"She did," Alph confirmed, and the other woman exhaled in relief at her answer. "Good. I''m glad she managed to contact you," Nanoha began, alto sombre, "There have been multiple occasions of Fate-san collapsing where she stood. We''ve been lucky so far, but I don''t know how long that luck will hold." The vivid memory of the state Fate had been in when Nanoha had busted down that door still haunted the woman and Alph could see the deep disquiet that clung to the injured woman.
"I know," Alph''s expression was grim, "I was on the line yesterday when¡ she yelled at you." And Nanoha was using ''Fate-san'' to refer to the blonde.
Nanoha flinched slightly, eyes growing bleak, "Yes, well, that said, I know she''d hate it if we tried to roll her up in bubble wrap."
Alph snorted at that, "Damn straight. Her family did it. Not because those arseholes cared, mind you. They just didn''t want the spare to get damaged."
Nanoha nodded, unsurprised to have her suspicions confirmed, "Just be alert, in case another episode comes up. She has two bodyguards with her to help."
"But not you?" Alph asked bluntly, only to receive a self-deprecating twitch of the lips in return, "I''m more harm than good to her right now." Turning back to admit Alph and Rein into the apartment, Nanoha nodded towards the stairs nestled in the back of the sprawling interior, "She''ll be glad to see you. Stay as long as you like."
"Could you stop with the door opening? That''s my job." Alph slipped out of her sandals and headed towards the stairs Nanoha had indicated, leaving behind a bodyguard who sounded rather testy about the executive''s stubbornly independent streak.
"The closed-circuit TV showed that it was Alph, and who''s going to jump me from inside the condo?" Nanoha sounded amusedly dismissive of the silver haired woman''s concerns, but the woman was not one to take her difficult client''s nonsense lying down, "Ideally? Fate."
Alph desperately wanted to turn back to see if the executive was glaring at the bodyguard but she knew better than to risk getting caught by the prickly White Devil of TSAB.
"Not funny, Rein¡"
"You keep thinking I''m joking when I''m not."
Leaving the two bickering women behind, Alph climbed up the stairs to find her ex-Head Prefect going through a luggage''s worth of items. The woman had some shadows of her own, crimson eyes darkened with emotions the scientist could not quite read.
Two unfamiliar women were seated at the dining area and Alph surmised that these were the bodyguards that Nanoha had mentioned. Their suit and tie uniform matched that of the silver haired woman Nanoha had called Rein and the scientist decided she liked the sharp look on them, especially the lavender haired woman whose bust could barely be contained by the starched shirt she had on. Grinning, she lifted a finger to her lips, asking the women to be quiet.
Knocking on the polished wood of the stair''s railing, she greeted Fate, "Hey you."
Head shooting up at the familiar voice, the blonde broke into a smile and stood, gracefully closing the distance between them to pull her oldest friend into a rare hug, "Oh gods, it''s so good to see you."
Alph grinned and wrapped the woman up in a bear hug. The princess was not big on physical displays and it had to be a measure of her gladness that she would go all in with a full hug like this, "You''re a sight for sore eyes." Immediately, Fate stiffened and pulled back, "Come again?" She asked, her usually lilting voice a quiet whisper.
Confused, Alph blinked, "You''re a sight for sore eyes?" She repeated as asked. Fate''s eyes grew wide and her head drew back as she stared into some far off place, mouth dropping open slightly. It only lasted a few seconds, and then she was back in the present, "S-Sorry, I think I''ve heard that said to me before." She shook her head and smiled, tugging her friend in to sit her on the bed.
The scientist''s brain catalogued the woman''s behaviour for future reference, following Fate''s lead and bouncing onto the bed to cast an eye around the place, "This is a lot bigger than it looks from outside." The dearth of any hard surfaces was truly a wonder to behold. Hell, the scientist wagered she could bounce a bubble around the place and it would never pop.
Fate nodded, "I think it''s at least another thousand square feet larger than my apartment. It only took a home invasion by my family to get me an upgrade."
Alph studied her unusually sarcastic friend, along with her lack of any sort of outrage when her old place was mentioned, "If she wasn''t the queen, I''d sock her right in the kisser." It was an old threat that Fate was used to hearing, and the familiarity of it warmed her.
Fate gave her friend a grateful smile, "I''m glad you''re still in my corner."
"When am I not?" Alph scoffed, chin lifted loftily.
"Even if you cannot throw an axe to save your life."
"Hey, I only need to throw hands if I wanna punch your mum."
Fate gave a small laugh and resumed her unpacking, pulling out the little deer plush that was tucked into the corner of her luggage.
"Oh my gods, that''s from your favourite movie isn''t it? It''s so cute!"
Fate smoothed the plush''s soft coat, lips curling up at the corners, "Yes. I don''t remember getting it. My boss passed it to me after the hotel mixed up our belongings."
''Did she now?'' One russet eyebrow lifted. Studying the blonde who was dressed in a short-sleeved floral print dress with skirts that flared fetchingly, Alph traced one of the fading scars on Fate''s arms, "How are you feeling, princess?"
There were so many ways to answer that question that Fate just looked up at her friend for a long moment, her wine-shaded eyes full. "I''m so lost," she admitted starkly to her oldest confidante. "Physically, you can see I''m fine. I think they had been told not to hurt me that way. They had no such compunctions when it¡ when it came to others, though," the blonde''s face shifted into an expression of sympathetic pain.
Alph was used to the bitterness in her friend''s voice whenever the subject of her family came up, what surprised her was the blonde''s crumpling at the mention of this ''others''. It was clear she was thinking about the executive''s injuries, and the guilt that came with knowing it had been her family''s lackeys behind them all.
"Yea, she doesn''t look too hot. I''m surprised she''s up and walking."
Fate continued to pet the plush in her hands, deriving comfort from the feel of its fur. Eyes distant, she thought back to the ceremony she had been privileged to witness, and what Ginga had shared with her after. "She''s the strongest, most stubborn person I''ve ever met, Alph." Her mellifluous voice grew hushed, "She was shot four times. Four times. Two got past her body armour. There were hairline fractures where her armour stopped the other two bullets. I don''t know how her arms ended up in casts too, but¡" Eyes bright, she met her friend''s rightfully horrified gaze, "She said it was her fault I lost my memories and apologised to me."
Alph''s mouth silently worked for some moments, the scientist unable to form a coherent response to the insanity her friend had described to her. "Looks like the White Devil spared nothing to get you back," she finally said.
Tears tracked silently down the blonde''s face, splashing onto the hand petting the toy Yakul, and on the toy itself, "She said it was her duty." The blonde gave an uncomprehending shake of her head, "I''m just her subordinate in TSAB. It makes no sense."
Pulling the crying blonde into her arms, Alph hugged her, rocking and shushing the woman who had begun to sob quietly into her shoulder. Mind working a mile a minute, the scientist examined all the evidence presented to her thus far. With everything considered, there was only one conclusion she could make, and that was that the executive cared for the blonde, far over and beyond the woman''s position as her AVP of Operations.
But the woman had said she was more harm than good to Fate. From the message Nanoha had asked the TSAB CEO to share with Alph, it was obvious that Fate had no inkling of the relationship the two had shared prior to the woman''s memory loss, either. Alph stroked the blonde''s hair, eyes troubled.
Nanoha paced around the open area of the floor she occupied, working out kinks from her time spent at her desk. Every now and then, she threw worried looks up towards the second level of the apartment. The configuration of the stairs meant there was nothing she could see, and yet she continued.
Was that crying she could hear? Nibbling at her bottom lip, she rubbed absently at the ache in her right waist. "You know nothing will change if you simply sat to eavesdrop."
Tossing Rein an annoyed glance from under her fringe, Nanoha did not deign to answer. What if Fate had another episode? Was Alph strong enough to catch her if she fell? Were Ginga and Edel within sight of her?
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"Rein, remind your people to keep Fate in their line of sight at all times. I''m worried Alph isn''t strong enough¡"
"Already did, Nanoha. Come on and take a break, you haven''t had anything since that muesli bar five hours ago."
Nanoha did not feel at all hungry but sighed, knowing she had to put something in her before her next dose of medication. About to pivot towards the kitchen, she blinked when the doorbell rang, "Did your people order anything?"
"Yes, but it''s not due for another hour," Rein''s silvered brows drew together and she urged Nanoha to remain in the kitchen while she approached the door, her previously hidden knife tucked securely in her hand.
Eyeing the video screen, she saw a woman with a blonde bob and doctor''s coat outside. Recognising Signum Wolkenritter''s wife, Rein blinked and pulled open the door.
Smiling into cautious red eyes, Shamal tried to peer around the woman''s broad shoulders, "Doctor Shamal Wolkenritter," she said brightly to introduce herself. "Is that stubborn woman and her ''someone'' around?"
Hearing Shamal''s voice, Nanoha buried her face in her one usable hand, groaning softly. Certain Rein was directing a querying look in her general direction, she just nodded, face still in her hand.
Sidling around the bodyguard and giving the hand holding a wickedly gleaming knife a wide berth, the doctor shucked off her casual sneakers and wandered in past the back room into the condominium''s main floor proper. She showed evidence of being familiar with the place, which tracked since she had been consulted when the upper level was being prepared for Nanoha''s someone.
Her main concern was the woman hunched over the dining table, however. Seeing the normally fit executive in such a state gave Shamal pause though she hid it well, "Well now, you''ve certainly found yourself in a bit of a pickle, haven''t you?" Voice kept deliberately light, she approached her first patient, her traditional black doctor''s bag in tow.
"Shamal," Nanoha greeted shortly, azure gaze wary. "Oh I know that look." Cannily, Shamal turned to the silver haired woman who was hovering in the background, "Hi, Miss Eins right? Mind telling me if she''s been resting?"
Giving her client an unapologetic glance, Rein shook her head, "I doubt she gets more than four hours a night. She was working for hours before you got here. I was about to get her to have some mixed nuts and berries before lunch got here."
Nanoha glared daggers at Rein, which the guard blithely ignored. "Gods, you Japanese need to learn how to switch it off when you''re supposed to." The way Shamal said it had Nanoha suspecting Hayate was faring no better in Shamal''s opinion and felt a moment of guilt, but also gratefulness that she would not be facing the doctor''s ire alone.
"I can''t control when my body wakes, Shamal," Nanoha mustered her best defence by attempting her Puss-in-Boots look on the woman who refused to allow the executive to weasel out of properly caring for herself, "That''s what the medication is for, Nanoha," Shamal sighed, opening her bag to draw forth her stethoscope.
Nanoha glanced to the side, expression taking on that familiar mulish cast Shamal and now Rein knew all too well, "I can''t help if I''m knocked out with meds."
Shamal rolled her eyes, entirely unsurprised by the woman''s answer, "Hun, you hardly get enough sleep normally, and what your body has gone through¡ I can treat you, but that healing has to come from your own body¡"
"I rest as much as my body allows me to," Nanoha argued, "I woke after ten yesterday." She exhaled as much breath as her body cast allowed, "Anyway, it''s good to see you. How are the rest of the girls?"
Shamal smiled down at the executive, it was such a Nanoha thing to be asking after others while in such a state herself, "They''re fine. I banned them from visiting to give you and someone time to settle in."
Hooking a hand under Nanoha''s arm, Shamal helped the woman up, "Let''s go to your bedroom, I need a flat surface to give you a proper check-up."
Dragged along by the woman, Nanoha added, "I saw Hayate in the Operations folders. Tell her to let Granscenic handle that crap¡"
"As much as you''ve been letting him handle it?" Shamal asked archly. Nanoha gestured impatiently at her glasses, "I was just reading!"
"That still counts as working, Nanoha¡" Grumbling about worrywarts getting in her way all the time, the executive ungraciously hauled herself to her bed, refusing any help from anyone.
Fate''s sobbing tapered off at the sound of voices below. Had the doorbell rang? Sniffling, she gave Alph a watery smile, "S-Sorry, it''s been a time."
"Hey, you have every reason to," Alph dug out a clean tissue to dab at the woman''s blotchy face. Sandy lashes clumped from her tears and her little Yakul needed drying as well. Drying the abused little plush on her skirts, Fate checked the fuzz of the animal''s coat. It felt similar to the dampness she had found when her boss had handed the toy to her. She positioned it to lean against her Cat Bus plush and gave Alph a quick hug, "Let me go splash some water on my face."
Nodding to her friend, Alph helped sort through the clothes in the clam shell luggage, folding work clothes in one pile and more casual garments into another. Returning, her face looking a tad less puffy, Fate gave Alph a murmur of thanks. "I don''t remember most of these clothes," she remarked, and Alph humphed in amusement, "It''s no wonder. Linith-mama visited when they heard you were an AVP in TSAB, went out with you and bought up a whole lot of clothes. Something about not embarrassing the family."
Fate rolled her eyes, voice sarcastic, "Of course. I must have been glad it was Linith." Alph held up a satin blouse with a ruffled collar and sleeve ends, "Well, she has better taste than your mum, that''s for sure." Fate made a sound of agreement.
Voices from below carried up and the women found themselves inadvertently overhearing the conversation between the executive and someone she referred to as Shamal.
"When can I get these fucking casts off, Shamal?" They could hear the unhappy growl of the executive''s voice and Fate''s hands slowed, the woman''s attention shamelessly riveted to the voices trickling up from below.
"Nanoha, you just got them on last week, for the love of all the gods." Shamal pressed her stethoscope to the woman''s neck, eyes on her watch while she counted pulses, "I know you''re a fast healer but these injuries aren''t anything to sneeze at."
Nanoha blew out an annoyed breath. Having her movements restricted felt worse than just going without the casts and taking her chances. She knew she had a snowflake''s chance in hell convincing the doctor of this, however.
"How did you injure your arms, anyway? The bullets, I get." Pulling out a blood pressure cuff, Shamal detached the velcro fastenings with a loud noise, "Arm please." The sound of the hand-pump being worked could be heard.
Nanoha plucked idly at a loose thread that had escaped the hem of her blue shirt, "I engaged a hostile in hand-to-hand. She had solid metal guards and kicked fairly hard. I had to break her kneecap to make her stop."
"I''m surprised you gave them that much time¡" Shamal loosened the screw on the cuff. Air hissed loudly as it escaped, the doctor pressing its diaphragm to the inside of the Japanese woman''s elbow.
"Usually I wouldn''t, but her friend had a gun on me. It was awkward."
"You''re the only person I know who''d call having a gun pointed at them awkward."
Nanoha sighed, "I have other words but it isn''t for polite company. They delayed me getting to¡" Her voice turned into a darkly menacing growl, "I should have broken more bones."
"From a medical standpoint, your extraction mission was a success, Nanoha," Shamal felt obligated to point out quietly. Not ready to accept absolution from the doctor, but knowing the woman meant well, Nanoha submitted to the blonde doctor''s pokes and prods, putting aside her initial urge to snap at the woman.
"You know that''s not good enough for me, Shamal," she finally said, voice weighed down with every regret and hidden anguish she could not show the blonde upstairs.
"Nanoha¡" Recalling that the stairwell was not that far from them and how sound could travel in the enclosed apartment, Shamal sighed and shook her head. The executive looked like she could use a hug, but the doctor knew better than most that it would not be welcomed by the woman - Nanoha was notoriously guarded about her personal space. Already, the woman was twitching where she lay, forcing herself to not react to Shamal''s examination.
"We''ll get some x-rays done a week or so from now, all right? You''ll be out of them before Christmas." That was the most the doctor could concede to her stubborn patient, "But! You need to sleep more. It''s the best thing for your body right now."
Eyes shadowed, Nanoha refused to recall the bliss that spooning the blonde had once afforded her. Those were the only times she had found herself able to sleep in. ''Stop missing what you can''t have, you big baby,'' she silently told herself.
"...I''ll try," was the most Nanoha could promise the woman. "You always try and fail," Shamal complained, but it was an old sticking point between them with no solution in sight that did not include knocking the woman out with medication. Precisely the reason why Nanoha detested taking them.
"Let''s get your shirt off so I can take a look at these holes you picked up in Japan, hmm?"
Alph observed her friend throughout what they were able to hear drifting up from the first level of the condo. The icy princess, usually so skilled at schooling her expression, was like an open book when it came to the executive. The news about the woman not sleeping enough brought to Fate''s mind the unwelcome thought that Rein would be happy to help in that department. ''Gods, I am turning into a complete bitch,'' Fate thought to herself.
"You look like you just sucked on a lemon," Alph whispered into one reddening ear. Eyes dropping to be caught eavesdropping like some poorly brought up child, Fate found herself unable to meet her friend''s eyes, "I¡ We heard¡ She and her bodyguard, the other night¡" The blonde''s whisper was pained and the jealousy Alph could see in her expression was plain to someone who had known the woman as long as the scientist had.
"That''s¡ unexpected," she whispered back, shaken to have her hypothesis being challenged so soon. Fate shrugged unhappily, fiddling at the make-up bag that was the last thing she could see in the luggage she had used in Japan.
When the talk below shifted to how the executive''s arms had been hurt, Fate placed a trembling hand over her mouth. Why did she feel so close to tears whenever it came to her boss? Hostile? Extraction mission? The woman spoke using such unfamiliar lingo, and Fate instinctively knew this had more to do with the woman being the Takamachi heir than TSAB''s EVP of Operations.
What was curious was her doctor, this Shamal person, spoke with similar lingo, as if she knew about this other facet of the executive''s life. Extraction mission. What a sterile way to describe what the Takamachi heir had done to drag Fate out of her mother''s clutches. "Fate, would you mind if I shared what I know with Linith-mama?"
Both women knew Alph''s mother would never have condoned whatever had gone down in Japan, or in Fate''s apartment in Singapore. "M-Maybe check with Nanoha. I don''t care but she might." Alph nodded and helped move aside the now empty luggage to one side, "Do you want to store this or¡?"
"Leave it to the side, I''d like to wipe the inside before putting it away. Thanks, Alph." Nodding, the scientist easily carried the empty clam shell to set it by the side of Fate''s bed. Turning to ask what next, she spied the royal''s ears going red at the sound of cloth rustling below. Never in all her years of knowing Fate had she seen the woman going red so easily. This was going to get messy if the executive was actually dating her bodyguard. Information. The scientist needed it.
"OW! Are you trying to poke the hole back open?!" Fate jumped at the yell. It was impossible not to listen in when the volume was this loud.
Shamal tsked at the baby, "Please, you almost killed that poor excuse for a doctor with two holes in you. Do you expect me to believe that my checking of your reconstructive surgeon''s skills is too much for you to handle?" Shamal dismissed the Takamachi heir''s grumbled complaints with the ease of long familiarity.
"...How did you hear about that?" Nanoha jerked at another light touch on her shoulder. The skin felt overly sensitive, as if all the layers of epidermis had not quite rebuilt itself yet.
"We called your mum after we heard."
Eyes cast to the side to avoid looking at yet more ugliness imprinted into her body, Nanoha clenched her jaw, "I had more pressing things occupying my attention at the time."
"Well, occupy yourself with the same someone now, then."
Sometimes that tanuki''s humour rubbed off on her relatives in unwelcome ways and shards of flint looked up at the doctor hovering over her supine form. "That would be rude. We aren''t in that sort of relationship, Shamal. I''ll thank you for keeping that in mind," the auburn haired woman''s censorious tones warned the blonde Wolkenritter off of the topic.
There was something about the auburn haired woman. Her low alto carried more gravitas since she had been installed as the Takamachi heir, making an already compelling person even harder to take lightly. Shamal dipped her head, acceding to Nanoha''s implied warning, "I see your next surgery is coming up in two weeks. Do me a favour and try not to tear anything open again. Roll over, hun." Grunting, the executive complied with some effort.
"This looks strained. Were you using the arts?" Nanoha remained silent, eliciting a deep sigh from the doctor, "Do I need to ask Rein to tie you down?"
"Only if you want me to tear things open breaking out of the ties," Nanoha groused into her pillow, refusing to be threatened when it was not her fault she had to run into Fate''s apartment and then up the stairs when the blonde had had her most recent episode. "Look, Shamal, I''m trying my best. Do you think I enjoy being this incapacitated? There are just times when I have to get somewhere quickly. I won''t apologise for that."
The doctor sighed again, "If anything tears, you must contact me straight away."
"...All right, fine." The doctor''s concession was more than Nanoha was expecting, and she wondered if she had scared the Wolkenritters if Shamal was giving in this easily. Nanoha had lost the most important thing in her life, but she did not have a death wish. Her life was not her own to take lightly. That night was an anomaly for obvious reasons.
Patting the Takamachi heir on her uninjured shoulder to signal the end of her examination, Shamal helped Nanoha roll back onto her back. Supporting the woman back up to a seating position, she dressed the heir back in her shirt and sling. "Lunch and meds," she ordered Nanoha.
Sighing quietly in relief that the ordeal was over with, Nanoha awkwardly levered herself back up onto her feet, stubbornly refusing any help the doctor offered, "Thanks, Shamal."
Daring a momentary, one-armed hug, Shamal pressed a fond kiss to the executive''s cheek, "Anytime, love, you know they wouldn''t let me rest until I return with a favourable report about your health. Heal up, and I promise I won''t nag, much."
Nanoha smirked, accepting the show of affection with good grace, "Promises, promises," she drawled. Shooing the doctor off, Nanoha padded to the kitchen to get a handful of squirrel food while waiting for the food delivery to arrive.
Chapter 46: Stitching It Together
Climbing up the stairs with her doctor''s bag, Shamal rapped on the wooden railing, "Doctor Shamal, here to see Fate Testarossa? I''m taking over for Doctor Kobayashi of St. Luke''s."
Fate gave Alph an apologetic look, "Sorry, I did not know a doctor would visit today."
"It''s fine, I wanted to ah, get to know your boss a little." Standing, Alph eyed Edel who did not seem to be moving from her spot at the dining table. "You both are coming with me," the scientist declared, not liking the look in the strawberry blonde''s eyes whenever she stared at Fate.
Grabbing Edel by the ear, Ginga dragged the woman after her, the lavender haired woman moving to the top of the stairs to greet the blonde doctor, "Hi, Shamal."
"Oh, right. Um, hi, Ginga. Good to see you." Ginga could make an educated guess just what her reputation was like with the Wolkenritters and merely smiled faintly, nodding to the doctor, "She''s all yours. We''ll be below." And down she went, still pulling Edel with her, the younger woman quietly going ''ow ow ow''.
Smiling, Shamal crested the top of the stairs, "Apologies for the lack of warning, Miss Testarossa. I wanted to catch that stubborn git below before she could hide or run from me."
"I heard that," came Nanoha''s mildly accusing voice.
"You were meant to," Shamal called back down to the woman. Turning her smile back to the blonde, her eyebrows hiked up to see the woman swaying slightly and sitting heavily onto the side of her bed. Footsteps silent over the cushioned flooring, Shamal quickly pressed the diaphragm of her stethoscope to the royal''s back. Fate''s heartbeat was elevated, the woman stubbornly clutching at her bed covers in fisted hands. Her elbows were locked, possibly the only thing keeping her upright on the bed.
"Are you remembering something?" Shamal whispered, sitting behind the blonde and wrapping an arm around the woman for support. Blinking the tears out of her eyes, Fate nodded, gulping down big mouthfuls of air to catch her breath, "Sh-She''s said that to you before¡"
A sharp intake of air told Fate that she was correct. "Nanoha was right, these memories cost you." Fate wondered wildly what all else the executive had shared with the doctor about her.
"I¡ I don''t care about the cost," the blonde mumbled, "I just want to remember." Desperately grabbing the hand on the arm that was supporting her, she turned with effort to stare pleadingly into the doctor''s worried gaze. "How?"
Helplessly staring at the pleading woman, Shamal felt caught between a rock and a hard place. Above all, her vow to do no harm dictated her decisions, and she thought hard if this small revelation would hurt the woman. Fate could see the conflict in the doctor''s eyes and tightened her hold on the woman''s hand infinitesimally, just enough that the woman would feel how much she wanted, needed to know.
Exhaling slowly, Shamal stood and gently drew Fate up to sit at the head of the bed. Perplexed, Fate complied, leaning back against her headboard as directed by the doctor. Pulling the bedside lamp closer, Shamal shone the light brightly at the blonde''s middle, and taking her right arm, she slowly turned so that Fate''s elbow was illuminated. Peering curiously at what the doctor was shining a light to, the royal inhaled sharply, seeing a healed gash she had not even known was there. It was fairly long and showed evidence of having been stitched.
Her head shot up, eyes wide as she stared at the doctor. "That was the first and only time I met you," Shamal whispered. "You were hurt and she brought you in one Friday evening. Before you joined TSAB." Fate had no need to ask who this ''she'' was, the sober expression on the doctor''s face made it clear as day that she was talking about the executive below. "It seemed like you were strangers. I don''t know what the story was. Your ankle was badly sprained, too. She had to help you into my clinic and there was a fair amount of your blood on her blouse."
The sensation of being held up securely, a solid warmth against her side, invaded Fate''s senses, seated as she was on her bed, and she closed her eyes. That maddeningly tantalising scent of cinnamon and vanilla tickled her mind''s senses once more. She dug the heels of her palms into her eyes, rubbing impatiently before staring back up at the doctor, "Th-Thank you."
Giving the woman an encouraging smile, Shamal patted the woman''s hand, relieved to see the lack of a bad reaction from the blonde, "Come, let me check that pretty head of yours, yes?" Nodding, Fate submitted to the doctor''s competent administrations.
Lunch had been delivered in the time the doctor took to head up to begin her examination of the royal. The scent of sweet and sour pork, scallop and broccoli stir-fry, cereal fried prawns, hot plate egg tofu and vegetables, butter-roasted pork ribs and egg drop and spinach stew filled the apartment. The soft clink of plates and utensils could be heard, the bodyguards helping with setting the table while Nanoha paced out of everyone''s way.
"Alph," Nanoha greeted the woman in mid-pace, "We ordered enough for everyone. Help yourself." The executive herself was refusing to get a serving, much to her bodyguard''s annoyance. "I''ll wait for Fate-san and Shamal," she told the silver haired woman quietly, eyes constantly flickering to the stairs leading up to the second level.
"Thanks, Nanoha," Alph said warmly. Glancing at the bodyguards, she cleared her throat, "Could we talk for a bit?" She asked delicately. Unperturbed by the scientist''s request, Nanoha nodded and stepped out onto the large shaded porch looking out over the nearby ocean. The humid heat of noon slammed into both women despite the shade, something that could not be helped if they were to have a little privacy in the executive''s suddenly crowded living space.
Inviting the guest to have a seat, Nanoha awkwardly lowered herself stiffly into one of the chairs on the porch. Gaze shuttered, she watched the blonde''s friend, offering up nothing but silence for the woman to fill. The door leading out from the apartment opened to admit the silver haired bodyguard who drifted to the edge of the fenced area, the woman alertly scanning the area while her client had her chat out of hearing range.
"Can I hear from your perspective, about what happened?" The woman was straightforward and Nanoha appreciated that.
Considering for long moments, she let out a soft breath, "I don''t want anything getting back to Fate to upset her."
"How about I list what I know and you help fill in what''s missing?"
The scientist was being dogged in a frankly very tactful way, something the Japanese woman was thankful for. "All right," Nanoha cautiously agreed, "But I reserve the right to withhold sensitive information."
Nodding, Alph began, "The call I received from TSAB''s CEO was very sparse on details. Miss Yagami simply said that Fate had been kidnapped and had lost all memory of her time in Singapore. She added that at your request, I should act like Fate and you are just work associates and nothing more, because there''s a risk of extremely negative reactions to her regaining her lost memories."
Eyes reminiscent of the sparkling waters stretched out before them studied the various crafts dotting the horizon while she listened to Alph lay out what Hayate had shared with her. The TSAB CEO was as good as her word, and Nanoha sent a prayer of thanks up to the kami for blessing her with such a good friend.
"That is all correct." Expression pinched, she finally faced the ginger woman, "In the process of getting Fate back, there was a moment when she screamed from inside the room she was being held in." Nanoha''s eyes closed momentarily against the fist closing around her heart, squeezing hard at the recollection, "It was the sound of someone seeing another dying before their eyes. By¡ By the time I could get to her, she was staring, shell-shocked into space, it was as if there was nothing behind those eyes."
Refusing herself the luxury to wallow in her utter failure, Nanoha simply glanced down at her arms in casts. "When she¡ came back to herself, she couldn''t recognise me," the woman''s voice hitched, betraying the stabbing pain of the dagger still buried in her heart, the blade constantly being twisted slowly.
Alph watched the woman while she recounted what was clearly a very redacted version of what had happened. This was not the countenance of someone enjoying a new fling with her hot bodyguard, but that of one in deep mourning for a recent loss.
"What''s this about you and¡" The ginger''s eyes flickered over to where the guard was. She was out of earshot but it still felt wrong to bring it up so blatantly.
''So they did hear.'' "She''ll have less reason to seek out any memories we may have shared if it seems that I''m involved with someone else," Nanoha stated evenly. That it helped deflect Ginga''s intentions as well was just an added bonus.
''Seems?'' "...So you''re not¡?" Sighing, Nanoha levered herself back up to her feet, "Not that it''s anyone''s business, but no." Pausing, her eyes hardened to chips of flint, pinning Alph where she sat, "Fate-san need not know that." Not like it mattered, she and the guard had agreed to drop the little pantomime. Nanoha was not above milking preconceived notions for all it was worth, however.
Alph''s hand closed around the woman''s casted right arm, "Nanoha, everything seems geared towards wrapping her in that bubble wrap we agreed she wouldn''t appreciate."
Halted by the woman''s hand, Nanoha glanced down at the scientist who seemed genuinely concerned not just for her friend, but her as well, "I know." She ground her teeth slightly, fighting visibly with herself, "I¡ will be upfront with her, if Doctor Shamal thinks she is ready. I do not think it will help, but I made a promise."
"For what it''s worth, I think you were good for her."
Looking through the glass panels into the kitchen where Fate had arrived with Shamal to get lunch, the executive''s expression softened. "She was for me, too," the woman revealed in a startling moment of honesty with the scientist. "I just want her safe and living her life the way she wants. Far from anyone who would harm her."
Alph could tell that Nanoha had classified herself as someone harmful to the princess. Stymied, she did not know the Japanese woman well enough to muster a credible objection to that notion. Instead, she asked, "Can I share what I know with my mother, Linith? I know she would never have agreed to what was done to Fate." Remembering Fate''s warm opinion of the woman, Nanoha nodded.
"Come, lunch is getting cold." Nanoha offered the woman a tight smile and tried to open the door for her. This time, Rein was prepared and was there before her client. "I''m not made of glass, Rein."
The silver haired woman merely lowered her head, giving Nanoha a meaningful look to say, ''Neither is Fate.'' Nanoha rolled her eyes and made her way in, her pace kept carefully slow to not jostle the cast around her person.
Fate''s clean bill of health from Shamal, along with the little revelation the doctor had shared, had served to cheer the blonde perceptively. Seeing her friend and Nanoha out on the porch, Fate figured Alph was asking the woman permission to share what had occurred with Linith. Instead, she took a plate and began piling it with significant helpings of each dish, laid over a fragrant bed of jasmine rice.
At Nanoha''s arrival with Alph, Fate offered the plate she had prepared to the executive, who blinked in surprise. "D-Doctor Shamal said you had to eat more."
Nanoha slid a narrow-eyed look towards the doctor who feigned ignorance to what Fate was saying. Damned tanuki was infecting everyone.
Awkwardly accepting the heaping plate of food, Nanoha''s stomach growled in response to the delicious smells emanating from the plate. Cursing her traitorous tummy, the executive cleared her throat, cheeks warm, "I¡ appreciate it. Please, take more. We ordered extra." Happy that the woman was not rejecting the plate, looking adorably bashful in her oversized shirt, Fate''s eyes glowed a warm crimson and she nodded, moving to fill her own plate with what appeared to be typical local cuisine.
Seated around the table, the bodyguards took turns simply keeping watch of the various entry points into the condominium while one of them ate. The other women kept conversation to light topics about the oddity of having a tropical Christmas, and various attractions around town and on the resort island. Soon, lunch was over and the guests were gone, leaving Nanoha and Fate dangling around the first floor dining area.
"Let me help," Fate ventured, emboldened by the knowledge that apparently, Nanoha had helped her first. In the process of stacking the plates with one hand, the woman had not expected the offer. Rein continued to remain on guard while Ginga and Edel helped clear their side of the table. "Uh, sure. Thank you." The blonde was distracting in her slim cut, floral print dress and Nanoha tried not to look too hard at how appealingly the skirts flared and hugged the woman''s curvaceous figure in time with her movements.
Left to her own devices, she seemed at a loss as to what she should be doing, "Don''t you have medication to take?" The melodious voice broke Nanoha out of her reverie and she jerked a stiff nod, "Right, I do."
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Clumsily struggling with a bottle of pills, her cast not helping, Nanoha cursed under her breath when she used too much strength to force the child-safe top open. "Stupid, gods be damned thing¡" The clatter of pills over the kitchen countertop drew everyone''s attention, but it was Fate who was closest, the blonde carrying a stack of dishes to deposit into the nearby sink.
"Don''t touch them," she instinctively ordered the auburn haired woman who was just about to start picking the pills up to stuff them back into the bottle they had fallen out from. Washing her hands thoroughly, Fate dried them on a paper towel and began picking up the pills with her clean hands. "You don''t want to get them dirtier, Nanoha. What if you caught a bug?"
Flummoxed at Fate''s suddenly bossy turn, blue eyes just stared at the blonde going about as she pleased, and Nanoha simply did not have the wherewithal to stop her. Hell, even the bodyguards were keeping a wide berth, leaving the women to their own devices once the table was cleared and whatever trash that had to be taken out was.
Remembering the woman had directed a question at her, Nanoha gave an impression of shrugging without doing so, "Wouldn''t be the first time," she admitted.
Fate sighed, "These are supposed make you feel better, not worse. What else are you supposed to take?"
This Fate felt so much like the old Fate that Nanoha could only step away from the counter to gesture weakly to the other bottles that had been sitting behind her elbow. Studying the woman reading the labels on the bottles, the Japanese woman felt an unwilling sliver of hope that Shamal''s visit had brought the woman''s memories back. Completely improbable, but that yearning refused to listen to the logical side of her.
"How¡" She licked her lips nervously, "How was Doctor Shamal''s examination?"
Fate glanced at the nervous woman and felt her heart twinge, Nanoha seemed miles away from the woman in her camera''s images. Smiling instead, she held out the requisite pills palm up to the woman, her other hand offering Nanoha a glass of water to wash them down with.
Smiles meant Shamal''s diagnosis had been good, right? Accepting the pills, Nanoha threw all of them into her mouth, washing them down with a few gulps of water. Fate felt the woman''s eyes on her the entire time she was doing this, azure gaze heavy with questions. Grabbing her own doubts firmly by the reins, Fate lifted her arm to show Nanoha the healed gash on her elbow.
Reluctantly, Nanoha tore her eyes from that crimson regard to glance down at what the blonde was showing to her. Fate watched the woman''s eyes widen, and she knew that Nanoha understood. "I asked the doctor how I had met her," Fate said quietly.
Nanoha''s eyes darted around, feeling trapped by that steady, wine-red regard. She had to applaud Shamal''s cleverness. The doctor had skirted around Nanoha''s request while still giving Fate information she had requested for. In the moment she spent cursing the doctor, Fate had closed the distance between them, fairly locking Nanoha in against the kitchen counter. She felt the blonde''s skirts brushing against her bare legs, long arms braced against the counter''s edge on either side of her.
Head tilting in honest curiosity, Fate added, "She said it happened before I joined TSAB. So what was that about, Nanoha?" The blonde kept her voice low and calm. She did not want to spook the woman but refused to let Nanoha wiggle out of a perfectly reasonable question.
The initial urge to use the same excuse she had first given Fate back then died on her lips. The blonde deserved better than spurious excuses. "Uh¡ You were¡ were hurt by some joyriders. I happened to be there. I couldn''t j-just leave you." Heartened that the woman was actually giving her some information, Fate dared to push, "Because you were obligated? For duty?" She remembered the reasons the woman had given her in the early days, when Fate had asked why Nanoha had extracted Fate from her captors.
"I¡" Fate could see Nanoha swallowing, the woman clearly debating with herself about what to say, "I had to."
Fate felt her heart leap, but refused to claim victory just yet. "Had to?" Her lilting soprano rose in query, encouraging the executive to elaborate.
"We had¡ just met in Testarossa Inc''s offices. It didn''t go well. I think you were tired. I had upset you and¡ I felt like it was my fault you didn''t hear the speeding bikes that were approaching you."
Grasping at whatever the woman was willing to share, Fate took the proverbial bull by the horns and prayed. "So you helped me, feeling it was your fault?" A nod, the executive looking anywhere but at the suddenly assertive blonde. "Did I try to stop you?"
"N-No¡" Wondering what the blonde was getting at, those azure eyes settled back onto the royal currently keeping her prisoner in her own kitchen.
"Then I''m going to help you, because I think it''s my fault you''re hurt," Fate concluded with satisfaction.
The executive''s mouth dropped open, "I¡ You¡"
The blonde was too close, making it difficult to think or form a coherent argument, worse, she was smiling, and Nanoha''s heart was trying to hammer its way out of her chest.
"Yes, Nanoha. You helped me, so I get to help you." Nanoha needed to stop licking her Cupid''s bow lips, thought Fate. They were far too close and delectable looking.
"You¡ You don''t have to¡"
"On the contrary, I do. Just like you had to back then. Or will Clan Takamachi''s heir deny me the courtesy of returning an owed favour?" Puppy dog eyes assaulted Nanoha at close range and the executive was helpless to resist.
"Playing tit for tat?" Nanoha husked, and Fate could feel the woman capitulating inch by reluctant inch.
"I''m a very petty person, when it comes to favours I owe¡" The blonde confessed, suddenly wishing it was kisses she owed the executive. Those brilliantly blue eyes held hers, the Takamachi heir searching the blonde''s, and Fate stared back openly. It was not guilt, that much Nanoha could tell, nor was she lying. Everything the woman had just told her was the truth. This was not old Fate, but it was still quintessentially, Fate.
"I would be¡ remiss as heir to show such a lack in manners," the auburn haired woman ventured hesitantly.
''Yes, yes, YES!'' Fate yelled her triumph internally.
There was a curiously familiar glow in eyes shaded in the finest wines, and Nanoha was taken back to the time visiting Yuuno''s grave, when her soul felt whole and absolved of all her sins. What power did the blonde hold to give her such a feeling of warmth, of home, even while lacking her memories of them?
Stepping back a pace to free Nanoha from her temporary prison entirely of the blonde''s making, Fate feigned absolute calm and dipped her head, every inch the princess. "Thank you," she said graciously. She hoped to the gods that Nanoha could not hear the erratic tattoo of her heartbeat.
Rein eyed the two women standing around awkwardly in the kitchen and muttered under her breath about useless lesbians. Clearing her throat to get both of their attention, she gestured to her laptop, "Nanoha, I need to get some work done. Can I trust Fate to help with your hair?"
"Certainly!" Fate''s swift reply prevented Nanoha from responding. To contradict the woman now, right after putting her clan''s honour on the line, would have been rude beyond belief. Throwing her bodyguard a Look, Nanoha turned and gave Fate an uncertain twitch of her lips, "If it''s not too much trouble¡"
Fate knew it would take time for that uncertainty to go away, time she was willing to spend. ''Whatever it takes.'' Somehow, she could feel an echo of her previous self repeating those same words back to her. After what her family had pulled, Fate knew she owed them absolutely nothing. Her time was her own and she would willingly spend all of it on helping Nanoha now that she had the executive''s permission.
"Show me where''s your hairdryer?"
Over the weeks, Fate proved herself as good as her word, displaying an uncanny prescience in anticipating when her help was needed. The first day, Fate had spent most of it on the lower level to remain close enough to help. The risk of her memories sending her into a faint was something she was willing to take, and Nanoha had been proven unsuccessful at persuading the blonde to stay on the upper level.
Exasperated beyond belief, Nanoha had given the stubborn blonde a glare and called the TSAB CEO to request for similar padding to be installed in the lower level, something Hayate had been more than happy to help with. Now with both levels secured for the blonde''s safety, Nanoha could rest more easily during the times when the woman was aiding her below.
It was the most difficult thing for Fate to maintain professionally detached whilst helping the woman with her daily tasks. Somehow, she succeeded by sheer force of will and it was paying off in spades. Without the threat of messy emotions, the Takamachi heir was much more amenable to the blonde''s help, and with a sudden bolt of inspiration, Fate understood now why Nanoha had Rein helping her so much at the start. The woman had been deemed ''safe'', and since she was being paid a fee, the Japanese woman did not feel bad bothering her.
"When Na-chan feels she''s being a bother, she does whatever it takes to not be one." Miyuki''s explanation made so much sense to Fate now. It hardly explained why the two had been kissing and¡ other things, but neither seemed invested in continuing since Fate had stepped in with her own offer of help that the heir could not turn down.
The woman had even unbent enough to accept Fate''s company during her morning walks. The first time the blonde had shown up on the porch in shorts and tee, Nanoha had attempted to baulk. Rein''s bland explanation that she and the rest of the bodyguards would have an easier time guarding them if they were not worrying about Nanoha tripping or Fate fainting forced the executive''s hand. Fate quietly adding that she could use the daily exercise was just the nail in the coffin.
This was wrong. Nanoha could not, should not, enjoy the blonde''s quiet company this much. Yet, it was a hallmark of their early friendship that made the executive realise that words were not always necessary when it came to communicating with Fate. This still held true despite the woman''s memory loss, and Nanoha was helpless to reject the immense comfort Fate''s presence offered her.
It did not help that the burgeoning feelings she had for Fate before the incident stubbornly refused to subside, no matter how she tried to keep her distance. On top of that, it felt like a betrayal of old Fate for Nanoha to feel any attraction for this Fate. Still, here she was, and as easily able to control how she felt as it would have been to part the Red Sea. There was nothing the Takamachi heir could not perfect without practise, however, and she felt she had done a good job hiding her feelings for the blonde. A good thing, too, since the woman was clearly just fulfilling what she felt she owed Nanoha.
"She looks at you the way your Kaa-chan used to look at me." Nanoha snorted to herself. As if the princess would want to saddle herself with her beat-up self when the sweet blonde could have just about anyone she wanted. If only the thought of Fate moving on with her life after everything blew over did not put such a horrible taste in her mouth.
Ordering herself to focus and stop being distracted with thoughts of the blonde beauty, Nanoha gave Shamal a tight smile. Today was a banner day for the auburn haired woman. After weeks of chafing, itching and cursing, Shamal had finally deemed her healed enough for the casts to come off. In the interim, the woman had undergone yet another reconstructive surgery and the scars on her shoulder and waist were slowly healing and evening out to blend in more closely with her natural colouring.
Fate was upstairs going through the luggage Edel had stuffed with whatever she found in the kitchen, trying not to wince at the sound of the little electric hand saw being applied to Nanoha''s person below.
She pulled out a generic calendar showing tourist attractions around Singapore and gave Edel a curious glance. The strawberry blonde was hovering by to obey her boss'' instructions about always keeping the royal in sight. Not a difficult task, when the woman was looking extra adorable in her oversized baseball jersey with hook buttons, shorts and knee-high sports socks.
"It h-had extra stuff behind so I th-thought it might be important," Edel stammered, trying not to stare at the porcelain skin not covered by shorts or socks. "I see. Thank you, Edel." Fate smiled and the younger bodyguard flushed, "S-Sure, Ma''am, happy to help." Bowing formally even though Fate had repeatedly informed the young woman it was not necessary, Edel distanced herself to afford what privacy she could give the woman. Ginga was currently out doing a grocery run for both women.
Attention on the calendar, Fate frowned slightly, looking for this extra stuff Edel mentioned. Flipping through the months, she blinked, finding a second calendar stapled to the back of the first. This one was full of nature pictures featuring leopards, and large red circles drawn around every Saturday stretching back a few months. There were days other than Saturday that had been circled, and as far as she could tell, they had only begun after she had begun working in TSAB.
Curious, she flipped through the pages wondering if there was more to tell her what this was all about, and something fluttered out from between the pages of November and December. Frowning, Fate chased after the slip of paper that had slid its way across the floor and under the bedside table. Reaching for it with one long arm, she sat herself down onto her bed to get a better look at it under the reading lamp.
What she found had her gasping loudly, hand too slow to cover her mouth, though it did so now. Edel glanced over, "Miss Fate?"
Shaking her head, she waved Edel''s concern off and angled herself to face the bed''s headboard to hide her face from casual eyes. Lips trembling, she drank in the garishly pink strip of stickers. Five forgotten images of herself and Nanoha, over an obviously fake backdrop of a beach and coconut trees. The smiling woman was in a casual dark grey tee, her bottom hidden because she had her arms wrapped around Fate who had been dressed in an off-shoulder floral print dress.
She wondered how the woman had persuaded the old Fate to take a picture with her, since the blonde normally detested being in pictures at all. Then one of the pictures told her how. Nanoha''s hand was on her chin, the two of them looking into each other''s eyes, herself smiling shyly. Right away, she knew the old Fate would never have been able to resist anything the Japanese woman asked for. She studied the auburn haired beauty''s smile. Was it her imagination or did the woman seem to be regarding her old self with more than a cordial warmth?
Regardless, this was tangible proof they had been friends at the very least. Why then, was the woman being so formal now? Had she hurt the woman in some way, to the point where she was just being tolerated because she had forgotten how their friendship had died? And then it came to her. It HAD died. With the old Fate. The woman was struggling now because she did not know how to approach or be with a Fate who did not remember a thing about them, and she felt hot tears tracking down her cheeks.
"Smile at the camera!" Closing her eyes, more tears escaped the prison of her lashes to drip onto her thighs, the flashes of the photo-booth''s camera blinding her in the memory that had come roaring up to engulf her. Flashes of them in her now-trashed apartment, the executive in a red and black flannel shirt, her hands on Fate''s bare back, working out the hurts and aches there. Another flash, and the sight of the woman sprawled in all of her earth goddess glory over the couch in the living room. The same woman curled up in her arms, shuddering and weeping, and the final flash had Nanoha laying over her own prone form, Fate''s wrist pinned easily under one calloused hand while azure eyes shimmering with wicked humour shone down at her.
Fate shivered as she tried to process the flood of information, clutching a pillow hard to herself while taking care not to damage her precious find. Studying the pictures more closely, she could see kitty ears being drawn on the Takamachi heir, herself sporting doggie ears. The style of the ears on her matched that of the TSAB organisational chart Nanoha had made for her, and she knew the woman had been behind those scribbles. That meant she was the one who put the cat ears on Nanoha''s image. Was that why the second calendar was all about leopards?
Chapter 47: All Wrapped Up
"All done!" Shamal''s cheery voice travelled up from the first floor and Fate hastily dashed away the tears tracking down her face. Tucking the strip of stickers back into the back pages of her calendar, she quickly went to wash away any traces of crying and made her way down.
The doctor had checked up on Fate before heading back to the first level to work on removing Nanoha''s casts. Currently, Shamal was using the showerhead in the lower level''s bathtub to rinse away the resulting dust and residue around the tub and floor area caused by the electric saw. Poking her head in, Fate had her mouth open to ask if any help was needed. The sight greeting her had the blonde squeaking and doing an about-turn, her ears burning red, "I-I am SO sorry!"
Seated on a chair in the tub was the executive, covered in nothing more than leftover bandages and her underwear. Plaster dust caked her from head to toe and she was blinking eyes blurry from dust that had gotten into them. Shamal hid her grin at the blonde''s reaction. "Good timing, Fate," she whispered cheekily, "I was just heading off. I''ll leave her in your capable hands." Discarding the sliced up casts into the trash bag she had brought in with her, she patted Nanoha on one dusty shoulder and made her escape, leaving the red-faced royal and blinded executive to their own devices.
"Gods dammit, Shamal, at least get me a fucking towel¡" A dampened towel was silently placed into her blindly seeking hands and Nanoha mumbled her thanks, wiping away the dust with relief. Gods, just the freedom of movement felt so good. Looking up at her benefactor, she blinked to see Fate and not the expected doctor standing by the tub. The woman was holding the towel out for her, crimson eyes carefully averted.
Hurt, Nanoha glanced down at her scars, voice small, "Do I really look that bad?"
Eyes widening, Fate yelped, "N-No! I just thought¡" Biting her bottom lip, she turned back to study the woman, willing herself to fully drink in what was revealed lest the executive assumed she had an aversion to her body. The weeks Nanoha had spent in casts had stolen some of the Takamachi heir''s muscle mass, leaving a pared down body that while weakened, did not detract from a lifetime of fitness training. True, she could afford to put more weight on her bones, but to Fate, she had never looked more desirable. Even the dust coating her legs and shoulders seemed to want to accentuate all the dips and curves the blonde could see, and her hands twitched, itching to explore every inch that was revealed.
Nanoha watched as the blonde ran her eyes over her scarred form and she felt her back stiffen, refusing to shrink away from the woman''s sight. She was the Takamachi clan heir by the kami, and damned if she would be ashamed of honourably earned injuries. Catching Nanoha''s eyes, warm pools of the finest Bordeaux met her proudly defiant gaze without guile, "You look very nice, Nanoha. I think you have the nicest body I have ever seen." Head tilting slightly, Fate quirked a tiny smile, "Not the cleanest, though."
The blonde''s unexpected words pushed her off-kilter and Nanoha felt herself growing a little warm. Refusing to get her hopes up, she sighed when the woman mentioned her state of cleanliness, or lack thereof, "Yea, I could use a thorough wash."
Unsteadily getting to her feet, she made her way to the scrubbing area, Fate quickly moving to help support one arm. Feeling miles lighter without her casts, it took Nanoha some time to adjust her balance moving without them and she was grateful for the blonde''s help.
"Want help with your back and hair?" Familiar with the japanese style of wash after time spent living in the Takamachi clan compound, Fate made a quick guess about what all Nanoha would need help with.
Glancing at Fate from over her shoulder, Nanoha finally got a good look at the blonde''s mode of dress and she swallowed. The short-sleeved jersey had its top button undone, showing a generous amount of cleavage, and the knee-high socks under the bottom edge of the woman''s top only added to Fate''s ridiculously sexy and cute aura. "I don''t want to get your clothes wet¡"
Shrugging, Fate sought out the normal height stool that had been in the bathtub, positioning it comfortably for the executive to sit on. The woman may have been out of her casts, but that did not mean she was up to performing feats of gymnastics immediately, so Fate felt completely justified in offering her help. "I''ll take them off so they don''t. You can do my back and hair in return? I was going to get my morning shower, too."
"Uh, oh, sure, I suppose." Stiffly shucking out of her underwear, Nanoha dropped it into the laundry basket. Refusing to look behind her, she could hear the rustle of cloth over skin, informing her the blonde was becoming similarly naked. Wishing she dared use the cold setting on her shower without giving herself away, she sat herself on the stool and ran the water. The bandages still wrapped around her torso stuck wetly to her and she cursed. She had been so distracted she had forgotten about them.
Struggling with the bandage clips that had to be awkwardly placed along her back, Nanoha felt soft hands nudge hers away. The sound of the hooks being undone were unaccountably loud even with the water running and Fate licked her lips as she slowly began unwrapping the Japanese woman''s chest.
The strongly beautiful lines of her back came into view, Nanoha''s skin still holding the fabric''s square pattern after being wrapped in it for so long. Fate wondered if this was how artists were inspired, seeing something that they had to create a permanent record of. Unconsciously, she trailed a nail down the length of the executive''s spine, eliciting a low gasp from the woman seated on front of her.
"Sorry, I was checking the imprints in case they had blistered and needed some cream. Does it hurt? I won''t scrub as hard then."
Nanoha was certainly feeling an ache but not of the sort that Fate was asking about. The woman''s arms had to reach around to help unwind the bandages and the warmth and brushes against her back were enough to have her seat feeling slippery. She had not even begun soaping herself down. ''Gods¡''
"No¡" Nanoha knew her voice had dropped a full register and there was nothing she could do about it, the blonde''s naked closeness was testing the limits of her vaunted self-control and it was all she could do not to turn around and kiss the woman senseless. "Scrub h-hard. I wish to feel clean again," she husked and ducked her head under the stinging spray of hot water, wishing she could wash away this hopeless love she had for the sweet-natured woman behind her as easily as she could the dust coating her body.
Dropping the bandages and clips to the side, Fate glanced around the unfamiliar bathroom to find dispensers for soap, shampoo and conditioner installed into the wall they were facing. Reaching one long arm past the woman dousing her head in the shower and incidentally getting splashed herself, Fate froze at the sound of Nanoha''s voice. That deep burr, so warm and dark, curled low in her stomach, setting off a chain reaction that tightened the tips of her breasts to painful nubs. ''Gods¡''
The woman was not even looking at her and already she could feel her knees turning to jelly. Sternly ordering her libido back into horny jail, Fate kick-started her brain back into some semblance of working order and got to work washing Nanoha''s hair. "W-We''re both due for a haircut," Fate murmured throatily, desperately grasping for something innocuous to distract herself with. The heavy sheet of auburn hair clung to her bare front while she massaged the Takamachi heir''s scalp and she wished she could feel that hair draped over her entire body.
Scrubbing herself until her skin glowed red, Nanoha swallowed against a throat gone dry. She could feel her wet hair dragging and clinging to the form behind her and her seat grew more slippery with each passing second of this glorious torture. "I''m a fair hand with the scissors, I um, could help you now that my casts are off."
Fate nodded, then realised Nanoha could not see her, "Sure. I used to do it for my sis and Alph too, if you do not mind my clumsiness."
The smile in Nanoha''s voice was evident and she chuckled lowly, the sound of it sending butterflies to flutter through Fate''s every extremity, "Couldn''t be any worse than the tragedy that is my hair right now. And I''d get to brag that my princess cut my hair." Fate normally hated being associated with her official title. Somehow, when used by the executive, the word sounded more like an endearment than because she happened to be a Midchildan royal. The curious way the Japanese woman rolled her ''Rs'' certainly played a part in that perception.
"Your princess?" Fate couldn''t help asking, very much liking the ''my'' that the woman had added to the word.
"You''re the only one in my life, aren''t you?" Fate could imagine one finely arched brow being raised as Nanoha asked the question.
"I''d certainly hope so," she whispered, unable to keep the silly smile off of her face. Nanoha merely nodded, glad that the blonde agreed.
Thinking back to the sticker prints she had found prior to coming down, Fate considered how to go about asking the executive about them. Emulsifying more shampoo between her hands, she worked the lather into the latter half of Nanoha''s hair. "When¡ do you think we''ll be allowed back to work?" She asked instead, finding herself fearful of what answer, or reaction, she would get if she asked about the stickers.
An air of contemplation settled over Nanoha whilst she considered the blonde''s question, absently rinsing out her scrub sponge, "Shamal wants me taking it easy but she didn''t say anything about staying home to do so." She glanced back over her shoulder at Fate, studiously keeping her eyes at neck height and up, "Honestly, my greatest worry is if you were to¡" She nibbled at her bottom lip, trying to find the right word.
"Faint? Black out? Keel over?" Fate''s flippant choice of words troubled the executive, and a familiar line appeared between her brows that the blonde could see. Rinsing her hand under the shower''s spray, she tapped at that line with her index finger to soothe it away, "This is my reality, Nanoha. I''ll have Ginga and Edel with me, won''t I? I can''t be cocooned in here forever."
Once again, Nanoha found her usual aversion to having anyone''s hand near her face evaporating around Fate. She bore the touch with almost sanguine humour. She had lost the energy to fight with her own instincts, or lack thereof, around Fate over the past weeks. The blonde was right, but Nanoha did not have to like it. Still, she felt bad to have Fate acting as an extension of her hands and legs and now that she was out of the thrice-damned casts, there really was no acceptable excuse to tie the woman down. ''Other than my own fears, that is.'' Fears that only served to diminish the more than capable angel, which was something Fate did not at all deserve.
Turning back to run the sponge down her legs, Nanoha gave Fate a reluctant nod, "I''ll check with Dr. Shamal and Haya-chan. Your apartment should be fixed up by now, too."
"I already have a place," Fate objected softly. The woman''s hair whipped out of Fate''s hands as Nanoha turned around, casting a startled glance back up towards the blonde.
"D-Don''t you want your to be back in own apartment?" She asked, blue eyes wide.
"I don''t know that place. Not anymore," the blonde explained, quietly detaching the showerhead to begin rinsing the woman''s hair. "I''m more comfortable here," With you. She desperately did not want to be sent away, back to an empty apartment that held nothing for her. Something told her that the essence of what she had forgotten lay here, in this condominium and in the woman she had seen holding old Fate in those pictures, smiling at her from the other side of a tiny table in a tiny parfait shop.
Speechless, Nanoha''s mind scrambled to think of the hundred and one ways Fate''s continued presence in the apartment would be a Bad Idea?, but every reason circled back to the executive''s own fears and insecurities. Rein was right, the Takamachi heir was not built to be this yellow-bellied. If this arrangement was what the poor woman, whose memories Nanoha had caused to lose in the first place, felt the most comfortable with, then so be it.
"Do not embarrass our clan by assuming you know what is best at all times. That was my mistake for you to learn from." The echo of her father''s words reminded Nanoha of the promise she had made. Another thing to check with Shamal about. The Japanese woman wondered if she could stomach the blonde''s expected answer and still remain in the same living space as the woman. She was strong, but not this strong.
All this internal debating was kept off of her face, her expression a mask of cool consideration while she gave the woman the full benefit of the doubt. She could see Fate''s shoulders tensing up, readying for a body blow of rejection from Nanoha.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Turning back to face the tiled walls depicting scenes of Northern Lights in a beautifully clear and frigid night sky, Nanoha cleared her throat, "I''ll see if your apartment''s lease can be transferred over to TSAB, then."
The fingers that had been combing conditioner through the lower half of her hair froze, the blonde realising the portent of Nanoha''s words after a few moments. Without warning, long arms flew around the executive as Fate hugged the woman tightly from behind. Nanoha could feel the intense warmth plastered to her back, her hair providing absolutely no protection against the feel of Fate''s naked form pressed up against her.
"Thank you." The profoundly grateful whisper trickled into the reddened ear closest to Fate''s lips and Nanoha shivered intensely, biting down hard on her lower lip. The blonde was stronger than she looked and Nanoha was incapable of escaping Fate''s wiry grasp, not that she was trying to. Guiltily soaking in the woman''s hug, she awkwardly patted one of the arms around her, "It''s n-nothing." Cursing her stutter, Nanoha ducked her head down, chin to chest while she willed her breathing to remain slow and even.
This close to the other woman, Fate felt engulfed by that spicy cinnamon and vanilla scent and it smelt of safety and home. Catching herself before she could begin nuzzling into the firm column of the woman''s neck, the blonde bit back a gasp at the full body shiver she felt running through what her arms were around.
The motion had sent a sympathetic shiver through her own form and she gulped, untangling herself from around the woman she had thoughtlessly glomped. Not before catching an unintended glimpse of Nanoha''s front, however. Even white teeth had the Japanese woman''s lushly full bottom lip caught between them, and the rosy pink of her bosom''s tips were drawn tight. She had ducked her head, eyes closed while she remained frozen in the blonde''s hold.
Heart thundering, Fate tore her eyes away from the mouth-watering sight and murmured an apology for being too effusive. Inside, the blonde was screaming at the mere possibility that the executive was not as unaffected by Fate as she had appeared to be over the past few weeks.
Daring to hope, Fate tucked the prospect that the woman would not run away from questions about those stickers the blonde had found away safely. Proceeding to clip the mass of auburn hair up to help wash that back she just pasted her naked front to moments before, Fate belatedly blushed, wondering where all that boldness had stemmed from. Perhaps it was her past self watching over her, helping guide her closer to where the both of them wanted to be.
Showering with the angel was a delicious torment Nanoha knew could never be repeated if she were to survive. Thank the kami that the woman had not suggested that they also soak in the tub together afterwards. That would have meant Nanoha''s demise more surely than the four bullets to her chest had attempted to orchestrate.
No, no, she needed to be utterly self-sufficient in the back-scrubbing department or risk losing all semblance of control around the woman. Feverishly skimming through an online store, the executive clicked urgently at a few possible solutions to the back washing problem and checked out her cart. Never had she thrown money faster at an online store in her life.
Fate glanced over to the executive. The woman had hurriedly ensconced herself in her home office once Fate was done drying her hair. All through the drying session, she had seemed vastly preoccupied with something, the line between her auburn brows never quite going away.
The odd look Fate had thrown her when Nanoha had absently handed the blonde a pink scrunchie she had dug out of her drawer had escaped Nanoha''s notice entirely as well. Securing thick auburn tresses into a simple high ponytail for the executive, Fate had asked if Nanoha had a spare that she could borrow. Silently, the woman had pulled out yet another and handed it to Fate. It seemed like the woman was the sort to just buy things she used in bulk so that she would have some on hand at all times.
Now the Takamachi heir was in her tortoiseshell glasses and a thick bathrobe, frowning mightily at something on her screen and Fate supposed it was something important to do with work. Climbing back up to her quarters on the second level, shadowed by Edel, Fate greeted Ginga who was putting away the groceries the blonde had asked her to procure.
Slipping into her own bathroom, Fate quietly found the scrunchie she had been using the entire time she had been in Japan, and now in Singapore. Holding that and the one she had just borrowed from Nanoha, she could clearly see they were of the same brand and make, and another piece of the puzzle fell into place for Fate. Nanoha had taken over so many aspects of old Fate''s life the blonde wondered if her previous self had even realised it, or had it been a natural progression over a period of time.
Fate could not blame herself. She had felt drawn to the woman from the moment she had first caught sight of the heir, looking so small and fragile, surrounded by tubes and wires, barely recognisable under her respiration mask and all those bandages. And that was without any memory of the woman to begin with.
Pondering her next step, she got to work drying her own hair, visions of what she had stolen glimpses of occupying her mind all throughout.
Carefully pulling on a simple white tee with an embroidered Calcifer decal from Howl''s Moving Castle over her left breast, Nanoha was pleased to feel only the slightest twinge in her shoulder. "Took long enough," she muttered dourly, knowing she was still miles away from being back to what she would have considered an acceptable level of fitness. She reached into her wardrobe to fish out a pair of white boy shorts underwear and over that, a relaxed drawstring shorts in dark blue.
The sun was setting in the horizon and the apartment smelled amazing. All due to the blonde, who had shyly informed the rest of the women that she would be making dinner tonight. The woman had looked so adorable in her yellow apron covered with Peeps in different colours that Nanoha had wanted to smother her in kisses. The memory of being hugged by her in the shower was still taking over her senses and Nanoha had wisely just nodded and smiled, from the safety of her chair behind her workstation.
The sound of a wok being employed trickled down from the upper level and Nanoha took the chance to grab her phone to make some calls.
"Nanoha? Is everything all right?" Shamal sounded worried over the line. Seeing that the woman had only just removed Nanoha''s casts earlier today, the executive could see why the woman would be worried about getting a call from the Takamachi heir so soon.
"Hey, Shamal. I''m fine. I just wanted to check with you about Fate."
Voice shading to censorious, Nanoha could sense the woman frowning at her enquiry, "Hun, you know doctor-patient confidentiality won''t let me¡"
"No, I get that, Shamal. I just wanted to know about the risks if¡ if I spoke to her about, you know, before." ''What a lame arse question,'' Nanoha griped to herself. It was so difficult to find the right words when it came to the distracting blonde. Her own voice pained, Nanoha forced herself to continue, "W-Would it be safe?"
The doctor took pity on the executive and gentled her voice, "Nanoha, there is no guarantee. The fact that she hasn''t had a major episode for weeks is a good indication that she will be fine. But you know the brain is a malleable thing - There''s still so much we don''t know, and all the studies we''ve run on the concoction she was injected with haven''t yielded any results so far."
Nanoha sighed, eyes darkened to a worried violet, "I hate the thought of her in pain."
"I know, hun. Personally, I think she''s as ''recovered'' as she''ll ever be. She''s adjusted remarkably well all things considered, which also bodes well for her ability to absorb any possible shocks. Just make sure she''s seated and there''s nothing hard that she might injure herself against nearby."
"That doesn''t sound very reassuring, Shamal," alto almost a growl, Nanoha fought to keep her irritation in check. She wasn''t mad at the doctor, so much as she was at this cruel joke being played on Fate.
"There''s more than a zero percent chance we could fall asleep and never wake, too, Nanoha. There are no absolutes here. I''m just giving you the best medical guess I can, with all the information I have."
Nanoha ground her teeth quietly, "I know, Shamal. I just hate that she has to pay for my¡ Whatever, there''s no sense beating a dead horse." Hugging her left knee to her chest now that she could again, Nanoha spun on her chair to stare unseeingly out over the ocean. Tiny waves lapped at the beach, and the yachts in the distance hardly bobbed in waters far calmer than the turmoil swirling within the Takamachi heir.
"Anyway, I also called to ask if we had a clean bill of health to go back to work."
"Mmm, I would say yes. Whether my cousin-in-law agrees is another thing entirely."
"That''ll be my next call," Nanoha admitted. "Thanks Shamal. Sorry to be such a shit patient."
"When aren''t you, m''dear?" Voice warmly amused, Shamal shook a verbal finger at her worst patient, "Remember, no high impact activities, and your first PT is tomorrow at 9AM."
"...Fine. Night, Shamal." Rolling her eyes at the continued restrictions, Nanoha ended the call and proceeded to dial the tanuki''s number.
"Nano-chan." Swift sounds of typing could be heard over the call and Hayate''s distracted greeting told Nanoha that the woman was still working at almost seven in the evening on a Friday night.
"Haya-chan, let me and Fate get back to work."
The typing stopped, and Nanoha''s phone buzzed, indicating that her friend was switching the call to a video call. The brunette peered at the screen, her oversized glasses falling down her pert nose, "What? Are you out of your casts?"
Nanoha lifted an arm for Hayate to see, "Mmmhmm, sling is optional, only when it aches." Nanoha eyed another island resident jogging by with some toy dog in tow. The poor thing''s stumpy legs barely had it off the ground. Damn it, she missed working out. Scratch that. She missed working out with Fate. How many Saturdays had it been already?
Hayate studied the shadows under her friend''s eyes, the faraway, yearning look bringing her next question to the subject most likely on her friend''s mind. "What about Fate-san?"
Overly bright azure eyes blinked hard, focusing back onto the brunette in the video call. Nanoha''s lips twitched into a vague facsimile of a smile, "I''ve prepped her as much as I could outside of the office." Pulling off her glasses to toss them onto her desk, the Takamachi heir rubbed one eye. "She''s re-done all of the HR busywork slides and videos, too." Sensing her CEO''s reticence, she added, "I''m not asking for full days right away. Just mornings, until we get into the swing of things."
Stretching out her left arm, Nanoha took in its thinner form. "My stamina is shot, Haya-chan. It''ll take me a while to rebuild what I''ve lost." Her quietly candid admission had shocked her friend, judging by the woman''s expression.
Nanoha gave a dry chuckle, "You don''t have to look at me like that. I''d like to think I''ve gotten a little less stupid in the decade since my last stay in the hospital." Voice droll, she propped her chin on her raised knee, "If your mouth stays open any longer, a fly is gonna find its way in, you know."
Snapping her mouth closed, Hayate humphed, "And Fate-san''s memories? Are we still pretending you guys aren''t..."
Smile gone as quickly as it arrived, the woman shrugged, not liking how the fitted tee felt loose on her frame now, "Shamal says she may be as healed as she''s going to be. I might¡ talk to her over the weekend. Enough that people won''t have to¡ to lie to her face." Inhaling deeply, she added, "Also, Fate-san is requesting not to move back to her apartment. I said I''d check if we could switch her lease over to TSAB. We could use it to put up any out-of-towners."
The brunette blinked, "Where''s she gonna stay then?" Rubbing an old ache in her neck, Nanoha shrugged, "The second level you guys prepped for her here."
Squealing internally that maybe not all was lost, Hayate kept herself outwardly calm, "Well, all right, I''ll talk to Suzu-chan to see what we can do. My uncle in the force tells me things are wrapping up with those involved in Fate-san''s kidnapping. We should be able to dismiss your bodyguards soon, too." That last drew a big sigh of relief from Nanoha. Having an extra encroaching on her privacy was bad enough, let alone four additional people.
Hayate had taken a chance to refill her pot of genmaicha since Nanoha had called, needing the break from all the extra work she had been shouldering in her EVP''s absence. While she missed having the woman''s steady hand steering the ship in Singapore, she hated the thought of her friend rushing herself back to work just to lessen her workload, too. Especially after that admission about her own stamina.
Propping the phone up to continue the video call whilst she set her water to boil, she took off her own glasses, hooking it into the top of her home tee with some Pok¨¦mon creature decal on it. "I''ll give you both four hours tops a day. If," She held up a hand, "Shamal tells me you''ve been overdoing it, I''ll bump it back down to ZERO hours, you hear me?"
Hayate could see the fiery glint in her friend''s blue eyes, shaded to violet in the light of the setting sun. Bracing herself for a blasting, it never came, and that only worried the CEO more. "I suppose it''ll help keep me honest," she muttered instead with a heavy sigh.
"Nano-chan¡ If I were there, I wouldn''t be able ta decide between screaming and hitting you, or hugging the stuffing out of you." Nanoha felt a pang of guilt to see her oldest friend''s lower lip tremble. "You scared the motherfucking shit out of me," Hayate whispered, impatiently wiping suddenly wet eyes with her sleeve.
"I''m sorry, Haya-chan," Nanoha said, voice heavy with regret, "It¡ wasn''t part of the plan." Hayate could tell there were other things that had not been part of her meticulous friend''s plans and knew she had to derail the woman or the guilt would haunt her for another decade. "Shit happens, Nano-chan. I know you didn''t plan any of this."
"Heh. You sound like Rein."
"Nanoha? Dinner''s ready." Hayate stared at the beautiful silver haired woman appearing in the video call. She had poked her head into Nanoha''s office, the angle of the phone''s camera catching the doorway behind the Takamachi heir''s shoulder.
"Sure Rein, thanks. I''ll talk to you soon, Haya-chan. Don''t overwork yourself."
The brunette snorted, quickly recovering from the stupor the sight of the bodyguard had sent her into, "That''s rich coming from you." The executive shook her head at her friend''s saucy reply and ended the call.
Chapter 48: Tell Me This Means Nothing
Setting various things to simmer or steam, Fate glanced around her ''apartment''. The housekeeper who came in every few days helped keep the place neat and tidy, but the signs of Fate''s residence persisted in the form of her luggages that still needed to be put away. Deciding she could use the time to tidy up some more, Fate found a damp cloth to wipe down the clam shell bag she had brought back with her from Japan.
It was a full-sized affair, Fate supposing it had to be large enough to hold both work and casual clothing for the time she had spent working in Japan. The lack of any memory of her stay there before waking in St. Luke''s continued to chafe at the blonde and she hoped the executive would be agreeable to a question or two. The woman was insanely cagey about revealing anything and Fate just wanted to grab the gorgeous woman and shake her sometimes.
Wiping the sides of some grime left by one of her boots, Fate frowned to hear something rustling in a side pocket. Had she missed something when unpacking the luggage? Leaving the cloth aside, she pulled the elastic of the pocket open, peering curiously inside. Recognising yet another strip of sticker prints hiding within, Fate excitedly snatched up the item.
Glancing curiously at the suddenly animated blonde, Ginga and Edel watched the royal hurdling her bed in one impressive leap to get to the bedside lamp. Since it was not a fainting episode, neither guard felt it right to intrude on the woman''s privacy and simply kept a quiet watch from their post in the dining area.
Hand shaking, Fate waved at the motion sensitive control to turn the lamp on. Holding the strip under the bright light, she found that it was yet another sequence of images with herself and the executive. She appeared to be dressed in work clothes, the ruby red blouse covering her arms and buttoned up to her neck for a very sedate look, an impression accentuated by the pinned up plait her hair had been tied into. The executive in her arms was a complete contrast in that same men''s shirt, tie and pants combination she had seen in her phone''s photo library, only appealingly rumpled and casual-looking.
This time it was her arms around the woman, obviously drawn there by the executive since one of the images showed Nanoha holding her hands whilst turning back to smile at the blonde. She had a feeling old Fate''s favourite was this particular picture. Or perhaps it was the last one, where Nanoha had her in a bridal carry, head thrown back in a laugh while she herself looked torn between a scream and laugh.
They looked so happy. Fate blinked away tears that threatened to take over her entire afternoon. She could not afford to break down or lose hope. The chasm between them now seemed insurmountable, true, but for the woman Fate knew she loved, past, present or future, she would fight. She knew the executive was not entirely immune to her presence, so that was something.
Brushing away all evidence of tears, she carefully pulled out the first set of prints she had found and put them together. Perhaps there would be a good time to ask the woman about them during dinner. She had already requested of Ginga and Edel to afford herself and Nanoha some privacy for the meal, so perhaps. Fate had to believe the Takamachi heir would not be so cruel as to ignore a direct, honest question.
Feeling a little odd to be invited to the second level of the condominium she had been living in for the last few years, Nanoha took a closer look around the transformed living space. Prior to Fate moving in, it had remained an empty, closed off section, with a cleaning service coming in every six months to get rid of any dust and cobwebs that had accumulated over the months.
It had also been what Nanoha had considered turning into a home gym to accommodate herself and Fate before¡ everything happened. The only time she had been up here was on the first morning when Fate had experienced another episode, and Nanoha refused to blame the blonde for the shortness the woman had displayed with her. Just because Fate had come out relatively unscathed, physically, did not mean the woman bore no scars or damage from the experience, remembered or otherwise.
The pads and cushioning covering every conceivable surface and corner could have made the area look comically childish, a giant playpen for toddlers, perhaps. Whomever Hayate had engaged as the interior designer had managed to mask the true purpose by employing an understated colour theme similar to the calming blues and greens of the tropical ocean situated so close to the condominium. This served to give the area a resort stay feel, which Nanoha supposed was something the blonde liked, considering she had requested to remain living here.
The installed lights were recessed into the ceiling and controlled by the same smart remote she had shown the woman on their first night back, though she was surprised to learn they were fully RGB-capable. Currently, the colours chosen mimicked the pastel peaches and oranges of early sunset, giving the space a warm and welcoming touch. No surprise, since the area''s mistress was offering the same in the smile that greeted the executive arriving at the top of the stairs.
Fate was glad she had decided to make one of Nanoha''s favourites tonight. Momoko had been thorough in teaching the blonde how to cook the various dishes the Takamachi heir liked, and this deceptively simple-looking dish had been near the top.
"Nanoha like to eat and run, hai? So busy all the time." Momoko had said, her smile wistful whilst recalling those innocent days when she thought she would have more time with her baby once the girl''s life stopped being consumed with school and activities.
"Don''t waste time, Feito-san. Cannot get back once gone."
Taking the Takamachi matriarch''s word to heart, Fate had asked Ginga for help to once again don the black and gold kimono the clan had so kindly gifted to her. She had opted out of the extra layers beneath, since this was still the tropics. So she wore just one additional layer with the lavishly embroidered outer silk layer. Her hair was braided and twisted up into that elaborate bun once more, and the jewelled hair ornaments glinted under the warm glow of the apartment''s lights, clicking softly as she bowed to welcome the heir into her humble abode.
Taking her cue from Ginga, Rein spotted the dolled up blonde and slipped around her dumbfounded client to take the guards'' share of dinner down to the lower level to have their meal there. Leaving the women alone, Rein figured the cast-free Takamachi heir would be enough should the blonde have another fainting spell. "Take your time. We''ll be below if you need us," she whispered into one warmly pink ear. Edel cast a longing glance back over her shoulder before following her boss and senior down to the first level. Why was the Midchildan princess dressing up like a Japanese one? Damn but she looked amazing anyway.
Face slack and eyes wide, Nanoha drank in the golden vision before her, mouth dropping open slightly. Elegant lines flowed in beautiful harmony from the blonde''s natural beauty, unadorned by any make-up, down the long length of her aristocratic neck, to the alabaster smoothness of the delicate hollow of her throat. She had barely heard or even noticed the bodyguards, muttering something akin to an acknowledgement to Rein''s words.
Fate was extremely glad she had picked up those little hints in the shower earlier. If Nanoha''s stare was any sort of indication, the executive liked what she was seeing, which only served to make Fate''s heart race even faster. ''Keep things light, you don''t want to scare her off,'' she reminded herself.
Reaching out, she clasped Nanoha''s hand still frozen on the stair''s handrail to draw the woman in. "It''s omurice with curry gravy," Fate announced softly to the still silent executive. Omelette stir-fried rice. Nudged out of her stupefaction, Nanoha cleared her throat, "You, uh, I mean, it smells wonderful." Hints of rose and lilac snuck past the delicious scent of the meal and for a split second, it almost felt as if it was her old Fate inviting her in.
Nanoha shook her head, she could not, should not, place this Fate on an unreasonable pedestal. There would be no measuring or comparing. ''Accept her as she is, as she''s accepted you.'' It was the least the heir could do. Offering the woman a tentative smile, she allowed herself to be led in, "I feel under-dressed."
Fate made a small sound of disagreement, "I just felt it right to wear what your clan gifted me whilst serving something Momoko-san taught me how to make." Nanoha felt the warmth of Fate''s eyes trailing down her form and she did her best not to squirm, "You look wonderful." Fate''s lilting soprano declared with warm sincerity. Nanoha threw the blonde a dubious smile, obviously thinking she was just being polite.
The woman was not all that much shorter than Fate and the beautiful length of legs revealed by the woman''s simple shorts were indeed, wonderful to see. The little cartoon flame on Nanoha''s simple tee only helped draw the blonde''s eyes to the generous swells of the woman''s bosom that strained the thin material with its fullness. She licked her lips to realise the executive had not bothered with a bra.
"I made enough for leftovers, so please eat as much as you wish." Turning, she began dishing the piping hot curry onto the plates already prepped with the egg-wrapped rice stir-fry. The golden koi running up the side of Fate''s wrapped form danced playfully amidst the dramatic eddies and patterns of the woman''s kimono, pulling the viewer''s eyes to the subtle dip of the kimono''s collar and revealing the smooth nape of the blonde''s neck.
Sucking in a sharp breath out of the woman''s line of sight, Nanoha wondered if the royal knew just how erotic that part of the body was to the Japanese. Quickly finding her seat at the dining table before her knees gave out, the executive focused hard on not giving in to the intense desire to sink her teeth into that soft expanse of skin.
Placing a heaped plate before her guest, Fate sat adjacent to the Takamachi heir. Her own serving barely made up a third of what she had served Nanoha and the heir eyed the small portion. Right, Fate''s appetite was a lot smaller when they had first met. Even if she only looked at it from a health standpoint, it really behoved Nanoha to come somewhat clean with the blonde, to start her back on the path to not half-starving herself.
Holding her peace for now, Nanoha clasped her hands together over the meal, solemnly intoning, "Itadakimasu~. Thank you for preparing this, Fate-san." Saying the same over her own meal, the blonde''s eyes glowed with a certain warmth, accepting the executive''s thanks.
"This is truly remarkable," Nanoha complimented a few mouthfuls later. The rice had been stir-fried to just the right fluffy consistency, Fate having used less than the recommended amount of water to steam it first so that the grains would not stick together in the wok. The bits of diced pork and vegetables lent the short grain rice a certain sweetness to its savoury base that sat pleasingly on the tongue without overpowering.
If that was not impressive enough, the lightly beaten consistency of the omelette covering the rice had been given a white peppery twist and cooked to just into its runny stages, meaning it avoided turning rubbery and overcooked once placed over the piping hot mound of rice. The mildly spiced curry created a fragrant moat of gravy around the ensemble, consisting of liberal chunks of soft carrots and potatoes. In all, it was hearty comfort food and perfect in Nanoha''s eyes.
Cheeks holding a hint of pink, Fate ducked her head, looking pleased, "Momoko-san is a good teacher. It proved¡ a most fruitful use of my time." Time that she had, since Nanoha had spent most of it avoiding her. But Fate could not blame the executive, knowing what she did now. She only hoped that this would provide a safe space for her to bring up what she truly wanted to speak to Nanoha about.
Thoughts in a similar vein, Nanoha watched the royal daintily pick at her meal. It was not as though Fate had no appetite, as one might initially think. It seemed more that she was expected to eat less, and sparingly. She knew the blonde had been left at loose ends whilst living in the Takamachi compound, which was why she had badgered Agito and others to keep Fate company. Things were too raw and she had been too weak, she could see that now. Fuck, she still felt raw, truth be told.
Regardless, the woman deserved better. She deserved the whole world. Whatever it took, whatever the cost, Nanoha would bear it.
Fate watched the woman''s expression grow more and more grim as she ate and wondered what was on her mind. That surfaced memory was recalled once more, from that time on the tatami mats of her room in the Takamachi compound.
"Penny."
Throwing Fate a sharp look, heart leaping despite herself, Nanoha stared at the lovely blonde looking so enchanting in the apartment''s lighting. If she pretended hard enough, it almost seemed like this was old Fate, back in the ryokan, innocently asking what she was thinking about. "Beg your pardon?" She asked tensely, azure gaze fixed on the woman.
The woman''s reaction was so beyond what Fate had expected. Grasping blindly at possible straws, she met Nanoha''s gaze as calmly as her pounding heart would allow. "Is the penny something we spoke about a lot?" She asked breathlessly.
It was time. Time for the Takamachi heir to stop avoiding this. Eyes dropping to her plate, she prodded nervously at an unassuming carrot, "Let''s finish up first," she said quietly, not quite succeeding at keeping the roughness out of her voice. "I don''t want to waste your excellent cooking."
Relieved that the woman was not avoiding the subject, Fate nodded. Savouring the many harmonious notes in the meal, Nanoha gave Fate another smile. "I appreciate the effort you took, Fate-san." There was a hint of strain around the heir''s lips but the meaning behind them was genuine, Nanoha being familiar with the recipe and time it would take to prepare the dish''s many parts.
The air was heavy, both women finishing their meal with breaths held, hearts braced and for Nanoha, a sense of dread for what might happen if too much came back to the blonde. Volunteering to wash the dishes, the heir left Fate to store the leftovers, eyes unfocused while she scrubbed the last plate to within an inch of its life.
A hand reaching for the plate nudged her out of her worried reverie and she refused to release the dish to Fate, "You''ll get your sleeves wet. I''m done." Rinsing it, she dropped it into the wet dishes rack and dried her hands. "Do you know where your card-holder is?" She asked Fate instead.
Head tilting curiously, Fate thought for a moment. "I think one of the sling purses that was in the luggage from Japan has it." Moving to the wardrobe, Fate found the black purse that seemed heavier than her other purses. Inside, she found a card holder encrusted with black Swarovski crystals, a little thing she had picked up back in Midchilda, and handed it to the executive. The woman accepted it and drew Fate to her bed situated in the back of the level. She paused a moment to see the Cat Plush she had won for the blonde months ago and swallowed against the lump in her throat. It felt like an entire lifetime ago when that had happened.
Seating the blonde on the side of the bed, far from the headboard and side table, Nanoha pulled open the zipped compartment, meant for any coins and cash. It was empty save for a one cent Singaporean coin. Lips twitching into a wistful smile, Nanoha sat herself down next to Fate and hugged a knee to her chest, replicating the pose she had taken near the start of their friendship, after her disastrous dinner with Ginga.
Fate watched the woman in silence from her seat on her bedside, certain this was important to her. The saddened smile when Nanoha found the little coin in old Fate''s belongings pulled hard at the blonde''s heart and she held her breath.
Propping her chin on her knee, Nanoha took the coin and flipped it over the back of her hand, playing with the asian penny. Swivelling her head to glance askance at Fate, the executive studied the curious woman, half-afraid, half-hopeful.
Again, that memory, stronger now, reinforced by the replicated pose and coin flipping, easily overflowed the low breakers Fate was not all that invested in keeping built up. A soft hand was on Nanoha''s face once more, lightly touching the corner of her mouth, "You were bleeding¡"
Azure eyes bright, Nanoha nodded. Fate looked wonderingly into those eyes, the familiar feeling of losing herself in them surrounding her with a feeling of safety as surely as that earlier scent of cinnamon and vanilla did. "I was really mad." Auburn lashes dropped, "You wanted to toss someone into the river." Nanoha confirmed softly.
As more sights and sounds unfolded to her, Fate''s other hand clenched at the bed covers under it. "That was an embarrassing display¡" She whispered, and Nanoha''s breath caught, "It was."
"Oh my gods, I knew Ginga from back then." The sudden flash of intense dislike for the bodyguard who had been a stalwart companion for weeks caught Fate by surprise and she gasped. "I think you can find it in yourself to forgive her now." Nanoha said quietly, interrupting memories of wanting to throw the woman off a really high office building.
"I¡ I think so," Fate licked lips gone dry. This was so confusing to come to terms with. The scene kept playing out in her mind. Led by actions not her own, the blonde pressed the executive down with a hand on her uninjured shoulder. Blinking, the auburn haired woman fell back onto the bed, and then she recalled when that had happened. Hesitantly, she stretched her arm out, inviting the blonde to take it.
Onyx and tourmaline gems clinking softly in the electric silence between them, Fate laid her head on the heir''s shoulder. The fit of their bodies felt so right, the blonde wanted to weep. Nanoha was crying, though she said nothing, her soul needing this one tiny moment to honour the memory of that friend she loved so much.
Still in the throes of the memory, Fate whispered, "Is it an HR violation¡?" She felt the arm under her shake and she propped herself up on one elbow. This was wrong. Nanoha was supposed to be shaking from laughter, not because she was crying. The executive remained committed to help the blonde through the reenactment, though. Fate felt a calloused hand cupping her cheek, stroking the downy skin under it. "Feito-chan is very protective," she whispered, ocean eyes teeming with emotions held in check by the barest of threads.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
"Feito-chan, do you know how long it took me to find you?"
Covering the hand on her cheek, Fate grasped it as if her life depended on it. And perhaps it did.
"Feito-chan. I appreciate the sentiment¡"
"Feito-chan is not like that."
"Have a seat, Feito-chan."
"Feito-chan is a friend."
"Feito-chan is Feito-chan. My right hand, my support, my protector, and my friend ."
Gasping sobs ripped through the blonde with every memory of Nanoha saying her name so fondly. Blurred crimson stared down at the woman still on her bed. Tears continued to flow down from azure pools filled with aching, yearning hope - Eyes that had borne her ignorance, the loss, the emptiness of what once was.
"N-Nanoha-chan¡ we were¡ friends." How could she have forgotten this ineffably precious person? This safe haven, this perfection she had sought for and found in this dynamic form that had endured so much in the past weeks?
She released Nanoha''s hand from her bruising grasp to stroke the face beneath her. The woman looked thinner compared to her memories.
"Feito-chan¡" Blood poured from the hole in her shoulder, Nanoha dressed in tight black and dark blue garments was leaning over her, and Fate bit her lip, sobbing harder. A trembling hand pressing over that bleeding hole she saw, trying to stem the frighteningly scarlet flood. But this Nanoha was whole, if not hale.
Was Fate remembering? It was difficult to see past the tears pooling in her eyes. And then the blonde was saying her name, in that unique tone that definitively told her this Feito-chan was remembering something significant from their shared past.
"Feito-chan," she whispered again, holding her arms out to welcome her heart back to where it had left a gaping hole in her soul. Falling into Nanoha''s outstretched arms, Fate clung tightly to the woman, bawling and gasping. It had been so long since she felt those arms around her. She could not get enough of the feeling and held on for dear life. The woman holding her was shaking uncontrollably, too.
Emotions raw beyond belief, it was a painful bliss to hold her friend again, like pouring alcohol into an open wound. The cauterisation of that unhealing void had finally stopped the constant bleeding inside of Nanoha, and she could only shake like a palm in the face of a hurricane, as though her entire being would shake itself apart into its component atoms.
Her wounds ached under the blonde''s weight, and Nanoha welcomed the hurt, for it was all she had to tell her this was not a dream conjured by a treacherous mind that wanted more than it deserved. Rubbing the woman''s back, the Takamachi heir did her best to soothe the crying blonde. A river of hot tears had soaked the crook of her neck but she did not care, only wishing for Fate to let everything out.
"Tenshi¡" She began sadly, "I''m sorry I couldn''t protect you¡ It was all my fau-mmmph." Still sobbing, the blonde refused to hear the other woman blaming herself. Tenshi. Angel. Oh gods, she was whom the delirious executive had been speaking to that time in the ICU! Unable to stop herself, Fate drew herself up, pressing a finger those Cupid''s bow lips that dared to speak poorly of the woman she loved.
Blue eyes looked tearfully rebellious, as if Nanoha meant to continue the moment her lips were free. Gathering every fragment of courage she could muster, Fate covered those self-castigating lips with her own to stop Nanoha from shouldering any further blame. The kiss was salty-sweet from the blonde''s tears and impossibly transcendent, the taste, the touch, the heart-pounding connection exceeding anything either woman had ever imagined or dreamed of.
Knowing she would never have the audacity to replicate this moment, Fate went for broke, parting her lips the barest bit to flick the tip of her tongue along the warm fullness of Nanoha''s mouth. The softly gasped response to her action gave the blonde all the invitation she needed to surge forward, head tilting to deepen the kiss.
Nanoha fought to keep herself in check, difficult when her entire body felt as if it was on fire. Her surprise at the stolen kiss was but an icicle dripping in spring''s awakening compared to the avalanche crashing into the ocean when the distraught blonde sought to go further. The woman was confused from all the memories she was trying to process and as much as the Takamachi heir had wanted this from the very beginning, she could not in good conscience take further advantage of Fate.
Gently working a hand between their heated fronts, Nanoha softly pushed Fate back, breaking the kiss. Dilated pools of mulled red stared down into her own eyes and she knew her own barely displayed a sliver of blue around her pupils right now. Breaths coming in at an elevated rhythm, the blonde looked questioningly down at the goddess who was also breathing hard. Rapidly becoming addicted to Nanoha''s lips, Fate was perplexed; she thought the woman wanted this, too.
Wishing she did not have to be the responsible one, Nanoha bit back a groan at the feel of Fate''s crimson obi brushing against the thin covering of her tee. "Feito-chan¡" She licked her lips, immediately regretting it when the blonde''s taste invaded her senses once more. Gods, this was so difficult. "You¡ You''re not thinking straight," she could not recognise her own voice, it had grown so husky.
Not thinking straight? Fate had never felt more clear headed in her life, though the sound of Nanoha''s voice was enough to melt her into a useless puddle of goo. "I still don''t remember everything¡" The blonde admitted, "But I know¡" The pad of her index finger traced those lush lips, "She loved you." Her eyes rose to meet those dark ocean depths that were the other woman''s eyes, "As do I¡"
Heart skipping a beat, Nanoha frowned at the blonde''s improbable words, appearing almost angered by the royal''s confession, "That''s not funny, Feito-chan. We were friends, nothing more. How can you presume to know what she felt¡"
"But I do!" Fate declared helplessly, wishing she had a way to prove to the woman the veracity of her feelings, past and present. Not wanting to argue, Nanoha pushed herself up to a seating position, incidentally rolling the blonde''s curvaceous form off of her with no little regret. "Princess¡" Fate felt the woman''s fading callouses as her cheek was cupped in one gentle hand, "This is all new, and confusing. You can''t tell where old you ends and new you begins. I get it. You need time¡"
"I need you," Fate''s lilting soprano broke in a heartfelt plea and it sent another stab into Nanoha''s heart. She was so earnest, trying so hard, and here the auburn haired woman just wanted to take everything the innocent woman was offering so freely like the debauched rake she was rumoured to be. ''No,'' Nanoha thought, ruthlessly quashing her desires, ''I have to be better than that. She deserves better than that.''
Pressing her forehead to Fate''s, the move so achingly familiar that both women had to blink back tears, she tried again, "Dear heart, please. You can''t do this to me." Nanoha''s voice grew rough, the Takamachi heir fighting an internal battle pitting pure, selfish cravings against the knowledge that Fate was still freshly returned to some of her memories, "I''m trying to do the honourable thing here." The hand cupping her cheek shook and this close to the other woman, enveloped in the heavenly spice of her scent, Fate could see the raw hunger Nanoha was unsuccessfully attempting to hide.
Once more, Fate''s hand covered Nanoha''s. "Let me¡ Let me convince you," the blonde implored. It was a long-shot, but Fate was willing to try anything at this point. The threads of the bridge she had built between the executive and herself were so tenuous, so fragile, she had to try. It felt like a complete invasion of her former self''s privacy, but what other choice did she have? She knew the Takamachi heir would never allow herself to ''take advantage'' of Fate if she thought blonde''s feelings were somehow forced or manufactured out of some misplaced sense of obligation or loneliness.
Pulling back, Fate reached towards her bedside table, tugging open its drawer. Inside, sat the calendar Fate had found amongst her previous self''s belongings. Quietly, she placed it in Nanoha''s hands. Puzzled blue met her eyes and she nodded, encouraging the obviously sceptical woman to open it.
The item felt heavier, thicker than the usual generic calendars Nanoha was familiar with. Frowning and wondering how the blonde meant to convince her using this, she flipped through the typical scenes of Singapore''s tourist attractions and found nothing of interest. ¡Until she came to January 2024, and found a second calendar stapled to the back of it.
January to August were blank, but then came September, and a few red circles were found, drawn around specific dates. Flip. October held yet more circles, this time with every single Saturday circled. The week of that work trip to Japan was completely blocked out with more circles, the markings drawn with a giddy flare. Nanoha felt her hands shake. More pages were turned, each one an image of a leopard in its natural habitat, and each one still had every Saturday circled.
"Tell me this means nothing," Fate whispered, needing the woman to fill in the blanks she knew were there, that she knew were vastly important to her former self. The shimmering fall of auburn hair hid the other woman''s face, and daring where the White Devil still feared to tread, Fate reached out to tuck Nanoha''s hair behind one perfectly-shaped ear. The woman was tracking tears down her face, expression dumbfounded. Nanoha could not comprehend the blatant show of how much days spent together with her meant to Fate, "I¡ I had no idea."
Taking the calendar from Nanoha''s frozen hands, Fate shook out the two strips of sticker prints she had tucked together in the last page, laying them in the woman''s palms. "You said Fate-san is Fate-san." The blonde reminded Nanoha, "And Fate¡ has hated being in pictures for as long as I can remember. You can ask Alph if you don''t believe me."
"I know¡" Alto hoarse, Nanoha studied the look in Fate''s eyes in the prints. She had wondered what that look had meant back then. The heart she had hardened against the blonde''s claims quivered in the face of this evidence. "None of the pictures on your fridge had you in them." She gave Fate a tremulous smile, "It''s why I asked to take these." She held up the series of prints with Fate in a dress.
The blonde covered the hand that held the other set of pictures, "I asked for these," Fate guessed. "Old Fate loved you in a suit." Her head ducked, capturing eyes still displaying hints of fear and doubt, "She loved you." The woman repeated with bone deep conviction, "Please do not belittle her or myself, I know what I''m feeling, and it''s exactly what she felt."
Nanoha looked searchingly into Fate''s eyes. The blonde returned the regard steadily, ignoring her usual impulse to blush and look away. Cheeks reddened, her face was a splotchy, puffy mess from all her crying, but the woman refused to release those brilliantly blue eyes. Clad in her kimono, silken hair mussed with tendrils escaping to frame her fine features and drape tantalisingly down her nape, Fate had never looked more enchanting to Nanoha.
Did she dare? Nanoha wondered of herself. Fate could feel the woman''s gaze warming, shifting between her lips to take in the rest of her, until the fiery blue flames fairly seared her where she sat. Taking a hand that had worked so hard to allay her fears, Nanoha brushed a princely kiss across the back of it, "I am unworthy."
Knowing the sweet blonde would try to argue, Nanoha stopped Fate with a kiss, a mere brush of her lips that still lit a fire inside both women. She kept hold of the blonde''s hand, her other lifting to brush back strands of spun gold from downy soft cheeks, "I''ve¡ loved you since when we first met." She finally admitted in a reverent, tender whisper. That lopsided smile Fate adored appeared, tears of happiness threatening to fall from eyes drinking in that smile Fate had captured in her camera. Nanoha added, "Both times."
Fingers gossamer light, Nanoha continued to brush the flaxen bangs shading those glorious wine-shaded eyes that seemed to reach to her innermost being to wrap her in indescribable warmth. "It felt so wrong," Nanoha confessed, "How could I feel what I did, for a complete stranger?" Guilt shaded her eyes to a muted violet, "It was my fault that your memories were lost. What right did I have to feel such for this new version of you?"
"Nanoha, it wasn''t your¡"
"I knew." The auburn haired woman interrupted in a pained rush, eyes casting to the side, the guilt once more haunting the Takamachi heir.
Knowing she could forgive this earth goddess anything, that the woman was prone to take on the sins of the world, Fate cupped Nanoha''s stubborn chin, urging the woman''s eyes back to hers, "Knew what?"
"That you were being watched." Picking up the garishly pink prints with the drawn doggie and kitty ears on the subjects, "The day we took these, I caught someone following us. I thought that taking you to Japan would let me deal with him." Her breath hitched, "I never imagined they''d grab you in public, to do what they did to you. You said we were a team but I¡ I let you down, kept things from you."
"No, Nanoha, stop this, please." The shamed executive tried to pull back, to pull her chin from Fate''s grasp and look away. Refusing to afford the woman that mercy, Fate held firm, "This was entirely my family''s doing, not yours. I know you were trying to protect me. Gods, Nanoha, if you''d only seen yourself in the hospital¡" Crimson eyes filled from the memory of how grievously hurt the other woman had been, how she was still far from recovered almost two months later.
Nanoha brushed aside the tears she found in Fate''s eyes and the blonde smiled faintly, leaving Nanoha awestruck by the woman''s easy pardon.
"Yes, I wish you had shared with me what you knew, but I know it wasn''t because you didn''t trust me." Fate let her fingers play with the soft hair clinging to the woman''s high cheekbones, emboldened after Nanoha''s admission of love, the vivid highlights in those auburn tresses always tempting the blonde to touch it, "I think in time, we would have come clean with each other." Fate''s smile grew a little mischievous, "Things just didn''t go as we planned."
Nanoha barked a laugh in spite of herself, amazed that the woman could still elicit mirth out of her despite how serious the subject was. Then again, Fate was the source of all the joy in her life, why was she surprised at all?
"Besides," Fate''s accented voice was hushed, "I was not being honest with you, either."
"You weren''t?" Finely arched brows crept up towards the executive''s hairline. "What about?"
Closing the distance between them, Fate''s eyes dipped to the rosy pink lips that constantly called to her, "About how much I wanted to kiss you¡" The last words were spoken against Nanoha''s lips and then all speech was made impossible, the blonde capturing the tempting fullness with her own.
Sinking into the kiss, Nanoha felt her eyes flutter closed of their own volition. Freed by the blonde''s confession, and her own, she nipped teasingly at the other woman''s lips. Giggling, Fate nipped back and she could feel those amazing lips smiling against hers. The play soon segued into deeply devouring kisses, their tongues tangling hotly while both sought to taste every inch of the other''s mouth.
"Feito-chan, wait." Panting the blonde''s name, Nanoha drew back and attempted to gather wits scattered too easily by the woman. Somehow they had ended up lying on the bed, Fate''s hand tangled in her hair, the other slipping under her tee and sending tingles down her body. Oh gods, thinking was far too difficult. Her own hand had found its way past the drape of Fate''s kimono layers to stroke the soft skin of the woman''s thigh, causing the blonde to moan into the executive''s mouth. Cursing her lack of control, the Takamachi heir groaned at the feel of lips now trailing down her neck as she tried to disentangle herself from the beautiful woman.
Feeling that delightful hand leave her thigh, Fate made a sound of protest. She felt suffocated and overdressed in her kimono and Nanoha''s touch under it had prompted all sorts of reactions that made her want the both of them to cease being dressed at all. Dazedly staring into the other woman''s nearly black eyes, she wondered what was the hold up this time. "Wha¡ What is it?" She murmured, amazed at how deep the husk of her voice sounded to her own ears.
"Feito-chan¡" Nanoha''s hand, warmed from the blonde''s hot skin, curled around the back of Fate''s neck, caressing the erotically revealed expanse of skin there. Fate sucked in a sharp breath, goosebumps forming the instant the woman touched her. "Beautiful, we need to stop." Fate stared disbelievingly at Nanoha. She could not be saying ''stop'' while touching her in ways that told the blonde to keep going!
Expression regretful, Nanoha licked her kiss-swollen lips, a move that only served to heat Fate up even further. The blonde immediately leaned close, her intent to resume their kissing clear in the royal''s darkened eyes. Only the hand pressed to her chest kept her from doing so, and Fate''s eyes drifted closed as she arched instinctively into the touch. "Mmn, sure, okay¡" Fate mumbled, not at all stopping.
"I mean it, Feito-chan!" Nanoha pulled her hand back as if burnt, the firm fullness of the blonde''s breast stealing her breath away. Realising Nanoha was being serious, Fate tried to get her mind working again, an almost impossible task. "I¡ I do not understand." The hot wash of the auburn haired woman''s breath where her kimono''s folds had parted was sending throbbing signals to that place between her legs and Fate did not even know HOW to stop.
Fate felt her face cradled in the palms of Nanoha''s hands and the woman''s eyes grew serious, "Sweetheart. I don''t know if you remember but¡ I know that you''re¡ that you''ve never¡ sleptwithanyonebefore." The last words were forced out in a hush, Nanoha blushing for reasons other than because the blonde''s entire length was pressed over hers. "We¡ We shouldn''t rush."
Blushing hotly, wondering when it was that Nanoha had found out, Fate tore her face from the woman''s grasp and buried her burning visage into the crook of Nanoha''s neck, "Oh my gods¡" All thoughts of going further were now overshadowed by the fact that the woman knew she was a virgin and she shrank in complete embarrassment.
The blonde''s expected reaction had Nanoha smiling fondly and she squeezed the woman reassuringly, "It''s okay, Feito-chan, there''s nothing to be ashamed of. Come on, let me see your beautiful face." Unable to deny Nanoha''s sweet request, Fate raised her red face and melted at the indescribably tender smile the executive was giving her.
"I should get myself tested, too. So let''s take it slow, all right? There is absolutely no one else I want, I hope it''s the same for Feito-chan¡" The blonde''s emphatic nodding only widened Nanoha''s smile, "Then we can afford to wait."
Fate''s hand was still under the woman''s shirt from when they had been kissing and she could feel abdominal muscles tensing to stark relief as Nanoha curled up to whisper into one very pink ear, "Besides, I don''t want the others hearing when I make you scream¡" Shuddering at the leopard''s dark purr, Fate''s inexperienced mind could only vaguely guess what the Takamachi heir was planning to do to her.
Rubbing her legs together in a wholly instinctive motion, her eyes sent Nanoha a needy look that the auburn haired woman could not help but respond to. Tightening her arms around the slim form, she nuzzled the soft spot behind Fate''s earlobe, "It''s going to be torture for me¡" She admitted lowly.
Gasping and deciding the Takamachi heir was being far too unfair with how easily she could rile Fate up, the blonde squirmed sensually in the woman''s arms, deliberately grinding her chest against the woman''s thinly-clad breasts, pleased when a similar gasp escaped those perfect lips, "M-Me too. Also¡" She kissed the woman lightly, consciously avoiding the pitfall of getting lost in them again, "Responsibility is a very hot look on you," she murmured, teasingly creeping her hand a little higher so her fingers were brushing the sensitive skin under one bare breast.
Groaning, Nanoha caught that naughty hand before it could test her resolve any further. "Enough of that, Wench." Remembering it was just a pet name, Fate smiled and snuggled carefully into the auburn haired woman''s side. There were still so many things she wanted to talk about with Nanoha. For now, she would content herself with physically reconnecting with the gorgeous woman of her dreams. Speaking of dreams¡
"Nanoha-chan?"
"Hrm?" The Takamachi heir had been quietly absorbing the peaceful comfort of having Fate back in her arms. The wonder that the woman returned her feelings would stay with her for¡ probably forever, but she could start basking in that fact beginning right now.
Fate felt the arm around her tighten slightly in response to her calling the woman''s name. "I love saying your name." She enunciated lightly which drew a brilliantly transformative smile from the woman, then added, "But also, could we sleep together?" She flushed, "N-Not that way, but just to sleep."
"I''d really like that, Feito-chan." Fate lifted her head, finding the expected smile on Nanoha''s face. Smooching the corner of that smile, she whispered a thank you and tucked her head back onto the warm shoulder her head had been pillowed on.
Chapter 49: Coming Clean
Rein glanced up from her laptop screen. The sounds of full scale weeping and crying had trickled down the stairs to the first level and the three bodyguards exchanged looks. Edel''s obvious crush on the blonde predictably had the strawberry blonde half-rising out of her chair where she had been reading up on Midchildan dating customs on her phone.
Rolling her eyes, Rein''s hand darted out to clamp hard around Edel''s wrist. "Leave it, it''s not an episode and no one''s calling for our aid."
"Yes, but¡" Red eyes boring meaningfully into her subordinate, Rein did not relinquish her hold on the younger woman. "Am I needing to find another agent more amenable to obeying me?" The woman asked in quiet warning.
Finally subsiding, Edel swallowed and shook her head. Then and only then did Rein release her wrist, fading marks from the amount of strength the silver haired woman had employed temporarily visible on her skin.
Sparing another few seconds to stare Edel down into submission, Rein shifted her eyes to meet the verdant green of her Japanese subordinate, except that the woman''s gaze had been cast out to the ocean in the distance. Ginga''s jaw was tense, and Rein could tell the woman was not pleased that the two TSAB executives seemed to be connecting on a more personal level. There seemed to be a level of resignation in the set of the woman''s shoulders, as if she had known this would happen, so Rein felt it needless to intervene.
A soft alert pulled her attention back to the laptop, and she read through the email that had just arrived. "Seems our contract is coming to a close," she informed her people quietly. Feeling two sets of eyes on her, she elaborated, "Miss Hayate is adjusting the terms to on-site, point to point guarding, until the remainder of the three months is up."
Her gaze shifted to meet that of the other two bodyguards, "We''ll take turns fetching them to and from. They''ll contact us if they need transport or guarding elsewhere, all PTO will be covered." Both women looked reluctant to accept the change but it was not their decision to make and they knew it.
"I guess we should start packing. When does the change take effect?" Ginga was the one asking, and Rein smiled approvingly, glad to see the woman was applying professional distance in this instance. Yawning, Rein stretched and popped a few joints in her back and shoulders. "Monday. We''ll close shop here Sunday," she mumbled after groaning with some relief, "It''s been a time guarding an insomniac."
Ginga eyed her with obvious annoyance, and Rein hid a smirk, knowing the woman had not yet forgiven her boss for having some fun with her ex-girlfriend. The silver haired woman would never lay claim to being some all-knowing master manipulator, but she was gratified that things appeared to be working out between the two executives. They were talking, at least, and spending time together.
Rein knew the Takamachi heir still had truckloads of baggage to deal with, and hoped the princess was up to the task, though from what she had observed over the months, the gentle blonde possessed far more steely determination than one might have guessed from initial appearances. And that was a good and necessary thing. Anyone wanting to dance with the White Devil needed that sort of conviction. Conviction that her subordinate unfortunately lacked all those years ago.
"I''ll go pack first since my things are below." Rein cocked an ear towards the second level. The sounds of crying seemed to have tapered off, leaving mostly silence. On a hunch, she addressed her subordinates, "Also, we''ll probably be keeping watch below tonight. I''ll take first shift, Ginga second, Edel last. Stay on the first floor unless we''re called for." Waiting to get confirmations from both women, Rein nodded and headed over to where her single bed had been set up.
Nanoha found herself in the refuge of prime numbers and dry contract law once more. After a long spate of cuddling, the women had noticed it was coming to bedtime and Fate was still dressed in her formal kimono. Much preferring the executive''s help to Ginga''s, Fate had shyly asked the auburn haired woman to help her out of the elaborate, silken cocoon that was the beautiful, two-layered garment.
Nanoha had agreed, but reluctantly at first, until Fate''s downcast expression told her the blonde had mistaken her reticence for ambivalence towards the royal''s looks. Exceedingly sensitive to the woman''s moods now that the barriers between them had been swept aside, she had taken Fate''s hands in hers, pressing kisses to them to reassure the woman.
"Feito-chan, look at me," Nanoha said seriously, willing those wine-rich eyes to meet her own. Fate had been staring at the ground, her old insecurities rearing their ugly heads to remind her how gangly and unattractive she was, the spare no one needed and merely tolerated for the family''s greater purposes and goals.
Afraid of what she would see in Nanoha''s eyes, Fate forced herself to look up, and felt her knees go weak. That raw hunger was back again, untempered by any doubt of the blonde''s feelings, or her own. Just like that time back in the ICU, she felt her soul being sucked into the whirlpool of desire that was the executive''s heated stare. There, in the quiet of the walk-in closet, Fate sensed how a prey would feel when confronted by the wildly ravenous predator Nanoha embodied in this very moment. She quivered helplessly, caught.
Hypnotised, Fate felt herself sway closer to the magnetic presence, the hot slickness between her legs blooming in heated throbs, a response to that hungry look being sent her way. Nanoha was struggling, Fate realised with startled wonder. She was doing this to the woman she loved. Suddenly, every perceived blemish and fault Fate found in herself paled next to the naked want the blonde could see in Nanoha''s eyes.
"Do you understand now?" Nanoha whispered, breaking her laden stare to bow her head, pressing the blonde''s hands to her forehead now gleaming with a thin sheen of perspiration. "I find Feito-chan so beautiful I can hardly breathe sometimes." Her rough admission was almost a growl and the blonde could see the spasmodic movement in the woman''s leonine throat as she swallowed back her most base desires. Not trusting herself to reply, Fate simply drew the woman up into a full body hug, feeling the bowstrung tension that was Nanoha''s ironclad will manifest.
Pulling back from the hug, the auburn haired woman studied Fate''s expression and was relieved to see the woman appearing more comfortable in her own skin now. "Turn around," Nanoha husked, eliciting another shudder through the blonde''s silk-encased body as she complied. As clinically as she could, the executive removed the stiff scarlet sash from around Fate. Even the mere warmth permeating the material she was painstakingly folding and putting aside was testing her. Nanoha wanted to possess that warmth, to build it to a roaring inferno and claim every bit of the woman as hers. She was not lying when she told Fate that it was going to be torture.
Carefully peeling off the lavish garment, then the layer underneath, she quickly removed herself from the blonde''s immediate presence to hang up the expensive fabrics prior to storing. "Please put on something, quickly," Nanoha urged Fate, her tone short and eyes averted. The woman''s usual penchant for lacy underwear had not diminished with the loss of her memories and the executive had to bite her lower lip until it almost bled to not bury herself into that prodigious chest or dive between those never ending legs where a heavily intoxicating scent was emanating from.
Understanding where Nanoha''s shortness was coming from now, Fate grabbed whatever was close at hand and escaped into the bathroom to grant the Japanese woman a reprieve. Inside, she blew out a shaky breath. She knew beyond all shadow of a doubt that Nanoha was the woman for her. That did not mean she knew what all that entailed aside from what her own tentative explorations had taught her about her own body, or the kisses and touches they had shared so far.
Slipping a hand past her panties'' waistband, she gasped at how sensitive and swollen she felt there. The thin fabric was completely drenched and unsalvageable, prompting her to simply shuck it and her bra off to toss into the laundry basket tucked into the dry corner of the room. Hating to be apart from the woman even for this little span of time, Fate quickly cleaned and dried herself off, biting back yet another gasp. The torture Nanoha mentioned was definitely going to go both ways if that was all it took for the woman to turn Fate into a damp mess.
The cool satin of her plain black camisole and shorts set warmed quickly against the heated surface of her skin and Fate took a moment to splash her face with cold water, performing the rest of her nightly ablutions in a hurry while she was at it. Noting the leftover effects of her long crying jag, she rinsed and wrung out a spare washcloth and left in search of her other half. Nanoha was seated cross-legged on Fate''s bed, studying the sticker prints they had taken in Japan, her face pensive.
Not even surprised when Fate intruded upon her personal space without her senses reacting, she leaned back into the arms encircling her from behind. "Penny," The blonde whispered, carefully wiping away all traces of tears from Nanoha''s face.
Turning to afford the woman easier access, she showed Fate the image of herself carrying the blonde, "I wish I could still do this." Fate dabbed away the salty tracks marring the earthy beauty''s face, "You will again," she told Nanoha firmly, "And I''ll be with you every step of the way."
Liquid blue stared up at the determined blonde who smiled and tightened her arms around the Japanese woman''s still recovering form, "I want to be strong enough to carry Nanoha, too. Can you help me do that?" Fate asked. Full lips curling into an answering smile, Nanoha nodded brightly, "Un! You were getting there, honestly, before we left for Japan."
She gave the woman another squeeze and retrieved the precious stickers to store them in the back of her secret calendar. "I found you a spare toothbrush. I figured you would want to stay upstairs tonight," Fate told Nanoha shyly. The executive turned in the blonde''s arms, rubbing noses fondly with the sweetly considerate woman, "You''ve always been good at anticipating my thoughts. Thank you, Darling." Admiring the view of Nanoha departing to perform her own nightly wash-up, Fate smiled to herself at the collection of endearments she was already gathering in the short time since they had confessed to one another.
Fluffing her pillows while she waited, Fate made a nest against the headboard and settled in, welcoming Nanoha back with more hugs and lips brushed across one smooth temple. Mindful of the other woman''s still tender spots, the blonde cradled her gingerly. That is, until Nanoha leaned up to nip the worrywart blonde on her lobe, causing the taller woman to squeak in surprise, "I''m not made of glass, Feito-chan. I want you to hold me like you''ll never let go."
Blushing, Fate tightened her arm around the auburn haired woman''s waist, loving how it dipped and curved perfectly under her hand. "I w-won''t," She asserted, nuzzling the fragrant fall of hair under her cheek. Feeling bold, she again slipped her hand under the edge of Nanoha''s tee, enjoying the velvet feel of warm skin under her touch.
Skin that rippled with laughter when Nanoha cottoned on to what the cheeky blonde was up to. "Nyahaha. Feito-chan is a pervert." The blonde noted that Nanoha had not removed her offending hand, however, only yawning and stretching in the curve of Fate''s arm, calling to mind the languid behaviour of a large cat. Settling more snugly against Fate''s side, she began to feel a heavy lassitude creep over her. It was upsetting to have such limited reserves but she would give all that up and more for this one perfect moment curled up against her beloved.
Slipping her own arm under the end of the blonde''s thin camisole, she revelled in the feel of being surrounded by Fate. They lay in peaceful comfort for long moments, neither asleep but getting there. Then Nanoha felt the blonde inhale, "Nanoha?"
"Mmm, I love how you say my name." Burred the executive. That got her that bell-like laugh she adored and she smiled into Fate''s shoulder. "Nanoha-chan," Fate tried again, getting another decadent sound of pleasure from the woman she was holding. Pressing a kiss to that warm mass of hair spilling over her arm, Fate squeezed lightly, though Nanoha could hear the blonde''s heart rate pick up slightly, "What¡ about Rein? I thought you¡ with her."
Fully having expected Fate to ask, Nanoha tightened her own arm about the blonde, "I was hurting." Came Nanoha''s quietly candid admission. "You seemed to be fine forgetting me and I¡ Somewhere in the back of my mind, I think I wanted you to hurt as much as I did." Fate felt her shoulder grow damp as the executive recalled the empty days back in the Takamachi compound.
"It was all an act that Rein played along with." Raising herself up to meet Fate''s eyes, the Takamachi heir''s expression was full of shame and regret, "I was being a childish arse. Just because I thought I couldn''t have what I wanted. I felt if I could get you and Ginga together by thinking I was with Rein, maybe it wouldn''t¡ maybe the pain would lessen." Eyes dropping, Nanoha''s hushed words were contrite, "I apologise."
Imagine her surprise when she felt Fate surging up and forward to cover her mouth in a jealously possessive kiss, the claws of the blonde''s fingers digging into her buttocks as she drew Nanoha''s form tightly to her own, "Did you ask to sleep with her?" Fate demanded, breaking the kiss to stare up at the bewildered woman she held. "N-No¡ I was having a terrible migraine and I wouldn''t take any meds for it. I guess she felt she could distract m-AHN!" Again those claws dug into her flesh, Fate working her thigh between the executive''s legs to lift her just enough that her whole weight was balanced on that muscle digging into her rapidly heating nethers.
"Did she touch you? The way I''m touching you?" Fate asked insistently, releasing one trembling buttock to paw roughly at Nanoha''s breast through the thin material of her tee. Gasping at the suddenly forceful blonde, Nanoha arched into the woman''s hands, offering herself up to those harsh touches. "No, y-your hands are the only hands I want on me." She moaned, breath hitching as she tried to speak under the loving assault. Panting, she tangled her hands in her dark angel''s hair, returning the inelegant kisses, so sloppy and insistent, all while rocking over the woman''s leg.
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Release came hard and fast to Nanoha, caught in Fate''s unyielding possession that, while inexperienced, still sent Nanoha''s senses careening into a million directions. Muffling her cries into the heavy mass of flaxen tresses falling over the woman''s shoulder, Nanoha shook uncontrollably for long moments, bathing Fate''s thigh in a hot wash of her essence as she clung to her tightly. Distantly, she felt teeth scoring the length of her clavicle, lips closing around soft skin to suck hard, the blonde marking her as surely as the woman was branded into her soul.
''Gods¡ when was the last time anyone had¡'' Dizzy from her exertions, Nanoha swallowed hard, still shuddering from the unexpectedly powerful climax. Slowly, she felt Fate loosen her bruising grasp. Gingerly pulling back, Nanoha glanced down at the architect of her mind-blowing pleasure who was now looking torn between shock at her own actions and complete confusion at Nanoha''s wanton reaction.
Fate glanced nervously up at the gasping woman in her lap. Blue eyes hooded, panting breaths washing warmly down her cleavage to make her squirm, Nanoha did not seem angry, at least. Auburn strands mixed with gold as Nanoha dipped down to capture Fate''s lips in a long, languid kiss. The executive could feel herself slipping over the thigh still pinned under her and she purred approvingly into the blonde''s mouth. "Are you certain you''ve never done this before? Because oh my gods, that was amazing¡" she murmured throatily against Fate''s lips.
Blushing to her roots though she returned the kiss with interest, Fate stammered, "I don''t kn-know what came over me. I didn''t m-mean to¡ I''m sorry, did I h-hurt you?"
"Mmm, it was a good hurt." Nanoha touched lightly at the spot she had felt Fate suckling at, lips curling to see the blonde''s eyes widen at the bruise beginning to surface there. About to apologise again, Nanoha silenced her with another kiss, "Shhh, I enjoyed what you did, can''t you tell? Sweetheart, I made a total mess of your leg, and you haven''t even undressed me." Chuckling deep in her throat, she ran nibbling kisses along the blonde''s gently curving jawline. "My gods, I can''t wait to do the same to you¡"
"Why don''t you?" Fate whispered, hands dropping to Nanoha''s waist as she submitted to the woman''s kisses with a soft moan. She kept her left hand assiduously slack, conscious of the bullet wounds residing there. Her right clasped and massaged at the woman''s sweet curves, however, encouraging Nanoha to take things further.
Sighing, Nanoha pressed their foreheads together, brushing the pad of her thumb across lips she would never get enough of. "I haven''t been exactly celibate over the years, Feito-chan. I refuse to take any chances with your health. I love you too much for that." Melting under the woman''s sweet regard, Fate tried not to look too disappointed, which only made Nanoha giggle, "Nyahaha, Feito-chan really is a pervert." Growing serious once more, she brushed aside the soft fringe that had fallen over the eyes she adored, "I really am sorry for what I did with Rein."
Fate shook her head slightly, "It''s not as if you had my ring on your finger¡" Both women paused at the thought and Nanoha returned Fate''s shy look with a warm one, both knew it would only be a matter of time. "I¡ was still wildly jealous," she admitted, squirming again, a move that only served to make Nanoha gasp.
Carefully extricating herself from the woman''s tempting body, Nanoha hid a faint wince, knowing Fate would only blame herself if she saw her in pain. That was definitely not on the list of things Shamal would approve of. It was simply impossible to talk when Fate''s softly welcoming form was so close was all. "It was still manipulative of me. Your emotions are not for toying with." She took the blonde''s hand to lay it over her cheek, "Please forgive me."
"Please forgive me." Stroking the face that was her entire world, Fate frowned, eyes looking past the woman into a room with tatami mats and shoji doors. The memory of herself crying inconsolably while an emotionally wounded Nanoha shrank away from her touch. "I have hurt you, too."
Eyes widening, Nanoha tightened her hand over Fate''s, trying to anchor the woman in the wash of a past life''s turmoil and hurt. Slowly, crimson eyes full with unshed tears focused back onto the executive, and Nanoha swiftly pulled Fate into a hug, "No, Feito-chan, two wrongs don''t make a right. We made mistakes, and will continue to do so. The important thing is to talk it out. Let our love be stronger than any of this."
Feeling exhausted from the day''s roller-coasters, Fate nodded tiredly, swallowing back the urge to beg forgiveness anew. It had taken them so long to find their way back to the other. Fate could not let something Nanoha had already forgiven her for, put yet another wedge between them. "I forgive you." A part of her knew the memory of Nanoha with Rein would continue to sting for a while. Yet, Nanoha was correct. What they had together was stronger than those mistakes, she knew it was, and wonder of wonders, Nanoha agreed.
"Let''s rest, Nanoha-chan. You have PT tomorrow morning."
Torn between exasperation and fondness, Nanoha propped a hand on her hip, "I suppose Shamal outed me there. The nerve of that woman."
Smiling faintly, Fate drew back the covers and settled herself under them, her wine-shaded gaze inviting Nanoha to join her with that loving glow that the executive now recognised as a look the blonde reserved just for her. Gladly accepting, she snuggled back against the lanky blonde''s side. "The doctor knew you would need reminders." Was all Fate would share, pulling the covers warmly over the both of them and speaking into the smart remote to turn the lights down and dim the glass panels. She wanted this to be the best rest Nanoha had ever had since she had gotten so badly hurt.
"Feito-chan¡" Nanoha felt the arm around her waist tighten slightly, indicating the blonde was listening, "Tenshi¡ Arigato~" Thank you, Angel.
Smiling lips pressed a kiss to her forehead, and Nanoha drifted off into the first true rest she''d had since those heady days in the Japanese inn.
Waking up with Fate spooned around her felt so heavenly and unreal that Nanoha had wondered in a panic if yesterday had been nothing but a fevered dream. The long-fingered hand drawing lazy circles over her tummy felt very real, however, not to mention the toe-curling kiss that followed after she had done a spine-popping stretch and rolled over to face the blonde.
Fate was a light sleeper thanks to a lifetime of unwelcome family checking in on her back when she still lived in Midchilda. Something she was grateful for when the slight change in Nanoha''s breathing had nudged her awake. Cocooned under the blankets with the woman, Fate was pleased to see that Nanoha had not changed position all night, meaning her rest had indeed been deep.
Recognising that she was feeling a great amount of anticipation just to have Nanoha awake once more, Fate simply remained still, her only concession being to draw little circles over the magnificent abdomen under her hand. Her patience was rewarded when the beauty in her arms slowly began to stir on her own. Admiring the flexibility apparent in the woman''s sleepy stretches, she couldn''t help the smile that greeted Nanoha''s own drowsy mumbles.
Eyes framed by heavy scarlet-tinted lashes focused immediately on the smiling blonde. The moment Fate saw that Nanoha was conscious, she leaned over to offer the woman a good morning kiss.
"Mmmmm¡" More than happy to return the affection, Nanoha snaked an arm around the blonde''s slim neck and felt her eyes drifting closed again as she sank into the bliss of the moment. Fate was truly a remarkable kisser, the blonde lending her entire attention to the endeavour and leaving Nanoha without a shred of doubt that nothing and no one took precedence over her in this moment in time. Nanoha wondered if all those years spent alone had the blonde accumulating all kinds of pent-up fantasies that she was now the lucky, lucky recipient of. If so, the auburn haired woman was certainly not complaining.
"The sun''s not up," Nanoha noted, absently stroking the blonde''s nape with the tips of her calloused fingers. Shivering at the immediate goosebumps that chased themselves over her skin, Fate made a sound of agreement, not really up to talking just yet. Her hand had found its way under that little tee again, and Nanoha found herself battling her own wave of goosebumps rising in the wake of the blonde''s touch.
"Why are we?" Laughing softly at the not-wholly rhetorical question, Fate tweaked a bit of that velvety skin she was exploring, causing Nanoha to jump a little, "Because you''re a disgustingly early bird?"
Nanoha appeared surprised at her own denseness, "When I could be sleeping in with you? The fuck is wrong with me?"
"Language!" Fate scolded, "Do you kiss your mother with those lips?"
"Please don''t bring up my Kaa-chan when we''re like this, it feels all kinds of wrong."
That got another low laugh out of the blonde. It felt like all she did was smile and laugh when she was with Nanoha. "My bad, let me make it up to you¡" The blonde''s hand got bolder, prompting Nanoha to snatch at Fate''s wrist.
"Ah, ah, ah, naughty Feito-chan. We''re taking it slow, remember?" Thwarted again, Fate pouted. Since Nanoha was unable to resist and kissed her to make up for the disappointment, the blonde supposed she could not complain too much. "I just want to touch you all over," Fate complained.
"You will," Nanoha promised, eyes shaded violet in the low light of dawn heatedly raked the gloriously tousled blonde from head to toe, that ever-present hunger leaking slightly past the executive''s self-control again. "And much, much morrrre. Buuuut, only after I''ve been tested clean." She smooched Fate in-between every word of her last sentence, spurring the blonde to play tit-for-tat, a game the auburn haired woman was more than happy to participate in.
Feeling giddy from getting to live out one of her many dreams involving Nanoha, Fate fell back against the pillows, immediately gaining a gorgeous Japanese limpet attached to her side. "It feels as if I will wake up at any moment," Fate confessed in a voice rife with wonder and disbelief. It would be a long time, if ever, that the blonde would ever get used to the reality that was loving and being loved by this matchless woman in her arms. Nanoha was slightly winded from the play session and Fate decided to take things down a notch to afford the recovering heir time to catch her breath.
"I know," Nanoha blew out a breath to shift aside the bangs that had fallen into her eyes again. "I woke up thinking yesterday was all a dream my brain had made up as a cruel joke. That I''d wake and be all alone in my bed again, wishing for something I could never have." She laid her head down, pressing her ear to the spot over Fate''s heart.
The slightly elevated, steady beat was real enough to evoke tears in the Japanese woman, and her hold on the blonde grew tighter. "I want to say that I don''t deserve this much happiness," She murmured past a voice choking up with emotions, "That I''ve done nothing to earn your love." Fate held back her need to reassure the woman momentarily, understanding that Nanoha strove against her own demons, just as she did. There was nothing she did not believe they could not overcome together, but she held her peace to give the executive the space she needed to work through what had been an extremely trying period.
"But I know it''s just my insecurities talking." Fate felt calloused fingers linking with her own, the woman brushing her lips across the blonde''s digits, "I have no right to take away your agency, the choices you''ve made on your own. Feito-chan is Feito-chan. So I just want to treasure every single second I''ve been blessed to spend with you."
Eyes full, Fate wondered if it was possible to fall in love with the woman all over again. "From as far back as I can recall, I was never allowed to be my own person." The blonde whispered in the bubble of intimacy they had built around them, "Every decision was made for me. Every life''s choice was not mine to choose. The one time I really rebelled¡" She sniffled, "I almost lost you. Only with you, am I free to be myself. Not only that, but the best version of myself."
Gentle fingers brushed away the tears Nanoha knew she would find in the blonde''s eyes. "I want to destroy every individual that almost stole you from me." Fate raggedly admitted, "I want them to suffer pain a thousand times what you suffered; bleed a thousand times more than you bled. But.. What you just said¡ it puts things in perspective for me. The best vengeance is to live the fullest life I possibly can, with you. They do not deserve my time, or even my hate. My emotions are for you. My time is for you. You are my everything, Nanoha-chan."
Nanoha''s lopsided smile grew tremulous, "I love you so much, I feel like I may explode at any moment, I can''t hold this all in." Fate cuddled the woman up in her arms. "Save your exploding for when we can do it together," the blonde whispered saucily, eliciting another giggle from the executive. "Nyahaha, Feito-chan has a one-track mind."
"Can you blame me?" Fate complained, "I don''t have all my memories but I know I have had the hots for you from the very beginning." Fate paused, then gave the woman an innocent smile, "Both times."
Choking back a laugh, she tickled Fate''s ribs just a tad, making the bed she was lying on wiggle and squirm in the most delicious of ways, "Ah, yes," She drawled sardonically, "The ''Half-Dead in the ICU'' look, gets the girls every time."
"Mmmhmm," Fate readily agreed, "You got me, didn''t you?"
Nanoha chuckled, "And I''ll be forever grateful that it worked on you." Yawning again, Nanoha undimmed the glass panels by a few steps with the remote and cast a weighing glance at the weak light of false dawn sneaking into the apartment. "I''ll go get my walk in before breakfast."
Sighing indulgently at her beloved''s insane work ethic, Fate kissed her Saturday sleep-in goodbye and slid out of bed. Offering Nanoha a hand, she helped the Japanese woman up. "Er, Feito-chan, just go back to sleep, I''m sure one of the guards¡"
"Would you let me walk on my own with Edel?"
Recalling some of the looks she had seen the strawberry blonde bodyguard sending Fate''s way, Nanoha bared her teeth slightly, "The hell I would¡" And then she stopped and cast Fate an apologetic glance. The blonde merely arched a brow at the auburn haired woman.
"I get it." Fate did not want Nanoha going walkies with Rein, either. The Takamachi heir felt obligated to clarify that the silver haired bodyguard had been nothing but professional, but perhaps it was a tad too soon. Recognising that this was still the earliest stages of their fledgling relationship, Nanoha took a moment to slip a hand up into the blonde''s hair, drawing the woman''s lips down for a kiss.
This was no hurried affair, the Japanese woman curling her free arm around Fate''s waist to seal their fronts together. Full lips invited the blonde to explore and be explored and Nanoha poured all of her attention into reassuring Fate that she was Fate''s and only Fate''s.
Consumed so skillfully right where she stood, Fate felt her knees go weak under the loving onslaught of suckling nips and a tongue that seemed to encompass her own with a blazing agility that sent her into another plane just imagining that same tongue on other parts of her person. The blonde did her best to keep up, to return as good as she got, but it was all she could do to cling to the woman, haltingly mimicking what Nanoha was doing to her.
Eventually, Fate was given permission to breathe and she panted weakly against Nanoha who kept a firm arm around the swaying blonde. "I¡ What¡" Words. Words were hard. Reeling from the sizzling offensive that had come out of nowhere, Fate met blue eyes that drew her in with unspoken words of endless desire. "What was that about?"
Closing the mere inch that was between them, Nanoha caught Fate''s lower lip between even white incisors, flicking the imprisoned bit of flesh teasingly with that long tongue of hers. "Just reminding Feito-chan that she is the only one for me," she purred huskily once she released that quivering lip from her teeth''s grasp.
"The same with Feito-chan letting others know I''m hers," Dark eyes hooded, Nanoha tugged lightly at the collar of her tee, showing Fate the obvious love bite on her collarbone. Smirking at the blonde''s intense blush, she simply said, "I''ll meet you on the porch in fifteen." Gentle fingers caressed one warm cheek and then the woman was gone, leaving a stupefied and breathless mess of a royal behind.
Chapter 50: I Need Therapy
Wishing they were alone, Fate took in Nanoha''s form with a marked level of greediness that she hoped the loitering bodyguards would not notice. Now that she was out of her casts, the Japanese woman had reverted back to what the blonde''s sketchy memories told her was her usual mode of dress when Nanoha meant to work out.
A black and pink double-layered top encased the woman''s form snugly, its halter design concealing the hickey Fate had marked Nanoha with the night before. It was also an obvious choice to avoid chafing at the still-tender wounds in the woman''s left shoulder. Similarly chosen to avoid irritating the wounds in Nanoha''s waist, a simple pair of black tights covered her lower half. Cut low enough to sit below the executive''s hips, the full outfit offered Fate an exceedingly good view of the woman''s body.
The blonde knew the woman''s ravaged form had lost some mass compared to what she could recall, but what remained still sent her heart rate soaring and she realised it was the personality and spirit of the woman that had always pulled at her. Long auburn hair had been tugged through the back of a baseball cap, mimicking a ponytail, and Nanoha was hefting a fair-size water bottle in one hand, a spare cap in the other, while she waited on Fate to join her on the porch.
Sharp azure had been drinking in the peace of the sheltered cove laid out in the distance, and Fate admired the noble cast of Nanoha¡¯s profile from her vantage point inside of the apartment. Stepping out onto the porch, the expected hawk-eyed gaze snapped around to find the source of the sound and Fate felt her rapidly beating heart skip a beat.
Nanoha bit back a low growl of appreciation at the sight of the blonde. Her mind had been preoccupied with thoughts about how they would handle Monday morning, though she held back on making any decisions until she had gotten Fate''s input. Then the object of her thoughts appeared and all thought faded into the background.
Fate marvelled at how those brilliantly blue eyes never left her own, the gaze widening perceptively and paying no attention to the rest of her person at all. In the most fundamental way, Nanoha was telling Fate that nothing about the blonde mattered to the woman other than that she be herself, whatever that was at any given time.
Warmed to her very toes, Fate drew closer. "Hey." Uncertain just how ''out'' Nanoha was, she kept a conscious distance between them just in case. Finally dropping her eyes, Nanoha surreptitiously observed Fate''s cute outfit. The blonde was clad in a simple tank and tights combo that showed off her elegantly long limbs, the black spandex streaked with a small gold lightning bolt on either side of the woman''s thighs.
It brought Nanoha back to the days when they would spend their Saturday mornings at the gym and she found herself fiercely blinking back any hint of tears. To think that those precious days would resume made her feel blessed beyond belief. "Heya," Nanoha greeted back warmly with only a small hitch in her voice.
Leaving the bottle on the porch table for a second, she invited Fate to take a seat in one of the chairs. Tucking Fate''s blonde locks into the spare cap she had brought, she replicated the ponytail look on the other woman in a few efficient moves. "I should have remembered sunblock," the Takamachi heir muttered, frowning at her faulty memory.
"We can do that another time, when¡ when they''re gone." Fate whispered. Tugging the last of the thick fall of gold through the back of Fate''s cap, Nanoha paused. "Oh? We need to be alone, hmm? Makes me wonder just where you plan to apply lotion on me."
Caught, Fate tried to stammer a defense that died on her lips when Nanoha leaned close enough that she could feel the warmth coming off the woman''s body, "Let''s spend time on the beach someday¡ I know Feito-chan will be thorough." The executive''s smooth alto was low enough that only Fate could hear her, and the dark promise in Nanoha''s voice sent a shiver through her body. Gods, the torture had already begun. Throwing Nanoha a look from under heavy lashes, Fate murmured, "It will be a duty I happily accept."
Chuckling, Nanoha was delighted to find the blonde more than up to the task of standing toe-to-toe with her. Had she honestly had any doubt? The realist in her acknowledged how well they had gotten along with each other right from the very start. Even when facing her down under the cold, sterile lights of the Testarossa Inc. offices, Fate had proven she was more than a match for Nanoha, something the executive had appreciated greatly.
Exhaling a happy sigh, she kept her smile tucked away in deference to the audience they still had, head tilting to the seated woman, "Shall we?"
Sneakered feet eating up the distance on the boardwalk, Nanoha kept up a smoothly brisk pace. Shamal had not given her leave to begin running again, which left Nanoha with little choice but to practise her family''s arts, focused on maintaining a balanced centre of gravity whilst moving without sound.
Fate was struck by how similar the gait looked to the way Rein and Ginga moved and she realised it was part and parcel of the martial arts skills the women possessed. So that was why she had found the way Rein moved so familiar, she must have first observed it in Nanoha.
"I''m feeling selfish," Nanoha said apropos of nothing. Blinking, Fate glanced at her companion who threw her a lopsided smile out of their bodyguards'' line of sight, "I want you all to myself," she elaborated, which still did not give Fate much context to work with, though she did return the smile, "That makes two of us, then."
"I mean, I don''t want to let on that we''re¡" Nanoha paused, a moment of uncertainty ripping through her, until Fate rescued her from her insecure floundering, "An exclusive couple?" Despite the pink dusting her cheeks, the blonde had absolutely no compunctions in giving what had sprung up between them a more solid form with her chosen words.
She was Nanoha''s and Nanoha was hers, there simply were no two ways about it. Anything less would be unacceptable. From the warmly relieved look the woman was sending her, Fate knew her choice had been the correct one. Again, the blonde was struck by how Nanoha made certain to include her in every decision she made, understanding that the Takamachi heir meant to correct her past mistakes; for theirs to be an equal partnership, something Fate knew she wanted, too.
"Are you still in the closet? ...Was I?" Nanoha shook her head, "I didn''t excommunicate myself from the clan to hide that I was gay. As for you¡ well, you''d told me early on, but it never really came up in TSAB, since I hired you for your abilities, not because¡" She gave Fate a small smirk, "I was wildly attracted to you."
Hiding the stupid smile that threatened to give her away to the bodyguards, Fate ducked her head, "Was?"
Nanoha''s smirk grew the tiniest bit, "My bad. Am. English isn''t my first language." Fate gave a small laugh.
"So about being selfish?"
"Right. Hayate says we can work half-days come Monday. Now, I don''t know if you remember this, but some unnamed few have been conspiring to hook us up for a while now. And, well, I don''t want to give them that satisfaction for now." She could see Fate was curious who these individuals were though she refrained from asking since there would be no point if she did not remember who those individuals were.
The corner of those brilliant blue eyes crinkled at the blonde''s admirable show of patience, "Would you mind terribly, if we pretended to be mere acquaintances around others for a while?" Nanoha gave the blonde a liquidly loving glance that her cap kept hidden from the guards trailing behind them out of earshot. "I''m feeling extremely exposed and vulnerable right now," she admitted quietly, "And I only want Feito-chan to see this side of me."
What other possible answer could Fate give to such a sweetly tender request? Knowing it was taking the intensely private woman a lot to be this open with her, Fate wished she could hug her. "O-Of course. I know it isn''t because you''re ashamed of us. No one else needs to know what''s really going on other than ourselves. Besides," She admitted shyly, "I like the idea of having Nanoha all to myself, too."
Pondering on what Nanoha had shared about conspirators, Fate huffed out a small sound of amusement, "Did you know that Momoko-san patted Ginga''s bum and mine when we were saying our goodbyes?"
Mushy mood broken, Nanoha shot Fate a horrified look and hissed quietly, conscious of the bodyguards hanging back a distance, "Do you mean to say my honoured MOTHER sexually harassed you?! Fucking H, where is my phone, I''m going to yell at her."
Feeling an insanely giddy giggle threatening to bubble up to the surface, Fate shook her head, attempting to cut Nanoha off at the pass before the volatile executive drove off the deep end at full power, full throttle, "I think she was checking to see how good we would be at bearing your future offspring."
"Oh my fucking gods¡"
"Nanoha! Language!"
"Feito-chan, I just found out my mother was feeling you up, I''m not exactly thrilled about this, I''ll have you know."
"No, I mean, yes, I mean¡ It was just a pat." Voice shy, she gave Nanoha an unconsciously smoky look, "I''d expect your touch there to be far, far different."
Already working up to a full head of steam, Nanoha found herself neatly derailed by the innocent blonde''s words, her look immediately reminding the Takamachi heir of Fate''s surprisingly bold move the night before. Blowing out an exasperated breath, she threw Fate a faintly put out look, "You''re still incredibly good at stopping me on my tracks." She grudgingly admitted.
Ears perking, Fate tilted her head, "Was that what I did in the past?"
"Mmhmm. I tend to barrel headlong into a path I''ve set. It helps get things done quickly. Somehow, you''d find a gentler way and steer me there without even trying. Saved me time and acrimony."
"I hope to keep doing that for a long time to come." Fate said, prompting another warm look from the executive. "Will it cause you any trouble, though?" An ugly thought surfaced, what if she had to quit her job to continue seeing Nanoha?
Nanoha blinked, "Trouble? Aside from having to control myself around you?"
Derailed herself, Fate tsked at the saucy woman, "Nanoha-chan has a one-track mind, too." She accused lightly, then she shook her head in a negative, "I mean being in a relationship with your AVP."
"Ah," She gave a small shrug, the shift of muscle and bone under skin giving Fate another thing to add to the list of reasons why she enjoyed watching Nanoha. "Not if we keep things professional¡" She eyed the blonde askance, sparkling eyes growing sly, "Or don''t get caught." Lips twitching at the expected pink blooming across the blonde''s pale cheeks, Nanoha affected an air of nonchalance, "I''m sure there will never come a time when you''d want to repeat what you did to me last night during work hours."
The pink deepened in hue and it took Nanoha immense effort not to burst out laughing, certain that the innocent virgin was thinking about all sorts of scenarios right at that very moment. ''Always gotta watch out for the innocent ones, they have the wildest imaginations of all the lot.'' Nanoha thought wickedly, finding herself anticipating what the principessa might have planned in the future if she was getting this red over some offhand comments.
"Penny." She drawled, eyeing the blonde with a knowing look.
Coughing into a fist, Fate cleared her throat and pretended not to see the look being sent her way, "I think I may charge more than a penny."
"Oh? Do you want me to pay you with nudes? How many pennies is one worth?"
Resigned to being redder than a tomato for the rest of her life, Fate pondered removing the cap Nanoha had so kindly provided her. Perhaps she could blame it on a sunburn. Deciding the executive was having far too much fun at her expense, Fate lifted her chin, expression haughty, "I believe I shall want a full photo series to deem it worth sharing my very valuable thoughts. I could hold an exhibit titled, ''Nanoha: A Study of My Greatest Love''."
Focused on keeping the pace Nanoha had set, it took Fate at least twenty metres to realise she was alone. Turning around, she found the executive frozen in one spot, her eyes that reflected the seas and skies around them staring flummoxed at Fate. ''Oh dear, did I break her?''
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Jogging back to where the woman was rooted to the ground, Fate waved a hand in front of the beauty''s face. "Nanoha?" She had only managed one wave before her wrist was caught in a vice-like grip. The woman had been so quick that there hadn''t even a blur to warn the blonde. Pinned by eyes made stormy by the emotions raging within the woman, Fate held back her instinctive gasp, simply leaving her arm relaxed in the hold. She met the whirling vortex of Nanoha''s stare with limpid pools of Bordeaux red, and a sense of wonder trickled into the blue eyes boring deep into her soul.
"You cannot be saying that, Feito-chan¡" Alto deadly soft, the warning hint of a growl lurking just beneath its deceptively smooth surface sounded like a warning. Pride piqued to be reprimanded as if she were a child, Fate peered down her nose at the woman, "And why not?" Her lilting soprano demanded loftily.
"Because¡" The tense form closed the few inches of distance between them and Fate felt her entire world fade into the ocean wide depths that threatened to drown her, "It makes me want to drag you back to bed and make love to you for three days straight." Nanoha admitted, voice raw and frayed to the point where it cracked from the naked desire burning up the scant traces of air still left between their heated forms.
This time she did gasp, and felt her knees go weak all over again. "Wh-What if I want you to?" Fate whispered, painfully conscious of the curious onlookers that were their bodyguards. The women in suits couldn''t hear what they were saying, but they surely could see how close the two of them were standing.
Slowly releasing Fate''s wrist with excruciating care, Nanoha stepped aside to resume their walk. Quickly keeping pace, Fate willed her legs to stop acting like jelly and threw a glance back at the trio of guards who seemed faintly puzzled over why the pair had stopped, but not worried enough to have approached either woman to ask about it.
Expression pinched, the executive gave Fate a tight-lipped smile, "Then I had better get myself back into shape quickly, hmm?" The blonde returned the smile with a shaky one of her own. She could barely withstand the woman''s aura now. Would she have any chance of survival once Nanoha was fit again? ''Oh, but what a way to go¡''
Seated in the first level dining area with the bodyguards, Nanoha had deemed it good practise to see if she could handle having a meal beside Fate without giving anything away. Fate had opted to settle into a chair a seat away from the executive and Nanoha was proud of how neither of them had ventured past boring topics about work and the weather, or done more than exchange fleeting glances.
They had warmed up the omurice and curry leftovers from the night before, with Nanoha taking charge of preparing a fresh batch of fluffy omelettes to place over each fragrant serving of rice stir-fry and sweet curry. An enormous sense of well-being filled Nanoha, and she supposed this was a part of her mother she had inherited. Being able to cook for herself and her loved ones just felt so good.
A carefully cordoned off part of Nanoha was still reeling at being termed ''my greatest love'' by the blonde and she knew she would take the intensely gooey feeling it induced into the deepest, darkest nights of her life henceforth.
She was helpless in the face of the power the woman wielded over her, a fact that did not stir the usual apprehensions and fears that would normally plague Nanoha. Perhaps she had finally learned to let go a little, let someone else commandeer her life. There were no hands she trusted more than Fate''s to place it in, and simply acknowledging that felt incredibly¡ freeing. She pondered what she might be able to do for the woman in return for all she had been freely given. Christmas was coming up, wasn''t it? Hmm.
Nanoha wanted to laugh at the expression on Fate''s face. Zafira Wolkenritter had arrived right on schedule after their lazy morning breakfast of omurice leftovers. Surprised that the rose amongst the Wolkenritter thorns was in Singapore, Nanoha greeted him warmly. The very good-looking man was the precise sort that would grace the cover of men''s magazines and Fate was absolutely ambivalent about having him being Nanoha''s physical therapist.
"Zaffy, when did your flea-bitten arse get in?" Smiling with genuine pleasure, Nanoha shook the man''s hand, inviting him past the door Rein had opened after determining it was a scheduled visitor.
"Nanoha," The physical therapist greeted, displaying a charming smile as he took the hand being offered and entered. "I finished my boards a few months ago. Took me that long to move here. Shamal''s been kind enough to take me on staff while I get settled. She figured you''d be more comfortable with someone you know." He glanced around curiously at the other women present, "She mentioned I''d have some help¡?"
Nanoha muttered something derogatory about a tanuki''s influence and shook her head, "Of course she did." Having overheard the conversation, Fate quickly stepped forward, offering her own hand in greeting just so the man would have to let go of Nanoha''s. Honestly, how long did a hello handshake have to be in Singapore to count as long enough?!
"Good morning. I''m Fate, Nanoha''s AVP." Her smile was little more than some baring of teeth, surprising both the handsomely tall and dark Wolkenritter and Nanoha herself. Nanoha was certain Fate knew that the executive was gay, and besides that, utterly in love with Fate. Fate was past understanding her own reactions. All she knew was this muscular man with the attractive shock of white hair was far too good-looking to be left alone with Nanoha. The gorgeous woman had no idea the kind of sway she held over others, same gender or otherwise.
"Er, nice to meet you, Fate." Clasping the icy blonde''s hand, he returned her cool smile and glanced at the Nanoha for some direction. "Where would you like me to set up?"
Hiding her amusement over Fate''s unexpected behaviour, Nanoha formally queried her AVP, "Apologies, Fate-san, may I trouble you to use the second level''s free space?"
"Certainly, Nanoha-san, let me clear the space." Watching the willowy blonde glide up the stairs, Zafira gave Nanoha a slightly nervous smile, "New hire?"
Like Zafira, Nanoha watched Fate disappear up the stairs, deliberately maintaining a slightly disinterested expression before shrugging, "You could say that. She''s up to be confirmed in a few months."
"Do you get along?" Zafira was not as close to the ground as the rest of the Singapore-based family and his preoccupation with his certifications had him missing out on the latest news regarding the friends and acquaintances the family had here.
Biting on the inside of her lip, Nanoha made a noncommittal sound, "Well enough. She''s lasted the longest, so far."
Rein simply sighed quietly to herself whilst helping with the dishes. Last night appeared to be one step forward, two steps back for the two executives and she pondered if there was time for an intervention before she and the rest of the guards left. She was going to get hives dealing with such useless lesbians.
Fate struggled to not glare at the physical therapist. His hands were all over her Nanoha and it was utterly unacceptable. The man had been running an evaluation of Nanoha''s problem spots which entailed more than the usual share of hands-on work. Recognising the little green-eyed monster lurking in the blonde''s eyes, Nanoha took pity on her and paused Zafira''s work to ask if he could show Fate the ropes.
"Oh, yes, Miss Fate, if you could position yourself here. You will want to support most of your weight and ease down bit by bit. Nanoha is already very flexible, so we''re helping her keep those joints healthy while she regains the use of her whole body." Mollified that she would actually get to participate in helping Nanoha, Fate set aside her instinctive dislike of the man to carefully replicate what he had been doing.
With a start, she realised it was the same thing she had seen Rein doing with Nanoha back in the Takamachi compound. The secretly soft look the executive was directing up at her informed Fate that the woman remembered, and had purposely asked for Fate to take over this one exercise in particular. She wanted to give Fate the opportunity to erase and replace Rein''s help with the blonde''s own.
"That''s it," Zafira encouraged, nodding approvingly at the blonde''s careful work. "You''ll want to watch her to know when to stop. Don''t let her try to hide the pain, I''ve been warned she''ll try to push things too far too soon."
Fate stared down at the woman beneath her, her wine-rich gaze drinking in the closeness between them. Words that did not need to be spoken for two hearts beating as one to hear passed between them. Still, she nodded to acknowledge the man''s words. "I will keep the closest watch over her," She assured Zafira, never taking her eyes away from the Takamachi heir.
Understanding the true import of those words, Nanoha felt herself melting under the blonde hovering over her. Striving to remain on task, she tapped the arm closest to her to indicate she had reached her limit and needed a break. Immediately, Fate eased up, "I apologise, Nanoha-san, did that hurt?"
"Just a tad." She blew out a breath, irritated with her body''s limitations, though she flashed the others present a tight smile to assure them that her annoyance was not directed at either of them. "It''s frustrating," she admitted, knowing she had surprised the man who''d been forewarned by his relative about her tendency to overdo things.
"Understandable. Your siblings'' regimen started you on the right path, just that it was implemented earlier than advisable. It''s fortunate that you''d already built up a solid foundation so nothing was irreparably harmed. Something I''m sure they took into account. Now that you''re officially out of your casts, we can begin to step it up. Not for your first session, however."
Glancing over to the surprisingly helpful AVP, he smiled, "Shall we run through the basics one more time? These will be exercises she can do on her own, just that an extra set of eyes and hands can help move things along a little faster."
"I suppose if it would help my boss¡" Fate murmured, feigning indifference to keep up the appearance of her and Nanoha being mere colleagues. Concentrating on their act helped distract the blonde from that ever-present desire to kiss the woman, among other things.
"TSAB appreciates your dedication to your job," Nanoha shot back with cool professionalism, studiously masking the tingles that had sprung up at every spot that had been in contact with Fate.
Zafira glanced from strained EVP to strained AVP, wondering if it was a good idea to have both women be roommates when they appeared to be waging some sort of cold war. Shamal should have warned him about this. Clearing his throat to break the seemingly icy silence, he hurriedly showed Fate the various exercises. The woman was competent to a fault, and her attention to detail left nothing to be desired, but her uncannily crimson eyes held no fondness for the woman she was working with.
The prickly EVP was behaving no better. She was refusing to even look at the blonde helping her and performed the exercises with a put-upon air. Feeling like he had to step in to do some damage control, Zafira made a note to speak with his relatives. Perhaps one of them would have an idea how to mend things between the two women.
Seeing Zafira off, Nanoha found herself blocked from egress back into the condo. Rein stood in her way, expression serious. "Nanoha, can we talk? Privately?" The executive peered at the woman from under her auburn fringe. The bodyguard was sharper than most and Nanoha wondered if the woman had been at all fooled by Fate''s and her amateur performance.
"Sure." Actually grateful for the distraction, she gestured to the porch chairs outside. She wished she could join Fate in the shower but knew better than to give in to that temptation. All her spurious talk about taking things slow would fly right out the window if she found herself naked and in the same room as the blonde again.
The region''s monsoon season was upon them and the overcast skies teased with the scent of ozone in the sea breeze sweeping across the resort island. This afforded them a reprieve from the relentless pounding heat of the noon day sun, and the temperature was actually comfortable to be outside in at the moment.
Rein studied the woman seated beside her. The ever-present shadows that haunted Nanoha''s eyes seemed to have lessened, and the silver haired woman wondered if some progress had finally occurred between her and Fate, or had the resignation of what was the current reality settled in. As much as her feelings for the blonde were apparent to the bodyguard over the course of the weeks she had been in close contact with Nanoha, the executive was still extremely adept at keeping things close to her chest.
"Hayate has adjusted the terms of my agency''s contract with TSAB," Rein began without preamble. This served to pull the ruminative, azure eyes from their study of the deceptively calm coastline to the bodyguard whose lips curved into a thin smile, "We''ll be out of your hair by tomorrow''s end. We''ll still serve as guards and drivers when you''re out and about, so let me know when you''d like us to pick you and Fate up."
"Hayate moves fast," Nanoha noted after a moment spent considering this new arrangement. "You and your people have proven exemplary in your service. You are welcome to cite me for reference checks in your future contracts."
Dipping her head in thanks for the generous offer, Rein''s eyes continued to hold the executive''s own. "Will you be fine, though, alone with her?" The genuine concern evident in the woman''s question was touching and Nanoha considered if Ginga or Fate had never entered her life, her path could have gone in a much more different direction with this woman.
Her mind turned slyly towards a tanuki who was still single and had seemed to have liked what she had seen of Rein when the bodyguard had appeared briefly in the video call Nanoha had been in with Hayate. Someone mature and caring who didn''t take any bullshit would make a perfect foil to her long time friend''s more flippant attitude towards life.
Exhaling slowly, she brought her wandering mind back to the question at hand. The subject of Fate threatened to put a stupid smile on her face, and Nanoha had to employ old boardroom skills to keep her expression neutral. "We''ll work something out. She''s quiet and unobtrusive for a roommate."
Exasperated, Rein nudged the woman with her toe, feeling that their time together warranted a little show of informality. "I don''t mean that. Surely you can tell the woman has feelings for you."
"We''ll work something out." Nanoha repeated, voice hardening to cut off any further probes from the woman. Sapphire orbs reflected the ominous grey of the clouds overhead, and Rein could tell the woman was still conflicted over her blonde roommate. The bodyguard was surprised when the woman continued, having assumed that the discussion was over, "Rein, every time I''ve wanted something, life has found a way to tear it out of my hands and hurting those I care for in the process. It''s made me learn not to ask for anything."
The absolute dearth of any personal touches in the woman''s apartment was proof of that startlingly honest statement. Gaze softening, she glanced back towards the dependable guard, "Thank you for indulging in my stupid hang-ups."
Rein chuckled, "I can say with all honesty that the pleasure was all mine, Nanoha. I truly do hope you and the princess work things out; it''s a crime to keep that tongue of yours to yourself."
That got a facepalm out of the executive, "Please keep that notion to yourself. Preferably, forever." Sighing, she peered at the smirking woman, "Where will you and your people stay, though?"
Rein shrugged, "My family has some property on the island. We''ll be nearby. It''ll just be for the remainder of the three months, and then we''ll be out of your hair, hopefully for good."
Nanoha blinked, then realised just where, or whom, Rein''s accent had always reminded her of - the sort of locals that had been depicted in the movie ''Crazy Rich Asians''. "You¡ don''t really need this job, do you?" She squinted knowingly at the woman, now viewed from behind a different lens.
Tilted crimson eyes crinkled at the corners and Rein merely smiled, "It keeps life interesting. I''d fucking hate to stay indoors playing mahjong all day instead." Old money recognised old money, and the women shared a wry laugh.
"Let''s spar when I''m better." If Fate allows me.
"You betcha." Nodding, Rein rose and opened the door back into the apartment for her client.
Chapter 51: Less Than Three
Time crawled interminably whilst the couple waited for the bodyguards to leave. Deciding it was safer to just be a level apart from Nanoha than to test her ability to keep her hands off of the woman, Fate had retreated to the upper level''s office to familiarise herself with more of the pending work waiting for the both of them on Monday.
That lasted only so long before Nanoha had to make good-natured a trek up at Fate''s texted query about the blonde''s problem with logging into the system. Wending her way past Ginga and Edel who were stationed in the dining area near the stair landing, the executive came up behind the seated blonde to peer over her shoulder at the screen locking Fate out.
Initially stymied in her attempts to access TSAB''s intranet system, Fate frowned at a cheeky-looking cat sprite that constantly batted away the password the blonde was manually entering in favour of the retina scan, since that had not worked. Exasperated that the login credentials Nanoha had provided her still refused to let her in, she threw herself back against her office chair, the furniture bobbing from the momentum as she gestured at the nefarious feline on her screen for Nanoha to see.
"Oh, that." Nanoha coughed into her fist. The Ragdoll cat sprite had settled smugly back onto its haunches to wash its face in an idle animation, its tail swishing playfully while its tilted, sapphire eyes glittered knowingly at Fate. It was almost as if it was mutely reprimanding the blonde. Knowing the guards were keeping an eye on the blonde as per what Nanoha herself had requested, the executive turned her back to the two women and leaned against the edge of the desk, arms crossed to keep appearances going.
"I caught you working the first Saturday of your week in TSAB¡" She murmured, voice kept low so it barely carried to where the blonde was seated. "I locked you out and set it so your access is restored only after Monday comes around. I made Nyanoha there on a whim after I''d kicked you off mid-video call." Her eyes dropped and a wistful smile played gently over her full lips, "That was the day I almost confessed my feelings for you. I had to kill the call before I let myself go too far."
"Do I get a bonus if you avoid contracting food poisoning?"
"You get a bonus for giving a damn."
"O-Of course I give a damn, Nanoha¡ I¡ l-like you."
"... ... ...I like you too, Feito-chan."
Fate stared up at the executive whose bashful expression seemed more akin to having been caught with her hand in the cookie jar than doing something so unspeakably sweet and adorable. Her eyes had been cast to the boardwalk below to pin her intensely embarrassed focus on an unsuspecting resident who happened to be walking past with a very nervous flat-faced Persian cat on a harness down below.
Sifting through the fragments of memories she had gotten back thus far, Fate''s chin lifted when an image surprisingly floated to the fore. "You were in a karate outfit."
Amazed that the woman remembered that far back, Nanoha glanced back at the blonde, immediately deeming it a tactical mistake when pools of warm, mulled wine lulled her into their depths. Her fingers gripped the insides of her elbows tightly, causing the muscles in her arms to tense in sharp relief. "Close," she muttered hoarsely, "It was a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gi."
"You had the top down to deal with some bruises and I¡" Nanoha swallowed at the blonde''s suddenly feverish look. Fate''s remembered attraction was overlapping with what the woman was feeling right now, staring up at the executive looming over her in a loose white cut-off tee and ripped denim shorts. "...I really wanted to kiss you then¡ and now."
Nanoha''s cute little navel presented right at Fate''s eye level was getting extra glances and the executive felt a corresponding heat pooling low in her belly from the blonde''s blunt disclosure. She knew coming up here would be dangerous. "I''m¡ going to give Shamal a call." Nanoha husked, turning on unsteady legs and meaning to escape before she did something she would regret. Being responsible sucked donkey balls, the Takamachi heir decided.
Grabbing the closest thing to keep the dazed woman from wandering off, Fate caught the executive''s waistband, "Nanoha! Give me access first!"
Jumping at the feel of warm digits slipping into her shorts, Nanoha hurriedly tugged the blonde''s hand out of them before Ginga or Edel saw anything. "Wench!" She hissed under her breath at her AVP who did not appear at all contrite. On the contrary, the innocent-seeming blonde merely returned Nanoha''s look with a slow blink, as if to ask, ''Well, what else was I supposed to grab?''
Sighing, she leaned over for the retina scanner, incidentally flashing the blonde with an unimpeded view of her cleavage. Nanoha hid a smile to hear an audible gulp coming from her horny blonde. The virginally white, lacy affair had been deliberately chosen by the Japanese woman to tease Fate with how sheer the material was. If the blonde stared hard enough, she was certain she could see the hint of rosy peaks the exact same shade as Nanoha''s lips hiding under the lace.
The sound of the system granting Fate access jarred the woman out of her Nanoha-induced trance and she found her voice to hiss back, "I''m the Wench? You wore that on purpose!"
Laughing azure twinkled back down at the blonde torn between arousal and outrage, "What can I say?" She murmured, aware of the bodyguards loitering in the dining area, "I like dressing up for my Feito-chan." Well, how could Fate get mad over that? "Oh my gods, go call Shamal before I lose it." She swatted the ridiculously tempting woman on her way out, which earned her a heavy-lidded over the shoulder glance from Nanoha that promised everything.
Blowing out a breath after that whirlwind of a visit from the woman, Fate wondered if her old self ever noticed how much emptier a room felt once it was devoid of Nanoha. She should have kept her digital SLR nearby to capture a few pennies worth of pictures. Biting back a giggle, she buried her hot face in her hands; all this thirsting was driving her insane. Work. Work would help distract her.
Bidding their bodyguards farewell for the night, Nanoha confirmed with Rein about Monday''s pick-up time and exchanged a quick forearm clasp with the silver haired woman. Once the door closed, the electric lock engaged with a soft AI voice declaring that the bolts had been engaged.
Exhaling a relieved breath, Nanoha rubbed at the old injury in her neck and turned, "Boy, it''s not easy trying t-MMMPH!" A blonde-shaped creature had practically cannon-balled into her, gently but no less insistently, and Nanoha found her lips being otherwise occupied immediately. The door behind her shook as she stumbled back against it, Fate''s onslaught of kisses sending her backwards and making the electric lock beep in protest when an elbow hit the digital number pad.
Chuckling in the back of her throat at her blonde''s enthusiasm, Nanoha slipped a leg between Fate''s and with a skilled twist of her body, turned the tables on the woman. Squeaking to find herself being shoved up against the door this time, Fate felt her legs give as strong hands slipped under her tank''s hem to clasp her firmly about the waist. She groaned to feel herself being held aloft by the leg between her own and she shamelessly ground down, flinging her arms around that delightfully firm column of neck that she found so attractive.
Strong hands guided the blonde''s grinding hips for maximum friction and Fate moaned loudly into the kiss, the executive immediately devouring what her girlfriend was offering with intense greed. Fate could feel her lace thong digging into tender, throbbing flesh and the simmering arousal from earlier in the afternoon bloomed into full-body tingles that had her melting over that one leg pressing up into her. Gasping when her lips were freed, only to find sharp incisors sinking into a softly pink earlobe, her fingers dug into thick auburn hair, pressing Nanoha''s mouth more intently to her whilst maintaining her writhing grinds against the woman''s tensed thigh.
Feeling stifled in even just her shorts and cut-off top, Nanoha''s entire form felt as if it was on fire, the barely banked embers of her desire flaring ridiculously out of control at the slightest invitation from Fate. Unfortunately, Nanoha felt the cost of her move far too soon and much to Fate''s disappointment, she was sighing in deep regret, carefully lowering the swaying blonde to her feet.
Giving the pouting blonde one last chaste smooch, the executive smiled at the other woman''s dashed hopes for more hanky-panky. "I know, Sweetheart, I know." Nanoha pressed her forehead to Fate''s, and the blonde could feel the thin sheen of perspiration coating the woman''s skin where their heads met, "The earliest Shamal''s associate can see me was this Thursday." She brushed the roughened pad of her thumb over those cutely pouting lips, alto rasping deeply from the bubbling arousal that still coursed heedlessly through Nanoha, "But I can''t articulate just how happy I am that you want this as much as I do."
Fate inhaled a few deep breaths to calm her libido back down. It was so difficult to take things slow and she knew she had already crossed the entire safety Rubicon by initiating that first kiss with Nanoha. That the executive refused to go further both melted her and caused her to burn up with all of this unresolved sexual tension. Her one comfort was knowing Nanoha was suffering as much as she was, perhaps even more, considering the fact that all she knew simply led to nebulous thoughts about them in bed. Leaning her forehead to the other woman''s, she took her turn to sigh, "I feel like I''ve wanted you all my life, I just didn''t know it until now."
Smiling, Nanoha stroked the blonde''s cheek, "I feel the same. It might have been a little too soon to be doing what I did with you just, though." Alarmed now at the wince she could see Nanoha making, Fate checked the woman over worriedly. "I don''t think anything broke open, but it definitely aches." Nanoha tried to assure the blonde.
It only half-worked and Fate castigated herself for her over-eagerness, though she was glad that the executive was being honest with her and not trying to hide her pain behind some misguided need to appear strong in front of the blonde. "Not that I didn''t feel thrilled when you did that, but Nanoha, please, don''t push yourself," Fate said guiltily as she walked Nanoha to the sofa. "Shall I apply the ointment Momoko gave you?"
Nanoha shook her head, "Don''t you start blaming yourself, Feito-chan. It was my choice to do that. I just forget myself when I''m with you." The smile she gave Fate served to assuage some of the blonde''s guilt and Nanoha nodded in response to the question, "That actually sounds like a great idea. If I could trouble you? You can find some old towels in the bottom drawer of my closet." Leaving Nanoha on the leather sofa, Fate left to find both towels and ointment.
Annoyed at her body''s lingering hurts, Nanoha dropped her head back against the top of the sofa, absently massaging the joint closest to her shoulder''s bullet wounds. She quietly pondered the long and daunting road ahead of her. It would have depressed her to think of all the years of hard work being undone, if not for the fact that she would have Fate with her on her road to recovery this time. Nanoha was actually looking forward to rebuilding herself with the blonde for company.
Returning, Fate paused to see tears silently tracking down the woman''s temples as she looked unseeingly up at the ceiling. Feeling bad for reminding Nanoha about her limitations, she put the items aside to slide in next to the executive and lay her head on the Takamachi heir''s shoulder. "I''m sorry," she whispered, slipping her arm around Nanoha''s waist.
Knowing the sweet blonde would continue blaming herself, Nanoha pulled the royal closer to her side and pressed a kiss to Fate''s temple, "Hush." Her voice was firm, refusing Fate any space for doubt, "I was just feeling bad for my younger self. She had no Feito-chan to be with her while she recovered. That was probably the loneliest time of my life." Blue eyes shimmered down into Fate''s worried gaze, "You make all the difference. I was just so grateful that you''re safe and sound and¡ willing to be here with me."
Aching for the youth Nanoha once was, Fate gave the woman another squeeze, "You''ll never get rid of me. Not even if you kept trying to push me away." She paused, "Though it was very difficult when you were doing so." She sat up, her warm gaze spying the abashed look Nanoha tried to hide, "You are a most difficult individual to catch," Fate noted aggrievedly.
Nanoha slipped her hand into Fate''s, "Thank you for persevering," the Japanese woman murmured, which earned her a lingering kiss, "You are worth every effort," Fate assured the feisty executive. "Let me cover the leather and I''ll apply the ointment for you." Doing just that, Fate instructed Nanoha to remove her top and lie down.
Scooping out a generous dollop of paste onto her fingers, Fate swallowed hard, belatedly remembering the ridiculously sheer lace bra Nanoha was wearing under her cute white top. Drinking in the sight of the woman in nothing but her tiny denim shorts and bra, Fate could not help but capture the slightly upturned Cupid''s bow lips in a hard kiss, "Please wear this when we¡ when we can do it." She pleaded against those lushly soft lips that spread into a breathtaking smile meant only for Fate alone. "Your wish is my command, Principessa."
Slowly lowering herself back over the towels laid out by the blonde, the auburn haired goddess seemed put on this earth for the sole purpose of testing Fate''s crumbling resolve. Her scarred torso defied Nanoha''s own claims of ugliness, displaying graceful lines that stretched from that lightly bruised clavicle down between the sweet valley of her generous bosom. Her breasts were lovingly cupped in tissue thin webbing of transparent lace that revealed more than it concealed and Fate forgot why there was ointment on her fingers for many long moments.
Nanoha held no inclinations to nudge Fate out of her trance, thoroughly enjoying the blonde''s open appreciation of what the heir herself felt was only a vessel that held no real significance other than to house her spirit in. She did not care if no one else found her attractive. As long as Fate did, that was all that mattered. The jagged lines where she had been shot were not even noticed by the blonde and Nanoha had never felt more desired in her life, that niggling self-consciousness over them paling in the light of those wine-rich eyes that openly wanted her, all of her.
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A silent flash of lightning in the distance pulled Fate back to the present and she blinked. Nanoha was still laid out over the towels, the blue heat of her hooded gaze affording Fate all the time she wished to stare. The rise and fall of her chest was quicker than she remembered, cluing the blonde in on the woman''s returning arousal at being exposed to Fate like this.
Nanoha felt the edge of the sofa dip under the blonde''s weight as she settled herself down by where she was laying. She knew the peaks of her nipples were fully visible under the useless scrap of lace she was wearing and from the way Fate was biting on her lower lip, she could tell the blonde saw them as well.
Holding herself rigid, Fate reminded herself that her enthusiasm had hurt the woman earlier and with judicious care, began to apply the slightly numbing ointment over the spot under Nanoha''s left collarbone. The other woman had a higher body temperature compared to Fate and the blonde immediately felt the difference as the ointment began to warm over the skin she was touching.
"I think your mother gave you this just so I''d have an excuse to touch you¡" Fate husked, digging out another dollop of paste to spread over the wound in Nanoha''s waist. This ointment was still cold and the contrasting sensation drew forth a low gasp from the prone woman. Muscles bunched and trembled under the blonde''s fingers and Fate glanced up, swallowing a groan to find those barely covered nipples tightening to diamond hard tips that jutted stiffly up from Nanoha''s bosom.
"I hope you''ll always have an excuse¡" Nanoha burred softly. Fate tsked and leaned over for yet another kiss. The heavy fall of spun sunlight that was Fate''s hair draped over Nanoha''s torso in a most pleasing way as she found her lips occupied once more in a slowly sensual exploration of her mouth. "Dearest, I''m on my absolute best behaviour right now." Slick fingers continued to massage the ointment into Nanoha''s waist, except that the touch had gone from clinical to provocative, "If you think I would even need an excuse when all I want to do is ravish you," She nipped teasingly at the executive''s tongue, earning a throaty chuckle from Nanoha, "Then my boss isn''t as smart as I thought she was¡"
"You''re absolutely banned from wearing this bra until that day, by the way." Fate propped herself up on the hand not covered in ointment to stare down at the far too delectable vision daring to obscure Nanoha''s breasts from her hungry eyes, "I take no responsibility for my actions the next time I see you in this."
"Oh? You like this, do you?" Smile growing sultry, Nanoha made as if to hug herself, a purposeful move that pressed her breasts together, presenting them up to the blonde in the most exaggerated fashion for Fate to feast her eyes upon. "Oh my gods, you Minx! Roll over so I can get your back." Fate tore herself away from the sofa to stand a pace back to regain some semblance of control, leaving a softly chuckling Nanoha to lever herself up and over to lie on her front.
This position did not really help Fate''s libido much, since she had always found the dips and contours of Nanoha''s back very attractive, add to that the rips in the woman''s denim shorts that exposed the downy lower curves of the heir''s shapely rear and the blonde just sighed to herself in defeat. Nanoha was the whole package and then some. She was just bloody fortunate that the woman had not yet been snapped up before Fate could make a try for her.
The application was far quicker this time without that distracting Minx giving her bedroom eyes or pushing up her bosom into Fate''s face. Cleaning her fingers on a corner of one of the old towels, she brushed aside thick auburn tresses to press a kiss to Nanoha''s uninjured shoulder. "Thank you for letting me tend to you," she whispered, "I know you hate appearing less than."
Rolling back over to lie on her back, Nanoha smiled softly up at the sweet blonde. "Only because it''s Feito-chan. You''re the only one I feel this comfortable around." She slipped an arm around the slim neck above her, drawing the blonde down for another unhurried, loving kiss. "Thank you, too." Smiling against Fate''s lips once the kiss ended, she quirked a brow, "Help me up?"
Smiling to feel a second arm coming up to cling to her neck, Fate tensed her core and slowly straightened up to a stand, pulling the auburn haired woman up with her. A faint air of surprise was evident in her expression and Nanoha giggled, "Nyahaha, Feito-chan''s strength training wasn''t a waste. Good job, Honey." She gave the blonde a congratulatory peck on the lips. "Was I doing that?" Fate asked while carefully setting her precious armful back down onto the condo''s padded floor.
"Mmmhmm, we focused on that on most Saturdays." Getting her legs under her, Nanoha slipped an arm around the blonde''s waist to walk them to the stairs, "We cycled upper and lower body workouts. I won''t be able to for a while, but we could hit the heated pool that they have instead?"
"Sounds like a plan." Pausing at the foot of the stairs, Fate gave Nanoha a shy look, "Actually, could we sleep in your bed?"
It was Nanoha''s turn to be surprised, "Of course, I just figured¡" She glanced to one side, shifting awkwardly, "That because of Rein¡ you''d be more comfortable in your own bed." Fate shook her head, head dipping down to catch Nanoha''s eyes. "It being your bed means more to me than that."
The blonde nibbled uncertainly on her bottom lip, "I know I''m not making much sense¡" Then she had to stop nibbling because Nanoha was kissing her again, "No, you make all the sense," the executive assured her, "If you''re sure¡" Blue eyes searched crimson and the blonde gave her a faint smile, "It smells of you."
It was that simple to Fate. The blonde''s capacity to take tangible steps towards erasing Nanoha''s past mistake with action was absolutely something the auburn haired woman would always be thankful for. "Then, please, I would love us to sleep together in my bed again."
Sandy brows rose, "Again?"
Nanoha''s smile grew poignant, "I hope you''ll remember some day. I was horrified the first¡ morning¡" The pleased glow in Fate''s Bordeaux-red eyes had the heir''s words trailing off in mild puzzlement. "So I was in your bed before her?"
"Um, yes?" Knowing Fate was talking about the silver haired bodyguard, Nanoha nodded, confirming what the blonde had said. Apparently, it meant something significant to the woman, since she was kissing Nanoha again, this time in a triumphantly possessive manner. The sharp edges of Fate''s lingering jealousy flavoured the kiss, bringing to mind the blonde''s surprise claiming of the Japanese woman just two nights before.
Tingling down to her very fingers and toes, Nanoha''s eyes fluttered back open, temporarily rendered speechless. "I''ll go get ready for bed," Fate purred smugly, disappearing up the stairs in a swirl of rose and lilac scented golden tresses.
"Uh, yea, ''kay, sure," Nanoha uttered huskily. She gave a small shake of her head, laughing softly at how easily the woman could sweep her right off her feet and render Nanoha into a monosyllabic mess. Her angel was full of all sorts of surprises and she knew life was definitely not going to be boring around the blonde.
Nightly ablutions done, Nanoha changed out of her lacy underwear, tucking the set away to be handwashed later with a secret smile. Fate''s reaction to them had been a resounding success and she giggled to herself. It was going to be fun going lingerie shopping with Fate. ¡Once they weren''t being trailed by their bodyguards, anyway. She definitely wasn''t going to give Edel any chances to ogle her girlfriend in sexy clothing. Or any clothing for that matter.
Pulling on a set of red and black flannel pyjamas, the colours setting off the fiery highlights in her hair, Nanoha crawled into bed to wait on her blonde body pillow. Soon, the quiet padding of Fate''s footsteps heralded the arrival of her favourite person and she gave the woman a broad smile of welcome. The blonde seemed to have had the same idea as Nanoha, showing up in her own pyjamas set, hers in black and yellow stripes.
Fate crawled over the waveless waterbed to settle into the arms held open to her by the earth goddess who had been waiting. "Is this all right?" Fate asked worriedly, not wanting to squash the recovering woman. "It''s fine." She felt her hair being nuzzled by the woman spooning warmly around her, "You''re on my good shoulder. The ointment helped a lot, too." Mollified by the woman''s assurances, Fate scrunched back into the wonderful body surrounding her, inhaling deeply in appreciation of the cinnamon and vanilla spice that was Nanoha''s distinctive scent.
Ordering the lights off, Nanoha wrapped her arm snugly around the lanky beauty and gave a jaw-popping yawn, "Sweet dreams, Feito-chan." Covering the arm around her with her own, Fate weaved their fingers together. "Have a restful sleep, Nanoha-chan." Having slept apart the night before to keep suspicions at bay, both women exhaled in utter contentment to be together in bed again. As the shadows grew longer, two souls intertwined as surely as their bodies found their perfect peace in each other''s arms.
Once again, Nanoha had held back while Fate got re-acquainted with Erio the next morning. The young man exchanged significant glances with the executive after delivering the woman''s order, glances that Nanoha returned with grave gratitude. She was still determined not to overwhelm Fate with information and misplaced expectations, and so made no move to update Erio on the progression of Fate''s relationship with her just yet.
The thermos of Vietnamese coffee and two packs of assorted Dim Sum were gratefully received by Nanoha who, to Erio''s surprise, actually sat down to partake of it with her ''colleague''. He was used to the executive doing a ''grab and go'', with her being so busy all of the time.
He could not quite mask the shock of seeing the executive looking so pared down, the angles of her face that much sharper from the weight she had lost. A dry twist of her lips was all the response his stare garnered from Nanoha, the woman clearly knowing why he was doing so. Her cosmetic surgeries had been skillfully performed, but there was no hiding the new scars Nanoha''s body sported, either, since the woman was in just a halter sports bra and tank.
It came as quite a relief to Erio that Fate appeared much the same as she had the last time he had seen her, though the formal manner through which she interacted with Nanoha brought forth its own worries for Erio to contemplate upon. There was much for him to discuss with his wife about. For one, the daily breakfast he sourced for the women would need some updating. Promising to catch up more with Fate another time, he hopped back into his golf cart and puttered off to his next client.
Seeing Erio had been the icing on a cake that had included waking up in Nanoha''s arms for Fate. The executive''s pre-dawn stirrings had been enough to wake the blonde and after thoroughly kissing away any apologies from the Japanese woman, the couple had gone on their morning walk before finding Erio waiting for them with breakfast.
The discombobulation from seeing the boy all grown up had been marred slightly by his poorly hidden distress at seeing Nanoha as thin as she was, and the determined set of his jaw boded well to Fate''s mind. So even her Erio was not immune to leaving Nanoha alone when the woman was so obviously still convalescing. Fate felt his disquiet keenly and silently vowed once more to be with Nanoha through her entire recovery process.
Extracting promises from him to catch up at a later date, Fate waved goodbye and waited impatiently for the youth to be out of sight before shifting her chair closer to exchange bites of delicious, savoury snacks with Nanoha.
Unceremoniously spearing something she did not recognise with one of her chopsticks, Fate offered it to Nanoha who side-eyed the adorable blonde and her atrocious use of the Asian utensils. "I really need to make good on my promise to teach you how to use chopsticks properly soon¡" She said, before taking a neat bite of the morsel being proffered to her.
Fate smiled, glad to find Nanoha unhesitant about bringing up their shared past for once. "I would love that. So, anything I should take note of, for today?" She asked, popping the remainder of the Dim Sum into her mouth. Mmm, so this was made with minced pork.
Swallowing the bite of SiuMai, or pork dumpling, that had been fed to her, Nanoha thought a moment whilst pouring out some coffee for her companion, "I''m sure rumours of both our departures have been circulating, no matter what the company newsletter said about our absences."
She paused to take a small sip of coffee directly from the thermos, her eyes lidding in animal pleasure as she did so. Gods, she had not had a solid cup of this in months. Seeing Nanoha''s reaction to the drink, Fate made a quick mental note to learn how to make this particular version of the brew.
"It''s why you don''t see me in any sort of hurry to get ready and head out, and I''ve asked Rein to pick us up at half-past nine. That will have us arriving at ten, which will mean everyone else will already have reported in for work. I want to make a show of us arriving together. People can infer what they want from that."
She made to rub the old, nagging injury in her neck, only to find Fate''s fingers already there, kneading out the knot. She gave a small groan of bliss and let her head drop to give the woman easier access. "Rumours that I slept with Haya-chan for my job still persist, so more rumours that I''m sleeping with my AVP wouldn''t be a stretch, either," she added, eyes closed while she gratefully absorbed the tender care the blonde was giving to her.
Her eyes opened then to give Fate an apologetic look, to which the blonde only smiled, giving the muscle one last rub before resuming her meal, "One of those rumours will be true at some point." She murmured, taking a shrimp dumpling in her mouth and offering it to Nanoha. The Japanese woman dimpled and happily accepted the other half, neatly biting off the offering and sealing the mouthful with a kiss. Fate swallowed and licked her lips to catch Nanoha''s taste lingering on them. She smirked, "In fact, the sooner the better."
"You''re worse than a teenaged boy in rut," Nanoha accused lightly, before leaning over to lick those same lips for herself, only it was Fate''s taste she was looking for. "I like that." Nipping lightly at the tongue Fate stuck out at her, she pulled back to focus on breakfast, or they would never be done. "In any case, having the three bodyguards from ESSS with us will weigh the scale of rumours to the other end of the spectrum, you know, where truth actually resides." Voice drier than the red dust on Mars, Nanoha took another sip of black ambrosia.
Fate giggled and tugged lightly at the earlobe closest to her, "I have always loved hearing you speak, you know that?"
Nanoha arched a curious brow at the blonde, the purse of her lips were contemplative, with a hint of bemusement thrown in for good measure, "Hmm? No. I''ve always struggled with this frog voice. Especially in Japan where women all sound very¡ umm¡"
"Shrill?" Fate offered, half-jokingly.
"Girlish," Nanoha corrected, tweaking that perfectly straight nose. A nose that was wrinkling in distaste, "Girls are shrill, Nanoha. And you don''t have a frog voice. Your voice is like warm dark chocolate fudge. Omph. I love it."
Casting Fate a dubious glance, Nanoha chuckled, "Methinks you''re a little biassed. But that''s all right. I love your voice, too. I wanted to win our little costume competition just to hear you sing." The admission gained a look of dawning realisation from the blonde.
"So that''s why I have¡ Well, that explains the things I found in one of the luggages we brought back from my apartment."
"Probably," Nanoha readily agreed, adhering to her past agreement with Old Fate to not peek, not even verbally. "I heard Haya-chan cancelled the Halloween party after¡ all that. She''s postponed the costume ball to Christmas Eve instead."
Fate speared another Dim Sum to feed to Nanoha, and it was a mark of the Japanese woman''s love for the blonde that she could tamp down the horror the blonde''s method of chopstick use was causing in the Takamachi heir''s traditional soul, "What was our competition about, anyway?"
Nanoha bit off half of the pot sticker and directed the rest back to the blonde, she knew Fate was trying to ''fatten'' her up, which she was fine with, just not at the expense of the woman''s own meals. "Just who had the better costume. Haya-chan would be the judge, and the loser would have to sing a karaoke song to the winner. We promised not to peek at each other''s costume until the day of the party itself."
"Hmm, I''m still up for that if you are?"
Nanoha found herself suddenly needing to dash away tears from her eyes. Being able to recapture lost moments with Fate was something she had never allowed herself to even dream of after the incident. First about teaching her to use chopsticks, and now with the costumes¡ To have the chance so freely offered to her was a little much for the vulnerable woman to take in.
Fate merely rubbed the Japanese woman''s back, compassionately giving Nanoha the space to regain her composure. "I¡ Yes." Neither made note of the roughness in the executive''s voice.
She gave Nanoha a small squeeze, "Let''s finish up and get clean. I want to play dress-up with my girlfriend."
Taken aback, Nanoha blinked and stared at Fate, who suddenly appeared apprehensive, "T-Too soon?"
"No, I just¡ Feito-chan is always my Feito-chan. I suppose I never thought that far¡" Her expression shifted to being shyly pleased. "Yes, I am Feito-chan''s girlfriend. I really like the sound of that."
Worry melted into relief and Fate squeezed Nanoha''s hand, "And I''m your Feito-chan, and girlfriend." She happily confirmed.
Chapter 52: Im Glad I Fell
Fate took great pleasure in dressing her girlfriend that morning. They had taken their shower together after breakfast, ostensibly to save water and time, but the resulting play that had happened actually had both being grateful that Nanoha tended to start her mornings at Insane O''Clock.
It was such a departure from Nanoha''s usual workaholic tendencies and the executive realised she did not miss filling every spare moment of her life with her job or working out. She had been feeling that slow shift at the start of their trip to Japan and the obvious common denominator was Fate, or more accurately, putting the blonde first. If her meticulously planned schedule was going to be delayed with a little play time with her girlfriend, then so be it.
Nanoha''s competitive streak was something the blonde was getting used to and while Fate was not all that concerned with who won their little tussles, it was a good, low-impact way for the recovering woman to get in a little more exercise. Adoring the triumphant gleam in those deep blue eyes, Fate yielded graciously to the gorgeous victor with a faint smile. Slowly turning, she sat on one of the shower stools, presenting her back to the executive who wielded her hard-won weapon, the bath sponge, with purposeful intent.
Both women had their long hair bunned up to keep their tresses dry, which left the entire expanse of Fate''s back bare and a quiet inhalation of Nanoha''s breath could be heard now that the water had been turned off. The blonde''s throat bobbed slightly, wondering if she would be strong enough to withstand the temptation that was Nanoha as she felt the woman''s naked front pressing into the full length of her bare back. "Sorry, need to get some soap." The dark molasses of Nanoha''s voice in her closest ear sent immediate shivers through Fate''s body and she felt a measure of sympathy for the executive for back when the tables had been turned.
Surprising the both of them, Nanoha was succeeding in remaining on task, merely running the sponge over Fate''s back and shoulders, though even just that had the blonde''s breath quickening. The pale smooth softness of the blonde''s back brought the executive back to the time in Fate''s apartment, the night the woman had told Hayate to fuck off with her offer of Nanoha''s job. Unable to help herself, she pressed a kiss to the back of the neck bared so trustingly to her, "I love you so much... I can barely stand it."
A small sound of appreciation fell past pink lips already parted and panting softly, Fate feeling herself being drawn up to a precipice from words so simple but holding the most profound of meanings. Her arm lifted and she curled her hand around the neck of the woman behind her, her head dropping to further offer up skin Nanoha found irresistible, wordlessly encouraging more kisses. Moaning when the other woman did just that, she squirmed in her seat at the feel of diamond-hard nipples digging into her soapy back, earning a soft gasp from her girlfriend in return.
That soapy sponge began trailing foamy paths across her clavicle before dropping to trace ever smaller figure eights around her breasts. That teasing touch refused to clean the most important, aching parts of them and Fate arched into the hand tending to her heaving chest, a slim hand reaching back to dig her nails into the wicked leopard''s neck in a demand for more. Lips visiting nipping kisses down her neck departed from her skin momentarily and a low chuckle welcomed the feel of the blonde''s nails.
Finally acceding to the woman''s wants, the roughened surface of the sponge brushed over one throbbing point. "Haahh..." Falling forward into the touch, desperately seeking further stimulation, Fate''s free hand slapped against the wet tile she was facing, her other dragging Nanoha with her, until the woman was draped all around her. Surrounded, enveloped, engulfed, she groaned as the sponge was dropped unceremoniously onto her lap with a muted splat, freeing both of the executive''s hands to play with her breasts.
Slippery digits dug possessively into firm flesh that was swollen and warm to the touch, Nanoha growling appreciatively to feel the sweet weight filling her hands, their tightened tips digging deliciously into her rough palms. Fate felt herself being massaged, milked, and a needy cry echoed between the walls of the bathroom, the blonde belatedly realising that strange, animalistic sound as being her own. Her legs trembled from the attention and the urgent, pulsing feeling between them intensified to where she was nothing but putty in Nanoha''s hands.
"Turn around, I want to see you..." Barely registering the purred command at first, Fate gasped when her stiff nubs were pinched and rolled between soapy fingers. Unsteady legs did their best to shift her around on her stool and she could feel hands on her waist helping. Imposing herself between the blonde''s legs, Nanoha resumed her devilish attentions, her eyes dark with desire pinning Fate against bathroom tiles she was pressed back against, the formerly cold surface rapidly warming from the fires she was building up inside of the blonde.
Rocking against the abdomen pressed tightly to her core, blushing furiously to feel how slick she was, Fate rested a needfully clutching hand on the executive''s good shoulder, her other brushing admiring fingers over lips curled up at the corners. The lips she was tracing parted, drawing her index finger into the heated confines of Nanoha''s mouth and she moaned, arching further into the hands playing with her.
Blindly hitting the tap, streams of water that felt cool to her burning skin washed down Fate''s front and her finger popped mutely out of the executive''s mouth, the blonde meaning to touch the beautiful body arrayed in all its naked glory before her. But the other woman was drawing back and out of her reach, hands washing away the soap coating the blonde''s full, shapely bosom. A flash of white incisors told Fate that the woman could sense her building frustration. Before she could deduce the woman''s intent, the water was turned off again and those same lips were closing around one pale pink areola, prompting more cries torn from a mouth that felt perpetually dry as she constantly fought for air.
In no time, those loving hands and mouth were skillfully driving Fate up the precipice and soft hands were cupping Nanoha''s face, pulling her lips up for a searingly hot and sloppy kiss as she felt herself get painfully close. "N-Nanoha... I''m... I''m going to..."
"Yes, love, come for me." That sinfully smooth alto was both a benediction and an order and Fate felt herself lost, falling mindlessly into the spell the woman had woven for her.
Slipping one arm around the slim waist before her, Nanoha held the blonde close while her other continued to stimulate the turgid bit of flesh held captive between her thumb and forefinger. The other woman''s uncontrolled shudders were a surprise and delight to witness, and Nanoha could feel her own seat growing exceedingly wet from more than just the shower. Fate''s normally refined tones were raw and incoherent as she sobbed out her release from having just her breasts toyed with and the feel of teeth scoring over her nipple only sent her spiraling swiftly into a second, mind numbing climax.
Feeling her lower abdomen being blessed repeatedly by the scalding wash of Fate''s release, Nanoha groaned when hot cream trickled down over mons to mingle with her own juices. "Feito-chan..." Head buried into the valley of the blonde''s breasts, the auburn haired woman shivered at the sympathetic spasms that rippled through her body.
Twin, gasping breaths was the only sound in the bathroom for long, blissful moment. Heart still thundering within the confines of her healing rib-cage, Nanoha lifted her head to find lidded orbs of sated crimson staring down at her. Abashed at her lack of control, she gave the blonde an apologetic squeeze, "I''m sorry, Feito-chan. I know I said we would take it slo-mmm." Kissing away any guilt the other woman felt, Fate hugged back, biting back a gasp when that had her pleasantly throbbing centre sliding against the executive once more. Gods, she needed to get away from Nanoha before they lost the entire day in here.
"I wanted it," she whispered against those full lips that had brought her so much pleasure. The woman hadn''t even touched her down there and she could barely feel her limbs. "That..." She licked her lips, needing time to catch her breath, "That felt amazing." A faint frown marred her smooth brow as she studied Nanoha, the woman appearing sapped of strength herself, "Did I hurt you?"
Smiling, Nanoha murmured a negative and returned the kisses, the executive''s guilt bleeding away under the blonde''s assurances. She too, sucked in a breath at the feel of tender, slick flesh being dragged across her middle and she made a conscious effort to put a little more space between them. "I think we should finish this separately, or we''ll never be done," she echoed Fate''s own silent concerns and blew out a breath, still a little annoyed at herself. Tearing herself away from Fate''s tempting body, she quickly snagged a towel and padded out, presumably to use the guest bathroom on the upper level.
Watching the naked, dripping form of her girlfriend depart with eyes that drank in every swell and curve, Fate slumped back weakly against the bathroom wall. Slowly, a smile grew across her lips, until the giddiness of it all threatened to split her face into two. Heart singing, she hummed a favourite ditty to herself while she finished up in the bathroom.
There was no hiding the hollowness in Nanoha''s cheeks, and so Fate had opted to accentuate the woman''s eyes instead. The mascara, eyeliner and eye shadow she had applied made large eyes that were already a brilliant blue downright dramatic. Framed by her high cheekbones and nearly scarlet arching brows, it would take the casual observer more than a passing glance to notice the woman''s faint, lingering pallor.
Her gleaming auburn tresses had been pulled up into an extra-high ponytail that included a fringe that had grown out long enough for Fate to tame everything into the tail. Once secured, the rest of her hair had been allowed to tumble down in soft waves to the middle of her back.
To contrast with the fiery highlights, Fate had found a white halter top that left Nanoha''s shoulders and back bare, the woman quietly stating that it would not hurt if her new scars were visible. Tucked into a high-waisted pair of navy blue flared pants, the executive appeared to tower in her three inch white high-heels. The tour de force was the white, military-style trench coat with a contoured cut and gold accents that hung down to the woman''s calves.
Stepping back to admire her handiwork, Fate ran an admiring nail down the length of her girlfriend''s neck, past the hollow and down the valley between the woman''s generous bosom. "It is a good thing I don''t want to ruin your perfect make-up," she breathed.
"Or else what?" Nanoha husked, dilated blue boring into the blonde''s wine-red eyes, the exquisite pleasure of their recent play time in the bathroom still lingering around the edges of the woman''s demeanour. The leopard was clearly only temporarily satisfied and Fate could see Nanoha''s urge to pounce her remaining clear and present in the faintly ragged voice addressing her.
"Do you even have to ask?" Fate murmured archly, throwing a saucy look back over her shoulder to the bed. "I''d find new ways for me to have fun with you, tested or not." That got a hearty belly laugh out of Nanoha, Fate''s consistent come-ons proving a continued balm on the executive''s nagging self-consciousness over her scars. Glancing over at the suddenly silent blonde, the auburn haired woman was struck by the suspiciously bright eyes staring at her.
Closing the scant distance between them, she cupped Fate''s cheek, taking advantage of her heels to study the woman whose lower lip shook slightly from the warmth of Nanoha''s touch, "Hey, what''s up?" She enquired softly, brow furrowed slightly in concern.
Swallowing, the blonde turned her cheek the littlest bit to press a kiss into the executive''s palm. "When¡ I first checked the memory card in my new camera," she covered the hand over her face with her own, nuzzling the spot she had kissed, a tear escaping to dampen Nanoha''s hand, "I found pictures I had taken of you before everything happened¡ and I promised myself that I would find a way to see and hear you laugh like that again."
"Oh, Sweetness. The only reason I can laugh at all is because of you, never doubt that." Nanoha brushed her thumb over lips she desperately wanted to kiss, but Fate was right, it would undo all of the blonde''s hard work if they did that now. Shrugging out of her trench coat, she took Fate''s hand and led her up to the second level, "Your turn to get ready, Princess."
Trusting Nanoha''s sensibilities, Fate accepted the red embroidered dress with lace details spread across her collarbone and rising up to wrap closely around her neck. It was an interesting pick but definitely one that was still work-appropriate. The dress ended at her knees, showing off long, shapely calves sculpted from years of running and more recently, daily brisk walks.
Nodding in satisfaction at the crimson sheathe of lace and embroidery, the executive opted for equally deep red lipstick to emphasise the porcelain perfection that was Fate''s glacial beauty. The rest of the blonde''s make-up was in service to the dress and lipstick, judiciously applied to flatter the long-limbed grace of Fate''s body that were Nanoha''s favourite feature of her girlfriend.
"My song of Fire & Ice," Nanoha had declared with deep satisfaction once she finished tying up the upper half of Fate''s blonde tresses, leaving the rest to cascade down the blonde''s back and frame the face she adored. This earned her a musical laugh from her breathtaking partner. Finding nothing that satisfied her in Fate''s remaining clothes, Nanoha went back below and picked out a black, square-shouldered blazer from her own closet to give the blonde''s ensemble a business-like punctuation. Throwing it over Fate''s shoulders, Nanoha grinned, "All done. We should have a spa day to get our mani and pedi done."
Fate studied herself in Nanoha''s full-length mirrors, admiring how the dressiness of the embroidered lace was so easily blunted by the simple addition of the black blazer, "Good idea. Red nails would have gone great with this. Nanoha-chan?"
"Hmm?" The EVP glanced up from her pawing around for the right hair pins for the job at hand. Being called that by Fate was always enough to bring an extra glow to the azure eyes now affixed on the captivating blonde.
"Can we get a picture of us together before the bodyguards pick us up?" The blonde found her hatred for pictures disappearing after the few she had taken had proven instrumental in helping her find her way back to Nanoha. If ever her mother succeeded in stealing more of her memories from her, Fate wanted an idiotic and embarrassing amount of pictures and videos to tell the tale of her and Nanoha''s love back to herself.
A low chuckle was all the answer Fate needed and she smiled at the woman behind her via the mirror she was using.
The arrival of a party of five to TSAB''s Singapore HQ caused a bit of a stir amongst the denizens of the building. Nanoha had taken care to craft a proper narrative for their return to the office - That there had been a serious incident that required Yagami Hayate herself to step in, through no fault of either Operations executives, and it had taken them this long to be deemed fit to return to work. The pure, unvarnished truth, and something very few in TSAB would take at face value without some proper performances to support that claim.
The last thing Nanoha wanted was for already depressed share prices to tank from rumours about Operations being on the brink of collapse, especially just before the close of the fourth quarter.
It seemed to be working. Word about the two Operations executives returning had spread like wildfire and there was a distinctive buzz in the normally staid and cold premises.
Sweeping in with Rein, Ginga and Edel in tow, the two executives cut coldly impressive figures while they stood by the reception desk, waiting for their bodyguards to be registered into TSAB''s systems as special guests of the company''s CEO. For added effect, Nanoha had her left arm in her sling, her military trench coat slung over that shoulder so that just her right arm was in its sleeve.
Neither executive spoke, both opting to quietly catch up on emails on their phone while they waited. Re-acquainting herself with the texting application TSAB used for inter-employee communications, Fate schooled her expression into one of cool indifference when she noticed the last exchanges between Nanoha and herself had been distinctly unprofessional. The doodles littering the images of them in the garishly pink photo booth was an incredibly pleasant find and she quietly saved them into a secure cloud folder to preserve the precious treasure. She wondered if she could get Nanoha to sketch a portrait of herself to frame.
The registration process was seemed to crawl, allowing ample time for news of their arrival to be cemented as more than a few assistants and admin staff tumbled out of the general use elevators.
Fate fought to keep her face impassive at the silliness of it all. Nanoha had warned her about their high profile positions but this was ridiculous. The blonde did not remember this level of scrutiny even when she was fulfilling official duties back in Midchilda. If one more low level staff appeared on a spurious errand to check reception''s scheduled list of guests for the day one more time, the blonde was going to lose it in the worst way - with uncontrollable giggles.
Nanoha seemed to have a sixth sense about Fate''s state and moved closer to whisper into the woman''s slowly reddening ear, "By the way, Marketing''s AVP tried hitting on you before." Fate gave a light cough to hide the laugh of surprise that had threatened to shatter her deliberately icy demeanour.
Unzipping her folio, Fate pulled out the organisational chart Nanoha had made for her all those weeks ago. Nanoha felt a small curl of tenderness tug at her heart to find the silly little thing laminated in thick plastic to better preserve the moment of whimsy that had been the gift she had come up with in return for the pen Fate had given to her.
That pen now sat clipped in the breast pocket of her white trench coat, the blonde having noticed the little detail before Rein had picked them up. The shy smile the blonde had given to Nanoha was something she would treasure.
Fate tapped on the pair of socks the executive had drawn onto the chart, burgundy gaze bright with amusement, "This guy? Ravi? What are the socks and tea bag about?"
Nanoha''s eyes scanned the lobby in a seemingly lazy manner that did not fool Fate in the least; she knew the woman was gauging how far their voices would carry or echo. Deeming it safe, her boss continued, expression impassive though her eyes held a certain warmth meant only for Fate, "He tried selling Darjeeling to you one afternoon when you were in the office pantry."
Fate''s nose crinkled ever so slightly, "I hate black teas." Nanoha made a mild sound of amusement, "You told him as much. You weren''t impressed with his mismatched socks, either."
"...Nanoha, I''m going to outright laugh in his face if I meet him for the first time, again." She warned.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
"That''s okay," Nanoha answered easily, "He deserves it. He''s a buffoon. Good on paper, useless in the saddle."
Fate focussed on not appearing to enjoy Nanoha''s pithy observations too much, which saved her from cracking up at the cavalcade of errand boys and girls every middle manager and up had sent to the lobby while the bodyguards got themselves registered. Catching the woman''s luminously cat-like eyes, made all the more vivid from the eyeliner Fate had applied for her, the blonde whispered to her in utmost seriousness, "Nanoha, I''m glad I fell that first day."
Slowly absorbing the import of Fate''s words, Nanoha understood exactly what Fate meant by saying that. The blonde did not remember exactly what had happened, only that it was the catalyst through which their friendship had been born, and that was what she was grateful for. The silent look the executive gave her AVP spoke volumes about how much that chance happenstance meant to her and Fate had to tear her eyes away to avoid dissolving into a puddle of goo right there in the office lobby.
Nodding at the returning guards, Nanoha skillfully hid the utter mush that Fate''s statement had turned her into and led the way into the bowels of the beast.
Fate took in the unfamiliar surroundings of the TSAB offices with all the aplomb one would expect from a personage of state used to being a part of diplomatic delegations. It helped that Nanoha was walking beside her, quietly pointing out salient things such as the executive elevators she had access to, which levels the cafeteria and cafes were, and where the restrooms were located.
Arriving outside the section bearing matte gold words indicating they were at the corporate offices for TSAB''s Singapore Operations, Nanoha stepped past glass doors that had silently slid open automatically at her approach.
Inside, sat a petite redhead a finger''s width shorter than Inoue Agito, her expression set in a frown whilst she ran her blue eyes over her workstation''s monitor. Those same eyes flicked up at the executive''s entrance, the woman readying a blast at whomever had shown up without an appointment.
Instead, they widened to saucers at the sight of her boss and she leapt up out of her seat. In a flash, she had her arms wrapped around Nanoha''s waist, the executive grunting softly in response to the redhead''s deceptively strong squeeze.
"Gently," lilting soprano soft, Fate cautioned the obviously overwhelmed woman. A quick glance at the woman''s nameplate on her desk informed the blonde that this was Vita, Nanoha''s Executive Assistant.
Immediately loosening her grip, Vita looked up, expression apologetic. Bending her rules with regards to personal space for today, Nanoha returned the hug with the arm not in a sling. "Thanks, Fate-san, it''s okay; I''m tougher than I look." That gave away Vita''s status as one of those who had conspired to bring the couple together to Fate. Aha.
Stepping forward, the blonde offered a hand in greeting, "Miss Vita, I presume?"
Belatedly recalling that the blonde would not remember her time in TSAB, Vita reluctantly released Nanoha to take the AVP''s hand, "Er, Vita is fine. Welcome back¡ Miss Fate?" The redhead looked so uncomfortable that the blonde took pity on her, "Fate is fine. I apologise for not remembering you."
Nanoha gestured to the three bodyguards that had followed them in, "Rein, Ginga, Edel, this is Vita, my executive assistant. Vita, you know Ginga. Rein heads the agency she works for." Expression foreboding, she added, "I expect at least one of you with Fate-san at all times."
"Nanoha," Vita cut in, "What about you?" To which the EVP blinked, one eyebrow cocked, "What''s going to happen to me in my own office, Vita?"
Rein appeared ready to argue, though even she had to allow that the likelihood of anyone attempting an attack from outside of the 42nd floor would be suicidal at best. "A pleasure, Miss Vita. I will station myself here. Ginga and Edel, please continue to be with Fate." Nanoha recognised Rein''s orders to be the concession that it was, and dipped her head in acceptance of the stated arrangement.
Now that the little performance for the office was over, Nanoha shrugged out of her long coat with a sigh, revealing the site of the bullet wounds in her shoulder. The E.A. shot Nanoha a vaguely pained look to see those and the sling her arm was still in. "It''s better than it looks, I promise." Nanoha reassured the redhead, tugging her arm out of her sling as proof. "I only need it if it starts to ache."
Casting a cool glance over those gathered, Nanoha exhaled, "Vita, please show the others around. I''ll be in my office catching up." Departing in a chilly silence constructed entirely for the bodyguards and her E.A.''s benefit, Nanoha escaped into the privacy of her office before she was caught making cow eyes at Fate or something.
The remaining women stared at one another in an uncomfortable silence. "Guess I''ll show you guys the pantry. I know I need a fucking big coffee and rum¡" Vita muttered. The blonde seemed resigned when she was watching their boss disappear into her office, though her smile of gratitude still held that same shade of warmth Vita recalled from when they had first met. ''Damn, Nanoha¡''
Thinking much the same thing, Rein indicated she would remain in the outer office while the rest of the women acclimated themselves to the environment.
A light rap on her door jamb pulled Fate''s attention away from the many monitors populating her work desk and she glanced up to find her boss'' E.A. standing in her doorway, looking slightly discomforted. What few glimpses that Fate recalled of the short redhead informed her that the woman cared for Nanoha far more than her prickly demeanour let on. That was more than sufficient cause for Fate to view the woman in a very favourable light. Thus, her smile of welcome was genuine even if it was not effusive.
"Vita. Can I help you?"
Sidling in, Vita looked askance at Ginga and Edel and Fate understood the woman''s reticence.
"Ginga, Edel, if you could give me a moment? I''ll remain seated." The assurance meant for her guards'' benefit was sufficient for both to dip their heads and step outside. Closing the door after the exiting guards, Vita sat across from Fate in the chair situated there. Not speaking right away, the shorter woman studied the blonde.
Fate had lost some of what she had gained since joining TSAB, but that was easily remedied to Vita''s mind. What worried her was the icy chasm that seemed to exist between her boss and this blonde. "I just wanted to ask how you were doing. Is the apartment to your liking?"
Touched that the woman cared to ask, Fate''s eyes warmed, "Just some headaches here and there, nothing a few Tylenols cannot help with. Did you help set up my living area?"
Vita nodded, her careful observation of the blonde unceasing. Inwardly, Fate sweatdropped. If the E.A. kept this up, the blonde could slip at some point and give away the ruse. She reminded herself that eyes were everywhere in this building, and outside of it, too.
"It is beautiful," the blonde said with sincere gratitude.
Shrugging a smidge, the redhead appeared pleased nonetheless, "You mentioned liking the ocean, thought you''d like decor that resembled it."
Seeing how her girlfriend''s eyes reminded Fate of the vast beauty of the Aegean sea''s depths, it came as absolutely no surprise that her past self had made mention of that to Vita. "The colour scheme is very relaxing," she complimented, "Thank you for watering the plants, too." She gestured to the greenery by the office windows where flourishing leaves reached out towards the sun''s rays.
"Small thing," Vita mumbled dismissively, "All I had to do was work with Granscenic. Nothing like what you and¡" Her eyes cast slightly to the side, the woman finding difficulty voicing the intense worry she had felt for the two executives.
"I regret the lapse in my memories," Fate said with heartfelt empathy, "I do believe we got along, however. I would like very much if we were to be friends again."
That got a smile out of the petite woman and she nodded, "We used to plot over what to feed Nanoha," she shared with a grin. That was not breaking any rules the executive had set, right? Right.
Liking where this was going, Fate leaned over her desk, crimson eyes sparkling over the rim of her glasses, "Indeed? What does she like to eat?"
The icy AVP''s sudden interest in their boss seemed promising, so Vita happily hopped up to move around the desk momentarily. "Excuse me," she said and took over control of Fate''s mouse. Navigating to a shared folder, she opened an excel spreadsheet that she had made with previous Fate.
The blonde blinked at the list of dishes recorded in the sheet, complete with various outlets that served each, and a one to five star rating system to indicate what sort of response each dish had garnered from the EVP. Covering her mouth with one hand, she exchanged looks with Vita who appeared quite smug that she had not made any mention about the blonde''s friendship with Nanoha, while still illustrating the lengths Fate would go through to keep the busy woman fed.
A vague memory of Nanoha cracking open the cover of various takeout containers at her desk intruded upon Fate''s mind''s eye, along with the quietly grateful look the woman would send the blonde''s way each time. "Hmm, yes, this will do nicely," she mused aloud, much to Vita''s delight. Her co-conspirator was back.
That reminded Fate of the time. Blinking, she noted that it was past one in the afternoon. "I don''t suppose¡"
Vita shook her head, voice wry, "She''s still in a call with Granscenic. I was going to remind you to knock off at two with her."
Nodding, Fate gave Vita''s hand still on her mouse a pat, "Thank you. I will be sure to make her get her lunch."
Feeling vastly accomplished, Vita gave Fate a big grin and made her way back out. At the return of her bodyguards, Fate greeted them and added, "Please have the bag Nanoha gave you ready. We will be departing shortly." Satisfied with the murmurs of assent she received, Fate set about clearing off her final queued task, she had plans that involved one workaholic girlfriend and a lot of pampering.
The din and squeals of children playing could not be contained by double-glazed soundproof glass panels, and Fate heard the noise long before TSAB''s office creche came into view. Exiting into the 2nd floor lift lobby, Fate was struck by the bright and cheery colours that greeted her eyes. Walls depicting grassy meadows and ceilings painted to mimic the bright blue sky gave the area a vast and open feeling and the blonde immediately knew that the entire floor had been dedicated to the well-being of the little people being cared for here.
Just the mere fact that children were being housed on the level closest to the ground floor spoke volumes about how much TSAB valued giving their staffs'' peace of mind when it came to their children''s safety. The guards stationed in the lobby area simply reinforced that fact.
Nanoha had led their little entourage to the front desk and identified herself to the sceptical security staff there. She had not bothered pulling her long white trench coat back on, and her arm was once more back in the sling after hours spent typing on the keyboard. This presented a rather odd figure for the serious-looking man with a gleaming bald pate and beetling brows to process.
Fortunately, the retina scan easily confirmed what Nanoha had told him and he immediately straightened to give an awkward half-bow to the Japanese woman. THIS was the White Devil of TSAB? A quick glance told him the blonde who had arrived with the Head of Operations was most certainly the AVP who was frequently brought up with the Head in conversation. At times with contempt or a sneer, but usually with moony eyes, and he understood why, now.
The man was new to the job and had heard rumours about the absent executives, but none had ever mentioned how incredibly striking the EVP was. She certainly looked worse for wear in her sling and a white halter top that did nothing to conceal the jagged scars in her shoulder. But the lean spareness of her frame spoke of adversity overcome, and the eyes she had brought close to the scanner evoked the shimmering depths of the ocean, the deep clarity at once drawing in whilst piercing at the same time.
The ethereal beauty of the blonde AVP came almost as an afterthought though to see the two side by side, he was having trouble deciding which to rest his eyes on. In the end, he settled for some middle ground between the two, even while the second woman came forward voluntarily to have her eye scanned as well. "M-Miss Takamachi, Miss Testarossa, will your companions be entering with you?"
The EVP shook her head, setting the long waves of her auburn hair to dance in shimmering waves behind her, "We won''t be staying long, just dropping some toys off for Haruka-chan." Fate held up a large bag silently and the man nodded, pressing the button to admit the two women past the bullet-proof security doors that incidentally led all entrants through a metal detector corridor.
"Thank you, Mr. Ouyang." Nanoha had picked out the man''s name from his clip-on badge earlier when she had approached the desk to identify herself.
The expected beep of protest sounded when the EVP stepped through, though a quick glance to his screen had Ouyang waving the woman through. Fate passed through the same corridor without issue, and with no further ado, the executive led the blonde past what looked like an indoor garden trail complete with live butterflies, to the source of the noise.
A few adults were standing outside an enclosed ball-pit playpen where toddlers were running riot inside, diving in and out of a sea of multi-coloured plastic balls. More adults in uniforms and aprons were scattered amongst the squealing young ones, keeping close watch on the proceedings. Next door to that was a playpen for even younger children, filled with foam-based educational toys and yet more supervising staff. Spying the pair Nanoha had been meaning to meet, the executive approached a female couple that Fate had also spotted.
To Fate, the significance was far greater than simply seeing a couple watching their child at play and she squinted slightly to avoid the appearance of staring. The two women were obviously employees of the company. They were of similar height of roughly around five foot five, and stood with their arms around one another, indulgent smiles on both their faces. The blonde was in a purple blouse and forest green pantsuit, whilst the purple haired Asian woman had on a full-length A-line floral dress with a square neckline and obvious built-in flap for breastfeeding purposes.
"Suzu-chan, Ali-chan." As one, the women turned in response to the familiar voice and their eyes widened in tandem to find their old friend smiling wryly at them in greeting. "Nano-chan!" Bypassing their friend''s widely known ambivalence at having others in her personal space, the couple gave the woman a quick but no less heartfelt hug. The public arena that was the office kept any from being overly effusive, hugs aside, though Nanoha had unbent enough to return the hugs, understanding that her condition had worried the few close friends she did have.
Fate had remained aside, understanding that this was a reunion of sorts. Nanoha was loath to leave the blonde out of the proceedings, no matter that they were keeping their own relationship private for the nonce. Thus, she drew back to introduce the woman without delay, "I''d like to introduce my AVP, Fate Testarossa. Fate-san, this is the EVP of Finance, Tsukimura Suzuka, and her AVP, Alisa Bunnings. They''re married and the parents of Haruka-chan."
Suppressing her surprise at how closely the couple worked together, Fate bowed to the two, offering both a cordial smile that hid how excited she was to meet an actual couple that worked in the same department. No wonder Nanoha didn''t seem worried about them dating, either. "A pleasure. I look forward to working with you." A pause, "Haruka-chan?"
Observing the reserved blonde, Suzuka decided she preferred this over the previous AVP''s over the top greetings in the past. That one reeked of smarmy insincerity, if only she had pegged onto it earlier. Smiling, she pointed out a toddler with light purple hair giggling and bashing her adult playmate with a squeaky sponge hammer. "They''re tiring the wee ones out before it''s time for their snack and nap time."
"She walks almost as well as you do, Ali-chan. Maybe even better," Nanoha remarked, earning her a jab in the ribs from the stocky blonde, "Oof, watch it, I just got my cast off." Fate''s mouth had opened, about to warn about the executive''s still tender torso, but she had quickly closed it once more, reminding herself that they were just colleagues in this scenario. Besides, Nanoha was more than capable of dealing with the Finance executives.
Noting Fate''s curious glances, Suzuka smiled again, realising the blonde was too polite to pry, "We attended the same schools as kids," she explained. "A-chan and Nano-chan are the sorts who don''t know how to convey affection without violence." She cupped her cheek and affected a long-suffering sigh, "They never did grow out of it."
In the process of digging Alisa back in the ribs in retaliation, Nanoha cast Suzuka an affronted glare, "Speak for your wife, she started it."
"Only because you had to open that big mouth of yours." Alisa sniped back, getting another sigh from her wife. "You see what I mean, Fate-san? Utter cave women."
"She says that, but she was the one who had to hit Ali-chan over the head to-mmmph." Suzuka gave Fate a serene smile from where she stood, hand over Nanoha''s mouth to halt any further revelations from the executive. Fate recognised the wicked little gleam in her girlfriend''s eyes and understood that the woman was trying to pull the blonde ever so slightly into her own circle of friends.
Returning the Finance EVP''s smile, Fate simply held out the bag of toys that Nanoha had packed the previous evening. She still felt unreasonably warmed at the auburn haired woman''s request that she wear her perfume then hug the soot sprite plush for long moments. Initially confused, Fate had asked why she had to hug only this particular toy.
Accepting the toy back from Fate, Nanoha had buried her face into its Fate-scented softness, "You bought this for me, before¡ you were taken."
Making a small sound of dismay, Fate gathered both girlfriend and toy into a hug, surrounding both with all of her.
"I couldn''t¡ I got the Yakul plush for you," the woman admitted in a voice raw with the fresh memory of what she had lost, had almost lost for good. "Giving it to you felt as if I was saying a permanent goodbye."
And that was when Fate realised why the toy''s fur had felt damp when she had accepted it from the Takamachi heir all those weeks ago. "I wanted something that smelled of Feito-chan, in case¡" Her voice hitched and Fate tightened her hold around the woman.
"Nanoha-chan, I wanted to shake you so hard back then. Did you know that I wished you were still in the ICU just so I could visit with you, and spend all day with you? I missed that so much." Wide blue eyes stared at the blonde in utter surprise. "If ever I forget again, I am insisting that you remind me as soon as possible about how much I love you. Any delay is absolutely unacceptable to me, do you hear me?" She did give the woman an emphatic shake this time, exasperated at all the lost time they could have had.
"I¡ I thought it was for the best. I still worry¡"
"I will take that chance," the blonde firmly declared. "I love you too much to care. Just as you loved me too much to care, when g¡" Fate swallowed, "When guns were pointed at you."
The form in her arms fell silent, though it had tucked itself more snugly into her arms, the plush falling by the wayside in the process. Eventually, she felt a nod from the head nuzzled into the crook of her neck, "I understand."
Returning to the present, Fate watched the giggling toddler, now playing with Nanoha who had taken off her heels to enter the play-pen. The auburn haired woman had a soft look about her, an indulgent smile constantly tugging at the corners of her mouth while she went through the whole plethora of plush toys with the little girl to see which one the child favoured the most. Haruka''s current favourite seemed to be Jiji, the black cat from Kiki''s Delivery Service, though that was subject to change with each new toy Nanoha pulled out from the bag.
Knowing she was under intense scrutiny by the Finance executives, Fate simply crossed her arms and took in the scene without giving away the suddenly acute desire for Nanoha to have her own child to play like so with. She knew in her heart of hearts that the Takamachi heir would make an excellent parent. ''One step at a time,'' Fate thought to herself. Last night was another move in the right direction. They needed to build on what they had, first.
Chapter 53: The Opposite of Hate
"Do you think the right message was sent?" Fate set aside the white pumps she had helped Nanoha out of before removing her own black ones. Having bid the bodyguards goodbye after the trio had dropped them back off at the condo, Fate had immediately moved to support the executive once the door to the apartment had closed behind them.
"Mmmhmm, we''re a percentage and some up on SGX and JPX last I checked, I''d wager it''d be more on the Dow once they open, they''re an excitable bunch on that side of the pond." She had kept her posture ramrod straight from the time they said their farewells to Suzuka and Alisa, until when they reached home.
There were too many eyes watching and her own pride would not allow a single display of weakness outside of the sling she wore. Nanoha could have wished that it was also for show, but just those few hours typing at her desk had taken a toll on her shoulder and the last thing she wanted was Fate scolding her for pushing too hard.
Grateful for the blonde''s support, Nanoha allowed herself to sag a little into the warmth of Fate''s offered arm. The other woman had proven once more that there was little that escaped eyes the shade of the finest Bordeaux when it came to Nanoha and they now studied the executive with worry, "I think you had a little too much fun with Haruka-chan."
Knowing it was her girlfriend''s subtle way of saying they should have come home right away, Nanoha chuckled as they made their way over the padded flooring, Fate''s arm around her waist a welcome help to a body aching and unused to the lack of a cast to brace it. "I lost track of time," she conceded easily, "She was just too cute. Thank you, by the way." She cast Fate a grateful glance.
Pale eyebrows lifted, the blonde assuming she was being thanked for helping Nanoha into the apartment, "I could tell you were tired." The arm around the executive was tickled by the ends of the woman''s high ponytail, Nanoha shaking her head in response, "I mean, for playing along with this whole, ''We''re just colleagues'' thing."
Slipping the military-style trench coat off of Nanoha''s shoulders, Fate pressed a soft kiss to the shoulder blade that bore the bullet wound''s scar, "I can''t say it''s easy, but I''ll manage." She stepped away to disappear into the walk-in closet to put away the coat and find something for her girlfriend to change into, "I noticed Vita making no mention of us being friends."
In the middle of slipping out of her wide-leg pants, Nanoha gave a small wince. Right. That was a thing. Kicking up the garment to catch it right-handed, she balled up the piece of clothing and tossed it unerringly into the laundry basket in the bathroom before squaring her shoulders and heading into the wardrobe to find the blonde.
Fate remained quiet the entire time while she pawed through the many tees Nanoha owned to pull out one sporting some Sailor Moon characters on it. The blonde and green haired characters were holding hands and Fate supposed the two were a couple in the cartoon they were from. With the tee held up, she did not notice the arrival of her girlfriend until arms were slipping around her from behind.
"I asked everyone not to say anything," the quiet admission was muffled by the blonde hair draping down Fate''s back. The flash of upset the blonde felt had her stiffening in Nanoha''s arms though she had more or less already guessed the culprit behind what she had brought up. Reserving her response until after the woman could explain herself, she remained quiet as she turned in the circle of the executive''s hold to face the other woman.
The blonde''s expression was pinched and the executive knew she had some ''splainin to do. Accepting that Fate was unhappy with what she had done, Nanoha met eyes holding a quiet hurt with her own, azure eyes dark from remembered fear, regret, and pain of her own. "You were in such an unresponsive state when I first found you¡" Fate felt the thinned form shudder at the scene in eyes gone distant, hearkening back to that bleak time.
Slowly, Nanoha returned to herself, consciously distancing her mind from that stark memory back in the warehouse. Eyes bright with unshed tears met Fate''s once more, "I didn''t want to take the chance of someone letting on that we were more than colleagues. That you would try to reclaim what you''d lost and fall permanently back into that state if everything returned to you all at once."
She let out an unsteady breath, "Later, I could see it was costing you so, so much each time fragments of your memory surfaced. I had already lost my best friend. I¡ I couldn''t take it if I had lost your whole consciousness, too. I didn''t think the memory of me was all that important next to just¡ having you alive and well. Not when remembering hurt you so much."
Sighing in frustration, Fate felt all traces of anger bleed away and pulled Nanoha close, the other woman immediately nuzzling into the blonde''s neck, "You are such an infuriating woman, do you know that? How could you even think that you weren''t important to me? I am nothing without you." Crimson eyes growing distant, she felt her lips curling into a smile.
"I never feel safer than when I''m with you," the blonde began hesitantly, as if reciting something from memory, "You¡ watching me during my¡ presentation gave me all the strength I needed to get through it."
A soft gasp greeted her words and Nanoha pulled back sharply to stare into eyes as full as hers. Fate''s smile grew a little wider, "When you are in the room, I¡ function better. When you are away, or out of the country, I find myself wondering¡ where you are, and what you are doing."
Shaking hands lifted, cupping Fate''s cheeks, thumbs brushing away tears of joy now silently tracking their way down the blonde''s face, "You have accomplished so much, overcome so much, given so much, and I find my breath taken away just reflecting on you - all of you."
Nanoha was smiling past the tears escaping her own eyes, and she shook her head in disbelief when the blonde refused to stop in her exultant recitation, "You are beyond special, my Nanoha. You are the perfection I have strived for all of my life. And I will strive for the rest of my life to live up to the example you have set."
Speechless, weak from the word perfect recounting of Fate''s declaration back in the ryokan, Nanoha felt herself robbed of breath. This had been Fate''s confession, she realised that now. "You were so much braver than I could ever be¡" She murmured in pure wonder.
Triumphant over the full reclamation of this one perfect memory, Fate could only dip her head to seal her pledge with a searing kiss. She felt the lace encasing her neck being bunched into a demanding fist that pulled her ever closer, the women tasting each other''s mingled tears with passionate intent.
"I absolutely forbid you to ever allow me to forget you ever again." Punctuating each word with more kisses, Fate rested her forehead against Nanoha''s, glaring sternly into dreamy blue eyes that were too happy to accept everything the blonde had to offer.
"Still bossing the boss, hmm?" That much adored lopsided smile appeared.
"Someone has to. Who better than me?" Fate declared haughtily to hide just how gooey that smile turned her insides.
"Nyahaha. No one, Feito-chan. Absolutely no one." That smile was pressed against those luscious wet lips and Nanoha giggled, returning everything she had received with interest. Soon, those playful overtures morphed into something far more sensual.
Before Fate knew it, the back of her dress had been unzipped and dragged down her body to bunch at her waist, imprisoning her arms that had been encased in the dress'' long sleeves to her sides. Hot lips traced the upper curve of one breast that her lace bra had left bare as lightly calloused hands found their way under her dress skirt to cup her bottom.
Groaning and wanting this more than anything, Fate arched against sharp incisors leaving a path of gooseflesh and red marks across the tops of both her breasts. "N-Nanoha¡"
"Hrmm?" The sound was more a growled breath than speech and the feeling of being at a leopard''s mercy only served to dampen the scrap of lace between the blonde''s legs with a sudden and acute need. Now that Nanoha knew how much of an erogenous zone Fate''s breasts were, leaving them alone was completely out of the question.
"W-We''re supposed to, ahhhh! To... To take it slow¡" She felt her nipple being bitten through her bra and the cry that was torn from her lips made coherent speech exceedingly hard. Chest heaving, mind reeling from the sudden onslaught wrought by the auburn haired beauty, Fate felt her legs grow weak. That morning''s experience had left the blonde with wanting more and reminding Nanoha was taking Fate''s every remaining working brain cell to do so, all two of them.
"Shit¡" Burying her head into that sweetly scented cleavage, Nanoha dragged her intoxicated, animal brain back from the brink. "Sorry, Feito-chan," she gulped in deep breaths, surrounded by the glory that was her girlfriend''s unique scent. "You make me feel so much¡ I-I just lose control." Reluctantly withdrawing her hands from that shapely derriere, she did her best to straighten the blonde''s dress.
"Don''t¡ Don''t apologise," Fate mumbled between panted breaths. Arms now freed, she lifted Nanoha''s lips to hers once more, kissing the woman with unbridled hunger, eliciting another throaty purr from the leopard, "I like that I do that to you. L-Like you said, we have time."
Capturing the blonde''s full lower lip in the prison of her teeth, Nanoha tugged lightly before releasing the woman, her own breaths erratic against the staccato of her rapidly beating heart. She gave a long sigh, "I might be the only person who''s going to have wet dreams of her girlfriend while sleeping in the same bed as her."
Giggling, Fate snugged her grumpy partner, "That makes the two of us. Come on, let''s change and get a nap. It has been a long day for you. Also, I need new panties."
"Why bother wearing any?" Nanoha quipped saucily.
"Because if I don''t, someone might forget themselves. Again."
About to argue, Nanoha snapped her mouth shut. Fate was absolutely right. "I can''t help how tempting you are, I need fresh undies, too," she grumbled.
"Again, that makes the two of us." Fate noted with a breathless laugh, not quite past the intense arousal she had been subjected to just moments prior, or really, since that morning. Poking the adorable little pout Nanoha was sporting, she turned and teased, "But try to control yourself while you unzip me." Only to gasp as she felt incisors nipping at her exposed nape, "Nanoha!" An unrepentantly dark laugh was her girlfriend''s response. The lace dress fell into a forgotten pile on the floor as she grabbed at her Minx.
A while later, thoroughly tired out from the horseplay, Nanoha gave Fate a sleepy smile when the blonde brushed aside her fringe to press a kiss to her forehead. "Sleep. I''ll get the slow-cooker going and join you soon." With all the leftover potatoes and carrots from that memorable Friday a few nights before, Fate had decided a hearty beef stew would help get more protein into Nanoha. Tucked snugly under the covers, the executive fell into an easy, dreamless slumber to the comforting sounds of her Feito-chan puttering around in the kitchen.
Blowing out slow, even breaths, Hayate focussed on keeping her leg presses controlled and consistent.
"So what did you guys think?" She asked, huffing a strand of hair out of her eye.
"They don''t hate each other¡" Came a voice over her speakerphone in an american accent.
Hayate sighed, "That''s what Ikeda-san said when they were at her place in Tokyo."
"But they aren''t close, either," piped up another voice in japanese-accented english. "That said, she did insult A-chan in front of Fate, which was a bit of a surprise."
Alisa made a small sound of agreement, "She''s not usually that open about our friendship in the office. But it could also just be her trying to find Fate more friends in Singapore. You know what a white knight the White Devil can be."
The rest of the women over the call sighed in unison, agreeing with Alisa''s assessment.
It was Monday evening and the TSAB CEO had spent the day taking the first break that she had had since Fate''s kidnapping. Not that it stopped her from laughing her arse off over TSAB''s stock fluctuations. The company had opened a percent over last week''s closing, just off of confirmations that its Head of Operations had been reported to be back at work.
Ah, the wonders that TSAB''s White Devil wrought was a thing to marvel over. Nanoha must have known that footage of herself and Fate''s first day back at work would leak. She had deliberately gotten Rein and company to pick her and Fate up at the public drop-off point out front, that rascal.
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The two women in contrasting white and black looked stunning in the clips aired on the business news programme Hayate had switched the gym TV channel to. It troubled the CEO to see the hollowness in her friend''s cheeks that no amount of make-up could conceal, and her white military style trench coat had been flung over her shoulders in deference to the sling her left arm was still in.
She looked drawn and tired, though only those close to the executive would have been able to tell. Security had kept any reporters from approaching her or the icy blonde AVP with her, and Hayate made a small note to increase the number of guards at the offices. Her Operations execs had better fish to fry than to entertain nosy press staff.
That brought her to her post-dinner workout and a group call with Vita, Suzuka and Alisa. Signum had opted not to drop by the Operations office, the stoic Wolkenritter preferring to wait for Nanoha to seek her out on her own. She got regular updates from her wife who was the pair''s primary care physician, anyway.
"They didn''t act like total strangers at least," Vita mused. The E.A. was grabbing a late dinner after consolidating reports from Granscenic''s office on all the plates he had kept spinning whilst Nanoha and Fate were indisposed. It was a task the short redhead was more than happy to work on, since it meant that her bosses were back where they were supposed to be. Sure, there would be delays with the executives working half days, but the opening numbers on the Dow were enough to justify handing things back over to Nanoha.
"As lovely as they looked, I could tell Nano-chan was quite tired visiting Haruka-chan earlier." Suzuka had put the child to bed a little while prior and was currently curled up against her wife to catch up on the latest developments in her favourite Otome game, ''Kiss Kiss Fall In Love!''.
"And Fate-san did cut her playtime with our girl short," Alisa mused, wrapping her arms around the soft warmth of her wife, "But more because she was Nanoha''s assistant than out of concern, it felt like? I dunno. I don''t know her AVP well enough. She seemed kinda cold to me."
They could hear Hayate sighing again over the line, "That''s nothing like how they were when we had dinner together at the end of October. Damn it."
"It''s still just their first day back at work together," Vita mumbled around her mouthful of Char Siew rice, or sweet barbecued pork rice. "Hayate, didn''t you say Nanoha would be accompanying Fate to the Halloween ball? Think she''ll do it for the Christmas one now?"
"Oh my kami! I can''t believe I forgot about that." All three heard Hayate slapping her forehead over her forgetfulness. "I''ll remind Nanoha about it. I know she won''t refuse since Fate knows even less people now. Thanks, Vita!"
The short redhead grunted, pleased to be of help. Dousing her rice with yet more piquant garlicky chilli sauce, Vita asked, "Suzuka, Finance is in charge of games this year, yea?" At the woman''s murmur of confirmation, she queried further, "Do you think one or two of them could be adjusted? For, uh, bonding purposes?"
The head of Finance glanced over her shoulder at her now blushing wife and something secret passed between the spouses, "Oh, I think I can conjure up a game or two, certainly. I''ll get Alisa to help." She giggled when the American leaned close to nibble at her ear.
"Good call, Vita-chan," Hayate''s voice was warmly approving. "Operation: Get Nanoha a Girlfriend is still a go! Lemme know what games your department comes up with, Suzu-chan. Gonna end this call, I wanna check in on Nano-chan''s guard detail. Night, girls."
Rein slipped into the tub of perfumed hot water with a low hiss. The temperature had been set to almost hot spring levels of heat and the silver haired woman took animal pleasure in feeling her bare skin tighten in reaction to the heat. She hoped her subordinates were taking similar advantage of the amenities available to them here.
Ginga and Edel were in rooms similar to hers, the silver haired woman making no distinction between herself and her subordinates when it came to their accommodations in the tropical seaside bungalow her family owned just two lanes over from the TSAB condominium.
The muted noise of mahjong tiles clacking and being slapped down could be heard through walls that though thick, were not soundproof. Retired relatives, and friends of the extended family were down on the second level, getting in a few more games before calling it a night. The bedrooms on the third level were seldom utilised, since most who dropped by were local, which made it perfect for the ESSS agents to use while their contract remained in effect.
Not one to flaunt her family''s background, the self-made millionaire was not above leaning on family ties when it was convenient, such as in this instance. Her parents probably didn''t even know she was back in Singapore, since her last communication with them had only been to inform them of a sabbatical she was planning to take in Japan.
So long as the eldest daughter and granddaughter of the venerable Eins dynasty kept a low profile and had her unnatural dalliances out of the limelight, her family would simply turn a blind eye. It was a typical Asian coping device - Sweep it under the rug and pretend it does not exist.
A marriage of convenience generations ago had melded wealthy early traders of European descent with equally wealthy southern Chinese merchants, forming a family that was equal parts Eurasian Portuguese and Straits-born Peranakan and all parts filthy rich. It was only two generations back when women marrying into the family were still high born girls with bound feet who had never known a day of work in their lives.
That is to say that Rein was no stranger to creature comforts, though she would rather be dead than find herself spending her days basking in unearned generational wealth. Being bored out of her gourd as a modern day Tai Tai, a wealthy married woman whose only job was to look pretty, play mahjong and pop out babies for the old bags to coo over, was, as she had told Nanoha, the last thing she wanted in life.
Taking a gulp of icy cold dunkel weizen, the dark wheat beer went down smoothly and Rein closed her eyes, absorbing the quiet rumble of water jets that provided a white noise counterpoint to the soothing strains of Faye Wong''s crystal clear vocals playing over the bathroom''s sound system. They drifted back open, however, when the quiet buzz of her phone on vibrate intruded upon her consciousness.
As always, it only took three rings for Rein Eins to answer her phone. The device had been synced up to the smart system in the room the silver haired woman had taken temporary residence in, allowing her the ability to answer calls whilst in the bath.
"Miss Hayate," she greeted simply.
"Please, Hayate is fine. I hope I haven''t caught you at a bad time."
The sounds of bubbling water could be heard over the line, Rein having shifted to the head of the jacuzzi tub to engage the waterproof volume controls. It was difficult to hear TSAB''s CEO over the noise of the bubbles. She increased the volume, "Not at all, Hayate. How may I help you?" Another long pull of the dark, German lager followed her invitation to the TSAB CEO to state her business.
In the midst of towelling herself off after a fairly comprehensive workout, the brunette paused, realising just where the woman she was calling was. She tapped at her waterproof earpiece to increase its volume, too. "Er, just wanted to get your baseline assessment on Nanoha and Fate. Any updates on the risk & safety analyses now that you''ve had a chance to visit the TSAB offices?"
Rein sighed audibly as she hooked her elbows over the lip of the tub to lean back. The jets of water shot out to hit her right in the knots in her back which caused her eyes to flutter closed while she pondered the loaded question for long moments. A part of her appreciated the patience the CEO displayed, allowing her the time to gather her thoughts on this very tricky subject. Or subjectS.
"Nanoha is doing what she can to take things easy. I believe we both know her version of ''easy'' is everyone else''s version of ''hard mode''." She smiled slightly at the expected snort of agreement from the CEO.
Yawning, she stretched enough that the pop of joints could be heard over the line, "She''s aware that the injuries she has sustained aren''t things she can shrug off and bulldoze through, at least. Her tendency to go short on sleep is still a worry, and I am uncertain if Fate''s presence in the same apartment will help there. I can say she seemed slightly better rested this morning, compared to the one before, but the sample size is too small for me to give you a more accurate assessment in that regard."
Hayate listened closely to filter out the noise of the jacuzzi, finding the woman''s almost accentless accent intriguing. "Nano-chan''s been an insomniac since her teens," the CEO revealed with some sadness, "So I''m not surprised she''s not getting enough rest now. Knowing her, she''s been skipping anything that would help, too. Anything that might dull her senses is off the table for sure."
"Mmmhmm. Sex seems to help, but I don''t think she and Fate are anywhere near that point. Fate doesn''t remember Nanoha, and Nanoha is afraid she will remember and become afflicted by an irrecoverable episode."
Shocked silence greeted her, and Rein smirked, slowly rolling her head to stretch the tight tendons in her neck.
In the middle of hitting her own shower back in her serviced apartment, Hayate''s eyes widened at the implication of what the head of ESSS had just revealed. "...It''s not often that I''m left speechless," the TSAB CEO finally admitted.
The chuckle that trickled through the line gave Hayate goosebumps and she wondered what the hell was up with her. The woman had just admitted to sleeping with her oldest friend!
"You needn''t sound so surprised, Hayate. In this line of work, the body becomes just another tool to accomplish the goals set by our contract. That is all there is to it."
"And sleeping with Nanoha accomplished that for you?" The brunette''s question was far more blunt than anything Rein had expected out of someone used to the roundabout methods employed in the Land of the Rising Sun, but then, Yagami Hayate had always been the sort to buck all expectations.
"Let''s just say both she and I were satisfied with the outcome. She had her first full night''s sleep in weeks, and I, well, that''s more than my contract requires me to tell you," the tease in Rein''s tone was extremely obvious and Hayate found herself torn between embarrassment and crazily enough, arousal. An insane thought crossed the CEO''s mind, wondering just what sort of contract terms would get the seemingly professional head of Ein Stein Security Services to spill the beans about her extra-curricular activities with her old friend. ''Oh my kami, what the hell is wrong with me?!''
"Er, not to pry, but does that mean you''re dating her now?" This would really throw a monkey wrench into their plans, Hayate thought.
The tease in Rein''s voice disappeared, hardening just a smidge on the side of politeness, since she was addressing a client, "Physical activities are just that, Hayate, physical. There is no need to place undue weight or link emotional attachments to simple acts of sex. Just as there is nothing behind the times you have groped others."
The TSAB CEO almost slipped in the shower and grabbed hold of the towel rail before she could do so, "Who told you about that?!" She squeaked, feeling her cheeks grow warm.
"Signum, of course. She was worried you might try to grope me." Amusement laced the silver haired woman''s voice once more as she continued, "So no, we aren''t dating. We''ve agreed to cease further such activities to avoid muddying the waters while Nanoha attempts to bridge the gap between herself and Fate. Whether that means returning to a working relationship or more, is up to them to decide without outside interference."
''I''m gonna kill that pink-haired gorilla,'' Hayate thought to herself, then she frowned. Why did it matter that Rein knew about her groping habits? Shaking her head, she discarded that stray thought to focus on what was important, "All right, then. Thank you for sharing that with me."
"Only out of courtesy, since you are the main client. Perhaps, if the two are able to come to some sort of agreement, Nanoha may be able to have a proper night''s rest once again."
Meaning Hayate was expected to keep it to herself, something she was more than willing to comply with. The subtle hint that Rein knew what Hayate was up to with regards to mashing the two Operations executives together into the same apartment did not escape the brunette, either. There were layers upon layers to this head of ESSS and Hayate found that she had never been more fascinated with wanting to know more about the woman.
"Understood. Since you''ve not mentioned Miss Nakajima, I''ll assume that all was fine on that front. Then I''d like to have your thoughts on Fate with regards to her blackouts and the levels of security you''ve observed at the TSAB offices."
Turning her shower to a temperature cooler than usual, Hayate stepped under the stinging spray of water whilst listening to the agency head''s smoothly urbane tones spell out her observations in a most professional way. Not once in the detailed briefing did either woman forget that the other was communicating over the line whilst being completely naked.
Nanoha glared up at the harsh overhead lights stabbing unpleasantly into her eyes and tried not to feel utterly exposed while she lay down with her legs up in stirrups. A futile endeavour at best.
"Your records show that you haven''t been tested in the last two years," the slightly censorious voice of the woman on the other side of her raised medical gown could be heard coming from between the executive''s legs. Was it any wonder why she never liked doing these to begin with?
Holding back a sigh, she slowly counted backwards from ten, "I''m here now, aren''t I? Give me the full panel."
The purple haired doctor raised her head to peer up at her patient, one eyebrow cocked, "Is there something that you''re worried about?" Tsukimura Shinobu addressed her younger sister''s former seitou kaichou with more familiarity than Nanoha liked. But the woman had known her since she was knee high to a grasshopper, and so the executive''s usual glare of intimidation simply bounced off of the armour of bred contempt.
"No!" She groused, "I thought the standard was to be tested every six months."
"...If you''ve been sexually active, or plan to be." Glasses glinting under the bright lights, she stared at her baby sister''s friend, "Su-chan hasn''t mentioned anyone¡"
"Of course she hasn''t, because there isn''t¡ Gods, could you just finish up already? I didn''t come here to chat about my relationships or lack thereof." She really needed to speak with Hayate about expanding TSAB''s insurance network to include clinics outside of their circle of ''friends''.
"Tch, as prickly as ever." The loud snap of latex gloves had Nanoha flinching slightly and she focussed harder on thinking about anything other than the metal implement the doctor was wielding. "You do know that endorphins can help improve the mood, yes?"
This time the sigh did escape Nanoha and she covered her eyes with one forearm, "I''m exercising as much as your colleague Shamal allows me."
Shinobu merely made a noncommittal sound, "Ah, yes. She told me it''s a miracle that you''ve been listening to her for once. I think she called the Vatican to tell them about it."
Nanoha began to question if she had suffered injuries to her brain to think she would not get shit visiting anyone other than Shamal to get her health screened. Still, it was better than enduring the blonde doctor''s teases and questions, and so she persevered. The things she suffered for her Feito-chan.
"Whups, I think I lost my swab in there¡"
Nanoha rolled her eyes and wondered what her stupid brother even saw in this wannabe-jokester.
Chapter 54: Honestly Speaking
Smoothing down her gauzy silhouette dress in ocean tones and bold floral prints, Nanoha gave the departing doctor one last stink-eye before retrieving her leather purse and stepping back out into the waiting room. Rein was seated by the door, catching up on messages on her phone, the woman rising once her client made a reappearance.
It had been less than a week since the bodyguards had moved out of the TSAB condo but the Singaporean woman could already see a marked improvement in the woman''s countenance. There were less shadows under her eyes, and the pallor that had plagued Nanoha''s complexion was beginning to fade a little. Returning to the island nation had been the right choice after all, for both the blonde and the Takamachi heir.
The thin straps holding up the dress did nothing to hide the scars in the woman''s shoulder, though Nanoha appeared not to care if it drew attention or not. Accepting Rein''s help in getting her arm back into the sling with a murmur of thanks, she crossed her legs and retrieved her own cellphone to scroll through some work of her own.
Her strappy high-heeled sandals complimented the asymmetrical cut of her dress'' skirt, its slit rising to mid-thigh and slipping open to the side in her current seating pose. The suit jacket she had added to the look for work had been discarded now that she was out of the office, leaving her torso draped in nothing but opaque gauze and a matching satin slip cut close and contoured to her form. It felt as if someone else was dressing the woman for their own pleasure.
The hand in the sling played absently with the ends of the woman''s side plait while she scrolled over to the next message and though the woman showed hints of fatigue around the edges, there was also a sense of peace about her that pricked Rein''s curiosity. "How are things with Fate?" She asked without context.
Nanoha had not been entirely oblivious to the weighing look the sharp-eyed head of ESSS was giving her, knowing that the woman missed little as was required in her line of work. Thus, the query did not come entirely out of left-field and she kept her response within the parameters of what she and Fate were trying to portray to the outside world.
"Slowly getting the hang of things in TSAB," she blew out a slow breath, "And her last memory failed to trigger an episode." A hint of sincere wonder crept into her otherwise toneless alto and she cast a begrudgingly grateful look at her guard. "She''s incredibly resilient." Knowing that the subject of Fate was still a risky one, she frowned back down at her phone, "I don''t know how long her luck will hold out. I''m glad Ginga and Edel can be with her while I''m out."
"Sounds to me like you''re taking her safety into your hands again," Rein observed.
That was undeniable and Nanoha simply shrugged her uninjured shoulder, "Circumstances are what they are. Since our work hours coincide, it''s the most logical solution." Never mind that Nanoha would be attached at the hip to the blonde if she could help it. Even being apart from the blonde for her doctor''s appointment had her missing her favourite body pillow something fierce.
Hearing her name called, Nanoha rose to speak with the nurse. "We''re prescribing you a short course of iron tablets. Do keep the cotton over the blood draw site until you are home again." Nodding, the executive proffered her patient card and tapped her watch to the reader for the clinic to deduct her co-pay from the credit card linked to her device.
"Hey, Haya-chan." Forewarned that her EVP of Operations was dropping by, Hayate was able to hold back her immediate impulse until after the front door closed behind them. Glomping tightly onto the woman, the TSAB CEO bit back a sob as she burrowed into a form that felt less solid than she remembered.
Holding the shorter brunette with the arm not in a sling, Nanoha blinked back tears that Hayate herself was not bothering to hold back. "I''m sorry I worried you," voice thick, she rocked the smaller woman whose face was buried into her chest.
"I want to hurt you SO much!" Trembling in anger and fear, Hayate drew back, the claws of her fingers clasped around her executive''s upper arms as she shook her, "How dare you put yourself in so much danger!" Not caring if the bodyguard attached to Nanoha was witness to her breakdown, she sobbed and flung her arms around her friend again.
Nanoha knew that she had worried the CEO, though she clearly had not expected this much of a reaction from her little guardian tanuki. Wholly discombobulated, she awkwardly manoeuvred the two of them to the living room sofa and sat the sniffling woman down with her. With her eyes, she signalled to Rein to please help look for a damp face cloth for the brunette, a message the bodyguard easily received.
Turning her attention back to the CEO, she rubbed the woman''s back, brows furrowed, "I felt that I was expendable so long as I could get to Fate, get to the fuckers doing kami knows what to her." Eyes distant, she came to a stark realisation and glanced over to her friend, "I still feel that way." The admission was said with quiet conviction; not a plea for understanding, but a simple statement of fact.
"I know that''s not what you want to hear¡"
Hayate shook her head, hiccoughing and offering Rein a grateful look when the woman returned with a damp cloth. "Gods damn you, Nano-chan," her growl was equal parts frustration and helplessness as she wiped away her tears and snot. "So you DO love her."
Feeling her damnable cheeks warm, Nanoha''s gaze dropped. The TSAB CEO was sharper than a razor, she would sniff out a lie as easily as she would a fresh durian at ten paces, "What I feel is irrelevant, it''s what she feels that matters." Which was the purest truth to Nanoha, Fate''s love was all that mattered to the auburn haired woman.
She found herself being shaken again, and she wondered if those healed bones could withstand the brunette''s manhandling. Still, she felt as if she owed the tanuki this much and bore the shakes with quiet grace. "You just told me how you feel you gods'' be damned stubborn cow!" Sighing, Hayate scrubbed at her face with the washcloth, "You''re gonna be the literal death of me, I swear to the gods¡"
Taking pity on the trickster who had been her balm and bane all through most of her life, Nanoha snugged the brunette to her side, "For what it''s worth, I doubt her family will try anything that blatant again."
"They better fucking not," Hayate grumbled darkly, "I don''t have any Nanohas to spare. And you shut the fuck up. I wish you would care for yourself as much as others did for you." Nanoha had been about to refute the TSAB CEO but the brunette had anticipated what her old seitou kaichou was going to say, cutting her off at the pass before she could spew more infuriating nonsense about being expendable.
Drawing in a long breath, something that was in itself a pleasure after over a month of being in a body cast, Nanoha quietly exhaled, "You''re right. I owe it to Yuuno, and the rest of you."
That was more than Hayate had been expecting and it showed in her expression, eyebrows raised to find her stubborn friend actually agreeing with her.
"Things¡ just got out of hand. I fucked up, and too many had to pay the price for my fuck up." Nanoha acknowledged with a heavy sigh of her own. The guilt would remain with her for a long time more to come, no matter what Fate had told her.
"I''m still not firing you, you know." Nanoha''s naked admission was a first for Hayate to witness. There had never, ever, been a time when her friend had felt as if she had failed badly enough to say she had fucked up, and Hayate knew she needed to nudge her EVP off of her one way road to eternal atonement or that messiah complex would give the TSAB CEO a fucking migraine.
"Damn, there goes my plans for an early retirement." Or maybe not. The brunette blinked at her friend, the emergence of that dry humour welcome but unexpected. A faint smile played across her friend''s lips and though the pall of guilt hovered around too-thin shoulders, Nanoha still evinced a certain measure of peace with herself. Perhaps it was an acceptance over where things stood with her AVP.
Hmmph. Not if Hayate & Co. could help it. The CEO made a mental note to check in with Suzuka about the christmas party games.
Really looking her friend over, Hayate frowned, "You''re taking a nap."
"I''m what now?"
Pointedly eyeing the bruising under the cotton ball that was secured to the inside of her right elbow with surgical tapes, Hayate did not give her friend any space to argue, simply dropping down to begin removing the sandals Nanoha was still wearing. "You just had your blood drawn, and Rein will be a while giving me her report. Take forty winks while you wait."
Not waiting for Nanoha to argue, Hayate went to find some orange juice for her friend.
Brows drawn, Nanoha opened her mouth to protest this nonsense when Rein cut in quietly, "It''ll be a long report. You may as well."
"See? Rein agrees." Returning with a bottle of pulpy juice, Hayate popped the cap off and handed it to her EVP who frowned up at the overly solicitous brunette. She was being railroaded and was not the sort to take it lying down.
Unfortunately, the tanuki was simply giving her no options, and Rein appeared disinclined to take her side in all of this. Fluffing up a cushion, Hayate pushed Nanoha over to make her lie down, not liking how easy it was for her to do so.
"This is bullying," Nanoha pointed out without heat though she still took a long pull of the juice before it was already being set on the coffee table and she was supine on the sofa. Truth be told, she was feeling rough around the edges after giving up what had felt like a pint of blood at the clinic.
"You can write me up to Sig-chan another time." Hayate said blithely, grabbing the silver haired woman''s hand and pulling her into the office she had set up in the serviced apartment.
Once inside the simply set-up office, which still consisted of two ultra-widescreen monitors arranged one atop of the other, Hayate swiftly dropped the silver haired woman''s hand. "Thanks for backing me up there."
A faint sound of amusement was her reply, the unflappable bodyguard had cottoned on to the TSAB CEO''s plot easily. The woman''s cooperation was what had sealed the deal though the brunette had a vague sense that there would be little that could coerce Rein into doing anything she did not herself agree to.
"I''m still contracted to see to her well-being when I''m guarding her." The guard''s drolly urbane tones made no effort to hide the fact that she was genuinely fond of the stubborn executive and Hayate grinned. "So she''s gotten to you too, eh?"
Head tilting, Rein considered the brunette''s question. "One would wager there are few in her life who are entirely immune to that unassuming charm."
Snorting lightly, Hayate invited the woman to have a seat in the only other chair in the room, a simple wicker one-seater set in the corner of the room by a matching glass-top wicker table. "Kopi?" She asked, lifting a pot of the butter-roasted brew she had just made before the pair''s arrival. The TSAB''s CEO was not above flaunting her own information gathering clout by offering the guard what was purported to be her favourite local drink.
"Thank you, no. I stick to just one in the morning." Rein displayed no surprise that the brunette knew what her daily indulgence was, and from the many mugs littering the surface of the woman''s work desk, it appeared that the brew was something Hayate enjoyed throughout the day herself.
Settling back into her mesh office chair which she had rolled over to sit at the wicker table with her guest, Hayate took a moment to have a sip of the rich, dark roast. "She was always getting up into people''s businesses, whether they asked for it or not. Can''t change the leopard for their spots. It''s why she''s a perfect fit as my EVP of Ops and a constant threat to Sig-chan''s job as head of HR."
"You run a tight-knit crew," the silver haired woman observed, the wicker chair creaking as she leaned back and crossed her arms and legs. Hayate took another cautious sip of her sinfully dark coffee to better hide how nice she found the fit of the guard''s pants suit uniform, especially how her broad shoulders strained the material across her chest. ''Nanoha certainly knows how to pick them,'' Hayate thought ruefully.
"I try to. Not all roles are equally covered by my people."
"Mmm, that explains the mess on your desk," Rein cast a faintly teasing look at the dirty cups scattered around the CEO''s desk.
Hayate met the woman''s look with an even one of her own, "Whatever was needed to give them the time and space." Her lips twisted into a moue of equal parts worry and frustration, "She''s far from a hundred percent."
"Still a whole lot better than when I first saw her." Somehow Rein felt the need to reassure the shockingly young-looking CEO. The woman had sounded her age or older over the phone.
Hesitating a moment, Hayate carefully set her steaming mug onto her desk''s surface. "Did you¡ keep a record of her condition?"
Rein cast the brunette a sharp look, wondering how the woman had found out that this very delicate ESSS policy existed at all. It was important that the state clients were first met in was established, to avoid accusations of dereliction of duty. Nanoha had been unresponsive then, which was why she had had to obtain permission from Takamachi Momoko.
She lowered her lids just enough to indicate an affirmative, "The records are purged once the contract ends."
Eyes dropping to the faint swirls of steam circling up from her drink, Hayate nibbled on her lip, "...Could I?"
Rein weighed the woman''s request against her wish to maintain Nanoha''s privacy. "The only reason I''m even considering your request is because you''re the one who personally contracted us." The lack of an easily discernible accent only seemed to add more gravitas to her words and Hayate appreciated the silver haired woman''s morals when it came to her former seitou kaichou.
Eyes that evoked that of polished aquamarine met Rein''s unwaveringly, "I understand," was all Hayate said, implying that the bodyguard would understand her request in turn.
Sighing audibly, Rein pulled out her cellphone from her pants pocket. With a few taps, she found what she was looking for and handed the device over to the brunette.
It was a mark of Hayate''s boardroom skills that her expression remained unchanged when she picked up the phone to look at the image on its screen. Only the subtle tightening of the skin around her eyes gave any of her distress away.
Blinking overly bright eyes, she handed the phone back to Rein. "It''s a bloody miracle she looks as good as she does now," the CEO grated, the urge to rant and rail at the woman resting outside rising once more. Hayate took a moment to dig the heels of her palms into her eyes and Rein could see obvious bags under red-rimmed eyes.
"And she''s insisting we say nothing to Fate-san," she muttered, her irritation at her stubborn cow of a friend threading through every word.
"Would you like my honest opinion?"
Those red-rimmed eyes settled onto the silver haired woman, the youthful CEO studying Rein over the rim of her cup of coffee which she was once more sucking on. Rein could tell the woman would probably spike the brew if not for her guests.
"Absolutely," Hayate said, voice still a little rough from what she had just seen. Emotions were secondary to the pursuit of information. The brunette was open to any insights the other woman could offer in her almost two months in close contact with her old friend.
Rein appreciated the brunette''s easy acceptance of her offer. A lesser being would have assumed they knew their friend better.
"Fate takes precedence to all else when it comes to your friend. As much as she keeps that hidden, I don''t believe Fate doesn''t sense it in some way or other." Accepting her phone back from the CEO, she peered down at the fragile form of the executive displayed in stark clarity.
"She can harp on about duty all she wants; it''s clear her regard for the princess goes above and beyond any such claims. Your AVP of Operations isn''t stupid. Sooner or later, she''ll put two and two together. I feel it''s only a matter of time, she''s a lot more tenacious than most would give her credit for." Her chin dipped meaningfully as her eyes lifted to meet Hayate''s once more, "Including Nanoha."
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Considering the woman''s words, Hayate''s brows scrunched in thought, "And you don''t believe your¡" A faint dusting of pink finally showed on the Japanese woman''s cheeks, "Dalliance with Nanoha has discouraged her?"
Elbow propped on the wicker chair''s arm, Rein rested her chin on the back of her knuckles, an air of amusement cloaking the calmly contained woman, "If that were enough to scare the princess off, then she may as well go the way of Ginga. No one who wishes to dance with the White Devil should dare the fires without conviction."
The words were spoken with no rancour, the bodyguard merely pointing out what Hayate had known for a long time. It was just too bad that things hadn''t worked out with the Nakajima heir and the CEO felt a twinge of guilt over the girl''s ostracisation back then. Not the sort to dally over things, the brunette chose her words carefully, "When the contract ends, please belay re-assigning Ms Nakajima. I would like to meet with her prior to her next job. I''ll cover any pay she misses out on."
Silvered brow quirking, Rein pursed her lips, "That can be arranged. If it''s about her professionalism¡"
Hayate''s bob cut swayed with the shake of her head, "It''s not. It''s to do with what happened when we were in high school. I think everyone could have handled things better, including myself."
Rein sucked in a quiet breath, "The Takamachi heir sends out ripples around her wherever she goes, doesn''t she?"
Shoulders dropping in resignation, Hayate laughed despite the gravity of the circumstances that had brought the TSAB CEO in contact with the head of ESSS, "Sometimes, she''s the one skipping the pebble, other times, she IS the pebble. It''s always been about suggesting a direction rather than ordering her where to go. I''d have an easier time controlling a tsunami."
"That move to have the two of them becoming roommates was masterfully done, I have to say." Hayate felt her cheeks warm from the compliment and she tried to shrug it off, she felt so young next to the sedately mature woman seated across from her, "It was a calculated risk that panned out. I was banking on her being too tired after the flight to go find herself alternate accommodations." Her expression grew dark, "Didn''t plan for Fate''s place to get trashed like that, though that actually helped."
"Indeed." Rein shook her head, "Wasn''t expecting that much vitriol from Nanoha. She looked ready to commit murder, and I know she can." Weighing crimson eyed the brunette, the woman''s lack of a reaction confirming Rein''s guess that Hayate knew some, if not all of her EVP''s other aspect as the Takamachi clan''s heir.
"I should try to expand TSAB into Midchilda, just to see if Fate''s family will try anything," Hayate muttered, less a threat and more a still-forming plan. Reaching for the pot of coffee sitting on her desk, the CEO blinked to find an immaculately manicured hand blocking her own. "Excuse me?" She blurted in a distinctly Kansai-accented query.
"You''re a client as well," Rein explained quietly, unintimidated by the affronted glare being sent her way, "Too much caffeine isn''t good for you. Especially after five in the evening."
Pale blue eyes narrowed, "Some might think it presumptuous of you to assume the contract covers my daily caffeine intake¡"
"Some might," Rein conceded, her hand remaining exactly right where it was. Voice dropping, she pinned Hayate where she sat, "But you aren''t just anyone. Besides," she smirked, "Think how guilty Nanoha would feel if she hadn''t been too tired to notice how tired you were."
Caught dead to rights on that account, Hayate returned the smirk with one of her own, "Why do you think railroaded her into taking a nap?" Uncertain if she liked being pegged that easily by the head of ESSS, she reluctantly set her empty mug aside, leaning back into her chair instead, "I went through your report. If you could clarify a few points for me?"
Taking care not to appear pleased to have won this round, Rein withdrew her hand to settle back more comfortably into her own seat. With a graceful flick of her wrist, she invited the CEO to continue, enjoying the woman''s animated expressions that accompanied the insightful questions being directed at her. It was nice to put a face to the voice after all this time and the Singaporean decided the few images of the TSAB CEO she had found on the internet did not do the fiendishly sharp woman any justice.
Arriving home much later than anticipated, Nanoha found herself greeted at the door by Ginga. Both her and Edel had remained with Fate while the executive was out for her doctor''s appointment, followed by her visit to Hayate after. Reading the questioning look sent her way, Ginga gave Nanoha a faint smile to indicate that nothing untoward had occurred to Fate while Nanoha was gone.
Exhaling a breath she had not even realised she was holding, Nanoha supposed the worry would remain with her for however long it would take for the blonde to regain all of her memories. Speaking of her favourite person, azure eyes cast around the apartment that was filled with the heavenly scent of simmering Tonjiru, or pork and vegetable stew in a miso soup base.
Easily finding the blonde, Fate was in the kitchen in her Peeps apron, her hair up in a simple ponytail while she set about preparing dinner. For now, she was slicing up leek flower stems in even, two inch pieces while Edel watched close by.
A quick glance up from the blonde was all the acknowledgement the executive received, though the hint of warmth in crimson eyes was as good as a glomped hug when it came to the icy blonde. Under the apron, Nanoha could see the Gudetama tee she had loaned the other woman months ago and she surmised that it had become a favourite of Fate''s once she had learned how she had come into possession of the top.
Nodding a silent thanks to Ginga, Nanoha hung up her business jacket and slipped out of her sling. She felt better after her nap at Hayate''s, though her shoulder had stiffened while she was napping on that sofa, not that she would have told anyone but Fate that. She settled onto the back entrance''s bench to work on her sandal straps. It gave her a good excuse to duck her head to avoid staring at the vision of her girlfriend. Fate could easily tell why the executive was not looking at her, since she had to drop her eyes back down to the chopping block or risk drowning in those brilliant blue eyes herself.
Fate was behind the asymmetrical, bare-shouldered floral dress that the executive had worn for work today and she knew she had picked correctly the moment she had painstakingly zipped the woman into the outfit. Seeing Nanoha again in the dress had the blonde biting hard on the inside of one cheek and she forced herself to focus on the greens she was cutting before she hurt herself though thoughts of this morning played vividly in her memory.
The way the sheer material moulded to Nanoha''s torso and waist before flaring down over her softly rounded hips was literally mouth-watering to see. The side slit that went up to mid-thigh was the icing on the cake and Fate had caught herself slipping her hand past the lightly draping material when she had pulled the willing woman to her for a kiss.
She hadn''t been done dressing herself, and the press of her lace-covered breasts to Nanoha''s thinly-dressed front was all it took to set Fate''s body afire. Of course, the executive wasn''t helping and she felt calloused fingers tangling themselves in her hair to deepen the kiss, pulling a soft moan from deep within Fate''s throat. Slowly curling Fate''s heavy fall of free flowing hair into her fist, Nanoha had tugged her head back, baring her neck to a mouth that seemed intent on tracing the line of muscle running down the side to a shoulder already awash with gooseflesh.
Groaning and finding it difficult to remain standing, Fate was reminded why it was dangerous to start anything with her girlfriend when that insatiable hunger surfaced at the slightest provocation from her. All it took was a mere look or like now, a single kiss, and she was undone in moments. The purr that greeted her when her own hand found a taut bottom to grope sent a jolt of delicious sensation to her core and she knew she was close to throwing all caution to the wind.
Imprisoned by the hand fisted in her hair, she felt the woman''s free arm snaking around her bare waist, locking their bodies together. The thrill of being at the executive''s mercy prompted a soft mewl to emerge from her exposed throat and that novel sound seemed to inflame her girlfriend further. From the corner of her eye Fate could see dark eyes filled with an intent to force more of them out of the blonde.
That sudden blaze of possession had the arm around her tightening, Nanoha''s incisors baring to graze lightly at the pulsing jugular Fate was offering so tantalisingly up to her.
"Incoming call, Yagami, H."
Gulping down large mouthfuls of air, Nanoha had blinked eyes made hazy from arousal and carefully unfurled her hand from the depths of the flaxen silk she had balled into a fist. Chest heaving, she removed her arm from around the blonde and took a careful step back.
"Answer."
Missing the heat of Nanoha''s body immediately, Fate forced open eyes that had drifted closed from the pleasure her mind had just been soaked in. Gods, that was far from the only thing about her that was soaked. Swallowing hard, she met guilty eyes of dilated blue as the executive visibly wrestled herself back under control.
"Nyano-chan! Don''t forget the Christmas party this Saturday."
"Haya-chan," She raked her fringe back with a hand that Fate could see still held a faint tremor, "I remember. Could''ve just texted me."
Silence, and Fate knew that the CEO was unsure if she was within earshot. Nanoha had deduced the same, and added, "It''s safe to speak," throwing Fate a glance that said she had nothing to hide from her. Fate knew she was giving her girlfriend a goopy look because the woman was looking down abashedly.
"...Will you be Fate-san''s escort there?"
Now that appeared to have slipped Nanoha''s mind and she blinked, looking back up at the blonde. Her glance had morphed into a soft look, "Yea. She probably doesn''t remember, so I''ll ask again."
Fate''s hand had raised of its own volition then, cupping the other woman''s cheek as she mouthed, "Yes, yes, yes," to the now faintly blushing executive.
"I, uh, think she''ll be okay with it."
"All right then, lemme know if she turns you down, I think Zafira''s going stag."
Fate watched her girlfriend''s eyes roll and she bit back a giggle of her own. "Suuuure, I''ll do that. I need to get ready for work, I''ll see you on Sat."
A faint tone sounded to indicate the call had ended and Nanoha had leaned her face into Fate''s hand, expression a little guilty.
"None of that," she quietly told her girlfriend, the corners of her lips curling up at the corners, "I should have known better than to start something we cannot finish." A quick glance over her shoulder told her the time, "Especially when they''ll be here in less than thirty minutes."
Sighing, Nanoha took the hand on her cheek and lifted the back of it to her lips to brush an apologetic kiss across Fate''s knuckles. "I''ll go deal with my make-up," she husked, "Don''t let me keep you."
Knowing her girlfriend''s tendencies all too well, Fate had brushed the pad of her thumb over those same lips she knew she was eternally addicted to, "On the contrary, I expect you to keep me and throw away the key. But yes, go do your make-up." She hugged the woman lightly, "The dress is perfect. You''re perfect. I''ll help with your hair later."
That got the lopsided smile she was looking for, and the lingering traces of self-castigation faded away, replaced by endless pools of love she knew was hers and hers alone. Pleased that she was getting better at reading the other woman''s mercurial moods, Fate had gone to look for fresh underwear while simultaneously working to get her heart rate back down to an acceptable rhythm. They were definitely going to have to do laundry this weekend at the pace she was going through her panties, she thought wryly.
"Sorry for the delay in getting back, Ginga, Edel." Nanoha''s voice pulled Fate back to the present. The hiss of a large bowl being filled with water filled the quiet confines of the condominium. "Rein''s outside waiting for you." Bidding their blonde client a good night, Fate''s two bodyguards made their way out the door Nanoha had entered by, where the black Mercedes was idling.
Once the heavy door swung closed and the electric lock was engaged, Nanoha offered the same apology to the blonde, "Sorry, Feito-chan, Hayate made me take a nap. I wanted to help with dinner."
Scraping the pile of chopped vegetables into a bowl of cold water to soak for a while, Fate dried her hands and made her way over to help with the sandals, aware that Nanoha''s side still ached whenever she had to bend over at the waist. "It''s fine. I''m glad you could still get a nap. Though if you were any later, Edel might have asked to eat your share," the blonde teased.
"Wench," Nanoha accused lightly, leaning over to brush a kiss of greeting across lips she had missed all day, "I''d spank you for feeding anyone else besides me."
"Mmm," Returning the kiss, the kneeling blonde batted thick lashes at her girlfriend, "Promise?"
Nanoha eyed the blonde in quiet surprise, brows arched. The faint smile playing across Fate''s lips were equal parts playful and serious, and the executive was reminded that this was all new territory to the woman who was clearly curious and eager to try all the things with Nanoha. Chuckling, she nipped lightly at the blonde''s lower lip, "We can make a list together."
Freed from her frankly, far too cumbersome to remove sandals, Nanoha stood and pulled Fate up into a big hug, "''Missed you. Let me change and I''ll come help."
"Missed you." An impression of a large bed, and being spooned from behind, sent Fate into a sway and Nanoha''s eyes widened, recognising the symptoms. Swiftly turning to seat Fate where the executive had been just seconds before, she sat beside the woman, her good arm firmly around Fate''s slim shoulders while she stroked one downy soft cheek, eyes shaded a worried violet studying the pale blonde.
The fading echoes of misery, mingled with a burgeoning hope, chased itself over the taller woman''s face, and Nanoha wondered just what was Fate seeing right now. The gentle touch on her cheek pulled the blonde back to the present and she blinked, trying her best to focus on the here and now.
"A-Agito¡" Auburn brows scrunched together. "Your dinner with her?"
Licking her lips, Fate shook her head, "In a gym. You were there."
Squinting, Nanoha cast her mind back, and then the squint widened, "You saw that?"
"I¡ I guess." Fate frowned, staring at Nanoha''s shoulder, "She licked you!"
"She did," the auburn haired woman agreed, "I didn''t like it."
It wasn''t her business but Fate''s querying look was still plain to see.
"We had a thing in college. Nothing serious." Taking one of Fate''s hands in hers, Nanoha intertwined their fingers together, face pensive while she looked at their linked hands on her lap, "I guess she thought we could pick up where we''d left off. I was there trying to tire myself out," she gave the blonde a wistful little smile, "So I wouldn''t think about how much I wanted you." She raised their hands, pressing a kiss to the blonde''s knuckles, "The more she tried, the more I was reminded she wasn''t you."
Recalling more of the scene, Fate eyed the woman who was being so starkly honest with her, "You came back to me."
"I did. I thought you were asleep."
Cheeks warming, Fate ducked her head, "I learned how to pretend to sleep." Nanoha easily guessed it was because of overbearing guardians and made a small sound of amusement, "Completely fooled me."
"I''m glad I do not have to fool you anymore."
"Me too, Feito-chan¡" Nanoha''s lips were too close again, and Fate swayed in the other woman''s direction, eyes shifting from soft Aegean blue to lush pinkness. Pulled in by the blonde''s obvious intent, the auburn haired woman closed the distance between them...
A shrill ring dragged them out of their little bubble and Fate sat up, "The stew!" Laughing, Nanoha stood and hauled the blonde up with her. "Go on, Honey, I''ll change like I said I would gods know how long ago."
"No wait!" Spinning back around, Fate grabbed Nanoha''s arms, stopping the executive in her tracks. Blinking, she eyed her girlfriend who seemed almost in a panic, "C-Could you wait until after dinner?"
"Er, I guess?"
"I just¡ reallylikehowyoulookinthedress." Fate mumbled in a rushed confession.
That got an indulgent chuckle out of her girlfriend, "I''m your Barbie doll now, aren''t I?" Before Fate could apologise, she gave the blonde another hug, "I like that." Padding over to the kitchen together, Nanoha dug out her own apron to slip over her head while the blonde turned off fire under the pot of miso stew.
"Could you help with tying this? Shoulder''s a little stiff."
"Of course."
Thanking Fate for helping to tie the apron for her, Nanoha shooed her girlfriend off, "Go wear something nice, too. Let''s make it a date night."
The little pink apron with bunny decals looked far too adorable on the sexily-dressed goddess and Fate''s brain took a moment to reboot. "Uh, sure¡" Wandering up the stairs, she blushed when a teasing alto followed after her, "I want some cleavage, Feito-chan!"
"Nanoha-chan is a horn dog!" She called back down, getting nothing more than an unrepentant laugh in return. Knowing she had a stupid grin on her face, Fate walked over to her closet to find something to knock that smug woman off of her feet with.
Vita stared at the white plush situated in the middle of the work desk. It was a bunny, about two hands tall, ears included. It had soulless pink eyes with no pupils, and a little black bow-tie. The sound of a door opening pulled the redhead''s attention away from the incredibly adorable, to her, toy. Rein was at her usual place on the nearby sofa, typing up something using a portable bluetooth keyboard she had linked to her mobile device.
Her boss emerged from her office, one auburn brow cocked to find her E.A. eyeing the plush on her table. Dressed for casual Friday, the woman was out of her sling at the moment. Her simple white tank was tucked messily into skinny jeans, both hanging a little too loosely on the woman''s thinner frame and doing nothing to conceal the shoulder scars she had picked up in Tokyo.
"Vita," She greeted, jerking her chin at the toy, "Told you you''d get something to go with your costume." Expression growing foreboding, the executive''s alto dropped to a foreboding register, "You did, contact XiaoFang, yes?"
Squirming under the flinty stare being sent her way, Vita''s eyes dropped and she nodded reluctantly. "I''m only letting it go because Fate-san¡" Nanoha paused, jaw working for a moment, "The Fate-san of then, asked me to. I was ready to yell at you at two in the bloody morning."
Mouth opening to defend herself, Vita looked up to find a surprising lack of anger in the sapphire gaze boring into her. "Fate-san is my AVP, Vita. I''m fine if people think I slept my way here, she doesn''t deserve that same assumption being applied to her. Even Agito thought¡" She blew out a long breath, "Anyway, I appreciate it, but I don''t, either."
Eyes dropping again, Vita nervously twiddled her pen, "I just¡ after Shari¡" Shocked to feel herself being hugged, the redhead squeezed the executive. The woman was oddly demonstrative since returning to the office though Vita secretly felt that was a good thing. The mingled scents of cinnamon and rose tickled at the E.A.''s nostrils and Vita blinked, wondering when her boss had changed perfumes.
"I know you''re still pissed over her." The executive''s voice was warm, "I''m just glad you get along with Fate-san. She could use more friends here."
"Just not you?" Stiffening, Nanoha dropped her arms and stepped back to head into her own office, "We''ll see," she threw flatly over her shoulder and disappeared.
Grumbling about stubborn, stiff-necked Takamachi heirs, Vita picked up the soft toy and gave it a hug, "We''ve got our work cut out for us, Usa-pyon." The soulless eyes seemed to be agreeing with her. Smiling, she set the bunny into her in-tray and got started with work. It was nice to not be the only one in the Operations office again.
Chapter 55: Wash Me Clean
Eyes drifting shut, Fate hummed a soft ditty while Nanoha ran a brush through her hair. They had spent Friday night in, with Fate helping Nanoha through more PT exercises before they settled in to watch something lighthearted from Studio Ghibli. Now both were done with showering and were taking their time helping each other with their long hair.
It soothed the both of them when they did this, and so the process was added to their ever-growing list of things to do together as a couple. Fate hoped the list would grow longer than her eye could see.
"Penny." Feeling the kiss in her hair, Fate smiled, "Just making a list of things we do as a couple." Her soprano held a dreamy quality to it, hushed and intimate, befitting the bubble the pair had built around them, "I want the list to stretch a mile long. Maybe two."
Thoroughly loving the mellifluous rise and fall of Fate''s aristocratic accent, Nanoha made a small sound of amusement, her own alto warmly indulgent, "I could add to that list. Something we did before," she offered, surprisingly Fate who turned to glance at the woman kneeling behind her. Her stolen memories were still a very sore spot for Nanoha and the blonde avoided asking much, sensing the ill-hidden worry the auburn haired woman still harboured over the possible harmful repercussions if everything would return to Fate at once.
Perhaps in this bubble of security, seated as they were on the bed, Nanoha felt it safe enough to broach the subject with Fate. Seeing that her girlfriend wasn''t being facetious, Fate turned to more fully face the other woman, who continued to brush the still drying ends of the blonde''s hair. "Please do," Fate requested gently. Sometimes she wondered who had been harmed more by her family''s actions that night, and almost invariably, her answer was always Nanoha. Ignorance was far too blissful, Fate had concluded. Her heart still ached for the lost time they had spent gingerly circling each other.
That wistful look that always accompanied Nanoha''s recollection of their previous friendship settled over the Takamachi heir''s noble features, and Fate couldn''t resist stroking the woman''s cheek while she shared another preciously held memory. "Spectacle shopping," she said simply. Crimson eyes blinked at warm ocean pools, before widening in slow realisation, "That is why I did not recognise the glasses I had in Japan."
A corner of Nanoha''s lips twitched upwards and she nodded, smile widening to feel the blonde''s thumb brushing across her lips, "Your old pair broke when you fell that time." The echo of a dull crunch sounded in Fate''s mind and she winced, belatedly. "Those buttwipes," Fate growled, "Were they ever caught?"
Azure gaze slipping slightly to the side, Nanoha gave a light cough, "Not by the authorities, no." Fate had no doubt some few in TSAB''s Operations department did find out who the perpetrators were and exacted their own unique brand of revenge, and she quirked one sandy brow at the close-lipped executive, "But by others?" She prompted, earning a sly little grin that said everything and revealed nothing.
Feeling rather happy with her deductive skills, she divested Nanoha of the brush, setting it on the side table to take the lightly calloused hands into her own. "Even if I go back centuries, I do not believe there has been anyone in my family who can claim to have their very own knight in shining armour apart from myself."
''Oh, that got me the cutest blush yet,'' Fate observed in delight. Placing deliberate kisses on the pads of every digit on each hand, Fate finished with a final kiss on lush lips that refused to relinquish her own once they had touched. The now familiar feeling of fingers burying themselves in her hair sent gooseflesh chasing itself down her body as those same lips parted, a teasing tongue brushing lightly over hers in a silent demand for entrance.
Acquiescing immediately to the other woman''s wishes with a faint sigh, Fate dug her fingers into Nanoha''s uninjured waist, fingers clasping and kneading in time to clashing lips and duelling tongues. Moaning to feel that agile pink invader twirling hotly in her mouth, she fell back against the pillows, bringing the other woman along with her. Strong thighs straddled her middle smoothly, Nanoha never once allowing their lips to lose contact.
They were in nothing more than bathrobes after their shower and loose ties had easily come undone in this one simple shift of position. The feel of Nanoha''s bare bottom in her equally naked lap was sending Fate into mild paroxysms of ecstasy; she could not recall their ever being this intimate before and she felt the barely banked fires between them flaring up again.
Nanoha took her time as she settled her weight fully onto the blonde, deepening their kiss while undulating sinuously over the blonde. Fate did not remember how she got here, but she enjoyed being stronger, sturdier. Easily bearing her girlfriend''s weight, her hands slipped past the open edges of the other woman''s robe to weigh the tempting mounds now hovering over her.
The gasp voiced so eloquently into her mouth while they kissed was all the encouragement she needed and she began to explore the velvet softness digging into her palms, lightly teasing at tips that hardened sweetly under her touch. A moistness not her own made itself known over her middle as Nanoha rocked in a slowly sensual rhythm over the blonde, the soft pull and drag of tender flesh leaving scalding hot trails over Fate''s exposed belly.
"Nanoha¡" Breaking the kiss to call to the goddess weaving the spell over her, the claws of Fate''s hands tightened onto breasts that were perfect in her eyes. High and full, they spilled out from between her fingers and she felt her mouth water with the need to taste them.
Arching tautly into the hands she had been dreaming of for months, Nanoha threw her head back, abandoning herself to the woman beneath her. Admiring the sculpted lines of the auburn haired woman, Fate tensed her own faintly contoured abdomen to curl up, needing to taste what was being so freely offered to her.
Worshipping lips found the racing pulse under one finely curved jaw and her fingers tightened possessively. The knowledge that she was the cause behind the normally collected executive''s rapid heartbeat was a heady thing and a sense of power infused Fate with a certain boldness in spite of her lack of experience. Pursing her lips around the woman''s pulse point, her cheeks hollowed as she drew hard on the soft flesh, once more marking Nanoha as hers.
The hands that were buried in her hair tugged at her, encouraging the marking, then a moment of clarity hit the executive. "Feito-chan, wait, no¡ the¡ the costume ball is tomorrow." They were supposed to be wearing outfits, not hickeys! It took some time for Nanoha''s words to sink in, Fate was far more interested in rolling incredibly stiff nubs between her thumb and forefinger. She really liked how that made the slickness coating her lower abdomen increase; the softly sticky sounds were an amazing turn on.
"Augh¡" Groaning, Nanoha grasped Fate''s surprisingly strong wrists in an attempt to stay any further torture to her heaving chest. The blonde''s enthusiasm was going to be the death of her, she just knew it. Shivering under still searching lips that had found the sensitive scar tissue under her left collarbone to kiss, the Japanese woman carefully levered herself off of the too appealing seat that was Fate.
Those same lips made a moue of disappointment, the blonde reluctantly relinquishing her hold on those firm mounds she had been lusting after for what felt like an entire lifetime. They had felt as amazing as they looked in her hands and the brief touches she had had only served to whet her appetite. The hold on her wrists disappeared, the other woman linking their fingers placatingly instead. "I''m sorry. My results should be out next week."
Nostrils flaring, Fate took a deep, calming breath and leaned close, rubbing noses with Nanoha. Azure eyes held a hint of contrition and Fate gave an internal sigh. Clearly, the other woman felt that it was expected that she be better at controlling herself, which made no sense whatsoever to Fate - She loved that Nanoha forgot herself around Fate. "You don''t have to apologise." She met the gaze she adored above all others, "It takes two hands to clap. It''s not as if I''d been a passive participant, you know."
Her shoulder still tingled from the blonde''s kiss there and Nanoha knew the bruise under her jaw was going to be a prominent one. But how could she blame the blonde when she was simply exploring her sexuality for the first time? It was just bloody fortunate that it was her that Fate wanted to try things out with, instead of someone who would take advantage of the blonde''s giving nature without hesitation. She simply thanked the kami that the outfit she had planned would be able to hide the mark easily.
Not wishing to belabour the issue, Nanoha simply pressed a kiss to the blonde''s forehead. "Let me get some sanitary wipes," she husked, noticing the sheen of what had to have been her arousal spread liberally over the other woman''s middle. Gods, the things Fate did to her without any effort whatsoever. She attempted to reach around the blonde to where the bedside table was.
A tiny spark of rebellion appeared in wine-red eyes, "Wh-What if I want to wear your scent on me?" She challenged, deliberately blocking Nanoha with her body, lips tugging into a playful little grin. That gave the other woman pause and one finely arched brow rose as the auburn haired goddess observed the faintly blushing blonde. "My my," the leopard purred appreciatively, settling back on her haunches, "You are a saucy little puppy, aren''t you?"
Pressing the blonde back down into the pillows, her dark gaze trailed a palpable path down the woman''s torso where her robe had fallen open, all the way to where the evidence of her earlier arousal was still spread over Fate''s slim middle. Slowly, her eyes crept back up, past barely covered breasts to pin the blonde where she lay.
Despite being dressed similarly, Fate could sense a significant shift in their dynamic and she trembled ever so slightly, throat bobbing as she swallowed against a throat suddenly gone dry. She did not dispute the other woman''s words, emboldened by the intensely reciprocal nature of their interactions so far.
The other woman rose up to her knees to loom almost menacingly over her prone form and all Fate could do was worship the flawless body of her girlfriend. Perfection in its imperfections, there was nothing she would change, save her wish that Nanoha had never been hurt because of her. Her scars merely served to add an air of danger to the feral aura Nanoha already wore as naturally as she did her open robe.
A robe that Nanoha was shrugging out of with a graceful roll of her shoulders. She stared imperiously down at the blonde and seemed pleased to see Fate holding herself in place where she had been shoved down to. The light touch of the executive''s fingers tracing over the curve of her cheek felt like a reward and Fate licked her lips, daring to extend her neck just a little to better feel those fingers. Endless depths of Aegean blue seemed intent to swallow her whole and she was more than ready to be swept away. Already her body felt overheated, the open robe she still wore causing her to feel over-dressed. Instinctively, she reached for the woman she loved but was stopped by the slightest widening of those eyes holding her captive.
Nanoha watched as the blonde''s slim hand dropped back down to the bed. It appeared their ability to communicate wordlessly still held true in the bedroom and the toothy grin she graced Fate with was an approving one. With excruciatingly minute, deliberate moves, Nanoha raised one knee and spread her legs to plant her other knee on the other side of the woman laying back flat against the pillows.
Crimson eyes snapped down to stare at what the auburn haired woman was purposely showing her and Nanoha gave the predictable blonde a sensual smile, informing the other woman that this was the consequence of her obedience. Reprising her earlier position on the slim body beneath her, continuously watching the other woman holding herself in place, Nanoha straddled Fate''s hips again.
The blonde felt the fires of the other woman''s blue gaze licking over her body and when the blazing heat of Nanoha''s centre blessed the surface of her skin anew, the gasp that escaped her tight throat was a strangled one. This was wildly different from their earlier exchange; every look, every touch, every word, seemed to hold far more meaning and the corresponding thrill was exponentially more intense.
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Fate understood she wasn''t to use her hands in this situation. Still, the desperation to escalate their connection was pooling wetly between her own legs. Inspired to try, she flexed the surface underneath Nanoha and the hooded stare that met her yearning gaze crinkled lightly at the corners of those brilliantly blue eyes. "Such a resourceful puppy." Fate felt her lower belly clench in response to the praise and a trickle of her own cream seeped out past the inflamed seam between her lips to soak into the robe under her.
The woman''s deep burr was thick with arousal that had spiked even higher when Fate''s need to give surfaced in the form of that tensed abdomen. Clearly, the blonde was hoping to stimulate the slick flesh weighing down on her, and it was working all out of proportion to her minute movements.
Conscious that she had set out to clean Fate, not soil her even further, Nanoha leaned down to press their sweaty chests together and Fate found herself surrounded by all things Nanoha. The thick fall of the woman''s hair formed a dark curtain around them and the blonde realised she did not wish to move, not when remaining still got her this.
Sinfully lush lips brushed along the delicate curve of Fate''s jawline until the damp, heated wash of the goddess'' purr sounded intimately into the blonde''s reddened ear, "You can wear my scent once you earn it. For now, I mean to keep my puppy clean. You can wait, right?"
Swallowing hard, Fate jerked a nod, fancying she would have agreed to anything the other woman asked at this point, her whole body burned for Nanoha. Those same lips found hers and she moaned into the kiss, feeling herself being supped upon by the hungering form pressed deliciously on top of her. The sensation of being surrounded left all too soon for Fate''s liking, however, when Nanoha rose to trail nipping kisses down the length of the blonde''s exposed torso.
Reaching where she had just been perched on the slim woman, Nanoha made certain Fate was watching and extended the full length of her long tongue. With one swipe, she dragged the wickedly flexible appendage over the blonde''s belly, gathering up her own essence from the make-shift dish that was Fate''s abdomen with the flat of her tongue. Nanoha''s eyes lidded from the exquisite mingling of their tastes, enhanced further by the mouthwatering scent wafting up from between the blonde''s legs.
"Touch yourself while I clean you," Nanoha ordered, her own hand slipping down to the burning spot between her legs. The blonde''s hand shot down to play with herself without hesitation now that she had been given permission to move, her full bottom lip caught urgently between even white teeth while she stared hotly at the sight and feel of the executive licking Fate''s stomach clean while the woman pleasured herself.
The loud, wet noises of hands moving in tandem filled the apartment, accompanied by panting gasps and moans torn in equal measure from both women. A few touches was all it took for Fate to reach her completion, and Nanoha delighted in the uncontrolled jerks and shudders that was making her cleaning work much more difficult. Glancing up, she groaned tightly at the sight and sounds of the blonde sobbing out her release and she was lost, moaning her own jerking pleasure into the tight little button of the other woman''s navel.
Panting, Fate made to remove her soaked hand, only to find her wrist grasped, locking her hand to where it was, "Not yet, puppy. I want a better view this time." She had felt Nanoha''s climax against her middle in the peripheral of her pleasure-soaked mind and was perplexed at the demand at first. Looking down past her heaving breasts, Fate stared at the auburn haired goddess who was lifting her cream-coated fingers up to suck them clean.
Blue eyes held the blonde''s own crimson ones in a thrall whilst Nanoha licked her calloused fingers clean, purposefully flickering her agile tongue in the ''V'' between her index and middle finger to tease. Large eyes grew wider to take in the insanely provocative show being put on for her benefit and Fate squirmed to find her arousal climbing its way up the precipice once more.
Fate felt her hand being released by Nanoha''s, and the blonde flushed to her very roots when that same hand slipped between her legs to press lightly at the inside of one. She finally understood what was being required of her. Whimpering softly, she spread her legs as instructed, offering the view of her most intimate place to Nanoha. Eyes Fate didn''t think could dilate any further darkened even more. "You''re so fucking beautiful, do you know that?" The naked appreciation in her girlfriend''s voice sent a frisson of pleasure coursing through Fate''s nethers and she felt herself soaking the towelled material under her bottom.
The bed sank and shook as Nanoha moved to kneel between those soft thighs stretched apart for her and her alone, her eyes riveted to the sweetly throbbing flesh. "I can''t wait to taste you¡" She growled hungrily, her hand diving back down to drive two fingers into herself. "Spread yourself, I want to see all of you."
A roughness betrayed the raw desire Nanoha had for the blonde and Fate moved as if hypnotised, filled with a need to meet that desire with action. Hands that had never done what she was going to do now moved to touch nether lips that still sang and pulsed with her earlier climax. Gasping when sensitive flesh was stretched, she pulled herself apart. Exposed to the very quick, she felt the trammel of her heart pounding hard inside her chest, "D-Do you like what you see?" She whispered, the words forming without thought, only a need to meet with Nanoha''s approval driving her.
A stinging bite on the inside of her thigh was Fate''s answer and she shuddered, feeling her fingers bathed afresh by the dew spilling out of her. Nanoha had not planned to mark the blonde, but the sight of the pale pink bulb of flesh glistening just past Fate''s entrance was too much. She had come so close, so damned close to claiming the ethereal beauty, her head turning at the last moment to sink her teeth into the large tendon to the side of the splendour that was the blonde spreading herself for her.
Lifting her gaze to find wine-shaded eyes glazed over with euphoria, she smiled, "I LOVE what I see." That familiar glow meant only for her filled those hazy eyes and Fate arched her hips up in response. She was playing with herself again, graceful fingers slipping easily over the bundle of nerves seated at the apex of her pulsing wet core. It had slipped out of its little hood, engorged and aching for the attention Fate was giving it now.
Nanoha was licking her lips, avidly watching Fate''s hands while the executive added another finger to the two she was already pleasuring herself with. Fate imagined what Nanoha''s tongue would feel like over what she was playing with and she felt herself stiffen. The instinct to lock her legs closed was foiled by knees pressing her own down and the sensation of being pinned and spread was all it took to send her careening into oblivion with stridently desperate wails.
Even in the throes of ecstasy, the blonde''s voice was music to Nanoha''s ears, "Fuck¡" Clamping down hard on the fingers inside of her, the executive threw her head back with a cry, her lean form gleaming in stark relief as she shook and shuddered a mere fraction of a second after Fate''s own climax. The hot spurt of liquid splashing against Nanoha''s pulsating nethers had the auburn haired woman convulsing once more with yet another cry. "Feito-chan!"
Collapsing heavily atop of the blonde''s rapidly rising and falling chest, the two women did their best to recover their senses. Cheek pillowed on Fate''s breast, Nanoha pressed her ear over the blonde''s heart. The powerful beat was lulling her into a mild state of somnolence and she could feel her own heartbeat slowly matching the one under her ear.
She felt her hair being nuzzled and she lifted herself up to smile down at the sleepily blinking beauty. "Everything all right?" She asked throatily, wondering how the blonde would take to the little foray into this new dynamic. The blindingly sweet smile was made all the more incredible with how uneffusive Fate usually was and Nanoha cupped the visage she loved more than life itself with her one dry hand. "I''m glad you liked it."
Fate stretched sinuously under the auburn haired woman, "Mmm, I loved it." Nanoha chuckled huskily to find her puppy had a purr of her own. Rising with a clear intent to kiss the chuckling woman, Fate pouted to find herself foiled yet again. "Ah ah, I need to wash us both down first. Look at the mess we made." Blushing at the reminder of just what she had been doing to make such a mess, Fate burrowed her hot face into the crook of Nanoha''s neck. "I''ve never done that¡ o-on my own," she mumbled, her shy voice muffled by thick auburn hair.
She felt more than heard this second chuckle, "I''m glad I inspire Feito-chan, then. You certainly inspire me." Exhaling a long breath, Nanoha performed an abdominal curl, lifting herself and Fate up to sit in bed.
"N-Nanoha!" Fate exclaimed, alarmed that the woman could have strained the wounds in her side.
''Hooo, that stung,'' Nanoha thought, still pleased that she could do it anyway. Throwing Fate a lopsided smile to reassure the woman, she slipped off the side of the bed and stood, offering her hand to the princess, "Come on, my puppy needs a wash." Cheeks still red, Fate accepted the hand, wondering what she should be calling her girlfriend in this instance. Casting an uncertain glance over to the auburn haired woman who lifted a brow in query, she ventured hesitantly, "M-May I wash my¡ my mistress in return?"
Blue eyes wide, Nanoha stared at her pale counterpart for three full beats. Large puppy dog eyes glanced worriedly at the woman struck by silence. "T-Too soon?" She asked, an echo of the same question asked not even a week before.
Nudged out of her stupor, Nanoha offered the blonde a shy smile of her own and said, "Perhaps. Give yourself time to consider." Waylaying any doubts the blonde might have over Nanoha''s lack of instant acceptance, the executive gave the hand she held an emphatic squeeze, "Know that I am honoured beyond words that you would ask. And yes, I would love your help to wash."
Nanoha was getting good at knowing when Fate''s self-esteem needed a little boost and the blonde felt her insides go mushy. There had never been anyone else who put her thoughts and feelings first the way the auburn haired woman did, and a strong impression that this was hardly the first time this had occurred only had Fate falling harder still for the Japanese woman.
Musing that this seemed to have more ramifications than she had first realised, Fate nodded and followed after her girlfriend, and possibly more. Nanoha wanted to give her time to make an informed decision, that was all. She knew without a doubt that the executive wouldn''t leave her to muddle things through on her own. Lifting her chin, the blonde stepped confidently after the other woman. Nanoha wanted Fate for Fate, anything else was secondary, was what her girlfriend had actually meant.
"Does it bother you?"
"Hmm?" Fate cast a questioning look over her shoulder at Nanoha. The woman was lathering up some shower cream between her hands. Giving Fate a small smile, she began to run her hands over the blonde''s back. Both women had their hair tucked into shower caps. It was getting late and dealing with long hair in ninety percent humidity was not something either of them wanted when it was just their bodies that needed cleaning.
"To be hiding our relationship, I mean."
Shaking her head, Fate made her own handfuls of lathered soap and turned to wash Nanoha''s front, her smile holding more than a hint of cheekiness. Chuckling, Nanoha swapped to soaping Fate''s front as well. "I saw how the markets reacted to our, but really, your return. I would need Suzuka-san''s qualifications to predict how news of us would impact TSAB''s value. Especially this soon after you got back to work."
Nanoha marvelled at her girlfriend''s levelheaded response, prompting a soft giggle out of the blonde who took her chance to tweak the sweetly pointed tips of her girlfriend''s breasts while the woman searched for an adequate response to Fate''s words.
Jumping where she stood, she swatted at those naughty hands, "Insatiable woman. Can we stick to the subject for once?!"
Innocently large eyes were batted at Nanoha, "I have not changed the subject." Fate guilelessly pointed out whilst playing with other points. Charmed as she was, Nanoha refused to fall for the blonde''s ploy and pinched one cheeky cheek with soapy fingers, "You are such a brat. My hands are going to be full with you, I can see that."
"Mmm, I want your hands full of me," Fate murmured, earning herself a sceptical look.
"As opposed to your hands being full of me?" Nanoha asked archly, pointedly looking at Fate and what her hands were up to. The blonde knew that the other woman was catching on to the playful mood, recognising the indulgent twist in those lush lips she wanted to kiss again.
"Well, I want that, too¡" The audacity of the woman''s greed sparked off a full belly laugh in Nanoha, enchanting the blonde with its warm, rich tones. Until tickling fingers found her weak spots which had Fate shrieking and squirming away. Unfortunately for her, there was nothing but a wall behind her and soon the blonde found herself imprisoned on either side by arms that had slid around her still gasping middle.
"What am I to do with you, hrm? I''m trying to have a serious conversation here." The broad grin held a hint of exasperation but Fate could tell the Japanese woman was perfectly fine with where things had gone. "Anything. Everything," she answered breathlessly. Fate was infinitely aware that she would regret nothing by offering Nanoha carte blanche, not even when the woman''s wickedly wily fingers were tormenting her with tickles.
Searching azure delved into those gloriously rich ruby eyes, "Feito-chan¡" These were no passing whims and she tightened her arms around the blonde. "I love you, Nanoha-chan." Snaking out one long arm to turn the rain shower back on, Fate curled both around the slightly shorter woman''s neck and in the warm wash of cleansing waters, their lips met in a melting kiss that held vows unspoken and promises etched into souls that had found their mate.
Chapter 56: What Lies Beneath
Fate gave herself one last check in the mirror while she ran her hands down the stiff corset of her velvet dress. It had been a challenge to get herself laced up, but the house keeper who had dropped by today had been more than happy to help since Nanoha was banned from the upper level of the apartment until the blonde was done getting into her costume.
The bare-shouldered affair had not been Fate''s first choice for a dress, and she found her d¨¦colletage to be rather dramatically pushed up. Unfortunately, it was needed to support the significantly large pair of wings attached to the back of her costume. At least it was a mermaid cut that clung close to her body. It was going to be cumbersome enough getting around with her wings attached. Secretly, she hoped that Nanoha would appreciate the sight, since she was the only person Fate was dressing up for.
The feathers were real and dyed an inky black that gleamed with a dark sheen under the cool white lights of her wardrobe and Fate was rather pleased with how it had come together. A black halo was positioned over her head and long satin gloves covered her forearms to add to the dark angel look previous Fate had clearly been aiming for. For her hair, she had opted to create thick braids on either side of her temple. Securing both to the back of her head, she left the rest of her hair to cascade down her back in temporary waves that had taken Nanoha and her forever to curl and style earlier that day.
Kitten heels in simple matte black satin completed her outfit, the shoes displaying cute little ankle tie straps that playfully peeked out from under her velvet dress'' hem when she took experimental steps across the padded floor of the apartment''s upper level. Keeping her make-up, her only affectation there was to apply her eye-liner in a cat eye style to draw attention to blood red eyes that stared out from under wine-shaded eye shadow. Her naturally pale colouring served to make the colour contrast even greater and she pursed her lips to apply the finishing touches to her face. Lipstick the colour of dried blood was added, pulling the entire ensemble together for a dramatic final look.
Nanoha shifted nervously from foot to foot while she waited impatiently for her date to appear, a soft jingle of bells accompanying her every move. It was close to when Rein and company would be arriving and on a hunch, Nanoha had arranged with the security agents to have a limo van prepared for tonight. She had helped Fate with her hair earlier, and the muslin cloth used to cover the blonde''s costume had hinted at something rather hefty.
She shrugged her shoulders to make a final check and was pleased to feel her shoulder being none the worse for wear after last night''s activities with Fate. A faint shiver coursed through her dressed up form as she recalled how vulnerable the blonde had allowed herself to be. That Fate trusted her this much was something the auburn haired woman promised herself she would never take for granted.
Not really one to dress up, Nanoha had made an extra effort for Fate''s sake, knowing the woman had planned something elaborate from all the sniping teases the two had exchanged all those months ago when they had gone shopping for Halloween outfits. No matter that present Fate did not remember their little competition, Nanoha felt compelled to honour the blonde''s intentions. The adorably humming woman upstairs was certainly pulling out all the stops to honour what her past self had planned for tonight.
The equatorial temperatures of Singapore had ruled out a full three-piece suit for Nanoha. Her body was already warmer than average from her high metabolism and she preferred not to show up to parties a sweaty mess if she could help it.
Instead, she had opted for a dark red embroidered waistcoat over a white starched shirt with ruffles gathered to her wrists. A golden pocket chain clasped to an actual working pocket watch was tucked into one of her waist pockets and additional golden accents on her coat lent a steampunk aesthetic to her costume. The mark Fate had given her last night was serendipitously hidden by a ruffled white ascot cravat tie that wrapped around her neck up to her chin. Her suit pants were also white, as were her polished dress shoes but the pi¨¨ce de r¨¦sistance was the mood-controlled kitsune, or fox spirit, tail, and matching ears.
They were dyed the same auburn as her hair and Nanoha had painstakingly added scarlet wavy lines to her kitsune make-up to evoke the image of whiskers on her face. With her white gloves on, the only skin the executive was showing was that of her face, so she had gone all out with the fox spirit theme. Her foundation was powder white with a single tiny spirit fire in red drawn between her naturally scarlet brows, its shade a match for her lipstick, a far deeper red than the mild applications she typically used for work.
Red eye shadow faded into black, sweeping up to connect to her temples to further add to her demon-esque look and she could hear the faint sounds of the motors in the ears attached to the headband buried in the mass of her auburn hair. She had not done much other than to thread thick red strings into her hair, each one bearing a little gold bell no larger than her pinkie nail which explained the soft ringing sounds whenever she moved.
Tugging out the pocket watch tucked into her waistcoat, she checked the time. "Feito-chan?" She called up to check if her girlfriend was ready. Silence, and then a small voice trickled down the stairs, "I think I need a little help going down¡"
Biting back a chuckle, Nanoha fingered the two items in her left hand and hid them behind her back. Arriving at the top of the stairs in a chiming flourish, her hair spun left and right in musical, ringing tones as she glanced around. Where was her Tenshi? "Feito-chan?" She called again.
"In here." The voice came from inside the smaller walk-in closet and Nanoha hopped over, bells ringing to peer around the corner of the entryway. Lips twitching to find Fate''s wings and corset laces tangled in wardrobe door handles, she approached the woman to help free her without damaging anything.
Blowing out an annoyed breath, Fate straightened in relief, turning to thank the executive. Words failed her when the vision of the fox demon made flesh appeared before her eyes. Equally dumbstruck, Nanoha had just been about to tease her angel about being too elaborate for her own good. Speechless, she could only help the blonde out of the prison of her wardrobe, azure gaze drinking in the incredible beauty of her girlfriend. Elaborate wasn''t the word. "Perfection," she breathed aloud, not realising she had vocalised her thoughts.
Spying the rust red tail swishing behind Nanoha in an agitated manner, Fate smiled at the compliment and closed the distance between them, placing the flat of her gloved palms against the executive''s waistcoat, "Hyperbole, but thank you. You, on the other hand, look incredible." She fingered the lapels on the coat, brushing away a barely visible speck of dust and very much enjoying how otherworldly Nanoha looked. "Should you be without your sling, though?" She enquired with a faint frown.
Giving her concerned girlfriend a lopsided smile, Nanoha recovered enough to reply coherently, "I don''t plan on doing anything that would strain it, much as I would love to carry you to my bed¡" A light giggle sounded pleasingly in her ears and Fate tugged at the other woman''s forelock, causing the bells in free-flowing auburn tresses to jingle softly, "Is the demon looking to start unholy relations with an angel?"
"Oh, I plan to." Nanoha purred throatily, "Those relations will be so unholy, we''ll see if these hips can really bear my child." She smirked at the blush dusting over the immaculately made up blonde''s cheeks and her gloved hand slipped down to rest on the blonde''s shapely bottom to emphasise her threat. Blue eyes widening, she eyed the other woman whose blush was deepening at being found out so soon, "Feito-chan¡ Are you¡?"
"Th-There wasn''t time to do laundry," Fate confessed in a hushed voice. The rapidly dilating gaze pinning her where she stood had her shivering and biting nervously at the inside of her cheek.
"Oh my gods, I want to kiss you so badly," Nanoha admitted in a strained husk, amazed at how just that one tidbit had her seriously considering calling Haya-chan to tell her both Operations execs were indisposed. Shaking her head at the thrall the blonde held her in, she removed her other hand from its place behind her back and stepped back, offering up the two roses she was holding. One black, the other red, she bowed, "Kuroi Tenshi, may I be your escort tonight?"
The blonde appreciated the control Nanoha was exerting to avoid ruining both of their costumes, the fox spirit''s dark eyes and swishing tail easily giving away the woman''s desire for Fate. Charmed beyond words, the Black Angel accepted the roses, a small smile playing over her lips.
"I wasn''t sure which colour would go better with your costume¡" So Nanoha had gotten both.
Touched, Fate kept the red rose, but offered the black one back to Nanoha with a courtly curtsy, "I know we aren''t public as a couple, but¡" A blindingly brilliant grin met her unvoiced request and the executive took the blonde''s hand and guided it to a lapel where Fate could tuck the rose''s stem into. Smoothing down the luxurious fabric, Fate admired how well the sin black petals stood out against the red of Nanoha''s waistcoat.
"Could you duck a little?" The fox spirit requested of the taller blonde, plucking the red rose from Fate''s fingers. Doing as asked, the blonde felt the rose''s stem being slipped in securely into her braided hair. Positioning the scarlet bloom over Fate''s ear, Nanoha drew back to admire how well it matched the blonde''s eyes, and incidentally, Nanoha''s top. She wondered if it would be too obvious, but then dismissed the idea. Such colour combinations were common enough, only the biggest conspiracy theory believers would try to link her black rose to the Black Angel, or the red to the White Kitsune.
Taking Fate''s hand, the executive led the woman down the stairs where the blonde''s camera had already been set up for them to get a few pictures together before their agents arrived. Holding true to her promise to have an embarrassment of media proof of their relationship, Fate had wasted no time in purchasing a tripod and wireless control to allow them full freedom in taking whatever amount of pictures they wished to.
"I hate how I can''t kiss you without messing up this make-up," Nanoha murmured, enjoying the feel of Fate''s arms around her as they posed for yet another shot.
"Just think about how much fun you''ll have helping me undress tonight." Fate teased, eliciting a soft groan from the auburn haired fox.
"I''ll be spending the whole night thinking about you going commando," Nanoha grumbled.
Giggling, Fate blew a soft gust of breath into her disgruntled girlfriend''s ear, smiling when she felt another shiver coursing through the woman''s form pressed warmly against her own chest. "It will help build character."
She cast an amused glance over her shoulder at Fate, "I''m just lucky I''m not a guy, or I''d be sporting a stiffie when the others get here." That earned Nanoha a wordless look that spoke volumes and picking up on the blonde''s sudden change in mood, she stared into wine-shaded eyes, barely noting the flash going off and another image being recorded for posterity.
Feeling her cheeks warm at what the blonde could be implying, she cleared her throat and husked, "...We''ll make a list," she asserted again to Fate. Gods, her little principessa was proving a lot more adventurous than she had first given the woman credit for. Was she even surprised at this point? The woman possessed more layers than anyone gave her credit for, including Nanoha, apparently.
A light honk informed the pair that their ride had arrived. Sternly reminding herself to NOT stare at the gorgeous Kuroi Tenshi, Nanoha hurried to stow away the camera and tripod, knowing haste was something Fate would be challenged with in her current state of dress. Those wings were beautiful but a little awkward to move around in quickly.
Fate was retrieving both of their cellphones which had been on the wireless charging dock by Nanoha''s¡ well, it honestly counted as their bed by now, really. There was never a night the women did not sleep together, Fate noticing that the auburn haired woman slept more soundly when they were wrapped up in each other than apart. Shamal''s admonishments to the executive about resting more had stuck with the blonde.
The dark shadows so evident under Nanoha''s eyes from the time back in the Takamachi compound, until when they had finally made their true feelings known to each other, was obviously from the woman''s chronic insomnia. It was a point of pride for Fate to see them fading at a steady pace with each night they spent in each other''s arms.
As much as Nanoha had naturally taken on the role of Fate''s protector, the blonde had also slipped on the mantle of Nanoha''s keeper just as instinctively. Even before she remembered anything, the urge to look after the Japanese woman had always been with her. To be given permission by Nanoha was a privilege that fed her soul more than Fate had thought was possible.
The wonder of their partnership had yet to truly sink in for Fate. All she knew was that she thanked the powers that be for every day, every moment, she got to spend with the other woman. Even while pretending to be mere colleagues, their connection remained a constant source of strength and warmth. Something that Fate leaned heavily on whilst she navigated a new career in the midst of her memory loss. It could''ve been so easy to feel lost without Nanoha as her anchor.
Giving the other woman a final once over, Nanoha doing the same for her, she met loving blue eyes that no chilly executive persona could hide from her. "Thank you."
Those same eyes took on a faint hint of puzzlement, questioning the blonde silently. Fate returned the look with eyes that spoke volumes, "For being you."
Sensing the blonde was having a moment, the executive said lowly, lips barely moving, "You''re going to have to explain that later," right when she was opening the door to step through. Nodding at the driver of the limo van, it was Edel''s turn today, she turned and offered a gloved hand to the blonde to help the woman manoeuvre her costumed self through the doorway. "I will, for the rest of my life," Fate whispered back, offering Edel a cordial smile of greeting.
Who cared that they had to play pretend when this was what lay beneath the surface? Schooling her expression into one of faint disinterest, Nanoha maintained her hold on the blonde''s slim fingers. The light squeeze she gave Fate''s hand was something only the two of them could feel, a wordless gesture informing the blonde that she meant to hold her to that promise.
Vita hefted Usa-pyon, eyes scanning the floor of the Ritz-Carlton''s largest ballroom. Hayate was big on parties and never scrimped when it was time for her underlings to let some steam off. A huge open bar dominated one wall, populated by the handsome female staff from her restaurant in Tokyo.
Arisugawa Juri and company had been specially flown in for the event and the tawny-haired manager was holding court to multiple office ladies who were vying for her attention. Her coat-tailed form stood out in rich colours of emerald and orange, bringing out the brilliance of her green eyes that sparkled as she moved from customer to customer, fulfilling orders with charming panache. The woman was clearly in her element, directing Haru and the rest of her top staff while mixing up cocktails for one breathless lady after another.
"Er, Haya-chan," shuffling closer to her cousin, Vita, looking insanely cute in her poofy red and black gothic lolita dress, muttered to the CEO, "Did you tell Juri-san she''s not supposed to¡"
Dressed in a black and white magical girl outfit, Hayate adjusted the adorable sailor cap on her head. Tapping her magic staff imperiously on the ballroom floor, the TSAB''s head sniffed, "Why should I? We''re here to have fun!"
Rolling her eyes, Vita elbowed the brunette, "Because, Sig-chan will hate you when she gets a slew of broken-hearted staff writing up ''That ginger hussy'' next month."
Hayate waved off Vita''s concerns with airy dismissal, "Don''t mind, don''t mind. It''s what I pay Sig-chan for - it keeps her job interesting."
"What''s keeping my job interesting?" Jumping, Hayate flashed the suddenly arrived head of Human Resources a nervous grin, "Ahaha, nothing, nothing at all. Oh, nice outfits!"
Dressed like a Renaissance fencer, Signum cut an impressive figure in her tight fighting pants and knee high lace up boots. Her white billow-sleeved shirt complimented her pink hair, tied up into a simple high pony-tail and left to hang unadorned down her back. A rapier hung off of her right hip from a leather belt slanted across her hips, the woman wearing the weapon in a comfortable manner that belied her familiarity with it. She would have easily given Juri a run for her money if the wedding band on her finger hadn''t been gleaming prominently in the lowered lights of the ballroom.
Attending as Signum''s plus one, Shamal provided an additional barrier to anyone giving her wife more than a passing glance. The busty doctor was in a low-cut barmaid costume to match her wife''s theme. With her arm clamped firmly around her handsome spouse''s arm, she made certain anyone with any ideas about approaching either of them knew they were a couple.
Bringing up the rear, Zafira trailed after his older sister and her wife, appearing a little out of place since he didn''t know anyone other than his family here as a new transplant to the country. Dressed as a grey wolf butler from some manga or other Hayate had suggested to him, he tugged uncomfortably at the high collar that was fitted with a pink bow-tie that matched his eyes that were of a similar shade to his sister''s hair. Fuzzy wolf ears covered his own and a bushy tail hung listlessly out of the back of his black coat-tail jacket. "Haya-chan, Vita-chan, it''s good to see you both."
Ostensibly here as Hayate''s plus one, he hovered around the CEO, much to her chagrin, since that had all the cute ladies eager to make contact with the head of TSAB shy away. It was obvious people were assuming she and Zafira were a thing and he was seriously cramping her style. Impatiently sending the darkly handsome man off into the wild to get himself a drink, Hayate joined Vita in scanning the ballroom for a specific pair of executives who were taking their time to arrive.
"Didn''t you say they were on their way, Vita-chan?" Sure, it was still early, the games weren''t scheduled to start for another half an hour while attendees mingled, snacked and got prematurely drunk, but she wanted to see the two of them in the same room together. Wanted to confirm with her own two eyes that there truly was no hope for both women to bridge the chasm forced between them after that terrible night in Tokyo.
A small flurry of activity pulled the eyes of everyone to the double-door entrance of the ballroom. The trio of ESSS agents were clearing the entrance for their clients. With arms spread and expressions foreboding, the three women in suits herded people aside.
Wondering what the heck was up, Hayate craned her neck, unconsciously mimicking her shorter redheaded cousin''s own pose. That was until Vita squawked as she was picked up by the six foot tall fencer for the night to be offered a better view over the heads of everyone else present. Giving Signum a scowling blush, Vita peered at the entrance and gasped.
The dramatic flare of black feathered wings heralded Fate''s arrival. Somehow, someone up in the AV booth had gotten wind of something happening in the ballroom and a spotlight snapped on, lighting up the Black Angel''s entrance. The corset of her mermaid gown shifted with her graceful glide and the dramatic darkness of her make-up against her natural alabaster complexion completed her Kuroi Tenshi look.
Looking highly put-upon that this even had to happen, Nanoha entered in next to her AVP, the blonde''s black-gloved hand in her own white one while she escorted the woman and her cumbersome wings into the venue. The embroidered crimson waistcoat that encased her dashing form was a perfect match to the eyes of her companion affixed unceasingly upon her, and it frustrated Hayate to no end that Nanoha appeared entirely unaffected by the blonde''s regard. Then again, she was always oblivious even back when they were students.
A faint chiming of bells sounded in time to the women''s footsteps and Hayate couldn''t help but be impressed at the lengths Nanoha had gone through to compete with Fate. The amalgamation of a Japanese fox spirit with a steampunk shrine maiden aesthetic was a stroke of genius and something the auburn haired woman carried easily. As of right now, the CEO could not tell who the clear winner was.
Juri blinked at the sudden lack of attention, before smirking to realise just who had stolen her thunder. Their old seitou kaichou, expression unamused and slightly irritated, and her golden Hime, had shown up to show everybody up. This was a first, though. Juri could not remember a time when the class president even bothered to attend shindigs in anything but her usual school uniform or office clothes. That dolled up angel next to her had to have had something to do with it.
With an annoyed flick of her mood-sensitive tail, Nanoha thanked Rein and company for their completely unnecessary clearing of the entrance and with a heavy sigh, led Fate over to where Hayate and the rest of her old friends were. Thank goodness the spotlight had been turned back off, that was more attention that she had gotten addressing her entire school cohort back in high school. The woman''s lithe strides took her past the open bar and she quirked one scarlet-tinted brow to find Juri in Singapore. The manager lifted a carved wooden cup, hinting to the EVP that her favourite drink was available, and she bit back a chuckle, nodding to the woman.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Feeling ridiculous about the whole thing, Nanoha approached the little gathering at the side. As if Hayate was receiving greetings from her loyal subjects, the CEO dropped her staff in a silent but cheeky greeting. "Haya-chan, everyone," the Takamachi heir dipped her head, painfully formal next to the willowy blonde whose hand she still held.
Dropping into a court-appropriate curtsy, Fate seemed fine to play along as she murmured her greetings. Vita and Shamal being the only two Fate was familiar with, received warmer looks, "Good evening, Vita. The bunny goes well with your outfit. Doctor Shamal, it''s good to see you."
The scowling executive assistant was pleased with the compliment and threw Fate an admiring grin, "Not as well as how two look together. Did you plan it?"
Ears shifting uncomfortably, Nanoha shrugged nonchalantly and grunted, "Mere coincidence." Refusing to acknowledge Hayate''s glare, the executive introduced Signum and Hayate to the blonde who gave both a grateful look, "Miss Hayate, Miss Signum, I understand you both had a hand in engaging Rein''s agency to guard us. Thank you."
Dumping her staff on Vita who had been set back down to earth by the towering amazon that was the EVP of HR, Hayate surged forward to give Fate a hug, "Please, just Hayate is fine. It''s the least we could do after¡" The memory of what Rein had showed her resurfaced and words failed the normally eloquent CEO. So overtaken with emotion was she that she had completely forgotten to cop a feel. This was someone her oldest friend loved, whether she knew it or not. And this was no Shari. If only¡
Not putting a grope past the CEO, sharp azure kept a beady-eyed watch on Hayate, her gaze softening a smidge to see the statuesque blonde being unconditionally welcomed despite the continued appearance that she and Fate were only colleagues and roommates, nothing more.
Nanoha released Fate''s hand while she made her acquaintances with TSAB''s inner circle. Confident that the beauty''s natural charm would win her all the friends, she moseyed over to where Juri was, surprised to find Zafira at the bar as well. "Hey Fleabag," socking the muscular man in the shoulder, she grinned at his slightly panicked look of greeting, "Something wrong?"
"Er, Nanoha, good to see you." He awkwardly sidled closer to the executive once he had extricated himself out of a tipsy admin assistant''s grasp. It was only eight in the evening. "The women here are a lot more forward than those in Japan, aren''t they?"
Chuckling, she lifted her hand, forefinger and middle extended to salute the woman helming the bar with such skill, "It''s what I like about Singapore; people are more honest here." Turning to address the sharply-dressed manager, she allowed a moment of dispassionate admiration of the woman working the bar.
The ginger''s naturally wavy hair fell in a silken mass down a back set to a military straightness accentuated by the golden epaulettes set over the woman''s broad shoulders. From their time back in school, Nanoha recalled that the prep school''s fencing team had made impressive forays into the nationals on the strength of the ginger''s skill with the blade. The heiress to the Arisugawa clan, its fortune built on the back of post-war steel and coal industries, did whatever she pleased, whenever she pleased. And it pleased her to play host to the women of TSAB''s Singapore offices tonight. "Juri, working vacay?"
"You know it." The incorrigible flirt gave the gorgeous fox spirit gracing her bar a smokey look, "If you''re here stag, maybe we could spice up said vacay?" She had noticed the distant way the auburn haired woman had treated the blonde she had entered with and figured she would shoot her shot. She served the executive a cup of her favourite sak¨¦ to sweeten the deal.
Nanoha gave a low laugh, "Ah, Juri, I''m flattered." Even white teeth tugged at the fingers of her right glove to loosen it, the wholly natural manner Nanoha was doing so sending the surrounding office ladies into a minor fit of vapours. Tucking the divested glove into her waistcoat''s pocket, she accepted the offered drink with her bare hand, "But I wouldn''t want to fend off daggers aimed at my back all night. Besides," she cast a glance over to the darkly beautiful angel making small talk with their old school mates, "I''m on escort duty."
Drawl amused, she toasted the lovely bartender and took a small sip of the beverage. Auburn lashes that needed no mascara fluttered closed momentarily, the Japanese woman thoroughly enjoying the taste of home. Hooking her right elbow back against the countertop, she found her gaze settling naturally on the vision of her girlfriend. Girlfriend. She tasted the word along with the excellent bouquet on her tongue. Had it only been two Fridays ago that they had confessed to each other? Graciously accepting Nanoha''s reply, Juri followed that deep blue gaze to study that Hime from all those weeks past.
Always one to forge her own paths in life, Juri was not quite a part of TSAB''s inner circle. Her day job running Hayate''s vastly popular host restaurant still allowed her the occasional gossip when making her weekly reports to the CEO, however. The woman''s bedraggled appearance over their video call shortly after the pair of executives had graced the restaurant had given her cause to prod the brunette for more information and what the TSAB head had shared in utmost confidence was something Juri was still having trouble wrapping her head around.
Their prep school''s system had classes that covered elementary school, all the way to high school. Twelve years was a long time to go about life not knowing that the Takamachi Clan held more than a basic dojo and old money from centuries-old ties to unnamed but prominent figures from the Edo period. Oh, those ties were there, but appeared intertwined in ways the Arisugawa heiress would never have guessed in a million years.
Nanoha was always a rolling stone that gathered no moss since the earliest days of their acquaintance. The girl was constantly busy with school or after-school activities, and it was a miracle that Hayate was ever able to grab a hold of that quicksilver figure long enough to have her accede to being student council president in junior high, and then in high school. In retrospect, Juri could see how the additional role actually allowed Nanoha the occasional breather.
To think that the kitsune leaning in a deceptively lazy posture against her bar housed the skills and instincts of a trained assassin made more sense than Juri cared to admit. There was never a time when a conflict in school would proceed if Nanoha stepped in to mediate. Even the hottest heads had the sense to choose self-preservation over pride when those brilliantly blue eyes turned into emotionless shards of flint. Hell, that had been how the Bunnings heir had been made to stop bullying Suzuka. Of course, it later turned out that Alisa had simply been into Suzuka in the worst way and didn''t know how to properly express it.
Nanoha''s lithely powerful stride had definitely lost some of its effortless grace, evident when she had led the blonde over to Hayate''s group, and even now, she was favouring her left shoulder by leaning only her right against the bar. Juri shook her head - the auburn haired women took duty and responsibility to the utmost limits, and then smashed past that at full power, full throttle. Yet, the two seemed more distant than when they had been causing utter chaos in the restaurant back in Tokyo.
Mysteries. Juri detested those. She deliberately lived a life that was an open book to scare away anyone hoping to unravel her ''secrets''. Giving an inward shrug to find their ex-kaichou still prone to tread lonely waters solo, she cast a promising-looking secretary a saucy wink, "And what can I serve my lady tonight, hmm?" The woman tittered nervously behind one hand and stammered her order out to the fiendishly good-looking bartender.
Fate''s eyes had been on her companion at the bar, hoping the little green-eyed monster inside of her was keeping itself out of her gaze. That bartender was appearing far too friendly with her girlfriend, and that handsome physical therapist seemed to be standing a tad too close to the breathtaking fox spirit made flesh. Nanoha''s tail was swishing lazily while she chatted with those around her, and Fate felt her heart skip a beat when the woman employed her wickedly sharp teeth to tug off one glove.
The blonde was silently griping over all the moon eyes being sent Nanoha''s way and the compulsion to stomp over and stake her claim on her boss in front of all of TSAB was strong. It took all of her courtly aplomb to tear her eyes away from the leopard, well, fox, lounging at the bar to offer Hayate a thin smile of appreciation. The CEO was chatting about the modifications that had been done to the apartment, which reminded Fate about something.
"Miss¡ I mean, Hayate-san? About that¡ To whom should I pay rent to?" She sidestepped asking about the exact cost, since that would have been rude beyond imagining. Her mother was a psychopath, but manners were manners, no matter how she had come by them.
Blinking, the brunette cast a look at the kitsune at the bar. The woman was conversing with the one guy in their circle, probably taking pity on him being surrounded by women eyeing him like a piece of meat. Pursing her lips, she thought for a moment then smiled at the exceedingly polite AVP, "Right, about that, you''ll need to check with Nano-chan. I''m a bit out of the loop on that."
Of course, how would a CEO of a multinational corporation know about something so trivial? Cheeks warming under her make-up, Fate stammered an apology that was easily waved aside by the informal brunette, "It probably slipped Nano-chan''s mind. She''s had a lot on her plate since her return. Don''t worry too much, hai? Have you had anything to eat? I asked the hotel for their best selection of hors d''oeuvres."
Exceedingly aware of Fate being led by Hayate to the tables where a huge selection of finger foods were laid, along with all the eyes following the angel''s progress across the cleared centre of the ballroom, Nanoha snagged a deviled egg from a passing server''s tray and popped it into her mouth. If incisors bit a little too savagely into the tasty morsel, no one was the wiser.
"Any resolutions for the near year?" Zafira asked, gulping a large mouthful from his silvered can of beer.
Nanoha gently touched her breast pocket where the rustle of a piece of folded paper made its presence known. Biting back a flash of nervousness, she took another sip of her drink. "Nothing complicated - Get back into shape, maybe visit my family a little more often. What about you? How''s Singapore treating you?"
Relieved to find Nanoha''s animal presence more than sufficient to keep any other women away from where they''d positioned themselves against the bar, the man blew out a soft breath, "They weren''t joking about the humidity here. Still, it never gets as bad as Tokyo in the summer. I''d be happy to pick up enough clients to start paying off my student loans."
"Yep. The waters around the island regulates the temperatures so it never gets too insane." Zafira gave TSAB''s top executive a side-eyed glance, not surprised that the woman had bothered to research the country''s weather patterns as a matter of course. Meticulous was Nanoha''s middle name, if all the stories his relatives had shared with him was anything to go by.
"And about clients, we''ll talk more when you come over for my PT appointment tomorrow. I used to attend a dojo that has a good number of students that could use some PT." She tried not to wince over having to say ''used to'', but that was part and parcel of keeping to a sensible course of recovery which did not include stressing recently healed fractures.
"I was just about to remind you about tomorrow," he admitted, sounding grateful. He took a long pull of his Asahi dry, earning a grunt of acknowledgement from the taciturn woman. Cocktails were just too fancy for his tastes - all he needed was an ice-cold beer, something that was actually a challenge to get in tropical Singapore. Fortunately, the ballroom''s air-conditioning was set to ''Winter'' to match the Christmas theme, allowing his drink to maintain an acceptable temperature without having to resort to¡
He shuddered, "Did you know they drink beer with ice here?" Chuckling, Nanoha nodded, snagging another finger food from a passing tray. Dinner had been a simple sub for both women while they worked on getting their outfits ready and she was glad that Hayate was ensuring Fate ate something here.
"The pursuit of a perfectly cold beer here is certainly a challenge, especially when most of the drinking happens around neighbourhood coffeeshops that aren''t air-conditioned. I prefer to stick to sak¨¦, warm or cold, it does the trick."
Zafira inspected a finger food he had picked up from another passing server. A stiff, crispy ''cup'', filled with what appeared to be shredded vegetables, egg bits and topped with a piece of shrimp. It felt warm between his fingers and he surmised it had been prepared just moments earlier to maintain its crisp texture.
"Kweh pie tee," Rein helpfully supplied as she approached the duo. Glancing over at the woman he recognised from his last visit to Nanoha''s apartment, Zafira made an ''ah?'' of acknowledgement.
"It''s a Peranakan delicacy and a blasted lot of trouble to make. Give it a try." She smiled at Juri who had hustled over to serve the striking bodyguard, "Can I get an Afterglow?"
Smirking at the non-alcoholic order, Juri leaned over the counter, running admiring eyes over the trim form in her suit and tie. "For you, beautiful? Certainly." She side-eyed the kitsune who had apparently sipped her drink wrong, seeing how she was choking a little after Rein had made her order.
Appearing highly amused, the bodyguard silently propped herself against the bar, on the other side of the fox spirit from Zafira, affording the auburn haired woman all the time she needed to recover from her little bout of coughing.
Popping the mouthful into his mouth, Zafira made appreciative noises at the burst of flavour the crispy little shell released onto his tongue. "Sh''good," he mumbled, and Rein chuckled. "Trust the Ritz-Carlton to field a credible version. I would''ve written them up if they had embarrassed themselves."
Clearing her throat, Nanoha slid the irreverent woman a considering glance. With the position her family held here, the Takamachi heir had no doubt Rein''s opinion on the hotel''s offerings likely held more weight than most realised. "I could''ve done without all that fanfare earlier, Rein." Recovering her voice, Nanoha squinted irritably at her bodyguard who merely gave a tiny shrug and accepted the cocktail being proffered to her with a warm smile for the lovely bartender who winked and mouthed ''call me'' before drifting down the length of the bar to serve more customers.
Rein wondered if the fox spirit knew that her motorised ears had flattened in tandem with the annoyance her alto was betraying. It probably wouldn''t endear her to the woman to inform her about how cute it looked, "The princess'' wings might have poked someone''s eye out otherwise. Didn''t you want everyone to know she arrived with you, anyway? I count at least twelve men and no few women working on their Dutch courage to ask her for a dance, regardless." She sipped lazily on her citrusy drink and wasn''t disappointed at the fireworks her careless observation set off.
"WHAT?!" Shit, her eyes were so occupied with Fate herself, she hadn''t noticed all the other eyes following the Angel around the room. It was a small mercy that Hayate was clinging to the blonde''s arm. No one was quite drunk enough yet to attempt hurdling the head of TSAB to make a play at the ethereal beauty. They were getting there, though. Including Mr. Darjeeling himself.
The man was dressed as an Indian maharaja and Nanoha could see the peacock feather stuck into his turban bobbing and weaving through the crowd as he made his tipsy way towards Fate who was having her own tentative try at the snack Rein had put name to.
Zafira blinked at the speed with which his ''patient'' was able to muster when she put her mind to it. The silver haired bodyguard did not appear surprised at all, going by the chuckle coming from her. Both of them watched Nanoha make a bee-line towards the winged blonde, her tail swishing in agitation all the way.
"Miss Testarossa?" In the middle of chewing her larger-than-expected mouthful, Fate blinked at being addressed by an unfamiliar voice. A hand under her chin, a serviette in her other, she turned, almost taking out a passing serving staff in the process if not for Hayate''s quick save to nudge the surprised staff out of the way. More blinks were directed at the gaudy man in shiny silks and a turban, the blonde''s large eyes held no recognition of the person speaking to her.
"Muthusamy, AVP, Marketing." Hayate whispered hurriedly into one ear. Hastily swallowing the surprisingly delicious snack, she dabbed carefully at her mouth to avoid ruining her make-up. "Mr. Muthusamy," she greeted, casting the CEO a thankful glance.
"I must say, TSAB has missed having you around. I''ve yet to thank you myself, for the education about the caffeine content in teas." His attempt at being suave was foiled somewhat by his slurred, thick accent, and the strong scent of alcohol on his breath washed unpleasantly over Fate''s chest since he stood a good half a head shorter than her in her kitten heels.
At a loss over how to respond about something she didn''t recall, Fate was saved by the arrival of one very huffy head of Operations who was imposing herself between the blonde and the frankly, far too close AVP of Marketing. "Apologies, Ravi, work stuff. You understand." Rolling her eyes at the grinning tanuki and knowing she would pay for it in endless teases later, Nanoha clasped Fate by the elbow and led her aside to one of the many tables arranged along the sides of the room.
On her part, Fate was more than happy to be pulled away by her girlfriend. "Sorry, Mr. Muthusamy, my boss wants me." Melodic voice almost sing-songing her excuses to the flatfooted maharaja, she followed after Nanoha''s lead. The twitching ears and tail the kitsune was displaying looked insanely adorable and she couldn''t help but feel a little smug over how protective Nanoha was being. The man had barely gotten his words out!
Seating Fate carefully to avoid damaging the woman''s painstakingly crafted wings, Nanoha instructed the blonde to wait a moment and disappeared for a moment, only to return with a plate piled high with all sorts of selections from the table Fate had just been perusing. A vague impression that this was not the first time Nanoha had caused her to have a heaped plate nudged at the blonde and she pursed her lips, frowning to avoid the silly grin that threatened to take over her face.
Mistaking Fate''s countenance for one of annoyance, Nanoha paused, blue eyes uncertain. Had she been too heavy-handed? Fate was more than capable of looking after herself and probably didn''t appreciate being coddled in front of the entire Singapore branch of TSAB. "Er, sorry, I overreacted back there." Turning to leave, Nanoha found her sleeve caught in Fate''s hand. Perplexed, she turned back, bells chiming in time to her movements.
"NO!" Glancing around, Fate quickly modulated her voice so it wouldn''t carry beyond their table, "You didn''t¡ I liked that you came," she admitted in a hushed whisper, tugging harder at the sleeve to get Nanoha to sit.
"...Oh. Um, okay." Gingerly taking a seat next to the blonde, knowing all eyes were on them, Nanoha picked up one of the snacks and popped it into her mouth, not really tasting it. "It''s just, you seemed pissed."
Picking up a snack as well, Fate fiddled self-consciously with the bit of cracker holding what appeared to be some sort of sashimi fusion topping. "I w-was trying not to smile. I missed you."
Pausing in mid-chew, ears wiggling in a way that accentuated the bashfully pleased air Nanoha was now giving off, azure eyes tore themselves away from the faintly blushing angel. It was so bloody hard not to kiss Fate right then and there. Desperate, she chewed industriously at her hors d''oeuvre. "Missed you, too," Nanoha mumbled past whatever it was she was chewing, prosciutto wrapped around a slice of avocado, her distracted mind belatedly supplied.
"Wh-What were you chatting with those at the bar about?" Fate hoped that she did not sound like a jealous girlfriend but she would be lying if she pretended that a streak of that unpretty emotion hadn''t run through her when she was watching Nanoha there earlier.
Realising it would take time for either of them to be fully settled into their relationship, Nanoha pressed her knee reassuringly to Fate''s under the cover of the tablecloth, "Well, Juri, that is, the bartender, was propositioning me." Feeling the blonde stiffen immediately, she swiftly added, "I turned her down." Refusing to meet crimson eyes that were snapping coldly towards the russet-haired woman, Nanoha fiddled with the cutlery arranged on the table, soft alto barely carrying over the din of the party to reach Fate''s ears, "I''ve no interest in anyone but Feito-chan."
Rejoining the table the Wolkenritters had staked out for themselves, Hayate reclaimed her magical girl staff and with the rest of her relatives, assumed a pose of hawk-eyed watchfulness over the table holding Operations'' top two executives. "They can barely look at each other," Vita grumbled. The short redhead sighed around her mouthful of spare rib, "They''re not much better at work, either," she shared glumly.
"Don''t they get lunch together?" Hayate grunted, picking up a rib of her own to nibble on.
"You only gave ''em four hours, remember? They come in at nine and leave at one. Iunno if they get lunch together after."
"Blah." The CEO was unwilling to extend their hours just yet, it had only been a week since the women had returned to the office. Besides, with her access, she could tell they had been putting in extra hours remotely anyway.
Shamal was in Signum''s lap, feeding the blushing head of HR by hand. "I think they''re a little more comfortable with each other." Since the doctor had been the one visiting the women on a weekly basis, she probably had the best grasp of their shifting dynamics, apart from maybe Rein or Ginga.
"Shamal, I can feed myself." Signum muttered, though she accepted the mini fried spring roll that was brought up to her mouth. "Yes, dear." Shamal responded, not disputing that her wife could indeed feed herself. It wasn''t stopping the good doctor from feeding the woman, however.
The other Wolkenritters paid the couple no mind. Shamal used every TSAB gathering to remind the company who Signum belonged to without fail, and the stoic, pink haired amazon was always content to allow her spouse that bit of indulgence. Relationships were all about give and take, after all. The issue at hand was neither Nanoha nor Fate giving or taking anything.
"Would speaking with Fate about her off the record call with me help?" Signum supplied, taking a moment to feed her wife in return. "There would be no mention of their being more than colleagues¡"
"Maybe. I don''t want the White Devil coming for me if it triggers an episode, though." Everyone at the table sighed. "Maybe the games will help."
Not realising they were the subject of conversation at the table a few places over, Fate felt herself turning to goo at the simple confession Nanoha had made. Wishing she could kiss the living daylights out of the sweet fox beside her, Fate surreptitiously slipped her hand under the tablecloth to link fingers with her boss. "I wasn''t lying then¡" Fate vocalised just under her breath, lips not moving.
Tightening her hold on the blonde''s hand, Nanoha affected interest in the drunken shenanigans occurring across the dance floor some distance away, "Hmm?"
"When I told Muthusamy that my boss wanted me." Fate clarified. Caught off-guard, Nanoha snorted a laugh that quickly turned into a faint cough into her gloved hand. Running her thumb across the blonde''s knuckles out of anyone''s sight, Nanoha propped her chin on her palm, the picture of absolute boredom. Still, Fate could see the deep brilliance of the kitsune''s eyes and knew she had been the one to put that shine there. "Want? I need you."
True to her word, the touch on the blonde''s hand had turned sensual, with slow circles being drawn across her palm now. Her glove may as well not have been there for all the protection it was affording her and Fate shifted a little in her seat, swallowing a throat gone dry from how easy it was for Nanoha to strip her down to her most base desires. That devilish hand had released hers and was slowly creeping its way between her legs, the thin velvet covering of her dress skirt proving no impediment to the fire the kitsune''s touch was igniting in the angel. Biting back a moan, Fate felt her legs part of their own volition to offer her girlfriend easier access to her swiftly moistening core.
"Fate looks uncomfortable." Vita observed. The blonde was sitting ramrod straight at her seat and refusing to look at the auburn haired woman next to her. Her appetite seemed to have disappeared, as well, the plate of food set before her remaining untouched.
"Yea. Nano-chan couldn''t look more bored with her company, too. Gods damn it. We need Suzu-chan and Ali-chan to help."
As if summoned by the CEO, the lights suddenly dimmed even further, plunging the ballroom into darkness. A bass-heavy techno beat began blasting out of the speakers and the spotlight flipped back on to shine a light onto a figure stepping out onto the stage set into the side of the room.
"Ladies, gentlemen, and all others in-between, welcome to TSAB''s 2023 Christmas Ball!" Dressed as a female Santa, complete with a red top, black pants and a floppy Santa hat, Alisa Bunnings strode onto the stage.
"We''re here to celebrate the end of another year, and the approach of a new one. But most importantly, we at TSAB would like to wish a warm welcome back to our Executive Vice President of Operations, and our Assistant Vice President of Operations. Let''s give it up for Takamachi Nanoha and Fate Testarossa!"