(99 Ways) Sunsets

[SimplyTurquoise]

(99 Ways Proposal) Sunsets

Disclaimer: Me. No. Own!

**

Relena watched from the window as the sun?s last rays faded away, signaling yet another end to such a beautiful day. Glancing about her, taking in the clean and orderly room she let out a contented sigh.

Today had been like every other day, excluding one small detail. Safe at home, away from battles, and to the astonishment of the whole of their household, her husband had arrived home mid-morning. For some months he had been away at war, fighting for his king, and leaving not only his wife and children in a constant state of worry, but the whole of the small piece of land he watched over. And to their relief, he returned unharmed and with the news of a hard won war.

After his arrival, many of the people had come on the pretense of business to talk to him, making it difficult for even his own wife to spend a few moments alone with him. But with it being the end of the day, and the crowd all gone, she was finally allowed a moments peace with Heero.

Eagerly leaving the room, she quickly walked the corridors that would lead to the small study, safely hidden away from all prying eyes. Taking the right twists and turns that would lead her there, she soon found herself outside the door. Reaching out her hand, Relena quietly opened the door, only to see that their two small children were talking energetically to Heero. All three were seated close to the fire, unaware of her presence while she leaned against the doorframe.

As she gazed upon her family, it gave her time to reflect on just how this all came to be?

**

Watching the waves crash against the sand, the sun?s rays lighting up the sea with hues of pink, orange and yellow. It was a beautiful picture, but did nothing to calm her. She stood on the beach shore gazing at a most picturesque scene without ever really seeing it, too preoccupied with thoughts of war.

Relena, princess and soon to be queen, was yet again conflicted with thoughts on what to do. It had only been a month since the death of her father, and with his small passing, it had brought the whole of her kingdom on the verge of war. She was left, the only heir to her kingdom, her elder brother killed in a long ago war. Even at her young age, the kingdom would have accepted her; she was after all the rightful heir, and thought on as both generous and fair by her people. There was only one small problem.

She was adopted.

A week after her father?s death a letter he had left in the care of her uncle had arrived addressed to her person as well as the whole of the council announcing to them all that he was not her true father. It didn?t take long before the whole of her kingdom found out.

It was the perfect opportunity you might say.

For the past years, there had been a few outcries from different factions that a new king be settled upon the throne and each time it had easily been quieted. And in a matter of days all factions began protesting to her taking the throne, saying that only those with royal blood could be allowed to rule.

With each faction vying for the position it became all to clear that none would side with her. But there was only one thing stopping their taking the throne from her. A small law that her great-grandfather had passed long ago assuring those both of blood and in her case adopted sons and daughters a right to the throne once the current ruler was deceased.

They had only one option from their point of view, and it was clearly the option they were going to use.

Relena needed to be assassinated, and with all the factions fighting for the throne, no one would be the wiser as to which faction had gone ahead and removed her from the picture.

It all gave her such a dreadful headache, each day passing in fear that it would be her last.

?Relena??

Her heart jumped, and quickly calmed as she registered the voice. Whirling around, she turned to see childhood friend and son to the Yuy faction. Possibly her only supporter in the whole of this catastrophe. He looked slightly worried that he had disrupted her from her reverie.

?Heero!?

She could feel her face break out into a smile, urging him to come closer. Turning around, to once again watch the sea, she felt him pull up beside her, his arm brushing against her own.

?I was sure I?d find you out here.?

As he talked, she resisted the urge to look over at him, knowing with one look into his dark Prussian eyes it would leave her unable to look away. Instead, she contented herself with the sound of his deep voice.

?I?ve been meaning to?? He paused a moment, as if choosing his words carefully, ?? ask you a few questions for awhile now.?

He paused once more; she could feel the gravity of that one sentence. Heero Yuy was a man of few words, usually content to stand quietly by your side rather then a conversation full of pointless babble. She felt, with the knowledge and experience with her friend, that he would continue without need of her to urge him.

Quietly as a few moments passed, listening to the sound of the sea breeze whistle on by.

?This last summer, when you spent time in my father?s home, you were content with staying there, yes??

It was an odd question, but she answered all the same.

?Yes.?

?And you were comfortable with the surrounding area??

?Yes, of course Heero.?

?Then, I?ve come up with a solution to your problem.?

Turning a surprised look to Heero, she watched as he avoided her gaze, looking for all the world as if he was occupied with the view of the sea. Though by the look of his stance, he was anything if not concentrating on what he was just about to say.

?Heero??

?I?ve thinking about this for some time. You need to relinquish your throne-?

?But-?

?But even if you did so you would need a place to stay. Which I would gladly have you in my home, but I know that wouldn?t stop the other factions from still attempting to hurt you. That?s why I think you and I should be married.?

She stood there stunned, unable to breathe as everything he said registered with her brain.

He turned to look at her, his eyes searching her face.

?You?d be protected under my name.?

She wanted to say something, but she was still too stunned, concentrating mainly on how to breathe.

?Look, you don?t need to say anything now, I?ll give you time to think on this.?

And with those words he began to move away.

?Yes.?

A small whispered passed through her lips. But he hadn?t heard as he was still moving away.

?Yes!?

He stopped, and turned around, his gaze once again searching her face.

?So you?ll???

?Yes, of course.?

It was then, for the first time in a long time, Heero showed her one of his rare smiles.

**

Five years later, their marriage that had first been to save her life had in the end turned their friendship into a strong bond of love between the two. Though it was the death of her father that brought the two together, she couldn?t help but feel just how lucky she was.

And it was at the moment he turned to see her in the doorway. A smile breaking across his features, no longer a rare gift he bestowed her. Stepping into the room, she closed the door behind her.

**

Authors Note: Not too bad? All I ask is that you please review? and uh? yea!

SimplyTurquoise

[melrose_stormhaven]

Looks good! Loved the whole thing!

[silversong]

Oh, that was beautiful and very sweet.

~Silver

[Morrighan]

AU sweetness!! I loved it!! Great job!!

[Tomorrow]

Oh, very cute, and a nice little AU twist on the whole situation. I liked your point how their love and marriage strengthened and developed over time. Interesting touch. Loved it!!!!