Behind Darkness' Mask 8/?

[Gundam Girl]

GG: I?m back, and as Rose would say, I?m here to ?fulfill? chapter seven. Apparently, chapter seven was only half a chapter. 0_o

Rose: Yay. Part two!

GG: Okaaay. *grips cattle prod, just in case*

Disclaimer: I do not claim to own Gundam Wing. Or Tuxedo Mask, just to clarify, although, er?Heero isn?t supposed to LOOK like Tuxedo Mask.

*~Behind Darkness? Mask~* Chapter Eight

By Gundam Girl

Ever since he had first met her at seven years old in the first grade, Damien Valrino had been friends with Relena Darlian. Ever since he?d discovered the distinct differences between a man and woman, he had found his friend attractive. And for a handful of years, he would have said he held very serious feelings for Relena. But, he had come to realize as he?d neared his seventeenth year, he?d been only half in-love with her.

Well, he couldn?t quite say he still didn?t feel that way. Sometimes a strong attraction for a person never completely dissipated. In fact, all he could say was that his childhood friend looked totally breathtaking ? he hoped the adjective sufficed. The dark purple she wore brought out the lavender tints to her eyes, and he smiled.

The princess she?d been even at seven years old hadn?t worsened with age, which was for certain.

As she and her infamous brother landed at the bottom of the stairs, he nearly sprung to her side, friendly affection warring with something else. She met his eyes with a merry smile. ?Damien,? she said in greeting, a half-laugh ringing in her voice. She was thinking of the image her mother wanted her to convey when she held out her hand.

As well-used to the behavior code as she, Damien lightly gripped her slender fingers, still bare but for a silver chain on the right hand and the wrong finger. Marita, he knew, would be doing everything she could to correct that; he himself could even be a prospect. He didn?t doubt the widow?s cunning in that department. ?Relena,? he returned, bending slightly at the waist to press a kiss to the back of her hand. He was careful to make sure his lips lingered no longer than what was expected. ?You?re looking marvelous.?

?It must be, what, nine years since I?ve last seen you?? Relena wanted to give him a hug; in their days at St. Gabriel, he had been the only one she?d been able to call a true friend. Those little ladder-climbers had hurt her feelings more than anything, their prejudiced airs striking her good nature. Damien, she recalled, had been just as understanding as herself. They had supported each other in an environment that had wanted to break them and their believing spirits. However, hugs were both unprofessional and inelegant ? something that her position as both politician and aristocrat denied her in public. ?Ten years, maybe?? she continued.

?A very long time,? supplied Damien with a laugh of his own. ?That last time I saw you somewhere other than on the television screen was at your official inauguration as VFM. But I had to leave early, because I was still campaigning for representative of Deis County here in Sank. Oh, I remember some of the horrible things the tabloids had on you back then!? he teased.

She slipped her arm through his only to gain the required closeness she needed to have a good conversation rather than the approval of those monitoring them. They walked in slow, comfortable steps as they reunited. ?I?ll tell you one true thing out of them all. I?ve missed you Damien.?

He used his other hand to give hers a nice squeeze. ?I?ve missed you too, Relena. I haven?t realized it for the last many years, but I really have missed you.?

They smiled at each other. There was no joy quite like that which being reunited with a loved one brings.

***

Heero couldn?t tell if he was disgusted or bored. He was being plainly biased, of course, as he watched Valrino walk with Relena. They chatted amiably; there were truly very little romantic notions to be derived from the picture they made. But he had seen paparazzi make something vile out of something as innocent as a father strolling through the park with his daughter. And politician scandal was still a favorite on and off the Earth.

Folding his arms, his eyes narrowed as the entertaining fast number the band was playing died, and they began a gavotte. Waltzes fit Valrino, he learned, as the governor led Relena to the square of dancing area and pulled Relena into the three-quarter time.

He saw glimpses of her face as the handsome-looking couple twirled and whipped around other pairs of music-lovers (ones who listened to Chopin and Bach). The third glance showed her head thrown back as she laughed at something he said, nearly as if?

He?d seen enough, Heero decided abruptly, and went for the discreet little staircase he was stationed by. Relena?s smile was as wide and Damien?s grin when he became level with them. They bowed and curtsied to each other, then moved into position for whatever was next.

It turned out the next wasn?t a waltz at all. The lighting dimmed a bit as the band swung into a tantalizing, saxophone-leading jazz piece. It was a little like the sarabonde Heero and Relena had danced to the first night at Quatre?s masque.

No one was meant to share a dance like that with her other than himself. No one.

He moved forward briskly and reached the two politicians before they could move into position; his hand landed on Damien?s shoulder.

When the governor looked up with questioning eyes, he said flatly, ?I?d like to dance with Vice Foreign Minister.?

***

Damien was a little confused as he studied Heero?s dress Preventer uniform. He wasn?t sure, but he didn?t think it was orthodox for a security guard to actually participate in his assigned event. ?Well,? he began before the woman beside him interrupted.

?Heero,? she hissed, holding back unneeded volume. ?What are you doing here?!?

Heero?s eyes went to hers and he fleetingly wished she didn?t look so beautiful. ?I?ve been assigned to your night guard,? he told her in a monotone. ?Effective today.?

?Lady Une didn?t inform me about this?? she asked.

Damien inched away. ?I think I?ll give you time to explain some things,? he said to Heero. Relena moved to object, but his legs were long enough to carry him too far away to beckon him back.

Heero waited a beat, then proceeded. ?People are staring.?

?Of course they are,? huffed Relena. ?My guard has left his post.? But she accepted his hand and moved into a dancing position anywhere. She stiffened; not because she necessarily disliked being this close to him, but because it felt?odd. Familiar.

Libra, she determined. They had stood in a way similar to this on Battleship Libra. He?d been saying goodbye?

Relena willed the memory away. Now was not the time to conjure up old war happenings. ?You have something to say,? she assumed, her voice hard.

Heero gave her one curt nod and felt a trickle of cold sweat slide down his neck. Would she notice? Why should she, he thought in the next instant. He wasn?t her Prince. ?When I came back to Sank, Une was looking for agents to further improve your guard detail.? He was glad his voice came out smoothly; her proximity was causing abnormal body temperatures.

?I see,? she replied coolly. ?And??

?A Gundam pilot, I suppose, was the obvious choice,? he answered. He had to make a conscious effort not to hold his breath. Everything about her had him tightening up; it was contradictory to his instilled sense of calm and uncaring. ?I thought you should??

?You?re ahead of tempo, Yuy,? she murmured. ?Ease up. Slow down.?

Heero hadn?t noticed his movements had been jerky, but he deliberately slowed them. Relena, whose eyes had been on his chin while he spoke, now looked into his face. ?Why did you decide you love me, Heero??

He?d have preferred that she drive a beam saber through his stomach to that softly-spoken question. It would, he figured, hurt far less. ?It?s hardly a decision.? The alto sax swelled, giving the audible illusion that his voice wasn?t flat.

?I guess that?s true,? said Relena. She smiled slightly as the song ended. ?I don?t know what to say to you, Heero. You go off around the world for eight years, and the situation upon your return in bound to be a bit awkward.?

?You?ve never seemed like an awkward conversationalist,? he pointed out.

She didn?t miss a beat before shooting back good-naturedly, ?During a war, there?s always something or someone to talk about.? She shrugged, casting a look at Damien who watched them from the sidelines. ?Well, that?s true for when there?s peace too, it seems. Damn it, Heero,? she cursed softly, chuckling on a breath. She chose to ignore the sudden thundering of her heartbeat. ?Why is it that I can?t stay upset with you??

He was barely daring to hope for the reason why.

When the song ended, Heero more than reluctantly walked her back to Valrino, who was staring at him with strange eyes. After ten seconds, he nearly got irritated and was ready to demand what the deal was when Damien admitted, ?I know you.?

Heero?s brows lowered. ?Do you??

?You?re Heero Yuy, right? The Gundam pilot.? He winced and raised a hand to smooth at his own cheek. ?The one that broke my, um, helmet.?

?Fencing?s a hobby,? Heero covered easily. ?One I think I?m outgrowing.?

?That?s a shame. I?m still a pretty avid contender; it would have been nice to have a rematch, although judging by your skill from back then, I don?t guess the results would be different.? He laughed. ?Which is even more of a shame.?

Oh shit. Heero hooked a thumb into the pocket of his pants in hopes of giving off a bored look. If anything got any worse, it would be that he wouldn?t be able to hate Damien Valrino. ?I guess it would be.?
With all the finesse of a practices aristocrat, Damien motioned for a servant so discreetly that it was barely unnoticeable. A suit-clad man carrying a tray of bubbling champagne flutes went to his side instantly, and the governor handed a glass to Relena, taking one for himself. ?Mr. Yuy??

?I don?t drink on the job,? Heero replied.

?Oh, of course. Excuse me.? With a careless wave of his hand, Valrino dismissed the servant, who bowed with a smile before trudging away again. ?Speaking of jobs, how?s your going, Relena? And before you tell me it?s nice and lovely, don?t. You?re still a horrible liar.?

Relena flashed him a quick, mischievous grin. ?That would depend on who I?m lying to, I?d say.? She sipped from her glass, glancing at Heero over the rim of it. ?It?s tiring, but I?m prepared for exhaustion. There?s a great thing called caffeine, Damien, and I?m a huge fan of it.?

That made both men worry. Damien figured she shouldn?t have agreed to an early-morning party without proper rest. Heero thought she needed to just retire. But no; despite the tiredness, the ex-Gundam pilot knew she loved her position as one able to help the world. ?I?ll get back to my post,? Heero said abruptly.

?You?re welcome to the buffet if you?re hungry,? Relena told him so kindly that it hurt to hear it.

He didn?t reply, only climbed the stairs to resume the great mission of observing a crowd of wealthy late-nighters, focusing mainly on Relena and her childhood ?friend.?

Yuy was too preoccupied with racing thoughts involving the throttling of European governors to notice Marita Darlian?s sharp glare at his back from where she discussed the newest theater debut with four other show patrons. Her silent resentment was interrupted by a gentleman she?d known for years, who was only a few years older than her.

?Marita, darling, you?re certainly making a wise decision.? One-time Alliance Captain Nicholas Freedman puffed from his ten-year-old pipe. ?Young Damien is very well suited to your Relena. Why, I remember his parents quite well. Strong stock were the Valrinos. Weren?t they betrothed a few years ago??

Marita plastered a smile onto her face. ??Betrothed? is quite strong a word for the situation, Nick. ?Intended? is much more to it. I?m afraid life just got in the way.? Her eyes narrowed. ?Ruining Relena?s as it did.?

?Come now, Marita,? Nicholas laughed. ?It was a war, after all. Wars are bound to confuse previously planned affairs. Besides, your daughter turned out quite well from it, wouldn?t you say? The only remaining royal from the Peacecraft family, Queen of the World, Romefeller?s Chief Representative, and now Vice Foreign Minister. Someday she?ll be President, you know.?

It was an ambition Marita had for both Relena and herself. Presidents? mothers got much acclaim these days as their children. ?I?d much prefer to see her settled with a baby or two,? she lied, a pleased expression lighted on her face.

?You?re sweet, Marita. But it seems at the moment your daughter?s married to politics.? A woman still three years younger than Mrs. Darlian grinned. ?That?s too bad. What a nice couple she and Damien make. No doubt you?re plotting that.?

?What foolishness!? chuckled Marita, a gleam in her eye. ?They?ve always been drawn to each other. They?re not at all set together by higher forces anymore.?

But, Marita was firmly sure of, no matter why that Yuy boy was here, Damien and Relena were meant for each other. Status met with status; riches weren?t for Gundam pilots or for ? for masked princes.

Unless, of course, it really *was* a prince.

***

?So what?s the story on that guy?? asked Damien over his and Relena?s fourth glass of champagne three hours later. ?I wondered a couple times, but I have to admit that I never gave too much thought to him. God, I?m as unappreciative as everyone else.?

?No, you?re not,? Relena chided. ?Stop it. Well, he survived the war, obviously, and I wish to say we?re all right on an acquaintance level.?

Damien was amused. ?And do you get your wish??

?I thought I did until a month ago. Damien, the last time I saw him until that point was the night Mariemaia Khushrenada?s coup was disbanded. Then he went away for a whole eight years; rumor is he traveled the world and the colonies. And then, who?s the first person ? well, maybe ? person he comes to??

?I?m guessing it?s you,? remarked Damien.

?You guess right. Me, a silly sixteen year-old girl who was fascinated with him enough to chase him around.? She didn?t notice the slight frown on Damien?s face. ?But I guess he didn?t realize it was only fascination. Damien?? Nervous about the general occurrence, she twined her fingers with her friend?s. ?He came here to my house and told me he?s in love with me.?

Damien blinked and jerked fractionally. ?That guy did?? he exclaimed on a half-laugh. His eyes flicked to Heero?s overlook before turning back to Relena. ?That?s??

?Nerve-racking, is what it is.? She sighed. ?Damien, I don?t know what to do. Eight years is a long, long time. I didn?t know very much about Heero Yuy before he left, but now I feel like I don?t know him at all, and??

?And?? Damien asked, tilting his head. He shook his head when her eyes lowered. ?Oh, not this. You said ?and,? so what?s the and??

?I think?and this is ridiculous, I know, but?? Her eyes raised to meet his, and Damien was taken aback by the emotions surging through him. ?I think I?m in love with someone.?

Oh. Damien?s brain promptly stopped functioning. ?Well. That nulls my chance, doesn?t it??

?Don?t tease,? she moaned. ?I don?t even know the guy?s name, but he?s amazing. I?m pretty sure anyway. And when he held me, I felt something so different. My heart felt like it would burst so what??

?Whoa, hold up.? Only a little wounded that Relena had thought Damien had been teasing her, he held up a hand. He quickly drained his champagne glass and set it aside. ?To straighten this out: You think you?re in love. Yet you don?t know his name, and you?re only ?pretty sure? he?s amazing. You?ve let him hold you, though, knowing nothing about him.? He scowled. ?Relena, dear, that sets you up as a desperate single woman, and if that?s the case, there are better solutions.?

?I know you think it?s crazy!? she said, making an effort to keep her voice low enough so only he heard her in the buzz of the crowd. ?Hell take me, Damien, *I know* it?s crazy. But this guy?he has odd brown eyes that seem to dig inside you and tear out your soul, whether you want him to or not. And, well, he makes me feel like I?m in some medieval romance novel.?

He was amused again. ?You read those? Kidding,? he added before she could get upset. ?Well, you are a princess. But?well, I don?t know what to say, Relena. You?ve just told me you?re in love with someone you don?t know. I didn?t think you believed in love at first sight.?

?I don?t,? she began, then frowned. ?Well, I didn?t. But I didn?t victimize myself for it. And I don?t think I was particularly stressed out about Heero?s sudden confession that it made me hunt out possible love interests. And what if this is just whacked out emotions? I?ve never been in love, Damien. How do I know if this is what it is??

Damien?s expression was one of champagne-soaked sympathy. ?What are you saying, Relena? Are you upset because you might be in love? Or are you upset because you might not be and are afraid of feeling like a fool?? When only confusion crossed her face, he leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss to her brow. ?Think about it, honey. I?ll be around for about a week yet, so let me know if you need to talk it out. And in the meantime, get some sleep.?

She smiled. ?You?re leaving?? Feeling reckless now that she?d told her story, she threw back the rest of her champagne.

He laughed. ?Let us look through the alcohol at everyone else as they so giddily make for the door. Your poor cleanup crew. Oh, and your band left a half-hour ago.? He blinked. ?I think that bodyguard of yours is the only sober one here. God, we?re spoiled stiffs. Wish I could handle alcohol.?

?I should forget this business,? Relena decided, standing up and only half-stumbling over to him. ?I should fall in love with you.?

Damien grinned and shrugged. ?That would certainly make things less complicated. Are you looking for a rich governor husband??

Relena wrinkled her nose. ?You?d give me ugly babies.?

Like a big brother, he twisted her nose between his thumb and index finger. ?You can call me, remember. Just?make it tomorrow after my hangover is gone.?

She almost giggled. ?Your driver?s waiting for you.?

?Best not leave the dear man hanging.? With the charm of the intoxicated, he gave her a sloppy, champagne-flavored kiss and fought the urge to chuckle when he saw the Gundam pilot glare at him. ?Goodnight, ?lena.?

??Night, Damien. Keep Mother busy, won?t you??

?I should fall in love with your Mother!? he called.

?Go ahead!? she invited. When he and his twin ? she was seeing double, unfortunately ? were gone from the ballroom, she whirled around to face Heero just as he was coming down the stairs. ?Have fun?? she asked.

In one, quick look, he took in her drunken and exhausted state. ?I?ll escort you to your room,? he said.

?Heero, I?m perfectly capable. Promise.? Too far gone to notice the otherwise-suspicious duffel bag on his shoulder, she grabbed his arm and pretended he wasn?t there. ?You have strong arms, Heero.?

He swallowed. ?Thank you.?

?And you?re always so stiff and formal, do you realize that? Do you ever relax?? she asked curiously.

?No.?

?You should,? she told him. ?You?d be fun to relax with.? She paused with him outside her door. ?You know, you look just like him.?

Heero?s eyes narrowed. ?Who?? he asked, half-bemused and half-irritated with her current state of mind.

?The Prince of Darkness,? she tossed out casually as only alcohol-induced women can. ?I?m in love with him.?

His scowl darkened. ?You are??

Her only answer was to open the door from her room, but before she closed it, she leaned against the doorjamb and looked at a spot just beyond his left ear. ?You know,? she murmured, more seriously, ?I was lonely tonight. It was good to see Damien, but no matter what the media will tell you, he?s just a friend, one I haven?t seen in years. I?m glad the closeness we had hasn?t faded, but yes?I was lonely.?

Heero studied her calmly and waited for her to either go on or dismiss him. She did the former.

?I get more and more lonely every year. I feel like I?m getting old when I should be. I?m only twenty-five, and I?m healthy.? She ran a shaking row of fingers through her hair. ?And I want to be in love.? She sighed and smiled that beguiling smile at him. ?Goodnight, Heero.?

The door closed, and Heero gripped the duffel bag. She could say that to her friend, she could say it to him, but could she say it to??

His fists clenched. He would find out.

***

Relena tipped cold tap water into her mouth to ease the champagne taste. Damien was right. They *were* spoiled stiffs. In nothing but a bathroom (simply because putting on pajamas was a very complicated concept), she padded out of her bathroom, ready to fling herself onto the bed and pass out.

The darkened figure by the door halted her in walking and in thinking. His image was nearly indiscernible in the blackened room, but she wasn?t afraid; she knew who it was. ?Prince.?

He walked forward. Every move he made seduced ? a stretch of leg beckoned, and when he reached out, she gripped his hand half-dazedly.

She couldn?t see him, she could only feel him. She?d felt him before, though, and his voice was the same.

?Have you figured it out yet??

She inhaled; the scent of him was plain, but alluring. The front of his shirt was smooth, and she circled his waist with her arms, leaning against him. He didn?t move. She didn?t know what to say exactly. What *was* there to say, except?

Relena angled her head backward to look at his eyes; they were dark, but a little lighter than there regular shade of brown. That was probably just the champagne. His voice was Prince?s, his hands were Prince?s.

?I love you,? she whispered. She felt him tense, but she lifted a hand to the back of his hand and gently eased it down to hers. Rising to her toes, she pressed her lips to his mouth and welcomed the irresistible heat and the pulsing sense of right flowing through her.

?Relena,? she heard him begin, but she shook her head.

?You told me when I figured out what I think of you and how I feel from that, you?d say who you were. Well, I know that I think you?re a wonderful person.?

?I could be a killer.?

?You?re not,? she assured him and herself. ?You could have killed, in the war maybe, but you?re not a killer. And how I feel?is that I love you.?

There was silence. ?I??

?Shhh.? Wanting the moment and not wanting to think about what it could bring, Relena let her fingers glide over one of his smooth cheeks, down his neck, to the collar of his shirt, and the first button of the same article. ?I don?t need to know yet. Not yet.?

He didn?t stiffen when she began to undo the buttons of his shirt. ?Relena, what??

?I want you,? she told him softly. ?I?ve wanted you since I first saw you in Quatre?s house. I?ve never wanted anyone before, and I?ve never had anyone.?

That was definitely something to think about.

?But if I can choose my first?? Now parted, she pushed the material from his shoulders and followed its fluttery path to the floor with her eyes. ?I want it to be the first man I?m in love with.?

?Relena, you?ve had drink.?

?Yes.? Sure, she wrapped her arms around his neck. ?I don?t know your name, but in the long run of it all, do names really matter? If people had numbers, wouldn?t it still be a label for them??

?Relena?? He shuddered involuntarily under her roaming fingers until they left his skin and touched the belt of the robe covering her slim body. Heero knew instantly that he would hate himself in the morning.

?No more objections,? Relena murmured cryptically. ?Not anymore.?

The robe slid soundlessly to the floor. Relena stepped forward and kissed him again.

And there were no more objections.

Not anymore.

*************************************************************

Whoa, ANOTHER update. I?m a little worried about this fic in all honesty, guys. It seems rushed, even though I?m not trying to rush it. It?s OOC, I understand, but I really do like writing it. It?s a different take on the Relena-doesn?t-love-Heero-but-Heero-loves-her deal. It?s more daring, obviously. *grin* Even if it?s not the best writing ever, I hope you can appreciate the work behind it and the story.

I hope you?ll review too!

Love,

GG

[Faye Faye]

LEMON! NOWWWWWWWW MUST WRITE A LEMON!!!

[Gundam Girl]

Yup. As soon as the motivation comes, I'll do the "missing scene" thing.