[Drabble, Summer Camp Week 8] Summertide 8/9 - Effervescent

[Smarty Cat]

One more to go and this baby's finished! Inspired by Prompt 8: Lemonade from the 2008 Summer Camp Challenge.

Elemental / Sustaining / Flushed / Glimmer / Flare / Piquant / Thawing / now this

Previous installments are available in this forum or on my livejournal.

Title: Effervescent
Date Completed: May 24, 2009
Series: Gundam Wing
Pairing: 1xR (Heero x Relena)
Word Count: 250

Relena stares at the pretty flute of carbonated lemonade. She can almost imagine that it is champagne, they are somewhere else, she is not hot and sticky, Heero is not carrying clothes stained by her clumsiness, and she did not flee without a proper response. She lifts a hand to her throat and feels the pulse racing in the hollow there before brushing fingers across the shamed flush heating her cheeks.

As declarations of devotion go, it is sub par; for Heero, it is a milestone.

She tilts the flute, watching sunlight spark in its depths, and resists the irresponsible urge to request something highly alcoholic to scorch her dry throat and shock her senses from their Heero-induced muddle. The lemonade alternates saccharine and biting and is far too easily an analogy for their relationship.

Her gaze shifts to where he lingers in the crowd. It is not how Relena would have envisioned such a public assertion?no tuxedo, ball gown, or twinkling lights?but it is time to end the dance and welcome reality. No need for girlish illusions when reality awaits.

She gulps the lemonade for fortitude. Before she can reconsider, she is at his side, the blaze of her fingers encircling his wrist. His eyes clash against hers, wary, and each remembered glance and caress crashes over them like an ocean breaker. Joy bubbles up, clogging her chest and throat, and Relena lets herself drown.

"Stay, Heero. You don't have to leave anymore. Stay here with me."

[Rage]

I'm anxious for the last one.

And whatever else you decide to write next.

Love your writing style.