Length: Ficlet
Pairing: 1xR
Prompt: "It is a truth universally known that any man of fortune must be in want
of a wife." - Pride and Prejudice
Teaser: "So the rumors are true," said Heero, irked at how easy he was to read.
"You are an empath."
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5141105/11/ ... al_Nuances
Disclaimer: GW = not mine.
Author's Note: July's prompts have finally been released and I see that they're going to be toughies. Goodness, I haven't seen the sources for some of the quotes. Still, I'll do what I can. First July prompt is this quote from Pride and Prejudice, "It is a truth universally known that any man of fortune must be in want of a wife." Fortunately, I've read that.
Nonsensical Nuances
by mistress amethyst une
Noontime Noodles
For the fifth consecutive time that week, Heero sat down to a lunch of instant cup ramen. It was almost funny how he alternated between such meager fare at noon and fine cuisine at Relena's estate come dinner time. He really didn't care what he consumed for nourishment. To him, the occasional dessert was the only thing he considered a culinary highlight. Of course, any sweet thing tasted amazing when he sampled it on her lips.
Quatre passed by Heero's table with his own styrofoam cup of noodles, asking to sit. Heero responded with a faint nod which his comrade took as a signal to settle.
"Thanks," sighed Quatre. "Cafeteria's packed as usual. Une should consider renovating to accommodate all the new recruits."
"Maybe you should donate," smirked Heero.
Quatre's eyebrow rose. "You know I can't throw money around indiscriminately anymore. Why else would I be eating plastic string in hot water?"
"Your wife's a big spender."
"My wife earns big money. Lost count of how many companies she's handling, Meanwhile, I subsist on the returns from my investments. One of them didn't turn out so well and, until my finances recover, I'm not asking her for cash. Last time I did... Being her personal manwho-"
"I get the point. I thought marriage meant shared assets."
"Pre-nup. My idea. No way were we going to let money destroy us. I wasn't marrying her because she was rich."
"Why then?" asked Heero, his curiosity piqued. He had always thought the Catalonia-Winner union was built on a financial alliance.
"The only good reason to marry a woman: I love her. Also, money makes a man lonely. You never know if the women in your life want you or that lovely piece of real estate you have in the Bahamas. With her...well, she's unique in her desires. For sure, money isn't what she wants."
Heero stared at the noodles floating around in his cup, trying to divine something in the meaningless patterns as the ancient Greeks sought the future in bowls of animal guts. Money... Well, Relena certainly didn't want him for that. The salary in his pocket was hers. She didn't earn much as a civil servant but the unfrozen Peacecraft assets as well as her inheritance from her deceased foster father helped fund Preventer. Thinking that he was financially dependent on her left a sinking feeling in his stomach. There was no way a girl like that would marry-
"Heero?"
"Hn?"
"Penny for your thoughts? I think I still have a few of those to pay for what's on your mind..."
"It's nothing."
"Miss Relena?"
Heero's eyebrow quirked. Had he become that predictable?
"You think too much," chortled Quatre. "Let me guess. You were wondering why she put up with you despite your...financial inadequacies."
"So the rumors are true," said Heero, irked at how easy he was to read. "You are an empath."
Quatre laughed. "I just know you better than most. Just don't think too hard. She loves you, Heero. It's as simple as that. Rich or poor, everyone seeks the other half of their heart. The rich just have a bit more trouble with it. Make it easy for her."
A loud beeping issued from Quatre's pocket. "And there goes my timer... Time to go back to work. Preventer assignments make good money. I'm quite sure you'll have a nice nest egg put away in a bit. Besides, money's not an issue with Miss Relena. If you bring it up, you'll only upset her. Best just not to think about it."
Quatre finished off his noodles, his face doing little to hide his disgust. Giving Heero a light pat on the shoulder for encouragement, the Winner heir left the table with a fervent hope that the perfect soldier would take his advice.
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Not sure I tackled that properly but this is the result. Oh well...