unrequited

Unrequited


Disclaimed

No warning

No author’s notes

Epilogue

Six Years Later.


Relena Dorlain Townsend tossed an unruly lock of silken hair over her shoulder and offered her most charming smile. “Perhaps there is a lot more you have to learn about me, darling,” she giggled, sipping coyly on her champagne.

Nathan Townsend tilted her chin up with his right hand, stroking her ruby-red bottom lip with the pad of his thumb. “I believe I know you better than you know yourself, my love, and the moment I can steal you away from this tedious fundraiser I intend to prove it.” He removed the empty champagne flute from her manicured fingers and motioned to the bar across the grand ballroom. “But in the meantime, I’ll be right back.” He kissed her briefly, brushing his lips so gently across hers she forgot to blink.

As Relena watched her husband of four years saunter through the crowd of mingling socialites and delegates, she felt her heart palpitate in unblemished joy. He cut a dashing figure amidst all the black tuxedos; his broad shoulders and midnight black slicked back hair reminiscent of a timeless hero straight from the pages of Jane Austen. Combined with his natural brilliance, effortless charm and keen business sense, it was no wonder gossip columnists were always watching the Townsend Mansion. A couple with power and sex appeal was like fresh blood to those piranhas. Watching her husband walk through the crowd, she could smell the envy of half the single women there. She smiled a smile that could be felt over her entire body as she instinctively touched her wedding band.

She had felt emotion this strong before, only this time she knew better. Her husband’s mere presence in the room did more for her heart than any other man alive. It was a fact. She looked into his warm chocolate eyes and saw happiness. She saw a future worth protecting.

She waved off a few circling delegates in favor of retiring off the dance floor. She picked up the hem of her silken scarlet ball gown and headed for the fresh night air on the nearby balcony. She still despised functions as pointless as these galas—but when they were established for charity, she made the effort to attend. It also didn’t hurt that her husband looked delicious in a tuxedo, and she would make a point to rip it from his body the moment they got home. Being the modern working couple, time together was precious. She couldn’t wait to make love and lie in his arms all night, watch him deep in slumber. She could listen to the soft beat of his heart all night long.

But in the meantime, the fresh air would do her good.

She took in the night with the enthusiasm of a child to their first bicycle—taking a deep breath, surrounding herself in darkness. The sky was shining with thousands of stars and a brilliant full moon that waxed the Versailles’s gardens with a marble glow. The sky was midnight blue—a color that reminded her of…

“Ill met by moonlight?”

Her breath caught, and she swirled around, coming face to face with someone she had not seen in years…Trowa. Trowa Barton. Quoting Shakespeare no less.

The irony returned her thoughts back to her. “What…what are you doing here?”

He shrugged, sliding his hands into the pockets of his pants. His jacket was open, his bowtie unknotted. He looked chaotic, dangerous, sexy. He hadn’t changed in the least over the five and half years of his absence. “I love these sort of things.”

She blinked in surprise. Humor was new. “It’s been a long time.”

He nodded. “Yes. Things have changed, I see. You and Mr. Townsend. Zechs must be proud you married Mr. Good Morning America.”

She folded her arms under her breasts. She wasn’t uncomfortable—she was getting cold. “Yes. We just celebrated our fourth anniversary.”

“Congratulations.” He remarked, moving beside her.

Relena and Trowa stood in silence for a moment before she turned to face her former lover with eyes untainted by lust. In one of the darkest times of her life, he had provided unconventional support when she felt lonely, depressed and rejected. He awoke all of her senses and her inner sexual being. This man introduced her to the pain and the joys of a healthy sexual appetite. He gave her confidence when she had none. He made her feel wanted, sexy…

Especially when Heero hadn’t wanted her. That’s who she saw when she looked into those green eyes, when she looked into the night sky. He was her first love, and no matter how unrequited that love was, he was apart of her. No matter what happened between them, how trivial or pivotal, Heero Yuy still took a piece of her heart. He was impounded into her, a part of her.

She had thought it was just about sex, when really that wasn’t even the case. It was about confidence—and it was about realizing that even though she had loved Heero Yuy with ever fiber of her being, she had created an illusion of him and put it on a pedestal so high no one could compare, he would not be the last man she would ever love. And there was a difference between love and lust. It was about confidence and realizing that even though she loved Heero Yuy with every fiber of her being, she had created an illusion of him, and put it on a pedestal so high that no one could ever compare. Then, realizing that Heero would not be the last man she would ever love. She also learned that there was a difference between love and lust. Lust could only take her so far, could only offer so much. Love was worth waiting for. Love was unconditional. Love was timeless. Love was worth waiting for. Ultimately…she was deserving of love, and deserving of loving.

She owed him more than she could say.

“Relena. There you are,” Nathan stepped out onto the balcony and started to remove his jacket. “It’s cold out here.” He replied, putting it over her shoulders. He met Trowa’s gaze and extended his hand. “Nathan Townsend. I don’t believe we’ve met, Mr.…”

Trowa smiled as he watched the exchange. “Trowa Barton. I am an old friend of your wife’s. I hope you don’t mind me cornering her like this, but I could hardly pass the opportunity to say hello.”

Nathan took Relena’s hand and kissed her palm. “I would do the same in your shoes. How do you too know each other?”

Relena saw the love and trust in her husband’s eyes and squeezed his hand. “Trowa saved my life several years ago.”

“I was only returning the favor from the war. You’re a very lucky man, Mr. Townsend.” Trowa glanced at his watch. “Unfortunately, I’d love to catch up, but I am late for a pressing appointment. It was very good to see you again. Relena.” Even after all the time they had spent together, her name sounded alien on his lips.

As she watched his back fade into the background of the fundraiser gala, she remembered the time they shared. With Heero and without.

“Let’s go back inside.” Nathan said, motioning for the door.


She looked into her husband’s eyes and forgot her past. She smiled and headed inside with her future.