Had Signum and company been present, they would have been horrified at the scene the White Devil and Black Angel were currently in.
Looking deadly, Fate hefted her axe with surprising competence. Still in her sleeveless office wear and clad in black from head to toe, she strutted forward to take her place, her stiletto heels silent on the roughened planks lining the floors. She spun the axe haft deftly in one hand, sizing up her target with intense concentration.
Throat dry as she admired the elegant lines of her subordinate, Nanoha took a big gulp of water, absently playing with the label on the bottle and wishing she had an excuse to have those long, wiry arms around her. Seeing Fate handling the weapon so easily was way too sexy.
Breath held, Fate swung and released. THUNK! The axe's wickedly sharp blade dug deep into the wooden target, a little to the right of the bull's-eye. Exhaling, the woman turned around, offering Nanoha a bright smile, "And that's how you do it."
It was Fate's idea. Their short notice booking for dinner was scheduled late, and so the blonde had suggested they kill some time at the local axe throwing range while waiting for their table to be ready.
Axe throwing? Who would have imagined people tossing heavy weaponry around in this ultra-civilised society? But here they were, surrounded on all sides by groups of other enthusiasts. Nanoha supposed it was a good way to let off steam at the end of a work week.
Fate didn't seem to be a stranger here, the boy at the counter blushing while he stammered on about it was good to see her again. The blonde was completely oblivious to the cow eyes the boy was making, only pausing to introduce Nanoha and requesting a lane for two.
They were provided with a single axe, a hand towel, and two complimentary bottles of water. Nanoha surmised it was for safety reasons that only one axe could be in play at any given time. Her guess was confirmed when a different staff, this one a tall woman with ropes for arms, led them to their assigned lane and began explaining the rules and safety precautions to take whilst here.
Fate didn't like how that staff seemed to eye her boss as if she were a particularly tender piece of meat, and when the woman offered to show first-timer Nanoha how to throw, the blonde smoothly cut in and with a chilly smile, announced that she could teach the auburn-haired woman herself.
Nanoha wasn't even noticing the staff practically drooling all over her, frustrating and charming Fate all at the same time. Instead, she was pacing the lane, her keen regard taking in every part of this new experience with the same focus that she applied to work. Was it any surprise that the woman was at the top of her field at such a young age?
Fate intervened when Nanoha lifted a hand, meaning to touch the surface of the target board. The woman blinked to find her hand wrapped in Fate's own and carefully drawn away from the board. "Splinters," the blonde explained, "Come." Leading Nanoha back to where the standing table was placed, Fate smiled and proceeded to demonstrate the technique.
Retrieving the axe, Fate wiped its handle with the towel provided and offered it haft first to Nanoha. No stranger to weapons, just to this particular one, the Japanese woman accepted it and moved to stand where Fate had earlier.
Seeing the slightly incorrect stance and grip, Fate stepped forward and from behind the Japanese woman, slipped her right arm around Nanoha's middle. "There is no need to crouch, gravity will pull it down naturally," the blonde explained into the executive's ear and Nanoha shivered. Unconsciously, she leaned back into the blonde's front. "That's it, relax yourself, Nanoha-chan." Her melodic voice was hypnotic. Fate brushed her left hand down the length of Nanoha's arm, adjusting her grip, "You want to hold it nearer to the end, so it spins when you release."
Wrestling with a libido trying to run wild, Nanoha sternly reminded herself that she was holding a dangerous weapon. "L-Like this?" She whispered, surprised at the level of husk in her voice. Fate had been basking in the feel of her boss's back plastered to her front until the woman's voice jerked her back to the present. Just two simple words that raked her insides, imprinting in her a consuming need to possess.
Deliberately stepping back, Fate planted shaking hands to the surface of the rough-hewn table, bottom lip held captive between sharp white teeth that ached to sink into someone's neck. She nodded, unwilling to trust her voice.
With a display of natural athleticism, Nanoha swung and released in one smooth motion, just as she had seen Fate do earlier. THUNK! The blade bit into the second outermost ring.
Clapping softly, Fate beamed at her friend, breath catching at the bright smile the woman gave her. "You've got it." You've got me.
About to take her turn again, Fate's phone buzzed. Stiffening at the screen indicating the source of the call, the blonde gave Nanoha an apologetic glance to urge her to keep practising, while she stepped aside to answer.
"Neither of you were on the flight, and it has been a month…" Fate closed her eyes at the acerbic tones of the voice on the other end.
"I couldn't reach Alicia, mother. …And, I started a new job. I'll pay for the tickets…"
"You know that's inconsequential, child." Of course, everything was to her mother. Everything but what the locals so aptly dubbed 'Face'. "And so? What job is more important than fulfilling your duty to your family?"
Fate felt her skin crawl at the mention of 'duty'. Knowing there was no point in hiding the fact, she squared shoulders that had hunched from instinct, from the memories of long ago.
"I've been hired to be the Assistant Vice President of Operations in TransSpan All Bit."
"...TSAB? The one run by that Yagami git?" Fate could hear the gears turning in her mother's head and gritted her teeth, knowing exactly how the woman would take the news.
"Well, perhaps all is not lost. We can use someone on the inside. Linith?"
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Go ensure Fate doesn't embarrass us. Use that expense account."
"Mother, I assure you…"
"You would try," her mother cut in, "I know better than to leave things in your incompetent hands. Look at what happened to your father's pet project." The contempt in her mother's voice was clear.
"Expect Linith in a few days."
Pulling back her phone to stare at its screen, Fate hated the familiar feeling of dread creeping into her tensed form.
A warm hand curled around her wrist, contrasting with the cold permeating her body. Her eyes moved up the hand, up the arm, to meet the concerned eyes of her friend.
Had she heard? Did she think Fate would try to use her new job, use her boss, for her family's gain? Suddenly fearful, the blonde tried to pull back.
It was difficult for Nanoha to focus, not when the voice coming through Fate's phone was so clear. Gods bless Singapore's telecom infrastructure, she supposed. Leaving the axe buried in the target board, since she knew she might go berserk with it to hear Fate being spoken down to like that, the auburn-haired woman remained to one side to allow her friend to finish her call.
When she made no move after the call ended, Nanoha was unable to stand it any longer and approached, clasping a hand around the suddenly cold wrist. She could feel the blonde's erratic pulse under her fingers, and when Fate drew back, fear plain in her eyes, she decided enough was enough. They needed to talk.
Her hold tightened, refusing to let the blonde go. "It'll be fine," she assured the taller woman, leading her out of the establishment and signing them out of the lane.
Tapping her phone, she waited for a cheery voice to chirp an answer on the other end of the call, "Hey, Subaru? Need a favour. Can you help get Fate's car home? I'll text you the address. The key fob will be under the left back tire. Thanks, I owe you."
Killing the call, Nanoha returned her attention to the blonde who simply looked at her, mild confusion and fear still clouding her eyes. She offered her an assuring smile and held out her hand, into which Fate silently placed her car's remote. Hiding it where she told Subaru she would, Nanoha led Fate to her own vehicle. "Let me drive tonight."
Fate had no idea why Nanoha was being so considerate. Didn't she know Fate was just a tool? A tool that could be used to destroy TSAB? Why wasn't she being fired on the spot? Finding herself back in the familiar position of being in the front passenger seat of Nanoha's car, a small part of her noticed her blood still caked areas of the centre console. Had it only been a few Fridays ago? The executive had time to invite her out, but no time to clean her car? What sort of twisted priorities did Nanoha have?
The auburn-haired woman could see questions swirling in the fear-laden pools of Fate's eyes. A growing determination to get as much of that cleared away as possible began gathering within Nanoha. The slim blonde had inserted herself into the austere shell of her life with such ease, it was as if she'd belonged there all along. Whatever this was, they would deal with it together. She just needed the blonde to understand.
They had driven in silence, Fate afraid of what Nanoha had heard, what she might say, while Nanoha focussed on mustering her best arguments. Pleased to see that their reservation was ready, Nanoha led the blonde to their table. Since Fate had picked the axe place, Nanoha got to choose where dinner would be, and CUT in Marina Bay Sands was where she had decided upon.
The restaurant was lavishly appointed, befitting the pomp of having a celebrity chef tied to its reputation. Large panels of mirrors reflected the luxurious red and gold decor, reminiscent of the colours of prosperity so valued by the majority Chinese diaspora that called Singapore home. In all honesty, Nanoha had simply wanted a place to celebrate the elegant beauty's first month in the madhouse.
Ordering for them to get rid of the hovering wait staff, Nanoha patiently waited on her companion, allowing the blonde space to process. The executive could tell the woman was distraught, but concealing it with the ease of long practise.
Fate barely took in their surroundings, though she did appreciate the lowered lights and quiet their table afforded them. Closer to the full darkness she wished to disappear into. Nanoha had reclaimed her hand after seating her, and it was only that warm connection that was keeping the ice inside at bay.
The executive had been nothing but warm, even at their first meeting, when Fate wanted nothing more than to scream and rant and throw her out of the office. Feeling like she had somehow betrayed Nanoha, she would not, could not, meet the woman's eyes, her own fixed instead onto the table between them.
"I… will vacate the office tomorrow." Fate began, feeling a knife twist in her heart as she spoke the appropriate words.
"I'll handcuff you to the Aeron." Nanoha responded calmly.
"I don't h-have much, if I could buy the plants…" She froze. Handcuff? What?
Nanoha knew she needed to break the blonde out of her spiralling descent. What better way than to be absurd? Gratified that her words had indeed pulled Fate up short, she tightened her hand on the blonde's, smiling.
"Feito-chan, do you know how long it took me to find you? I'm not letting you go. Not even if you threw an axe at me." The barest hint of a dimple appeared, and taking the bold move of interlacing their fingers, the auburn-haired woman dared Fate to try forcefully untangling their fingers in the middle of the restaurant.
"B-But, Nanoha-chan, I don't want you thinking I'm u-using you…" Caught like a beautiful deer in headlights, the skittish forest creature that was now Fate tried to pull away again. Why was Nanoha so strong?
"I want you to use me." The executive's warm alto stressed, using her calloused thumb to stroke soothingly across the back of Fate's hand. The forest creature calmed slightly under Nanoha's commanding touch and the blonde lifted a questioning gaze to the woman seated across from her, the purest embodiment of resolute confidence. An absolute earth goddess.
"Feito-chan, I hope you'll forgive me." Forgive her? She was the one in the wrong, not Nanoha! "I couldn't help but overhear," She heard! She'd really heard! Again, Fate attempted to shy away from the warm regard Nanoha was pinning her down with.
"Do you think I hired you without checking first?" Impossibly gentle, Nanoha laid her words plainly before the blonde.
Wait? Nanoha knew? Panic turning into anger, the blonde's eyes flashed, face flushing, "Why then? Is this some kind of joke? Were you laying a trap?" Why was the auburn-haired beauty's expression not changing? Why was she still smiling?
"Because I know Feito-chan is not like that," She tried not to sound hurt, knowing Fate didn't mean to distrust her, though the depth of that pain caught her by surprise. They'd only known one another for a short while, after all. Head dipping, she continued to hold the dark angel with an unwavering stare, "And I need you to know, I am not like that either. Feito-chan is Feito-chan. My right hand, my support, my protector," her fingers tightened noticeably, "And my friend."
Fate stared in wonder as a single tear tracked down the Japanese woman's face.
The sting of Fate's thought that Nanoha might be playing games with her was more than the executive was prepared for, and she was unable to remain completely unaffected by the accusation hurled against her. This wasn't part of the plan, the executive was supposed to have all the cards, know all the angles, be ready for every contingency.
Except for being distrusted by the blonde. Nanoha was used to it. She should be used to it. But it was so, so tiring to keep up the facade that people's assumptions didn't wear on her.
A softly trembling hand, the one not imprisoned by Nanoha, lifted to wipe away the tear tracking down her face. "I do not know why you believe in me, when I can hardly believe in myself," Fate began, hesitantly. "But I believe in you. Gods help me, I do." She confessed, shakily. She stroked the precious visage before her, tracing the returning smile beginning to form under her fingers.
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"I plead forgiveness for my thoughtless words." Fate drew in a shuddering breath, throat full, eyes filling at the thought that she could have hurt this incredible woman so easily. Why was Nanoha giving her this much power? Why was Fate herself always apologising?
Her other hand was caught now, and Nanoha gathered both in her own, smiling through the damp of wet lashes. "I forgive Feito-chan," she said readily, "I know you didn't mean it."
To be known better than she knew herself. Surely Fate was lost. Drowning in the endless depths of azure, she felt no need to surface for breath.
The arrival of their drinks and starters interrupted their silent communion. Realising they'd been holding hands for the better part of a few minutes, Fate quickly pulled her hands back and twitched at the napkin laid across her lap, flustered. Nanoha was faring no better, already missing the feel of Fate's hands in hers as she played with the stem of her drink.
Ironically called Tempting Fate, it was a mix of pear, ginger, lemongrass and soda. There was absolutely no way she would indulge even in a single glass when driving, not after... She gave herself an inner shake, that was then, now is now. She watched to see what Fate thought of her drink instead, her smile widening when the blonde licked her lips. Oh, how she wanted those lips.
"Mmm, what is this? I taste passion fruit?"
"Time Will Come," Nanoha shared, "You got the passion fruit. There's also mint and lime."
Fate took another sip, "It's good. What did you get?"
Nanoha's smile turned impish, and that damnable dimple appeared again, "Tempting Fate. Want a sip?"
Desperately hoping the candlelight hid her blush, Fate nodded, hand around Nanoha's as she guided the rim of the woman's drink to her lips. Her strawberry pink tongue flicked out, capturing a trailing drop of the beverage so it wouldn't stain the glass. "Mmm, this is good, too." She loved being tempted by this woman.
Glad to be seated, since her knees would likely be unable to take her weight at this moment, Nanoha nodded at their starters, "Try the salad." She cleared her throat of the sudden husk in her voice.
The companionable silence was comforting, both women needing a moment to return to the even keel of their steadily deepening friendship.
Idly chasing a bit of tomato in her plate, Fate glanced up at her friend. "All I wanted was to work for you," she stated firmly, needing Nanoha to know where she stood. Her knuckles whitened, the salad fork shaking in her hand, "My family was never in the picture."
Nanoha remained quiet at first and leaned back, thanking the wait staff who had cleared their starter plates and replaced them with their main course.
Allowing the steak to rest, the Japanese woman's striking azure eyes crinkled at the corners. "You aren't close with them," she said with quiet confidence.
Fate nodded, "There is no love lost. If I could lose this name and just be Fate…"
Nanoha smiled, "As I said, Feito-chan is Feito-chan. That is all I care about."
The blonde stabbed fitfully at her steak, "I'm s-sure they will try something. It was so difficult to get away the first time…"
"We will figure things out as they come," the Japanese woman assured the blonde.
We. Heart leaping, Fate did her best not to be greedy.
"I cannot in good conscience trouble you…"
"Trouble me." Nanoha countered seriously, "I wasn't being facetious, Feito-chan. Use me." She covered Fate's hand with hers again, "I know it's difficult to believe, but I'm not entirely without resources. Your family has another thing coming if they think they can get between me and my very, very precious AVP."
Fate inhaled sharply, the desire to be more than just Nanoha's valued employee hitting her acutely and she sipped confusedly at her drink to buy time.
Releasing Fate's hand to give her space, Nanoha nodded at their dishes, "Eat, before it gets cold."
The auburn-haired woman neglected her own meal to watch Fate dig into the tasting platter of wagyu from around the world. "I feel like Mr. Darjeeling, trying to sell Japanese wagyu to you." Nanoha teased, glad to see her companion enjoying her meal.
Fate couldn't help her small laugh, "At least your socks match." Nanoha had abandoned her clogs for white sneakers after day's end, and they still looked great with her cropped pants. Trust the executive to be sensible about her footwear after work hours.
Not having heard about the individual's socks, Nanoha giggled, "Nyahaha, is Feito-chan peeking at my ankles?"
The blonde flushed as Nanoha's joke hit a little too close to home. 'Your ankles? Try your everywhere.' She wanted to slap her own cheeks. This entire month had felt like a dream and the source of all of it was seated across from her. She shoved a slice of steak into her mouth. 'That's it, focus on the food, so you can stop thinking about what else you want to eat.'
Nanoha couldn't resist, the blonde looked way too adorable, and the devilish part of her wanted a little pound of flesh back. "I can show Feito-chan all the ankle she wants, she just has to ask nicely."
Red to the roots of her pale hair, Fate pouted, "Augh! Nanoha-chan is teasing me!"
"Nyahaha!" Laughing too, Fate pretended to grump, "You're lucky these napkins are cloth so I can't throw balls at you."
"Warn me if you plan to throw axes," Nanoha grinned, "Was it a sport back home?"
Fate made a small sound confirming Nanoha's guess to be correct, "Traditional. I had to pick something, for appearances." she smirked, "I picked the manliest thing I could find. Mother was horrified. I'm sure she thought it would put hair on my chest."
The memory of Fate carelessly asleep on her sofa with shirt unbuttoned imposed itself on Nanoha's memory and she almost choked. There had certainly been no hair there. Struggling to regain her composure, Nanoha made a show of chewing thoughtfully, "But Feito-chan never looked more beautiful and feminine than when she was throwing an axe."
Helpless in the face of the executive's disarming honesty, Fate tried to take her boss' words at face value. 'She wasn't looking at you that way, she was just contradicting your mother's assumptions!' Sighing, she shook her head, "Mother would never think that." If she sounded a little bitter, both women chose to ignore it.
"Tell me about Linith," Nanoha prompted instead, knowing it'd be futile to try to have Fate see herself through the executive's eyes just yet. No, for now, Nanoha needed all the information she could gather. Information was power in her world.
"My mother's lady-in-waiting." Displaying impeccable table manners, Fate sliced her steak, a wistful smile playing over her lips, "She… was an oasis when I was growing up. Loyal, to a point. She found ways around mother's instructions to make things easier on… on me." Her smoothly sure movements faltered a hair, but it was enough for Nanoha to pick up on. The executive decided she would need to speak with this Linith person.
"She sounds lovely," Nanoha remarked, making inroads into her meal at a steady pace.
"She was like a second mother." Faintly surprised that her appetite was this good, Fate realised it only seemed to be so when she was dining with Nanoha. "This would be the sort of meal she would serve me, out of mother's sight." She shook her head wryly, "Far, far more than what I would usually eat."
"It's good to have a healthy appetite," Nanoha asserted, showing no compunctions in mopping up the last of her steak juices with a bit of the bread.
Fate eyed the executive's trim form, "Where does it all go?"
Nanoha exhaled a small breath, "I'm just active." Meal done, she fussed at her napkin. "It… ah, helps me sleep," she admitted.
Fate felt herself warm, remembering the sight of Nanoha this morning. "Maybe I should be active with you," she said innocently, though her thoughts were far from innocent.
Perhaps it was the way Fate said it, or how her intriguingly scarlet gaze seemed to pull Nanoha in, but Nanoha suddenly found it difficult to breathe. Heart beating a staccato rhythm in her chest, she gulped, "Company would be nice…" Coughing softly, she added, "TSAB has a corporate deal with Planet Fitness. I was thinking about checking out their facilities near my place this Sunday. I also told Erio I'd get lunch at his and Caro's workplace, if you'd…"
"Yes." Again, Fate found herself jumping at the chance to hang out with her boss, someone who was swiftly becoming her favourite person to spend time with.
"...like to join," Fate's breathless acceptance tripped Nanoha up a little, and she blinked, then smiled.
The blonde added, "I-I need to get some things for the upcoming company retreat, too. I c-could use your opinions one of these days."
"Mmmhmm, certainly," Nanoha nodded. Perhaps her Fate drought was coming to an end. "That reminds me, Ha… um, Miss Yagami mentioned we had to show up in costume for the company Halloween bash. We could kill three birds with one axe?" Eyes twinkling, she grinned at the blonde.
Fate nodded, lips curved into a small smile, "Do I park at your place?"
A nod, "I'll let security know to let you in. We can set out from there. Is 8:30AM all right?"
"Perfect," the bridge of Fate's nose crinkled adorably in a bright smile, charming the figurative socks off of the Japanese woman. The principessa truly was perfect.
Fate marvelled at how easily Nanoha had dispelled the ennui that had threatened to ruin her night, no, her entire weekend. Setting aside her fork, she laid a grateful hand over Nanoha's, the woman now fiddling with the stem of her mocktail glass. Remaining completely still seemed to be something the executive had issues with and Fate found it too cute for words.
She glanced up at the touch of the blonde's hand, finely arched brows quirked in question. "Thank you," Fate murmured, "For tonight, for everything."
The executive's Cupid's bow lips curled upwards, "It's what friends do."
Nanoha gestured to a wait staff to ask for the bill. "I hope you aren't full, by the way."
Almost afraid, Fate gave Nanoha a dubious look, "N-Not another brownie?"
Blithely paying for their meal, Nanoha delayed her answer, only standing and tugging Fate after her. "Only if you want it," she finally said, pulling the blonde into an elevator with her.
Not at all reassured by Nanoha's cryptic reply, Fate watched as the executive punched the button for the top floor, where the infinity pool was located. Were they going for a swim? Her mind began playing videos of Nanoha in her white halter top bikini and she decided that maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
Neither woman paid mind to the fact that Nanoha was still holding Fate's hand. It felt like a natural progression of their friendship, particularly after tonight. If it was Nanoha leading her, Fate fancied she could follow the woman into the pits of hell, especially if she kept walking with that powerfully sexy gait of hers.
Curious as they walked past the pool, Nanoha finally drew to a stop by an establishment stretched along the length of said pool. Crimson eyes widened, "Ch-Chocolate buffet?!"
"Nyahaha, I'm the herald of Feito-chan's doom." Protesting whilst being seated by staff, Fate hid a secret smile. She liked the sound of Nanoha being her doom. Tempting Fate, was she not? Still, she lamented to herself over how her boss had discovered her fatal weakness for sweet things. Between Nanoha and the buffet, Fate had absolutely no chance of resisting and resigned herself to working out extra hard on Sunday.
The sly executive gave herself kudos when the blonde capitulated. She had an inkling about some of what Linith helped Fate with, and if she could build on that, well, she'd use any weapon at her disposal.
"It's mainly the view that I enjoy," Nanoha explained as she took her seat, more than merely enjoying the view Fate provided. Wisps of gold had come loose, kissing the blonde's high cheekbones as the breeze blew. In spite of how high they were, it was a balmy tropical night six degrees north of the equator, rendering the outside temperature very comfortable.
"Do you come here often?" Nanoha shrugged, "Sometimes, when I can't push my body any longer. If I have to think, then up here, where the rest of the world seems small, helps give me some perspective." She cast her azure gaze out over the pool's edge, taking in the familiar lights twinkling in the distance. "Was a nice escape whenever Ginga was in town." She quirked her rosy pink lips at the blonde.
Fate studied her boss' profile as she stared out into the distance, remembering the bloody smear she had cleaned just at the start of her first week. A surprisingly intense burn of anger at that woman simmered just under her calm demeanour once more.
"Use me." Fate blinked. Did she just say that? Yes, yes she did. Crimson gaze capturing the executive's surprised azure, she repeated herself firmly, "Use me," echoing Nanoha's words from before. "If she calls, shows up, anything." Jaw set, she barrelled on, "I'll be the world's largest third wheel. I m-mean it, Nanoha-chan. I don't want you to have to escape, or run away, or be alone with her. I just… She shouldn't…"
As Fate's words sank in, more so her intent, Nanoha bit her lip, the urge to kiss the living daylights out of the sweet princess was almost more than she could bear. "Ah, Feito-chan," she bemoaned, alto warm, "Where were you when I was sixteen and stupid?"
"Wishing I was there being sixteen and stupid with you, I-I'd imagine." Cheeks warm, the blonde firmly believed that if she had known of Nanoha's existence back then, there would have been nothing short of an Act of the Gods to keep her from befriending the beautiful girl.
"Guess we need to make up for lost time. Hup!" Grinning, Nanoha tugged Fate to her feet and hauled her into the establishment proper where the buffet was laid out. "N-Nanoha-chan, I'll eat myself sick!"
"No you won't, the helpings are really tiny, see? Just pick whatever strikes your fancy."
'Can I pick you?' Fate asked silently. The blonde was reaching the point of no return. Was it possible to enjoy someone's company this much? Shaking her head, she mock-sighed deeply, "I knew you were bossy from the first moment I saw you," she lamented, grudgingly taking a plate and perusing the immense selection.
"You love it when I'm bossy," came Nanoha's impish retort. Fate eyed the playful goddess from beneath her thick fan of lashes, "Someone has a high opinion of herself," not deigning to respond to the executive's claim.
Nanoha bumped Fate gently with her hip, her own plate in hand as she trailed after the blonde snagging a snack here and there. "I haven't heard you complaining."
"How do you know I have not spoken to Ms. Wolkenritter?" Fate snorted, pushing back with her own hip.
"Because she would have spoken to me," Nanoha's triumphant smile was too much, leaving Fate no choice but to pick up a mini-slice of tiramisu and smearing it on the smug exec's nose. "Oh, you're in for it now, Wench!" With blinding speed, Nanoha began piling treat after treat onto Fate's plate, wielding her serving tongs as if she'd been born with a pair in her hand.
Yelping, the blonde tried to block the devil woman's attacks and she beat a judicious retreat back to their table before her plate could be sabotaged any further.
"You're helping me with this!" Fate demanded, staring at her stacked plate in horror.
Nanoha stuck her tongue out at the blonde, "Don't stick it out unless you plan to use it," Fate warned. Azure eyes sparkling, the executive curled her tongue up and licked off some of the chocolate smeared onto her nose.
X-rated images of what Nanoha could do with her tongue flooded Fate's mind and she blushed fiercely. "Y-You're incorrigible!" She accused Nanoha for the second time in as many weeks.
"Mmmhmm, but I'm flexible." Fate wanted to kiss the smugness off of Nanoha's lips, the wish to see just how flexible the beauty was, was overwhelming her. "You're getting a piece of coal for Boss' Day," Fate declared with a long-suffering look designed to hide the intense attraction she felt for the executive, popping one of the treats into her mouth.
Nanoha attempted to look hurt, but she was unable to hold it for long, bursting into a fit of giggles and soon, both women were drying tears of laughter.
"Here…" Leaning close to see better in the dimmed lights of the pool's deck, Fate took up a napkin to wipe away the last bits of tiramisu from Nanoha's slightly upturned nose. It was perfectly proportional to the rest of the Japanese woman's face and Fate couldn't help but admire the noble profile the woman willingly presented to her. She wondered what she would have done, had Nanoha been one of the many suitors her mother had presented to her all those years ago.
There was a pensive cast to the blonde's classic features, the angel's eyes distant even while she helped clean Nanoha's face. Pink lips glistened too close to her own, and Nanoha drew back a little, saying, "Penny."
Eyes focusing back to the present, Fate met Nanoha's enquiring azure with wistful crimson and gave a small shake of her head, golden tendrils brushing the peach down of her face, "Just wondering how you could possibly be single." Picking up her dessert fork, she poked awkwardly at a tiny cake adorned with cream and a strawberry that dwarfed the confectionery. "You must have suitors other than… than that woman, lined around your condominium. I don't want to be monopolising your time." She frowned at the inoffensive little cake, as if it were the source of all her ire. The thought of some other 'Ginga' pawing at the auburn-haired beauty made her want to throw up.
A soft laugh pulled her frowning gaze back to Nanoha. "No one wants to deal with the White Devil," the executive explained with deprecating ease. Sighing, she threw her head back, casting her eyes up to mutely twinkling stars, "I was thinking of just owning it and finding something like that for Halloween. I mean, what the hell, right? It's not like I have anything to lose." Alto a resigned drawl, she peered good-naturedly at the woman next to her.
Fate could tell there was a deeply hidden sense of defeat under the executive's joke, and her lips thinned, "N-Nanoha-chan, if you're the White D-Devil, then what does that make me? The Black Demon?"
Her body shook in a silent laugh and Nanoha straightened from her slouch. Fate could feel the other woman's eyes trailing over her person from head to toe, and she fought back the urge to shiver under Nanoha's warm regard. "Mmm, no. An angel. My guardian angel, who likes to wear black."
Feeling a wellspring of boldness grab her, Fate's head tilted, neck arched imperiously, "Challenge accepted."
Fancying this could be the best company bash she'd ever had the displeasure of attending, Nanoha clinked confectioneries with Fate, azure gaze sparkling in amusement and anticipation, "You're on, Wench."
----------------------------------------
Fate had used the excuse of Nanoha dropping her off to steal another full body hug from the woman. Again, her cheek tingled from the caress of a calloused hand as the executive bid her goodnight. 'Saturday is going to be a long, long day,' she sighed, thinking to herself.
Nanoha trudged her way into her condominium. Her car felt bereft of life after she had dropped Fate off at her place.
Brushing her now-dried hair, Nanoha padded around the interior, setting her various electronic devices to charge. Glancing from bed to sofa, she set her brush down and laid down on the sofa, arms wrapping around the cushion the blonde had used for a pillow. Inhaling the soft hint of lilac and rose that was Fate's distinct scent, she drifted off to sleep, dreaming dreams of a darkly angelic being chasing away nightmares of years past.