Eugene and Michelle with just a little hint of Capell and Aya. Last matchmaking story I promise!

Matchmaking on the Beach IV

Eugene sat on the beach, watching the moon's reflection on the dark water. When Capell had mentioned yet another matchmaking attempt for Michelle, with one of the locals of Zala, Eugene had declined the invitation to join him and watch. He had had his fill of watching Capell's failed attempts to pair Michelle off with everyone he could find. So he had sought the solitude of the beach that night.

"Oh… Sorry, I didn't realise anybody was here."

Eugene looked up, and did his best not to winch when he saw it was Michelle herself. She sat next to him, and Eugene braced himself for the rattle of conversation that always followed her. But to his surprise she was quiet. He glanced at her to find her head tipped back, watching the moon.

He couldn't exactly say she wasn't beautiful, because that would be a terrible lie, but then he had never thought she was not beautiful, just annoying.

"You know." she said softly, and he had to strain to hear her. "Even though it happened five years ago, I still find I hate the moon."

Eugene frowned at her. "Hate it?" he asked.

Michelle nodded, her eyes never leaving the moon. "It's beautiful, and I know it's impossible to hate an inanimate object so much. But it took Sigmund away." she laughed a little, and it seemed to Eugene that she was holding back tears. "It's silly I know, but I sometimes think that the moon knew Veros was going to be defeated by us, and she laid claim to Sigmund to be her new lover." She looked down and glanced at Eugene. "Silly. To be jealous of the moon."

Eugene was silent, not knowing what to say, or how to comfort her. After a long strained silence he said. "It's not silly. Not silly at all." he shrugged when she looked at him. "You loved him." he said simply.

Michelle offered him a watery smile and returned her gaze to the moon. "Do you suppose he's up there watching over us?" she asked.

"I don't know. Watching over you maybe." Eugene answered, following her gaze.

They sat in silence after that, and when Michelle's head came to rest on his shoulder he did not feel the normal rush of annoyance. Some hours later Eugene quietly picked up the sleeping Michelle and carried her back to the inn.

Capell turned back from the window he had been glued to for the past few hours and smiled at Aya, who rolled her eyes at him. "What is it this time?" she asked him.

"Eugene just carried Michelle back, she must of fallen asleep on the beach." he told her.

"I though the whole point of your 'matchmaking' was to get Michelle away from Eugene? Why are you so happy about this?" Aya queried.

Capell shook his head and climbed into bed beside her, smiling. "Eugene thought that was the reason, but no matter what he says he does like Michelle, a lot. He got really jealous when Kiriya kissed her, even if he won't admit it. So the whole plan was to get Eugene to start seeing Michelle in another light. I think it might have worked." he looked unreasonably pleased with himself.

Aya chuckled a little. "Well lets see what he thinks of that in the morning shall we?"

Yes… Eugene and Michelle, I always thought they would have been perfect together. And Capell is cute when he's trying to be smug. Lol. Hope you enjoyed.