Hagaren belongs to someone who is Not Me, and they wouldn't sell it. ;o;

Author's Note: Curse her and her two tablespoons of honey. I am addicted to lemon tea.

Wrote this while waiting for clothes to dry. (22 minutes.) A mini-challenge to myself I suppose. I really suck at vignettes. ;

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Consent

By Shimegami-chan

w w w . shimegami . com / ichijouji

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I had come to the conclusion that life in Central City was far too hectic for my taste.

Crime was high and morale was low at HQ more often than not, especially with all the recent panic about those immortal guys. It got to the point where Riza wouldn't even allow me to go outside at night for fear of something happening to me when she wasn't watching. Obviously, I could take care of myself, but the goings-on dampened even my usually high spirits.

Plenty of interesting things had been happening inside as well. Lots of men had been flirting with my Riza since she came to Central, and I didn't like it one bit. She was given anonymous love letters, flowers were often left on her desk, and even the subordinates were noticing. Not that I was completely opposed to her having a boyfriend, just, she couldn't have one without my approval, that was for sure. I began to wonder if I shouldn't keep a closer eye on her to make sure none of those guys tried to make a move.

I wanted my Riza-sama to be happy, sure. But wasn't she okay now, here with me and everyone else, doing her job? She had always told me how happy she was to be protecting that "special person", though I never quite figured out who she meant. She didn't seem to want to say, and I knew how to be aloof. Though, I was starting to get the impression that it might be "that guy."

Did I want him to take away my dearest friend? Certainly not. He had yet to prove his mettle to me. (And I assure you, without passing my test, he would never get any closer to Riza-sama than he was now!) Still I wondered if I shouldn't give him a chance, especially when the flowers started appearing on her desk. She liked flowers, though she would rarely admit that to anyone. Just a single daffodil lifted her spirits immensely. I often brought her daffodils, and though she looked at me with a stern face, she ended up smiling. I wonder how he knew...?

I was alone in the office when he came in, bearing today's gift, his expression masked with nonchalance. He had the keys, of course, and let himself in very quietly. I was surprised--he must have known that she was leaving, else he would not risk such a mission. (Professionalism is very important to her, and he knows it.) He entered without noticing me and laid the flower on her desk, turning to leave again before spotting me by the door, and our eyes locked. A silent conversation seemed to take place within our heads, his expression inquisitive, mine defensive. You want her? I thought at him. Take her, but if you hurt her, I'll kill you.

Roy stood very still, onyx eyes fixed on mine. Perhaps he had never seen me in such a state, and it shocked him into understanding. A resolved smile spread across his face. "Hello, Hayate. I'll be going now."

I knew he understood.