Conversations and Expectations: One shot, X*Zero fic

[Aria]

“Shit,” Zero sighed, leaning back in his chair and idly twirling a pen. “Why, Vishnu? Why did you have to die?” If anyone in HQ had heard Zero’s lament, they would have been stunned. It was well known that the deceased Hunter and Zero hadn’t been friends. In fact, they’d barely gotten along on any level.

But seeing the paperwork, and reflecting on the weeks events, they might have understood. Vishnu had been the best rookie trainer in the HQ. If Zero’d had his way, he would have been doing that every day of his life, since teaching skills didn’t necessarily translate into outstanding combat skills. Vishnu had been okay, but… when the unit had been called out last time, he’d taken a plasma bolt to the head. That had taken out the best rookie teacher besides… Zero.

Teaching rookies was a duty Zero hated, although he had a record of bringing them up to specs faster than almost anyone. So with admirable logic and a fine disregard for Zero’s feelings, Sigma had put Zero in charge of the current rookie class. It was enough to strain the brain.

Part of what Zero hated was that he had to be so sensitive. Not all the time, oh no, sometimes what a rookie needed was a good kick in the pants. But when you had some poor kid suffering through homesickness, a boot just made things worse. Or a “dear Jane” or “dear John” letter… now those required sensitivity, to make sure the rookie recovered well and didn’t commit passive suicide in the field. Some problems he could fob off on Dominick, the HQ Chaplain. But he was busy just with the Hunters, so Zero usually had to handle the recruits’ problems himself. Vishnu had actually liked this sort of thing, and Zero desperately wished the bastard hadn’t been so inconsiderate, dying in battle like that.

Zero sighed, and finally shoved himself up from his desk, stepping out into the hallway. The paperwork wasn’t done, but he was damned if he was going to sign his life away. He’d get back to it later. Now, there were better things to do, like go to his room, eat a quiet meal and read a book for an hour or two. The rookies had the day off, and everything was quiet, so besides paperwork his schedule was pretty flexible. It was time for some relaxation, before he tackled the papers again. Everything would be just fine unless-

“Um… Commander? I was wondering if I could talk to you?” The tentative voice came from somewhere behind him, shoulder height. Zero was tempted not to turn around and just snap No! but… if this was actually something important…

“Yeah, sure.” Zero turned around to see a very familiar blue rookie standing in front of him, fidgeting. “Oh, hey X. What’s up?” Zero’s mood improved slightly. Of all the current crop of rookies, he liked X best. At least he wasn’t a snot nosed brat like most of them… he was older than Zero, in fact. Although younger in terms of experience. He’d led a pretty sheltered life, in Cain’s lab.

“Uh… nothing… could we talk in private?” X said with a blush. Zero almost sighed, wondering exactly what was wrong… from how embarrassed X seemed, it was probably personal. Was he suffering his first crush? But somehow, that didn’t seem like X… he was pretty self-contained, especially with the other rookies.

“Sure, why not?” Zero said agreeably. He could probably eat while X was getting whatever was on his mind off it. “C’mon.” He led X to his room, popping a pizza in the microwave as the blue rookie sat gingerly on the couch. Zero walked over and sat down beside him. “So, what’s on your mind?”

“Well, I…” X fidgeted, indecision on his face. Zero leaned forward slightly, speaking coaxingly.

“Believe me, X, whatever it is I’ve heard worse.” That surprised a giggle from X. “So just spill, okay?”

”Zero, I…” X took a deep breath… then leaned forward and planted a kiss straight on Zero’s lips.

Oh… crap. Zero was completely immobile, not responding to the kiss… which was really a very clumsy kiss, X didn’t know how to do this. That was the LAST thing he’d expected from X! Not that it came as a total shock, in a general sort of way. It wasn’t the first time a rookie had decided he or she was in love with him. But X?

X drew away, blushing and looking into Zero’s face… then winced, looking away as he registered the blank surprise on his Commander’s face. “I… maybe I should go…” X started to get up, but was halted by Zero’s hand on his arm.

“X, no… sit down, please.” X looked very apprehensive, but slowly sat down. Zero was looking very serious… but then he smiled. “I’m not going to bite your head off. So calm down, okay?” X relaxed a little. “I think we need to have a long talk.” Zero paused, regarding X for a moment. The little rookie was actually quite attractive, in a muncheable way. What Drake would have called a sweet muffin. Zero actually did find him attractive, which was unusual for a rookie… most of them reminded him of little puppies, and he didn’t find that kind of innocence attractive at all. X was innocent, too, but it was a part of his personality, not the product of inexperience.

“Zero?” X said when the pause went on a bit too long, and Zero shook his head, pulling himself out of daydreams.

“Sorry, X. Look, there are three reasons we shouldn’t kiss, or anything else. The first is that it’s just against regulations.” X looked puzzled at that. The Hunters were notorious for having lax regulations, compared to other military organizations. “Hunters are prohibited from dating or having sex with rookies. Sorry, X, but that’s an important rule and right now I’m in charge of you guys. Any relationship would be totally unacceptable.”

”Oh.” X looked disappointed, but a trifle relieved… that at least wasn’t a personal refusal. “I thought most Hunters just didn’t… uh…”

”Didn’t want to?” Zero supplied with a wry smile. “Most don’t. It’s too much like cradle robbing, but there’s always someone who likes that sort of thing. That’s why we have the rule.” Zero patted X on the knee, then kept explaining. “Second, X, we’ve only known each other three months, and most of that time I’ve been yelling at you. Contrary to rumors, I do want to know who I’m sleeping with.” X blushed at that. “And third… we are both guys.”

”Uh…” X looked very puzzled at that. It was common knowledge that Zero had had at least one affair with… “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up…” X blinked as Zero snorted, waving away the display of sympathy.

”You think I’m still remembering Drake? That was a long time ago, X. He was okay and we got along great, but frankly, if he hadn’t gotten killed we would probably have broken up anyway.” Zero sighed. “Not to say I don’t miss him, but it was a long time ago. That’s not it.” X was looking puzzled again, and Zero expanded on the problem. “You’re going to be with the rookies for another three months, X, at least. Most of these kids are a year or two old and they still have the attitudes they were programmed with. I bet you at least a quarter of them, maybe closer to half, think homosexuality’s wrong.”

”What?!?” X exclaimed. “That’s not right!” Zero hid a grin. He always liked seeing how X got when his principles were offended. Most of the time, he was a bit like a cuddly bunny, but when something was going against his morals the fangs came out. It was like seeing a bunny abruptly turn into a saber-tooth tiger. “People don’t ask to be born or made that way!”

”Yeah, I know, and most of the Hunters are down with it,” Zero diverted X’s anger smoothly. “But that’s just how kids are. Give them a while and they’ll get over it, but not yet. So… you might want to think hard about it, okay? If you like girls at all, you have a choice to make. And one of the choices is easier than the other two.” X looked mutinous, and Zero shook his head. “It’s just a fact, X.”

”It doesn’t matter,” X said flatly, with conviction. “I feel that way about you.” Zero lifted an eyebrow at the blue rookie, making him blush.

“Well, that’s very flattering X,” He said with a grin, making X blush even more. “And I do appreciate it. I think you’re cute, too, by the way. But wait at least three months, okay? Nothing can happen until then.”

”Yes, sir!” X said cheerfully, smiling. Zero hadn’t rejected him, he’d only laid down a few ground rules… and he’d pretty much admitted he liked X too. It was almost perfect, from his perspective. “Well, sir, I’ll let you eat… see you at practice!”

”Sure, see ya.” Zero watched X walk out, practically floating. Then he sighed softly to himself. “He’s such a cute kid. Ah, Drake… you would have liked him.”

Fin
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That which does not kill me... shall be the basis for my revenge.

[Kitty-Chan]

Yay! I love Zero & X as a couple; it is my personal belief that they are simply Meant To Be. Are you going to make a sequel or incorporate this pairing into your other works? Please do.
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Need more Zero/X, Netto/Rock, Rock/Netto, Forte/Netto, & Blues/Netto. PLEASE!
Ano sa...could someone please make me a Zero/X, Blues/Netto, or Forte/Netto avatar/banner? I would greatly appreciate it...
Thanks for the avatar, Mandi!
People! We need more Blues/Netto & Forte/Netto on the net. Come on; help me out here! *gives everyone her Super-Adorable Irrisistable Sad Kitty Eyes(TM)*

[sugoi sukafu]

*Giggles* Ah, it's just too easy and too much fun to pair these two. And it really works when the story is so well written yet doesn't get too R-rated. I'm sure a few of us have stumbled across those type of fanfic *Oi!* Anyways, I love the way you write your fics; they just flow incredibly well. The explinations when you make additions/alterations to the standard story/cast are very believable, such as the names mentioned in this one. It makes you realize that the universe does not revolve around X and Zero. Keep it up! :]
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Fear the scarf! It's a mite peckish at the moment...

[Aria]

Hm... I was planning on a one-shot, but maybe I could make a sequel about everything that happens in X1. XD Or just Zero's death. Heh! I'll have to think about that.
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That which does not kill me... shall be the basis for my revenge.