By: Hoax Sapphire

The air was brisk, as she watched the steam rise off the hood of her car. “I wonder if he’s even home?” Noin asked herself, clenching the heavily adorned gift in her lap. She turned off the car, silencing the motor and began making her way to the door. The air was icy cold, and bitter, snowflakes fell over her as she gently knocked.

“Zechs?' She said quietly, concealing the gift behind her. She waited, “I guess your not home,” Noin said as she stepped off the front porch and began walking back to her car.

“Noin?” A familiar voice said from behind her. Noin turned to see Zechs standing at the door. “Leaving so soon?”

She felt her ice-cold face heat up; her cheeks rosy from the sudden blush that consumed her face.

He stepped of the porch and ran to her, “Come on in, it cold,” He led her into the house. The warm air felt wonderful against her cold skin, the smell of burning wood engulfed her senses. Soft whispers of the radio played in the distance.

“Hand me you coat,” Zechs said as Noin took it off and handed it to him. Just then Zechs noticed the gift. He smiled. “What is that?”

“Oh, this?” Noin said, realizing she was still holding the present in her hands. She blushed again. “I was out shopping with Relena and I thought you might…?”

“It’s for me?” Zechs said.

“Yes,” She handed it to him. He took it admiring the finally chosen wrapping paper and the loosely tied ribbons.

“The gifts inside!” Noin joked as she sat down on the couch.

Zechs smiled as he sat down next to her. He’s hands eagerly tore open the paper, revealing the dark cherry wood box, in the center a marble square, and a gold latch at the side.

“A chess board…” Zechs said running his fingers across the glossy, wood finish.

Noin smiled, “I remembered how the last time we played you said you’d lost a few of your pieces,” She paused for a moment staring over had him, his eyes still fixated on his gift. “And I new that you had been meaning to by a new set,” Zechs turned to her, a warm smile on his face.

“Thank you, Noin,” He said as he took her hand. Just then Zechs realized Noin wasn’t in her usual clothing, she wore a knee length black skirt, and a white buttoned down blouse, the top two buttons open revealing her delicate neckline. Her soft hands felt warm between his palms.

“This is Unchanged Melody By the Righteous Brothers…” The radio DJ said, as a soft tune filled the room.

Noin listened, those words filling her mind as she stared into the eyes of the man she loved.

She turned from him, and stared at the roaring fire, “What am I doing?” She said to herself. The fire burned bright, the sound lightly crackling in the distance, and Zechs watched as its colorful red and yellow beams danced in her eyes.

“Noin,” Zechs said clenching her hand, and pulling her toward him. They stared at each other for a moment, lost in one another.

“Zechs…I…” Noin whispered.

Zechs pressed his fingers to her lips, smiling kindly. “Will you dance with me?”

Without and answer he took her in his arms, slowly they danced, his fingers slipping between hers and he drew her closer to him. Her sweet smelling perfume consumed his senesces, and the music echoed around them. His hand gently pressed against her back, as Noin rested her face on his chest.

Both of them, held this moment, this moment in which they had both lost and found one another. Zechs rain his hand across her cheek, slipping his fingers through her silky dark hair. Noin closed her eyes, nudging her face into his palm.

Zechs slowly bent his face toward hers; he stared at her lips, how long he waited to kiss them. He looked up toward her eyes, they were glassed over, and tears had begun to form within them. And as the first tear rolled down Noin’s face he kissed her. He held her delicate face within his palms, pressing his lips against her, his final, sweet surrender to the woman he had loved all his life.

Noin felt his lips, tasting the salty tears that now formed in both there eyes. She wrapped her arms around him, his long, thick hair tangling between her loving fingers. In between his kisses Noin whispered her love for him. And finally, Zechs said those words she longed to hear. “I love you…”