Author: Merula
Pairings: 5xR
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Angst
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing is not mine.
A drabble I wrote a bit ago for someone and stretched out a bit for today! Wufei/ Relena
Don't Cry For Me
Wufei paused in the doorway. His wife was at her desk, a sheaf of note cards in front of her, her lips moving silently as she practiced her speech. It was something that he had seen her do numerous times- but this time... this time was the last.
Silently, he moved to stand beside her, to tuck an escaped strand of blond hair up behind her ear. She looked up and smiled at him, shuffling the note cards into a neat stack.
"Are you really up for this?" It wasn't the first time he'd asked her the question.
"I am, don't worry." Relena smiled up at her husband.
He sighed, his black eyes narrowing slightly. "You know it's impossible for me not to worry. The doctors said-"
"I know what they said. I'm fine. It's just one last speech- one more reminder before I can't remind them anymore-" She saw the pain that flashed over his face and reached up to cup his cheek in her hand. "Don't love. Don't. You know the doctors say I might do well with the new treatment."
He kissed her wrist. "Then don't say-"
"Even if I do well, I'm retiring. It's time." She smiled and tapped his cheek. "Come with me?"
He offered her his hand and helped her up out of the chair. "I wouldn't let you go alone."
Only a blind man would've missed the speculative and worried look his wife gave him at that comment. "Wufei-" she started and he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm.
"We have to go. You'll be late- and you always said you hated being late."
Her lips thinned and he knew that she'd try to corner him about it later. As he opened the door, he felt the tightening in the woman beside him, the way she pulled herself up, unwilling even now to show the slightest sign of weakness.
They walked down the hallway, Relena nodding and smiling at the people they passed. She wouldn't stop, not now, not on her way to give the speech, but he'd have to watch her after, make sure she didn't tire herself.
Another set of doors, and her hand left his arm as she went forward to the podium.
He didn't listen to the speech. He'd heard it already, so many times. Instead, he watched his wife, watched the way she turned her head, watched as that one strand of hair slid free again, stored up the sight of her now, at this moment.
"She's doing very well," a familiar voice murmured beside him and he turned his head just enough to catch Quatre's eye.
"Of course she is," he murmured back and saw the corner of Quatre's mouth twitch.
"And you?"
It was a private question in a public place, and Wufei knew why Quatre had asked it here.
He kept his eyes on his wife, saw how her fingers were white-knuckled, gripping the podium, saw how she swayed slightly on her feet.
Wufei knew better than to move forward and offer his support now, as much as he wanted to- he knew what this meant to her.
"Not as well." He admitted. Relena finished her speech and the room rang with applause. "But she has always been the stronger of us two."
Before Quatre could reply, he stepped forward, his hand reaching out to encircle Relena's shoulders. It looked like a congratulatory hug, hiding the way she leaned into him, needing his support.
"How was I?" She asked, eyes sparkling despite the faint smudge of shadow he saw beneath them.
"As you always are- wonderful."
They moved slowly, hampered by well wishers, and it was with relief that Wufei finally ushered her out of the building and into their waiting car.
Relena leaned back her seat, half-closing her eyes as he slipped into the driver's seat.
"I'm resting," she said, her lips curving, and Wufei couldn't help but smile back.
"Get used to it," he advised. "The doctors said it would help, and I fully intend to make sure you do."
Her eyes closed all the way, her breathing falling into an even pattern, and he hoped that she'd fallen asleep- even as the suddenness of it worried him. Touching her wrist, he assured himself that her pulse beat steady and strong against his fingertips.
"I will get better," she said softly, her fingers intertwining with his. "I will."
"I know it," he squeezed her hand and hoped it was the truth.
OWARI
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