Obstacles of Love

Chapter 2

6:15pm.

“Zero hurry up, I have to get ready too you know!!”

“For fuck sakes X wait a few more minutes!!”

X played with his hair in the mirror while waiting for Zero to finish combing his hair in the bathroom. A long ordeal indeed he thought as he eyed his slim yet muscular figure.

“*Sigh* everything I own makes me look fat!” X mumbled to himself “I need to lose some weight.”

He stared at himself in the mirror again, this time mustering a smile as he thought about how Zero would respond to his self-criticism. Probably the way he always does when I put myself down he thought, but just incase…

“Hey Zero!”

“I’m almost done I swear!”

“No… Damn I’m so fucking fat and everything shows it! Don’t you think so?”

“You’re full of shit X!”

X laughed. Zero always knew what to say to make him feel better. He had that way about him; that mysterious charm.

X was the only one at H.Q. who could decode Zeros hard, quiet exterior. He always knew what Zero was feeling even though he never showed it. He had a way of expressing his emotions without mere words or actions. Thinking of him in that way made X realize that Zero was one of the most emotional people he knew!

Maybe that’s why they were such best friends. They complimented each others flaws. Zero being the rock when X fell victim to his emotions, and X being Zeros emotional interpreter when everyone else didn’t understand him. It was thoughts like that, that made X daydream about what it would be like to be with Zero: to hold his hand, kiss his lips, and feel his body, to be with him physically as well as mentally and spiritually. He wanted that more than anything.

There was only one problem.

X didn’t like the thought of being considered gay. He wasn’t homophobic and he had plenty of friends with varying sexualities, but the thought of him being labeled as gay both by society and his friends made him feel insecure. He was very uncomfortable being seen as an outcast by being in an intimate relationship with another man. That is why he kept his previous same-sex relationships a secret and left as soon as it was starting to become either too lengthy or serious no matter how he felt.

He knew he was bisexual because of his past relationships with girls, and he was happy with them, but none of them compared to Zero. Zero had his heart, but he didn’t know if he had Zeros. That was the one thing he could not read from his friend. Either way X had numbed himself into contentment with just being Zeros friend if nothing were to ever happen. He knew when to count his blessings and he was glad to have Zero in his life at all.

Regardless of his feelings X knew that he had to overcome his fear of being considered gay first in order to express his true emotions toward Zero. He had too or else his friend would become swept up in his conflict and X did not want to burden him with his sexual insecurities.

“What was I thinking??!” X muttered through gritted teeth as he clenched his right fist. “Almost telling him at the bar! Stupid!” He whispered silently scolding himself.

Suddenly X jumped to a loud slam of the bathroom door. Zero sauntered out with a big smirk on his face.

“There you go princess!”

“Finally…”

7:00pm.

X and Zero stood outside of the bedroom both dressed to the nines. X wore a black suit with a white dress-shirt and Zero wore beige pants with a blue dress-shirt. Both men looked stunning while waiting expectantly for their dates to arrive.

Not long after X and Zero started to wait did Palette and Layer come walking down the hallway. Palette had on a long sleeveless black dress with a slit in the leg along with black high-heels. Her curly waved hair flowed down past her shoulders highlighting her diamond necklace and matching earrings. Her pale blue eyes looked cheerfully at X as she walked towards him.

Layer was more of a conservative dresser. She wore a long, sparkly, dark green dress with a silver and pink broach. Her shoes were similar to Palettes and her long purple hair was held up by golden rose shaped clips in a messy ponytail. This style accentuated her dangling earrings and simple chain necklace around her neck. Layers bangs covered her eyes, but her smile gave it away to Zero that she was very nervous.

“Good evening gentlemen!” Palette smiled, her eyes glancing teasingly at Layer.

“H-hello Zero…” Layer said shyly.

“Hello Palette!” X smiled holding out his arm. “Shall we get going now?”

“Why yes we shall.” Palette blushed as she took his Xs arm. He led her outside to his car and before Zero knew it they were gone…

Palette was impressed when she spotted Xs car parked outside. It was a dark green standard car with grey seats. She was no expert on cars, but from what she could tell it was pretty modern. She was curious about the features it carried, but refrained from asking.

X opened the car door and let Palette settle in. When X was in the drivers’ seat he started his car readily.

“Ready to go?” X smiled.
“Ready!” Palette giggled as they drove out of Maverick Hunter Base.

“So, where are we going?”

“Enker Hall on Break Street.”

“I hear that’s a nice place!”

“It seems to be. Our reservations are for 7:30pm.”

An awkward silence began to fill the car. It lasted roughly 10 minutes, but it wasn’t long until Palette broke it.

“I like your car X”

“Thank you.”

“Did you know that owning a green car symbolizes trustworthiness, tradition, and balance in life? Apparently it says a lot about the drivers character”

“No I didn’t. Where did you hear that?”

“I read it somewhere. A book called Sensational Colour I think.”

“Interesting”

“Yeah, I enjoy reading about the deep meanings of things. Books around: philosophy, spirituality, sociology, dream interpretations and name definitions, history, anything complex really, but my favourite reads would have to be mystery novels. Ooooh! I love a good mystery!”

“So do I, maybe I could show you my book collection sometime. I might have something you like.”

“That would be great! Gee, Thanks!”

“We’re here and right on time!” X tapped his watch, parked, and exited the car. He helped Palette out of the car and they entered Enker Hall.

Inside was a large building, brightly lit with incredibly tall ceilings. A man in a grey suit came to greet them at the door and escorted them to their seats. The table was private and mostly secluded from the others. X was relieved that him and Palette could have some alone time with little interruption. After the food and wine were ordered they continued there conversation.

“What movies do you like Palette?”

“Umm… mystery and comedy, but I do enjoy a little romance once and awhile!” she giggled “What about you?”

“I like comedies and mysteries and some horror and suspense too.”

“Neato!” Palette replied while chewing her food “What about music? I love pop and dance! I love electro beats and fast paced dancing! Whee!!”

“It depends on the emotion really. I enjoy hard rock and alternative music the most, but dance is also fun to listen too.” X stated between eating and playing with his food. “But tell me something… umm w-what made you approach me at the bar last night? I-I’m just curious. Uh, I mean… I had been t-thinking about you a lot and it seemed funny that soon after you would come up to me and ask me out on a date. Well… not funny… umm… uh… oh man!” X blushed.

“Well…” Palette giggled and blushed “I don’t really know… I just saw you and Zero sitting there and… umm, I thought why not? I had no idea you had romantic thoughts about me… I’m glad you do because I can’t stop thinking about you… I-I mean… I think you’re cute, I mean! I-I I really like you… I’ll shut up now!” Palette pushed her plate aside.

X smiled his face even more red then before. Clearly the moment had become awkward. Before either one of them could speak the server came to collect their food and bring them the bill. X Thanked the server for a lovely meal and paid the bill promptly.

“Umm, Palette?”

“Yes X?”

X took Palettes hand in his and held it gently “I was wondering if, maybe… you would like to take a walk with me around the grounds here. It’s said to be beautiful this time of night.”

“Ok, let’s go.” Palette accepted with a bright smile.

They exited the front door of the Hall and started walking along the side of the building on a cement pathway towards the back. As they were walking they could see all the twinkling lights from the cars, and street lamps in the distance. As they walked X shyly took Palettes hand in his. Palette reciprocated the gesture immediately giving his hand a little squeeze of approval.

When the two reploids reached the back of the restaurant the sight was certainly something to behold. Since Enker Hall was a large property there was plenty of room for decorative extras. They faced a large fountain surrounded with lights and benches along the outside of it. Beyond the fountain was a large grassy field overlooking a small part of the city, nonetheless the view was spectacular.

“Wow!” Palette exclaimed nearly breathless “This is amazing!”

“Yeah…” X replied in agreement.

X faced palette and wrapped his arms around her. He leaned in slowly until their noses were touching, both eyes locked on one another, until their lips came together in a heart-melting kiss.

Neither one of them spoke for the rest of the night as they let their bodies do the talking under the stars…

Making love until sunrise…

The next morning X lay next to Palette, her arms embracing him as she slept. He sighed squinting at the orange sunrise. He was happy the date went well and that he could make Palette happy, but something deep inside him still felt incomplete. Like there was a void that only a certain someone could fill. He knew who that someone was. Zero.

As X closed his eyes a guilty feeling swept over him as he realized that, despite the fun he had on his date, all he could think about was Zero…