Chapter 1. Doubts Assault

"Nanoha, what are we?"

I could barely mumble these words. It was unbelievable the amount of strength that I had to gather to dare ask that to the girl who had been my life for the last years. I would rather face hundreds of androids than voice my deepest thoughts, but there was no going back now.

… … … … … … … … …

"What do you mean, Fate-chan?" Nanoha answered happily. "Besides Aces of Aces? What kind of question is that? You are an Enforcer, I'm an Instructor. I thought you knew that", she answered rather amused.

Fate barely half-laughed. "You really are that innocent, Nanoha", she thought to herself. Only someone like her could answer that question, associating it to both their jobs. With a sudden impulse of confidence, she turned to see those blue eyes she never got tired of watching, and clearing her voice she said: "I meant about us".

Nanoha set aside the book she was reading. This conversation seemed like serious stuff, she could read that in the eyes of her life-time friend. It was so unnatural of Fate to start such a conversation. It was usually her, Nanoha, the one who brought up the serious matters.

"We are a family", she answered with a wide smile.

Fate smiled, she felt something warm inside her every time she heard that. Nonetheless, lately something bothered her.

"Yes… we are a family, but… what does that mean?" she asked again.

Nanoha blinked twice, while a series of images fast-forwarded in her mind. Nanoha knew what was it like to belong to a family. She had her parents, her siblings. Memories of them at Midori-ya, the family's restaurant, birthday parties shared, and picnics enjoyed, flashed by. They had always supported her, and she knew she could count on them even if they were, literally, living in different worlds. Now, she admired the woman in front of her, whom, along with Vivio, had become her family as well. One formed by her. It was a fact that she had never had to give much thought about since everything had happened so smoothly. It was a good number of years now that they had been living together, in one way or another. The way Fate stepped-in to share parenthood for Vivio had only strengthened that idea of family.

Why was Fate having doubts now?

"Well, it means that we take care of each other, that we build a home for Vivio..."

Nanoha's words were interrupted by a projection of a communication screen that appeared in front of them. Fate was immediately required at her base, since a new lead had been discovered in the case she was following. There was no time to lose.

Visibly annoyed, something so not like her, Fate struggled while putting on her jacket, and tying the laces of her boots at the same time, thinking how untimely of the call.

Nanoha silently watched her, a quiet façade that did not reveal at all the thoughts that raced in her mind. Fate had doubts, it was obvious. Something worried her and, probably for the first time since their lives led the same path, she felt unable to read what those once-sad eyes were trying to tell her.

"Take it easy Fate-chan, we will continue this conversation when you get back."

There was something about that voice that Nanoha knew when to use that could soothe her like nothing else could.

Nanoha went on, "Fate-chan, take care of yourself and don't over do it". It was a reminder she always told, not only Fate, but to her students or truth be told, to anyone she cared about. Although, deep down she knew that every time she told that to someone, it was an opportunity to remind that to herself. She had gotten too close to the limit more than once. In her heart she knew she had, at least, two powerful reasons not risk herself like that ever again.

"Thank you, Nanoha".

Fate hurried out and as she opened the door, she took a moment to turn around. She looked at Nanoha, standing tall and beautiful in front of her, and sheepishly smiled at her. She felt the warmth rising up her cheeks.

Her eyes met and with a steady voice said: "I love you Nanoha", and exited as quickly as she could, carefully closing the door behind her, leaving Nanoha completely flabbergasted.

… … … … … … … … …

Nanoha was still standing in front of the door.

It was certainly not the first time Fate told her that. It had become rather natural for them, due to their closeness. Hugging, fooling around, holding hands, even holding themselves together in their sleep.

This time, however, she felt that she couldn't even move her feet from the ground. The intensity of those burgundy eyes telling her she loved her…what had been different this time?

Author's Note:

All characters belong to its owners. I do not own anything related to Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha, unless you consider a few merchandasing items

OK, that pretty much covers the basics.

This is my first (and probably only) fanfiction. I just finished publishing the complete version in Spanish. English is not my mother tongue (you guys will, most likely, have figured that out already) but since I was very impressed with the positive feedback I got with my little project in Spanish, I thought I'd try to approach a wider audience by translating it. I hope you enjoy it, if you do, please consider reviewing!

Thanks for taking some of your time to read my crazy ideas.