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Fox walked down the halls of the senate with a heavy heart. He didn’t want to face the conversation he was about to have; he knew it would hurt. But he needed to put on a brave face and do it anyways; it was for the good of everything around him. He walked with his hands clasped behind his back, putting out an aura of menace and security.
He stopped in front of an office door and sighed before knocking. It only took a few seconds for the door to open to reveal her, the most beautiful person he's ever met. Riyo Chuchi's eyes lit up the moment they landed on him. Fox's heart hurt, knowing that she soon wouldn't be smiling.
"Fox! I wasn't expecting you." Riyo stepped to the side, allowing Fox to enter.
Hesitating for a second, Fox entered the office, allowing the door to close behind him. Riyo walked away from the door and over to her pot of caff. She grabbed two mugs, a sign of routine. How often had he just stopped by for some good caff and her company? Fox couldn’t take that mug today, so instead, he stayed at attention in front of the door. When Riyo finished pouring the drinks, she turned around, Fox cringing at the shock on her face.
“Fox? Why are you standing at attention?” Riyo set the mugs on her desk and frowned, “Did something happen? Come on, come here.”
“Riyo… no. Senator.” Fox spoke with confidence he didn’t have, wishing he didn’t have to see the confusion and worry on Riyo, no, Senator Chuchi’s face.
Riyo walked up to Fox, her hands brushing against his elbow. “Fox? Why are you calling me Senator?”
“Senator, our relationship is illegal and unprofessional.” Fox looked down at Riyo, his voice struggling to escape his throat. “We have to stop seeing each other outside a professional setting.”
“Fox,” Riyo nearly snapped, her tone growing stern, “What is going on with you? Why are you saying this? We both agreed that we didn’t care about the legality of our relationship.”
Fox knew she would say that, and she wasn’t wrong. He once believed that if they kept their relationship a secret, then screw the rules. They could love. But now, all Fox could hear was his voice. To an outsider, it would’ve sounded like a gentle reminder of one's status; to Fox, it sounded like a threat.
"The clones belong to the Republic Commander; charge everyone who damages you or your troopers with property damage."
That sickly sweet voice was laced with evil and mal-intent. Fox knew right then that he knew, he knew of Riyo's sweet whispers and kind heart. He knew of Fox's distraction. It was a threat, a threat to remind Fox of just who he belonged to. Fox had to break it off with Riyo before she got hurt. Before he got decommissioned, leaving his men behind.
"I-" Fox paused; he didn't want to do this. "We can't continue this. I'm breaking up with you. It's illegal and irresponsible of us to continue."
Tears gathered in Ryo's eyes, and she angrily wiped them away. "Tell me that to my face."
"I just did."
"No!" Riyo snapped. "Take that stupid helmet off and tell me that you don't love me! Take it off and tell me you don't want to be with me."
Fox froze. If he took his helmet off, Riyo would be able to see his lies. She was always good at reading his facial expressions; she always knew what he was thinking. His mind turned as he tried to think his way out of it. Rules. He had rules to follow.
"Clones aren't permitted to remove their helmets in front of Senators and inside the Senate Dome." Fox recited the rules he knew from memory. The rules he had engraved into every one of his troopers. The rules he found himself breaking often.
Riyo stepped closer, her hands reaching up to grab Fox's helmet. Jerking back, Fox reached for the door panel. If he left, she would just have to bear what he told her. She can't do anything if he leaves. Riyo scowled and grabbed Fox's wrist, and placed it above her heart. His mind stuttered, unsure what to do.
"You feel this, Fox?" Riyo spoke quietly, "I told you, I promised you, that I would love you till the day my heart stopped beating. I meant it. So take your helmet off and face me."
Stubborn. Fox always liked that about Riyo, she was stubborn to a fault. He slowly gripped the edge of his helmet, the seal breaking as he lifted it off his head. Riyo's breath hitched, undoubtedly seeing the pain lacing Fox's eyes.
"I knew you didn't want to do this." She whispered, caressing Fox's check.
Fox shook his head and stepped away from Ri-Senator Chuchi. “What I want doesn’t matter.”
“What are you saying?” Senator Chuchi moved to follow Fox, but he stopped her. “What you want does matter.”
“I’m sorry, but we can’t see each other anymore. This is it.” Fox looked away as a tear rolled down the Senator’s cheek. “I have to go. There are things to be done.”
“No, Fox!” Riyo, no, Senator Chuchi grabbed his arm and held it tightly. “Please. I’ll do everything I can; I’ll free you and your brothers. I’ll fight to show the galaxy of your sentience. Just don’t leave me.”
“I have to.” Fox slid his helmet back on and opened the door, effectively keeping the Senator from saying anything else that could hurt her.
Tears were freely cascading down the senator's cheeks, and Fox felt his heart crack further. He caused that. He hurt her. Turning around, Fox walked out of the room, allowing the door to close behind him. Just another separation between the two. A reminder, a barrier of Senator and Clone.
Fox walked down the hall with his head held high and in perfect posture. No one could know about the tears that escaped his eyes. No one could know about his weakness. He had to stay strong; Riyo was safe from him now. All he could do was march on, and maybe one day, Fox would see the end of the war. Maybe then he could celebrate with her, but for now, he walked out of the senate dome, leaving behind two broken souls.