Warning: Alternate Universe. LONG story. Will be either a two or three shot. Ten reviews are require prior to updating of this short story. READ AUTHOR'S NOTE AT END.
Happy Valentines, everyone!
I hope your holiday is going well, and your loved ones are safe beside's you :)
Firstly, for those who know me, I'm sorry for the absent writer I have been.
Secondly, my uncle is in the hospital and might not live through tonight- and it would mean the world to me if you could give a quick prayer for him. Thank you.
Thirdly, I hope you enjoy this rather odd ball story.
Disclaimer; I do not own Gundam Seed.
Cherished~~~
~A Valentines tale to remind us that love isn't about what you can get but what you can give.~
"Would you like me to tell you a story, Darling?"
"Depends, what is the story about? I don't want to hear a tragedy; you know how I hate them. I swear I won't listen if it is. I won't!"
"I promise you it isn't."
"Well then, is it long and boring?"
"It is a little long. But all the best ones are."
"That's what you told me before you fed me the twenty minute long story about the duck at the zoo! That was long and boring..."
"No, I promise you it's a good story!"
"Alright then, what's it about?"
"It's about us and it begins forty years ago when-
The Roses were red
The Violets were blue
Wedding bells rung
On the day I met you.
1990, February 14.
It was safe to say that none who bore witness that day had ever seen a more beautiful bride then that of Lacus Clyne. The snow-white doves cooing in the alcoves and arches, the violin who's bow sang sweetly across the string, the extravagant decorations all glimmering and glossy still dimmed in her presence as she began her last few steps as a single woman to an altar where she would bind her heart to his.
"Fine feathers make a fine bird, or so they say." Lacus's father whispered to his beloved daughter as he led her to be given away. She glanced his way, her blue eyes sparkling through the white veil that covered her face. "But I think it takes a beautiful bird to grow them in the first place." And he gave her shaking hand that was tucked in his a comforting squeeze.
Lacus looked back at the alter that was only a couple slow steps away, her eyes straying across the few that stood around the golden pedestal. On the right side stood her husband-to-be, his eyes shining with adoration and awe, while next to him stood his best friend, smiling encouragingly. On the left stood only the priest in his white robes- an empty space where the maid of honor ought to stand beside him. Lacus's heart stumbled in her chest. I guess her flight didn't make it…
"Daddy." Lacus whispered back, her voice soft so that the audience might not hear over the music. But before she could ask the question that had her heart suddenly aching, the cathedral doors behind her banged open. The audience gasped, the muscians stuttered in their music and Lacus turned, fingers crossing where they clutched a bouquet of roses and violets, and she squinted against the unfiltered sunlight that shone for an instant around a single short figure in a spring green dress, before the doors swung close again. Lacus's heart leapt. "Cagalli!" The tears she had been fighting before sprang free and, gathering up the many folds of her white dress, she ran back the way she came and into the sturdy, warm embrace of her dearest and most faithful friend. "You made it!" She cried into her friend's shoulder, grateful for the strength that seemed to pour from her friend and into her. "You came!"
Loosely, the blonde hugged her back, mindful of her delicate dress and hair. "Of course I came. I wouldn't miss the happiest day of your life for the world!"
Lacus stepped back, her mouth opening to tell her friend how much she had missed her and how happy she was but her father's hearty voice interrupted them.
"Cagalli, as happy as I am you could make it, I notice your timing is…well… as bad as it's always been." He said dryly.
Cagalli's brow furrowed and she peered past her friend at the crowd of gaping faces that were turned towards them. "Oh crap." She muttered, blushing. "I am so sorry, Lacus!"
Lacus shook her head, feeling some of her pinned curls come loose as she did so. "It's fine." She shot her father a stern look. "Daddy, please buy us a few minutes."
"Lacus, it's your wedding!"
"One minute?" she begged. "I'll have years to be married to him and be a proper wife and woman, there's no rush! But I only have right now to remember my childhood with Cagalli. So please, one minute?"
Segal Clyne dragged a hand sheepishly through his hair and sighed. "It's just like when you two were little and you would beg to stay up a little later at sleepovers." He smiled ruefully and winked. "I guess I can buy you one minute, I still have a lot of memories of your childhood days I could share." Chortling, he dodged Lacus's swatting hands and escaped back to the altar.
"Oh you are in for it, Lacus. The geezer still gives as good as he gets." Cagalli teased as she wiped the tears carefully from her friend's face.
"Don't think your childhood is exempt, Cagalli- I'm old but my memory is as good as ever!" Segal Clyne shot back before he cleared his throat and addressed the crowd. "I'm sorry but if you will all give me your attention for just a moment-"
Lacus turned back to face Cagalli, mentally blocking out the rest of the world as she absorbed the fact that her friend was standing there. She hadn't seen Cagalli in two years since Cagalli had joined the air force and while jotted letters and phone conversations were nice, it didn't cover the fond feelings of being with your practical sister.
"Is it just like you imagined when we were little?" Cagalli made a short gesture around the sanctuary.
Lacus shook her head. "No. It's better. Your turn is coming, Cagalli!"
Cagalli grinned. "I dunno, I still think I'll live and die an old maid."
"Only cause you want to." The bride pouted. "'who needs dresses and flowers and weddings anyway?'" she quoted in a childish imitation of a Cagalli from many years ago.
Cagalli laughed. "Do you know much I love you, Lacus?"
"Enough to put on a dress for my wedding?" Lacus guessed.
"Exactly!"
"But you look beautiful!" Lacus murmured, beaming at the sight of the gorgeous blonde.
"No, Lacus, the only one who ought to be called beautiful today is you." Cagalli said back seriously. Then she snickered. "Cause in comparison the rest of us are uuuuu-glay!"
"That's not true!" Lacus glanced around at all those who had come to share her special day, ignoring her father's 'wrap it up' hand signal.
"Hell yeah it is."
"Everyone looks beautiful today." Lacus whispered, her heart catching every time she thought about how in just a few moments…
"You still haven't grown your hair out." she noticed, eyes sweeping the stocky figure of the blonde.
"Well," Cagalli gave her short choppy hair a self-conscious flick, it's not much use in the air force. But I might start growing it out now." Pulling a tissue from out of her purse, Cagalli started carefully fixing up the little make up Lacus wore.
"Why?" Lacus held still as Cagalli's hands tended to her.
"I'm out of the military for good." Cagalli smiled.
Lacus jumped gleefully forward to grab her friends hands. "Yes! I mean, I'm sorry."
Cagalli snickered. "No you're not, but it's alright. It's for the best."
"Why did they let you go so soon?"
Cagalli shrugged. "Long story- I'll fill you in later. It's not for right now." She grinned reassuringly before pulling Lacus closer so that their bangs brushed. "Hey." She whispered conspiringly, as she often did years ago under the blankets late at night before laying out a plan to ambush the unsuspecting fridge. "Are you really gonna marry that dolt? 'Cause ya know, it's never too late to change your mind, I could always stage an intervention and we could sneak out now while no one's paying attention." Cagalli winked. Lacus glanced over her shoulder at her fiancé who was cracking jokes back and forth with her father and the peers, their eyes met and an exultant smile broke out across his face. Her heart sped up in joy.
"Yes I am." She whispered, turning back to face her friend. "I have never been so happy as I am now."
Cagalli spun Lacus around to face the altar. "Then what are you waiting for?" she asked as she stood beside her friend.
"You to go first; you are the maid of honor after all." Lacus smiled at Cagalli's stunned face.
"But I thought that in the possibility I couldn't make it you would choose someone else." She whispered.
"Nope, we promised when we were little those spots were reserved for eachother." Delight spread across Cagalli's face and she bounced forward to kiss Lacus on the cheek.
"Then hurry up and get married, Lacus, cause there's cake waiting with my name on it!" And with a skip she darted down the aisle, ignoring all the disapproving and curious looks that flashed her way as she took her place on the left side of the priest. Segal Clyne patted her shoulder.
"Thank you for coming." He whispered. "Of course." Cagalli murmured as he crossed back down the aisle to retrieve his daughter.
The musicians were cued, the music played, the audience settled and the wedding resumed.
"Sweet baby Jesus- could you have made any louder of an entrance?!" breathed the groom. Cagalli frowned glaring at him.
"The side door was locked… and so were the windows." She muttered back, ignoring the uncomfortable fidgets the priest made between them.
"Oh my God, I hope this isn't an omen."
"Sh! She's almost here!"
There was a pause and then-
"Sis,"
"Yeah, baby-brother?"
The groom rolled his eyes and smiled one last time at the maid of honor, brown eyes shining in happiness as he turned then to receive his bride-to-be. "Thanks for coming."
Cagalli felt tears build as she clutched the bouquet Lacus handed her to hold, battle- scarred hands trembling as her heart seemed to brim over. "Of course. Anything for you two." She mumbled with a hoarse voice though no one heard as the priest began the vows.
The wedding bells rang out in what seemed a triumphant joyful manner over the little beach side village as Lacus Clyne and Kira Hibiki exchanged vows and rings and a bestfriend and sister came home that day.
And as the two newly weds fled the chapel to their awaiting horse-pulled carriage that would bring them to the reception hall, Cagalli let out a sigh, watching from the steps leading up to the church.
"Tired?" cool shade enveloped her as a parasol extended over her head.
"Hm?" she glanced over her shoulder at Segal Clyne. "No." she rubbed at her arms and smiled reminiscently. "Just feeling a little left behind."
"You always said when you were younger you didn't care to be married?" He raised a brow.
"And I still don't." Cagalli shrugged. "It's just… I dunno. I'm nineteen, I have traveled far and wide in the military- done a lot of things…seen a lot of things…" she gazed wearily at her hands, still able to see the blood that once stained the cream-white callused skin. "I feel so old…and yet so young. So lost. When I left Kira was chasing after some bimbo and Lacus was recording albums and now they are all grown up. Two years I was gone and all this happened and I missed it all! Where did all the time go?"
Feeling like a father to Cagalli, the senator turned Cagalli to face him, staring serenely into her distraught amber eyes. "You joined the military as girl, not quite ready for what you were going into and now you've come home a young woman who still hasn't found level ground." He stroked the tear away that ran down her cheek. "You're home Cagalli. And you have your whole life ahead of you to catch up with Lacus. So go live and love because you have all the time in the world to relearn what you forgot."
At the reception.
When a Clyne held a party- they really held one.
Well, it's good to know this side of Lacus hasn't changed. Cagalli thought dryly as looked out over the dock where the reception was being held. A magnificent building, mostly made of glass and built out on the dock on the beach, looked just like a fairy tale castle, filled with crystal chandeliers, muscians and food. Sunlight streamed in different colors through the painted windows and skylights and the music played within was rich and enchanting.
Tables with white clothes had been set and plates heaped with steaming food, and glasses filled with wine were carried about by the staff.
Taking a seat at the bride's table, Cagalli felt just as lost as she did when she had watched her friend run back down the aisle with her twin. Sure she called out and greeted old friends, picked up conversations with strangers and filled all the gaps of silence with friendly chatter. Yet, for the life of her, she couldn't fill the gap within herself.
Miriallia, a professional journalist now, was engaged too, to Dearka Elseman of all people! It was unthinkable!
Yzak, hot tempered Yzak who had made Cagalli's middle school life mizerable, was now dancing with his calm and quiet girlfriend, a brunette who's name Cagalli hadn't quite yet caught.
Nicole had become a master pianist, famous through out the country- and even now, as a gift to Lacus, he played his piano amongst the musicans, gracing the room with his originial and beautiful master pieces.
All the old faces from her life before the military had grown, their eyes become older and lighter, their voices full of a more mature sound and it was
just not damn fair!
Cagalli sighed and squished the bridge of her nose between her fingers, trying to ignore the absolute adorableness that was her brother and best friend on her left side.
Dinner seemed to last forever, through which Cagalli's mood soared and plummetted, like an ocean wave rising up to the heavens with a roar only to tumble down and burst into little salty tears.
Eventually the dancing came, and Cagalli sighed in relief, knowing that it was finally coming to a close and she needn't pretend to be eating anymore to avoid awkward conversations. She leaned back in her comfy seat to watch with great pride and love as her brother, - she could remember when he was just a scruffy kid, knees always scraped and hair sticking up on every end- took Lacus in his arms- Lacus, dear Lacus, had always been sweet to the core even when she was little and would tag along after Cagalli, never quite able to keep up- and the lights dimmed, the spotlight shined, and the music began.
One could almost say it was like watching a movie. A fairy tale and it was drawing to it's happily ever after close. The couple swaying as they stared into eachother's eyes, never happier then they were now, the audience entranced with the symbol of love that the newly married were. It was perfect, perfect for Lacus and Kira.
And Cagalli couldn't be happier for them.
Except that like a movie, you can only watch, and no matter how much you may long to join in, you are separated by a cold glass. Unbreakable and unyielding.
The first dance drew to a close and other couples came out onto the dance floor, leaving the tables empty as everyone stood and laughed and danced. It was a picture perfect sight.
Catching a meaningful glance from Segal Clyne, as he danced with Lacus, Cagalli stood with a sigh. "I need a drink. Thank God for open bar!" she made her way through the people, to the rather empty bar- it wouldn't be empty for long as the night went on- and she slid onto an empty bar stool. She kicked her heels off and let her feet dangle a few inches above the smooth wooden floor.
"Martini." she requested before gratefully accepting the cool glass that was slid into her hands by the bustling barista. After plucking out the olive, she sucked on the tiny straw that was in it, absentmindedly chewing it as she examined the few thin, nearly invisible silver battle scars that striped her arms here and there. I'm an albino zebra. she decided with a snort which caused her to inhale her drink and half her straw.
"Attractive." a masculine voice warmed her ear as a large hand gently thumped her on her back.
Spitting out the straw in a coughing bout, Cagalli blushed beet red as the stool on the left of hers was taken. "It's all natural." the sarcasm was barely heard in her mutter as it was directed to the bottom of her glass.
"You make a habit of choking on straws?" the voice was deep, amused and inviting, and unable to help herself, Cagalli glanced up slowly, starting with his leather black shoes and slowly inching up his tailored tuxedo.
Please don't be some rich, spoiled, snooty brat. Please don't be some rich, spoiled, snooty brat. Please, please don't be -so dang good looking!
She blushed, looking back down again- trying ignore the smirk that was spreading across his handsome face.
"See something you like?"
Why are all the cute ones annoying? A small voice in Cagalli's mind huffed and she rolled her eyes, deciding then and there that whoever the attractive git with midnight hair and entrancing green eyes was she didn't care. "Only the possibility of you leaving."
Blue brows rose in surprise at the pleasant but cold voice that the blonde directed at him.
Was it something I said? The blue-haired gentleman thought, amused as he studied the blonde who had deliberately crossed her left leg over her right, angling her back towards him. For a moment he considered giving up on conversation- sure she was pretty but there was plenty of other equally or more so pretty girls there that night who would be eager for his attention. He shifted to get off the stool only to be fixed in the impressive glare of a pair of purple eyes.
Kira Hibiki, though slow dancing with Lacus, had a basilisk look to him as he stared over Lacus's shoulder at Athrun.
Athrun dragged a hand down his face wearily before rolling his eyes and turning back to the bar. Leaning heavily on the bar he quietly asked for a glass of wine before focusing his attention on the blonde. The girl in question was pointedly ignoring him as she moodily made shooting motions at all the giggling couples that danced past her.
That's kind of childish for her age. He thought and before he could help him self he muttered. "Maid of honor but not made with honor..." As soon as he realized what he had said, horror engulfed him. Did she hear me? Please -
The gun hand froze and the girl fell still.
She heard me. That's it, I'm dead. Kira's gonna kill me.
"What did you say?!" Cagalli swiveled around on her seat- the temper that had awarded her many punishments in boot camp rising to the surface. Fire leapt to life in those amber eyes like a flashing tempest and her fists clenched like she was about to punch him.
Oh God, I am so dead- wait, she's just a girl, what am I getting worried about? The nervousness knot in the pit of his gut loosened and dissolved into admiration. She's kinda pretty when she's mad. Liking the energy that radiated from Cagalli, Athrun allowed a teasing smile to slip across his face. "You heard me." he challenged.
Chin raised stubbornly, Cagalli stood up- only to find that even standing she was still shorter then him. "I don't know who the hell you are, nor do I care but-"
"Athrun." he extended his hand, uninterrupted her rant. "Athrun Zala."
She blinked in surprised, staring from his hand to his face. Her eyes narrowed. "Well I don't give a bloody da-"
"Cagalli! I see you've met my bestman!"
"aaa- ah Kira!" Cagalli yelped as her brother appeared out of no where between her and Athrun. Behind him, Athrun smirked tauntingly and Cagalli fumed silently behind a fixed smile.
"How are you two getting along- enjoying the open bar together I see?" Kira turned towards Athrun, and Cagalli dropped her smile to glare furiously at Athrun who was now wearing a wide smile.
"Now, Athrun." Kira said disapprovingly. "Cagalli just got home and is tired- so don't you dare think of trying to take advantage of my sister- cause I will destroy you."
It was hard to take Kira seriously when he had lip stick stains all over his face from where Lacus had kissed him.
"Cagalli," Kira began, facing her and Cagalli smiled sweetly.
"Yes, dear little brother?"
"Drop the little- everyone knows already that i'm older."
"NO YOU ARE NOT-"
"Athrun is my best mate- we work together in the weapons branch of the military, he designs the jets you fly."
Cagalli stuttered into silence, gaping at Athrun who was looking a little red himself as he gazed back at a place a little below her right ear.
"I'm sure you two can find lots to talk about." Kira said, clapping the two on the shoulder. "So have fun! I have to get back to Lacus." he hesitated before whispering in a half squeal. "By the way, we're married!" before running away.
Cagalli giggled helplessly after her brother. No matter how much he annoyed her, her brother was so endearing. "I don't think he'll ever get tired of saying that."
Having found comfortable ground, Athrun nodded in agreement. "They are both something else."
"Which is why I can't figure out how my darling little brother ended up with a pompous jerk like you for a friend." Cagalli sniffed.
"Hey now." Athrun frowned.
"And you should know, I test flew the newest jet you designed- it has a delayed ejection that could cost quite a couple pilots their lives."
All the clever retorts Athrun was designing vanished from his mind and cocked his head. "You really are in the air force?"
Cagalli crossed her arms across her chest. "Yes... or at least I was."
Was? Athrun's brow furrowed. "And you test flew our test jets?"
Pride infused her voice. "Yes."
She must be one of the best pilots... How lucky to be able to fly... A little more then awed and just a tiny bit envious, Athrun allowed a genuine smile. "You miss it already huh?"
Cagalli didn't reply, her teeth worrying into her bottom lip. Her saddened amber eyes drifted out over the dancers and in that moment Athrun caught a glimpse of her soul. Of the beautiful, terrible good that Cagalli was and in that moment he decided.
I want to know her.
Hesitating, he slowly extended his hand in an invitation. "Would you care for a dance?"
She glanced down her nose at his hand and her forehead wrinkled.
Oh man, she's gonna say no. Athrun braced himself for the dismiss.
"No. I do not want to dance." Cagalli said simply, leaning forward to snatch up her matching stilettos holding them by the straps.
I figured as much. Athrun sighed inwardly, shrugging off the disappointment. There is more fish in the se-
"But I will take a walk on the beach." Now it was she who held the invitation, her eyes low cast, as she listened for his reply.
Athrun grinned, sticking his hands in his pockets. "Sure."
He followed her out of the reception hall, and through a door out side. Behind them the music and voices faded till they were surrounded by the starlit black heavens and the roiling tempest of the ocean.
The wind was cool but gentle as it nipped at Cagalli's bared arms, giving her goosebumps. Longingly she thought of a coat that she didn't have. Having joined the airforce with nothing, she left with nothing and had only bought this dress on the fly to wear.
There was a rustle, a swish and then warm cloth settled around her shoulders. She blinked in surprise. Athrun had given his coat to her.
flushing slightly on her speculative gaze he added swiftly. "I want it back."
"I don't need it." Cagalli frowned. Her inner pride battling with her own desire to be warm.
"Well neither do I." Atrhun shrugged, plucking at the long-sleeved red blouse he wore. He descended the foot wooden steps of the dock onto the rough sand of the beach. "So do me a favor and carry it for me?" he called over his shoulder as he began walking down the beach.
He doesn't want to carry it? "Oh ho! So you're just being lazy!" Cagalli fired after him, unwittingly clutching the coat around her. It bore a musky scent that she couldn't help but breathe in. "Oi! Lazy, wait up! Ah! The sand's cold!"
Athrun smiled to himself, listening to the sound of her bare feet brush across the sand in attempt to reach him. Not being lazy, he thought to himself but how else will I get you to accept it?
Cagalli knew that though. You are smart, Athrun Zala. Maybe not a snooty brat after all. By the time they were walking side beside, the glances they exchanged were a little warmer, their conversation a little friendlier.
At first they discussed Athrun's line of work, new ideas of jets that were either years ahead in technology or so ludicrous that one or both would end up laughing. Eventually the conversation turned to Cagalli and how she had joined the military after her mother died. With Kira, the boy-genius- speeding his way through college, her father whom she had never met still unknown, and her mother gone, there wasn't much left for her at home.
Then it progressed to Athrun's family- his father a rich president of a car company.
"I knew it!" Cagalli burst out at that. "You're a spoiled rich kid!"
Athrun laughed in surprised at the unexpected interruption. "Is it that obvious?."
"No the Prada label on your shoes is hardly noticeable." Cagalli snipped demurely.
"Well at least I'm not a five year old." Athrun imitated making a gun motion.
"Whats that supposed to mean?" Cagalli huffed crossly.
"You were shooting all the couples that danced by you."
"Only the one's whose dancing abilities exceeded my own."
"Oh... well why did it seem like you were shooting them all?"
Cagalli glared at him.
"Oh." Athrun chuckled. "You can't be that bad."
"I really am." Cagalli shook her head, blonde hair rustling over her shoulders.
Athrun turned towards her, stopping. She walked a few more steps only to realize he wasn't still with her.
"Athrun?"
He held out both his hands. "Dance with me?"
She scowled. "I already told you I don't want to."
"Nobody is here to witness your downfall." he teased, gesturing about to the empty dark beach where the only music was the wind over the sand and the rushing of the sea.
"I don't like dancing."
"Everything deserves a second chance." he pleaded.
"I amend that, I don't like you."
"Everyone too." Athrun darted forward, knocking her shoes from her hands as he gently grabbed them. "I gave you a second chance, you owe me."
"I carried your coat for you- you owe me." Cagalli countered, not arresting free her hands, but neither budging in his attempt to pull her into a dance. Her eyes never left his green ones, for which he was deeply grateful, for even in the darkness he couldn't help but study the strange gold steel of her eyes.
He grimaced. "You were supposed to walk down the aisle with me, as the maid of honor- but you were late so I had to walk down alone."
"Your point?" she demanded.
"Everyone stared at me and I was all alone." he made his voice pitiful and Cagalli snorted, a small grin breaking across her features.
"fine, you big lazy baby, one dance."
"A really long one?"
"Perhaps."
As Athrun pulled her into an awkward slow dance, Cagalli narrowed her eyes, watching him, even as he gazed over his head.
"Why are you being a bother to me?" she asked.
He glanced down. "Cause you are interesting." Her foot came down hard on his foot. "Ow!"
"Sorry, I told you I was bad." Cagalli muttered, glaring at her own feet as if they had betrayed her.
"No it's no problem, your bark is still worse then the bite.- Ow!"
"Alright, that one might have been directed."
"Might have." Athrun repeated, scoffing.
Though they danced to no music, eventually they came to a stand still and Cagalli gathered up her shoes.
"I'm tired, Kira is probably worried-"
"I doubt that- if anything he and Lacus are off -"
"and it is late. I ought to return." Cagalli smiled. "Thank you for making my night a little more endurable, Mr. Zala."
She turned and began walking away, her green dress fluttering about her ankles, her hair waving in the breeze.
Athrun watched her go in silence for a minute, internally at war.
The night had been rather great thanks to Cagalli, but now it was time to go back to their separate lives. Their separate worlds. And let this night go as just one of many good nights they had lived.
Or he could take a chance. For how different might his life be if he took one little chance?
"Hey Cagalli," He called.
The blonde paused, glancing over his shoulder at him. "Yes?"
"Will you go out to dinner with me?"
Cagalli blinked, not a trace of emotion on her face. "No." she said clearly.
Athrun sighed. Well, it had only been a chance.
"But I will take a tour of the city." Cagalli smiled. "Besides, I need to return your coat to you."
Athrun grinned. It was a yes! "Looking forward to it. Have a good night, Cagalli."
"And you too."
He watched her until she disappeared as she made her way back the stretch of beach to the reception hall, going over the events of the night. Maybe she would just be another girl to gain his interest and lose it just as fast.
But maybe she would be different. For she was different, a feisty personality, a bold nature, a caring heart, and a rapid humor. She had a soul of fire that burned through her eyes, threatening to singe all who got close.
He sighed contentedly. "I should get home too." he muttered, patting his pockets for his car keys. "Where did I put them, oh yeah! In my jacket pock-damn."
The long night, had just gotten longer.
END OF PART 1
IMPORTANT:
I hope everyone enjoyed chapter one as much as I did writing it. I wanted to make the first time Cagalli and Athrun met, fun and interesting and memorable, but I might have just made it long and boring...
I won't be updating for at least a day- and that is if I get ten reviews to this chapter. I hate pulling The "I'm not updating unless you review" thing, but considering this is a three shot, that I'm putting a lot of time and work into, I would be greatly appreciative that if the people read this chapter to the end and have something to say- whether negative or positive- would do so.
Thank you and I hope you stick around till the conclusion of Cherished.
For those who are concerned about Tangled Fates:
I am truly sorry about not updating, a lot has happened in the past year in my family- and not all of it good things. My muse also ran away with all my Tangled Fates characters and is currently holding them hostage. As soon as I get them back, I promise you, I will have written up that chapter.
Lots of love,
and a Happy Valentines,
Reflected Shadows
