Title : An Endless Tale
Author : isumi 'kivic'
Pairings : Mainly AthrunKira. A bit of MwuMurrue and DearkaYzak. Might consists other pairings in next chapters.
Warning : This fic contains shounen-ai, or yaoi, or boys love, or m/m. You've been warned, so if you decided to read this, take your risk. The characters might be OOC, too.
Timeline : After the second war in Gundam Seed Destiny.
Summary :
Disclaimer : Rightfully, Gundam Seed Destiny and its properties and characters are belong to Sunrise, Bandai, and Sotsu Agency. I just borrow them for my own fun. I own nothing except the plot and my original characters in this fic, nor I make money from this. Plus, the title isn't mine, either. I borrowed it from Digimon Frontiers second ending song, it is Wada Kouji's. –shrugs-
A/N : This is my biggest project I have this year. Hopefully I didn't screw it. All mistakes here are mine, you may get angry if you want to. This fic is inspired by the fic Crossfire by Jusrecht. And thank you very much for Punkakauntan, Jusrecht, Totally-Out-of-It and pluto-mint for writing wonderful AsuKira fics. Your fics have big impacts on me and it has inspired me very much. Please read this through until the end, and please review. Thank you very much for reading!
Chapter One: A Broken Peace
A word 'love' could have different meanings for every single person in this world.
For the Chairwoman Lacus Clyne, the word 'love' means giving everyone—coordinators and naturals—comfort and support with every possible way: talking, singing, and even leading them through hard times in their lives.
For the Representative of Orb Cagalli Yula Attha, the word 'love' means protecting every single person—coordinators and naturals—and living things in ORB with every effort she had, and sacrificing almost everything she had for the world's peace.
But for the Generals of ORB Athrun Zala and Kira Yamato, the word 'love' simply means 'stay' and 'each other' and 'world'.
Athrun let out a small sigh as he opened his eyes that morning, feeling warm under the blanket. He was tired. After a week staying at Morgenroete without being able to come home to the Attha mansion, it felt really good to come back home. Being thankful for having somewhere to go back, Athrun closed his eyes again.
It was his day off, after all. And he deserved it, after working almost non-stop for a week in Morgenroete with a new project about mirage colloid. He rarely had a day off. And it was winter. The weather was perfect to have a stay-in-bed-and-sleep-under-the-warm-blanket day.
The smell of coffee and the footsteps towards his room made him smile. After all, how else could you start a perfect day off other than having your precious person bring you a mug of coffee to say good morning?
"I know you're awake."
Athrun opened an eye to look at the figure in the doorway and smiled.
Yes, for them, the word 'love' simply means 'stay' and 'each other' and 'world'. Stay as long as they could to spend more and more time with each other and facing the world together. And small things like bringing coffee for the other in the morning is their way to express the word 'love', other than those 'big things' they usually did in their nights.
Kira stepped into their shared room and placed the tray he held onto the small table near the window. He sat down at the edge of the bed, looking at his friend's emerald eyes with amusement. "Wake up and get out of the bed, Athrun."
"Why should I? It's my day off."
"It's our day off." Kira corrected him. "But we have a promise to Cagalli and Lacus, remember?"
"Huh? Is it today?"
Kira nodded. Athrun stifled a yawn, closed his eye, and snuggled deeper into the blanket. "Aahh.. five more minutes. It's so warm here.."
Kira raised an eyebrow. Sometimes he wander what would Athrun's co-workers would do if they know that the formal, strict, discipline and stone-headed General of ORB Athrun Zala had a habit of being so lazy every morning. Old habit die hard, anyway. Athrun had always been very lazy in the morning since he was a little boy, Kira knew that. He chuckled a bit, and leaned down to lay beside his friend. Athrun opened an eye again, looking at him intently.
"What is it, Kira?" he asked as Kira absentmindedly playing with his azure hair that spreading all over the pillow. Kira hummed slightly, and then sighed. Smiling contently, he continued to play with Athrun's hair.
His hair had gotten longer now, but Athrun never cared to cut them. Usually once every three months, Kira would tease him about having an obsession to have hair like Yzak's. And that's exactly why he finally cared to cut his hair. Having an obsession to have hair like Yzak's? God, only thinking about it was frightening! And he was happy enough with his hair, anyway!
"Athrun.." Kira whispered softly. "What are you thinking about?"
Athrun chuckled, and snuggled closer to his friend. "About having my hair like Yzak's." He smiled teasingly. Kira made a face. "You're not serious."
"What if I am?"
"I would have to interrogate Yzak about what had he done to you. Maybe he brainwashed you or something to make you like his hairstyle."
Athrun let out a laugh.
"Silly. Of course not. I just remember how you usually managed to have my hair cut with the same tease each time." Athrun smiled. "So? Where's my coffee?"
"You lazybum." Kira mumbled in a laugh as he stood up, grabbing two mugs of coffee from the table and sat back on the bed. Athrun slowly sat up, his hand receiving his
mug from Kira. Kira smiled as he leaned down and stole a quick kiss from the other boy. Athrun looked at him, raising an eyebrow.
"Wow. Someone's in a good mood today." He chuckled. Kira's smile remained as he sat beside Athrun and took a sip from his mug. Athrun breathed the smell of the coffee, and sighed. Kira looked at him. "What?"
"Nothing." Athrun shook his head. "I missed your coffee. It's been a week since the last time I drank it."
Kira was amused. "You missed my coffee? So you didn't miss me, then? It's just my coffee?"
"That's right." Athrun answered after making a thinking face, and Kira laughed, slapping his friend's arm playfully.
Silence fell as the two men enjoyed their coffee. It was snowing outside, and the constant chirp of Torii could be heard through the mansion. There were also some chattering sounds of the mansion's maids filling the silence. Kira sighed as he leaned his head on Athrun's shoulder.
A very rare moment of relaxing in peace, he thought. Sure, the war had ended and peace had returned for almost a year now, but the efforts and sacrifices they were making to protect the peace were also uncountable. Things as working almost 24 hours because of new agreements and projects had become almost like a daily routine for them. Seeing each other properly had become a very rare event because of their busy schedule. Basic needs like eating and sleeping—in Athrun and Kira's case, also the fulfillment of their desire for each other—became less important as the schedule took place. Even spending holiday together—for the four of them—had become almost impossible since Lacus was elected as the chairwoman of PLANT.
That's why, moments like this one he was currently spending with Athrun, was important.
"What time do we have to meet Lacus and Cagalli?" Athrun asked. Kira glanced at their schedule board that was hung on the wall.
"Well.. we supposed to meet Lacus at the hotel at one. After that we're going to meet Cagalli in her office, and then we'll have dinner with them at seven."
Athrun smirked. "So, we still have time, don't we?" he whispered on Kira's ear in a husky voice. Kira chuckled, and looked up at his friend.
"What do you want me to do?"
Athrun's hand slowly made his way to embrace the older man, bringing their face closer and closer as he breathed slowly.
"Stay." He murmured. "Stay here with me."
Kira smiled as his lips touched Athrun's.
"Yes, sir." He answered before leaned in and pulled his friend in a deep, passionate kiss.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
For Shinn Asuka, the word 'love' means watching from afar with a little bit jealousy and a hard acceptance.
As he walked outside his room in Attha mansion in his ORB uniform, he could hear the noise from the room next to him. Muffled cries and heavy pants, things that he wished he wouldn't have to hear in such early morning. Grimacing at the window and looking at the snow outside, he sighed.
How did he fall anyway? How could he, after knowing that there was no special place reserved for him in the azure haired man's heart? How could he, after knowing the strongest bond he'd ever seen between the two Generals of ORB that were having their day off today?
He didn't know. He didn't understand how. He just… did.
He fell. That's just it.
When the war had ended and—to his surprise—Cagalli asked him to be a Lieutenant General of ORB, under the leadership of General Athrun Zala, Shinn had thought that maybe, just maybe, he would have more chance to get closer to the azure haired man he had admired so much.
Admired. Past tense. Because now, he knew exactly how he felt for the General.
He fell for him. And he wasn't there to catch him. Because, Shinn knew, he had already caught someone else, someone much more important for him than Shinn, who had fallen for him far before Shinn had. Someone who share the strongest bond with him. Someone that Shinn respected very much. Someone that… Athrun Zala fell for.
Kira Yamato. Such an unforgettable name.. Shinn thought. Nobody who had survived the war would forget this man's name. A man who had helped bringing back the peace to the world. A kind, gentle, caring man who had become a very respected—and feared—by the world. A man with a genius brain and many excellent skills.
If it wasn't because of Kira… Shinn reflected, maybe.. he wouldn't even be alive now.
But still…
It's always hard to let the one you love so much to be happy with a person that wasn't you…
Right?
When Meyrin had decided to leave and join Zaft as the Eternal crew, Shinn hadn't been able to understand her reason. She could have stayed at ORB. Athrun was here at ORB, and yet, Meyrin chose to be away from the person she loved. Yes, Shinn didn't understand why, back then. But now, he felt like he could understand Meyrin's feeling. Unfortunately, it was too late for him to stop himself. He didn't even realize that he was falling for the azure haired man back then.
It was when he found out that the two Generals were together, he realized. He had fell for Athrun Zala.
And he kept it from everyone. Let it be his secret forever. He didn't want to cause more problems for Athrun, or Kira, or Lacus, or even Cagalli. He had caused enough problems for them in the past, and yet, they still forgave him. Giving him a place to come back. And Shinn was very thankful for that.
He didn't even tell Luna about it. Luna—as Chairwoman Lacus Clyne's secretary—had been very busy. Sometimes she even much busier than Shinn was. And Shinn didn't want Luna to worry. He knew that Luna once harbored the same feeling as he did now towards Athrun. He just wasn't sure whether telling her would be a good thing or not.
So, he kept it for himself. Nobody knew, and Shinn was quite relieved of that.
As he drove his car along the way to Morgenroete, he couldn't help but thought that it was actually fun. You know, having a thing to keep for yourself and nobody knew.
It was like those top secrets documents that nobody was allowed to see except he himself.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"I'm so tired." Cagalli heaved as she took her seat on the dining room. "Earth Alliance is getting more and more annoying than usual. I met their countries' representatives this morning, and most of them are just so stubborn!"
Beside her, Lacus smile genuinely. "Let's not talk about it and have a fun dinner, shall we?" she chuckled. "It's been a while since the last time I had dinner together with you all."
Across her, Kira and Athrun smiled in agreement. Cagalli nodded, smiling widely. "And we have a more important issue to be talked anyway!" she announced proudly. Athrun raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"Really? What is it?"
"It's Dearka." Cagalli's voice suddenly turned low. "He had a big quarrel with Yzak. I heard him yelling at the vidphone this morning, and Mwu-san said that he was calling Yzak."
Kira let out a small laugh. "Cagalli. I don't think you have the right for gossiping someone as a Lioness of ORB." He said teasingly. Cagalli leaned back on her chair.
"I could care less. Almost everyone has new gossips about me everyday. Did you hear today's biggest gossip between the workers? 'Representative Attha has a thing for the new mobile armor pilot.' Ha! Just because I called him yesterday to give him a long lecture about his task doesn't mean I have a thing for him!" she said carelessly. Athrun snickered. How would the ORB civilians react if they knew their Lioness' uncare side..
"Dearka was probably mad at Yzak," Kira said after thinking for a moment. "He told me once that Yzak had been really busy with his new assigned team that he didn't have any time to even talk to him via vidphone."
"Ah… yes. As far as I know, Yzak-san decided to have them in special training for mobile suit pilots," Lacus nodded.
"He is now the member of FAITH, isn't he?" Athrun added. "And he was at PLANT, while Dearka here at ORB. It's just normal for them to quarrel because of misunderstandings. And.. given to how Yzak always behave.."
Kira looked at Athrun. "Now look at who's gossiping.."
Athrun shrugged. "It can't be helped." He said.
Lacus smiled. She knew how hard it was for Yzak to have a long-distance relationship with Dearka. Yzak's pretty face was just the perfect thing to be teased and flirted with by some crews. Even though the platinum haired man's tempered usually sent those 'brave' flirters away, Lacus knew how it was very easy for Dearka to hear wrong gossips about Yzak. And Lacus couldn't blame Dearka, either. Being possessive as Dearka was, having a pretty boyfriend like Yzak was a challenge whether he could keep him from those flirters or not. Hearing wrong gossips like that must be the least thing Dearka expected.
Feeling slightly concern about the ZAFT commander and the ORB Lieutenant General, Lacus asked, "Can't we do something for them?"
Cagalli's face suddenly lit up. "Exactly the question I've been waiting for, Lacus." She smiled widely. "So, you will stay here at ORB until New Year, am I right?"
Lacus nodded. Which is about ten days from now… she sighed silently.
"So, in order to gather everybody and have a memorable Christmas.." Cagalli's smile widened. "I have planned to make a Christmas party for all the crews of Archangel, Eternal and Kusanagi!"
Silence followed the announcement. Kira blinked.
Christmas party? Well, that does sound like Cagalli, but still… for the crews of Archangel, Eternal and Kusanagi?!
Athrun's eyes widened. "What are you thinking about, Cagalli?!" he let out a nervous laugh. "Are you serious?"
Cagalli nodded. Athrun immediately shut his mouth in disbelief. Lacus stared at Cagalli with a thoughtful expression in her face. "Hmm.." the pink haired woman tapped her finger onto the table. "That's interesting.."
"Isn't it?" Cagalli grinned. "Not only will we have more time to spend together, it might also give people like Yzak and Dearka to sort things up! And.." Cagalli winked. "Also might give people like you two have a memorable night."
Kira and Athrun blushed. "Cagalli!" Athrun warned. Cagalli laughed.
"Come on, what harm could it be? We will meet the people we haven't met for months since the war ended, like Miriallia and Ssigh." Cagalli said. "They might be busy with their current job, but I'm sure they will come."
"And I will ask Andy-san to bring all Eternal crews. He is the captain of the ship, anyway," Lacus smiled. "He would be very happy to meet Mwu-san and Murrue-san after almost a year."
"And the twins." Cagalli added.
After the war ended, as everybody had suspected, Mwu and Murrue finally got married. Their job at ORB didn't separate them, Murrue was still the captain of Archangel and now a General of ORB, while Mwu was still assigned as the pilot of Strike Rouge, and currently also working as a Lieutenant General. Two weeks ago, after Mwu survived from suffering the eight months period of pregnant Murrue, the twins, Arrel La Fllaga and Aralia La Fllaga were finally born.
The twins' births were big news. Lacus had immediately flew to ORB and visited the happy family, even though she couldn't stay for long. She had flown back to PLANT that evening. Cagalli held a big party for celebrating the twins' births, while Kira and Athrun suddenly had habit of visiting Murrue, Mwu and the twins everyday after work for a week.
Kira thought about Cagalli's party idea for a moment. The last party Cagalli held for the twins surely wasn't bad at all. Even though he had wanted to spend this Christmas to be a just-the-two-of-us Christmas with Athrun, he knew that the party would be a very rare moment where everybody could be together. It wouldn't be bad at all. It wouldn't be one of those boring political party. It would be a party for them and their friends.
"Sounds exciting." Kira finally agreed. Beside him, Athrun seemed to have the same thoughts. "That would be very good."
"Great!!" Cagalli said in a singsong voice. "I will call my secretary later and told her to prepare the party. Lacus, do you think we should have a ballroom?"
"Ah, that'd be very great, Cagalli-san. I probably should call Luna and tell her about this, too."
As the two women talked over the party plan, Kira felt a sudden pang in his chest. How long was it since the last time he saw everyone? Almost a year, he realized. The war had deepened the bonds between him and his friends, and surely he didn't want to break those bonds. Yet, it couldn't be helped. They were really busy and had no time to just even call and say hello to each other.
But it was okay. It was their way to enjoy the peace. As long as this peace remained…
But then, a frantic Mana was rushing into the dining room. Looking very panic, she handed over the phone she had carried from the living room to Cagalli. Looking puzzled, Cagalli accepted it. "Who is it?" she stared at the person who had taken care of her since she was a kid.
"Emergency call from Colonel Anthony Myrth, Hime-sama." She said in such fearful voice. Tensed, Cagalli quickly answered. "Hello?"
There was a silence after that. A silence that only being filled by Cagalli's voice talking to the phone. Subconsciously, Kira reached for Athrun's hand, seeking comfort from the other man. Lacus looked worried.
"Okay, I understand." Cagalli's voice was now slightly panicking. "I'll be there in a few minutes. Please take care of the basis line. Thank you."
Three pairs of different colored eyes were looking at her as she held the phone and bit her lips. The phone connection had cut off. Lacus' lips thinned.
"Cagalli?" Athrun called out softly. "What is it?"
Cagalli inhaled sharply, and gazed at the two male coordinators across the table. She sighed.
"There is an attack in Morgenroete by some Mobile Armor. Colonel Myrth said that it's probably from Earth Alliance.." she gulped, as the three pairs of different eyes widened in horror. She shook her head slightly and continued, "Currently, Shinn and Dearka are fighting them using some GINN we have."
"We need to go." Athrun said without any hesitance in his voice. Squeezing Kira's hand, he stood up. "I assume that Infinite Justice is ready to use anytime, Cagalli?"
Cagalli nodded weakly. Athrun sighed. He didn't want to use Justice anymore if it could be helped. He didn't want to use it if it wasn't necessary. But now…
"I'll go." Kira murmured. "Strike Freedom is also ready to use anytime."
"Kira." Athrun looked at him. He knew how Kira always felt about 'once again being in a mobile suit' tale. "You don't have to. I'm sure I can handle this. Shinn and Dearka are there, too, anyway."
"No." Kira shook his head. Looking up to meet a pair of emerald eyes, he said, "I won't let you go without me."
Lacus stood up. "It's your decision." She said with a hint of sadness in her voice. Averting the two men's gaze at her, she turned her head. "Please, don't regret anything…"
Both men nodded. Cagalli bit her lips, hesitating. She didn't want to send her two most important men in the world to fight in a mobile suit once again, but she knew, as the Lioness, she had to protect her country. That's the meaning of her 'love'.
"Mana, please tell Arkad-san to prepare the helicopter. We need to get there as soon as possible."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dearka snickered as another mobile armor attacked him. He quickly dodged the attack and returned it to the mobile armor. The mobile armor was thrown away because of his attack.
He sighed. What a bad day, he thought. After starting his morning with another quarrel between him and Yzak, he was in a bad mood all day. Even Shinn didn't dare to disturb him by grunting and being grumpy as usual. Work had distracted him from his thought about his love life problems, but in result, it also made him feeling really exhausted today. And exactly when he finished all his tasks and already feeling thankful that he could come home to his apartment and have a good sleep for one night… but now this..
What on earth they want from us, anyway? Dearka thought. They didn't even try to talk.. they just attacked in a sudden! Damn it, I hate this!
Being inside the GINN didn't make him feeling safe at all. He was too used with his Buster, and he didn't think that an ordinary GINN could keep him safe better than Buster did.
"Dearka-san!! Watch out!"
Shinn's yell startled him from his trail of thoughts. Dearka turned to face his opponent. Too late. The mobile armor's laser beam brilliantly made its way through Dearka's GINN cockpit. With a startled cry, using his reflexes, Dearka's GINN moved to resist the laser. But it was already too late. The laser beam knocked him down and made a firework along the GINN's side.
"Tch.." Dearka bit his lips. "Damn… concentrate, Dearka!" he focused back to his control pad. "Not good… the damages are bad.. the engine power is shutting down…"
"Dearka-saaan!!!!!" another scream from Shinn, once again, snapped his mind. He looked up, only to realize that another mobile armor was flying right towards him, ready to attack… and Shinn was too busy dodging many attacks directed to him to save Dearka…
"MOVE!!" Dearka finally cried in panic as the mobil armor came closer and closer..
BANG!!!
A loud dodging sound echoed throughout Morgenroete. Dearka gaped as he looked at a familiar mobile suit that stood in front of his GINN, dodging the mobile armor's attack, saving Dearka's life.
"Strike.. Freedom?"
"Are you okay, Dearka?!" Kira's face appeared in the monitor, looking relieved to see Dearka was still alive. Dearka nodded. "Yeah, just minor wounds, don't worry."
"Great. Can you stand up?"
Dearka watched as his friend dodged another attack from the mobile armors. "Uhh.. don't think so. The GINN's damages are too risky to be forced to fight.."
Kira nodded in understanding. He couldn't help but wander what on earth Dearka was thinking about until the blond didn't notice the attack directed to him, and furthermore, inflicted big damages to his GINN. The amethyst eyed man glanced towards the direction where Athrun helped Shinn fought the mobile armors with his Infinite Justice.
"Let's end this quickly," Athrun appeared in the monitor, looking tired. Kira nodded in agreement.
Dearka watched as Strike Freedom and Infinite Justice flew upwards, locking all the mobile armors in their target, and then shot.
As the loud sound of explosion were heard, Dearka couldn't help but admire the sight he was seeing in the night's sky battlefield.
To him, it looked like Morgenroete was having a huge fireworks party.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
PLANT…
Yzak tapped his fingers impatiently on his table while waiting the vidphone to connect to ORB. He groaned in annoyance. Since when did the technology in PLANT working so slow?
When his monitor blinked and a girl in ORB uniform appeared and greeted him, he quickly said, "This is Yzak Jule from ZAFT. I would like to talk to Lieutenant General Dearka Elthman, please."
The girl looked at him. "I am sorry, but all the uppermen are currently cannot be disturbed. They are all in a meeting with Representative Attha and Chairwoman Clyne."
Yzak sighed. I should've expected that.. he thought. After a sudden attack, they must have held a sudden meeting to discuss the matters.
"Is it true that there was a sudden attack in Morgenroete this evening?" he asked the girl. At least let me know how's the situation now, he added silently.
"Yes. But I'm sorry, I'm not at liberty to give you informations about it." the girl smiled apologetically. Yzak rolled his eyes.
"I understand. Uumm.. Is there victims in the attack?" Is my boyfriend all right? Yzak's mind shouted curiously. He was worried, for Heaven's sake!!
"I still don't know about that. I'm very sorry." The girl answered.
Yzak sighed. Well, then, what do you know? His mind asked sarcastically.
"But.. if you have an important matter with Lieutenant General Elthman.." the girl seemed to see glimpses of worries reflected in his eyes. "..maybe I can connect you with the Representative's secretary."
Yzak's face lit up. "Thank you," he said quickly. The vidphone buzzed for about thirty seconds, before a middle-aged woman's face appeared. Her smile looked forced, and she looked as if Yzak was disturbing a very important meeting.
"I'm sorry for disturbing." Yzak forced a friendly tone in his voice. "May I have a brief talk with Lieutenant Elthman, please? I'm Commander Jule from ZAFT."
The look in the woman's face made Yzak couldn't help but wish that he could punch her face. "I am very sorry, but we're in the middle of a very important meeting. You can leave him a message if you want."
"I need to talk to him." Yzak stubbornness was in control now. He just need to see and convince himself that Dearka was okay!
"Sir, you have to understand. We're in a middle of the meeting. Do you know how serious our situation is right now?"
"This is important." Yzak wouldn't let her win. Call me stubborn or possessive if you want, but I need to talk with him! He added silently.
"What is it, Stachia?" another woman's voice came, thick with dignity. Yzak could guess whose voice was that. "Who is on the vidphone?"
"Ah.. it's nothing, Representative Attha."
Yzak rolled his eyes. Surely this woman didn't know his position in Cagalli's eyes.
"What does the caller want?" another kind, soft voice came. Chairwoman Clyne, Yzak thought mentally. "Is it someone from ZAFT?"
Yzak could see the woman's surprise. "Ah… yes. But.. he asked to talk to Lieutenant General Elthman."
Yzak couldn't suppress his victorious smile. Lacus, Cagalli, Kira and Athrun would know it was Yzak calling, and they would let him talk to Dearka, he knew it. After all, the world's four main leaders were his friends, and they knew what was Yzak to Dearka.
"Connect him to Lieutenant General Elthman's vidphone," came the strict order from Cagalli. "And next time, no matter how important things are, let him contact us freely."
"Yes. I'm sorry." The woman turned to Yzak again with an irritated face. "I'll connect this to Lieutenant General Elthman in a second."
This time, Yzak didn't bother say thank you.
There was another buzz on his vidphone, and the next face that appeared in the screen made his heart leapt.
"Dearka." He stated, relieved to finally see his friend. "Is everything okay?"
Dearka looked at him. "Why are you calling?" he made a sarcastic face. "I thought you said this morning you wouldn't talk to me again."
Yzak rolled his eyes. "One more word about this morning, and I'll seriously won't talk to you anymore."
Dearka sighed. Yzak smirked. He knew how the blond man always let him win the arguments, and that made him proud of himself. He studied his friend's feature, silently convincing himself that the blond was okay. Of course, he didn't miss Dearka's bandaged arm.
"Were you hurt?" there was a slight concern tone in Yzak voice. "Are you really okay?"
Dearka nodded. After thinking for a second, the blond sighed. Yzak noticed that he lowered his voice when he talked. "I'm sorry, Yzak. Didn't mean to shout at you this morning."
Yzak shrugged. "Yeah, you should." He hesitated, and then mumbled, "I'm sorry, too. For being so busy and forgetting you."
Dearka's mouth twitched into a smile. "Is this really you?" he teased. Yzak could feel his cheeks reddened. "Shut up, Elthman. You want me to kill you the next time we met?"
Yzak stared at his friend's face. He missed Dearka, badly. He really hoped he could come to ORB with Lacus as usual, but this time his new assigned team was in a very bad state. Yzak couldn't believe that those new people were graduated from a military school. They couldn't even operate the mobile suits well! Were they even coordinators?
Nonetheless, he left his team at the practice field to call ORB the second he heard about a sudden attack in Morgenroete. His mind was flying to Dearka immediately, even though he was yelling at his team when he heard the news. He was really panic, he admitted.
"Everything's okay, don't worry." Dearka's voice snapped him back to reality. He found Dearka's eyes were staring at him, as if the blond could read his thoughts. "I was injured, but nothing's serious." Dearka added.
Yzak nodded. "And what's the situation?"
"It seems that the mobile armors were belong to Earth Alliance." Dearka lowered his voice. "But Earth Alliance claimed that they weren't under Earth Alliance's order. We're assuming that some rebels attacked us using Earth Alliance's mobile armors."
Yzak snorted. "Nonsense. Earth Alliance must have something to do with this. How come they didn't realize that many mobile armors were stolen?"
Dearka's eyebrow raised in amusement. "Yzak, you always have negative thoughts about Earth Alliance. That's bad in political world, you know."
"As if I would care about it. I'm in military, not politics."
Dearka chuckled. He gave Yzak a wink. "I have to go now. We're in a serious meeting. You have to be grateful that Representative Attha and Chairwoman Clyne respect you very much and gave you a chance to talk to me. If it wasn't you, they would have cut the connection,"
Yzak rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He hesitated, and then muttered, "I'm coming for Christmas."
Dearka looked surprise. "I thought you said something about not taking your holiday this Christmas earlier?"
Yzak glared. "Shut up. I changed my mind."
Dearka chuckled. "Not that I mind. I'll be waiting." He winked. "I'll call you again later."
"Yes." Yzak mumbled.
"Yzak?"
"What?"
"I love you." Dearka whispered softly. Yzak felt heat rise up to his cheeks. He hid his face under his bangs.
"Idiot. Don't say such things in the middle of an important meeting." He muttered, and the managed to glare at his friend. "And don't do stupid things. I don't want Chairwoman Clyne blame me about something you did."
Dearka gave a warm laugh. "Okay. Bye."
And the connection was cut. Yzak sighed, leaned back to his chair. He closed his eyes. How long was it since the last time he met Dearka? Four months? Five months? Or more?
The truth was, he missed Dearka badly.
Yzak stood up, and inhaled deeply.
He wouldn't let his love life problems made a bad influence in his job, would he?
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
That night, when he lied down beside Athrun on their bed and feeling exhaustion controlled him, Kira couldn't help but being thankful for today. Despite the sudden attack, his day off was indeed quite satisfying.
As Athrun pulled him into his warm embrace, he looked up. "Athrun.."
"Hnn.." Athrun answered tiredly. Kira absentmindedly playing with the azure strands that spread on the pillow.
He was actually afraid. Afraid of thinking that this sudden attack would be a sign of the beginning of another war. Having fought in the last two wars where he experienced the feelings of helplessness, fear, and many other bad feelings was something he didn't want to do anymore.
"Kira, what's wrong?" Athrun's voice snapped him back to reality. Kira sighed, nuzzled Athrun's neck. "Mm-hmm.." he inhaled deeply, enjoying the scent of Athrun.
"Kira?"
"Nothing." He lied. He didn't want Athrun to worry. But he couldn't help asking himself the same question that had been bothering him since the first war. Looking up at his friend, he studied his friend's face. A face that he had come to love so much.
"Athrun…" he began. After thinking for a second, he continued,
"Have we found the right answer?"
Athrun's body stiffened. He looked down to Kira, trying to read the gleaming amethyst eyes that were locked with his.
Kira's unexpected question had startled him. And also made his heart sank. He couldn't say anything to Kira. He wasn't sure whether they had found the right answer, yet. This reminded him almost a year ago, when the second war started. He had been confused back then, trying to decide whether he should join ZAFT once again or not. He was the one who asked Kira the same question Kira had asked him just now.
Had they found the right answer?
He didn't know.
"It doesn't matter.." he finally managed to talk. "It.. doesn't matter to me anymore.."
Kira raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"Because.." Athrun trailed off. He didn't know why. All he knew now was that he was thankful everything was okay. Lacus was okay. Cagalli was okay. People he had wanted to protect were okay.
And Kira was okay. And that he was here. Beside him.
Athrun shook his head.
"I don't know."
Kira stared at the deep emerald eyes. Reaching up, he placed his lips on the other's, brushing their lips together. "Athrun.." he whispered. "What is it?"
Athrun closed his eyes.
"Stay." He finally said. A genuine request, a deepest wish from his heart. "Just… stay. Please."
Kira breathed softly, and closed his eyes.
"I will always stay here for you.."
With that, he pulled his friend into a deep, loving kiss. Athrun sighed, and then kissed back.
Just stay. He thought. Stay here with me, so I will never lose you again..
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To-Be-Continued
A/N : Uhhmm…. It's just a beginning. Truthfully, I have decided to make another war for this story. Hahaha… this is the first time I decided to write something serious. You know.. serious plot and everything..Umm.. once again thanks to Jusrecht, Punkakauntan, Totally-Out-of-It and Pluto-mint.. your fics are so wonderful it gives me back my spirit to write everytime I read them.
Oh, and if you're wondering why did I use the word 'stay' so much.. I tell you, I don't know why.. I just obsessed with that word all of a sudden. –shrugs-
Well then.. to everyone who had read this until the end…-bows deeply- thank you very much!!! And review please… let me know what you think! Constructive criticisms are welcome. Flame me with everything if you want, it's okay, too. –winks—okay, I'll shut up now.
(Sincerely; isumi'kivic' and Ilde)
Next chapter: Christmas Party!!!! Stay tune, please!!!