Title: Mosaic
Author: Teno Hikari
Fandom: Gundam Seed Destiny
Pairings: Athrun x Shinn, Gil x Kira, and more!

Disclaimer: I plead insanity, your honor.

Summary: AU - Athrun Zala has everything under control. He doesn't have a problem with his father being cold and distant. Or the fact that his best friend is dating a married man. He certainly is not attracted to his best friend's little brother, and denial is just a river in Egypt. (Athrun x Shinn , Gil x Kira, Rey x Cagalli and more cracktastic slash and het pairings to come.)

Warning: Un-betad.

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'Thank God for seatbelts,' Athrun Zala thought to himself while holding onto the car's upholstery for dear life. Really what was he thinking by letting his best friend drive them back home? He should have known better, yet somehow, he had forgotten that Kira Yamato was a total speed demon, who needed to unleash his "mad skillz" to the public. Their road trip was supposed to be four hours minimum; but with the brunette practically having his foot on the gas the entire time, they would arrive at their destination at least another half hour. Alive or not, still remained to be seen.

Athrun did have to remind himself that his childhood friend had never got them into a major life-threatening accident before. He would have taken some comfort in that fact, except that his heart was beating a mile per minute. Kira had suddenly veered the car sharply to the left. Promptly cutting off another vehicle that seemed to be going at the same warp 10 speed they were at. All the while, the other boy was sitting rather calmly at the driver's seat. Appearing to the petrified witnesses all around, that he was driving casually, as if they were even close to the speed limit.

"What's the matter, Athrun?" Kira asked over the stereo that had been blasting rock music the entire trip. "You've been awfully quiet for awhile. Nervous?"

Nervous? Him? Well, who wouldn't be nervous about having your guts splattered along the highway?

"Of course not" he managed to answer as Kira suddenly swerved into another lane, "I've spent the holidays with your family before."

It was actually one of Athrun's fondest memories. Playing in the snow only to be warmed up later with freshly baked cookies and hot chocolate. Then of course there was the presents they all looked forward to. Athrun had never been materialistic but he loved watching the joy clearly expressed on the other children's' faces. His family had been very close to Kira's then.

The older teenager glanced sideways over to his passenger for a moment before focusing his eyes on the road as he weaved the car through traffic. As always there were no casualties; but Athrun wasn't too sure about the other drivers dying of heart attacks afterwards. He seriously wondered if Kira drove Lacus around like this. Or maybe the person Kira intended to kill with his reckless driving was him.

"Yeah, but that was like ten years ago," the other teen informed him as he reached over to skip a track on the CD player. "Lots of things have changed you know."

"Yeah... I know..."

That was an understatement. During the ten years away, Athrun had lost his mother. Ever since that tragic accident, everything had changed. Mainly the relationship he had with his father who constantly busied himself with his company. Going on long business trips that would last sometimes for months, Athrun found himself being passed around from relative to relative until finally he was old enough to get into the university and living on his own. Well Athrun did have a roommate, but Yzak spent more time over at Dearka's room than anywhere else.

He was unaware of violet eyes watching him through the view mirror - and Kira decided that it was time for a quick subject change.

"I mean we can't tease Cagalli anymore about the dresses Kaasan made her wear at like every annual Christmas party."

Athrun's lips did twitch into a small smile as he remembered Kira's twin sister. The surly blonde tomboy who was forced to wear a frilly green dress the last time he was present. "If I remember correctly - and I always do - you were the one who used to tease her. While I tried to hold her back from braining you with a boot."

Kira rolled his eyes heavenward. "Yeah and you did a wonderful job. If I remember correctly - and I always do, I had that heel imprint on my face for two days!"

The dark haired boy was grinning now, shaking his head in silent laughter as those carefree times came flooding back to him. Things were finally starting to look up once they reached the city limits. Kira was no longer striving to break the sound barrier anymore and actually driving with caution as they passed an elementary school district. Which unfortunately didn't last. Once they arrived at their destination, several minutes later, he hit his brakes suddenly. The car went into a spin that left tire marks on in and stopping just before running over a bright yellow dog standing by the curb.

Athrun's green eyes widened in surprise when the animal didn't seem to show any concern that it had almost become road kill. Instead it began to yap excitedly upon seeing who was inside the car. Turning his head towards Kira he stopped short of reprimanding him, when a grin spread across the brunette's face as he turned off the ignition and opened the door. As soon as he got out of the car, Kira leapt forward and wrapped his arms around the dog's neck.

"I missed you Okapi!" he exclaimed cheerfully as the animal began to bathe his face in doggie kisses. To Athrun who gratefully stepped out and away from the car (that had been very close to being his coffin), the scene was disgustingly cute. It definitely would have made many of Kira's male and female admirers at the university jealous.

Fondly, Athrun's emerald eyes turned towards the Yamato residence that was already decorated for the season and let nostalgia hit him at full force. Christmas lights of many colors, hung from the roof tops as well as being wound around the several tall pine trees in the front yard. Everything was also lightly dusted with snow... including his hair. He smiled, batting away the clinging snowflakes and turned towards the entrance where Mrs.Yamato had come out to greet them.

"Kira!" she exclaimed, embracing her oldest son - before giving one to his best friend as well. Which Athrun returned whole heartedly. "Athrun-kun, it's been so long! How did you guys get here so fast? I thought you called me from your dorm two and a half hours ago."

"Kira was driving," Athrun told her while grabbing his luggage from the car. "Foot on the gas all the way. I honestly thought I was going to die."

"Hey!" Kira opened the side door to grab his own baggage as well as a cage that contained a bright green and yellow canary. "Are you complaining, Athrun? You got here in one piece and early!"

Mrs.Yamato 'tsked' and lightly whapped the back of her son's head while taking the cage from him. "'Breaks are for the weak!' Just like your sister! Honestly, Kira, have some more consideration for the other people on the road who might want to live!"

Sheepishly, the brunette gestured for Athrun to follow after his mother inside while Okapi trailed behind them. The smell of freshly baked bread pudding and cookies were in the air, that made both inhale and exhale with a sigh. It had been awhile since either of them had food that was from a cafe, the campus cafeteria or a vending machine. A very welcomed change.

"Okay, why don't you boys go get settled in," Mrs.Yamato said while hanging up the cage and petting the bird fondly with her index finger. "Athrun-kun, you'll be using the guestroom left on the hallway, right next to Shinn's bedroom. Kira once you've put your things away come down and help me with dinner... but before that, wash your face."

"Hai, Kasaan."

Athrun chuckled quietly to himself as he watched his best friend attempt to wipe the remainder of dog drool off face, only to have Okapi tackle him by the stair case.

Using his memory to guide him, he had no trouble navigating through the large house to find his room. Other than the new hard wood floors, nothing seemed to have changed since the last time he was here. Except when Athrun reached the bedroom, he couldn't help but glance at the slightly opened door next to his. The door to Shinn's room.

"Don't go, Athrun-niisan! I don't want you to go!"

An image of a tearful red-eyed boy came wailing back to him, and he immediately looked away to hide his guilt. The memory of moving away from the Yamato family was still etched in his memory and while growing up around strangers, he wondered what it would have been like if they hadn't moved at all. But there was no point on dwelling on things that were never meant to happen. What was important now, was that he was back, right?

Against his better judgment, Athrun couldn't help but gently push at the door ajar, but letting it swing wide open. Luckily, Kira's younger sibling wasn't there though. It was still mid afternoon so he was most likely at school right now. Quietly, the intruder scanned the room and automatically taking in every detail.

At first glance he would automatically assume that Shinn was just like his older brother with all the academic and athletic awards on the shelves hanging just above a low book case. The desk beside it, was cluttered with stuff, and clothes were randomly discarded around the bed. However, upon closer inspection - he realized that there were many differences between the two brothers by simply comparing their rooms.

For starters, it seemed that Shinn had a fascination with pop music and military jets with all the magazines piled up on the desk. The shelf above them was supporting nothing else but Gundam models in all different scales and, much to Athrun's surprise, a very familiar red Haro doll was sitting in the back. It was just as he remembered it to be: a strange looking rabbit with beady eyes, short floppy ears, a tennis ball like body, and elongated arms and legs. Stepping forward, he carefully reached out to take it into his hands, smiling at the memory of a young Shinn holding the doll in one hand with matching Haro pajamas, crying and pleading to be included in the slumber party whenever Athrun spent the night.

"Shinn always treasured Haro, he was a present from his Athrun-niisan after all," a voice said behind him.

He jumped, nearly dropping the doll, as he turned around to face Mrs.Yamato who was standing at doorway. His cheecks were flushed with embarrassment, feeling guilty for intruding. However, before he was about to apologize, Athrun noticed the object she suddenly held up for him. Gently, he placed the doll on the desk and stared at an old framed photograph of himself ten years ago.

There was a bright care-free smile on his younger self's face, as innocent green eyes stared back at Athrun. Cradled in the eight year-olds arms was another dark-haired boy a few years younger than him. Shinn was also smiling in the picture. Though he looked a little dazed and utterly confused about what was going on at the time. His mother had just appeared out of the blue, snapping them with her camera.

"Isn't he adorable in that one? There are also more pictures downstairs, Athrun-kun."

Quickly he tear his gaze away from the photo to smile back at Mrs.Yamato as she turned to leave.

"Arigatou, Yamato-sa…" he trailed off as Kira's mother shot him a strange look and hastily corrected himself, "Via-obasan."

The older woman smiled in satisfaction as she left him to reminisce. Once again his eyes began to compare objects again. This time between the old photo in his hand to a few of the new ones on the desk, and the difference was clear. Athrun had known that after the severe changes in his life he no longer smiled as bright as before, and now he knew that Shinn didn't either.

How much longer were they supposed to wait? Mayu La Fllaga sighed quietly to herself as she did her best not to annoy her cousin sitting in the driver's seat of the car because Cagalli was already annoyed. So she continued to play the puzzle game on her cell to try and kill some time. However, forty minutes and twenty-nine levels later, this began to bore her. So Mayu opted to re-write a short Christmas list of presents she planned to give out and of course receive. Though she was a little paranoid that those curious amber eyes would figure out what she was doing whenever they glanced in her direction.

Also, she felt a little guilty, writing up the list with Cagalli there because she couldn't think of anything to get the older girl. It had to special. Something better than what her parents were going to give the niece who voluntarily dropped off and picked their only child up from elementary school every other day. Not to mention looked after her whenever they were busy at work.

It irritated her how she could never find the perfect gift for certain members of her family. Especially Cagalli, who didn't like girly stuff but wasn't totally into the same things that guys were. So a new pink cell phone was out of the question. Mayu was at a loss and what to get and time was running out, considering that Christmas was a few weeks away. Most of the people on her list were already taken care of months ago, all except for the tomboyish cousin and her young uncle Rey.

Rey was difficult, because he never asked for anything while living with them. Also, she didn't know a whole lot about him. Other than tutoring her on his own time, the teenager pretty much kept to himself - mostly studying for his advanced-everything classes, or playing the piano. Much to her father's relief, he wasn't completely anti-social considering he was best friends with Shinn. Yet still, what do you get someone who doesn't care for anything? A pink cell phone?

"I'm going to kill that twerp," Cagalli announced while leaning forward against the steering wheel. "He said five o'clock sharp and its damn near six. I'm starving. We're already late. Everyone is probably waiting. Kaasan is going to get pissed, and..." the blonde glared when she ran out of reasons, so she just picked one randomly and repeated it, "I'm starving, dammit!"

From side passenger seat, Mayu looked up from her piece of paper and chewed up pen, about to remind her cousin, that homicide was not apart of the holiday spirit. However, as soon as she glanced over to the older girl who was radiating animosity, the brunette gulped and quickly sifted through her Hello Kitty backpack. Searching for something that would hopefully delay Shinn's inevitable demise. Even if he did deserve what was coming to him.

'Ah-ha! Found it!'

"Ne, Cagalli-neechan," Mayu called out as soon as her hand closed around the object she was looking for. Carefully she broke it in two equal pieces. "Want to share a candy cane?"

Sitting up, Cagalli's features brightened somewhat as she reached over to receive the offering. "Thanks kiddo."

Mayu beamed, as they say back to enjoy the sugary confection that would hopefully tide them over until dinner. Though she sincerely hoped that Shinn and his friends would hurry. Once the candy was gone, his sister's patience would be sure to follow. She really couldn't blame the older girl for being so upset.

From what she had heard from her mother and Aunt Via's conversation - while eavesdropping of course - Cagalli was going through a tough time right now with both work and with her boyfriend. The latter was to be expected. Mayu seriously hoped that she would dump him. She didn't care if he was Jona Roma Saran, he was a two-timing creep. "The sleaziest sleaze to ever sleaze before" - that's what her father had called him anyway. He also had a mullet. Cagalli deserved so much better than that. Someone just like...

"I'm sorry that you had to wait so long."

Both girls glanced up as a young man with long pale blonde hair and sea blue eyes, approached the side of the minivan. A wide smile formed on the ten year-old girl's face. Of course! How could she not think of it before!

"Rey-ojiisan!" Mayu greeted loudly, sitting up and turning around in her seat as the young man opened the passenger side door before stepping inside. He regarded her with a polite nod and almost - but really not quite there - smile, before turning to his best friend's older sister.

"Cagalli-san."

"Yo, Rey!"

"The movie was longer than we anticipated," he explained, "Shinn and the others will be here any minute."

Nodding, Cagalli started up the car again. "Well, how was it?"

"The movie?"

"Yeah."

Rey shrugged absently as he fastened his seatbelt while ignoring the speculative looks his niece was giving him. He knew that expression all too well with his older brother's bold claims to "make the impossible, possible". He really didn't want to know what was running through that clever young mind of hers. It just wasn't healthy, her mother warned him before.

"The movie had horrendous acting, and a weak plot. I didn't care too much for it."

Cagalli chuckled at that, "As long as there were enough loud explosions, mass mayhem, and drawn out fighting scenes between giant robots; I'm sure Shinn loved it."

At that, a small miniscule smile did manage to tug at the corner of the blonde boy's lips. Yet it remained unseen to the other blonde who at that point, turned her attention on her little brother and the rest of his friends when they approached. Yet Mayu, who had her eyes focused on the rear view mirror the whole time, was able to catch it. The little girl practically had to cover her mouth to keep from giggling. Already she knew what to get her Cousin Cagalli and Uncle Rey for Christmas this year: each other.

Now… who to give that pink cell phone to?

'Damn Yula…'

Shinn Asuka Yamato found himself glaring at the back of his older sister's head as she drove them back to their house. Okay he understood that she had a right to be pissed off for the long wait, but did she really have to chew him out in front of his friends! Had it been a normal day, he would have gladly added fuel to the fire by calling his sister "Yula" - her accursed nickname. Yet since it wasn't , he held his tongue. Shinn really didn't feel like walking home after such a long day. When their last final was over he, Rey, Lunamaria, Meyrin, Youlan, and Vino, went out for a late lunch and an action-packed new sci-fi movie to celebrate.

After an entire week of cramming for exams and final project due dates, it was all over. Shinn didn't have to worry about anymore exams or major projects for his advanced classes for another semester. Winter break was a simply a near month of vacation where he could relax and spend time with his family and friends. Especially those whom he hasn't seen in such a long time.

When Kira moved out to attend the university in another city, he knew that he would be seeing less of his older brother every year. Like only on major holidays and sometimes before or after the semesters. Sure it bummed him out at first, but Kira kept up with the communication by calling home every week and sending emails. In fact his brother had sent him one a couple days ago that practically made him fall out of his chair. In that message, his brother said that he was bringing home a guest.

Athrun Zala.

Had it really been almost a decade since he saw or spoke to him? Back when Kira's best friend had been their neighbor, Shinn had considered Athrun to be like another older sibling. He would even call him "Athrun-niisan" while following the emerald-eyed boy around in child-like adoration. When the Zalas moved away, Shinn couldn't remember crying so much in his entire life. He was too young to understand what was really happening, only that his other "niisan" was leaving him behind.

'I promise I'll come back, Shinn,' an eight-year old Athrun had promised. 'I'll come back and we can play games again. So until then, don't cry, okay?'

Shifting his gaze towards the side window, Shinn watched the moving cars turn into motions blurs as they sped through the streets. While barely listening to the conversation between Rey and Lunamaria, he wondered how he could have been so naive back then. Not just the time when the Athrun and his family moved away; but every year following that one. Almost every week, he would walk over to the former Zala residence - even though it was occupied by other people - hoping that Athrun would keep his promise.

Liar.

Shinn caught his reflection in the frosty glass staring straight back at him. But it wasn't mimicking the scowl he was presently wearing. Instead it was an older version of that boy who had wept the day Athrun had left. The unmistakable veil of hope clouded those crimson eyes, and he looked away from himself in an attempt to shun it.

Liar.

The guests filed in quickly over at the Yamato residence. A couple of friends and family members had dropped by for dinner, which would eventually turn into a post-Christmas celebration. Kira knew from past experience, that the guest list would eventually triple later into the night while the temperatures outside would drop. He had been used to being in a house filled with so many people that it never bothered him in the past; but for some reason, it now felt stifling and claustrophobic.

Also with all the numerous conversations going on in the background, he wouldn't be able to hear his cell phone if it rang, and he was expecting a very important call.

So now he was standing outside on the porch in the frigid cold, watching as legions of crystal flakes blanketed themselves atop the roof of his car. Kira wondered if his best friend had felt the same serenity when they arrived. If it reminded Athrun of their childhood and the simplicity of those days.

Now everything was a complication. School. Work. Relationships. As if each one wasn't stressful enough, you still had to try and juggle all three around. At least now on vacation, he could put the first two aside in his mind. However, the last one was most likely the reason why he's freezing his ass off.

Common sense was shouting for him to go back inside and just forget about the expected phone call. Normally he'd listen to the nagging voice if it wasn't for another one that he couldn't really identify. One that was urging him to wait and how it would all be worth the trouble.

Breathing in the icy air and breathing out a sigh, he glanced back down at his cell for the umpteenth time and frowned at the "NO INCOMING CALLS" text on the screen. God damn, what in the world was taking so long?

"Keep glaring like that and you might make it spontaneously combust any minute!"

Eye twitching a little in irritation, Kira lifted his violet glare to target the speaker. Both his twin sister and younger brother were smirking right back at him from where they stood. Behind the two of them, was Rey and Mayu, along with a group of teens whom he recognized as Shinn's close friends. How long had they been standing there? Several familiar faces were all staring at him oddly. It didn't take long for Kira to realize that he had not only been blocking the entrance, but oblivious to their requests for him to move aside.

"Hey, Kira-niichan!" Mayu called out, poking her head around Shinn's arm, "What are you doing out here? Aren't you cold without a jacket?"

He stepped out of the way, smiling a little at his young cousin. "I'm fine, Mayu-chan. Just waiting for a call. Go on in, everyone's waiting."

"Everyone?" Cagalli repeated, "Including your boyfriend?"

Mayu, seeing the look of doom Kira was giving his sister, promptly latched herself to Cagalli's arm and pulled her towards the door. After all her Christmas plans were going to be ruined if one of the 'gifts' to be exchanged ended up dead. "Come on, Cagalli-neechan! Let's go get some hot chocolate!"

The blonde reluctantly let herself be dragged. The others followed close behind, not wanting to spend even another minute out in this freezing weather. Kira still however wasn't alone when the door closed behind the last person. Amethyst eyes met with Garnet. His little brother moved to stand directly before him, startling Kira with that fierce expression on his face.

"Boyfriend?" Shinn asked carefully, trying to control himself from snarling. He didn't know why, but a pain unlike anything swept through his chest and tightened around his heart. Holding it in a vice grip.

"Yes, 'boyfriend'. You do remember that I'm gay, right?"

Kira swallowed hard, he could practically see the dark cloud gathering around his younger sibling. What was going on? Shinn had never behaved this way when he was dating other boys in high school.

"So… that's why Athrun came back."

Athrun. Now that's when the pieces fell into place. Gently, he tilted Shinn's chin up so he could look into those ruby eyes before they had a chance to shed tears.

"No."

Kira shook his head and repeated himself firmly, "No. He's still my best friend and nothing more."

Shinn glanced away, looking relieved as the tightening in his chest had finally ceased.

"Oh."

"You really like him, don't you?" Kira asked without even a waver of volume.

The raven-haired boy tear himself away, stepping back and glaring at the older teenager. "Of course not! Don't assume such stupid things! It only makes an ASS," Shinn began to spell out with his fingers, "out of U and ME, but…"

"Mostly U?" Kira finished with a teasing smile.

"Arghh!"

Throwing his hands up into the air, Shinn stalked passed him… and right smack into the newcomer who had just opened the door. Startled, Athrun quickly grabbed the arm of the person who walked into him from hitting the ground, and pulled the younger man up against him.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his face drawn up in concern as he gazed down at the pale boy staring blankly back up at him. "Um…?"

"A-Athrun….?" Kira's little brother stuttered helplessly. Out of all the people to walk into tonight, it had to be him. A flurry of emotions was wreaking havoc in his mind, and he shook his head in hopes to clear it. After he managed to regain his composure, Shinn pulled his arm free from the other's grasp.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Athrun-san."

Both friends winced at the bitterness in his tone and then again when Shinn had turned on his heal and towards the house. Slamming the door shut behind him. Athrun stared at it for a long time before shaking his head in dismay.

"You were right, Kira. Everything has changed."

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Author's Notes: Yes... major OOCness and I apologize for the numerous grammar errors in this rough draft. I ended up spending the whole day writing it when I should at least START writing up that research paper for Psychology due on Monday. As you can see, my priorities are really screwed.

Kira the reckless driver: He may not be the pilot of the Freedom Gundam anymore - but he's not someone you wanna play "chicken" or even "gay chicken" with!

Shinn and pop music: I couldn't help it… I mean in Destiny we already see him reading a magazine with "High and Mighty Color" (the band that did the "Pride" OP) on it.

Cagalli x Rey: I did warn that there would be crack pairings, didn't I?

Mayu La Flagga: Mwu (Neo) and Murrue's daughter. I really hope I'm not writing her as a Mary Sue. Other than being intelligent and observant for her age, she's also really compulsive.

Okay was there anything I missed? Well I'll explain more of the "Family Tree" in the next chapter. Until then, please review!