Unfortunately, I do not own GSD :-)

Second Chance

'Things lost in battle won't come back anymore… Why did I suddenly remember this?' Miriallia leaned over the banister in a long corridor inside the building where the PLANT's council was residing. She looked down at the people rushing back and forth, diligently preparing for the Lacus's designation as the Head of the Council. Miri sighed and turned her sight towards the glass ceiling. Seeing the blue sky outside, she once again remembered Kira's words. She smiled sadly.

'Tolle, it's been just three years since your death and we were once again pulled into a conflict that could destroy all the humankind, despite all the sacrifices of the previous war… Why did we have to fight again? Why do we, humans, must always fight?' She slowly closed her eyes. 'Do you think there is a hope for us to learn from our mistakes and not repeat this old scenario? Or is it an ordeal we must live with?' She felt tears in her eyes but didn't want to let them fall.

"Hey, beautiful princess, why so gloomy?" Disturbed by sudden whispering voice near her ear, Miriallia jumped off her feet and almost fell on her bottom.

"DEARKA! Why do you sneak on me like a thief, you dumbass?" She wanted to hit him but he evaded her attack and just laughed.

"Oy, oy, don't be so angry, I just wanted to greet you. We used to be quite close in the past." Dearka said making a puppy's eyes.

"Oh, please, don't remind me of that!" She turned away from him.

"So you still can't forgive me?" He asked softly.

Miri just shot him a sharp glance.

"Ahhh…" Dearka sighed and leaned against the banister next to Miriallia. He knew he screwed it big time in the past. He solemnized as he remembered how he first met Miri. Even now, he was still feeling regrets although it wasn't him but Athrun who killed her first love. He thought back to last week when he, Yzak and Athrun visited Nicol's grave.

''We all say 'we won't repeat the same mistake, we don't want to fight, we want peace' but yet we fought again… Yeah, we thought if we fight we'll end this war sooner but for how much longer are we going to do so before we don't have to fight anymore? Or are we going to continue fighting and killing till we die?' Dearka said while standing in the graveyard.

'You stupid, what do you think we're doing right now? We do everything we can to prevent the fights forever!' Yzak yelled at him.

'You're right. That's why we fought so desperately. To be able to choose the future with our own hands and live in peace.''

Dearka smiled. 'It was the first time Yzak and Athrun agreed on anything.'

"By the way, Miriallia, what are you doing here?" He suddenly asked surprising Miri who almost forgot he's standing next to her.

"Why do you ask?" She said briefly.

"I'm just curious, you don't need to be so defensive." Dearka said in a slightly hurt tone. Miri's face softened when she realized she is a bit too cold and stiff.

"Because of work, of course. Lacus is going to be the Chairman of the PLANT and I'm photographer. I will surely earn some money selling her photos." She paused for a moment. "And I always wanted to see what the PLANT look like. I may take some good photos while being here as well." She stopped herself. 'Oh my, why am I talking so much? I mustn't forget I don't like this guy anymore!'

"Oh, I see… And what do plan to do after the ceremony?"

"Hey, just because I answered your question, it doesn't mean you can ask whatever you want!" Miriallia immediately straightened up and wanted to walk away but Dearka caught her hand and stopped her.

"Miri, I didn't mean to intrude your privacy. I just thought that you might accept my invitation for a drink… As a friend, of course."

Miri wanted to refuse immediately but the sad and lost look in Dearka's eyes stopped her. Today he didn't seem to be his usual joking self.

She deeply sighed. "Alright, but just one drink and then I'll leave."

Dearka smiled from ear to ear and hold her hand more firmly.

"Great, let's get going before you change your mind." He started to walk quickly pulling Miriallia with him.

"Hey… Dearka… you… slow down!... Hey!" But he didn't listen to her so she resigned to her fate and ran after him.

oOo

The bright sun greeted Miriallia and made her nose crinkle. 'God, my head hurts… where am I?' She carefully stretched her body trying not to move her head as much as possible because every change of position made her head spinning and hurt. Then she noticed something heavy around her waist. Still with her eyes closed she cautiously touched that unknown object only to find out it's an arm. Very heavy, very hairy and very manly arm. That shocking revelation triggered her memory. 'Oh my god, please tell me I didn't do it!' She slowly opened her eyes only to confirm that she, in fact, DID it.

She felt a slight movement behind her back and completely froze, closing her eyes firmly. She didn't dare to turn around to see whether Dearka is still sleeping or not. She listened carefully and when he didn't move even after five minutes she started to slowly sneak out the bed. She landed on her butt and seeing her naked body and the clothes all over the room made her cover her blushing face. 'I need to get out of here before he wakes up… Just why did I drink with him yesterday?'

Still on her knees she started to move around the hotel's room and pick up her clothes. Unconsciously, she allowed Dearka to thoroughly admire her naked body. He did wake up before and was enjoying her original way of leaving the bed. 'She's so lovely.' He thought while watching Miri trying to put on her panties and bra without any sound. She almost fell but kept her balance somehow. She got dressed, gathered her things and was near the door when she heard the voice she prayed she wouldn't hear at this moment.

"Are you going somewhere?" Dearka's lazy voice was filled with so much sexiness it made her blush although she didn't want to react at all.

"I…I… have some work…" Miriallia managed to say in a small voice.

"Oh, really?"

Miri mustered all of her courage and guts to turn to Dearka only to find him laying on the bed with folded arms behind his head, the blanket barely covering his waist. She quickly averted her eyes.

"Y-Yes. So if you excuse me…" She almost ran towards the door and stopped there surprised when the door didn't open immediately. She stood there with blank mind until she felt Dearka was standing behind her. God knows how he got there so quickly.

"The door is locked." He whispered softly into her ear making her flinch.

"Then unlock it." She tried to sound firm.

"And if I don't…?" He was leaning against the door leaving Miriallia only a small space to move in.

Unwillingly she turned to him, noticing, both pleased and disappointed, that he's wearing the blanket. She better looked up to his face, trying not to be swayed by his broad shoulders and muscular chest. The feeling of the touch of them in her hands was still very much alive from previous night.

"Why not?"

Dearka smiled lazily. "Do you really need to ask?"

"B-But I really need to go." She tried to plead with him.

He moved closer to her and she closed her eyes expecting him to kiss her. Then she slowly opened her eyes again only to see him one meter away with the door behind her opened.

She stood there for a long moment contemplating but then she almost ran outside leaving behind only her scent. The door closed again.

'You can run as far as you want, my dear princess, I'll still find you. Now that I got this second chance I'm not going to let it slip away.' Dearka thought contented with the course of the recent events. 'Who would have thought that after several drinks Miriallia would do something like that.' He touched his lips lightly remembering his surprised reaction after Miri's sudden action. 'And the look in her eyes at that moment wasn't a look of person who hates but rather…' He smiled again and laid down on the bed again replaying every moment of the previous night in his he suddenly remembered one thing and sat down again. A slow smile appeared on his lips and soon he was laughing from ear to ear. He closed his eyes and sighed in pure contentment. 'Shall I tell her we didn't use any protection?' And that was his last thought before he fell asleep again.

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