Authoress Notes: This had to be done. Cagalli and Athrun are too adorable not to be together. I love them~ Let me know if at any time you feel that they are OOC, but I will depict them how I belive I see them reacting in those sort of situations. Okay? Okay. And as far as time-line goes, anywhere from Mid Seed/Destiny to Post Seed/Destiny. And there will be AU to provide situations like this one.

Disclaim: If I owned Gundam Seed/Destiny, Athrun and Cagalli would be married. And have children. Adorable little Coordinator/Natural babies. ^_^

Timeline: Post Destiny.

oo1

worry

She was late.

He had been keeping a careful eye on the clock for the past twenty minutes. It was a habit that he had formed during his time as her bodyguard, and it was difficult to shake, considering her position in society.

The hands of the clock shifted.

And then the thoughts began emerging, each worst than the previous with each minute that ticked by. What if something had happened? What if she had been kidnapped? Or shot?

I'm being stupid, he thought, shaking his head. It was a time of (moderate) peace, and logic and rationality said that she was just fine. She can take care of herself.

And if she caught him thinking that she was weak, she wouldn't hesitate to prove him wrong. She hated being looked upon as weak, and he knew that she wouldn't stop until the opinion changed. It was one of the reasons why he -

"Athrun?" A voice broke through his thoughts. And not just any voice - her voice. She stood in the doorway, an eyebrow arched and a jacket slung over one shoulder. "What are you..."

Welcome home, was what he wanted to say, but his mouth betrayed him as he said, "You're late."

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he wished he could take them back. Brown eyes narrowed. "The last time I checked, you weren't my babysitter."

"You could have called." Damn it.

She glared. "If you're going to lecture me, leave." She turned. "I'm not in the mood for this."

He stood. "Cagalli, wait." She paused in her route to her bedroom, though she didn't turn around, even as he reached her. Turning her around, he wound his arms around her, inhaling the scent of her hair. "When you didn't get back on time..." His grip tightened.

I thought something had happened to you.

Cagalli pulled away. "I'm going to bed." Her expression was no longer angry, but she refused to meet his gaze, cheeks pink. He turned. "...Athrun?"

Glancing over, he found her staring at him, her cheeks still a rebellious pink. "Yes?"

"I -" she broke off. "Nevermind. Goodnight."

I love you.

"Goodnight."