30 Ways to Conquer Mars
#001 こっち向いて
A.C. 196, December: 「Under the Mistletoe」
Gundam Wing © SOTSU AGENCY - SUNRISE - ANB
This is a work of derivative Fanfiction. No claims are made towards the ownership of intellectual rights pertaining to the metaseries.
...
While Christmas was officially over, the Preventers decided that in the light of recent events, it could bear to be extended just long enough for them to have a chance at a party. Their biggest surprise was from Lady Une, who never did things by halves and proved her philosophy extended towards play as well by throwing them one comparable to any nobleman's, without the stuffed shirts.
Parties made Zechs uneasy, especially without a mask that he can hide his boredom behind. It wasn't the company; he was just an intensely private person, even now, when his secrets are no longer relevant to the world. Standing alone in the middle of a room full of people made him feel clumsy and exposed.
Noin, on the whole, was not a partying type of person, although she did enjoy the comfort of being surrounded by good company, especially on nights such as these. These past days have been so hectic, it was good to be able to relax for a feel moments without fear of the world falling to pieces.
Outside, as the snow drifted down over the world, she smiled, curled up in a secluded window seat with the cold glass cooling her brow and the heavy velvet curtains turning the sounds of drunken celebration into a pleasant background buzz, remembering for the first time in many years, the Christmases from when she was a girl at home.
"There you are." Zechs. She did not hear him come up, but she could feel his presence, just as he had not so much searched for her as looked briefly about the room and set off with certainty towards her position.
"Noin, you dragged me to this party, it's only right you bear through it with me." He demanded.
"Would it kill you to be social once in a while?" She grumbled, watching his reflection on the frozen glass.
"Yes."
She grunted, and closing her eyes, would have none of it.
"Hey Noin," he persisted, tickling her cheek with something prickly and smooth. "Look over here."
Noin turned to regard him with an expression of disdain, but before she could say anything, his lips dived in to deliver a soft pressure on the tip of her nose.
She blinked. "What's that for?"
"Per la fortuna." He smiled, for luck, presenting her with a sprig of mistletoe tied up in glittering red and gold ribbon. "And because I forgot to get you a proper present."
"Hn," she turned the winter plant over in her hands. "Wasn't this hanging up by the fireplace?"
He chuckled, possibly an acknowledgement of his guilt, and squeezed himself into the alcove by her feet.
"Can I stay here with you? I'm afraid there are several young ladies by the door duking it out for the right to accost me in my quarters tonight."
She snorted, a most unladylike sound.
"You know you bring it on yourself. Oh well," she sighed, and scooting around to pillow her weary head against him, added, "you can make yourself useful while you're here."
...
