Main Pairing: Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne
Summary: Kira has never been able to commit himself to any serious relationship, refusing to fall in love his aloof habits are threatened when he meets a young dance student, Lacus Clyne. Determined not to be another girl forgotten, Lacus sets out on a quest of love and perhaps unrealistic fantasy's, while Kira struggles with is own heart and desire to know what true happiness really is.
Warning: This fic contains both heterosexual relationships and homosexual relationships; this includes non-graphic sex, if this makes you uncomfortable in any way, DO NOT READ. Do not flame because of certain aspects or all that you do not like, if you do not enjoy my writing, do not read it, simple as that. All characters are of the adult age 19- and older.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed/ Destiny; they belong to Sunrise, Bandai and Sotsu Agency. No trademark infringement intended and no money was made from this fan fiction. Any similarity to names or events to any individual or other works is coincidental.
Authors Note: This is my first piece of fan fiction and my first attempt at writing for the general public, English is not my mother tongue and I apologize for any inconvenience. Please be kind.
A Kiss is an Autograph of Love
Chapter One: The Book Signing
To say that Kira Yamato was bored would have been an understatement. For the past three weeks, day in and day out, he had signed hundreds of copies of his latest novel 'Every Little Step'. Everyday he would sit at a large desk placed in a fine book store and sign his name, 'best regards' and to 'my loyal fan' where not an issue anymore, it became mechanical, besides all anyone really wanted was to see his name written in black ink on the blank pages of the books cover.
Yes, Kira was bored, but his publisher would have his head if he skipped out on his book tour, besides it wasn't all boring…
Kira sat silently barely uttering a word as his fans asked him mindless questions, none were original, and not one held any true thought.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Is this story true?
Is the main character based off anyone you know?
Do you truly believe this is what true romance and love is?
Countless questions that all held the same basic answers, as simple yes or no or a vague explanation was all that was needed. Nothing about his reader's questions was original and that's what perhaps made Kira feel like he had failed as an author, and his stay in this overly large New York book store was only making him feel that even more.
He was young, at the age of 21 and had three published books to his name. Magazines and talk shows had named him one of the most promising authors of the new Generation. Kira however felt that his books did nothing to earn this reputation, he was proud of his work yes, but he always felt that they fell short of what he wanted them to be. Like any good author he always saw ways to improve his work, but sometimes when he flipped through the pages of old manuscripts or even the finished copy he would wish that he could just throw away everything and start from scratch.
Did that make him a boring old stickler?
"Mr. Yamato?"
Kira looked up at his name being called; apparently he had gone off into his own world of thoughts without even realizing it. Taking in his surroundings he found a new book placed in front of him, it wasn't a copy of his new book like the others had been, no it was an older paperback that looked like it had been well read with the cover folding outwards and several of the pages had folded tips where someone had saved their place.
Picking the book up Kira turned it to its front and was surprised to see the words 'Tale of the Heart' staring back at him in large black letters.
Speechless Kira looked up to see a woman a few years younger than him in a university sweater and jeans blushing as she looked down at the floor. She was lovely he had to admit with flowing pink hair, a definite coordinator trait, she also had captivating blue eyes and was a bit to pale for the new autumn weather. Gazing at the young woman Kira suddenly went into ideas of how he could write about her, make her beauty everlasting by placing her into one of his stories.
Shaking his head the young author scolded himself for letting his thoughts run wild.
"Mr. Yamato…" She repeated again, Kira loved the sound of her voice, so many words came to mind of how he could describe it to his readers, alluring, enthralling, captivating, tempting, he could make her voice come alive and capture the hearts of everyone.
"Mr. Yamato!" She called more loudly.
Shaken out of his negligence Kira felt ridiculous for acting in such a way. He silently blamed it on his overly active imagination as an artist.
"Oh, I apologize ma'am; it's the curse of a creator you never know when your mind is going to take off without you." Kira said kindly, he spoke with an accent, while he lived in the New York now, he had moved here from Ottawa, and before that he spent most of his life in France.
The young woman smiled as she seemed to be less embarrassed now that she knew his ignoring her wasn't intentional.
"I understand…well no I suppose I don't." She rambled innocently and blushed when caught herself.
Kira almost laughed but felt that it would be a bit rude. Looking at the book again he decided to question her about it. "Tale of the Heart', this was my first published work."
This book though it was his earliest work was perhaps his most gratifying piece. However not everyone felt the same and it wasn't only until his second work 'The Edge of Summer' did he begin to get recognition. Never, not even once, had someone brought him an original copy of his first works.
The young lady was blushing again, Kira began to wonder if she was truly so easily to embarrass or if she was simply just warm from wearing that large sweater.
"Yes, it's an original copy I've had it for a few years, it's my favorite book." She said quietly as he looked at him in the eye for the first time since she had been there. She did not look at him like most people did, her expression slightly reminded Kira of himself and the way he reads and writes, serious but at ease enough to look into the greater picture, to find something that might not be there.
Kira looked back at the line when he heard someone cough impatiently, he knew that he would have to get her out of the line soon, but he wanted to talk with her more.
"What is your name?" Kira asked calmly.
"Huh?" The girl apparently had gone off into her own world of thinking as well.
"Your name?" Kira repeated himself in the same way, not once changing the tone of his voice.
"Oh, of course, it's Lacus, Lacus Clyne." The girl said softly her eyes looking away in shyness.
Kira took this brief moment to autograph her book the same way he did with everyone, this time however he wrote his cell number underneath his own name without thinking.
Quickly closing the book and handed it back to the girl whose eyes shined with happiness. Kira smiled and gave her a "good day" before waving her off. The pink haired girl took a few steps away from the desk, allowing another person to place their book in front of the author before she turned and spoke to him one last time.
"Wait, are you…are you going to write something like this again? I mean your first book; 'Tale of the Heart', are you going to write another one like it?" Lacus asked her tone was soft her but her eyes looked desperate which startled Kira as he looked at her.
Giving a blank stare before looking away Kira said in a low voice but it was just loud enough for her to hear.
"No, I will never write anything like that again."
Lacus's Point of View
Lacus could not believe that she was staring her favorite author dead in the eye. She was so nervous that she could feel her palms begin to sweat and she regretted not going home to change first. It was autumn and the cool breezes called for thicker clothing but now inside this book store with heating and a sophisticated author she wished she had taken the time to put on something thinner.
Kira Yamato was not all what she had thought he would be, for one he seemed rather bored signing his books. She would have thought that to be exciting, to see so many people coming out just to see you. There were more people here in this book store than there had ever been at one of her dance recitals.
Luckily New York was an expensive city and the book store was more than big enough to accommodate so many people, it was two stories after all, with huge areas for sitting that had been cleared out for Kira Yamato's appearance. The line up for autographs was out the door and Lacus considered her luck, to have been able to make it to the book store just as the doors opened.
When she made it to the front she took in the young authors appearance, he was only 2 years older that her 19 year old self but she saw in his eyes and the way he spoke the knowledge of someone more than twice their age. His hand moved swiftly as he signed each book, his thoughts seemed to be else where though; she supposed that must be common in authors.
Back when it was almost finally her turn and only two more people were in front, Lacus clutched her book tightly to her chest as she thought of what she would say, she had so many questions. Her favorite book of all time was 'Tale of the Heart' it was 4 years old and originally was just a paperback, Kira Yamato wasn't famous at that point in time and after she found it lurking in the bargain bin at a small book store she was immediately in love with it after the first paragraph.
'Tale of the Heart' was the most realistic and breathtaking love story she had ever read, it didn't start out with problems and lust as did most romances, no, everything had been perfect for the first couple of chapters and then, tragedy, Lacus remembered crying almost an hour after finishing that book. It just ripped your heart right out, but it was such a true interpretation of what it was like to have your heartbroken, to have loved someone so deeply, but then have them taken away from you in the worst possible way.
Once she had finished it Lacus knew she had to see if she could find anything more about the author, it was a complete failure, the book simply had the authors name and nothing else, and so she searched the internet and other book stores but came up with nothing.
Her author was a no-body, and had written nothing else until two years later. When she first heard people talking about the possible next great author of our time she paid no mind, that was until she went to a book store and saw a copy of 'The Edge of Summer' it was a beautiful hard cover book and was selling for an astounding price of 40 dollars American.
At first Lacus thought it was the wrong author but the name was the same so she picked a book up and quickly skimmed the first page, sure enough the first few paragraphs where enough to captivate her and she purchased the book without a second thought.
Sadly she was a bit disappointed, perhaps she had set her hopes to high for her new favorite author but the writing style seemed different, more bitter, malevolent and distant. It was a love story as was the first one but it lacked the closeness between the characters, it was so …cold. Almost as if the author lost sight or changed his mind of what love really was.
The third book was the same way, it was brilliant of course but Lacus wanted the same feel she got from the first book. Perhaps she was being impractical, but she wanted to know what happened. Why did Kira Yamato change his analysis of love so drastically?
When she got to the front she placed her old book down on the table and waited, he didn't seem to notice her at all; he looked to be in deep thought, not wanting to be rude she waited a few moments before calling his name.
"Mr. Yamato?"
He seemed to come out of his trance and he stared at the book that was in front of him. Lacus watched curiously as his eyes seemed to widen at seeing the worn out paperback in front of him. Lacus blushed and looked away, was he so shocked to see something that he had written in such careless condition? She had tried to take care of it as much as possible but it had been slightly worn when she purchased it and she had read it so many times that over the years it was beginning to become a hassle to take care it, and of course there was the occasional accident, like her room mate spilling water all over the coffee table wetting everything, including Lacus's books.
Again when he said nothing to her she looked up to see him staring at her weirdly, as if he was unsure of what to make of her. Embarrassed that she had possibly offended him she spoke his name again hoping to get him to say something and save her from dropping to her knees and begging that he forgive her for ruining his book.
"Mr. Yamato…." She said a bit firmer hoping that he would stop staring, if he had been gawking at her or possibly looking her over in a boorish way, she would have glared and accused him of being a pervert. However he was not doing either, he didn't seem to be "checking her out" he seemed to be admiring, like the way someone looked at a painting or an impressive piece of architecture, despite herself Lacus couldn't help wondering if he was thinking about how to describe her, like the way he did in his books. Oh how lovely that would be, to hear for once a romantic and poetic technique to express ones fancy.
Knowing that she was being silly Lacus tried to get the man's attention again before she truly did something worth embarrassing herself over.
"Mr. Yamato!" She called and he did direct his attention to her fully for once.
"Oh, I apologize ma'am; it's the curse of a creator you never know when your mind is going to take off without you." He spoke with an accent. A French one, it wasn't too strong and his English was very good but it was there and strong enough to draw attention to his words, she could tell that he seemed to be forcing his r's a bit, he most likely had a tendency to roll them when speaking.
Lacus couldn't help but smile, he had finally talked to her.
"I understand…well no I suppose I don't." Lacus could feel her cheeks burning when she caught herself from babbling like an idiot she hoped he didn't notice, but the amused look on his face told her that he did.
Mentally groaning Lacus cursed herself for loosing her vernacular talents at the time she needed them most. She had always been a great speaker but suddenly she found herself tongue tied.
"Tale of the Heart', this was my first published work." Lacus smiled when she heard him speak about his first book, even if it seemed more like he was confirming that she had actually given him that particular book to sign instead of another.
New confidence rising within her Lacus nodded. "Yes, it's an original copy I've had it for a few years, it's my favorite book."
The young woman watched him eagerly; she didn't really know what she was expecting. Did she really expect him to show a sign of flattery because she liked his first work? After all he had millions of fans, so what if she was a fan before he was famous, though he couldn't possibly know that…
Waiting Lacus watched his expression zealously. He had a blank stare as if he wasn't thinking about anything, almost as if he didn't know what to think.
An inpatient cough was heard behind her and Lacus knew her time was up. She began to panic; she hadn't asked him a single question yet. All this time waiting she finally had her chance….and she blew it.
"What is your name?"
Lacus looked back at the young handsome author and took in his appearance for the first time, he was indeed dazzling, the kind of man you would expect to know and write about romance. His skin was still tan from the summer weather and his eyes where mysterious in every sense of the word. They could charm any woman she was sure.
"Huh?" Lacus found herself asking before she could stop herself.
"Your name?" That accent was to die for as well.
"Oh, of course, it's Lacus, Lacus Clyne." She looked away her shyness coming back into play and no sooner than she composed herself was her book handed back to her and Kira made a shooing motion with his hand, telling her to leave.
Dejectedly she moved away to allow another enthusiastic fan (a male, perhaps one of the very few in the crowd) unfortunately she hadn't the chance to ask any of the questions she wanted but there was one that she needed to know.
As his pen began to move again on the paper of another book she called out. "Wait, are you…are you going to write something like this again? I mean your first book; 'Tale of the Heart', are you going to write another one like it?"
Holding her breath Lacus watched the author intently as he gazed at her with genuine shock. Still watching she saw his eyes harden, and coldness came about him as he looked away with a blank stare and told her in a low voice, so that only she and the person in front of him could hear.
"No, I will never write anything like that again."
Stunned Lacus gave him one last look before she walked away, walking quickly she made it to out the store and onto the busy streets of New York, deciding that the day was perhaps not a complete loss she opened her book and fixed her eyes on the autograph that was in written in black ink at the top of the first blank page of the paperback.
'Lacus, remember that every person has their own story to tell,
Best regards,
Kira Yamato'
His penmanship was flawless, so much better than hers at least. As she read her autograph she felt his words echo in her mind, where she knew they would be forever burned.
"No, I will never write anything like that again."
Confused Lacus was about to close her book when she saw a number, in smaller font below Kira's name.
Even more bewildered Lacus tried to come up with any reason why this author would give her his number…she came up with none.
"No, I will never write anything like that again."
Lacus sighed.
"What did he mean by that?"
Authors Note: A little clarification…
1) No, Kira is not trying to seduce Lacus in anyway; he is simply interested in her because she was the first one to ever bring him an original copy of his first book.
2) Lacus doesn't have a crush on Kira, yet, she noticed he was attractive because it is a normal thing for people to look for when meeting. And as far as her wanting him to talk to her in a romantic and poetic way, come on what girl doesn't want that, it's simply because he is a writer, a romance one at that, so Lacus assumes that he would be good with that kind of thing
3) Some of you may think Kira is interested in Lacus because he wants to write about her, well no, good authors are artist in their own write so I am making Kira very artistic, and all artists can appreciate beautiful things.
4) I'm Canadian and before that I lived in Europe so I do have my flaws when it comes to American currency, but all I am really trying to do is help everyone understand that Kira is a big time author in this story, but 40 dollars a book seems a bit much even in Canada since our dollar is now almost the same as the US. And if I tried to do it by comparison to the Euro I would just confuse myself even further as well as many others I'm sure. So that's why the Kira's books cost so much.
Well I suppose that should help you all with understanding my story a little better… I hope…
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