Hey there everyone! My midterms for summer class r finally over, so i can now bring u the much awaited chapter 7 of the Zala Files. All I'm going to say before i begin is...poor Athrun and his guilty conscience. Lol...anyway...hope u enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own GS, GSD, or the Athrunliciousness that is Athrun Zala...much to my complete and total dismay.
The Zala Files- Chapter 7: Days of Wine and Roses: pt.2
-The Country of Orb, Athha Estate, March 2nd, 12am. Location: Cagalli's room.-
Athrun had been watching for an hour now as the tee shirt clad blonde busied herself in her paperwork. School documents and the papers from her father's will cluttered her desk as she was practically pulling her hair out. He unpacked and rested his suitcase on a chair nearby. Minimizing the distance between them, he rested his hands upon her tense shoulders, and began to rub them gently.
Cagalli mumbled tiredly: "Mmmm...Athrun?"
Athrun chuckled: "Who's hands did you think they were?" He continued to massage her tensed up shoulders.
Cagalli, beginning to feel like she was relaxing too much, tried to shake his hands off of her...which wasn't working. She begged him tiredly: "Mmm.." ... "No!"... "Please Athrun!"... "Your massages are lethal...hit one good spot and then it's..." She moaned loudly as he hit the spot in her shoulders that ached the most: "Mmmmmm."
Athrun, ignoring her pleas and cries for mercy; kept up his role as massage therapist. He smirked cutely: "I can do your back too if you want." His soft, delicate hands moved slowly to the small of her back.
With a sharp intake of her breath, Cagalli shuttered at that single touch which was relieving all of her tension. She let out a soft whimper, then another moan, and then growled under her breath: "S-Stop it Athrun...remember what happened last time!"
Athrun blushed and teased: "Yeah"... "That's why I'm doing it."
Cagalli turned bright red as she growled again: "I-I need to finish this tonight!"... "Then I need to go over father's will with Kira."
Athrun moved his hands back to her shoulders, shook his head, and heaved a heavy sigh: "In the three years we've been apart...you haven't changed one bit. Still pushing yourself beyond your limits. Kira said you guys would go over that in the morning anyway."
Cagalli sighed and grumbled as she ran her fingers through her messy, short, golden hair: "I know...I know!"... "It's that damn asshole Yuuna!"... "Talking about the wedding every minute, every second of the day!"... "I can't stand it!"... "I always need to have Kira make up excuses to get him to go away!"
Athrun laughed lightly: "You didn't need to make up excuses with me."
Cagalli looked the blue haired coordinator square in his emerald eyes: "That's because I..." She blushed a bit, then turned back to her paperwork as she mumbled: "I didn't want you to go away."
Athrun eyed her sadly: "Cagalli..."
Cagalli immediately changed the subject: "Another thing that gets me is that bitch my brother's marrying!" She growled: "Honestly!...I don't understand how he can just jump right back into a bed with her after she made that horrible accusation!"... She calmed herself down and smiled slightly: "Though...I did enjoy the look on her face when Miss Meyrin cornered her...and when you did that thing with the fire." She glanced at him and continued: "Your high tolerance of pain never ceases to amaze me."
Athrun chuckled: "I'm telling you...it doesn't hurt." He offered her a supportive smile: "As for Kira...I think he'll figure out what Miss Allster really stands for soon enough. And in regards to your ass..I mean...", (he shuttered) ... "fiancée."... "If you're looking for a good excuse to get rid of him..." He winked in her direction, and smiled cutely as he teased: " You're welcome to use me as much as you want."
Cagalli rolled her eyes and had to stifle the urge to laugh out loud, she smirked as she playfully joked back: "I thought I did that already?"
Athrun blushed a little, and laughed again as he stated: "Yeah...but practice makes perfect."
Cagalli hissed angrily: "Hey!"... "Are you saying that I!..." She shook her head firmly: "No!."... "Not this time!"... "That won't work this time!"... "I can see right through you Athrun Zala!"
Athrun rubbed her shoulders even more intensely and whispered coyly: "What do you mean?"
Cagalli blushed crimson and hissed nervously: "C-Cut that out!" ... "You know I hate that!"
Athrun chuckled lightly, and in his normal, gentle tone; he replied: "C'mon Cagalli...it's still me. I haven't changed that much in three years...have I?"
Cagalli, in her matter of factly tone, stated: "Ummm...well...you're taller." She looked him up and down, inspecting his outfit: "You dress better...and..." She paused awkwardly.
Athrun raised an eyebrow in curiosity, his dark blue bangs falling softly over his eyes. He casually brushed them back with his hand and pressed her with a grin: "And..."
Cagalli turned candy apple red as she blurted out: "Damn it Athrun!"... "Why do you have to look so damn good all the time?" She immediately turned her head away from him and buried it back into her books.
It was Athrun's turn to blush a little before he teased: "Why?"... "Hmmm...I don't know." He paused, then replied while smiling: "I could say the same for you." He winked at her.
Cagalli growled in embarrassment: "Don't tease me!"
Athrun shook his head firmly and exclaimed: "I- I wasn't!"... "I was...!" He paused and looked down at her with his usual piercing gaze.
Cagalli, desperately blocking another blush from coming through; was also desperately trying to shake herself out from under the lure that the smoldering gaze those mezmorizing eyes were giving her. "D-Don't look at me like that!"
Athrun blinked in a slightly confused manner: "Huh?"... "Like what?" He then proceeded to inadvertently stare at her yet again.
Cagalli tried hard not to blush: "Like that!"... "With those eyes!"
Athrun smiled playfully: "Wait a minute. If I remember correctly...it wasn't just my eyes." He traced his fingers across his lips: "What about my innocent pout?..and..." He pulled at his shirt so that his bare shoulder was sticking out, and teased her further by taking a comely tone: "Let's not forget..." He revealed a little more of his bare, smooth, white shoulder: "My...sexy body."
If it were possible for her to turn a brighter shade of red, Cagalli most certainly just did. She stammered angrily in her defense: I-I never said!..." She noticed the blue haired coordinator's smile growing wider every second that she stalled her answer, so she then stated: " I... I had a little too much to drink and!..."
Athrun adjusted his shirt back to normal, shook his head and cut the stubborn girl off with a laugh: "A little?"... "You were stone cold drunk!"... "It was Miriallia's 18th birthday. Dearkka challenged you to a drinking contest, and you being you refused to back down. Miriallia brought you to my place draped over her shoulders and left me to deal with you. What a way to meet up again!... I hadn't seen you in four months, and when I finally do see you again...you're drunk."
Cagalli jumped to her defense: "How did you know about that night!"... "I was not!..."
Athrun put his finger to her lips and silenced her. He smiled coolly: "Hold on there. I'm not finished telling my story." He grinned at her blush, which she followed up with the cute little pout he'd secretly loved. He continued: "As I was saying...I was home all night...as opposed to attending that party. I had finished my work early, and, since father wasn't home; was looking forward to a nice quiet evening in that big house. I had just put my feet up when I heard this loud knock..."
Flashback to February 17th, CE 73, Miriallia's 18th birthday. Location: Main Zala Estate. Time: 11pm.
Athrun opened the door to the empty estate to find Miriallia Haww, his friend Dearkka's girlfriend. Draped over her shoulders was one Miss Cagalli Yula...or what appeared to be Miss Cagalli Yula, who had, by Miriallia's description; drunken all the guys under the table. Miriallia explained that it was her 18th birthday, as he already knew; and Dearkka, Miguel, Rusty, Yzak, and his girlfriend Shiho, had thrown her a surprise party at the restaurant/club that she'd liked. Miriallia had managed coax Cagalli into coming out to celebrate with them. Athrun had been too busy to go...however, he was now thinking that maybe he should have since he hadn't seen Miss Yula since that night on the veranda 4 months prior. He fingered the pink stone around his neck that remained tucked under his uniform's collar, smiled, and shook his head. Apparently, Dearkka had challenged the stubborn girl to a drinking contest. He should have known that if there was even a hint of booze involved, his friend wasn't too far behind. What was also apparent, especially by her alcoholic breath; was the fact that Miss Yula had obviously won this alleged battle. Miriallia draped Cagalli's arm around Athrun's shoulders, giggled a bit, and bid them both a goodnight. Athrun closed the large doors gently.
Cagalli exclaimed loudly and drunkenly: "Let's go!"... "One more round on me!"... "Nobody bests Cagalli Yula!"... Hey Athrun?" ... "That you!"... "When did you get here!"... "Oh God!"... "There's five of you!"... "I thought one was bad enough!"
Athrun chuckled a bit and shook his head: "Nice to see you again too. Let's sit you down now Miss Yula." He carefully lifted her up in his arms, and carried her bridal style, over to the couch nearby. She giggled loudly as he plopped her on the couch and watched as she began to fall backwards.
Cagalli giggled loudly: "Wheee!"... "It's like a cloud!"... "I'm sinking into a cloud!"
Athrun stifled the urge to laugh, a small smirk on his face as he asked: "Exactly how many shots did you take Miss Yula?"
Thinking very loudly, Cagalli exclaimed: "Hmmmm...ummm...two!"
Athrun eyed her curiously as he truly found that fact hard to believe: "Only two?"... "Two shots never does this to anyone I know...not even Yzak."
Cagalli giggled loudly in his direction: "Silly Athrun!"... "I said 2...but with a big fat 1 in front of it!"
Athrun's emerald eyes widened in pure shock and amazement: "You downed 12 shots!"
Cagalli grinned, her amber orbs sparkling with pride: "Yup, Yup!"... "Aren't you proud of me!"
Athrun sighed heavily, stifling the urge to laugh yet again. He ventured into the kitchen briefly, and then emerged with a cup of black coffee. He plopped down next to her disheveled form on the couch. Her black dress pants all wrinkled, her red blouse unbuttoned slightly at the top, and untucked, her short, golden hair all over the place as if she'd just slept on it, and within her amber eyes; a dazed and puzzled look. He chuckled and handed her the mug: "Here."... "Drink this."
Cagalli sat up, took a long sip, and grimaced at the bitter taste: "It tastes like freakin' tar!"
Athrun laughed: "Is there anything else I can get you?"
Cagalli's loud and drunken tone bellowed: "I'll take another pometini over here please!"
Athrun sighed, and shook his head, deciding to play along: "Sorry Miss...but the bar is closed."
Cagalli eyes the sparkling white drink glass clasped in his hand: "Hey!" ... "You get to have one!"
Athrun smiled and nodded firmly: "Of course I do. I'm the bartender."
Cagalli leaned close to him and rested her hands on his chest as she asked in a comely tone: "Has anyone ever told you..." She brushed a strand of his blue bangs from his eyes: "That you have beautiful eyes?" She finished with a come hither look.
Athrun's emerald eyes widened in shock, a slight blush dusting his features: "I...um...no...but..."
Cagalli entwined her arms around his neck and wobbly stood up, dragging Athrun up with her. She took his drink from his hand and rested it on the coffee table: "How's about we have a little dance?"... "Maybe then you'll change your mind." She reached one arm out and pressed play on the stereo...it was a cd that Dearkka had lent Athrun... "These Arms of Mine" by Otis Redding began to blare over the speakers.
-"These arms of mine...they are lonely"... -
Athrun's small blush now covered his whole face, he silently cursed Dearkka for giving him a cd full of slow dance songs. He turned to the stubborn, drunken blonde in front of him and stammered: "Um...I...I don't...I mean...I can't..."
-"Lonely...and feeling blue."...-
Cagalli cut him off before he could finish by placing her index finger over his lips: "Shhh... don't talk...just dance."
-"These arms of mine...they are yearning...yearning from wanting you. And if you...would let them...hold you..." -
Athrun blushed even redder and lowered his head sighing in defeat and wrapped his arms around her waist tightly to keep her from falling over backwards. Her arms still rested loosely around the back of his neck.
-"Oh how grateful I will be." -
Cagalli asked quietly, but still obviously very drunk: "Hey?"... "How come you don't have a girlfriend?"
To be perfectly honest, Athrun had to admit that he'd really never had the time to ponder that question. He had always been busy with either his school work or executing missions as part of the ZAFT army...being a commander of his own team, it really didn't leave him that much time to do what a normal teenage boy would do...like dating. He was pretty sure that the majority of the girls at the lunar prep school he attended looked to him more as the class genius who would help with their assignments then as boyfriend material. He shook his head in order to suppress another blush and smiled as best as he could: "No one's ever really been interested in me."
Cagalli ran her fingers through his hair gently: "Awww...it's okay Athrun...don't be sad ."... She whispered in his ear: "I'll be your girlfriend."
-"These arms of mine...they are burning..." -
Athrun's eyes widened in shock as he let loose an embarrassed blush: "U-Ummm...ummmm...t-that's o-okay...really...you don't have to...!"...
-"Burning from wanting you."... -
Cagalli, though still very much under the influence of the 12 shots she'd consumed, spoke in an unusual bold tone: "You're very special to me Athrun...don't worry...I'll protect you this time."
-"These arms of mine...they are wanting...wanting to hold you. And if you...would let them...hold you...oh how grateful I will be." -
Athrun felt an air of calm surround him as he offered her a small smile. Even though he knew she was still drunk, even though she would probably forget all about this by the morning; he lifted her hand and softly kissed it: "Thank you Miss Yula."
-"C'mon!...come hold me and...just be my little woman...just be...my lover..." -
Cagalli, whose face was still flushed from the booze, pulled herself so close to him that he could feel the extreme warmth of her body pressed tightly against his. She rested her head on his shoulder and mumbled: "Mmmm...this is nice. You smell like strawberries Athrun."
- "I need me somebody...somebody!...to treat me right." -
Athrun felt himself turning ten different shades of red. Why oh why did this have to happen now!... There was already a lot on his mind...and now he was getting distracted again...but...
-"I need your arms!...Lovin' arms to hold, hold me tight..." -
Cagalli fiddled with the necklace around the anxious Coordinator's neck that managed to reveal itself when she'd pulled him up before: "Hey?"... "Isn't that mine!"
Athrun smiled awkwardly: "Uh...yeah..." He glanced down at it, then back at her: "I'll give it back if you want." He mentally slapped himself. Why did he sound like it was going to hurt him if he gave it back? Did it really mean that much to him? It was just a necklace...so he shouldn't have a hard time returning it to its rightful owner...right?
Cagalli shook her head firmly and stated: "No." ... "You keep it." ... "It looks good on you." She stared deep into his emerald eyes and purred: "And so do I."
- "I...I need your...I need your tender lips to..." -
Athrun blushed crimson. He knew she was still far from sober, but he felt some unknown force drawing him closer to the tempting allure of those full, pouty lips. His pulse began to quicken with every inch closer he was getting to "uncharted territory." This would be the first time he'd actually kissed a girl. His eyes widened. Suddenly, it dawned on him as he thought: "Uh-oh...what if this was her first kiss too!...Nobody wants their first kiss to happen when they're too drunk to remember!" Blushing furiously, his heart nearly jumping into his throat at how close he had been to making a very big mistake...he pulled away. As the song ended, he stammered loudly: "I-Is there anything else I can get you!" He snatched his glass of wine off the table and downed it one gulp to calm his already shattered nerves.
Cagalli pouted in disappointment: "Aww!"... "I wanted some of that too!"... Her eyes widened in amazement as he poured himself another glass of the sparkling beverage and downed another glass in one gulp: "Wow!"... "You're good!" ... "You wanna go best two outta three!"
Athrun sighed heavily. He had been so very close. Why did girls always have to be drunk when they'd want to kiss him? He turned to the loud blonde girl standing next to him: "Is there anything else I can get you Miss Yula?"
Cagalli grinned mischievously and began to tickle his sides: "Tickle fight!" "I won't stop until I get a sip!"
Athrun dropped to his knees, laughing hysterically. Apparently, Cagalli had managed to find where the so called "Ace of ZAFT", was ticklish. He shook his head and in between laughter and gasps of breath, Athrun managed : "S-Stop it!... "God!"... "Please stop!" "N-No!"... "I meant anything else that's not a drink!"
Cagalli stopped her tickle attack on Athrun and gazed into his soft emerald eyes intensely, as if she were searching for something. Then after a few serene seconds of silent bliss, she loudly stated: "How's about somma that smokin' sexy body?... "C'mon!"... "Move that hot ass on over here and gimme some sugar!" She flopped back onto the couch and patted the spot next to her as she purred: "Don't be shy Athrun...I don't bite."
Athrun turned as pale as a ghost, then; as fast as he'd turned pale, he then turned turnip red as his eyes widened: "W-Wait a minute!... Miss Yul...I mean...Cagalli...I...umm...!"... "What are you...?"
Cagalli reached out and ran her delicate fingers through his hair: "Such gorgeous blue hair!"... "Blue is my favorite color." She then took her index finger and trailed it across his lips which were trembling with a mixture of shock, anxiety, and anticipation. She declared loudly: "That innocent pout!"... "My God Athrun!"... "You...are...sooooo damn hot!" She then grinned: "Especially with no shirt on!"... "C'mon...take it off and show us some skin!" She slowly started to undo the top buttons on his ZAFT uniforms collar, revealing the necklace once again.
Athrun gulped. His face flushed from head to toe. He snatched her hand quickly before she got any further, he exclaimed: "M-Miss Yul!"... "I mean...Cagalli..." ... "W-When did you...!"... "How!"... "Why...!"
Cagalli coyly tickled him under his chin: "Don't be so shy. It's Cagalli...not Miss Yula!" She then turned away from him and waved to nobody in particular: "Hey!"... "Another round over here!" "I'll even let sexy over here have a taste too!" She leaned over and whispered hotly next to his ear: "You can have a taste."
Athrun, his face red; sighed heavily. He was growing frustrated and tired from trying to keep up with the stubborn "goddess of victory" : "I think it's time for you to go to bed." He carefully extended his hand out to help her up off the couch and onto her wobbly feet.
Cagalli whispered in his ear again as he was steadying her: "Only if you come with me...Athrun."
Athrun's face turned a brilliant red, his eyes widened, but before he could even get any words out, he noticed Cagalli was on the verge of tripping. He snatched her around the waist quickly, as she managed to fall right into his arms. At the same time, the blue haired Coordinator, who was known far and wide for his speed and accuracy; lost his balance and fell backwards onto the couch...Cagalli on top of him in a suggestive position. He apologized frantically: "Uh...Ummm...Miss Yu...damn!...I mean...Cagalli...are you okay!"... "I'm so sor...!" Before he could finish that sentence or even process the reality of what was happening, he felt her soft, warm lips on his, tasting him hungrily.
Cagalli murmured next to his mouth: "Mmmmm...you taste good Athrun."
His innocent emerald orbs widened in shock. This was his first kiss! He'd never expected it to be so... He suddenly felt himself giving into these feelings he never knew he had. His eyes closed as she continued to kiss him...her fingers starting to unbutton his top again. She fiddled with the necklace around his neck as she continued to kiss him with full force. Athrun had been told by his father as a child that once one commits a sin, they could not become detached from it. He wondered : "Is that what I'm doing now?" ... "Is this a sin?" Her kiss was sweet like raspberries and cream...he suddenly found himself unable to get enough of it. His curious teenage hands moved up and down parts of her body he'd secretly wanted to touch ... the sound of thunder outside forced him to open his eyes in a flash as he snapped back to his senses. He wrenched himself out of her grip and sat up, gasping for breath, his face red, his hair mussed up, and his uniform jacket nearly unbuttoned all the way down, revealing his blue undershirt. He turned away from her and cursed to himself: "Damn it Athrun...what's wrong with you!"... "Get a grip!"... "She's drunk...remember!" He turned to the golden haired girl next to him, her shirt nearly unbuttoned all the way, her short hair all over the place. "Did I do that!" he asked himself. "I can't believe I almost!..." He apologized in a frantic tone to the disheveled Cagalli: "Damn it!"... "I- I'm so sorry Cagalli...I!.."
Cagalli sat up straight, stretching her arms over her head, and let out a loud yawn before she exclaimed: "Hey!"... "You know what!"... "You're hot!"... "Thanks for the night night kiss Athrun!" She yawned again: "Nap time!" She then let her head come crashing onto Athrun's shoulder as she mumbled sleepily: "Has...anyone ever told you..." She brushed his blue bangs from his eyes gently. "...You have...beautiful...eyes...huh...Ath...run?" Then she was out like a light, her head still resting on his shoulder, her hand falling limply to rest at her side.
A slight blush dusted across Athrun's features as he shook his head and chuckled, brushing a strand of her hair from her eyes: "No." ... "You're the first to say that." He gently took her shoulders and laid her back onto the soft couch, placing a down pillow under her head and a soft white linen blanket next to her in case she suddenly got cold during the night. Also, he placed a bucket next to her...just in case. He quickly assessed the situation. His father would not be home for two more days...which ensured Cagalli's safety. He smiled down at her and pressed a delicate kiss on her warm forehead. He chuckled: "Goodnight...Cagalli." As he dimmed the lights and made his way to his room down the hall, he muttered under his breath: "Mental notes...one: make sure she never finds out about this. That would be easy considering he was the only witness anyway. And number two: punch Dearkka in the morning..." Athrun heaved a heavy sigh: "Oh well...at least I'll have fun executing mental note number two."
-End of Flashback-
-Back to CE 75- Athha Estate, 12:30 am, Cagalli's room -
Cagalli's face burned bright red in embarrassment: "W-Wait!"... "I- I kissed you!"... "How come I don't remember that!"
Athrun laughed out loud: "I was so terrified!" ... "I thought, if I told you...you would've shot me again!"
Cagalli, even redder then before, groaned tiredly and held her head. She growled: "Stop laughing at me!"... "God...I need a drink!"
Athrun shook his head and smiled at her angry face: "Sorry Cagalli...this time...the bar is closed."
Cagalli growled, her amber eyes flashing in anger: "Hey!"... "We're at my place this time, and I'll do whatever the damn hell I...Mmmmmm!" She glanced down and found Athrun's hands rubbing the small of her back yet again. She moaned again softly, and then cursed at him under her breath as the princess or Orb conceded defeat against the Coordinator's relaxing touch: "Damn you Athrun!"
Athrun simply smiled in satisfaction.
- Okies everyone!...That's Chappie 7!...Hope everyone liked it! Gotta love a Coordinator who knows how to use his hands. Lol Anyways...see you all next chapter for more AsuCaga happiness!
