A/N: Thanks to my readers and reviewers, I apologize if things seem slightly confusing. What can I say, Lyle's a complex guy so his motives are uncertain at this point.
Mimisao: I understand what you mean about the motive and I apologize. Lyle's protectiveness is due to the fact he feels very close to Feldt since they've experienced similar things. They have become close friends in a short period of time and he wants to protect that relationship. They did go past the friendship level and I meant for that to happen… what do you expect when you're staying in the same room with an attractive guy? He saw Setsuna break her heart that evening and things just happened to play out the way they did. They're mutually attracted to one another, but Feldt only loves Setsuna and Lyle only loves Anew, so that's where things are now. I don't want to say too much as I'm pretty sure more of it will be explained as the story continues. :)
Satoshi Asuno: Glad you liked it!
Rijeayko: I'm glad you liked it also! And I'm totally sad for Lyle! But he's such a cool cat, he just does his own thing, I'm sure he'll be okay ;)
SP00K: You always have my thanks!
This chapter is going to be a shorty, so I apologize in advance that it isn't as big as the last few I have written!
Continuation of Day Five, now it's night time.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam 00 or any of its characters! I'm merely playing with them!
"What the hell are you two doing down here?"
Tieria and Allelujah turned to see Lyle walking into the hotel bar. It was late and Lyle had left his room after Feldt fell asleep. He needed to go out and clear his head; so he decided a few drinks would help. Allelujah glanced up through the dim light at a clock hanging on the wall and squinted at it.
"Shoot, I didn't realize it was this late, Marie is probably wondering where I'm at," the super soldier mumbled with a frown.
"She's probably asleep," Tieria stated, "You told her you were coming down here with me so I doubt she cares."
"Are you two going to ignore me or answer my question?" Lyle asked impatiently.
One of Tieria's elegant eyebrows perked up, "You're in an irritable mood, did something happen?"
"Tch, lay off," Lyle huffed as he sat down heavily on a bar stool and waved the bartender over with an exhausted expression.
The Irish sniper scowled as the bartender approached and asked him what he would like to drink.
"Something strong… whiskey on the rocks," Lyle stated dryly.
Allelujah and Tieria exchanged quick glances before turning their attention back to their fellow meister. Lyle reached out and grabbed his drink, downing it quickly before slamming the glass on the counter.
"So are you going to tell us what's bothering you or not? Because if you aren't, I'm going back to my room," Tieria spat shortly.
Allelujah shook his head at Tieria's bluntness and reached out to Lyle. He placed a hand on the Irishman's shoulder with a sympathetic smile.
"What's going on Lockon? Something is up."
Lyle huffed and stood up, "I need to go outside."
Allelujah and Tieria watched him leave the room and the pair immediately stood up to follow him. When they exited the building to the darkened streets they saw Lyle leaning against the front of the hotel under a glowing street lamp. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it swiftly with a scowl. He shoved the stick between his lips and puffed on it angrily.
"I'm not begging for an explanation," Tieria hissed at Allelujah with narrowed crimson eyes as they approached the sniper.
"Settle down, I'll do all the talking," Allelujah told the innovade.
Lyle blew out a cloud of smoke and glanced up at the starry sky with lonely blue eyes. He couldn't help but think of Anew as he looked up at the night sky and thought about being back in space. The Irishman truly wanted to be alone. It was late and he had hoped to come down to the bar and slam a few back in private but apparently the luck of the Irish wasn't with him that night.
"You two still tagging along after me?" Lyle asked with a distant expression as he lifted his cigarette to his lips.
"If one of us was having a problem you'd be there, so now we're here for you, right Tieria?" Allelujah said and then asked the innovade expectantly.
Tieria's eyebrows shot up and then he frowned, "Sure."
Lyle let out a light chuckle, "I guess you're right."
Tieria folded his arms, "I'm going to take a guess and say that something happened with Feldt."
At the mention of the systems engineer's name Lyle's face fell slightly and Tieria's assumption was confirmed.
"We thought something was off today when you left," Allelujah said.
Lyle wrinkled his eyebrows, "What do you mean?"
"Setsuna and Feldt went off together for a while," Tieria answered mechanically.
"Off together?"
Allelujah quickly interjected, "They didn't do anything, we could still see them. They were talking to each other for a while and Setsuna looked really serious."
Tieria huffed, "When doesn't he look serious?"
"I could say the same thing about you," Allelujah shot back.
The violet haired meister let out a growl and Lyle motioned with his hands for both of them to calm down.
"Take it easy guys," he told them.
"Idiot," Tieria muttered under his breath with a sideways glance.
"Feldt decided she wants to be with Setsuna," Lyle suddenly spoke up.
Allelujah and Tieria went silent and watched the Irish meister with blank expressions.
"She said that she likes me, but she doesn't love me… she loves him."
Tieria tapped his chin, "Interesting, she seemed pretty enamored with you in my opinion."
Lyle shrugged, "I thought so too."
Allelujah frowned, "Did you really like her Lockon?"
"Sure I liked her," Lyle sputtered out, "We got close pretty fast… christ, I was the first person she slept with."
Both Allelujah and Tieria's faces changed to expressions of shock and surprise.
"Are you sure you should be telling us that?" Tieria questioned.
Lyle shrugged, "What does it matter? I'm pretty sure all of you figured out what she and I were up to."
"That's true…" Tieria trailed off, "It was an easy conclusion to come to."
"She's a good girl," Lyle nodded, "I guess I should be happy I had the opportunity to spend the time I did with her."
"Do you love her?"
Lyle paused and looked at Allelujah with a bizarre expression, "What?"
"Do you love her?" Allelujah resaid slowly.
Lyle cleared his throat, "The only woman I've ever loved was Anew."
"Obviously this girl is special to you too or you wouldn't be so upset," Tieria told him.
"Who are you to give me relationship advice?" Lyle grumbled.
"Mileina likes him," Allelujah shrugged innocently.
Lyle rolled his eyes, "What is she, twelve?"
Tieria curled his lip in a snarl, "No."
Allelujah couldn't help but let out a nervous laugh, "Let's get back to the real topic."
Lyle threw his cigarette to the ground and smashed it with the heel of his boot and pulled out another; lighting it.
"So did Feldt tell you she wanted to be with Setsuna?" Allelujah asked.
Lyle shrugged, "Basically. It's not a big deal, I can handle it. I told myself that I'd never be with another woman after Anew died so this was probably for the better."
Tieria shook his head, "You're an idiot. You still have a long life ahead, are you going to deprive yourself of meaningful relationships for the rest of it?"
Lyle's eyes widened at Tieria's statement and he frowned. He wasn't depriving himself of anything because didn't want a relationship in the first place.
"Feldt is a young girl, it's better for her to be with someone who is closer to her age like Setsuna. I knew that in the end there would be nothing between us. My initial goal was to give Feldt a push so she would take the initiative to be with the guy she liked. I guess things got a little out of control and I didn't stay neutral in the situation like I planned," Lyle explained, "I ended up liking her myself, and now look at me."
"That's nothing to be ashamed of," Allelujah said, "I think anyone in your situation would have had the same thing happen, that doesn't make you weak."
"You two were mutually attracted to each other, it wasn't one sided," Tieria added.
Lyle laughed, "I know, but I can't help that it stings a little to know I got beaten out by a younger guy… Guess I'm getting old."
"You aren't old!" Allelujah exclaimed.
"I'm almost thirty…" Lyle trailed off.
"Your age has nothing to do with it," Tieria rolled his eyes, "That's ridiculous."
"Says the guy who looks the same year after year," Lyle shot back.
"Feldt knew Setsuna long before you Lockon," Allelujah said.
"I know, I know, she loved my brother, then when he died she was devastated and eventually fell in love with Setsuna. Blah, blah, I know the story."
"You two didn't have the most positive introduction…" Tieria trailed off.
"That's because she kept following me around and watching me."
"She couldn't help it, you're identical to the first Lockon," Tieria said lowly.
Lyle blew out a sharp cloud of smoke, "Don't remind me. I taught her a lesson, she knew after I kissed her forcefully that I wasn't Neil and that's what I wanted."
"Are you going to try and steal her back from Setsuna?" Allelujah asked.
Lyle shook his head, "Nah, I don't have the energy for something like that. She can do what she wants, as long as she's happy."
"You're content being friends and watching her with another guy?" Tieria questioned.
Lyle flicked his cigarette to the ground with his fingers and chuckled, "I guess so."
"That's the carefree Lockon I know," Allelujah smiled in relief.
"I think I needed some fresh air to clear my head," Lyle sighed, "The time I had with Feldt was fun, but she deserves to be with who she's happiest with… if that's some emotionless guy with no sense of humor that's up to her."
Lyle shoved his hands in his jacket pockets and walked in between Allelujah and Tieria who turned to follow after him. They went back inside where Lyle stood by the staircase and let out a heavy sigh.
"I hope you don't have a problem being my roomie Tieria, because I have a feeling that we're going to be paired up the rest of the way out," Lyle said.
Tieria shrugged, "I suppose it's alright. You'll certainly be more entertaining than Setsuna."
Allelujah saw the time on the clock in the lounge and winced, "I really should be getting back to Marie."
"I think we all need to get some rest," Lyle said as he started walking up the stairs after Allelujah.
Tieria followed closely behind the Irish meister and the trio made their way up to the floor that their rooms were on.
"Even though I was annoyed with you two at first, I'm kind of glad I talked to you," Lyle said to his fellow meisters.
"It's not a big deal, I'm relieved you're alright," Allelujah said and added, "Don't worry about the fact that Feldt chose a guy who is younger than you. To be honest it's her loss."
"Trying to make the reject feel better, thanks a lot," Lyle spoke sarcastically.
"You are the one who announced you two weren't dating which made her fair game for Setsuna," Tieria reminded the Irishman.
"Yeah I know… Look, the girl had never been with another guy. She needed to branch out and see what life has to offer. I was teaching her a lesson."
Tieria and Allelujah glanced at each other and looked back to the sniper who shrugged, "It's all going to be fine. I prefer not to be tied down, that way I can do what I want, when I want."
Tieria shook his head with a small smile and Allelujah let out a laugh as Lyle swiped his room key. The door clicked and he gave his comrades a quick wink before entering his room.
"What a guy," Allelujah said with a tired smile.
"He's an idiot," Tieria stated.
A/N: Alright that was a short chapter, but I wanted to make sure I was able to fit something like this in before moving on with the story. Plus I'm super busy with school, so it would take me ages to pump out a big chapter for you all. I imagine you'd like a small chapter more than nothing at all. :)