Author's note: I do not own Gundam Wing or its characters. Both Zechs and Noin are nineteen years old. This is set during Episode 18. Some of these chapters have been posted before as part of This Kiss.


Battle Frenzy

Zechs had been right that the battle would be a challenge for him. It was definitely pushing him to the limits of what he could do in Tallgeese. It was also clear that Treize was trying to kill him. He severely doubted he was expected to survive this. Zechs was going to try anyway, and if he survived this, he wasn't going to be Treize's ally any longer. Of course, that had been true even if this battle hadn't taken place, and that was why Treize wouldn't mind if he died. Treize had no use for those who he could not manipulate or some how use for his own plans, and Zechs had passed out of that category.

Tallgeese took an especially hard it, and Zechs felt his mask shift and crack. It was fitting in away. He had always told Treize that their friendship could not last forever, and when the mask he wore to hide his true identity, Zechs was fully ready to call their alliance ended. It would mean taking up the mantle of Milliardo Peacecraft again. He didn't feel ready for that, but he was more worried about the battle at hand than the future at this moment. The battle was what needed his focus, and Zechs was willing to give it his all.

When the mask cracked and shattered, he felt both regret and freedom. The mask had defined him to so many people for years now, and it was gone. He was just himself now.