The Formal
Some things in OZ could be ignored. The Formal OZ Ball was not one of them. Months before it would happen comities would be decided to plan and plot the entire ball. By the time it was formally announced everyone was already in a frenzy over dates and ball gowns. Gossip was hottest just before that ball and the days after.
"Reminds you of the academy right before the Senior Prom, doesn't it?" Zechs asked. Noin nodded.
"But this..." She answered. "This is so much worse. Just think, the Gundams are only teenagers and I bet they'd have more self control than this. Did you see Lady Une skipping down the hall the other day?"
Zechs snorted. He had seen and the image was now engraved forever in his mind. He'd been psychologically damaged.
"Well, I have to go get myself ready for the Ball; see you there Zechs?" Noin asked.
"Meet you at the entrance hall, before the formal entrances begin." He answered. When Noin had left he looked to his watch. It was only two hours until the ball actually began, he smirked, most of the OZ women had been getting ready for the ball for the last six hours. In fact he should have started getting ready an hour ago, but he hadn't wanted to seem like he was too engaged with his personal appearance. He got up and went to his rooms.
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Noin quickly showered in the showering rooms and headed back through the halls to her quarters wearing only a robe, sure that she wouldn't get caught out of uniform. She made it to her room and dropped the robe inside the shut door. Pausing only a few seconds she combed her hair to the side and put a little gel in it to hold it in place. Then she put on her perfume, something bitter sweet that vaguely smelled like the color purple. Glancing to the wall mounted clock on the wall she hissed, worried that she might not make it on time, she reached for her dress and slipped it over her head. Yards of purple velvet cascaded around her and Noin suddenly felt foolish, she wished she could wear her uniform. Struggling with the hidden back zipper of the dress she smiled at herself in the mirror; the dress complimented her perfectly. It had long sleeves with open flared wrists, a tight corset fit, and the skirt billowed out dramatically covering the floor around herself. Which not only complimented her figure it hid her shoes.
"Shoes!" She moaned before looking to the closet. The one thing she couldn't stand were high heels or dress shoes. So she had finally come up with the solution of shredding an old pair of military boots from the academy; cutting the boots from thigh length to ankle length. Grabbing the shoes she quickly stepped into them while doing her makeup in the mirror.
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Zechs took his time brushing his hair, trying to work all the kinks out of his silvery mane. Maybe it was his pride and joy, but it was a pain to keep in order. Looking to the clock he realized he'd better hurry up and get his uniform on. He snorted at the formal uniform, horrible starched thing that it was; the worse part was that it was the exact same uniform he wore at any other time, this one was just starched so that it itched. Grumbling silently he pulled on a stiff white shirt and then his vest, carefully lifting his hair out of the way before fastening either of them. Then he slid his boots on, which had taken him 3 hours to buff this morning, over his spotless white breeches. Knowing he could not escape the inevitable Zechs pulled on his formal military jacket, and buttoned it, hating the feel of the stiff collar. Finally he arranged his hair over his back and put on his helmet.
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Noin was the first one to the entrance hall, and she paused to politely stare at the decorations. The potted palm trees were strung with small twinkling lights, giving only a hint of what lay inside the ball room.
"Well, funny to see you here, Noin." she turned to see her awful commander that had ordered her to come as his date. "I was sure the common foot soldiers weren't allowed in this entrance with us nobles and officers." Several officers had turned to stare at the commotion he was creating. He paused giving her a chance to make a rebuttal and as she opened her mouth he silenced her. "Well, if you're here than I assume you need a date, and lucky me. I'm free tonight." He said grabbing her arm and linking it with his.
"Let me go." Noin demanded. He glared and tightened his grip.
"I believe she told you to let her go." Zechs said clearing his throat. The sound of his commanding tones caused more people to turn than her officer's scene.
"Sir? She's a common foot soldier who is trying to mingle with the officers, I was just going to escort her out when you arrived." The commander answered.
"From what I heard you were trying to forcefully pick a date with her." A murmur had arisen amongst the officers. A disapproving murmur.
"She has no date!" The Commander protested.
"She is here as My date." Zechs answered and the commander paled backing away from both of them. At that moment he felt psychic and he saw himself manning a radio tower in Antarctica, alone, a week from now. As he turned to leave Zechs spoke one last time. "What a horrible man." The stares from the other officers was downright condemning and the commander didn't even bother to look up.
Zechs turned back to Noin.
"He didn't do anything else to you did he?" He asked. She shook her head; no. They both looked up as the music started. He snorted. "Well, here we go." He said linking arms with her. Following Treize's lead they walked down the hall slowly and into the ball room. Zechs took the chance to hum the wedding march, causing Noin to laugh as soon as they were in the ball room. "We have the first dance as well." Zechs answered. As she turned into his arms she elbowed him and he frowned.
"Of course I knew that." She reminded him. "Remember that summer when we were eleven? My father took us to the Electra base and-"
"We snuck into the balconies above the ball." Zechs answered smirking. He put a hand on Noin's waist, guiding her into the waltz. "I've missed you so much." He said suddenly his hand on her waist and her hand tightened. Noin was startled.
"I've missed you too." Noin answered. "It really has been a long time since the academy. Since I've connected with anyone." Zechs nodded, his eyes a charming blue.
"God." Zechs murmured seconds later.
"What?"
"Lady Une. She's on the sidelines of the ball," he paused, horrified. "Bouncing in joy." He spun them so that Noin could see. She trembled. Here was one of OZ's finest, bouncing for joy at a ball.
"Remind me to let the Gundams kill me next battle." Zechs murmured. Noin laughed.
"Its not that bad is it?" She asked.
"She's one of my ranking officers, she can order me around, Noin, I don't need to see her acting like a sugar buzzed child." He answered.
"Well, there has to be something good about the ball, right?" Noin asked.
"Company's good." He answered making her blush. As the dance ended he slowed them and stopped releasing her. "Lets get some drinks." Zechs said seeing the line of ladies watching him hopefully. As they turned towards the bar he say another line of young soldier women. "Anything you can do to save me?" Zechs asked. Noin smiled benevolently at him, almost innocently.
"I'll buy the drinks and loan you the aspirin for your sore feet." She answered. Zechs scowled ineffectively.
"You're not buying the drinks." He said finally. "But the aspirin is welcome. Rum ok?"
"Straight?" Noin asked. Zechs nodded. "Remember party night on campus?" He nodded again while ordering their shots. "The next day you were so sick-"
"Hey," Zechs answered. "Lets not let that little secret get out." he held her shot out of her reach. "Deal?"
"Deal for me not telling everyone you couldn't hold your alcohol back then?" She asked lowering her tone and leaning in closer to him. Zechs scowled when she retrieved the shot glass with out him even struggling. She nocked it back easily while he sipped at his. "It was pretty funny watching you stumble around the next morning, bumping into walls."
"I saw the tapes you made." He answered. Noin watched his eyes and saw the blush show there, as he focused on the bar top.
"Remember how I was after that freshmen party?" she asked shifting the bad light on to herself. It worked and he smirked, laughing silently, his cobalt blue eyes coming up to meet hers.
"Yes." He said. "Too well for your own good, perhaps."
"Oh, really?" Noin demanded.
"I was asleep in my room and I came downstairs and you were telling the refrigerator all of your deepest secrets. You wouldn't believe some of the stuff that came out of your mouth." He grinned. "And then you wouldn't let go of the floor because you thought you might fall off of it, so I had to drag you upstairs by your feet."
"Lets drop the being drunk subject." Noin answered huffing.
"But we haven't even gotten to the part about your nightmares." Zechs protested. That really got her to blush. That part she remembered clearly enough. She'd woken up just after he'd put her to bed, from a nightmare, and crawled into his bed. Zechs was a horribly deep sleeper and she'd crawled into his arms and slept with him all night. When his alarm clock had gone off the next morning they'd woken up at the same time, tangled in each others arms and legs.
Zechs watched as she blushed furiously. He took the chance to study her dress. It really fit her nicely, and the color accented her hair. Glancing around Zechs verified what he had previously thought, the billowed skirt wasn't as fashionable this year as before. In fact she was the only one wearing one of that style and it made her stand out beautifully.
"Another waltz is starting." Zechs said as he finished his rum. Noin nodded and let him lead her on to the ball room floor. "We can change the subject, if you want to." Zechs said after a minute of silence.
"I'm not upset." Noin answered smiling. "I'm just remembering. I hadn't thought of that in years." Actually the thought of sleeping in his arms was a common one. A very common one.
Zechs mentally frowned at her answer. He'd thought about it more often that he was willing to admit. Noin saw the frown in his eyes, and she smiled to get him to smile.
"You dance remarkably well for wearing high heels." Zechs said leading her into a whirl. Noin giggled at their speed and at him. "What?" Zechs asked. "Am I missing out on a secret?" She nodded. He sighed, feigning frustration. The years in the academy had taught him that she could not be forced into revealing a secret.
"I'll tell you later, don't pout." Noin reprimanded.
"I do not pout." Zechs answered, laughing.
"Mind if I cut in?"
The new voice made them freeze in their tracks and Noin saw the frown flash in his eyes, just barely there. The girl stood there, her gaze not even acknowledging Noin's presence, puppy eyed at Zechs. Noin felt bad for him, and suddenly understood why he was ordered to things like this. She recognized the girl as Commander Fiona's daughter, Selindra. Looking across the room she saw the Commander watching Zechs. Reluctantly she stepped out of his arms and retreated to a table.
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Watching Zechs dance with perhaps the 12th girl, not that she was counting, Noin felt lonely. She had really begun to hate the idea of puppy eyes and was reverently praying that she never made such a fool of herself.
"Did you get abandoned?" Treize asked as he sat down beside her. All feelings of hate of loneliness vanished.
"Not really," Noin answered being cordial. "Getting kicked off the playing field would be more appropriate."
Treize laughed.
"Yes, well, he's popular. I still don't understand why we have to order him to be here." Treize answered, eyeing the line of girls appraisingly, which only disgusted Noin. In the distance she saw Lady Une approaching; she was carefully studying Treize's back, with a sort of pleading look on her face.
"Sir?" Lady Une asked standing behind him. He didn't even turn to look at her.
"Yes?"
"Well, sir, I was wondering if you would waltz with me..." Noin was happy, not just because Treize would be leaving but because Lady Une looked so hopeful; so this was what she had been skipping for, earlier.
"Can't you see I'm busy?" He snapped and her face fell. He hadn't even looked at her. Noin frowned at him and watched as Lady Une ran across the room to the bathrooms. How could he be that heartless?
Noin shoved her chair back and left the table without a word to Treize. His indignant stare followed her across the room.
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Noin silently slipped into the bathrooms. Thank god they were empty; against the refrain of the waltz she could hear sobbing. Bastard, she thought. Noin followed the sound to the powder room and found Lady Une collapsed against the vanity, her arms pillowed on it. Even if Lady Une didn't have the best humanitarian reputation she didn't deserve this. Noin sat down beside her and put her arms around the sobbing general. Without looking up Lady Une curled into her seeking comfort.
"Shhhh." Noin murmured trying to calm her. "Its ok. Everythings going to be ok."
"I love him...Why can't he see that?" Lady Une cried giving Noin all the more reason to pity her. Poor, poor Lady Une; and Treize had to be such a jerk and not even glanced her way.
"Hush..." Noin murmured, "It'll be alright...I'm sure if you're persistent he'll notice you."
"Oh, Really?" Lady Une said looking up, too much hope in her eyes. "Do you really think so?" She was already scrubbing at her tears and glancing to the mirror to fix her makeup. Noin nodded, trying not to crush the hope there. "Thank you." Lady Une said crushing her in a hug as soon as Noin stood up. Noin silently watched as Lady Une walked out the door, blindly hopeful.
She stayed a second to check her makeup and her hair before going back out to the ball.
Glancing around she saw Zechs perched at the bar, his back to the line of beautiful young girls. Noin smirked before approaching him and elbowing her way in between him and the general beside him. Zechs moaned balefully and grabbed her arm in a death grip.
"You have to save me from them, Noin!" He demanded in a whisper. "If I waltz one more girl I don't know I'll heave!"
"How about we have another round of drinks...," Noin said smiling and seeing the relief in his eyes. "And then we go for another round of waltzes."
Zechs frowned.
"Somehow I think you're getting the better end of the deal; you don't have to listen to the mindless banter of these girls." His tone dropped conspiratorially and Noin leaned closer. "Some of them are talking about marriage." He gulped. "To me." Noin snickered. "And I don't even know their names." Zechs glanced back at the girls who favored him with sugar coated smiles. He shivered in horror. "God, could you see me tied down to one of them?"
Noin wondered, did he think unfavorably of the married state or was it just the though of being married to one of them?
"It'd be horrible. Some pretty face without a mind of her own, hammered into the form of a perfect wife by her family and breeding schools." Noin thought he actually looked shaken; as he paused to catch his breath she order another round of rum. "She wouldn't even have to be in love with me; just her thoughts or her family thoughts of Zechs Marquess, of what an honor it would be to catch me. To have me tied down," Noin blushed and shook the visual out of her head, mildly scolding herself; she'd die if he ever found out she though of him like that- tied down to her bed that was. "To their family line; i could just see her parents when their old and grey sitting somewhere boasting like I'm some prize or title that their daughter managed to catch, neither parent really caring whether or not we were meant for each other. It really is sick that way." Their drinks arrived and Zechs nocked his straight back and then turned to glance out at the crowd dismissing one of the girls striding toward him determinedly. "I want to meet someone who could care less who I am, or what my titles are. Someone with passion and fire, someone feisty. Someone who doesn't have to know what my face looks like..."
"So are you opposed to marriage?" Noin asked unsure. He smirked and chuckled.
"Not at all." He answered smiling. "I just want an adversary I'm equal to. I want to meet my match."
"Maybe you should marry one of the Gundams." Noin answered laughing, which made him laugh and almost spill his shot glass on himself.
"No ones done that in a long time." Zechs answered clutching at his side.
"What?" Noin asked still laughing.
"My ribs are killing me." He answered. "Come on." He said dragging her towards the ball room floor, almost plowing through a group of the young socialites sent to stalk him. On the floor Zechs wrapped an arm around her waist and wrapped one of her smaller hands in his, guiding her back into the waltz.
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"You never told me how you managed to survive the last three hours of the ball, waltzing with me, with those heels on." Zechs said outside of Noin's quarters. They were sitting in the hall way giggling and discussing the Formal. Noin laughed and lifted her head off her knees to push her feet out past the skirt bottom.
"I didn't wear heels, silly." Noin answered, giddy at the alcohol in her blood. "I trimmed up an old pair of boots from the academy."
There was a metallic thud from the wall beside her and Noin looked up giggling to see Zechs holding the back of his helmet and laughing.
"What did you do?" She asked through giggles.
"I hit my helmet on the wall laughing about your boots!" He answered. "Ow." It only made Noin laugh more which made Zechs laugh more.
"Stop it!" Noin tried to order, shoving him.
"Stop what?" Zechs asked shoving her back.
"Stop laughing! My sides are cramping..." Noin answered shoving him again, hard enough that he had to use his arm to steady himself.
"You stop first!" he answered, and yelped as she resorted to grabbing a fistful of his hair. Noin paused just a second to run her fingers over the blond strands, loving the feel of it, then she tightened her hand into a fist, feeling it slide like silk between her fingers. Pulling on his hair slightly Zechs had to scoot closer to Noin, and she lifted her hand to smell his hair. It smelled so good. His whimper brought her back to reality and she realized he had his back turned to her, one hand on his helmet to keep it on, the other hand under his helmet against his scalp to keep her from ripping out his hair. "Mercy, Noin! Mercy!" Zechs cried. Noin laughed playfully and the motion tugged on his hair. Loosing his balance Zechs tumbled back against Noin's chest and into her lap. Both their laughters stopped suddenly at the close proximity; cobalt eyes glued to dusky grey, both wide in shock at the turn of events.
"Get a room!" a girl called from down the hall, spurring both off them into motion. Zechs stood up quickly and helped Noin to her feet, both of them blushing and avoiding each other's eyes. Noin silently calculated how many doors down that cat call had come from and decided to kill its owner tomorrow. It had felt so nice to have him in her arms, his weight against her, and all of that soft silvery blonde hair cascading down her arm from where his head had rested on her shoulder.
As she was about to retreat into her quarters, silently embarrassed, his hand wrapped around her upper arm stopping her. Noin looked up into his face reading his eyes.
"Thank you...," He said smiling, as his hair cascaded around his mask and down his shoulders. "For tonight, and for bailing me out at the Formal-"
"It was nothing." She answered too quickly, and blushed hoping he hadn't realized why she had said that.
"Yes, it was." Zechs answered. "It means a lot to me that I had your company tonight. I'd forgotten how much I missed you since the academy." He suddenly pulled Noin into a hug. "Thank you."
Noin looked up to him enjoying the feel of his arms around her.
"You're welcome."
Some things in OZ could be ignored. The Formal OZ Ball was not one of them. Months before it would happen comities would be decided to plan and plot the entire ball. By the time it was formally announced everyone was already in a frenzy over dates and ball gowns. Gossip was hottest just before that ball and the days after.
"Reminds you of the academy right before the Senior Prom, doesn't it?" Zechs asked. Noin nodded.
"But this..." She answered. "This is so much worse. Just think, the Gundams are only teenagers and I bet they'd have more self control than this. Did you see Lady Une skipping down the hall the other day?"
Zechs snorted. He had seen and the image was now engraved forever in his mind. He'd been psychologically damaged.
"Well, I have to go get myself ready for the Ball; see you there Zechs?" Noin asked.
"Meet you at the entrance hall, before the formal entrances begin." He answered. When Noin had left he looked to his watch. It was only two hours until the ball actually began, he smirked, most of the OZ women had been getting ready for the ball for the last six hours. In fact he should have started getting ready an hour ago, but he hadn't wanted to seem like he was too engaged with his personal appearance. He got up and went to his rooms.
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Noin quickly showered in the showering rooms and headed back through the halls to her quarters wearing only a robe, sure that she wouldn't get caught out of uniform. She made it to her room and dropped the robe inside the shut door. Pausing only a few seconds she combed her hair to the side and put a little gel in it to hold it in place. Then she put on her perfume, something bitter sweet that vaguely smelled like the color purple. Glancing to the wall mounted clock on the wall she hissed, worried that she might not make it on time, she reached for her dress and slipped it over her head. Yards of purple velvet cascaded around her and Noin suddenly felt foolish, she wished she could wear her uniform. Struggling with the hidden back zipper of the dress she smiled at herself in the mirror; the dress complimented her perfectly. It had long sleeves with open flared wrists, a tight corset fit, and the skirt billowed out dramatically covering the floor around herself. Which not only complimented her figure it hid her shoes.
"Shoes!" She moaned before looking to the closet. The one thing she couldn't stand were high heels or dress shoes. So she had finally come up with the solution of shredding an old pair of military boots from the academy; cutting the boots from thigh length to ankle length. Grabbing the shoes she quickly stepped into them while doing her makeup in the mirror.
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Zechs took his time brushing his hair, trying to work all the kinks out of his silvery mane. Maybe it was his pride and joy, but it was a pain to keep in order. Looking to the clock he realized he'd better hurry up and get his uniform on. He snorted at the formal uniform, horrible starched thing that it was; the worse part was that it was the exact same uniform he wore at any other time, this one was just starched so that it itched. Grumbling silently he pulled on a stiff white shirt and then his vest, carefully lifting his hair out of the way before fastening either of them. Then he slid his boots on, which had taken him 3 hours to buff this morning, over his spotless white breeches. Knowing he could not escape the inevitable Zechs pulled on his formal military jacket, and buttoned it, hating the feel of the stiff collar. Finally he arranged his hair over his back and put on his helmet.
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Noin was the first one to the entrance hall, and she paused to politely stare at the decorations. The potted palm trees were strung with small twinkling lights, giving only a hint of what lay inside the ball room.
"Well, funny to see you here, Noin." she turned to see her awful commander that had ordered her to come as his date. "I was sure the common foot soldiers weren't allowed in this entrance with us nobles and officers." Several officers had turned to stare at the commotion he was creating. He paused giving her a chance to make a rebuttal and as she opened her mouth he silenced her. "Well, if you're here than I assume you need a date, and lucky me. I'm free tonight." He said grabbing her arm and linking it with his.
"Let me go." Noin demanded. He glared and tightened his grip.
"I believe she told you to let her go." Zechs said clearing his throat. The sound of his commanding tones caused more people to turn than her officer's scene.
"Sir? She's a common foot soldier who is trying to mingle with the officers, I was just going to escort her out when you arrived." The commander answered.
"From what I heard you were trying to forcefully pick a date with her." A murmur had arisen amongst the officers. A disapproving murmur.
"She has no date!" The Commander protested.
"She is here as My date." Zechs answered and the commander paled backing away from both of them. At that moment he felt psychic and he saw himself manning a radio tower in Antarctica, alone, a week from now. As he turned to leave Zechs spoke one last time. "What a horrible man." The stares from the other officers was downright condemning and the commander didn't even bother to look up.
Zechs turned back to Noin.
"He didn't do anything else to you did he?" He asked. She shook her head; no. They both looked up as the music started. He snorted. "Well, here we go." He said linking arms with her. Following Treize's lead they walked down the hall slowly and into the ball room. Zechs took the chance to hum the wedding march, causing Noin to laugh as soon as they were in the ball room. "We have the first dance as well." Zechs answered. As she turned into his arms she elbowed him and he frowned.
"Of course I knew that." She reminded him. "Remember that summer when we were eleven? My father took us to the Electra base and-"
"We snuck into the balconies above the ball." Zechs answered smirking. He put a hand on Noin's waist, guiding her into the waltz. "I've missed you so much." He said suddenly his hand on her waist and her hand tightened. Noin was startled.
"I've missed you too." Noin answered. "It really has been a long time since the academy. Since I've connected with anyone." Zechs nodded, his eyes a charming blue.
"God." Zechs murmured seconds later.
"What?"
"Lady Une. She's on the sidelines of the ball," he paused, horrified. "Bouncing in joy." He spun them so that Noin could see. She trembled. Here was one of OZ's finest, bouncing for joy at a ball.
"Remind me to let the Gundams kill me next battle." Zechs murmured. Noin laughed.
"Its not that bad is it?" She asked.
"She's one of my ranking officers, she can order me around, Noin, I don't need to see her acting like a sugar buzzed child." He answered.
"Well, there has to be something good about the ball, right?" Noin asked.
"Company's good." He answered making her blush. As the dance ended he slowed them and stopped releasing her. "Lets get some drinks." Zechs said seeing the line of ladies watching him hopefully. As they turned towards the bar he say another line of young soldier women. "Anything you can do to save me?" Zechs asked. Noin smiled benevolently at him, almost innocently.
"I'll buy the drinks and loan you the aspirin for your sore feet." She answered. Zechs scowled ineffectively.
"You're not buying the drinks." He said finally. "But the aspirin is welcome. Rum ok?"
"Straight?" Noin asked. Zechs nodded. "Remember party night on campus?" He nodded again while ordering their shots. "The next day you were so sick-"
"Hey," Zechs answered. "Lets not let that little secret get out." he held her shot out of her reach. "Deal?"
"Deal for me not telling everyone you couldn't hold your alcohol back then?" She asked lowering her tone and leaning in closer to him. Zechs scowled when she retrieved the shot glass with out him even struggling. She nocked it back easily while he sipped at his. "It was pretty funny watching you stumble around the next morning, bumping into walls."
"I saw the tapes you made." He answered. Noin watched his eyes and saw the blush show there, as he focused on the bar top.
"Remember how I was after that freshmen party?" she asked shifting the bad light on to herself. It worked and he smirked, laughing silently, his cobalt blue eyes coming up to meet hers.
"Yes." He said. "Too well for your own good, perhaps."
"Oh, really?" Noin demanded.
"I was asleep in my room and I came downstairs and you were telling the refrigerator all of your deepest secrets. You wouldn't believe some of the stuff that came out of your mouth." He grinned. "And then you wouldn't let go of the floor because you thought you might fall off of it, so I had to drag you upstairs by your feet."
"Lets drop the being drunk subject." Noin answered huffing.
"But we haven't even gotten to the part about your nightmares." Zechs protested. That really got her to blush. That part she remembered clearly enough. She'd woken up just after he'd put her to bed, from a nightmare, and crawled into his bed. Zechs was a horribly deep sleeper and she'd crawled into his arms and slept with him all night. When his alarm clock had gone off the next morning they'd woken up at the same time, tangled in each others arms and legs.
Zechs watched as she blushed furiously. He took the chance to study her dress. It really fit her nicely, and the color accented her hair. Glancing around Zechs verified what he had previously thought, the billowed skirt wasn't as fashionable this year as before. In fact she was the only one wearing one of that style and it made her stand out beautifully.
"Another waltz is starting." Zechs said as he finished his rum. Noin nodded and let him lead her on to the ball room floor. "We can change the subject, if you want to." Zechs said after a minute of silence.
"I'm not upset." Noin answered smiling. "I'm just remembering. I hadn't thought of that in years." Actually the thought of sleeping in his arms was a common one. A very common one.
Zechs mentally frowned at her answer. He'd thought about it more often that he was willing to admit. Noin saw the frown in his eyes, and she smiled to get him to smile.
"You dance remarkably well for wearing high heels." Zechs said leading her into a whirl. Noin giggled at their speed and at him. "What?" Zechs asked. "Am I missing out on a secret?" She nodded. He sighed, feigning frustration. The years in the academy had taught him that she could not be forced into revealing a secret.
"I'll tell you later, don't pout." Noin reprimanded.
"I do not pout." Zechs answered, laughing.
"Mind if I cut in?"
The new voice made them freeze in their tracks and Noin saw the frown flash in his eyes, just barely there. The girl stood there, her gaze not even acknowledging Noin's presence, puppy eyed at Zechs. Noin felt bad for him, and suddenly understood why he was ordered to things like this. She recognized the girl as Commander Fiona's daughter, Selindra. Looking across the room she saw the Commander watching Zechs. Reluctantly she stepped out of his arms and retreated to a table.
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Watching Zechs dance with perhaps the 12th girl, not that she was counting, Noin felt lonely. She had really begun to hate the idea of puppy eyes and was reverently praying that she never made such a fool of herself.
"Did you get abandoned?" Treize asked as he sat down beside her. All feelings of hate of loneliness vanished.
"Not really," Noin answered being cordial. "Getting kicked off the playing field would be more appropriate."
Treize laughed.
"Yes, well, he's popular. I still don't understand why we have to order him to be here." Treize answered, eyeing the line of girls appraisingly, which only disgusted Noin. In the distance she saw Lady Une approaching; she was carefully studying Treize's back, with a sort of pleading look on her face.
"Sir?" Lady Une asked standing behind him. He didn't even turn to look at her.
"Yes?"
"Well, sir, I was wondering if you would waltz with me..." Noin was happy, not just because Treize would be leaving but because Lady Une looked so hopeful; so this was what she had been skipping for, earlier.
"Can't you see I'm busy?" He snapped and her face fell. He hadn't even looked at her. Noin frowned at him and watched as Lady Une ran across the room to the bathrooms. How could he be that heartless?
Noin shoved her chair back and left the table without a word to Treize. His indignant stare followed her across the room.
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Noin silently slipped into the bathrooms. Thank god they were empty; against the refrain of the waltz she could hear sobbing. Bastard, she thought. Noin followed the sound to the powder room and found Lady Une collapsed against the vanity, her arms pillowed on it. Even if Lady Une didn't have the best humanitarian reputation she didn't deserve this. Noin sat down beside her and put her arms around the sobbing general. Without looking up Lady Une curled into her seeking comfort.
"Shhhh." Noin murmured trying to calm her. "Its ok. Everythings going to be ok."
"I love him...Why can't he see that?" Lady Une cried giving Noin all the more reason to pity her. Poor, poor Lady Une; and Treize had to be such a jerk and not even glanced her way.
"Hush..." Noin murmured, "It'll be alright...I'm sure if you're persistent he'll notice you."
"Oh, Really?" Lady Une said looking up, too much hope in her eyes. "Do you really think so?" She was already scrubbing at her tears and glancing to the mirror to fix her makeup. Noin nodded, trying not to crush the hope there. "Thank you." Lady Une said crushing her in a hug as soon as Noin stood up. Noin silently watched as Lady Une walked out the door, blindly hopeful.
She stayed a second to check her makeup and her hair before going back out to the ball.
Glancing around she saw Zechs perched at the bar, his back to the line of beautiful young girls. Noin smirked before approaching him and elbowing her way in between him and the general beside him. Zechs moaned balefully and grabbed her arm in a death grip.
"You have to save me from them, Noin!" He demanded in a whisper. "If I waltz one more girl I don't know I'll heave!"
"How about we have another round of drinks...," Noin said smiling and seeing the relief in his eyes. "And then we go for another round of waltzes."
Zechs frowned.
"Somehow I think you're getting the better end of the deal; you don't have to listen to the mindless banter of these girls." His tone dropped conspiratorially and Noin leaned closer. "Some of them are talking about marriage." He gulped. "To me." Noin snickered. "And I don't even know their names." Zechs glanced back at the girls who favored him with sugar coated smiles. He shivered in horror. "God, could you see me tied down to one of them?"
Noin wondered, did he think unfavorably of the married state or was it just the though of being married to one of them?
"It'd be horrible. Some pretty face without a mind of her own, hammered into the form of a perfect wife by her family and breeding schools." Noin thought he actually looked shaken; as he paused to catch his breath she order another round of rum. "She wouldn't even have to be in love with me; just her thoughts or her family thoughts of Zechs Marquess, of what an honor it would be to catch me. To have me tied down," Noin blushed and shook the visual out of her head, mildly scolding herself; she'd die if he ever found out she though of him like that- tied down to her bed that was. "To their family line; i could just see her parents when their old and grey sitting somewhere boasting like I'm some prize or title that their daughter managed to catch, neither parent really caring whether or not we were meant for each other. It really is sick that way." Their drinks arrived and Zechs nocked his straight back and then turned to glance out at the crowd dismissing one of the girls striding toward him determinedly. "I want to meet someone who could care less who I am, or what my titles are. Someone with passion and fire, someone feisty. Someone who doesn't have to know what my face looks like..."
"So are you opposed to marriage?" Noin asked unsure. He smirked and chuckled.
"Not at all." He answered smiling. "I just want an adversary I'm equal to. I want to meet my match."
"Maybe you should marry one of the Gundams." Noin answered laughing, which made him laugh and almost spill his shot glass on himself.
"No ones done that in a long time." Zechs answered clutching at his side.
"What?" Noin asked still laughing.
"My ribs are killing me." He answered. "Come on." He said dragging her towards the ball room floor, almost plowing through a group of the young socialites sent to stalk him. On the floor Zechs wrapped an arm around her waist and wrapped one of her smaller hands in his, guiding her back into the waltz.
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"You never told me how you managed to survive the last three hours of the ball, waltzing with me, with those heels on." Zechs said outside of Noin's quarters. They were sitting in the hall way giggling and discussing the Formal. Noin laughed and lifted her head off her knees to push her feet out past the skirt bottom.
"I didn't wear heels, silly." Noin answered, giddy at the alcohol in her blood. "I trimmed up an old pair of boots from the academy."
There was a metallic thud from the wall beside her and Noin looked up giggling to see Zechs holding the back of his helmet and laughing.
"What did you do?" She asked through giggles.
"I hit my helmet on the wall laughing about your boots!" He answered. "Ow." It only made Noin laugh more which made Zechs laugh more.
"Stop it!" Noin tried to order, shoving him.
"Stop what?" Zechs asked shoving her back.
"Stop laughing! My sides are cramping..." Noin answered shoving him again, hard enough that he had to use his arm to steady himself.
"You stop first!" he answered, and yelped as she resorted to grabbing a fistful of his hair. Noin paused just a second to run her fingers over the blond strands, loving the feel of it, then she tightened her hand into a fist, feeling it slide like silk between her fingers. Pulling on his hair slightly Zechs had to scoot closer to Noin, and she lifted her hand to smell his hair. It smelled so good. His whimper brought her back to reality and she realized he had his back turned to her, one hand on his helmet to keep it on, the other hand under his helmet against his scalp to keep her from ripping out his hair. "Mercy, Noin! Mercy!" Zechs cried. Noin laughed playfully and the motion tugged on his hair. Loosing his balance Zechs tumbled back against Noin's chest and into her lap. Both their laughters stopped suddenly at the close proximity; cobalt eyes glued to dusky grey, both wide in shock at the turn of events.
"Get a room!" a girl called from down the hall, spurring both off them into motion. Zechs stood up quickly and helped Noin to her feet, both of them blushing and avoiding each other's eyes. Noin silently calculated how many doors down that cat call had come from and decided to kill its owner tomorrow. It had felt so nice to have him in her arms, his weight against her, and all of that soft silvery blonde hair cascading down her arm from where his head had rested on her shoulder.
As she was about to retreat into her quarters, silently embarrassed, his hand wrapped around her upper arm stopping her. Noin looked up into his face reading his eyes.
"Thank you...," He said smiling, as his hair cascaded around his mask and down his shoulders. "For tonight, and for bailing me out at the Formal-"
"It was nothing." She answered too quickly, and blushed hoping he hadn't realized why she had said that.
"Yes, it was." Zechs answered. "It means a lot to me that I had your company tonight. I'd forgotten how much I missed you since the academy." He suddenly pulled Noin into a hug. "Thank you."
Noin looked up to him enjoying the feel of his arms around her.
"You're welcome."