I know, bad me! Starting another story when my epic is unfinished? Actually this is a sidestory to my epic that can also stand-alone. I've got one of these planned for all of the major couples in my epic. Looks like Zechs and Noin are up first. {evil maniacal laugh}. Please note that I do not own these characters and all things contained herein are the product of my sick little mind. Enjoy!
Zechs wearily peeled the flightsuit from his sore and aching body before stepping into the shower. (ooooh, nude Zechs…. Drool) He let the steaming water soothe the various aches and pains as he washed the grime of a really long and really messy mission off. The soap stung in his cuts as he lathered slowly, removing the sweat and the blood from his pale skin. He luxuriated in the sensation of being clean for a few moments before turning the shower off and stepping out. {That uniform is trashed} he thought as he wrapped a towel around his middle. He snagged another to dry his platinum mane with and exited the bathroom. {I'm going to have to get some more from stores before I go put out another wildfire.}
He finished drying off and slid into bed, wincing as various sore spots came in contact with the sheets. However, he didn't feel the discomfort for long as his overstressed body took control. He was in a safe location and flat. No more excuse was necessary and he quickly became unconscious.
When Zechs awoke the next day, it was late afternoon. He stretched and winced as the movement pulled at sore muscles. He got out of bed gingerly and stumbled over to the kitchenette. {I hope there's something in there that isn't terminally moldy,} he thought as the rumbling in his stomach became deafening. He reached for the handle of the fridge only to draw it back in disgust at the thick film of dust that now covered it. He glanced around and saw the same film of dust coating everything in the apartment except the bed and the path between the door and the bathroom. {Ugh,} he thought {When was the last time I did more than shower and sleep here…..} He trailed off trying to remember when that last time had been.
He was still trying to remember when he heard a laugh behind him. He whirled around to see Noin leaning in his doorway in full Preventer uniform, "If you're trying to remember the last time you were here for more than 6 hours, it was more than 3 months ago. You're lucky you have quarters in the barracks. A landlord would have assumed you were dead."
"Noin," Zechs inclined his head in greeting, gratefully that he had enough presence of mind to put on clothing before he had had gone in search of sustenance. Just the sight of her filled a craving as intense as his physical hunger. "What can I do for you?"
Noin arched an eyebrow {It would serve him right if I told him to be on my bed, nude, with a bow, in one hour. The man just can't take a hint. Maybe the direct approach would work.} Shaking her head to rid herself of the tantalizing image she replied, "Une wants to see you ASAP. She probably wants to go over some details from your last mission."
Zechs groaned mentally as he gave Noin an affirmative. {So much for starting my R and R. What on earth could be so important about my last mission that she won't even give me a chance to breathe? Sure, it needs to be done, but why now?} He groaned out loud when he remembered his regulation clothing, or rather lack thereof.
"What's wrong?" Noin asked, puzzled by the groan.
""I seem to have shredded my last uniform on my latest mission. Une will have to wait while I stop by stores to get something decent."
Noin was startled by these words and gave him a measuring look. She really looked at Zechs and was startled by how thin he had become. He had always been slender, but now he was practically skeletal. She also noted the many minor injuries that dotted what was visible of his skin and the way that he swayed ever so slightly on his face. Her face got a slightly canny look. "I'll go to stores and see if they've got anything in your size if you promise me that you will take at least 3 weeks off and rest."
Zechs was startled by Noin's words. Usually she was very polite and demurring. To be so forthright was very atypical and almost frightening. "All right," he said uncertainly, still in shock from her words.
"Good. While I'm looking for clothes, why don't you go to the messhall and eat. You look like shit Zechs." And with that she turned on her heal and left.
{All this from the woman who loves me?} Zechs thought as dust flew from Noin's abrupt departure. He really wasn't blind to Noin's hints and subtle advances, but he didn't consider himself worthy of the honor and preferred to protect her indirectly by dealing with the major problems of peace after war. {I must really look like death warmed over} But Zechs didn't stop to consider his appearance anymore as his stomach took this opportunity to once again deafen him with its demands. "To the messhall then!" as he left his forgotten room.