Note: As always I own nothing except the general plot. Thanks to all
those who reviewed my fics and especially to those who took the time to
give suggestions for this dream. It was really difficult thanks to other
stories and writer's block but I got this done and I hope you like. IN
case you didn't know Zechs and Milliardo is the same person, though I would
assume you do know if you're reading this.
Milliardo's Dream
Milliardo was ready to kick Yuy's asse by the time he got to his bunk. Glad to be able to get some sleep finally he ignored the way his face was throbbing and pulling his shirt over his head tried to think of how he was going to convince Noin not to tears strips off his hide when they got back. He had promised her that he wouldn't pick a fight with Yuy and he hadn't, well he had hurt him Milliardo thought as he threw the shirt in the direction of his duffel bag, too tired to fold it up properly. Reaching down his pants soon joined his shirt and clad only in his boxers he slid under the covers of his bed and stretching out on his back tried to figure out how he was suppose to sleep without Noin. Funny, but when she'd made a comment a while ago about having a hard time sleeping without him nearby he'd laughed it off as a girl thing but now he could see her point. It was amazing how quickly he'd become accustom to her presence every night and though he was tired his body wasn't co-operating. She was going to be mad at him Milliardo thought and admitted to himself that he wouldn't mind it, making up was a lot of fun. Cursing the way those ideas were hitting his system Milliardo rolled over on his stomach and buried his face in his pillow. Determined though Milliardo closed his eyes and gradually fell asleep to dream the dream he was meant to dream.
The Dream
Zechs Merquise stared out at the road in front of him and with a sigh pulled his car over to the side and turning the car off simply stared at the scenery around him. He was home again, not really by choice but he was here. And she hadn't wanted to see him Zechs thought with a look of sadness that actually showed on his face. He'd always been a private man and the fact that you could see his pain only proved how upset he was. He'd blown it Zechs thought leaning his head back against the seat as he stared at the wide-open spaces around him. Well what did you expect Merquise, that she would throw her arms around you and declare that even though he'd left her two years ago she still wanted to marry him and in fact had fallen in love with him? Unlikely, it wasn't her style. She'd obviously changed in the last two years and why on earth had he thought she would be the same. And yet she hadn't changed a small voice inside his head told him. She's still a wildcat with a tomboy toughness and a smile that could make the worst day seem like the best day.
But she hadn't been smiling when he'd left her Zechs thought as a car whizzed by sending dust flying. He'd really blown it there, big time. It had been like everything had fallen to pieces when he'd seen those men trying to intimidate her into doing what they wanted with only that kid beside her for protection. Not that Noin could be intimidated Zechs thought with a grin, she'd been in the military just like him and she was not one to let anyone or anything walk over her. She could have made captain if she hadn't dropped out to take over the ranch. Which was probably a good thing now Zechs thought with a far off look, otherwise she might have been sent to Kuwait with him. Closing his eyes at the memories that threatened to surface he did what he always did when the memories threatened to take hold, he pictured Noin. How often had he thought of her when he'd watched his comrades fall, been forced to fire at the enemy, take the lives of kids who had no business being there. Desert Storm should never have happened but it had and nothing he said or did could undo it.
As always when he thought of her the memories were pushed back, now to be replaced with the kiss he'd shared with Noin minutes ago. He'd kissed her before but it had never been like that, like coming home. They'd hung out all through high school and into military school, they had never really dated, they'd just been together. He'd asked her to marry him because he wanted kids and a home; Oh God how he'd wanted a home. He'd never really believed in love or romance, too practical for that stuff so he'd asked her because she was his best friend, someone who wouldn't drive him crazy and understood him. He'd broken up with her through a letter after Desert Storm and had intended to stay away from her, stay away from everybody. Of course Relena would have none of that Zechs thought with a small grin at the thought of his baby sister, she wouldn't allow him to cease to exist. She'd moved in on him and no matter what he'd said or threatened to do she'd stood by him until he'd simply given up; letting her have her way. He'd quit the army and had tried to get his life back together though he'd really done it more for Relena then for himself. It had been her idea for them to come visit their old town and neighbors, see Noin again. How long had he loved her Zechs wondered as he stared with eyes unseeing. He hadn't even known it until she turned around to face him while the creeps had gotten out of there as quickly as possible. She'd turned and looked at him with those beautiful purple eyes and he'd known in every pore and part of his body that he loved her. And he'd lost her he thought with a shake of his head that sent his long blonde hair swaying. He normally kept it much shorter but he hadn't really cared in a while and it annoyed Relena, which was an added bonus.
Now that he knew, what was he going to do?
Sighing but composed Zechs turned the car back on and with no real destination in mind began to drive. Twenty minutes later he came to a stop again and looked at where his emotions had taken him. Talk about a kick in the gut Zechs thought as he turned off the car and got out of the vehicle. Stretching his shoulders he tried to remember the last time he'd been here and could remember it as clearly as yesterday.
He'd come here just before he'd left for the Middle East, one final letter. After their parents had died Relena had been really upset and withdrawn, going off by herself for hours on end. He and Noin had racked their brains trying to figure out what to do and had finally hit on the stump. They'd hollowed out an old stump and then carving it up and making it all pretty they'd told Relena it was one of God's mailboxes, that she could put letter to their parents into the stump and they'd get them in heaven. Being only six at the time she'd believed them and to encourage her Noin, the Maxwell brothers and himself had ritually put letters in their addressed to loved ones, pets and God. They'd left the letters in over the years, God kept them in the box for safe keeping and even when they grew out of it they'd still left letters inside occasionally. His last one had been addressed to God, asking him to take care of Relena and Noin while he was gone. Walking over to the stump he got down on one knee and traced the names carved into the stump with a finger. Their personal mailbox to God he thought with a smirk. Curious he flipped open the lid on the stump and smiled when he saw all the letters that lay inside, waiting to be red. Picking up an envelope he saw that it bore Duo's stamp, the way God could distinguish who it was from. Wondering what Maxwell had written Zechs had to work really hard to restrain himself from opening it. Setting it back on the pile he picked up a few more and saw that two of them were Noin's. Recent ones too if her handwriting was anything to go by. Turning the letter around he was surprised to see that they were recent, written in the last two years. He really shouldn't Zech's told himself as his fingers moved to open the envelope on the older letter. Pulling out a single sheet of paper he unfolded it and began to read.
Dear God,
It's been a while and I apologies for the fact that I haven't written you lately. I've been really busy but I guess that's not much of an excuse huh. Any way the point of this letter is that I need a favor which I probably don't deserve but you're suppose to be all about forgiveness so maybe you could help me out here? My problem is that I've fallen in love with my best friend and he doesn't believe in love. I know, it was stupid but this is the biggest mistake I've made yet so that's got to count for something. So if you don't have anything going right know could you possibly do something like make me fall out of love with Zechs or send me a really hot guy that's even better for me to fall for?
Hoping and willing to do anything,
Lucrezia Noin.
"Oh My God!!!" Zechs said out loud as he reread the letter for the third time. Noin had been in love with him and he hadn't even known it! How the hell had he missed something like that! Staring at the letter Zechs racked his brain for any incident or words that hinted at Noin feeling anything but close friendship and drew a complete blank. Of course she had agreed to marry him but that had been a business arrangement, she hadn't even yelled at him when he'd broken the frigin engagement! She'd set back the ring and wished him well for God sakes. Maybe the other letter would shed some more light. Putting the paper back in the envelope he reached for the other one and opened it up as well.
Dear Mom,
I hate all men; I wish that they would all die slow and painful deaths. Except dad and maybe the Maxwell brothers. As you might of guess from the fact that I didn't include Zechs name the wedding's off and I'd very much love to kill the son-of-a-bitch. Here I was praying and pleading with God to protect him and take care of him and what does he do, he survives then dumps me! But I don't care; he's not worth it. I'm in serious denial.
Plotting the murder of the only man for me,
Lu.
P.S. I love you and if you were to send a lightning bolt in his direction I wouldn't be mad.
Okay, he didn't understand women at all Zechs thought with a shake of his head as he put the letter back into the envelope. Was he really that dense of had it just been a crush on her part. It had never occurred to him that she might have felt that way and boy had she been mad at him in that last letter, it had practically jumped off the page and strangled him. Well he guessed the only way to find out was to ask her.
"Where's Noin?" Zechs asked the boy standing in front of him who hadn't looked too thrilled when he'd arrived back at Wing Ranch. The kid couldn't be over twenty and what the hell was Noin thinking of hiring someone who was so young?
"Any reason why I should tell you?" The boy said raising an eyebrow, without any other sign of emotion though his dislike was felt.
Well at least he was loyal Zechs thought with a smirk; and he wasn't going to tell him anything unless he damn well wanted to. Looks like he was going to have to practice groveling a little sooner then he'd thought. "Look kid, I acted like an asse and I want to apologize. Where is she?"
"Victoria River, there's something blocking up the mouth of it and Noin went to check it out." Triton said with a smirk before nodding his head towards the horse barn. "Take Tallgeese, if you can still handle him."
"I think I can take it." Zechs said smiling at the mentioning of the spirited stallion. The horse had belonged to Noin's father and it took a skilled rider to handle the animal, a very skilled rider. "I've got my cell if he manages to buck me off."
"Well then I assume you know the way."
"Yup."
Zechs made good time and knowing the area as well as the back of his hand didn't hurt. Slowing down when her horse came into view Zechs swung down from the horse and holding the reins tightly in one hand walked the horse down the small hill. Noin was standing waist deep in water, trying to break up branches that had been swept down the river to form a makeshift dam. Walking over to the post constructed solely for the purpose Zechs tied Tallgeese to the post, double-checked that it was staying then shedding his shirt walked into the water which of course just had to be ice cold.
"Can I help you find something Merquise?" Noin asked him without even turning around as she worked a branch out of the dam before throwing it onto the nearby bank. "Like the exit maybe?"
"I came to apologize for what I said." Zechs replied trying not to admire how good she looked wet. She'd changed into her bathing suit for the job and Zechs had to admit he liked the change in attire. Oh yea he was in trouble now Zechs thought as he tried to ignore what he'd like to do and instead concentrated on what he needed to do. "I was out of line with what I said and I'm sorry that I hurt you, today and before."
"You never apologize." Noin said in surprise, looking at him for the first time, pushing her long bangs out of her eyes as she stared at him suspiciously. "What brought this on?"
"What I said deserves an apology." Zechs said simply as he moved to stand beside her, grasping a branch that was too heavy for her to be lifting alone. Throwing it on the bank he turned back to look at her. "What I said, I didn't mean it at all Noin."
"Then why'd you say it?"
"Because I was jealous Noin, jealous and in a lot of trouble." Zechs said with a smirk at his own stupidity. "I hope you'll think about forgiving me."
"Why on earth would you be jealous Zechs and what kind of trouble are you in?" Noin asked and Zechs couldn't believe that he'd heard concern in her voice. Even after the way he'd treated her she still cared enough about him to worry.
"The kind of trouble that lasts you till the end of your life." Zechs said simply as he held her gaze. "As to jealous I think that kiss would have made it rather clear."
"Okay now I'm confused." Noin said leaning up against the branches as she crossed her arms in front of her as she looked at him with narrowing eyes. "Spell it out Merquise."
"I love you."
"What?" Noin gasped and for a minute Zechs was afraid she was going to faint on him. Moving quickly he wrapped his arms around her waist while she stared at him in shock like she'd never seen him before in her life. "What did you say?"
"I said I loved you Noin." Zechs said not sure how to take her reaction. He'd expected her to either kick his asse or be all happy, he hadn't expected her to swoon like a girl.
"And when did you come to this conclusion Merquise?"
"I think I probably always have, it just didn't hit me until I saw your face this morning." Zechs said as he lifted one hand to gently cup her face. "And when I kissed you it was like coming home for the first time in a long time."
"Being a male I guess I can forgive you for being so stupid." Noin said and Zechs smiled when he saw a smile blooming on her face. "Of course you do realize that there is no way in Hell you're leaving me now and if you try I'll hunt you down."
"I'm counting on it." Zechs said as he lowered his head. Meeting him halfway the two stood in the middle of an ice-cold river that wasn't so cold when you factored in the body heat the two were producing.
What the hell? Milliardo thought as he rubbed a hand over his face as he sat up in bed. Where the hell had that dream come from anyway? Yuy must have hit him harder then he'd thought Milliardo decided lying back onto the bed as he stared up at the ceiling as he tried to rationalize his dream. It had only been a dream so what Milliardo told himself as he ignored a nagging little voice in his head that said it was more.
Well that was shorter then usual but extreme writer's block is the cause so I hope you liked what I got and will take the time to review this latest installment.
Milliardo's Dream
Milliardo was ready to kick Yuy's asse by the time he got to his bunk. Glad to be able to get some sleep finally he ignored the way his face was throbbing and pulling his shirt over his head tried to think of how he was going to convince Noin not to tears strips off his hide when they got back. He had promised her that he wouldn't pick a fight with Yuy and he hadn't, well he had hurt him Milliardo thought as he threw the shirt in the direction of his duffel bag, too tired to fold it up properly. Reaching down his pants soon joined his shirt and clad only in his boxers he slid under the covers of his bed and stretching out on his back tried to figure out how he was suppose to sleep without Noin. Funny, but when she'd made a comment a while ago about having a hard time sleeping without him nearby he'd laughed it off as a girl thing but now he could see her point. It was amazing how quickly he'd become accustom to her presence every night and though he was tired his body wasn't co-operating. She was going to be mad at him Milliardo thought and admitted to himself that he wouldn't mind it, making up was a lot of fun. Cursing the way those ideas were hitting his system Milliardo rolled over on his stomach and buried his face in his pillow. Determined though Milliardo closed his eyes and gradually fell asleep to dream the dream he was meant to dream.
The Dream
Zechs Merquise stared out at the road in front of him and with a sigh pulled his car over to the side and turning the car off simply stared at the scenery around him. He was home again, not really by choice but he was here. And she hadn't wanted to see him Zechs thought with a look of sadness that actually showed on his face. He'd always been a private man and the fact that you could see his pain only proved how upset he was. He'd blown it Zechs thought leaning his head back against the seat as he stared at the wide-open spaces around him. Well what did you expect Merquise, that she would throw her arms around you and declare that even though he'd left her two years ago she still wanted to marry him and in fact had fallen in love with him? Unlikely, it wasn't her style. She'd obviously changed in the last two years and why on earth had he thought she would be the same. And yet she hadn't changed a small voice inside his head told him. She's still a wildcat with a tomboy toughness and a smile that could make the worst day seem like the best day.
But she hadn't been smiling when he'd left her Zechs thought as a car whizzed by sending dust flying. He'd really blown it there, big time. It had been like everything had fallen to pieces when he'd seen those men trying to intimidate her into doing what they wanted with only that kid beside her for protection. Not that Noin could be intimidated Zechs thought with a grin, she'd been in the military just like him and she was not one to let anyone or anything walk over her. She could have made captain if she hadn't dropped out to take over the ranch. Which was probably a good thing now Zechs thought with a far off look, otherwise she might have been sent to Kuwait with him. Closing his eyes at the memories that threatened to surface he did what he always did when the memories threatened to take hold, he pictured Noin. How often had he thought of her when he'd watched his comrades fall, been forced to fire at the enemy, take the lives of kids who had no business being there. Desert Storm should never have happened but it had and nothing he said or did could undo it.
As always when he thought of her the memories were pushed back, now to be replaced with the kiss he'd shared with Noin minutes ago. He'd kissed her before but it had never been like that, like coming home. They'd hung out all through high school and into military school, they had never really dated, they'd just been together. He'd asked her to marry him because he wanted kids and a home; Oh God how he'd wanted a home. He'd never really believed in love or romance, too practical for that stuff so he'd asked her because she was his best friend, someone who wouldn't drive him crazy and understood him. He'd broken up with her through a letter after Desert Storm and had intended to stay away from her, stay away from everybody. Of course Relena would have none of that Zechs thought with a small grin at the thought of his baby sister, she wouldn't allow him to cease to exist. She'd moved in on him and no matter what he'd said or threatened to do she'd stood by him until he'd simply given up; letting her have her way. He'd quit the army and had tried to get his life back together though he'd really done it more for Relena then for himself. It had been her idea for them to come visit their old town and neighbors, see Noin again. How long had he loved her Zechs wondered as he stared with eyes unseeing. He hadn't even known it until she turned around to face him while the creeps had gotten out of there as quickly as possible. She'd turned and looked at him with those beautiful purple eyes and he'd known in every pore and part of his body that he loved her. And he'd lost her he thought with a shake of his head that sent his long blonde hair swaying. He normally kept it much shorter but he hadn't really cared in a while and it annoyed Relena, which was an added bonus.
Now that he knew, what was he going to do?
Sighing but composed Zechs turned the car back on and with no real destination in mind began to drive. Twenty minutes later he came to a stop again and looked at where his emotions had taken him. Talk about a kick in the gut Zechs thought as he turned off the car and got out of the vehicle. Stretching his shoulders he tried to remember the last time he'd been here and could remember it as clearly as yesterday.
He'd come here just before he'd left for the Middle East, one final letter. After their parents had died Relena had been really upset and withdrawn, going off by herself for hours on end. He and Noin had racked their brains trying to figure out what to do and had finally hit on the stump. They'd hollowed out an old stump and then carving it up and making it all pretty they'd told Relena it was one of God's mailboxes, that she could put letter to their parents into the stump and they'd get them in heaven. Being only six at the time she'd believed them and to encourage her Noin, the Maxwell brothers and himself had ritually put letters in their addressed to loved ones, pets and God. They'd left the letters in over the years, God kept them in the box for safe keeping and even when they grew out of it they'd still left letters inside occasionally. His last one had been addressed to God, asking him to take care of Relena and Noin while he was gone. Walking over to the stump he got down on one knee and traced the names carved into the stump with a finger. Their personal mailbox to God he thought with a smirk. Curious he flipped open the lid on the stump and smiled when he saw all the letters that lay inside, waiting to be red. Picking up an envelope he saw that it bore Duo's stamp, the way God could distinguish who it was from. Wondering what Maxwell had written Zechs had to work really hard to restrain himself from opening it. Setting it back on the pile he picked up a few more and saw that two of them were Noin's. Recent ones too if her handwriting was anything to go by. Turning the letter around he was surprised to see that they were recent, written in the last two years. He really shouldn't Zech's told himself as his fingers moved to open the envelope on the older letter. Pulling out a single sheet of paper he unfolded it and began to read.
Dear God,
It's been a while and I apologies for the fact that I haven't written you lately. I've been really busy but I guess that's not much of an excuse huh. Any way the point of this letter is that I need a favor which I probably don't deserve but you're suppose to be all about forgiveness so maybe you could help me out here? My problem is that I've fallen in love with my best friend and he doesn't believe in love. I know, it was stupid but this is the biggest mistake I've made yet so that's got to count for something. So if you don't have anything going right know could you possibly do something like make me fall out of love with Zechs or send me a really hot guy that's even better for me to fall for?
Hoping and willing to do anything,
Lucrezia Noin.
"Oh My God!!!" Zechs said out loud as he reread the letter for the third time. Noin had been in love with him and he hadn't even known it! How the hell had he missed something like that! Staring at the letter Zechs racked his brain for any incident or words that hinted at Noin feeling anything but close friendship and drew a complete blank. Of course she had agreed to marry him but that had been a business arrangement, she hadn't even yelled at him when he'd broken the frigin engagement! She'd set back the ring and wished him well for God sakes. Maybe the other letter would shed some more light. Putting the paper back in the envelope he reached for the other one and opened it up as well.
Dear Mom,
I hate all men; I wish that they would all die slow and painful deaths. Except dad and maybe the Maxwell brothers. As you might of guess from the fact that I didn't include Zechs name the wedding's off and I'd very much love to kill the son-of-a-bitch. Here I was praying and pleading with God to protect him and take care of him and what does he do, he survives then dumps me! But I don't care; he's not worth it. I'm in serious denial.
Plotting the murder of the only man for me,
Lu.
P.S. I love you and if you were to send a lightning bolt in his direction I wouldn't be mad.
Okay, he didn't understand women at all Zechs thought with a shake of his head as he put the letter back into the envelope. Was he really that dense of had it just been a crush on her part. It had never occurred to him that she might have felt that way and boy had she been mad at him in that last letter, it had practically jumped off the page and strangled him. Well he guessed the only way to find out was to ask her.
"Where's Noin?" Zechs asked the boy standing in front of him who hadn't looked too thrilled when he'd arrived back at Wing Ranch. The kid couldn't be over twenty and what the hell was Noin thinking of hiring someone who was so young?
"Any reason why I should tell you?" The boy said raising an eyebrow, without any other sign of emotion though his dislike was felt.
Well at least he was loyal Zechs thought with a smirk; and he wasn't going to tell him anything unless he damn well wanted to. Looks like he was going to have to practice groveling a little sooner then he'd thought. "Look kid, I acted like an asse and I want to apologize. Where is she?"
"Victoria River, there's something blocking up the mouth of it and Noin went to check it out." Triton said with a smirk before nodding his head towards the horse barn. "Take Tallgeese, if you can still handle him."
"I think I can take it." Zechs said smiling at the mentioning of the spirited stallion. The horse had belonged to Noin's father and it took a skilled rider to handle the animal, a very skilled rider. "I've got my cell if he manages to buck me off."
"Well then I assume you know the way."
"Yup."
Zechs made good time and knowing the area as well as the back of his hand didn't hurt. Slowing down when her horse came into view Zechs swung down from the horse and holding the reins tightly in one hand walked the horse down the small hill. Noin was standing waist deep in water, trying to break up branches that had been swept down the river to form a makeshift dam. Walking over to the post constructed solely for the purpose Zechs tied Tallgeese to the post, double-checked that it was staying then shedding his shirt walked into the water which of course just had to be ice cold.
"Can I help you find something Merquise?" Noin asked him without even turning around as she worked a branch out of the dam before throwing it onto the nearby bank. "Like the exit maybe?"
"I came to apologize for what I said." Zechs replied trying not to admire how good she looked wet. She'd changed into her bathing suit for the job and Zechs had to admit he liked the change in attire. Oh yea he was in trouble now Zechs thought as he tried to ignore what he'd like to do and instead concentrated on what he needed to do. "I was out of line with what I said and I'm sorry that I hurt you, today and before."
"You never apologize." Noin said in surprise, looking at him for the first time, pushing her long bangs out of her eyes as she stared at him suspiciously. "What brought this on?"
"What I said deserves an apology." Zechs said simply as he moved to stand beside her, grasping a branch that was too heavy for her to be lifting alone. Throwing it on the bank he turned back to look at her. "What I said, I didn't mean it at all Noin."
"Then why'd you say it?"
"Because I was jealous Noin, jealous and in a lot of trouble." Zechs said with a smirk at his own stupidity. "I hope you'll think about forgiving me."
"Why on earth would you be jealous Zechs and what kind of trouble are you in?" Noin asked and Zechs couldn't believe that he'd heard concern in her voice. Even after the way he'd treated her she still cared enough about him to worry.
"The kind of trouble that lasts you till the end of your life." Zechs said simply as he held her gaze. "As to jealous I think that kiss would have made it rather clear."
"Okay now I'm confused." Noin said leaning up against the branches as she crossed her arms in front of her as she looked at him with narrowing eyes. "Spell it out Merquise."
"I love you."
"What?" Noin gasped and for a minute Zechs was afraid she was going to faint on him. Moving quickly he wrapped his arms around her waist while she stared at him in shock like she'd never seen him before in her life. "What did you say?"
"I said I loved you Noin." Zechs said not sure how to take her reaction. He'd expected her to either kick his asse or be all happy, he hadn't expected her to swoon like a girl.
"And when did you come to this conclusion Merquise?"
"I think I probably always have, it just didn't hit me until I saw your face this morning." Zechs said as he lifted one hand to gently cup her face. "And when I kissed you it was like coming home for the first time in a long time."
"Being a male I guess I can forgive you for being so stupid." Noin said and Zechs smiled when he saw a smile blooming on her face. "Of course you do realize that there is no way in Hell you're leaving me now and if you try I'll hunt you down."
"I'm counting on it." Zechs said as he lowered his head. Meeting him halfway the two stood in the middle of an ice-cold river that wasn't so cold when you factored in the body heat the two were producing.
What the hell? Milliardo thought as he rubbed a hand over his face as he sat up in bed. Where the hell had that dream come from anyway? Yuy must have hit him harder then he'd thought Milliardo decided lying back onto the bed as he stared up at the ceiling as he tried to rationalize his dream. It had only been a dream so what Milliardo told himself as he ignored a nagging little voice in his head that said it was more.
Well that was shorter then usual but extreme writer's block is the cause so I hope you liked what I got and will take the time to review this latest installment.