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Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids or its characters...So no suing me....Thanks!

Warnings: Mature Themes, Yaoi/Shounen-Ai, Lime, angst, lots of cussing, ect... Expect all this and more in this fic!

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Could This Be True?

Chapter 2: Truly

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*~*Irvine*~*

'Van had been gone two mornings now. He left the other night, after he lost the bet on me and Karl. I wonder where that little punk is...He'll come around soon, he has to, at least when Zeke is his again.' Irvine thought, tidbits of thoughts kept stringing themselves together in his mind. He knew he shouldn't be thinking of other things, because he was in the middle of testing the beam cannon.

"Target sighted!"

"Locked on target!"

"Fire!"

"FIRE!" At that command, the beam cannon was shot off, and a slight tremor racked the Ultrasaurus.

"Moonbay...What was the angles the head and legs at?" Herman called up to the transporter in the cock pit.

"Um...99% accurate!" She replied, a wide grin across her face.

"Good work. What were the coordinates and percentage of targeting?" He questioned the gunning operators.

"23, 54,18...Accuracy at 99.3%." Colonel Shubaltz replied, a satisfactory smirk upon his lips. Irvine gazed dreamily at the Colonel as he walked past his station, and quickly followed Karl to where Herman was.

"It took you lunk heads long enough to get everything that well! Next time, I expect the Ultrasaurus to be at 99.5% on both!" Dr. D stressed, and Moonbay glared at him, while Irvine rolled his eyes.

"Whatever old-man, we can easily deal with that...No sweat." He waved the loony doctor off, as he turned and walked away. "Remember Old-Man, the Lightning Saix has to be tested today...The new, lighter weight, heavy duty armor, and the new gun equipped onto it, need to be tested..." Irvine reminded him, and he heard the old doctor huff at him.

"What ever you insolent, no good..." Irvine smirked, he knew all to well what the doctor wanted to say to him, and he wouldn't have minded, even though someone seemed to have stopped the old loon before he could spit it out. "Colonel Shubaltz! You must agree that he has no right to be talking like that! He should be thanking me for that damned Lightning Saix!" The sandy haired man who was being talked about was beaming, and a blush upon his cheeks. 'Karl's defending me, huh? Maybe he likes me...Nah, I'm just imagining things again...Would be nice though...Wonder why he shut that geezer up for anyways...'

"That's enough Dr. D...You're needed back at base, Fiona needs you to go over some new weaponry designs. I told her to expect you soon...Can you handle that doctor? Also, I expect the Lightning Saix to be at full capacity and tested by dinner." Colonel Shubaltz told the doctor, who was gaping at him.

"I...Never heard such a thing!" D huffed in agitation. "I've got to go...Since Van's gone, that bandit of a pilot is our main means of defense...So I really need to be at the base to try out the new equipment...Good day!" The doctor excused himself, rushing toward the hanger.

"I guess I got his panties in a bunch..." Irvine chuckled, pink still flushing his cheeks slightly. As he started to walk off, not composed enough to thank Karl yet, he felt a hand grasp his shoulder. Just when he was about to grab that person's hand and throw it off, he heard the voice that lulled his dreams.

"Irvine...I wouldn't be pushing your luck if I were you...I won't always be around to lead suggestions elsewhere...You know that as well as I do." To say the least Irvine's heart had sped up 10 fold, and his blood pounding to his head, extremely fast.

"Uh...Yeah I understand Karl...Thanks for getting Gramps to get running...Me and him never seem to get along." He tried to smirk, and seem normal, but the pounding in his chest and the burning of his cheeks, told him he was anything but. Colonel Shubaltz smirked, and Irvine was scared shitless that his blush was so obvious.

"Just don't get into anymore disputes until Van decides to come back...You've got to stay alert, since Flyheight isn't around, you're the main unit, besides Thomas." Karl told him, and Irvine felt himself bustle with emotion, only a year ago, so foreign to him, but recently a part of everyday life.

"I understand...I just can't give up a good chance to get on his nerves. Till Van gets back, I'll lay off the geezer for ya..." He offered, causing the Colonel to smirk and give a curt not, before walking off. 'He has no idea what the hell he does to me! Damn it!' Irvine scolded himself, for being so open to emotions caused by the Colonel, and allowing himself to be so 'giddy', about it.

*~*Raven*~*

When he first started to awaken from the realms of unconscious, he noticed he felt warm, and content. Something he'd never known before, and it startled him. He'd only known cold and harsh, all his known memory. But this was anything but, it was warm, comforting, and radiating a feeling of safety.

He didn't want to open his eyes, and realize it was all a dream. A figment of his imagination, that he conjured because of his torn and miserable excuse for life and love. He then realized the agonizing pain from the day before had somewhat subsided, it wasn't as intense as it had been yesterday.

Almost hesitantly, lavender eyes were revealed from beneath eyelids, and Raven looked down at his thigh. A tanned hand calmly rest there, and he instinctively tensed. His eyes narrowing slightly, and fear rushing through him, he looked up to see who was holding him.

Breathing a sigh of relief when he seen the calm, and peaceful features, and the spiky brown hair, that could only belong to Van Flyheight, he calmed. Images and thoughts had flashed in his mind, he was afraid as hell, but he wouldn't admit it. Now looking back down at the hand, resting comfortably, he noticed it was anything but provocative, and seemed to have been carefully placed there.

If he hadn't been so badly injured, Raven would have gotten up, and fled. He didn't want to be hurt again, betrayed again, or loved. He didn't think he could take it, he had never remembered being loved, but he knew sometime, someone had to. He knew if he were to love again, that person would be used against him, because everyone on planet Zi wanted him dead.

If anyone found out that he was in love, especially with Van, it could only be used against him, and Van would be forced to side with the military. Raven smiled bitterly, he knew he was screwed over, nothing good could ever come of this, and he was going to make Van see too.

His eyes drooped, exhaustion wearing him out, he slowly fell asleep. Though this time his sleep wouldn't be calm as it had been. Now it was filled with the terrible thoughts and ideas of what might happen, a raging sea of nightmarish thoughts.

*~*Van*~*

The sun filtered in lightly, its warmth I could feel on my arm, which was riddled with tiny shreds of sunrays. Then suddenly, I could feel a figure hoovering over me, its being blocking the sunlight. Slowly I gained more awareness, and felt slight squirming movements in my lap and arms. Cracking an eye open, I saw Shadow looking down at my lap. At first I was stunned, not remembering last night, but when I looked to the weight resting against me, I saw Raven.

All the memories of last night came rushing back, filling in the pieces of the puzzle that I had missed. Oh yes, I must say, I'd fallen for Raven, and I couldn't object to lying to myself. He didn't object to my caring for him...To much, that is.

Looking down, at the gray hair, I saw it was slightly damp, and shifting constantly. My brows furrow as I look above at Shadow, who is looking concerned, his head cocked to the side slightly. He grunts, and nudges Raven, and I realize he's trying to wake him. Raven was having a nightmare, apparently a bad one, his brows soaked with sweat, his face pale, and his hair damp from sweat.

After watching him a minute or two, struggling against his mind, I couldn't take it. As I lightly shook him, careful of his injuries, I heard him murmuring to himself. Though I couldn't make out what he was saying. "Raven...Come on, ya gotta get up..." I said lightly in his ear, and finally I got some response. He stopped twisting around and I took that cue to wrap my arms round him, providing warmth and protection against his inner demons.

Resting my head atop his, I listened as his breathing slowly calmed. I could feel him waking, so I moved him slightly, so I could see his face.

"Wha...?" Was all I heard him say, and I felt him tense as though defensively.

"Shh..Its me Van...You were having a nightmare." I explained to him, while running my fingers through his sweat damp hair. He relaxed, somewhat, and his breathing relaxed from where it had deepened when he awoken. The only reply a got was a grunt and a nod. At first I couldn't understand why he'd reacted like that, but after thinking about it a moment I came to a conclusion. He must have been having nightmare about his past with Prozen and Hiltz, and I must have startled him when he woke. "I'm sorry..." I apologize, still running my fingers through his hair, and feel him relaxing more and more.

He leaned against me, and looked up at me, he had schooled his expression, but I saw the confusion in his eyes. "What? You have nothing to apologize for...Baka..." He stated, and a smirk curved my lips slightly.

"You're gonna start to me as 'baka' now? How lovely..." I teased, and he smirked also, apparently he got the hint, I was trying to lighten the tension that hung so thick.

"It suits you well, but why'd you apologize? You haven't done a damn thing!" Raven told me, his tone letting some emotion slip through, but otherwise it was cool.

"That's not true...I figure it as I kinda used you last night, ya know, using your injuries to my gain...I'm sorry, I just wanted to be round someone I guess..." I admitted, and it startled me, I didn't exactly realize that part of why I stayed last night. Of course the main reason was I'm in love with him, but I guess I felt insecure about the whole thing with the gang.

"What? You're kidding yourself, and you know it." Apparently I wasn't the only one who has started to understand the other, he was absolutely right. I was kidding myself, and trying to kid him.

"Yeah, so?" I question, but I know why I won't admit to him, because I'm afraid to, actually. "You don't want to hear the truth, so just shut up about it." I stated, trying to avoid his gaze. Looking up to him, I saw his eyes and expression were schooled, and almost cold, his brows furrowed, as he sent me a glare.

"Don't tell me to shut up...But what ever the fucking truth is, I want to know it." Raven said, almost as if a growl. I grimaced, I didn't want to admit I had fallen head over heels for him, and would probably do anything for him. Ha, who was I trying to kid, I was in deeper than that. I knew it, but wasn't all to happy to be exploiting my new fount weakness. I just sighed and took a deep breath, I wasn't going to keep this from him, he should know, and I needed to admit this.

"Raven I..." I faltered, damn I gotta decide to falter just at the important part! I noticed he had raised an eyebrow up at me, his expression silently mocking me, and I scowled.

"What's got your boxer's in a twist?" He questioned, and I sighed, that totally wasn't something I thought would ever come out of his mouth, and I laughed. I know I must have freaked him out, I mean, I was laughing at him! Well technically not at him, but his phrase, and the fact he'd never said anything funny before! He smirked, and then let that warm into a smile, and I just had to beam!

"You should smile like that more often...Looks a hell of a lot better on you then one of your maniacal ones." I stated, and he pursed his lips, he was so cute! Oh god...Just wait till Fiona or Moonbay learn that I called someone cute! Though they'd be calling my fucking crazy to think of Raven as cute.

"Have gone mad?" He question, and I shook my head slightly, I'm going to play around with this.

"Afraid I've taken after you?" I questioned smiling still, he smirked slightly. "To bad, you're not that bad an influence on me...Yet." I stated, and his eyes widened slightly. Oi we got us a hentai!

"You have gone mad." He stated flatly, as I wrinkled my nose, and decided upon what to do next. I know I had a sinister grin on my face, for Raven creased his brow and cocked his head to the side lightly looking as if he expected me to start foaming at the mouth or something.

"Nope..." I put a hand on his shoulder, working it behind his neck, and his eyes widened, I could tell he was apprehensive about my initiatives, but he'd just have to trust me on this. I actually kind of felt sorry for him, I could tell he was scared, or something of the sort, I don't think I'll ever see a scared Raven. Leaning over to him, a smirk still on my lips, I closed my eyes and let my lips gently brush him.

He tensed, and I was afraid he'd push me over and he'd try his damnedest to get away, but he didn't. I think he was in a state of shock actually, his eyes were opened wide, and almost starring into nothingness. Getting worried I pulled him closer into my kiss, trying to get some reaction from him. Blinking, I noted he blinked a few times, awareness returning to his lavender pools. I smiled into the kiss, and let my tongue take control a moment, and swipe across his lip, but not before I felt him react.

Totally ready for the shove, it never came. Instead I felt his lips moving in sync with mine! He was kissing back, though hesitantly, the purpose was still there. Pulling away from him slowly, I smiled at him. "Maybe I am going crazy..." I whispered almost huskily, and watched how he'd react.

*~*Raven*~*

As I felt him move his hand to my shoulder, and slink to the back of my neck, I was confused. Images ran amuck in my mind, and I tried desperately to get rid of them. Though when I noticed Van leaning into me, I froze, mind instinctively wanting to retreat, but I wouldn't give up this chance. I wanted to KNOW how it felt, how Van Flyheight, elite member of the Guardian Force, known throughout all of Zi of how he defeated the DeathSaurer, I wanted to know how he felt, and kissed.

My eyes were wide with fear of the unknown, and fear of the past. My pulse was frantic, I felt it gushing through my veins, as if they were about to burst. My heart was even more erratic, as if it would shoot through my chest.

I felt and saw him come lightly in contact with my lips, me to dumbstruck and frightened to do a damn thing. Slowly but surely, I could feel my control on my conscious slipping, it running away to the dark crevices it hides when Hiltz wants to 'play'. Managing to calm myself, and miraculously talk my conscious into remembering this wasn't Hiltz, nor Prozen and Van wasn't like them, I managed to regain myself.

Blinking several times, I realized his was lightly tracing his tongue along my lip, and I instantly reacted. Though I was scared, and had the faintest clue as to what the hell I was doing I copied him. I could note his surprise in the way his whole face seemed to raise in surprise. Yup, I surprised my self too, I never thought I'd have the will to go through with it, especially kissing Van. I guess my logic from earlier just flew right out the window, like Reese and Specular into the darkness from one of their 'attacks'.

He pulled away slowly and I almost sighed at the loss of his warmth and body against mine. That was...Mind blowing. I don't know how else to put it...My whole world just got a jolt of hopefulness. Where it came from, I have no idea. But maybe, just maybe, I won't be returning to that living nightmare of a life of mine. Maybe me and Van can actually work something out. After that kiss, I refuse to return to Hiltz, what little mind I may still possess will stay mine, he's not going to break me all the way, break what spirit I have left...Even if I spend eternity in a dark dank cell, I'd rather be there than anywhere near Hiltz.

"Maybe I am going crazy..." I heard him whisper, and I look at him, smirking slightly, I knew he wasn't done yet. "Because I thought I just felt you kissing me too..." He finished and I loved at his he seemed to beam at the thought.

"Maybe." I told him, and bring my hand up to my lips, touching them and feeling the warmth that still linger there, nope it wasn't a hallucination, it happened.

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Thanks for reading, hope you liked! I've been having lots of family troubles lately, so that's why I haven't gotten this out sooner. Gomen Nasai! Review for me, please! =) Maybe I can get some Citrusy stuff in here soon.