Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed, its characters, or its main plotline. I don't own the character Kai. He's happily owned by fellow writer, JC-Titans143.
I don't own the totally BEAUTIFUL song, "Picture". It's happily owned by Kid Rock and his accomplice, Sheryl Crow, and their little people who are underpaid. XD
Despite the first couple of lyrics, Athrun has not become a pimp. Sorry, it's just how the song goes. Everything else just flows with my ideas with the chapter.
Aki-chan: Let's get this straight. Here comes a BIG BIG BIG time jump. Fast forward the current storyline to 2 years in the future. So, that means everyone is now 24. Yup, they're old. XD
There is a mad reason for this though…and trust me. This is the biggest turning point in the story. This is where things finally move away from KaiCaga to AsuCaga. YOU HAPPY NOW!
Anywho, one last note. Thanks for the congrats, ya'll! I ended up being the stinkin' valedictorian of the class of '05. I funny, since I'm the biggest slacker in the whole school. xD…oh, btw, lil sis is doing great thanks to ya'll.
Finally, steshin, don't get ur panties in a twist, there's another "Bonus" AsuCaga scene for ya. It's gonna be posted on my LJ if anyone's interested. I know u r, ste. XD…onto…
Chapter 13 – Picture
Ever since that fateful day she married him, ORB seemed to be at the height of its power. During their rule, ORB was the most peaceful it had ever been in years. The country was prosperous and nothing could stop it from being so ideal. No wars, that was good news enough. No conspiracy, no hatred, no nothing. Just peace, sweet love, all the beautiful things.
Kira and Lacus were living peacefully in their new home, no longer depending on Cagalli for a roof over their heads. In addition to the two two-year-old boys, they had a little girl on the way.
Miriallia and Dearka and Yzak and Shiho had gotten married together just last year and were now currently living up in the PLANTs. Yzak and Shiho were still quarrelling over stupid little things and Dearka and Miriallia…well, they were expecting a set of twins.
Life was beautiful.
Living my life in a slow hell
At least for them. To say the least, his life was no where near as perfect. Still living in his apartment, still living alone, still heartbroken beyond repair. Yeah, I would call that pretty crappy, wouldn't you?
Different girl every night at the hotel
No. He never bothered to find another play thing, not that he considered his first love a "toy". He couldn't force himself to love again. He just wouldn't allow it. He loved one person and no one else, even if she didn't love him back and married some guy that wasn't him.
I ain't seen the sunshine in three damn days
Despite living in his lonesome, he didn't bother calling Yzak or Dearka, or anyone else for the matter. He just wanted to be alone. He ignored several phone calls from his friend, and struggled even harder to ignore the life-threatening messages left in his answering machine left mostly by Yzak.
Been fueling up on cocaine and whiskey
He couldn't bring himself to watch the news anymore. It just showed her being happy with him.
Wish I had a good girl to miss me
Never watched movies, read novels, anything. Everything simply reminded him of the pain that broke his heart two years back.
Lord, I wonder if I'll ever change my ways
He hardly ate, rarely left the sanctity of his bed and covers. His eyes haven't seen the light of day for, hmm, let's say about 2 weeks tops?
I put your picture away
But he did manage to do two things.
One. Stayed alive to continue wallowing in his misery. He was never totally dismal enough to take his own life. Even he knew it was stupid.
Maybe he wanted to stay alive. It was a funny thought. Curling up underneath his bed covers, he let out a faint laugh.
Sat down and cried today
For some reason, he only stayed alive just because of this funny little theory of his. He had this feeling that she'd come back to him. He had this feeling that she still felt for him, that she still might've loved him.
Funny, right?
I can't look at you while I'm lying next to her
Two. He still kept that picture by the living room couch. Underneath his blanket, through the dim light given off by the sun, he could see her.
He could think otherwise and go shopping for a magazine with her face on it and obsess over that, but almost every magazine and news report nowadays just showed her with that man.
I put your picture away
He never did tell her the direct reason why he left six years back.
Sat down and cried today
And until now, he still felt the same way. Insecure.
But he wanted to die in peace, even if his heart wouldn't.
He wanted to tell her why, so just in case that funny feeling was somehow right, she could feel better about herself.
I can't look at you while I'm lying next to her
Finally, after what seemed like years, he decided that the truth must be told. He pulled the covers off and away as he jumped out of bed and went for a quick shower, dinner, and hell knew he needed it, a walk in the park on a Saturday night just to clear some thoughts.
I called you last night at the hotel
What words can you use to describe the life of ORB's princess, Cagalli Yula Athha?
Perfect.
Ideal.
Wonderful.
Picture perfect.
Yup, her life was all that and much, much more.
Everyone knows but they won't tell
Happily married to the love of her life, Kai, together ruling a nation filled with endless possibilities, what could possibly go wrong?
But their half-hearted smiled tell me something just ain't right
Saturday night. After the final ball of the week, she was just about sick of hearing politics crap, wearing dresses, and walking on high heels; Taking in public, mingling with random people, and staying by the punch bowl for refuge. Yeah, times like this, she wished she weren't a politician's daughter.
I've been waiting on you for a long time
She slid away from his warm embrace, letting his arm slide off her waist, pulling the blanket along with her as she moved silently away. A slight snore escaped him as he dwelled on his late night dreams and she just smiled.
Even if she hated the life of a politician, she still had someone who accepted that and comforted her when she felt frustrated or let down. And that person was lying in her bed.
Fueling up on heartaches and cheap wine
Wrapping the blankets around her sore and naked body, she walked up to her window to stare outside at her beautiful nation.
Midnight and the streets were still very much alive, hustling and bustling below her. She finally achieved that piece her father had been dreaming of for years and she wouldn't want her life any other way.
I ain't heard from you in three damn nights
Smiling as she softly turned on her heels, she placed the blanket atop her husband and made way for the bathroom for a shower and a quick change of clothes.
I put your picture away
But there were some occasions where she fell silent during several conversations. She ended up excusing herself to go and cry this out in the closest bathroom.
He never bothered asking; it wasn't his business after all. If she needed any, he gave it to her simply. Tonight was just one of those nights.
At the mention of ZAFT, she choked up and walked away quickly.
I wonder where you been
She had just made peace with the PLANTs and still something about them saddened her deeply.
I can't look at you while I'm lying next to him
Oh yeah. That green-eyed, blue haired bastard.
Putting on some jogging pants and a tight t-shirt, she gave him a quick peck on the forehead and exited their bedroom door.
I put your picture away
That was the only emptiness in her life that prevented her from living it larger than life. She had sudden jolts of regret every time she was loving Kai. She had regrets for not telling him those three small words two years back.
I wonder where you been
It was just past one and she wanted to clear some things up.
I can't look at you while I'm lying next to him
An early morning jog would help her.
I saw you yesterday with an old friend
Once at the park, she began her jog, as early as it may be. The street lights were still on.
Passing by two late night lovers sitting on a bench, whispering who knows what into each others ear, her face scrunched and she jogged faster to get away from them.
Something about them….just reminded her of something.
It was the same old same how've you been?
As a memory forced its way into her head, she ran faster, closing her eyes in frustration…
…until she felt herself colliding with something else.
Since you've been gone my world's been dark and gray
"What the.."
Rubbing her head to soothe the minor pain that was inflicted on her, she picked herself up to apologize and yell at to the person she bumped into.
She really wished she hadn't. But a little part of her was jumping with joy.
You reminded me of brighter days
"Cagalli?"
"Athrun?"
Deja vu all over again.
I hoped you were comin' home to stay
He helped her up, staring at her like crazy. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah…fine."
"Um," he said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "It's late out. Why are you walking around without an escort?"
She frowned. Still, he thinks she needs that much taking care of. "For your information, Athrun Zala, even a girl like me can take morning jogs without a bodyguard."
I was headed to church
"But still. It's late and it's a Saturday night. Do you know how many people party this time of night and go home drunk?" he asked worriedly.
I was off to drink you away
Frowning still, she crossed her arms and looked away.
Sighing, he tried his best to confront her after all this time. "Look, I'm just concerned for your safety."
I thought about you for a long time
A small blush crawled up to her cheeks and she looked at the boy curiously. Concerned?
"Tell me this then, Athrun. If you were so damn concerned about me, then why didn't you do anything for the past two years?"
Can't seem to get you off my mind
"Because I was insecure, Cagalli! That's why I never said anything for the past two years! That's why I left you a long time ago! That's why I never stopped you from marrying Kai when I came to your wedding! BECAUSE OF MY INSECURITIES!"
I can't understand why we're living life this way
As he watched her shocked expression worsen, he took in deep breaths to calm his nerve. "Look…I wise girl once told me that we could start over. But she was too much of a hypocrite to take her own damn advice."
"But…"
"No," he said, pressing his index firmly over her warm lips. "No…don't tell me otherwise, Cagalli.
"Do you remember that day when I came over to try to at least apologize to you about what I did the night before? Remember how Kira just wanted to tear me to pieces? And how you broke my heart in the process? Well, Lacus came to me that afternoon. She told me that you still might've loved me. I don't know why, but for some strange reason, I believed her. That is until your wedding. I just let you go after that."
I found your picture today
They began walking together, despite their frustrations. Unknowingly, they were stepping ever so close to his house with each step.
"So, you let me go. Bet you had some fun experimenting with other women, right?" Cagalli retorted, with a hint of slight jealousy.
I swear I'll change my ways
"Wrong. I never hugged, kissed, or slept with another woman except you. Even if you married that Kai, you're still the one for me, Cagalli, even if you don't think the same."
I just called to say I want you to come back home
Wow. That hit the spot. Loyalty was always a good trait about him, it's just that sometimes he forgot where his loyalties lay. No he made her feel like shit.
I found your picture today
Silence lingered as the continued walking closer to an unknown destination.
He stole glances at her hushed figure as they walked, and she still looked beautiful to him, even if what she had done wasn't so beautiful.
I swear I'll change my ways
Then out of the blue…
"We need to talk, Athrun. And by talk, I don't mean what you did to me two years ago. I really want to talk this time. Just you and me."
I just called to say I want you to come back home
"Because for the past years in my life, I felt empty. I couldn't figure out what, but I kind of had a feeling it was because of you. I don't know what makes you so special to me, but I really want to know what and why. You told me your story…"
She paused as she made out the final destination. It was his apartment building and together they stepped inside his room.
"…now it's my turn to share…"
I just called to say I love you, come back home
I LOVE THAT SONG TO PIECES! I don't know why, it just hits me deep. Man, I've been itching, itching, ITCHING to write this chapter since ever! MY GOD! It feels good to have it down on paper.
So, what will Cagalli do next? Man, she does manage to snag a little alone time twice each night with two people in this story, huh? First she was raped, then "comforted" by Kai when she snuck into his room. Now, she was "comforted" again by Kai…and well, let's just say, it's not rape no more.
xD! The bonus chapter will be posted on my LJ soon, once I get some inspiration. I thought my last lemon sucked. I really want to make it up with this one, since it is kind of "I want you back" sorta smex. xD
MAN MAN MAN! This is where the AsuCaga fans cheer, cuz the storyline is changing tides and finally rolling for the AsuCaga peeps! CHEER WITH ME!
But first, BE HEARD! SPEAK SOME WURDS! REVIEW!
