Athrun had barely closed the door to his room when it burst open and Yzak tumbled in. The azure haired youth was less than three paces from the door himself, for he'd just walked in, and the lights were still off. He hadn't even gotten to turn them on, and Yzak was already back to debate some matter or another.

"Athrun Zala," came the bold cry.

Athrun placed his keys carefully on the table, but kept his back turned as he replied.

"What is it, Yzak?" he said warily.

Yzak struggled to catch his breath. The moment Dearka had removed his sluggish carcass from their room, Yzak had shot out the back door and sped to Athrun's.

Now Yzak found himself at a loss for words. What was he doing, running out to find Athrun like it was the most important thing in the world? They were fighting a war; he ought to have been training, or at least getting some sleep.

The pool of yellow light from the hallway reflected off the blue of Athrun's hair, making it gleam. He stood tall and erect, waiting patiently for Yzak to answer.

Yzak hesitated and took a better look at his adversary. Athrun was perfect. He'd always been perfect, and Yzak had always had to struggle just to keep his position as mere second best. It seemed no matter how hard he strove to outdo the clever young Coordinator, he never could. Athrun surpassed him each time with skill and ease. Yzak started as he suddenly detected the presence of another emotion stemming from within him. Jealousy?

He was jealous? Of Athrun Zala? Never. His hands went cold and the knob slipped from his grip. The door clicked shut behind him, and the room was left in total darkness. Athrun spun around to face him, but made no move to turn the lights on.

"Yzak?"

It was just as well that they couldn't see each other. Yzak's control wavered. If he'd had to look at the beautiful form of his worst enemy a second longer, he didn't know what would have happened. He held his breath as he felt Athrun take a step toward him.

He finally found his voice. "About earlier…"

"When you…"

"Yes." Yzak grimaced and cut him off before he had to relive the event a third time. "I thought about it."

Athrun paused only a moment before speaking. "And?"

"I don't know what came over me. One minute I was angry with you, the next…"

Athrun didn't ask him to explain further. Instead, he seemed to heft the issue onto his own shoulders.

"I never tried to make you angry, Yzak," he said quietly. "I wanted us all to get along - you, me, and Dearka and Nicol. But for some reason, no matter what I did, you hated me. I never meant to do anything that would make you dislike me the way you do. Even so, I'm sorry that I've upset you. I just want you to let me know what I've done, so that I'll be sure never to do it again, Yzak. We can't stay enemies forever like this."

Yzak clenched his fist. It pained him to hear Athrun speak those words. All this time, he'd been selfish, thinking that he was the one suffering, when it was Athrun who had been hurt the most by their petty arguments. Even with such a heavy burden, the sapphire-eyed boy had bared it with a soft smile, never allowing the turmoil to rise to the surface. Yzak's face burned with shame. Athrun was truly a man worthy of being admired, and Yzak did not know how to redeem himself after causing so much trouble.

"Athrun, I'm sorry." Yzak was stunned at his own words. He could not remember the last time he'd ever uttered an apology to anyone.

"For what?" Athrun's voice rose an octave in his confusion. "I'm the one apologizing to you."

"I don't deserve it."

"Yzak…"

Yzak couldn't take it any more. One more kind word, one more tender phrase escaping those lips, and he would break. He prayed that Athrun wouldn't say any more, prayed that he would accept the answer he'd provided. He was incapable of filling the empty silence himself, and he hoped the blue haired youth would leave it at that.

Athrun let out a low, cautious laugh. "You never cease to surprise me, Yzak."

The silver haired Gundam pilot cursed himself inwardly as he melted at the sound of Athrun's voice.

"Just shut up." He hadn't meant to respond that way, but his nerves took hold of him before he could stop himself. Then, "Sorry."

Athrun chuckled. "No problem," he said. "After all, I hear it from you all the time." His tone was light and teasing. "The barrage of apologies is new, however."

"Shit," Yzak muttered. At that moment, his resolve seemed to crumble.

Before he realized what was happening, he'd wrapped one arm around the other boy's slender waist and caught his lips in a kiss for the second time. This time, Athrun made no move to resist, and Yzak ran a hand through his silky hair as they stood there, frozen in the darkness. He memorized Athrun's touch, the softness of his lips, his taste. Then he let go.

"I suppose," Athrun was breathless, "That this means we're on better terms?"

Yzak's stomach fluttered. "What do you think, Athrun Zala?"

Athrun's mouth curled into a slight grin, and Yzak laughed openly. The two of them looked at each other as their eyes adjusted to the blackness that surrounded them.

"Well, Yzak Joule," came the sure response, "I think we'll be fine for a while."

END