Title: A Little Too Late

Author: Jusrecht

Disclaimer: Gundam SEED (and Destiny) is the property of Sunrise and the talented people who made this series possible.

Pairings: Kira/Cagalli, subtle hints of Athrun/Lacus and Kira/Athrun (because my OTP always manages to get its way into everything I write.

Summary: It was on the first anniversary of their relationship when Kira and Cagalli discovered that they were in fact siblings.

Warning: Many. The most obvious is the unfaithfulness to the original story, particularly regarding Kira-Lacus's canon relationship in anime. The second most obvious one is that in here, Kira is definitely OOC. You will find neither the angst-ridden SEED Kira nor the all-serious-but-I'm-perfect Destiny Kira here. My Kira is – as mentioned in a review for my other fic – eloquent and livelier in a way. Thirdly, a major character has died since the beginning of this story. Fine, let me just say it. Lacus will not make any appearance except in flashes of memories. Four, the characters are all older in here. This may prove to be a problem for some. The fifth one (and probably also the most dreaded by many) this fic contains allusions of male/male pairing, especially in Athrun's case. ). Don't bother to read if any of the warnings mentioned above bothers you.

Dedication: To everyone who like to read Kira/Cagalli as much as I do.

"Cheesecakes."

Kira observed the round golden cake displayed at the refrigerated counter in front of him for a moment, and then said to his cell phone doubtfully, "Are you sure? Don't you think she'll fancy something sweeter?"

There was a small sigh coming from the other side of the line. "Honestly, Kira, I don't see why you are asking meabout this. And no, I don't think she'll appreciate it if you buy her anything that will remotely remind her to our chocolate cake incident last Valentine. How dare you to forget about that, by the way."

Chuckling quietly, Kira replied with mock sincerity, "My dark, dirty secrets are all yours, Athrun. Do me a favor by not telling her the true nature about that incident, will you?"

"So much for a clean, honest relationship," his friend snorted at the other line.

"Hey, there is relativity in everything," he shot back lightly, voice doused in thick amusement. "You're the one who taught me that principle, remember? Or argument. Whatever. I must say that it is very effective to win almost every dispute."

"I curse the day I had the idea to teach you that," Athrun declared, evoking more peals of laughter from him.

There was a moment of pause while Kira busied himself with instructions for the shopkeeper. Personally, he would prefer a large chocolate cake that was sitting at the other end of the counter, but he had always trusted Athrun's judgment when it involved Cagalli. His best friend seemed to have more sense concerning things like this than he did. Even at his age of twenty-four, he still found computers and technicalities easier to deal with than people and emotions. It was exactly the reason why he had chosen not to enter the world of politics and fortunately had managed to avoid doing so in his line of work. Until last week at least.

With the number of knowledge Athrun seemed to possess over the current leader of ORB, one might wonder who was dating who at this stage, but Kira was glad that he had never let any of these bother him. It didn't escape him, though, the likelihood that he had probably asked his friend because the other Coordinator had once dated Cagalli himself and the relationship, quite unexpectedly, had lasted for almost three-and-a-half years through wars and hardships. When it had ended, he had been most surprised, almost upset, but in a way also glad that they still loved each other in their own fashion. There was something wonderful about having the two most important people in your life as the best of friends.

It had taken him another three-and-a-half years to finally realize that he had fallen in love with Cagalli of most people. As a matter of fact, the realization had come on the day she had declared her love to him. So much for being the male part in their relationship. Athrun had called him 'dumbass' that day.

The sound of phone ringing at the other line cut his train of thoughts short and he listened to Athrun's deep, calm voice answering the call. The curt, formal replies his friend made evoked a frown on his temple, and when Athrun had returned to him with a small 'sorry', he immediately asked in a tone that demanded an acceptable explanation. "Isn't it already midnight over there? Are you still in the office?"

"Define office."

"A hellish place where you get lots of migraine and paperwork?"

"Then it's a yes," Athrun answered sourly. "I'm at home, on a couch, surrounded by paperwork and suffering the nastiest headache I've ever had. And Canavar has just said that I most assuredly am going to win in the next chairman election. That just makes my day, you know."

"My deepest condolences, Sir," Kira hardly tried to suppress his amusement although he was fully aware of the cosmic responsibility of a PLANT Council member. "I personally think that she can't wait to dump her work on you."

"My thoughts as well," was the absentminded response. Faintly, he could hear the sound of pen scribbling on a paper at the background, blending with an even fainter echo of Tchaikovsky. The frown left its traces visible on his face as he set his eyes to rows of freshly baked muffins, mind clearly elsewhere. He had never tried to question Athrun's relentless devotion to his work, out loud at least. His private best guess was that it had something to do with a former chairwoman who had been so loved by her people. There had been little talk about them, but Kira would never forget his best friend's expressionless face that day two years ago on Lacus's funeral. Athrun had never tried to confide anything about it to him and he wouldn't attempt to probe a wound he was not sure still bleeding or not.

Kira cleared his throat, uneasiness rapidly surfacing in the growing silence. "Am I interrupting your work by the way?"

"Now you're asking, Kira?" Athrun's tone was much lighter than anticipated and he felt a sigh of relief escaping his slightly parted lips. "Yes, you've been interrupting my work for ten precious minutes. You may want to check tomorrow's obituary in case Yzak has mutilated me into pieces. He's going to need these papers tomorrow morning and I don't think I can finish them if my life depends on it. Which it probably does."

"Oh, stop exaggerating, Athrun," he replied, flippancy returning with ease. "You know you can always give him a slip if you want to."

"That's not the point. I'm talking about my hard-earned credibility."

"Excuses, excuses."

There was a small snort that sounded like suppressed laughter and Kira felt his grin widening. Athrun needed to loosen up sometimes, to escape from his mountains of paperwork and endless duties, and he always considered those chances to make his dearest friend laugh as a privilege he was so fortunate to earn. To think that they had almost killed each other during their first war... he still shuddered at that recollection even now.

A moment later, the voice rose again, quieter than before. "I've heard news about you."

Fingers busily stumbling with his wallet, Kira's only response was a noncommittal hum.

"About your work," his friend continued. "Vice-president already, huh? I thought you were just promoted as the Director of Technology and Development eights months ago."

"Seven. And got promoted again last week," he said unhappily. With his new position, he could no longer escape from politics and its troubles. But his employer, a middle-aged man whose wife and son had long been taken away from him, would hear none of his protests. "If only you have a little more sense of business, I would have made you my son and put this company in your hand," was what the pleasant but adamant man had said. The former prospect was not entirely impossible though, if the occasional visits his boss did repeatedly to his mother were anything to go by. Not that he was going to raise any objection in that matter though. If anything, he had been wishing for his mother's happiness since the death of his father seven years ago.

In the meantime, Kira was still expressing his misery. "I really have no idea why. It isn't as if the company needs another vice-president, but for some reasons I am not allowed to refuse. How did you find out anyway?"

"From yesterday's newspaper, an article about the joint venture of two colossal companies," Athrun replied smoothly. "It went something like 'And the representative from NeoLunar Electric Company was Kira Yamato, the newly appointed vice-president whose relationship with Representative Athha, current leader of United Emirates of ORB, has just been recently discovered.' I almost fell off my chair when I read about that."

Kira only sighed mournfully and walked out of the bakery with a package tied neatly with red ribbon held in one hand. Not many boyfriends would buy their girls cheesecakes on their first anniversary but Cagalli had always appreciated little food much more than costly jewelries.

Outside, the sun was still shining cheerfully despite the late afternoon, and Kira couldn't help but to appreciate the fine weather, feeling a slight pity for Athrun who was still confined to his desk at late of night. A large screen which was placed strategically at one corner of a nearby junction was broadcasting the 3 p.m. news and flashes of his girlfriend's face came into view again and again with astonishing consistence. He smiled faintly and started walking to the opposite direction, speaking to his phone, "They are insinuating that I manage to get that position only because of my relationship with Cagalli."

"It's only natural," Athrun replied dryly. "In fact, I would be very surprised if that kind of sarcasm didn't come up."

For once Kira didn't respond, only too aware of his questionable opportunity to attain so high of a position in such young age. He watched people going in and out various of shops and how the street seemed to be bristling with afternoon bustle until his friend spoke again, a note of pensiveness in his voice. "Are you happy, Kira?"

He was surprised, caught unprepared with the turn of discussion, and a pair of eyebrows shot up automatically. Athrun always had reasons behind his every action and he doubted this one was an exception. It must have bothered him greatly if he cared enough to ask and the question itself held many nebulous facets Kira had never tried to confront before.

But he was happy; at least that he was sure about.

"If I'm not, you'll be the first to know, Athrun." He paused, tuning out all other sounds to catch every little ones that might rise on the other side, and then continued a little more carefully, "That wasn't what you wanted to ask, was it?"

There was utter silence which he didn't quite like. It was either his respond was entirely unexpected or the other man was – for once – only too absorbed in his work to provide a prompt reply. He hoped it was the latter although it seemed highly unlikely considering the amount of respect Athrun had always given him. The only moment his friend had turned a deaf ear at him was on the night Lacus had died, and there was absolutely no need for something as terrible as that to happen again.

Kira shook his head, chasing out the grim recollections, which only returned with greater perseverance when Athrun said with a low voice, "I love you both greatly."

"I know," he whispered softly, aware that the narrow path he was treading on was starting to quiver. "And I'm taking this relationship seriously. Actually now I'm searching for a loophole on my schedule when I can visit you at PLANT and drag you out to help me find a ring."

Another silence ensued. Kira stopped in his track waited, for some reasons dreading the response his friend would give him. He bit his lips when Athrun's voice rose again from the other line, small and shaky.

"I will be very honored."

"Not an honor, Athrun," he replied calmly, firmly. "It's my wish because I'm not having it otherwise."

Athrun didn't answer and Kira didn't try to pursue. Instead, he changed the subject with the first one that flitted across his mind. "Are you still dating that...orange-haired guy?"

"It's Heine, Kira," the other corrected amusedly. "And no, I'm not dating him anymore. Not that I have time to anyway."

"Good, because I don't like him," he said in mock-relief, trying to keep away a note of disappointment that was threatening to crack the edge of his voice despite Athrun's soft laugh. How long had it been since Lacus's passing away? He suspected that Athrun had never actually recovered from it – what with the countless relationships he had been into, none of which lasted longer than three weeks. It was a good thing that this 'tendency' didn't really affect his career but Kira sincerely hoped that his best friend could find someone. Lacus was wonderful; Lacus was the epitome of perfection; Lacus was irreplaceable at some points, but she had gone and Athrun was still alive. He just wanted his friend to understand that.

A small, pleasant-looking flower shop flanked between two extravagant boutiques caught his wandering attention and for a moment Kira halted to savor the sea of colours and assorted beauties. His eyes stopped at a particular flower and he asked with a touch of breathless excitement from his younger years. "Athrun, what do you think about yellow Carnation?"

"Bad idea," was the prompt reply. "It means rejection or something like that. Or so Meyrin said when I was about to send a fellow Council member yellow carnations." He paused for a while as if thinking, and then suggested, "Lilies are better, if you must give her any. The white ones."

Kira grinned to his cell phone. "I love you so much. Remind me to send you chocolates on Valentine."

"No white chocolate or I'll give it back to you on White Day."

He couldn't help but laugh. "Aye, Sir."

With cheesecake balanced in one hand and a bouquet of white lilies atop of it, Kira closed his car's door and started to make his way to the front door of the Athha's imposing residence. A small blue car parked at the sideway made him raise his eyebrows; she had promised him her evening, but then again the highest degree of tolerance was needed when your girlfriend was the leader of such important nation like ORB. Dealing with urgent matters or guests at home was not at all rare for her to do.

After pressing the doorbell and waiting for a moment, a familiar figure opened the door for him and he received a delighted exclamation immediately after. "Kira-sama!"

"Good evening, Mana," he bent slightly to give an affectionate kiss on her plump cheeks, earning himself a motherly smile in return. "Is Cagalli at home?"

"The lady has just returned," she replied, motioning to the inner rooms, "but now she is still accepting a guest. Please wait in the drawing room for a moment and I will inform her of your arrival."

"It's fine. I'll just wait," he quickly said and handed her the package he had been holding, explaining cheerfully, "Cheesecake for Cagalli. Could you put it on a platter or something?"

At that moment, a man appeared from the parlor, averting his attention at once to casual clothing and a small briefcase clasped in a thin, pale hand. His searching eyes found Kira's and the latter took an instant dislike to the stranger, either it was because of the gaunt face or the odd light in the eyes. The fellow nodded slightly at him, an act that somehow made Kira wince instead of like him better. Still, courtesy left him with no choice but to return the gesture and watch the man creep away in silence.

"Who was that?" asked Kira after the guest had left.

"He introduced himself as a journalist from New Heliopolis," Mana answered with a low voice, shooting disdainful looks at the closed door. "A strange chap, wasn't he? I almost refused to admit him in earlier, but apparently he had made an appointment with Cagalli-sama." Then, with unexpected rapidity, she altered her mood and smiled at him. "I'll take care of the cake, Kira-sama. Please see the lady now."

Ushered by the older woman, Kira ended in the wide, sunlit parlor. At the middle of the room, there were couches circling a low desk and he noticed Cagalli sitting in one of them with her back turned at the door, still wearing her formal, white uniform. With a smile he approached the silent figure, causing as little noise as possible and flowers hidden at his back. She did not move and he smiled even wider, finishing his last step more loudly and brandishing the bouquet under her nose.

A hand – no, a fist – was launched toward his face, which barely dodged the sudden attack as he caught the hand in his firm grip. He laughed, taking in her surprised look with something akin to relish, and put the bouquet into her hands, speaking softly, "You barely notice me coming in. A hard day?"

"No, not that," she replied in a vague tone, absentmindedly fingering the petals of the lilies on her lap. Kira seated himself beside her and waited patiently, noting the strange look on her face but keeping all opinions to himself for the moment, as she seemed to struggle for words. He was wondering about the guest earlier when she suddenly ask, voice calm and solemn. "Does it ever strike you as odd, Kira, that our birthday falls exactly on the same day?"

"That is a wonderful coincidence in my opinion," he replied still with a smile.

"Coincidence indeed," she said quietly, but he could place the sarcastic edges in it. With some difficulties he managed to suppress a frown and remain silent, before then receiving yet another question. "You were...adopted by your parents, right?"

"What brought this up?" Kira brought his hand up, caressing her blond locks like he often did when she was in one of her bad moods. But she flinched a little instead, and that withdrew his hand back to his side. He was puzzled but still gave her an answer with a nonchalant shrug. "Yes, they adopted me when I was one year-old or so. I don't really remember."

Cagalli turned a pair of golden eyes at him, emotions warring in them. "And do you know that I am not my father's real child either?"

"I recall your mentioning it once," he answered carefully, not liking the turns this conversation was taking. "What's this all about, Cagalli?"

"We have been incredibly stupid," she released a bitter laugh and waved at the papers that were scattered all over the desk. "You may want to take a look at those by yourself."

Still bewildered, he set his sight on the disorganized jumble. The first article that caught his attention was a small picture, old but still striking amidst many other colorless documents, and he picked it up. It was a picture of a young mother with her two newly born babies. Twins, he noted quietly, and instantly was horrified by the sudden idea that crossed his mind. He looked up and found Cagalli stubbornly looking at the windows, avoiding his eyes entirely. Did the earlier questions she had bombarded him with mean that...? He looked down again at the picture, incredulous.

"There is an explanation at the back," she suddenly said, holding back the tremor in her voice.

Kira flipped back the picture and had to rub his eyes to make sure he had read the scribbled words right. At the lower right corner was his name along with hers, written plainly and clearly. For a long moment he was unable to react, overwhelmed by shock and numbness that had spread down to his every joints and fibers. When he finally looked up, this time meeting her tempestuous eyes, he could only utter one word.

"Why?"

- To be continued -

Notes: Every time I'm put off by the development in the anime, I always feel the urge to write. This time it's the ending of GSD and this fic is the result. And Gundam SEED series was so close in becoming my favourite Gundam series...

I do have reasons for not including Lacus here. In my eyes, Lacus is perfect and that's why I want to keep her in memory. Another reason, I cannot (dare not) write about someone that perfect. Okay, blame me. She is always the hardest character for me to write, which explains her absence in most of my fics. As for hints of Kira/Athrun, that's my ego speaking and my ego is very big, not to mention, violent. Somehow it's easier to write about them when I'm focusing on other pairings. Stupid me.

If anyone feels the need of any explanation, feel free to ask. I'll try to answer, either in the story or as a reply in the next chapter. Thank you for reading. Hope you find it enjoyable. And review please.