Chapter 9 (Confessions)

Freedom9217: Sorry for the long delay, I got LOTS AND LOTS of homework to do, didn't have too much time to go on the computer. Well, enough about me, go on and read.

Clyne mansion

Kira stood in front of the Clyne mansion, getting ready to express his feelings to Lacus. He hesitantly looks at the huge mansion, the place that will determine his future. He nervously raised his hand and knocked on the door.

Suddenly, he's shyness towards girls kicked in, "Please don't answer the door." Kira prayed desperately. But as expected, the door opened and the butler appeared at the doorway. Kira sighed disappointedly and told the butler that he needed to see Lacus.

The butler led Kira through the living room and to the flower garden, where Kira saw Lacus watering some white roses.

"Miss Lacus isn't in a very good mood; please hurry with your visit." The butler told Kira.

Kira nodded and the butler left, "Well, here goes nothing." Kira thought. Taking a deep breath, he screwed up his courage and walked toward the flower garden.

Lacus waters the white roses as she thinks about her encounter with Flay. Lacus is a soft and gentle girl by nature; she never resorts to violence for anything. She felt foolish for running away when she actually needed her friend's comfort. Well, it can't be helped now; she can't change what's already happened.

Flashback

Lacus came home in frustrate and sad mood, she entered the house without saying a word to anyone, she went straight into her room, secure the lock, and sit on her bed.

Lacus kept her head bowed and eyes tightly shut. The argument between her and Flay kept playing in her mind, and each time it became more exaggerated. Pretty soon, the line between fact and fantasy blurred, and she started to imagine hearing herself admitting vehemently to Flay that she'll stay away from Kira.

Distressed, Lacus pressed her face against the heels of her palms as she tried to stop the howl of misery that was threatening to rip through her chest. Her body convulsed as she willed her tears from falling. All she asked of Kira and Flay was to stay away from her for the time being, from any more warnings of staying away from the boy they all cherished.

End of flashback

Sounded footsteps alerted her of someone's presence. Glancing up, she saw Kira standing not three feet away from her. She moaned a bit, she wasn't ready to see Kira, not yet, not in her current state of confusion. Being polite, Lacus offered Kira some tea and sat down with him.

"So, what brings you here?" Lacus asked, feeling foolish to ask such an obvious question.

"Well, I just came to see how you are doing…. after that incident." Kira replied.

"I'm okay, thank you for coming." Lacus said sweetly, trying to put on a cheerful face.

That didn't fool Kira, he knows exactly how Lacus feels and cursed himself for his clumsiness, if it wasn't for him, Lacus never would have to deal with this kind of problems.

"Lacus…." Kira mumbled.

"I'm sorry that I caused you this kind of problems, I didn't intend to." Kira apologized.

"It's okay Kira. It's not your fault. You didn't do anything but care for me, I'm grateful." Lacus said.

Kira felt worse when Lacus said that, now he's not sure whether to confess or not. "Damn that Athrun, getting me into this mess." Kira thought as he prepared to leave. This visit only made things worse.

"Kira… do you have something to tell me?" Lacus asked. Feeling confused by Kira's face expression.

"No, why?" Kira lied.

"It's just that you look strange. Besides, you didn't come here just to tell me that you're sorry, right?" Lacus asked.

Kira studied her for a moment, unable to find a suitable reply, his hesitation has made everything worse, Kira wished that he could just have a little bit more guts.

"I…um, came here to…. Tell you something." Kira said hesitating.

"What is it?"

"Well, what I'm trying to say is that, I….." Kira's next word seems to have died in his throat. He hasn't got enough courage to tell a girl that he loves her.

"Kira, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I think that maybe I should stay away from you if it helps to make things better." Lacus suddenly said this which shocked Kira a lot.

"Oh no you don't, not if I can help it!" Kira suddenly got the courage. He can't risk losing Lacus now, not when he had gotten so close.

"Lacus, please hear me out." Kira said.

"It's too late, Kira, I don't want anymore troubles, it's best if we just stay as friends. I'm sorry." Lacus said as she walks away.

"Lacus!" Kira suddenly grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into a warm embrace. His arms wrapped securely around her. Her eyes widened in surprise…not knowing how to react, not knowing what to say, she just enjoyed the moment.

"Lacus…I…love…you." Kira finally blurted out.

Lacus paused at what he said; her power of speech temporarily lost, she has never felt so happy, suddenly, everything doesn't seem mattered anymore. Tears of joy showed in her crystal blue eyes. She knew for sure in her heart that Kira is her choice, and now she was ready to tell him.

"I love you too." Lacus said.

Kira's mouth opened widely, enough to fit in a small Haro, all this time, he thought that he had no chance in Lacus' heart, but he was wrong, Lacus also loves him. Kira's heart did a crazy dance of joy as he brushes through Lacus' beautiful pink hair.

They faced each other; eyes locking on, without a doubt, Kira lowered his head and kissed Lacus squarely on the mouth. He felt her returning the kiss, and they enjoyed every moment of it.

They broke free for air and stared deeply into each others eyes, for a long moment, neither spoke.

"Lacus, I love you so much, so please don't care about what Flay says." Kira said.

Lacus nodded happily and hugged Kira tightly. "But we can't just leave the situation unattended." Lacus said.

"All right then, we'll go sort this out right now." Kira said.

"What, How?"

"We'll just tell her about our relationship and hopefully that'll be the end of Flay."

Flay and Lacus' room

Kira and Lacus stood in front of the room. Lacus touched Kira's shoulder meaning that she's nervous. Kira smiled at her and reassured that it's going to be okay.

They turned the doorknob and saw Flay lying on the bed reading a book. Flay immediately stood up and stared at them.

"Well?" Flay said without preamble.

Kira crossed his arms and returned her stare evenly. "Well what?"

"Why are you with this girl again?" Flay said pointing to Lacus.

Kira cut her off impatiently. "If you're going to give us another lecture on your moralistic views, then spare us, Flay. We don't need to hear it again. What goes on between Lacus and I is strictly our business. You stay out of it, if you know what's good for you."

Flay shot to her feet. "Since when did you two grow a pair? She barked. She turned towards Lacus, her nostrils flaring. "You! You put him up to this."

"Oh, shut up, Flay." Kira cut in.

"How dare you!"

They glared daggers at each other, each resolutely unwilling to back down.

Lacus cleared his throat loudly. Both Kira and Flay snapped around to look at her. Lacus took a half-step forward and brought herself to Kira's chest, hugging him. Her eyes remained fixed on Flay, her face devoid of its uaual pleasantness.

"The truth is, Kira and I…. we are together." Lacus said.

On cue, Kira nodded. "That's right," he said, turning to look at Flay. He hugged Lacus back, to emphasise his point. "Happy now?"

Somewhat to their surprise, Flay, up until that moment supremely cocksure, suddenly suffered an attack of anxiety. She stood in an uneasy silence, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. Her eyes darted first towards Lacus, to Kira, and back to Lacus again.

"Bastard," she hissed. "You…you lied to me!"

"Flay," Kira warned, his tone harsh. "Drop it. Just let it go."

Flay goggled. "But… but…" she trailed off. Aghast.

Kira looked unfazed. "No matter what you think, no matter what you say, it won't change the fact." He paused, studying Flay intently for some time before adding in a rush:

"We love each other, really."

Everything seemed to come to a standstill in the space of a heartbeat. Tension hung heavily in the air.

"Yes," Lacus heard herself agreeing. "That's true. We….we really do."

Flay staggered backwards, as if reeling from a physical blow. The back of her knees bumped against the bed, and she sat down hard. The blood drained from her face, her breath harsh in her throat. She looked up into their emotionless faces and felt herself grow cold inside.

"You lie," she choked out, her mind reeling. "Stop it. It's not even remotely funny."

Drawing in his breath, Kira said evenly, "That's the truth, learn to deal with it."

Flay felt as though the ground had opened up beneath her feet and swallowed her whole. Conflicting emotions surged through her – shock, despair, torment, disbelief – all fighting to gain the upper hand. Kira's declaration, uttered with absolute conviction, and Lacus' fervent confirmation shattered her resolve. Never in her wildest dream had she expected to hear those words. Her anger, once white-hot, suddenly lost its focus. Frustration welled in her. She struggled to maintain her composure. Her eyes darted towards Kira, who stared back at her in an eerily calm manner she was unaccustomed to.

Oh god, I can't deal with this, not even if I live to be a hundred, she said silently. Kira always liked me best, didn't he? She questioned herself.

Eventually, she looked away, her eyes troubled, unable to fight the emotional exhaustion that threatened to drown her.

Kira studied his ex-girlfriend in the ensuing silence. From the set of her shoulders to the telltale shimmer in her eyes, he could tell that Flay was just as emotionally weary of the whole things as they were. He pulled away from Lacus, and crossed the room towards the red haired girl.

"Flay, I didn't mean to upset you," he said, kneeling beside the bed and putting one hand on Flay's knee. "I'm sorry, but that's the truth. I can't change your mind – if you're going to hate me for this then so be it."

Flay remained quiet for a long while, her eyes fixed on the floor. She could feel Kira's eyes on her – searching, pleading and hoping for her understanding.

She sit up, feeling sick, she turned and walked away.

That's it for now, please review.