Title: Heat Wave
Theme: #11 : exhaustion
Genres: Romance/Humor
Pairings: Yzak/Dearka, minor mentions of Kira/Lacus and Athrun/Cagalli
Word Count: 2,449
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Yzak didn't think he could feel anymore exhausted after a "normal' day.
"Due to the abnormal amount of solar rays, our heat output is above normal. While this might seem like an odd matter to be discussing before the council; a petition and preposition have both been submitted before us to take some action in regards to this crisis. As we all know, the next scheduled rain is not for two weeks and as such, the reserves do not have the water stored in them to provide rainfall."
Yzak rolled his eyes. He'd been sitting in the council meeting for the past five hours- debating everything from treaties, to school districts, to military funding and now, even the very heat wave that was making the whole day bothersome.
The representative droned on with his presentation, displaying photos on the overhead screen.
"As you can see, this excessive heat is having a negative side effect on not only the PLANT's environment, but on the residents of the PLANTs as well. As such, we have devised a method by which we can allow a scheduled rainfall to come earlier than usual; in hopes to ease this stress and strain on the PLANTs. By issuing a water ration, put into effect this evening, we should have enough water output built up by tomorrow afternoon to have an emergency rain. The stipulations for this ration are being displayed before you right now."
The text appeared on the monitors before each council member, but Yzak's mind was elsewhere.
"Do these stuffy windbags realize how boring they make everything sound? It's enough to put someone to sleep!" He shifted in his chair, making a minute effort to at least look somewhat interested as Chairman Dullindal glanced his way.
"And Mother was right; these chairs are the most uncomfortable thing to sit in for five hours straight. I'd rather be in a damaged mobile suit cockpit!"
"All in favor of the motion say 'aye'"
"Aye," Yzak murmured, stifling a yawn.
"All opposed?"
No one spoke.
"The preposition has passed. The council shall now be dismissed."
"Finally…"
The silver-haired young man thought to himself, standing and stretching out the kinks in his back. Snatching up the paperwork he was to read over before the next meeting, he fanned himself with it.
"Stupid heat."
"Not fond of the sultry weather, are we?" A warm, amused voice caught his ears.
Snapping to attention, he saluted, "Chairman Dullindal."
The dark-haired man nodded, "Are you and Mr. Elthman getting settled appropriately?"
"Yes sir. I think we are finally finished unloading all our boxes."
"Good. I wouldn't want some of ZAFT's brave, young soldiers crammed into a cheap apartment building."
"Your recommendation was quite satisfactory," Yzak replied, the two heading for the door as they conversed.
"I'm glad to hear that. Oh, and if you or Mr. Elthman receive any contact from the Archangel since you're in more civilian lodgings, please let me know. I'm still trying to find Miss Lacus Clyne."
"Understood, sir."
The two paused as they exited the front doors, both looking up at the sky and feeling the heat beat down on them.
"It seems like it would be a nice day for a relaxing bath, don't you think Mr. Jule?"
Yzak thought that idea over and allowed himself a slight smirk.
"Yes, yes it does."
A black car pulled forward and the Chairman got inside.
"Say 'hello' to Mr. Elthman for me."
"I shall, sir."
"Achoo!" Dearka sneezed, brushing away the dust from the last box, "Almost finished."
It had been a few months since Jachin Due and everything was settling down, including many of the soldiers who were veterans from that war.
Smiling, Dearka thought back to the other remaining pilots.
"Athrun, Kira- you both stayed on Earth because that's where Cagalli and Lacus are. I suppose that's why you weren't too surprised when I said I was leaving the Archangel to return to the PLANTs. We all had to go where our hearts led us; and mine too me back to ZAFT."
He looked to the final two boxes on the bed; memories of that secret meeting with Chairman Dullindal still fresh in his mind.
"You're probably wondering what I've called you here for."
Yzak and Dearka stood before his desk, both of them tense with anxiety. They were certain that the new Chairman must have had qualms with their previous association with the Archangel, and Dearka's defection to the other side during the previous war.
"I'm well aware that maintaining peace is ZAFT's top priority, but there may be a time in the future when we need force and power to uphold that belief. As such, we will need the help of trustworthy and skilled soldiers."
The two young men frowned, dreading where this might lead.
"Mr. Elthman, I'm going to ask that you resign from your elite rank and turn in your red uniform."
"But Chairman Dullindal...!"
His protest fell silent as the Chairman held up a hand.
"Ah- I haven't finished," Reaching beside his desk, he pulled out a thin box, "This will be your new uniform."
Taking the box from him, Dearka hesitated; his eyes seeking out Yzak's in hope that his friend would say something.
"Don't worry, I didn't forget Council Member Jule," Dullindal reassured; handing another box to Yzak.
"Yzak Jule, you have been appointed Commander of the Nazca class battleship, the Voltaire. A group of elites will be under your command. As for your assignment, Mr. Elthman..."
Dearka bit his lip, slowly peeking into the box. The uniform was...green.
"While you won't be a red-uniformed elite under Jule's squadron, I realized that such an arrangement might be awkward for close friends such as yourself. Therefore, Dearka Elthman- you are officially appointed as Commander Jule's bodyguard off the battlefield and his second during battle. In short, I expect to see you at his side during all critical situations."
"You didn't have to tell me to do that," Dearka murmured.
He ran his fingers over the green cloth as he reverently hung it beside Yzak's white uniform in the closet.
"I'd do that for Yzak, even if I didn't come back to ZAFT."
Thinking back again to Dullindal's words, the golden-haired man paused.
"These days of war have taken a toll on all of us, so please- use this time of peace to enjoy each other's company to the fullest. We never know when our ZAFT forces will be needed again to protect these peaceful days."
Dearka shook his head, "Nah, there's no way the Chairman knows about me and Yzak being like…that. He's just being nice. We are the only two of the Klueze team left on the PLANTs after all."
The clock in the living room chimed six, a signal to Dearka that Yzak would be returning home from meetings soon.
"He'll be surprised to see I've gotten everything finally unpacked. But I'd better clean up first."
Snatching up some clean clothing, he headed into the bathroom and started running water for a bath. Dearka cast another glance towards the front door and frowned.
"I hope he's not too grumpy today. Heat or not, it'd be a nice night to go out."
Yzak didn't think he could feel anymore exhausted after a "normal' day.
"Four hours of lecturing students at the academy about Jachin Due and the previous war (one of Gilbert's brilliant ideas, no doubt), five hours of council meetings and this damned heat just keeps at it! Whatever that representative was babbling about to fix it better happen fast."
Turning his key in the front door, he paused on overhearing the TV.
"It has just been passed by the council that starting immediately, water is to be rationed. Please limit yourselves to drinking and cooking water only, and if absolutely necessary- only one full bathtub per evening, per household. This will enable us to bring rain about sooner. Those found violating the ration will be fined."
"Only if necessary?" Yzak glanced at his stuffy council jacket, "I'd say it's necessary."
Tossing the jacket and tie over the back of the sofa, he called out.
"Dearka. I'm taking a bath. And don't ask 'how was work' because I don't want to talk about it."
He pushed open the bathroom door, pulling off his shirt as he continued to speak, "Oh and Chairman Dullindal says…"
Words trailed off as he realized what Dearka hadn't been replying.
"…Hello," Yzak said, glaring at the man in front of him lounging in the bathtub.
"Yzak- what in the…"
"You ass! There's a water ration the council passed. Only one full tub a night. Why the hell are you wasting my bath!"
Dearka smirked, leaning up on the edge of the tub.
"Well you should have thought about that before you passed it then, Mr. Council Member."
"Dearka…" He growled out, "I am not in the mood for this."
"If it makes you feel any better, I'd already started the water for the bath when they announced the rations. So, I guess it's my bath for the night."
"Fine," Yzak retorted as he started to pull off his pants, "If you aren't getting out of my bath- then I'm getting in yours."
"Why Yzak, after all our times together I never knew you were the kinky type," Dearka quipped.
The silver-haired man shoved him towards one end of the tub with a scowl. Seating himself on the other end, he shot a glare.
"Shut up, will ya?"
The water splashed up over the tub rim as he sat down, creating puddles around the golden lion's feet that held the tub up. Inwardly, Dearka thanked the Chairman for arranging them with such a fancy house.
"Move your legs."
Dearka looked up, noticing Yzak scrunched up at the other end. Shrugging and leaning back, he tried to repress his smirk.
"There's nowhere else to put them unless you want then in your lap."
Yzak was about to retort that if anything, his feet should be in Dearka's lap, when one, tiny little fact finally registered in his mind.
"Shit! We're both naked!"
Dearka blinked at the obvious observation before stifling a laugh.
"I don't usually take baths in my clothes, Yzak," He replied; leaning forward to push a wisp of hair from Yzak's face. The other man sighed in irritation.
"I'm exhausted, Dearka. With the stupid ration we couldn't take another bath or shower to clean off and my back's already sore from meetings all day."
Purple eyes blinked, slowly letting the implications sink in before he outright laughed.
"What?" Yzak snapped.
"I can't believe it, Yzak has hormones!" He taunted, causing Yzak to red.
"Shut up! You were thinking it too!"
A faint trace of pink showed on Dearka's tanned skin, "No…no I wasn't."
Yzak lunged forward, water sloshing everywhere as he caught hold of Dearka's chin.
"Then what's the blush for?"
The blush deepened as Dearka swallowed hard, "Uh…Yzak…"
"What?"
"You're the one straddling me…"
Yzak's eyes darted down and quickly back up as he muttered curses under his breath.
"What's that, Yzak?"
"I said shove it."
Dearka grinned, raising an eyebrow at the comment.
"Where?"
Weighing his options, Yzak tried to remember back to the inane droning at the meeting in hopes he could remember what the fine for violating the ration was.
"You did start this bath before the ration, right?"
Liking where this seemed to be headed, he nodded in reply. Yzak allowed himself a slight smirk.
"Then that's that."
The sultry heat continued into the nighttime hours, making all the residents of the PLANTS longing for the rain the next day. The Jule and Elthman residence seemed quiet as an important looking black car pulling up in front of the home and let a familiar person get out. Walking up to the door, the man rang the bell and waited for the reply.
Yzak glared at the sound of the doorbell, then seeing as it kept ringing- he quickly threw on a robe and stormed his way towards the door. Curious as to what was up, and half-hoping Yzak would try and pick a fight while wearing nothing but the silk robe, Dearka put on his own robe and watched from the shadows of the hallway.
"Who would be here this late at…" Yzak flung open the door and his face paled.
"Chairman…"
The black haired man gave a calculated smile.
"Good evening, Mr. Jule. I came personally when I was notified that you'd directly violated the one-bath-a-night clause. I figured you'd have a legit reason for such a violation. If you're enjoying this heat so much more than some cool rain…"
"Chairman Dullindal," Yzak began, voice seeming quiet and serious.
"Yes?"
"If I'm correct, the ration was put into place at exactly six-thirty this evening."
"That's correct."
"Then I'm sure they can show that one of the baths our house was allotted was started prior to the ration. Dearka was taking one when the ration was issued and I took one when I arrived home."
Gilbert smirked and gave a casual shrug.
"Ah, well if that's all it is then; I'm sorry for troubling you, Mr. Jule. I told them you wouldn't have violated the clause without a legit reason. But perhaps next time you should just condense your baths into one."
Yzak's eyes widened as Dullindal laughed.
"Just joking, Mr. Jule. We all know that would only require a second bath anyways, am I correct?"
Trying to force down any blush that might dare to surface on his face, Yzak nodded.
"Well, I'd best be going. We council members mustn't be too exhausted in the morning for those new treaty meetings. Good night, Mr. Jule."
"Goodnight, Chairman."
The door was about to swing closed when Gilbert turned.
"Oh, and Mr. Elthman- don't keep Mr. Jule up too late," He called to the shadowed figure in the hallway, shutting the door behind him before anyone could react.
Yzak and Dearka looked towards each other and then back to the door. They were both wearing robes, that wasn't that suspicious Yzak reasoned. But some of the Chairman's other comments seemed to hit a little too close to home. Dearka looked wary as Yzak walked back towards him.
"You think he…"
Shaking his head, Yzak replied, "He's just toying with us."
Following Yzak back into the room, Dearka smirked, "So…how late is too late?"
"I'll just drink some coffee in the morning," Yzak replied, "Don't worry about it, Dea…"
His last words were cut off as his lips were caught up in a kiss. Inwardly, Yzak smirked at the situation.
"Good thing that ration expires at midnight. We'll need another shower before morning at this rate…"