Disclaimer: I claim no credit or whatsoever for the characters, but aye, I claim credit for the plot line.
A/N: Thank you to all reviewers who enjoyed the story. Here is the next chapter and I ensure you, I will not have anyone dying in this story, people having third parties. I hope it's not boring! Shiho Hahnenfuss is a female elite pilot who has been seen in Gundam Seed briefly only once and more than three times in Gundam Seed Destiny. She has long brown hair, and is in the Jule squad. More information on goggle.
Tea For Two
It was Cagalli's second day in PLANT, not mentioning her run-ins with Athrun and the sharp exchange of wits with him; she would have found the trip quite relaxing. Sitting beside the balcony, admiring the splendid sea view she had. Cagalli knew she could get use to his. A short vacation this would be…
Not.
Unknown to her, fate had more plans for them this day. And Athrun would be the first one to initiate them. Dialling Lacus's room number, he waited patiently for the sweet and tranquil voice of hers. Instead, a sleepy Kira answered the phone; voice laced with sleep and… was that fatigue?
"Kira, Athrun here. Mind if you wake the person beside you?"
A gasp and shuffling in the background could be heard.
"Athrun." Lacus yawned, not so politely. "May I help you?"
"I would like to enlist your help in arranging a session of tea for me and Princess Athha?" Now at this, a more sly tone entered his voice. "I think we should work together to resolve our diplomatic differences."
Lacus sat up straighter, alert. "Would four o' clock in the afternoon be fine?"
"Perfect." The voice replied with delight.
Kira, who had emerged from the bathroom fresh out of the shower and dressed, cocked a puzzled eyebrow at Lacus animated expressions as she hung up the phone. Shouldn't she be worried about what Athrun thought? After all, it was his manor.
"Kira!" She gushed out. "We need to group together now; Peter Pan's flying with Wendy at 4 o'clock!"
"What?" He sputtered, following the rapid movements of Lacus as she gathered her belongings and retrieved addresses from her computer.
"No time to lose." She replied, dialling the phone. "Wendy's not a patient girl."
A sigh echoed the silent confines of the car.
Another sigh echoed the silent confines of the car.
Another sigh echoed the silent confines of the car.
Another sigh echoed the silent confines of the car.
Cagalli shifted, mouth poised for another sigh. This time however Athrun's hand was also ready as it clamped down onto the open mouth of Cagalli's.
"Will you keep quiet?" Athrun asked. He looked away a second later, irritated as she gave him her 'glare'. "Very scary, but you of all people should know, I don't really care."
Muffled groans replied him as she whipped her head to hint the wish of his removal of his hands off her.
"Not until you tell you me you'll stop sighing."
A particular hard glare and then a diffident nod. Athrun smiled in return, removing his hand from her mouth. Once removed, her voice regained, she wasted no time in dressing him down.
"Your hand on my mouth is the worst thing that could ever happen to me in my life." She rubbed her lips purposefully. The man as usual gave her a cool smile, and pretended as if the words she had just said had complimented him. He had to be the only male species that managed to drive her to such a point of insanity and rage Cagalli concluded. For that, she would respect and credit him. However, her tolerance for such obvious triumphant over her was not allowed. Ever.
"I asked you out for tea and you act as if I'm forcing you."
"You did force me!" Cagalli yelled, unintentionally jerking her body upright.
Eyes drawn to areas which he had never been attracted to by a woman, Athun distractedly replied staring at the moving scenery behind her. "I told you about the tea, you didn't wish to attend. I mentioned the curry and you jumped on the offer. Shouldn't I be the one forced to take you out for tea now?"
Her head tilted high exposing her slender neck, a proud glint in her eye, Athrun smirked and leaned back for a better view. What a sin for not acquainting himself with her earlier.
"Curry isn't tea, its dinner. I respond to dinner."
"Dinner?" Athrun scoffed, chiding the rebuke. "Since you're not in the mood for tea, guess we'll try that curry which won the best culinary skill award next time then. Nicol, we're heading back to the manor."
Smiling to himself, Nicol nodded, changing the direction that they were heading. If Athrun-sama wanted to use such manipulative games on her, as a subordinate to him, he had to go with the flow. Turning a street, he watched from the rear mirror as Cagalli battled with her desires and the pride she had.
"Nicol! Turn back!" Her own desires for exquisite food won hands down. "I'm hungry."
A smirk and an exchange of eyes through the rear mirror and the car turned again.
Cagalli scowled as she settled herself fully against the leather seat. So much for trying to be tough she thought. All it took for her to lose was food. Maybe it really was time for her to start subjecting herself to those salads Miri took on an occasional basis. Proberly the taste would be such a turn off she wouldn't want to eat for the rest of the day.
It's all Athrun's fault that git.
"You really like spicy food." Athrun remarked, listening to her order as she pointed to items after items from the menu.
The waiter left, leaving them both alone in the restaurant. Cagalli was looking for the Tabasco sauce among the range of sauces on the table as she replied.
"Since young, best food I ever tasted."
She loved spicy food, which suited her well as she had a feisty personality, he thought as he retained the information in his mind. Careful not to be caught staring he took the chance of allowing his eyes to roam over her. Blond hair, amber eyes, tanned skins and a shapely figure to match. It all reminded him strikingly of her characteristics.
Cagalli who was arranging the brochures after reading them paused, he was staring at her, he was staring at her! She could feel it! Determine to catch him speechless for it, she looked up fast. However, instead of his eyes she saw, it was the steaming plates of food and appetisers she had order that shielded him. The waiter had arrived then, oblivious of the cat and mouse game these two leaders played.
"You were staring at me." She hissed, ignoring the tantalizing smell of curry he was spooning over his rice.
Athrun continued, whistling even as he spooned curry over Cagalli's rice. The blond growled, unwilling to be provoked by his actions. Snatching the plate from him, she proceeded to empty it, swallowing the rice, meat and vegetables.
"How un-ladylike you are Miss Athha." Athrun drawled, chin propped in his hands. "No sane woman would eat like that."
She swallowed the mouthful of rice and replied hotly. "Not like you're any better. No sane man wouldn't pull my chair out for me, how un-gentlemanly."
"I agree, only men who have the IQ of a pig and the courage of a hero would wish to pull a chair for you."
Cagalli dropped the spoon in her plate, her expression furious. "You want a fight huh, come on. What else about me would you like to comment on?"
Ticking each finger off, he began smugly. "You talk too loudly, you tell me I lack charm but expect me to charm you constantly, you hate men, you can't seem to copy my phrases correctly and you detest me greatly."
"I detest you not just greatly; I detest you immensely, infinitely!" Cagalli shouted heatedly, her cheeks flushed with anger. "I hate men because people like you exist Zala! And you don't have to charm me; I didn't even ask you to!"
"Talking loudly again." Athrun murmured voice monotone.
Cagalli buried her head in her hands, screaming. Athrun Zala, this Athrun Zala. She couldn't wait to tear him apart and oh how she also wished to throw the steaming pot of curry straight into his pretty face. The man had guts. The man had everything she hated in a man, and she was afraid-again. He made her angry, he made her feel defenceless.
A dangerous man.
"Hey, are you alright?" Athrun raised a hand to prod her ears. Cagalli removed her hands swiftly, her face devoid of the upset features she had earlier on. It seemed like she had gotten more control over her feelings he noted.
"Fine."
"Alright I'm sorry." He said, expression and tone woeful. "Will you forgive me and not be angry with me please…"
Cagalli hummed half heartedly, poking her fork through a piece of meat. Silence reigned for the next few minutes as both parties concentrated on eating.
"You dine in such circumstances all the time?" Cagalli asked, waving her fork at the silent and empty restaurant.
He nodded in reply. "Why?"
"Don't you think it's…" Her amber orbs swept pass the empty tables and chair and back to his. "too cold and lonely?"
Athrun laughed, glancing round the room too. "It's for security purposes, don't you practise that too?"
"I don't, it takes away the joy of eating. Food should be consumed in a place where the atmosphere sizzles with joy and in the midst of the people. You should try it one day." Cagalli said, eyes sparklingly. "I often dine with my citizens, their families, relatives. I love that mood!"
"Mood?"
"Yes!" She smiled widely, excitement in her voice. "A sense of belonging, closeness and family bonding. While at it, you are able to participate and listen to their problems. You're already a leader to them. They don't always need you to implement policies for them, they just want their opinions and inquiries heard and answered."
Athrun pushed his chair back, wiping his mouth with the napkin. "You should smile more."
"Eh?"
He stood up, walking beside Cagalli. Placing a hand onto the table and another onto her chair, he lowered his head a little, maintaining eye contact with her.
"Even if you continue to hate me and I would continue to bait you. I have to admit you're a fantastic and witty woman to be with Miss Athha." At this, Cagalli couldn't stop the blush that tinted her cheeks. Athrun eyes still boring into hers continued on. "I haven't met leaders with such a passion for their people and country for some time now; you never cease to amaze me don't you… Cagalli?"
Her blush increased ten fold as her name rolled off his tongue with such familiarity and tenderness. It was disturbing and oddly pleasing to hear her name from his lips. No! Cagalli screamed inwardly, hands trembling as her grip on the fork she held tightened. She never allowed a man to ever call her by her given name. Only Kisaka and Kira were allowed to. The worst thing was that she liked it!
She bloody liked it!
A loud sound of metal stabbing into wood broke the silence between the both of them.
Athrun swallowed nervously, hands twitching as he stared partially in shock and fear at the silver utensil that was currently so near his thumb that he could feel the cool metal. The culprit stood up abruptly, making a move to extract the fork. Athrun stumbled back, clutching his hand as he stared horrified at Cagalli.
"I'm so, so, so, so, so, so, so sorry Chairman Zala. Are you alright? I-I don't know what c-came over me." Cagalli stammered as she ran after Athrun who was now at the opposite end of the table.
"Don't know what came over you!" He yelled, moving in the opposite direction of Cagalli as she gave chase. "You almost stabbed my finger off and you 'don't know what came over you'?"
Cagalli rounded the corner of the table, pausing. "Well don't get so upset, I didn't embed it inside anyway."
"Oh yeah!" Athrun shouted back sarcastically. "Lucky me eh?"
"I said I'm sorry already Zala!"
"It isn't good enough!"
Cagalli stopped running and replied tersely. "Fine, then I won't say sorry. How about oops, it didn't go in. Does it sound good enough?"
"You-" Athrun didn't get to finish his sentence as a girl with dark silky black hair jumped near the window they were situated and waved exuberantly to him. Cagalli, who had been taken aback by the girl's sudden appearance, glanced over at Athrun to see the anger die in his face and replaced by fear. Cursing, he took out bills from his pocket and threw them on the table.
"Let's go!" He shouted, pulling Cagalli by the hand out of the restaurant not heeding her struggles or the waiter thanking them for the generous amount of tip.
They ran not knowing where they were headed to or the people they had brushed past roughly in the process. Cagalli had quite enough, plus she didn't think she could keep up the fast pace he had. She was a natural, not a coordinater!
"Why are we running? Zala, answer me!" She shouted.
They turned a junction, panting furiously. "Look behind woman!"
At his answer, she turned back. Her mouth opened but no words were uttered. Suddenly, Athrun found Cagalli the one dragging him along. Her determined expression amused him, and if not for the throng of girls they were escaping from, he knew he would have stopped and laughed at her. The girls were screaming and yelling at them, drowning out the traffic to a certain extent.
"Here, here!" Athrun tugged back, catching the handle of a building roughly and pulling it open. The doors opened to a dingy lobby, but both leaders did not have the luxury of examining their surroundings, or the neon signboard just above the building. If they did, they would have thought twice about entering the building.
Cagalli panted heavily, her back to the thumping doors. "What in the world was that?"
Athrun managed a grin, tone sarcastic. "My adoring fans who have fallen for my charm."
"Zala." Cagalli bit out, her expression one of realization.
Athrun who had been busy locking the doors behind him, hummed distractedly.
Cagalli's body was now rigid as she proclaimed the deduction she had arrived to on the building they had entered. "We are in a love hotel, and I think the manager is walking towards us."
"What?" He rasped, wide eyes identifying the manager and the people in the lobby.
Cagalli didn't answer; already busy fiddling with the lock. "We have to leave, we have to get out."
The manager was getting closer.
"No we can't! The girls are outside!" Athrun argued, stilling her hands.
She growled, swiping his hands away. "I'd open the way for you if you want, all it takes is a few pushes and yelling."
The manager was now smiling as he walked nearer.
"Athha…" Athrun sighed, turning her such that she faced him and was still shielded from the prying eyes of the other customers in the lobby and that blasted manager. "We'll leave by the back door as soon as we can. In full daylight leaving a hotel like this, think of the media and our image."
She knew he was right, and understanding the predicament that they were both in, she nodded in affirmation. The coat Athrun had worn was shrugged from his shoulders and draped over her. Automatically, she shifted behind him, head kept low. Athrun talked to the manager softly, accepting the keys pretending to be a customer who was in search of a short respite with his lover. It puzzled him and gave him a sense of relief when the manager did not seem to recognize him or Cagalli for that matter. Already implicating her was something he was feeling guilty and sorry about.
"Enjoy your room sir." The manager said, his voice sweetly sick.
The door closed behind them both with a soft click. Neither spoke, each worrying over their own problems this incident might cause for them. Cagalli sure as hell didn't want anyone to know she had entered a hotel, much less a love hotel with Athrun. Feminists didn't mingle with men in hotels.
"I'll look for a route out of here, be right back." Athrun muttered, expression grim as he slid the card into the slot and pushed, expecting the door to open.
It did not budge.
He tried it again, yet the result was still the same.
Cagalli groaned, slumping into the love seat by the phone. So much for talking about back doors, they couldn't even exit the room with the door to their room faulty. The phone was wrenched from the cradle roughly, and speedily dialled with.
'The number you have dialled is currently unavailable, please try again later.' With a frustrated roar, Athrun slammed the phone back to its cradle and slump into the empty seat beside her. This was preposterous; Nicol was not one to switch off his mobile especially when he was needed to chauffer both he and Cagalli later.
"Tell me we're not doomed." Cagalli said, her arm over her eyes.
He stood up from the chair walking towards the windows, and peered through the pink, heavily scented curtains. "The press are camped outside."
"No way!" She replied dejectedly, her arm dropping from its former position. "What's the number for room service; get them to fix that door!"
"Press three on the dialling pad three times."
"Heh, you must come here often to know the number for room service with such clarity." Cagalli teased, expecting a retort.
The figure froze, its tone clipped. "I don't."
"Zala?" She frowned. "Hey, I was only teasing you."
There wasn't a reply, and by the looks of it, he didn't seem to be willing to give her one. She decided to leave him alone, and rest. Her body ached from all the running, results from not working out for a long time she guessed. Sinking into the bed, she smiled fondly at the material used. Water bed… quite innovative. Her legs spread out, she sighed in bliss sweeping her hands beside her.
The fingers and legs encountered objects and she sat up. "What's that…?" Cagalli mumbled, picking up the object she had touched. Instantly, as if burnt, she threw the object across the room onto the love seat. If Athrun had been paying attention to her, it would have made him grin evilly at the flustered state she was in.
Almost as if he had been reading her mind, his voice rang out. "Maybe it would be better if you don't explore too much. This is after all a love hotel."
"I know!" She replied, embarrassed.
A smile flitted past his visage as he pointed out her action earlier on. "You threw the vibrator across the room."
Cagalli sputtered, face warm and totally red. "Sh-shut up!"
"As you wish Princess."
Mumbling incoherent words, Cagalli laid on the bed and brought the blanket over her slim form.
"So you see they are both locked in the room!" The manager gushed excitedly, eyes lingering at the news crew outside his hotel.
Yzak laughed a rich laugh, slapping his palm happily on the table. "Wonderful, wonderful! Is Chairman Zala upset Pete?"
"Definitely Jule, you should have seen what his expression was."
"Brilliant." He smirked. "I've done my job and placed them in a situation that would bring a fool like him together with that feminist Work complete then!"
The manager shook his head in amazement. "You're too cruel to them Jule. It's a love hotel."
"I agree." A female voice spat, eyes boring holes into Yzak. He meanwhile was immune to them as he flicked a cool glance towards Shiho who was seated before him.
"Oh shush, I'm on the phone. Didn't you're parents teach you to be silent when adults talk on the phone?"
That shut her up and he continued on the conversation.
"So when will they be let out of the room? I have to send my men to open up the room before you come." The manager asked.
Yzak drummed his fingers on the table smirk smugger. "At least seven in the morning. I have to escort them out the back door. Clear the crew of reporters from that area as discreetly as you can."
"Sure thing! I've played my part in this plan you have, wish you did pick an easier target for Zala. He looks almost domineered by her."
"Ho! Really?" Yzak replied, tone ecstatic. "You don't know how happy I feel hearing that from you Pete. The main motive of mine was to see him being domineered and transformed into the meek little puppy I always dreamt of him being."
The manager sighed, checking the clock. "Alright I got to go, promise me you won't torture him too much Jule. Bye!"
"Bye."
"Yzak!" Kira barged into the silver haired coordinater's office angrily. "Tell me why my sister is in a love hotel with Athrun!"
"Zala." Cagalli droned out, blinking at the darkness of the room.
Sounds of shuffling and she could make out the figure of Athrun as he sat up from the love seat. "Yes?"
"Get in."
"I'm sorry?" He almost laughed in reply.
"Get in the bed you asshole. I'm not repeating twice alright. You're going to catch a cold with that thin article of clothing on you." Cagalli didn't welcome the thought of being in the close proximity of a man like Athrun, but she wasn't unkind too.
The blanket shifted from her body a little and she could feel the warm body of his lay next to her. Tching at his unmoving body that she predicted should be near the edge of the bed; she wrapped an arm round his waist and pulled him hard next to her.
"Now, don't get any funny ideas Zala and don't your hands wander!"
"I prefer touching willing ones." He chuckled.
Cagalli grinned and with a whisper of 'good night' slipped into a peaceful slumber.
"Damn this." Athrun muttered minutes later as caught a whiff of her perfume.
A/N: Alright I'm done with chapter three! Thank you for all the reviews you dear, beloved, angelic, saints of reviewers sent me. I was very inspirited and encouraged to write fast and hard. So here is chapter three. I aim to please with this chapter.
A reminder here, that I urge all to read.
In the month of October, the rate of updates will drop to the point of nil or even only one update in that particular month. Why? Because my exams are in November and I have to do well if I aim to enter a college. So I shall be mugging and swearing at the lack of intelligence I have for exams. So readers do bear with me. I will try to update as soon as I can in October till mid November. But take my words with a pinch of salt. There might be no updates.
Was it stupid? Was it cliché? Was it boring? Was it too slow in development? Do you wish to kill me with knives? Am I really bad for not updating in the months to come?
Reviews up in Livejournal, link as usual found in my bio.
Let me know, send me a review. I appreciate every trickle of comments or even constructive critic you would wish to tell me.
Thank you again, for reading and reviewing and being so patient and kind to me.