Word count: 226
Pairing: StellarxAthrun

Note: Takes place during GSD

While You Were Sleeping

Athrun crept over to the white bed, stepping carefully over the tangled system of wires on the ground. He knelt, silently, beside the sleeping form, and rested one hand cautiously on the pillow under her head. Gently, painstakingly, he placed his other hand on her frail shoulder.

She woke up instantly.

"Ath…Athrun?"

"Shh," he whispered. "I'm here."

"Athrun?" she wheezed, and her pink eyelids flickered as she struggled to open her eyes. "To see Stellar?"

"Yes. To see Stellar." Athrun smoothed back a lock of matted hair away from her face, feeling her tender skin underneath his fingertips. She winced slightly, and Athrun pulled back instantly, but Stellar simply shook her head, a croak rising in her throat.

"Not Athrun," she murmured. "Stellar hurts. But I'm glad that Athrun is here."

Athrun smiled wistfully.

"How're you feeling? Has Shinn come to see you?"

She shook her head. "No. And Stellar is tired, that's all." She smiled, and to Athrun's shock, her eyes were brimming with tears. "But I'm really happy that Athrun has come to see me," she said. Her face crumpled like she was about to cry.

Athrun sought for her hand under the soft covers, and curled his around it. Stellar turned her head to look at him, and stared, eyes wide, at his brooding expression.

"Don't worry," she whispered. "I won't tell Shinn."