A/N: This is the second chapter of Star-crossed: Gundam Seed's Romeo and Juliet. The featured song for this is Leann Rimes' "Looking Through Your Eyes" from the motion picture, Quest For Camelot. Major fluff (understatement). So if you're not the fluff-loving type, don't read. Contents of this chapter could sound like your mom and dad's line during their courtship days, but hey, what's the world without love? Okay? You have been warned.

As I've said in the earlier chapter, I disclaim any ownership of Gundam Seed or the above song, as well as any affiliations with their respective owners whatsoever.

So how much can you see through the eyes of the one you love most?

Through His Eyes

Athrun x Cagalli

The last note of the song has faded, but Athrun and Cagalli could still hear the music playing in their ears. The heavens have stopped its most lachrymose weeping but the bliss they felt whilst they danced underneath it still hasn't. Though they have stopped dancing for a while then, still they are in each other's arms. Indeed, what Athrun and Cagalli shared was something that was sure to last.

Cagalli looked up at the skies, which have cleared up after the rain. "Look up, Athrun," she said as she held his hand. "What do you see?"

Athrun shifted his gaze from her to the clear, night sky. From its serenity then, he could never tell that just a few minutes ago, it was dark and dreary, as though the clouds would never again dissipate. "I see an eternal, unfathomable sea up above. Yes, it's a sea of diamonds."

The blond girl smiled, "But I need not look up to see that kind of wondrous view. I could just stare in those green eyes and see the most precious emeralds I'll ever lay my eyes on."

Athrun chuckled, "Well, you're an heiress. You can have any kind of gem you'd want. Diamonds. Rubies. Even emeralds."

Cagalli shook her head, "No. I only want the emeralds I see in your eyes. I want to gaze at them forever."

"Look at the skies,

Tell me, what do you see?

Just close your eyes and describe to me.

The heavens are sparkling with starlight tonight,

That's what I see through your eyes…"

"Well, if that's the case, my eyes are all yours to stare at," Athrun said, bowing courteously. "You can stare at them all you want."

Cagalli giggled at the sight of this, "Why thank you, kind sir." She curtsied jokingly and reached out her hand for him to kiss.

"However, my fair lady, there is one favor I'd ask in return of my services," Athrun added as he knelt on one knee to kiss her hand.

"What is it?" she asked.

Athrun quickly got up to his feet and drew Cagalli near. He enclosed her in a warm, tight, and lingering embrace. The blond was taken by surprise at this but then soon returned the gestured and hugged him in return. Athrun held her so close she could hear his heart beat. "Please, let me stay with you like this, that I may find my life worth living."

"I see the heavens, each time that you smile.

I hear your heartbeat just go on for miles.

And suddenly I know my life is worthwhile,

That's what I see through your eyes…"

After a few minutes, they parted. The rain has left so many puddles all over the veranda. They were of different sizes, some were big whilst the others were but a palm's size. Cagalli looked around, they were surrounded by puddles, and rather large ones at that. She lowered herself at one in particular and saw her reflection in it.

"I was always alone before," she said quietly. "Just like this reflection… in the puddle."

Then, Athrun's reflection appeared beside hers in the puddle. Cagalli felt him beside her, warm and loving. "Now, there's the two of us. And that's the way it'll be forever. I promise."

Cagalli turned to look at Athrun, surprised at that promise of forever, "Really?"

Athrun beamed down at her and smiled reassuringly, "Of course. Don't you trust me yet?"

She stared at his green eyes and saw her reflection there. A girl taught to hate even before she could learn how to love. A girl once too fearful to go beyond the borders of belief but has finally found her voice. But that girl is no more. As she looked through Athrun's emerald orbs, she saw a new her. Stronger. Unafraid. And so very in love with the man she has been staring at the whole evening.

"I do."

"I look at myself and instead I see us.

Whoever I am now, it feels like enough.

And I see a girl who is learning to trust,

That's who I see through your eyes…"

"We won't be staying long like this, aren't we?" Cagalli asked as she remained inside his arms. "This night is going to end soon… and we'll have to part."

She was right. Athrun realized that fact just then. Before this night would be over, they'd have to go back to the Zala estate. He'll have to be the Athrun his family raised him to be. The shining crimson knight to slay the princess. Quite a twisted fairytale. But still, it was the mission instilled in him since he was a child. But how could something so pure and good be evil and forbidden?

"Yes, Cagalli," he admitted to her. There was no use lying to her. Making her believe that somehow, by some divine power, that night would last forever. "The guy I was with, Dearka… he and I will have to go back to the Zala estate."

Cagalli parted her body from his, "Then, what will you say to them? You're supposed to kill me, right?"

Athrun fell silent. He almost forgot that he was to choose whether or not he would fulfill the destiny made for him, or make a new one with her. "I'll take care of that… don't worry."

"But won't they be mad?" she asked, this time with a worried tone.

"Just trust me," Athrun said as he beamed down on her.

Cagalli smiled weakly. It was evident that she was trying to hide her worries from him. She was holding her tears back. Athrun felt so worthless. What kind of man was he, making the girl he loves cry on the very first night they met?

"If you believe that we can get through this, we will, Cagalli," he assured her, embracing her again. "We'll face them together. From now on, there isn't you and I. Only us."

The blond could no longer contain her emotions. As she buried her face on his chest, she started to cry. Cagalli held him closer than ever, refusing to let go.

"Hey, why are you crying?" he asked her, slightly worried but still smiling. "Was there something wrong with what I said?"

Cagalli shook her head and kept on crying. She sobbed and sniffed until she recovered her voice. "It's just that I'm so thankful. Thank you, Athrun… thank you for loving me so."

Athrun felt his cheeks turn pink, "It wasn't hard to do, you know. So please stop crying…"

After a few more sobs, Cagalli regained composure and looked at his eyes once more. The green tint on them felt so soothing to her bloodshot ones. She could never know why but there was something in Athrun's eyes that made her know that everything he said was true. As though angels would whisper on her ears, telling her that the man before her. The very same man she was taught to hate, was the man she will love for the rest of her life.

"Here in the night, I see the sun.

Here in the dark, our two hearts are one.

It's out of our hands, we can't stop what we have begun.

And love just took me by surprise.

Looking through your eyes…"

Athrun finally succeeded in wiping away all the tears her eyes, but little did he know that with those, he was able to make the worries disappear as well. The lovers stood by the balcony, arms around each other, fervently wishing on each star visible in the sky for their love to be strong enough to endure separation and the cruel circumstance they were in.

They knew very well that any moment then, they'd be found and they'll have to part, but neither counted the seconds passed before someone to knock on the lattice door, telling them that the masquerade ball was to end.

"I wonder what'll happen tomorrow?" Athrun said, eyes still transfixed on the moon.

"I don't know either," Cagalli answered. "But there's one thing I know will still be tomorrow."

"Really? What is it?"

"Tomorrow, I'll still love you," she replied. "… and the day after that, and the day after that one… what about you? Will you ---"

Athrun placed a finger on her lips, not allowing her to finish what she was saying. And the moment she fell silent, he removed the finger and placed his lips gently on hers. Cagalli's eyes widened in surprised but soon felt as though she was melting from the warmth of the touch of his lips on hers. She returned the gesture and reciprocated, slowly wrapping her bare arms over his shoulders and on his neck.

Their first kiss ended in another embrace. His hand over hers and her head on his shoulder. Athrun and Cagalli remained silent for the rest of their stolen time together. But it was not because they did not know what to say to each other. It was because there was nothing more to say. With just the warm touches, the lingering gazes, and finally, the purest kiss, they knew more than what can be put to words.

Athrun and Cagalli. Sworn enemies. Hope of their respective families. Said to be destined to bring each other's demise. That was what they were in the eyes of others. But there was no one else to see in that open veranda, love has bloomed on the hearts of two most unlikely people. In that veranda, they were but a mere couple. A man and a woman free to love. And nothing was there to witness the love they shared. Nothing… nothing but the night sky.

"And there are some things we don't know.

Sometimes a heart just needs to grow.

And there is so much I'll remember.

Underneath the open sky, with you forever…"

to be continued

Blanche's notes: Yipee! I finished chapter two! And I thought I'd never get to it! Anyway, if you're feeling nauseous because of all that fluff… tsk, tsk… I told you it's fluffy. I warned you. Please review! I think it's kinda sucky, the whole thing. Even I find it too cheesy. And I think it doesn't make much sense. But I made this for YOU guys, so I need no one else's opinion but yours. Thanks for reading on! Hope I'll be able to finish this! Again, I'll ask you… please review! ;; hugs readers