Forfeit

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Life as a civilian wasn't all it's cracked up to be.

Patrick Zala had programmed the path of his son's life like a perfect itinerary. Athrun was accepted at ZAFT academy at twelve, got engaged with Lacus at thirteen, and sent out to war when he was fifteen. Athrun was told by his father he would be wed at age twenty-one, but that deal perished along with Patrick and Siegel's demise. And unlike Lacus, Athrun couldn't instantly figure out what was his duty after the Bloody Valentine War ended.

Athrun had sent his resignation letter to the ZAFT Headquarters before anybody found out, as he wanted to evade Yzak's nasty remarks and Dearka's tease. Elthman would understand him best, being in the same position. Falling for someone you tried to shoot in the battlefield and wooing them in the real life didn't come together perfectly, but Miriallia was no daughter of the esteemed leader of a nation, and Dearka was also nobody in Orb. Fame came with a heavy price for Athrun Zala, and he already felt exposed without his sunglasses every time he went out.

One week after his stay at Orb, he answered to the summons of an Orb officer with soft raps at large double doors. Sitting behind a large oak desk with his legs propped up, was Jona Roma Saran himself and Athrun automatically saluted the man.

"Athrun Zala reporting, sir."

He had thought a smirk materialized at Jona's face for a while, but it disappeared in a fleet second. "At ease," Jona said, "And take off your sunglasses, you're in front of a superior officer."

Athrun removed his eyewear hastily, and said a quick apology as Jona eyed him skeptically. He has a very bad feeling about this.

"I heard you're proposing to be the bodyguard of my fiancée."

Jona's last two words hit Athrun harder than a ten-ton truck. It was originally Cagalli's suggestion, but her idea involved of Athrun staying at the castle as the country's guest. Athrun had taken a better thought of it, seeing as his abilities were more than qualified, and this way they could always be together. But Cagalli had left out this significant detail in her explanations, and he inspected the man that suddenly looked very despicable in front of him.

"Yes sir," The pilot felt his fist tightening before dishing out a quick reply.

"I've read your resume, and I must say you're a very satisfactory candidate, Allen," Jona said, raising a hand leisurely to straighten his bangs. "Actually, you're more than competent."

The name's Athrun, he corrected the man inwardly, but kept his mouth shut.

"Because our princess actually recommended you, I couldn't say no. But I-"

Athrun fought hard to keep a straight face, and let the man ramble on about his future with Cagalli. "Aaron, you'd better remember that she's someone who's going to marry me someday, and I don't want you to ever lay-"

"It's Athrun, sir."

Jona stopped mid-sentence, and for the first time Athrun realized that Jona was finally giving him enough attention. "What did you say?"

"My name is Athrun Zala, and I would appreciate if you at least remember it."

A look of apprehension dawned on Jona's face, and it was replaced by sneakiness in a short moment. "You know what? You should assume a fake identity if you want to be Cagalli's bodyguard. Why don't I call you Alex from now on?" Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Jona's eyes fell on the photo of a fossil on his office's wall. "And as your family name... Dino will suffice, I think."

There were things a man should not do no matter how he comprehended it. But for now, Athrun remembered his promise to Cagalli and bowed his head to the man. "Yes sir."