Thanks guys, glad you liked the last chapter. It was fun making it… and oh yikes, I made a little mistake on the 'yeux' meaning. It's French for 'eyes' not green. 'Vert' is green, silly me. I got confused because I was too focused on the green concept and forgot about Athrun's eyes as the subject. Concept and subject is pretty different with each other. The subject of Cagalli's work are Athrun's eyes not literally the color, her concept is to make artworks that remind her of Athrun's eyes and again not literally the color… it just so happens that Athrun's eyes are green. The title of the exhibit holds a deeper meaning to it rather than the literal. It would be explained deeper in this chapter. Geez, I make myself dizzy. So I hope I explained myself well and thank you PENDRAGON and HADES.THRONE.HEIRESS for pointing it out to me. I corrected the thing already. ;
Last time was fun, and it will be funnier this time… ; I'm a bit well now, I still have these mini sniffles and cough but aside that, I'm alive and kicking and delivering this new chapter of Art of Love. ; I hope you enjoy this one guys!
Feedback:
3fi-pina3: don't feel bad so much for her. She deserved it I think. Haha. Here's the update! Enjoy!
Hades.Throne.Heiress: I already thanked you up there for the correction, but what the heck, thanks again. Yeah, it was pretty stupid way to get sick… hahaha. Yay, we're sick buddies! We all love Kira for being protective and at the same time conniving. Hehehe. 6'9 is like NBA player kind of guy… Athrun should just go home, the dwarf. Haha!
Pendragon: Thank you also for the correction! Yeah, Athrun was worth being said WTF for doing that… hehe. Glad you liked it and found it funny, I hope you enjoy this chapter too!
Kagally: Want to see athrun's face all shocked and stupefied? I could make a rough sketch of it if you want. Haha! Priceless. Even I was like laughing my eye sockets out imagining it. Thanks, glad you liked it!
Risingsundynasty: I love being sadistic when it comes to Athrun. Hehe Ooh, Athrun would kill when he finds out it was all a joke. Anyway, here's the update. Enjoy.
Cari-Akira: Yay! I'm glad almost everyone liked the chapter! I'm in the right track. Yay! Of course, I would always spoil you guys, even reply to each and every one of your reviews. That's how much I adore you guys.
Simply-v: Yeah, it also occur to me how sweet that exhibit turned out to be… sigh, wish someone would do that to me. Anyway, Thanks! Glad you liked this one now. Yep, I'm doing okay now, so I guess it affected my mood too while writing the previous chapter. I just hope it goes on and on. ;
Katkat: Here's the update then!
Mrs. Radcliffe13: Score! I liked that: 'Score one for Athrun on the top list of stupid things to do in a fanfic.' Hehe, I thought I popped my eyes out laughing! Thanks!
Aishiteiru to itte kure: Sadistic Club is now accepting starting members! Free registration. You just have to pass the test: How sadistic are you? Yep, we scale how evil you are and rank you. Haha! President: Aishiteiru itte kure, Vice president: sushi-alphonse.
gwgrmRPGNM: Well, hehe… Even if Athrun doesn't deserve such treatment, if it makes him look stupid and funny, it doesn't really matter anymore right?
Zala123athha: go, on read some more… the thing is gonna end soon.
Here we go!
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The Art of Love- chapter 28
Should I still pace a recap? I mean, I placed too much up there already. I just hog the space with it.
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Surprise
Alright, Athrun, calm down, take deep, good breaths.
If you were Cagalli, where would you go?
Okay, stupid question, even if you think you're Cagalli, you won't even know. Wait, yes, why didn't I think of this before? Stupid me!
Call her!
The azure haired young man quickly took out his flip phone and dialed Cagalli's number.
"Crap." He cursed, as he heard the operator on the other line telling him that the phone is not yet in service or something like that. He slammed the phone shut and continued walking fast.
He cringed, why would Cagalli go with such a man anyway? It sound like that guy is either a basketball player or a weirdo or both. He frowned, as he felt his heart beat more out of worry.
He was stupid enough to not tell Cagalli himself that he would go out for awhile to get something and will try to catch up with the rest of the event after his appointment. But then, she's gone when he came back.
Pissed off.
Yep, that's exactly what he feels right now. He doesn't have any idea where Cagalli is right now.
Correction: where a 'tipsy' Cagalli is right now.
If only that six footer guy wasn't with her, he would have narrowed down her locations. And by Nick's tone, it seemed like the guy likes to hold her in uncomfortable ways. Although Nick had said that it just must be his imagination… but what would he expect from them? They were probably slight drunk to even notice the difference; they were acting kinda weird now that he remembered it.
But what if he has groped her in some alleyway?
Oh god, Oh God! Stop thinking like that! Think positive! He frowned and the shouted. "WHERE ARE YOU CAGALLI!?"
An old man, closing his store, hit him with a broom. "Stop yelling you delinquent!"
Athrun winced at the now forming bump on his head. "S-sorry." He murmured. Really now, a delinquent?
Why the heck did Kira and the others, especially Kira, who he recalls, is very protective of her sister let her go with a man they barely know? And with a height of someone he thinks should have just stayed in some circus or something.
He swears if he catches them, which he hoped he really would, he won't care if that guy is like descendant of goliath, he would crumble him down if it's the last thing he'll do.
No one takes Cagalli away from him. Not HIS Cagalli.
Okay, so he's still in love with her, possessive even, but who gives a crap anyway, other than Kira? (Who is not here?)
He finally walked towards the park, by this time, it was really dark now, and his worry rose even more.
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Cagalli sat there resting her head on her knees, slightly jerking at the sound of a squirrel scrambling up to the tree and going inside a hole.
Her eyes widened from the realization that she had just dozed off. She looked at her side to see the small canvass still placed on the grass beside her.
She then took out her cellphone to find out that it had died.
"Kira and the others must be looking for me. What time is it anyway?" She stood up and dusted her skirt, glancing a bit at her watch.
She heard another ruffling sound from the bushes.
This is scary, she thought. The park is almost deserted if not for the birds and squirrels. Where are the people?
Another ruffling was heard, and cagalli quickly scooped the canvass from her hands and made a mad dash out of there. She won't find out anymore what that is, she's not that curious anyway, what if that thing making those sounds is some serial killer or psycho whatever?
Either way, she's leaving; she's not going to let herself get into some mess, if there are any.
Then she bumped into someone—HARD.
She fell down on her butt and cursed, looking up to see who it was whom she bumped onto.
Without warning, she felt a hand on her wrist and she screamed bloody murder.
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"What the heck?" Athrun winced. First he makes a shortcut towards the park, and found it a bit creepy since there were no people around, so he made quick large steps to get out of there.
Then someone or something hit him hard. The offender hit the floor, and he was glad he's not the one who landed on his butt.
Then he looked at the person.
"Cagalli." He whispered. It seemed the young woman was not paying any attention or rather she's just snapping back to reality from the fall for she didn't hear him.
Then he held on to her wrist to help her stand up.
And then she screamed.
She screamed so loud, he thought his ear drums blasted off to who knows where.
"Hey! Cagallli hey! It's me Athrun!" He finally shouted back.
The blonde woman finally stopped screaming like a banshee when she finally recognized him.
Then she frowned, and hit him squarely on the face.
Athrun winced and held on to his cheek. "What the—HEY! What was that for?"
"You scared the living daylights out of me! What were you doing suddenly grabbing my wrist like that, and in this isolated park!" She held on to the small canvass tightly against her chest.
"And what about you? Going off like that with some guy you don't know in your half drunk condition!" Athrun retorted back.
Cagalli raised a confused eyebrow. "Ha? What the heck are you talking about?"
"Where is he? I don't care how tall he is, he doesn't have the right to take you home like that, as if he really plans on taking you home." Athrun looked around for the 'guy'.
"Did you hit your head or something? What the heck are you talking about? I'm not half drunk, and what's this 'guy' you're talking about?" Cagalli looked at him, obviously questioning his sanity or lack of it.
"You mean you're not half drunk and didn't accept any offer of going home with a 6 feet and 9 inches guy?" Athrun felt his cheeks starting to get hot.
"Do I look like drunk to you? And, Mr. Oh so great Zala, do you see anyone around here besides us?" Cagalli waved her right hand pointing around.
Athrun blushed. "uhm… no… But Kira and the others said."
"Well, they may just be pulling a prank on you. And guess what genius, you actually bit on it." Cagalli chuckled. "Really now, a six footer guy that I barely knew? You should know I'm better than that." She then frowned and turned her back at Athrun.
Athrun scowled. Someone or rather a group of people will die tomorrow, he's going to make sure that happens. They placed him in the most embarrassing situation ever.
"Sorry, I got carried away." Athrun coughed.
"Yeah, I can see that. You didn't even read your invitation and then left at the half part of the exhibit. Tell me, do I have any right to be upset?" Cagalli still didn't look at him.
Athrun sighed. "Yes, yes you do… But I went back, I swear… I just took something. You're the one who's not there when I came back."
Then Cagalli turned to look at him, cheeks flushing. "You were supposed to open the invitation you dummy! I left you a note there saying to meet me here after the exhibit!"
"Oh. Oh crap, I'm sorry." Athrun scratched his head. "But, we're here now… what difference does it make? The exhibits finished, and we're here."
Cagalli's eyebrows furrowed. "It makes helluva difference! You were supposed to see the ending piece! The special last piece to conclude the exhibit! This freaking piece!" She shoved the canvass at Athrun's chest.
"Wha.. You took the painting off the exhibit?!"
"It's mine; I can do whatever I want with it!"
Cagalli blushed and frowned at Athrun. 'Well, what the heck are you waiting for? Open it already!"
"Ah. Okay." Athrun fidgeted. His eyes widened at the intricate detail of emerald eyes, shining ones. It was like looking at his eyes in the mirror. Wait a minute— are those HIS eyes?
After a few moments of silence, Cagalli spoke.
"I dedicated the damn exhibit to you. And you weren't even there to see that last part… So I took it, what importance does it make if you're not there?" cagalli turned her back on Athrun again, blushing like crazy.
Athrun just gaped. Is Cagalli actually confessing to him through her exhibit?
"Uh.. I… I don't know what to say…"
"You just said something."
"Uhm.. no, not that but… Cagalli.. I thought…" Athrun was immediately cut off by the blonde.
"I-I really, really love you Athrun OKAY? THERE, I SAID IT!" Cagalli huffed, almost as if she's going to lose air because of what she's saying.
She then raised her hand in surrender and closed her eyes shut. "I know it sounds crazy considering I, actually avoided you, and you might think that I am so indecisive and stuff, ah, heck I don't know, screw whatever I did back then, but this, what I just said… It's the whole truth! If you want to laugh or reject me, it's okay—I practiced myself well enough to accept whatever answer you give!"
Athrun smiled and shook his head, placing down the canvass on the floor and approached her, unbeknownst to the Blonde girl.
Cagalli continued to rant. "I, I was confused back then, but I'm sure of what I am saying now, hey, will you at least say somethi—."
Athrun held her tightly in a warm embrace, cutting her off. She opened her eyes in surprise.
The Azure haired young man buried his nose in her golden locks, smelling its sweet scent. "You dummy, all this time, you also felt the same. And we were like, practically idiots… You're right, screw whatever happened badly to us back then, but I'm sure as hell as I won't reject you."
His grip on her became tighter, as if she was some kind of lifeline. He leaned over to her ear. "I love you too Cagalli, very much… so very, very much."
Cagalli felt herself stiffen at his breath tracing her ear. Then he continued. "I didn't know what to do back then when you kind of rejected me… I felt so crushed."
And without notice, she found herself crying because of it. "I'm sorry about that."
Athrun turned her to face him. "Hey, don't cry its okay."
Cagalli sniffed. "Idiot, I know its okay… It's just, I'm too happy, I'm crying. I'm so weird."
Athrun brushed a tear off her cheek. "I feel like doing that too. Only, I don't think it suits me." He chuckled.
Cagalli hugged him and buried her face in his chest. "I still haven't forgiven you for ruining all my plans."
"Oh, yeah right… But everything turned out fine even if it didn't go according to plan right?" Athrun looked down at her and snaked his arms on her waist. He loved this feeling, her warmth on him.
"But still, you ruined it; you have to pay for it." Cagalli grinned.
"Oh, Okay… if you would like to know, the reason I went away for awhile when you were doing your exhibit, was because I was going to surprise you with three box loads of choco pops, right inside your house." Athrun chuckled.
"You're kidding!" Cagalli's eyes widened.
"Nope. It's the whole truth."
"Oh wow, let's get home then before Kira sees it."
"We could have it transferred to my house if you like, and you can stay there for the night if you want." Athrun raised his eyebrows and grinned slyly, Cagalli blushed.
"Stop that Athrun!"
"What? I wasn't saying anything wrong! What? You want something else?"
"No! I mean, No, quit teasing me!" Cagalli flushed and turned away.
"Hey Cagalli." Athrun nudged her.
"What?" Cagalli answered, the pink her cheeks still obvious.
"I have another gift that's even better that those choco pops." Athrun smiled and Cagalli raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "What?"
"This."
Athrun leaned down and pressed his lips gently on Cagalli's.
He sighed at the warmth and softness of her pink lips, and embraced her tightly as he dove in deeper in her mouth. Cagalli moaned a bit at the surprise, but claimed his mouth also, tongues now clashing.
Awhile ago, she was stunned when Athrun suddenly kissed her, but it took only less than a minute for her to respond.
And they both welcomed the familiar yet different warmth and feeling, because this time, they're not drunk and their kiss is not accidental anymore, they're just perfectly in love and in each others arms.
And as the moon shone softly upon them, they felt quite happy and contented to have finally confronted and took into action their feelings.
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I'M SORRY FOR BEING LATE GUYS! For that I will perform seppuku!
There, another chapter done. This is not the end yet… next chapter will have a bit of uhm.. I don't know how to say it… so maybe we'll have to wait next. ; That is if you want to test out your prediction powers, you're free to do so. And let's see who comes close. Haha! Oh, what fun that will be! Okay as reward to the closest prediction, I'll give cookies! Athrun and cagalli shaped ones. How's that for bribery? Hehe. See you next chapter. Any errors in spelling grammar whatever, kindly forgive me, head's messed up as it is.