Chapter Two: Nightmares
Kira hated nightmares. As a child, he often had nightmares when something had made him cry the day before, the image then turned into something nasty that would haunt him when he sleep. Now, after the war, the nightmares were usually the reasons for his tears during the night. Kira would often jerk awake at night, breathing harshly, looking around with wild eyes and lie back down, silent tears rolling down his cheeks until sleep came to him again. He never mentioned the dreams to anyone, but it wasn't a secret among the Archangel members. He could keep silent when he was awake, but they could hear his restlessness as he slept.
After the war, while waiting for the repairs on the Archangel to be completed so they could return to Orb, Kira had preferred to stay on the viewing deck. He was like a lost soul, unable to figure out what he should be doing or thinking, or even who he should be with. From afar, Athrun, Cagalli and Lacus could only watch helplessly. Even if they were to speak to the Coordinator, they would be facing a form of a puppet. A Kira Yamato who pretended to be fine, while the sorrow and terror were clear in his violet eyes. It wasn't just a war Kira had battled in during the First Bloody Valentine. It was much more than that.
Many people fought in wars, but many did not betray what they should be fighting for. Many people fought in wars, but many did not try to kill their closest friend. Many people fought, but perhaps none of them suddenly found out the truth behind who were really their parents, or whether they had another sibling or not, or whether they could potentially be the cause for another war to break out...
Kira had fought, but he had faced a lot more. What was once his reality, his connection to the real world, was mercilessly taken away from him, leaving him cold and confused. Kira Yamato? Kira Hibiki? Coordinator? Ultimate Coordinator? Fight to protect his friends? Fight against his own kind? Save those who hurt other Coordinators? Try to kill his closest friend? Fail to protect those he promised to protect?
Kira hated nightmares.
One night, at the viewing deck of the Archangel, Kira had collapsed onto the long seat, his eyes threatening to close and send him back to the world of unknown horrors. He fought to keep himself awake, but how many nights had it been? Even when he kept himself awake, his conscious thoughts were nearly as bad as the nightmares. The only advantage of staying conscious was that he could firmly control his mind and keep the dark thoughts away. But he could only do so for so long... and he was so very, very tired... of everything...
A pair of gentle arms circled his chest, pulling him towards what seemed like a safe zone. He protested. He did not want to sleep. But Lacus hushed him and promised him that he would be alright. She sang the song of peace to him, softly, and for once, he welcomed sleep.
Author's Notes: These chapter will generally be lighter and lighter as it progresses. :) Lacus is amazing, after all.