Chapter Five: Athrun
The first few weeks after the war, Athrun had decided to stay with Kira and Lacus in the orphanage in Orb. This was partly due to him still being a fugitive, and he didn't want to attract attention to himself, but it was also because he felt that he couldn't face the real world just yet. Cagalli had been thrown into a new world in leading Orb, and Athrun found himself shrinking away. The thought of power always reminded him of his late father, and he blamed himself for what had happened. Putting himself in power in Orb was the last thing he wanted even though Cagalli had often asked him to assist her. Athrun feared of the consequences if he had power in his hands. Would he act like his father?
He shared a room with Kira in the orphanage – the room furthest away from Lacus and the children, mainly due to the nightmares that haunted them both. Especially Kira. Athrun had willingly become a soldier, and he had killed so many people that he was more accepting of what he had done. The nightmares that haunted him were of his father and of Junius Seven, along with the nightmares of his fallen comrades. But the nightmares that haunted Kira seemed so much more than just that, and he told Cagalli that he wanted to stay with his old friend for a while, if only to help him through the hellish nights.
One night, Athrun was woken by Kira, crying out in his sleep. The blue-haired Coordinator crossed to his friend and took his shoulders, shaking him gently as he woke him up. Kira had been drenched with sweat, waking up with tears in his eyes before sitting up and resting his forehead on his palm. Athrun sighed, passing Kira a glass of water before settling to sit beside the shaken Coordinator.
"Will they go away?" Kira asked, his eyes turning to Athrun.
Athrun only shook his head. "I don't know, Kira." Kira fell silent then, holding the glass tightly in his hands. Athrun placed a hand on his shoulder, casting his eyes away.
"I feel terrible, Athrun. Lacus... She tries so hard, but nothing seems to be working," he said quietly.
A ghost of a smile passed Athrun's lips and he shook his head. "No, Kira. It's working, alright. It just takes time," he said reassuringly. Kira didn't understand, but Athrun did not explain.
That morning, Lacus woke the brown-haired Coordinator as usual, pressing her lips against his forehead before stroking him until he woke up. That morning, he opened his eyes and smiled as soon as he saw her gentle face, smiling as she said his name. A week ago, he still flinched when he woke up seeing her, the image of Fllay still haunting his mind.
It was a very subtle change, but it was a change nonetheless, even if he wasn't aware of it. Slowly, Lacus was bringing him out of his nightmares, and Athrun had seen that.
Author's Note: Thanks to those who alert-ed and favourite-d! :D These really help with writer's block. XD