A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for the long update ^__^! I'm happy that you all liked the kiss!

First Impressions

Impressionable
Chapter 5: Curl Of Lip

Athrun gazed out his window, staring off into the afternoon sky. He was taking a break from all the papers on his desk, and was staring out to the windows in hopes for some epiphany to help him. It looked like a pleasant day, and he longed to outside, feeling uncharacteriscally claustrophobic. There had been reports of skirmishes along the border Zaft shared with Orb, though nothing too serious yet. He had sent more guards to man the outposts while he waited on more intelligence. He was hoping that it was bandits and that he was just overreacting. What bothered him was that it seemed as if Orb was taunting him, and that didn't fit the pacifistic nation that Orb was. Something was definitely not right in Orb.

Sighing he was about to return to his work when he suddenly heard a voice that sounded very familiar. He turned abruptly at the sound, and scanned the area to see where she was. There. She was running ahead into the small courtyard that his window looked out upon, waving to someone he couldn't see yet. Her words were slightly soft, as it was coming from a distance, and he watched as her golden hair was tousled by the winds. It had been one week since she had kissed him, and they still had not managed to talk. Every time they were together something had seemed to interrupt them, not that he hadn't been decidedly awkward around her. He wasn't really sure what to do in this kind of situation, he hadn't spent much time thinking about women growing up, and now he found that he desperately needed advice.

"Hurry up you guys!" she was calling with a smile, he didn't hear the people answering her but saw a familiar brunette head accompanied by a pink one. He wished he could be outside with them, it looked so pleasant out there. Still he knew that he still had to finish his work, and that it'd be too awkward with Lacus there. Lacus, when had he started calling her Lacus? He couldn't remember, but he also found that it felt too formal to call her Lady Clyne. By now the Princess appeared to be singing, while Lacus was strumming her lute. He was amused at how love struck his best friend was, and decided that he should go back to his work. His eyes sought out Lacus' golden hair one more time, and he was startled to find his green eyes meeting amber ones. He froze, and felt guilty, as if he'd been caught doing some sort of crime. He quickly looked away and went back to his work, trying to put her eyes out of his mind.

He wouldn't admit it, but he was longing to apologize to the Lady, because he felt strangely hollow, as if he missed her company. It was way too soon for that, though, the rational part of mind was telling him, besides he had promised himself, then, that he would never, ever let another woman get close to him. It would be wrong to think too much of Lacus-no Lady Clyne, right?

Cagalli stood in the hallway just before Athrun's door, she was pacing back and forth, back and forth debating on whether or not she should go in. She made up her mind to face him, and get the whole thing over with, but then she decided it was a horrifically bad idea, hadn't he been avoiding her like the plague for the last three days? That was a clear sign that he didn't want to talk to her, but would she, Cagalli Yula Attha, let some blue haired guy defeat her? Didn't she like him? So she continued back and forth for another few minutes, ignoring the guard outside his door watching her with amusement. She was a grown woman of 19, did she really need to act like a child? Yeah, not to mention he was being stupid for avoiding her! He should at least have the courage to let her explain! That was true. So she smoothed her plain skirt, adjusted her blouse and strode forward purposefully.

The guard pretended as if he hadn't been watching her for a half hour and smiled at her, "Can I help you, miss?"

"I'd like to speak to the King," she replied, then as an afterthought, "Please."

"Unfortunately he specifically asked to be left alone," the guard replied, hiding the grin that was threatening to appear on his face. Cagalli's face had immediately darkened, and with a intimidating glint in her eye, she looked at him, "You tell that jerk, that he better see me or I'll wait here until he's ready to come out from hiding, and then proceed to kill him."

"Yes, ma'am." The guard saluted, and knocked discreetly on the door. "Sir, there is a lady here who requests an audience with you."

"Tell her to come back later," a very familiar voice replied.

"Sir, she told me that she would wait here outside your door until you came out if you did not see her now."

"Well, get rid of her then! I do not have time to listen to some whinings of some idiotic, air headed girl!" Athrun replied sharply, thinly veiled anger etched into his words.

"Idiotic, air headed girl huh?" Cagalli replied, and the guard stepped in the way just as she threw herself towards the door. "IS THAT WHAT I AM! AN IDIOTIC! AIR-HEADED! GIRL! YOU JERK!"

Dead silence came from the room, the minutes passed by and nothing happened. Cagalli had calmed down, but was now muttering angrily under her breath. The guard was highly amused by the whole thing, wondering what she would do next. Then the unmistakable scent of food filled both their nostrils, and Cagalli whirled around with triumph. She ran over to the poor servant girl and quickly snatched the tray out of her hands, "I'll bring this to his highness."

"B-but, milady." The servant girl replied nervously. Cagalli smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry I'll make sure he gets it."

She threw a glance at the guard, and he cleared his throat with a chuckled, "Your highness?"

"What is it now?" the voice now sounded tired.

"Your lunch has arrived."

"Is she still there?" Cagalli glared evilly at the guard, daring him to say so.

"No Sir, she left awhile ago."

"Alright bring it in."

With a loud shout of triumph, Cagalli darted in, and slammed the tray down on his paper covered table. His green eyes were wide with shock, and apprehension. "Lacus!"

"So. I'm an idiotic, air header girl, am I?" her voice was dripping with sarcasm, as she sat down on the chair in front of his desk. She noticed the papers towering over his table, and was surprised to see Orb mentioned. He must have noticed as well, discreetly shuffling papers around, "What are you doing here Lady Clyne?"

"Lacus." She cut in, her voice firm. "You can call me Lacus."

"Ah…Lacus then, what are you doing here?" he cleared his throat awkwardly, not meeting his gaze.

"Aren't you going to eat?" she asked instead, noticing how nervously he was fiddling with his hands. With a sigh, she repeated, "Aren't you going to eat, Athrun?"

"Ah-Um, have you eaten yet? It would be rude."

"No it's fine, I've already eaten. If you don't eat it I'll force feed you." She glared at him.

"You wouldn't dare!" he replied, and she saw him relaxing, that was a good sign. When he didn't make any move, she sighed, and at last grabbed a biscuit off of the tray, "Here, now I'm eating too."

They both ate in silence for a few seconds, and Cagalli thought back to the time she had kissed him. She had decided afterwards, that she would not give up. It must mean something right? Destiny hadn't sent her to meet the King, only to have her marry Kira right? She had decided that she would resolve this thing, because even if she had to marry Kira, then she didn't want to lose the time that she had with him before then. Even if he hated her afterwards, she felt oddly selfish. So now she would fix things, "Athrun?"

He looked at her when she called his name, "I'm sorry about the kiss."

She saw his face fall, and she hurriedly kept talking, feeling as if the sooner they tumbled out of her mouth the better. "I mean, I'm sorry for running away from you afterwards. I shouldn't have done that. I-I liked it, but you know you were my first kiss. Not that, you were the best kiss I've ever had, um, yeah. Don't read to into okay?"

Good job Cagalli, she thought angrily to herself, open mouth, insert foot. Arg, this was not going the way she had planned, she knew she should have rehearsed it before coming, did that even make any sense at all? She desperately wanted to sink into the floor.

"Your first kiss? Really?" he was saying, shocked. Annoyance was threatening to take over, seriously? Was that the only stupid thing he'd heard her say? What was supposed to mean anyway?

"Yes it was, I'm sorry if I wasn't as good as all those other thousands of women throwing themselves at your feet." She angrily replied, chagrined that she could feel her cheeks flushing. "You know what? Forget about it."

She jumped to her feet, and strode towards the door. Just before she reached the door knob, she felt a hand on her wrist, and she turned to glare at him. She made the mistake of looking into his green eyes, green? More like emerald green, and they were looking at her. Her body ignored her heart and she snapped his arm from his hand, "What are you doing?"

"I'm sorry for saying that, but really, I'm a little relieved." He said softly, and she felt her heart beating rapidly in her chest. "I was afraid that you would be mad?"

"Mad about what? I kissed you didn't I?" sometimes she was shocked by her own honesty.

"I guess." He replied slowly, then with a smile that made her heart melt, "So, that means we're good?"

"More then good!" she replied, ask me out again, ask me out again damnit, she was chanting in her mind. "Wasn't that obvious? Then again I got the strangest impression that you were trying to run away from me every time we were alone together."

"Ah. I wasn't being too subtle was I?" he replied, stepping back a little bit. She was a little sad at the new distance between them.

"No, you really weren't." she replied, come on you big idiot! Ask me out again!

"Well, I've really got to go back to my paperwork; I need to get it done before tonight. He turned to his desk, and she felt disappointment gnawing in her chest She slowly let her held breath out, and left. Her footsteps made muffled sounds against the floor, and she started to fidget with a strand of hair that had fallen out of the long braid on her back At least she had fixed everything right? Maybe he just needed time, it's not like she was sure he liked her. She couldn't regret anything right? Footsteps jogging behind her caused her heart to skip, and whirling around she saw a familiar blue head glinting in the sun. He stopped just before her, and with a slight blush on his cheeks-that she found adorable- said, "Hey, would you like to spend tomorrow afternoon with me? I should have all my work done by the end of today."

"I'd love to!" she replied, trying not to sound too eager. Took your sweet time, she grumbled.

"Alright! Ah, I'll let you know more about it tomorrow. I've got to get back." He turned, and she impulsively stopped him. Standing on her tip toes she brushed a soft kiss against his cheek, and then rushed off with a shy blush on her own face. She made sure she was at a far enough corridor, before jumping and punching her fist into the air. "SUCCESS!"

She was sitting in her bath now, soaking after the long day. The hot water felt good on her skin, and she was lost in her thoughts when she heard the door creaking open slowly. She didn't open her eyes, she recognized the sound of those footsteps. Lazily she didn't say anything, waiting for her friend to speak. It didn't take long, before the gentle voice of Lacus came, "Cagalli, I assume you were able to fix things with Athrun?"

She opened her eyes then, and sheepishly flushed, "Was I that obvious?"

"Only to those who know you well." Lacus answered, cryptic as always.

"I suppose that's a good thing." Cagalli replied softly, accepting the towel from Lacus. After drying herself and changing into her night robes, she sat in front of the fireplace, as Lacus patiently combed through her long blonde hair.

"Cagalli. I saw you with the king." Lacus' voice was deceptively gentle and soothing. For a second Cagalli didn't process what she was saying, but then she whirled around, her hair getting snarled in Lacus' comb. With a cry of pain she twisted to look at Lacus. Lacus only turned her again, and started to work on the tangle. "Akatsuki stopped me from interrupting you two, he said you really loved the king. Is it true?"

Cagalli shot an evil glare at Akatsuki, who just continued grooming himself. She wasn't sure what to say, and for a second felt like lying, but no. She had never lied to Lacus before, she wouldn't start now, "Yes. I think I do."

"Oh." Was all Lacus said. "I see."

The silence between them hung thick and heavy, while Lacus contemplated to herself, and Cagalli brooded. "Look, I didn't want it to happen either. I feel a little guilty about it, since I'm betrothed to Kira, but-"

"You can't help it?" Lacus finished for her. Her fingers were now deftly braiding the damp locks, her fingers flying. "I'm not judging you Cagalli."

"You should." Cagalli muttered, a little bit angrily. "Am I betraying Orb?"

"When is the line drawn? Between your happiness and a country's?" she murmured. "Because you are still human, one single human at that. I do not think you are betraying Orb, and neither am I. You said it yourself you would fix this, and I told you I would too."

"Something is happening in Orb Lacus, something bad. I'm not sure if we have enough time to fix things before things get out of hand." Cagalli replied with a sigh, she had had a bad feeling for a long time now. Things about the current situation were not adding up, and yet she couldn't do anything. She was here in Zaft, a whole country away from Orb.

"First, you must decide. Then you must follow through. I believe that's the only way you can get anything accomplished." Lacus replied, patting the finished braid. "I have decided that I will not give up Kira, but I will also not betray Orb. What have you decided Cagalli?"

Cagalli bit her lip, staring into the dancing fire, "I will never betray Orb, but I don't think I'd be happy giving up Athrun either. I don't know, for once something is telling me to hold on tightly, not to let go. I'm not sure if he's worth it though, even if I care about him."

"Then find out Cagalli, you still have some time." Lacus said before rising. She bid Cagalli good night, and left the room, closing the door with a barely audible thud. Cagalli was left to her thoughts, trying to sort through them. She felt as if she was trying to grasp clouds, and fell asleep not much better then she had started.

Lunch was peaceful, he had let Kira talk him out of eating in his study and was currently surrounded by his closest friends, and the girls from Orb. He was still skimming the papers in front of him though, and despite the fact that he could have sworn he heard Yzak mutter, "Workaholic."

He was enjoying himself, that was, until he felt the papers being snatched triumphantly out of his unsuspecting hands. He looked up furiously, "What the hell, Dearka that wasn't funny! Didn't I tell you bef-Oh."

Shit. Lacus was staring at him mischievously, her amber eyes sparkling as she quickly made them disappear. Everyone else appeared to be suppressing their laughter at his embarrassment. He felt his face grow hot, and with a glare at Lacus he tried to act as if nothing had happened. She ignored it, and laughed heartily, "Sorry Athrun. Dearka dared me."

"Hey!" Dearka muttered, "Traitor!"

Lacus only stuck her tongue out at him childishly. Kira turned to him, "Seriously though, you need to relax a little."

"Got that right Yamato! I can practically see your stupid hair turning prematurely gray." Yzak chortled.

"Talk about the kettle calling the pot black."

"WHAT DID YOU SAY ZALA!" Yzak leapt out of his chair, and the whole thing would have gotten out of hand if the doors had not swung open. They all turned in surprise to see a disturbingly familiar pink head come strolling confidently in. Dead silence rang over the room, as she continued to stand just before the doors, knowing full well that they framed her magnificently. Lacus was the one that stepped into the deafening silence.

"What the hell? What are you doing just standing there? And WHY THE FUCK do you look like La-"

"The Princess!" Shiho cut in, shooting a death glare at Lacus.

"Is that anyway to talk to a lady?" the woman looked unfazed, her beautiful lips curving into a cold smile. "No. I'm afraid you really aren't a lady. Are you sure you're not a boy? Such manly features."

Athrun's first reaction was to stare blankly at the lady in front of him. Did she really just insult Lacus? His Lacus? His Lady. He rose to his feet, though not quick enough.

"I dare you to say that one more time." Lacus spat out her eyes narrowing.

"Why? Are you too stupid to get it the first time?" the girl's words were eerie. She looked uncannily like the Princess, but there was no way that she would ever say such vile things. Lacus looked ready to rip the girl to shreds, and oddly so were the other females. He decided to intervene before things got out of hand. "Lady you are out of line. Apologize to Lady Clyne."

"She was the one that attacked me first, my lord. I see no reason why I should have to apologize to that tomboy." He felt his own anger bubbling to the surface. An angry hiss drew his eyes to Akatsuki, who looked ready to claw the girls eye's out, Lacus appeared to want to do more then just claw her eyes out.

"I'm sorry, but could you introduce yourself please?" The Princess had stepped forward, her words quiet and gentle.

"I suppose." The girl flipped her head haughtily, treating the Princess like she was too insignificant to acknowledge. She was definitely not making herself any friends, at this rate she might as well sleep with one eye open. "I am Meer, Princess of PLANT."

"What are you doing here Princess?" Athrun replied evenly, relieved to see that Lacus had sat down.

"That's no way to treat your fiancée! Oh Athrun, how could you?" she was crying. He cringed away from her. The table was silent, everyone sat frozen in their chairs. The Princess kept pouring even as her teacup quickly overflowed, Lacus kept sawing her sausage, despite the fact that it was already cut in half, Shiho had raised her fork to her mouth, Milly and Murrue were both in the act of buttering their toast. Yzak was staring blankly at her, his hand still frozen in air, Dearka still had his fork in his mouth, and was still biting into his toast. Then it sank in. Betrothed? Fiancee? He never heard anything of a Meer? Or a…wait. Fiancee? SHIT. He focused his gaze on Lacus, who had suddenly turned deathly pale. Then she broke the silence, again. She rose to her feet, dropping her knife with a deafening thud. "Um. Pardon me, I suddenly feel-I have this awful-um. Headache. I think I'll retire first."

He watched as she rose, wobbling a little bit. Faintly waving everyone off, she curtsied in a mock little dip to Princess Meer, "It was a pleasure meeting you Princess Meer. Truly delightful."

She trailed off faintly. Lacus excused herself and rushed after her, as did Milly who gave Meer an evil stare, as well as Athrun before she too rushed off. Athrun felt as if she wanted to laugh desperately, trapped in a weird play. Dearka was the one that saved the day, he always saved the day when it came to awkward situations with women, then again Athrun was wondering why he felt like he'd been caught cheating. In this case, who was the other woman? He didn't remember any engagement, but then again he hadn't been paying much attention the last few days. "Princess Meer, have you been shown your room yet?"

"Oh yes." She replied, happily sitting down at the table. She didn't mind the furious glares being shot at her by the two ladies left at the table. Yzak ate his food silently, he hated women like that. Kira excused himself as soon as he was done eating, as did the others. Only Shiho was left eating, and he was begging her silently not to leave him alone with this woman. It didn't work. She too left, her eyes cold as she left. Athrun didn't know why he was being treated as the bad guy, he was the victim in all of this! When he got his hands on them later, they would suffer.

"Oh honey!" an excruciatingly cheerful voice cut in on his thoughts. He rose and turned to her, the smile on his face forced. "Yes Lady Meer? How may I help you?"

"I was hoping that you could show me around the city today. I just got here, but I've heard so much about the capital that I would love to see it!" She bubbled. He wondered if there was a switch that he could use to tone her down.

"Are you sure Lady Meer? Aren't you tired from your journey here? It must have been long, Zaft is a good two weeks journey from PLANT."

"Oh not at all! Unless, you would rather you know, do other things." She slithered seductively up next to him. He vaulted up, stumbling a little bit.

"Oh no! A ride through the city sounds fun!" he replied hurriedly. "If you'll excuse me, I need to go get ready."

He left before anything else could go wrong. He felt like banging his head against the wall, and then he remembered. CRAP! He had promised to go out with Lacus today! Shit. What was he going to do now?

"Can you believe that woman?! I felt like ripping her hair off of her head. Lacus, why does she look like you? It has to be more then just coincidence right?" Cagalli cried as she hurriedly got ready for her date with Athrun. They were going on a tour of the city, he had wanted to show her the sights.

"Do you really think he's engaged to that fake?" Milly asked from where she was sitting cross-legged on her bed.

"I don't know why she looks like me." Lacus was holding up different outfits, for the others to judge.

"No, I think a different color." Milly replied.

"That jerk asked me out, I didn't think he'd be that kind of cheating jerk." Cagalli huffed. "No, Lacus, I'd rather die then wear pink."

"Well he did look pretty shocked when she said it." Millly reassured her, "Not to mention he stood up for you when that Meer was insulting you. Lacus, I think the dark blue or green."

"That is true. Hm, I think I'll go with the dark blue this time." Cagalli took the outfit from Lacus and started to get dressed.

"She is pretty rude though, why don't you just ask him about it when you guys are out? That's probably better then fretting about it."

"Yeah…" Cagalli trailed off. Just as she was finished she heard a knock on the door. That must be Athrun. Thankfully she had just finished getting dressed, so she sprung to open the door.

"Lacus!" Athrun was a little red, as if he'd been running a race.

"Are you alright?" Cagalli asked.

"Yeah, listen-"

Before he could continue, a very familiar voice rang through the air. She watched as Athrun cringed at the sound, "Oh Athrun, dear! This is where you are. Shouldn't we be leaving already?"

"Leaving?" Cagalli repeated blankly. She saw his face darken with embarrassment. "Wait, I thought that we were going to-"

"Oh how sweet! You asked Lady, um, what as it again?"

"Lacus."

"Oh yes, Lady Lacus, to join us on our tour today? How sweet. I suppose she can, you know to make up for my rude behavior earlier." Meer purred, and Cagalli watched in awe as she latched herself to Athrun's shoulder, rubbing her ample bosom against it. No, this was definitely nothing like Lacus, this was like a sick, perverted version of Lacus. She was so shocked that she didn't notice the look that he was giving her, begging her for help.

"Ah-that wasn't why-" Athrun started, lamely. Too late.

"I see, my lord. Well, I'd hate to intrude on your little date then." Cagalli replied, her face completely unreadable. "Have fun Athrun, Meer."

"Wait, are you sure?" Athrun stalled, his green eyes begging her to change her mind.

"Yes, don't worry about me Athrun, I can do something else. There's out always next time." She watched in awe as Meer dragged him away down the hall. Then when she was completely out of sight, she hurried into her room, and started digging through the closet.

"What are you doing Cagalli?" Lacus asked.

"I can't believe you gave that up so easily. Didn't seem like you at all." Milly asked.

"That's because I'm following them, besides I don't need him to show me around town!"

"What!" Milly cried, as Cagalli slipped into the pants and blouse that she had found. Putting on an thick large coat, she tied a scarf around her neck, and tucked her hair under a large cap. "Come on, you're coming too Milly. Lacus is any one asks where we are, stall for us!"

"No way!" Milly cried, as she got into her own set of pants and shirt that Cagalli was forcing her into. "This is not a good idea."

"No way I'm leaving him with that she-demon! Who knows what she'll do? Cagalli Yula Attha does not give up so easily!" With that they were gone, as Lacus waved them off, as if they did this everyday of the year.

"Wait! Cagalli, Lacus! Help me!"

Bleh, sorry this took such a long time. I hit a patch of writers block, not sure if I like this chapter, it feels kinda forced ___. The good stuff is coming up don't worry 3.