Though the Heavens May Fall
Chapter Twelve
By: DamageCtrl
All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Gundam Seed/Gundam Seed: Destiny. They belong to their respective creators, owners, licensees.
He shifted awkwardly at her side, making sure his red eyes avoided the scathing glares directed his way. Beside him, the blonde unofficial princess of the Federation sat close. Too close. He could practically feel the body heat rolling off her skin and they were in a tropical area.
The return to the mainland was vastly different from the trip to the island, with few exceptions. Where Shinn had once enjoyed the upper deck and its relaxing views by himself, he was now joined by Stellar. In addition, they were also joined by Sting, Auel, and Rey.
After the tussle on the beach and his slit lip, both Djibril and Mwu had to sit with the three young men and discuss the implications of their actions. It was fair to say that Djibril didn't approve of Shinn and Stellar's 'new-found romance', though he didn't voice it openly. It was just obvious with the irritated looks he kept throwing Shinn when he was around Stellar.
However, the old noble disapproved even more of Sting and Auel's behavior; citing it as unbefitting of men of their standing, especially in another country and to another diplomat of sorts. Shinn never thought of himself as one, but he supposed he fell into that category when he was representing Plants. The point was that it could've caused some sort of incident.
Not surprising, Shinn found that Mwu's take on the whole fight was the one that mattered the most – next to Kira's. Mwu was an advisor, a worldly man, and well-respected soldier and leader. His disapproval of the fight embarrassed Shinn and he knew it would reach Athrun and Cagalli's ears. Mwu maintained that Stellar, despite being a Haumea Elite had the ability to knock all three of them out during the fight, could've gotten hurt. Shinn was sure he wasn't just talking about physical injury.
After the lectures and after he had his lip cleaned up, Sting and Auel were told to keep their distance from him. Both young noblemen had looked to Murata, but he had been just as displeased at the fight as everyone else. Besides, his precious little sister looked happy to be with Shinn and he didn't want her angry at him for standing in her way.
As for Kira, Shinn assumed that Kira didn't hate him. Shinn had points on his side. First, he had saved Stellar's life. Kira had been there. Second, he was the charge and underling of Kira's old, beloved friend and brother-in-law, Athrun. That already made them practically family. Third, Stellar liked him. Kira, ever the dotting older brother, wouldn't reduce his sister to tears over this, even if he hadn't spoken to either of them since the beach. Shinn figured he was mulling things over.
Currently, the brown-haired scholar was locked in another battle of wits with the Federation king on the lower level, along with his sister. From the groans of defeat, it sounded as if the girl was besting them both and taking all their money.
"I never realized Mayu was so skilled with card games," Rey said as he looked over the railing. Lord Djibril had just folded his hand and Mayu still had a stoic look on her usually expressive face. "Did you teach her, Shinn?"
"No," Shinn shook his head. "Maybe Meyrin did."
"I wouldn't be surprised," Rey sighed heavily as he moved around on the bench beside Shinn and crossed his arms over his chest. "Lunamaria is her sister."
"Shinn." He felt a small tug at his arm and looked at the pretty young woman beside him. "Does Shinn want to come to the Haumea Fete? The Fete is coming soon for the brides."
Shinn stared at her for a moment. Her question actually was if he wanted to go to the Fete with her. It meant a night of food, drink, and wild dancing around a fire with her. The last time he attended a Haumea Fete was when the Elites held one for Cagalli. He had danced with Stellar to the point that he could barely stand.
That was also because he had drunk some drinks that he didn't know would knock him out a few hours later and give him the opportunity to wake up before dawn, somewhere in the back garden of the Azure Seray, without his shirt. He had panicked and nearly died when he found Stellar asleep beside him. Terrified, he had run back to the palace, unsure of what else to do. It was not the most chivalrous thing to do; to leave behind a sleeping young woman, but if word reached any of the Elites or worse, Kira, Shinn had been sure he would've been killed.
Thankfully, Stellar didn't remember a thing, having drunk the night before. Shinn discovered that one of her sisters later found her and carried her back. He never spoke of the incident to anyone. In order to avoid such a situation again, Shinn swore never to attend another Haumea Fete.
"Okay." Damn it.
"What's a Haumea Fete?" Rey asked as he looked past Shinn.
"A big party the Haumea Elite throw before a Haumea Elite is married," Stellar beamed. "Fetes have dancing and food and drink."
"There also aren't a lot of men, as it is usually a Haumea Elite internal celebration," Shinn added. "Sometimes the groom is there and there are a few male guests, but that's kind of it."
"If Rey would like to come, Rey can come," Stellar assured the other blond. "Rey's mother was probably invited." The male blond grimaced. If his mother was going to be there, he wasn't sure it was going to be as fun as it sounded.
"Ah…never mind," he told her sheepishly as he settled back into his seat.
"Stellar, can we come?" Sting's voice rang from across the upper deck, where he and Auel were sitting with their arms crossed. They hadn't spoken since they got on the boat and hadn't made any move to get closer to Shinn, but the fact that they were still there, a few steps away and glaring at him was still unsettling.
The young woman frowned. "Stellar will have to ask," she told him sharply as she turned her head away. She was clearly still angry with them. Sting looked a bit defeated and Auel sent an angry glare at Shinn, as if blaming him.
"Prepare to disembark!" Mwu's voice yelled from below. All eyes turned towards the land they were steadily approaching. Shinn almost let out a sigh of relief. As soon as they were on land, he could return to the sanctum of his bedroom at the Rouge Seray while Auel and Sting would have to stay at the palace and away from him.
As for Stellar, she would most likely return to the Seray with him and Mayu. "Everyone gather your belongings!" Kira said as his head peeked just above the top deck, beside the stairs. "Auel, Sting, Rey, we'll be docking at the palace's private pier. Shinn, Stellar, we'll go back to the Rouge Seray. A carriage will be waiting for us. Cagalli is supposed to come back today and will want to see us."
Inside, Shinn was celebrating. Finally, he was going to be free of the glares and the tension. "Kira," Stellar suddenly rose and vacated Shinn's side. For a moment, that side of him felt cold and empty. He watched as Stellar walked towards the stairs. "Kira, can Stellar stop by the shop? Stellar needs to replace Cagalli's chocolate."
"That's fine," her brother told her. "I can drop off my stuff while we're there." The brunette smiled cheerfully and continued his way down the stairs.
Happily, he walked back towards the main deck. Mayu was going through her bag, making sure she had everything. Murata was standing by the railing, looking out towards the mainland. The monarch couldn't help but be disappointed. He hadn't gotten anywhere with trying to convince Stellar to return to the Federation nor had endeared himself further in her heart.
If anything, the experience on the island where she had spent a good portion of her life had only showed him what she had to part with if she left Orb. Even worse, Kira still hadn't spoken to him regarding the issue of progeny and heirs for the Federation throne. With all that had happened between Shinn and the two Federation nobles just before they left, he had probably forgotten.
"The four of us will need to discuss it," a voice said behind him. Murata nearly jumped as he whirled around. Kira was approaching him with a serious look on his face. His purple eyes were focused away from Murata as he reached the other man's side. "You, Stellar, Cagalli, and I."
Murata could feel his heart rate spiking at the thought. He didn't even know how to approach Stellar with the issue and he already had his concerns about voicing it to Cagalli, the Haumea Elite Captain. "I understand…" he muttered as he took in a deep breath.
"We will try to support whatever decision Stellar makes," Kira assured him. "However, we will also make our opinions known."
Murata nodded solemnly. "The Federation is still tied to many neighboring countries that feel they will benefit with a successful war against Orb and Plants. This connection we have to both Orb, with Stellar's family, and Plants, with Stellar's brother-in-law and now possibly Shinn, will not settle well with them."
Kira stayed quiet for a moment. "Deal with us first," he said finally. "Once everything is settled, you can deal with the Federation's allies."
There was a long road ahead of him, Murata realized. "I will also need to speak to Queen Murrue and Plants' reigning queen."
"Lacus…" Kira murmured as he tensed.
Murata nodded and looked over at the other man. Kira's eyes were fixed ahead of him as his hands gripped the metal railing. Briefly, Murata wondered what affect the Plants Queen had on the Orb scholar. "Yes, I do believe her name is-"
"Lacus!" Suddenly, Mayu was on the other side of Kira. Her arms were in the air, waving madly, as she leaned forward. "Shinn!!" The brunette yelled as she looked over her shoulder. "Lacus is here!"
The blond-haired monarch cocked his head to the side, confused and then followed Mayu's extended arm and Kira's line of vision. As he squinted, he could make out several figures waiting on the palace's private dock, one of which was waving her arms just as earnestly as Mayu was.
The closer they got, the more defined her features were. Before, all he could make out was a light blue dress and long, pink hair. Now, he could make out a wide smile and a small, casual crown on her head. He'd never actually seen the Queen of Plants before. She was younger than he expected.
The ship docked and servants came forward to help tie it down. The walkway was secured and Mwu opened the side door. "Murrue!" he called out cheerfully as he practically flew down. The brown-haired queen merely chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her and swung her around. "I missed you!"
"It's only been a few days and you can see the palace from the island," Murrue reminded him with a small blush.
"Ooh…" Mwu grinned smugly as he lowered his wife back on to the ground and lowered his face just above hers. "So you were watching the island from the palace because you missed me?"
"What?" She flushed and shook her head. "Of course not! I had things to do-"
"It's okay," Mwu assured her as he grasped her hands. "I can keep a secret."
Murrue merely sighed heavily and gently pushed him away. She turned her attention to the other disembarking guests. "Welcome back, everyone," she greeted warmly. "As you can see, we have a new guest. This is Her Majesty, Queen Lacus Clyne of Plants. She will be staying with us until the ceremonies at the end of the month."
The pink-haired woman stood calmly at her place with a placid smile on her face. In the presence of those not in her inner circle, she maintained her regal distance and, in kind, as did Mayu and Shinn. The siblings waited beside Kira and Stellar, waiting for the formalities to be over before coming forward. Lacus gave the other guests a gentle bow of her head as the Federation nobles greeted her.
"Majesty," Mwu said as he motioned on hand to Murata. "This is King Murata Azrael."
"A pleasure to meet you, Queen Lacus," Murata greeted pleasantly.
"The pleasure is mine," Lacus replied.
"Shall we head back to the palace?" Murrue suggested. "We can have some tea while you all rest from the trip."
"That sounds lovely, Queen Murrue, thank you," Murata nodded.
"Kira, do stay for a bit and have some tea with us before you and the others go to the Seray," Murrue urged.
"Of course, Murrue, we'd be happy to," the brunette replied with a small, kind smile. The Orb Queen looked pleased.
Mwu lifted his arm and offered it to his wife. The brown-haired woman chuckled as she took it and turned towards the stone stairs that lead up the hill and to the palace above them. Djibril followed, looking somewhat tired.
Murata motioned for Auel and Sting to go ahead of him, as he wanted to linger in the back with his sister. Without question, the two young nobles wandered ahead. Murata looked over his shoulder. The Plants Queen was finishing up her personal greetings with Shinn and Mayu.
As she released the brown-haired girl, she moved to Stellar and greeted her with a familiar hug. Murata looked at them curiously. Funny, Stellar had never mentioned that she personally knew the Queen of Plants. Then, the pink-haired woman moved on to the purple-eyed man. Her pale face seemed to become rosy as he gave her a bow.
"Lacus." Kira addressed a royal informally? That was strange. Murata watched as Kira's face softened. The Orb scholar extended his arm to woman. "May I?"
"Of course!" Murata's eyes widened. Queen Lacus' smile was positively blinding as she placed her arm in Kira's.
"Mura," Stellar's somewhat annoyed voice said behind him. He snapped out of his observation and looked down at the step behind him. Stellar was frowning with her hands on her hips as Mayu and Shinn stood behind her. "What is Mura doing? Mura is holding up the line!"
"Right! Sorry!" the monarch stammered sheepishly. He let out a small laugh as he scrambled up the stairs. Behind him, he could hear Shinn telling Mayu that he didn't feel comfortable with her going to the Haumea Fete at her age. Stellar was unsure how she felt about it, while Mayu insisted that she was old enough.
He glanced back over his shoulder as he reached the halfway point of the stairs. His eyes were automatically drawn to the vivid pink hair several steps behind Stellar and the others. Leaning against Kira's arm as she clung to it was the Queen of Plants. Her lips were on Kira's.
The blond man whirled back around and focused his eyes on the stairs in front of him. Kira and the Plants Queen? Kira, Stellar's other brother, and the Queen of Plants? Murata wasn't sure how, but he was positive that things just became more complicated for the Federation.
His hair was sticking up in odd directions as he slept and she couldn't help but gently tug on the blue strands and make his bed hair worse. She giggled as she watched his sleeping face twitch with one felt movement. A pale hand rose and tried to brush away whatever was touching his hair, but she easily avoided it.
Cagalli leaned back against her pillow as she rested on her side, facing her husband. It was late in the morning and she had just arrived. She had been informed upon reaching the front of the Seray with her horse that her husband had still not gotten up for breakfast. She assured them that it was fine and that she was actually ready for a long rest after her travels.
As she had parted with her fellow Elites and instructed had Asagi to get some rest, as well, she trudged up the stairs to her living quarters. Carefully, she had opened her bedroom door as quietly as she could and peeked in. Lying on his stomach, snoring away, was her husband.
Cagalli had discarded her boots, travel cloak, and outdoor clothes in favor of an oversized shirt she used as sleep ware. Then, she had crept on to her side of the bed and began playing with his hair. She smiled intently. Truly, she had the best looking husband in the world and even when he was snoring with his mouth partially open and drooling on her pillow, he was endearing.
Her quiet laughter seemed to finally cause him to stir and as he turned his head in her direction, his green eyes slowly cracked up. For a moment, he squinted at her, unsure whether or not she was really there.
"I waited for you all yesterday," he said in a grumpy, irritated voice. "And you didn't come."
"Ah, sorry," Cagalli replied softly as she reached out and caressed his hair back. "I had to make another stop at one of the outposts, so that held us back. I did mean to come back sooner."
He pouted. "I missed you."
A warm smile broke across her face. "I know."
Athrun let out a groan and reached forward. His arms wrapped around her slim waist as he buried his face in her chest. "Do you know what I had to put up with while you were gone?" he lamented as he rubbed his face against her.
Cagalli merely chuckled as she leaned back against the bed and stroked the back of his head. "You couldn't have had to face much. Shinn and Mayu still haven't gotten back, yet."
"Shinn and Mayu are no trouble compared to Yzak," Athrun spat out. He lifted his head and frowned. "Did you know that he stormed in here, in the middle of the night, ranting about how he needed to find Shiho? In the middle of the night, Cagalli! He woke up the entire Seray! It was humiliating."
Cagalli tilted her head to the side, confused. "Why would he need to find Shiho?"
"Because she resigned!" Athrun exclaimed. He pulled away from her and adjusted himself on the bed, so that he was sitting beside her. "Just after you left, he received a letter from the Red Knights and they told us that Shiho resigned. Yzak couldn't get a hold of her at all and had no idea where she was, so he panicked-"
"She's in Orb," Cagalli cut him off suddenly. Athrun froze. His head snapped in her direction as he looked at her incredulously.
"You knew?"
"Yes," Cagalli nodded. "She had sent a message telling us that she was there. Since she was busy fixing up her grandmother's old cottage, she asked if Milly or I could send her some books on tea."
Athrun's eyes crinkled up. "Why didn't either of you tell us!?" he gasped.
"Well…" Cagalli trailed off. "She said she was adjusting and didn't want to tell anyone until the cottage was ready-"
"Yzak practically invaded the Azure Seray after coming here to have Miriallia tell him where Shiho's grandmother's house was because he didn't know!" Athrun frowned. "Do you know how much trouble he was making? He woke up two Serays and had complete disregard of Seray protocol-"
"Didn't Dearka tell you?" Cagalli countered. "I mean, he was the one who helped get the books she requested in town while we were busy."
Athrun narrowed his eyes. Perhaps Yzak had been correct in wanting to kill Dearka that night. "Cagalli," he began seriously. "Tell me there isn't some reason why Shiho didn't deem it necessary to inform Yzak about her move."
Cagalli sighed. "If she didn't inform him, perhaps it was because she was busy settling in. It's fairly obvious that if Yzak found out that she moved to Orb, he'd throw a fit."
"A 'fit' is hardly what I'd describe him that night," Athrun frowned. "Cagalli, he left for the cottage."
Athrun watched as his wife's amber eyes widened. "What?" she asked, surprised. She crossed her arms over her chest. "I hope he doesn't do anything rash. Shiho just found a new job and she's so excited about it. I'd hate for Yzak to unnerve her right when she's getting started."
"What job?" Athrun asked.
"She's starting her own tea trade business," Cagalli replied. "That's why she asked for books on tea. Her grandmother used to sell tea and that area is really fertile. The land her grandmother passed on to her is still being farmed with tea. We sent over some Elites who had experience in gardening to help her get started, especially since she was interested in developing new hybrids."
Her husband stared at her. "Tea?" Athrun stressed. "So…tea?"
Cagalli nodded and looked at him, confused with his own bewildered expression. "Yes, is that odd? It's quite a lucrative trade, you know. Orb tea is expensive in Plants and the Federation."
"Yes, but…" Athrun murmured. "I thought…well…"
"Well, what?" Cagalli chuckled. Athrun turned his head away and blushed sheepishly. "Athrun…" the blonde grinned. "Did you think we were going to make her an Elite?"
His face reddened more so. Part of him did hope that. "Well…what else did you expect?" he exclaimed. "She resigns from her post in Plants, moves to Orb secretly, without telling Yzak, you and Miriallia and all the Elites know that she did and…"
He trailed off. Cagalli's eyes softened and she moved closer to him. "That's very romantic of you," she told him as she rested her head against his shoulder. She lifted her hand and patted his chest gently. She sighed tiredly. "But Shiho cannot just become a Haumea Elite."
He tried to remember the last time he had woken up and found her sleeping face beside him. It didn't take him long. They had been on a training mission with some of the knights and her sleeping bag was beside his. Yzak frowned. No, that didn't count. Dearka was on his other side and he shivered at the memory.
Perhaps the last time had been a few months earlier. Exhausted from the last trip to a base, where he had to oversee new knights in training, Yzak had to deal with piles of work for both the Red Knights and the Joule Estate. He sought the odd comfort he found in Shiho's bedroom.
Her warm, neatly made bed with the pillows that smelled like her hair was his sanctuary and she was content to let him have it as she worked at her desk in silence. She never questioned him, at least not out loud.
That morning, months earlier, he had slept longer than he planned and woke up to find Shiho sleeping beside him. There was a pillow between their bodies and they were both fully clothed, but she was still there, unperturbed, as if being next to him was completely natural and not at all awkward. He had stared at her until the sun rose and he snuck away.
"Yzak," she mumbled as she rolled over and turned her back to him. For a moment, he relished his first name being said in her half away state. "Your feet are cold."
His eyes widened as they shot down to the foot of the bed. His feet were touching hers beneath the blanket and he quickly pulled them back. "Sorry."
She merely mumbled out something and rolled over on to her side, with her back to him. Yzak turned his head to the ceiling and tugged the warm blanket up to his chest. He had failed, and yet at the same time, he wasn't as miserable as he thought he would be.
Shiho had told him clearly that she had no intention of returning to Plants as a Red Knight.
"I just settled down here, Yzak," she had told him calmly. "Everything is ready."
"What's ready?" he had demanded. "What is here that you cannot have back home?!" He had flown out of his chair and was standing before her, hurt, but refusing to show it.
"I started my own business," she had informed him. "Didn't you see the books on the table?"
"What?" He had been confused. He didn't see any books on business. "What books?"
"On tea," Shiho had explained. "The garden outside is new. I just finished planting it. They are hybrids I am hoping to grow. If they are successful, I'll have them planted in the farmland I was left."
"Tea books?" Yzak's eyes had darted into the other room. "The only books I saw were regarding Orb!"
"Yes, there are trade regulations I need to follow," Shiho had nodded. "I do eventually plan to export the tea to Plants and your mother has put me in contact with some people there that were interested as potential buyers. Tea grown in this region of Orb is rather famous."
For some reason, part of Yzak had been disappointed. More than he cared to admit. He had fallen back against his chair with a dumbstruck look across his face. Somewhere inside of him, when he was told that Shiho moved to Orb, he thought that she would join the Haumea Elite. It made sense to him, considering her long military background. It seemed only natural that she would join some sort of military related group.
That thought had further been pushed when he had seen the Orb books on her coffee table. Suddenly hearing that she was settling down to open her own tea business had hit him hard. Yzak had felt defeated. She was leaving him…for tea? This was not what he expected.
"Yzak?" she had asked him carefully after a few moments of silence. His blue eyes had moved across the table to her. She had looked somewhat concerned after he lapsed into silence.
"You're not going to come back," he had murmured quietly. "I asked you to come back to my side and you refused…" He couldn't believe it.
Her hand had gripped the edge of the table tightly. Purple orbs had lowered on to her half empty plate. "I don't have a reason-"
"But I asked you," Yzak had stressed as he looked at her intensely. "I came here to bring you back. I am asking you to return to Plants with me." Didn't she understand? "I need you." His eyes had drilled into hers. "Isn't that reason enough?"
His voice had shaken when he spoke and it unnerved even him. Across from Yzak, Shiho's eyes had clouded over regretfully. He could almost see her wanting to ask him questions, but her cool demeanor never broke. Silently, Yzak had wished for her to speak her mind. He had wished to hear what she thought and what went on inside that perpetually leveled head of hers.
Instead, Shiho had turned her gaze away from him. "I am sorry."
It was final.
He was angry. He was humiliated. He was in pain, all at the same time. The white-haired noble had thrown his napkin on the table and shot up from his chair. Shiho's head had snapped up and she followed him with surprised purple eyes as he rounded the table and headed for the foyer.
"Captain-"
"If you wish to sever all ties between us, so be it," Yzak had spat out coldly. Shiho had nearly frozen in her seat at the sound of his icy voice. "It was a mistake coming here. I had been concerned as I did not receive even a single word from you regarding your resignation and then, to make matters worse, I find that you left Plants all together. If you are so earnest to be rid of me-"
"What did you want me to tell you?" He had stopped just by the door. Shiho had risen from her chair and walked to the entry way. She had stopped and stood a few steps behind him, glaring at his back. "Did you expect me to inform you of my resignation when we both understood that you would be fully against it and deny me that right to leave? It is not that I wished to be rid of you, Lord Joule," she had hissed with distain. "But that I did not want to trouble you. My duty was to serve you and to make sure that everything you did went through flawlessly. Remaining at your side as you married another woman would have been difficult for everyone."
"And so running away was your answer?" Yzak had demanded. He whirled around, facing her with a fierce look. He had been the one who was betrayed by her, not the other way around. "Everyone knew that you had moved to Orb! Everyone but me! Why? Why did you keep this from me!?"
"Because you would come here," Shiho had told him coldly. "And you would tell me you wanted me back at your side as a knight. And truth me told, Lord Joule, I was afraid that I would take the chance to remain at your side."
He had narrowed his eyes. "They why, if you so badly want to return to my side, do you resist?" He had been genuinely confused.
The two of them had remained standing in the foyer in silence, their eyes never breaking contact. Shiho had taken a deep breath.
"Because I realize now that I do not wish to be at your side as merely a knight," her voice had carried over to him, sounding tired and strained. "The part of me that is still a knight is more than pleased that you have come and find me irreplaceable as a warrior and secretary, but that other part of me…that shameless part that wants something…different…" Her voice had faded away as she lowered her eyes
Yzak had stared at her, letting her cryptic words sink in. His heart had ached hearing those words and he could feel himself drowning in regret and frustration. He was angry at himself, at Shiho, and his mother. With everyone. If Dearka had only pushed him further, if Athrun had only yelled at him more, if only he had listened then perhaps he wouldn't have been so oblivious and things would not have turned out the way they had.
"Had my mother known sooner," he had told her solemnly. "Then she would never have ordered me to marry into Orb." He had paused and watched as Shiho closed her eyes tightly, as if willing herself to gain control. "I do not doubt now that she would have had me marry you instead." The words had not stopped there. "And now that I think about it, I would have readily agreed."
Her had eyes opened and met his stoic face. Had she been any other woman, Yzak supposed that she would have flung himself into her arms, but no. She was Shiho Hahnenfuss. This woman he had lost his composure over was not one to lose hers. That was only one of the reasons he needed her.
"I believe, Lord Joule," she had begun carefully as she stared at him with every fiber of her being desperately trying to keep her from going to him. He could hear her voice tremble just a bit out of her control. "That I would have agreed, as well."
His face hadn't softened and his posture had remained rigid. Yzak had lifted his head up proudly and gave her a curt nod of acknowledge her words. He had taken a deep breath and turned his head towards the dining room, past the woman.
"Our dinner is getting cold," he had murmured as he took a step past her and returned to his chair. "Shall we return to it?"
They had continued to eat in utter silence. It was only broken when she informed him that she would clean up. Unsure of what to do, Yzak had merely nodded and watched in silence. When she had completed her task, she had found him sitting in her living area, flipping through the books on the table.
Her eyes had darted out the window. It was dark out. "You are welcomed to stay the night," she informed him. "It is much too late to start back to Onogoro."
His hands had frozen while still holding the book. His eyes had seemed to fix themselves on the fire before him. "Is there room?"
"Cagalli and Asagi stayed over last night. Just give me a moment to fix the spare room upstairs-"
She had turned to leave and his hand shot up and grasped her wrist. She had looked down at her former commanding officer. The back of his white hair faced her as he kept his face diverted. "With you."
Yzak now let out a heavy breath and looked back at the woman still resting beside him. Her soft brown hair was spread across pale blue pillows. The blanket they shared reached her shoulders and for a moment he drunk in the sight of her. If this was the last time he would see her, the last time he would be so close to her, he knew that simply engraving the moment in his mind would not suffice.
He moved on to his side and lifted the pillow that separated them. He watched her shoulders tense as he moved it behind him and moved closer beneath the blanket.
He expected his movements to be hesitant and restrained. He expected her to freeze as his arms wrapped around her body and brought her against him. He expected her to push him away and expected himself to do so when she told him to.
His movements were natural and smooth. Her body melted against his almost perfectly. Her warm hands rose and wrapped around his larger ones resting over her stomach. She didn't speak a word.
Shiho closed her eyes tightly as she kept her back to him. She could feel his breath against her head and the pressure of his lips against her hair as they brushed over. She could smell his lingering cologne; feel the warmth of his body and the faint beats of his heart.
He held on to her tightly, closing his eyes as he buried his face in her hair and inhaled. He could still hear her words in his head from the night before, as she looked down at him sitting on her couch.
"I gave you up for the sake of Plants," she had told him; no, reminded him.
Yzak closed his eyes before he had released her wrist. "I will respect your wishes."
Duty and honor came before personal wishes. It was ingrained as much in her as it was in him and he would not turn his back on Plants and he would not disrespect Shiho's sacrifice. She would never take him if he did.
But at that moment, before the dawn broke outside the small cottage and they were both fully aware of what they were doing or could think about the repercussions of their actions, they relished the moment.
"Thank you." Her whispered voice broke his thoughts and he held her tighter.
Before the sun had completely risen, he had untangled his arms from her body and kissed the top of her head gently. He slid out of the bed and in silence, without her moving from her spot, Yzak left.
His heart was beating rapidly and his palms were sweating. Several steps away from him, everything seemed normal. Stellar was picking out Cagalli's favorite chocolates to replace the ones she had eaten. Mayu was silently debating which pieces she wanted and Shinn was standing behind them, already eating a mouthful of chocolate.
The normality seemed lost where he was, as in front of Kira, his smiling mother and father were being bowed to by a beautiful woman presenting them with a gift. It wasn't the fact that they were being presented a gift; it was the fact that the woman doing the presenting was the ruler of another country.
"Mr. and Mrs. Yamato," Lacus announced, rather loudly in the quiet shop. "Please accept this humble gift!"
Kira's mother lifted her hand to her mouth and giggled. "Your Highness, really-"
"Please call me Lacus!" She still hadn't lifted her head. Kira lifted his hand and ran it down his face. Was she really that nervous? She had already met his parents at Cagalli's wedding, though it had been brief. He heard a small snort behind him and snapped his head around to give a sharp glare at Shinn.
The red-eyed brunette merely glanced away as he popped another truffle into his mouth. Kira turned his attention about to Lacus and his parents. "Well, then, Lacus," his father chuckled. "It is quite an honor. Really, you didn't need to bring us anything."
"Oh, but I must!" Lacus insisted as she lifted her head up. Kira's father gently removed the box from her hands. "You raised such a wonderful man! I wouldn't be here without him!"
Kira felt his cheeks burning. This was not what he expected when he agreed to let Lacus come along with them. He had thought it would be a casual thing and that perhaps she'd buy some chocolate with the others while he brought his things to his apartment above the shop.
Instead, by the time he returned, he found the Plants Queen standing outside the door to the shop stiffly. Her smooth, pale hands had been clutching the box she brought with her so tightly that her knuckles had turned white. It seemed that the younger members of their party had already entered and through the window, Kira had seen Shinn paying for his snacks already.
Kira had to gently urge Lacus into the shop, where they had been cheerfully greeted by his mother. Knowing that Lacus wanted to give the gift to both his parents, he asked for his father as well. When the older man reached the shop front, Lacus had extended the small box in her hands and bowed.
For a moment, Kira had no idea why. Why did Lacus want to go with them? It had been halfway through having tea in the garden with everyone that Kira realized that Lacus was determined to go with him.
"Shinn is going and I should really go and greet Athrun and Cagalli," she had told him casually. Mwu had looked as if he were trying so hard not to laugh at him.
Stellar had happily agreed and asked if she was planning on staying at the Seray once more. Lacus' eyes had turned to his, as if asking if he was going to stay there, too. He had been quick to assure her that there would be room in the family living quarters, as he would not be present to take up space. He had 'work' to do at the temple.
Lacus had been a bit disappointed, but still wanted to go. They were loading everything on the carriage when Mayu asked if they were still going to Kira's parents' shop. Lacus had scrambled out of the carriage, asking why Kira didn't tell her earlier, and rushed – in the most graceful way he had ever see anyone rush – to her room and back.
Clutched tightly in her hands was a small box, which she had clung on to the entire ride to the shop. She wouldn't even tell him what it was, other than a gift for his parents.
"May we open it, Lacus?" Caridad asked gently.
"Ah, yes, please do!" Lacus nodded earnestly. Kira peered over and watched as his mother's hands gently undid the ribbon Lacus had tied on. Beside him, the pink-haired woman fiddled nervously with her fingers as she chewed on her bottom lip. She looked on, hopeful.
"Oh my…"
"It's a silver platter!" Lacus piped suddenly. All eyes turned to her as she flushed. Of course they knew what it was.
"It's...beautiful, Lacus," the older woman assured her with a warm smile. "It is very lovely."
"And exquisitely carved," Kira's father mused thoughtfully as he lifted it up and examined in. "Intricate detail…"
Lacus nodded her head. She had taken great care in selecting a gift. "We love it, Lacus, thank you very much." Her face lit up and she grabbed onto Kira's hand hopefully. It seemed his parents liked her. That was always good. Kira smiled warmly, pleased that she was happy.
"Auntie," Stellar called. "Stellar and Mayu are ready!"
"Ah, of course," Caridad smiled. "Excuse me, Lacus; let me go get the chocolates for the girls…" She trailed off and smiled at the pink-haired woman warmly. "Would you like any? Please, help yourself to a few."
"Oh, I couldn't…" Lacus flushed.
"They're really good, Lacus," Mayu assured her. Lacus looked down, through the glass, at the chocolates on display. She subconsciously licked her lips.
"Maybe a few…"
She released Kira's arm and wandered closer to the displays. As she began picking particular items, Kira allowed himself to exhale and slouch forward. "She's very pretty, Kira," he heard a voice say before him. Kira nodded.
"I know…" he agreed with his father. "She's very kind, too."
"Oh, yes, very…after all, she did take care of you when you were drunk at your sister's wedding," his father reminded him. Kira grimaced. "And you seem quite fond of her, as well."
"Dad," Kira sighed heavily as he turned towards the older man. "I-"
"Aren't you?" the other man asked as he raised an eyebrow. Kira found himself nodding.
"Yes, but-"
"Then, what's the problem?" Haruma grinned. Kira opened his mouth but nothing came out. "Kira, you know your mother and I just want you to be happy. Don't do this to yourself."
Before Kira could retort, he heard his name being called. As he turned his head. "Yes-mph!"
Lacus giggled as she shoved a small piece of chocolate in his mouth. He swallowed the piece almost immediately as her finger touched his lips. A wide smile was on her face. "Is it good?"
His face reddened. He swallowed again. "Yes…"
"Ready!" Stellar shouted with a bag full of chocolate. Mayu was already digging through her own bag, trying to decide what to start with.
"Lacus, I have your chocolate," Shinn added as he held up a bag separate from his own.
"Wonderful!" Lacus beamed. "Let's go! I bet Athrun and Cagalli are waiting for us." She grasped Kira's hand and bid his parents good-bye. As Caridad and Haruma waved, Lacus lead the group outside and back into their carriage, feeling accomplished.
The rest of the ride to the Seray had been rather uneventful. Between Stellar, Mayu, and Lacus trading chocolate and Shinn eating, Kira hadn't said much. By the time they had reached the Seray, Shinn was out of chocolate and Stellar was assuring him that she had some to share. Mayu said that she wasn't going to share with him.
"Welcome back!" Mayura said as she greeted them at the door. "Ah, Queen Lacus, welcome back to the Rouge Seray!" She bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Mayura," Lacus beamed. "I brought some pastries from Plants for the Seray as a thank you for your hospitality the last time I was here. Are Cagalli and Athrun in?"
"Captain Athha just returned late this morning, Your Highness," Juri said as she reached them and bowed. "She went straight to bed and is still probably resting."
"It's almost dinner time," Kira frowned as he looked outside. "She's probably sleeping in again. She'll never get up if you don't make her," he sighed, exasperated.
"Why don't you inform them that we have arrived?" Lacus said. "We will go to the dining room, as I need to give out the pastries."
"You brought us pastries, Your Highness?" Juri smiled. "How kind of you! I will go and prepare some tea."
"Thank you, Juri!" Lacus beamed. "Shinn, can you get the boxes I brought from the carriage?"
"Yes, My Queen," Shinn nodded.
"I'm going to bring my stuff to my room!" Mayu said as she began tugging her bag up the stairs.
"Stellar will come, too," the blonde said. She lifted her bag over her shoulder and followed the younger girl.
Kira gave Lacus a kiss on the cheek, causing her to giggling, as he followed Stellar and Mayu. As they reached the top floor, the girls headed down the hall to their rooms. Kira walked casually to his sister's bedroom. Fully expecting to find her still cocooned in a blanket and snoring, he waltzed right into her unlocked room.
"Cagalli-" he began as he pushed the door open.
"Kira!" a surprised male voice gasped.
"Athrun?" Kira asked, confused.
Then his sister screamed. "Get out!"
The brown-haired man instantly shut his eyes and whirled around. Without realizing where he was going, he slammed into one of the doors. "Ah!" He fell back into the room.
"Kira!" Athrun yelled. "Cagalli, here," the brunette heard his brother-in-law say. "Wrap it around you."
"Get off me first!" Cagalli yelled. "I told you to stop!"
"But you were enjoying it," Athrun replied innocently.
"Don't talk!" Kira pleaded as he kept his eyes shut and rubbed his forehead.
"Kira, I was just tickling your sister-"
"I don't care!" Kira whined. People didn't tickle other people half naked. Behind him, Athrun grabbed his shirt off the bed and tugged it on. He made sure his pants were fully buttoned and zipped and that he was completely presentable. Cagalli wrapped the bed sheet around her body, ignoring her discarded towel on the bed or the wet drops that fell against her shoulders.
Blindly, Kira was crawling towards the door and Cagalli rolled her eyes. "Stop being such a baby, Kira! Get up! I'm covered and Athrun was just shirtless."
Kira grabbed on to the door and pulled himself up. "No brother wants to see his sister and her husband like that!"
"We're married, Kira," Cagalli reminded him. Athrun winced, afraid that Kira would become angry with him at the reminder.
Kira grumbled as he turned around and hesitantly opened his eyes. He let out a breath of relief as he saw his sister glowering at him and covered up while Athrun sat on the bed, fully clothed with only his hair slightly askew. He wrinkled his nose.
"I forgot that you were married." It was the truth. He had completely forgotten that Athrun would also be in the room when he wandered in. It wasn't until he saw the flash of blue hair that he remembered and by then, it was too late. Had he remembered, he wouldn't even have gone up the stairs.
"How could you forget that we're married!?" Cagalli growled.
"How can you leave the door unlocked!?" Kira countered.
"I didn't know you were going to just walk in!" Cagalli yelled.
"And I didn't know you and Athrun were…were…" Her twin's face seemed to take on a greenish tint and Cagalli felt her face heating up in embarrassment.
"It wasn't what it looked like," Athrun sighed. "It was my fault, I started it."
Right after he said it, Athrun immediately regretted it. Telling Kira it had been he who instigated it was not the best idea in the world. The brunette shot him a glare and Athrun shifted awkwardly where he sat, on the foot of his and Cagalli's bed.
His wife was still wrapped in a bed sheet, her hair still dripping wet, after Kira had walked in on them on the bed. Athrun was tickling Cagalli's side just after she came out of her bath. Her towel had fallen off somewhere along the line and when Kira walked in, all he could see was his childhood friend on top of his sister…on their bed…touching her. His mind immediately assumed the worst.
"We're adults, Kira," Cagalli frowned. "What we do in here is none of your business."
"Do you think I wanted to see that!?" Kira exclaimed. "Walking in on my sister and her husband…ugh…"
"We weren't doing anything…" Athrun sighed. To be fair, he supposed he wouldn't want to walk in on anyone else in such a position, either.
"Oh, don't give me that!" Cagalli snapped as she frowned at her brother. "It is a very natural thing! What about you and Lacus!?"
Kira stuttered as his face reddened. Why did she have to bring that up? Athrun rose from his seat. "Cagalli," he began sternly. "Need I remind you that I do see Lacus as my sister and I'd rather not think about such things."
"Well, it'll happen when they get married!" Cagalli insisted as she clutched her bed sheet against her.
Kira threw his arms in the air. "But I'm not marrying Lacus!" he blurted out suddenly. The room went silent.
His sister froze, wide-eyed. Athrun tensed and turned to face him with a darkened expression on his face. "What?"
"Kira, I thought you really cared about Lacus…" Cagalli trailed off. "Don't you?"
"I do," he sighed tiredly.
Cagalli had an almost pained expression on her face. "Then do you not love her in the same way?"
"Kira, this if is about her being the Queen of Plants, there really isn't a problem," Athrun assured him. "It is not completely uncommon for a reigning monarch to marry a commoner, especially if the commoner has if a prestigious position, such as you. Lacus is not betrothed to anyone, either. I can assure you that you will not face much opposition."
It wasn't that. That was just an excuse. "Neither of you understand," Kira frowned as he looked away. "Everyone makes it seem so simple, but it isn't. It isn't that I don't care about Lacus. I care about her very much. I enjoy being with her! She does make me happy and I'm happy just knowing that I do the same for her. It's just that…" he trailed off weakly. His eyes crinkled up as his breathe caught in his throat. "It is difficult…" His hands clenched at his sides. "This…I have…I can't…" He looked pained.
Cagalli stared at her brother, her mind slowly going over his words. Then her eyes widened. "Kira…" she said quietly as she took a step forward. "Is this about Fllay?"
The name struck a nerve in the pink-haired woman leaning against the wall, outside of Cagalli and Athrun's bedroom. She had gone after Kira, to ask if he wanted her to set aside any pastries for him to bring back to the temple, when she heard the yelling. Then, she heard her name and Kira's outburst.
Lacus had stopped outside the doors, her heart suddenly aching at his words. Athrun valiantly tried to protect her, but it was Cagalli's discovery that hit her. Fllay? Hearing the name spoken made her heart twist.
She remembered riding with Kira to a forgotten bastion. She remembered waiting for him to return from paying respect and she remembered holding him in his arms as he mourned for a beloved woman he had lost.
"You remind of her…" He had told her. Lacus closed her eyes. If she did, why did she suddenly feel jealous of the woman who still had Kira's heart? She knew she could not replace Fllay, nor did she want to. It was just that she was there now and that she loved Kira now. Did that not count for anything?
Stellar was about to step out of her room when she saw the queen standing there with her face knotted in a concentrated look. The older woman didn't seem to notice her and Stellar lingered at her doorway a bit longer. She could hear voices coming from Cagalli's room.
"It's…complicated," Kira murmured as he lowered his eyes.
"You need to talk to her," Athrun frowned as he stepped forward. "You don't know how much Lacus loves you, Kira. If you break her heart-"
"I know exactly how much she loves me, Athrun and I don't want to hurt her!" Kira told firmly. "This is just a personal matter and Lacus-"
"If it affects her, it makes it Lacus' personal matter as well," Athrun said. "If you're still in love with Fllay-"
"No," Cagalli said in a low voice. Two pairs of eyes turned to her as she looked at her brother critically. "That isn't it…" she murmured as her amber eyes met purple ones.
The brown-haired twin slowly moved his eyes away from her and nodded. Cagalli understood. Cagalli had been there. She had seen what it had done to him. "She's waiting downstairs," Kira murmured. "For all of us…she brought some pastries from Plants for the Seray. We should go join her."
Athrun looked from one twin to the other. He opened his mouth to ask why they had suddenly changed the subject, but Cagalli cut him off. "You go down first," Cagalli said. "I still need to change."
Kira nodded solemnly and turned around. They watched as he walked out the door and closed it behind him. Athrun turned to his wife. "I don't understand," he stated simply as his eyebrows furrowed. "What's going on?"
Cagalli's saddened eyes turned to her husband. She raised her arms up and instinctively, the blue-haired man walked towards her and gathered her in his. "Fllay was Kira's first love of sorts," Cagalli said as she closed her eyes and buried her face against Athrun's shoulder. Her arms wrapped around him tightly. "He still holds love for Fllay, but he holds love for Lacus as well…"
"Is that what's bothering him?" Athrun asked. "He thinks he's betraying Fllay?" He understood all too well that feeling. He stroked the back of Cagalli's head.
"No," Cagalli replied. "I think Kira is afraid."
"Of what?"
"He doesn't want to lose Lacus like he lost Fllay," Cagalli told him solemnly. "Athrun…Kira's doesn't want to lose anyone else."
"Kira!" A bright smile greeted him as he reached the stairs. The pink-haired monarch was happily climbing the stairs. "Is she awake?"
The scholar blinked. It seemed that she was on her way up to check on them. "Yes, she just got out of the bath…" Kira replied.
"Oh, good," Lacus continued to smile. "Shinn has brought in all the pastries. The Elites are gathering. There won't be any more left by the time they come downstairs."
"Well, their loss," Kira said, offering her a smile of his own. He walked down the stairs, until he was right beside her, and then walked down the stairs with her. "She shouldn't have stayed up there until now."
Lacus chuckled. "I may have some more at the palace. I will have some sent over another time."
"I'm sure she can have her fill in Plants," Kira assured her.
Lacus nodded. "Well," she said as they reached the foyer. "I should return to the palace."
The brunette paused beside her. He snapped his head in her direction. "Already?" he asked, genuinely surprised. He was sure that she was going to stay as long as she could.
"I need to attend dinner with the Federation guests," she told him, still wearing her smile. "With the tensions between the two countries, it would be best for me to familiarize myself with them and it would be rude to ignore their presence in the palace." Kira nodded.
"I see…" he murmured. He felt a twinge of disappointment. Of course she had to leave, she was a queen and she did have particular obligations. "I understand."
"Well, then," Lacus said as she stepped away from him. "Do tell Cagalli and Athrun that I had to leave. Please apologize for me. I just suddenly realized that dinner may be joint this evening."
"Of course," Kira nodded. "Allow me to escort you to the carriage," he said as he held his arm out towards the door. Lacus nodded and calmly walked beside him. She made no move to touch him.
They stepped outside the doors of the house and the footman of the carriage held the door of the awaiting vehicle for them. Kira held his hand out to help her into the carriage, only to watch Lacus grab on to the side of the door and pull herself up. He lowered his hand, somewhat confused.
"Sir, if you'll step back," a voice said beside him. Kira blinked and looked to the side.
"Oh, excuse me," he muttered as he took a step back. The footman closed the door. Kira looked up at the windows of the carriage. He expected her to push aside the curtains and wave at him. When they didn't move, he furrowed his brows. Perhaps she was tired?
The carriage shook as the footman climbed on to the back. A moment later, the horses began moving and the vehicle jerked forward. Kira took another step back and watched it move further away.
"Where did Lacus go?" a voice said behind him.
"Hmm?" Kira looked over his shoulder and saw Stellar standing at the top of the steps, with a pastry in hand. "Oh, she had to return to the palace."
Stellar's eyebrows furrowed and she pulled the pastry away from her lips. "Is Lacus okay?" she asked, concerned.
Kira smiled softly. "Yes, she just has to return to have dinner at the palace with the other royals. Formalities and all that."
"Oh…" Stellar nodded as she nibbled at her food. "Okay, that's good. Stellar was worried when Stellar saw Lacus outside Cagalli's bedroom."
The brunette tensed. "What?" he asked sharply. "When?"
"Earlier," Stellar said as she motioned inside with one hand. "Then Lacus went down the stairs and Kira came out."
His heart began slamming against his chest. She heard. She heard them. She heard him. He turned his head sharply to the fleeting carriage on the gravel path that led to the gates of the Seray. The carriage was halfway there. His heart dropped. She hadn't touched him at all or made any effort to stay. The entire time, she had just smiled at him; pleasantly. And she knew. "Oh no…"
His youngest sister's eyes went wide as he darted across the lawn. "Kira!?" she yelled as he raced towards the gates. "Kira!"
"Where is Kira going?" Cagalli's voice asked as she peeked out from the door. She raised her eyebrow curiously as she watched her brother running after the carriage, waving his arms and calling out to it to stop like a madman.
"Stellar doesn't know," the younger blonde frowned as she looked up at her sister. "Should Stellar pursue?"
"No," Cagalli said as she motioned for Stellar to come inside. "They'll be fine."
Stellar looked back at the carriage. Her brother was just about to intercept it. "Master Yamato!" the driver yelled as Kira jumped in front of the path. The Elite who was watching the gate looked at the sight curiously. The carriage trotted to a stop before him.
"Just continue on!" Kira said as he scrambled around to the side of the carriage. "I just need to speak to Queen Lacus!"
"Shall we drop you off at the temple?" the driver as he watched the Kira reached the door.
"No," Kira said as his hand gripped the handle. He tugged the door open. "Take us to the palace."
"Yes, Sir."
Kira pulled the door open and jumped into the carriage. He vaguely noticed the seated woman jump as he entered and closed the door behind him. The carriage jerked forward once more.
"Kira?" Lacus said as he fell into the cushioned bench across from her. "What are you doing?"
He lifted his head and froze. Lacus sat stiffly across from him, one hand clutching a handkerchief as wide, damp blue eyes stared at him. Her nose had been rubbed pink. He took in a sharp breath as his chest tightened. He had made her cry.
"Lacus…" he wheezed out nervously. Suddenly, he didn't know what to say. He had just run across the front of the Rouge Seray thoughtlessly. All he knew was that he couldn't allow her to leave so easily knowing what he had said. His eyes crinkled up as he looked at her. "You heard me."
Her blue eyes widened more so and her hands clenched. "Well, you were yelling rather loudly…" she stated dumbly. "I assumed the carriage would stop when you called out-"
"No," Kira shook his head. "You heard me in Cagalli's bedroom, didn't you?" She could feel her chest rise and fall unevenly as her mind whirled.
"It's fine, Kira." Her lips automatically tugged into a placid smile. "I am sorry if I am troubling you-"
"You're not." He didn't want to hear her continue. He didn't want to hear her apologize for something when she did nothing wrong. It was he who had the problem. Across from him, Lacus took in a sharp breath.
She lowered her eyes. "I did not mean to hear you," she told him softly. "It was accidental. I did not mean to listen."
Kira shook his head. "No," Kira replied. "Lacus-"
"I'll stop," she said suddenly, quickly cutting him off. She didn't want him to tell her the truth; that he didn't want her for whatever reason. She would be fine if they were still friends, really. "I won't bother you any more. I understand that I have been rather…aggressive since we arrived and I shouldn't expect you to cater to my wishes. I've been very selfish."
Lacus kept a smile on her face as she rambled. She had pushed gifts his way and went out of her way to stay at his side when it was unnecessarily. She had acted so pathetically in front of his parents that day and it was always she who instigated any sort of physical contact. While she was in Plants, it wasn't as if Kira had shown any sign of real continued interest.
At least not like Dearka and Miriallia. Those two always wrote to each other. It wasn't like Athrun and Cagalli; he had vanished without a word just to see her. That time when Kira had come to Plants, he had come to deliver a message to his sister, not to see her.
But she had fallen so hard for him. It was more than just heroic admiration for the man who saved her from death. Kira was kind and warm and made her feel special. Not like a queen, but as a normal, loved woman. Her time with him was like a dream.
She had known all about the woman he loved from the beginning and despite that, she pursued him. Kira was just too kind and she was too naive. She brought this on herself.
Warm hands cupped her face as a soft fabric was tugged from her hand and then wiped her face. Her shoulders were shaking despite the smile on her face, and in her state, she didn't feel him sit beside her. She didn't feel his arms wrap around her or realize that her arms were wrapping around him.
She felt his breathe against her head as her fingers curled into his shirt. She heard his voice in her ear.
"I'm sorry."
A.N. – Thank you for reading! It seems that this will definitely be over 12 chapters. Maybe 15? Is this the end of Lacus x Kira? What about Shiho and Yzak? Conflicts!
Thank you for your patience!