(pC)

Seventh Gesture:

Washing the dishes

He opened his eyes slowly as the light from the curtain drapings laid softly on his cheeks. The contact on his eyelids did cause quite a stir in him as he instantly jolted his body, straightening his back.

"What the…"

It was when he was up that another pain took hold of his nerves…his vision blurred and he found himself back yet again on his position on the bed. It was throbbing hard…his head ached that much as his hand wandered over that part of his head.

So, this was the infamous "hangover" the morning after.

Just then, when he thought no further pain would be felt, his stomach grumbled and his throat dried out. His eyelids quickly opened as he stood up at once and grabbed the nearest thing he could hold by a hand…miraculously, it was a bucket – a tin bucket – just what he needed at the moment.

Not caring and giving any further thought as to what the said thing was dong there in the first place, he closed his eyes as his ears heard the rush of liquid substances from his mouth. He can't stop it abruptly…for the more he wanted to cease the action, he found himself still letting out a few more. Gross. Now, this was new. He never vomited as much before. Well, not much since the first time he killed someone on the battlefield and smelt the blood stained on his palms – just the mere thought of it caused him to release a few more.

After coughing out monotonously, he laid his back against the blankets, through the confines of the bed. It had never appealed to him more than it did now. He realized just how soothing it actually was to stay there for a while and let this stage pass through.

"Now, that wasn't such a good morning."

His eyes fluttered open once more, focusing on the source of the voice and widening upon recognition.

"Wipe your face with this. Then, we should head downstairs for your breakfast."

The brunette took the cloth he held out as he leaned his back against the headboard, wiping the smudges off his face…obviously startled by the older man's presence in his room.

The said visitor stood up from where he sat and took hold of the door's handle, opening it with a creaking sound.

"Do you need further assistance?" he asked kindly to which Kira shook his head.

"No, thanks…"

The said man was meaning to leave him at his peace when he turned around for what could be said as a last time.

"Can you fix everything?" he inquired.

Kira didn't know what to say as he scratched the back of his head, but was able to come up with a conclusion.

"She told you?"

"No. I just…sensed it. Mr. Yamato…"

"Sir?"

"Can you fix everything?" he asked yet again.

"I have to." In his somewhat unsure tone, he replied.

The reverend smiled, holding on to the doorknob.

"I suppose it's time you ought to realize the difference between having to do something and wanting that very same thing to happen. Good morning to you." Without further more, he stepped out of the room and closed the door.

- - - - - - - - - -

She was wary and eager. So much so that she didn't realize she was starting to space out again. The children went to the living room and played by themselves, thus, leaving her all alone by the dining area. Her focus affixed on the single set of utensils which lay untouched on the table.

He hasn't come down yet, and it's bothering her…making her feel quite uneasy. She could keep that smile on the façade of her face but for how long she could not tell. She was worried, and it showed on her other involuntary actions. Spacing out her major outlet of honesty mostly.

Instead of waiting for the hands of the clock to tick any further, she took hold of a tray and placed all the food that's reserved for the young man. Walking through the corridors and up the stairs, she eventually made her way to his door. She was supposed to knock but something stopped her, perhaps it had something to do more with her words if ever she faced him. Thus, she simply left the tray by his doorstep. After making sure that it would be undeniably noticeable from where it lay, she then turned around, ready to take her leave when she bumped into a familiar person.

"Oh…I'm sorry, reverend. I've been very unattentive."

"It's all right, child. It's not your fault. It's mine for being in your way." Smiled him as he patted the former's shoulder in assurance. He then eyed the tray which was on the young man's doorway and shifted his eyes on her.

"I see Mr. Yamato hasn't eaten his breakfast yet."

"Yes…reverend, would you excuse me, I have to attend to other chores." She smiled a weak one as she bowed her head low and went on her way with the latter's simple nod.

He simply looked on at her retreating figure and heaved a heavy sigh. He knew there was a problem between the two lads yet all he can do was observe. It was up to them to sort things out, he figured.

- - - - - - - - - -

It was already past lunch time yet Kira hasn't come down. Lacus worriedly looked at the clock as she absentmindedly fixed the dishes by the table. She again went up to his room to check up on him only to find out he hasn't touched his breakfast from earlier. Laying another tray by the floor, she took hold of the old one and descended the stairs. She was concerned of what may be the matter with him but she trusted it wasn't that serious. It shouldn't be. But her pride must've taken hold of her more than any other emotion did.

- - - - - - - - - -

It was supper time when finally, Kira came down, holding the tray of lunch with both his hands. The kids were excited to see him, being fed up with "he's sick" lines from both Lacus and the reverend. He simply laughed and told them he's quite all right and in fact, in mighty good health.

But as soon as he saw Lacus, his smile suddenly faded and he wore this apologetic look on his face. He wanted to greet her but couldn't find the "right" words. Instead, he went to the kitchen to place the tray there. Once that's finished, he went back to the dining area to join the others for supper.

It was the same sumptuous meal as usual and he truthfully enjoyed every mouthful of it. The children's cheers brought him laughter as they joyously shared with him their stories on what they did for the day. His hangover wasn't that tremendous or that of a big deal, it's just that he's so worked up on thinking of the words to say to Lacus or what to do to ask for her forgiveness that he didn't realize the time which passed by. Also, he felt awkward just to cross ways with her after what happened last night.

Every once a while, he'd glance at her direction and each time their eyes met, he gave her a smile. The only thing different was that never did she acknowledge it and instead focused her attention elsewhere. She practically talked to everyone in the table…everyone except him.

Supper's done as the children merrily rushed to the living room by the fireplace. Lacus went inside the kitchen as the reverend took the dishes to be washed in while Kira fixed the dining table.

"Here you go."

"Thank you, reverend. I'll take of everything here." She smiled as she took the plates from his hold.

"Are you not speaking to him?"

She momentarily stopped as she took time to look at the door window where she could very well see Kira fixing the table. Then, her eyes laid on the reverend.

"I don't know."

"Very well. I'll be telling stories to the kids now." Without inquiring further, he exited the room as Lacus proceeded with her washing.

- - - - - - - - - -

The reverend was on his way to where the kids were when he was abruptly stopped by Kira.

"About the food, thank you. I really appreciated the concern." He spoke with much gratitude as the older simply laughed a bit.

"You've mistaken, Mr. Yamato. I didn't bring you the food."

"Oh, I'm sorry, perhaps the children did…I have to thank them later I guess." He then replied as he silently thought "…it could not be her who did it…not after what I've done."

"It may be the children but unfortunately they didn't this time. It was in fact, Ms. Clyne who did it - not I, not even the little ones who missed your company dearly."

"She…did?" obviously not expecting the answer, he became unusually silent in contemplation.

"I believe you have to bring those dishes in while I have to take care of the noisy pack." Gesturing towards the kitchen, the reverend spoke as he patted him on the shoulder.

"Just bring those there and do whatever you can." He added with a knowing smile.

- - - - - - - - - -

He was unsure of his actions as he simply stood by the door, observing her inside. She was there by the sink, doing the dishes and nothing more. She was humming a familiar tune as he felt the gravity of the situation sink in. He breathed in hard, and then, opened the door and entered.

She turned her head to look at his direction, recognizing it was him however, she simply continued what she was doing. The melodic humming suddenly gone. He walked towards her and placed the glasses on the side.

For a moment, as he stood by her side, he felt useless. Well, he was there all right but he hasn't quite said anything to her when he suddenly thought of way which would somehow "help" her.

"I'd do that…" he interrupted the peace as he gestured towards the glasses. Lacus momentarily looked at him and did the most likely thing she'd do, ignore him.

"…I'd wash those glasses, if you don't mind…" he spoke again as he took a step closer to the sink, now, just inches away from her.

"No. Go where the others are, the reverend could use a hand." Was her simple reply as the water continued running - keeping that authoritative and unemphatic tone in her words.

"No…I insist." And in a swift move, he stole the sponge on her hold as he lightly pushed her body aside.

Lacus wiped her hand with a dry cloth which hung loosely on the handle bar as she let him do what he wanted. After a few good minutes, he was already done with it. She didn't face him much and hardly spoke to him. Kira just stood there by the table, eyes looking at the floor. The day was ending as the darkness loomed.

She sighed…he heard her sigh.

"…I'm sorry. About last night, I didn't mean it…and for whatever I have done, I really am sorry." He finally spoke, breaking the silence. He focused his attention still downwards, unable to keep his own looking at her. He feared what he would see painted on her face. He dreaded if he'd still see hurt or anything like it in there.

She momentarily stopped as she let the material go. She breathed in hard like that of one who had no other choice. She faced him and observed how depressed and down he was at that moment. She was rude, she knew. Kira, her Kira, would not do such an indecent act…she knew all that but she chose to cling on this belief that he should first apologize for what he did…no matter how unconscious it is. It was, as she led herself to think, irresponsible of him to do such an act. And that was what she can't uphold or accept.

But right now, seeing him like this…she can't help but feel affected – so affected.

She walked towards him and halted just inches away. Raising a palm against his cheek, she lifted his head slowly…her eyes eager to see his. He tried to back away but she was wary and determined.

"Shhh…" she hissed as she caressed that side of his face. He flinched a little…and she worried. So, her slap was that hard after all and she obviously felt guilty about it.

"That's what you get for being too bold." Then, she smiled her warmest…which somehow caused a stir in his heart. She gazed at him lovingly and he can't help but feel mesmerized by her presence. Finally realizing that she was still his Lacus…he gave her his first smile of the then ending day.

"But I was drunk then…you should've known, you know."

"You shouldn't have drank too much…or said anything for that matter."

"I just said those because those were the first words that came to my mind."

She somehow chuckled at this. How he missed talking to her like this, and thus, he felt relaxed as he let a hand on top of hers. Her touch was soothing.

"What's so funny?" he asked playfully, as though not finding anything wrong with what he said.

"Nothing, you're just too honest…very honest as you always had been, drunk or not. I'm sorry as well, I was just impulsive, I guess."

"I know. You don't have to apologize for anything, I mean, if that happened to me, a slap would be the least punishment I would give."

She then let go of her hold on his cheek as he let his hand down as well. There was a slight pause before she stared into his eyes again. Just then, he saw an unusual spark in her eyes which made him wonder what she was up to.

"Kira Yamato, this is for being too honest even with your words…"

She tiptoed and leaned against his chest as her hands held on his shoulders - - her fingers draping the material of his shirt. Then, slowly, her eyes closed.

His eyes widened…her scent strongly filled his senses.

A second more passed. She left the room, leaving him standing there, still able to make out the feel of the warm moist which graced the side of his lips.

He was, needless to say, in awe - - in every bit of it.

end

A/N: Hmm, now this was long...and I don't think it was wise to do so. I apologize for the redundancy of the words or the unorganized thought or even the crappy flow. I know the grammar's just so-so too. Haayz. Anyway, thanks for the support, as always...my gratitude.