category: Gundam SEED

disclaimer: I don't own it.

SEVEN.

With no obligations anymore, Miriallia traveled and traveled without ever stopping. She took photos wherever she saw fit, and sent copies off to whomever she thought would appreciate them. A picture of a solitary flower among miles of metal wreckage at Crete to Kira. An aerial view of hundreds of landmine holes in the United States of South America to Murrue. A shot of the sun refracting rainbows of pinks and oranges across the monument at Kaguya to Cagalli. Small things which made her world spin hurriedly on.

After three months of globetrotting, punctuated by brief visits to Orb, Miriallia flew to the PLANTs for the first time. She rented out a room in a boardinghouse on Februarius One and spent a few weeks making periodic daytrips to other cities. Once, she was able to get a spectacular photo of the iconic hourglasses from her shuttle window.

Junius was breathtaking in its verdant tranquility; October was filled with wonderful museums and libraries; Quintilis hosted a huge walk-in model of the universe, meticulously detailed with revolving galaxies and bright star clusters. And yet Miriallia couldn't help but miss natural breezes and rivers and the crunch of broken gravel under her shoes. The last week of her visit, she toured the government buildings in Aprilius, and caught up with Kira over lunch in the park.

"Are you doing okay, Miriallia?" Kira studied her face closely. "Each time you come to Sunday dinner you look thinner and more worn-out than the previous."

Miriallia forced the corners of her mouth to turn upward. "Kira, don't worry about me. I like seeing the world and meeting loads of people. I learn so many new things every day. I couldn't wish for a better lifestyle for myself." She squeezed his hand reassuringly. "I've got to go, but I'll see you soon, then." Kira seemed uneasy as he stood up to say goodbye.

She returned to Februarius her last day, not unhappy with her trip, but anxious nonetheless to get back to Earth. Space made her restless, in the same way that small rooms and black coffee and easy smiles upset her.

On her way to the boardinghouse from the station, she became preoccupied with the motion of the automatic doors of office buildings, and she bent down in the middle of the sidewalk to photograph the particular blur that the movement caused, a distinct red stripe of decorative paint in the center of swishing glass. As she got the perfect shot, she began to straighten but some pedestrian collided with her. Her camera went flying off her shoulder and hit the ground with a few feet away.

"Can't anyone pay attention around here?" Miriallia hissed and passed the stranger's feet an unpleasant glare as she kneeled over to examine the camera for any scratches.

"…Miriallia?"

Surprised to hear her name, she looked up and found herself meeting a pair of very familiar violet eyes.

"Dearka!"

They ended up in a street-side bistro after she picked up the camera and they exchanged stilted hellos.

"What are you up to?" Dearka leaned across the table eagerly. "I never thought I'd see you here of all places!"

"I came to visit the PLANTs. I've been staying here in Februarius for the last three weeks now."

Dearka fell back into his seat. "Wow, Miri. Funny how coincidence works." His careless smile dissipated. "I always ask about you when I go to those Sunday dinners. They tell me you come sometimes, but our appearances never line up." There was the slightest edge of reservation in his voice.

She fidgeted. "Sorry." A short silence that bordered on awkward followed, so she hurriedly broke in with the first thing she could think of to say. "Nice uniform. You look good in black."

He laughed a little. (She noted bitterly how his laugh was still as quick as ever.) "Thanks. I quite like it myself, although Yzak reminds me everyday how I haven't earned it. I've had a lot of additional work because of it, but I think I'm doing what I'm meant to be." They lapsed back into quiet.

Dearka paid for their sandwiches and drinks and insisted on walking her back to her boardinghouse. "It's the gentlemanly thing to do," he said lightly, and she fought back an overwhelming urge to cry because he'd always treated her so well.

"Where are you going after this?" Miriallia asked as they approached her destination.

"Before my dad got elected to the Supreme Council and he and my mother moved to Aprilius, we lived here. The place is empty now, but my parents have me come once a year and make sure the housekeepers have been keeping it in good shape."

Miriallia hesitated. "I remember you telling me you had a house here. I- I remember a lot of things, Dearka. About your parents, and your friends. About us."

He flashed her a forced smile. "Yes, well, it's cheering to know I'm not the only one who tries, although it often seemed I was."

The air between them froze instantly. Dearka shoved his hands in his pockets and didn't look at her; Miriallia hugged her forearms nervously. She heard him mumble under his breath, "Far too late for any of that anyway."

They reached the boardinghouse without further conversation. As Miriallia fished in her bag for her keycard, Dearka kicked at the ground.

"It was nice to catch up, Miriallia. It felt like it had been far too long, but I guess now we're set for another two years, eh?"

There was a harsh undercurrent to his tone that she didn't like. Miriallia placed her hand carefully on his elbow. "No, Dearka." She breathed in, out. "I'll call you. I…want to see you again soon."

He was dubious. "If you say so. My number's the same as before, or I'm sure you can get it from someone." He rubbed at the back of his neck. "Well, have a safe trip back to Earth."

Miriallia stepped inside her room and nearly shut the door before she changed her mind. "Dearka!" He stopped walking and pivoted to face her. "I'm sorry." He paused for a split second and then turned around to keep walking.

Then she did close the door.

notes: Hope everyone is enjoying these. Daily updates are good, although I guess they'll slow down once I hit around number twenty, which is all I've written so far. Let me know what you all think! If people aren't reading anymore, I won't bother uploading. I don't mind writing just for myself.

NEXT PHASE: Yzak decides he's had enough of girls and their irritating jewelry.