Track 2 - Come As You Are by Nirvana (You know the drill!)
Racing Redemption
The roar of engines filled the air as Athrun Zala revved his motorcycle, preparing for yet another race. Once hailed as one of the most promising talents in the world of motorcycle racing, Athrun had tasted victory on numerous occasions, his name becoming synonymous with speed and skill.
As the race began, Athrun pushed his bike to its limits, weaving through the pack with precision and determination.
Athrun's heart pounded with adrenaline as he navigated the twists and turns of the racetrack, the roar of the engine drowning out all other sounds. He was in his element, pushing himself to the limit in pursuit of victory.
But then, disaster struck.
As Athrun rounded a particularly sharp corner, he felt the back end of his motorcycle begin to slide out from under him. Instinctively, he tried to correct the slide, but it was too late. The bike lost traction completely, sending Athrun careening off the track and into the grassy infield.
Time seemed to slow as Athrun fought to maintain control, but the momentum was too great. With a sickening crunch, the bike slammed into the ground, sending Athrun tumbling through the air before coming to a sudden and jarring stop.
For a moment, Athrun lay there, dazed and disoriented, his body aching from the impact. He struggled to catch his breath, his vision swimming as he tried to make sense of what had just happened.
But then, the pain hit him like a wave, searing through his body with a white-hot intensity. Every movement sent a fresh wave of agony coursing through him, and he knew that he was badly injured.
As the medical team rushed to his side, Athrun gritted his teeth against the pain, his mind reeling with fear and uncertainty. He knew that this crash could spell the end of his racing career, and the thought filled him with a profound sense of loss.
As the deafening roar of engines filled the air, Cagalli stood at the edge of the racetrack, her eyes fixed on Athrun's speeding motorcycle. She watched with a mixture of pride and anxiety, knowing that he was pushing himself to the limit in pursuit of victory.
But then, her heart skipped a beat as she saw Athrun's bike lose control, sending him hurtling off the track and into the grassy infield. Without a moment's hesitation, Cagalli broke into a sprint, her feet pounding against the ground as she raced towards the crash site.
Fear clawed at her chest as she approached, the sight of Athrun lying motionless on the ground sending a chill down her spine. But even in the midst of her panic, Cagalli refused to let herself falter. She knelt by Athrun's side, her hands trembling as she reached out to touch his face.
"Athrun," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Are you okay?"
But there was no response. Cagalli's heart clenched with fear. She knew that Athrun was badly injured, and the thought filled her with a sense of overwhelming helplessness. Tears stung her eyes as she looked down at him, her mind racing with fear and uncertainty.
He lay motionless on the ground, his body limp and still, surrounded by a flurry of activity as emergency responders worked frantically to stabilize him.
Cagalli's breath caught in her throat as she watched them carefully lift Athrun onto a stretcher, his unconscious form a stark reminder of the fragility of life. Tears welled in her eyes as she hovered nearby, her hands clenched into fists at her sides as she fought to hold back her emotions.
"Please, let him be okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the din of the racetrack.
Her heart ached with a sense of helplessness as she watched them load Athrun into the ambulance, the wail of sirens echoing in her ears as they raced towards the nearest hospital. Cagalli could only stand by, her heart heavy with fear and uncertainty, as she prayed to Haumea for Athrun's swift recovery.
Athrun slowly regained consciousness in the sterile confines of the hospital room, he couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of despair that washed over him. The events of the past week played over and over in his mind like a broken record, each moment filled with regret and self-doubt.
Despite Cagalli's best efforts to lighten the mood, Athrun found himself sinking deeper into self-pity with each passing day. He couldn't shake the feeling that his accident was a direct result of his own shortcomings, a stark reminder of his failure as a racer and as a man.
"Cagalli, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but I just can't shake this feeling," Athrun muttered, his voice heavy with defeat as he stared out the window, his gaze distant and unfocused.
Cagalli's heart ached at the sight of Athrun's anguish, her own frustration mounting as she struggled to find the right words to comfort him. She had hoped that her presence would provide some solace to him in his time of need, but it seemed that Athrun was lost in his own despair.
"I know this is hard, Athrun, but you can't let this accident define you," Cagalli said softly, her voice filled with empathy as she reached out to gently touch his hand. "You're stronger than this, and I believe in you."
But Athrun's only response was a hollow laugh, devoid of any trace of humor. "Stronger? Look at me, Cagalli. I'm stuck in this hospital bed while my career hangs in the balance. How am I supposed to be strong in the face of all this?"
Cagalli's heart sank at Athrun's words, her own frustration mounting as she struggled to find a way to break through to him. She knew that Athrun was grappling with his own demons, but she refused to give up on him.
"You're not alone in this, Athrun. I'm here for you, no matter what," Cagalli said firmly, her voice filled with conviction as she met his gaze head-on.
Athrun's gaze met hers, and Cagalli witnessed the helplessness etched into the furrows of his brow and the shadows lurking in the depths of his eyes. He had plummeted to the darkest depths of despair, his spirit broken and his resolve shattered.
As the doctor delivered the crushing news that Athrun's racing career was over, Athrun felt as if the ground had been ripped out from beneath him. The words echoed in his mind like a death knell, each syllable a painful reminder of the dreams that lay shattered at his feet.
"You mean I can't ride anymore? But racing is my life!" Athrun's voice trembled with a mixture of disbelief and anger as he struggled to come to terms with the reality of his situation.
The doctor's expression softened with sympathy as he nodded gravely. "I'm afraid so, Athrun. The injuries you sustained in the accident have left lasting damage to your spine. It's too risky for you to continue racing. I'm sorry."
The weight of the doctor's words bore down on Athrun like a heavy burden, crushing him beneath its unforgiving weight. Anger and frustration boiled within him as he grappled with the injustice of it all.
"Why me?" Athrun's voice cracked with emotion as he turned his gaze towards Cagalli, his eyes burning with a mix of anguish and accusation. "Why did this have to happen to me?"
Cagalli's heart clenched at the pain in Athrun's eyes, her own grief mirrored in his as she struggled to find the right words to comfort him. She knew that Athrun was lashing out in his pain, and she couldn't blame him for it.
"I'm so sorry, Athrun," Cagalli whispered, her voice thick with emotion as she reached out to gently take his hand in hers. "I wish there was something I could say to make this better, but I know there isn't. Just know that I'm here for you, no matter what."
But Athrun's anger remained unyielding, his gaze hardened with resentment as he turned away from her. "I don't need your pity, Cagalli. I don't need anyone's pity. Just leave me alone."
Cagalli's heart shattered at Athrun's words, the sting of his rejection cutting her to the core. She could not bear to see him in this state.
She withdrew her hands. "I called your parents. They will stay for the night. I need to go back to restock some of our things," she explained.
"Do whatever you want," Athrun said in a cold tone.
The door swung open. Athrun's parents entered the hospital room, their presence casting a solemn air over the already tense atmosphere. Athrun and Cagalli fell silent in their presence, the weight of their emotions hanging heavy in the air.
With her eyes downcast and her shoulders slumped, she turned to bid her farewell to them. Their exchange had left her heart heavy with sorrow, but she knew that she needed to give him space to process his feelings. "I'll probably go ahead."
Leonore stared at Athrun, scolding him with her eyes.
"What?" Athrun shot back.
"I'll let your father deal with you." She runs after Cagalli. "Cagalli, wait," Athrun's mother, said softly, her voice filled with concern.
Cagalli turned back, her eyes meeting Leonore's with a mixture of sadness and uncertainty.
"Let's find somewhere quiet to talk." They decided to talk in the garden. At this time of the year, the red roses were in full bloom, their scent filled their senses.
"I'm sorry," Cagalli began, her voice barely above a murmur.
Leonore shook her head, her expression one of understanding. "There's no need to apologize, dear," she replied gently. "This is a difficult time for all of us, especially for you."
Tears welled up in Cagalli's eyes as she nodded, overwhelmed by the kindness in her words. She had been so consumed by her own frustration and suddenly felt tired.
"I just want what's best for Athrun," Cagalli said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I hate seeing him like this, so lost and broken."
Leonore wrapped her arms around Cagalli, offering her a comforting embrace. "I know, dear," she said soothingly. "But you must stay strong for him. He needs you now more than ever."
Feeling a wave of gratitude wash over her, Cagalli nodded, finding solace in her comforting presence. Despite the turmoil of the situation, she knew that she wasn't alone in her struggles. She badly needed this hug and a pat on the back, affirming that what she was doing was the right thing.
"Cry if you must," Leonore soothed her.
Together, they stood there, drawing strength from each other.
In his room, Athrun's father, Patrick, regarded him. "Athrun, you're not seeing the whole picture," he began, his tone gentle yet firm. "Even before the day of the accident, Cagalli has been by your side every step of the way. She was with you when you discovered your passion for racing. With this accident, she's endured sleepless nights, constantly on edge, anticipating your every medical need. She's been your anchor."
"It is easy for you to say that, she is not the one in this fucking bed," he said angrily.
"I can't imagine your pain," his father commented. "But, if you continue treating her this way, then don't be surprised if one day, you will find yourself alone."
"I don't care. I don't need her."
Patrick stared at his son, his voice was soft this time, "I see your hurt and torn, but how about her pain? She is absorbing all your negative emotions. Love isn't just about the good times; it's about standing by each other through the darkest moments. Cagalli has shown time and again that she's willing to do whatever it takes to support you, even if it means weathering your storms."
Athrun fell silent, his thoughts swirling as he processed his father's words. He then started to feel sleepy. "Rest well son. The medicine must have kicked in," Patrick said and took the seat beside him.
Athrun's fitful slumber was interrupted by a nightmare that gripped him with a suffocating sense of dread. In his dream, he found himself back in his glory days as a celebrated motorcycle racer, surrounded by a throng of admirers and well-wishers clamoring for his attention. But as he looked around, he realized that the crowds had dwindled, replaced by an eerie silence that echoed his isolation.
In the dim shadows of his subconscious, Athrun saw the faces of those who had once vied for his affection, their expressions now twisted with disdain and indifference. He reached out to them, desperate for their reassurance and validation, but they only turned away, leaving him stranded in a sea of loneliness.
Amidst the darkness, there was one figure who remained constant, a lamp amidst the encroaching shadows. It was Cagalli, her steadfast presence a source of comfort in his darkest hour. But as he reached out to her, his hand grasping desperately for her touch, she faded away into the abyss, leaving him alone once more.
With a strangled cry, Athrun jolted awake, his heart pounding in his chest as he struggled to catch his breath. The remnants of the nightmare clung to him like a suffocating shroud, filling him with a sense of unease and foreboding.
Frantically, he searched the room, his eyes wild with panic as he sought reassurance that Cagalli was still by his side. He was so used to seeing her that he forgot how she filled up the empty spaces of his room, of his heart.But as he scanned the empty room, a wave of terror washed over him, threatening to drown him in its icy grip.
For a brief, fleeting moment, Athrun entertained the horrifying possibility that his nightmare had been more than just a trick of his imagination, that it had been a premonition of the future that awaited him. In his darkest fears, he saw Cagalli slipping away from him, drawn to another man who could offer her the love and support that he could not.
The thought was like a dagger to his heart, piercing him with a pain so acute that it left him gasping for air. In that moment of vulnerability, Athrun felt the weight of his insecurities and doubts crashing down upon him. Somewhere deep within him, Athrun knew that he couldn't let his fears dictate his actions. He had to confront his demons head-on, to face the truth of his feelings. Athrun vowed to make amends for his past mistakes, to show Cagalli the depth of his love and devotion in a way that he had never done before. At that moment, he realized just how lucky he was to have someone like Cagalli by his side. And as the weight of his anger began to lift, replaced by a sense of gratitude and humility, he knew that he had a lot to make up for.
Exhausted and emotionally drained, Cagalli trudged home alone, the weight of Athrun's anger still heavy on her heart. Every harsh word he had hurled at her echoed in her mind like a relentless drumbeat, each one a painful reminder of the chasm that had formed between them.
As she stepped into the solitude of her empty apartment, Cagalli felt the weight of the day settles upon her like a suffocating blanket. She longed for the comfort of her bed, the solace of sleep offering a temporary escape from the tumultuous emotions swirling inside her.
Collapsing onto her mattress, Cagalli buried her face in her pillow, seeking refuge from the storm raging within her. But even as exhaustion pulled at her weary limbs, sleep eluded her, her mind still haunted by the memory of Athrun's anguished face.
Tossing and turning in her bed, Cagalli found no respite from the turmoil of her thoughts. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Athrun's pain-filled gaze staring back at her. Hours passed before Cagalli finally succumbed to the embrace of sleep, her dreams haunted by the echoes of Athrun's pain.
As the shrill sound of her alarm pierced the stillness of the morning, jolting her awake, Cagalli's bleary eyes fluttered open to greet the new day. The familiar melody, one of their favourite songs emanated from her phone.
Come as you are, as you were
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend
As an old enemy
Take your time, hurry up
Choice is yours, don't be late
Take a rest as a friend
As a known memoria
Memoria, memorial
With a heavy sigh, Cagalli reached out to silence the persistent beeping, the weight of Athrun's turmoil still heavy on her heart. She groggily rose from her bed, her mind still fogged with sleep.
Today would be different. Today, she vowed, she would not give up on Athrun. She refused to let Athrun's anger drive a wedge between them, refused to abandon him in his hour of need. No matter how difficult things became, she vowed to stand by him, to support him.
With a steely resolve, Cagalli pushed herself to her feet, shaking off the remnants of sleep as she prepared to face the challenges that lay ahead. She knew that the road ahead would be fraught with obstacles, and that the path to helping Athrun find his way again would be long and arduous. But she refused to be deterred.
As she stood before the mirror, readying herself for the day ahead, Cagalli met her own determined gaze with unwavering resolve. She knew that she had a long journey ahead of her, that there would be moments of doubt and despair along the way. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to give up on him. She would stand by him through this storm, even if it meant weathering his anger and pain along the way.
"You can do this Cagalli. You must! He needs you," she reassured herself.
With one last glance in the mirror, Cagalli straightened her shoulders, her determination burning brightly in her eyes. Today marked the beginning of a new chapter, a chance to make a difference in Athrun's life, to help him find his way back from the darkness.
And as she stepped out into the world, the strains of "Come As You Are" echoing in her mind.
Cagalli strode into Athrun's hospital room, her expression a mixture of frustration and concern as she took in his sullen demeanor. His silence grated on her nerves, a stark contrast to the heated argument the previous days.
Now what... I get the cold treatment?
"Enough of this Athrun," she snapped, her voice tinged with exasperation as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I resolved not to leave you. But enough is enough. You can't just shut me out like this."
Athrun remained obstinately silent, his gaze fixed on the far wall as if it held the answers he sought. Cagalli's patience wore thin as she continued to berate him, her words growing sharper with each passing moment.
"Do you have any idea how worried I've been?" she demanded, her voice rising with frustration.
Still, Athrun remained unmoved, his silence a barrier between them that seemed impossible to breach. But Cagalli refused to back down, her determination fueling her resolve as she refused to let him wallow in self-pity any longer.
"You're basically fucked, but the best thing you can do is to get back out there and do what you love to do, and that's racing."*
For a moment, Athrun's facade wavered, a flicker of emotion crossing his features before he quickly masked it once more. But Cagalli saw through the facade.
"I know you're hurting, Athrun," she continued, her tone softening slightly as she reached out to touch his arm. "But shutting me out won't make the pain go away. You have to face it head-on, I'm not giving up on you," she declared, her voice unwavering as she met his gaze with steely determination. "We're in this together, remember?"
Athrun's silence weighed heavily on him as Cagalli stood before him, her words a stinging reminder of his own shortcomings. Shame gnawed at his insides, twisting into knots of regret as he grappled with the weight of his actions.
He wanted to speak, to apologize for the pain he had caused her, but the words stuck in his throat like bile, choking off any attempt at redemption. How could he face her after the way he had treated her, pushing her away when she had only sought to help him?
Unable to meet her gaze, Athrun kept his eyes trained on the sterile white tiles beneath his feet, each one a silent testament to his own cowardice. He could feel Cagalli's presence beside him, a tangible force that seemed to demand his attention even as he recoiled from it.
As she continued to berate him, her words ringing with frustration and concern, Athrun's resolve wavered. He wanted to tell her everything, to bare his soul and beg for her forgiveness, but the fear of rejection held him back.
Finally, as Cagalli's tirade reached its crescendo, Athrun forced himself to look up, his eyes meeting hers for the first time since she had entered the room. In that moment, he saw the depth of her concern, the raw emotion etched into every line of her face. Was it there the whole time? How can he be so selfish? He was blinded by his self-pity.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Cagalli's expression softened at his words. She was silent for a while, internalising what he said.
"I'm sorry for pushing you away, for shutting you out when all you wanted was to help me. I was...I was scared, Cagalli. Scared of what might happen if I let you in."
With just a few words, Cagalli suddenly remembered why she loves him so much.
"Cagalli... don't leave me," he said in a tone that sounded like a prayer more than a command.
Cagalli's anger gave way to passion as she reached out to touch his hand. "Finally," she murmured, her voice gentle. "Don't be scared. I'm here for you, now and always. I will never leave you."
In that moment, Athrun felt a weight lift from his shoulders, the burden of his shame and regret easing. He knew that he still had a long road ahead of him, but with Cagalli by his side, he felt a glimmer of hope flicker to life in the darkness. And for the first time in days, he dared to believe that maybe, just maybe, everything would be okay.
In a moment of tenderness, Cagalli reached out to embrace Athrun gently, mindful of his fragile state. But to her surprise, Athrun responded by pulling her into a warm, comforting embrace. In that embrace, Cagalli could feel that Athrun had become stronger.
"I'll train again," Athrun declared, his voice filled with determination. "I'll do whatever it takes to get back on that track. And I'll do it with you by my side."
Cagalli smiled, her heart swelling with pride and love for the man she admired. "That's the spirit, Athrun," she said, her voice full of encouragement. "We'll face this together, every step of the way."
"There's no other way but up," Athrun smiled. "Thank you for not giving up on me, on us."
A/N: *This story was inspired by the life story of Wayne Rainey. This particular line was taken from here motogp/news/how-sir-frank-williams-helped-a-motogp-legend-after-his-own-life-changing-accident/6832558/
Before I forget, Happy Haumea Day! RxR! Still hoping for some feedback:) Ciao for now!
18.04.2024, ShadowcLite