Tsubame: Yehey! I decided to make a new story because my stupid computer is taking too long. Anyway I hope you like this story. You will understand why I titled my story, "Green IS the color of my eyes" in the later chapters….hehehehe…I hope you like it… Send reviews!
"Green IS the color of my eyes"
By Tsubame Ongaku
Summary: Athrun's only job was to watch and protect Cagalli, especially from herself. But this feisty princess was not about to let him tie her down. He didn't like it when men talk to her, look at her and he sure doesn't like it when they even touch her…XD
Chapter 1: Everything I do is to protect you"
"Will you just listen to me for once, Cagalli!"
"I will listen to you only when you have something to say that is actually worthwhile to listen," the blonde retorted. "I am not wearing a stupid dress to a stupid ball because I have more important things to do!"
Athrun was burning up. The blue-haired coordinator and the blonde princess had been fighting all morning and she had a lunch appointment with the Kira, her brother and now her Head of Security in…thirty minutes. He needed to wrap up this argument by then…
Arguing with Cagalli in her office was an almost everyday occurrence, so everyone in the Attha Home never gave it even a second thought. Sometimes when not in the office they argue in the car, in a board of directors meeting even and anywhere actually when they were together…
They don't know how it happened. Two years before they got along just fine and fought only occasionally. All that changed after the second war…but Athrun loved her even more…
"Cagalli, you are just too stubborn for your own good!" Athrun yelled. "This is a formal dress party! You can't just go there in you usual Representative uniform!"
Cagalli frowned deeper. "Oh, yeah? I can and I will!" she raised her chin defiantly, daring him to oppose her.
Athrun had always prided himself to be a very calm, composed and patient man. That disappears almost always entirely when Cagalli was concerned.
Cagalli Yula Attha, the feisty ex-princess and now Head Representative of Orb was a force to be reckoned with. Sometimes he felt that fighting with fifty mobile suits was a piece of cake compared to fighting with Cagalli.
It had always been difficult for him to say no to her. When she looked at him in a certain way with those beautiful amber eyes, he couldn't. But this time it was different. It was a ball dedicated to the memory of those who had died in the Bloody Valentine Tragedy. This meant a lot to him…it was for his mother…
Instead of yelling, he decided to use her greatest weakness…her compassion. Athrun slid his hand through her hair, looked deeply into her eyesand took a deep breath. "This is a ball dedicated to my mom and all those who died with her….please…just this once Cagalli. Even though she will never be there to see you, please do it for her. Let her see what a beautiful woman I planned to marry…"
It worked…
The sad and pitiful look was probably her undoing...
Athrun watched as her cheeks changed into a deep shade of red and then different emotions splayed on her face like sympathy, regret, frustration and anger. Even before she said it, he knew he'd won. He already could feel her surrendering.
She groaned. "Fine! But just this once and…I'm doing this for your mother..." she folded her arms. "Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes," he replied triumphantly which annoyed Cagalli... a lot…"The ball is tomorrow night. It starts at seven. Can you be ready by then?"
She nodded grumpily. She was going to get him for this. She hated dresses as mush as she hated pink and laces…he was going to get it when it is over…
"Go ready the car. I don't need to tell you that I have to meet Kira in a few minutes," she said as she walked behind her desk and began shuffling and arranging papers. "I'll be right down."
Athrun nodded and turned to make his exit.
"Oh, and Athrun?"
"Yeah?'
"Don't ever ask me to wear a dress again. Otherwise, it might be you who will end up wearing a dress!"
He chuckled. He knew that she was somewhat serious about her threat and she might actually carry it out…
He didn't reply. Instead, he stepped out of the room andhe closed the door securely behind him…
Surprisingly, Cagalli was silent during the drive to the orphanage where Kira and Lacus lived with some orphans from the result of the war. He couldn't understand her sudden change.
She kept distance from him that was for sure. She huddled herself in one end of the limousine opposite from him.
They usually fought and argue all the way to the destination. He would rather die than admit it but he always looked forward to those fights.
In each argument they've gone through, nobody can say who the victor might be. Sure Athrun had a great advantage due to his coordinator intelligence. But Cagalli herself had sharp wit and an even sharper tongue. Sometimes they argue over the most trifling matters like Chocolate VS Vanilla (undecided); Pizza VS Burger (tied); who was the better pilot? Athrun VS Kira (undecided); Who had the better mobile suit? Athrun (Justice) VS Cagalli (Strike Rouge) and who was the better twin? Kira (Cagalli said her liitle brother was better than her) VS Cagalli (Athrun – he put up a good fight but subconsciously…he was being biased) arguments like those is kind of entertaining to watch. Practically every debate finished undecided or tied.
"Princess, what's wrong? Cat got your tongue? Or did you leave your thinking cap back at the desk?" He said trying to provoke her to anger. He'd rather have her hitting and shouting than this silent. It was as if another being had all together occupied her body. She hated being called, "princess." She always insisted that she be called by her real name, "Cagalli."
Athrun only called her "princess" in those times she annoyed him, which happened to be almost……every day…
She frowned but said nothing and continued to stare out the window. Something was wrong…Cagalli is NEVER this silent unless something bothered her. Athrun know her too well. "Cagalli what's wrong?"
"Nothing," I can hear her faintly mumble.
"Princess I know you. Spit it out," he said grabbing her arm.
She did spit it out…literally. Athrun was shocked. Cagalli never does something like that. She actually spittedat him on the face. Athrun could feel her saliva running down his cheek. He didn't wipe it but looked at her with new surprise and new found respect. she shoed no fear...
"I said nothing, okay! Do me a favor and leave me alone."
"I cannot do that. My job is to follow you and keep you safe."
"I can take care of myself! Did you forget that I know how to fight?"
"Princess, for crying out loud. I'm trying to keep you safe from yourself."
Her frown deepened. She folded her arms on her chest. "What? Are you afraid that I might kill myself?"
Athrun cocked one eyebrow. "Truthfully? Yes. You've already done in more than one occasion." His expression then changed again. It became softer and the look of concern was obvious. "Cagalli, you know that everything I do is to protect you…"
The frown that creased Cagalli's lovely face disappeared almost instantly. She knew that and she knew that all too well. He's doing a great job of it too because though she will never admit it to him, nobody ever made feel more safe than Athrun. Not even Kisaka. Or Kira, her brother. "Athrun, I…I know that…"
He moved towards her slowly then gently took her small hand in his and raised it to his cheek, his eyes never leaving hers. "Princess, you're the only one left that puts meaning into my life. "
She froze after hearing that. There was such sadness in his voice. There was something different about him that day. They always talked but…never this…intimate…
"Is there…is there something wrong, Athrun?" she whispered almost breathlessly.
His eyes widened and then he blushed, finally realizing how he had sounded. He tore his eyes away from hers. Those eyes of hers are just too distracting for his own good. He couldn't even think straight. Why didn't he stop to think before saying something as crazy as that. "No…nothing at all, I'm just being emotional especially since tomorrow is my mom's death anniversary and all."
"Oh, I see," and she could. She missed her father desperately too. The man who was willing to die for his people. She had loved her father. True he was not her real father but he was more of a father to her than Ulen Hibiki was. She never even knew Ulen Hibiki.
Though Athrun had let go of her hand, Cagalli never removed her hand from his cheek. Instead she gently rubbed her fingers against the smooth skin of his face.
"Athrun."
"Hmmm?" he asked. His eyes not meeting hers.
"I…I changed my mind…" she said, wrapping her arms around him. "Tomorrow night…I…I will be wearing that dress…for you too…"
Athrun smiled. He wanted to hear that. "Thank you.. This means a lot to me, Cagalli."
They held each other for who knows how long but before they knew it. They arrived at the orphanage. Kira was already waiting for them outside the home, waving at them. Lacus was beside him smiling and looking as fragile and sweet as ever.
"We're here," Cagalli said, finally letting go.
"Yes, I can see them."
"One last thing before we go in, Athrun."
"What's that?"
"My condition still stands though. This is only a onetime thing. Never expect me to wear a dress…EVER again! Or else I might start shopping for dresses for YOU to wear."
To be continued…
Tsubame: Instead of procrastinating I decided to make oneshots or short chaptered stories in the meantime instead…I hope this story meets your approval guys…sigh…I miss writing…
Honest opinion, did I improve or not? I feel like I've lost my touch or sucked due to the three months of absence. By the way, my computer is still dead… :(
"Double Identities; Chap. 3" – will be posted I don't know when but I promise it will be. Bad computer….Grrr….