Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed and Gundam Seed Destiny or any of its characters.

A/N: Okay, believe it or not, I used to have a list of scenes and scripts of how I had wanted the story to go, but after the long hiatus, I sort of threw all those out (last 2 chapters ago) and have been jamming-in a lot of new scenes, scattered thoughts, and whatnots. Not the ideal situation, but hopefully, the story(and this chapter) is still okay.

Oh and the original plan was: Summer-Kira, Autumn-Dearka, Winter-Yzak, and Spring-Sai, but now that we've entered winter. I kinda don't wanna transition to Spring anymore hahaha. I wanna stay in forever winter. I'm sorry Sai. (I'm biased)

A Terrible Beauty: Chapter 15: Cold Warm Winter

Actually, they were good, not perfectly great, a little more guarded than what they were used to, and a lot more careful around the other, but good.

She and Cagalli would casually acknowledge each other upon entering the classroom now. They would openly greet each other at the hallways too. Frequently, they would exchange private messages, chat and share jokes. But like these past few months, they no longer purposely sought out each other after school and, ultimately, still spend lunch on separate tables.

If she had known in advance that the crumbs of their petty fight would leave their long-term friendship slightly awkward and strained, she would have, probably, given anything, done everything differently in the past. Yet, there was no help for it. Flay wondered if Cagalli felt the same.

Strangely enough, even after all that has happened and their perplexing relationship right now, she still considered Cagalli to be her most precious friend.

Shoot! Flay realized.

If she wanted to avoid another unnecessary fight with Cagalli and win back Kira at the same time, then she'd need to change her tactics and come up with a more deliberate approach. She would have make sure Cagalli was no where near the dates too. Or, at least, that was what the rational part of her mind thought. Still, the less rational part of her thought it was a waste of time.

As usual, she sat together with Miriallia, Meer, and Lunamaria during lunch.

It was a matter of only five or ten minutes before Dearka strolled into the cafeteria and approached the girls' table with his food tray causing all four girls to look up at him.

"Hey ladies, may I join you?"

"Of course you can, you're Flay's boyfriend." Meer answered automatically with a grin.

The said pair's mouth twisted into a wry acceptance of the girl's words. Then Dearka sat on the empty PVC chair across from Flay, which also happens to be the seat right next to Miriallia, the only girl at the table who unfortunately still disagrees of her relationship with Dearka, at the same time probably the only one there who Dearka is actually interested in.

The moment Dearka joined them, Flay could tell instantly that Miriallia was clearly not happy about the sitting arrangement, but was tolerant. In contrast, Meer and Luna were looking exceptionally cheerful. Because this was new. Because Dearka typically eats lunch with his teammates or with Yzak, and Flay would be the one to join him at his table.

Flay just smiled and dug a spoon into her sundae. "You're not with the team today?"

In fact, she noticed Kira and Athrun were not at their usual spots too.

"No, not today. Another big game is coming up so the coach is giving everyone the one-on-group. Or the one-on-one for me anyway, so I got dismissed early. Good thing too because I'm starving." Dearka muddled the wrapper on his burger then glanced at everyone else with a grin spread across his handsome face. "So how are you ladies all doing today?"

Maybe because it was Dearka who was asking, Miriallia sipped her juice with little enthusiasm. "We're fi—"

"Pretty good, actually." Luna injected readily.

"Oh, we're great, Dearka!" Meer insisted, smiling encouragingly.

Flay arched a brow as she looked at all three girls, perplexed, especially at Meer. Specially since the girl was sitting-up straighter than before, her body alert, poised, ready, looking as if she'd been holding-in multiple questions in what seemed like forever. Knowing Meer, she'll be eager to hear more details about her and Dearka's relationship from his point of view. Because unlike when she had been with Kira, she hadn't been very open about her current relationship with them for fear of something might slip. And the very moment when something doesn't add up, for sure, her friends would follow-up with a series of more questions. Realistically, Flay feared that she and Dearka won't be able to come up with cohesive endless lies forever.

Meer was clearly at her limit.

Flay glanced at Dearka to see if he'd noticed. Should she warn him? Nevermind. When it comes to that, she'll handle it. She'll just have to insist that they change the topic or come up with an excuse to leave. Although Dearka was more observant than she gave him credit for.

The male nodded. "Sounds great. So Nicol tells me you helped him with his song. That's really awesome of you to do."

"Oh my gosh!" Meer gasped, looking shy, thrilled, and tremendously happy looped into one with heightened color in her cheeks. "I didn't think Nicol would tell anyone about it."

"A song? Wait. You mean like an original piece?" Flay turned and stared causing Meer to confirm with excessive nods. "Why didn't you tell us you were working on a song?"

"Yeah, why haven't we heard about this?" Luna added pointedly.

"It's a long story and because I didn't know I was allowed to tell anyone yet?" Meer said, as she shifted her attention from the girls and back to Dearka again. "What else did Nicol say? Did he tell anyone else?"

"Yzak, Rusty, Athrun... I'm pretty sure the entire team knows by now." Dearka chuckled. "Nicol says the editing isn't done, but he's very happy with the material and can't stop singing your praises."

It was all uphill from there. Dearka got Meer talking up a storm. About the music club, about her huge respect for Nicol, her hopes and dreams... Eventually he also got Lunamaria animated and talking about her interest without conscious effort, then even got Miriallia to loosen her defenses.

It was a rare sight to see Miriallia and Dearka excited or laughing about anything together.

At this exchange, Flay's eyes lit up. She blinked a couple of times, trying to suppress her surprise or whatever emotion that had just overcome her face and laughed a long with the others.

Flay stole another glance at Dearka. What really made her pause was the fact that Dearka was laughing along with the rest of her friends, as though he understood the friendly dynamic after having rarely mingled with them as a group. It was carefree, like he belonged right there, sitting next to Milly and laughing at her friends' jokes along with them. He looked right at home.

It was strange to see how comfortable he was around them. He naturally fit in, which was one of the reasons people were so drawn to him in general. At school, Dearka was friendly, intelligent, good looking and crazy rich. He was involved in soccer and some academic activities, which they don't usually hear about as much. So it was no wonder that he'd taken the place at the top of the high school food chain.

And yet, every person has something that's wrong in their life. There was always that little thing that was going to come back and bite you in the butt. For Dearka, one of these was probably Miriallia's low opinion of him.

Does he like Milly that much? Of course, Flay knew he obviously liked her brunette-friend a lot to have struck-up a deal with her; she just hadn't a clue of how much, how strong or how serious his feelings for her were.

Miriallia nodded in satisfaction as Luna chatted away.

And Dearka was unconsciously leaning way too close to her.

Flay arched a brow at this and was surprised to see that the two actually looked cute together when Miriallia wasn't going out of her way to be snarky and avoid him.

Maybe. Just maybe. She wouldn't have to feel tremendously guilty about setting the two up on a date eventually. But to be perfectly honest about the situation, Dearka will have to realize for himself that he could put on his best flirt forward and still get no where with Miriallia. And the only way someone with as strong moral values like Miriallia would even consider sincerely batting an eyelash at him, for a start, would be the day when he stopped playing around. But Flay thought it might be best not to dwell on that for now.

Flay kept her eyes tightly on Dearka. He had just care-freely laughed at another one of Lunamaria's jokes. And when his hand had almost reflexively moved up to Miriallia's shoulder, Flay kicked his leg under the table grabbing the male's attention before Meer or Luna could even catch the suggestiveness of that gesture or that special way Dearka had been looking at their unsuspecting friend.

Dearka frowned, silently he arched a brow at her confused. A clear 'Ouch, what was that for?'

Flay said nothing, just gave him a look and a smile that was just short of caressing.

'Careful. You're supposed to be dating me, remember.'

00000

The snow had let up and all was left white, except for the trees.

Prior to seven o'clock, she had spent the hours circling the mall. Now she was back at school. And the outside temperature dropped to chilling coolness after dark.

'Hi Dearka, I'm at the front entrance of the school right now. Just checking to see if you're done with practice?'

'Are you serious? It's passed seven! What are you still doing out there? I'm on my way out now. Heine is with me.'

'Noted. :D'

Flay smiled and stuffed her phone back into her bag and leaned back on the garden bench. While waiting for Dearka, she occupied herself with the impressions, sights and sounds and scents of the yard. Occasionally, she would breathed into her hands, adjust the scarf wrapped around her neck or look down at her black stockinged feet underneath her uniform skirt.

Sure enough, as Dearka appeared at the doorway with Heine, Flay gathered up her leather bag and shopping bags in record speed, and pounced, throwing her arms around the handsome blond. Dearka was quick to reciprocate and had reached his arms out for hers and drew her close.

"Darling, I missed you. Good work today!"

"Flay love, did you seriously wait of me out here the whole time!?" Dearka asked, as the two of them let go. She understood his general concern. It was late and it was cold.

"Of course not, silly, I went shopping and came back for you so we can head home together."

Watching the exchange, Heine simply smiled and turned to leave, his voice soft. "How I envy you, Dearka. Anyways, I'm going this way. See you tomorrow, Dearka, Flay."

"See you, Heine."

"Take care on your way home." Flay and Dearka waved. Then once a few moments had passed, Dearka pulled Flay to the side of the building. He looked around to make sure they were alone.

Then he asked, "Flay, what's going on? I already told you practice was going to end late today."

"I know. I know, but while I was shopping earlier I was struck with an idea." Flay told him as she reached down into one of her many shopping bags, and unveiled a medium size parcel wrapped in modern eco-friendly paper with a bow. "I got this for you." Flay announced gleefully, holding the parcel up with both hands.

"You got me a present?" Dearka said in unexpected surprise.

Flay flipped a palm open, brimming with confidence. "What can I say, I'm a generous goddess."

"A very sexy generous goddess." Dearka nodded with affirmation.

"Why, Elsman, are you intentionally flirting with me?" Flay faked shocked, added with a mischievous chuckle.

"Maybe, or maybe not, Allster." Dearka responded in the same teasing tone and a flirty smirk.

Then he leaned toward her, face inching ever closer to hers while looking, breezy, natural, uncomplicated and incredibly hot, until she blocked the move with two fingers and diverted his face to another direction. Although she was easily flustered by the male's advances in the past, she was- how do you say- bit by bit getting accustomed to his plays. It also helped to remember that she was just a game to him, she was using him too, and he was after her friend. Dearka chuckled lightly. He noticed this little change about her too. "So what'd you get me?" He asked instead.

"If I was going to just tell you then it wouldn't be a surprise, and I wouldn't have bothered having it gift wrapped."

"Okay? ... Tell me more."

"I'm going to place this inside your gym locker and the plan is— you are going to find it in front of the team, act surprised and boast about how I'm such a wonderful girlfriend. Just make sure Kira's there to see it, all right?"

He nodded in acknowledgment. "Sounds interesting and easy enough."

"Great, so we're all good!" Flay smiled again. "You guys are officially done with practice, right? So, it should be fine for me to head over there now and hide this in your locker, right? What's your locker number?"

"It's locker zero-thirteen and it should be fine, I think."

"Would you know if Kira's still there?"

"No, he left earlier than I did, but some of the others should still be there. I'll go get the car and wait for you out here. Want me to take those for you?" Dearka suggested, gesturing to her shopping bags and she handed them over.

Her arms did felt tired from carrying the bags around and she appreciated how he can still be so thoughtful even though they were only fake dating.

"That would be perfect! Thanks."

"It's no big deal."

They temporarily parted from there and Flay headed inside for the locker room. The school hallways was empty but a lot warmer than outside. For a moment, she had considered removing her scarf and coat but quickly rejected idea, assuring herself that her errand would only take a few minutes.

Flay watched the tiled floor as she undulated down the hall, reviewing the plan. Too bad Kira already left. She would have liked it more if he was still there to witness her leave the present for Dearka.

On the bright side, she certainly outdid herself. This plan was perfect. Perfectly innocent! Not only would no one, not even Cagalli, would be able to accuse her of intentionally trying to break-up Kira and Lacus with this; she was confident that this would leave an impression on Kira. He'll obviously want to return to her. Flay smiled to herself.

Once at the locker room, she reached for the door and shoved inward. The door clacked shut behind her then Flay reared back, eyes wide.

To her horror, she discovered that a small portion of the team was still there. All fit, nice-looking, and some half-naked. Stripped to the waist. They stared up at her, surprised. She recognized the three males to be Miguel, Rusty and Nicol.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Flay stammered as the blood rushed to her face. "I didn't know you guys were still in the middle of changing." She was a girl. This was the boys locker room, a masculine space. How could she just forget that and waltz in? Yet there she was. Because her train of thought had only been on her plan and how excited she was about executing it. How careless and embarrassing...

Mentally pulling herself together, she began to make a hasty retreat. In the confusion she had hoped to turn back to the door, intending to slip away before her awkward presence there was questioned. Then Yzak spoke. She hadn't realized he was in the room as well.

"Flay? What are you doing here?"

Startled, Flay turned to find Yzak standing by his own locker located to her left, shirtless too but with a towel draped casually about his neck, his pants slung low around his hips.

Flay laughed a nervous little laugh, and brought the present that was clutched to her chest upward to her lips to show.

"Ah Yzak, I— just wanted to leave a surprise for Dearka and was hoping someone could help me to his locker... But if now is a bad time, I could come back a little later?"

"I have no problem with this. What about you guys?" Yzak answered automatically, though also turning to his teammates and waiting for their decision in case they felt uncomfortable and not looking quite decent yet. She followed Yzak's movement.

Miguel, Rusty and Nicol blinked up at them. Tall blue steel lockers lined the walls. Rusty and Miguel was seated on the wide long wooden bench situated in the middle of the room while Nicol was on his feet. Then the pianist waved one of his delicate hands.

"Oh no, don't mind me, I'm already done and just about to head out." He said in a rush, threw on a blue T-shirt, gathered a bunch of paper sheet into a jumble that he shoved into his bag, closed his locker, then he was off. "See you guys tomorrow!"

"I'm heading out as well." With lithe movement, Miguel stood, picking up a book in one hand and hoisting his gym bag over the other shoulder. "See you tomorrow."

Flay turned and waved at the two as each exited. So all that was left was Rusty. Her expecting glance made the red haired male blink again.

"Oh me? I'm not leaving yet, but don't mind me. Go right ahead and do what you came in to do." He said with a lopsided, trusting smile.

Three seconds later.

"Argh, why am I so tired and why is Dearka always so lucky!?" Rusty said this to himself with a yawn as he stretched his arm over his head. It was probably supposed to be an inaudible comment, but Flay heard it anyway, and she watched as the male laid his exposed back on the bench. Then the next thing, he was snoozing with a towel over his face without care.

Flay perked-up again.

Wonderful! Now where to look? Where to begin?

"Dearka's locker is this way." Yzak offered, and he strode slowly toward the farther left side of the room, purposefully, as if this was something he did every day.

She followed him— at a distance of course— until she was taken by the sight of his back.

It was something that she had never bothered to intentionally look at before like her more brazen friends Lunamaria or Meer, but since it was right in front of her eyes...

Wow. He has splendid back muscles, she couldn't help but thought, watching in amazement. Not just that, Yzak had the body of an athlete and was tall. Broad shoulders tapered to a chiseled waist and beneath his smooth skin she was aware of the play of muscles on both his back and arms.

Yzak stopped abruptly with a turn; Flay caught this act a little late, and when she almost collided into the male in front of her, her nose filled up with the smell of his bath soap and warmth. Her heart pounded loudly.

"Good thing he keeps it clean in here." Yzak said, startling her attention back to the now opened locker that he was quickly inspecting. "Here you go." He said, stepping aside to let her through when he thought all was clear.

"It would still have been fine even if Dearka's locker was a mess." She smiled graciously. "Thank you."

"Sure." He replied simply.

With that, Yzak left her to herself to do as she pleased with Dearka's stuff. There was a couple of jersey uniforms in here, a red varsity jacket, and a few books. Flay stretched up on tiptoes and tucked the gift easily and neatly on the first tier along side the books. Then she stalled, wondering to herself what was that sudden prickling sensation she had felt earlier.

While Yzak wasn't paying attention to her and was focused on his mobile phone, Flay quietly sneaked another glance at him, her emotions catapulting between alarm and curiosity.

She watched in amazement as Yzak strode to the bench with phone on his right hand, smiling, probably having seen something good while scrolling through his messages, his movements swift and casual. He gave the towel on him a thug, removing it from his neck, and tossing it aside as he sat down.

Flay tilted her head a little to get a better view. It's not like— she hadn't seen guys without a shirt before, seen guys in their pants, and yet she couldn't take her gaze off him, suddenly very aware of every subtle detail— the tilt of his chin, the plane of his cheekbones, how the few strands of his hair were tucked behind his left ear, how the line of his mouth curved upward, and the vibrancy of his blue eyes...

Apparently, she was openly staring at him like a fool now, and it took but a second for her to realize that her pulse rate had quickened at the fact that she had just been literally checking him out! Flay palmed her cheeks when she felt the color and warmth creep up from her neck to her face, doubling her panic.

All of a sudden she didn't even know how she ever not felt attracted to him. She along with the other girls in school must have been a bit blind because he was hot! Seriously hot!