Leave Me Not (3/3)

[ninasdreams]

Title: Leave Me Not
Pairing: Athrun/Kira
Rating: PG
Warnings: some blood, lots of angst
Disclaimer: Same as before, I don't own them.
Summary: When Athrun blacks out after the battle at Orb, Kira comes face to face with the realization that he may lose his best friend without ever telling him his most important secret. *Takes place during GSD*

~*~*~I had to make this three parts instead of two due to length.~*~*~

 

Kira’s POV

 

I felt my muscles release their tension as Athrun’s tears slowed, his heart returning to a calm rhythm.  Despite this immense relief, I felt the tears that had been accumulating in my eyes begin to fall.  Tears of anger towards the people who kept manipulating Athrun, exploiting his simple desire for the wars to give way to peace.  Tears of regret as the small part of me I refused to acknowledge whispered that I might lose Athrun, without ever having confessed my secret.

 

“K-Kira…”

 

At first I thought I was imagining the weak voice that whispered my name.

 

“Kira…”

 

This time I looked down at Athrun, daring to hope.  Glazed emerald eyes gazed up at me blearily.  I couldn’t decide if I wanted to keep crying or cheer.  The tears came harder anyway.

 

“Athrun?” I asked shakily.

 

He smiled weakly.  “You really are a crybaby, Kira.”

 

I laughed, relief coursing through me.  He was going to be alright.  I gently laid a hand on his shoulder.  “You had us all terrified for a while there,” I told him.  I looked away as I painfully added, “I was afraid you wouldn’t wake up.”

 

A gentle hand rested on my cheek, brushing away my own slowing tears as I looked back at my best friend.  “I—”

 

“I have no intention of leaving you, Kira,” he interrupted softly.  “I need you too.”

 

I was confused for a moment.  When did I say…?

 

“You heard me?” I asked in disbelief as the answer clicked.

 

He looked at me with a small smile, trying to hide some of the pain as he answered, “It felt like I was being smothered.  At first everything was just…black.”  He paused for a moment, his stunning eyes darkening considerably before he continued, “Then the memories came.  Everyone I’d loved and lost.  Mom, Nicol…you.  It felt like I was drowning.  It was your voice that helped me resurface.”

 

I looked at the person in front me for a long moment.  I had nearly lost him this time.  The enormity of that fact caused my heart to skip a beat.

 

Now I had a second chance, and I had no desire to waste it.

 

“Athrun…” I started, pausing for a moment to strengthen my resolve before continuing.  “I-I love you.”

 

He looked at me, silent for what seemed like an eternity and I rushed on, unable to bear the silence and the intensity of his gaze.

 

“IknowIshould’vetoldyousooner, butIwasafraidyou’dbedisgustedandneverspeaktomeand—”

 

His fingers on my lips stopped the panicked flurry of words.

 

“It’s alright, Kira,” he assured me with a small chuckle.  “I love you too.”

 

I stood there, shocked, unable to let myself believe that I could have this chance at unparalleled happiness.  “B-But Cagalli,” I stammered.

 

Another chuckle.  “She knows,” he told me.  “She knew long before I was really ready to admit it to myself.  She can be really perceptive.”

 

And finally I let myself accept what I was hearing.  “You love me?”

 

He laughed, pain forgotten for a moment.  He weakly pulled me forward and our lips met for the first time.  It wasn’t long or passionate, but it was the greatest moment of my life.

 

“You own my heart and soul, Kira Yamato,” he whispered as we broke apart.  “Forever.”

 

Meyrin’s POV

 

I could feel my eyes widen at their soft-spoken confessions.  The crew of the Archangel had told me that Athrun and Kira were best friends, but I hadn’t realized…

 

They were in love?

 

And abruptly, everything made sense to me.  I hadn’t been able to understand what had brought on the heart-rending reaction in Athrun when Shinn had shot Kira down.  Nor had I been capable of comprehending the affect Lacus’s message from Kira had had on Athrun.

 

Now I knew.  They cared for each other with a passion and intensity that I could only hope to one day experience.

 

“Their bond has always been strong,” Lacus said lightly, startling me.  She smiled.  “I believe their hearts have been intertwined since they first met as children.”

 

A new voice joined the conversation, and I looked to see Lady Cagalli had joined us.  “It’s good to see the two of them finally happy,” she said, eyes soft and shining with affection.  “I know they’ll get through this war together.”

 

Lacus nodded in agreement as I remained silent.  “Then they may finally be able to live their lives.”

 

Cagalli smiled.  “A life of love instead of war.”

 

She and Lacus turned and began to leave.

 

“They deserve it,” I heard Cagalli whisper as I glanced one more time at the two newfound lovers.

 

They looked…for this short moment in time…content and incandescently happy.