Apologies for my severe tardiness in reviewing this chapter. I was on Vacation while it was uploaded, and only recently got home and found the time to read it.

As usual, you handle Zechs and Noins' dynamic with an appropriately gentle touch, but the nice thing this chapter shows is how it is becoming progressively stronger. They are acting more openly around each other, if only a little, the more they come to adjust and understand their feelings. It's handled very subtly, but also very effectively.

I was particularly pleased to see how you handled Zechs' encouragement of Noin for the upcoming exam. It hints very nicely at the bittersweet dynamic we see them settled into by the time "Gundam Wing" actually starts, while also proving a heartwarming demonstration of how each feels about the other and how well they support each other.

The ending was a bit odd, though. The precise logic of the scene escaped me, I fear, and while it made sense on an intellectual level, emotionally it didn't quite register.

Nonetheless, this is anotherr find addititon to your story. Again, apologies for my lateness, and I eagerly await the next chapter.

I like how they don't even have to say what actually happened in either of their assessments, they're both super nervous but have faith that their friends did well. And I absolutely love how that little gesture Zechs makes means so much, just because that's who they are. They both know that the little things can be significant. And I'm so glad that you pointed out that Zechs'mask does bother Noin a little bit, even if it's just because it makes it hard to read his expression.And it was a perfect characterization that Noin is so self contained to find out that Zechs is going to be with her for the formal party. Nice chapter!

Hu?
Just Noin? What about Zechs? oô

I like this chapter, it's some sort of break for the reader. (even though it's not the same with the characters)

Snapping a salute, huh? Guess that means we passed with flying colours [was there any doubt?]. Nice pace to this chapter and the dynamics between the two character is good.

Excellent chapter! Reading about Zechs contemplating in his mid if it's hormones or some more mature feelings was hilarious. It reminded me that both he and Noin are a bit younger here than in the series, despite how mature they act. I also really liked the part where you say how he likes to be out in the open to face his enemies, that was very spot on for his character. Again, excellent work, I still really love this story :)

So finally, they've bild up enough trust, so that he'll be able to tell her who he is.
I'm looking forward to that.
It was a nice chapter.

Ah, almost revealed in confidence but he's right, wrong place. Nice seeing just that small piece of intimacy, the first real hug.

Ah wonderful, a new chapter! :D

As always, you nail the characterization. I particularly liked Zechs' attempt to blend chivalry with respect for Noin; it's such a Zechs thing to do, honestly. I also felt Noni's argument for Zechs to tell her why he wears a Mask was compellingly executed, with very good word choice and prose backing it up.

The only thing I found odd was a bit of a narrative hiccup; we segue into the flashback with a line about how Treize has told Zechs more than once that people he reveals his true identity to would be in danger...yet in the scene we flash back to, it's Zechs who makes that argument, not Treize. It's possible I misread that scene, but it struck me as a little off.

Still, this is yet another great chapter, and the awkward but sincere intimacy that closes it is pitch-perfect. I remain quite enamored of this story. :)

just wondering if you were going to write any more on this story, I had the sudden urge to read GW fics all of a sudden the other day and was browsing through and found this one, i really really really love it and want to know what happens. :)

me to read your story. Now I had to read six chapters in a row. Six great chapters where I enjoyed reading a lot. I'm just a littla angry with myself, that I couldn't read it earlyer.
There is a lot to think about. A lot to worry, a lot to smile.
I'm still curious, which way this story will take.

Such a deep look into the uncertainty Noin feels about herself, even as she displays her determination and strength. Neat combo. However you referenced the same footnote twice instead of referencing the second one for what Noin says. ;)

Given its excessive rarity, it really is a delight to find such a wonderfully written Zechs/Noin character study, and one that's still being updated, no less!

I think the thing I most admire about your work here is the restraint, careful and observed, that you utilize in how you write Zechs' and Noin's interactions with each other. Far too often, writers have one or both of the two be far too open with their feelings for me to believe they're the characters I know, because the beauty and tragedy of their relationship is its subtlety, the way they show affection and desire in small gestures more frequently, and often more powerfully, than with grand ones. You strike that same balance beautifully throughout the story, and so, when those grand moments DO arrive, such as their kiss on the beach or Zechs leaping into the fire to save Noin, they feel believable and more compelling than they might have otherwise.

Another point in your favor is the way you show the gradual evoltuion of their understanding and feelings for each other. We see in various ways,shapes, and forms the seeds of feelings that will blossom one day into the strange, silent, beautiful, sorrowful bond they showed throughout the actual series. We see the actual foundation of that bond being laid out here in a manner that truly makes me feel like this is the stuff we simply did not get to see, but which nonetheless would inform their behavior in canon.

There are a few flaws, all things being fair. There are a couple times where the pace becomes very...uneven, and some of the details about Noin's family, her brother in specific, tend to either leave me a touch confused or else detached.

Still, this is a great effort all around, and I eagerly await more. :D

Trust Treize to be ambiguous, to deliver what he wanted to say and simply walk away, forcing the recipient to think.

I believe this chapter will win the award for emotional drama :)
Now how will their classmates react?

And at that point you have to call the relationship restored to even ground. Very good chapter.