Athrun sat still, his breathing heavy. The battle was over, Earth was still intact, the Plants were safe, and Orb. . . .

He could see from Justice’s cockpit the anxious Lacus enter into an embrace with Kira, who had flown down from the Strike Freedom as soon as it had landed. His green eyes flew away from the scene with disgust. He just couldn’t handle the idea of their ‘perfect’ relationship at that moment. Not after seeing so much death.

The pain of his own reality made the relationship seem so fake to him at that moment. How could two people so quickly dismiss the dead, he supposed it seemed a little plastic. It was your classic girl waiting for her war hero just as he returns, discarding all her duties for true love. He felt that, when push came to shove, the smallest amount of stress could break the perfect reality they shared apart.

Of course another voice was softly calling to him, one that he wanted to ignore. He knew in his heart of hearts that his scorning was just jealousy. Kira and Lacus had made it through the war, feelings intact. He, on the other hand. . . . .

“Athrun?” a voice called, “are you alright?” Glancing down Athrun could see Meyrin’s bright red pigtails pointing up at him. He sighed and let the envious thoughts about Kira leave him. No point in looking depressed and causing Meyrin to worry. She worried enough about him as it was.

He slowly got out of Justice, taking his time so that his upset mind could calm down. So much had happened the last 3 hours. Plus there was yet another small nagging in his mind that going from this battle into a peacetime wouldn’t be easy. In fact, he feared it would be a lot harder than it had been after the last Bloody Valentines War.

As he stepped down from his machine he felt a sharp pain resonate through his body. Shaking it off he gave Meyrin a grin.

“I’m glad you’re safe,” he said calmly to her worried face.

“Athrun are you sure you’re ok? You look a little pale. Maybe. . . .” she trailed off, her gaze turning down to the floor.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry,” he hesitated a moment before continuing, “and so is Luna.”

Meyrin’s face jumped back at him, a look of relief covering her pretty features. Athrun smiled at her.

She was a gorgeous girl whose femininity shone through her like a mirror. However she still had a lot of backbone. A kind of fighting spirit that had allowed her to make it through all the trials she had had to face these last 2 weeks.

“I took her and Shinn to were the rest of the Minerva crew was,” he continued.

She sighed, closing her eyes. She looked so sad and lonely. ‘It must be tougher on her than anyone could imagine, switching sides so suddenly and having to fight a whole ship full of people she cares about’ he thought. He was probably one of the only people who could truly sympathize with her.

“Well, I guess we should probably go get you something to eat. I’m sure you’re starved!!” Meyrin smiled, putting her happy face back on.

For some reason his leg didn’t want to have to walk all that extra distance.

“No, I’m all right. You go on ahead.” He prepared himself for her reaction.

“But Athrun,”

“No buts, I think I need to go get a shower. It got a bit hot in there.” He gestured back to Justice.

The pounding in his leg was getting worse, and he wanted to get away from anyone and everyone who would make it a big deal out of it. He had had enough pitty gestures to last him a lifetime since he returned to the Archangel.

Meyrin sighed. He knew she wouldn’t be easily convinced.

“I’ll meet you in the dining hall tomorrow for breakfast ok?” he started to turn slowly towards the lockers where he could change out of his gear, not waiting for her answer.

“Promise?” He could feel her eyes narrow in suspicion as they glared at his back. He turned around and gave her a smirk.

“Promise, 9am ok?”

“Ok,” she said dejectedly.

Turning back he patted her on the head, and got one more glance of worry from her. Laughing he patted her again, then turned and walked away. He didn’t need her worrying over him any more than she already did. Of course it took all his stamina not to limp as he walked.

He walked into the room to find it dark and deserted. Obviously Kira and Mu had already come and gone, or had become ‘preoccupied.’ Sighing, Athrun sat slowly down on a bench, making extra special care not to put any pressure on his right leg.

It felt good to sit in the dark room. It made the pounding in leg lessen a bit.

Sighing he reached down to check out why he was in pain. He didn’t remember anything wounding him during the fight.

The door opened and the light was turned on, forcing Athrun to squint as he tried to identify the intruder. Kira quickly came into focus.

“ I’m glad you made it.” He smiled at Athrun, his purple eyes full of relived fatigue.

Apparently Kira hadn’t become too distracted.

“As am I,” he smiled weakly back. They were both tired. As he walked towards him, Kira saw the stain on Athrun’s inner leg.

“Athrun, how did you?” he trailed off as he gestured to the wound.

“ I don’t know, but don’t worry, it’s not that bad.”

Kira walked quickly over to him and kneeled down to examine it.

Athrun started to protest as Kira began to help him remove his suit, but the sharp pain that ensued when the fabric separated from his leg shut him up.

Fresh blood trickled down his leg. It was a small incision that spanned from right below his knee to his ankle. Small as it was however, it was very deep.

Staring at it Athrun let out a little gasp .

“Wow, you would think I would have felt that.”

Kira looked up at him, his purple eyes worried, but also laughing. “How did you not feel that?” he asked.

Athrun stared at it for a moment longer, glad to feel the pain lessening, “Guess I was a bit distracted.”

“I guess.” Kira laughed and stood up. “Come on, we need to get you to the sick bay and get it taken care of.”

“No, its not that bad. I’ll just wrap it up here,” Athrun responded automatically. He had seen enough of that place the past few weeks to last him a lifetime.

Kira stared at him, his eyes harsher than they would normally be, he didn’t want to deal with Athrun’s tough guy side at the moment.

“Athrun you need to go and get it wrapped up properly.” His

voice was stern, like a mother scolding a little child.

Athrun looked up at his friend. It was obvious that this was one argument that he was not going to win easily. He just didn’t have the energy to do so at the moment.

He let out a deep sigh, “Fine, just,” he paused a second as he stood up, “just don’t tell Meyrin.”

Kira laughed. “Ok, we’ll keep it quiet.”

AN: Please review! :3