Hold Me Tight

STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLY: I ABSOLUTELY DON'T own any of the characters from Gundam Seed. And I DON'T make money out of this. This is for entertainment purposes only.

A/N:
Gomen for the grammar.


Chapter 4 – Every Moment Lasts

Spending her idle time at the beach front, Cagalli was resting beneath the shade of the coconut tree on which ironically the very same one she had used as her momentarily haven before she was captured by Athrun yesterday. The sea breeze gave her enough comfort to take away the stress and worry somehow hidden inside of her. Taking a rest from all the usual works seemed a good idea, especially at a solemn place like this. Why haven’t she thought of this before? she asked to herself. She should have given herself sometime of reprieve from the devastating effects of war itself. Besides, she’s only human. But being a Princess of Orb wasn’t entitled to have one. Everyday had been a struggle, knowing the sad truth about her ‘privilege’ as a royalty; her life was getting lonelier and more dreadful. Double it when her approaching marriage to Yuna Roma Seiran still on the block to pester her thoughts.

Who would have thought that she will be marrying that buffoon for the sake of strengthening the political frame of her country? Choice was made by her very own council and also, they claimed that her deceased father had promised her for the heir of Seiran. Doubts were seen on her face. It was normal. To end it they had presented a parch document signed by Uzumi Athha, her late father, and had a seal of his Monarchy Seat.

If she could only ask her late father’s advice about the authenticity, maybe there will be some light. She often asked her late father about that especially whenever she was at total lost. Giving light for her questions would not happen for the Great Uzumi Nara Athha, leader of Emirate Orb, was already dead.

Dead….

She had already faced the truth but some part of her heart wouldn’t accept it. It had been almost two years since the tragedy happened. Reminiscing about the memories they shared together as father and daughter, also with his wisely advices about promoting peace and governing the people to the right path of salvation often hurt her. She loves her father even though….

She was just a young girl, craving for someone to share carrying her burdens. At 18, she had already taken the seat as the Representative of Orb for peace negotiations. She needed someone to be at her side. Though she got her younger brother Kira, there was still a gap needing to be filled by somebody else. Someone whom she might call her very own. Someone who is strong enough to be her guide, always at her side, and someone who will fill her heart with true love.

Someone who will probably love to hold her tight for the rest of their lives….

“Cagalli!” Athrun called her, almost shouting just to reach for her wandering attention. The young captain was at his cockpit inside the Mobile Suit, checking for the last maintenance and also sending a brief message about the last survivor, Cagalli. He was glad to have received their response about a Zaft Navy Warship that will pass by afternoon. Was he really happy about it? He didn’t want to answer that.

He almost had lost himself last night which was very shameful for him being a controlled-ladies’ man. Adding the word disappointment was the right term for that. Somehow, he had felt the opposite. It felt good….exhilarating. As if he was alive again.

Yes. He told himself many times since the dawn broke that he must be loosing his marbles again because of the war he had been trying to elude. Because of war? What a pathetic excuse!

Helping her to warm last night went into another level which he really hadn’t planned from the very start. His hormones must have been misplaced somewhere inside his biological make-up. Ah. Oh yes….down there…

The drive to teach her to develop her lust had also taken him to the edge. He couldn’t seem to stop thinking about the time when he had to leave the bamboo bed, her being all whimpered, heated and exhausted from his ‘initiation’ as he went near the window; his back on her clouded view. She was on euphoria while he was on limbo. Releasing the ‘ache’ of his neglected nether part had to be taken care of. After the swift zip from his uniform’s hastener, a sound of loud groan escaped from his lips afterwards.

She was driving him crazy, that’s for sure. Cagalli had made him forget almost everything of his worries and even the pretending they were having. He even coaxed her to give in into her desires to him!

That was just a preliminary play. What if they had turned the game into more serious act? He couldn’t bear the thought of maintaining his entire cool and control every time he initiates the love moves. She was indeed something else, something totally different from all the women he had. Well for her case, he ‘almost’ had.

He stood from his bridge, staring at the young woman below. His mind wanted to be free to the reformed lust that was building inside of him. He couldn’t get enough of her especially when he still hadn’t gotten her virginity. What the hell!?! This isn’t about the issue of him wanting to be the first man who will teach her about the pleasures of carnal desires, he inwardly berated himself. At least, there should have been more about her, more about their new found friendship. Ha! With that, he silently laughed at himself. Last night had been enough proof that what they have was more than a brief friendship. That gave him a good set of blushes on each side of his smooth cheeks.

But all of these wondrous feelings will have to go. He will never ever see her again after her rescue and departure. He promised not to make an effort to have his soul tormented by her.

If he could only kiss her one last time….maybe…

He could still hear her sexual moans that made him somehow pushed his control to take her on the spot last night. But a promise is a promise. One broken pledge is enough. Athrun wouldn’t like to take her priceless gift when she was at her most vulnerable. He wasn’t that kind of man and never will be.

This is the honorable thing to do, Athrun reminded himself. Seducing her had to stop.

Athrun was still staring at the lovely woman when she turned her head towards his. Their gazes locked up and then again, each of them didn’t want to withdraw.

The sea breeze had swept to the island. Her blond hair was brushed up, briskly caressed by the wind. It flew in all directions, creating her image as an untamed. Athrun loved the scene. It just reminded of him how wild this woman when….

Cagalli was trying to contain and protect her hair from the brash interjection of the sea breeze towards them. She also felt the wind went inside of her shirt.

“Stop looking at him, Cagalli.” She weakly muttered. Thank goodness he was almost 15 meters away from her. “Don’t you ever look to the eyes of that Satyr….”

Deep shades of red gradually appeared from her face. She was starting to remember all the ‘hanky-panky’ they did last night. She needed not to be warmed right now, for Christ sake!

Athrun liked those big, amber eyes. He even liked her fragile lips. He liked the shape of her slender body, the smoothness of her shapely thighs and the fullness of her breasts. And also, he couldn’t forget the sweet taste of her moist between her….

“What? You called?” Without even knowing, Cagalli had broken the magic of his erotic reverie of her.

Athrun snapped from it. He brushed his bangs away from his forehead. It was getting hot again. Well, in his case, that is. It seemed that the sea breeze wasn’t enough to cool down his lust. He even took his gaze away from her. It had to be anywhere but her. “I….ah…”

“What?” Cagalli questioned him again. She stood from her place as she was patting the remnants of fine white sand from the back of her pants. She was touching her derriere, Athrun mused.

“I already send a message to the Zaft forces. They will come soon. Perhaps this coming afternoon.” Athrun simply told her.

Cagalli was glad to hear the great news. Finally, she was going home. She smiled upon knowing but suddenly wavered as soon as she realized in a matter of hours she will never see this young, handsome captain again. Back to the world of being the Princess of the Orb, the champion of Peace. Why does she feel this pain of being separated from him?

“I….ah….Thanks.” She only managed to say. Then she gave him an appreciative, grateful smile.

“No problem. I promised to help you.” Athrun calmly said. He stared back to her again. He couldn’t seem to get enough satisfaction on seeing that sweet smile of hers.

Cagalli went near to his Mobile Suit Justice but she stopped halfway. “You are going with me, right?”

“Well, not all the way,” he flatly replied.

“Why is that?” Somehow, she felt oddly disappointed.

“I told you already that it isn’t the time for me to get back to the world out there.” Athrun reminded her.

“Why is that?”

Athrun didn’t answer this time. But Cagalli wouldn’t give up on asking. Or maybe yet, annoy the young captain. For what?!

“Why….why didn’t you take me back yourself instead? It could be a lot faster; no more hassle to your team mates.”

Yes. He did have thought of that before. He should have returned her to his base at the first sign of the rising sunrise. He should have! What was he thinking?! Was it because he wanted to spend more time with her in this secluded island? For what sense? It will be a good riddance of her if he had done that earlier.

His mind had been clobbered or something….

“It is because I’m not ready to get back to the base.” Athrun finally supplied which was true to begin with. That will do, he said to himself.

“It will not take an hour for us to return to your base, right? As I estimate, with that GUNDAM of yours it will be able to take us there in less than 15 minutes. Perhaps 10 minutes. ” Cagalli still pushed upon the irritating subject. What does she wants from him? A declaration that he liked her here; more hours together with him?

Somehow….she hoped so….

“So? Can’t you see that I’m a busy person?” That was his pathetic excuse. He went back inside his cockpit to refrain from further interrogation.

“Well, you seemed to be telling the truth.” Cagalli sarcastically replied. Her eyes narrowed. “You always seemed busy dawdling by staring at the sun, the sky and the sea.” She folded her arms. “So much busy that you had no time preparing our meal last night.”

Athrun sighed. Women! Why do they have to make simple issues very complicated?! But not all of them, he pondered. Cagalli must have a natural talent on annoying the opposite sex. “Think whatever you want to think, Cagalli. Be thankful that there’s help on the way.” He immediately supplied. “And more important here is that you will be returned to your people STILL INTACT.”

Cagalli blushed. “What do you mean by that?!” she angrily challenged.

It was late that he had realized the double meaning of his words. “What I meant was that you are getting back to your people UNHARMED.”

He didn’t mean about her virginity. Really!!!!

“Baka,” she mumbled. “Next time, mind your words before you say it.”

He only laughed. God! She loved hearing his laugh. Stop laughing, Athrun….

“It wasn’t my fault to begin with. You gave a malicious thought of it.” he reminded her.

“I wouldn’t have had if you only SUPPLIED the right words!” she angrily spat. The young captain was getting obnoxious again.

“Do I have to check my words every time I will have to speak to you?” He wasn’t angry. He seemed to be enjoying having this fierce chat with her. “If that is what you wish. But let me remind you that it will take some time for me to get used to it, you know. Perhaps with a little encouragement….” Then he winked at her.

She scoffed. She wasn’t going to fall on that deadly charm of his. She didn’t want him to know that he got the upper hand.

“You are old enough to reprimand your own corrupted ways. No need some encouragement from others. Particularly me…” Her chin was up and she even closed her eyes.

“At 16, you are sure quite an impressive nagger. Well, not that I value naggers, you know,”

“I’m 18, for your information.” She corrected instantly, feeling that she had won the argument.

“Well, 16 or 18, still end up a nagger.”

She gritted her white teeth.

He chuckled. “My, my….the Princess is on the mood to have a senseless argument again.” He drawled. He pushed the button to operate the rope for his exit.

“And you, your Highness, have to check your attitude! You are being obnoxious again!” Her eyes followed his descend to the sand floor. One of her brows was raised.

Upon landing, he walked towards her, like a hunter for his prey. Then he stopped as soon as he was on her personal circle space. “And I bet you like it. You love my teasing.” Then he chortled, walking passed side of her.

“The nerve! Why I never….” Gasping, she instantly turned to her back, thinking to follow the young captain but she was startled upon seeing him so close to her. She had never expected it. They were almost 5 inches apart….so intimate.

“You even like what I did to you last night,” Athrun huskily murmured. He caressed her right cheek with his skillful thumb. “Admit it.”

His thumb traced the smooth surface of her young, aristocratic skin. Touching her skin produced an odd mixture of cool and heat beneath his fingers as it began to be bolder. In a matter of few hours, he will never be able to touch her like this. Never will he ever be this close to her, doing the acts that he abnormally does to his women. Missing her had created the first sign of void inside his heart.

She was starting to feel the heat she had felt last night during their play. His touch was making her remember his sinful expertise.

“I…ah” Cagalli was stuttering. Her cheeks were reddened. She was about to deny the truth but she couldn’t find the right words to say. She was beginning to hate herself for being so weak when it comes to him. She usually had no hard time for such trivial things but to him, it seemed so difficult to stay on track, stay true to own.

He chuckled. Seeing her arrested and flushed was enough for him to confirm. Often times, she could be easily read. “You don’t have to answer that.” Then he walked away, leaving her to recover from his devastating flirting effect.

“Too cocky, aren’t we?” Cagalli spat. Her foot was tapping upon the beach floor.

“No.” Athrun yelled out as he was about to pick his belt equip with his army knife almost near the shoreline. Then he looked back to her and smiled. “I am just happy.”

She snorted and evaded his look. The redness from her cheeks had become deeper shade. “Baka,” she muttered.

He removed his uniform, leaving only his boxers. “That I am, Princess. That I am.” Athrun mumbled as he went into the water to catch food for their lunch.

*******

“You have to wear back your uniform, Athrun.” Cagalli abruptly ordered him to do. She was getting more uncomfortable as the time passed by. She couldn’t seem to stop herself from looking to his exposed torso and chest, and then to his hard abs. His training as a soldier did give his body some benefits that all women find it so attractive and fascinating.

“What?” he innocently inquired.

“I said you have to wear back your uniform.” She repeated. She even frowned.

“Why? Does this bother you so much?” Athrun asked as he gradually laid himself to the beach floor. He propped his other hand and arm to support his head as he stared at her.

“To tell you the truth, yes, because it isn’t proper at all for a man to dine with a lady without any clothes attached to his body.” She argued. She closed her eyes now.

Athrun got that lazy, sexy drawl and smile of his to melt a woman’s heart. “Are you sure about that?”

Cagalli’s eyes instantly opened. “And what else you want to hear? That your exposed features are giving me the hard time to concentrate on my eating? Is that it? HA! As if!”

Athrun laughed heartily. “Well, now. That was enlightening.” He took his fish and bit a small part of it.

She blushed again. “When will you ever stop from being a rascal and a fool, Mr. Athrun?” Then she pushed herself to eat her fish. Closing her eyes helped her from conquering the ordeal.

Sensing her sudden indifference, Athrun took his uniform from the sloping trunk of a coconut tree and wore it. It was a slow move actually.

Cagalli had sensed him moving. She wasn’t about to peep but the opportunity was there. She was about to check if he will comply with her command. His back was at her. She could see his strong behind and the movements of his muscles in his back. His boxer was half way to the total length of his well-sculptured thighs. His every move seemed to tighten the boxer, letting her see the form of what lie beneath. He got great ass, she commented. Hell?! What was she thinking?!

He inserted his legs into it and slowly pulled up the uniform. He adjusted some of the loose spaces and tugged some more. Then he fastened the zippers back to its lock form.
“Did you enjoy the show?”

“What?!” How was he supposed to know that she was looking at him and enjoying it?!
She instantly glanced away.

“I said,” Athrun turned around to see her, “did you enjoy the fish?”

“I, ah…YES!” she guilty answered at once.

Athrun devilishly smiled. “Good. I also enjoyed mine.”

It was best not to comment further, Cagalli said to herself, especially when she was again feeling giddy.

“Look!” That had caught Cagalli’s attention back to him. “They’re finally here.”

Upon seeing his serious green eyes, automatically she followed its pursuit.

A Zaft naval ship had appeared to the horizon of the sea, ending the few hours of their ‘blissful’ moments together. Their meaningful glances met at each other without verbally saying the heartbreaking effect of the impending separation. None of them had the will to say it out loud. Pride had partly participated.

Pretending to be the doomed lovers…..just like the ones Athrun had transpired last night for their game, had become a close picture make-up for what they had. Time to face the facts -Play time is over.

Breaking his glance at her, Athrun took a bucket of water near the boulder and then gently splashed the contents to the bonfire they had created to cook for their food.

Masking his feelings, he said to her, “Time for you to go home, Princess.”

A/N:
perhaps....time to end....