The Freedom of Destiny

A/N: I'm extremely sorry if the last phase seemed a little rushed... I was exhausted and wanting to get it out as soon as I could because I knew that this one would take me much longer to write, and I was right. I might not have finished my earlier ambition of finishing this story before summer was over; but I think that four phases of this length in two months is good enough for me. Normally, I can take about two months to even get one chapter out; heh, life interferes. For those of you reading this on FF.net and who want the unedited version, then look me up on AFF, my pen name there is Viridian Kat, this story has the same title there.
Well, here we are at last with the lemon (I'm sure that it has been very much anticipated).
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam SEED Destiny or its characters; they're the property of Bandai and others. I only own Harmony and the plot; so don't sue me, ya won't get much.
Dedication: This fanfic is dedicated to one of my closest friends, Kate. Thanks for the inspiration and all the times that you've been there for me. This story is for you.

Phase 4: Behind the Veil
“So we have the next couple days off,” Luna stated; Meyrin and Shinn behind her. They were wearing civilian clothes and were walking towards a small cafe. “What are we going to do with all this time? I know how about we go shopping?” Luna turned so she could walk backwards to face them.

“Ah!” Luna had walked right into another young woman, the paper bag of groceries spilling all over the sidewalk.

“Oh no!” Meyrin immediately knelt down and began helping her to gather the split items, Shinn also knelt to help. As the young woman looked up, Shinn recognized her; she recognized him as well.

“Shinn-san?”

“Harmony-san?”

“Wait, you two know each other?” Luna asked as the trio stood, Harmony had her groceries back in the bag and in her arms.

“Yes,” Harmony responded. “We met in Orb.”

“What are you doing here Harmony? I thought you were still in Orb,” Shinn asked; a little worry slipping into his voice.

Harmony frowned, “Well I was but... when the treaty was finalized I had to leave to avoid prosecution by the Seirans...” she sighed, “I managed to sneak out of the country; and made my way here. It's not safe for a Coordinator in any countries that are occupied by the Earth Alliance.”

The group continued towards the cafe, Luna jumped in, “So Harmony-san... are you and Shinn an item?”

“Wh-what?! I-I... I would never!” Harmony huffed, her face a stunning crimson color. Shinn turned a similar color, and looked at his feet. “Of course not! Shinn-san's a nice person and all! But he's definitely not my type.”

Shinn flushed at the compliment, but Harmony continued, “What about you two? I'm sorry but I don't know your names.”

“Lunamaria Hawke, but I prefer Luna.”

“Meyrin Hawke.”

“Luna-san, Meyrin-san,” Harmony smiled. “But Luna-san, what's your relationship with Shinn-san?”

“We're friends,” Shinn cut in. Luna huffed and crossed her arms, but said nothing else. Meyrin smiled at the older girl.

“H-Harmony-san? Are you staying in Diokia?” she stuttered, obviously shy round the new person.

“I'm not sure; I only just arrived here yesterday evening. A friend and I are staying at a hotel until we figure out what we're going to do,” she responded. Shinn watched her carefully, amazed at how easily she could lie. He very much wanted to know the actual reason she was here, but held back from asking until they were in private.

“Oh, I see...”

Harmony smiled again at the younger girl, “Meyrin-san, I wouldn't worry so much about me. You're in Zaft aren't you?”

“H-how did you-?!”

She winked and nudged Shinn, “I figured it out after he let it slip back in Orb that his kanchou would be missing him! I'm not an idiot; I realized that he was in the military.” Her tone grew serious, “But I do hope that you three will be okay. War takes too many casualties, and I would rather that no one else I know be among them.”

“What do you mean? Did you lose someone in the last war?”

“I... I lost my sister...” she mumbled, looking depressed. “When we were little, she was taken by Blue Cosmos after our parents died... I don't know what happened to her after that...”

“I'm sorry to hear that...”

A look of pure determination settled over Harmony's face, “It's my hope that I'll find her someday; I made her a promise that I intend to keep.”

The afternoon passed with lighter conversation; Shinn noticed how easily both Luna and Meyrin accepted Harmony, speaking to her about silly girl things. They giggled and talked in hushed whispers. Eventually, the two sisters excused themselves and left; leaving Shinn and Harmony alone at the cafe.

“So, Harmony-san, what are you doing here?” Shinn asked in a lower voice.

Harmony's face turned serious, if not a touch sad, “There's a lab nearby... we needed information anyways, so Kira-san and I came here to see what we could learn. I'm hoping to be able to visit that old lab to see if I can find anything out about my sister...”

“Kira's here?”

“Yeah, I'm not exactly sure where he slipped off to; but he's here somewhere,” she responded. “Said he'd drop by this cafe and meet up with me before we head back to the hotel.”

“Hey, Harmony-san, I was just wondering...”

“Oh? What is it Shinn-san?”

“How did you two get into town? Didn't they run a background check on the two of you?” Shinn wasn't perfectly acquainted with the security that Diokia's borders had, but he knew the gist of them.

Harmony crossed her arms, “Kira brought a motorcycle with him. They didn't run background checks on us; we brought our Orb civilian identification with us, we managed to pass ourselves off as refuges.”

“And they didn't stop you?”

“They wanted to run a background check on me; thought there was something suspicious about me,” Harmony elaborated. “I managed to tell them that I was an immigrant from the PLANTs to Orb, and that because of the alliance with the Earth Forces and Blue Cosmos; that I had to flee Orb. It was a lame story; but they bought it and let us in.”

Leaning back in his chair, Shinn and Harmony caught up on what they'd missed. Harmony told him a little more about Lacus and a few of her friends on board the Archangel. She even talked a little about the last war; talking about the battles she'd fought, friends lost.

She even spoke of her sister; Stellar, who she hoped to find one day.

“Stellar's the most innocent person I've ever met. She's innocent and beautiful. I love her dearly, her innocence... but after our parents died, she was so terrified of death,” Harmony's voice was low, choked with emotion. “We weren't too old, so I guess it was to be expected... she was, well, she wasn't any older then five, and I was eight. We were left all alone; we were in an orphanage. That's where... Blue Cosmos took her...”

She sobbed, “They... they dragged her out of there... kicking and screaming. With me yelling at them, hitting them; begging them to take me instead, to leave Stellar here. I promised to protect her after our parents died... and I failed...”

Reaching over, Shinn placed his hand gently over hers and gave it a squeeze, “If it makes you feel any better, I... I lost my parents in the last war... at Orb.”

“You... you never talk about them, what were they like?” Harmony looked at him, her dark magenta eyes on him. Shinn had never noticed her eye color, but now that he looked; they looked magenta, the shade changing with her mood. “Of course... you, I mean, there's no need to tell me; but it makes you feel better.”

“Hey,” came a quiet voice from behind them. Shinn turned, seeing Kira behind him; he gave a small smile. Harmony smiled gently, her eyes still moist and dark with sorrow, but there was a happy light in them. “Shinn, love, how are you?” He leaned down, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder before placing a light, gentle kiss on his temple.

“I'm fine Kira...” he mumbled, embarrassed at the show of public affection. Kira smiled and slid into the seat beside him. “What about you?”

“Perfectly fine,” Kira responded, pulling Shinn as close as he could despite the uncomfortable wrought iron cafe chairs. “But I'll say... I was rather worried about you. Especially with that ambush...”

“But I'm fine! Not a scratch on me!” Shinn objected.

Harmony was smiling serenely, “It's astonishing how much you two can act like you've been together for longer then you actually have.”

Shinn blushed, and Kira smiled. She continued to smile, “But Shinn-san, about your family... I... I would really like to hear about them...”

Catching onto the conversation that he'd interrupted, Kira's face fell into a frown, “Your family Shinn? ... I would also like to hear about them.”

Looking between the two, Shinn let out a heavy sigh and leaned further into Kira for support, “They were... wonderful.” He gave a wistful smile at the thought of his family. “My father was a hard-worker, but a family man. He loved us all and would give his life for us...”

His voice trailed off, he could feel the pain building in himself, “And then... my mother... stayed at home. She looked after Mayu and I, loved us, cared for us; we were her life. Mayu... she was everything... innocent, lovable.... my little sister was everything to me.” He smiled up at Kira, “Till I met you of course.”

Eyes fell to the table, and he shifted uncomfortably, “... they all died. At the battle... for Orb...” He looked up to Kira, “You were there... I know you were.”

Vaguely, Kira remembered a family... a family fleeing through the woods while he'd been fighting Calamity. He'd worried that in the fight they'd might be hit, he'd tried to lure the other Gundam away. But...

“I'm sorry Shinn...” he murmured. “I saw your family... but Calamity wouldn't follow. I tried to lure him away... but-”

Soft fingers were over his lips, Shinn smiled up at him softly, “There's no need to apologize Kira... even I don't know what happened, and I was there... but you just said that you'd tried to protect them... protect me... and, I don't think it was you who killed them.” His smile didn't even falter, “I won't believe it. If it weren't for Blue Cosmos... none of this wouldn't have happened; and I would never have met you. So... maybe that's a good thing?”

Kira returned the smile, hugging him tightly, “Thank you Shinn. I'm glad it turned out this way.”

“Yes Shinn-san, everything happens for a reason. Perhaps this is destiny; you two were met to meet and fall in love,” Harmony theorized. “But then, I don't think destiny is fixed; the choices you have made have led us here; and led you two to be together. Destiny is freedom, and freedom is destiny.”

“I'd like to think that,” Shinn returned, shifting closer to Kira. “And I'm glad of the choices that I've made... now that I've found where they've led me.”

Standing, the trio made their way out of the cafe. It was late in the evening, and Shinn felt more content then he had been in a few months; not since Kira and he had shared their first kiss had he felt this way. Harmony smiled at them, “I have something I'd like to check. I'll meet you back at the hotel?”

“What? Where are you going?” Shinn was confused; where could Harmony be going?

Almost sensing his apprehension, she smiled reassuringly at him, “I'll be fine; I just want to see if I can gather some information about the laboratory nearby.” She flashed him a grin, then her thigh, Shinn saw the gun holstered there. “Don't worry Shinn-san,” her tone was more serious now. “I have combat training; I will be fine.”

And with that, she swept off down the street, disappearing around a corner. Shinn watched her go, before an arm sliding around his waist, holding him close brought him out of it, “Kira!”

Kira raised an eyebrow at him, mirth playing in his amethyst eyes, “Well, do you want me to give you a lift back to the base, or would you like to spend the night with me?”

Turning bright red, Shinn stuttered, “W-well I-I'd...” He whispered out his answer, “I'd really like to spend the night with you... if that's okay.”

“Quite,” Kira responded. “So, love, ever ridden a motorcycle before?”

“Yes, I have,” Shinn responded, hanging off Kira's arm; feeling a bit like a ditzy girl. Kira smiled and led him to a sleek, black motorcycle.

He held out a helmet to Shinn, “Here. Put that on.” Taking it, Shinn slid it on as Kira slid his own on, sliding the visor down. He held out his hand out, “Shall we?”

Giving Kira his hand, Kira helped him onto the bike behind him. Automatically, he wrapped his arms around Kira's torso, resting his helmet-clad head against Kira's back. Gunning up the motorcycle, they shot off down the road. It wasn't so late that there was no traffic, so they couldn't speed through the streets; but Kira managed to keep up a decent speed.

The evening air in Diokia was mild, but with a slight chill. Shinn tightened his arms around Kira, a shiver running down his back, goose flesh rising in its wake. He should have brought a jacket; but then, he hadn't expected to be out so late.

Pulling into the parking lot, Kira parked the bike and helped Shinn off the bike. Removing the helmet, Shinn shivered, Kira immediately wrapped his arm around Shinn.

“Are you cold?” he held the door open for Shinn, and followed him inside. Taking his young love's hand, Kira led him through the lobby and towards the elevator. “Elevator or stairs?”

“Elevator's fine.”

Pressing the 'up' button, Kira turned to face him, “Minerva's here, isn't it?”

“Yeah; I wouldn't be here otherwise,” Shinn responded, then, as they stepped into the elevator, “Harmony-san told me a lot... and I think... I think I can understand what you were fighting for.”

An arm wound around his waist, pulling him against Kira's side, his arms automatically went around Kira's waist to hug him, “It's the truth... and even though I understand it; and believe in it... I can't leave Zaft... not when my friends are there. So, I'd like to spend as much time with you as I can; outside of battle.”

“And I'm fine with that,” Kira responded as they got out on the fourth floor. “As long as I do get to spend time with you.”

Nuzzling Kira's neck, Shinn practically tackled him to the floor once they were inside; door swing shut behind them, “Ha! I caught you!”

Arms came up to grab his waist, and he found himself effectively pinned to the ground; his hands clenched Kira's shoulders, “I don't think so,” Kira purred with a smirk. “You belong to me.”

Playing the same game, Shin slid his arms up to twine around Kira's neck, “But then... who do you belong to?”

A small gasp escaped Shinn's lips as Kira pressed hot, open-mouthed kisses along his jawline and neck; biting gently down at the crook of his neck, “I suppose... that I'd belong to you...”

Tilting his head to the side to give Kira better access, he was amazed at how quickly he was becoming aroused. Sure, he'd experimented on his own, but normally it took more... stimulation to get it up. Shoving that aside, he tried to focus on what Kira was doing.

Hands slid up under his shirt, eventually pushing it up and over his head. Immediately Kira pressed a hot searing kiss against his lips. Tongue ran along his lower lip, teeth nipping at it; a silent request for entrance, which was eagerly granted. Arching up into Kira's touch, he groaned into the kiss as the smart fingers tweaked at his nipples; causing them harden.

Kira's tongue was quickly memorizing his mouth and tastes; the fiery kiss slowly turned into a sensual war. Soon, they were forced to break for air; Kira pulled back to look into Shinn's lust tinted eyes which were half-closed. His lips were parted, a mix of their saliva glistened on his lips from their heated exchange; his breathing was heavy.

Unable to keep the smirk from his face, Kira whispered into his ear, “Do you know how seductive you look right now?”

A breathy answer, “I... have an idea... a-ah...” Kira lightly bit down on his earlobe, before once more trailing kisses down along his neck, placing one on the slowly darkening flesh at the crook of his neck; before descending further to his collar bone.

Shinn could barely think as Kira continued his ministrations; all he could focus on was his warm mouth and tongue and his talented fingers which were causing very pleasurable sensations to arise in him. He arched upwards, offering more; only to be pushed back down. He could feel Kira smile against his collar bone.

Realizing that his love was still fully clothed, he tugged at the shoulders of his shirt, and whimpered when he couldn't get it off. Propping his chin up on Shinn's collar bone, Kira looked up with him, amusement in his amethyst eyes, “Patience Shinn.”

Pouting, Shinn tried to get it off again, “But I don't want to be patient! I want this shirt off now!” He pulled on it again, only to have Kira pull away from him; straddling his hips as he pulled his shirt up and over his shoulders and tossed it aside.

Hot damn... he's gorgeous, was the only thing that Shinn could think of when he saw the lean expanse of toned muscle that was Kira's chest and stomach. Feeling a little envious (Shinn had a similar build, but he was much more slender), he tentatively reached out and ran his hand down Kira's torso, stopping when he met the waistline of his pants.

“Maybe we should move to the bed,” Kira whispered, breaking the silence. Wordlessly, Shinn nodded, unable to take his eyes off the bare skin in front of him. Strong arms looped around him, and he quickly wrapped his legs around slim hips as Kira picked him up off the floor and carried him to the bed.

When Kira sat down, it was Shinn now who straddled his thighs; dark garnet orbs blazing in the darkness with desire, a reverence. His touches were shy, almost innocent in their nature. A question lingered on Kira's tongue that begged to be asked.

“Shinn, are you a virgin?”

Even in the dim light, Kira could see the bright red blush that spread across Shinn's face and neck. He stuttered out an answer, “W-well I...” A quiet murmur, “... yes...” Embarrassed red eyes looked up to meet his own; Kira smiled reassuringly at him.

Rallying, Shinn reached out once again. He marveled at the difference in their skin tones; he was pale, while Kira's held a healthy sun-kissed glow. Lifting his other hand, he nervously tried to imitate what Kira had done earlier to his nipples; the groan that escaped the older Coordinator's lips indicated that he was doing the right thing.

Gently, he kissed Kira's throat; biting down on the side. A surprised gasp, followed by another groan as he soothed the flesh with his tongue. His mouth trailed lower, leaving what he was sure would be red marks by morning along Kira's torso, stopping when he felt a hand ghost up under his chin, guiding it back for another kiss.

Once more Shinn found himself pinned beneath the older Coordinator, only this time it was much more comfortable. His head rested on a pillow, and his body was pressed into the mattress by Kira's. A hand ghosted down his torso, unbuttoning his pants and slipping inside his underwear to touch him.

At the touch, Shinn's eyes widened, he gasped, and he arched up against Kira. Moaning at the touch. Almost immediately, the hand was gone, and he groaned at the loss of it, only to find that Kira was now pulling both his underwear and pants down off his legs, letting his erection spring free of its cloth confines.

Once more, Kira's hand ghosted down, wrapping firmly around the shaft, jerking upwards. Shinn gasped and jerked upwards, pleasure shooting through his veins. His hands grasped at the covers, trying to cling to something as the motion was repeated.

He wasn't sure when Kira had removed his mouth from his, or when Kira had removed his own last layers of clothing, only that after a while, he found his own nude body pressing up against an equally nude Kira. His breathing was coming in rough, ragged pants; the tension in his body building towards his imminent release as he grasped helplessly at the covers.

Throwing his head back, he let out a strangled cry as he finally came; entire body tensing and arching off the bed as he did. Then, his body relaxed, and his mind skipped off into happy post-orgasm land. His senses were surprisingly dulled from the heightened sensitivity they'd experienced only moments before; his muscles completely relaxed.

Even when a slick finger pushed its way into his entrance, he only dimly registered an uncomfortable sensation. His eyes drifted closed.

A second finger was added; his eyes fluttered back open as he looked down at Kira; who was watching his face intently for any sign of discomfort.

“Kira? What are you doing?”

The fingers scissored inside him, but Shinn couldn't find the right muscles to tense at the feeling. Kira replied, “Preparing you.”

Dimly, he remembered having overheard some of the other male soldiers at the base discussing this sort of thing. He nodded his head, allowing his eyes to drift closed again; trying to adjust to the odd feeling of having something inside there. He knew what was coming; he might have never done anything like this, but he'd learned things from listening to others.

When those venturing fingers pressed up against that little spot inside him, his eyes shot wide open, a loud gasp escaping his lips, “There!” His body had arched off the bed, and his member twitched; hardening somewhat.

Kira pressed his fingers against that spot once more, eliciting a positive response from Shinn, though not as violent at the first. His own erection was painfully hard; longing for and needing a release, “Do you want me? Inside of you.”

Garnet eyes found and locked with his, desire had once more found its way into those beautiful eyes; darkening them to a smoldering fire, “I don't want you inside of me; I need you inside of me. Take me Kira.”

Removing his fingers, Kira poured a little more of the lubricant into his hand and quickly spread it over his hardened flesh. Shinn was arching up to him again, his own cock already hardening again and pressing against his stomach.

Spreading Shinn's legs a little more, Kira looped his arms under Shinn's knees and slowly; painstakingly slowly, pushed himself into Shinn's tight ass. Writhing beneath him, the younger man grabbed his shoulders, fingers tightening as he entered.

Kira kissed him, lips soft against his, trying to ease the burn in his rear. It hurt, yes; but it was a hurt Shinn was willing to go through, he trusted Kira not to hurt him, and he knew that it had to get better.

Once he was fully sheathed inside his young lover, Kira released Shinn's knees, and stroked his sides, trying to relieve the discomfort that he was feeling. The kiss was tender, almost apologetic for cause him any pain.

Shinn spread his legs a little more to accommodate Kira's slim hips. He wanted more; it wasn't as painful, now that he had time to adjust, it was just... odd. Not an unpleasant feeling, it just felt strange.

“Kira, please move; this is getting a little uncomfortable...”

“Are you sure? I'm not hurting you am I?”

“No... it just feels odd.”

Giving him one more look of concern, Kira withdrew just the slightest; trying to angle himself to hit Shinn's prostate again. Thrusting back inside, he was pleased when Shinn's face contorted in pleasure, grasping at his shoulders.

Assured now that his lover was adjusted, he set a steady rhythym. His hand coming to stroke his lover's arousal in time with his thrusts. Shinn arched up, his own hips meeting Kira's with every thrust. Eventually getting lost in their rhythym, it became hard and fast; pushing them farther and farther towards the edge, about to push them off of it into the waiting sea.

Shinn went first, still sensitive after his first orgasm. His cries and the tightening of his passage around Kira pulling the other in. He cried out his lover's name as he came, a few more thrusts as he emptied himself inside. Spent, he pulled out and lay down, pulling Shinn to him.

Snuggling up against Kira, Shinn's eyes were hazy and a pale pink blush was splotched across his cheeks. His mind fading to sleep, as he curled up to Kira; the others arms wrapping around him after pulling the covers up around them, he murmured, “I love you Kira...” Dimly, he heard Kira's response.

“I love you too Shinn.”

~*~
Dear god I cannot write smut like this all that often. This took me about... two hours to write in its entirety and I was up till around three AM finishing it. So now I'm going to sleep, because I have stuff to do tomorrow and I'd like sleep. Yep. Sounds nice. Good night y'all. Please leave me some comments; they'd be very much appreciated.

Kat.