It was the end, after the war, and peace rained throughout the solar system.
Noin sat alone with her thoughts, her dark violet eyes mesmerized by the suns light that shined through her bedroom window. I t had been five weeks since her battles in space had ended, and five weeks since Zechs had passed away.
“Now that peace, has been attained I have the chance to live,” Noin whispered to herself, “but, I’ve lost my reason for living,” she hugged herself, as she pushed away tears. Zechs…always Zechs. She was lost in him, lost in the memories of him. She had loved him, and now found herself obsessed in loving him, yearning for him, but those dreams had died along with him, leaving her all alone.
The door crept open with a squeak and for a moment she was back with the living.
“Miss Noin?” Quatre said walking over to her. His aqua blue eyes fixated on her, they were full of concern.
Noin looked away from him, “Yes, what is it Quatre? Is something wrong?” Quatre could tell in her voice that she wished to be left alone, but he spoke anyway. “Miss Noin,” he took her hand, “please tell me…why are you so sad?”
Her eyes grew wide, and she pulled her hand away. “It’s nothing Quatre, nothing at all…” He knelled before her, “Is it Zechs?” Quatre’s voice was soft, kind.
Her eyes narrowed, as she held back her tears. Zechs…her mind began to drift away again.
“Miss Noin, everyone is very worried about you. Sally and I especially,” Noin turned to him, placing her shaking hand on his shoulder. “Thank you Quatre, but I’m fine, really,” He knew she was lying, her eyes were to pure to lie, and at that moment he realized, that it takes time to heal a broken heart, and he new the pain and the loss, and with that, he smiled and left her alone with her thoughts.
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“Noin!” Zechs said as he exited the plane. “Hello Lieutenant Zechs!” Noin said, greeting him with a salute.
“I’m please to see your doing well,” he said. “As I am you Lieutenant,” Noin said. “Please Noin, call me Zechs,” his smile warmed her, and she rested the saluting hand to her side. “I’ve heard many honorable things about you…Zechs, many soldiers here at Victoria have been training extra hard on your behalf,” She said giving him a noticeable smile.
“Don’t you think there a bit eccentric, I believe they maybe over rating me,” “I don’t believe so Lieutenant, we all have a great admiration for you,” Her voice was a bit flirtatious, and Zechs smiled.
* * *
“Were alone now Zechs, please don’t hide you face from me,” Noin said, as she gestured him to remove his mask. He did so, resting it on the nearest table. Beautiful, Noin thought, no matter how man times I see him, I can never completely capture his beauty, and now Zechs, your giving me another try.
“How long has it been, Noin?” To long, Zechs said to himself.
She smiled graciously at the question, and she new exactly how long it had been, one year and twenty-three days. “I’d say about a year,” She said as sipped the wine she was drinking. Gazing out at him through the glass, secretly smiling to herself, knowing that he only reviled himself to her.
“That long?” Zechs said laughing quietly to himself. “That long,” Noin said.
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Noin sat alone in thought, but by now, the sun had disappeared and space seemed all to close, as though she could reach out and touch the stars….
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“Noin?” Zechs said as he sat along side her, both of them admiring the night sky.
“Yes Zechs?” Noin said turning to him.
The scene was all to perfect, her hair wisped back by gentle ocean breezes, and the starlight only accented her immortal beauty.
“I came to see how you were doing. I know it must have been hard for you, on the battle grounds today,” Zechs’ heart grew heavy as he spoke to her, his eyes couldn’t help but to focus on her, on his eternal beauty, but as quickly as he allowed those emotions to come, he pushed them away. And so, he simply waited for the reply.
“I trust you Zechs, and I know that the battle today was important to you, and I swore to you I would fight to help you…” She turned back to the night. If, perhaps it hadn’t been for his stubbornness, he could have said more, said the things his heart yearned to say, but for him the world would always be faced alone, and with that he left.
Noin sat staring into the disappearing shadow. “Oh Zechs…”
* * *
“Lucrazia Noin, I am so pleased you attended,” Noin turned to see Treize Kushranada standing before her, such a noble man, she thought as he took her hand and kissed it. As Noin had expected, Lady Une was not far behind him, snarling at his intimate gesture.
“Thank you your Excellency for inviting me,” Noin said.
“Your Excellency, it might not be wise to bring about a conversation, there are other guest to whom you’ve yet bid welcome,” Lady Une said to him. I pity you Lady Une, Noin thought to herself, because you’re like me, lost without him.
“I would hate to leave so suddenly, but as The Lady said…“
“Of coarse,” Noin said, stepping out of his way so he may pass to greet his other guests.
Noin stood up against the wall, admiring the beautiful marble floors and even more beautiful people. Though most of the ballroom was filled with members and associates of the Romafeller Foundation, some OZ officials were amongst them.
“I wonder if Zechs is here tonight?” Noin thought quietly as she glanced around the room. She notice how beautifully the woman were dressed, elegant dresses with bold and vibrant colors, Noin blushed when she realized how plain she looked, her dress was simple, a dark red silk, off the shoulders and plain, I must look so out of place, she thought. A servant came to her, offering a glass of champagne, which she gladly accepted. She sipped the champagne as the lights dimmed and all the couples gathered for the formal waltz. Suddenly a hand slipped between her fingers.
“May I have this dance?” Zechs asked with the utmost formality.
Noin smiled as she clenched his hand tighter, she whispered in his ear, “I’m so glad to see you,”
Zechs smiled as he led her to the dance floor. I have never been this close to her, Zechs thought, as he placed his hand to her waist. The flare of her hip seduced him. Her face was so close, her lips lightly shaded with a pale pink. I wonder what your lips taste like, my dear. Her eyes resembled colored glass, and as he danced with her, he could see his world within those eyes. In my dreams, my love, those eyes belong to me, Zechs said to himself.
Noin, danced gracefully in his arms, as though they were destined to dance together. And as they danced, the world seemed to stop, and it was just the two of them.
“I‘m quite impressed with your dancing Zechs,” Noin said smiling at him, watching his tortured eyes through his mask. How gallant you look tonight, she thought.
“As I am yours, Noin,” If I could have you, Zechs thought to himself…If you were mine. As the waltz ended they found themselves in a tangled embrace, not knowing if either of them had the nerve to let go. “I’m impressed Mr. Marquise,” A beautiful blond said, as she stepped in-between them. She placed her hand on his chest, “May I have the next dance?” She smirked, winking toward him.
Noin studied her, her dress was beautiful, full and adorned with pale pink roses, she wore sheer gloves, and her hair was long and wavy. It was though she had come from a fairy-tale, an elegant princess. Noin felt low, and again she realized herself, and walked off.
“Noin,” Zechs muffled under his breath as the girl took him, and they began to dance.
Noin stepped onto the balcony; the cool night air chilled her bare skin. Her eyes gazed out upon the black forests that lay in the distance.
“Noin?” Zechs said as he stepped onto the balcony. “You left before…”
She pushed a dark lavender bang behind her ear, “I didn’t…” she closed her eyes and turned from him. Zechs walked over to her, he had never really wanted to fall in love with her, never allowed himself to believe in such a pleasure. But suddenly, at this moment he saw nothing but her, and he new…
“They make me feel so…” She hugged herself. He realized now why she had left, it wasn’t him, it was them, and he realized then the simplicity of her dress, her sweetness and charm. He realized how this establishment could never truly appreciate someone like her. He placed his hand on her shoulder. Her ice-cold skin seeped through his glove, and he quickly removed his coat and draped it upon her.
Noin snuggled into it; the scent of him surrounding her.
“Pay know mind to them.” Zechs said, “I think you look ravishing tonight,”
“You’re just saying that to make me feel better,” she joked as she turned to him, his head was cocked to the side, and he gave her his charming smile. How delicate you are, my dear. He thought, a beauty that they could never see.
“Ah, Lightning Count, “ Trieze Kushranda said from the inside, “Zechs, I need to discuss a few matters with you,”
“Get a move on Lieutenant Zechs, you should not leave his Excellency waiting,” Lady Une insisted. “You’d better go,” Noin said handing him back his coat.
Zechs grabbed the coat from her hands and gently place it back around her. “It’s cold tonight, keep it,” He said as he walked back into the ballroom.
“Oh…but Zechs,” Noin said gently extending her hand to him, “Your coat wasn’t what I wanted,”
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All these memories, these thoughts, gone, lost…like me, completely lost. And know matter how badly I tired; I could never say how I really felt. But you knew, I could see it in your eyes. Noin grabbed Zechs’ coat from the closet, I never had a chance to return it. She thought to herself as she placed the coat around her and walked outside. There was a faint chill in the air. She began to run, the cold air filling her lungs, and crystallizing her tears. She didn’t know where she was going, but she hoped wherever this road led, it would leave the past behind.
“Why did you leave me?” She asked, clenching the coat tighter, tears fell from her eyes as the vague scent of him surrounded her. Noin ran till her chest was frozen, she had to stop, had to breath, she sat down on a nearby bench and looked into the blank emptiness that was now her world.
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“MISS NOIN! ZECHS IS GOING AFTER PEACEMILLION!” Quatre yelled through the communicator.
“I know Quatre,” she whispered as she stood her ground, aiming her beam canon straight towards Zechs.
“NOIN, GET OUT OF MY WAY!” Zechs hissed. Please Noin, leave, please leave.
“NO ZECHS! I’M NOT LEAVING! EVEN IF I HAVE TO KILL YOU!” Tears flooded her eyes. Oh, Zechs… Zechs raised his beam saber and charged her Taurus mobile suit.
“Noin…” He whispered silently. Move, please, get out of the way!
“Zechs…” She said.
But Zechs couldn’t harm her and he turned, “DAMNIT! Why am I still so spineless!” Zechs yelled to himself. “Oh, Zechs,” Noin whispered to herself. What happened to us?
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“Did you ever really love me Zechs? Or was it that you needed me. Needed someone to understand, to care? Was that it? Oh, Zechs, there must have been more! God, please say that you loved me!”
Suddenly behind her, she heard footsteps; she turned to see Zechs standing before her.
“Zechs…?” Noin said, her voice was broken…torn, she took a step back. His eyes were as she remembered them, ice blue, empty, and so alone. He walked toward her, until his face was inches from hers; he kissed the tears from her eyes.
“How…?” She whispered.
“It doesn’t matter now,” He said, holding her face in his hands. “Noin…I’ve waited my whole life for this moment, this moment in which I can say all the things I’ve longed to say,”
Noin’s lips trembled, she felt weak. It’s a dream! She thought.
“My dear Lucrazia,” he ran his fingers through her hair, “I love you,”
Tears overcame her as she collapsed in his arms, the warmth of him made all the pain go away. All the loneliness. It was just the two of them, lost again in eachothers embrace. He pulled her face towards his and kissed her, he moaned slightly, as though it was his first kiss long denied. Her arms wrapped around him as they held the moment, this moment that took what seemed a lifetime to create. He parted from her, kissing her gently on the brow. “Tell me,” he said, running his hands through her hair, “Tell me you love me,”
Noin nuzzled her face into his throat, “I love you, I’ve always loved you,” Her lips lightly pressed against his skin as she spoke, and he found himself lost within her.
Her heart, her soul, her love, everything he needed he found in that one stolen kiss. “My love,” He said, brushing his fingers against her cheek. “Live for me,” His voice was intense and sincere. “Live for the love that we share, and know that I will always be with you,” he placed his hand on her heart, “You’ll always find me, I promise you that. So live my love, let your wings soar. And when the time is right, I swear I'll come back to you” and with those final words he kissed her, and Noin’s lips opened to greet him. And together, in that moment, they said goodbye.
“MISS NOIN!” Quatre yelled as he ran over to her side, she lay on the bench, Zechs Jcket lay upon her.. “MISS NOIN! PLEASE WAKE UP!” Quatre yelled, holding her.
Noin’s eyes flutter slightly, and she focused on Quatre.
“Quatre?” She said, puzzled.
“Miss Noin, what happened? How did you get all the way here? It’s dark, you shouldn’t be out here!” His voice was full of worry and concern. Noin closed her eyes for a moment, and remembered.
“Miss Noin, are you okay?” Quatre said. Noin, ran her fingers through her hair, and closed her eyes. She placed her hand on her heart. “Yes Quatre, I’m fine,”