Author's Notes: I do not own Gundam Seed/Destiny or Clover.

04: Tranquility

Evening rolled around, and the Facility was nearly empty. Only security guards and late-night shift workers remained. One worker entered the dome where the one-leaf was being kept – an environment similar to Rey's, but with more artificial rocky terrain – and went to the center to scoop up the empty dishes on a silver tray.

Auel still harbored fury towards the cursed Facility, but the drab meal was the best he had eaten since being on the streets. The one-leaf watched from a tree closer to the stairs, and when the worker passed by, Auel carefully and quietly climbed down and then up the stairs, stooping low, and disappeared into the corridor, shaking his head about dumb workers forgetting to lock the doors – he was dangerous, after all, if they went through all the trouble tranquilizing him.

The one-leaf knew exactly where to go. Within minutes, Auel was at the door to Stellar's dorm, and checked the knob first to see if it was unlocked. The door opened, and Auel smiled at the careless mistake.

Thick, warm air greeted him, but didn't stop him. Auel ran down the stairs, and left the pathway diving into the bushes.

The rustling of his movement in the greenery echoed in the dome, and alerted Stellar of the presence of what she perceived to be an intruder; Athrun never visited her around this time. Stellar rose from her sleeping position on a cot and raggedy blanket, wondering if she should prepare to hide or fend off whoever it was.

However, to her great shock, Auel came walking out of the jungle, a slight frown and a couple of scratches on his face.

"Auel!" Stellar broke into a run and practically flew into the seventeen-year-old. "Stellar is so happy to see Auel!" She wrapped her arms around him in a fierce hug

Auel half-heartedly pushed her away, reddening in the dimmed, overhead lights lining the dome. "Let go!" Still, he couldn't deny the sudden burst of emotion in his heart at the sight of her. It had been far too long.

Stellar didn't seem bothered by the light shove. She took a step back to take in his appearance of an orange T-shirt and blue jeans, much different from the white uniform he had to wear when he was last contained. "Where did Auel go?"

Auel grinned, interested in sharing about his "adventures." "I'll tell you." They sat down on the turf, cross-legged, and Auel began his "tale" of the outer world. "I was allowed to live out there in the city, and I got these clothes from some place they call the 'Good Will Centre.' There was a guy taking care of me, but he's gone. Don't know where he went, don't really care. I stayed in his apartment until they kicked me out. Then I slept in the park."

Stellar listened attentively as he spoke.

"It was rough at first because I hated sleeping outside when it was raining, but you get used to it. I'd rather sleep by the ocean than here, anyway..." Auel said bitterly.

"Ocean?" Stellar blinked. "Where is it? Stellar wants to see the ocean!"

Auel crossed his arms, releasing a short laugh. "Don't be ridiculous, Stellar. You know you'll never leave this place."

Stellar glared, and Auel suddenly was hit by a surging wave of power.

"Hey, hey, stop!" Auel snapped, knowing full well what her powers could do. He growled her orders to cease while holding his head, rocking back and forth on his bottom. "Stop!"

The pain Auel was experiencing dissipated. Her eyes swept over him with concern until she frowned. "Auel doesn't have to be so mean."

"It's the truth—idiot!" Auel returned her glare just as fiercely. "Don't do that again!"

"Stellar will see the outside!"

Auel could scarcely believe how stubborn she was being, more so than usual—even more than he usually was! "I give up."

Stellar ignored his last comment. "Tell Stellar more," she encouraged, offering one of her curious smiles.

Auel sighed, continuing, "Well, I stole food and money from people to survive. You don't get anything for free, not even when you need it desperately, like I did. I think I lost some weight... Anyway, most people can't run very fast," he snickered, and then frowned. "Except for this one guy." Auel went on to describe the rest of his adventures, mostly depicting the city life of other homeless people, loud music and traffic, and he even spoke of the time he slipped into the nearby zoo unnoticed ("The two tigers were cool.").

"There are lots of people out there," Auel remarked, glaring at the ground. "Most of them have it better than we do."

Gloom descended upon the atmosphere, more so than usual. Stellar picked at the grass, and then brightened. "Stellar made a new friend!"

Auel stared at her, not all that interested. It was probably Rey.

Stellar continued, "Athrun visits Stellar now, so Stellar isn't so lonely anymore. Athrun came today."

"Huh? Who's Athrun?"

"A worker."

Auel snapped, "You're not supposed to be friends with workers! They'll only betray you in the end!"

"No!" Stellar protested, "Athrun is different, and would never betray Stellar!"

"You don't know that!" Auel jumped to his feet, staring her down. "It doesn't matter how nice the workers are – they're against you, against all of us!"

"No!" Stellar climbed to her feet, magenta eyes burning, repeating her defiance. "Athrun is kind, and would never betray Stellar!"

Auel released a frustrated sigh, knowing reasoning with her in this state would never work. "Fine! But don't blame me when you find out the truth." She was really hooked on this Athrun. "Humph." He turned his back on her, crossing his arms.

The four-leaf girl yawned, seeming to forget their argument. "Stellar is...very tired."

"So go to sleep," Auel muttered, turning to leave and go back to his own cage.

"Don't go, Auel."

Her sobered voice stopped him in his tracks. "Why?" he asked, turning around to look at her. She still wanted him to stay in spite of being yelled at?

"Please stay with Stellar. It gets so lonely at night."

Auel glanced skyward, debating. If he stayed any longer, he would be caught and most likely dragged back to his dome with punishment. On the other hand, he hadn't seen her in awhile, and she was the least secure and confident of the clovers, the clingy type. It couldn't hurt to stay until she fell asleep. "Fine. Go to your bed then."

Beaming, Stellar all but skipped back to her cot, but paused, turning to ask him, "Where will Auel be?"

He wasn't excited about sitting on the ground for a long time. "I'll sit here," he said, walking over to the head of her cot.

Stellar lifted the gray blanket off the bed and wrapped it around herself. Wordlessly, she climbed onto the cot, and placed herself next to Auel, leaning against his shoulder. "Good night, Auel," she whispered, closing her eyes.

Auel tensed, unused to the close contact. However, hearing her soft breathing, feeling the warm air, and the strangely comforting shadows from and in the jungle, Auel decided to enjoy the moment, for he knew this moment would be the last tranquil moment he would ever experience.

"Good night."