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"Stars "Written By: ELLE Disclaimer: Don't own Gundam Wing or the boys,
just love writing about 'em. =) Rating: R Warnings: very limey, angst is my middle name,
sap, language Pairings: 1+2 (suggested 1x2) Summary: It always amazed and disappointed Duo, the stars. As a child he remembered sneaking out of the church, climbing up the brick walls cracked and pockmarked with the telltale signs of a war torn city, and laying on the roof, staring up at the starry night sky. He wondered what the stars looked like from the other side. Were they as beautiful and bright or dull and dim? Notes: This fic takes place sometime after episode
19 but honestly it probably wouldn't fit into the timeline so much.
It's been awhile since I've seen the series and my memory combined
with wikipedia isn't really the best so I'll have to rewatch it soon.
;-) "Stars "
It always amazed and disappointed Duo, the stars. As a child he remembered sneaking out of the church, climbing up the brick walls cracked and pockmarked with the telltale signs of a war torn city, and laying on the roof, staring up at the starry night sky. He wondered what the stars looked like from the other side. Were they as beautiful and bright or dull and dim? Were there as many out there in the great expanse of space? Would he ever get a chance to see them, up close? But the unfortunate truth was the stars looked exactly the same from space as they did on that rooftop ten years ago. Maybe they weren't in the same places but they were still the same small pinpricks of light, shining despite the reality that they were dead a hundred years ago. Duo switched off his comm system and the opera he'd piped in and sat in silence, staring out at the great dark expanse as he had as a child. He could hear the phantom whistling of wind through the buildings and the scurrying of rodent feet across the roof where his childhood self lay. He never imagined he would be here right now, defending the colonies and his home against the oppressive regime of the Alliance. That child laying on the rooftop was sure he would die before he reached this age. Yes, he was smart and talented but with the amount of death he saw on a daily basis as a child, he just couldn't imagine he would get so "lucky" as to make it this far... But it wasn't really his own mortality he was contemplating... He was just trying to avoid contemplating Heero's. Oh, of course, he'd seen him take worse hits for sure, but still. He hadn't heard from him or of him in over a week now and the nagging worry in the back of his brain was distracting him. He didn't really know what it was about the other boy that drew him so strongly in but he couldn't help but think of him when he stared out at the stars. Would Heero be as disappointing? Would Heero look the same if he was standing on the other side? Or would he be different, brighter, if Duo was finally inside his universe? Duo sighed. It didn't matter. Even if they both survived this war, what would they do then? Get a little cottage in the country and live out the rest of their days in blissful harmony? He chastised himself under his breath. He knew Heero wouldn't be satisfied with that. And if he was honest with himself, he knew he wouldn't be either. Frustrated, Duo decided to turn back to the repair station. He should be getting some communication from Professor G any day now but the waiting was nearly unbearable. His thoughts overwhelmed him when he was forced to wait and think. There was only one other suit being repaired at the station and Duo thought he might lend a hand to get his mind off... things. He approached his comrade Trowa with a friendly smile when he saw him perched on the suit's shoulder, a tangle of wires between his long fingers. "I see you're making a lot of headway," he called up to him, laughing. "Need a hand?" Trowa stared down at his fellow pilot from beneath his extreme bangs. A small smile slipped across his face. "Sure." He agreed easily before turning his attention back to the mess as Duo started to head up, but then stopped and turned back to him. "Oh, before you get up here, you got a comm right after you left. There should be a message for you." "Why didn't you tell me in the first place!" Duo shouted, his heart in his throat as he jumped down from his position a quarter way up the mech. Ah, sure, it was probably G, but he could hope, right? "Sorry!" Trowa called back as Duo rushed to a comm link. Quickly he pulled up his messages and saw the most recent one was unexpectedly from L4 Colony. Quatre. He opened the video and Quatre's smiling face popped up. There was a bit of mirth in his eyes that Duo didn't understand at first. "Hey Duo, hope your repairs aren't too extensive. Just wanted you to know I've been doing some repairs of my own." Here Quatre winked at the camera and Duo's heart started beating faster. "Heero is here with me, recovering. I can't imagine he'd want to be here much longer than another day or two despite his injuries. You know how he is." Quatre rolled his eyes. "Anyway, you know, you are always welcome here, so..." He trailed off with a secret smile and the communication ended. Duo stood staring at the panel for a minute. Of course he *wanted* to go, but he was sure Heero didn't really want him there. What would he even say when he got there? And how long would Duo get to see him anyway? A couple hours? How long before Heero either left from his posh "prison" or Duo was called away for another mission? But he knew what he was going to do, despite what a miserable waste of time it would be. He knew what he was going to do from the very moment he realized what Quatre's message would say. He signed out of the comm link and ran back to his Gundam. "Hey, so I guess you're not helping me out with this then, huh?" Trowa called over to him as he climbed into Deathscythe's cockpit. Duo smiled apologetically back at his friend. "Sorry, man. Not today!" "I owe you one," Duo greeted Quatre with a big hug on the beautifully tiled promenade. No matter how many times he had been here, he was always amazed by the grandeur and magnificence of Quatre's home. It was so different from how he was raised... he couldn't imagine growing up in such opulence and safety. "Don't worry about it," Quatre replied earnestly. "You're going to need some help if you want to win THAT guy over." Duo laughed half-heartedly. "Yeah, I don't know, I don't know if I even want that, I just -" "I know, I know," Quatre waved off his explanation. "It doesn't matter." Quatre took his arm to lead him through the palace. "Just go see him. You are good for him. Whether he'd like to admit it or not... some part of him does need you." Duo felt his face flush at his friend's honesty and he mumbled out, "I don't know about that." Quatre stopped as they turned and corner and pointed down the hallway. "He's there," he whispered. "In the library. He's been there all day." Suddenly faced with the reality that he was going to have to say... something!... Duo tensed up. Adrenaline coursed through his veins and it was almost worse than being in one-on-one combat. His legs felt like lead as he forced himself forward. Glancing back over his shoulder he realized that Quatre had abandoned him, so he swallowed hard and slowly pushed open the door. Heero didn't flinch. Duo wasn't sure if he didn't hear the door open, or if he just didn't care. He stared out the window on the far side of the room, one leg tucked up under him, a bandaged arm resting between his chin and his knee. He seemed so human, curled up like that, making him seem far more approachable than his usual cold, aggressive stare did. He walked up to him and stood behind him a moment, staring at the rather boring view outside the window. "You must have a lot on your mind," Duo murmured. Heero moved his head to look over his shoulder. His eyes met Duo's for a moment, but that was it. Then he was back to staring out the window. "I guess Quatre wanted me to convince you to stay here for a few more days, let your wounds heal a little more," Duo continued, thankful for his ability to find meaningless words in any situation. "I mean, you and I both know that's a waste of time, but Quatre... hey I guess it doesn't hurt to hope." Heero shook his head slightly but didn't break his stare. "You shouldn't have come. I'm leaving tomorrow." Duo took that as an opportunity and pulled up his own chair, straddling it and resting his arms and his chin on the back of it, joining Heero in staring across the sandy landscape. "I don't really mind wasting my time," Duo replied softly and the silence between them became comfortable for once. He wondered what Heero saw as he stared out there across the dunes. Was it much like his stars? No... it couldn't be. Sand was different. There was no uniqueness to sand, no individuality, no importance like the placement of stars had. The infinitesimal grains of sand were so much like their lives. Small and meaningless. One grain of sand couldn't do anything by itself... but together they could reshape the landscape. Duo had completely lost track of the time when Heero finally turned his head toward him and said, "I think this is the quietest you've ever been." Duo caught himself chuckling a little and met Heero's blue eyes. "I guess I just have a lot on my mind too." "I thought Quatre called you in here to talk to me. I think I've worried him. You'd think I'd be used to that, by now..." Heero confessed quietly. "No, not really," Duo replied, hoping to comfort him. "I came because I wanted to." "Oh." Heero stared back at the window. There was a long pause between them. Duo wanted to speak, but sensed Heero had something he wanted to say, but was embarrassed? Afraid? Duo couldn't guess. "It would be okay, you know," Heero started hesitantly, his gaze fixed on the glass, "if you talked." "Oh?" Duo studied the profile of the other boy. He seemed anxious and sad. It hurt Duo to see him like that. Not that he frequently saw Heero emotional... but that was just it. It hurt to see someone who normally didn't feel only suffer when he did feel. "I guess I was kind of enjoying this. Like I kind of understood you for a moment." Heero's frowned. "I'd like to think there's more to me than this. But I guess not..." "That's not what I meant." Duo sighed. "All of us are basically the war right now. You just handle it so differently, you know? You're so introspective. I... I kind of admire that. How you hold it together." Heero shook his head. "No. You just think that. But it's not like that. I only manage by not thinking about it at all. That's why I don't do this. That's why I keep going. I don't want to think." Heero stood up suddenly and Duo knew he was about to walk out. Duo stood quickly and called his name. Heero turned. "Don't walk out on me like that. I came all the way here to see you," Duo confessed, unable to keep the frustration out of his voice. "Why?" Heero asked, aggravation more clearly visible then Duo had ever seen it before. "Don't you know who I am? What I am? I was going to kill you after you failed against the dolls. You understand that, right? I was going to KILL you." Duo was hurt by hearing his intentions that day said aloud again. Heero must've seen the pain flash in his eyes because he turned again, thinking the conversation was over. But Duo wasn't letting him get off that easy. "But you didn't," Duo stated simply. Heero stopped in his tracks. "What?" "You didn't," Duo repeated, risking his ire. "You didn't kill me." Slowly Heero turned to face and study him. The critical stare made Duo feel like a lab rat. He approached Heero with his hands on his hips, challenging him not to break his stare. "I know what you are, Heero Yuy," he spat angrily. "You and me, we're just the same. We're killers." He pushed his forefinger into Heero's chest. "People die because of us. Maybe, maybe that day you didn't want one more death on you conscious - okay. But don't pretend like I haven't been there, because I have. Wait til people start dying and you can't control it. Then you come talk to me - because then you'll know ME." In a movement Duo barely noticed Heero grabbed his wrist and yanked his hand off his chest, throwing Duo off balance, bringing him even closer to Heero than he already was. And then, suddenly, Heero's other hand was on the small of his back, holding Duo against him. It took all the strength he could muster not to let his knees give out under him as Heero pressed his lips against his. The suddenness of it was overwhelming. The blood rushed to Duo's head but he didn't want to miss a single second. He never expected that kind of unabashed passion from Heero. He locked his trembling hands on either side of Heero's face as he kissed Duo desperately. In that moment, locked in that inseparable kiss, he knew Heero didn't kill him because when he looked him in the eyes, he wondered if this would feel this way, too. And then as quickly as it began, Heero pulled away and turned from him to the door. "No, wait!" Duo demanded, grabbing his arm and forcing him around to face him. "What was that? You can't just - just -" And then Heero was on him again, one hand tangled in hair, dragging him into another kiss by the base of his skull. Duo placed his hands on Heero's hips, pulling them against his. Again Heero untangled himself from Duo but Duo didn't let him turn away. "What are you doing?" Duo begged for an explanation from the other boy. "That's what you wanted, wasn't it?" Heero asked, his voiced tight with restraint. "Just me? That's what I wanted?" Duo asked, finally recovering his breath. Heero went in for another overbearing kiss that Duo couldn't deny, but after a moment Duo forced himself away and asked, "you don't want this? You don't want me?" "I want you," Heero whispered, pulling him in again, kissing him like he would never get another chance. Then he closed his eyes and groaned, resting his forehead against Duo's as Duo pressed his hips against Heero's, unable to control himself. "We can't," Heero pleaded, trying in vain to pull himself away. Duo forced himself to stop and plant a small kiss on Heero's bottom lip, but wouldn't let him pull away. "Why not?" "We can't..." Heero repeated, seeming less convinced. They kissed again and despite Duo's overwhelming desire he didn't want to force Heero into anything he felt uncomfortable with. "I have to go," Heero stated firmly, still locked in his embrace. "You know I'll find you," Duo promised, kissing him again. "No matter how far you go, I'll find you." And again. "I... I'd like that..." Heero admitted quietly, kissing his lips, his nose, his forehead. And then, despite every fiber of his being screaming not to, Duo let go. And Heero walked away. The rush Duo felt as he snuck into the safehouse had him practically bouncing off the walls. He peeled off layers of sweat soaked clothes and circled the small atrium in an attempt to wind down. He knew someone else was here but was too anxious to call out to them. He suspected Trowa as this was L3, but he didn't actually know who was on the other part of this mission with him. Honestly for him hacking could be more stressful than combat. Mentally it was, anyway. He would play back over every detail, trying to determine if there were any better, more secure, more innocuous ways of achieving the same result. He was down to a tank and his boxers and was absentmindedly digging through the cabinets taking stock when he heard the shuffle of feet on the bare dirt floor behind him. Duo turned completely around, ready to vent to Trowa, but his mouth hung open on the first word and wouldn't shut when he saw who it was. Heero. A dark, serious vision, staring at him from the doorway. He seemed weaker from this mission, exhausted, he let himself lean his full weight into the doorframe. His hair fell limp and sweaty into his eyes, a fresh bandage wrapped around his arm in the same place he had been bandaged up at Quatre's and Duo knew he must've opened the wound again. But despite all of that, Duo still thought he was the most handsome man he'd ever laid his eyes on. "Heero, I..." Duo started, but didn't know how to finish. And then, without warning or provocation, Heero was on him, kissing his mouth, his neck, his shoulders, pressing him into the cabinets, pinning his hips with his hips. Heero's hands ran deftly up Duo's torso, throwing off his tank and adding it to the collection of clothes on the floor that Duo removed himself. Duo let himself be ravished for a moment because he simply couldn't bring himself to do anything else. But quickly his curiosity got the best of him and he had to stop the onslaught. "Heero?" he asked simply and covered the other boy's mouth with his hand to halt him. "What are you doing? I thought..." "I don't want to think about it," Heero answered darkly, leaning in for another kiss, which he reluctantly returned. Duo recalled their conversation only two weeks ago and didn't know whether to be offended or not. He didn't really want to be that easy, but honestly, what kind of relationship could he really expect? Either of them could die any day. It would be easier this way... "I want you," Heero whispered in his ear, kissing his jaw. The repeated confession intoxicated Duo. No one had ever wanted him this way before. "Isn't that enough?" Heero asked. And Duo knew it was. Duo remembered fondly how he laid with, really on top of, Heero on that tiny bed, listening to his strong heart beating rhythmically in his chest. He had never let himself imagine what it would be like to be with Heero, so he was content to bask in the afterglow with complete satisfaction. They fell asleep so easily in each other's arms, but when morning came Heero slid out of bed and was gone. Since that night Duo was desperate to see the other pilot again. Just the memory of his lips made him feel light headed and he had to push him out of his thoughts constantly just to focus. He held it together for the most part, but every mission they weren't on together was a disappointment and every empty safe house was unbearably lonesome. But his spirits were high as he walked across the main corridor in the repair station, waving and swapping pleasantries with the other people there. He knew it was only a matter of time before their paths would cross again. Even with that attitude though, Duo didn't expect to see what he did when he turned back to look at Deathscythe. There was Heero, leaning against it, arms crossed against his chest, watching Duo from under his bangs, waiting patiently for him to return. As much as Duo wanted to run to him, wrap his arms around him and smother him with kisses, he stopped himself and casually strolled over, punching Heero playfully in the arm. "Well, aren't *you* a sight for sore eyes?!" Duo exclaimed with a wide smile. "What are you doing here?" Heero pressed a finger into his chest for a moment and looked him straight in the eyes. "I found you." Duo's heart skipped a beat. He searched Heero's eyes desperately for a moment. "You -" "Not here -!" Heero hissed and turned, walking away. Duo followed right behind him. He turned a corner and as soon as they were away from prying eyes, pulled Duo into a long overdue kiss. Duo melted into him, locking his arms weakly around Heero's waist. "I wondered when I would see you again..." he murmured contently as Heero kissed his neck, every placement of his lips deliberate and wanting. "I'm surprised to see you here." "I only have a few hours," Heero admitted. "But I heard you were here, and I..." He didn't finish, but Duo didn't mind. Feeling Heero's body against him, his hands on his face, his torso, his hips... That was all he wanted. They stumbled carefully down the hallways, stopping to share needy kisses until their desires threatened to overwhelm them. Eagerly they fell into an unused bunk room and locked the door, greedily kissing and touching and feeling. All the desperation they felt at the war they took out on each other - their love being rough and reckless and futile. As if somehow, those shared moments, could make them forget the war. Could make up for all the love they never had a chance to feel as children. They made love until their bodies were spent and they only wanted the comfort of each other's embrace. Duo knew his time was quickly winding down with Heero and instead of getting upset, he tried to remain positive and thankful for these fleeting moments with him. "I'm glad you came for me," Duo whispered tentatively, nuzzling his nose against Heero's neck, kissing it gently, his hand resting firmly in the center of his chest. Heero said nothing, but squeezed him a bit tighter. "Do me a favor?" Duo asked softly. "I know you have to leave soon. Just... don't leave until I fall asleep? I don't want to see you go." Heero paused a moment then lifted Duo's battered and calloused fingers to his mouth and kissed them in acquiescence. As much as Duo wanted to stay awake so Heero would never leave, he could feel himself slipping. The comfort of the other pilot's presence was more than he could fight. His last thought as his eyes fell closed was the ridiculous hope that Heero would defy his duty and be there for him when he woke up... So much time had passed it seemed since he had seen the other boy. Their last encounter didn't leave him excited and wanting the way the first had. Unfortunately it left him lacking. Angry. It was just sex, Duo knew that, but it didn't make things any easier for him. Maybe they couldn't have a cottage in the country, but some acknowledgement of their... thing... would've been acceptable. He stood with his back against the flimsy wall of this safe house, tired after hiding his Gundam a few kilometers away. But as usual he was having a difficult time unwinding so he stared absentmindedly at the stars above, barely visible through the small clearing in the trees. The breeze felt good, chilling his sweaty skin. He didn't want to get emotionally involved, but it was becoming more and more obvious to him that there was nothing he could do NOT to get emotionally involved. Suddenly Heero appeared, as if his thoughts summoned him, through the brush. He was banged up, as usual, but Duo's sympathy was gone. While he would've liked to have smiled, waved, or hid his emotions in some petty way, the only thing Duo could manage was a bit of a glare as Heero stationed himself beside him, turning to stare at the stars along with him. "I wasn't expecting to see you here," Duo told him flatly, the excitement of his last unexpected encounter completely absent. Heero didn't say anything. He didn't even acknowledge Duo's presence. Duo muttered the word "figures" under his breath as he felt his blood pressure rise. The tension between them mounted for a few minutes before Duo finally burst out, "what the fuck is wrong with you?!" That certainly got Heero's attention. He turned his head, eyes wide with shock. "I told you," the dark boy replied simply, not allowing himself to be swayed by Duo's fury. "Told me what?" Duo responded, nearly yelling. "You just don't want to think about me, right? Don't want to deal with any of your actions - well, fine! I don't want to deal with you!" For a moment Duo thought he saw remorse flash across Heero's face, but then he was back to profile, focused on the ground. "If that's what you want, I understand," Heero replied at length. Duo almost couldn't believe it. He stared in shock for a moment before full confrontation-mode took hold of him and he got right in Heero's face, hands on his hips. "Do you really think that's what I want?!" he shouted in disbelief. Then a calm rage came over him. He was nearly shaking, but his words were crystal clear. "I thought, perhaps foolishly, I'll admit, things would be different. That you, you would be different. I mean did I expect you to start spouting poetry? No. But fuck just a 'hey Duo, not dead, on Earth' would be nice once in a while. But no. I thought I would mean something to you. But no. You're just like those fucking stars up there, you're the same no matter what side of you I stand on. And apparently just as dead." He finished his speech on a dejected note. He didn't even realize he had all those words in him or that he thought it all out. Heero seemed relatively unphased but when he looked up at Duo, his eyes glistened in the moonlight. "I needed you," he forced out, his teeth gritted. "You said you would find me." Disbelief knocked the wind out of him at Heero's words. He sputtered for a second before finally regaining his voice. "Find you? Find you! Don't you think I tried?! Fuck Heero, I tried. I inquired about you, I searched for you, I had other people looking for you. You may as well have disappeared. Frankly I thought you were dead!" Heero shook his head slightly, accusatory blue eyes staring straight into Duo's soul. "You didn't try hard enough." That was it. Duo hit the roof then. Without thinking he swung back and punched Heero straight in the face, cracking him in the cheek right on a bruise and breaking open a fresh cut that had only recently stopped bleeding so that blood flowed freely down Heero's cheek. Heero glared, both of them a little shocked Duo actually punched him, but both too angry and hurt to back down. Wiping blood from his cheek, Heero returned the swing, landing his blow on Duo's jaw. Furious, Duo returned fire and then it was an all out brawl. However they were both exhausted from their mission so their blows were weak and ineffective. They rolled in the dirt and brush, smacking and punching and tearing at each other, until Heero finally had the upper hand, Duo pinned under him, his hands wrapped around Duo's throat. Duo couldn't help it, tears sprang into his eyes as he struggled to pull Heero's hands off him. He shouldn't have said anything. He should have just kept his mouth shut. He - Then Heero's eyes softened and his grip loosened and he hesitantly leaned down and kissed Duo's cheek. Then his nose. Then, ever so lightly, his lips. Duo didn't want it to, but a soft moan escaped him. Heero's sweaty, strong body on his... Suddenly he wanted Heero worse than ever. And apparently Heero felt exactly the same way. Roughly Heero took Duo's head in his hands and leaned into a full, passionate kiss. Duo squirmed under him, desperate to be free to attack Heero's body with kisses as Heero did his. But Heero wouldn't let him up. Instead he held his hands down, kissing his face and the hollow between his collar bones, biting his neck and jaw, pausing only to regain composure when Duo rocked his hips desperately against his. Finally Heero gave in and they rolled in the underbrush, making love unabashedly underneath the stars. Duo lay in Heero's arms and they stared into the sky together. He couldn't help but consider that nothing changed when he reflected on the stars. Yes he enjoyed this, but when the morning came, he would be devastated, even if he didn't want to be. Duo kissed his cheek and nuzzled his nose against it. "I did try," he said carefully. "By the time I learned you were with Quatre, you were already gone. I'm sorry it wasn't enough..." Duo felt his partner tense up and while he regretted his words slightly, he knew they had to talk about it. "It was just so hard," Heero admitted slowly. "The ZERO system... It just... I just needed... someone." Guilt wracked Duo. He hugged Heero tightly. "But Quatre -" Heero sat up, halting Duo's words, and stared down at him. Those stormy eyes made Duo weak. "Quatre wasn't you." The simple words were everything Duo wanted to hear but at the same time they tore him apart. Maybe he didn't try hard enough. Maybe he abandoned the person he cared for most in his time of need. He sat up too and placed an apologetic hand on Heero's knee. "I'm so sorry," Duo whispered. "I want you, Heero. I want to be there for you. All the time. But you have to let me in. You have to show me how." A little smile sadly sat on Heero's lips before he kissed Duo gently. "I can't," he told him, pain in his voice. "Until the war is over, I... can't. I couldn't manage if you..." And then, quite unexpectedly, Heero leaned his head on Duo's shoulder. Duo wrapped his arm around Heero, pulling him in close. "So what you're saying is once this is all over - you know, because it will be over and we will make it through this - you, me, a little cottage in the country...?" Duo joked and Heero let out one terse momentary laugh. "Not exactly what I was thinking," he admitted. "Oh, its not, huh?" Duo teased, trying to keep the other boy's spirits light. "What *were* you thinking, hmm?" Duo could tell Heero was suddenly very self-conscious. "I don't know..." he started. Then admitted, "maybe a cabin in the mountains of Switzerland. Or L5." Duo's eyes widened as he stared at his lover with surprise, amazed not only that Heero had thought about it, but actually had a place in mind. Despite acting as if he avoided thinking about... 'them' as a... 'couple'... (Duo almost didn't let himself think of them that way) Heero obviously did think about it. At least a little. "But that's so... cold!" Duo exclaimed, unable to keep the amusement out of his voice. Heero sat up straight again, seeming ashamed. "I mean, maybe just for a couple months," he redacted quickly. "I just... wanted to learn to ski." If Duo thought he was shocked before, now he was absolutely astonished. He grasped Heero's chin and turned his bruised face towards him, a huge grin plastered on his own face. "Deal!" he agreed, kissing Heero tenderly. "As long as there's a fireplace and a big, comfy couch - well, and hot chocolate, of course - I'm in!" Duo smiled to see relief in Heero's eyes and even, if Duo wasn't mistaken, a little bit of happiness. Heero kissed him this time, rough and raw. "It's getting cold out here... Let's go inside and warm up," Duo murmured suggestively. "And then you can tell me more about the hobbies you want to pick up after this is over." Heero looked less enthused about that part, but gathered their discarded clothing and they headed to the door of the safehouse. Then Heero stopped in the doorway and turned, complicated eyes bearing into Duo's soul. Duo studied him back, unable to determine exactly what Heero was feeling. But suddenly he was wrapped in an inescapable hug, Heero burying his face into the crook of his neck, holding his breath anxiously. Duo returned the hug, rubbing Heero's back comfortingly. "I... I care about you so much," Heero choked out so quietly Duo almost didn't hear it over the wind rustling the trees. Duo glanced up at the stars, locked in his tight embrace, and for a moment dared to hope that his accusation was wrong, that Heero could be different, that he could be loving, if given the chance. And Duo knew he had to give him that chance. He squeezed back and whispered in his ear, "I care about you too. More than I thought you'd ever know." ~FIN~ |
