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"Dream House"Written By: t-shirt Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters are
copyright to Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties.
I make no money with this fic. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: Fluff, very WAFF ^_^, mega light angst,
mention of impending lemon Pairings: 1x2, mention of 3x4 Summary: After Heero disappeared following the
war, Duo is suddenly surprised to get a phone call out of the blue
from his ex pilot friend. " Dream House"
** “Yeah?” Duo called from a mound in the middle of the yard. “Phone!” Hilde shouted back over the noise of the workmen that now helped keep the thriving salvage yard running. “Can you take a number?” Duo called; loathe to climb down his little mountain just to answer the phone. “You want to take this one!” the girl grinned holding up the portable. “Why?” he grumbled but started to make his precarious way down the side of the rumble. “Because,” she giggled with satisfaction when he tripped and tumbled headlong down the hill as she explained, “It’s Hiiro Yui!” “Geez!” the longhaired boy grunted jumping up the moment he hit bottom. “Are you serious?” he exclaimed almost tripping again in his haste. “See for yourself,” she smiled holding out the receiver. He looked at it for a long moment before something well worn and disturbingly disarming happened to his face and she puckered as he took it. “Hiiro?” “Hello, Duo.” “Wow!” the braided boy exclaimed. “It really is you,” he said and Hilde breathed again sighing happily as he turned away and the strange mask simply disappeared. “I’m sorry to call while you’re working.” “No, no,” Duo smiled heading for the shack they used as an office and the relative quite of its walls. “I wasn’t really busy. Wow, how’ve you been?” “Well,” the Japanese boy replied causing Duo to pause as he closed the door. “Is everything all right?” he asked suddenly mildly alarmed by the odd tone in his ex-partners voice. “It’s fine,” Hiiro replied then amended, “Actually, everything is moving along very well.” “Everything?” Duo questioned kicking back in his desk chair. “What’ve you been up to?” “I’d like to show you,” Hiiro explained. “If you have the time?” “Um… sure,” the longhaired boy replied curiously. “You would have to come back to Earth.” Duo paused thinking of Hilde and the yard but knew she had enough help to run the place quite well without him. “All right,” he agreed. “When and where?” “Are you sure?” Hiiro asked skeptically. “Yeah, why?” Duo replied. “It’s just… you agreed so quickly. I guess I expected to have to convince you,” the Japanese boy chuckled. Duo heard the words and understood their meaning but the sound of Hiiro’s lighthearted laugher stole away any feeling inside him other than a sudden rushing elation he didn’t quite understand. “Are you ok?” he asked being unaccustomed to the sound of Hiiro’s laugh. “I’m fine,” Hiiro assured him and Duo smiled at the sound of a smile in his tone. “Can you leave in three weeks?” “Why so long?” “Um…” Hiiro began taken aback by the question for a moment and Duo blushed when he heard how big that smile had become. “It’ll be fall here soon. That should be perfect.” “Fall?” Duo asked putting his embarrassment over his anxiousness aside. “Can you make it?” Hiiro evaded. “Of course,” Duo grinned. “As soon as you tell me where I’m going.” ** Tennessee. Someplace called Chattanooga that had become a central hub of the United States because of it’s location at a junction of several main highways. Over time the city had grown into a sprawling metropolis but the area where Hiiro had requested Duo’s company was an older, rural section. Duo had looked it up several times on the web marveling at each and every picture he could find. He smiled again as he lay back in his shuttle seat and clicked through the pictures he’d found of the area. There was one of a small mountain region during winter he paused on for a moment, its picturesque hills reflecting the soft moonlight from above. He giggled at an image taken by an eight year old and proudly displayed on his parent’s home site of a small rabbit poking its nose out of a hole in a green hillside. The township he was destined for was only a small part of the larger city and, for the most part, self sufficient. He’d been curious as to why the perfect soldier had chosen this particular place to do whatever it was he had been doing since he refused to divulge that information and dug around determinedly for any clues but there was nothing that bore Hiiro’s mark in the local news. There were schools and shops and playgrounds galore as well as Tekneil Spaceport which was only ten minutes away. Twenty minutes in the opposite direction was a world class sports area where many ball games, concerts and social events took place and the entire place was dotted with prospects for just about any sort of entertainment know to man. Duo smiled to himself thinking how well Hiiro seemed to have done for himself then wondered if he even realized he’d landed right in the middle of a virtual paradise. It reminded him of a conversation he and the Japanese boy had once had on the subject of dreams. ** “Duo! Wake up!” “Wha!?!” the braided boy gasped gripping his partners arms painfully as he shot up from the ground. “You were dreaming,” Hiiro told him gripping him tightly in return. “Shit,” Duo exclaimed shaking off the chill of the nightmare. “Are you all right?” “Sure, man,” Duo shrugged putting some distance between them. “It was just a stupid dream. You know how it is.” He stopped fidgeting with his pack shoving it back under the bush it had been hidden under when Hiiro merely stared at him. “Don’t tell me you don’t dream,” he chuckled plopping back against the nearest tree trunk. “It is a useless activity.” “Yeah, well,” Duo grumbled. “Most people can’t help it.” “And emotionally disturbing,” Hiiro tossed in but it only made Duo laugh. “Nightmares are a pain in the ass,” he agreed. “But not all dreams are bad ones.” Hiiro considered him a moment leaning against the tree he had chosen to rest upon then asked, “What do you dream?” Duo blushed averting his eyes for an instant in which Hiiro’s brow creased curiously before he began. “Home mostly.” His partners silence beckoned him onward and he tucked his arms behind his head and smiled as he let his mind embrace the things his heart desired. “I’ve never had one,” he explained. “The closest I ever came was the Maxwell Church.” Hiiro’s jaw tightened upon learning the news that his friend had been present during that tragedy but held his tongue. “But I guess all orphans dream of a someplace they can finally call their own,” Duo went on and Hiiro relaxed as he watched the starlight in his eyes. “I always see a place on Earth for some reason,” Duo smiled. “Somewhere up high on a hill where I can see the world spread out below. It’d be nice to watch the change of seasons for awhile. I think I’d like winter,” he grinned. “As long as I had a place to keep warm.” “A house,” Hiiro commented softly. “Mm,” Duo nodded. “Nothing fancy,” he explained. “Maybe a little three bedroom so I could have a spare bedroom so friends could visit,” he smiled flashing his partner a cocky grin. “And an office but it’d have to be big enough to hold a library.” “Books are available on disk,” Hiiro reminded him. “Yeah,” Duo nodded. “But I like to read in bed and stuff and it’s hard to curl up with a laptop.” Hiiro conceded silently. “It’d have a fireplace too,” the longhaired boy went on smiling up at the night sky again. “And I’d take trips. Ones long enough that’d I’d miss it then come back and snuggle into my very own bed. You ever seen one of those hand pumps?” he asked suddenly. “The ones like in the old movies? Man, I’d love to have one of those in the garden. It’d be just down the hill where the sun hit it just right and I’d grow all sorts of stuff in the spring. They say you can grow strawberries just about anywhere if the weathers warm enough,” he grinned. “But I could fill it with flowers and stuff the rest of the time.” “You want to farm?” Hiiro inquired skeptically. “No,” Duo laughed tossing a leaf at him. “I just wonder what it’d be like to play in the dirt.” Hiiro joined him by way of a secretive smile as he went on. “I guess it’s not really very realistic,” he sighed. “I’d go stir crazy in a little place like that with nothing to do but dig in the dirt and read.” “You could live near a city,” Hiiro reasoned and Duo nodded. “I suppose,” he sighed leaning back to look solemnly up at the stars as he quietly commented, “If I survive.” ** The spaceport was a veritable hive of activity when he arrived. It was huge but he managed to find his bag then turned and felt his heart skip a beat when he saw Hiiro standing just outside the gate. “Hey!” he grinned hurrying to join him. “Man,” he exclaimed. “You look great! When did you give up the spandex?” “I have it on under my pants,” Hiiro deadpanned and for a moment Duo merely stood in stunned silence until the Japanese boy smirked and he burst out laughing. “Developed a sense of humor have we?” Duo chuckled hefting his back higher as he followed his old friend out of the terminal. “It’s not far,” Hiiro reminded him. “But if you need to make a pit stop now’s your only chance.” “Good idea,” Duo nodded heading for the restroom. It had been a long flight and though they had facilities on board he hadn’t used them in some time. He pondered the changes in his ex-partner and smiled when he came to the conclusion that he liked them. Hiiro had finally loosened up a little and that smile sure looked incredible on him. “Ready?” the Japanese boy smiled conforming that fact when he returned. “Lead the way,” Duo grinned falling into step beside him. It took almost five minutes to navigate the busy spaceport before they finally gained the parking levels but no matter how hard Duo tried he couldn’t get a word out of his reluctant companion as to the nature of his trip. It was obvious Hiiro had something important to show him but his earlier thought that it might be a forgotten or undiscovered trove of mobile dolls that needed to be disposed of slowly dissipated under the Japanese boy’s easy smile. No one that could manage that expression was thinking about war. “Wow,” Duo grinned when they pulled out of the spaceport gates. “You can see everything from up here,” he smiled looking out over the expanse of the city. “It’s a prime location for launch,” Hiiro commented. Duo nodded knowing that the elevation would aid in both the safety of the citizens and the success of the shuttles. His mind was on more pressing matters however, and insisted he ask, “So… when do I get to see the big secret?” “Soon,” Hiiro smiled nervously which just sucked the wind right out of Duo’s sails when something inside him shook with joy. Whatever it was Duo’s opinion of it mattered a great deal to the stoic Japanese boy and that made Duo feel about twenty feet tall. He gave up knowing full well Hiiro would tell him when he was good and ready turning to watch the scenery go by. It was really a very nice city. The shops were clean and well kept indicating a healthy economy. Most of the people he saw along the way seemed happy enough and traffic thinned to a moderate flow even in the late afternoon as they moved further away from the spaceport. In the time it took to turn down a winding road that led up the side of a small mountain Duo had come to like the place. He could just picture what it would look like lying under a blanket of snow or covered in the new birth of spring. He was so caught up in gazing down the stepping slope of the hill he didn’t notice they were there until they turned into a secluded drive and he suddenly found it difficult to breath. “It’s not much,” Hiiro commented sounding out of sorts as he shut off the engine but the light dancing in Duo’s eyes sang a different song. “Come on,” Hiiro said taking his bag for him before going around to open his door whereupon the longhaired boy allowed himself to be pulled to his feet but still couldn’t wipe the bewilderment from his face. “What is this place?” he asked wondrously bringing a wide smile to Hiiro’s lips that he completely missed as he stepped toward the house forgetting to close the car door or take his bag from his friend. “The trees are just starting to turn,” Hiiro commented following him up the stone path. Duo stopped long enough to look out over the valley and take in the fact that he could see it in it’s entirety from the front yard. There were houses below but all he could see were the roofs and nothing above but the sky and the top of the mountain. “You live here?” Duo breathed reverently turning back to the quaint, little house nestled among a row of bushy maple trees. “I rebuilt it,” Hiiro explained ushering him inside. “Everything?” Duo asked reaching out to touch the hand carved mahogany railing around the porch. “Most of it,” Hiiro chuckled. “It’s been around for awhile.” “Who owns it?” There was a small living room just inside the door with cozy furniture and a large fish tank that accommodated a white and gold, fancy finned koi. “Whoa!” he grinned going over to have a closer look at the pearly fish. “Is he yours?” “I bought him when I first came here,” Hiiro smiled setting Duo’s bag on the floor. “But they grow fast so I had to get him a bigger tank. Do you like him?” “He’s amazing,” Duo smiled giggling when the fish tried to suck on his finger through the glass. “Does he have a name?” “I… didn’t think he needed one,” Hiiro replied uncertainly then suddenly asked, “Would you like to name him?” Duo grinned watching the shimmering fish turn and swirl through the water. “Odorite.” Hiiro grinned coming closer. “Dancer,” he repeated in English. “It suits him.” “He’s beautiful,” Duo sighed. “If you like him,” Hiiro declared, “then he can stay.” Duo cocked a brow his direction but he was already moving to reclaim his guest’s bag and heading up the stairs. It crossed the longhaired boy’s mind to follow but he was distracted when he glanced into an open doorway below the landing and caught a glimpse of the bindings of books. Curiously he moved toward the door feeling his breath leave him when he stepped inside to find a fully stocked library and office. It was as if he hadn’t woken from sleep. Each title intrigued him as if it had been hand picked specifically to coincide with his interests and desires. The desk was old but unremarkable otherwise and sat before a picture window that looked out on the back yard where, at the moment, several birds were hunting. “Duo?” “What!” he gasped spinning in place so fast he almost fell into Hiiro’s arms. “Are you all right?” the Japanese boy asked setting him fully back on his feet. “Of course, I was just looking around.” “Good,” Hiiro smiled. “Make yourself at home,” he told him heading back out the door. “I’ll make us some tea.” Duo swallowed turning wary eyes back to the library as he softly intoned, “No problem.” He paused to look out the sliding glass doors on the far wall of the living room finding another porch complete with a built in brick grill, patio table and, down the stone path in a small field that faced the east… a garden, one that was currently filled with late blooming flowers that caught the colorful rays of the setting sun and lit the hillside on fire. “Duo?” His name had been spoken softly, so softly in its dire need not to alarm but he had still jumped six inches in the air. “Geez!” he breathed embarrassed by his lack of fortitude. “Sorry,” Hiiro offered standing perfectly still, the tea tray perched securely in his hands but the tale tell trembling of the flower in a small, silver vase betrayed his seeming sobriety. “It’s Tahitian Red,” he informed his stunned guest somewhat sheepishly. “Hiiro,” Duo began trying very hard to work it all out. “Have a seat,” the Japanese boy interjected preempting his curious inquiry. “There’s a theater downtown,” he commented as Duo took a deep breath and a seat. “I believe there’s a new comedy playing if you’d like to go.” “Yeah, sure,” the braided boy replied absently glancing again at the sliding glass doors. “Great,” Hiiro smiled offering him a cup of tea which he took and sucked down half of in one swallow. “Have you heard from Quatre?” he asked leaning back in his chair. “Not since the beginning of the month,” Duo replied. “I think he and Trowa are on L4 this week.” “They’re doing a good job with the restoration.” “You’ve been busy with your own,” Duo commented bringing the conversation back around to what was really on his mind. Hiiro paused only a moment then smiled softly and sipped his tea but Duo was beyond his resistance to ask, “Why did you do this?” “Everyone’s got to have a dream,” the Japanese boy replied cocking half a grin that softened when Duo softly breathed… “But this is my dream.” Hiiro shrugged until he persisted, “Why did you build my dream?” “I learned something that night,” Hiiro confessed setting his tea cup down. “Listening to you made me realize that this,” he said indicating the house, “was what we were fighting for.” Duo glanced around but didn’t look all that enlightened. “Isn’t that what it was all about?” Hiiro asked but received no audible response. “To have the freedom and means to make our dreams come true?” “But this is my dream,” Duo exclaimed suddenly on his feet. “Everything about this place,” he said going back to the sliding glass doors to gaze down at the little garden so reminiscent of the one he had seen in his mind so many times. He stood for a moment before his eyes sparkled with comprehension. “This is what you wanted me to see,” he said turning to find Hiiro standing nary a foot behind him. “This… is why…” he breathed instinctively backing up but finding the glass door baring his escape as he asked again, “Why did you do this?” “Because,” Hiiro replied gazing hopefully into his eyes. “When it was all over and there was nothing left undone,” Duo gasped softly as he moved forward, his fingertips coming to rest gently along his jaw as he explained, “I discovered that all I wanted… was this.” Duo’s knees shook, his fingers clasping at invisible threads as Hiiro leaned forward and gently brushed their lips together. The action was barely notable by means of physical connection but sent a shocking wave of pure, unadulterated joy through his soul leaving him barely able to breath. “Hiiro?” he sighed inhaling the sweet scent of his breath. “Let me make your dreams come true,” Hiiro entreated turning his head to ghost his mouth along Duo’s again and the braided boy let out a small moan that made him shiver visibly and clench his eyes tightly closed. “There must,” Duo squeaked clearing his throat to try again. “There must be something you want for yourself,” he reasoned but was again taken aback when Hiiro instantly replied… “You.” “Is that healthy?” Duo chuckled nervously causing the Japanese boy to slowly move away. “I don’t know,” Hiiro relied honestly. “Isn’t there anything you want to do now that the war is over?” Duo encouraged laying a hand on his forearm that kept him from drifting too far away. “I’d like to fly,” Hiiro confessed making Duo smile hugely. “If you would consider being my partner again,” he tacked on making the braided boy’s eyes dance with euphoric light. “Is that why this place is so close to the spaceport?” Duo grinned tugging him closer and chuckling with glee when Hiiro cocked a shy smile and nodded. “And I bet we could take trips,” the braided boy went on melting comfortably into his arms as he grinned and nodded again. “Ones long enough that we’d miss this place,” Duo went on pulling him close enough that his words warmed his mouth. “So we could come home and snuggle down into…” “Our bed,” Hiiro finished for him claiming the kiss that was waiting on his lips. Duo moaned softly drawing him near and gasped when his hands slid down his back rounding his ass and pulling him tight. “Hiiro?” “Sorry,” the Japanese boy breathed trying hard to pull away and failing. “Are you sure?” Duo asked also incapable of putting any distance between them then barked a laugh when he was suddenly snapped up into Hiiro’s arms and being carried toward the stairs. “Hiiro! Wait,” he laughed clinging on as they took them two at a time. “Do you mean that?” Hiiro asked pausing at the bedroom door for only as long as it took Duo to grin and reply… “No.” owari :)
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