More Warnings: 1x2, 3x4 implied, shounen ai, kinda sappy.
The Present Time
Duo smoothed his hand over the back of his green sofa before he forced his body down to sit in it. The ex-Deathscythe pilot stared out over the trash hole that he classified as 'his apartment'. He hadn't cleaned his kitchen in lord knows when. His dishes were piled high with soup bowls, ramen noodles having become the Americans main source of food over the years. Scattered over his floor were his clothes. Which he just striped off around the house and left against the floor. His TV had socks laid across the top of it next to a skull clock. His window was open, letting in the cold night breeze, flashing the lights of the city ahead from every angle.
Duo groaned, closing his eyes to lean his head back. He had just turned seventeen. It was his birthday. Somehow he felt thirty. The war was over; he went into building and mechanics. The company had a hard time resisting a boy who was able to run through repairs with such swiftness. He prided in it. Prided in flashing off his charisma to be hired despite his age. After the war they'd all parted. Quatre was back on L4. Quatre seemed to be the only one that remembered his birthday; the Arabian boy had sent him a video message cheerfully telling the braided boy 'Happy Birthday'.
His face was more defined from age, Quatre still possessed the same elegance, and gentle manner, but his features were older and leaner. He wore a crisp white shirt. "Trowa is coming to visit me!" He had said. "So I have to make sure that everything is cleaned. I haven't seen Trowa in a few months. We've kept in contact almost every day. I proposed the idea of him moving to live in with me and he never complies. Wish me luck. I plan to confess my feelings for him when he arrives. I've decided that I don't care whether he returns it or not. I just want to tell him.." Quatre certainly was brave. Braver than Duo proved to be when it came to his feelings. The platinum haired boy had told Duo that he'd heard from WuFei, that he was working with Sally Po and that he was finally adjusting to living in a world of peace. "But.. Duo, ever since the war ended, I haven't seen or heard from Heero. You know how he is.. without a mission, there's no reason for him to appear.. Duo.. I'm" He knew Quatre would have probably said he was sorry, but Duo had cut off the message by that point. He didn't care. Heero had been out of his life for such a time that he had decided to crush his feelings for the stoic eyed boy. Heero..
"Duo!" A light voice rang. Duo was stirred from his thoughts, his body standing to move towards the window languidly. He peered out to stare to his right at the balcony beside him. It was that girl. Nanaka. His young neighbor that had developed a crush on him. He dated her once or twice, but he couldn't get his mind off the cold frames of Heero. "Oi! Nanaka! What is it? Did you leave something in my place?" He asked curiously, flashing to the girl his usually poised smile. Duo must have looked like the devil. He was wearing a sleeveless ripped black shirt that fit tight to his chest, displaying the boys lean figure. His jeans were a tight black wash, his braid tossed over his shoulder. He had a subtly vampiric appeal to his features, his hands grasping the railing with a cats grip. "No.. It's just.. I'm scared. Someone's been watching us.." She said softly, her voice lowering as a slow blush rose to her cheeks.
Time for me to play the hero? What the hell. He was Shinigami on vacation, but the idea of claiming the life of a stalker was always welcomed. The war may have been over, but he still thirsted for the elation of a fight. With a soft click of his tongue he agreed, "Where did you see this stalker? I'll check it out." "W-would you really Duo? They've been back there.. in that alley.." She dare not point to the alley, but Duo knew of the exact place she spoke of. "Nanaka, you go back to sleep, I'll take care of it." "Arigato!" With that her head popped back into her room, her windows shutting. Finally..
Duo grabbed hold of his jacket, sliding his arms through it. He never locked his doors, and always kept he windows open, he welcomed the idea of someone just trying to defeat him. It was almost sad that now he was resorting to destroying all security just to get someone to break into him home. He turned the knob and moved out of his room. The gust of the night breeze brushed against him, wavering his braid in the moonlight, and the play of shadows. He moved with the agility of a cat, proceeding with soft movements to slip over the staircase, taking each shadow to his advantage as he neared the alley. He could see a figure standing in the back of the dead end alley. Duo noticed that despite the fact he was well hidden, the figure was staring right at him and doing nothing. The eyes of the man seeing Duo through the darkness. But he didn't even flinch.
Duo slid from the obscure shadow to face the figure, "Aa. So you've seen me. Who are you? Why are you stalking *my* apartment complex. You're not a ninja, come out of there.." "Hn. Your complex?" The response was in a monotone voice, holding no emotion. Deep, cool, and cold. I know that voice.. Duo could feel rivulets of shivers through his spine as his stomach scattered. He knew that voice. He'd heard it in his thoughts, his sleep, and it sounded almost just as it had, only now it was more defined. "Heero.. " Duo let the word escape his mouth slowly, near the point of disbelief.
Heero pulled from out of the alley shadow into the moonlight. He was wearing his usual green shirt. Duo had to wonder if he ever changed it at all. He wore a pair of jeans and a long, flowing, black trench coat. His brown hair was turning wild in the wind. His eyes had not changed. The same, cold, collected gaze, the same stone features. Heero was taller now, and his body showed signs in a slight growth of his muscular physique. Duo was at a loss of words. He would normally hug someone he hadn't seen in so long, but the best he could muster was, "What are you doing here?" Duo, you idiot. You've wanted this moment for the past year and a half, and you're chastising him already? The next action of Heero's surprised him. Heero's hand slid out to hold an envelope with a red ribbon tied around it. Oh! My birthday. He was flattered Heero remembered, and he couldn't think of a better present.
Shifted with embarrassment Duo motioned to the steps leading to his apartment, "Heero, come on up. It's cold out here." As if the cold could break in indestructible Heero Yuy. He thought as he moved towards the staircase. It was strange, Heero hadn't changed that much. He was still just as quiet and anti-social as ever, but he didn't seem to hold the same malice in his gaze. He was sure quiet though. Then again Duo wasn't talking much like he use to. Duo put on his best face though. He had wanted to see Heero. Badly. "It's not a bad place I like it all right, there's a little problem with the heat in the summer, my AC isn't so good ya know? I bought a fan to use, and Nanaka keeps borrowing it, I swear she does it just so she can see me sweaty when I go to her place to retrieve it. Nanaka's my neighbor-" "You haven't changed a damn bit," Heero said. But somehow, even though Heero's voice was monotone, it didn't sound like an insult. It sounded.. pleased. Duo reaches his hand out to open his door, "Hey, war or no war, I'm Duo." The Japanese boy eyed him carefully, and then stepped into the apartment.
Duo closed the door behind himself as he turned to face Heero. Heero was bending to grasp Duo's black shirt from off the ground. "Yeah, so my place is a mess, I just haven't had time to clean it.." I've never even picked up a feather duster, I don't know why I got a vacuum I never use it. Heero let the shirt drop from his fingers to the floor. Duo moved towards the couch, shoving the empty bag of chips and tangle of clothes off it to offer Heero a seat. The ex-Wing pilot didn't seem disgusted in the least as he sat down. Duo was hesitant to sit beside him, but as he did so he felt the distinct urge to move closer, but he didn't act on it. "So here's the scoop. I work in building and repair. I guess you can kinda call me an engineer. I moved here for a sweet little deal and- Itai!" Yelled Duo defensively as he grasped his braid which Heero had pulled to silence him. "Shut up.." Heero said in a low breath. Duo managed to caste a glare at Heero. He didn't know what the hell Heero came for. "You're not here to just catch up on old time.. are you? That's not like you. Hell you haven't said a word to me in almost two years or anyone, you just disappear." Heero's blue eyes watched Duo placidly, "I've been in contact with Trowa.." Duo's eyes widened. Trowa's known all this time? He didn't tell Quatre! This was strange because Trowa tells Quatre everything! And Quatre blabs it to Duo. It was a nice cycle. "Yeah, I understand, not important enough to remain on the infamous Heero Yuy's schedule." Heero grit his teeth, "Cut it out. Listen."
Shinigami sat patiently; he'd let Heero talk for a while. "I maintain the computer security systems for world systems.." That was no surprise. Heero who use to stay bent over his laptop 24/7 now had a large computer system to lean over 24/7. "Trowa manages that system with me. Wufei was transferred to the department. Trowa is asking Quatre and I'm asking you.. to come work for us.." The idea was so tempting, to be able to be with all his Gundam boys again. It felt right to all be together, but it didn't make sense. He crunched back into the couch, "At least Trowa kept in touch.." "I didn't want to talk to you.." Heero stated. That made Duo feel so good..
Duo slid off the couch with a sigh, lowering to pick up his shirt off the floor. Suddenly deciding to clean his room for the first time in his life. "I don't need your hand outs Heero," He said forcefully. "This isn't a hand out Duo.." The Japanese boy practically growled, he abruptly stood from the chair, turning to watch the window, "It ended up showing that we're the only ones qualified to handle the tasks. It gives purpose it gives-" "A constant mission? Yeah, well Heero, I like my life," Duo lied through his damn teeth. He hated his life. He wanted to join Heero, but his lips weren't cooperating. "It is incomplete without you," he stated firmly. Duo stuffed his clothes into an open cardboard box, heading to his small kitchen to drag cold coffee from the microwave. It must have been in there all day. He began to drink the cold liquid. "You've got some nerve Yuy. Just appearing out of the blue. Yeah, I'll accept it," Duo murmured into the cup. Heero was pleased, his silence seeming to see that as he discontinued the brief dispute. "Heero?" "Aa?"
"You didn't want to talk to me because I annoyed you? Ch' if I was pissing you off you could have said so, friends just don't disappear on friends." Heero moved over towards Duo. Every time Heero was near he could feel the hair on his back stand on it's end. The energy he felt near the boy was just as incredible as it had been in the past. He was not over Heero. He was just as attracted and desirous of him as he'd ever been. "I left to resolve a matter. With Relena," He said calmly. Shit, I'd forgotten all about Relena. The two of them are probably married by now. Duo felt a slow tint come to his face, "Oh? How are the two of you?" Heero kept staring at him. His eyes must have been glued to Duo, but the gaze didn't make Duo feel uneasy, it only intensified his already full blown attraction for the boy. Heero slide his hand through his tousled hair. Beautiful, strong, defiant. That's Heero. "Relena and I were together.." Heero paused, but 'were together' stuck in Duo's mind. 'Were' not 'are'. "So.. things didn't work out?" He asked. "Baka. That was obvious to see in the beginning. Relena helped me to resolve a guilt," He explained as he ran his hand against the counter. "Yeah, but you loved her right?" Duo asked, sipping his already chilled coffee.
"Hn," was Heero's response. It wasn't a yes or no, but from Heero's actions it was more likely the later. Duo sighed shaking his head, "The only woman who could stand your personality and you screwed it up. That was bad Heero. Especially if you didn't love her to just hurt her like that and pretend. What did you ruin it over? Your job? Your pride?" "You Duo.." Duo felt a sting sharply inflict his stomach into knots as he mouths slowly, "Me? H- how?"
Heero gripped his hand to the mug of cold coffee, setting it aside. He remained. His, frosty, calloused fingers to touch the frame of Duo's jaw. Heero's eyes were set with determination that Duo had only seen Heero wear in missions. His jaw rigid, "One night, Relena asked me to stay in the room. She came out in a night gown.. with her hair braided. She knew that I preferred her hair braided. I held her in my arms, stroking back her bangs in the darkness.." Duo instinctively grasped at his own braid as he found his own gaze swallowed by Heero's. "She kissed me, murmuring how happy she was. And with her kiss I felt nothing. But I held to her tightly, and when she asked me if I would remain with her, I responded saying 'Always Duo'." Duo's face heated, Heero had called Relena by his name.
"Heero.." Duo breathed the name, as if it was sacred. Duo's fingers reaching as his arms fled to throw around Heero. "I don't want to be dreaming Heero! Tell me this isn't a dream!" The violet-eyed boy pleaded. He was surprised, he never knew Heero to be affectionate in anyway. Heero was awkwardly returning the hold to Duo, and as more time passed he was comfortable with it. It came so naturally. Duo crushed his face gently against Heero's should, inhaling him. Heero's coat smelled like newspapers and his breath smelled like mint. It was an intoxicating mix. Duo could have melted in the moment. "It's not.." It was a simply reply, made in Heero's cold, casual voice. But Heero's voice sounded like sweet music to Duo, who had been desperate for this one moment. "At the time, I believed that you would be disgusted learning of my- feelings for you," Heero continued in the same solemn voice, his arms were holding Duo so tight against him, his fingers grasping the chestnut hair. Irony. I felt the same way. "I felt the same way Heero. I never was going to confess.. so how did you find out?" "Trowa. You told Quatre, and Trowa told me." So I was wrong, there really are no secrets between the two of them. "Ch' I should have guessed, I'm surprised those two haven't confessed up their real feelings for each other." "Trowa's telling him.." "Quatre said he was going to tell the same thing," Duo stated. Trowa and Quatre knew Heero and Duo's affinities before they even knew of their own. More Irony.
"Trowa placed his confession in an envelope with a ribbon." Duo remained close against Heero, inhaling softly, "Kinda like the one you brought for my birthda-" He stopped right there. Not *kinda* like, but *exactly* like. Duo darted his head up with suspicion, "Heero?" He must have said that for the ten hundredth time tonight. Heero handed the crisp envelope to Duo, who quickly striped it of the red ribbon. Scrawled in Heero's wonderfully thick handwriting was Duo.. ai shiteiru. The braided boy froze he had to read it several times for in to sink in. Heero was painfully silent. Not saying another word. Duo placed the letter down with care; afraid the evidence of love would break. "I love you Heero. Dammit, I've been loving you for a *long* time," Duo scolded with a soft smile. Heero kept his reform to his usual, his cool gaze watching Duo as he formulated the words, "You enjoy your present?" "Do you have to ask? Yeah Heero, I *love* my present.." Heero leans forward, his mouth touching to Duo's in a warm kiss. For Heero's usually tough exterior, he kissed blissfully.
"Happy birthday Duo.."
Author Note: *_* Well, what do you think? I'm not very good with short fics, but I twied. Weally I did.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. This is strictly fan fiction on the televised series Gundam Wing. It is for non-profit and I am in no way affiliated with it. (duh!) Purely entertainment based here.