Author: aomurasakiai
Warnings: AU, Heero POV, Sap
Pairings: 1+2 / 2+1
Spoilers: None
Rating: PG
Dedication: Angel, Izora Jade, MOrgan, DSM, Sekra, Ariel, and mustn't forget, Usagi-chan (who also helped me name this arc) for replying to my last fic and encouraging me to continue.
Because You Love It [Fic 01]
Dark . . . . . . . . . Conscious . . . Light.
I groan as the morning sunlight penetrates through my eyelids. I blink sleepily, taking in my surroundings and realizing that I'm in my room. I yawn, thinking that it is quite strange since I don't remember returning here the night before. Stretching and rubbing my eyes, I catch sight of the opposite wall; or rather, what is hanging on it.
I sit up quickly, a small wave of dizziness clouding my vision for a moment as blood rushes into my brain. I blink... and blink again in shock.
The painting.
Masaka... A dream? Hallucination?
Suddenly flashes from the night before burst inside my mind. Duo's phone call... Duo's gift... Duo wanting to stay with me... Duo going into the guestro--
I jump out of bed and sprint out of the room.
Opening the door right next to my own, I find it empty. I feel my heart sink.
"I thought..." Sighing softly, I gently close the door and head towards the bathroom. I run my hand through my hair, confusion building within me. Brushing my teeth and washing up quickly, I walk out to get breakfast.
'It couldn't have *all* been a dream,' I think to myself as I slowly make my way into the kitchen.
"Ohayo Heero." I jump at the voice, the voice I long to hear again and again.
"D-Duo," I say in disbelief. He laughs.
"Well, who were you expecting?" Duo says, winking. I stand there, still trying to take in the sight before me, the fact that *what* had transpired last night, really did happen. Duo sighs, walks across the kitchen, and gently grabs me by the wrist, pulling me toward the table. Gesturing me to sit, he then places my breakfast in front of me.
"Eat up and change…" he smiles again. "…I'm taking you somewhere today." As the shock wears off, I smile back, and quickly bite into a syrup-covered chocolate-chip pancake.
~*~*~*~*~
We're heading back to the park. I can feel myself smiling even more because this time it's different; now, Duo is walking alongside me, whistling and swinging a picnic basket.
As we near it, I can hear the voices of other people... bringing back memories of what I thought was my last day here a month before... when I thought I was leaving it behind forever. I was right in a way; it really did have no meaning without Duo here.
Soon, we reach the entrance to the park and I am still in awe at the breathtaking site. Seems like the Sakuras are always blooming, always drifting, always falling.
But... now it seems that the people here are obstructing them. It doesn't feel right. I want to go back to the very first time I came here, before anyone knew about this place. The time when it was just me and Duo, quiet and alone together.
"Come on Heero. It's just a bit farther." Taking my hand, he leads me further into the park. I start to feel warm as I look at our clasped hands. It just feels... so right.
Walking deeper and deeper into the park, we hardly meet anyone else. Seems that no one wishes to venture far from the entrance and that the blossoming Sakura trees there are enough for them. But nothing there can ever be enough for me... without Duo. Now that I am with him, it is more than enough... even if we are to travel to a barren desert.
As he begins to slow down, he lightly places his hand over my eyes, covering them completely just like the first time with the blindfold. I think he enjoys surprising me. Coming to a stop, he slowly removes his hand and my breath hitches once again.
We are definitely far from the entrance... perhaps far from the park as well. There on top of a grassy hill, is a single Sakura tree, the largest I've ever seen. With the branches swaying slightly, the blossoms lose their delicate grip to take off in the gentle breeze.
"Come on, Heero." He grins at me before grasping onto my hand again, eagerly pulling me to the top and under the shade.
~*~*~*~*~
After placing all the random trash from the delicious lunch he had packed into the picnic basket, Duo places his hands behind his head and lies back on the large, thin blanket. After a moment's hesitation, I follow. He closes his eyes and sighs softly. Looking at him, I can't help but smile.
"I like it here," he says, opening his eyes and turning to look at me. I feel warmth rising to my face as I realize the close proximity between the two of us. He doesn't seem to notice, so he continues, "Nice and quiet. Unlike out there." he gestures in the general direction of the park. "If you'd like Heero, we can make this our... 'secret spot.'" He rolls onto his side, his hand propping his head as he continues to stare at me with shining eyes.
I swallow nervously under his gaze, my face growing hotter and hotter. "I... I'd like that... very much," I manage to say in response. He smiles widely.
~*~*~*~*~
A few moments of peaceful silence relaxes me to an almost lethargic state. But then Duo sits up.
"Hey, Heero. Wanna do something fun?" His eyes dance with mischief.
"Something fun?" I question him. Giving it a thought, I smile and nod.
He quickly grabs my hand and pulls me up with him. We walk out from under the shade and into the soft grass. Stopping for a second, he bends over to remove his shoes, gesturing me to do the same. Experimentally, I step on the grass, feeling how cool it is, how it bends under my feet only to straighten slowly when I remove them, making the imprints temporary.
I follow Duo a bit farther away from the tree, wondering what surprise he has in mind this time. Finally stopping, he turns to me and grins.
"Ready?" A simple question that holds so much mystery... so much uncertainty of what will happen. But never any fear, because I can never... *will* never, be afraid anymore.
I nod.
Smiling once again, he comes close to me. Reaching out, he encircles my waist and pushes me forward... hard. In panic, I lose my balance and fall over, him following my descent onto the grass. As my side makes contact with the tiny yielding blades, I finally notice the sloping edge of the hilltop. Immediately, we begin to roll down.
Faster... grass... sky... clouds... tree... Sakuras... Duo... faster...
Reaching the bottom, Duo rolls off of me and bursts out laughing. Coming out of my momentary state of shock and surprise, I turn to look up the hill where we were just seconds before. It was... so thrilling, so refreshing, so... overwhelming.
Joy courses through me like a bolt of lightning and I let loose my own laughter as well.
It seems an eternity passed before I finally got it to subside. Looking back at Duo I see him smiling more brilliantly than ever before. Brushing my bangs a bit, he quietly sings.
"Kimi ga aisuru mono ni... Itsuka kitto boku waratte yukou."
Leaning into his touch, I close my eyes and quietly translate for him, happiness running through me.
"One day, I'll surely laugh for you... Because you love it."
Owari
Notes: Recognize the song?