This is a Heero and Duo fan fiction. There is a lemon-y fresh smell about this story if you get my drift.

So you know, there's some Japanese in this story, I did my best, but if you notice some mistakes with my grammar or what not please let me know. And I'm sorry, Heero is a little out of character, I made him talk, XD. The other thing you need to know, I did not make up Heero and Duo's back story for this story, I got them from a manga called Gundam Wing – Episode Zero. Though I will explain everything so it is not necessary for you to read it to understand this story, I do recommend it.

Thanks a bunch, check out the disclaimer and my spiffy copy write and then please head on and to the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam wing, Bandai does I think. Well technically I do own it cause I've got all the episodes on DVD, the movie, a bunch of tee-shirts, and a few action figures... Oh well.

©Yakubi

A Home To Return To

Chapter 01

Gundam Pilots had no homes. This was a rule made so that the Gundam Pilots could not be threatened. However, this rule had been largely ignored as everyone who was anyone had known that the Gundams where fighting for the colonies. And now, after the wars were done, and the Gundams were gone, most of the Gundam Pilots did have places to call home.

Trowa had, for a very long time, called the circus home. Then a one sided affection was formed between him and Quatre. Trowa had never been one for friendship and so had pushed the blond away. But when Trowa offered more than just a simple friendship, Quatre snapped it up. Trowa had then moved in with Quatre. Whether the two had become brothers or lovers no one knew, but Trowa and Quatre had a home with each other in Quatre's rich estates on Earth and the colonies. Most of the time they did stay in the colonies, they would return to earth once in a while to have a visit with old friends.

Wu Fei had been harder to place. The man was a soldier through and though, thus he had become a very good Preventer. At first, his job was the only place he felt content but then he had been put on more and more cases with one Sally Poe. Sure enough, she wore him down and eventually he consented to settle down with her. They were working on marriage plans at the moment. Most people were sure that Sally Poe was one hell of a woman to have the stomach to put up with Wu Fei for as long as she had, much less as long as she planned to.

Heero Yuy and Duo Maxwell were the only people that seemed to take this rule to heart, even after the war was over. Heero moved from place to place when he felt like it. He was always ready for another war to break out, whether he was in the colonies, on the moon or enjoying earth he never let his guard down. Getting around was as easy as ever for him, just a little hacking and he had whatever he needed. He didn't over use this ability though, he lived a modest life.

Then there was Duo, he used his religious background to his advantage. He went from one church to another, earning a few days keep with his well placed words. His sermons were becoming well known and he was let in easier and easier every time. Whether it was on the moon, in the colonies or on earth, as long as he promised to preach, he was given a bed and food for a night or two. Duo was comfortable as long as there was a church nearby. He, to, lived modestly. He made sure he had enough to live on, but no more.

Pasts where also something that Heero and Duo shared; both of them had been through a lot, and though at times they wished to forget, they were both shaped by people long gone.

Heero had at first traveled with a man named Odin Lowe. He had taught Heero how to live before the boy even had a name. Heero had felt a tinge of emotion when he had found out the all the professors had died in some freak accident, but he couldn't say that he cared all that much. While Doctor J had taught him many things he was also the man that had toy with his life, and taken away his chance to try to live normally. Heero tried not to get bogged up in the past; the future was more important to him now.

Duo had first lived as an orphan on the streets, being named by his best friend Solo. But after his friends death he had been taken in at the Maxwell Church. While all the other children had been adopted away, Duo always returned. After the church was destroyed Duo adopted the persona of the God of Death and became a Gundam pilot.

Heero was currently walking along a more run-down street in the backwater area of a colony. He needed a place to stay. While it would be easy to break into someone's house, there was no harm in looking for some legal way to earn his keep.

"Sir!"

Heero turned his head to face a man with his cold blue eyes. "What?"

"You, you should come inside!" The man gestured to the church behind him, the building had clearly seen better days. "We have a very talented young man preaching today and I think you might want to hear what he says!"

"Sorry, not interested in religion." Heero turned to start walking.

"If you just come in and listen to this man's words I'm sure you will see God's light!"

"Not interested." Heero's patience was running thin.

"If you come in and listen I will give you a free bed for the night and a warm meal!"

The man had captured Heero's interest now. The brunette turned back to face the man. "All I have to do is listen to an hour sermon and you'll give me a place to stay for the night along with a meal?"

"Yes sir!" Heero thought the man's head might break off form how vigorously he was nodding.

"Very well." What could one sermon do? Heero walked in through the open doors and made his way to the center chamber. He took a pew in the back and gave anyone who tried to sit by him a firm glare that told them quite clearly to fuck off. He just wanted this over and done with, not to mention the priest hovering in the doorway closest to him was really starting to piss him off. No 'talented young man' was going to turn him into a devout believer or whatever and Heero wished that that point would make it to the annoying old priest. He was only here for the food and the bed he had been promised.

The old priest made his way to the front of the room and to the podium. "Ladies and gentlemen! If you will all take your seats I think it is about time we start! Praise be to the Lord, for today we have a special guest who needs no introduction! Please, welcome him onto the podium!" Heero's eyes locked onto the long brown haired male that was making his way to the podium.

"There's no way..."

"Please welcome Duo Maxwell!"

"It couldn't really be him... there's no way Duo would be in a church..."

"Hey everybody, my name's Duo, and I'm gonna preach to you, alright?" A shout came from the crowd. "All of us live in sin, we are surrounded by it, but God our lord is with us!" The words came from him in a spring, he didn't even have notes, it came straight from him, and Heero was transfixed by him. "God protects us and forgives us, if only we ask for it sincerely. He is behind us, the father and protector. He is beside us, the trusted friend and confidant. He is below us, guiding our feet and preventing us from slipping. He is in front of us, parting the darkness and leading us from danger to safety..." Heero no longer paid attention to what the man was saying. The light from the window behind the brunette made him look to be glowing with a bright halo around his head. Heero was transfixed by this remnant of his past. "...well, that's it folks. Hope it inspired you."

Heero looked down at his watch. Two hours had passed without him even noticing it. He felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see the old priest. "You look like a changed man sir, I told you that that young man would make you see the light of God."

Heero didn't give a rat's ass about the light of God at the moment. "Where is Mr. Maxwell staying?"

"Why, with you in the basement. You two are both grown men so I'm sure you can share a room. Plus, maybe the man can lead you in the sinner's prayer."

"Thank you, which way to the basement?"

"Right down that way sir."

Heero left without a word, he went down the rickety old stairs that lead to the basement. Upon entering he came to realize just how dark it was. He couldn't even see his hand in front if his face.

"Heero?" Duo's voice cut through the darkness. "It that you?"

"Yeah, it's me."

"You can't see at all, can you?" Heero stayed silent. "Well, I guess I'll just have to lead you." Heero heard the floor creaking and then felt Duo grab his hand. He allowed himself to be pulled through the room. He was forced to sit down on what he thought was a bed. His eyes still could not adjust to the darkness. "So, what are you doing here? I never figured you for the church going type."

"I'm not. They just said if I stayed through the service they'd let me have a room and a meal. I had no idea you'd be in a place like this."

"Yeah, well I speak the ''Word of God' to earn my keep. I travel here and there. How you are living?"

"I travel, hack if I need to."

"I see. Hey, can you see yet?"

"A little." Heero turned to face where he knew Duo was sitting. He could feel the other man's body heat on his skin. Heero made out a toned chest, Duo was only wearing a pair of pants.

"Meal's here!" A cheery voice run up from the top of the stairs and descended down. An odd blue haired maid left two trays of food on a table Heero had not noticed before. The maid left just as quickly as she had arrived.

"I guess that means it's time to eat." Duo rose and went to sit at the end of the table, he started eating as Heero took his own seat.

The food was bland, Heero thought it was some sort of beef stew but he wasn't sure. They were in a church though so what the hell, the priest didn't seem like the type to poison two wanderers. As he ate, he watched Duo... the man's personality seemed no different than he had those few years ago. He sure was a hasty eater though. Then again, as Heero's eyes adjusted he could see Duo's ribs quite clearly. Heero set his bowl down on the table and laid the worn silver spoon in it, the hollow 'thunk' the plastic of the bowl made from connecting with the wood of the table rang through the room. "Duo."

"Hmm?" The man paused with the spoon halfway into his waiting mouth.

"Have the rest of mine." Heero starred with his usual emotionless expression.

As usual, Duo looked for more in the expression, he found something more-as usual. "Heero." Duo set his bowl down as well. "I don't need your pity. I am not some stray who needs to be babied. I know you are still hungry so eat your portion. This is plenty for me." Duo looked hard at Heero, just daring him to continue the verbal banter.

Heero reached over and ran his cold finger tips over the skin that seemed to be just barely holding back Duo's ribs. Duo shivered from the cold touch. "This tells me you need to eat more. You are starving to death Duo, I am not. Eat the rest of my stew, you clearly need it more than me."

Duo stared deep into Heero's eyes. This time he could find nothing, not even the concern Heero seemed to project. Even though Duo could make out that his lips were tight he could see nothing in the cold of Heero's eyes. "...Alright. But when you stomach wakes you up growling in the middle of the night you are not allowed to blame me for it. You got that?" Heero nodded and pulled back his hand. Duo looked at him for a moment longer, hoping that the other man would retract his offer. Duo did not want to rob Heero of his meal, but his growling stomach would not be denied. Duo hurriedly poured the contents of Heero's bowl into his own.

Heero watched as Duo ate. The man was too skinny... he was still muscled but he was just too skinny. He was clearly not living as well as he said. Heero would save him from this, he promised himself that. Duo was one of the few people who had ever truly tried to understand Heero. Relena had seemed to but Heero had recognized it as more of a fascination with something unfamiliar than love and had left her alone since the end of the war. If she was ever in danger, he would rush to her rescue as always, but outside form that there was no longer any reason to associate with her. But Duo was another matter. Duo was someone who could understand what it was like seeing the faces of people you had killed in your dreams. Duo understood betrayal. Heero would help Duo get back on his feet, he could not ignore his fellow homeless pilot.

"Heero?"

"What?"

"Sorry... you seemed to be spaced out there. You must have been thinking about something really important."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you didn't even notice the maid come down and take our bowls." Heero looked down to see the bowls and silverware gone. Heero said nothing. "It's unlike you to lose yourself so easily. Do you want to talk about it?"

Heero stood up. "I think it is time we go get some rest. There is time to speak in the morning."

"Not something you feel like talking about?" Duo let a smirk grace his features. "Alrighty then. Let's get some rest, I'll be sure to pester you about it in the morning." Heero said nothing. "Well, follow me." Duo got up and walked over to where Heero guess his bed would be. Duo stopped suddenly. "Suddenly I realize I forgot to mention something." Duo rubbed the back of his head.

"What?"

"It was just supposed to be me down here... there's only one bed."

"What is the problem Duo?"

Duo looked over his shoulder, a light frown tugged at the edges of his mouth. "One bed, two men. That generally wouldn't work." Duo sighed. "I'll take the floor."

"No."

"Why not? Are you going to?"

Heero could tell be the sounds his shoes made that the ground was made of concrete. It was a cold night and having either of them sleep on the floor would just result in poor health. Heero had already noticed the shiver Duo seemed to have. The basement was too cold for someone to sleep on the floor. "We can both sleep on the bed, it is big enough for two."

"Oh no way. Sorry Heero but no." Duo looked forward again.

Heero walked forward so he was beside Duo looking as the bed. "Duo. If one of us sleeps on the floor that person will surely get sick, it is too cold down here. We have but one blanket and if two people are under it those two people are more likely to stay warm. Stop arguing with me and just do it." Heero moved towards the bed, he slipped off his worn yellow sneakers before getting into the bed and underneath the cover.

Duo couldn't help the blush from coming to warm his cheeks. Though he was grateful for the warmth he hated the fact that he was embarrassed... it's not like Heero was asking him to sleep with him or anything. Alright well technically he was but not like that! Duo sighed before taking off his shoes and getting in the bed next to Heero. The two men were shoulder to shoulder with each other. Duo had to admit it, it was much better with Heero acting as a breathing heater. "Just do me a favor? ...don't tell the others about this okay?"

"Go to sleep Maxwell."

Duo couldn't help but dislike the way Heero used his last name, he wasn't some little kid that needed to be scolded. "Alright. Good night Heero." Silence followed, not like Duo had expected an answer, but it would have been nice.

Sleep seemed to take forever to catch up to Duo's restless mind. All he could you was lay there silent and unmoving. He knew that Heero was an extremely light sleeper and Duo did not want to wake him. Duo listened to Heero's steady breathing. If it had been someone else next to him he was sure he would freak out, the kind of fear was one of the reasons he made a good pilot. He was paranoid, paranoid about everything. Somehow though, he was sure that as long as it was Heero beside him and no one else he would eventually fall asleep. Duo only had to wait a few minutes for sleep to cover his eyes and dull his senses.

-=-=-=-=-=-Time Skip-=-=-=-=-=-

There were no windows for the moon to shine through but Heero still knew the time. It was five o'clock, he always woke up at exactly five o'clock. Heero sat up in the borrowed bed, his back ached from sleeping on the worn down spring mattress. A sudden movement caught his eye and he turned to face it. He had forgotten about the other occupant of said mattress, Duo. Heero looked at the other pilot. His long hair had somehow worked it's way out of the usual braid and was now messily spread about him. His face was completely relaxed and he was turned on his side curled up with the blanket up to his chin. It looked strange to Heero. He and Duo had slept in the same room many times but Duo had always looked different. He never looked this… relaxed. Heero's hand moved forward and ghosted over the pale face of his companion. He moved a stray lock of chestnut brown hair out from in front of the boy's closed eyes. Duo made a low mewling sound and pulled the blanket closer to himself. Heero placed the palm of his hand flat on Duo's bare shoulder.

"Mmm..." Duo groaned, not wanting to wake up and face the world just yet.

"Duo."

The deep voice of Heero Yuy washed over him again, waking him. His eyes focused on Heero.

"Are you alright?"

"Heero...? Why did you wake me up so early?"

"It's morning." Heero said as though that explained everything. "I was going to get ready to leave this place. Do you want to come with me?"

Duo was shocked. Heero was… inviting him along? Sure Duo was going to try to come along anyways but he hadn't expected this. He found his voice. "Are you sure? I wouldn't-"

"Just answer."

"Alright."

"Good. Pack up, we'll leave in ten minutes." Heero slid off bed and pulled on his shoes. He bent over and started looking through his worn green duffel bag.

Duo wanted to get out of bed and get ready to go… but it was so cold. The bed wasn't comfy but for the moment it was warm and far more inviting then the cold ground. Still, he knew Heero would leave him behind. Due pulled himself away from the bed and hurried to get dressed. He pulled a change of clothes out of his black backpack. Turning around he saw Heero pulling his shirt over his head and had to turn back around. Now was not the time for such things! Duo saw the image of Heero flash before his eyes. The smooth tan skin, muscles contracting under that skin... no! Duo would not let that go any farther. Duo looked at the wall as he got changed and re-braided his hair. He made sure not to turn back around until he heard Heero zip his bag close. Picking up his own bag he turned around the face the other pilot. Heero was facing him with a cold stare. "Ready when you are." Duo's voice echoed through the cold basement.

"Hn." Heero nodded, giving Duo a quick once over to make sure nothing obvious was missing. Heero turned around and made his way up the stairs. Heero didn't have to turn around to know Duo was behind him, once the braided boy made up his mind as to where he wanted to go he would get there no matter who tried to stop him. Finally getting to the top of the stairs they made their way out of the church. Opening one of the large wood doors that, surprisingly, did not squeak, they made their way out into the freshly recycled air of the colony. Heero stopped. "So where do you want to go Duo?" Heero just wondered so he thought it best if Duo were to pick the place they went. If Duo was happy then maybe it would speed his recovery.

Duo took a deep breath and sighed. "How about Earth? It'd be nice to actually have fresh air."

"Mission accepted." Heero mumbled under his breath. "Let's go, I can get us on a shuttle easy enough." Heero looked at beck at Duo, glancing over his shoulder. "How do you want to get there?"

"In style!" Duo smiled.

Heero looked forward again. "We'll go private then." Heero started walking to the nearest space port, he had made sure to have the layout of the colony memorized. Duo just smiled wider.

-=-=-=-=-=-Author's Note-=-=-=-=-=-

So that's the first chapter, I hope you liked to.

Writing Heero is really difficult because in the series he doesn't talk much so I am sorry he's so out of character, but I need him to talk more than he ordinarily would. I tried to keep Duo as in character as possible while making him attracted to Heero, hopefully I didn't do too bad.

Well, please let me know what you thought about it. ^.^

*~Yakubi~*