Author's Notes: This is not my first time writing a GW fic. It's just been awhile. Besides, I wanted to take a break from LOST, and revisit one of my favorite fandoms. Now, this is a slight AU, and takes place after Endless Waltz. Warning: includes character death (none of the main pilots) and is a Duo/OC. If you don't like that sort of thing, go back. Otherwise, please continue on. I hope everyone is in character. It's been a long time since I've seen Gundam Wing. So, the only character I can think of at the moment who might be somewhat OOC is Trowa. He does talk through out this fic. And he's sort of a brother figure to my OC. Sorry, but he's one of my favorites. Warning: slight slash in this: Quatre and Trowa. Also, I know this seems like a love story, which it is, but a few surprises will pop up later on to change things a bit. Hope that's okay. Anyway: please read, and review and let me know what you think!
Worth Fighting For:
By: LOSTrocker
Chapter One: At First Glance:
It was late in the after noon, and Duo found himself walking the streets of Japan. He didn't have to go back to work until an hour later, so he had some time to kill. Duo stopped and looked up at the sky. It was funny; a year ago he was fighting in a war, now he was trying to maintain a normal life.
It wasn't so bad. Duo owned a bookstore, and lived in the loft that was above it. His friends wouldn't believe wouldn't it, even if they saw him. Duo wondered what his old buddies were up to. After the war, they went their separate ways. He never expected to see them again. He thought wrong.
"Have you thought what you wanted to order Trowa?"
"No, not yet."
"No way, it can't be."
Sure enough, as Duo turned his head to the right, his eyes spotted two familiar faces, sitting outside a small cafe'. He ran up to them. "So, how have you two love birds been doin'?"
Quatre spun around, and nearly jumped out of his seat. "DUO!" he cried out happily and embraced his friend.
"It's been a long time Maxwell." Trowa said to him as Quatre parted parted from their friend.
"No kiddin'." replied Duo with a laugh.
"Pull up a seat." Quatre offered.
"Don't mind if I do." said Duo, and he did as told. "So, what have you been up to?"
"We're music teachers." Quatre told him.
"That's cool." replied Duo.
"What about you Duo?" Trowa asked.
"I own my own book Shoppe now."
Quatre's mouth nearly dropped to the floor as his friend told him that. "You... A bookstore? I thought you hated books."
"I never said I hated them. Besides, I'm not doing it for me, I doing it to keep Hilde's dream alive." Duo sighed. "After the war, that's what she wanted to do. She was in love with the written word."
"I'm really sorry for your loss Duo." said Trowa.
"How do you manage it?" Quatre asked. "I don't know what I would do if anything happened to Trowa."
"One day at a time."
A silence soon fell over them. Talking about the war was hard. All though the good guys had one, a lot of lives were lost that day. Hilde, Duo's beloved for one, along with Relena Peacecraft, and Cathy Bloom, Trowa's sister, just to name a few. "Have you two heard anything out of Wufei or Heero?" asked Duo, breaking the silence that came between them.
"Nothing out of Heero." Trowa answered.
"It's almost as like he disappeared." said Quatre.
"Maybe that's a good thing." Duo replied. "He lost it after Relena died."
"As for Wufei, he's still working with Sally as a Preventer." said Trowa.
"Have those two tied the not yet?" Duo asked.
Quatre shook his head. "You should know better then to ask that," he said. "You know how Wufei feels about women. He'd rather die first then admit he actually cares for one."
"This is true-"
"Sorry guys I'm late, the bathroom line was hideous."
Their conversation came to a halt as a young woman came up to join them. She looked to be in her early 20s. She was tall, and slim, with a pale completion. The young woman had long curly brown hair and brown eyes. She wore a blue shirt, jeans, and black boots finished off her outfit.
As she went to take her seat, it was here she noticed Duo. "Who's your friend guys?"
"Ainslynn Brightmen, may I present Mr. Duo Maxwell."
Ainslynn laughed at him. "Q, you don't have to be so formal with me."
"Sorry, it's a bad habit." apologized Quatre.
"Nice to meet you Ainslynn." Duo replied, extending his hand.
"Please, call me Lynn, all my friends do." said Lynn, taking his hand into his and the two shook.
Lynn smiled at him as a light tingle went up through her hand, and straight to her heart. She had never felt something like this before. Lynn looked into Duo's eyes. She could tell he had a good soul, not only that but he was quit the looker. Quatre watched as the two parted, and Lynn finally sat down. Trowa turned to his lover and shook his head. He knew what Quatre was planning. Trowa cleared his throat, hoping to bring on a new conversation, and Quatre's mind back into reality. Thankfully, it worked.
"Lynn is our roommate, and a brilliant artist." Quatre told Duo.
"An artist uh?" asked Duo.
"Yeah, a professional one." Lynn replied. "A few art galleries hold some of my work."
"One of them is holding a gala for her next week Duo, perhaps you would like to join us?"
"I don't know you guys..." said Duo.
Trowa glared at Quatre. He didn't want to be so cross with him, but he knew it would be too early for Duo. Quatre just ignored Trowa's glare and continued: "Come on Duo, it will be fun."
"It's nothing fancy, if that's what you're worried about." Lynn told him.
Duo smiled at her. No, it's not that I'm worried about, he thought. "How about I think about it and get back to you on that?"
"Deal." said Lynn, returning his smile.
A few minutes later, a waiter came up to them. "Are we ready to order?" the waiter asked.
Duo got up from his seat. "Not for me, thanks. I was just leaving."
"Duo, please join us." said Quatre.
"Rain check, okay?" Duo asked.
"All right." replied Quatre. "Don't be a stranger."
"I won't. I'll see you guys around." Duo told them. "It was nice meeting you Lynn."
"You too." she said, and with that she watched as Duo left.
Duo ran back to his home, and he slammed the door behind him as he entered. He made sure the closed sign was up, and the doors were locked. It was way too early for the store to be closed up, but he didn't care. He went up to his loft, and headed towards his bedroom.
Once he was in his room, Duo went to one of his drawers, and pulled out a picture of him and Hilde. He then went to his bed and made himself comfortable. Duo let his fingers trace the outside of Hilde's face and sighed. Trowa wasn't the only one who knew what Quatre was doing. He was trying to play matchmaker, and Duo wasn't too happy with that.
Duo knew that he should have moved on by now, but he just couldn't. He didn't want to forget the past. He didn't want to forget Hilde. No one would be able to replace her.
TBC...
