Disclaimer #1: This fanfiction is canon with the TV series and Endless Waltz only. I'm not counting any of the mangas, aside from the one with the Gundam pilots' backstories, including the new one.

Dislaimer #2: This fanfiction is also canon with the original pairings in the show and I really try to stick to character traits/personalities when writing this. If Heero seems off, it's because he's twenty-three and is realizing he's actually got a life to live and he's not getting any younger. Took him forever, huh?

Disclaimer #3: College and being sick really sucks. Blame them for the brevity of this section.


Chapter 2a: Change

The year is After Colony 203 (A.C. 203), January 1st. It has been six years since the last war. Peace reigns supreme. Man-driven weapons known as mobile suits are no longer used, manufactured, or recognized in the Earth Sphere United Nation or on the space colonies. Former soldiers, including the feared Gundam pilots, have been forced to adapt to a world that no longer needs their strength. Instead, their energies are put to use as civilians through a new Mars terraformation project, officially called Project Prosperity. However, some question Prosperity's true purpose, seeing the project as a way for the World Nation to gain power over the colonies, once again restarting the bloodstained cycle of war. Colony Representative Dieci of L2-V08744and Ms. Romail of L1-X031 push for the project to be placed under colony control, sparking resentment and tension between the colonies and the earth once more.

Heero Yuy stood on a path of a crowded shopping center, staring at a large screen on the building wall. Hundreds of others stared with him at Relena's small jaw and high cheekbones. She radiated with determination as her speech, broadcasted live, ended. Everyone around him burst into cheers. A clock chimed. Couples sitting at a restaurant nearby clinked glasses together, giggling, kissing, and hugging. He stared and stared. You've really grown, he thought. When he saw her last, her jaw had a layer of baby fat; her cheeks, too, seemed plump and showed her childish age. Her form had been flat and unrefined. Now, that was not the case. She had grown almost as tall as her brother. Her body curved nicely in that silver dress, though she was still very stick-shaped compared to other women. Still, Heero had a hard time not looking at her neck, which sloped gracefully into delicate shoulders. She had also filled out, but that was the last thing he noticed. She was indeed a woman now.

And he? He knew he had grown, too. He was a little taller than her, though not by much, and was as lanky as ever. His jaw had grown more square and taut; he never had much baby fat to begin with, but now his cheeks, not as prominent as his nose or jaw, were without anything excessive. His legs were proportionate with his body—finally. They had been the longest part of him until three years ago. He was twenty-three now; Relena was, too.

The brown bag in his hands crumpled as his fists clenched. He was initially oblivious, but looked down. Inside the bag was a teddy bear. He took it out; the fur was smooth and soft, almost perfect to touch. What are you thinking? He put the bear down on a nearby bench and walked away with hunched shoulders.

"I think you should go talk to her, Heero." Duo opened the refrigerator and set three glass containers of milk inside. "You two had a thing. Why let that go?"

Little Solo crawled around on the living room carpet, and Heero watched, expressionless as always.

"Come on!" Duo shoved him. "You've got to feel something about this."

"What if I told you I don't?"

"I wouldn't believe you, so don't bother trying." Swooping down on his son, Duo scooped him up and hoisted him into the air. The child giggled and screamed, wiggling and making vroom, vroom noises.

"Something's changing, Duo. I don't wan to involve Relena, but I do want more than just sulking around out of life."

"It's about time. All the others got on with things. Even Wufei's married! Maybe you should embrace life. We aren't going to die. We aren't going on anymore missions, and you don't have to be the brave soldier anymore. Let's face it, you need to talk to her." He handed Heero the phone. "Think of it as a mission to save her from loneliness."

Heero sighed and walked towards the door.

"Hey, hey, hey! You can't run from this." Duo ran and blocked the door, arms outstretched and face puffed up. "Don't you dare leave without calling her."

"She deserves more than a phone call." He opened the door, walked under Duo's arm, and strode towards the shuttle bay.


PS: I couldn't resist adding the teddy bear in there as symbolism. :3

PPS: Did you note that Duo named his kid Solo? Props if you know why.