Disclaimers: Don't own any part of Gundam Wing nor it's characters. Merely borrowing them for a little torture.

Warnings: Shounen-ai, OOCs, angst (I think)

Life Altering Decisions

Part 9

Duo was pretty sure he was gaping like a fish as he stared at what appeared at first to be his reflection. When his reflection pushed himself from the wall and started moving towards him, he was sure he had fell into some alternate dimension. They looked identical from afar, from the shining chestnut tresses and the unforgettable amethyst eyes to the way Duo slouches against a wall. When his reflection stopped right in front of him, Duo realised that his reflection was actually a little taller than him, no more than an inch.

"Can I give you a hug?" His reflection asked him hesitantly, one hand rubbing his ear in a nervous gesture.

"Devon, stop with the rubbing, it'll give away that fact that you are nervous," Duo admonished unconsciously, noting the familiar gesture. "How many times do I have to whip you at poker before…" He trailed off, eyes widening impossibly. He took a step back, shaking his head in total disbelief and found himself against an immovable Wufei shaped wall. He swung around to face Wufei, seeing regret within his handsome features, but no surprise. A quick scan around the room showed Duo that there were no shocked faces as well, merely calm acceptance. So they knew, they all knew. "This was what you are keeping from me?" Duo whispered to Wufei, unable to keep the hurt from his voice. He felt so betrayed, why he didn't know. But the feeling was pounding into him and he was unsure he felt betrayed by whom.

"Lo… Duo," Wufei reached out for the braided man but drew back when Duo flinched.

Keeping his eyes trained to the floor, Duo asked in a small voice, "Can I go to my room now? I'm feeling really tired."

Devon stared at the top of his brother's silky head; sure that the pain he had etched all across his face right now would be reflected on Duo's face had he looked up at Devon. He had expected Duo to scream at him, yell obscenities maybe, hit him, definitely, but he never expected this defeated slump of his brother's shoulders. Or the weary tone within the normally perky demeanour. He looked at the other helplessly, hoping at least for some sort of help from another quarter and noticed Quatre rubbing reflectively at his chest, slumped against Trowa, who looked to be the only thing holding the blond up. "Quatre, you don't look so good," he addressed the pale blond with some concern.

Duo, hearing the question, lifted his head to stare at his distressed friend, knowing his pain was probably causing Quatre's distress through his empathic abilities. "Quatre, I don't want to hurt you. Can I go to my room now?" He repeated in the same toneless, tired voice.

Two voices called out at once.

"I'll take you there," Wufei offered just as Rashid, who had been standing unobserved in a corner, spoke up, "Master Duo can come with me."

Bowing his head once more, Duo nodded. "Thank you Rashid." He silently followed the tall Manguanac out the door, unable and unwilling to meet anyone else's gaze. Rashid led the way through the crowded hallway filled with bodyguards and Preventors alike, making sure the pace was slow and turning every now and then to check that Duo was keeping up with him.

A myriad of emotions ran through Duo with every painstaking step he took away from that room. He didn't understand what he was feeling, or why he was feeling it. Hurt that his friends hadn't told him about this earlier, betrayed that Devon had lied to him, elation that he had family, pain that his family probably didn't want reunion, abandoned but mostly betrayed that he had been lied to for two freaking years. It didn't matter that Devon was clearly his twin, his brother or at the very least some form of family. It was clear that his family didn't want him, at all. Despite finding someone who was related to Duo, he was alone, still the unwanted street trash from L2. He would always be the orphan that never got adopted. That was what his friend was trying to shield him from. Peripherally, he noticed shocked looks from certain people, probably recognising his similarity with Devon but he ignored them, too physically and emotionally drained to deal with anything else. He noticed that Quatre had been considerate enough to provide him with a room downstairs as the doctor had warned him off climbing stairs for some time yet.

"Here we are, Master Duo," Rashid announced, opening the door for him and ushering the unresponsive man into the comforts of the room. He rushed to the bed and turned down the covers before going to the windows and throwing open the curtains.

"Thanks, Rashid," he muttered, wincing at the glare the sunlight brought. "Can you please draw the curtains?"

The tall Manguanac stared at Duo with concern. He had never seen the American so listless and he wasn't like that earlier as well. He began to worry. "Do you need any help?"

Duo waved the concerned man away. "Thanks, Rashid." He eased himself on the bed, remembering at the last second to kick his shoes off before curling under the cover he drew over his head. He heard Rashid sighing heavily before the door closed with soft click.

Once again alone, Duo was left to dark depressing thoughts. He curled up as best his could before his still healing wound protested, trying to banish the heavy heart he felt. It was as though the beating organ within his chest was encased in lead. He would always be alone, no matter what. He swallowed his tears. As Solo said, boys don't cry. As far as he came in life, he didn't seem to have a future, nothing to hold on to. He reached over his shoulder and took hold of his thick wispy braid and held on to it like a lifeline. This was constant, the familiar thick length in his hands. He would always have his past, his memories, his pain all twisted in three feet of hair.

Although weighted down by the thick downy covers and the heated room, Duo had never felt so cold.

The room remained dead silent even after Duo walked out of it. The inhabitants stared at each other, unsure of that to say and was bowled over the identical stricken looks on both brothers' faces. Devon saw his brother's rejection of him as he stumbled towards a couch and sank into it, his arms curled protectively around his waist. Quatre gave up the pretence and allowed Trowa to help him into his seat.

"I told you," Devon was moaning softly, rocking himself. "We should have told him earlier. We should have…. He hates me."

Heero came over and settled an arm on Devon's shoulder, squeezing supportively. "He doesn't hate you."

Devon craned his head up. "You didn't see the look in his eyes just now. There was nothing there, Heero." He bowed his head and continued to rock himself.

Heero exchanged a glance with Wufei, who was ignoring him at the moment and was slumped against the wall, his head resting in one hand. Relena came up to him, tugging on his arm, the same pain Heero felt reflected in her blue eyes.

"It wasn't rejection," Quatre told them in a weak voice, his blond head resting against Trowa's stomach, who had remained near his chair behind the massive oak desk. "It was betrayal, hurt and so many other emotions I thought he was going to pass out." He continued to speak in a hushed tone. He tilted his head up to meet Trowa's steady gaze. "I'm so afraid he's going to hate us."

Trowa knelt down next to his blond lover, catching him in a tight hug. "He doesn't. He won't," he informed Quatre with a desperation that almost seemed that he was trying to convince himself as well.

"Why did I keep something like that a secret for so long?" Devon continued to speak softly to himself. "I should have told him. I hurt him, I got him injured, I…"

"Snap out of it, boy," a harsh voice from a dark corner barked. "He's a Rotherford and has no use for such trivial emotions such as hate."

Devon looked up. "But father…"

Abdicated King Arislan Rotherford strode to where he son sat, his face unabashedly awash with tears at finally meeting the son he thought had perished almost seventeen years ago. "We give him some time, then we go speak to him. He will come around."

Devon continued to search his father's eyes for reassurances that lying to his brother for the past two years wouldn't completely ruin Duo's trust in him. "He will come around," he repeated, a little dazed.

His father covered his shaking hands with warm ones. "Yes, he will."

Wufei pushed himself away from the wall and strode out of the room, needing very badly to take a breath of fresh air. He walked out of the house towards the massive gardens surrounding the estate, knowing the Manguanacs would lay down their lives for Duo before seeing him injured. He needed to think and get some things in his head straight first.

Honestly, he was utterly confused. He had thought Duo would be delighted to finally find out that still had family. Of course, he expected Duo to be a little angered for being kept in the dark for so long, maybe throw a little temper tantrum Wufei had hoped could be kissed out of him but this sense of loss, this lethargy, this almost indifference he saw in Duo was unexpected. He didn't even want Wufei to be with him. Did Duo hate him as well? He felt pain and fear constrict his heart as he though of living without the vibrant young man now that Wufei had a taste of what it would be like to have 'for as long as you both shall live' with him. He couldn't lose Duo, not now, not after clearing up three years, hell, five years of gross misunderstanding.

If the situation demanded it, he would grovel in front of Duo 'for as long as you both shall live' if it meant keeping the man with him.

His legs took him all around Quatre's estate unconsciously but his mind had taken him elsewhere to a place where there was no Duo. And that place scared the hell out of him. He had lost someone that held an important position in his heart once before and by hell it wasn't going to happen again.

Night had fallen without him realising it as he stared up at the vast space and the twinkling stars.

"I've finally found someone, Meilan," he whispered a soft apology, hoping the spirit of his wife would hear and approve.

An odd feeling of peace settled over him as he stood there underneath the night sky, or at least what passed as nights up in the colonies. Somewhere deep within his heart, he could almost hear Meilan's tinkling laughter as she watched her normally straight-laced husband tumbled head over heels for someone as flighty as the former Deathscythe pilot and his spontaneity.

Wufei finally started back toward the house. Security was still practically everywhere. He wondered if quantity amounted to quality. If the Manguanacs and Preventors weren't around, Wufei would be able to infiltrate and assassinate the king even if these bodyguards flooded the entire house. No wonder Preventor's intervention was called for. That and also the fact that the civil unrest from Hyrd could very well spread to the surrounding areas that may or may not spark off a world war. Besides, William Rotherford had hired terrorists for his army and the assassins sent after Duo the first time was evidence enough. And terrorists were reason enough for the Preventors to get involved.

The mansion was ablaze with lights and even from this distance, Wufei could see a flurry of activity. A slight apprehension shot through him. It was as if he felt something was wrong almost instinctively. Lengthening his strides, he entered the house and met with a bevy of panicked former Gundam pilots, their girlfriend and friends.

He snagged Heero before he went running down the hall. "Yuy, what's wrong?" It must have something to do with Duo. Nothing else would freak Mr Perfect Soldier out like that.

"It's Duo, we have been trying wake him up, but he just isn't. Quatre passed out the moment he walked into Duo's room." Heero shrugged his hand off and rushed down the hallway.

Trepidation rose as he followed Heero to where he hoped was Duo's room. The door was thrown open and there were at least ten people in there, minus Trowa and Quatre. Sally was seated on the bed, apparently checking up on the unresponsive man, no, boy, Wufei corrected. Duo was after all still in his teens. Devon was once again, slumped against the wall with a look of horrified pain written on every line of his face.

"Duo," Sally coaxed, patting him on the cheek lightly. "Wake up."

There was a cacophony of voices calling Duo, trying to get him to wake up, or at least respond to them. Concern and alarm saturated the room. Wufei understood now why Quatre passed out earlier. Even he could feel it resounding in the room, what of some with strong empathic abilities like the former Sandrock pilot?

It then he finally allowed himself to focus on Duo. His boyfriend was curled in a foetal position, his hands gripping the length of his braid tightly. He was alarmingly pale, his good health reaped from three weeks of hospital stay gone in an instant. His eyes were clenched shut and he appeared to be shivering slightly, which was highly odd as the room was more than comfortably warm. What in all that was holy happened here? Wufei bit back a virulent curse that threatened and decided to take matters into his own hands. All this fussing wasn't helping and it seemed only serve to chase Duo deeper into where he was currently hiding.

"Everyone," Wufei called out decisively. "Out."

All eyes swung towards him in shock.

"But…" "How…" "Why…"

And other protests were heard but Wufei cut them all off with a sharp gesture. "You are crowding him, he will come out of it when he is good and ready. Until then, please give him some space." He looked to Sally for support.

The doctor nodded and stood up. "I agree, we need to give him some space. Other than the fact that he remains unresponsive, I can't find anything wrong with him." She exchanged a look with Commander Une and the two of them began herding the crowd out. They didn't look happy, but they silently obeyed. Soon all that was left were Wufei and Devon. He stared silently at Duo's twin and watched his reaction carefully.

Wufei noticed Devon about to put a really big fight when the Chinese silenced him with a look that usually worked on Duo. Apparently, its' effectiveness worked by blood as the young prince immediately backed down. Devon was indecisive and kept staring at his copy lying on the bed to Wufei and back again.

"I'll take care of him, Devon," Wufei told him gently. "I think you are the last person he wants to see at the moment," and nearly kicked himself when he saw Devon flinch. He decided that Duo was a bad influence. He was starting to run off at the mouth like the long haired man. "Damn it, Devon, I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"

Devon shook his head sadly. "No, I understand, and you are right." Dejectedly, he walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.

Wufei continued to stare at the closed door for long moments before turning towards the prone man lying on the bed. He had rarely seen Duo this still. Even during the war when he was injured, the smart mouthed man always had some complaint or other. Even for the past few weeks, he had been resting, but never this still. It scared Wufei who crawled silently under the covers with him. Duo was still dressed in the clothes when he was released from the hospital and they weren't exactly comfortable to sleep in. Coming to a decision, Wufei searched around for Duo's duffle bag, which Quatre had someone put inside the room. Finding it tucked into the closet, he pulled out a fluffy sweater and a pair of faded sweat pants.

Next thing, undressing Duo. As sick as it sounds, Wufei found himself welcoming the anticipation. He shook his head violently then, silently berating himself. He sat down next to Duo, lightly caressing the pale skin of his delicate face from temple to jaw line before brushing away a stray tendril of chestnut hair. He marvelled once again the similarities between Devon and Duo. He worked slowly, gently easing the white knuckled grip from the braid. Now, Duo struggled, mumbling incoherently.

"Duo, love, baby, come on, no one is going to hurt you…" Wufei soothed all the while trying to Duo's death grip off his hair.

"…take my past," Duo continued to struggle. "Don't… nothing else left… no one wants me… never…"

Wufei gaped at Duo in horror, realising for the first time the crux of the problem. Duo wasn't angry with them, he had thought his friends had kept it all a secret from him before his family had regretted him, that he wasn't wanted – again. And Duo voice, it had sounded so young, as if he was reliving the years of being passed over at the orphanage, feeling once again like the stray he had always joked about at being.

How did this fragile child grow into such a strong young man?

Not for the first time, Wufei awed by how far Duo had managed to come all on his own strength. Unable to ignore the urge to comfort growing within him, Wufei leaned over and carefully gathered the shaking man into his arms. He tucked Duo's head beneath his chin and one hand rubbed his back in slow soothing motions. Damn if he was getting sappy. He wouldn't have even considered doing this during the war, even though it had been Duo that needed comfort. How subtly the American had gotten under his skin and changed the way he handled emotions, how he had changed Heero Yuy.

At loss of what else to do, he talked. "Duo, love, we… I want you. I love you, we agreed on that right? And Devon is your brother, he loves you as well. We were wrong, we shouldn't have kept it from you, but you were so weak at the time and I doubt you would have been able to accept the fact that you had not only a twin, but a father and an uncle as well." He noticed a slight change in Duo's breathing, an indication that he was getting through to the man. "You should have seen the proud expression your father had just now. He was actually crying when…." He trailed off as Duo's shaking got worse, more spasmodic.

A harsh sound escaped the man in his arms and it finally hit Wufei that Duo was crying, sobbing his heart out. The Chinese man had to hold back a sigh of relief as a smile finally made its' way to his lips. "That's it, let it out, love. Just let it out."

Held safe in arms that he knew instinctively would never hurt him ever again, Duo finally did.

tbc…

Sorry, once again late in updating.

Thanks guys, what you think really means a lot to me!! So, tell me more!!