Author's Note: I have never in my life been to a funeral. And it's not because I'm a cold person, I've just been fortunate enough not to have any of my family die yet. Anyway, if I got the details all messed up I'm sorry. I cried while I wrote this chapter so I think it's pretty sad, you may think different but I'm just warning you. Sorry again for the funeral scene.
Unexpected Places
Chapter Six
By Ivy
~*Wufei*~
I scowled at Relena as she squeezed in between Duo and I. I stood up and was about to walk into the kitchen when Duo shouted, "Oi Wu-man, You don't want to go in there!" His face was bright and happy like it used to be.
"Why?" I asked, tilting my head and looking at him strange.
"Quatre and Trowa are catching up with each other if you know what I mean," He elbowed Relena in the ribs and winked at her.
Hilde stood up, "I'm going for a walk," She announced as she put on her coat and opened the door. She looked back for a moment and I caught the tears in her eyes.
I shook my head, "I'm totally confused," Relena said, looking back and forth between Duo and I.
"Trowa just broke up with Hilde," Duo stood up and walked over to the closet, "I better go after her, she's going to need a friend," He opened the door and walked outside.
It was just Relena and I now. I smiled at her and sat down in the chair. I closed my eyes and slowly fell asleep listening to that stupid sponge singing.
~*Duo*~
I ran down the driveway after Hilde. I placed a hand gently on her shoulder and turned around so that she was facing me. I put my hands on her cheeks and gently wiped away her tears. I pulled her into a tight embrace and rocked her back and forth. Before I could stop myself, tears slipped down my face. We held each other until the tears had stopped. Hilde pulled away and looked up at me.
"Are you going to be okay Duo?" She took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Hai, I'm sure the pain will heal. What about you?"
"Yeah, I knew that Trowa never really loved me, I guess I just hoped that I could change his mind," She buried her head in my chest.
We talked for a long time about different things. Mostly we talked about what had been going on in our lives for the last two years. The sun began to set and stars began to appear in the sky. I put my arm around her shoulder and started walking back towards the cottage. I opened the door and we stepped inside. The television was turned down low and Wufei was asleep in the chair. His mouth was hanging open and there was a drop of drool hanging off his lips. I smiled at him. 'He looks so kawaii when he sleeps' I said to myself as I leaned over the couch to find Relena sleeping with the remote clenched in her hand. I uncurled her fingers from around the remote and set it on the coffee table. I picked up the afghan off the back of the couch and laid it over her. Hilde and I walked into the kitchen. Quatre and Trowa were sitting at the table quietly talking.
"Oi Quatre!" I leaned down to whisper in his ear, "Have fun with Trowa?" I stood up and watched as Quatre's face turned a lovely shade of red.
"Hai," He said as he buried his face in his hands.
I yawned, "I think it's time for bed," I looked around at the others, "Quatre, you and Trowa can sleep in my bed and Hilde and I will sleep on the floor out here."
"You're sure you'll be fine on the floor?" Quatre asked looking away from Trowa for a moment to glance at me.
"Of course we will," I walked out of the kitchen in search for blankets, stopping off at my room and throwing Quatre's and Trowa's bag in there. After I found some I laid them out on the floor for Hilde and I. I crawled under the blankets and was asleep before my head even hit the pillow.
~*Trowa*~
I took Quatre's hand and walked back to Duo's room, dragging him behind me. I could hear Quatre giggling as I pulled him down the hallway and into the room. I closed the door and went over to my bag. Quatre pulled out a pair of blue silk boxers from his bag and stripped and pulled them on. I changed into my boxers and crawled into the bed. He crawled in after me and wrapped his arms around me. I smiled into his blond hair and pulled him closer.
"Oh Quatre, I've missed you so much," My voice caught as I buried my face in his hair and inhaled. He always smelled so sweet. Like flowers.
He snuggled closer, "I've missed you as well," His arms around me relaxed and I knew that he had fallen asleep.
"Good night my sweet angel," I whispered into his hair as I closed my eyes.
~*Wufei*~
I woke up with a start as I hit the floor with a 'thud.' I looked around the room and as my eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness. I rubbed my sore back end as I stood up and sat back down in the ratty old chair in Duo's living room.
Relena was sprawled over the couch across the room. I chuckled at the sight of her. She was usually so poised and she looked incredibly funny laying with her arm over her eyes and the other arm on her stomach. One of her legs had been thrown off the couch and her foot was resting on the floor. I picked up the remote from the coffee table and turned the television on low so that I wouldn't wake Relena. The quiet drone of the show gave me a peaceful feeling and I fell back asleep.
~*Quatre*~
I woke up to find myself wrapped in Trowa's arms. I smiled up at him and kissed his eyelids as I untangled my arms from around him and pulled on some pants. I tiptoed out to the kitchen so that I wouldn't wake up anyone. I quietly searched around Duo's kitchen looking for some pots. After I found some I pulled out the eggs and bacon that Trowa and I had bought last night. I quickly cooked up some omelets and set them with some bacon on the table. I put out a huge plate of toast in the middle of the table.
I walked into the living room and shook Relena.
"Wake up Relena-san, I've made some breakfast," She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at me. She stood up and sleepily walked into the kitchen. I walked over to Hilde and Duo and woke them up. As soon as Duo heard the word 'Breakfast' he bolted into the kitchen.
I laughed as I walked down the hallway to wake Trowa. I opened the door and went over to the side of the bed. 'Trowa looks so kawaii when he sleeps.' I leaned over him and planted a small kiss on his lips.
"Mmm…Good morning Little One," He said as he pulled me closer and gave me a deep kiss. I smiled into the kiss and wrapped my arms around him. After a moment we parted for breath and his eyes were sparkling as he smiled at me.
"Ai shiteiru," He pulled me into his lap and nuzzled my neck.
"I love you, too," I turned around and brushed my lips against his and stood up. I grabbed his hand, "Come on, I made everyone breakfast and if you want any you better get there before Duo eats it all," I pulled him down the hallway and into the kitchen. Hilde and Relena were sitting at the table waiting for us to come in but Duo was already inhaling his omelet. I laughed and sat down next to him.
As soon as breakfast was finished we all went and changed into our outfits for the funeral. Until now this get-together had seemed like a happy occasion but now that the funeral was going to take place in a few hours everyone was finally feeling the sorrow of our meeting.
The only vehicle big enough to fit all of us was Relena's limo so we all piled into the pink wagon, as I liked to call it. I snickered at thought as I climbed in and sat down. Trowa looked at me with a sparkle of amusement in his eyes.
"What's so funny Little One?" He whispered in my ear, his breath tickled my face.
"I was remembering all the times that we had made fun of this limo," I whispered back so that Relena wouldn't hear. His lips curved up in a smirk and he put his arm around my waist. I rested my head on his shoulder and looked over at Duo, who was pale and his eyes were red around the rims. I leaned over and patted his knee reassuringly. He jerked and looked up at me. He gave a small sad smile and went back to looking out the window. I sighed and began to really worry about him.
~*Duo*~
I turned away from Quatre and looked back out the window. I knew that I couldn't fool Quatre with my fake smile but I was smiling to try and convince myself that everything would be all right. But I knew that nothing would ever be okay again. I brought my knees up to my chest and curled my arms around them. Hilde was sitting next to me and she kept trying to talk to me but I ignored her. I hated her; I hated all of them. How could they all be laughing and smiling on the way to Heero's funeral? 'Why did you do it? Why did you kill yourself Heero?' A small sob escaped my throat. 'I thought that I loved you enough that you wouldn't want to 'self destruct' anymore. Why did it actually have to work this time?' A few solitary tears slipped down my face as happier memories of Heero and I together passed through my mind. I blocked off everyone's voices as I tried to remember the first time I got Heero to smile.
~*~*Flashback*~*~
~*Duo*~
I slipped out the door of our current safe house and walked quietly down the sidewalk. The breeze wrapped it's cool fingers and around me as I tried not to shiver. I hugged myself trying to keep warm. I slowly walked towards the park. The whole place was deserted as I passed through the gate and went over to my favorite bench beside the water. I slouched down into the bench and looked out over the waters to the city across the river. The lights were shining and reflecting off the water. It looked truly beautiful.
I ran my fingers over the engravings in the bench as my mind began to wander. I had promised myself that I wouldn't think about him, but my thoughts subconsciously wander to my mental picture of him sitting at the laptop in his tight spandex shorts and loose green tank top. In my mind's eye I could see him turning to look at me. But instead of the love I had wanted to see in his cobalt blue eyes, all I saw was annoyance and hatred. I sighed and tilted my head back until it was hanging upside down. I jumped as my head brushed against someone's leg. I sat up and turned around, bringing my blue-violet eyes to rest upon a figure clad in spandex and a tank. I looked up till I could see his eyes. Sure enough it was Heero. 'Why is he here?'
"Oi Heero!" I said happily, giving a small wave of my hand. He walked around the bench and sat down next to me.
He started out at the river for some time before turning to look at me, "Why did you leave Duo?" I could've sworn I had just seen a flicker of concern flash in his eyes, but I had to be imaging it, right?
I looked up into his eyes and decided that I just had to get this off my chest, "Heero? Do you care for me?" I looked down at my lap not wanting to see his face when he gave me answer.
"Whatever gave you the idea that I didn't?" My head snapped up at his words. He caught my face in his hand and forced me to look him in the eye, as if he was telling me that I had better tell the truth or else. His hand let go of my face and slipped back into his lap. I felt empty without that hand there.
I took a deep breath, "You always act like all I am to you is an annoyance. You never say anything nice to, and all you ever do is either glare at me or hurt me," I wanted to look away from the orbs of blue but I found myself drawn to the faint emotions that I could see swimming in them.
He reached over and took my hands hesitantly in his, "I'm sorry I come across that way, but a mountain of emotions have just been handed to me and I don't know how to handle a single one of them," He slowly cupped his soft warm hand around my cheek. "I don't know how to express what I'm felling inside anymore, and when I try it always comes out harsh…instead of gentle, like I want it to be…" He trailed off and looked across the river. His face wasn't the harsh emotionless mask that I was used to; it was soft and…and almost melancholy.
I put my hand on his shoulder, "I know how hard it is, but we can work through this together." I paused for a moment afraid of what I was going to say, "I…I love you Heero," As soon as the words were out I took my hand off his shoulder and turned away from him.
"Do…do you mean that?"
I turned back my eyes threatening to spill over with tears, "Of course I mean it Hee-," I was cut off before I could finish by Heero pulling me close to him. He looked down at me and smiled. Heero Yuy smiled. I couldn't believe it. I smiled my first genuine smile in a few months as he brought his head down towards mine. Our lips touched hesitantly at first. Just the slightest brush. The kiss grew more passionate and heated. We broke apart for air and Heero wrapped his arms around me and buried his face in my hair.
"Ai shiteiru Duo."
I snuggled closer to him and breathed a sigh of utter happiness and bliss, "Ai shiteiru Heero."
~*~*End Falshback*~*~
~*Duo*~
I smiled slightly at the memory. We had both been so happy then. I brought my hand up and brushing my fingertips against my lips, recalling the way his lips had felt on mine. I sighed and watched the scenery go by through the window of the limo. I soon nodded off with the side of my head plastered against the window.
~*Wufei*~
I carefully watched Duo as he stared out the window with a forlorn look on his face. I turned my gaze away over to where Hilde and Relena were talking. I watched them for a few moments as they whispered and waved their hands around. I turned back to Duo, who had fallen asleep with his cheek pushed up against the window of the vehicle. I chuckled at the sight of him.
I was extremely worried about Duo. I remember when Merian had died. I felt so alone and lost without her. I can recall how empty our bed was without her in it. I had cut myself off from other people and tried to convince myself that it wasn't happening at the Merian was just off somewhere. I would spend my days sitting on our bed and looking at old pictures of us together, and I still keep my favorite one of us in my wallet where I could always find it when I need strength. It took six months before Master Long had gotten through to me. When I realized how cut off I was and how I had neglected the only people that had ever meant anything to me at all, I was ashamed.
I still miss her terribly at times and there are those nights when I feel I can't go on without her strength to guide me. It was never my self who was the strongest. Sure I could beat her at anything physical, but when it came too emotional, no one had a bigger or more innocent heart than hers. That strength has what kept me going these last few years when I had felt so lost in the midst of war.
Suddenly the limo pulled into the parking lot for the church. Quatre leaned over and gently shook Duo's shoulders. Duo's body jerked as he woke up. He looked around with a confused look on his face, once he saw the church he realized where they were.
We piled out of the limo and soberly made our way into the church. Duo slid into the first pew and stared blankly at the coffin sitting on the altar. I sat down next to him and hesitantly took his hand in mine, trying to bring him comfort. He snatched his hand and crossed his arms across his chest. I sighed and turn to watch the doors to see who was coming. A few people walked through that I didn't recognize then a tall in figure in a trench coat stepped into the doorway. He long blonde with bangs covering most of his face. As he looked up I could see his bright blue eyes. A lady came up next to him and hooked her arm through his. She had purplish hair hanging over one of her eyes and was wearing her Preventers uniform. It was Milliard and Noin; they had recently tied the knot. They walked up the aisle and sat down in the pew across from ours.
I looked back to the door trying to occupy myself until the funeral started. A solitary figure walked through. It was a woman; she had her hair down and was dressed in a black dress. Lady Une walked over and sat down next to Noin. Sally Po suddenly appeared next me.
"Hello Wufei," She said as she took a seat next me. She, like Noin, was wearing her Preventers uniform.
"Hi Sally," My voice came out sounding forlorn and lost. We sat together in a comfortable silence, enjoying the company of each other.
The others thought that I had no respect for women, but the truth is I just hated seeing these women fighting in the war. Surely there was someone waiting for them. I just didn't want them to be killed without getting a chance to really live. That was just my way of showing my concern without having to talk about Merian. The only one who knew about her was Duo. One day he had come to annoy me while I was working on Nataku and I had been holding a picture of Merian in my hand. He had kept asking who she was until I caved and told him about our marriage.
It was a simple wedding. Her father was head of the Dragon clan and I was just a lonely scholar, but since we were born we have been betrothed to each other. When we had first met all we had done was argue and argue. I laughed thinking of some of the stupid things we fought over.
One time we had a big argument over who would cook dinner for the other. She said it was a feminine and therefore she should cook, but I said that I was better at it then her so I should be the one to cook. The fight had ended with both of us tearing up the kitchen and throwing food out of the refrigerator at each other. That was the first time we kissed each other because we really wanted to. I just couldn't resist after seeing her covered in spaghetti and bits of carrots and lettuce. At that moment I found out how much I knew how much I really loved her.
Watching her die was the most heart-wrenching experience of my life. Besides the day that I had killed Treize in battle. My heart broke when I realized there was no way to save her. I watched her died in the hand of my Gundam in that field of flowers that she cherished so much.
I wrenched myself out of my thoughts and went back to watching the door. Tons of people showed up that I had never seen in my life and I suspected that they were here to pay their respects to the man that had saved space and Earth one handedly. The Heart of Space, that is what Quatre had said he was. Well the he was dead now. How could we ever protect Earth if anyone threatened it again? How could we without Heero?
Without warning, I felt someone grasp my hand and hold it tight. I looked down to find Duo's pale fingers wrapped tightly around mine. I gave his hand a gentle squeeze before I switched it to my other hand so that I could put a friendly arm around his shoulder. Duo relaxed under my embrace and leaned his head against my shoulder. A quiet hush settled over the church as the priest walked up to the podium in front of Heero's coffin.
"We are here today to honor a great soldier. A person who tried to save the world and succeeded, bringing back the peace and happiness that the Sanc Kingdom had once established." The priest paused for a moment and cleared is throat before continuing, "Not only was he a wonderful soldier in war, he was person who had learned to love through all the pain in his life. Now here is his best friend Duo Maxwell to say a few words about him." He gestured his hand towards Duo, who slowly stood and walked up to the podium. Since loving another man was against the bible, we had not told the priest the Heero and Duo had been lovers.
Duo stood at the podium and looked out at the crowd, "I would have never thought that Heero would have this many admirers. It's been a tough time for me and my friends since he passed away, but I know that some day I will see him again," He looked down at his hands as I saw a few tears slip down his soft cheeks, "He…I think he would want us to be happy, but I don't I will ever stop missing his presence in our house, or his warm body laying next mine in bed," Duo walked over to Heero's coffin and whispered and few words over it, "Ai shiteiru Heero. I miss you already," He leaned down and gave the corpse a kiss on the cheek, tears rolling off his face and falling onto what was once Heero but now just a shell of him. Duo turned and walked back to the pew. He buried his head in my shoulder and held on to me for dear life. I could feel the cloth of my suit getting soaked from his tears. I slowly put my arms around him and rubbed his back, trying to calm him down.
We stood up and walked back to the limo. Pagan drove us to the cemetery where we would bury Heero. We pulled up through the gates and drove to where Heero's plot was, then climbed out of the car. As we all gathered around to say our last good-byes, a light drizzle started to fall.
Duo was the first to go up. He leaned over and talked for about five minutes. Next was Quatre who was accompanied by Trowa, who had his arms wrapped around the sobbing boy. They both said something before moving away and I moved up to the coffin.
I leaned over and muttered a few words and concerns before I left I said one last thing, "I hope Duo will be all right without you, you were everything to him. And for that I hate you." I left it at that not knowing what else I could possibly say to a dead corpse.
~*Relena*~
I though that I would be more depressed as I said my last good-byes to Heero, but as I walked away I felt relieved. I can't explain the feeling, but I felt as if I could finally be myself once again.
I walked over to where to Milliard and Noin.
"Hello Relena-san!" Noin said as she enveloped me in a warm embrace, "How are you?"
I returned the hug and smiled at her, "I'm doing great," I stood in front of Milliard and gave him a huge hug. He wrapped his arms around me.
"I'm glad you're okay," He whispered in my ear. I smiled at them both and walked back to where the others were talking in low voices.
~*Duo*~
I walked down the hill in the cemetery and sat down in the damp grass by the small lake. Water always gave me a sense of peace and comfort when I was feeling depressed. I leaned back against a tree and watched the birds as they flew around the lake looking for food. I closed my eyes and let the sound of nature guide me down a path of memories.
One night I had been laying in bed staring at the ceiling and listening to the typing of Heero's laptop. I had been trying for the last hour to get Heero to come to bed with me. Of course he wouldn't so I got fed up with it and walked out of the dorm, slamming the door behind me as I left.
I walked down the sidewalk and down to the little fake lake in the center of the school courtyard. I sat down in the grass and looked out over the lake. Well, I guess it was more like a pond.
'Why does Heero always pay more attention to that damn laptop then me?'
I was really pissed off at Heero. It made me so mad that he could spend hours with something that couldn't even talk or feel.
'Why can't he ever spend so much time with me?'
Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and found myself looking into Heero's cobalt blue eyes. He sat down next to me, "Why did you storm out like that?" A few slipped down my face. He reached up and gently brushed them away.
"You always pay more attention to that computer than me! Do you know how hard it is to be jealous of an appliance?" My eyes were bright with anger and unshed tears.
Heero wrapped his arms around me. I struggled to break free of his embrace but he held me tight. I finally settled down in his arms and he crushed me against his chest, "Is that what you think? That I love that machine more than I love you?" He lifted up my chin with his thumb so that I was looking straight into his eyes. I nodded my head. He leaned down and kissed me lightly on the lips, "Duo, I love you more than life itself. I don't what I'd do if I ever lost you," His voice caught as he said the last sentence.
I pulled away and looked up into his face, "You won't ever lose me. I love you more than I've ever loved anything," I laid my head on his chest. Neither of us spoke, for fear we would ruin the moment. I finally broke the silence (big surprise), "Heero, you won't ever leave me will you? You'll always be here right?"
His arms tightened around me, "As long as I'm alive, I'll be yours."
I had been satisfied with that and I truly believed what he had said. But why had he felt the need to kill himself?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I am actually very happy with this chapter. I hope you like it as much as I do. As always, please leave me some reviews. They are what inspire me to write and the make me feel so much better about my work. That's if they're good reviews. Stay tuned for the next chapter where we will go deeper to see if Duo can find out why Heero killed himself.
Unexpected Places
Chapter Six
By Ivy
~*Wufei*~
I scowled at Relena as she squeezed in between Duo and I. I stood up and was about to walk into the kitchen when Duo shouted, "Oi Wu-man, You don't want to go in there!" His face was bright and happy like it used to be.
"Why?" I asked, tilting my head and looking at him strange.
"Quatre and Trowa are catching up with each other if you know what I mean," He elbowed Relena in the ribs and winked at her.
Hilde stood up, "I'm going for a walk," She announced as she put on her coat and opened the door. She looked back for a moment and I caught the tears in her eyes.
I shook my head, "I'm totally confused," Relena said, looking back and forth between Duo and I.
"Trowa just broke up with Hilde," Duo stood up and walked over to the closet, "I better go after her, she's going to need a friend," He opened the door and walked outside.
It was just Relena and I now. I smiled at her and sat down in the chair. I closed my eyes and slowly fell asleep listening to that stupid sponge singing.
~*Duo*~
I ran down the driveway after Hilde. I placed a hand gently on her shoulder and turned around so that she was facing me. I put my hands on her cheeks and gently wiped away her tears. I pulled her into a tight embrace and rocked her back and forth. Before I could stop myself, tears slipped down my face. We held each other until the tears had stopped. Hilde pulled away and looked up at me.
"Are you going to be okay Duo?" She took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Hai, I'm sure the pain will heal. What about you?"
"Yeah, I knew that Trowa never really loved me, I guess I just hoped that I could change his mind," She buried her head in my chest.
We talked for a long time about different things. Mostly we talked about what had been going on in our lives for the last two years. The sun began to set and stars began to appear in the sky. I put my arm around her shoulder and started walking back towards the cottage. I opened the door and we stepped inside. The television was turned down low and Wufei was asleep in the chair. His mouth was hanging open and there was a drop of drool hanging off his lips. I smiled at him. 'He looks so kawaii when he sleeps' I said to myself as I leaned over the couch to find Relena sleeping with the remote clenched in her hand. I uncurled her fingers from around the remote and set it on the coffee table. I picked up the afghan off the back of the couch and laid it over her. Hilde and I walked into the kitchen. Quatre and Trowa were sitting at the table quietly talking.
"Oi Quatre!" I leaned down to whisper in his ear, "Have fun with Trowa?" I stood up and watched as Quatre's face turned a lovely shade of red.
"Hai," He said as he buried his face in his hands.
I yawned, "I think it's time for bed," I looked around at the others, "Quatre, you and Trowa can sleep in my bed and Hilde and I will sleep on the floor out here."
"You're sure you'll be fine on the floor?" Quatre asked looking away from Trowa for a moment to glance at me.
"Of course we will," I walked out of the kitchen in search for blankets, stopping off at my room and throwing Quatre's and Trowa's bag in there. After I found some I laid them out on the floor for Hilde and I. I crawled under the blankets and was asleep before my head even hit the pillow.
~*Trowa*~
I took Quatre's hand and walked back to Duo's room, dragging him behind me. I could hear Quatre giggling as I pulled him down the hallway and into the room. I closed the door and went over to my bag. Quatre pulled out a pair of blue silk boxers from his bag and stripped and pulled them on. I changed into my boxers and crawled into the bed. He crawled in after me and wrapped his arms around me. I smiled into his blond hair and pulled him closer.
"Oh Quatre, I've missed you so much," My voice caught as I buried my face in his hair and inhaled. He always smelled so sweet. Like flowers.
He snuggled closer, "I've missed you as well," His arms around me relaxed and I knew that he had fallen asleep.
"Good night my sweet angel," I whispered into his hair as I closed my eyes.
~*Wufei*~
I woke up with a start as I hit the floor with a 'thud.' I looked around the room and as my eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness. I rubbed my sore back end as I stood up and sat back down in the ratty old chair in Duo's living room.
Relena was sprawled over the couch across the room. I chuckled at the sight of her. She was usually so poised and she looked incredibly funny laying with her arm over her eyes and the other arm on her stomach. One of her legs had been thrown off the couch and her foot was resting on the floor. I picked up the remote from the coffee table and turned the television on low so that I wouldn't wake Relena. The quiet drone of the show gave me a peaceful feeling and I fell back asleep.
~*Quatre*~
I woke up to find myself wrapped in Trowa's arms. I smiled up at him and kissed his eyelids as I untangled my arms from around him and pulled on some pants. I tiptoed out to the kitchen so that I wouldn't wake up anyone. I quietly searched around Duo's kitchen looking for some pots. After I found some I pulled out the eggs and bacon that Trowa and I had bought last night. I quickly cooked up some omelets and set them with some bacon on the table. I put out a huge plate of toast in the middle of the table.
I walked into the living room and shook Relena.
"Wake up Relena-san, I've made some breakfast," She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at me. She stood up and sleepily walked into the kitchen. I walked over to Hilde and Duo and woke them up. As soon as Duo heard the word 'Breakfast' he bolted into the kitchen.
I laughed as I walked down the hallway to wake Trowa. I opened the door and went over to the side of the bed. 'Trowa looks so kawaii when he sleeps.' I leaned over him and planted a small kiss on his lips.
"Mmm…Good morning Little One," He said as he pulled me closer and gave me a deep kiss. I smiled into the kiss and wrapped my arms around him. After a moment we parted for breath and his eyes were sparkling as he smiled at me.
"Ai shiteiru," He pulled me into his lap and nuzzled my neck.
"I love you, too," I turned around and brushed my lips against his and stood up. I grabbed his hand, "Come on, I made everyone breakfast and if you want any you better get there before Duo eats it all," I pulled him down the hallway and into the kitchen. Hilde and Relena were sitting at the table waiting for us to come in but Duo was already inhaling his omelet. I laughed and sat down next to him.
As soon as breakfast was finished we all went and changed into our outfits for the funeral. Until now this get-together had seemed like a happy occasion but now that the funeral was going to take place in a few hours everyone was finally feeling the sorrow of our meeting.
The only vehicle big enough to fit all of us was Relena's limo so we all piled into the pink wagon, as I liked to call it. I snickered at thought as I climbed in and sat down. Trowa looked at me with a sparkle of amusement in his eyes.
"What's so funny Little One?" He whispered in my ear, his breath tickled my face.
"I was remembering all the times that we had made fun of this limo," I whispered back so that Relena wouldn't hear. His lips curved up in a smirk and he put his arm around my waist. I rested my head on his shoulder and looked over at Duo, who was pale and his eyes were red around the rims. I leaned over and patted his knee reassuringly. He jerked and looked up at me. He gave a small sad smile and went back to looking out the window. I sighed and began to really worry about him.
~*Duo*~
I turned away from Quatre and looked back out the window. I knew that I couldn't fool Quatre with my fake smile but I was smiling to try and convince myself that everything would be all right. But I knew that nothing would ever be okay again. I brought my knees up to my chest and curled my arms around them. Hilde was sitting next to me and she kept trying to talk to me but I ignored her. I hated her; I hated all of them. How could they all be laughing and smiling on the way to Heero's funeral? 'Why did you do it? Why did you kill yourself Heero?' A small sob escaped my throat. 'I thought that I loved you enough that you wouldn't want to 'self destruct' anymore. Why did it actually have to work this time?' A few solitary tears slipped down my face as happier memories of Heero and I together passed through my mind. I blocked off everyone's voices as I tried to remember the first time I got Heero to smile.
~*~*Flashback*~*~
~*Duo*~
I slipped out the door of our current safe house and walked quietly down the sidewalk. The breeze wrapped it's cool fingers and around me as I tried not to shiver. I hugged myself trying to keep warm. I slowly walked towards the park. The whole place was deserted as I passed through the gate and went over to my favorite bench beside the water. I slouched down into the bench and looked out over the waters to the city across the river. The lights were shining and reflecting off the water. It looked truly beautiful.
I ran my fingers over the engravings in the bench as my mind began to wander. I had promised myself that I wouldn't think about him, but my thoughts subconsciously wander to my mental picture of him sitting at the laptop in his tight spandex shorts and loose green tank top. In my mind's eye I could see him turning to look at me. But instead of the love I had wanted to see in his cobalt blue eyes, all I saw was annoyance and hatred. I sighed and tilted my head back until it was hanging upside down. I jumped as my head brushed against someone's leg. I sat up and turned around, bringing my blue-violet eyes to rest upon a figure clad in spandex and a tank. I looked up till I could see his eyes. Sure enough it was Heero. 'Why is he here?'
"Oi Heero!" I said happily, giving a small wave of my hand. He walked around the bench and sat down next to me.
He started out at the river for some time before turning to look at me, "Why did you leave Duo?" I could've sworn I had just seen a flicker of concern flash in his eyes, but I had to be imaging it, right?
I looked up into his eyes and decided that I just had to get this off my chest, "Heero? Do you care for me?" I looked down at my lap not wanting to see his face when he gave me answer.
"Whatever gave you the idea that I didn't?" My head snapped up at his words. He caught my face in his hand and forced me to look him in the eye, as if he was telling me that I had better tell the truth or else. His hand let go of my face and slipped back into his lap. I felt empty without that hand there.
I took a deep breath, "You always act like all I am to you is an annoyance. You never say anything nice to, and all you ever do is either glare at me or hurt me," I wanted to look away from the orbs of blue but I found myself drawn to the faint emotions that I could see swimming in them.
He reached over and took my hands hesitantly in his, "I'm sorry I come across that way, but a mountain of emotions have just been handed to me and I don't know how to handle a single one of them," He slowly cupped his soft warm hand around my cheek. "I don't know how to express what I'm felling inside anymore, and when I try it always comes out harsh…instead of gentle, like I want it to be…" He trailed off and looked across the river. His face wasn't the harsh emotionless mask that I was used to; it was soft and…and almost melancholy.
I put my hand on his shoulder, "I know how hard it is, but we can work through this together." I paused for a moment afraid of what I was going to say, "I…I love you Heero," As soon as the words were out I took my hand off his shoulder and turned away from him.
"Do…do you mean that?"
I turned back my eyes threatening to spill over with tears, "Of course I mean it Hee-," I was cut off before I could finish by Heero pulling me close to him. He looked down at me and smiled. Heero Yuy smiled. I couldn't believe it. I smiled my first genuine smile in a few months as he brought his head down towards mine. Our lips touched hesitantly at first. Just the slightest brush. The kiss grew more passionate and heated. We broke apart for air and Heero wrapped his arms around me and buried his face in my hair.
"Ai shiteiru Duo."
I snuggled closer to him and breathed a sigh of utter happiness and bliss, "Ai shiteiru Heero."
~*~*End Falshback*~*~
~*Duo*~
I smiled slightly at the memory. We had both been so happy then. I brought my hand up and brushing my fingertips against my lips, recalling the way his lips had felt on mine. I sighed and watched the scenery go by through the window of the limo. I soon nodded off with the side of my head plastered against the window.
~*Wufei*~
I carefully watched Duo as he stared out the window with a forlorn look on his face. I turned my gaze away over to where Hilde and Relena were talking. I watched them for a few moments as they whispered and waved their hands around. I turned back to Duo, who had fallen asleep with his cheek pushed up against the window of the vehicle. I chuckled at the sight of him.
I was extremely worried about Duo. I remember when Merian had died. I felt so alone and lost without her. I can recall how empty our bed was without her in it. I had cut myself off from other people and tried to convince myself that it wasn't happening at the Merian was just off somewhere. I would spend my days sitting on our bed and looking at old pictures of us together, and I still keep my favorite one of us in my wallet where I could always find it when I need strength. It took six months before Master Long had gotten through to me. When I realized how cut off I was and how I had neglected the only people that had ever meant anything to me at all, I was ashamed.
I still miss her terribly at times and there are those nights when I feel I can't go on without her strength to guide me. It was never my self who was the strongest. Sure I could beat her at anything physical, but when it came too emotional, no one had a bigger or more innocent heart than hers. That strength has what kept me going these last few years when I had felt so lost in the midst of war.
Suddenly the limo pulled into the parking lot for the church. Quatre leaned over and gently shook Duo's shoulders. Duo's body jerked as he woke up. He looked around with a confused look on his face, once he saw the church he realized where they were.
We piled out of the limo and soberly made our way into the church. Duo slid into the first pew and stared blankly at the coffin sitting on the altar. I sat down next to him and hesitantly took his hand in mine, trying to bring him comfort. He snatched his hand and crossed his arms across his chest. I sighed and turn to watch the doors to see who was coming. A few people walked through that I didn't recognize then a tall in figure in a trench coat stepped into the doorway. He long blonde with bangs covering most of his face. As he looked up I could see his bright blue eyes. A lady came up next to him and hooked her arm through his. She had purplish hair hanging over one of her eyes and was wearing her Preventers uniform. It was Milliard and Noin; they had recently tied the knot. They walked up the aisle and sat down in the pew across from ours.
I looked back to the door trying to occupy myself until the funeral started. A solitary figure walked through. It was a woman; she had her hair down and was dressed in a black dress. Lady Une walked over and sat down next to Noin. Sally Po suddenly appeared next me.
"Hello Wufei," She said as she took a seat next me. She, like Noin, was wearing her Preventers uniform.
"Hi Sally," My voice came out sounding forlorn and lost. We sat together in a comfortable silence, enjoying the company of each other.
The others thought that I had no respect for women, but the truth is I just hated seeing these women fighting in the war. Surely there was someone waiting for them. I just didn't want them to be killed without getting a chance to really live. That was just my way of showing my concern without having to talk about Merian. The only one who knew about her was Duo. One day he had come to annoy me while I was working on Nataku and I had been holding a picture of Merian in my hand. He had kept asking who she was until I caved and told him about our marriage.
It was a simple wedding. Her father was head of the Dragon clan and I was just a lonely scholar, but since we were born we have been betrothed to each other. When we had first met all we had done was argue and argue. I laughed thinking of some of the stupid things we fought over.
One time we had a big argument over who would cook dinner for the other. She said it was a feminine and therefore she should cook, but I said that I was better at it then her so I should be the one to cook. The fight had ended with both of us tearing up the kitchen and throwing food out of the refrigerator at each other. That was the first time we kissed each other because we really wanted to. I just couldn't resist after seeing her covered in spaghetti and bits of carrots and lettuce. At that moment I found out how much I knew how much I really loved her.
Watching her die was the most heart-wrenching experience of my life. Besides the day that I had killed Treize in battle. My heart broke when I realized there was no way to save her. I watched her died in the hand of my Gundam in that field of flowers that she cherished so much.
I wrenched myself out of my thoughts and went back to watching the door. Tons of people showed up that I had never seen in my life and I suspected that they were here to pay their respects to the man that had saved space and Earth one handedly. The Heart of Space, that is what Quatre had said he was. Well the he was dead now. How could we ever protect Earth if anyone threatened it again? How could we without Heero?
Without warning, I felt someone grasp my hand and hold it tight. I looked down to find Duo's pale fingers wrapped tightly around mine. I gave his hand a gentle squeeze before I switched it to my other hand so that I could put a friendly arm around his shoulder. Duo relaxed under my embrace and leaned his head against my shoulder. A quiet hush settled over the church as the priest walked up to the podium in front of Heero's coffin.
"We are here today to honor a great soldier. A person who tried to save the world and succeeded, bringing back the peace and happiness that the Sanc Kingdom had once established." The priest paused for a moment and cleared is throat before continuing, "Not only was he a wonderful soldier in war, he was person who had learned to love through all the pain in his life. Now here is his best friend Duo Maxwell to say a few words about him." He gestured his hand towards Duo, who slowly stood and walked up to the podium. Since loving another man was against the bible, we had not told the priest the Heero and Duo had been lovers.
Duo stood at the podium and looked out at the crowd, "I would have never thought that Heero would have this many admirers. It's been a tough time for me and my friends since he passed away, but I know that some day I will see him again," He looked down at his hands as I saw a few tears slip down his soft cheeks, "He…I think he would want us to be happy, but I don't I will ever stop missing his presence in our house, or his warm body laying next mine in bed," Duo walked over to Heero's coffin and whispered and few words over it, "Ai shiteiru Heero. I miss you already," He leaned down and gave the corpse a kiss on the cheek, tears rolling off his face and falling onto what was once Heero but now just a shell of him. Duo turned and walked back to the pew. He buried his head in my shoulder and held on to me for dear life. I could feel the cloth of my suit getting soaked from his tears. I slowly put my arms around him and rubbed his back, trying to calm him down.
We stood up and walked back to the limo. Pagan drove us to the cemetery where we would bury Heero. We pulled up through the gates and drove to where Heero's plot was, then climbed out of the car. As we all gathered around to say our last good-byes, a light drizzle started to fall.
Duo was the first to go up. He leaned over and talked for about five minutes. Next was Quatre who was accompanied by Trowa, who had his arms wrapped around the sobbing boy. They both said something before moving away and I moved up to the coffin.
I leaned over and muttered a few words and concerns before I left I said one last thing, "I hope Duo will be all right without you, you were everything to him. And for that I hate you." I left it at that not knowing what else I could possibly say to a dead corpse.
~*Relena*~
I though that I would be more depressed as I said my last good-byes to Heero, but as I walked away I felt relieved. I can't explain the feeling, but I felt as if I could finally be myself once again.
I walked over to where to Milliard and Noin.
"Hello Relena-san!" Noin said as she enveloped me in a warm embrace, "How are you?"
I returned the hug and smiled at her, "I'm doing great," I stood in front of Milliard and gave him a huge hug. He wrapped his arms around me.
"I'm glad you're okay," He whispered in my ear. I smiled at them both and walked back to where the others were talking in low voices.
~*Duo*~
I walked down the hill in the cemetery and sat down in the damp grass by the small lake. Water always gave me a sense of peace and comfort when I was feeling depressed. I leaned back against a tree and watched the birds as they flew around the lake looking for food. I closed my eyes and let the sound of nature guide me down a path of memories.
One night I had been laying in bed staring at the ceiling and listening to the typing of Heero's laptop. I had been trying for the last hour to get Heero to come to bed with me. Of course he wouldn't so I got fed up with it and walked out of the dorm, slamming the door behind me as I left.
I walked down the sidewalk and down to the little fake lake in the center of the school courtyard. I sat down in the grass and looked out over the lake. Well, I guess it was more like a pond.
'Why does Heero always pay more attention to that damn laptop then me?'
I was really pissed off at Heero. It made me so mad that he could spend hours with something that couldn't even talk or feel.
'Why can't he ever spend so much time with me?'
Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and found myself looking into Heero's cobalt blue eyes. He sat down next to me, "Why did you storm out like that?" A few slipped down my face. He reached up and gently brushed them away.
"You always pay more attention to that computer than me! Do you know how hard it is to be jealous of an appliance?" My eyes were bright with anger and unshed tears.
Heero wrapped his arms around me. I struggled to break free of his embrace but he held me tight. I finally settled down in his arms and he crushed me against his chest, "Is that what you think? That I love that machine more than I love you?" He lifted up my chin with his thumb so that I was looking straight into his eyes. I nodded my head. He leaned down and kissed me lightly on the lips, "Duo, I love you more than life itself. I don't what I'd do if I ever lost you," His voice caught as he said the last sentence.
I pulled away and looked up into his face, "You won't ever lose me. I love you more than I've ever loved anything," I laid my head on his chest. Neither of us spoke, for fear we would ruin the moment. I finally broke the silence (big surprise), "Heero, you won't ever leave me will you? You'll always be here right?"
His arms tightened around me, "As long as I'm alive, I'll be yours."
I had been satisfied with that and I truly believed what he had said. But why had he felt the need to kill himself?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I am actually very happy with this chapter. I hope you like it as much as I do. As always, please leave me some reviews. They are what inspire me to write and the make me feel so much better about my work. That's if they're good reviews. Stay tuned for the next chapter where we will go deeper to see if Duo can find out why Heero killed himself.