Title: Hers, Yours, and Mine 4/

Title: Hers, Yours, and Mine 4/?

Author: Sony_Mouse Sony_Mouse@hotmail.com

Pairings: 1+2/2+1, have I EVER done anything else (well yes but you don't know that), R+1 (in the past, and if you have read this far, you know why)

Warnings: Angst, language, OOC, my writing (what could be scarier..joking, JOKING :)

Disclaimer: Nope not mine, nope nope nope (well Lizzy and Nate are but hey their really Heero's (ah ha ha ha I am just soooooooooo funny :P

Comments: hmmmmm I guess I just want to say that I don't think H,Y and M (Heero Yui and Maxwell..um no Hers, Yours and Mine) is my funniest story, or my anstiest (is that a word?), or my sweetest, but it is my fav, cause I wrote it (no crossovers, song-fics, yadayad) So I am really happy when you guys like it too. Thanks J

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From Part 3: MINE...

Duo laughed as he ruffled Elisabeth's once neat hair. "Oh ...well that's just me when I get mad. Don't worry about that. I wouldn't get like that against you. I'm sorry I didn't help you sooner, but I-I-I, well I couldn't before, but I can now. Lets just not talk about it and go home." Lifting up the sniffling Nate into one of his arms, and taking Lizzy's hand in his own, they made their way back to the house as fast as Duo's feet could take them, practically dragging the still confused girl behind him. If he had his way that would be the last he ever saw of the outside world.

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Part 4: What Was, What Could've Been, and What Happened...

In the last few confusing days, Duo had grown to the idea that he would probably never get to hear Nate speak. There was no reason for this idea of his, but it's still what he believed. He also believed that if Nate ever did talk again, it would be the result of another very traumatic experience, like his parents dying, or from many years of expansive therapy. Never in a million years did Duo guess that it would be from the small boy's love of a certain 'superhero'.

It happened right after the park incident, while Duo was getting the kids ready for bed. Duo was trying to get Nate into his PJs, and had just sent Lizzy to go and brush her teeth. Nate, being his usual self, was wiggling all over the place trying to tease Duo. But the God of Death was having none of it, and was continuously trying to capture the overly hyper child. He honestly wondered if Relena had been like this as a child herself. Somehow he just couldn't' see Heero overexcited about anything, especially not getting dressed…now undressed, that was another matter entirely.

As soon as Lizzy had left the room, Nate stopped wiggling and waited a few minutes before jumping up to stand on his toes, in an attempt to reach Duo's ears. Duo just sat there confused as to what Nate was up to.

Giving another quick scan of the room, Nate motioned for Duo to lean in and then whispered so quietly that Duo had almost believed it was just his imagination.

"Duo...I won't tell nobody."

Although Duo was very happy that Nate was talking, even if it was only when they were alone, at the same time he had no had no idea of what Nate was talking about."

"W-what was that? What won't you tell anyone?"

Nate rolled his eyes at Duo, upset that he had to spell it out for the older man. He once more leaned over to whisper in Duo's ear.

"Your secret identity."

This really took Duo by surprise. He wasn't aware he had had one.

"What secret identity."

By now the young boy was starting to doubt his Uncle's sanity, but continued anyways.

"Shinigami!!! Don't worry, I won't tell the others who you are. You're a super hero just like I was told, and you saved us, just like daddy said you could."

"WHAT!!!"

"Daddy used to tell me stories about Shinigami. But I didn't know YOU were him!"

Nate looked up at his uncle in awe and waited for a response.

Slowly bringing his hands up to his mouth, Duo felt like crying. "H-h-he talked about me."

By now Nate was clapping his hands in glee, just so happy to meet THE Shinigami and brimming with joy

"Yeahhhhhhh, he would say that…that you could kill anyone and…and if they even looked at you, they KNEW that they were dead. And…And that you saved the planet, and him, and that no one knows who you really are, but he does, and that he even met you. MY daddy knew Shinigami, and now I do too!"

Duo tried to answer the boy, but he found that his vocal cords were frozen and it was even hard to move.

All this time, and Heero hadn't forgotten about him, he had even told his kids about their past in the war, sure he had told it like a comic book, but maybe that was just how the kids had interpreted it.

Thinking back to the park incident, Duo realized that even Lizzy had known the stories. She had asked him about Shinigami, or as she had said, Shinigimi, more as a test and in disbelief that Shinigami was real, then anything else.

All of a sudden Duo had to get out of that room. Nate had stopped talking as soon as Lizzy had returned and the two were climbing into his bed, trying to get comfortable. He told then that he would join them later, but right now he still had some work to do. Wishing them a good night, he left the room, though he knew he wasn't going to have one.

As he descended the stairs, he heard the phone ring, which was odd since no one ever phoned him. He ran to pick up the receiver, momentarily forgetting his thoughts about Heero.

"Hello??"

"Wow Duo, this is the first time you have picked up the phone in a LONG time."

"Oh Quatre, it's you. I should have known."

"Yeah well I had a message to deliver and I just wanted to check up on you."

"Thanks, it's ok. We went to the park today."

"You DID! That's great, I can't believe you left the house. Congratulations."

"Hey save that for later. They had to drag me out, and they were even attacked shortly after by neighborhood thugs."

"Thugs?? SO? That's nothing you can't handle."

"Well I almost didn't, but...well I felt an old feeling in my veins, and fought back."

"HA HA, you don't mean you were Shinigami, do you? Oh boy, I hope you didn't hurt the poor teens too much."

"Don't worry about it, they got what they deserved, and now I have backup bodyguards for the kids. I have a feeling they'll be trying to get on my good side from now on."

"Good for you Duo. This is just great, and goes well with the invitation I have." Duo almost dropped the phone when he heard that.

"The WHAT!!"

"Don't get excited, it's from Milliardo, he is having a formal ball tomorrow, more for the public, and he wants the kids there. It's important that the country sees that their future rulers are ok and being brought up properly. And besides now that Milliardo is regent until Elisabeth comes of age, he is taking the role to heart. He WANTS a bright future for the country. No more war, never again."

"Nice speech Q, but I'm not going to 'Zech's' public showoff party."

Quatre sighed into the receiver, "Ok here's the deal, the kids are either there to prove to the public AND the courts that you are taking care of them, or Milliardo has got one more reason to show the judges he's a better parent."

"Damn, why didn't you just say so in the first place. FINE, I'll go, but I'm counting on you to get me the clothes and all that."

"You're going to dress up?"

"No, but the kids should, they'll want to wear some nice fancy close again. Especially at a ball."

"You sure this is ok?"

"If it has to be done, then fine. I'm just making no promises about my behavior. You know me that well."

"Ok Duo, I'll be here to pick you up at 7:00pm sharp. Oh and thanks."

"For what?"

"For trying. I know this must be hard, so thanks. All of us couldn't be happier to see you up and about again."

"No prob, just don't let it get to your heads. Now I'm tired so good night."

"Night Duo."

Duo heard the other end go dead and listened as the static in the phone slowly grew louder. He didn't know how he was going to manage tomorrow. The things he went through for these kids were starting to scare him.

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An hour later found Duo still not able to get to sleep and sitting on the downstairs couch, in the dark, and staring at the wall.

Everything he had spent the last three months, no the last eight years, trying to forget was slowly being remembered, and he had Quatre, the last few days, and the kids to blame, especially Nate and his promise not to tell on him.

He wasn't having another anxiety attack; he had had many in the past, but he was still not taking any of this very well.

All he could do not to start hyperventilating was to glare into the darkness and think of HIM. The one person who with a few words and a few deeds had torn his world into pieces.

The very colour of his eyes, the feel of his skin, the way he spoke, it was all coming back to him. Not that he had every truly forgotten, but he had tried. And now this lost lover was all he could think about.

As the night moved on, Duo thought about what had happened between the two, and more importantly, when it had begun, for him at least. Giving into the painful memories, Duo's head fell into his shaking hands as he whimpered the hated name. "Oh god...Heero..."

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10 Years Ago...

After The Final Battle...

In the Queen's mansion, that's where it all started...

Duo could feel nothing but joy as he looked upon the many happy faces crammed into the huge ballroom. He couldn't say he was happy to be alive, but he sure was happy that they all were.

The war had finally ended, and his friends had survived.

Surveying the room, Duo took note that Wufei was almost fighting people away from the buffet table, claiming it as his own, though Duo knew he was only joking...or so he hoped.

He also saw Trowa and Quatre hidden away having some sort of serious discussion, but by the looks of things, whatever it was, it was going well.

Everyone was gathered there now to hear Relena's final message of peace to the New World. It was naturally about the war ending, but she also had something else to announce. But Duo thought he knew what she was going to announce, and it had to do with Heero.

Duo couldn't have been happier at the prospect of his friend getting married. Not only was Heero going to show emotion, but also he was going to move on with his life. Just knowing how lucky Heero was, Duo sighed in happiness. What else could he ask for?

Every now and then Duo wondered why he put so much stock into Heero's happiness. At first he thought it was just because he was a friendly guy, and put everyone's happiness to heart. But Duo feared real friendship, and never became too close to anyone.

But even though he was deathly afraid of every really caring about someone again, he always found the need to have a million friends. Maybe just to fill the loneliness of not having anyone close to him.

But with Heero it was different. And after awhile Duo couldn't hide it from himself anymore. He really did think of Heero as a friend. And that made Heero the first person to carry the title of 'Duo's True Friend' in a long, long time.

So despite how scared he was to get close to anyone again, Duo had become friends with the Gundam Pilot Heero, and loved it every minute of it. He loved caring about his solemn companion, and watching his back, as Heero watched his. Just like friends do.

To think that Heero had made it this far, thanks in part to Duo, filled him with even more joy. And now Heero was finally going to start living.

Duo heard a loud clapping noise and realized that the crowd was cheering the arrival of Queen Relena. He had never really gotten to know her, but loved the gal all the same. She had brought peace AND made Heero human, what more could he ask for.

Relena stood on the podium with a quiet, stoic Heero behind her, and addressed the awaiting crowd.

"Everything I wanted to say about our victory has already been said. I wish not to speak of the past tonight, but of the future."

Again more clapping was heard, and Duo found himself joining in with the crowd, cheering loudly for not only Relena, but Heero too.

"And it is someone from the past who will help us move forward into the future. I would like you to meet former Gundam Pilot 01, savior of Earth and the colonies, Mr. Heero Yui...my fiancé."

This time the cheers were so loud that Duo feared the roof might explode. But he was sure that his cheers were the loudest, as he wanted Heero to know just how happy he was for him.

The cheering and congratulations continued for a few seconds, and in this time Duo couldn't take his eyes off of his silent partner. Without warning Heero suddenly turned his head slightly and found Duo in the crowd. He hadn't even had to search the room. He had known where Duo was.

Duo stopped clapping immediately and just stared into the normally cold prussian eyes, that were for once, filled with more emotion than Duo had ever seen before.

Duo was unable to turn away as Heero bore into him with his unnerving gaze. After an eternity Heero finally found the will power to leave the site Duo alone and quietly took his leave of the party, as Relena continued addressing her loyal subjects.

No one seemed to notice when had Heero left, or when Duo had run after him. The two Gundam Pilots hadn't won the war on looks alone after all.

Duo just had to know what was up with Heero. It was that inner worry that he always had for Heero that made him continue his search. The whole time he wondered how this could be happening, when things were finally starting to look up.

It took Duo nearly an hour to catch up with Heero's trail. He was honestly impressed at how Heero had avoided him so well, but why had Heero done it? Why would Heero try to hide from him? He didn't have to hide from him; they were friends after all...

When Duo finally found Heero, he was lying underneath a vehicle of sorts, trying to repair one thing or another. Duo always loved how he and Heero shared the same passion for fixing machines. If things had turned out differently, Duo might even have asked Heero to join him and Hilde in the scrap-yard. It could have been fun.

Although Duo was sure the Heero knew he was there, Heero didn't show that he aware of the new presence. He just kept on repairing what ever it was he was repairing.

Duo did notice that he had changed, and was now wearing some loose jeans and a T-shirt, green of course. Duo on the other hand had 'dressed' up for the ball and was wearing his latest outfit of tight jeans, and a red top that had a zipper on it. Very outgoing for a guy who wore Priest's outfits for most of his life.

Realizing that Heero wasn't going to make any move to start the conversation, Duo decided to do it himself.

"Oi, Heero, what's wrong? You left one hell'uv a party."

"Hn"

"Heero, Heero what am I going to do with you? We will never be able to have a worthwhile conversation if you don't start talking to me. Just take my example, there's a whole vocabulary out there just waiting to be used."

"Hn"

"Oh I give up…wait, no I don't. Com'on Heero, what's wrong? OH wait *I* know, it's the wedding isn't it? I bet you have cold feet. You shouldn't be afraid to move on with your life. You're going to be soooooo happy. And the wedding will be just fabulous. Probably the most expensive thing I will ever see in my little unimportant life."

At this Heero rolled out from under the vehicle and gave Duo a hard stare, as if he was considering something important.

"No Duo, you're life's not unimportant."

"Sure thing Heero, but that's not the point. I'm not going to let you back out of this one, not when I will finally get to see you fall in love with someone. AND I get to be the best man, right?? RIGHT?? I better be!"

Heero looked at Duo confused. "The best man?"

"Yeah Heero, you know, the best man at a wedding. I get to stand by your side and make sure you don't run away at the last minute. It's a spot reserved for your best friend."

Heero repeated Duo's last words in barely a whisper. " My best friend..."

"Danm right I'm your best friend. Who else could it be?"

"Who else..."

"Gee stop repeating everything I say, will ya. Well I guess you DO have to learn the language to actually hold a conversation, but please make a better effort than that."

Heero's worried eyes snapped up to meet Duo's. "What if I told you that I didn't love Relena."

For at least a minute afterwards, Duo remained completely silent, amazed that Heero could admit something like that. His voice turned serious, and he gave his honest opinion.

" Well I'd say you'd better not marry her then, especially if you ever plan to be happy."

Heero stood up and walked slowly towards his friend, as Duo unconsciously started taking small steps backwards. "What if I told you that I loved someone else?"

Starting to get uneasy Duo stuttered back a reply. "W-well...well I'd say you better tell the person you do love. I don't care who you marry, as long as you're happy."

This only fueled Heero's already strong convictions further, as he walked even closer to Duo.

Without knowing it, Duo had walked back into the wall, but Heero still kept on coming, until both his hands were on either side of Duo's head. Staring into Duo's scared eyes, Heero asked his final question.

"What if I told you that I loved you..."

Feeling himself start to shake, Duo tried to respond the best he could. "W-w-well...I-I-I..."

Heero cut him off with a soft kiss on his partially parted lips. And before Duo could come to his senses, Heero deepened the long awaited kiss, and pressed his body firmly against Duo's, afraid to give the young man even an inch to run away.

Really shaking now, from fear, and also from the horrible knowledge that he might have wanted this all along. In an attempt to take command of the situation, Duo tried to push Heero away, only to have his arms pined softly above his head. His eyes were now wide with fear of Heero and himself, and his warm blood was racing through his veins.

He liked having Heero pressed up against him, he liked hearing those words from Heero, and it scared him, more than Heero did. Duo was so confused he didn't know what to think. His biggest fear was being realized; he was once again starting to care.

Leaning against the smaller body, Heero didn't try to kiss him again, although he wanted to very much. Instead he placed his sweaty brow against Duo's and tried to milk the moment for all it's worth, knowing that he may never get another chance.

"H-h-heero, what are you doing?"

Heero let go of Duo's left arm and let it fall as he began to trace the outline of Duo's cheek. "I'm doing what you always wanted, I'm living!"

"Heero..."

Finally letting go of Duo's other arm, Heero felt Duo fall to the ground, his knees no long supporting him. With one quick movement he caught the fragile boy, and held him close to his chest.

Kissing his warm brow softly, Heero tried to calm the scared boy. "Duo let me have this moment at least. You don't know how much I've wanted this."

"B-but Heero, why...why are you doing this?"

Heero looked down at the man who had really made him feel and gently brushed back the long bangs, giving him full view of Duo's lovely features.

"Because I fell for you. Please don't question why, how could I not? You don't even know how much power you have over me. Food, water, sleep and even air, all those things I have been able to go without at one point in my life. But you...you I can't live without. Trust me, I've tried. You're all I can think about, no matter where I am or what I'm doing; you're there, in my thoughts, taunting me. Because you won't have me."

"But Heero, what about Relena? Why did you accept her, if you lo...cared about me?"

"Because if I couldn't have you, I could at least make you happy." Heero looked away from Duo's pleading eyes. "I saw the looks you gave me whenever I talked about Relena. You're beautiful eyes would light up at the thought of me with her together. I didn't know why, but I didn't care either. If making you think I was in love with her made you happy, then I would gladly marry her. I would do anything to keep that smile on your face. But I can't go through with it, dreaming that I could have you instead."

Duo felt himself slowly give up the struggle and slumped down into Heero's warm embrace. "Oh Heero why didn't you just tell me. I don't think it would have made much of a difference, but why didn't you tell me. I'm sorry, you can't have me. I don't want to care for somebody, I don't want to love back, I don't want to get hurt again, I've already lost so much..."

Heero refused to give up and held Duo closer. "Just try, that's all I ask, just try. I won't be going anywhere, I promise. I'm yours, I always have been."

Knowing he was taking a big risk, something he had promised never to do, and going against everything life had trained him not to do, Duo gave in to the feelings that were hidden deep within his heart.

"Alright, alright I'll try...b-but you better not leave me. I'm serious, you can't even die on me, I don't except compromises. I'm Shinigami; not even you could hide from me in death. Understand?"

Bringing the compliant boy up to his lips, Heero gave the first real smile he could ever remember giving and kissed the person he loved the most in the world, softly on the lips.

"Understood!"

His life had finally begun now, and he wasn't going to let it end. He finally had Duo, his Duo, and he was never letting go.

TBC.........

I'm an evil bastard aren't I . mUHAHAHHAHA. Bet ya didn't see THAT coming, Duo PROMOTING the wedding. Well he really loved Heero, so much that in his denial, he was willing to see Heeero marry someone else, as long as he was happy. I'm telling you, THAT's love.

"If you love something, Let it go.

If it comes back to you, it was yours,

If it doesn't, then it never was…"

-anonymous

Sony_Mouse@hotmail.com