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DISCLAIMER: Well, none of these characters are mine with the exception of Kumi and Sette, along with a good number of others, but you'll know them when you read along. It's nice to finally say that something is mine in this!
LOTS OF LANGUAGE AND VIOLENCE IN THIS ONE, just to warn you!!!
IMPORTANT NOTES: Okay, this is the last episode that'll consist of mostly flashbacks. It is important for the story that these memories are shown. Otherwise, how the characters got to where they are now will be confusing. All of the flashback begin and end with @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ while the scenes from the present begin and end with *********. *****All of these flashbacks take place after the Endless Waltz. So it did happen, but nothing from that time is mentioned here, just starting the months after that saga.*******
Please e-mail me with ideas (cyclone2996@hotmail.com). I could use all the help I could get! Thanks! SkyLark
Thank you so much, again, Traci 14. Your suggestions are wonderful from the first part! I appreciate everything and I hope you enjoy this! There are more of your ideas in here! Enjoy!
Gundam Wing: The Second Chapter
Episode 6: A Family Amongst Warriors
by SkyLark
with help from Traci 14
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Demetris had just come back from another meeting with the man in charge when he greeted a young man and a young woman in a hallway. The twins looked to him in their space suits and prepared to hear of the news he received. The tall man looked to the brown-haired pilots and told them, "You will be leaving us tomorrow night for your first time in action."
The faces of the twins lit up as they turned to each other. The young man asked, "And our suits?" Demetris nodded, "You will be leaving with them." The woman sneered, "It's about time we got to see action. I was starting to think that we would never get to use Gemini." The tall man sighed, "The two of you better not let this get to your heads. Our Commander wants the Gundam pilots to have a first taste of what we have. You both better keep yourselves from loosing it out there." The younger man chuckled deeply, "You're getting soft, old man. You just relax. Azrael and I know what we're doing." Azrael nodded, "Just give us the word and we'll take care of those pilots."
Demetris glared at them, "Fine. Just do whatever it takes to get ready. It won't be long before you'll be leaving." The two pilots left as the young man called, "We'll be sure to have a good time for you out there, Demetris." The pair laughed as they disappeared. The giant growled and turned his back to the way they left. He whispered to himself, "I don't know what he's thinking...sending those loose cannons off before his more experiences pilots...They better not screw this up."
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The bar was the place to be the night of the first official victory in the war for the Gundams and the Preventers. Milliardo, Noin, Sally and Brian Weatherall all joined their friends there before long. Nobody allowed the thoughts and fears of what would come to enter their minds. As a Preventer looked to the Gundam pilots celebrating the way they were, he turned to one of his higher-ranked officers and asked, "Isn't it a little risky to allow them to have this much fun when there's a war going on?" The officer smiled and shook his head, "Not at all...God only knows when they'll be able to have a good time like this again. Let them be...They're still young and need to remember that there's more to life than the battlefield." The younger soldier nodded back and went back to his business.
All of the pilots had stayed out until well past two o'clock in the morning at the bar, dancing, drinking, laughing and just enjoying themselves for a change. Too tired, and or drunk, to make their way to their rooms, most of the Gundam pilots crashed in the large lounge not far from the bar. The Queen, King, Sally, Milliardo and Noin were the only ones able to make it to their rooms. When they first got there, they returned to the large lounge with blankets and pillows for their passed out comrades there.
Noin placed a blanket over Heero and Duo, who lied in eachother's arms and slept peacefully on one of the couches. A warm smile spread across her face at the angelic picture of the couple. She gently moved the hair from their closed eye and whispered, "Sleep well." Kumi's head was carefully lifted from the floor by Milliardo as he placed a pillow below her head and placed a blanket over her. Relena covered Quatre, Trowa and Sette as they lied on the single other couches provided in the room. Dorothy and Catherine and Wufei were also sleeping across the floor as Brain and Sally covered them with the blankets they had. Sally gave a soft kiss to Wufei's head when he was taken care of.
Knowing that it was extremely late, they all left the room upon seeing that all was well with the slumbering team. They slowly filed out of the room, Noin and Milliardo being the last to leave as they looked to the peaceful scene one last time. They smiled to each other before turning and leaving. Milliardo turned off the soft lights.
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Trowa and Wufei walked to join their Arabian friend in the center of a large field where they agreed to meet up. Quatre greeted them warmly with hugs and smiled as they were reunited for the first time since the Endless Waltz. "It's good to see you both," he sighed as he looked to them. The Chinese pilot nodded, "You look well." Quatre replied, "I feel better knowing that the Gundams are being repaired as we speak." Trowa and Wufei eyes widened as their jaws dropped. Trowa whispered, "So you really were able to get your engineers to fix them." The blonde nodded, "They just need pilots...Neither of you would be able to think of anyone who could work them do you?"
The other pilots laughed. Trowa shook his head, "I had a feeling that's what this meeting was about. I'd be happy to accept the responsibility of flying Heavy Arms again." Wufei nodded, "I think I know someone who'll be willing to fly Nataku." Trowa added, "The Preventers could use all they help they can get. To have the Gundams on their side is something I'm sure they have been hoping for." Quatre beamed, "Great. I'm moving to my estate on Earth. Heero and Duo are already there now. We'll find them and give them the news. I know they'll want to fly their Gundams again."
Wufei's eyes widened again as he asked, "They're both on the Earth?" The Arabian nodded, "Yea. They live together there." Trowa's jaw dropped as he and the Chinese pilot looked to him in shock. He smiled and shook his head, "Wonders never cease." Wufei laughed, "I wonder if Heero's killed that baka yet." Quatre smiled, "Last I heard, they were doing fine." Trowa shrugged, "Well, when do we leave for the Earth?" The blonde answered, "As soon as the suits are finished. It'll only be another day or two." The others nodded and accepted the gift of their suits and a place to live from their friend. When they found Heero and Duo, their small family would be complete.
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Relena stood in the center of a large ballroom, meeting many officials and representatives from the Earth and the Colonies. Since the Gundam pilots saved her months ago, she had not seen any of them. Surprisingly, she had gotten over the infatuation she had for a certain 'Perfect Soldier.' Since his disappearance, the young queen realized how empty her feelings really were, and that he would never feel anything for her, even if they were real. Relena hated the thought of how she must have come across to Heero, constantly chasing him. She was naive no longer, but mature and strong. Still, one thing hadn't changed, she couldn't help but grow bored at these conventions.
The queen made her way to the balcony behind the mansion. She sighed as the breeze came and blew her that fell just below her shoulders now. "You look as bored as I feel," a male voice came from behind her. The queen spun quickly to see a man her age, 17, tall and blonde smiling to her. He was dressed in a very nicely decorated suit. He walked to her and shrugged, "I personally can't stand these things, myself." Relena laughed and nodded.
The young man took her hand and kissed it, Relena blushing. He smiled to her, "My name is Brian Weatherall." She replied with a soft smile, "I'm Relena Peacecraft." Brain gasped and lowered his head quickly, "I am sorry, your highness, I would have addressed you properly if I had realized that you were the Queen of the World. Forgive me." The young woman shook her head and chuckled, "Don't worry about it. I like being called by my first name anyway." Brian nodded, "Same here. That's why I never address myself as Duke Weatherall." Relena looked to him kindly and said, "It's very nice to meet you, Brian." The Duke smiled, "The pleasure is all mine, Relena."
He gave a sinister smile and whispered, "Now what do you say we sneak out of here and do something really exciting? I know a great hangout not far from here." Relena smiled and nodded, "That sounds great." Thus began a friendship that would quickly blossom into enduring, unbreakable love. The teenagers went on to sneak through the crows and out of the mansion for their first of countless adventures together to come.
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Heero and Duo sat on the roof of their house on the beach as they looked to the stars. Duo had been concerned for his friend. He came out for a blanket for him since there it was cold out. However, Heero wrapped the blanked around the American who had just stepped from the shower and didn't bother drying or braiding his hair. When the American was next to him, the Wing pilot wrapped his arms around his body to give off extra warmth. "I don't want you getting sick," he stated, concern noted in his voice that Duo picked up. "Thank you, Heero. But I'm worried about you," he replied, still hooded by the blanket. "Why are you worried about me?' he asked. "Just now, you looked upset about something. Do you want to talk?" his comrade offered. Heero looked into his eyes and sighed. "It's nothing. I was just thinking," he tried to assure him. "Anything I can help with?" the man in his arms asked.
Heero lowered his head. "I was just thinking about something that happened earlier today, that's all," he finally admitted. "What happened today that has you upset?" Duo questioned. Heero snickered, "It's something that happens every time." The American cocked an eyebrow, "I don't follow." "It's just...I don't get it..." Heero tried to find the right words and was failing as he slowly let the other pilot go. After a pause, he felt an arm wrap around his shoulders after he lowered his head again. "Heero, you know that you can tell me anything. What's wrong?" his friend softly asked. Heero slowly looked into the violet eyes again. "I was just sitting here thinking about a lot of things...Mostly about life." Duo chuckled, "I know what that's like."
"I was wondering what it was that kept me alive. I should have died countless times during the wars. When I was ten, I didn't expect to live this long. Even then, I thought that if I did live as long as I have, it would have been because there was a reason and meaning to do so," Heero began quietly as he looked back to the stars. Duo listened closely to every word as he sat there silently. "When I was sent here the first time, I didn't think I would be lucky enough to have lived much longer. When I was in Sally's hospital, I just kept wishing that Death would come and get it over with...Then you came and..." he stopped there as he looked away. "You taught me how to live, Duo. You call yourself the God of Death and you taught me more about life than anyone else could have." Duo couldn't breathe but managed to whisper, "Heero."
Heero didn't turn back to face him but continued. "You can take any situation and find the lighter side to it. You can make a family out of warriors who never knew who were stripped of their ability to connect with others... who weren't allowed to have friends...Today was the perfect example of that. It just got me thinking about so many things...There are so many unanswered questions I'll never have the answers to...But I never have to worry when you're around...You give my life meaning, Duo. You're the reason I went on fighting to live...I just never admitted it to myself until when we were on L2." By this time, there were huge tears in Duo's eyes as they began to fall. "H-Heero?" he asked quietly.
Finally, the Wing pilot looked to him. "Oh, Duo," he gasped as he wiped his tears away softly. "I'm so sorry...I never had the courage to tell you all of this sooner. I'm so sorry I never thanked you for saving me, not just that day in the hospital, but everyday." Duo smiled as the other pilot wiped his tears away. Heero looked into his eyes and whispered, "May I give you a kiss, Duo...To thank you?" The American nodded and whispered, "Yes." He closed his eyes as Heero very slowly leaned in. Duo felt the light kiss just next to his mouth. The hood around his head fell slowly. Heero held his lips there for a moment. Both pilots were breathing heavy at this point as their hearts were pounding out of their chests.
When the kiss ended, Heero stayed a breath away from Duo's lips as they looked to each other for an instant. Duo closed his eyes again and Heero did the same. The Wing pilot gently touched the other's lips with his own, holding them there as well. Heero's lips were softer than Duo could have imagined. Heero felt the same way about Duo's lips. He slowly opened his mouth and ever so softly ran his tongue against the Duo's bottom lip, breathing heavier than before. Duo accepted the offer and opened his mouth. Heero's mouth opened along with his as they began kissing deeply. Duo let a moan out into his partner's mouth as he hesitantly pulled back, eyes slammed shut and trying to catch his breath. "Oh, God. I'm dreaming again, I'm just dreaming again," he whispered to himself.
Heero lowered his hands, looked into Duo's eyes and gasped, "Y-You dream about me?" The violet eyes opened to show that they were filled with salty tears. "I've always loved you, Heero. I never knew how to tell you," Duo whispered as the tears began to flow. Heero's eyes widened more as he looked deeply into his comrade's face. "I've been so afraid to love anyone. Ever since so many people that I loved died on L2, I never let my heart open up again...until I met you." "Oh, Duo," the Wing pilot sighed as he began to gently wipe the tears from his love's cheeks. "I love you, Heero, more than I've ever loved anyone," he quietly stated. "Ai shiteru, Duo. I've loved you for as long as I've known you," Heero whispered. Two more huge tears fell down Duo's cheeks as they leaned in and kissed passionately.
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Kumi and Sette stood in a hanger on a Colony not far from Saturn, eing reunited for the first time in months. The princess crossed her arms and smiled, "Well, what I really came here to tell you was that I have some engineers working on making that suit you and Heero designed years ago. I gave them the blueprints." Kumi froze and looked at Sette in astonishment. "You have people working on building Euphoria!?!" she gasped. Sette smiled and nodded, "As we speak." "How were you were able to find the Gundamimum needed to build the suit?" The blue-haired pilot sighed and folded her hands behind her head, "It's practically sitting in my backyard." Still dumbfounded, the silver-haired pilot asked, "How the hell were you able to get the resources needed for the construction!?!" Sette stood straight, narrowed her eyes and had the first serious tone on her since she and her friend were reunited. She began, "There is one thing that separates me from any other Gundam pilot to exist..." a smile spread across her face, but her tone remained the same as she concluded, "I'm rich."
The pilot of Excalibur broke off into laughter as she nodded, "I almost for got." "So did I," Sette sighed. "...I was happy." There was a brief pause of silence as Kumi smiled to her friend. "Well, thank you for doing that for me and Heero. I can't wait to see his face when he sees the suit finished. We worked on those designs when we were in training with Doctor J." "They're great designs, too," Sette added. "The engineers kept saying that designers who have worked on suits like this for years could never have created something at all like that suit. They said to let you and your cou-brother know that you did a hell of a job." Kumi nodded to the compliment. "I'll be sure to tell Heero when I do find him." As she said this, she sat, turned her laptop back on and went back to typing away after resting it pack on her lap.
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In a large, beautiful church, there pews were filled with many representatives and members of the Alliance to witness a wedding. Milliardo and Noin stood before an alter. The wedding dress that Noin wore was beautiful and simple. Her love was attired in a tuxedo. They smiled to each other throughout the whole ceremony. Relena served as the maid of honor for both of the pilots as she looked lovingly to the couple. She wore a simple, pink dress and held a beautiful bouquet of lilies. The queen presented the rings to the couple. Her fiancee and Dorothy stood in the front pews as they watched on.
The man smiled, "With this ring, I thee wed." He placed the gold band on now his wife. Noin placed the other ring on his finger, saying, "With this ring, I thee wed." The priest smiled, "I now pronounce you man and wife." The couple smiled to each other as he nodded, "You man now kiss the bride." The pair kissed deeply as their witnesses clapped loudly. They turned to face them, their faces bright and ecstatic. The priest concluded, "It is my honor to present Milliardo and Noin Peacecraft." The applause grew and cheers came from everywhere as the couple walked down the alter. The organ played "Joyful Joyful" as the church emptied slowly after the bride and groom made their way out.
Relena gave tight huge to her brother and now-sister-in-law outside. "I'm so happy for you both," she smiled. Brian came and greeted them with hugs and hisses as well. He nodded to them, "I'm glad you were finally able to find happiness together." Milliardo smiled, "Thank you, Brian. You just better take care of Relena." Brian laughed and saluted, "Yes, sir." Noin sighed, "I can't believe we finally did it." Milliardo kissed her and whispered, "It's just the start of a wonderful life together, love." The young woman embraced him. Soon, they made the way to a long, black limo that led them to the reception.
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Quatre looked to the queen as they stood in the hallway of a hospital. "Y-you're married?" he gasped as he looked to her with wide eyes. Relena smiled and nodded. Brian came from around the corner as he sighed with relief when he saw that his wife was safe. She turned and gave a look of relief at his presence. She walked to him as they embraced tightly. Brian whispered, "Thank God you're all right, sweetheart." They kissed deeply and she whispered, "I'm fine, dear."
The king looked to see four young men there. They all looked to the couple with wide eyes and mouths. He smiled and waved, "You must be the Gundam pilots that Relena has told me about." Trowa nodded, "That would be us." Heero gave a look of pain and lowered his head to whisper, "Not all of us." Quatre placed a hand on his shoulder. Relena looked to her husband to explain. "Duo was shot while he and the others saved us." Brian looked with concern to the pilots, "I-I don't know how to thank all of you for protecting us." He went on to shake all of their hands. "It is nice to finally meet all of you."
Quatre smiled, "Thank you...uh." "Brian," the king smiled. The Arabian nodded and smiled, "Brian." Relena asked, "Heero, could I speak to you for a minute?" Heero looked up to her in uncertainty. Hesitantly, he nodded. His comrades looked to him in equal confusion. The queen and the pilot walked alone down the hall. Relena whispered, "I'm sorry that it took so long for me to understand where both of our hearts were. I should have known that you would never show any emotion for anyone unless you loved them. The only person you ever showed any emotion to was Duo. And I never understood that it wasn't love that drew me to you...It was foolish of me to believe that it was." Heero stopped and looked to her. He simply nodded, "Thank you."
Relena smiled and told him, "Stay with Duo, Heero. He needs you. And I know that he would never leave you. I always knew he loved you more than anything. And I know that you would never let him down." The Wing pilot nodded again. "Good," she smiled as they walked back to the others.
The queen looked to Quatre and asked, "Please let us know right away when Duo wakes up." Brian nodded in agreement. Quatre smiled, "Sure." "Thank you, all of you for everything again." The pair walked off as the pilots watched them depart, arm-in-arm. When they were gone, Quatre chuckled. Trowa looked to him and asked, "What's so funny?" The Arabian shrugged, "My Space Heart just tells me that Relena truly loves him. It's nice to see that she's happy." Trowa asked, "She loves him more than she loved Heero?" Quatre let out a soft laugh as he answered, "She wasn't in love with him, that was just infatuation." Wufei smiled and sighed, "So Relena's finally grown up." Heero closed his eyes and sighed deeply, "Thank God." The others laughed loudly as his great relief.
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Kumi ran through the dark alleys of Colony F34, her gun gripped tightly in her right hand as she dashed through the narrow space. The wet cement had several large puddles that splashed beneath her feet. Her thick hair was pulled back in its usual, high ponytail as it flew violently behind her. In the shadows before, she could see a fallen figure. "No," she whispered to herself as she fell to her knees next to the figure. "She gently took the young man in her arms and turned him over. He had been shot several times as blood came from all around. "God, no," Kumi pleaded as she did what she could to stop the bleeding.
The closed eyelids of the blonde slipped open to reveal the soft blue eyes underneath. "Kumi," he whispered in pain. "Shhhh. It's going to be okay, Matt," she whispered as she stroked his hair. "I'm here," she told him quietly. Matt looked to her lovingly and smiled faintly. "I was hoping I'd get to see you one last time," he barely managed to say. "Don't talk like that, Matt. You're going to be okay," the pilot said as tears filled her eyes. "You're going to be just fine." Matt shook his head and brought a hand to touch his lover's cheek gently. "It's all right, Kumi," he assured her. "None of this is your fault, love."
"Matt, please," the pilot begged. "Stay with me...I-I love you," she whispered hoarsely. The young man smiled to her again, "I love you, too, Kumi. I'm just going on to look after you full time, that's all." Tears fell from the pilot's eyes as she bent over to kiss his lips gently. "I need you here with me," she sobbed. Matt dried her tears with a blood-covered hand. "I'll be with you always, hon, even if you can't see me. Don't ever forget that. Love doesn't die, sweetie." Kumi began to shake as she couldn't keep her emotions in. "I always knew that you would open to someone...." He winced in pain before smiling, "I'm honored you chose me to be that person."
The young man stiffened in more pain as the pilot did whatever she could to take the pain from him. He kissed the back of the pilot's hand and whispered as he looked into her blue eyes. With a small voice, he whispered, "I love you so much, Kumi. I'll watch over you always." He pulled himself up a bit to kiss her one last time. The kiss broke when his last breath left him after their lips touched and his body went limp. Kumi shook her head as she whispered, "No...Please...Matt, MATT!" She shook the form gently to try and wake the Preventer again. "Oh my God," Kumi cried as she pulled the body into her own and squeezed it tightly, sobbing. When she finally loosened her grip, she kissed Matt's lips and lied his body gently to the ground.
The young woman's face hardened as she growled an ran again, covered in blood. At the end of the alley, she saw the killer standing there smiling before a large mobile suit. "YOU FUCKING BASTARD!!!" Kumi screamed as she shot at the giant. Each of the four bullets penetrated the think skin, but there was little or no response from the huge man. He climbed into the suit as Kumi ran towards him, still shooting. He was in his steel machine as the pilot continued to shoot. The suit flew off as Kumi screamed, "DEMETRIS!!!"
When the suit was gone, she allowed tears to flow freely as she ran back to the alley. She went to Matt's body and cradled it in her arms. There was the sound of footsteps running towards her from the darkness ahead of her. "Kumi!" Sette cried as she ran to her. "I came as soon as I heard-" She froze and gasped when she saw that Kumi's face was drenched with tears as she cradled a body and walked past her. Sette covered her mouth and whispered hoarsely, "M-Matt...Kumi, I...I" The other pilot stopped an turned to her, silent tears still falling. There was a long silence between the pilots. Slowly, she turned and walked away, carrying Matt's form gingerly.
Later that night, Kumi was changed from her usual purple top and spandex shorts. Now she wore a black, sleeveless shirt that was formfitting. There was also thick, silver belt that went from the middle of her stomach to her waist and a loose black running pants that she now had on with black sneakers. She was sitting in a Preventer's ship looking to the stars. Sette walked slowly to her with her head down. She asked quietly, Kumi?" Her friend looked to her with bloodshot eyes. The 'Perfect Soldier' looked like she had died, light skin contrasting her new black attire. Sette whispered, "I-I know that Matt meant a lot to you."
Kumi looked back to the stars sadly. "That fucker's going to pay," she growled deeply. "Kumi, that guy isn't normal. Gratned, his suit's not a Gundam, but I really don't think that Demetris is human. He can take bullets and not give off so much as a wince of pain." "I was so close, Sette," her comrade whispered. "He won't get away forever. And I want to be the last person he sees before he leaves existence." The last few words made the princess's blood run cold.
The silver-haired girl looked to the other and asked in her usual monotone voice, "Do we have the three Gundam suits now?" The princess nodded, "Yes, but, Kumi, this isn't the time to think about-" Her friend interrupted, "Fine. I need you to store the suits on H4 with your people there. I don't know any other place where hey would be safe other than that." Sette replied quietly, "No problem. I'll take them back with me after the..." she hesitated and took a deep breath before saying, "After the funeral." The other pilot nodded once before she looked away. Sette watched Kumi turn and take a deep purple hood and cape into her hand to throw it on and hooded herself. She slowly walked away as the tomboy lowered her head. Looking to the stars, herself, she sighed deeply and sadly.
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Dorothy looked to the stars from her window and whispered, "Grandfather, my only wish is that I'll make you proud. I know that you never wanted me to have to fight, but it is all that I can think of...You died such a noble and honorable death...To die in battle, I think, is the greatest honor and the most beautiful way to leave this world." She walked to her window and sighed, "I don't know why, but I have this odd feeling that I'll be fighting for what I believe in."
The young woman looked to the picture of her grandfather on her desk. She smiled, "I am not wishing for a war to begin, understand...I am simply saying that should the time ever come where peace is threatened, I want to be on the front lines. If I ever do get that chance, I can only assume that you're okay with that. I know that you're always watching me. And should I ever get to fight, I know that you'll be with me every step of the way." Dorothy looked back to the stars and watched them silently.
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Duo carried a drunken Heero into their room. The Wing pilot was awake and held onto his lover tightly as he walked him to their bed. The American lowered him onto the bed gently and sighed as he sat beside him. Heero had already begun sobering as he looked to the braided pilot. "You're mad at me," he said quietly, with little emotion since he didn't know how to feel right now. Duo shook his head and replied just as quietly, "No, Heero. I'm not mad at you. I'm worried about you." He kissed the Japanese pilot's forehead softly and continued, "You would never do this to yourself if there wasn't something wrong..." He cupped the other pilot's face in his hands so they looked into eachother's eyes. He begged quietly, "Please, talk to me, love. What's wrong?"
Heero looked to him with soft eyes before lowering his head. The American proceeded to remove his lover's shirt before doing his own. Heero looked to him as he went onto pull his shorts off of him. "W-What are you doing?" he asked in shock. Duo said sternly. "Just wait a minute." Before long, the two pilots were naked, Heero lying on the bed with his back up against the wall as his lover sat before him. Duo said, "There, there's nothing between us. Heero, we've been lovers for three years now and you still can't talk to me?"
The Wing pilot closed his eyes and looked away, "It's not that easy, Duo. I've never talked about this to anyone. There's only one other person alive now who knows about this." The American whispered, "They it was when you and Kumi were training." Heero nodded slowly. Duo sighed, "Heero, let me help you. Whatever it is, we'll get through it together." He bit his lip to fight back the emotions that were stirring in him. "Do you have any idea how much it hurts me to see you like this, Heero?...I feel like I'm letting you down." "Duo, no," Heero pleaded as he turned to face the braided pilot. "You could never fail me, koi," he whispered.
"I'm sorry, hon," Duo whispered as he lowered his own head. "I didn't mean to force you to tell me anything you don't want to talk about...I just want you to know that I'm always here for you. If you don't want to talk about it, that's okay." After a long pause, Heero whispered back, "I-I want to tell you...I need to tell you." Duo looked to him with concern and nodded, "I'm right here, koibito. He kissed Heero hands and held them tightly. "Are you sure?" he asked gently.
This gesture was appreciated as Heero nodded before he told him his deepest secret, "I-I was on a mission during my training and...There was a little girl with a puppy...She asked told me I looked lost and I responded by telling her I was lost all my life...Not long later she-I killed her and the dog." Duo's eyes opened wide as he gasped, "What do you mean?" Heero kept his eyes closed as he continued, "They were killed in the explosion from the mission I carried out...I killed them both...Damn it, she was so young and innocent..." Duo gasped, "T-That's why you could never go through with killing Relena..." Heero nodded slowly, eyes still closed. "She reminds you of that girl and you've never lost the guilt from that accident."
"Duo, it wasn't an accident," Heero said as his eyes shot open in protest. "I killed an innocent girl. I murdered her." Duo gasped loudly as he saw tears filling his lover's eyes, the first ones that ever for the Wing pilot. "GODDAMN IT!" Heero growled and shouted at himself, "I CAN'T CRY! I WON'T CRY!" Duo gripped onto his shoulders gently. "You have to get this out, Heero. You've been holding this in for so long. Don't deny your feelings, love. That's what you always say...You need to follow your own advice now." Heero looked to him in uncertainty with wide eyes that would not allow the tears to fall. The braided pilot placed a hand on the Wing pilot's cheek and whispered, "I'm right here...I'll dry your eyes for you."
That did it, Heero threw his arms tightly around his naked partner as he began to sob against him. "I'm so sorry, Duo," he cried as the American held him tightly, rubbing his back and stroking his hair while he placed kissed on his shoulder and head. "Shhhhh. You didn't do anything wrong, hon. Don't be sorry." Heero let all of the tears and sobs that shook his form out after a good long cry. It was the first time he ever cried in his life.
He gently pulled back and looked to Duo with his face drenched. "How could you say that I didn't do anything wrong?" he said with little voice present. His lover answered as he pushed back his koi's bangs from his face. "Because...It was an accident. You never intended to kill that girl. You could never do that if you tried...You're too good a person, love." Heero shook his head, "How can you possibly say that? What proof could you possibly have that says I'm a good person?" Duo took Heero's hand and placed it over his heart as he put his free hand over his lover's and smiled, "Our hearts tell me, Heero...They're all the proof I need."
The American proceeded to kiss the Wing pilot's cheeks to dry his tears. Heero pulled himself into his lover as he began to shake again. Breathlessly, he whispered so lowly that Duo almost didn't catch it, "I never needed anyone until I met you...Now I can't think of living without you...I-I was so afraid that you would leave if you ever found out." "Oh Heero," Duo whispered into his hair, "Nothing in this world or the next could take me from you. I love you with everything in me." Heero gave one last sob as he whispered back, looking into his eyes, "I love you so much, Duo." The lovers just held eachother tightly like that.
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Trowa met his sister in the airport as they ran and hugged eachother. Catherine smiled to him, "You look well." Trowa smiled back, "Thank you. You don't look bad, yourself." He helped her with her luggage as they walked to a pink limo. Catherine sighed, "I can't believe that Relena was nice enough to have all of us live in her mansion with her husband. That was really nice of both of them."
Her brother nodded, "They're also storing the Gundams in a nearby hanger." Catherine wrinkled her nose at the thought of those suits. She sighed, "You really have to fight in those things still? Don't the Preventers have their own ships that they could give you and the others?" Trowa shook his head and laughed, "Catherine, I know that you still can't stand those suits, but I couldn't imagine fighting without Heavy Arms. It's all I know. And believe it or not, I'm happy with that." His sister shrugged, "Well, as long as you're happy." Her brother smiled as she stepped into the car, "Thank you."
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Excalibur knocked a large mobile suit to it's back as Kumi drew the sword to point at the cockpit. Blood dripped down the side of her drenched face from a cut on her forehead as she gasped for air. She sneered, "You're mine now, fucker." Demetris looked up to him monitors and sighed as he gasped for air as well, drenched in sweat. "Well done, Yuy," he chuckled. "Go ahead, finish it off." Kumi hollered, "This is for Matt and the countless lives you've taken, you son of a bitch!" At this, she raised her sword high.
"KUMI!" a voice called. Mason flew between the suits as the silver-haired pilot shouted, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, SETTE!?! GET OUT OF THE WAY!" The princess begged, "Kumi, please. An asshole like him deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison. He'll have a sample of what Hell is before he actually gets there." Kumi growled, "Sette, I'm not going to say it again...Get out of the fucking way, NOW." Kumi looked to the monitors to see that there were mobile suits all around her with guns aimed at Excalibur. "NANI!?!" she shouted as she looked with wide eyes.
The tomboy sighed, "This is the only way I could get you to listen...I'm sorry." Kumi bit her lip and tightened her fists, her nails cutting into the flesh and drawing blood. She growled even more deeply than before. After a long pause, she looked to her comrade. "You're a damn fool," she deadpanned. Sette lowered her head and watched as officers from the colony came and forced Demetris from his cockpit at gunpoint.
Kumi and Sette stood out of their suits as they watched him drive off in the police car as the mobile suits led the way for extra protection. The prisoner's large suit was taken by the authorities as well. The wind was blowing the long hair of the pilots as they watched the officers and the suits disappear. Kumi closed her eyes and lowered her head. "Two frigging years...Hundreds of lives...And I let YOU keep me from killing that monster." Sette's eyes widened, "You can't tell me that you don't you'd rather see him dead than behind bars." Kumi turned to give her a death glare that proved otherwise. The princess swallowed hard, "Then again..."
The silver-haired pilot sighed and looked away, "I don't know who's the bigger fool...You for trying to stop me, or me for actually listening." She looked up to see the large suit finally vanish. They stood in silence for a while as their hair was still being blown. Gravely, Kumi whispered, "This is going to come back to haunt us." She turned and began to slowly walk back to Excalibur.
Sette shook her head and looked to her retreating comrade, "I know that you get feelings about stuff, Kumi, but you can't be sure that this wasn't the right thing to do." Her friend stopped to turn and look at her. She replied even more gravely, "It's the only thing I am sure about." A chill went up the princess's back at this statement, but it wasn't due to the chill in the breeze that suddenly came. The 'Perfect Soldier' walked off, leaving the princess alone to her thoughts. Excalibur flew off at great speed. Sette looked back to where the Demetris and his suit disappeared. She whispered to herself, "God help us if she's right."
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Quarte was sitting in the Weatherall mansion, playing the piano. Noni walked in with a soft smile on her face. When the song ended, she gave a soft round of applause. The Arabian smiled to her and said, "Just like old times." Noin nodded, "It's great to be living here with all of you. This mansion can be pretty big and lonely without good friends there." The blonde nodded, "Yea. It's nice to have so many people to call friends now. Before, the other pilots and myself weren't even sure if we could trust each other."
Noin smiled and rubbed her slender stomach. She laughed, "I can only imagine what this baby will pick up with all of you around." The Arabian laughed, "Duo's the one who'll be the one to look out for, especially since he and Heero visit a lot." The other pilot nodded, "Yea. It'll be a lot of fun to see them with you all."
There was a pause between the two pilots and Quatre's face fell. Noin looked to him with concern, "What is it, Quatre?" He shrugged, "I don't know...I can't help but think that something isn't right. Just by continuing to fight with the Preventers, I've see that there are so many people who still believe in what OZ stood for. It makes me wonder how strong this so-called peaceful time really is." Noin sighed, "I know exactly what you mean...I worry about the same thing, myself." "I guess all we can do is hope for the best." The young woman nodded, "It is all that we can do. We can't concern ourselves with fears of the unknown. Let's just try and make the best of this peaceful time while we can."
Quatre smiled, "You're right...Can I play anything for you?" Noin smiled back, I'd like that." The Arabian played while the young woman sat at the couch not far from the piano, listening to the beautiful songs that he played. Noin didn't want to tell the pilot, but she had a bad feeling that something was coming soon, as well...Something that none of them would be able to prepare for, no matter how hard they tried. But for right now, she tried not to think about that as she enjoyed this time to relax and be happy.
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Sette stood before a tall man who looked to be in his forties. He looked down to the tomboy before him as he sighed, "So you're leaving me?" Sette shrugged, "Yeppers. Kumi's waiting outside." The man nodded and embraced her as he chuckled, "Don't start too much trouble on the Earth. I'll be your first time there and I don't want you getting too carried away. It's nothing like the colonies..." He then smiled and sighed, "Still, I know that you're going there for a good reason." The princess thought of the nightmare that had been visiting her and the pilot of Unit 10 every night for the past week.
The embrace broke as she looked to her father. "There is something that I have to do. I have a bad feeling about the whole thing," she whispered. The king of H7 smiled and shook his head, "Dear, I know that you can handle anything. I was worried about you piloting a Gundam and you've proven to be a wonderful fighter. I couldn't be more proud of you...I know your mother feels the same way...You have her spirit." Sette bit her lip and nodded slowly, "Thank you." Her father sighed, "You better get going. Do whatever it is you have to do to keep peace in Space and on Earth." Sette hugged him tightly one last time and kissed his cheek as she smiled, "Thank you, Daddy. I love you." "I love you, too, hon," King Devion smiled back as he waved his daughter.
When she left the castle, Sette found Kumi standing not far from the elaborate building. She had her arms crossed and an expression look on her face, still wearing the same attire she put on after her lover's death. There was a large ship behind her that carried their suits along with the recovered three Gundams. Kumi deadpanned, "Ready?" Sette nodded, "All set." The other nodded once and walked into the ship. The tomboy looked to the tattoo that her comrade got on her left arm- a thin armband of two rose buds, one pink and one red, that met in the front with a Japanese colored in purple word between the buds, their bright green, thorny stems intertwined and wrapped around the appendage in a straight line. Sette looked back to her home one last time. After a brief time to look, she walked into the ship as the door closed behind her. The craft was in the air not a moment later as it darted for the Earth.
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Back in the lounge on Peace Million, Duo was the first to wake as he slowly managed to open his eyes. He looked to his lover as they still lied in each other's arms on the couch. He sighed softly in content and kissed the skin over the Wing pilot's heart. He moved his head around, careful not to wake his sleeping partner as he looked to the others as they slept. Another warm smile crept on his face and a soft, deep chuckle left him.
Heero opened one eye and looked to Duo. He smiled and blinked before opening both eyes. Duo whispered, "Aw, koi, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." Heero smiled and kissed his forehead, "Hush," he whispered. "I'm fine...What was so funny?" he asked softly, playing with the end of Duo's braid by wrapping it around his fingers. The American closed his eyes and rested his head against his lover's chest as he sighed, "I was just thinking how nice it is that our little family's grown." He chuckled quietly again, "We may be a dysfunctional family, but we're a family none the less." A smile came across the Japanese pilot's face and he looked to the other pilots, himself. "Yea," he simply whispered. He tightened his arms around Duo, who did the same as sleep claimed them again.
Somehow, the fact that there was a war going on didn't matter to any of the pilots. Their dreams were much happier as they thought of peace, something they all knew once before. And they looked forward to the possibility of knowing it again...someday.
TBC
DISCLAIMER: Well, none of these characters are mine with the exception of Kumi and Sette, along with a good number of others, but you'll know them when you read along. It's nice to finally say that something is mine in this!
LOTS OF LANGUAGE AND VIOLENCE IN THIS ONE, just to warn you!!!
IMPORTANT NOTES: Okay, this is the last episode that'll consist of mostly flashbacks. It is important for the story that these memories are shown. Otherwise, how the characters got to where they are now will be confusing. All of the flashback begin and end with @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ while the scenes from the present begin and end with *********. *****All of these flashbacks take place after the Endless Waltz. So it did happen, but nothing from that time is mentioned here, just starting the months after that saga.*******
Please e-mail me with ideas (cyclone2996@hotmail.com). I could use all the help I could get! Thanks! SkyLark
Thank you so much, again, Traci 14. Your suggestions are wonderful from the first part! I appreciate everything and I hope you enjoy this! There are more of your ideas in here! Enjoy!
Gundam Wing: The Second Chapter
Episode 6: A Family Amongst Warriors
by SkyLark
with help from Traci 14
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Demetris had just come back from another meeting with the man in charge when he greeted a young man and a young woman in a hallway. The twins looked to him in their space suits and prepared to hear of the news he received. The tall man looked to the brown-haired pilots and told them, "You will be leaving us tomorrow night for your first time in action."
The faces of the twins lit up as they turned to each other. The young man asked, "And our suits?" Demetris nodded, "You will be leaving with them." The woman sneered, "It's about time we got to see action. I was starting to think that we would never get to use Gemini." The tall man sighed, "The two of you better not let this get to your heads. Our Commander wants the Gundam pilots to have a first taste of what we have. You both better keep yourselves from loosing it out there." The younger man chuckled deeply, "You're getting soft, old man. You just relax. Azrael and I know what we're doing." Azrael nodded, "Just give us the word and we'll take care of those pilots."
Demetris glared at them, "Fine. Just do whatever it takes to get ready. It won't be long before you'll be leaving." The two pilots left as the young man called, "We'll be sure to have a good time for you out there, Demetris." The pair laughed as they disappeared. The giant growled and turned his back to the way they left. He whispered to himself, "I don't know what he's thinking...sending those loose cannons off before his more experiences pilots...They better not screw this up."
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The bar was the place to be the night of the first official victory in the war for the Gundams and the Preventers. Milliardo, Noin, Sally and Brian Weatherall all joined their friends there before long. Nobody allowed the thoughts and fears of what would come to enter their minds. As a Preventer looked to the Gundam pilots celebrating the way they were, he turned to one of his higher-ranked officers and asked, "Isn't it a little risky to allow them to have this much fun when there's a war going on?" The officer smiled and shook his head, "Not at all...God only knows when they'll be able to have a good time like this again. Let them be...They're still young and need to remember that there's more to life than the battlefield." The younger soldier nodded back and went back to his business.
All of the pilots had stayed out until well past two o'clock in the morning at the bar, dancing, drinking, laughing and just enjoying themselves for a change. Too tired, and or drunk, to make their way to their rooms, most of the Gundam pilots crashed in the large lounge not far from the bar. The Queen, King, Sally, Milliardo and Noin were the only ones able to make it to their rooms. When they first got there, they returned to the large lounge with blankets and pillows for their passed out comrades there.
Noin placed a blanket over Heero and Duo, who lied in eachother's arms and slept peacefully on one of the couches. A warm smile spread across her face at the angelic picture of the couple. She gently moved the hair from their closed eye and whispered, "Sleep well." Kumi's head was carefully lifted from the floor by Milliardo as he placed a pillow below her head and placed a blanket over her. Relena covered Quatre, Trowa and Sette as they lied on the single other couches provided in the room. Dorothy and Catherine and Wufei were also sleeping across the floor as Brain and Sally covered them with the blankets they had. Sally gave a soft kiss to Wufei's head when he was taken care of.
Knowing that it was extremely late, they all left the room upon seeing that all was well with the slumbering team. They slowly filed out of the room, Noin and Milliardo being the last to leave as they looked to the peaceful scene one last time. They smiled to each other before turning and leaving. Milliardo turned off the soft lights.
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Trowa and Wufei walked to join their Arabian friend in the center of a large field where they agreed to meet up. Quatre greeted them warmly with hugs and smiled as they were reunited for the first time since the Endless Waltz. "It's good to see you both," he sighed as he looked to them. The Chinese pilot nodded, "You look well." Quatre replied, "I feel better knowing that the Gundams are being repaired as we speak." Trowa and Wufei eyes widened as their jaws dropped. Trowa whispered, "So you really were able to get your engineers to fix them." The blonde nodded, "They just need pilots...Neither of you would be able to think of anyone who could work them do you?"
The other pilots laughed. Trowa shook his head, "I had a feeling that's what this meeting was about. I'd be happy to accept the responsibility of flying Heavy Arms again." Wufei nodded, "I think I know someone who'll be willing to fly Nataku." Trowa added, "The Preventers could use all they help they can get. To have the Gundams on their side is something I'm sure they have been hoping for." Quatre beamed, "Great. I'm moving to my estate on Earth. Heero and Duo are already there now. We'll find them and give them the news. I know they'll want to fly their Gundams again."
Wufei's eyes widened again as he asked, "They're both on the Earth?" The Arabian nodded, "Yea. They live together there." Trowa's jaw dropped as he and the Chinese pilot looked to him in shock. He smiled and shook his head, "Wonders never cease." Wufei laughed, "I wonder if Heero's killed that baka yet." Quatre smiled, "Last I heard, they were doing fine." Trowa shrugged, "Well, when do we leave for the Earth?" The blonde answered, "As soon as the suits are finished. It'll only be another day or two." The others nodded and accepted the gift of their suits and a place to live from their friend. When they found Heero and Duo, their small family would be complete.
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Relena stood in the center of a large ballroom, meeting many officials and representatives from the Earth and the Colonies. Since the Gundam pilots saved her months ago, she had not seen any of them. Surprisingly, she had gotten over the infatuation she had for a certain 'Perfect Soldier.' Since his disappearance, the young queen realized how empty her feelings really were, and that he would never feel anything for her, even if they were real. Relena hated the thought of how she must have come across to Heero, constantly chasing him. She was naive no longer, but mature and strong. Still, one thing hadn't changed, she couldn't help but grow bored at these conventions.
The queen made her way to the balcony behind the mansion. She sighed as the breeze came and blew her that fell just below her shoulders now. "You look as bored as I feel," a male voice came from behind her. The queen spun quickly to see a man her age, 17, tall and blonde smiling to her. He was dressed in a very nicely decorated suit. He walked to her and shrugged, "I personally can't stand these things, myself." Relena laughed and nodded.
The young man took her hand and kissed it, Relena blushing. He smiled to her, "My name is Brian Weatherall." She replied with a soft smile, "I'm Relena Peacecraft." Brain gasped and lowered his head quickly, "I am sorry, your highness, I would have addressed you properly if I had realized that you were the Queen of the World. Forgive me." The young woman shook her head and chuckled, "Don't worry about it. I like being called by my first name anyway." Brian nodded, "Same here. That's why I never address myself as Duke Weatherall." Relena looked to him kindly and said, "It's very nice to meet you, Brian." The Duke smiled, "The pleasure is all mine, Relena."
He gave a sinister smile and whispered, "Now what do you say we sneak out of here and do something really exciting? I know a great hangout not far from here." Relena smiled and nodded, "That sounds great." Thus began a friendship that would quickly blossom into enduring, unbreakable love. The teenagers went on to sneak through the crows and out of the mansion for their first of countless adventures together to come.
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Heero and Duo sat on the roof of their house on the beach as they looked to the stars. Duo had been concerned for his friend. He came out for a blanket for him since there it was cold out. However, Heero wrapped the blanked around the American who had just stepped from the shower and didn't bother drying or braiding his hair. When the American was next to him, the Wing pilot wrapped his arms around his body to give off extra warmth. "I don't want you getting sick," he stated, concern noted in his voice that Duo picked up. "Thank you, Heero. But I'm worried about you," he replied, still hooded by the blanket. "Why are you worried about me?' he asked. "Just now, you looked upset about something. Do you want to talk?" his comrade offered. Heero looked into his eyes and sighed. "It's nothing. I was just thinking," he tried to assure him. "Anything I can help with?" the man in his arms asked.
Heero lowered his head. "I was just thinking about something that happened earlier today, that's all," he finally admitted. "What happened today that has you upset?" Duo questioned. Heero snickered, "It's something that happens every time." The American cocked an eyebrow, "I don't follow." "It's just...I don't get it..." Heero tried to find the right words and was failing as he slowly let the other pilot go. After a pause, he felt an arm wrap around his shoulders after he lowered his head again. "Heero, you know that you can tell me anything. What's wrong?" his friend softly asked. Heero slowly looked into the violet eyes again. "I was just sitting here thinking about a lot of things...Mostly about life." Duo chuckled, "I know what that's like."
"I was wondering what it was that kept me alive. I should have died countless times during the wars. When I was ten, I didn't expect to live this long. Even then, I thought that if I did live as long as I have, it would have been because there was a reason and meaning to do so," Heero began quietly as he looked back to the stars. Duo listened closely to every word as he sat there silently. "When I was sent here the first time, I didn't think I would be lucky enough to have lived much longer. When I was in Sally's hospital, I just kept wishing that Death would come and get it over with...Then you came and..." he stopped there as he looked away. "You taught me how to live, Duo. You call yourself the God of Death and you taught me more about life than anyone else could have." Duo couldn't breathe but managed to whisper, "Heero."
Heero didn't turn back to face him but continued. "You can take any situation and find the lighter side to it. You can make a family out of warriors who never knew who were stripped of their ability to connect with others... who weren't allowed to have friends...Today was the perfect example of that. It just got me thinking about so many things...There are so many unanswered questions I'll never have the answers to...But I never have to worry when you're around...You give my life meaning, Duo. You're the reason I went on fighting to live...I just never admitted it to myself until when we were on L2." By this time, there were huge tears in Duo's eyes as they began to fall. "H-Heero?" he asked quietly.
Finally, the Wing pilot looked to him. "Oh, Duo," he gasped as he wiped his tears away softly. "I'm so sorry...I never had the courage to tell you all of this sooner. I'm so sorry I never thanked you for saving me, not just that day in the hospital, but everyday." Duo smiled as the other pilot wiped his tears away. Heero looked into his eyes and whispered, "May I give you a kiss, Duo...To thank you?" The American nodded and whispered, "Yes." He closed his eyes as Heero very slowly leaned in. Duo felt the light kiss just next to his mouth. The hood around his head fell slowly. Heero held his lips there for a moment. Both pilots were breathing heavy at this point as their hearts were pounding out of their chests.
When the kiss ended, Heero stayed a breath away from Duo's lips as they looked to each other for an instant. Duo closed his eyes again and Heero did the same. The Wing pilot gently touched the other's lips with his own, holding them there as well. Heero's lips were softer than Duo could have imagined. Heero felt the same way about Duo's lips. He slowly opened his mouth and ever so softly ran his tongue against the Duo's bottom lip, breathing heavier than before. Duo accepted the offer and opened his mouth. Heero's mouth opened along with his as they began kissing deeply. Duo let a moan out into his partner's mouth as he hesitantly pulled back, eyes slammed shut and trying to catch his breath. "Oh, God. I'm dreaming again, I'm just dreaming again," he whispered to himself.
Heero lowered his hands, looked into Duo's eyes and gasped, "Y-You dream about me?" The violet eyes opened to show that they were filled with salty tears. "I've always loved you, Heero. I never knew how to tell you," Duo whispered as the tears began to flow. Heero's eyes widened more as he looked deeply into his comrade's face. "I've been so afraid to love anyone. Ever since so many people that I loved died on L2, I never let my heart open up again...until I met you." "Oh, Duo," the Wing pilot sighed as he began to gently wipe the tears from his love's cheeks. "I love you, Heero, more than I've ever loved anyone," he quietly stated. "Ai shiteru, Duo. I've loved you for as long as I've known you," Heero whispered. Two more huge tears fell down Duo's cheeks as they leaned in and kissed passionately.
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Kumi and Sette stood in a hanger on a Colony not far from Saturn, eing reunited for the first time in months. The princess crossed her arms and smiled, "Well, what I really came here to tell you was that I have some engineers working on making that suit you and Heero designed years ago. I gave them the blueprints." Kumi froze and looked at Sette in astonishment. "You have people working on building Euphoria!?!" she gasped. Sette smiled and nodded, "As we speak." "How were you were able to find the Gundamimum needed to build the suit?" The blue-haired pilot sighed and folded her hands behind her head, "It's practically sitting in my backyard." Still dumbfounded, the silver-haired pilot asked, "How the hell were you able to get the resources needed for the construction!?!" Sette stood straight, narrowed her eyes and had the first serious tone on her since she and her friend were reunited. She began, "There is one thing that separates me from any other Gundam pilot to exist..." a smile spread across her face, but her tone remained the same as she concluded, "I'm rich."
The pilot of Excalibur broke off into laughter as she nodded, "I almost for got." "So did I," Sette sighed. "...I was happy." There was a brief pause of silence as Kumi smiled to her friend. "Well, thank you for doing that for me and Heero. I can't wait to see his face when he sees the suit finished. We worked on those designs when we were in training with Doctor J." "They're great designs, too," Sette added. "The engineers kept saying that designers who have worked on suits like this for years could never have created something at all like that suit. They said to let you and your cou-brother know that you did a hell of a job." Kumi nodded to the compliment. "I'll be sure to tell Heero when I do find him." As she said this, she sat, turned her laptop back on and went back to typing away after resting it pack on her lap.
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In a large, beautiful church, there pews were filled with many representatives and members of the Alliance to witness a wedding. Milliardo and Noin stood before an alter. The wedding dress that Noin wore was beautiful and simple. Her love was attired in a tuxedo. They smiled to each other throughout the whole ceremony. Relena served as the maid of honor for both of the pilots as she looked lovingly to the couple. She wore a simple, pink dress and held a beautiful bouquet of lilies. The queen presented the rings to the couple. Her fiancee and Dorothy stood in the front pews as they watched on.
The man smiled, "With this ring, I thee wed." He placed the gold band on now his wife. Noin placed the other ring on his finger, saying, "With this ring, I thee wed." The priest smiled, "I now pronounce you man and wife." The couple smiled to each other as he nodded, "You man now kiss the bride." The pair kissed deeply as their witnesses clapped loudly. They turned to face them, their faces bright and ecstatic. The priest concluded, "It is my honor to present Milliardo and Noin Peacecraft." The applause grew and cheers came from everywhere as the couple walked down the alter. The organ played "Joyful Joyful" as the church emptied slowly after the bride and groom made their way out.
Relena gave tight huge to her brother and now-sister-in-law outside. "I'm so happy for you both," she smiled. Brian came and greeted them with hugs and hisses as well. He nodded to them, "I'm glad you were finally able to find happiness together." Milliardo smiled, "Thank you, Brian. You just better take care of Relena." Brian laughed and saluted, "Yes, sir." Noin sighed, "I can't believe we finally did it." Milliardo kissed her and whispered, "It's just the start of a wonderful life together, love." The young woman embraced him. Soon, they made the way to a long, black limo that led them to the reception.
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Quatre looked to the queen as they stood in the hallway of a hospital. "Y-you're married?" he gasped as he looked to her with wide eyes. Relena smiled and nodded. Brian came from around the corner as he sighed with relief when he saw that his wife was safe. She turned and gave a look of relief at his presence. She walked to him as they embraced tightly. Brian whispered, "Thank God you're all right, sweetheart." They kissed deeply and she whispered, "I'm fine, dear."
The king looked to see four young men there. They all looked to the couple with wide eyes and mouths. He smiled and waved, "You must be the Gundam pilots that Relena has told me about." Trowa nodded, "That would be us." Heero gave a look of pain and lowered his head to whisper, "Not all of us." Quatre placed a hand on his shoulder. Relena looked to her husband to explain. "Duo was shot while he and the others saved us." Brian looked with concern to the pilots, "I-I don't know how to thank all of you for protecting us." He went on to shake all of their hands. "It is nice to finally meet all of you."
Quatre smiled, "Thank you...uh." "Brian," the king smiled. The Arabian nodded and smiled, "Brian." Relena asked, "Heero, could I speak to you for a minute?" Heero looked up to her in uncertainty. Hesitantly, he nodded. His comrades looked to him in equal confusion. The queen and the pilot walked alone down the hall. Relena whispered, "I'm sorry that it took so long for me to understand where both of our hearts were. I should have known that you would never show any emotion for anyone unless you loved them. The only person you ever showed any emotion to was Duo. And I never understood that it wasn't love that drew me to you...It was foolish of me to believe that it was." Heero stopped and looked to her. He simply nodded, "Thank you."
Relena smiled and told him, "Stay with Duo, Heero. He needs you. And I know that he would never leave you. I always knew he loved you more than anything. And I know that you would never let him down." The Wing pilot nodded again. "Good," she smiled as they walked back to the others.
The queen looked to Quatre and asked, "Please let us know right away when Duo wakes up." Brian nodded in agreement. Quatre smiled, "Sure." "Thank you, all of you for everything again." The pair walked off as the pilots watched them depart, arm-in-arm. When they were gone, Quatre chuckled. Trowa looked to him and asked, "What's so funny?" The Arabian shrugged, "My Space Heart just tells me that Relena truly loves him. It's nice to see that she's happy." Trowa asked, "She loves him more than she loved Heero?" Quatre let out a soft laugh as he answered, "She wasn't in love with him, that was just infatuation." Wufei smiled and sighed, "So Relena's finally grown up." Heero closed his eyes and sighed deeply, "Thank God." The others laughed loudly as his great relief.
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Kumi ran through the dark alleys of Colony F34, her gun gripped tightly in her right hand as she dashed through the narrow space. The wet cement had several large puddles that splashed beneath her feet. Her thick hair was pulled back in its usual, high ponytail as it flew violently behind her. In the shadows before, she could see a fallen figure. "No," she whispered to herself as she fell to her knees next to the figure. "She gently took the young man in her arms and turned him over. He had been shot several times as blood came from all around. "God, no," Kumi pleaded as she did what she could to stop the bleeding.
The closed eyelids of the blonde slipped open to reveal the soft blue eyes underneath. "Kumi," he whispered in pain. "Shhhh. It's going to be okay, Matt," she whispered as she stroked his hair. "I'm here," she told him quietly. Matt looked to her lovingly and smiled faintly. "I was hoping I'd get to see you one last time," he barely managed to say. "Don't talk like that, Matt. You're going to be okay," the pilot said as tears filled her eyes. "You're going to be just fine." Matt shook his head and brought a hand to touch his lover's cheek gently. "It's all right, Kumi," he assured her. "None of this is your fault, love."
"Matt, please," the pilot begged. "Stay with me...I-I love you," she whispered hoarsely. The young man smiled to her again, "I love you, too, Kumi. I'm just going on to look after you full time, that's all." Tears fell from the pilot's eyes as she bent over to kiss his lips gently. "I need you here with me," she sobbed. Matt dried her tears with a blood-covered hand. "I'll be with you always, hon, even if you can't see me. Don't ever forget that. Love doesn't die, sweetie." Kumi began to shake as she couldn't keep her emotions in. "I always knew that you would open to someone...." He winced in pain before smiling, "I'm honored you chose me to be that person."
The young man stiffened in more pain as the pilot did whatever she could to take the pain from him. He kissed the back of the pilot's hand and whispered as he looked into her blue eyes. With a small voice, he whispered, "I love you so much, Kumi. I'll watch over you always." He pulled himself up a bit to kiss her one last time. The kiss broke when his last breath left him after their lips touched and his body went limp. Kumi shook her head as she whispered, "No...Please...Matt, MATT!" She shook the form gently to try and wake the Preventer again. "Oh my God," Kumi cried as she pulled the body into her own and squeezed it tightly, sobbing. When she finally loosened her grip, she kissed Matt's lips and lied his body gently to the ground.
The young woman's face hardened as she growled an ran again, covered in blood. At the end of the alley, she saw the killer standing there smiling before a large mobile suit. "YOU FUCKING BASTARD!!!" Kumi screamed as she shot at the giant. Each of the four bullets penetrated the think skin, but there was little or no response from the huge man. He climbed into the suit as Kumi ran towards him, still shooting. He was in his steel machine as the pilot continued to shoot. The suit flew off as Kumi screamed, "DEMETRIS!!!"
When the suit was gone, she allowed tears to flow freely as she ran back to the alley. She went to Matt's body and cradled it in her arms. There was the sound of footsteps running towards her from the darkness ahead of her. "Kumi!" Sette cried as she ran to her. "I came as soon as I heard-" She froze and gasped when she saw that Kumi's face was drenched with tears as she cradled a body and walked past her. Sette covered her mouth and whispered hoarsely, "M-Matt...Kumi, I...I" The other pilot stopped an turned to her, silent tears still falling. There was a long silence between the pilots. Slowly, she turned and walked away, carrying Matt's form gingerly.
Later that night, Kumi was changed from her usual purple top and spandex shorts. Now she wore a black, sleeveless shirt that was formfitting. There was also thick, silver belt that went from the middle of her stomach to her waist and a loose black running pants that she now had on with black sneakers. She was sitting in a Preventer's ship looking to the stars. Sette walked slowly to her with her head down. She asked quietly, Kumi?" Her friend looked to her with bloodshot eyes. The 'Perfect Soldier' looked like she had died, light skin contrasting her new black attire. Sette whispered, "I-I know that Matt meant a lot to you."
Kumi looked back to the stars sadly. "That fucker's going to pay," she growled deeply. "Kumi, that guy isn't normal. Gratned, his suit's not a Gundam, but I really don't think that Demetris is human. He can take bullets and not give off so much as a wince of pain." "I was so close, Sette," her comrade whispered. "He won't get away forever. And I want to be the last person he sees before he leaves existence." The last few words made the princess's blood run cold.
The silver-haired girl looked to the other and asked in her usual monotone voice, "Do we have the three Gundam suits now?" The princess nodded, "Yes, but, Kumi, this isn't the time to think about-" Her friend interrupted, "Fine. I need you to store the suits on H4 with your people there. I don't know any other place where hey would be safe other than that." Sette replied quietly, "No problem. I'll take them back with me after the..." she hesitated and took a deep breath before saying, "After the funeral." The other pilot nodded once before she looked away. Sette watched Kumi turn and take a deep purple hood and cape into her hand to throw it on and hooded herself. She slowly walked away as the tomboy lowered her head. Looking to the stars, herself, she sighed deeply and sadly.
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Dorothy looked to the stars from her window and whispered, "Grandfather, my only wish is that I'll make you proud. I know that you never wanted me to have to fight, but it is all that I can think of...You died such a noble and honorable death...To die in battle, I think, is the greatest honor and the most beautiful way to leave this world." She walked to her window and sighed, "I don't know why, but I have this odd feeling that I'll be fighting for what I believe in."
The young woman looked to the picture of her grandfather on her desk. She smiled, "I am not wishing for a war to begin, understand...I am simply saying that should the time ever come where peace is threatened, I want to be on the front lines. If I ever do get that chance, I can only assume that you're okay with that. I know that you're always watching me. And should I ever get to fight, I know that you'll be with me every step of the way." Dorothy looked back to the stars and watched them silently.
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Duo carried a drunken Heero into their room. The Wing pilot was awake and held onto his lover tightly as he walked him to their bed. The American lowered him onto the bed gently and sighed as he sat beside him. Heero had already begun sobering as he looked to the braided pilot. "You're mad at me," he said quietly, with little emotion since he didn't know how to feel right now. Duo shook his head and replied just as quietly, "No, Heero. I'm not mad at you. I'm worried about you." He kissed the Japanese pilot's forehead softly and continued, "You would never do this to yourself if there wasn't something wrong..." He cupped the other pilot's face in his hands so they looked into eachother's eyes. He begged quietly, "Please, talk to me, love. What's wrong?"
Heero looked to him with soft eyes before lowering his head. The American proceeded to remove his lover's shirt before doing his own. Heero looked to him as he went onto pull his shorts off of him. "W-What are you doing?" he asked in shock. Duo said sternly. "Just wait a minute." Before long, the two pilots were naked, Heero lying on the bed with his back up against the wall as his lover sat before him. Duo said, "There, there's nothing between us. Heero, we've been lovers for three years now and you still can't talk to me?"
The Wing pilot closed his eyes and looked away, "It's not that easy, Duo. I've never talked about this to anyone. There's only one other person alive now who knows about this." The American whispered, "They it was when you and Kumi were training." Heero nodded slowly. Duo sighed, "Heero, let me help you. Whatever it is, we'll get through it together." He bit his lip to fight back the emotions that were stirring in him. "Do you have any idea how much it hurts me to see you like this, Heero?...I feel like I'm letting you down." "Duo, no," Heero pleaded as he turned to face the braided pilot. "You could never fail me, koi," he whispered.
"I'm sorry, hon," Duo whispered as he lowered his own head. "I didn't mean to force you to tell me anything you don't want to talk about...I just want you to know that I'm always here for you. If you don't want to talk about it, that's okay." After a long pause, Heero whispered back, "I-I want to tell you...I need to tell you." Duo looked to him with concern and nodded, "I'm right here, koibito. He kissed Heero hands and held them tightly. "Are you sure?" he asked gently.
This gesture was appreciated as Heero nodded before he told him his deepest secret, "I-I was on a mission during my training and...There was a little girl with a puppy...She asked told me I looked lost and I responded by telling her I was lost all my life...Not long later she-I killed her and the dog." Duo's eyes opened wide as he gasped, "What do you mean?" Heero kept his eyes closed as he continued, "They were killed in the explosion from the mission I carried out...I killed them both...Damn it, she was so young and innocent..." Duo gasped, "T-That's why you could never go through with killing Relena..." Heero nodded slowly, eyes still closed. "She reminds you of that girl and you've never lost the guilt from that accident."
"Duo, it wasn't an accident," Heero said as his eyes shot open in protest. "I killed an innocent girl. I murdered her." Duo gasped loudly as he saw tears filling his lover's eyes, the first ones that ever for the Wing pilot. "GODDAMN IT!" Heero growled and shouted at himself, "I CAN'T CRY! I WON'T CRY!" Duo gripped onto his shoulders gently. "You have to get this out, Heero. You've been holding this in for so long. Don't deny your feelings, love. That's what you always say...You need to follow your own advice now." Heero looked to him in uncertainty with wide eyes that would not allow the tears to fall. The braided pilot placed a hand on the Wing pilot's cheek and whispered, "I'm right here...I'll dry your eyes for you."
That did it, Heero threw his arms tightly around his naked partner as he began to sob against him. "I'm so sorry, Duo," he cried as the American held him tightly, rubbing his back and stroking his hair while he placed kissed on his shoulder and head. "Shhhhh. You didn't do anything wrong, hon. Don't be sorry." Heero let all of the tears and sobs that shook his form out after a good long cry. It was the first time he ever cried in his life.
He gently pulled back and looked to Duo with his face drenched. "How could you say that I didn't do anything wrong?" he said with little voice present. His lover answered as he pushed back his koi's bangs from his face. "Because...It was an accident. You never intended to kill that girl. You could never do that if you tried...You're too good a person, love." Heero shook his head, "How can you possibly say that? What proof could you possibly have that says I'm a good person?" Duo took Heero's hand and placed it over his heart as he put his free hand over his lover's and smiled, "Our hearts tell me, Heero...They're all the proof I need."
The American proceeded to kiss the Wing pilot's cheeks to dry his tears. Heero pulled himself into his lover as he began to shake again. Breathlessly, he whispered so lowly that Duo almost didn't catch it, "I never needed anyone until I met you...Now I can't think of living without you...I-I was so afraid that you would leave if you ever found out." "Oh Heero," Duo whispered into his hair, "Nothing in this world or the next could take me from you. I love you with everything in me." Heero gave one last sob as he whispered back, looking into his eyes, "I love you so much, Duo." The lovers just held eachother tightly like that.
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Trowa met his sister in the airport as they ran and hugged eachother. Catherine smiled to him, "You look well." Trowa smiled back, "Thank you. You don't look bad, yourself." He helped her with her luggage as they walked to a pink limo. Catherine sighed, "I can't believe that Relena was nice enough to have all of us live in her mansion with her husband. That was really nice of both of them."
Her brother nodded, "They're also storing the Gundams in a nearby hanger." Catherine wrinkled her nose at the thought of those suits. She sighed, "You really have to fight in those things still? Don't the Preventers have their own ships that they could give you and the others?" Trowa shook his head and laughed, "Catherine, I know that you still can't stand those suits, but I couldn't imagine fighting without Heavy Arms. It's all I know. And believe it or not, I'm happy with that." His sister shrugged, "Well, as long as you're happy." Her brother smiled as she stepped into the car, "Thank you."
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Excalibur knocked a large mobile suit to it's back as Kumi drew the sword to point at the cockpit. Blood dripped down the side of her drenched face from a cut on her forehead as she gasped for air. She sneered, "You're mine now, fucker." Demetris looked up to him monitors and sighed as he gasped for air as well, drenched in sweat. "Well done, Yuy," he chuckled. "Go ahead, finish it off." Kumi hollered, "This is for Matt and the countless lives you've taken, you son of a bitch!" At this, she raised her sword high.
"KUMI!" a voice called. Mason flew between the suits as the silver-haired pilot shouted, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, SETTE!?! GET OUT OF THE WAY!" The princess begged, "Kumi, please. An asshole like him deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison. He'll have a sample of what Hell is before he actually gets there." Kumi growled, "Sette, I'm not going to say it again...Get out of the fucking way, NOW." Kumi looked to the monitors to see that there were mobile suits all around her with guns aimed at Excalibur. "NANI!?!" she shouted as she looked with wide eyes.
The tomboy sighed, "This is the only way I could get you to listen...I'm sorry." Kumi bit her lip and tightened her fists, her nails cutting into the flesh and drawing blood. She growled even more deeply than before. After a long pause, she looked to her comrade. "You're a damn fool," she deadpanned. Sette lowered her head and watched as officers from the colony came and forced Demetris from his cockpit at gunpoint.
Kumi and Sette stood out of their suits as they watched him drive off in the police car as the mobile suits led the way for extra protection. The prisoner's large suit was taken by the authorities as well. The wind was blowing the long hair of the pilots as they watched the officers and the suits disappear. Kumi closed her eyes and lowered her head. "Two frigging years...Hundreds of lives...And I let YOU keep me from killing that monster." Sette's eyes widened, "You can't tell me that you don't you'd rather see him dead than behind bars." Kumi turned to give her a death glare that proved otherwise. The princess swallowed hard, "Then again..."
The silver-haired pilot sighed and looked away, "I don't know who's the bigger fool...You for trying to stop me, or me for actually listening." She looked up to see the large suit finally vanish. They stood in silence for a while as their hair was still being blown. Gravely, Kumi whispered, "This is going to come back to haunt us." She turned and began to slowly walk back to Excalibur.
Sette shook her head and looked to her retreating comrade, "I know that you get feelings about stuff, Kumi, but you can't be sure that this wasn't the right thing to do." Her friend stopped to turn and look at her. She replied even more gravely, "It's the only thing I am sure about." A chill went up the princess's back at this statement, but it wasn't due to the chill in the breeze that suddenly came. The 'Perfect Soldier' walked off, leaving the princess alone to her thoughts. Excalibur flew off at great speed. Sette looked back to where the Demetris and his suit disappeared. She whispered to herself, "God help us if she's right."
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Quarte was sitting in the Weatherall mansion, playing the piano. Noni walked in with a soft smile on her face. When the song ended, she gave a soft round of applause. The Arabian smiled to her and said, "Just like old times." Noin nodded, "It's great to be living here with all of you. This mansion can be pretty big and lonely without good friends there." The blonde nodded, "Yea. It's nice to have so many people to call friends now. Before, the other pilots and myself weren't even sure if we could trust each other."
Noin smiled and rubbed her slender stomach. She laughed, "I can only imagine what this baby will pick up with all of you around." The Arabian laughed, "Duo's the one who'll be the one to look out for, especially since he and Heero visit a lot." The other pilot nodded, "Yea. It'll be a lot of fun to see them with you all."
There was a pause between the two pilots and Quatre's face fell. Noin looked to him with concern, "What is it, Quatre?" He shrugged, "I don't know...I can't help but think that something isn't right. Just by continuing to fight with the Preventers, I've see that there are so many people who still believe in what OZ stood for. It makes me wonder how strong this so-called peaceful time really is." Noin sighed, "I know exactly what you mean...I worry about the same thing, myself." "I guess all we can do is hope for the best." The young woman nodded, "It is all that we can do. We can't concern ourselves with fears of the unknown. Let's just try and make the best of this peaceful time while we can."
Quatre smiled, "You're right...Can I play anything for you?" Noin smiled back, I'd like that." The Arabian played while the young woman sat at the couch not far from the piano, listening to the beautiful songs that he played. Noin didn't want to tell the pilot, but she had a bad feeling that something was coming soon, as well...Something that none of them would be able to prepare for, no matter how hard they tried. But for right now, she tried not to think about that as she enjoyed this time to relax and be happy.
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Sette stood before a tall man who looked to be in his forties. He looked down to the tomboy before him as he sighed, "So you're leaving me?" Sette shrugged, "Yeppers. Kumi's waiting outside." The man nodded and embraced her as he chuckled, "Don't start too much trouble on the Earth. I'll be your first time there and I don't want you getting too carried away. It's nothing like the colonies..." He then smiled and sighed, "Still, I know that you're going there for a good reason." The princess thought of the nightmare that had been visiting her and the pilot of Unit 10 every night for the past week.
The embrace broke as she looked to her father. "There is something that I have to do. I have a bad feeling about the whole thing," she whispered. The king of H7 smiled and shook his head, "Dear, I know that you can handle anything. I was worried about you piloting a Gundam and you've proven to be a wonderful fighter. I couldn't be more proud of you...I know your mother feels the same way...You have her spirit." Sette bit her lip and nodded slowly, "Thank you." Her father sighed, "You better get going. Do whatever it is you have to do to keep peace in Space and on Earth." Sette hugged him tightly one last time and kissed his cheek as she smiled, "Thank you, Daddy. I love you." "I love you, too, hon," King Devion smiled back as he waved his daughter.
When she left the castle, Sette found Kumi standing not far from the elaborate building. She had her arms crossed and an expression look on her face, still wearing the same attire she put on after her lover's death. There was a large ship behind her that carried their suits along with the recovered three Gundams. Kumi deadpanned, "Ready?" Sette nodded, "All set." The other nodded once and walked into the ship. The tomboy looked to the tattoo that her comrade got on her left arm- a thin armband of two rose buds, one pink and one red, that met in the front with a Japanese colored in purple word between the buds, their bright green, thorny stems intertwined and wrapped around the appendage in a straight line. Sette looked back to her home one last time. After a brief time to look, she walked into the ship as the door closed behind her. The craft was in the air not a moment later as it darted for the Earth.
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* * * * * *
Back in the lounge on Peace Million, Duo was the first to wake as he slowly managed to open his eyes. He looked to his lover as they still lied in each other's arms on the couch. He sighed softly in content and kissed the skin over the Wing pilot's heart. He moved his head around, careful not to wake his sleeping partner as he looked to the others as they slept. Another warm smile crept on his face and a soft, deep chuckle left him.
Heero opened one eye and looked to Duo. He smiled and blinked before opening both eyes. Duo whispered, "Aw, koi, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." Heero smiled and kissed his forehead, "Hush," he whispered. "I'm fine...What was so funny?" he asked softly, playing with the end of Duo's braid by wrapping it around his fingers. The American closed his eyes and rested his head against his lover's chest as he sighed, "I was just thinking how nice it is that our little family's grown." He chuckled quietly again, "We may be a dysfunctional family, but we're a family none the less." A smile came across the Japanese pilot's face and he looked to the other pilots, himself. "Yea," he simply whispered. He tightened his arms around Duo, who did the same as sleep claimed them again.
Somehow, the fact that there was a war going on didn't matter to any of the pilots. Their dreams were much happier as they thought of peace, something they all knew once before. And they looked forward to the possibility of knowing it again...someday.
TBC