Authors note: It's meeeeeeee!! I am so sorry for not writing more for so long, but a whole lot of things came up, school, ff.net crashing, writers block…I'm making excuses aren't I? Oh well, I am soooo sorry, please forgive me, onegai? =. = Hopefully sparks should begin to fly in this chapter people. (1+2 etc.)
Disclaimer: own nothing, end of story.
If you lose your way,
Think back on yesterday,
Remember me this way…
Remember me this way…
"I have something to tell you." Were the first words Heero spoke when Duo emerged from the bathroom, clad in only a towel that was wrapped around his waist.
Duo blinked in surprise at the tone in the other prince's voice. "What is it?"
Heero was having problems keeping his voice level by this time, as Duo (still only clad in the towel) had begun to brush his long chestnut hair.
"Well, you know I told you about Relena having to marry me? She's coming today."
"Ah."
"But at least you'll be able to give your opinion on her for me?" Heero asked anxiously, not wanting to make Duo feel left out as it were.
"Of course!" Duo said cheerfully, "You never know, you may really like her, you may fall in love anyway."
Impossible, I'm already in love with you. [1] On the outside however, he said nothing, remaining completely impassive.
*********
"So you're Duo." The imposing woman with deep violet hair that swept over her face slightly asked the braided boy.
"Yes I am your majesty." Duo bowed low to the regal woman, knowing this to be queen Noin. The Blond-haired man beside her stood up, hair caught up behind him into a long pony-tail, "I'm so glad you have recovered so we could meet you, Heero's told us so much about you Duo."
Duo grinned, "None of it bad I hope?"
"No," replied Noin, "Its all been…good." A vague suspicion had begun to dawn in the back of the queens mind, though she kept it to herself throughout the meal. However by the end her suspicions were confirmed. Duo Maxwell was obviously a very attractive boy, and her son seemed to like him very much, but as the evening progressed she saw that Heero would keep glancing over at the boy, then flush slightly and look away. Duo however, would chatter on, only occasionally stopping to shove a forkful of food into his mouth. But more often than not; she caught the braided boy glancing at Heero as well. Noin smiled slightly and looked away, it was plain both boys liked the other in a more than friendly manner, but Heero was betrothed to Relena, and as he was the obedient son there was no real problem.
********
"Hey Heero?" Duo's voice echoed slightly in the rather large bedchamber of the royal heir. "Heero?"
"What is it?" The soft voice issued back, "Duo, what's wrong?"
Duo smiled, tears still streaking his cheeks slightly, he was glad that Heero couldn't see him in the dark, boys weren't meant to cry. "I had a nightmare…it was truly horrible."
"What was it about?" Duo could sense Heero sitting up rather than see him do the said action.
"My family, they had all died, it was horrible." Duo couldn't keep a distressed little wobble out of his voice now; the memory of the dream was still too fresh.
Suddenly warm arms encircled him, lifting him off his feet and carrying him across to the bed. Duo found himself dumped softly onto the mattress, and then the hands were there again, moving him over slightly. And then the sudden weight beside Duo on the cushioned padding as Heero climbed back in. "it's just a nightmare Duo, you're safe, no one will hurt you or your family. Now go to sleep."
Duo nodded sleepily, the combined warmth both of them generated under the blanket already making him drowsy.
Heero waited until he was certain Duo was asleep before quietly wiping the still wet tears off the other's cheek. "Don't cry Duo, never cry, I couldn't bear it." He whispered, sleep beginning to creep up behind his eyelids as well.
**********
When the maid came in to wake the crown prince the next morning the poor woman nearly had a heart attack. There was Prince Heero, lying peacefully asleep. This was normal. What was not normal was the braided boy lying wrapped securely in the dark-haired boys arms, also sleeping soundly.
The maid let out a little shriek, and ran to tell the king and queen.
**********
Meanwhile the shriek had woken Duo from a deep sleep, blinking fuzzily he briefly wondered where he was before recalling the events of the previous night. He tried to sit up, but warm arms held him in place. Cautiously he rolled one eye to the side, just to the right was a sleeping Heero. Oh damn, now what? He's hugging me like a teddy bear…or…or Duo's mind was now in a frenzy, or like a lover…oh dear.
Before he could try to think of a way out of the already sticky situation, it became worse.
Three soldiers burst through bedroom door, swords drawn and looking rather menacing. Without so much as a word to Duo they grabbed him and wrenched him free of the startled (and now awake) Heero's arms. "DUO!!" He screamed, but that was all he had time for, as the bedchamber door slammed shut behind them. Leaving only Heero with the image of Duo's frantic last glance behind him.
********
The doors to the dining room crashed open, causing Noin to choke on her orange juice and Zechs to jump slightly. "Why Heero, what on earth has gotten into you?" The Purple-headed queen cried in amazement. The look on her son's face was, to say the least, frightening.
"What have you done with Duo?" Heero hissed from between clenched teeth, muscle standing out in his neck where his fists were clenched so tightly. Zechs stood up with graceful ease.
"Your friend has been escorted to the dungeon until after the wedding ceremony, which, I might add, has been moved forward to today."
"What?" Heero yelled, face turning bright red.
"Yes dear." Noin replied calmly, "We felt it was best, after the little…incident this morning."
"And if I refuse?" Heero asked coldly, "If I refuse to marry Relena?"
"Then Duo Maxwell is beheaded tomorrow morning." Zechs said, his tone nearly as cold as Heero's own. Heero did a double take.
"What?" He quavered, my own father, killing my best
friend? No my true love. I hate him! One day he will pay dearly for this…
Without a word to anyone Heero wheeled round, running out of the room. "Don't forget to change into something nice for when Relena arrives dear!" His mother called
After him.
**********
The golden-haired princess curtsied to the glowering Heero, her lady in waiting Dorothy Catalonia doing the same, before looking up at him with sky blue eyes.
She was very beautiful, Heero had to admit, but blue eyes didn't hold a candle to violet ones, and long blond hair was nowhere near as beautiful as chestnut hair tied in a braid…
Blinking Heero realised Wufei was viciously elbowing him in the ribs, he hadn't bowed back to this foreign princess. "Forgive me my lady." He replied bowing, "I… my manners forsook me for a moment." [2]
"That's quite all right sir." She replied, her voice low and sweet, but not nearly a pure and beautiful as Duo's…
Heero realised he was doing it again, ignoring the princess to imagine his beautiful prince, comparing the two and finding Relena lacking extremely.
He sighed, maybe with a great deal of luck he'd get killed by an assassin in his first day of marriage.
*********
Poor Duo meanwhile was shivering in a cold cell, wondering why the hell he had been put there. Maybe it's because of Heero; maybe it's wrong to hug the crown prince, even if he is your… best…friend? Duo shivered again as a chill breeze blew in through the barred window, but remember how warm Heero's arms were? His mind asked him, remember how it felt so right… is he really only a friend? The object of his thoughts cut off this train of thought as Heero called from the door.
"Duo? Duo are you in there?"
"Heero?" Duo sprang up, wincing slightly at the stiffness in his legs, "Heero why the hell am I in here?"
"I'm not sure." Heero said miserably, I tried to get mother and father to let you out, but they wouldn't and the wedding has been moved forward to today."
"Really?" Duo felt tears springing up in his eyes, this is it, I've only just realised how deeply I care about him and now I'm going to lose him. "I suppose Relena is beautiful?"
"Very."
Jealousy flared up in Duo's heart. Damn you Relena Peacecraft damn you to hell.
"Look Duo I have to go, but I'll be back later after the wedding, I'm sure I can get you out then." And with that Heero left.
Duo sank to the floor, tears filling his eyes. That was it, he was going to lose Heero, not that Heero had ever loved him; that much was obvious now. For the first time in his life Duo Maxwell, heir to the throne of Valhalla cried with heart wrenching sorrow.
********
Heero was standing at the alter, behind him Wufei was holding a pair of wedding rings, the church was packed with family and friends and a large buffet was set out at the reception. The only thing missing was the bride, but Heero didn't care.
With his luck Relena would show up and they'd end up
married. I'm sorry Duo, you have no idea how sad this makes me, to never be
alone with you again, but if I don't do this they'll kill you, and there's no
way on earth I'm going to allow that.
As the wedding march started Relena walked up the aisle. Clothed in a pure white dress threaded with gold and her long blond hair done up in a crown around her head the princess looked, to say the least, stunning. Heero could hear murmurs of approval from the congregation. "Stunning…"
"Perfect match…"
"Will secure peace…"
Looking around Heero found his parents gazing at him proudly, his mother was actually crying for joy, his father was smiling, mouthing at him "you did the right thing." Heero turned away feeling sick.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…"
************
Duo was still crying in his cell, he hadn't stopped for nearly two hours now.
************
"If anyone knows a reason why these people should not be lawfully wed they must declare it now, or forever hold their peace…"
************
That was it; they'd probably be married by now. Briefly Duo
wondered if killing himself would help…probably not, I'd just end up in some
place worse, not that anything could get much worse as it is…
************
Heero looked around desperately hoping that someone would speak up, but no one did. "Therefore I…"
"Stop." The clear voice issued, echoing round the room. Smiling Relena turned to Heero. "I object to this, and know a reason why we should not be married. From what I've seen of you today Heero, this could have been the perfect marriage, for me. But I get the feeling every time you look at me you're seeing someone else, am I right?"
Heero could only nod dumbly.
Relena smiled, rather sadly, "I like you Heero, but I can't drag someone else into pure misery just to make myself happy."[3]
Heero just stared at her, gratitude welling in the depths of his blue eyes. Relena smiled at him, a caring smile, almost as though she were the sister he had never had.
"I hope you'll be happy Heero, with whoever you choose."
**********
A clinking sound at the door dragged Duo out of drowning in his own misery. "Who…?"
"It's me." The quiet, simple sentence sent Duo over the edge again, sobbing he ran towards Heero, flinging his arms around the startled boy's neck and burying his face in his shoulder.
For a while Heero said nothing, he just made soothing noises and held the sobbing boy in his arms, rocking him slightly. Soothed by the rocking motion Duo eventually stopped crying.
Sniffing slightly he pulled away, looking up at Heero with watery violet eyes. "Gomen Heero, I didn't…I wasn't…"
"Sssh, it's ok Duo."
Duo smiled, sadness once more creeping back into his eyes, "So how's Mrs Yuy? The wedding ceremony went alright I suppose?"
"Yes, everything was just the way I wanted it to be…"
"Oh…good." Duo had now pulled back from the prince, aware he was hugging another woman's husband. However he couldn't pull away very far, as Heero's arms were still wrapped around him, his head still tucked under Heero's chin. "Um, Heero?"
God I can't believe I almost lost him, it's so right,
holding him in my arms like this, I'm never going to let go…
"Uh Heero?" Duo was starting to worry now, what if someone comes in and sees us like this? This most defiantly is NOT a friendly hug. Ah said another part of his brain, I don't hear you complaining do I? The way he's holding you tenderly hmm? Now Duo was worrying about his own sanity, I can seriously NOT be falling in love with Heero, he's married now…another wave of despair washed over him, and I'm going home in three days.
"HEERO!"
"What?"
"Uh…um…if someone sees us they might get the wrong idea…and then what would Mrs Yuy say?"
"Duo?"
"Hmm?" Duo's brain was drifting away again, he was still being held in Hero's arms, and that was very, very, VERY distracting.
"There is no Mrs Yuy."
This brought Duo's mind back with a jerk, "w…what?"
Heero's eyes sparkled in the dim light, "I mean it…the ceremony never went through."
Suddenly he found he was holding an armful of overjoyed Duo, a Duo that was half laughing half crying in a mixture of relief and joy.
*********
Duo was let out and King Zechs and Queen Noin made a formal apology to the braided boy, before letting their son and his have the run of the castle, allowing them to do whatever they wanted.
It was Duo's last day in the castle, and as a special treat Heero had taken him out in the royal boat, it was rather large, but for both boys it was heaven, they could talk and laugh all they wanted, and no one would interrupt.
As they were heading back towards the harbour, Duo suddenly recalled that he would have to leave Heero soon, in a couple of hours in fact. This knowledge drew tears to his eyes, and he quickly turned away from Heero, looking out over the side of the boat and down into the water, which now looked cold and uninviting.
"Duo, what are you doing?" Heero asked, concern showing through in his voice.
"Oh, nothing much, just admiring the view, want to come see it?"
"I've got a perfectly fine view from here thanks."
Duo blushed slightly at this, no words had been said, but without communication both boys had become aware of the others feelings, something had just clicked in the damp cell three days ago.
Just like that the pieces had fit.
Duo mused about he was going to tell Heero that he had to go, when suddenly he realised with a horrible sinking sensation that the sun was already going down.
You must be back in the water by sunset…Quatre's words echoed in Duo's head, reverberating around.
Suddenly Duo was filled with the need to talk to Heero now. Running over to the other prince he grabbed his hand and dragged him up to the prow, their favourite place to sit.
The water was on fire where the sinking sun had painted it scarlet and orange as Duo turned to face Heero. "Heero, I'm not going to be here much longer, and I want you to promise me something."
"What?"
"Promise me we'll always be friends, and nothing will ever tear us apart."
"I promise but Duo…"
Heero was cut off abruptly by Duo kissing him full on the lips with a desperate hunger. Just as Heero had closed his eyes and began to relax into what was his first kiss it ended abruptly.
He opened his eyes in time to see Duo backing away to the other side of the deck, his eyes full of sorrow and despair. "Remember your promise Heero." He whispered and then ran full tilt towards the opposite side and dived over the edge of the deck, falling with a splash into the water below.
"DUO!!" Heero yelled, his voice raw with emotion. But Duo didn't answer, nor did he surface, and when the sailors finally arrived, they could find no trace of him.
As Heero leaned over the side, still searching for his prince a single tear slipped down his cheek. As the tear fell, it caught the last ray of the setting sun, making it appear crimson, before it landed with a soft splash in the water below.
From beneath the waves, Duo looked up to see Heero still leaning over the edge of the boat, scanning the waves for any sign of him. Smiling sadly Duo looked up at his prince, "Ai shiteru Heero." He whispered, but only the waves could hear him, Heero was gone.
Every night in my dreams I see you I feel you,
That is how I know you go on,
Far across the distance, and spaces between us, you have
come to show you go on,
Near, far, wherever you are, I believe that the heart
does go on,
Once more, you opened the door,
And you're here in my heart and my heart will go on and
on…
To be continued
[1] For those of you that couldn't work out that it was Heero thinking this, more fool you. Ok, ok, I know because I'm the author. And I know this romance is going a tad to fast, but I'm rushing, what with being back at school and everything, I'm struggling to update six fics every week.
[2] Yes FORSOOK apparently there is such a word. *Shrug* Well, go back to reading now.
[3] For those of you that read my fics regularly I know *grits teeth* I'm making Relena nice *falls over in shock from her own revelation* but this scene was the one I had in mind from the beginning, along with another one.