Disclaimer: None of the Gundam Wing characters belong to me! Though I wish Duo were all mine…*^ ^* But, he isn't. The only character that is copyright to ME is Gas'la, whom you'll meet later. Please do NOT use my character or my plot for your own gain, thanks.

Note: This is a 2xH fic, if you don't like that coupling, DO NOT READ THIS! This chapter is mostly good angst stuff. Very sweet…

Ch. 1-Confession of Love

Hilde sighed and sat back in her chair, stretching her arms above her head in exhaustion. She was finally finished updating the accounts; it had taken her hours to finish. Duo's snores caught her attention and she looked over to see him passed out on the couch. The sight made her grin. Leave it to Duo to sleep when she was working hard for his stupid business. Another thought crossed her mind as she looked over at the sleeping boy, his braid coming undone slightly and his bangs were falling in his face. He looked so young and innocent when he was sleeping and probably dreaming about something stupid. She giggled slightly at the thought and shook her head. She must really be tired.

She stood and picked up the account books, placing them in place on the shelf. Her corner was the only place in the whole trailer, minus her room, that was tidy at all. This thought made her giggle as well. How would Duo survive without her? He'd have to eat off dirty dishes and wear dirty clothes! She grimaced at that thought as she tiptoed out of the room and down to her own room.

Thank God she'd met him, she thought with a slight smile on her lips, otherwise he'd probably be dead by now. That thought made pride rise in her chest as she lifted her shirt up over her head and threw it on the bed. Likewise, she slipped out of her pants and threw them on the bed. Walking over to her dresser, she began to unsnap her bra, letting it fall just as she opened her drawers to rummage through them for a large t-shirt to sleep in. Not able to find one, she lifted out the only complete nightclothes she had. Because of the design she didn't normally wear it. Long, white, lacy nightgowns didn't really suit her very well.

She lifted the gown above her head and let it slip down to cover her body with its smooth, silky surface. Twirling around in it, she looked over her shoulder at the mirror. A slight smile crossed her lips again as she ran her fingers along her curves. She looked surprisingly good in it. 'I wonder if Duo would like this,' she wandered and then stopped herself; blush coloring her cheeks. What was with all these thoughts all the sudden?

Shaking her head, she picked up a brush and ran it through her now mid-neck length ebony hair. It was silky smooth under her touch and she found herself humming quietly while she brushed her thick hair longer than usual. It had to be perfectly smooth. Once she was finally happy with the result she stepped back to look at her reflection critically. Two years had done a lot to her body she realized, blush covering her cheeks again. Her curves were more prominent; she no longer looked like a tomboy with her longer hair and the make-up she still had to wash off her face. Of course, Duo hadn't noticed anything minus the change in her hair. But that didn't matter. Why should he?

Mentally slapping herself for thinking about Duo again, she left the room and walked quietly to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. Turning on the sink she looked closer in the mirror. Not even a blemish on her soft skin. Glad for that, she made sure the water was warm enough before she cleansed her face with her facial soap. Then she turned the water back to cold and ran her toothbrush under the water. As she began to brush her teeth she hummed slightly through the frothy paste in her mouth. Once she'd spit it out and rinsed out both the sink and her toothbrush she turned off the faucet and left the bathroom, peeking out to see that Duo was still asleep on the couch.

He'd stopped snoring, she noticed with a grin as she walked over to him, looking down at his sleeping form. He really did look much younger when he slept, like a lost little boy. She reached over him for the blanket hanging over the couch and then stretched it over him. When she looked up at his face she realized his eyes were open. She stopped in mid-action and stared at him, looking deep into those rare indigo eyes of his.

"D-Duo…you're awake," she stated in surprise, her face warming. Afraid she might be blushing, she looked down at the blanket, suddenly interested in the design.

He sat up and yawned, rubbing his eyes with his palms. "Yeah, so are you," he replied simply, yawning as he spoke. "What's your point?" He looked over at her and grinned when he saw the nightgown. "That's a new look for you, Hilde." She knew she was blushing now and she couldn't bring herself to look at him. "Not bad…" he commented as he stood. "Sleep seems good right about now. You finished the accounts?"

She nodded as she refolded the blanket, laying it across the back of the couch once again. Why had she blushed when he'd commented on the nightgown? She'd never done that before, she was used to his insignificant comments. Why did it matter so much now?

"That's good," he stated as he fiddled with the end of his braid, undoing it so his long chestnut hair fell down along his back. "So, where'd you get that nightgown anyway? I've never seen you wear it…" He yawned again, not even bothering to cover his mouth. That action used to disgust her, but now she suddenly found it very cute and little boyish.

Looking down at her nightgown she smiled sadly. "It was my mother's," she told him, looking back up at him, brushing her bangs out of her face. "It's all I have left of her…she died when I was very young…my father gave it to me before he left for good…" Tears were threatening her as the memories of her mother, though very faint, and the memories of her father passed through her mind. "I never thought it really suited me…but I kept it nonetheless…just because it still…s-smells like her…" A lump was forming in her throat, but she forced it down. There was no way she was going to cry in front of Duo.

"Hey, Hilde, you okay?" he asked worriedly when he noticed her facial expression and the tone in her voice. 'Great, doofus, you said something that made her cry. You're stupid,' he thought as he looked at over at her.

She nodded as she wiped her eyes. "Yeah, why shouldn't I be?" she asked, her voice still choked. "I mean, it happened so long ago, I'm over it all now…besides, lots of people have it worse than me, right? At least I knew my parents…before they passed…" She stopped short when she remembered what had happened to Duo's parents. "I…I'm sorry, Duo…"

Any feeling that passed through him he pushed away. "It's fine, like you said, it happened a long time ago," he replied with a shrug. "I'm over it now. But, you're sure you're okay?" He tilted his head to the side, studying her thoroughly.

Suddenly she felt very weak, unable to stop the tears as the leaked traitorously down her face silently. She shook her head and then held it in her hands. "No…I'm not…" she murmured through her tears as he walked over and hugged her. Surprised at the serious act she pulled her hands away from her face and looked up at him. "D-Duo…" she whispered as he held her closer to him, rocking her back and forth in his strong arms. She held him to, suddenly feeling that his back was shaking slightly under her touch.

"I'm sorry I brought those memories back," he told her, his voice uncharacteristically soft and serious. "It hurt you. I shouldn't've said anything, me and my big mouth…" His body was shaking slightly as he held her. He'd grown over the past two years, making him have to bend over her to let her rest her head on his shoulder. She hadn't realized it before, or how good he smelled for that matter. Maybe it was because they'd never been that close before.

'Are you…crying, Duo?' she thought in surprise as she pulled away from him, looking up to see the tears in his eyes before he could hide them from her sight. "It's okay, Duo, don't worry about it," she said with a strength she didn't feel. "I brought out some memories too…I'm sorry…"

He put his hands on her shoulders and looked at her from an arm length away, his eyes dark. "You don't always have to be strong, Hilde," he replied. "You can cry if you need to." Those words shocked her, her eyes wide in surprise. Something that serious coming from Duo? She couldn't believe it. The night was just full of surprises.

She brushed his bangs out of his eyes, exposing the tears that were hiding there. "You don't have to be strong either," she replied quietly. Her tone was soft and comforting, sounding so much like her mothers that she listened to it once more in her head to make sure it was her voice.

Duo shook his head and removed his hands, turning away from her to wipe his eyes. "I do. My role is different from yours," he replied shortly before he moved down the hall to his room. She was unable to stop him, to make him stay. Instead she remained standing there staring after him, too shocked to move from her spot.

'You were crying…' she thought as he shut his door.

He stood with his back to the door, his hands holding his bangs out of his eyes. 'Idiot. Moron. Imbecile. Stupid. You let her see you cry…how could you do that? Out of all the people in the world, you had to let her. Now she'll look at you with pity…everyday. That look will never stop. That same look that Sister Helen and Father Maxwell gave you…and Solo…they all gave you that look and then died! How could you!' he thought angrily and punched the wall.

A sigh escaped his lips as he slid down to the floor, his arms resting on his raised knees. 'It can't be helped…' he thought. 'It's too late now…you have to get away…you have to get away…' He rested his head along the door and looked up at the blank ceiling. The little trailer they'd shared had begun to feel like home. They were a family. Brother and sister. She was there to help him survive, an extension of himself. He'd learned to live with her assistance, and now he would have to live without it.

Thought, he'd lived without her before. He could do it again. But, he didn't want to now. He dreaded her absence. This feeling deep inside surprised him. He did want to leave, didn't he? Of course he did. He'd leave that night! And never come back. Never. Once again a pit formed in his stomach and he suddenly felt sick. Standing, he wavered slightly as he walked over to his bed, stripping out of his clothes along the way and then flopping down on the soft mattress.

His bed was made, the sheets freshly washed. The smell made him smile. Hilde had been at it again. He hadn't even asked her to do it, and she'd done it anyway. The smell was sweet and clean, but it was more than that, it was Hilde. A piece of her was against him, covering him, keeping him warm. Did it matter that much? No. He was still leaving. Anything to escape that face. She couldn't look at him like that. He wouldn't be able to stand it.

He turned off his light just as he heard her close her bedroom door. Another hour and she'd be completely asleep. Then he could leave. Sneaking out would be easy for the Gundam pilot. He'd gotten out of much bigger messes than this! Besides, he was used to leaving. This was the longest he'd stayed in one place, just simply because he'd had no reason to go. Everything was peaceful now. Perfect. Until only a few minutes before, when she'd seen his weakness. Leaving was the only solution.

After tossing and turning restlessly for an hour or so, he sat up and quietly removed some of his clothes from his dresser, looking down at the clean, neatly folded fabric sadly. Hilde had down that too, once again without him asking. Things he'd come to expect from her. Simple little things that held so much significance now. He quickly put them on and took an extra shirt as well. Then he tiptoed out of his room and closed his door behind him, walking down the hall to the kitchen.

As he walked through he saw that everything was in its place. The dishes were clean and lying in the dish drainer. Smells from dinner were still hanging in the air. Even if she wasn't a very good cook, he'd come to like her cooking. She put so much into every meal, hoping that he would be able to stomach it. He smiled at the thought and looked over at the sitting area where she'd put the blanket across him, thinking that he was asleep. Then his eyes rested on her work corner, where she put so much time into the accounts so that his business could survive.

The thought of leaving all of this brought the pit back to his stomach and he felt sick again. No, he was leaving! Now! He had to get away from the sympathy, the expression he'd come to hate so much. Putting his hand on the doorknob he was about to turn it when his hand lost all strength and he couldn't take hold of it. Reality struck him as he looked around the small trailer and then down the hall to where he knew she was sleeping. This had become his life, his reality. He couldn't leave. No matter how hard his body tried, his heart kept him there. In his home. Their home.

'Dammit!' he thought as he rested against the door. 'Why? Why can't I leave?! It's not fair!' His body was shaking again with the emotions reeling through him. Gaining strength again he stood and walked over to the couch, slouching against its soft support gratefully. He stretched his head back along the back of the couch and sighed. 'I knew I should've left a long time ago…I'm attached now…it's all her fault…all her fault…'

"Can't sleep?" a soft voice whispered and he looked up to see her standing in the hallway. "I heard you leave your room…I couldn't sleep either…so…I thought I might as well come out to check on you." She walked over and sat down next to him, making his heart leap in his chest.

When he felt that he looked away from her in surprise. 'This is just great, Duo, what have you done?' he scolded himself. 'You've really made a mess now…not only can't you leave, but you're attracted to her! Shit!' He looked back over at her and shrugged casually. 'That's right, remain casual. She's used to that.' "Not really…I'm fine though, you can go back to sleep…" he replied simply.

"You're sure you're okay?" she asked quietly, tilted her face to look at him straight on. "It's not normal for you to not be able to sleep…is it about the conversation before?" Her expression turned pitiful and he had to look away, moving his head quickly. She stopped it with her hands and she moved his face to look at hers. Her touch was gentle and feather light. "Duo…please tell me what's wrong," she pleaded. "I want to know…"

"Don't look at me like that," he stated darkly as he tried to pull his face away.

She looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean?" she asked simply. "Duo, tell me what's wrong…" She forced him to look at her, her eyes stern.

"Don't look at me with pity," he replied sternly and finally managed to pull away from her. "And don't touch me…just leave me alone…please…" His voice began to choke up as he looked back up at her, her expression hurt. Tears were congregating in the corners of his indigo eyes as he looked at her gentle face.

Now her expression was full of worry and pity, the two he hated the most. But, for some reason, they looked beautiful on her face. The way her lips formed the frown, the way her soft eyes looked at him sadly, the way her dark eyebrows formed the worry lines along her skin. Everything. "Duo…I…I'm sorry…I hurt you…" she muttered as she started to stand awkwardly. "I'll leave you…"

His body moved on its own, grabbing her around the waist and holding her against him, her back pressed against his chest. "No…don't…" he murmured into her hair. "Stay with me…" His heart was pounding so fast, blood coursing through his veins. 'Stupid…stupid…stupid…' he thought as he felt her tiny body in his arms. 'Now you've really done it. You'll never be able to pull away now…she'll give you that look forever…' What was so strange was that he didn't mind.

At first her body was tense with surprise and confusion, but then it relaxed, allowing him to pull her towards him. "Just stay like this…" he whispered. "Until I can control this wanting…"

"Wanting?" she repeated in confusion, her voice barely audible.

"To leave…don't let me leave, Hilde, don't let me leave," he begged. "Keep looking at me like that, make me like it. I don't want to go…I don't want to go…" 'What am I doing?' he thought, 'I'm so weak! I…I'm probably scaring her…' "Keep on washing the dishes, and doing my laundry…keep making my bed…be a part of my life…" he continued to beg. "You don't have to love me…or want me…just let me take these small things for granted…please…"

Tears of joy filled her eyes and she turned to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Am I allowed to love you?" she asked simply, her face inches from his. "Because if not, I've broken the rules already…" When he nodded her bottom lip began to quiver as the tears came from her eyes.

He wiped them away with his thumbs and then he kissed her lightly on the lips, pulling away with a slight smile on his lips. Then he kissed her again, this time it was more passionate and deep, pressing her down onto the couch. "I'm never leaving…" he murmured before he kissed her again.

'Thank You, God,' she thought as he kissed her deeply, her hands on either side of his face, not allowing him to move to far away. 'Thank You…for giving me all I've ever wanted…' She sighed as she felt his lips on her neck, the kisses barely touched her skin. "Do you love me?" she managed to ask before she reached up to kiss his forehead.

"I couldn't leave…" he replied, as if that would answer her question. "I've never had that problem before…you've become a part of me, Hilde. Something no one can replace." He kissed her again, letting his kisses travel all over her face and then down along her neck to her shoulder. His long hair was spilling all around them like a blanket; stroking her skin with its soft, gentle touch. "Maybe we should tie this back," he said, referring to his hair. "It could get in the way, ne?" He kissed her again gently.

She giggled and reached back to gather his hair together with one hand, the other reaching for a hair tie on the coffee table and putting back the hair with it. The pony tail was messy, causing some of his chestnut locks to fall out and into his face. But, it was fine with her. As long as he kept looking at her like that. "You're a part of me too," she told him softly as she kissed his cheek and then his lips. "Crazy, isn't it? We never saw this coming…even after three years in this trailer…we never saw it…" Her hands brushed the bangs out of his face, only to have them cascade back down his forehead, covering his indigo eyes.

He grinned at her, his mouth forming something more like a sneer. "Leave it to two stubborn asses like us, huh?" he replied as he gave her a peck on the lips. "We can't see our hands right in front of our faces."

Hilde shook her head and smiled. "Nope. That we couldn't," she said simply as she kissed his neck, bringing him closer to her. "Pretty dumb, huh?" His lips brushed along her shoulder and then he stopped, making her pause as well. Then he pulled away from her and looked down at her, her arms still raised where she'd been holding him.

"Not now, Hilde," he stated sternly. "We can't rush into this…" He sat back along the back of the couch and watched as she lowered her hands and looked over at him. "You're a virgin, I can't just take that from you, can I?" He smiled and put his arms behind his head, resting against them. "Trust me, I can wait. Besides, it's something for you to look forward to."

She blushed when he said she was a virgin. Of course she was. But, she'd never told him that. Was she that obvious? The fact that he knew made her embarrassed of the fact. When he saw this he chuckled. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, Hilde, in fact I'd be proud of it," he told her gently. "Which is why I'm not going to push anything."

Grateful for his understanding she sat up and rested her head on his chest, wrapping her left arm up around his shoulders. "Thank you, Duo…for everything…" she said and yawned, her eyes closing slowly. Struggling to stay awake, she forced them open when she felt him wrap his arms around her. "I love you…" She yawned again and she could no longer control her eyes as she felt the lids slowly slide shut, her body relaxing in his arms.

When he felt her body relax he realized just how delicate she was. Her body was so tiny and fragile it was a wonder that she didn't break in his arms. "Love you too, Hilde," he whispered as he collected her in his arms and stood slowly. Then he lightly carried her to her room and laid her down on the bed, kissing her on the forehead. "Night…" he whispered, his lips just inches from her skin. "I'll see you in the morning…"

Then he quietly left the room, shutting the door behind him. She subconsciously heard him leave and smiled in her sleep. 'Good night, Duo…I love you…'