I think I've loved you from the moment I met you.
No, that's not accurate, I was in love with what you represented, I was infatuated with the life that brimmed inside of you, overflowing and spreading onto the people around you. I've never met someone so… Alive.
Your constant smiles intrigued me, how could someone smile with the blood of millions on their hands? But, then I analyzed you carefully, I observed you when you thought no one was looking. I saw you cry. I saw that mask of a smile slip to reveal something beautiful and dazzling. Something that completely outshone the façade you put on, the mask that you let everyone see. I think that's when I fell in love with you—of course I didn't realize it then.
I remember every moment I've ever spent with you, but one stands out in particular. It was raining, a rare occurrence in L2. You sneaked into my room and blindfolded me, you pushed a pistol into my side and ordered me to "get your ass off that chair before it permanently melds with the plastic and come outside with me" I don't know what exactly convinced me to accept, but it just seemed right, so I accepted. And you carried my unprotesting body outside, where you dumped me in a large puddle outside and declared me a lazy ass. Do you remember that?
The rain tasted stale and wasn't quite evenly distributed, but it didn't matter to you. You grinned and dragged me to a park. We passed by a homeless man and you gave him your hat. Remember? While you splashed me, I just sat and watched you; you probably have no idea how beautiful you were to me. I still have that forget-me-not you picked for me. I still remember.
And then I asked you why you bothered. I asked you why you woke up each morning and slipped on a mask before doing anything else. You stared at me as if I was crazy, but I stared back. Something in me just had to know, something in me had to know how you could stand it. You caressed my cheek and asked me the same exact question; you said that your mask was no different from mine. Then you kissed me. The rush of feelings were probably the strongest emotions I've ever felt in my life. I was amazed, exhilarated, confused… I was in love.
You, Duo Maxwell, showed me how to live. You stuck by me when no one else would. You believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself. I never had a chance to tell you I loved you, but I don't think I really need to. You knew… Didn't you?
You showed me that life was worth living, you taught me how to be selfish. You taught me how to grab onto this life and live for myself. Not for the colonies, not for the world, not for peace. You broke the laws, Duo. And I'm glad you did.
Heero lays a single forget-me-not on the gravestone marked:
"Duo Maxwell.
Loved, cherished, and never forgotten."
A single tear slips down his cheek as he stands up slowly and walks away.