A/N: Okay, This is an already completed story, but I'm only going to put it up a chapter at a time. I know the first chapter isn't that exciting, but trust me, it gets a lot better from here.

Guess I should include some warnings… don't wanna take you completely by surprise. ^_^

Uhm, let's see here… Suicide and attempted suicide, shonen/shoujo ai, unexpected pairings (at least I think so), angst (obviously, that usually comes with suicide ^_^;), uh… yeah, I think that'll do. ^_^

Well, have fun… and give comments, I wanna know what you think! If I hear something I really like, I might just go and change something further in the story!

Chapter 1: The Perfect Ring

Duo stood in the jeweler's shop, staring at the diamond ring behind the glass case. It's perfect, he thought. She'd love it.

"Sir. . ." Duo didn't even realize at first that the man behind the counter was talking to him. "Sir, may I help you?"

Duo looked up. "Huh? Oh, uh, yeah. How much is this ring?"

"$524.99. It's on sale."

Duo raised his eyebrows and let out a whistle. That was a pretty good price for a ring like that, but. . . "Hmm. . . I might come back. Thanks." And he turned and walked out, leaving behind a very confused jeweler.

That night, he went to meet Relena at a fancy restaurant for dinner.

"So, Duo, what did you do today?" she asked sweetly.

"Uh. . .I. . .uhm…I just. . .you know. . .hung out." Duo shrugged, blushing slightly as he lowered his eyes. He never had been able to lie to her very well. When he looked up, he saw her staring at him. But of course he wasn't going to tell her that he had spent the entire day searching jewelry stores all over town for the perfect wedding ring. It was going to be a surprise. So what was he supposed to tell her?

"So, uh, what about you? What did you do?" he asked, trying to get the heat off himself.

She gave him a questioning look as she started talking about her day.

Duo sighed. Keeping this a secret for another week was going to be harder than he thought. He tried to think of a way to get past her questions, something he could say he was doing.

". . .Duo? Duo, are you okay?"

He looked up. He had been completely lost in thought.

"You've been acting kind of odd lately. Are you sure you're feeling well?" She leaned forward and placed a hand on his forehead, as if feeling for a fever.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry."

"You never tell me anything anymore. What's wrong?"

He looked up, surprised. "Huh?"

"You're so secretive lately. Is there something you want to talk about?" Honest concern showed on her face, but Duo just smiled in relief.

"I'm fine. Really. I've just had something on my mind lately."

"Well, what is it? Come on, you can tell me."

Duo smiled and shook his head. "It's. . . a secret."

Relena pouted. "Duo, please. I feel like I don't know you anymore."

Duo leaned forward and took Relena's small, delicate hands in his. "It's a surprise for you. For your birthday next week. Okay?"

She smiled, a sad smile, but a true one nonetheless. "Okay. I'll trust you."