Written, once again, for a friend. This time she requested some Duo/Hilde. Well, I've never written much Hilde, so I hope I did okay! Hope people enjoy this, even if it was written for someone specific. :)
"Duo!" She was grinning, surprised, "I didn't think I'd be seeing you for a while!"
He grinned back at her, "Sorry, babe, I'm back to complicate your life again."
"I'd miss it if you didn't," she told him, with a roll of her eyes. "Don't you have anything with you?"
"My buddy Heero is dropping it off for me tomorrow, I thought I'd come ahead and see you right now. How've ya been? All lonely without me, I bet." He grinned at her, wider than ever, his face more tanned than it had been the last time she saw him, his eyes bright, excited, as he swept her into a hug. It was good to see him again... good to feel his arms around her again. She hugged him back, laughing quietly at his enthusiasm.
"I'm alright, I haven't been too lonely, just busy. You big jerk, leaving me all the work to do!" But she was joking, she never could chide Duo for long. He must have had the cutest face as a little kid - people must not have been able to resist him.
"I'm sorry, Hil', but ya know I missed Q and the boys," He said, still grinning, but more apologetic.
"Yeah, I know," she hugged him again before stepping back, "I understand that." And she did. Duo's life had been caught up and tangled with those four other young lives at a crucial point in his life, probably one of the most important things in his whole life. She understood that he would want to spent time with those people - they had to be important to him, as important as her, or more.
"Hey, where's the sunshine gone?" His voice was gentle, and he tilted her head up with his hand. "Are you sure you've been okay while I was gone?"
She smiled at his worry, at his searching eyes, squashing down the unworthy thoughts. "Yes, it's been fine! Did you have fun?"
"Yes, but I missed having you around, babe," he said, quietly, still happy, but more serious.
"Yeah," she said, feeling the awkwardness of those two months between them like a barrier.
And then he laughed, shattering the barrier, and pulled her close again, close and tight, and kissed her.
"Welcome home," she breathed when he pulled back. Duo was the sunshine in her life, in her smile - it just wasn't right when he was gone. She was very, very glad to have him home.
