By Wolf Girl
Disclaimer: I do not have any sort of ownership over the characters or the premise of Gundam Wing. I do not make any sort of profit off of this story.
Warnings: AU, Yaoi, minor Relena bastardization, OOC Heero (not stoic enough, please forgive me).
AN Warning: Unfortunately, my grammar and punctuation usage is a weird mix of American and British styles... Enough said.
Pairings: R+1, 13+2, 1x2x1, 3x4, others...
Italics thought (unless obviously otherwise).
Author's note: To reviewer IchigoPocky- strange you should mention a wedding... evil grin This chapter starts immediately after the last one.
Fifteen: Palindrome
"Good-bye."
Duo turned from the door and noticed a parcel wrapped in brown paper and tied with a simple string. He lifted it up carefully so that his sleeve wasn't dripping water on it. He pulled the string loose with shaking hands. It was the painting.
Duo's breath hitched and a sob escaped. There was a note written in Heero's neat handwriting
I can't keep this painting. It is my gift back to you. It belongs to you solely. You captured my soul and my heart.
Duo's tears fell on the note, leaving wet droplets on the paper. Duo wiped it away, smearing the ink. He wiped his eyes. Duo started up the stairs, carrying the painting with him. The phone rang. Duo slowly lifted it off the receiver. "Hello?" He wiped his eyes.
"What is it? What! You're getting married?"
"Ow! Do you have to stab me with the pins?" Duo whined, trying to reach back to rub the sore spot, only to have his arm yanked back into place.
"Stop moving or it'll be crooked. Do you want a crooked tux for your brother's wedding?" Hilde demanded through a mouthful of pins. Duo stood still.
"Just be glad you're getting all these commissions. I owed you big time so I thought I would recommend you." Duo winced as he was jabbed with another pin. "Relena had a fit when she heard we were going to be hiring a student designer. Would you stop jabbing me!"
"I already went through four fittings today, two with your dearest sister. I have no patience left for squirming bodies. If you move it'll be your own fault."
"Some best friend you are." Duo grumbled under his breath.
Treize turned the car onto the highway. "That went well, didn't it?"
Duo didn't say anything, just stared out the side of the car. The wind rushing by in the convertible was a comfortable distraction from life.
"I saw that you sold Heero the painting." Treize's voice was quiet.
"It's of him, after all. He deserves to have it. He's paying big for it too." Duo scowled.
"You're in love with him, aren't you? You wouldn't have painted something like that if you weren't." Treize had turned off of the highway, and they were stopped at an intersection. The streetlight buzzed as they waited for the light to change.
"I was in love with him. Now… Things are complicated." Duo shrugged and huddled down in his jacket, looking small in the seat. The light changed.
Duo pulled at his bow tie unhappily. There was no time to be unhappy. His brother was getting married in less than ten minutes. He fidgeted in his seat, then got up, heading into the house.
He walked around the corner, then stopped, recognizing voices. He backed away, then stuck his head out so he could see what was happening without being noticed.
"Heero, I don't understand."
"Relena, stop following me. I told you, it's over."
"I'll tell Duo about the photo! I'll tell people at school you're gay!" Relena shrieked.
"You have nothing to hold me to any longer. I told Duo about the picture. I lost him, there's no longer any reason for me to pretend to enjoy your company." Heero started to walk toward the corner, and Duo pulled back sharply.
"Heero! You can't do this to me!"
When no one came, Duo peeked back out. Relena had a death-grip on Heero's tux jacket.
"Relena, we're over. You have plenty of people around you to turn to. I have no one now."
Duo quickly ducked into a room as Heero came around the corner, then inched out again. A moment later Relena came through the hallway.
"You!" She shouted when she saw Duo. "It's your fault, you slutty bastard! You tricked him then tossed him aside. You should be ashamed of yourself." Relena sniffed haughtily. "I have to go to my real brother's wedding. You should go-- someplace else."
She swept out the back door and into the yard where the guests were seated.
"Relena, where's Duo. He's going to miss the ceremony!" Mrs. Peacecraft hissed.
"I don't know." Relena replied tightly, watching the flower girl walk down the aisle. She glanced sideways at Heero. "Someplace he thinks is more important." She sniffed again and turned away.
Heero quietly slipped out of his chair.
Duo pressed the door closed. "Go away!" There was a powerful surge, and he was shoved back from the door. Heero squeezed into the space he had created.
"Duo, stop!" Heero raised his arm to protect himself as a plant was ripped out of its pot and flung, dirt and all, at him. The dirt rained down on him. "Duo, I'm going to talk to you whether you like it or not."
With a flying tackle into the corner, and Heero landing heavily on top of him, Duo came to an abrupt halt. He tried to flail his arms, but found them pressed firmly to the floor of the greenhouse. "I know what you saw, and I want to tell you you're wrong." Duo wiggled his body wildly, trying to get free.
Duo closed his eyes. "I didn't see or think anything," he protested. "Let me up!" he said and gave one last struggle. Heero's hand smoothed his bangs away from his eyes.
"I can only say that I won't ever leave you." Heero whispered, clutching Duo tightly. "I can't stand it! It's like ripping part of my heart out. Why did you run from me?"
"You know me. I run, I hide, but I never lie." Duo tried to joke, but knew it was no use. He felt tears well in his eyes. "I was lying to myself, I couldn't lie to you too."
"Duo, you don't ever have to lie to me." Heero cupped his cheek in his hand. "I love you."
"What about—"
"Only you." Heero said seriously. Duo nodded, kissing him softly.
Heero didn't move off him. Duo stared at him for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Y-you look so serious, and there's g-grass and dirt all in your hair!" Heero looked mildly offended. "Well, you wouldn't have caught me if I hadn't tripped on that pipe. I feel like I'm ten when you're around. All arms and legs." Duo pulled a clump of dirt out of Heero's hair.
Heero breathed a sigh of relief. "Heero? Can I get up now?"
"It's better than that painting of me from the time we went skinny dipping in the ocean." Heero sighed.
"That masterpiece of mine? I snuck the draft drawing while you were sleeping, and I took a picture for colour reference. It wasn't my fault you fell asleep naked in the sand."
"I love it. I want that picture's negative though. No more secrets." Heero got up and held out his hand to Duo. Duo jumped up and began to brush himself off.
"No more secrets." Duo nodded, starting to brush Heero off enthusiastically. He leaned in close to him. "I want to be with you forever" Duo whispered into Heero's ear.
Heero wrapped an arm around Duo's waist as they exited the greenhouse.
"Until death do us part." The noise from the ceremony drifted over the wall of rose bushes. They stepped out from behind the bushes to the edge of the ceremony. The minister spoke again. "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Heero leaned in and kissed Duo softly.
Owari.
Endnotes: Palindrome means a phrase that reads the same backward as forward.
R&R si vous plait! E-mail me any questions! No flame reviews please!