Disclaimers: Not mine, not even going to dream that they are mine. Just took them out for a spin, did a little torture and returned them home nice and slightly tortured.

Warnings: Waaaaaaaaay too much sap in this one. General warnings such as OOCs, shounen ai, slightly more graphic dreams and pre lemons that Tsu is used to writing. But don't worry, Tsu still doesn't write lemons.

A/N: This a fusion with a yaoi manga that I picked up called 'Colors'. Some parts are reflective of the manga, others are just me putting things in. Hehehe, I promised myself no fusion fics, but I couldn't help it. Even I got hyperglycaemia from reading it. Too sweet, toooo sweet. Perhaps someone who has read this can tell me if I am infringing anything by writing how I did.

Letters to Home

Part 8

Hilde,

Heero lied to me! Well, not really, he just kept things from me. It's just like I really never knew who Heero really is all these years. I don't know what to feel, sis. I mean everyone has their secrets right? Although I have none from him, but how do I bring it up? We were having such a great time recently, it felt like a dream. But you know what? I think I just got a wake up call.

Duo

XXxxXX

Duo walked next to the confident and graceful blonde, feeling a little ill at ease. He had guessed that Heero's family wasn't typical, like his was typical but this was the last he had ever expected. He didn't now whether to be annoyed or to be proud of his boyfriends. He settled with 'wanting to get revenge'.

"I am guessing my brother didn't tell you anything about his family?" Relena asked, smiling at the awkward feeling boy next to him.

Duo shrugged feeling even worse. He was now reduced to feeling inadequate.

"My brother is usually a very private person. He doesn't like to say much about his past."

"But not even to his own boyfriend?" Duo clapped his hands over his mouth. He hadn't meant to say that, at least not to Heero's sister. He didn't even know how Heero's family would react to him liking another guy.

Relena laughed. "Don't worry about. Heero explained it to me on the way here." She stopped, turning abruptly to face Duo. "Thank you." There was an overwhelming amount of sincerity in her eyes.

"What for?" Duo asked, completely taken aback.

Heero's sister turned and continued her path down the gallery's hallways. "He's different. He's…" She hesitated, looking for a correct word. "…content? I don't really know how to explain it. He's definitely happier than when I knew him a few years ago."

Duo was taken aback. He didn't really notice Heero was feeling at all miserable during their time together, or even when they met. He had never noticed he was that insensitive. If it was possible, he started to feel a whole lot worse. Did he know anything about Heero… at all? Then he noticed Relena giving him a curious, searching look.

"You want me to tell you a little about Heero? His family? Our family I mean?" Relena offered.

The taller teen nodded mutely and was ushered to a bench situated within the gallery.

"Well," Relena smoothed the material of her skirt. "You know the Peacecrafts of Sanc right?" She waited until Duo nodded before continuing on. "There are three of us, my elder brother Milliardo and me. My father and his family have been into politics for generations. My brother is the heir to the family 'throne' and the two of us are basically free to do whatever we want." She gave Duo a bittersweet smile. "Of course, these things have their pros and cons. In other words, you can also say that we weren't given much attention. We were quite lonely as children, Heero more than me."

Lonely. Duo had guessed that from the first painting he had seen of Heero. Lonely colours, they were splattered all over the canvas. Cold colours, Duo called them. It gave him the impression of being isolated, being scared and frightened. Was this how Heero felt?

"He looked like he was trying to kill himself back then, unconsciously of course," Relena hurried to add. "He was awfully self-destructive, he didn't care about anyone but himself. I haven't seen him in two years, I thought I was going to get a phone call one day telling me that Heero had committed suicide."

Fear gripped Duo as he leaned forward, concern written all over his features.

A smile blossomed on Relena's face again. "But he is different now. There is something almost alive about him. And I think it is because of you." She reached over and clasped Duo's hand. "Thank you."

Duo shook his head, feeling embarrassed. All he did was fall in love with a truly good person, he didn't deserve such gratitude. Then he realised something. "His last name isn't Peacecraft."

Relena froze at that announcement. An expression of severe discomfort crept over her expression. "Well… how can I say this?" She looked lost and completely flabbergasted. It was a question she didn't anticipate, which made no sense to Duo. Did she expect him not to notice? "It's not my story to tell. Perhaps you should ask him?" She looked at the other beseechingly.

Duo's eyes narrowed before nodding acquiescingly.

"Duo!" Treize called out, running towards the couple. "Save me from your insane boyfriend."

Duo smiled when he heard Heero's laughter echoing through the lonely halls. He felt warmed that Heero was actually laughing. He had never thought much of it but apparently, noting Relena's gratitude at the mere sound, it was an oddity and a rarity. He had been taking it for granted all this while. He got up, got to Heero's side before he could brain the older man and took his hand.

Heero gave his lover a curious look but stopped his 'attack' on the perverted gallery owner bent on molesting his impressionable sister and his innocent boyfriend. He got a negative shake of Duo's head. 'It's alright', it said but Heero knew better. There wasn't a thing that happened between them that they didn't automatically understand. It hardly mattered, Duo would tell him what was bothering him later. He just hoped it wasn't Relena but judging from the serene expression on his sister's face, it wasn't the case. Their body language with each other spoke of acceptance. They liked each other and for that Heero was glad.

"I remember someone mentioning something about dinner to make up for your horrible mistake?" Heero looked expectantly at Treize. He turned back to Duo, adjusting his glasses that was now threatening to slide off again. He liked Duo in glasses, he had a slightly nerdy look that was absolutely adorable but Duo preferred contact lenses. While it was true it showed off his glorious eyes, Heero preferred Duo looking like a cute nerd.

"Hey, that is unfair, you had me in a headlock when you extracted that promise!" Treize protested half-heartedly.

Relena stifled a giggle and got up from the bench. "Well, I promised father to be home for dinner tonight. I will, therefore, decline." She bid them all a warm farewell and left the gallery.

"Come, love, let's go," Heero pulled Duo along after Relena disappeared from view.

The three visited a rather nice restaurant not far from the high school. Duo slumped into his seat, his mind in turmoil about what he had just learned. While his initial annoyance had disappeared, he was still shocked that Heero hadn't mentioned any of the things Relena did to him. Was there something wrong with their relationship that he didn't know about? Why didn't Heero confide in him?

The food was normally delicious, it tasted absolutely bland today. He knew Heero was worried about his inattentiveness and continued to ply him with bites of his dinner. He obediently ate, all the while thinking of how he was going to approach this topic later. There were still questions he wanted answers to. But for Heero to avoid telling him something like that for so long, it would have to mean he really didn't want talk about it.

He didn't even realise dinner was over until Heero was gently nudging him to get up. Treize was giving him a rather concerned glance but Duo ignored it. He forced a smile, wanting to stop whatever the ginger haired man was thinking. There was no trouble in paradise to speak of. They walked a while until they came to where they would have to split up. Treize was definitely going off for more fun and games while it was almost time for Heero and Duo to report back to the dorm. Well, Duo actually but since it was a two in one deal for them, Heero would follow without question. Besides, they have been living together for two years now, with Duo's dorm being their home.

"Thanks for dinner," Heero waved. "Feel free to invite us anytime." He grinned teasingly.

Treize let out an exaggerated sigh. "Yes, yes, but next time, you would be required to work before you are fed."

"Whatever," Heero brushed it off, clasping Duo's hand firmly in his. "Bye."

"Oh wait," Treize called out. "I'm having another amateur painting exhibition. Why don't you two think of something?"

"Alright," the two nodded and turned, walking away into the night.

Treize stood there for a moment, staring at the two, their hands intimately clasped. He couldn't help but feel slightly envious of the relationship the two had. It was one of the purest thing he had ever seen.

He could still remember two years ago when Duo had come running to him, asking him about Heero. He had failed to see this happening then. Then one day, he had seen them making out in his office. It wasn't just lust, though that had a large part in their relationship, they were teenagers after all, but it was also love. Every touch, every kiss, every look they gave each other was laden with love and pure devotion. They worshiped each other. It was because of Duo that Heero had finally found his heart again. He had seen the Japanese teen spiral deeply into himself, locking everyone out. He had, at the behest of Heero's brother, Milliardo, lead the boy into art, in hope of expressing himself. Locked up emotions hurt everyone.

It had worked better than anyone had anticipated. Perhaps it was destiny that Heero took this path that led him right into Duo Maxwell's arms.

"Treize."

Treize whipped around, surprised that someone would call his name in the middle of a busy street. If the two boys were around, he would have tried to explain to them that Treize Khusrenada was a very popular man. His eyes widened as he took in who was standing behind him.

"You…" Treize gaped. "What are you doing here?"

XXxxXX

Duo trailed behind Heero as they walked leisurely back to the Academy. He didn't know how to start but knowing if they got back they wouldn't be speaking much. He was so immersed in his thoughts that he didn't realise Heero had stopped walking and he collided into his lover. He landed with his behind on the dusty ground.

"Ouch," he exclaimed. He looked up to see Heero hunkering down next to him, concerned written all over him.

"Are you alright?" Heero asked, helping Duo up.

"Yeah, I'm a little distracted that's all," Duo brushed the dirt off his pants. He peeked uncertainly at Heero. "Uhm… I didn't know you were Relena Peacecraft's brother," he began tentatively.

Heero looked at him for a while before sighing in resignation. "She told you everything?"

Duo shook his head. "Not really, just who you were, that's all."

Silence reigned for a long moment before Heero spoke up. "That's not all, isn't it?" He lead them one of the many trees that dappled the Academy grounds. He leaned against the trunk and held his arms open in an offer to Duo.

The American smiled and sat down in between Heero's splayed legs. Strong arms captured Duo tightly before a pair of warm lips ghosted over his neck.

"Tell me?" Heero coaxed, lips still lingering over Duo's soft skin.

Duo hesitated a while longer. "It's normal for couples to have secrets, that I know but… I don't know, Heero. I just feel like I didn't really know you. You know what I mean?" He turned slightly, catching his boyfriend's intense gaze.

Herero tenderly brushed wayward strands of chestnut locks that fell on Duo's forehead. He nodded. "I do know what you are talking about. I guess it just seems rather unfair to you that you spill your guts to me and I say nothing."

Duo nodded mutely. He didn't really thought it was unfair, he just wanted to know. Well, maybe a little unfair.

"I will tell you everything," Heero promised. "All you need is to ask, tonight…" He arched his brow. "After."

Duo smirked in resignation. Of course after. Typical of Heero.

"Duo, now that you know," Heero started. "Are you going to see me differently? Am I still not your Heero?"

The American gaped, his mind blank. At his lover's expectant look, he blurted the first thing that came to mind, which, fortunately for him, was the honest truth. "You will always be my Heero if your hair turned blue and you grew moss out of your ears."

"Moss?" Heero chuckled. Then it softened into a smile, one reserved specifically for Duo, especially in the afterglow of love making. "You have always done this to me, my dear Duo," he muttered, his hands stroking every part of Duo's arms and shoulders unconsciously. "You've always seen the real me, you've always been able to bring out the best of me. You've always taken me for who I am. You never expect me to be someone I am not." He nudged Duo to turn to face him, the American now on his knees.

"Heero?" Duo murmured, mesmerised by the intensity of the Japanese's gaze.

Heero leaned forward, pulling a shocked Duo into his arms. "I love you, Duo. Let's always be together," he said, burying his face into the side of Duo's warm, smooth neck.

Duo pulled back, smiling at his partner. "Yes, let's," he whispered, pressing his lips onto the other boy's.

They separated after a while, the taste of each other still lingering on their lips. Duo leaned against Heero, resting his head on his lover's strong chest. He did this often, listening to the steady beating beneath his ear. It was reminiscent of his dreams where he heard his twin's heart beat in tandem with his own.

"Duo," Heero spoke finally, his voice a rumbling to Duo.

"Yeah?"

"Let's go back?"

Duo lifted his head. "Definitely." He got up and pulled Heero up. They walked slowly back to the dorm, hand in hand, enjoying the night. Both knew tonight would be a night of more discoveries for each other. Some physical, others not. Then, Duo realised something. "Hey, Heero?"

"Hmm?"

"When do I get to top?"

Heero stopped, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "I'm seriously considering it," he announced before sprinting away from Duo.

"Get back here!" Duo ran after Heero, jumping onto him. "You always say that, and it never happens." He grabbed the other boy around the neck. "I feel so used!"

"But you like it, don't you?" Heero teased.

XXxxXX

Hilde,

Disregard previous email. Things have been settled. And I was just joking. Heero and I are very good friends. Nothing that has been implied in the previous mail was true. You can forget about me sending you any of the-

Duo was startled when he heard a knock at his room door. Heero was at his home tonight, leaving Duo to his email writing and completing some homework. Despite him missing his lover, he was glad he could finally get some work done without being jumped on.

"Duo," someone called from outside his door, knocking it once. "Phone."

Duo pushed away from the desk and went into the hallway to pick up the phone. "Hel… What? Dad collapsed?"