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

It was a normal day of school and lessons. But it wasn't a normal day for Heero Yuy by any means. He was sitting in his normal place in class, being ogled by the same girls day after day, bored by the same teachers lesson and lesson and teased by the same friends over and over. Yes, on the surface it was the same but there was one huge difference, the seat in front of him was empty.

Duo's seat.

For as long as Heero has known Duo, that seat was hardly ever empty. And when it was, there was a plausible explanation for it. Normally, it was after a night of endless loving and Duo couldn't find his legs to walk but today was different. Today, Heero didn't know where his partner, his heart, the other part of his soul was. He had come back from a night at his apartment only to find Duo gone. No one he had spoke to knew where the seemingly crazy American had disappeared to. He was getting worried. Duo, though sometimes flighty, would never be this irresponsible to make Heero worry for him. But as the day grew longer, Heero stopped being worried and now, the feeling has escalated in to the region of fear.

As the last class ended, Heero shot out of his seat, running toward the teacher's lounge. He went looking for a rather austere looking woman by the name of Miss Une, their form teacher.

"Is Duo sick? Is he injured? Is he missing? Has he been kidnapped? Had surgery?" Heero leaned over the table, spitting out question after question.

The brown haired woman stared up at the student in shock. "Who?"

Heero stopped, taking a deep breath. "Duo Maxwell," he grounded out. "He's from Class C, senior."

Ms Une adjusted her dark rimmed glasses. "Oh, him. Long rope of hair and once attached to your hip?" She smiled, teasing the beleaguered Japanese teen.

"Ms Une!"

The teacher took pity on Heero. "He left last night due to a family emergency. His father passed out at work. He hadn't regained consciousness so far and Duo has been requested to return home." Her expression took on a serious cast. "Just in case."

Just in case. That sounded ominous. Heero felt his heart drop into his stomach. Duo could be upset far away and he couldn't do anything to help him. Then he realised his lover hadn't told him anything about it. He hadn't even called up to tell him that he was leaving school for a while. Did he even care that Heero would worry? Did he?

"Oh yes, I completely forgot!" Ms Une exclaimed. "He was in a horrid rush but he reminded me at least fourteen times to tell you he was leaving." She slapped herself lightly on the cheek. "My, aren't I forgetful. Oh well, you know now, no harm done."

As quick as Heero's temper flared, Ms Une had managed to deflate it. He felt rather cheated that he wasn't able to stay angry at Duo longer, be pissed off with his actions. Well, he still had no way to contact Duo, nor has his boyfriend made any more to contact him during all this time. That was grounds for staying angry for at least one more hour for sure.

Then, Ms Une had to go and spoil it- again. "Oh yes, one more thing, Duo said he would be calling you tonight. So, go wait for his phone call alright?" She winked teasingly at Heero. It was quite evident that everyone knew what happened behind the door to Duo's dorm.

That was hardly surprising, Heero never made it a secret anyway. Duo might had been initially bashful about public displays of affection but Heero had firmly believed love was love under any circumstances. Soon after, Duo had begun to believe it too.

Wait… call tonight? Damn, another tantrum opportunity ruined.

"Hmm, I wonder what he is going to do if anything was to happen to his family," Ms Une spoke softly, more to herself. "He may need to quit school. After all, he is here on a scholarship."

"Thank you, Ms Une." He ran out the teacher's lounge and back to his classroom, grabbing his bag. However, he was stopped by a wall of friends

"Where is Duo?" Mei Lan asked, supported by the guys behind her. She was one gutsy lady to take on Heero Yuy in his 'serious mode'.

"Yes, where is he?" Echoed Quatre's better half. It was Ms Forked Brow herself. Dorothy usually lurked in the background, but she genuinely liked Duo. He was kind to her where others ragged her for getting together with a senior. He also managed to force a shred of humour into her stiff countenance.

"Get out of my way," Heero brushed them aside. He was eager to return to wait for Duo's call. He needed to hear Duo's voice. He actually wanted his lover's arms around him at the moment but he would settle for his wonderfully husky tones resounding in his ears. And these people were standing between him and that. While he has never hurt a woman ever, he wondered if he should start. He thought his friends rather sneaky, placing the girls in the front line. If they had been there, they would be on the ground, dazed and dizzy right now.

"He's our friend too, Heero," Quatre spoke up, reproach resounding deeply in his voice. Of late, the blond had been polishing up his guilt trips and to date, he gave one of the most thorough, most beautiful trips along guilt lane Heero had ever imagined.

"He's back home, alright?" Heero finally gave in. "He's going to call me tonight, so please, just let me get through?" He hated the almost pleading tone in his voice at the end. He hated how he sounded so weak.

Evidently, his friends were shocked as well and let him through, their eyes wide. Taking the little mercies life gave him, Heero rushed past them, heading back to his apartment. He carelessly dropped his books and bag on the floor, hastily pulling off his shoes, dumping them in a trail all the way to his phone. Not taking his eyes off it, he collapsed onto the couch and waited. Suddenly, the silence of the apartment started pressing down on him. He had been here alone countless times and it had never sounded so… hollow, so empty. It was probably his mind playing on him, knowing Duo wasn't just ten minutes away, waiting for him. He huddled on the couch, hugging his knees close to him, wishing it was someone with bright blue/violet eyes and soft golden red hair. He hadn't realised Duo's impact on his once barren life.

He stared at the four walls, feeling incredibly caged in. He wanted to be where Duo was, even if it was only for emotional and moral support. What good was he here? What good was he at all? Old feelings of loneliness and abandonment swamped him with a vengeance. This time, there was no one around to keep them at bay. He buried his face in between his knees in agony. He was being separated with Duo. It hurt. He had just told Duo the day before that he had never wanted for them to be apart and his lover had fervently agreed.

Now, he was all alone.

Duo lied. He lied to Heero. How could he do that?

It was then the phone rang.

XXxxXX

Duo sat slumped in the uncomfortable visitor's chair. He was exhausted and he looked it. He stared at the sleeping visage of his father, feeling immeasurable relief that he had woken up shortly after Duo and Hilde's arrival. Still the worry wasn't completely chased away. His father was and looked ill. Duo was shocked to realise just how much weight his father had lost. Ian Maxwell also had a distinct pallor to his skin. Once shining eyes were dulled with stress and exhaustion. His father had always wanted the best for his children, even to the point of going without something himself. He saved and stinged in hope of his children having much better. Duo knew his father had gone out of his way to make sure he could go to Sanc. It had helped that he got in with a scholarship, but there was still living costs to deal with. And those weren't cheap. Hilde was, of course, another matter. She had one more year before she graduated and until then, she added to her father's burden as well. Her part time jobs didn't really cover much to be honest although it helped.

"He's sleeping again?" Hilde asked, quietly slipping into the room.

Duo nodded. "He looks so old," he observed sadly. "I didn't remember him ever looking so worn."

Hilde came behind her brother, squeezing his shoulder supportively. She didn't know what to say as well. She had just been as shock as Duo when she had been told her father had been rushed to the hospital after passing out in his office, which ironically, was his office.

The siblings stayed silent, watching over their father in a way that their parents had watched over them in their sleep many years ago. Duo never felt so helpless in his entire life. He wanted now more than ever to help his father, and the path he has chosen wasn't one that would help his family financially. He wanted deep down inside to be an artist but he also knew it was a path wrought with difficulty. What should he do?

Shall he abandon his dream and opt for something safe like studying to be an engineer or an accountant or something similar? Would he be asked to choose? It hurt him that he might need to choose between art and Heero, which was his soul, and his family, which were his soul. How can a person sacrifice either without scarring themselves for life?

Would his parents want him to make such a choice?

Would he?

He knew that even if he did, he would really last long in it. Even now, his mind was only full of Heero. He wondered how he was coping with his disappearance, what his lover doing, was he eating right, would he be lonely?

He shook his head in frustration, trying to clear his mind of Heero. He was supposed to worry about his father now and not his lover. What kind of son was he after all?

"Worried about Heero?" Hilde asked softly, not wanting to wake their father.

Duo's gaze jerked to his sister.

Hilde giggled. "I'm not exactly clueless, brother. You left without telling him anything. I guess you have the right to be worried."

"It's just…" He let out a sigh. "I've never left him alone like that before. Heero seem to have issues with… abandonment."

"He told you that?"

Duo shook his head. "I just know."

Hilde smiled wistfully. "What you and Heero have, this soul mate kind of thing, it what I would kill for. Why don't you go call him? At least you would feel better." She gave her brother a soft nudge on the shoulder.

"But…" Duo looked at the figure sleeping on the bed.

Just then, their mother, Helen Maxwell walked in.

"Mom's here," Hilde said. "Go."

"What is it, honey?" Helen asked her children.

"Duo needs to call to find out what he missed in school today," Hilde wisely provided a perfect excuse for her brother.

"Oh, go on then Duo, we will be alright."

Duo nodded gratefully his sister and quickly headed for a pay phone. He fed the phone some coins and dialled Heero's familiar number. He was waiting for it to ring when he heard a voice almost yelling, "Duo?"

Duo couldn't help it, he burst out laughing. He didn't even hear the phone ring. "Yeah, what were you doing waiting next to the phone?"

There was a faint sound coming from Heero. "Well, it's not like apartment is that big."

"Shall I take that as a yes?" Duo continued to teased his boyfriend unmercilessly.

"Jack ass," Heero muttered.

Duo burst into laughter. Suddenly, he was feeling a whole lot better about a lot of things. "How are you?" He asked, sober. "Are you alright?"

"I miss you." Even from over the phone, Duo could hear the depth of emotion from Heero. Damn, this was making him really guilty.

"I miss you too. I'm sorry about leaving without saying anything, Heero," he apologised, trying to inject into his voice just how much he wanted to be right next to Heero right now. "Did Ms Une tell you?"

Heero snorted. "Sure, just an hour ago."

"What?!" Duo exclaimed. "I reminded her twenty times throughout the entire conversation with her that she should tell you without any delay."

He could almost 'hear' Heero's smile. "Did she have her hair up when you told her?"

Duo chuckled softly. It was a standing joke amongst the students that Ms Une had multiple personalities. When she had her hair down, she was the 'nice' Ms Une but when she had her hair up, looking like something out of a Star Wars set, most students ran for their lives. In his panic and rush, Duo realised it was the 'other' Une sitting there.

"God, I didn't even notice. Don't Personality No. 1 take messages for Personality No. 2?" Duo quipped and both boys dissolved into mirth. It felt good to be laughing with Heero like this. It made him forget just where he was and who was lying in that hospital room.

As the laughter dwindled off, Heero asked, "How is your father?"

"He's alright, but I don't know, the doctors think it might be more than exhaustion," Duo sighed. "They are still confirming with some tests. We aren't sure if he would be able to go back to work." He was worried and he sounded it.

There was silence from Heero.

"Hey, are you still there?" Duo asked softly. He knew what was running through Heero's mind. Their plans, their promises. Perhaps they may not crystallise after all.

"Yeah. Take care of yourself alright?" Heero reminded.

"I will, don't worry. I will be probably staying for a few more days, then I will be back."

"Duo…" Heero began rather hesitantly.

"Yes, Heero?" Duo held his breath. Was Heero going to ask him questions that he had no answer to at the moment? He couldn't promise Heero anything right now that may not be a lie in the future.

"…Nevermind."

Duo released a breath he had been unconsciously holding. "Look, I'll give you a call to confirm when I am coming back alright? Take care of yourself. Don't forget to eat, remember to keep the covers on at night, don't stay up so late…"

Heero laughed. "The next thing you are going to tell me is to put the toilet seat down."

"Ass," Duo groused, unable to keep a smile from his face. "I love you."

"Love you, too," Heero breathed.

"Bye," Duo said, hanging up reluctantly.

"Duo," Helen popped her head out into the hallway. "I think it is time we had a family meeting."

XXxxXX

Heero stared at the phone long after he hung up with Duo. He was supposed to feel better but he didn't. What Duo hadn't left silent was true. Things just wasn't going according to their almost fairy tale like plans anymore.

The real world was giving them a wake up call.

They couldn't be married anyway, and one day, they would drift apart. He knew Duo loved children and expressed his desires of having a family one day. It was something Heero could never give Duo. Because of this, Heero was starting to doubt the promises of always being together. It was impossible. They would definitely go their own way one day. Perhaps it should be now rather than later?

"No!" Heero yelled, the very thought making him sick. He didn't want to be separated from the one person that made him see the very best in himself. He couldn't. It was a fate far worse than death.

"Master Heero!" There was urgent knocking on the door coupled with a frantic voice calling out for him. "Master Heero, are you alright?"

Heero started, before going to the door and pulling it open. "Otto? What are you doing here?" He stared in shock at his father's personal assistant.

"It's been a while now, Master Heero," Otto looked around, making sure Heero was alright.

"Is father here with you?" Heero asked curiously.

Otto shook his head, his expression taking on a serious cast. "Your father has asked me to pick you up and deliver you back home."

"What?!"

"Milliardo has disappeared, runaway, and has left notice to call off the wedding with Lucrezia Noin. Since you are the only other son, he is going to name you heir in your brother's stead," Otto continued. "Also, he wants you to stop your painting and attend a real university, preferably in his old alma mater in England. You've already been transferred out of Sanc Academy to another more renown high school."

Renown for academics. That had been kept silent.

Heero stared unblinkingly at Otto, completely taken off guard. No, this can't be. Not him too. This life, this relationship Duo, this was a dream. One that he didn't want to be woken from. Where was his forever? He had wanted to stay with Duo forever.

Was forever a dream as well?

tbc…

Just a little teh angst. Me no good at writing it, only mindless fluff.