Just a Shadow
Disclaimer: - I don't own Gundam Wing or any of its characters!
Hey guys! This is more than likely the last chapter! I need to know what you want though! Do you want a sequel? To carry on with his fic? No sequel? Please leave your answer in a review! I tried my hand at a one shot, but it didn't get much response, if you read it can you tell me what I did wrong?
Thank you so much to all of the people that reviewed my fic so for the last time, I don't care what says, here are your reviewer responses!
KentouKurige: Ah, one of my most loyal reviewers. Thank you so much for all the support you gave me. Your reviews were always a pleasure to read! I hope if I see you again in future fics! I know I haven't made it clear who some people are going to end up with, but that all depends on what the reviewers ask for eg a sequel, a continuation or just to end it.
Mystic-Hoshi: Yup, everything is happy! Thanks for all of your reviews. If I remember rightly, you were a bit of a late starter weren't you? Well, no matter, I loved all of your reviews anyway! Thanks again!
Yaeko: I'm super happy that you love this fic so much. I really did work hard on it to let the readers have what they wanted. You've reviewed almost every chapter if not all and I'm so grateful! Thank you!
Silvermane1: I don't remember seeing you before – thanks for your review! Even though it was short, you still took the time to send one and that's hat matters! Thanks a bunch!
10-Midnight-01: Thanks so much for all of your great reviews! I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations … even though you don't know what you want lol!
Safaia-Kurome: I'm touched that you think I'm splendiforific! I'll keep writing as long as you keep reviewing! Sequels are never normally as good as the first story, but if that's what people want then I'll give it a go. I'm sorry o be ending the fic too, but all good things must come to an end! I've had so much fun writing this it's unreal! Thanks for all the reviews!
RaynOwl: I may not even put him with anybody! I might leave it open … We'll just have to see, as I've said on many occasion before, I have no idea what I'm going to write, I just write it off the top of my head! Thanks for your review! I hope you like this chapter!
Keefy: I know, I don't want it to end either, but it has to some time! Thanks for taking the time to check out my site, evn if you aren't a DBZ fan, it's the thought that counts! All of your reviews have been great so thank you so much for taking the time to leave them!
Nolwe: I know it was a bit short, but I am on a bit of a limit now and writing is becoming difficult with all the work and stuff being crammed into my head! I hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you so much for all of the reviews you've given me! Good luck with getting a new account on :huggles: Thanks for all your fantastic reviews! I've always enjoyed reading them and I hope you like this latest chapter!
El Terrible Fizzy: One of my most loyal reviewers! Thank you so much for all your wonderful reviews! I've always loved to get them from you and hope you enjoy this chapter as much as you have the previous ones!
Charlie00: I can't believe how many people have called me awesome since I started this fic and I love it! Thanks a bunch for all of your reviews and I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint!
Freefall: I love your pen name! Thanks so much fo the review! Sometimes the short reviews are the ones that really make you fell special and make writing worth while!
Ms Son: I WUV YOU! That freeloader is awesome! I can't believe you got one just for me! I hope you like this chapter! I know I can always count on you to review! You're the best!
Chapter 25: Happily Ever After
Zechs' POV
I can't help but smile as I watch the 'G-boys' as Duo had so gracefully dubbed them, run around the back yard like little children.
We were all invited to attend a barbeque at Yuy's place to celebrate his anniversary. It's been one year since the operation and so far he's doing great.
He still has moments where his mind can't seem to keep up or can't make a connection and he'll freeze on the spot. We usually just laugh it off act as if it never happened. He seems to prefer that to any of us trying to help – that only makes him worse!
I've learnt a lot more about him since his operation. He keeps in regular contact through vid phone with as many of us as he can.
They're wrestling on the ground now. Yuy cries out and they all quickly get off of him, but as soon as he's free, he pounces on Duo, who falls onto Wufei, creating a domino effect in all of the pilots. They should have known better; Yuy would never cry out over some silly wrestling match.
I watch them as they return to their chasing game. My son Alex has joined in now and seems intent on catching Yuy, who by the way, has just 'accidentally' fallen over.
His personality is continuing to develop. From the way he acts now I would never believe that he was that heartless, emotionless soldier I fought in the war. The wonders of Yuy will never cease to amaze me.
They're calling everybody to sit down for lunch now. We're all quite squashed even though it is such a big garden. All of Quatre's family has attended after all, including the Magunac (spelling?) corp.
Yuy's supposed to give a speech…
Normal
Everybody sat down on the long squishy grass so that Heero was in the centre. They had decided on not having nay tables as they would be able to fit enough for everybody and it wouldn't be fair if some ad to sit on the grass and others got the tables.
The grass had also been left long and uncut so that it would be more comfortable to sit on. Thankfully it had not rained. It would have been murder trying to fit this many people into the lounge!
Duo stood up and cleared his throat, trying to get their guests attention and failing miserably.
"HEY!" he screamed at the top of his lungs and fell silent save for a few stray giggles "Thanks … I think my buddy wants to say a few words"
All eyes turned to Heero as he stood up and pulled out a written speech. He couldn't memorise things as well as he used to e able to, but he doctors had reassured him after his first check up that gradually all his senses would return to their full capacity and functions.
He took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak … but nothing came out…
For a good 15 seconds, Heero stood there with his mouth agape trying to form words until finaly he bust out laughing and sat back down. The rest of the room joined in with cheers and laughter, glad that Heero was taking it so well.
"Nice speech man!" Duo laughed
"Why … thank you!" Heero replied grinning
Soon the laughter died down and the festivities followed. Hours passed.
Duo watched Heero as the Japanese man sat in between Trowa and Quatre, grinning at his success in disturbing the couple. Their guests had left a little over an hour ago to stay at the 'Ov Air Bouked' hotel and things were quiet.
"Duo?" Heero called moving to sit beside the American
"Yeah?"
"I don't think Wufei will be staying here much longer"
"What? Why?"
"I think he's in love with Sally and…"
"And?"
Heero's mind had frozen again and he sat there with a concentrated look on his face, trying to finish his sentence before sighing frustration, looking at his braided friend, willing him to understand what he was trying to say.
Duo eyed Heero and a silent understanding passed between them. The Deathscythe pilot had soon found out after the operation, that during the time he had spent taking care of Heero, he had learnt to read his actions and understand what he was saying or wanted without a word passing between them.
"So you think he's gong to move out of here and in with Sally?"
Heero nodded and Duo's eyebrows furrowed in concentration. He opened his mouth to speak again when Wufei rounded the corner into the room. Duo and Heero quickly turned away from one another and fell silent. Wufei raised an eyebrow as he sat next to them.
"So why were you talking about me?" the Chinese man asked curiously
"What makes you think we were?" Duo asked
"I'm not an idiot Maxwell"
Duo remained silent and Heero sighed. He opened his mouth, ready to give a smart comeback … and froze. Wufei smirked at his victory and crossed his arms, demanded an explanation and giving no room for argument.
"I was wondering" Heero admitted "How long it would be before you decided to move in with Sally"
"And why would I do that?"
"Because you're … with her …"
"And who told you that?"
"Nobody"
"Well for your information, I don't have a partner right now"
"Oh"
Heero blushed and Wufei rolled his eyes ruffling his friends hair.
"Hey!" Heero cried in protest "Do that again and I'll mess up your hair!"
"Your hair was already messy!"
"Beside the point!"
Both boys burst out laughing before suddenly Heero cried out and raised a hand to his head.
"D-Duo!" he called through clenched teeth "I-It's another h-headache!"
Duo wrapped and arm around his friends shoulders in a comforting gesture as pain course through the other head. The doctors had told them that Heero would experience terrible headaches from time to time and that there was nothing to ease the pain, but still to offer comfort and support.
"Come on" Duo soothed, holding Heero's head and rubbing his back, slowly rocking back and forth "It's okay … you'll be okay"
Soon the headache passed, but Heero didn't want to move from his friends embrace. Before long he was asleep.
Duo looked down at his slumbering friend and sighed. It had been a year since the operation and not once had they spoken about their relationship as friends … or maybe more.
It was obvious that Heero remembered what was said to him during the time that he was injured and the raided man had admitted on numerous occasion his love for his friend in more than a friendly way, but whenever the subject was bought up, Heero seemed to avoid it.
Duo sighed once more and held Heero to his chest, picking him up and sitting on the sofa that faced the window so that he could watch the stars.
The night passed quickly and before long morning arrived. Heero's eyes fluttered open as he woke and widened when he saw Duo still holding him, wide awake with his eyes on the sunrise. He obviously hadn't noticed that his friend has awoken yet.
"Duo?"
"Huh?" Duo muttered as he turned to face Heero "Oh, hey buddy – you're awake!"
"Yeah … did you stay with me all night"
Duo didn't reply and Heero snuggled closer to him.
"Thank you" he whispered
"What for?" Duo asked suddenly, obviously surprised
"Everything" Heero replied as he tightened his grip on Heero "Not giving up on me taking care of me, helping me when I'm feeling down and understanding me"
"You don't have to thank me…"
"And I wanted to tell you…"
"Hmm?"
"I … I'm scared"
"Scared? You?" Duo asked "What of?"
"Well, I want to be with you, but what if it goes bad? And then we can't be friends, and if we remain as friends then things will be awkward and if they're not then I know I'll always feel bad about-"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!" Duo shouted and the looked into Heero's eyes "You … you want to be with me?"
"Well … yeah … but … I'm scared … I don't want to lose you!"
"You know I'll never leave you!"
"Yeah, but I'm scared that if we start something and things go wrong then … then …"
"I know what you mean" Duo replied "But don't you think we should at least give it a chance? You made the first move now bud! No going back"
"I … don't know"
"Go for it!"
Duo and Heero spun around to find Quatre, Trowa and Wufei standing in the doorway smirking at them. Heero blushed and Duo grinned.
"H-How long have you guys been standing there?" Heero asked quietly
"We came down about 5 minutes ago … just in time to hear you to get together" Trowa smiled
"But we-"
"And what a lovely couple you're going to be!" Quatre beamed
Heero sighed, a smile lingering on his face and turned to Duo.
"Alright then" he said "Let's give it a try"
A wide grin spread across Duo's face as he enveloped his best friend, now boyfriend into a hug. He pulled away and they looked at each other with sparkling eyes.
"So do we kiss now?" Duo asked cheekily
"What the hell!" Heero cried, grabbing Duo by the shoulders and pulling him forward.
The other three burst into cheers and the couple smiled against each others lips. They continued to kiss for another few seconds until…
"Are we interrupting something?"
Duo and Heero shot apart only to find the whole gang staring at them with smirks and shocked looks on their faces.
"Not really" Duo replied "I was just sucking the face off of my new boyfriend"
Heero's blush deepened as the room stood there shocked. He laughed lightly as Duo pulled his onto his la and nuzzled his neck.
"I love you" he whispered
"I…"
Duo looked at Heero only to find that he had frozen again. Heero gave Duo an apologetic look, but Duo only smiled.
That night Duo watched Heero sleep in a whole new light. A few years ago, they thought it was the end, now they could see it was just the beginning. In a way, Heero was grateful for the accident. He and Duo would have never admitted their feeling if it hadn't happened.
Okay … do you guys want an epilogue or what? A sequel? I don't know! I don't think a sequel would work very well though. I hope you all liked this chapter! If I don't get any responses, then I guess it's the last! Thank you all so much for reading. Please take the time to review one more time. Thanks.
It's been fun!
Clarobell