Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or any of the characters. The plot is all mine though. Mine, mine, mine. maniacal laughter

A.N. - This chapter's for Hikaru and Chibis Unleashed.

Last Chapter:

"This is amazing," he laughed breathlessly. "I've never felt more free. This is like piloting Deathscythe, only out here there's nothing to tie me down. I can fly on my own wings."

"It almost makes up for the immortality, doesn't it? Maybe that's why we have wings, as compensation for everything we have to give up."

"Maybe, but you can't be an angel without wings." They continued flying for another hour, then headed back to the base to get some rest. Flying was tiring with muscles unaccustomed to the strain.

Chapter 10:

"Ow-ow-ow," Duo woke up groaning the next morning. "Heero, why didn't you warn me that my muscles would be this sore today?"

"What did you expect? Muscles are always sore when you use them for a long time, especially when they aren't used often," Heero replied from his side of the bed. The two boys had been sharing since Duo confessed to his sleeping difficulties.

"I guess you're right, but you still should have warned me. Owwww!"

"Would it have stopped you?"

"No, I guess not."

"Then why bother?" Heero asked, raising an eyebrow. He then shifted in the bed, sitting up and moving closer to Duo. "Roll over on your stomach and put out your wings." Duo obeyed and Heero began gently massaging the muscles around the base of Duo's wings, pressing harder on the really stubborn knots. Duo stiffened in shock, but soon relaxed.

"Is Heero really giving me a massage? I must be dreaming. It feels so good. His fingers are calloused, but so gentle. It's hard to believe that I've seen him use his hands to bend steel. Heero's changed so much since he woke after crashing in Zero and told us about what we are. It's hard to believe this Heero and the cold, suicidal bastard who fought in the wars are the same person." Duo was hard pressed to keep from moaning in pleasure as the intense pain in his back gradually went away with the gentle pressure from Heero's fingers. As much as he'd changed, Duo didn't think he'd be ready to handle THAT just yet. It was getting harder and harder for the braided boy to hide his growing attraction for the Japanese pilot. Eventually he'd have to tell Heero how he felt about him.

"There's no hurry though," he thought. "I have eternity to tell him now, especially since he's told Relena that he doesn't like her romantically."

Unbeknownst to Duo, Heero was having similar thoughts. "I really like Duo, but I'm not sure how he feels about me. Hell, I don't even know if he likes guys that way. This is all so confusing. It was so much easier when I shut out my emotions in order to push the others away. Not that I'm in a hurry to do that again. But I blocked how I felt for so long that I don't know how to deal with emotion anymore. Oh well, I have a long time to figure everything out. I have forever after all." He continued massaging Duo's back absently, not thinking about anything in particular and not paying attention to anything. So he was surprised when Duo suddenly grabbed his wrists to stop him. He almost threw Duo across the room by reflex, but quickly stopped himself. He grinned wryly at Duo, knowing he would have noticed the tense of muscles that came with the reaction.

"Sorry," apologized Duo. "I should know better than to surprise you. One of these days I'm going to wind up with something broken and it'll be all my own fault. But I was thinking. I feel better now, but your muscles have to be sore too. You haven't flown that much more than me. I'll return the favour and fix your soreness too."

Heero was surprised by the offer. Noone had ever asked to do something like that for him before. His back muscles did ache, but he had grown so used to ignoring pain that he'd hardly noticed. "Thank you, Duo." He and Duo traded places on the bed, staying companionably silent until Quatre knocked on the door.

"There's a brunch laid out, if you guys are hungry," he told them through the door.

"Thanks Q," replied Duo. "We'll be down in a moment." The two boys quickly dressed and followed Quatre to the room with brunch. It was more of a feast than a meal, so much food was laid out. All the Maguanac and pilots ate together, the pilots bombarded with questions about the recent fight and their transformation; as well as good natured jokes. At one point Duo laughed so hard that he sprayed his orange juice all over Heero and Trowa, seated across from him. Heero resurrected his death glare which was marred slightly by the juice dripping off his nose. Trowa drew out a knife much like the ones Catherine used in her act and pinned Duo's braid to the chair in retaliation. Quatre tried to contain his giggles at the sight of the juice covered pair, but failed miserably. Duo just laughed even harder. It was at this point that Heero showed how much unlike his old self he truly was. He grinned evilly and leaned over to whisper something in Trowa's ear, which caused Trowa to grin evilly as well. They both picked up bowls of applesauce from the table in front of them, and threw them at Quatre and Duo. Their aim was dead centre and the bowls landed upside down on top of each pilot's head, applesauce cascading down their face and hair. They all froze for a moment before Duo yelled.

"All right Yuy, this means war!" An all and out food fight started. At first it was just the four who had been involved originally, then Wufei got dragged in. Then the rest of their table. Then the entire Maguanac Corps. It wound down when there was very little left to throw. The occupants of the room were all laughing so hard they could barely breathe and were completely covered in food. They surveyed the wrecked room before unanimously turning to go find cleaning supplies. With that many people working, it didn't take as long as would be expected to clean up the mess, and the room was spotless again after two hours. Then everyone left to go clean themselves up, but not before the pilots agreed to meet again in an hour outside.

An hour later, all freshly showered and wearing new clothes, the pilots met just outside the base.

"Why did you ask us here, Heero?" asked Wufei.

"I was wondering if you guys would like to learn how to fly." When everyone eagerly agreed, he and Duo began demonstrating. Before long, all the pilots were in the air. They did many of the things Duo and Heero had figured out the night before, and tried more. Some of the figures they did in the air looked much like those done by military stunt planes before mobile suits became the main weapons of war. But the five of them could fly much closer and more precisely than any stunt pilot could ever dream of. Eventually, tired and drenched with sweat, they all headed off to their second shower of the day, then to supper. There were no food fights at this meal however.

After supper, the pilots went to a quiet room to sit and talk. Quatre pulled out his violin, and Trowa found a flute. After a beautiful duet, the other pilots explored the instrument cabinet. Heero pulled out a cello, Duo found a guitar, and Wufei sat at the seat of the grand piano that dominated the room.

"I didn't know any of you played instruments," commented Quatre.

"One of the Sweepers taught me to play the guitar," replied Duo.

"I learned the piano as part of my schooling," Wufei informed them.

"Odin taught me how to read music, and how to play a few instruments as a cover. Since then I've experimented with different ones and can play almost any instrument," said Heero, as if stating a simple fact that was not particularly impressive.

"Wow," Duo finally said.

Heero shrugged. "Once you have the basics of one kind of instrument down, it's relatively easy to learn how to play the others of the same type."

"Why did you choose the cello then?" asked Quatre, curious.

"I like the way it sounds, and it matches well with the instruments the rest of you play."

The pilots spent the rest of the night sitting and playing, Heero demonstrating some of the other instruments he knew how to play. They also learned that Duo and Heero could sing very well, so voices joined some of the songs they played. After a calm evening spent getting to know each other better through music, they all went to bed.

A.N. - I know I said I'd start writing longer chapters, but this seemed the best place to end it. Next chapter (maybe)

Griffen - I know, I was insane to make it that long moans with head in hands What was I thinking?!!!

Chibis Unleashed - Yes, they flew. You need an excuse to keep reading my story? I'm hurt. And I took away your excuse with this chapter, they all flew. I'll describe their flying better in a future chapter.

Scotty-lass - No problem with the partnering stuff. I don't mind answering questions. It is amusing to see what you write without Ritalin. Worse than Duo though? shudders Thank you for boosting my ego, I appreciate all the reviews.

Misticheero - You might want to think about capitalizing the 'h' in your name. When I first read it, I thought you were named Misti Cheerio. As in the cereal. And your uninspired review is still longer than some I get. I love long reviews. Lol at your whole review generally. Keep on reading.

Clarobell - Thank you. Yup, they can all fly now. The friends won't start aging for awhile yet, but relationships are beginning to develop.