Chapter Twelve

Duo's Decision

Duo continued to berate himself for the rest of the day. He arrived home just as the sun was going down and he collapsed into his favorite arm chair and stared and the black television screen. He tried to work out his encounter with Quatre in his mind. He asked Quatre out, and he said yes. He shook his head. No, he didn't ask him out. It was only a friendly meeting so they can discuss plans for Heero and Relena's party. But was it? Quatre was single now and so was Duo. Didn't that mean it was a date? If two single guys go to lunch...how is that not a date?

Duo sighed and looked down at his knees. It couldn't have been a date. After dating someone like Zechs, why on earth would Quatre want him? Zechs was twice the man he'd ever be and more. Duo glared at the floor as he thought of Zech's lean figure and toned arms and legs; and no one could resist his long blond hair and sexy blue eyes. Even Duo himself had been attracted to him during the war! He was, by ever definition, a god…what was Duo? He looked up at his reflection in the television and sighed. Sure, his hair was just as long as Zechs'; probably even longer; and sure he was toned and could probably match Zechs in a physical challenge; but who was he really?

Duo chuckled low in his throat. "Just some slum from L2 who got lucky."

He glared at his reflection. He suddenly hated his violet eyes. Why did they have to be different? It was clear that Quatre was not interested in different. He liked structure. It made since: Trowa always had his head on his shoulders. Nothing ever got to him; nothing ever got under his skin. And look at Wufei. Wufei was perfect in every way. He never failed at something he wished to accomplish. Even Zechs had drive. He was always so strong in everything he's ever done. He sighed. Duo was nothing like any of those men. He was outgoing and playful and rarely ever serious. He had a hard time trusting people with his thoughts and feelings. Heero was the only one he had ever let in. Not even Hilde knew about Duo's past.

"Why would Quatre ever want me?" His voice echoed in the silent room.

He heard footsteps and turned around. Heero was, again, leaning against the door frame. Duo hadn't even heard him come in! He smirked and walked inside, shutting the door behind him. He walked to Duo and knelt in front of him. He took Duo's hands in his and forced him to meet his eyes.

"Duo…" his voice was more serious than Duo had ever heard it before. He was drawn to Cobalt blue eyes. "Duo," Heero continued, "I want you to know something. Something that I've always meant to tell you but…I always just assumed you already knew." He smiled softly. The same smile that, until recently, only Duo had seen. "You are the most amazing man I know."

Duo's eyes widened slightly. He tried to pull back but Heero wouldn't let him. "I want you to listen to me Duo." Heero said more firmly. Duo settled down and Heero continued. "Duo," he sighed, "One of the reasons I loved you so much was because you were different than the rest of us. I was drawn to your gorgeous violet eyes because they stood out. I loved running my hands through your hair and the way the sun would shine off of it. You saw just as much chaos as the rest of us, maybe in some cases even more, and I never saw you without a smile on your face. And I know," Heero raised a hand to stop Duo from replying. "I know it was your defense mechanism and I know I told you it's not healthy, but I want you to understand something. Your smile is what drew me too you, but there was something much bigger that made me stay."

Duo swallowed hard, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall. "Wh-what's that?" He asked softly.

Heero smiled again and chuckled. "It was your uniqueness. Despite all the pain you went through, you still had hope that one day everything would be fine. That one day we could lead a normal life, and you were right." Heero stood and sat on the arm rest of Duo's chair. "Duo, you are amazing. I don't ever want you comparing yourself to anyone else because as far as I'm concerned, no man can ever match up to you."

Duo felt the tears rolling down his cheeks and he couldn't stop them. He laid his head on Heero's lap and cried. Heero rubbed his back supportively and the two sat in silence until Duo cried himself out. Duo sniffed and chuckled embarrassedly. He looked up at Heero and wiped his eyes.

"Hey, how do you always manage to find me when I need you most?" He chuckled.

Heero smirked. "I know you, Duo Maxwell. I know how you tick." He winked.

Duo laughed and shook his head. He wiped the tears away from his cheeks and stood up. "I'm sorry I'm such a hassle to you."

Heero stood and pulled Duo into a brotherly hug. "You're not. I'm glad to be here."

Duo returned the embrace and buried his head into Heero's neck. He always felt so safe in Heero's arms. When he pulled away, he felt much better. He smiled at Heero and sighed.

"I'm tired of putting all of you through this. It's time that I ended it."

Heero raised a brow, but before he could ask, Duo continued.

"I'm going to tell him." He sighed, willing away the shakiness that was threatening to overtake him. "I'm having lunch with him tomorrow. I…I'm gonna tell him then." He shrugged. "Regardless of his reaction…at least it will be out in the open…right?"

Heero smiled and nodded. "Right."

Duo took in another deep breath and let it out slowly. He turned to his reflection in the television and sighed again. "Right…"

Well, there's chapter 12. Sorry for the long delay, I am totally swamped at the moment. I'll try to get the next chapter out as soon as I can. Thanks so much to all my reviewers! Skye, Stratagirl, anissa32, SkittleGoddess, Vastulja Sata Menton, and Amy Hirosaki. You guys rock! Thanks so much for the support and I really hope you liked this chapter!