Title: Even If You Smile
Pairing: 1 x R/Implied 2 x R
Rating: T
Warning(s): Mild Language
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and characters belong to it's original creators, Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency and any other peoples and/or companies. This story is for unofficial entertainment purposes only.
Notes: I edited the story for the third time (08/02/08). I hope you like the improvements.
He was running out of time.
Duo Maxwell, the somewhat cocky and sarcastic, but sweet and charming, former Gundam pilot was running out of time.
He jumped from his parked motorcycle and ran towards the Cathedral's elaborate entrance doors. He stopped once he was inside the sanctuary, struggled to tighten the blue tie around his neck, and hurriedly shoved his white tuxedo shirt into his black trousers. After running a calloused hand through his snarled and unruly chestnut hair, he finally inhaled a much needed gulp of oxygen.
"Thank you, God! The wedding hasn't started yet. I still have time to talk to her." He panted.
Duo looked around the sanctuary. It certainly was a nice place: Oak wood pews, marble flooring, elaborate arch ceilings, and majestic stained glass windows. White and red roses decorated the alter. Duo stared at the large wooden cross, which was the focal point of the large room. He took in another breath of air before bowing his head. Duo was never an extremely dedicated or devout Catholic. He never prayed every night or read his Bible nearly as much as he should have, but he still believed in Jesus with all of his heart, and knew God was with him. It was one of the very few things Sister Helen managed to instill in him when he was a child before she died.
Dear Father, forgive me for what I am about to do. I know I shouldn't do this, but I have to! Please help Relena and Heero forgive me too.
It was true. The American was about to do something Heero and Relena would probably never forgive him for. Especially poor Relena.
He was going to object to her marrying Heero but not by interrupting the ceremony. He was taking a much more subtle approach. The plan was to get Relena alone long enough to talk to her. Duo had the whole scenario planned out. He was going to enter her dressing room saying he had a message from Heero, and if that didn't work, he was just going to say he lost the rings for the ceremony. Heh. That would certainly start some chaos. But that was going to be the easy part.
The difficult part, the part he was dreading yet strangely yearning for, was the part where he would tell Relena everything. All of his emotions and desires. Everything he had kept bottled up inside since he first laid eyes on the fair-haired girl when they were fifteen.
Duo had to admit, he sure picked one hell of a day to declare his undying love. Then again, if the great God of Death was going to finally die, he might as well go out with a bang! He just wasn't too sure if it was going to be Relena or Heero doing the killing.
Duo took in a few more deep breaths as he slid into his black tuxedo jacket and walked towards Relena's dressing room. Lucrezia Noin Peacecraft stood on guard outside the door. Protecting the bride from anyone trying to sneak a peek of her before the ceremony. Duo gave his best playful grin towards the Matron of Honor.
"Hey, Lucrezia. You're looking very sexy today. Have I ever told you that Zechs has spectacular taste in women."
The raven haired woman laughed but was not buying the act for a minute, "What do you want, Duo?"
The American brushed a strand of loose hair away from his eyes. "I have a little note from the future hubby," He pulled out a folded piece of notebook paper from the inside pocket of his jacket. "One last little love note before they tie the knot, ya know, how these young lover type deals go." In reality, it was a doodle Duo drew of a stick-figured Heero being stepped on by Deathscythe Hell Custom. Duo jealous? Nahhh. Not a bit.
"Nice try." She smirked. "What do you really want?"
Damn it! Duo's fake smile faltered. His jovial tone turned guttural and serious.
"Fine. Look..." Where to begin? What to say? "You have to let me in there." He swallowed and bit on his lower lip before continuing. "If you don't I'm going to regret it for the rest of my life." Duo did not know what else to say, but he hoped that if anyone had any sympathy for him whatsoever, it would be Noin. After all of the months and years she spent keeping her feelings hidden from Zechs...She would be the one who would feel the most sympathy for him.
Noin stared at the twenty-two year old's furrowed brow and the determined expression etched across his handsome face. She never said a word but stepped away from the door to let him pass. For a split second, Duo gazed into her eyes, studying her, trying to see if she caught onto his situation. The softness in her eyes made him speculate that perhaps Noin understood his dilemma more than she let on.
He gave Noin a weak smile before he gently knocked the door.
"Come in."
Duo hesitantly stepped inside the small bridal dressing room and shut the door behind him.
"...Duo! What are you doing here?" Relena gasped yet remained stationary in her chair.
But her question did not register in Duo's mind. His eyes were too wide and his mouth too open to comprehend anything the Princess said.
"You're gorgeous." He let out after five seconds of silence.
The young woman blushed. "Thank you... ."
Ah. Focus, Maxwell. Tell her. Do it. There's no turning back now.
"Relena, I..." No. No. He could not go through with it. He could not betray his best friend on his wedding day. How could he be so callous and cold? Relena was the one source of happiness Heero had. She was the one person that gave him purpose and feeling.
Duo grinded his teeth. But what about his happiness? He had a right to express his emotions! He had to say what was on his heart before it slowly but surely ate him alive. Ironically, Heero was always the one who said to act on your emotions no matter the cost. And that was just what Duo intended to do.
