Title: Learn from past and live for future
Pairings: 1x2
Chapter 4
When Duo was small kid on the streets of the colony V-08744 of the L2, he never believed he would get anywhere. He also never knew anything about his parents or what his real name was. But he really had a good memory of his best friend and gang leader Solo, who died of a fever. In honour of him he adopted his own name with thoughts of "If Solo is with me, we will be Duo."
Eventually luck was with him and he was adopted by Father Maxwell and Sister Helen, the priest and head nun of the Maxwell Church. Both were the only two people he really loved as much as he did Solo. That was even how he got his last name "Maxwell".
Although he gone through hard years of war between Earth and its colonies in space; he got out of it more than he could imagine. He got a family; not a family as per say but brothers, friends and confidants. And he loved them deeply from that time on.
After the war all five of them went their separate ways. He understood them so he never blamed them for it; even if he was alone. He never thought "How could they?" or "Why don't they call?" or "Are they even missing me?" All five of them had hard childhood and each of them needed a lot of time to get through there memories and emotions, so he waited and lived his own life as peaceful as he could make it for himself.
After going their separate ways he let go of his nickname "Shinigami (God of Death)" and travelled through Earth. His travel lead him to different places, some beautiful, some mystical but when he got to New Mexico he felt at home instantly. Somehow he just felt at peace there. So, it was there he bought land. At first it was just a few acres with a small living cabin but then land further into the forest went out on sale and he bought all he could. Now he was the owner of 1000 acres.
The land lay between two forests and if you were to see it from high up you, you would say it looked like a hamburger. The grass on it was not always green or not green in all the places, but Duo loved it with all he was. And now after 8 or 9 years of living on it and changing it day by day his changes could be seen.
...
It was 5 am when Duo stood up. He woke up a few hours ago and could not shut down his mind or thoughts. At first he tried to ignore it but eventually he realized sleep wouldn't come. So all he could do was stand up and be useful to all his animals and maybe stop thinking about what day it was today.
At first he visited his own horse. His name was Shiny and he was a silver grey coloured mustang. Duo got him as a colt so he knew the farm from all corners. He was the only horse who could run around the whole property without bothering others; if he choose to do so. He saw himself as an Alfa dog of the farm. From the moment Duo got him on a farm that horse could not stand not being in control of it. In Duos mind Shiny often thought of himself as a dog or something. He always wanted to be first at anything or wanted to take care of all who he deemed to shield. It was his favourite animal.
He also had a wish to get 4 more horses. Would it not be funny to find horses with the same personality as the other pilots? He told Quatre of that idea and small blond got really excited and promised Duo he would look for his own.
At 6 am he was sitting under his favourite tree and was watching the sun arise. The colours where not as intense as they were when the sun was going down; but it still had a meaning for him. For Duo every arising sun told him a new day was starting; with its own problems and fun.
When half of an hour went by a voice came out of nowhere and startled him.
"Duo?" His right hand was coming toward him. His name was Joe Turner.
Joe Turner was a big man with a broad shoulders and almost 10 years older from Duo. First time he saw him was 6 years ago. Duo remembered it as it was yesterday when two men startled him in the dead of the night.
...
At that time Duo had been living on his property for 2 years. His old barrack was only a little bit repaired, just enough that he had a roof over his head and a warm bad. It was enough for him at that time, so his work was mostly done on fencing. It was summer at that time so Duo spent a lot of days outside with a fire and sleeping bag. Duo sometime asked himself if that could count as a camping. He would have to ask Quatre.
It was one of those nights when Duo sat by the fire and thought about his past. All day he was putting wire fences on the borders. He chose them just to tell whoever tried to come on his land that it had an owner. That night he was at the same spot by the fire by himself when a sound broke him out of his thought and on the other side of his fire a big very serious looking guy stood a few feet away. At first Duo thought he was dreaming but then another sound broke under someone else footsteps and another smaller guy stood next to larger guy. Both took him by surprise just coming out of nowhere but he was not Duo Maxwell for nothing.
"Hello fellows, beautiful night is it not?" because no response came forward he continued "any way, while I like a good surprise I have to say it; is it not a little late for a visit?" at his question both man looked toward one another and you could tell that a silent conversation was taking place between the two.
Because he did not know how long they would communicate with each other he continued "My name is Duo Maxwell, and once I was a Gundam pilot so I have to warn you both that I am very capable of taking care of myself. If both of you have bad intentions please leave; but if you guys need some kind of help I am all ears."
That broke the quiet and larger guy stepped closer to Duos fire.
"My name is Joe Turner" while saying that he put out his right hand and made a gesture to shake hand with him. When they did, he continued "my companion is Tom Turner, he is my husband." At that Duo was nicely surprised. It was not every day you got to meet gay married couple.
"Hi Joe and Tom Turner. How can I help you out?" At his question some kind of break broke and both relaxed there cold manners "Oh, sorry for my bad hospitality but come both sit, sit."
When both sat on the other side of his fire, they at first looked at him then the larger man started to speak again "How is it possible for such a young guy to own such a large piece of land?"
At, first Duo thought they were mocking him, but when he saw real puzzlement in both their faces he let it go "To answer that truthfully, if I tell you I would have to kill you after." When they still looked at him like he was crazy, he continued "Sorry, I always wanted to say that," he smiled at them "As I said it earlier I was a Gundam Pilot and I went through shit load of training. I used a few of the tricks I learned to be able to live as I am now. It's better that I leave it at that."
The big guy whose hair was cut short as an army guy nodded "it also looks like you don't mind gay people."
"No, why should I?" Duo knew how some people thought about homosexuality especially on Earth but for Duo it was never a problem. He also knew from his childhood that he was the same. "I am gay to, so there is no problem for me." At his words both man smiled toward each other. To Duo that said a lot. They couldn't have happy time even if they were married. "How can I help you out? If I can help I will, I promise".
"That is very generous from someone who doesn't know us" when he saw Duo wanted to respond he continued quickly "no, let me explain" and so he did.
"Both of us came from a small town. It's a closed community where outsiders are not welcome. We both grow up together and were friends from childhood. When we knew we both felt more than a friendship for one another we became a couple. But we did not know gays where not welcome at home. So we were told to change or to leave." For a while there was just a fire burning and sounds of small animals could be heard all around them.
"I can guess you both left" Duo felt bad for them but at the same time saw how strong they became when united.
"Yes, we did and even if we had some problems because of it we are together so it was worth it. Anyway, we were nearby in a town called "Leachlock" and there we rumours going around that some young guy bought a lot of land and is living on it all alone. They don't know you and they don't know what your intentions are for that land so some are suspicious of you."
To Duo that was something new, something he did not know was happening. He never was a person who cared what unknown people thought about him. Maybe not coming regularly into the town made people think strange things.
"If I'm being honest with both of you I don't see problem with that. It's there problem not my. I go into town when I need something if I don't I don't go. Is that the reason why you guys came?"
Joe shrugged his shoulders "No, we wanted to check you out and see if you need any help. We had some bad experiences with finding work as a couple. So we came out here and where watching you to see what kind of person you are."
So, those two were watching him. His senses told him someone was out there but when nothing happened he got use to that feeling and was set to wait. His experiences showed him that sometimes it was wiser to wait it out and see what would happen.
Joe continued "for now we both know that you are a very honest person with good heart."
The praise was warmly collected and it gave Duo a good feeling "thanks."
"We looked for a place where we could live and work for a long time. So, we were hoping you would need some help with your beautiful land. We would do whatever you need?" when he said all that he got quiet.
Duo had the feeling they would give him more than enough time to think about what they told him and to make a decision in peace. But he did not need it. He knew he could not let them go without giving them some hope. He had enough land to give them some place on it. "I don't see any problem. Both of you can live on my land for how long you want it."
The eyes of smaller guy, who did not say a word, got all teary and he hid his face into his partners right shoulder. Joe without looking toward his partner pulled him to his chest. "That is very nice of you. Thank you! We almost stopped hoping we would ever find a place where we would be welcome."
When both of them got all their feelings in control Joe asked "Have you any plans for the land you bought? Do you intend to bread animals?"
Duo got red in the face "If I am honest with both of you I don't know much about working on the land. The reason why I bought it is because I am from L2 colony. On it there is no nature. Everything is fake there. There is no grass, no water, no trees no sounds of small animals in the night."
"WOW, I never thought I would see anyone form any colony in New Mexico." Joe replayed.
"L2 is not a nice colony. Compared to Earth it's a dumpster." Duo commented "That is the reason why after the war I promised myself to go to Earth and see all we did not have." For few second he was quite but then he continued "I travelled around the whole of Earth and I saw each world wonder in person. But after I came here I just could not move away. From the moment I got here I felt at peace. The land gives me good vibes and I love it here." After saying that he smiled and they smiled back.
When the silence continued for a long time Duo new it was time for all three of them to go to sleep "It's my time to try and get some sleep. Make yourself as comfortable as you can. When the sun comes up we will go through the whole property and you guys can decide where you want to put your roots down. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes, thank you again." Joe said quietly.
Through days, months and years they shared a lot of personal experiences with each other. The deal Duo made with them was simple "You guys can do whatever you would do if the land was yours. I will support you in all, just be fare toward me. If you guys need anything just tell me and we will go from there."
And fare they were. Both of them even showed Duo a lot of stuff he did not know. They were patient with him, told him when he was screwing up and when he did well. They also gave him a lot of good ideas what they could do on his land. In his mind they were partners.
...
Now, after living and working with both of them for 5 years they trust each other in anything. For Duo they were part of his family. "Hey Joe, you checking the fences?" when Joe reached Duo he jump down from his horse and tied its reins loosely on the fence.
"Yes, Tom heard strange noises last night so we are checking it out. We both went one way, it's faster" while he talked he set down near Duo.
"Thank God we change wire fences for wooden. I never want to see any dying animal hanged on them, ever again. That poor Fox." For Duo it was a really horrible day when they found a Fox dangling on the wire.
"You did not know," Joe replayed "and now not even your horse can jump those fences."
"Shiny would not agree with you" Duo smiled while thinking of his horse. "How was your visit to Tom's sister?"
Both Joe and Tom went to Tom sister because her husband died. They wanted to be there for her and take care of the funeral.
"I wanted to talk with you, about her."
"Of course, tell me what is wrong"
"It's her; she does not feel safe there on her own any more. She worries something will happen to her and to her son. He is 3 years old and is blind." That last sentence was said quietly. "I was hoping you could help us with her" Joe continued.
"Does she have problems because her son is blind? How? Why?" Duo asked in bewilderment.
"Being strange is taboo in my home town. People are afraid of not normality. That's why they make some foolish stories to make a problem even if there is none. The kid was just born blind. That is all." Joe explained to Duo
"Do not tell me you want to move back to her?" Duo really did not want to lose those two man.
"WHAT?" Joe almost shouted horrified "For Christ Sake, no. Don't make that joke. Tom would strangle you if he heard you just suggesting it".
Yes he really would. That small and quite guy was very emotional that way. "Oh, good" Duo was relieve at the same time. "I would miss you guys horribly". Both took it as a joke even if both new it was not.
"I was hoping she could come to us." Joe suggested it while looking at Duo with question eyes.
"Does she want to move? Did she agree to it?" Duo asked.
"It was her idea. She did not want to tell us what happened or what made her want to move but she knows that we are very happy where we are; so she was hopping she could come to live with us. So, what do you think?"
"I don't have any problems with her moving here. We have a lot of space" Duo smiled at that.
"Indeed, we do" so did Joe.
"But, your place is not big enough for 2 more people."
"We will squeeze. It's no problem."
"Don't be an idiot." Duo replayed. "When will she be coming?"
"She has her own bakery and is living in a small house." Joe explained "she has to close it down and sell both properties; also the community won't let her leave just like that. They will try to persuade her to stay. They can legally do that for 2 weeks but she won't change her mind. If I guess I would say in 2 months she could be ready."
"Okay, we can do a lot in that time"
Joe look at him astonished "What are you talking about?"
"We will upgrade your house for few more rooms," Duo explained excitedly. "You haves lived in it for 5 years, so it has to be run down by now and we both know Simon will be thrilled to get a new project from us."
Simon Frey was small and self-employed architect. He worked on Duos house and each room personally; he even put him together with a great painter Bobby Marrow.
"Yes, he would." Joe replayed.
"Before you call him you and Tom have to sit down and think about what you want to add or want to change," he thought for a while quietly then continued "then you call him and invite him to a breakfast, tomorrow."
"But Duo, you know we don't have such a capital."
"As a landlord I should think about that much sooner." Duo replayed "You are both grown up guys and even for two of you it's a small place."
"It's no problem for us Duo, we don't need much. You know that" he tried.
"I know," Duo said quietly more to himself then to Joe "But, now we can make it better than it was. So, don't think about the money, please?"
"Okay then," Joe said than he remembered something "Oh, Terry called today and told me that school got a weekend trip to some camp. She is asking if we could take care of the school horses for that time."
"We always do," Duo said ironically. Then it was Duos time to remember about Heero.
"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you," he started. "Do you remember about the time when I was telling you about other Gundam Pilots?"
Joe looked at Duo "Four of them, right?"
"Yes, you met Quatre, Trowa and Wufei but you never met Heero Yuy".
"Yes, I remember," Joe repaid.
"When you both where away he made me an unexpectedly visited."
Duo did not want to talk about Heero's problems with Relena or his kid but still did not want to lie to Joe so he tried with simple words. "He has some family problems and needs a place to stay. He will be arriving later today with his son and will be staying in my house for as long as he wants it."
Joe's mouth stood open and to Duo it seen like he was surprised.
"We get to meet Heero Yuy, that Gundam Pilot who saved Earth from destruction?"
"Hey, I was there to," Duo sounded offended but was still joking.
"Yes, Yes," he waved his hand toward Duo "but still Heero Yuy. I read a lot about him in a book" Joe replayed.
"For real? There is a book about him?" what else did Duo not know.
"Yes, there is a book about him and Quatre. I was looking for others but couldn't find it. How come you did not know?"
"I don't like to read gossip about us. There is small amount of people who know the whole story and all you read is probably not even real or if it is, it's not the whole truth." Duo explained. If he was honest with himself he doubted someone would even read about him. Who was he anyway?
Sounds of hoofs could be heard from distance and both Joe and Duo knew which horse was galloping toward them.
"I am telling you Duo, that horse of yours is crazy."
"Don't I know it, but I wouldn't like to change him. I just hope he won't scare Heero and the kid too much."
"Did you have any problems with him while we were away?" Joe asked
"Nope, he was really gentleman always doing as he was told and never being too loud or to annoying to any other horse." Duo said rhetorically
"When that day comes we will know something is wrong with him."
While they were talking, Shiny was galloping toward both men with speed like something was after him. When he reached them he made a few circles around them to slow the speed and few minutes after that he stood right before Duo. "I am sure Buch is the reason he thinks he is a dog; or something" Duo announced to Joe.
"Probably, and even Tom likes to compete with both of them."
While they were talking Shiny butted his head in Duos chest and lifted his right hoof up. It was always funny to see a horse trying to communicate with a human.
"Strange way of showing what he really wants to do" Joe thought aloud.
"I know, but is he not cute begging like that," even to Duo it sounded like he was mocking his horse but in reality it was a hard work to get him so far as he was today.
"Okay, then I will go with Shiny and play with him. If you need anything you know where to find me" with that both men saddled their own horses and went their own way.
...
The drive to Duos place was long and tiresome. Heero could hardly wait to get to their end destination. Through the whole drive they stopped almost 7 times; two times to eat and other times just to stretch their legs and get a drink. Even Solo stopped looking around and was almost dozing in the back seat.
"You think he is home?" Heero asked Wufei.
"Where else would he be," Wufei said it like there was no doubt about it.
When they reach the drive in into Duos property he did not remember to see the fences first time he drove in. He had probably driven on autopilot. "How come he has such height fences?"
Wufei looked briefly toward the border to see what Heero was talking about. "He doesn't want his horses trying to jump over them and if they are higher than hopefully won't try."
While they were driving toward the main house Solo woke up and was plastered to the windows. He was moving from one side to the other to see it all. In his face he saw wanders "Daddy, look they have horses here." When he saw another wander for such a smile head he continued "Daddy, look they have rabbits there too."
"Solo, take your sit" Heero's eyes were moving to left and right as his sons were and even if he did not say it aloud he was as excited as his kid was. "I was told they have all kind of animals here."
"Do you think they will want to be my friends," Solo asked both grown ups.
"Not even a squirrel could say no to you," Wufei said with a smile.
"They have a squirrel too," now Solo's voice got huge.
When they got to the main house nobody was coming out and nobody was around, all they could hear where happy shouts. Sounds come from behind the nearest barn which stood left of the house almost a mile away from it.
"What do you think they are doing," Heero asked Wufei.
"I have an idea what is happening but I won't tell you. I want to see your reaction to it." Wufei said with smirk. "Come lets us see."
TBC
Author note:
First, I want to apologize for such a long break. I had some family issues which made me put my writing down. I hope the chapter is to everyone's liking. To those, who are asking how much money Duo has do not! In my story Duo hack a lot of OZ military basses and took their money. So, from my point of view he is reach as much as Quatre is but only Quatre knows that fact.
Also, I was told English grimmer doesn't use italic for talking's but I like to use it so it's easier for a reader to see differences between talking's and thoughts.
At the end I also want to say "Thank you, for great work" to my Beta reader "Poisonsnake23" - You done great work. Thank you for having patient with me.