Disclaimer: GW does not belong to me I'm only an obsessed ff writer. The lowest of the low...

Dying for a Life Worth Living - A Lady Syndil story

Chapter Summary: Time to leave the Hospital is at hand. Friends welcome Heero to her 'Home'

Main pairing 1X2, Side pairs 3x4 5xS

Warnings: Shonen Ai, Yaoi. Language, some humor.

chapter 9 - Decisions and transitions

Having so many familiar faces to greet her when she arrived at the house, would hopefully ease the transition from the sterile and safe hospital environment, to the hugely more personal one of being in her own home, with Duo. And the 'old' Heero's stuff.

One of the many things Heero and Duo had already agreed upon during their many long talks were the sleeping arrangements. Neither had liked being parted each night, hell they'd hated it. And quite honestly Heero had no desire whatsoever to sleep in the 'old' Heero's bed. Also Duo was barely sleeping at night in the empty house. Nightmares had him waking up each and every night shaking and sweating, they hadn't been quite this bad since shortly after the first war, and before he'd moved in with Hilde until the second war. Heero already knew from the 'old' Heero's memories that Duo suffered , as did all the Gundam pilots from terrible nightmares. War is not pretty and they had all done things that haunted them. But with Duo, his had started well before the wars, and it was those nightmares that often tore the normally resilient American up for days afterwards.

Duo had found out long ago that he slept much better as long as someone was nearby, and he had also found that Heero's solid presence had always been the most effective. Even when the stoic Japanese male was in another room. But now, with the 'new' Heero, well... Every time Heero had napped, Duo had gotten in the bed and napped with him. And twice Duo had been allowed to stay overnight. Seems on Saturday night the rules regarding visitor hours were waved. While sleeping in the 'new' Heero's arms, Duo had slept soundly, peacefully, and completely nightmare free. For the first time in years, perhaps ever.

So it was decided early on that they would turn the 'old' Heero's bedroom into a spare room. With 'new' Heero moving into Duo's larger bedroom with him, that way they would be together. Back when they had originally moved in the 'old' Heero had given Duo the house's Master bedroom and attached Master bath. His logic simple, he just didn't need the space as he still lived a rather Spartan lifestyle and didn't have a lot of stuff. That was going to change. The 'new' Heero wasn't even close to being as repressed and unsociable as the old one was.

The third small bedroom that had basically been empty since moving in they decided to make into a home office space. Heero had no problem with Duo's request to keep the Computer, laptop and other associated equipment out of their bedroom.

Another thing they had talked about and agreed upon during Heero's hospital stay was to just trash most of their old mis-matched furniture. Seeing as they were going to have the time, they figured they would go out and get all new stuff. Stuff which they would pick out together. Both Heero and Duo were actually quite excited about it. To the both of them, this signified not only a new start, but solidified their standing as a couple. Something they both seemed to need.

Now money had never been the problem with replacing the old worn out furniture. Both ex-Gundam pilots had several bank accounts spread around here and there, plumped up with siphoned OZ and Romerfeller money from the first war. And those old Geezers, J and G had left their charges each with substantial inheritances. It had always been about just finding the time. Neither had taken any real time off since joining the Preventors, as neither male ever seemed to get sick, just injured. And until this last accident even those were usually minor in comparison to what they had gone thru during the wars. That being the case, the boys were even considering painting. The walls were a basic extremely bright white. But once they chose furniture and if Sally gave Heero the go ahead, then they were going to add a little color to tone down the white walls. This was also something best done before the new furniture arrived.

Now you're probably wondering why they even bother working at all and at such a dangerous job. Well think about it...They did, all of them, between the two wars. When Une created the Preventors Wufei had been the first to join at Sally's urging. Then Quatre and Trowa started consulting and working missions that called for their particular skills. When Heero finally realized his life needed direction, and that his skills were still needed to keep the peace they had fought so hard for, he rounded up Duo. And easily talked the equally directionless American into joining with him. Soon after joining the stoic Japanese male and the cocky American found themselves partnered full time.

The 'new' Heero true to 'old' Heero form, spent hours on the internet looking at furniture, decor and color schemes. The difference now than in the past was that Duo looked with him, and they discussed what they did and didn't like. That way when they did go shopping, they would have an idea of what they were looking for in quality, design and color. Seems after his signature color of black, Duo was extremely fond of blue. Gee I wonder why? The 'new' Heero's favorite color was also blue, and she also really liked reds and purples. In particular, violet and amethyst come to mind.

The morning of Heero's release Quatre had Rashid drop him and Trowa off at the house and then had him take Duo to the hospital so he didn't have to drive. Sally dropped Wufei off at the house a little later after they had finished the shopping. Poor Wufei, he absolutely hated shopping of any kind. Then Sally went to the hospital to sign out Heero, and then drive the boys home.

Sally had elected to drive them home as she wanted her patient to arrive safely and in one piece at his house. Not only were both boys nervous and excited about this change. But Sally had had the unfortunate pleasure of being in a car while Duo was driving. Let's just say he drives an awful lot like he had piloted his Gundam Deathscythe. The 'old' Heero wasn't much better, having a serious lead foot, and the 'new' Heero had admitted with a grin to having the same problem.

Sally's bright chatter, the excitement of going 'home' and the presence of the gorgeous chestnut haired violet eyed male kept Heero from worrying too much on the drive. The two boys were snuggled up in the back seat holding hands, as Heero watched the scenery as it past. Now that Heero was out of the restrictive environment of the hospital, they both knew that their relationship would soon be moving on to the next level. Ever since the 'Second Base' incident, the pair had tried to hold back a bit. Keeping it to hand holding, snuggling, kissing and plain ole make out sessions. Not wanting to get quite 'that' carried away again, especially in a place where people were so close and could easily over hear their, well rather Duo's loud vocalizations. Damn the boy was loud, and while Heero loved it, she certainly didn't want to share it with the entire hospital staff. Much to that staffs disappointment.

Eventually they arrived at the house. Sally parked the car and the three headed to the front door. As they neared it Heero had a bit of an inspiration and started smirking to herself. Duo opened the door and let Sally in first with a bright and cheerful..

"Ladies first."

When Duo turned to Heero to allow him to pass thru next he was surprised to find the Japanese male picking him up into his arms. Startled the braided boy squeaked and wrapped his arms around Heero's neck as Heero prepared to step over the threshold for the very first time.

"What the FUCK! Hee-chan are you crazy? Put me down before you hurt yourself!"

Though Duo berated Heero he wasn't struggling as he didn't want to throw Heero off balance and cause him to trip and fall. The thought of actually trying to get away didn't even cross his mind. Even at half strength, if Heero didn't want to let you go, then you weren't going anywhere.

"Hush Koi, do you want to ruin the whole thing?"

"huh?"

Duo stared deep into the warm smiling cobalt eyes, which were crinkled at the corners in mirth. And while Duo's violet eyes blinked as he tried to figure out just what the Hell Heero was talking about, the sturdy Japanese male took two steps and then put the still blinking braided menace back on his feet.

"Now, kiss me."

"Eh? Well you don't have to ask me twice."

Duo grinned and moved in for a smooch. After a moment they pulled apart, Heero actually winked at Duo and then turned to join their amused friends, who were waiting for them and had watched the whole thing. Duo still curious about what Heero was up too just had to ask.

"So um, Hee-chan, what was that all about anyway?" Heero smirked at her Koi and replied.

"Well, this is our first time 'crossing the threshold' as a couple, right?"

"Uh yeah, so?"

"So, I just wanted to make sure I did it the right way, It's an old Earth custom."

As Heero walked further into the house and towards their snickering and waiting friends, Duo eyes narrowed as he thought about it. Quatre, Trowa, Wufei and Sally all watched the play of emotions run across the expressive heart shaped face. Just waiting for the braided menace to realize what Heero was talking about. The gimpy brace wearing Japanese male had just reached the waiting foursome when he finally did.

"What the... Wait a minute, you get back HERE! Hee-Chan!..."

Duo stormed after the now laughing Heero and dragged her back outside the doorway and picked her up, and then carried her over the threshold and then all the way to the couch. Where he dropped the still grinning chocolate haired male and stole another kiss. Sally tried to scold Heero, but the effect was ruined not only by her own laughter, but that of everyone else's. Smiling irrepressibly now Duo asked Heero.

"So whatcha want to do first? Get the tour, eat Fei's cooking or just chill a bit?"

"Food, I'm starving and whatever Wufei is cooking smells awesome."

"Well that's Waffles for ya, he always was the best cook out of the five of us. Trowa's not too bad either, but the rest of us still sort of suck."

"That's Wufei you asshole. Besides why do you think I offered to cook? Personally Maxwell I'm surprised that you haven't blown this kitchen to Hell and back yet." As the kitchen was open to the living and dining room areas Wufei could easily join in as he put the finishing touched on dinner.

"Oh funny Fei, I haven't actually blown up a kitchen since I was sixteen and Hilde finally showed me how to operate the microwave. At least I wasn't as bad as Q, He kept trying to poison us."

Quatre sitting on Trowa's lap in the beat up old beige, at least they thought it had been beige at some point, recliner. Put on his most innocent look and blinked this big aqua blue eyes at everyone.

"Why Duo, whatever do you mean?"

"Quat, You know I'll eat just about anything , Hell I've eaten garbage and even rats when I was livin on the streets of L2. Good protein there, but a little gamey. Anyway, Dude, even 'I' can't eat your cooking. And as the protector of innocent and naive stomachs everywhere,...Well, I can no longer let you continue your deluded fantasy of someday becoming a world famous chef." Duo was grinning like a maniac by this point. The cocky American in his element, sitting next to his Hee-chan on the old lumpy couch, teasing and being teased, and surrounded by the people he cared for most in all the world.

"Really Duo I wasn't 'that' bad." Behind Quatre's head Trowa was actually grinning and nodding his head.

"Q-man, I used your coffee as lube on 'Sythe, and your biscuits were weapons of mass destruction. Hell I think I even used them as ammo once."

Quatre grasped his chest with one hand, while dramatically pressing the back of the other to his forehead and fell back against Trowa's chest in mock horror. As if he had 'never' hear this before. Chuckling at his fellow ex-pilots antics, Wufei announced that dinner was ready. Which he served on Duo's mis-matched china and using Heero's mis-matched silverware. The meal itself was not only edible but absolutely delicious.

Syn: Day moves into evening, dinner is served and friends gathered make for a warm homecoming. But what will happen once they leave?