DISCLAIMER: These characters aren’t mine, simple as that!


Anytime
by SkyLark



One October morning, Hero woke just before sunrise. Waking early never
bothered him, but his friend that he shared this room and house with
hated even the thought of getting anytime before ten in the morning. Rolling
on his side to face the other young pilot’s bed, Heero’s cobalt eyes widened with amazement. Duo wasn’t there. In fact, his bed had been neatly
made, something that would never happen until after Duo had breakfast. This sight surprised Heero enough that he sat up in his own bed right
away. Wearing his seep blue tank and black boxers, he stared at the bed,
making sure that he was really awake. He got out from under the covers and
stood to leave the room and looked for the braided American.

When he reached the bottom of the steps and entered and living room, he
could see through one of the large windows there that Duo was sitting on the
front porch, looking off into the horizon of the beach and ocean. The sky
was just beginning to show bright shades of pink, violet and yellow.

“Strange,” was all that Heero could say to himself as he watched the other
pilot for a minute like that. Finally, curiosity got the best of him as he
stepped out the front door and followed the wooden path of the porch that
wrapped around the entire home. Reaching the side that Duo was silently
sitting at, he stopped and looked at the other pilot, who did not hear or
see him there yet.

It was the first time that Heero had not seen Duo so quiet as he sat there
watching the sunrise. The only time he was like this was when there was
something on his mind, or when he was watching the stars. He sat there with
a look of almost sadness with his legs hanging off the side of the porch,
his bare feet sitting on the second step there. His attire consisted of his
gray tank top and loose black running shorts. The Japanese pilot took a few
slow steps closer to his friend, who now heard him coming. Duo quickly
turned to face Heero. For a second, he sat there, staring at him, lips
parted a bit and eyes glued on his face. After a short moment of gazing at
him in that way, he smiled his usual and friendly smile.

“Morning, Heero,” he welcomed.

Heero looked at him and nodded, “Morning, Duo.” The American then turned to
watch the sunrise again. As he did so, he patted the wood next to him.

“There’s room if you want to watch the sunrise, too,” he offered, still with
a cheerful tone.

Heero shrugged his usual, “Hn.” He always did enjoy watching the sunrise.

This was the first time that he would be watching it with anyone else. He
sat beside the other pilot and sighed in relief of the peacefulness and
quiet. Though their house was a good walk from the beach, the ocean breeze
was still able to make it to them, blowing through Heero’s locks and Duo’s
braid. The salty scent adding to the pleasantness of the atmosphere and
surroundings. It was chilly, regarding the fact that it was almost
officially fall, but neither of them let it bother them. There were only two
people that Heero was always content to be around...his cousin and (though
he would never admit it at this time) Duo. It was strange but he was happy
that he was sharing this place with the ’Baka,’ as he would still commonly
call him. Duo’s presence was always like a breath of fresh air to him, even
though all too often that air came from the braided pilot’s mouth since he
would rarely keep it shut.

Watching the sunrise with him was a warm, comfortable experience. They just
sat there quietly for minutes that soon became an hour.

Heero surprised himself as he thought, “I wonder if watching the sunset with
Duo would be as nice as this.” As soon as this thought went through his
head, he forced it out just as quickly. Before long, the sun was in full
sight as the sky was a bright, beautiful blue.

Duo spoke for the first time since Heero joined him. He didn’t turn his head
to look at him, however, but he did lower his head. “I’m going back to L2,”
he said in a whisper.

This news came as a great surprise to Heero as his cobalt eyes widened and
he turned to the other soldier. “You are?” he asked, with the faintest hint
of disappointment in his voice.

Duo nodded, “There’s something that I have to do.”

Heero again surprised himself as this time, he let his thoughts become
verbal as he asked, “Will you be coming back here?” This question took Duo
by surprise as he turned and looked into his best friend’s eyes.

He smiled warmly, “Of course I’ll be back. I’ll just be there tonight and
most of tomorrow. I just have something that I need to take care of, that’s
all. I’ll be back as soon as it’s done.”

Heero was a little confused as he shrugged, “Seems a little pointless to be
heading out there if you’ll only be spending a day there.”

Duo’s smile faded quickly as his face gave a look of loneliness and sorrow.
The expression was unlike any other that the Wing pilot had seen on him
before. He cursed to himself, aware that he just said something really
stupid and hurtful, though that was anything but his intention.

“I didn’t mean to off-” he began quickly, but was cut off. Duo forced a
smile and looked away, lowering his head again.

“It’s okay, pal. I know that you didn’t mean to offend me,” he said with a
forced chuckle. “But I still have to do this.” Heero felt the need to try
and make up for his statement, that obviously hurt Duo more than he was
letting on.

He offered with sincerity, “I could go with you If you want...Keep you out
of trouble since that’s always a problem when you’re alone.”

Deathscythe’s pilot’s eyes suddenly widened as his jaw dropped. “Y-You
really mean it? You’ll go with me?” he asked with shock and hopefulness
intertwined in his tone.

Heero nodded, “Sure. I haven’t been able to see that Colony for very long.
The only time I was there was to find you and bring you here with me.”

Duo’s face lit up as he threw his arms around his friend. “This means a lot
to me, Heero. Thank you,” he whispered with a huge smile on his face as he
held Heero tightly. It was the first real hug that Heero ever received. His
eyes were wide as he simple sat there, arms to his side and uncertain of
what to do with the other pilot wrapped around him.

After a brief moment, Duo released his embrace as he sat back, sharing his
wide smile with the Japanese pilot. “I never had the chance to be with
someone for this,” he stated as he jumped to his bare feel and ran to the
front door. Before turning the corner, he called to Heero, “We have to get
packing. The shuttle Howard is lending me will be ready by noon.”

Heero got to his feet and walked far behind Duo as he ran up to their room.
“What is it that you has to do, baka?” he asked himself aloud as he climbed
the stairs now.

********************

While packing, Duo informed Heero that he would need a nice, dressy outfit
if he had one. This wasn’t a problem since Heero never lacked nice clothing
for special occasions, should they ever come up. He packed everything that
he needed for the overnight stay as Duo did the same. After breakfast, they
took motor skies to the port where Howard was awaiting Duo’s arrival.

The two pilots were taken in as they greeted their old friend. “Good to see
you both,” Howard smiled as Duo tackled him with a hug.

“Good to see you, too, Howy!” the braided young man cheered. Howard and
Heero shook hands as they nodded to each other.

“The shuttle is ready for the trip whenever you are,” the old, kind man told
them.

“Thanks again for everything, Howard,” Duo sighed as he headed to the small
ship. “Don’t mention it, Duo. You just let me know whenever I can help,”
Howard replied.

From there, Heero and Duo placed their small suitcases onto the ship and
pulled into their spacesuits. Duo jumped into the pilot’s seat as Heero sat
in the copilot’s chair. Placing their helmets on and securing their
seatbelts, Duo looked over to his friend and smiled, “Ready?” Heero nodded.
Duo punched a few buttons and guided the shuttle with the hand controls.
With that, they were airborne.

When they entered space, the American keyed in the coordinates that would
guide the ship to Colony L2 with autopilot.

The two pilots removed their helmets as Duo sighed, “Well, nothing to do now
but relax.”

They both took their seatbelts off along with the rest of their suits. They
then just allowed themselves to float around the body of the shuttle. Once
Duo was free of the spacesuit, he reached down his collar to retrieve
something. The other pilot watched curiously. When his hand came out again,
it held a gold cross. Letting it hang from the chain, Duo looked at it for a
while silently.

Finally, Heero asked, “Just what is this trip about, anyway, Duo?” There was
a brief pause before the answer came.

The once cheerful pilot gave the hint in his voice that he was hurting. “I’m
paying respects,” he said passively. This was not the answer that Heero was
expecting as he looked to the young man with what could have been translated
as concern.

“Family?” he asked quietly. “Yea...Family,” Duo quietly said with a nod.

Acting as though he was on a mattress, Duo floated with his hands behind his
head and body perfectly straight as he stared up to the shuttle‘s ceiling.
“The anniversary of the Maxwell Church Massacre is tomorrow,” he whispered
as he closed his eyes.

Heero’s eyes did just the opposite as they bulged when he heard this.
“What?” he asked himself.

His thoughts ran, “I don’t believe it, I was told by Doctor J about the
Maxwell Church Massacre when it happened.” He thought back to the story of
the incident that his trainer told him. “Only one child was able to escape
death that night,” he recalled. “But it couldn’t have been-” he stopped his
thoughts as he looked to the American as he continued to float there with
his eyes closed.

“Duo?” he asked just as this realization entered his mind.

Duo’s violet eyes opened as he turned to look at Heero. He could see just in
the Japanese pilot’s face that he knew everything now. He nodded with a
frown as he whispered, “If you’re wondering if that kid that survived the
incident was me...Yea. That was me.”

Heero’s jaw dropped for a second as he gasped, “I...I’m sorry, Duo...I had
no idea.”

“It’s okay,” the other young man chuckled, “I never told you until now.”

Heero nodded as he continued to look at his friend. Something inside of the
‘Perfect Soldier’ began to hurt, it was a feeling that he never had before,
but it hurt. He couldn’t think of what to say. The pilot that he came to
respect had a painful past that he never thought to learn more about. He had
just become so accustomed to the pilot’s cheerful attitude towards
everything that he could not even begin to think of his life ever being
devastating.

“Are you okay, Duo?” Heero found himself asking suddenly and gently. This
question was yet another shock to both pilots.

Duo looked to Heero with a soft smile and some tears in his eyes, which he
fought without difficulty. It was just a surprise to see the concern that
Heero had for his feelings. He was rarely asked by anyone if he was alright.
And the fact that the ’Perfect Soldier,’ who he came to love, was asking
became the support that he needed more than anything right now.

He bit his lip, fighting more tears as he whispered, “I’m okay. Thanks for
asking.” The Wing pilot nodded slowly as he still had a concerned expression
all over his face.

Duo looked up to the ceiling again and continued, “Thank you for coming with
me, Heero. I could use your support.”

Heero responded with a small smile of his own as he softly answered,
“Anytime.”

***********************

Two hours later, the shuttle arrived at a port on L2. The sun would be
setting in another two hours. Duo already had made arrangements to stay at a
hotel close to where the Memorial Mass would take place the next day. As
luck would have it, the room had two beds. The two young men unpacked the
few belongings that they brought with them as they prepared to head out to
dinner.

“There’s a nice Italian Restaurant not far from here if you’re in the mood
for that,” Duo asked.

“That’s fine with me,” Heero agreed.

“Wow, Heero! You haven’t said ’Hn’ almost the whole day! I‘m proud of you!”
the American cheered. The Wing pilot never noticed this until Duo mentioned
it. After learning a small piece of Duo’s history, something happened inside
of the soldier that kept him from being passive towards the other, at least
on purpose.

They left the hotel room and headed out to eat at Duo’s favorite diner. Duo
had two large slices of pepperoni pizza while Heero ordered an order of
spaghetti. They managed to have a steady conversation the whole time they
were there, wonders never ceasing. The subject of the massacre was never
brought up. The pilots simple discussed if they would see the other pilots
again. It was six months since the last time they were all together. Both
young men admitted their hopes that somehow they would all be able reunite
again.

Finally, something that Duo had wondered about for a long time came out.

“Heero,” he began as he was nearly finished his meal. “Yea,” his friend
replied, looking up at him.

“Why exactly did you come to find me three months ago? Of all of the people
you could have picked to live with you...Why me?” The Wing pilot folded his
hands together as he thought of the answer to this.

“Honestly, I’m not really sure,” he shrugged after taking time to think.

Duo laughed at the response. “I was just wondering, that’s all,” he smiled.

Heero thought another second and continued, “I just couldn’t think of
another person that I wanted to live with. After I bought the house, I
remembered you saying that you always wanted to live on Earth, by a beach to
watch the sunset.”

The Deathscythe pilot’s eyes widened as he whispered, “You remembered me
saying that? I mentioned it once during the war and didn’t think that you
were even paying attention to me.”

“I paid attention...and I remembered,” Heero nodded. “You were the first and
only person I thought of when I saw the house the first time. So, I went to
find you on this colony once the house was official mine...ours.”

Duo was speechless. He stared at his best friend with his lips parted and
his eyes frozen wide. He was almost on the verge of tears again. Clearing
his throat, he managed to put the salty drops away again. “Thank you for
thinking of me,” was all he could saw quietly.

Heero smiled, “Don’t mention it. I should be thanking you for agreeing to
live with me. I wasn’t sure that you’d actually want to drop everything that
you had here to do so.”

“I was waiting for you,” Duo thought aloud. His friend didn’t quite catch
what he said and Duo bit his lip hard, cursing himself for saying that out
loud.

“What was that?” Heero asked kindly. “Oh! Nothing, just thinking,” Duo said
with a forced cough as he waved to the waitress for the check.

When they stepped outside, Duo smiled when he saw that the sky was clear as
the sun finished setting. “Perfect,” he sighed. “Looks like I’ll get to
watch the stars tonight. Care to join me?”

Heero shrugged, “I guess.” Duo nodded and smiled again, “I know the best
spot.”

He led the way through the streets. Howard put a motorcycle for the two of
them in the shuttle that they retrieved now. With Duo driving and Heero
hanging onto him, they rode out of the city. Within a half-hour, they made
it to the isolated countryside. There were countless hills and fields
everywhere they looked. But there was one particular hill that Duo labeled
his favorite. He stopped the motorcycle at the base of a small hill that
stood in the center of a massive, barren, grassy field.

The American announced, “Well, here we are!” as he fell onto the grass and
stretched out on top of the hill.

The half-moon was so close that it was still able to brighten everything
around them. But the stars really were amazing as they could be seen
everywhere the pilots looked above them. Heero sat beside his friend and
watched the serene look on his face as he looked to the heavens. He could
never understand what it was about watching the stars that made Duo so
peaceful and happy. Again, curiosity got to him.

“What’s the point of watching the stars anyway?” he asked. Duo laughed,
“What else are you going to do with them!?!”

This answer caught The Wing pilot off-guard. He began to giggle deeply for a
second, biting his lip to keep from laughing any further. He lost the fight.
Duo sat up and stared at him in amazement. “You laughed!” he gasped. “You
men to tell me that’s all I had to do to get you to laugh like that all this
time!?!”

Heero’s laughter stopped and he caught his breath. He looked to the other
pilot and smiled, “I just never thought about the stars that way before.”

Duo smiled and lied back on the grass, “You should laugh more often, you
know. You have a nice laugh.”

Heero now lied on his back and looked to the stars. He sighed, “Laughter is
a weakness.”

“Let me guess, Doctor J told you that one, too,” Duo frowned. “He was wrong,
you know.”

“Maybe,” Heero shrugged.

“Heero, you have to realize that the only real cowards and weak people out
there are the ones who never open up and allow themselves to feel anything.
It takes a lot to trust and feel for others because there’s always a risk
that you may be wrong doing so,” Duo explained gently.

The Japanese pilot turned his head to look at Duo. The Deathscythe pilot was
looking at him already. He looked into his violet eyes and took in
everything that he was saying. The braided pilot’s face was soft and
friendly as he looked to him. For a second, it was enough to take Heero’s
breath from him.

Duo continued as he looked into his friend’s eyes, “I took a chance when I
got you out of that hospital where Sally Poe was looking after you.
Something told me that you were a good person, someone I might be able to
relate to, not just because we‘re Gundam pilots, but because we‘ve had
difficult lives. I wanted to get to know and understand you more. If I
blocked out all of my feelings, I wouldn‘t have even thought of breaking you
out.”

Heero’s eyes widened a bit as he began to understand what his friend was
saying. His expression was now one of uncertainty. With a softness in his
voice that neither young men had heard before, he asked, “Have you ever
regretted doing that for me?”

A soft smile came across the other’s lips as he whispered, “Not even for a
second. If I had to, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

Heero was beside himself, could everything that he had been taught and
trained to be the ‘Perfect Soldier’ have been wrong? The lesson that he was
getting from his friend made perfect sense. And he was so sincere when he
said that he would risk his life again to save him. The moonlight that lit
Duo’s face couldn’t equal the radiance that the pilot’s smile gave off.
There had always been something about the braided pilot that Heero couldn’t
figure out. He just always enjoyed his presence. Duo was mysterious in how
he always made Heero feel safe and even happy when he was there with him.

Sharing this time with the pilot was an honor. Duo had been there for him
countless time. Ever since they moved in together, Heero began to have
nightmares of his past with the training that he and his cousin experienced.
He would wake up in cold sweats, screaming and unable to move. The American
would jump out of his bed and hold him until he was able to calm down, even
if it would take hours to do so. He would sleep holding him if he needed
that to drift off again. Coming here, he might be able to repay the
countless favors like this. If it ever seemed that Heero was having a
difficult day, Duo would make an extra effort to cheer him up somehow. He
was the only person who could make the ’Perfect Soldier’ laugh with ease.

As the Wing pilot lied here, looking at the person who had taught him so
much, he thought of how different life would have been if they never met.
This thought was quickly put to rest as Heero couldn’t begin to imagine life
without Duo...Not then, not ever. “I’m in love with Duo!” Heero finally
admitted to himself, the voice in his head gasping. “I love him. I know that
now...He’s taught me how to love, something I never thought that I would
feel in my life. But how can I tell him that?” he began to question. They
just continued to lie there, looking at each other silently. Just then, the
braided pilot smiled softly again and turned back to look at the stars.

“He’s amazing. He probably doesn’t even realize how much he means to
me...How much he’ll always mean to me,” Heero continued to think to himself,
still looking at the man he loved. “I brought him to live with me because I
didn’t want to imagine going through life without him there. And he’s helped
me so many times.”

His thoughts continued and his eyes focused on Duo’s face. “God, he’s so...”

“Beautiful,” he whispered breathlessly. Duo heard him say something as he
quickly looked back to Heero.

“What was that?” he asked quietly.

His friend cursed at himself and responded, “I-I said, thank you...for
saying that you’d save me again if you had to.” A wide smile went across
Duo’s face as he nodded, “Anytime.”

The two of them stayed on that hill under the stars for over two hours, just
talking and laughing about everything and nothing. There were serious
discussions and moments of long silence as well. But the two pilots were
just in a state of comfort there with the company that they had.

Duo could tell that they had been there for a while and sighed, “As much as
I hate to leave, we have to get up early. The Memorial Mass is tomorrow
morning...You don’t really have to go to that if you don’t want, Heero. I
could always meet you back at the hotel and we’ll head home from there.”

“Actually, I wouldn’t mind going to the Mass with you,” the Wing pilot
shrugged. Duo smiled as they got up and headed to the motorcycle.

************************

When they returned to the hotel, the two pilots got ready for bed as they
removed their shirts. The American left his hair in the braid. It was always
something that Heero wondered, what he hair looked like down. Duo had
earlier asked Heero if he could have the bed that was closest to the
bathroom. Heero agreed, since it never mattered which was his. Still, it was
odd that Duo wanted the one with quickest access to the bathroom.
Nevertheless, they got under the covers. Just as Duo was about to turn the
lamp sitting on the dresser between their beds out, a question that had been
bothering Heero all day couldn’t stay in any longer.

“Duo,” he asked just as the other pilot was about to switch off the light.

“Yea, Heero?” he replied. The Wing pilot wasn‘t sure of the right way to ask
the question and after a brief pause, he decided just to come out with it.

“I wanted to ask you about that night,” he said quietly.

Duo sat up in his bed and looked into his friend’s eyes. “W-What is there
that you want to know?” Duo asked, his smile gone and a look of sorrow on
his face.

Heero sat up on the side of his bed, looking into Duo‘s face. “I want to
know how you can stay the way you are after an experience like that,” Heero
began. “You love life more than anyone I know, and your childhood was a...”

“Nightmare,” Duo interrupted with a whisper. “Yea,” Heero whispered back.

Duo sighed, sat up on the end of the bed, and held his arms before him,
palms down. Heero was not sure what he was doing this for as he looked to
the arms that were stretched out just in front of him. Duo then turned his
arms so the palms faced up. In all of the time that Heero know the American,
he never took a close look at his arms until now. He gasped as he saw the
old, but very visible scars running up and down both arms, along the veins.

“Duo,” he cried as he held his wrists gently.

“Sometimes we have to face death to know the importance of life,” Duo said
as he lowered his head. “I wanted to die every night after the massacre. I
can’t even describe what happened that night. Every smell, sound, sight and
touch that night was just terrifying. The nun and priest I knew as my
parents, my friends, everyone that I knew and loved died in front of me that
night, Heero. I didn’t know what to do and all I wanted was to be with all
of them. The next night, I took a razorblade and sliced my wrists up when I
went to visit the remains of the Maxwell Church. It almost worked, but a
priest who was looking for me found me near death when he came to see the
remains for himself. I woke up the next day in the hospital with him waiting
for me to wake up. That’s when he gave me this,” he said, holding the cross
around his neck.

“It was Father Maxwell’s. It had been found on his body and the priest said
that it rightfully belonged to me. He said some prayers for me and those who
had died before he left. Even though I knew I was on my own, I had time to
think about everything. Father Maxwell once told me that anything that
doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. I didn’t believe that until when I was in
the hospital. Regardless of how bad things were or how bad they’d get, only
a coward would take the easy way out by killing themselves. So, I learned to
enjoy life for a change, and I’ve been doing it ever since.” Duo clutched
the cross tightly in his palm as he finished, “There’s not a day that goes
by that I don’t think of that night.”

Heero sat there on his bed, just staring in awe at the figure before him.
Duo kept his head down as he continued to hold and look at the cross around
his neck. The silence of the room was needed for Heero to decide what to do
next. He stood and sat next to Duo. When his glance was met with Duo’s, he
wrapped his arms tightly around him and rested his head on his shoulder. It
was the first time Heero ever hugged anyone. Duo was caught off-guard as his
eyes shot wide open with the ‘Perfect Soldier’ wrapped around him. Slowly,
he returned the embrace as his arms encircled Heero’s body, resting his head
on his shoulder. They held each other like that for a while.

Still in the embrace, Heero whispered, “Promise me you’ll never think of
hurting yourself again, Duo.”

The American blinked as he took this plea in. “I promise,” he answered.
Reluctantly, they broke the tight hug and looked back into each other’s
eyes.

“We should probably get some sleep,” Duo smiled.

Heero nodded, “Yea. Good night, Duo.”

“Good night, Heero,” came the reply. Heero sunk into his bed. When he and
Duo were comfortable, the Deathscythe pilot turned the light out.

**********************

Heero had a difficult time trying to sleep that night. There were so many
things swirling in his head that he swore he was going to drown in them. He
spent his time watching Duo sleep. The American was on his side, facing the
Japanese pilot as he slept. He seemed peaceful. The peacefulness was not to
last long. The braided pilot began to stir, a little at first then he began
to moan.

“Duo,” Heero called as he sprang from his bed and kneeled next to the bed.
The man he loved continued to moan and move about in his sleep. Placing his
hand gently against his cheek, he felt the sweat that was seeping all over
him.

“Duo!” Heero yelled as he grabbed his shoulders and shook his gently. Duo
awoke shouting and gasping for air. Breathing heavily and wiping some of the
sweat from his forehead, he looked up into the concerned eyes of the Wing
pilot. Heero still held onto his shoulders as he whispered, “Duo?”

“I-I’m sorry, Heero,” Duo sighed as he lowered his head.

“You don’t have to apologize,” Heero replied as he lied next to the other
pilot. He brushed back Duo’s sweaty bangs and asked gently, “Are you okay?”

Duo nodded slowly, “Yea. I’ll be fine.”

Heero didn’t even take a second to think. He wrapped Duo into his arms and
stroked the back of his head. “H-Heero?” Duo whispered in shock and
uncertainty.

“Shhhh. You’ve done this for me countless times. Helping you get to sleep is
the least I can do right now,” the other pilot assured him. “Just sleep
now,” he whispered.

Duo wrapped his arms tightly around his partner as he slowly closed his
eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here,” he said hoarsely just before falling asleep
again.

Heero knew the instant sleep claimed the braided young man in his arms and
gently kissed his forehead. “So am I, hon,” he whispered. Before long, he
was finally able to sleep as well.

************************

The next morning, Heero learned quickly why Duo wanted to sleep so close to
the bathroom. His cobalt eyes opened not long before his partner began to
stir. The Deathscythe pilot was just starting to wake when he began to gag.
All that Heero could do was gasp as he watched Duo throw a hand over his
mouth and leap from the bed, flying into the bathroom. The ’Perfect Soldier’
was not far behind him as he did this. Duo threw the toilet seat up and
threw up almost violently. He was gasping for air between every release.
Heero turned pale and helped hold Duo’s braid back, just before it got in
the way. He then grabbed a large washcloth resting over the tub’s faucet and
ran it under the cold water. When it was drenched, he folded it and gently
pressed in against the back of Duo’s neck as he continued to throw up.

After almost five minutes, the American’s sickness subsided as he spit out
what was left in his mouth. He crawled up to the sink and rinsed his mouth
with the mouthwash that he left there purposely. Wiping his mouth and still
breathing heavily, he collapsed to the floor and forced himself to lean his
back straight against the wall. Heero fell to his knees next to him, still
pale and with a frightened look on his face.

“W-What happened to you?” he asked hesitantly.

“Happens like clockwork every year,” Duo answered slowly. “I wake up
hearing, smelling and feeling everything that took place that night. It’s
too much and to sudden...My body reacts the same way every time...It‘s over
now.” The cold, soaked washcloth was still on the back of his next. Taking
it into his hand, he smiled to Heero, “Thanks. I needed that.”

Heero nodded, “Sure.”

After an hour passed, both pilots were preparing to change. Duo only got
into his black dress pants as looked to his braid. He smiled to himself,
“Maybe a good brush through this will calm my nerves a little.”

With that, he removed the band that held the mass of hair together and began
to undo the weaves. Heero stepped out of the bathroom, wearing his suit,
with the exception of the suit’s coat as he finished fixing his tie. As he
left the small room and entered the room where the beds lied, he froze as he
watched the American finish unwrapping his hair. Duo’s back was to him and
didn’t see the look of awe on Heero’s face.

Taking a brush, the longhaired pilot began stroking his beautiful strands
from root to tip with his bare hand at first. Duo’s hair was much longer
than it appeared to be when it was braided. Heero was struck by just how
lovely it really was. He would imagine what it looked like down, but none of
his day dreams did the real thing any justice. Duo began to slowly brush his
hair, still sitting on his bed with his back to Heero. Finally, the Wing
pilot couldn’t take just looking at him from the back. He cleared his
throat, causing the other pilot to turn immediately. It was Duo’s turn to
look at his partner in awe. He never saw Heero dressed so nice before. For a
long silent pause, the two of them just looked at each other with wide eyes
and partly-opened mouths.

“Y-You look nice,” Duo finally smiled. Heero snapped out of his state and
looked to his outfit.

He smirked, “Thanks,” as he returned his gaze to the beauty before him.
“Your hair,” he whispered, not sure just what to say.

Duo took some of the locks into his hand and looked to them. “You’re the
first person to ever see my hair down,” he sighed.

Heero’s smirk became a full smile as he replied, “I’m honored. It’s
beautiful.”

Duo’s eyes widened again as he looked back to the Japanese pilot. “Thank
you...Though I really don’t think there’s anything about me that’s
beautiful,” Duo almost blushed.

“Don’t say that,” Heero quickly told him. Fighting the urge to go and run
his fingers through his hair, he stated, “You...You don’t give yourself the
credit you deserve.”

Now aware that he was blushing, Duo quickly turned his head away from the
man he loved since the first time they met.

He cleared his throat and whispered, “Thank you for saying that, Heero.” He
went back to brushing his hair while Heero watched, mesmerized by the
action. He wasn’t sure how stood there, watching Duo brush away, but he
silently wished that he could just find the courage to tell him how much he
loved him.

At the Franklin Church, Heero and Duo stood side-by-side in the last pew of
the massive building. The congregation filled almost every seat. The service
was a beautiful one as pictures of the children and adults killed in the
massacre lined the alter. Duo was dressed in a long, black coat over his
black blouse and pants. he looked like Death walking as his pale told was a
great contrast to his attire. He did not want to be recognized by anyone in
the Church, he wished to remain a ghost after that night the Church burnt
down. Heero just followed his example of when to sit, kneel and stand
throughout the Mass. Anytime the congregation prayed aloud, he simply
listened to the young man beside him pray. When the time to sing selected
Catholic songs came, Duo knew every word by heart as he sang along with the
worshipers. Heero had no idea that Duo had such a lovely singing voice as he
listened to every word.

Duo would latch on tightly to the cross around his neck occasionally. And
occasionally, he would feel Heero wrap an arm around his shoulders anytime
he lowered his head, being overcome by emotions. Nearly everyone present in
the Church had cried at one point or another. If Duo needed ore support than
an arm around his shoulder, Heero would take one of Duo’s hands with his
free one and squeeze it. The gesture would be welcomed with a soft smile
from the braided pilot.

During the homily, Duo couldn’t help but think back to the time he got a
visit that he hoped and prayed for when the war was over...

_____________________________

The chapter known as the ‘Endless Waltz’ had just ended. Duo’s returned to
L2 with his friend, Hilde. She went onto find happiness working with a young
man that befriended the two of them on the Colony. Duo was content living
alone. He always considered Hilde the sister he never had. He was just happy
that she found someone that would look after her. The one person he loved
all along had vanished without a trace. Every day, Duo would pray that he
would get to see Heero again. He missed him more than words could say.
Little did he know that almost a month later, his prayers would be answered.

Then, after work one night, he walked up to the door of his apartment to
find that it was unlocked.

“What the hell,” he growled to himself. He prepared himself as he slowly
turned the knob. The lights were on when he entered the small living room.
But, there wasn’t a soul to be seen. He slowly took a few steps inside,
scanning every inch that was in view.

“I don’t know who’s in here, but you weren’t invited,” he growled as he
walked around, looking for any sign of life. “One of us is leaving this
place in a body bag...I know Death’s lonely,” he threatened as he recovered
the gun that he always had hidden safely under his couch.

As he did this, he heard an all too familiar voice chuckle, “Is that how you
always greet your friends?”

Duo’s mouth and eyes widened at the voice. Then, he looked up to see Heero
walk out from behind one of the banisters.

“H-Heero!?!” Duo cried.

The young man smiled and nodded, “Sorry if I scared you, I didn’t know when
you were getting back so I thought I’d wait inside.”

Duo replaced the gun quickly and walked up to the Japanese pilot. Finally, a
wide smile came across his face. “I’ve missed you, Heero. How are you?” he
asked brightly.

“Not bad. And yourself?” he replied.

“Can’t complain...Other than the fact that it gets dull and lonely
sometimes,” Duo shrugged.

“Hn. Well, I just thought that I’d pay a visit and check up on you. I know
you have a hard time staying out of trouble long if you’re not monitored
frequently.”

Duo laughed, “You know me too well...Then again, you always did.” Heero’s
smirk grew a bit. Duo motioned to the couch and offered, “Have a seat. Make
yourself at home. Can I get you anything?”

Heero shook his head as he sat on the cushions of the blue couch. “I’m fine,
thanks.”

Duo sat next to him. “So what really brings you to L2? I know it’s not just
to enjoy my presence,” he joked.

Heero’s smile quickly vanished as he looked into his partner’s eyes.

His voice gave the impression that he was hurt by the remark as he inquired
softly, “What makes you say that? Maybe that is why I came.”

Duo gasped, “Oh! I’m sorry, Heero. I didn’t mean anything by that...I just-
well...”

Heero chuckled deeply and looked away. “It’s all right, Duo. I understand,”
he assured him. “I did have something that I wanted to ask you, though,” he
admitted.

“Sure. What’s up?” Duo responded.

Heero looked to Duo again and informed him, “I have a house on Earth now. I
just bought it yesterday. It’s right by a beach along the Maryland
shoreline. It’s the only house for miles...It’s nice inside and out...And
it’s big, too big for just myself.”

Duo’s heart was pounding out of his chest at this point. “Okay,” he nodded
as he gulped.

Heero smiled warmly, “It could be your house, too, if you want it to be.”

Duo jumped from his seat and tackled Heero. “Oh my God! Are you serious!?!”
he shouted with elation.

Heero didn’t even really get to enjoy the embrace, as Duo proceeded to jump
in his place after the quick squeeze.

He chuckled at the sight of his friend. “Yes, baka! I take it that‘s a
‘yes?’”

Duo whooped and flipped. “Just give me fifteen minutes! I’ll have my stuff
packed!” he cried as he sprinted into his bedroom.

Heero raised an eyebrow and looked to his watch. “Just fifteen minutes?” he
asked himself.

Fifteen minutes to the second! Duo managed to get all of his personals
packed into four suitcases. He held the four of them in his arms somehow as
his smile was from ear-to-ear.

“Ready!” he announced as he began to make his way to the door, waddling due
to burden he was lifting. Heero shook his head as he got up from the couch.

“Baka,” he chuckled deeply to himself. “Here,” he told Duo as he took two of
the suitcases from him.

“Thanks, Heero.” The ’Perfect Soldier’ shook his head and smiled again.

“What am I going to do with you?” Heero jeered.

“Nothing! Cause you love me the way I am!” Duo cheered as he led the way out
with Heero right behind him...

_______________________

Now, here he was just a few months later, with the man he loved all along.
Just to be sure that he wasn’t dreaming, Duo squeezed Heero’s hand a little
tighter. Heero responded by turning to look at him. They looked into each
other’s eyes for a while.

“Sorry,” Duo whispered. “Just wanted to make sure you were really here and
this wasn’t some dream.”

His partner smiled softly and squeezed his hand back. “I’m here,” he
whispered back. “I’m not going anywhere, either,” he continued.

Duo made a daring move and gently rested his head on Heero’s shoulder. He
closed his eyes as he thanked God silently for hearing his prayers all
along. He soon felt the arm wrapped around him move up so it’s hand could
softly stroke the top and back of his head.

After Communion, which Duo did not participate in as he sat next to the Wing
pilot the whole time, there were a few final thoughts and prayers from the
Priest. Then, the final song was sung. This was by far the most beautiful
song that had been selected. Again, Duo sang every word from memory and from
his heart. After the song’s completion and the departure of the Priest and
alter servers, the congregation slowly filed out.

Outside, Duo looked to Heero and sighed, “There’s just one more thing that I
have to do.”

His best friend nodded and offered, “Are you sure you don’t want to rest a
little before you take care of that? You’ve been through a lot.”

Duo smiled, “Nah. I’m fine. I always visit the memorial plaque that was put
where the church stood after the Mass. It gives me a chance to move on
again.”

Heero agreed and suggested, “I’ll drive. Just tell me where to go.” Duo
hopped on the back of the bike as Heero gathered the keys from him and slid
in front of him.

From a thicket of trees on the hill just by where the Maxwell Church once
stood, Heero watched silently as Duo knelt before the memorial plaque,
bearing flowers that he picked along the ride. Heero’s suit coat was off
again, as it rested over the bike a few feet back. The wind had picked up as
it played with his tie and hair. The changing leaves over him added to the
beauty of the field as their rustle in the strong breeze soothed him. The
plaque was a huge, marble cross that was engraved with the names of all
those who dies in the massacre. At the foot of the cross, a footstone read,
“May God bless you and keep you all.”

Duo sighed as he forced a smile, “Hi, all. It’s funny how fast a years goes,
isn’t it?” He began to chuckle a little as he continued, “At least the war
is finally over...for the time being. I owe my being alive to all of you, of
course. I know that you watch over me all the time. I wish there was a
better way I could thank you other than just saying it. If it wasn’t for any
of you, I wouldn’t be here.”

He paused and wiped a tear that formed in his eye. “Even though I wish that
you were all still here, it’s an honor to know that I have so many angels
watching my pack up there...I just hope that I’m making you all proud. I
wonder about that a lot. I’m doing the best that I can. I make mistakes, but
I’m trying to learn from them. Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and thank
all of you again.”

Once this was said, he turned to see that Heero was still standing under the
trees on the hill not far from him.

He turned back to the cross, then looked to the clear sky and smiled, “And
God, thank you for leaving an angel here on Earth to look after me.”

With that, he stood, placed his hands in his coat’s pocket and gave a nod.
“Bye,” he whispered and turned to walk back to the thicket.

The wind continued to blow steadily as he made it to the top of the hill.
Standing just in front of Heero, he nodded.

“Are you okay?” Heero asked with great, hidden concern.

Duo snickered, “I’ll be fine.” He lowered his head sadly and closed his
eyes. He then felt the Wing pilot’s finger lift his head. His forehead was
now practically resting on Heero’s as he looked into the soft cobalt eyes. A
huge tear was running down his right cheek.

Before Duo could wipe it, the other pilot took care of that or him. The only
sound was that of the leaves that continued to blow all around them. After a
long silent pause, as the two young men looked into each other’s eyes, Heero
gently wrapped his arms around the braided pilot. Duo began to cry silently
again as he wrapped his arms around his friend. Heero took his right hand
and stroked the back of Duo’s head softly. Again, there was nothing but
silence as they went on holding each other. After what seemed like a
wonderful eternity, they released themselves from the embrace and looked
back to each other.

Duo sighed, “Can we go home now?”

Heero nodded, “Yea,” and wrapped an arm around his companion as they walked
to the motorcycle.

On trip back Earth, the two pilots floated on the ship again, as they had
when they were on the way to L2. “Duo?” Heero asked.

“What’s up,” the American called. He was slowly and surely becoming the
light-hearted pilot that Heero always knew him to be.

“That last song that was sung at the Mass today...What was that called?” the
Japanese solder inquired. Duo turned and looked to his comrade.

“Amazing Grace,” he answered.

Heero nodded, “I like that one a lot...Would you- Would you teach that one
to me?”

Duo’s wonderful smile came across his face again. “I’d be happy to. That’s
one of my favorite songs.” seeing Duo happy again brought a wide smile
across Heero’s face as well.

The pair arrived back at their house just in time to watch the sunset, the
same way that they watched the sunrise together the morning before. Again,
there was a silence between the two as they enjoyed each other’s company as
they took in the beauty. The trip home had been a long one, but the pilots
managed to keep entertained as they played a few card games and spoke about
everything and nothing, the favorite hobby of both of them. Duo also managed
to teach Heero all of Amazing Grace, which he picked up very quickly. They
went as far as to sing it with different harmonies as their voices blended
beautifully together.

Just as the sun vanished, they stood, stretched and prepared to head to bed
early.

As they entered their room, Duo hesitated and asked quietly, “Heero?” The
Wing pilot turned to him, “Yea.”

“I was kind of wondering...” Duo paused. Heero looked to him with a soft
glance once he removed his shirt, leaving the spandex shorts on.

“What’s that?” he replied.

“W-Well...I usually have nightmares about the massacre the week of that
night’s anniversary...” he informed the Japanese pilot, unable to ask the
favor he hoped to request. Heero understood and smiled.

He walked to Duo, rested a hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes.
“I’ll hold you as many nights as it takes,” he whispered softly.

The American’s eyes lit up right away as a smile widened. He nodded and
whispered in return, “Thank you, Heero.” The ’Perfect Soldier’ nodded as he
slipped into Duo’s bed.

After removing his shirt, the braided pilot lied beside him. Just then,
Heero sat up and looked into his violet eyes again. “Can I make a request?”
he asked gently.

Duo smiled and nodded, “Sure.“

Heero then rested a hand on his companion’s head and requested, “Can you
leave your hair down?”

The pilot of Deathscythe didn’t even hesitate as he sat right up and bound
his hair, a warm smile on his face. The long strands fell loose all around
the two pilots.

Duo chuckled, “It’s easier to sleep with it down. But, you’re the only
person that I’ll let see it like this.”

Heero smiled, “To what do I owe the honor?”

“Just you,” Duo whispered. He lied down as he wrapped his arms around the
Wing pilot. Heero then turned the lamp by his side off, enveloping the two
of them in darkness.

When Heero wrapped his arms around the young man who held him, he heard Duo
whisper, “Good night, Heero.”

Heero whispered, “Sweet dreams, Duo. Sleep well.”

The soft response from the other came, “I will thanks to you.”

Duo then let a deep sigh escape him as sleep overtook him. Heero felt
slumber take the man that he loved. Slowly, he began to run his fingers
through Duo’s long strands. His hair was even softer than he imagined it
could be. His eyes soon adjusted to the dark as he looked into the sleeping
pilot’s face. He seemed at peace for the first time in a while. Heero
sighed, struck by the image.

“You have any idea how beautiful you are...Do you have any idea what you do
to me?” he whispered.

He placed a soft, long kiss on the American’s forehead and smiled, “I won’t
let anything hurt you as long as I’m around, and I‘ll never leave you. I’ll
be with you always, hon...I love you, Duo.”

With that, he lied down and allowed slumber to claim him as well. In the
morning, the world would be a wonderful place as both pilots anxiously
awaited waking in the arms of the young man that stole their hearts.