3-July-2000
Catagory: Romance, Friendship, Yaoi, light Angst
Pairings: Various
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing characters and universe are the property of the
copyright owners. Our stuff is ours. No money being made here. As with all
our fics so far, while our goal is to stay as in character as possible, any
discrepancies are our mistakes.
Feedback: Any and all comments, feedback, critiques welcome, be they short
or long.
It was the end of the party. Everyone had had a good time, despite the inherent nervousness that a reunion party causes. There was a large dance floor and confetti and streamers dressed the tables and chairs. The tone of the party had followed the program of the music. The frenetic beat which began all and had gotten people to the dance floor was replaced by the inevitable slower tunes at the party's zenith.
On the dance floor, Sally closed her eyes for a moment, allowing the moment to stamp itself fully into her memory. 'Once of a lifetime event,' she thought feeling the strong arms holding her and the presence of Wufei all around. She felt him sigh and smiled.
"This is a nice if not a rather shameful display of affection," he said, readjusting his arms tighter around Sally's body.
"Oh?" she answered, brushing her cheek against his, inhaling his warm scent. "We can stop if it bothers you, Wufei," she added.
The deep, warm tones of Sally's voice drew a little smile from Wufei. "In a moment," he said, softly.
Dorothy Catalonia sat at the table with Relena Dorlain.
"Why did you invite me, Miss Relena?" she asked looking at her folded hands. "For that matter, how did you contact me. I was not exactly in a well known place.
Relena watched the couple on the dance floor and a part of her ached. 'That is the way it's supposed to look,' she thought. Hearing Dorothy's question, she glanced again at Dorothy. "You belong here, Dorothy."
"How can you say that, Miss Relena. I, of all people, should not be here. I challenged you and everyone around me. I hurt your feelings on more occasions than I can count, and yet you sent for me," Dorothy said. "It is a very Relena Peacecraft thing to do."
Relena smiled. "I see you have lost none of your sharp wits, " she said.
"Sharp tongue, you mean. No, it 's not gone, perhaps a little subdued these days. I have learned a few lessons," Dorothy replied.
"Oh not too subdued, I hope. The questions you raised at the school were so valuable and helpful to me," Relena said.
Dorothy raised her head as a deep frown crinkled her brow. "Valuable?" she asked, "How? They caused you pain. I caused you pain. I meant to challenge you in that way. In my deepest of hearts, I admired, respected and hated you at the same time. You were someone special. I… I was an observer."
Relena placed her hand over Dorothy's folded ones as a little sad smile played over her features. "You were far more than that, Dorothy," Relena said. "You were a pea under my stack of mattresses. Your challenges were just the right thing to keep me from drowning in my own ideas. You were the only one around who would speak to me so plainly and without hesitation. I needed that. I was in an impossible situation armed with the only weapon I'd been given by my two fathers. Peace. Everyone around me was fighting and I felt weak...oh so very weak. I had no preparation for anything I considered useful. I only had those values instilled in me from my family and the one dominant notion that people can accomplish great things only if they work together. I was taught to believe that that ideal was something that everyone possessed and therefore war was self-destructive by its very nature. Dorothy, you represented the other side of the argument. Yang to Yin. What you taught me was that peace requires vigilance."
Dorothy lowered her head and saw Relena's hand over hers. On an impulse, she grasped it with her own hand. She looked up, feeling the former Queen of the World hold on tightly. "I was right and meant what I said about you being special, Relena. I just didn't think I was at the time. There was a part of me that wanted you to pull it off. Unfortunately at the time, it was my kinder self and I was trying very hard to obliterate it. After my father and grandfather were killed trying to save me from sorrow, I felt that kindness was meaningless. I thought that if I could get rid of it, then only strength would remain. Strength meant war, not pacifism. Quatre Winner showed me what I was doing and why it would fail." Looking up, Dorothy saw the blond Arabian across the room speaking quietly to his friend, Trowa.
Relena smiled fully. "You called me Relena, good," she said, then looked over and saw Quatre as well. She sighed. "And believe me, I understand you. My stand against violence only seemed to escalate it and left me feeling stupid and worse of all, ignored. At those times, I would pray to my angle of death. And just like you, a Gundam pilot had my number." Relena's eyes invariably turned to Heero Yuy.
"What?" Dorothy asked.
"Someone who comes into your life that and turns you towards the truth about yourself. For me, that's Heero Yuy." Relena said. "He is my angel of death. My life changed the day I met him. He broke through the glass shell that I lived in and showed me what life like on the other side. He shredded an invitation to my world, in front of my friends, and then threatened to kill me. I had no doubt that he would. After father was assassinated, I looked to him for strength. I followed him around and probably scared or annoyed him to death. I learned how to stand on my feet from that man.. I didn't always listen, or agree with him, but I always knew he was there."
"You were in love with him." Dorothy stated.
"Much more than that, Dorothy," Relena said. "I had a crush on him, I wanted him, I wanted him to love me in that fairytale kind of way. Somewhere along the way, I learned a new definition of love. It had less to do with the moment and more to do with forever."
Dorothy looked at Heero Yuy. "You want to be with him," she said.
"Who wouldn't?" Relena said with a little pained expression. "No, that would be very nice and like a dream come true Dorothy, but I already am with him." Looking back at Dorothy, Relena said, "I do have one tiny little desire, however, lest you think I'm inhuman. I would very much like to kiss him."
Dorothy's glance turned sideways and the look transformed her face into the Dorothy of old. "Wouldn't that be a thing of the moment, Miss Relena? I thought you wanted forever," she said sweetly.
Relena looked over at Dorothy. "Now you why I invited you." she said and the two young women shared a laugh.
"Good evening pretty ladies," Quatre Winner said, walking over to the table. "My partner and I were wondering if you two would care to dance?"
"Wasting dance music is like throwing away good champagne. Always, regretful," Trowa said, bowing to Relena and extending his hand.
"Can't have that," Relena said and stood. She placed her hand in Trowa's felt herself whirled out on the dance floor.
"Miss Dorothy?" Quatre said, extending his own hand. "And I will not accept a 'no'."
Dorothy looked up at the handsome pilot. He had filled out a bit more and let his blond mane grow to his shoulders. The aqua eyes and the merry twinkle in their depths had remained. She smiled a little, feeling herself flush. "Then I suppose I have no choice," Dorothy said, standing.
Suddenly, Dorothy found herself pressed tightly against Quatre's body and her hand securely in his.
"No chance at all," Quatre said. "I have your number. This is my dance."
Dorothy's eyes widened a little, then she smiled and felt herself relax as Quatre moved with her in time to the music.
"Hey Heero," Duo said, nudging the Japanese pilot.
"Hn," Heero replied.
'Nothing changes,' Duo thought, and then smiled. "Uh, looks like Trowa's makin moves on your girlfriend. Want me to go over and belt him?"
Heero Yuy turned to Duo with his legendary nonchalant glare. "Trowa will belt you again," he said.
Duo sneered. "That's cause I wasn't prepared. He sucker punched me and as I recall, you *helped* him too!"
"I'll punch you myself if you ruin Relena's party," Heero said and waited for the inevitable response.
Duo frowned. "Oh, so it's like *that* again, huh? You're in love with Relena now, huh?" he said.
Heero turned back to Duo with a small private smile. "Gotcha!" he said and was rewarded with the many and various expressions and emotions that played across Duo's face.
"Hee-chan!" Duo managed.
"Here's the plan," Heero said, placing a hand on Duo's arm. He watched as the violet-eyed one looked back somewhat perplexed. "Hirde is over there. Dance with her. In a minute, I'll dance with Relena and then in about ten minutes, we can go outside and watch the moon."
Duo's eyebrows shot up to the ceiling. "What?!" he asked, baffled.. "I mean.. you..and..," he sputtered. "All right. You're on!" Duo replied.
"Ten minutes," Heero said.
"Mission accepted," Duo replied and sped off to get Hirde to the dance floor.
Hirde took a sip of her drink and shut her comm off. She had checked it for messages she wanted to see and then deactivated it for the messages she didn't want to take. Looking out over the dance floor, she smiled a little noting that it was a good thing people were up dancing. It had been five years and lives had moved and changed, healing old hurts and creating new ones.
"Hi Hirde!" Duo said, bounding over.
"Hi He Who Runs and Hides, but Never Lies, except that one time!" she said, brightly.
"I'm never gonna live that one down am I?" Duo said, melting into a chair.
Hirde looked up and her heart thudded and jumped several feet to the right. The effect was always the same.. damnit! "No," she said sweetly. It was the only revenge she had in her arsenal. "I give that up and I lose you forever."
Duo frowned and then leaned over and kissed her deeply.
At first, Hirde had made a feeble attempt to bat him away, but acquiesced promptly. She felt his invading tongue enter her mouth and sucked it, tasting him like fine chocolate. Hirde heard Duo sigh and move even closer, sliding his hands into her hair. She didn't hold back. It was no use. All she could hope for was to remember her name when it was over.
Duo moved back slightly, looking down at Hirde. He was instantly sorry that he had given Heero a hard time about Relena. "How're doin babe?" he asked softly.
Hirde smiled. "I'm good, Duo," she said, meaning it. Reaching up, she cupped Duo's face in her hand. "You?"
Duo smiled. "Oh aside from gettin' old and the occasional requisite Gundam war nightmare, I'm ok."
"Even better," Hirde said, leaning forward. She kissed Duo's lips tenderly and felt the freedom to do so without the pain that haunted her in the past. Sure, there would always be bittersweet between them, but not the overwhelming, engulfing sadness and sorrow. "I love you," she said, simply.
Duo smiled even wider, feeling a warmth and joy that always amazed him. The pain, guilt and anguish had dissipated and what was left was sweet. "I love you too, Hirde," he said and turned his head to kiss her palm.
"And how are you, Relena?" Trowa asked, holding the former Queen of the World tightly.
"I'm doing quite well, Trowa," Relena said, allowing herself to relax fully. Trowa was an excellent dancer. "I'm glad you could make it."
Trowa smiled. "It was too perfect to pass up," he said. "Sorry Cathy couldn't make it. She's in Africa inspecting the refuge. She sends her love." His green eyes caught the sight of Duo kissing Hirde and Heero standing at the edge of the dance floor and smiled.
"Tell her I missed her and I'll call her," Relena answered and then leaned her head against Trowa's chest.
"Of course," Trowa replied and then winked at Heero as they danced by.
Heero nodded once in acknowledgement. Mentally, he ticked down seconds, minutes, calculated the circumference of the dance floor, rate of speed Trowa was moving and aligned it all in time with the music. The operation would be tricky, but not as impossible or unpleasant as those in the past. Mission Accepted, he thought and waited.
"How do you feel, Quatre?" Dorothy asked, as her hand slid down his back, seeking the exit wound that she had given him what seemed an eternity ago.
Quatre chuckled. "The scars have healed Dorothy," Quatre said, quietly. "As I've told you before, I am just fine. That was five years ago. There's hardly a mark. So, quit worrying about it. Please don't let it haunt you."
Dorothy sighed a little recalling that fight with crystal clarity. She shook her head, thinking of what Relena said. My number, she thought a little wryly. Then, she looked up at him. "You gave Relena my number, didn't you?" she said.
Quatre nodded, golden hair framing his face. "I wanted to see you here.. Relena thought it was a good idea, as well. Did I make the correct decision?"
"I really want to say, yes," Dorothy said, "...But no, the decision was correct. I'm having a better time than I thought I would. There is something oddly comforting about seeing everyone together again, even though we were on opposite sides most of the time."
"Were we?" Quatre replied. "Sometimes when I think about it, I see so clearly that we were all aiming for the same goal, just taking many roads to get to it. Sure, there were those who only sought position and power, but the real fighters were asking questions and doing what they considered the right thing to do at the time. I include you in this as well. Relena said that you challenged her, and I could see it. I had a long time to think after we fought. Our battle was one of the ones I remember as a little counterbalance to the horror I inflicted. You gave me the opportunity to pay back a little, Dorothy. In the scheme of things it was like a drop in the ocean, but because you listened and heard me, I keep it as a flicker of light to remind me that I'm not a monster."
Dorothy gasped, feeling the words pour through her. Her vision clouded for a moment, then cleared as crystal tears spilled over her cheeks. "You're not a mon..," she began, thinking that the title applied more to her. She was stilled by Quatre's fingers on her lips.
"Shh," he whispered. "I know what you're going to say, but don't. It's a gift, my gift to you." Quatre reached up and brushed the tears away. "Women like to take the pain away, but not this time. No need. Just dance with me," he said, hearing the music change to an old waltz. Holding Dorothy's waist securely, Quatre swayed her and then began the waltz in earnest.
'That helps,' Heero said, hearing the music change. As Trowa moved towards him, the two men locked eyes and nodded.
With a dashing grace which belied his stoic reputation, Heero Yuy moved onto the dance floor and swept Relena into his arms and away from Trowa Barton with a magnificent flourish. The startled girl was wide-eyed and laughing as the Perfect Soldier danced her around the floor as they had once a long time ago. This time was different. They were both older and no longer under the pressure that they had been five years ago.
"You remembered," Relena said, with a smile.
"Hn," Heero remarked and twirled her around, enjoying her laughter and smile.
"Did you not think I could execute this dance?" Wufei asked looking down at Sally Po.
Sally smiled. "Now why would I think such a ridiculous thing as that?" she asked, seeing the twinkle in those obsidian depths.
Wufei smiled. "Sally, you are by far the best and most attractive onna in the room." he said.
Sally blinked and then smiled again, hearing the compliment. "Thank you, Wufei. I feel that I am in great company." she said.
Wufei winked at her, then danced her around the floor.
Noin sat quietly nursing a drink. More than a few times, she had reached for her bag to leave, but had been stopped by one of the attendees at the party who engaged her in conversation. She realized that she had been looking all night for Zechs and he had not materialized. She thought that this might have been the best time to come clean about some things, but she couldn't do it alone. This is a mistake, she thought and shook her head. As she reached for the bag again, a hand covered hers and she shivered.
"Dance with me," the husky voice said and Noin didn't have to guess who it was.
"Zechs," she said, feeling a number of feelings and emotions pass through her.
Ice blue eyes looked down, seeing the conflict. Zechs smiled. He leaned down and kissed Noin's lips tenderly. Guiding her up, he pulled her to the dance floor and joined the others.
"Uh.. not my kinda beat," Duo said, making a face.
"Relena's enjoying herself, I see," Hirde said. "Don't sweat it Duo. The beat doesn't suit me either."
Duo took a deep breath, his eyes invariably drawn to Heero Yuy. Man, was I really that insecure? he thought. Well, baka you've come a very long way. As the couple danced thier way, cobalt blue eyes looked up, locking onto Duo's violet ones like radar.
Duo smiled. Then he saw Heero hold up four fingers and point upward. At first he frowned, puzzled and then he nodded and then Duo nodded. He raised his thumb, signally that he got Heero's message. It would be four minutes until their meeting outside with the moon.
He also heard the music downshift again and looked at Hirde. "Can ya handle this?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied and stood. Soon, she felt Duo's arms around her as the music moved slow and steady.
Trowa leaned against the wall, watching and observing. As honorary MC, he had programmed the music and knew that the party would be over soon. Emerald eyes settled on Quatre. Soon, he thought and smiled as Quatre looked over at him and smiled.
"Happy Birthday, Princess Relena," Heero said.
Relena's eyes widened and then she looked puzzled. "But, Heero it isn't my birthday," she said.
Very slowly, she saw the smile blossom on Heero's face. The last time she had seen it was when she was trying to convince him not to fight in the final battle. I was addled, she thought, feeling her heart thump as Heero's beautiful face was transformed into something belonging to the angels.
"I know," Heero said, quietly. "I missed the one you invited me to long ago. I didn't have a present anyway."
"It's all right, Heero," Relena said. "I left early anyway. Had to run after some guy who was getting himself shot on the pier."
Heero closed the distance between them in one fluid motion. "Yeah, well here's your present. Sorry it's late," he said, and covered her mouth with his.
Hirde's eyes widened and she tugged at Duo's sleeve. "Duo!" she said, in shock and excitement. "Look!"
Duo turned his head in the indicated direction and saw Heero kiss Relena. He sighed. "It's about time," he said. "He's got two more minutes."
Hirde frowned. "Gee Duo, you are so unromantic," Hirde commented.
Duo rolled his eyes. "Am too," he said, pulling Hirde against him again. "Stop staring. It's impolite."
He heard Hirde sputter a bit, and then finally settle down.
Finally, one for Shinigami, he thought.
"Looks like Miss Relena got her wish," Dorothy said quietly.
"'Bout time," Quatre answered.
"Hn," Wufei remarked, watching Heero and Relena.
"How nice," Sally said.
Wufei tilted her chin up. "But this is a public place," he said.
Sally smiled. "True," she said, "But she is not Chinese and he is Japanese and therefore at a disadvantage. They have not been properly trained as we have."
Wufei's eyes widened. "You're good," Wufei said, smiling.
"I try," Sally said, having fun with their ongoing game of traditional customs.
Zechs' blond head turned towards Heero Yuy and his sister.
"Ahem," Noin said, clearing her throat. She reached up and turned "It's kinda late to play big brother, ne?"
Zechs looked down at her, arching a perfect pale eyebrow. "Never," he replied.
Relena felt herself suspended in time. She did not know or care where she was, just who she was with. She did not move away or reject. She accepted.
Heero tasted Relena, his sense picking up and recording every detail about her. He had been close to her before. He had felt her arms around him, holding him like a child and giving him that incredible energy and a protection he had never remembered experiencing before.
The kiss was like a completion.
'Hello my name is Relena Dorlain. What's yours?"
"I'll kill you."
"Heero." "Relena."
Slowly, the world refocused and Relena found herself smiling. In front of her, cobalt blue eyes held a slight twinkle in them and Relena thought, shooting star.
"Thank you, Heero." Relena said and curtsied low.
Heero bowed deeply.
When they both stood, Heero moved forward and hugged her tightly. "Relena," he said and the sound held everything he wished to convey.
Relena closed her eyes as she hugged back. Forever, she thought.
"Last call, last dance of the evening," Trowa said over the comm.
"Before you run off somewhere, get in touch with me in a couple of days, Duo. I need your business nose." Hirde said.
"You got it," Duo said and leaned forward to kiss her. "Be good."
Hirde laughed. "And miss out on all the fun? No, thank you." she said.
"Miss Po, you look lovely this evening," Zechs said as they danced.
"Thank you, Lightening Count. You look remarkably handsome, as usual," Sally replied, glancing over at Noin and Wufei. "How is she?"
Zechs sighed, ice blue eyes looking into Sally's. "Better, I think," he said. "It's hopeful."
Sally smiled in understanding. Reaching up, she touched Zechs' cheek. "It's a beginning. I'm glad she finally agreed to come. I think seeing you has helped, or I hope so at least. I think she had to do that to begin the healing process."
Zechs nodded, raising Sally's hand up to his lips. "I did not mean to hurt her, Sally," he said.
Sally smiled and placed her fingers against Zechs' lips. "It was just one of many outcomes. Sometimes things work out between people and sometimes they don't. Noin is strong. She will survive. Now, enjoy the dance."
Zechs nodded and pulled Sally closer. "So, who won?" he asked.
"I did," Sally said. "But he will never admit it. He is a proud Chinese man who must not lose face, especially to an onna. It does not bother me anymore and it keeps him coming back to play again." Looking up at Zechs, she said, "What I have just said is confidential information and is *not* to be passed along, is that understood, Preventer Wind?"
"He will not hear it from me," Zechs said.
"Good," Sally said, sliding her arms around the blond man's waist.. "Because if it does, I'll make that little stunt you pulled with Peacemillion and Libra look like an afternoon stroll in the park."
Zechs' eyes widened. "Wufei was right. You are sexy when you threaten," he said.
"How are you, Miss Noin?" Wufei asked quietly, guiding her around the dance floor.
Lucrezia Noin took a deep breath and let it out slowly. For years, the young man before her had been the object of her anger, dislike and general hatred. Wufei Chang had come to symbolize what was wrong about the entire male half of the species. He was arrogant, ill-tempered, stubborn and a hater of women. He had not only stolen the attention of Zechs from her, but had made Sally hurt as well. She wanted to spit in his eye, hit him in the nose or at least, step on his foot. She found she could do neither.
He was there. He was real and that damned sense of social politeness had her releasing Zechs to dance with him...her enemy.
"Ok," Noin replied.
Wufei smiled slightly. "My honor says that the correct thing would be to leave you alone, but my sense of Justice says..." he began.
"Justice," Noin repeated interrupting. "I am so sick of hearing about you and your misbegotten justice, Wufei. Let me tell you something from personal experience. There is *no* justice!"
"So, I am correct. You are not ok, you are angry." Wufei said, with the slightest of nods.
"Yes!" Noin answered as her brow furrowed. Since Wufei had broken the 'polite' rule, she felt the room to take a few liberties.
"At me," Wufei said. It was as statement.
"Damned right!" Noin said.
"You are angry because I stole Zechs, Miliardo from you. He was your friend from a long time ago You love him. You wanted him. You invested time in him. You wanted him to be yours forever. When no one understood him, you stood by his side. When he was ill, you took care of him. You even jeopardized your position with Oz to defend the Sank Kingdom and protect his sister. In space, when we all told you to fire on him, you could not. So, now he is yours by right. Am I correct?" Wufei said, each statement rapid fire one after the other.
Noin felt her breath come in short gasps as Wufei's words poured over her, exposing every secret thought she had held to her and used to battle the incredible loss and loneliness she had felt for a long time.
"Yes!" she said, feeling the word hiss into the air. Looking up at Wufei, her vision blurred with tears. She felt anger, pain and some measure of relief. She waited for the recriminations and scathing comments that Wufei would surely say to her, catapulting her back to the battlefield at Victoria.
Instead, Lucrezia Noin saw the deep obsidian pools soften. She felt Wufei's hands cup her face softly, his attention solely on her.
"I am sorry, Miss Noin," Wufei said, quietly. "My words might not mean much to you, but know this. It was never my intention to come between you and Miliardo. In fact, I do not think that is possible. I once thought that love had limits and boundaries. It does not. Everyone in this room disproves that notion. Love is not something can be turned on and off. It simply is. What you see as desertion, I assure you is nothing more than self-imposed exile. He never stopped loving you. He just started loving me. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Noin listened carefully. She wanted to discount what she was hearing, but the statements, Wufei's eyes, everything called to her. She felt a great knot in her chest, threatening to explode. Her mouth opened and she forced her way around the great pain to say, "Yes."
She watched as, incredibly, Wufei relaxed. That she was witness to it was a blessing and that she had recognized it for what it was, was a miracle. Suddenly, the inevitable internal recriminations began and Lucrezia Noin felt herself tremble.
"No, dear lady," Wufei said, softly as he pulled her against his chest. "Do not leave me yet. The things that you are saying to yourself robs you of precious time. Time that could be well spent with the ones you love."
Noin frowned, taking a deep breath. "I don't deserve him... this...I was wrong, Wufei." she said.
"None of deserve to be standing here, Lucrezia," Wufei said. "Miliardo's spirit, his magnificence is something that is beyond comprehension. He has gone further and taken risks, and done things that we would never dream of doing. That makes him a king to me. Who deserves a king?"
Noin nodded, understanding the logic of the reply. Fingers touched her chin and guided it up.
"He is also a man. A man deserves all of the love he can find. As to being wrong, well we are all wrong at some time. The trick is finding the courage to be right again. If you require assistance, you have Miliardo and you have me. I volunteer. Would this be something you desire?"
Noin looked up at Wufei as a thousand thoughts and emotions filled her. "I would, yes," she said, quietly and then found a sly smile quirking her mouth. "I remember asking your help before. You refused."
Wufei made a face. "Destiny was not done with me, yet," he replied.
"Noin," a familiar voice said, over her shoulder.
Wufei smiled as he looked up at Zechs. "She is fine. We were just talking," he said.
Noin looked from one of them to the other. She felt her heart ache, but the blinding anger had gone. "I'm fine… or I will be fine. I feel tired," Noin said.
Zechs watched Noin closely. Something was different about her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes.
"Really," Noin said, noting the concern in the ice blue eyes.
Zechs smiled. He leaned forward and kissed Noin's forehead.
"I've just had an excellent idea," Wufei said. "Why don't we take these beautiful ladies to dinner, Miliardo?" He glanced over at Sally, who stood near by.
"If you are not too tired," Zechs said, looking down into Noin's wide eyes.
Noin found herself smiling and though it felt strange, the thought of being with people was a good one. "Suddenly, I feel more hungry than tired. I would love to have dinner," she said.
"Then we will bid a fond farewell to the hostess and find a restaurant," Wufei said.
Zechs looked over at him and the two shared a look. "That is wonderful idea," he said.
Sally looked over at Noin and quirked an eyebrow. The expression on her face was one of 'I told you so.' "I agree," she said. "And believe me, I…" she began and stopped, as her eyes rested on Wufei. "Never mind," she said quietly.
"What… what was that? What were you going to say?" Wufei demanded, taking her arm.
"It is of no consequence," Sally said, quietly as they walked. "Please forgive me for disturbing the air with a woman's foolishness."
"I just won, didn't I?" Wufei asked.
Sally smiled up at him sweetly. "I beg your forgiveness again for not answering at this time. I will be most able to do so in thirty seconds when our time has concluded."
Zechs looked down at Noin and slid his arms around her. "Would you like to talk now?" he asked.
Looking up at him, Noin smiled. " Later," she said.
Quatre walked over to where Trowa was leaning against the wall. "Mission complete," he said.
Trowa nodded. "Yeah. Looks like everyone is at least talking to everyone. How's Dorothy?"
Quatre smiled. "She is just fine. I think she wants to talk to you, but she's kinda keeping a low profile," he said.
"Well, that is a cue, if I ever heard one," Trowa answered, moving from the wall. As he passed Quatre, he leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Not enough," Quatre called, watching Trowa's retreating form.
"You'll get plenty later on," Trowa promised.
Quatre smiled and folded his arms over his chest as he watched Trowa speak to Dorothy. He leaned against the wall in the same spot Trowa had just vacated.
Outside, Duo looked up at the glowing round object in the night sky. "Beautiful," he murmured, then looked just to his right to see Heero staring up at it as well.
"Looks different.. not dead," Heero said.
Duo smiled. "I said almost those same words about five or six years ago. I was thinking about you," he said.
Heero looked at Duo for a long time and said nothing, just looked at the braided pilot's profile. "Why," he asked, moving closer. "What were you thinking?"
Duo smiled and took a deep breath. "I was wondering if you ever looked at the moon," he said. "I wondered if you were so busy, so focused that you paused for things like sunsets or how the moon looked from the Earth… stuff like that." Feeling an arm slide around his waist, Duo's smile widened.. Even after all of this time, Heero still possessed the power to make his heart race.
"Do you still want an answer, or has it been too long?" Heero asked, feeling Duo's braid brush his arm.
"Anything about you at all, Heero," Duo said, looking up at the glowing moon.
"I didn't notice it at first. I didn't notice much at all. I just wanted to do my job and get out," he said, then looked at Duo's profile again. "After I died, I had plenty of opportunity to look at it. I was sad, depressed and I hated the Earth. But, being confined to a bed and unable to move, I looked at it a lot."
Duo nodded. "I did a lot of thinking at odd times about you. I was curious as hell. I thought you were pretty fucked up and needed a friend. I was right, of course. Did not get the Relena thing. I mean, we were buds, compatriots, freedom fighters. Lone Gunmen out to save the Colonies," he said. "Not that I didn't look at the ladies. I did. I just thought there would never be time or room for them. Was I stupid or what?"
Heero shook his head. "Just the way things were at the time," he said.
Duo looked back at Heero. "You know I never thought of you as perfect. You were good.. like me, but I knew you screwed up on occasions just like everyone," Duo said, feeling the arm around his waist squeeze him gently.
Heero sighed deeply. "Hn," he remarked. "I knew," he said, looking up at the large white disk in the sky. "It is beautiful," he said softly.
Duo followed his gaze back up into the sky. "It sure is," he said..
Prussian blue eyes, shifted down and Heero smiled as he saw Duo's profile again. It was a sight that never ceased to amaze him. Reaching up, Heero traced the outline of Duo's jaw with his fingertip. "Like you," he said, softly.
"Hn?" Duo remarked turning his head towards Heero.
Cupping Duo's face with his hand, Heero leaned forward and touched his lips to Duo's. The two young men turned towards one another and their bodies melded together as they kissed in the moonlight.
vonceia
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