NOTE: beta written by Snow Tigra

Where the Ocean Meets the Sky
by SkyLark

Following a successful mission in destroying an OZ base a few miles from the school where they were currently enrolled, Heero and Duo decided it best to camp outside for the night. Lying in their own sleeping bags, they settled themselves in a small clearing in the woods where they hid their Gundams. It would only be a matter of time before they were separated on different missions. They both knew it. For some reason, it was something that the Wing pilot didn't want to think about.

Looking back over at the pilot beside him, Heero sat up a bit as he asked in a tired voice, "Can't sleep?"

Duo shook his head, "No. I have too much on my mind."

"Like what?" the other boy asked in genuine curiosity as he began to sit up.

Biting his lower lip, Duo looked down at his sleeping bag as he nervously tugged on a loose string. "Well, I was wondering," he began softly with a thoughtful frown. "When this war is over... did you ever think about what you were going to do?"

Heero took a deep breath, exhaling slowly in a sigh as he sat up enough to pull his knees to his chest, staring ahead into nothing. He frowned, "I never gave it any thought. I'm not even sure I'll live to see the end of the war."

Concern and fear filled Duo violet gaze as he whispered, "Heero." Collecting himself, his eyes narrowed in determination as he stated clearly, "If it's at all in my power, I'll see that you live through this."

With a lopsided smirk that he couldn't fight off, Heero met his comrade's eyes as he said, "I don't have any doubt of that, Duo." Looking back up at the sky as he considered the question further. Finally, he shrugged, "I honestly don't know what I'll do when this is all finished." Turning back to the braided pilot, Heero commented, "I take it you've given it some consideration?"

That warm, sweet smile returned to Duo's face as he nodded enthusiastically. The sight was endearing, like a young child ready to burst at the seams with what they were about to share. Sitting himself besides his partner, Duo smiled, "My goal is to eventually live here on the Earth, by the ocean."

Raising an eyebrow in interest, Heero commented, "You seem pretty set in that. What is it about the ocean that you like so much?"

Duo's smile remained as he shrugged, "Well, once I finally got to see it the first time I reached the Earth, I couldn't believe how huge the sea actually was when you stand on the edge of the beach." Awe and wonder filled his voice as he recalled the image of his last visit to such a place. Even Heero watched him with a small smile, seeing the joy in his comrade's face and hearing it in his words.

Softly, Duo continued, "When you look out as far as you can, it looks like the ocean meets the sky. It's so hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. Of course the ocean and the sky can never touch, but from that spot, it looks like they're joined. " Leaning his back against the tree root behind him, the American whispered, "I can't think of any place I've been that's more beautiful."

Heero had to remind himself to breathe as he pictured the image that Duo had painted for him. He, too, had seen the same place where the ocean met the sky. It wasn't until now that he actually appreciated it. Somehow, Duo never failed in making him appreciate little things that he never had before they had met.

Yawning as he stretched his arms over his head, Duo finally gave in to his need for sleep. Both young men lowered themselves back into their sleeping bags, lying on their sides that faced each other. Meeting his friend's eyes, Duo smiled, "Good night, Heero."

"Good night, Duo," Heero replied softly. His eyes sliding closed and a smile on his lips, Duo slipped into a peaceful slumber. Allowing himself a moment to watch the beauty across from him sleep, Heero finally allowed sleep to claim him.

"So, can I take this thing off now?" Duo asked as Heero led him out of the car by both hands. Behind the dark cloth covering his eyes, the braided youth thought that he could make out the distant sound of waves.

Chuckling with an amused smirk, the Japanese boy closed the car door behind his koi as he answered, "Soon. Just a little further." Taking both of Duo's hands into his own, Heero led them over a paved walkway.

"You know, when I agreed to follow you wherever you would lead, I wasn't prepared to be blindfolded doing it," Duo chided with a grin as he held his partner's hands tightly. The sound of the Wing pilot's chuckle filled his ears again.

Stopping at the designated spot, Heero smiled as he stood behind the American and slowly untied the blindfold at the back of his braided head. "Okay. You can open your eyes now," he said softly. Opening his violet eyes, Duo blinked a few times on account of the bright sun overhead. Looking up, he gasped sharply at the sight before him.

They stood before a large, two-story house with a wide and impressive wooden porch that wrapped all the way around along with a second floor balcony. The white building was secluded in the middle of a beach. Turning to peer behind him, Duo gazed on the ocean a few hundred feet away. The sea breeze played with his chestnut bangs as he took in everything around him. Time seemed to stop as he took in the breathtaking scenery and looked back to the large and beautiful house.

Finally, Duo found his voice as he met Heero's eyes and asked breathlessly, "Is this what I think it is?"

Lifting his hand, Heero's smile grew as he dangled a key ring with a single, silver key on it before his lover's wide eyes. "Welcome home," the Japanese teenager said softly as he lowered the key into Duo's hand, clasping their palms tightly.

Gazing on the key in disbelief, the braided pilot needed a moment before a beaming smile lit his face. He laughed gleefully and threw his arms tightly around his koi. Heero returned the hug and smiled as he watched Duo run up the porch and excitedly slide the key into the doorknob. As the door opened, Heero followed as Duo gasped and made his way into the large living room to the left. The braided pilot ran from one room to another including the basement and then upstairs as the Wing pilot leaned against the wooden railing in the hallway.

After exploring every nook and cranny of the estate, Duo ran back downstairs. Heero smiled as his partner asked simply, "How?"

The Japanese boy smirked and shrugged, "A gift from OZ." Noting the look of shock and confusion in those violet gems, Heero explained, "While we were fighting, I managed to hack into a few impressive accounts of theirs. We'll be living comfortably on their contributions for a long time." Duo's head fell back as he laughed loudly.

Stepping back, the braided young man looked up as he bit his lip. "This place is huge," he almost whispered to himself as he gazed around the impressive hallway.

Heero's smile grew just a bit, not even realizing how easy it was for him to grin since the war ended. Leading his love into the back, enclosed patio, the Wing pilot brought them to the tall, window paned doors. All of the rooms had been furnished and completed with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. In several places, paintings hung throughout the beautiful house, adding to the calming atmosphere.

Pointing out to the sand of the beach stretched out before them, he commented, "I was thinking of growing a garden back here. I started getting the supplies, along with a gazebo." Duo remained speechless as a smile spread across his lips when he nodded in agreement.

Finally, he managed to whisper, "It's perfect, Heero." Turning to meet his lover's gaze, he smiled sincerely and nodded, "It's perfect."

Smiling warmly, Heero leaned in as they shared a soft, simple kiss as their arms wrapped around each other. When they pulled back, the American chuckled, "Actually, it's not quite perfect just yet."

Raising an eyebrow, the Japanese pilot chuckled, "Almost, huh? What would make it perfect, then?" He always did love the mischievous smirk that Duo gave in response to the question.

"Well," the braided teenager replied in a deep seductive voice. Running a hand through the unruly hair at the back of his koibito's head with their eyes locked, Duo answered, "We have to christen all of the rooms first." Returning a sly smile of his own, Heero pulled Duo close as he kissed him fiercely.

Dawn was soon approaching on the wake of the lovers' first night in their new home. Duo sat alone on the beach as he gazed out to the waves rolling up and crashing just a few feet before him. Barefoot and dressed in his nightshirt and pants, he never bothered to pull his hair back in a braid as it flowed behind and around him in the gentle breeze. Tears filled his eyes as he sniffed and lowered his head.

A soft voice from behind was almost lost over the sound of the roaring waves. "Duo?" With a soft gasp and wide eyes, the long-haired pilot turned back. Heero stood with a look of concern that matched the voice. Dressed in a simple, short white T-shirt and blue jeans along with a loose pair of brown shoes, Duo couldn't imagine many other times when Heero looked so beautiful.

Sitting beside his lover, the Japanese boy caressed his lover's face as said quietly, "I was worried when you weren't beside me when I woke up."

Guilt fanned its way across Duo's face as he bit his lip and lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Heero. I just... I couldn't sleep."

With his own eyes wide, the other young man pulled his hand back when he felt a tear on his fingertips. Looking down to the wet drop rolling down his own finger, Heero raised his head up as he asked in fear, "Duo, what's wrong? Did I do something?"

Quickly, Duo shook his head as he answered quickly, "Oh no, Heero. You did nothing wrong." He smiled, "Everything has just been so wonderful... You're asking me to stay with you... This house of ours... Waking up in your arms... It couldn't be any better." The Wing pilot nodded, but never lost any of the concern or confusion in his expression.

Looking out to the ocean again, the American sighed softly and finally explained the unanswered question. "I'm just crying because this is the first time I've ever been ecstatically happy," he whispered. "I never dreamed that any of this would have ever happened. You really helped make all my dreams come true."

Heero gave a small smile as he finished Duo's thoughts, "And you're afraid that it's really just a dream and nothing more." Duo nodded after releasing a shuddery breath.

Gently turning his love's face to him so that they could meet eyes, the Japanese pilot spoke gently, "Duo. Remember that night you told me that if it was at all in your power, you would see to it that I lived through the war, and that your dream to live by the ocean... to constantly see where the ocean meets the sky?" Violet eyes widening in realization, the other boy nodded. Heero smiled, "I made it a vow myself that night that if it was at all possible, I would see to it that all your dreams came true."

Small tears began to build in Duo's eyes again as he whispered brokenly, "But -- but why?"

Brushing the back of his fingers against the American's cheek, Heero responded, "Because I love you. I didn't know it then, but I do now. You're the only person who ever made me want to live, to learn and understand more than what my training allowed me when it came to my own feelings. I know that I have a lot of learning to do yet, but I'm not afraid with you beside me. You're the only person that I've met who has offered me love unconditionally. For all of that, I would go through Hell and back to make you happy. That's my mission from this day on."

Smiling through his tears, Duo laughed quietly as he said breathlessly, "You're the only person I know who can make me speechless, love." Heero smiled lovingly and kissed his koi's forehead, closing his eyes as he held his lips there.

When they separated, Duo smiled as Heero wrapped an arm around his shoulder and kneeled beside him. Gazing out to the ocean, meeting that space where they couldn't tell where the sky ended and the ocean began, the young lovers remained silent as they took in the beautiful scene. All they could hear was the wind spinning through their hair and the crash of the majestic waves. The sky just began to brighten in the far distance as the sun began its steady climb to the horizon.

After a long pause Duo said in a faint voice, "I finally realized why I loved looking out at the ocean so much." Heero turned to lock eyes with his partner as Duo smiled, "Seeing the ocean and the sky touching reminds me of us. Two people who seemed so different from each other that never seemed to belong together."

Heero smiled as a stray tear rolled down his cheek and he continued, "Two worlds never meant to touch, but can't exist without each other... Eventually inseparable." Smiling sweet with bright eyes, Duo nodded.

Leaning in, the lovers shared a passionate kiss as they clung to each other. When they pulled back, they cuddled closely as they both gazed out to the sunrise. Unaffected by the breeze twirling Duo's hair around them along with the crash of the waves that pulled close to Heero's feet they remained in silence.

It was the beginning of a new day... A new life.

And they welcomed the unknown, come what may.