Pairings: 2x1+2
Genre: none specifically
Warnings: rated NC-17 for sexual scenes
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing...unfortunately...
Notes: This is written for Sharon's (and P.L. Nunn's) 2x1 Lemon Contest at 'Moments of Rapture'. Thanks to Laine for betaing. Enjoy!!!

A Trip for Two
by June Lee

A figure in a white t-shirt with a red stripe across the middle, dark blue jeans, and a matching denim jacket sat in one of the middle rows of the bus. His eyes, a deep steel blue, looked at nothing in particular, retaining a bored look. Dark, chestnut hair rested on his head, an almost messy, slept-in look, if not for the volume, thickness, and bounce of it. Janenne continued explaining the events of the day and the rest of the trip, a smile on her face, but he didn't care. He glanced out the window, peering over the jigsaw puzzle print on the stubble-like padding -- who made these things anyway? -- of the coach seat in front of him

"Now Exiting Sanq Kingdom", the sign read.

Heero leaned against the back of his seat and the window and, staring out at the oncoming traffic lane, cast out the drone of the tour guide.

Following after the person in front of him, Heero stepped off the tour bus, small black camera in hand. In front of him, to his right, was a wooden sign with cream-colored paint reading "Timber Falls". Taking a few steps forward on the rocky, lightly grassy soil, the small waterfall came into view. A wide, rushing river, passing under a pedestrian bridge, cascading over olive green-brown rocks, parting halfway down for a soil-rich island with a lone pine tree, the two halves joining at the bottom in a mish-mash of white foam. Smaller, individual streams bounced over rocks jutting out to the side of the main wall. The still-early sun, halfway up the cloudless sky, tinted and shaded the forest to the sides and back of the waterfall, casting a glow here, a shadow there.

Duo, in brown bottoms and a blue-grey top, bounded up to the lookout point, one foot hopping on each fold of rock. Lifting his camera, Heero sighted and snapped several pictures -- Duo racing ahead of the pack, Duo taking the steps on the wooden stairs two at a time, Duo grinning back at him. Duo reached the lookout platform and looked forward, one arm raised to his forehead to block out the sunlight glaring into his eyes. Heero snapped another picture as Duo turned his back to him, looking far to the origin of the river.

Spinning around, Duo motioned Heero join him. Though Heero was less eager than Duo, he was no less awed. The moment his foot landed on the platform, he felt his body jerk as Duo grabbed his wrist and pulled him along to the bridge. The view from the middle of the bridge was just as breathtaking, and the roar of running water -- flying, tumbling water -- filled his ears. Heero took another few pictures with his camera, some zoomed in, some zoomed out, one with a small brown bird flying over Duo's head as it sailed down from a nearby tree.

"Drop that camera and just enjoy it, Heero," Duo called from further ahead on the bridge.

The other tourists pointed to random things in all directions from the lookout platform, laughter and awe rising above the sounds of the waterfall. Heero continued to look at the scenery through his camera at different angles, slowly making a full circle turn, until an arm blocked his view and came to lower on his camera, pushing it down from his face.

"C'mon, Heero. Stop that." Duo looked Heero straight in the eye. "Pictures tell a lot, but they don't tell everything."

Pulling back, Heero let the camera hang from his neck and leaned over the railing. Light breezes ruffled his dark brown-black hair. Heero felt Duo's arm come around his left shoulder, felt Duo's chest at his back, Duo's heat and the sun's warmth taking over the cold steam from the waterfall. As Duo's head bent down over his other shoulder, moving in to kiss and nip at Heero's neck, Heero closed his eyes and leaned back into the touch. A moment of warmth.

His mind stilled. It was interrupted by the snap of a sudden cold wind and the sound of the buttons on his jean jacket rattling against the bridge railing. The other tourists were making their way back to the coach; Duo was no longer standing behind him. Out of his reverie, Heero shook his head lightly and made his way back, off the bridge and down to the bus.

Heero placed his tray down onto the red and yellow table and sat down on the attached, matching seat. On his tray was his purchase -- a burger wrapped in foil, a box of fries, and a medium-sized drink, a typical white-red straw sticking out of the top. Staring at his tray, Heero sighed. "I hate this stuff."

Lunch today was at a fast food joint. It wasn't like there was a choice. Sanq was overflowing with people, businesses, and, hence, restaurants everywhere in the kingdom, but that was Sanq. Being surrounded by hills and forests added to the beautification of the city, but isolated it as well. Outside of Sanq were only little towns, populations of 5000 or under. It was either eat at a greasy, fast food restaurant, or starve.

A feminine laugh. "Me too."

Heero looked up and found a young woman with white-blonde hair and light blue eyes standing by his table. A fellow sightseer, she was holding an ugly brown tray of her own. Heero returned her shy look with an expressionless face. At his lack of response and bland blinking, the woman blushed and asked, "Would you like some company?"

"Sorry, no." Heero looked apologetic, but only faintly. The woman blushed further and excused herself, taking a seat closer to the entrance with the rest of the group. Unfazed, Heero picked up his burger, unwrapped it, and took a bite.

A man walked by with his head down and took the back exit. The dark pillbox hat he was wearing reminded Heero of the one Duo wore during the war. He cleared it from his mind.

"What's wrong with 'this stuff'?" Duo slid his tray and body onto the table and seat facing Heero in one fluid movement.

Heero looked to Duo and replied, "It's full of grease." He made a show of watching the oil-mayonnaise mixture drip from his patty.

Duo laughed. "Hey, if it's there," he motioned to the pool gathering on the foil, "it's not in your stomach." Unwrapping his own burger with one hand, he grabbed a fry with his other and pointed it in the direction of the young lady earlier. "A little harsh, no?"

Heero shrugged. "I don't feel like eating with anyone."

"Maybe I should leave too, then?"

"No," Heero started as Duo started to rise. "You don't count."

"I'm not company?" Duo dropped his jaw. "I'm hurt." Heero wasn't fooled, but that just made Duo grin. He looked back to the girl, who was looking over to their table. "I think she likes you," he smirked

"She does not, Duo. Stop it."

"You mean you don't like her? She's pretty," Duo teased. Heero only glared. "Just checking to make sure," Duo replied with a grin.

They continued eating their lunches, Duo gobbling his double beef patty, and Heero taking smaller bites of his regular burger. Heero started to take a large swallow of his drink when he felt something brushing at his knee. He ignored it at first, but it was persistent -- and it tickled.

"Duo."

"What?" Nothing but innocence and a smile.

Heero tried to finish his fries, but had to squirm now and then as Duo played footsies. It was mildly annoying, but more fun. Sometimes, Duo's shoeless foot would reach further in and brush against him. Duo's face betrayed nothing, but Heero couldn't hide it as well as Duo could. When he felt Duo's foot at his crotch, he shuddered and slid down a little in his chair.

"Like those fries, Heero?"

Heero didn't reply, only slid down another inch, a slow moan drawing up his throat as he felt Duo's foot against his jeans, his inner thighs, rubbing. It was deliberate. It was insistent. It was good. Duo's toes wiggled, his foot still embedded between Heero's legs. Knees shaking, Heero slid down further, and further.

Bam! Heero jumped in his seat, the back of his head having banged on the metal of the back of his seat. Sitting back up, he saw people at other tables giving him funny looks. A glare settled that problem. Turning back to the remainder of his fries, he ate in silence, alone at the back corner of the restaurant.

Heero stood in front of the mirror in his hotel room. The toiletries he brought were laid on the counter in front of him, neatly organized -- comb, razor and shaving cream, toothbrush and toothpaste, lotion... After filling the provided glass with water, Heero squeezed some mint green toothpaste onto his generic, blue toothbrush and began brushing his teeth.

"Blech, I hate toothpaste."

Heero caught the reflection of Duo's form at the doorway in the mirror from the corner of his eye. Toothbrush still in his mouth, he replied, "Itsh goo for your tceef."

Duo made a face. "It makes me gag. Nothing that makes me gag is good."

Heero rinsed his mouth and spit out the water. "Medicine tastes bad, but it's good for you too."

"Well fine." Duo shrugged, still standing casually in the doorway. "It's not like I eat lots of sugar. I don't even like sweets."

"No. Just junk food."

Duo pretended to huff. "So? You use that toothpaste of yours. You're the one with the sweet tooth."

"I do not have a sweet tooth!" Heero retorted.

Laughter and a smirk. "I saw you ogling those truffles today." Heero tried to deny it. "Yes, yes, I saw you, babe; you were quite ogling." Duo leaned his shoulder against the doorframe. "Want me to feed you those truffles?" His voice went close to sultry. "I know you were thinking it."

Heero spit out a mouthful of foam, having nearly choked on it. As he rinsed his mouth one final time, a slight blush colored his cheeks.

Duo turned and laughed. "Sweet tooth," he teased. Walking out of the washroom, he called back, "Night, Heero."

"Night, Duo."

He was blindfolded, but he could feel the sunshine on his face, so he knew he was outside. The blindfold was quickly removed and set aside. Before he had a chance to register anything, Duo's face appeared directly in his line of sight. Duo, in a tank top and track pants, was sitting in front of him. His hand opened out between them, a truffle on his palm. Those truffles he saw in that store.

Duo had a playful smile on his face as he lifted the chocolate to Heero's lips. Heero parted his lips and Duo pushed it into his mouth gingerly. It was wonderful, warmed slightly by Duo's hand. Feeling it melt on his tongue and slide down his throat, he moaned a little.

Duo smiled and held out another. This time, he didn't bring it to Heero's lips, but held it right before him. Eager, Heero leaned forward, eyes intent on the chocolate, and opened his mouth, ready to close his lips on the ball, when suddenly, it was pulled back from him. His eyes snapped up to find Duo's grin. In on the game, he moved forward again, but missed. Third time was the charm, and his teeth managed to catch hold of the truffle, sinking in and tearing half of it into his mouth, the other half still between Duo's fingers. He quickly chewed on the chocolate and swallowed, watching Duo all the while.

Duo moved to give Heero the rest of the chocolate, but at the last second, popped it into his mouth. Eyes taunting, he stuck his tongue out to show Heero the treat, then took it back into his mouth.

"I thought you don't like sweets."

"I don't," he shrugged. "So take it from me."

Taking the bait, Heero leaned forward, almost falling into Duo, and latched onto Duo's mouth. Tongue darting past the barrier of lips, he battled with the opposing tongue, lips still locked, one hand on Duo's chest. They fought over the chocolate as it rolled, melting from their heat and saliva. Scooping it, Heero retreated and swallowed the chocolate whole.

The smile on Duo's face was lazy, satisfied. He meant to let Heero have it, anyway. Leaning in, he watched as Heero swallowed and kissed the lump in Heero's throat as it went down, making Heero shudder. He raised his head and kissed Heero's lips, both of them tasting chocolate on the other. The kiss was long, roaming; Duo tasted like crisp apple and cinnamon. Duo placed both hands on Heero's chest and pushed, going down with Heero at the same time.

He landed on his back, the grass tickling him somewhat where his green tank top rode up past his blue jeans. The kiss got slower, lazier, but no less intense. Hands started roaming up and down his sides and chest. He returned the gesture with his own arms at Duo's back. Deftly, Duo kicked off his sandals and nudged Heero's running shoes off which just his feet. They were then forgotten. Trailing from Heero's lips, Duo nipped at his jawline, down to his throat. As he felt teeth grazing at his neck, Heero saw the sunlight through the branches and leaves above him, providing shade from the heat of the sun above.

The light made his hair glisten, but Duo was oblivious. It didn't matter. Getting Heero's top off mattered. Heero's skin tingled when Duo's fingers made their way up his stomach, his chest, and brushed over his nipples. His shirt rode up as more of Duo's arms went in. Raising his back and his head, he allowed Duo to remove his tank top. It was tossed somewhere, out of sight, out of mind. Duo pulled off his own top and sent it flying, before pressing into Heero, teeth and lips now at his collarbone. Heero stroked Duo's braid.

One hand continued to do a little more exploring and fingers dug into his jeans. They couldn't go far, so they retreated and worked on the zipper instead. Duo was kissing Heero on the lips again, and Heero enthusiastically complied. A palm over his right nipple, rubbing in a circular motion, made his mind lose track of his jeans. The next thing he knew, they were down to his knees. Duo got out from laying between Heero's legs, off to Heero's side, and tugged the jeans off, Heero helping him by bending his knees and lifting his calves. Then he crawled back into Heero's legs on his knees and continued, no longer pressed up against Heero but hovering over him instead.

The mouth on his other nipple was horribly distracting, but Heero retained enough consciousness to slip off Duo's track pants. The erection that prodded his stomach told him Duo had not worn any boxers or briefs. The thought was highly erotic and he felt himself answer in kind. Duo felt the increased bulge and grinned against Heero's chest. He trailed down from the nipples and to Heero's left hip, sucking at the skin, licking it. His hands pulled on either side of the elastic of Heero's briefs and pulled down, past the knees and off his feet. When Heero lifted his butt to get the briefs off, Duo took the opportunity to lick the underside of his balls, which made Heero's legs weak and he crashed back down onto the grass.

Suddenly, his skin was extra sensitive, feeling even the individual blades of grass underneath him. They poked at him, but he concentrated on the matter at hand. It wasn't hard; Duo was not an easy person to ignore, and he had no desire to ignore Duo either. Duo took one ball into his mouth and rolled it around, playing with it, before doing the same with the other. His hands pushed Heero's legs apart at the knees, and Heero gave no resistance whatsoever.

When his cock was enveloped whole without warning, he cried out, hands digging into Duo's scalp, threading through his hair. It encouraged Duo further, who started moving up and down, tongue swirling around the head at all times. A cool, slick finger at his hole made him jump a little, but he wanted it, so he pushed against it, taking it in slowly. Where the lube had come from, Heero wasn't sure, but he also didn't care. One finger became two, and they began to stretch him, slowly but surely. A third digit went in, lubed as well, and the hands in on Duo's head pulled at the hair, the braid starting to come undone from the top. By this time, he was panting, his cock throbbing, his hole stretched, his nipples still at attention.

He watched as Duo straightened his back and removed his fingers from Heero, his other hand reaching for the lube beside them. A dollop on his palm, he rubbed it between his hands to warm it before wrapping one around his own hard erection. Positive he was lubed up well enough not to hurt Heero, he stroked himself a few more times before leaning down over Heero. He meant to give a quick peck, but Heero would have none of is, arms encircling Duo's neck and giving Duo all he could with his kiss. Their erections touched, and it broke them apart, both pumped with anticipation.

Heero winced when Duo started pushing in. He held one leg with his arm towards his body to keep it out of the way. Duo held the other up to his own shoulder with one arm, his other hand spreading Heero's ass. Slowly but surely, Duo made it all the way in. Heero felt incredible. His nerves tingled, up and down his entire body. Heat flared at his crotch and his heart pounded; he wet his lips with his tongue. Duo started to pull out.

"Aaahhh..."

Duo moaned in kind, low in his throat, as he felt Heero's walls around him. He started a rhythm, nice and slow, pulling out a little and pushing back in. Heero's whine complained at him, and he moved faster, pulled out more, slammed back harder. Heero's free hand came to rub at his chest, now and then against his nipples. He slid almost all the way out and plunged in again, both their bodies rocking with the movement. His braid fell over his shoulder, but he flipped it back with one motion.

Heero was close, as Duo kept hitting that spot inside him. His eyes kept closing without his permission. He didn't want to hold back any longer. Duo's pace picked up even more. Releasing his leg, letting Duo catch it and hold it to his other shoulder, he reached for his erection and started stroking it, fast. Duo leaned forward more, bending Heero further, and continued on. The new angle pushed Heero over the top and he cried out, losing all his senses but the feeling of ecstasy, and he didn't care. He spilled all over his hand, feeling it coat his stomach and drip to his balls. Duo gave a hoarse cry and a final slam, exploding inside of Heero. He fell over Heero his stomach hitting Heero's release as arms wrapped around him. Languidly, he pulled out of Heero and shifted to Heero's side. Heero turned on his side, then leaned his back into Duo's chest. He felt an arm drape over him casually. They were still breathing hard.

He wiggled his toes. Their socks had somehow remained on throughout the entire ordeal. Heero closed his eyes and relaxed completely. He felt wonderful and at peace, and he wanted to express it all. "Duo," he breathed. There was no answer. "Duo?"

He sat up and turned around to look at Duo; he found himself in bed in his hotel room, his legs underneath the covers, wearing his pajama bottoms.

"Why don't you ever sit with the group?"

Heero turned his head from the window to the lady next to him. With rotation, he was sitting with a different person every day of the trip, and today just happened to be the young woman who had asked to sit with him for lunch that first day. She was still shy, but a little bolder with curiosity, and had they known each other, he'd have added concern to her facial features.

"Do you not like us? Is it me? I didn't mean to bother you that first day."

"No, it's not you," Heero replied, bland but serious. "I just don't mingle well."

"I don't mind." She tried to be a little more forward with her friendship. "I'm shy too, but I've learned it's worth trying to overcome." She got no response, so she tried again. "Is something on your mind? I know we just met, but maybe I can help. Strangers give the best advice, sometimes," she smiled.

"Thank you." His voice was sincere, but he didn't offer any information. His face remained expressionless, though his forehead wrinkled slightly.

"It's just sad to see you sitting on your own, sometimes."

He turned back to the window and watched the forested hills pass by. The conversation ended.

He found a small playground -- large, actually, but there comes a point in time when all playgrounds appear small, no matter their size -- while wandering around the area before dinner. He didn't get a close look, though no one was there at the time, but by the scattered bumps of gravel inside the box it was obvious this playground was frequented by many children.

It intrigued him, because it reminded him that while some things change, some things stay the same.

So he came back to the gravel pit later that evening, after dinner. He took it all in, the swing sets, the slides, the monkey bars, the climbing towers, the tire, the X-and-O's panel, the see-saws... There was nothing to reminisce about, as he had never been in a playground before, only passed them by and not even all that often; he was not one for regret, and so he didn't feel any. It was Duo who told him how Sister Helen had described to him a playground. There was only a very small free-standing swing set at the church, and Duo had been too big to fit in the little seats. But he had watched Sister Helen push the toddlers on the swings, and the memory always made him smile. And Duo's smile made Heero smile.

He walked past the monkey bars, between the sets of see-saws, circled around the tire, the chains creaking ever so slightly from the wind. Standing beside one of the wooden towers, which was only a foot higher than he himself, he looked at the wooden steps on the ladder to the top. They were worn, but still amazingly sturdy.

The sound of Duo's laughter brought his head up. From his position, he looked toward the swing set -- the larger one -- and saw a braid flying, trailing behind its owner. Duo, one hand around the linked chains to each side, swung back and forth, slowly climbing with each arc. Eyes bright, smile true, Duo looked entirely young and carefree. Taking his trusty camera from around his neck, Heero took a few pictures of Duo in motion.

Duo's enjoyment was amazing, almost contagious, and eventually brought Heero out from the wooden towers. As Heero stepped out and headed towards the swings, Duo's smile widened. Slowing down, Duo tilted his head to the swing beside him; Heero conceded and sat down on the rubber seat, once a bubble gum pink but now covered with dirt.

"Glad you could join me. Man, are these things wicked. Who thought you could get such a kick from swinging back and forth?"

"A great invention," Heero replied, lightly swinging with his feet still on the ground.

"You said it." Duo continued to arc, but maintained his lowered height. "It's like flying, but a completely different kind of flying. Nothing like airplanes, or shuttles, or 'Scythe, or space. How else can you get the wind all around you like this?"

A rhetorical question, but Heero answered it anyway. "Hang gliding."

Duo ignored the remark. "You can stand and swing, or sit and swing, or spin around like the tire. A race to see who goes the highest. Overcoming your fear of heights. Swing by yourself or between two friends. Laughter on a swing sounds different. It's...it's..." Duo stopped swinging his legs and let the momentum drive him. "It's about the simplicity of the feeling. And not being able to describe a word of it. When you're young, you don't try to, and when you're old, you discover you can't."

The momentum eventually simmered, leaving Duo level with the swing beside him. He looked over to Heero, who was still watching him, having listened to every word he just said. There was barely any change on his face, but it was almost noticeably tinted with some wonder.

Duo's chuckle broke the quiet. "C'mon," he smiled, getting off his swing. "I'll push you."

Heero's eyes followed Duo's movement, his head turning to watch as Duo stood behind him. Not waiting for Heero to get ready, Duo pushed forward on Heero's back, startling him, and Heero's head returned to its original angle. The pushes were light at first, but they grew stronger as Heero swung higher. "Put some muscle into that swinging," Duo called out. From the point farthest from Duo on his swing, Heero looked back and watched as Duo braced him and pushed forward again when the swing swung back, elbows bending and straightening, arms coming out from his chest, the rest of his body moving with him. "I'm doing all the work here!"

Heero rose higher and higher, and he started to let himself go, feeling that feeling Duo could not describe earlier. It felt like he could go no higher, and yet if he just reached his foot out... And again, and again. He heard Duo's merriment behind him, and it made him feel carefree.

"Jump, Heero!" Duo prompted. "I dare you!"

Wouldn't that be dangerous? But it was Duo behind him, and he would always trust Duo. Duo only wanted him to have fun, after all. So he pushed himself off the seat and felt weightless for a second, before he landed on his knees, arms out to support his body falling to nature. He sensed, more than anything, when Duo ran at him and jumped, tackling him, sending sand and gravel everywhere. They rolled and wrestled, laughing and squirming, acting like a pair of 9-year-old boys who were fighting but didn't mean it. Bits of pebble crept into Heero's shoes and pant legs. He didn't feel them.

Duo finally gave in, pinned underneath Heero with his arms trapped, gasping for air but full of spirit. Duo leaned up and nuzzled Heero's neck, a tiny smile on his lips. Heero nuzzled back. "I guess that means I win."

"Yeah," Duo breathed, "I guess..." Heero was completely surprised when fingers attacked his sides, making him burst out with silly laughter as he was tickled. "...I win," Duo finished, pushing Heero off and rolling on top of him. His tickling continued, relentless. Heero kept squirming, trying to free himself from the attack, but it was a long while before he had the opportunity to make his escape. Before Duo could look up, Heero ran under the monkey bars and hid under the spiral slide, huddling and trying to keep his breathing down.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are." Heero heard Duo's voice, but didn't stick his head out to try and see him. "Now where could you be?" It was obvious that Duo knew where Heero was, but that wasn't Duo's style. "If you don't come out, I'll leave." Heero remained rooted to his spot. "Five, four, three...two..."

He could have run out from under the slide, and part of him wanted to, but he didn't. Concentrating on slowing his breathing, he waited for Duo to finish counting down. Waited for Duo to say 'one.' Waited. "Duo?" No response. "Duo?" he called out a little louder. It was no use. Finally emerging, Heero looked to where he last saw Duo. There was no Duo there. There was no Duo anywhere.

The playground was empty, save himself, and silent, save the night. Even his swing had stopped creaking.

"I hope you don't mind, Heero. The hotel has no more single rooms, so I've slotted you into a double with our bus driver. Is that okay?"

Heero nodded to Janenne. "It's okay."

"I can give you a partial refund, if you like," she offered, apologetic.

"That won't be necessary." Taking the room key from his tour guide, he waited inside the lobby for the driver to come back from parking. Together, they went into their room and settled in, one unpacking while the other showered.

In his blue-and-white checkered pajamas, Heero pulled out a fresh set of clothes from his luggage for the next day and set it aside. The bus driver -- Richards -- came out from brushing his teeth and did the same. "So, who is she, anyway?"

Heero paused, hunched over his suitcase. "Who?"

"You know, that girl you keep mumbling about." Heero looked confused. "On the bus, while you're sleeping, I can hear you sometimes, when you're sitting at the front. You get all these expressions across your face."

"I do?" Heero was hesitant. Did he talk in his sleep?

The driver looked sheepish. "Sorry, I guess you didn't know. Not my business to ask, anyway." The two climbed into their separate beds, night having fallen a while ago. "She must've been something else. Your girlfriend or something?"

Heero slid under the covers and turned off the bedside lamp. Or something, he thought.

In his own bed, the driver did the same. Eyes closing, he asked with a yawn, "What is her name, anyway?"

Heero laid on his side, eyes still open, blinking, riddled with thought. "Duo."

It wasn't a large cathedral by any means, but there are times when size means little. The minister was speaking to the group of the nature of this particular cathedral, which was built with money from donations alone, from people all over the Earth Sphere and even from many colonies. Meant to be a place of peace, reflection, and spirit, the building was not catered to any specific religious denomination, though there were many figures from a variety of different religions affiliated with the cathedral that would give assistance to anyone in need.

The group split and was given free time to wander through the cathedral. Heero, by his lonesome once more, walked around the room he was currently in, down the centre aisle between the two squares of seating before the main platform. Behind the podium was a tall panel of stained glass, covering the wall from floor to ceiling. Instead of depicting a figure or a scene, the panel was made of a mosaic of small colored glasses encased in thin leading. From the recesses of black and deep blue at the corners to the warmer reds and oranges, into the calming natural greens, and finally the sunny, hopeful yellow glow in the middle, the stained glass wall showed that all colours exist in the world, and in life. The centermost tile was clear, left uncolored, up to the interpretation of the beholder.

There was a small spring to the left. Instead of tossing coins into the small pond, there was a basket of flower petals hanging off a post to the side. The water contained scatted petals, some floating, some at the bottom, differently colored. Heero took a white peony petal and rubbed it between his fingers before dropping it into the pond. He made his way past the indoor garden of small ferns and flowers and farther into the cathedral.

Along the way, he picked up a donation slip. This cathedral was really something, and Heero knew Duo would approve. At the end of the corridor was a room, darker than the rest, with a pedestal of tealights in the centre. Some were already lit, and some had no wax or wick left in them. The small, circular, white candles spoke to him. Lowering himself to his knees, Heero stared at the flickering candlelights. A few flames danced merrily, but most were stationary. Picking up the short taper candle, he lit the wick slowly from one of the lit tealights and moved it to an unlit one. The flame caught the short wick and emerged. Heero replaced the taper candle and faced the light he just created. Sitting on his ankles, back arched slightly forward, head bowed, he closed his eyes for a brief second and wished for the well being of his friends.

As he rose, he noticed someone standing behind him. It was the minister from earlier. He allowed Heero the space and time to get up before considering him fully. "You seem forlorn, held back by something. Are you all right?"

Heero parted his lips to answer, but realized he didn't want to shrug off the question this time. He stopped, not knowing what to say, and set his jaw once more.

"Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"I don't know. I don't know what's going on anymore." Heero ran a hand through his hair, trying to straighten his thoughts. "I don't know what to do, where to go. What's real. He..."

The minister shook his head and raised a hand. "I won't ask you to tell me precisely what's wrong. I know that's personal. But I will say this. Everyone has a past, present, and future. We've done things we regret now and there are other things we'll regret later. But the past is past," the minister explained gently. "Sometimes, we have to let go. Some things are meant to be. And some things aren't."

Heero's face was scrunched, uncertainty clear. "But what's meant to be?"

"If it's meant to be, you'll always get a second chance. Always. But don't lie to yourself. There's nothing we'll ever know for certain. We lie to convince ourselves we have another chance." He looked directly into Heero's eyes and stressed, "Lying will only hurt later." At Heero's fallen expression, he continued. "Instead, we should just believe. Hope. Pretending will not make things real." He stopped and let Heero take everything in. "I hope I've helped."

The minister started to turn away; Heero stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. He removed it as the minister faced him once more. "I'd like to make a donation." He handed the slip he filled in earlier to the minister with both hands. The man looked down and scanned the paper in his hand; his head raised in shock at the amount written, and he opened his mouth to speak, but Heero stopped him once more. "This is a wonderful cathedral. I wish there were more out there." A pause. "Thank you for everything."

"You're welcome, and thank you. Good luck."

Heero nodded and walked back out to the front. Following the group out to the coach, he heard the rain before he saw it. The pitter-patter continued throughout the entire day and darkened Heero's mood. By the time the group reached the next lodge, Heero's mind was a mess. The minister's words echoed through his head, but even his advice was lost somewhere. Heero could not sort out his thoughts. It would've frightened him normally, but he was not of sound mind to be frightened.

He realized belatedly that he had been standing in the rain, off the coach for some time. It was the person with a braid that walked in the corner of his eye that brought his mind back to Earth. He had been waiting for his luggage to be unloaded when he zoned out again. Now, only his bags remained, as well as the driver, who was looking at him with concern clear on his face, arm out halfway between them, unsure whether to touch Heero or not.

Heero picked up his bags, murmured a thanks to the driver, and made his way into the lodge. He picked up his keycard and went to his room, nearly slipping twice on the water he was dripping. He swiped his keycard into the security system. The door didn't open. He tried again, with no luck. He spun the card around and tried once again. Then he tried every side of the card he could. It didn't open.

Close to swearing, Heero gripped the door handle once more, closed his eyes, swiped the card, and pushed down on the handle. The door opened. "Finally!" he grumbled, past annoyed.

The room was freezing. A look at the thermostat left Heero confused. The air conditioning should not have been on, and yet it was, at what seemed like full power. He tried pushing the settings to a higher temperature, but no amount of fiddling got a reaction from the machine. He tried to cover the vent with some newspapers and magazines left in the room for his viewing, but they were equally useless and blew off.

Walking to the window, Heero angrily jerked it open, only to be blast with a sudden gush of wind. It was still raining outside, no end in sight. Stomping one foot and balling his hands into fists, he walked to the thermostat and tried once more. No such luck. "Damnit!"

Heero was tired of it all. He suddenly didn't care that the world hated him and the room was cursed. He didn't have the strength. Flicking off the light, he stumbled into bed with a great plop. There was only one thin cover -- it was summertime, of course. Cursing once more, Heero dug into the mattress and wrapped the blanket tightly around himself. He huddled into a ball, shivering. He couldn't help his whimpers.

"Duo..." Another tremor. "Duo... I need you...please..."

Lost and torn. He felt he was thrown to the wind without caution. His face held a distinctly troubled expression.

But then he felt arms around him, Duo's arms, one at his waist and one around to his chest. Turning, Heero grabbed on and buried himself in the sudden warmth. It was Duo. It would be alright.

He woke the next morning with the wake-up call. Somehow, he had gained an extra blanket, though it was likely that he didn't realize there were two instead of just one blanket last night while fumbling in the dark. There was a cloudy sun outside, and no more wind. But he woke up alone.

Janenne led the group up the path through the woods to Lake Maisse. It was one of the few lakes that were left uncommercialized. There were signs along the dirt trail about littering and feeding wild animals. Cars were to park in a designated spot away from the woods, and there was to be no idling from buses dropping off passengers. Engines were to be turned off as quick as possible to minimize pollution. All this served to conserve this piece of still-wild wilderness.

It was a zigzag trail uphill to get to the lake. The area was less of soil and more of rock. Once at the top, the tourists hovered to the railing and looked down into the lake, surrounded on the other side by mountain range, a river flowing into and out of it. The mountains, the trees, the sky of sun and clouds bounced off the still surface of the clear lake waters. In some areas, it was hard to tell where the foot of the mountain range really was, until a light breeze blew and ripples formed on the mirror image. The shoreline closest to the lookout point they were on, one hundred feet below, was dotted with pebbles. The air was fresh, the waters were clear, the trees were lush. In a word, Lake Maisse was gorgeous.

Ever observant, Heero spotted some excellent views and proceeded to record them on camera. Then he remembered Duo reprimanding him for taking so many pictures and stopped. He picked up a jagged stone from the ground and kicked a few others as he walked to the set of rocks by the main lookout point. The wind danced on his skin; he could feel it on his fingertips, brushing against him and the rocks with no discrimination.

"It's stunning." Heero didn't respond, but he definitely agreed. "Makes everything worth it, doesn't it?"

"Hmm?"

"The war. The sacrifices. I know I fought for revenge foremost, but this is more than a reward."

"Yeah." It was an amiable quiet as Heero continued absorbing the lake.

"Why did you fight?"

A pause. "It was right."

"C'mon, Heero. I know you fought for something more than that."

There was a period of long consideration. Duo was patient. "I fought for a chance. At anything. At this."

"Well," Duo offered, "you've got your chance." He faced Heero, head tilted, mouth straight, bangs floating. "What do you want to do with it? What do you want from it?"

Heero looked at his surroundings; he saw the lake in its nature, at peace; he saw people together, happy, posing for pictures together; he saw the sun kissing the trees, couples kissing each other. Smoothing his hand over the rocks, he felt scratches that weren't there before and looked down. 'D + H + D'. He had etched it, himself, lightly, with that jagged pebble, still guilty in his hand. "I want this," he replied softly, looking out again. "I want you. I want you to want me." He was met with silence from his partner. "I want to be with you, wherever you are."

Duo looked away, back in the same direction as Heero. "You want to be with me?" His voice, his face was contemplative. "I don't think you've ever told me that."

They didn't look at each other again. The tour guide announced that it was time to go. Heero turned, no final glance at freedom, and walked off, his hand swiping away the 'D +' from his silent confession.

Near the bottom of the path back to the coach, Janenne asked the group to make sure they hadn't left anything. A woman gave a small exclamation; she had left her visor on the railing when she took it off for pictures. Standing at the end of the group, Heero volunteered to go pick it up, and turned to retrace his steps before anyone could bode an argument. Picking up the light blue visor, he was just about to leave the area again when his eye caught sight of the etching once more. But it was deep, now.

D + H + D.

Heero frowned, then left.

He got off the ferris wheel and walked away from the crowd, off the amusement park grounds. It was the last night of the trip; tomorrow, they would drive back to Sanq, an eight-hour ride. They had made a loop, out from Sanq, into Reda, and back, looking at lakes and rivers, statues and monumental buildings, sand and grass, famous landmarks, and the like. But tonight would end that. Standing on an arched bridge over a small stream just outside the amusement park, Heero threw a pebble into the water and watched ripples of circles bounce out.

He was holding an envelope in his hand. Before going on the ferris wheel, he had his pictures developed. For some reason, he really wanted to look at pictures of Duo that evening.

They were perfect pictures. Perfect lighting, perfect angle. Postcard pictures. The description was more than accurate. Because they really could've been postcards. They were impersonal enough.

There wasn't a single person on any photo.

Heero stared at them, stared as he flipped through them, taking the one on top and putting it on the bottom. Stared at the picture of the playground, the evening sky a brilliant red, rivaling the one before him right now, the gravel tinged the same colour, two see-saws with opposite ends down to form a cross, the swing -- where Duo laughed, his face golden, and I wanted to capture it all -- dangling, held down by gravity, no evidence of any swinging at all. The centre garden of Leslie Park, the fountain a polished grey in the morning sun, the violets -- that Duo nearly fell on when he bumped into the fencing -- smiled for the camera, in bloom and perfectly uncrushed. The picture of the waterfall -- that featured Duo in the centre, his braid messy but the subtle roan strands highlighted -- glistening, the scene uninterrupted.

He couldn't lie any longer. Even his delusions ran off to hide, their cover blown. He had to face it. "You were never here, were you?" Frustration, at everything, at himself. He had taken this trip to clear his mind, but that didn't happen at all. "I needed you. I wanted you. I asked for you! I hate you!" He had only led himself further through fantasy, through confusion. "I guess it seems that pictures can tell a lot," he bit out. Angered, he prepared to fling his entire set of pictures to the air.

"But they don't tell everything."

Heero spun around, his arm out over the bridge but the pictures still in his hand. His eyes widened, mouth opened, not believing.

"Hey."

"You," he exclaimed, accusatory, surprised, confused.

"Yeah." The figure looked at his back and checked to see his braid dangling down against his black vest and black jeans. "It's me."

"What are you doing here?"

"I've always been here." He took a step forward and confessed, "I've been following you."

"No."

He took another step forward. "That night, in the motel when you were freezing. That was me you hung on to."

"How?"

"Your window. I heard you." His face was solemn. "I'm sorry." He took another step. "I've sort of been tracking you for a while. It was impulsive, something I wanted to do but didn't know why. I saw my face in your wallet and it made me warm inside. Really warm. Warm and happy. I put your picture in my wallet." He pulled it out of his back pocket and flipped up the flap to reveal Heero's face. Looking at it put a wistful quirk to his mouth. "It made me smile more. That's how I figured out what I wanted." He took another step forward, only one step away from Heero.

Heero tried to back up but the railing was behind him. His photos were on the floor; he couldn't remember when he dropped them. He didn't know what to think, or how to react. He didn't know what to say. Here was Duo, admitting something he could only have hoped to hear in his imagination.

"But what do you want, Heero? Tell me. What are your dreams?" His voice dropped. "They probably don't include me, do they."

He remembered the bus driver's advice and the minister's belief in second chances. They won out over his initial anger. He took a deep breath and let it out. His mind-Duo was right. He had never told Duo what he wanted. "I don't want much -- I've never wanted much. But I still thought what I want was too much to ask for. How could I ask for you and expect to get it?" Heero turned and looked away. "I want to be with you."

It took some time, but what Heero said finally registered in Duo's mind. "You do?"

"Yeah. But it seems all you want is a picture in a wallet."

Duo chuckled, then laughed outright. "Is that a joke, Heero Yuy?" He stepped up behind Heero and tentatively snuck an arm around his waist. Heero pulled back a little, but let Duo hold him. "I'm a greedy guy. I want the real thing, in the flesh." Duo leaned in further. "Think he'd say yes if I asked him out?"

"Are you asking?"

"Maybe."

Heero turned in Duo's arm, suddenly. His voice was uneasy, stance unsure. "Can I trust this? How do I know you're real? What if --"

He was cut off when Duo put his other arm behind Heero's head and pulled forward, head tilting to the side to catch Heero's lips with his own. Heero was taken aback, still uncertain, but soon his arms came around Duo by their own free will, and he kissed back. It felt different, different from the other kisses Duo had given him -- that he imagined Duo had given him. Not wholly different, but enough to shake the uncertainty in his mind. This was more desperate, less soft, less teasing. It didn't taste like cinnamon, but more like chocolate. It was obvious which of the two Heero preferred.

"I think," Heero said, a little breathless, "you're real."

"I hope I am." They smiled at each other; Heero blushed and looked away first. "C'mon. Let's hit that hotel of yours. This trip has taken the energy out of me."

Heero chuckled as they walked off the bridge, Duo's arm still at his waist. "This trip has been nothing but sitting and snapping pictures. You must be getting old."

"Hey! You might have been sitting on your butt and falling asleep, but I had to track your lazy behind down. You wouldn't believe how annoying it is to drive behind that coach. Your driver was going so slow..."

Heero woke up the next morning in the hotel room. He could hear the coach being loaded and Janenne thanking the hotel staff through the open window. The sound of the engine as the bus drove off, heading back to Sanq, brought his mind came to consciousness. Sitting up, hair messy, eyes still slightly lidded, he looked toward the window, then around the room.

He was alone. He panicked.

He closed his eyes and opened them again. This time, the green armchair and brown desk chair off to the side registered in his mind. They were pushed together, partly covered by blankets. Duo had insisted Heero sleep on the bed -- it was his room and his money, after all.

Looking to his other side, he found Duo standing by the window, leaning against the wall with one hand curled around a maroon mug. "I always figured you for an early riser." Heero shrugged and yawned. Duo grinned. "But you're a cute sleeper."

Heero scoffed. "Coffee?"

"Yeah," was the reply. "I'll get you a cup."

Heero got up out of bed and cleaned himself up. They packed their bags and moved the chairs back in place. Duo took one last sip from his mug and they headed for the door. They walked out of the hotel room, bags in their hands, and didn't look back. In the parking lot, Duo loaded their bags into the back seat of his old red convertible, while Heero got into the passenger seat. Finished, Duo hopped into the driver's seat and slid a key into the ignition.

"How 'bout we go on a vacation? I hear they're real fun when you're actually together with someone."