standard disclaimer applied
warnings: shounen ai, 1+2/2+1, sap, romance, rating: PG-13
notes: BIG thanks to Kameko-chan for her beta effort

Gravity
by Kaz Misaki

Heero Yuy was nervous.

He had been through hundreds of mission in his life, since long before the war had started, until after he joined the Preventers. He had never felt nervous like this before.

But it was a good kind of nervous, though...

He didn't even have any reason to be tense, because the main event of the day was over. He had declared his vow in front of the priest back in the chapel. He had become a married man. All he had to do now was walk down the stairs and go for his honeymoon.

He started to climb the stairs and found out why he was so edgy. He had to face his friends. And suddenly, his face turned bright pink.

It seemed that everybody came. His friends were there, the agents from the Preventers, and so many other people, including Odin Lowe, his mentor. They all smiled sincerely at him, and they all seemed very happy, some of the girls even crying while smiles were plastered all over their faces. Heero saw little girls throw small white flower petals all over him as he walked down the long white stairs.

"Yuy, congratulations!" Wu Fei gave his hand a shake, "I never thought that the wedding would be this soon, but congratulations anyway." He smiled widely.

Sally gave him a peck on the cheek, wetting his face with her tears. "Oh, I'm so happy for the two of you..."

"Heero!" Quatre almost jumped and gave him a bear hug. "Congratulations, I'm so happy... I knew that you two were made for each other." He sniffed, Trowa came just in time to stop the tears that threatened to well in the blonde's eyes. He turned to face Heero and gave him a smile, "Congratulations for the two of you."

"Congratulations, Heero." A blonde girl suddenly hugged him and kissed him in the cheek, showing the flower bouquet in her hands, "I'll be next, so wish me luck."

Heero nodded, "I will, Relena."

"Boy," Heero looked up and saw Odin smiled to him, those cold eyes watery, "you've followed what your heart told you. That's a good thing... Congratulations. I wish you all the best." And then the man gave him a warm hug. A hug that Heero thought could never get from a father. Odin's shoulders were trembling, and he let go of Heero, walking away through the crowds.

"Od--"

But before he had the chance to do anything, a girl punched his arm playfully and hugged him tightly, "Congratulations, you two..." she sniffled on his shoulder. "Damn you, Heero. You stole the love of my life..." she smiled while wiping the tears from her eyes. Heero was left with a puzzled expression.

Heero tried to remember the girl with short dark hair and round eyes. He saw her before, but it was long ago, during the war... Yes, he saw her once at Peacemillion, and she was injured that time. Duo saved him from that shuttle. The girl! Of course, it was Hilde, Duo's friend from L2. He couldn't remember her last name correctly, but she was definitely Duo's friend. But why had she said that he had stolen the love of her life? It was a big question because Heero had always thought that the girl had a big crush on Duo.

Stole the love of her life? But that meant that he was married to...

"Duo, congratulations!" Heero turned his face as he heard the name. Hilde was hugging Duo, who was standing right beside him. He just realized that he was holding someone else's hand all this time. Duo's hand.

"Duo?"

The braided groom turned towards him and he felt the warm hand squeezed his. Heero saw him smile, a loving smile. He tried to utter a sound, but it only came out as a soft gasp of air. Duo's face came closer, his hand touching his forehead. "You look so pale, are you okay?"

"D--" He swallowed his words back as Duo's body leaned forward. Suddenly Duo's lips brushed his, captured it in a slow kiss.

Heero lost all reasons to speak as he felt Duo smile into his lips, tongue licking his bottom lip, asking permission to enter. He couldn't believe that he was actually parting his lips to let Duo's slick tongue touched his. Duo smelled like strawberry, it made him wonder how it felt to be inside that mouth.

Dimly, he felt Duo pull their tongues to his rosy lips, but before he was inside, the alarm rang.

"Wha--?"

Heero's eyes flew open, staring wildly to the blank ceiling of the apartment. His hand blindly reached for the alarm and unconsciously swept it from the table. It fell to the floor with a screeching sound, but at least it stopped ringing. He groaned and curled back to the bed, hoping so badly to be able to get back to his slumber. It wasn't working.

"Oh for God's sake!" Duo kicked the vending machine once, and then twice when it didn't do the trick. He glared at the lines of chocolate bars inside and kicked for the third time.

"Maxwell! You're going to break it!" Wu Fei glared dangerously. "Can't you be normal for once and try to insert a coin when you want a chocolate?!"

Duo pouted and glared back. "I did! Twice! But the machine ate my money!" He turned back to the machine. "Give me my money back, you moron!!" This time he punched the machine with his fist. It didn't work either.

"Maxwell..." Wu Fei muttered and stepped forward. Watching Duo's every move from the corner of his eye, he inserted a coin. The machine clanked and then two chocolate bars slide down less than thirty seconds.

Duo gaped in confusion. "INJUSTICE!" he shouted, making his Chinese friend groan in annoyance.

"Here, these are for you," Wu Fei said, glaring while handing him the bars, "now stop torturing the poor machine!"

Duo gawked and made puppy dog eyes as he took the two bars of chocolate. "Thank you, Wu-man, I owe you big time!"

Wu Fei edged away before the braided boy could glomp him. "What's the matter with you today anyway? You look like you've been through hell today..."

Duo started to chew his first bar of chocolate. Wu Fei wasn't the only one who had said that, he also realized that he was having a bad hair day himself. And not only was his braid a total mess, but all of his appearance today was far from his usual Maxwell perfections. His shirt was all rumpled, his jacket a little burnt, and his shoes...

"You won't believe a damn thing what I'm gonna tell you..." Duo shook his head. "I woke up late this morning and skipped breakfast because I remember that Une wanted to talk to me about yesterday's mission. The elevator broke down and I had to take the stairs, and my room is on fifth floor for God's sake..." He groaned.

Wu Fei arched an eyebrow; the story did interest him. But he hadn't heard everything just yet. After chewing another bite, Duo continued once again. "When I reached the third floor, the fire alarm rang. They said it was the woman in sixth floor, so I ran back up, it turned out to be a microwave explosion and it was already almost out by the time I got there.

"I had to take a bus because my car is in the shop. And guess what, the bus stalled on the way here... I had to take a cab in busy traffic! Dammit! This is just my day..." he paused to get some air, "...and just when I stepped out of the damned cab, Une called me and said that I don't have to see her this morning! After that all I want is a bar of chocolate, but the machine is broken!"

"It's not broken," Wu Fei corrected, "but you probably broke it just then..."

Duo huffed, "Well, I'm sorry okay? I've been through a nightmare!"

They entered the office at the exact moment Duo finished his second chocolate bar and threw the wrapper to the trashcan. Wu Fei went to his desk in the corner of the room, while the braided American headed for his own desk near the window, right in front of Heero Yuy's desk.

Duo noticed that the Perfect Soldier was already there, punctual as usual. Duo bet his life that if Heero had a nightmarish day like his, he'd still be able to arrive just in time, or self-destruct if he wasn't able to do it. One of Duo's resolutions that year was to arrive at the office before Heero, but somehow he always failed.

He sighed heavily and then made his way towards his table, smiling widely at his Japanese friend. "Good morning, Heero!"

Heero couldn't help but notice his braided partner enter the office with Wu Fei, Duo busily chewing something while he talked. His long chestnut hair was pulled back in a husky braid, and the band didn't match the shirt color, which made Heero wondered what had happened on his way to the office. And since when had he noticed that Duo's hair band always matched his shirt color?

"Stupid dream," he muttered under his breath. "Good morning, Heero!"

Heero nodded. "Hn, morning." He tried not to stare as Duo sat at his desk and started to boot his computer.

"I was having the worst day in my life..." Duo turned on the small radio on his table and then babbled for fifteen minutes about his bad luck, from the minute he found his alarm went dead until the time he kicked the vending machine.

No wonder he looked like such a mess when he arrived, Heero noted.

"I didn't have the chance to take lunch this morning," Duo added with a whine. He turned to face Heero and made a face.

"Why do you always come so early, anyway?"

"Aa... the stupid alarm." That made him remember a particular dream he had. He remembered waking up with a strange feeling in his crotch that was caused by the dream involving a certain braided boy who was now sitting right in front of him.

Duo shrugged casually. "You should turn it off if it annoys you, like mine..." Duo rolled his eyes, "but that might not be a good idea, considering what happened today."

Actually, Heero thought that that was a good idea. He shook his head to toss out that sudden memory which had popped back in his head and then grabbed his newspaper.

He swore that he never really had any attraction towards Duo Maxwell, he never even thought about having a serious relationship like dating other people. He never really thought about sex, especially not with other men, and especially not with Duo.

He and Duo were friends, partners, and comrades during the wars, but that was that, there was nothing really involving sexual attraction. Sure, he admitted that Duo was good looking, lots of the girls in the station flirted with him, and sometimes he flirted back. But he never felt anything to that, no jealousy, no annoyance with all that happened in Duo's life. But the dream last night made him totally lose his mind. Why Duo? Why was it Duo he was married to in the dream?! Okay, it was just a dream, anything could happen in the dream, but he still wanted an explanation.

"Anyway... Wu-man there helped me out and paid for the chocolate, but I'm still hungry..." Duo continued and peered to the clock on the wall, "and lunch is still another three hours away."

Heero sighed and took a glance at the two wrapped sandwiches on his table. He didn't think twice before throwing both of sandwiches to Duo's table.

He saw the violet eyes widen as the sandwiches landed nicely in front of him, "Whoaa? For meee--?!" He pointed to himself animatedly.

Heero nodded and saw the heart-shaped face brighten; somehow it relieved him a little bit.

"Thank you, Heero..." Duo opened the wrapper and took a bite, "Have you eaten breakfast yet?" asked Duo with a mouthful of bread.

"Hai," Heero lied.

Duo's eyes shone gratefully as he took another bite. "Thanks man..."

"I'll treat you lunch, if you're interested." Heero didn't know what made him say that, but it made the two of them speechless for a long minute, Duo seemed to have almost dropped his sandwich for a second there.

"Really?!" Duo's eyes went round.

"Sure, anywhere you want."

"Waaah--!!" The smile widened, "That's so nice of you, Heero! I guess my bad luck is over!" he joked, expression still puzzled.

"Hn."

Duo couldn't remember the last time Heero had treated him to lunch. It could've been two months ago, after they solved a case in some colony and he almost collapsed on the road because he lost some blood from a gunshot. Heero said that they would need him for the next mission so he couldn't die yet. Duo always thought that it was just a cruel joke.

But he wasn't about to complain now, not after Heero took him to his favorite restaurant about twenty minutes from headquarters. It was a long way for lunch, but Heero had promised him, and being the perfect soldier, he always kept his promises.

Duo was so full, he doubted that he'd be able to walk back to the car, but his mouth couldn't stop sipping the strawberry milkshake he ordered for the two of them. Heero was going to order coffee, but Duo managed to stop him.

"So, what's this all about?" Duo shrugged and gave Heero a silly grin. "Is it a celebration?"

Heero frowned, not really following this conversation. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, there must've been something, right?" Heero's eyes slightly widened. A good start, Duo thought, so there is something... "Relena is asking you out, or you found a girl in your new apartment? You want some tips on how to ask the girl out?" Duo asked, the grin getting deeper.

The Japanese boy's expression didn't change, only scowling a bit now. Duo was starting to think that he had said something wrong. "No?" he asked hesitantly. "Then what is it?"

"Nothing..." Heero shook his head weakly and sipped his own milkshake. "Can't I buy you lunch without any reason?"

"Well --" Duo stopped; he saw Heero's eyes staring outside through the window. He looked hurt. Damn it, he had said the wrong thing. "Sorry... It's just that... uhm --"

"I never did that before, did I?" The Japanese asked, Duo saw guilt in those deep blue eyes, the expression made him feel even worse.

"No, no, Heero, of course you've treated me lunch before, remember that mission we had in colony V16?" He cursed himself after said those words, it's a stupid question. Heero's eyes searched his, and he could only make a small smile. "You bought me pizza that time, at least you remembered that it was my favorite food..."

"But I ordered a pepperoni pizza, while you like cheese pizza..."

Duo burst out into laughter "Shit! You remember that?!" He made a silly grin. "I must've said that when I was in pain from the shot... No problem, I was hungry at the time, I would've eaten anything you gave me..."

"You didn't seem to like it though..."

"Of course I did, damnit! Why is it so hard to assure you that everything is okay?! I like that pizza, and I'm enjoying myself now. This was a big surprise, yes, but that doesn't mean that I didn't like it one bit... Oh man... I'm bad at this..."

Heero sipped his milkshake and then tried to smile, pitifully. "I'll take you for lunch more often, then."

Duo gawked, grinning madly. And then something crossed his mind, he couldn't believe that he even thought about it, but it didn't sound like a bad idea. They were friends, right? And there's nothing's wrong with two friends spending time together. Right? Right...

Duo didn't know why he was hesitant, but then he tried to calm himself. After taking a deep breath, the question just blurted out from his mouth. "Hey, Heero, wanna go out with me this weekend?"

Heero lifted his face from the table as he heard the question. He stared into Duo's eyes; they were smiling at him in a very Duo-like smile. For a second there, he thought it was the continuation of the dream, but then he realized that it was just an ordinary plan. Spending time with Duo would be nice; they never really did that outside a mission. And he thought Duo was the closest friend he ever had, except maybe Relena. Although, he had to admit, he never had that kind of dream about Relena.

"What did you say?" Heero asked hesitantly, trying to assure himself that he had heard that right.

"I said do you want to go out with me this weekend?" Duo repeated, and then chuckled. "Why so surprised? It's gonna be great..."

"It's just that --" He didn't continue, he saw the startling expression on his braided friend's face.

"I've never asked you out before, have I? Oh man... we've been friends all this time but we've never really got the time to spend together, huh? First with all this lunch thing, and now you think that the world is coming to an end when I ask you out..."

Heero couldn't help but smile. "I'm sorry, that's not what the problem was..."

"That's okay, maybe next time." Duo sounded a bit disappointed, Heero almost slapped himself for that. Duo had thought that he refused the invitation.

"I didn't say that I don't want to go, baka." He mumbled. Duo's violet eyes widened, the smile was back in his face.

"REALLY?"

"Sure. Where?"

Duo shrugged. "I'll think of something, I know that you won't like some places I used to visit," Duo made a face, "you're used to having a nice expensive dinner with the princess, having lunch in extravagant restaurants and clubs or something..."

"I was just acting as her bodyguard." Heero didn't know why he bothered to explain, not that Duo was going to be jealous for that.

His American partner snickered. "That's fine with me, pal. I'll call you with the details later, after I know where we will be going, and oh, you'd better pick me up because my car is in the shop until Tuesday."

He smiled. Yes, he still couldn't believe how much he'd smiled that day, "Sure thing, Maxwell."

Part 2

Heero Yuy had never really preened in his entire life. He usually wore any clothes he could find in his small drawers, which was mostly tanktop and jeans. Relena used to send him the suits he had to wear to attend press conferences, parties, or any other business she had that included him as her bodyguard. He used to send them back to her after the mission was done, although she always managed to refuse.

But now, only for one simple meeting with one Duo Maxwell, he was busy as hell looking for the right outfit to wear. He didn't know where Duo might take him, since until the last moment his braided partner wouldn't tell him where they'd go. Not that his American partner didn't have a plan, but more like he was keeping it a secret. Duo called him last night, telling him to pick him up at nine a.m.

After what felt like an eternity, he decided to wear a simple blue shirt and his best jeans. That way, he would be comfortable going anywhere, the clothes being quite universal. He preened one more time before finding his shoes. His hair was hopeless, but Duo once said that it suit him just fine, so he didn't really think that it would be a problem.

He was almost late when he finally reached Duo's apartment door. He peered at his watch and sighed gladly as he found that he had made it there in time. He rang the doorbell and heard a muffled 'I'm coming' from inside. Duo opened the door for him and gave him a wide smile.

"Always Mr. Come right on time, Heero Yuy." He smirked and let his friend take a step inside. "Just wait a sec until I find my hair band. Want something to drink?"

Heero nodded while following Duo with his eyes as the braided boy rushed to the kitchen. Duo was only wearing a red button up shirt, the first two buttons opened, revealing a black undershirt, and black jeans, but he looked gorgeous like always. Duo came back with a can of cold orange juice, an threw it across the room into Heero's hands. "You look like you ran here from your place," Duo commented.

Heero opened the can and drank it almost immediately. "The elevator is out of service. You should be thinking of finding another place, Maxwell..." he muttered.

The American chuckled and went to his room. "I told you that the other day, didn't I?" He returned with his hair braided; the hair band was red. "Come on, let's go."

The Japanese boy groaned and then stood up from the sofa. "Another five stairs down?"

"Don't worry, Heero." Duo grinned, "I'll drive, I'm the only one who knows where we are going, anyway..."

Heero sighed; reaching his pocket he threw the key to his braided friend. "Let's go."

Duo hummed every song that was played on the radio along the way, and Heero couldn't help smiling every time Duo made a parody of the songs he didn't like. They were just spending time together for the first hour, but Heero never felt more alive than today. Duo was energetic, not to mention he was really funny, and sometimes when he smiled -- Heero couldn't resist the thoughts that saying that he was indeed beautiful.

Beautiful? Wait, where did that come from?

"Okay, here we are, buddy!" Duo chimed suddenly. The car stopped in huge parking lot, in front of the... amusement park?

Heero's eyes went to slits; apparently he's been noticing Duo more than the street. He had no idea that his American friend was taking him to an amusement park. He could see the tall towers from some castle inside the big park. He was still sitting in his seat while Duo had jumped out from the car, looking at him in confusion outside the window.

"You don't like it?" He made an accusing tone but his eyes showed Heero that he was actually somewhat nervous.

"Well..." Heero started, his mouth failed to find a word, and then he saw the look in Duo's eyes. "It's not quite what I was hoping for... but it looks fun."

Duo pouted slightly. "Liar..."

His expression looked hurt, Heero thought. The truth was that he didn't care where Duo took him that day; as long as he could spend a day with Duo it didn't matter where they went. He didn't know why he thought that way, maybe because of that dream, maybe it had been there for a long time, he really didn't know...

"I never lie, Maxwell," he quoted the other's words, and with that pushed the door open. Stepping out of the vehicle, he stood in front of his startled friend. "Let's go."

Duo had a wide smile on his face. "Okay!"

"LOOK AT THAT!!" Duo grabbed his friend's arm and dragged him to the first attraction that caught his attention. It was called the Train of Doom, and from Heero's reaction it seemed that his Japanese friend didn't like it one bit. "Come on! You're not scared, are you?!" Duo grinned madly.

Heero scowled a bit. "It doesn't look safe..."

Duo burst out laughing. "Oh man, this is funny! Heero Yuy, the ex pilot of Wing Zero, is afraid of riding a roller coaster?!"

"You wish, Maxwell..." The Japanese boy muttered. "Okay then, come on..."

Duo bounced happily and once again caught Heero's arm and dragged him to the ticket counter. He asked for two tickets and dragged his poor friend to stand in the line. After what felt like an eternity, they finally jumped into the coaster seats. Duo fastened his seatbelt while Heero was helped by one of the park employees. Since it seemed like it was his first time ever riding a roller coaster, Duo decided to stop teasing him about that, because he knew what Heero's childhood was like. And remembering that he was antisocial, he'd probably never asked or been asked to an amusement park before.

"Don't worry, Heero. This is going to be fun!" Duo patted his friend's hand and felt it startled under his palm. The braided boy was equally effected and reluctantly pulled his hand back, realizing that his face was starting to turn red. He looked up and saw that his friend was smiling at him. His usually cold blue eyes looked so beautiful when he did that, so warm... so loving...

Oh gosh! He looked so cute! Wait! What am I thinking about?!

The passengers were all screaming in unison as the roller coaster started to run faster, circling the high rail and down. The wind blew faster when they were in the air, their heads hung in the air and made it difficult to breathe or see anything that surrounded them. Duo made the loudest scream as they made the next turn; his braid hung in the air and accidentally whipped Heero's face.

"Oops, sorry!!" He screamed in the air, grinning madly as he saw his friend pout and catch his braid, keeping it save between his fingers. Duo was stunned after that, confused as to whether he wanted to laugh or blush.

"That was fun, wasn't it?!" Duo shouted as soon as their feet touched the ground again.

Heero nodded in agreement. "But you don't have to scream again now."

"He he... Sorry." Duo made a sheepish grin, realizing that he was shouting. "Thank you for holding my hair up there, I forgot to tuck it under my shirt. You don't think that it hit that fat man in the back do ya? He's shouting so loud I thought I'd lose my ears..."

"So did you!" Heero accused, and then ducked to dodge Duo's playful strike.

"You're laughing more." Duo suddenly said.

"Huh?" Heero frowned and stared at him with a confused look.

Duo shrugged and started to walk to the next attraction. "I said you're laughing more. You should, it makes you look more... uhm --"

"Normal?" Heero's eyes wandered to the line of trees on their right. That tone caught Duo's attention, it sounds so... sad. Why wouldn't he think of Heero as a normal person?

Because he's not, his mind supplied. He was so damn cold and quiet to anyone, even to his friends. But that wasn't exactly true, was it? He heard from Trowa that Heero was just the same as the rest of them. Well, maybe he learned that from the Perfect Soldier when they lived together for quite a time after Heero's self-destruction.

Now, Duo stared at his friend and saw the same loneliness in those eyes. How many times had he seen it during the war? But he always thought that it was just an ordinary feeling. Fighting is not about fun, they suffered more than the people they killed, at least that was what he felt, and he was certain that it was the same with Heero.

"You're wrong." Duo finally said.

"Nani?" Heero tilted his head when he turned to face him.

"Normal isn't the word I was going to say," Duo smiled, "You should laugh more because you looked cute when you do."

"Eh --?"

"Come on! Let's go to the next attraction!!" Duo decided to drag his friend away from the spot before he had the chance to answer. He tried to walk a few pace in front of Heero. That way, Heero wouldn't see the blush that started to creep up his face.

Heero was feeling amused after the fourth attraction called the Bouncing Tomato, where they sailed straight up almost fifty feet into the air and drifted back down at a fast velocity. Some of the teenagers were almost throwing up as they landed, but Duo seemed just fine and enjoyed it as much as he did.

Heero never went to an amusement park before to have fun like the other kids. Odin had taken him there once, for a mission, to kill someone like what he always did. The man was laughing to his wife inside the ferris wheel. He was still laughing before the bullet struck his head and he fell down with blood all over his face. How could he forget all that...

"Hey, Heero! Earth to Heero..." Duo's face showed up in front of him and he was brought back to the present. He was not a killer anymore, he was normal now, he had his friends now, and he had Duo here with him.

"I'm sorry," Heero blew a relieved sigh, "I just feel a bit dizzy."

Duo wrinkled his nose and made a face. "Oh come on, did that really come from the man who controlled the Zero System?"

"Baka." Heero forced himself not to smile.

"Maybe we should have lunch, it's almost one p.m. What do you think?" Duo suggested when they passed the burger stand, "I think I could go for a big hamburger..."

"Your treat?"

Duo grinned widely, "Sure! Why don't you find a nice place to sit while I buy the burgers? What burger do you want? Cheeseburger? Fish?" He made a face when he mentioned the fish so Heero decided to order a cheeseburger and french fries.

There was an empty park bench on the other side of the road. Heero made his way there and sighed gladly; he finally found a nice place to rest. His stomach was growling for food, but despite all that, everything was fine. He watched little children run to the merry go round arena and busily pick up what horse color they wanted to ride. The mothers followed them around with smiles all over their faces. They looked... happy. Just the way he felt now.

"Hiyya! This is for you!" Duo showed up suddenly from behind him. Heero swore he saw the boy earlier still standing in lines at the burger stand, but here he was.

"You surprised me, " said Heero, picking up the burgers and putting them on the bench while Duo took a seat next to him.

The American made a face. "I surprised you? You don't even blink!" He shook his head and started to take his first bite of his burger. "Cola's okay for you?"

"Anything is fine," Heero shrugged, his mouth full. "It's really crowded, huh?"

"Yeah... I never thought it would be this crowded on Saturday, it took us forever to get into the attractions..."

Chewing his burger, Heero could only smile as he said his next words. "I'll take you on a weekday next time."

There was a sudden silence from Duo after that. Heero was hesitant to look; maybe he had said the wrong thing. Would Duo think that he was asking him out? Maybe he rushed things a little bit. One silly dream, and he was totally going crazy. And then he saw a faint color on Duo's cheeks, and he decided that everything was okay.

At one point, Heero finally asked Duo, "Want to go there?" He pointed to the ferris wheel. One of the biggest ferris wheels Duo had ever seen in his life, a new attraction in the park. He was a bit surprised that it was Heero who suggested riding on the wheel but he couldn't agree more.

"I dunno..." Duo made a playful pout to see his friend squirm, but it didn't work because Heero took his wrist and lead him to the ticket counter.

The line turned out to be pretty long, it seemed endless, and it would be about an hour before it was their turn. Besides, he didn't want to disappoint Heero, he was the one who asked to go on the ride and it's not something that happened everyday.

"You want to give up?" Suddenly Heero asked, must've saw the look on Duo's face. The American felt guilty already and he shook his head. The Japanese boy's eyes wandered along the whole line. "Sure?"

"Positive." Duo reached for Heero's hand and grabbed onto it tight, trying to assure his friend.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" A slow, lazy voice could be heard coming from behind them. The two boys looked back and saw a man standing there. He was taller than both of them, and fat too. A girl stood beside him, she looked as pale as a doll. She gave a sorry look towards them.

"A pair of lovebirds," the man said, a wicked smile crossing his face.

Duo blinked. "I'm a boy," he stated, afraid that the man had mistaken him for a girl.

"I know." The man grinned.

The braided boy frowned. "So, what's your point?!" he snapped.

"Ignore it." The calm deadly tone belonged to Heero Yuy. He stared coldly at the man behind them and then turned to the line before them. "It's just wasting our time."

"Woo-hoo, the boyfriend got angry!" The stranger grinned widely. The girl beside him looked even more pale now, "Gomen," she said towards Duo. "Kaji, let's just leave them alone..."

The man named Kaji tsked and smiled maliciously towards the braided boy, "Look at them, Mayu-chan, they're even holding hands, how romantic..."

And that's when Duo realized that he was still holding Heero's hand. Heero was startled too and turned to see Duo's hand in his; he lifted up his head and saw the confused expression on his partner's face. Duo was the first one who broke contact and looked away, slightly blushing.

"Oh how cute!" The man teased again. "Don't be so ashamed because of us, ne, Ma--" Before he had the chance to finish his words, a fist flew towards his face and landed nicely between his jaw and neck. Duo drew back after that, eyes filled with mischief more than anger. The man didn't fall like he was hoping, but the red mark on his face was enough to make him grimace.

People in the line were murmuring, gasping at the incident. There was a long silence after that, Duo and the man glared at each other. And then suddenly, "RUN!"

Duo almost fell back as a strong grip caught his wrist. He realized that it was Heero's, who was now running ahead of him. They passed the security line and keep on running, ignoring the crowd and the shouting from the man behind them. They ran and ran, passing some visitors. Heero dragged him to a park, the surrounding area was covered with trees. Duo was laughing and breathed heavily as they reached for a tree and took a rest.

"God! You should've seen his face!!" He giggled and then laughed some more. "Why did you drag me away from there, anyway? It was getting fun!"

Heero scowled and sat himself under the tree. "He's bigger than you are."

"Don't tell me that you actually think that I'm going to lose against that bozo!" Duo accused and sat beside him, leaning his back on the tree trunk. "Besides, you could take him down easily if I did lose..."

"Hn. Two Preventer agents beat up a civilian. That would be a great headline. Une would be so proud."

"We're off duty!" argued Duo.

"Hn."

Duo laughed again leaving his friend scowling beside him. "Poor girl, she didn't deserve such a bastard... She's kinda cute, too." Duo wrinkled his nose. "Such a waste..."

Heero snorted and leaned back to the tree. "Why did you hit him anyway?" asked Heero suddenly. He didn't look at his friend, his eyes straight to the view before him, a small lake in the middle of the park. "It wasn't worth it."

Duo gave the question a thought. "I know. It's just that..." he sighed and stared in the same direction as Heero, "he thought that we're a couple, and that just made me angry."

"Oh." The Japanese boy said it shortly; taking a small rock from the ground next to him and throwing it into the lake, creating a big ripple.

Duo watched Heero's face carefully. Somehow he could see a hurt expression there. What did he say? He cursed himself; he must've hurt his Japanese friend somehow. "Yeah... I don't want him to really think that way... 'coz... 'coz you're not gay, and if being with me is ruining your reputation and all..."

"What are you talking about?" Heero stared at him suddenly, Duo didn't have the chance to shift so their nose almost touched.

"Well..." Duo gulped and edged away slightly, "it was me who held your hand like that... it was me who asked you to go here." He looked down to the ground. Why did he have to feel this way, anyway? Feeling all guilty and happy at the same time. It was just... nice, being with Heero like this.

Heero snorted, "Baka. It was me who dragged you to the ferris wheel. Besides, if you're not gay you shouldn't take it to heart..." He ended with a glare. "Don't blame yourself for me."

"Thanks." Duo smiled, he thought for awhile whether it was a good idea to tell Heero the truth. Maybe he would scare the hell out of him and he'd probably lose his chance

. Wait, you still think that you might have a chance with the soldier boy, you moron?!

Hey, maybe it wasn't a bad idea anyway. Heero was his friend, and after what they'd been through today, he thought that they might have crossed that border from ordinary friend and become best friends. Yeah, right...

"I need to tell you something, Heero." He stopped for a long second, and then turned to face Heero. "I think... I think I'm not really straight..."

Heero's eyes fully widened as his mind tried to arrange Duo's words in his brain, and then, "You mean -- you're gay?"

"Well, I don't know... I guess I like girls too... it's just..." Duo tried to continue but gave up when he couldn't find the next word to utter. Sighing, he leaned on the tree, his shoulder bumping Heero's.

"You had girls..." Heero remembered. He didn't know why he said those things anyway. It was something he couldn't stop himself from doing. His heart beat faster now, and he was almost certain that a good thing caused it.

His American friend nodded and smiled ruefully. "Yeah I did, didn't I? But they never last that long, I never really fall for anyone..."

Heero's mind rolled, he needed to say something just to make sure. "What about that girl, Hilde?"

"Hilde? Oh, she's just a friend..." Duo chuckled lightly, and then he blushed. "You know who I had a crush with during the war? Quatre."

"NANI?!" The Japanese boy almost choked. "Our Quatre?!"

Duo made a face. "Yeah... You can't blame me, he's pretty sweet."

Heero could feel his heart shrink, possibly curled somewhat like what his toes were now. Sweet. Great, something that I could never be...

"Did you tell him about it?"

"Uhm -- no. He started to tell me about Trowa and said that he might feel something special towards him, and everything was over before it ever started." Duo shrugged and looked Heero in the eyes, he must've saw the remorse there because he laughed lightly after that. "But I'm okay, really! It was just an ordinary crush. Besides, they were both my friends... and Trowa is a whole lot better guy than I could ever be... They're together now, and I'm okay with that."

"Ah." Heero nodded but didn't say anything afterwards.

"Yeah.. And you know what?"

"What?"

The braided boy blushed and squirmed uncomfortably. "Nothing..." he sang and looked away.

"Duo!"

"Well, I hope I didn't scare you now... but, I used to have feelings for you, too..."

Heero blinked once, twice, and then three times. "Huh?!" Used to?

"Uh-huh." The braided boy made an impish grin, but the faint colors on his cheeks were quite visible against his pale creamy skin. "Yeah... you're the perfect soldier, always the hero... although you can also be a bastard sometimes, especially when you stole those parts from Death. But despite all that, I've always admired you, there's something in you, Heero..."

"Why?" Heero closed his mouth as soon as he said the words, he didn't know why his heart was beating even faster now.

Duo's eyes widened. "I don't know... because you're always like that I suppose... you know, lonely and keeping distance from the rest of us. Sometimes I just want to be there for you, to know you more, to know what's in your mind, to make a connection... God... I can't believe I'm saying all these..."

"What happened after?" Heero's heart thumped so hard he could almost hear it. He saw Duo's cheeks getting even redder, his eyes searched for Heero's.

"Well... because I know you wouldn't want that kind of relationship. Besides, you're always coming back for the princess. Even an idiot knows when he has to quit," Duo shrugged, "and I was also scared that it might just be another feeling I had to distract my thoughts from Quat... s'okay... I got over that..."

Heero swallowed hard. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" The American blinked.

"For not noticing, for being an idiot all my life..."

Duo was startled. "Huh?"

"Do you think there might be a chance for us... to start over?" Heero hesitantly said the words, eyes searching for Duo's in a careful gesture.

"You mean..." Duo's blush deepened, "you're interested?" The grin reappeared.

Heero bit his bottom lip and nodded slightly. "Yeah, you?"

"Really?" Duo's eyes turned to slits. "Well, yeah, but..."

"But?" Heero replied warily.

The grin in the beautiful face increased a notch. "This must be a dream, right?"

The Japanese boy blinked, and then pulled the other close to him. He suddenly remembered his own dream a few nights ago. "I'll show you what my dream was..."

With that he brushed his lips lightly over Duo's. The braided boy didn't have the chance to catch his breath. They pulled away almost directly, blushing. Honestly, Heero didn't know what to do anymore. Did he force things out too fast? Did Duo even expect the kiss?

He shouldn't have worried too much, because the next second Duo's arms circled his neck and pulled him closer for another kiss. Closing his eyes, he felt as Duo's mouth parted under his, smiling. Heero couldn't help but clasp the other's body closer and let him melt inside his embrace. The sweet scent that attacked his nostrils was for real now, the beautiful taste of that mouth was better than what he had imagined before.

It was all far better than his dream.

Part 3

"What did you call this thing again?" Duo frowned while taking a spoonful of his soup, observing it inquisitively.

Heero raised his head from the other side of the table. "Asparagus cream and mushroom?" he shrugged. He saw Duo grin and take it all into his mouth.

"I think I liked that steak from earlier better," he said almost inaudibly.

"You don't have to eat it if you don't like it. Try the salad." The Japanese boy chuckled; he took the wine and poured some into Duo's half empty glass.

Duo shook his head and grinned. "This is a luxurious restaurant, I don't want you to waste your money for nothing," he explained, "I'll eat anything you order."

Early that morning, Heero decided to take the initiative to ask Duo out for the second date. Second, that is, if the one in the amusement park could be counted as their first. Duo had agreed almost immediately when he told him about the idea, although he did crinkle his forehead a little when he heard that Heero was going to take him to a restaurant uptown. Duo even asked whether he should wear a tux. Heero felt guilty afterwards, seeing the nervousness and hesitation in Duo's eyes when he showed him the restaurant. Next time, he promised himself quietly, he'd take him to a fast-food restaurant instead.

"Don't worry about the bill. It was me who promised you dinner, right?" Heero tried to start a new conversation, but failed.

"Did you have a discount or something?"

"Sort of..." Heero trailed off. He leaned forward on the table, watching as Duo finished his food.

Duo smirked. "I bet because you often went here with the princess..."

Heero blinked. "Jealous, Maxwell?"

"Extremely." The braided boy chuckled and finished his soup, "...it's kinda good actually." He licked his lips unconsciously, and then wiped them with the cloth, blushing. "Gosh! I'm not supposed to do that, am I? It's not polite to lick your lips in public..."

"It's okay, don't be silly..." Heero took the napkin from Duo's hands and offered him the wine glass. Duo took it and drank it down to the last drop, now Heero knew just how nervous his partner was.

"You want to dance?"

"Huh?!" The violet eyes blinked rapidly and then, "you're kidding, right?"

Heero puckered his eyebrows, taking the other's hand in one swift move. "Nope. Come on, the waltz is going to start pretty soon..."

"No way! I mean, nooooo-- you're crazy! But I'm not, nope, no way Yuy!" Duo edged away from Heero's hand. He leaned back in his seat and squirmed with a blush.

"Noooooo..." he sang. "Just one dance, I promise you." Heero rounded the table and suddenly stood beside the braided boy, looking down with an earnest gaze. "Please?"

Duo didn't look back, as if he was afraid that he couldn't reject the request if he did. "I can't slow dance, and people might see us if we dance here... and these people know that you're with the princess, they might tell her and..."

"Are you embarrassed being with me, Duo?"

"Wha--?!" Duo's eyes went round in surprise. Heero's eyes never left his as he said the words. And then, he saw the beautiful violet eyes weaken and finally the familiar smile crossed the rosy lips. "One dance, and that is all," the American finally said.

Heero offered his hand, which Duo reached tentatively. He felt the slim fingers tremble, and they were slightly cold as they entwined with his. Duo's face went pale and lost color. Maybe it was a bad idea...

"Wanna go to the balcony?" Heero whispered into his ear as he stood up. Duo turned to face him and nodded gladly. He followed the Japanese boy as he crossed the room and walked to the balcony.

The restaurant had three floors of dining room. Heero's reservation was for the second floor; it had eight balconies, one on each side and corner. He led Duo to the balcony on the north side of the room. Somehow, Duo felt more comfortable after that, his hand getting warmer every second, and when Heero turned back to see his expression, the cheeks had already filled with color again.

"Here we are. Beautiful isn't it?"

He saw Duo's eyes wander along the wide balcony, it was quiet because no one was there with them, but the sound of the orchestra could still be heard. Duo's eyes went up to the sky, and then they brightened as they found their target. The moon smiled lazily up there between the dark clouds and the stars.

"The moon looks so beautiful from here, you should check this out, Heero..."

Heero's hand found Duo's waist and spun him lightly, "Wanna dance here? We could still hear the music..."

"Uhm --" Duo melted inside his embrace and leaned closer, violet met cobalt and time stopped in it's tracks. "I'm warning you that I can't slow dance..."

"Uh-huh, that's why I'll take the lead."

Duo stared into the deep of blue before him with admiration. Why did Heero look so handsome tonight? he asked himself dimly. Maybe it was caused by the moonlight... Heero looked as if he was glowing like an angel. He felt Heero's hand on his waist. The simple touch was so... nice. Duo put his hand on Heero's shoulder and entwined his free fingers with Heero's. From their short distance apart, Duo could smell the scent of his lover. It mingled with the sweet scent of Heero's breath. So... perfect. Everything was so perfect.

"I'm sorry for tonight..." Duo looked up to see Heero's face. The Japanese boy gazed at him with eyes filled with regret. "You don't look happy here... I'll find another restaurant next time," he promised.

The braided boy chuckled lightly and leaned closer. "I'm happy as long as you're with me," he smiled, "I just don't know what to do in this extravagant place."

"Hn." Heero kissed the tip of Duo's nose, then winced. "You stepped my foot."

"I know."

The dance stopped and Duo eeped as he saw his lover stared at him with accusation. "You did it on purpose, didn't you?"

"Uhm -- no?" Duo squirmed and struggled free from Heero's iron grip, laughing as his lover finally caught him and leaned the two of them into the balcony fence. "Okay, okay, I give up," he giggled as Heero started to tickle him. The next minute Duo felt his body wrapped in a warmth he never felt before. He could hear Heero's heartbeat against his chest, he could feel Heero shiver lightly as he spoke.

"Duo... I think..." Duo didn't know why Heero was trembling, "I think -- no, I know that I love you."

Gasping, Duo tried to pull away, but Heero's hands were too strong, and the other boy didn't even realize that he was trying to break free. "Hee--" He felt his body spun to face the other. He looked up and saw Heero's solemn expression.

"I love you, Duo."

Duo was caught in the middle. He wanted to lie, he wanted to runaway from those eyes. He didn't want to hurt him, for God's sake... but he never lied, and he wasn't going to start now. Not to him. If he lied to Heero now, he would hurt him even more in time. And perhaps, it would destroy what they could have in the future...

"I'm sorry, Heero..." He didn't even have the chance to finish his words as Heero's arms finally released him. Those eyes stared at him in disbelief, hurt. Duo had torn his eyes away from the sight, it wasn't suppose to be like this. "I'm sorry... it's too fast... I.. I'm not ready..." Duo stammered.

"Why?" He heard Heero asked with a husky tone, "I thought..."

"No, don't misunderstand! I do like you, a lot! I like you and you're special to me, too. But if it's love... I don't know that yet, Heero." Duo tried to catch his breath. He saw Heero's eyes trembled slightly, filled with disappointment.

The braided boy stepped closer, half hoping that Heero wouldn't push him away. He didn't. "I wanted to try... That's why I want to take this risk being with you, Heero. I want to be with you, too."

"But it's not love." Heero's eyes challenged him. "You don't love me."

"No, no, no, it's not like that, Heero. I do love you, but not the way you love me, not yet. Just... just give me some more time, and..." Duo didn't know why he was shivering, he felt like his eyes burned. "I don't want to make you sad," he sniffed, "but I don't want to lie... not to you."

Just when he thought he would start crying, he felt those strong arms encircle him with that comforting feeling that filled his chest again. Duo felt that feeling of being treasured and loved once again. He closed his eyes, never realizing that his tears had started to wet Heero's jacket. His hands balled in Heero's back, holding him for dear life.

"Don't hate me, please don't hate me..." he sobbed in Heero's chest. "I don't want to lose you, not now..."

"Baka." Heero poked his nose and with one hand wiped his tears away. "I told you, I love you." He kissed Duo's nose again and held him tight. Duo didn't want to let go, not this time, but Heero released him at last and whispered, "it's late, I'll take you home now."

He didn't even realize that he was nodding. He followed Heero to the car and, as he promised, Heero took him back to his apartment. The situation was awkward, they didn't even say a thing until they reached Duo's door. He tried to gain his courage and look at Heero's eyes, which looked so beautiful under the dim light of the hall lighting.

"Uhm..." Duo started, "you're still gonna come to Cat's picnic on Saturday, right?" His eyes hesitantly searched Heero's.

The other boy looked startled. "Of course I am, but..."

"W-What's the matter?" Duo stuttered for the last word. "But what?"

"I have a mission tomorrow, and it won't be finished before Saturday."

Duo swallowed hard. "O... Okay." He couldn't stop his voice from sounding so... disappointed. "But you'll come, right?"

"Hai." Heero nodded and smiled. Duo felt so much relief when he saw that one genuine smile.

"Take care..." Duo whispered thoughtfully, "...and don't forget to come back to me..."

He saw Heero's eyes slightly widen and then, "I'll see you Saturday, then."

"Goodnight, Heero."

Duo followed Heero's figure as he started to climb down the stairs. He looked so far away now. No goodnight kiss, he realized. After the confession, Heero had reacted differently. He tried to create some space between them. Maybe he was hesitant. Hell, maybe Heero thought that he didn't want any intimate gestures anymore after the unpredictable love declaration.

You're a total idiot, Maxwell. You should've lied to him, told him that you loved him instead!

But he couldn't do that. Heero was too precious to him for being lied to. Heero was special to him, very special. Maybe loving Heero wasn't so hard after all...

Heero flopped himself to his comfortable sofa and sighed heavily as he thought about the events that had happened today. He shouldn't have rushed things for Duo. He should have let everything flow in time, and someday, at the right time, there would've been a chance for him to tell Duo how he felt.

Baka... Now you've lost that chance, Yuy...

He didn't know when he started to feel that way about Duo. He knew for sure that it wasn't caused by the dream. Maybe the feeling was there all along, and the dream was just one way for his heart to tell him what was on his mind. He heard that before, dreams are manifestations of mind, your deepest feelings and hopes. But he never considered it this seriously before.

But Duo did say that he should come back to him after the mission... It must've meant something, right?

He covered his face with the pillow and lied down on the sofa. Oh God... He could still smell Duo's scent on him. He could still see his hand slipped in Duo's silken hair, holding him still for his kiss.

Maybe it was a good thing that he wouldn't need to see Duo for the next two days because of the mission, it would give them time to think over the whole relationship. At least he could give Duo a little slack after what he said to him tonight, he knew he needed some. It had escaped his mouth without planning, not that he didn't mean it. God... he really was crazily in love with Duo Maxwell.

Smiling, he got up and walked to his room. He should really get some sleep for mission tomorrow, and he was pretty sure that he'd have a nice dream about a violet eyed elfin tonight.

On Saturday morning, Duo decided to go to Heero's apartment, thinking that maybe they could go to Quatre's mansion together. To his astonishment, the apartment was empty. Heero hadn't come back yet. He didn't understand, he should've finished the mission yesterday. Une said that it wasn't a big deal at all, and Heero went with a bunch of agents last Thursday. But the truth was that he wasn't there, and Duo might have to spend Saturday with the others at Quatre's place without Heero's company, and somehow... that made him hurt.

So he went all alone, trying to think of an excuse he'd tell Quatre once he was there, but he remembered that Wu Fei probably had a more reasonable excuse for the Japanese boy. He was the supervisor, after all...

"Duo!"

Duo lifted his head when he heard the call. Quatre waved at him from the front door, and that angelic smile crossed his lips. The beautiful face hadn't changed through two wars and a hell of a time managing the Winner Enterprise business; Duo shook his head in amazement. Now he knew why he used to have a crush on the Winner boy, it must've been the sweet innocence that radiated from every gesture he made. Waving back, he jogged over the blonde boy, giving him a big hug.

"You look great, Cat!" Duo gave him a pat in the back and then circled his shoulder while they walked to the backyard. The picnic was always held there, in a place that Quatre called a small garden, which was probably the same size as the zoo. "So, how are you and Trowa doing?"

Quatre's face flushed and he gave his friend a playful punch. "We're okay... he's been coming to L4 a lot lately. Did you hear that he's running his own circus now?"

"Wow! That's cool! Maybe he could give me a ticket or two if I make a visit?" Duo mused.

Quatre chortled. "That's funny, you said the same thing as Heero did just awhile go!"

That surely gave the braided boy a start. "Heero? He's here?" He couldn't stop his voice from sounding so.. enthusiastic.

The Arabian nodded vigorously. "Uh huh, just came about an hour ago... he's in the back with Trowa. He said that he came straight here from the station after a mission this morning or something..."

"That man," Duo mumbled in a wary tone, "he's not really good at taking care of himself..." But then his face brightened, relieved that he could see him again today.

They reached the garden in five minutes from the main hall. It was situated between the mansion and a small artificial forest that Quatre had made behind his enormous house. The garden was also covered with trees that kept them away from the bright sunlight of summer. There was a small lake in the middle of the garden where swans lazily swam, the sunlight mirrored in the water's surface, creating the most beautiful view Duo had ever seen.

"That's them!" Quatre nudged his friend's elbow and pointed under the tree where two men were sitting and talking. Duo gazed in the direction that Quatre had indicated, and his eyes brightened as he saw the Japanese boy smile faintly at him.

"Hello, Duo!" Trowa stood up and stretched his hand. Duo made a face and hugged him instead; Quatre chuckled and sat himself on the picnic cloth on the ground. "It's good to see you again," Trowa said sincerely and took his place beside his blonde lover.

"Nice to see you too, Tro." Duo smiled and hesitantly sat beside the Japanese boy, giving him a cheeky smile. "I heard that you went straight here from the station, no wonder I couldn't find you at home!"

"You came to pick me up?" Heero blinked.

"Uhm -- yeah." Duo's face flushed and he promptly looked away. "So... is Wu Fei going to be here?!" He changed the subject right away before his blush could get deeper.

"Maybe later, he said he'd try," Trowa replied, then turned to Quatre. "Did he say that he's coming with Sally?"

"Yes, he said he'll come, but he didn't know what time he'd be able to get here."

Duo threw both his hands in the air, whining. "Maybe he has a date with Sally? Those two have been kinda close lately. Maybe we're going to hear wedding bells ringing soon, or maybe a little nephew or niece."

Quatre choked while drinking his orange juice. Trowa patted his back while Heero glared to his American partner. Duo gave him an innocent look and shrugged. "What? What did I say?"

It seemed that Quatre spilled the whole glass on his shirt and was all wet. He still couldn't control his laughter when Trowa helped him stand up, and they excused themselves to change Quatre's clothes, leaving the other two boys alone. Duo stared in disbelief at the pair as they walked to the house hand in hand.

"Man... why Trowa had to go with him anyway? What's he gonna do? Help him change or something?!"

Heero elbowed him and glared, "You and your big mouth, Maxwell."

"Hey!"

They were silent after that, neither one have the courage to start the conversation. Duo didn't expect himself to be left alone with Heero Yuy like this, he didn't know what to talk about, especially after they parted in that awkward situation last Tuesday. He could feel that Heero was also hesitant. So he just sat there, breathed the nice air in the vast garden when suddenly he felt Heero's head lean softly against his shoulder.

Duo tilted his head to see that the other had closed his eyes briefly and sighed gladly. "You smell great..." he heard Heero whisper.

Duo chuckled. "You too, where did you take a shower this morning?"

"The station."

"You know," Duo started, "you should really take a rest or something, you looked tired. You should have went straight home and got some sleep."

Heero's head lifted, his nose almost touching the other's jaw. Almost. "I promised you that I'd come here, right?"

Duo gasped in surprise at the sudden closeness. He bit his bottom lip, waiting in anticipation. He felt Heero's breath mingle with his. His musky scent attacked his senses. Heero's face came closer and Duo could only hold his breath. He almost closed his eyes, when Heero's head passed his and suddenly fell lightly onto his lap.

Huh?!

Heero's body shifted to find a better spot for him to lie down. His head still rested comfortably on Duo's lap, his eyes closed peacefully and without further notice, he was soon falling asleep.

What the --?!

"Yuy?! Oi! You're joking, right?! Yuy!" Duo started to panic as Heero didn't wake up, his chest moving evenly up and down. All Duo received for answer was a snort, and then Heero curled up against his legs.

"What if the others come and see you like this? Heero!" The braided boy shook his head as he finally gave up. He leaned on the tree trunk behind him and watched the sleeping figure in his lap. He was somewhat amazed to find the perfect soldier able to sleep like that. Heero was a light sleeper, he had proved that during the war when they had to share a room so many times. But what he saw now wasn't the same Heero from three years ago. He looked so much happier, somehow. So much more alive than before.

"You must've been tired huh?" he asked to the sleeping boy. No answer, of course, so Duo decided that Heero was really asleep. Now he just had to find an excuse to give to Quatre and Trowa when they got back.

But that could wait, Duo thought dimly as one hand stroked Heero's wild brown bangs that covered his eyes. His finger trailed along the Japanese boy's nose and cheeks. The sleeping boy twitched his nose without even waking up and Duo could only smile in amusement. "You look so cute when you're asleep," Duo chuckled, "it looks like you're smiling. Sleep well, Heero..."

Heero felt like he had slept for hours in this place. It felt so warm and soft, not to mention that it smelled wonderful too. He couldn't remember the last time he had slept like that. He had grown up as a murderer, sleep was unimportant, a distraction from the mission. But just a couple of minutes ago he could slept so contently, so... safe, for the first time in years.

He opened his eyes and saw bright summer light slanting through the branches of the tree above his head. His eyes kept wandering until they met a pair of violets staring back at him. He frowned and then, "Duo?"

Duo was wincing, puppy dog eyes watered. "I think I have cramps..."

"Huh?" Heero sat up abruptly when he realized that he was sleeping on Duo's lap. Duo didn't move from where he sat. Heero eyed him warily. "Are you okay? How long have I been asleep?"

"An hour or so." The American winced and bit his lip.

"Why didn't you wake me up, you baka?!" Heero shifted beside his longhaired friend and started to take off his shoes, and then the socks. He then massaged the toes that had started to turn blue lightly with nimble fingers. "How's that? Feeling any better?"

Duo pouted. "No."

The Japanese boy made a sorry face and then sat beside him, leaning his body on the tree trunk. "I'm so sorry... why didn't you wake me up?" he repeated the question.

The other boy wiggled his feet for a while before turning his head. "Because you looked so... peaceful."

"Hn?"

"Yeah, I never saw you sleep like that during the war... so I thought maybe it was okay if I let you sleep for awhile. Trowa and Quatre didn't come back anyways."

"You used to watch me when I slept during the war?" Heero raised an eyebrow.

The braided boy eeped and then smiled like an angel. "I told you, I used to have a crush on you."

"Used to..." Heero echoed. He saw Duo's expression change as he said the word. He must've remembered that night again, remembered the things Heero had said to him that night. "I'm sorry, Duo. I just..."

"No," Duo shook his head, "it's me who should apologize. Heero, why..." Duo swallowed hard and then, collecting all his courage, he looked up to meet Heero's deep blue eyes. "Why did you say that? Why did you say that you love me?"

"Because I do." Heero answered without thinking. He saw the violet eyes turn to slits and then Duo's mouth twitched into a smile.

"Not that, silly!" Duo squirmed in his seat, face flushed. "I mean, why did you love me? Why? Why me?"

"Why not?" Heero shrugged, and then decided to answer the question whole-heartedly. "Because you're you, Duo. Because you're the same Duo Maxwell who fought for the colonies with me in the war, because you're the same person who took me to the amusement park, the person who had such a beautiful heart behind his maniacal grin..." Duo pouted at that, so Heero trailed off. "Because you didn't lie to me about your feelings towards me. Because of all that." Heero felt Duo's head rest lightly upon his shoulder and he sighed gladly, breathing in the fresh air around him.

"Do you still love the Duo who shot you twice when we first met?"

Heero chuckled and snaked one hand to circle Duo's body. "Hai."

"Since when, Heero? Since when have you known that you love me?" Duo tilted his head; his breath swept the skin of Heero's neck. The Japanese boy shivered and held him even tighter.

"I don't know, maybe since the war, but I didn't realize that before. And then that dream..."

"Eh?" Duo lifted up his face in delight "What dream?"

Heero groaned in annoyance to himself, he shouldn't have mentioned that silly dream. "Well, I had this dream about you and me..."

"Hmmmm??!" Duo's face was getting closer to his, wide grin spread across it. "What kind of dream was that?"

"It's not what you think, hentai!" Heero edged away from the other boy and then made a mental note that the dream would've probably continued to that hentai state if the alarm didn't start ringing...

"So what about? Don't tell me! Are we having a date?" Duo's eyes blinked child-like. "No? Uhm -- I know! You kissed me! Or was it me kissing you? Because I'm a little aggressive sometimes, yanno..."

"Actually..." Heero was ready to curse himself for his next words, "...we're getting married in that dream."

"HUH?!" The violet eyes widened. "You're kidding me! Really? How was it? Who's coming to the party?" Duo sounded very enthusiast about it. Heero could only shake his head, bewildered.

"Everybody."

"Everybody? So did I throw a flower bouquet? Who got the flowers?"

"Relena."

Heero thought he could hear Duo squeak in surprise. "Really? Wow... that far, huh?"

"Yeah." The Japanese boy realized that his face must've turned crimson after what he had told Duo.

The braided boy smiled at him sincerely and nudged his nose with his; their faces were only inches apart. "Was that before or after the first date?"

"Before, I think." Heero gasped as he felt Duo's breath mingle with his. "I think that's part of the reason why I accepted the offer."

"And then we become a couple." Duo pressed their forehead together. "And here we are..."

"Yes."

"So," Duo lifted his face, "when are you going to kiss me?"

Duo saw his lover smiled at his request. Yes, it was probably kind of embarrassing for him to ask such things after what he did to Heero, rejecting his love. But he wanted to feel those lips pressed against his once again, to feel the warmth of Heero's body radiate and surrounded him with complete warmth. He never felt so complete in his life, to be with someone, and that someone was Heero. Now here he was, waiting patiently as Heero's face came closer to his, mouth parting slightly.

This time for sure, Duo smiled to himself as Heero tilted his head and not more than three seconds later closed the gap between them with a kiss.

It's only been three days, Duo said to himself, but it felt like three years. He had missed him so badly, and he didn't even realize it before. But as his mouth moved with Heero's, he knew that he needed him more than he had expected. Heero's tongue parted his lips slowly and thrust inside his warmth. Duo welcomed him gladly, entwining their tongues together, his hands had moved behind the other's neck, pulling him almost insistently. He felt Heero's hands behind his back tighten, holding him still for the kiss. Duo was lost... and he didn't want to be found again. And when Heero pulled away for air, Duo realized that he didn't want to let go.

"Duo?" Heero's hand caught for his chin and Duo lifted up his face. His eyes met a pair of sincere blue and he almost cried with joy. "Daijoubu ka?"

The braided boy nodded and stole a quick kiss from Heero's cheek. "I'll be okay."

Heero let him go, caressing the strands of hair that covered his eyes. "Trowa and Quatre took too long inside, want to get to the house?" He stood up and stretched his hand to his lover.

Duo took that hand and stood up with him. "I'd rather be here with you, but that's not why we're here, right?" He winked. Duo saw Heero's expression change a bit before shrugging casually.

Duo followed the other to the mansion. They reached it only in three minutes, more because Heero walked twice as fast as him. Heero stopped in the doorway without warning, which made Duo bump Heero's back and rub his nose afterwards.

"Ouch! Tell me when you're stopping, won't ya?!" Duo pouted and then saw what Heero saw. The other three ex pilots and Sally were having tea in the living room.

"So you guys were here all the time?" Duo's eyes bulged. "Why didn't you call us in?!"

"Well," Sally smiled wickedly behind her tea mug, "you two were pretty preoccupied."

Duo froze, he could hear Heero's gasp in the background but his mind wasn't in place right now. "You mean... You were watching us?!"

The braided boy got his answer as he saw Quatre's face flush and Wu Fei rolled his eyes as he sipped his tea. "We were not watching all the time..." The Chinese boy mumbled.

"S-Since when? I mean... Oh God..." Duo's face turned bright pink as he stammered with his words. He turned to see his lover's face, but he could only see the flat mask in place. Duo gave up and flopped himself on the sofa beside Trowa. "Okay, we're busted."

Heero shrugged and took the empty chair, pouring his tea. "You guys are okay with that, right?" Heero finally spoke. Duo eyed him warily, and then turned to see Quatre, who was obviously still blushing, Trowa, who had that small smile on his face, Wu Fei, who made an annoyed face, and Sally, who sat beside him with an amused expression.

"Of course we're okay with that," said Quatre. "I always thought that you and Heero looked good together, right, Trowa?"

Trowa tried to avoid glances with the ex Wing pilot, who was making that 'since when?' glare at him, and then smiled at his Arabian lover. Sally chortled until she almost spilled her tea, but she put it hastily on the table before she did. "I never thought that you two were having a special relationship, but I say that you looked perfect together, Heero."

"As long as Maxwell doesn't bug him on his missions..." Wu Fei grunted.

"Hey!" Duo scowled. "Heero's always focused on the mission! Starting now, I'll make sure that he has some fun, too!"

The Japanese boy almost choked drinking his tea before he finally nodded, mostly just to make Duo calm down. Duo blushed furiously before twitching his nose playfully towards his Japanese lover. Turning to Quatre, he started a new conversation,

"So, what's for lunch?"

Heero Yuy was trying to think clearly about the events that happened today. First, he came to Quatre's place straight from the station after a long mission, without knowing that Duo had gone to pick him up at his place. But that wasn't a problem, because he met him anyway at the mansion. And then he had the greatest nap in his whole life and found out that he was using Duo's lap as a pillow. After lunch, there was horseback riding, which Duo and Wu Fei gladly participated in. Those two could be very childish sometimes. They talked some more after and continued with dinner. It was a great day.

Heero was startled as the bathroom door clicked open and Duo stepped out from it in his t-shirt and boxers, hair unbound. Now he remembered what had happened after dinner; he had felt very sleepy and decided to go home. Duo insisted on driving him home, saying something like 'you'll kill yourself if you're driving when you're sleepy!' and then took his car keys without further notice. Heero didn't mind, of course, he got a chance to take a nice sleep on the way, and a few stolen glances towards his lover while he was driving.

But having Duo stay for the night was something beyond all his imagination. Duo didn't seem to think twice when he asked Heero's permission to borrow his clothes to sleep in, and Heero -- obviously -- granted it whole-heartedly.

Don't go there, Yuy. He's just sleeping over...

But all thoughts left him as Duo slipped inside the blanket with him, seeking warmth as he snuggled against his body. Heero sighed in contentment as he snaked one hand under the American's body, pulling him closer.

"Are you free next Friday?" Heero tilted his head to see his lover's face.

Duo looked up to him and blinked his eyes. "Why?"

"I want to take you to a place," replied the Japanese boy, "are you free?"

"Where?" Duo's eyes brightened.

"It's a secret."

"Hmmpfh..." The braided boy pouted. "Why Friday?"

Heero chuckled and nudged his nose playfully. "Because it's not something that happens everyday..."

Duo rolled to his side and twitched his nose. "You did it in purpose, didn't you? To make me curious!"

"Uh-huh."

Duo shifted closer until his face was just a few inches away from Heero's. The Japanese boy gasped in surprise, but a good thing caused it, he supposed. He could feel his heart beat faster every second as Duo leaned closer for a kiss.

He looks so beautiful tonight, Heero thought dimly. He never saw Duo's hair unraveled before, not like this. And the smell of his skin mingling with his was perfect. They were perfect.

"I've missed you so badly..." Duo said softly, almost like a whisper.

Heero stroked the long hair lovingly, gently placing kisses on the other boy's temple. "I've missed you, too..."

"Say it again, Heero."

"Hmm?" Heero caressed the long bangs that covered the violet orbs carefully. He saw Duo stare back at him with those eyes. Those eyes he loved so badly. "I've missed you."

"Not that..." Duo propped his body with one elbow, looking down at his lover. "What you said that night on the balcony... and today at Quatre's place..." He blushed and looked away, avoiding Heero's startling glance.

Heero pulled him back and nipped his ear playfully. Kissing the smooth neck, he whispered ever so softly to his lover, "I love you, Duo."

He surely didn't expect the passionate kiss that was coming next. But he wasn't about to complain, so he kissed him back eagerly, parting Duo's lips with his tongue and thrusting deep inside the warmth.

At one point, Duo drew away just slightly. Still trying to breathe, he spoke his words plainly.

"Make love to me, Heero..."

The Japanese boy's eyes went round, he felt himself trembling. "But, Duo, we..." Heero was silenced once again with a kiss.

He was still hesitant, whether it would be a good thing to do it now. What about Duo's feelings towards him? Doesn't it matter? Doesn't it mean that he was taking advantage of Duo?

But Duo's hands softly caressed his cheek, and soft kiss was planted lightly over his lips. "I want to belong just to you..."

"Duo..." Heero's heart weakened with the words. He reached for his lover's body and flipped their positions until he was settling on top of Duo. He looked down into the endless violet that was Duo's eyes and kissed his lips deeply. "Are you sure about this?" he asked for the last time.

Pulling his lover down with him, Duo answered the question in his own way.

Epilogue

For the tenth time that night, Duo stumbled over a small rock and grasped his lover's hand more tightly. The blindfold over his eyes didn't help at all, he couldn't see anything behind the dark fabric. Heero's idea of a surprise meant a real surprise. Heero had picked him up at exactly 5 p.m. at his apartment, waving the blindfold in his hand. Duo was excited at first, which then turned into curiosity as they started driving more than an hour without stopping.

Duo could only guess where Heero was taking him, although his nose and ears told him that they were at a beach. The salty scent of the sea tickled his nostrils while the sounds of the running waves echoed in his ears.

"You know, Heero, I already know that this is a beach, so can you take the blindfold off now?" Duo twitched his nose, trying to shift the fabric from his eyes and nose, but it didn't work.

"You're right, but that's not the whole point," Heero chuckled.

"Oh?" Duo frowned. "So how far are we going to walk?"

"Just a little more, Koi."

Duo stumbled over a seashell and decided that it was his shoes' fault. "My shoes are wet, and filled with sand."

"Take them off, then," Heero stopped and helped the braided boy remove his shoes and socks until he was walking barefoot on the sand. "Better?"

"Yup! Lead on, buddy!" Duo smiled brightly.

They just walked a bit further, Duo could feel the seawater licking his ankles now, it felt rather cold but it was a great feeling. He heard Heero's footsteps before him, his hand grasping Duo's tightly.

"Ah, here we are." He heard Heero's voice coming from not too far away. Duo stopped with him, waited expectantly, and then he felt gentle hands removing the blindfold from his eyes.

Duo blinked his eyes rapidly to get used to the surroundings. They were indeed standing on the beach, and at a place he recognized very much. "Wait a minute," Duo gawked, "this is that public beach near your apartment! We only needed twenty minutes to get here from my place!"

Duo saw the evil glint in Heero's eyes and he punched him lightly on the arm. "You drove around the city before going here, didn't you?! Guilty!"

Heero shook his head and stepped closer. Moving behind his lover, he held him by the waist. "It's not the ordinary place people go, I come here often alone..."

"Oh?!" Duo leaned back and realized that Heero was telling the truth. He didn't see any other visitors besides the two of them, and even the view looked different. This side of the beach was covered with wild trees and rocks, the beach was more quiet and windy, but surely not a good place to play for little children.

"It's beautiful," Duo admitted as he stared far out at the open ocean, "extremely beautiful..."

"You haven't seen anything yet, Duo," Heero whispered against his neck. "Look up."

Duo did what Heero told him and gasped in surprise as he saw the most beautiful sky he had ever seen from the earth. The moon shone brightly in the clear sky, while the stars jangled a bit further in the north sky. There were no clouds, and the moon was full, so bright... so serene... so... divine.

"Oh... my... God..." escaped Duo's mouth, his eyes widely opened to the sky. "Heero... this is..."

Duo recognized the artificial lights in the sky above. Heero pointed one at the south sky and whispered "That's L1. My home colony, where I feel so alone and lost, and that one..." he pointed at the sky in the west, "L2, where you came from. You came into my life like a light in my night; you stay beside me and show me the way. We've come a long way, Duo... And here we are now."

Duo rubbed his eyes before they started to well with tears; he turned to face the ocean and gasped as he saw the bright reflection of the moon on the water's surface. He felt Heero's arms around him tighten and he never felt more cherished and loved like he did then. Oh God...

"Everything is so beautiful..." Duo leaned back and stole a kiss from his lover before running to the water. "Come on, Heero! Get in the water!"

Heero chuckled and shook his head. "You're going to get wet."

"That's the point!" Duo laughed and splashed some water over the Japanese boy. "Come on!"

"The tide is getting high!" Heero warned him.

"Of course it is! This is full moon!" Duo ran further to the sea and stuck out his tongue. "Come on! Don't you want to catch your mermaid?!"

"You're not a mermaid."

"Merboy, then?" Duo asked suggestively. "Come on, Heero! Hee--!"

"Be careful!" Heero shouted as he saw a big wave coming suddenly to where Duo stood, but it was too late. Duo fell forward to the water with a yelp. Heero ran towards him, but he couldn't see him anywhere.

"Duo! Duo?! Where are you? Are you okay?!"

"...m'fine..." One hand rose behind him and Heero caught him almost reluctantly. He didn't see the new wave coming behind him, pushing him until he fell over his lover in the water.

"Geez, the water hurt my eyes," Duo scowled, "and the water tastes salty."

"Well, it is seawater..." Heero agreed after he himself accidentally drank some of the salty water. "It's suppose to be salty."

Duo laughed out loud. "Yeah... you're right."

"Hn."

"Did you bring us something to change into?"

"Aa, it's in the car." Heero nodded.

"Perfect!" Duo launched himself into his lover's arms and settled there for a long minute. The two just sat in silence afterwards in the water, eyes wandering over the bright sky above the ocean.

"I love you too, Heero."

"Eh?" Heero was startled at the sudden statement. He turned his eyes from the sky to Duo's. He saw the violet orbs shining in a way he'd never seen before. It was more beautiful than anything, even the night view before them right now. "What did you say?"

Duo leaned closer until they were face to face, his nose barely touching Heero's. "I said I love you too. I'm not lying to you... I do, I just don't know since when."

"Duo..." Heero was at a loss for words, he bit his bottom lip just to make sure that he wasn't dreaming.

"You do still love me, right?" Duo tilted his head animatedly.

"Of course I do, baka... I do..." Heero gathered him in his arms and held him tight as if he didn't want to let him go ever again. "I do..." he muffled against Duo's hair, almost sobbing.

Duo pulled away slightly and tilted his head for a kiss that Heero gave him gladly. The kiss that sealed their love from that moment on. Heero greedily planted kisses all over Duo's skin, everywhere he could reach, letting the other gasp in pleasure every time he sucked on the smooth skin.

Duo lifted up his face and gave the other boy a mischievous smile as he started to stand up. "What do you say we go and have some quality time on the beach?" he winked naughtily, "I don't mind the sand..."

"Aa..." Heero smiled and stood up with him. "That sounds like a good idea to me."