Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Goodbye Yellow Brick Road ❯ Part Twenty-Five ( Chapter 25 )

Part Twenty-Five

They were on there way to RiaMra. The capital city of Autria and a stopping point on their journey to Yuotain. Quatre, Trowa, Wufei, and Duo were in the carriage as Heero drove. All of them were dressed lavishly besides Heero, so that he could appear as a chauffeur.

Duo was upset with this arrangement. That meant that for this to technically work, he would almost have to pretend he was in love with Wufei.

And he was *far* from in love with Wufei.

Actually, he was generally pretty pissed off.

He could lie to Heero's face and pretend like he hadn't seen all the tears in his eyes and he could lie to Heero and say that he didn't appear as though Wufei affected him, but in his heart, he knew that Heero was deeply affected by Wufei's strong hatred of him.

"I'm so happy we're going...." Quatre sighed, clutching Trowa's arm. From where he sat next to him, Duo noticed the smug 'this-is-all-because-of-me' look.

It took all the restraint in Duo's body not to smack Wufei across the face.

"If you don't wipe that disgusting smile off your face, Wufei, I'll do it for you," he hissed, pricking up like a cat whose tail you just stepped on.

Wufei glared back. "What are you talking about?"

"That stupid 'I'm-the-best-I-deserve-all-the-pride' smile you're wearing! It's not right!" Duo spat.

"Oh? I don't deserve it? After all, I am deteriorating Heero's hold on all of you. Aren't you glad? You aren't his pet."

"I'd rather be his pet than your one of your malicious little pawns! Heero does sometimes act as though he knows everything and we're all inferiors, but he doesn't feel that way! That's just to secure himself! He doesn't think we're all stupid! If you knew anything about him you'd be most gentle to him. He doesn't deserve all the shit you're giving him, Wufei, and I'd appreciate it if you just laid off. It wouldn't have been that hard to have suggested nicely that we stop in Yuotain since we had nothing better to do. Heero's just trying his hardest to do what he knows is right. Why don't *you* cut *him* a fucking break, bastard."

It was safe to say everyone was a little surprised by Duo's sudden act of compassion for their partner. Duo was a little surprised by it himself. He'd gotten a little carried away and never meant to say near half of what he did.

He was surprised he didn't just let the fact go that he had feelings for the other boy....

"Well? What do you say to that all high-and -fucking-mighty Wufei?" Duo demanded, deciding he might as well follow through.

"I think you like him and you're blinded by your affections," Wufei replied and Duo's brows furrowed even further.

"Oh, there ya go! That's your convent way out! Even if I *did* like him as anything more than a friend, I would like to think I'd have my head on straight enough to know wrong from right and you, Wufei, you are wrong. Maybe I'm wrong on some of my theories too, but you.... You are just wrong.

"I can't take being in here with you anymore. I'm going out with Heero. At least then I might have some sensible conversation."

With that Duo leaned over Quatre and Trowa and began knocking on the front of the carriage until Heero brought the horses to a halt and went back to see what was going on.

Duo hopped easily out of the carriage and looked at Heero, who looked annoyed.

"I'm going to ride up front with you. The current company is unacceptable."

Heero rose an eyebrow with Duo's statement and led him, grand skirts aplenty, not easily up the small stairs to sit down.

He shut and locked the coach door before swiftly climbing up with Duo and taking hold of the reins, starting the horses back up.

"What went on in there?" he asked.

Duo shrugged and made a few hand motions that meant 'nothing, nothing'.

Heero smirked. "Nothing, eh? They were more boring than me?"

"No," Duo sighed, giving up. "It was Wufei. The damn boy annoys me to no end.... He thinks he's soo smart be he knows nothing.... Nothing at all...."

"Well, he does know what he believes. What you mean is he has a different opinion than you can you can't stand his opinion."

"You really should be defending me being as I just did so for you," Duo shot back, feeling under appreciated.

Heero looked at the road. "I wish you wouldn't...."

"Oh! So are you going to become all tough-guy too on me, huh? I think I'd rather just *walk* to Yuotain if all my ideas and feelings are turned bad!"

"No!" Heero cried, grabbing Duo's limp wrist a little too hard and making him gasp as the few working nerves squeezed together painfully.

"Ow...." Duo whimpered, rubbing it gently and looked up at Heero with betrayed eyes.

"I'm sorry," Heero growled. There he went again! Made *another* stupid move! At the rate he was going Duo might not despise him any more in the next...say...then years.

He was so frustrated with himself, that was part of the reason he was acting so rashly. No matter what he did he was in a bind. His future was set before him and that hurt. He wanted to chose his own path....

Not to mention he was totally negative in the hit points with Duo. Why couldn't he be suave and funny and handsome and lovable? Why couldn't he be exactly what Duo wanted? Why did he have to be so stupid and protective and inexperienced and ugly...? No matter what he did it wasn't right and it never would be because he was nothing of the type that one such as Duo would want.

Duo was only worthy of the best queen in the entire universe, and he didn't even make a mediocre leper.

"I didn't mean to hurt you and I didn't mean to say your ideas were wrong or bad.... What I meant was.... I...I feel bad," he admitted very quietly. "I came and totally destroy all of your friendship. If it wasn't for me then you wouldn't have to fight with your friends...."

Duo was shocked that he had actually been so frank and let his hand drift over to brush across Heero's.

"Well it doesn't matter. You're one of us too so it wasn't your choice whether or not you would break our friendship or not. Besides, once Wufei stops being so stupid I'll be friends with him again," Duo spoke, smiling lightly. "Anyway, I know I.... I was glad to met you.... Even if the others don't care.... You mean something to me...."

Heero looked over at the other and noticed his beauty in the sunlight, a small blush across his face.

"Well, I'm happy to know that not everyone thinks I'm a completely waste of time...."

Duo rested his head on Heero's shoulder as they rode.

"I think you're far from that.... You were the only one who believed I had Visions, you helped me, you took care of me when I was ill, whether it be from Visions or after my...my escape attempts.... You saved my life.... You got me out into the world, even if it will only be for a short while, you've showed me more than I've seen in the past fifteen years of my life, and for that, I am thankful."

Heero was quiet.

"Well...I can't say I'm not grateful for you...."

Duo looked up at the other, their noses almost touching.

"I needed someone to make me human once again...." Heero whispered, blushing a little as he looked forward.

Duo laughed, remembering the earlier days.

"Remember how you pinned me to the wall with that bed?"

Heero smirked and turned back to look at Duo.

"How could I...forget...."

Suddenly they realized just how close they were and turned away, scooting apart and staring at the road ahead, both their hearts pounding and their minds racing.

Why was it so hard to say 'I love you'?

~~~

She was unpacking her bags.

"Almost a full day ahead of them, Dorothy...." she spoke in soft tones to herself. "Almost a full day and you know everything about them...."

She giggled as she pulled out a dress and twirled it around the room, holding the sleeves to her shoulders.

An exact replica of one that they Heero brought previously.

"Treize was a fool.... He could not win a simple duel."

She tsked as she set aside a brush and a few items of jewelry.

"One most use the most affective firepower.... One must use seduction."

~Til Then~