Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ notice ❯ Homecoming ( Chapter 13 )

Title: Homecoming

Overall Rating: NC-17 for mature themes. Not for the impressionable.

Chapter Rating: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: The series Gundam Wing and the characters therein do not belong to me. I'm just putting them in different situations to see how they react.

Chapter Summary: Ok, Duo is out of the hospital, but is he really better now?

Author's Note: Back to Heero's POV

* * *

I don't think I've ever driven that fast after getting Duo's call. He's coming home!!! He was only in that place for two nights, which has to be some kind of record. But then again, considering what he'd told me when I was there visiting, I can understand his anxiousness to get out.

There he is! I've never seen him so beautiful. His smile is so wide, matching mine I'm sure. I wanted to just run to him, grab him up and hold him. From the look on his face, I could tell that he wanted it too. We didn't though. Same sex pairings, although legal now, are still frowned upon by many people. Neither of us wanted to take any chances. Forcing myself to be calm, I simply took one of his bags of belongings and we walked to the car. There would be time for hugs when we got home.

All during the war, Duo was always the cheerful one. He was always cracking jokes and lifting everyone's spirits. It was very seldom you would see him without a smile on his face…unless he was in the middle of a mission, but that was understandable. He was very focused and professional then.

After that first session with the counselor, he'd seemed 'back to normal'. Now was different somehow. "Normal" wasn't strong enough of a term. If I didn't know better, I'd swear that he was almost floating, or glowing, or something. It's hard to describe, but something has really changed about him, and for the better.

On the way home Duo told me all about his experience in the "psycho ward" as he terms it. A lot of it I had already heard last night, but he filled in the blanks that he wasn't comfortable telling while around the others. I feel sorry for the rest of the patients, having to stay and put up with what I would term as the incompetence of the staff there. I can see why some of them have returned repeatedly.

As soon as the door to our home was securely closed, Duo and I were locked in an embrace. I really didn't quite understand it. We weren't lovers, not yet. It had only been three days, yet they were the longest three days of my entire life. I was having a hard time comprehending just how much I had missed him.

Before our kisses became too heated, Duo pulled back, smiling softly. "It's good to be home."

"I missed you."

"I know. I missed you too."

"So, what do you want to do?"

"Hmm," he grinned at me, "unpack?"

"Baka," I mock growled, then grinned as I chased a laughing Duo down the hall.

He spent the rest of the afternoon on the phone, something that he had rarely done before. He said he was keeping everyone 'posted' as to what was going on. Duo always hated the phone, so this in itself was unusual.

* * *

Life with Duo had always been a challenge, his energy and constant chatter could be occasionally very trying. The 'new and improved' version was even more so, but in a much more pleasant manner. The boy seemed to just radiate happiness. The conversations he now held were more meaningful, not the empty chatter from before. I did get concerned when he disappeared for a couple of hours. I knew he was in his room because I could hear his music playing combined with his occasional singing along. I was rather shocked when he finally emerged, a large trash bag in hand. He had actually cleaned that disaster area he called a room! Everything was straight, organized, spotless… It was amazing.

"What?"

"Ok, who are you and what have you done with the Duo I know?"

He dropped the trash bag and hugged me. "Silly, it's still me. I just have all this energy for some reason. I have to do something with it." He glanced at the bag he'd dropped. "I never knew just what a pack-rat I'd turned out to be. It's amazing how much junk I was holding on to." I glanced into his room and just raised an eyebrow. "Oh, that." He laughed. "I don't know. I just couldn't be bothered before, ya know? It just seemed like too much trouble to keep clean. It was just easier to simply leave things where they fell."

I thought about the condition of the rest of our place. It was a bit cluttered, sort of, but clean… essentially anyway. Somehow, though, I had a feeling that over the next few days things were going to get even cleaner than they were now.

* * *

Friday evening, Duo insisted on going out. He wanted to hear that singer the guys at work had mentioned. I agreed to go with him, sort of as back up in case he couldn't 'handle' being around all those strangers. He assured me that it wasn't necessary, but he would welcome the company.

He had a blast that night, I could tell. The singer was pretty good. Duo was drinking straight soda all night. He told me that he couldn't have anything with alcohol in it due to the medication he was on, but that really didn't make a difference. I just sat back and enjoyed watching him. The place was an open-air tavern and the people seemed nice enough. Everyone there sort of kept to themselves and didn't really bother anyone else. Duo found a spot against the rail near the singer. Occasionally, couples would dance together in the small area in front of the performer. Duo didn't need a partner. He said he was there to listen to the music and dance, and that is what he did. There were very few times that he wasn't in motion, just moving to the music. He didn't "go all out" like I'd seen him do when we'd gone out with the guys before, this wasn't that sort of place. But he did seem to enjoy himself. We stayed until the singer finished, about midnight, then headed home. All in all, it was a very nice evening.

* * *

I finally managed to drag myself home. It had been a hellacious day at work; massive projects all due at once, demanding customers, frequent glitches. It seemed that if anything could possibly go wrong that day, it did. I was looking forward to getting home and just collapsing. I was also curious as to how Duo's appointment with his counselor went, since it was the first one after getting out of the hospital.

There were no lights in the windows when I got home. Duo should be home, his car was there, but the absence of lighting was rather unusual. I got a bit concerned. Had something happened? Did he have a relapse? Quickly, I unlocked the door and went in.

Ok, now I'm confused. The stereo is on, but not playing Duo's usual rock "noise". There was softer music playing. A flickering glow from the kitchen caught my attention, so I headed that way. The kitchen table was set for two, with full place settings and candles burning in the middle of the table. That was the source of the glow I'd seen. No sign of Duo, though.

Suddenly, warm arms slipped around my waist. "Hey, gorgeous, you're late. Bad day?"

"Unbelievably so."

"Dinner is ready. Why don't you grab a quick shower while I serve it up?"

"Good idea. I won't be long."

I turned in Duo's arms and gave him a quick kiss, then headed for the shower. The hot spray did wonders to rejuvenate me. I could have just stood there luxuriating, but I didn't want to keep Duo waiting any longer than he had. It seemed that he'd gone to a bit of trouble for some reason and I was curious as to what he had planned. I finished washing, dried quickly and dressed comfortably in loose sweats and a t-shirt.

Duo was waiting for me in the kitchen. He had made spaghetti for dinner, simple but somehow elegant with how he'd fixed up the table. We talked over dinner easily. I told him about what had happened at work. He'd asked and seemed sincerely interested. He told me about his appointment. He'd told his counselor about his experience at the hospital and what he'd discovered about himself. He'd given himself 'permission' to say no when that was what he wanted. He no longer was going to allow himself to be a "victim". Apparently, the counselor was impressed with the 'new' Duo. His next appointment wasn't for three weeks, just to follow up and make sure that things were still going well.

After we'd finished eating, Duo put the dishes into the sink to soak saying that he would get them later. Then he took me by the hand and led me into the living room. "Dance with me?" he asked. The quiet music was still playing, slow and sweet. How could I resist him?

We started dancing, I had my hands on his hips and he had his around my neck. I was careful to keep space between us, not wanting to take advantage of the situation. Duo allowed this for a short time, but apparently, he had other plans. Before long, he had moved closer, holding me tightly and resting his head on my shoulder.

I was in heaven. The feel of that lean body against mine was a dream come true. At some point during our dancing, Duo had pulled the tie from his hair and the braid was slowly unraveling as he swayed to the music. Then Duo turned his head and started kissing my neck. He worked his way up my jaw until he finally reached my mouth.

The dancing stopped as we stood there kissing. I felt his tongue trace my lips, asking for entrance. I couldn't help but allow it. He was the sweetest thing I had ever tasted. He thoroughly explored my mouth then coaxed me into exploring his. Before long our kisses were getting more and more heated. I had to stop this while I still could.

"Duo," I said, reluctantly pulling back, "no. I refuse to take advantage of you."

"Then don't," he whispered. "Heero, I want this, I want you. Make love to me."

"Oh gods, Duo," I held him tightly, "I want to, but…"

"But you still feel like you'd be taking advantage of me."

I nodded, burying my head against his neck. I just couldn't do that to him after what he'd gone through.

Duo tilted my head up. Cupping my cheek with one hand, he looked into my eyes. "Then would you allow me to make love to you?"

That startled me. In the few sexual encounters I'd experienced, I'd always been seme. Taking the other role had never occurred to me. "Have you ever…?"

Duo just shook his head. "I've always been uke. But I'm pretty sure that I could figure out what to do." He grinned. "What about you? Have you ever been uke?"

I also shook my head. "But I would be honored for you to be my first."

Duo smiled, kissed me gently, and led me to the bedroom. I've had what could be termed 'mind-blowing' sex before, but never as sweet as it was with Duo. He took things slow, it being both my first time and his in our respective roles. He was infinitely careful in making sure I was prepared for him. It was sweet, sensual, wonderful…and maddening. By the time he finally entered me I was begging, something I'd never done before. Afterwards, we cuddled close, completely exhausted and thoroughly sated.

"Well?"

I smirked. "What, you fishing for complements now?" Duo just growled. "Not too bad…for a beginner."

"What?!" He propped up on an elbow, staring at me in shock.

I laughed and pulled him back down. "I just meant that we'll have to get a lot more practice in, now won't we?"

"Hmm, maybe." He snickered. "But then again, maybe not."

It was my turn to be shocked. I stared down at his grinning face. "Maybe next time I want you to be seme."

"Oh, so that's how it is."

"Mm hmm." He snuggled close and yawned. "But not tonight. You've totally worn me out."

I smiled and kissed the top of his head, then yawned also. "I know the feeling."

I could feel his smile against my chest. "But there's always tomorrow."

I squeezed him and settled down to sleep. "Many, many more tomorrows. Ai shiteru, Duo."

Duo's voice was quiet and sleepy. "Love you, too, Heero. Forever."

* * *

The End of the story, but the beginning of a lifetime……

Author's Note: I'd like to thank all those wonderful people who have read this and followed me through what has been a very trying time in my life. As I said above, this is the end of my story, but the beginning of my new life. If any of those reading this have ever had similar feelings of hopelessness or that you are a 'victim', please, I beg of you, get the help you so desperately need. Talk to someone, anyone, be it a friend, family member, or a professional. There is someone out there that will listen. Keep looking until you find them. It took me 24 years before I finally "got my head screwed on straight", but I did. Ok, so I'm a slow learner *grin*. The main thing is, don't give up. You're life is important. God doesn't make junk.

Love to you all,

Niere/Duo