Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Shadows of Winter ❯ So you've Returned, Heero? ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

The light mist that had fallen through the early evening was now falling as light sleet. It clung in Heero's thick dark bangs and frosted his shoulders, coating where it landed in white crystals. His hands were freezing, and the thin denim jacket he had on didn't do much to quell the chill of the air as it bit through his clothing, stinging his flesh. The sky above him rolled with dark clouds that just begged to send a heavy blanket of snow down apon the residents of the fairly large city.

For two hours, he had stood at the corner of the building where Duo resided, holding a crumpled piece of paper with the address written apon it in his clean scrawl. He watched as the people passed by, seemingly mindless of the cold as they carried their many purchases in haste. The city was alive with cheer and lights and even the sounds of traffic came with it's own music. When Duo had passed him by, Heero had turned his back to him quickly, pretending to be just one more person on the street windowshopping. The ex-Wing pilot had studied his friends reflection, watching as he slipped past and turned into the building. He wasn't oblivious to the way his heart began to hammer against his breastbone.

Time had certainly been kind to Duo, Heero noted. For one, he had gotten taller. His shoulders had broadened slightly and his face was angular and handsome. Even in the reflection, the young Japanese man could still see that glint in Duo's eyes, though he noticed, it wasn't as bright as it used to be. His braid still trailed down between his shoulderblades, and Heero felt a slight tinge of relief at the knowledge that Duo hadn't cut his hair off.

A snort cut his reflective silence and he turned on his heel. He had dawdled for nearly two and a half hours out on the cold, wet street, trying to figure out why he had gravitated back towards the noisy, upbeat American. He had to see him, had to know if what he felt was real, or just his imagination. Six years ago, Duo had said something to him that he himself had been trying to fight. All Heero needed was time, time to see if feelings that were beginning to grow were true. He simply wasn't prepared when Duo voiced those feelings first.

As he raised his hand to knock on the door, Heero paused once more, his mind screaming at him to just turn and walk away. He had done it once before, he could do it again. But walking away was a cowards way out, and Heero Yuy was no coward. Fist shaking very faintly, he brought it back up, rapping hard on the door four times. Just enough to get the occupants attention.

Duo, who had been leaning forward in front of the microwave watching his popcorn pop, jerked his head up when he heard the four sharp raps. He stood rapidly, setting his glass of wine on the countertop by the sink before he sent his sock feet whispering over the expensive wood floor to make his way to the door. "I'm coming." he said.

Heero shifted to his left foot, his heart once more hammering in his chest as Duo's voice came muffled through the heavy oak door. Even his voice had changed. It was deeper, smoother. He lowered his head, squaring his shoulders as the sound of the chain scraping from its hold was made, and closed his eyes as the door opened.

At first, Duo didn't speak. He stared at the form of the man he had had on his mind for so long, and now, here he was. In the flesh. The braided man's mouth opened as he fought for the words he wanted to say, his brain jammed with all sorts of phrases that were very suitable in the situation that he now stood in. However, his mouth took the reins and butted in.

"You son of a bitch, I thought you were dead." He spoke softly to Heero, yet the Japanese man never made a move. "Heero?"

"What did you mean, Duo."

Amethyst eyes blinked in confusion. "I thought you were dead?" He answered slowly, uncertain.

"No, six years ago.. you know.." Heero said, shifting his weight to his right foot and lifting his head. "Before I left. You told me something, but what did you mean?"

Duo's lips pursed into a tight line, and Heero was smart enough to lift his head and gauge his reaction when he was met with nothing but silence. "I wanted to give you a fucking toaster, Yuy." Duo spat. "What the hell else did you think I meant?"

"I was just curious."

"Curious enough to walk away and leave me for six damn years? Yeah, nice way to show how curious you were."

"There's no reason to be angry."

Duo threw his arms up, then lowered them quickly. "You really hurt me, walking away like that."

"I'm sorry." Heero's husky voice whispered. "You caught me off gaurd. I wasn't prepared to hear someone tell me their feelings when I was nothing more than cold husk of a human being who was nothing on the inside but programming. Back then, I couldn't give you anything. Hell, I can't even give you much now. For me, very little has changed." He pointed out, putting his hands on the doorframe.

Duo stepped back at the bitter tone in his friends voice. "You weren't unemotional back then, Heero. You.." He shut his mouth, reaching out. "Come on in, let's talk.." He placed his hand on Heero's shoulder, determined to not let him slip away this time. If he was going to leave again, he was going to have one long haired, irate American hanging onto his coat.

Heero lowered his head slightly, then allowed himself to be lead into the apartment. "I have nowhere to go.."

"Relena wouldn't take you in?"

"She's married."

"That's the first good news I've heard all day." Duo muttered dryly. "Well, you're more than welcome to stay here. This place is big enough, and I've got a spare room. Just don't leave crap all over the place."

"The last time I was aware, you were the one who enjoyed living in his own filth."

"Oh ha ha, yeah, that's a real rib tickler. Got anymore jabs at my expense." Duo found that for the first time in years, he was honostly grinning.

"I'm.. I'm not in love with you, Duo." He began, cringing on the inside at the masked expression Duo's face had taken. He was aware of the striken expression he had saw for one naked instant. "I care about you." Heero walked to the window, pulling back the curtain and gazing into the street. "I have feelings, but I can't begin to call them anything remotely deep."

Duo relaxed, nodding once to his friends back. "I understand, Heero. I know what you mean. Hell, when I told you that, I was mostly confused, it was the closest thing I could say to what I felt, but I'm not sure it was really love, either."

"Then we both have a lot to work on."

"If.. if you want to work on it."

Heero was quiet for a long moment. "I think I would like to."

"Good. Then the first thing you work on is my sink. I swear," Duo said, turning around and heading back to the microwave. "It's as if someone stuffed a possum in the disposal. I've worked on it, but I just can't seem to find what the problem is."

Though his eyes were mostly hidden by his dark bangs, a small glitter appeared in Heero's eye. He set his mouth, squaring his own shoulders. "Just because you've shown human compassion and have allowed me to live here, doesn't give you the right to treat me like a servant."

"Human? Where'd you learn to be human, Heero?" Duo jabbed back. "This from a guy who can set his own leg. Remember that? Remember? That was the first time we met. I saved your ass that day, you owe me big, pal."

"So I'll fix your sink, then." Heero said dryly, leaning over to gaze into the dark portal.

"Damn right. Remember when you stole parts off of Deathscythe?"

"Probably." Heero murmured, his voice now full of distracted concentration. "Duo? Do you wash your hair over the sink?"

"Yeah... why?"

"I think I found the problem." Heero frowned.


~Tbc

Authors note: I am so rusty at writing Gundam Wing fics. This is the first one I think I've worked on in two years. Forgive me for the choppy and halting manner I'm writing in. And please Review! Thanks!