Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ some reunion ❯ chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

As Quatre watched Duo's retreating back, he almost kicked himself for his insensitivity. Of course Duo didn't know he was in love with Heero.

Everything suddenly seemed so clear to Duo. He really had never been Heero's friend. Heero had even had a chance not half an hour earlier to tell Duo that he and Relena were together, and all he did was throw away even the pretense of telling Duo anything at all, let alone the truth. Quatre apparently knew. If Duo had meant anything to Heero, wouldn't he have told him something of that magnitude? //I knew this was a bad idea. I had been fine before, I was beginning to heal, to not give a damn-- I even got a cat, for fuck's sake!! I don't need this-this bullshit.// In that instant Duo decided that he would leave immediatly the following day, promise or no promise to Quatre. //No amount of promises is worth rehashing these old wounds.//

Duo completely forgot about the sparkling ice-dove and headed over to the refreshments. Having finished his punch glass, he immediately grabbed a second. At a Winner function, you could always expect the finest of alcohol, and this fruit punch cocktail was no exception. Quatre had even gone through the trouble of foaming the top layer in each wine glass, placing the punch in the middle, and letting it soak into the fresh fruit at the bottom. The aesthetic effect was amazing. And it tasted excellent as well.

Scanning the room, he found no sign of anyone that he even remotely wanted to speak to at the moment. There were so many familiar faces that he hadn't seen in ages. Even Howard was there. Duo was genuinely happy to see them, but he couldn't stop thinking of the one person who could ruin a night like this for him. //He always made me feel on edge. I either wanted to laugh or cry whenever he was around.// Duo wished with all of his might that he could focus on the other persons attending. It wasn't working very well. He always got lost in his head. //Screw it. I'll just avoid Mr. Yuy unless *he* comes to talk to *me*, otherwise I am *going* to enjoy myself.//

Duo looked at his watch. He couldn't believe it! It was nine. Only an hour had passed since he had arrived. And three whole hours until he could leave in good conscience. //Maybe I should get drunk.// He was suddenly aware of someone tapping impatiently on his shoulder from behind him. //Damnit,// he thought. //If this is Quatre checking on me...// Fortunately for Quatre when Duo turned to face him, the persons staring back at him were not only Quatre, but Wufei as well. Duo almost dropped his glass. An incredibly surprising duo indeed.

"So Maxwell, you're finally surprised," Wufei paused, raising an eyebrow. "Who were you expecting?" Duo was beginning to feel the effects of his second glass of punch.

"To tell you the truth, Wufei, I was expecting Quatre to check up on me, but not you. You're respectful enough to know that as a grown man and a former gundam pilot, I can take care of myself." Quatre flushed guiltily. "But to see the both of you is just frightening. I must look like a lost kitten. Where's Trowa?" Wufei got a suspicious gleam in his eye.

"Are you drunk?"

"Not yet, sir," he saluted dutifully. "but I'm sure gettin' there!" he purposely slurred his words.

"Maxwell--"

Quatre interupted him with a giggle.

"It's alright, Wufei, he's joking." Duo smiled.

"He's right, Wu-man. I'm only a little buzzed at most. I don't drink that often anymore, so I've forgotten how to hold my alcohol. Only had two glasses." Wufei raised both eyebrows.

"Damn, Maxwell," he chuckled. "Even Quatre could do better than that!"

"Hey! Leave me out of this!"

"It's alright, Quatre," Duo supplied. "It's not such a bad thing not to drink often. Especially you. I'd be terrified to see you become an alcoholic after seeing what you did to that colony in Wing Zero." The two pilots laughed while Quatre pouted.

"Will you guys ever let me live that one down? I don't bring up your mistakes, sheesh!" But Quatre took it well. Duo knew that he wasn't in the least bit offended.

"So, have you talked to Yuy yet?" Wufei had always been straightfoward. Duo both respected and detested that quality in the Chinese man, but decided to answer that question truthfully instead of avoiding it. //The sooner I tell them what they want to know, the sooner they'll drop it.//

"Yeah," Duo said with a lightness he didn't feel. "But he didn't seem all that interested in catching up, so I headed inside." Wufei seemed slightly stunned, though Duo couldn't figure out why. "Look, Fei, I don't know why we haven't talked in so long. But he definately chose that path, and tonight is a prime example. There's nothing I can do about it, and I'll be okey," he finished.

"It just doesn't make sense," Wufei said emphatically. "He didn't talk to you about *anything*?"

"No, he didn't," Duo looked at the two pilots. "Should he have?"

Wufei just shook his head.

"Wait a minute. You mean he's kept in contact with you too?" Wufei didn't answer. "Trowa too?" Duo looked to Quatre who began to pick off imaginary lint from his jacket. "You mean to tell me that I am the *only* one he hasn't kept in contact with?" Duo immeadiately lost his buzz as well as his ability to pretend any longer. He couldn't really handle anything that was going on at the moment, least of all Wufei's stare. It's not that he regretted seeing the other pilots, because he didn't. If anything, he hoped to keep in touch with each of them this time. He just couldn't handle this place-- all of these people at once-- and he just couldn't seem to deal with his former best friend giving him the shaft. This new information made him nauseous.

"Fei, Quat, I'm sorry--I just gotta get some fresh air," Duo explained shakily. "I'll be back. Sorry," and then he was heading towards the satin-covered double doors at the main entrance of the ball. The two other pilots exchanged worried glances and followed.

"Duo!" Quatre called from behind. "Are you sure you're okay? Is there anything that I can do--" and he and Wufei had to skid to a stop to avoid crashing into Duo, who had froze at the steps right outside of the entrance. His two companions quickly understood as they saw the scene ahead of them.

Heero Yuy was grinning affectionately as a small girl with unruly light brown hair and olive colored skin giggled delightfully and clapped her hands at a small butterfly fluttering just out of her reach while Vice Foreign Minister Relena Darlian was gently smiling at his side.

Duo could feel his face pale. His hands were wet and clammy, and his breath was coming out in short rasps. //Couldn't Quatre have warned me about *this*?// He turned to Wufei, whose head was bowed shamefully. //Oh. So apparently I was the only one who didn't know.// At that moment the apparently happy family noticed that they had company in the garden. Heero picked up the girl and slowly walked over to the three ex-pilots.

"Duo, I'd like you to meet Helen, Relena and my daughter."

Duo had no clue what to say or do. Helen was beautiful, and despite of himself, he couldn't bring himself not to smile.

"Nice to meet you, Helen," Duo softly whispered, holding out his hand. The little girl, unsure of what to do, looked to her father for guidance. Heero gently nodded. Helen then turned back to Duo and smiled while letting out an ear-piercing scream.

"D-du-do," she cried and then screamed again, clapping her hands together.

"She's just learning to speak," Heero explained.

"How old's she?" Duo asked, his eyes not meeting his former partner's.

"Two in thirteen days," Heero said as Helen reached her arms out to Duo expectantly. Duo was bewildered. She suddenly lurched forward and Duo found he was holding Heero's daughter.

Relena spoke for the first time. "How have you been, Duo?" she asked.

"It's been a long time," he replied, not quite sure what else he should say. They had never really gotten along, but he didn't hate the woman or anything. And they had both matured quite a bit since the last time they had met.

The five adults stood there awkwardly for a few moments while Helen squealed delightfully at Duo's braid which she held firmly in her chubby little hands. Finally Quatre broke the silence and took his exit by mumbling about not being a gracious host. Wufei dutifully followed by mentioning the fact that no one had seen Trowa in quite some time, and that he should go make sure the pilot hadn't done something 'incredibly dishonourable like get drunk and pass out in a bathroom', as if it was Trowa's way to actually do something of that fashion. But then again, Duo didn't know how the pilot could have changed. //After all...// He looked at Heero. It was now his turn to take his leave as well.

"Well, I should probably get going too, ya know," he said with false cheer as he handed Relena her child, who fussed slightly. "It's getting late, and I gotta finish packing--leavin' early tomorrow morning, he he..." he trailed off.

"Quatre mentioned the pilots staying for a couple weeks," Heero said, looking at Duo curiously.

"Yeah, well I have Spike now- he's my cat- and a comic that needs to be finished as soon as I can get it out, so I have to cut this trip short," Duo grinned, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Well, it was very nice to meet ya, miss Helen," he said with a grand bow and a kiss on her cheek. "As for the two of you, it was good to see you, and congratulations on-er-everything," he gave a wave as he walked past them and into the gardens to head back to his room.

Some reunion. This was the worst reunion he could have possibly imagined.

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this was a twist *i* didn't even expect... so... what'd ya think?