Rhythm Emotion (Piano Version)

The Truth About True Love

A.C. 195

During the war. . .

Duo looked at the sleeping form of Heero Yuy.  He smiled to himself as he curled up, one hand reaching out to push the hair that trailed over his face.

When he had first met Heero, he didn't think that he would ever end up in bed with him.

After all, he had shot the guy twice.

But little by little, he fell in love, despite after stealing parts of his Deathscythe.

Duo smiled.

And, despite his cold exterior, Heero responded to him.

Their actions had been clumsy, as neither one was too sure about what to do.  But in the end, everything seemed right.

His smile faltered a bit.  

Heero was a man of action, that much he understood.  But once, just once, he wished that he would say those three words that Duo constantly said.

Blue eyes fluttered open, and Duo's smile returned.  "I love you," he murmured.

Heero's lips twitched into a tiny smile, as his hand reached out to grab the tip of Duo's braid.  Once in his grasp, Heero closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

Duo chuckled and settled back down.  

This is true love, he told himself.

X

Quatre and Trowa talked in their quiet corner.

Duo and Heero sat in theirs.

Wufei could only feel mild disgust.

Love.

That was what they believed they had.

But love was a frugile notion.

Something that always slipped the grasp of anyone's understanding.

He sighed as his thoughts drifted towards his past.

Even he wasn't sure of love.

X

A.C. 200

5 hours before opening scene

Duo eyed the whole room.

In five hours, the marriage would take place.

Relena's life was once again in danger, and damned if he was going to let this be ruined.  He needed her to stay alive.  

Despite the pain in his heart.

Quatre came up behind him.

"Are you sure you can do this?" he asked, placing a hand on Duo's shoulder.

Duo nodded, wearing his Shinigami mask.  "There is no way I'm going to let my feelings interfere with this wedding."  He pointed up to one of the balconies.  "Those plants need to be removed.  I wouldn't be able to see if anyone was hiding behind them."

Quatre nodded.  "I'll let Trowa know."

Duo watched Quatre turn and talk ito the ear piece he wore.

Duo put on his.  Might as well get use to it.  He hated those things.

"Oh, Duo!! Heero wanted to know if you remembered to pick up the rings."

Duo's heart clenched.  "Yeah.  They're right here."  Duo patted his breast pocket.

Quatre smiled at him, and left.

Duo's shoulders dropped.  In less than five hours, everything would be done and over with, and he would be all alone again.

X

A.C 196

Right after the Christmas Eve War

Duo laughed as Heero tackled the broken sink with fierce determination.

The damn thing had been leaking for days now, and the sounds of dripping water each night was driving them up the wall.

But Heero swore he would get it to stop.

Well, not in so many words.

He just said "Mission accepted" when Duo shouted that he wanted that dripped fixed one way or another.

Heero just glanced at him, the look in his eyes clear that he didn't appreciate being laughed at.

Duo just smiled.

Seeing Heero on his back like that. . . brought a whole mind of interesting possibilities.

"What are you doing?" he heard Heero ask, as he set himself for his own task.

"Checking the plumbing," Duo said innocently.

Heero about banged his head on the sink's pipes when Duo "checked out" the plumbing.

He didn't have enough time to be angry as Duo proved what a wonderful plumber he was.

X

Duo hit Heero's arm, waking him up.

"Do you hear that?"

Heero raised his head, listening. "I don't hear anything."

"Exactly!"

"Hn." Heero dropped his face back into the pillow, muffling out the word "Baka."

Duo chuckled as he settled down. No more annoying drips.

X

"What's wrong?" Duo came up behind Heero, wrapping his arms around his waist.

"Letter from Trowa."

"Oh?"

"He is travelling with the circus."

Duo frowned.  "I thought he was with Quatre."

"Not anymore."

Duo raised his eyebrows in surprise.  "Do you think there is trouble?"

"Not our place to find out."

Duo sighed. "Yeah.  They'll let us know if they want us to know."

X

"No word from Wufei?"

"Hn."

". . ."

". . ."

Duo observed Heero for a while.

Lately. . . lately it didn't seem like he was listening to him. . . like the conversations were being forced.

It bothered him a lot.

Not to mention the fact that he didn't want Relena to know about their relationship.

"It's not her place to know," was his constant argument.

"But she keeps finding you," Duo would respond back.

"Let her," was Heero's last response.

It made Duo wonder.

X

A.C. 200

4 hours before opening scene

Duo walked each aisle step by step, trying to figure out where he would hide if he were an assassin out for Relena's blood.

He turned to face the altar, trying to imagine where he would be standing.  

Wufei would be walking Relena, so everyone up front, himself, Heero, Quatre and Trowa, would be Wufei's eyes for his back.

He would be their eyes from their backs.

Duo looked at the small window above the altar.

The only way someone would manage the shot was when they timed it with Relena's entrance.

Wufei would just have to be real careful.

X

Trowa stood near the entrance of the judicial building, scanning through the lists of guests.

Some of the names were unfamiliar, and still needed background checks.  

He glanced back down the hall.

He could see Duo standing near the altar.

Sympathetic pain flared up inside his heart.

He knew what Duo was going through. . . only for Duo this was a lost cause.

He shared a similar experience with Quatre.

Unlike Duo, however, he still had a chance, and a chance that would be taken given the opportunity.

X

Hilde and Dorothy checked the decorations once again.

"I should be excited," said Hilde.  "But I'm not.  I mean. . ."

Dorothy nodded.  "I am glad for Relena as well.  However, this wedding is a mistake.  I just wish the other opened his eyes and let the truth be known.  Relena would be heart broken for a while, but at least she won't live a life of misery."

Hilde glanced at Duo.  "He's being strong."

"Indeed."

X

A.C. 196

Before Maramei

It hurt.

Night in bed seemed empty.

Their love making was no longer satisfying.

And Duo felt like his heart was being pulled apart.

Heero barely talked to him now, and the small smiles were less frequent.

Had he done something wrong?

Duo tried to be spontaneous with their relationship.

But it didn't seem to work.

Instead, Heero seemed annoyed with all of his desperate attempts.

He would glare, and then leave for a few days.

He would come back, all calm again, and the cycle would begin.

But Duo continued to try to make their relationship work.

After surviving the war, they needed each other. Who else could understand what they went through?

X

"Quatre has made public his new relationship with some girl named Lauren."

Duo's eyebrows shot up. "Girl? What happened to Trowa?"  His voice was laced with shock.

Heero set down the newspaper.  "That was probably the trouble he was referring to in the letters."

Duo sat down, cup of orange juice forgotten in his hands.

Who would have thought?  He had been so sure that Trowa and Quatre would last forever.  More than he and Heero.

A sense of doom settled in his stomach.

If Trowa and Quatre didn't have a chance. . .

Was all his efforts in vain?

Duo glanced at Heero.

He was surprised to see Heero staring at him with an indescribably, yet intense look.  He stood up and reached out with his hand.

Duo took his hand, confused, and also stood up.

Heero led him to the bedroom.

To Duo's pleasant surprise, the experience was passionate.

Maybe. . . just maybe things were all right after all.

X

A.C. 200

3 Hours before opening scene

Duo smiled as he watched Heero going over his own list one last time.

"No cold feet yet?" he asked, amusement clear in his voice.

Heero gave him a look.

"Okay... " Duo shook his head.  "You know, I hear that you proposed.  Is that true?  Or was it Relena who did the talking for you?"

"I did."

"Through email?"

Heero growled.

"Kidding, kidding! Ha, Heero, you still need to learn how to take a joke."

While his eyes twinkled with merriment, Duo's heart was shriveling up.

It wasn't fair.

Heero had been his at first.

But realistically. . . he had only been his in the physical sense.

A brief moment an anger flared in his heart.

What if he failed this mission?

Would Heero come back to him? Or would he blame him?

Duo sighed.

"Duo?"

"Tired.  Had to get up early with the whole lot of you, remember?" Duo flashed a smirk.  "I would have still been in bed right now if it weren't for this whole carnival."

Heero looked into the mirror.  "I'm doing the right thing," he said, more to himself than to Duo.

Duo managed to keep the smile on his face.  If it were up to me, I'd say you are doing the wrong thing. "Say it with a little more enthusiasm, Yuy.  Sounds like you're taking this on as a mission."

Heero gave him a glare.

Duo took that as an cue to get out of the room.

X

A.C. 197

Right After Endless Waltz

He had been joking. . .

With that crack about "Everything for the one you love."

He should have seen it coming.

Really, it was so blatantly open for everyone to see.

Except for him.

He was so blindly in love, he didn't realize that he was merely a learning tool for Heero.

It was only a matter of time. . .

But a time that he would cherish forever. . .

Duo had seen the way Heero and Relena looked at each other.

So he didn't question Heero when he said he had some things to do.  Instead, he allowed him to go on his way while he stayed with Quatre and Trowa to blow up their Gundams.  And then he stayed with Hilde for a while.

And he didn't question him when he came back.

X

A.C. 200

2 and a half hours before opening scene

Duo knocked on the door.

"Come in," he heard the bright voice say.

"Are you sure you're decent?" Duo asked, stepping in.

Inside, Relena twirled in front of the mirrors.  "I hope so," she said, a smile gracing her delicate face.

Duo couldn't help but admit she looked lovely.

"Now you really do look like a princess," he said, stepping over to her and pulling the veil over her face.

Relena blushed.

"Careful, Duo," she said.  "With such flattery, I might just reconsider this marriage."

I wish you would.

Duo chuckled.  "I'm sure Heero would kill me."

Relena giggled as she looked back at the mirror, face glowing with delight, and that same happiness that he once felt.

Duo continued to smile at her, despite the dark thoughts in his mind.

Sweet and naive Relena, if I could destroy you now. . . Would you still marry Heero if you know about our past?  Or would you call it off?  Maybe you'd fight tooth and nail for him, even though it wouldn't be necessary.

After all, he choose you.

Relena Darlian. . .  I envy you.

And to some point, I hate you.

Yet. . . I need you. . . for Heero.

But believe me, sweet princess. . . if I could get away with killing you, I would.  For a while I believed that you stood in my way of happiness.

But I know that I am wrong.

And it hurts.

A lot.

"I'll protect you, Relena," Duo said, playfulness cast aside. "I'll make sure that both you and Heero walk out of the chapel alive."

Relena's face became somber.  "I thank you, Duo," she said. "But I hope that this was all unnecessary."

She gave a small laugh. "For some reason, I never really saw you as an individual during the war.  But now. . . I hope you can consider me as a friend. . . because I would love to call you 'friend' as well."

Duo smiled.  "I would be honored," he said.

Relena frowned. "Is something wrong?"

Duo looked at her curiously.

"You sounded sad."

"Oh, it doesn't matter." Duo placed his jester's mask once more. "What matters is that you and Heero, in less than three hours, will be standing side by side, getting ready for that happily ever after endings that everyone wants." He tweaked her nose.

Relena beamed. "Thank you, Duo."

X

Quatre stood still as Trowa adjusted his tie.

"I can't believe I'm the one that's nervous, considering that this is Heero's wedding."

Trowa gave a small smile.  "You are probably just picking up on the others emotions."

Quatre frowned.  "Most likely." He looked at Trowa. "I'm worried about Duo, though."

"He is strong.  He has proven it time and time again."

"I know that, but. . . I just think that it's kind of cruel."  Quatre then blushed, looking a bit mortified.

Trowa shook his head.  "I understand, Quatre. And I'm happy for you.  In that sense, Duo is like me.  Whatever makes you happy, I accept, as Duo accepts for Heero."

Quatre beamed. "Thank you, Trowa," he said.

X

A.C. 198

Five months after Endless Waltz

Duo watched as Heero packed his bags.

For a while, neither said a word.

Finally, Duo couldn't help but ask.

"Heero?"

"Hn."

"What were we, exactly?"

"Partners seeking relief.  Made things easier during the war."

Duo slowly nodded.

"That's why you never said 'I love you.'"

Heero paused, then continued.  "I didn't understand love back then. But it made you smile."

Duo looked at Heero.

"Relena and I are different.  What makes me smile might make her frown."

"I have better understanding, thanks to you."

Silence as the bags were zipped up shut.

"She doesn't know about us, does she?"

"No."

"Will she?"

"No."

Heero picked up his bags.

Duo walked to the front door and opened it.

"I really do wish you all the luck," he said, as Heero walked through them.

Heero glanced back at him, a small smile on his face. "Thank you."

Duo smiled back before slowly closing the door.

Duo stayed rooted where he was, listening for the cab's trunk to close, and listening for the engine to fade away.

Minutes passed before the first tear finally fell from his eyes.

"Damn you, Yuy.  I should hate you. . . but I can't."

His hands began to shake uncontrollable, as the unfairness of it all hit him hard.

With a strangled cry, Duo began to grab the nearest objects and hurl them around.

It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair! Things were suppose to be happy for them.  But they hadn't been happy enough.  

Tears fell and his anguished cries echoed off the walls.

When Heero claimed to protect Relena because the colonies and Earth needed her, he believed it. He didn't think that Heero was falling in love with her.  He had thought that Relena was a fool for seeking Heero out.  He didn't realize that Heero knew what she was feeling. He didn't think that Heero needed someone to show him how to reciprocate those feelings.

And he had been the idiot to give him that chance to learn. . . at the cost of his own heart.

His sobs had quieted down enough to become soft sighs.

And yet. . .

Even if he knew the out come of their relationship back then. . . Duo was positive that he would have done it all over again.

Despite the unfairness. . . there were no regrets.

He loved Heero with all his heart.

And he would do anything to keep Heero happy.

X

A.C. 200

2 Hours before opening scene

Duo looked around one last time.

Several guests were arriving early, hoping for good seats.

Several of the Preventors, including Wufei, were outside, keeping the media from entering, and checking each and every guest that walked in through the doors for weapons or suspicious packages.

In two hours, the ceremony would start.

Duo sat down in one of the benches, his body suddenly feeling heavy.

He called upon any deity that heard him to give him strength to continue.

His eyes went up to the cross above the altar.

Father Maxwell and Helen often spoke about the man on the cross.

A small smile flittered past Duo's lips.

How fitting.

X

A.C. 199

January

Duo struggled not to cry when he saw the news.

Heero Yuy and Relena Darlian were engaged.

He had been expecting it for some time, but he didn't expect for the pain to still be there.

He had received some letters from Heero, but none of them mentioned that he would be proposing to Relena yet.

Maybe, deep down inside, Duo had been hoping that Heero would come back to him.

If you really love somebody. . .

It was something he once heard.

Duo tried to shake the thoughts out of his mind as he threw on his Preventor jacket.

Despite the chance that he would see Heero during a mission, this at least gave him an opportunity to work out his frustrations and anger when dealing with the bad guys.

X

Duo looked up from the papers in his hand when something stopped in his way.

His heart jumped in his throat when he saw who it was.

Heero.

"Heero, what are you doing here?" Duo asked, secretly pleased that his voice came out sounding unstrained.

"I work as a Preventor.  I would have to show up at headquarters sooner of later."

"Right.  I thought you'd be getting things ready with R-relena."

Duo mentally cursed himself.  He couldn't believe that he stumbled over her name.

"She said I needed a Best Man. Would you do me the favor?"

Duo remained quiet for a few moments.

Being Best Man meant a lot of things, all being in constant contact with Heero.

The idea hurt.

But Heero was showing a bit more life than he had before, and that made him happy.

"Sure! What are friends for?" Duo shot Heero a huge grin.  "Just, uh, call me with whatever you got so I know where to go from there."  With a quick wave, Duo walked past Heero and headed out to his car.

X

"Anti-Earthians are becoming more violent with each threat," said Zechs, flipping through some slides of the threatening letters.  "And most of them see Relena as the key figure that keeps the Colonies from complete segregation of Earth."

"Chances are they would be targeting her during her most public outing," said Noin, sitting down in a chair near Zechs.

Everyone was silent for a moment.  Then Quatre gasped. "The wedding!"

There was a slight twinge in Duo's heart.

Heero must have known that.  He didn't ask me to be his Best Man out of friendship.  With me up there near the altar. . . he would have more protection for Relena.

That realization hurt even more.  Once again, he was being used.  He wondered whether Heero cared for him at all.  Maybe he was never a friend to begin with.  Just a person to experiment on and be used when needed.

Noin stood up next to Zechs, her stomach showing signs of growing as her shirt started looking a bit tight around the waist.

It wouldn't be too long before her light duty became desk duty, and then she was going to be a bitch to handle.

But being that this would be their second kid, Zechs could apparently handle that from her.

"The wedding has already been postponed. Now we have to work in conjunction with the wedding planners."

The door to the conference room opened, and Heero stepped in.

"Glad you could join us, Yuy," muttered Noin.

Zechs smiled fondly at her, squeezed her shoulder with one hand, then dropped the gentle look when he turned to the others.

Duo couldn't help but wish that Heero had been like that with him.

Gods, why can't I just fully let him go!  He's happier with Relena, I know that. But still! Why can't I be more like Trowa?

Duo glanced over to where Trowa sat.  The pilot was as expressionless as ever, most likely having accepted his life and moved on.

Unlike him.

Duo struggled to keep from falling back down into depression.  He forced himself to focus on what Zechs and Heero were now saying.

But he still couldn't help but wish that Heero would at least apologize.  Anything to show that he at least valued him as a friend.

X

A.C. 200

1 hour before

Heero fidgeted just a bit, adjusting his tie one final time.

Duo smiled at him fondly.

Then the music started.

Duo and Heero turned towards the entrance of the room.  There stood Relena in all her glory.

Wufei looked as elegant as always beside her, his expression less severe and more serene.

Maramei stepped forward, tossing the petals on the floor.

Hilde and Dorothy came after, looking dainty in their bride's maids dresses.

And Relena stepped forward.

There was just a moment of tension, but it passes as nothing happened.

A few moments later, Relena took her place next to Heero, beaming up at him as everyone settled down.

Heero and Relena looked forward, as the preacher began the ceremony.

X

Duo watched their faces.

They looked so happy.

Well, almost happy.

Heero's face hadn't thawed out completely, but he could see the emotions swirling in his eyes.  He briefly wondered just what Heero was thinking.

His eyes wandered over to Relena.

Her eyes sparkled.  

If only he were in her place.

Duo stiffled a snort.

Oh, he knew that a marriage would have never happened between Heero and himself, but at least a sharing of vows.

Letting Heero go was the right thing to do.

Hopefully, in time, the pain would go away.

X

He almost didn't see it in time.

Quatre had completely become absorbed in the wedding, listening to the preacher's words.

Trowa was focused on Quatre.

Wufei's vision was limited only to what was going on to the front.

But Duo was on guard.  He didn't want to hear the words that would bind the two lovebirds for life.  He didn't want to hear the preacher ask if anyone had any objections to the union.

The temptation to interfere would be too great.

Then he caught  a glimpse of movement near the back.

One of the Preventors was slowly raising his gun.

Shit!! Why didn't we think of it being a possible inside job?!

"If anyone objects . . ." the priest started.

"Look out!" shouted Duo, rushing forward.

One gunshot rang out and he gasped when he felt it hit his shoulder. He fell to his knees.

Behind him Relena screamed as the others scrambled into motion.  Even Heero had a gun on him.

"A small army just arrived!" he heard someone shout over the walkies.

The front doors opened as more armed men swarmed in.  The guests scrambled to get out of the other doors, some of them falling from the cross fire.

"Duo!" he heard Heero shout.

Duo forced himself up off the floor, grabbed Relena by the arm, and pulled her to the small side door behind the altar.

He had to get her out of there.

The door led the an empty hallway filled with steel doors.

The chapel belonged to an old Oz base, complete with cells and labs and all.

He ran down the hallway, dragging the princess with him.

Relena's breaths were ragged, her eyes wide in fear.

"The people!" she said.

Duo glanced back at her, feeling her pain.  "I'm sure our side is being careful about not hitting them.  I can't say the same about the Anti-Earthians."

Duo stopped in front of one of the rooms.  "Here," he said, pulling her into it.  "Stay here and you'll be safe.  I have to go back and help the . . ."

The door burst open behind him, forcing him to stumble into Relena.  Three men stood in the door way, weapons drawn.

Duo pulled out his gun and whirled around.

Relena froze in terror as several shots were heard.

Two of the three men fell to the floor.

Duo was leaning up against Relena, trying to remain standing.

Blood poured from the new wounds in his chest and abdomen.

The other man was bleeding from a wound in his shoulder.

He raised his arm one more time.

Duo raised his.

Both shots rang out.

Both collapsed.

"Duo!" Relena was dragged down to her knees by the weight of Duo.

Duo's breathing came out harsh, his eyes clenched in pain.

A steady stream of dark blood fell over his left eye, making a mockery of tears.

And something was poking the side of him.

"Duo..." Relena whispered.  "Everything will be all right.  The others will get here."

Duo gave a small smile, as his eyes became glassy.  

"N-not to sound p-pessimistic. . ." Duo started, before giving out one short cough.  Blood trickled out of his mouth, scaring Relena.

"R-relena...p-promise me. . . promise m-me you'll m-make H-Heero happy for m-me."

The tears began to fall.

Relena looked on, confused by Duo urging her to promise something she was planning on doing.

Duo's eyes became distant, as if somewhere else.

"I thought I made h-him happy.  I thought w-we were b-both in l-love.  I w-was wrong.  He d-didn't l-love me. . . n-not like I l-loved him."

Something wet landed on his face, but he didn't blink, didn't notice.

Relena stared down at him, eyes shimmering and wide with shock.

"I w-wasn't enough for h-him.  In the e-end, all h-he r-really w-wanted was you.  And for a while, I h-hated y-you both.  B-but n-not for long."

Duo seemed to come out of his trance.  He looked at her directly in the eye.

"I l-love him, R-relena. Enough. . . to let him. . . go.  'If y-you really love someone. . .'"

Duo's breathing became more labored, and the blood that flowed was so dark against his pale skin.

"R-relena, I w-would die for his h-happiness alone. . . and I w-will.  I p-protected you t-to keep you alive.  Heero n-needs you.  So I n-need you.  M-make him h-happy, f-for m-me. . . please. . ."

Duo's voice dropped into a whisper.

"Duo..." Relena murmured, her tears falling in steady streams. "Duo, I didn't know. . ."

Duo smiled softly, and rose a trembling hand to catch one of her tears.  "D-don't cry f-for me," he said.  "I. . . have. . . no. . . regrets."

He heard people barging in.

In his peripheral vision, he could make out the other four Gundam Pilots.

They had arrived.

Funny. . .

He never thought that he wouldn't die alone.

He never thought that it would be Relena holding him.

Then he realized what was pressing against his side. . .

The walkie's button.

So everyone heard, and now knew.

Wonderful.

His sight began to fade, but he could still make out Relena.

His smile faded as he noticed the blood on her gown.

Once again, he had tainted purity.

"Oh, Relena. . ." he whispered.  "I'm s-sorry f-for ruining your d-dress."

Then everything began to grow grey, and he felt himself growing heavy.

And somewhere in a distance, he could hear people cry out his name.

tbc...