Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Truth About True Love ❯ Comparison and a Problem ( Chapter 4 )

A/N: So sorry guys. Meant to post the revision much much earlier. Found out I didn't when I actually started working on Part 5. So stay tuned, hopefully within a month you'll see an actual update. I am, after all, working on several stories plus a web comic, and now school.

The Truth About True Love

Part 4

February 20, A.C. 200

Quatre sighed as he brushed the bangs away from Duo's face, his lips quirking upwards as they stubbornly fell back over his eyes.

He sighed and sat back, his eyes drifting to the window.

"I saw Trowa yesterday," he said softly. "And Heero."

Quatre's blue eyes looked down at him. "Know what I found out?" he asked gently. "Let me tell you... I don't know what to feel because of it."

February 19, A.C. 200
Winner Mansion

Quatre couldn't deny that his fiance was furious, especially considering that she threw a vase at him.

"You are just using him as an excuse!" she cried out.

"What are you talking about?"

"The one in a coma! I understand your need to visit him, but to postpone our wedding?! You're just using that as an excuse so as not to make this commitment to each other!"

Quatre felt a small flare of anger and frustration. "No, I am not," he said forcefully. "You are taking things too personally..."

"How can I not?! Everyone knows about your past! The reason you are postponing the wedding is because deep down inside you realize that you're still harboring feelings for that...that... that Trowa Barton!!."

She might as well have just slapped him

The accusation left him paling and speechless.

"That was nothing serious," he gasped out. "There was a war and we were only experimenting. It would be selfish to have a relationship outside our group. I-it was all just experimental!"

Lauren glared at the blond man. Her green eyes were flashing and her hands were balled up into little fists. "Don't tell me it was an experiment! Isn't that what they thought of Heero's and Duo's little fling? I almost believed it too when I saw how cheerfully Duo set about to do his task. But then the whole thing happened and we all found out that he actually loved Heero and that it was more than an experiment! Now I wonder if maybe you are just doing this because everyone expects you to."

"That's, that's not true." Quatre's voice came out weak, as if trying to convince himself.

Lauren's eyes softened. "Quatre, I love you. But not enough to just be some type of trophy wife. If you marry me, I want it to be because you really do love me... not because everyone else expects it and you think it's the right and proper thing to do. We'll both be miserable later on."

"Lauren..."

"No, Quatre. I don't want to hear any more half hearted excuses and such. I'm going back home to my mother. Make up your mind, Quatre. It's time you grow up and stop letting others run things for you."

And then she left.

X

Quatre wandered through the streets, luck travelling along with him.

It was unknown how much time had passed as he walked down the sidewalk and crossed streets. He walked in a steady line, completely lost in his own thoughts.

He didn't see where he was going, or how he got there, but all of a sudden, he was at a familiar looking house, ringing the doorbell.

Quatre pulled his hand back as if he were touching something revolting, heart hammering in his chest. What am I doing? he wondered, as he stepped back, torn between waiting and fleeing.

A moment later, he ran out of options.

"Quatre," he heard Trowa's surprised soft voice as the door opened.

"Trowa," Quatre said in return, his tortured eyes looking up as his former lover and dearest friend.

Trowa stood aside and allowed Quatre to enter his home.

"Lauren," Quatre began, before realizing that Trowa had company. "What's he doing here?" he asked.

There in front of him sat Heero, and Quatre couldn't help but feel a wave of... an unpleasant feeling... when he saw him there.

"Talking," replied Trowa. "Please, sit."

Quatre sat opposite Heero, needing to be as far away as possible and still civil.

Here was the man that was both friend, and a despicable character. He was the one that drove Duo to committing such a noble and tragic act. He had thought that they had loved each other, only to find out from Duo one night that Heero never had loved him in return. That was the night that the seed of dislike was planted and slowly began to grow.

"About?" Quatre asked,trying his hardest to remain polite. It wouldn't do to break down in front of this emotionless man.

"Duo," Heero said in a soft, but emotional voice, catching Quatre off guard.

Trowa sat down next to Quatre, the only place where there was enough room to sit.

"He's tired of sneaking in to see him when no one's around."

Quatre looked at him in shock. "You've been breaking and entering into my home?!"

"You gave me no choice," responded Heero, staring at the ground.

"He wants to be able to visit him during the day," replied Trowa.

Quatre was speechless. It was apparent that Trowa knew of Heero entering the premises to see Duo without permission.

"Why?" Quatre asked, not fully understanding.

Heero looked up. "I care for him, Quatre. Don't get me wrong. I just made one horrible mistake."

"Oh really," asked Quatre, clearly showing his disbelief.

Heero sighed as Trowa placed a gentle hand on Quatre's shoulder.

"Listen to him," Trowa pleaded.

Quatre crossed his arms and sat all the way back, head falling against the back of the sofa, staring at the ceiling. "I'll listen," he said.

Heero took a deep breath. "During the war, Duo showed me things that I would have never tried on my own. I knew that others, besides us, would not approve of such a relationship, but back then I didn't care. I just lived life day by day knowing that the next day one of us could be dead.

"When the war was over, there wasn't much need to think that way, and for a while, I was able to live peacefully beside him. Unfortunately, living with Duo, I also learned how to feel humiliation and shame. Listening to events of how people like us were treated, or listening to insults in the streets, it got hard to ignore after a while. So I did my best not to show our affection in public and such. I thought Duo understood. He didn't say anything.

"That's when I started feeling doubt. I thought that maybe Duo didn't love me as much as I loved him but rather saw it as nothing but just a way to feel good. I had no idea he was only trying to do what he thought was making me happy. If I had known he was that upset, and trusted that he loved me that much, I most likely wouldn't have listened to others."

Quatre raised his head and stared at him.

Heero wasn't looking up. "I listened to people talking about the fairy tale ending that they wanted for Relena, their princess... and I thought that they needed that. And since I had my doubts about Duo... I decided to let go and take on one final mission... make the public happy by being prince to their princess, at the cost of my own happiness. I hated it, but I felt obligated."

Quatre stood up quickly, feeling light headed. "I-i have to think about this," he said, swaying.

"Quatre?" Trowa asked, as he too stood up.

"I-i'm fine."

Trowa nodded. "Please, Quatre. Do give it serious thought. I think that I would have done the same as Duo, and I would have appreciated that my love was allowed to visit me. Coma or not, I believe Heero's presence will help."

Quatre weakly nodded, feeling even worse.

"I will," he said, walking to the front door. He took one last look at the regretful Heero and sympathetic Trowa... then fled.

February 20, 200 A.C.
Duo's room

Quatre remained silent for a moment as he finished telling his story to the unconscious Duo.

"I know I can't say no to Heero," he said softly. "I just have to make up my mind on whether to let Relena know or not. But I don't know what to make out about Trowa. I mean... it scared me to think that he would do the same for me. Plus... listening to Heero... oh Duo! I think we are no different from one another! I mean, I like Lauren, a lot, but... trying to think of living together with her forever... it just didn't seem possible. Doesn't... shoot... I was right the first time. She doesn't want to marry me now at all unless I get my act together and choose her.

"But now I wonder if I can."

Quatre leaned back. "I wish you were awake, Duo. What I would give to have you here and help me."

Quatre's eyes watered as he struggled for control. "I'll come back soon," he whispered, and left the room.

February 25, A.C. 200
Duo's Room

Relena plopped herself into the well used chair.

"Oh, Duo, I hope your more forgiving than I am. I just found out Quatre's letting Heero come visit you! I just hope I don't see his face. I'm still angry at him!"

She sighed. "But why should I hope. You love him so. You'll forgive him... shoot, I think you were way past forgiving him when you..."

Relena quickly cancelled her line of thought, not wanting to remember that fateful afternoon over a month ago.

"No matter... I see Howard came by again. What is this?" Relena held up a twisted piece of melded metal. It looked like a pretzel. She placed it back down.

"Sally just found out she's expecting, and Noin is getting all agitated about the idea of desk duty." Relena smiled. "Zechs is just trying to keep the other kids from making her more irritable. Of course, that means I have to help babysit every once in a while. But that's okay. I wish you got a chance to meet them personally before this whole thing. You might meet them just yet."

Relena shook her head. "Wufei's really been acting different lately. I mean, he still comes in to talk to you... of course, you might already know that.. but... I don't know. He isn't really talking to us. I hope he's okay."

Relena stood up. "Well, Duo... I will be back. See you real soon." She leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on his forehead.

February 26, A.C. 200
Duo's Room

Wufei closed the book as he finished his tale.

He glanced at Duo and watched him silently... meditating.

Whoever knew that Duo could be used as a focus for such a thing.

He watched as his chest rose and lowered in an even rhythm.

"Sally's pregnant..." he whispered... his voice sounding loud in the quietness of the room. "I've really lost her now. It's funny. After Meirian... I never really believed that I would truly fall in love with anyone. I believed that no one would stand up to her standards... that all women other than her were weak. Sally proved me wrong."

"I truly believe I love her," he admitted. "But she doesn't return the feelings. Despite my actions... I'm still too young. It hurts to see the one you admire away from your side. I imagine it must have been worse for you. Despite the way you acted most of the times... I'm beginning to think you were the strongest of us all. You were able to keep holding a mask to encourage us. We would almost let our guilt consume us."

Wufei grasped Duo's limp hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I hear Heero's been given permission to visit now. I do hope you wake up real soon. Unlike me... it looks like you will have a chance of recuperating your love."

March 1, A.C. 200
Lady Une's Office : Preventer Headquarters

Lady Une stared at the four young men in front of her. "I'd just like to inform you that the ringleader has finally been found guilty and has been sentenced to life in prison without parole."

"Good," muttered Wufei, crossing his arms.

Quatre looked relieved as Trowa gave a soft nod.

Heero stared at the floor.

"Now there is another situation," she said. "Zechs has informed me that there is a large underground operation occurring between the colonies and earth. They are vile scum that kidnap and sell people for whatever the reason they are wanted for... experiments, slaves, unwilling organ donors... This is going to require some undercover operations that will take time."

The four boys looked at each other, stricken.

Une's eyes softened. "I know it's a hard time to part... but we can't wait till Maxwell waked up. We have to move on while waiting for a change. I decided that Trowa and Quatre would be best for this assignment. I hate to say this, but a lot of the buyers are those with a lot of money... and you need to connect them to the dealers. Trowa, with his experience with the mercenaries, will know a bit more about approach. Wufei and Heero... you are just their contacts in extreme emergencies. At this time... Quatre has been suspended without pay proceeding a thorough investigation of suspicious life styles. Fearing that some secrets will be uncovered, you left Earth without permission. Most activities seem to be in the L4 colonies, so you'll be at home, in a literal sense. Understood?"

Quatre nodded weakly as he glanced over at Trowa.

Stuck on an undercover mission with his former lover? How awkward.

"Heero, Wufei... I will schedule a future meeting with you two. Quatre, Trowa... we need to discuss more details.

"Yes, ma'am."

Heero and Wufei stood up and left the room as quietly as possible. The closed the door behind them and walked towards the cafeteria.

"We're going to have to rearrange our visiting schedules," commented Wufei.

Heero nodded once. "I'll take Quatre's day then."

Wufei nodded, a sad feeling in his heart. It was clear that Heero was still feeling deep regret, having chosen the day that would allow him to be with Duo two days straight. He offered a quick prayer for a miraculous recovery.

March 5, A.C. 200
Duo's Room

Heero caressed Duo's face. "I'm here again," he whispered gently. "Quatre and Trowa will be gone for a while. Mission. But I'll be here in their place. Wufei, too. I'm glad Une didn't offer this mission to me. Oherwise I would have had to tarnish my good record by refusing it."

Heero gave one small weak smile.

"But then again... being with you tarnished a lot of things... but I don't regret it. Except for leaving you behind. Come back to me, Duo... and I'll never let you fall again."

tbc...