Author: Karen, The Huntress
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Shounen ai, language.
Pairing: 1x2
Feedback: Always appreciated.
Archive: DHML Archive, Shades and Echoes.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or its characters.
Home is Where the Heart is Part 1
"This is just great!" Duo exclaimed bitterly slouching in front of the paint-worn motel door.
Heero put in the key and turned the knob. The opening door revealed a small, single room. The faded wallpaper and drab drapes did nothing to improve the room's lack of warmth or Duo's cloudy disposition.
"I know this isn't where we wanted to be at Christmas time, but we really don't have much of a choice." Heero declared dropping his duffle bag on the faded carpet.
"But dammit, Heero, its the 23rd of December and we are stuck in this rat trap." Duo hissed tossing his bag on the equally faded bedspread, "And what is the hardest part," he continued sitting heavily on the bed that reacted with a squeak from somewhere beneath the sagging mattress, "there is no way we can get back home to be with the other guys for Christmas."
Heero sat down beside, "I know I hate that, too. At least we left the gifts at the Safe House so Quatre, Trowa and Wufei will have them Christmas morning. We will have to wait to open ours when it is safe to go back." Heero stated putting his arm around Duo's waist. "We will just have Christmas a little later, that's all."
Duo rested his head on Heero's shoulder. "Well I guess we don't have any other alterative not with most of the OZ Forces in the area looking to fry our butts. I guess we made them mad." he finished a wide grin gracing his pouted mouth.
"Look at it this way." Heero answered tightening up his hold, "We could be hiding out in woods or having to stay in our Gundams, now that would be real comfortable."
"Yeah, I suppose, but still." Duo's words trailed off with a heavy sigh.
"Tell you what." Heero announced pushing back Duo's bangs from his eyes, "I think we can take the chance to go out for awhile. I have an idea that might cheer you up."
"But we were ordered to stay put." Duo reminded his partner.
Heero lifted Duo's face until he looked directly into his liquid violet eyes, "Since when did you start doing everything you are supposed to?" he smiled knowing Duo's tendency to stubbornly march to the beat of his own drummer.
"We won't stay out long, I promise. But we do have to get something to eat and I want to do something for you too, at least, give you some Christmas cheer."
Duo raised up until his lips brushed over Heero's, "We could stay right here and get all the Christmas cheer we wanted." he teased pulling his koibito into a tight embrace and deepening the kiss.
Heero responded favorable to Duo's overtures cupping his hand behind his head using Duo's brownish braid to hold his head steady. His breathing quickened at the warm sensations that Duo's kiss invoked. But for then, anyway, the kiss was all that he would allow. The lateness of the hour told Heero he would not have much time to complete operation, "Make Duo Smile".
Heero Yuy had a self-imposed mission assignment to make his sweet lover feel as good as he could, under the circumstances, at that very special time of the year.
Duo stuck out his bottom lip in a disappointed reaction as Heero pulled back, "Hey, lover, I wasn't finished." he chided pulling Heero closer again.
"We will have time for that later" came Zero Master's promised proclamation, "I want to go into town before the stores close. Now let's go." he ordered pulling Duo to his feet.
Heero parked the car in an alley behind one of the outermost buildings, hiding his pistol under his jacket just in case they ran into trouble. He also made sure Duo had his own sidearm within easy reach.
He hoped that OZ's search for the fugitive Gundam saboteurs had not extended that far into the countryside yet but one could never assume anything, that is if you planned to survive OZ's deadly game of cat and mouse. A quick trip into a nearby store for Duo's Christmas surprise, buy some food to take back and then they would return to the relative safety of the motel.
The sleepy little village was quiet. Not much traffic move along its narrow streets. A few late afternoon shoppers strolled up and down the brick sidewalks passing under antique lamp posts that glowed with a soft yellow light. Each lamp supported a large green wreath tie up at the bottom with a gold bow. Tiny white lights flickered from the bare trees and evergreen bushes lining the walkways. Somewhere in the distant, faint Christmas melodies wafted in the cool night breeze.
The sun dipped low above the skyline painting streaks of deep red and pink and gray as the shimmering solar orb retreated, surrendering to the quickly gathering evening shadows. That was an increased chill in the air prompted by the rapidly advancing darkness.
Heero had to admit to himself the decorations and music did make him a bit despondent. Being away from his friends, all the family he had now, especially at this time, made his heart ache. But he wasn't going to permit what he couldn't change to ruin his plans for Duo.
Even if they weren't much, and certainly nothing to match being with their fellow Pilots, Heero was going to do the best he could to give his lover the most special Christmas he ever had. Heero pulled up his collar against the chilled air and started around the corner.
"Over here." Heero directed pointing to a quaint store with the word, "Shoppe" in the brightly painted sign above the door adorned with a huge display of greenery accented with red bows and silver bells.
Heero held the door back and let Duo go in first. The aroma of candles and something with a heavy spicy odor filled their noses bringing on a warm glow from within. More strains of seasonal music filled the wonderfully scented air. Duo's eyes widened at the sights. His hearing carried the soothing sounds to his brain easing his fretted mind, for the moment, anyway.
A pleased smile showed on Heero's lips as he watched Duo react like a child stepping into a marvelous wonderland. Then a stabbing twinge of painful sadness touched Heero's heart as he realized how the war had taken so much of Duo's childlike innocence. How the senseless, never ending conflict had robbed them all of the simplest pleasures. Torn from them all their ability to enjoy, with childish abandonment, the most basic joys of life.
Realizing this Heero took a moment to share in Duo's delight. But all too soon, remembering they were not safe so exposed in public, the war and its hazards came crashing in on him once more. Heero forced his thoughts back to the immediate completion of the job at hand and a hasty exit.
Picking up a wicker basket with a wide handle, Heero began his search for what he wanted. The shelves were almost bare of Christmas related items being so near the 25th. But determined to find what he needed to fulfill his requirements Heero left Duo standing wide-eyed before a display of porcelain dolls dressed in their Victorian finery of deep red and green crushed velvet, golden sashes and layer upon layer of starched crinolines flaring out under their long skirts. One had long blond hair tied back with a matching red velvet bow. The other, cascades of ebony locks hanging in ringlets about her shoulders.
To the doll's other side, a collection of stuffed bears in assorted colors and textures sat side by side with their glass eyes shining in the muted shop lights. Heero was just as glad Duo's attention had been temporarily captured by the holiday toys, it would be easier to gather all he needed without giving away too much of the surprise. With a little luck he might even be able to have all his purchases hidden away in bags before his precious partner could get a glimpse of his treasures.
Standing on a side shelf all to itself, a small artificial tree, not more than two feet tall, caught Heero's eye. He carefully slipped it into the basket so as not to ruffle the flimsy branches. Like the rest of the decorations, there were not much left to choose from. Heero finally spied a box containing a dozen red satin balls with gold hanging cords. They were also carefully placed beside the tree. He added a card of tiny, shiny red bows with a sigh of contentment.
The last items were three glasses bowls filled with cinnamon scented candle wax and a disposable lighter. Finally a package of snowman print plastic cups, a half-gallon of spiced cider and a tin of frosted bell shaped Christmas cookies with red and green sugar sprinkles on tops completed his purchases.
Meanwhile Duo had wandered to the window watching the twinkling outside lights grow brighter as the sun disappeared from view. As the secluded blanket of night covered over the lamp-lit streets, it seems so peaceful, so far removed from the din of battle and the bloodshed.
"Will there ever be "Peace On Earth" again?" Duo wondered to himself as a thousand pinpoints of starlight flickered in the heavens.
Heero quietly watched his lover observing the longing in his eyes and knowing that his heart had to be as heavy as his own. Knowing how much Duo deserved to have his life safe, secure and right again all Heero could do now was stand guard over Duo and his heart until the war ended. Until then, he would keep him close and do the best he could to shield Duo from any harm.
Heero knew, without a doubt, Duo Maxwell was the only thing in his stoic, duty disciplined, existence that kept him on an even keel. The only barrier between his heart and soul and insanity. Heero had fought hard to keep Duo from becoming so important to him, not wanted to expose what innermost feelings he still had intact. He had quickly lost that battle.
If something ever happened and Duo was taken away, Heero knew the Perfect Soldier would surely wasted away until nothing remained but an empty shell. Then, when his heart and soul was totally used up, Heero Yuy would, with his last ounce of courage, find the means to join his beloved forever.
But that would not happen. However determined the fates might be they could never severe a bond so strongly forged in love and protection. Heero didn't know if he could do enough to make his koibito not feel so sad, but what he could do, he would do to the best of his ability. Taking another look to make sure Duo was occupied, Heero shoved one last item into the bugling basket and paid the lady at the counter.
Heero, both hands filled with Duo's treats, stepped up by his lover. "Ready to go?" he whispered hating to break the wondrous trance that held Duo so spellbound in the light's sparkling luminousness.
Duo only nodded. Heero swore a watery shimmer washed over his lavender centers of sight. "It will be all right." Heero promised staring at the same shimmering lights. "Come on, I have a surprise for you."
Duo sighed then, for the first time, noticed the bags in Heero's hands. "What is all this?" he gasped at the sight. "Heero, what have you done?" came the next half-whispered question.
Heero smiled, his mood lightened by Duo's obvious happiness. "You will see when we get back to our room. Let's stop on the way and get some takeout for supper then you can see your surprise."
Letting his eyes dart up and down the street to make certain the way was clear Heero, with Duo's arm intertwined in his, walked back to the car.
TBC...
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