Author: Merula
Pairings: 1x2, background 3x4, 5xS, OCxOC
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Yaoi, post war-ness, POV, angst.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing.
Initially, it's a halloween drabble asked by jilltanith.
Afterwards 2 Part 1
I finished setting up the fog machine and turned it on, quite satisfied with the way it sent fog creeping down our steps. We wouldn't get lots of trick or treaters tonight, but the ones we did get would at least feel we had been worth the walk. I looked at the other decorations we had hung up- the fishing net, the fake plastic fist, the shark's jawbone, the fake surfboard Duo had created with the large circular bite mark on it. Not too Halloweenish perhaps, but once our trick or treaters got a look at Duo, it would all make sense.
Duo had been planning for this since the end of September- it made me wonder what plans he had in mind for the Christmas decorating...
I opened the front door and went inside. "All set?" I called to Duo as I entered the house.
"Yep," he called cheerfully from the bathroom. "Look!" He stepped out of the bathroom, his skin painted a ghostly white, black circles drawn around his eyes, seaweed draped around his shoulders, his hair damp and limp against his skull. A pair of tattered swim trunks completed his outfit. "What do you think?"
It was disturbing. I went and put my arms around his waist, careful not to smear the body paint.
"I think I'm never letting you go surfing again," I told him.
He rolled his eyes and kissed me lightly. "Do you think I'll manage to scare a few of the kids?"
I nodded. "I think we'll get some angry parents yelling at us for sure."
The doorbell rang- right on cue. Duo went to go answer it, happily confident that he was going to get to scare the crap out of some kids.
Sure enough, the first group of trick or treaters screamed in delighted terror when Duo answered the door. After that, I figured someone was warning them, as most of the kids seemed ready for the sight when the door opened. Not that it stopped them from shrieking...
My job was just to make sure the candy bowl stayed full and the fog machine kept fogging. Neither one was particularly difficult, so I spent most of my time watching my lover ham it up for the kids.
We had a rush for a bit, and then as it got closer to nine, the doorbell grew silent. Duo declared himself pleased with this development. "It's getting chilly," he proclaimed and went to wash the makeup off and change into something warmer. I turned off the fog machine and went to the stove to make a pot of hot water.
The doorbell rang.
"Can you get that?" Duo called. I scooped up the bowl of candy and opened the door.
"Happy..." I started, and then the words died in my throat.
Duo stood on the doorstep looking at me with surprise.
I felt my heart stop for a moment in shock-- and then I began to notice little details.
The grey at the temples, the wrinkles in the corners of the eyes, the laugh lines etched into his cheeks. His hair was shorter, tied back in a neat ponytail that brushed his shoulder blades.
For a mad moment I wondered if some future Duo had found a way to visit us. He recovered first. "I'm very sorry. I know this is a bad night to go visiting," he apologized. "And you look very much like someone I used to know. I'm afraid you startled me."
"What can I do for you?" I answered automatically. I didn't think he was there for the candy.
"I wanted to come by and see my son." I felt my eyes widen in surprise. Of course- that's who he was. Sanura had said Duo's father was still alive. She hadn't known how to get a hold of him but she had promised to do some digging.
Apparently she had found him. Why hadn't she warned us?
"Of course." I waved him inside, closing the door behind him. "I'm sorry. You look... a lot like Duo."
He smiled faintly. "Is that what he calls himself now? I know Sanura named him Kit."
I nodded. "He answers to both. He's just taking off his costume. We had a bit of a haunted house tonight..."
"My wife and I do those too. She's got my daughters helping her tonight. I'm sorry," he shook himself. "I'm doing this backwards." He extended a hand towards me. "I'm Victor. You must be Duo's spouse?"
"Heero," I nodded and shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you. Can I get you some tea? Why don't you sit down?"
He smiled Duo's smile, and went to perch on our couch. "Yes please."
I headed for the kitchen. At that moment, Duo exited the bathroom, dressed in jeans and a sweater, his hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, hairbrush dangling from his fingertips. "How was that last group of trick or treaters?" He asked as he walked towards me.
"It wasn't." I nodded towards the couch. "We have a visitor." Duo turned around and the hairbrush slipped from his fingers.
His father got to his feet and I saw him take a deep breath.
"Hello son," he said.
Duo didn't answer. I moved close to him and noticed that he was shivering- from the cold or the shock, I couldn't be sure. I put my arm around his shoulders. "Duo," I said in his ear.
He leaned back against me and drew in a breath. Then he gave himself a little shake. "I'm sorry," he said. "I... I wasn't expecting you. Mom... Mom didn't tell me that she'd managed to find you."
Victor nodded. "I just talked to her this morning. She called me and told me..." He took a deep breath. "You... you'll have to forgive me. I didn't give her any time to call you. I told her that I'd try and contact you this week, but I just kept thinking about it, and my wife finally tossed me out the door..." He stopped and took another deep breath like Duo did when he was nervous. "I thought you were dead. Well, you know that. Sanura did too... she called me after the fire, told me what had happened... I always... I always regretted the fact that I had never seen you. So, when she called me... I had to come."
They stared at each other for a long moment, and I sighed. I let go of Duo and nudged him. "Go sit down with him. I'll make some tea."
Duo took a hesitant step forward, and then another. Victor sat back down on the sofa and Duo joined him, perched on the edge of the seat, like he was ready to fly off at a moment's notice.
I went to the kitchen and made tea, listening to the soft sound of their voices rising and falling, the pauses in between that grew less and less frequent.
By the time I joined them, teacups in hand, they were talking like old friends, voices falling over each other in their eagerness to get to know each other.
I settled back into my chair, well content with the world.
TBC...
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