Author: Merula
Pairings: 1+2+1
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Get-together
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing is not mine.
For bashful spirit- I'm not sure how close I got to your prompt! Hope it's okay!
Drabble 62
"Duo Maxwell."
The voice made him spin in place, eyes widening a little in surprise. "Heero Yuy." He reached out and clasped Heero's hand, his lips turning up in an involuntary smile as he cataloged the differences that three years had made in his old friend. "I'm a little surprised to see you."
"Really?" Heero drawled. "And why is that? Did you think I'd miss this?"
"Well, it's a wedding, not a war," Duo stepped a little closer. "Unless... nothing's happening that I should know about right?"
"And you'd think I'd tell you if that was the case?"
"Hey, I'm the best pilot you know. You'd need my help."
"Humble as ever, I see. I hate to disappoint you, but no, I'm only here for the wedding."
Duo lightly punched him on the arm. "I'm not disappointed, I'm glad to see you." He looked around the hotel lobby, the question rising to his lips involuntarily. "Did you bring a date? Is Relena here with you?"
"Are you kidding? I value my neck, thank you very much." At Duo's questioning look, Heero lifted his eyebrows. "You haven't heard? She's dating Chang."
"She is?" Duo managed to keep his jaw in place. "When did that happen?"
"About a year ago, right around when I left the Preventers."
"I heard about that- everything okay? Quatre said you'd gone back to school?"
"Better than okay. I'm now officially licensed." Before Duo could ask for what, Heero asked: "How about you? I heard you're working for Quatre?"
"Yeah, I'm the tech god of WEI." Duo shrugged. "It's a hell of a lot easier than salvage."
Heero's expression shifted and he put his hand on Duo's wrist for a moment. "I heard about the accident- are you okay-?"
"Much better now- got full mobility back- but it was time to find something safer."
"Says the man who thought I was here to collect him for another war."
Duo chuckled. "Well, that's different. Couldn't let you go off and fight without me." He looked towards the desk. "Did you check in already?"
"I did- I settled in and was heading out to find something to eat."
"There's a great Italian place around the corner- or so Trowa said- I was headed there- want to join me?"
"Are you meeting anyone? I wouldn't want to intrude-?"
"Nope, was all on my lonesome. Good thing I ran into you, hm?"
Heero's smile flashed briefly. "Ditto- lead the way."
"So- I know you were on Earth for a bit- planning on staying there?" Duo asked as they headed out of the hotel.
"No. Now that I've finished my course, I got a job offer with a company in the L4 cluster."
"Really? With what company? Not one of Quatre's rivals, I hope?"
"You know damn well Quatre doesn't have any rivals in the L4 cluster- or here on L3- or well, really anywhere up here in the colonies. I was rather surprised he wasn't holding the wedding on L4-"
"The circus is based on L3- and Trowa wanted it here-" Duo opened the door of the restaurant and gestured Heero inside. "And Quatre does anything Tro wants."
After studying the menu on the wall and ordering at the counter, they found a table in the corner. "So- if I want to get Quatre to agree to something, the best way is to convince Trowa that it's a good idea?"
"Of course. How do you think I get funding for my job? I've been after them to hire an assistant for me for months- I think I have Trowa talked into it now, though."
"You're that busy?"
"Hell yes." Duo leaned back in his seat and ran his fingers through his bangs. Heero was sitting across from him, his fingers idly playing with a paper straw wrapper. A wave of warmth swept though Duo. "Did I mention that it's good to see you?"
Heero accepted the sudden conversation change with a smile. "I don't think you did- but it's good to see you too. I've missed you."
"Really?" The word escaped Duo before he could help it and he felt his cheeks turn slightly red. "Uh, I mean-"
"I know," Heero smiled at him. "Not something you expected to hear from me, right? But it's true."
"I missed you too. I'm glad to hear you'll be on L4- we'll be able to keep in better touch."
"I hope so- considering that I'm your new assistant."
The server brought their order at that moment, so Duo had a few minutes to collect his scattered brain cells.
"Seriously?"
"Very much so. I start a week from Monday."
"I can't believe Quatre didn't mention it-"
"Well, he's been a little wrapped up in the wedding thing," Heero gave him a considering look. "Is it okay?"
"Of course it's okay." Duo picked up his fork and rolled his eyes. "Very okay. Don't look like that- I was just surprised, that's all."
"You sure? I can always tell Quatre I changed my mind-"
"Don't be an idiot."
"Thanks Duo."
"Don't thank me. Wait until something goes wrong- or one of the corporate types complains about the firewall- or forgets their password for the millionth time- and we can't shoot them."
"Damn- maybe I should reconsider. Here I thought there were going to be some perks with this job-"
"What sort of perks? Other than the fact Quatre gives everyone a coffee cup with their name on it-"
"Well, the coffee cup is a plus. I was thinking though, more of the fact that my boss knows what he's doing, won't expect me to carry around a gun- and kisses better than anyone I ever met."
Duo managed to close his jaw after a minute. "You can't judge me on that one time- we were heading out to take on the Libra- I was-"
"Very determined."
"Very stupid. I'm surprised you didn't kill me."
"Why? I said it was a good kiss."
"I can do so much better." He stopped and blinked. "Did I just say that?"
"Yes, and now I'm going to hold you to it."
"You really want another one?"
"As many as you're willing to give me."
"I would give- damn, Heero. You'd better think about what you're offering- we haven't even seen each other-"
"For three years, I know. And I didn't take Quatre's job offer with more than a faint hope- but sitting here, with you- it doesn't seem strange to ask- do you know what I mean?"
That warm feeling increased. "I think I do."
"Let me know when you've decided. In the meantime, I guess I will content myself with the idea of a personalized coffee cup."
Laughing out loud, Duo reached across the table and entwined his fingers with Heero's. "As your boss, I'm sure I can come up with much better perks than that."
"There you go again with that 'better' thing- feel like proving it, Mr. Maxwell?"
"Whenever you are, Mr. Yuy."
"Hotel?"
"Let's go."
OWARI
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