Author: SkyLark

Pairings: 1+2+1

Warnings: Angst, Sap, Romance

Betaed by ShenLong Deb *hugs*

Archive: Debs-Dragon - GW Diaries

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, or its characters. I just love playing with them.

What Matters Most

There is a tradition of ours at the Preventer's organization- one that Lady Une started quite a few years back as a positive exercise for the start of the holiday season.

For some reason, we have more cases to deal with near the end of the year than all of the months leading up to it. That 'ol yule tide cheer does not exactly take hold for a lot of agents for that reason when they have to see the worst in people when there should be peace and happiness being spread.

So, the Commander decided to have helpful tools to remind all of us about the more important things, the brighter things for the season. And for Thanksgiving week at the front desk, there is a large box wrapped in gold paper with a slit in the top. Beside that box is a stack of bright orange slips and a pen with which we are all to write one thing that we are most thankful for.

...what really matters the most in our lives.

After all of the papers are collected from the box on the eve of Thanksgiving, those anonymously written things are entered onto a large spreadsheet that is hung in all of the break rooms to help us remember all of the good that there is out there. It's actually a simple concept, but for some reason it actually does help and everyone looks forward to seeing the list every year.

Well... almost everyone.

I have worked with Heero Yuy as his partner for three years now. Being his roommate as well, I come to the office along with him every morning and I have never once seen him take up one of those papers to write what he's thankful for.

Every time I would mention something about it, he just shrugs and tells me in that monotone voice of his, 'I already know what I'm thankful for. I don't need to write it down.'

Fair enough of him to say, as well as almost expected given the kind of guy he is. He still tries to appease me by taking up one of the orange slips even though he just pockets it, never to reveal it again.

Today is the Monday before Thanksgiving and I go straight for the front desk and that shiny gold box the second we enter headquarters. Flashing the receptionist a smile and a pleasant 'good morning,' I take up the top orange slip and pen.

On the line after the typed phrase 'I am most thankful for...,' I write down 'my partner' just as I have for the last three years. Short, simple... and really the biggest thing that I'll always appreciate.

Since this is an anonymous message, I'm more than happy to spill my hidden feelings for Heero this way. Hell, anyone in the building could be thankful for their partner for lots of reasons besides my romantic ones.

And like every year before, my roommate and best friend simply takes the next couple of orange slips, folds them in half and pockets them in his uniform jacket. Shaking my head, I roll my eyes and follow him for the elevators to head up for our shared office to start our pretty normal day.

*  *  *  *  *  *

The next few days blow by in a breeze between quick missions and follow-up paperwork. Then, before we know it, it's Wednesday. After tonight, we'll be off for the remainder of the holiday weekend.

It also means that the 'thanks' list is up. Heero is still typing away at his computer when I hurry to my feet to leave the office. All but running for the break room at the end of the hall, I run into several other agents that have also showed up to read over the long list of items.

A wave of euphoria comes over me as I smile and go over all of the many wonderful things there are to appreciate in the world that are taken for granted. Considering the smiles of my fellow Preventers around, I can tell that the effect is spreading.

With nearly one whole, long wall covered, it takes a good twenty minutes or so to read the whole list from top to bottom. Still grinning widely, I head back for my office. As I step inside when the door opens, I call, "Heero, you should come and check out the-"

My words are cut off the minute I look around the room. Hanging from the ceiling, there are dozens of multi, fall-colored slips of paper each held by a single string. Caught off guard by the sight, I notice my partner is nowhere to be found and I step further into the office to take hold of the first slip.

Turning the red paper, I gasp reading the familiar message, 'I am most thankful for...' and on the blank line, in Heero's perfect script, is written, 'Duo's smile.'

W...what? Stunned, I move for the next paper, a yellow one to whisper as I read aloud, "I am most thankful for Duo's laugh." Chuckling, I blink in shock and go from one dangling slip to the next, finding that every blank line is filled with something about me...

There's thanks for my friendship, my heart, my ability to listen and to be there... and the last in Heero's words, 'I am most thankful for Duo's love, if I am so lucky.'

By the time I'm finished going through all of the slips, I'm holding them in trembling hands and wipe away a stray tears that's beginning to roll down my face as the door suddenly slides open.

Slowly turning, I find my roommate leaning against the doorway as he smirks, "See, it's not just the words that are important but how you say them, too." Walking up to me, he gently brushes away the last of traces of my tears.

Quickly cupping the sides of my face, he presses his lips to mine in a chaste kiss and smiles, "Happy Thanksgiving, Duo."

Smacking him on the arm, I grin back, "Happy Thanksgiving, 'Ro." When he leans in to kiss me again, I quickly forgive him for the fact that he's waited three damned years to do this.

It's just nice to know that I've never been taken for granted... and never will be while I return the favor.

Really, in the end, that's what matters most.

OWARI

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!!!!!

 

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