Author: SkyLark
Warnings: Yaoi
Rating: PG
Pairings: 1+2
Archive: Debs-Dragon - GW Diaries
Betaed by ShenLong Deb
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, nor its characters. I just love playing with them.
Inspired by T-Shirt pic: http://usera.imagecave.com/t-shirt/1x2homecomingj.jpg
Open Arms
Five years.
It's been five years since the last time I flew Wing. Five years since there was a significant battle for which I might have been needed. Five years since I saw anyone I came to know during the war.
Following the demise of Dekim Barton, I had attempted to settle down into the world of normalcy. However, it did not take long for me to realize that it was too soon for that. My training was still too ingrained, affecting everything that I did and thought. There were still too many things in life I had never experienced or understood- even within myself let alone with how the way of life worked.
So, I left everything I had known up to that time behind. There were no farewells or explanations as they would have only complicated my need to sever ties to my past for a while... and there was one in particular that I would have struggled saying goodbye to.
Ironic how that same person was the one I tried my best to push away during our time together.
Of all of the people I had ever known in my life, Duo Maxwell was an enigma in every sense of the word to me. No one else in my life had the ability to frustrate, scare, confuse and intrigue me all at the same time the way he could.
He was the only person who ever really understood me, knew how to break through my defense walls. For many reasons, it was why I needed to get away. Single-handedly, my braided counterpart had managed to stir up feelings and questions within me that I needed to sort out on my own.
And so I have seen all of the Colonies and most of the Earth enjoying the peace that we had fought for. In the meantime, I was able to observe life in a whole new way by watching simple interactions from the people I passed by- little more than a flash in their own worlds.
Through those observations, I realized how casual it was for most people to embrace or sling an arm over the shoulder of a loved one or close friend. More and more, I missed having those very touches that Duo was always willing to provide when we were together.
Over the course of my disappearance, I found that attempts to track me down had been made. Relena and Quatre's tries did not surprise me. Lady Une, of course, was looking for me to sign on as a new Preventer. Wufei and Trowa's efforts did take me a bit by surprise.
But Duo never made one attempt to find me in all of the time that I was gone. Once again, he understood me more than anyone else ever did. I needed my space, my own time. He 'got it,' as he would say.
It made it even more clear to me where my feelings lay for him. There was so much confusion over it before, but really, I always knew that I had loved him. I just needed time to actually come to terms with that realization...
...and only a little more time to realize how lonely I was.
Duo may not have tried to find me, but I had kept tabs on him so that when I was finished my soul searching, I could return to him. Of course, there is still a grave concern that he may not want to see me again. Maybe his lack of efforts to tracking me was because I had upset him deeply with my vanishing.
More than ever, I needed his acceptance. I needed his understanding and his willingness to be there for me the way he had been before. If he would deny me that... I really don't know what I would do.
That fear kept me away for a while. Finally, I just couldn't take being away from Duo any longer.
Now, here I stand, before his quaint home on L2 not far from where the Maxwell Church once stood years ago. My hands are sweating after their clenching and unclenching at my sides as I silently try to urge myself forward.
Finally, my feet move as I adjust the backpack strapped along my shoulders. The hollow sound of my feet falling on the wooden porch steps only makes my heart beat faster in my chest in anticipation.
I freeze before the closed door for a few deep breaths before raising my hand that has begun to tremble. I don't allow myself a moment to turn back and knock three times.
After a brief eternity, I hear someone coming to the door and the knob turns before it cracks open. My heart is about to hammer out of my chest as I look upon my braided partner for the first time in what has felt like a life-long separation from him.
He's taller, like myself, as well as filled out quite nicely. But all other details are lost to me as all I can focus on are those wide violet eyes watching me.
Then... like in countless dreams that I have had, Duo just gives me one of his real, brilliant smiles. Stepping forward, he opens his arms as easily as he had opened his door and wraps me up in them tightly.
Closing my eyes as I return the hug, I'm suddenly aware of a tear rolling down my cheek. A light kiss falls on my temple and I receive a whispered, "Welcome home, 'Ro." It is exactly what I needed to hear.
There are no questions, no demands... only open arms and the acceptance that I needed so badly. And I'm never letting go again.
OWARI
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