11-Mar-2001
All disclaimers apply to everything Gundam Wing related. I must make it very clear that the main theme and story line of this fanfic came from Samantha Day's Harlequin Romance novel called "A Love to Last". I own nothing involving those similarities and parallels. Hey, we all need to read trashy romance novels now and then, ne?
The warnings for this fic contain a very, very strong AU. This story does not follow the GW timeline what so ever and it is more plausible to say it's set in our current century, perhaps even this year. There is a slight bit of angst, but more so of sap. I also have to put in an OOC warning for Heero. As the story progresses, I think he will become a little less himself and more the man I need him to be to move the reader and story. Oh, and of course, we couldn't have a trashy romance novel spin-off without a lemon (actually Day's version of this story has nothing more than a slight lime hint).
"It's no problem, really. How many times do I have to tell you?" Reyn continued her onslaught of assurances while quickly loading a few small luggage suitcases into the back seat of an old Chevrolet Celebrity. The back seat groaned in protest of the weight while the back tires bobbed a few slow times.
"It's quiet, and secluded, and beautiful---"
"And intrusive," Heero quickly supplied for her as he handed her the last paper bag of supplies. "I feel like I'm imposing. It *is* your brother's cabin."
Reyn securely loaded the last parcel into the old car, slamming the door shut with unnecessary force, before turning with hands on hips to quip words with one Heero Yuy. She titled her head to one side, scrunching her eyes tightly against the streams of sunlight filtering through the trees over Heero's head.
"How many times do I have to tell you," she tried to sound irritated, obviously failing as she spoke through a smile, "it's *no problem*."
Reyn reached deeply down into her jean pocket, pulling out a set of jingling keys that gleamed in the sun. She teasingly dangled them in front of Heero's face, making him blink to keep his eyes from crossing. Feigning irritation, he jerked them from the woman's grasp.
"For you maybe," he fingered the keys until he found the one that started the ignition, "but what about for him?"
Reyn shrugged dismissively, "The cabin is far enough away, I've already explained all this to you."
Heero smirked. Indeed she had. Reyn always explains everything...
And then some.
"So just go relax, kick your heels up," Reyn absently made a face at the sour expression Heero was projecting, "and do something about that face before it becomes permanent." Reyn made a thrusting gag with her index finger.
Heero roughly tousled her short hair into knots, "Thanks, Reyn."
Reyn rolled her eyes.
"And for goodness sakes, don't sound like you're ready to rip off my left leg and beat me to death with it."
Silenced reigned.
"What?" Reyn blinked at Heero questioningly.
"Contemplating."
Reyn let out a groan of distaste and playfully slugged Heero on the shoulder. He briefly feigned pain while Reyn made a display of rolling her eyes again. Heero smirked with mischief and in a blink of an eye Reyn had gathered him up into her arms. He squirmed only for a moment, not one to be fond of displays of affection.
"Be careful, the roads can get very dangerous on the island. Make sure you get plenty of rest and relaxation so that you can recuperate. And if you need *anything* at all---"
"I won't. Heero breathed with irritation into her embrace.
"BUT, if you DO, you can just make the short walk to my brother's house and give me a ring."
Heero pulled out of the friendly embrace only to glare daggers at her.
"I refuse to disturb your brother's privacy." Heero crossed his arms to emphasize his point.
"Yeah, yeah," Reyn waved her arms around wildly, "get going before you miss the ferry."
Heero reluctantly climbed into the driver's side of the car and started the engine with an audible scraping. Reyn shut the door for him and smiled down through his open window.
"You'll love it, I promise. Drive safely, alright, Heero?"
Heero nodded once with a bare hint of a smile to show his gratitude and put the car into drive. He looked into his rear view mirror to watch Reyn wave vigorously back and forth. Anyone else would have though she was happy to see Heero leave. He kept glancing into the mirror until eventually her petite figure was not more than a sliver on the horizon.
The drive was long and uneventful, hindered on the highway by the morning rush hour and the pieces of stretch still under construction. The dull gray of the sky was accented by a steady pelt of rainfall. Pulling into the bay around late afternoon, Heero hoped the weather would start to brighten before the sunset. The warm sunlight and cool breeze would make him feel much better, healthier.
Heero was only a week out of the hospital from his accident and still felt borderline miserable. Heero was a private pilot for a well-known cooperation. He had been a pilot all of his adult life, being 22 now. He was born to fly. Airforce jets, privately owned helicopters, commercial airplanes- it was all the same to him just as long as he was in the sky. In the air, inside a cockpit, he felt most at home. However, not only did he enjoy he job, Heero was also damned good at what he did. Some of his co-pilots sometimes swore that he had been designed specifically for piloting. They would joke around about how sometimes you couldn't tell where Heero ended and the machines began.
But it was this love of his that had also got him badly injured.
He had been test piloting a new jet for his company, when something had gone terribly wrong. Needless to say, he managed to get away with so few injuries only because of his miraculous piloting skills. The doctors figured anyone else would have been killed.
Not Heero.
Heero had always had this way of escaping danger ever since he was young. His many brushes with death could attest to that. And the amazing thing was, his ability to heal. Heero would heal faster than anyone else in his position could. Sometimes... it seemed inhuman.
However, this last accident had taken a lot out of him. He had to admit, he was feeling awful and still in a lot of pain. The shrapnel they had taken out of his right side had caused enormous damage. It was the largest injury he had received from the crash. A series of tightly structured stitches ran up his entire side. No doubt there would be a scar there once he had fully healed.
The ferry ride to the island was boring and uneventful. Heero watched overhead as some gulls screeched by. The sky had become a mixture of purples, pinks, oranges, and blues. It was quite beautiful. It was sunsets like this that made Heero yearn to be a painter.
Heero was completely exhausted by the time the ferry reached the island. Even more so after it took an hour to find Reyn's brother's cabin. He hadn't realized just how secluded it was.
Heero stepped out of the old car and took in his surroundings. Even in the dark and rain, Heero could tell it was a nice landscape. Tall cedars and other tress stretched to touch the top of the sky. The black sky was littered with tiny bright stars. Some where in the distance he could hear the slap of waves against sand. The ideal setup for an artist like Reyn's brother.
The cabin, however, did not project the same beauty.
Heero scrunched his eyes in concentration. It was dark and definitely run down looking. The shudders were slapping loudly against the windows. The roof looked like it would collapse from the pressure of the mere rain at any moment. It wasn't a welcome sight. It seemed Reyn had left out a few details in her description of the cabin.
Heero sighed and carried all his belongings and supplies through the rain, up the steps, and into the cabin. He wasn't surprised to find no lock on the cabin door, it was close to the owner's own house and no one would want to steal *anything* from this cabin anyway.
The inside of the cabin was cold and smelled of mildew. Heero flipped on the lights next to the door so that he could see the inside of the cabin.
He wasn't surprised.
The cabin was one large room extending into a kitchen and a small bathroom off to the side. A bunk bed lined the wall and across from that a worn couch. A few old wooden chairs were hiding in each corner, and on the far wall stood an ancient Franklin stove. Heero strode into the kitchen. There was a working fridge and a dangerous looking toaster oven. Heero's cold body shivered. It was more primitive than he had imagined.
Reyn had said it was ideal, but obviously she had never been in it during this time of the year. Heero was sure it would be ideal to Reyn's family and friends when they came during the summer and most of the time would be spent on the beach. But as it was, Heero was debating the fact to turn around and go back home.
Nevertheless, it was so late, and the trip and been long enough as it was. Heero doubted anymore ferries would be leaving out tonight and he was very tired and worn. He would spend only one night, and leave in the morning. He knew this had been a bad idea.
Heero noticed there was no wood in the box to light the stove with. If he was going to get any warmer, it was necessary to go back out into the cold, rainy night and fill the stove with wood. With a groan of distaste, he shrugged his coat back on and headed out onto the porch.
Oh, but he was so tired and aching.
Heero spotted the woodpile over by the tree line and made his way through the rain towards it. When he got there, he absently frowned. To get to the drier wood, he was going to have to move all the top pieces- strenuous work would not be good on his injury.
A slow, burning ache was starting to make itself known in Heero's side. The rain pelting against his face was making him feel scraped and feverish. Finally, reaching some drier pieces, he clutched them to his chest to keep them that way and turned to reenter the cabin.
Only there was a wolfish dog standing between him and his destination.
It was half crouched with its ears pinned back. It had strange, pale blue eyes that watched Heero meticulously, zeroing in on his slightest move.
Heero's eyes narrowed and he clutched the wood tighter. Taking a step back, his back encountered the woodpile.
"Relax, she won't hurt you."
Heero turned his head towards the voice. A man stood under a cedar, his velvet eyes flashing with humor and impatience. He snapped his fingers at the dog.
"Come here, Saka, you're bothering the man."
The dog immediately ran over to the man, tail wagging. He reached down and patted the dog's head and Heero saw a pink tongue swipe at his hand. The dog turned and sat, staring at Heero again with her strange, ice blue eyes.
Heero stiffened reflexively.
"I guess you're Reyn's friend," the man said finally, "I got home tonight to find some unintelligible message from her on my answering machine. Don't tell me you really plan on staying here."
Ah, so this was Reyn's stepbrother and renowned wild life artist- Duo Maxwell.
Heero brushed the dripping locks of hair out of his face. "For tonight at least," Heero said stiffly, irritated by the man's presence, "that is, if it's ok with you. Reyn assured me it was." About a million times, Heero added silently to himself.
Duo shrugged. "I really don't care one way or another."
Heero raised his chin. "Then I'll stay."
Heero wanted to tell him what he could do with his shitty cabin and attitude, but reason won over. He still needed a place to sleep for the night, and this was his only option.
Duo nodded once. "Then I guess I'd better give you a hand carrying in some wood."
Heero shook his head and stated firmly, "I can manage myself, Mr. Maxwell."
Duo eyed him skeptically. "It doesn't look like you could manage to get yourself in, much less a few loads of wood. And you're going to need a lot if you're staying the night here, this place wasn't built for winter usage."
No shit, Heero thought.
"No thanks, I said I could manage. Go home." Heero's annoyance was building. There was just something about this man.
"And let Reyn found out I didn't help her friend? I think not," Duo walked out from under the tree and came up to Heero and the woodpile, stacking a load underneath his arm, "What's your name?"
"Heero Yuy." Heero began stacking a pile of his own in his arms.
Duo turned and looked at him, eyes scrunching to see clearly through the dark and rain, "Japanese heritage?"
Heero nodded abruptly and followed Duo up the porch into the cabin, not wanting him to see just how really weak he was feeling. As he was entering, Duo was leaving, brushing past his shoulder without a second look. Heero's eyes followed the man's back down a few steps before he too went inside and emptied his pile into the wood box. Not another word was spoken between them until they had carried three loads each inside.
As the last pile was emptied into the box, Duo turned, brushing his hand against his wet jeans, and looked at Heero. He held out his hand. "Duo Maxwell."
Heero shook his hand briefly. "I assumed as much." Duo shrugged, taking back his hand.
"Are you alright? You look a little worn around the edges."
Heero eyed him stiffly, "I'm quite fine. Thanks for your help."
Duo merely nodded. "If you need anything else-"
I won't ask YOU Heero supplied mentally. "I won't." Heero cut in.
"Good." Heero could tell that suited Duo just fine. He watched as Duo rolled up his jacket sleeve and glanced at his watch. "Damn, I've got to get going. Nice meeting you." Duo turned to walk out of the shack without a second look at Heero. Heero mumbled some response he was sure Duo didn't hear nor care to, and walked out onto the porch to watch him leave.
Heero watched as Duo brought two fingers to his lips and whistled, the dog, Saka, immediately running out of the dark to stand by her master. The two silhouettes disappeared into the dark.
It's too bad his manners didn't match his looks Heero thought and then immediately hated himself for saying it. Duo was a man, that's not the type of thoughts he should be thinking.
But he had been easy on the eyes. Tall, maybe an inch or two taller than Heero. Under the weight of the wet clothing, Heero could tell he was lean and trimmed. He had an unruly amount of long hair wrapped into a braid with long bangs cascading down over his forehead, touching his eyes. Eyes, his eyes had been a deep amethyst, swirling with a mixture of blue and violet. Heero had never seen such eyes. He was sure they held so many secrets pent up and hidden.
Easy on the eyes, indeed.
Heero shook his head sadly and headed back into the cabin. He would fill the stove, change into some dry clothing, and go straight to bed. He needed sleep to make the drive back home in the morning.
Heero was awoken in the morning by loud knocking. Still groggy with sleep, it took another round of knocking to wake him up fully. As he started to sit up and answer the door, the person behind it opened it instead.
Damned lockless door.
Duo stood in the doorway, his eyes flashing with humor. "Did I wake you?"
Obviously, you...
"It's alright." Heero barely recognized his own voice. It was hoarse and scratchy. It was then Heero noticed the extensive aching of his body. His throat was sore and his skin felt aflame with fever. Heero rested his head back down on the pillow wishing to God that Duo hadn't seen him in this state. Heero hated showing weaknesses, and in front of a haughty stranger it felt even worse. Heero mentally groaned, unlike last night, he couldn't possibly pretend he was feeling all right.
Duo walked into the room and shut the door, one hand still behind his back gripping the old knob. He tilted his head to the side a little, and although his face was still very blank, Heero could see the smile gleaming in his eyes.
"You're sick." It was more of a statement rather than a question.
Duo let go of the doorknob and pulled one of the old wooden chairs out of the corner to sit across from Heero on the bunk bed. Once Duo had gotten closer and seen the extent of Heero's state, he absently began to frown.
"It's just a cold," Heero attempted to clear his throat, "I'm fine."
Duo eyed him wearily, running a hand through his own bangs. "Reyn called today," he said, "I couldn't believe she sent you here. This is no place nor time of year to send someone to recuperate."
Great, now he'll never leave me alone.
"I can see that. And I plan on leaving tomorrow." Heero monitored his facial expression, hoping he would take the escape he just left open and leave the cabin.
"Fine," Duo said and Heero sighed in relief, "but you're staying with me until then." Heero's eyes widened in surprise. He shook his head.
"That's alright, it's just a cold. I just need to rest a little more." Heero felt the situation closing in around him.
"I won't take no for an answer," Duo said firmly, his eyes stern, "You can't possibly hope to get better under these conditions. You're coming with me back to my house. Besides, Reyn made me promise."
"I don't care what you promised your sister, Duo, I can take care of myself." Heero was feeling very trapped.
"Is that so? Even after seeing the state of this cabin you didn't have the sense to turn around and go home." Heero blinked.
"I had every intention of leaving today. Waking up with a cold was not in my agenda," Heero glared resentfully, "Goodbye, Mr. Maxwell. I'll leave in the morning."
Well-defined eyebrows shot up slightly, "I doubt that. You'll be in no condition for driving in the morning. Do you honestly think you're going to push yourself into doing that?"
"Yes." Heero immediately regretted saying it; even in his own ears it sounded half-hearted.
Duo rolled his eyes, "Be honest."
Heero rolled away from those amethyst eyes watching him with scrutiny. He pulled the covers up around his chin. He knew Duo was right, even if he felt half as bad tomorrow he still wouldn't be well enough to make the entire trip back home.
He heard Duo shift in his chair.
"Don't be childish, Heero. You're coming with me and that's final."
Heero attempted to speak but it only came out a croak. Although he couldn't see Duo, he was sure that Duo's eyes were laughing at him again. Heero cleared his throat and tried again, "I won't feel comfortable imposing on you, Duo."
"Look, either you're coming with me, or I'm staying here to watch over you. Neither one of us might like it, but that's your options. Take your choice. Do you really want to stay here a moment longer than you have to?"
Heero rolled over and looked Duo over. Yes, he was definitely serious about staying to watch over Heero. Heero sighed, defeated.
"I mean it, Heero." The words were spoken softly, but there was no missing the determination behind them. Heero scowled at him. "I'm not going back and letting Reyn know you're still down here by yourself. She'd never forgive me and wouldn't leave me a moment's peace- I don't need the distraction."
Heero tried to look impermeable. "Well?" But Duo was growing impatient.
"Fine."
"My place then?"
Heero nodded.
He might as well be comfortable. The sooner he was better, the sooner he could leave this place and be rid of Duo Maxwell forever.
Duo packed all Heero's belongings into the Celebrity Heero had drove to the cabin as Heero bundled himself into the passenger side so they could drive the quarter of a mile back to Duo's house.
He glanced at Duo as they drove quietly down the stretch of gravel road. Although he had never seen Duo before, to Heero, he wasn't really a stranger. Reyn had told him all about her stepbrother. It made Heero feel like he had the upper hand on Duo. He glanced at Duo again. He may need that edge, it seemed Duo was a difficult man.
"Almost there," Duo said turning into a smaller, crudely paved road.
As the trees began to disperse, Heero could see his house up in the distance. It was beautiful.
It was built of wood, perhaps redwood, with a very tall roof that rose above the aged tress and mighty rocks in the background. The upper floor had long, sliding windows that faced the ocean beneath the ledge and led out onto a small deck with two chairs. The lower floor had tall windows adorned with beautifully crafted shudders. Heero's eyes traced a solitary bird flying over the splendid house. It was the ideal secluded setting for a wild life artist[2].
"Not too modest, ne[3]?"
Heero focused back inside the car to Duo's face. Heero's eyebrow rose, the only indication that he had registered what Duo said. He didn't say anything to Duo, but Heero could still see the humor lurking deep inside the violet orbs.
Duo pulled up into the carport and shut off the engine. Turning to Heero he said, "I'll get your things. You get into the house where it's nice and dry."
Heero nodded and exited the car at the same time as Duo. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Duo walking behind the car to the trunk. Shrugging and wrapping his coat tighter around himself to escape the rain, Heero headed up the steps and onto the porch. The front door was also sliding glass, and Heero opened it to step in.
The dog stood just on the other side, blocking the entrance and watching him wearily with her cornflower blue eyes. Saka raised her muzzle and pinned back her ears. Just the way the dog stared at him was enough to make Heero shiver. Heero took a step back and shut the door immediately. Duo walked up the porch carrying Heero's suitcase, a frown on his face to see him still standing in the cold on the porch.
"I thought I said to go on in." Duo propped his free hand up on his hip.
"Saka," Duo's eyebrow rose in impatience, "it's... um, the dog."
Duo shook his head in frustration, "I told you she won't hurt you."
Heero's back stiffened visibly, "I'm not afraid of any dog," Heero paused, suddenly unsure of how to explain it, "it's uh... her eyes. They make me feel uncomfortable.[4]"
Duo clicked his tongue. "You mean she scares you."
Heero ground his teeth, "I mean she makes me uncomfortable," he spat bitterly.
Duo pushed past Heero to open the door, "She's a husky. They're supposed to have blue eyes," Duo laid the suitcase down by the entrance and gently pulled Saka by her collar to guide her from the doorway, "Good girl, stay." Duo patted her fondly on her head and turned to Heero. "Don't like her eyes, huh?"
Heero nodded.
Duo stared straight into Heero's ocean blues for what Heero could have thought was minutes. Like Duo's pet, Heero was beginning to find the look unnerving. Heero finally looked away. He heard Duo faintly chuckle.
"Maybe you should pay closer attention to a mirror."
Heero looked back up at Duo and was surprised to see him smiling. Heero blinked. Did he just compare his eyes to that of a dog? Heero looked back down at Saka, her gaze still following his every movement.
"She's quite afraid of you, y'know," Duo began, "so I guess you're both a little uncomfortable around each other."
Heero looked back up to Duo, "Afraid of me?"
Duo patted her on the head again, making sure to scratch behind the ears, "She had some bad experiences as a pup...and you're a stranger. You've got her on alert."
Duo pulled her closer to Heero by the collar, the dog slow to abide, "Give me your hand."
Heero looked down at the hand Duo was offering before him and blinked. "Come on, just give me your hand. I promise it won't hurt." Heero looked up beneath his bangs to see not only Duo's eyes full of humor due to the situation, but also a cheery smile on his face. Hesitantly, Heero gave him his hand.
Duo's finely cut lips curved even further with amusement. His long, cool fingers enclosed around Heero's as he brought both their hands closer down to the dog. Heero watched the dogs eyes flit from master to stranger and he suppressed a shiver that had as much to do with those blue eyes as it did Duo's touch. Duo kept their hands locked, guiding Heero to gently scratch the top of the dog's head.
For some reason, the feel of Duo's hand around his was distracting and Heero could barely focus in on the dog. Though he did notice a slight relaxation in Saka's posture. The dog tentatively licked at both their hands and Heero was instantly awake, jerking back his hand.
"Well," Duo said, his velvet eyes flashing with obvious laughter, "it's a start." Heero rubbed the dog saliva onto his jeans and glared in annoyance at how Duo found the situation funny.
Then the humor left his face as quickly as it had came, and Duo's eyes slit into what Heero had now realized was Duo's contemplation look. Duo's hand came up and cupped Heero's forehead. Instinctively, Heero tried to flinch away from the touch, not liking human contact. Duo pressed his hand firmly over Heero's skin, eliminating escape. Slowly, Heero met Duo's eyes and again, could tell Duo found humor in Heero's hands off behavior. Duo smiled.
"Relax. I'm not going to molest you or anything."
Heero frowned and said, "I know that. I just don't like to be touched... that's all." Heero crossed his arms across his chest and Duo drew away his hand.
"You've got a fever," Duo stated matter of factly, "Let's get you to bed." Duo picked up his suitcase and led him down a long hall .
Duo opened the last door they came to and entered, Heero trailing behind him. Duo sat the case down on the floor and flipped on the light, turning to Heero.
"You can stay in here. Do you need anything?"
Heero shook his head, "I've imposed on your privacy enough."
Duo sighed, "Look, you're a friend of Reyn's. The least I can do is help you when you're sick. Don't worry, I'll treat you just like I do Reyn." Heero didn't miss the sly smile, "Well, maybe a little better than that."
Heero nodded, too tired to argue.
"Good," Duo pointed to the wall, "the thermostat for the water bed is there. There's clean sheets on the bed and an adjoining bathroom that you can feel free to use for anything. You get some sleep and I'll wake you up for dinner later tonight." Duo turned to leave, flipping out the light on the way.
"Thank you." Heero said quietly.
Duo looked over his shoulder, teeth flashing white in a grin, "Think nothing of it, Heero," and left.
Heero sighed. Shoulders sagging from weariness, he moved over to the bed and pulled back the covers. He listened as he heard Duo's footsteps retreating down the hall and moments later he heard Duo talking to what could only be the dog he had commanded to stay in the living room.
Heero pulled the cover up around his shoulders, relaxing in the sway of the water mattress. Finally he closed his eyes and started to drift. Strangely, Heero found the last thing pictured in his mind before drifting off was a set of laughing, velvet amethyst eyes... and not the frightened, ice blue eyes he would have expected...
End Part 1
Notes:
1. I got the title for this story from a Bif Naked song called
"Lucky." I plan on making a songfic out of that song that has nothing to do with
this story, but until then I thought it went nicely with the theme of this
story. Maybe when I finish the last chapter in this series, ill post the lyrics
along with it so that people can connect it like I do.
2. I like to imagine
Duo to be the artsy type. I think he would make a perfect artist, and after
reading how Lone Wolf described his ability to draw in many of his own stories,
I could hardly resist making him a painter in mine, as well.
3. Well, we've
established that Heero has Japanese heritage, correct? But what is Duo doing
speaking Japanese??? Obviously, Heero noticed it but didn't say anything. Maybe
this will come up again later...?
4. I thought it would have been pretty
unbelievable to make Heero afraid of dogs, but I did see another alternative
that would fit into the story nicely and come up many more times in the future.
But of course, Duo still has to tease him..."You mean she scares you."
Well, I hope everyone liked this! If so, please tell me and more parts will be coming along very soon. If the majority of you didn't like it, I think I'm going to discontinue the series and leave it just in this one part. So I would really like feedback on this one!!!
Kirei
Please send comments to: kirei_tenshi@hotmail.com