16-Jan-2002
Title: Magic Happens
Author: Ebonydove
Pairings: 1+2
Warnings: none
Author's notes: it's a little detached, Duo's POV. A tad angst, some sap
too.
Feedback craved.
Disclaimer: Go where the money's made. It ain't here. This is just for fun.
I did a lot of thinking while flying to L1. I don't know what it was that I was really trying to accomplish. I mean, if Heero wasn't happy, he wouldn't stay there with her, right? But here I was anyway confirming what I thought to be true. That nervousness crept over me, probably because it would the first time in a long time I was going to see my ol' partner in crime. I said a little prayer to St. Francis and flipped through my magazine.
I realized as we were docking, I hadn't made a plan. I couldn't just go marching over to Relena's digs and plant myself on their sofa. I might be blunt, but I'm not uncouth. As I made my way out of the spaceport, I found that I didn't need to worry about how to get there or when, 'cause there was a car waiting for me with Pargan standing out front of it, my name written on a little board; Mr. Duo Maxwell. I immediately came to one conclusion. Wufei told them I was coming. Damn.
We drove to Relena's place sharing dull, polite conversation. He was a good old man and I knew he'd do anything for Relena. He was hard not to like. The place itself was huge. I mean castle huge. Sprawling even. He carried my duffel up the stairs to the front door and held it for me as I walked into the elaborate hallway.
"Geesh. This place is amazing." I hadn't meant to sound so in awe, but I felt like I walked into a museum or something. It really was beautiful.
"Mr. Yuy is on his way. Relena is expecting you in the parlor." I followed Pargan down a hall to the left, passing door upon door of magnificent rooms. Each one was lovelier than the next. Then, I found myself in a room of mahogany walls and rich, amber hues in the middle of which; stood Relena. She looked good. She smiled warmly and gave me a nervous hug.
"Duo. It's good to see you. Wufei called to let us know you were coming."
"Yeah, I figured. You look great Relena. And this place is incredible." I was trying not to be nervous, after all she and I were friends. I think.
"Heero's on his way. He had some last minute things to attend to before coming over from his apartment. We're having a luncheon tomorrow for some dignitaries from earth and L4."
I missed the rest of what she said. His apartment. I had made some assumptions that apparently were not correct. It threw me for a minute. Then I realized how very obvious my visit must look to her. "I had some business myself, and thought while I was here, to stop and say hello." She didn't buy it for a minute, but was polite anyway.
"Wufei had mentioned it." She moved over to a table that had a nice spread of cheese, crackers, olives and other little things, which she offered to me. We sat on the sofa and chatted about the other guys, how they were and danced around discussing Heero. After about an hour I was feeling even my knack for conversation was getting strained, so I moved to leave. That's when he appeared in the doorway of the room. Just breathe, I told myself as he stood in the doorway. He was leaning casually against the frame with his arms crossed over his chest. He looked fine. Damn fine. When he knew we realized he was there, he moved to where we were sitting and shook my hand as I rose.
"Duo."
"Heero. It is really good to see ya, man. How ya been?" I wanted to give him a hug, but didn't. Seeing him was enough.
"Good. And you?"
"Real good." Then it was weird. I came to do what I wanted, and found myself stumbling over thoughts and words. Relena put her hand on his shoulder, and smiled to me before excusing herself on "some important last minute preparations" for her luncheon. Then we were alone. "So... how's life been treating you?"
"Good." He sat and poured himself a cup of tea.
I popped a bit of cheese in my mouth, chewing it thoughtfully giving myself time to gather my wits. Why was I here? "I'm here on business and thought I'd say hi."
"Wufei had mentioned you joined the Preventers a little while ago. How do you like it?"
Man, he had changed. Being with Relena did wonders for his social skills. He was actually having a conversation with me without any dry humor, sarcasm, threats of death...
"I like it." I nodded my head to confirm my statement. I didn't think it would be so hard to talk to him. We practically lived together during the war, we shared life and death, and I found I was having a hard time just being real with him. I was starting to feel self-conscious. "Well, I guess I better get settled in my hotel."
"How long are you here for?" I caught the look. Damn it to hell. Heero knew I had no Preventers business here and he was just playing along.
I laughed a little too loud and plopped back down on the sofa next to him. "Drop it. I know you know." I scratched my head and threw him a sheepish smile.
He let out what could only be called a chuckle. "I'm packed. We leave after the luncheon tomorrow."
All mirth disappeared. He knew I had no business here, but there was no way on God's green earth he could guess I was here just to see if he was okay. I didn't know myself how I felt about him, so he certainly couldn't. "What are you talking about?" I asked with genuine surprise in my voice.
"I agreed to Wufei's request to join you and the others. He's been asking me for quite some time." He actually smiled. The bastard was just playing with me. I was too surprised to speak. "I told him I had to finish up here. You can back me up at the luncheon, but it should be fairly quiet."
"Is that what Wufei told you? That I was coming here to convince you to join the Preventers?" I was irrationally angry at that. It wasn't a decision another person could bully you into making. It was a choice. He must have caught it because the smile faded to his usual stony countenance.
"No."
"Oh." Then what did he tell Heero for Christ's sake?
"Relena was upset."
My head was spinning. What was I supposed to do with that bit of information, other than swallow it whole? With my cloak cleverly in place it just rolled off my tongue. "She cares for you, that much is obvious. Are you sure you're making the right decision? Joining the Preventers, leaving all this? Her?"
He flashed me a look even I didn't know. "It's time to move on. Time to walk away." He stood abruptly and nodded for me to follow. Of course I did. He took me back down the hall and up a flight of stairs. I hesitated. When I stopped on the tenth step, he turned an asked a question with his eyes.
"Just not comfortable. Too opulent for a street rat. I'll stay in a hotel. But thanks."
He nodded and called for Pargan. We didn't talk much more after that. Just about the details of the security for the luncheon. I had it memorized before the car pulled up. "I'll see you tomorrow then." I said taking my duffel from him.
"Tomorrow. 06:00." He paused and I thought he was going to say something else, but he didn't. So I got in the car and let Pargan take me to what I assumed was going to be a hotel. All I could think was; what the hell just happened? I felt like shit, worse I felt the way I used to feel during the war. Confused, bitter and sad. Why did I come here anyway? We pulled up to a nice place and I said good night to Pargan. I hadn't expected to pull a guard detail on my little trip, but then again I hadn't really come with any expectations at all. I felt myself starting to slip into old habits. I just lied to myself. And I hadn't done that since the last time I saw Heero.
End Part 3
(:./ebony/magic3)
