Title: Of Wind And Waves
Author: tkmaxwell777
Category: Shonen Ai/Yaoi
Pairings: 1+2, 3x4 & 5xS implied
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Angst, POV, Sap
Archived: Yep! Thanks Lev :)
Notes: This story was written for the 2002 Moments of Rapture Fic Contest.
I never knew how intoxicating the ocean could be. It's like listening to passionate lovemaking as the wind-driven waves pound against the shore, like watching lovers caress as the tide and the breeze touch the sand. It's exhilarating, yet at times, it can be almost violent, like when a storm blows in, and the wind bends the trees low under its force, the water crashing into the land as if in battle.
I never knew the ocean could be like life.
I've been here for a month now, trying to figure out what I'm going to do. Oh sure, everyone thinks that because I had a life to come back to that it would be easy for me to adjust to not fighting anymore; the truth is... I feel just as lost as any of the others. Lost. That word brings to mind a pair of blue eyes that I would love to be looking into right now. He walked away, probably to live happily ever after with his princess. I walked away to live with Hilde. Problem is, Hilde's not the one I want... he is.
I left the salvage yard after being back for only two months. Hilde understands. She never expected any romantic involvement from me, because she knew where my affections lay all along; she knew after the first war. It took me until after this last one to realize it myself. As I walked into the bunker to see him lying in her arms, I knew then what I had been denying all along.
Well, at least I didn't cry... not until I was alone anyway.
To find out that you love someone and realize they can never love you at the same time is an unbelievably shattering thing. Of course, I hid my emotions like the professional I am; no one ever knew. I smiled and teased like nothing had changed. Even Quatre seemed oblivious to my pain. I said my good-byes and went back to the life I had been living for the past year... only to find that it wasn't what I wanted anymore. I wanted him... and I couldn't have him.
Is it strange that the sound of another person's voice can make your heart feel like it has wings? His can. I can hear it echoing in my mind the way the sound of the waves do in your ear when you place a seashell against it. If I close my eyes, I can almost imagine him speaking to me, saying the words I've longed to hear ever since I realized how I feel. It's a fantasy, I know, but when reality is empty, fantasy can be a hell of a lot more inviting. I think that's why I came here; to escape, to let those feelings run rampant where I can be alone, and to dream of him without fear of interruption from the real world. If I let myself get it out of my system, then maybe, just maybe, I can go back to what I had before and be happy.
Yeah, I run, I hide... and I only lie to myself.
I wonder if Heero ever does...
Heero sighed as he closed the door behind him; he was beat. Monday's were always hell, and this one had been one big programming nightmare. His latest project involved more intricate coding than he'd done during the war while working on Wing. That thought led inevitably to the ones involving a certain braided pilot he knew. He hadn't heard from the other boy in almost a month, and it was starting to worry him. Duo had been religious in sending email, letting Heero know he was doing okay, and trying to maintain their friendship with his unique humor and style. Why hadn't the baka emailed him recently?
Heero had been trying to live a 'normal' life for the past couple of months since the war ended. He'd found himself an inexpensive apartment and a nice computer-programming job. He'd kept in touch with Quatre and Trowa, who were now lovers, living together on L4, and he talked with Wufei a lot since they were both in Japan, but emails from Duo on L2 had become the highlight of the former Wing pilot's evenings. Even though he didn't want to admit it, he missed Duo... a lot. The messages he received help take away the loneliness he felt most of the time. It had never occurred to the former Wing pilot that he didn't have to be lonely; he had just accepted the fact that he was. The dream he had been having lately made him realize just how much.
Heero had been having a recurring dream for the past three weeks. He'd find himself standing on a beach, looking out over the water. He'd turn, only to see someone sitting on the shore in the distance. He could never make out whom it was, but he always felt a longing to go to the person, like he needed to be with him or her more than anything. It was an odd feeling, like his very soul was trying to breach the distance between them. He would remain there, on the beach, just watching the other person, wishing he could find a way to reach out to him or her, but unable to for some reason. Most of the time, the person just sat there, watching the waves, the wind blowing his or her long hair. Even though Heero never moved from his spot on the shore, he'd always wake feeling worn out from just being there, and it was beginning to affect him because it was happening almost every night.
Pulling off his white dress shirt, he quickly headed for the bedroom. He was tired, and a nap before dinner was definitely in order. Stripping down to his boxer-briefs, he slid under the cool sheets and closed his eyes wearily. The thought that he didn't have as much stamina as he use to made him make a mental note to begin a strengthening regiment as soon as possible. It had only been three months since he'd given up being a soldier, but he could tell a difference in his physical abilities already from not maintaining some of his training. Satisfied with his plans, he finally let the fatigue claim him.
But sleep did not afford him any rest.
He found himself standing on the beach once more; the cool air ruffled his unruly brown hair as he looked around. Down the shoreline a ways, he spotted that figure, sitting in the sand. Long dark hair blew wildly around the form, almost surrounding it in its shimmering strands. Heero felt that same longing to go to the person, and he looked out over the water, speaking in a low voice that he barely recognized.
"Please. I want to know who it is. I need to find out so I won't be lonely anymore."
He felt a gentle tugging that he hadn't any of the other times, and he gave into it, following the impulse willingly. He'd never been able to get this close before. His heart was beating frantically as he made his way towards the person who had haunted his dreams for the past month or so. As he approached, he recognized him immediately and understood why he had been so afraid to find out his heart's desire.
"Duo?"
The figure did not turn, did not even acknowledge Heero's presence. Violet eyes remained focused on the waves rolling in languidly to the shore. Heero moved to where he could see the other boy's face, hoping the movement would attract the former Deathscythe pilot's attention; Duo didn't even seem to notice that he was standing there. There was an almost pained expression on the other boy's face, and Heero wondered what could have caused it.
"I bet you've never even looked at the ocean," Duo said quietly, his head going to rest on his knees that were drawn up to his chest. "You probably spend all your time on your laptop, just like during the war."
Heero immediately realized that Duo was talking 'to' him without knowing he was there. He could sense the loneliness that seemed to be surrounding his former partner; it was the same loneliness he had felt. If this was a dream, why didn't Duo know he was there? Heero didn't understand. Slowly he sat down on the sand, continuing to watch the other boy, feeling like he was dealing with the unknown.
"I wonder why you never mention Relena in your emails. It's not like I don't know that you are involved with her. I keep meaning to bring it up, but then... I just can't. I don't think I could take it if you started telling me all about your relationship. It's one thing to want you and hide it by just being your friend. It's quite another to listen to you talking about being with someone else. I don't think I could."
Heero was stunned. Where had Duo gotten the idea that he and Relena were together? He hadn't even seen her since the war ended. Heero then focused on exactly what Duo had just said... and tried to calm his rapidly beating heart. Duo had said he 'wanted' him. Could Duo really mean it that way? Was it possible that the other boy had feelings for him stronger than friendship? Heero couldn't even fathom that, but what surprised him was the fact that if it was true, he wasn't the least bit upset about it. Did that mean he wanted Duo as more than just a friend? His heart seemed to leap at the idea.
Duo sighed. "Oh, Heero, if you were only really here, I would tell you. I would look into those beautiful blue eyes and say, 'Heero Yuy, I love you. I know you probably don't feel the same way for me, but if I had the chance, I would make your life something that you'd never regret living'." Duo paused then chuckled lightly. "Then you would glare at me, turn and walk away." He sighed heavily. "Yeah, I wouldn't blame you, buddy. How could you ever love me?"
Heero felt his heart ache at those words. He did care for the other boy a great deal. Love wasn't something he'd ever known, but could it be that different from friendship? Maybe not different, just more intense, but wouldn't that make it even better? Better and dangerous, Heero's mind supplied helpfully. Heero didn't know why, but he didn't feel afraid of it at the moment. He started to reach out and touch Duo's shoulder...
And woke up.
Heero looked at the clock on the nightstand and saw he'd been asleep for almost two hours. The images of the beach and Duo were so vivid, it seemed like he had actually been there. Shaking his head, the Japanese boy got up and went to bathroom.
That had been one vivid dream.
The cool water he splashed on his face seemed to help him think more clearly, but the feelings were still there just as strong. Why had he dreamed that? It had begun just like it had for the past three weeks, but he had actually gone to the person instead of just watching him from afar. He had finally found out whom the person was who seemed to be calling out to his very soul.
And that person had been Duo.
He wasn't interested in Duo like that... was he? His heart answered that question for him, so he moved on to a more important one: Was Duo interested in him like that? That was just a dream, but in reality, did the braided boy have these feelings for him? Heero thought back to both wars. The other boy had always teased him, but that was just part of Duo's personality, wasn't it? Duo was living with Hilde, so why would he be interesting in Heero? Heero remembered that feeling of needing to be with the person on the beach - with Duo. How could his heart be wrong?
"This is ridiculous," the dark-haired boy said out loud to himself.
Raking a hand through his messy brown hair, he stalked into the living room to the computer desk, booting up his laptop. Maybe Duo had sent him an email. That was probably why he had dreamed something so upsetting to begin with; he was worried about the braided baka, so his subconscious had decided to have a field day with his emotions. His heart wasn't convinced.
An administrative email from his service provider, an invitation to a charity benefit, and three pieces of junk mail greeted him from his inbox. Heero frowned. It was time to get some answers. Walking over to the vid-phone, he dialed and waited.
"Chang here," came the voice on the other end, sounding a little annoyed; there was no visual.
"Wufei, it's Heero. Have you received any mail from Duo in the past few weeks?"
"I don't know, Yuy. I haven't checked my personal email for the past two at least. Sally and I were on a mission until last night. Why?"
Heero could hear Sally's voice in the background. He couldn't help but smirk, thinking of a few good reasons why Wufei wouldn't give video feed since she was there, none of them being anything less than R-rated in nature. His mind quickly snapped him back to the problem at hand.
"I haven't received anything from him in over a month. He was sending me something at least every other day for the two months prior to that. I don't know why he stopped."
Suddenly, Wufei's face was on the screen, a concerned look on his face. "Have you contacted Hilde yet?"
Heero shook his head. "No. Do you think I should?"
"Yes. I could understand him not contacting the rest of us, but Heero, he would never just stop emailing you. You two have a special kind of... well... friendship... and he wouldn't let go of that for anything."
Heero's mind went to the dream, and he felt his heart ache just like it had when he had been standing on the seashore. "Wufei, did you ever notice if Duo was... I mean did he seem to be... is he more attached to me than he is to the rest of you guys?"
Wufei's face remained impassive, but Heero could see him tense slightly. "Duo has always considered you his best friend. He has very strong feelings and is a very emotional individual, Heero. He's also a very unpredictable one. I think you should find out what's going on."
Heero knew he wasn't going to get any more information out of the Chinese boy. He nodded, deciding what he was going to do. "I'm going to email him. If I don't get a response by Friday, I'll contact Hilde."
"If I were you, I wouldn't wait until then. If he doesn't respond by tomorrow night, you'll know something's up. Let me know what you find. Chang out."
Before Heero could reply, Wufei disconnected the call.
Sitting by the fireplace is depressing when you're alone. It's raining outside, so no beachcombing this evening. The sound of the rain hitting the roof is comforting though, and the warmth of the fire is welcomed, but I would trade it all for a pair of strong arms... for Heero's arms... holding me.
I had such a peculiar feeling this morning while I was watching the waves. It was as if Heero was sitting there right beside me. I started talking out loud to him, just like he was. I think I did it mostly to hear my own voice, because it was a little unnerving to feel that way. I hope I'm not losing my mind.
Maybe being here alone isn't such a good idea.
Sometimes, I feel the overwhelming urge to let the ocean drown my sorrows, to walk into those waves and never look back. Feeling Heero beside me made me realize that I could never do that. How would that look to the other pilots if I did? We all fought so hard to make it through all those battles, to live to see this peace. I would be such a coward to give into death now. I wonder if people realize that sometimes just facing another day makes a person a hero?
Besides, I really do like living. Even if I can't have Heero, seeing all the beauty around me makes me feel blessed to be alive, to know that my life has meant something by watching others live theirs happily. Maybe there is someone else out there for me to share my life with. Maybe once I get over Heero, I'll find that person.
Yeah, and maybe Relena Dorlian will get a tattoo on her ass.
It's not that I hate Relena. Hell, I don't even dislike her. She probably fell in love with Heero for the same reasons I did; it's hard to hate someone who has the same impeccable tastes as you do. She can't help it that he wants her instead of me. Even Heero can't help it that he wants her instead of me. It's the way things are, and I can't change it, no matter how much I want to.
It's just that I wonder if Heero ever thought about me. I mean, if he knew that I loved him, would it make a difference? Would he still choose her? Or would he see something in me that I've always wanted him to see? I guess I'll never know, and really, I don't deserve to.
I never told him how I felt... I never could. I guess that really does make me a baka.
Heero stood on the same beach from the night before. He immediately turned to scan for the figure he knew would be there. The longhaired boy was walking along the shore idly, the tide lapping at his feet. Heero walked towards him, wanting to talk to him, knowing somehow that he wouldn't be able to, but needing to be by his side anyway. When he reached the other boy, he simply fell in step with him. It didn't take long for Duo to begin speaking 'to' him like he had the last time.
"I swear it feels like you're here with me, Heero. I wish... I wish you were. I wonder if you've even noticed that I'm not on L2. It's been over a month now. Have you even thought it strange that I haven't been in touch?" Duo shook his head. "I bet you've been too busy. Oh well, you wouldn't know where I am unless you talked to Hilde, and I made her promise not to tell anyone. Besides, I may be a friend, but I'm not that important to you."
"Don't say that, Duo! You mean a lot to me!" Heero yelled, knowing the other boy couldn't hear him, but needing to say it anyway. What the hell was going on? Duo had said he wasn't on L2. Could that be why he hadn't contacted him? Why had Duo left the salvage yard? Heero had sent a message right after he'd gotten off the phone with Wufei the night before. It was simple, asking Duo if everything was all right. If Duo wasn't there, he would never get it. Was it possible that Heero was really where Duo was?
Duo shivered slightly. "I thought I could get over you easier if I were alone, but it seems like it's only making it worse." Violet eyes closed. "I just want to not hurt anymore! Why does love always have to be so damn painful? I never wanted to love you anyway, you bastard!"
Heero saw the pained anger in those violet depths when Duo opened his eyes again, raising his arm to throw a seashell he'd been holding in his hand out into the ocean. At that moment, Heero just wanted to take the longhaired boy in his arms and hold him. He'd never felt this way before. Emotions he had thought were never part of him came raging to the surface, filling his heart with indescribable longing and fear. What was he going to do?
Duo continued to look out over the water. "I only wanted one chance, but I was never brave enough to take the risk. I was so afraid of losing you that I never even tried. Instead, I went back to the salvage yard, only to run away to here. I don't know what to do, Heero. If only..."
"If only what?" Heero whispered, moving closer to Duo. He could actually smell the other boy's shampoo, and he suddenly wanted to touch Duo more than anything. The last time he'd tried, he'd woken up. Still, he couldn't keep himself from trying. He let his hand rest on his friend's shoulder and felt Duo jump slightly at the touch.
Duo turned towards him, as if sensing him beside him. His violet eyes were confused and a little afraid, but there was something like hope shining there too. "If only you would come after me."
Heero sat at his computer. He'd awakened from the dream as Duo had spoken those fateful words. He didn't know how or why, but he believed that he had really been wherever Duo was, and that these were not just dreams. For some reason, destiny was at work, and Heero Yuy was not one to oppose such a powerful force; she had been too kind to him on many occasions in the past.
He opened his chat window. Although there was talk that video access would be available soon between the colonies, email and instant messages were still the way to connect at the moment. He looked for Hilde's nickname on the messenger service, smiling slightly at the thought that Duo was the one to give it to her. Finding it, he checked her status, pleased when he discovered that she was online and logged in. There was a tiny voice of reason that kept telling him that he was going to find out that Duo was sitting at the salvage yard, happily involved with Hilde, not interested in him in the least; Heero promptly told that tiny voice where to go. He had once been instructed to live by his emotions, and he was going to do it this time. Taking a deep breath, he messaged her.
wingyuy> hey there... got a minute?
He waited for her response, hoping that she wouldn't ignore him. He was glad when she messaged him.
prettyflygirl> heero? is that you?
wingyuy> yes, it's me. is everything all right with you and duo? he hasn't emailed me in almost a month.
There was a long pause, as if Hilde was trying to think of what to say. It more than confirmed Heero's suspicions that something was going on. He was almost positive now that Duo was not on L2.
prettyflygirl> duo is on vacation.
Heero felt relief flood him. What better place to take a vacation than on a beach. He felt himself really smile. He knew Hilde wasn't telling him the whole truth exactly, but it was enough for him to know that he wasn't going crazy; he had been with Duo wherever the other boy was. He didn't know how, but he knew he had. If that was true then it meant that what Duo had said to him was true as well.
wingyuy> hilde, i need for you to tell me where he is. i know he told you not to. don't ask me how i know, but i do. i know he went away because of me, and i want to talk with him about why. i'm not angry, or even upset. in fact, this could be the beginning of something he's wanted for a long time.
There was another long pause on the other end. Heero bit his lip, hoping against hope that the dark-haired girl would understand what he meant, would believe what he was saying, and would help him.
prettyflygirl> what about relena?
wingyuy> i don't even know where relena is... and i don't care either. duo needs me... and i need him.
prettyflygirl> for what?
Heero hesitated. He didn't exactly know, but he did know that it would be for a lifetime if he had his way about it. He smiled again, getting used to the feeling, as he typed.
wingyuy> for walks on the beach, for evenings by the fire, for anything he wants to give me... for forever.
Hilde's response was immediate.
prettyflygirl> does that mean you're in love with him?
Memories from the past two years came rushing through Heero's mind in a flood; Duo working on Deathscythe, Duo laughing, Duo coming out of the shower with his long hair unbound, Duo teasing him, Duo on the comm during a battle, Duo throwing his arm around Heero's shoulder after a mission, Duo singing while reading his manga in a safe house, Duo telling a joke to lift their spirits. It all added up to one undeniable fact; Heero cared for Duo more than just as a friend. How much was still unknown, but Heero was willing to find out if Duo was willing to take the chance.
wingyuy> i don't know, but i want to give him a chance to convince me that I do.
Hilde didn't answer right away, probably arguing with herself, weighing the consequences of breaking Duo's trust in order to do what the other boy needed. She must have decided it was worth it.
prettyflygirl> ^_^ he's on Earth. let me get you the coordinates.
Duo sighed as he watched the sun begin to slip beyond the horizon. The sunset was going to be beautiful tonight. Sitting there in nothing but his blue jeans, he let the sound of the waves and the feel of the wind caress him; he'd come to see the wind and the waves as lovers, so perhaps they were trying to include him since he was so alone. He took a deep breath, hoping they knew their attentions did not go unnoticed.
His eyes sought the sky again, letting himself become engrossed with the colors that were painting the clouds like a canvas. It was the one thing he loved so about Earth; nature in all of its abundance was reality here. The artificial light and air on L2 just couldn't compare. He sometimes wondered if he shouldn't just stay on Earth. This was the most contented he'd been since the war had ended. Even though he wasn't with Heero, he had enjoyed himself more here than he had back on the colony.
Walking on the beach yesterday, he'd had another one of those moments, of feeling like Heero was there with him. He'd spoken to the imagined presence, saying the things he wished he could really say to his friend. Somehow, it had made him feel better. At one point, he could have sworn that he felt the other boy's hand on his shoulder. There had been an almost imperceptible tingle, like an energy touching him. It was wishful thinking, but it had lightened his heart for the rest of the evening. As Duo looked at the sunset again, he felt a peace steal over him that he hadn't felt in a long time, perhaps had never felt before. Maybe it had been a good idea to come here after all.
The wind seemed to embrace him, letting him feel her gentle touch. He smiled, closing his eyes, allowing the lapping rhythm of the ocean fill his soul with her seductive nature. He could be happy here.
He could at least try.
Heero looked at the piece of paper where he'd written the address Hilde had given him. He was standing outside the beach house, staring at it like it was some kind of mirage. Part of him just wanted to turn and yell at the cab to come back and take him directly to the spaceport to leave; but the part that had been touched by those visions of Duo, his heart, refused to let him go. Sighing heavily, he walked up the steps and knocked on the door.
No one answered. Heero was a little disappointed, but then reasoned that Duo was probably on the beach at that moment. It was around the time of evening he'd always visited Duo there in his dream form, or whatever form he'd been in, when on the beach. He tried the door, surprised to find it unlocked. Carefully, he opened it and walked inside.
The place was homey. It had a huge kitchen with an eat-in bar, and there was a large fireplace in an inviting main room. The sofa looked really comfortable, and Heero could see himself curled up there with a book, reading to Duo while the longhaired boy sat on the floor brushing his hair. Heero was amazed at how easy it was to see himself like that with the other boy. He noticed the doors that led out onto the deck and headed towards them.
The view was incredible! Standing there, he stared in rapt amazement at the sky, so colorful in its ritualistic burial of the sun for the night. He realized this was the first time he'd ever truly looked at a sunset for pure enjoyment. His eyes suddenly scanned the beach, like they had in his dreams, seeking the one who had taught him so much without even knowing it. His breath caught when saw him.
Duo was wearing nothing but a pair of faded blue jeans. His hair was once more flying wildly around him, free of constraint. Heero surmised that the other boy had grown accustomed to having it down since he'd been alone for the past month or so. The longhaired boy was half-kneeling half-reclining, his eyes focused on the horizon.
Heero shivered. It was starting to get cooler, his own short-sleeved shirt not providing much warmth against the nippy breeze, so he knew Duo had to be getting cold since he didn't have a shirt on at all. His eyes caught sight of a worn blanket lying on a lounge chair. Picking it up, he smiled as he decided to make sure the other boy didn't get too chilled. Without another thought, he walked down the steps that led to the sand.
Duo knew he needed to go back to the house, but he just wanted to wait for a few more minutes. The sunset was taking longer than usual tonight, he mused. Sighing, he shivered a little, the wind deciding to tease him. He smiled again. The wind and the waves were two different elements, but they found some way to touch each other almost continually. He had always thought he and Heero were a lot like that.
He'd imagined over the past month what it would have been like to be with Heero. Oh sure, he and Heero would have fought some; their personalities were at odds in many ways, which was bound to create problems at times. Yet he somehow envisioned them getting past all that, thriving on each other's differences, seeing it as a challenge worth striving for in light of what they would gain by it. It would have been interesting; it would have been wonderful.
Duo frowned as he felt warmth envelop him. His imagination was really beginning to get the best of him. Thinking of Heero seemed to trigger some psychosomatic response. He could feel the softness of a blanket around him, feel the pressure of hands on his shoulders, and feel the heat of another person behind him. He closed his eyes again; wishing once more that it could be real. He had decided he was leaving tomorrow to go back to L2... but he would return. This place had captured him. For some reason, he felt so close to Heero sometimes while on this beach, and that feeling was something he couldn't live without since he couldn't have the real thing in his life. He could still feel the warmth behind him, and sighed, indulging his fantasy just a little longer.
"Heero."
"Yes, Duo?"
Duo trembled at the sound of that voice. He was going insane, but he didn't care. Had he become delusional? Or would hearing and feeling someone who wasn't there be considered more like hallucinating? It didn't matter; fantasy beat reality any day, and he would face reality tomorrow when he left. Even if he had become delusional, it would be worth it, at least for that one moment.
"I've finally completely lost my mind," he whispered, more to himself than to his delusion.
"No. For once, you're not imagining me. I'm really here, Duo."
Duo suddenly opened his eyes. Looking down, he saw the blanket he'd lain on the deck wrapped around him. He spun around to see Heero Yuy kneeling behind him, an unsure look on that normally stoic face.
"Heero! What the hell are you doing here?"
Heero smiled slightly, ignoring the tone in the other boy's voice, knowing it was more out of shock than anger. "Don't you remember what you asked me to do last night?"
Duo's eyes widened. "Wh-what are you talking about?"
Heero reached out to pull the blanket back around his friend's shoulders gently. He had expected Duo to not believe what had happened was real, but he knew this was what he was supposed to do. He could feel destiny swirling around them, caught in the wind, dancing on the waves.
"You told me you wished I would come after you. So I came."
Duo just looked at him. How had Heero known he'd said that? It wasn't possible. "I-I don't understand."
Heero moved closer, one of his hands catching some of Duo's hair, only to let it slip through his fingers, caressing it as it fell from his grasp. "I dreamed that you were here. I dreamed that I was with you. I couldn't speak to you, even though I wanted to more than once. All I could do was listen. So I did."
"But... that's not possible," Duo whispered.
"I know, but it happened."
Duo eyed him doubtfully. "How did you find me?"
Heero cupped Duo's chin, letting his thumb caress the soft skin of his face before passing it over the other boy's parted lips. "I told Hilde that you needed me, and that I needed you... for forever."
For the first time in Duo's life, he was speechless. Heero had actually bothered to find him. Heero had cared enough to come after him. Heero was actually there, touching him like he'd long for him to so many times. How was it possible? Although a million questions were running rampant through his mind, only one came from his lips.
"Why?"
Heero gazed into beautiful violet depths, knowing he had finally found what destiny had been leading him to all along. He didn't know how it had happened, but he was sure thankful that it had.
"Because you deserve that one chance you've always wanted. Because I need for you to make my life something I will never regret living." His mind went back to the way he'd felt when he'd entered the house behind them. "Because I want to find out if sitting in front of the fireplace with you, while you brush your hair and I read a book, is what I have been looking for my whole life."
Duo kept telling himself that it was impossible that this was truly happening, but his own words came from the other boy's lips, and Duo could not deny that Heero knew. Somehow, in his pain, Duo had brought Heero to him. His mind recalled something that Sister Helen had once told him.
"The soul knows what the heart longs for, and love is strong enough to give it wings," Duo said softly.
"Then my soul must have flown to you," Heero replied just as softly as he leaned his forehead against the longhaired boy's, "because I have been on this beach almost every night since you left L2." Before Duo could say anything, he continued, "I sat with you night before last as you stared out at the ocean, and I was beside you last night as you walked along the shore." Heero paused then looked into Duo's eyes. "I was here, Duo. I touched you, and I know you felt me when I did."
Duo looked into warm blue eyes, seeing the certainty there. It hadn't been his imagination. Somehow, Heero had been there with him. Somehow, the other boy had come to him, if not in body, then in spirit, so Heero would find out how Duo felt. Duo was being given the chance he'd always wanted, and he knew what he had to do. Although he'd already told the dark-haired boy's soul, he needed to tell him in person. "I love you, Heero. I have for a long time. I don't know if you can love me, but I sure hope you will try." Tilting his head, he brushed his lips against Heero's in a gentle kiss. It was the merging of two hearts, two souls, two bodies; it was everything they had ever wanted.
"Make me fall in love with you, Duo," Heero whispered against the other boy's lips, his own still tingling from the feeling of the other's boy's mouth on his.
Duo kept his violet gaze on Heero's blue one as he pressed his best friend back onto the sand, letting his own body follow. Their mouths met again, this time with a certainty that destiny was on their side. As they touched each other tentatively, Duo knew he had been right all along; they were of wind and waves.
The wind and the waves watched in rapt fascination as the two boys on the shore kissed passionately.
'The longhaired one has your spirit,' the waves lapped playfully into the air.
'And the blue-eyed one has your intensity,' the wind caressed the water seductively.
'I wonder if they will ever understand that they have always been part of each other,' the waves asked with a hiss as she let the breeze ripple her surface teasingly.
'I don't know, but I think they've realized that they belong together," r closer, causing her to moan at the swelling of motion.
'Perhaps we can teach them more,' the waves roared, its crest building as the wind moved over her, touching her with familiarity, thrusting into her composition, becoming part of her.
'Perhaps,' the wind agreed with a howl as she blew with the waves to the shore, crashing with her in a climactic fury of spray against the sand.
Flowing contentedly, the waves felt the wind sweep over her languidly, and sighed. 'Perhaps.'
The End
(:./tk/wind)
