23-Dec-2005
Title: Impromptu - sequel to 'Thankful' (Pure Imagination Series)
Author: tkmaxwell777
Fandom: Gundam Wing AC
Category: Yaoi
Pairings: 1x2/2x1implied, OC+OC
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Duo POV, WAFF
Archived: Yep! www.gwaddiction.com AND Bittersweet_Haven ML at http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tkmaxwell777bhml/
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing AC or its characters. It is the property of Shin Kidousenki, Bandai, Sotsu, Sunrise, and any other affiliated parties. This story is a parody of its defined universe and is in no way an official continuation of the original anime series. All underage characters engaging in any sexual activity in my stories are considered Emancipated Minors. This story is for entertainment purposes only and should not be read as a realistic representation of actual romantic or sexual relationships. It is not meant to be a commentary on the political, social, or spiritual ramifications of homosexuality. Content neither condones nor condemns any of the lifestyles or views portrayed. I write these stories because of the interesting dynamics between the characters and complex personality types that inspire the exploration of relationships beyond friendship without regard to gender or preference. I make no money doing this, so please do not sue me for writing it. Constructive feedback is always greatly appreciated!
Notes: Okay... this is going to be a little series now since so many people wanted me to continue with this storyline. Since I ADORE Donovan, I have no complaints *grins* I'm calling these the 'Pure Imagination Series'. I don't know if there will be longer fics as this develops, but for now, these little ficlet-type stories will be the format. Enjoy!
I walked down the road, wondering why I'd suddenly decided to invite Donovan to our place for Christmas. I mean, sure, the older man had come to the yard a few times in the past two weeks, and we'd talked about all kinds of things that had made us closer, but what had possessed me to argue with Heero over it today? My... partner had not been too thrilled by the idea, but I'd taken off to Dove's after telling Heero that he was just going to have to get used to having the other man around sometimes. I was emphatic. I was uncompromising. I was angry with him for being so worried about me over this. It was no big deal. Really. So why was I standing on the sidewalk, hesitating now?
Okay, there was just this one little thing - what would Donovan think about Heero and me being... together?
It might not have been obvious at Thanksgiving, but Heero and I have been more than just friends... more than just partners... more than... a lot of things... for quite a while now. I didn't know how Donovan would take that, and I kept wondering if he would want to keep pretending that I was Elizabeth's son if he knew. I'd told Heero, and he'd become all defensive. What did it matter that some guy I didn't even know that well would stop thinking of me as the son of a woman who was dead anyway? Well, it did, and doesn't that just say how messed up Duo Maxwell is.
I'd heard a lot of stories about the woman Dove still loved, and I'd entertained the fantasy that she had somehow been my mother. It was nice to think that, to believe that she had left me unwillingly - to pretend that she had loved me. Heero had told me to be careful about it, to not let myself get too attached in case things didn't work out, but I couldn't stop wanting to be what Donovan wanted... what I wanted. Howard had always been the closest thing to a father for me, and I would love the old man for that for as long as I live, but Dove was different. I could actually see traits that made me believe in the illusion we'd created, and I didn't want that to end; yet, I couldn't lie about Heero.
Knowing that, I started to turn around and walk back home when I heard my name being called from across the street. I spotted Donovan in front of his apartment building, obviously just getting home. Sighing at what I felt was a case of imposed fate I walked over. "Hey. Been out and about?" I asked, pushing my fears aside for the moment.
He smiled at me, though there was an assessing look in his eyes. "Doing a little Christmas shopping."
I took in the bags with growing excitement, my earlier hesitation forgotten. "Oh yeah? Presents? For who?"
Donovan's smile widened, apparently enjoying my reaction. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
I gave him a disgruntled look and got a warm laugh from him for my troubles. "That's not fair, man. Let me see."
"Maybe if you're a good little boy, you'll see them under the tree," he replied with a wink.
So, he'd gotten something for me then. That kind of made me all warm and fuzzy inside. Man, I was getting all soft at twenty. "Will Heero get something too?" I asked, suddenly concerned that he'd be left out. I didn't want that.
Dove's smile softened as he gave me a knowing look. "I don't think St. Nick would forget him."
Maybe the man suspected that my 'best friend' meant a little more to me than I'd let on. "Thanks."
He nodded and then motioned to the door. "Want to come inside? I can make some coffee... " His eyes took on a mischievous look that reminded me of Heero a bit, which was amusing. "Or some hot chocolate, if you'd prefer."
I groaned with exaggerated indecision. He knew my weakness. I'd let it slip out that I was a fool for cocoa, and the man was ruthlessly exploiting my foible. For once, I didn't mind. "With those little marshmallows?" I knew I had that wide-eyed little boy look that always worked on Heero. I doubted Donovan would be impervious to it.
That earned me another one of those laughs as he motioned me inside, muttering, "Anything for my kid."
That comment brought back my original worry, but I followed him upstairs anyway. His apartment wasn't quite what I'd been expecting though - comfortably worn furniture, books stacked everywhere, and machine parts in one corner. There weren't any dirty clothes or dishes in the living room, but I would bet that the clothes were on his bedroom floor and the dishes were still in the kitchen sink to be washed. The place was comfortably rumpled. I felt at home and had to wonder about it. It was a familiar collection of stuff, not in the content, but in placement of things. Before I had moved into Heero's bedroom, mine had been as similarly strewn with books clothes, and junk.
"Stay out of those bags, or I'll throttle you," Donovan said, pointing for emphasis before heading into the kitchen.
I glanced at them on the floor but then followed him into the other room. "Now why would I get into your stuff?"
"Your mother couldn't stand to wait for presents. She would bother me for days before Christmas, and if she came over, I couldn't let her alone for a second, or she'd be searching for her gifts." He gave me a knowing look. "I just have a feeling that you're the same way, so knock off that innocent act. I'm not buying it for a minute."
I grinned, unable to deny it. "Okay. I have to admit that Heero keeps anything he buys for me out of the house until Christmas Eve. I don't know where he puts it, but ever since the first year we were living together and he caught me looking for my stuff, he's never let me even see my wrapped gifts for more than half an hour before opening them."
Dove snickered, getting the heated water out of the microwave. "See? I know you too well already."
I sat down at his small table and sighed, turning anxious again. "Not really."
He noticed my tone and remained quiet until he placed a cup of hot chocolate with mini-marshmallows in front of me. "What's wrong, Duo? You didn't just happen to come by here. You're upset about something. I can sense it."
I looked at the steam rising from the cup. "If I tell you something, will you promise to not... throw me out?" When he raised his eyebrow in that 'quit being stupid' way, I went on. "Listen, Heero and I, we're... I mean... he is my best friend. I didn't lie, but... well, there's more to it than that... you know?" I winced at how lame that sounded.
Donovan sat down across from me, letting his own mug cool some. He finally asked, "How did it happen?"
That wasn't the question I was expecting. "We fought together in the first Eve's War, but afterwards, we went our separate ways. When that whole Barton thing happened, we met up again. To my surprise, he stayed with me after that. We became roommates, then partners at the yard, and then... " I couldn't go on, still unsure of his feeling on it.
"And then you decided that wasn't enough, so you became... better acquainted... in a more intimate way?"
I looked at him then. His eyes didn't give away his thoughts. I swallowed, forcing myself to choke out, "Yeah."
Dove sighed heavily. "If you're looking for some kind of reaction, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."
I blinked at him, trying to not get my hopes up. This was just too important, so I remained cautious. "Oh? Why?"
"Duo, I learned a long time ago not to take love for granted. I may not understand completely about you two, but I won't deny you any happiness that you've found." He paused and then added, "She wouldn't have either."
"So... so, you wouldn't mind coming to our place for Christmas even though we're... um, together?" I blurted out.
Donovan's face lit up. "I would love to come over for Christmas. Your relationship isn't any of my business."
I laughed with relief. "Great! We'll have dinner at four and open presents at six. We got this huge tree with bubble lights... " I noticed the sad look that flitted over his face. "You okay? I mean, if you don't really want to come... "
"You just remind me of her so much sometimes, and I can't help but remember how it was when... " He took a deep breath, forcing away the ghosts of memory. "I want to come. It will be good to spend the holiday with family again."
I felt that part of me that longed for that same thing jump up and down inside. I can be such a sap when given the chance. "You're always welcomed to spend special days with us, Dove. Heero might be a bit hesitant right now, but he'll come around." I rolled my eyes. "He can be so annoying at times, but I can't help loving him in spite of it."
Donovan smiled then, the melancholy fading. "Because of it, I think. It lets you know that he really cares."
"Hey! You can't take his side! Man, he's got an ally and doesn't even know it!" I hooted, trying to lighten things up. I fervently hoped Heero would stop being so stubborn about this since my 'dad' wasn't going to abandon me over us being more than friends. I was certain that Heero would like Donovan if he'd just quit trying to find reasons not to.
"Will he mind me coming over?" Dove asked suddenly, almost as if he'd been following my thoughts.
I had to be honest. "We had words before I came here, but when I tell him what you said, he'll be all right with it."
"I don't want to intrude if... "
I shook my head. "You won't. I want you there, and Heero will too... after I apologize and beg." I smirked when Donovan chuckled. "I just wasn't sure how you'd feel about me when you found out that we're... well, you know."
"Lovers," he finished, not avoiding it, and then grinned. "I'll just have to get used to having two sons now, I guess."
"Lovers," I repeated softly, not believing I could say that to him without fear. I smiled then. "Lovers, but much more. We're soul mates... life companions. I can't imagine being without him now, and I don't even want to try."
Dove was silent for a moment and then replied in that wistful voice I'd heard before, "Yes. I know what you mean."
We found our hot chocolate to be at the perfect temperature for consumption and drank it down. Once the last bit of gooey goodness was gone, I told Dove that I had to head home before Heero began looking for me. He teased me about the mindset of the lovingly-protective, but admonishing me to go easy on Heero at the same time. I stood in his doorway and looked fondly into his living room, not wanting to leave. I planned on coming back again soon.
"Well, I'll see you Christmas Eve," I confirmed as I held out my hand, just wanting a little bit of 'fatherly contact'.
He grabbed me into an abrupt hug. "No looking for presents until then, kiddo. It will spoil the surprise."
I pulled away and grinned at him, feeling that connection that wasn't one bit imaginary. "Only if you let it."
The End
(:./tk/imagination2)
