Title: Friendship
Author: tkmaxwell777
Category: Shonen Ai/Ficlet
Pairings: 1+2, 1x2x1 implied
Rating: PG
Warnings: Complete and Utter Sap
Archived: Yep! Thanks Lev :)
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Gundam Wing, I'm just borrowing them; I promise to return them :)
Stormy blue eyes lovingly took in the small figure sitting on the front porch step. Little hands rubbed a stuffed teddy bear before hugging it close. A tender smile graced the man's face as he walked out of the house and sat down next to the child.
"Your mother is looking for you. It's almost time to go home."
Brown eyes looked up. "Sorry. I was just thinking."
"About what?"
The little boy gave a small sigh. "I don't fit in, pappaw."
The man gave the child a knowing look but asked, "What do you mean?"
Brown eyes filled with tears. "I try to be friends with everyone, but they just make fun of me and say I'm a pest. I just wanna be friends, but they don't like me. It hurts, pappaw."
Strong arms pulled the child onto the man's lap. The little boy nestled against the firm chest as his long blonde hair was petted soothingly. "Sometimes, people don't understand what a gift someone's friendship can be. You know, when I met gramps, I didn't want to be his friend either." The man smiled, the memory of those days filling him with a sense of contentment.
"Really?" came the incredulous reply as the child pulled away slightly to look at him.
"Yes. You know, you're a lot like him. When he was little, no one wanted to be his friend. He tried and tried, but everyone made fun of him, and he would get into fights because the other kids would pick on him." Blue eyes hardened a little as he thought about how that must have felt.
The little boy's eyes widened. "But everyone loves gramps," the small voice argued.
The man nodded. "They do now, because no matter what anyone else said, he made up his mind to be a friend anyway. He ignored the hurt and just continued to be kind and helpful." Blue eyes softened again. "He wouldn't let their rejection keep him from doing what he thought was right, and in the end, the ones who were meant to be his closest friends realized that they needed him."
"So I just have to keep trying to be a friend and wait until someone sees that they need me?"
The man hugged the child to him. "Yes, Solo. That's exactly what you have to do."
The little boy hugged him back for a few minutes then pulled away. "Okay. I'll do it for gramps... and for you, pappaw."
The man kissed the little boy's forehead. "Good. Now go find your mother."
The child smiled, all traces of his distress gone, as he jumped down the steps to run around to the backyard. The man sat there for a few moments until he felt familiar eyes on him. He turned to see violet shimmering with unshed tears.
"Do you know how much I love you?" was spoken as the screen door opened.
The man stood, facing the person who had become the most precious thing in the world to him. "Yes."
"Helen is getting ready to take Solo home. Mark's flight is due within the hour." There was a wicked grin on those taunting lips. "I think I'll take the rest of the evening to show you just how much."
Blue eyes darkened with desire. "You know I always appreciate it when you remind me."
Two men who had only gotten better looking with age wrapped their arms around each other and shared a kiss that belied their years. When they pulled away, both panting from the passionate exchange, violet eyes met blue with undeniable joy shining in their depths.
"I love you, Heero."
The graying former Wing pilot smiled at his life-partner. "I love you too, Duo. Thank you for being my friend."
The grin that lit up Duo's face made Heero's heart melt again, just like it had all those years ago. Hand in hand, they walked back into the house to find their daughter and grandson.
The End
(:./tk/friendship)
