17-Jan-2006
Title: Welcoming - sequel to 'Impromptu' (Pure Imagination Series)
Author: tkmaxwell777
Fandom: Gundam Wing AC
Category: Yaoi
Pairings: 1x2/2x1implied, OC+OC
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Heero POV, WAFF
Archived: Yep! Thanks Tyr :) Fanfiction Section at GWA - 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!
Yeah, this is REALLY late, but I hope you enjoy it anyway! Thanks to everyone who asked for more of this series. *huggles*
The lights on the Christmas tree were blinking merrily as we sat in the living room together to open presents. The meal had been simple - ham, potatoes, green beans, and custard pie for dessert - but it seemed Donovan had enjoyed it immensely. I'd watched him and Duo interact all evening with conflicting emotions. Sharing had never been easy for me, and sharing Duo seemed harder than anything I could imagine. Seeing his bright eyes and genuine smile at having Dove with us helped to alleviate my trepidation, but my heart was still in turmoil.
"This one is for you, Heero," Duo interrupted my thoughts with a grin as he handed me a package.
I smiled politely and took it, knowing it was from our guest and wondering what he could have possibly gotten me since he didn't know me that well. Although the man had been coming to the yard for a few weeks now, I hadn't spent much time with him. I sighed to myself and began tearing open the paper to reveal a box. Opening it, I frowned as I pulled out a large stuffed teddy bear. Anger filled me at such a childish gift, and I contemplated throwing it at the giver, but then I caught a glimpse of the writing on the white tee shirt it wore.
"My home is with you," the crayon-styled writing said, and I was flabbergasted by how calm I suddenly felt.
I took another look at the bear itself and gasped when I realized that it had familiar violet-blue eyes. How Dove had managed to find a bear with that exact color, I'd never know, but he had. The fur was the same color as Duo's hair too. I stared at it, and in that moment I knew where Duo had gotten his ability to see right through me. I'd tried so hard to hide my fear of somehow losing Duo, but Donovan wasn't going to let me deny it; instead, he was trying to show me that he wasn't a threat. It was the best gift he could have given me.
"Thank you," I said softly, giving him a nod of understanding. Duo looked from one of us to the other, then at the bear. His eyes widened when he read the shirt, but then he shook his head, dismissing his questions for later when he and I would be alone to talk about it. He would make me explain, tell me I'd been stupid, and then make love to me.
"There's something else in there," Dove said with a small smile when I began to toss the box away.
I quirked an eyebrow at him and then delved into the box again. I held up the other gift and laughed. "The Complete Collection of Pre-Colony Action-Fighting Video Games." I turned over the box and saw it included 'Combat', 'Space Invaders', 'Joust', 'Defender', 'Gauntlet', 'Asteroids', 'Missile Command', and even 'Rebel Force'. I laughed again, shaking my head. "I guess this means all-night gaming marathons on the weekends for a while."
Duo reached for the box and grinned once he'd read the contents. "I will totally kick your butt, Yuy."
"We'll see, Maxwell," I taunted, earning a challenging look from him before I added, "I still think I can take you."
Donovan coughed, Duo flushed a bit, and I suddenly realized how that might have sounded. Before any of us could become uncomfortable, Duo turned his attention to the older man. "Okay, your turn, Dove." He handed Donovan a present that my lover had taken entirely too long to wrap.
Dove shook the box. "Ah, the spark plugs to my roadster that I'm rebuilding," he quipped, giving me a wink.
Apparently, this was another ability Duo had inherited honestly, and I couldn't help but smirk as my lover sputtered indignantly, "Hey! No fair!" He pouted and then sighed in resignation. "Aw, just open the blasted thing!"
It was, indeed, the spark plugs to Donovan's roadster. Duo had searched high and low to find them and had been so proud of his accomplishment. I could tell he wasn't too happy that his surprise had somehow been ruined, and that he thought I'd somehow been the one to ruin it, which I hadn't. Donovan seemed to understand my situation.
"I've been looking for them, and when I got a lead and called, the guy told me a scrap place had beat me to them," he began explaining. "I told him I wanted to make sure that it wasn't my boss who had bought them, and he told me the name of your yard was the purchaser." The older man gave Duo a sheepish look that made me almost choke with how similar it was to the one the man I loved used all the time. "I didn't do it on purpose... initially."
"Yeah, and I'm 'The Sheik of Araby', pops," Duo replied with a snort, giving me a look of apology.
Dove smirked. "Nice to meet you, your highness. Did you bring any camels?"
"No. They spit," my lover answered, his tone becoming serious, which only made it funnier.
"And how would you know that?" Donovan asked, trying to keep from laughing at his son's disgruntled look.
"Quatre, and that's all I'm gonna say about it."
Dove snickered, obviously knowing about our blond friend and Duo's time spent with him. He went ahead and opened the box, grinning in triumph when he saw the spark plugs... and looking shocked when he came across the custom trunk key latch, complete with scythe detailing. He gaped at Duo. "Where did you get this?"
"I made it," Duo said with a pleased smile. "It's made out of gundanium, so it'll last longer than the car."
Donovan touched the metal almost reverently. "Thank you. It's beautiful." He seemed to come to himself then and motioned towards Duo. "Open yours, brat."
Duo stuck out his tongue and then grabbed the wrapped box next to him. He tore into it and pulled a book free. Furrowing his brows, he opened it. A quick intake of breath came before he whispered, "Mom."
I scooted closer to him and looked over to see it was a photo album... of the woman that Dove had loved and Duo claimed as his mother now. Images of her laughing, smirking, and even glaring were in full-color, and I could feel my lover trembling as his fingers flipped the pages. She had been beautiful, and from the many pictures of her smiling with mischief, just as spirited as her son. Tears tracked down his face as he smiled through them. I could tell he was a little embarrassed, but he pushed that aside and motioned for Donovan to join us on the couch. Dove did, sitting on the other side of my... our Duo.
"Tell me," Duo demanded softly, and Donovan began relating each story, giving us a glimpse into Elizabeth's life.
I listened just as intently, not feeling like I was intruding for once. When the Donovan explained how he'd digitized the photos first, I got up to get us some hot chocolate. I heard Duo laughing again as he managed to find another present in his box, just as I had; only his was 'The Complete Collection of the Carol Burnett Show'. For some reason, the "Gone with the Wind" episode is his favorite, the 'Oh Promise Me' one with Eunice a close second.
I watched them from the kitchen as they laughed and talked together, and my heart ached. The man I loved was spending the holiday with the man he wanted for a father... and I could give him that so easily. You see, when Duo had explained to me about their agreement, I hadn't understood. I'd thought they were crazy for not finding out for sure if they were related. As the weeks went by, and Dove visited the yard more, I began to see with a new clarity their reasoning, but that had been before I'd taken a cup the older man had drank from and my lover's old hairbrush and sent them off to be analyzed.
Duo is Dove's son.
I had no doubts that the woman in that photo album is Duo's mother too. The doubts I had were if I should tell them or not. Would a sense of obligation destroy their mutual acceptance and understanding? Would regret turn into some kind of bitterness that would choke their feelings? I wasn't sure, and I was afraid to take that chance. Perhaps, I needed to get to know Donovan more before I made that decision. Perhaps I knew him better than I wanted to admit, and was just stalling. I didn't know what to do.
"Hey, Heero! Hurry up with that cocoa. I'm having chocolate withdrawal in here!"
I poured the milk and stirred, placing the cups on the tray. When I came back into the living room, Duo had already ripped open his new DVD's and had the first one in. I sighed. "Don't tell me... a Carol Burnett marathon before the Galaga one?"
He grinned at me as he plopped mini marshmallows into his cup. "Come on, you say that like it's a bad thing."
Donovan took his hot chocolate and smiled. "Now, boys, let's not fight over who gets to go first."
I snorted as I sat down, my eyes tracking to my bear sitting on the end table. I reached out and pulled it onto my lap without thinking and earned a nudge and playful smirk from my lover.
"So, what're you gonna name it?"
I sighed in mock exasperation, but inside I realized it was important to me what I called Dove's gift. Maybe I could even give them something to think about until I could decide to tell them what I knew for sure. "Niichan."
Duo frowned. "Niichan? Why are you callin' it brother?"
I looked deep into his eyes. "Because your father gave him to me... just like he gave me you." He looked taken aback by that, and I saw Donovan's surprised look out of the corner of my eye, as I went on, "If you're going to believe, then believe completely, Duo."
The expression on my lover's face was one of infinite hope and eternal doubt. "Do you believe?"
My gaze locked with Donovan's, and I could see the same question in his eyes. He knew. Somehow he knew what I'd done, and he was waiting. When I looked back at Duo, I could tell that he wasn't exactly ignorant of my ways either. I took a deep breath, said a silent prayer, and then smiled with all of the love I had in my heart. "I do now."
End Part 3
(:./tk/imagination3)
