01-Aug-2001
Note: As many people may already know from my extensive rants, I love the idea of Heero and Wufei being counterparts. Not in the romantic sense of the word, but in the most basic sense - two sides of the same coin and all that. Maureen and I have gone through countless discussions on this, and I think those were the reasons I was able to even start working on this, even though she didn't know it until I just sent her the first few pages ><
I hesitate to write my thoughts down here, because that's what the story is for. But I know there had been some discussion a little while back on gw-fan about Heero and Wufei and how they probably wouldn't get along due to ethnic origin, but that doesn't have as much of a place in this story as it would in another story on the same topic. This is more about finding a place in the world, missions, lonliness, fear, war and peace, personal agendas, all those good things.
One last note about it -- for those of you who have heard me go on about research in fanfic, and the extrapolation from said research, well, here you go. I couldn't even start writing until I did a whole ton of research on Chinese geography, economics, and social structure over the years so I could form a theory on the Chinese colonies and what happened to those left on Earth. I encourage everyone to do this on a topic you find interesting; even if it never ever comes up in any story you write, *you'll* know and that's the most important thing.
AC 197 November
"I see this visit for what it is, and I'm sure you have good intentions. But I have been fine on my own, and I will continue to be so. So don't feel you have to stay -- I know you have a life you must be anxiously wanting to get back to."
It was said stiffly, formally. The very reasons why it was rejected, almost as stiffly as it had been offered.
"I'll stay."
"I'll be fine, though, if you decide you wish to leave."
"I'll stay."
The Chinese boy was silent, regarding the Japanese boy sitting across from him. "I don't know if I'll be able to tolerate your presence for very long. You must agree to stay out of my way."
"Just be thankful Duo didn't come. He wanted to."
Almond shaped eyes widened almost comically, and Heero had to fight back a tiny tug on the corners of his lips.
"I see," Wufei said softly. "I'm glad to have you, then, odd as that may sound."
They stood at the same time, both their faces set somewhere between resignation and resolution.
"Morning meditation," Wufei said, in answer to the other boy's unspoken question. "You'll have to wait outside."
Heero nodded and moved towards the front door. "I'll wait."
Adrift again 2000 man
You lost your maps, you lost your plans
Did you hear them yell: "Land damn it land"?
You say you can't, well I hope you can
I hope you can
"You know him best. Somehow. So you have to go."
Heero glared at Duo, who had managed to drip all over him from two feet away. He brushed futilely at the wet spots dotting the thigh and knee of his jeans. "He doesn't want company, Duo. He wants to be left alone."
"So do you most of the time, but I don't hear you complaining when I burst in."
"I'm surprised you can hear anything over yourself."
Duo snapped the wet towel he had just taken off his hair in Heero's general direction, grinning when the usually stoic boy shied away from it. He turned to rummage in his underwear drawer. "This is not open for discussion." He paused, waiting for Heero to make another crack about his fondness for listening to himself speak, and when none came he turned to face his lover, who was staring at some point over Duo's shoulder.
"What?"
The dark-haired boy stood and crossed quickly to Duo, grasping his shoulders in a tight grip.
"What?" Duo asked again, searching Heero's face. The other boy had a grim set to his jaw, and something sparked in his eyes. "Heero?" Duo reached up and passed a hand between their faces.
Heero leaned in quickly and kissed Duo, hard, grinding his teeth against the other boy's. Duo stiffened for a moment, then brought his hands up to gently cup Heero's face.
Startled, Heero drew away.
"I know you're freaked out about this. But that will never be you, okay? And you can help make sure he's okay, too."
"I'm not," he paused, a slight smile passing over his lips, "freaked out."
"You are," Duo paused, mimicking him gently, "freaked out. But maybe it'll help if you go. I know I would want someone to help you." He grinned. "I mean, if you didn't already have me."
"I do have you."
Duo watched as something close to almost-fear crossed his lover's face. "You do have me," he echoed, and pulled the towel from around his waist to sling it around Heero's neck, drawing him closer.
Heero closed his eyes at the feeling of Duo pressed up against him, warm and slightly damp even through Heero's clothes. He thought of Wufei, alone in Beijing, alone in the Altron, Wufei, always alone, always angry.
"You and I are the same!" Clipped, accent-less English harsh in the tiny space of Zero's cockpit.
The Japanese ex-pilot shuddered and grabbed Duo's head, burying his hands in his hair.
"Duo."
Duo sealed his lips to Heero's and pulled him back until they both tumbled onto their bed in their bedroom in their small apartment in Tokyo.
The thought of Beijing was mercifully pushed from Heero's mind.
Are you ready?
Yeah.
Okay. One, two, three, four...
End Teaser
(:./sparcck/2000)
