Alchemy of Love

Heero Yuy was having trouble. That trouble was named Duo Maxwell. It had been about a two years after the Mariemaia incident. He had left Relena, and the other pilots to live on his own. Alone. It wasn’t what he wanted. He went back to Relena. ‘But she wasn’t who I wanted. Not her.’ The girl understood. She said that she’d only wanted to be friends anyway, and that she’d always be there if he wanted to talk. So then it was back to living alone. Heero hated it. He tried dating some other guys, but it wasn’t what he wanted. Not what he wanted at all. Ever since the Eve wars, he’d wanted Duo. Duo, and no one but Duo. But, he was the perfect soldier at the time, and the perfect soldier had no need for love distractions. But now there was no more wars, no more need for the perfect soldier. Now he was just plain Heero Yuy. ‘But Duo could never be attracted to me. He has… Hilde.’ Heero’s heart had broken when he heard the ex-Gundam pilot had gone back to live with his ‘girlfriend’. That was two years ago, now it’s A.C. 199, February 14. Quatre had sent out invitations for a Valentine’s Day party at one of his many estates. Heero had never attended any of the get-togethers both Quatre and Relena, even Dorothy planned for some of the holidays. Never. But he couldn’t stand not seeing Duo. Relena was the only one who knew where he was. Although the pilots, Dorothy, even Mariemaia asked Relena about him, she never told. ‘But now, I’m not running away anymore.’ Heero thought and stepped through the gates of the L-4 Winner estate.

When the door shut behind him, Heero wished he could crawl back under it. All eyes in the room turned to stare. Dorothy Catalonia raised one of her notorious forked eyebrows in surprise. The music stopped, and… Heero was knocked over; by Quatre.

Heero!” the blonde cried happily. “You came!”

Don’t be stealing my line.” Relena mocked.

Sorry. It’s just been so long.” Quatre stood up and helped Heero to his feet.

Hn.”

Oh, not that again.” Wufei moaned as he walked over. “I thought you would’ve outgrown THAT ‘Hn’.” But Heero wasn’t listening. He was staring at…

Quiet Wu, it’s his trademark. Next to his glare.” Duo playfully punched Wufei’s arm.

Maxwell! That was very injust!” Wufei growled and punched Duo’s arm back.

Ouch!”

Justice.”

Really.” Lady Une and Sally Po came over. “Don’t make us separate you two.”

Injustice!” Wufei declared.

Outgrow that.” Trowa smirked.

Come on people. Where is the love? It is Valentine’s Day.” Hilde laughed and winked at Duo.

Hey, where’d Heero go?” Duo asked, noticing the boy was gone.

“What was I thinking?” Heero slumped inside the lavish bathroom. ‘I can’t face Duo. Not now. Not ever. I might as well… just disappear again.’ He walked over to try to climb out the window.

Heero.”

The bathroom door closed and locked.

Duo.” Heero didn’t turn around.

Why? Why are you running from us? From me? I thought I was your best friend.”

…”

Heero!” Duo spun Heero around and slapped him, hard. “Look at me Heero! What the hell is going on?! Geez! I guess I was wrong about you being my best friend Heero! I never want to see you again!”

Heero slowly moved his hand and touched his cheek where Duo’s hit him. Duo winced, anticipating a punch in the stomach, but it never came. Instead, tears started welling up in Heero’s eyes. “I… have to go.” The boy ran. Ran away, from everyone. Duo stared at his hand. “Heero…”

“What happened to him?” Relena practically pounced on Duo when he emerged from the bathroom. “What did you do?” “I… hit him. I thought it’d wake him up. What did we do? What did I do to make him so upset?” “You IDIOT!” Relena screeched and slapped Duo. “Are you blind?” she glared at him. “The guy is head over heels for you! He thinks you’re straight!” the blonde girl stamped her foot in frustration. “Good god Duo! I thought you were more observant than that! Didn’t you see the way he looked at you? He has NO clue that you and Hilde are just friends!” “But… why didn’t he just ask?” Duo stammered, completely shocked that Heero liked him. “You dummy! He’s shy!” Relena sighed in exasperation. “The perfect soldier. Shy?” Duo smirked. ”ARRRGGGGHHHHHHH!” Relena was ready to strangle him. “You keep thinking of him as the perfect soldier. He’s Heero Yuy now. Heero Yuy the person. Not the soldier. Get it?” “uh… huh.” Duo stared at the panting girl. “Hey ojousan.”

“What?!”

Whatever happened to that total pacifism thing?”

Just go after him before I show you how much I don’t uphold it anymore.” Relena threatened.

Heero stopped running when he came to a bus stop. ‘Duo… he doesn’t love me. He… he…’ the boy buried his face in his hands.

Duo ran through the streets. ‘This is ridiculous! Heero could be miles away by now!’ he thought. ‘But… Relena says he’s Heero… the person. Human. So I shouldn’t give up now.’ Duo ran faster. Eventually he found Heero sitting on at a bus stop.

Hey.”

…”

Heero, please, at least listen to me.”

Heero looked up at Duo with tear-stained eyes. “What?”

Heero. I don’t know what you think about me and Hilde, but I don’t love her. I love you.” Duo sat down. “I never did love her. I only went to her for the job at the salvage yard to make enough money to buy you this.” Duo reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring.

Duo…” Heero stared. “But… you could have just…”

Stolen it? I’m no longer a thief Heero. I’ve been trying to give this to you for over two years. That is, if you want it.” Duo smiled sadly. “I’m sorry about what I said to you earlier. I really like you, but I can understand if you hate me, and never want to see me again.”

Duo. I’m sorry that I…” Heero started when Duo stopped him.

Heero Yuy… will you marry me?”

Duo… this is so sudden… and… yes.” Heero allowed Duo to slip the ring on his finger. “Happy Valentine’s day Heero.”

Aa.”

We are still going to have to work on that.” Duo smiled and kissed his new fiancée.