Duo POV

I can remember him like a clear summer day.

The first time we met, it was during our first battle together. It was the day of my first tactical mistake and the day that my heart awakened.

I didn't know that I loved him at first. First he was an ally, then a liability, a supposed traitor, and finally a friend.

I didn't know I loved him until now.

He's getting married to Quatre. Quatre who has always been his best friend and now more.

I don't know what to say. Should I just let them get married or should I tell the truth?

I don't know how he feels. He says he loves Quatre and I know Quatre loves him.

Hilde says that I should just suck it up and tell him before it starts to eat away at my soul.

Relena told me that I should give it a shot, that I should at least tell Trowa privately my feelings for him. But I'm afraid of rejection.

I sit on the stool in front of the bar in Relena's basement until I hear someone come in.

It's Trowa who has a concerned expression on his face. He says, "Relena told me that you have something to tell me."

Damn her. Fuck it, I'm stuck and Trowa can see through a lie.

I swallow my pride and I tell him, "Trowa, I've been in love with you ever since the day I met you."

Trowa looks at me blankly and I hear a gasp as I see Quatre watching from the doorway.

Damn, my life has just become really complicated.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It has been 4 months since my little confession.

Four months of being completely miserable. Four months of having one of your closest friends anxious and miserable whenever he was around me. Four months of being hated by one of your closest friends. Four months of being threatened by the knife lady.

Lord, can I please, please, /please/ turn back time?

I've spent the 3 of the past 4 months living in L2 with Hilde. Heero and Relena, then just Heero would visit often. Then of course Wufei, even though Wufei was angry with me.

Now, Wufei's anger I don't understand. Shit, I got better things to worry about.

Such as today.

Today, Hilde is dragging me to Dorothy and Catherine's wedding. I don't know why I'm going; I wasn't invited, only Hilde was.

Anyway, Hilde's taking me. She says its time for me to stop licking my wounds and to actually try to win Trowa's heart. I actually was trying not to get stabbed by one of Cathy's favorite daggers.

Anyway, now we are on L4. Quatre is hosting the wedding and reception. Our shuttle was really late so we are only going to make the reception.

Why couldn't I just miss the whole thing? I have no luck.

"Duo, look ahead."

I look up to the sign that Hilde was pointing to. We are 10 minutes from Quatre's L4 summer home.

Great.

Hilde pinched my right cheek. She said, "Stop looking unhappy D-chan. Everything will work out, I know."

I fought the urge to say something smart. Don't need Hilde mad at me too.

I finally said, "It would be nice if I had your optimism."

Hilde didn't get a chance to reply as we stopped in front of the house. I whistled. Damn, Quatre does have some nice houses.

The Maguanac corps greeted us. No problems there.

We walked into the house. A maid directed us to the back of the house, towards the den, patio, and Quatre's "yellow" room. (I'm telling you, he has way too much money.)

I hadn't felt nervous on the way here, but I felt really nervous. It was like the sense of anticipation, like something was going to happen. Damn, that's not a good feeling for me.

We walked into the room, obviously the last people to make it. Everyone was here: the group, the circus people, some of Quatre's sisters.

And of course, Trowa.

I felt his eyes on me as well as his look of longing. Then Hilde ruined the moment, yanking me towards Heero and Relena.

Heero and Relena were standing there stiffly. Lovers spat, probably. Oh yeah, I forgot, they had broken up 2 years ago. I still find it hard to think of them as just friends, not lovers. It had been all Relena in that relationship anyway.

Hilde started chattering with Relena. Uninteresting conversation so Heero and I left the girls and walked over towards the bar.

I asked, "How have you been, stud? How has life been treating the only het gundam pilot?"

Heero actually blushed! (Hold that for future reference.)

He said, "Life's been fine. It's been really good."

I didn't even try to learn more. It's a waste of time trying to get extra info out of Heero when you know he's not going to offer any more.

Heero said, "The wedding was nice even though the pastor was flustered about the fact that two women were getting married."

I said, "What do you expect? Most people still can't deal with gays and lesbians actually coming out the closet, let alone getting married."

Heero nodded. I asked, "Where's the happy couple?"

Heero answered, "Taking pictures. They'll be back in 15 minutes."

15 minutes into my day would become miserable. I could live with that as long as I could eat first.

Heero must have read my mind because he said, "Unless you want nasty crackers and pate, you'll wait until dinner."

Damn.

Then I noticed that I didn't have Heero's undivided attention. He was looking at Hilde and it wasn't a cursory glance. It was like a look one gives someone that they're lusting after.

Damn. Heero may be my best friend but Hilde was like my sister. Please don't let anything happen between them until tomorrow.

I walked away from the bar before I gave in to the idea of getting drunk. I made my way around the room, hobnobbing with the other guests. Then I literally bumped into Trowa.

Luckily I didn't have a drink because if I did, it would have been all over his suit.

I quelled the butterflies in my stomach as I smiled at him. I said, "Hello Trowa."

Trowa smiled and repeated the greeting.

I said, "Are you happy that your sister is finally married?"

Trowa replied, "If Catherine is happy, I'm happy for her. Even though I will probably always never like Dorothy."

I shrugged; I had no opinion on Dorothy. Then Trowa surprised me. He said, "I've been thinking for these past months."

I will not get happy.

Trowa continued, "I've realized that I didn't love Quatre, I just liked the idea of being with him. Now that I'm not with him, I've finally figured who I was really in love with."

I may have a chance.

However, before Trowa could continue, trouble walked in.

It was Catherine, Dorothy, Quatre, and the rest of the wedding party. Catherine looked happy until she saw the two of us together. Then she looked like one of the Amazons as she stomped as much as she could in her wedding dress toward us.

I tried not to run as a hand on my back helped to prevent that. Trowa was keeping me there for some reason.

Catherine said (which was like a miracle considering her habit of yelling around me), "What are you doing around my brother, Maxwell? I thought I told you to stay away from him. I didn't even invite you to the wedding."

I started to stammer but Trowa luckily answered for me. Trowa said, "I wanted to talk to him."

Catherine looked a little flustered. She said, "But I thought you wanted nothing to do with after that last time before your cancelled wedding to Quatre."

Trowa said, "You actually thought wrong for once, Catherine."

Quatre angrily said, "I can't believe that you want anything to do with him, Trowa! He ruined something that we wanted for the past 5 years!"

Trowa calmly said, "He helped me to realize something that I tried to deny for a long time."

Dorothy looked at everyone in our little area before asking, "Realize what?"

Trowa answered, "Realize that I really didn't love Quatre."

Quatre said, "You keep saying that but you really don't mean it, do you Trowa?"

I could tell right then that Trowa had probably told Quatre that he didn't love him but Quatre had been denying it. I guess it's hard to give up on something you had ever since you were 15.

I was shaken from my thoughts by Trowa's voice. He said, "I really do mean it."

We saw Quatre's heart break right in front of our eyes. Quatre walked out of the room. I know he was resisting the urge to run out of the place.

All I know is that I felt myself pinned to the wall by one of Catherine's knives. (Where the hell does she hide those things? I really want to know)

Catherine started yelling, "Everything is your fault! You ruined my brother's relationship with Quatre and forced him to loving him! You miserable, miserable man! I hope you rot in hell for this!"

I know my eyes had to be bulging because Relena started to tell me to calm down. She took down the knives that had pinned me to the wall.

When I was firmly back on the floor, I said, "I had paid 400 credits for this suit and now I got two matching holes in it!"

Relena said, "That's the least of your worries. I suggest you go hide until Catherine calms down."

I've seen Catherine in a rage and I was on the wrong side of it. I never want to be in that position again. I have no problems hiding from Catherine. She made manly man Zechs cry once. (o_o) That's enough.

I said, "I have no problems with that. This mansion is so big I could hide for a year."

I glanced around to make sure no one was looking at me as I left the room.

****************************

I sighed as I walked into the room. I had spent at least an hour walking around the house looking for a place to hide. I was in a third floor bedroom as I peeked out of the window.

The party was on the first floor. I should be safe from Catherine here.

I flopped on the bed. I could sleep some hours away. I needed to.

Then I heard voices from outside in the hallway. Without thinking, I went into one of the walk-in closets and closed the door. You never know, it could be a maid or a Maguanac.

I heard the door open and two people walk in. A masculine voice said, "We should be completely alone here."

My eyes widened, I didn't believe it! It was Heero but who was with him?

The female (since Heero made sure we knew he wasn't gay years ago) said, "It feels sort of wrong but also right."

It was Hilde. My day just got worse; I have no luck. Please don't let them have sex, please don't.

I knew my prayers weren't going to be answered by the minute I deduced that they were kissing.

This is my life. I get to listen to other people have a sex life while mine is in tatters. Oh well.

I couldn't move since Heero has extraordinary hearing in addition to all of his Perfect Soldier skills so I tried to sleep.

I gave up when I heard the first moan. Might as well enjoy the show. I can't believe I just thought that.

I heard Heero say, "You liked that, didn't you."

Don't want to know what he's talking about. The minute I heard Hilde ask if Heero had a condom I knew that if I was found here, I was in deep shit.

I winced as I heard the bed start to squeak. Then I heard the door slam open as people came into the room.

Catherine said, "Du- oh shit, its Hilde and Heero!"

I felt people blushing as I surmised that Hilde and Heero must be naked. Hilde shrieked, "Catherine!"

I felt Heero's anger as I heard him say, "Damn you."

Catherine said, "One thing before you two return to what you was doing: have you seen Duo?"

They both said no simultaneously right before Catherine left. I heard someone say, a woman, "Damn, Hilde is lucky! Did you see the size of his penis?!"

Something else I did not need to hear.

I heard a sigh as clothes started to rustle. Hilde said, "That ruined the moment."

Heero said, "I'll make up for it next time."

Next Time!?!?!?

Hilde must have left because I heard Heero sigh. Heero said, "Duo, you can come out now."

Heero didn't sound like he was going to kill me so I came out of the closet.

I said, "How did you know I was in there?"

Heero said, "Because you giggled a little bit when Catherine screeched 'its Hilde and Heero!'"

I smirked. I said, "I would have liked to see her expression. Thanks for not giving me away."

Heero said, "Thanks for not doing the big brother impression."

I said, "How long have you been seeing Hilde in secret?"

Heero said, "A year and a half."

I whistled, Hilde usually didn't date guys for more than a few months and she hadn't dated anyone in a while. I said, "You got my permission since you and Hilde seem to such a tight couple. Break her heart and I'll find a way to kill the perfect soldier."

I saw Heero really honestly truly smile for the first time in my life. He clapped my shoulder as he said, "Now, we need to work on your life."

I rolled my eyes. I said, "Say it again, Heero."

******************************

T minus 2 hours until the end of the reception.

It has actually been pleasant. Since he got my permission earlier, Heero and Hilde must have decided to take their relationship out of the closet.

I glanced at Relena. Relena actually looked happy. I guess, maybe its better seeing your first love fall for one of your friends than someone you don't know.

I haven't seen Trowa since earlier. I need to talk to him.

Then I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Quatre and it looked like he had been crying a little.

He said, "Hurt him and I'll kill you Duo."

He had to be referring to Trowa. The need to see him tripled.

Quatre walked away before I could reply. I started to comb the room, looking for Trowa.

Then I saw him. He was by the door and he was motioning towards me. I walked towards him, following him to a room close-by.

Right after I closed the door, Trowa kissed me.

My life just looked up for the first time in a year.

As Trowa ended the kiss, he stepped away from me. He smiled shyly at me. I said, "I guess that was what you wanted to tell me earlier."

Trowa nodded. I said, "Say it. Tell me in words."

Trowa gulped. Then Trowa said, "I love you Duo Maxwell."

I will not do a victory dance.

I said, "I love you too, Trowa Barton."

Then I stepped closer to him, grabbed his face with my hands, and kissed him. I started off slow then I took it to another level by slipping my tongue into his mouth.

I don't know how long we were French-kissing, but I do know we stopped when we saw Heero and Hilde at the door.

Hilde said, "I told you that coming today would have been worth it."

I glanced at Trowa. I said, "Was this planned?"

Trowa said, "A little. I told Hilde my feelings for you and she told me that she would make sure you was at the wedding."

I felt the urge to start arguing, but hell, its a wonderful day; why ruin it?

Then I saw Catherine. She actually looked resigned. Catherine called out, "If he makes you happy, Trowa, then I'm happy."

Trowa grinned and whooped. I smiled. It was a wonderful day, err, night.

***************************

2 years later

It was day of our wedding.

We were having a double wedding, Hilde and Heero, Trowa and I.

I sighed happily as I slipped on my suit jacket.

I never thought this would happen 2 years ago. But it is happening. I would be united in holy matrimony with the man I truly love and who loves me back.

I'm such a lucky man.

Finished

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Email: ghettostar_2001@yahoo.com

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