DISCLAIMER: Bandai and Sunrise own all. I'm just borrowing the boys and their world. The story, however, is mine.

PAIRING: 1x2, implied 3x4, DxR
RATING: PG
CATEGORY: yaoi, SAP Sap sap, FLUFF Fluff fluff. WARNING: no, not really. Very light stuff. There's a small - blink and you'll miss it - spoiler for the series. Did I mention the sappiness of this? Total sap.

NOTES: This is just light cute stuff, no angst (er, one tiny moment of it, but it passes ^_^;; ), no extended metaphors, no deep character analysis. Though I did do just a little bit of research for this fic ^_^;; Thanks to Sakti and Sharon for the beta!

SUMMARY: Post EW, Preventers assign Heero and Duo to follow a man suspected of being a dealer of an up and coming drug, ParaSpice (Paradise Spice - like you needed to know that I go into this much detail, even when it doesn't really end up in the fic). Things do not go as planned - or maybe they do. ^____^


World Traveling
by Dev-Aki Basaa


"I'm so sick of trailing this guy," Duo groaned into the palm of his hand. He then flung out his arm, a wild gesture, aggravated by his annoyance. His braid flipped over his shoulder with the action. "We've been halfway around the world and the only thing we know is that he has a thing for antiques."

Heero shook his head, his gaze scanning the airport lobby before him and not looking anywhere near his bitching partner. "Baka," he said, grumbling. "We've learned more than that."

Duo scowled and looked away, folding his arms across his chest. "Not much more."

"No," Heero agreed. That was true. It had been an odd mission so far and they weren't anywhere near being done. Then he heard the announcement over the PA system he was waiting for. Heero cocked his head to one side, listening carefully. Yes, that was it.

"Grab the bag," he said, catching Duo's gaze. "That's our flight."


~~London~~

Duo deviated from viewing their suspect. The guy had been taking his time window-shopping for the last hour. Duo really doubted it mattered if the binoculars set on him pointed upwards for a moment. A huge tower came into his view. He lowered the binoculars and peered up at the structure.

"I don't even want to imagine how old that big clock is. It's called 'Big Ben', right?" he said, shielding his eyes with the flat of his palm.

"'Big Ben' actually refers to the bell housed in the tower. It was placed in there in Pre-Colony 1858," Heero answered, as if by rote. They were lingering by a statue, pretending to be tourists and Heero was using a zoom-lens camera that doubled as a listening device. The things Preventers' scientists came up with? He pointed at the suspect again and snapped a shot, then appearing to check his film, he reviewed the bit he'd caught of the man's conversation with a storeowner. They were discussing pewter. What the hell?

Heero glanced over to see Duo giving him an odd look. He raised his brow in question.

"You researched this city?" Duo asked him.

Heero turned back to the suspect and raised his camera. After a moment, he took another shot. "I've researched every city we've traveled to," he said finally. "That's what I do during flights, when you're sleeping."

"Ah, the laptop," Duo nodded, bringing the binoculars back up to his eyes and directing his gaze at the suspect. "Well, you know how I find the sound of your typing hypnotic. Puts me right out.?

Heero shook his head. "Indeed."

Duo dropped the binoculars again, giving a nod towards their suspect. "Let's go, he's moving."


~~Paris~~

"There he goes. Another caf?."

"That's okay," Duo said with a shrug. "I was getting hungry anyway.?

Duo turned to see Heero glaring at him.

"What?" Duo exclaimed, an innocence look on face. Heero's expression didn't change though. Duo shrugged again. "What can I say? I have a thing for croissants."

Heero shook his head and looked back to the caf? entrance, monitoring the man through the windows. "You have a thing for the French women serving croissants."

Duo chuckled. "That too." He then poked his elbow at Heero's side, waggling his brows at him. "Jealous much?"

Heero's lips began to curl a little at the edges, even through his efforts to suppress it. "Baka," he said, still grinning slightly. "Let's go inside, I'll buy you another croissant."


~~Beijing~~

"You know," Duo said, resting his chin in his cupped palm with his elbow set on the outdoor cafe table they were waiting at, "I'm starting to think this guy knows he's being followed. He hasn't engaged in any *real* criminal activity since we've been watching."

Heero considered Duo's words for a moment then shook his head. "Then he's an excellent actor because neither has he given any indication he knows he's being followed."

In silence they waited, pretending to sip tea, watching the man as he sat in the open-air restaurant across the street.

Then the man made a quick move, practically jumping from his seat and settling at a new table. He'd joined a woman at her table.

Heero and Duo stood up, dropped a few credits on the table and crossed the street. They paused at the restaurant entrance, seemingly to consider the display menu.

"This might be something, maybe a deal," Duo whispered, running his finger down the list of authentic Chinese dishes. "He's talking very suspiciously with her."

Heero glanced up, his gaze narrowing towards the man. "A little too suspiciously. As if on purpose."

Heero made a small show of 'accidentally' snapping a shot with his camera by bumping it, just right, against Duo. Fiddling with the camera - making sure it was okay, of course - he listened to the snippet of conversation he'd grabbed.

"Duo," he said, still pretending to mess with his camera. "I think he just asked that woman out. On a date." He glanced up at his partner. "She turned him down."

Duo sighed, an explosive sound for the force of air he had behind it. "Damn! Why couldn't it have been something?" Duo tossed his hands in the air as they walked a little distance down from the restaurant. "This is the weirdest mission ever."

Heero glanced back at the suspect, watching him sulk back to his own table, dejected. How odd.

"Listen," Heero said as he turned back towards Duo. "After the guy crashes tonight, let's go visit Tianimin Square. It's another important historical site."

Duo shook his head. "You and your sightseeing." But at Heero's glare, Duo rather suddenly leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Heero's shoulders and squeezed him tight. He released him - Heero now a little shaken by the abruptness of the hug - and gave him a wink. "Okay, babe" he said and then sauntered off down the street. He knew Heero was right behind him.


~~Tokyo~~

Duo shook his head in amazement. "I've never seen anyone buy that much jade."

"They're all antiques," Heero said, in equal parts surprise and confusion.

Duo turned towards Heero, leaning against the wall of the building they were hiding behind. "Think he's smuggling the spice inside them?"

Heero shrugged and spread his hands. "I'm hoping, or else we're really going to bomb on this mission."

Duo shook his head and went back to watching their suspect. With his purchases in hand, he was soon moving again.

"Let's go," Duo said in response.

They kept a comfortable distance from him and followed him up onto a loading platform for the bullet train. Taking seats at the back of the car, Duo and Heero settled into traveling with their suspect - wherever he was heading.

There was a comfortable silence between them for a long while before Duo finally nudged Heero in the ribs with his elbow.

"Ok, professor," he said. "Give me some fascinating fact."

Heero glared at Duo, but then his gaze fell out of focus as he considered Duo's request. After a moment, he spoke.

"In Hiroshima," he told Duo, "south of here, was the first nuclear bombing."

Duo's eyes went wide. "Really?" he said, then almost distantly, he added, "Must have been devastating."

Heero nodded. "Approximately 140,000 people died by the end of that year - Pre-Colony 1945. With lingering radiation and other complications from the bomb, they estimate the total death toll to be around 200,000."

Duo shook his head. "Damn." He then leaned towards Heero and rested his head on his shoulder. Heero slipped his arm around Duo's waist and pulled him a little closer.

"It ended a deadly war, though," he added.

Duo shrugged. "Yeah, but they fought again, didn't they."

Heero sighed. "Yeah."

"Makes you wonder if the people of today learned Zechs' lesson either," Duo said, his tone very soft.

Neither said anything for a long while after that.


~~New York~~

Duo kicked at a chunk of broken cement, watching as it skittered across the sidewalk of the plaza. "He's spending a lot of time over there. Is the Statue of Liberty really that interesting?"

"Well," Heero began, folding his arms across his chest, "we could have been over there finding out if you hadn't caused us to miss the boat."

Duo glanced over at Heero. "I was talking to that woman."

Heero scowled. "That woman was *not* talking to you. She was arguing with her..." Heero hesitated on what description to use. "Invisible friend," he said, finally, the words grumbled out.

Duo snorted. "Yeah, but every once in a while I'd get her to acknowledge something I said as being from Louie and she'd go off on him. It was really surreal."

Heero narrowed his gaze at Duo. "Louie?"

"The invisible friend," Duo explained, shoving his hands into his pockets and rocking on his heels.

Heero shook his head and looked back towards the harbor. "Right."

They gazed out over the water, seeing the small figures on the island that housed the massive statue. Duo moved close to Heero, standing just slightly behind him, brushing his arm against his back. Heero leaned into the touch and, after a while, rested his head backwards onto Duo's shoulder. They stood like that for a long time before they both jolted at the sound of Heero's com beeping.

Heero straightened and reached for the com hooked to his belt. He studied the display for a moment before updating Duo on what it said.

"We've been called back," he told him, the tone of his voice showing his surprise.

"What?!" Duo exclaimed, yanking his hands from his pockets and spreading his arms wide. "We haven?t even gotten anything, yet!"

Heero nodded. "That's probably why."

Duo cursed and then shrugged. "Well, it was kinda fun while it lasted," he said, kicking another chunk of cement across the sidewalk. "Last time I saw the world, it was from Deathscythe's viewscreen." He then gave Heero a little nudge with his elbow. "And I didn't have you there to look cute and tell me all the historical crap."

"It's not crap," Heero snapped, but then his face relaxed and he nodded again. "And I agree. All in all, it was a very serene mission."

Duo reached out and grabbed Heero's arm, giving him a tug. "C'mon," he said. "Let's head uptown and go to the top of that really tall building and kiss."

"That's the Empire State Building," Heero told him.

Duo rolled his eyes. "Whatever. It's tall." He drew Heero close to him and waggled his brows. "I want to be as close to heaven as possible while I'm in an angel's arms."

Duo laughed out loud at the way Heero flushed pink and he tugged on his arm again. Heero shook his head and let himself be dragged away.


~~Headquarters~~

Duo moaned aloud. "I'm tired," he said, a distinct whine to his voice. "Why can't we go home and sleep first?"

"Because Une said we had to give a mission debriefing immediately," Heero explained, lugging their bag higher on his shoulder and giving a nudge to Duo, encouraging him on down the hall.

Duo scowled. "What's she going to do if we don't, huh?" The shrillness of his voice increased. "I wanna go home."

"Don't whine."

They opened the door to Une's office and froze at the threshold. They were shocked to find the room filled with people. People drinking punch, dressed in their finest clothes and standing among decorations of colorful streamers and balloons.

What was going on?

"Surprise!" the collection of people shouted. There was Une and Marimaia, Quatre and Trowa, Relena and Dorothy, Wufei, Zechs, Sally, Noin, and an official looking stranger that Heero couldn't place.

"What's all this?" Heero asked.

Quatre raised his glass and smiled. "How was your honeymoon?"

"Excuse me?" Duo stumbled past Heero, gawking at the room full of their friends. "Honeymoon?!"

Like a flash, it clicked for Heero. That was why nothing on this mission had made sense! He shook his head and said with a smile, "That's very underhanded." He set down his bag and moved to stand next to Duo, slipping his arm around his waist. "Then, who were we trailing?" he asked.

Une grinned and shrugged, taking a sip from the glass of wine in her hand before she answered. "An antiquities dealer. I tried to find someone who had a lengthy trip planned with a travel agent."

Duo shook his head, amazed, and gestured about the room. "Unbelievable! You all set this up?!"

But then Heero remembered what Quatre said and felt the most distinct feeling of embarrassment come over him. He slowly shook his head. "But we've never..." he began, but Trowa cut him off.

"You didn't have to. But you could now." And he nodded towards the official looking stranger.

"We never what?" Duo asked, turning towards Heero.

Heero paused, ignoring the confused, sleep-deprived look on Duo's face for the moment. With a nod of resolve, Heero released Duo's waist and dropped down to one knee. Duo watched him in shock as Heero reached out and took his hand, holding it close to his heart.

A look of panic came over Duo's expression; he suddenly seemed ready to bolt. "Heero, what are you doing?" His words came out fast.

Heero grinned up at him. "Duo, do me a great honor and become my life partner."

Duo's look of panic instantly washed away and instead he started laughing. "Gee, and here I thought I already was."

Heero's face crumpled, puzzled. What did that mean? Duo then dropped down to his knees before Heero and turned to wave at Quatre and Trowa, and Relena and Dorothy - the married couples.

"No offence, guys, okay?" He then faced Heero again, taking both his hands in his own.

"I don't need any piece of paper telling me who I love and will spend my life with. That's you," he said, flashing him a brilliant smile. "I think, in a way, I knew that even during the war. However, if you want something official," Duo nodded, "that's fine by me too."

Heero smiled and then closed his eyes, giving Duo's offer some thought. After a moment, he opened his eyes and said, "I think I would."

Duo grinned and leaned forward. "Well then, let's do it." Looking up, Duo pointed to the stranger. "Is that what this guy's for?" Their friends nodded, their lips quirking with grins. "You sneaky little bastards," Duo said, shaking his head. He leaned forward again and pecked Heero on the cheek, and then together they stood. They walked hand-in-hand over to where the official, a stout, heavy-set man, stood flanked by Quatre and Trowa.

They stood before him, hands still entwined. The man clasped his hands before him and grinned at the pair.

"Today, your friends have gathered for you to celebrate your love. This ceremony is only that, a ceremony. A moment in time. It is the commitment you make with your hearts that truly matters and will be carried through the rest of your lives together." The man grinned broader. "And from what I can gather, that part is already taken care of." He spread his hands, a welcoming gesture, glancing first to the gathered guests and then back to Duo and Heero. "So let's make this simple," he said. "Duo, Heero, please face each other."

The two of them turned, Duo winking at Heero and Heero grinning and shaking his head at him.

"The rings, please," the official said.

At the tap to his shoulder, Duo turned to see Quatre smiling at him and reaching into his coat jacket. He pulled out a small black box.

"You guys got us rings?" Duo asked, amazed. Quatre nodded in response.

Quatre smiled broader as Duo blushed taking the proffered ring. "Damn, you guys!"

Heero grinned his thanks to Trowa as well when he handed him the small gold band.

The official waited until the pair was facing each other again, rings in hand. With a nod, he said, "Duo, place your ring on Heero's finger."

Duo reached out and took Heero's hand, blushing still as he slipped the ring - perfectly fitted (they thought of everything!) - onto Heero's finger. With the prompting from the official, Heero in turn, placed his ring on Duo's finger. They threaded their fingers together after that, holding each other's hands.

The official clasped his hands before him again. "These rings, solid and without end, represent the commitment you will make to each other. Let them stand as a symbol of your love and life together. If you would like, you can take this time to exchange a few words." He then nodded to his right. "Duo?"

Duo didn't speak for a long time, just staring at Heero with a look of both joy and awe on his face. He fidgeted, wiggling his fingers in Heero's grip. As the moment stretched on, he started to shake his head slowly, looking as if he struggled to speak. "Um, I know you guys are going to laugh," he said finally, "but, um, I don't have anything to say." Duo chuckled, sounding nervous. He shook his head again and shrugged. "Just that... I'm really happy and I love you."

Heero nodded, a smile widening on his face. "I love you too and I am happy too. I'm...happy." He stopped, shaking his head, amazement crossing his features. "I didn't understand any of those words until you showed me. I had emotions, but I didn't always know what to do with them. I didn't live, until you taught me." Heero's lips quirked a little. "And I guess I'm the talkative one today. Thank you, Duo. For you, for our life." He squeezed Duo's hands in his just a little tighter and Duo's grin broadened across his face.

The official nodded, seemingly satisfied that they were done. "Therefore, by the power vested in me by the United Earth Sphere Alliance," he said. "I now pronounce you partners for life. You may seal your union with a kiss."

Heero pulled Duo close and captured his lips, their kiss was sweet and touched with passion without becoming too much more. Duo pecked Heero's lips a few times after they parted, both listening to and ignoring the cheers of their friends. They tightened their hold on each other, wrapping into the other's arms and holding themselves very close.

"So," Duo began, whispering so only Heero could hear him, "is it Maxwell-Yuy or Yuy-Maxwell?"

Heero shook his head. "Mm, doesn't matter. It's you and me, that's all that matters."

They kissed again before they were crowded by their friends with hugs and kisses of congratulations.

The joke started that day and repeated in the years that followed, never went away - 'it would be just like Heero and Duo to have the honeymoon before the wedding.' The couple never once balked at the good-humored jibe.

owari

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