Timeless
Part 26
by Nazarri
Peace.
This was a day of celebration and cheer, for peace reigned instead of
war. People were free to live their lives as they wished, without
fear or retribution
Most people.
But this evening was also about appearances, to please the masses
with a show. Tonight, Heero would be expected to dance with Relena,
to be her partner. He was a man and she was a woman. It is how
society defined love. Being cute and sweet together was decided by
looks and gender, not how they truly were to each other. The world
was a very sad place and hateful.
So Heero and Duo may have fought for peace and freedom, but it was
not something that they were privileged to have.
The irony was not lost on the former pilots.
Even from the Heero's suite at the far end of the palace, the
merriment could be heard coming from the gardens, banquet room, and
formal ballroom. It was a dull pulsing sound but it served to remind
the room's two occupants that obligations still awaited them.
Heero had been ready to go for a while, so this gave him an
opportunity to observe Duo from his seat in the large chair.
Not surprisingly, Duo looked extremely good. Formal uniforms were
much more colorful than the everyday look. Duo's formal overcoat was
a deep purple trimmed with the insignia of his colonel status. His
sleek black leggings hugged his muscular thighs. Heero was pleased
that the coat was long enough to cover Duo's important parts, the
stuff that Heero did not want to share with anyone else.
But those boots, Heero didn't really like Duo wearing something that
damned sexy around others. His love already drew more than his
share of attention just because of his stunning looks and gorgeous
hair, those boots were just too perfect on him. And even though
everyone else in uniform would be decked out in the same attire,
Heero knew that Duo carried it off better than anyone.
Fantastic looks aside; Heero was rather concerned about Duo. Even
though he had made a great effort to get Duo to rest, this did not
compensate for the weeks of physical and emotional exhaustion.
It was easy to see the tenseness of his love's body as he finished
with the buttons of his military overcoat. It had been a rough day
so far and it wouldn't likely get better. He was sure that this line
of thinking had Duo feeling edgy.
Heero rose from his seat and walked up behind Duo. He wrapped his
arms around him, providing a source of physical and emotional
support. "We don't have to go." Heero whispered into his husband's
ear.
"No, but we should." Duo answered with a sad smile. "This is a
celebration of peace and we are the only pilots left. We should go
to honor our friends; for Trowa, Quatre, and Wufei."
Pulling Duo tighter against his body, he asked, "Are you sure?"
Duo snorted. "Considering that the guests include my soon-to-be-x-
wife that hates my guts. Not to mention your soon-to-be-x-wife, who
has always hated me. Because you are leaving her to come back to
me, she now actually has a reason to hate me. Since society hates to
see men together in a healthy loving relationship, Relena is your
dinner partner and Dorothy is mine. That means that we will be
dancing with them and not each other. It will rip my heart out to
have to watch you dance with her instead of enjoying the feeling of
your arms wrapped around me. No, I don't want to go, but it is the
right thing to do. I would much rather be at home, sleeping in and
making love to you all day."
Duo swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat and
continued. "But I am going to make the best of this night, no matter
what crap has been set before us. I am going to start my new job
tonight."
"What do you mean?" Heero asked as his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Hey, what a better time to hit rich influential people up for money
than tonight. I'm going to start making some contacts too! I'll
give Dorothy a few dances for good measure. Other than that, I'm
working as Colonel Duo Maxwell, Commander of Special Services for HRH
Prince Heero. I am going to charm money from rich old ladies just
for the pleasure of dancing with me!"
"You wouldn't."
"Just watch me!"
Duo stepped out of Heero's arms and did a dramatic bow before
spinning around the room in a mock dance, humming a classical tune.
Heero watched his love move around the room. It pained him to see
Duo covering his anguish with comedy, but he loved him dearly for it
too. He wanted to make the world right for Duo, but it was beyond
his power to do so.
Making his way back to Heero, Duo grinned and settled himself back
into those strong arms. "I'm going to make a real difference, Heero,
for the orphans. I will make you proud."
"You already do."
And for a moment, they did nothing but hold each other and gaze into
each other's eyes. The power of this simple act was stronger than
war or anything else that the universe threw at them. Hatred of what
Duo and Heero shared simply faded into the nothingness, small and
insignificant compared to what they were together. They stood as one
against the evil that was so determined to destroy their love.
They pressed into each other, sharing a long soft loving kiss before
leaving their bedroom, to face the night.
The outer room was filled with various members of Heero's personal
staff and military security. They all turned to look at the two
young men standing in the doorway.
Most of them had a sense of comprehension; history stood before
them. There was a sense of awe that washed through the room. These
were the only two remaining Gundam pilots left alive. Dressed to the
tee in their military regalia, it was an impressive sight, the
general of the world and his partner, Colonel Maxwell. Their chests
were covered with medals awarded to them after the wars. But there
wasn't an air of superiority about them; in fact, they seemed
sorrowful.
Duo and Heero stepped forward, never leaving each other's side.
Heero was immediately informed of various situations including
changes in security, seating arrangements, and given a verbal list of
requests for a personal audience.
Heero turned to his secretary. "Where you able to change the seating
arrangements to allow Colonel Maxwell to be placed beside me?"
The woman shrugged. "I didn't have to. You are already seated next
to Colonel Maxwell, the Queen herself made the new arrangements."
Heero slowly turned to see his spouse's response to the news, Duo
looked truly pleased for the first time that evening.
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