You used to captivate me
By your resonating light
But now I’m bound by the
life you left behind
Your face it haunts my once
pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away,
all the sanity in me…
When you cried I’d wipe away
all of your tears
When you scream I’d fight
away all of your tears
And I’ve held your hand
through all of these years
But you still have all of
me…
-
Evanescence (My Immortal)
Epilogue:
The smell of tobacco hung in the air as the young man sneezed again in disapproval of the stench. With a heavy sigh, he shifted the small briefcase from one hand to the other, as he tugged restlessly at the collar of his shirt. It must have been about a thousand degrees in the cramped, overcrowded and smelly room, which was home to over a hundred jobless people seeking work. Young men like him stood in line awaiting their turn in hopes of getting decent jobs that could feed either themselves or their growing families. Both young and old women lined up the aisles, many of them cradling wailing babies that added to the cacophony of the already noisy place.
It
was only right he be here again, after all things had changed drastically in
the last few months.
“As
I live and breathe. If it ain’t Duo Maxwell, come back from the dead to see
me.”
The
young man had the grace to blush as he rested his arms upon the counter with a
wide grin.
“And
I love you too,
She
snickered and held out a chubby hand which was decorated with enough rings to
rival a king’s, through the small opening in the plastic screen towards him.
Duo chuckled and placed a soft kiss on it, causing the woman to giggle in
pleasure.
“Looks
like everything turned out alright in the end, didn’t it, Professor?”
Duo
flushed now as he fidgeted nervously with his tie. “Yeah, well…”
“I
didn’t believe it when I saw it at first,” she continued as if Duo hadn’t said anything
at all. “You being promoted and all. I almost cried and then I says to Hub
‘See? That’s me boy, Duo. See? I told you he’d turn out to be just fine. He’s a
good kid, that one is.’”
Duo
gave another weak nod in growing embarrassment. He could feel the resentment
from the other employee hopefuls in the line growing by the second. “Listen,
“He
with you?” she interrupted again as she pointed towards the rather
uncomfortable looking teen dressed in a simple but expensive looking black
coat. Heero was huddled against the door to the exit with a barely concealed
impatient look on his handsome features. He flinched a little as a peddler came
up to him with a plea for money and Duo almost burst out in laughter as he watched
the boy scramble for some in his wallet to give him.
“Yeah…I’m
with him,” he replied softly, unaware of how his voice had softened or the
mischievous glint that had come into the woman’s eyes as she had
noticed.
“Yeah,
you’re definitely with him,” she retorted around a loud laugh, causing Duo to
darken in embarrassment. “He’s a luscious piece of ass, kid. Wouldn’t mind
digging me claws into him. Rworrr!”
“Okay, that’s enough,” Duo interrupted a bit too curtly without really meaning to. “I just came to say hello and to say…uh…thanks for everything.”
She
waved a chubby arm in dismissal as if this was something that happened every
other day. “Sure, sure, no problem, kid. Just don’t be a stranger, okay?” she
added with a playful wink.
“Yeah,
I know,” he agreed with a warm smile and another nod. “See you around,
He
left the line, much to everyone else’s relief and began to make his way towards
his waiting companion.
“About
time you showed up,” Heero muttered as he allowed himself to be led out of the
stuffy building. His limp was no longer as bad as it had been in the past,
although he was still prone to using his crutches when he pushed them past
their limit. “How do you do it?” he asked warily.
“Do
what?” Duo asked casually as he walked up his car. They were supposed to be
meeting Wufei, Trowa and Quatre in front of a grocery store in a few minutes.
All were getting supplies for the Chinese man’s bachelor party that was taking
place later tonight at Heero’s apartment.
The
teen eyed him warily as he made himself comfortable in the passenger seat.
“Don’t play dumb with me, Duo. You know exactly what I mean. How can you feel
so much at ease in a place like that?”
The
teacher snickered and settled for placing a quick kiss on his student’s nose.
“’Fraid I don’t know what you’re talking about, Heero. You seem to forget that
I grew up in places like that. Now, buckle up, young sir. We are keeping the
others waiting.”
Flushed
and inwardly pleased at the public display of affection, the young heir did as
he was told and settled back in his seat. He watched Duo’s lean hands caress
the steering wheel for a moment before they began to maneuver it towards their
destination.
It seemed
like it was only yesterday that Duo had stumbled – literally - back into his
life, but much to their surprise a month had already flown by. Heero’s parents
were finally divorced and had gone their separate ways. Of course, the news had
made national headlines and the media had a field day creating stories for the
breakup. Infidelity had been the number one reason on many minds as the cause.
Odin had been linked to many models and movie actresses as his flings, but to
their chagrin the businessman had neither confirmed nor denied the rumors.
Hikari,
on the other hand, kept a low profile as she had moved out to the countryside
to live on one of their estates there. She had settled into a familiar and
comfortable routine that had her commuting to the city once or twice a week.
However, she was more content to spend her time alone either painting or
designing new clothes for a certain Chinese woman she had had the pleasure of
meeting. It was quite by accident actually. She had been having lunch with Duo
and Heero when Wufei and his bride-to-be had dropped by to join them. Needless
to say, new friendships had been formed and a working relationship had been
hatched.
Meiran
Long was bound to become one of the most formidable women in fashion by the end
of the year. Hikari would make sure of that.
Odin,
for his part, had decided that burying himself in his work was the best thing
and he had done just that. He didn’t completely shut himself away from the
outside world, but neither did he make any attempt to engage in it as
frequently as he used to. Yuzuki had paid a visit to him last week and the last
thing Heero had heard was that the maid and his father were getting along just
fine.
Heero
didn’t mind seeing Yuzuki married to his father. But he doubted they would both
go the distance.
He
could still remember the conversation he had had with Odin over his preferred
relationship. Over good lobster and wine, father and son had talked like they
never had before. Heero, never one to mince words had gone straight to the
point. He could not marry Relena and had made up his mind to remain with Duo
for as long as the teacher would have him.
Odin’s
silence after his son’s statement had gnawed the teen’s innards for a while.
Wasn’t his father going to throw a tantrum and demand that things be changed?
But in the dim light of the cozy restaurant, Heero had been stunned to see the
weariness and resignation in his father’s eyes. The divorce had taken more than
its toll on the older man and for a brief moment, Heero had almost – almost
– considered marrying his betrothed just to see him smile again. But he knew
that Odin’s pain went far deeper than just his announcement. Hikari had been a
part of his life, no matter the differences they had.
Odin
had finally asked if Heero was happy with the way things were. The boy had
given a soft ‘yes’ in response.
And
what about Relena and the Peacecrafts? How were they taking the news?
Things
were a bit tense, Heero had admitted. He had met with Relena’s parents a week
earlier and over tea, he had gathered enough guts to let them know that the
marriage was going to be off. He hadn’t told them he was in a relationship with
another man. Why add more fuel to the already burning fire? Relena, who was
making plans to travel to
Needless
to say, things had gotten quite rough between the two families and it didn’t
help that a certain blond playboy was in the background trying to irk Heero at
any and all times.
Milliardo
had not acted a bit surprised at the news of the breakup. If anything, he was
the first to congratulate Heero and to commend him on finally having the balls
to confess his sexual frustrations to the world. Short of punching the older
boy’s lights out, Heero had smiled tightly and agreed before making his way
towards the waiting car that had a certain teacher in it. The teen had smirked
and reached for a surprised Duo to give him a kiss that was nothing short of
sizzling. Duo had been more than willing to go along with the surprise gesture,
while Heero had watched Milliardo’s stunned expression with a triumph and
pleasure like none other…well besides being with Duo, of course.
Keiko
had finally moved back in with her parents, but she was now thinking of getting
a place of her own soon. Much to everyone’s surprise and shock, she enlisted
Milliardo, of all people, to help in her search. The blond heir had reluctantly
agreed and it was anyone’s guess if they were now an item or not. They both
argued and fought every other day that it was hard to keep up with their
relationship. Either way, Keiko seemed more relaxed and happier than she had
been in a while. She still teased Duo mercilessly at any chance she got and
this included jumping on him in front of Heero, knowing full well her cousin
was bound to turn red in fury and pure jealousy.
Ah,
it was always fun to toy with Heero’s emotions.
Quatre
and Trowa were going to the same university once the new school year came
around. They had plans to rent a luxury apartment near the school grounds and
had invited Heero to come over any time. But, Heero had made up his mind to
wait. There really was no rush to go to college at this time. He still had a
lot to learn and explore with his current teacher and to Heero that learning
process was the most important thing at the moment. And not to sound too cocky
or arrogant, but schools were practically begging the young man to enroll or
consider applying. No, he would wait. He would give it a year or at least six
months before making a final decision.
Things
had changed. Time was rushing by and everyone was growing up in ways that they couldn’t
have imagined otherwise. Except for one little thing…
He
sighed softly and eyed the silent man beside him, wondering if he dared bring
up the subject again. He had tried to make Duo see that living with him could
be the best thing, but stubbornly the teacher had refused…as expected.
“Why
the sigh?” Duo asked conversationally as he made a turn towards a major
intersection. “Thinking of ditching the old man?”
“You are not an old man,” Heero muttered with a dark flush filling his cheeks. Duo
was anything but ‘old’. Just keeping up with the man’s lovemaking on some
nights was an adventure in itself. And thinking about it now, only did more to
cause the blush to deepen in Heero’s cheeks. “I was just hoping you would give
me an answer, Duo.”
The
teacher raised a brow in bemusement. “You don’t like the arrangements now?”
Heero
shook his head slowly. “No.”
“Hmm…why
not? I got the new apartment and it’s good enough for the lessons we take.
What’s the problem?”
Heero
mumbled softly. “I just thought you would want to stay with me, that’s all. My
place is big and…and…” He wanted to say lonely, but decided not to. Come to
think of it, he had barely slept in his new place since he officially moved in.
Most of his nights were spent in Duo’s new apartment. He gasped as he felt the
hand against his chin and he turned his head to stare into the smiling side
view of the older man.
“Maybe
someday, Heero we could live together, but right now…let’s just take things
slow, okay?”
The
teen tried to hide his disappointment at the answer, as he lowered his head and
gave a small nod in understanding. “Yeah…we should…take it slow…” He shook
Duo’s hand free and turned his gaze towards the window.
The teacher felt the boy’s dismay and swallowed tightly as he tried hard to focus his gaze on the road. He had to say something. He had to say the right thing. So, why in the hell couldn’t he?
“Heero…I…”
You what? You’re sorry? I’m a jerk? I love you so much I could scream it to
the world?
But
the sudden cry of ‘We’re here!’ from Heero, jarred his thoughts as he noticed
Quatre and Trowa waving at them. Heero barely waited for Duo to stop the car
before hopping out of it and into the welcoming embrace of his two friends. The
teens immediately went into conversation that only they could decipher as they
strolled into the shopping center and left the adults to themselves.
Duo
grumbled as he stepped out of the car and towards his snickering friend.
“What’s so funny?” he asked a bit too curtly as he eyed the handsome
accountant. Wufei looked dashing in a black dress shirt and dark blue jeans.
His shoulder length raven locks were tied in its familiar ponytail and those
piercing black eyes seemed alight with mirth and mischief.
He slapped
a hand on his pouting friend’s shoulder. “Looks like he couldn’t wait to get
out of there, buddy,” he joked lightly. “What did you do to him now?”
“Nothing,”
Duo retorted a bit defensively as he allowed himself to be led into the
building. “I only told him that we ought to take the relationship slowly.”
“Uh huh.”
Duo
eyed the Chinese man with a raised brow for several long minutes before saying
blandly, “Okay, spit it out.”
Wufei
tried to look surprised as they made their way towards the beverage section.
“What?”
“Goddamn
it, Wufei! I can read you like a book and I know there is something you want to
say, so say it.”
“Don’t
get all antsy on me, man.”
“I
am not getting all antsy on you…”
“Hmm…should
we get the Kristal or the Heineken?”
Duo
cursed so colorfully that Wufei gave up the fight and burst out laughing in
genuine amusement. It was good to see his old friend back. He hated to admit
that he had missed talking to the loud-mouthed, rude or crude – depending on
just how bad a day Duo had had – behavior from the teacher. And with all the
good luck both job and personal wise in the other man’s life, Wufei could
clearly see the change that had occurred in his friend. Duo was more at peace
and relaxed than he had ever been in their now four years of friendship and
that pleased Wufei to no end. Duo had been accepted as a teacher in a local
university due to Odin’s recommendation. He would be teaching an English class
and the pay would be good enough to keep him comfortable for a long time.
However,
before he could control his mouth, he found himself muttering softly. “You look
better now, Duo. I’m…happy for you.”
Duo,
who had been ready to pick up a bottle of the expensive champagne, nearly
dropped it in surprise at the comment. He flushed and noticed that his friend –
who was doing a good job of examining a case of beer – had a similar flush of
embarrassment on his face.
“Than…thanks
man,” Duo finally replied a bit shyly. “For you know…everything.”
Wufei
shrugged. “I didn’t do anything. You had to do the growing up, my friend. I
just shoved you in the right direction. All kudos goes to you.”
“Yeah…”
They
fell silent as they eyed the trio a few aisles away from them. They seemed genuinely
excited to be in a department store this size and were having a field day
buying any and everything their hands could reach.
Duo
felt a reluctant tug on his lips as he watched Heero try on a cowboy hat. The
smile broke through as the boy began to strut about in it, earning howls of
delight from his companions as he began to mimic the lazy drawl of an American
cowboy.
Heero’s
laughter.
It
was something Duo wanted to see and hear for the rest of his life.
“He’s
a smart kid,” Wufei said softly as he too watched the younger men. “They all
are. And you had better take good care of him, Duo. It’s the least you can do.”
“I
know, Wufei,” the tutor replied just as softly. He didn’t need the other man to
tell him that. “I know…”
He
began to make his way towards the three boys, his gaze never wavering from the
smiling Japanese teen in their midst. He had made up his mind. He didn’t know
what this would mean for both of them, but he was tired of trying to wait for
the right moment. The moment had always been the here and now and it was
up to him to seize it and make the best of it.
Trowa
and Quatre noticed him first and fell silent, even though they now had rather
smug grins on their faces. Duo made a motion for them to make themselves scarce
as he slowly wrapped his arms around the surprised teen’s mid section. Heero
gasped and tried to turn his head around, but Duo kept him in that position as
he closed his eyes to inhale the unique scent that was purely Heero.
Trowa
and Quatre, both reluctant to leave an obviously great scene, were,
unceremoniously, yanked away by Wufei. At the mention of buying alcohol for the
party, both teens perked up and promptly forgot all about their need to see Duo
and Heero in the act.
The
teacher and student laughed softly at their friends antics before falling
silent as they realized something was about to change in their
relationship. Heero placed his hands upon Duo’s arms, turning his head a little
to stare into the handsome visage above him.
“Duo?”
he whispered softly in a voice that was filled with worry, anticipation and a
silent plea. “Duo…are you…?”
Will
you make the promise to me now? Never to leave my side? Never…ever…
Darkened
amethyst met the pleading blue eyes before him. All he had to say were two
little words and his whole life was bound to be changed forever. It was going
to be a long process of healing and forgiveness for both of them and there was
bound to be trouble in the horizon no matter how rosy or amazing things might
be for now. But as Heero had gone through so many changes for him, to better
himself for his sake, Duo knew without a doubt that he would have to make the
very same changes for Heero.
To grow up both in mind and body, David. That was what
you were trying to tell me all this time, wasn’t it? To never, ever give up, no
matter what happens. To teach others all that you know, while learning and
absorbing all around you. Until the day comes when you can look at your student
with pride and know that all you have done has turned out to be all right.
That
is the true calling of a teacher.
/You’ve
made me proud, kiddo. I am so damn proud of you, Heero./
He
wrapped his arms even tighter around the slender boy’s body and finally gave in
to the pleasure of being whole and complete again. His student had asked him a
question on that night almost a month ago and it was finally time for the
teacher to give him an answer.
And
in a voice thick with emotion, longing and unbridled love and admiration, Duo
Maxwell whispered it his ear.
“I
promise, Heero. Forever with you…I promise…”
The End