Disclaimer: I really hope people aren’t stupid enough to think I own
Gundam Wing. Money from this: none.
Written by Desert Bloom
Author’s Note: I know, I know, I’m not done with Swiftly Falling World,
but I love this pairing and I had to give it a go. I hope you enjoy it.
This does not mean I’m done with Swiftly Falling World, however.
Part One
Hilde walked quickly through the crowd, cradling the bag to her bosom.
The bag contained various parts for the various shuttles and cars that
she and Duo had to fix. Screws, wrenches, sophisticated engines – you
name it, they had it. She could not resist a smile at the thought of
her fun-loving, braided partner, with a mysterious past and a mouth
without a brake.
She paused in her hike, and bought a soda from a stand, chugging it as
she went. Ah. Cola. One of the 7 wonders of the world.
“Excuse me.” Said a young man hastily as she turned a corner. Hilde
scrambled to get out of his hurried way, but she was clumsy, and they
collided. Her bag flew out of her hands and the array of parts exploded
forth. Her cola smashed into the sidewalk, spilling over the man.
“Oh my god!” she gasped. “I’m so sorry!”
“Its all right.” Said the young man quickly, bending down to help her.
“I think that’s one there…a screw…”
“Where?”
“Right by your foot.”
“Oh.”
“Say, here’s another!”
“Thank you.” They rose simultaneously, their eyes falling upon each
other’s faces.
“Ricardo!”
“Hilde!”
They took a step back from each other, both unbelieving.
Hilde studied his face carefully. The same light blue eyes, blue like
fire. The same short blonde hair, with a tint of brown in it. The same
sharp, perfect features.
It couldn’t be him.
Memories flew back to her, memories of 2 years ago, when she had still
been an OZ soldier.
Discussions about peace in their private rooms. Ideas about a perfect
OZ world. A moonlight kiss, her first…it was all there.
Ricardo had been an OZ soldier with her before she had met Duo. He was
the perfect dream: charming, civil, and sexy. She remembered the joy
she had felt at being called his girl all those years ago, earning the
jealousy of all the other females in her unit.
But so much has changed since then…I have changed, and Duo would never
accept…
She watched carefully as his lips broke into an excited grin.
“I can’t believe – Hilde, I…” he tripped over his own words, his eyes
shining. “This is great! You have no idea how much I’ve missed you –
once I heard you had quit OZ, I fell apart…”
Hilde went pale, for the first time in almost her whole life wondering
what to say.
“I’m glad to see you too…” she managed nervously.
“Where are you living?” he asked, taking her shoulder and leading her
in the opposite direction of her apartment. “You’ve gotta tell me – what
are you doing for a job…?”
Hilde sighed as question after question came forth, knowing at some
point she wouldn’t be able to answer.
“Where is she?” wondered Duo, stepping into the kitchen.
He dusted a little of the soot off his pants and threw a wrench lazily
onto the kitchen counter. Then he crossed over into the living room,
looking over the couch – his sleeping quarters.
He continued to walk until he reached a desk towards the northeast
corner, flinging a drawer open with a wild zest. His eyes crinkled as
they struck the object he was hiding from her – her birthday present.
I know she’s gonna love it! He smirked. She probably thinks I don’t
even know her birthday is in two days!
He brought it out, twirling it around for fun, and then placed it
back. Crossing his arms, he headed over to the laptop atop the coffee
table.
Lets see…does braided boy have any e-mail?
He sat down on the couch, his fingers flying over the keyboard.
“Aha!” he exclaimed, as a new message popped up on the screen. “Knew
it!”
Duo Maxwell,
This is Lady Une. You have probably heard about the new rebel group
giving us trouble. We would like to recruit you for what we hope is the
last battle. If you take part, you only have to do this battle – no
others. Others that we have recruited include Wufei Chang and Heero
Yuy. Winner is too busy with his financial empire, and Barton is
traveling around in the circus, and cannot be dependable. Please answer
immediately.
Yours Sincerely,
Lady Une
Duo’s eyes widened at the message. He scratched his chin in thought,
and then wrote the following reply:
Yo Une,
Hya! When is it exactly? I have plans for this week. : )
The Duo Man
Duo grinned at his handiwork and leaned deeply into the couch. It was
at that moment that he heard the key in the lock and Hilde’s entrance.
Not wanting to alarm her, he quickly deleted Lady Une’s message and
shut down the laptop. Then he bounded off the couch to greet her.
“Hey babe!” he smirked, dashing into the kitchen. “You have the stuff?”
Hilde nodded quietly. “Yeah. What’s for dinner, Duo?” she asked,
setting the bag down.
Duo paled. “Er, how does pizza sound?” he reached for the phone.
“Fine.” Hilde watched him as he ordered the pizza. His violet eyes
flashed as he went over the exact details with the poor guy on the other
end, and his braid bounced with his excitement. She hadn’t planned on
telling him, but…
“I met an old boyfriend today.” She said once he set down the phone.
Duo started. “Oh?” he prompted.
“I knew him while I was in OZ.”
She couldn’t see his face, but she knew he was uncomfortable. And
why? Why were they uncomfortable…after all, they were just friends…
“You ever kiss?” he teased, turning and giving her a strawberry.
She giggled. “Yes.” She admitted. “He invited me for dinner tomorrow
night. You don’t mind if I go, do you?”
Duo shook his head. “Hey, this is your scrap yard, isn’t it?” he asked
seriously.
She nodded, rising from her chair. “I’m going to put this stuff away.”
She told him, lifting up the bag.
Duo nodded, watching her go, watching the way she bounced when she
walked.
“How do you like it?” Ricardo waved about the restaurant, exuberantly
fancy.
The lights were dimmed to a mere romantic glow, and each table only
seated two, covered with a fancy cloth. It felt weird after her past
couple years living with Duo. She knew she should feel relieved, but
she actually felt herself long for the laughing, idiotic takeout Duo
dinners.
Hilde sighed, giving him what she knew he wanted – a sweet smile. It
was fake.
Ricardo was charming, but she felt as if he lacked a special
something…and even if he had been enough for her all those years ago, it
wasn’t enough now…
“It’s all really great.” She said, her voice oozing with sweetness.
“Thank you for doing all this for me.”
He nodded, and the waiter came by to take their order.
“You don’t mind if I order for you, do you?”
She shook her head. “It’s all in French. Go ahead.”
He grinned. “Alright then.” He said some incredibly fancy words that
she could not understand, and the waiter nodded, off to fill his order.
“Hilde…” Ricardo paused, choosing his words delicately. “Who was that
man when I came to pick you up? The guy with the braid? I didn’t run
in on a relationship, did I?” he sucked in his breath. “Because I’m
sorry if I did…”
“Oh, Ricardo, no!” interrupted Hilde hastily. “He’s just – just…a
really close friend. He helps me with the scrap yard, and I give him
boarding.”
Ricardo nodded. He looked…relieved? She wasn’t sure.
It was then that the waiter flew by, dropping off their meals.
“Looks great.” Said Hilde truthfully, poking at her steak with her
fork.
Hours later, Hilde found herself coming out of Ricardo’s fancy limo.
He was fairly well off, she had noticed. He worked for a fabled law
firm, already had a house of his own, and was able to tip the waiter
double.
They walked up to the door, hand in hand, saying nothing. He loomed
over her almost expectantly once they reached the door.
“That was wonderful.” She told him nervously.
“I’m glad you think so.” He said, seizing her arm. “I know it’s your
birthday, tomorrow.” He grinned. “Would you like me to take you
somewhere?”
Hilde smiled up at him. It would be nice. She admitted to herself. I
doubt Duo remembered. “Sure.”
“So it’s a date.” He declared, pulling her body close to his.
He leaned in for a kiss, his breath feeling hot on her, and she fought
the urge to run away. She remembered the first time she had been
overjoyed; now it almost felt wrong. But something told her she had to,
so she raised her head to his – a million sensations at once – and their
lips met in a silent kiss.
But it just didn’t feel right.
Duo’s eyes narrowed as he watched them on the doorstep. Damn. What
was wrong with him? He felt a hot wave of jealousy pour over him.
They talked quietly for a few moments, and Duo couldn’t hear them
through the window. But he understood the next thing that happened.
Ricardo brought Hilde to him and they kissed, and kissed like they
really, really meant it. Duo winced, shutting the drapes quickly as
they parted, and Hilde opened the door. He moved to greet her.
“Ooh, back from the big date?” he teased, trying to sweep her a bow.
But he was clumsy, and stumbled, falling onto his back.
“You goof.” Hilde walked over to the couch and grabbed a pillow,
throwing it at him. It caught him as he was trying to get up, square in
the chest, and he mock fainted.
“You killed me.” He gasped.
Hilde giggled, turning her back on him to stare out the window. Duo
started, realizing how pretty she looked. She was in a tight blue dress
that hugged her hips smartly, and a fancy barrette was in her dark
hair. Lovely.
“Well don’t just stand there.” He whined. “Do something!”
When Hilde didn’t answer him, he resorted to desperate measures.
“I know somebody that’s not going to get their birthday present…”
Hilde turned to him immediately, her eyes flashing. “You remembered,”
she stammered.
“Aw, don’t rate me so low.” Said Duo as he got to his feet. “Come on
over here and you’ll get your gift.”
She followed him obediently to his private desk in the lounge. Duo
stood by it for a moment, pondering deeply.
“Close your eyes.” He ordered.
Hilde eyed him suspiciously. She remembered the last time this had
happened – she had ended up sopping wet. But she merely nodded grimly
at him and followed suit.
“Good girl.” She heard him say through the dark in her head.
A shiver ran through her as she felt his hands at her neck, sweaty and
grimy from his day’s work. There was another thing there too, in his
hand, cold and smooth.
Then his hands moved to the back of her neck, and she found herself
oddly relishing the touch. She felt a sharp pinprick of pain as he
clasped the thing on, and then his voice again.
“You can open you eyes now.”
A fluttering of eyelashes and they were open, and she gasped in
surprise.
“Duo!”
It was a locket, in the shape of a heart, gold and shiny, sparkling up
at her. So beautiful! She could barely stand it! Her hands felt for
the chain, and she found it, indeed being light and fine.
“Oh…”
“There’s more.” Grinned the 17-year-old Duo. “I found this beautiful
park on L2 the other day, and I figured we could take a little picnic
tomorrow.”
Hilde gasped.
“Oh Duo, I’m so sorry…” she said hastily, her eyes flashing. “Ricardo
just asked me about doing something special tomorrow – with him – and I
said yes…”
Duo took a step back.
“I’m sorry babe.” He said quickly.
“No, no…you’ve been planning this for a long time, I’ll cancel it with
him.” Her hand moved for the vid-phone immediately.
“No wait.” Duo stopped her. “You like this guy a lot, right? How about
he comes with us?”
Hilde grinned. “Sure.” She told him, though personally she would’ve
rather just excluded him. “Thank you Duo.”
Duo nodded, his mouth splitting into his trademark smirk, except this
time…this time it was fake.
Last Word: So what’d you think? I know I promised a battle, but that’s
not until part three…sorry.
Part II