Disclaimer: I don’t own Gundam Wing. I am making no profit. DuhJ
Written By Desert Bloom
Author’s Note: I actually got the idea for this fic from ‘We Belong’ by
Alexa. I thought, ‘Why can’t I do that with DM and HS?’ So I’m going
to give it a try. Of course, it’s a lot different, and no one dies in
mine because I’m really sensitive *sniff, but I did get the idea from
her. I hope you enjoy it, and I would love comments, but as I said
before, no flames!
Part 2
Sleepily, Hilde forced herself awake, and struggled to lift herself up
in bed. She was now officially seventeen, but oddly enough, she felt no
different.
She rubbed her eyes sleepily, wincing as she heard a crash from the
kitchen.
“Don’t worry!” came Duo’s voice from the other side of the house. “Just
a minor accident! Promise!”
Hilde rolled her eyes, climbing out of bed and heaving a sigh.
“Duo, do you have the stuff?” Hilde used her hand to shade her eyes
from the sun, walking outside.
Duo stood by the driveway, already waiting for her, proudly holding up
the picnic basket. “And I made it all myself.” He told her.
“Good boy.”
“Can I drive?” Hilde seated herself in the car. Duo, with his usual
wild zest, sat beside her.
Hilde shook her head, revving up the car. “Do you remember last time?”
she asked him, her lips splitting into a grin.
Duo mock pouted. “Oh, come on. Everybody on the road was an idiot that
day!”
“It amazes me how you’re one of the best damn pilots I’ve ever met, and
you can’t drive a car for jack.” Mused Hilde, shaking her head in
exasperation.
Duo shrugged. “Where are we meeting this Ricardo guy?”
“At the park.”
“Hilde!”
Whoa, that was some hug. Thought Duo to himself as he watched Hilde and
Ricardo embrace.
Hilde finally pulled herself away, and motioned to Duo.
“Ricardo, this is Duo Maxwell. Duo, Ricardo Smith.”
Duo reached his hand warmly out to Ricardo, all the while measuring the
man up. Ricardo eyed Duo warily, but finally accepted, however it was
only after an uncomfortable moment’s pause.
“How very nice to meet you.” Greeted the tall and firmly built young
man, his eyes glittering. “We’re both very lucky to know Hilde, aren’t
we?”
Duo nodded, smirking. “Of course. And let me say that the daffodils
are just spiffy today, eh my good man?”
Ricardo paled a bit and Hilde giggled as Duo swept them both a clean
bow. “Now, shall we dine? I went to a lot of trouble for the ham
sandwiches – but the chips may be a tad off.”
“You are awful.” Said Hilde through clenched teeth, trying to scold
him. It turned into a giggle, though, as Duo grabbed the basket from
the car in a servant-like manner. “Oh, Duo, hold it right.”
Duo blinked innocently.
“I’m not?”
“Give that to me!” Hilde reached for it, but found herself grabbing
air.
“No way, pretty miss!” Duo held it away from her reach with a wide
grin. “It’s your birthday and that’s that.”
Hilde sighed, sending a sidelong glance of annoyance at Ricardo.
Ricardo shrugged.
Duo tried not to scowl at this exchange between the two. “Well.” He
began. “Where shall we sit?”
Silence fell. Finally Hilde shrugged and began to lead her two men
through the park.
“I’m going to get a newspaper.” Announced Duo an hour into the picnic.
They had found a nice spot by a creek, shadowed by a graceful willow
tree. “There’s a stand over there.” With that the pilot of 02 excused
himself and ran a little ways down the garden path.
Hilde felt Ricardo sigh next to her, and his hand drift over her hip.
“I thought he would never leave.” She heard him say quietly.
Hilde started, turning to face him. “Huh?” she said stupidly. God.
His face was so close to hers.
“Well, he’s kind of loud, isn’t he?”
Hilde frowned. “Maybe.” she admitted. “But he’s very special.”
Ricardo snorted. Carefully he ran his fingers along her face, and
Hilde tried not to flinch.
“Not right now.” She told him, moving his hand away.
Ricardo nodded solemnly, and he took a swig of wine from his cup.
Duo walked back to the picnic table, newspaper in hand, his eyes
narrowing at the sight of Hilde with Ricardo.
Why don’t they just get a room if they’re so much in love? He wondered
vaguely. What am I talking about? I should be happy for her…
“Hya guys!” Duo flashed his trademark smirk as he took a seat across
from them. “How do you like my cooking?” he set down the paper and took
a bite from his sandwich.
Hilde nodded at him. “Better than I expected.”
“Yeah.” Put in Ricardo. “Really good. What does it say there on the
front page?”
Duo shrugged and threw the paper at him.
Ricardo’s eyes flashed as he saw it. “New Group Spells Trouble For The
Preventers.” He read aloud. “Interesting.”
“Yeah.” Duo looked meaningfully at him. “Bunch of asses sticking their
noses in what isn’t their business.”
Hilde winced at his strong opinion. “Duo…”
But to their surprise, Ricardo nodded in agreement. “Right. If peace
is coming they shouldn’t try to fight it.” He acknowledged. “Especially
with the one-year-war.”
Hilde froze. Uh Oh…
“What about the one-year-war?” Duo asked slyly.
“Those idiot Gundams. They should have known the colonies didn’t want
them butting into things.”
“Hey, I know!” burst in Hilde excitedly. “Lets go take a little dip in
the creek! What’d you guys say?”
Duo said nothing, ignoring her. “Well…” he said delicately, eyeing
Ricardo warily, “Maybe the colonies didn’t know what they wanted.”
Hilde paled. “Guys…”
“Free control and peace.”
“It always seemed to me that control only switched from the Allies to
OZ.”
“Perhaps.” Said Ricardo in a final tone, his blue eyes flashing with a
fire. “But as long as there is a peace…”
Duo glanced over to Hilde, and decided to drop things. “Maybe you’re
right.” He growled.
The picnic lasted late. Despite everyone’s differences, they all had
an enjoyable time. Finally, however, it was time to part.
“Let me get the door for you.” Invited Duo in a mock tone, bowing as
Hilde walked in.
“Well.” Hilde took off her coat and Duo closed the door. “What did you
think of Ricardo?”
Duo shrugged, his back on her as he turned into the lounge. “He was
okay.” He acknowledged. “What did you think of the park?”
Hilde grinned. “Great.”
Duo nodded and flounced onto the couch, stifling a yawn. He
immediately went for the laptop, eager to see if he had a reply from
Lady Une.
Duo Maxwell,
If you are to take part, you must leave immediately after you receive
this letter.
The note went on to depict exact details about various shuttle rides,
subways, and buses. Duo’s eyes flashed in thought, but it wasn’t soon
before he had made his decision.
Shingami doesn’t shy away from a good battle.
“Hilde, do you have any paper and pen?”
“Why do you need it?” Hilde came into the lounge through the kitchen,
her eyes peering down at Maxwell. When Duo didn’t answer her she sighed
and gave him the stuff anyway.
Duo nodded as he accepted the pen and began to scribble furiously,
copying down the directions. Hilde sat down next to him, trying to
figure out what he was doing.
“That’s a lot of nonsense.” She observed. “What’s it all for?”
Duo didn’t look at her when she spoke. “Sorry babe.” He told her. “I’m
going to be going away for a while. Just for a quick battle.”
Hilde’s eyes flashed, and she gulped. “Nice birthday surprise.” She
mumbled, almost so that Duo didn’t hear it.
But he did hear it, and wasn’t too happy about it either. “Hey, keep
the comments to yourself.” He bounced back levelly, still writing away.
“Yeah, like you really did that this afternoon.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, come on Duo.” She scowled at him. “ ‘Maybe the colonies didn’t
know what they wanted’?”
“They didn’t.” Duo shut the laptop, a little harder than was necessary.
“I told you he was an OZ soldier!”
“You didn’t tell me he was going to be such a stiff!” Duo got up from
the couch, moving to the door.
“Duo Maxwell, you stop right there!” commanded Hilde, getting to her
feet as well. Duo stopped, his frame in the doorway. “That’s unfair!
He’s always been there for me!”
Duo turned, his braid swishing behind him, his eyes on fire. “And what,
I’ve not always been there for you?!”
“Duo, I didn’t say that –!”
“You know what, Hilde?!” Duo spat, his hands balling into fists. “I’m a
Gundam pilot! That means I fight when I have to, and I have to fight
now!”
“Quatre isn’t going to be at this battle, is he?!” yelled Hilde back,
guessing at this since Winner managed a huge business.
Duo scowled angrily. “Quatre’s different – Quatre has a life!” he
turned, going into the kitchen. Hilde followed, her voice getting
louder and louder as she voiced the discomfort she had felt for weeks.
“And you don’t?! Is this apartment – me – is it all just a big
rest-stop on the way to the battlefield?!”
They were at the door now, Duo’s hand resting on the doorknob, Hilde
right behind him.
Duo sent her a meaningful glance, his teeth gritted. “Yes!” he yelled,
slamming the door behind him.
Hilde just stood there for a moment, the air eerily silent around her,
her heart falling to the floor, bloodied and broken.
Part I or Part III