I do not own Gundam Wing. I am not receiving any financial gain from
this fiction. I mean, come on, do you
really think someone would pay to read this!
Walking back into my “dressing room”, I collapsed onto a stool
and heaved a loud sigh. Another day,
another performance. Ah, who was I
kidding, I loved it. There was nothing like an appreciative crowd to lift your
spirits and clear your head.
Unfortunately, this time it did little to clear the current subject of
my deliberation. In the last few days,
I had spent a great deal of time thinking of the current situation with
Relena…and Heero.
I was torn. There was no
denying that I could understand Heero’s uncertainty. I had seen repeated examples of his low opinion of his own
worth. He had repetitively fought each
battle in the wars with no regard for survival. He placed little value on himself as anything other than a tool
of conflict.
He felt he had no need for friends, nor allies and he did
everything he could throughout not to need any of us. I doubt it occurred to him at any stage that perhaps it was us
that needed him. There was not one of
us who did not profit from his influence at some stage. We would each have given anything to repay
him in kind, if he had only allowed us.
We were his friends though, whether he liked it or not, and a true
motley crew we were at that.
She influenced him though.
I don’t think it was love for either of them. Not at first anyway. But
he was in awe of her, we all were.
Sure, we all had our motivation in support of fighting, some more
clear-cut than others. But when Relena
stepped forward with her claims on pacifism, it was with a way of thinking that
was so unyielding that there was no denying her resolve. I didn’t realise how short term my reasons
for fighting were. I fought for peace of
the colonies, and she struggled for peace for everyone. She was truly compassionate.
And she was beautiful.
And smart. And ecstasy to be
around. She could make even the
heartless love her. Hell, she did make
the heartless love her. Heero and me
both. I groaned and dropped my head
into my hands. I had to stop thinking like
this. She wasn’t mine to have. And the only one who could lay claim to her
lacked the nerve to do it.
One thing was certain though, if he didn’t do something soon, I
was going to lay my cards on the table.
To hell with it, and to hell with Duo too. No way was I going to stand by and let her throw everything away
on a schmuck like Justin.
There was a rustling of the curtain, and as if on cue, Duo
stepped in.
“Tro man! How’s things? Another great show, I gotta say.”
I glanced up in surprise.
What was it with this guy and his ability to pop out of nowhere? Maybe he really was the god of death!
“Duo! What brings you here? Nothing wrong I hope?”
“Nah,” he replied, leaning against a tent post. “We were bored, had some time on our hands,
so we thought we’d drop by and catch your act. You just about done here?
Hilde’s dying to say hi.”
I looked down at my attire, I was still dressed in costume, but
I had to feed the lions, so I figured changing could wait a little longer. Standing up, I indicated for Duo to lead the
way.
Walking outside, we found Hilde standing with an attractive girl
with long black hair. The girl was
wearing denim jeans and a dark leather jacket.
A baseball cap was pulled down low over her brow, and dark glasses
veiled her eyes. I did a double take.
“Relena?”
There was a flash of dazzling white teeth, before she pressed a
finger to her lips.
“Shhh..” she grinned, pulling down her glasses “You’ll blow my
cover.”
I glanced around, looking for the prerequisite body guards, and
was surprised to see none. Relena
watched me with an amused glint in her eye.
Giggling she offered me her hand.
“Why hello, I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. My names Anna, Anna.. er.. Scott.”
Hilde suddenly burst into peals of laughter, while Duo just
grinned like a maniac.
“Lena, babe, you really have watched that movie too many times.”
Relena pouted, crossing her arms and pointing that cute turned
up nose of hers in the air.
“I can’t help it, it’s a great film…besides, it’s a
classic.” She shot me an almost wounded
look, after spying my somewhat incredulous look.
“Don’t tell me you’ve never seen Notting Hill?” Her face
suddenly lit up, and I almost expected to see one of those light bulbs appear
above her head, like you see in the comics.
“You must come around tonight, we can watch it in the home
theatre! Hilde, don’t you think that would be the most wonderful way to spend
the evening? Popcorn, ice cream, romantic film?”
Hilde nodded with enthusiasm, before turning to look expectantly
at Duo, who rolled his eyes at me.
“Well, Tro, what do you think? Want to join me in sap hell?
That’s about as formal an invitation as you’re gonna get.”
I deliberated quickly.
Okay, so I didn’t have the most jam packed social calendar, so
availability was hardly a problem. And,
what the hell, I figured I could tolerate two hours of some schmaltzy
pre-colony film, in exchange for popcorn.
Hey maybe I could even negotiate for pizza. Plus the look Duo was giving
me looked just borderline of begging.
What can I say; I’m a merciful kind of guy.
“Sure,” I shrugged, “Sounds like fun. I’ve got a couple of jobs to finish first, though, and I guess I
should change.” Hilde nudged Relena,
before replying with a smirk,
“Oh I don’t know, I think you look fine. I’m all for you coming dressed just as you
are.”
Relena giggled again, while Duo shot Hilde a filthy look.
“Um yeah, Trowa, maybe you should think about putting a shirt
on.”
I looked on in amusement as the girls fell about themselves and
Duo watched his girlfriend with an expression mixed between sulkiness and
laughter. I turned back towards the
tent, intending to leave my companions to wait for me. Duo, however, was quick to follow, and it
became evident he had something on his mind.
He managed to remain silent until we reached the lion pens,
however, a feat which in itself amazed me.
He leaned against the cage, watching me as I proceeded through my
familiar routine. Finally I turned to
face him,
“What’s on your mind Duo?”
A brief flash of relief crossed his face, obviously glad that I
had sought to begin the conversation.
He folded his arms across his chest, and began his narrative by
addressing his torso.
“I’m a bit…I don’t know what…” he frowned, seeming to gather his
thoughts before finally looking at me.
I took a wild guess.
“Did Heero come back?” Duo looked at me with surprise, his
expression already answering my question.
He nodded slowly.
“Uh, yeah. He was
waiting at my flat when I got home yesterday.
Sober too, thank god. Still a
mess though. I know I said it the other
day, but I’ve never seen him like this.
Shit it was good to see him again, but Trowa, he’s not happy. Still not very talkative, but it was pretty
clear that this whole Relena and Justin thing is getting to him big time. He didn’t stay for very long, he kept pacing
the room like he was one of these guys,” Duo said, indicating his head towards
the big cats.
“He asked me what I thought about the new couple, whether it was
serious. I said I didn’t know, that it
was too early to tell. I swear to god,
Trowa, the guys’ whole complexion was green.
Clashed really badly with his hair.
I told him he had no one to blame but himself. That if he hadn’t left Relena waiting for so long, she would be
with him and not some suit wearing, palm greasing dweeb. I asked him if he loved her.”
“And?” I demanded, “What did he say?”
“Nothing, although he looked a bit sheepish. Well, sheepish for Heero anyway. We both know that’s as good as a yes.”
“So what the hell’s stopping him then?”
Duo shook his head in frustration and began kneading his hands
together in agitation.
“Well, that was what completely astounded me, man. He doesn’t think SHE loves HIM. The guy’s got the worst inferiority complex
I’ve seen in my life. I even told him,
straight to his face, that she loves him, that she’s waited all this time for
him. He wouldn’t have a bar of it. He reckons I’m just saying it to piss him
off. Make up for all the times he
threatened to kill me. He got really
crazy then, stormed out and slammed the door so hard I thought it was going to
come of the hinges. Damned if I know
what he’s going to do now.”
Duo let out a loud sigh, and scratched at the back his head.
“I haven’t said anything to Relena, don’t know if I should. But should we be worried?”
I shook my head.
“I can’t see any reason to warn her. Heero would never hurt her.
As for telling her how he appears to feel, that’s not up to
us. We can’t go getting her hopes up,
just when she’s made the choice to move on.”
“But..” Duo interrupted.
Giving him a level stare, I continued,
“He has to do this himself.
If he wants our help, he’ll have to ask for it. If we get wrapped up trying to force them
together, someone’s heart is going to get broken. Again. If the fates
decide that this match is meant to be, then it will be, whether or not we stick
our noses into it.”
The American stood silently, watching me meditatively.
“And do you actually believe in fate Trowa?”
Turning away from the cages, and moving back towards my trailer,
I replied softly,
“Yes…I do.”
*******