It's Not Like It's Love, Chapter 13

[Crystaltear]

It?s Not Like It?s Love

By Crystaltear

Chapter Thirteen

Notes: As I hope some of you have figured out, this story isn?t really going to conclude in the way that most stories do, since there?s the continuation in ?My Favorite Mistake?. I?m hoping that those reading, especially my dedicated 2xH lovers, will not be too disappointed with the way the ending to INLIL pans out. There is still a lot of growing that Duo and Hilde?s relationship need in order to be considered solid, and these chapters only make the foundation of that bond. That said, enjoy the end of the story.



One Month Later


?Man, this sucks,? Duo muttered as he gazed outside the window of his home. The rain was coming down in sheets as it had been all day, and was making a lot of graduates very unhappy at that moment. Of course, while the weather didn?t agree with Duo, there was more aggravating him than having his graduation in the stuffy gymnasium of his school.

He felt completely isolated. He hadn?t seen or heard from Hilde since prom, and it was driving him nuts. He knew that she had said that he would be a distraction to her, but he had been so sure that something had changed during that night. But as the weeks ticked by with no word from her his hope began to crumble. Heero had told him to give her a call the last time they had spoken, but Duo didn?t think that was such a good idea; it had been her who told him to back away before so it would have to be her who told him otherwise.

Heero was another matter. After visiting Heero?s new place and agreeing that it was fantastic, they set out to find Duo his own place nearby. It had taken some good searching, but the final papers were currently being drawn with a sweet old lady who would be his new landlord and he would be in his new studio by mid-June.

Right after the place had been secured, Heero was barely contactable. Duo had somehow managed to get a hold of his brother that day to inquire if he was planning on attending the graduation. Duo was given an affirmative and told to leave the tickets on the table for Heero to pick up. Duo was curious as to why Heero wanted all of them, (there were two per student since it was raining, the usual being five) and he hoped that Heero wouldn?t be disrespectful and bring his fake girlfriend with him. He had been planning on asking him when he came for the pick up, but Heero happened to come while Duo was at his job picking up some empty boxes for his own move.
?This really, really sucks,? Duo said again, but there was no one near to hear his complaints.

---------------


He took a taxi to his high school an hour later and made his way through the throng of excited students to claim his cap and robe from the front of the auditorium. The enthusiasm was contagious, and in no time at all Duo was grinning along with everyone else and helping random students with pinning their caps on correctly.

Line up was in groups of four of the same gender, with guys directed to the left. While most of the teachers were trying to form a sort of order, in the end everyone assorted themselves with three of their friends to walk out with. Duo found himself pulled in line with John, Sean, and someone who?s name he couldn?t recall. Sean immediately inquired about Duo?s house situation, and Duo just as quickly assured him the problem had been solved and there were no hard feelings.

The gymnasium was packed with spectators flashing their cameras as the soon to be graduates entered the doors, and the room was stifling. Duo glanced around to catch a glimpse of Heero in the crowd, but the faces melted together in anonymity making it impossible to spot him. He focused back on making sure he was a couple of paces behind the girl before him and when he finally reached his row, sat down as comfortably as he could to prepare for the two-hour line of speeches.

---------------

Tasseled caps fluttered back to the ground after the students were officially declared graduates, followed by scurrying to pick a cap back up and quickly make their way to where their families were waiting. Duo seemed to be the only one who took his time as he made his way where he knew only one person would be waiting to congratulate him. Heero?s presence was wanted of course, but there was still tightening in his chest. This pang arose at odd times, like holidays and events such as the one he was at, triggered by the complete families surrounding him; a reminder of the pieces of the family equation that he lacked.

Determined to push away ill feelings on such a day, he eyed the crowd on the side nearest to him, looking for Heero. He was about to turn to search on the other side of the room when a familiar face emerged from the crowd.

He must have looked as startled as he felt, because the grin inching up her face as she began to walk over said, ?gotcha?.

?Hilde,? he murmured, still unable to comprehend why she was there. Maybe she knew someone that was in his class? It couldn?t be that she was actually there for him.

?Long time, no see,? she greeted, and shocked him further by kissing him on the cheek. ?Congratulations.?

?What are you doing here??

?I can come to your prom but not your graduation?? she questioned cheekily, her grin now turning into a smirk of satisfaction.

Duo decided she was enjoying his reaction way too much and tried to regain his balance. ?How did you get in??

Again, she seemed satisfied. ?Your brother did me a favor,? she explained, and the mystery concerning the second ticket was solved. ?I wasn?t sure if I was welcome though,? she added, some of her confidence lost.

Instead of answering her, Duo again asked a loaded question. ?Why are you here??

Confidence was lost entirely, and the smile disappeared from Hilde?s face. ?I really don?t know, I was hoping you could tell me. Duo, what do you want from me??

Her eyes pleaded with him for an answer with substance, something she could work with, but all he could do was hope he looked as apologetic as he felt. ?I don?t know either.?

He thought the subject would be dropped right then, but she startled him again. ?Whatever it is, it?s not what you originally intended, right??

If it weren?t for the fact that he felt so vulnerable and it wasn?t such a serious matter, he would have laughed. She had seen right through him from the start; knew that he had planned to use her. Yet, she was still standing there with him, and he was the one that felt foolish. Could it be that she could see him so well that she knew him better than he knew himself?

?No, nothing like that,? he managed to say.

?I?m glad. So, what do you say? Can we try winging it and see where it goes??

It sounded wonderful, what she was offering him. Yet, he had to hesitate. ?Hilde?I would be fine with that, more than fine, I just don?t want you to get the wrong impression. You see, I?m not a commitment sort of guy.

?So you plan on sleeping around,? Hilde deadpanned.

?No! No, not like that. I?m just saying that I can?t do any of that picket fence and kids sort of thing.?

Hilde?s burst of laughter rang out through the dwindling crowd. Tears of mirth formed in her eyes, and she could barely manage talking between gasps for air. ?You?re--jumping way--way ahead of things.?

?Yeah, I guess I was, ?Duo grinned, glad that Hilde?s laughing fit made her miss the embarrassed blush that stained his cheeks. Then he began to chuckle nervously.

Heero finally approached the pair as Hilde?s laughter died down and gave Duo his congratulations.
?What was this all about? Scheming against me, are you?? Duo asked in mock-annoyance.

?I thought things needed a push in the right direction, so I took the initiative,? Heero admitted.

?I?ll be sure to repay the favor one day,? Duo threatened, but he knew Heero could figure out that he was grateful.

?Don?t do me any favors. Now, can we get to dinner already??

Duo needed no further encouragement as he lead the way through the rain for the other two toward Heero?s car.

---------------

Later that Day

Miami International Airport

Wufei was finding out he wasn?t very good with goodbyes. The good wishes and farewells of his friends had gone well, but now everything was falling apart. With every tear that fell down his mother?s face, the broken fragments of his heart shattered into even smaller pieces. He couldn?t remember ever feeling so awful in his life. What kind of son was he, leaving his mother alone to seek out his own destiny?

One that followed his mother?s wishes, apparently.

He had been resolute in his staying not even an hour before. Now, he was standing in line at the airport ready to board a plane and leave his sobbing mother there; tears she had caused herself by ordering him to go.

?Please reconsider,? he said to her, even when he knew it was futile.

?No,? she replied automatically, her voice hoarse from crying. ?You must go. Go and make me proud.?

She stepped away when the attendant asked for his ticket. The spot on his cheek where she had kissed him goodbye burned as though it were engraving a reminder of what he must do and who he did it for; her blessing for him to leave, even though he wasn?t doing it willingly.

He didn?t glance back for a final look at her; he knew if he saw her tears again his heart would break once more and then he would never leave. And staying was not an option anymore.

He would make her proud. And one day, he would be back.

[Lara Winner]

As always your depiction of Duo and Hilde is excellent. Now as soon as I have a few hours to spend and indulge myself I will begin to read "My Favorite Mistake". Unitl then, take care and don't let anyone tell you that your writing is lacking. If you give me their adress I convince them to change their minds personally... *binks innocently*

*hugs* Brilliant story and definitely worth every minute!

[PeRiDoTs13]

wow. that was wonderful. the last bit with wufei made my heart clench and my chest get tight. *sniff* wow. i think i'm gonna cry. *swallows back tears*

well, anywayz, b4 i cry, i just want to say that this fic was absolutely wonderful. i kno they get together in the end, and duo had so better propose later. if he doesn't ki'm gonna go kill him. ::insert evil smiling face::

can't wait for ur next spinoff!