Braids and Waves

Parings: 1x2, 2x1 (eventual!) 3x4

Warnings: Serious artistic licence with Duo’s past. Some spoilers for Episode Zero, if you’ve never read it. Even if you haven’t, a lot of it you’ll probably know anyway. I just got to put the warnings here ^_^!

Notes: Hope I didn’t upset anyone too much with the last chapter, yes Heero can be a real idiot sometimes, but he’s not completely stupid… but you’ll have to wait and see. This is a really slow chapter so apologies for that but hopefully it’s some fairly important background… hope so anyway.

Thanks: To my little demons (my muses!) who would not let this story
lie.

Summary: Duo is living with Quatre and Trowa. But what no-one
realises is why. And what happens when they find out the truth,
especially Heero.

Enjoy

Chapter 11 – Looking Back

After a long silence, the three youths all felt uncomfortable. They could just hear faint sobs that seemed to echo through the water, like a dolphin or whale. It was eerie. Trowa and Wufei were still in shock, Quatre was close to tears. He had been so happy that Heero and Duo had finally gotten together, it was what Duo had always wanted, what he had been yearning for. But that had been ripped apart, Heero had practically torn out Duo’s heart and let it beat out it’s life in his hand then threw it away like a piece of rubbish. Quatre could feel nothing but contempt for Heero at the moment. There had been no need for the cruel words that he had shouted. His sympathy completely fell to Duo. It must have been a hard life as it was without the love of his life completely despising him. Quatre tried to put himself in Duo’s place, if Trowa had said those things. It would destroy him.

“I will go and see if I can find that idiot, Yuy. There was no honour in what he just did, but I do not trust him on his own at the moment.” It seemed that Wufei felt for Duo too, but was showing it in his usual manner. Trowa and Quatre both nodded at the Chinese man, who proceeded to climb out of the pool. “I hope I will return shortly.” He walked out of the pool area with fists clenched. He clearly felt more about the matter than he was letting on.

Trowa looked back to Quatre.

“Do you think we should try to get him up?” The blonde nodded sadly. Duo needed a friend or two at the moment, but neither of them could hold their breath for that long. Trowa dived under the water.

Duo jumped at the touch on his arm and looked up to see Trowa next to him trying to stay at the bottom.

“Trowa? What are you doing?” The green eyed man was shocked at how clear Duo’s voice sounded and tried to reply but of course couldn’t, he indicated upwards instead. “Sorry.” The braided man apologised realising the other couldn’t talk underwater. He swam upwards with one flick of his tail. He noticed Quatre and swam over to him.

“We thought you could do with a friend.” The blonde said simply. Duo hugged him.

“Thanks. You don’t realise how much that means to me.” He looked back at Trowa. “And thanks for helping me. I’m sorry I’m so pathetic.” Trowa looked back at him, almost glaring.

“Never say you’re pathetic, Duo. You are the most amazing creature I have ever seen, I was just a little… surprised. I’m just sorry that Hee… he couldn’t see that.” Purple eyes stared down at the water sadly.

“Some things were just never meant to be.”

“You can’t give up Duo.” Quatre told him. “You’ve never given up before. You’re stronger than that.”

“Perhaps. But I can’t fight against prejudice. I can’t fight against him. All my life I had to be so careful, the ones who knew always understood, despite much hesitation on my part. The one who I wanted to understand-” His voice caught in his throat.

“Others knew? Who?” Trowa asked interested. Duo thought back,

“A few, over the years.”

“Tell us.” Quatre whispered. Duo looked doubtful for a moment then told his story.

His mother had been sea bred, a true mermaid, by the name of Marina. Some mer- folk had let their hearts wander to the shore, falling in love with land dwellers; they would leave the sea to be with them. But they always returned in the end, bringing their children with them, the call to strong for them to ignore. The sea would call to its kindred, it would cry for them to return home.

Duo’s mother had fallen in love beneath the waves, which would have normally have been cause for celebration. However, her lover was an outcast, a miscreant. He was not welcomed by her family; they doubted his interests completely, thinking that he would only use her. But Marina had been strong willed to the point of insubordination, instead of giving him up as her family had wanted, thinking it was for her own good, she swam away with him, flaring up her family’s anger, she was banished.

Fate can be cruel and soon after she left her home, her lover lost his life. Heartbroken, Marina swore that she would leave the sea and never return to it. True to her word she went ashore, never to set foot there again. Yet, the sea still called to her and to stay true to her vow she left Earth and went to the L2 colony. Even then she could still hear the sea but it was more like a faint whisper, so easier to ignore. It was only then that she found out she was pregnant with Duo. (1)(2)

For six whole years Marina and her son remained happily on that colony despite the war that threatened them, she would tell Duo stories of the sea, as her son had never seen it and it appeared that as he wasn’t born in it, he couldn’t hear the call either. When he had a bath, he would watch his tail with a wonder that only children have. He would lie under the water talking and giggling to himself and flicking his tail about, splashing water everywhere. His childhood was as happy as it could have been until tragedy struck. Marina had become so homesick that it weakened her and she caught the virus that was spreading around at that time. She deteriorated rapidly and Duo being so young, could do nothing for her.

Duo could still remember the day his life changed forever, despite the fact that he was still a child. Marina had held him in her arms and told him how much she loved him and that she was so sorry she was leaving him alone. She made him promise not to tell anyone that he was a mer-child, a son of the sea. It would be dangerous if someone found out, he needed to be careful. Duo promised her. After that she had died. He was left alone.

At six years old, Duo began to roam the streets; finding what he could to live on, his world had suddenly become a very large and frightening place. Luckily for him that not long after that he met Solo, who would become Duo’s best friend. Solo was the head of a gang of street kids. He took to Duo instantly and let him join the gang. They soon became inseparable, almost like twins. It didn’t take long for Duo to climb the ranks and become second in command of the group. For a while life was difficult but almost as happy as it had once been.

Then the day came that it rained. Duo was with Solo at the time and they had been unprepared for the rain that had been scheduled for that day. It had come down hard and heavy and quickly soaked both boys. Duo had been horrified to find that his tail had appeared and began crying. At first Solo had been afraid of the strange change in his friend but that had quickly changed to wonder. He managed to pull Duo into a nearby deserted building, out of the rain and out of sight. While they dried off, Duo told Solo about his mother and why he had a tail. Solo promised to keep his secret forever. But of course, that would never be. Soon after Solo caught the same plague that had taken Duo’s mother. Duo’s best friend died in his arms, leaving the boy alone once more.

It was only natural that Duo took command of the gang. However it was obvious that Duo was no Solo. It wasn’t that the gang hated him but they resented him slightly for being so close to their former leader and therefore beating them all to the leadership. He made many mistakes in his time with the gang, but his last decision would be the final one he would make for the group. He convinced the rest of the gang to sneak into the military warehouse for food. Duo had known that it wouldn’t be safe but would never have thought they would shoot at children. Duo could never forgive himself for putting his ‘family’ in that danger.

That afternoon the gang were found in the building that was due for demolition. The workmen were uncaring to the young boy’s pleas and laughed when Duo told them that they hadn’t done anything wrong. The boss told them that they didn’t want the kids to be hurt just because an unstable war-broken building needed to come down and that the church nearby would take them in.

Duo had been very weary of the Maxwell church at first, thinking that the people were only pretending to be nice, give them food then taking it away or preparing to throw them back onto the streets. Of course Duo’s reservations were unfounded, but he was always afraid, afraid that someone would find out his secret.

This was never more apparent than when he tried to be adopted. He would refuse outright to have a bath when anyone was near. His potential parents took this to be disobedience and sent him back. Time and time again he was rejected. All because a little boy was terrified someone would find out his secret and hurt him as his mother had suggested. Of course the other children soon got wind of his fear and did what kids are want to do, bully him. They would yell names at him, saying that he smelled like a sewer. Unfortunately for some of them, Duo was no pushover and a few of them ended up in hospital due to his retaliation.

It didn’t take long before he was found out once more, this time by Sister Helen and Father Maxwell, who ran the church and orphanage. The sister had insisted Duo had a bath. The boy agreed on one condition that he was to be left alone. She had agreed to that. However as adults cannot truly trust children, and as Sister Helen was so caring, she went in just to make sure he was alright and was shocked at what she found. Duo had screamed his head off with language a child his age should never have known. At the noise, Father Maxwell had come to investigate. Both people who had given their lives to God could not believe what they saw. They suddenly understood Duo’s problems with finding a new home. They had both prayed to God to thank him for his miracle. Their attitude towards Duo never changed; they still cared for the boy but suddenly became more protective and understanding of him.

Quickly however, the church became home. Sister Helen was like a mother to him, showing him how to braid his hair to keep it tidy as he had refused outright to have it cut. Duo had thought the braid was wonderful and far more practical for stealing. Father Maxwell was a father figure, something that Duo had never had, so although he didn’t believe in Father Maxwell’s teachings he still respected the man and loved him. That was why the day that the rebels came nearly broke his heart.

They were seeking sanctuary in the church and help for their wounded. Father and Sister were too kind hearted to object. Only when talk turned to war did Father protest, telling them that war was not the answer that they should not fight. The rebels retaliated to his preaching and they hit him. Sister Helen tried to protect him and only got hurt herself. Duo had overheard them talking about stealing a mobile suit, he quickly told the rebels he would steal one if they would leave. He ran off believing he would save them. He infiltrated the base and stole the suit only to find that the Church had been turned into rubble on his return. Sister Helen was able to see that he was safe and bless him before dying in his arms. He had lost a home and family once more.

For a while he returned to the streets, honing his skills as a thief. He could disappear like a shadow and move almost silently. Now and again he had to defend himself, so his fighting skills were much improved; he even had to kill on occasions. He couldn’t regret it as it was kill or be killed. That was life on the streets. Eventually his future took an interesting turn. A ship was stocking up on supplies and Duo took the chance to sneak onboard. Stowaway or no, he decided he had to leave the colony, had leave so many bad memories behind.

The ship belonged to the Sweepers, a group that specialised in space salvage. Duo had to bypass so many security measures, it made him wonder what was hidden aboard. For a while he went unnoticed. However, one weakness let him down, his hunger. As he was trying to get food from the stores, he was spotted and captured. Although he was thrown into a cell, he wasn’t treated too roughly. He had been questioned by a strange man with a haircut that resembled a large flat mushroom, who called himself Professor G. Duo had never been one to lie as he had told the strange man. He told him that he came from Maxwell church. It had been at this point that Duo had taken Maxwell as his last name and became the God of Death.

He spent a few years with the sweepers under Professor G’s guidance and teachings. He also learned about a mecha, a Gundam they called Deathscythe, which Duo took a huge liking to. He wasn’t so thrilled to learn about its real use. Duo decided the only way to save the colonies and the Earth would be to blow the mecha up. On the eve that operation meteor should have occurred Duo went to carry out his plan only to find the professor was one step ahead of him. He had taken out the fuse for the bomb. Instead of being angry with his charge, he convinced Duo to steal it and seek his revenge on the OZ bases on Earth. Duo didn’t like the idea of taking orders but he liked the idea of OZ rule even less. He agreed with the plan. He fell to Earth and became one of the five shooting stars and met up with Heero soon after. Professor G never knew his secret. Duo dreaded to think what might have happened if he had.

Duo took a deep sigh.

“So now you know. That’s basically the story of my life. You know the rest.” He managed not cry having used up his tears earlier. He leant with his head on his arms on the side of the pool, his chest resting against the cool tiles, his tail disturbing the water slightly and creating little ripples. Quatre and Trowa looked at each other not knowing what to say. Through his life Duo had suffered loss and hardship and had lived through it all. Through his brave grin and tough exterior, his insides must have been as fragile as glass. He only wanted to be loved and understood and Heero had dashed that, breaking what was left of Duo into thousands of pieces. “I don’t want your pity or sympathy, just thought should know.” He didn’t even look at them as he pulled himself out of the water. He managed to reach a towel and began to dry himself off until he had legs once more. He stood and wrapped the towel around himself. “I’ll see you guys later.” His voice sounded weaker than he would have liked. He didn’t bother to look around. He didn’t think he could stand the look of sadness that he knew would be in their eyes. He wanted to be alone right now. He walked back up to his room and closed the door.

-x-

Wufei ran back in to find Trowa and Quatre still the pool. Trowa with his arms wrapped tightly around his lover.

“Heero didn’t come back did he?” The Chinese asked hopefully. Trowa shook his head. “Damn it!” He looked at the floor. “He took off in the car.” Trowa’s gaze widened slightly. He knew the dangers of driving when angry. You get careless. Heero was in no fit state to drive, but there was nothing he could do about it.

“We’ll just have to wait for him to come back.”

“If he comes back.” Wufei added. He looked around. “Where’s Duo?”

“Barricaded himself in his room.” Quatre murmured quietly. Wufei crossed his arms and closed his eyes. The blonde looked up to his green eyed lover, “How could something that should have been so right, go so horribly wrong?” Trowa couldn’t answer but held Quatre tighter.


-x-

(1) No I don’t know the genetics of mer-people. I haven’t worked out how they mate, hence why that bit is really, really vague.
(2) For ease of writing this fic I’ve left Duo as Duo. Normally I would have made a new name for him but frankly it was pointless. So just go along with it ok.


So… are you all asleep now or was it ok?