Eternal Flame
folder
Gundam Wing/AC › Yaoi - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
43
Views:
5,976
Reviews:
30
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Gundam Wing/AC › Yaoi - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
43
Views:
5,976
Reviews:
30
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Gundam Wing/AC, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 42
Disclaimer: I don\'t own the G Boys, I just borrow them from time to time and return them a whole lot happier ne? :) I do however own Shane, Paul, Colin, Mickey, Benny, Toby, Fayah and any other unfamiliar characters that crop up. I also own the plot if you can call it that.
Rating: NC 17
Warnings: Sap, angst, OC, Lemon, Lime, abuse, violence, language.
Pairings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3, 5xS, OC x OC and maybe some more... check each part to be sure ;)
Archive: http://gundam-wing-diaries.150m.com
http://sweetlysour.net
http://www.adult-fanfiction.org
http://www.theforsakenwk.com/
Status: Work in progress.
Beta: DBZVelena, Yami_Tai and Ryouga... *huggles*
Author: ShenLong
Authors notes: *sigh* Well here I am again caving into pressure. I know it has taken a while to get to this and for that I apologize but I could not come up with a plot I deemed worthy enough.... until now. This is yet another sequel... this time to United Hearts. I did promise I would write the wedding for you all and I intend to do that. For those that haven\'t read United or Lost Souls I recommend that you do, otherwise this sequel will not make much sense. All of your favorite characters are back and up to as much mischief as possible.
This is set fourteen months after the end of United and all the children are older now. The Gundam Pilots are all 20yrs, Shane and Fayah are 16, Paul is 15, Colin is 14, Mickey is 12, Benny is 10 1/2 and not forgetting that little rascal Toby who is 10.
Thank you to all those who supported me through the writing of United, I hope you enjoy this just as much.
\"Eternal Flame\"
April 2003 ShenLong
Chapter 42
\"Ahh, Mr. Yuy. It\'s a pleasure to finally meet you,\" the priest stated as he reached out to shake Heero\'s hand. Then he turned his eyes to Duo and gave an approving smile. \"And this must be Duo Maxwell, the one you\'re here to join with in matrimony.\"
Duo stood and stared as the priest\'s words sank in. / Matrimony? / He turned his violet eyes to his partner and glared. \"Heero? What the fuck is this all about?\" he hissed.
Heero turned his blue gaze to his lover and partner. \"What do you mean?\" Heero thought it was pretty obvious what was going on.
Duo turned to the priest and gave him a smile. \"Umm... Would yer mind if I had a few moments ta speak wiv my partner here? Seems we got a coupla things ta discuss.\"
\"Sure. Why don\'t you use my office over there.\" The priest indicated to a small door at the side of the altar.
\"Thanks.\" Duo turned back to Heero and grabbed him by the arm. \"This way, Yuy.\"
Heero found himselfng dng dragged past the altar and into the small room, the door closing firmly behind them. \"Duo? What\'s wrong?\"
Duo wasted no time in getting his partner backed against the wall. \"What\'s wrong?\" he snarled. \"I\'ll tell yer what\'s wrong. When were yer plannin\' on lettin me know, huh?\"
\"But, Duo. I thought this was what you wanted. I may not be the most perceptive of people when it comes to reading people\'s emotions and needs, but over the past few months I have seen the look that passes through your eyes when you see Wufei and Sally together. I couldn\'t help but notice the wistful glances you kept giving them at their wedding and the soft hints you\'ve made in regards to a permanent relationship.\" Heero looked deep into Duo\'s eyes and raised his hands to rest them on Duo\'s hips.
\houghought you wanted this, marriage, a commitment. Duo, I love you with all my heart and soul and if marrying you is what it takes to convince you that I truly care for you and never want to leave you then I\'m more than willing to make that commitment.\"
Duo suddenly felt like he\'d kicked a puppy. He sighed and relaxed, lowering his head to Heero\'s shoulder. \"I know yer love me, Heero, and I love yer too. I don\'t need ta have a piece of paper ta say we\'re tagether... \"
\"I don\'t either, Duo. But I wanted you to know I\'m more than willing to devote my entire life to you and only you.\"
Duo chuckled. \"I guess I\'m bein a bit of an idiot here, ain\'t I?\"
\"Baka,\" Heero said softly and then moved so he could look at his koi. He placed a finger under Duo\'s chin and tilted his face so as to be able to read his violet eyes. \"Duo? \" Heero swallowed. \"Duo, will you marry me?\"
Duo felt the tears forming in the corner of his eyes but he refused to let them fall. \"Aren\'t yer a bit late with that line, Heero?\" Duo snickered. \"I mean, yer already gone an organized all this shit.\" Duo looked into the eyes of his friend, lover and soul mate. \"Of course, Heero. I\'d like nothing more than ta marry yer if that\'s what yer want ta convince yer I ain\'t goin\' nowhere.\"
Heero swooped in and took his lover\'s lips in a searing kiss. \"You mean the world to me, Duo. Arigato.\"
A knock at the door broke their intimate moment. \"Mr. Yuy, Mr. Maxwell. I hate to interrupt but if you wish to proceed with this ceremony then we will need to hurry up. I have another wedding scheduled in fifteen minutes.\"
\"Okay. We will be right out,\" Heero replied and then kissed Duo again. \"You ready to become Mr. Maxwell-Yuy?\"
\"You bet\'cha.\" Duo gave Heero a wide smile.
\"Then let\'s not keep Father O\'Brien waiting.\" Heero took Duo\'s hand and led them both back out of the office and into the chapel.
The young lady who had greeted them before now smiled at them, a bouquet of flowers in her hand. \"Would either of you like to hold the bouquet?\" she asked politely.
Duo looked at Heero, his face clearly stating \'No Way!\' so Heero shook his head at the woman. \"Thank you but I think we will dispense with the smaller symbols. We have all we need right here.\" Heero smiled at hiver ver and reached into his pocket, pulling out two red velvet boxes. He passed them over to the priest, Duo didn\'t even get the chance to see what was inside, although it didn\'t need a genius to figure that out.
\"I take it you are both ready now?\" Father O\'Brien glanced from one man to the other.
\"Hai.\"
\"Yup. Let\'s get this show on the road.\"
Father O\'Brien opened up his small book and began to recite from the specially written service. When same sex marriages had been approved by the United Earth Sphere, so the traditional wedding service had been modified a little to accommodate that and it was the new service that Father O\'Brien now conducted.
The priest\'s voice was soft yet strong as he recited the words, soon coming to the part where the two men were to recite their vows. \"Do you, Heero Yuy, take this man, Duo Maxwell to be your lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold from this day forward and forsaking all others keep yourself only unto him for as long as you both shall live?\"
\"I do.\" Heero\'s voice rang clear through the small chapel and he squeezed Duo\'s hand, not daring to look at his partner lest he fall victim to the lump in his throat and the ache in his chest.
The priest turned to face Duo. \"And do you, Duo Maxwell, take this man, Heero Yuy to be your lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold from this day forward and forsaking all others keep yourself only unto him for as long as you both shall live?\"
\"I will.\" Duo bit down fiercely on his lip to stop himself from giving in to the emotions swirling in his breast.
Father O\'Brien reached for the velvet boxes and opened them. He took out the two rings and placed one in Heero\'s hand, the other in Duo\'s. \"First you, Mr. Yuy. I want you to repeat after me as you place the ring on Duo\'s finger.\"
Heero nodded then took Duo\'s left hand in his and poised the golden band at the tip of Duo\'s ring finger, his hands shaking just a little.
\"With this ring, I thee wed. With my body, I thee worship. For all tI amI am and all that I can be, above everything else I am yours for eternity.\" Heero repeated the slightly changed words of the priest as he gently slid the ring along Duo\'s finger and over the bumps of his knuckles to rest neatly at the base where it sparkled. He raised his eyes and smiled at Duo.
With eyes shimmering with tears, Duo took Heer lef left hand in his and placed the matching ring at the tip of Heero\'s finger. He repeated the priest\'s words as he slid the gold band over the golden skin to also rest at the base. \"With this ring, I thee wed. With my body, I thee worship. For all that I am and all that I can be, above everything else I am yours for eternity.\"
Still holding hands they smiled at each other then turned back to the priest.
\"With the powers vested in me I now pronounce you Mr. and Mr. Maxwell-Yuy. You may seal your vows with a kiss.\"
With his eyes still locked on Duo\'s, Heero leant forward, tilting his head slightly and then claimed Duo\'s mouth in a possessive, loving manner. Duo responded immediately, kissing back with all the love and passion he held inside. As they broke apart, tears beginning to run over cheeks with the heightened emotion of the moment, so the young woman tossed rice over them. Duo laughed.
\"Congratulations,\" Father O\'Brien said as he offered his hand.
The newlyweds shook hands with the priest, Duo managing to get his tears of happiness under control while Heero brushed his away and pretended they\'d never happened.
\"There is some paper work that needs to be signed and witnessed so if you would care to follow Theresa here back through to the waiting area I will be there with the certificates in a moment,\" the priest said softly.
\"Arigato.\" Heero turned and holding his husband\'s hand, followed the woman back along the aisle and into the foyer area. Father O\'Brien appeared a few moments later with the necessary paperwork and once the documents were signed so he folded up the marriage certificate, placed it in a fancy envelope and handed it to the couple.
\"May you both enjoy a life filled with happiness and prosperity. Good luck.\" With that Father O\'Brien left them to prepare for the next wedding ceremony.
Putting the certificate safely in his pocket, Heero turned to his husband and asked. \"Would you like to find somewhere to have a drink and celebrate?\"
\"Heero, I\'d love ta but can we spare the time? In case yer forgot, there\'s a certain Commander waitin\' back Earth-side fer us.\"
\"Another half an hour isn\'t going to matter, Duo. We can blame it on the engines; say there was a slight malfunction or something.\"
\"I don\'t think Howie will appreciate that much, makes the sweepers look bad \'bout their repairin\' skills,\" Duo snickered.
Heero just grunted, then steered Duo into a bar and up to the counter. \"Two glasses of Champagne please,\" he ordered from the bar tender.
The drinks arrived and Heero paid for them. Picking them up he pushed through the crowd at the bar to a secluded booth at the back and sat down. Duo slid in next to him. Heero passed one of the glasses over then linked his arm around Duo\'s. \"Here\'s to us, Mr. Maxwell-Yuy.\"
\"To us, Mr. Maxwell-Yuy,\" Duo replied then sipped his champagne as Heero sipped his. Duo\'s face screwed up into a ball. \"Yuk! That tastes like shit!\" he muttered.
\"Hai, I have to agree with you,\" replied Heero as he grimaced.
\"Why the hell did\'ja get that crap fer if it tastes like that?\"
Heero shrugged his shoulders. \"That\'s what they all seem to toast the wedded couple with in the movies so I thought we could do the same.\"
\"I think I\'d prefer a beer, Heero.\"
\"Hai, me too.\"
~ * ~
Heero once more sat in the pilot\'s seat of the mother ship as Duo did the final pre-flight check. With clearance given the ship launched off into space and began her final leg of the journey. Once they were clear of the Colony so Heero engaged the auto pilot, checked the life support systems and gravity control, then undid his belt. He looked at his lover, now husband, and took Duo\'s hand in his. He raised it to his lips and gently bestowed a kiss to Duo\'s knuckles, right where the new wedding band rested.
\"I love you, Duo Maxwell-Yuy. Thank you for marrying me.\"
Duo slipped out of his own belt and slid into Heero\'s lHe cHe claimed Heero\'s lips in a tender kiss then pulled back to rest his forehead against Heero\'s. \"I love yer too, Heero. Thanks fer makin\' me the happiest man alive.\"
\"The pleasure is all mine, Duo.\"
\"It had better not be,\" snickered Duo. \"Yer better leave some pleasure fer me too.\" Duo winked.
\"Aaa.\" Heero realized what Duo was talking about. \"I\'m afraid our honeymoon will have to wait until we have given in our mission reports and tied up this case with Preventer.\"
\"That\'s okay, Heero. We got the rest of our lives tagether. I\'m sure that waitin\' a few days fer the honeymoon ain\'t gonna kill me.\" Duo kissed him again. \"So, where yer plannin\' on takin\' me?\"
\"Where would you like to go?\ \"D \"Dunno. Hadn\'t thought about it.\"
\"You don\'ve tve to decide just yet, Duo. Think about it and once you find somewhere you\'d like to go then let me know and I\'ll make all the arrangements.\"
\"Have I told yer how much I loves yer, Heero?\" Duo snuggled deep into the arms of his husband.
\"Only about ten times in the past hour.\"
\"Well, get used ta it, \'cause yer gonna be hearin\' it a lot.\"
~ * ~
Sally stuck her head around the door of the ward and smiled. Leith lay flat on the bed looking simply exhausted. Paul sat in the chair next to him, hands entwined while he dozed. She cleared her throat and instantly the pair\'s eyes flew open and looked at her. She stepped into the room.
\"How\'d everyfin go?\" Paul asked as he chased the sleep away from his system.
\"Good,\" replied Sally. The Zodiac and Carrier landed safely, the mother ship is on her approach now and should land in about another two hours.\" Sally moved across the room to check on Leith.
\"Is,… did everyone get back okay?\" Leith asked, a soft tremble in his voice.
\"Yes, Leith. Everyone is back safely and you will be pleased to know that I didn\'t tear Wufei completely to pieces.\"
Paul laughed. \"When can I see him?\"
\"He will be home later this evening or tomorrow, depending on when Heero and Duo get back and Une has had her de-briefing the the agents.\" Sally turned back to Leith. \"How did all the tests go?\"
\"Okay, I guess. Doctor Stokes said he would be back soon to let me know all the results. Ah, speak of the devil...\"
Doctor Stokes entered the room at that point, file in hand and smiled at the gathering. \"Doctor Po-Chang, I\'m so glad you could get back here to listen to the results of Leith\'s tests.\"
\"Well, I hope the news is good then,\" replied Sally as she sat in the chair that Paul vacated for her.
Doctor Stokes opened the file and flipped through before looking at Leith. \"You\'re a very lucky young man, Leith. All the tests we have done today show that the swelling around your spinal cord is receding. The fluid build up is draining away slowly and as it does, so the nerves will begin to return to normal. In a nutshell, the feeling will gradually come back to your lower body and there is no reason why you will not be able to resume the same life style you enjoyed prior to your accident.\"
Leith gave a whoop of joy and puncthe the air. Paul yelled with delight then wrapped his arms around his boyfriend and kissed him soundly. Doctor Stokes watched with amusement while Sally turned red and coughed discreetly. \"Paul... you\'re in company.\"
\"Oh, shi... yeah. Sorry,\" he said sheepishly as he pulled away from Leith, but his eyes still shone.
\"At the rate the swelling is going down I would think it safe to say that the feeling should return y wiy within the next two weeks or so. Once you can move your legs again I want you to contact me so I can run another CAT scan and arrange for physiotherapy to get you mobile again.\" Doctor Stokes continued, \"I expect you to make a full recovery and be back to work somewhere within the next six months.\"
\"Thank you, Doctor,\" Leith choked out. He was just so happy to know he would be able to walk again.
\"You\'re most welcome, Leith. Now if you will all excuse me, I have rounds to do. Don\'t forget, call me once the movement is back and good luck. You\'re free to leave whenever you wish.\"
Sally shook the Doctor\'s hand and repeated Leith\'s thanks before letting the man go and returning to the two teens. \"That\'s wonderful news, isn\'t it, Leith?\"
\"Yeah, it\'s great.\"
\"If you can get into the wheel chair I have another person who is eager to see you.\"
\"My dad?\"
Sally nodded. \"Come on, I\'ll take you to see him.\"
Paul assisted Sally to get Leith into the wheelchaid thd then they were on their way, traversing the halls, elevators and floors of the large hospital, finally stopping outside room 274. Paul stopped and looked at his foster mother. \"In here?\"
\"Yes, Paul.\" Sally turned to Leith. \"You ready?\"
Leith nodded and took a deep breath. \"Let\'s go in.\"
Sally knocked and then opened the door; she turned back to the two youths and then pushed the door wide open beckoning for Paul to wheel Leith inside. As he was wheeled in so Leith looked around and zeroed in on the hospital bed. Tubes and wires ran from machines to the person lying prone on the bed, humming and occasional beeps could be heard as the machines did their job. Leith felt his breath catch as Paul wheeled him closer. The person lay completely still, bandages covering a large part of the upper body and bruises littering the skin.
\"Dad?\" whispered Leith, unsure what to say or do.
The person turned to look at the teen and a smile broke out over the face. \"Leith? Oh my god, Leith. I never thought I was going to see you again, son.\" Tears of happiness ran down Bob Martins\' face as his eyes sought out his son.
\"I didn\'t think I was going to see you either, dad.\" Paul brought the wheelchair to a halt beside the bed, close enough that father and son could see each other and Leith could reach out with his good arm and tohis his father. Discreetly, Paul and Sally left the room, leaving the pair to catch up and talk.
~ * ~
Une was once more in the Phoenix port tower watching a ship come in to land. The mother ship broke through the evening sky, lights blazing as she found the runway and limped in to land. The broken cargo bay doors could clearly be seen and Une swallowed hard when she saw the damage. It looked like a miracle in itself that the craft had even managed to fly, let alone make it back to Earth. Once the ship was safely on the ground, the little \'tow\' vehicles shot out and hooked onto her nose, pulling her into the docking bay.
Une left the tower and went to greet the agents.
With the ship now safely on Earth so Heero and Duo let themselves relax properly for the first time since the mission had begun. Making sure all systems were off they unbuckled and headed for the main hatchway. Heero stopped briefly at the cargo bay to make sure Eagle One was still secure, then followed his new husband out of the ship and into the clutches of Une.
The commander didn\'t say much. Simply welcomed them back and congratulated them on the success of the mission before issuing them with orders to go to the Preventer hospital immediately for a check up. \"Gentleman, it has been a long day and I know you\'re bound to be tired. I have arranged accommodation in the town, Hotel Ibis has a reservation for you. Once you have been to the hospital I expect you to check in there. Agent\'s Air, Earth and Fire are already there but I couldn\'t persuade Howard to stay. He\'s staying on board the Zodiac.\"
\"That would be Howie fer yer,\" quipped Duo. \"He don\'t trust anyone but himself ta look afta his baby.\"
\"De-briefing will be in my office at nine hundred hours in the morning. I will see you then. Have a good evening and wme bme back.\" Une turned and left the pair. A young Preventer Agent approached them.
\"If you\'re ready to leave, I\'ll take you to the hospital and then to the hotel, sirs.\"
Heero nodded and turned to Duo. \"Come on, the sooner we get this check up over with the sooner we can get some food and a decent shower.\"
\"I\'m right behind yer, Yuy.\"
~ * ~
Sally and Paul returned to Bob Martins\' room after an hour, Sally knocking and then opening the door when a voice inside bid them enter. Paul followed his foster mother, a little shy, as the two inside the room turned their attention to the new comers.
\"Dad, this is Doctor Sally Po-Chang. Her husband is one of the agents that came to rescue you and she\'s also the lady who\'s been looking after me since the accident.\"
Sally stepped forward. \"Pleased to meet you again, Mr. Martins.\"
\"Call me Bob and thank you for taking care of Leith for me. I\'d also like to thank your husband at some stage for helping to get me out of there.\"
\"I\'m sure Wufei would be pleased to speak with you too, Mr..… Bob. You were a very lucky man, especially with that bullet you took.\"
Bob closed his eyes briefly. \"Yes, I guess I was.\" He reed hed his eyes and stared at the woman. \"I just wish there was more I could have done, maybe if I hadn\'t been so weak then so many people wouldn\'t have died...\"
\"That wasn\'t your fault, dad.\" Leith scowled.
\"Leith\'s right, Bob. You did everything you possibly could. I know Commander Une will be by tomorrow at some stage to speak with you and get your full story and statement ready for the trial of Grant.\"
\"I hope that bastard rots in hell,\" growled Bob.
\"Let\'s not talk about that now, dad,\" chastised Leith. His voice turned soft. \"Dad, there\'s someone else I\'d like you to meet.\" Leith turned around, his eyes searching Paul out and lighting up at the sight of the teen. He motioned for Paul to come over, Paul reluctantly did so. He felt extremeervoervous about meeting Leith\'s dad now that the time had come. \"Dad, this is Paul, Sally\'s foster son and my...\" he hesitated for a second then decided to hell with it all. \"Paul is my boyfriend, dad.\" Leith watched his father\'s face careful for any indication of his reaction to the news that he was obviously gay.
Bob peered up at the Asian looking youth. A mop of black hair, blue eyes and serious face greeted his scrutiny. Bob smiled. \"Hello, Paul. I take it that you have also been looking after my son in my absence?\"
Paul nodded shyly.
\"Then I thank you for all you have done for him.\" Bob paused for a moment then continued, \"I\'m pleased to see he\'s finally found someone who makes him happy. He\'s my only son and means the world to me, even if I haven\'t shown it that much. Leith, \" Bob turned to face his son. \"You shouldn\'t be afraid to tell me, I won\'t hate you for it. I\'m an open minded person. If Paul makes you happy then your relationship has my blessing.\"
Leith could feel the tears of happiness prickling at his eyes. \"Thanks, dad. You have no idea how much that means to me.\"
Paul was beaming and wrapped his arms around Leith, turning his blue eyes to the man in the bed. \"Thank yer, Mr. Martins.\"
They stayed in the room for a while longer before Sally insisted that both young men leave and let Bob get some much needed rest. After promising to return the following day, Sally, Paul and Leith left the hospital and drove home to the apartment, Sally explaining on the way why Wufei wouldn\'t return home until the next day as he had to undergo a debriefing and give statements relevant to the case before he was allowed to leave. Paul was a little disappointed but cheered himself with the thought that at least his relationship with Leith had been approved by Leith\'s father, something that meant more to him than he realized.
~ * ~
Heero and Duo left the Preventer hospital and arrived at the Hotel Ibis, having had their wounds checked and pronounced cleared. By the time they arrived the others had almost finished eating and looked up when the pair arrived in the dining room.
\"Not going to shower before you eat?\" questioned Wufei and wrin his his nose in mock disgust. The other three agents had all showered and changed once they had arrived at the hotel and then come down for dinner.
\"Nah, food\'s more important, Wu-man. Gonna need all the energy I can get fer later.\" Duo left the cryptic comment in the air before grabbing a plate and helping himself to the food on the hotel buffet.
Heero followed his husband, picking up a plate and piling it high before returning to the table and sitting next to his long haired mate and digging in.
\"How come you two took so long? I know the ship wasn\'t running on full power but you should have landed a good two hours ago.\" Quatre asked as he sipped on his coffee.
\"Had a little detour ta make,\" Duo said around a mouthful of cold chicken.
\"Detour?\" Trowa raised one visible eyebrow.
\"Yeah, Heero wanted ta take the scenic route back.\"
\"Yuy, explain?\" Wufei\'s brow furrowed at the riddles Duo was providing.
Heero looked up from his plate of food, fork poised in mid air. \"That would be Maxwell-Yuy to you, Chang.\"
Three mouths od wid wide in shock and Duo couldn\'t help but snicker. He could have sworn he heard a thump as their friends collective jaws hit the floor.
Quatre was the first to recover his vocal skills. \"Maxwell-Yuy?\" he questioned. \"Does that mean what I think it means?\"
\"Dunno, I guess that depends on how yer interpret things, Q-man.\" Duo deliberately moved his hand in the air letting the light bounce off his gold wedding band.
\"Duo! Congratulations!\" Quatre jumped up and bounded over to his friend, hugging him close. \"That\'s wonderful news. Why didn\'t you tell us you were planning on getting married?\"
\"Well, it kinda came as a shock ta me too, Quat. Yer see, Heero here didn\'t tell me until he parked the ship on L2 and dragged me inta a registry office.\"
\"You did what, Yuy?!\" Wufei was turning all sorts of interesting colors.
\"I knew he wanted a commitment and so I provided him with one. It seemed like a good idea to make a pit stop and get married on the way home.\" Heero replied dryly, then continued to eat. He really couldn\'t see what all the fuss was about.
\"Have you told Une yet?\" Quatre asked as he sat back down.
\"Iie. I plan on telling her tomorrow after the de-briefing.\"
\"This I will have to see,\" muttered Wufei.
Trowa looked amused at something; Quatre gently poked him to find out what was going on in his mind. \"What are you thinking, Trowa?\"
Trowa gave a small amused snort which caught everyone\'s attention. Even Duo paused in his food transport to look up.
\"I was just thinking...\"
\"Yes?\"
\"Well, of all the places that Heero could have chosen to get married he did it out in space.\"
\"So?\" Quatre asked, impatient.
\"Well, at least out there he knew Duo couldn\'t run and hide from him.\"
All the pilots, even Wufei had to laugh at that line.
The camaraderie returned and the five agents relaxed into the familiar banter, all pleased to be home safe and sound with minimal damage. Tomorrow they would face Une for the de-briefing, then there would be the trial and the sentencing and more missions to follow, but for now a quiet peace reigned over them all, a peace they were happy to enjoy.
~ Owari~
There will be an epilogue to follow and tie up all the loose ends. I hope you have enjoyed so far. Shen ^_^
Rating: NC 17
Warnings: Sap, angst, OC, Lemon, Lime, abuse, violence, language.
Pairings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3, 5xS, OC x OC and maybe some more... check each part to be sure ;)
Archive: http://gundam-wing-diaries.150m.com
http://sweetlysour.net
http://www.adult-fanfiction.org
http://www.theforsakenwk.com/
Status: Work in progress.
Beta: DBZVelena, Yami_Tai and Ryouga... *huggles*
Author: ShenLong
Authors notes: *sigh* Well here I am again caving into pressure. I know it has taken a while to get to this and for that I apologize but I could not come up with a plot I deemed worthy enough.... until now. This is yet another sequel... this time to United Hearts. I did promise I would write the wedding for you all and I intend to do that. For those that haven\'t read United or Lost Souls I recommend that you do, otherwise this sequel will not make much sense. All of your favorite characters are back and up to as much mischief as possible.
This is set fourteen months after the end of United and all the children are older now. The Gundam Pilots are all 20yrs, Shane and Fayah are 16, Paul is 15, Colin is 14, Mickey is 12, Benny is 10 1/2 and not forgetting that little rascal Toby who is 10.
Thank you to all those who supported me through the writing of United, I hope you enjoy this just as much.
\"Eternal Flame\"
April 2003 ShenLong
Chapter 42
\"Ahh, Mr. Yuy. It\'s a pleasure to finally meet you,\" the priest stated as he reached out to shake Heero\'s hand. Then he turned his eyes to Duo and gave an approving smile. \"And this must be Duo Maxwell, the one you\'re here to join with in matrimony.\"
Duo stood and stared as the priest\'s words sank in. / Matrimony? / He turned his violet eyes to his partner and glared. \"Heero? What the fuck is this all about?\" he hissed.
Heero turned his blue gaze to his lover and partner. \"What do you mean?\" Heero thought it was pretty obvious what was going on.
Duo turned to the priest and gave him a smile. \"Umm... Would yer mind if I had a few moments ta speak wiv my partner here? Seems we got a coupla things ta discuss.\"
\"Sure. Why don\'t you use my office over there.\" The priest indicated to a small door at the side of the altar.
\"Thanks.\" Duo turned back to Heero and grabbed him by the arm. \"This way, Yuy.\"
Heero found himselfng dng dragged past the altar and into the small room, the door closing firmly behind them. \"Duo? What\'s wrong?\"
Duo wasted no time in getting his partner backed against the wall. \"What\'s wrong?\" he snarled. \"I\'ll tell yer what\'s wrong. When were yer plannin\' on lettin me know, huh?\"
\"But, Duo. I thought this was what you wanted. I may not be the most perceptive of people when it comes to reading people\'s emotions and needs, but over the past few months I have seen the look that passes through your eyes when you see Wufei and Sally together. I couldn\'t help but notice the wistful glances you kept giving them at their wedding and the soft hints you\'ve made in regards to a permanent relationship.\" Heero looked deep into Duo\'s eyes and raised his hands to rest them on Duo\'s hips.
\houghought you wanted this, marriage, a commitment. Duo, I love you with all my heart and soul and if marrying you is what it takes to convince you that I truly care for you and never want to leave you then I\'m more than willing to make that commitment.\"
Duo suddenly felt like he\'d kicked a puppy. He sighed and relaxed, lowering his head to Heero\'s shoulder. \"I know yer love me, Heero, and I love yer too. I don\'t need ta have a piece of paper ta say we\'re tagether... \"
\"I don\'t either, Duo. But I wanted you to know I\'m more than willing to devote my entire life to you and only you.\"
Duo chuckled. \"I guess I\'m bein a bit of an idiot here, ain\'t I?\"
\"Baka,\" Heero said softly and then moved so he could look at his koi. He placed a finger under Duo\'s chin and tilted his face so as to be able to read his violet eyes. \"Duo? \" Heero swallowed. \"Duo, will you marry me?\"
Duo felt the tears forming in the corner of his eyes but he refused to let them fall. \"Aren\'t yer a bit late with that line, Heero?\" Duo snickered. \"I mean, yer already gone an organized all this shit.\" Duo looked into the eyes of his friend, lover and soul mate. \"Of course, Heero. I\'d like nothing more than ta marry yer if that\'s what yer want ta convince yer I ain\'t goin\' nowhere.\"
Heero swooped in and took his lover\'s lips in a searing kiss. \"You mean the world to me, Duo. Arigato.\"
A knock at the door broke their intimate moment. \"Mr. Yuy, Mr. Maxwell. I hate to interrupt but if you wish to proceed with this ceremony then we will need to hurry up. I have another wedding scheduled in fifteen minutes.\"
\"Okay. We will be right out,\" Heero replied and then kissed Duo again. \"You ready to become Mr. Maxwell-Yuy?\"
\"You bet\'cha.\" Duo gave Heero a wide smile.
\"Then let\'s not keep Father O\'Brien waiting.\" Heero took Duo\'s hand and led them both back out of the office and into the chapel.
The young lady who had greeted them before now smiled at them, a bouquet of flowers in her hand. \"Would either of you like to hold the bouquet?\" she asked politely.
Duo looked at Heero, his face clearly stating \'No Way!\' so Heero shook his head at the woman. \"Thank you but I think we will dispense with the smaller symbols. We have all we need right here.\" Heero smiled at hiver ver and reached into his pocket, pulling out two red velvet boxes. He passed them over to the priest, Duo didn\'t even get the chance to see what was inside, although it didn\'t need a genius to figure that out.
\"I take it you are both ready now?\" Father O\'Brien glanced from one man to the other.
\"Hai.\"
\"Yup. Let\'s get this show on the road.\"
Father O\'Brien opened up his small book and began to recite from the specially written service. When same sex marriages had been approved by the United Earth Sphere, so the traditional wedding service had been modified a little to accommodate that and it was the new service that Father O\'Brien now conducted.
The priest\'s voice was soft yet strong as he recited the words, soon coming to the part where the two men were to recite their vows. \"Do you, Heero Yuy, take this man, Duo Maxwell to be your lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold from this day forward and forsaking all others keep yourself only unto him for as long as you both shall live?\"
\"I do.\" Heero\'s voice rang clear through the small chapel and he squeezed Duo\'s hand, not daring to look at his partner lest he fall victim to the lump in his throat and the ache in his chest.
The priest turned to face Duo. \"And do you, Duo Maxwell, take this man, Heero Yuy to be your lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold from this day forward and forsaking all others keep yourself only unto him for as long as you both shall live?\"
\"I will.\" Duo bit down fiercely on his lip to stop himself from giving in to the emotions swirling in his breast.
Father O\'Brien reached for the velvet boxes and opened them. He took out the two rings and placed one in Heero\'s hand, the other in Duo\'s. \"First you, Mr. Yuy. I want you to repeat after me as you place the ring on Duo\'s finger.\"
Heero nodded then took Duo\'s left hand in his and poised the golden band at the tip of Duo\'s ring finger, his hands shaking just a little.
\"With this ring, I thee wed. With my body, I thee worship. For all tI amI am and all that I can be, above everything else I am yours for eternity.\" Heero repeated the slightly changed words of the priest as he gently slid the ring along Duo\'s finger and over the bumps of his knuckles to rest neatly at the base where it sparkled. He raised his eyes and smiled at Duo.
With eyes shimmering with tears, Duo took Heer lef left hand in his and placed the matching ring at the tip of Heero\'s finger. He repeated the priest\'s words as he slid the gold band over the golden skin to also rest at the base. \"With this ring, I thee wed. With my body, I thee worship. For all that I am and all that I can be, above everything else I am yours for eternity.\"
Still holding hands they smiled at each other then turned back to the priest.
\"With the powers vested in me I now pronounce you Mr. and Mr. Maxwell-Yuy. You may seal your vows with a kiss.\"
With his eyes still locked on Duo\'s, Heero leant forward, tilting his head slightly and then claimed Duo\'s mouth in a possessive, loving manner. Duo responded immediately, kissing back with all the love and passion he held inside. As they broke apart, tears beginning to run over cheeks with the heightened emotion of the moment, so the young woman tossed rice over them. Duo laughed.
\"Congratulations,\" Father O\'Brien said as he offered his hand.
The newlyweds shook hands with the priest, Duo managing to get his tears of happiness under control while Heero brushed his away and pretended they\'d never happened.
\"There is some paper work that needs to be signed and witnessed so if you would care to follow Theresa here back through to the waiting area I will be there with the certificates in a moment,\" the priest said softly.
\"Arigato.\" Heero turned and holding his husband\'s hand, followed the woman back along the aisle and into the foyer area. Father O\'Brien appeared a few moments later with the necessary paperwork and once the documents were signed so he folded up the marriage certificate, placed it in a fancy envelope and handed it to the couple.
\"May you both enjoy a life filled with happiness and prosperity. Good luck.\" With that Father O\'Brien left them to prepare for the next wedding ceremony.
Putting the certificate safely in his pocket, Heero turned to his husband and asked. \"Would you like to find somewhere to have a drink and celebrate?\"
\"Heero, I\'d love ta but can we spare the time? In case yer forgot, there\'s a certain Commander waitin\' back Earth-side fer us.\"
\"Another half an hour isn\'t going to matter, Duo. We can blame it on the engines; say there was a slight malfunction or something.\"
\"I don\'t think Howie will appreciate that much, makes the sweepers look bad \'bout their repairin\' skills,\" Duo snickered.
Heero just grunted, then steered Duo into a bar and up to the counter. \"Two glasses of Champagne please,\" he ordered from the bar tender.
The drinks arrived and Heero paid for them. Picking them up he pushed through the crowd at the bar to a secluded booth at the back and sat down. Duo slid in next to him. Heero passed one of the glasses over then linked his arm around Duo\'s. \"Here\'s to us, Mr. Maxwell-Yuy.\"
\"To us, Mr. Maxwell-Yuy,\" Duo replied then sipped his champagne as Heero sipped his. Duo\'s face screwed up into a ball. \"Yuk! That tastes like shit!\" he muttered.
\"Hai, I have to agree with you,\" replied Heero as he grimaced.
\"Why the hell did\'ja get that crap fer if it tastes like that?\"
Heero shrugged his shoulders. \"That\'s what they all seem to toast the wedded couple with in the movies so I thought we could do the same.\"
\"I think I\'d prefer a beer, Heero.\"
\"Hai, me too.\"
~ * ~
Heero once more sat in the pilot\'s seat of the mother ship as Duo did the final pre-flight check. With clearance given the ship launched off into space and began her final leg of the journey. Once they were clear of the Colony so Heero engaged the auto pilot, checked the life support systems and gravity control, then undid his belt. He looked at his lover, now husband, and took Duo\'s hand in his. He raised it to his lips and gently bestowed a kiss to Duo\'s knuckles, right where the new wedding band rested.
\"I love you, Duo Maxwell-Yuy. Thank you for marrying me.\"
Duo slipped out of his own belt and slid into Heero\'s lHe cHe claimed Heero\'s lips in a tender kiss then pulled back to rest his forehead against Heero\'s. \"I love yer too, Heero. Thanks fer makin\' me the happiest man alive.\"
\"The pleasure is all mine, Duo.\"
\"It had better not be,\" snickered Duo. \"Yer better leave some pleasure fer me too.\" Duo winked.
\"Aaa.\" Heero realized what Duo was talking about. \"I\'m afraid our honeymoon will have to wait until we have given in our mission reports and tied up this case with Preventer.\"
\"That\'s okay, Heero. We got the rest of our lives tagether. I\'m sure that waitin\' a few days fer the honeymoon ain\'t gonna kill me.\" Duo kissed him again. \"So, where yer plannin\' on takin\' me?\"
\"Where would you like to go?\ \"D \"Dunno. Hadn\'t thought about it.\"
\"You don\'ve tve to decide just yet, Duo. Think about it and once you find somewhere you\'d like to go then let me know and I\'ll make all the arrangements.\"
\"Have I told yer how much I loves yer, Heero?\" Duo snuggled deep into the arms of his husband.
\"Only about ten times in the past hour.\"
\"Well, get used ta it, \'cause yer gonna be hearin\' it a lot.\"
~ * ~
Sally stuck her head around the door of the ward and smiled. Leith lay flat on the bed looking simply exhausted. Paul sat in the chair next to him, hands entwined while he dozed. She cleared her throat and instantly the pair\'s eyes flew open and looked at her. She stepped into the room.
\"How\'d everyfin go?\" Paul asked as he chased the sleep away from his system.
\"Good,\" replied Sally. The Zodiac and Carrier landed safely, the mother ship is on her approach now and should land in about another two hours.\" Sally moved across the room to check on Leith.
\"Is,… did everyone get back okay?\" Leith asked, a soft tremble in his voice.
\"Yes, Leith. Everyone is back safely and you will be pleased to know that I didn\'t tear Wufei completely to pieces.\"
Paul laughed. \"When can I see him?\"
\"He will be home later this evening or tomorrow, depending on when Heero and Duo get back and Une has had her de-briefing the the agents.\" Sally turned back to Leith. \"How did all the tests go?\"
\"Okay, I guess. Doctor Stokes said he would be back soon to let me know all the results. Ah, speak of the devil...\"
Doctor Stokes entered the room at that point, file in hand and smiled at the gathering. \"Doctor Po-Chang, I\'m so glad you could get back here to listen to the results of Leith\'s tests.\"
\"Well, I hope the news is good then,\" replied Sally as she sat in the chair that Paul vacated for her.
Doctor Stokes opened the file and flipped through before looking at Leith. \"You\'re a very lucky young man, Leith. All the tests we have done today show that the swelling around your spinal cord is receding. The fluid build up is draining away slowly and as it does, so the nerves will begin to return to normal. In a nutshell, the feeling will gradually come back to your lower body and there is no reason why you will not be able to resume the same life style you enjoyed prior to your accident.\"
Leith gave a whoop of joy and puncthe the air. Paul yelled with delight then wrapped his arms around his boyfriend and kissed him soundly. Doctor Stokes watched with amusement while Sally turned red and coughed discreetly. \"Paul... you\'re in company.\"
\"Oh, shi... yeah. Sorry,\" he said sheepishly as he pulled away from Leith, but his eyes still shone.
\"At the rate the swelling is going down I would think it safe to say that the feeling should return y wiy within the next two weeks or so. Once you can move your legs again I want you to contact me so I can run another CAT scan and arrange for physiotherapy to get you mobile again.\" Doctor Stokes continued, \"I expect you to make a full recovery and be back to work somewhere within the next six months.\"
\"Thank you, Doctor,\" Leith choked out. He was just so happy to know he would be able to walk again.
\"You\'re most welcome, Leith. Now if you will all excuse me, I have rounds to do. Don\'t forget, call me once the movement is back and good luck. You\'re free to leave whenever you wish.\"
Sally shook the Doctor\'s hand and repeated Leith\'s thanks before letting the man go and returning to the two teens. \"That\'s wonderful news, isn\'t it, Leith?\"
\"Yeah, it\'s great.\"
\"If you can get into the wheel chair I have another person who is eager to see you.\"
\"My dad?\"
Sally nodded. \"Come on, I\'ll take you to see him.\"
Paul assisted Sally to get Leith into the wheelchaid thd then they were on their way, traversing the halls, elevators and floors of the large hospital, finally stopping outside room 274. Paul stopped and looked at his foster mother. \"In here?\"
\"Yes, Paul.\" Sally turned to Leith. \"You ready?\"
Leith nodded and took a deep breath. \"Let\'s go in.\"
Sally knocked and then opened the door; she turned back to the two youths and then pushed the door wide open beckoning for Paul to wheel Leith inside. As he was wheeled in so Leith looked around and zeroed in on the hospital bed. Tubes and wires ran from machines to the person lying prone on the bed, humming and occasional beeps could be heard as the machines did their job. Leith felt his breath catch as Paul wheeled him closer. The person lay completely still, bandages covering a large part of the upper body and bruises littering the skin.
\"Dad?\" whispered Leith, unsure what to say or do.
The person turned to look at the teen and a smile broke out over the face. \"Leith? Oh my god, Leith. I never thought I was going to see you again, son.\" Tears of happiness ran down Bob Martins\' face as his eyes sought out his son.
\"I didn\'t think I was going to see you either, dad.\" Paul brought the wheelchair to a halt beside the bed, close enough that father and son could see each other and Leith could reach out with his good arm and tohis his father. Discreetly, Paul and Sally left the room, leaving the pair to catch up and talk.
~ * ~
Une was once more in the Phoenix port tower watching a ship come in to land. The mother ship broke through the evening sky, lights blazing as she found the runway and limped in to land. The broken cargo bay doors could clearly be seen and Une swallowed hard when she saw the damage. It looked like a miracle in itself that the craft had even managed to fly, let alone make it back to Earth. Once the ship was safely on the ground, the little \'tow\' vehicles shot out and hooked onto her nose, pulling her into the docking bay.
Une left the tower and went to greet the agents.
With the ship now safely on Earth so Heero and Duo let themselves relax properly for the first time since the mission had begun. Making sure all systems were off they unbuckled and headed for the main hatchway. Heero stopped briefly at the cargo bay to make sure Eagle One was still secure, then followed his new husband out of the ship and into the clutches of Une.
The commander didn\'t say much. Simply welcomed them back and congratulated them on the success of the mission before issuing them with orders to go to the Preventer hospital immediately for a check up. \"Gentleman, it has been a long day and I know you\'re bound to be tired. I have arranged accommodation in the town, Hotel Ibis has a reservation for you. Once you have been to the hospital I expect you to check in there. Agent\'s Air, Earth and Fire are already there but I couldn\'t persuade Howard to stay. He\'s staying on board the Zodiac.\"
\"That would be Howie fer yer,\" quipped Duo. \"He don\'t trust anyone but himself ta look afta his baby.\"
\"De-briefing will be in my office at nine hundred hours in the morning. I will see you then. Have a good evening and wme bme back.\" Une turned and left the pair. A young Preventer Agent approached them.
\"If you\'re ready to leave, I\'ll take you to the hospital and then to the hotel, sirs.\"
Heero nodded and turned to Duo. \"Come on, the sooner we get this check up over with the sooner we can get some food and a decent shower.\"
\"I\'m right behind yer, Yuy.\"
~ * ~
Sally and Paul returned to Bob Martins\' room after an hour, Sally knocking and then opening the door when a voice inside bid them enter. Paul followed his foster mother, a little shy, as the two inside the room turned their attention to the new comers.
\"Dad, this is Doctor Sally Po-Chang. Her husband is one of the agents that came to rescue you and she\'s also the lady who\'s been looking after me since the accident.\"
Sally stepped forward. \"Pleased to meet you again, Mr. Martins.\"
\"Call me Bob and thank you for taking care of Leith for me. I\'d also like to thank your husband at some stage for helping to get me out of there.\"
\"I\'m sure Wufei would be pleased to speak with you too, Mr..… Bob. You were a very lucky man, especially with that bullet you took.\"
Bob closed his eyes briefly. \"Yes, I guess I was.\" He reed hed his eyes and stared at the woman. \"I just wish there was more I could have done, maybe if I hadn\'t been so weak then so many people wouldn\'t have died...\"
\"That wasn\'t your fault, dad.\" Leith scowled.
\"Leith\'s right, Bob. You did everything you possibly could. I know Commander Une will be by tomorrow at some stage to speak with you and get your full story and statement ready for the trial of Grant.\"
\"I hope that bastard rots in hell,\" growled Bob.
\"Let\'s not talk about that now, dad,\" chastised Leith. His voice turned soft. \"Dad, there\'s someone else I\'d like you to meet.\" Leith turned around, his eyes searching Paul out and lighting up at the sight of the teen. He motioned for Paul to come over, Paul reluctantly did so. He felt extremeervoervous about meeting Leith\'s dad now that the time had come. \"Dad, this is Paul, Sally\'s foster son and my...\" he hesitated for a second then decided to hell with it all. \"Paul is my boyfriend, dad.\" Leith watched his father\'s face careful for any indication of his reaction to the news that he was obviously gay.
Bob peered up at the Asian looking youth. A mop of black hair, blue eyes and serious face greeted his scrutiny. Bob smiled. \"Hello, Paul. I take it that you have also been looking after my son in my absence?\"
Paul nodded shyly.
\"Then I thank you for all you have done for him.\" Bob paused for a moment then continued, \"I\'m pleased to see he\'s finally found someone who makes him happy. He\'s my only son and means the world to me, even if I haven\'t shown it that much. Leith, \" Bob turned to face his son. \"You shouldn\'t be afraid to tell me, I won\'t hate you for it. I\'m an open minded person. If Paul makes you happy then your relationship has my blessing.\"
Leith could feel the tears of happiness prickling at his eyes. \"Thanks, dad. You have no idea how much that means to me.\"
Paul was beaming and wrapped his arms around Leith, turning his blue eyes to the man in the bed. \"Thank yer, Mr. Martins.\"
They stayed in the room for a while longer before Sally insisted that both young men leave and let Bob get some much needed rest. After promising to return the following day, Sally, Paul and Leith left the hospital and drove home to the apartment, Sally explaining on the way why Wufei wouldn\'t return home until the next day as he had to undergo a debriefing and give statements relevant to the case before he was allowed to leave. Paul was a little disappointed but cheered himself with the thought that at least his relationship with Leith had been approved by Leith\'s father, something that meant more to him than he realized.
~ * ~
Heero and Duo left the Preventer hospital and arrived at the Hotel Ibis, having had their wounds checked and pronounced cleared. By the time they arrived the others had almost finished eating and looked up when the pair arrived in the dining room.
\"Not going to shower before you eat?\" questioned Wufei and wrin his his nose in mock disgust. The other three agents had all showered and changed once they had arrived at the hotel and then come down for dinner.
\"Nah, food\'s more important, Wu-man. Gonna need all the energy I can get fer later.\" Duo left the cryptic comment in the air before grabbing a plate and helping himself to the food on the hotel buffet.
Heero followed his husband, picking up a plate and piling it high before returning to the table and sitting next to his long haired mate and digging in.
\"How come you two took so long? I know the ship wasn\'t running on full power but you should have landed a good two hours ago.\" Quatre asked as he sipped on his coffee.
\"Had a little detour ta make,\" Duo said around a mouthful of cold chicken.
\"Detour?\" Trowa raised one visible eyebrow.
\"Yeah, Heero wanted ta take the scenic route back.\"
\"Yuy, explain?\" Wufei\'s brow furrowed at the riddles Duo was providing.
Heero looked up from his plate of food, fork poised in mid air. \"That would be Maxwell-Yuy to you, Chang.\"
Three mouths od wid wide in shock and Duo couldn\'t help but snicker. He could have sworn he heard a thump as their friends collective jaws hit the floor.
Quatre was the first to recover his vocal skills. \"Maxwell-Yuy?\" he questioned. \"Does that mean what I think it means?\"
\"Dunno, I guess that depends on how yer interpret things, Q-man.\" Duo deliberately moved his hand in the air letting the light bounce off his gold wedding band.
\"Duo! Congratulations!\" Quatre jumped up and bounded over to his friend, hugging him close. \"That\'s wonderful news. Why didn\'t you tell us you were planning on getting married?\"
\"Well, it kinda came as a shock ta me too, Quat. Yer see, Heero here didn\'t tell me until he parked the ship on L2 and dragged me inta a registry office.\"
\"You did what, Yuy?!\" Wufei was turning all sorts of interesting colors.
\"I knew he wanted a commitment and so I provided him with one. It seemed like a good idea to make a pit stop and get married on the way home.\" Heero replied dryly, then continued to eat. He really couldn\'t see what all the fuss was about.
\"Have you told Une yet?\" Quatre asked as he sat back down.
\"Iie. I plan on telling her tomorrow after the de-briefing.\"
\"This I will have to see,\" muttered Wufei.
Trowa looked amused at something; Quatre gently poked him to find out what was going on in his mind. \"What are you thinking, Trowa?\"
Trowa gave a small amused snort which caught everyone\'s attention. Even Duo paused in his food transport to look up.
\"I was just thinking...\"
\"Yes?\"
\"Well, of all the places that Heero could have chosen to get married he did it out in space.\"
\"So?\" Quatre asked, impatient.
\"Well, at least out there he knew Duo couldn\'t run and hide from him.\"
All the pilots, even Wufei had to laugh at that line.
The camaraderie returned and the five agents relaxed into the familiar banter, all pleased to be home safe and sound with minimal damage. Tomorrow they would face Une for the de-briefing, then there would be the trial and the sentencing and more missions to follow, but for now a quiet peace reigned over them all, a peace they were happy to enjoy.
~ Owari~
There will be an epilogue to follow and tie up all the loose ends. I hope you have enjoyed so far. Shen ^_^