Always

Duo sang along with the words, throwing himself into the music. He spun and turned, eyes closed tightly, as he allowed the sweet but heavy melodic lines carry him along the carpeted floor. His ratty black bathrobe flowed around him, gracefully complimenting his slim form as he let himself be carried along in the rhythm.

Heero padded silently into the doorway of the music room in his bare feet, coffee cup in hand as he watched his braided lover dance.

Standing in the open doorway, Heero silently sipped his coffee, relishing in the way the warm liquid warmed his insides pleasantly, enjoying the bittersweet tang of it on his tongue.

As he watched Duo twist and turn, seemingly oblivious to the world, Heero smiled slightly as he reminded himself just how far he had come since the war. How his best friend had taken him into his home when Relena had grown tired of his taciturn ways. How his best friend had come to him one night, close to tears when he found out he wasn't the only man in Hilde's life.

Who would have thought that things would have turned out like this?

It was almost perfect the way everything had worked out, but it was a long time in coming.

Love was funny like that, just when it seemed that things would never work, something completely unexpected happens and changes everything.

As Duo let the words flow from his mouth, his body moving almost of its own accord in time to the driving yet subtle ebb of melody and harmony, he peered through his dark lashes at Heero.

Smiling to himself, the American man sang louder, meaning every word that sprang from his lips. That day so relatively long ago in their young lives, when he had found everything he'd ever wanted and needed in his friend, and he still couldn't believe his luck. Spinning around, he felt his heart melt at the memory of the guileless look in Heero's eyes after they had shared their first kiss, how his love's mouth had tasted like the hot chocolate he had been sipping.

Heero had made it for them when he had found out about Hilde, surprising Duo with his concern and compassion. Of course, Heero said, he was only returning the favor that Duo had given him, when Relena had dumped him.

Duo's whole world changed when Heero had wondered out loud what kind of fool would cheat on someone as amazing as him. Duo's smile grew wider when he remembered Heero's blush, how cute he had looked in his simple embarrassment and uncertainty. He felt his heart flutter as he remembered what happened a few seconds later, when they found themselves sharing the sweetest kiss either had ever known.

Taking another sip of his drink, Heero slowly walked into the room, unconsciously stepping in matching time with the beat of the bass. He stopped when he was halfway into the room, only a few feet away from his dancing love. Heero felt his heart catch in his chest when the braided man opened his eyes, taking him in with an amused amethyst gaze.

Duo smiled warmly and strolled up to Heero, his hips swinging imperceptibly. When he reached his partner, he gently took the mug from Heero's hands and took a sip of the coffee. He then set the cup down on a nearby table, and grasped both of Heero's hands in his, drawing the dark haired man into the center of the room, away from the furniture, to the very center of the circle of speakers, to the epicenter of the sound.

Letting himself be pulled forward, Heero lost himself as he gazed at the lovely vision before him. Even in his pajamas and bathrobe, hair mused and braid asunder, Duo's inner beauty and love shone through like a beacon in the darkest night. Duo's eyes shone in the early morning light like a violet flame that aided the lost, guiding to the safety of the shore.

When Duo stopped pulling him forward, Heero took one more step, letting go of Duo's hands and bringing his arms up to circle Duo's waist and pull the man towards him. Feeling strong arms reciprocate his embrace, Heero sighed and breathed in the scent of his salvation.

As they began to sway in time together, both young men felt their hearts begin to beat a stronger, faster pace, in only the way that was possible when they were together. Partners in the war, friends in the aftermath, together till death would part them, they danced.

This was just the latest in a series of houses for the couple. Work with the Preventers had moved them countless places, but wherever they went, there was always a feeling of coming home when they returned to their current living quarters together. Home truly was where the heart was, and in their case, they were always home when they were with each other.

Breath mingling, arms tightening in response to way the crescendo of the words and the melody entwined, the pair moved together as one being, reflecting the unity that had saved them from the desolation of loneliness, the heartbreak of betrayal.

It was as though they were destined to be as they were now, one heart, beating strongly, a love for all time.

Clinging together, letting the throbbing bass wash over them, the lovers halted their dance, stopping as if singled by a silent communication that could only be learned through years of patience and love.

Deep blue eyes captured Duo's attention, and for the thousandth time he thanked the universe that he had been lucky enough to uncover the beauty of the soul before him. Feeling tender affection swell up within his chest, the longhaired man leaned forward, catching his partner in a kiss that seared with passion and love that had broken barriers and bonded two souls.

Losing himself in the sensation, Heero let everything that he felt for Duo be expressed in his kiss. Tightening his embrace, he let himself drown in the ocean of love offered selflessly to him.

As the song ended and the strong beat faded, the pair continued to kiss for a short while. Finally breaking apart, they simply held each other for an infinitely long moment, savoring the contact and relishing in the innocent pleasure of being so close together.

"Love?" Came a whispered voice. "Thank you."

"No, thank you."

Another heated kiss.

"For what?"

"You saved me."

"But you saved me."

"We saved each other."

"Yes."

"I love you."

"And I love you."

"Always."

"Forever."

Another kiss.

~ ~ ~ ~

Owari.

~ ~ ~ ~