"This Beautiful Life"

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or its characters

Rating: R

Warnings: Romance & Friendship

Pairings: 2x5, others will be present but subtle.

Summary: 3 years after cutting ties with everyone from the war, WuFei Chang gets into a car accident in his way home from a company Christmas party and wakes up to another life.

"This Beautiful Life"

Chapter 5:

WuFei was not happy as he folded his arms over his chest and angrily watched people shuffle about the hospital lobby around him. He was dressed in clothes Duo had brought for him 'from home', loose cargo pants and a button down, casual garments he never really cared for in any of his lives.

Duo stood at the counter flirting with the pretty nurse. Duo complimented, the girl giggled, and WuFei rolled his eyes. Death was looking more and more reasonable as an explanation to WuFei's current predicament because this was very akin to hell.

Briefly WuFei wondered if maybe this was jealousy he felt and, if that were the case, was there perhaps a hint of truth in the story Sally and Duo had peddled to him about memory loss? Scoffing, he shifted uncomfortably in the hospital wheelchair they forced him to roll out of the building in. He knew his feelings were less complicated than a subconscious boyfriend oppressed by an odd case of amnesia.

The last time WuFei could remember seeing Duo the experience hadn't been pleasant. The words the other boy had spoken fiercely his direction replayed in his mind, bringing with them fresh new anger and resentment, things like "traitor", "coward", and "Treize's plaything".

WuFei tried to remind himself that Duo had said terrible things to the other Gundam pilots as well but he couldn't help recalling that the others had seemed so unfazed by it, whereas, to him, Duo's words had cut deeper than any knife ever could. He supposed it was because the truths about him were, by far, the worst.

A light hand touched to WuFei's shoulder, Duo's mouth close to his ear, "Ready to go?"

Flinching away, WuFei nodded somewhat, flustered. He found it hard to believe he could have ever gotten used to so much physical contact from the other boy, especially in public. Duo gripped the handles of the wheelchair, directing it towards the door, nodding greeting to hospital staff as they passed. Sally was waiting for them at the main entrance and she offered up crutches for WuFei, which he eagerly accepted.

"Why was I in this damn chair then?" he demanded, as he tested his weight on the supports.

"Hospital policy," Sally explained with a casual shrug. She had civilian clothes on; blue jeans, sweater, heavy coat, scarf, hat, and she gripped a bag in her hand. The three left the building together, headed towards the parking lot, as she went on to say, "I'm due at Rosenthal in two hours."

"You've been here all night," Duo commented.

"The life of a doctor," she laughed in response. When they reached the lot of cars, she split directions, waving over her shoulder and calling, "Be safe, boys."

WuFei felt touched that the woman had stayed, undoubtedly well past her committed time, at the hospital to care for him. Duo returned Sally's sentiment and continued onward, glancing back every now and then at the young man hobbling after him. They stopped at a rundown black pick-up truck that looked to be older than both boys' ages put together and as WuFei narrowed his eyes disgustedly at the vehicle Duo unlocked the passenger door, swinging it open. The vehicle had purple rims, flames painted down the front, and a sexy female Grim Reaper painted across the tailgate.

"You've got to be kidding me," WuFei muttered, reluctantly moving towards the seat. He gripped the sides of the door and attempted to pull himself up. When Duo stepped forward to help him he snapped, "I can do it myself."

After a great deal of strain, WuFei managed to slide into the seat, and Duo threw the crutches in the pick-up bed before crossing to the driver's side, swinging up behind the wheel, and turning the engine on with a lion's roar. WuFei had to admit, for the age of the vehicle, the engine sounded well cared for. They pulled from the hospital, snow fluttering all around.

Danover had always been a beautiful city. Even in that older part of town the buildings were intricately structured. The layout and atmosphere of the entire area was light and casual, and while it had the makings of a large city, it carried the attitude and foliage of a small rural town. Until that moment, WuFei hadn't realized how much he'd missed the place.

Duo chuckled suddenly and WuFei glanced at him.

"What are you laughing about?"

"Huh?" The laughter stopped as abruptly as it had started, a grin locked in place on the heart shaped face. "Oh it's just...your look...back at the hospital. Memory or no, I guess some things don't change."

"I don't follow."

"You hate my truck," Duo explained, "Always have. You think I bought it to spite you."

"And did you?"

"Honestly?" Duo smiled and WuFei quirked a brow. "Well...you do look cute trying to get in..."

"That's not funny," WuFei growled and Duo shrugged.

"Depends on who you ask," he quipped then settling back in his seat, "You might be happy to know your bike is home safe and sound. Bit banged up, but you were planning on spending the vacation working on it anyways."

"I haven't owned a bike in a long time," WuFei commented offhandedly as he gazed out the window at the passing scenery. He missed the pained look that crossed his companion's features. They fell into uncomfortable silence.

Twenty minutes or so later, Duo turned the truck into a cul-de-sac lined with older Western style houses, most of which were modestly decorated for the holidays. He pulled into the driveway of a small one story and WuFei gazed curious at the humble abode.

The roof was lined with brightly colored lights, a nice wreath hung at the door, the lawn was littered with gaudy plastic decorations: a Santa with sleigh, a glowing Nativity scene except baby Jesus appeared to be a small scale replica of the Deathscythe Gundam, elves hiding in bushes wrapped with LED lights, lawn gnomes wearing garland, and pink flamingos wearing Santa hats. The single tree in the yard, bare of leaves, was wrapped with lights and covered in ornaments.

Two snowmen, recently built, stood in the center of it all gazing at the street as though to greet passer-bys. WuFei noted that one was dressed in a familiar white Chinese style coat and seemed to be wearing reading glasses, while the other had on a black jacket and snow piled on the back formed like a braid and a priest's collar.

At the end of the yard a mailbox was pitched, 'Chang-Maxwell' written across it in swooping calligraphic handwriting that, WuFei abashedly realized, was not too unlike his own. Everything was covered in a fresh blanket of snow.

"Home sweet home," Duo announced as he put the truck in park and shut off the engine. He looked expectantly at the dark haired boy next to him, "Memory back yet?"

The response was a scowl.

"That would be a 'no'," Duo tossed open his door and hopped out.

WuFei followed suit, though he didn't so much hop but slide out of the truck only to find himself gripping the door painfully for support. Duo rushed around, grabbing the crutches on his way and sliding them under WuFei's arms. They walked up the path to the doorway and Duo fumbled with his keys. He glanced to the other boy looking at the chipping blue paint that coated the house.

"We've been planning to repaint the house in summer...if we're lucky to get any time off, anyways," he said over his shoulder, startling WuFei who turned his attention slightly to the other, "We moved here a little over five months ago. It's our first house...my first house. You wanted something new – which we could've afforded – but I wanted a fixer up."

Duo unlocked the door, opening it and gesturing WuFei forward.

"Why is that?" WuFei asked as he hobbled into the house. A welcome warmth greeted him as well as the apple spice scent mixed with a touch of something...vanilla bean perhaps? The house seemed larger on the inside and it seemed to glow. It felt cozy and lived in.

"I don't know," Duo shrugged, stepping in beside WuFei and shutting the door – and effectively the cold out – behind him, "I guess because, well, you liked the idea of a place with history but with a fixer upper we could really make it our own, ya' know, rebuild it together. Besides it gives us a constructive project to work on...you learned a long time ago if I don't do something constructive with all my restless energy, I tend to get a little destructive. Your words, not mine."

WuFei nodded slightly at the explanation as he took in his new surroundings. Odd, it did all sound like things he might say. An open living room was to his left furnished with a ragged cream colored sofa and a weather worn coffee table in front of it, on top of which were magazines about motorcycles, mechanical interests, computers, and – to WuFei's surprise – cooking. Living alone in Bergonia and working as much as he did he rarely cooked, opting to eat out instead.

A large lit pine tree was set up in the far corner of the room. It was weighed down heavily with a wide variety of colorful ornaments, garland, tinsel, and a brightly illuminated star glistened at the top. On the beautiful tree skirt lay a few presents of varying size. Pinned to the wall nearby were two stockings, one labeled with his name the other with Duo's – the names appeared to be written by the opposite boy's hand, WuFei's stocking sported a gaudy look that could only be attributed to Duo's poor tastes whereas Duo's had a more modest, minimalist decoration to it. In contrast to the outdoors, these appeared to be the only Christmas decorations inside.

To WuFei's immediate right was a door, most likely for a closet. Farther back he could see an opening to the kitchen and a turn off leading down a hall where there was most likely bedrooms, a door to the garage, and a restroom. Duo removed his jacket and, confirming WuFei's suspicions, opened the door to the right and hung up his discarded garment. He motioned for WuFei's and, after a bit of a struggle and a snapped "I can get it off myself", WuFei's coat was hung beside Duo's own.

For a moment, WuFei let his mind wander to his apartment in Bergonia, cold and dark, smelling of the chemical cleaners his housekeeper used. Everything was brand new from the black leather sofa he rarely used, the stereo he'd never turned on, the fifty-inch television he hated to watch, right down to the building it was situated in.

Duo breezed into the house towards the kitchen, calling over his shoulder, "I'm going to make some tea. Why don't you rest a bit on the couch, babe?"

The walls were covered in framed photographs, several large painted canvases, and a few scattered sketches. WuFei moved to them for a better look. Some of the photographs were of people he knew from the war but several contained faces he didn't recognize – perhaps acquaintances from the three years he allegedly couldn't remember. A lot of the pictures were candid shots of Duo and himself. His eyes fixed on one in particular and he could feel the blood rushing to his head as his stomach dropped to his feet.

Up until that moment, WuFei had held firmly to the belief – hope? – that this was all just some elaborate joke being played on him. But whatever doubt he harbored for Duo's story faltered as he stared at the framed photograph. It showed Duo and himself, in Preventer uniform, looking into one another's eyes, their faces tilted towards each other, their bodies close. It seemed to have been snapped unbeknownst to the two. In the picture, his fingers lightly touched Duo's forearm, Duo's hand rested casually on his hip. Duo's features were gentle.

WuFei's brow knit together. He didn't recognize that look on his face in that photograph. He couldn't explain it, the way his pictured self stared up at the pictured Duo so warmly...so tenderly...so...

"I like that picture," Duo's voice was soft. His presence prickled at WuFei's skin as he stepped beside the smaller boy. Duo held two unmatched mugs - in Bergonia all of WuFei's unused dishware were from the same new set - in each hand filled with warm water, teabags dipped inside. He offered one to WuFei, who accepted with a murmured 'thanks'. He sipped his own and turned for the sofa, saying over his shoulder, "You'd never guess who took it."

WuFei was silent, shifting to send a quick expectant glance the braided boy's way.

"Relena."

WuFei offered a bemused look.

"We were at the Darlian estate organizing a security detail for some schmooze-fest Gala planned for the night. Weren't really paying attention to her playing with her camera and she snapped a shot of us. Said we looked like the perfect couple, told us her teacher cried a little when she turned it in for an assignment, but you know how she can exaggerate...bah, politicians. Anyhow, you were so embarrassed I had to ask for a copy to hang on the wall and humiliate you with whenever we had guests over."

Duo paused to take a sip of his tea.

"She'd been taking photography classes, was getting really good at it as you can see. She had to drop them eventually, her duties as Vice Foreign Minister take up too much of her time. A few of those pictures were taken by her, though. Got to hand it to the princess, she's good at catching people in an honest moment. Some of the ones she's done of Heero, and even Trowa, are amazing."

WuFei turned his attention back to the wall moving on to study the paintings as he took a sip from his own cup. Oolong, his favorite, and brewed perfectly, he noted. One painting was a landscape with bright sweeping colors, one a monotone of a Cathedral, one was a delicate depiction of two dancers that looked very much like a well-dressed Heero and Relena wearing formal clothes – a suit and an intricate ball gown respectively; though only a painting, they seemed to glide across the canvas. He moved his eyes over the sketches; there were several of various random people, strangers on the street, going about their business.

"These are very nice. Who..." WuFei trailed off. He flushed as he realized one of the sketches was of him, at least, a more attractive version of him than he ever saw in the mirror. He appeared to be sleeping on his side, his chest bare, his loose hair sprawled across the white paper, his hand curled up close to his face. He looked at peace.

"Ah...thanks," Duo said, watching WuFei over his mug. The dark haired boy spun in surprise.

"You did these," he exclaimed, wincing at how rude his surprise probably sounded.

Duo nodded with a modest shrug, despite the color that touched his cheeks.

"I didn't know you..." WuFei began but caught himself as he realized it was something he was supposed to know and that those types of comments were probably wearing thin on the other boy. Duo hesitated only a moment.

"My therapist suggested I take up a hobby...something that could separate me from the war," he explained, his eyes staring at the tea in his cup now, "I tried different things. Model building – you confiscated the glue after three days. I did collecting for awhile, but I kept forgetting exactly what I was collecting and just ended up with a lot of crap until you got fed up and threw everything out. Hilde suggested writing – bad idea, I'll spare you that recollection until your memories come back – and Quatre came up with art, even donated some supplies and an easel he never used. Come to think of it, he probably just bought the things to go with his aristocrat image...rich people. Anyway, I took a class and...well...the first things I did were kind of dark, depressing, and all war related which made the doc mad but my art teacher loved me so I stuck with it. Eventually I moved away from the battle scenes and well..." He waved a hand at the paintings as some sort of evidence and took another sip of his tea.

WuFei stared blankly at the other boy, though not so much surprised at the talent as he knew the other boy to have many varied abilities. He remembered that Duo could be loud and obnoxious but he never recalled Deathscythe's pilot to talk quite so openly and honestly about personal matters. It was so casual the way he spoke, as well. No uncertainty, no shame, no fear. WuFei blushed, realizing that it would make sense. They were supposedly in an intimate, and very committed if the names on the mailbox meant anything, relationship.

"Therapist?"

"Hm...?" Duo met WuFei's dark eyes, and smirked, "Oh yeah...uh...Une made me go when you got me to join the Preventers. It was sort of a...um...starting condition."

A starting condition, WuFei thought, that's strange. Une hadn't made WuFei talk to a therapist when he joined the Preventer ranks and he had probably been no more messed up than Duo from the war.

WuFei frowned, sipping his tea. The last memory he had of Duo was the Winner Christmas party.

Three years ago.

The three years he recalled after that were supposedly false. What could have happened in that time, he wondered, that made things so different.

"How did we end up together?" The question spilled from WuFei's lips before it was a thought in his mind.

Duo was quiet and WuFei couldn't bring himself to look at the other boy, he knew his cheeks were burning bright red. He tried to tell himself it was a perfectly normal thing to ask and that it shouldn't be awkward if the story of their relationship were true but he was still having difficulty wrapping his head around the idea that he and Duo were together. No two pilots were more different from one another than them.

A ringing suddenly erupted in the background, saving both boys from the story.

Duo excused himself, leaving for the kitchen again and WuFei sighed heavily. His left leg was aching and his arms were beginning to feel sore. He limped his way to the sofa and sunk into the cushions, leaning his crutches against the arm of the chair.

Even at work this was the most he'd interacted with people in a day. He felt odd in that little house, so small compared to his wide, spread out penthouse. This entire situation was erupting emotions inside of him, most of which he didn't recognize and couldn't name. It irritated him. He found himself longing for the solitude of that life he remembered in Bergonia and praying that, at the very least, this was all a horrible dream he would soon wake up from.

~ * ~

Chapter 6

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