"Away From It All"

Written By: SkyLark

Disclaimer: All standard disclaimers apply here

Betaed By: ShenLong *hugs*

Warnings: Yoai, Sap

Pairing: 1x2x1

Summary: Duo and Heero look forward to their yearly vacation, but this time something is different.

Note: Inspired by the following T_shirt pics commissioned for me: http://usera.imagecave.com/t-shirt/1x2beachshanty.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/t-shirt/1x2pillowfightj.jpg http://usera.imagecave.com/t-shirt/1x2afterglowm.jpg

"Away From It All"

Clicking the last few keys to end my report of my latest mission, I make quick work to convert the document into an email attachment addressed to Lady Une. I raise my hand to make a show of it before lowering my pointer finger to press the mouse clicker on 'Send' to officially end my day.  
 
Finally. Another grueling week done.
 
A smirk tugs the side of my mouth as I look to my little desk calendar. Not only was it the end of the week, but it was the end of the second week of July. Which meant that it was officially the start of my fifth annual, two-week 'Away From It All' vacation with Heero.
 
Two weeks without missions, cell phones and even my partner's laptop. Everything that we did for the remainder of the year was basically in preparation to have it all left behind for that break.
 
Not long after the whole Mariemaia incident, out of the blue, I had been asked by Heero to join the Preventers with him since he did not feel comfortable being partnered with someone he did not know or trust. Wufei was paired with Sally then, Trowa was busy running with the circus and Quatre was very content with overseeing his family's business.
 
Meanwhile, I was busy helping Hilde's salvaging business get off the ground and business was booming. Unsettled with the daily grind of monotony, I jumped at the opportunity to work with the ex-Wing pilot that I secretly had a crush on.
 
Weeellll... maybe it wasn't a total secret to some since Quatre, Trowa, Wufei and Hilde had all at some point figured it out. So much for my stealth abilities.
 
So, Heero and I partnered up in what I believed was only due to his lack of other options at the time. It took almost a year after that time for me to realize it was a lot more than that. That and a trip for the hospital for me after a mission gone bad.
 
I had been sedated into a coma to recover from my injuries and Heero had been at my side nearly the entire time. The rules of no overnight guests did not apply for him. Between his Preventer badge and that glare of his, he had the entire staff on-hand willing to overlook the visitor guidelines.
 
When I came to after nearly a week, I woke to find my partner sleeping half on my chest and the mattress with our hands joined. Even asleep, Heero looked like hell. His eyes had dark circles under them, his hair was mussed more than usual and he had allowed quite a bit of stubble to grow.
 
Both amused and sad to see him like that, I lay there watching him a moment before squeezing the hand in mine after a few failed attempts to talk past my scratchy throat. Instantly alert, my partner sat up with wide eyes. That initial look of surprise quickly faded into a smile and relief that I had never seen on his face before.
 
And then he did something I never saw coming by finally following his emotions like he had been taught to lean in and kiss me.
 
To say that I was shocked shitless would be an understatement. Still, I was able to kiss him back when I finally snapped out of it.
 
Weeks later, once I was healed up, we moved from our separate apartments into a house of our own. Some may say we moved quickly there; but considering how we had been dancing around each other for two years, I'd have to say it was about time. It proved to be the best decision either of us had ever made besides coming clean with our feelings.
 
By that summer, I had made the suggestion of our having a vacation. And not the vacation we had been used to of just vegging at home where we could still be called in if we were needed. A real vacation away from it all. Hence the name we have dubbed those two weeks.
 
It was a bit of a surprise to me how Heero had not even flinched when I ordered all electronics, including his laptop, stay home. Seemed that after a whole year of working with the Preventers he was in need of some down time for a change as well.
 
We had spent almost two weeks picking a location that we both wanted on a remote beach in the middle of nowhere. Finding a shanty on the white sands, we rented the place and had fourteen of the most relaxing days we ever had.
 
The best part about the trip was that I actually got to see my then lover actually live for the first time in his life and we actually had the chance to be kids again. Like a second chance for the both of us.
 
We have tickle fights- which I always let Heero win just to see him smirk in victory at making me laugh. Then there's also pillow fights, goofing off in the water and going to the town's ice cream parlor or movie theaters just to name a few other things.
 
I swear years come off my partner's face the moment we get to that shanty. As if all of those bad memories, training and duty are completely lifted off his shoulders.
 
And it's one of the most damned beautiful things I have the privilege of being the only person in their world to share that with him.
 
Shutting down my computer, I quickly change into the jeans and plain gray t-shirt that I brought along before locking up my office at the end of my half-shift. Every loose tie handled, I don't have to burden myself worrying over what may or may not come up while we're away. My mind is too busy envisioning that view of the white-sanded beach from the shanty's master bedroom window.
 
Just as expected, Heero is waiting for me by our car in the parking lot wearing a pair of blue jeans and a red tank. Smirking, he pulls me close as soon as I am within reach and gives me a deep kiss that sends a wave of electric shocks up my back.

When we finally pull away, I grin and pant, “Nice to see you, too.”

Chuckling, my partner-in-crime gestures to the car that is already packed behind him as he asks, “Ready to go?” My answer comes in the form of my moving past him to jump into the passenger seat of the opened convertible. Shaking his head in amusement, Heero rounds to take the driver’s seat and starts the car.

Our drive lasts just over five hours with a quick rest stop for lunch. Then, at last, our haven comes into view past the lone road we are on leading to the white-sanded beach.

I sigh quietly and stretch my arms over my head to feel the cool sea air blowing past. “Home sweet away from home,” I smirk while readjusting my sunglasses. From the corner of my eye, I see Heero nod his head in agreement.

Not long later, we’re unpacked and shirtless as we head into the living room. Opening the white back patio doors, I stare out to the beach while Heero falls onto the couch. When I feel his eyes on me, I turn and smirk, “Sorry. Just enjoying the view.”

A smirk tugging his own lips, he replies. “So am I.” I shiver a bit at the husky, teasing comment and he waved me over. The moment I am within reach, Heero stretches up to pull me over the sofa back and into his lap.

Moaning, my head falls back as I am once again reminded of just how talented my partner’s tongue is.

* * * *

By the time the sun came up the following day, we had pretty much rechristened every room in the shanty before all but collapsing into a sated sleep.

It was nearly noon when I finally woke up and reluctantly left Heero's arms to greet the day. Cup of coffee in hand, I step out onto the back patio in nothing but a striped sleepwear top to take in the ocean and clear skies.
 
My mind wanders where it shouldn't- already thinking about how this nice get away is not going to last forever. Normally I wouldn't let myself think about that while still on vacation, but it's getting harder and harder to have to say goodbye to this little bit of peace.
 
Granted, there was a time I loved working for the Preventers as a way of filling my life with some excitement and strangely enough normalcy. But even that wears after a while. Suddenly, what appeals changes. For me, that thrill was gone and I wanted a new 'normal' in my life that did not include risking my life anymore.
 
We earned our right to finally let go of our responsibilities, didn't we? Hadn't there been enough close calls, sleepless nights and other sacrifices we'd been through?
 
I nearly jump when an arm wraps around my waist, just managing to keep what's left of my coffee from spilling. Damned Yuy's getting as good at stealth as I am. The initial shock only lasts a second and I smile while leaning back against the chest behind me.
 
A light kiss presses against my temple as Heero asks quietly, "What are you thinking about?"
 
"Stuff I shouldn't while we're here," I admit with a shrug. I take the slight squeeze from the arms around me as a sign to continue. Sighing, I look back to the cobalt eyes watching me and notice that my partner is only wearing the stripped pants that go along with the top I am wearing. With a deep breath, I frown, "I'm already kinda dreading going back."
 
Lightly shrugging his own shoulders, Heero smiles, "What if we don't have to?" he questioned. Taken by surprise by the question, my eyes widen and jaw hangs open as I try to fathom that possibility.

Chuckling, the former 'Perfect Soldier' walks around to sit in one of cushioned the patio chairs in front of me. "I've looked into what buying this place would cost," he tells me. "It would hardly put a dent in our nest egg."
 
That said 'nest egg' was our account that we could both live comfortably off of for the rest of our lives without working another day. During the wars, turns out we had both separately come up with the brilliant plans of hacking into OZ's funds. What we took was a drop in the ocean for them to notice, but a hell of a lot more money than the majority of people saw in their lifetimes.
 
I knew that there was more than enough to pay for the little shanty. What blew me away was the fact that Heero had actually looked into seeing how much it would cost. Not wanting to get my hopes up over what that meant, I hear myself reply, "Well, I wouldn't want to own this place if we couldn't stay here."
 
"Baka," he snickers, shaking his head. "Of course you know that's what I'm getting at." A look of mischief in his blue eyes, he reaches back for a pillow and playfully hits me with it.
 
Finally coming to my senses, I laugh and grab a pillow from the chair beside me to return a jab of my own. "Yea, and what about the Preventers? I didn't think you would ever be willing to give that up."
 
Rising to his feet, Heero lands a soft blow to my side with a slight frown. "You don't think that I can go on in life without having a mission?" he retorts in a tone that borderlines on hurt.
 
That ends our little pillow fight for me and my arms fall to my sides. "Of course I didn't mean it like that, 'Ro," I respond, trying to really get my sincerity across. "I just don't want you to make a decision that you think you may regret because of me."
 
Apparently, that warranted another hit from the pillow. Shaking his head, my lover smirks, "What would there be to regret, Duo?" When I don't have an answer, he pauses and cups the side of my face as our eyes lock.
 
"I've put a lot of consideration into this," Heero said quietly. "Everything that I have done up to now, I've put others before myself- my own life. My own happiness has been put on hold ever since I really knew what it was like to be happy."
 
Biting my lip, I nod when he seems to be searching for the right words to go on. Our foreheads meet as he informs me, "I want to be selfish for a change and put my happiness first... and I am happiest when I'm with you."
 
Not many people know Heero can be such a romantic. It's rare when he shows that side, but when he does he can almost knock me over. Against my lowered defenses, a can feel a few tears sting my eyes.
 
"So..." my long-time partner in crime grins, "All you have to say is you want the same and we'll stay here... leave the rest of the world behind to fend for itself."
 
Unwilling to trust my voice, I close the distance between us to lean up for a kiss that deepens quickly. When we pull back, I manage to nod and whisper, "Yes. I want that."
 
A smile widens on Heero's own face before he pulls me close for another kiss to seal the deal. That little moment is broken when I take advantage of the moment to strike him with my pillow. Laughing, we tussle and ‘fight’ until both pillows are torn. Neither of us care as worry, knowing that the shanty is going to be ours to clean after as we kiss away the loose feathers floating around.
 
Let the rest of the world go on as it will. All we need is each other. Now, it looks like we're going to have just that for the rest of our days.
 
And I can't wait to start.
 

END

 

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