Author: Zazu
Rating: G
Warnings: none
Pairings: 1+2+1
Note: This was inspired by pictures of Merith's cat, named Hope. It is not beta-read.
Summary: A glimpse in the lives of Heero and Duo after the war.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, nor do I own the characters. I have borrowed them here for some fun and creativity, and this is not for profit. I do, however, own the plot mentioned here, and any instances that you may find similar to real life events are purely a coincidence. All of the characters depicted in this story are adults.
Life at Peace
Duo nuzzled his pillow as he woke. There was a quiet sound beside him and he opened an eye. Heero was sitting against the headboard, book in one hand. The other hand was idly scratching the top of the Hope's head; the feline was sitting in his lap, purring. Hope's eyes were closed and she looked content where she was.
Duo had to say that he was fairly content where he was as well, although he'd have preferred that hand petting his head instead.
"Good morning."
He shifted and looked up at Heero. "Morning," Duo yawned. "You're up early."
"Mm," Heero agreed. "Hope startled me when she jumped up beside me."
"Sorry about that." Duo knew that Heero wasn't quite used to having cats around; after all, he'd just moved in a week ago. "Although I have to say, I think she likes you more than she likes me."
Heero smiled as Duo shifted onto his side, propping himself up on an elbow before he reached over to scratch Hope under the chin. She opened her eyes for a moment before they closed again, still purring as her two humans pet her.
"I'm going to go shower first," Duo said after a moment. He sat up, watching as Hope's ears perked forward and she meowed as if to protest his hand leaving her chin. "You're spoiled," he informed the cat affectionately.
"I'll join you in a few minutes," Heero said. Duo smiled and leaned over to kiss Heero's jaw before he got out of bed.
True to his word, Heero knocked on the bathroom door and entered. Duo had just finished brushing his teeth and had just stepped into the shower. Heero quickly went through his morning routine before he removed his boxers and stepped into the shower where Duo was.
"Hey," Duo said, his back to Heero as he rinsed the soap suds from his body. "I'm just about done."
"I don't mind the view," Heero said, setting his hands down on Duo's hips and kissing a cleaned shoulder.
Duo chuckled. "Well, I don't want you to enjoy it too much. It might delay my breakfast, which would delay our getting to work." He glanced back at Heero, letting his gaze drop deliberately as he checked Heero out. "I'm not adverse to a second shower after work though."
"I'll take that raincheck," Heero replied. Duo stepped out of the shower and Heero quickly washed himself.
As soon as he stepped out, he looked down in time to see Hope enter the bathroom and jump into the shower. She began to lick her paws and clean herself.
"Why does she do that? Go in there after us I mean," Heero asked, rubbing his hair dry and watching the cat.
"I don't know." Duo replied as he deftly braided his hair. "She never did that until you came here." He grinned. "I guess you're a good role model or something. She likes to follow you around."
Heero smiled, giving Duo a real kiss, albeit briefly. "Well, she's only following a follower, not a leader."
"What do you mean?"
"You're the leader," Heero said, tugging Duo's braid lightly. "I'll follow you everywhere. But yea, at least I'm leading Hope to the right places."
Duo slipped his arms around Heero's waist. "You know I'd follow you anywhere too, right?"
Heero nodded and kissed Duo again before stepping back and looking at Hope. "Come on, Hope, let's go get breakfast."
Hope followed quickly as Heero left the bathroom, leaving Duo, who closed his eyes with a smile, mentally recording the image of Heero's affectionate gaze upon Hope.
This was what it was like to live a normal life after the war, he reflected. He opened his eyes, recalling what Heero had said before leaving the bathroom.
"Hey, lover boy, don't forget my breakfast! You have to feed Hope's human too, you know, it's a part of the responsibility of taking care of her!"
Heero's answering laugh left Duo sure that they were definitely on the right track to a better life from here on out.
OWARI
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