Duo's Awakening
Part Three: Duo Loves Hilde, Hilde Loves - R.?!

20-04-21
Author’s Note: Here’s Part Three!!! As I’ve said before, the characters in this story are from the Gundam Wing anime. This is a ‘what could have been events’ after the Endless Waltz movie. So, hope you like reading it!!! Actually, what am I saying? If you’re reading Part Three, then that means you like the story!

Heero looked around the office to find any sign that Duo is finally getting his act together, and is pursuing Hilde. But, there isn’t a rose in sight, or any heart shaped candies… Or anything at all that points to Duo and Hilde.

“God! And I thought I was slow…” muttered Heero to himself. ‘Two days! Two days since they had that conversation! And what is he doing? Nothing! Just sits in his office with that Cheshire cat smile on his face…’ mulled Heero. ‘Well,’ he added, ‘at least his mood is better…’ as he noticed his friend talk animatedly to one of his employees.

Suddenly there was a commotion at the office entrance as a deliveryman bursts into the room, staggering from what seem to be hundreds of yellow roses.

Ms. Hilde Schebecker … Where’s Ms. Schebecker's office?” came the muffled question.

Most of the girls looked enviously at the flowers, and at Hilde’s closed office.

“Could somebody PLEASE! Tell me where Ms. Hilde’s office is?” the man began to waver. “Or, could somebody just lead me there? I can’t see!” came the man’s plea.

Hilde’s secretary led the man into the office.

Everybody could hear Hilde gasp, then ask, “What’s this?!” in an incredulous tone of voice.

“Roses for Ms. Hilde.” And there was a loud plop as the roses were finally placed on the table. The employees could see the man stretch his arms a little, trying to get back some circulation in his arms, but most importantly, they could see one of their beloved employer touch the petals of the roses with a beautiful smile on her face.

Heero looked at Duo to see if his guess was correct. Sure enough, Duo is leaning against the table with a 100 (thousand) watts smile focused on Hilde. Sighing, Duo turned around and walked to his office.

Heero shook his head. ‘Finally, he’s getting somewhere’ thought Heero… ‘Hmm… Maybe I should try that with Releena…’ he mused as he walked back to his office.

~*~

Later that day, Heero passed by a beaming Hilde. “So,” Heero started, “Who is it from?” he asked nonchalantly as he tilted his head to the roses.

Hilde blushed and looked to Duo’s closed office. “I don’t know…(Heero’s eyes slanted) There was only a note on the card but, there’s no name…” Again, Hilde looked at Duo’s office then back at Heero, “Do you think it’s from him?” motioning to Duo’s door with her head.

‘Geeze Duo, did you forgot to sign your name or something?’ thought Heero… then, he frowned, as a thought struck him, ‘Maybe he’s planning something…’ realization dawned upon Heero as he smiled and thought, ‘Sly Duo… very sly…’

Very curious about the card, Heero asked if he may have a look, and not surprisingly, Hilde produced it from her pocket.

‘So, Duo Maxwell is a romantic,’ Heero thought as he read the card.

“Dearest Hilde
Friendship symbolizes these yellow roses,
And friendship you have given to me willingly.
Accept my humble gift,

(‘Humble?!’ Thought Heero, ‘these are prime roses!’)

and you have just taken hold of my hand
to lead me to the start of my happiness…

“Why don’t you ask Duo if it’s from him, Hilde?”

Hilde looked shocked and shook her head… “Maybe… maybe some other time…” clearly flustered, she went back to her office.

Heero went into Duo’s office and patted his friend on his back, “Nice job.” Duo grinned mischievously,

“You ain’t seen nothing yet, Heero…” he promised.

~*~

The next day, the same commotion happened. This time, it was pink flowers. Duo nonchalantly whistled past by Hilde’s opened door, seeing her shocked, yet pleased face. He grinned to himself as he thought of the other ‘gifts’.

Heero asked to read the card again,

My dearest Hilde

(Hilde blushed as Heero said it.)

The color of these roses fades
in comparison to
The blush on your cheek and
the color of your lips…
I wonder when I might see them
Devoid of other people,
Intended only for me…

Heero once again suggested for Hilde to ask Duo, but again, she backed out, afraid that it might not be true.

Going into Duo’s office, a sly smile appeared on Heero’s face while Duo gave him an innocent face.

“I never knew that you could write poetry.” Was all the comment Heero said, but Duo knew that it meant more… Is Heero actually complimenting him?!

Duo smiled, “I can teach you, if you want.”

Heero opened the door, “I’ll think about it,” he stopped, “and by the way, when are you going to tell her whom it’s from?” Heero asked curiously.

A wide smile appeared on Duo’s face, “Curious, eh?” Heero didn’t budge, but Duo saw a ghost of a smile.

“Very soon, Heero…” he said, savoring the words, “…very soon…”

~*~

The following day, Heero saw another addition to Hilde’s growing collection of flowers. This time, they’re white roses.

Going inside Hilde’s office, he noticed that her eyes were watery. Not waiting for Heero to ask for the card, Hilde handed it over with a soft smile.

To My Beloved Hilde
White is to purity,
And thou art pure to mine eyes.
Outshining the brightest star
in the darkest night
You are my hope, as I’ve
started with my life.

Heero’s mouth almost dropped… ‘Duo’s outdone himself with this one…’ he thought, now he understands why tears are threatening to fall down on Hilde’s face.

Hilde forced a bright smile on her face, “Well! If that person doesn’t stop giving me flowers, I won’t have any more corners to put it by!”

She looked at Heero, and he noticed her fear.

“Heero…” she suddenly looked sad, “I feel sorry for the person sending me these flowers…”

Heero jerked, as he heard Hilde words… “What-” Heero swallowed, “What do you mean by that?”

Hilde looked at the wall on her right, “My heart belongs to another, (she looked at Heero who understood what she’s saying)You of all people should know that…”

Turning away, she sat on her desk and started to work, while Heero walked out of the room.

Red roses… On all four corners of her office!!! Hilde looked at her office door. Her name’s still here, so this is her office. She walked into the room with only the dim light from the hallway lighting her path, not seeing the shadow by her window blinds.

Not able to contain her pleasure for the flowers, she closed her eyes and breathed in the heady fragrance…

‘Good thing it’s still early…’ she thought, as she went to the nearest flower and bent her head to caress the petals, then kiss it lightly.

She walked to her desk, and there, she saw that someone leave three different colored roses, one rose from the flowers sent to her beforehand, and a card.

Her hands shook as she opened the card.

My Darling Hilde…
Turn around…
Will you accept me?

Hilde’s eyes widened as shock coursed through her veins. Slowly she turned around, and saw the shadow leaning against her wall.

She’d seen that pose before, and a wave of happiness coursed through her. She couldn’t help it, and tears started to fall down her cheeks.

Duo felt the world turn upside down when he saw Hilde’s tears. ‘I guess she wasn’t expecting me’, he sadly thought to himself. He stood up. ‘Well, I’ll be a man and take it.’

The shadow moved toward her, stopping an arm away. He reached for her face and wiped her tear away.

“I’m sorry Hilde…” came the low serious voice, which usually held laughter, “If you weren’t expecting me, then I’ll leave.”

Before Duo could take a step, Hilde took a step forward and hugged Duo.

Surprise hit Duo, yet, that didn’t stop the smile from breaking through his face.

“Don’t leave Duo. I wanted it to be you.” And Hilde brought Duo’s face down to hers for their very first kiss. Both enjoying the feel of each other’s lips.

A nagging thought entered Hilde’s mind, ‘He hasn’t said he loves me, yet,’ Duo brought his lips closer, and Hilde sighed in pleasure. ‘But, for now, this is enough…’

Suddenly, the couple heard a voice.

“Finally! I though this charade will never end!”

Duo looked up to the door and saw Heero. Giving his friend an angry glare for disturbing his kiss, he shouted,

“Heero! Get out!!!”

Heero grinned, and silently left the room, closing the door behind him as he heard Hilde laugh softly.

“Now…” Duo started as he looked back at Hilde, “Where were we?”

Hilde brought Duo’s hand to her cheek as she tilted her head for better access,

“I believe we were doing this.” She said and she brought Duo’s face on hers.

“I… believe … so … too…” replied Duo in between kisses. ‘Man! This is pure heaven!’ he thought to himself.

When they finally went outside, they saw the whole staff waiting for them. The moment they opened the door, cheers and applause were heard. Hilde blushed, while Duo hugged Hilde to his side, gave a wink and a thumbs up sign.

Heero walked into the office, feeling…happy that the two are finally together. Maybe, just maybe, he’ll be able to go back to Relena, soon. Talking to her is very different from being able to touch her, and he is aching to touch her.

It’s nearly been a month and a half, but Relena wants to make sure that the two will stay together. Heero smiled. Giving himself a mental pat on the back, he was about to pass by the receptionist when his thoughts were interrupted.

“Mr. Yuy,” the receptionist said.

Heero stopped and looked at the girl.

“Mr. Quatre Winner called you earlier, and left a message for you to call him back ASAP.”

Heero nodded. He started to feel a sense of dread as he walked faster toward his office. ‘If anything happened to Relena…’ Heero doesn’t want to think about it. All he knows is that he just found Relena, and he doesn’t know what he’ll do if anything happens to her… 'My beloved wife… Please be all right…’

Heero sat in front of the transmission monitor and waited for Quatre to show up. When he finally did, the first thing Quatre said was,

“Don’t worry Heero, nothing happened to Relena.”

“Huh?”

Quatre smiled, “I know that you’re thinking that something might’ve happened to Relena when I asked you to call me back ASAP, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to give more information, but (Quatre pushed some keys at his computer) here, take a look at this Heero. I’m downloading it to you…”

“My communications squad came about that transmission, coming from Earth… (Quatre saw that Heero got the message all ready since he noticed his friend’s eyes move) Nobody could decode it over here (Quatre smiled) and Relena told me that you’d know what to do.”

At the sound of Relena’s name, Heero looked back at Quatre, “How is she?”

Heero saw Relena move behind Quatre, “I’m here, Heero. I’m all right.”

Heero let out a sigh of relief. After checking with the coded message again, he looked back at Quatre through the monitor.

“It’s from Wufei.” Heero noted Quatre’s surprise.

“Is he all right?”

Heero is silent for a few seconds before answering back, “I’m not so sure. He’s using a coded message that clearly means that he’s trying to hide from someone. And he’s asking for an armed shuttle.”

Quatre looked confused, Relena on the other hand looked worried.

“Quatre, when Wufei says that he needs something, he doesn’t joke about it. Right now, I’ll provide the shuttle for Wufei…” Heero held up a finger to Relena as she started to speak, hushing her.

“I won’t give the location as to where the shuttle will be located, this transmission might be bugged, after all. (Quatre looks uneasy, Relena placed a hand to her mouth.) Anyway, what I need from you, Quatre, is the permission for the shuttle to land on your colony.”

Quatre nodded solemnly. “Done Heero.”

Heero was about to sign off, when he remembered something. “Quatre, start being alert of transmissions like these, all right? (Quatre nodded) I’ve got a bad feeling about this. (Looking at Relena) I’ll talk to you later, Rena. Over and out.” With that, Heero turned the monitor and stared at his computer screen.

“What’s going on Wufei?” he asked to himself as he started sending the transmissions to the same frequency.

Two days later, Heero was walking back to the office from a restauran, when, glancing by a large window of a restaurant, he saw Hilde. He frowned as he noticed a blonde haired guy with her, holding her hand.

“What’s going on here?”

Heero looked left, then right…

Entering the restaurant, he went to the staff room. After a soft thud, Heero walked out of the staff room wearing a tux and holding a silver platter with champagne.

He walked toward Hilde’s table and got a good look at the guy.

Heero’s eyes bulged as the guy produced a black velvet box, and in it, a ring with a solitaire. Hilde took the box, gave the guy one of her sweetest smiles, gave him a hug and a kiss.

Although Heero started hating the blonde man for ruining his plans for Duo and Hilde, he couldn’t help but admire the ring. ‘Man, that’s some ice!’ Heero thought, ‘but, Relena’s is better.’ He walked nearer and caught a few words.

“Very soon… everyone’s invited…secret…wedding…St. Peter’s…”

Warning bells alarmed in Heero’s head, ‘Wedding?!!!’ he stepped back in surprise, unwittingly clashing into another waiter.

CLASH!

Champagne glasses and plates fell on the floor. Heero didn’t loose time and started running out from the scene, leaving a dazed waiter staring at the mess.

Hilde heard the uproar and glanced towards the sound. She saw a man in a waiter’s attire running out the door. Frowning, she couldn’t understand the feeling of déjà vu as she looked at the retreating back. Shaking her head, she told herself,

“That can’t be Heero…” and resumed talking to Richard after checking her watch to see if she went over her lunch break.

~*~

Later, she went back into the office and informed the staff that she’s taking a day-off tomorrow.

She looked for Duo, then, she remembered that he wouldn’t be back until after business hours from C-623.

Leaning back on her sofa, she opened the box that Richard gave her. Always a romantic, Richard wrote a note inserted in the box.

It read:

To H,
My love, I can not wait until I marry you.
Lovingly Yours,
- R

Hilde sighed. Closing the box, she opened the last drawer on her right and placed the box in it. Then she started with her work. ‘If I’m going to be absent tomorrow, I'd better to finish things today…’ She looked at the wall separating her office from Duo's, ‘God! I wish I could see you soon!’

By 6 pm, tired and hungry, she started for home. Forgetting to close her window, and planner.

The knob turned and a whistling Duo entered the office. Ignoring the mail in his box, he headed straight for Hilde’s office.

He entered. Feeling the breeze, Duo smiled. “You forgot to close the window, Hilde…” he said softly.

Sitting on her chair, he looked at her planner.

“Damn!” cursed Duo as he saw that Hilde is going to be out tomorrow. The date is encircled and the letters W.D.R. were neatly printed at the right side corner of the box.

Not knowing the significance of the date, Duo closed the planner and placed it aside. He lay the rose he was holding on top of Hilde’s desk then, he took out a rectangular velvet lined box from his coat pocket.

Duo laughed as he started opening Hilde’s drawers trying to see where he should hide it.

“Wonder how she’ll react when she finds this…” Duo’s voice faded, after he opened the fourth drawer on the right, noticing a black velvet box.

Curiosity took hold of Duo as he took the box and opened it.

His eyes widened as he saw an engagement and wedding ring inside. Duo’s hand started to shake, and he was about to close the box when he saw a small paper tucked at the box’s lining.

Taking it out, he read it.

Duo nearly dropped the box containing the rings.

Wild ideas came into his mind as he stared in disbelief at the ring and the note. Who’s ‘R’?!

“I… I thought everything was all right…” Duo said brokenly a feeling of utter sadness and despair seeping in him.

Then, a thought struck his head. WD! Wedding Day! Duo took out Hilde’s planner and quickly shifted through it. He saw the date circled, and the box colored yellow.

His thought flew back to some conversations he had with Hilde.

“I color coordinate to see what’s most urgent. I use yellow for urgent, but if it’s really needing attention, I use red.”

Yellow… WDR- Wedding Day with R. Tomorrow…

Duo felt the emptiness in him rise... He just stared at the desk at first. Then, afterwards, he picked himself up and trudged toward the door. He knew where to go to forget…

He locked Hilde’s door behind him, forgetting to close the window.

With shoulders slumped, Duo headed for the nearest bar, ready to drown his sorrows in bottles of beer.

In Hilde’s office, soft wind blew into her room, shuffling the papers in her organizer. As the wind died down, if anyone was there, they would have seen a box colored in red, dated two weeks in the future, with also the initials WD printed bolder and larger.

~*~

Heero waited for Duo in the living room, pacing worriedly. He should have been back here hours ago! The flight landed this afternoon, Heero checked with the airport himself.

He kicked at the sofa, “So where the hell are you, Duo?” he muttered.

Damn! He’s not used to this. He’s worrying where Duo is, worrying about Wufei, mad at Hilde and that guy- and, to top it off, he’s worried as to how to tell Duo about Hilde and that guy!

Heero cursed again, “War was simpler than this!” he muttered angrily.

Then, he heard someone singing in an off key tone.

“The hell…?”

He heard the singing grow louder, then a thump outside as if a body just slumped heavily on the wall.

Heero silently walked toward the door and placed his ear by the crack.

“Now where is zhat shutupid key (hic!).”

At the sound of Duo’s voice, Heero opened the door.

Duo gave him a lopsided smile, “Heeey Heero. (hic!)”

Duo wavered, and Heero put his arm around his friend just in time to stop him from falling. Locking the door behind them, Duo started singing again.

“You smell awful, and your singing stinks.” Said Heero as he deposited Duo by the couch.

Duo just laughed. Then, flinging his arm on his face, his laughter subsided.

Heero looked at his friend, knowing that Duo either passed out, or already fell asleep. He walked to Duo’s room and took out the blanket on the bed and draped it over Duo’s sleeping form.

Heero shook his head, this is the first time he saw Duo look so desolate... so dead. He headed to his own room, still confused with the situation, but not knowing what to do with it.

Duo woke up from the smell of coffee and opened his eyes. Sunlight glinted and he quickly closed his eyes again as he groaned.

As he regained full consciousness, he felt a throbbing ache by his temple.

“I see that you’re awake.”

Duo placed both hands to his ears, “Ow! Heero… don’t shout, please!” he said weakly.

Heero placed the coffee under Duo’s nose, “Here, this might help a little.”

Wrinkling his nose in distaste, Duo was about to say no when he saw Heero’s ‘don’t- cross-me-right-now’ look.

Complying, Duo took a gulp and heat seared his throat. He gasped.

“Man! This is hot!”

“It’s coffee…” Heero replied complacently.

As soon as Duo was able to sit up straight, Heero opened his mouth to start asking questions, but Duo, with his head hidden on both hands, started to talk, not really needing any prompt from Heero.

“I thought everything was all right…I thought it was perfect…” Duo looked up and Heero saw the deep hurt in his eyes.

“What happened? How come she never told me she loved somebody else?”

Heero frowned, ‘So he knows already… I wonder how…’ instead, he said.

“What do you mean, Duo?”

Duo slumped into his chair. “I saw a ring Heero… (He looked up at Heero) A ring!!! I was going to put a surprise for her in her desk, something I bought at C623…”

Duo laughed miserably, “And you know what? I brought her a stupid necklace… A damn necklace!”

“I wanted to buy her a ring, you see… But, (Duo shook his head) I thought it was too symbolic… so I just bought a necklace. Then, I came back here, (Duo’s voice started to sound happier, as he began to remember how content he felt before he found it.) I went straight to her office, just so I could surprise her for today, (his face fell as he relieved the memory last night) and then I saw it...”

Anger flared in his eyes, and Duo stood up, “There was even a bloody note with it!!! (Duo clutched at Heero’s collar) ‘I can’t wait to marry you’ it says. (He started shaking Heero) Marry!”

For once, Heero let Duo shake him. ‘Just this once’, he told himself.

Duo’s hands slacked and he slumped back into his chair. “Marry (he said again in bewilderment) And Heero (He looked up) She’s going to marry him today!!!” Duo saw the surprised expression on his friends’ face.

“How would you know, Duo?”

“I saw it on her planner… It was in yellow, blast it!!! YELLOW!!!”

Not knowing the significance of the color, Heero didn’t say anything.

Then, an idea occurred to him, as Duo stopped talking. Thinking of all possible turn out, Heero decided it was for the best.

Acting as nonchalantly as he could, Heero stood up, “Well, I think it’s for the best.”

Duo’s hands flung out as he sat straighter, giving Heero and incredulous look.

“WHAT?! I thought you were my friend!” accused Duo.

Heero shrugged, “I mean, Duo, as far as I know, you told me that you just liked Hilde. (Heero saw Duo’s mouth open and held up a finger for silence.) At least this guy Hilde is marrying loves her. He wrote it down himself. After all, like and love are entirely different.”

He looked at Duo who looked as if he’s just been kicked in the face, “You never did say, or wrote, that you loved her... So it’s turning out for the best.”

Heero stood up and started walking to the kitchen. He heard Duo follow him.

“B-b- but… I…Heeeeerrrrooo!” wailed Duo. Heero turned to look at a confused Duo.

“Answer this question Duo. Do you like Hilde, or love her?” Heero stared at his friend.

Duo opened his mouth, “I li… (Duo took a deep breath to start again.) I li…(Heero raised his brow as Duo bowed his head concentrating.) I li.” He started again, and once more, he wasn’t able to finish.

Duo looked up, and Heero could see the dawning comprehension on his face. With eyes wide, he said, almost faintly,

“Heero… I love Hilde!” Once Duo said that, he smiled. “I love Hilde!” he said with more conviction.

Heero smiled, ‘Finally!!! I thought, you’d never get it!’ thought Heero.

Duo’s shoulders slumped again as he looked at Heero, lost as to what to do next.

“So… what am I going to do now?” he said weakly.

Heero sighed, ‘For someone who owns a company- he can be so dense sometimes.’ He thought.

“Well,” Heero started, “If I were you, (Duo looked to Heero expectantly) I wouldn’t go down without a fight.”

Duo’s brilliant smile lighted his face again as he leaped to his feet. “You’re right!!! I won’t go down without a fight! I’m going to stop that wedding even if it’s the last thing I do!” Duo started for the door.

“Uhm… Duo…” Heero said as Duo got to the door, maybe he can blame his friend's forgetfulness because of being drunk last night... Duo isn't usually like this...

Duo looked back at his friend with questioning eyes, “Yeah?”

“Do you even know which chapel you’re going to?” came the simple reply.

Duo turned beet red. “I… ah… (sigh!) no…”

Heero shook his head as he stood up, “Come on, I know where to go…”

Duo jumped up in joy and ran to Heero. Grabbing his arm, Heero was practically dragged by Duo who was saying,

“Come on! We’ve got a wedding to stop!” Duo paused for a moment, then started walking briskly again, “God! I’ve always wanted to say that, but I never expected it to be directed to me!”

Heero gritted his teeth and thought, “Under normal circumstances, I will never let this happen.” Then he looked up at Duo, and remembered how rejected his friend looked last night and this morning. “This is an exception.”

(Well???? How was it? Did you like it? I know that it’s confusing since Wufei suddenly showed up, but you’ll understand the significance later on. Part Four: Mission: Crash a Wedding, Get the Bride is coming soon! R’s identity will be revealed! So read on! THANKS to my sister Laurie for a cool (the restaurant) idea!)