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This was written a while ago, but I'm posting it now, because it's part of the universe I'm going to use to write my stagesoflove challenges for Heero and Duo. I call it the drabble-verse (original, eh? --;;) and you can find the other pieces using that tag in my journal. Author: corazon_d_fuego
Pairing: Heero/Duo
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Drama
Warnings: yaoi, Episode Zero/EW spoilers
Disclaimer: I don't own them. I just think they're pretty. *_*

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Duo yawned and stretched as he made his way down the hall. Mornings, he had decided, were hell. But it was worth it today. The tired Maxwell scratched his stomach through the thick red and white stripes of his pajamas, watching the percolator... percolate. He glanced up at the clock. Heero wouldn't be up for another hour -- plenty of time. He just hoped Quatre showed up on time with the little surprise.

***

Heero was a bit curious when he woke up and found Duo gone from bed. But he had prepared himself the night before for just about anything the American might try today.

Rising from bed, Heero popped his neck twice, then pulled a clean tank top from the dresser and pulled it on over his boxers. Stepping out of the bedroom, he was surprised at the smells filling the air. Every morning before this had simply been fresh coffee, but today there were several scents, mostly sweet. Rounding the corner to the kitchen, Heero was stopped in his steps by the sight before him.

Layed out on the table was a breakfast feast. Bowls of fruit, a pitcher of orange juice, plates of bacon and sausage, a steaming coffee pot, and... most imporantly... a towering stack of pancakes. Heero loved pancakes. And closer inspection revealed a large server of warm maple syrup.

And there was Duo, standing on the other side of the table in an apron, smiling like an idi... like an angel. "Good morning, sleeping beauty! Feel like a little breakfast?"

Heero grinned, crossing his arms as he made his way to the table. "Only you would call this 'a little'." He had a seat and poured himself a cup of coffee, having a few sips before reaching for the pancakes.

"Whoa there! Hang on a second, Heero. There's something I want you to open before we eat." Duo picked up a brightly wrapped shoe box off the kitchen countertop and set it on the table next to the other, rather puzzled young man. "Happy Anniversary, Heero." Duo pecked him on the cheek and stood back, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet.

Heero looked at the box, then at Duo, then at the box again, perking an eyebrow as he lifted away the top.

Big brown eyes blinked open and looked up at Heero. Four legs lifted and stretched, a long tail waving back and forth as two yellow paws reached up to rest on the box's rim. A tiny pink tongue hung out, contrasting with the labrador puppy's otherwise golden body.

For a second, Heero's blood went cold. The puppy looked so much like the one he'd pulled from the rubble. That little girl's puppy, the one he'd killed by mistake. His fingers woke up first, guiding his hands to pick up the little furry thing. This puppy was warm and it squirmed about when he brought it up to his chest, not like the cold stillness he'd known before.

"Duo..." Heero rose from his seat a bit unsteadily, his whole body shivering as he held the dog close to him. Tears formed at the corners of his tightly clenched eyes, streaming down the sides of his face as he fought off his sobs.

Duo moved forward cautiously. "Heero? Oh God, Heero, I though you'd like it. I'm so sor-!"

The American was cut off as Heero pulled him close, nearly crushing him in a tight, one-armed hug. The puppy was craddled more gently between their chests, it's head resting on Heero's shoulder.

"I do," Heero blurted out. "I do like it. Thank you, Duo!" He buried his face against Duo's neck, tears wetting the warm skin until he could compose himself.

Duo didn't say much, just wrapped his arms around Heero and rubbed his back gently. When Heero had gotten himself under control and started to pull away, Duo reached up to wipe the young man's tears away. "Love you, Heero," he said softly.

"I love you too." Heero sniffled and grinned, tilting his head to the side and pressing a soft kiss onto Duo's mouth.