Mending the Shatters Epilogue
"Heero, c'mon! We'll be late!" Duo called as he ran into a small and green park, towards a figure standing in the middle of a grassy field. "Heero- the car will be here in ten minutes!" He reminded his boyfriend, stopping right in front of him.
Heero turned to stare him down with a glare. "They can wait. Mary isn't done yet!"
Duo rolled his eyes. "How long does it take for a dog to fucking pee, eh?" He muttered, slumping his shoulders in surrender. "I told ya you should have taken her outside in the morning."
"It is morning, Duo."
"Not by my standards." The boy replied, looking down at his wristwatch. His eyes widened as he saw it was nearly eleven A.M. His head jerked up. "Heero! We're gonna be late for court!"
But the boy ignored him. Heero kneeled down on the grass, mindless of the fact that he was wearing a suit and might get it all dirty. He spread his arms wide as he saw a small and fury figure running towards him.
Duo smiled as he looked down at his boyfriend, also smiling and then even laughing as a little golden-brown puppy jumped up at him, tail waving in excitement, licking and bouncing up to Heero's face. Duo's features softened and he sat down by Heero, who was now lying on his back, holding the little puppy up in the air, playing with it, blue eyes sparkling with mischief.
The small puppy barked, looking down at Duo, tail waving from side to side.
Heero chuckled. "See? She missed you!"
Duo rolled his eyes as he saw Heero bring the puppy down to his face, rubbing his nose against the dog's nose, making these little affectionate sounds, which made Duo feel a little jealous...
"Ch, I knew I shouldn't have bought you that fur ball..." He muttered, although his eyes were amused. He would never forget the surprised look on Heero's face when he presented him with this small gift. He never would have figured how much Heero would love that dog. He was crazy about her, and would never let go of her. He enjoyed watching Heero playing with her, pampering her, laughing with her... it was so endearing the way he loved that small and furry animal.
But what about him?! Doesn't he deserve a little attention?
Duo shook his head, disappointed of himself. He knew what this was REALLY about. Heero was just trying to stall. They were due in court in about an hour, which meant that they had no more time, for they had a forty five minute drive up to the next big city, where the trail was held. He knew how much Heero hated going through with it, but it was almost over. It's been a long and agonizing process, taking nearly three months, but eventually, they got here. Today the verdict would be given, and justice will be served.
Duo smirked, suddenly picturing a little Wufei in his head, ranting on and on about... stuff. He turned back to look down at Heero, placing a hand on his shoulder, tapping it lightly. "C'mon, boyfriend, time ta go."
Heero pouted, but got up nonetheless. He smiled up at Duo and gave him a quick kiss before jumping up to his feet. Mary jumped up as well, bouncing and jumping around Heero's feet. Heero looked down at her, and then bent down to ruffle the top of her furry hair. He got up again, and took Duo's hand in his. The two looked at each other lengthily.
"You ready?" Duo asked, squeezing Heero's hand lightly.
Heero nodded, a dark shadow suddenly flashing in his eyes. "Hai. Lets get it over with."
* * *
They dragged it out hour after weary hour. The Defense was given permission to have their say first. But much of what they said was used in earlier sessions. There wasn't much to be said. It was clear who was at fault there, even the Defense knew that. Heero just sat there, holding Duo's hand tightly, feeling Odin's comforting presence on his other side. He took comfort in the fact that he didn't have to face Him alone. He was there with his family and friends, and to his surprise, the other pilots had also showed up. Trowa came with Catherine and Quatre, Sally and Wufei were there and even... even Relena was there, sitting with the rest of the ex-pilots in the row behind him. So, taking comfort in that, Heero did his best to try and ignore the feeling of those mocking eyes. Every once in a while he could hear it, that metallic clacking, that claw... opening and closing... over and over... again and again... Heero shivered, closing his eyes and looking away. He could feel Duo lean closer to him.
"It'll be all right, love." He whispered into his boyfriend's ear, kissing it gently.
Heero tried to assure him that he was okay, doing his best to smile, but it faltered. Looking up, not even meaning to look in that certain direction, he could see Him. Smirking at him... mocking him... like he knew he was going to win.
Heero swallowed, looking away.
The Prosecution was up next, giving the closing speech. Heero had already testified in previous trials. No one could read the face of the accused as Heero, between sobs and tears, told of what had happened to him under the care of that man. The jury, on the other hand, couldn't help but look compassionately at the sobbing boy as they heard his testimony. He didn't mean to break down like he did when he was up there, but it just happened. He had never spoken out loud about the things he'd been through at the training camp, and now, in front of ALL those people, he suddenly broke down. Things have gotten so bad, they had to stop the trail and continue the next day. He didn't really remember what happened. All he knew was that Odin and Ai carried him away from the stand, and then he was in the car, headed home, held tightly by Duo.
The Prosecution and Defense finished their concluding statements but Heero paid them no mind. He really just wanted to go home and curl up with Duo in front of the TV. He just wanted it all to be over.
"Jury," The judge called. "It is left to you now to decide the verdict. However, it behooves this court to remember I make the final judgment. You may all retire to your chamber for your decision."
Exhausted, Heero snuggled up against Duo's body, closing his eyes and looking away as people exited the courtroom. He could feel Him glaring down at him as he was escorted out of the room. Heero just inched closer to Duo, clutching his shirt. He felt Duo's hand reach up, stroking his hair gently.
"It'll be over soon, Hee-chan. It'll be over soon."
* * *
The jury filed out of their chamber. Heero gasped and slowly sat up, a bit confused about how come he had fallen asleep in Duo's lap at a time like this. He turned in his seat and gazed up at Odin, sitting by him. The man's eyes showed no fear; he just waited silently, face unreadable. Heero sighed, taking it as a small comfort. At least he wasn't worried.
Sensing that he was being watched, Odin turned to look at Heero. He smiled weakly at him, taking his hand. Heero somehow managed to smile back.
The jury took their seats, and the judge spoke: "Jury of the Supreme Court of Charleston County, have you reached your decision?"
"We have, Your Honor." The spokesman answered. He brought a torn piece of paper out of his pocket and took a deep nervous breath. "In light of the events from AC 188 to this day, December 17th, AC 197, we have come to the conclusion that the defendant is hereby found guilty of the crimes committed against Heero Yuy and is also found responsible for the deaths of Steven Parker, Mark Sweil, Harry Carter and Adam Wong. The jury's decision is that the defendant will be sentenced to spend the rest of his life in a state prison. And by a special request of the Prosecution, it is said that Heero Yuy will be placed under the custodianship of Odin Lowe for the benefit of his safety and well-being, until he reaches legal age."
Heero gasped and covered his mouth, feeling Duo pull him towards him and embrace him closely.
People all over the room let out a collective sigh of relief or gasp of shock.
The judge struck he gavel for attention and the crowd fell respectfully quiet. But the room was filled with barely controlled excitement.
"It is the final decision of this court that the defendant is found guilty and will receive a life sentence. In addition to that, Odin Lowe will become Heero's legal guardian if he so chooses."
The gravel was struck, the verdict was finale.
Heero didn't know if to laugh or cry. He was feeling so many things right now; he thought he would go on emotional overload. He noticed that he was trembling, tears he wasn't even aware of shedding were sliding down his cheeks. Looking left and right, not knowing what to do with himself, he first hugged Duo tightly, kissing him all over. He then whirled around and practically jumped up at Odin, hugging him so tight, the man's face turned purple. But he didn't mind. He hugged Heero back, resting his head on the slim shoulder, one hand tapping the boy's back.
Heero let out a whimper, snapping his eyes shut, concentrating only on Odin's warmth and comfort as he heard those metallic steps echo throughout the hall one last time, feeling that cold and threatening presence walk away for good, taking all that pain with her. For good.
* * *
"Heero!" Quatre called happily, greeting his friend with a light hug. "Are you feeling all right?" He asked, concerned, looking up into Heero's tearful eyes.
Heero only nodded, wiping the tears away with his sleeve. He, the ex-pilots, Odin and the Shrets were now standing outside the courtroom, surrounded by a sea of reporters. The whole trail had been under spotlights, much to Heero's displeasure. But he guessed that it was big news, in a way. 'Ex-Gundam pilot pressing chargers against his trainer...' Who would have thought, eh? But it felt right, oh boy it did... His heart felt a million times lighter. A large burden had been removed from his heart. He wasn't afraid anymore. Of nothing, really. For the first time in so many years, he could finally say that he wasn't afraid. He was free.
"Wufei is brining the car over here." Trowa informed the small group silently, looking around at the loud crowd of people. "We should make it out of here without problem."
"And we'll go partying like there's no tomorrow, eh Hee-chan!?" Duo called, one arm flying around his boyfriend's shoulder.
"I know this great place downtown!" Tifa called, walking forward towards the group, along with Annabel.
"I don't know, Tiff," Ai suddenly called from behind. "I think Heero would rather get some decent sleep, ne?"
"Eh, c'mon, let the boy party!" Bob called.
"I wanna come too!" Little Kenny burst, jumping up and down.
"Oh no you don't!" Tifa growled.
Heero smiled, looking at the small family. His family. He turned to look at the other pilots, and his smile broadened. His second family. He looked up as he saw Odin coming to stand by him, handing him something. "Here, you can have the car." The man whispered with a smile, putting the car keys in his palm. "Drive safely, eh?"
"H-hai." Heero promised, smiling again as he felt the blond tap on his back, and then walk away.
"So, where are we going?" Duo began as the bunch of teens made their way towards the car.
"Clubbing, what else?" Tifa answered with a grin.
"Ooh... I don't know..." Quatre began quietly. "I've got a meeting tomorrow morning..."
"Yeah, and we don't want Hee-chan to start drinking again, now do we?" Annie smirked.
"Hey!" Heero called, and the grouped laughed.
They all headed to the car, when suddenly, one reporter burst out of the crowd of people, yelling and begging for a picture. Duo, of course, couldn't resist and agreed for everyone. They all lined up together, holding hands and smiling at the camera as it snapped, taking the picture. A picture of all of them together, smiling at the camera, happy and content with the world.
Three months later, Heero and Duo graduated from high school. They both went to the Preventers academy and graduated within a year. They moved in together, living in the same large city in which the trail was held, so Heero could stay close to home, about an hour drive from Odin's house. They worked at the Preventers main headquarters in the city, in charge of the whole County. And ever since that day, December 17th, AC 197, life was... pretty damn good, as one braided American would say. ^__~
OWARI
*sighs* ah... finally! ^__^;;;