How Can People Be So Cruel?
by Sephiroth
prettysephy@yahoo.comFandom: Gundam Wing
Pairing: Heero/Duo
warning: angst, violence
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing is owned by Bandai and other anime companies that have nothing to do with me. In other words, these are not my characters.Warning: Angst, violence.
How Can People Be So Cruel?
by Sephiroth
It took Heero Yuy a tremendous effort not to bash the man's face in. The Perfect Soldier had been listening to the man for ten minutes and he was already seething.
"We don't do gay marriages," the man had told him, repeating what so many others had said. "Gays don't love each other the way normal people do. They're just in it for the sex. The marriage part is so they can get more money from their tax returns. Its all lust and greed and the church does not support that kind of sinful behavior."
"No," Heero agreed, "but they do seem to support bigotry and closed-mindedness." He hadn't told the minister why he had come. He didn't want to be preached at again. The minister he had told was still recovering from a broken nose and this man was getting dangerously close to joining him.
He wanted desperately to marry Duo, to give the boy the stable family life he'd been denied. He had proposed several months earlier, and Duo had accepted. But then, when they'd tried to find someone to marry them, they'd realized how unpopular their lifestyle was.
Everyone spoke of tolerance, of accepting those who were 'different'. But when push came to shove, no one was willing to be the first to make the effort.
Duo no longer went with Heero. He couldn't bear to hear anymore of the cruel words the people they talked to said. One man had even suggested that Duo be put in a mental hospital so that his 'sickness' could be cured.
That remark had angered Heero even more than those made by the minister with the broken nose. The man who'd made them was in a hospital IC unit with injuries that the doctors said would leave him in a wheelchair and eating his meals through a straw.
With a heavy heart, Heero left the office and returned home.
Duo arrived at the same time, looking like he'd been through a hay-baler.
"Duo, " Heero growled angrily. Duo flinched and Heero winced at the boy's reaction. "I'm not mad at you." he told him, taking him into his arms and trying to comfort him.
A rock struck Duo's head, drawing blood and causing the boy to go limp in Heero's arms.
"Get out of our town, fags!" the rock-thrower snarled at them. It was funny how people changed overnight if they heard you were gay. It seemed as if just yesterday everyone was happy to have the two of them there. They were Gundam PIlots, after all, the heroes of the war that had ended less than a year ago. But now they were 'fags', outcasts, shunned by those who had once claimed to love them. The betrayal had broken Duo's heart.
"Oh, Kami-sama," Heero's voice was full of concern, "Duo, are you all right?"
Duo remained limp in Heero's arms and gave no reply.
-Part 2-
"I'm sorry, sir," the voice on the phone told Heero, "our hospital is not equipped to treat homosexuals. The risk of AIDS is too high and we don't want to endanger our staff. I can recommend a clinic that caters to people like you..."
People like you. There was a phrase Heero hated. It was one of those "let's lump everyone into categories and forget they're individuals remarks. People, Heero knew, used comments like this because it made their bigotry more comfortable for them. Look at a person as an individual, Quatre had once told him before his death, and you're forced to see that he's just the same as you are, a regular human being who goes to work, likes and dislikes certain foods, and so on.
Quatre. Heero's mind went back to the day that Trowa had called. The boy had been distraught.The people on the board of Quate's family's company had learned that the boy was gay when one of them had spotted Trowa and Quatre kissing. Feeling it was an embarrassment to the company, and not wanting to risk losing their fortunes, they had invoked a long-extinct law and had beaten Quatre to death in the board room.
Rashid had heard his master's screams and had run in, arriving too late to save the boy's life. Holding Quatre's lifeless body in his arms, he'd summoned his men who had slaughtered the persons responsible for Quatre's death. This had brought reprisals from the men's respective townships and a civil war had begun in the Middle-East that was still being waged.
Trowa knew nothing of it, however. After hanging up the phone, Heero learned from Wufei, the young performer had gone to the circus and had committed suicide by shifting after Catherine had thrown one of her knives causing the projectile to pierce his heart.
-Part 4-
Sally was already in the doorway of the hospital when Heero arrived. Two attendants flanked her, obeying her every command as they brought Duo into the hospital. "Why the hell didn't you tell me he was this bad?" She demanded, angrily. She could understand how rape might be embarrassing for a young man, but she was a doctor, dammit. She needed to know these things.
"He wasn't raped until after I called you," Heero told her. "That lousy cop who's been harrassing him made good on his threat."
"While you were there?" Sally exploded. "Gods, Heero, how could you let this happen to him?"
"Shut up, Sally," Heero shot back, as they brought Duo inside, "I didn't have a choice. I tried to flee, but the SOB called for backup and they held me while he..."
Sally could see the emotion in Heero's eyes. "Heero, I'm sorry," she told him, "I just care so much for Duo that the idea that this could have happened to him."
"All we want to do is get married," Heero told her as they wheeled the stretcher up to the operating room door. Heero started to follow, but Sally put a hand on his shoulder. "Doctors only," she told him. "I know you're worried about him, but I can assure you we won't hurt him. You have to trust me, Heero."
One of the other doctors nodded in agreement, "Unlike some hospitals I can mention, we're professionals here. We don't base whether or not we treat someone on their sexual preference. We'll fix your boyfriend's... oh, I'm sorry... your fiance's injuries. By the way, congratulations on your engagement. I'd like to talk to you about it later, after we take care of this handsome young pilot."
Heero realized that the doctor speaking to him was also gay. He wondered what he had
to say about the engagment. Did the man know someone who performed gay marriages?
Had he at last found what he and Duo was looking for? Looking at Duo through the OR
window, he prayed that he hadn't found what they'd been seeking just in time for Duo to
die.
-Part 5-
Heero looked up at the waiting room clock. A half an hour at most had gone by but to him it seemed like hours. They were examining him to gather evidence from the rape as well as taking care of the original problem. He was sure of this. But he still wished Sally would send someone out to talk to him, to let him know how Duo was getting on.
Finally, someone did come out. It was the doctor who'd offered to speak to him before. "My name's Barry," he told Heero. "I won't say I'm glad to meet a Gundam Pilot because I'm not. I want to be honest with you first off. I'm glad to meet you as a fellow human being, but I don't see anyone who fights on either side as being a hero. Civilians like me end up being killed no matter how much you try to avoid non-military targets. Plus, my family was killed when one of you went berserk, so I'm not thrilled about what you are. I'm sorry if that makes you feel bad."
"It doesn't," Heero smiled. "The only thing that makes me feel bad right now is that no one will marry Duo and I."
"I know," Barry replied. "Sally mentioned it to me. My lover and I got married recently, so I know how hard it is to find someone to perform the ceremony."
"You know of someone who'll do it?" Heero's heart lightened a little, though he was still worried about Duo. "First, how is Duo?"
"He's fine," Barry replied. "I won't be telling you this if he was going to die. Anyhow, the man's name is Father O'Casey. Here's his work and home numbers. He's very open-minded. But I have to warn you, he's very strict, too. He won't marry you if he doesn't think you're in love with your fiance. You I wouldn't worry about. I can tell you're in love with Heero. But he will question you about it, so don't expect to just go and get married just like that."
Heero took the proferrered piece of paper and placed it in his pocket. He couldn't wait to tell Duo the news. He and Duo would soon be able to wed as they had wanted to for so long.
-Part 6-
The first thing that went through Duo's mind as he regained consciousness was the desire to be dead. He was filled iwth an incredible amount of self-loathing. On some level, the told himself, he'd known that he'd deserved what the cop had done to him. If he hadn't, Heero would have rescued him and he would certainly not have come while he was being violated.
"Duo," Heero's voice sounded both concerned and cheerful, "I've got wonderful news. I found a priest who will perform the wedding."
"Then it's a shame that I can't marry you," Duo told him, handing the engagement ring back to the man who'd given it to him.
"What are you talking about?" Heero placed the ring right back on Duo's finger. "You most certainly *can* marry me."
"But..." Duo protested.
"You think because some criminal attacked you, that means you and I can't get married?" Heero waited for Duo's response, then continued after the boy gave the slightest of nods. "Well, you're wrong, Duo. Very wrong. If you think I'm going to stop loving you because of something like that, you're gravely mistaken. I said I would marry you and that's exactly what I intend to do."
Duo looked up at Heero with wide and incredulous eyes. "I don't understand," he admitted. "If you love me, why did you let him...?"
"I didn't," Heero told him. "Duo, how could you think I'd let such a thing happen?"
"I'm sorry," Duo realized how unfair he'd been in thinking such a thing. "I guess I let all those people get to me, The ones saying how sick or bad I was. And I suppose a part of me believed that you'd been... well.. converted I guess for lack of a better word."
"Duo, I'd never think you were bad or sick just because you love another man. In fact, I'm very honored that I'm the one you're in love with." Heero held Duo close while the braided boy drifted back to sleep. He would prove his love to Duo no matter what it took.
-Part 7-
Duo didn't know how long he'd slept. He didn't care about it either as he woke in Heero's arms. The former Wing pilot had been holding him all the time he'd slept. This gesture of kindness touched the distraught boy's heart in a way he'd never thought would be possible again. It hadn't been long since the attack, a good part of him still needed to heal, but his heart recognized the familiar warmth it had held.. still held... for his fiance. No matter what that cop had done to him, he still loved Heero. And Heero still loved him.
"You sleep well?"
"Mm hmm," Duo almost purred. He was still agitated, but Heero sensed that the boy wasn't about to let some jerk cop ruin his happiness.
~Good for you, Duo,~ he thought to himself.
Sally walked in and subjected Duo to a number of tests, many of which he found rather embarrassing. Finally, smiling, she addressed them both. "Well, he has no infections or diseases, so as far as that's concerned, thee's nothing to stop the two of you from getting married."
"So, Duo," Heero looked into the braided ex-pilot's eyes. "What do you think? Do you still want to forget it?"
"I don't kniow why you still want me, Heero," Duo replied. "All I know is that if you still want to marry me after what's happened, then I can't think of any reason not to marry you."
-Part 8-
Joy danced within the Perfect Soldier's heart as though it were a living thing that wanted to make its presence known to all. He was sure the people in the next room could hear how hard and fast it was beating.
Duo had taken back his acceptance because of what the rapist had done to him. That had made Heero feel terrible. Not because of the idea that Duo didn't want to marry him, but that anyone could make his koi feel so wothless. So many people had done all they could to make Duo feel that way. Now he would show the boy just how much he meant to him. The rest of the world could go to hell as far as Heero Yuy was concerned. If they couldn't appreciate the most beautiful gift Heaven had ever given, that was just too bad.
"Duo," the name was spoken with the greatest reverence, as one might use when addressing an angel. Heero placed a kiss upon Duo's lips, being careful to not frighten him. Moments later, he turned to face Sally, who was going over Duo's chart. "When can he leave?"
"Tomorrow morning," Sally told him. "If you like, you can have Father O'Casey visit the two of you here in the hospital. I know he won't be able to sleep if he's wondering how the interview will go all night."
"Good idea," Heero agreed. "May I use your phone?"
Sally, who had anticipated this moment, handed the phone to Heero, then left to take care of some more paperwork.
Heero dialed the number. "Hello? Father O'Casey? Yes, this is Heero Yuy. Oh, you have? Yes, I just got your number recently. My fiance is in the hospital. He was assaulted. Yeah, that's why. Thanks. I was just calling to ask you that. You can? That would be wonderful. We'll see you then." he placed the phone on the desk and drew Duo close once more. "He'll be here in ten minutes," he told him.
"I live nearby and often visit the terminal ward at the hospital. Comfort. Last rites, that sort of thing," Father O'Casey explained when he arrived. "That's why I perform same-sex marriages. With all the other stuff I do, I can use all the happiness I can get."
Heero actually smiled and Duo found himself instantly liking this man. "So, can you marry us?"
"Well, I'd have to know more about the two of you, how you met, how you feel about each other..." Father O'Casey sounded as if he did want to marry them. There was a tone in his voice that told the two ex-pilots that his concerns were genuine, not just excuses to not marry them because they were a same-sex couple.
During the next couple of hours, they told Father O'Casey of the time they'd known each other, starting from their first meeting, when Duo had shot Heero, to their current relationship, Heero cautiously kept some things private, not wishing to embarrass or upset Duo. But Duo had surprised him by telling the man all that had happened, including the recent assaults.
"You two have been through a lot," Father O'Casey decided. "And it looks like the two of you love each other a great deal. What date would you like to set the wedding for?"
"Can you be ready in a month, Duo?" Heero asked.
"Do we have to wait so long?" Duo protested. He had already waited a longer time than he wanted.
"I have next Saturday evening free," Father O'Casey offered. "Its usually the time I play golf, but my partner is on vacation for a week, so I can do the wedding then. Say, around midnight I know its late, but there's something extra beautiful about the sky at midnight, and I hear there's a meteor shower that's supposed to happen around at the time. It'd make it extra special. if it did."
"Fireworks from God," Duo recalled a phrase Sister Helen had once used to describe a meteor shower they'd watched together so long ago.
Father O'Casey smiled at the sentiment, knowing who had first said it. Duo reminded him so much of Sister Helen. He could tell the boy had been at the Maxwell Church, and his heart ached at the idea that he'd survived that tragedy and now had to deal with so much hate.
"Duo?" Heero asked.
Duo nodded. "Yes, please." he agreed, his heart beating rapidly.
"Okay," Heero told Father O'Casey. "Next Saturnday evening it is."
-Part 9-
Wufei watched the man as he left the bar. He'd clocked the man for several days, watching as he bullied drinks from the establishment's gay patrons. The bartender, who was also gay, had been threatened by a number of punk gangs in the neighborhood. In exchange for protection from the cop, who threatened to let them destroy the place if he didn't pay up, the man paid most of his salary to the cop. As it stood the bar was rapidly losing money and the man was coming close to losing it when Wufei had come into the bar.
That was why the bartender said nothing when his new worker slipped the poison into the cop's drink.
After making certain the man was dead and the body desposed of, he returned to his home to meditate. The mail was still in the box so he removed it. One letter was an invitation of some kind. He opened it and unfolded its contents, a beautiful card featuring two angels in a loving embrace. Beneath it were the words:
You are cordially invited to attend the wedding of Heero Yuy and Duo Maxwell
To be held at the Church of God's Promise, Midnight on this Saturday. Please RSVP
Wufei smiled. So, they were finally going to have the wedding they had been trying to have. He picked up the phone and dialed. As expected, they took several minutes before answering. "Its about time," he grumbled, though his voice belied the happiness he felt for them. "You know you're supposed to wait until your wedding night to do that naughty stuff. Yeah, I got the invitation. Of course Ill be there. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Your wedding *dress*?! Maxwell, why is it that I am not surprised? I certainly look forward to seeing how you look in it. Okay, then. I'll see you this Saturday."
He hung up the phone and shook his head. "Good luck, Heero," he thought aloud, "you're going to have your hands full with him as your spouse."
*****
Wufei met Sally at the door of the church. Relena and Hirde arrived moments later. The four of them were escorted inside,
"I hope my make up doesn't run," Relena told Hirde. "I always get so emotional at these events. Its funny how these things work out. Just last year you were trying to get Duo and I was trying to get Heero. Now they have each other and so do we."
"They went through so much to have this moment," Hirde said, her tone agreeing with Relena's statement, as she continued the conversation. "I thought you abolished intolerance."
"I thought so, too," Relena admitted. "Apparently it takes more than speeches and words on paper to make people stop hating each other."
The music marking the start of the wedding drew their attention away from the conversation and to the aisle.
Duo looked absolutely stunning in his wedding gown. It didn't look at all gaudy or out of place on him. His hair, out of its usual braid, flowed loosely down his back and over his shoulders, adorned with a flowing silk veil that covered his face and came down to the small of his back, overlapping the long satin train that trailed behind.
He was less than two steps away from the start of the aisle when someone lobbed a grenade into the church.
"You've got to be kidding," he complained, picking it up and quickly hurling it back out to whomever had thrown it. He'd been trained in the use of all explosives and knew how to pick up and return an unpinned grenade. That done, he returned his attention to his and Heero's wedding, letting the would-be-killer's startled gasps and the muffled sound of the exploding grenade pass into so many other background noises.
(OWARI)