It all happened so suddenly that no one suspect it, not even me. He was the second person
we thought would do something like this, next to me that is. Let me start from the
beginning, when Duo self-destructs.
* * *
"You asshole!! You dented Deathscythe. That's definitely a
death wish!"
Heero flinched at the wild antics the American pilot made while slicing Leos and Aries to
shreds.
*Baka! The only time he ever keeps that mouth of his shut is when he's a sleep or knocked
out cold.*
"Heero hind you L..oe..omin..g u...p!" Quatre's voice barley made it through the
com link, as well as for the others. Ever since the battle took place something unsettling
set at the bottom of Heero's stomach. He hated that sort of feeling, especially today.
Heero hardly had to move as the Leo moved on him. With a simple blast from Wing's gun,
sent the ashes of the Leo scattering to the ground.
"Trowa, Wufei! What's taking so long?"
"We've run into some friends that insist we stay. "
"What about the data?"
"It was a set up, the information was false. We need a diversion to get clear."
"Very well. Duo, Quatre!"
"Heero what's wrong?"
"Trowa and Wufei have run into some problems. I need you to clear a pathway for
me."
"One runway coming up. Alright make way, Shinigami is here!"
*Baka. *
Unknown to the pilots a lake by the base was beginning to bubble and Taurus's lifted out
from their secure spot, opening fire at the gundams trying to bring them down.
"Shit. They knew we were coming! Heero, move it already!"
"You can't take all of them on by yourself."
"I won't be. Quatre is here, besides I got death on my side. So get going!"
"Ryoukai."
"Alright, which one of ya wants to dance first?"
* * *
Trowa and Wufei were waist deep in Oz soldiers. Time was running out
for them as they waited for back up, and as soon they had a break from the firing more
soldiers would come out of nowhere sending a spray of bullets at them. A loud explosion
was heard in the direction that sheltered the Oz soldiers, there was a huge gaping hole
revealing Wing Zero.
"Hurry we don't have much time!"
"What is it?"
"Reinforcements. Get to your gundams. I'll cover you."
A sudden blast vibrated through the base, shaking it. Heero turned to see an enormous
fireball engulf part of the base near the lake where he had left Duo and Quatre. Sandrock
was thrown back slightly shaken but was able to turn on it's thrusters before to much
damage was taken.
*Duo is having too much fun with this. * But that sudden feeling came back to his stomach
and he couldn't help but feel that something was amiss.
"He..r.o!"
Bringing up his comlink Heero had trouble with the imagery setting and could barley hear
the Arabian pilot.
"I can hardly read you Quatre. What's going on?"
"Oz... to ma.ny..Deat..hscy..the..Duo.self.destru..cted."
Those last words echoed in Wings cockpit, blanking out the sounds coming from the battle
that was waging outside. It wasn't until a Leo fired at him that Heero snapped out of his
semitrance. Cobalt eyes narrowed at the Leo advancing toward him. A strange sensation
filled Heero; he felt the sudden urge to smile. Rage boiled inside of him and flung Wing
toward the other mech. An uncanny sound filled the cockpit and he realized that it was
him, laughing a strange copy of Duo's own menacing laugh. The rest of the battle was a
haze of red, Heero hardly remember how he got to the safe house let alone the bed he
shared with Duo. Turning to grasp at the familiar braid, Heero's eyes snapped open. No one
was there and the events that occurred earlier flashed in his sleep fogged mind.
'Knock, knock' "Heero, are you awake?'
"Hai Quatre."
"Can I come in?"
"Hn."
The door was opened hesitantly, until a head of blonde hair peeked through.
"Daijobu?"
"Hmph, you really have to ask that. What happened back there Quatre?"
The boy fidgeted unsure to enter the room or not but received a glare form the other that
drew him into the room. Standing before Heero he took a deep breathe, shoulders squared,
and looked at the pilot ready to explain.
"Leo's and Taurus' they came out of nowhere. I could hardly keep them off me."
"And Duo."
"We were surrounded. Duo took most of the blasts, and used his scythe to slice most
of them off me. There was one blast though that hit him hard. A Leo charged him and he
told me to get out before more could come. I argued with him that I couldn't leave him but
he told me he was going to self-destruct. I'm sorry Heero I couldn't save him."
"It's alright Quatre. We all know the risks in this war."
"Is there anything you'd like?"
*Not anymore* No, I'll be fine. I need to check in with Dr. J."
"Ok, oyasumi Heero."
"Hn."
Click.
* * *
The minutes seemed like hours to the alone figure that sat in the
dark room, the only light produced by the laptop. The screen flashed characters that
explained the reason on how Oz was able to set the trap for the pilots.
*It's to quiet, it's not the same without him here. That damn smile of his, the way he
never shut up, how he would always try to get me to go out with the others and enjoy what
life had to offer. How I never. No it was a weakness. HE was a weakness...*
*But you love him. *
"..."
*Admit it you do. *
"So what if I do! It doesn't matter! He's dead! He's Dead! DEAD!"
Before Heero knew what was happening his laptop was on the floor, the screen slit down in
the middle. An arm sent all contents from the desk flying and tearing everything else in
his way. The door was flung open Quatre looking around franticly gun in hand Trowa behind
him in a similar pose, his eye searching for any intruders.
"Heero, is everything..." Quatre's words were lost to him as he gazed at the
stoic pilot. He had a glazed look over his eyes, breath coming out harshly and shivering.
The other boy looked up at the two taking a step forward only to collapse on his knees.
Dropping the gun he held in the tight grip Quatre was at Heero’s side trying to
support him. Trowa reach for the blanket on the bed and wrapping it around the shivering
pilot with his arms as well. Quatre mimicked the notion helping to snap Heero out of
whatever was the matter with him. A low noise made it's way through the thick blanket
muffled at first but stronger after every time.
"Dead, dead. He's dead."
"Shhh. It's ok Heero. Just relax." Quatre's voice echoed in the still room, he
had no idea what was wrong with his friend and it scared him even more.
"You don't understand. I never told him. Duo I never." Sagging into Torwa's arms
Heero felt himself losing all aspects with the real world and plunge into darkness.
* * *
"So what is the matter with him?" Wufei was standing
besides Heero’s bed looking at the pilot. The perfect soldier was now sound asleep,
occasionally a low moan escaping his lips. Trowa's green eye was visible through that long
bang searching the wing pilot.
"I think the lost of Duo finally hit him." A long silence lingered in the room
until a knock on the door sounded. Opening it Wufei let Quatre in carrying a basin of
water looking tired and pale. Staring back at his three friends Wufei came to a decision.
Grabbing his jacket he reached the door when Trowa eye focused on him.
"I must deal with this on my own. I will return in a few days." Setting the
basin on the nightstand, Quatre began to wipe at the sweat from Heero's face and body.
Trowa sat at the edge of the futon staring at the Arabian pilot at work. Next thing either
of them knew Quatre flung the towel across the room and knocked the basin onto the floor.
Reaching for the blond pilot Trowa saw the tears trailing down the youths face and
embraced him instantly.
"Quatre?"
"Why? Why..did he do that Trowa! He died trying to save me. He should have *sniff*
it's my fault.."
"No angel. Don't think that. The whole plan was a trap, they knew we were coming.
Don't let Duo's sacrifice go to waste. He wouldn't want to see you this way."
"I'll miss him. It hurts so much.Hu..urts to much as if in so much pain still in
pain."
"Quatre my love, please don't continue to torture yourself like this. Duo was a
remakable friend, had so much life in him and pain that he tried to hide. I also shall
miss him greatly." Quatre lied still in his lovers embrace, a heart shaped face with
violet eyes flashed through his mind making him shudder with new tears.
"I just don't want to lose you the same way. Promise me you won't do that."
Trowa lifted the Arabian’s head to look into the sea colored eyes. So much pain mixed
with love that it nearly brought tears to his own eyes.
"I can't promise something like that, my love. In this war one can only hope. But I
promise to stay by your side. I am in no rush to die not anymore now that I have found
you. I'll do whatever it takes to always return to you."
"Thank you Trowa."
"Anytime angel, anytime. I'll take over things from here, go rest. I shall join you
shortly." Lifting up the smaller boy, he leaned to brush a light kiss on pursed lips.
Those lips soften at the touch and separated in a rush of air.
"I'll be waiting Tro-chan."
"Go now." Watching the door close Trowa turned to the figure on the bed. Picking
up the discarded towel and basin he went into the small bathroom to refill it. Upon
reentering the room Trowa's mind was deep in thought as he placed the towel on the
Japanese pilot's forehead listening to the small noises as he shifted in his sleep. *Duo
was the closet to Heero as a friend then any of us. But there seemed to be something more
to them then friendship. At times Heero seemed more protective of Duo. *
"Du..o." The slight name pulled Trowa out of his thoughts.
"No Heero. It's Trowa." Heavy lidded eyes snapped open looking to the side of
the bed. Heero leaned on his elbows, searching the room until his sight fell on the other
pilot. Trowa raised a brow at Heero's stare; as much as that stare had no effect on him at
other times this new one sent chills through him.
"Duo, selfdestructed." the words came out more as a statement not a question.
“Hai.” Trowa wasn’t use to seeing Heero in this state. To anyone else it
seemed like the boy woke up from a deep sleep, but Trowa new better. Heero’s eyes
were more dull then usual; his shoulders sagged and ran a hand through his bed-tasseled
hair. Going into the small bathroom he returned with a cup of water and two pills.
"Here, these will help you to sleep." Heero raised a brow looking at the hand
and then the tall pilot.
"Do you plan to be captured from lack of sleep. We do not need you to self-destruct
also. Quatre is already having trouble with all this and is blaming himself for the lost
of Duo."
"He shouldn't. We all know the risks. It doesn't matter." Trowa regarded the
stoic pilot with his own glare.
"It does. Do you think Duo died for nothing?"
"He died for the mission. We are all expandable."
"Did you think so little of him?" Trowa was rewarded with the Heero Yuu glare of
death™.
"What is that suppose to mean!"
"You don't get it do you? *I don't think I get it either. * No matter what Duo was
always there for you."
"What are you yawn…" Trowa brought the blanket up to Heero's shoulder a
small smile tugging on his face.
"The pills seem to take effect. We will take later." Tucking him in Trowa stared
at the heavy lidded eyes and passed a hand over to close them. Walking down the hallway
Trowa played back the conversation he had with Heero and stopped in mid-thought.
*Masaka! Heero, could he possibly. *
Entering the bedroom Trowa shared with his lover he lifted the covers and slipped into
them where his angel lay. As if drawn to the warmth of his lover Quatre rested his head
under Trowa's chin. Gently wrapping his arms around the slim waist, he closed his eyes
ready to rest. Before he did though he whispered to the smaller boy,
"I will never leave you. Ai shiteru."
* * *