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People are like stained-glass windows.
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,
but when the darkness sets in,
their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.
-Elizabeth Kübler-Ross
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Stained Glass Windows- Part Three
Duo was awoken by… whistling? No, chirping. Damned birds, always up at the crack of
dawn. And no matter how hard Duo tried to ignore them, he always found that a bird singing
would cause him to at least turn in his sleep. Furthermore, since sleep had been so little
and precious last night, the battle of whims with the birds was not going to be easily won
this morning. Who had left the window open last night, anyway?
Duo lazily stretched out his fingers, feeling them crick and pop in protest. Upon resting
his hand back down, he found what he encountered underneath his fingertips wasn't cold and
cottony like the rest of the bed. Rather, it was warm and supple, almost like… flesh?
Duo's eyes popped open. Next to him was the sleeping form of one Heero Yuy. And Duo's arm
was wrapped around said Yuy's chest. He didn't really remember falling asleep in this
position, but as long as Heero wasn't punching him in the face, he wasn't going to
complain.
Sure Duo was in a dangerous way, and sure Duo knew Heero could awake in a fit of rage at
any second, but at this moment in time he didn't really care about what Heero's morning
disposition might be. He was so tired, and the bed was so warm. With no reasons that he
could think of to get up, and every reason to go back to sleep, Duo let the birds' songs
drown out of his head and shut his eyes again. Yes, he needed more sleep.
"Duo?"
However, apparently God had other plans in mind.
"Yes, Heero?"
Someone up there was feeling really mean this morning.
"Are you awake?"
Duo snorted. Well obviously he was awake, contrary to what he wanted. What kind of
question was that? Maybe morning haze effects the 'perfect soldiers' mind.
"Yes."
Duo decided that now wasn't a very good time for one of his patented smart-ass remarks. He
couldn't really tell what kind of mood Heero had awoken with. Better not to give him any
other reason to snap Duo's neck.
"Then get your arm off of my chest."
Duo's eyes opened at the command and he looked over at a blurred Heero. Duo blinked and
the picture came into focus. Heero's icy eyes were locked on Duo's and sending a clear
signal that he was in fact very serious. Yes, someone up there was feeling really playful
indeed this morning.
"Gomen. Sorry, man."
Heero released the breath he found that he had been holding. Although the feeling of Duo's
arm lightly around his body had been nice to wake up to, he didn't think it was in either
boy's best interests to stay hooked that way. When Duo lazily lifted his arm off of Heero
and flopped it down to the bed, his fingers lightly brushed over Heero's hand. Heero
scooted his arm over a little, trying his best to avoid the contact again. It had sent
shivers down his spine, made his heart flutter, and his mind a jumble. And worst of all,
Heero had liked it.
"What time is it?"
Heero racked his brain. Was Duo talking to him? Of course he was, who else would he be
talking to, you baka.
"What?"
"Earth to Heero- I asked what time it is."
"Oh."
Heero turned his head, stretching his neck out so that he could view the digital clock set
on the night table in between their beds. He stared innately into the large rectangular
numbers, trying to make sense of them inside of his head. What was wrong with him? How
could a mere fleeting touch make him so disorientated?
"Half past seven."
Duo let out a grumble of displeasure. Seven in the morning. No person in their right mind
would be awake at this time, not even a Gundam pilot… and especially not an injured
Gundam pilot. His wounds ached in agreement.
"I dun wanna get up…"
Heero rolled out from under the covers. Duo pivoted over onto his back and flung his arm
over his eyes, a feeble attempt to block out the morning.
"Then don't."
Duo cracked one eye open at Heero in amazement.
"Huh?"
"No one's forcing you. You are injured after all."
Duo took his arm off his face and sat up right. He beamed a glamorous smile at Heero and
winked.
"Why, Heero, I never knew you cared so much."
Heero turned his back on the lying boy so that he couldn't see through the lie he was
about to spew.
"An inefficient pilot is no good to us. You have to get well soon so that you can
fight again."
Heero gritted his teeth. Why did he suddenly feel so dirty?
"Oh, I understand."
Heero didn't have to look at the boy behind him to know there was a look of disappointment
plastered to that face. He didn't want to hurt Duo… did he? Oh Hell, he didn't know
what he wanted.
"Come downstairs when you've rested enough and are hungry."
Heero turned on his heels and moved towards the door. He couldn't stand to have those sad
eyes glaring at his back any longer. He needed time to think about Duo. He needed time
away from Duo. No, he needed time away from Duo to think about Duo.
Duo tried to conjure up some type of feeble cheer into his answer.
"Sure I will, after a little more sleep."
"Hn."
Heero turned the knob and exited without even looking back at the boy on the bed. Knowing
that Quatre was an even earlier riser than he, and his stomach was rumbling with
hunger… or was that guilt… oh, he'd deal with this later. After breakfast. As he
rounded the corner to the beginning of the stairs, he could faintly smell the enchanting
scent of pancakes and sausage.
* * *
Duo flopped back down on the bed and squeezed his eyes
shut. This was going to be one of those days, he could tell. He repeated his words in an
echo.
"Sure I will… sure."
* * *
Quatre glared at his watch. Five in the afternoon,
there was no way he could still be sleeping.
"Do you think he's ok up there?"
Trowa looked up from some sort of report he and Wufei were glancing over. Quatre's eyes
were locked up at the stairs, as if expecting Duo to come walking down them any second.
Trowa could see the worry in those orbs of blue. Quatre was always trying to mother them
all… especially Trowa.
"He's fine, Quatre. Just let him be."
Wufei chimed in as if on cue.
"If something was wrong with him, he would have surely told Heero this morning."
Quatre glanced over at Heero who was staring vaguely out the window at the darkening
clouds. Heero looked up at the mention of his name and completed a look down of the room
before locking gazes with Quatre. Obviously the boy was waiting from a conformation to
Wufei's statement from Heero. Heero shrugged his shoulder and turned back to the clouds
indicating the coming rain.
"He's fine."
Quatre looked back at Trowa with an expression of a little less worry.
"There," Trowa tried to lighten the mood even more. "I told you so. Stop
worrying so much."
Quatre sighed. "I guess you're right. He's probably just sleeping."
* * *
Duo sat on the railing of the open window. He hadn't
got a bit more sleep since Heero had left him in a stupefied state this morning. His mind
was racing over a million thoughts but he couldn't slow a single one down enough to think
about it. Although he was hungry, he had never ventured down stairs not even once. He
didn't want to look at Heero. He didn't want to have to put on his mask for the other
pilots. He had entertained the thought of just sneaking down for a snack and then
returning, so he was dressed. However, he had decided that too many questions and
observations would come with that venture. He would just wait it out up here in the
confinements of solitude. Where he didn't have to fake a smile or feign a laugh. He could
just be… Duo.
There was a crack of lightening in the distance.
Duo inhaled deeply. He loved the way the air smelled before a spring shower. It was always
so fresh and clean. A cool traveling breeze caressed his face gently. Duo leaned his head
out the window a little further in order to get the full effect of the escaping wind. A
fleck of cold water dropped onto the tip of his noise. Duo crossed his eyes to look at it
shining like silver there.
Another one, on his eyebrow.
Duo pushed his head completely out of the window and looked down. Hmm, it wasn't as far as
he thought it was. His eyes darted to a wooden zig zag pattern trailing all the way up the
house. Obviously at one time used for growing roses up the outer walls. Duo envisioned
that this was probably a very beautiful house before the war. Before the killing.
No.
He wouldn't think about that now. Not right now.
A snicker formed across Duo's face as a brilliant idea formed in his head. He looked at
the wooden crosshatched frame again and then down to the ground. Even with injuries, this
would be a snap.
* * *
Heero gazed out over the coming storm. He was never too
fond of Mother Nature's temper tantrums. The human race does enough damage to this world;
they sure didn't need nature's help.
A crack or lightening and rumble of thunder sounded in protest.
Heero sighed. Why hadn't Duo come out of their room at all? Was he angry with himself?
With Heero? Heero had to admit, he wasn't to keen on this new thing called
"friendship" he discovered last night. Was it always this… painful?
Another crack of lightening.
Ok, maybe not. Still, shouldn't he be a little closer to understanding his feelings by
now? He now knew what a friend was, he does care for Duo, so why weren't things getting
easier. Is it always this… confusing?
The rain began to spill forth from the Heavens.
Heero would have smiled if there weren't a fear of his face cracking like Duo had joked
about so many times. After all, Heero himself had said earlier that things were never
"that easy".
"It's really starting to pour."
Heero turned to see Wufei stealing a look out the window. He looked out the window and
followed Wufei's gaze. Yeah, it was coming down pretty hard now. At least the wind wasn't
howling.
Then, on a hill in the not so far off distance, Heero saw the outline of a form. A person.
With their arms in a spread V towards the sky. The form was clad in black and facing away
from the safehouse.
Heero squinted his eyes.
Now what idiot would be standing out in this kind of downpour? Whoever it was, they seemed
to be enjoying themselves. Heero squinted harder. He could barely make out a rope of hair
flickering and dancing in the wind.
His eyes widened.
Heero sprung up and bolted for the door without even thinking. He ignored the half cocked
gazes of wonder the other pilots gave him. As he threw on a raincoat that hung to his
knees and zipped it over his blue jeans and tank top, pulled over the hood, and scampered
out the door, he could faintly make out the voices of Quatre and Trowa in the background.
"Heero?"
"Let him go, Quatre."
* * *
Duo marveled in the feel that was Mother Nature. The
water drained off his body into every possible crevice it could encounter. It tickled and
streamed down his hair and into his eyes.
Duo loved rain. Ever since he was young, he would bask in its utter rage or gentle beauty.
The rain would always calm his nerves or clear his mind. And the best thing about it? It
always left his body with a feeling of cleansing. It left him with a feeling that all his
sins, all the blood, was being washed away by the pureness of the sky. Yes, Duo loved it
when the Heavens opened onto him. He closed his eyes and thought very well that he could
stay like this forever.
"Duo!?"
Duo heard someone calling his name in the distance but he couldn't make out the voice as
it was dampened out by a roll of thunder. Duo didn't care who it was; no one was going to
move him from where he was right now. Not even God himself.
"Duo!!!"
Duo snorted. Not God, but someone just as powerful. The running footsteps lightened as
they got closer, until it was a mere walk. Duo could tell that he was standing beside him,
he could feel his warmth. Duo refused to open his eyes.
"Oi, Heero…"
Heero stared at the vision before him. Duo was… breath taking. He couldn't think of
any other way to describe it. Water was pouring in waterfalls of off his body. Every
single inch of clothing was clinging to his wet skin greedily, revealing every curve and
roll to Duo's trimmed form. Why hadn't he noticed this beauty before?
"Duo, what the Hell are you doing?"
Yes, Heero told himself. Be angry, be very angry with him. Don't let the angelic
appearance take you in. He's endangering himself and you have every right to be mad.
Duo sighed.
"Enjoying myself."
Heero cocked an eyebrow. Well, he could tell that much. Sometimes Duo was so cryptic it
was annoying.
"Obviously."
Duo reached behind himself for his braid and wrapped his fingers around the end. With his
eyes still shut, his fingers searched until the found the band that was binding the braid
together. He wiggled his fingers underneath it, and snapped it off.
Heero watched as cascade after cascade of rich honey hair untwined from its braid, falling
gently around Duo's body and encasing him in a shiny cocoon. He turned his head to try to
escape the tormentingly wonderful spectacle, but eventually turned his head back to look
at Duo. Yes, breath taking.
"Come on, let's get you back inside."
Heero clasped on to one of Duo's wrists.
"I'm fine where I am, thank you."
Duo opened his eyes to glare coldly at Heero and jerk his wrist back from the boy.
'How dare he think he can boss me around like some possession. Duo Maxwell does what he
wants to do.' Duo fumed angrily inside of his head.
"Duo, you're injured, you should be inside resting."
Duo's eyes threatened to break Heero as he shot a stare that looked like it could project
icicles.
"Why should I? For the sake of the mission? So that I can 'fight' again, Heero?"
Heero took a step back. He wasn't sure if he had ever heard this tone from Duo, at least
not directed at him. He didn't know what to say, how to react. It was now clear that he
had hurt Duo, but how was he supposed to fix it?
"No…"
"Then why Heero?! Why the Hell should I listen to you?"
Heero looked down to the ground. He had made a mistake, a grave one, this morning by lying
to Duo about why he should heal. He wasn't going to do it again.
"Because… because I care about you… Duo."
Duo's mouth froze. He hadn't expected that at all. He had thought for sure that his stone
faced partner was going to keep up the charade of not giving a fuck for nobody but number
one, himself. Duo realized that whatever he was going to use as a retort was lost. He
couldn't even find his voice much less say something.
Heero was still staring at the ground. By Duo's lack of words, he thought he had said
something wrong. He looked up at the American's face and found no more traces of hatred,
and only surprise.
"You… you care? About me?"
Heero lowered the hood of the rain jacket and nodded. Slowly and with ease he began to
unzip it completely, letting the drenched bundle fall to the sopping ground. Immediately
Heero's clothes were soaked in water just as Duo's were. He did it for a reason. He wanted
the boy in front of him to see he didn't have any barriers right now, that he was left
just as vulnerable as Duo.
Duo swept a chunk of hair out of his surprised eyes. What was Heero trying to prove here
anyway?
"Now, either you come in, or I get sick, too."
Duo smiled. It wasn't going to be that easy to get him to budge out of this water
eruption. No, Heero would not get off easily.
Duo poked Heero's rigid stomach with his index finger.
"Then I guess we'll both get sick, ne?"
Heero grunted. He figured Duo was going to be difficult. It was payback for this morning.
And paybacks are a bitch.
Duo folded his arms across his chest and looked back up to the sky and then looked back
down at his soppy friend.
"No, I think I like it here just fine."
Heero's lipped twitched. Duo could tell that he was straining to withhold a smile from his
face. Duo's smile increased. Why if it weren't for his injuries, he would even run through
this rain making Heero have to chase after his prize.
"Duo, don't make me carry you back in."
Duo raised an eyebrow. What the Hell, blood was blood, the wounds would heal fine and so
what if there was a little more pain, he'd deal with that later.
"Aha. That is, if you can catch me!"
Duo sprinted on his feat faster than a rabbit. Heero watched as he took off down the hill,
running as fast as his feet could carry.
Duo looked over his shoulder to see a blank expression fade off of Heero's face and the
Japanese boy take flight to his prey.
'Damn, even when he's injured he's still quite fast.' Heero thought as he splashed through
puddles and water flung off his body. The American already had the head start advantage
and this was going to be a difficult challenge indeed.
Heero watched as Duo's hands began working on something on his black windbreaker. Heero
was amazed as Duo flung the jacket off while running. But no, he didn't stop there. Duo
threw off his black tee-shirt as well. Heero realized that the boy was trying to gain
speed… either that or catch hypothermia. Then Heero's eyes sat transfixed on the
bandages wrapping around Duo's waste. They were beginning to stain a tinge of red and
pink. He was bleeding. His wounds weren't taking to the running at all.
Duo couldn't feel the pain at all. All he felt was the surge and the thrill of the water
and the chase. His hair was heavy with water and running freely across his naked back. He
could hear Heero gaining ground on him. He was practically at his heels.
Heero had the urge to tackle Duo to the ground. Yes, that would teach him, but he knew he
couldn't because of the seeping blood that was arising on the white wrappings around his
wounds. So instead, Heero met Duo's pace and ran beside him.
"Are you going to *huff* stop now… ? *huff* Or do I have to *huff* make
you?"
Duo stopped running and gripped his side tenderly. No, that was enough for now. He didn't
see any reason to further damage himself. His wounds were aching, but he was loving every
minute of this. Duo hunched over in attempts to ease the pain.
"Duo, are you all right?"
Duo didn't answer verbally but shook his head in agreement a little. Heero looked at the
hunched boy, not believing that he was all right for a second.
Heero bent down over Duo very close. He was right beside Duo's ear. He could feel the hot
exasperated breaths puffing into his ear and running on his neck even threw the sheen of
water running over him.
"Are you sure?"
Duo rose his head to say something, and his lips lightly fluttered against Heero's. Heero
jumped back at the encounter, not sure what had just happened. Duo's eyes went wide as
saucers and he slowly resided to sitting on his knees.
Heero brought his hand up and touched his own lips. They were tingling. It was only a
light touch, but it felt so tangible, so blissful. He wanted it again. He wanted more.
Duo looked at the confused expression over Heero's face. Duo hadn't meant to do it, he
didn't know that Heero's lips were so close to him. Looking at the Heero's fingers
caressing where Duo's own lips had once been, Duo wasn't sure if he regretted or liked it
himself.
And then, something amazing. Duo watched Heero's face with awe. It started with a slight
curl at the corners of his mouth. It began to spread fully over his mouth. Duo watched as
Heero Yuy smiled. A real, genuine smile.
Heero felt himself smiling, and for once, he didn't feel compelled to hide it, not
anymore. He looked down at Duo he possessed a similar facial expression upon him.
Duo chuckled and motioned to his naked rain soaked body.
"Look at me, I'm all wet. I must look…"
"Beautiful."
Heero said it in an inaudible whisper; not even loud enough that Duo could hear it.
"Wha…?"
Heero shook his head and offered his hand to the boy kneeling on the ground.
"Nothing. Come on, let's go back in."
Duo smiled and took the hand that was offered him. Using it to distribute his weight
evenly, he attempted to stand. Attempted.
"Shit!"
Duo fell back to the ground and winced in pain. His bandage was completely soaked with
blotches of red now. Heero was immediately at his side.
"Duo?"
Duo took in a few sharp breaths and clutched at his side.
"M'sorry, Heero… I don't think I'll be walking back right now."
The wind began to pick up to almost a hostile content. Heero looked up at the sky. This
storm was not going to pass anytime soon. In fact, it was going to get a lot worse.
Duo felt warm hands circle tenderly around his body and lift him up. Heero scooped him
into his arms and looked down into Duo's wide eyes. The grip was strong and firm, yet also
comforting. Duo smiled and laid his head to rest against Heero's shoulder.
The wind howled and thunder boomed.
Heero rotated on his heels and began a fast pace towards the safehouse. Yes, this storm
was going to get violent. Really violent.
* * *
Quatre fumbled with his hands in his lap. Heero had
been gone for a while now, and when he had finally went up to check on Duo, he wasn't
anywhere to be found in the house. He knew they were both safe, but he couldn't help but
worry.
Wufei was glaring at the TV with interest. The storm overhead was progressing into
something more. The radar on the weather channel was indicating something powerful.
Something ominous. Something dangerous.
A tornado.
The door flung open and a soaked Heero entered with a just as evenly wetted Duo. Heero
kicked the door shut behind him and shook his head to get the water out of his face.
"What happened, Heero?"
Heero looked at Quatre with soft eyes. Quatre was startled. He'd never seen that kind of
look on Heero's face before.
"He'll be fine. I just need to change his bandaging."
Heero started for the stairs that led to their room but Trowa stepped out in front of
them. Heero gave him a look that started out as 'get the Hell out of my way' and then
faded into 'is something the matter'.
As if reading his mind Trowa nodded in agreement. He laid a kit of some kind in Duo's lap
and looked back up at Heero.
"The storm is becoming a tornado."
"What about---"
Reading his mind again.
"I've already secured the Gundams. They will be safe."
Heero nodded and looked down at the kit resting in the sleeping boy's lap.
"In case we lose power during the heat of it, there is a flashlight, matches, and
some candles inside. You can use them to see while patching up Duo's wounds."
Heero raised an eyebrow. He didn't find it fair that they should have special treatment.
What about the others?
"And you?"
"We have plenty of supplies down here with us. When worst comes to worst, we'll come
up stairs and get you to. We've arranged space in the basement for us all, and a 'bed' for
Duo to lie on."
Heero nodded. Leave it to Trowa to always be prepared down to the letter.
"Arigatou."
Heero started trudging up the stairs with his heavy load, totally unaware of the stares on
his retreating back.
'Did he just say thanks?' Wufei found that his ears must have been playing tricks on him.
He looked at the other two pilots, apparently not. They had the same amazed expression
covered over their faces as well.
Quatre shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, it's good you prepared so thoroughly, Trowa, but we probably won't be needing
all this."
Trowa smiled warmly at him and nodded.
They didn't realize how wrong they were.
* * *