26 Dec 2000
Type : series, shounen ai
Spoilers : none
Warnings : none
Pairings : 1+2
Rating : G
Disclaimer : I don't own anything. I am poor... want a nickel?
Feedback : please
Screeching tires on asphalt. The terrible sound of a body colliding with an unyielding surface.....
The phone fell to the floor as Heero Yuy froze in shock.
' ".... he's in the ICU.... Mr. Yuy? Mr. Yuy, hello?" '
The rhythmic beeping of multiple machines was all that deemed Duo Maxwell alive. A multitude of tubes ran in and out of his body, feeding it fluids and medicines vital for his survival.
Heero felt his heart contract as he watched his best friend lay there on the sterile white hospital bed; barely breathing, barely alive. .
The boy was bruised and battered, his face a swollen mass of black and purple bruises. His once glorious crown of chestnut silk had been shaved without a though to permit treatment for severe head trauma.
Heero turned from the window to sit with a thunk on the plastic chair. He turned to look at the nurse who was trying to inform them of Duo's status.
"He has severe swelling in the cranial cavity, which we are treating to the best of our abilities, and a multitude of other injuries including numerous broken ribs and other broken bones, easily mended except for his right wrist which was shattered and will require extensive reconstructive surgery. Let me see.... he sustained injury to his neck which damaged his voice box...." she looked up, distressed, ".... which is irreparable."
She looked sadly at the group of teens. "He may never speak again.... that is, if he survives. We can only hope." She was sincere, her eyes reflecting her pain in seeing one so young so damaged.
"Don't think in 'ifs', onna!" Wufei growled, his onyx eyes glassy with tears, "Maxwell is strong! Of course he'll survive.... right?" His face was hopeful and his eyes pleaded for her to give him something solid to hold onto.
"We can only hope," she repeated with a sigh.
Day after day, month after month, Heero Yuy sat by his friend's bedside, waiting for the sleeping boy to awaken. And day after day, he was disappointed because ne'er did a violet eye open, ne'er did a smile grace the sleeping face, and ne'er did Duo awaken.
- 1 year later -
Heero sat in silent vigil, not moving except to tuck chestnut strands away from the peaceful face. A year had done much to repair Duo's features, his hair was now near his shoulders; wisping about his face. His face was no longer a battered, bruised decimation, but was restored to its former soft beauty.
The doctors had done everything within their power to save the boy. They had, to an extent, but even with the swelling gone down and the injuries repaired, the boy had not awakened. And they feared he never would. But Heero had faith.... faith in Duo, faith that the boy would make it out, he only needed time.
"Heero?" came a soft voice from the door. Heero looked up to see Quatre and his tall lover. Heero motioned them in. Quatre shook his head and sighed. "A morbid anniversary."
Heero grunted and looked over at his charge. No change at all. "You think he'll ever wake?" Quatre asked him.
Heero glanced at the blond, his eyes blazing cold fire. "Of course."
Memories, like waves upon the sand.
The war had just ended when Duo Maxwell wrapped his black '67 Shelby GT 500 into an ancient oak tree, driver's side first. It had been ice on the road, that had led to the near fatal accident. The precious seconds had ticked away and they had been lucky, very luck. Someone else had been travaling the backroads that night and they called in, reporting the extent of the accident and requesting a LifeFlight helicopter. That was what had given doctors the seconds needed to save Duo's life.
That girl had been held a hero and commendated. And she'd visited Duo often enough, but as the months wore on she came to visit less and less, until she came no more. But that was all fine and dandy with Heero. She had a life, but his was laying in a coma.
Soon enough, even his friends left. The small anniversary was over and now only Duo and Heero inhabited the room. But Heero didn't mind. He sat silent, calmly protecting his beloved. He leaned back and let the memories come back to him.
"What are you thinking?" Heero asked Duo when he found him sitting on the deck looking up at the stars. The boy was shivering, so Heero draped his own coat about the slim shoulders.
"Thanks," Duo mouthed. "I was just thinking...." he looked at Heero as the boy sat down beside him. ".... how much I love you." He quickly pressed a kiss to Heero's lips then jumped up to run.
Heero reached out quickly and snagged the thin wrist before the American could make it more than a step. Duo eeped as he fell into Heero's lap and strong arms wrapped around him, holding him in place. Heero smirked slightly and murmured, "Is that so?" into slightly pink ears before kissing the boy passionately.
Later that night, when the snow came in they'd needed to get supplies. Duo, having aquired a refurbished Shelby Mustang, volunteered to go. It would be the last he would see of the Shinigami pilot.
A small sound brought him out of his reverie. He turned to see violet eyes crack open.
End Part 1
(:./willow/candle1)
