Title:The Hero
Author: AstroKender
Pairings: 1+2
Rating: mild shounen-ai
Warnings: None.
Spoilers: Follows the series.
Notes: I Need a Hero is by Bonnie Tyler
Disclaimers: I own nothing...not even my computer. So obviously GW isn't mine. Don't sue.
Somewhere after midnight, in my wildest fantasy,
Duo found himself once again unable to sleep. Those slanted eyes just wouldn't leave him alone. His thoughts trailed back to earlier that night.
The Japanese pilot had paused in his diagnostic, eyes far away. Duo stepped towards him hesitantly; their last "conversation" had not ended on a good note.
"So, you think you'll get it fixed in time?" Blue eyes brushed past him dismissively.
"Aa."
Taking a deep breath, Duo tried again. "Look, I know we didn't get off on the best of starts..." He stuck his hand out. "My name is Duo."
The Japanese boy merely looked at him. Duo pulled his hand back and stuck it behind his head embarrassedly. "So you're not going to tell me your name, huh?"
"Iie."
"I guess that means no."
"Hn."
Duo sighed in exasperation. "Then I'll just have to find something to call you besides 'Hey, you'."
Was it his imagination, or did he just see the guy smirk?
It must have been my imagination. Duo thought, head pillowed on his hands. Pulling the covers over himself once more, he closed his eyes and again tried to find sleep.
Somewhere just beyond my reach is someone reaching back for me.
Duo gave up all pretense of sleeping after about an hour. Someone was welding, and it was keeping him awake. Growling, he stumbled out of bed, barely managing to slip on a tank top for decency.
"Dammit, Howard! Can you keep it down-" Duo paused, one hand still on the door. It was the Japanese boy, not Howard that was wielding. Duo sighed and leaned up against the doorjamb. The pilot worked on unaware.
"I may have caused you some trouble buddy," Duo whispered to himself. "But not nearly as much as you're causing me."
Taking one last look at the firm muscle bunching under that green tank top, Duo turned back into the room and shut the door.
He didn't see the Japanese boy turn, a confused look on his Asian features. He didn't see the boy reach out and his mouth open to call him back. Duo didn't see that arm drop and the face turn impassive. He didn't see...
Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat.
Duo raced out of the hanger. Howard's men were standing around, looking up in awe. The braided pilot followed their gaze and gasped. The Gundam was on the runway, but it was different. It was transformed from its man-like appearance to something that looked more like...a bird.
The engines burned with blue flame, sending a blast of heat back through the hanger. The throttle was kicked wide open as the jet prepared to take off. Duo ignored the hot wind and ran towards the Gundam.
"I can't believe this! What a guy! He fixed this shit in one night?"
With a final blast, the Gundam took to the air, nearly knocking Duo to the ground. He watched as the strange Gundam disappeared into the distance.
It's gonna take a Superman to sweep me of my feet!
Heero looked at his view screen, which showed a very enraged Duo, shaking his fist at the sky. He suppressed the urge to chuckle. That's what he got for trusting a stranger. Maybe he had learned his lesson now and would survive a little longer.
The Japanese pilot watched as the screen started to fuzz out. He looked once more at the braided pilot. He was yelling something. Heero turned on the audio.
"-get you yet, Superman!"
The screen showed static as Wing flew out of range. Heero took one last glance at the disappearing hanger.
"Sayonara...Duo."
I need a hero! I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night.
Duo sat on the pier, legs over the side, quietly watching the sun slowly set over the ocean. The clouds above were stained into a myriad of colors. The soft light reflected gently across the braided pilot's heart-shaped face and lovingly tinted his hair a dark auburn.
Howard stepped softly behind the youth, hands stuck deep into his pockets. Duo, normally so loud and boisterous, had been quiet lately. Ever since that boy had left. Howard wondered what had gone on between them, but it wasn't his place to ask. He was just a mechanic.
"Your mobile suit has been repaired." He said instead.
Duo turned around and gave him a genuine smile. "Thank you. I appreciate it." He stood up slowly and they walked over to where his mechanical partner sat. Howard's men buzzed all around it, giving it a little tweak here and a little polish there. Duo nodded at them approvingly.
"No need to thank me..." Howard said amiably. "Just pay me as usual. You're my biggest client you know."
Duo looked up at his aibou [2], smiling. "We managed to get it ready for the next mission." Was all he said.
Howard looked at him. He alone knew why Duo insisted on them hastening the repairs. He was hoping to see that Japanese lad again. The old man shook his head. He genuinely liked Duo. He had been wary when the kid first showed up on his base, with a stolen Gundam [3]. But after he had talked to Professor G, he warmed up considerably to this audacious youth. The boy was brash, and stubborn, and loud...and Howard loved him like a son. I hope that Japanese kid doesn't hurt you, boy. He had a wildness in his eyes that damn near gave me the willies.
Howard said nothing of this aloud, just merely watched the boy as he stared up at his Gundam, violet eyes shining.
He's got to be strong and he's got to be fast and he's got to be fresh from the fight.
Heero fired his beam rifle one last time, beheading the last of the enemies that remained in the area. The battle had been quick and easy, with no complications. Now all that remained was to destroy the facility itself. He lifted the rifle to fire at the main tower, but someone beat him to it. Looking over, eyes wide, Heero saw a familiar black Gundam seemingly descend from the heavens. Duo's face popped up on his screen.
"I guess we're on the same mission."
But Heero wasn't paying any attention, for behind the black Gundam was...
"Hey!" The braided pilot complained. "It won't cost you anything to say 'Hello' to me."
Heero once again raised the beam cannon. "Target: Locked on."
Misunderstanding his intent, Duo raised his buster shield. Heero saw hurt flash in those violet eyes, before grim determination quickly covered it up.
"So we have to fight this out after all?"
I need a hero! I'm holding out for a hero till the morning light.
The two Gundams faced off for a long moment, as time seemed to stand still. Suddenly the ground beneath DeathScythe's foot gave way, and the Gundam stumbled backwards.
Heero felt his heart leap in return and quickly pulled the trigger. The beam rifle fired and Duo let out an involuntary yell. But the beam passed over his Gundam to blast into an object right behind him. Duo looked back to see a now-headless mobile suit crash to the ground, then explode.
Heero's lips twitched at the look of confusion that passed over Duo's face.
"Now we're even." He began to laugh. Leaving Duo still staring at him in wonder, Wing shot up into the air and transformed into bird mode.
"Damn." Was all Duo said. "You got me."
At this Heero smiled. "I'll hold you to that." He whispered softly as his Gundam disappeared into the lightening skies.
He's got to be sure and it's got to be soon and he's got to be larger than life.
End Part Two
[2] Aibou means partner.
[3] In Endless Waltz, it is revealed that Duo actually "steals" DeathScythe, though Professor G told him to.
(:./astrokender/hero2)
