1998
Standard Disclaimers apply.
"Heero! What ha-" Duo's words disappeared in a sharp inhalation of breath as Heero pulled him away from the door, fingers digging painfully into his upper arm. Duo winced but said nothing as he stole a quick look behind him - the room Heero had emerged from so suddenly.
Relena-san! Duo's eyes went wide as he saw the blonde girl stare vacantly in his direction, her face pale and empty. Totally washed out. Like a watercolor left out in the rain. The girl sat, slumped and boneless, on the floor and for one moment, her empty blue eyes locked onto his. For one short moment, Duo saw in those eyes the look that had haunted him ever since he was a child on L2. A look that he only saw ever since, in the eyes of the dead.
Damn you, Heero! What did you do now?
But the question remained unasked as Heero's iron grip pulled him away, near stumbling as he tried to keep up with the latter's brisk steps.
The control panel was cool under his fingers as he traced the outlines of the various gauges, knobs and levers. He knew every indentation, every raised edge. The workings of this machine were as familiar to him as the back of his own hand. Heero knew that he could pilot Wing with his eyes blindfolded. It was that familiar. And it was that easy familiarity that had brought him automatically to his Gundam.
Heero sighed, leaning back into the bucket seat, feeling the hard straps of the unused harnesses digging into his back. The discomfort was comforting, in a way. They reminded him that this was where he belonged. This was what he had been bred for. This was his purpose. This was his life. But was it what he wanted?
Strong, gentle fingers suddenly combed slowly through his hair in the heavy silence of Wing's cockpit, accompanied by the sound of breathing that he knew all too well. Heero shuddered inwardly at the touch, suddenly confused at the warring feelings that surged like a small tsunami within him. He had rushed - almost run - here. And unconsciously, he had dragged Duo with him. He didn't realise that his fingers were still clutching at the longhaired pilot's arm until the other's hand had closed upon his, struggling to pry away at his fingers...
Anou...Heero...you're hurting...
He'd been shocked, to say the least and had abruptly let go of Duo's arm. He didn't mean to hurt him. He just never realised that ... He wanted to apologise, to say sorry - but seeing Duo fuss as he rubbed the feeling back into his arm, seeing the other's pained expression -no matter how slight; it had all been too much at that moment. He'd left him in the house, then and the next thing he knew, he was here. In Wing. In the one place where he couldn't feel pain. Or could he?
"Heero," Duo's voice softly pleaded.
Heero opened his eyes. Duo's hand had left his hair and now rested on his thigh. His blue-violet eyes stared back at him, wide and inquiring as he kneeled before the Wing pilot. The boy had followed him here, apparently. But then, Heero had never tried to cover his tracks. And knowing Duo's stubbornness, he shouldn't be surprised to find the baka here with him. How had the boy entered without him noticing? Had he been that distracted? That was dangerous - a dangerous weakness...
"What happened?" Duo asked, his voice low but with an underlying edge of insistence. "What did you do?"
Heero blinked. "What did I do? You're asking me what I did?" He could hardly keep that minute sliver of hysteria out of his voice, but this was Duo. It was admissible with Duo. Nobody else would ever see this side of him, the side that hinted at a human soul. Perfect soldiers never had souls. Perfect soldiers were never human. But with Duo, being human was easy. Hell! With Duo, he couldn't help but be human.
The shocked look at his outburst faded quickly from the concerned face before him. Kuso! Heero cursed as he saw the open gaze suddenly cloud over as his lover's other face slipped into place. The invincible one. The nobody-can-hurt-me face that Heero had learnt to hate. The one that usually meant that he did hurt. Inside. Where it mattered most. The hands on his thighs tensed almost imperceptibly before lifting away, leaving behind a comforting warmth that quickly faded away. Heero sighed as he ran his hands over his own tousled dark locks. Why was this day going so wrong?
Duo's eyes narrowed as he leaned back on his heels. That flash of manic anger had surprised him. Heero never ceased to surprise him. One moment he'd be as emotionally animated as a stone statue, and the next...But mostly when they were alone, the emotions Heero had shown him were more on the reflective side. He was seldom so vehement. Duo licked at his suddenly dry lips. "Heero," he ventured cautiously. "What did you do to Relena?"
"Relena?" Heero peered at him from behind dark brown bangs. Duo cared more about how Relena felt? Doesn't he care about how he felt? Doesn't he want to know about what Relena did?
Duo immediately regretted his question as he caught the tone of disappointed sarcasm that dripped from Heero's single-worded response. "Saa..Heero," he grinned. "You left her pretty down, man. I mean, she really looked down in the dumps back there. Hell, worse than the dumps. She actually looked like death warmed over...Heh! And then death left her on the stove and she got burnt-"
"She got burnt all right." Heero cut in, his voice cold and flat. Expressionless. Like always.
The Shinigami pilot's face fell. "Heero, tell me..."
"I told her I didn't love her."
"You...What?" Duo blinked. Heero was that callous?
"You heard me," The cold voice answered softly. "Don't bother to pretend."
Duo frowned. "Pretend? I never pretend..." Heero's snorting chuckle interrupted him, bitter and mirthless. But the Wing pilot remained silent, staring into his eyes with a strange wondering look, his cobalt orbs glittering.
"You actually said that to her?" Duo continued after a few moments, still incredulous.
Heero nodded.
"You're a cruel bastard, you know that?" Duo grinned, laughter lighting up his eyes.
"That's what you like about me, isn't it?" the shorthaired boy smirked, leaning forward to cup the heart-shaped face in his hands.
"Hai," Duo sighed as he leaned into Heero's soft kiss.
[Do you still remember , how we used to be
Feeling together , believe in whatever
My love has said to me]
"Duo," Heero sighed as he pulled away, somewhat hesitantly. "Why did you make me see her?"
"I.." Duo looked back at him, confused. Out of the many questions he'd expected, this was the last one. No, he didn't expect this one at all. "I don't know. She just seemed so desperate. I guess," Duo sighed, standing up and leaning against the control panel, his arms crossed tightly across his chest. "I ... Well, she loves you, Heero. She needed you then." He shrugged his shoulders, looking away from Heero's penetrating gaze. "You know?" Heero's icy blue eyes told him that he didn't. Duo shivered. It suddenly felt very cold in that cockpit.
"You never thought about what she needed me for?"
"All I know is," Duo grinned nervously, "if I loved someone as much as I think she loves you, I'd want you there too."
"You would," Heero sighed, leaning back into the seat. He continued studying Duo's face, much to the longhaired boy's discomfort.
"Do you, Duo?" Heero asked after several moments of Duo's discomfiture.
"Huh?" Duo looked up from his minute study of the white material of his shirt. When Heero had begun to look at him like a cobra waiting to strike, the thin cotton cloth had started to look very interesting. Heero's question caught him completely off guard. Damnit! Ever since this thing with Heero started so many things had caught him off-guard. It had been easier - and safer - back when there was nothing between them. At least then, he didn't care for anyone too much so as to be so vulnerable to every twist or inflection of speech or action. At least then, he didn't bother to read between every line for hidden nuances. Feeling for Heero had become a full-time job. And a damn tiring one... It made him feel too much - for too many...
"Do you love me as much as she does?"
"Ack!" Duo gagged. Heero looked at him with hooded eyes, partially hidden by the long bangs but still glittering, nonetheless, with that unholy light. Love? That four-letter word had seemed such an obscene thing since...But..Yes, he loved this strange, sullen being that stalked his waking moments from the day he'd met him. "I..I.." Duo cleared his strangely dry throat. Why was this so hard to say? "I ... care for you, Heero," he finally blurted.
Heero closed his eyes at Duo's choked reply. Tenting his fingers beneath his chin, he asked again, " Do you love me, Duo - as much as Relena?" Duo's silence caused him to crack open an eye. The longhaired boy looked strangely flustered - almost in tears, if he didn't know better. But Gundam pilots didn't cry. Gundam pilots didn't have tear ducts, he smiled bitterly.
"Are... Heero, that's a heavy question, ain't it?" Duo fidgeted. "Maybe we should go inside, have a drink or two -"
"Get out, Duo."
"What?" Did Heero just tell him to get lost? Duo trained a surprised look at the Japanese boy as the latter elbowed him to open Wing's hatch.
"Heero? Come on, ya don't mean it, right?" the American grinned.
The Japanese boy stared at him in cold silence. "I want to be alone for a while."
ShitShitShit! Damn you Heero! Damn me! Duo, you stupid fool. You really did it this time!
Duo looked back at the silent Heero - so still in the pilot's seat, gazing out of the screen in front of him at nothing in particular - as he walked out.
"I do, you know," Duo whispered as he left. Much more, his heart added.
Heero's eyes shone, the softly uttered words not escaping his keen hearing. He'd wanted to hear those lips say those words for so long...
"Duo!"
No answer.
Heero turned. The hatchway was empty. Duo had gone. Bakayaro! Why'd he take things so damn literally? The Japanese boy practically flew out of his seat, jumping out of the hatch with practiced ease. He looked up just in time to see the end of a familiar braid flip out of sight through the hangar entrance. Heero ran.
Duo dug his fists into his pockets. Walking briskly, he could feel the unrelenting late afternoon sun beat upon his exposed nape. Thank goodness for the braid, he thought. At least there wasn't that much exposed flesh. Or he'd end up with an awful sunburn in a most irritating place. He looked up, squinting at the brightness. His eyes watered, tearing up. And suddenly, with the appearance of those few droplets, it seemed like someone had turned on the taps and the tears began to flow.
"Oh shit," Duo cursed softly, wiping away at the offending moisture angrily. He never cried. He'd stopped crying on L2, when the people he cared for - the ones he loved - had gone. They loved him - they told him that so many times - and he loved them. And he finally told them he loved them that fateful night, before he went for the OZ mobile suits. He'd been young. And foolish, he knew. But he knew his limits and he knew what he was capable of. Stealing a few OZ mobile suits was child's play - even as a child. And before he left, he'd told them he loved them. Father Maxwell, Sister Helen. He'd loved them. And he'd told them...
And the Lord had taken them onto his bosom and left him alone....
"Duo!" Heero grabbed at the boy's arm and turned him around. Duo's tear streaked face shocked him into silence. "Wha-?"
"Leave me alone!" Duo nearly screamed, violently pulling his arm away from Heero's suddenly lax grip. He turned, walking even faster towards the house. He just wanted to get to his room, soak in the tub, go to sleep, anything! Anything but stand in this hot sun with Heero staring him down like he was some weak little crybaby that couldn't control his own emotions. "This is not me! I do not cry! Duo Maxwell does NOT cry! Notmenotmenotmenotme..," he muttered angrily under his breath.
Heero's arms around him stopped him dead in his tracks.
Heero held him tightly, refusing to let go even as the longhaired boy flailed and struggled. And after a few minutes, Duo's struggling stopped and he felt Duo's body grow still and seem to sag in his arms. And the shuddering began.
"Hush," the Japanese boy shushed, turning Duo to face him. The other's face had twisted into a parody of its cheerful self, his eyes clenched shut as though to stem the flow of tears. His lips quivered slightly even though Heero could see that Duo had drawn them into a thin, tense line - so unlike the usual full lips he had grown to love. Heero didn't know what to say, or what to do. He'd never seen Duo like this. Duo had always been the brash, over-confident one. He'd always been the lively one - the one who did the cheering. Even when they were together alone, Duo had always managed to carry off his inexperience with that extra dash of bravado. To the extent that he hadn't realised just how inexperienced the boy was until just a few nights ago. Duo was always the one who talked too much, knew everything and did anything.
Heero didn't know what to do with this familiar stranger in his arms. So he just let his heart - the heart he was not supposed to have - guide his actions. And held Duo tight.
[Both of us were dreamers
Young love in the sun
Felt like my savior, my spirit I gave you
We'd only just begun]
And in the empty courtyard, with miniature sandstorms eddying at their feet, two figures stood in silence. In the comfort of their own company.
Under the gaze of a pair of cold, pale blue eyes.
Relena Peacecraft looked upon the spectacle with a cold, detached feeling gripping her heart. There he was again. In his arms. Her ... NO! Not hers anymore. He was not hers anymore. Or ever had been, if what he implied was to be believed. But she'd be damned if she let anyone take what was rightfully hers. Whether he liked it or not, Heero was hers. Hers and hers alone.
Relena's mouth tensed, the little muscles around it twitching as her ears filled with the grating sound of her gnashing molars. "Heero," she whispered in the coolness of her room. "You'll always be mine. No one, no one will ever take you away from me."
[Hasta manana, Always be mine]
"Is Relena-sama not dining with us tonight, Quatre-sama?" the manservant bowed humbly at Quatre's side.
"Uh..I don't know," the blonde boy stammered. "Eh, Heero, did she say anything to you?" he asked.
The Japanese boy sitting beside him gave him a cold stare. "Why would she tell me anything?"
"Anou..I just thought that since you were the one who saw her last..."
"Do I look like her keeper?" the flat monotone interjected.
"Heero," Trowa's low baritone interposed. "No need to be rude." The taller boy's green eyes gazed into the dark blue ones of the boy sitting opposite him. Their locked stares virtually crackled with electricity, sending the already quiet dining room into a tomblike silence.
"Hey, Trowa," Quatre reached out, touching the green-eyed boy's wrist slightly, "it's okay. Heero didn't mean to be rude. Did you, Heero?" the blonde boy asked, turning to the glowering Japanese. Damn it Heero! Just say No!
"Of course not!" Duo crowed, suddenly appearing from behind them. "He was born rude! Saa! Heero? This seat taken? No?" he asked, and answered, as he literally plopped himself into the seat next to the Japanese boy. "Oi! What? Cat got your tongue? Here," the longhaired boy thumped a surprised Heero on the back, hard.
Heero sputtered.
Trowa smiled. A little.
Quatre heaved a sigh of relief. If Duo hadn't come in at that very moment...
"Humph! Better. You looked like you swallowed a fish. A dead, smelly one," the longhaired boy continued, seemingly oblivious to the diffused tension that had almost reduced Quatre's manservant to a quaking heap of mush. "So," he looked towards his bemused host with a grin. "What's for dinner?"
"Ah..um..I guess we'll find out together, ne?" Quatre grinned. Only Duo could have pulled this off so well. He didn't know anyone else who'd dared to do what that crazy American just did. "Hameed? Tell Mariam that we're ready to have dinner now. Then check on Relena-san and Wufei-san..."
"No need," Wufei's cool voice cut in. "And Relena-san is here as well."
All eyes turned towards the Chinese boy's voice - and nearly fell out of their sockets at the sight that greeted them.
Wufei stood in the doorway of the dining room with Relena, her arm curling tightly around his. Granted, the Chinese boy did look decidedly uncomfortable. Hell! Judging from the slight sheen of sweat on his bronzed face - Duo grinned - very uncomfortable. Relena, on the other hand, looked very collected - a far cry from the last time he'd seen her a few hours ago. Dressed in a soft aquamarine dress, her hair plaited up - she looked resplendent.
Wufei cleared his throat somewhat distinctly and entered the room with a rather stilted gait. Quatre waved Hameed away, to which the manservant complied most eagerly.
"Woo! Wufei man! How did you get such a hot-lookin' babe to be seen with you?" Duo laughed as he stood up with the rest of the boys. The Chinese boy shot Duo a venomous glare that the latter chose to ignore. "Ojousan! Did he accost you in the hallway and force you to accompany his sorry self?"
"Kisa-..uhm..." Wufei caught himself , seeing little pink spots rise prettily on his partner's cheeks. "I mean...Uh.."
"Iie, Wufei-san," Relena cooed. "Don't be embarrassed. I'm used to it."
"Still," the Chinese boy answered, still glaring at the longhaired thorn in his side. " A man of honor would not carry himself that way."
"And you are a very honorable man," Relena soothed, patting Wufei's arm lightly. Duo rolled his eyes.
"Relena-san!" their blonde host cried happily. "We're glad you could join us for dinner. Please," he rushed to the other end of the table, pulling out a chair.
"Oh no, Quatre-san," Relena giggled winsomely. "I would not presume to sit in such a place of honor. Let me sit here," she said, pointing at the empty seat beside Duo.
Duo gulped, glancing nervously at the quiet stone statue beside him. He kicked at Heero under the table, and got a small smirk for an answer. "Heero!" he hissed, unheard by anyone but the Japanese boy. Heero eyed him with a raised eyebrow, signaling with his chin that the blonde girl was approaching. Duo gave him an exasperated stare and turned to pull out the chair beside him. "Heh! Relena-san! Are you sure you wouldn't want to sit next to our honorable Wufei?"
"Damn you!" Wufei growled, "First you insult my honor, and now you insult your guest? You are lower than a snake's belly!"
"At least I'm not the snake, ne?" Duo winked at the Chinese boy.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Wufei's voice raised to a cracked squeak.
"Anou! Boys! Boys!" Relena's voice raised over the two squabblers. "Wufei-san? Duo-san?" she eyed them both in turn, raising a warning eyebrow, before sitting down daintily in Duo's offered seat. "Shall we continue with dinner?" she beamed around the table.
Wufei huffed and shot a grinning Duo his best I'll-Get-You glare, and took a seat opposite Relena. Quatre, who had been praying for another miraculous delivery sank down gratefully into his seat with a tired smile. "Hai, Relena-san. That's a very good idea!"
Duo fretted as he plastered a polite smile on his face, moving to the strains of Quatre's violin. Something very weird was happening here. And he didn't like it one bit.
"Are you feeling alright, Duo-kun?" Relena asked throatily. The girl looked up at him as they danced, blue eyes narrowed seductively.
"Heh! Yes," he replied nervously, "Of course, Ojousan."
"Oh don't be so formal, Duo-kun," she smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Just call me Relena. Or Ena-chan."
"Uh..Hai. Relena," Duo gulped. It had started at dinner, with Relena choosing to sit beside him. Not only did it make him uncomfortable enough so as to not enjoy the otherwise scrumptious dinner Mariam had prepared, but Heero's affected silence throughout the whole affair had made the dinner truly unbearable. He'd thought it'd end there but noooo...
The first few times her hand had brushed his, he'd thought them mere little accidents and ignored them.
Until their honored guest winked at him.
"Eeeh.." he'd almost screeched, backing unconsciously towards Heero's ungiving arm. And that self-serving bastard had pushed him back towards this...this...squid! That was the only word that came to mind then - not in the least because it was one of the dishes being served, but more because of the way her hand had suddenly taken to trailing over his thigh under the table. He must have gone green because Trowa had definitely looked concerned.
"Are you alright, Duo?"
"H-Hai," he had nodded weakly. Quatre glanced at him suspiciously until he stuffed himself with one of the tiny molluscs. And promptly felt like throwing up when Relena's hand squeezed his knee.
"Damn it Heero! She was all over me!" Duo hissed at Heero as they walked towards the drawing room after dinner. Thankfully Quatre - always the perfect host - had offered his arm to their guest and had led the group, leaving the two of them at the tail end. Of course, that bubbly blonde curse had also asked their guest - another accursed bundle of joy - what she'd liked to do after dinner.
"Oh Quatre-san! I heard that you played the violin! Would you do me the honor? I haven't heard a violin solo in such a long time," she asked coyly, her eyes all shimmery and bright. No one in his right mind could have refused her then.
Not even Quatre.
So of course, he'd acquiesced.
And they'd ended up here.
Duo had settled into the sofa beside Heero when Quatre had begun to play, closing his eyes to enjoy the music. He had thought of watching TV - maybe some old movies on cable - and then retiring for an early night - Heero had promised a decidedly naughty bedtime game - when Trowa had suddenly joined in with his flute. Relena had been delighted and had clapped her hands joyfully. Strange things these aristocrats enjoyed, he smirked. Heero was flipping through a magazine, refusing to notice anything else that went on in the room other than the pages turning in his hands.
Duo edged closer, and twitched Heero's thigh surreptitiously under the cover of a velvet-lined cushion. Heero gave him a sideways glance, still refusing to say a word. The longhaired boy motioned towards the door with a slight toss of his head. Heero smirked and returned to his magazine.
Duo facevaulted. Why was Heero doing this to him? First, he had pointedly ignored Duo's heated complaints about Relena's 'attention', and now this! Why you -!
Then Heero had stood up, announcing quietly to no one in particular, "I'm going to bed. Oyasumi."
Duo could hardly contain the grin that threatened to split his face in half. Heero you old son-of-a-gun. I knew you'd come through. He'd give the Japanese boy a few minutes before he'd call it a night, and then -
"I feel like dancing!" Relena had suddenly bubbled, pulling at Wufei's arm. The Chinese boy's pained face was a sight to behold. He looked like he'd just swallowed a watermelon. Whole. "Wufei-san! Dance with me?" she tugged.
"But..but," Wufei groaned. "I cannot dance. Warriors were never taught to dance. It is not a necessary skill," he gushed, trying to reinstate some semblance of pride at that one deficiency.
"Mou," Relena pouted. Inwardly she laughed. She knew the boy couldn't dance. He just didn't seem the type. She didn't feel like it much, but seeing those two throw subtle - of course, she'd noticed. She'd been looking at nothing else the whole evening - glances at each other throughout the whole solo... She seethed.
And finally when Heero had stood up... Everything just clicked into place. It was too good a chance to waste.
"Relena-san," Trowa's voice interrupted her scheming. "Can I have this dance?" The tall boy stood beside her, holding out a slender, artistic hand. In her effort to put up a good show, she hadn't noticed that the music had stopped.
"Ah.." Relena looked into the deep-set green eyes. So inscrutable... What was she going to do? If she accepted his offer... "Trowa-san! You have to play! You must continue! I only wanted to dance because the melody you and Quatre-san made was so beautiful. It would not be the same without the lilt of your flute." She looked up at him shyly, batting long-lashed eyelids. "Kudasai?"
Trowa smiled and gave a slight nod. "As you wish, Relena-san." It would suit him just fine after all. He'd only volunteered when Quatre had given him a slight nudge with his foot during the performance. Wufei would just have to fend for himself. Grinning at the blonde pilot, Trowa took his seat and resumed his flute-playing. Besides, Quatre was the only one he'd ever want to dance with. The blonde took up his cue and continued where he'd left off, drawing beautifully sighing notes from the instrument in his hand.
Relena's eyes glittered. Heero had stood still throughout the whole exchange. Transfixed? She hoped so. She smiled and walked determinedly towards the two pilots.
Duo moaned. "Oh God, Heero," he peeped under his breath. "Here comes the wicked witch. Hide me!"
And come she did.
Relena walked over, past Heero's surprised glare and grabbed Duo's hand.
"Duo-kun! Dance with me! You must!" she giggled, pulling the flabbergasted boy towards the center of the room. His face blushing furiously, Duo didn't have time to protest as Relena grabbed at his hand and shoulder, twirling away without a care in the world.
Which was how he ended up in Relena's arms for the past thirty minutes.
Inside Duo fumed. He cursed Quatre, Trowa, Wufei, Heero - especially Heero. He cursed himself, Relena - Oh, most definitely, Relena. He cursed the entire liege of violin makers and flute players. And while he was at it, he cursed every musician in the world. The Hell with it! He cursed the entire planet.
Shit! His arms were getting tired. Didn't this woman feel tired by now? They'd been dancing for what - hours? At least - Duo smirked at the sight - Heero had stayed on. The Japanese boy had sat back down after Relena had whizzed him off, and now the shorthaired boy sat with his arms crossed, staring at the couple in the middle of the room. As they turned, Duo stuck his tongue out at the scowling pilot. Heero's dark looks became blacker, eliciting a satisfied grin from his lover. Hah! Serves you right, Heero. I suffer, you suffer! Duo laughed mentally. Perhaps this won't turn out so bad after all....
What the hell does that bitch think she's doing now, Heero wondered as he watched the dancing couple in the middle of the room. If she thinks she's going to make me jealous, she's damn right! Kuso! Perhaps he'd been wrong to ignore Duo after dinner. Perhaps he should have excused himself then and Duo would have been able to make a similarly early exit. And spared him the embarrassment of dancing with Relena. And spared Heero the sudden clenching in his heart as he saw Duo in her arms.
And it didn't help that the girl was laughing every time the longhaired boy opened his mouth. Heero couldn't quite catch Duo's jokes - if they had been jokes - nor could he read his lover's lips entirely. Relena blocked him too well for that. So? So Relena's having a good time, a little voice peeped in his head. That's good, isn't it? That would keep her attention off you, ne? Not if it's with Duo, the Japanese pilot growled to himself. And the fact that the braided Shinigami pilot was grinning away like some idiot didn't exactly put him at ease.
Yes he was jealous. Damn jealous!
Heero frowned even more deeply, his brow furrowed, the corners of his mouth turned down so low it would have reached his chin. The afternoon had ended strangely. Duo's unexpected breakdown had dampened his temper somewhat after that confrontation with Relena. He'd never got to the bottom of it though. The longhaired pilot had refused to speak, even as he'd cuddled him in Heero's bed - where they'd subsequently ended up. The tears had stopped long before but the boy had remained uncharacteristically quiet. Quiet cajoling laced with promises of pleasurable evenings, even Heero's threats - more empty bluff, actually - had failed to make him open up. And eventually he'd just drifted off to sleep in the Japanese pilot's arms.
Luckily, he seemed more his usual self when he woke up, seeming to have forgotten all about what had transpired. A point Heero had decided not to pursue - at least not at that point in time. There would be time later...
"Oi! Wake up sleepyhead," Heero had poked at the dozing boy in his bed.
"Umm..why..." Duo mumbled, cracking open his eyelids ever so slightly and straight away closing them again. "Wanna sleep.." He snuggled deeper into the soft down pillows.
"You'll miss dinner," Heero said drily.
Duo sat up.
Heero grinned. Food always woke Duo up.
"What time is it?" Duo yawned, stretching his slender frame like a sleek jungle cat.
"Enough time for you to get ready for dinner," Heero muttered, pulling the longhaired boy to his feet.
"Saa...Heero. Why didn't you wake me up sooner," Duo had complained as he walked out of the room, not really waiting for an answer.
[Yes I still remember , every whispered word
The touch of your skin , giving life from within
Like a love song that I'd heard
Slipping through our fingers , like the sands of time
Promises made , every memory saved
Has reflections in my mind]
Maybe he shouldn't have woken Duo up at all, Heero mused, unconsciously picking at the tassles of one unfortunate velvet-lined cushion. Of course, Heero wouldn't notice that the tassle had almost been worked off the cushion...
At least then, Heero would be sure that Duo was safely ensconced in his bed, not in the arms of...
"I'm tired," Relena's voice piped over the music.
Duo heaved a silent sigh of relief. At last...
"Come, Duo-kun! Accompany me on the piano," she immediately declared, pulling Duo towards the grand piano.
Duo groaned. Nooo...Heero help me! He pleaded silently, glancing over his shoulder at the silently seething pilot. Now he really felt like crying. And Trowa and Quatre - the sadistic bastards!- were so lost in their music they didn't seem to notice that he was practically dying! And Wufei! Blasted Wufei was actually snoring on the couch! Just wait 'til I get my hands on him...
"Uh..Relena...I can't play," Duo ventured, hoping that that excuse, flimsy as it may seem, would get him out of this torture chamber.
"Duo-kun! Don't be ridiculous! I can't believe that," Relena giggled. "With those clothes I always see you wear, you at least know how to play the organ. And the piano isn't all that different," she laughed, patting the vacant space beside her. "Here, sit."
"Relena...Uh..I'm tired..Really, really tired." Anything, anything to get out of here!
"Duo," Relena hissed, startling the braided boy at the venomous nature with which she uttered his name. "Sit!" she commanded brusquely, her voice suddenly low.
Duo sat, too stunned to do or say anything on the contrary.
As her fingers danced over the keyboard slowly, bringing out sweet notes that blended into the melody Trowa and Quatre were so obliviously drowned in, Relena spoke quietly. "You know, Duo," she began, her eyes skimming over the ivory as her fingers continued their dance, "I found him first. He's mine."
Duo blinked. Was this what all this bullshit was about? Of course, baka! He could have slapped himself on the forehead - and he did.
"Sou. This is all about Heero?" Duo chuckled.
The girl glared at him, shutting him up as invisible daggers whizzed through the air around him. "You find it funny?" Icicles would have formed around her words. Duo shivered. Relena's mood swings were worse than Heero's. "You think it's a laughing matter?" Relena grinned at Quatre and Trowa - who were giving the two of them an amused look - as she hissed through a bright smile. "Well, let me tell you - boy," she grabbed his hands as she stressed the noun, plonking his hands on the keyboard. "Play!" she commanded again.
And of their own accord, his fingers obliged.
"Heero will never - can never - be anyone's but mine," the girl beside him continued. "Do you understand?"
"No," Duo grinned. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
The piano wires twanged as her fingers hit the keys a little too heavily. "Don't act stupid with me Duo. I know you're not as oblivious as you look," Relena hissed even more vehemently - if that were possible. "I know about you and Heero. Don't think I'm blind," the girl seethed. "But Heero loves me, and only me! Understand? He doesn't love you and he never will. You're just a convenience. You're nothing! He's just using you because he can't have me! Heero will never, ever love you as much as -"
The piano shook as Duo suddenly banged on the keys, shocking the girl beside him into silence. "Ojousan," he said quietly, not caring that the whole room had suddenly grown very still. The only thing that he focussed on was the spoiled little brat that had presumed to know everything when she knew absolutely nothing. "I don't know what you're trying to do - and to be honest, I don't care - but if you're trying to get on my nerves, you've succeeded very well." The boy turned to the blonde girl beside him, taking in the wide blue eyes that should look so beautiful but at that moment only reminded him of ice chips. "And I don't think you should speak about who Heero can or does love. The best one to talk about that, would be the man himself, ne?" Duo spoke slowly, deliberately, quite unlike his normal off-the-cuff self. But then, he surmised, this wasn't a normal situation. His patience had been tested before, but never so much as these past few minutes.
"Besides, Relena-sama," he stressed the honorific with more than a little sarcasm as he stood up, "I believe Heero has already told you what he feels." He turned away from the gaping girl, and suddenly faced another four round pairs of very surprised eyes. "Saa!" he grinned at the other four pilots, embarrassedly rubbing the back of his head, "why'd you guys stop playing? Heh! And I just convinced Relena-san to play a solo. Didn't I, Relena-san? But she doesn't need a lousy player like me to mess up her music," he turned back to the apoplectic girl, giving her a rakish grin, "Eh, Relena-san?" The girl glared back, her facial muscles twitching in barely checked fury.
"Okay, guys," Duo stretched exaggeratedly. "I'm calling it a night. See you guys tomorrow!" And with that, the longhaired pilot walked out of the drawing room, not even turning back to the eyes that followed his quick exit in silent wonder.
Heero glared at the blonde girl at the piano. Relena must have done something truly vile to affect Duo that much. But then, she had managed to get under his skin even. But if that bitch so much as ...
It was no use. He'd never be able to make good on his threats. And now that her role in the war was so well-defined, there was no way he could do that and not betray his mission. In fact, he'd probably have to save her, if the need ever arose. Life just wasn't fair. He definitely should have killed her off long ago...
"Matte Heero!"
Her shrill voice stopped him. Again. He was just about to walk out after Duo when those two words halted him. Gritting his teeth, Heero turned.
Relena stood, her face white and furious, her hands clenched into small fists by her side. "Heero," her voice dripped with barely suppressed rage. "Where do you think you're going?"
Heero raised a condescending eyebrow. She had to ask? He turned away and resumed his exit.
"HEERO!" Relena screamed, heedless of her gaping audience. "Nan da tou! Get back in here!!!" she screeched as Heero disappeared from sight.
Her heart pounded, the blood rushing to her face, turbulent in her ears. His face burnt into her retinas; those blue, blue eyes suddenly so cold and mocking. Her fingers flexed, the long nails digging into her palm, drawing blood. She didn't feel pain. Oh no...It felt sweet. Like she was gouging out those oh-so- beautiful eyes. Blue eyes that dared to look at another. Eyes that refused to meet hers. Her breathing rasped through the still, heavy atmosphere of the room, the flaring nostrils accompanying the strong heaving of her body as she drew in more air to fuel her silent fury.
"HEERO!!!" She screamed again, oblivious to Quatre's ashen face and Trowa's blank stare. Even Wufei seemed stunned by this totally perverted version of the perfect lady he had previously accompanied to dinner.
"Damn you, you bastard! If I can't have you, nobody can!!! Do you hear me? Nobody!!!" She screamed, her voice shrill and hysterical.
Relena looked around her, taking in the surprised stares. "And what the hell are you idiots gaping at ?!?" she snapped before stomping out of the room.
Leaving three very confused, very frozen boys to contemplate the complexities of human emotions.
[Hasta manana , Always be mine]
"Duo?" The door was locked but a few quick twists of a convenient lock pick had taken care of that little problem. Oh, he could have just twisted the handle a bit more strongly and just broken the latch but... Well, his host had his respect at least, if not his affection. That belonged only to the room's occupant - who seemed to be nowhere in sight.
Heero entered quietly, surveying the empty room with a sweeping glance. The bed was untouched - not surprising, considering where Duo spent most of his nights; the room looked mostly unlived in - again, not surprising. They had only been here a few days after all, and Duo had hardly spent much time in his own room. The day that bundle of hyperactivity could stay cooped up in one spot for long would be the day he stopped flying. Which was damn near unlikely. But the floor...
Heero eyed the trail of carelessly strewn clothes from where it started, just inside the threshold, all the way to the door of the adjoining bathroom. The Japanese boy toed each article of clothing, flipping them up and catching them until he had gathered every last bit in his arms. Heero held up the last one - a pair of black boxers - and grinned. Dumping the armload of clothes into a convenient chair, Heero tried the bathroom door.
It was unlocked.
Opening the door slowly, Heero was greeted by a cloud of steam and the very loud gushing sound of a tap turned all the way round. The tub...
The tub was full, nearly overflowing, the scent of perfumed bath oils permeating the humid air. Heero looked around the room but again, the longhaired boy was nowhere in sight. Until he caught sight of a slender hand on the edge of the filled tub. A hand that suddenly slithered inside and dropped from sight.
His breath caught in his throat.
"Duo!" Heero cried in a choking voice, rushing to the vessel.
Long strands of chestnut hair floated idly among random pale green bubbles, breaking the pastel monotony like a bird's eye view of murky rivers cutting through jungle terrain. Heero's eyes widened and unthinking, he plunged his arms into the soapy water.
"Kisama!" Duo sputtered, thrashing in the water as strong hands grabbed at him, drawing him out of the relaxing warmth. "Yamero! Who the hell-!"
This was too much! One day! Just one day! And he'd already been grabbed at in more ways than he'd bother to think about. And now he can't even enjoy a quiet soak without -
"Heero! Baka ne? What do you think you're doing?!?" the longhaired boy coughed, trying to coax out errant bubbles that had lodged in his windpipe during his rather abrupt surfacing. His hair hung about his face, intertwined with the straggling bangs covering his eyes. Ugh, he grimaced. He'd definitely need to trim off some of that...
Heero leaned against the tub tiredly, his arms still hanging over the edge, submerged in the soapy water. He looked at the gagging, obviously irritated boy in the tub, silently considering whether he should sweep him up and ravish him right on the bathroom floor or just dunk him in the water again for giving him such a scare.
"What? Why're you lookin' at me like that?" Duo blinked, snorting out more soapy water and raking his hair off his face with his fingers as he reached back to turn off the running water.
"Baka," Heero sighed, resting his head on his thoroughly soaked arms. By now, most of his shirt was thoroughly soaked as well, he realised; but that was hardly a distraction considering the vision before him. Duo stared quizzically at him for a few moments; and then those violet-blue eyes softened in understanding and a small, crooked smile cracked the otherwise puzzled features.
"You thought I killed myself or drowned or something?" Duo grinned. "Oi! Give me some respect." Duo bowed his head slightly, chuckling as he shook his head unbelievingly. "Why would I do that, Heero? Life is short enough," he continued sadly. "Besides," he laughed, "you don't think I'd go like this, do you?" Duo swept his arms wide, spattering more soapy water on his would-be savior. "Buck naked? Man, if I wasn't dead by then, I'd die of embarrassment! Heh! Heero," he continued, "when I go, I wanna go in style. In a blaze of glory -"
"Duo?" The Japanese boy's hoarsely whispered utterance of his name stilled Duo's tongue.
"Aa?"
"Are you going to be here much longer?"
"Why?" Duo asked, already suspecting a reason but asking nonetheless. His mouth felt strangely dry as he gazed into those smoldering blue pits embedded in the Japanese pilot's face.
"I want you," Heero rasped. " And if you can't be out of here in five minutes, I'll take you right here and now," he groaned, lunging forward to capture the slightly surprised lips with a hunger that threatened to consume his very soul. He grabbed at Duo's soaking hair, pulling the other's face closer into his kiss, his tongue plundering the sweet recess of the longhaired pilot's mouth. Their tongues meshed together in a play of wills, sparring playfully yet insistently.
Heero ran the tip of his tongue lightly across the sensitive hard palate of Duo's mouth, wresting a shudder from the boy. His other hand dipped under the surface of the soapy water, flitting across hard, slippery flesh. He traced out the tense muscle of the limb he found - Duo's thigh - gliding across the velvet skin, up towards the juncture.
Duo gasped into his mouth as Heero's probing fingers touched him, caressing him ever so gently. He moaned as those fingers brushed past his throbbing member - deliberately ignoring it - and he closed his eyes to savor the fleeting sensation. The boy groped under the water, searching out for Heero's errant hand; grabbing at the splayed fingers and pulling them to where the ache was so sweet...
A look of surprise flashed across the Japanese boy's face as he involuntarily jerked backwards a little; his hand tensed, hesitant. Duo made a small, inarticulate, protesting cry and leaned forward to nip at the Wing pilot's surprised lips, his grip on that boy's hand still firm and insistent. Smiling slightly into the kiss, Heero palmed the longhaired boy gently and wrapped himself around Duo's length, stroking slowly. The soapy water gentled the pull of Heero's hand, sending shimmering waves of sensation shooting up Duo's spine. Heero pressed his thumb momentarily on the slitted tip - pushing gently in tiny, tiny circles - sending the longhaired boy into a squirming frenzy.
Then he pulled away.
"Hee~ro!!" Duo wailed in frustration.
"Five minutes," Heero gasped, already breathing heavily himself. "Five minutes, Duo." Heero walked out of the bathroom.
Duo facevaulted.
Heero poked his head through the door, a sadistic grin on his handsome face. "My room," he added before disappearing again.
Again the Shinigami pilot groaned. Heero was doing this deliberately. The sadistic creep just loved to torture him like this.
Oh but such sweet torture, Duo moaned as he sank once more beneath the sweet-smelling soapy water.
[Viva forever , I'll be waiting
Everlasting like the sun
Live forever , for the moment
Ever searching for the one]
Where is it? Where is it? Her hands grabbed at her clothes in the chest of drawers, flinging various garments across the floor of the bedroom. She'd spent a whole afternoon unpacking and arranging her clothes in the beautiful faux-antique chest. A whole afternoon wasted when she surveyed the mess on the floor. Relena's rosebud lips twisted into a scowl. Doko ...
First, Heero had rejected her. And for what? That..that...
"Aaaargh!!!" she screamed to the empty room. Then, she'd realised that it was probably Duo's fault, seducing her Heero away like that. After all, Duo did look good and who could blame Heero for being attracted to that bastard? She'd be too if she hadn't already had Heero ingrained so deeply in her heart. And besides, Heero had such a stressful job. Surely he'd needed some form of relief, something she couldn't provide due to the distance separating them. So of course, he'd naturally gravitate towards his closest partner, right? Right! Of course, she was right! She was never wrong!
Relena huffed disappointedly, turning left and right before finally settling her gaze on the closet in the corner of the room. She grinned, a feral light coming to her eyes as she ran to it. She'd thought to seduce that longhaired idiot; make him forget her Heero. That empty seat beside him at the dinner table had been a godsend! And she was sure she'd gotten through to him. Or she would have if Heero hadn't tagged along to the drawing room and - and Quatre hadn't offered her his arm after dinner. And spoilt all her groundwork...
"Nnnnggg!!!" the girl ranted again, stamping her foot repeatedly into the plush carpeting. Pulling her dresses off the hangers, she threw them aside as she searched the closet for...Where the hell did she put that blasted thing? It's that damn sedative they gave me, she thought angrily. It clouded her memory. She couldn't even remember clearly what she did the afternoon she unpacked, what more to say where she actually stashed that...
Ahah! The suitcase! It must still be in the suitcase!
The blonde ran across the room in a flurry of flounced skirts, dropping to her knees by her bed and reaching for the huge suitcase tucked underneath it. Heaving the heavy thing out, she stopped for a while, gasping for breath. Then when Heero had stood to go during the recital - Oh she knew why he wanted to go - she'd seen that longhaired baka sending those oh-so-coy glances his way. He'd been up to his tricks again. So she'd suggested a dance. A wide grin lit up her face as she remembered the dark look that crossed Heero's features when she danced with Duo. That was jealousy through and through. And if it wasn't, then her name wasn't Relena Peacecraft! Oh the will it had taken her not to jump for joy then. Heero - her Heero - was jealous! He saw her in another man's arms and he was jealous!!!
"HeeeHee!" she giggled, throwing herself back onto the soft floor covering, enjoying the feel of the carpeting beneath her back. That feeling of triumph had been so sweet! Until...
Relena frowned. Until she felt that stupid twitch in her leg. That old ankle injury she'd gotten from playing a game of net ball so very long ago. Damn! She'd twisted her ankle then and it had healed, but once in a while, the old injury would ache and if she didn't get off her feet, it would continue to ache for the next few days. Grimacing in frustration, the girl pounded the carpeted floor with small fists. It's not fair! Heero was right where she'd wanted him! She lifted up the guilty leg, stared at it and blew a loud raspberry at it. Stupid leg!
And then, and then...She sniffled. Why was life so cruel to her? Because I am right! Righteousness always comes with some amount of suffering, she consoled herself.
That Duo. He'd dared to talk to her like that! Him! A mere commoner, a mere soldier! Just a small nut in the great machinery that she held the switch to. He'd dared to insinuate that...that...No! Heero could never love him! Duo was just bitter because she'd hit on the awful truth! He was just angry because she'd rubbed his nose into the stinking mess that he'd caused! But to embarrass her like that! In front of all those other boys...In front of Heero! That was the lowest of the low! But no.... The lowest blow was...
"Heero," she sobbed, small tears leaking from the outer corners of her eyes. He'd landed her the cruelest blow of all. One that everyone could see. A public rejection! In plain sight! Where would she hide her face now?
"IHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOU!!!" she screamed, struggling to a sitting position and flipping open the large suitcase. Her small hands groped in its many folds and pockets, searching for that little safety precaution. The one that Hakada had always cautioned her to carry in her purse but which she never did. She didn't like it. It brought bad memories. But it was necessary in these troubled times. And now - now it was a must. Her fingers curled around the small object, its shape fitting the curve of her palm snugly - it had been specially crafted for her, after all - its coolness sending a measure of calm to her troubled heart. Oh yessss...
Relena Peacecraft grinned, her features suddenly calm and at peace. She'd found it. Her savior. His bane. She stood up and ran out of the room, heading for the part of the wing where he was....
Heero frowned. He was sure he heard the door... But...
His room was empty. The bed was empty. Duo hadn't come yet. He'd thought Duo would come running to his room after that business in the tub, but... Obviously not. Or perhaps...
Heero smiled. Duo thought to make him wait, eh? Well, we'll see about that...
He'd reached his room a few minutes before and straight away headed for a quick shower. He'd hoped to find Duo waiting for him when he came out but as it was, that didn't seem to be the case. Heero rubbed the towel briskly into his tousled hair and debated whether to dress or stay as he was, wrapped at the hips in a plain maroon towel. Heh! Why make it easy for the baka? Heero stepped over to the closet and pulled on a tank top. His eyes alighted on his jeans - Why not? He shrugged. Might as well go all the way...
Her breath caught.
She had been literally holding her breath from the moment she had entered the room, strangely thankful when she found no one there. It had taken quite a bit of wheedling to get the chambermaid to point out each pilot's room earlier that morning. But the effort had been worth it. The sound of the shower caught her ears as she entered the room stealthily. She looked around, her eyes narrowed into little slits. It resembled her own in many ways, perhaps differing slightly in the actual positioning of the furniture. There! Her gaze settled on the heavy brocade drapes that reached all the way to the floor. Perfect! The light didn't quite light up that corner too well and the drapes were heavy enough to hide the shape of her body...
And then he had come from the bathroom, his body all wet and glistening from the shower, bathed in a soft flush from the heated water; his mussed up hair falling across his eyes. Oh he was such a beautiful sight, she sighed. He was her angel, her fallen angel...
A small tear glistened in her eye and trailed down one cheek. She'd give him one last chance...
Gripping the comforting weight in her hand, she made ready to reveal herself when the Japanese pilot beat her to it. Literally.
Her hand flew to her mouth as her eyes widened to an impossible width. Her knees turned to water as she traced the lean lines of his body as the boy rummaged in the closet. The maroon towel lay on the floor where he had discarded it, treating her to a sight that brought a hot flush to her face. Oh my...
And then he turned.
Relena eeped silently and covered her eyes with her hands. But then....Ooo the temptation was too great...She peeked through her fingers, and her lower jaw nearly unhinged. So that's what it looked like... Oh my... Sweatbeads started to form on her forehead and her body temperature seemed to rise to impossible heights. It must be the drapes, she concluded. The whole house was temperature -regulated, so it must be the drapes. The heavy, cloying drapes. Hothothothot...
Heero had been fully dressed when she finally looked up. Relena heaved a small sigh of relief - tinged with more than slight disappointment. She didn't think her heart could stand much more though; it was already beating as fast as a runaway train. She took several deep breaths to calm herself down. Then, she made her move.
Heero tensed, every muscle on guard at the slight clicking sound. It wasn't the sound of the door - he could see it from the corner of his eye; it was still closed. There weren't any footsteps - the thick carpet had taken care of that. But there was a slithering sound - cloth on cloth. The window!
Heero whirled...
And faced the dark barrel of a handgun.
Held by small, shaking hands.
"Tell me you love me, Heero," Relena's sibilant voice pounded in his ears.
[But we're all alone now , was it just a dream
Feelings untold , they will never be sold
And the secret's safe with me
Hasta manana , Always be mine]
Duo whistled tunelessly as he strolled down the corridor. He'd taken longer than five minutes, he knew. But then, his hair needed more than five minutes just to rinse off the suds. And he doubted that Heero would appreciate a nose full of bubbles when he...
Duo grinned. The Japanese pilot had threatened to cut off his hair once before but Duo knew that one of the things the Wing pilot enjoyed most was running his fingers through the long tresses. So he'd taken his time drying his hair somewhat, the boy shrugged. It was still damp when he plaited it, but he was sure nobody - well, one body in particular - would mind. Anyway, he doubted Heero would object. And if he did... Well, too bad.
The braided boy halted outside Heero's bedroom door, peering up and down the corridor - more out of habit than an actual fear of discovery. Satisfied that his presence was unnoticed, Duo turned the handle softly and entered the room.
"Put down the gun, Relena," the Japanese boy growled. This whole affair was getting out of hand. The girl was staring at him with somewhat wild eyes, the whites clearly visible; a clear contrast with the dark, dilated pupils. A strange light shone in them, one that Heero didn't like the look of. Her voice had been a little too calm, a little too steady. Her hands trembled, however, and he could see the slight tremor extended to her small frame as well. A potentially dangerous situation. Worse come to worse, Heero supposed he could jump her and wrestle the gun out of her grip.
But then, the ruler of the Sank Kingdom would surely have to spend some time in the nearest hospital with a broken wrist, at the very least. Not a good thing, tempting as it was. And knowing the girl, she'd probably use even that as an excuse to come after him again - probably to thank him for putting her in the hospital, Heero smirked.
"I said," he repeated slowly in a cold monotone," put down the gun."
"Iie!" The blonde shook her head animatedly. "Not until you admit you love me!"
This was pathetic! Heero didn't know whether to despise her or to pity her. The slight crack of the opening door caught his attention, and seeing Duo's surprised form outlined in the doorway decided for him. The woman was despicable.
Duo couldn't believe his eyes. The great Heero Yuy! Held at gunpoint by Relena Peacecraft? Waaa! What he wouldn't give for a camera! Fortunately the girl had her back to the door and didn't notice his entry. Heero had though - that Duo could see from the slight twitching of a dark eyebrow. The Shinigami pilot waggled his fingers at the captive Wing pilot, a huge idiotic grin plastered across his face. And silently, he crept up behind the blonde.
"Say it, Heero! Why can't you say it?" Relena sobbed, a sharp edge manic hysteria threatening to take over her cry. She waved the gun in his face, her fingers gripping the butt so hard he could see the white of her knuckles. "Say it!!" she almost screamed. Why was Heero being so stubborn? Couldn't he see how desperate she was to hear his declaration of love? Didn't he realise what it took for her to gather up enough courage to do this? To threaten a killer with death? Or perhaps....
Perhaps she wasn't threatening enough?
Cocking the gun, Relena squeezed the trigger slightly, baring her teeth in a nervous grimace and licking at her dry lips. The gun was empty. She'd never loaded it, but Heero wouldn't know. And she was sure he'd never call her bluff. He wouldn't want to die so needlessly, right?
"Say it Heero." Her voice was cold, inflectionless.
"Ah Ojousan! Little girls should not be playing with guns."
Relena jumped at the deep, cheery voice. A strong arm gripped her around the shoulders and a quick hand reached for her gun from behind.
"Heee-yaaaa!!!" Relena screamed, ducking her head and sinking her teeth into the arm that held her as she brought both her elbows back with all the momentum she could muster. The grip on her loosened with a strangled cry and the girl twisted, grabbing at her attacker's upper arm, bracing her feet - and flipped a very surprised Duo over her slight shoulders.
The boy crashed into a chair.
The gun flew from her hand and bounced off the nearby bathroom door.
A loud bang resounded through the room.
Heero's eyes widened, his mouth opened in a silent cry.
Relena sank to her knees, her hands tearing at her partially loosened hair.
Footsteps clattered through the corridor. The bedroom door flew open, as the other three pilots burst into the room, together with an assortment of various servants.
"What ha -?" Quatre's question died on his lips as he took in the tableau set before him, the realisation of that strange feeling of foreboding he'd had ever since Relena's outburst. A sharp pain constricted his chest, eliciting a small gasp. A gasp that was drowned by the collective gasps of the others around him.
On the floor - by a few broken pieces of a former chair - a small gun lay smoking.
On the floor - Relena rocked on her heels, muttering over and over again: "It wasn't loaded. It wasn't loaded. It wasn't loaded..."
On the floor - by the wall - Heero sat huddled, cradling a longhaired figure to his chest as he stared wide-eyed into an unseen distance.
[Hasta manana, always be mine...
Viva forever, I'll be waiting
Everlasting like the sun
Live forever , for the moment
Ever searching for the one]
End Part Three
Shirin
Please send comments to: shirini@pc.jaring.my