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"The Chronicler "Written By: t-shirt Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters are
copyright to Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties.
I make no money with this fic. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: Angst, fluff, mild language, mention
of lemon, briefly annoying Relena Pairings: 1x2, 3x4 Summary: Duo learns a great deal about his perceptions
of the wars when Hiiro returns during his deposition to the chronicler.
"The Chronicler " Ch 2
‘Yeah... Taidon’s makes good sekihan,’ Hilde smiled helping herself to some more before piling the left over on top of Duo’s all but untouched portion. ‘Eat up,’ she encouraged. ‘What’s with you tonight? Usually I have to hide it in the bottom of the fridge so I don’t starve,’ she chuckled as she explained her concern to Hiiro. ‘I don’t know,’ Duo shrugged. ‘I’m just not that...’ *beeb*beeb*beeb* ‘Omigosh, that’s them!’ Hilde gushed racing for the vid phone. ‘Hello! Quatre!’ ‘Good evening Miss Schbeiker,’ Lady Une greeted evenly.. ‘Oh,’ Hilde gasped softly standing away from the image on the screen while Duo regarded her curiously. He hadn’t really spoken to the Lady since the destruction of the Gundam’s. He knew Wufei and Sally had regular contact with her since she was their boss but none of the rest of them kept in touch. He had to wonder who she might have become now that things had settled down. She had never really been all that stable but now that she had a child maybe things were different. ‘Where is Mr. Maxwell?’ the Lady asked sternly. ‘We have little resources to waist on long, interplanetary communications.’ ‘Yes... I’m sorry,’ Hilde replied nervously. ‘I’ll put him on at once but you’ll never believe…!’ the girl’s words stalled when the screen suddenly went dark. ‘Wha... Hiiro?’ ‘Would you excuse us for a minute?’ the Japanese boy asked still holding the connection cable in his hand. ‘Why did you..?’ ‘Please,’ Hiiro insisted. Her gaze wandered to Duo who sat looking quietly confounded but nodded his agreement before she smiled her understanding and relaxed. ‘Alright,’ she breathed easily picking up her coat. ‘I suppose it’s all very Gundam pilot specific,’ she chuckled. ‘Have fun!’ she called before closing the door. ‘What was that all about?’ Duo asked. ‘I would appreciate it,’ Hiiro replied hooking the vid phone back up ‘If my presence was not revealed just yet,’ he told him. Duo started to retort to what he considered an unreasonable request, however… ‘…get them back! I don’t care! What happened to the …’ He had to grin at the Ladies frantic tone. So, maybe his accounts were worth the price of a phone call after all? hmm. ‘Don’t split a wig,’ he smiled plopping down in the chair and kicking it back on two legs. ‘The problem was on our end,’ he told her flashing Hiiro, who was standing behind the camera so he couldn’t be seen, a lofty grin. Whatever his reasons were for keeping himself hidden Duo had no doubt they were good ones so he decided to play along. ‘Maxwell,’ the Lady sighed impatiently. ‘Une,’ the braided boy echoed her playfully. His grin slipped a notch when he caught the shadow of a smile hiding in the corner of Hiiro’s mouth. Did he think that was funny? Hiiro had developed a ... god help us all... a sense of humor?! ‘Shall we begin?’ Une said ignoring the bad joke completely as she was joined by another, more amiable face. ‘This is Yoshiyuki Tomino,’ she supplied a name for the ageing man beside her. ‘He has already gathered a great deal of information, however...’ ‘My Lady,’ the man broke in so softly and kindly the stern woman was instantly set off balance. ‘If I may,’ he smiled. ‘Of course,’ the Lady replied stepping away. Duo had to hand it to the guy; there weren’t too many people that could deal with Une. ‘Mr. Maxwell,’ he smiled comfortably giving Duo the feeling that he could trust him. ‘I trust you’re well?’ he began taking his seat. ‘Nothing a little aspricream wouldn’t solve,’ Duo replied. ‘Did they drive you nuts trying to piece all this shit together yet?’ ‘There are some rather large differences in perception,’ Tomino chuckled. ‘Do you mind if I record our conversation?’ ‘That’s kind of the point isn’t it?’ Duo smiled letting his appreciation for the man’s show of respect shine through. He laughed and Duo decided he kind of liked him. ‘So… where do we start?’ he asked settling in. ‘Well,’ he began. ‘The battles and progression of the war in general have been very well documented. However, I’m more interested in the relationships between the Gundam pilots and how they affected the outcome.’ ‘For instance?’ Duo asked still unclear as to what he was supposed to say. ‘For instance,’ the man smiled leaning back with his clip board in hand, ‘I understand that you almost killed Hiiro Yui upon your first meeting?’ ‘Hn!’ Duo snorted recalling that fateful day. ‘If I had wanted him dead he’d be fish bait,’ he told him. ‘I just figured Relena probably didn’t want to die just yet.’ ‘According to her you shot him at first sight.’ ‘Because he was about to pop a cap in her skull,’ the braided boy chuckled. ‘You know,’ he mused glancing at Hiiro who was standing silently behind the desk. ‘She’s still never thanked me for that one.’ ‘I could’ve stopped him without any blood shed if you hadn’t interfered,’ the Queens cold tone interjected. Duo’s eyes instantly fell on Hiiro in an attempt to ascertain his reaction to this but the Japanese boy showed no change. ‘Heeeey, Queen Bee! How’s the hive coming along?’ he asked showing his brightest smile. ‘If you hadn’t shot him things would have turned out differently,’ she said coming into view. ‘Yeah,’ Duo grinned watching as Hiiro’s hand came up, his finger pointing at the back of the monitor like the barrel of a gun as he made a motion as if he’d just shot it. ‘Your brains would’ve gotten some air,’ he chuckled flashing a heartfelt smile. ‘He wouldn’t have shot me,’ she insisted and Duo almost choked when Hiiro sent several more imaginary bullets at the back of the screen. Man! What was with him? He was smiling and everything! ‘Miss Darlian,’ Tomino smiled. ‘Would you excuse us? I already have your account of this situation, thank you,’ he said as she moved obediently away. Nice trick. He’d have to figure out how he managed that some day. ‘The rest of the crew there too?’ Duo asked. ‘We’re here,’ Quatre’s sunny tone broke in as he stepped into view. ‘Sorry, I guess you didn’t read the synopsis for these meetings,’ he smiled. ‘We’ll all be present at first so if you need us just ask,’ he offered. ‘There was homework?’ Duo smiled. ‘An outline of the ...’ Quatre began but Trowa’s hand suddenly appeared drawing him away. No doubt to explain that the comment had been a joke. ‘Why didn’t you kill him?’ Tomino asked. Duo paused and glanced unwillingly at Hiiro again. ‘He wasn’t my enemy,’ he told him evenly. It wasn’t a lie but then most truths have some underlying falsehood. He certainly couldn’t sit there and say he’d pulled the shot because Hiiro had the most gorgeous eyes in all creation. ‘Anyone attacking the Alliance wasn’t someone I wanted to kill right off.’ ‘But you shot him a second time?’ ‘Yeah, well,’ Duo chuckled recalling how his heart had stopped beating in the moment that it took for Hiiro to dive for his gun ‘I value my life.’ he told him. ‘Actually, I was aiming for his gun on the deck and he just happened to get in the way,’ he explained. ‘I never had any intention of actually killing him. Saving Relena wasn’t very high on my list anymore either by the time she jumped in and patched him up. No offense, Your Highness,’ he said addressing the unseen monarch. ‘But aiding a guy that had tried to kill you in a situation like that really wasn’t the brightest thing I’d ever seen.’ ‘He was hurt!’ she snapped. ‘He also could’ve snapped your neck,’ he pointed out. ‘But he didn’t,’ she replied. ‘No,’ Duo agreed unable to look at the Japanese boy. ‘He didn’t.’ There was a long pause in which Tomino sat quietly scribbling on his pad before prompting the conversation again. ‘Is this when you learned he was a fellow pilot?’ he asked finally. ‘Yeah,’ Duo replied pulling his mind back to the present. ‘I’d been raising his Gundam with mine. That’s why I was on the dock to begin with but they came up a little faster than I anticipated. Crazy loon took one look and saddled the torpedoes he’d stolen to blow his suit like some kind of space cowboy,’ he grinned at the scowl his words had caused on Hiiro’s face. ‘Damn good thing he lost his grip or he would’ve been blown to smithereens.’ ‘He was taken prisoner?’ ‘Relena turned him in.’ ‘What?!’ the girl gasped suddenly appearing again. ‘He was wounded! I didn’t turn him in! He was hurt and needed a doctor! I saved him!’ ‘He was a soldier,’ Duo countered confidently. ‘That doesn’t mean he had to die,’ the girl retorted. ‘Death or imprisonment,’ the longhaired boy stated. ‘What’s the difference?’ ‘Miss Relena... if you please,’ Tomino interjected gently guiding the girl away again. ‘So you rescued him?’ the man asked patiently. ‘Not really,’ Duo replied gaining a look of skepticism from the chronicler. ‘Oh, I stirred things up a bit, gave him a means of escape but he busted himself out. Kept my knife too as I recall,’ he smirked at the Japanese boy again who raised his shoulders unconcerned. ‘You almost got him killed again,’ Relena said off to the side. ‘Miss Darlian...’ ‘Naw, she’s right on that one,’ Duo interrupted once again unable to look at his silent companion. ‘His Gundam was lost as far as he knew and he’d already been captured once. I gave him the means to solve all his problems at once by opening that wall. It was me who was being rescued at that point,’ he said softly remembering all too well the feeling of utter loss as he watched the Japanese boy plummet towards the ground. ‘But he didn’t die,’ the chronicler observed. ‘No,’ Duo confirmed. ‘He popped the chute at the last moment and managed to save himself just in the knick of time,’ he told him sounding very far away. ‘Why?’ the man asked gently. ‘He woke up when he heard … Relena … call his name,’ he said softly staring at a small spot of grease on the living room rug. ‘…………….’ ‘……………’ ‘I think we’ll leave it here for today,’ Tomino smiled setting his pad down. Quatre jumped in his seat almost before he’d finished thanking Duo and setting up the next session then filled him in on all the happenings since they’d arrived on Earth. There had been a ball in their honor where they were presented with metals and plaques to show the Earth’s Sphere’s gratitude for their service. Quatre promised to bring his to him before he and Trowa returned to L4 at the end of the month and Wufei made another effort to change his mind and convince him to come to Earth. Duo had flashed a questioning look at Hiiro that was received in the negative so he’d refused. As much as he’d like to see the moon from the Earth’s surface again he wouldn’t have left Hiiro’s side for anything, at least not until he figured out what was up. ‘He hasn’t changed much,’ Hiiro observed after the call was ended. ‘Quatre?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘He and Trowa are a couple now you know?’ Duo told him. ‘I know.’ Duo nodded absently not really knowing what else to say. ‘Welp,’ he burst all of a sudden ‘Guess I’ll go wash the grit off. You can leave the dishes and I’ll get them after I clean up,’ he said as he went to fetch some fresh clothes and a towel. ‘Duo.’ ‘Hn?’ he replied pausing at the bathroom door. ‘I thought it was you.’ ‘Thought what was me?’ ‘That called my name that day.’ Duo stalled as the pieces of his world suddenly detached from each other and whirled about in his head. It took him a minute to settle them back into place but when he did the picture didn’t look quiet the same and there seemed to be a couple of holes here and there. He was much too dizzy to deal with them though so he just grabbed a passing smile and offered it to his companion before slipping into the sanctuary of the bathroom. What was up with telling him something like that? Better yet, if he didn’t want the others to know he was there why in the hell did he bother to show up?! All he could figure was that if Hiiro wanted to hear everyone else’s side of the story first then that was his prerogative. He had saved the world several times over so he figured he was due an idiosyncrasy now and then. He’d convinced himself things would work out on their own by the time he got out of the shower. It didn’t surprise him that dinner had been cleaned up or that Hiiro was already in his... their … room. It was a little alarming, however, that he was sitting on the bed in nothing but a pair of white pajama bottoms reading what looked like Duo’s journal. ‘Hey!’ the braided boy snapped snatching the book away. ‘That’s personal!’ he grumbled looking over the page Hiiro had been reading. Oh, god. How far did he get? ‘You’ve been keeping that a long time,’ the Japanese boy observed. ‘That’s none of your business is it?’ Duo groused. ‘What does it mean?’ Hiiro asked softly and Duo was suddenly fighting demons he’d forgotten lived inside him as he gazed upon him sitting there in the glowing light from the street lamps outside. ‘What?’ he asked sharply flicking on the harsher lights in the room. ‘For the windswept waves or the sighing sea await the rising sun, is it tragic that I, instead, await my salvation in the deep blue ferocity of the predawn sky?’ Hiiro recited. ‘Its poetry,’ Duo ground out dangerously. ‘And it was private!’ Until you memorized it,’ asshole! he added mentally. ‘Yes,’ Hiiro replied softly turning his eyes to meet with Duo’s. ‘But... what does it mean?’ Duo took one look into those steady blue eyes and remembered clearly the day he’d written that poem. The day he’d sat on the deck of Howard’s ship waiting for his men to put Deathscythe back together again after Hiiro had raped him for spare parts. The confusion he’d felt in that moment rising to the surface once again, each word he’d printed on the paper coming back to him as he once again felt the overwhelming need to sink into those dawn blue eyes and stay there forever. ‘It’s just a dream I once had,’ he told him turning away. ‘You shouldn’t read peoples private thoughts,’ he reprimanded thankful that that’s all he’d uncovered. There were things written in that book he never wanted anyone else to know. He’d even thought of destroying it a few times but had never been able to bring himself to do it. ‘You shouldn’t keep secrets from those that care about you,’ Hiiro countered. Duo’s face squinted up slowly as his mind filled with the solid exclamation of `what the hell?` It was quickly replaced by a shaky little `o shit` when he saw Hiiro sitting there drawing the sheets of his little, double bed back for him as he softly said, ‘Get the lights.’ ‘Uh… right,’ he replied but it took him three swats at the switch before he finally hit it. ‘Is something wrong?’ Hiiro asked from his comfortable little niche beside Duo’s pillow. He’d slipped into the bed, the sheet draping across his tight stomach with one leg under and the other exposed and bent at the knee. It’s only a dream. Duo told himself reaching deep, down into the depths of his memory until he found one that resembled his current situation. Yes, he’d had dreams like this before. Dreams he’d instantly pushed back into the folds of his past and tried desperately to forget yet there they were just waiting for him to access them. Convincing himself that his long time partner wasn’t really laying there in his bed looking like Adonis and beckoning him forth made it a little easier to slide into the bed but he’d been totally unprepared for the warmth of the other boy’s body. ‘Hiiro?’ ‘Hn?’ ‘Could you... scoot over a bit?’ ‘…..’ ‘It’s kind of hot.’ Hiiro said nothing as he slowly rolled over until there was a good distance between them and Duo breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t manage to fall asleep for several hours though, which left him feeling less than spry the next day when his grumpy customer returned to inquire about his evaporator. ‘You left without leaving a deposit,’ Duo told the grousing man. ‘You took too damn long,’ the man growled impatiently. ‘I don’t have all day to wait around for skinny kids that don’t know their ass from a …’ THUD! ‘Hey! That’s the one!’ the man grinned at the rusty old evaporator Hiiro had dropped on the counter. Duo looked at him taking in his pristine appearance and cocked his head. ‘I pulled it yesterday while you were busy,’ the Japanese boy explained. ‘Well, now!’ the big man exclaimed inspecting the part. ‘`bout time you got some real help around here,’ he said leaning over closer to Hiiro as he added covertly ‘Never could see what a pretty boy like him was doing working a junk yard anyway,’ he said winking suggestively. ‘Me either,’ Hiiro replied and Duo’s jaw just about fell on the floor. ‘...ow much boy! I ain’t got all dang day here!’ ‘W...what?’ Duo stammered as reality came crashing back down again. ‘Oh... umm, fifty credits,’ he told him looking around to see where Hiiro had gone since he was no longer standing beside him. He’d been so floored by that comment he hadn’t noticed him leave. ‘Here,’ the man told him handing him the money. ‘There’s an extra five in there for your friend,’ he smiled as he left but Duo never really noticed him go either. His mind whirled with confusion as he numbly dropped the credits in the drawer. Had Hiiro Yui just said he was... pretty? By afternoon he was having a lot of trouble with resurfacing emotions he’d spent the past year squashing into the smallest recesses of his heart. Desires he’d hoped would never cloud his path again sprang up at every turn as he watched his ex-partner working in the yard beside him. Hiiro had, of course, insisted on helping out to pay for his room and board and Duo couldn’t refuse. He’d never been able to refuse him anything and nothing had changed. The only difference was that now his secret affections for the Japanese boy were coming on so strong he couldn’t stop himself from daydreaming about him. The result of this had been a pitifully lame excuse for a day’s work that Hiiro’s efforts had out weighed embarrassingly. By the time dinner was over and the vid phone rang he was feeling pretty low all in all. Hiiro had taken his position behind the desk again and Tomino informed him that it was just them tonight. He wanted a more personal account of his first days on Earth. ‘I kicked ass,’ he told the chuckling man on the screen. ‘Yeah, it was great,’ he went on smiling as he recalled. ‘I finally got to do something about all the bullshit you know? I’ll never forget their faces when me and Deathscythe opened their can,’ he chuckled. ‘Your first assignment was...’ ‘So sweet,’ Duo cut him off and he fell silent and began to scratch on his clip board. ‘They ran like little, church mice,’ he told him, his violet eyes shimmering with the fire he’d felt on that day. ‘I finally had the means to take back what was ours. To make things change. You know,’ he said suddenly. ‘Back then I really believed Deathscythe was the answer.’ ‘And now?’ ‘It ain’t the machine. They can build a zillion of those,’ he told him, his eyes straying once again to gaze into Hiiro’s. ‘It’s the heart of the man that commands it,’ he said with utter conviction, his heart fluttering gently when Hiiro slowly smiled. ‘Like that story in the bible of the dude that wiped out a ten thousand man army with five hundred guys. All he needed was a couple of extra torches and a heart full of determination and bam! Clever guy,’ he added distractedly. ‘Do you believe that’s why you won?’ ‘Won?’ Duo laughed. ‘You think we won?’ ‘You don’t?’ the man asked curiously. ‘We’re alive so I guess we didn’t loose,’ he sighed. ‘I don’t know,’ he said softly glancing at Hiiro again. ‘Is anything really better? I thought we were fighting for the freedom to make a better world for ourselves but…’ ‘The fate of the people still rests in someone else’s hands,’ Tomino finished for him. ‘Yeah,’ Duo smiled looking a little shocked that he’d understood. ‘Did you know,’ the man said turning off his little recorder for the moment. ‘There is a new organization springing to life among the colonist,’ he told him peeking his interest. ‘It targets the opinions of the citizens as individuals gathering information on the affaires of state then compiles them and offers them to the political leaders with the power to enact their will,’ he explained. ‘Really?’ Duo smiled recalling how the people had come out into the street that Christmas Eve to reclaim the peace that had been stolen from them. ‘Yes,’ the man told him with a soft smile. ‘I couldn’t say if there is any truth to the claim or not but there is a rumor that the organization was founded by a young man calling himself Hiiro Yui.’ Duo’s eyes immediately sprang to Hiiro’s face but he showed no evidence that this might be true. ‘Miss Relena’s investigation into the possibility of this person being the same Hiiro Yui that was once the pilot of Wing Zero was inconclusive.’ he told him. ‘Could be a copy cat,’ Duo offered thinking that it probably wasn’t. It was just the type of thing Hiiro would do. Disappear, inspire a new working government in the wake of the war then pop back up and watch his seed grow. ‘Did Hiiro’s presence influence your change of opinion?’ Tomino asked turning the recorder back on. ‘Of course,’ Duo replied. ‘Everyone did in their own way.’ ‘Forgive me,’ the man smiled gently laying his pencil down. ‘But your relationship with Mr. Yui appears to have been closer than the others,’ he observed while Duo did his best not to change color in front of the Japanese boy. ‘I’d like to hear how this affected your participation in the war.’ ‘Umm, well,’ Duo sighed swallowing the dry lump that was trying to form in his throat and steadfastly not looking in Hiiro’s direction as he spoke. ‘Yeah, I guess he was a pretty powerful influence for us all,’ he began. ‘What about you?’ Tomino asked picking up his pencil again. ‘Individually,’ he clarified expectantly and Duo once again lost the battle of the blush. ‘I couldn’t make heads or tails out of the guy at first,’ he began. ‘But yeah... that damn hard headed conviction of his made me think,’ he admitted glancing at the way Hiiro was quietly watching him. ‘I started fighting because it’s all I’ve ever known. Since I was a kid it’s been one fight after another. First just to survive...’ ‘You were an orphan,’ Tomino interjected letting him know he had a general history on him. ‘Yeah,’ Duo nodded. ‘Then, when I hooked up with Deathscythe, it seemed like I finally had the power to change things but…’ his words stalled again as his eyes moved as far away from Hiiro’s silent gaze as possible. ‘After meeting him,’ he went on quietly. ‘I realized... there was a lot more at stake than just a few street rats.’ ‘Meeting him changed what you were fighting for?’ ‘No,’ the longhaired boy replied. ‘It just widened the scope,’ he explained. ‘Hiiro, he…’ he couldn’t help but look up into his dark blue eyes, ‘He sees the big picture,’ he said as he let the expression of utter adoration wash across his face. It was no secret that he, like so many others, respected this young man with all his heart. ‘I wanted revenge at first, and a means to rectify the injustice of mankind. Quatre wanted to build a better world. Trowa was making sure the good didn’t have to die young and Wufei had a score to settle but Hiiro…’ he paused to gather his seething emotions before they spilled out his eyes ‘He didn’t have any kind of selfish needs like we did,’ he told him. ‘He see’s things clearly and isn’t afraid to make things happen. I’ve never met anyone like him.’ ‘The perfect soldier,’ Tomino stated. ‘Perfect pain in my ass!’ Duo retorted laughing at how the comment had Hiiro doubled up with the silent giggles. ‘The son of a bitch freaked me out every which way I turned,’ he chuckled. ‘Have you ever seen a guy set his own leg?’ Tomino grimaced and scribbled some more while Duo laughed at the cross expression on Hiiro’s face. ‘It ain’t a pretty picture let me tell you,’ he went on. ‘Not to mention he had no respect for other peoples pride at all. Anything to finish the mission,’ he rolled his eyes. ‘Including raping my Gundam!’ he added then giggled at the appalled expression on Tomino’s face. ‘He stole the parts he needed to fix Wing,’ he clarified. ‘No thank you’s or well wishes or compromises for that guy, nope,’ he went on kicking back in his chair again. ‘Just take what you need, stay alert and make sure the mission doesn’t fail. Asshole never even thought twice when he pushed that damn button,’ he said and all fell deathly quiet. When he dared to look he saw that Hiiro hadn’t moved save for the fact that he’d shut his eyes. ‘The self destruction,’ Tomino prompted but fell silent when a rouge tear slipped from the corner of Duo’s violet eye. The braided boy couldn’t tear his eyes away from Hiiro’s silent face as his mind was ripped back to a moment in time when he’d stood there plain as day and pushed that button without a moment’s hesitation. When he stopped to think about it... he could still hear the sound of his heart screaming. ‘…uo?… Duo?’ ‘What?’ the braided boy snapped. ‘We’ll end it here for today,’ Tomino replied kindly. ‘No,’ Duo retorted wiping the tear away. ‘You want to know how that affected my role in the war right?’ he asked not waiting for an answer. ‘The same way it did everyone else,’ he told him letting his chair fall down on all four legs. ‘It woke me up. I finally realized what he’d known all along. It wasn’t about me or Hiiro or any of the others. It was about humanity as a whole and in the end no matter what we did it wasn’t us that mattered but you want to know something?’ he asked standing in a huff. ‘That’s bullshit!’ he spat looking to see that Hiiro still stood there with his eyes closed tight. ‘He did matter! He mattered to us!’ he growled as the anger and fear and sorrow overwhelmed him. ‘He mattered to me!’ he snapped loosing his temper and kicking the chair before he stormed off. ‘Stupid!’ he snarled kicking a stray part in the yard and sending it sailing off across the piles of debris. How could he have said those things? And into a recorder no less! Geez! He sounded like a compete idiot! Made a mockery of one of Hiiro’s greatest sacrifices for no more reason than the pain in his own heart. Gods! He was such a selfish brat! ‘Duo?’ ‘Not now, Hilde,’ he sighed reining it back in as he sat down. ‘Are you alright?’ she asked coming to him anyway. ‘No,’ he replied. ‘Not really.’ ‘Duo?’ she asked again laying her hand on his shoulder supportively. ‘Damn it,’ he sighed reaching out to pull her into a tight hug. She had no idea what to do since Duo had never leaned on her for that type of support before so she just hugged him back. ‘I don’t know if I can do this,’ he confessed after a time. ‘If it’s too painful just tell them,’ she suggested. ‘You don’t have to you know?’ ‘He wants me to,’ he said softly. ‘I can see it in his eyes. He wants me to tell them… Damn it,’ he swore again as she backed away a little looking concerned. ‘I can still see him lying there,’ he confessed fighting back the tears. ‘I couldn’t believe he was dead,’ he told her and what he was talking about seemed to dawn in her eyes. ‘I’m such a selfish idiot,’ he sighed finally relaxing a little. ‘Duo,’ she breathed wrapping him up in a comforting hug. He let her for a moment before pushing her away and smiling in thanks. The smile disappeared when they turned and saw Hiiro standing in the doorway, his thin form as stoic as ever in the backlight and his eyes set hard in the unpleasant scowl on his face. ‘I guess I pissed him off,’ Duo sighed watching him turn to walk away. ‘Come on,’ Hilde smiled pulling him to his feet. ‘You’ll feel better in the morning,’ she smiled. ‘I think I’ll sleep on the couch,’ he mumbled offering her a cute, little sulk to calm her nerves. It worked. She was her bright, cheerful self when she helped him make up the couch then made him a cup of chamomile tea before going to bed. Duo was almost asleep when he suddenly realized he wasn’t alone. His hand was under his pillow in a flash but the gun he’d been searching for had long sense been packed away. ‘You didn’t come to bed.’ ‘Hiiro?... Shit! You live to freak me out don’tcha?’ he groused wiping the sleep out of his eyes. ‘What time is it?’ he asked eyeing the clock that told him it was past 2 a.m. ‘I won’t put you out of your bed,’ the Japanese boy told him evenly. ‘Chill out... it’s just for tonight,’ Duo countered. ‘I just figured you’d like some space after my rain man show earlier,’ he told him. ‘Come to bed.’ ‘I’m fine here for tonight.’ ‘Then I’ll leave.’ ‘Wait! Damn it, Hiiro!’ Duo ground out climbing out of his blankets and sheets to follow him into the bedroom. ‘You don’t have to leave,’ he told him firmly. ‘Then come to bed,’ Hiiro replied stubbornly. ‘Why do you...! Alright!’ Duo grumbled when Hiiro pulled his duffel out from under the bed. ‘Fine... have it your way,’ he told him going around and climbing in without thought in his irritation. By the time he realized that he was squarely centered which meant that Hiiro’s back was pressed against his when he returned to the bed it was too late to do anything about it without totally embarrassing himself so he was forced to endure. How anyone could be so damn hot blooded was a mystery but Hiiro’s back was like leaning against a furnace. It took a long time for him to settle down enough to even think about sleeping again. ‘Duo?’ Hiiro’s soft tone broke through the silent haze. ‘Hn?’ the longhaired boy replied uncertain if he really wanted him to know that he was awake. ‘I did it… so you wouldn’t have to.’ Duo didn’t have to ask what he meant and for a moment his mind and heart raced at the idea that he’d meant him in particular but that would be just like Hiiro, to have taken the fall for them all. To make sure that no one else got hurt in such a terrible confrontation. Bearing the responsibility of every living being in the colonies would come as natural to the Japanese boy as breathing. It made perfect sense. ‘I’m sorry I said those things,’ Duo offered. ‘It hurt you?’ Hiiro asked. ‘Well, yeah,’ the braided boy scoffed. ‘It shook us all up pretty bad,’ he told him. His heart slammed into high gear when Hiiro suddenly rolled and turned until he was all but spooning his back. ‘I’m sorry,’ he told him softly and the warmth of his breath on the back of Duo’s neck when he spoke stalled his reply. He just couldn’t find any words as his world spun out of control, everything coming to a screeching halt the moment he felt Hiiro’s arms folding around him. He wanted to scream or run or just jump up and crash right through the wall but all he managed was a soft whimper in return as he felt his entire universe being engulfed in the other boy’s presence and suddenly, he just didn’t care anymore. He never wanted to move from this spot again as long as he lived. It was so much more than he’d ever dreamed it could be and he’d had tons of dreams in which the Japanese boy would hold him. Of course, in those dreams he also did some other more sweaty activities with him but this was more than he’d ever hoped for. He could feel it, the lock he’d put on his heart so long ago. He could feel it shudder under the strain, the desperate vibrations resonating throughout him until his hands began to shake and he realized he was trembling. ‘Hiiro it’s… hot,’ he told him truthfully.
He felt like he might just burst into flame if this continued. He
sighed gently both out of relief and a good amount of satisfaction
as Hiiro released him and moved away.
~ * ~ tbc... |
