Author's Notes: Welcome back to another Duo fic! Yeah, you gotta love this
guy. His co-protagonist is Heero, as usual, but hey! we're talking about
friendship here, ok? So…In the middle of a mission's pressure, Heero hurts
Duo's feelings by saying something related to the orphan's past. Duo tries
his best to 'swallow it', but the Japanese pilot can clearly see how his
friend is not willing to come any closer to him since that day. Now, is up
to Heero to find a way to apologize for the wound he reopened in his
outburst, but the problem is…Heero has never been good at saying 'I'm
sorry' …Let the story begins!
1 "Healing A Friend's Wounds"
2 Chapter One
The sound of the battle invaded the whole place. As the ship lifted from ground, the shoots and lasers coming from everywhere targeted it.
Inside, five Gundams and their five pilots were making their getaway. The mission had been accomplished, though the things had gotten a bit flashy because of the intromission of the rebel forces.
"They weren't supposed to interrupt" –Wufei observed while seeing the fight they were leaving behind.
"This zone is highly cherished by the rebel leaders, so you see, they want to take their own battle" –Trowa suggested.
"Our mission objective here has been accomplished. Their battle is up to them now" –Heero added, piloting the ship.
As per usual, Heero was this mission's leader. Quatre was the communication and strategist leader, but this task had turned to be really tough, so Heero had taken command.
The braided pilot appeared in the shift's pilots room, just as he was the last one of loading his black suit in. He seemed, well, hyper to be specific.
"Hey, Heero, you gotta turn the ship back!" –he breathed heavily. Yeah, the confrontation in that colony had been hard.
The four pilots turned to see him, their glances puzzled. The boy clad in black advanced towards the main screen and he pointed the image there.
"See? The Aries and Leos are getting way too close to that zone" –he said anxiously.
"But that seems to be a savage yard, Duo" –Quatre replied, not understanding a bit.
Duo shook his head adamantly and, pushing Heero away from the controls, started to turn the ship back. Of course, their reward was a tornado of lasers, passing dangerously close to the ship.
"What are you doing?" –Heero frowned, snatching the controls back- "You can't change direction now. We are running out of time. The mission's schedule was clear"
"That's not a savage yard. I saw it closely when I left the zone. And I saw a refuge. I swear it. Enlarge the image" –the American replied rapidly.
Trowa enlarged the image as requested and they saw a small almost abandoned house. Some children could be seen peeking through the holes and broken windows.
A keep of Dolls advanced towards them when they saw the ship was delaying its departure. Heero frowned in concentration, using the tactical maneuvers the big ship could allow. For the looks of the things, they had to get out of the fire's target and fast.
"Well? Why aren't you turning?" –Duo asked, his glance showing his desperation.
"The Leos are retreating, Duo. They won't reach that zone. We cannot risk the mission for futile possibilities" –Heero answered seriously.
"But the rebels are not retreating. If they keep on like that, the fools will lead the fight right towards the refuge" –Duo retorted.
"Trowa, Wufei, take the controls" –Heero said, his eyes hard at the 02 pilot's insistency. He then looked carefully the image. The rhythm of the battle was unsteady, so no one could tell which direction it will take. But then again, the rebels couldn't be so stupid to endanger the civilians. It was logical.
"Use your common sense" –Heero scowled the American, standing and facing him with authoritative expression- "They represent no danger for that savage yard"
"We can't be so sure. We must come back to check upon it" –Duo folded arms with firm resolution.
The ship made a sudden brusque movement as the Dolls surrounded them.
"Heero, we have to leave this position" –Wufei warned.
"Munitions?" –Heero asked, turning his attention to the screens.
"The ship is running out of munitions" –Trowa answered.
"Heero, we must come back" –Duo almost yelled, trying to regain 01's attention.
"The Dolls are aiming to the Gundams' compartment!" –Quatre warned- "Wufei, move the ship!"
Another turn shook the ship wildly.
"Heero, turn back the ship!!" –Duo claimed again, stepping closer to the Japanese boy.
"No! We can't!" –Heero answered a bit annoyed. Quatre's warnings continued to echo, at the time Trowa and Wufei also called him. Talking about stress…
"Damn, Heero. Turn back!" –the American's voice rosed.
"We are not endangering the mission because of your hunches" –the Wing pilot hissed in frustration.
"We are leaving the zone in two minutes" –Wufei announced, agitation in his voice.
"What about the children, eh?!" –Duo said, shaking Heero by the shoulder- "They're still there!"
"So what?! They're just street urchins!" –Heero exclaimed, exasperation taking the best of him.
Amethyst eyes widened in shock at the words, as a complete silence suddenly took over the room. The other three snapped their glances from their activities at that point.
Unconsciously, Duo backed off a couple of steps, his eyes still wide open, a mixture of surprise, hurt, total disbelief lying in them.
Five seconds later, blue eyes of steel also widened, when Heero realized what he had said and exactly to whom he had said it.
After the initial shock, Duo looked around as he managed a little nervous smile. He straightened his jacket in an involuntary movement before fixing his glance over the 01 pilot.
"Well, hmm…" – Duo stammered a bit, but the smile remained there- "Guess you know what's the best for the mission, ne? You're the boss, so you're right…you guys go ahead and deliver the information we stole. I'll stay back with DeathScythe just in case, ok?" – he said in his 'no problem' voice as he turned again towards the gates of the ship's hangar.
"Duo, I…you know I …" – Heero tried to say in hesitant tone.
But the American whirled in his heels, a smile dancing in his lips as always. He lifted his hand and waved, like dismissing the other's words.
"Never mind, man. I know ya got a lot to deal with now. And don't worry, I won't mess up with the Ozies anymore if I don't have to. So…see ya guys back at home, k?"
And with that, the black clad boy trespassed the doors and disappeared. Heero stood in his place for a little while more, before regaining his stony glance and turning back at the screens.
"Wufei, there are three Dolls right ahead" –the 01 pilot warned to the Chinese boy who was still, like the other two pilots, looking a bit startled.
"Huh? Yes, I see them" –the 05 pilot fixed his attention back at the battle.
"The rebels are taking care of the incoming troops" –Trowa noticed.
"That leaves our way almost free of interruptions" –the blonde pilot said, scanning the escape route.
"Fine, set the course towards the rendezvous point for delivering the disc to the scientists. Then proceed to the accorded shelter" –the leader ordered.
"Rodger" –Trowa said, and everyone went back to work.
As the ship took the planned route, the Gundam DeathScythe had already left the hangar and was flying back to the colony, in opposite direction than its partners.
Heero caught a glimpse of the black suit before it started to become blurred by the distance and the jammers. The stoic soldier's glance went back to the front, not thinking about the 02 pilot anymore. After all, he had a mission to accomplish…
***
Two days later, the shelter's door was cracked open even though it was locked. Wufei, who was sitting in the living room sofa, jumped to his feet, a gun and his katana ready in his hands.
"Geeze, Wu, don't slice me, please" –Duo chirped at the sight.
"Maxwell! Don't you know you were supposed to knock in the planned way? Three soft knocks and two…"
"Yeah, yeah. You guys have seen too much spies' movies" –the American smiled, perfectly knowing he was the one who obligated the others to see that kind of movies- "But I need to practice or I'll spoil my abilities" –he said smiling.
"Humph" –the 05 pilot frowned, his weapons back at place. He then eyed the incoming boy from feet to head. No apparent bleeding, no broken bones either. He was walking by himself, so that meant he was just fine.
"We were expecting you since yesterday" –Wufei said, sitting again.
"Well, things got a bit jumpy when the bastards got too close for my taste" –the 02 pilot answered with a mischievous blink. He then stepped ahead, glancing the wooden house back and forth- "I like this place. Nice view too." –he smiled, referring to the woods surrounding the house.
Wufei didn't pressure the battle topic anymore. Trowa had told them last night he had surveyed the net and the 03 pilot had found the news about the former incident. The confrontation had, in fact, risked a group of civilians' lives in the zone. But the intervention of a Gundam had given them enough time to evacuate. It seemed like Duo's hunch was right.
"Wufei? I think I heard something…" –Quatre stepped into the living room in that moment. His angelic features lightened with a smile at his friend's presence.- "Duo. You're back" –the fair haired boy greeted.
"Here I am" –the braided teen returned the smile.
"How did everything go? You want me to fix you something?"–the L4 colony pilot asked in his polite manner.
"Thanks a lot, Q-man, but I rather a bath now. I'll let you know later, k? Rooms upstairs, right?" –the boy asked while already climbing up the stairs.
His two comrades nodded yes. "Trowa and Heero are in the rooms. Yours is the one on the right- "Quatre said.
"Yeah, I know"- Duo rolled his eyes.
It was almost a rule that when they were staying in a shelter the room on the right was his and Heero's, the room on the left was Quatre and Trowa's and Wufei, since he would never accept to share a room if he could avoid it, always slept in the sofa or extra-bed in the living room.
"Gotta announce the public the star has returned, ne?" –Duo quipped in good humor as he advanced. He then cupped his hand over his mouth and exclaimed: "Hey, guys upstairs, ready or not, here I come!!"
"I knew there was too much noise" –Trowa said with a slight smile, stepping out of his room.
"Wow, what have you eaten?" –Duo replied with a growing smile- "You're joking and it's not Christmas…"
Trowa just shrugged and went back to the room while Duo continued his way to the right. The door was open.
"Why do I suspect there's a laptop beeping here?" –the American entered as he said that in a greeting way.
Heero turned his attention away from the report he was typing to glance the incomer.
"Hi there, Heero. Working as always, right?" –Duo said while putting his duffel bag over the second bed in the room.
Heero wanted to reply, but he found nothing to say. He eyed the boy in front of him carefully. Duo seemed as happy-go-lucky as always too.
"Have you already reported your delay?" –was the first thing the Japanese boy asked.
"Nope. I'll do it later. Wanna take a bath first" –the braided teen answered normally. He opened his bag and rummaged for clothes and implements.
"Is your state acceptable?" –Heero interrogated without stop looking the other's every move. He wanted to be more specific, he wanted to ask about the mission, about his welfare, if he had eaten something…but he discovered he wasn't feeling with the right to do it.
"Acceptable" -came the reply accompanied by a little smile. Duo then took his things and entered the bathroom.
Heero stayed in his chair, but he stopped pretending he was typing. He passed his hand through his unruly hair and sighed. What about the incessant jokes about him and his laptop whenever Duo arrived? What about the flip and landing over the bed the American liked to perform? What about the mocking sound 'tap tap tap tap' the braided boy liked to repeat whenever he saw Heero typing?
So many things he observed that were missing in just a couple of minutes. And who fault it was? Heero sighed again. He had a great task in his hands…
To Be Continued…
*Shinigami's Voice*
A/U: There, sorry again for the long wait, but some reason I couldn't enter to ff.net… Please R&R, pretty nice people! Give me something to go on with…I promise I'll type faster, but please, R&R! I'll be waiting your comments…
1 "Healing A Friend's Wounds"
2 Chapter One
The sound of the battle invaded the whole place. As the ship lifted from ground, the shoots and lasers coming from everywhere targeted it.
Inside, five Gundams and their five pilots were making their getaway. The mission had been accomplished, though the things had gotten a bit flashy because of the intromission of the rebel forces.
"They weren't supposed to interrupt" –Wufei observed while seeing the fight they were leaving behind.
"This zone is highly cherished by the rebel leaders, so you see, they want to take their own battle" –Trowa suggested.
"Our mission objective here has been accomplished. Their battle is up to them now" –Heero added, piloting the ship.
As per usual, Heero was this mission's leader. Quatre was the communication and strategist leader, but this task had turned to be really tough, so Heero had taken command.
The braided pilot appeared in the shift's pilots room, just as he was the last one of loading his black suit in. He seemed, well, hyper to be specific.
"Hey, Heero, you gotta turn the ship back!" –he breathed heavily. Yeah, the confrontation in that colony had been hard.
The four pilots turned to see him, their glances puzzled. The boy clad in black advanced towards the main screen and he pointed the image there.
"See? The Aries and Leos are getting way too close to that zone" –he said anxiously.
"But that seems to be a savage yard, Duo" –Quatre replied, not understanding a bit.
Duo shook his head adamantly and, pushing Heero away from the controls, started to turn the ship back. Of course, their reward was a tornado of lasers, passing dangerously close to the ship.
"What are you doing?" –Heero frowned, snatching the controls back- "You can't change direction now. We are running out of time. The mission's schedule was clear"
"That's not a savage yard. I saw it closely when I left the zone. And I saw a refuge. I swear it. Enlarge the image" –the American replied rapidly.
Trowa enlarged the image as requested and they saw a small almost abandoned house. Some children could be seen peeking through the holes and broken windows.
A keep of Dolls advanced towards them when they saw the ship was delaying its departure. Heero frowned in concentration, using the tactical maneuvers the big ship could allow. For the looks of the things, they had to get out of the fire's target and fast.
"Well? Why aren't you turning?" –Duo asked, his glance showing his desperation.
"The Leos are retreating, Duo. They won't reach that zone. We cannot risk the mission for futile possibilities" –Heero answered seriously.
"But the rebels are not retreating. If they keep on like that, the fools will lead the fight right towards the refuge" –Duo retorted.
"Trowa, Wufei, take the controls" –Heero said, his eyes hard at the 02 pilot's insistency. He then looked carefully the image. The rhythm of the battle was unsteady, so no one could tell which direction it will take. But then again, the rebels couldn't be so stupid to endanger the civilians. It was logical.
"Use your common sense" –Heero scowled the American, standing and facing him with authoritative expression- "They represent no danger for that savage yard"
"We can't be so sure. We must come back to check upon it" –Duo folded arms with firm resolution.
The ship made a sudden brusque movement as the Dolls surrounded them.
"Heero, we have to leave this position" –Wufei warned.
"Munitions?" –Heero asked, turning his attention to the screens.
"The ship is running out of munitions" –Trowa answered.
"Heero, we must come back" –Duo almost yelled, trying to regain 01's attention.
"The Dolls are aiming to the Gundams' compartment!" –Quatre warned- "Wufei, move the ship!"
Another turn shook the ship wildly.
"Heero, turn back the ship!!" –Duo claimed again, stepping closer to the Japanese boy.
"No! We can't!" –Heero answered a bit annoyed. Quatre's warnings continued to echo, at the time Trowa and Wufei also called him. Talking about stress…
"Damn, Heero. Turn back!" –the American's voice rosed.
"We are not endangering the mission because of your hunches" –the Wing pilot hissed in frustration.
"We are leaving the zone in two minutes" –Wufei announced, agitation in his voice.
"What about the children, eh?!" –Duo said, shaking Heero by the shoulder- "They're still there!"
"So what?! They're just street urchins!" –Heero exclaimed, exasperation taking the best of him.
Amethyst eyes widened in shock at the words, as a complete silence suddenly took over the room. The other three snapped their glances from their activities at that point.
Unconsciously, Duo backed off a couple of steps, his eyes still wide open, a mixture of surprise, hurt, total disbelief lying in them.
Five seconds later, blue eyes of steel also widened, when Heero realized what he had said and exactly to whom he had said it.
After the initial shock, Duo looked around as he managed a little nervous smile. He straightened his jacket in an involuntary movement before fixing his glance over the 01 pilot.
"Well, hmm…" – Duo stammered a bit, but the smile remained there- "Guess you know what's the best for the mission, ne? You're the boss, so you're right…you guys go ahead and deliver the information we stole. I'll stay back with DeathScythe just in case, ok?" – he said in his 'no problem' voice as he turned again towards the gates of the ship's hangar.
"Duo, I…you know I …" – Heero tried to say in hesitant tone.
But the American whirled in his heels, a smile dancing in his lips as always. He lifted his hand and waved, like dismissing the other's words.
"Never mind, man. I know ya got a lot to deal with now. And don't worry, I won't mess up with the Ozies anymore if I don't have to. So…see ya guys back at home, k?"
And with that, the black clad boy trespassed the doors and disappeared. Heero stood in his place for a little while more, before regaining his stony glance and turning back at the screens.
"Wufei, there are three Dolls right ahead" –the 01 pilot warned to the Chinese boy who was still, like the other two pilots, looking a bit startled.
"Huh? Yes, I see them" –the 05 pilot fixed his attention back at the battle.
"The rebels are taking care of the incoming troops" –Trowa noticed.
"That leaves our way almost free of interruptions" –the blonde pilot said, scanning the escape route.
"Fine, set the course towards the rendezvous point for delivering the disc to the scientists. Then proceed to the accorded shelter" –the leader ordered.
"Rodger" –Trowa said, and everyone went back to work.
As the ship took the planned route, the Gundam DeathScythe had already left the hangar and was flying back to the colony, in opposite direction than its partners.
Heero caught a glimpse of the black suit before it started to become blurred by the distance and the jammers. The stoic soldier's glance went back to the front, not thinking about the 02 pilot anymore. After all, he had a mission to accomplish…
***
Two days later, the shelter's door was cracked open even though it was locked. Wufei, who was sitting in the living room sofa, jumped to his feet, a gun and his katana ready in his hands.
"Geeze, Wu, don't slice me, please" –Duo chirped at the sight.
"Maxwell! Don't you know you were supposed to knock in the planned way? Three soft knocks and two…"
"Yeah, yeah. You guys have seen too much spies' movies" –the American smiled, perfectly knowing he was the one who obligated the others to see that kind of movies- "But I need to practice or I'll spoil my abilities" –he said smiling.
"Humph" –the 05 pilot frowned, his weapons back at place. He then eyed the incoming boy from feet to head. No apparent bleeding, no broken bones either. He was walking by himself, so that meant he was just fine.
"We were expecting you since yesterday" –Wufei said, sitting again.
"Well, things got a bit jumpy when the bastards got too close for my taste" –the 02 pilot answered with a mischievous blink. He then stepped ahead, glancing the wooden house back and forth- "I like this place. Nice view too." –he smiled, referring to the woods surrounding the house.
Wufei didn't pressure the battle topic anymore. Trowa had told them last night he had surveyed the net and the 03 pilot had found the news about the former incident. The confrontation had, in fact, risked a group of civilians' lives in the zone. But the intervention of a Gundam had given them enough time to evacuate. It seemed like Duo's hunch was right.
"Wufei? I think I heard something…" –Quatre stepped into the living room in that moment. His angelic features lightened with a smile at his friend's presence.- "Duo. You're back" –the fair haired boy greeted.
"Here I am" –the braided teen returned the smile.
"How did everything go? You want me to fix you something?"–the L4 colony pilot asked in his polite manner.
"Thanks a lot, Q-man, but I rather a bath now. I'll let you know later, k? Rooms upstairs, right?" –the boy asked while already climbing up the stairs.
His two comrades nodded yes. "Trowa and Heero are in the rooms. Yours is the one on the right- "Quatre said.
"Yeah, I know"- Duo rolled his eyes.
It was almost a rule that when they were staying in a shelter the room on the right was his and Heero's, the room on the left was Quatre and Trowa's and Wufei, since he would never accept to share a room if he could avoid it, always slept in the sofa or extra-bed in the living room.
"Gotta announce the public the star has returned, ne?" –Duo quipped in good humor as he advanced. He then cupped his hand over his mouth and exclaimed: "Hey, guys upstairs, ready or not, here I come!!"
"I knew there was too much noise" –Trowa said with a slight smile, stepping out of his room.
"Wow, what have you eaten?" –Duo replied with a growing smile- "You're joking and it's not Christmas…"
Trowa just shrugged and went back to the room while Duo continued his way to the right. The door was open.
"Why do I suspect there's a laptop beeping here?" –the American entered as he said that in a greeting way.
Heero turned his attention away from the report he was typing to glance the incomer.
"Hi there, Heero. Working as always, right?" –Duo said while putting his duffel bag over the second bed in the room.
Heero wanted to reply, but he found nothing to say. He eyed the boy in front of him carefully. Duo seemed as happy-go-lucky as always too.
"Have you already reported your delay?" –was the first thing the Japanese boy asked.
"Nope. I'll do it later. Wanna take a bath first" –the braided teen answered normally. He opened his bag and rummaged for clothes and implements.
"Is your state acceptable?" –Heero interrogated without stop looking the other's every move. He wanted to be more specific, he wanted to ask about the mission, about his welfare, if he had eaten something…but he discovered he wasn't feeling with the right to do it.
"Acceptable" -came the reply accompanied by a little smile. Duo then took his things and entered the bathroom.
Heero stayed in his chair, but he stopped pretending he was typing. He passed his hand through his unruly hair and sighed. What about the incessant jokes about him and his laptop whenever Duo arrived? What about the flip and landing over the bed the American liked to perform? What about the mocking sound 'tap tap tap tap' the braided boy liked to repeat whenever he saw Heero typing?
So many things he observed that were missing in just a couple of minutes. And who fault it was? Heero sighed again. He had a great task in his hands…
To Be Continued…
*Shinigami's Voice*
A/U: There, sorry again for the long wait, but some reason I couldn't enter to ff.net… Please R&R, pretty nice people! Give me something to go on with…I promise I'll type faster, but please, R&R! I'll be waiting your comments…