New Hope Home
New chappie. Please tell me if you got a little surprised by the last one. Please. Did ya? Anyway. Here's Duo's story. Enjoy.:)
***
"Duo's Secret":
"Hiya Heero. Welcome to 'New Hope Orphanage'. Or 'New Hope Home' as it's known around these parts. My home."
New Hope Home. New Hope Orphanage. Duo's home. A hundred thoughts were swimming around in Heero's brain and he couldn't grasp not one of them. Duo still smiled sheepishly and waived his hand towards the building.
"Wanna come in so you can get all the facts?"
Heero nodded and walked towards Duo. Duo smiled and followed Heero towards the front door. They didn't talk to each other, but many of the children waived to the braided teen. A little girl jumped into Duo's arms before they got in and grasped after his braid. "Who's that, Duo?"
Duo opened his mouth, but Heero got there before him. "I'm a friend of Duo." The little girl looked at him with big blue eyes and Heero was surprised that her eyes didn't pop right out of her skull.
"Now, now, Annie. No need to stare, is there?" The little girl wrapped her hands around Duo's neck and kissed his cheek. "I'm sorry. You will play with me later, won't you?"
Duo laughed and put the girl down before he ruffled her hair. "Can't promise you anything, dolly, but I'll see what I can do." He winked before opening the door to the first building. He waited until Heero had walked in before he followed. Heero stopped and waited 'til Duo had closed the door, then followed him down a hall. He could see many doors, all with different name signs that the children had made and they were all bright and colorful. They walked in silence until they reached a door with a plain sign where it stood 'Duo'.
Dou smiled again and scratched his neck. "It's not as plain on the inside. I have to warn you, it's very messy, but I can never bring myself to clean it up, and-"Heero lifted his hand, silencing him. He then gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it, Duo, I don't care."
Duo snorted. "Hey, I've seen your room you neat-freak." Heero smirked and Duo opened the door. Heero walked in and looked around. It looked like an average teenage room. Some socks and a black pants lied on the floor along with a couple of magazines and comics, the desk next to the bed was stuffed with papers and school-books, the bed itself was neatly made and Duo's leather jacked laid at the foot end of the bed. Two posters of Linkin Park covered the wall over the bed and many small drawings was scattered all around in the room. Beside one of the posters was a big window that faced the next door house.
Duo tiptoed by the door, and Heero turned to face him. "It's not that bad, Duo. I imagined it would be worst."
Duo pouted and pretended to be hurt for a moment or two before he closed the door and sat down on the chair next to the desk. Heero sat down on the bed and looked around some more. Behind the door was a closet and a bookshelf. Heero recognized many of the titles like 'Harry potter' 1 to 5, 'The Ultimate Hitchhikers Guide', 'Stupid White Men' and much to his surprise 'David Copperfield'.
Duo studied Heero's face and scratched his neck again. "You want anything to drink, Heero?" Heero looked at his friend and noticed that he looked slightly uncomfortable. "No, thank you, I'm fine."
"Okay," Duo nodded and looked out the window. Heero waited patiently for Duo to settle his thoughts and took the liberty too look around a little more. His eyes were drawn to a lovely pencil drawn picture of someone's eye. It wasa black and white picture and Heero suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. The eye seemed like it was looking straight at him, it was so real-like. Duo turned to stare at the picture as well and laughed softly.
"That's Helen's eye. She's one of the people that works here. The guy that owns the place is called Father Maxwell. He used to be a priest before he decided to give his life up for children that needed help."
"That's very noble," Heero answered and Duo nodded. "It is. Father is a very noble man and everybody here loves him. I love him like he was my own father." Duo swallowed and Heero scotched closer to the braided teen.
"Take your time," he whispered and carefully laid a hand on Duo's thigh.
"I haven't ripped up in the old memories for two years, but I guess it's just healthy." Duo laughed and scratched his neck yet again. "Well, I guess I should start with the beginning." Drawing in some breath, Duo started his tale.
"I've been here at 'New Hope Home' for about 13 years now. I first came here when I was 5." Looking at the floor, Duo's eyes seemed sad. "I lived in a average family, I guess. My dad was a lawyer and my mum just walked around in the house. We were happy even though my father had to work late very often. I was an only child and lived a little away from other children. Not that it mattered, my mum was my playmate, but I guess I got a little lonely sometimes."
Looking at the Japanese teen, Duo smiled and sniffed. "I don't remember everything 'cause it happened so long ago, but I remember that I'd asked my mum if I could have a baby brother or sister for Christmas. She had looked at me with a loving look and said maybe. And two months before Christmas she and my dad came to me and said that I would get my wish. Mum was pregnant."
The smile disappeared from Duo's lips and he looked down at his hands. "I remember it was snowing. It was in the middle of the night and my dad came rushing in to wake me up. My mum's water had just broke and she was going into labor. He just lifted me out of my bed and rushed us out into the car. He laid me gently in the backseat so I could sleep. I had to come with them to the hospital, my dad kept muttering that I couldn't be home alone."
Heero looked at him. "Couldn't they have called a relative to take care of you? Or a friend?" Duo shook his head.
"No. Both my parents were only children. My dad's mum died when giving birth to him, his father died when I was two. My mum's father disappeared before she was born and her mother died before I was born." Smiling a weak smile, Duo shook his head. "Funny how I still remember that, when I can barely remember my parents faces..."
Heero looked at Duo. Lifting his hand, he placed it under Duo's chin so they could look each other in the eyes. "What happened?"
Duo blinked and sniffed again. Closing his eyes, he lifted his own hand so it could cover Heero's. "It was Christmas eve. It was snowing and it was icy. The snow-plough hadn't been out on the road to remove the new snow or to sprinkle the ice."
Suddenly opening his eyes, Duo stared out into the air. "I don't know what happened, but I still remember the screaming. The scream from my mum, the high-pitched cursing from my father, the screeching from the wheels as they tried to get a grip on the icy roads, The bang as the car hit a tree. The scattering of glass. The disgusting sound as one of the branches from the tree went straight trough my fathers head."
Heero gasped. Duo's hand tightened around Heero's, squeezing it. "No point telling you that my father didn't survive that kind off damage. My mother was cut up by the broken window glass. I still remember a particular large piece stuck in her chest. Neither she nor the unborn child survived. But I did, just because I was asleep."
Removing Heero's hand from his chin, Duo suddenly started to remove his t- shirt. Heero looked at him, mouth wide open from both the story and the teen's sudden action. Once the shirt was removed, Duo grabbed Heero's wrist and laid his hand on his left shoulder. "Because I was lying down, another branch that entered the window missed my heart and lungs by inches. It went straight through my shoulder instead."
Moving his hand from Heero's wrist to his hand, he made Heero unclench his fist and brushed his fingers over a rough area off his skin. Barely visible on the soft pale skin, was a big circular scar. Heero gently brushed over the area again, before blushing and removing his hand. Duo picked up his shirt and started to pull it on again. Adjusting his braid, he smiled a sad smile.
"I got the same mark on my back, just a little further up." Heero nodded and brushed some hair out of his eyes. "It... It must have been horrible... But I guess you don't remember much after on."
"On the contrary, Heero, I remember a lot. I was awake the whole time. From the second of the impact to the arrival of the paramedics. I remember that I didn't scream. I didn't even shed a tear. I just lied there, being scared. I knew if I fell asleep, then I might not wake up. And I didn't want to fell asleep. The horrible sight that previously was my mother and father frightened me. I felt alone 'cause I couldn't her them breathing. I didn't see their chest moving. I could only hear a disgusting gurgling sound that made me wanna puke. But I couldn't do that either. I was so scared.
"I lied there for what I assume was hours before I heard the faint sound of sirens. When I saw people stepping out of the ambulance, I felt safe and allowed myself to go asleep. When I woke up-"
"He was at the hospital, alone and frightened."
Heero looked up and Duo turned. In the door stood a pretty lady with blond hair yanked in a ponytail. He was smiling and Heero instantly recognized the eyes.
"I'm sorry that I disturbed your story, Duo, but I just came to tell you that it's dinner time soon."
Duo smiled and got onto his feet. "No problem, Helen." Turning so he could face Heero, he winked and hugged the woman. "Heero, this is Helen. Helen met Heero."
Helen smiled and walked over to where Heero was sitting. She reached out her hand and Heero took it, shaking it gently. "So you are Heero? Duo has talked a lot about you, and I was starting to wonder if I would ever meet you. I see that Duo has finally decided to tell you his tale."
Heero nodded and Helen moved to the door. "I hope that you decide to tell him everything in a row, Duo. Don't hide anything." Duo nodded and Helen disappeared behind the closed door. Duo sat back down onto the chair and looked at the teen on his bed.
"Helen," he said again. "She was at the hospital the night I was brought in. I was scared and I kept screaming after my mum and dad. I knew they were gone, but since I was only 5, I didn't believe it. They operated on me 'cause I had some internal damages. When I woke up, I was screaming and thrashing around so the doctors drugged me down so I would stay calm. They were afraid that I would hurt myself. That's why I'm not particularly fond of drugs." Duo pulled a face before he continued. "I was there for a couple of days, and everyday Helen was there to visit me, telling me how brave I was. She had heard about the accident the night she was there and decided to cheer me up until they could find any relatives of me. No such luck of course, since I didn't have any."
Duo chuckled and looked at Heero. "Helen felt really sorry for me when she heard I didn't have any relatives and decided to list me up for adoption at the orphanage. She and the doctors told me so. They told me everything. And I started crying. And I changed."
Heero tilted his head to watch the braided teen. Duo's gaze was now fixed on a drawing beside the door. It was off a demon, surrounded by flames and blood was running down it's face and arms. The demon it self's eyes was shut and the face was pulled back in pain. Duo chuckled again. "I don't like that drawing. I drew it after a nightmare I had some years back. I just...had to get it out off my system."
Taking a deep breath, he continued. "When I got to the orphanage, I wasn't like this. I didn't smile. I didn't laugh. The day I got there and was given my room and belonging, the first thing I did was throw everything I owned everywhere. I didn't want any off it. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I went from being a normal 5-year old, to a angry 'I-hate-the- world' 5-year old, so unlike the person I am now.
"I don't think I hade one friend when I was a kid. I didn't talk to any of the other kids. I just yelled at them, trying to beat them up and was very violent. Helen and Father Maxwell was so worried about me and they didn't know what to do about me. They were concern about the other children's health and welfare, but they couldn't just send me away. Some kid-less couples was interested in me, but when they saw how I was behaving, they quickly changed their mind. People want kids that are full off life and happy, not grumpy and violent. So I stayed here for 5 years without one friend and without getting adopted once. And when I turned 10, I learned about a thing that could change my life and end my suffering. The fine art of suicide."
Heero's mouth dropped open and Duo's right hand moved to his left writs, stripping off the watch. Then he turned his hand over, showing Heero a long, thin scar over his wrist. "I didn't take off my watch when we play basked 'cause I didn't want you too know just yet."
Heero looked at the scar and back at Duo. Duo's face was serious with a hint of fear. Heero gave him a weak smile and laid his hand over the scar. "Continue, please. I want to know everything."
Duo nodded. "They say that, if you really wanna die, you won't feel a thing. You'll just get very sleepy and then feel...nothing...so I guess not every part off me was ready to go just yet. I'd managed to steal a razor from Father Maxwell and was ready to end my life. But the moment the razor penetrated my skin, I screamed. The pain was so unexpected and in mere reflex, I cut straight over my wrist. I screamed so loud that I woke up Helen, Father Maxwell and some off the older kids 'cause they were sleeping in the same building as me. When they saw me, lying on the floor in a pile of blood, Helen screamed for the other kids to call an ambulance. Father Maxwell fetched some bandages and help me stay awake. I kept screaming and screaming until I passed out.
"I awoke at the hospital and the first thing I saw was father Maxwell and Helen. And the first thing I felt was a hard slap across my face. Father Maxwell had smacked me across the face and hissed that I was foolish to end my life in such a way. Foolish for giving up so quickly. I started crying and he pulled me into a warm embrace. The words he whispered to me that day still ring in my head, and I know I'll treasure them 'til the day I die. He told me that life was too valuable to be thrown away in a blink of an eye. Life was what you made out off it, and that I should, live everyday like it was my last. Life was to be cherished and celebrated and it up to me to decide on what I want to do with it. I was only given once chance. And that day, I decided to grab it."
Duo smiled. "I changed again that day. I became the one I am today. Not one day passed without me smiling and I managed to befriend the whole orphanage, but my best friend was Solo. He was slightly older than me, but he didn't mind. We stuck together like two peas in a pod, until the day he got adopted away. Helen feared that I would distance myself again, falling back at my previous behavior, but I stayed the same. I was sad of course, but happy that Solo was given a second chance." Duo shrugged. "Haven't heard from him since. I think he and his new family moved to another continent, Europe or something. I got letters from him at the beginning, but one day they just stopped coming."
Duo looked down, bit his lip, before looking up, and smiled. "More people were interested in me, but when they heard about my previous behavior, some of them changed their mind." Scratching his neck again, Duo looked at Heero. "Helen videotapes every kid that comes here so that the people can see how their behaving on a regular basis. Some can be shy around strangers. She also videotapes if the kids have a particular problem, disease or something else, just so the possible parent will know what to expect and learn how to handle it. She showed everybody the tapes she'd done off me. Everything from the day I came, to some off the fights, to the night I tried to kill myself and to my transformation.
"She still doesn't believe she managed to stay calm and videotape the whole accident while father Maxwell tried to patch me up, but she did."
Duo smiled sheepishly and stretched. "But time showed that 'New Hope Home' wasn't getting rid of me that easily. If a couple was interested in me enough to take me home, I always did my best, or should I say worst, to be sent back. I felt that I owed them for the second chance I was given and wanted to stay and help them. But when I turned 13, Helen told me too stop that. She said that it was very sweet of me to want that, but I wasn't helping by being continued to be sent back. If I wanted to help them, I could stop by and help them when whenever I wanted. She said that the older I got, the harder it would get for me to get adopted and that wasn't helping. And she was right."
Duo sighed. "People want their kids to be small too as well as playful. It's just like kittens, ya know. The second the kitten is too old, their not as cute anymore. And when you're 13, you can't form the kids like you want."
Smiling, Duo turned to face Heero again, having turned away several times. "Remember that I run and hide, but never tell a lie?" Heero nodded.
"Well, it was around this time I stared dating Hilde as well as questioning my own sexuality. The few times I got adopted and they found out I was gay they sent me back. People didn't want a gay son. I was sad and I asked if I should lie about me being gay. Helen knew and she had accepted the moment she found out. And when I asked her that question, she had told me no. I should never lie about the person I am. If people were so stupid, fussing about the little things, then they didn't deserve to have a kid like me."
Turing towards the eye again, Duo smiled. "Helen and Father Maxwell have supported me through everything. They never gave up on me. Not once. They're my family now. They nursed out my talents and helped me to become the one I am today along with the 'Fallen Angels' and Hilde. I owe them all my life."
Looking at Heero, Duo smiled a smile he suspected was a direct sappy smile and scratched his nose for a change. "And that's my story. Hope it's been entertaining and that I haven't scared you away in any means." Heero looked down and stored the new information he'd just got into his brain, trying to analyze it and get it straight. "Heero?" The gentle voice along with a gentle hand on his shoulder woke him up, and Heero stared into the face of his worried friend.
"Gomen, Duo. I always slip away when I'm thinking." Duo snorted and removed his hand, smiling. "Yeah, I know. S'okay, I just wanted too..."
Heero smiled. "Wanted too know if I still wanted to be your friend, even with the problems you'd had in your past?" Duo blushed and looked away. Heero moved his hand to Duo's face, forcing him to look him in the face. "Yes, Duo. I'm still your friend. I feel sorry for the problems I'd had in your past, but I want you too know that I'm not your friend out off pity. I'm your friend because you have a great personality and it's fun to hang out with you. You've made me feel more relaxed and alive than anybody has." Embarrassed by his little speech, Heero looked down, blushing. This time it was Duo's turn to tilt his head upwards, forcing them to lock eyes. Prussian locking with Cobalt.
"Thank you," he whispered and smiled. "Thank you for that little speech. I know you're a man of few words and I really appreciate it."
Heero blushed again and smiled. "I don't know how this will sound, but... I know I've only known you for a couple off months, but I already feel that..." Taking a deep breath, Heero talked in a mere whisper. "I'd never let anybody this close to me, and I already consider you as one of the best friends I'd ever had. I consider you too be...My best friend."
Duo smiled and stroked Heero's cheek tenderly. "Thank you, Heero. And guess what, I feel the same way back. And I don't lie."
Grinning, Duo pulled him into a warm embrace. Heero felt his own arm sliding around Duo's waist and he laid his head on Duo's shoulder, inhaling his sent. He felt himself smiling and enjoying the intimacy and all to soon the warm body was gone.
Heero stayed at the orphanage for a while before he headed home, content to visit Duo again.
***
Author's Notes: I just had to add Solo to the story, as well as father Maxwell and Helen. Hope you'll accept and like. What do you think? Did you get surprised again? Did ya? DID YA? Need feedback, I live for feedback. Remember to review. *points at the review button* Thankee!
New chappie. Please tell me if you got a little surprised by the last one. Please. Did ya? Anyway. Here's Duo's story. Enjoy.:)
***
"Duo's Secret":
"Hiya Heero. Welcome to 'New Hope Orphanage'. Or 'New Hope Home' as it's known around these parts. My home."
New Hope Home. New Hope Orphanage. Duo's home. A hundred thoughts were swimming around in Heero's brain and he couldn't grasp not one of them. Duo still smiled sheepishly and waived his hand towards the building.
"Wanna come in so you can get all the facts?"
Heero nodded and walked towards Duo. Duo smiled and followed Heero towards the front door. They didn't talk to each other, but many of the children waived to the braided teen. A little girl jumped into Duo's arms before they got in and grasped after his braid. "Who's that, Duo?"
Duo opened his mouth, but Heero got there before him. "I'm a friend of Duo." The little girl looked at him with big blue eyes and Heero was surprised that her eyes didn't pop right out of her skull.
"Now, now, Annie. No need to stare, is there?" The little girl wrapped her hands around Duo's neck and kissed his cheek. "I'm sorry. You will play with me later, won't you?"
Duo laughed and put the girl down before he ruffled her hair. "Can't promise you anything, dolly, but I'll see what I can do." He winked before opening the door to the first building. He waited until Heero had walked in before he followed. Heero stopped and waited 'til Duo had closed the door, then followed him down a hall. He could see many doors, all with different name signs that the children had made and they were all bright and colorful. They walked in silence until they reached a door with a plain sign where it stood 'Duo'.
Dou smiled again and scratched his neck. "It's not as plain on the inside. I have to warn you, it's very messy, but I can never bring myself to clean it up, and-"Heero lifted his hand, silencing him. He then gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it, Duo, I don't care."
Duo snorted. "Hey, I've seen your room you neat-freak." Heero smirked and Duo opened the door. Heero walked in and looked around. It looked like an average teenage room. Some socks and a black pants lied on the floor along with a couple of magazines and comics, the desk next to the bed was stuffed with papers and school-books, the bed itself was neatly made and Duo's leather jacked laid at the foot end of the bed. Two posters of Linkin Park covered the wall over the bed and many small drawings was scattered all around in the room. Beside one of the posters was a big window that faced the next door house.
Duo tiptoed by the door, and Heero turned to face him. "It's not that bad, Duo. I imagined it would be worst."
Duo pouted and pretended to be hurt for a moment or two before he closed the door and sat down on the chair next to the desk. Heero sat down on the bed and looked around some more. Behind the door was a closet and a bookshelf. Heero recognized many of the titles like 'Harry potter' 1 to 5, 'The Ultimate Hitchhikers Guide', 'Stupid White Men' and much to his surprise 'David Copperfield'.
Duo studied Heero's face and scratched his neck again. "You want anything to drink, Heero?" Heero looked at his friend and noticed that he looked slightly uncomfortable. "No, thank you, I'm fine."
"Okay," Duo nodded and looked out the window. Heero waited patiently for Duo to settle his thoughts and took the liberty too look around a little more. His eyes were drawn to a lovely pencil drawn picture of someone's eye. It wasa black and white picture and Heero suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. The eye seemed like it was looking straight at him, it was so real-like. Duo turned to stare at the picture as well and laughed softly.
"That's Helen's eye. She's one of the people that works here. The guy that owns the place is called Father Maxwell. He used to be a priest before he decided to give his life up for children that needed help."
"That's very noble," Heero answered and Duo nodded. "It is. Father is a very noble man and everybody here loves him. I love him like he was my own father." Duo swallowed and Heero scotched closer to the braided teen.
"Take your time," he whispered and carefully laid a hand on Duo's thigh.
"I haven't ripped up in the old memories for two years, but I guess it's just healthy." Duo laughed and scratched his neck yet again. "Well, I guess I should start with the beginning." Drawing in some breath, Duo started his tale.
"I've been here at 'New Hope Home' for about 13 years now. I first came here when I was 5." Looking at the floor, Duo's eyes seemed sad. "I lived in a average family, I guess. My dad was a lawyer and my mum just walked around in the house. We were happy even though my father had to work late very often. I was an only child and lived a little away from other children. Not that it mattered, my mum was my playmate, but I guess I got a little lonely sometimes."
Looking at the Japanese teen, Duo smiled and sniffed. "I don't remember everything 'cause it happened so long ago, but I remember that I'd asked my mum if I could have a baby brother or sister for Christmas. She had looked at me with a loving look and said maybe. And two months before Christmas she and my dad came to me and said that I would get my wish. Mum was pregnant."
The smile disappeared from Duo's lips and he looked down at his hands. "I remember it was snowing. It was in the middle of the night and my dad came rushing in to wake me up. My mum's water had just broke and she was going into labor. He just lifted me out of my bed and rushed us out into the car. He laid me gently in the backseat so I could sleep. I had to come with them to the hospital, my dad kept muttering that I couldn't be home alone."
Heero looked at him. "Couldn't they have called a relative to take care of you? Or a friend?" Duo shook his head.
"No. Both my parents were only children. My dad's mum died when giving birth to him, his father died when I was two. My mum's father disappeared before she was born and her mother died before I was born." Smiling a weak smile, Duo shook his head. "Funny how I still remember that, when I can barely remember my parents faces..."
Heero looked at Duo. Lifting his hand, he placed it under Duo's chin so they could look each other in the eyes. "What happened?"
Duo blinked and sniffed again. Closing his eyes, he lifted his own hand so it could cover Heero's. "It was Christmas eve. It was snowing and it was icy. The snow-plough hadn't been out on the road to remove the new snow or to sprinkle the ice."
Suddenly opening his eyes, Duo stared out into the air. "I don't know what happened, but I still remember the screaming. The scream from my mum, the high-pitched cursing from my father, the screeching from the wheels as they tried to get a grip on the icy roads, The bang as the car hit a tree. The scattering of glass. The disgusting sound as one of the branches from the tree went straight trough my fathers head."
Heero gasped. Duo's hand tightened around Heero's, squeezing it. "No point telling you that my father didn't survive that kind off damage. My mother was cut up by the broken window glass. I still remember a particular large piece stuck in her chest. Neither she nor the unborn child survived. But I did, just because I was asleep."
Removing Heero's hand from his chin, Duo suddenly started to remove his t- shirt. Heero looked at him, mouth wide open from both the story and the teen's sudden action. Once the shirt was removed, Duo grabbed Heero's wrist and laid his hand on his left shoulder. "Because I was lying down, another branch that entered the window missed my heart and lungs by inches. It went straight through my shoulder instead."
Moving his hand from Heero's wrist to his hand, he made Heero unclench his fist and brushed his fingers over a rough area off his skin. Barely visible on the soft pale skin, was a big circular scar. Heero gently brushed over the area again, before blushing and removing his hand. Duo picked up his shirt and started to pull it on again. Adjusting his braid, he smiled a sad smile.
"I got the same mark on my back, just a little further up." Heero nodded and brushed some hair out of his eyes. "It... It must have been horrible... But I guess you don't remember much after on."
"On the contrary, Heero, I remember a lot. I was awake the whole time. From the second of the impact to the arrival of the paramedics. I remember that I didn't scream. I didn't even shed a tear. I just lied there, being scared. I knew if I fell asleep, then I might not wake up. And I didn't want to fell asleep. The horrible sight that previously was my mother and father frightened me. I felt alone 'cause I couldn't her them breathing. I didn't see their chest moving. I could only hear a disgusting gurgling sound that made me wanna puke. But I couldn't do that either. I was so scared.
"I lied there for what I assume was hours before I heard the faint sound of sirens. When I saw people stepping out of the ambulance, I felt safe and allowed myself to go asleep. When I woke up-"
"He was at the hospital, alone and frightened."
Heero looked up and Duo turned. In the door stood a pretty lady with blond hair yanked in a ponytail. He was smiling and Heero instantly recognized the eyes.
"I'm sorry that I disturbed your story, Duo, but I just came to tell you that it's dinner time soon."
Duo smiled and got onto his feet. "No problem, Helen." Turning so he could face Heero, he winked and hugged the woman. "Heero, this is Helen. Helen met Heero."
Helen smiled and walked over to where Heero was sitting. She reached out her hand and Heero took it, shaking it gently. "So you are Heero? Duo has talked a lot about you, and I was starting to wonder if I would ever meet you. I see that Duo has finally decided to tell you his tale."
Heero nodded and Helen moved to the door. "I hope that you decide to tell him everything in a row, Duo. Don't hide anything." Duo nodded and Helen disappeared behind the closed door. Duo sat back down onto the chair and looked at the teen on his bed.
"Helen," he said again. "She was at the hospital the night I was brought in. I was scared and I kept screaming after my mum and dad. I knew they were gone, but since I was only 5, I didn't believe it. They operated on me 'cause I had some internal damages. When I woke up, I was screaming and thrashing around so the doctors drugged me down so I would stay calm. They were afraid that I would hurt myself. That's why I'm not particularly fond of drugs." Duo pulled a face before he continued. "I was there for a couple of days, and everyday Helen was there to visit me, telling me how brave I was. She had heard about the accident the night she was there and decided to cheer me up until they could find any relatives of me. No such luck of course, since I didn't have any."
Duo chuckled and looked at Heero. "Helen felt really sorry for me when she heard I didn't have any relatives and decided to list me up for adoption at the orphanage. She and the doctors told me so. They told me everything. And I started crying. And I changed."
Heero tilted his head to watch the braided teen. Duo's gaze was now fixed on a drawing beside the door. It was off a demon, surrounded by flames and blood was running down it's face and arms. The demon it self's eyes was shut and the face was pulled back in pain. Duo chuckled again. "I don't like that drawing. I drew it after a nightmare I had some years back. I just...had to get it out off my system."
Taking a deep breath, he continued. "When I got to the orphanage, I wasn't like this. I didn't smile. I didn't laugh. The day I got there and was given my room and belonging, the first thing I did was throw everything I owned everywhere. I didn't want any off it. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I went from being a normal 5-year old, to a angry 'I-hate-the- world' 5-year old, so unlike the person I am now.
"I don't think I hade one friend when I was a kid. I didn't talk to any of the other kids. I just yelled at them, trying to beat them up and was very violent. Helen and Father Maxwell was so worried about me and they didn't know what to do about me. They were concern about the other children's health and welfare, but they couldn't just send me away. Some kid-less couples was interested in me, but when they saw how I was behaving, they quickly changed their mind. People want kids that are full off life and happy, not grumpy and violent. So I stayed here for 5 years without one friend and without getting adopted once. And when I turned 10, I learned about a thing that could change my life and end my suffering. The fine art of suicide."
Heero's mouth dropped open and Duo's right hand moved to his left writs, stripping off the watch. Then he turned his hand over, showing Heero a long, thin scar over his wrist. "I didn't take off my watch when we play basked 'cause I didn't want you too know just yet."
Heero looked at the scar and back at Duo. Duo's face was serious with a hint of fear. Heero gave him a weak smile and laid his hand over the scar. "Continue, please. I want to know everything."
Duo nodded. "They say that, if you really wanna die, you won't feel a thing. You'll just get very sleepy and then feel...nothing...so I guess not every part off me was ready to go just yet. I'd managed to steal a razor from Father Maxwell and was ready to end my life. But the moment the razor penetrated my skin, I screamed. The pain was so unexpected and in mere reflex, I cut straight over my wrist. I screamed so loud that I woke up Helen, Father Maxwell and some off the older kids 'cause they were sleeping in the same building as me. When they saw me, lying on the floor in a pile of blood, Helen screamed for the other kids to call an ambulance. Father Maxwell fetched some bandages and help me stay awake. I kept screaming and screaming until I passed out.
"I awoke at the hospital and the first thing I saw was father Maxwell and Helen. And the first thing I felt was a hard slap across my face. Father Maxwell had smacked me across the face and hissed that I was foolish to end my life in such a way. Foolish for giving up so quickly. I started crying and he pulled me into a warm embrace. The words he whispered to me that day still ring in my head, and I know I'll treasure them 'til the day I die. He told me that life was too valuable to be thrown away in a blink of an eye. Life was what you made out off it, and that I should, live everyday like it was my last. Life was to be cherished and celebrated and it up to me to decide on what I want to do with it. I was only given once chance. And that day, I decided to grab it."
Duo smiled. "I changed again that day. I became the one I am today. Not one day passed without me smiling and I managed to befriend the whole orphanage, but my best friend was Solo. He was slightly older than me, but he didn't mind. We stuck together like two peas in a pod, until the day he got adopted away. Helen feared that I would distance myself again, falling back at my previous behavior, but I stayed the same. I was sad of course, but happy that Solo was given a second chance." Duo shrugged. "Haven't heard from him since. I think he and his new family moved to another continent, Europe or something. I got letters from him at the beginning, but one day they just stopped coming."
Duo looked down, bit his lip, before looking up, and smiled. "More people were interested in me, but when they heard about my previous behavior, some of them changed their mind." Scratching his neck again, Duo looked at Heero. "Helen videotapes every kid that comes here so that the people can see how their behaving on a regular basis. Some can be shy around strangers. She also videotapes if the kids have a particular problem, disease or something else, just so the possible parent will know what to expect and learn how to handle it. She showed everybody the tapes she'd done off me. Everything from the day I came, to some off the fights, to the night I tried to kill myself and to my transformation.
"She still doesn't believe she managed to stay calm and videotape the whole accident while father Maxwell tried to patch me up, but she did."
Duo smiled sheepishly and stretched. "But time showed that 'New Hope Home' wasn't getting rid of me that easily. If a couple was interested in me enough to take me home, I always did my best, or should I say worst, to be sent back. I felt that I owed them for the second chance I was given and wanted to stay and help them. But when I turned 13, Helen told me too stop that. She said that it was very sweet of me to want that, but I wasn't helping by being continued to be sent back. If I wanted to help them, I could stop by and help them when whenever I wanted. She said that the older I got, the harder it would get for me to get adopted and that wasn't helping. And she was right."
Duo sighed. "People want their kids to be small too as well as playful. It's just like kittens, ya know. The second the kitten is too old, their not as cute anymore. And when you're 13, you can't form the kids like you want."
Smiling, Duo turned to face Heero again, having turned away several times. "Remember that I run and hide, but never tell a lie?" Heero nodded.
"Well, it was around this time I stared dating Hilde as well as questioning my own sexuality. The few times I got adopted and they found out I was gay they sent me back. People didn't want a gay son. I was sad and I asked if I should lie about me being gay. Helen knew and she had accepted the moment she found out. And when I asked her that question, she had told me no. I should never lie about the person I am. If people were so stupid, fussing about the little things, then they didn't deserve to have a kid like me."
Turing towards the eye again, Duo smiled. "Helen and Father Maxwell have supported me through everything. They never gave up on me. Not once. They're my family now. They nursed out my talents and helped me to become the one I am today along with the 'Fallen Angels' and Hilde. I owe them all my life."
Looking at Heero, Duo smiled a smile he suspected was a direct sappy smile and scratched his nose for a change. "And that's my story. Hope it's been entertaining and that I haven't scared you away in any means." Heero looked down and stored the new information he'd just got into his brain, trying to analyze it and get it straight. "Heero?" The gentle voice along with a gentle hand on his shoulder woke him up, and Heero stared into the face of his worried friend.
"Gomen, Duo. I always slip away when I'm thinking." Duo snorted and removed his hand, smiling. "Yeah, I know. S'okay, I just wanted too..."
Heero smiled. "Wanted too know if I still wanted to be your friend, even with the problems you'd had in your past?" Duo blushed and looked away. Heero moved his hand to Duo's face, forcing him to look him in the face. "Yes, Duo. I'm still your friend. I feel sorry for the problems I'd had in your past, but I want you too know that I'm not your friend out off pity. I'm your friend because you have a great personality and it's fun to hang out with you. You've made me feel more relaxed and alive than anybody has." Embarrassed by his little speech, Heero looked down, blushing. This time it was Duo's turn to tilt his head upwards, forcing them to lock eyes. Prussian locking with Cobalt.
"Thank you," he whispered and smiled. "Thank you for that little speech. I know you're a man of few words and I really appreciate it."
Heero blushed again and smiled. "I don't know how this will sound, but... I know I've only known you for a couple off months, but I already feel that..." Taking a deep breath, Heero talked in a mere whisper. "I'd never let anybody this close to me, and I already consider you as one of the best friends I'd ever had. I consider you too be...My best friend."
Duo smiled and stroked Heero's cheek tenderly. "Thank you, Heero. And guess what, I feel the same way back. And I don't lie."
Grinning, Duo pulled him into a warm embrace. Heero felt his own arm sliding around Duo's waist and he laid his head on Duo's shoulder, inhaling his sent. He felt himself smiling and enjoying the intimacy and all to soon the warm body was gone.
Heero stayed at the orphanage for a while before he headed home, content to visit Duo again.
***
Author's Notes: I just had to add Solo to the story, as well as father Maxwell and Helen. Hope you'll accept and like. What do you think? Did you get surprised again? Did ya? DID YA? Need feedback, I live for feedback. Remember to review. *points at the review button* Thankee!