Christmas Blessings

by Duo's Chick and Star Kindler

Chapter Three

Disclaimer: Do we really have to say it?

Warnings: Yaoi, lots of angst and OOC. Don't say we didn't warn you!!

***
Heero's eyes threatened to burn with tears as what the doctor had just told him sunk in. Duo had a rare, maybe even critical heart condition? What if he died…? Heero just could not think of that possibility. He swallowed, trying to rid his throat of the lump threatening to choke him and cause him to burst into tears. He blinked back the wetness he felt approach his blue eyes, and when he was finally composed, turned back to face the doctor.

"What exactly does he have, doctor? Is he going to survive?" Heero asked as calmly as he could.

The doctor sighed. "We aren't sure what his condition is exactly called…it's so rare that it hasn't been given a name. And I'll be honest with you, young man. A cure hasn't been found…so we aren't too sure about his chances of survival. However, I can assure you that a large group of doctors are doing everything under their power to find a cure as we speak. A cure may be found, and if so, your friend will definitely survive," the doctor said, a small smile forming across his face.

Heero felt relieved, in a way. He believed with all of his heart that Duo would be saved after all. But for now, all he wanted to do was see the braided boy he could rarely get off his mind.

"May I see him?" Heero asked.

The doctor nodded. "He's in room 201," the doctor informed Heero, then turned and walked away.

Heero sighed deeply as he made his way to the room the doctor had indicated, a horrible feeling growing in the pit of his stomach. What would he tell Duo? Surely not his feelings…what if the beautiful braided boy didn't return those feelings, and Heero made a pure idiot out of himself? Heero shook his head. He sure didn't want to think about that right now. All he wanted to do was make sure Duo was actually okay.

Reaching the room, Heero turned the doorknob and entered. He gasped in horror at the scene before him.

Duo looked miserable. He was attached to a countless number of different machines, each one monitoring a different thing on Duo's body. Duo looked as if he were in immense pain. His hand was clutched tightly to his chest, and his breath came out in ragged gasps. Heero was now deeply concerned.

"Duo…" Heero whispered, walking closer to the bed. "Are you okay?"

A few seconds passed without any reply as Duo tried to get himself under control. When he had done so, he spoke. "I'll be okay," was his only reply.

Heero didn't answer. He wasn't sure if he believed that himself. He couldn't be entirely sure that Duo was okay unless those doctors found that cure.

Heero was curious. "Duo…were you aware of any of this?" Heero asked, referring to the condition of Duo's heart.

"I had no idea, Heero. I thought I was perfectly healthy. Turns out I was wrong," Duo replied, turning his head and looking to the side of the room. After a few silent moments, Duo turned his head to face Heero again, his violet eyes making contact with his secret love's. "Heero, can I ask you a question?" Duo asked quietly.

Heero nodded, silent.

Duo's eyes averted to his lap as he fiddled with his blankets. He then looked up, staring into Heero's eyes again. "Why did you bring me here? Is it because you care for me?"

Heero remained silent. He couldn't bring himself to tell Duo the truth…he just wasn't ready.

Duo sighed. "Heero…there's something I need to tell you. Now, I know I'll probably scare you off or even make you hate me for the rest of my life, but I'm going to say it anyway. I have to get this off my chest. I-I love you, Heero…more than just a friend. I have deep, true feelings for you. Always have, and always will," Duo said, looking to Heero's eyes for a reply.

However, there came no reply from Heero. Much to Duo's surprise, Heero glared at Duo, then turned and walked out of the room.

Duo gaped at the door, shocked. Why hadn't Heero said anything? Was he really that much of an idiot? Duo instantly regretted even saying anything. Hell, the only reason he had told Heero in the first place was because he thought the Japanese pilot would even admit a little that he had feelings for Duo. Now, Duo was stuck in this situation…Heero knew the truth, and probably would never speak to him again.

Burying his face in his hands, Duo cried, wondering why fate had to be so cruel to him.

***
Heero awoke the next morning, his stomach swimming with butterflies. The guilt was finally getting to him. How could he have done that to Duo? The other boy had finally confessed his feelings, feelings that were mutual on Heero's part. And what had he done? Walked away without saying a word! Heero shook his head. How could he have been such a fool?

Duo was his everything, his whole entire world. He was finally given the chance to hold that world in the palm of his hand…and his chance had now been completely blown. Heero wouldn't be surprised if Duo hated him for the rest of his life, if the American pilot chose never to speak to him again.

Well, Heero wasn't going to sit around and wait for that to happen. He knew he had to do something before it was too late. He had to go back to the hospital and apologize to Duo right away.

Heero grabbed his car keys and headed for the door, hoping everything would go all right.

As Heero walked outside, he saw the freshly fallen snowflakes cover the ground. He got into the car, the newly fallen snow reminding him of last winter.

*FLASHBACK*

"Oh, come on, Heero! I know you want to have a snowball fight!" Duo shouted playfully as he picked up some snow from the ground and wadded it into a ball in his fist. He then gleefully threw it at Heero, hoping the stoic pilot would put away that mask for once and really open up, allow himself to have fun.

Heero glared at Duo as the snowball lightly hit his shoulder. "I'm not in the mood, Duo," Heero growled, continuing to try to de-ice the windows of the car, which he was having an incredibly hard time doing.

Duo wasn't satisfied…he wouldn't be until Heero at least had a little fun. Sneakily, he scooped up some more snow and crept silently behind Heero. A few swift seconds later, Duo deposited the snow down Heero's shirt, laughing hysterically.

Extremely angry, Heero turned around and glared at Duo. Roughly, he pushed the braided American onto a patch of ice on the sidewalk, where he fell and hit his head. Dazed, Duo sat up, yelping in pain as his head throbbed achingly.

"Heero…" Duo whimpered, holding back the tears. "Why'd you do that?"

Heero turned his back to Duo once more. "Shut up, idiot," was all Heero said.

Heero failed to see the hurt expression on Duo's face as he sat on the sidewalk, still holding his head in pain.

*END FLASHBACK*

Heero felt ashamed. Did he really treat Duo like that? He now began to realize what a jerk he really was. He needed to get to the hospital, and fast. Duo needed to know the truth.

When Heero arrived to the hospital, he entered and asked the nurse if Duo was still in the same room as yesterday. The nurse looked at her papers and frowned.

"I'm sorry, young man, but Mr. Maxwell checked himself out of the hospital this morning," the nurse informed him, quickly going back to her paperwork.

Cursing silently to himself, Heero headed towards the exit, a terrible feeling growing in the pit of his stomach. He had a feeling things were not good.

***
Duo shivered as he walked along the city streets, his thin coat doing nothing to warm him. He wrapped his arms around himself, trying to provide himself with at least a little warmth. He didn't know where he was going…frankly, he didn't care. He needed to get away from everything. He didn't want to face pain any longer. He just couldn't take anymore.

As Duo continued to walk, he heard a bunch of hollering in his direction.

"Hey, pretty boy, where do you think you're going?"

"Get back here, you!"

Not liking the tone of those voices, Duo tried to walk faster, trying to get away from this situation. Gulping, Duo froze when he felt a rough hand on his shoulder.

"You're not going anywhere, pretty boy. We may just decide to have a little fun with you," a cruel voice whispered in his ear, making his blood run cold.

Duo swallowed.

He knew he was in deep trouble.

***
Comments? Criticism? We wanna know what you think! ~Star Kindler and Duo's Chick