Heero's Clone
Chapter 2: Heero's Isolation
Heero didn't enjoy the way Duo looked at him every time he went to play ball. It stirred emotions Heero had done away with years before. He felt like his only protection was being stripped away from him like a child from its parents. So, instead of going outside, Heero made up fibs to get to a park and do the routine he'd always done. However when he saw Duo he couldn't stand being there, so Heero would go downstairs into his basement and lock himself up. He would ignore Duo's persisting knocks on the door, and send him away by mentioning he had too much work to do. Duo would believe him and wouldn't bother Heero for the rest of the day.
So the days dragged on, turning into weeks, during which Heero made sure he didn't see Duo at all. Finally one day Duo gave his usual knock on the door. "What do you want Duo?", Heero said irritated.
"I-I just thought.... That we could possibly... Eat lunch together today.", Duo said.
"I guess I could if you want.", Heero said.
"Just one more thing. Why are you isolating yourself?", Duo paused, "Because if it's me, then I could leave you know."
"No Duo it's not that! It's me I just.... Am use to being alone.", Heero lied.
"Oh, I understand. I'll call when lunch is ready.", Duo then left.
"Why did I say that? Why did he suspect it was him in the first place?", Heero thought out loud.
So with these questions in the back of his mind, Heero set back to work as usual with a little twist. He discovered how to stop the abnormal growth to quit, however when he tried it on Duo's cells... For every one he tried it on by the time it was in effect there would already be five in its place, which meant no hope for Duo. Heero would have to keep working in order to figure out a way for it to affect the whole body, or Duo would die.
When Duo called Heero up for lunch, he reluctantly went upstairs. When Heero sat down at the table he found a nice burger on his plate, while Duo's had the same, only instead of a cup, he had a steaming mug of coffee. Instead of the Duo from before Heero found a gray haired, still in a braid, and slightly wrinkled face of a forty-year man. Duo smiled though when entering the dining room with some toppings for his burger. "Glad to see you stick to your word.", Duo said sitting down opposite of him.
Heero gave a puzzled look, "Duo?"
"Yeah, the one and the same.", he responded cheerfully.
So they ate with few remarks. Duo got up to leave before Heero, and also ate less than Heero as well. When Heero went into the living room he found Duo asleep on the couch.
The last thought Heero had before returning to the dark basement was how he'd left Duo all alone, when he was needed by him the most. As a friend, for support, even though Duo was adjusting well. Heero hadn't been much of a help, when he should have been.
End Chapter 2