Heero's Clone

Chapter 3: Things for Duo Get Worse

Heero ended up going back to his corporation the next week, he left Duo a lone with instructions on not to do this, or be careful doing that. It was because he knew Duo was getting worst, and he hid it too. Every day there was a new gray hair, wrinkle, or pain. Heero started to spend frequent time with Duo before and after work. When he called that he was home Duo would still come bounding down the stairs. However, Duo started to have to stop for a second and think things through before doing them.

Heero spent any time he had available with Duo, mornings, lunch, after work, excreta. Heero felt bad about having been so harsh on Duo for most of the time they knew each other. It wasn't like he was mean; Duo just wanted to make friends. However, Heero had pushed him away like unwanted trash. Finally one afternoon Heero noticed Duo was having problems chewing. "That's it you need dentures.", Heero said folding his napkin.

"No, Heero, I don't. I can eat fine on my own.", Duo replied in his usual whine, "Really, I can Heero."

"You're getting them whether you want to or not Duo.", Heero this time stated it firmly so as to show he meant it.

"But...", Duo argued.

"No.", Heero stated before leaving.

That evening Heero came back with a pair of dentures fitted from his teeth for Duo's duplicate ones. No matter how Duo protested, and pleaded, Heero forced him to wear them at dinner.

Soon other signs of Duo's deteriorating health showed. He took longer, and more frequent naps, ate less, and tended to forget more often. Then, one afternoon Heero came home, and as usual called his chorus of I'm home through the large house. When no response came, he wondered if Duo was doing something he shouldn't. However a few minutes later Heero heard Duo at the top of the steps, taking in deep breaths of air. "Duo?", he said.

"Just-a second-I need to catch-my-breath.", Duo said holding his chest.

"Duo are you okay?", Heero asked nervously.

Duo slowly made his way downstairs. "Just been getting tired more easily.", Duo stated finally at the bottom., "I need to sit for a second, Heero.",

After sitting down, Duo took another several gulps of air before smiling and turning to Heero. "What is it you wanted?", Duo asked, "Well?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were all right.", Heero answered.

"I'm just fine Heero. Still kicking!", Duo chuckled, after which he gave several hacks., "Just not as well as three months ago."

Heero installed a lift for Duo the next day, and instructed him not to use the stairs again. Though Duo voiced disapproval of this he ended up coming to an understanding of what Heero meant.

Then the falling leaves of September came to the earth, and so it was to come to the colony as well.