Despite my best efforts I think I'm going OOC. Sorry.

Chapter 8

Duo walked around the apartment again, wanting everything to be spotless for Heeros return
home. He was now able to walk with someone supporting him so they decided he was ready as
long as someone was home with him at all times. Duo wanted to be that person. He gave the
room one more look around, deciding things weren't going to get much better then they
already were and left for the hospital one last time.

The goodbye to Trowa and Quatre had been a happy one. They promised to come back and visit
in a few weeks when Heero would be better. It would be a long time before he felt the way
he used to, but they would get through that. They were both on paid leave until Heero could
be left alone, then he was to return to work whenever he felt he was able. Relena had
offered to help but they both refused. They had been fine in the past and they didn't need
her help now.

Duo got to the hospital and took the elevator up to Heero's room. He had already changed
his clothes and was just waiting for him. He was anxious to leave. Duo had a feeling he
had something else on his mind but he wouldn't say anything so he decided to leave it be.
Heero would tell him when he was ready.

He knocked on the door and let himself in when he heard a muffled response. Heero was
sitting on the end of the bed. "Ready to go home?"

Heero nodded. Duo smiled and helped him into a wheelchair. Heero insisted he could
walk but it was doctors orders that he not walk more than absolutly necessary or he might
reopen his wounds. They made their way out of the hospital and Duo helped Heero into the
car. He inhaled deeply. "It's nice to get some fresh air again." He let himself get
lost in the passing scenery. Before he knew it they were home. In a way it felt like it
had been so long ago since he had left that fateful night but in reality it had only been
two weeks. Duo walked around to his side of the car and opened the door to help him out.
He felt awkward getting help from someone else when his whole life he had had to help
himself.

He was still worried about Duo having to go back to the colonies. He hadn't mentioned
anything about work but Heero thought he was waiting until they were home to tell him. Duo
did seem nervous about something and he figured that must be it. They walked into the
apartment and Duo helped him sit on the couch. Heero looked around. Everything was the
same except one thing. The computer was gone.

"Do you want something to drink?"

"No thank you." It was very nice to be home again and having Duo in the same room made him
happier than he had been in months. Later that night, Duo cooked his favorite meal. It had
been a long time since he had eaten with someone else. He was scared Duo was going to tell
him while they were eating that this was their last meal, but he never said anything. Later,
Duo helped Heero to bed.

Duo sat down next to him. "Theres something I want to talk to you about."

'This is it. He's going to tell me he's leaving, I know it.' Heero tried to hide his
anxiety. "Oh?"

Duo took a deep breath. "Since everything that's happened, I've been doing a lot of
thinking. About us. Almost losing you has made me realize that you are more important to
me than anything else in my life..." He looked lost for words.

Heero knew the look on his face must have been one of complete shock. "Duo...Are you trying
to tell me you love me?"

He blushed. "Yeah, I am."

Heero stared at him. He wasn't leaving; he didn't want to go back to his partner. He loved
him. "You're not leaving...?"

Duo looked at him with surprise. "Leaving? Where would I...?" The realization dawned on his
face. "Of course I'm not leaving. I don't want to leave you alone ever again....unless you
want me to. Do you...feel the same?"

"Duo, of course I feel the same way. I guess I hadn't realized it until after you had left
but I know it now."

Duo looked at him, shocked. "You're serious?" Heero smiled and nodded. He had confessed
his feelings for him, and he couldn't be more happy then he had ever been then at that
moment.

Duo looked at him for a minute, then leaned in. It was there that they shared
their first kiss, and it felt wonderful. Heero held Duo for a moment before whispering into
his ear.

"I love you."

Owari