"Hold on, we're gonna die!"
"What!?!" But Heero never got an answer…at least in words.
Duo, as Heero was exclaiming, pulled so sharp a turn that it sent the two pilots flying into the glass wall ahead. Duo was going to caution his partner to stay down but there was no need; Heero had been knocked out cold because he hit his head on a table. After about an hour the OZ unit left, presuming the two teens dead. Duo first made sure that he hadn't broken anything then went to Heero's side to see how badly he was hurt. He was relieved to see that Heero only had a small cut on the side of his face. "Good, it's not too bad love," Duo brushed his finger lightly over the other boy's forehead, pushing his bans out of his beautiful blue eyes. As he was cleaning the cut, Heero woke. Duo quickly shifted to hide the gash along his wrist. When he felt he was able, Heero sat up. He tried to take over administering to his cut, but Duo wouldn't let him. It was then that Heero saw the deep slice in Duo's arm that he was trying to hide.
"Duo! You should care for yourself before you care for someone else! Especially if you're injury is worse." As he said this he pushed Duo's left arm away while grabbing his right arm so he could look at the slit in his arm. Duo tried to pull away but Heero held him.
"Heero, it's not that bad. I can take care of it la—"
"Duo don't make this harder than it needs to be."
"Bu—"
"Just let me work." He pulled Duo's arm out straight as he was talking. Duo resisted a little gut stopped, knowing that it was hopeless because Heero was stronger than he was. Even more so when he was injured. Heero tended Duo's arm as Duo told him what had happened.
· · ·
After Duo had told his story (it took longer than wrapping his arm did) and the two boys had sat in silence, Duo asked the question that had been bothering him: "Heero, what are you so freaked about?" He paused, "I mean, you almost die everyday."
This question had surprised Heero. He had been looking around the room. He stayed quiet for a while trying to think of an answer that his friend (more than a friend?) would except as true; the best he could come up with was: "I don't know what you're talking about, Baka."
The only reason that Duo didn't get mad at the name was that his mid was preoccupied. "Don't give me that shit!"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Damn it Heero, can't you see I'm worried?!?" He yelled, "You're scared, Heero, I can see it. That least you could do is at least tell me that it's not my business!" He lowered his voice to almost a whisper, "I care about you, haven't you noticed that?" Duo stood and walked a few paces away, keeping his back to the other boy, to his love. Heero, after recovering from the shock of Duo's tone, got up and walked over to Duo, the one he hurt, his love.
"Duo…" But Duo just took a few more steps. Heero walked up behind him again. He took the smaller teen by the shoulders and turned him around. When the light shined on Duo's face, Heero saw that his cheeks were shining with the wetness of tears. Duo saw where his Hee-chan's gaze was going and he started to turn away again but Heero wouldn't let him. "Duo, you're crying," he said with concern. For, indeed, Duo's tears had started their slow, steady, and silent stream down the sides of his face again.
Duo gave an ironic chuckle, "You noticed."
"Heero was hurt, "Of course I did, I always –"
"No Heero, I already told you, I don't want your bullshit! I don't –"
"Duo," Heero was holding him and shaking him, "I love you, I …" he let the other pilot go and started to turn around when Duo hugged him. The tow of them sat on the floor, in each other's arms, crying.
To Be Continued…