Title: Trading Faces
Rating: PG-13, just because I feel like it.
Warnings: Profanity, violence, eventual 1x2 pairing … well, not really eventual anymore I guess *grins*
Disclaimer: Nope, they aren't mine. But I like to pretend that they are. Guess I'll have to settle for owning this story (not a fair consolation if you ask me…)
A/N: Thanks go to: Clairol (Why is Heero's favorite color purple? Hmm, I'll never te-ell!) Naomi (Sadly, I am sadistic enough to make Heero dislike chocolate … hey, it happens. I know some people who hate chocolate, the crazy idiots … I mean, nothing!) Tash-chan (Yes, please do keep Wu-kins in line for me! *grins* We'll be crazy together, ne?) Demon Vampyre Goddess (You can stop going insane, here's your chapter! *smiles*) Elle-FaTe2x1 (I'm keeping Heero in character as best I can, but you know, he is going through some rather traumatic changes … hehe. Thanks!) Shellie (Standardized tests? Oh! Make pictures in the bubbles – like Christmas trees! Glad to see you still like!) Violet Yuy-Maxwell (Aw, you're so nice! Here's the next part) SilverShinigami (Hey, you can't kill me or I'll never finish the story, ne? And we wouldn't want that, right?! ^^) Angel of Insanity (Hehehe, poor Duo. How we all love to torture him. Thanks!) LB (Poor everybody, actually. Heh, I don't think anybody's escaping unharmed from this story. Oh well!) Yui-Mag (Thanks a lot! Here's the next chapter. Roommates are funny like that, ne?) White Rose (Ack, not the hair! Leave it alone! Here, chapter, go!) lillie chan (Chocolate pocky?! *eyes get big* Yay! Mine mine mine! Duo: Can I have some?! L: NO!! MINE!! … Thanks!) baka ryou (Thanks a whole big bunch! Here's more) Foxfire (Yes, Heero's just a big sweetie … in his own little indifferent way. Thanks!) FireDemon (I'm so glad to hear it! It's been a challenge for me … hope you continue to enjoy!) Fushigi Venus (Hey, stand up, no need for dramatics … here ya go! Hope you like it) Dreamer (Is there a reason behind the purple? Hmm, read into it how you will, I'll never te-ell! *grins* Thanks so much – I do try to update as soon as I'm able, because I know how it is!)
Well, were getting close to the end … thanks a lot for sticking with this, guys, and I hope you enjoy these last few chapters! On with chapter 13 …
_ _ _
Duo watched as Quatre's face fell forward, his chin landing on the mouth of his glass. He fought the urge to snicker; the blond seemed quite content to stay there, his head propped up by a partially full glass of ice water. Trowa reached across the table, wincing at the strain put on his ribs as he carefully tilted Quatre's face up, slid the glass aside, and let the blond's face settle gently onto the polished surface of the table. Quatre groaned, muttered something inaudible, and seemed to fall asleep right then and there. Trowa sighed, shaking his head slightly at the tousled figure.
"We're all a bunch of invalids, you know?" Duo remarked lightly, lifting a mug of coffee to his lips to take a frugal sip. "Just think, the mighty gundam pilots, reduced to a bunch of defective, worn out piles of ooze. Man, I think we need a vacation."
"Duo," Quatre moaned into the surface beneath his face. "Not so loud, please! My head …"
"Ah, still a bit hung over, Q-man? I couldn't tell," Duo said dryly, then turned in his chair to look at the Chinese boy attempting to make toast. "Hey Wu, what'd you give Quatre anyway? When's the last time you made him drink? He looks terrible!"
"Let him sleep, Maxwell," Wufei said wearily. "He needs it, now that he can."
"Well, if he's gonna sleep shouldn't we take him to his room or something? We're not gonna let him sleep on the table, are we?"
"Why not? He doesn't seem to mind." Wufei shrugged, scowling at the toaster as his bread popped up. One side was charred to a near black, and the other was still raw. He ripped the ruined toast out of the slot and flung it onto the counter with a quiet curse. "By Nataku, does nothing work in this house?!" He reached out to shake the toaster, but dropped it again when he realized that the sides were still hot. Grumbling, he swept his ruined breakfast into the garbage and took up his coffee for a long, calming sip.
"Where's Heero?" Trowa asked suddenly, shaking Duo out of his amusement at Wufei's predicament. "It's not like him to sleep so late."
"We all slept late," Duo replied, carefully skirting the subject. Trowa frowned at the other's evasiveness.
"Do you think we should wake him?"
"Hn. No need." All faces, save for Quatre's, turned to find Heero in the doorway, his braid slightly mussed and unkempt, and his face eerily expressionless. Trowa nodded to him, seeming satisfied.
"Morning, Heero," Duo said cheerfully, deciding it best to pretend that nothing was amiss. Heero was apparently okay with that, because he simply grunted in reply before heading pointedly to the refrigerator.
"What happened to the toaster?" Heero asked, noticing that the appliance was on its side. Wufei scowled from behind his mug.
"It has been taken out of commission," he replied coldly. Heero smirked slightly, and disappeared momentarily behind the door of the fridge. Duo's eyes went wide.
"Hey, Wu, was that a joke?" he asked loudly. Quatre whimpered.
"Duo …!"
"Oops, sorry, Q-man," Duo apologized, lowering his voice. Trowa sighed and stood from his chair.
"Wufei, please help me take Quatre back to bed. He needs more rest," the tall young man said quietly.
"Why can't Maxwell help you? He's hardly lifted a finger this whole time," Wufei growled irritably. Duo snorted indignantly.
"Says you!" he frowned, wrinkling his nose at the annoyed Chinese boy.
"Please, Wufei?" Trowa tried again. Wufei sighed and set his mug on the counter.
"Very well, Barton," he conceded, and between the two of them they managed to lift the half-conscious blond without aggravating his tender shoulder. Duo watched them go, carefully avoiding Heero's figure.
The door of the refrigerator clicked shut, and Duo's eyes were drawn involuntarily to the only other occupant of the room. Heero was holding an orange, which he was proceeding to peel with his fingernails alone. Duo's face scrunched up with disgust; he personally hated the feel of rind bits beneath his nails. Then he noticed that Heero was avoiding his eyes as well, and the fruit was forgotten.
"Um, Heero?" he tried tentatively. Heero looked up, almost startled. Duo gave him a sheepish look.
"Hey, I'm sorry about yesterday," he said softly. "And for avoiding you until now. I just … um, kind of lost control, and … sorry. I mean it."
"Sorry for what?" Heero asked bluntly. Duo bit down on his lip for a moment, hoping that Heero wasn't serious. But then again, when was Heero not serious? He continued to stare expectantly, and Duo sighed.
"For the … um …" he faltered, and tapped a finger to his lips in place of an intelligible response. Heero regarded him with a certain degree of thoughtfulness, and then he shrugged.
"You regret it?"
"I didn't say that … but I shouldn't have done it …" Duo said quietly, looking to the table and tracing a finger idly across its smooth surface.
"… You don't need to apologize to me. I was not offended, after all," Heero said, his tone giving away absolutely nothing. But Duo looked up anyway, shocked.
"But Heero, I …"
"Just drop it, Duo," Heero cut him off rather quickly. "I am not angry. Are you?"
"No," Duo said, smiling despite himself. Heero nodded.
"Then everything is fine."
"I … I guess so," Duo said, returning the gesture. "I wasn't being fair, though. You didn't have to tell me anything. Thank you, though. It means a lot to me."
"Hn." Heero shifted from one foot to the other, obviously uncomfortable.
"So … fair is fair, Heero. You can ask me something, if you want. I'll answer you," Duo offered sincerely. Heero looked at him carefully, unsure. Thoughts of the dream immediately came to mind … He shook his head. No, he would just as soon let that one lie for now.
"I have nothing to ask."
"Oh? Nothing at all?" Duo replied, surprised. "You're not the least bit curious."
"No."
"Huh. Guess that's cool. I thought you would be, though."
"Hn … I know everything I need to know about you, Duo." Duo looked up sharply at that one.
"Just what do you mean by that?"
Heero just shrugged, and turned to leave the room.
"Heero, what …?!"
"Leave me alone, Duo. I have a lot of work to get done."
* * *
Heero had been holed up in the den for hours, probably mulling over every last word contained in the files Duo had obtained. He had practically locked himself in there the previous day as well. Duo tarried by the doorway for a moment, but then with a sigh he turned away. Heero didn't want to be disturbed, he had made that clear. Maybe he was just in soldier mode, but Duo couldn't help worrying that perhaps the other boy was mad at him. He'd expected anger, actually, not the weird reaction that he had received earlier in the kitchen. Now he didn't know what to think. Heero wasn't mad about the kiss … but he didn't seem happy about it either. He hadn't told Duo that it was okay … but he had told him something about himself. From someone like Heero Yuy, that was a pretty big surrender.
So what did it all mean? What was Heero feeling? He wished he could just ask the stubborn pilot, but he was feeling pretty attached to his limbs the way that they were. Plus, he feared putting his braid in danger for a second time. Some of Shinigami's temper seemed to have fueled Heero to greater bounds of irritation. It was too bad, really …
Answers would just have to be sought elsewhere. He needed the advice of someone who was more experienced than he was. Of course there was no one like that around, so Duo would just have to make do. He trotted off in search of Quatre.
He tapped lightly on the door before cautiously poking his head around the partially open jamb. His face fell into one of understanding immediately. Quatre was curled up in bed, tucked comfortably in the covers. Trowa was propped against the other side of the headboard on top of the quilts, his long legs stretched out and crossed at the ankle as he sat reading. He looked up when he sensed company, and offered Duo the best smile he could muster. It wasn't much, but Duo recognized it as a friendly expression, so he quietly entered the room.
"Is Q awake?" Duo asked softly.
"Still sleeping," Trowa shook his head, his reply just as quiet.
"Oh. Sorry to bother you guys then …" Duo said, lifting a hand to run it through his messy hair nervously. Trowa set his book aside and folded his hands across his abdomen, his full attention on Duo.
"Is something wrong?"
"Um … I just wanted … to talk," Duo shrugged. "Q's a good listener, you know? Plus, he usually understands what's going on anyway before I even tell him. But I don't want to disturb him."
"Oh," Trowa said. "Well … I'd be glad to listen, Duo, if you need an ear."
"Really?" Duo perked up. Trowa nodded, and Duo smiled as he went to carefully sit at Trowa's feet. "In here?"
"If you can keep it down," Trowa said. "I think he's pretty well out. So, what's troubling you?"
"Well …" Duo sighed, his eyes falling to his hands which rested in his lap. "Besides everything? Um … it's Heero."
"Is he unwell?"
"No," Duo shook his head, smiling wryly. "Actually, he's recovering pretty well, all things considered."
"Hm," Trowa nodded, and just waited for Duo to continue.
"It's … um …" Duo tried, twining his fingers together nervously. "Quatre was right. On my part anyway. Please don't say anything, Tro, but I … I like him."
"Duo," Trowa said simply, his eyes sparkling with a strange kind of understanding. "That's plain to see. If anyone could get Heero to be friends, it's you."
"No, Tro, not …" Duo paused, reaching to twist a section of the quilt in his fingers. "Not like that. I mean, I care for him. More than that. Quatre was right. Well, half way, anyway …"
"I see," Trowa said quietly. "So, Heero doesn't feel the same …?"
"Hell, I dunno," Duo shrugged. "Who knows what he thinks? Who knows what anyone thinks?! Who knows what thoughts are mine and which are his, and which don't even belong in the first place …?!"
"Duo," Trowa interrupted him, leaning forward and gently prying his hand away from the blanket that he was currently abusing. "Please calm down …"
"Sorry, Tro," Duo apologized, folding his hands over his knees and looking down. "I just wanted to know … what can I do? How do I decide what is right?"
"It's not all as simple as that," Trowa said, casting a quick glance Quatre's way. "There is rarely a right and a wrong that fits every situation."
"What do you mean?"
"I can't say that I understand what you're going through," Trowa sighed. "But please consider, Duo, what would be different if you and Heero were not switched."
"What would be …different?" Duo repeated curiously. "What wouldn't be different?! I mean, we got along all right before this whole mess, as well as can be expected anyway … but we're kind of forced to be close to each other this way. I just don't know …"
"You think that perhaps Heero would act differently toward you otherwise?"
"I don't think, Tro. I know," Duo said. "Just tell me, is there any way I can find out for sure which feelings are real?"
"That is something you must answer for yourself, Duo," Trowa said softly, shaking his head sadly. "Only you can decide how you feel. Sometimes it takes a lot of hard work … a lot of sacrifice, to open up about it. Even to yourself." His hand reached over to the sleeping blond, a finger trailing across his feathery bangs.
"Was it rough for you guys?" Duo inquired carefully, knowing exactly what Trowa was talking about. Trowa pulled his gaze away from Quatre, shrugging slightly.
"Not for him. No, he was never unsure of himself. That is why he is stronger than me," the tall pilot said in a hushed tone. "But your situation is different. It could even be a blessing …"
"Huh?!" Duo exclaimed, then quickly quieted himself.
"You have a chance to find out, Duo. Which Heero is it that you care about? The Heero that you can see, or the Heero that you can't?" Duo was silent for a long moment, and then he smiled a little.
"You're right, Tro," he whispered. "I care about Heero for who he is, not just what he is. Because even now, even with him trapped in my body, I care about him."
"Isn't that something worth investigating, then?" Trowa asked lightly.
"Thanks a lot, Tro. I mean it. You've been very helpful."
"My pleasure," Trowa answered tersely, watching Duo stand. Duo looked down at the pair, his eyes growing slightly wistful.
"You two really are made for each other, you know?" he said, and without waiting for anything else he turned to leave the room. Trowa watched him go, his hand snaking back to lightly fiddle with Quatre's hair.
"Maybe you were too, Duo. Just maybe …"
* * *
Wufei paused at the doorway, watching the figure that was hunched over the laptop wearily. The look of concentration on the usually cheerful face was odd, but Wufei had to admit that it suited Yuy very well. He cleared his throat to announce his presence, and surprised violet eyes looked up at him. He'd caught Heero off guard, good for him. It wasn't much of an achievement, though, all things considered. The boy looked exhausted.
"Wufei," he greeted tersely.
"Yuy," Wufei replied just as shortly, taking that as his cue to enter the room. "You've forgotten to eat."
"Hn," Heero lowered his head for a moment, seeing the plate that Wufei was carrying. Was that for him? "I didn't realize …"
"I figured as much," Wufei shrugged, approaching the desk and setting the food there a safe distance away from the boy. "Maxwell would not be happy to hear that his body has gone without eating for more than four hours at once."
Heero smirked slightly at the attempted humor, and he nodded gratefully to the Chinese pilot. It was curious; Wufei almost seemed like he was being … helpful.
"Why … why are you here, Wufei?" he brought himself to ask, pulling the plate toward him as he nudged the laptop back a little. Wufei crossed his arms, on the defensive. Heero didn't blame him; he didn't feel any more comfortable, after all.
"You and Maxwell had a falling out, did you not?" Wufei inquired, his voice less than sensitive. Heero snorted, looking up at Wufei with wide eyes.
"What makes you say that?" he asked softly.
"You're avoiding him. What's more, he's avoiding you. He never avoids you," Wufei pointed out. "Something happened."
"We …" Heero paused, collecting his thoughts. "We just had to work some things out, that's all. Why do you care?"
"Yuy," Wufei gave a sigh that bordered on a growl, looking away. "Is it a crime to care?"
"I don't know." Wufei rolled his eyes at the solemn words, and sank rigidly into a nearby chair. He leaned forward to prop his arms on his knees, and looked Heero straight in the face.
"Look Yuy," he said. "I'm not good at this. I know that. But I also know that, as much as I might not act it, we are a team here. What affects you two affects the rest of us, as well. And after what happened with you both hiding information from us …" he paused, unconsciously kneading his bottom lip between his teeth in nervous thought. "I just want to know that you're both all right." Heero blinked, his food momentarily forgotten as he watched Wufei's face carefully. It was hard for Wufei to say that, he knew. He could scarcely believe that the two of them were talking at all. Realizing that Wufei was watching him as well, he gave a cut nod.
"Nothing is wrong," he explained, figuring that Wufei wanted a reason for his behavior. "There was just some … awkwardness. Duo was talking about … about what if …" He trailed off, swiping his hand through the air angrily.
"If you are stuck like this?" Wufei supplied softly. Heero nodded weakly.
"Yes. It made him rather emotional, and confused us both. I think … I think he may be giving up …"
"No," Wufei interrupted, surprising the Wing pilot. "I've never known Maxwell to be a quitter. Perhaps … perhaps he just feels more realistic, if he faces the possibilities of what if …"
"Well, I'm not ready to consider that. There is a solution. There must be," Heero said, turning his gaze back to the computer screen. "Every battle can be won, with the right strategy."
"Have you ever considered that this isn't a battle, Yuy?" Wufei said in response. "This isn't about war. This is about two people, that's all." Heero deflated visibly, and avoided Wufei's eyes.
"I … don't want to see him hurt," he admitted softly.
"That's good, Yuy," Wufei said after a short pause. "None of us do. Just don't push yourself too hard in here." With that Wufei got to his feet, turning to leave the room once more.
"Aa … Wufei?" Heero called softly after him. Wufei paused, giving a slight glance over his shoulder as he paused near the doorway.
"Yes, Yuy?"
"Thank you … for the food."
Wufei's lips quirked into a small smirk, and with a nod of acknowledgement he turned into the hall.
* * *
Heero finally came out of the room, some time after the rest of them had already eaten dinner. His face was pale and his eyes red, probably from staring at a computer screen for so long. In one hand he carried the bane to their current predicament, and he quietly set the disk on the small table next to the couch. Wufei didn't bother to glance up at him, but the others did.
"Are you taking a break, Heero?" Quatre asked. Heero nodded, and Quatre smiled. "Good. It wouldn't do for you to tire yourself out. Do you feel like eating?"
"I'm fine," Heero shook his head.
"You're sure?"
"I dunno, Heero, when's the last time you ate? I'm always hungry at night," Duo said, his tone jesting enough. However, Heero knew that the action was being forced. He turned his eyes on the speaker, and Duo looked back seriously. For a moment neither spoke, and slowly Duo rose from his seat.
"Um, listen …"
"Duo …"
They both fell silent, embarrassed at having spoken at the same time. Duo reached up to push his bangs out of his face, and Heero reached for the end of his braid. For a second both were silent, and then both of their mouths opened at once as they once again spoke in unison.
"Can I talk to you?"
Continued