Disclaimers: Don't own ANYTHING, just borrowing.
Warnings: Shounen Ai/Yaoi 2+1, 3+4; 5+S, OOC, Lots of fluff and sap, romance, mild language, Duo's POV.
Notes: I don't know, it seemed like a good idea at the time getting a mission to care for Quatre's niece and Duo and Heero finding each other along the way. It sounded fun to me. Excuse errorz. Enjoy!
Arigato minna-san! I can't tell you how much I appriciate the reviews that I received, they're catching up with my passed story 'Haunted'. I suppose I should start a reviewer's thanks at the bottom. Really, I can't thank you enough.
~!~!~!~!~
Fist Kiss Delayed
Part 5: Saturday
~!~!~!~!~
I woke up before Heero again Saturday morning. I don't know why he's so tired lately. Maybe it's a good thing that he's sleeping longer hours. After the war and everything, I'm surprised he doesn't have gray hairs. Oh that would be awful. Heero with gray hairs......ew, I don't even want to think of it! I like his chocolate locks are they are!
I watched Heero sleep, he gave off more heat than he usually did this morning. Either that, or it's just me. I think today was going to be alot better than last night. It was still early, but I couldn't resist, I blew on his face.
Heero stirred in his sleep slightly, "nnn..."
I blew on his face again.
Prussian eyes slowly opened, "Duo...?"
I smiled at him, "Ohayo Hee-chan, feelin' better?"
Heero frowned.
"Nani?" I asked, why was he frowning at me?
He blew on my face.
"Heero!" I laughed.
Heero gave me a half smile, "I think feel a lot better."
"Good, now we have to figure out what we're going to do today with Rachael."
Suddenly we heard knocking on the door, "We could go to the arcade!"
Heero and I looked at each other. "Where the hell did she come from???" I asked.
"Can I brush my teeth now, Uncle Duo?"
"Sure." Rachael walked in and to the bathroom, "Oh yeah, before I forget...Ohayo gojaimas!" she said to both of us.
"Ohayo." we replied together. Why does she keep popping up like that? I mean, Heero and I will start talking or something and she'll just...BE there. Ya know? It's kinda freaky, like she's spying on us. Weird.
"What do you think about the arcade?" I asked Heero.
"I've never been to an arcade..."
"Great! We'll go after lunch." I said, "Rachael, do you know what time it is?"
"6:50 Saturday morning."
Gurgle.
"Nani???" Heero and I said in unison.
"6:50 Saturday morning."
Gurgle.
"What are you doing up this early???"
"Saturday morning cartoons of course, what else?" Rachael answered.
"I don't know about you Hee-chan, but I'm goin' back to sleep." I said pulling the cover over our heads.
"Hai." Heero yawned.
"Oi, Rach, wake us up at 10 alright?"
"Okay!"
"Arigato." I thanked as I heard Rachael leave and close the door. I looked at Heero' whose eyes were already closed, asleep within a few seconds. I'm surprise that he slumber comes more easily and he stays asleep through things now. I remember when the slightest noise alerted all of Heero's senses completely. But now...he sleeps like a baby! I suppose that's a good thing. I shut my eyes and followed his actions.
He's so cute.
~!~!~!~!~
"Uncle Duo! Uncle Heero!" Rachael said bouncing on our bed, "Time to get up!"
Heero wrapped himself around me. I smiled to myself.
"Wake up!" Rachael jumped on the bed as hard as she could. Heero snuggled even closer pressing the side of his cheek against my bare chest. Uh-oh, that wasn't good, I crossed me legs. It wasn't like I didn't want him to latch on to me, I did hold him once he did attach himself to me. But the temptation.........
"Uncle Duo, get up!"
"Five more minutes, five more minutes." I mumbled. Heero was so close, I could feel his lips curve into a satisfied smirk against my chest. What could he be thinking to make him smirk like that?
"But it's 10:30!"
"So???" Heero kicked me...do I say softly? Well, softy on his judgement, but on a normal non-super human, I'd say enough to bruise...Okay, it wasn't that hard, more like a foot nudge, "Itai!" he leaned in as close as he could.
"Heero..." I said through clinched teeth.
Rachael pulled off our covers. "Here I am *STARVING*, and there you are hogging the cook!"
I frowned, "Why are you always blaming me for everything???"
Wait a sec...she was okay with Heero and me like...this?
Heero kicked me again, "Itai! Heero!" I earned another kick, "Okayokayokay, OKAY. I'm up."
Rachael pounced me as soon as I rose from the bed, "Yay! Are we going to the arcade?"
"We'll talk about it later, go hop on Uncle Heero, I need to shower."
Uncle Heero...that name of respect still cracks me up.
Rachael pounced on Heero's abdomen.
"Rachael...!"
"Uncle Duo told me too!" Rachael hugged Heero, "Ohayo gojaimas...again!"
Heero yawned.
"Looks like Heero is still tired," I said, "I think we should let him sleep alittle longer."
"Okay, but what about breakfast?"
"I'm sure we have cereal, you figure it out. Now go watch your cartoons or somethin'." Rachael bounced out of the room, "Go to sleep, shout if you need me." I said to Heero as I walked to the bathroom with clothes this time. Heero laid his head on the pillow and feel asleep. Geez, he must have been really tired, but...why?
I just finished brushing my teeth when Heero knocked on the door, "Nani?"
"Duo, can I come in?"
"Yeah." I said as Heero walked in sweating, "What's the matter?" I put my toothbrush away.
"I...I had a nightmare."
"Just now?" Heero nodded and I gathered Heero in my arms. How could he have a nightmare just now? I wasn't even in the shower for that long. Twenty minutes is not enough time to have a nightmare.
I pressed my forehead against his, damn! He was burning up!
"Heero are you alright?" I asked him. Heero shrugged and I put the back of my palm on his head, "Hee-chan, hate to break it to ya, but I think you have a fever."
"Nani???" Heero looked up at me in surprise, "Fever...? Netsu ga arimasu???" [1]
I nodded, "I'm going to call Sally, just go lay down okay?" I said taking Heero back to the bed. I put him down and went for the vidphone in the living room.
"Hi Uncle Duo." Rachael greeted munching on the cereal she had found, "What cha doin'?"
I quickly dialed Sally's number by memory, "Calling someone."
BeepBeep
"Why?"
"Um, I think Uncle Heero's ill."
BeepBeep
"Ill?"
"Yeah."
Busy signal
BUSY SIGNAL!?!
"Fuck! Dammit Sally pick up!" I shouted then slapped myself, I looked at Rachael, "Don't EVER repeat that."
"Okay."
I quickly redialed the doctor's house number. She should be home, she usually didn't go to work until noon on Saturdays.
BeepBeep
"Moshi moshi?" said someone on the other line. I know that voice, and it wasn't Sally.
"Wufei!"
Wufei looked at the screen, "Maxwell? What do you want?"
"Where's Sally?"
Wufei looked around, "She was just here a second ago...Onna!" the Chinese boy turned his attention back at the screen, "Oi, Maxwell, did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"The day Relena came into town and went to bed, it collapsed while she was sleeping. The next day she was all pissed off whining about little girls and you."
"Her bed collapsed?" I asked rather surprised. Why would her bed collaps--Oh yeah! Hee-chan and I were jumping all over it, I remember now. And I thought that the bed was five-star material...
"Sure did." Wufei paused, "ONNA!"
"Stop calling me that!" a female shouted. Sally came over to Wufei and hit him upside the head in a playful manner of course...I hope, "I'm here, what?"
"Phone." Wufei left the screen.
"Moshi moshi?"
"Sally, I think Heero's comin' down with something." I said.
Sally cocked an eyebrow.
"Yuy's sick?!" Wufei nearly screeched in the background.
"Wufei shut up. You're kidding right?"
I shook my head, "No, I told him to lay down."
"Symptoms?"
"Feverish--"
I was cut off by Heero, "Duo..."
I turned to see him hunched over holding his stomach, "What's wrong?"
Heero stumbled over to me, "Duo, i ga itamimasu..." Have you noticed he speaks more Japanese when he's on an off-day? Especially when he's angry or annoyed.
"I take it he just lost last night's dinner?" Sally asked.
Heero nodded. He was a mess; sweaty, hair almost plastered to his forehead, and pale. Poor Hee-chan.
"Stomach pains?"
Heero nodded again.
"No signs that it was comin' up, huh?" Sally looked at Heero, "If you asked me, I'd say it's a stomach virus."
"Stomach virus???" Heero and I asked.
"Yep, several other employees over at Preventers have come down with it not to long ago, it's possibly that you may have contracted it." Sally's face turned serious, "Heero should stay in bed and get plenty of rest. Try not to eat any solid food, that only makes it worse, but keep him hydrated. Nothing acidic or daitary goes in. Fever should break within the next couple of hours, but that doesn't prevent the stomach pains or future regeritation. You can try Advil or Tylonel, but I doubt it would do any good." she said quickly.
"How long?" Heero asked.
"Don't worry, it's only a 24-hour thing. You should be fine tomorrow morning." Sally took a breath, "But, it's highly contagious. Keep the kid away and everything will be okay. That's about it."
"Arigato." I thanked.
"No problem, I'll call you later. Bye!"
"Ja ne."
Click
I turned to Heero, "I think you should get back in the room, don't want Rachael to catch it. Do you need any aspirin?"
Heero shook his head, should of known that he would never take over-the-counter medication. I helped Heero to the bed and brought him an ice pack, "I'm going to leave the door open alittle so if you need me, just call."
"Duo, I can't get sick, I'm on a mission."
"Well, you are, so not much you can do. I'll be back to check on you soon."
Heero only nodded.
I can't believe he got sick.
~!~!~!~!~
"Will Uncle Heero be okay?" Rachael asked as I sat next to her on the couch.
"Yeah, he'll be fine tomorrow." I replied.
"So I guess we can't go to the arcade?"
"Not today at least. Maybe when he's feeling better." I looked up as a Gundam flew across the screen, "What are you watching, little girl?"
"The Gundam battles from the war."
"...might I ask why?"
"I think they're cool, and watching them is really interesting."
"Okay."
"That one is one of my favorites." Rachael said pointing to a black mobile suit featured on the screen.
I looked at the screen and saw Deathscythe Hell slice through mobile dolls. It was weird watching myself do that. Apart of me missed the action and thrill, but the other hated it for the destruction and killing.
I watched the battle until it was over ten minutes later, I won.
"Sugoi! That was really cool!"
"...yeah." I picked up Rachael's empty bowl of cereal and brought it to the sink then put it in the dishwasher. I tidied up the house alittle adjusting the small things here and there. I'm not as bad of a clean freak as Heero, but I'm not the one to live in a pig sty. While I was at it, might as well take a look at Rachael's sink, but before that I decided to check on the ill-struck Heero.
I entered the bedroom and heard the toliet flush. I walked over to the bathroom and entered only to see Heero on the ground leaning against the bathtub.
"This...sucks." Heero spat.
I laughed, it was funny for Heero to say that, "You're okay though, right?" I asked helping Heero to his feet.
Heero nodded, "Duo, I don't want to get you sick..."
"I don't want to get sick either, but I don't want to leave you here on the floor." Heero walked to the sink and rinsed his mouth out. "Are you hungry?" I asked.
Heero shook his head, "No, not really."
"Well you will be later," I took Heero to the bed, "You know what your niece is doin'?"
"Nani?"
"Watching old Gundam battles."
Heero frowned, "Why is she filling her head with that junk?"
"I don't know." I pressed my hand against his head, it was still hot, "I'm going to fix that sink." I stood up to leave, but Heero stopped me.
"Duo?"
"Aa?"
"Can I have my teddy bear?"
"Sure," I smiled and looked around, his bear was on the floor. I picked it up and handed the animal to him, "since Shinigami cannot contract illness, I guess I can allow it."
"Arigato..." Heero closed his eyes as I left.
He's so cute.
~!~!~!~!~
"What cha doin', Uncle Duo?" Rachael asked alittle over an hour after I started my task.
"Fixin' your sink." I said from under the counter, "And it's very stubborn."
"How can a sink be stubborn?"
"I was only joking." I tighten the pipe, "Test the sink will ya?"
Rachael reached up and turned the handle.
"Ah! Turnitoffturnitoff!" I jumped as a deluge of water came down on me, "K'so! That's cold!" Rachael turned the water off and I raised from my position which I regret because I hit my head on the disconnected pipe, "Itai..."
"Uncle Duo, are you okay?" Rachael asked peeking under the counter. I pulled myself out glaring, I was soaked. Rachael giggled. I turned to her, "Do I look okay to you?"
Rachael laughed louder, "I turned the water on like you said."
"When I said test it, I didn't mean to turn the handle all the way..."
"Gomen nasai." Rachael began to leave the bathroom.
"Where do you think you're going?" I embraced Rachael getting her wet, "I can't hog all of the water."
Rachael squealed as I made sure she got wet too, "Uncle Duo!"
I released Rachael and smiled, "Go change."
Rachael nodded and left for her room, I headed for the the master bedroom to despose my wet clothes and look in on Heero.
~!~!~!~!~
I went into the master bathroom and stipped down to boxers, I think I did that earlier this morning too. Oh well. I changed quickly and walked over next to Heero. His eyes were closed and he was holding the bear I gave him. I gently stroked his hair away from his closed orbs and gazed down at him.
Heero opened his eyes, "Duo...?"
"Hai, how are you feeling?"
"...like shit."
I chuckled, "I'm sorry. I thought you would feel better after a while."
Heero shifted his position, "I threw up over six times in the last two hours...I'd say in this case, time is my enemy."
"Poor, poor Hee-chan." I said softly as I caressed his cheek.
"Why were you all wet?" Heero asked.
I snorted, "I was under the counter and told Rachael to test the water...well, I found the water problem alright. The pipe is probably disconnected somewhere, I'll get back to it later."
Heero smirked.
"I think you should try eating something."
Heero shook his head, "No."
"Why not?"
"I'll just throw it up." Heero pouted, "What are you and Rachael going to eat?"
"We'll order something. Don't worry about us."
"Duo?"
"Hm?"
"I'm sorry that I'm ill."
"You're sorry? Why?"
"Because we can't do anything today because of me..." Heero looked away.
"So? You can't help getting sick. It's not your fault." I turned Heero's head so I could see his eyes, "You shouldn't feel like that." Heero's eyes watered slightly and frowned. "Don't look at me like that..." I said quietly.
"Demo--" I cut Heero short.
"Don't think about it. Go back to sleep, you're always cranky when you're tired." I said jokingly. Heero's eyes lighten up.
Then he ran to the bathroom.
I heard gagging noises as Heero lost more of whatever was in his stomach. I walked over to a cabinet, inside was a convinently folded towel which I ran through the water making it damp.
Heero staggered away from the toliet, I held the towel out as he gladly accepted it and wiped his face, "I hate this..." he spat making his way to the bed, "Sally never said it would hurt..."
"A certain boy didn't ask if there was pain involved."
Heero glared at me, "I thought she covered everything when she explained what to do...how was I suppose to know? I've never been sick before."
That's right, Heero *HASN'T* ever been sick. I took his towel over to the counter and washed my hands.
"Are you sure you don't want any medicine?" I asked, "Rachael and I could run out and get you something."
Heero shook his head again.
Damn, there goes the idea of Heero consuming pink Peptobismol.
"Okay then. Off to see to that damn sink. I'll be back later, and you're going to eat something." Heero made a face, "Don't give me that, Hee-chan. You're in no condition to refuse my help this time."
"Hn."
I smiled and left Heero alone.
~!~!~!~!~
I moved from under the sink, "How 'bout now?"
Rachael turned the handle. Clear water flowed freely through the silver faucet.
In the words of Heero, ninmu kanryou.
"Yay Uncle Duo, it works! Arigato!"
"You're welcome. Are you hungry?"
"Hai, I only had a bowl of Cocoa Puffs this morning, and they don't fill me up like they used to."
"Oh yeah? I know what you mean. Well, our cook is temporarily out of order, so what should we eat?"
"Pizza!"
"Sounds good." I washed my hands again and called for pizza. Does this kid have good taste or what?
~!~!~!~!~
Rachael and I were lounging on the couch eating pizza and watching more Gundam battles. I had to watch my mouth, I didn't want to yell one of the pilots' names out right in front of her. After the war, we decided to keep our identities a secret unless necessary and if I shouted 'Quatre' at the TV, I'm sure this little girl would figure who the pilots were. That would be so uncool, having your retired cover blown by a seven year old. We just finished a battle between Heero and Zechs Merquise when I stood up.
"Where are you going?"
"I have to bring Uncle Heero something to eat." I walked over the kitchenette and opened the pantry door, assuming that it was the pantry door, which it was.
"Can I help Uncle Duo?" asked the little Gundam fanatic.
"Hm, do you have any experience in the big bad kitchen?"
Rachael smiled up widely, "Well, I've helped the chefs at home prepare dinner countless times."
"Good enough." I scanned the many canned, boxed, bagged, and bottled foods, "What should we attempt to make him?"
Rachael bounced next to me, "What about that?" she pointed to a can of chicken soup.
"I think that would be an excellent choice." I picked the can up and read the instructions, "Blah, blah, blah, add a can of water, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, wait until it boils, blah, blah, stir before serving." I raised my eyebrows, "Sounds easy enough, Rach, hand me that-that-that *thing*."
"Pan?"
"Whatever."
Rachael handed me the rounded *pan* as we began to whip up some instant chicken soup.
Fun.
~!~!~!~!~
"Dammit!" I cursed running my hand under chilled water, "That's hot!"
"You aren't suppose to touch it!"
"But on TV you see all of those fancy chefs taste their food!" I retorted.
"Aa, except you aren't a fancy chef on TV." Rachael laughed, "I can't wait until Uncle Heero cooks for us again. No offense, but you're awful!"
"Thank you VERY much, and I TOTALLY agree with you." I replied sucking on my fingers.
"I think it's ready." Rachael announced retrieving a tray, bowl, spoon, and napkin. Dude, this kid thinks of everything. She carefully poured the soup into the bowl and placed it on the tray, "There!"
"Good job." I looked around the kitchen. It was a mess, if Heero could only see how much we needed him out here. Actually, I'm glad he didn't, otherwise he would have a fit! All this mess just to *HEAT* up *ONE* can of *INSTANT* chicken soup.
I'm tellin' ya, it's terrible.
"What do we do with all of this stuff now?" Rachael asked and turned off the stove.
"I'll clean it up later, you're free to go. Thanks for helping me, I don't know what I would have done without you." I said picking up the tray.
"You're welcome, it was fun." Rachael looked up at me with wide eyes as I retreated to the bedroom, "Can I come too?"
I turned around, should I let her and risk her health? Hell no. But then, I didn't want her to be upset...
"You can watch from the door." I replied. Rachael ran beside me, "Okay!"
~!~!~!~!~
"Hee-chan..." I called, I watched as Heero's eyes ever so slowly fluttered open, "Heero..." I called again.
"Duo?"
"Hai, I'm glad you can recognize me even when you're ill."
"Hn." he grunted while I placed the tray over his lap, "What's this?"
"Food!" Rachael said from the door. Heero turned to her, she was smiling and waving, "Hi Uncle Heero! We made you some chicken soup. It took up 30 minutes to heat up, and Uncle Duo burned from it too!"
Heero cocked an eyebrow at me, "You burnt yourself heating up instant chicken soup?" he asked.
I grinned sheepishly, "Yeah, well you know what they say, anything's possible. Now eat your soup before it gets cold." I took the spoon in my hand and held it out in front of his closed mouth.
Heero glared at the soup.
"What's the matter Uncle Heero? Did we do something wrong?" Rachael asked all puppy-eyed. Aw, how could he resist that?
Heero shook his head and looked back up at me, "I can feed myself..."
"C'mon Hee-chan." I nudged and brought the spoon closer to his unwillingly mouth.
"Open up Uncle Heero!" Rachael urged from the door.
I grinned, "Yeah, open up Heero."
"Omae o koro--mph!"
While Heero had protested, I took the chance and stuck the spoon in his mouth. Once I heard him swallow the liquidy substance, I withdrew the metal silverware.
"Duo...!"
Rachael giggled, "If you move alot Uncle Heero, unlike cotton candy, the soup will spill from the spoon!" she informed.
I dipped the utensil into the warm liquid again and held it up to Heero's lips, he glared at me.
"Uncle Heero, won't you please eat it?" Rachael pleaded throwing an even more irresistable face in his direction. "Auntie Sally says to keep you hydrated, and Uncle Duo is only trying to help. He even suffered a second degree burn!"
Heero looked up at me, "Did you really?"
"It didn't hurt." I replied.
"But Uncle Duo! You cursed really loud, it must have!" Rachael said.
"Okay, maybe alittle." What was with this kid? Was she trying to get Heero to let me feed him???
Then to my surprise, the spoonful of soup was taken into Heero's mouth--on his own! Whatever psychology Rachael had used, it worked. Damn, she's good. This pocket-picking-psychology-using-smart-talking kid was something I couldn't explain.
"Well, what do you think???" Rachael asked anxiously.
"I think he needs another taste." I held the spoon up again, he glared for a second then accepted it.
"Do you like it?" Rachael questioned.
"It's good...for thirty minute preparation instant soup." Heero replied, I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not, then again I guess it really didn't really matter.
"Honto ni?" Rachael asked taking a step closer. Well, he wasn't a real picky eater in the first place.
"Hai..."
"Sugoi!" beaming, she shouted and jumped into the room. I swear, if she was Dumbo, her ears would be flapping, and she would have flown away.
"Rachael, get back by the door." I said in a warning tone leaving no trace of kidding in my voice. She stepped back by the rectangular frame. What? I didn't want her to catch the virus.
"What's your score on regergitation?" I asked feeding him more of the chicken broth.
"...I lost count."
"Doesn't your throat hurt?" Rachael held her neck.
"Yes."
"Itai..." she said.
I held the spoon to Heero's lips and he opened them willingly, I inserted the soup and his mouth closed in on it taking the substance in. This was fun. I repeated my earlier action of feeding Heero. After about two minutes of that, Heero no longer waited for the spoon to come, he opened his mouth and went for the spoon itself. I glanced over to Rachael who still stood in the door way. Was it just me, or did she have the most conent look upon the seven year old's face?
Rachael and I stayed until the last of the soup was swallowed.
"Arigato." Heero thanked politely.
"Get well."
I took Rachael and dismissed her. I think she went to play with her toys or something. Then I delivered the dishes to the kitchen and began cleaning up.
~!~!~!~!~
After I finished up there in the kitchen, I ended up taking a nap on the couch, hey, I was going to have to get use to it anyway. Unfortunately, I wasn't going to sleep with Heero tonight.
BeepBeep
I slowly opened my eyes.
BeepBeep
Stupid vidphone. I stumbled over my feet and picked it up.
"Moshi moshi?"
"Duo? How's Heero?"
It was Sally, "What time is it?"
"You have a watch, use it." I glanced down, it was 5:47.
"Shimatta! I fell asleep and it's been two hours since I last saw him, damn...hold on." I ran to the kitchen and filled up a glass of water for Heero, he hadn't really had anything to drink today besides soup.
I took the glass and walked over to the bed where Heero was, "Heero?" Heero who was awake looked at me, "Hey, I brought you something to drink..." I handed Heero the glass. He drank the whole thing in like...two gulps. "Gomen, I would have gotten you something to drink earlier, but stupid me, I fell asleep."
Heero handed me the empty glass, "That's okay, I don't like being waited on hand and foot anyways."
"Whatever, still thirsty?" Heero nodded, I filled the cup up with more water from the bathroom sink. Ya know, today I noticed that I used alot of sinks. Just a random thought. Anyway, I gave it to Heero. "How long have you been awake?"
"Since the vidphone went off." Heero said, "Who was it?"
"Sally, she wants to know how you're doing." I felt Heero's head, it was normal, "Fever broke. How are you feeling?"
"Better."
"Good. Very, very, VERY good. Thrown up lately?" I know, the question sounds more than a little weird, but I needed to know.
"Just a couple."
"That's even better. I'll be right back." I ran outside to the vidphone.
"How is he?" Sally asked.
"Fever broke, and he says he's alittle better."
"That's great. He should be back on his feet in no time! Still, no dairy or acid even after he's well. It could provoke whatever germs are left in his system. At the least, wait until Monday."
I nodded, "Gotcha."
CRASH!
"Duo.........!"
"Hold on." I ran over back to Heero.
"Matteo, watch where you step...!" Heero cried from the floor. What was he doing down there???
Suddenly, something sharp poked me, "Itai!" I stepped back and pulled a piece of glass off the bottom of my foot. It didn't break the skin so I was okay...sure, but that doesn't mean that it didn't hurt. "Ow! Crap! Dammit!"
"Gomen nasai Duo, I didn't meant to, I was trying to put it on the night stand, but my hand slipped and it fell and broke...!" Heero panicked quickly explaining why there was broken glass all over the carpeted floor. He was on his knees picking up some of the pieces. I made my way over to him without stepping on any glass.
"Heero, shh, it's okay, don't worry, I'll clean it up in a second." I took the glass from his hands, "Heero, you're going to cut yourself. Get back in bed."
Heero climbed back into bed. I saw Shinigami on the floor again, "..."
I picked up the bear and gave it to Heero, "Don't step on this side okay?" Heero nodded. I went to the kitchen to throw away the glass.
"Sorry Sally."
"That's alright, judging from the sound of things just a minute ago, Heero's not very focused."
"No, he's not..."
"Well, just remember what I told you. I'll let you go now."
"Ja ne."
Click
I looked around, "Rachael, have you seen a random vacuum cleaner anywhere?"
"I saw one in the closet next to your room." Rachael answered from wherever she was.
"Arigato." I pulled out the vacuum then brought it to the master bedroom and plugged it in, "Heero, I'm gonna vacuum now." I turned it on and sucked up all the remaining glass particles.
~!~!~!~!~
I put the vacuum away and went to find Rachael. I looked in her room, she was laying back up on the floor kicking her legs up and down. The girl was fiddling with plastic pieces, glues, and stickers. A box was propped up which her attention was directed at as well as the plastic parts. "Hey Rach." I greeted casually.
She looked up and smiled, "Hi Uncle Duo!"
"What are you doin' there?"
"Putting together Wing ZERO." I looked at the model case infront of her, she was doing a good job, "These are so fun. I have Sandrock, Heavy Arms, and Shenlong, all costume, at home. I was so upset that they never had Wing or Deathscythe in though, but now I do, and I need to complete them."
"Why do you like models? How come you don't like Barbie dolls?"
"Stereo-type reasons."
"What type of reasons?" I asked.
"Well, I conducted a ratio with a Barbie doll and the average female body. I figured that if real women had the bodies of the Barbie dolls, then they would fall over from the weight beared on their chest, in other words breast. Not to forget that their legs are way too big for their feet."
I cocked an eyebrow, "But aren't you suppose to play like...'house' or something with them and not worry about the proportions of the doll?"
"Again, stereo-type reasons."
"You're a strange girl."
Rachael shrugged, "I like Wing and Deathscythe."
"So I've heard."
"Don't you like Gundams?" Rachael asked, "Wing and Deathscythe are my favorite."
I smirked, "Yeah, they're okay, Deathscythe and Wing are my fav too."
"Uncle Duo, can I ask you something?"
"I don't see why not, it's not like there's anything stopping you."
Rachael, I'm assuming, collected her thoughts before she asked her question. "How did you and Uncle Heero meet?"
Woah, that was random.
"Why?" I asked.
"I was just wondering. I mean, I noticed that you two have those little inside jokes with each other. You must have known him for a while, and I thought I'd ask where from."
"Oh, I haven't known him that long." I replied, she asked me how long I had known Heero, "Hm...it's only been about two years I think." I concluded.
"Two years? Wow, you act like you've known each other for much longer."
"Really?"
She nodded, "And you seem much closer than friends. Where did you meet? Two years wasn't that long ago, I'm sure you must remember."
Of course I remember, how could I forget? "Let's see...well there was a beach, sub, torpedoes, a princess, and ourselves."
"Torpedoes and a princess? That's an odd combination isn't it? Unless the princess was the Princess of War."
Princess of War? That was the total opposite of what Miss Relena represented.
"Well, that's where I met Relena too." Rachael nodded and I continued, "I don't know what was going on between them before I arrived, but it didn't look good. He had her um...gun pointed." I hesistated, should I tell her? I know there's nothing wrong, but what if I reveal our hidden identities? I guess I just won't tell her *everything*.
"Gun pointed?"
"Yeah, Heero's was kinda...'violent' back then," Was that the right word? Oh well, it's said and done. "I suppose he was angry with Miss Relena. Hm, to me, it looked like your Uncle Heero was going to shoot her, but before he did anything, I had to stop him. Of course, if you can prevent something like that, you would right?"
"Yes."
"Okay, so it's not like I knew what was happening, but it didn't look good. I stopped Heero from doing whatever he was going to do and 'saved' Relena...in a way. I don't think she looks at it that way. Don't ask me why." I paused, she was still looking expectantly at me, "What?"
"Is that it?"
"...Pretty much."
"And you became friends from *that*?"
"That was only the first encounter. There's alot more, but let's not go into that detail."
She left it at that and continued with her Gundam-building.
"Why don't you put that aside for now so we can order something to eat?" I suggested.
"Hai!"
~!~!~!~!~
Rachael and I ordered Chinese take out for dinner and ate it infront of a movie, what it was I have no idea. Some kid thing, I wasn't even watching it really, just acting like it. I checked on Heero about twenty minutes or so apart. He seemed to get getting better each time.
When the film was over, I tucked Rachael in bed then crashed on the couch, of course after cleaning up and bringing poor Heero something to drink, this time in a plastic cup.
In the middle of the night I check on Heero almost every two hours. One visit, he thanked me.
"Duo..." he said softly, I had to lean in closer to hear, "Arigato."
"What for Hee-chan?"
"Taking care of me..."
I smirked at him, "Any time."
He was silent for a moment like he usually was, then he said something that I'll never forget. And if I should be struck on the head with the largest rock and encounter amnesia, I'll force myself to remember his words. They are permanently etched into my heart.
"Duo, I'm just glad you were the one who took care of me when I fell ill, I trust no one more, only you......"
It was something I had never imagined him could ever emerge from his kissable lips. For the first time I, Duo Maxwell, was caught speechless. Really, what could I say? I'll tell you, I couldn't say anything.
Heero must have found amusment in my unexpected silence. He smiled up gently, "Oyasumi, Duo."
"Oyasumi, Hee-chan." was the only thing I could push out of my mouth. I slipped out of the room and back to the couch.
I love him.
I love him oh so much, sometimes it hurts.
All in all, I'd say that Saturday was tiring, maybe because I was restless and wanted Heero to get well soon so we could do something. But, as I thought over the day on the couch, it was a different experience to take care of Heero like that. I liked taking care of Heero--don't get me wrong, I don't want Heero to become a sickling or anything, I just thought it was interesting how even Heero the once Perfect Soldier could fall and need help too.
Before the sleep claimed over my mind, I could only think of one thing:
I fed Heero Yuy!
And even in sickness...
He's so cute.
~!~!~!~!~
TBC?
~!~!~!~!~
***Hey! I know that everyone has heard about the NC-17 option being taken off of ff.net. I just wanted to say that Nivella (Twiss_N@starmail.com) has started an online petition against ff.net's decision. It's free and can be easily signed, for those who are interested in signing the petition (which I strongly recommend you at least take a look, but signing is better), the location of the site is:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ff1234/
Many people are disappointed with the decision ff.net has made with the NC-17 fanfictions. This petition could prevent permanent removal. As the fans, we have every right to do what we can to stop whatever displeases us. Who knows, if the NC-17 option is taken off just like that, maybe the yaoi and shonen ai will too.........***
~!~!~!~!~
Anyway! Weren't expecting an ill Heero? Or could you guess from the last part? I hope you enjoyed this chapter, it was originally half the length of the previous ones, but since many of you didn't like the idea of short parts, I fattened this one up! Any questions, please just ask.
[1]- "Netsu ga arimasu???" is like "I've got a fever???"
~!~!~!~!~
Thanks to the reviewers of chapter four:
Mayu Kawaii, Rei, moonbunny317, Sugar Goose, Kelp Soda ::about Rachael's age, like I said before, she's based off of my newly-turned eight year-old cousin. You might not believe it, but she really does act like Rachael. OMS, she used the word 'repugnance' in 2nd grade. Smart she is::, Aurenne, Yume Maxwell-Yuy, Secret Phreak ::Yes, I believe that "oyasumi gozaimasu" and "oyasumi nasai" are interchangable, but I think it does matters who you're implying the good night to. I can elaborate more if you want::, Rain Tenshi, Me! ::Well...I can't say anything about that, but I promise I won't disappoint you!::, Dinara, Hakumei ::I glad that this is better than reading Middle English sonnets and fiction. I also hope other readers see what you do in my story.::, Elle-FaTe2x1, Angelus, LB, and K.
I thank you all! Woah! This is the longest end note I've ever written!
Warnings: Shounen Ai/Yaoi 2+1, 3+4; 5+S, OOC, Lots of fluff and sap, romance, mild language, Duo's POV.
Notes: I don't know, it seemed like a good idea at the time getting a mission to care for Quatre's niece and Duo and Heero finding each other along the way. It sounded fun to me. Excuse errorz. Enjoy!
Arigato minna-san! I can't tell you how much I appriciate the reviews that I received, they're catching up with my passed story 'Haunted'. I suppose I should start a reviewer's thanks at the bottom. Really, I can't thank you enough.
~!~!~!~!~
Fist Kiss Delayed
Part 5: Saturday
~!~!~!~!~
I woke up before Heero again Saturday morning. I don't know why he's so tired lately. Maybe it's a good thing that he's sleeping longer hours. After the war and everything, I'm surprised he doesn't have gray hairs. Oh that would be awful. Heero with gray hairs......ew, I don't even want to think of it! I like his chocolate locks are they are!
I watched Heero sleep, he gave off more heat than he usually did this morning. Either that, or it's just me. I think today was going to be alot better than last night. It was still early, but I couldn't resist, I blew on his face.
Heero stirred in his sleep slightly, "nnn..."
I blew on his face again.
Prussian eyes slowly opened, "Duo...?"
I smiled at him, "Ohayo Hee-chan, feelin' better?"
Heero frowned.
"Nani?" I asked, why was he frowning at me?
He blew on my face.
"Heero!" I laughed.
Heero gave me a half smile, "I think feel a lot better."
"Good, now we have to figure out what we're going to do today with Rachael."
Suddenly we heard knocking on the door, "We could go to the arcade!"
Heero and I looked at each other. "Where the hell did she come from???" I asked.
"Can I brush my teeth now, Uncle Duo?"
"Sure." Rachael walked in and to the bathroom, "Oh yeah, before I forget...Ohayo gojaimas!" she said to both of us.
"Ohayo." we replied together. Why does she keep popping up like that? I mean, Heero and I will start talking or something and she'll just...BE there. Ya know? It's kinda freaky, like she's spying on us. Weird.
"What do you think about the arcade?" I asked Heero.
"I've never been to an arcade..."
"Great! We'll go after lunch." I said, "Rachael, do you know what time it is?"
"6:50 Saturday morning."
Gurgle.
"Nani???" Heero and I said in unison.
"6:50 Saturday morning."
Gurgle.
"What are you doing up this early???"
"Saturday morning cartoons of course, what else?" Rachael answered.
"I don't know about you Hee-chan, but I'm goin' back to sleep." I said pulling the cover over our heads.
"Hai." Heero yawned.
"Oi, Rach, wake us up at 10 alright?"
"Okay!"
"Arigato." I thanked as I heard Rachael leave and close the door. I looked at Heero' whose eyes were already closed, asleep within a few seconds. I'm surprise that he slumber comes more easily and he stays asleep through things now. I remember when the slightest noise alerted all of Heero's senses completely. But now...he sleeps like a baby! I suppose that's a good thing. I shut my eyes and followed his actions.
He's so cute.
~!~!~!~!~
"Uncle Duo! Uncle Heero!" Rachael said bouncing on our bed, "Time to get up!"
Heero wrapped himself around me. I smiled to myself.
"Wake up!" Rachael jumped on the bed as hard as she could. Heero snuggled even closer pressing the side of his cheek against my bare chest. Uh-oh, that wasn't good, I crossed me legs. It wasn't like I didn't want him to latch on to me, I did hold him once he did attach himself to me. But the temptation.........
"Uncle Duo, get up!"
"Five more minutes, five more minutes." I mumbled. Heero was so close, I could feel his lips curve into a satisfied smirk against my chest. What could he be thinking to make him smirk like that?
"But it's 10:30!"
"So???" Heero kicked me...do I say softly? Well, softy on his judgement, but on a normal non-super human, I'd say enough to bruise...Okay, it wasn't that hard, more like a foot nudge, "Itai!" he leaned in as close as he could.
"Heero..." I said through clinched teeth.
Rachael pulled off our covers. "Here I am *STARVING*, and there you are hogging the cook!"
I frowned, "Why are you always blaming me for everything???"
Wait a sec...she was okay with Heero and me like...this?
Heero kicked me again, "Itai! Heero!" I earned another kick, "Okayokayokay, OKAY. I'm up."
Rachael pounced me as soon as I rose from the bed, "Yay! Are we going to the arcade?"
"We'll talk about it later, go hop on Uncle Heero, I need to shower."
Uncle Heero...that name of respect still cracks me up.
Rachael pounced on Heero's abdomen.
"Rachael...!"
"Uncle Duo told me too!" Rachael hugged Heero, "Ohayo gojaimas...again!"
Heero yawned.
"Looks like Heero is still tired," I said, "I think we should let him sleep alittle longer."
"Okay, but what about breakfast?"
"I'm sure we have cereal, you figure it out. Now go watch your cartoons or somethin'." Rachael bounced out of the room, "Go to sleep, shout if you need me." I said to Heero as I walked to the bathroom with clothes this time. Heero laid his head on the pillow and feel asleep. Geez, he must have been really tired, but...why?
I just finished brushing my teeth when Heero knocked on the door, "Nani?"
"Duo, can I come in?"
"Yeah." I said as Heero walked in sweating, "What's the matter?" I put my toothbrush away.
"I...I had a nightmare."
"Just now?" Heero nodded and I gathered Heero in my arms. How could he have a nightmare just now? I wasn't even in the shower for that long. Twenty minutes is not enough time to have a nightmare.
I pressed my forehead against his, damn! He was burning up!
"Heero are you alright?" I asked him. Heero shrugged and I put the back of my palm on his head, "Hee-chan, hate to break it to ya, but I think you have a fever."
"Nani???" Heero looked up at me in surprise, "Fever...? Netsu ga arimasu???" [1]
I nodded, "I'm going to call Sally, just go lay down okay?" I said taking Heero back to the bed. I put him down and went for the vidphone in the living room.
"Hi Uncle Duo." Rachael greeted munching on the cereal she had found, "What cha doin'?"
I quickly dialed Sally's number by memory, "Calling someone."
BeepBeep
"Why?"
"Um, I think Uncle Heero's ill."
BeepBeep
"Ill?"
"Yeah."
Busy signal
BUSY SIGNAL!?!
"Fuck! Dammit Sally pick up!" I shouted then slapped myself, I looked at Rachael, "Don't EVER repeat that."
"Okay."
I quickly redialed the doctor's house number. She should be home, she usually didn't go to work until noon on Saturdays.
BeepBeep
"Moshi moshi?" said someone on the other line. I know that voice, and it wasn't Sally.
"Wufei!"
Wufei looked at the screen, "Maxwell? What do you want?"
"Where's Sally?"
Wufei looked around, "She was just here a second ago...Onna!" the Chinese boy turned his attention back at the screen, "Oi, Maxwell, did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"The day Relena came into town and went to bed, it collapsed while she was sleeping. The next day she was all pissed off whining about little girls and you."
"Her bed collapsed?" I asked rather surprised. Why would her bed collaps--Oh yeah! Hee-chan and I were jumping all over it, I remember now. And I thought that the bed was five-star material...
"Sure did." Wufei paused, "ONNA!"
"Stop calling me that!" a female shouted. Sally came over to Wufei and hit him upside the head in a playful manner of course...I hope, "I'm here, what?"
"Phone." Wufei left the screen.
"Moshi moshi?"
"Sally, I think Heero's comin' down with something." I said.
Sally cocked an eyebrow.
"Yuy's sick?!" Wufei nearly screeched in the background.
"Wufei shut up. You're kidding right?"
I shook my head, "No, I told him to lay down."
"Symptoms?"
"Feverish--"
I was cut off by Heero, "Duo..."
I turned to see him hunched over holding his stomach, "What's wrong?"
Heero stumbled over to me, "Duo, i ga itamimasu..." Have you noticed he speaks more Japanese when he's on an off-day? Especially when he's angry or annoyed.
"I take it he just lost last night's dinner?" Sally asked.
Heero nodded. He was a mess; sweaty, hair almost plastered to his forehead, and pale. Poor Hee-chan.
"Stomach pains?"
Heero nodded again.
"No signs that it was comin' up, huh?" Sally looked at Heero, "If you asked me, I'd say it's a stomach virus."
"Stomach virus???" Heero and I asked.
"Yep, several other employees over at Preventers have come down with it not to long ago, it's possibly that you may have contracted it." Sally's face turned serious, "Heero should stay in bed and get plenty of rest. Try not to eat any solid food, that only makes it worse, but keep him hydrated. Nothing acidic or daitary goes in. Fever should break within the next couple of hours, but that doesn't prevent the stomach pains or future regeritation. You can try Advil or Tylonel, but I doubt it would do any good." she said quickly.
"How long?" Heero asked.
"Don't worry, it's only a 24-hour thing. You should be fine tomorrow morning." Sally took a breath, "But, it's highly contagious. Keep the kid away and everything will be okay. That's about it."
"Arigato." I thanked.
"No problem, I'll call you later. Bye!"
"Ja ne."
Click
I turned to Heero, "I think you should get back in the room, don't want Rachael to catch it. Do you need any aspirin?"
Heero shook his head, should of known that he would never take over-the-counter medication. I helped Heero to the bed and brought him an ice pack, "I'm going to leave the door open alittle so if you need me, just call."
"Duo, I can't get sick, I'm on a mission."
"Well, you are, so not much you can do. I'll be back to check on you soon."
Heero only nodded.
I can't believe he got sick.
~!~!~!~!~
"Will Uncle Heero be okay?" Rachael asked as I sat next to her on the couch.
"Yeah, he'll be fine tomorrow." I replied.
"So I guess we can't go to the arcade?"
"Not today at least. Maybe when he's feeling better." I looked up as a Gundam flew across the screen, "What are you watching, little girl?"
"The Gundam battles from the war."
"...might I ask why?"
"I think they're cool, and watching them is really interesting."
"Okay."
"That one is one of my favorites." Rachael said pointing to a black mobile suit featured on the screen.
I looked at the screen and saw Deathscythe Hell slice through mobile dolls. It was weird watching myself do that. Apart of me missed the action and thrill, but the other hated it for the destruction and killing.
I watched the battle until it was over ten minutes later, I won.
"Sugoi! That was really cool!"
"...yeah." I picked up Rachael's empty bowl of cereal and brought it to the sink then put it in the dishwasher. I tidied up the house alittle adjusting the small things here and there. I'm not as bad of a clean freak as Heero, but I'm not the one to live in a pig sty. While I was at it, might as well take a look at Rachael's sink, but before that I decided to check on the ill-struck Heero.
I entered the bedroom and heard the toliet flush. I walked over to the bathroom and entered only to see Heero on the ground leaning against the bathtub.
"This...sucks." Heero spat.
I laughed, it was funny for Heero to say that, "You're okay though, right?" I asked helping Heero to his feet.
Heero nodded, "Duo, I don't want to get you sick..."
"I don't want to get sick either, but I don't want to leave you here on the floor." Heero walked to the sink and rinsed his mouth out. "Are you hungry?" I asked.
Heero shook his head, "No, not really."
"Well you will be later," I took Heero to the bed, "You know what your niece is doin'?"
"Nani?"
"Watching old Gundam battles."
Heero frowned, "Why is she filling her head with that junk?"
"I don't know." I pressed my hand against his head, it was still hot, "I'm going to fix that sink." I stood up to leave, but Heero stopped me.
"Duo?"
"Aa?"
"Can I have my teddy bear?"
"Sure," I smiled and looked around, his bear was on the floor. I picked it up and handed the animal to him, "since Shinigami cannot contract illness, I guess I can allow it."
"Arigato..." Heero closed his eyes as I left.
He's so cute.
~!~!~!~!~
"What cha doin', Uncle Duo?" Rachael asked alittle over an hour after I started my task.
"Fixin' your sink." I said from under the counter, "And it's very stubborn."
"How can a sink be stubborn?"
"I was only joking." I tighten the pipe, "Test the sink will ya?"
Rachael reached up and turned the handle.
"Ah! Turnitoffturnitoff!" I jumped as a deluge of water came down on me, "K'so! That's cold!" Rachael turned the water off and I raised from my position which I regret because I hit my head on the disconnected pipe, "Itai..."
"Uncle Duo, are you okay?" Rachael asked peeking under the counter. I pulled myself out glaring, I was soaked. Rachael giggled. I turned to her, "Do I look okay to you?"
Rachael laughed louder, "I turned the water on like you said."
"When I said test it, I didn't mean to turn the handle all the way..."
"Gomen nasai." Rachael began to leave the bathroom.
"Where do you think you're going?" I embraced Rachael getting her wet, "I can't hog all of the water."
Rachael squealed as I made sure she got wet too, "Uncle Duo!"
I released Rachael and smiled, "Go change."
Rachael nodded and left for her room, I headed for the the master bedroom to despose my wet clothes and look in on Heero.
~!~!~!~!~
I went into the master bathroom and stipped down to boxers, I think I did that earlier this morning too. Oh well. I changed quickly and walked over next to Heero. His eyes were closed and he was holding the bear I gave him. I gently stroked his hair away from his closed orbs and gazed down at him.
Heero opened his eyes, "Duo...?"
"Hai, how are you feeling?"
"...like shit."
I chuckled, "I'm sorry. I thought you would feel better after a while."
Heero shifted his position, "I threw up over six times in the last two hours...I'd say in this case, time is my enemy."
"Poor, poor Hee-chan." I said softly as I caressed his cheek.
"Why were you all wet?" Heero asked.
I snorted, "I was under the counter and told Rachael to test the water...well, I found the water problem alright. The pipe is probably disconnected somewhere, I'll get back to it later."
Heero smirked.
"I think you should try eating something."
Heero shook his head, "No."
"Why not?"
"I'll just throw it up." Heero pouted, "What are you and Rachael going to eat?"
"We'll order something. Don't worry about us."
"Duo?"
"Hm?"
"I'm sorry that I'm ill."
"You're sorry? Why?"
"Because we can't do anything today because of me..." Heero looked away.
"So? You can't help getting sick. It's not your fault." I turned Heero's head so I could see his eyes, "You shouldn't feel like that." Heero's eyes watered slightly and frowned. "Don't look at me like that..." I said quietly.
"Demo--" I cut Heero short.
"Don't think about it. Go back to sleep, you're always cranky when you're tired." I said jokingly. Heero's eyes lighten up.
Then he ran to the bathroom.
I heard gagging noises as Heero lost more of whatever was in his stomach. I walked over to a cabinet, inside was a convinently folded towel which I ran through the water making it damp.
Heero staggered away from the toliet, I held the towel out as he gladly accepted it and wiped his face, "I hate this..." he spat making his way to the bed, "Sally never said it would hurt..."
"A certain boy didn't ask if there was pain involved."
Heero glared at me, "I thought she covered everything when she explained what to do...how was I suppose to know? I've never been sick before."
That's right, Heero *HASN'T* ever been sick. I took his towel over to the counter and washed my hands.
"Are you sure you don't want any medicine?" I asked, "Rachael and I could run out and get you something."
Heero shook his head again.
Damn, there goes the idea of Heero consuming pink Peptobismol.
"Okay then. Off to see to that damn sink. I'll be back later, and you're going to eat something." Heero made a face, "Don't give me that, Hee-chan. You're in no condition to refuse my help this time."
"Hn."
I smiled and left Heero alone.
~!~!~!~!~
I moved from under the sink, "How 'bout now?"
Rachael turned the handle. Clear water flowed freely through the silver faucet.
In the words of Heero, ninmu kanryou.
"Yay Uncle Duo, it works! Arigato!"
"You're welcome. Are you hungry?"
"Hai, I only had a bowl of Cocoa Puffs this morning, and they don't fill me up like they used to."
"Oh yeah? I know what you mean. Well, our cook is temporarily out of order, so what should we eat?"
"Pizza!"
"Sounds good." I washed my hands again and called for pizza. Does this kid have good taste or what?
~!~!~!~!~
Rachael and I were lounging on the couch eating pizza and watching more Gundam battles. I had to watch my mouth, I didn't want to yell one of the pilots' names out right in front of her. After the war, we decided to keep our identities a secret unless necessary and if I shouted 'Quatre' at the TV, I'm sure this little girl would figure who the pilots were. That would be so uncool, having your retired cover blown by a seven year old. We just finished a battle between Heero and Zechs Merquise when I stood up.
"Where are you going?"
"I have to bring Uncle Heero something to eat." I walked over the kitchenette and opened the pantry door, assuming that it was the pantry door, which it was.
"Can I help Uncle Duo?" asked the little Gundam fanatic.
"Hm, do you have any experience in the big bad kitchen?"
Rachael smiled up widely, "Well, I've helped the chefs at home prepare dinner countless times."
"Good enough." I scanned the many canned, boxed, bagged, and bottled foods, "What should we attempt to make him?"
Rachael bounced next to me, "What about that?" she pointed to a can of chicken soup.
"I think that would be an excellent choice." I picked the can up and read the instructions, "Blah, blah, blah, add a can of water, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, wait until it boils, blah, blah, stir before serving." I raised my eyebrows, "Sounds easy enough, Rach, hand me that-that-that *thing*."
"Pan?"
"Whatever."
Rachael handed me the rounded *pan* as we began to whip up some instant chicken soup.
Fun.
~!~!~!~!~
"Dammit!" I cursed running my hand under chilled water, "That's hot!"
"You aren't suppose to touch it!"
"But on TV you see all of those fancy chefs taste their food!" I retorted.
"Aa, except you aren't a fancy chef on TV." Rachael laughed, "I can't wait until Uncle Heero cooks for us again. No offense, but you're awful!"
"Thank you VERY much, and I TOTALLY agree with you." I replied sucking on my fingers.
"I think it's ready." Rachael announced retrieving a tray, bowl, spoon, and napkin. Dude, this kid thinks of everything. She carefully poured the soup into the bowl and placed it on the tray, "There!"
"Good job." I looked around the kitchen. It was a mess, if Heero could only see how much we needed him out here. Actually, I'm glad he didn't, otherwise he would have a fit! All this mess just to *HEAT* up *ONE* can of *INSTANT* chicken soup.
I'm tellin' ya, it's terrible.
"What do we do with all of this stuff now?" Rachael asked and turned off the stove.
"I'll clean it up later, you're free to go. Thanks for helping me, I don't know what I would have done without you." I said picking up the tray.
"You're welcome, it was fun." Rachael looked up at me with wide eyes as I retreated to the bedroom, "Can I come too?"
I turned around, should I let her and risk her health? Hell no. But then, I didn't want her to be upset...
"You can watch from the door." I replied. Rachael ran beside me, "Okay!"
~!~!~!~!~
"Hee-chan..." I called, I watched as Heero's eyes ever so slowly fluttered open, "Heero..." I called again.
"Duo?"
"Hai, I'm glad you can recognize me even when you're ill."
"Hn." he grunted while I placed the tray over his lap, "What's this?"
"Food!" Rachael said from the door. Heero turned to her, she was smiling and waving, "Hi Uncle Heero! We made you some chicken soup. It took up 30 minutes to heat up, and Uncle Duo burned from it too!"
Heero cocked an eyebrow at me, "You burnt yourself heating up instant chicken soup?" he asked.
I grinned sheepishly, "Yeah, well you know what they say, anything's possible. Now eat your soup before it gets cold." I took the spoon in my hand and held it out in front of his closed mouth.
Heero glared at the soup.
"What's the matter Uncle Heero? Did we do something wrong?" Rachael asked all puppy-eyed. Aw, how could he resist that?
Heero shook his head and looked back up at me, "I can feed myself..."
"C'mon Hee-chan." I nudged and brought the spoon closer to his unwillingly mouth.
"Open up Uncle Heero!" Rachael urged from the door.
I grinned, "Yeah, open up Heero."
"Omae o koro--mph!"
While Heero had protested, I took the chance and stuck the spoon in his mouth. Once I heard him swallow the liquidy substance, I withdrew the metal silverware.
"Duo...!"
Rachael giggled, "If you move alot Uncle Heero, unlike cotton candy, the soup will spill from the spoon!" she informed.
I dipped the utensil into the warm liquid again and held it up to Heero's lips, he glared at me.
"Uncle Heero, won't you please eat it?" Rachael pleaded throwing an even more irresistable face in his direction. "Auntie Sally says to keep you hydrated, and Uncle Duo is only trying to help. He even suffered a second degree burn!"
Heero looked up at me, "Did you really?"
"It didn't hurt." I replied.
"But Uncle Duo! You cursed really loud, it must have!" Rachael said.
"Okay, maybe alittle." What was with this kid? Was she trying to get Heero to let me feed him???
Then to my surprise, the spoonful of soup was taken into Heero's mouth--on his own! Whatever psychology Rachael had used, it worked. Damn, she's good. This pocket-picking-psychology-using-smart-talking kid was something I couldn't explain.
"Well, what do you think???" Rachael asked anxiously.
"I think he needs another taste." I held the spoon up again, he glared for a second then accepted it.
"Do you like it?" Rachael questioned.
"It's good...for thirty minute preparation instant soup." Heero replied, I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not, then again I guess it really didn't really matter.
"Honto ni?" Rachael asked taking a step closer. Well, he wasn't a real picky eater in the first place.
"Hai..."
"Sugoi!" beaming, she shouted and jumped into the room. I swear, if she was Dumbo, her ears would be flapping, and she would have flown away.
"Rachael, get back by the door." I said in a warning tone leaving no trace of kidding in my voice. She stepped back by the rectangular frame. What? I didn't want her to catch the virus.
"What's your score on regergitation?" I asked feeding him more of the chicken broth.
"...I lost count."
"Doesn't your throat hurt?" Rachael held her neck.
"Yes."
"Itai..." she said.
I held the spoon to Heero's lips and he opened them willingly, I inserted the soup and his mouth closed in on it taking the substance in. This was fun. I repeated my earlier action of feeding Heero. After about two minutes of that, Heero no longer waited for the spoon to come, he opened his mouth and went for the spoon itself. I glanced over to Rachael who still stood in the door way. Was it just me, or did she have the most conent look upon the seven year old's face?
Rachael and I stayed until the last of the soup was swallowed.
"Arigato." Heero thanked politely.
"Get well."
I took Rachael and dismissed her. I think she went to play with her toys or something. Then I delivered the dishes to the kitchen and began cleaning up.
~!~!~!~!~
After I finished up there in the kitchen, I ended up taking a nap on the couch, hey, I was going to have to get use to it anyway. Unfortunately, I wasn't going to sleep with Heero tonight.
BeepBeep
I slowly opened my eyes.
BeepBeep
Stupid vidphone. I stumbled over my feet and picked it up.
"Moshi moshi?"
"Duo? How's Heero?"
It was Sally, "What time is it?"
"You have a watch, use it." I glanced down, it was 5:47.
"Shimatta! I fell asleep and it's been two hours since I last saw him, damn...hold on." I ran to the kitchen and filled up a glass of water for Heero, he hadn't really had anything to drink today besides soup.
I took the glass and walked over to the bed where Heero was, "Heero?" Heero who was awake looked at me, "Hey, I brought you something to drink..." I handed Heero the glass. He drank the whole thing in like...two gulps. "Gomen, I would have gotten you something to drink earlier, but stupid me, I fell asleep."
Heero handed me the empty glass, "That's okay, I don't like being waited on hand and foot anyways."
"Whatever, still thirsty?" Heero nodded, I filled the cup up with more water from the bathroom sink. Ya know, today I noticed that I used alot of sinks. Just a random thought. Anyway, I gave it to Heero. "How long have you been awake?"
"Since the vidphone went off." Heero said, "Who was it?"
"Sally, she wants to know how you're doing." I felt Heero's head, it was normal, "Fever broke. How are you feeling?"
"Better."
"Good. Very, very, VERY good. Thrown up lately?" I know, the question sounds more than a little weird, but I needed to know.
"Just a couple."
"That's even better. I'll be right back." I ran outside to the vidphone.
"How is he?" Sally asked.
"Fever broke, and he says he's alittle better."
"That's great. He should be back on his feet in no time! Still, no dairy or acid even after he's well. It could provoke whatever germs are left in his system. At the least, wait until Monday."
I nodded, "Gotcha."
CRASH!
"Duo.........!"
"Hold on." I ran over back to Heero.
"Matteo, watch where you step...!" Heero cried from the floor. What was he doing down there???
Suddenly, something sharp poked me, "Itai!" I stepped back and pulled a piece of glass off the bottom of my foot. It didn't break the skin so I was okay...sure, but that doesn't mean that it didn't hurt. "Ow! Crap! Dammit!"
"Gomen nasai Duo, I didn't meant to, I was trying to put it on the night stand, but my hand slipped and it fell and broke...!" Heero panicked quickly explaining why there was broken glass all over the carpeted floor. He was on his knees picking up some of the pieces. I made my way over to him without stepping on any glass.
"Heero, shh, it's okay, don't worry, I'll clean it up in a second." I took the glass from his hands, "Heero, you're going to cut yourself. Get back in bed."
Heero climbed back into bed. I saw Shinigami on the floor again, "..."
I picked up the bear and gave it to Heero, "Don't step on this side okay?" Heero nodded. I went to the kitchen to throw away the glass.
"Sorry Sally."
"That's alright, judging from the sound of things just a minute ago, Heero's not very focused."
"No, he's not..."
"Well, just remember what I told you. I'll let you go now."
"Ja ne."
Click
I looked around, "Rachael, have you seen a random vacuum cleaner anywhere?"
"I saw one in the closet next to your room." Rachael answered from wherever she was.
"Arigato." I pulled out the vacuum then brought it to the master bedroom and plugged it in, "Heero, I'm gonna vacuum now." I turned it on and sucked up all the remaining glass particles.
~!~!~!~!~
I put the vacuum away and went to find Rachael. I looked in her room, she was laying back up on the floor kicking her legs up and down. The girl was fiddling with plastic pieces, glues, and stickers. A box was propped up which her attention was directed at as well as the plastic parts. "Hey Rach." I greeted casually.
She looked up and smiled, "Hi Uncle Duo!"
"What are you doin' there?"
"Putting together Wing ZERO." I looked at the model case infront of her, she was doing a good job, "These are so fun. I have Sandrock, Heavy Arms, and Shenlong, all costume, at home. I was so upset that they never had Wing or Deathscythe in though, but now I do, and I need to complete them."
"Why do you like models? How come you don't like Barbie dolls?"
"Stereo-type reasons."
"What type of reasons?" I asked.
"Well, I conducted a ratio with a Barbie doll and the average female body. I figured that if real women had the bodies of the Barbie dolls, then they would fall over from the weight beared on their chest, in other words breast. Not to forget that their legs are way too big for their feet."
I cocked an eyebrow, "But aren't you suppose to play like...'house' or something with them and not worry about the proportions of the doll?"
"Again, stereo-type reasons."
"You're a strange girl."
Rachael shrugged, "I like Wing and Deathscythe."
"So I've heard."
"Don't you like Gundams?" Rachael asked, "Wing and Deathscythe are my favorite."
I smirked, "Yeah, they're okay, Deathscythe and Wing are my fav too."
"Uncle Duo, can I ask you something?"
"I don't see why not, it's not like there's anything stopping you."
Rachael, I'm assuming, collected her thoughts before she asked her question. "How did you and Uncle Heero meet?"
Woah, that was random.
"Why?" I asked.
"I was just wondering. I mean, I noticed that you two have those little inside jokes with each other. You must have known him for a while, and I thought I'd ask where from."
"Oh, I haven't known him that long." I replied, she asked me how long I had known Heero, "Hm...it's only been about two years I think." I concluded.
"Two years? Wow, you act like you've known each other for much longer."
"Really?"
She nodded, "And you seem much closer than friends. Where did you meet? Two years wasn't that long ago, I'm sure you must remember."
Of course I remember, how could I forget? "Let's see...well there was a beach, sub, torpedoes, a princess, and ourselves."
"Torpedoes and a princess? That's an odd combination isn't it? Unless the princess was the Princess of War."
Princess of War? That was the total opposite of what Miss Relena represented.
"Well, that's where I met Relena too." Rachael nodded and I continued, "I don't know what was going on between them before I arrived, but it didn't look good. He had her um...gun pointed." I hesistated, should I tell her? I know there's nothing wrong, but what if I reveal our hidden identities? I guess I just won't tell her *everything*.
"Gun pointed?"
"Yeah, Heero's was kinda...'violent' back then," Was that the right word? Oh well, it's said and done. "I suppose he was angry with Miss Relena. Hm, to me, it looked like your Uncle Heero was going to shoot her, but before he did anything, I had to stop him. Of course, if you can prevent something like that, you would right?"
"Yes."
"Okay, so it's not like I knew what was happening, but it didn't look good. I stopped Heero from doing whatever he was going to do and 'saved' Relena...in a way. I don't think she looks at it that way. Don't ask me why." I paused, she was still looking expectantly at me, "What?"
"Is that it?"
"...Pretty much."
"And you became friends from *that*?"
"That was only the first encounter. There's alot more, but let's not go into that detail."
She left it at that and continued with her Gundam-building.
"Why don't you put that aside for now so we can order something to eat?" I suggested.
"Hai!"
~!~!~!~!~
Rachael and I ordered Chinese take out for dinner and ate it infront of a movie, what it was I have no idea. Some kid thing, I wasn't even watching it really, just acting like it. I checked on Heero about twenty minutes or so apart. He seemed to get getting better each time.
When the film was over, I tucked Rachael in bed then crashed on the couch, of course after cleaning up and bringing poor Heero something to drink, this time in a plastic cup.
In the middle of the night I check on Heero almost every two hours. One visit, he thanked me.
"Duo..." he said softly, I had to lean in closer to hear, "Arigato."
"What for Hee-chan?"
"Taking care of me..."
I smirked at him, "Any time."
He was silent for a moment like he usually was, then he said something that I'll never forget. And if I should be struck on the head with the largest rock and encounter amnesia, I'll force myself to remember his words. They are permanently etched into my heart.
"Duo, I'm just glad you were the one who took care of me when I fell ill, I trust no one more, only you......"
It was something I had never imagined him could ever emerge from his kissable lips. For the first time I, Duo Maxwell, was caught speechless. Really, what could I say? I'll tell you, I couldn't say anything.
Heero must have found amusment in my unexpected silence. He smiled up gently, "Oyasumi, Duo."
"Oyasumi, Hee-chan." was the only thing I could push out of my mouth. I slipped out of the room and back to the couch.
I love him.
I love him oh so much, sometimes it hurts.
All in all, I'd say that Saturday was tiring, maybe because I was restless and wanted Heero to get well soon so we could do something. But, as I thought over the day on the couch, it was a different experience to take care of Heero like that. I liked taking care of Heero--don't get me wrong, I don't want Heero to become a sickling or anything, I just thought it was interesting how even Heero the once Perfect Soldier could fall and need help too.
Before the sleep claimed over my mind, I could only think of one thing:
I fed Heero Yuy!
And even in sickness...
He's so cute.
~!~!~!~!~
TBC?
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***Hey! I know that everyone has heard about the NC-17 option being taken off of ff.net. I just wanted to say that Nivella (Twiss_N@starmail.com) has started an online petition against ff.net's decision. It's free and can be easily signed, for those who are interested in signing the petition (which I strongly recommend you at least take a look, but signing is better), the location of the site is:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ff1234/
Many people are disappointed with the decision ff.net has made with the NC-17 fanfictions. This petition could prevent permanent removal. As the fans, we have every right to do what we can to stop whatever displeases us. Who knows, if the NC-17 option is taken off just like that, maybe the yaoi and shonen ai will too.........***
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Anyway! Weren't expecting an ill Heero? Or could you guess from the last part? I hope you enjoyed this chapter, it was originally half the length of the previous ones, but since many of you didn't like the idea of short parts, I fattened this one up! Any questions, please just ask.
[1]- "Netsu ga arimasu???" is like "I've got a fever???"
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Thanks to the reviewers of chapter four:
Mayu Kawaii, Rei, moonbunny317, Sugar Goose, Kelp Soda ::about Rachael's age, like I said before, she's based off of my newly-turned eight year-old cousin. You might not believe it, but she really does act like Rachael. OMS, she used the word 'repugnance' in 2nd grade. Smart she is::, Aurenne, Yume Maxwell-Yuy, Secret Phreak ::Yes, I believe that "oyasumi gozaimasu" and "oyasumi nasai" are interchangable, but I think it does matters who you're implying the good night to. I can elaborate more if you want::, Rain Tenshi, Me! ::Well...I can't say anything about that, but I promise I won't disappoint you!::, Dinara, Hakumei ::I glad that this is better than reading Middle English sonnets and fiction. I also hope other readers see what you do in my story.::, Elle-FaTe2x1, Angelus, LB, and K.
I thank you all! Woah! This is the longest end note I've ever written!