Duo woke up a couple of hours later, head resting on Heero's taut stomach. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and looked up at the lithe form that laid in front of him.
"Finally decide to wake up, sleepyhead?"
The American perked up at the call and looked right into Heero's eyes. "Musta dozed off a little there…Gomen." The boy got off his patient quickly and began to check his wounds again efficiently.
"You know, I can take care of myself Duo."
"Yes, but God knows what stupid thing you'd decide to do when you give yourself any medical care. I mean, popping your own goddamn knee back in is_not_ the best of ideas."
Heero smiled. Duo actually cared. Duo. Actually. Cared. Those three words sounded very good to him.
"Well, all done. There you go perfect soldier boy." The American patted his companion's shoulder non-chalantly. "The ribs will heal pretty soon, as long as you don't get outta bed or something." He smiled. "But now if you'll excuse me, I have…things to attend to." The delicate smile turned into one of a more predatory glow. And Heero didn't like it one bit.
"Where're you going?"
Duo got up and shrugged. "Oh, no where in particular. Just gonna wander around campus. I think I need some fresh air. Stay here okay?"
"Answer my question properly. And no, I will not stay here. You're still hurt, from Ken's assault. Whether you'll admit it or not, you're still afraid of walking out there alone where you know that there'll be even more sick perverts who would try this kinda crap." Heero tried to bite down a snarl but couldn't really help it. "And I know that right now you're gonna do something stupid. I can see it in your eyes."
The boy was shocked to hear so much from Heero. The second shock came when he realized the depth of those words. He could feel hot tears welling up in his eyes and begin to stream down his face. And he felt upset, depressed, helpless. Strong arms wrapped around him and started to stroke his back slowly to comfort him.
"Why?"
"Because…they hurt you. You mean everything to me, I can't let that happen again. I can't let Shinigami destroy everything I love." Soft whispers fell to his deaf ears as Heero calmy started to lead him back to the bed. "No! I'm not staying! I'm gonna go kick Tasuki's ass RIGHT NOW! That sick bastard doesn't deserve to live!" He wiggled out of the Japanese boy's iron grip and began to run for the door.
Only he was stopped. His body felt like jelly as Heero pulled his arm and body back quickly with one strong tug. Even when he was injured he was strong. Damn him. "No Duo! You are not going anywhere!" Heero could feel his ribs protesting to any physical movement but he didn't care. Duo was what he cared about.
"No! Lemme go lemme go LEMME GO!" Duo's voice was getting desperate and he opened his mouth and bit right into the hand that was holding him. Heero, with his lighting quick reflexes, grabbed Duo with his other hand on Duo's other arm. He held the boy as tightly as he could and slapped him hard, right hand connecting with left cheek.
Both boys started panting, both too shocked from what had just happened. "Gomen Duo…but you were getting hysterical." The dark haired boy shook his right hand away, as if to purge it of the sin it had committed.
"No, it's okay Heero. I think I needed that." He rubbed his cheek a little. "Of course, you never knew how much strength you have. I think it left a mark." Heero walked up to him and stroked the cheek tenderly. "Come on Heero, stop fussing over me. It'll be gone with a little make-up. Trust me."
"No. You're injured. It was my fault. I take responsibility." He cursed the hand print on Duo's face and cursed himself for doing that. "I lost control. The situation could've been handled differently."
"Stop blaming yourself. You can't control what you don't understand."
Nani? What _was_ this boy talking about? Heero couldn't understand what he was doing? "Explain."
"Emotions. You can't control what you don't understand. It's not your fault. Besides, you're right. I shouldn't go out looking for trouble. I lost control there. I let _my_ emotions take control of me."
Heero stared at him blankly. Yes, he understood what Duo was talking about with emotions but what the hell did the boy mean when he said his emotions? Did Duo feel something for him? "Explain."
Duo felt a blush come to his cheeks. He wasn't really ready to admit to Heero anything. But when in a game, everything is uncertain. So he gave up and opened his mouth. And shut it again. He did this a couple more times. He really didn't know how to start. Taking in a deep breath, he closed his eyes. Before him flashed various images. Heero when he first met and shot him, Heero jumping from the facility without opening his parachute, Heero self-destructing…the list went on and on. And all these images pained him because he saw the boy get hurt. And then he remembered when Heero was happy, he was happy. When Heero was sad, he was sad. And he had always felt drawn to the mysterious Japanese Gundam pilot. Then, finally, the words came to him. There was only one way to say it. "I love you."
So there in the silence of the room hung three words that meant the world to both of them. Heero's eyes were wide. He didn't know what to do. He knew what he felt but he just never anticipated the possibility that the feelings were mutual and reciprocated. Damn Dr. J for never teaching him about human emotion.
Carefully averting his gaze, Duo began. "It's okay if you don't feel the same way. I dunno, it's just been since this whole crazy mess began that I actually realized that I like, no LOVE, you. Before that, I just thought it was because I was worried that you would be hurt and we wouldn't be able to win the war and protect the colonies. But I was wrong." Duo looked from his hands to Heero's face. "Say something anything. Even a 'go away' would do, just _say_ something!"
Heero's hands moved of their own accord and pulled Duo closer. The grip was tight, but Duo didn't struggle or complain. Instead, he dropped his eyes. He couldn't look at the Japanese boy right now. Maybe not ever. A cautious hand slowly lifted Duo's head up form his chin to meet Heero's steady gaze.
"Duo, you have to look and listen carefully when I say these words." Duo nodded and braced himself for the worst to come. "I…" Whatever Heero had said came out as a mumble.
"What?" Duo seriously did not hear it. It came up too fast and too low.
Heero groaned. He sighed and resigned himself to his fate. "I said, I love you too."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll go awa…waitta minute! Did you just say you love me too?!" The excitement was clearly in his voice, the joy emanating from his face. He flung himself onto Heero and practically tackled him onto the floor.
"Ow! Duo! Watch it! I'm still injured!"
"Oh, yea. Whoops, gomen." Duo couldn't help but giggle. He was just too happy to hear that.
"Awww~! You two are just sooo kawaii~!" A high pitched female voice was at the door. "Isn't that a little dangerous a position for your koi, Hellen-chan?"
Duo blushed. How was it that this girl always managed to get back to the room right when they were having a moment? "I know. I'm getting up." Duo lifted himself off of Heero and then proceeded to help him back up to his feet. "I'm feeling kinda tired. I think I'll turn in for the day. Hee-chan, you should probably stay here. If you wanna sleep, I won't mind sharing my bed."
"No, that's alright. I think I've had enough rest for a while." Heero turned to Umi. "But I am quite hungry. What time is it?"
"It's around nine at night now. If you're hungry, care to join me for dinner?" She did an over-exaggerated curtsy as an invitation and gestured towards Duo's room door with her hand. "Shall we?"
"Hey! Don't go stealing my boyfriend Umi-chan! He was mine first!" And will always be mine. Duo giggled after his roommate. "Save some for my breakfast 'kay?"
"Sure! And I would never dream of stealing _your_ boyfriend! I mean, he's so smart and handsome and…"
"Less talk, more food, okay?" the Japanese boy in question remarked succinctly with still a slight hint of amusement in his eyes.
"Sure! Nighty-night, Hellen-chan!" She was replied with a light wave of his hand. Umi slowly closed the door behind her and turned to Heero, her face stern, without the light mood that it held only mere seconds ago. "Heero-kun, we have to talk."
End Part VII