"A Christmas Story" Chapter 9

Cobalt eye slowly closed as Heero rested his chin against his folded knees. His arms wrapped around his legs pulling them closer. When a hand gently touched his shoulder he tried not to flinch away. Turning his head he looked up into his sister's face.

"Duo just called, he said he was going to be late they just released his friend from the hospital," she said softly her hand rubbing his shoulder.

Heero place his head back on his knees. Duo wasn't coming, ever again. Several tears slipped free from his closed eyes/ Duo was never coming back, just like everyone else in Heero's life. He wasn't sure when Relena's hand disappeared but she had returned downstairs at some point.

Soft Christmas music drifted from downstairs. It was fast approaching, only a couple weeks away. He had gotten something for Relena but not Duo. What did it matter he'd never see Duo anyway. Lifting his head a moment his fingers gently caressed the necklace he now wore permanently.

He wasn't sure how much time had passed when he felt warmth against his back. Before he could move a muscle two arms encircled him from behind.

"Sorry I'm late," Duo's voice whispered against his neck. "Relena told me she told you I had called."

"I thought... you weren't coming at all," Heero said quietly his head still buried.

"I told you, I'm not going to just up and leave you," Duo replied with a squeeze of his arms.

Several more tears slipped free only Duo noticed them almost immediately. Heero's head and shoulders were forced to turn and face Duo. Gentle fingers wiped the crystal liquid from his cheeks.

"Heero listen to me..." Duo started his voice a strong growl. "I'm always going to be here for you. I am never just going to get up and walk away. And I'll be damn it I let anything stand in my way of keeping both those promises."

Suddenly Heero's knees unfolded as he flung his arms around Duo's neck before burying his face against Duo's shoulder. Duo wrapped his arms tighter around Heero's shaking form.

"Don't let go," Heero whispered into Duo's clothes.

"I wasn't planning on it," Duo answered resting his chin on the top of Heero's head. "Thought never crossed my mind."

At the sound of a hollow creek Duo looked up to see Relena standing in the doorway with a soft smile on her face. He smiled back before refocusing his attention on Heero.

Many moments later Heero finally pulled back from Duo, his arms slipped from around Duo's neck. The music still played downstairs words filtering though the floor.

"Heero will you dance with me?" Duo asked meeting Heero's sad eyes.

"What?" Heero replied startled. "Dance... I've never... I couldn't..."

"Sure you can, I'll lead," Duo said moving to stand up. He offered his hand out to Heero, who took it reluctantly. Duo pulled the young man from the window seat, his other arm slipping around a thin waist.

Heero wasn't sure what to do as he felt Duo's arm holding him close. Duo had placed one of his hands on a broad shoulder while the other was held in the air.

"Now just follow me," Duo instructed as he slowly moved his feet allowing Heero to see the steps.

Soon they were dancing smoothly as Heero caught on to the easy waltzing dance. Both of Heero's arms rested around Duo's neck, just as both of Duo's were wrapped around his waist. Heero rested his head against Duo's shoulder, finding himself enjoying this and being with Duo.

Heero didn't know how many songs went by before Relena invited them to come down and help her decorate the Christmas tree. He didn't really mind that Duo took his hand and led him downstairs. They spot the bare tree in the corner before seeing Relena kneeling beside a large box.

The three of them went through the box emptying it of its content. They slowly began to decorate the tree, when an ornament stopped Heero.

"What is it?" Relena asked watching her brother.

"Why... why did they leave?" Heero asked quietly.

"I wish I knew, because then it would be easy to understand," Relena replied wrapping her arm around his shoulder. "I do know they didn't leave because of you. You did nothing wrong."

"He always yelled... they both did... I tried to stay out of sight."

"I know and you never should have. I hated seeing them hurt you, I was always so afraid I'd loose you and I could never bare that."

"She gave me this... but she lied." The small ornament Heero held said 'I love you'.

Relena wasn't sure what to say, how she could respond to that kind of statement. He had been hurt so deeply, but it seemed Duo was repairing some of the damage.

"I don't think so," Duo spoke up. "I believe she had meant it strongly."

Heero looked at Duo a moment before slowly walking over where he stood beside the tree. He cautiously hung the ornament on an empty branch before looking at Duo again.

Watching them Relena knew her little brother was finally startling to love again. She hoped he had found someone who would return that love. Putting on a special song she wondered if they would even notice. Seeing the tree almost complete she decided to go back hot chocolate. She left the room not drawing either of their attention.

Later that evening the three sat in the living room watching the tree glow softly in the corner. "Hey what do you think about a Christmas party?" Duo asked looking at the siblings.

"That sounds nice Duo," Relena answered.

"Well it could just be us and my friends," Duo suggested.

"We can hold it here, there is plenty of room," Relena offered. "But when would we have it."

"How about Christmas eve?"

"Yes I think that would be nice. So it is a party then."

Duo nodded happily before he noticed that Heero hadn't said a word since dinner. "What do you think Heero?"

Heero wasn't sure what he was thinking but had to stop it, whatever it was. Duo was just playing with him that was all. Standing from his seat he turned to leave. "I think Christmas is stupid."

He stormed from the room not noticing that Duo was hot on his heels. He entered his bedroom but was stopped by a hand gripping his arm. "Heero I don't get it. Why do you do that?" Duo asked forcing him to turn around.

"You're just playing with me!"

"How many times must I say it before you will believe me? I. Am. Not. Playing. With. You. Do you understand?" Duo said locking his gaze with Heero's.

Heero tried to pull free but Duo's grip help. He pulled Heero close holding the younger man in a strong embrace. Heero's voice was soft when he spoke, "I don't understand these feelings, they scare me..."

"Shh. I'll always be here to help."

Heero freely rested against him, finding comfort in those words even if Duo was the cause. Everything he had tried seemed to draw the man closer to him, instead of pushing him away. He didn't want to push anymore; the loneliness was slowly killing him. That was why he had tried to end his life, he just wanted to end the pain, close the void.