Title: Love you!
Part: 3/3
Author: Usagi-chan [usagilikesduochan@hotmail.com]
Warnings: death, sad, romance, lime, hint of supernatural
Pairings: 1x2
Disclaimer: Nothing is mine, I don't make money from fanfiction. I write only for fun and to get better at English. ^__^
Describtion: I... I really don't know what's going on with me. My first English fic on this ML and a deathfic. I hate deathfics! And now this. But I had to write it. Do you know 'Walker-Texas Ranger'? On Saturday the 24th August they showed the second part of an double episode in German TV and it was about a little boy, who had the HIV virus. He died in the end. It was so damn sad. But it was also great to see how he tried to do his best and learn as much as he could, till his death. He wanted to live a nice life, right up until his death. I think that's why this film inspired me so much. *sobs*
So, it takes place after EW. The boys live together for a while and during that time Duo seems to get a little cold. He goes to the doctor to make a little check and gets the shock of his life. He is infected with a hereditary disease, which will cost his life in the end. Duo becomes depressed. How should he go on with his life, with the knowledge, that he could die any day?
Feedback: Yes please more than welcome.
Archive:
-
And I mustn't forget, many thanks to Helen for helping with my translation from German to English.
And also thanks to the people who helped me with Solo's age.
"..." = Speaking
*...* = Thinking
*****************************************************************
When the five boys woke up the next day, they first started to pack the tent and their belongings back into the car. But they didn't drive home like they planned in the beginning. Instead they checked in at the next hotel for another night. Another one of Duo's idea.
Ever since he saw the amusement park at the pier, he wanted to go there with his friends. This meant that the boys would stay another day in that town. But nobody wanted to risk the tent standing alone while they were in the park. So they decided to spend the next night in a hotel.
After they took care of the typical formalities, the boys got into the car and drove to the amusement park. Duo's eyes were shining as they entered the fun-filled place. He acted like a little boy, dragging his friends from one attraction to another. Quatre could very well imagine how Duo felt. If he wasn't brought up the way he was, he would be just like Duo. But still, he could laugh together with Duo and let himself get dragged into one of the many round-abouts.
Heero, Trowa and Wufei on the other hand, didn't seem to be a bit excited in the slightest bit, even though none of them had ever been in an amusement park before. But Duo and Quatre both knew very well that they were enjoying themselves just like they were. They only aren't used to showing their emotions openly for everyone. But, the fact that they let Duo drag them to every round-about without complaining was saying more than any action ever could. And especially Heero, who at last couldn't resist to let a light smile play around his lips.
And he really went to _every_ round-about Duo wanted to go while Trowa, Wufei and sometimes also Quatre renounced here and there. The five boys had so much fun that they never even realized the afternoon came and went. Suddenly it was evening and more and more people left for home. The friends decided it was time to leave as well, but Duo wasn't willing to until they went on the roller coaster together. There was a very high and very large roller coaster in the park with lots of loopings. Duo saved this round- about for last one and made it very clear to his friends that no excuse would work for not going on it.
At last he succeeded in dragging them all onto the roller coaster. Because there were seats for only four persons in one line at a time, Heero and Duo decided to take the first seats in the front while Trowa, Quatre and Wufei sat together in the second line. Quatre was beginning to look a little bit pale, much to Duo's amusement. And after the fast and furious ride, the blond Arabian had to lean on Trowa for a while until his legs were willing to carry his weight again.
The Deathscythe pilot thought it very funny and was giggling all way back to the car.
"That's not funny, Duo!" Quatre complained still looking slightly pale.
"Why not?" Duo asked with an innocent voice. "I mean, come on, Quat, you drove Sandrock in a war and now you are afraid of a little roller coaster that isn't anywhere _near_ as fast as our Gundams were."
"That's not the same", Quatre objected pouting. "In Sandrock I was sitting in a closed cockpit and most of the time my Gundam stood on earth. I was not sitting in a little seat feeling the wind around my body and could look straight to the ground."
Duo burst out laughing while Quatre winced and leaned closer on Trowa. But it was only a little way back to the hotel until the two boys were best friends again. Quatre knew how Duo liked to tease them and he was too kind- hearted to be angry at his friend. Or at least, not for a long time.
When the five boys arrived at the hotel, they were so tired that they decided just to go to their rooms. The two couples had asked for a double room while Wufei slept alone. But he was OK with it knowing that Quatre and Trowa would like to have some private time as well as Heero and Duo.
*Especially for Duo; this is very important,* Wufei suddenly remembered. *There is not much time left for him to be together with Heero.*
And suddenly his happy mood just moments before became sad. He watched together with Quatre and Trowa as Heero and Duo disappeared into their room after wishing good night.
"It's damn injustice!"
Not only Quatre, but also Trowa jerked lightly as Wufei spoke so suddenly in such a soft and quiet voice. They looked at him slightly surprised.
"It's not fair to take Maxwell away from the world. Look how he was shining this day with life. You have no other choice but laugh with him and be happy for living. If you have him around, everything looks great at that moment."
He was silent for a second before he added sadly:
"I can't and don't want to imagine how life should be without him. I don't want to live in a life without him."
"We don't want to lose him as well, Wufei," Quatre whispered and fought hard against his tears. He remembered the promise he had given Duo the night before and he was not willing to break it.
"But it's not in our strength to change anything", Trowa explained depressed. "We can nothing do but deal with the fact that Duo won't be with us anymore in the near future. And hope that we won't lose him too soon, that we will have a little more time with him."
"Yes and spend as much time together with him as we can," Quatre added with a little, but sad smile showing on his face.
"I will do everything I can to make his last time the happiest he ever had", Wufei promised in a determined voice. His two friends nodded. When they wished themselves a good night and left into their rooms to get some much needed sleep.
***
Meanwhile Duo was lying on his bed and waiting for Heero to get ready to sleep. When his love came out of the bathroom after a short time (which seemed like a century for the braided boy), he smiled widely. He didn't pay attention to this the night before, but Heero looked just damn sexy in his sleeping clothes.
He padded onto the bed now, still smiling while the Wing pilot raised an eyebrow.
"You're looking beautiful", Duo whispered after he had caught Heero's hand and dragged his surprised lover onto the bed. The Japanese boy had nearly crashed onto Duo's body and barely had time to prevent a light but painful impact of their bodies with his hands.
"Why are you saying this now?" Heero asked puzzled.
"Because it's the truth", Duo answered smiling. "And because I felt like saying it."
Both boys closed their eyes nearly automatically.
"You are beautiful too, Duo my love", Heero murmured just before their lips touched in a gentle kiss. They exchanged sweet, soft kisses for a little time. Sometimes they also opened their mouths allowing their tongues to touch and dance slowly together.
But after a while, the kisses went more passionate. The calm dance of their tongues became faster and ended into a little fight for dominance which the Japanese boy won in the end. His tongue slid into the opened and willing mouth of Duo and while tasting the braided boy their hands started to have their own life, roaming and exploring the body of the other mate.
At last the two lovers parted, both panting and eyes shining with lust and passion, willing to share.
"How far do you want to go?" asked Heero. Again Duo smiled.
"I will regret nothing. It's your decision, Heero. I want you to go as far as you want."
"The whole way?" Heero whispered in the ear of the Deathscythe pilot. The braided boy shuddered and grinned.
"The whole way!" he whispered back.
Heero started to kiss him again and then his wet, hot kisses trailed down Duo's body, the Ex-pilot yelled in satisfaction, excitement and desire.
***
After a very sleepless night for two of the boys, the Gundam pilots had to leave their rooms at 10 am much to Duo's dismay. He complained and whined the whole breakfast about needing more sleep and also that he couldn't sit and go anymore. Only when Heero mentioned in a matter-of-fact voice that Duo was the one who spoke of 'no regrets' and at night he seemed to enjoy it, the braided boy finally shut his mouth because of three curious glances from his friends. But it was clear that Trowa, Quatre and Wufei were intelligent enough to imagine what Heero had meant, so the long haired boy went deep red.
After breakfast they went to their car and started their journey back to Quatre's house. It was during the drive that everyone felt something changing. At first Duo was cheerful and talkative, as always. But as more hours gone by, the more Duo started to have long and longer breaks between his chatting. In the end he had stopped talking completely and sat on his place getting slightly pale.
Heero, who drove the last hour, sent him many short, worried glances. Then the five boys arrived Quatre's home at last, Duo helped to pack out the tent and their own stuff in silence, but after that he refused to stay anymore time in the living room with the others. Instead he announced that he was going to go to the bedroom.
"Duo are you going to bed now?," Quatre asked surprised. "But it's so early."
"Yeah, I know, Quat'," the Deathscythe pilot answered smiling. "But I am a little bit tired. Although believe me, this was one of the best days in my life. I enjoyed it much. Night all!"
He went to the door, but when he reached it, he suddenly stopped and turned around.
"Please, don't forget what you all promised. You won't cry as long as I am alive."
The boys suddenly looked shocked and worried, while Quatre went pale.
"Duo, why did you just say that now?"
Duo shook his head in his own disbelief and giggled helplessly.
"I don't know, Quatre. Guess I just want to be sure. It's nothing special behind it really. Good night now!"
He wanted to turn around again, but he was stopped and caught by the cobalt blue eyes of his lover. The braided boy couldn't help but stare and stare in those wonderful blue orbs. He never realized when blue suddenly changed into black. And he never heard the angsty screams of Quatre and Heero, calling his name. His body simply fell to the ground, silently.
***
Duo felt like his whole life passed through him within seconds. When he dared to open his eyes again, which he never remembered he had closed, all he could see was black. This was when he realized that it seemed he had left the world of living.
"Am I... dead?", he asked hesitantly with quiet voice.
"No, you aren't. Not yet", answered a voice behind Duo. The braided boy turned around and swallowed hard.
The black has gone. He was now standing in a bright room, with nothing in it except two doors. The walls were painted in two different colours. One half white, the other half black. The person, who had answer his question, was a boy not older than eight or nine years.
"Solo!" Duo choked out, not believing what he saw.
"Hi Duo!" the other boy smiled. "Wow you've grown a lot since we saw each other for the last time."
"But Solo you're..."
"Dead?" the old friend of Duo finished the sentence. "Indeed I am."
"So then?" Duo asked unsure. "If I am not dead, then what am I? And what the hell are you?"
The boy started to chuckle.
"I'm an angel, Duo, can't you see that?"
And now, for the first time, the Deathscythe pilot recognized the large, white featherwings which came out of Solo's back. But this all made him more confuse as he was before.
"Where am I?" the braided teen asked puzzled.
"You are in the room to the doors of death", Solo explained. "'Cause you are not dead yet, you are not allowed to go through the door into heaven."
Duo laughed in a sarcastic tone.
"Come on Solo, you don't want to tell me _I_ of all people will go to heaven, will ya? I killed more people in my young life than older ones did in half a century. And to kill someone breaks the rule of God, doesn't it? So I am the last who is allowed to go into heaven."
"You had no other choice, Duo", Solo told him, looking much too seriously and old for a boy his age. "You fought because you believed. You believed to a better future. And if you didn't use Deathscythe someone else would use it and eventually work out the originally 'Operation Meteor' plan, which would have killed much more people than you did."
"How do you know?" Duo asked surprised. Solo smiled again, the sweet smile of a little boy.
"I am an angel, don't forget. And in heaven you can see anything you want to. That's also why I am here. I know you will die soon. I was waiting all the time for you although I hoped to see a much more older Duo in front of me. One with grey hairs and a stick to lean on."
He grinned for a second before he continued.
"You have to know, people won't stay in heaven for too long. We will be reborn and start a new life. I should have been reborn a long time, but I asked if I can stay and wait for you. I want to be reborn with you together. We were like brothers long time ago and I wanted to have my best friend by my side in my new life."
The eyes of the boy began to shine in happiness then he added.
"And we will be real brothers now, Duo. My pleadings were accepted and they told me that we will be reborn together as brothers. Isn't that great? And you also will have the chance to see Heero again."
Duo was stunned for a moment.
"What... do you mean with that?"
"Like I said, you will meet him again. But you won't remember your first life of course. And of course he will be a 'little' older than you. But at least you two have the chance to get together again, if he is still willing. He will recognize you for sure because of your looks. All he has to do is to reach your heart again. And your heart will also remember him. So theoretically there is nothing you two have to be afraid of."
Solo's smile grew while he watched Duo who tried to understand and realize. Although there was still confusion seen in his face.
"But still... if things are this way and although I am happy to see you again... WHY I am here if I am not dead?"
Solo bowed his head. He didn't dare to look forward Duo's reaction, because he had a pretty good idea how his old friend would react.
"You're here because your body freed your soul," he answered quietly. "Your soul... well _you_ are now waiting for your body to die. Only when your body is truly dead, you can enter the doors to heaven or hell."
"If my body is still alive this means..." Duo started in a shocked voice.
"Yes, you fell into a coma", the young boy finished the sentence.
"No!" the Deathscythe pilot fell onto his knees and hit his right fist onto the ground. "That's the last thing I wanted. Now my friends will sit at my bedside and worry. And because of this coma I can't calm them down. I can't see Heero. I want to see him, I want to. If I'm in a coma until the end, everything is over and no hope is left. I don't want to hide myself in this damn sleep. I want to say goodbye at least."
"Duo," Solo dared to break the spoken thoughts of his friend. He laid a hand comfortably on his shoulders and the older boy looked up.
"There is a reason I am here," the little angel explained. "Normally we are not allowed to be here but... I saw you, saw how your whole wonderful future plans were broken because of your illness. And I'm sorry, I'm really, really sorry!"
The braided teen opened his mouth to say something to calm his friend down, but Solo waved his words away while continuing.
"I came here because I want to do something for you at last. You have one wish I will fulfil you. But only one so think carefully. And please don't ask for a longer life because that's something which isn't in my power to grant."
Duo's eyes grew wide a hopeful look shining into them.
"So, one wish?" he asked only to get sure. Solo nodded.
"Then I wish to say goodbye to my Heero and my friends. I wish to stay awake until death does his final step. No more coma please."
Solo nodded in understanding and smiled.
"You wish may be granted," he declared. "See ya in heaven again, buddy!"
And after the last words were fallen, the black-white room began to spin around Duo's eyes and disappeared. When the braided teen, who had closed his eyes because of the wild swirl of black and white, opened his eyes again, the first thing he saw was white. The typical white ceiling of a hospital room.
***
Heero sat in the hospital beside the bed where Duo's limp figure was lying looking as if he was only sleeping and would wake up every moment. But he wouldn't. Heero knew this as well as Quatre, Trowa and Wufei who where sitting on chairs just behind Heero. The Wing pilot held onto the right hand of his unconscious lover.
It was a shock for all boys. Everything came too suddenly. There were only these subtle signs during their drive home, that Duo was getting worse. But who had expected their friend falling into coma as soon as they arrived home?
It had been Wufei who called the ambulance after the Deathscythe pilot fell to the ground. Heero had been the first, next to his lovers side, to check his pulse and other seemingly signs of life danger. But there seemed nothing seriously wrong.
Only when Quatre tried to wake up his friend and he didn't, their minds understood. But the boys didn't want to believe it. They accompanied their friend to the hospital and waited for the results of the examination.
Only when the doctor himself told the four friends about the coma, they had to accept the truth. Quatre was near to break out into tears. Only the promise he gave Duo, had stopped him.
After all, Duo was still alive or at least his body was. It was little and it never had happened often before, but there was a last little hope that their friend would wake up again.
So Heero, Trowa, Quatre and Wufei decided to stay at Duo's side. Waiting and hoping for a miracle. Heero had sat himself directly at Duo's right. His friends didn't stay that close however. They wanted to give the Japanese teen a little bit privacy.
Now the boys waited for nearly ten hours. Trowa, Quatre and Wufei drank only a little what one of the nurses had brought them. But they didn't want to eat at all during that time. The boys couldn't. They were sick with worry. They also never left the room since they got the permission to stay by Duo's side.
And Heero refused everything. He didn't drink or eat. All he did was stare at his unconscious lover, who was obviously fading from life. His skin was more pale than ever and his breath came in short gasps.
Only the steady beeping of the machines to the left of him told the boys that he was still alive.
At last, when the next morning just arrived, sleep washed over the exhausted boys. Quatre, who sat besides Trowa, was leaning his head against his boyfriend's shoulders. And Wufei had his head on a table.
Only Heero was awake. He was afraid to fall asleep. The only thing he did, was praying and hoping for Duo to wake up. Now and then the Wing pilot lifted Duo's right hand he was holding and kissed it gently muttering soft words to his lover.
But as the sun had risen long ago, the exhaustion of the trip home, the shock of Duo fainting and the stay in hospital without eating or drinking required its tribute at last and Heero fell asleep right over Duo's unconscious body.
***
It was one or two hours later when Heero woke up again. He woke because of a strange feeling. It was as if someone was stroking lazily through his hair.
He opened his hazed eyes a little and tried to orientate himself. Suddenly his eyes went wide when he remembered -- and saw.
Duo was still lying in bed, his eyes closed. But his face which had been looking serious all the time, had now a little smile on his lips. And Duo's arm was moving. It was stroking through Heero's brown mass of hair.
Heero's head snapped up in seconds. Duo, who felt the moving, opened lazily his eyes and his smile widened a little.
"Awake at last?" he whispered. Heero couldn't answer first but stare. Only minutes later he croak out one single word:
"Duo!"
And just this simple name, although it was difficult to hear it, caused the others to wake up too. Seconds later everyone was around Duo and Heero.
"Duo!"
"God, you are awake!"
"Call the doctor!"
It didn't take long to get the doctor and some nurses into the room. Everyone was startled that the Deathscythe pilot woke up again. The doctor made a quick check up of his patient, but after he finished, he didn't want to say a word about the results. Duo closed his eyes for some minutes and spoke calmly.
"Please tell, doc. I know that I am in the endstadium, ain't I?"
The doctor kept a quick glance over everybody before answering in a soft voice.
"Your body got very weak in the last hours, Mr. Maxwell. I fear, you won't make it till sundown."
"Aa, I thought so," Duo answered still calm, a sad smile on his face. "What a pity. Everything went so suddenly now."
He sighed.
"Would you mind to leave me with my friends alone?"
The doctor didn't say anything against it.
"Call me if anything happens," he said, bowed his head and left. Duo took his attention back to his friends. Calmly his gaze wandered from one boy to next, until he ended at Heero. Duo smiled and took his left hand over Heero's right, which was still holding his own.
"No need to be sad, buddy," he whispered. "We will see us again for sure."
"What?" Heero croaked out. Trowa, Quatre and Wufei looked confused.
"I know this will sound very strange now, but believe me, it's true. Solo told me this. I will be reborn together with him. All you have to do is wait and we will see each other again."
"Solo? Who is that?" It was all Quatre could manage to ask.
"He was my best friend when I was little," Duo explained. "But he died when he was nine. And, he came to me when my soul was waiting for my body to die. He told me about our rebirth and that I will meet Heero again. If you only believe. And he let me wake up again, so that I can say 'goodbye' to you."
He paused one second before he added: "I am sorry that I can't stay any longer with you."
"But it's not your fault!" Quatre burst out.
"Quatre is right," Heero agreed. "It's not your fault at all. And I... I want to believe you."
Duo looked straight in Heero's eyes now.
"You don't have to, but... it would be nice, so... will you wait for me? Until I reborn and we meet again? You will recognize me. The only thing you have to do is to win my heart again. I will not remember you, 'cause nobody ever remembers his life before. But my heart and soul will. So it won't be too difficult to get me again if... if you still want me then."
"I will wait for you, Duo!" Heero promised. "I want you, only you on my side. I need you to be on my side, Duo! I will wait 100 years if I can meet you again in the end. I love you and no one else, so don't worry!"
Heero had spoken calm. Nobody who didn't know him very well, would thought he just panicked. But Duo knew he did. He could see it in Heero's eyes which flickered restlessly.
The braided boy's face softened even more and his left hand reached out for Heero's face.
"Come here, buddy!" he whispered and guided the face from the Wing pilot to his own. Their lips meet for a long, gentle kiss.
"I am really sorry!" Duo told again after they broke.
"Don't be sorry," Heero replied.
"Although... I... don't want to... don't want to lose you. I don't want to leave you!"
"Me either," Heero whispered near the tears.
"But in the very end... you won't... we won't," Duo said and a smile came to his face. Suddenly his body started to tense for some seconds. He faced his lover and tried to hold his gaze the blue orbs of Heero's eyes.
"Remember, I will come back," he whispered. "I will come back to you. You have to believe this."
Duo's breath started to fade, while he took a last quickly and warmly glance over everyone of his dear friends.
"I will come back," he breathed for a last time taking his gaze back to his lover. Then there was silence. Duo's eyes still open, looking at Heero, his lips the hint of a smile, the Deathscythe pilot was looking as alive, just smiling at his lover. But the sparkle in his open eyes were gone. And the intense beeping of the machine and the doctor and nurses rushed in, but didn't do anything at all when the four pilots were telling the still unbelievable truth:
Duo Maxwell, pilot of Deathscythe, the always talking and laughing youth of only 17 years was dead.
Quatre was the first one who got over the shock. He burst out into tears while leaning on Trowa. This brought also the Heavyarms pilot out of his trance and he hugged his lover tight while watching the lifeless figure on the bed with burning eyes. Out of Wufei's eyes dropped the first tears down his cheeks and he was forced to sit down on the next chair because his legs refused to carry his weight any longer.
Only Heero didn't do anything. He just sat there still holding Duo's hand and staring down at his dead lover. The doctor had closed the eyelids of the dead one after protocoling the exact time of death with a miserable voice. But after all, Heero refused to let go of Duo. His mind centered in the last two days of fun they had.
Also when the nurses tried to lead him out of the room along with the other three, the Japanese boy refused. At last Quatre thought it would be the best to leave their friend in privacy for a while. It took him some time to persuade the nurses and the doctor as well, but at last they agreed and everyone left the room.
Heero sat at Duo's side for the whole evening like a statue. He refused to eat or drink anything the nurse brought him and didn't dare to part his look from his lover for a second. It was long after midnight before the Wing pilot finally awoke from his trance and reality hit him with full force. He embedded his arms and face on Duo's chest while giving the first nearly unheard long sobs. And finally he started to cry.
End
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeell I myself couldn't.... really I COULDN'T stand the end, that's why I decided to write something more. So watch out there will be an epilogue! ^______^
*UsagiLOVESDuo-chan /'^^'\
Part: 3/3
Author: Usagi-chan [usagilikesduochan@hotmail.com]
Warnings: death, sad, romance, lime, hint of supernatural
Pairings: 1x2
Disclaimer: Nothing is mine, I don't make money from fanfiction. I write only for fun and to get better at English. ^__^
Describtion: I... I really don't know what's going on with me. My first English fic on this ML and a deathfic. I hate deathfics! And now this. But I had to write it. Do you know 'Walker-Texas Ranger'? On Saturday the 24th August they showed the second part of an double episode in German TV and it was about a little boy, who had the HIV virus. He died in the end. It was so damn sad. But it was also great to see how he tried to do his best and learn as much as he could, till his death. He wanted to live a nice life, right up until his death. I think that's why this film inspired me so much. *sobs*
So, it takes place after EW. The boys live together for a while and during that time Duo seems to get a little cold. He goes to the doctor to make a little check and gets the shock of his life. He is infected with a hereditary disease, which will cost his life in the end. Duo becomes depressed. How should he go on with his life, with the knowledge, that he could die any day?
Feedback: Yes please more than welcome.
Archive:
-
And I mustn't forget, many thanks to Helen for helping with my translation from German to English.
And also thanks to the people who helped me with Solo's age.
"..." = Speaking
*...* = Thinking
*****************************************************************
When the five boys woke up the next day, they first started to pack the tent and their belongings back into the car. But they didn't drive home like they planned in the beginning. Instead they checked in at the next hotel for another night. Another one of Duo's idea.
Ever since he saw the amusement park at the pier, he wanted to go there with his friends. This meant that the boys would stay another day in that town. But nobody wanted to risk the tent standing alone while they were in the park. So they decided to spend the next night in a hotel.
After they took care of the typical formalities, the boys got into the car and drove to the amusement park. Duo's eyes were shining as they entered the fun-filled place. He acted like a little boy, dragging his friends from one attraction to another. Quatre could very well imagine how Duo felt. If he wasn't brought up the way he was, he would be just like Duo. But still, he could laugh together with Duo and let himself get dragged into one of the many round-abouts.
Heero, Trowa and Wufei on the other hand, didn't seem to be a bit excited in the slightest bit, even though none of them had ever been in an amusement park before. But Duo and Quatre both knew very well that they were enjoying themselves just like they were. They only aren't used to showing their emotions openly for everyone. But, the fact that they let Duo drag them to every round-about without complaining was saying more than any action ever could. And especially Heero, who at last couldn't resist to let a light smile play around his lips.
And he really went to _every_ round-about Duo wanted to go while Trowa, Wufei and sometimes also Quatre renounced here and there. The five boys had so much fun that they never even realized the afternoon came and went. Suddenly it was evening and more and more people left for home. The friends decided it was time to leave as well, but Duo wasn't willing to until they went on the roller coaster together. There was a very high and very large roller coaster in the park with lots of loopings. Duo saved this round- about for last one and made it very clear to his friends that no excuse would work for not going on it.
At last he succeeded in dragging them all onto the roller coaster. Because there were seats for only four persons in one line at a time, Heero and Duo decided to take the first seats in the front while Trowa, Quatre and Wufei sat together in the second line. Quatre was beginning to look a little bit pale, much to Duo's amusement. And after the fast and furious ride, the blond Arabian had to lean on Trowa for a while until his legs were willing to carry his weight again.
The Deathscythe pilot thought it very funny and was giggling all way back to the car.
"That's not funny, Duo!" Quatre complained still looking slightly pale.
"Why not?" Duo asked with an innocent voice. "I mean, come on, Quat, you drove Sandrock in a war and now you are afraid of a little roller coaster that isn't anywhere _near_ as fast as our Gundams were."
"That's not the same", Quatre objected pouting. "In Sandrock I was sitting in a closed cockpit and most of the time my Gundam stood on earth. I was not sitting in a little seat feeling the wind around my body and could look straight to the ground."
Duo burst out laughing while Quatre winced and leaned closer on Trowa. But it was only a little way back to the hotel until the two boys were best friends again. Quatre knew how Duo liked to tease them and he was too kind- hearted to be angry at his friend. Or at least, not for a long time.
When the five boys arrived at the hotel, they were so tired that they decided just to go to their rooms. The two couples had asked for a double room while Wufei slept alone. But he was OK with it knowing that Quatre and Trowa would like to have some private time as well as Heero and Duo.
*Especially for Duo; this is very important,* Wufei suddenly remembered. *There is not much time left for him to be together with Heero.*
And suddenly his happy mood just moments before became sad. He watched together with Quatre and Trowa as Heero and Duo disappeared into their room after wishing good night.
"It's damn injustice!"
Not only Quatre, but also Trowa jerked lightly as Wufei spoke so suddenly in such a soft and quiet voice. They looked at him slightly surprised.
"It's not fair to take Maxwell away from the world. Look how he was shining this day with life. You have no other choice but laugh with him and be happy for living. If you have him around, everything looks great at that moment."
He was silent for a second before he added sadly:
"I can't and don't want to imagine how life should be without him. I don't want to live in a life without him."
"We don't want to lose him as well, Wufei," Quatre whispered and fought hard against his tears. He remembered the promise he had given Duo the night before and he was not willing to break it.
"But it's not in our strength to change anything", Trowa explained depressed. "We can nothing do but deal with the fact that Duo won't be with us anymore in the near future. And hope that we won't lose him too soon, that we will have a little more time with him."
"Yes and spend as much time together with him as we can," Quatre added with a little, but sad smile showing on his face.
"I will do everything I can to make his last time the happiest he ever had", Wufei promised in a determined voice. His two friends nodded. When they wished themselves a good night and left into their rooms to get some much needed sleep.
***
Meanwhile Duo was lying on his bed and waiting for Heero to get ready to sleep. When his love came out of the bathroom after a short time (which seemed like a century for the braided boy), he smiled widely. He didn't pay attention to this the night before, but Heero looked just damn sexy in his sleeping clothes.
He padded onto the bed now, still smiling while the Wing pilot raised an eyebrow.
"You're looking beautiful", Duo whispered after he had caught Heero's hand and dragged his surprised lover onto the bed. The Japanese boy had nearly crashed onto Duo's body and barely had time to prevent a light but painful impact of their bodies with his hands.
"Why are you saying this now?" Heero asked puzzled.
"Because it's the truth", Duo answered smiling. "And because I felt like saying it."
Both boys closed their eyes nearly automatically.
"You are beautiful too, Duo my love", Heero murmured just before their lips touched in a gentle kiss. They exchanged sweet, soft kisses for a little time. Sometimes they also opened their mouths allowing their tongues to touch and dance slowly together.
But after a while, the kisses went more passionate. The calm dance of their tongues became faster and ended into a little fight for dominance which the Japanese boy won in the end. His tongue slid into the opened and willing mouth of Duo and while tasting the braided boy their hands started to have their own life, roaming and exploring the body of the other mate.
At last the two lovers parted, both panting and eyes shining with lust and passion, willing to share.
"How far do you want to go?" asked Heero. Again Duo smiled.
"I will regret nothing. It's your decision, Heero. I want you to go as far as you want."
"The whole way?" Heero whispered in the ear of the Deathscythe pilot. The braided boy shuddered and grinned.
"The whole way!" he whispered back.
Heero started to kiss him again and then his wet, hot kisses trailed down Duo's body, the Ex-pilot yelled in satisfaction, excitement and desire.
***
After a very sleepless night for two of the boys, the Gundam pilots had to leave their rooms at 10 am much to Duo's dismay. He complained and whined the whole breakfast about needing more sleep and also that he couldn't sit and go anymore. Only when Heero mentioned in a matter-of-fact voice that Duo was the one who spoke of 'no regrets' and at night he seemed to enjoy it, the braided boy finally shut his mouth because of three curious glances from his friends. But it was clear that Trowa, Quatre and Wufei were intelligent enough to imagine what Heero had meant, so the long haired boy went deep red.
After breakfast they went to their car and started their journey back to Quatre's house. It was during the drive that everyone felt something changing. At first Duo was cheerful and talkative, as always. But as more hours gone by, the more Duo started to have long and longer breaks between his chatting. In the end he had stopped talking completely and sat on his place getting slightly pale.
Heero, who drove the last hour, sent him many short, worried glances. Then the five boys arrived Quatre's home at last, Duo helped to pack out the tent and their own stuff in silence, but after that he refused to stay anymore time in the living room with the others. Instead he announced that he was going to go to the bedroom.
"Duo are you going to bed now?," Quatre asked surprised. "But it's so early."
"Yeah, I know, Quat'," the Deathscythe pilot answered smiling. "But I am a little bit tired. Although believe me, this was one of the best days in my life. I enjoyed it much. Night all!"
He went to the door, but when he reached it, he suddenly stopped and turned around.
"Please, don't forget what you all promised. You won't cry as long as I am alive."
The boys suddenly looked shocked and worried, while Quatre went pale.
"Duo, why did you just say that now?"
Duo shook his head in his own disbelief and giggled helplessly.
"I don't know, Quatre. Guess I just want to be sure. It's nothing special behind it really. Good night now!"
He wanted to turn around again, but he was stopped and caught by the cobalt blue eyes of his lover. The braided boy couldn't help but stare and stare in those wonderful blue orbs. He never realized when blue suddenly changed into black. And he never heard the angsty screams of Quatre and Heero, calling his name. His body simply fell to the ground, silently.
***
Duo felt like his whole life passed through him within seconds. When he dared to open his eyes again, which he never remembered he had closed, all he could see was black. This was when he realized that it seemed he had left the world of living.
"Am I... dead?", he asked hesitantly with quiet voice.
"No, you aren't. Not yet", answered a voice behind Duo. The braided boy turned around and swallowed hard.
The black has gone. He was now standing in a bright room, with nothing in it except two doors. The walls were painted in two different colours. One half white, the other half black. The person, who had answer his question, was a boy not older than eight or nine years.
"Solo!" Duo choked out, not believing what he saw.
"Hi Duo!" the other boy smiled. "Wow you've grown a lot since we saw each other for the last time."
"But Solo you're..."
"Dead?" the old friend of Duo finished the sentence. "Indeed I am."
"So then?" Duo asked unsure. "If I am not dead, then what am I? And what the hell are you?"
The boy started to chuckle.
"I'm an angel, Duo, can't you see that?"
And now, for the first time, the Deathscythe pilot recognized the large, white featherwings which came out of Solo's back. But this all made him more confuse as he was before.
"Where am I?" the braided teen asked puzzled.
"You are in the room to the doors of death", Solo explained. "'Cause you are not dead yet, you are not allowed to go through the door into heaven."
Duo laughed in a sarcastic tone.
"Come on Solo, you don't want to tell me _I_ of all people will go to heaven, will ya? I killed more people in my young life than older ones did in half a century. And to kill someone breaks the rule of God, doesn't it? So I am the last who is allowed to go into heaven."
"You had no other choice, Duo", Solo told him, looking much too seriously and old for a boy his age. "You fought because you believed. You believed to a better future. And if you didn't use Deathscythe someone else would use it and eventually work out the originally 'Operation Meteor' plan, which would have killed much more people than you did."
"How do you know?" Duo asked surprised. Solo smiled again, the sweet smile of a little boy.
"I am an angel, don't forget. And in heaven you can see anything you want to. That's also why I am here. I know you will die soon. I was waiting all the time for you although I hoped to see a much more older Duo in front of me. One with grey hairs and a stick to lean on."
He grinned for a second before he continued.
"You have to know, people won't stay in heaven for too long. We will be reborn and start a new life. I should have been reborn a long time, but I asked if I can stay and wait for you. I want to be reborn with you together. We were like brothers long time ago and I wanted to have my best friend by my side in my new life."
The eyes of the boy began to shine in happiness then he added.
"And we will be real brothers now, Duo. My pleadings were accepted and they told me that we will be reborn together as brothers. Isn't that great? And you also will have the chance to see Heero again."
Duo was stunned for a moment.
"What... do you mean with that?"
"Like I said, you will meet him again. But you won't remember your first life of course. And of course he will be a 'little' older than you. But at least you two have the chance to get together again, if he is still willing. He will recognize you for sure because of your looks. All he has to do is to reach your heart again. And your heart will also remember him. So theoretically there is nothing you two have to be afraid of."
Solo's smile grew while he watched Duo who tried to understand and realize. Although there was still confusion seen in his face.
"But still... if things are this way and although I am happy to see you again... WHY I am here if I am not dead?"
Solo bowed his head. He didn't dare to look forward Duo's reaction, because he had a pretty good idea how his old friend would react.
"You're here because your body freed your soul," he answered quietly. "Your soul... well _you_ are now waiting for your body to die. Only when your body is truly dead, you can enter the doors to heaven or hell."
"If my body is still alive this means..." Duo started in a shocked voice.
"Yes, you fell into a coma", the young boy finished the sentence.
"No!" the Deathscythe pilot fell onto his knees and hit his right fist onto the ground. "That's the last thing I wanted. Now my friends will sit at my bedside and worry. And because of this coma I can't calm them down. I can't see Heero. I want to see him, I want to. If I'm in a coma until the end, everything is over and no hope is left. I don't want to hide myself in this damn sleep. I want to say goodbye at least."
"Duo," Solo dared to break the spoken thoughts of his friend. He laid a hand comfortably on his shoulders and the older boy looked up.
"There is a reason I am here," the little angel explained. "Normally we are not allowed to be here but... I saw you, saw how your whole wonderful future plans were broken because of your illness. And I'm sorry, I'm really, really sorry!"
The braided teen opened his mouth to say something to calm his friend down, but Solo waved his words away while continuing.
"I came here because I want to do something for you at last. You have one wish I will fulfil you. But only one so think carefully. And please don't ask for a longer life because that's something which isn't in my power to grant."
Duo's eyes grew wide a hopeful look shining into them.
"So, one wish?" he asked only to get sure. Solo nodded.
"Then I wish to say goodbye to my Heero and my friends. I wish to stay awake until death does his final step. No more coma please."
Solo nodded in understanding and smiled.
"You wish may be granted," he declared. "See ya in heaven again, buddy!"
And after the last words were fallen, the black-white room began to spin around Duo's eyes and disappeared. When the braided teen, who had closed his eyes because of the wild swirl of black and white, opened his eyes again, the first thing he saw was white. The typical white ceiling of a hospital room.
***
Heero sat in the hospital beside the bed where Duo's limp figure was lying looking as if he was only sleeping and would wake up every moment. But he wouldn't. Heero knew this as well as Quatre, Trowa and Wufei who where sitting on chairs just behind Heero. The Wing pilot held onto the right hand of his unconscious lover.
It was a shock for all boys. Everything came too suddenly. There were only these subtle signs during their drive home, that Duo was getting worse. But who had expected their friend falling into coma as soon as they arrived home?
It had been Wufei who called the ambulance after the Deathscythe pilot fell to the ground. Heero had been the first, next to his lovers side, to check his pulse and other seemingly signs of life danger. But there seemed nothing seriously wrong.
Only when Quatre tried to wake up his friend and he didn't, their minds understood. But the boys didn't want to believe it. They accompanied their friend to the hospital and waited for the results of the examination.
Only when the doctor himself told the four friends about the coma, they had to accept the truth. Quatre was near to break out into tears. Only the promise he gave Duo, had stopped him.
After all, Duo was still alive or at least his body was. It was little and it never had happened often before, but there was a last little hope that their friend would wake up again.
So Heero, Trowa, Quatre and Wufei decided to stay at Duo's side. Waiting and hoping for a miracle. Heero had sat himself directly at Duo's right. His friends didn't stay that close however. They wanted to give the Japanese teen a little bit privacy.
Now the boys waited for nearly ten hours. Trowa, Quatre and Wufei drank only a little what one of the nurses had brought them. But they didn't want to eat at all during that time. The boys couldn't. They were sick with worry. They also never left the room since they got the permission to stay by Duo's side.
And Heero refused everything. He didn't drink or eat. All he did was stare at his unconscious lover, who was obviously fading from life. His skin was more pale than ever and his breath came in short gasps.
Only the steady beeping of the machines to the left of him told the boys that he was still alive.
At last, when the next morning just arrived, sleep washed over the exhausted boys. Quatre, who sat besides Trowa, was leaning his head against his boyfriend's shoulders. And Wufei had his head on a table.
Only Heero was awake. He was afraid to fall asleep. The only thing he did, was praying and hoping for Duo to wake up. Now and then the Wing pilot lifted Duo's right hand he was holding and kissed it gently muttering soft words to his lover.
But as the sun had risen long ago, the exhaustion of the trip home, the shock of Duo fainting and the stay in hospital without eating or drinking required its tribute at last and Heero fell asleep right over Duo's unconscious body.
***
It was one or two hours later when Heero woke up again. He woke because of a strange feeling. It was as if someone was stroking lazily through his hair.
He opened his hazed eyes a little and tried to orientate himself. Suddenly his eyes went wide when he remembered -- and saw.
Duo was still lying in bed, his eyes closed. But his face which had been looking serious all the time, had now a little smile on his lips. And Duo's arm was moving. It was stroking through Heero's brown mass of hair.
Heero's head snapped up in seconds. Duo, who felt the moving, opened lazily his eyes and his smile widened a little.
"Awake at last?" he whispered. Heero couldn't answer first but stare. Only minutes later he croak out one single word:
"Duo!"
And just this simple name, although it was difficult to hear it, caused the others to wake up too. Seconds later everyone was around Duo and Heero.
"Duo!"
"God, you are awake!"
"Call the doctor!"
It didn't take long to get the doctor and some nurses into the room. Everyone was startled that the Deathscythe pilot woke up again. The doctor made a quick check up of his patient, but after he finished, he didn't want to say a word about the results. Duo closed his eyes for some minutes and spoke calmly.
"Please tell, doc. I know that I am in the endstadium, ain't I?"
The doctor kept a quick glance over everybody before answering in a soft voice.
"Your body got very weak in the last hours, Mr. Maxwell. I fear, you won't make it till sundown."
"Aa, I thought so," Duo answered still calm, a sad smile on his face. "What a pity. Everything went so suddenly now."
He sighed.
"Would you mind to leave me with my friends alone?"
The doctor didn't say anything against it.
"Call me if anything happens," he said, bowed his head and left. Duo took his attention back to his friends. Calmly his gaze wandered from one boy to next, until he ended at Heero. Duo smiled and took his left hand over Heero's right, which was still holding his own.
"No need to be sad, buddy," he whispered. "We will see us again for sure."
"What?" Heero croaked out. Trowa, Quatre and Wufei looked confused.
"I know this will sound very strange now, but believe me, it's true. Solo told me this. I will be reborn together with him. All you have to do is wait and we will see each other again."
"Solo? Who is that?" It was all Quatre could manage to ask.
"He was my best friend when I was little," Duo explained. "But he died when he was nine. And, he came to me when my soul was waiting for my body to die. He told me about our rebirth and that I will meet Heero again. If you only believe. And he let me wake up again, so that I can say 'goodbye' to you."
He paused one second before he added: "I am sorry that I can't stay any longer with you."
"But it's not your fault!" Quatre burst out.
"Quatre is right," Heero agreed. "It's not your fault at all. And I... I want to believe you."
Duo looked straight in Heero's eyes now.
"You don't have to, but... it would be nice, so... will you wait for me? Until I reborn and we meet again? You will recognize me. The only thing you have to do is to win my heart again. I will not remember you, 'cause nobody ever remembers his life before. But my heart and soul will. So it won't be too difficult to get me again if... if you still want me then."
"I will wait for you, Duo!" Heero promised. "I want you, only you on my side. I need you to be on my side, Duo! I will wait 100 years if I can meet you again in the end. I love you and no one else, so don't worry!"
Heero had spoken calm. Nobody who didn't know him very well, would thought he just panicked. But Duo knew he did. He could see it in Heero's eyes which flickered restlessly.
The braided boy's face softened even more and his left hand reached out for Heero's face.
"Come here, buddy!" he whispered and guided the face from the Wing pilot to his own. Their lips meet for a long, gentle kiss.
"I am really sorry!" Duo told again after they broke.
"Don't be sorry," Heero replied.
"Although... I... don't want to... don't want to lose you. I don't want to leave you!"
"Me either," Heero whispered near the tears.
"But in the very end... you won't... we won't," Duo said and a smile came to his face. Suddenly his body started to tense for some seconds. He faced his lover and tried to hold his gaze the blue orbs of Heero's eyes.
"Remember, I will come back," he whispered. "I will come back to you. You have to believe this."
Duo's breath started to fade, while he took a last quickly and warmly glance over everyone of his dear friends.
"I will come back," he breathed for a last time taking his gaze back to his lover. Then there was silence. Duo's eyes still open, looking at Heero, his lips the hint of a smile, the Deathscythe pilot was looking as alive, just smiling at his lover. But the sparkle in his open eyes were gone. And the intense beeping of the machine and the doctor and nurses rushed in, but didn't do anything at all when the four pilots were telling the still unbelievable truth:
Duo Maxwell, pilot of Deathscythe, the always talking and laughing youth of only 17 years was dead.
Quatre was the first one who got over the shock. He burst out into tears while leaning on Trowa. This brought also the Heavyarms pilot out of his trance and he hugged his lover tight while watching the lifeless figure on the bed with burning eyes. Out of Wufei's eyes dropped the first tears down his cheeks and he was forced to sit down on the next chair because his legs refused to carry his weight any longer.
Only Heero didn't do anything. He just sat there still holding Duo's hand and staring down at his dead lover. The doctor had closed the eyelids of the dead one after protocoling the exact time of death with a miserable voice. But after all, Heero refused to let go of Duo. His mind centered in the last two days of fun they had.
Also when the nurses tried to lead him out of the room along with the other three, the Japanese boy refused. At last Quatre thought it would be the best to leave their friend in privacy for a while. It took him some time to persuade the nurses and the doctor as well, but at last they agreed and everyone left the room.
Heero sat at Duo's side for the whole evening like a statue. He refused to eat or drink anything the nurse brought him and didn't dare to part his look from his lover for a second. It was long after midnight before the Wing pilot finally awoke from his trance and reality hit him with full force. He embedded his arms and face on Duo's chest while giving the first nearly unheard long sobs. And finally he started to cry.
End
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeell I myself couldn't.... really I COULDN'T stand the end, that's why I decided to write something more. So watch out there will be an epilogue! ^______^
*UsagiLOVESDuo-chan /'^^'\
