Author:  aomurasakiai

Warnings:  AU, Heero POV, a pinch of Angst, Sap

Pairings:  1+2

Spoilers:  None

Rating:  G

Dedication:  I give my thanks to the people who have supported me thus far.  Without you guys, I wouldn't have thought of going on.

Song: "Yumemiru no Tame ni [For the Sake of Dreaming]" from "Saishuu-Heiki Kanojo (Saikano)"

Special Notes:
[song lyrics]

Yumemiru no Tame ni [Fic 05c of 10]

I should have known.  Selflessness ends up causing pain... no matter if it is a small tingle of ache or excruciating pang of hurt.  Because of my own happiness, I was blinded by what was in front of me the whole time.  If I had taken Duo's suggestion, this wouldn't have happened.

Stepping into Duo's house, a twinge of guilt and discomfort grows within my chest.  I push open the door of his room.

Duo... covered with blankets on his bed, his scarlet cheeks burning because of his high fever.

It was just yesterday when he brought me to the park with the Sakura trees.  I admit it was chilly, but I was so happy with the sight of all the Sakuras floating everywhere, and when Duo placed his jacket on my shoulders that the cold didn't matter to me.  But now, I only wish that I had known it affected Duo.  Especially since a light mist started to fall...

I just didn't notice!  I didn't notice if he was shivering from the cool moisture collecting on his body.  I didn't notice if he tightened his arms around himself when a gust of wind blew.  I didn't notice if he was trying to keep from sneezing, keep me from knowing...  I just didn't notice...

Some friend I am.

"Heero...?"

I look up and meet with sleepy violet eyes, having just woken up.  I rush over to his side.

"Duo...  are you alright?" I ask, passing the lump in my throat.  He smiles and gives a small nod.

"Yeah.  You didn't need to come over, Heero.  I'll be fine."

"Gomen..."  I drop to my knees next to the bed.  "I'm sorry, Duo.  I was the one who got you sick.  If only I had listened to you and gotten my own jacket, this wouldn't have happened."

He blinks sleepily but smiles.  "Don't blame yourself.  I don't blame you."

"But --"

"Shhh.....  It's alright.  I just need some rest, that's all."

"Can I stay here... in case you need anything?" I ask hopefully.

He gives one last smile as his eyes begin to close.

"Thank you... Heero....."

~*~*~*~*~

I glance at the digital clock on his dresser.

10:39pm

His fever had gone down around mid-afternoon and he seems to be all right.  I don't want to go home but he's been urging me to all day long; whenever I brought him water, whenever I got him a snack, whenever I made him a meal...  But each time, I refused.

I didn't want to leave him.  Not ever.

Smiling, I glance back at Duo...  and freeze.

A tear.  A single tear, rolling down Duo's cheek.

Oh my god...  what happened?

His brow creased, his jaw clenched, his lips pressed together.  A nightmare.  Must be a bad one...

But, even so, he shouldn't cry...  Duo shouldn't cry!  He's always been the one smiling, laughing, caring...  even when I couldn't.  But I can.  Now I can.

Slowly, I reach out and barely brush the back of my fingers across his face, wiping the tears away.  More fall.  Turning my hand, I gently cup his cheek.  With my thumb stroking back and forth, his tears gradually cease.  I keep my hand like this.  It feels so right...

But then, Duo's slight stirring causes me to snap my hand back.  Just in time.  His eyes open, heavy with sleep.

"Still here...?" he whispers.  I give a nod, not looking at him as my face grows warm at what I was doing just seconds before.  He smiles.

"...welcome to stay... spend the... night..."

"Ah... Hai."  This is a first.  Even though we've known each other for over a year, we never spent the night at each other's houses before.  Probably because of...  self-consciousness.

"...Heero... could you... press play... on the CD player...?"  I glance over at Duo's tired face.  I probably have a confused look as he shrugs and says, "...helps me sleep..."

I nod in understanding and reach over to the dresser and press play.

"...favorite song...  don't understand it though..."  He blinks sleepily as the music starts, followed by a male Japanese singer.

[Kimi ga yumemiru tame ni]
[Boku wa yoru wa mamoru wo]

I gasp.  These lyrics...

[Kimi ga aisuru mono ni]
[Itsuka kitto boku waratte yukou]

...like a reflection of my thoughts... my feelings...

I glance over at Duo once again.  Eyes closed, a content smile playing on his face, he hums along with the song until he passes into dreamland.

Looking over at the remaining time of the track, I realize that this song is actually quite short.  Familiar words from the beginning replays again.

[Kimi ga yumemiru tame ni]
[Boku wa yoru wa mamoru wo]

Yes...  I will...

[Kimi no kanashimi dake ga]
[Kono sekai de boku no mune mo nurasu]

So true...

[Kimi ga yumemiru tame ni]
[Boku wa yoru wa mamoru wo]

For you, Duo...

[Kimi ga aisuru mono ni]
[Itsuka kitto boku waratte yukou]

Only for you...

tbc...

Notes:  I skipped like a section of the song (the middle part) because I found these 2 (or 3 depending how you look at it) verses to be most appropriate at the moment of Heero's thinking.