A/N: Wow. . . four reviews in two days. . . I feel extra special now. . . ^_^ Anyway, here, as promised, is the next chapter. I didn't leave you too long, did I? ^_^ Here you are, enjoy.
Chapter 8: I'll Follow You Always
Heero rushed over to Duo's bedside. "Duo!"
Duo was curled up facing Heero. When he called his name, Duo's eyes opened ever so slightly, and the first thing he saw was Heero…crying.
"Hee. . . ro. . .?"
"Duo, why? Why would you do this? Did you want to follow Relena that badly?"
Duo didn't answer, but he was watching Heero carefully, his eyes still half-open.
"What about the other people that cared about you? You want to start a suicide chain?"
"Like who?" Duo whispered. "No one would follow me, I'm a nuisance, I know it. I only get in people's way."
"Duo, that's not true!" Heero exclaimed, frustrated.
"Name one person who cares enough about me to follow me," he said, closing his eyes.
Heero watched him for a minute, opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again. . . "Me."
This time Duo's eyes opened all the way.
"If you killed yourself, I wouldn't be far behind."
"Heero. . ." He and Heero had once toyed with the idea of dating each other, even kissed on a dare, but they hadn't been serious about it. At least, Duo hadn't.
"You think you're the only one affected by Relena's death? Well, you're wrong. I loved her too, remember? But she and I could never be together. And I knew that. So when you two got together, I decided I wanted you both to be happy. So I helped you. Do you know how hard it is to watch the only two people you've ever loved be together, and know you could probably never have either of them?"
Duo was silent, staring at Heero in wonder. "Heero. . . why didn't you tell me?"
He shrugged and looked down. I didn't know what you'd think."
At that moment, Trowa's re-entrance startled them. They hadn't even noticed him leaving. "I called an ambulance. They'll be here in a few minutes."
"Good," Heero said.
"Heero. . ." He turned to see Duo watching him. "Thank you."
"For what?"
He smiled. "For keeping the God of Death alive. I wasn't really sure if I'd go to the same place as her."
As the rising sound of the ambulances was heard outside, Duo looked up at his own message spread out on the wall before he passed out, a look of sad contentment on his face.
Heero smiled in understanding. Relena, despite her one sin of committing suicide, would probably still go to heaven. The God of Death was doomed to hell. No matter how he died.
Duo woke up in a soft bed, and was surprised to see that Heero had fallen asleep in a chair next to him. He looked around the room and confirmed that he was in a hospital room, then looked down to see his arm bandaged carefully, and an IV in his good arm. He looked up as Trowa and Quatre came in.
"Duo—" Quatre started, but Duo cut him off.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped on you like that. It wasn't your fault."
Quatre sighed. "I know we were wrong to doubt you. We should have asked you right when we found out. . ."
"And I should have told you guys, at least, about my plans. So let's just forget about it. Truce." He grinned and held out his hand, which Quatre gladly accepted. Trowa smiled, and Heero, peeking out from one half-closed lid, struggled to keep his face emotionless.
Duo smiled. "Heero, I know you're awake."
Heero opened his eyes. "Never could fool you, could I?" Duo smiled and shook his head.
Trowa laid one hand on Quatre's shoulder. "We're gonna go find some decent food, since I know you won't eat the stuff they have here."
Duo grinned. "You got that right. Hospital food? Yech. Smart boy."
The two waved goodbye and left, then Heero turned back to face Duo with an expectant look on his face.
"I've thought about what you said," Duo said slowly, answering his unasked question. "And. . . I think I'd like to give it a try."
"Are you sure you're ready to date someone else already?"
Duo shook his head. "No. But I might as well try, it'll keep my mind off of her. Besides, if I had to date someone else, I'd want it to be you anyway." He smiled at Heero, and the smile reached almost all the way to his eyes, which still shined with unshed tears.
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A/N: Wow, I actually wrote a semi-long chapter! Amazing, ne? ^_^ Well, I guess this one chapter will make up for getting three last time. . . don't worry, I won't wait too long before getting the rest of the story up. . . Only four more chapters! ^_^