Author: aomurasakiai
Warnings: AU, Angst, Sap, Shounen ai/Yaoi
Pairings: 2+1, 1+2, 2x1
Spoilers: None
Rating: PG-13
*Everything above may be
subject to change*
Fragile Faith: Chapter 12 – "Did You Mean It?"
A soft knock on the door made Heero look away from the window. When the door opened, Duo's head poked inside.
"Hey Heero!" When Heero heard the American's cheerful greeting, he relaxed.
Duo blinked as he saw Heero's pillow and blanket still out. The blanket was wrapped around the Japanese boy's crossed legs and the pillow was propped up by the window seat. Usually he never saw them out unless Heero was sleeping. Maybe he was sick and was resting? Duo quickly closed the door and hurried over.
"Heero… you okay?" He let his hand brush back the messy bangs on the other's forehead. "You're not sick are you?" Heero turned his head slightly to avoid Duo's hand.
"No, I'm fine." Duo decided to let it go for now and sat on the window seat beside him. He held up the bag of burgers and fries.
"I brought dinner. You hungry?" Seeing Heero look back and nod, Duo reached into the bag and handed one to the teen. They ate in silence but Duo was watching Heero take tiny bites of the burger, totally unlike the way he used to eat. He also seemed very deep in thought.
"Heero. Is something bothering you? You don't have to eat if you're not hungry. I'm not forcing you." Heero glanced up at the American teen and slowly lowered the barely half-eaten burger onto his lap. Duo gave him another smile.
"Let's wrap it up then. You can eat it when you're hungry." Duo managed to down two burgers so that satisfied his own hunger for a bit. He placed Heero's burger back into the bag and took out the fries, being careful not to get any on Heero's "bed". Duo held them out to Heero, who chose one and just nibbled on it, still lost in thought. When he continued to remain locked in his mind, Duo thought that something must be seriously bothering the Japanese boy.
Placing the fries aside as well he decided to give the plushie now and hoped that it would help make Heero feel better about whatever it was that he was thinking about. He reached down and lifted his whole bag up onto the window seat, placing it on between them.
"Heero… I made you something." Duo unzipped his bag and took out the plushie of himself. Heero's eyes widened as he slowly reached out to take it.
"For… For me?" the Japanese boy asked in surprise.
"Yeah." Duo shifted nervously and placed the bag back on the floor. " I hope you like it," he said while rubbing his bandaged hands together. Heero had the plushie on his lap and was handling it quite… fondly. The Japanese teen smiled as he traced the plushie's smile with his thumb.
"Naze?" Heero asked quietly. Duo blinked.
"Huh?" He saw Heero tighten his jaw before looking up and repeating the question louder.
"Naze? Why?" Duo blinked again when he saw Heero's eyes. They were… completely glassy.
"You've done too much for me already." Heero lowered his head to look at the plushie. "I don't… deserve this."
"Heero." Duo scooted closer to the boy. "It's okay. I enjoy doing things with you. And if you're worried about this…." He held up his bandaged fingers and wiggled them. "…..I've experienced worse things and survived." Duo's face lost the smile and creased into a frown of worry as Heero grew silent again.
"Heero?" He nudged the other's shoulder gently. "Hey what's wrong?"
"Duo…" Duo looked at Heero intently and was surprised to see him swallow hard.
"L…" The Japanese boy focused on the plushie and rubbed his thumbs over it. "Last night… did you mean it?" Duo blinked, confused.
"Mean what?" Heero turned his head towards Duo and without saying a word he slowly brought the plushie up to his cheek. It took a moment before the meaning of that gesture crashed into Duo's mind.
'He was AWAKE?!' Duo was completely stunned. He tried to work his voice and his jaw but no sound would come out. Heero smiled sadly as he lowered the plushie again.
"Gomen. It was just… on my mind. Forget I asked." Duo held his breath.
'So *that's* what was bothering him!' With his heart beating wildly, he slowly reached out and lay one of his hands on the plushie, on top of Heero's.
"Heero, did you *want* it to mean something?" he asked softly, leaning closer. Heero felt the heat in the room rise along with the heat upon his cheeks. He turned his head to stare into violet eyes and Duo saw the answer there within the cobalt blue pools.
A desperate answer… a desperate plea.
Duo leaned closer still, his eyes starting to slide shut. Before they closed completely though, he saw through the small slits that Heero was following suit. It seemed an eternity had passed before lips met lips.
tbc…