Disclaimer: Maybe in a millenium I'll be able to say 'They're not mine.' without breaking down, crying about that. ((winks)) I promise to return the boys to...erm, Sunrise? Bandai?... wherever and to whomever they belong. As for the lyrics mentioned, I just...adapted them as I saw fit for the needs of this fanfic. In reality, the song and the lyrics belong to one Ronan Keating and associates. Everything was borrowed with much love but no permission whatsoever. No copyright infringement was intended either.

Notes: Now who of you guys out there actually wanted to see whether there'd be a continuation of "Wings"!? Hrmph. Yeah, me too. I really shouldn't have listened to the radio. (And how come the characters rarely do what they're supposed to, i.e. exactly that which you want them to!?)

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When You Say Nothing At All

by Hotaru Muraki

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"......Heero...?" I blinked, watching the door swing shut behind the Perfect Soldier. What had that been all about? Sure, I knew he had had a solo-mission from which he had been supposed to return tonight and that it had been somewhat tricky even for him but...that did not explain Heero's rather unusual behaviour. Unusual even for him, that is. Maybe he'd been knocked on his head or something.

Then again... Such thing had never fazed him much before. I mean that guy set his own broken leg after jumping out of a thirty-story window – sans parachute. Weird, definitely weird. But not quite as scary as you might think. Well, at least not for me. He's regularly confusing and/or frustrating me but... I'm used to him, I guess. Besides, without being able to explain why exactly, I know that Heero would not intentionally hurt me. Ever.

That's when I became aware of the fact that I was still clutching whatever it was that Heero had thrown at me. I looked at 'it'. Then I looked again, blinking rapidly. My mind, albeit belatedly, registered the nature of said object. How is it that he managed to surprise me time after time? ...and why'd he give me an MD?! I checked. No, still not my B-Day. Neither his nor anyone else's we knew. So...why'd you do that, Hee-chan?

(( In his room across the hallway, Heero Yuy sneezed, forced to pause in typing in his mission report. He death-glared in Duo's direction. ))

I shivered, feeling a chill run down my spine. It's dangerous to one's health and continued well-being to call the Perfect Soldier any names even in his absence. To do so to his face could therefore justifiably be called downright suicidal. Still, Shinigami may run and hide – but I never lie. So I insisted on (affectionately! .) calling him Hee-chan – because Heero is my...friend more than just a comrade-in-arms – but that didn't stop me from running each time he threw out that "omae wo korosu" of his. (Hey, I am not the one regularly self-destructing!) Anyway, I really, really wished he'd carry out that threat on a certain obnoxious, pink-limousined airhead, though... She's even been asking for it, too.

Shrugging, I decided to put off pondering my stony partner's quirks for a later time. I knew that when – not if! – I started thinking about Heero at all, I'd face another sleepless night. Not to mention a rather...uncomfortably morning, too. Not to mention that this hadn't happened before. I sighed. Putting the MD in my player merely out of curiousity, of course, I switched off the lights, lay back and hit the 'play'-button.

- - - - - -

....................................I was stunned, to say the least. Speechless. For once at a loss for words. What was the meaning of this? What did Heero want to say with this song? Was I just indulging my wishful thinking? Or......did he want to say anything at all? And...what for? What was Heero's intention – if he had any?

My mind was reeling with questions. Not an unusual occurrence when the subject in question was such an unusual, extraordinary person himself. Not that I cared all that much about Heero – apart from being a friend and trusted partner. Just like WuFei, Trowa and Quatre. Right?

Right. I sighed despondently. Who was I trying to fool with that? Really. As I already said, I may run and hide – but I do not lie. Not even to myself. So...... I gulped. My mind was wandering down along pathways hitherto forbidden, not trodden upon. Or, rather, avenues I had not quite dared to venture on. Yet. Uncharted territory, so to speak.

..........After spending some time on this train of thoughts, I was forced to admit defeat. Sure, Heero was my friend just like the other Gundam pilots were but... He was as special to me as Trowa and Quatre were to each other. So... What was I supposed to do now? And more importantly: what did I want to do? Now that I'd discovered that Heero just might be—

Well, let's just say that I felt kinda relieved. And anxious. And fluttery. And...so many things more. Yay! My crush was not totally one-sided after all! Hmm... But how to answer? I sat there, thinking. And after a while...I still sat there, thinking. Then it hit me. Why not answer him the same way?

Jumping up, I rushed over to my collection of music. Damn! I really shouldn't have switched off my laptop! (Yeah, yeah, I know. But in contrast to popular belief, I did own one and I really did know how to use it, too. I was just not as obsessive about it as a certain 'someone' I could name.) Switching it on again, I waited for it to re-boot.

Blink, blink. Wow, that was fast! Anyway, since I roughly knew what I wanted, it shouldn't take me too long to search even though my collection was quite large. (Grin. Even if I do say so myself! ) However, it was well-ordered. Hm.... No. ...too cheesy. ...No, not that. ...Aaaargh! ...Ugly.....too loud...hm....maybe......NO!...Neither that one..... Hm... Why not look for the answer in the same era of songs as the one Heero had given me?

Whistling softly to myself, I set to work. Finding what I was looking for was comparatively easy after that. ............yes! That one would be perfect! Hehehehe... And fitting. Hopefully, Heero would get what I wanted to say with it. He could be more than dense sometimes. Well, it was true. At least when it came to emotions, feelings and the expression thereof. Maybe I should listen to the song first. Just to make sure, of course.

Pensively, I hit the 'play'-button.

It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart

That is true for sure. Although... I don't think you're actually aware of what you're doing. Doing to me...

Without saying a word, you can light up the dark

Remember that mission where I had been captured by OZ? They were just about to 'question' me when you burst in to rescue me. You claimed it was just paybeck for what I had done for you earlier. Hm... I wonder. For me, however, it was different. Like the song said...

Try as I may I can never explain

What I hear when you don't say a thing

You know, Heero, that most people think of you as anti-social, psychotic even, taciturn, cold, or worse. Maybe you are all of that. But. Have those same, self-righteous people ever really tried to get to know you? I mean, have they at least made the effort to try and see the real 'you' and not the 'Perfect Soldier'. And don't tell me there's no such thing! Because I know there is. There really is, Heero. Only... Most people don't bother to look, preferring to chase after their image of you. Just like a certain idealistic blockhead, ne?

But then again, you don't exactly make it easy for people to get to know you, let alone get close. Maybe that's for the best what with the War and all that. I wonder if you'd even have bothered with me if we didn't have certain...issues in common. Like piloting Gundams, for example. Or disliking Relena. Grin. On the other hand... Maybe it's just because I continually refuse to back down from you 'omae wo korosu's. Who knows. That you sorta tolerate me being around you, I mean. I do know that I get on your nerves regularly and repeatedly – but how else am I supposed to reach through to you?

I couldn't but shake my head. ...And I wondered whether such a strategy would actually work.

The smile on your face let's me know that you need me

I don't know if you've really consciously noticed, Heero, but there are times – few and far between – where you've almost-smiled at me. When you're not threatening me for one reason or other, that is.

There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me

At this, I couldn't help but smile gently. That, too, is true about you. You do seem...not quite-as-hard sometimes. Late at night, when you think I'm asleep and no-one's looking.

The touch of your hand says you'll catch me wherever I fall

And although you hardly ever say anything to me that's not mission-related or 'omae wo korosu', you're always there when I need you the most. Always.

You say it best......when you say nothing at all

You're not a man of many words, are you? I guess not. Grinning, I remembered our first meeting. We didn't exchange many words then, too. You were too busy threatening to kill Relena and I was too occupied with trying to save her. Looking back from now, I really, really should have let you shoot her instead of shooting you. Twice.Hindsight is ever perfect, hm?

I'm really sorry about that, you know. But... You really surprised me there. I'd never before met someone who could walk away from being shot – twice! – like that. Shaking my head, I couldn't help but admit that yes, Heero Yuy, you are incredible. The 'Perfect Soldier' and all that. I know.

However! That does NOT excuse what you did to my poor Deathscythe! Really, Heero, it was amazing that you were able to repair your wing in such a short time – but did you really have to mutilate my poor Gundam, my precious Deathscythe, for that!? Heeeerrroooo...... That was really mean!

All day long I can hear people talking out loud

I snickered. Rather, it's me talking out loud, long and fast. Effectively getting on most people's nerves, too. But! This is, in its own way, just as effective as your stony silences. For who'd bother to look behind the mask of the jester?

But when you hold me near, you drown out the crowd

Not that you held me all that often, mind you. In fact, the only times you've held me up to now, I was either hurt, unconscious – or both. Sigh. When I accidentally looked outside the window and saw a shooting star, I didn't even have to think about what to wish for. Starlight, star bright....

Try as they might they could never define

What's been said between your heart and mine

I blinked, my expression suddenly turning serious. (Yeah, I know. You wouldn't think me capable of doing that now, would you?) I...I don't know what to say anymore. This must be what one felt like after having been hit with a sledgehammer. Repeatedly.

I mean... I have been in love with you probably since the moment I first met you but... I've never ever before been so aware of it. Especially now when my feelings might even be reciprocated! To some degree at least...

Maybe I'm repeating myself but you did surprise me earlier. I would never have guessed you the type to do such a thing. Nor would I have expected such a...song. ....Where'd you get that anyway? And how come you've decided to do what you did now of all times? Not that I mind, of course.

I'm really happy that you obviously think me...trustworthy enough, maybe even a...friend? That you feel you can act that way towards me. Sigh. I don't make much sense, do I? But. If I can't even make sense to myself – how the hell can I even begin to try and get my message across to you!?

Then I remembered.....

Oh........ The smile on your face lets me know that you need me

When you dragged me from out of the wreck of my poor, self-destructed-by-necessity Deathscythe... You thought I was unconscious when you checked me over for injuries then, ne? Because... I don't think you would otherwise have smiled in relief like that.

There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me

Then our stint with the Preventers. When that blonde ditz-ball had you on bodyguard duty practically 24/7. Aaaaaaaaaarrgh...!! I really wanted to kill her then. Come to think of it... I stil do. . You, Heero... You just looked at me, silent as usual.

The touch of your hand says you'll catch me whenever I fall

That, or a small touch from you, a light, otherwise unnoticeable gesture was all I needed to reassure me. Not that I was jealous or anything. Not afraid of possibly losing you to someone rich, more sophisticated than me.

I couldn't but laugh at those thoughts. The Perfect Soldier has a mind, will, and also a... heart of his own. I totally forgot that somehow. Heero...

You say it best...................When you say nothing at all

I still remember that one time, that late afternoon/early evening when I had just returned from a mission and you had, at least for the day, successfully ditched Relena-ojoubaka. You only looked at me pointedly and walked past me towards the path leading down to the beach. Needless to say that I followed less than ten minutes later. (Man, that surely was one of the fastest showers I ever took!)

When I reached the seashore, I found you sitting on a partially submerged rock, gazing out over the sea. And for some strange reason I still can't figure out, I restrained myself from bounding over and babbling your ears off like I would do usually. Instead, I simply walked over to you. You silently moved to make room for me. I merely sat down beside you, both of us settling into a rare, companionable silence. Then it was only the two of us watching the sun's slow descent beneath the waves, contemplating the sunset, the universe or... whatever. (Blush!)

However, I think I shouldn't have dangled my feet in the water no matter how nice and refreshing that was. I mean, come on! How was I supposed to know some stupid crab or something would mistake my toes for some juicy worms and try to eat them! .....You surely found it amusing, didn't you, Heero?

Well, I guess it really was funny, in a certain twisted-sense-of-humour way. At least that's what I tried to tell myself after you'd helped me pry that thing off of my toes. Then, when we finally sat back on our rock, you turned to me and—

That smile on your face

— I fell in love all over again. And when I had at last gathered enough courage to meet your gaze...

The truth in your eyes

...I was, for once, actually well and truly speechless. A increasingly frequent occurrence while in your presence. Then you were so...close all of a sudden, your hand reaching out—

The touch of your hand

Maybe I'm being presumptuous here but I thought...

Let me know that you need me...

I thought I had died and gone to Heaven right then and there because to me, this was what I'd imagined my Heaven to be like. My paradise...

You say it best when you say nothing at all

Yeah, Heero, isn't that true. The understatement of the millenium. You... You are my—

...You say it bestwhen you say nothing at all.....

- - - - - -

I let the song wind to a close. Well, I listened to the rest of the lyrics without really hearing them, rather half-heartedly I admit, because my thoughts just...sorta...drifted. Almost mechanically, I copied the song onto a MD. Hmm..... Now how to give it to Heero?

After drawing up some scenarios where each new one was more outrageously absurd than the last and consequently dismissing them – I was ready to give up. Wait! How about if I just returned the favour? .....And if I was lucky, I'd be gone fast enough for him not to reflexively shoot me. Grinning, I got up, grabbed the MD and headed for Heero's room. I am Shinigami. I might run and I might hide – but I did not lie.

The next thing I consciously thought about was opening the door of Heero's room. Ah, Spandex-Boy's still sitting at his laptop. Before he could do more than glare at me for daring to interrupt, I chucked the MD at him with a cheeky grin and a "Oi, Heero. .....Catch!" before lightning-quickly closing the door again.

As I walked back to my own room, I found myself humming. Yes! Shinigami was in a good mood right now! I did not wonder whether Heero would understand the 'go ahead please' I was trying to give him with that MD. I was just curious whether he'd actually act on it.

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In Pilot 01's room, Heero Yuy blinked, expression still as stony as before. Only his eyes might have betrayed some of the uncertainty he felt. But since there was no-one else in the room, no-one could see Heero put the MD into his MD-player. No-one was there to watch the expression of surprise dawning on his face either. Well, neither did anyone see the growing smirk that formed on the Perfect Soldier's face.

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In his room, Duo felt a chill of foreboding running down his spine.

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- - - - - - O W A R I - - - - - -

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Responses to reviews (of "Wings"):

- Divinity-Chan: Thank youu! ((sniffs)) That's the first time someone's said something like that about my writing style. ((starry-eyed)) I'm so happy...

- Nittle Grasper Wonder: Stranger things have happened. Here's the continuation! V

- A Thousand Paper Cranes: Thanks. I appreciate your comment. ((winks)) Such things keep a writer going, na no da.